'Mittelwelt' is built around that alternate history staple: what if World War Two had gone differently? But that's just the backdrop: what makes this into retrospective sf is the introduction of a programme to build the first ballistic warplane. The story centres on Michael Kilduff, an independent American observer who is to be part of the volplane's first launch. The story builds into a fine study of the political machinations behind the launch: the ambition and curiosity of Kilduff set against the global consequences for his country's involvement in world events if he doesn't do the right thing.

Published in Traces.