The Mind Pool — Charles Sheffield

Calling all humans...

In the 23rd century, out of all the races of the galaxy, only humanity has discovered the secret of travel between the stars-not so much because we're so smart, but because we are incredibly gadget-oriented. We are also, compared to galaxy's highly sophisticated norms, very, very tough, which most of the time does nothing for our social acceptability. But when a threat to all life in the galaxy arises from non-living biological constructs, suddenly the peculiar human virtues of valor and stubbornness make us the sword-wielding saviors of All.--