by Roger Sperling 

Gary Richmond was fascinated. He had made a discovery in the course of his employment as an actuary with a major insurance company. Each year Americans were having fewer children than his computer models had predicted. Even after correcting his data for all known factors he could find no explanation. What Gary saw as an opportunity for his employer to gain competitive advantage, Surgeon General Alfred Moates viewed as a threat to national security. Where would the country find its future teachers, doctors, scientists and soldiers if the birthrate continued to shrink? The investigation would lead in an unexpected direction, ultimately placing an entire generation in grave danger. 

Educated as an engineer, Roger Sperling progressed through a career of management and executive responsibilities in business designing and producing high-technology electronic products. Now semi-retired, he operates a small engineering business in upstate New York. In addition to writing, his leisure interests include motorcycles, gardening, billiards, golf and getting together with his daughters and their families.