# Short Fiction — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Short Fiction by Cordwainer Smith.

- [War No. 81-Q](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/war-no-81-q.md): In 2127, Tibet and America wage a highly regulated aerial war over the Radiant Heat Monopoly, fought by remote-controlled ships over Kerguelen. After a series of maneuvers and sacrifices, rookie pilot Jack Bearden accide
- [Scanners Live in Vain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/scanners-live-in-vain.md): Martel, a Scanner, argues with his wife Luci about his need to 'cranch'—a process that temporarily restores his human sensations. Despite her concerns, he insists on using the Cranching Wire to break free from the sensor
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/i.md): Scanner Martel III, while cranching at home with his wife Luci, is interrupted by an emergency call from Senior Scanner Vomact. Despite being under the influence and unfit for duty, Martel is ordered to report to Central
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/ii.md): Martel attends an emergency Scanner meeting called by Vomact, where the Code of Scanners is recited and the threat of Adam Stone's discovery—a method to eliminate the Pain of Space—is discussed. The Scanners debate the i
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/iii.md): Martel, under the influence of the Cranching Wire, experiences a profound crisis of identity and duty as he attends a Scanner meeting. He reflects on his past, his love for Luci, and the brutal reality of being a Scanner

> 8 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=short_fiction_11_se_1248kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest.

- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/iv.md)
- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/v.md)
- [The Game of Rat and Dragon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/the-game-of-rat-and-dragon.md)
- [The Table](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/the-table.md)
- [The Shuffle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/the-shuffle.md)
- [The Deal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/the-deal.md)
- [The Play](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/the-play.md)
- [The Score](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/the-score.md)

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters