Earth 2788 Read Online Free PDF Page 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