Hornet and Butterfly, by Tom Cool and Bruce Sterling

[F&SF]

★★☆☆☆

(Dystopia) When a storm destroys his raft city, former supersoldier Hornet struggles to escape with his life, but the “Butterfly” creature he helps emerge makes things even more complicated. (6,441 words; Time: 21m)

Elephant on Table, by Bruce Sterling

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(Near-Future SF) Tullio and Irma serve the eccentric, 104-year-old, Chief—the last prime minister of Italy—in his “Shadow House,” a place immune from surveillance. (7,930 words; Time: 26m)

Rating: ★★☆☆☆ Not Recommended

Totem Poles, by Rudy Rucker and Bruce Sterling

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(SF Humor) Space aliens have invaded, but they're repairing the world--not destroying it--and not everyone is happy with that. (4,487 words)

Rating: 3, Funny but Strange

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Pictures From The Resurrection, by Bruce Sterling

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(SF) Fort Lucky, Texas, has survived the super-soldiers called "zombies," but Calderon thinks it won't be long now. (6,700 words; Time: 22m)

Rating: ★★☆☆☆, Not Recommended
Recommended By: LTilton

The Ancient Engineer, by Bruce Sterling

Twelve Tomorrows, 2015; ~14,600 words
Rating: Not rated, no speculative element

In this fine historical fiction, about 145 AD, Julius Verus, a Roman engineer, heads back to his home village, guided by the marvelous celestial computer of Archimedes.

Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)

Although the story is very well told, it's historical fiction, not science fiction or fantasy.