Earth 2788 Read online

  Grandmother had said variations of this on every single one of her last ten visits. I had to admire the way Mother kept her face and voice perfectly calm as she gave her usual reply. “House portals are becoming far more common these days. Ventrak has to do a huge amount of travelling to create his history vid series, and it makes his life a little easier if he can portal straight into the house.”

  “My poor son works so hard to pay for your extravagances.” Grandmother moved towards me and nodded her approval. “Dharma is always flawlessly dressed.”

  “My eldest daughter’s name is Dalmora, Mother Rostha.” There was the faintest edge of acidity in Mother’s voice.

  “Well, it shouldn’t be,” said Grandmother. “Dalmora is not a traditional name. I named all three of my sons after the first colonists on Danae.”

  The acid note in Mother’s voice grew stronger. “It was Ventrak who suggested Dalmora should be named after my mother.”

  “My poor son has always been such an indulgent husband,” said Grandmother.

  Mother closed her eyes for a second, a sure sign she was losing patience. Sitara, Diya and I couldn’t say a word, or we’d get a lecture from our grandmother for speaking before we were spoken to. I glanced at Asha.

  “Forgive me for interrupting, Grandmother,” said Asha, “but the embroidery on your sari is stunning. Can I ask if the fabric is one of your own designs?”

  Grandmother turned towards her, and her forbidding expression abruptly melted into a smile. Asha was her favourite granddaughter, named after her, and always treated with special leniency. “Yes, this is my latest design. You have excellent taste, Asha. I look forward to the day you will come to me to be trained as a fabric designer yourself.”

  “Thank you, Grandmother.” Asha gave a dutifully grateful smile, though I knew she had absolutely no interest in becoming a fabric designer. Father’s history vid series, History of Humanity, was famous on worlds in every sector of humanity’s space. Asha, Sitara, and I all wanted to make info vids ourselves one day. Diya talked about becoming a scientist, but it was impossible to tell if she was serious about that, or just saying it to be awkward.

  There was another series of musical notes, this time from the portal. We all hurried to line up facing it, my mother on one end of the line and my grandmother on the other. The portal established, and my father stepped through. He looked tired, but he smiled at us, and greeted each of us in turn, before taking out his lookup to check the time. On Danae, birthdays were celebrated on the anniversary of the person’s birth, using the interstellar standard Green Time of Earth Europe. Here on Danae it was early afternoon, but it was almost midnight by Green Time.

  Father watched his lookup for a moment, then nodded and turned to me. “Happy birthday, Dalmora.” He held out a small box. “For you to wear at your birthday party this evening.”

  I took the box, found it held a set of tiny rainbow lights for wearing in my hair, and gasped in pleasure. Rainbow lights were the height of fashion on Adonis, and girls were starting to wear them on Danae too, but I knew my grandmother strongly disapproved of them as being far too theatrical. I gave her a wary look, but found my father was already offering her an identical package.

  “I couldn’t resist getting a set for you too, Mother. Your hair has always been so beautiful, it deserves no less.”

  Grandmother graciously accepted her package of rainbow lights. “You are always so thoughtful, Ventrak. I look forward to wearing these at the party.”

  Grandmother would naturally approve of any gift from her adored eldest son. It seemed rainbow lights had suddenly become perfectly respectable.

  Mother stepped towards me now, lifting her hands to undo the golden necklace she was wearing. She studied it for a moment with a reminiscent smile, then looked at me and spoke in a measured, formal voice. “One of my ancestors brought this necklace with her when she left Earth during Exodus century. It has always been handed down to the eldest daughter in the family on her eighteenth birthday. My mother gave it to me on my birthday. Now it is time for me to give it to you, Dalmora.”

  I felt guilty taking the heirloom from my mother, but this had been a family tradition for over five centuries now. The necklace had been made by a far distant jeweller ancestor in the city of Jaipur on Earth, to be a birthday gift for her eldest daughter. The necklace, and its story, had been passed on from daughter to daughter ever since. I had a duty to accept it now, just as I had a duty to pass it on to my own daughter when she was 18.

  The necklace felt surprisingly cool and heavy as I put it round my neck. Mother helped me fasten it and then smoothed my hair back into place. This necklace was a true piece of history. Wearing it now, I knew I was just one link in a chain of owners that stretched back half a millennium into the past, and could continue as far, or even further, into the future.

  Mother stepped back to admire me, and this time I wasn’t surprised when Father produced a third package of rainbow lights and handed it to her. She gave him a quick smile of thanks before speaking.

  “We must eat now, because Ventrak will need to rest before the formal party begins.” She turned and led the way into the small reception room we used for private meals.

  We all followed her and sat down around the table. Grandmother looked at the array of dishes set out, and frowned. “I’d expected Ventrak would be welcomed home with a proper hot meal.”

  Father shook his head. “The informal eating arrangements are entirely for my convenience, Mother. I’ve spent a week on Asgard in Gamma sector, consulting some of my old teachers at University Asgard about my plans for future vids, and now I have to make a seven hour time zone adjustment. I find that biorhythm adjustment meds solve the sleep problems, but sudden changes in meal patterns are still difficult.”

  Mother stood up. “I’d be happy to get you a hot meal, Mother Rostha, if you prefer that.”

  Grandmother waved a hand in dismissal. “I couldn’t possibly cause you so much trouble.”

  Mother sat down again. Grandmother eyed the bowls of food, gave a martyred sigh, and we all started eating.

  “It’s so unfortunate that you studied at University Asgard rather than University Danae, Ventrak,” said Grandmother. “Collaborating with history experts at University Danae would be far more convenient.”

  Father’s smile flickered for a second. “It would be more convenient, Mother, however I’ve explained to you many times that I chose to study at University Asgard because its history department was more highly regarded than the history department at University Danae. I remain convinced that my contacts at University Asgard can give me far more useful assistance than anyone at University Danae.”

  He paused. “Since you’ve raised the subject of University Danae, Mother, I think now is a good time to have a discussion about Dalmora’s future.”

  I looked at him, startled and anxious. What did he mean? My future had been decided years ago. I would continue to live at home while I studied at University Danae. Father had studied modern history, the period from Exodus century to the present day. His History of Humanity vid series covered key events in modern history. I was to study pre-history, the days when humanity only lived on Earth, so I could help him to make a new vid series featuring events from far in the past.

  There was the question of my future husband, of course, but Danae tradition was that the subject shouldn’t be discussed with me until I’d completed my degree course. I was aware my father was already bearing in mind the fact he had four daughters, and quietly choosing suitable young men of good family to assist him in his work, but …

  “During my visit to University Asgard, I mentioned the fact Dalmora would be starting her history studies at University Danae after Year Day 2789, and my contacts gave me some important information.” Father’s voice developed an unusual edge of annoyance. “I should add that I was both surprised and disappointed that we had not been told this information when Dalmora made her application to University Danae.”

/>   He paused. “It appears that University Danae no longer runs a history degree course.”

  “What?” The word slipped out before I could stop it. “I’m sorry, Father. I shouldn’t have interrupted you.”

  He shook his head. “You are understandably shocked, Dalmora. As I said, I was disappointed that University Danae chose to mislead us. Apparently the rules for history degrees have changed since I was a student. All the Foundation courses must now concentrate on pre-history and be held on Earth.”

  “Earth!” Grandmother frowned. “It’s out of the question for Dalmora to go to Earth. It would be criminally negligent for University Danae to send their students to a world where they’d be in contact with the Handicapped.”

  Father sighed. “Apparently that’s exactly how University Danae felt about it, Mother. They weren’t allowed to accept students onto a full history degree course unless they’d completed the new Pre-history Foundation course, so they chose to replace their history degree with a degree in historical studies.”

  “That seems a sensible solution,” said Grandmother.

  “Apart from the minor detail that their historical studies syllabus includes a lot of literary and philosophical content, and virtually no pre-history,” said Father. “Given Dalmora wished to specialize in pre-history …”

  He sighed again. “We appear to be faced with a situation where Dalmora either has to study a largely irrelevant degree at University Danae, or apply to an entirely different university.”

  “Out of the question,” repeated Grandmother. “Almost all universities on other worlds have mixed classes!”

  “I don’t consider that segregating male and female students is necessarily desirable,” said Father. “I requested information on history courses at University Asgard, and they’ve been extremely helpful.”

  University Asgard! I wasn’t just stunned now. I was, as Diya would say, totally grazzed. If I studied at University Asgard, I wouldn’t be living at home, or even on a different world in Alpha sector, but on the capital planet of Gamma sector. No, if University Asgard was following the new rules …

  “Would that mean I’d spend my degree course Foundation year studying pre-history on Earth, Father?” I asked.

  “Yes,” he said. “I do have some strong reservations about that. Not because of the Handicapped issue. Medical experts advise there is absolutely no risk in spending time on Earth; all the studies prove that it doesn’t increase the chance of having a child with immune system problems. My concern is that the new Pre-history Foundation course apparently includes physically demanding work, excavating the ruins of Earth’s ancient cities.”

  “Yet again, that’s out of the question,” said Grandmother. “A delicately built girl like Dalmora can’t be expected to perform manual labour like … like some muscular farmer’s daughter on a primitive frontier world!”

  Father turned to look at Mother. “I feel that this decision has to be made by Dalmora herself. My associates at University Asgard suggested I could take Dalmora to Earth and meet a lecturer who runs one of their Pre-history Foundation classes. We would then be able to discuss all our concerns with him. I think we should accept their very gracious offer.”

  Mother frowned, clearly worried.

  “I have a history degree,” added Father. “I make history vids. Now I stop to think about it, it does seem faintly ridiculous that I’ve never even set foot on the planet where most of human history happened.”

  “It’s all totally impossible,” said Grandmother. “If only you had a son then …”

  Mother threw a single furious glance in her direction, before turning back to my father. “If you feel that’s the wisest course of action, Ventrak, then naturally I agree.”

  Father turned to me. “Are you happy with this, Dalmora?”

  “Yes, Father.” I was going to visit Earth! I reached up to touch the necklace I was wearing. Long ago in Exodus century, this necklace had been around the neck of my ancestor when she left Earth. For the first time in four hundred and fifty years, it would return to the world where it was made.

  Two days later, my father and I stepped out of a portal at Danae Off-world. Everyone immediately turned to look at us, or rather look at him. Ventrak Rostha, Danae’s most famous son, wearing the same traditionally styled, pure white clothing that he wore in every one of his celebrated history vids. I was an insignificant figure at his side, wearing a discreetly simple sari, appropriate for travelling to other worlds.

  Danae Off-world was crowded, but a clear path opened ahead of us as people moved aside to let us through. Father smiled and nodded his thanks to them all, as he walked on towards the off-world portals.

  “I can never get used to this, Father,” I murmured. “The way everyone stands aside for you, as if you were an ancient king walking through an admiring crowd.”

  “You must never get used to it, Dalmora,” he said. “I must never get used to it either. Every time it happens, I have to remember that being treated like this is an honour, but also a huge responsibility. When people on any world of humanity hear the name Danae, they think of two things. The beauty of our firefly clouds, and my history vids. Wherever I go, whatever world I visit, I have a duty to always treat people with courtesy, showing respect for their feelings and customs, because my behaviour must never bring discredit on the name of Danae.”

  I nodded, understanding that it was a duty that didn’t just apply to my father, but also to me as his daughter.

  “It’s not always easy, Dalmora,” he added. “There are so many worlds with different attitudes and customs. I’m fortunate that the traditional male dress of Danae is conservative enough to be acceptable on any world, but I’ve still managed to make mistakes. Fortunately, people have always been gracious enough to accept my apologies.”

  He glanced upwards at a sign. “There’s a block portal to Earth Europe soon, but if we wait for it there’s a danger we would be late for our meeting.”

  The lecturer from University Asgard was disrupting his schedule to assist us. It would be deeply discourteous for us to be late for the meeting, and Father was wealthy enough that the cost of dialling a special interstellar portal link wasn’t an issue. We walked on past the queues to an off-world portal that was deserted except for a uniformed attendant.

  “Earth Europe please,” said my father.

  A moment later, the portal established and we stepped through. I looked round, tense with excitement. I was on Earth, the home world of humanity, the place where people had lived and loved and fought their wars for millions of years before the invention of interstellar portals and the exodus to other worlds.

  It was disappointing to see that Earth Europe Off-world looked almost identical to Danae Off-world. The crowds of people looked very ordinary too. I saw there were some, like my father and I, wearing clothes in the widely varying styles of different Alphan worlds, and a group of two women and one man in Betan togas, possibly the members of a triad marriage. Mostly though, people were wearing clothes that were more like those of Gamma sector than anything else.

  I realized I’d been foolish. Earth Europe Off-world was hardly likely to look like a history vid. Father was already following the signs to the local portals, and I hurried after him. Not more than ten minutes after stepping through the portal in the hall of our house on Danae, Father was dialling the portal code given him by the lecturer from University Asgard.

  When I went through the portal after my father, I was expecting to arrive in another sadly generic public building, but instead I found we were outdoors. Twin portals stood in the middle of an area of rough grassland, surrounded by slightly higher ground. A man was sitting on a lump of weathered rock, staring at the ground with a thoughtful expression. When he saw us arrive, he stood up, turned to face us, and smiled.

  “I’m Lecturer Playdon of University Asgard.”

  I’d expected to see someone at least as old as my father, but this man didn’t look more than 30 at most, and he had
a serious air about him that was oddly attractive.

  “I very much appreciate you taking the time to meet us,” said Father.

  “That’s not a problem,” said Lecturer Playdon. “I’m a great admirer of your History of Humanity vid series, and the way it has given so many people an appreciation of the importance of modern history.”

  I felt he genuinely meant the words, but there was something strangely reserved about his manner when he said them. I’d watched a lot of people meet my father for the first time, and it was usually obvious that they were struggling to control their excitement, but this man seemed as disappointed by us as I’d been by Earth Europe Off-world.

  “Thank you.” Father gestured at me. “This is my daughter, Dalmora.”

  I fought the urge to press my hands together in the traditional greeting gesture of Danae. I was on Earth, which predominantly followed Gamma sector customs, and this man was from a Gamma sector university. That meant I should either smile or shake hands in greeting. I’d been taught at the Academy that shaking hands showed more respect, but Father said it was always best to follow the lead of the person on their home ground. Lecturer Playdon had just smiled rather than holding out a hand, so I did the same.

  “Welcome to Earth, Dalmora,” said Lecturer Playdon. “My superiors at University Asgard tell me you’re considering applying to one of our Pre-history Foundation courses, but you’re worried about the conditions students face. Since I teach a Foundation class myself, I’m to answer your questions and reassure you about any concerns.”

  The way he was studying me seemed almost disapproving. Did that mean I should have shaken hands after all, or did he suspect I’d demand special treatment on a Foundation course because my father was famous? Of course I wouldn’t do that. It would be completely unfair to other students.

  Then his words sank in properly, and I realized I was already getting special treatment. Lecturer Playdon had obviously been ordered to drop everything to meet us and answer our questions. That explained his lack of pleasure in meeting my father, and his manner when he looked at me. He admired my father’s vids, but he was disappointed by our behaviour.