Babylon Sunrise

PART ONE

CHAPTER ONE: JUST TWO NEW FACES

From the start they were marked as different, but it seemed as if their paths were destined to meet. They came from different directions, via different means of transportation. However, their journeys were both long and their destination was the same.

Takhara Miyomi Alita travelled by train from Numanda in the Western Provinces. It took a week. She travelled through a large part of Tarasita, hugging the northern coastline for the most part. In Taras, she boarded the express for Karba in Kulman and Murex in Sealandia, but it still took a long time. She would not have missed it for the world. Everything fascinated her, from the deserts and grasslands of home, to the densely populated capital, to the legendary Kulmanite cities cut into stone. She wished she had more time to explore all the wonders of her world. Instead, she had to make do with her trip. It was a poor girl’s way of seeing the world.

For Alita was indeed poor. Her parents were from nomad families whose ancestors had once led great caravans across Tarasita, delivering goods and passengers through the dangerous sands. With the age of the iron horse and the airplane, their fortunes had changed. Her grandparents had to sell their beautiful villa with its terraced levels and tiled floors. Alita had vague memories of the place before the smaller and smaller apartments in the cities. Finally, her parents had resorted to recapturing the ancient ways in their tents and travelling by horseback. They had a business taking city folk out for desert treks. Unfortunately, most people would rather have travelled in modern conveyances with modern conveniences. Her parents barely had enough to scrape by. It was a blessing from the Goddess when their daughter passed all the entrance exams for Ms. Hood’s Youth Academy in Murex, Sealandia. At first, they were not sure whether the news was a blessing or a curse until it was learned that her score had been high enough to warrant a full scholarship, something rare at the Academy.

She took a taxi from the city’s Railway Terminus to the school. It was a long drive and the cost took up most of the Sealandian crowns that her parents had given her. The driver was friendly enough and spoke Alita’s language. He explained to her the history of every landmark they passed on the way. Alita learned more about Sealandia in that short trip than in any of her school classes back home.

The campus was lush and green. It looked as if there were several large trees for Alita to sit and read under. There looked like several hundred young men and women running and laughing around the grounds. Alita had barely been with other girls her own age, except those who had gone on her parents’ tours. This was going to be fun.

And boys. At age fifteen, she had already started to see boys. There had been a few near where she lived, but she had never spoken to them. However, she had seen them looking at her from time to time. Now she would have to speak to them. Hopefully, she would not sound too much like a country bumpkin.

Students were lining up in front of the Administration Building. Large signs were telling new and returning students to line-up in the queue appropriate for their year (and gender) so that they could be assigned a dormitory. Alita stood among other first-year girls with her luggage piled around her. Fortunately, her mother’s aromatic care package of food had been eaten on the train and there was nothing to drive other students away.

Just before Alita reached the door, there was a great commotion from the other mostly Sealandian students around her. It looked as if another student was trying to push into the front of the line. Well, not exactly push. The girl was making her uniformed guard push though the line exclaiming: Make way for Mistress Cobrana! The Sealandians and Tarasitans who did not have a noble class left in their societies, grumbled at this. Of course the girl was a Mesaran. They felt everyone else were their social inferiors. However, the guard was at least six feet tall and the girls in the line scattered readily, only to queue up again once he and his charge passed.

Alita managed to catch a glimpse of the girl who had caused so much trouble. Her head appeared to be coated in shiny black hair that was shorter than Alita’s. Her lips were constantly upturned in a slight superior smile. Her eyes flashed with gentle silver hues that were disturbingly piercing. She had a bounce in her step as if she ruled the world. All Alita could think of was that she did not want to be sharing a dorm room with this Empress-wannabe.

Even with the Mesaran’s interruption, the line was not too bad. The Academy had been registering and sorting students for several hundred years. However, Alita did find herself picking up and setting down her bags quite often after moving them a few centimetres forward at a time. It was annoying, but only worth an eye roll. Finally, she reached the inside of the building and the head of the line. A woman with small round glasses and a long nose peered down from a booth at Alita.

Your name, young lady? She asked in Tarasitan. Alita’s nationality was obvious from her clothing.

Takhara Miyomi Alita.

The woman checked off the name on a printed list. Yes, young lady… We received your records, but not your preference for a roommate. We did not receive a list of your hobbies.

I don’t have any hobbies. It sounded stupid, but it was true. Alita was a bookworm, reading whatever she could get her hands on. She was hopeless with any type of arts or crafts.

The woman’s brow furrowed. Hmm… Most people know others or put down preferences. Wait a minute, there is someone who did not say anything, expecting a single room. However, the Fleming Wing with all the single rooms for girls is being renovated. So… Room 535 in the Market Building. That’s across the quadrangle and at the end of the lane. Here is your key and information package. Dinner is promptly at six in the main dining hall. Dress is formal for the first night.

What’s my roommate’s name?

Sian-Liana Cobrana. The woman said after checking her list.

The Mesaran. This did not bode well. Alita tried not to groan. Her Sealandian dialect was bad enough, her Mesaran was non-existent. And that girl did not look very patient. What fun this year was going to be. However, she could hear her mother saying: This school will be a good experience for you to learn about other people and other cultures, Alita.

Alita sighed, but still kept her smile on her face. She had not met the girl yet. She trudged across the quadrangle, obeying the Keep off the grass signs. There were so many traditions she was obligated to learn. She had this incredible urge to run barefoot across the grass, trampling it beneath her toes.

The Market Hall was one of the newer dormitories. It was built around a hexagonal atrium. The halls of the dorm rooms were on five of the six sides of the gigantic building. It was the largest girls’ only dormitory on the campus, housing 500 girls on five floors. At least there was an elevator. Numanda was not so remote that it did not have such conveniences, but they were only in the most expensive hotels or office buildings. Most residences were still made of mud-brick, even though the rest of Tarasita was using concrete, aluminum siding and steel.

Room 535 was like any other in the building. The heavy door was open to the hallway. Alita could hear cursing from inside. She knocked on the open door and peered inside. The pretty girl with jet hair was standing over one of her trunks, rummaging through it frantically. The guard was standing beside her quietly. He saw Alita first, smiling sadly and shaking his head.

Mistress Cobrana, he said.

What, Helgar? What?! I cannot believe Mya did not pack my good dress!

I can have your Lady Mother send it to you from Sisteria, Mistress.

Very well… What is it, Helgar?

Your roommate, Mistress… She’s here.

The other girl’s eyes snapped up. Alita had forgotten the silver hue. The intensity of their colour shocked her. At first Alita thought the young woman was going to say something harsh, but then a small smile crossed her lips.

Hello, Alita’s roommate said. I am Sian-Liana Cobrana, from Sisteria in the Empire.

Alita wanted to say: No, really? I never would have guessed!, but she decided that this was not an appropriate time. Instead, she said. I am Takhara Alita, from Numanda, Tarasita.

So your given name must be Alita, then? Sian-Liana answered in Tarasitan dialect. Obviously she was not totally stupid. I am Sian-Li, to my friends.

Are you a member of the Imperial family? Alita mustered her best Mesaran.

No, no, just Sisterian nobility actually. My mother is a Duchess and the sub-Intendant beneath Her Imperial Highness Princess Lady Dominatrix Ilsa Domina. This is Helgar Yonan, he is or was my personal slave and will be again when I go home. You see, students are not allowed to have slaves here.

I can’t understand why, Alita thought in a sarcastic tone. Then she said. Uh-hmmm… My family were prosperous merchants once, and Senators… All my grandparents were patrons of the school, but I got a scholarship.

Ooohh. A brainiac to help me with my homework! Come in, come in, this is your room too! Helgar, unpack for Mistress Alita!

Yes, Mistress. The guard/slave mumbled. Alita was dumbfounded when he took her bags and started unpacking them. Fortunately, she was not a girl used to privacy, but it was a little disturbing. She realized that this was the other girl’s idea of good manners.

Helgar seemed to be an expert at placing things neatly. Alita was impressed. It almost made her wish he was her slave. Almost. Alita thanked him, something Sian-Li did not do. In her mind, he was to be ignored until he did something wrong. Then she paid special attention to him, or she said. Whatever that meant, she did not make clear to her roommate. Alita did not wish to know.

So, Alita said, sitting down on her new bed, How did you get here?

Sian-Li shrugged. My parents had our pilot fly me here. It was cheaper and faster than going commercially.

You have a plane?

Of course, most nobles have jets. Ours is meant for long ranges and can even sleep people on it.

Wow. Alita hoped that was suitable admiration in her voice. I took a train. It was so beautiful crossing Tarasita, Kulman and Sealandia.

You should see Mesara. Sian-Li said.

Alita managed not to roll her eyes. She could see what living with this girl was going to be like. She just smiled and nodded and watched as the slave continued to unpack for his Mistress. Helgar managed to keep his eyes down the entire time. Once, he tripped over a bag and stumbled over Alita’s legs. Sian-Li took instant action. She took a riding crop from the side of her bed and lashed out at the unfortunate man across his chest and back several times. She also slapped him across the face. Alita was shocked, but did not say anything. So this was what Sian-Li had meant. She just stared wide-eyed at the large slave who was cowering in fear.

Okay, Helgar. I think it is time for you to go home.

Yes, Mistress. He bowed, gathered up some of the empty cases and left.

I swear, Sian-Li said, Sometimes I don’t understand why my mother keeps Helgar. He can be so clumsy. Is your leg all right?

Fine. Alita assured her. Do you have the time?

It’s almost six. Sian-Li said checking a gilded clockwork pocket watch. Shall we walk to the Dining Hall?

Sounds good.

The two teenagers left their room. Sian-Li locked it with her key. The lock bolted with a satisfying clunk. The girl replaced the key around her neck. They walked to the elevator. When it reached the fourth floor, other students entered it. By the first floor, Alita and Sian-Li were pushed to the back wall. Two faces among many.

Alita was used to being near large masses of people, especially when she had been shopping with her mother in the market in Numanda. Those were the unwashed masses as well. It was obvious that Sian-Li measured her personal space in vastly different terms. Not only did the crowd alarm her, it angered her. The group was lucky enough to exit before the woman exploded.

At first, Alita thought the other girl claustrophobic, then she realized that Sian-Li was not used to having strangers so close. She was used to passing people, or walking ahead of them, not behind them.

Are you all right? Alita asked partly out of concern, partly to distract her new roommate.

Sian-Li turned to her, those silver eyes blazing. Alita had not quite gotten used to them yet. Again, after a moment, they softened. There was a smile on the girl’s face.

Yes, of course. I don’t like being so close to people.

It’s common custom where I’m from. Your neighbour’s elbow in your face is nothing unusual. You’ll get used to it. We are in a building with 500 other girls....

And on a campus with several hundred boys. Sian-Li grinned.

Alita grinned back. I’m sure you want to get close to them.

You have that right.

Rather than some school dining halls that Alita had seen in pictures, the Academy’s hall was semi-circular like an amphitheatre. The Head Table was in the centre where the professors and teachers sat. First Years sat in the top row and the Second Years sat in the next row down and so forth. Sian-Li actually did not mind sitting at the top. She seemed to like having a commanding view of everyone below her.

When the Headmistress gave her first address of the year, Alita knew her life had been changed irrevocably. She was no longer the desert girl, she was now a student.

Greetings to all our new students. The Headmistress told them. I know all of you had a long day, so I will be brief. The Academy is a school that has long-standing traditions, the most important being that we do not stand on ceremony. Ceremony, as our founder Ms. Cecilia Hood once said, only slows us down. We cannot lead the way to the future if we are wearing constraining clothing, reciting ancient poetry, or not walking on the grass! That is one rule I have just ordered done away with. All those signs will be removed. Originally, this was a school for young women, and then we decided that men would benefit from our education as well. Here, at the Academy, we prepare you for tomorrow. We prepare you to rule the world. This is not an idle boast. Senators, Kings, Queens, Empresses and Presidents have all come through these halls. Now, to say we do not stand on ceremony does not mean we do not have rules. Being passed around now is your combination Academy Code of Conduct and School Calendar. Keep it with you at all times. All important telephone numbers and contact information for the school and your professors are in here. All your assignments and messages from teachers will be recorded in these books...

Alita received her copy. It was heavy and leather-bound. The code of conduct was printed in bold typeface. The legalese was in Sealandian. It would take her a while to wade through it.

Now, one part of the code I wish to impart with you this evening is section 5A. It states that if a student is wronged by another student, the victim punishes the aggressor. However, so that this does not lead to anarchy, a member of the staff determines the punishment beforehand. I warn you all that if you punish those who have wronged you without proper authority, you shall be punished by the staff or by me. There are variations of this rule for different situations, but that is the general idea.

Sounds fair to me. Sian-Li whispered to Alita.

I wonder what the punishments are. Alita whispered back.

Sian-Li shrugged. I guess we have to wait and see.

Below, the Headmistress was finishing her speech. Now, I want all of you to eat heartily. Tomorrow your classes begin and I want you to have a good night’s sleep beforehand. Tonight curfew will be at 9, but normally it is at 11. Your schedules have been placed on your residence doors. You will receive your texts and syllabi in class. Again, welcome to the Academy!

I wonder what the food is like here… Sian-Li mused. I mean, I am not expecting anything high class.

Anything edible is okay with me. Alita shrugged.

The plates were set out. There were servers who laid dishes in front of the students. Alita was surprised that the food was actually very well presented and it even tasted excellent. Of course it was not the President’s Palace, but she had never been there either. For her part, Sian-Li seemed quite impressed and ate well.

On the walk back to the residence, Alita and Sian-Li met a couple of Kulmanite girls who were also first-years. They were twins who giggled a lot. Talking to them appeared to open up Sian-Li. They wore identical clothing as well; the style appeared to impress Sian-Li. Alita was glad her roommate was making friends. The unmistakable scent of honeysuckle was in the air and the pleasing fragrance relaxed Alita. She knew that she would like it there.

CHAPTER TWO: EXAM ANXIETY

Sian-Liana Cobrana hated history, especially if it was Sealandian. Sisterian and Mesaran history was at least palatable, but what they called history in this country was an absolute joke, not to mention the fact that remembering all the long names and titles of the Sealandian Kings and Queens was impossible. And now she had to write an exam about Sealandian history! At least she would be going home for the holidays soon.

Sian-Li could not believe that an entire term had passed. The girl had experienced many new things upon arriving at Murex and the Academy, but she had never thought the time would go so quickly (except in Janis Yurogan’s Sealandian History lectures!). Sian-Li had gotten along well with Alita; the other girl made friends easily and introduced them all to Sian-Li. Even though she would never admit this to Alita, Sian-Li appreciated all that her roommate had done for her. She was thinking of asking Alita if she wished to spend the holidays with her family back in Sisteria and would ask after this exam was finished.

She glanced over at the window. It was a dark and dull day outside and had been raining earlier. The yellow overhead lights cast an artificial glow on the faces of the students perched over their papers. Snow would not come for another few weeks. Sian-Li hoped she would be in Sisteria before then.

History was one of the few subjects where Alita and Sian-Li sat next to one another. Pairs of students shared desks. Their workspace was in the back of the classroom. Sian-Li sighed and flipped a page. At first, it was just an accidental glance as she was stretching her neck, but all the same, she managed to get a glimpse of Alita’s neatly written prose on her page. Her glance was just long enough for Sian-Li to make out the name of a Queen she had forgotten. Oooh… Lucky break… She changed what she had written on her paper. What else could she see?…

Alita had not realized that her friend was staring over her shoulder until a figure marched quickly down the aisle and the quiet of the classroom was broken. Sian-Li was literally lifted out of her seat into the aisle. The teacher, Professor Janis Yurogan, was the school’s female wrestling teacher for a reason. She had her hand on the girl’s collar and pony-tail so that Sian-Li had to look into her eyes.

Cheating, Miss Cobrana? I would have expected a more devious means than simply staring over your friend’s shoulder. Did you know anything about this, Miss Takhara?

Alita was too stunned to say anything, except, No, Professor.

I thought not. Well, Miss Cobrana, before I fail you, is there something you would like to say to your roommate?

S… Sorry, Alita. Sian-Li stammered. She looked scared, but her silver eyes glared coldly at the teacher.

Alita murmured something sympathetic. Her friend’s cheating had not bothered her, but her teacher’s actions were shocking her. No one had been caught cheating before. She had thought that teachers were not allowed to be so physical with their students.

You are the victim here, Alita. The Professor said. You are required to punish her.

But what is the punishment? Alita asked, not totally understanding.

My cane is at the front of the room. The Professor said, releasing Sian-Li, who dropped to her hands and knees in the aisle. Give her fifteen lashes.

No. Alita said, shaking her head. She was a pacifist. Her parents had taught her that physical violence was not only pointless, it was immoral.

If the other students had been trying not to stare at the commotion at the back, now everyone turned around. The Professor gave them all a glare and they turned back to their papers. She turned towards Alita, her glare still very much in evidence.

What did you say?

I will not lash her. I don’t think it is an appropriate punishment.

Why not? The Professor hissed.

She may be bad at history… but she was also too proud to ask for my help. Failing her is humility enough.

You have no right to determine punishment, Miss Takhara! The code states that you will deliver the punishment I set for her!

And what happens if I refuse?

Very well! The Professor sneered. She shall merely fail the test… but you, Miss Takhara… You have disobeyed me. You deserve punishment as well. Miss Cobrana, since Alita was kind enough to spare you, I will not show her the same courtesy. Give her the fifteen lashes.

Yes, Professor. Sian-Li scampered to the front of the room.

Alita had not expected this. What kind of an insane Code of Conduct was this where one student could be beaten for refusing to beat another? This woman was sadistic. And Sian-Li was not standing up to her. Alita did not blame her. The girl was lucky to get off with simply failing the test; she could have