Analog Science Fiction and Fact, January/February 2007

• Serial (4 of 4): Rollback, by Robert J. Sawyer - Humans make radio contact with a nearby star system. Robotics mogul Cody McGavin thinks that Sarah Halifax, the astronomer who deciphered the first message, should stick around to analyze future messages. To that end, he offers to pay for multi-billion-dollar rejuvenation operations for Sarah and her husband.
• Novella: Emerald River, Pearl Sky, by Rajnar Vajra - The wizard Vincas travels to Zun-Loo to participate in the annual Contest of magic. But the joker Kirstunu seems bent on disrupting the festival by destroying its magic. The magic is technology, but mankind became so dependent on its perfect machines that it lost all knowledge of their workings.
• Novella: Numerous Citations, by E. Mark Mitchell - A neural implant program to control paroled convicts takes a surprising turn when the network displays initiative and uses the parolees to prevent crime and to act as observers to police brutality. Soon everyone in the world gets implants, and the network makes them into perfectly informed citizens, and even protects them from themselves.
• Novelette: Super Gyro, by Grey Rollins - Linus works in a gyro shop. When gunmen hold them up, a few customers try and fail to use their genetically enhanced powers to overpower the criminals. Linus, with no power, must outthink the gunmen and take them down.
• Novelette: Double Helix, Downward Gyre, by Carl Frederick - The Genetic Patriotism Act authorizes sterilization of anyone with a genetic disease, so when his father is diagnoses with such a disease, Niels Pederson tries to escape to New Zealand.
• Short story: The Face of Hate, by Stephen L. Burns - A reporter interviews the woman who personifies the hate-filled xenophobic element that demonstrated against first contact with the alien Draconi.
• Short story: Radical Acceptance, by David W. Goldman - An alien offers Mr. Karolev a choice. Humanity must mature morally and ethically before it can be admitted into the galactic community. Without help, humanity will not meet this goal and Earth will be quarantined. The choice: the aliens can adjust mankind's thoughts to remove the fatal element of saint-worship, or humanity can be left alone to succeed or fail on their own strength.
• Short story: Exposure Therapy, by R. Emrys Gordon - Dr. Serafina Klein spent her life preparing to be a xenopsychologist, but her fear of snakes might prevent her from making contact with the snakelike Skaan.
• Short story: The Taste of Miracles, by Kristine Kathryn Rusch - Hayes was born too late to be a pioneering astronaut; he's just a shuttle pilot ferrying cargo around the solar system.
• Short story: The Unrung Bells of the Marie Celeste, by Richard A. Lovett - Wynsten Jones volunteers as a test pilot for an experimental FTL spaceship. Previous FTL prototypes have returned intact but without their crew.
• Short story: If Only We Knew, by Jerry Oltion - During a routine medical examination, doctors discover Robert has a six-chambered heart.
• Science fact: Shielding a Polar Lunar Base, by Franklin Cocks - Electric current running through large loops of wire can deflect deadly radiation.
• Science fact: After Gas: Are We Ready for the End of Oil?, by Richard A. Lovett - Oil won't last forever, and neither will natural gas. Ethanol is energy-inefficient. Hydrogen-powered fuel cells have problems, so methanol might be a better option.
• Special Feature: How to Write Something You Don't Know Anything About, by Richard A. Lovett - If you aren't an expert on some technology, reveal as little as possible about how it works and concentrate on its social implications.