Back on Earth, several days had gone by since Tammo and Pasque had been kidnapped. The animals at Redwall were anxiously awaiting the return of their friends. Every morning, Abbess Tansy went up to the top of the south wall to scan the skies for any sign of them.

At last one day, she saw the Martian spaceship appear in the air overhead. Joyously she ran to find Brother Gingko, telling him to sound his bells and turn out the Abbey.

The bells pealed and clanged out across the clear morning air. Everybeast in Redwall stopped what they were doing when they heard the sound. They all gathered on the lawn to greet the returning voyagers.

The ship landed on the grass, in the exact spot it had taken off from. The hatch opened, and the exit ramp was released.

Tammo and Pasque were first to step out. The Redwallers raised a mighty cheer.

Tammo walked over to Tansy and shook her paw. "Mother Abbess, we have come home."

Arven the Warrior yelled aloud, "Look, there's Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst coming down!" The three Gems waved to the crowd as they stepped down to Earth.

Next to appear was Lady Cregga. The Redwallers gasped as they saw the badger's eyes were gone! "Great seasons, what happened to you?" Craklyn the Recorder cried.

"I had a bit of a run-in with some Diamonds," Cregga said grimly.

Issac, the young mouse, pointed up at the ship. "Look, what's that coming out?"

It was Fluorite, squeezing her way through the ship's door. It was quite a struggle, but she finally managed to get out. She slithered down the ramp to the ground, and the other Off-Colors followed close behind.

"These are some new friends of ours," Tammo said proudly.

Last to disembark were Joshy, Major Perigord and the other hares. Shouts and laughter rang out as the hares who had remained on Earth rushed forward to greet them.

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That evening everybeast gathered in Great Hall for a celebration feast. Tammo related the story of his outer space adventure, to the great excitement of the Abbeybeasts. When he was done talking, Cregga stood up.

"I have an important announcement to make," she said. "Before Tammo and Pasque were taken, it was my intention to return to Salamandastron with them and the rest of my hares. But now that I've been struck blind, those plans have changed."

"You mean we're not going back to the mountain now?" Tammo said.

"Oh, you hares can still go back," said Cregga. "It's just that I won't be coming with you."

"Why ever not?" Major Perigord exclaimed.

Cregga laughed bitterly. "What kind of Badger Lord would I be without my eyes? If I can't see, I can't lead hares into battle. Face it; my fighting days are done. It's time for me to retire."

Perigord protested, "This doesn't have to be the end of your career as a warrior. I'm sure there must've been a blind Badger Ruler of Salamandastron before. I can look it up in the records when we get back..."

Cregga held up a paw, cutting him off. "No, Major. I'm done. The truth is, I just don't feel the desire to fight anymore."

"But what will you do now?" Tansy asked.

Cregga turned her head towards the Abbess. "If it's okay with you, I'd like to live here at Redwall. Maybe I could take care of the Dibbuns, like other badgers have in the past."

"Of course," said Tansy. "You don't have to ask permission. Everybeast with a good heart is always welcome to live at our Abbey."

"You're sure about this, marm?" Perigord asked.

"Yes. My mind is made up." And that was the last word Cregga had to say on the matter.