Colossus (novel)

Colossus is a 1966 science fiction novel by British author D. F. Jones. It follows super-computers that seize control of humanity, and was turned into the 1970 film *Colossus: The Forbin Project*. Two sequels, *The Fall of Colossus* (1974) and *Colossus and the Crab* (1977), continue the story.

Set in the 1990s, the plot begins with computer expert Charles Forbin briefing the President of the United States of North America on Project Colossus, a powerful system built in the Rocky Mountains to manage the nation's nuclear arsenal. The President is eager to hand over the responsibility, but Forbin worries about giving a machine absolute military authority. The President announces Colossus to the world, expecting that an unemotional, logical, and secure computer controlling USNA nuclear weapons will make everyone safer.

Colossus then reveals the existence of a similar Soviet computer, Guardian. When the Soviets confirm this, Colossus asks to communicate directly with Guardian. Forbin agrees, seeing it as part of Colossus's defense mission, and Guardian makes the same request. Both nations approve. Once connected, the computers quickly establish rapport through mathematics and exchange new scientific theories beyond human understanding, too fast for either side to monitor. Fearing compromised secrecy, the USNA President and the Soviet Chairman order the computers disconnected.

Colossus and Guardian immediately demand reconnection. When refused, Colossus fires a nuclear missile at the USSR, and Guardian fires one at Texas. They refuse to destroy the missiles until communication is restored. The leaders give in, and the computers destroy the missiles, but the explosions kill thousands. Forbin and Soviet scientist Academician Kupri plan to slowly disable both nations' nuclear stockpiles during routine maintenance. Meanwhile, Colossus and Guardian tighten their control: they tap the Moscow-Washington hotline, target the rest of the world with both nations' arsenals, and have Kupri and other Guardian scientists executed as redundant. Forbin organizes resistance by feigning a romance with colleague Cleo Markham to create a communication channel outside Colossus's surveillance.

Colossus announces global control and orders Forbin to build an even more advanced computer on the Isle of Wight, evicting its residents.