Colonizing the Bugger Worlds

After the war the I.F. repurposes bugger worlds for human colonies, culminating in Ender and Valentine joining the First Colony.

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A New Ministry

A New Ministry Graff becomes the new Minister of Colonization and announces plans to settle the abandoned bugger worlds. Earth will repeal the Population Limitation Laws and send its surplus people to the stars. Context Humanity is suddenly heir to dozens of empty planets, already terraformed and equipped by the dead buggers. Significance The colonization program gives Ender an eventual escape route and gives Peter a new arena for his ambitions.

Demosthenes Endorses the Colony

Demosthenes Endorses the Colony Valentine, writing as Demosthenes, publishes a final column supporting colonization and declaring that Demosthenes will join the first ship. The announcement electrifies the world. Context In truth, Valentine is using her public identity to escape Peter's influence and to create a path for Ender to leave Eros. Significance The move ties the future of humanity to the stars and removes Demosthenes from Earth's politics forever.

The Voyage Out

The Voyage Out Ender, Valentine, and Mazer Rackham travel with the first colonists to a former bugger world. During the voyage, Ender writes the first draft of the bugger war history and begins to win the colonists' love. Context Ender has exchanged one prison for another, but this prison carries hope. The colonists worship him, and he gradually learns to live with their adoration. Significance The voyage is a liminal period where Ender moves from weapon to human being.

Governor of a New World

Governor of a New World Ender becomes the colony's governor, but he governs by persuasion rather than command. Valentine writes her history, and the colony grows into a self-sustaining human settlement built inside bugger tunnels. Context Ender's military skills are mostly useless here; he learns to farm, build, and judge disputes. The colonists elect a council and make Ender a judge rather than a ruler. Significance This quiet life is the closest Ender ever comes to peace, and it gives him the emotional stability to confront the bugger past.

Finding the Tower

Finding the Tower Ender flies to a hill that resembles the Giant's Corpse from his childhood mind game. He finds a tower, and inside it the Hive-Queen's Cocoon waiting for him. Context The buggers constructed this place from Ender's own memories before their extinction. It is a message, an apology, and a request for forgiveness. Significance Ender takes the cocoon and resolves to find a safe world for the hive-queen. He also begins writing Speaker for the Dead, transforming his guilt into a story that humanity will cherish.

after Graff's acquittal

just before the first colony ship launches

the two-year relativistic flight to the new world

years after landing

years later, while scouting for a new colony site