Irkalla was familiar in the way that all cities were alike. There were the huge buildings, around which were the cultural and civic centers. In the case of Irkalla, there were fewer big open spaces to take in the whole view at one time, but she could still feel when they were moving closer to the city’s beating heart, and when they were further away. There were sidewalks, lanes for traffic, and maintenance systems. And as in every other city, most of those she saw seemed to just want to mind their own business for another day.