As the Last I May Know

"As the Last I May Know" is a 2019 fantasy short story by S. L. Huang, about nuclear deterrence. It was first published on Tor.com. The story takes inspiration from a suggestion by academic Roger Fisher on how to prevent nuclear war.

Synopsis

Nyma is a ten-year-old child who must accompany the President of her nation everywhere he goes, because a capsule with weapon launch codes has been surgically implanted in her heart, such that if the President wants to use those weapons, he must first kill her.

Reception

"As The Last I May Know" won the 2020 Hugo Award for Best Short Story.

External links

• Text of the story at Reactor