The Return

"The Return" by H. Beam Piper and John J. McGuire is a science fiction story set in a world struggling to rebuild after a nuclear war. It follows two men from a secure fort as they journey to reconnect with lost knowledge and other survivors, encountering a unique society that has evolved its own customs and faith. These scientists discover a village of descendants from a military platoon who, despite possessing fragments of advanced knowledge, have developed a religion centered around a slain and resurrected deity. As technology is shared and connections are rekindled between isolated communities, Altamont and Loudons confront the challenges posed by hostile groups while navigating the complex impact of their mission on the villagers' way of life, setting the stage for a clash of civilizations and beliefs.