The novel “The Peace War” by Vernor Vinge was published for the first time in 1984.

Paul Naismith may seem one of the aristocrats that exist in the almost feudal society emerged in the decades after the war and plagues but soon Wili Wachendon realizes that he’s much more. The man is involved in the activities of the Tinkers, who are developing technologies clandestinely, trying not to be discovered by the Peace Authority.

Wili becomes Naismith’s apprentice and starts learning more and more advanced math concepts. Gradually, he starts contributing to the Tinkers’ research and there comes a time when he gests involved in plans which also cover the bobbles, spherical force fields that completely isolate whatever is within them.