The City Who Fought

United States: Baen, 1994. Very Good. This space adventure further develops McCaffrey's vivid future universe of diversified cultures, technological wonders and twisted, sometimes corrupt, politics. Space Station SSS-900C, a profitable but out-of-the-way trading and mining center, is attacked by Kolnari, pirates from a planet of sociopa thic exiles. While awaiting the arrival of the Central Worlds' Navy, the in habitants play for time with a major deception planned by Simeon, the shell person operating the station, whose hobby is the study of early warfare, in cluding guerrilla tactics. (Shellpeople, damaged while young by accident or birth defect and encased in life-support systems, are wired into and contr ol sophisticated technology such as space stations, cities and spaceships, while maintaining their own personalities and emotions.) Central to the sch eme is obedience to all the Kolnari's demands while keeping secret the fact of Simeon's existence, since if the Kolnari gained control of the technica lly sophisticated shellperson they would have an intolerable advantage. As Simeon clandestinely builds his trap for the Kolnari, he wistfully watches and encourages a love affair between Channa Hap, the woman he loves and can not have, and a noble refugee. McCaffrey (The Dragonriders of Pern series, The Ship Who Sang ) and Stirling (the Draka series) create vivid heroes and villains in a complex and deadly game.