"Yes, it's hard to beat the original, but let her go," I tell the Directorate. "Lori has earned her... retirement. Focus your resources on Cynthia for now, until another rising star knocks her out of the constellation. That's the natural order of this kind of selection-- sorry to disappoint you, but that will ultimately determine your outcome more than your actions will."

Or so, I'll tell them for now. Patience is never not a virtue. Moreover, there's already enough trouble cooking in Cauldron thanks to... perhaps, my lower ranks, possibly colluding with outside parties."

"Kruger's legacy is something that even Cynthia can't fill, even if she is a blockbuster for now--"

"And that is an issue that businesswomen wiser than I regarding showbusiness must disseminate. I apologise for lacking a better response, however, even I, your national leader, am limited in my abilities. Even I cannot summon another Lorianne out of protein and water."

Though, a lovely fantasy nonetheless. However, the incubation arrays...

A pause. I spin to examine the turquoise dress which I found in my closet.

"Thank you, Mother Elin."

What poses a much greater issue than Lorianne's departure itself, is the fact that the Boilers managed to arrange enough chaos to break into the Compound, and how those immediately answering to me failed to stop it. She simply seized the opportunity that this massive riot of theirs allowed her to.

I cannot fault Lorianne for wanting to escape such a lifestyle; in spite of her fame, form, and fortune, she is not special; whether she admits or not, she just wants to hold and to be held, just like any woman in Hedonia. Even such an arguably "superior" specimen like her is still human, if not animal to her core.

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A beast, like Jackals.

Jackal Hunter Lorianne Kruger went AWOL shortly after massive crowd manages Compound break-in

Massive Compound breach, "Boilers" terrorist group suspected

"Good evening, as always, I am Helen,"

"...and I am Ruth!"

"and welcome to a bizarre night in Hedonia's Public News. Breaking just yesterday afternoon, a massive crowd, estimated a minimum of 1000, manages to somehow break into the Compound. No reports on what security forces were doing in the parameters; yet, said forces stopped our reporters before they could see what the rioters grasped from the maneuver."

Perhaps this orange and red gradient would suit the occasion better than turquoise. I remove my heels and change. The scales on this dress are alike. A fiery dragon, rather than a tranquil mermaid.

"Wow, unbelievable. Kaasi is on-scene at the aftermath, how's it looking there, Kaasi"?

"Thank you, Ruth," she says, tripping over a piece of rubble. "Oh, my. Pardon me. Yesterday at approximately 13:00, the massive crowd appeared to just funnel in, completely bypassing all human and automated security alike, and then one single explosion erupted through a wall in the Compound. Authorities declined to report any casualties, and there is..." she looks around, away from the camera, "no one in sight to discuss. I'm... Your guess is as good as mine, Ruth," she chuckles, shrugging.

"Thanks again as always, Kaasi. In today's economy, the entertainment sector seems to be in hot water, as many are disappointed at Hedonia Television Network's refusal to speak on the sudden disappearance of Jackal Hunter Lorianne Kruger. Rumours on Twigpost are spreading of Kruger siding with the Boilers as a part of the Compound breach, while others say that her entourage is behind her disappearance in retaliation for unknown grievances behind closed doors. It seems like a national mystery beyond anyone's bandwidth."

"Your guess is as good as mine, Helen-- only time will tell, and we'll of course be the first to break what we find."

I look up from the desk to see the Cauldron skyline once again. Not one day would I ever imagine myself becoming ungrateful of this position.

Though, with all the events accumulating as of late, perhaps life would soon push me into an office and view less admirable than now.