Earthseed

here gets larger and has children, there’ll be more disagreements. I thought diversity was supposed to be a good thing.” He brushed back his hair. “Don’t worry—most of them won’t be willing to take the risk right away. They’ll stay until you’re all prosperous and they can make a good start.”
    Aleksandr sighed. “No one in my group will be going with you, so it’s up to Zoheret. Anything she decides is fine with me.” He got back into his cart and drove toward the fields.
    Zoheret said, “It’s a mistake. You know what happened before.”
    Ho smiled. “You can’t stop us. We’ll go anyway. But I’d rather have your agreement. It makes things neater.” He hooked his thumbs in his belt. “I didn’t want you to be the leader.”
    “You didn’t want anyone to be the leader except yourself.”
    “Perhaps not.”
    “I’ll have to meet with the board.”
    He shook his head. “Oh, no. You decide it. If you meet with them, you’re just going to end up arguing about it. A lot of people have grievances against some of my friends, and they’ll want to settle them first, and there’ll be hard feelings. Just tell me we have your consent. It’ll save trouble, and most of those here will be grateful you settled it after we’re gone. Don’t listen to that board so much, or you’ll be isolated from what a lot of people really think.”
    “You’re clever, Ho. I might almost think you’ve been causing trouble here deliberately so I’d have to go along with you.”
    “What an accusation. You’ve never liked me, have you?”
    “No. I think you’re dangerous. I think you …” She was silent for a moment. “Take your friends and go. I want a list by tonight of what you’re taking. And let me warn you—if you take so much as one extra seed, or one more tool, I am going to come after you with everyone who has a grudge against you or your band. And we’ll wipe you out. I won’t wait for you to get stronger. And that goes for any raids in the future. You know I mean it.”
    “I know. I’ll show good faith.”
    “You’d better.”
    Ho turned and walked up the hill toward the library dome. Already small clusters of people were gathering there to speak to Ship for the last time. Ship would leave without hearing her farewell. Owen joined Ho on the line; Ho began to whisper to him.
    She worried about what she had done. To let them go was, she felt, only to postpone the problem and sow the seeds of a future conflict; to let them stay would only increase hard feelings that might tear the community apart. But if it worked, and Ho kept his promise, it would set a precedent for the future that would be better than settling the problem with force.

    The bonfires burned. Pigs were roasting over the pits as the spits were turned. Federico passed a bottle to Zoheret; she shook her head.
    Dora and Manuel were coming toward her. “I have to talk to you,” Dora said. Zoheret scowled; she was not even free to celebrate with the others.
    “What is it?” she snapped.
    “Not here.” Dora and Manuel led her away from the crowd and up the hill, stopping near the library. Zoheret glanced toward the other domes; lighted windows revealed the shadows of those who were still afraid to venture out at night even for a year’s-end festival. She would have to visit them later, bring them food and drink, try to dampen their fears. She might need their goodwill. She shivered, feeling the familiar fear of the broad, black, starry sky.
    “What’s your problem?” she asked Dora more gently.
    “I don’t want to leave. I don’t want to go with Ho.”
    “Then don’t go.”
    “You mean I can stay?”
    “Of course. I don’t see what your problem is.”
    “Dora was afraid she’d have to leave,” Manuel said, “that you’d make her go with the rest.”
    “You can decide that yourself.” Zoheret faced the girl. “But you’d better mend your ways. No more sleeping late, no more sneaking extra food. That’s over.”
    “Ho’s going to be mad at me,” Dora murmured.
    “I don’t care. He can’t force you. He knows what will happen if he does.” She glanced at Manuel. “Do any of Ho’s other friends feel this way?”
    He shook his head. “Only Dora.”
    “Well.” She looked down. “That’s settled. If Ho talks to you about this, just tell him you spoke to me. He’ll understand.” Dora nodded. “I’ll say good-bye to you now,” Zoheret said stiffly to Manuel. “I wish you well.”
    Manuel