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Title: The Last Command

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Title: The Last Command Title Record # 45534
Author: Keith Laumer
Date: 1967-01-00
Type: SHORTFICTION
Length: short story
Series: Bolo
Language: English
Note: Reprinted in Laumer's 1982 collection "Knight of Delusions", which indicated that the copyright date at the time was 1971. Either copyright had been renewed or it was a publisher's error since the original 1967 appearance of the story has been confirmed.
Synopsis: A hugely powerful artificially intelligent war machine, mothballed for 70 years, is accidentally reawakened and picks up its combat mission where it left off, presenting a dire threat to the residents of the now peaceful world.
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Current Tags: military hardware (1), artificial intelligence (1), hard sf (1), first person point of view (1), veteran (1), artificial intelligence point of view (1) Add Tags

Other Titles

Translations
Year Language Title
1975Translated by Charlotte Winheller
German Der letzte Befehl
1977Translated by Ivain Rodriguez de León
Dutch Het laatste bevel
1977Translated by Sweder F. Ariës
Dutch Het laatste bevel
1987Translated by Sonja Lovasić
Croatian Posljednja naredba

Publications

Displaying all variants and translations • Do not display translationsDo not display variants or translations

Title Date Author/Editor Publisher/Pub. Series ISBN/Catalog ID Price Pages Format Type Cover Artist Verif
Analog Science Fiction -> Science Fact, January 1967 1967-01-00 ed. John W. Campbell Condé Nast  
$0.60?$: US dollar
180
digest?Digest-size magazine, including both standard digest size, at about 7" by 4.5", and also large digest, such as recent issues of Asimov's, which are about 8.25" by 5.125".
mag Chesley Bonestell Checkmark
The Year's Best Science Fiction No. 1 1968-00-00 ed. Brian Aldiss, Harry Harrison Sphere Books 43311
5/-?Prior to decimilisation (1968-1971), UK books were priced in shillings, or shillings and pence, where 20 shillings equals one pound and 12 old pence equals one shilling. Shillings were indicated with a variety of suffixes, e.g. 3s, 3', 3", 3/ all mean 3 shillings. Any number after that is additional pence, usually 6 (half a shilling) but sometimes 3 or 9 (a quarter of a shilling or three-quarters of a shilling).
207
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth David Davies (artist) Checkmark
Best SF: 1967 1968-03-00 ed. Brian W. Aldiss, Harry Harrison Berkley Medallion S1529
$0.75?$: US dollar
256
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth Paul Lehr Checkmark
Analog 7 1969-00-00 ed. John W. Campbell, Jr. Doubleday (Doubleday Science Fiction)  
$5.95?$: US dollar
352
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
anth Seymour Chwast Checkmark
Tales of Time and Space 1969-00-00 ed. Ross R. Olney Whitman / Western Publishing Company (Whitman Classics) 1628   212
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
anth Harvey Kidder Checkmark
Analog 7 1970-07-00 ed. John W. Campbell, Jr. Belmont Books B95-2032
$0.95?$: US dollar
346
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth Checkmark
A Pocketful of Stars 1971-00-00 ed. Damon Knight Doubleday  
$5.95?$: US dollar
xiv+
294
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
anth Wendell Minor Checkmark
Once There Was a Giant 1971-09-00 Keith Laumer Doubleday  
$5.95?$: US dollar
252
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
coll Anita Siegel Checkmark
Themes in Science Fiction: A Journey Into Wonder 1972-00-00 ed. Leo P. Kelley McGraw-Hill (Patterns in Literary Art) 0-07-033504-4   iii+
428
tp?Trade paperback. Any softcover book which is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep.
anth Checkmark
A Pocketful of Stars 1972-02-00 ed. Damon Knight Doubleday  
$5.95?$: US dollar
xiv+
294
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
anth Wendell Minor Checkmark
A Pocketful of Stars 1972-07-00 ed. Damon Knight Gollancz (Gollancz SF Series (4)) 0-575-01474-1
£1.90?£: UK pound
xiv+
294
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
anth Checkmark
A Pocketful of Stars 1974-06-00 ed. Damon Knight Pan Books 0-330-23927-9
£0.50?£: UK pound
318
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth Eddie Jones Checkmark
Combat SF 1975-06-00 ed. Gordon R. Dickson Doubleday 0-385-04575-1
$6.95?$: US dollar
ix+
204
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
anth Robert Aulicino Checkmark
Once There Was a Giant 1975-06-00 Keith Laumer Robert Hale (Hale SF) 0-7091-4795-3
£2.40?£: UK pound
252
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
coll Checkmark
Science Fiction Story Reader 4 1975-07-00 ed. Herbert W. Franke Heyne (Heyne Science Fiction & Fantasy #3451) 3-453-30344-X
DM 3.80?DM: German (Deutsche) mark
159
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth John Berkey Checkmark
Bolo: The Annals of the Dinochrome Brigade 1976-08-00 Keith Laumer Berkley/Putnam 0-399-11794-6
$6.95?$: US dollar
179
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
coll Richard Powers Checkmark
Tales of Time and Space 1977-00-00 ed. Ross R. Olney Golden Press / Western Publishing Company 0-307-21628-4
$0.95?$: US dollar
212
tp?Trade paperback. Any softcover book which is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep.
anth Tom Nachreiner Checkmark
Bolo: The Annals of the Dinochrome Brigade 1977-00-00 Keith Laumer Millington 0-86000-081-8
£4.25?£: UK pound
179
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
coll Checkmark
Het laatste bevel 1977-00-00 Keith Laumer Meulenhoff (M=SF #120) 90-290-0845-8   302
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Paul Lehr Checkmark
Gesprek met een lemming 1977-04-00 ed. Brian W. Aldiss, Harry Harrison Luitingh (Luitingh SF Verhalen) 90-245-0404-X   223
tp?Trade paperback. Any softcover book which is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep.
anth Karel Thole Checkmark
Bolo: The Annals of the Dinochrome Brigade 1977-07-00 Keith Laumer Berkley Medallion 0-425-03450-X
$1.50?$: US dollar
216
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Vincent Di Fate Checkmark
Combat SF 1981-06-00 ed. Gordon R. Dickson Ace Books 0-441-11531-4
$2.50?$: US dollar
[10]+
266
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth Vincent Di Fate Checkmark
Bolo 1982-06-00 Keith Laumer Berkley Books 0-425-05617-1
$2.25?$: US dollar
216
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Vincent Di Fate Checkmark
Knight of Delusions 1982-11-00 Keith Laumer Tor 0-523-48551-4
$2.75?$: US dollar
287
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Tom Kidd Checkmark
Combat SF 1984-02-00 ed. Gordon R. Dickson Ace Books 0-441-11534-9
$2.75?$: US dollar
266
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth Vincent Di Fate Checkmark
Bolo 1984-12-00 Keith Laumer Berkley Books 0-425-07559-1
$2.75?$: US dollar
216
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Vincent Di Fate Checkmark
Analog: The Best of Science Fiction 1985-07-00 ed. uncredited Galahad Books 0-88365-637-X
$12.95?$: US dollar
621
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
anth Checkmark
Bolo 1986-07-00 Keith Laumer Ace Science Fiction Books 0-441-06997-5
$2.95?$: US dollar
216
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Vincent Di Fate Checkmark
Sirius, #133 1987-06-05 ed.
Hrvoje Prćić?Hrvoje Prcic
Vjesnik  
Din 500?Din: Serbian and Yugoslavian dinar
132
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
mag
Andrej Brčić-Flumiani?Andrej Brcic-Flumiani
Checkmark
De andere hemel 1988-01-00 Keith Laumer Meulenhoff (M=SF #242) 90-290-4101-3   564
tp?Trade paperback. Any softcover book which is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep.
coll Boris Vallejo Checkmark
Knight of Delusions 1988-07-00 Keith Laumer Tor 0-812-54362-9
$3.95?$: US dollar
287
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Tom Kidd  
The Compleat Bolo 1990-06-00 Keith Laumer Baen Books 0-671-69879-6
$3.95?$: US dollar
314
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
omni Stephen Hickman Checkmark
The Compleat Bolo 1991-08-00 Keith Laumer Baen 0-671-69879-6
$3.95?$: US dollar
314
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
omni Stephen Hickman Checkmark
The Compleat Bolo 1996-06-00 Keith Laumer Baen 0-671-69879-6
$5.99?$: US dollar
314
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
omni Stephen Hickman Checkmark
My Favorite Science Fiction Story 1999-03-00 ed. Martin H. Greenberg DAW Books (DAW Collectors #1115) 0-88677-830-1 / UE2830
$6.99?$: US dollar
xii+
372
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth Angus McKie Checkmark
My Favorite Science Fiction Story 1999-07-00 ed. Martin H. Greenberg DAW Books / SFBC 0-7394-0349-4 / 00941
$9.98?$: US dollar
xii+
372
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
anth Angus McKie Checkmark
The World Turned Upside Down 2005-01-00 ed. Jim Baen, David Drake, Eric Flint Baen 0-7434-9874-7
$6.00?$: US dollar
 
ebook?Used for all electronic formats, including but not limited to EPUB, eReader, HTML, iBook, Mobipocket, and PDF.
anth Thomas Kidd Checkmark
The World Turned Upside Down 2005-01-00 ed. Jim Baen, David Drake, Eric Flint Baen 0-7434-9874-7
$24.00?$: US dollar
743
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
anth Tom Kidd Checkmark
The World Turned Upside Down 2005-01-00 ed. Jim Baen, David Drake, Eric Flint Baen 0-7434-9874-7
$6.00?$: US dollar
 
ebook?Used for all electronic formats, including but not limited to EPUB, eReader, HTML, iBook, Mobipocket, and PDF.
anth Thomas Kidd Checkmark
The World Turned Upside Down 2005-02-00 ed. Jim Baen, David Drake, Eric Flint Baen / SFBC 1168633
$13.99?$: US dollar
743
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
anth Tom Kidd  
My Favorite Science Fiction Story 2005-09-00 ed. Martin H. Greenberg ibooks 1-59687-121-0
$12.95?$: US dollar
xii+
372
tp?Trade paperback. Any softcover book which is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep.
anth Kimberly Chandler Checkmark
The World Turned Upside Down 2006-06-00 ed. Jim Baen, David Drake, Eric Flint Baen 978-1-4165-2068-9
$15.00?$: US dollar
741
tp?Trade paperback. Any softcover book which is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep.
anth Tom Kidd Checkmark
The 1634: The Baltic War Disk 2007-05-00 uncredited Baen (Baen CD-ROM Library #13)  
$0.00?$: US dollar
 
other?The publication format is non-standard. The details are usually provided publication notes.
omni Checkmark
The 1634: The Baltic War Disk 2007-05-00 uncredited Baen (Baen CD-ROM Library #13)  
$0.00?$: US dollar
 
other?The publication format is non-standard. The details are usually provided publication notes.
omni Checkmark
The Best of Jim Baen's Universe 2006 Disk 2007-07-00 uncredited Baen (Baen CD-ROM Library #13)  
$0.00?$: US dollar
 
other?The publication format is non-standard. The details are usually provided publication notes.
omni Checkmark
The David Drake When the Tide Rises Disk 2008-03-00 uncredited Baen (Baen CD-ROM Library #15)  
$0.00?$: US dollar
 
other?The publication format is non-standard. The details are usually provided publication notes.
omni Checkmark
The Best of the Bolos: Their Finest Hour 2010-08-00 ed. Hank Davis Baen 978-1-4391-3375-0
$12.00?$: US dollar
342
tp?Trade paperback. Any softcover book which is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep.
anth Tom Kidd Checkmark
The 1635: The Eastern Front Disk 2010-10-00 uncredited Baen (Baen CD-ROM Library #23)  
$0.00?$: US dollar
 
other?The publication format is non-standard. The details are usually provided publication notes.
omni Checkmark
The Best of the Bolos: Their Finest Hour 2011-09-27 ed. Hank Davis Baen 978-1-4516-3752-6
$7.99?$: US dollar
464
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth Tom Kidd  
Bolo 2016-02-29 Keith Laumer Gateway / Orion 978-1-4732-1543-6
£3.99?£: UK pound
 
ebook?Used for all electronic formats, including but not limited to EPUB, eReader, HTML, iBook, Mobipocket, and PDF.
coll  
Bolo: The Annals of the Dinochrome Brigade 2019-07-25 Keith Laumer Phoenix Pick 978-1-61242-466-8
$12.99?$: US dollar
161
tp?Trade paperback. Any softcover book which is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep.
coll  
Bolo: The Annals of the Dinochrome Brigade 2019-08-15 Keith Laumer Phoenix Pick 978-1-61242-467-5
$5.99?$: US dollar
 
ebook?Used for all electronic formats, including but not limited to EPUB, eReader, HTML, iBook, Mobipocket, and PDF.
coll  
Combat SF date unknown ed. Gordon R. Dickson Ace Books 0-441-11531-4
$2.50?$: US dollar
266
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth Vincent Di Fate Checkmark
Bolo: The Annals of the Dinochrome Brigade date unknown Keith Laumer Berkley Medallion 0-425-03450-X
$1.50?$: US dollar
216
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Vincent Di Fate Checkmark
Bolo: The Annals of the Dinochrome Brigade date unknown Keith Laumer Berkley Medallion 0-425-03450-X
$1.50?$: US dollar
216
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Vincent Di Fate Checkmark
Bolo: The Annals of the Dinochrome Brigade date unknown Keith Laumer Berkley Medallion 0-425-03450-X
$1.50?$: US dollar
216
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Vincent Di Fate Checkmark
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