Arbitrium

A Tor. com Original

English language

Published Aug. 15, 2022 by Doherty Associates, LLC, Tom.

ISBN:
978-1-250-86018-7
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3 stars (1 review)

Vashti is a pathogenic diplomat—an ambassador to the world of viruses, whom she communicates with through a machine that can translate their chemical signals into images, tastes, smells, sounds, and memories. She begins a negotiation between the US Government and a diplomatic contingent from Arenavirus, a virus which has just begun spreading a deadly mutation in Florida. If Vashti is successful, she and Arena will reach a diplomatic agreement; if not, the Arenavirus infection will continue to spread, and humans will have to race to try to find a vaccine or treatment. As she navigates the diplomatic discussions, Vashti is also trying to connect with her daughter Alma, who lives on the other side of the country in a technology-averse commune. By the time the negotiation ends, Vashti discovers that Arenavirus have learned some impressive and deadly tricks from their interactions with humans.

1 edition

The perils of communicating with viruses.

3 stars

An okay story about an attempt by a human 'diplomat' to communicate with a group of Arenavirus, done through an interface that translates human images into chemical signals the virus 'understands'.

The communication was done to come to an understanding with the Arenavirus over an outbreak that humans want to contain. But the Arenavirus has other ideas, hinted at the chemicals emitted that translate into images of threats and possibilities, some involving the diplomat's daughter: the reality of which is only revealed at the end.

The story reminds me of the short story version of Greg Bear's "Blood Music".