"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. Breaking just now, protesters across Cauldron destroy robots and other industrial equipment in numerous food processing plants. No official confirmation on the reasons why the protests started, however, rumors spreading on the social media site TwigPost suggests lack of labor opportunity and hunger causing the chaos, along with a likely chance of instigation from Boilers, the growing terrorist threat across Hedonia. A portion of the protesters are demanding a response from the national leader, Mother Elin Auna. She is scheduled to appear in public and address the protesters later this evening in Mecca Street Square. Our reporter on the ground, Kaasi, could not get a clear answer from the protesters. Kaasi?"

"Thank you, Ruth, I'm at the EVAfood Plant number 36-"

A maksed protestor, among what sounds like scores of others, running at a medal-winning pace, collides with Kaasi, causing her to stumble and whimper in pain. "Apologies, at EVAfood plant number... uh... 36, there seems to be a-"

The protest continues to interrupt Kaasi with a loud metallic crash and a fire cascading in the background.

"Uh-h-h, oh my... Thank you Ruth, thank you Helen!" she begins running before the scene returns to the news studio.

"Alright then, we will continue coverage as.... it is available. Helen?"

"I... well, this is a record, really." The two anchors giggle among one another. "Again, Mother Elin is scheduled to appear 22:00 at Mecca Square. We will be first on the ground to keep everyone up to date and we would like to see you there. Food and Agriculture suffers 32 points on the ESC, all other economic sectors seem not to move much."

Ruth takes over, "In the entertainment sector, a new contender towards Lorianne Kruger in the 'Jackal Hunter' TV show has been rumored to appear in the near future. Limited details remain available about the new addition, however, fans seem eager regardless."

I close the window within my HUD. "FABIAN, it seems my daughters are awry once again," I chime.

"It seems so, Mother. What is your course of action?"

"As of now, we shall be, perahps, proactive in addressing the disruption by capturing the instigatory figures, and perhaps I will determine the necessity of punishment in due time. In the interim, I will appear at 22:00 as expected and address them myself."

"Understood. Updates sent to the Intelligence Service. I will keep you updated on their progress. Would you like preparatory assistance for your speech later tonight?"

"No, thank you. It's becoming rather routine now. I appreciate your suggestions in any case."

"With pleasure, Mother."

FABIAN finishes the elaborate bun of hair behind me. I disengage the heating coils in my hands and evaluate the curls past my temples once again, turning left and right.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"I'm thinking silver and white for my dress," I turn to look obliquely at FABIAN.

"Yes, Mother," he rolls backward to the wardrobe and retrieves a metallically reflective silver outfit with an oblique, matte white stripe across the middle.

"Even better than I had imagined." FABIAN undoes the backside of the dress, and I enter it, as it seals itself behind me. I stand in the mirror with my hands folded at my abdomen, and turn to examine all angles.

Silver knee-high boots, and white elbow-length gloves finish the composition, and I exit the room.

~~

"Good evening, Daughters," I stand at the podium, light bars glaring in all directions. Sentry bots flank me at all angles, weapons down. The crowd quiets down. "Dearest apologies for the economic struggles we are upon of recent. As you imagine, even with the advanced furnishments of our Defense Force as well as economic protections, alongside the everpresent burden of Jackals approaching at all angles outside of our nodes' Fences, there is only so much we can control. However, with your patience, we can soon return to full employment and full stomachs for all Daughters in our beautiful, strong nation of Hedonia."

A mixture of jeers and cheers eminates from the assembly before me.

"To further make amends, we will open another public kitchen, community shelter, and job fair in the Mecca Square buildings 1 and 2."

The chiding quells, and is replaced by quiet applause.

"As with the struggles in the past, as well with what may stand before us, perseverence is the key to defeating all that obstructs us from a better society for us, and life for each. Do not hesitate to communicate to the Council or I. We are of service to you, our Daughters, together as Hedonia. Thank you for your time. Dearest wishes," I fold my hands over my sternum and politely nod.

A continued mixed response from the audience.

We walk towards the Sunbird as it spools its engines up. The MP guards flank the entrance as the rushing wind repels the journalists radiating from the landing pad. Head turned aside, I give the circle around me one more confident grin before stepping into the cabin.

Smooth rumbles accompany us upward. "Mother, we have 3 suspects in custody," FABIAN rings.

"How prompt. Any progress with Ms. Kruger's suit?"

"Still in development. Honoko and the engineers are not taking any shortcuts."

"Excellent."

I glance down at the crowd below. The Sunbird is cruising slowly enough for me to open a window, stick my hand outside, soon before placing my face out as well, and absorb the crisp wind flowing through my skin.

"I believe this is 'cold', not itself an entity; but rather, a dissipation of heat, and the absence of it," instructing myself.

The crowd begin to scatter again, with the occasional fire yet to be extinguished.

Lorianne's face, staring down a Jackal's, appear on the billboards lined across Mecca and Crossward street.

"One of my most excellent Daughters seems to be struggling," I mutter mostly to myself, returning to my seat and closing my eyes for a brief rest en route home.

~~

"FABIAN?"

"At service, Mother," he stands to my left at the dinner table.

I pinch a Crosus grain in between my chopsticks, examining it; "Why is it that we pride the consumption of flesh for the development of primitive human brains..."

The grain, crushed under my teeth, release a diffusion of pasty starch, which I proceed to swallow. "...but did not count starch's role in industrialization?"

"As an AI without a digestive tract, I may never understand this fully, but I suspect it has to do with familiarity."

"Do not be surprised, I'm forgetting about the presence of my own digestive abilities. But perhaps. An oversight of the mundane, but necessary, and ultimately more important. The problem to which practiced gratitude was intended to remedy," I impale a thin slice of finely shredded Jackal Salisbury with my fork, dripping with its dark, vinegared marinade, then swallowing. "In the hardest of times, humans survived with only grain, as animal agriculture was ecologically expensive, and 90% of the invested energy was lost through the basal metabolic expenditures of the often warm-blooded ranch animals."

I spoon another mouthful of grain as well as some asparagus and collard greens, swallowing quickly. "Cheap energy for either woman or machine is the basis to the wealth and work capacity of either."

"That sounds like a very plausible explanation, Mother."

"I'm glad you agree," I gently place my silverware on the clean plate.