"Mother, your subordinates are awaiting your instructions once the trials are complete," FABIAN says.

"Prospects on the verdicts?"

"Cosworth, Hill, and Falk are all pleading guilty, is all we can say now."

Perhaps I could override the prosecution, however, the sentiment remains, and after the lower ranks completed the arrest there's not much else in our control.

"Is there any evidence to suspect martyrdom from either of our 3 suspects?"

"Very vague, nothing conclusive."

"Hmm," I summon three coins into my IrisAR, and toss.

~~

"Good evening, and welcome to Hedonia's premier news source, Hedonia Public News. I am Helen,"

"...and I am Ruth,"

"and thank you for joining us this evening. Developments on the Cosworth, Falk, and Hill trial ends tonight in a stalemate between each respective defense and prosecution. Each defense proposed the instigators were simply the right to bring social concerns to often-deaf ears from the upper branches of Hedonia's leadership."

Ruth continues from Helen, "The prosecution argues that the 3 were not acting in good faith and that the protest was only proposed as "for the people" post hoc, and that the suspects are linked to the growing terrorist threat known as the Boilers, originating from Cauldron. The Criminal Council has not yet disclosed the potential punishments for a guilty verdict on the charges of the following: instigation of mass disorderly conduct; conspiracy to violent sedition; organized destruction of public property, among other terrorism-related charges. Beyond that, our reporters have not been able to ascertain much else from our current position in the court."

Helen finishes, "In any case, we will continue coverage and report to you first as always."

The screen changes to a distant photograph of a tall, athletic young woman wearing flat-top sunglasses, a loose white T-shirt, with a tiger's face tattooed over her collarbone, with a tall tuft of red hair, split by an almost-black purple stripe. "Rumors continue to circulate around a new Jackal Hunter set to challenge the first and original Jackal Hunter, Lorianne Kruger. Sources say her name is 'Cynthia', and her entourage claims she will bring enthusiasm and ferocity guaranteed to beat Ms. Kruger in the show."

"Do you find her enticing?" I quietly say in the ear of the gentleman lying next to me, touching his bare, lean chest.

"Not compared to you, Mother Elin," he brims back to me.

I arise from the bed, shaking out the tangles in my hair. "Oh, you," I smirk, glancing at him. "I ask, not in the context of Cynthia's feminine appeal, but rather, her style and bravado as a Jackal Hunter."

"I mean, sure," he shrugs. "I don't really watch that show much, but she looks like she trained for it."

"Perhaps," I examine the holoscreen at the end of the room. "Thank you for your time," I blow a kiss, exiting the room with a robe.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"My pleasure, Mother."

~~

"Justice Council, arise," the judge proclaims into the courtroom. The eight Councilwomen stand.

"Defense, closing statements?"

A messy cacophony of TwigPost listings and text message conversations appear on the projector.

"Judge, with all evidence presented, I once again insist that Hall, Cosworth, and Hill solicited only a quiet gathering to voice concerns for the Hedonians' opportunity to provide for themselves. In spite of the world-leading living standards found in Hedonia, there still lies issues of inequality and the synchrony of Hedonia's economy begins with the working class; and this protest simply was a message which the three defendants' followers– not the three themselves– took too far, completely contrary to their intentions. These three young women wanted only to make some noise, and not destruction. Thank you."

"Prosecution?"

An equally overflowing mixture of TwigPosts, photographs, and video of masked women in black replaces the defense's presentation.

"Judge, with all contrary evidence presented, I continue to assert that indeed the three defendants' adherents were simply following rather orders as part of a coordinated effort that the Boilers utilized, and any further investigation would likely result in a stronger conclusion that either of the three are complicit in this devious resistance group's endless thirst for destruction and chaos for the sake of it. The three defendants here knew what they were doing, and knew that it would amount to the mayhem they caused, and indeed are liable for the consequences of their instigation, especially when there are much more diplomatic outlets for their social concerns which they failed to utilize. Thank you."

"Council, repeat to us what the prospective sentences are."

"Hall is pending for 2 and a half counts of instigation to mass chaos; one count of instigation to terrorism; the sentence is 14 years in punitive labor."

"Cosworth is pending for 1 count of instigation to mass chaos; one count to instigation to terrorism; the sentence is 6 years in punitive labor.

"Hill is pending for 5 counts of disorderly conduct, 14 counts of destruction of public property, 2 counts of assault, 3 counts of conspiracy to terrorism, 1 count of contempt of court; 2 counts of lying to authorities, 1 count of evading arrest. Sentence is permanent exile from any Nodes with one opportunity to re-appeal."

A few quiet gasps and a bunch of murmurs emerge from the gallery.

"Council, the court now awaits your vote."

The attorneys go back to each of their 3 assistants and sit down, frantically whispering to each other.

"Council, reveal your decision on the verdict."

8 digital placards appear above the masked Councilwomen's faces, all seated in one row at the table. Four blue, four red. The court breaks into silence.

"Indeed. As per Heodnian law, Mother Elin will deliberate from here onward. Press, you are dismissed. Gallery, you are dismissed."

"And there it is, the Hall, Cosworth, and Hill trial leading to the conclusion to its first day. The court has deferred the decision to Mother Elin, and only here at Hedonian Public News, will you get the first look into the next day in this scathing trial. Due to regulations, we are no longer able to cover any more--"

"Mother," FABIAN interrupts, as the report continues." The Councilwomen in the Hall, Cosworth, and Hill trial await your--"

"Innocent, innocent, guilty," I reply. "Anything else they request?"

"That is all they request. Confirm?"

"Innocent, innocent, guilty. The Boilers have cleaned up the evidence quite well, if such was to begin with. All that remains is rather suggestive statements on TwigPost."

"Understood."

"I sense a need for succinctness within our justice decisions, as negative responses are ineviable; however, delays in deliverance will only result in far worse. Or do you suggest otherwise?"

"Correct, with every decision, there are tradeoffs."

"An unfortunate reality. I'd prefer to show only a loving touch to my Daughters but occasionally discipline is necessary."

"Understood."

I stand from my desk and turn to the evening outside panoramic window, seeing Mecca Street alight in its flux of blue, violet, and pink.

"Is Suzanna in the public? Rioting among the disgruntled in Cauldron?"

As I find my left hand sliding down my right arm, I continue asking myself, "...or is Suzanna part of me and I've been the fool all along, looking for her externally?"