The southeastern quadrant of Arrhazon was home to some 4 million people. Most all were working class people, though many were unemployed, unable to find employment and prosperity that other Arrhazonan city dwellers enjoyed. Women made up a vast majority of the unemployed. In turn, many women were mistreated, and some were forced to work against their will.

Out of this mix had come riot. Few outside the area were aware the government had exercised a heavy hand, forcing media to not report on what had transpired. And any mention in cyberspace by any individual triggered a block of the information they attempted to upload.

Hackers living within the area were able to find their way around the blockage, and so some word did trickle out. Most people who heard of the rumours dismissed the story as a fabrication, though many were quite aware of the smoke that had been clearly visible and emanated from the area. Visual cues were in turn reinforced by olfactory senses – one could smell the stench of burning building material.

M’traliel did not learn of the riot until two weeks after it transpired. Fresh off having spent much of the two weeks first in orientation with the incoming N’rellia students, then with writing a report on the experience, and finally from connecting with llhaesa. With awareness had come a feeling a need for more information, she hopped on public transport and headed for SEQ – the popular acronym for the area that represented the full-length southeast quadrant name.

As the transport neared its last stop prior to SEQ, the decrease in motion pulling her slightly forward, a message flashed that the Bayport stop and all beyond were ‘down for maintenance,’ and passengers must disembark at this time. Something deep inside of M’traliel gave silent voice to ‘uh oh.’

Dutifully following instructions to disembark, M’traliel moved into the station’s outgoing lobby. It was a nice day; walking the last kilometre into SEQ would be a pleasant way to enter the community, and give her mind time to bathe in oxygen and rejuvenate from the lively stroll.

M’traliel took the lift upward to the surface, and then headed for the exit facing SEQ. Her eyes were forced closed as she walked out of doors, and so she reached for her self adjusting sun shade eyewear. Her eyes now stylishly masked and adjusted to the shaded light, she began what should be a pleasant 10 minute walk.

As she moved along the spacious boulevard, M’traliel failed to notice the lack of mechanised and personal traffic moving to and from her destination. As she drew closer, she began to see the roadway was closed, some sort of barrier covering the width of the boulevard, as well as the walkways. Still closer and she could clearly see several armed soldiers around the roadblock. Further on, there was heavier military equipment.

Knowing she could not access the area on this street, and suspecting she could not gain access along any other main thoroughfare that flowed in and out of SEQ, M’traliel stopped and reached in her bag for her pci – portable communications interface.

With the device on, M’traliel first accessed a map of the area, and then moved to a closer look at the less travelled corridors that intertwined SEQ with South Central. There was a promising looking possibility about half a kilometre to the north. Another quick movement and a satellite image showed the passageway cleared. M’traliel strolled off, determined to enter what the government wished to seal away.