The Prodigals

Earth is dying. Its resources are used up or too contaminated for recycling. Plagues have decimated the planet's population to a mere two million - a population number not seen for 50,000 years.

With time running out, Earth sends probes to search for suitable planets. Several planets are found that will support a portion of Earth's population. Humanity will live on; it will just be spread across 50 light-years. Then a planet that will sustain all of Earth's inhabitants is found. A perfect planet.

Project Arcturus is born.

A battle-hardened contingent is sent to Arcturus to eliminate the indigenous population and prepare the planet for immediate colonization.

On planet Arcturus thousands of years ago, an apple was declined. Sin never gained a foothold. And all was well for thousands of years until Earth's probe found them. When the inhabitants become aware of the impending arrival of their brothers from a far-off world, they turn to the One who provides them guidance and wisdom. They are told not to worry.

Earth's plans for an easy conquering of the Arcturus are wrong. Very wrong.

Author's note: On Arcturus, the covenant between the locals and God has not been broken so he still moves among the people. I have not presumed to give a form to God, nor have I put words in his mouth. God in my story presents himself as a warm breeze, or as a pillar of smoke or fire as described in the Old Testament. I would not have felt comfortable presenting God in any other way. I also write about the results of prayer, not the actual discussions between God and the locals.