Islands In The Net

As envisioned by Bruce Sterling, the 21st century is not overflowing with technological miracles - as far as technology goes, it is, in fact, a fairly realistic future. Computers and biotechnologies in everyday use, but nothing really unbelievable. What did change is the world order - the nation states of today are overshadowed by international corporations who appoint their own leadership through sort of a family vote. Of course, the old-fashioned dictators still run the southern half of the globe, pirating knowhow and whatever else of value is to be had. Although not quite happy about the thefts, the north turns a blind eye on things rather than having to deal with them.

Of course, the bad guys with their dirty money cannot be totally ignored. That is why David and Laura, prominent employees of the Rizome company, are asked to organize a covert meeting with a couple of data pirates - nothing strictly illegal, just to check things out and perhaps profit a tiny little bit. But the meeting goes wrong, an attendee is killed and the pirates do not like it one little bit. Actually, they are angry enough to start a war - and to prevent that, David and Laura set out to smooth things out.

Soon, however, the two protagonists find out that the world actually does not revolve around them. The incident at the secret meeting turns out to be a mere trifle in the grand scheme of things - and the the grand scheme includes all the excitement you could ask for.