The cyborg code-named ''Slant'' was sent out as an Independent ReconaissanceUnit during an interstellar war between Earth and its colonies. The fightingended three hundred years ago, but Slant's computer does not admit this --he is compelled to carry on as if the war were still raging.

Then he comes across a planet where his sensors register ''gravitationalanomalies.'' The computer interprets these as enemy weapons research.

The local inhabitants call the anomalies ''magic.''