

OKAY ALTINISIK

THE

MAKING

OF

KARMA

Fantasy
In memoriam Tiny, Angie and Hendrix

This book is also available as paperback.

Copyright © 2017 by Yogang

All rights reserved

Cover & design: Copyright © 2017 by Dr. Okay Altinisik

ISBN: 978-3-9504206-9-2

yogang
The way she came out of him, the antique theologists of the

pagans explain concealed under an incredible veil, claiming

that Saturn cut the testicles of his father Caelus and threw

them into the ocean, and that from those seeds Venus was

born.

Giovanni Pico della Mirandola
1

»Let the games begin, Fiamma!«

»You better start running, you perfect victims! How

many pets did you buy for me, honey?«

»Mi casa es tu casa, baby! You can smash anything

crawling around. Darling, happy birthday!«

As her boyfriend's words fade away, the first blow

strikes. Fiamma Orizzonti bangs a rabbit, a gray one that

just hopped between her legs and escaped. She hit his

rips, sideways. The poor bunny reaches the threshold

and turns left, out of sight. He's safe for now.

Fiamma turns around, she must check the situation 
in the living room. Nobody can hear the desperate

squeaking and howling of the pets, her boyfriend's villa

is surrounded by a vast park.

To celebrate her birthday, like-minded friends are

expected tonight. Again, »Barbecue« is the unchanging

motto of the gathering of her clique. Still young at heart,

supposedly innocent with seventeen, she wants to prove

herself, all eyes are on her. But that's not the only reason

why she wants to kill her new pets. As she is vegan, she

has no interest in tasting their dead flesh, but she yearns

for new fur coats.

The regrettable animals did cost her boyfriend a

little fortune, paid to a young poacher who gave pet-

sized animals preferential treatment. He had to catch

them alive, without exception, only the birthday child is 
entitled to kill them.

Today, one can only hunt in closed rooms, top

secretly, as hunting is punished severely.

It's time for the next blow. Fiamma waits for one of

the Maine-Coon kitties to come out of its hideout under

the couch and bang! Having grown tired of the club, she

drops it. Approaching the crossbow at the bar, Fiamma

leaves her killing tool and her victim. Her boyfriend put

his complete soundless arsenal at her disposal.

Meanwhile, all the animals managed to creep out of

the living room. The hunted ones, who are about to find

shelter in the remaining rooms of the villa, consist of

eighteen cats, seven alpacas, twenty-one foxes, fifteen

dachshunds, one poodle, sixteen chickens, seven

penguins, nineteen martens as well as of a dozen storks.
One amazingly canny creature believes that hiding

in the rubbish is a good idea. Fiamma walks past, aims,

hits the red and the vixen closes his eyes for the last

time. The silence is over, the panic screeching of the pets

is like music to the huntress' ears. She runs along the

corridor and up the steps. Rabbits are bumping above

the dogs below her feet. The clumsy dachshunds will be

the last. If Fiamma still held the club in her hand, she

would immediately sweep away five of them, at least,

with one hit. Now, she has no choice but to play soccer

with the furry balls. In a high arc, three of the squeaking

dachshunds are flying down the stairs. The young lady

will pick them up later.

»You better dress warm! Your coats belong to me!«

To find a survival tactic, one needs to be unseen and 
undisturbed. The smart foxes retreated under the bed.

None of the animals has doubt that death is nearing, if

they only could find a way to stop the huntress. In

addition, they have a severe handicap: none of them was

born to fight, in particular not against the big ones.

That's why Fiamma's boyfriend picked them. From the

view of the foxes, only together they can save their lives.

Fiamma reached the top of the stairs where the

despairing alpacas dare to attack her. With heads bowed,

they venture to ram the girl. Facing backwards, she

should fall down the stairs. However, Fiamma catches

two of the alpacas with her arms. Each one is held in a

headlock, crack, cervical dislocation. Five alpacas left.

It is time to hunt the chickens. Chickens are small.

Fiamma doesn't want to waste her arrows on them. So

she runs downstairs to pick the club. A small crowd 
managed to creep into the bathroom upstairs. Before she

is able to kick in the door, the penguins jump on her.

They even manage to kick her into to the bathtub,

whereupon the chickens land on her, pecking her

mercilessly. She lost the club. To protect her face, breasts

and belly from the pointed beaks, Fiamma turns around.

Getting out of the tub, she sights the club. Like lightning,

she picks it up and threshes the chickens who pulled

back into the tub just before. Feathers swirl through the

air, cluck and silence. Meanwhile, the huntress pictures

all the lovely things she can design with all these

feathers.

The wrong books desensitized Fiamma. She read

the wrong books at the wrong age. Animals always have

been tools for her. Her catholic parents convinced her 
that only humans could have souls. Due to the doctrinal

breeding of the Orrizzontis, Fiamma simply ignores the

animals' ability to feel. Her father once taught her that

animals were nothing but robots. When Fiamma asked

him why they were bleeding too, he told her that they

were mechanical beings, created by God in a way to

serve us as well as possible. Only little did he know

about the Holy Quran and the Judgement of animals. He

told her the story of Prophet Abraham and the sacrifice,

the perfect victim.

»How can a dad kill his sweet boy?! What a loss for

the girls' world,« was her response when she heard the

story of Ismail for the first time. With seven years, she

had a crush on the son of the prophet. A hunting riffle

symbolizes her religion from this day on.

For Fiamma, nothing is as evident as not being a 
robot, or a maid in her case. Whom should she serve if

not herself?! All animals she ever met in her life were so

devoted, devoted like servants are. On top of that, they

were way too friendly, too friendly to be sincere for her

taste.

»Show me your true face, fox!« Fiamma's instinct is

telling her that the foxes are up to something. They

pulled back too early from the battlefield, that's

suspicious. Now it's their turn to die, she decides

unceremoniously. But aren't the pets too small? Hunting

never was so easy for Fiamma. On the other hand, she

knows the painful consequences if she had to fight with

a pony. She couldn't go anywhere, she would have to

become invisible. Nobody may see her with a swollen

face and a black eye!
Until the foxes are tracked down, she could look

after the cats. She's belligerent and she makes new

arrangements. Cats may not be tall but they are pretty

quick. In other words, they are as difficult to hunt as big

animals and this means one thing: she needs a very good

idea to make them leave their hideout.

A few worried chickens gather around their dead

conspecifics. Like vultures, storks totter above their

heads. Storks generally have bad sight in closed rooms.

Now, they are obliged to believe that the dead chickens

on the floor are members of their species. Fiamma, who

is actually after the kittens, can't do without bringing

down at least one of them as she leaves the bathroom.

She grabs his long, scraggy legs and hurls him from one

mirror to another.

To precisely inspect her arsenal, she runs back 
downstairs. Today, every poacher owns a cat whistle

which reproduces nothing but the noise of rustling

paper. Today, nothing rustles anymore, except the leaves

of the trees. Luckily, as the use of paper vanished,

scientists didn't neglect preserving this lovely tune.

The cat whistle lies on its place. Fiamma whistles,

the rustle follows. Slowly and cautiously, the first paws

are approaching. As they notice their gray friend, or

what's left of him lying under the couch, he gets snuffled

for one last time. A fatal mistake, very soon they will

share his destiny. The birthday kid casts a net and sacks

the kitties. Immediately, she decides to drown the

pitifully meowing sweeties. With kit and caboodle, she

runs downstairs to the swimming hall. Along with its

screeching contents, the bag lands in the middle of the

pool. In a bitter fight to reach the surface, the pussies bite 
and scratch each other to death. No one survives,

thirteen left.

Fiamma's timing is perfect. Maybe she should allow

herself a bath. The first guests will show up in a few

hours and who knows how long she needs to wait for

the next occasion to clean herself from the blood of her

victims. Headfirst she jumps into the pool, dives below

the wriggling and bleeding net, emerges and eyeballs

her trophy.

The martens, who are about to take position around

the pool, are noticed not until her wet ears perceive the

simultaneous scrape of a choir of claws. She turns

around cautiously. Not less than nineteen animals

encircled the girl. In this surprisingly hairy affair, the

storks seem to have joined the martens. But this smart

girl is not slowly seeing through their tactic. The martens 
force her to stay in the wet. Inside here, the nosediving

storks would target her with their spear-like beaks.

Fiamma must hide under the net or she will get hurt, in

fact maybe killed. Shield-like, the corpses of the kittens

will protect her from the birds.

»The Ways of God may be inscrutable but hopefully

the storks won't ruin the fuzzy, gray-white furs of the

poor kittens.« As Fiamma lies there in the water, only

her face jutting out, and prays for a safe harbor, her first

flame comes into her mind, Ismail and the sacrifice. This

time, the carcasses of the pussies will sacrifice

themselves, for her. This can't be a coincidence! If only

Prophet Ismail would be still alive and could see her!

She grabs a motionless cat paw which didn't lose its

ability to comfort yet. Meanwhile, the water begins to

turn rose. In Fiamma's imagination, all of this was a little 
different. Her refreshing bath, she can forget for now.

Anyway, the moment has come to rearrange priorities.

So she swims to the margin of the pool, snatches her

pants, swift enough for the martens who are eager to

tear her arm to pieces, feels the pockets and reaches for

the cat whistle. In order to survive, she must distract the

storks, but first she should free the net from the dead

cats. These may not drift away while doing so. While the

storks above do their laps, Fiamma ties the cat tails with

some bitten off strand from the net. Subsequently, she

puts her whistle in her mouth. Rustling paper is ringing

out. Her tactic seems to work. Nosily, the hungry storks

are sinking. Holding the skein of cat tails in the air,

Fiamma presents them the bait. The moment the birds

snatch the grayish bouquet of kitten cadavers, she will

cast the net with her free hand. Soon, the storks will 
share the destiny of the cats.

Learning by doing, Fiamma successfully defended

herself from the airstrike. But it's not over. She may have

outwitted the storks, yet she still floats in the water. The

pool is still encircled by nineteen mordacious martens,

who are now gazing at her in a baffled way. The

historically unique alliance with the storks has failed

and if they won't sink that brat soon, they will be next.

Two demotivated creatures already gave up hope.

They no more believe in victory and began to run,

running to find shelter upstairs among the foxes. Via

scent, the renegades navigate themselves to the sleeping

room, where the foxes already took positions under the

bed, forging out a plan. The moment they arrive, the

other species already can imagine what's going on, 
reading it from the despairing eyes of the martens. More

information is not needed: the killer machine proceeds

relentlessly. The superior number of the foxes gives the

martens hope. They just need to find a way to make the

foxes follow them downstairs to the pool. The girl is still

captured by the martens. As soon as she gets tired, she

will try to leave the pool and then she will be vulnerable.

The martens could bite off her fingers. She can't climb

out of the pool without them, neither can she swim and

keep her head above the surface. She would be forced to

make it back to the middle of the pool and to go down

sooner or later.

One of the martens catches his friend and the two

run off, pursued by the foxes.

Arriving downstairs, the twenty newcomers join

the martens at the poolside. A hissing choir of thirty-nine 
belligerent and mordacious pets fulminates the pool hall.

Fiamma quivers and trembles. None of the four-leggeds

would be stupid enough to follow her paper-rustling

whistle. And what if they would? What are the odds she

survives a water battle against thirty-nine beasts? She is

even unable to climb out of the pool, her face and her

hands would be targeted first by her opponents. Within

shortest time, they would scratch and bite them. The

house hunting was expected to be easier. All of this

happens only because she had to take a stupid bath! Her

role model, her platonic love, the prophet's son must be

rotating in his grave! Her strength is leaving her and she

becomes tired. Dead still, she floats on her back. This

situation calls for brainwork. Never ever in her young

life was she so vulnerable. She's standing, no, she is

literally lying on the brink of death. Will God help her 
like He helped Ismail with the sacrifice, who suddenly

stood there at the brambles to be killed instead of him?

Fiamma closes her eyes to pray.

»Dear God, if You can help me please let the

crossbow which I forgot upstairs appear on my breast.

Please give me enough arrows to shoot my way out.

Help me, You helped Ismail too!«

Nothing happens, no wonder. Fiamma begins to

doubt her endeavor. Why else would God deny her His

ultimate Help? Overthinking won't save her. Even if she

has no Support from God at the moment, she must find

a way out of this self-caused dilemma, one way or

another. So many animals are raging against her already,

she cannot change this anymore. In her view, only their

death can relieve their rage. The plan is clear and her 
future garderobe as well as her birthday party won't

bother the Almighty anyway. Au contraire, she must

regain the upper hand and kick the prey down the

hierarchic ladder, down to the bottommost step where

the beasts come from. With refreshed élan, the birthday

child scouts for something useful, for something

weapon-grade. The net is sunken, the cats are floating

and sinking already along with the storks... »Oh no, the

storks!« In a flash, Fiamma remembers what the storks

wanted to do to her just a couple of minutes ago. Why

shouldn't she do the same to the beasts waiting for her at

the poolside? Who would stop her?! In her eyes, there

are no more storks floating in the water, these are

padded spears from now on. Everything she needs is

already in the pool and much more: she can use the bills

of the storks along with the stings of the net and voila, 
the storksbill-glove is born. What follows is an universal,

sardonic laughter, unmistakable for her opponents. No

matter how carefully they observe Fiamma, they don't

get it. They don't see the ultimate design she sees. All

they can see is a swimming field of dead cats and storks,

hopefully soon joined by a nasty gal. Afterwards, they

would disappear in the idyllic park of the huntress'

boyfriend, which lies merely behind the thin, invisible

window pane.

Fiamma knuckles down immediately. First of all,

she reaches for the dead stork floating next to her. She

quite grapples with breaking his bill. As she already

spent considerable time in the water, she needs her last

power reserves to disrupt the beak from his head.

Luckily, those animals have relatively huge beaks, so her 
hands have good grip and it crackles already. Only a few

handholds later, she's holding both beak halves

separated in her left hand, whereupon, she takes a deep

breath, dives and grabs the net from the ground. With a

disjointed beak, she cuts off some strings and binds

them around her neck. These will fix her creation to her

fingers. For the gloves, she needs four more beak halves

for each finger and five more for her second hand. As

soon as the huntress spreads her fingers, these will dart

like the claws of a cat.

Ever since she can remember, the wealthy family

Orrizzonti has been visiting the museum. This may be

the reason why Fiamma on one hand, as she chases the

most beautiful fur coat in the world, got into trouble and

why she is able to cope with it so far on the other hand. 
Creativity is not exactly her weakness. In shortest time,

she provisionally ties together her beak gloves and in no

time she translates her ingenuity into action.

Slipped into her murderous accessories, she initially

swims to the poolside. The moment the foxes and

martens begin to troop up in front of her, she dives

down. This time, she won't allow them to frighten her

away into the depth. Instantly, she will rear up with

sufficient drive. Pushed off from the pool ground,

Fiamma breaches the surface, strikes out and knives the

pack. The first right instantly impales a fox, lifts him and

hurls him back to the rosy depth. More and more furious

beasts troop together as she crouches and proceeds

towards the pool ladder, where she finds stable stance.

Pierced by her fingered storksbills, one furball follows

another into the wet, wriggles and goes down. With 
minor scratches and bite wounds, Fiamma emerges

unscathed again.

She is overwhelmed by an incredible sense of

pleasure as she steps out of the pool. As soon as she

turns around, pure satisfaction pumps through her

veins, satisfaction which only a successful fight for

survival can give.

Fiamma's inner clock tells her that the reception of

the guests is getting closer. She made a mistake, she

believed freshening up before slaying the last animal

would be a good idea. As a result, she lost time. Fiamma

must catch up. Her guests, who are impassioned hunters

themselves, cannot celebrate in a stable where lively

creatures crawl along the ground. Furthermore, her

guests have already been briefed on today's hunting 
candidate. Fiamma must honor her family, by honoring

her own name. In order to finish the house hunting, she

slips back into her storksbill-gloves, whereon she hurries

back to the rooms upstairs and collects her leftover arms.

In her left beak-assembled hand, the ultimate warrior

holds a club and a crossbow in her right. The poodle

along with a few mini-llamas, sausage dogs, tabbies,

rabbits and hens are still circulating somewhere in the

mansion. No big deal, she only needs to find them.

Maybe she should have left one of the foxes alive.

Fiamma could follow him to his hiding at this very

moment. She asks herself whether her paper-rustling

whistle might be able to allure the remaining animals

too as she spots a fox right in front of her eyes, torturing

himself pain drunkenly out of the pool hall. Torturing is

an understatement, she hurt him to that extent. Brush 
alike, he leaves a red blood trail on the silvery-white

marble flooring. All she can see is a grotesque scribble

and all she knows is that its copyright owner just

wanted to go for her throat. How she would love to

flatten him out right now! To bring her to his friends, she

must show great patience though. So she hides behind

the column in the lobby, waiting for the dying fox to

pass her. All of a sudden, she throws herself behind his

bloodstained paws. The fox, close to his last breath,

cannot sense her false attacks behind his back, as broken

as he and as loaded as she is.

As it seems, he already picked up the scent leading

to his fellows in misery. Unwittingly, he now leads

Fiamma to them. Just for fun but also in order to adapt

to his speed, she decides to crawl the last meters vixen-

alike behind him, continually targeting his bum with her 
crossbow. Crawling upwards the marble stairs, she

keeps position. The little chase proceeds... until she has

had enough and hits. One last time, the penetrated vixen

gasps for breath. Still on the stairs, he stretches out his

paws. The huntress fondles his head and whispers

something in his ear.

Fiamma arrives at the upper end of the staircase

and grabs her paper-rustling whistle. She pipes

repeatedly. The minutes pass one by one but far and

wide nobody is around. The remaining animals must

have learned their lesson. Obviously, the rustle noise

became fearsome. Not even the kittens dare to come out,

even though the auspicious rustling of paper reflects a

natural call for them.

The mansion is huge, where should she begin

searching? If only she wouldn't become tired! Maybe she 
should swing by the kitchen and spoil herself with a cup

of coffee.

As Fiamma enters the kitchen, she cannot believe

her tired eyes. No wonder everyone is ignoring her

paper-rustling whistle: due to the preparations for the

feast, her boyfriend must have neglected to close the

fridge properly. In the middle of the kitchen floor, the

animals arranged a lavish picnic. All marinades and,

what's even worse, the entire meat supply of the

household is affected, nibbled gleefully by, in Fiamma's

eyes, the nasty beasts. What a view! She feels like

throwing up. »My birthday is ruined! He's going to kill

me,« mumbles the minor huntress to herself.

Maybe he will kill her, because today meat is

expensive, even more expensive than gold. But Fiamma 
has a better idea! Energetically, she slams the kitchen

door. Instead of her, the remaining animals should be

held accountable, they should land in the refrigerator, bit

by bit. They caused the plague, they must pay for it, still

better than being minced herself, or even being cut into

pieces, which is not delusional but a widespread praxis

in gastronomy. How else should a killer remove the

corpse without greatly standing out? He delivers him or

her, the cadaver, to a restaurant and the owner of the

gourmet temple not even needs to pay. Deal is an

average of twenty-five to sixty-five pounds of corpse

meat, free of cost, per murder! The hungry restaurant

guests hardly are aware of eating humans. They believe

in having a kosher meal in the broadest sense. The

ravenous meat afficionados are willing to take a chance.

They have no choice. Legal buyers like Fiamma's 
boyfriend Peer, a young and promising restaurant

owner, are rare. Since the abolition of hunting and

fishing, accompanied by an astronomical taxation of

meat and cattle, legal sellers such as the state monopoly

are even rarer.

Fiamma is facing death again. »Battle time!«

Calmly, the outliving animals are filling their

tummies as the kitchen door slams. Fiamma goes on,

rotating between club and crossbow. Unlike before in the

water battle, the animals are not gathering around her,

instead they are screaming and breezing. She is looking

at her storksbill-gloves. Here, they are out of place.

One animal is left, the snow-white poodle. He is the

chosen one and here comes the last sacrifice. He will

become the collar of her furry dream... but the door

opens. The poodle shoots outside and all alone the door 
closes again. Fiamma wants to chase after him but it

remains closed.

Frustrated, she fills up a glass water when her

boyfriend appears on the glass display. She accepts.

»My sweet, I am proud of you but please let the

pooch run. Because he is the last survivor, he is going to

be put up for auction tonight. I beg you, don't be mad at

me! I could have told you earlier but our sisters and

brothers disapproved. They wanted to prevent you from

manipulating the hunting and to be honest with you, me

too. This is exactly what makes the last survivor so

precious. Hey, you do understand me, don't you? And

please, take a bath! The big cleaning has already begun.

The bathroom, you left quite a mess there, should be

ready by now. In only a few hours, our first guests will

be rolling in. I will hand you over the furs before... Oh, 
before I forget it, would you be a good girl and refill the

fridge? Don't worry, I'm not mad at you. It was my

mistake, I should have closed the door properly. Why

don't you take the animals from the floor? You will find

a laser cutter in the tray. It's a pity we can't replace the

marinades. We must do without them tonight, they don't

sell this stuff everywhere. Buying new ones would be

too risky. Someone could see us and find out. But that's

not so bad! Especially our old guests prefer the pure,

non-marinated taste of meat. Okay, that's it, see you! I'm

proud of you, no, we all are proud of you, my queen!«

»What about the damn door? I'm locked up!«

»Oh... you are free again. Sorry!«

»Okay, don't forget my furs! See you then!«

Four hours later, all guests arrived. The host is 
about to give a toast to the brave birthday child. With

relish, all of today's killings are feasted. To catch the

Argentinian barbecue flair from the twentieth century,

the slaughtered animals are grilled on a detailedly

reproduced double-bed slat frame of iron. Because of

security reasons, the celebration takes place indoor in

the pool hall. The smoke is vacuumed and pumped into

the earth. Nothing must leak out, this would mean the

end to all participants.

Three high pings are dinging, the toast follows.

»My precious brothers and sisters, finally we found

together again. Thank you for your numerous coming.

Tonight, we not only celebrate the beginning of spring,

we are celebrating the seventeenth birthday of my very

personal spring as well. What more can we give her than 
our love, which holds together our circle? I am happy

and I don't want to irritate you all but I must warn you!

It is close. The day the vegans claim the throne will

arrive. It seems unstoppable. Many things will change

unless our breed is able to assert itself the way my girl

Fiamma did today, with head held high. We only claim

one thing and that's nothing but the truth, manifesting

itself in the innards of fire, wind, earth and water. Our

friendship is only meant for those who resemble us, not

more and not less. Just like the animals who prefer to

chum up with their sort, we refuse to make friends with

literally inhumane beings. A presence in which animals

are awarded with generous rights can only lead to a

spartan presence for us. Are we ought to gorge ourselves

with leaves while the animals live on the fat of the land?

We only eat what tastes good, as our ancestors did since 
day zero, and please don't allow me to hold you up any

longer! Enjoy what Fiamma brought on the table at the

risk of her own life, please enjoy your meat!«

After the horrible toast of her boyfriend, Fiamma

finally cheers up again, she is virtually drunken of joy

because upstairs in the bedroom, spread on the bed,

countless of new furs are waiting for her. Bloodstained

as they are, each of them is shimmering in a fiery blaze

of its color.

On her slightly raised left hand, she is wearing one

of her deadly gloves. Like a magnet, it captivates all

eyes. She is excited, her face turns red. Apparently,

Fiamma is getting many compliments for her design.

»You look like a butcher!«

»That's a killing machine, you better watch your 
mouth!« Of all things, with the cranesbill on her middle

finger, she snaps for Bassam's grilled stork. A hilarious

puppeteer alike, she needles his meat. »Yummy, you

clown...« With her emulated baby voice, Fiamma fools

around. She stages a role play between her glove and

Bassam's food. And the guests, they roar with laughter.

Fiamma is ashamed. Willing to charmingly end the

scene, she tears a piece of the grilled stork with her glove

and leads it to her mouth, just to spit it out unseen, she is

vegan. The pool hall raves, drowning her in applause.

Bassam is staring at her speechlessly and motionlessly.

He must hold his plate.

Her diligent boyfriend Peer arrives. »Fiamma, my

heroine! In a few minutes the poodle auction begins but

we need a name for him first. You deserve the great

honor!« 
»Poudini would be matching. After all, he escaped.

You don't have any idea how this happened, do you? I

wish you good luck with the auction,« she answers. She

is miffed. He managed to turn her birthday into

something like a party convention.

»Poudini is perfect! But I have a second wish.

Everyone here loves your gloves, you can see it with

your own eyes! Would you like to auction them?«

»I don't know, they saved my life after all. Besides, I

don't own them so long. I'm afraid I'm hanging too

much on them. Maybe another time.«

»Who loves, gives and receives.«

Peer doesn't feel happy about his poacher, who

realized the devious house hunting in the first place,

rising to speak. He battles so badly for Fiamma's

attention. His sarcastic way angers him. He jokes about 
his girl. Combining Fiamma's birthday with a house

hunting was Peer's idea. She ought to impress his rich

clients. The house hunt is an important hunting with a

comparatively young tradition, as young as the Apple

Tree cult itself. Bassam and his clumsy fuss jeopardize

his masterplan. Fiamma seems to like him and the way

he talks.

»One who truly loves does not need to be

attractive.« Peer smirks at his girlfriend but Fiamma

doesn't like this conversation.

Her social life depends on him. He has good

connections and that's why he is arrogant and calculable.

People trust him, he delivers good quality, which is not

self-evident in his business. Anyone can sell dead meat

but who guarantees the consumer that the animals

didn't die from an illness, which would lead to 
poisoning? Regarding the species they are ready to eat,

many meat lovers must lower their standards anyway.

Livestock breeding like in the old days, where a modest

property was good enough to simply raise some cattle,

sheep and chickens, doesn't exist anymore. Today,

animal breeding is subject to the state monopoly.

Therefore, breed animals are not the only animals

circulating on the plates. Especially the orthodox Apple

Tree cult dines aside industrial birth control

mechanisms. As long as it tastes and doesn't harm, the

sort of meat which finally lands on the plates doesn't

matter. Nobody is ready to make additional concessions

endangering their health and people like Peer profit

from it.

At least Bassam is not predictable, she thinks, but

arrogant, a young skilled poacher who is about to annoy 
one of his biggest clients.

»A heart tends to devote itself to sweet delusions.«

Peer is afraid of embarrassing himself in front of his

guests if he continues arguing with Bassam, he turns his

back. His deals are too important. He must focus on the

poodle auction now. Now, he won't be able to enjoy the

premiere of his new project, the auction of the spared

last victim. It will carry a bitter aftertaste and Bassam

will pay for it.

»I sincerely invite all my brothers and sisters to

participate at the auction. Here, lying at my feet, you can

see Poudini the poodle. As you can probably guess, he is

the chosen last one who survived the house hunting and

this is why he didn't land on our grill. Indeed, he fought

bravely. One thousand for our alpha leader! Who offers 
more?«

One elderly lady offers one thousand five hundred,

whereupon Fiamma offers two thousand. No matter at

what price, Fiamma is keen on finishing her hunt and

bagging the pet that slid between her fingers, as Bassam

pipes up.

»I offer three thousand.«

Peer ignores his offer and counts Fiamma's, whereat

one of her friends repeats Bassam's bid. As Fiamma

raises her offer, Bassam joins her. Five thousand,

Bassam's bid is now high enough not to be ignored.

»Look at him, he does it again! He is so

predictable,« Fiamma swishes in Peer's direction. She

stares at Bassam. He stares back. Good, unmissable for

him she raises her left hand and clenches her fist. She

smiles, they crackle. Her opponent bends from laughing.
Peer is observing their flirt. He is so jealous right

now, he can't think of anything else than revenge, but he

must focus on his running auction right now. He must

act professional. Thanks to one shabby poodle, he is

going to make a killing. It feels like he can possess

everything he desires, but to own Fiamma he must

remove his rival first.

»Ladies and Gentleman, we have five thousand,

who offers more? Can I hear six thousand?«

»You get ten, now give him to me!« How charmed

Bassam smiles at her, but Fiamma is far away from

allowing herself to get distracted right now. It was her

who begun the house hunt and only she can finish it,

whatever the cost.

Others offer and raise the bid. Before he is taken out

of the race, Bassam manages to offer one last bid. He is 
broke. For forty-five thousand, the poodle finally goes to

Fiamma. Her boyfriend would like to congratulate her

but she gives him the cold shoulder. She has been fooled

and bamboozled by him. She had to pay for her last

hunting victim, on her birthday! Tonight, she needs

distance from him. So she joins Bassam. From her shaky

glove, she tears down one beak. »Congrats, here is your

booby prize!«

»Poor pooch, I feel sorry for him. Lonely and alone,

he was bathing in the lagoon when I found him. If your

boyfriend hadn't offered me that much, I probably

would have kept him. Will you kill him?«

»Well, I need his skin. Poudini will be the collar of

my furry dream, so I must do it, sorry. But I will wait

until we arrive at home.«

»Anyway, thanks for the beak! I am going to make 
an amulet of it.«

»Splendid idea! This way you will think of me!«

»One way or another, you machine!«

Fiamma's birthday bash comes towards an ending.

The guests are leaving the mansion. Peer finally has a

clear head for his revenge plan. He chatters with one of

his kitchen aides. Before Bassam leaves the party, this

one pays a visit to his address, where he hides the

gnawed-off bones of the guests in Bassam's waste bin.

After he called his boss, Peer calls the police. Now, all

traces lead to Bassam. Very soon, Fiamma will belong to

nobody but him.

At home, Bassam is received by the uniformed. The

following body search promises nothing good. The 
officers find a segregated beak in his bag. It belongs to a

stork, that much is certain. The beak is scanned for

fingerprints, which lead the investigations to Fiamma.

The door rings next morning. Mrs Orizzonti opens.

Fiamma owns the officials an explanation, but the girl

didn't fall on her head. Her fingerprints on the beak, she

simply explains with a caress when the stork was still

alive. The body of evidence is poor, the police leaves.

The air becomes thin for her. A few days later, she

becomes paranoid and decides to let Poudini live, at

least until the dull feeling has gone. For now, her cozy

poodle collar must wait, but she still has her new cat

furs. »Hello, my beloved Maine-Coon collar!«
2

No other words describe the presence more accurately

than »Karma Transplantation«, which stands for a

handcraft and its evolution, beginning with tattooing,

piercing and branding, leading over scarifications,

pockets, cuttings, microdermals, female nullifications,

split tongues and implants to transgender

reassignments, inverted nipples and even further.

Reinventing oneself felt refreshing, or at least

pulling oneself out from the social contract that more

and more reminded one of a cheap pact with the devil.

Tattooing was one way to put a spoke in his wheel.
Getting a tattoo meant confronting oneself with

sorrows, fears and hope. A piece of body art used to be

regarded as salvation from the acknowledged evil, it

was the golden age of acknowledged self destruction. A

piece of body art was more than a gift to oneself, for

nothing less than one's true self was given. Who could

have imagined then where the journey of body cult

would end?

Naturally, thanks to unstoppable technological

progress, the world was developing. Pushed by a far

eastern inspired vegan revolution, Karma thinking took

over. The legal system began focussing on the character

of the crime, replacing jail with the body parts of

animals. Today, a convict still must serve time, but now

he can do it in freedom and on all fours.

The motto of this life-affirming generation is 
»renaissance«. What else may have influenced the vegan

turn? Renouncing meat was the key to a self discipline

all religions dream of, a genuine way of saying »Thank

you, dear God, for the life You gave us«.

It wasn't rebellious characteristics, which are

always opposing the lack of understanding of the

reactionaries, but heroic traits such as a strengthening of

the senses leading to a feeling of physical integrity and a

reason which allows us to say: it feels good! Unhinging

your true self, treating your body like a temple defines a

formula which even suspends gravity. Even years later,

our true self keeps having an impact on us. Such pure

and overwhelming things need their time to digest.

To be reborn as an animal, nobody needs to die.

Aged four years under arrest, the former poacher 
Bassam Novemberbaum still needs to be a little patient

though, namely for the verdict of the Karma judge. In a

few minutes, he will find out as which animal he will be

kind of born again. He alone is unable to envision the

character of his crime. What he knows is one thing: Even

if the operation is reversible, this is hardly claimed by

the prisoners. Nobody is enthusiastic about the

complicated surgery.

»The real punishment must be the vegan force

feeding. Today, everyone claims to be vegan but how

many of them really are?« There are a couple of

questions summing in Bassam's head right now.

»Dear Mr Novemberbaum, you do know why we

are here today,« and therewith the introverted question

time ends. Bassam's small world needs no more fantastic

answers. Violence is going to triumph over knowledge.
»An animal is a natural fruit. I touched no illegal

substances, your Honor.«

»Aside from poaching, you are subsequently

accused of consuming illegal food in daily repetitive

rites, which makes you co-responsible for the murder of

thousands of creatures. That's why you are here! A lot

has changed since you have been locked up and it still

does. By taking effect of the revolutionary Karma Law,

which protects the animals with the most effective

means imaginable, animals have been manifested as the

one and only legal currency. Apart from the meat black

market, dead they are officially worth nothing today. Mr

Novemberbaum, when did you begin delivering the

black market with poached animals?«

»I never...«

»You must know that the intake of animals, who are 
executed for this purpose only, has been abolished with

the Rights Of Life Treaty. You do know why?«

»Because it's tasteless like everything else you have

changed! Why else?!«

»Furthermore, we committed ourselves to abandon

nobody. Get this into your thick head, Mr

Novemberbaum! Everything we do is for charity.«

It smells fishy. When he was a free man, meat

consumption was still legal. There were only a few cults

which avoided the horrendous taxes by poaching. The

same cults today draw large audiences as their members

are not really vegans. However, his punishment includes

social work in form of spying activities. As a former

poacher, he will be a tool used for the preservation of the

Karma Society, as far as he was briefed by his fellow

inmates.
When technologically everything became

achievable, science altered into a circus ring. Hundreds

of recorded theories throughout history received

authenticity certifications, the excitation of the body

meets the spirit. Since from then on, we literally became

»theoretically« manipulable. Politicians had to react and

they did by sheltering the individual under the roof of

the subject. The standard Human Rights became

expanded. With the Vegan Vow, every single world

citizen signs the Rights Of Life Treaty and obliges to

neither eating animal fibre nor wearing it.

Before the revolution, a committee of scientists,

artists and science designers chose the energy-friendly

dharmic future model from a vast manege of magical

theories from the past. Sealed by technology, the Karma 
turnaround fell on fertile ground in the age of body cult.

The revolution was advertised. The Karma principle

turned a couple of unchallenged principles upside

down. While lifeless money became abolished with the

Karma Revolution, people and for the first time even

animals, the dangerous ones, still are able to corrupt the

finance system. With living animals as the only currency

which is secure against forgery, the rich and the

powerful today hoard the four-leggeds and those who

dare: their dead meat, which is worth gold on the black

market. On top of that, the puppies of God's blessed

Animals replaced the interests.

»On your way outside, you should not forget that

mankind committed itself to protect each other across all

species and that we become weaker with each 
discriminatory consumption. Today, our civilization

cannot forgo one single life. Soon, you will experience

with your very own body what it means being an

offender of your sort. You personally will stand up for

the weakest links in our civilization,« the judge

continues harshly as the accused needs to be prepared

for the traumatic operation, or rather the outlandish life

after.

»Defendant Novemberbaum, where did you poach

the forbidden fruits?«

»I can't remember, I was intoxicated, I am addicted

to meat! That's what you expect to hear from a poaching

demon like me, don't you?!«

»Would you like to wake up as a helpless kitten

tomorrow morning?«

»Maybe I can remember a little. You may know that 
stables and farms no more exist...« The accused tries to

win time, in fact he doesn't know more than his fellow

inmates told him.

»Why don't you tell me something new?«

»Instead, there are battery cages preventing the

animals from vandalizing the luxury properties of the

dealers.«

»We are already familiar with illegal breeding

facilities hidden in private homes. Tell me something I

don't know yet!«

»Did you ever see horses cooped up in a battery?«

»These images went around the world. The

perpetrators never have been caught. Where have you

when this happened?«

»I was already confined then! Please stick to the

facts, your Honor. Besides, I don't mind a cat skeleton.«
»You don't worry about that, Mr Novemberbaum,

woof.« The judge regrets his barking. He may have gone

too far but rules are rules and he is a servant of power

play. He clears his throat. »Are there any species you did

not eat in your life?«

»Meow!« Bassam strikes back. Dog or cat, to him it

makes no difference. He is not familiar with the

unwritten rule of Karma Transplantations, which are

carried out gendered. Tendentially, female criminals

tend to be operated into ponies, wildcats, gazelles and

seals, whereas male criminals are expected to receive the

organs of working-animal species. Self-sufficient species

leave a rather feminized impression on politicians.

»I ate them all!«

»You have been insatiable for many years. Your

crime will be classified under, you may have guessed it 
already, dog breeds. Are you familiar with the

consequences, Mr Novemberbaum?«

»After this farce?« The accused isn't in his best

shape. Moreover, in the post-revolutionary presence

there is no more need for attorneys, not to mention for

public prosecutors. Technical progress is expected to fill

all gaps in the chain of evidence and the Karma Courts,

even if it's only for the sake of power play, would like to

see their decisions seeped through divine dignity. In

Bassam's case, it's his acidic values revealing him. He

can't deny his old eating habits. But denial of guilt is not

his intention. The defendant shows remorse, only this

way this circus will come to an end. He wants to get out.

»I was obviously dealing with animals, they all looked

up to me, they trusted me blindly. Yeah, I regret.«

»Perfect! Do you have anything to add to your 
defense?«

»All the animals I ate... they died a natural dead,

of old age. I am no murderer!«

»Mr Novemberbaum, I will proceed with your

Karma. Your prison sentence shall be lifted. The Karma

Court's counseling already informed you in advance. As

a pooch, you will have plenty of time to reflect about

your crimes. We cannot accept the barbarian practice of

buying and selling dead meat. Mr Novemberbaum, I

don't care whether you are a right hander or not, your

Karma will be a dog transplantation. We are going to

transplant your ossa extremitas superior, more

specifically your ossa extremitas inferior, namely your

pars libera membri superioris and pars libera membri

inferioris, such as your cingulum membri superioris and

cingulum membri inferioris. Apart from this, you will 
spy for us, you will be useful in tracing menaced

animals in captivity. You know the black market like no

other, you delivered their restaurants with poached meat

for years. The spying ends with the liberation of the

quantity of animals you did consume in the course of

your live. In this case, no pleas are tolerated. Any more

questions?... I am asking the court wolves to take Mr

Novemberbaum to the court surgery... Ms Fiamma

Orizzonti, bring her to the hearing room!«

»Don't touch me, you stupid werewolves! Every

animal is treated with more respect than me... you must

really hate women!«

»Accused Fiamma Orizzonti, I can assure you that

everyone is treated the same here. I sincerely ask you,

out of respect for all vegans in this court, to take off your 
coat.«

While the judge rebukes Fiamma, Bassam can't

keep his eyes off her. She looks familiar to him. »This

looks fantastic on you! Why don't you keep it on,« he

shouts to her before he is carried out by the security

wolves. He is moved as he stares at this young girl, not

only because she's so cute but because he probably

knows more than her: her Karma.

»Claro,« and she gives him a wink.

»Stop it now! And make sure he gets the bonus

surgery! Miss Orizzonti, I assume you and the young

gentleman you were winking at know each other.«

»He looks familiar to me, maybe I do know him but

I don't remember.«

»I see, you don't remember, what else?! So you

want to deny your accomplice, although the bones our 
executive forces found in his garbage belong to the

animals your coat is made of?«

»What's a bonus surgery,« Fiamma asks scared.

»Don't worry about that. You will find out the next

time you run into him, at the latest. Miss Orizzonti, your

acid-value files look fantastic! You have been a loyal

vegan all your life. Indeed, you look gorgeous! Please

explain me, why are you a thorn in the side of our

society? How many live animals is such piece worth?«

»Four years ago, it was at least worth twenty

thousand. With today's life currency... three crocodiles,

about three hundred penguins, forty sparrows and five

trouts, your Honor.«

The judge, who's monthly salary is exactly fifty-five

owls, is impressed. »You can't act like this in the public

anymore, not without being caught. Many things have 
changed since you are jailed.«

»But I didn't know it was real fur! Furthermore, I

didn't know fur was illegal. I would be more than

grateful if you could enlighten me in this regard.«

»That's not possible! Every human signed the

Rights Of Life Treaty three years ago. Your Vegan Vow

has been recorded! Ignorance is no defense, young

lady!«

»You honor, I was already in detention when this

happened! I cannot be judged twice for the same thing! I

don't understand this circus here! The world belongs to

man! We are the ruling class, not the animals who are

playing games with us! Would the animals do the same

for us? Would they even protect us? Besides, you must

admit that I was advertising for them with my clothes. I

love animals!«
»You better admit that your relation to wildlife is

defined by a fatal love-hate relationship. You are accused

of hunting four years ago, along with the gentleman

who obviously likes your patchwork style.«

»At the very most, I am going to admit that the

social commitment you are representing enslaves the

animals for its own needs!«

»Silence! I can clearly see a pattern in your actions.

Just like a cat, you are more vain than stubborn. You

should know that our rulings are flawless and I will

immediately explain you why! In order to assign the

characters of the accused correctly, we judges literally

live in zoos. Since we know all animals inside out, we

are able to see through all of you! That's why I want you

to trust my decision. Maybe not today and maybe not

tomorrow but one day, I can promise you, you will 
appreciate my decision, like all of your predecessors do.

Even after the expiration of their penalties, they keep

their Karma Transplantations.«

»This will never happen! I was born a man and

that's the way I am going to die! Do you know what my

religion thinks of animals? They are perfect victims!«

»Miss Orizzonti, you were a member of the so

called »Apple Tree«. Your cult is responsible for the rise

of animal sacrifices. Your generation is possessed of

hunting! You are addicted to meat! Do you believe in

reincarnation, young Miss?«

»Reincarnation? No idea, whatever! We are the

children of the Apple Tree and nobody can touch us! Get

this in your head! All we want is the old hierarchy!«

»Miss Fiamma, I beg you, a fine girl like you and

politics? Why don't you feel free to take out your anger 
on trees and other plants? But the animals are sacred to

us! Doesn't a sweet girl like you love roses being

sacrificed for her? What do you want more from life?!«

In fact, Fiamma is a hot potato, hot for the judge.

Hardliners and terrorists still exist. Since the revolution,

they are especially keen on judges. Although the Apple

Tree movement isn't linked to terror groups directly but

rather embodies a retro-spiritual cult, the judge refers to

this issue only grudgingly.

»Do you know what's wrong? In the past, people

didn't need to hoard pets, neither were they responsible

for their well-being.«

»You think you have done your homework, little

girl.«

»Not quite, your Honor! Please, explain me who's

glorious idea it was to abuse those poor animals as 
currency.« Maybe unaware, Fiamma tries to prolong her

last moments in her human anatomy. She is very

talkative.

»Before you judge, did you know that our

leadership spared no efforts to protect the animals from

our citizens? Nobody had to pay for food anymore. All

food was free. But soon after the Rights Of Life Treaty

came into effect, the ungrateful mob began to poach

again.«

»This thing you are describing is called hunting in

my vocabulary.«

»That's a lie! Nobody became hungry again after

the global ban on hunting was introduced, not even the

animals!«

»Your Honor, you don't respect nature and you

don't trust the natural course of events, the wheel of life, 
the cycle of death...«

»I see where this will end. Would you like to wake

up as fish food?«

»How can this be possible? I'm at the end of the

food chain! And if it wasn't for this stupid revolution,

my species still would be there!«

»If you want to go on, we better continue with your

Karma.«

»But your Honor, you still owe me answers! I have

so many questions and you, you have an excellent

humor, sir!«

»Do you have any more serious questions before

we come to your Karma?« For the judge, it's no easy job

condemning such a tender creature with such a brutal

penalty, literally distorting her.

»Miss Orizzonti, always keep your head up and 
always remember: the glass is half full...«

»No, keep it to yourself!« If she only could stop the

time right now. The accused girl bursts into tears. One

tear says more than thousand words.

»I am the last one who would hurt a charming

young woman like you but I must curb your behavior. I

must stop you!«

»Not even in your dreams you can hurt me!«
3

»Where am I? Hey, I saw you on my birthday party! You

are the poacher who brought me here! All this happens

because of you! Only because of you we will die!«

»Oh no, all of this happens because you gave me

your stupid storksbill! Nothing of this happened if you

left me alone that night! They captured me only because

of you! Someone at your party betrayed me and this

someone was your lover!«

»What will they do with us?«

»The doctors will probably begin with our acidic

prints. What's your Karma?«
»I guess a kitten... I don't know, I've had a blackout

... oh God, it was pure panic! What's yours?«

»A dog. The zoologists are going to analyze our

acidic values later, to find the right cat breed for you and

the right dog for me. Maybe you will become a lioness

and me a rottweiler.«

»Wait a second! How can this happen? They sure

need to ask me before, or my mum, my dad! We are

talking about my life!«

»They do ask you actually, but indirectly. Based on

your pH level, the zoologists will predict your behavior

pattern, at least they believe they are capable to do so.«

»What the Hell! And you are not worried? We

should run! Why don't you help me?! I will give you

everything you want! I won't join this freak show!

Would you please untie me and get me out of here?! You 
sure have good friends who can help you!«

»I'm sorry, that's impossible. We are in the middle

of the court complex. But I will take care of you

afterwards. Let's stick together when this nightmare is

over!«

»I knew you can't help me!«

»Look, our future as humans we gambled away.

You better say goodbye to your arms and legs.«

Two zoologists are entering the court surgery. They

approach both prisoners who are lying chained on their

surgical tables. The pH checks are unwrapped and their

fingertips cleaned. With the sweat fingertips secrete, pH

values are checked which calculate the psycho-

zoologists the current feeling of the observed person. A

low pH level for example is being achieved by going 
through feelings of sorrow, horror, anger, concern, fear,

hatred and jealousy, whereas aggression and defensive

feels, happiness and peace raise our level. Hyperactivity,

as a result of an alkaline-burdened body, would be the

root cause of reckless, criminal behaviour.

The computers of today are so finely calibrated, that

those pH levels have already replaced keyboards.

Through a razor-thin layer of sweat, they calculate the

results of our memories translated into desires. A

computer is only roughly able to read our minds though.

The psycho-zoologists interpret feelings like

indifference, joy, pride, peace or love also in regard of

the animals which reflect the inner life of the accused.

One just needs to picture Fiamma, anatomically a

lioness, trying to integrate in our society: She certainly is

stubborn, which she proved during her trial. The fact 
that she prefers to display her sacrifices instead of eating

them defines one strong trait of hers: vain. This feature

lead to the judge's decision of transplanting her catlike.

For too long, she made use of one certain habit, which

would be taking without asking. In a lion, we can see a

headstrong but as well a foxy animal. His sense of justice

wouldn't harm Fiamma at all, regarding her miserable

handling of animals rights. She used a ruse when she

pretended she was clueless and innocent. This

underlines her mental relationship with lions. Both of

them are sneaky, what didn't help her on the judge's

bench though. All in all, for a cunning spirit like hers,

the paws of a lioness would be a perfect anatomical

complement.

»What do you think of pumas, Miss Orizzonti,« the 
zoologist asks.

Regardless of her worries, Fiamma feels flattered. »I

really don't know. How would this look on me?«

»Enchanting!«

»Do you really think so? Thanks! And if we get a

husky for you, we will have a fine date! Promise! But

perhaps you prefer a shepherd dog?« Fiamma realizes

that she is going to give up her habitual life after the

surgery, whether she likes it or not. She will be alone

when she wakes up the next time. The young lady

cannot begin early enough to set up her new life and

what speaks against starting over with a new

customized partner?

Peer wanted to visit her in jail many times, but she

never wanted to see him. She suspects him since a long

time. What he did to Bassam and indirectly to her is 
betrayal and that's unforgivable!

»Whatever you want, kitty cat, but I am afraid they

won't allow us to choose. It depends on our pH checks.«

Bassam seeks eye contact with the zoologists. One of

them checks his data and detects a comment signed by

the judge, who ordered the bonus surgery. His eyes

reveal Bassam that something is wrong.

»A rottweiler? Seriously? You sure come up with

something better!« His zoologist doesn't intend at all

enlightening Bassam about the bonus surgery. He would

find out soon enough.«

»Does this mean I do have a choice?«

»I beg you, take the husky! We would look so good

together!«

»But we won't get their furs transplanted, they just

swap our arms and legs.«
»I meant that only platonically.«

»You see? It's not that bad. In a few days, we will

feel newborn again and in exactly one year we will

laugh about it!«

»But will you stay with me until then?«

»We must take good care of us from now on. Who

else do we have?! We can't see our old friends again,

they would eat us up alive! Besides, I need to report a

couple of them to the judge, until I rescued enough

animals. Friends forever?«

»Mr Novemberbaum, now I need your fingerprint.

After, we will begin comparing your pH levels with the

characters of your favorite dogs. Please choose five dog

families.«

»Then let's take Fiamma's favorites first, the husky 
and the shepherd, add my bestie, the rottweiler... which

makes three so far.«

»I'm sorry, but your pH level is too low. Do you

want to hear my opinion?« The zoologist fears Bassam's

reaction when he finds out about the bonus surgery the

judge issued. To keep him under control, he has a more

harmless dog breed in mind.

»Bassam, from where do you know all these

things?«

»The Captain told me a few stories.«

»Really? You met the Captain? He was one of the

first running around like this. What did he do to become

transplanted?«

»You must mean someone else because the captain I

am talking about has the heart of a lion. His coyote 
bones have been implanted out of pure passion.«

»We are talking about the same person. Tell me

more! Does he really have the transplanted heart of a

lion? I only know him from stories. Everyone in jail talks

about him!«

»No, dummy, he has no transplanted lion heart! I

shared a cell with his sister. He visited her a couple of

times and we became friends. There's nothing more to

add.«

»You shared a cell with a woman? What a lucky

bastard you are!«

»The cells are assigned alphabetically, didn't you

know that?«

»You want to tell me that you are completely

innocent?«

»Did you know that he was a teacher at the military 
academy?«

»No, I did not know that, but I know that he is

responsible for the revolution. I don't think I like him.«

»I know what you mean. He's the sort of war hero

who never wanted to become one. Out of protest, he

replaced his locomotion system with an animal-like one.

He was the first of us and he was pretty celebrated by

the revolutionaries for this. They see a sort of martyr in

him. Our awkward situation right now, we actually owe

him.«

»What? Is this true?«

»Ask him if you don't believe me! He still lives in

the military academy, or rather in the schoolyard, in the

canalization underneath. Because he sympathized with

the Apple Tree, the academy kicked him out. He never

could leave his pupils. By the way, he is the only one 
who can eat meat without feeling dizzy or getting

artificial cancer. That's because he wasn't transplanted

here. At the same time, he is still too popular for the

courts. They don't dare to touch him because the Karma

supporters admire him for making their revolution.«

»That's too messed up! He can't please everyone!«

Soon, Fiamma will pass through the gates to a new

world. She heard stories of others who share her nearing

fate. From now on, she would be able to do things which

have always been denied to her. To get a picture, one

only needs to imagine her countless cats and dogs, her

countless new friends! She feels sorry for Bassam.

Difficult times are waiting for him. If he wants to fulfil

his mission, he must risk his life. Everyone hates traitors.

She needs to find a solution for him but now she is too 
tired to think and ponder about the unimaginable. Her

narcosis must have been induced, which means that they

already found a puma in her size at the zoological

cemetery, if not dug out already.

Bassam is still bargaining for his dog breed. The

psycho-zoologists added a golden retriever and a

dalmatian to his selection of rottweiler, shepherd and

husky. He isn't really enthusiastic about their selection

though. If he wants to overcome this phase of his life

with strengthened paws, he must act now, else he might

even lose the husky. After the surgery, he will be kicked

out into an alienated world. Strong paws and legs are a

must. Besides, he thinks nonstop of Fiamma. How

should he face a puma if not as a rottweiler, a shepherd

or at least as a husky? How should a golden retriever 
handle a puma?! There's only one way: he must

manipulate the pH check. He must pray and gain

confidence.

Bassam can't focus. Time works against him. The

zoologists will be back soon. There's not much time left

to raise his pH level. In such short time, he can be

thankful if he gets the husky. »Dear God, please take

care of Fiamma,« he begs.

Fiamma sleeps already as her puma bones arrive.

At least she is spared from this disturbing view. The

bones are being unpacked. The surgeon arranges the

puma's forelegs and hind legs next to Fiamma's arms

and legs. In the end, viewed from the bird's-eye view,

she must look like an eight-legged spider. The bones

seem to fit and are carried away by the lab technicians.

In order not to be rejected by Fiamma's body later, they 
only need to be prepared before becoming implanted

and the operation can begin.

Bassam is somehow sad about the fact that they

won't get furs transplanted. This way, nobody would

look down at them. Invisible for the society, they could

do everything they want. Nobody punishes animals for

stealing horses. They would live secluded in the forest. A

canalization like the Captain's choice is out of question.

Luckily, she and him have nobody outside who could

stop them from leaving. He begs God she won't go back

to Peer.

Emotionally, Bassam's pH level must be in an

acceptable range by now. His future, where he won't be

able to shake off battles, shall not turn upside down. As

a lapdog he would perish miserably. Everything

happens now. The more relaxed and satisfied he appears 
the higher chances are he gets the fat rottweiler, his best

answer to the world outside.
4

A selective transplantation is an organ transmission from

animal to man. This kind of »reincarnation« is basically a

discordant xenotransplantation of anatomical-

physiological nature between two species which are

related through some distant relationship, with regard to

the human locomotor system and its resemblance with

the animal's bones in structure and functioning. To spare

the transplanted bones from overworking in the new

bodies, the donor animal should not weigh less than its

human recipient. Since bones are rigid organs, the

lengths of legs and arms must be identical. The elastic 
tissues of muscles, tendons, blood vessels, cartilages and

nerves look somewhat different. After their curettement,

those will be remodelled and anchored on the animal's

bones.

Since the organ donors of Karma Transplantations

are actually cadavers which, in order to act politically

correct, died a natural death, the next step will be

building up new vital cell cultures on the freshly

unearthed bones. These may not show any fracture

points. But first, all adherent soft tissues, capsule rests

and joint cartilages must be scraped. For the case that

the convicts want to reverse the surgery after serving,

their removed bones will be conserved in the dry dessert

sand.
To avoid acute vascular, aggressive hyperacute, T-

cell-given or rather chronic rejections by the immune

system, Fiamma's and Bassam's cell cultures are

implanted in the dead musculoskeletal tissue, the limb

bones of the puma and husky. Otherwise, within few

minutes, the antibodies could warn the proteins of the

complement system against the antigenes of the alien

organism, which would come with following risk: the

antibodies attacking and irreversibly destroying the

transplanted organs. After all, one cannot assume that

the animalistic bone donor and his human recipient

share the same blood type. Vitalizing of bones takes an

average of two minutes to five hours, depending on

whether it's the toe bone or the thighbone of the

quadruped. The vitalizing of dead bones has another

advantage: There's no more need for the usage of 
external materials such as ivory, trabecular metal, which

has similar elasticity as bones, and cryogenically deep-

frozen or antibiotics-impregnated transplant bones.

Thus, organically and nearly infection free, the alien

bone connects with the gristles, chords and muscles of

the recipient.

Few vitalizing days and radiotherapies later, the

healing process of the extremities would be finished

already, including the adaptation of the new body

awareness. The patient won't be overrun by feels of

being backed by unfamiliar bones, by which primary

stability would be given. Yet, like newborn babies,

Fiamma and Bassam need to relearn to waddle, to

toddle, to paddle, to run and to jump again, on all four

legs.
But before, we are looking at a sliced hollow

sausage wherein, during her whole life, muscles, chords,

blood vessels and nerve tracts covered Fiamma's foot

armature. With generous cuts, the Karma surgeon

exposed her joints, whereby her musculature has been

peeled beneath her bone skin. To separate the flesh

completely with the bone attachment from the original

bone, the transection of the muscles is cautiously

avoided. This is done in consideration of the run of the

vessels and nerves nourishing the muscles. Later, these

tissues can grow together with the puma foot armature,

after being remodelled and resected as a whole at the

hinge ends. After inserting the bone levers, the surgeon

unfolds her joints with a gristle spoon and bone shears,

then finally removes the bones with chisels and a metal

hammer.
Next, Fiamma's arched knee-resection points and

her femoral-neck ends at the hips become adjusted to the

dimensions of the feline predator. Furthermore, to obtain

larger contact surface there, her acetabulum becomes

accordingly deepened with a ball cutter. Following the

grating of the femoral heads, her shoulders become

remodelled.

With the help of radiation, the separated soft parts

regrow in no time, after her limbs are brought into the

front- and rear-leg positions of the wildcat.

Similarly, the surgeon handles Fiamma's new paw

bones. Hand and foot musculature, as well as finger and

toe muscles become clearly resected, whereat the Karma

surgery makes a big deal about leaving the fingertips

intact. In order to observe the convicts over a worldwide 
ID system of cameras, the ability of leaving fingerprints

must be preserved. The two convicts won't get paws per

se, they get shrunken baby hands and feet, with the

necessary finger and toe tips replacing the last both

finger and toe phalanxes.

With the vitalization of fat tissue under the toe and

finger tips, the shock absorbing pads are build up. The

paw skin itself is being thickened to at least forty

thousand micro meters. In the end, it is fifty times

thicker than the remaining body skin. Galloping,

quadrupeds must carry x-times their weight on each

paw after all and one should consider that these animals

don't stop speeding in curves. By accelerating as well as

by braking, paws ply enormous velocities, without

getting footsore over time.
In order to avoid mutilations and disabilities,

preventing rachitic symptoms, such as deflections of

bones, muscular irritations, raised wrist joints, bandy

legs or other types of foot distortions, is highly

esteemed. Strived is an ideal form of the limbs, which is

accomplished by sensors. These control the correct axial

positions of the bones, the parallel runs of the bearing

areas and the proper positioning of the chords. Thus, not

only lubricity is maintained: in addition to a light

buckling of the axes, the tilting of the bearing area

would also lead to an arthrosis deformans.

But Fiamma has to fight a whole different battle.

Still on the operating table, she collapses abruptly. Her

body is clearly too tender for this kind of surgery. In fact,

she might die if she won't get a blood transfusion in

time. Nobody in the surgery loses the nerves though. 
Since the most complex operations are performed here,

Karma surgeries belong to the best surgical institutions

in the world. Fiamma will stabilize in no time.

After the peeled bone skin, the belonging muscles,

nerve tracts, blood vessels, gristles and chords have been

successfully stringed around the new bones, Fiamma's

surgeon goes under her subcutis, dermis and epidermis,

under her three skins. In order to cover the limbs

correctly and seamlessly at their ends, each layer of skin

belonging to arms, hands, legs and feet will be cut out

according to the new anatomy. Now, Fiamma is ready

for the secondary treatment. Here, all areas which

underwent hinge resections become fixed and the

duration decides how stiff or flexible the hinges are

allowed to be. Because the court wants control over the 
convicts, a minimal reinforcement would be appropriate.

By no means, the court wants to raise alpha leaders with

the penalty program. The convicts may be assigned for

dominant animals but in the end, they can only move

forward throttled. This is achieved by the correct set up

of unupholstered pressing power on the new joints,

causing minimal ossifications underneath a simple

plaster cast. If the same operation would be carried out

for the best possible results, like it's the case with the

coyote skeleton of the Captain which has been

transplanted in a private body art studio long before the

Karma turmoil, the agitating and massaging

physiotherapists achieved perfectly movable joints after

healing of the wounds.

The numerous resections of the musculature also

cause a change of the physiological muscle tension 
which means an additional aggravation of the joint

function, noticeable in the reduction of tension,

contraction ability and feat of strength.

Bassams surgery passes by very similar, only the

assembly of dog joints differs a bit from Fiamma's

wildcat interventions. While the limbs of a quadruped

bawl out when running, the muscles and chords shoot

up like a spring as soon as the feet leave the ground.

Thereby, trained dogs can run up to two hundred miles

per day without becoming seriously tired. Cat breeds,

which jump higher than dogs but run shorter distances,

have more expansion energy stored in their legs and this

is why Bassam's husky joints become less stiff than

Fiamma's, which is only a question of calibration.

Because of the judge's will, his surgery still continues.
The rips, spines, sacral bones, necks and heads of

the poor lambs are spared from surgery.
5

»Tell me, is it you... will you speak to me?! It's you!

How many tailless huskies are there running around like

you? I'm so glad you took the husky, but why did they

give you a fur? I want that too!« Fiamma throws over

her patchwork fur she made from the preys from her last

birthday party four years ago. Nothing else from her

wardrobe fits her anymore. Maybe out of a bad

conscience or maybe out of the fact that, apart from her

fur, none of her old clothes are useful now, the judge

returned her non-vegan piece of shame.

Bassam can only ruckle, he is tongue-tied. 
Unfortunately, the court paralyzed his vocal chords too.

He can't even bark in his condition. As a spy, he now

embodies perfection. Nobody can distinguish him from

a real husky anymore with his transplanted fur.

Desperately and heavy-handedly, he wiggles and

wobbles back and forth around Fiamma, as if he wanted

to tell her something but couldn't find the right words.

The two find themselves lying on a lawn belonging

to the zoologic park when they wake up. They still are

located at the Karma Court, where all other transplanted

convicts dwell. Outside on their own, they are unviable.

For many penalized delinquents, who are considered

free to go, the court complex is the last retreat. To stray,

many leave the area by night, only to come back by

dawn in order to relax all day. Many others don't dare to 
leave this place, not after all what happened behind

these hi-tech walls. Now that they are free, should

Fiamma and Bassam distance themselves from their

abusers or should they stay and allow them to feed

them?

»I'm sorry but we have to learn running on four

legs before we can leave this place. Do you understand?

Would you please say something or did the surgery

leave you speechless?«

Bassam jumps and jumps, due to his throttled

reflexes he finally lands on his belly, right after the third

leap.

»This means yes, no?«

Bobbed up, he jumps and jumps and jumps again.

His face may be furry, yet all his fur can't hide his

smile from Fiamma. Not too round and not too edgy, she 
recognizes his facial characteristics. From now on, they

will strive after joy and fun, they should make the best

out of it! The decision has been made: the most

appropriate thing to do would be taking it easy. If they

can survive the surgery of their nightmares, they can

easily survive the world outside the court and if there is

one thing that distinguishes them from all the others,

this would be the fact that they went through this

inferno of theoretic chaos altogether. In spite of

everything, they will find the way outside into a happy

life, on four legs if necessary.

»In the worst case, we are going to be transplanted

back one day. By then at the latest, all nightmares will be

over and in a few months we all will laugh about it,

together with our families and friends.«
Fiamma too tries to relearn the tricky thing. Up and

down, slowly but steady her new legs become the center

of her attention. Even her first jump is higher than

Bassam's. With his paws, he brings her back on earth

and suddenly he tries to bite her ear. She realizes where

this should lead. »As a man you never dared...«

Because of his inability to communicate verbally,

Bassam is totally feeling the animal. She feels sorry for

him, at the same time she envies him for his natural pelt.

The first thing she will do as soon as she masters her legs

is running home and browsing her wardrobe. Maybe

there still can be found something more suitable and

more convenient. If not, she is a true vegan after all, so

she has a free ride to wear fur and a figure like a puma,

what, against her expectations, feels not really

unattractive. She would foster her puma look from now 
on, with blackish, slung on furs. Why shouldn't her

people like her anymore, let alone love her?!

Fiamma teaches Bassam about her plan to lope

home as soon as they gain control over their paws. Only

in her own park they can be unobserved. Cheerfully,

Bassam jumps up and down, he says yeah. She copies

him and very soon overtakes him again in altitude. With

doglike gestures, he challenges her and suddenly runs

away. She must follow him. Only little accelerating steps

later, both fall over their legs again, rolling over the

meadow.

»I like it how you oink.«

They die of laughing, or in Bassam's case of

oinking.
Two frolic days of romping pass before Fiamma

knocks at home. Her mum opens. Her parents, eternal

tourists living in the holiday destination they fell in love

with, are already sick of worrying. Bassam, her

companion in full husky uniform, is not noticed at all. So

she introduces the young Mr Novemberbaum herself,

explaining in few words why he can't answer.

Back in her old room, the single child of the family

argues with her mother while browsing her old

wardrobe. The main issue is Fiamma's future. The young

lady, who has been separated from her family with

seventeen years, wants to enjoy the pleasant life of

grown-ups. She is easygoing, posing delicately in front

of the mirror and checking her new legs. Her mum is

asked for advice. »Mum, what do you think? Your eyes 
nearly fell out when you saw him, or should I say ogled

him? How do you like his fur? Shouldn't I have one

too?«

»Don't be a fool! As far as your father and I have

been informed, you got away with one year only. Today

in one year, you could be standing on both of your legs

again, here in your room! I don't think this discussion

leads to somewhere and to be honest, I love your coat

look. It covers you everywhere, but please do me a favor

and take the fake ones from your grandmother. Stay

safe, my girl!«

»You don't worry! They can't punish me twice for

the same crime. I am a martyr now!«

»Don't be stupid!«

»It's true! Do you have any idea what it looks like

inside of me?«
»Darling, each of us is carrying one or two crosses.

You are not alone in this world!«

»You just can't understand me because you are not

my real mum anymore! My real mum gave birth to the

puma which is holding me on its paws right now! Where

have you been when they did this to me?!«

»What could we have done?! Please don't be mean

... Why on earth did you have to wear real fur?! Didn't

we warn you?«

»I know what I did. I have nothing to hide! As you

see, I bear the consequences. Hopefully, you and dad can

do it too.«

»Baby, you and your boyfriend must be starving!

When was the last time you ate something decent? Let

me prepare your favorite meal for you!«

»Rose salad? Mum, you are the best! Just let me 
search a little more! Where is my big hunting bag? I need

all my furs!«

It's dinner time. Everyone must sit and eat on the

table, including the wildcat and the husky, who for the

first time become familiar with crouching on chairs and

bending over their dishes. Both of them have no real

fingers and hands anymore to lead the silverware into

their mouths. The meal is simply eaten directly, with the

paws. Real cats and dogs wouldn't do it differently.

Soon, both are exhausted though. They take a break and

look deep into each other's eyes. They leave the table.

Fiamma's parents begin to recognize how valuable

Bassam might be for their daughter in her current

situation.
At night, Fiamma takes Bassam to their park where

the life savings of her family gather around the guests.

Fiamma's poodle Poudini is barking and running

towards her. With her left paw, she hurls him on a bush,

he brings back too many bad memories. She runs

towards her friend. »We must learn to hunt or we will

never make it out of this town! Vegan or not, I don't care

anymore, I don't care what the surgeons did to my taste

buds! From now on, I will eat real meat like a real puma.

This is maybe the best thing that ever happened to me

and I have to learn it, we both must learn to master our

bodies!«

Whatever they do, both of them are incapable. They

will never catch an animal. If not too slowly, they tumble

over their own paws as they trie to hunt Poudini. They 
remain lying.

»Good bye, sinful life... looks like we have to

starve through the night... I wish you could talk, keep

smiling though... Do you know how big my herd of

cattle is? For a bouquet of six, we can fix your vocal

chords! It won't cost more. A friend of mine owns a body

art studio. She will help us and maybe I will try a fur

too. It would nearly look like yours, only in black.«

Right on the spot where they fell down, they slowly

fall asleep.

»We should reconnect with our old lives or we will

have to hang out with all these animals here! Let's visit

some old friends today!«

Her mum brings something for breakfast. When

Fiamma bites into a tofu leg, it's her first time she tastes 
chicken. She drops it and tumbles back. »I did it, I broke

my Vegan Vow!«

Standing on his hind legs, Bassam applauds

sarcastically.

»Slow down, I'm not like you! We both know that's

not real meat. I don't even like the taste of it. Come on,

let's go!« Bassam rushes, Fiamma runs after him. »Not so

fast, where are you running?«

He signalizes with his head to follow him. He

wants home and there is no other way he can tell it to

her.

While running, both realize something has

changed. They became faster.

At home, Bassam activates his window in writing

mode. He received a message from the judge.
»Good morning, Mr Novemberbaum, and

congratulations to your rebirth! How do you feel today?

I just wanted to remind you of your job. Allow me to

give you an advice: The bigger the fish you deliver the

more animals we can free. Your penalty could already

expire in a few months and we would make a man of

you again, if that's still the thing you desire afterwards.

So choose wisely. For security reasons, we will follow

you...«

A young man like Bassam is already familiar with

the hidden technology behind webcams coupled to

micro-projectors which, once casted in glass, can project

a touchscreen similar to the smartphones from the old

days. Back then, you had to carry the device all the way

with you in order to be able to communicate. Today, one

can log in or switch on the casted software simply by the 
sweat the fingertips secrete. However, as soon as the

fingerprints of someone of interest become scanned, the

software goes online from alone. Not only in closed

rooms but also outside, these lenses are able to observe

monitored subjects worldwide. Today, no other glass is

casted.

Assuming Fiamma and Bassam wanted to escape,

how far could they go without passing one single

window, let alone one single piece of glass? Nobody

would find them in the woods, but how should they get

there?

»We will visit you as soon as you mastered your

new limbs. And don't inform anyone about your

targets!«

Bassam, who expects answers from the last place he

visited on two legs, is ready to take revenge.
When Fiamma arrives a little later, she reads that he

wants to talk. »Okay,« she answers exhausted.

»They will come and get me. Our judge messaged

me.«

»When?«

»As soon as I mastered my new paws, he didn't tell

me more.«

»Do you really want to do it? You could never

betray someone!«

»Can't you put yourself in my place?! I have do it,

for us! The judge would never leave me alone anymore.

Unlike you, I need to do more than just waiting for one

year to pass in order to be a free man again. I must

deliver and I will find someone, don't worry! The meat

business is still lucrative. According to the judge, the 
restaurant owners from hence are still operating, but

today they sell exclusively to the black market.«

»But I don't know if I can love a traitor... be

careful! Some dealers are very dangerous, they use

handymen for the dirty work. You and me are the best

examples for what can go wrong.«

»The bigger the fish, the sooner I will be free. No

more worries! As you can see, I am perfectly

camouflaged!«

»Hey baby, we are talking again!«

Fiamma calls her old friends from the cult. They

want to gather in a park tonight to hunt and sacrifice.

Both are invited. For Bassam, this is be the perfect

occasion to train.
The two hit the road again. Fiamma is wearing

black like the night. On the way, new speed records are

being set, it's time to leave the pavement and to hit the

roadway. Bassam allows Fiamma to overtake him and

vice versa. Only she knows the way.

She is very nervous since she talked to her old

friends, it was the first time since a very long time. She

wants to give herself as human as possible, like the cult

remembers her, but her changes she cannot hide.

»There's nothing wrong in affirming the inner animal.

Everyone likes animals. Although they treat them so

badly, deep inside their hearts they are good people...

After all, our religion invented friendship,« she assures

herself. She is a little scared, she was away for years.

»Bassam, you need training! Tonight, we will hunt

ourselves!«
Fiamma's old friend Tess greets and welcomes the

couple at the gate. They didn't see each other for years.

What follows is a short hug, a formal and polite one.

»Oh no, we were so worried it would end like this,

sister Fiamma, we are so sorry!«

»Sister Tess, what's done cannot be undone. I

missed you so much! Where are all the others?«

»We rescheduled. Tonight, we will hunt in the

antique soccer stadium.«

»Of all things there? Who's idea was this? Are there

even animals at this place?«

»Yeah, stray dogs and cats! We didn't plan a big

hunt. One or two animals will be enough. We want to

focus on the sacrificial part tonight, it will be like a real

ritual.«
»I did not know this side of you vultures exists.

Great idea, sis!« Fear comes up, Fiamma doesn't really

trust her. She is afraid she and her boyfriend might end

up on the altar grill, or on an apple tree, crucified.

»Yeah, isn't this great?!«

»Come on, jump up on my back!«

»Girl, you can't be serious! What does this look

like?!«

»You aren't afraid, are you, sweet? Come on, it's

dark already, nobody can see us! Bassam, would you

take my rucksack?«

»Unbelievable! Is this Bassam Novemberbaum?«

»Do you know him?«

»It's been a while. Why so silent?«

»He's mute, the court has no mercy.«

»Oh dear... but I like his fur, it looks so fluffy and 
cosy!«

»Sorry, you are too late.«

»You are together? That's so cute!«

»Yeah, we are boy and girl.«

»But I might be too heavy for you. Let's walk!«

»Don't be foolish! Jump on my back, girl,« and they

are finally riding.

»Tell me, who else came?«

»Everyone who's still active. After we heard about

you, nobody could say no. It will be like in the good old

days!«

Fiamma asks herself what they want from her. How

could she become an enemy of the Apple Tree? Is it

because of her transplantation, is she the perfect victim

now? Her friends won't be that heartless to her, will

they? She has to play safe and she should discreetly 
warn Bassam. No mistakes are allowed tonight, this

means no more stumbling over their own legs.

As the three roll in, the clique already awaits them.

The local fraction of the cult appears to have

significantly shrunken. Back then, when Fiamma

reigned, the cult counted at least three times more

members. Fiamma is curious about the new leader who

replaced her. Callas greets the new arrivals, Fiamma has

no more questions.

»Tell me, why did you want to see us, sister

Fiamma?«

»What do you mean with why, sister Callas, or

should I call you Queen Callas now?«

»Queen Callas is correct. I had to pay a high price

... but paid is paid.« Callas removes her eyepatch. She 
was disciplined by Fiamma's loyals for taking Fiamma's

crown four years ago.

»Did you tell them our secret?«

»What question is this?! They weren't even

interested! Why didn't you come to my trial?«

»What about the husky? Is he a bloodhound?«

»No, this is supposed to be Bassam

Novemberbaum. He can't speak any more, my queen.«

»Tess is speaking the truth. He belongs to me...

and of all places you want to hunt here?« Fiamma seeks

eye contact with Bassam, she should inform him about

her suspicion.

»Don't you remember what we are hunting? We

seek the truth, manifesting itself in the innards of fire,

wind, earth and water.«

»That's not my cup of coffee, I am vegan, don't you 
remember?«

»Okay, tell me more!«

»Bassam, run! This is a trap! They want to grill us!«

»Fiamma, wait!«

The group is left behind, both are running. »We

must attack them from two fronts,« Fiamma shouts to

Bassam before their ways separate.«

»Sister Tess, what have we done? We just wanted to

scare them!«

»I don't know what went wrong. Did you see her

paws? I am getting a little nervous.«

»We should catch them and talk to them, they must

calm down!«

»Kids, you heard your queen! We need them alive!

Grab some stones and split in groups of three!«
Fiamma is raging. She was their leader for years

and all of a sudden, everything is gone. And now, she

became the hunted. But why?! She didn't betray her

friends, why does nobody believe her?

Bassam wakes up on the back of a human spine

which is hopping on horse knuckles and is accompanied

by two werewolves, guards with transplanted

extremities of wolves, guards consisting of convicts who

were exclusively charged of acts of revenge, crimes

which are perceived clean from impurities by the

system.

Bassam still remembers Fiamma's last words: »Let's

attack them from two fronts!« Then their ways separated

and he lost conscience. Now she is alone while he is 
probably being dragged to the court. »Damn, where do

you bring me? They will harm her! We must save her,«

he is shouting inside his head.

»The judge sent us. He wanted to help you out, you

are very important to him. We are going to have a small

briefing now. This will be your first job. In your interest,

I hope you have chosen a target object.«

In the stadium, Fiamma was able to advance a bit

but armed with stones and rocks, one group of three

already traced her. Fiamma counts on Bassam's support

from behind as she turns around and jumps onto the

group. Instead, she is showered with rocks. She better

ducked. Unfortunately, she reared up like a tree. Her old

friends hit her head and breast.

When she opens her eyes again, her paws look in 
all directions. Slowly, she revives as she is crouching

wounded on the soil. Callas approaches.

»I am so sorry! But why did you have to run

away?«

»Callas, let me give you a good advice. Always

strive for excellence! Be a queen you cannot steal from!«

»I am the queen of the hearts, as you were before

me. Everything I know I learned from you and to you I

will be forever thankful. But please, look at you! Sister,

you are no human anymore, you have no soul! Your time

is over, bitch!«

»My time just began! I am Fiamma Orizzonti, I am

back, I'm a puma,« and she elopes.

»Bassam, can you hear me? Are you fine? Where

have you been when I needed you? I must sit down, I'm 
hit. My head is spinning, everything is spinning so,« she

shouts a little later into the forest behind the antique

soccer stadium.

Riding on the back of the guard, Bassam must

cooperate. In writing mode, he participates in the

planing of the operation and finally leaves the rest of the

team, after being carried to a crossing. He has been

brought to Peer's neighborhood. When he arrives, he

would dig into the meat dealer's park, break into his

mansion, count all the animals meant to die and contact

the guard. After all, this place could make a free man of

him again. Maybe he will hit the jackpot here,

everything he needs to start over with Fiamma. Bassam

did not forget that until recently, his flame has been in

danger, she still may be. But perhaps, she somehow got 
along with her old clique and is now waiting for him at

the soccer field. Anyway, he can't imagine her old

friends touched her seriously, let alone hurt her. She

should be fine when he gets back to her after finishing

his job. And he arrives at his mansion, »Salmonellus« is

written on the shield.

Salmonellus, who tried to visit Fiamma in prison

many times, could never forgive himself. Initially, only

Bassam had to go but in the end everything came

different. He nearly lost his mind when he found out

about her puma transplantation. He destroyed her

future, her humanity, her life. In his eyes, he destroyed

her beauty.

When he found out about her sentence, he first felt

satisfaction. It was her who didn't want to auction her 
idiotic beak gloves on her birthday party. It could have

landed somewhere else than in Bassam's bag, he has

seen it with his own eyes. That's destiny, he initially

believed, it can't be coincidence, it can't be a mistake. But

she means more to him and today, years later, he drowns

his pain in alcohol, death meditations, hunting and

butchering.

Veiled by the night, Bassam encroaches from tree to

tree. The habitants of the park, the capital coming from

Peer's black-market deals, already accepted the perfectly

camouflaged husky. They let him pass. The metallic

veranda door is open. All he needs to do is walking in

and counting the fatted animals downstairs who are

waiting to die. The basement animals are none of the

law's business, that's why Salmonellus breeds them 
downstairs where no windows are built in. No camera,

no Karma. There, Bassam will be invisible too. The

guard can't trace him downstairs.

One floor deeper, there's nothing new to see. He is

standing in front of closed doors where oversized

battery cages are stacked behind. These have been

designed for the industrial indoor farming of midsize

animals. Cats belong to the smallest animal families

landing in such cages, elephants to the biggest ones.

One open door looks very inviting, inviting Bassam

to abruptly end his yearlong abstinence from meat. So he

enters the butchering room. There's even booze standing

on the worktable. With his left paw, he knocks over the

porcelain bottle, which has been casted in porcelain only

to prevent cameras from being added. Peer's drinking

habit could see and reveal its environment otherwise. 
Bassam slurps the puddles in rum favor from the table

and the floor. As drunken as he is, he gobbles up the raw

steaks. Because of the alcohol neutralizing his vegan-

calibrated taste buds, he is able to swallow meat again

for a short, drunken period of time. Guessing the meat is

no rocket science for him: dog meat from pug and bull

terrier. Thanks to the rum, Bassam is able to cram his

tummy. Now he can visit the remaining battery rooms

and begin with counting.

He enters the room next door where he encounters

eight batteries inhabited by dogs. The corridor light

suddenly goes on. Panic-stricken, Bassam shuts the door.

Timely, he manages to switch off the light. All those

years in prison couldn't darken his memory: it's

Salmonellus. In a conversation which sounds like a

monologue, Fiamma's name is repeated relentlessly. 
Bassam is curious, he is tempted to narrowly open the

door.

Out of the traitor's mouth, he shall hear nothing but

the truth. The rum is strong and his stomach is filled

with uncooked dog meat though. Numb and

intoxicated, he falls asleep on the concrete floor.

Meanwhile, Salmonellus is still occupied Fiamma

and Bassam, the products of his emotionally blurred

imagination. He is too occupied to notice the fallen

porcelain bottle and too occupied to miss his precious

dog steaks. His bad conscience doesn't allow his

imaginary friends to leave him. Without becoming

suspicious, he grabs the fallen bottle, empties it and

hums a melody. Glued on his barstool belonging to the

butcher table, he finally nods off.
It's already dawning when Fiamma wakes up.

Bassam would have been back, he would have found

her from alone if he was okay. He would never leave her

alone. Did she fool herself believing in him? No, either

the fake queen must have caught him or the Vegan

Guard, she concludes.

She has bumps on her head and her ribs hurt,

making it difficult to breathe. Maybe he was taken to his

spying job, she remembers. Where they saw each other

for the last time, in the wood behind the stadium, she

will wait for him. Meanwhile, she would live from

mushrooms nature offers her, bananas and berries.

Bassam is still sleeping deep and tight when

Salmonellus opens his eyes next morning. Something is 
strange with his scale, the dog steaks are gone. He

suspects the animals. They probably broke out from

their batteries and grabbed them. The last time this

happened in his house, he remembers, the mini-llamas

opened the refrigerator he forgot to shut. They emptied

it before his girl was able to kill them. Anyway, first off

he needs a refreshing jump into the pool. The animals

are forgiven, thanks to them he was thinking of Fiamma

again and the good old days, when his world was still

intact.

He enters the room with the dog batteries. Bassam

is still unconscious, lying on the floor. He puked. Under

his blackish-white fur, Peer is not able to recognize him.

He lifts him. The husky lands inside a battery.
Bassam awakens. Despite his murderous hungover,

he recalls what he heard last night. Did Salmonellus

really manage to separate him from Fiamma in the end?

Where is his damn voice, where is the guard, where the

Hell is Fiamma, his only friend outside there? What is he

doing here? Too many questions underlining his

helplessness are buzzing in his head and all he can do is

scratching with his claws on the battery grid. His fellow

inmates, all nine of them, gather together. To make

matters worse, they want to sniff their new comrade, the

only dog without tail.

The next day, Fiamma somehow manages to keep

her head up, waiting for Bassam's return in the little

forest behind the antique soccer stadium.

The days are passing in vain. It's the wild animals 
from the forest who provide the yearning girl solace. Her

fur, Fiamma theses days only puts on to sleep. She

doesn't feel like acting artificial in front of all these

rabbits, coyotes, iguanas, wild pigs, settled roe deers and

monkeys. She still respects the real wildcats. As a

wildcat, she's still an amateur. She would be too weak

for a turf war. What she needs now are friends, even

when those tempt her to eat meat, which they keep

hunting and laying to her feet, but how should they

know better?

The colorless coyote reminds her of Bassam. She

already has an idea where he could be. Is it possible that

he broke in at Peer's place? Is it possible that he seeks

revenge? She would welcome it of course, but basically

it's wrong. In her opinion, everybody lost interest in

Judas after he betrayed the Messiah. Too bad that it's too 
late to prove her theory. All women should stay away

from her ex, who betrayed her like Judas, but not out of

jealousy, rather out of genuine hate. Bassam isn't that

stupid. He was a member of Apple Tree. »I bet he didn't

do it and now he is in trouble,« she assures the coyote.

Bassam indeed didn't make it that far. Instead, he is

forced to count the animals in the neighboring batteries,

how they get fewer and fewer. He is forced to listen how

they become slaughtered alive and he must wait until

he's next. Eating vegan dog food is the only things he is

able to do in his battery. He can't even pray in such a

dirty place! It's hopeless.

His flame can't stay inactive any longer. She waited

in the forest for over one week and she couldn't forget 
him. Fiamma is determined to find Bassam. Unaware

about her boyfriend's situation, she throws her fur over

her shoulders and crawls back to civilization, to Peer's

place. She's strolling reflectively. She is aware that Peer

would never admit holding her new love hostage, he

would never recognize him under his fur, and

furthermore, he is voiceless. So she has to visit him, even

though he is the last person she wants to see. With firm

steps, she will mentally prepare herself for the

confrontation with her backstabber.

She has a plan: Fiamma must spend the night at his

place. So she is going to ring his bell in order to bluntly

fall into his arms, the rest will follow from alone. Would

he want something from her in this situation?

Guaranteed! She may be strolling innocently but she still

recognizes the horny looks of the men. Some of them are 
even purring. Apart from her sense of time, Fiamma is

obviously well prepared to save Bassam.

Pondering, she arrives by the hills of his

neighborhood. She can't believe her eyes. Where have all

the buildings gone? Only few were lucky enough to

keep their homes, which had to make space for the parks

housing all the privately owned animals, and one of

them might be her diligent ex Peer. The not-so-rich

simply have been resettled inland, where it's cheaper.

Everywhere happened the same when the animals

became the currency: the wealthier the person, family,

corporate or institution, the bigger the property. Today,

all urban centers look like farms, with parks instead of

fields, not really ugly.

It's dawning. Fiamma looks forward to finally come

across Peer's mansion instead of another park.
She arrives and rings the door. Peer can't believe his

eyes. She is standing right in front of him, his last love,

the one who still makes him sink in thoughts.

»All these days I was thinking of you, why didn't

you allow me to visit you?«

»Slow down, please! I had to be alone back then.

But now I need you, will you help me? There's nowhere

left I can go! Even my family gave up on me, these

losers!«

»Of course you can stay, but you must promise me

to never ever talk like this about your family again!«

Peer asks himself whether she ever met his poacher in

prison, the one who landed there because of him. To

make no mistakes, he will simply remain silent about

those times, no mentioning of names and no regrets. 
»Let's go inside then you can tell me everything in a

relaxed atmosphere.«

Fiamma already knows what he wants to find out

but she is far away from acknowledging his betrayal

with an answer. Instead, she goes straight to the bar. Her

plan is to put him under influence. This way, she can

search his home for her missing husky. She is well

prepared. Still in the woods, she made some

arrangements. She collected poisonous mushrooms.

They won't kill at low doses, they will only knock him

out. As she alone was unable identifying them, she

decided to pick the mushrooms her animal friends didn't

touch when she tested them with her improvised salad

creations. Mixing little pieces of the strong ones into his

drinks should give her enough time to find Bassam.

»You better prepare your stomach for a long night, 
big boy!«

»Same for you, you beast!«

»I'm a real animal, is this what you want?«

»Roarrr!«

»Then make me a martini, now!« Fiamma can

hardly hold a glass, leave alone mix a drink. At one

blow, she understands the full extent of her Karma

penalty. She can't use the simplest manmade things

anymore. She is missing her cell right now, at least she

was still intact there. Peer rushes to make her the drink.

»The people call me Salmonellus now. You know

what this means! I am the biggest player here. The only

thing I need is a queen by my side. If you stay with me,

you won't miss anything! You will be served day and

night, you will forget that they made an animal out of

you! By my side, you can be a human again, happy 
again...«

»Oh really?« Charmingly, she embraces him and

with sweet talk she blocks his view. She grabs a

mushroom from her pocket. With her little baby fingers,

she rubs it into his drink.

»What do you want?«

»Where is my straw?«

»Forgive me, my queen.«

»Say cheers!«

»How do you feel,« Fiamma asks him a little later.

»I can see the future, I can see us... I have never

seen everything so clear! Now that you came back, truth

exists...«

This was the wrong mushroom. »Would you make

us new drinks? I'm so thirsty, I am dying!«
»Your wish is my command. Do you want another

martini?«

»Nobody knows me like you, my man.«

»Take off your fur now! Or are you hiding

something from me? You can't hide anything from me!«

»First the drinks! Don't be so impatient! The night is

still young.«

»Show me all you have! I want to see your

horsepower,« and he's about to touch her. Salmonellus

wants to pull down her fur coat but Fiamma knows to

defend herself. With the empty glass in her right paw,

she knocks him out. To make sure he doesn't wake up to

soon, she stuffs all remaining mushrooms into his

mouth. She will need her time to find her husky in his

huge mansion and to be honest, her ex deserves a solid

horror trip. Even if he can't swallow at the moment lying 
knocked out on the floor, his mouth mucosa is going to

absorb the toxic substance soon enough, allowing

Fiamma to search all night for Bassam. The odds are

high her ex is listed on the Vegan Guard's hit list, she can

do easily without being his queen. In the end, she came

to find her true love.

Walking in the hallways of the mansion, Fiamma

remembers what happened here four years ago, what

she has done and who was there for her when she was

hurt in the forest, after her friends hurled rocks at her.

Now she sees the whole picture. Her attitude towards

animals must change. Fiamma comes to a decision.

Before the guard will do it and before Bassam is urged to

deliver someone, she will do it, she will free the doomed

animals on her own account. After all, she owes them.
Peer's ex knows where to find the batteries.

Arriving downstairs, she shouts Bassam's name. What

follows is an uproar of howling, barking, woofing and

scratching on metal.

Fiamma already has an idea how to invest the

freed, or stolen, animals. She would finance Bassam's

surgery to bring back his voice, if he only was here! So

she scours all rooms, battery for battery... and jackpot:

no other dog acts this way! Who is waiving from the

huge dog battery?! Immediately, she unlocks it. Finally,

she is holding his paws again. All dogs are flowing

outside, dancing and jumping around the wildcat who

released them from death row.

They run upstairs to the bar where Salmonellus still

lies on the ground. He already threw up and is shaking

like a retard at the moment. Bassam discovered the 
porcelain bottles. He knocks them over. The smell of the

toxic brew of martini, tequilla and vodka reminds him of

his last mistake though. He passes. Behind the bar, on

the mirror touchscreen, he chats with his cute savior.

»Give me one reason why this bastard should stay

alive!«

»I don't know, does the Vegan Guard know that you

are here?«

»Now they do, they scanned my fingerprints from

our chat.«

»Now you have a reason. I will tell you what we do

instead. My friend owns this body art studio where we

can fix your vocal chords for Peer's animals. We need to

hurry! We must finish before the Guard arrives! And you

will report nobody! I love you! Don't destroy it!«

»But...«
»We have only one problem. We can't drive the

animals, not with our paws. She must come and pick us

up.«

»Why don't you message her?«

»Help me hiding Peer first, before she asks stupid

questions.«

A couple of hours later, the couple and the freed, or

stolen, battery animals are cruising in the transporter of

Fiamma's friend Alessia, heading for her studio.

»I wanted to tell you inside but the animals were so

restless: You two are such a lovely couple! And this

artwork! May I ask who operated you?«

»Thanks! You better don't ask. It was Karma, the

court messed us up.«

»Did I hear right? You want me to rebuild his vocal 
chords? I'm afraid I have no authorization to help you.«

»Alessia, we are friends for how long now? You

must do it! Do you have any idea how many animals we

just loaded on your transporter? You can have all of

them, just do us this small favor!«

»My dear friend, I can impossibly treat someone

with a transplantation coming from the Karma Court, I

am not stupid! I can't help you, sorry.«

»We will find someone else if you don't do it! Please

bring us home now!«

»You should really ask another studio. I think it's

better I bring you back to where I picked you up.«

»No, you bring us to my place!«

»You know what, I don't trust you! Did you steal all

these animals? Please get off my transporter!«

»Don't do this, please! They are all mine!«
»I hope huskies are good sheepdogs. Where should

we bring the animals? Your place or mine? It's not

exactly a fortune but it's not less either.«

Fiamma receives a poke.

»Okay, to my place, which would be closer and our

garden is bigger too.«

The herd of about one hundred quadrupeds, cats,

dogs, crocodiles, goats and antelopes is walking on the

empty, dark road. It's late already.

A transporter drives by and stops. The judge steps

out followed by two werewolves. »Load the animals,«

he commands. »And you two, hop in!«

Having taken seat in the transporter, the judge

shows his friendly face today. His convicts, he treats like 
his guests.

»Mr Novemberbaum, I am going to be honest. We

have big plans with you. We won't hurt you, we may

push you to the limit but we will protect you.«

»What are you going to do with him? The last time

he served you, he nearly became chopped into pieces.

Would you look at this poor animals, your Honor, how

they are shaking...«

»Please, calm down! Miss Orizzonti, we are in the

same boat. Bassam is very valuable for us, just like he is

for you, if not more. This is all about our future, Mr

Novemberbaum is the key to it.«

»Now I'm curious!«

»I will explain it to you but you are going to keep

our secret for you. We are the law and we won't be able

to protect you or your families if you open your mouth. I 
hope that's clear enough. But don't worry, you are going

to say yes anyway.«

»I'm hearing.«

»You both probably know the reason behind God's

Success, how simple farmers embraced His Messenger

Jesus, how Christianity was born and became what it

has been in its best days.«

»Yeah, Jesus was the reason! He was the best man

in the world, your Honor!«

»This is true only partly, smart girl. As glorious as

his Message might have been, without Judas it never

had spread through time. Nobody would talk about the

prophet today if it wasn't for Judas.«

»Your Honor, this is outrageous! How dare you...«

»Please, let me finish! Mankind loves sharing fates

and destinies, especially the bad and the sad ones. A 
prophecy of a colossal impact demands martyrs, you

can't deny this, my dear.«

»This sounds legit, but what do you want from us?«

»In short words, we want Bassam to become our

revolution's Judas. We will continue where Jesus

stopped. I'm talking about returning back to the old

order, back to a society where we all feel more

comfortable. Only a counterrevolution can bring us

there!«

»This is insane! How can you demand this from

him? Besides, you are working for the Karma Court?

Who the Hell are you?«

»You are good in asking questions! The early elite

infiltrated me. That's how I can serve with my best

intentions. You two are very strong and you can make it!

You shall be rewarded in the end. Your families and 
meat-eating friends will become your fans, you will

become their heroes!«

»We are just simple, caring people, your Honor.«

»Believe me, honey, you will need more to survive.

The Bible, or what is left from it, didn't satisfy their flesh,

neither did it truly satisfy their hearts. You don't want

this life, do you?«

»I guess.«

»Good girl! Here, you can cash in the animals you

set free. We are close to your place now. We will never

leave you in the rain again, but Mr Novemberbaum

must promise me here and now to testimony against

Peer Rodeorrero alias Salmonellus in front of the

cameras. The press conference will take place next

Sunday at the Karma Court. Without your testimony,

Bassam, his detention is worthless for our goals.«
»I think I understand now, wow!«

»Then you should also understand why we had to

enforce the Karma Transplantations. We want to make

the meat eaters socially acceptable again. Obviously, we

can't kill them, but the animal transplantations bring us

pretty close to our goal, the ultimate martyrdom. We can

win back the public opinion this way! No pity, no price.«

»And Bassam is your perfect tool now.«

»That's correct. Nobody else knows as many

dealers like him, his past as a poacher is respectable. If

one day we will find back to our old lives, this will be

thanks to him. Everyone will be grateful.«

»Everyone but the vegans.«

»That's correct and that's the deal. We will protect

his life.«

»What a deal!«
»He will make history and so will you as his

companion.«

»No doubt, your Honor!«

»As long as you support him, the future belongs to

us.... Great, we meet in two days, on Sunday, two

o'clock, main entrance. Don't speak to anyone!... Ms

Orizzonti, we are arriving. I assume our hero is fine with

unloading the animals at your place.«

Stoically, the husky turns his head from the judge.

»He will be fine. All I need is a story for my parents.

Until Sunday, your Honor!«

After a long night, chosen ones arrive in Fiamma's

old room. The judge still occupies their minds.

»It feels like something big but at the same time it

feels so wrong. Let's assume I do it, theoretically the 
roles of good cop and bad cop would neutralize

themselves like the plus and the minus. From the moral

aspect, I wouldn't do anything really condemnable... if I

delivered a handful of dealers. I mean, they deserve it,«

Bassam types into Fiamma's coffee-table touchscreen he

crouches on.«

»I can feel you. What a foxy judge!... Say, what did

bring you to the killing game?«

»My father was a hunter, back when it was still

legal. He was the best! How I miss these days! And only

I can bring them back. You heard the judge.«

»And?«

»Well, he was no real hunter... we lived very

remote. Like the few neighbors we had, we lived from

gardening and poaching.«

»So you were farmers.«
»What's that?«

»Sorry, this was the name of this branch like a

hundred years ago.«

»Anyway, one day he found himself in a crossfire.

He didn't survive. From this day on, I had to replace my

dad, I had to care for my mother and sisters. You see, to

keep up gardening, or farming in your words, we were

too little, thus we hunted and ate animals and thus my

addiction to meat. With seven I killed for the first time, a

deer.«

While she is lying in her bed, reading Bassam's

messages on the window screen, she makes a decision in

his name. »You really don't see the signs, do you? You

can't become a traitor, you saved your family from

starving... just like God did when He sent Prophet

Abraham the deer! By sacrificing him instead, the 
Almighty personally saved his son's life!«

»You can't be serious! Do you really think I'm like

Abraham?«

»Obviously... I can prove it to you!« Fiamma joins

Bassam on the coffee table. She wants to show him a

quote by the antique poet Confucius, or was it Zhuang

Zhou? »Here you have it black on white: Gives the God

of the Yellow River a man a fish, He feeds him for one

day, but teaches He a man to fish, He feeds him for a

lifetime. And how many gods are there? God is One, my

friend!«

»Oh my God! This is exactly what happened to me!

... I must confess you something though.«

»I knew it! You were bad!«

»I don't want to kill anymore. The poor animals,

some of them couldn't wait for you. If you came only a 
little later, he sure chopped me into cubic pieces. I

witnessed everything! They were living!«

»The meat market is heartless, it has no conscious.

You don't need to be ashamed for that... poor boy. All of

this can't be just coincidence! I changed my mind too.

After you vanished in the forest, my old friends nearly

stoned me to death. I barely made it into the wood. I was

waiting there for you! And instead, it was the animals

who healed me and watched over me. Neither do I want

to kill animals, never again!«

»I can't believe Tess and her friends did this to you!

It's revenge time, my poor baby! Now tell me, what do

we do with this offer. Shall we trust him?«

»Do you want to know if he can pull it off? He is

powerful, the old elite backs him, the new one as well.

Furthermore, he seems to be ruthless, so yeah, it's pretty 
possible.«

»But do we still want this?«

»If you can show me a way out, you're more than

welcome, but I'm afraid we need help.«

»Don't say more! I already know who can help us.«

»Who? Tell me!«

»It's time for you to meet Captain Jimmynez!«

»When can we meet him? Sunday is our deadline.

We need a plan until then!«

»You are right. Let's visit the military academy first

thing in the morning! We will track him down there!«

»Do you want to philosophy a little more, until we

fall asleep?«

»Where does it hurt?«

»Did you ever ask yourself this question: What if

God didn't mean the apple but the snake, what if Eve bit 
into the snake instead of the apple?«

»Well, if they can't eat snakes, let them eat apples!«

»You are better than this! Let's study a little more!«

»Okay, let's open the Bible!«

»Book Genesis, Chapter Three, Old Testament.«

»And you are right again, not one word about

apples,« Bassam remarks few minutes later.

»Bingo!«

»Did God really demand from Eve and Adam to eat

vegan?«

»Everything that hung in the heavenly Tree of

Wisdom back then is worth considering. Don't you

know these sacral paintings? Each of them portrays

apples along with a snake... and then, would you read

Faust for me? The part where all the cognition the

student seeks so desperately is embodied by Mephisto 
alias the devil, alias the fruit of wisdom.«

»And both were heartless enough to bite into the

snake instead of the apple?«

»There's at least a fifty-fifty chance they did it.«

»So the snake asked them to try from him? Go on,

don't stop the philosophy!«

»And this would be how the first animal in the

world sacrificed himself.«

»The terrorists do nothing different.«

»But the devil survived the bites. You don't die

from two bites.«

»Exactly! So our Lord sentenced the pawns to plow

and to eat bread, to a truly vegan lifestyle, whereas the

snake was sentenced to crawl and to eat dust, fair

enough.«

»God even allowed us to eat apples, but the snake's 
meat... guess why snakes are so poisonous today!«

»That's deep. What does the Holy Quran say about

your theory? What does God say about your theory?

You know that the Bible was authored by men, edited

how many times? There's at least a fifty-fifty chance you

are wrong!«

»Wait... Glory to Him, the Exalted One, no apples

far and wide in the unchanged Book of Almighty God.«

»Glory to Him, the Exalted One.«

The next day begins with fresh resolutions and

breakfast with the Orizzontis. Fiamma's parents find out

how generous Bassam is, lending their daughter all

these animals. What a nice impression her new

boyfriend leaves! A race to the military academy follows.
The school is closed on Saturday and the building

empty. They need to break in.

»Captain Jimmynez, Fiamma repeatedly shouts into

the auditorium.« Should he be around, it's impossible to

miss the echo of his name.

Minutes later, there's still no captain around. They

proceed to the entrance to the drained sewer system.

In the schoolyard, Bassam makes a find. With his

rattling voice, he calls for Fiamma. Only many hours

later, with nothing but their paws, the two finally

manage to remove the heavy gully cover. Another hour

passes before they manage to climb, or rather fall down

the ladder, which was naturally designed for human

fingers.

»Captain Jimmynez, Captain!« Fiamma's bright 
voice lightens up the dark hallways.

»Who are you and what do you want from me,« the

dark corner growls.

»Fiamma Orizzonti and Bassam Novemberbaum.

Bassam is your sister's best friend, they shared a cell.

Both of us are Karma-transplanted. We need your help!

Something bad will happen!«

»Who's bones did you get? And why do you speak

for Bassam?«

»He has been silenced. I'm a wildcat and he is a

dog. We are not dangerous, sir! You must believe us!«

»Is he a spy now? Don't move and wait for me!«

The lights go on. A bent-over appearance

approaches with slow steps, like a dying coyote. He

walks faster and faster and finally lands on Bassam. He

hugs him like a father and like a teacher, he tousles his 
hair with his forepaws. The Captain is wearing fur as

well, in brown.

»Welcome to my territory! My name is Jimmynez,

Captain Jimmynez, only Captain for you, my pen - and

codename.«

»It's my honor, sir.«

»Unfortunately, I cannot solve Bassam's

communication issues down here, I rely on your

information, Miss Fiamma. Do not leave any details!

Down here, it's peaceful. Nobody can hear us here or

watch us, far and wide no windows and no mirrors.

Silencing a convict is rare. I'm curious what our boy has

done wrong!«

»Bassam already told me a little about you. Sir, you

are a legend! The thing we want to ask you for... this

corrupt judge, he threatened to do something to our 
families should we talk. We are his marionettes!«

Masterfully pitiful, Fiamma is getting to the core, getting

panicky sentence by sentence.

»Calm down, young Miss! Nobody can hear us

here, nobody will find out about your visit. What does

he want from you?«

»He wants to transform Bassam into something you

had to fight for many years, sir.«

»Oh no, don't tell me he's planning to overthrow

my revolution!«

»That's exactly his plan!«

»Let's walk a bit! It's more comfortable at my place.

You must tell me everything you know!«

Gnawed bones are plastering the ground. The

corridor is disgusting and impassable. The Captain 
makes no secret of his eating habits: meat only. He has a

license for it he claims, an unofficial but respected one.

The Vegan Guard, the court, everyone worth to mention

puts up with him.

»Why do you still live here? You are a hero, you

sure could afford something nicer.«

»If I wanted, I could. All I truly wanted was the

Karma Revolution. It was so big, I couldn't demand

more because there wasn't more to get. I was so grateful,

I imposed the vow of deafness on my ears. That's how I

came to this beautiful place. The vow of deafness is

nothing but a tool to defend my spirit.«

»And which place would be more suitable than this

drained place?«

Arriving in his chamber in the middle of the sewer 
system, Fiamma takes place on a hill of dirty clothes. She

begins with her story.

»The network of the old elite wants Bassam and

they want him so bad! Before he was sentenced and

before the Karma Revolution happened, our gifted

poacher delivered all restaurants. Unfortunately, many

of these didn't stop dealing, they created a black market.

Now, those who lost their power seek to regain it, by

making an example of them. They want to win back the

public's love, pity, compassion, you name it. Karma

Transplantation became nothing but a tool for their

counterrevolution, giving birth to one martyr after

another.«

»This could actually work.«

»That's exactly what I was thinking. We would be

stupid if we wouldn't cooperate. The judge promised us 
to become members of the new elite. Our friends will

kiss our feet if we pull it off!«

»The critical mass for the counterrevolution would

be on your side.«

»Unfortunately.«

»So tell me, what speaks against joining their noble

circle? As far as I know Bassam, he is no vegan. What

about you?«

»I am vegan since always and Bassam is now too.

We appreciate the Karma Revolution, your work so to

say.«

»I'm flattered but you two stop worrying. Back

then, I had the animal-loving masses behind me. If what

you are telling is true, it is essential not to change their

minds with all these martyrdoms. We must keep Bassam

away from the judge, whatever happens! This won't be 
easy. We are talking about the Vegan Guard... but I

think I have something for you.«

»This situation is so fake! The Vegan Guard should

actually protect us from the judge, not vice versa. He

threatens the revolution, we are innocent!«

»My dear, if the guards aren't informed by now,

what I personally can't imagine, they will believe the

judge, they always do.«

»At least two werewolves were present when the

judge called us to his van.«

»At this early stage, there won't be much more.

According to your description, the judge is not stupid.

Before finishing his lobbying, he would never risk

getting busted, let alone touching my democratic pearl.

The only insiders at the moment must be the ex-rulers

and a handful of lackeys.«
»And us.«

»What brings us back to my plan. Help me! There

must be a white T-shirt lying around somewhere under

this pile of clothes you are sitting on. We must find it!«

»I can't believe such thing can exist down here... a

white T-shirt?«

»Then maybe a gray or a brownish yellow one.«

»How the Hell should a stupid, grayish T-shirt help

us out?!«

»Shut up, young Miss! I know what I am doing, I

am the Captain!«

»Okay, why do we need this shirt?«

»This shirt has been designed with the memo, the

logic of Karma Transplantations, with the Karma

formula. It's by me. I made a living from selling them.«

»Oh, thats awesome!«
»Each shirt tells a crime's destiny and has been

illustrated with the according Karma animal awaiting its

rebirth. I would love to give you one but I am afraid

none of these will fit you.«

»Let's find this shirt! We need a solution until

tomorrow! Bassam, move your ass!«

»Yea, don't be lazy! Help your girl finding it! What

happens tomorrow? Will you meet the judge?«

»Meeting?! Bassam holds his first press conference

tomorrow, where he should reveal his first victim.«

»Then it begins tomorrow.«

»Not if we can prevent it.«

»Whatever happens, we must find the T-shirt!«

»Don't you remember nothing at all? You have

designed it!«

»How should I?! So many crimes exist today and 
my brain is like a sieve.«

»You should blame your one-sided diet, Captain!«

»I know, I know.«

»Good, enlighten us! How is the formula on this T-

shirt going to stop the judge from overthrowing

Karma?«

»Take it easy! Do you really believe that one fluffy

T-shirt can defeat a mighty, unscrupulous judge? The

only ones who can help you in such short time are the

funny little creatures on it.«

»Captain, bye! Bassam, let's go!«

»Would you let me finish?! We can't kill the judge

and if we did, we would never get away with it. We are

no terrorists. So we will take care of you two. You must

be able to escape the judge and his corrupt werewolves

the next time they come too close to you.«
»Oh my God, I think I know what you want from

us! You want us to become faster and stronger animals,

you want new transplantations from us!«

»Was this so difficult?«

»First of all, you should know that nobody is going

to do another surgery on us. They don't dare! They are

even afraid of repairing Bassam's stupid vocal chords!

The body artists fear the court. We had this discussion

only yesterday.«

»I know, nobody would dare, nobody but the

court.«

»This can't be true! Never again will I set my foot in

this place!«

»You still couldn't find this damn shirt? Since both

of you have previous convictions, the court will be the

only way leading to a new surgery, to your freedom. By 
correlating crime, punishment and getaway, we are

going to let Karma work for us. It's all written on my T-

shirts.«

Bassam suddenly jumps up and down.

»He found it,« Fiamma interprets his behavior.

Captain Jimmynez rushes to him and spreads the

grayish-yellow T-shirt on the concrete floor. »That's it!

You will indeed attend the press conference, but you are

going to denounce nobody there, oh no, you are going to

rage! You beat up the journalists, you will bite them!«

»Let me see! Move over!... oh no, this looks so

bad!«

»Look closer! That's your new life.«

»Seriously? An ape?«

»In case of emergency, you are going to pull back to

the treetops. No one will find you there so easy, let alone 
catch you. Besides, the crowns of the trees will shield

you from the cameras.«

»Oh no, I want to keep the puma! There must be

another solution.«

»I'm sorry. Your joints have been ossified during the

surgery. In the end, you will always be too slow for the

werewolves if you stay on the ground. You cannot fight

them, you cannot escape them and they can catch you

anytime.«

Fiamma cries. Tears of vanity are flowing down her

cheeks. Ape joints are out of place in a woman's body,

that's grotesque. Bassam is disappointed too. He is

motionless, fixed on the illustration of an angry monkey,

which is titled with »Punk is a bitch«.

»Which breed will it be? Which one do you

suggest?«
»I'm afraid, I cannot tell you. It depends on your

conditions right before the surgery. Only your present

pH levels know the answer.«

»I do remember. Low pH levels indicate that you

are either afraid, sorrowful, terrified, worried,

mistrustful or jealous. The opposite means you are

aggressive or happy.«

»That's it! Free your mind from false fear, you

should only fear God. Become a vessel!«

»I got it! So which ape would you classify as...

attractive?«

»Do you ask the man in me or the coyote?«

»I think I ask the man, sir.«

»Chimps share plenty of DNA with us.«

»I find bonobos so sweet!«

»You would need a good portion of luck to get a 
specimen dug up with bones big enough to hold you

without bursting. Bonobos are the dwarf versions of

chimps.«

The breakfast next morning primarily consists of

liquid food, booze. Today's press conference demands a

convincing performance. Preparing so, all hidden high-

percentage reserves of the Orizzonti's have been

emptied.

Fiamma surprised his partner with a line of cocaine.

While he still slept, she bought five grams of this

stimulative powder from the local bakery, for the price

of five goldfishes.

Fiamma's parents are clueless when her daughter

says bye. Unknowingly, they say bye to her puma self. If

the Captain should be right and nothing goes wrong, 
they would come back nearly as humans. Fiamma needs

to motivate the judge to make him find the fitting

bonobo bones for her. She would simply make use of her

charm and her influence on Bassam. Their antisocial,

rebel behavior, blame it on the drugs! Bassam and her

would be plain and simple irresponsible for their

actions, untouchable in other words. Every court in the

world must respect this, including this special judge

who relies on them. She holds the reins for his

revolution.

It's time to let off steam. Since their capture and

especially since their release as cat and dog, tons of

stress accumulated and today is payday. What follows

according to the Captain's omniscient shirt, would bring

freedom in the crowns of the trees.

»No to furs,« Fiamma shouts into the streets. The 
two are heading for the court and they are under

influence. She rides him and vice versa after Fiamma

asked for the everlasting war between cats and dogs, the

proxy war of the sexes to be ended.

The judge is waiting at the entrance of the court

complex for his alleged accomplices. Their cocaine high

weakened but is still strong enough to hide their

drunkenness. The unknowing judge brings them to his

office and plays Fiamma some audio recordings of her

ex, who now is under surveillance. Salmonellus, angry

about his animals being robbed, swears to take revenge.

The judge tells her point-blank that she must support

Bassam in order to save her own life. He could get

Salmonellus alone because of his own meat-based food

but that's not his goal. He wants a media-savvy 
exploitation. Salmonellus is wanted for trading meat.

Fiamma is far away from allowing her ex to stress

her another time. She is high and she believes in the

masterplan. If they can escape the Vegan Guard in the

future, they won't need to worry about Salmonellus.

The judge makes Bassam und Fiamma feel strong,

like heroes of a revolution, just like the Captain from

yesterday. They feel safe, even if they are willing to reject

their noble future prospects soon. So or so, they cannot

lose anymore, freedom is waving.

Meanwhile, while the crown witness is being

brushed and styled, the preparations in the court's park

area come to an end. A doctor approaches. He holds a

device in his hand, leading it to Bassam's throat. It

makes him cough.
»Dammiit, wot wod daat,« Bassam asks scratchy

and slurring.

»You got your voice back,« Fiamma rejoices.

»Bassam, I hope you like my little gift,« the judge

remarks.

The two know exactly what the judge's kind gesture

means. The public must not smell the rat. When the

cameras run, Bassam should denounce his first victim in

a natural way. A dumb crown witness who types his

statement into a keyboard would convince exactly

nobody. Nevertheless, Bassam and Fiamma react

cheerfully, captivated by the masterplan and the cocaine

they indeed are.

The journalists are arriving. Bassam has only a few

minutes left to relearn correct talking backstage with the 
help of a speech therapist. Meanwhile, Fiamma mingles

with the crowd where she spots a familiar face.

»Captain Jimmynez, do you know what...«

»Sorry to interrupt you, sweetheart, it's better we

don't know each other here. If someone recognizes me,

this could end bad for us.«

»But why did you came then?«

»What did the judge told you? Did he try to lull you

again? I want to make sure you two stick to the plan,

that's why I am here. Officially, I came to visit my sister.«

»What was your sister up to? Why did she land in

jail?«

»She is innocent. They want to weaken me and

control me this way. My sister is a political detainee and

soon she is going to be transplanted into a horse. Now

disappear!«
Fiamma won't find out the real reason why he

came. She and Bassam would find out only if everything

goes wrong. If Bassam fails, someone else must trigger

the chaos and accuse the couple. If he fails, another

revolution would take place without a single animal

noticing it. Not only did the Neolithic revolutionaries

and those of the Peasants' Revolts, but also those

demonstrating in the Glorious -, in the American -, in the

French -, in the Russian -, in the Industrial -, White -,

November - and Cultural Revolution ignore the animals.

Even the Sexual - and the Digital Revolutionaries stood

back and watched billions of animals getting

slaughtered legally. No revolution is like the Karma

Revolution. Captain Jimmynez feels inspired again to

stand up for the fundamental Karma rights, even if this 
time he gets a minor role. Today's figurehead is Bassam.

Actually, he is a negative figurehead. All he needs to do

for his role would be staying away from trouble.

The flimsy judge opens the press conference.

»Ladies and Gentlemen, I appreciate your strong

interest and appearance. I would like to give a comment

right at the beginning of this press conference. As a

judge, I stand behind our methods we use against the

accused and which are controversially disputed. I stand

behind them to one hundred percent. It's nevertheless

about protecting our friends, the animals. I am happy to

have our crown witness Bassam Novemberbaum by my

side as well as to bring the first members of the black

market to justice. We are pro-life, all we want is life.

Today, we will take the first steps to stop the meat 
dealers from enriching at the expense of life. Today, the

first indictment is going to be written, history is going to

be written, ladies and gentlemen. The dealers are guilty

of capitalizing from the Rights Of Life Treaty and this is

exactly why we follow zero-tolerance politics against the

consumption of meat as well as against any attempt

seeking to capitalize on animals. There are dead animals

worth millions of live animals circulating in the attics of

the black market. About one hundred thousand animals

are murdered to be eaten on a daily basis. These subjects

must be held accountable. Crimes in such dimensions

are planned in advance. The black market of meat is the

best organized black market in the world. This is why

we are thankful for the testimony of a former poacher.

For years, he delivered their restaurants and thank God

he is now ready to bring transparency to the food 
industry. With his example, we want to encourage all

other territories and regions worldwide to investigate

and to cooperate with us. Only together we are strong.

Please, allow this young man to inspire you! I would like

to express our highest gratitude to him. Needless to say,

the accused have the right to defend themselves in a fair

process. Those are charged of various crimes serving

greed altogether. Our cohabitation with the animals has

been and is still being corrupted. As my office is trusted

with eliminating these occult crimes, middlemen and

straw men are not our priority. To eliminate the root of

evil, we want the wirepullers. The corruption of the right

of life happens since ages. That's why I want to thank

the Vegan Guard and Bassam Novemberbaum for their

support in liberating this world from the last

coldblooded murderers. Nobody is above the Karma 
and not few citizens are going to suffer from meat

withdrawal. Rich or not, every person has the right to

receive healthy and clean nutrition but to maintain this

standard, aggressive incorrect conduct must be stopped.

Today is a good day for the friends of the animals. Those

who meet the voiceless with respect and love don't need

to worry, may God bless you. Nobody should worry

about the sinners. These subjects didn't do it for us, they

did it solely to enrich themselves. All restaurants hiding

behind trustworthy facades are going to be exposed!

Hereby, we declare war to the world championship of

murdering. We will continue working with Bassam for a

long time and those who want to corrupt the right to

live, we will get! I am kindly asking all journalist to

address their questions regarding the accused to our

brave crown witness. This is the perfect time to let our 
new figurehead speak.«

»Has anyone been transplanted yet? Which

restaurants are guilty? Can you give us names, Mr

Novemberbaum,« the first reporter asks.

Bassam's rehearsed answer, he studied all night

long on his girlfriend, doesn't need long in coming. He

suddenly leaps over the gap in front of him and lands on

the reporter who asked him. He bites in his ear. Fiamma

joins him with her storksbill-glove she dug out from her

garden last night, four years after hiding it there. So she

grabs one microphone by one, hurling them against the

soil. They keep raging until the werewolves interfere.

Captain Jimmynez is deeply moved by such devoted

execution of his plan, silently he disappears.

Few hours later, the anticipated trial, from which 
the public is excluded, begins. Nobody is surprised

when the organizer of today's press show enters the

empty courtroom.

»What the Hell went wrong? I believed we were on

the same boat. You ought to play Judas! Was this Judas?«

»I can't explain it, you honor. Of course we are on

the same boat. You must believe me, sir, it was the

cocaine.«

»Bassam is right, your Honor. Since we have been

transplanted, we can't handle our lives anymore. All our

friends are gone! Everyone avoids us since we are semi-

animals. Just yesterday, my parents kicked us out. They

no longer want dirty animals in the house, these were

my father's words. So I bought us some coke from the

bakery. We also drank a little, your Honor.«

»Why didn't you accommodate her, Bassam? You 
are her boyfriend after all!«

»I can't, we are not married. Do you understand,

your Honor?«

»I see... I wont make the same mistake like your

dad and we are going to give it another shot. Still, there

were too many witnesses around, I'm talking about

press and court staff. I must punish you, there's no other

way, but don't let it get you down, bounce back!«

»I swear, your Honor, I will never ever touch this

crap again!«

»Neither will I,« Fiamma reassures innocently. She

already mourns her beloved puma legs. »So what will it

be this time,« she melancholically asks.

»I will arrange a monkey Karma for both of you.

You will be close to become mankind again, you can

dream again! Don't forget my offer! Heaven on earth is 
waiting for you. Without your doggie Karma, Bassam,

your performance for the next press conference will be

more serious and credible, when you are standing on

two legs again. Let's forget today's escalation! Ha, I will

simply order a press embargo! We lost nothing but

time.«

»Your Honor, don't we have a say in this case,«

Fiamma objects before the trial comes to an end.

»I'm sorry but as I told you, there were too many

witnesses. It needs to be the ape, you were rioting, but I

can arrange something with the species if you want.«

»I couldn't care less.« Bassam's mood flipped, his

high comes to an end.

»Good, because I think I have something

appropriate for you. Until next time, I will teach you

how to sing on my press conference!«
»And I would like to have a bonobo, but this time

with fur, please.«
6

Fiamma is relieved. Thanks to some solid research by the

court's zoologists, she got the bonobo bones in her size

transplanted. At last, she can endorse society again, no

matter whether hundred percent human or not.

After their release from the Karma surgery, both

find themselves in the park again and again: the first

thing to do is wearing in their new legs. It's easier this

time though. As both of them became semi-primates,

they can largely resort to what they still remember. Only

Bassam is a little surprised. Unlike it's the case with

dogs, he has no favorite ape breed. This is why the judge 
unceremoniously came to a decision in his name and not

only gave him the extremities of a howler monkey,

Bassam also received his complete vocal organ. He

remembers his last words. The judge wanted to teach

him how to sing. He maybe should have made further

inquiries back then.

»What a bad loser! I should have known that he

would seek revenge!«

»Hey, you don't shout at me! I can hear you

clearly!«

»When did I shout? I am just speaking!«

»You call this speaking? Why don't you try

whispering?!«

»Better so,« he believes whispering to her.

»That's loud enough! Keep this volume please.«
»Is this our first fight?«

»Don't be silly! And what did I tell you?! Don't

shout at me! Oh my God, you are a howler monkey,

that's why!«

»So that's why my throat feels so thick. I must look

like a freaky toad!« In order to learn »singing«, his

transplanted lingual bone, his thyroid cartilage and his

ventricle of the larynx, which has been bagged out for

this purpose, turned out disproportionately huge.

»Do you like my black bonobo fur?«

»You are the sweetest!«

»Thank God, I knew it! You don't worry about your

throat! It looks like a real lion's throat with all this fur.«

»Do you really think so?«

»Baby, I'm telling you! Now stop being sad! Don't

you remember why we are going through all this pain? 
We are as good as free!«

»You are right, but it's not over yet.«

»How's your walking?«

»Let's get out of here!«

»Let's find a park where we can train climbing!«

»Let's go to my place! I must call the judge later.«

»Don't burn your fingers on him!«

»Sweetheart, did you forget who I am?«

»Who might you be?«

»I am the best poacher in the world!«

»I didn't forget, stupid, but this judge is not good

for us. He can destroy us if we disappoint him one more

time!«

Both notice that they are not really familiar with

their new Karma yet. At this early stage of bending over 
and walking with one supporting hand touching the

ground, neither do they run on two legs, nor on four.

They are three-leggeds now. How they are missing their

lithe paws! Only a couple of days earlier, exactly here on

this road, they were speeding like darts with them.

Anatomically, they used to be sports models compared

to what they are now. The downgrade to these chunky

versions must be their price for freedom.

It's too early yet for Fiamma to confront her parents

with her new Karma. First of all, she must digest the

changes herself and that's why she is going to spend the

next days at Bassam's place. Her boyfriend lives in a

small house out of town. They will be undisturbed there

and there they can prepare their escape.
It's already dark when the hobbling couple arrives

in Bassam's garden, where Fiamma grabs the first tree

branch she sees. Skilfully, she swings on a chestnut tree.

»Did you know that our conspecifics are freer in the

trees than on soil? Look at me!«

»Be careful and don't break your neck! Wait for

me!«

Fiamma is hanging from a branch with her arms,

and Bassam headfirst with bent legs... but Bassam can't

hold any longer. In his free fall, he rouses all birds in the

neighborhood, screaming in panic before he lands on his

back. With a flip, Fiamma lands on his breast, stealing

his last breath. The ballet school she visited as a child

finally pays off. The new monkey Karma fits her like a

glove, whereas Bassam still gasps for breath.
At home, Bassam contacts the judge.

»Mr Novemberbaum, how nice to hear from you.«

»Hello, your Honor. How is it going on?«

»How lovely, you can't control your voice. Let me

turn down the volume a bit.«

»Please don't trouble yourself, I can whisper.«

»You are incredible! It's time to introduce you to

influential personalities. The gentlemen can't wait to

meet you!«

»It will be a honor, sir.«

»Are you ready to meet the general, how are you

advancing?«

»Did I hear right? The general? So it's really

happening... Fiamma already trained me. She's pretty

good in it, she knows ballet.«

»That's good news! Maybe we can travel next week 
already. This will be an unofficial visit though. I won't

tell you where we are going and you won't tell anyone

about it. Do you understand me?«

»I understand, your Honor. So when shall we get

the press conference done?«

»Don't worry about the press conference, it's going

to happen early enough. We need to make sure you stay

clean. From now on, your body is a temple. No more

drugs! We already cleaned your fats and liquids during

the surgery but the revolution isn't over yet. Stay clean! I

don't need to remember you about the consequences if

you play with the law, do I?«

»I am aware, your Honor.«

»Good, everything is clear then. We stay in touch!«

»Hopefully, your Honor.«
»Fiamma, baby, we are going on a trip!«

»Where?«

»I don't know where! We will meet the general.«

»I really don't know if I should be proud of you.«

»Why, what's wrong?«

»We wanted to sabotage the revolution, do you

remember?«

»Yeah, that's what we want.«

»Bassam, don't destroy everything!«

»What are you thinking? I know what I'm doing.

All I'm waiting for is the perfect timing to run away.«

»We need to train for that. They can't see us like

this! Even if we aren't exactly bipeds, we have to move

and act like them!«

»That's what the judge is waiting for.«

»I will teach you dancing on one leg! And I need a 
new wardrobe! Thank God, I have no fur on my face.

With a little styling, I can dress like the humans. And we

only need to shave your cheeks. We will keep the beard

on your throat. As long as they ignore our short legs,

they won't notice that we are monkeys.«

»Why on earth do you think God created platform

shoes and flared pants?«

One week of intensive ballet training later, the

journey begins. With his entourage of four werewolves,

the judge picks up Fiamma and Bassam. He can't

recognize them at first when he meets two fashion nerds

at Bassam's address.

The solar-driven retro zeppelin is the courts

preferred vehicle for the transportation of herds and 
large animals. Constructed to transport liberated

animals, it's the perfect vehicle for black market

operations as well as for a top-secret journey.

Soon after the distinguished guests have been

briefed in the etiquette rules, the arrival follows. The

visitors are picked up by the local werewolves. These

escort the delegation to their headquarters. The general

is the head of the counterrevolution. He mandates over

the judges and other officials who are infiltrated. A

commander welcomes the guests.

»Welcome! Regardless of the unofficial atmosphere,

we are very glad to meet you! Please have a seat. Mr

Novemberbaum. Can I count on your discretion,« the

Commander would like to have confirmed before the 
conversation begins.

»Of course you can, sir. We have already been

educated about the consequences should we endanger

our mission and something leaks out.«

»Well, the last press conference didn't make us very

happy. Do we still have a reason to worry?«

»You had a reason, but that's why we are here

today. Problems are here to be solved. Me and my

girlfriend, we lived in turbulent times back then. We

literally lived like dogs. We even slept on the street after

Fiamma's dad kicked her own daughter out.«

»It's all right, Mr Novemberbaum, you don't need

to tell us the whole story. Your company, the judge,

already brightened us up. In future, we must avoid such

blows if we want to pull everything off as scheduled. I

have noticed you are in top condition now. The judge 
treated you very graciously.«

»Not exactly, sir, we have been transplanted into

semi-primates, but we learned to live with it. We just

dressed up, specially for this occasion, for the general so

to say,« Fiamma replies politely while she raises the

seam of her flared pants, displaying her black fur over

her platform shoes.

»However, you two will leave a good impression

like this. The press will love you! There's only one thing:

you two are young and wild and that's a risk factor.

What we are going to do today is the acquisition of your

discipline,« the commander speaks. »We are talking

about your family. We can reunite you. The Astrological

Migration Act will be sabotaged for you. We know that

you have been taken from your family when you were

still a child, taken from the eastern territory of the 
Tauruses, Aquariuses, Scorpios and Lions, deported to

the western territory of the Arieses, Cancers, Capricorns

and Libras, to the Territory of the Cardinal Signs, only

because your parents didn't care enough and created

you too late to keep you.« With the horoscopic

reallocation of the world population, the rulers from the

past already managed to terminate all initiations of

trouble spots which could have lead to civil wars. At

least they managed to maintain the pretence of peace on

earth. By allocating humans to harmonizing territories

according to their horoscope signs and thus easy-

manageable communities, mankind owes its thousands

of warless years to the law of the zodiac. Why should

the successor of this era overrule this functional world

order and reinstall all hundreds of nations when the

three Territories of the Cardinal -, Fixed - and Mutable 
Signs are more than enough?

»We will do whatever keeps you away from booze

and coke.«

»We have a deal, sir,« Bassam promises.

»Fine, I would like Mr Novemberbaum to

accompany me to our highest authority now.«

»Sir, I must admit I have doubts. How are we meant

to defeat a democratically earned revolution,« Bassam

reveals to the general.

»Your doubts are justified, that's why I am going to

explain the next steps to you. These will follow right

after your press conference, after addressing and waking

up the critical mass. In addition, you should think

yourself confident again once you made sure our

mission holds water.... We will bring a massive 
fruitarian educational reform, we are going to propagate

it like we've never done before. Only this way the

vegans will listen to us. They will be forced to face their

conscience again and then they will starve. No vegan

wants to kill but all of them turn a blind eye on the life

and pain perception of plants. As a consequence, they

will ask themselves whether it's okay to hurt the plant

for their needs or not. After our lobbying, more and

more Vegans will turn towards fallen off fruits,

vegetables and grains. Nuts and seeds would be on this

tiny list as well and these would complete it pretty

much. This way, not only their vitamin supply will be

blocked, furthermore deficiency symptoms of proteins,

zinc, iodine, iron and calcium can be achieved. Believe

me, soon they will eat animals again! We will touch their

hearts. We need to turn them away from this vegan mass 
phenomenon. Education over dictation!«

»And lies over terror.«

»Do you know the highly arguable phloem analogy,

which regards our nerves and the green vascular tissues

of plants as equal? We might understand that the body

of a plant needs sensors in order to coordinate the

absorptions of light, nutrients and water, or to recognize

parasites, but the big question would be whether signal

processing from cell to cell is an electrophysiological

process in both cases. Some believe that the plant's head

sticks in the soil. This would mean our brain works like

a bundle of root tips and the glands which produce

secretion, or fruits in the plant's case, please forgive my

expression, like our butts. Against the established

general opinion, which claims that the plant's

intercellular transmission of signals is a chemical 
reaction, our campaign will teach the vegans exactly

this. Due to its corresponding transport facilities leading

over far distances of coupled ionic channels, the

transmission of stimuli in the cell membrane indeed is

electric. Considering most plants' action potentials

which run in one direction, along the stems, and the

temporal depolarization of the membrane potential,

which means the cell cannot be stimulated repeatedly

once it becomes energized, we do have a valid point. I

mean, what can be more remarkable than action

potentials which can be variables? Before I continue, I

should teach you about slow-wave potentials and the

protein complexes of barks, which connect the cells via

drains. This functioning is not very different from our

human cells with only one difference: the woody

material of plant cells, the xylem, which causes 
hydraulic and variable fluctuations along the plant's

longitudinal axis when under pressure. But that's not all!

Some molecules adopt the roles of various

neurotransmitters. Substances such as acetylcholine,

histamine, catecholamine, serotonin, GABA, melatonin,

glutamate and dopamine not only are responsible for the

metabolism, especially GABA, glutamate and

acetylcholine allow the plants stimulus processing like

we know it from our bodies. If we take a close look at

the plant's root tissue, we can find intercellular synapses

functioning like our neuronal synapses. The

phytohormone auxin would be worth to mention here,

another neurotransmitter-like tissue. Via endosomes, or

intracellular transport mechanisms moving via vessels,

this hormone is responsible for cell growth. In a matter

of seconds, it evokes electric feedback from a vegetable's 
cells just like our human nerve cells do. And even in a

vegetable community we can observe territorial

behavior down at the roots, behavior which requires

environmental information. Only their long reaction

time would allow us to question the intelligent and

sensitive life of plants. Anyway, our lobbyists not only

infiltrated the courts, all education institutes have been

infiltrated at the highest levels and everyone is waiting

for your next step, the betrayal of your meat dealing ex-

clients.«

»If I would be a vegan, sir, you would have

convinced me from the beginning.«

»I'm flattered. Now, go back, make sure your

appearance in front of the press is convincing, get your

family out of there and pray for a successful revolution!«
»That's nuts, the vegans will say,« Fiamma assures

Bassam in the garden of the headquarters as they discuss

his conversation with the general. She is nervous.

»I know.«

»Contrary to plants, animals are capable to protect

themselves in moments of danger but those stupid

plants can't even run away!«

»I know.«

»And hopefully, I can make you clear that plants do

want to feed us, willingly and voluntarily. Else, they

would resist like the animals, wouldn't they?«

»Clear!«

»What about the plants living from animals? What

about the Venus flytrap for example? Plants are not as

innocent as the general describes them.«

»Since when do we count flies as animals?«
»What if fruits and veggies were the dirt of the

plants and trees? Who can promise us they aren't? And

to answer your question: Indeed, flies are animals! At

bottom, nothing and nobody has ever been killed by a

vegan. And what if?! If we don't sacrifice the plants how

else should we survive in your opinion? In order to stay

alive, something else must die. That's how things roll in

this universe.«

»How can you?«

»Okay, I don't want to sound cruel. We should

always treat plants with gratitude and respect. After all,

we owe them our lives.«

»This sounds better.«

»Apart from that, where are the protesters

defending the plants' rights?«

»Yeah, where the Hell are they?«
»And before we move forward, you should be

informed about nuts and seeds! These could be just as

well embryos. So what would be left to eat? The sun and

the clouds? Or can you tell me how long it takes for a

plant to die after being plucked? How long does it live

on? Is it a matter of hours, minutes or seconds? In the

end, we eat them alive like the barbarians!«

»Oh please, would you stop?!«

»And if God didn't want us to eat plant-based food,

why die He give us teeth? Did you ever think about

this?«

»You won't believe it: yes.«

»Then what do you say to planet earth? It not only

creates petrol of seaweed, plankton and dead animals, or

of the fossils it swallows, but diamonds too. Is our planet

in your eyes a robber now?«
»Since when are diamonds made of animals and

plants for God's Sake?!«

»At least they are made of isotopes. Even carbon is

nothing but a biological resource, my dear.«

»I didn't know this.«

»Since you know only little, imagine you had no

brain, receiving no more signals from your body. Would

you still feel pain if I peeled or plucked you?«

»For real?«

»And being able to react to the environment doesn't

automatically mean plants can feel pain. How many

complaints did you receive from them so far? Let's

assume for a second you were right, then the pain the

plants feel would be so slowly compared to our pain,

honestly, we wouldn't be talking about pain anymore,

we would be talking about depression! But I understand 
that plants learn from their injuries. Kinked straws for

example, they grow again. They even grow stronger

than before.«

»Like a phoenix.«

»Don't forget that the family of humans still is in its

infancy. Who can really be mad at our mistakes? God

gave us a will, so it's up to us who we kill and who we

eat!«

»What do you suggest? Should we live on the

cheese coming from our noses?«

»It makes no difference, sweet. As soon as they

smell the rat, which will be very soon, they will search

for us everywhere! They will scan our fingerprints. You

will lose your family and we will have to avoid all

glasses, windows and mirrors in the world if we want to

be free. We have to play a double game and stall them as 
long as possible, until we no more can.«

»Then let's break all glasses in the world!«

»I wish we had no more fingers!«

»I would like to keep mine, but I can promise you

one thing: I won't lose my family again! I will get my

people and my freedom! We wanted to hide, we will

hide in their land.«

»Then let's get a zeppelin!«

»No, we can't take the animals with us, we need a

boat.«

»Okay, we can buy one with Salmonellus' animals.

Don't worry, I know what you want!«

During the home flight, Bassam learns about the

terms of the deal. If he passes the next drug-screening

test, the zodiac signs of his mother and sisters will be 
changed according to his, from the group of the cardinal

signs, and they will be allowed to cross the border to the

western continent, no big deal.

Bassam's plan asks for many animals, which are at

Fiamma's place. With these, he will buy a speedboat

which only needs a few hours to the eastern territory. A

speedboat is the perfect vehicle to win time after

violating the border in the middle of the ocean. On land,

they will escape by climbing on the trees.

Time is slowly running out, if only Fiamma

wouldn't hesitate facing her family. It's still the ape

thing. Her parents would notice the difference and the

fact that she only looks like a human would indeed

shake them up.
»We only need our animals from them. They don't

need to recognize you.«

»Do you really believe my parents would give a

stranger the animals just like that? You don't know

them!«

»Fine, then let's rent the boat. But this won't be

cheap either.«

»Wait, we could dress up and beg my parents for a

donation! They might give us what we want, they are

open-handed, you will see!«

In order to bluff Fiamma's parents, Fiamma will

play the male part and Bassam the female, otherwise her

parents would recognize Fiamma in a matter of seconds.

Bassam cuts Fiamma's hair and glues them on her

cheeks and chin. As they are broke, Bassam cannot 
afford a wig. He wears a scarf which also covers up his

scrotum sac hanging from his chin. In order to cover up

her platform shoes, Fiamma needs a suit with wide

flares. Many neighbors have been asked for these special

pants.

The crafty daughter can't wait to hit her parents

with different facts, so they study the blog entries of the

organization they will represent before she goes to bed.

Next morning, the show can begin!

The sun is rising. Fiamma knocks at the door.

Poudini barks behind. Her mum opens.

Fiamma initializes her donation appeal with deep

voice. »Good morning, young lady. We are followers of

Lord Jehovah and we are knocking at your door to let

you know that Heaven is near. We are begging you for a 
little time. We would like to give you something. How

about a little balm for you soul?«

»Thanks, but I'm not young anymore. Please, come

in! I can't wait to hear God's Word from you, me and my

husband to be precise.«

»So you two are God's Witnesses? You didn't have

to die to meet our Creator? Please take a seat and

enlighten us!«

»With pleasure, gracious sir.«

»To answer your question, no, we did not meet our

exalted Creator. But we are deeply convinced that the

day our planet will go down is close. You can choose to

rise with us or to go down with the godless rest.«

»To Heaven or Hell, sir!«

»Not so fast! First answer my question: do you

believe in God?« Fiamma's father needs to be convinced.
»Darling, nowadays you don't ask this!«

»Indeed, this is a good question. As a matter of fact,

we believe in Lord Jehovah, as we believe in Jesus,«

Bassam explains in his skirt.

»You are like those vegans! You don't really believe

in God! We don't need you,« Mr Orizzonti replies to his

guests.

»No, sir, in Jesus Christ we see the proponent of the

truly almighty God and His incomparable Strength.«

»Get out of here! I heard enough!«

»Kind sir, please be a little patient with us. We are

promising you God's Kingdom, Heaven, and you refuse

to believe us? Fine, then you must believe in Hell! It's

your decision where you want to wake up! Do you have

any children,« the bearded daughter continues.

»Darling, why don't you allow the young people to 
finish? We have no plans for today, we are in no hurry.«

»Then they should prove me that they love Jesus!

And yes, we have a daughter and we love her!«

»That's nice to hear!«

»Of course we love the Angel Jesus Christ,« Bassam

asserts.

»Can you repeat that? What are you saying?«

Fiamma's dad is close to end the conversation.

»We believe that the body of Christ has been

dematerialized. Only this way everyone can love him,«

Fiamma explains.

»How,« her baffled mum asks.

»Another good question! We doubt that Jesus Christ

died on the cross. That's why we reject the cross. You are

not allowed to worship idols!«

»Oh, really?!«
»And did you know that Jesus received all his

biblical knowledge and prophecies from God's loyal

Spirit Gabriel?«

»That's incredible! In my whole life I have never

heard such thing!« Fiamma's dad can't calm down. His

fist lands on the table. The bearded daughter winces.

»Damn muzzies,« he continues.

»What about Paradise,« her mum interrupts to cool

down the situation and to learn more about the topic

which interests her most.

»You can calm down, we came to save you.«

»It will be Heaven, please tell me it is so, my son,«

Fiamma's mum would like to get affirmed.

»It depends on you,« her daughter tells her. She

knows too well where this would end if she and her

complicit would make the mistake of calling off their 
operation and enlighten her parents about the situation.

There is no getting around it, she and her boyfriend are

broke.

»So when will it happen? When will Heaven

arrive?«

»Soon, very soon, madam. Our Almighty God has

already banned the devil down to earth, he is amongst

us. Here, he will rage and then it's only a question of

time until our planet goes down. Nobody knows exactly

when our King calls the Last Day, nobody but our

Gracious King. All we know is one thing: God's loyal

ones have a Guard in Him, which means we don't need

to fight at all.«

»You must feel very lucky,« Fiamma's catholic dad

cynically remarks. He would sacrifice himself anytime

for Jesus.
»Who wouldn't,« Fiamma answers blatantly. She

cannot hide her typical grin, her mum's trademark. Her

parents stare at each other. Baffled as they are, they don't

reveal themselves though. Bassam is examined more

precisely.

»But I thought the devil was already beaten,«

mother Orizzonti continues.

»Thanks for mentioning him! Those who side with

the demon need to be put in chains along with his

children. Only this way and no other, my sister, my

brother,« Fiamma explains to her parents. »Would you

like us to make you lovable for God now? Remember the

demons who are amongst us!«

»How much would that cost?«

»It's completely up to your discretion. Almighty

Allah knows how much you appreciate His Protection, 
whether you appreciate it at all.«

»On top of that, you will receive our organization's

stocks as a bonus if you voluntarily agree on a donation

numbered by us! You can only win,« the daughter of the

house continues.

Today, one invests in the longest-living animals

created by God, such as giant tortoises, elephants, storks,

ravens, crows, parrots, alligators, whales, lobsters, river

mussels, carps, pikes and sturgeons. The net worth of

such an animal climbs with its age, another refined

animal-welfare measure. Only the emitting banks can

exchange these species into short-living animals

circulating as common currency. Whether Fiamma's

parents, who are about to become their daughter's first

donators, will receive the promised stocks remains to be

seen though.
»Well, at least somewhere deep in your hearts you

are still Christians. Before the vegans take it, it should be

yours! Darling, would you please get the black box for

the kids?«

»Oh no, you completely misunderstood us, sir! The

donations are meant for the devoted meek ones in

need,« Fiamma remarks.

»We thank you!«

»Take these cockroaches and leave our property!«

Fiamma's parents aren't really mad, else they

wouldn't have donated their daughter millions of insects

just like that.

The tiny animals reside in the meter-sized box

which the couple rolls to Bassam's place now.

Fortunately, they are rolling enough live assets to rent 
the speedboat.

Like a dart, the boat slides over the ocean. With

Mach Five, it travels faster than a seismic wave. The

windows have been covered with curtains, neither the

boat nor the Vegan Guard knows who it is carrying.

Fiamma used a fake ID she got long time ago from Peer

to rent it.

The black box is being examined. It became half

empty, with about a half million insects left. Bassam was

aware of the costs and acted economically. His boat

should furthermore be able to whiz through a complex

system of rivers, which will lead him to his family. It's a

small boat, they have no time to lose.

The ocean is crossed and the journey goes on. 
Behind the delta, the geographically most difficult route

awaits them: a river system leading to the mountains.

The region has its advantages. It is little developed and

serves as global food reserve. The shores are

uninhabited.

It's not far anymore to the lake. All they need to do

is bending into another river and then into another

significantly narrower one.

And the river gets narrow again, but the mountains

are really close now.

Finally, Bassam can anchor in the middle of a huge

lake. He is nervous. Probably neither his mum nor his

sisters have ever met someone Karma-transplanted.

Without doubt, they will be shocked. Their

transplantations need to be concealed. In particular, their 
extended arms and legs become optically pruned with

platform footwear and flared pants, their furry skins get

a full body shave as well. Apart from their head furs and

Bassam's beard, which serves hiding his bagged-out

vocal organ, both become slippery as an eel, almost like

untouched, non-transplanted humans.

How can Fiamma say goodbye to her parents? No

doubt, she is willed to do it, she only can't decide how.

She would prefer saying goodbye indirectly, online, but

she doesn't really dare. In the end, she may see her

parents for the last time.

»I'm getting sick of lying! Let's talk about how we

will adapt to a life on the trees!«

»Okay, which tools do we have at hand?«

»None! As long as we are on the run, our furs at 
most.«

»This means we can never clean-shave ourselves

again.«

»Unfortunately, I got some bad news for you too. If

you don't want to fall down from your tree bed, you

need more ballet training!«

The couple decided to combine the training with

their hike to the mountains. Right behind the shore, the

perfect trees are standing for this purpose. The task

would be to jump and swing from tree to tree.

To flee from the werewolves, who's joints didn't

become restricted by ossifications like theirs, Fiamma

and Bassam must give their best and that's why every

second of training counts.

»Don't worry about them! There are no cameras 
hidden in the forest to observe us, but we can never go

back again. As soon as we enter a city, a village, as soon

as we see a lonely house, we become visible again. In a

matter of seconds, my fingers will be scanned and the

werewolves will arrive.«

Tree by tree, the evening proceeds.

»Darling, don't cry! We have each other and I will

never leave you! Besides, the old judge and his fellows

won't live forever. And when they die, we can return.

Then, my poor, you will see everyone again.«

»Why can't you shut up and focus on your leaps?!

We will never arrive like this!«

Tired but full of hope, the couple proceeds while

the sun sets.

Finally, they run into a densely vegetated umbrella 
tree. The large-leaved Schefflera Arboricola looks almost

like a high sleeper. They climb on the mattress of thick

growth, where they drop off under the chill heaven.

»Kids, wake up!«

Fiamma opens her eyes. She can't believe them,

wipes them and shakes her friend's shoulder, who

doesn't react differently when he spots the judge with

his grim entourage. Although they are in the wild, they

have been tracked down. What might have revealed

them?

»Your Honor, what a surprise! How on earth did

you find us here?«

»What are you doing here? Did you forget our

appointment? Bassam, I wanted to call you but I

couldn't reach you. Your voice revealed you! You roared 
like a lion! Did you dream bad?... We were able to track

you with the acoustic sensors in the window of an old

barn not far from here, thanks to your howler organ. I

don't know what I would have done if there was no barn

around.... You barked, man! You are totally messed up!«

»Damn!... We came here to surprise my family, I

wanted to tell them about our deal. They will flip out,«

Bassam dishes him up.

»You are here illegally! Anyway, I tried to reach you

throughout the day but you vanished. I planned one last

briefing for tonight to tell you about the next press

conference and to make sure nothing goes wrong. I also

need to check you for drugs.«

»I am so sorry, your Honor! If you only called me

earlier! We have been outside hiking all day.«

Their plan has failed. With the vocal organ of a 
howler monkey, there's no tree in the world on which

Bassam could hide. Even though he is always tried to

whisper in order to be perceived at room volume, he

obviously can't control his voice in his sleep.

»The press conference takes place next Sunday. You

both stay available! Now give me your finger! Let's

finish this circus here!«

Relieved, Bassam stretches his primate arm for the

pH test. »Good boy, you are still clean. And bye!«

»Here we go! We have fallen back where we started

from. We should immediately visit the Captain! I can't be

a howler monkey any longer!«

»Luckily, we won another week, but let's sleep a

little now! All these problems... I'm just tired to death.

Not even your stupid roaring could wake me up...«
After being woken up by the sun, the poor apes

stroll their way back to where they came from, staring

on the soil for the whole walk.

»Captain, guess who's back,« Fiamma shouts into

the canalization a few days later.

»Why did you come back? You should have

disappeared by now,« the dark tunnel answers from

below. The Captain approaches.

»We failed. Bassam is the problem! He is roaring

when he's asleep. His stupid howler organ is our

problem! We can't escape like this! To nowhere!«

»Relax, we will find a solution.«

»We have one week.«

»That's good news! You will get a new T-shirt from 
me. This one will solve all your problems. Wait here,«

the Captain instructs his both friends before he

disappears in the gully.

By the open gully hole, the couple waits and waits

in the middle of the schoolyard. Hours later, one T-shirt

shoots from the hole.

»Show it!«

»We need light! I can't recognize it.«

Under the street lamp, a bird emerges on the

yellowish-gray jersey fabric, an eagle. It's titled with

»Money is a bitch«.

»Should we rob a bank now or what?«

»As soon as we get these wings, nobody will be

able to catch us ever again, but which crime do we need

for this Karma?«

»It's scam!«
»Thanks, Captain!«

»What's the plan? Who shall we scam?«

»This person must hate us! She may not hesitate

bringing charges against us!«

»Why not someone from your old clique?«

»Callas!«

»Your successor? Do you really dare?«

»She's not a real queen.«

»And I already know how to scam her! As Jehova's

Loyals we were unbeatable! Your parents ate out of our

hands! But how can we make our victim call the Vegan

Guard? We need an error.«

»We will beg her so hard that she can do nothing

but calling the werewolves!«

»That's brilliant!«

»We will proceed like last time at my parents' place. 
They all want a sunny piece of Heaven, you will see!«

»Oh baby, soon we will fly!«

»Do you really want this? We may never be as close

to the human DNA as we are now. They will transplant

us eagle wings and feathers.«

»Baby, baby, baby, don't you understand?! We will

flyyyy!«

Queen Callas lives in the same neighborhood like

Fiamma's family. Freshly shaved and costumed in the

proven style of the Jehova's Loyals, the couple walks

into the neighborhood.

Callas opens the door. She asks Bassam, who wears

a scarf like last time, and Fiamma, who wears a beard

again, to enter. They are philosophizing. Their victim is 
to some degree familiar with the teachings of the Loyals.

There's one personal question Fiamma is eager to ask

though. Skilfully, she hides it in her charity appeal.

»Tell me, queen, would you consider yourself

chosen to fight side by side with Almighty God's royal

Slaves. Would you consider yourself chosen to fight

against Allah's enemies from the empire of evil?«

»Oh my God, I really don't know what to answer.

It's a catch question, isn't it? Otherwise you wouldn't ask

me this. Look at me! Who am I to fight side by side with

my heroes?!«

»Aren't you the incumbent queen of the Apple

Tree?«

»Of course I am! I don't tolerate such questions in

my house!«

»Then answer with yes or no! A true queen doesn't 
require explanations.«

»Please give me a second!«

»Tic tac, tic tac, tic tac, tic tac...«

»Don't be so cruel!«

»If you want us to make you lovely enough for

your Creator, answer with yes!«

»Yes... no... wait!«

»You're a good girl, that's why we will give you a

second chance. How important is Heaven for you?«

Bassam interrupts Fiamma's game. He is afraid his

girlfriend can't get enough from torturing her successor.

»Cash is king,« Callas answers relieved.

»All this peace, how much is it worth to you?« And

again, Fiamma takes over the helm.

»Fifty selected dogs and cats would be an

appropriate contribution I would say.«
»For Heaven? Dream on!«

»Seventy?«

»Dreamer!«

»Fine, one hundred!«

»I'm asking you for the last time: How much is

eternity worth to you?«

»It's priceless!«

»How much is priceless for you?«

»Okay, I think I can spare two hundred, it won't

really hurt me.«

»Then go and get them!« Again, Bassam interrupts

to stop Fiamma from going too far and possibly ruining

the deal.

With the mixed dog and cat pack, the scammers say

goodbye. They call a truxi, a truck with driver to bring 
the animals to the military academy, where Captain

Jimmynez will throw the pets down the gully.

Fiamma and Bassam return. Fiamma gives Callas

the opportunity to save her beloved ones. She grabs her

last savings. In the end, fifty cows and bulls land in the

schoolyard of the military academy. To fall through the

gully, they are too big. Captain Jimmynez will need to

exchange a few words with the dean, asking him to

exercise patience.

Only when Callas is offered to save the members

from the cult, she smells a rat. Immediately, she runs to

the bathroom, where she secretly calls the Vegan Guard.

Minutes later, Fiamma and Bassam are taken away

by the werewolves. Callas runs out to the street. The 
animals are gone. The queen is ruined.

»I beg you, release her animals. Do you even know

who Queen Callas is? She will cause a sensation! The

public will get a completely wrong picture of you and

you are not even famous yet! We can't underestimate

her,« the judge warns his convicts in his office. The trial

has already begun.

»Didn't we give you Peer's animals? What did you

want from this woman?«

»Judge, we must confess you something.«

»What do you mean, sweetheart?«

»We are broke.«

»You are killing me!... Nevertheless, Bassam, you

will still cooperate, you owe it to us! Don't ask us for

compensation!«
»Of course, your Honor. When do we start?«

»Not so hasty! We must handle your charges first.

So both of you confess?«

»Yes, your Honor, we do.«

»Guilty, your Honor!«

»You know what's waiting for you?«

»Karma, your Honor, we deserve it! Don't reprieve

us!«

»Good, at least we can spare the lawsuit. You will

be transplanted right away. So we lose one week

maximum.«

»Okay, your Honor.«

»In what are we going to be transplanted this time,«

Fiamma asks so phoney.

»Scammers, according to the Karma, are

transplanted into birds. Anatomically, you two will get 
the flight skeletons of the sea eagle, one of the biggest

flying wings God is offering, aside from Angel wings of

course. Those will be large enough to hold you in the air.

Any more questions?«

»Let's do it, your Honor!«

»Oh my God, oh my God, I can't believe it!«

»Okay, what now? Shall we jump from a tower?«

Two days passed and Fiamma can't wait to fly.

»Not so hasty! Let's rent a yacht and jump from the

roof first, until we learned it. Safe is safe.«

»No risk, no gain! Or did you ever see a bird baby

making a fuss about flying for the first time? And was he

equipped with a yacht? Bassam, baby, are you maybe

scared?«

»I'm not scared but don't forget that we aren't birds, 
we are transplanted. Flying lies not in our nature. We

should take it slowly. Sooner or later we will learn it

anyway.«

»But there is no sooner or later for us! We have less

than a week to vanish.«

»Compromise: let's jump from the cliffs into the

ocean!«

»Now?«

»Who is scared now?«

»I regret nothing, you?«

»I want to learn it as soon as possible!«

»Did you notice something?«

»What?«

»We got our old legs back!«

»Oh my God... Today is a good day to learn

flying!«
The outlook over the ocean is clouded. The sea is

rough, announcing the storm season. On the cliff, at

thirty meters height, Fiamma and Bassam are going to

have their first flying lesson, currently they are

hesitating though. They wait and watch the trained

jumpers, who secretly must envy the couple for their

wings. Finally, Fiamma makes the first step and nudges

Bassam down the cliff, who is able to delay his

touchdown for the unremarkable fraction of a second.

He just as well could have jumped with an open

umbrella. The cliff divers are amused. »Stop laughing!

This must hurt,« Fiamma shouts.

Bassam survived. He climbs up the stairs back to

the cliff, where he grabs Fiamma, who is quarrelling

with the divers, from behind and jumps. Bassam 
immerses in the waves before her.

Keen to learn flying, their training turned into a

veritable competition, if only success wasn't slow in

coming. Dozens of takeoffs later, their resignation

follows.

The day is almost over. No matter how

uncompromisingly the deadline is approaching, they

still don't know how to fly. As usual, for better or worse,

Captain Jimmynez needs to be consulted.

»My two phoenixes, finally you have risen,

welcome!« The Captain greets his friends who just

arrived in the canalization, which is crowded with

hundreds of dogs and cats.

»I wish you were right, but you must teach us how 
to fly first!«

»Let me look at you... I think I can help you.«

»What are you waiting for?«

»I don't want to hurt your feelings, but did you ever

think of a diet? Not forever, just until your wings will

carry you from alone.«

»That's all? That's so logic!«

Thanks to their rigorous raw food switch, Fiamma

and Bassam are burning more calories than they gain. In

order to balance out the weight loss with flight muscles,

every free minute the wings are waved. Furthermore,

Fiamma came up with the genius idea of glueing each of

her transplanted and feathered skin flaps between her

inside arms and rips with thick, sticky crude oil. Her

arm - and neck muscles will be thankful.
Alessia, who refused to repair Bassam's vocal

chords, was a great help this time. Thanks to her

liposuctions, Fiamma's and Bassam's waists, hips,

thighs, arms, backs and butts became completely fat free

over night.

Two days later, the results speak for themselves:

Fiamma's record in vertical takeoff stands at four meters.

With his three and a half meters, neither does Bassam

need to hide. There is a big difference between taking off

and flying though. The cliff jumps may not hurt

anymore, but they still get wet.

Whatever they do, the dream of flying remains a

dream. From now on, only a daredevil idea can save

them. Gravitation prevents them from training crucial

flight techniques. Their body weights can't be blamed

anymore. There's no more excess material left to lose or 
to suck off. So it's highly convenient that the storm

season has arrived. Bassam and Fiamma will chase

hurricanes. At first, Fiamma hesitated but the time

pressure changed her mind.

There's no getting around learning to fly. Should

they die after their upheaving jump into the hurricane,

at least they sacrificed themselves for the defenceless

animals, the couple convinces itself in a tragic discussion

before Bassam switches on the nozzles of the yacht and

navigates towards the storm. But should they survive,

they win everything. Not only freedom waves and a

future for their love, but also the ability to fly like an

Angel. For both, the process of decision-making is a no-

brainer.

Fiamma and Bassam are trying to eat something. 
Each of them holds a plate yet none of them dares to

touch the spoon. Each single gram counts. The soon-to-

be birds are too scared of losing their ideal body

weights, thus of overworking their wings. Falling is no

option, not resulting from lack of discipline.

Eighty miles away from the coast, one medium-

sized hurricane is about to brew. The boat is driven by

autopilot, it's time for the potentially last prayer.

The two jump off the boat. While the hurricane is

about to form, they swim to its emerging whirl. Should

Fiamma and Bassam be lucky, the diameter of the

cyclone will be as long as the distance to the shore,

where the two can lower gently and as a whole by its

slackened rim. In the worst case, they will crash into

each other in the rotation of the storm and break all

bones. Chances they crash into any other hard objects 
here at open see are low. So the couple already separates

in the water. In the maelstrom, they gently drift away.

The carrousel begins to spin. The faster they get, the

higher they rise. By the margin of the cyclone, the winds

are still bearable but they must increasingly flutter

harder in order not to be dragged inside. As soon as they

reach the peak in a matter of seconds, the worst is almost

over. The warm winds in the upper margin should

stabilize them.

Finally, Bassam first and then Fiamma managed to

defy gravity. As a reward, they learn the secret of flying.

They find out how to make use of their tail feathers,

which are useless when falling down a cliff like a stone.

Bassam even dares to leave the region of the raising

warm winds. By his own wing power, he dares to fly

against the course of the storm. He nosedives, falls and 
breaks through the thunderous waves. Drawing a bow,

he suddenly shoots upwards. The training with the

crude oil pays off, there are no signs of exhaustion in his

arms.

Fiamma not only is fascinated by flying per se. In

safe distance, she first flies round the hurricane eye. As

crazy as she is, she aims at the center and dives inside,

just to be spitted out from the heavy clouds into clear

heaven. She must tell Bassam about it and glides back

under the cloud layer. Already waiting for her, he

applauds, a big mistake. He plummets into the ocean. In

the air, he is not allowed to do two different things with

his wings simultaneously. Fiamma realizes that he isn't

able to take off from the floods. With the assistance of

the strong tailwind, she manages to pull him out and on

high she releases him. Voila, there he stabilizes again.
Satisfied with their achievements, the two glide

back to their boat which has already reached the harbor

on autopilot.

In the morning, they find out that they only tasted

from success and further essential flight exercises

shouldn't be long in coming. When the Vegan Guard

surprises them again, probably no thunderstorm will

assist them in taking off. Only a short run-up is allowed

and the feathers must harmonize immediately with each

other. What place can be more suitable to train than a

yacht? Whenever they make a mistake, the water will

catch them. If they can solve it here, it will be easier to

jump from the cliff, to stabilize during the fall and to fly

back to the cliff. The arrogant cliff jumpers will learn

soon enough the difference between plummeting and 
gliding!

Until noon, there are no more success stories to

report. Fiamma and Bassam can only explain it with

their nervousness. They are still excited about the

miracle from last night. They decide to take a break.

Only a little later, when Fiamma realizes a few

successful take-offs, there is nothing left to learn

anymore. She is even able to instruct Bassam and soon

they take off for a reconnaissance flight.

From above, the streets are crowded with ant-sized

people. Fiamma gets curious and nosedives, followed by

Bassam. The deeper they dive, the louder the anti-vegan

slogans and chants become. Hundreds of two-leggeds

and transplanted convicts are gathering. The two not

only can hear pro-meat slogans, apparently fruitarians

are present as well.
»I bet they get paid! The general must have begun

without us, but they won't make it far. This alliance is

fake, it will never hold!«

»As long as you don't fuel it, it will crumble,«

Fiamma reassures.

»We shouldn't have landed! This place is swarmed

with press people. They will tell lies about us!«

»Bassam, look! The werewolves, they are coming

for us!«

»Take-off!« Only a few quick steps later, almost at

the push of a button, the two find themselves back in the

air. Through the street canyons, they seek their way out.

Their destination is the wild. The great getaway has just

begun!

After countless of aimless turnings into the side

alleys, they may have shaken off their pursuers, yet the 
cameras casted in the building windows are still

scanning them. Their current flight level is too low to

escape. The wind, which may be helpful to raise them

rapidly, unfortunately is long in coming.

And it's over. On high, four eagle-wings-

transplanted court dragons, the Vegan Guard's secret air

unit, grab the fleeing couple. The two are dragged down

to the ground. Both can guess where they are carried

away.

»Did you really run away from my werewolves? Is

this true?«

»We did not run away from your werewolves, your

Honor. It was the press who made us fly away from the

protest. What would it look like, only a few days before

the press conference,« Bassam arguments in the office of 
the judge and he isn't really wrong. The judge doesn't

ask more questions. His favorite convict makes sense.

»What were the fruitarians doing there,« Fiamma

wants to know.

»Originally, we wanted to hire the amateur

dramatics who play fruitarians after the press

conference, but we have lost a lot of time. Apart from

this, Salmonellus refilled his batteries with dogs. For

each dog he slaughters, he earns the tenfold of its value.

We can catch him in the act, we are prepared now. My

wolves wanted to inform you on the street. Sunday is

our deadline. Until then, stay calm!«

»When will this week end? What a nightmare!«

»We should give up!«

»We will never get out of here!«
»I don't accept it! There's always a way!«

»Should we cut off our hands only to become

invisible?«

»We could ask the eldest. Maybe this time he has

something useful for us.«

»His plan was doomed to fail since the beginning!

Even if we flied high enough, would we have ever made

it to the forest? No! They have their own flight unit.«

»Hey, I will miss our wings too, I'm on your side!«

»I really love you but I'm scared now.«

Again, Bassam and Fiamma carry their problems to

the schoolyard. They slip through the manhole. Talented

in low-flying as they are, they flutter through the tunnel

towards the bright, towards the chamber of the Captain

like the moths to the light.
After battling his way through hundreds of

yapping and meowing dogs and cats, the Captain greets

his guests.

»We need to talk!«

»What is it this time? One day, I would like to see a

carefree Fiamma!«

»We failed again.«

»Oh no, I have a bad feeling. You need a new T-

shirt, am I right?«

»Unfortunately.«

»What a shame! Nobody wants to blemish an

Angel.«

»Come on! You know we are not that innocent.

Guess how we earned our wings!«

»Hey, I have absolutely nothing to do with it! All I 
do is giving you the results. How you get there, that's

alone your problem!«

»Nobody blames you but we need a better plan! We

underrated our opponents.«

»Well, good morning! What did you think? Karma

may have a simple manual but it can be Hell as well. But

since their Karma is based on technology, I might have

an idea how to go on.«

»I'm hearing.«

»Help me to find the correct T-shirt first!«

»Not again! Can't we go on without your stupid T-

shirts?«

»We could, if I could only remember! I know the

element but I don't know the role of its animal, neither

can I remember the crime for its Karma.«

»Fine, will you help us, Bassam?«
»If I have to.«

»There's a thin line between respect and

inaccessibility. No settlements have been established in

the water yet,« Captain Jimmynez explains while he digs

up one pile of clothes by one for the yellowed T-shirt.

»Apparently, no element is safe enough for us,«

Bassam objects.

»And here it is! Voila, the wet element! I'm an idiot!

How could I forget?! The keyword is »kidnapping«.«

»We should kidnap someone to be transplanted

into seals?«

»This is just awesome... from Angels to seals!« For

Fiamma, time has come to mourn her wings.

»According to Karma, the exile into the wet element

would be the justified punishment for deprivation of

freedom. Cheer up! You will still remain Angels, only in 
the water instead of the air.«

»And I already know who we are going to kidnap!«

»Not Callas again!«

»Consider that you need to kidnap two persons

minimum in order to get two transplantations, otherwise

you will go separate ways. An eagle and a seal, that

won't last forever. Who the Hell is Callas?«

»She's the incumbent queen of Apple Tree. Then we

kidnap the whole pack,« Fiamma suggests.

»We need a nice place to lock them in!«

Fiamma still knows where her old friends live. One

by one, each on the list is made open the door, tied up

and flown to the gully in the schoolyard of the arts

academy, where they are kicked down. In two days,

Fiamma would allow her victims to call the 
guards. Meanwhile, the couple will try to have some

quality time on the rented yacht.

»Soon, we will crawl on the soil and eat dust! We

will crawl on our bellies! Don't you understand?!«

Fiamma is furious. She can't let go of her destructive

thoughts, the full contrast between her present,

airworthy body and the one from her near future. Her

wings, the court will replace with a thick skin, an even

thicker layer of fat will be build up on her belly. And just

a few days ago, she fasted to death to make her wings

carry her.

»Are you ready for the transplantation?«

»Let's fly to the cliffs one more time and then we let

them call the guards!«
»Did everyone eat up their tofu,« Bassam shouts

down to the canalization.

»Yes, we did, we swear... What are you holding in

your hand? Do you have meat? Can I have it?«

»You can have it, sister Tess. I would eat it up

before the others take it from you.«

»Ouch... bloody liars! What is this?«

»That's a cellphone! Gotcha! We will call the

werwolves and then we will kill you!«

Only many hours later, after one member of the

clique finally found out how to use this antique device

programmed in cuneiform script, the Vegan Guard rolls

in, rescues the clique and walks off the two kidnappers.

»Your Honor, I will tell you why we did it... it was 
out of revenge. These subjects hurled rocks at me! Even

if our mission is our top priority, we still have

emotions,« Fiamma defends herself.

»Why on earth did you have to kidnap them? Do

you know what is expecting you? Your wings are going

to wither! We will trim and amputate them! From now

on, you are going to crawl on the ground! You are

banned, exiled into water, that's the price for forcible

confinement. All our gifts, the animals, the wings, you

didn't appreciate! What should I do with you? You are a

disgrace and a threat to our movement! But we still need

you and we know how to eliminate risks! I may not be

allowed to confine you, but we have other means to

make you serve us. One way or another, the press

conference will take place in exactly one week!«

»But... the Apple Tree... you must believe me, 
your Honor... they deserved it!«

»Do you want to tell me something, Fiamma? Did

these people you have kidnapped ever poach, hunt or

eat meat?«

»Oops, did I just report them?«

»Applause,« Bassam sarcastically cheers as he

strives to avoid exactly this.

»You did the right thing, my little. Ha! Who knows,

in the end a woman may lead us to victory! We shall see.

You are allowed to choose your seal breeds for this extra

information.«

»Your Honor, what difference does it make?! Seals

are handicapped animals,« Bassam laments.

»I want a white fur!«

While Fiamma's and Bassams's arms and legs are 
being shortened and amputated, the judge orders the

werewolves to return the clique. If they really ate meat,

which will be checked immediately, the Karma Court

will attach the cult members dog paws. Transplanted

Apple Tree members would make an excellent press and

the goal of the meat eaters would be one step closer.

Combined with Bassam's press conference, the impact of

the plan would increase dramatically.

Everyone knows that the young members of the

cult aren't the most loyal vegans, but what the judge

finds out during the questioning even shocks him. The

youngsters really believed they were living in a Karma-

free zone. The sad destiny of tons of living animals,

which were sacrifized in packs, herds and swarms,

comes to light. This is too much, even for a meat lobbyist 
like the judge. Without hesitating any longer, he

sentences all nine members.

Fiamma and Bassam are confronted with a bad

surprise too when they wake up from their narcoses.

Living cobras have been wrapped around their throats

in order to gain control over the couple. What the two

don't know is that cobras are proud animals who use

their power for nothing but their own interests. They

don't really accept being bossed around by the court. Of

course, they will remain on their necks, but only to profit

in the event of finding something precious on the way.

Not long after the Vegan Revolution, some snakes found

out that practically nobody could stop them anymore.

Snakes became the first animals who began hoarding

other animals and some even became super rich by now. 
For his missing arms and legs, a snake prefers to use a

human, his favorite tool. He loop himself around a

throat to get good grip and this would be all it takes to

become a snake's slave. Once firmly saddled on your

head, you do whatever he wants. He navigates you

wherever he wants. As soon as you arrive, you recognize

what he wants and pick it up for him.

Many other activities would be still practicable for

Fiamma and Bassam as long as they don't allow

themselves to be intimidated by the placebo effect of the

snakes. If Bassam keeps his promise next Sunday, the

snakes will be taken off. The judge learned from his

mistakes.

»How on earth could we end up in such a

situation?«

»Don't lose your nerves!«
»We will die!«

»We won't, if I talk next Sunday.«

»If you do this, then you are dead for me anyway.«

»Look who's talking! Who gave away the clique?!«

»Hey, it was an accident! I did it for us, in order to

defend us. Sorry for trying to help!«

»Now it's too late for sorries!«

»Let's learn to crawl and then let's go!«

»Good idea... move slowly, no hasty movements! I

think the cobras are falling asleep.«

»Pray we don't wake them up!«

It becomes immediately clear that their new

territory should be liquid. The amateur seals are

struggling without making really progress. At least they

can't fall anymore this way. Nothing can bring the ex-

four-leggeds down again.
In the course of their seal transplantations, all their

extremities have been quasi amputated. What's left has

been coated with a thick fin skin. The gifted surgeons

basically removed the bones from their forearms, or

rather coupled their hands with their upper arms. The

leg bones have been removed completely. Only their feet

remained. To relearn the anatomical art of locomotion,

the shortening of limbs luckily demands only a little

practice.

Out of respect for the sleeping cobras, the Sea

Angels gently crawl to the harbor.

»Should we dare to jump into the water to test our

new fins,« Fiamma suggests at the arrival.

»And how would the cobras react to the water?«

»Damn, how could I forget?! We must get rid of 
them, but how?«

»Maybe the Captain knows how.«

»Let's crawl!«

Only one way leads through the gully. Fiamma and

Bassam must plump down without waking up the

snakes, who would immediately bite in their throats if

they land on them. The Captain must come up to the

schoolyard.

»Captain Jimmynez... help,« both are screaming

into the manhole.

Someone silently approaches and immediately

cringes back after seeing the distorted couple with the

cobras attached to them. He turned back. The two pray

for the Captain's skills in taming cobras.

With a broken bottle which has been covered 
provisionally with a T-shirt, he returns. First, he grabs

the head of the sleeping cobra on Fiamma's neck,

unwraps it, spreads his jawbone with his paws and

presses its teeth against the bottle wall to milk his

poison. And the same procedure is repeated with

Bassam's snake. While the snakes silently vanish below

Callas' cattle and the gate to the street, the seals hug

their hero with their sweaty fins.

»What if we forgot something, what if they will

catch you again? If the judge finds out that you are

running away again, he won't show mercy anymore.«

»There won't be a next time.«

»Never ever will they get us again, not in their

wildest dreams!«
»Mum, can you do me a huge favor?«

»Only if you come back home, young Miss!«

»I can't, I'm sending over a friend. He will pick up

some cats and dogs. Could you give them to him

please?«

»No, I want you to return right now!«

»Mum, I would love to but I really can't! My

friend's name is Jimmynez, he is transplanted too.«

»Sure, what else?!«

»He is a good man, please believe me!«

»What's his Karma?«

»A dog, mum.«

»I am warning you! Call him back or I will call the

werewolves!«

»Don't! We are broke, we have nothing to eat! Why

won't you help us? These are my animals!«
»No, you will come and you will come alone! I

don't want to see Bassam ever again!«

»You are crazy! Give me dad!«

»No.«

»Good, you will never see me again!«

»That's the smartest thing you've ever said.«

»I'm sorry, she can be so difficult sometimes.«

»We still have Callas's animals from the scam in the

canalization, that's not less, don't worry! The Captain

must give us something if he wants to safe his

revolution. We need a boat.«

»So we can leave tonight? We should call your

mum! She needs to come to the lake. We can't hike like

this!«

»I'm observed, I can't call her.«
»They can't observe telegrams.«

»Not if we ask the Captain to send one.«

The engines are ignited. Behind, the city is getting

smaller and smaller. The route leads through the ocean

again. Only a few days are left to the press conference,

time is on their side.

Fiamma is curious. »What will you tell them?«

»Please help me to find a good story!«

»That's difficult this time. We can't dress up

anymore.«

»We are victims.«

»And then? Why are we victims, of who? You won't

tell them the truth, will you?«

»I don't know. Are we victims of a crime or are we 
our own victims?«

»Believe me, of a crime.«

»And what crime are we talking about?«

»Why don't you tell your mum that someone

wanted to hire you for something really bad, by all

means?«

»And in the end we became seals?«

»Or tell her they wanted to kidnap me!«

»But they can't mess with a poacher's girl. My

mum will believe us! It's about honor!«

»That's deep, that's really good!«

»Thank you.«

»Do you know what comes to my mind? We should

learn swimming like the seals. Our new fins won't be

swimming from alone!«

»How long can you hold your breath?«
»In the water? Two minutes or so I guess?«

»We should train this too!«

The boat enters the delta. The rivers are being

passed without complications and finally the crew

arrives. A little surprise is waiting, a truly royal

reception. Bassam's little sister Marella is waving at the

mouth of the river, sitting on a whale baby's head. The

opposite shore is reached at whale speed. There's no

harbor around. All the crew can do is anchoring,

jumping and swimming to the shore.

»Marella, we need your help! Fiamma and me, we

can't swim. Would you please take care of us should we

go down?«

»No problem, brother, but this won't be necessary if

you anchor close enough to the shore.«
Fiamma and Bassam plumped into the water.

Marella motionlessly observes from the shore. Never

ever in her life did the young hermit see Karma-

transplanted convicts. She faints.

»We still need to train this,« Fiamma comments on

their swimming technique which basically consists of

punching the water. Without further assistance, the two

seals finally make it to the beach.

Fiamma and Bassam immediately crawl to Marella.

Fiamma tenderly smacks the poor girl with her wet fins.

Marella is reviving. »Bassam, this can't be you! What

happened to you?«

»Would you bring us to mum first, please? I will tell

you everything. Don't be sad now, we are fine!«

»But I'm scared!«
Fiamma consoles her and few seconds later, Marella

is standing on her feet again. She leads the crew to her

mum.

The crew staggers and crawls and finally arrives.

Mother Novemberbaum is already waiting in front of

the camp. She falls on her knees, prays and cries when

she sees her son crawling. Unbendingly, he crawls and

takes her in his fins. »Mum, don't be sad. Everything will

be fine. I will tell you everything.« Dead still, his mother

holds her son in her arms. Grief-stricken as she is, her

son won't be able to provoke any other feelings in her

heart. Does she believe him? Does she believe that

everything will be fine again? She smiles at her son's

girlfriend who is arriving at this moment.

Bassam's angry sister Sienna rushes out of the 
building. »Leave! Don't you see what you are doing to

her? She cares for you and you, you don't even find the

time to call her! I'm so glad Almighty God punished you

already, and he did it so good, all Praise and Glory to the

Exalted One! You are a cripple, abused by Karma!« She

runs and like kicking a ball, she kicks her mini-brother.

Bassam even flies a bit.

»Stop! He is still our brother! Can't you see what

they did to him?!« To protect him from further kicks,

Marella takes her brother into her arms.

»Your little sister is right, Sienna. You will apologize

to your brother! Let's go inside now and relax a bit!«

»Son, I know that you won't tell us everything but

at least give us something we can hold on to.«

»Mrs Novemberbaum, we don't want that 
something happens to your wonderful family,« Fiamma

continues. She introduces her version of the truth. She is

gifted, talking about everything and legitimizing just

everything. Neither Marella nor Sienna have been

prepared for this, they break into tears. Even Fiamma

tries to cry, she actually misses her wings though, in fact

she misses him them so much that her tears won't be

long in coming. Only Bassam's mum keeps a cool head.

She knows one thing: from Fiamma she won't learn any

facts. So she plans to take Bassam to task the next time

she meets him alone.

The judge meanwhile teaches the general about the

transplanted clique, his last catch.

»Wouldn't our endeavor profit from it, sir?«

»At least the press would for a short time, your 
Honor, provided this was a one-time coup. That's my

estimation. But Bassam Novemberbaum's long list of

clients is promising, promising countenance.«

»Sir, in my opinion every press is a good press.«

»Dear judge, if you believe you can profit then do

it! But as long as you don't come along with something

substantial, keep us out of it! Bassam is perfect.

Furthermore, it is unthinkable to play this movement

into a woman's hands, not in our name. Miss Orizzonti

may have initiated something big, but we must respect

our own rules if we want to save our future!«

At the lake, days of iron discipline and hard

training began. Sienna follows Fiamma into the water to

train her swimming and diving skills.

Mother Novemberbaum still is waiting for an 
occasion to meet Bassam alone but unfortunately he is

constantly in the focus of the girls. Whenever he has a

free minute, his sisters cluster around him. They didn't

see him for a long time, they basically know him only

from the video calls.

»Bassam, would you tell me what's going on here?

Fiamma's story can't be true! I am your mum, do I

deserve being lied to?«

»Mum, thanks for the most beautiful days in my

life. You must believe me, I don't want to hurt you.

Fiamma told you the truth and for your own security,

you shouldn't know more,« Bassam answers vaguely.

»You are lying to me too! You youngsters stick

together! Why on earth am I asking you?! You know

what, I don't care anymore! As long as you spare us with 
your problems, be my guests, but keep us out of it!«

»Mum, don't be mad! We do the right thing! You

can be very, very proud of us...«

»Whatever, drum up the girls! Dinner is ready.«

The sun shines, the holidays can go on forever like

this. The lake is so beautiful. Because Bassam didn't

make it to the press conference, he is a fugitive since two

days. This means he is forbidden from entering

settlements. The same applies to Fiamma, who certainly

is no fugitive but the partner of the fugitive. Nobody

really knows her status though.

Fiamma crawls to the cabin and grabs a package of

oxygen bubble gums. As long as she chews on them,

these will create oxygen. In the deep of the lake, she will 
finally fly like an Angel again.

Something is wrong. Fiamma, who is holding on

the whale baby's fin, doesn't trust her eyes when she

suddenly becomes surrounded by the relics of a

medieval underwater city. What if the buildings still

have energy stored, feeding the camera modules in the

windows, scanning her for her finger tips right now.

Soon, a ship of the Vegan Guard could arrive. She must

warn everyone!

»What should we do?«

»We will ask my mum for help. There's no going

back anymore. Heads will roll!«

»Do you really want to kill them?«

»Believe me, I don't want to kill anyone but we

can't lose.«
Bassam's mum promised her son to help them fight

the guard, if necessary with the support of her daughters

and if necessary by hunting them down with her

knowhow.

She checks her rusty inherited aluminium cannons

from the old war, lightweight stone launchers which she

brought in order to protect her daughters from poachers

and fishermen at the lake. An experienced huntress like

her is neither scared nor respects the Vegan Guard with

its fashionably humanist hi-tech weaponry. What could

happen to her in the worst case? Would they transplant

her into a seal like her son and his girl? What a low price

for their lives. In the meantime, her girls are collecting

rocks which are going to be fired from the cannons.

Each cannon is going to be operated by a female 
member of the family, who took position at three shores.

As soon as the ship arrives in the middle of the lake, it

will go down.

Minutes later, the small battleship is already

recognizable. In this size, it should be manned with

maximum five werewolves. The moment it enters the

lake, Marella fires the first rock and pierces the bow.

Sienna and her mum riddle the ship's sides and watch

the crew jump aboard. Their ship is sinking. The

werewolves will be captivated.

Before more guards arrive, everyone must leave the

lake. There's no consensus on how to proceed with the

captivated though. Mama Novemberbaum would tie

them to a tree and call an air taxi back to the mountains 
with her kids, but she recognizes that her son is not

ready to come with them. Fiamma can imagine dumping

them into the open sea, whereas Marella would prefer

abandoning them on an island. Bassam suggests taking

the werewolves back home, where some unfinished

business is waiting for him. He may have won the battle,

but he lost the war. He failed to escape again.

After a hasty farewell, the family splits and the

ways separate again. Mother Novemberbaum and her

girls disappear in the sky. Bassam's boat follows the

rivers back to the ocean. The detainees, who are going to

be released at their arrival, have been shackled and

locked up in the cabin. Bassam's mum and sisters, who

are the only ones with long, functioning fingers, were

helpful in doing so. To be incognito, they stuffed oxygen 
bubble gums into their ears.

»We are going to have one last Karma

Transplantation.«

»Oh no, you really want to hurt yourself, don't

you?«

»Look, which animal has no fingers?«

»Ugh, the snake?«

»Bingo!«

»But as much as I am informed, snake

transplantations don't exist.«

»And this is how we will win! First we seduce their

curious system and then we will beat them at their own

game!«

»May I ask you what you understand under

winning?«
»You must see it like this! We will get used to it like

all snakes do. We can do whatever we want once we are

untraceable! That's the price for freedom!«

»What a price! And why should the court

transplant us into snakes?«

»Well, that's the problem. According to my

calculations, we must kill someone. We need to poison

someone to be precise.«

»You mean each of us needs to poison someone.«

»That's what I said, yeah.«

»But I don't want this! I don't want to get

amputated again!«

»Fiamma, do you remember what you told me

about plants, how much you hate them? Why do you

hate them?«

»Because they die instead of the animals.«
»I'm really sorry but we need to get transplanted

and amputated one more time if we want to save them.

Don't be sad! We mastered every transplantation by

now. Did you forget?«

»We really did, but I am so scared!«

»Don't be scared, I will be with you.«

»Do you love me?«

»I love you so much that I would even kill for you.«

»Then let's do it!«

Finally, the mainland is in sight. The bonded

detainees are thrown into an empty boat at the harbor

and the trip comes to an end.

»Do you remember how the Captain milked the

snakes? We need the bottle with the poison.«
Out of fear of being scanned, Fiamma and Bassam

remain in the boat. They send a courier to the military

academy with a message for the Captain. Nothing must

go wrong before they killed someone, otherwise

everything starts all over again and they might destroy

what they seek to protect in the end.

Deep in the night, the courier returns. Speechless,

he hands Bassam a small tied nylon bag with a yellowish

liquid in it with tiny fragments of crushed glass. The

Captain had a suspicion and he knew that the poison

would be useless without the cobra. The poison needs to

get into the blood circulation to be effective. In the

tummy, it won't kill from alone. The glass shards would

make tiny little cuts on their way down to the stomach,

replacing the teeth of the cobra, the well-paid courier 
explains.

Fiamma and Bassam don't want to delay it

anymore. All they want is to leave the demanding days

behind. Two taxis are called. The courier gets the

addresses of their victims. He must alarm the Vegan

Guards tomorrow morning. The two won't leave the

crime scenes. After dividing the poison into two

portions, they move on.

Fiamm is brought to the villa of Salmonellus and

Bassam to the court complex.

Around dawn, while each murder victim sleeps

soundly, the seal transplantations of the killers turn out

quite practical, especially their short body sizes.

Creeping in never has been easier.

Fiamma crawls into the living room, where she 
instills the poison into the breakfast of her ex, into a half-

empty porcelain bottle of rum. Salmonellus is sleeping

off his drunkenness on the couch meanwhile. There is

nothing more to do, Fiamma leaves to the park. There

she waits among the blackmarket animals until the

Vegan Guard arrives.

Bassam managed to crawl into the kitchen of the

judge. He drizzles the yellowish liquid into a soy milk

can. He is done and leaves to the park afterwards,

catching a little sleep.

By noon, the guards arrive at the crime scenes after

they have been informed. Salmonellus and the judge

should be dead by now.

Fiamma and Bassam return to the houses of their 
victims and turn themselves in. The drinks of the victims

are checked, which promptly indicate the poison of the

cobras. Independently, the killers insist on their

penalties. Bassam is sentenced on the spot, by a

neighboring judge. Bassam's strategy seems to pay off.

He explains it to the judge. As the keyword for the

murder is »cobra«, the judge finally speaks out a snake

transplantation, a premiere in the relatively young

history of Karma Justice. The same judge will also rule

over Fiamma's similar case in the afternoon.
7

»Bassam, am I dead?«

»Why are you asking so stupid? Everything goes

according to plan!«

»I can't feel my legs!«

»Just relax! You are still under anesthesia, love. And

you look awesome besides! That's all you need to

know.«

»Please let me sleep a little longer... damn I can't

sleep anymore! Where are we?«

»We are in the park.«

»And where are my arms?«
»Don't panic, my princess, you don't need them

anymore.«

»What have you done to me?«

»Baby, we are free, the animals are safe! Did you

forget? Don't think of anything else!«

»I don't want the animals! I want my arms and

legs!«

»You are so beautiful, you really don't need them

anymore! Look at you, how long you are now!«

Fiamma is imprisoned in the anatomy of a python

and she is not happy about the total loss of her limbs. By

transplanting the skeleton of a meters long snake, which

basically consists of nothing but a spine and ribs, her

own spine and ribs have been extended downwards by

the surgical engineers. She became an ultralong seal in 
other words. Her muscles, tendons, blood vessels,

cartilages, flaps of skin and the nerves, which have been

taken and conserved during her seal transplantation,

have been remodelled and assembled in such way that

they now cover the single strand of snake bones inside

her. Only her shoulders distinguish her silhouette from

that of a real python.

The premiere in the Karma surgery may be a big

success, but in the end their hands and feet are lost now

and with them the ability to be scanned for finger- and

toe prints. Scientific curiosity overruled justice.

Without fur, not only Fiamma feels naked and

exposed in her dehumanization, Bassam as well slowly

revives and wakes up. He isn't used to be naked

everywhere. Eventually, an appointment in the tattoo

studio of Fiamma's friend Alessia can cheer the poor 
lovers up.

Since tattoos on Karma-transplanted convicts don't

violate the law, Alessia is cooperative again. Like the last

time, when her friends asked her for liposuctions in

order to touch the sky, she will make sure they feel

comfortable in their new skins again. The full-body

tattoos may cost a couple of sized animals, but in return

the two won't be distinguishable from a real python and

anaconda, if one ignores their shoulders, genitals and

hairdos. Even the sheds are inked in a single, never-

ending session.

The closer Alessia comes to an end, the happier the

traumatized girl becomes. The tattoo session turns into a

never-ending party, which Fiamma will leave golden-

yellow with black encircled red dots and Bassam olive-
green, with oval black spots.

Amazed about their new looks, the couple leaves

the studio four days later and wriggles into the night.

At last, peace has been restored. Since the judge is

dead and since Fiamma and Bassam said goodbye to

their fingers and toes, they can carry on just as they

please. Nobody cares whether they are alive or not.

Out of nothing, another task imposes itself. New

anti-vegan protests are erupting. Responsible are the dog

transplantations of the Apple Tree members, after

Fiamma denounced them accidentally. The protesters are

angry. The clique didn't make a secret of who to blame.

Before Fiamma was able to kill the judge, he was able to

profit from the sentenced youth community members. 
The media, instigated by the reactionary meat eaters,

doesn't report anything else. The loyal friends of the

animals are about to unify with the newly awakened

ultra vegans, which would be meat eating fruitarians.

They all believe their fundamental rights are being

violated. For the couple, there is nothing left to do

anymore.

There is still one address left which is occupied

with Bassam though. The wires in the military

headquarters are running hot. The general is urged to

use the transplanted members of the Apple Tree for his

campaign. But he wants Bassam, who is no more

traceable. The general soon finds out that Bassam's

extremities have been removed along with his fingertips.

He can't be scanned anymore, he slipped. The Karma 
Ministry is warned and urged to suspend all impending

snake transplantations.

Clueless about the last developments, excursions

are made every day. The situation in the city has calmed

down. The reactionary rebellion of the meat eaters and

fruitarians has been smashed. No other cities have been

infected with anti-vegan riots. Fiamma and Bassam have

every reason to celebrate, they saved the world.

Bassam intended to return with Fiamma to his

family when he finds out that his lucky streak is over.

The motor is dead. He calls a mechanic.

»We can't repair you our boat, you are our hostage.«

»You are no mechanic! Are you working for the 
general?«

»What a smart boy you are! You shouldn't have

betrayed us!«

»What do you want from me?«

»You will fix everything again, we will fix you, call

it what you want! The plan may have changed, but not

our goal.«

»May I guess? There will be another press

conference.«

»There will be a lot of press conferences once you

have been removed.«

»So you want to kill me.«

»Everyone must die, but we won't kill you, oh no!

We will just let you die. You will go through all causes of

death our Lord has created in order to kill a man, big

promise! But first, we need to make a man of you again. 
You will need limbs for what we have in mind. Rejoice!

Enjoy every second of it because you won't get more.

First, you are going to starve to dead. We will dehydrate

you and poison you with cancer, terminal stage. Please

don't take it personal, take it physical! There will be

plenty of time left to pull your hair out, body hair

inclusive, not to mention the floccus, which takes less

than a second in the nano-magnetic tube. To make you

bleed to death, we will pull your teeth, your nails,

fingers and toes, not simultaneously but in this order,

then your arms and legs. You still won't die from this.

The human body is a miracle! You will see, you will have

plenty of time to burn, just until the third degree, not

more. This will allow us to peel your skin, or at least

what's left from it. Guess how we will continue! Do you

know what a pistol is?«
»What the Hell...«

»Do you like surprises? After we smashed your rips

and your stubborn skull, this medieval tool will

perforate your lungs, your tummy and finally your

heart. By then, at the latest, we might get under

pressure. We still need to break your neck before we can

drown you. Then, my friend, you would be dead exactly

to the second.«

»Would?«

»I swear, I would do it by myself if the general

allowed me but unfortunately he decided to shoot you

to the moon.«

»So you do want to kill me!«

»He didn't lose one word about killing. You are

going to be transplanted into a fish. On the moon, you

don't need to breathe with the fish gills you will get from 
us.«

»But... Bassam... is this even possible? Don't the

fish need oxygen? At least a little?«

»Honey, I don't know it. I will be the first again to

be transplanted into a new animal.«

»Damn! And what about me?«

»You were useful to them. They let you go.«

»I can't just sit and watch. I swear, I will terrorize

the Captain until we get you back!«

Bassam doesn't panic when the werewolves

approach. He spends his last hours lonely at the beach

when they grab him. Fiamma is close, she is diving

while Bassam is brought to the Karma surgery. She dives

down, deeper and deeper.
The surgery was a success. Bassam is detained in an

aquarium inside a zeppelin. It takes off. Shortly after

midnight, after Bassam is abandoned on the moon,

Fiamma crawls back on the boat. She wants to be lonely.

The motor runs again.

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