A review by sushideception
Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 88 by Neil Clarke

5.0

Wow. This is a really, really wonderful short story about sentience, androids, a bounty hunter, a game, and wilful ignorance in its many forms. A masterpiece of science fiction. What's great about this story is that it has a fantastically wide scope for something so short- it brings the characters and the world to life in a beautiful way, and makes you wish it was a full-length novel. The Clockwork Soldier is, for me, the epitome of what a great and effective short story should be. Read it here. (There's also an audio version included in that link, if you so please. But whatever format you choose, this one isn't to be missed. Highly recommend it.)