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Stu Darlington holds doctorates
in physics and biology. Reports of strange abnormalities begin
to surface with children being born with gill slits, webbed
fingers and other embryonic features. Animals too seem to
be undergoing regressive stages of development as if preparing
for an aquatic future. The frequencies of occurrence are too
widespread to ignore. Darlington plots the outbreaks and comes
to a startling conclusion. Nature in its own strange way,
is readapting to its past by creating the means to survive
in water. The mathematical curve he develops becomes a predictable
means of forecasting an event which he believes will plunge
the world into a watery existence.
He discovers that others have reached the
same conclusion and, for their own selfish reasons, try to
suppress his theory through ridicule and disdain. With the
help of his two, young assistants, he compiles data which
all but confirms an event to come which deals with aquatic
existence. To augment this concern, abnormal births are occurring
throughout the world as babies are born with gills, webbed
appendages and other regressive characteristics. The trigger
is the only factor missing and he begins a search which leads
him to the heavens. The moon, constant in its orbit for eons,
exhibits a barely noticeable wobble, which is discovered in
satellite information. Darlington concludes that the Moon
will temporarily break out of its orbit due to a sudden shift
of its internal mass and come disastrously close to the Earth
before correcting itself. Monstrous waves reaching eighty
miles in height will completely cover all landmasses and destroy
most surface life as we know it.
The means of survival for mankind
is at best problematical as Darlington learns that his adversaries
are also planning for survival of their own clique. A race
ensues and the Darlington curve suddenly becomes the basis
for hope since the timetable suggests that enough can be done
before the event occurs. Running throughout the story is a
May-December romance between Darlington and his young assistant
as people all over the world realize that only the remaining
time is important. A starling happening provides the surprise
conclusion to the story.
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