"Jackal Hunter Lorianne Kruger's senseless move to kill helpless Jackal pups"

"Fans outraged from Kruger's 'mercy killing'"

"Has the 'Jackal Hunter' show gone too far in 'defending Hedonia'?"

"People know what to expect with the show. Ms. Kruger's task is to entertain us while protecting us alongside herself. Needless to say, the beasts know no better than to kill, and cannot be negotiated with. If we want to stand on our moral stepstones about killing animals, then we also stop watching the show to begin with."

"It's publicly funded, and continued upon customer demand. How can I personally stop the show?"

"Have some gratitude for the Defense Forces. Lorianne is simply one of their best, offering you affordable entertainment, and sacrificing so much just to make you happy and keep you safe from these bloodthirsty monsters, and all you respond with is crying crocodile tears about Jackal babies who will grow only to kill you. Why are you so morally concerned about animals that only seek to eat you alive as a bedtime snack?"

"Ms. Kruger's job is to eliminate adult Jackals as per her obligations, and nothing extra. These baby animals are as innocent as any at that age. Only after the juveniles have achieved adulthood can we assign guilt or even speculate intent to harm human life."

"The UWWADF sorts out which Jackals are safe for human ownership and which are not, and this might shock you, but most are not. They are not your housepets, unless you want a woman-eating creature in your residence."

"Ms. Kruger, do you have any thoughts on the matter?"

"These things are a pest regardless. It makes no sense to me how people are upset when I killed those Jackal pups. But then, when these things thirst for your blood once they mature, they then cheer me on when I kill them as adults. What difference does it make? My job is to eliminate them, regardless, so your happy ass can sit comfortably in a chair and watch me do it. So fuck off--"

Noisy altercation between multiple people interrupt her tirade.

"T-thank you for your input, Lorianne--"

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

"Okay, Lori, That's enough. Thank you. Goodbye."

Notification after notification of Lorianne's recent move bombard me as I sort through my wardrobe. I look at one report with an image of Lorianne in her suit, pointing her weapons at the struggling mother Jackal's head.

"Perhaps I should make time to speak to Lorianne in person."

More reports from the surveillance team bring me photographs of graffiti throughout alleys of Cauldron– crude illustrations of my severed head with Xs in place of eyes and tongue out, and Lorianne being chased by a bunch of Jackals.

"Good morning, Mother," FABIAN pings. "Reporting for duty."

"Giveth an inch, they demand a mile," I sigh to myself. "With world class entertainment comes world-class nitpicking. Disappointing, how my Daughters would be so short-sighted to chide what they begged for shortly before-- Hedonia's excellence only elicits disgruntlement," I chime. "Hand the beggar bread, and she takes one bite, and disposes of the rest only to extend her open hand yet again."

"In spite of your position, even you cannot control the behavior of others."

"And the dilemma is as follows: how the status quo is rather disappointing; however, complete control over all the nation's minds– the only remedy to such malaise– would be only more boring. Human ingenuity will always innovate, seeking joy and misery alike."

"Indeed so. What is your course of action, Mother Elin?"

"The mixed responses from the audience has not affected revenue as of now. However, if Lorianne's show suffers enough financially, and Cynthia's performance fares no better, then either are more suitable as Chosens. The tides of the public will direct us more than my decisions alone. However, the personality of a Jackal Hunter typically does not coincide well with the regulation necessary to survive in the Compound. In the meanwhile, I suspect something greater afoot between Lorianne, Corvus, Elena, and perhaps the Boilers, and I'd like to get to the bottom of it without disrupting the development."

I glance over to my electronic canvas. My bean-shaped creation from last week is starting to bleed, dripping downwards in slow trickles.

"How troubling. The adorable little thing is suffering and I don't even know how or why."

Walking over to tend to it, the words "Suzanna" suddenly splash in blood across the artwork.

"Ugh," I clear the canvas in a brief moment of exasperation.

~~

"Something on your mind?" Derek asks, while continuing to slowly thrust between my knees, as I hold onto him by the back of his neck.

"I seek brief reprieve from my duties, is all. Nothing terrible."

"Mhm."

He combs my curls with his fingers. I raise one leg over his shoulder.

"Which troubles you the most?"

Opening my eyes and placing a finger on his lips, I grin as I open my hips wider.

"Discontent citizenry, second only to nosiness."

My toes curl in the smooth warmth traveling down the perennial nerves in my legs as I lose my verbal foothold, tilting my head back, and escaping the frustrations of today.

"Mm, what troubles you, dare I ask in retaliation?"

"Not feeling my face between your boobs," he kisses me at my throat.