A Life Worth Living by Simon Guerrier

Author:Simon Guerrier [Guerrier, Simon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Book, Prose, Anthology, Short Story
ISBN: 9781844351091
Publisher: Big Finish
Published: 2004-01-01T23:00:00+00:00

Reparation

By Gregg Smith

Benny stood on the portico of the Grand Trianon and gazed at an undulating glow to the north. She turned and walked through the colonnade, gazing at the same undulating glow to the south.

Braxiatel held a party in the Mansionhouse every two weeks, and had done since the Occupation ended. Everyone was invited. They celebrated the handiest festival, and that another fortnight had passed uneventfully. The last had marked Halloween, the next was scheduled for Levi-Strauss Day, and tonight’s was in honour of Tava’ak, the Martian festival of storms. Benny helped Hass prepare the rockfires and advised the kitchens on the appropriate items for the buffet, but excused herself from the celebration itself.

She shivered and sipped her Tom Collins. Well into Michelmas and the nights were noticeably chilly. The Axis had maintained a regular, moderate temperature during the Occupation, but Braxiatel had put the seasons back.

She leant against the nearest column; the veined pink marble was warm. After a moment, she realised Braxiatel was standing behind her. He cleared his throat.

‘It’s not like you to miss a party. Drinking alone?’

‘Not any more.’

‘You’re worried about Jason.’

‘Of course I’m worried. This supply run was meant to take three days. He’s been gone two weeks.’

‘Well, I’ve got good news. I’ve spoken to Earth’s envoy in Tega, General Krasilov. It seems Jason was arrested for collaborating with the Axis. One of his contacts turned him in. There have been warrants out for him for months. But I’ve explained what happened and they’ve agreed to let him go.’

‘Oh thank the Goddess.’ Benny stretched her neck and flexed her shoulders, releasing twelve days’ worth of tension.

‘No, thank me.’

‘Thank you.’

‘But there’s no need. I’m just glad it’s a weight off your mind. He’ll be back tomorrow afternoon.’

‘I’ll miss him, then.’ Her face fell. ‘And I’m going to be gone for a fortnight.’

‘Actually, I’ve given it much thought, and I don’t really think you need to go to Viveka.’

‘What?’

‘You’ve got your students, and Peter, and returning three monuments and a few assorted items doesn’t really need an archaeologist. I’m putting Bev in charge.’

Benny laughed for a few moments, then stopped abruptly.

‘You’re not joking, are you?’

‘She’s quite capable of managing this project.’

‘Oh, come on. She doesn’t know anything about Vivekan history. Flying us there is one thing, but this needs someone with experience in art history.’

‘The Vivekans have their own people. The chap in charge of their museum is Emeritus Professor of Cultural Resources with the Interplanetary Collegiate. These are their pieces, and they know what to do with them. I really don’t think you’re needed. You’re forte is field archaeology, not restoration.’

‘And Bev’s is stealing things, not returning them.’

‘Then, this should be valuable experience for her. You wanted these pieces returned, and I accept that. Somehow we’ve got to make reparations for what the Axis did.’

‘Oh don’t be silly. We’re just putting things back the way they were before the Axis came.’

‘We both know a little of Bev’s background. She wants to make amends for that. Sincerely, I’m sure.

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