Two years after the
Battle on Starship Hill
CHAPTER 00
How do you get the attention of the richest businessperson in the world?
Vendacious had spent all his well-remembered life sucking up to royalty. He never dreamed he would fall so low as to need a common merchant, but here he was with his only remaining servant, trying to find a street address in East Home’s factory district.
This latest street was even narrower than the one they had left. Surely the world’s richest would never come here!
The alley had heavy doors set on either side. At the moment, all were closed, but the place must be a crowded madness at shift change. There were posters every few feet, but these were not the advertisements they had seen elsewhere. These were demands and announcements: WASH ALL PAWS BEFORE WORK, NO ADVANCE WAGES, EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS AHEAD. This last sign pointed toward a wide pair of doors at the end of the alley. It was all marvelously pompous and silly. And yet . . . as he walked along, Vendacious took a long look at the crenellations above him. Surely that was plaster over wood. But if it was real stone, then this was a fortified castle hidden right in the middle of East Home commercialism.
Vendacious held back, waved at his servant to proceed. Chitiratifor advanced along the alley, singing praise for his dear master. He had not quite reached the wide doors when they swung open and a hugely numerous pack emerged. It was nine or ten and it spread across their way like a sentry line. Vendacious suppressed
the urge to look up at the battlements for signs of archers.
The huge pack looked at them stupidly for a moment, then spoke in loud and offi cious chords. “Employment work you want? Can you read?”
Chitiratifor stopped singing introductory flourishes, and replied, “Of course we can read, but we’re not here for—”
The gatekeeper pack spoke right over Chitiratifor’s words: “No matter. I have application forms here.” Two of it trotted down the steps with scraps of paper held in their jaws. “I will explain it all to you and then you sign. Tycoon pay good. Give good housing. And one day off every tenday.”
Chitiratifor bristled. “See here, my good pack. We are not seeking employment. My lord”—he gestured respectfully at Vendacious—“has come to tell the Great Tycoon of new products and opportunities.”
“Paw prints to suffice if you cannot write—” The other interrupted its own speech as Chitiratifor’s words finally penetrated. “Not wanting to apply for work?” It looked at them for moment, took in Chitiratifor’s fl ashy outfit. “Yes, you are not dressed for this doorway. I should have noticed.” It thought for a second. “You are in wrong place. Business visitors must visit to the Business Center. You go back five blocks and then onto the Concourse of the Great Tycoon. Wait. I get you a
map.”
From THE CHILDREN OF THE SKY by Vernor Vinge, copyright © 2011 by the author, and reprinted by permission of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
Ever since A Fire Upon the Deep won the Hugo Award in 1993, readers have besieged Vernor Vinge for a sequel to that enormously popular, groundbreaking novel. Now, after nearly 20 years, the five-time Hugo winning author has finally produced the book his legion of fans have been waiting for!
Ten years have passed on Tines World since a disaster nearly obliterated humanity throughout the galaxy. Ravna Bergnsdot and the pack animals for which the planet is named have survived a war, and Ravna has saved one hundred and fifty Children who were in cold sleep aboard the vessel that brought them.
While there is peace among the Tines, there are those among them—and among the humans—who seek power...and no matter the cost, these malcontents are determined to overturn the fledgling civilization that has taken root since the humans landed.
Revisiting a world of fascinating wonders and terrifying dangers, Vernor Vinge has created a powerful novel of adventure with all the excitement and human drama that made A Fire Upon the Deep a science fiction landmark. The Children of the Sky is a worthy successor, and a singular achievement by one of the most respected figures in the field.
Hardcover : 496 pages
Publisher: Tor Books ( October 11, 2011 )
Item #: 13-422100
ISBN: 9780312875626
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.25 inches
Product Weight: 17.0 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

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