We Interrupt This Broadcast

Lady Astronaut Universe #0.5

by Mary Robinette Kowal

This originally appeared in 2013 in The Mad Scientist’s Guide to World Domination, edited John Joseph Adams and is in my Punchcard Punk universe. For those curious types, it takes place prior to “Lady Astronaut of Mars.”

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories, Fiction, Alternate History, Historical Fiction, Romance, Speculative Fiction

25 pages, ebook

First published February 19, 2013

About the author

Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus award winning alternate history novel The Calculating Stars, the first book in the Lady Astronaut series which continues in 2025 with The Martian Contingency. She is also the author of The Glamourist Histories series, Ghost Talkers, The Spare Man and has received the Astounding Award for Best New Writer, four Hugo awards, the Nebula and Locus awards. Her stories appear in Asimov’s, Uncanny, and several Year’s Best anthologies. Mary Robinette has also worked as a professional puppeteer, is a member of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses, and performs as a voice actor (SAG/AFTRA), recording fiction for authors including Seanan McGuire, Cory Doctorow, and Neal Stephenson. She lives in Denver with her husband Robert, their dog Guppy, and their “talking” cat Elsie.

Her novel Calculating Stars is one of only eighteen novels to win the Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards in a single year.

Reviews

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this prequel to Mary Robinette Kowal's SF novel, The Calculating Stars. This short story is free online here at the author's website. Review first posted on Fantasy Literature:

The LADY ASTRONAUT series is an alternative history SF series in which a huge meteorite has destroyed Washington DC (along with much of the North American eastern seaboard) in 1952. “We Interrupt This Broadcast” helps set the stage for that world-changing event.

Fidel Dobes is a brilliant computer programmer, back in the days of large computers that use a series of punchcards containing the source code program for the computers. Fidel is suffering from tuberculosis, but is determined to see his personal project through before he dies. He’s carrying deep regrets for his participation in the Manhattan Project and the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

And now … the new project. Launching bombs into space and holding them there, ready to rain terror on any country that disagreed with the United States. As if that were a surprise coming from President Dewey, an isolationist president who defeated Truman on the strength of his reputation as a “gangbuster.” His idea of foreign policy was to treat every other country like the gangs of New York.

Fidel has figured out what he thinks is a way to avoid a nightmarish future for our nation and world, but he can’t share his secret with anyone … even Mira, his assistant, for whom who he’s beginning to develop feelings. But Mira is more resourceful ― and more interested in Fidel ― than he had realized.

I don’t know if Fidel and his actions are discussed in Kowal’s The Calculating Stars, the first book in the LADY ASTRONAUT series, which begins shortly after this story ends. I haven’t read that novel (yet), but this story certainly sheds an unexpected light on the events that set up that series. It’s an interesting but somber tale, on several levels.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy wow!
Uhm ... OK ... so this happened. Not sure I'm all too happy with the asteroid having been led to Earth and Washington DC by a scientist instead of it being a natural disaster. I mean, why can't it just be natural?! There are so many things humans are not in control of that it would be nice if authors acknowledged that for a change?!

The MC is Fidel, a scientist and former member of the Manhattan Project. As such, he is wrecked by guilt. And the new project (sending nucelar rockets to space to threaten other nations with) isn't helping. Thus, he starts a project of his own in the hope that he can thus save humanity. I'm not sure I buy into such a brilliant mathematician not being able to calculate the devastating effects for the entire planet. I mean, nobody is perfect as is also shown by the fact that he forgot it was a leap year, but it is quite another matter to think that the asteroid will "only" destroy Washington DC and the surrounding area while leving the rest of the world intact with no further consequences - even with the relatively limited science and technology available back then.

Anyway, this short story takes place before the first book and can therefore be considered #0. As the other stories, it was very well written, with an emphasis on the humans rather than the tech or events (the humans being the key so to speak). Knowing the rest of the series (as far as the works have been published yet) made me stare almost in horror at what had unfolded here. Well played, dear author, well played indeed.

3.5 stars but rounded up because I really like the series as a whole

You can read the story for free here: http://maryrobinettekowal.com/journal...

[Lark of The Bookwyrm's Hoard · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've read The Calculating Stars, you'll find this short-story prequel even more chilling than if you read this first. Beyond that, anything I could say would be a spoiler. Thumbs up for a well-written story.

[Stephen Richter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can be found on MRK website.

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much is wrapped up in these few paragraphs, a short story that I think I will remember forever. I’m just getting started with The Calculating Stars but this little gem has already shed significant light on that story. Wow.

[Graff Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

We Interrupt This Broadcast by Mary Robinette Kowal

adventurous challenging hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

Strong character development? It's complicated

Loveable characters? It's complicated

Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0 Stars

It's a short story, and a prequel. I actually wish I had read it BEFORE The Calculating Stars. Oh well. What can you do.

It adds to the worldbuilding and the characters that live in this world.

This is Mira's story, and to my knowledge...she doesn't appear anywhere else in the series. This short story is just to set the tone and give a backstory to how this reality differs from our own reality.

This is a good setup for the Lady Astronaut Universe, but I just wish I had been able to read it FIRST. 

[Dave Packard · Rating 5 out of 5]

So now I know something that no one in the Lady Astronaut series knows! Hee hee.

[Wing Kee · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting side note to the main story that is fun in itself but offers nothing to the overall story. This is truly a b side of a story. It's short, and fun but it does not touch on the main story at all other than the broadest sense. If you can read it, please do but don't worry if you don't.

[Jeraviz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lo poco que he leído de Mary Robinette Kowal me demuestra que es mucho mejor escritora de relatos que de novelas. En unas pocas líneas consigue captar la atención y sentir empatía por los personajes. Además, me ha gustado mucho cómo ha explicado el inicio de Hacia las estrellas con este relato.

[Chip · Rating 5 out of 5]

What in the name of all that is holy and good did I just read? This short story is great, but do NOT read it before you read The Calculating Stars, but absolutely read it after you do.

[Suz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa. Well that wasn't exactly what I would call "feel good" but it certainly had impact.

[Lis Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is set in the Lady Astronaut series, shortly before the start of The Calculating Stars. Do not read it before you read the book. Seriously. Do not. Read it after.

Fidel Dobes is a scientist, former member of the Manhattan Project, and a brilliant computer programmer in the days when that meant punchcards and a lot of patience, as well as a lot of math. He's also slowly dying of tuberculosis. Mira is his assistant, working closely with him on his latest project, and paying a bit more attention than he realizes.

Fidel has a lot of guilt about the Manhattan Project, especially the fact that a second bomb was dropped in Japan. He's deeply distressed about the direction the world is going in, post-war, and he thinks he's found a solution, a way to set the world on a healthier track. It's a short, sad, moving story.

Do not read it before you read The Calculating Stars. Read it after.

This story is available free on Mary Robinette Kowal's website, but I believe I got it as part of the 2021 Hugo Voters Packet. I am reviewing it voluntarily.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS

This was short and so interesting to read! The thought had never crossed my mind... None of the characters in the novels can know this because D.C. was completely destroyed. I love seeing these snippets of backstory for the books and kind of get a glimpse in the creation process of this story and world. (I have no idea if anything else was planned at the point of Kowal writing this but I still love it so much!)

If you're intrigued by the Lady Astronaut universe, this and The Lady Astronaut of Mars are great starting points while still leaving so much more good stuff for the books!

[As You Wish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I see the author wrote this years before writing the other books in this series, as a short story, but wow. That puts a new spin on it. I guess it being included in the Lady Astronaut series means it's canon. Holy smokes. I need a minute.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well that puts The Calculating Stars into context

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a short snippet of a story, but a nice little prequel tale to the events of Calculating Stars.
It’s nice to know that Fidel’s long game actually worked out well.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summer 2019 (Hugo 2019 Catch-Up);

We Interrupt This Broadcast is the prequel short story of Mary Robinette Kowal's The Calculating Stars.

The main character of this small piece is a scientist previously involved in The Manhatten Project and presently dying of tuberculosis. Without any spoilers, this story reveals the circumstances behind the meteorite which slams into the North American seaboard in the first novel. It's surprising and deeply sad, but so well written.

I still feel the lingering need to see how (and whether) this will wrap into the stories later. Rounded to 3 stars only because it is so short.

[Neyly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We Interrupt This Broadcast shakes things up a bit, does it not?

[Tom Dixon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for a nice little back story to the trigger event in The Calculating Stars. Now I wish I hadn't read this because it changes the set up for the book series pretty significantly. I think I'll just keep reading the book series and pretend I don't have the knowledge imparted by this short story!

[Amy Mills · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yikes. I ran across this shortly after starting The Calculating Stars, and was not expecting there to be an explanation of why the asteroid hit the earth in this timeline, though not in ours. Um. Rather horrific, all in all. Well-written, and plausible, and I would have been happier not reading it.

[Hannah Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story changed my thoughts on the beginning of The Calculating Stars (set in the same world). I can't say much without spoiling the story, but I think the climax of this story makes a good punchline to the dark joke of the events at the beginning of The Calculating Stars. This was a quick read, so I'd recommend it to anyone venturing into the Lady Astronaut verse.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars! Solid start to this series. Looking forward to beginning book 1 this month.
Read: 11/8/25

Can be read for free online:
https://maryrobinettekowal.com/journa...

[bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chilling! I also think it's better to read this short story after reading the first book in this series despite this being a "prequel".

[Marti Dolata · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of those short stories in a series best read as an digestif rather than an aperitif.

[Nicol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Había hecho los cálculos, revisando las tarjetas una y otra vez para comprobar su teoría con los datos numéricos. Volar Washington acabaría con la corrupción y la codicia, pero reavivaría las tensiones de la Segunda Guerra Mundial y provocaría una destrucción sin precedentes. Un asteroide impactando la ciudad parecería un desastre natural. Las ondas expansivas y la ceniza que levantaría afectarían al mundo entero. La gente se uniría para ayudar a un país conmocionado y devastado. Sería el amanecer de una nueva Era de la Ilustración.

.

Fidel tiene tuberculosis y... Se cree juez, jurado y verdugo para hacer su versión de lo correcto. Pero como se lo llevó el chanfle al impactar el meteorito, ni el ni Mira saben lo "bien" que funcionó su plan.

La corrupción no está en Washington DC. Lo malo habita en cada uno de nosotros... Y sinceramente, no aceleró el progreso de la humanidad en cuando a.... "Humanidad". El asteroide solo expuso aún más la segregación, machismo, xenofobia, etc, de la gente. Y no hizo nada por resolverla.

—"Tanta gente...", dijo, con la voz apagada mientras contenía las lágrimas. "Por eso nos vamos de la ciudad mañana, ¿no?".
Ella nunca lo habría sabido. Un corazón tan tierno y gentil jamás debería ser cómplice de lo que él estaba desatando sobre el mundo.
—"Lo siento. Creí haber repartido las tarjetas entre las chicas de las tarjetas perforadas. No pensé que ninguna de ustedes conociera el programa completo".

Suena a un hilo interesante, un bosquejo de lo que pudo haber sido, pero estuvo bien que no lo siguieran. Porque.... Como hacer pagar a gente que también murió con el asteroide?

Así que ... Quién lo diría? 10 hojas dijeron mucho



—"¿Quieres...", empezó. Todo el trabajo que había hecho, todos sus cálculos, lo daría todo por ella. "¿Quieres que lo cancele?"
—"No. Es solo que... toda esa gente".
—"No se puede evitar. Pero el nuevo mundo, Mira. Oh, será un caos y el mundo sufrirá al principio, pero el amanecer que sigue..."
Se volvió hacia él, colocando su suave mano sobre la de él donde descansaba sobre las teclas. Apretando la boca, asintió levemente y presionó su mano. Fidel pulsó la tecla de inicio con un clic brusco. Desde allí, se cargaría en las cintas de memoria magnética de los cohetes N5 programados para lanzarse por la mañana, llevando una ojiva nuclear a la órbita. El 1 de marzo, su programa se activaría y anularía la programación del cohete. El cohete aparentemente perdería la comunicación con el control terrestre, pero en realidad se dirigía hacia el asteroide 29085 1952 DA. El programa de Fidel haría que interceptara el asteroide y lo redirigiera hacia la Tierra y Washington. Nadie más podría programarlo. Nadie más.

[Lizabeth Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if Dewey really had beaten Harry Truman in the Presidential election? An isolationist hardliner, Dewey wants to send multiple atomic bombs into orbit around the planet, ready to be used against any country who ticks off the United States. Fidel Dobes, veteran of the Manhattan Project, cannot abide what the corruption in Washington, D. C., is doing to the country and has a plan. It will be horrible at first, but the world will rally and changes will be made. All he's worried about right now is his assistant, Mira.

After reading "Articulated Restraint", I went looking for other stories in this series and found this as a freebie on the author's website. https://maryrobinettekowal.com/journa... What struck me was the description of how Dewey would've been as a president and seeing that it was written in 2014. Two years before we were saddled with Donald J. Trump, a man who could be described in the same manner. Short and very much NOT sweet. Succinct and emotional and such a tragic love story. Now I'm off to find the next book in the series! 5 out of 5.

[Anelia Dobreva · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the rest of the Lady Astronaut series, I didn't know this side of Mary Robinette Kowal. The darkness. I knew this short story preceded the series in both reality and fiction and I did expect the topic but it was still a surprise. Although I don't usually enjoy having this much pain in my reading, I actually enjoyed We Interrupt This Broadcast. As everything in this series, it is real. And beautifully written.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid story that showcases how well Kowal writes her characters. I'm amazed at how well she captures their emotions and their relationships in a story that only takes (*checks watch*) about ten minutes to read. I read it after having read The Calculating Stars, and my only gripe is that it takes a little out of the novel. It's a good story, and worth reading, and even though it precedes the novel in chronology and publication date, I'd recommend reading it after the novel. It doesn't spoil anything, but it gives a different perspective on the opening chapter, which wasn't my preference.

[Celtic · Rating 2 out of 5]

Available on the author's website https://maryrobinettekowal.com/journa...

This short story's handwaving approach to the science contrasts strongly with The Calculating Stars' thorough exploration of the difficulties of orbital mechanics and the complex collaborations needed to solve the practical implications. The result is a story too slight to bear either the necessary suspension of disbelief or the the weight of the story's consequences.

TBF this was written years before TCS and the research that so effectively underpins that novel, and I very much doubt that MRK would have writen this story thereafter.

[Mayumi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosto muito do universo de Lady Astronaut, apesar de só ter lido o primeiro livro da série, e agora estou fazendo minha lição de casa e tô lendo o que me falta pra concluir as séries que tenho começadas. Esse conto se passa antes do primeiro livro e nele vemos duas pessoas escrevendo um programa e aos poucos entendemos -- nós que estamos lendo juntamente com uma das personagens -- o que esse programa faz. Mudou completamente o começo do livro! O meteorito que cai no começo do primeiro livro foi desviado por esse cientista! Não deu na consequência que ele queria, mas deu no adiantamento do programa espacial. Final completamente agridoce, um apertinho.