A Machine Called Earth
Chapter 1- A Proposition

‘What am Idoing here?’ This was the thought that went through Hector’s mind as he foundhimself wading through a field of head-high, tall grass. It was deep into thenight and the moon was full and bright, so large, one might be forgiven forthinking that the moon was on a collision course for Earth. Hector could notsee the ground on which he tread, for the grass was very thick and bowed at hischest. Over in the distance, towards the direction Hector was rushing, was theunmistakable roof of the Tammerville train station. It had a large angled roof,and a great watchtower protruding from it.

Hector knewthis was the destination he was reaching for, though he could not remember why.As he pressed forward, through the grass, as it did it’s upmost to stop him, hebegan to feel the ground beneath his feet, shake. As he turned his head behindhim, seeing the trail which he left, there seemed to be shadows which concealedmost of what he could see. Fear filled his heart, and he began to tread throughthe tall, thick grass, at an even greater pace.

The distantsound of a whistle, echoed through the vast emptiness of the night. There was atrain approaching. As it got closer, the sound of the steam powered locomotive,bellowed forward, louder and louder. The ground shaking more and more. Hectorwas rattled at the great sound of the furious machine, however hisdetermination to reach the station was greater than ever.

As the traincame into view as it approached the station, Hector knew he had to reach it,however he could not. The thick grass, grew more and more impenetrable thecloser he went to the station.

As the greatlocomotive, reached Hector’s sight, its shadowy figure, which in most cases,would be completely disguised within the darkness of the night, was not. Infact it was very much visible, for it was engulfed in flames. The great fieryghost it did not look as if it were going to stop at the station. It keptmoving. It was not traveling fast, but it wasn’t going to come to a stop. Thefield in which Hector tread, became enveloped in a thick layer of smoke, as itblanketed down over the grassland. The distinct cloud made from burning coal,filled Hector’s lungs. He began to panic. His heart-rate spiked, andnervousness covered him.

As theflaming locomotive rolled by, he could hear shouts from those within. “Help us,Help us!” They shouted.

Hector knewhe had to get to the train, to help them. But his feet trembled, he was afraidof the train, but he didn’t know why. Nevertheless, he pushed on, to no effect.He became tangled in the long grass. He was stuck. Once more, more loudly thanbefore, the shouts was heard, “HELP US!” they cried. With that Hector shouted,“I CAN’T!” Then he woke up.

Hector, in acold sweat, got out of his bed, and went down the narrow staircase of him andhis sister’s home. He heard talking, and a knock at the door was what causedhim to wake. As he reached the bottom floor, he saw the front door open.

Standing inthe doorway, was a large, bearded man, with a top hat and coat. The one whoanswered the door, was also standing at the door, facing this man.

“Jane! Ithought I told you to never answer the door, unless I was with you.”

“But Ithought it was mother.”

“You thinkthat, every time someone knocks at the door. Please try to be more cautious.”

The littlegirl then stormed off, up the stairs, with a rather unhappy look, as she sneeredat her brother.

“Ah hello,Master Edgehill. Hector if I may?” Said the man at the door.

Hectorstared with an unfriendly yet nervous look, for never has someone of suchstanding ever come to the door. “Yes Hector will be fine. What is it that you want?”

“Yes, I amMayor Johnston, as you perhaps know. But you can call me Saul, if you wish.”

“Very well.”Said Hector, still confused.

“Ah yes, mayI come in?” Mayor Johnston asked, motioning with his hand, into the interior ofthe house. But he pressed on, into the house, before he got an answer.

“Yes, I havesomething to discuss with you, a proposition if you will. Hardly somethingworth addressing, standing on the street like a blasted salesman.”

He then wenton, into the living room, taking a seat. A great plum of dust exploded from thechair that the Mayor sat on. For it was Hector and Jane’s father’s seat, andhadn't been sat on since his death.

Hectorfollowed him into the living room, intrigued as to why the Mayor was in hishome. Hector stood opposite the mayor, who was coughing and swiping at the airto do away with the dust. Hector asked, “So, what is it that you want?” He saidwith slight annoyance in his tone.

Hector wastired, and had just woken up, however his slumber had seldom been peaceful.Nightmares had become a regular occurrence during the night and his sleepdeprivation had made him quite short tempered and seemingly rude at times. ButMayor Johnston was also sitting in the armchair of Hector’s father, an offense thatMayor Johnston was unaware of.

MayorJohnston, shuffled in the chair, as he sensed he was not entirely welcome. Howeverhe was desperate, welcome or not, he had matters to address. “Ah yes, Hector,please, take a seat.” In which he did. “How is your mother? If I may ask.”

“She’s beengone for months. Jane keeps thinking that she will return, but somehow, I don’tthink so.”

“Gone yousay?” The mayor said. “Interesting. There has been more than a few, who havegone missing as of late. Perhaps there is a connection.”

Hectorsnickered at the idea that his mother’s leaving had been connected to otherdisappearances. He was bent on the idea that his mother had left, leaving himand his sister, as if they were burdens to be rid of. “So you came here to ask ofmy mother?” Hector asked, knowing the mayor’s question was just a feebleattempt to create small-talk before addressing his main concern.

“No, myapologies, like I said, I have a proposition for you. I have some work for you,if you’d be willing.” He looked around the room, observing the state in whichit was, “Some extra money, would seem, quite useful, as it would seem.”

Hector, withhis arms now crossed, said, “I thought you no longer needed our services. TheBlackcoats are no more, disbanded, thanks to you.”

“Yes I amaware of the situation, but what you may not be aware of, is that there is asituation, that, without swift intervention, may snowball into theuncontrollable.”

“Well, whatis this, situation which you speak?”

“I’dscarcely know where to begin, or how to explain it. But, as you see, there is something,how should I say, disturbing, going on, which I can’t seem to explain. Like Isaid, there had been several people who have gone missing. Just vanished, gonewithout a trace, never turned up at work, and all that. But that is hardly at thetop of my concerns, for there have been sightings, of something mysterious.”

“So you wantme to help hunt, something?”

“Well yes,we have reasonable evidence to believe, such a thing, exists. But we haven’tbeen able to capture one. I shan't go into detail, but your skills, may deem useful.I’d hardly want panic to surface on the streets.”

“What kindof evidence do you have, exactly?” Hector asked. “What is it, that you want meto replace?”

“Well, therehas been, some kind of outbreak. Physical mutations, and such. Rumors mostly,we haven’t found any conclusive evidence, however, there has also been a stringof gruesome murders. My men are working to replace any connections between thetwo. They are currently questioning the workers of the Mabel Hill saw mill, aterrible case involving a worker known as James, who allegedly murdered his supervisorand decapitated him. He has now gone missing. Will you help? I pray we can getthis under wraps, before it gets too serious. Otherwise I’d have no choice butcall a town meeting. The people aren't too fond of me, and I’d hardly want aninsurrection on my hands.”

“But thatjust sounds like a normal murder.” Hector stated. “I’m sure your Syrien lawkeepers will have no problem catching the man. What do you need with aBlackcoat? An inexperienced one at that.”

“Hector, youmay think I am detached to the going-ons of this town but I am very aware ofmany things, including the type of teacher Valimir was to you, and I know hehas taught you a great many things, and in his leave, I believe you are thenext suitable solution. And this is far from a ‘normal murder’ as you put it,the head of the deceased, it seems was removed not with any tools, but it seemsit was, well, I don’t know how else to put it, bitten off.”

Hector satsilently for a moment. For he began to question his ability to perform such atask. Hunting the unknown. He did have many skills taught by Valimir, thereason he was approached by Mayor Johnston. But he lacked the experience thatValimir had. Hector was only young, and experience is something that is cancommonly be overlooked. It is a fool, who relies solely on their skills,unfazed by their inexperience. For there is no skill, to prepare for theunknown, the unpredictable, and Hector was no fool. But mostly he was afraidand shocked at hearing the saw mill’s supervisor’s head was ‘bitten’ off.

“I’m sorryto disappoint you Mister Johnston, but I must decline your request. However,might I suggest, asking Valimir. He is someone quite capable for such a task.Though as you probably know, if he wishes not to be found, then found he willnot be.”

“Ah, I won’tlie, I am quite troubled with your refusal. And I have been looking forValimir, but I’ve not had any luck replaceing him. I had hoped, you knew of hiswhereabouts.”

“I’m afraidnot. I have not seen him in some time.” At that, Hector began to think, thatperhaps Valimir, was another of the missing persons, but he quickly dismissed thatidea.

“Well, I’mafraid I cannot help you, I’d appreciate it if you could leave.” Hector thenstood up, and motioned for the door.

“Yes, verywell. If you do change your mind, please feel free to contact me.” MayorJohnston then stood up, and walked out the door.

Hector satsilently once more, thinking to himself. ‘Whatexactly is this, that’s going on? And how serious will this become?’ Butsoon, those thoughts left his mind, for, in the coming days, there was no talkon missing persons, murders, or mutations. Life seemed to just go on as normal.

Today the strangest thing happened. The mayor showed up at my door. Tomy shock, he was in need of my services. Though what do I have to offer? Yesindeed I’ve learnt many things under the mentorship of Valimir, and haveexperienced much in my time as a Blackcoat city guard, but I am barely a man,am I the only one that Tammerville can call on in its time of need?