Clacks' antennae vibrated as I explained the plan. “As I understand things, you can't just show up all big and sassy before your peers, outside of this colony, right?”

Clacks shook slightly. “Would not...be recognized? Respected? By others in leader class. Other, you say, normal workers will obey, but no hive Queen will support, may even decide to invade my ...territory? Demesne? Must demonstrate independence – self-sufficiency first. Then a queen make. Only a queen can make another queen. Is matter of...viability?”

“Thought as much. So,keeping this place above water is an important part of things, to keep your power base.”

“Yes, yes, must have own territory!”

“Here's what we propose..”

I went over the shipment Reese Corp supposedly had ready to go, and some of their original plans.

“Actually, that shipment is needed here; just not Reese Corp domination. We're betting any Kreeb ship that lands in their yard will get loaded. I doubt there would be any bill of lading or such. Obviously, they are only dealing with this sect. You guys made it clear that there is no cellular service or such between the stars.”

Clacks began vibrating. Not knowing what this meant, I continued. “One of our marines knows where a weapons depot is, that is still around, the government that stocked it is more or less defunct these days. We want to land and release such colonists as wish to repatriate, then raid the depot – just in case there are some objections when we hop over to Reese Corp. Rouk will need to be let off to look for a science type we need to talk to, and picked up before returning.”

Clacks sidled away a little. “Not aggressive, we. Better at hiding, surviving problems, are. Only some can even the nets use. Before colonizing, such were used only to pacify, how you say? The insane? Disordered? The – sects used only to save your species, from world's ending. Not to harm.”

I kicked at the dust, and nodded. “I understand. But this will not involve you. We will guard your ship and solve our own problems. We need to see that only the equipment gets boarded, not troops or such, once we land at Reese Corp. You get to drive, that's all. Tell 'em you've come from...whats the designation for this place?”

“Their people call it Reese Number One. Our nomination – no equivalent, your language.”

“So just tell 'em Segudsen said to load you up. Leave the rest to us. You can protect the ship itself from damage, right?”

Clacks flexed. “Have Meteor, radiation shielding. Should suffice. Is complicated, but will do my part.”

***

By the time we were ready to load people up, about two thirds of the colonists had elected to go back. It would take more than a single trip. Thirty of the stay put crowd agreed to help manhandle supplies back to the colony, and bear arms if needed.

A line of returnees shuffled forward, some with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Others carried small packs of personal items, some shepherded children. All murmured and wore dour expressions. Most turned silent as they passed into the ship. There was an air of bravery about them, and fear. Almost all of the returnees were citizens who had been outright shanghaied, people netted by the Kreeb. It was an epiphany, to realize that for many, the decision to return was no less traumatic than their arrival here.

Because of space issues, we could load only fifty repatriating citizens for the first trip. I didn't see any reason to stack colonists in the hold like cord-wood, and Henry agreed, especially as it would likely be dangerous.

I wondered how many would simply have to start over. How many had agonized over returning to their extended families and friends versus leaving new ones and relative safety behind. The Earth was still damaged goods and getting worse.

Suddenly, watching the boarding, I felt hollowed out. The faces became personal, though there were few enough known to me. Somehow, I felt responsible. Somehow, getting them home wasn't all there was to think on. Somehow, what would happen to them seemed my problem.

Lisa, busy ushering the line-up, turned and eyed me quizzically.

“Hey Champ, what's up? You look all white and shaky, yeh?” She picked up a small sack one of the colonist's kids had dropped, and returned it, then pattered over to me, looking a bit worried.

“I was just wondering where all these people will be going, once we dump them off. How they will resettle, eat, survive.”

Lisa shrugged. “Same as they always did, I guess.”

I raised a hand to my hair, to brush it back, noting that it shook. “This is my fault. We didn't plan enough. We - I, didn't think ahead enough. How can I just dump all these people onto the street, go about my merry, and hope for the best?”

Lisa became suddenly cross. “Who died and left you in charge, yah? Gonna come back an' run for office, are ya? Maybe I'll vote for your Rottengal.”

“Look, we have this ship, a colony here, and a way to make things better, maybe. Its not about taking charge of anything. Its about not turning away, not running away. It's, it's not just about me and Reems anymore. I have to go talk to Henry.”

“You can talk to Henry on the ship going back.”

Lisa grabbed my arm, and turned me around. To my surprise, she planted a huge kiss on me. She felt warm against me, and vital, and soft. Tension ran out of me, and I responded, hugging her close. Water ran from my eyes, then I shook some more, but this time, a sort of release swept through me with it.

“You're all right, Champ, know that?. But not too smart.” She pulled back from me, keeping a hand on each shoulder. “These people, they all wrestled with that, yeh?. What should I do. Where will I go. Do I really want to go. They all have their reasons, one or another, for their decision.”

I sighed. “I suppose that much is true. So what's yours?”

She looked deeply at me then huffed. “You guys are all the same. Can't tell when a girl is mad at you, or mad about you, yah?” She melted into me again, for a moment, then returned to helping board the colonists.