Chapter 1
Jackson inspected the body of the now dead Train Man whose body was just pulled out of the river. He looked bloated and paler than when he was alive. Agents Johnson and Thompson were by his side not to long after that as the EMTs hoisted the dead body onto the gurney and wheeled it into the ambulance.
"We found him floating face down." Jackson said.
"Do you think it was suicide." Johnson asked.
"I seriously doubt that. The Train Man was functioning quite well."
"Are you saying it was murder?" Thompson asked.
"It has to be, because why would a perfectly functioning program such as the Train man be found floating face down in the river. I think he might have pissed someone off."
A few hours later the three Agents were at the morgue with The Architect dressed in green scrubs as he examined the body. The old man turned to the lead upgrade as he took his surgical gloves off.
"You were correct my dear, Mr. Jackson." He said as he handed him the chart.
"Our dear Train Man was dead before he hit the water. There was a virus injected into his system that made his whole body shut down." The Architect said.
"How long was he in the river?" Jackson asked.
"I would guess that he was there for almost a month before you found him."
"Poor bastard." Johnson said.
The very next day Jackson reported for work. Agent Brown called him into his office.
"Have a seat." He said.
Jackson took a seat in front of his superior.
"I'm giving you a new assignment, starting today."
"Sir?"
"As you know over the years there have been series of decapitations in a certain neighborhood of Mega City. Just within the past two weeks alone there have been four murders. Each victim with their head lopped off."
Brown handed Jackson the file. He opened it and saw the photos.
"I notice that some of these victims are human." Jackson said.
"Yes, that's why the community leaders have asked us to send someone to help and at this time I have chosen you." Brown told him.
"Me?"
"You have a record of solving several murder cases over the past year. This one has been going on for the past 20 years or so and no one has been able to find the killer. With your methods, we hope that you will be able to catch him and bring him to justice. You're the best Jackson, that's why I have chosen you."
"I won't disappoint you sir."
Brown excused Jackson and then he made his way to the neighborhood where these strange murders where happening. He met with The Oracle who was the community leader. He arrived at her apartment and knocked at the door. A few seconds later she answered.
"Ah, I've been expecting you Agent Jackson." The old woman said with a warm smile.
"Come inside." She said.
Jackson stepped inside, the smell of fresh baked cookies drifted over the apartment.
"Have a seat. I'll be right back." She told him.
Jackson took a seat on the couch and waited as The Oracle came back with a tray of fresh chocolate chip cookies and a pitcher of milk with two glasses. She sat them down as she took a seat next to the Agent.
"Help yourself." She offered.
Jackson took a cookie and started to eat it. It felt warm and gooey in his mouth.
"Good huh?"
He nodded.
"So anyway you know why you're here."
"To catch the killer."
"Yes, but he's been very hard to catch. Some say he might even be a ghost."
"Oracle, this is the matrix. There's no such thing." Jackson said.
"No such thing my ass." She said.
"I believe to have a silly superstition is to almost be human ... no offense."
"None taken son. I think I better show you where you will be staying."
Jackson followed The Oracle out the door and down the hall. They were greeted by The Key Maker.
"We have been expecting you Agent Jackson. This will be your quarters." He said.
The Key Maker opened the door as Jackson and The Oracle stepped inside. It was a tiny one bedroom with a window and a fire escape.
"Make yourself at home. If you need anything, don't hesitate to give us a call." The Oracle told him.
"Thanks." Jackson said.
Finally he was alone and manipulated the matrix to make his surroundings a tad more pleasant. In the bedroom, he made it look more like a forensics lab while the rest of the area became more black and streamlined. Once Jackson was done settling in, he plopped down on the couch and took a deep breath. Apparently, he was satisfied with his new environment. He closed his eyes and fell asleep.
A few hours later, he was awakened by the sound of children playing and adults laughing and having a good time. He thought he would investigate. He put on his jacket and headed downstairs to the lobby of the building where a group of children were surrounding a blindfolded woman. She had long black hair and wore a tight fitting white dress. She laughed as a man dressed all in red spun her around.
"Merv, this is such a silly game!" She laughed.
"Be a sport Persephone and stop complaining." The man in red said.
She moved to the sound of his voice. She smiled as she reached out for him but he backed away as the children laughed. One little girl saw Agent Jackson and put her finger to her lips
"You have to play along." The little girl whispered.
Before Jackson could say anything, the blind woman had him in her grip.
"I have someone!" She proudly announced as the children laughed.
"You have to tell who it is." The little girl said.
She touched Jackson's face, he wasn't wearing his sunglasses. In a way he was uncomfortable with this strange woman touching him. In the distance the man in red watched with jealousy.
"At least make a guess." The little girl told her.
"I don't know cherie'. Is it my beloved Merv?"
"Certainly not." Merv said with annoyed tone in his voice.
"Excuse me ma'am." Jackson said as he too her hands from his face. "I believe the children were having a laugh at your expense."
She took the blindfold off. Jackson could see how beautiful she really was. Jackson tried to compose himself.
"Oh, I'm so sorry." Persephone apologized.
"Oh...uh...no that's okay. Really."
"And you are?" Merv inquired.
"I'm Agent Jackson. I was assigned here just recently." He said as he offered his hand to him.
Merv just scowled at him. Jackson withdrew his hand and excused himself
"Well it was nice meeting you both. Good night."
"Good night Agent Jackson." Persephone said.
"Thanks." Jackson smiled back and then he went back up to his apartment.
Merv still glared at the Agent. Persephone hit his shoulder.
"Merv, there was no need for that! He's new here and the least we could do is be courteous to our new guest." Persephone scolded him.
And with that she walked away. Merv knew that he had pissed her off.