Interplanetary commerce, if and when it begins, will be fraught with all of the dangers that accompany pioneering expeditions. There will be the terrible climatic conditions on other worlds to be faced, strange beasts and plants; and perhaps desperate and greedy men. That was the case when every new land was opened on Earth and it may be expected to be true when we conquer the solar planets.
By the 23rd century Earth's population had reached seven billion.Mankind was in danger of perishing for lack of elbow room, unless prompt measures were taken. Roy Walton had the power to enforce those measures. But though his job was in the service of humanity, he soon found himself the most hated man in the world.For it was his job to tell parents their children were unfit to live; he had to uproot people from their homes and send them to remote areas of the world.