The Mother Below

Following nuclear war that rendered Earth unlivable, humanity entered their first interstellar Diaspora period: across the stars did humanity spread, fleeing the proof of their nature. Some years later, as colonists became colonies became settlements became nations, many had trickled back to their home, finding those that they left behind and witnessing the aftereffects of their suicidal-genocide. Establishing a true, neutral colony on Mars with volunteers and survivors, humanity collectively entered a period of expansion and progression, with Mars becoming humanity's mediators and judges, and finally beginning to terraform Earth to restore it to some semblance of a pre-human state. Centuries later, the Restoration and Homeguard of Earth are not only held in high regard, with ceremonial members from across human space, but also found themselves tested as an unknown alien species launched themselves at humanity across the entirety of their space, including but not limited to the Mother Earth, the heart of humanity's spirituality.

This story currently follows the August Cormier, following Home Guard's initial contact.

This is written by yours truly, but leverages AI assistance in editing and research and perspective.