“Machines can't lie," I said, lying through my circuits.”

“My own writing has perhaps more of an American flavor than a British one, but that's because the stories I've so far written have needed it. 'Empire State,' 'Seven Wonders' and 'The Age Atomic' are all very place-centric, where the setting itself is almost a character. But there is a universality to story that isn't just limited to science fiction.”

“Out on the ragged edge of space, there was no time for theories.”

“So,” said Zia, “you’re gonna eat your way through the whole universe, top to bottom. And then what?”

“Machines can't lie," I said, lying through my circuits.”

“Efficiency was a higher priority than imagination.”

“You can’t fathom the alien mind.”