When space colonies became a practical reality, the rich and powerful left Earth in droves, leaving the rest of humanity behind on a broken world. A few centuries later, Earth has, through much effort, been restored to its former glory. Now the colonists want to return.
Adeira stood at the helm of the guard satellite, her shoulders stiff as she watched the approaching fleet of ships. She didn't think they would come back in her lifetime. She had heard the stories of the ships from her grandmother, who had heard them from her grandmother.
"What do you think they are here for?" she asked her first officer.
The soldiers under her command lit the guard satellite's warning lights, so powerful and bright and red, they could not be mistaken for anything other than a threat. The ships continued to approach.
The ships reached the invisible barrier that protected Earth from everything outside the atmosphere, and the hulls of their gleaming ships dented as they made impact. The ships tried to continue.
It would be a futile endeavor. The barrier had been built strong enough to withstand even a storm of asteroids. They would only kill themselves trying to trespass onto what was no longer theirs.
"Send a messenger ship and bring back their representatives," she said.
Two hours later, two men in silver suits appeared in her quarters. Dinner was laid out in front of them, and she invited them to take a seat.
"I'm Captain Rivard," she said. "May I know the reason for your arrival to Earth?"
"We're returning to our home," the first man said. "I'm Gren Beize, by the way."
"This is not your home," she said. "The Collective has decreed that by leaving Earth at its time of need, your forefathers and all their descendants have forfeited citizenship of Earth. Our laws do not allow your entry, and our people do not welcome your return."
"What?" the other man asked. "We're humans! Of course Earth is ours!"
Adeira didn't like the way he said 'ours'. Like he owned the Earth, or like he was entitled to it.
"Are you?" she asked. They certainly did not look the part. Too tall, too pale, too alien. "Perhaps your forefathers were, but you're just interstellar wanderers, locusts looking for a place to land. Speaking in the loosest of medical terms, I suppose you're human, but you're not Earthlings."
Both men in front of her looked confused, and she smiled.
"When you left us behind, Earth was near her death. There were frequent calamities and rampant disease, death everywhere. But we survived it. It was difficult, and it took a few centuries, but we are better off than we ever were before. Can you guess why?"
Adeira smiled and continued, "We realized that the moment you left, the Earth was no longer actively getting worse. We were doing badly, but we were in a state of convalescence. The symptoms were still there, but the cause of the disease was gone. We were in a world free of despots, dictators, lying godmen, lying politicians, drug cartel kingpins, oil barons, et cetera et cetera. We were free of the billionaires who hoarded wealth and resources from everyone else."
"We helped as much as we could."
"No," Adeira shook her head. "Your forefathers helped as much as they wanted to, which was not much at all. A tiny fraction of their wealth could have ended a nation's poverty, but they did not do that. Instead, they raced each other to outer space in phallic rockets like they were compensating for something."
"I doubt you could live on our world even if we gave you a chance," Adeira admitted. "We've heard of your ships' culture from other travelers. You are a society of the rich, and their servants. We are a world of unions and equals."
"We are running low on supplies!" Gren admitted. "We cannot survive for much longer on the ships."
"Then we shall refuel your ships and offer you supplies. That, and nothing more."
"We own parts of the Earth," the other man said. "I own an entire island off the coast of Italy."
"Your name, sir? Or your forefather's?"
"Aeron Dalton," he said. "My forefather's name—"
"Does not matter. Only citizens of Earth are eligible to own property on Earth. The wealth you have left behind, we have redistributed long, long ago."
"You cannot be so cruel," Gren said, his voice breaking.
"We are not cruel, sir. Throughout the galaxy, we're known as quite hospitable and peaceful, unless we are attacked.."
"We have weapons," Gren said.
"Your ship itself could not breach our protective barrier. I doubt a few missiles will do anything at all. If you do not want your ships and your people to be disintegrated, I suggest you leave after graciously taking the aid we offer you."
She got up to leave. The men had already taken up too much of her time. Soon, more of the ships would arrive, and each would return the same way. She stopped in front of the door.
"A final thing, gentlemen. I highly suggest that you do not claim to be from Earth, or call yourselves Earthlings when other beings ask for it. Misrepresenting yourself is a crime in this galaxy."
"So what are we?" Aeron asked.
"Quite frankly?" Adeira asked. "Homeless."
