Beyond Knowledge

Beyond Knowledge

Ayami Tyndall

Published by Ayami Tyndall at Smashwords

Copyright 2010 Ayami Tyndall

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Cover by Taliesin Tyndall

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It is said people have always looked for something more, but when there is nothing left at all, is there still something more to be found?

- Amitay Sarfati

Prologue

As the first bell rang, the teacher came sharply awake from his nap at his desk. Quickly straightening, he watched as the students filed into the classroom, shoving playfully as they scrambled to their seats. The school was near the center of the city and all its hallways would now be bustling with students coming in for another year of education.

Hello, he said, standing to address the class of 15 teenagers. Welcome to the beginning of your 2010 school year. This year I will be teaching you world history, with a focus on the last century. Please open your books to chapter three. He stood and waited, listening to the sound of pages being flipped and covers rubbing on desks.

Good, said the teacher once the students had found their place. Taking a piece of chalk in hand, he turned to face the blackboard. I'll begin by outlining the main events we'll be covering. This is also discussed in your textbook. In 1911, the Chinese Revolution occurred, bringing the fall of the emperors of China and paving the path for the eventual communist state. The summer of 1914 saw the beginning of the First World War, which would conclude in 1918 with the formation of the League of Nations and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. The teacher spun on his heel to face the class. Who can tell me what came of this treaty? Yes, Sato-Williams?

The young man stood as he spoke. Due to poorly executed military and economic punishments against post-war Germany, the Treaty of Versailles would prove ineffective and would eventually lead, at least in part, to the rise of the Nazi Party.

Very good. That in turn led to the beginning of World War II in 1939, shortly after the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937. Both wars ended in 1945, primarily marked by the use of American nuclear weapons on two Japanese cities. Now, who can tell me what major changes followed the end of these wars? Yes, Watanabe?

This time it was a girl who rose to speak. After the nuclear attacks on Japan, Russia, the Soviet Union, allied with the war torn countries of Europe to allow for mutual reconstruction. America initially participated, but soon withdrew support due to the new communist governments being established in European countries.

Very good. This enmity continued and led to the start of the Cold War in 1950. Tensions would continue to grow until 1964, when America and Japan jointly declared war on the newly communist China. The war lasted until 1969, with America and Japan winning victory and occupying China. Who can tell me what followed? Yes, Johnson?

The tall teenage boy stood and spoke in a deep voice. Civil unrest grew in both America and Japan, culminating in a terrorist nuclear attack on North Korea, launched by a radical Japanese faction in 1970.

Correct. The Soviet Union, an ally of North Korea, retaliated against northern Japan. This was the proverbial spark which turned the Cold War hot. Full scale nuclear attacks began to be exchanged between the United States and the Soviet Union, with North Korea and Japan caught in the crossfire. Within two years most major cities in the participating countries were destroyed, forcing American and Japanese citizens to evacuate to conquered China. By 1973 there was almost nothing left of the countries who fought in the Nuclear War. It was only by escaping to China that the American and Japanese peoples were able to survive. The Russian people were not so lucky. The fall of the United States rang through the world like a gong, signaling to many the fall of capitalism. Mass communist revolutions began to take place in Africa and South America, bringing the destruction, sometimes violently, of both capitalism and religion. In 1977 the same began to occur in China, led mostly by the Japanese, and in 1978 our new nation of Atarashii Japan was established where China had once stood. Patriotic cheers rose from the class. Since then, the American and Japanese populations have begun to intermarry freely, bringing about the new racial group we call Nihericans, also known as ourselves. In the process our languages have also mixed, although English has always remained the dominant tongue, due mostly to the fact that there are more native English speakers than Japanese. By the year 2000, religion and capitalism had vanished from the earth and a new era of peace had come to humanity. Now, we'll begin our studies with the start of World War I. Please turn to page 44.

The history class continued as the teacher read from his books to the class, most of the students diligently taking notes.

And so the Allied Forces... but the teacher was interrupted by the sound of the bell ringing. Alright, class. Study pages 46 through 48 and be ready for a test at the start of next week. The students bustled out of the classroom, most heading for the computer class on the far side of the school. Now tired, the history teacher slouched down into his seat. It had been a mild summer, but the air was still warm. Relaxing and gazing out the window, he watched as another large plume appeared on the horizon. Walking over to look outside, he could just see the glimmer of the river. Once known as the Yangtze, it was now called the Tohku. The plumes had been appearing continuously for days, marking the first major stages of construction of the great dam which would cross the river, forming a lake at the edge of the city. The great progress of man.

Part 1

Seeking a Place

Robbed by his own world

A boy challenges their way

And loses his own

Chapter 1

Women at Home, Girls in School

What about this one?

Average.

Really? His mother shows promise.

Yes, but not with this one. Perhaps a few more down the line.

Blinking and yawning softly, Lisa Kawanaka came slowly into consciousness. Her mind was still in a light haze as she looked around the room, moving her shoulders to find a comfortable position on the bed. It was a medical bed she lay on and it was in a small hospital room she resided. Lisa was alone in the room, surrounded by boxes and electronic devices, none of which she could name, although many were attached to her body by wires. Moving her arms stiffly, one of her hands came to rest on her lower abdomen. Realizing that she seemed to feel much lighter than she remembered, Lisa's mind suddenly cleared as the last of the sedative wore off. Rubbing her belly with her hand, she felt where the large protrusion had been, now replaced with loosened skin and stretch marks. Beginning to feel a bit anxious, she reached down and pressed a large button on the side of her bed.

Ah, said the nurse as she entered Lisa's room, you are awake. I'll bring in the baby. Lisa sat patiently as she waited for the nurse to return. She tried to remember the past hours, but it was largely a fog. She could remember the doctor telling her what to do, but the memories seemed disjointed, just like the last time.

I suppose I'll get used to it someday, she murmured as she turned on her side to look out the window. The hospital building was large and she was high up, so she had a good view of the Tohku River outside. From here could clearly be seen the mighty dam which crossed the water, forming the massive lake along the north side of which most of the surrounding city was built. The dam had stood as a symbol of Atarashii Japan's power since well before Lisa's mother had been born, providing power to facilities like the hospital.

Alright, said the nurse as she reentered the room, the sliding door closing automatically behind her. Here's your new son.

Thank you, said Lisa as she took the infant, wrapped in a stiff but warm blanket and snoozing softly. When will he wake up?

He was already calm, so we only gave him a light dose. He should be fully awake within a half-hour.

Thank you, repeated Lisa as the nurse left. Holding the tiny boy softly, she rocked him slowly in her arms. My little boy. How beautiful you are. Unbuttoning her generic hospital gown, Lisa freed one of her breasts as the sedated baby began to make small noises. He quickly latched on and began suckling, even before the sedative had fully worn off.

What will I name you? said the mother to her newborn son once the small boy was awake, now drinking almost greedily as his bright eyes gazed at his mother and the world for the first time. You are my first son, so it should be something special. Turning her head, Lisa saw a book of baby names on a nearby table, but she ignored it. I know the perfect name, she said, moving her son to the other breast. I will call you Amitay. Amitay...Kawanaka. The last word she said slowly, almost regretfully, but a sharp clamp from her baby's mouth removed all thoughts of the past from her mind.

Lisa was soon leaving the hospital, retrieving her other child, Susan, from the childcare facility. The young girl, about two years old, eagerly returned to her mother's breast, although she looked askance at the other infant now sharing her favorite perch. She was escorted from the hospital, although not without notice. Lisa Kawanaka was well known as one of the most beautiful women in the whole city. Plump of body and full of spirit, her form curved gracefully from head to toe. Walking down the hospital corridors, her wide hips swayed from side to side beneath her skirt as her newborn son suckled happily, her snug shirt hanging open and covering only the sides of her full breasts. Many women were envious of Lisa Kawanaka's beauty and many men admired her, but it was her son, Amitay, who was her greatest admirer, and whom she admired and cared for above all. It was this affection which the infant boy drank of, but his thirst could not be forever quenched.

Lisa was given a private shuttle to carry her back through the city streets to her home. Her friends greeted her warmly at the entrance of the tall apartment complex. All were also mothers, and some had recently or would soon also be giving birth. Lisa soon settled back into her home, preparing a small bed for her new infant to sleep in when she was not with him, just as her older daughter did. The two children were healthy and happy, filled with the joy of their mother and oblivious to the world around them as only children can be.

It was when he was four years old that Amitay finally left his mother's breast, primarily due to the birth of her fourth child, Stephen. Lisa's third child, James, had already displaced Susan. Weaned from his mother's milk, Amitay felt no less wanted by her, but he did begin to find that there was little other kindness to be found in the world around him. He and his sister had grown strong and were already good speakers, Susan having been making many friends among the other girls in the apartment building.

Amy, Amy, Amy!

Stop calling me that!

Ahh, teased Amitay's elder sister. Is Amy upset? Susan was now almost six years of age, soon to begin her schooling.

My name's not Amy! I'm Amitay!

Sounds like Amy to me.

Amitay!

Amy.

Amitay!

Susan! called out their mother, busy with her youngest child. Stop teasing your brother.

But he's got such a stupid name.

Stop it! Hurt by his sister's words, Amitay ran from the room, heading for his mother's bedroom.

Amitay isn't a stupid name, said Lisa scornfully to her daughter as she entered the room.

Yes it is. All the other girls think it's stupid too.

Amitay is a special, old name, so leave your brother alone.

Fine, huffed the young girl in defeat, leaving the room with exaggerated stomps across the smooth floor.

With a shake of her head Lisa headed for her bedroom. There she found her son sitting against the bed, chewing on the corner of a soft, wooden clothing hanger which had been laying about. Are you alright? she asked the boy.

Mommy, said Amitay, rising to his feet to cross the room, carrying the wooden hanger with him. Why did you name me Amitay?

Well, said the woman, wrapping an arm around her son as she lifted him onto the bed, the boy cuddling in beside her as he gnawed on the soft wood. That was the name of my brother, whom I adored like a father. Lisa flinched as she finished, almost biting her tongue. She regretted the last word even as she said it.

Oh, replied the small boy, so what is my father's name?

Lisa's eyes darkened at this, her good spirits drooping. That's a...difficult question to answer.

Why? asked Amitay. I see him going into your room each night.

No, dear, that's not your father. That's my husband, and your teikyousha.

Oh, so who is my father?

I'll tell you about him when you are older.

Okay, said Amitay dismissively, hugging his mother warmly, but what about my name?

What about it? asked his mother, squinting as the infant she was suckling clamped down harder.

Why does Susan think it's stupid?

It's not stupid, but it is unusual. Not many boys have your name, so some people think it's weird.

Oh, said Amitay ponderously, releasing his mother to sit up straight in thought, chewing furiously on the hanger. I don't want to be weird.

That is a fair wish, replied his mother, but don't you like your name?

Of course I do, said Amitay enthusiastically as he hugged his mother again, I like everything you give me. The boy beamed up at his mother happily, eagerly, putting the hanger down beside him.

Sighing resignation, Lisa turned to face her son. Alright, you can have some, but this will be the last time.

Yay! shouted Amitay, leaping up to his mother's free breast for what would be his last taste of her milk. They sat together, Amitay awash in the caring spirit of his mother and Lisa filled with happiness as she fed her two children.

Amitay, said Lisa, rubbing a hand against the boy's head.

Yeah? replied Amitay around a mouthful of milk.

I think I know what we can do about your name.

Really? he said, swallowing as he looked at his mother eagerly.

Yes. When people have long or complex names, they will use a nickname.

Nickname?

Yes. They take their real name and make from it a simpler one.

So I can have two names?

Yes. To me you will always be Amitay, but to others you can be something else.

Like what?

Well, how about we use the end of your name, Tay?

Ta...Ta...Tay, said Amitay, struggling with the word, nearly biting his tongue as he tried to say it. Ta...that's tricky. How about Tye instead?

Tye? asked the woman, surprised at the sudden suggestion for an alternative nickname.

Yeah. It sounds like what you said, but it's easier to say.

Alright, Tye it is. Amitay to me, but Tye to everyone else. Amitay, Tye, nodded his approval. Sliding off the bed, the boy took up the wooden hanger again and began to chew anew, leaving deep dents in the rounded corners.

Amitay, the woman asked her son, why are you chewing on that?

I like the taste, he said, and I like to have something to chew on. Is that okay?

That's fine, she said, shaking her head and smiling happily at the antics of her recently weaned son. Why don't I make it a bit more wieldy? Taking her son in hand, Lisa headed for the kitchen of her home. Quickly washing the wooden hanger in the sink, she placed it on the cutting board before taking out a large knife. Tye sat in fascination as he watched his mother's actions.

Here, she said finally, handing the boy a handful of wood strips. This should be easier to chew. The soft wood had easily been shaved off the side of the hanger and the boy now chewed happily. Just be careful not to swallow that...that mulch.

I like mulch! said Tye around the wood. It took him some time to find a comfortable position for it in the side of his mouth, but once he did he kept it there always.

Susan began her schooling later that year. She was out of the house much of the day, so she spent little of her time teasing her brother. Nonetheless, the nickname stuck and the young boy continued to chew on his mulch as he spent his days with his mother and younger brothers. The next two years passed quietly and smoothly as Tye continued to grow older and larger, beginning to prefer wrestling with his younger brother to playing with the plastic blocks and balls which had once occupied his days, although he still liked to play alone sometimes. Soon after the birth of Lisa Kawanaka's fifth child, Mary, Tye turned six and was scheduled to begin his education. It would be at the same facility as his sister, Susan, now eight years old, but they would be in different class groups.

The school was not far from the building the Kawanaka family lived in, so Tye was able to walk there with the other children from his building. Tye had spent most of his childhood thus far with his siblings and mother, so he had never seen so many other children before. Chewing all the harder on his mouthful of wood, Tye walked down the street confidently, his hands empty but his mind full of curiosity for what he would see at school.

The building was large and square, comprised of multiple stories. Once inside Tye could see that there was a large courtyard enclosed within the center of the building, the open top letting in sunlight to shine down on the play area where students took their breaks. The yard was now empty, but Tye and many other children grinned eagerly at the balls, swings and other playthings there for them to use.

Tye and the other six-year-olds were soon being divided up into different class groups and shown to their classrooms by the adult staff of the school. The halls were filled with doors to these classrooms, each marked only with a number. As the students entered they were each given an armband bearing their name and class number. Much to Tye's distress, his armband bore his proper name, Amitay Kawanaka, rather than the nickname he'd been using with the other children. Taking his seat, Tye turned the armband to mostly conceal his first name.

Hello, students, said the elderly woman who entered the classroom, the buzz of the students' voices dying as she spoke sternly. I am Melisa Fujiwara and I will be your operator. The woman stood at one end of the class, behind a low desk. Behind her was a large, flat computer display. Speakers spread throughout the room would channel sound for the class of about 50 to hear during lessons. Each student's desk also had a flat computer display, although all now sat blank and most of the children tapped at their screen, not knowing its function.

Our first lesson will be reading, said the class operator. Taking her seat, Melisa Fujiwara glanced over her desk as she found the correct button to press. With a beep the lights dimmed slightly as the wall screen and the desk screens came on, beginning the reading lesson.

School. The voice came over the speakers as an image of the school building they sat in was shown on all the screens. Below the image was the word school printed in large text. It took the students a moment to realize they were supposed to repeat it, but soon all the children were speaking along with the lesson. Each word was spoken in turn by the computer, and with every third word the text was shown silently, the students instructed to read the word. The lesson went on like this, Melisa Fujiwara barely speaking throughout as the automated computer performed the lesson. All the other classes throughout the day functioned like this as well, covering the topics of math, writing and history. All made use of the desk computers, but never for more than a few multiple choice questions and some simple writing.

Between the classes were the breaks, which the students spent in the yard. The classes were on slightly different schedules, so there were never more than three or four classes of students out at once. It was mostly the boys who played in the yard, while most of the girls stayed in the shade of the overhang. Tye noticed one girl who seemed eager to play with the boys, although he did not himself play with her. The girl was named Kelly Akagi and while she was smaller than the boys she stuck to them like glue.

Tye played well, although he was quieter than most of the other children. He greatly enjoyed racing with other students and was soon earning fame among the boys as a master of dodge ball. He found he was quite good at watching the other players and could avoid the flying balls without too much effort.

Tye's first day of school was soon over and he returned home to tell his mother of his adventures. He was far more eager to tell her of his day than Susan had ever been, so Lisa was happy to listen to her son tell of his experiences, the now 28-year-old mother still having many memories of her own time in school. Tye continued to go eagerly to school, lessons being held for three day periods followed by a day off, spent at home or at the homes of friends. Tye enjoyed his school for the most part and continued to grow strong and happy, his skill at dodge ball and his taste for mulch earning him the title of 'Chewer' in the yard. It was when Tye was 10 that there was some great excitement at school.

And then you add...the larger...number... The computer voice giving the arithmetic lesson began to sputter and jerk as the screen images stuttered. Sitting up sharply, Melisa Fujiwara tapped on several buttons as she tried to get the lesson going again. She continued to grow more irritated as the computer remained silent and the students began to chatter.

Alright, said the class operator as she stood, the computers appear to be down throughout the school, so lessons will be canceled until an Oracle can arrive to repair them. This was met with shouts of excitement as the students began to pour from the classroom, Tye as happy as any to be freed from the lessons which had grown progressively more dull over the past few years. On his way out of the school, Tye saw Kelly Akagi in the hall, a flock of her male classmates gathered around her as she hung about near the older boys. Tye paid the other students little heed as he made his way to the exit to go home.

Lisa Kawanaka often entertained friends during the day, and when Tye came into the apartment he heard the voices of three adult women, including his mother, coming from the living room. There was also the younger voice of his older sister, Susan, who had graduated earlier in the year and now stayed at home throughout the day, learning all the skills of motherhood she'd need once she was old enough to marry. Tye went into one of the side rooms to sit, not wanting to disturb his mother. He could hear the conversation from the other room however.

I hear you are having another wedding. It was Tye's mother who spoke.

Yes, why have you remarried so many times? The speaker was one of Lisa's guests, Fina Sato.

Ah, replied the third woman, Mindy Akagi. I can't stand their complaining. They complain about working all day with only a single day off a week, but here we women are, working all day to care for our children, and we never get a day off from our family, not that they would be of any use with the children anyway. And then to top it off, they come home every night demanding attention. It's disgusting.

Well, replied Fina, her voice easily carrying the shrug of her shoulders, at least they're simple.

True, said Mindy, bed 'em and feed 'em and they'll be happy.

And we don't even have to do the feeding! All the women laughed, continuing their conversation once their giggles subsided.

Tye played with a stack of small balls, paying little attention to the women in the other room. At one point his younger brother Stephen came in from a nap and joined Tye in his play for a time before beginning to wander through the house, eventually making his way into the living room to seek a snack from the mothers there. Tye continued his play alone for a time.

I know about your father, said Susan quietly, coming into the room where Tye sat and played, the chatter of their mother's guests still constant. She wore a broad grin in the same spirit as those she'd donned when she teased Tye before they had begun their time in school.

So do I, replied Tye. He did not look at his sister, instead concentrating on the plastic balls as he locked his jaw. Mommy told me. The Wakatters chose my father, but Mommy lives with another man, our teikyousha.

Yeah, said the older girl as she squatted in front of Tye, forcing him to look at her, but I know who your father is.

You do? asked Tye excitedly. He'd never known who his father was, and in truth he'd never really wondered, not consciously at least, content believing that his sire lived a good life somewhere in Atarashii Japan. Nonetheless, he was intrigued by the prospect of learning more about his father.

Yep, and I know who mine is too. Mine's a Wakatter.

Really? said Tye in surprise.

Yeah, said Susan somberly as she crossed her arms and nodded her head knowingly. He lives far away and watches the stars.

Wow. That is pretty neat.

Yeah, it is. Want to know about your father? Susan now stood bent at the waist, her face held close to that of her brother, the young boy nodding and eagerly listening to everything she said. He's a ni ataenushi.

What? said Tye in horrified surprise, his whole body recoiling. No...no he isn't.

Oh, he is, said Susan in malicious joy. He just left you with Mom.

No! said Tye hotly, glaring at his sister as tears began to come to his eyes.

Yes. Mom never wanted you.

Stop it! shouted Tye, now nearly screaming.

You broke the rules just by being born. The Wakatters never meant for you to be born.

Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Tye leaped to his feet, stumbling away from his sister as the girl stood up straight, a smirk of self satisfaction upon her face.

Not yet paipkatted, sang Susan as Tye turned away from her.

Stop it!

Will come for you in darkness... but Tye did not hear the rest of the song as he ran from the room to crawl beneath the sheets of his bed.

What was all that noise? asked Lisa as she came into the room, her guests now departed as the sky dimmed toward evening.

Nothing, said Susan, walking aimlessly around the room, hands held behind her back as she gazed at the ceiling. Amy, Tye, was just being a baby again.

I told you to stop calling him that, said the girl's mother, heading for the door to the children's rooms.

She's lying. It's not true. Tye mumbled softly, now wrapped deeply in his sheets as he cried silently. She's lying. I am not a burden. He is a good man. I am not a burden.

Amitay? said Tye's mother softly as she came into the room. Are you in here? The sound of snuffling answered her question. What's wrong? asked the mother as she kneeled beside the small bed, pulling away the sheets Tye had buried himself in.

Nothing, said the boy, fighting back tears.

That's not true, said his mother, lifting her son from the bed to hold him tenderly. What did Susan say?

She said...she called me a...

What did she call you?

Staring at his mother, Tye sat silent for several moments. She said my father burdened you with me. Saying this, Tye burst into tears as he collapsed in his mother's arms, wiggling his legs into the folds of her skirt. The woman too began to cry as she held her son, her own tears running into his hair as his tears flowed over her shoulder.

It's alright, crooned Tye's mother after a time. You are no one's burden.

But... began Tye, still wiping tears from his face.

But nothing. You are no more a burden than my affection for you is a burden. Tye began to cry again, pulling away from his mother to leap back into his bed, crying into the pillow. Amitay, said the woman slowly as she kneeled beside the bed.

Lisa Kawanaka sat beside the bed of her son for many hours, both boy and woman soon falling asleep among their own tears. It was the sound of the front door which awakened her. He's home, she said, rising to her feet stiffly, Tye still asleep. You are no one's burden, Amitay. Remember that. Running a hand gently over her son's face, she left him to his slumber.

Chapter 2

A New Outlook

How are our new classes of youngsters developing?

They are taking to the material well enough.

And the attitude exams?

"Nicely obedient to adults, respectful of the Oracles,