Dogwalker (story)

"Dogwalker"
Short story by Orson Scott Card
Country	United States
Language	English
Genre(s)	Science fiction
Publication
Published in	Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine
Publication date	November 1989

"Dogwalker" is a cyberpunk novelette by Orson Scott Card. It appeared in Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine in 1989, and was subsequently included in Card's collection Maps in a Mirror.

Plot

After a childhood accident where he was shot by a stray bullet while sleeping, the narrator of the story undergoes a unique transformation: 60% of his brain is replaced with artificial computer "goo". Consequently, his thyroid glands cease to function, halting his physical development, leaving him trapped in the body of a child. His computerized brain leads to autistic behavior, blurring the line between man and machine. However, it also gifts him with extraordinary hacking abilities, enabling him to crack even the most intricate passwords after a single encounter. Teaming up with a mysterious figure known only as "Dogwalker", he navigates the criminal underworld, leveraging his skills for profit.

Their latest scheme involves infiltrating the home of a wealthy corporate executive by guessing his password. Posing as a dog walker, the narrator gains access and successfully cracks the code. Unfortunately, the executive's paranoia leads to a fatal mistake: always entering an incorrect password before the correct one. When Dogwalker inadvertently uses the correct password on the first attempt, their cover is blown. The narrator is abducted and coerced into surrendering their earnings to secure Dogwalker's release.

Upon Dogwalker's return, it becomes clear that he has undergone a similar transformation, his brain now replaced by the same computer "goo". Despite this, the narrator remains steadfast in caring for his friend and begins plotting revenge against those responsible.