In a distant future, humanity embarks on an interstellar journey aboard the _Quest III_, seeking new habitable worlds after Earth has become overpopulated and resource-depleted. The ship's crew, including Captain Knof Llud and his family, has spent nine hundred years in space, witnessing the vastness of the universe but finding no suitable planets. As they approach Earth, excitement and apprehension fill the crew, especially for those who have never seen their home planet. Upon sighting Earth, the crew is filled with joy, but Captain Llud harbors doubts about what they will find. He reflects on the passage of time and the changes that may have occurred during their absence. As they prepare to land, they are suddenly attacked by small, fast-moving ships that bombard the _Quest III_. The crew realizes they are under siege from unknown assailants, leading to a tense standoff. The attackers, revealed to be robotic craft, are controlled by a new form of humanity that has evolved on Earth during the crew's absence. This "New Humanity" has shrunk in size due to overpopulation, and they view the returning crew as a threat to their existence. The captain learns that the previous expeditions have been destroyed, and the New Humanity intends to eliminate the _Quest III_ as well. In a desperate attempt to negotiate, Captain Llud offers knowledge and a peaceful resolution, but the New Humanity refuses, driven by a deep-seated hatred for the "giants" they see as remnants of a bygone era. The captain realizes that the New Humanity has lost touch with the ideals that once defined humanity, having sacrificed their connection to the stars for the sake of survival. As the _Quest III_ continues its approach to Earth, the captain devises a plan to outmaneuver the attackers. He uses the ship's gravitic technology to evade their fire, ultimately leading to a confrontation that results in the destruction of the enemy ships. The crew narrowly escapes, propelled away from Earth and toward a new destination: Omega Centauri. The narrative explores themes of evolution, identity, and the consequences of unchecked growth. It raises questions about what it means to be human and the sacrifices made in the name of survival. The story concludes with a sense of hope as the crew sets a course for a new beginning, leaving behind the remnants of their past and the challenges of a changed Earth.
By Robert Abernathy · First published 1975 · Genre: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Adventure