Return to Earth

Chapter 33

The villages wanted vengeance, but Victor and Tabatha, who had risen above the abuse to become a strong woman not cowed by anyone, convinced them justice was the best option. Cascadia was willing to help every village that fell under their protection, which was between the Rocky Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. Most of North America was free of the Priests and elders, with written laws and education replacing the torment.

The Priests and their soldiers tried to fight, but were driven back to the wooden ships at the docks where they would be taken to other shores. Other labor camps were found along the way and those who hadn't been worked to death, were freed and mended over time. Justice replaced calls for vengeance.

Kierst saw Victor more than Tabatha, but with each visit, she healed a little more. There was a surprising strength to her that never diminished. Despite the need to rest, he never saw her rest. The scars began to fade, but Kierst never saw her try to hide any of them. Victor told him it was a reminder of just how wrong she'd been.

Churches and synagogues rose in the absence of the Priests and elders throughout the villages. They didn't come from Cascadia, but had been in the villages practicing in secret as they passed the knowledge and learning down from one generation to the next. If there had been any clashes, Kierst heard nothing about it.

The Raimy's, the ones Kierst helped to save, were secret Christians who opened up a school in Sheep Head with Susan as the only teacher. She had already been teaching her children and was a natural step for her. Cascadia offered to send help, but she kindly turned it down. From what Kierst had witnessed, she loved teaching and her students loved her.

Most villages, including Sheep Head, turned down the technology offered, but welcomed the books and treatment of the water. There was a desire for them to learn on their own about the wonders of the future. Nearby villagers who hadn't been under the rule of the Priests brought ideas and trade, which they embraced more than anything Cascadia and the Nostos offered.

There had been a kinship between the villages that couldn't exist between those from the time before. The advancements were too alien to accept. Neither group were seen as a threat to them, but there was to their way of life. Everything had changed, but they refused to change beyond the liberty they'd been given. No one would force any village to do anything they didn't wish.

Lita and Petrovitch had been handling the constant interruptions from Mars as best they could, but the tension couldn't be missed. Scientists wanted them to explore the world, but they'd already found a place that worked. Everything they needed, including the genetics the local populations provided, was there.

Kierst and Dune used those times to get training in on the Medjay whenever they could. It was preferable to listen to Dune than deal with a short-tempered commander.

They landed outside Sheep Head, since the villagers had requested they not land within the village itself. It excited the children and startled the sheep whenever they did. Sheep Head was far from alone in that request. Wherever they went, they respected the wishes of the villagers.

Kierst didn't mind the walk, but wished he could take off the helmet. Fresh air was preferable to the recycled, but the threats of animals and humans remained. Just because they hadn't been attacked since forcing the church and elders out didn't mean an attack wouldn't come.