"You're joking, right?" exclaims K4R1M with a tone mixing surprise and indignation. "This is what you consider good news? I sincerely believe you have a very particular definition of what constitutes good news!"

  "Come on, please, think about it for a moment!" I say, taking his arm which hangs limply. "We have the opportunity to work together on a truly different project, it could be an enriching and even fun experience! And then, there's another significant aspect: if we carry out this mission successfully, our dear boss will be promoted and move upstairs, to the prestigious administrative offices! If everything goes as planned, in a few days, or at most a few weeks, we'll all be gathered to celebrate her farewell party! Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

  "Looking at it that way," interjects EUG7NE thoughtfully, "it's true that this mission has some rather interesting aspects, and the idea of all working together on the same project is quite appealing," he continues with a YEM0 conspiratorial wink toward K4R1M.

  "Okay, okay, I have to admit you're scoring points with all these convincing arguments. However, there's one small detail that concerns me: I'm already fully engaged on several other articles at the moment, particularly I absolutely must finish a detailed article on the new features of the ADR1EN 14 suit by this evening."

  "Don't worry, I've already discussed this with the boss. But, it's really incredible to think we're already at the fourteenth model! Time flies at a dizzying speed. I still nostalgically remember my very first suit, I was so young, barely thirteen at the time!"

  "I was even younger, only twelve," interjects EUG7NE with the same nostalgic tone in his voice.

  "And I feel like the veteran of the group now, I was already a full sixteen years old back then."

  "And, don't worry about your article on the suit, K4R1M, I have good news about that: the boss already confirmed to me that she's redistributing your work as well as EUG7NE's to other colleagues. But, out of curiosity, could you tell me what the main innovations of this new model are compared to the previous one?"

  "To be perfectly honest, the improvements are quite subtle, you could even say superficial. The designers mainly focused on perfecting the fabric, making it significantly more pleasant both to touch and to wear daily. Otherwise, not much new. I'm personally a bit disappointed."

  "In that case, do you think it's not really worth investing in this new model?"

  "It's up to you, but don't forget that our current suits are nearing the end of their life - I remind you they have a validity period limited to one year."

  "That's indeed an important point, but unfortunately, I already had to invest in a new suit at the beginning of the month and my current finances are really low, so I doubt I'll buy a new suit before mine expires."

  "If you'll allow me," interjects EUG7NE with a slightly more professional tone, "perhaps we could refocus our discussion on the main subject at hand?"

  "Oh, don't start being a killjoy, Mr. Perfectionist! You're really incorrigible, always so serious even when we're discussing less conventional topics. But well, fortunately you're here to keep us on track, otherwise we wouldn't move forward as efficiently," he adds with a fond expression, making little hearts appear in his YEM0.

  "What exactly did the boss tell you about this mission?"

  "She wasn't very generous with details, but I've just received the email from the shareholder following our conversation. I suggest we meet in the conference room to examine its contents together, what do you think?"

  "Perfect for me," agrees K4R1M, grabbing his still-steaming cup of coffee.

  "I'll follow you," confirms EUG7NE while quickly organizing the scattered documents on his desk into a neat stack.

  I use the chip integrated into my suit to unlock the room door. The mechanism emits a characteristic beep signaling the unlocking of the lock. All three of us enter the room. I head to the control station and, still using my chip, activate the central computer before entering my credentials to access my messages. Meanwhile, my two colleagues settle comfortably in the ergonomic chairs facing the main screen.

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  The interface finally displays the message that my boss had just forwarded to me:

  Madam,

  Following our telephone conversation and your acceptance of the mission I've entrusted to you, I'm sending you the information you requested.

  My little feline is called C4LIN, he's a Maine Coon with a "red silver" coat. He weighs nine kilograms and measures approximately ninety centimeters. I adopted him about two years ago when he was just six months old. So he's two and a half years old. He loves going outside, he's a real adventurer unlike his master, and he spends most of his days outdoors, only appearing in the kitchen at mealtime in the evening, around eight o'clock. Since I work every day, I open the door for him when I leave for work and when I return. He also sleeps inside the house and never goes out at night.

  But now, it's been two weeks, exactly fifteen days since he hasn't returned home, and I'm very worried. I'm afraid something serious has happened to him, that he's been kidnapped to be resold given that he's a purebred cat, or that he's simply been killed, intentionally or unintentionally, by a third party.

  I sincerely hope that you will be able to help me in this investigation where the police have refused to intervene.

  I would like to suggest that you and your journalists, if you're willing, meet at my home tomorrow morning around nine o'clock so that we can discuss this worrying matter in more detail. This will also allow me to show you various photographs that will help you identify him more easily during your search. He also wears a collar with a chip connected to my suit that is supposed to geolocate him, but it must be damaged as I cannot track him.

  I remain at your disposal if you have any questions between now and tomorrow morning.

  Wishing you good reception of this message

  Signed, R0G4R TU44EL0

  "Wait a minute... I can't believe my eyes! Am I really seeing R0G4R TU44EL0's signature?!" exclaims EUG7NE, visibly stunned.

  "Who exactly is that?" asks K4R1M, clearly intrigued.

  "What do you mean, you don't know that name?"

  "No, really not, that's precisely why I'm asking. Who is this person?"

  "He's one of the most eminent and respected figures in the judiciary of our continent. He distinguished himself by presiding over the trials of the most dangerous criminals and serial killers, not only of our generation but also of our parents'. I was convinced he had retired, but apparently that's not the case."

  "Indeed, I can confirm after a quick search in our database. He's still active despite his impressive age - he'll be eighty-eight next week. And according to several recent articles, he doesn't seem to have any intention of retiring in the near future."

  "That perfectly illustrates what I was saying earlier about dinosaurs!" says K4R1M with a small smirk.

  "We must acknowledge that he enjoys an excellent reputation in judicial circles," notes EUG7NE in a respectful tone.

  "At the same time, when you're a major shareholder in numerous press groups, including our newspaper, it's rather difficult to be the subject of criticism," I remark with a hint of bitterness.

  "Who can really guarantee the objectivity of information published about him?"

  "Listen, we'll have the opportunity to form our own opinion tomorrow," tempers EUG7NE.

  "But I must admit that his message touched me. You can really feel that he's deeply attached to his cat." "That's true, and I sincerely hope we'll manage to find his pet. After all, this cat has nothing to do with its master's positions or influence."

  "By the way, when he mentions the possibility of theft for resale, what kind of sum are we talking about?" asks K4R1M. "Does a cat like that really have great market value?"

  "Oh yes, a cat of this breed can easily be negotiated for the equivalent of the price of a car or a small house on the market."

  "Well! I better understand his fears about a possible theft. It's quite astounding to think his cat is worth more than my current suit!"

  "It's perfectly logical when you think about it, K4R1M. We're talking about a purebred cat, while your suit is a used model. You always adopt the same strategy: waiting a few months after the release of a new model to acquire it at a reduced price on online platforms. So it's already half expired and you end up changing models every six months!"

  "Obviously, the prices of new models are completely insane. And at least I change my outfit often."

  "Doesn't it bother you to wear a suit already worn by someone else? I don't think I could do it."

  "No, not in the least!"

  "Forgive me for insisting," interjects EUG7NE, "but could we refocus on our main mission? We can talk about our suits this evening over a drink if you'd like, but now is not the time. The faster we progress, the sooner we'll be done. M1A, would it be possible for you to quickly send a message asking for photos of the cat? That would allow us to start preparing posters, both digital and paper. And don't forget to confirm our visit tomorrow morning at nine o'clock."

  "I'll take care of it immediately, dear voice of wisdom. As soon as I receive the photos, I'll also search online to see if anyone is trying to resell him. K4R1M, could you handle designing the posters ? And EUG7NE, would you be willing to contact the various pounds and animal shelters in the capital to check if they've taken in a cat matching the description?"

  "At your orders, chief!" replies K4R1M enthusiastically as he heads to his workstation.

  "I'll get right on it," confirms EUG7NE in a determined tone as he stands up to begin his research.