Earth in 2040 is on the brink of environmental disaster. International
controls affect everything from who can travel by air to who can start a
family. Meanwhile the rift between science and religion is growing as
some turn to technology for answers, while others blame it for the
catastrophe. And for biological engineer Max Lowrie, whose efforts to
see evolution taught in schools have led to him receiving death threats,
the fact his wife's staunchly religious family also see him as the enemy
only adds to the strain. So when Max gets the job offer of a lifetime
it's hard to say no. He'll be halfway around the world, safe from any
danger, and he and Gillian will be able to get the treatments they need
to start a family. The only problem is the project. It's supposed to
pave the way for humanity's future: self-replicating machines that can
mine materials from the harshest environments at no cost, opening up as
yet unheard of resources in the sea, on land, and ultimately on the
Moon. Everyone seems confident that the machines will be easy to
control, but Max isn't so sure... WILLIAM MITCHELL works as an
aeronautical engineer. He writes horror and science fiction, and has
published several short stories. He lives in East Sussex with his wife
and two children.
