NOTE 4

There was no one else but them in the car park.

“Here, this is yours,” said Lika. She handed over a device as they stopped near the black saloon.

It looked like a praying mantis's foot, shaped to fit behind the ear like an earphone. It wasn't too big or too small either, it was just the right amount of pressure that wouldn't feel intrusive.

“It’s called integral inchoative, Inchi for short.” Lika pushed her hair behind her ear. “Just do it like when I showed you those pictures and you are ready to go.”

“Is there anything else?”

“Oh right! You should not unplug or take it off before it is completely switched off. Well, it had some safety measure for that, but just in case.”

Alanka could hear a soft hum as soon as she put it on. The humming gradually turned silent within seconds as if it had never been happened. As soon as the silence came, a logo—a sun with the letters of CM in the centre of it, appeared right in front of her. A sharp sound effect popped up as the logo vanished before it brought her to the main view. The device asked her a number of questions related to her before actually giving her the freedom to use it. “How do I navigate?”

“Give it a second, it should had registered your eyes. Or you can use your hands. Just put it in front of your face and it will register it for your navigation.”

Alanka tried it immediately. She tried to see Lika, and within seconds an information box appeared. “There’s not much I can get out of it.”

“Well, it depends,” said Lika. “At the moment, I’m only obliged to show some information. It all depends on one’s location and occupation. Take a look at Bongsor and then Thia.”

She followed the advice. When she saw Bongsor, the information box changed to his data. Much different from Lika, Bongsor’s information box was full of records of his medical achievements and barcodes that referring to his body modification parts. It also showed his favourite bands and movies, although the bands looked quite eccentric, to say the least.

“It’s a metal band,” said Bongsor sound quite cheerful. “Here, let me send you one of their albums.”

A notification box popped up in her vision, making her jolt up a little bit. It asked her permission to accepting a file, which she accepted. “Thank you. I’ll be sure to hear it.”

“Just tell me if you want to hear more.”

This time, Alanka turned her attention to the young girl. She noticed that the young girl was trembling. Beads of sweat flowed slowly from her forehead as she tried to keep herself calm. Other than her name and occupation, one thing caught her attention from the information box that was as empty as Lika’s. Her graduation school, The Bhumi Pura.

“Alanka, nice to meet you,” said Alanka.

“T-Thia!” exclaimed the young girl. She wiped her hands of sweat before shaking hands. “Thia Subangasih. It’s an honour to work with you!”

“She is the one who will help you during your time at the academy,” said Lika as she ruffled Thia’s blonde hair. “Even though I’m the one who recommended her, it’s your parents that had the final say and agreed to hire her. She will not just help you at the academy, she will also help your recovery process. Of course, she will report to me as well.”

“You didn’t do it yourself?”

Lika let out huge sigh. “I’d like that too. That way I have more time to help you and doing other things.”

“Other things?”

“It means playing around. To avoid responsibility,” added Bongsor.

“Anyway! I think it’s time, any longer than this and you’ll be late for class introductions too,” said Lika hastily as she gave Thia a pat on the shoulder. “She might look a little too fidgety, but I can promise that she is good at her job. And if you need anything, just contact me through your Inchi, I’ve put mine and your family’s on there.”

“Thanks. For everything” said Alanka.

“Have a safe journey and have fun.”

As they exchanged goodbyes, Thia had already opened the back door of the saloon for her. She looked at her uneasily but finally decided to sit in the back without uttering a single word. Like a good personal chauffeur, Thia closed the door after making sure she was seated comfortably before she sat down herself and drove off.

The instant they stepped out of the car park, all of Alanka’s sense were instantly overwhelmed. From the street to the tops were filled with holographic adverts plastered on their walls. A whale shark swam past the skyscrapers as if that was where it lived and it let out a sound, whale sound.

Not to be outdone by the beautifully shine skyscrapers, those on foot also have their own appeal. With neon lights no less bright than the sun, the shops distinguish themselves more than just trying to attract attention. And they filled the side of the streets, yet somehow, they look enticing if not charming. And the people.

One word can do them justice, colourful. Unlike Thia who wore a black suit, they wore more bright and bold outfits. From the looks of it, most of them combine style and functionality as the basic. Pockets, locker, clasps and straps make up most of their outfits, yet they look very comfy.

While she was still trying to process her surroundings, a small goldfish swam in to the car. It swirled around on her lap and jumped trying to get her attention. She could hear the sound of water splashing every time the goldfish jumped. Curious, she tried to touch only to be surprised by a panel suddenly appeared in front of her. It contained an advertisement of mint-flavoured drink.

“Is it too overwhelmed?” ask Thia without taking her eyes off the road.

“Just a little bit surprised.”

“I believe at the moment Lika set your Inchi to filters out most of the adverts and other unwanted stuff. But if you want, you can lift it up or blocked it completely if you find it bothersome.”

“I can do that?”

“Yes.”

For a moment, Alanka looked at the goldfish still swirling on her laps. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure… What is it?”

“Bhumi Pura. Can you tell me about it?”

“Did Miss Lika never tell you about it?”

“She did. But I want to know from alumnus.”

Thia glanced in the rear-view mirror to take a look at Alanka. “If I may describe it in a few words, it’s just like any other school. You come, you study, you join extracurriculars or clubs. Enjoying conversations with your school friends and preparing yourself to be a public servant when you graduate.”

Even without looking into her face, Alanka could feel a hint of longing in Thia’s voice. “But it’s military academy.”

“It is a military academy,” said Thia in a slightly more confident tone. “With that entail other things that you have to learn. You will study the things needed to be the best of the best. And you will also learn from the best of the best.”

“Can you be more specific?”

“Nope!” she could hear Thia’s giggling.

“It’s better if I see it myself, kind of situation?”

Thia nodded her head happy. “If you have any question regarding the academy. I’ll give you more or less the same answers.”

“Then, last question.”

“Ask away!”

“How do you feel while studying there?”

This time Thia did not answer immediately. Her brows were furrowed but she didn’t look like thinking hard. She was just holding back something before finally to open her mouth.

“It’s euphoric.”