The Supernova Era

by Liu Cixin

“That’s a little too . . . ​barbaric,” said Davey timidly, and the other children nodded along. Ōnishi didn’t bat an eyelid. “Mr. President, and the rest of you, you all should be ashamed of your weak nerves,” he said, brandishing the weapon. “It’s the foundation of all of the games you all have already suggested, the soul of war. Humanity’s very first toy.” “Very well. Include a cold-weapons event,” Ilyukhin said. “Except this kind of military sword . . . ​isn’t really necessary, is it?” Davey asked, averting his gaze from the sword on the table, as if the glare hurt his eyes. “Then rifle bayonets,” Marshal Zavyalova said. The children’s enthusiasm had vanished. They all stared at the sword in silence, as if they had just awakened from sleepwalking and were trying to figure out what they were in the process of doing. “Anyone else have a suggestion?” Yagüe asked. No one answered. There was no sound in the hall, as if the sword had taken away their very souls. “Okay then. We should get ready to start the games.”