I could go back and I knew that. The women had stabilized several portals to Earth. Former slaves were offered the opportunity to return home if they wished it. The Paterian Administration was hesitant to close the portals too quickly. The process of healing was slow and leaving was a big decision.

We met many former slaves as we started our journey. In the first moon we were hesitant to stay outside an established camp for long. We met many, many freed slaves and found their choices heartbreaking.

“Where would I tell them I was?" one human woman had asked me forlornly as she sat in the medical ward of her camp. She was beautiful and broken, in body and spirit.

The woman, who refused to go by her slave name and would not tell us her free name, had attempted to kill herself by jumping into a pit of lava. She had lost a hand when it dipped into the fire, but a young female Paterian had pulled the human out just in time. The act symbolized how hopeless many former slaves felt. They loathed this place but felt they could not return to who they were.

“I have been defiled," the suicidal woman informed anyone who asked. "I have no value to my family anymore. I would be cast out. There is nothing to return to."

The Healers in her camp were struggling to deal with her wounded human psyche. It was a scene I saw repeat over and over again. Even my own friends expressed their underlying concerns. There were things they felt made their decision for them, whether they Liked it or not.

“Earth would be a dangerous place to return to," Molly had told me stoically as she left the caravan to join her son.

“They might think we were mad and lock us all away. If they believed us when we say where we have been the scientists would never let us go. Even if we never told a soul, there would be a danger our secret would be found out. We could never be free on Earth.”

I felt for Molly, but she didn't want my pity.

“This is my life now," she said looking out over the green hills that bordered her new camp.

The men Keeping her son had offered for her to join them in their dwelling. She was essentially adopted like a small, lost animal. I hoped eventually she would find more here. She seemed to find some humor in my high hopes.

“Not everyone is going to find the loves of their life here,” she announced in a resigned tone. "Some of us will just survive and raise our young.

My arms crossed Like Damien would have done.

“You seem like too much of a survivor to JUST survive..." I observed and she gave me a small smile.

“Oh, I'm not giving up, Ciara," she declared squaring her shoulders and I didn't doubt her a bit.

The troupe that continued on with us was an odd, hodgepodge bunch. We were nomads seeking many different things; experience, adventure, science, or family. As we gained confidence, we camped outside more often, unless we were close to an organized camp. As we traveled, we collected things the camps would want and traded for things we needed when we arrived at each new camp.

Our boys learned to barter, in addition to everything else. Rose and I kept up their schooling, which was now more interesting as they saw most of what we talked about. Some thought our long travel would be disruptive to the children. It seemed to have the opposite effect. The boys were fast becoming competent Little men.

It wasn't four moons into the trip that we realized our boys were excelling. Mycah's family could secure a camp as fast as any man. They knew the dangers that lay in different environments and how to prepare for them. Edas and his Brothers were almost as quick. Both sets of boys were learning the new skills rapidly. Men had not had experiences Like this in ages.

I was learning, too. Previously I'd been sheltered and protected. Here in the wild I fought as hard as any of my family and was exposed to all the same danger. My genetics made me different and I had to learn to keep up.

Less than a moon into our trip I adjusted my expectations of myself and my clothing followed. I'd gotten used to wearing dresses, but they proved impractical in the wild world. Pants worked better and I patterned my clothing after my men’s outfits. We hunted together and I soon became a valuable member of the party. It wasn't a role I'd expected and it certainly wasn't one Damien had expected.

Kaley and Kelli would pass in and out of our days. Sometimes we'd go several day cycles and only hear their haunting melodies in the distance. Other times they'd sleep near the family in the area we'd fortified for rest.

Hannah and Ra were seeking leadership in our old camp. I only spoke to them when we could use a monitor in a camp. The ones we carried were for emergencies, so I only called them when we were at an established camp. It seemed to me they had gained power by becoming close to Asper. Damien congratulated them on their good planning.