A Question of Identity (short story)

A Question of Identity was a 2000 short story written by Caroline Symcox and released as the first story in the Bernice Summerfield anthology The Dead Men Diaries.

Synopsis
To be added

Plot
Benny, newly settled as the Braxiatel Collection's staff archaeologist, dedicates herself to research and study in an attempt to become a serious academic and put her adventuring days behind her. She accepts Braxiatel's invitation to dinner with professors from the Delvian Academy, being bored of paperwork, and buys an expensive dress for the occasion to ensure that she looks elegant.

At the dinner, Benny drinks only mineral water until Professor Hayes criticises her book, after which she takes to drinking several glasses of white wine and drunkenly talks to Erich Fromm about her own attempts to find a link between Traxis Four and Traxis Six. He abruptly excuses himself and, embarrassed, Benny leaves and is accosted by Guy Chisholm, an enthusiastic student of archaeology who idolises her and explains that she was his inspiration. The two come across an unconscious guard and Guy drags Benny towards the library to investigate despite her arguing that they should contact security.

Realising that she is unhappy in her life as a serious academic, Benny sends Guy to get security and goes to the library herself. She finds the intruder taking a book on Traxis Four and Traxis Six from her work station and knocks him out after he tears her dress, after which she sees that it is Fromm. Braxiatel arrives with his guards and explains that he was aware that the Delvian Academy has been stealing from other researchers to delay their progress and ensure that they can publish their findings first, but the trap he laid was almost unsuccessful because of Benny moving the book.

Benny comes to terms with the fact that she will always be an adventurer and returns to dinner, where she insults Professor Hayes and kisses Guy on the way out.

Characters

 * Bernice Summerfield
 * Irving Braxiatel
 * Erich Fromm
 * Guy Chisholm
 * Professor Hayes
 * Mason
 * Leader

Worldbuilding

 * Ten artefacts from the expedition to Traxis Six in 2205 now reside in the Braxiatel Collection.
 * Benny drinks mineral water and white wine.
 * Mason, Fromm and the leader are members of the Comparative Religion Society at the Delvian Academy.
 * Benny's first academic publication was The Traxian Paradox: A New Perspective.

Continuity
to be added