Among the guests invited by Department of Homeland Security officials to a science and technology conference in Washington, DC, last May was a small group of people who tended to sit by themselves, away from the defense contractors and DHS officials who crowded the meeting rooms. They weren't wearing the typical Washington power suits, nor did they seem interested in the glad-handing and networking that was happening all around them.
Yet this group, in certain literary circles outside of Washington, was one of pure celebrity. Arlan Andrews, the de facto leader of the group, pulled out his business card, which read: “Science Fiction in the National Interest.” Andrews, who has a doctorate in mechanical engineering and once worked as a White House fellow, has written scores of science fiction stories.
Sitting next to him was Greg Bear, whose book Darwin's Radio, won the Nebula Award in 2000. Jerry Pournelle,...