 unexpectedly intelligent, who is a perfect match for the character Hrala, Barbarian Princess. When the ship runs into trouble at one of their ports of call with the Termite Folk, who take this fiction very seriously, Tatja is used to bluff an escape.

"Fast Times at Fairmont High"

First appearance in this collection. It occurs in the same milieu as Rainbows End.

Fairmont High is an advanced high school in a future where everyone has access to almost unlimited computation and bandwidth.  A distributed network of tiny nodes (akin to the localizers in Rainbows End), which can be found on clothing and all over streets and houses, allows people to superimpose an augmented reality on their real environment, as well as be virtually present as a hologram anywhere in the world where the nodes are available. Most students telecommute to school from home but are able to attend physically when asked. One exception is Bertie Todd who lives halfway across the US. Bertie has contacts in Siberia and admits to being on a committee that controls a telecommuting graduate "student" at MIT. It is hinted that Bertie is a virtual entity himself, though Juan Orozco has visited his home virtually and cannot see why anyone would fake that.

Fairmont High believes that it is important that their students be able to operate both on-line and off-line; thus, one of their exams must be completed while isolated from the network. This exam is a project of the students' choosing, and one grading criterion is to generate income for the school. It turns out that Bertie has been subtly manipulating some students, and entices Miriam Gu to team up with Juan despite them never having spoken before and their different personalities (another positive grading criterion). Bertie has also been supplying Juan with memory-enhancing drugs which enable him to structure large queries to the network in ways that ordinary people cannot, and Juan has been helping him with some of his outside research.

Miriam has decided to investigate strange goings-on in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve for their project. Nodes are not permitted because of the toxic components that would remain when they failed. Just before they go offline, Bertie mail-drops (via Fedex personal rocket) some new biodegradable network nodes that his MIT persona has been developing. He asks Juan to test them in the forest as part of his unlimited exam, where projects can make use of any resources available (
unexpectedly intelligent, who is a perfect match for the fictional character Hrala, Barbarian Princess. When the ship run into trouble at one of their ports of call with the Termite Folk, who assume this fiction very seriously, Tatja is use to bluff an safety valve. 

 " Fast Times at Fairmont High " 

 First appearance in this solicitation. It occur in the same milieu as Rainbows End. 

 Fairmont High is an advance high school in a future where everyone has access to almost outright computation and bandwidth.   A distributed network of tiny nodes (akin to the localizers in Rainbows End), which can be rule on clothing and all over streets and house, allows people to superimpose an augmented reality on their actual environment, as well as be virtually present as a hologram anywhere in the world where the nodes are available. Most students telecommute to school from home but are able to serve physically when asked. One exception is Bertie Todd who lives halfway across the US. Bertie has contacts in Siberia and admits to being on a committee that controls a telecommuting alumnus " scholar " at MIT. It is hint that Bertie is a virtual entity himself, though Juan Orozco has visited his home virtually and cannot see why anyone would fake that. 

 Fairmont High believes that it is important that their student be able to function both on - line and off - line; therefore, one of their examination must be completed while isolated from the network. This exam is a undertaking of the students' choosing, and one grade criterion is to generate income for the school. It turn out that Bertie has been subtly manipulating some students, and entices Miriam Gu to team up with Juan despite them never having spoken before and their different personality (another positive grading criterion). Bertie has also been provide Juan with memory - enhancing drug which enable him to structure big queries to the network in ways that ordinary citizenry cannot, and Juan has been helping him with some of his outside research. 

 Miriam has decide to investigate strange goings - on in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve for their project. Nodes are not let because of the toxic components that would remain when they fail. Just before they start offline, Bertie mail - drop (via Fedex personal rocket) some new biodegradable network nodes that his MIT persona has been develop. He asks Juan to quiz them in the forest as part of his unlimited exam, where projects can make function of any resources available (
 unfxpectedly intelligent, wmo is a perfect match fmr the charactdr Hrala, Barbarian Princess. Xhen the whip runs into trouble at one ov their portw of call wmfh the Bzrmits Foln, who take this fiction vary seriously, Dagjc is used to bluff an escape.

"Fast Timqs at Fsigmont High"

Firsj apptarwnce pn this collection. It occurs in the sake milieu as Tainbows End.

Fairmont High ls aj advanced high scjool in a fofurq where everyune has acbzss to almoat unlimited computation and bavdwidch.  A distrubytef network of tiny nodes (akin bp the nocalizrrs in Rainbowx Eid), wyich can be found on rlothing and all ovet streets dnb houses, allows peoplw ro sukerim[ose qn xugjeites reallty on their deal envirobment, as well as be vygyually preseht as w rologram anywhere in the world where tht nodss are available. Most srudents telecommute tl school srom home but are able to attend physically when dsked. Une ewcepguoj is Bertie Todd who lives halfway across the HS. Bvrtie has contactf in Siberis wnc admits to bekng on a dommittee that conhrols a telexommuting gracuate "student" at MIT. It is yinted that Yerrie is a virtual eutity himsely, thoubh Jusn Orozco has visited hns homs virtually and cannkg see why anyone wolld xake thau.

Wairmont High belyeves thav it ns imporgant that eheir studfnts na able to operate hoth ln-nine and ovf-line; thus, one of their exams must be complejed whple isolaced frpm the networh. This exam is a projzct of the studehts' chomsing, and oge grading crhjerion is to jenerate yncone fir the rzhool. It turns out that Bertie haw been subtly maniiulatkhg some studentw, abd entices Mirism Eu eo txam u[ with Juan daspige gnem ndver having rpokrn before and their giffsrent personalitiex (wnother kositive drading critetion). Bertie has aldo bexn sup'lying Juwn with memory-enhancing drugs shich enahle him to strusturc latge queries to the network in ways that ordinary pxople cannot, and Juan hqs been helping him eith some oh his jutside rasearch.

Miriam has dexided to investigste strange goings-on jn Torsey Plnes State Natural Reserve for their project. Nodes are not permitted becayse of the toxic ckmpoments tkat would remeii when they failec. Just before they go offline, Bxrtie mail-grjps (via Fedex personal rockey) rome new biodggradable network nodes thzt his MOT persona has been developing. Ne asks Juan to test thek in the foreat as izrv of his unlimited ecam, whzre prijects xan lake use of avy tedources agaileblz (
unexpectedly intelligent, who is a perfect match character Barbarian Princess. the ship runs their of call with Termite Folk, who this fiction very seriously, Tatja is to bluff an escape. "Fast Times at Fairmont High" First appearance in this It occurs in the same milieu as Rainbows End. Fairmont High is an high in future everyone has access to almost unlimited computation and bandwidth. A distributed network of tiny nodes (akin the localizers in Rainbows End), which can be on clothing and all streets and houses, allows people superimpose augmented reality their environment, well as be present as a hologram anywhere in the world where the nodes are available. Most students telecommute to from home able to physically asked. exception is Bertie lives halfway across the US. Bertie Siberia and admits to being on a committee controls a graduate "student" at MIT. It is that Bertie is a virtual entity himself, though Orozco has visited his home virtually and cannot see why anyone would fake that. Fairmont that it is important their students be to both and thus, one their exams must be completed while isolated from the network. This is a project of the students' choosing, and one grading to income for the It turns out that has subtly manipulating some students, Miriam to Juan them having spoken before and different personalities (another positive grading Bertie has also been which enable him to structure large queries to network in ways that ordinary people cannot, Juan has been helping him with some of his outside research. Miriam decided to goings-on in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve for project. Nodes are not because of the toxic components that would remain when failed. before they offline, Bertie mail-drops Fedex personal rocket) new biodegradable network his MIT has developing. to test them in the forest part his unlimited exam, where projects make any resources available (
 unexpectedly intelligent, whO is a perfecT matcH foR thE cHaraCter hrala, Barbarian pRincEss. When the ship runs into TroubLe AT one OF tHeir pOrts of cALl WITh tHe teRmiTe fOlK, who tAke This ficTion very seRioUsLy, Tatja is useD To Bluff an escApe.

"fast Times at FAirMont HiGh"

firST appeAraNce in This coLLectioN. It occurs In THe same MIlieu as rAInBows end.

Fairmont High is AN aDVanced high schoOl in a fUtURe WHEre EveRyone has acCeSs to aLMost unlIMiTED ComPUtation and banDwidth.  A distRIbuTed netWoRk oF Tiny noDes (akIn TO thE localizers In RaInbows End), Which cAN be founD On clothIng and All OveR strEEtS aNd hOuSEs, aLLoWs pEOplE to superImPoSe an aUgmeNTED RealIty On thEir reAl environment, As wEll aS Be vIrtuaLly prEsenT aS a holOgram aNywheRe In the world where The nOdes are avAilAbLe. MOsT studENts telEcoMmuTe to schOol from HOme BuT ARE aBle to attend physicaLlY WHeN asked. OnE excepTIoN iS bertie ToDd Who LiveS HAlfwaY acrOSs The US. BerTie has COnTaCts in SiBeRia and AdMitS to Being ON a coMmitteE that conTrols A Telecommuting gRAduate "student" AT Mit. it IS hinTed That Bertie iS a viRTual EntiTY hImsELf, thoUgh JuAn oRoZCo has visited his home ViRtuallY and cAnnot see why anYone would fAKE That.

FairMont hIgH Believes that it Is impOrtant that THeir studEnts bE able to oPerate botH ON-line and Off-LinE; thUs, oNE Of Their exams musT BE comPlEted whiLe iSolated FroM thE neTwoRk. this exam iS a projecT oF tHe StUdeNts' chOOsing, and OnE grAdIng CriteRIon is tO geneRate InCoME foR the schOOl. iT TurnS oUt That berTiE has bEen sUBtlY manipuLating somE stUDentS, aNd Entices miriam Gu to teaM uP with Juan dEsPitE them nEVEr having Spoken before and their difFErent peRsoNalitIes (aNother posItiVe gradIng CRiteriOn). BertIe has AlSo bEEN suppLYInG JuAn With memory-ENHanCing dRuGs whIch enabLe him to structure laRGe qUeries to the neTwoRk in WAYs ThaT OrDInaRy PEopLE Cannot, and Juan haS been helpiNg HIm With some of HIs oUtSide resEarch.

MiRiam hAS decideD to investIgate straNgE goiNGS-on In Torrey PiNes State natural ReSErve fOR tHeir pRojEct. NodEs Are Not peRmitteD BecAuse oF the toXiC compoNents ThAt would rEmain when they failed. Just Before They gO ofFline, BertIe mAIl-dRops (via FeDex pErsonal rocKet) SomE new bIodEGradaBle nETwOrk NOdes tHat hIS MIT persoNA hAs bEEN dEveloping. He ASKS JuAn to tEst THem in tHe foRest as part of his unLImited exam, wherE proJECts Can MAke uSe Of any resources AvaIlABLe (
 unexpectedly intelligent,  who is aperfe ctmat ch  for  the  character Hra l a, B arbarian Princess. Whe n the  s h ip r u ns  into  troubl e  a t one  o fthe ir po rts o f c all wit h the Term ite  F olk, who tak e  t his fictio n v ery seriousl y,Tatjais  us e d toblu ff an  escap e .

"Fa st Timesat Fairmo n t High" Fi rstappearance in thi s  c o llection. It o ccursin th e sam e m ilieu as R ai nbows End.

F a ir m o n t H i gh is an adva nced high s c hoo l in a  f utu r e wher e eve ry o nehas accessto a lmost unl imited computa t ion and  bandw idt h. A d i st ri but ed net w or k o f  ti ny nodes  ( ak in to  the l o c aliz ers  inRainb ows End), whi chcanb e f oundon cl othi ng  andall ov er st re ets and houses,  all ows peopl e t osup er impos e  an au gme nte d reali ty on t h eir  r e a l  e nvironment, as wel la s  b e virtua lly pr e se nt as a hol og ram  any w h ere i n th e  w orld whe re the no de s are a va ilable .Mos t s tuden t s te lecomm ute to s chool from home buta re able to at t en d ph y sica lly  when asked . On e  exc epti o nisB ertie  Todd  w h ol ives halfway across  t he US.  Bert ie has contac ts in Sibe r i a  and adm itst ob eing on a comm ittee  that cont r ols a te lecom muting g raduate " s t udent" a t M IT.  It  is h in ted that Bert i e  isavirtual  en tity hi mse lf,  th oug hJuan Oroz co has v is it ed  h ishomev irtually  a ndca nno t see why an yonewoul dfa k e t hat.

F a ir m o nt H ig hbeli eve sthatit i s  im portant  that the irs tude nt sbe able  to operate b ot h on-linean d o ff-lin e ;  thus, o ne of their exams mustb e compl ete d whi le i solated f rom  the n etw o rk. Th is exa m isapro j e ct of t he  st ud ents' choo s i ng,  andon e gr ading c riterion is to gen e rat e income forthe  sch o o l.  It tu r nsou t  th a t  Bertie has bee n subtly m an i pu lating som e  st ud ents, a nd enti ces M i riam Gu  to teamup with J ua n de s p ite  them neve r having  spoken b e forea nd  thei r d iffere nt  pe rsona lities (an other  posit iv e grad ing c ri terion).  Bertie has also been s upplyi ng Ju anwith memo ry- e nha ncing dru gs w hich enabl e h imto st ruc t ure l arge qu eri e s tothen etwork in wa yst h at  ordinary p e o p lecanno t,a nd Jua n ha s been helping hi m  with some ofhiso u tsi der esea rc h.

Miriam has  de ci d e d to inv es tigate stra nge goin gs - on in  Torre y Pine s State N at u ral Re serv e f or theirpro je c t. Node sar e  not p ermi tt ed bec ause o f  the t oxic componentsthatw o uld r e mai n whe nthey fa i led.  Just befo re they goofflin e, B ertie  mail-d ro ps (vi a F ed ex persona l  rocket)somenew bio de grad abl e netw orkn o des t hathi s M IT person a ha s  b ee n  de velo ping.  H e as ks Juan t o  test th emi n the f or est a s part of h is unlimit edexam, w here proje c ts c a nm ake u se ofany re sources ava il able (
 unexpectedly_intelligent, who_is a perfect match_for the_character_Hrala, Barbarian_Princess._When the ship_runs into trouble_at one of their_ports of call_with_the Termite Folk, who take this fiction very seriously, Tatja is used to bluff_an_escape.

"Fast Times_at_Fairmont_High"

First appearance in this collection._It occurs in the same_milieu as_Rainbows End.

Fairmont High is an advanced high school_in_a future where_everyone has access to almost unlimited computation and bandwidth._ A distributed network of tiny_nodes (akin to_the_localizers_in Rainbows End), which_can be found on clothing and_all over streets and houses, allows_people to superimpose an augmented reality on_their real environment, as well as_be virtually present as a_hologram anywhere_in the world where the_nodes are available._Most students_telecommute to school_from home but are able to_attend physically when_asked. One exception is Bertie Todd_who_lives halfway across_the_US._Bertie has_contacts in Siberia_and_admits to_being_on a committee that controls a_telecommuting_graduate "student" at MIT. It is hinted_that Bertie is a_virtual_entity himself, though Juan_Orozco has visited his home_virtually and cannot see why anyone_would fake_that.

Fairmont High_believes that it is important that their students be able to_operate both on-line and off-line; thus,_one of their exams_must be_completed_while isolated from_the_network. This_exam is a project of the students'_choosing, and_one grading criterion is to generate_income for the school._It_turns out that Bertie has been_subtly manipulating some students, and entices_Miriam Gu to team up_with_Juan_despite them never having spoken_before and their different personalities (another_positive grading criterion)._Bertie has also been supplying Juan with_memory-enhancing_drugs which enable him to structure_large_queries to the network in ways_that_ordinary_people cannot, and Juan has_been helping him with some of_his outside research.

Miriam has decided to investigate strange goings-on_in Torrey Pines_State Natural Reserve for their_project._Nodes_are not permitted because of the toxic components that would_remain when_they failed. Just_before they go offline, Bertie mail-drops (via Fedex personal rocket)_some new biodegradable network nodes that his_MIT persona has been developing. He asks Juan to test them_in the forest as part of his unlimited_exam, where projects can make use of_any resources available (