Cloud Cent Chronicles: Part 1 Chapter 1

A Death in the City?

Cloud Cent is on the scene

Written by Cloud Cent

    When I arrived on the scene, there were Sergeants in every direction. An electro-barrier was set up, spreading across five blocks. I walked to the mod block and was immediately surrounded by three Sergeants. I couldn’t get past. I showed them my press badge, they eyed it closely, and finally let me in. 

It was reassuring seeing how seriously the Sergeants were handling this situation. A wide barrier, the security, etc. I had heard that the investigators were leaning towards the death being a suicide, but they’re still taking every precaution in keeping people out, protecting the integrity of the scene.

    I walked over to where the head Sergeant was standing. He was rubbing his forehead with his left and held a clipboard piled high with papers in his right. I can’t blame him for seeming stressed. The head Sergeant for a sector is in charge of pretty much everything that goes on. And with his sector being mod block, well, I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how stressful that must be. 

    All kinds of shady business goes on, on mod block. I mean, mod block is lined with modification doctors from end to end. And I highly doubt that all of them are on the up and up. I remember just last year when I was still an underling at the paper, I was sent out to research some of the shady docs here. Y’know, doctors performing illegal body modifications and whatnot. I learned that a lot of these ‘doctors’ think they know what’s good for people better than the law, and they use that mindset to justify their operations. When I first started investigating mod block, I almost got shot by one of the doctors, wanting to keep their operation hidden. If it’s really such a good operation, then you wouldn’t need to shoot a guy just doing his job. Anyway, I sure am glad I don’t get sent out into dangerous situations anymore now that I’m a senior reporter. Oh wait... (Just kidding, I love you Mr. Editor Boss Man. Please don’t fire me)

    What I’m trying to say is that the head Sergeant of this sector must be the most patient man in the world if he can put up with all the crap that goes on on Mod Block and still handle a suicide, not to mention the media (oh, I guess that would be me) at the same time. Well anyway, I walked over to him (Sergeant twelve, he identified himself as) and began my interview.

Me: Good evening Sir, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with me.

Twelve: Of course. It is a Sergeant's job to keep the public informed and ensure their safety. And let me just begin by saying, everyone is safe. There is no killer. This was a simple, tragic, suicide, nothing more. And even if there were a killer, you would be able to rest soundly knowing that the full force of the Sergeants would come down on that criminal.

Me: That’s good to hear Sergeant. Now, regarding the identity of the victi-

Twelve: I’m afraid that that information is currently classified. For the sake of the victim’s family of course. No offence to you, but we don’t want the media hounding the grieving family. They have enough going on as it is. I’m sure you understand.

Me: Oh, of course. Now as you said, the cause of death here was suicide. What makes you immediately jump to suicide as the cause of death? And do you have any idea why the victim would have taken their own life?

Twelve: Well as to the victim’s motive, I’m afraid that that information is also classified. It goes along with the victim’s identity.

Me: Understandable Sir.

Twelve: However, with regards to it being a suicide, it is painfully clear to myself as well as the investigating Sergeants. There is an abundance of evidence for this, rest assured. We will release more information through the gov net soon.

For the uninitiated, gov net is the government’s own internet. It allows people in the city to browse the web freely. The government can release information to all users of gov net, or send information to a specific group. Although he did not clarify, I believe that Sergeant Twelve meant that the government was going to do one of these pushes to clarify to the public the information regarding the investigation. However, whether it will be sent to everyone or just citizens on and near Mod Block, I do not know.

Me: Good to know Sir. I can see you’re busy, so I just have one final question. Why Mod Block, do you think?

Twelve: Excuse me?

Me: I was just wondering, why do you think the victim killed themselves on Mod Block? There are certainly easier places for one to take their own life, so why Mod Block?

Twelve: This interview is over.

Me: Sir?

Twelve: Like you said, I’m busy. I need to get back to work. You’ll just have to pay attention to gov net like everyone else.

Me: Okay, uh. Thank you for your time, Sir.

Twelve: Yeah.

    And that was the end of my interview. It is plain to see that the Sergeants have a handle on the situation. They have ruled this a suicide, and I see no reason to question that. So for all of you living near Mod Block, you can rest safely knowing that there was no murder. And hey, you’ll even have Sergeants hanging around for a little bit. Until next time, I’ve been Cloud Cent with the daily inquisitor.