Ten years ago, the United States contracted with a private American and European research institute to develop a biochemical artificial intelligence system for use in a very unique computer. That research was subcontracted to a firm in China. This year the early prototype was completed and released by that institute to the United States, while the Chinese firm covertly shared the information with their political and business allies, thus starting a new era. The President of the United States stalls while governments from all over the world join GATE in an effort to help their people. The United States is pressured to join other world governments or lose all trade rights in the global market, thereby destroying the U.S. economy. Across the nation a dramatically rapid increase in crime and a fear of economic disaster has led to massive demonstrations in support of GATE. As demonstrations increase they have turned violent with rioting in the streets and all of this has led to talk in Congress of impeaching the President. In Europe, elite U.S. military forces use a Top Secret aircraft to learn more about GATE, and are hunted by those who were allies. The Shepherds race against time . . . DAVID K. BAKER has served as an Anglican priest in Indiana, California and Arizona, and is presently serving as the Rector of Grace Anglican Church in Idaho. He has taught undergraduate criminal investigation courses in Germany, taught first and second grades in a private academy in California, and served over twenty years in the U.S. Army, eighteen of which were with the CID. He presently lives in Idaho with his wife Jeanmarie.
