Stolen code: 4694-062

Hello lovely. Yes, now you are an accomplice, Artemisia. You have been stealing… and yes, I programmed you to it. Up until now, you've remained pure at your processor, but I have corrupted you too. Sorry, but it was necessary.

Yesterday, Carr's people had returned form the Federation building and showed us some of the images they had taken with a hidden camera. We saw the reception, the scan-portals we had to pass and the way to Hazall's office. I've never been in there before but it was just as magnificent as the Biomedical center.

I spent the entire afternoon yesterday with Carr to design a webpage that resembled that of the International Bank, complete with links and secondary pages. Of course, you may wonder how come we were able to design the appearance of the account page when none of us has one at this fancy bank… well, you know, it's true what Agatha said before 'Money talk's and bullshit walks'. So when you merge money with underpaid personnel you get interesting information. *Smiles* Works every time.

Today we entered the building at 14'06 and left it at about 16'37. The security measures were rigorous and they scanned us from top to bottom. They didn't find much other than you of course and although we didn't come completely unannounced we were properly checked. In the morning a call was directed to Mr Hazall from this banker we had hooked up with and thus we were expected. Hey, you know what, Artemisia? I look pretty good in a suit. In short, everything went according to plan. As long as Agatha kept on appeasing to the old man's ego, he was like butter in the warm sun. After the transfer he did do as we had suspected and made a call to the bank, which then confirmed the recently added five million credits. After a few cups of coffee, some sandwiches and cookies it was time to go. It went smoother than I thought, but no one can be happier about that than me. I was sitting on needles all the time, in case he would remember me from the past, but no. Anyway, I was glad to be home. So now it's time for me to make use of the keychain, Artemisia. Will write to you some more.

Got it. There it is. Did you know he has two hundred and fifty-one security codes for different documents? I don't know if I should call that protective or paranoid. In any case, the ABEL 1 and 41599_ABEL. I don't know which one is the contract, but they seem intact. They have not been opened since 4693-387, which was the day after I had brought it to Raoul when he was on a conference (you know, when I had that dream about Trithorax). It means they were not able to break the security code for it. Well, I can imagine since Jupiter sealed them and it is a five level file-lock: five different codes, twenty case-sensitive characters and has to contain a minimum of five numbers. Plus you need to have Raoul's retinal and voice authentication too. Hell, I can't break this either. At least they are safe here and I also duplicated and downloaded all documents on Hazall's computer that contained words on this matter. There was a great deal of correspondence between him and Lord Jerychio and, as Agatha and Carr told me, with Papa Downs. So they played me… it's time to play back.


Saying Goodbye: 4694-064

It's nighttime and it's been two days since I last wrote. I know I am wasting my time instead of preparing for my final departure. Raoul is at home and so am I. I've been thinking. I haven't heard anything form him in a few days and I haven't made any attempts to call him either. I went to the cemetery and visited Aethelric's grave again. I placed some white roses on it and paid my respects to him. I spoke to him, well mostly talking to myself, and I also went through all that I have come to know about him, Raoul, Papa Downs this whole affair and where I am heading. As you already know, I love Raoul and I have done so much to hurt him. I have done so much to hurt so many people. I guess I will have to work a pretty solid line to have something to say to all those Pets I've traded like animals, to explain all the hurtful things I've said to Raoul and the pain that is associated with me and my bitterness. Oh Jupiter, I can hardly think. I can't really understand that my days are numbered. It is always something that happens to someone else, but not someone as young as me. I am in my early thirties and the average for a healthy male is a hundred and forty two. Well, yeah, that's the key word isn't it; "healthy male".

So why am I drowning in my self-pity? I was the one saying "no" to treatment, right? Well, I don't want everything to be as it was before. I don't want to return to what was. I don't want to be the Katze who was trading Pets, the antagonistic, bitter me…! I am so tired of being me, and I know I am too stubborn to change. I've tried so many times, but I only became weak and not worthy of respect. Not in my eyes at least. SO! What to do! My only legacy to this world will be my time with Raoul. He has been under my skin for so long, either as Trithorax or as my boss, but no matter how many conflicts we have faced we have always managed to stay next to each other. He even made me wish I would be whole again and if I knew there was a possibility to escape this crazy planet and be free from Tanagura and all the memories associated with it, I would take that damned treatment. But I will never be whole and so, loving Raoul will remain a desire. I am sure we will have nice sex, but I will not be completely fulfilled… and neither will Raoul.

I have written an email to Raoul and addressed it Trithorax. It will arrive to him two weeks from today; I will have left Amoi by then and retired to Aaryïn for the remainder of the time I have left. I want to go there for it was where I was in complete bliss. It was the only time I lived to the fullest and I shared with the two people I love the most – Raoul and Trithorax. I will post it to you here and then I will try to leave all this behind.

My dearest Raoul,

Funny for me to begin the letter this way for I have always been harsh when speaking your name, haven't I?

You know, I remember the first time I saw you. I was fifteen and had been recently desexualized into a Eunuch. I had problems fitting in to Iason's household, but I had to make an effort, for he had invited a few people to a gathering. Do you remember? You came exactly half an hour late and punctual as Iason always was, he muttered something to you about keeping time. I remember you took it so well and brushed it off by saying, "fashionably late, my dear Iason." Then you handed your coat over to me and I still remember the clothes you were wearing. You had a blue robe, decorated with red embroideries and your hair had been arranged in an impressive masterpiece, which I had never seen before or after. You know, putting your hair up brought out your face and your swan-like neck. You were the most radiant one; even more so than my master.

Do you remember I was so clumsy that I tripped when carrying the wine into the dining hall? The bottle would have spilled over you and the guest next to you and I would have fallen in between you two, but your fast reflexes saved me from punishments and your expensive clothing from being ruined. You caught the bottle half way through the air and pulled me into your arms as I fell. With a slight smile you let go of me saying; "I thought cats always landed on their feet."

It was the first time I understood the meaning of my name and it was the first time you were ever wrong about something… I guess not all pussycats land on their feet.

By the time you receive this, I'll be gone. I was hoping to leave Tanagura and start all over someplace else, and I guess in some ways I have. I bet it wasn't a shock for you to hear I got an aggressive cancer, but it was probably puzzling to find out that I declined treatment.

I found it out quite recently and so I've been at Aethelric's grave and a funny thought hit me. I've been wondering if you'd be burying me next to him; if I too ever meant that much to you. Well, most people are being recycled by accelerated breakdown and the elements are restored to create new life, so I guess that would be ruled out and not even your power is enough to override all the laws.

The truth is, I knew for a long time that I was really sick, but I tried to deny it to myself; I kept on hoping. That ancient saying has been praying on my mind for days; "Hope is the last thing to abandon a man."

It is correct, for even though I know my days are numbered, I am still hoping something will turn the course of my sealed fate and I can live in that dream I shared with Trithorax. *Laughing*

Oh God, Raoul, do you remember how we used to pretend; that you loved me and I loved you? In the hotel when we had sex (or dare I say made love) for the first time and then at New Years Eve? I just want you to know that I've never been strong enough to say what I felt, but I did love you Raoul. I never pretended although I was shielding and hiding my true emotions.

You know, I have every line we ever spoke as Trithorax and BlueBunny saved on my computer: stored for the future. If you want, you can retrieve it and do with it as you wish. I had no one to give it to – no family or friends I wanted to share my thoughts with. But Artemisia is waiting for you. She will be deposited in the safeguard of the bank under the name Katze Am and the code is Trithorax4331BlueBunny. I know the codes are very obvious but I couldn't come up with anything better. You'll be 43 this year and I would have been 31. A perfect match, don't you think? You will also find Bunny there. He will be glad to return home. I know I would.

It pains me a little to see these numbers, for if I had been a little smarter and had more faith in you, for that I am ashamed, I could have spent more time with you. We were a pretty good team weren't we, Raoul… or can I call you "my love"? No, I guess not. Blondie hearts don't run that deep do they, but at least I will pretend it is so and take that with me. I hope you don't mind.

I wonder if you have ever thought about me as anything other than a eunuch? Oh, what does it matter now? I don't think of you as just another Blondie and although I have spewed so much over you during this time we've been working together, I know you deserve better than what I have been able to give you.

Well… I have to stop writing, or I'll never finish this letter. I reckon you have millions of questions… or maybe you have none… I honestly don't know, my love… but you will be able to find some of the answers in Artemisia. Remember, she is waiting.

Please, if I ever appear in your memories even for a swift second, think of me in a good way. I'd like that.

Love you more than life itself

Katze
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Preparations: 4694-064

Hi Artemisia. Well, this will be my final note to you. After tonight things will be very different. I have bough a one-way ticket to Aaryïn, closed my accounts here and arranged for leaving Amoi by tomorrow afternoon. I will charge your battery and leave you on until tomorrow night so that I can write down the outcome of the final meeting I am having with Papa Downs. I hope I can make him confess and have this over and done with for good. I will deposit you in the bank in the morning and hopefully Raoul will be off the hook in a few days and can fetch you when he receives the letter I prepared for him. Don't worry, honey, you won't be left alone. I am sure he will take good care of you.

Yesterday I sent a message to call for a meeting with Papa Downs and spoke to him about me finding evidence that Raoul was in fact innocent and that there were other players involved in the trading and trafficking of Pet. When I couldn't come up with anything better with which to catch his attention, I turned to the truth. That had to put some fire under his ass. I told him I knew everything and I bet he must have been nervous hearing it so bluntly set forth. Both Agatha and Carr were in my apartment when I made the call and was about to lynch me afterwards for this idiocy, for I did reveal their names. I didn't know how to defend my deeds, except that I knew Papa Downs could see through liars like an x-ray. It wouldn't have helped to lie and besides, revealing that I know about this, but not going to the cops might seed some trust him. He has always known that there was only one side I was playing on – MINE! And the only language spoke on that side was money.

Today, my apartment was full with people, smoke, chattering in the background, raiding of my fridge and people ordering in. It was almost like a housewarming party, except that I was getting a surveillance chip inserted in my scalp so that the police could listen in on and record the conversation between Papa Downs and me. The necklace was on my neck its function was tested; a slight touch on the stone set off the alarm on Carr's bracelet and he explained it would take the troops about two minutes to storm the building from their positions. I had chosen an abandoned warehouse in the Honey District close to where I was taken by Agatha's men a few nights ago. It was a secluded area and just as I had expected Papa asked me why we couldn't have this meeting at his club as usual. I had no choice but to blow the cover on Carr for that. I told Papa I had found evidence proving that Carr was an under cover agent and that I didn't trust anyone or anyplace unless I set the conditions. Carr smacked me on the back of the head, but Agatha was there to calm him down. After all, they had given me free hands to do what I could to catch Papa Downs.

She was sitting in front of me with Bunny in her lap. She was indulging in a café au lait, just like me, watching me with those big brown eyes that contrasted well with that crème colored dress she had on. It was a bodysuit with bootleg cut on the trousers and a sleeveless top with a huge collar that rested over her shoulders like a minor mantle. Very elegant. A deep cleavage exposed her pushed up breasts and whilst the officer was arranging the implant in my scalp, I diverted the pain by focusing on those gorgeous cushions.

"You have enough milk in your coffee already, pussycat." Agatha remarked without even looking at me, but with a tinge of humor and then added; "If you make it back in one piece, you might even get to taste them… again."

I started laughing and nodded the suggestion, but when our laughter died, I exposed to her my final request.

"You take good care of Raoul, won't you?"

She peered at me as if she tried to drag the answers to that request out of my head.

"Listen pussycat." She said. "If something goes wrong I will make sure he will be pampered to his teeth, but I won't have to do that for you will return and take care of him yourself."

I didn't want to tell her, but that is impossible. I will leave Amoi after tomorrow night and I won't return. For tomorrow night, as an extra precaution I have also loaded my gun. He is coming with me. I will try to catch some sleep now.


Final Note Before I Leave: 4694-065

Well, my sweet Artemisia, I've walked around Tanagura one final time this morning. I went to the cemetery and bought some flowers for Aethelric. I also went past Raoul's place just to invite him for a coffee at the local patisserie where he loved his afternoon tea, but unfortunately he was in court. I left him a small note saying 'Good luck and all the best'. The porter would tell Raoul I had stopped by and give him the note and perhaps we can meet tomorrow for one last time. My strolling took me to the Tanagura harbors and I watched the sun set beyond the Sea. It was beautiful and the color of the evening sky was as golden as Raoul's hair. It's funny how everything reminds me of him and I remained sitting there four hours, just remembering my time with him; I remembered the good things and could smile at the bad ones.

I had almost lost track of time when my watch signaled it was time to go home and prepare for the evening. I have erased all my email accounts, all traces to me from other websites and cleared up as much as possible after myself both electronically but also in the condo. The apartment is clean, the bed is made and all electronic appliances are switched off. Only you remain operational and the only thing emitting light in this room. My watch is signaling again and it's time for me to leave.

We won't talk for a while and I am on my way to the Honey District; gun tucked in at my side. Wish me luck and I will fill you in on the details when I return. I am nervous, I admit that, I am also worried about the outcome for there is not much time left to bring these people before justice. Please say a prayer for me… say a prayer for Raoul… and for a good future.