61.      Starting Over

Buster and other young Deltans compete in an archery contest while Buster reflects on the growing population and his continued banishment from the tribe. Despite being exiled, he maintains a distant connection to the community and observes how his legend is evolving into something darker.

Buster watches an archery competition between young Deltans, including his own son Buster and Donald, son of Arnold. The event highlights how the Deltan population has grown to over eleven hundred, with child mortality dropping significantly due to reduced gorilloid threats. Buster notes that Archimedes now has three children with a fourth on the way, and reflects on Deltan lifespans, estimating them at sixty to seventy Earth-years based on Moses's recent death. Despite the community's growth and relative peace, the council maintains its banishment of Buster. Archimedes has attempted to advocate for him but faced harsh opposition, prompting Buster to ask him to stop to protect his family from backlash. Buster observes that stories of "The Bawbe" have become increasingly embellished and are taking on darker mythological tones, comparing his evolving reputation to figures like Loki or Lucifer. He ends by contacting Marvin to confirm attendance at a scrub game.