Terror Tree

The World of Drei

by Ashley R. Pollard

Imagine a future where humans face Artificial Intelligence systems controlling the machines of war.

“Terror Tree” is a science fiction short story that asks the What if this goes on?

18 pages, ebook

Published November 30, 2017

About the author

Ashley Rachel Pollard is a former freelance writer for FASA Corps BattleTech game. She wrote monthly columns and reviews for game magazines, and designed tabletop miniatures game too. Since 2012 she has two military SF series published. Three novels in her Gate Walker universe, and four novelettes in her the World of Drei series.

How I use stars.

5: I have re-read the book, which is the best recommendation for me.
4: I enjoyed this book and might re-read it at some future date, but I haven't so far. Life is short and there are many books to read.
3: I enjoyed the book but I don't feel the need to re-read it.
2: Not for me, but you may like it.
1: I couldn't get into, finish, or didn't enjoy, which sometimes is a sad thing, other times not so much.

Reviews

[Zepp Jamieson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timely story for this time of ChatGPT.

Pillars has crafted a short that deftly encapsulates our fears of autonomous was machines.
Written before AI became a social focus.

[Marshall Clowers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've played a game called "OGRE" on and off since high school, it's a game about these cybernetic battle tanks. It's a lot of fun and easy to learn. Terror Tree here seems to take place on those same battlefields, it was quick to read, and very familiar if you happen to be a fan of the game.