Let's start the year off with a reflection on things past. Specifically, a story called "A City Near Centaurus," set on a planet circling one of the Alpha Centauri stars. Just which star is problematic, because our author, Bill Doede, describes it as a planet circling 'Alpha Centaurus II.' I'm sure he means Centauri B, but the story, which appeared in Galaxy at the end of Frederick Pohl's first year as editor, is less concerned about nomenclature and setting than the conflict between a humanoid alien called Maota and the timeless city he lives in. Michaelson, our human protagonist, looks out upon this long deserted metropolis: He gazed out from his position at the complex variety of buildings before him. Some were small, obviously homes. Others were huge with tall, frail spires standing against the pale blue sky. Square buildings, ellipsoid, spheroid. Beautiful, dream-stuff bridges connected tall, conical towers, bridges that still swung in the wind after half a million years. Late...