Now, for the first time, it looked as if that dream could come true. For when the people of Pern, led by Masterharper Robinton and F'Lar and Lessa, Weyrleader and Weyrwoman of Benden Weyr, excavated the ancient remains of the planet's original settlement, they uncovered the colonist's voice-activated artificial intelligence system -- which still functioned! And the computer had incredible news for them: There was a chance -- a good chance -- that they could, at long last, annihilate Thread once and for all!