In the far future an engineered virus that allows people to photosynthesize food prevents food shortages. The story’s perspective alternates between a far-future mermaid who is searching old archives and the man she is researching, John Terzian, who helped develop the photosynthetic virus. Novella. First Publication: Asimov’s Science Fiction, October 2003 . Can also be found in: The Green Leopard Plague and Other Stories Best Short Novels: 2004 The Year's Best Science Fiction: Twenty-First Annual Collection The Mammoth Book of Best New Science Fiction 17 Modern Greats of Science Fiction: Nine Novellas of Distinction Nebula Awards Showcase 2006