Title: Before the madness

Author: Stormhawk

Rating: G

Disclaimer: Matrix universe: Wachowski Brothers. Carol Whitman: me.

Notes: Short fic that I got the inspiration to write.

Word Count: 635

Summary: Short Whitman ficlet.

Please Read and Review.

Punch, punch, duck, punch.

She was going to win this fight, she knew it, she was a very good fighter. Or so she had discovered since she had become a recruit. Which was strange, as she had been going to join the side she was now fighting, the rebels.

She preferred being a recruit, she knew the truth of the world without having the harsh reality of the 'real world' that the agents had told her about. God, it sounded like a night. A barren wasteland, her recruiter had called it and from the video footage and photos that she had seen of it he was exactly right.

Well, of course he was right, he was a computer program, they have a habit of being correct. Memorizing exact details and meticulous things like that.

"Miss Whitman?" A voice from behind her enquired. Of course she knew who it was, it was Agent Smith. Turning away from the punching bag she ran a hand across her forehead and through her beautiful blond hair.

She considered herself to be very beautiful, about five feet seven inches, taller if she was wearing heels of course, she had azure blue eyes that all her friends were jealous of and long blond hair (natural of course) that ran halfway down her back. Though she had often indulged in it, she had no need for makeup, she was naturally perfect.

"My first name is Carol Agent Smith, you can call me that if you like."

"Very well, Carol it is." The agent said and attempted to smile, something he was working on.

"What can I do for you?"

"Nothing in particular, how are you?"

"I'm fine – why?" She was suspicious; the agents didn't ask how the recruits were unless they seemed to be sick or injured after a fight. So far she had avoided both injury and illness. Then again, the programs couldn't be blamed for the lack of people skills as they weren't people and hadn't interacted with a large number of humans for extended periods of time until they had started the recruit program.

She was glad that program existed otherwise she would be dead right now. Shot dead by the man…program that looked like a man…who was standing next to her now. "Are you adjusting? Some of the other recruits have had problems accepting certain aspects of the truth."

"You mean like Jamie, Brown's recruit that got dragged away to the mental asylum?"

"That was unfortunate, but it does give me the grounds to enquire as to your state of mind."

"Well…" she started slowly. "It did take a few minutes to get used to but I'm fine with it. This is the world I love, that's why I'm fighting to protect it."

"And you fight very well."

"Thank you Agent Smith."

"Just Smith will do."

"Ok Smith."

"I will see you later."

As he started to walk out of the gym, Carol had to ask him one question. "Smith?" She had to ask him this question, it was something she had been thinking about ever since Jamie had broken down in the middle of a fight two weeks ago and started to mutter incoherently.

His mind had just snapped, he had been a decent recruit but that day it had become too much for him. Something had pushed him over the edge.

It may have had something to do with the fact that the brother he had believed to be dead for years had shown up and he was a rebel. Jamie had been so glad to have his brother back – until his brother had shot at him. The bullet had missed by a mile but the young recruit couldn't take it and had gone insane.

"Yes Carol?"

"You don't think I'll crack do you?"

The End.