FIRST SALVO
A Zootopia fan fiction by Dan

Rated M+

(c) Zootopia 2016 by Disney Animated Studios
(Artist ownership) Ayden Gull from BRO GULLS by Anti_Dev
(Artist ownership) “I Will survive” by William Borba 2017
(Artist ownership) Will and Alex Gray, Sheath and Knife by Harmarist
(Artist ownership) Anubis and the buried bone by Harmarist
(Artist ownership) The K’zin by Lary Niven.

Chapter 4
Recruit Training part 2

    “Whenever I had to deal with someone who displeased the boss...take for example this one fox who bet 200 Zootopian bucks on the big Soccer game, lost the bet and tried to skirt paying. I never saw such a crybaby in my life. He made the bet, the risk were explained to him, the boss even told me to give him grace but when he had to pay….he didn’t. He groveled like a pussy, I even pointed out that if he had enough money to have such a beautifully preened tail...and kid you know well how tails are so important to a fox right? I said “You have the money to make this dust broom so nice but you don’t have enough sense to pay what you owe?” Kid...he was so pathetic, he was an insult. Your old man is ten times, no hundreds of times worth a fox this craven loser was…I left him crying in piss and shame over that pathetic display.

       “Listen...if you ever do something wrong? Admit it...own it...but don’t devolve into a miserable, craven, diaper pissing little cry baby making excuses to run from your “owe-ins” don’t ever bring that shame upon your mother or father kid or so help you? I will come lookin for you….capeesh?”

Tall Pauley, Mister Big’s right hand bear.

September 10, 2039
8:10pm
Anubis’s office.

“What should I do to you Seaman Recruit Wilde? Are you going to beg? Why don’t you beg? Maybe I’ll feel sympathy for you? Go ahead Seaman Recruit, which won’t last long…..cry you little bastard!”

Jackson un-clipped his golden shoulder rope and held it out in front of himself.

“Sir! I accept my responsibility and resign as RPOC.” Jackson said with a rigid face.

Anubis took the shoulder rope, paused...then fastened it back onto Jackson’s shoulder…

“At ease RPOC Wilde.” Anubis ordered. Jackson remained stiff as a board…

“Damn it Recruit….unlock your legs and relax...” Anubis jumped forwards quickly to catch Jackson before he hit the floor and put him down in a chair...”You have a flare for the dramatics Wilde...” Anubis said as he lightly patted Jackson on the cheek...”Come on….breath….”

   Jackson rested his head in his hands and took some long breaths…

   “Easy….you’re not in trouble Wilde.” Anubis said as he sat on top of his desk. “You just took advantage of the only time we permit a little “fudge” in the regulations. All recruits are constantly tested, even on your own free time we tend to throw bones to evaluate things like….honestly….accountability...audacity…. ingenuity...A dropped wallet here. Some bills there. A bunch of blabby civilians?” 

     Jackson looked up….”The Buttercup?” He asked.

     “Oh the information you got is real. The civilian technicians come every few days to get the thing set up for the next round of classes and they’re told to sing like warblers. We want to see if any recruits are willing to stick their necks out. There’s an old saying….”Those who dare? Win.” You were willing to be daring and willing to be responsible and truthful when you were challenged. Very pleasing Mister Wilde. I’d almost say you’re close to being officer material?” Anubis slipped off his desk...”But? Sorry to say? You were not the first to take the risk. Another Recruit company beat you too it this morning.”

     Anubis reached out and flicked a finger off one of Jackson’s long ears...”stiffen those ears?”

      “Sir?” Jackson asked.

      “PERK!” Anubis snapped and Jackson’s ears stiffened up over his head! “What the hell is that?”

      “Sir? My ears Sir.” Jackson replied.

      “No Wilde….what the hell is “Perk!”? Is that in the order of arms? Is that a command out of the book? Do you know how silly you all looked with your big bunny ears flying big as you please? Talk about….”Hey! We’re spying, catch us duh!”...” Anubis said with his arms wide open….”A study circle, a drum circle, you know an “occasional” ear up or two would have been less obtrusive? Come on Wilde, you’re part fox, you’d think you’d know better?”

       Jackson lowered his ears and snickered back. “With all respect Sir? Your ears makes a lawn dart envious. I bet if a bunch of us threw you hard enough? You’d stick into the note board in the Company bay…..respectful observation Sir.”

       Anubis smirked. “And that is the only time I will allow an insult….RPOC. Now impart to the Company the importance of Operational Security? Watch what they say around other company’s recruits. Now get out of my sight you sorry excuse for your fox genes.”

      Jackson popped tall and saluted. “Yes Sir! And thank you Sir for the lesson.”

      “And thank you for your honesty.” Anubis replied. “Now get.”

      Jackson walked into the squad bay and sighed as the Company jeered and clapped for him….

       “Did you see his face going to the office!” A monkey named Churlish exclaimed as he imitated a stiff walking and scared Jackson….”I’m gonna die, I’m gonna die….did you piss your underwear? Lemme see!” Churlish reached for Jackson’s pants and got a slap….

      “No..I didn’t!” Jackson yelped.

        “You should have heard Commander Arch when he saw you guys with your ears up?” A gazele named Silky said as he sat on his top rack. “I was walking down the sidewalk and he was standing there trying not to laugh his ass off. He was practicing what to say to you. “Ummm….is there a medical condition here I should be aware of recruits?”

         Jackson flopped onto the floor...”Honestly? I was scared snitless. I fear my parents more than Commander Anubis any day.”

         One English fox named “Double Dutch” sat next to Jackson. “You could have been more inventive? No one ever asks us foxes for good ideas on anything.”

        “Because you foxes are to busy being “gay” with your tails.” One of the color guard bunnies, a gray and light grown coated female named Wimmerwill, pointed. “No wait...Dutch actually has a name for his tail! Don’t you lover boy?”

         “Look who’s talking...oh I spend 30 minutes shampooing my puffy butt and stealing all the hot water.”

         “He talks to it at night.” Wimmerwill snickered. “Midnight and he swoons it hard. What’s the name of your girlfriend there Dutch?”

        Jackson smiled at Dutch. “My dad’s name for his tail is Chantelle. Come on Dutch? Out with it.”

        Dutch sighed deeply….”mmmm….Linsee.” He said as if in pine filled affection, which got a roar of laughter...”Don’t make fun of her! She’s quite the conversationalist, We’re going to elope and escape boot camp together. She has a cottage in Tundra Town...”

        Jackson stood up and waved his arms...”Are we done cleaning so we can get all this information out that we got from the Butter cup?!”

        Manny replied. “All done.”

        “Get over here and form a circle, pull some racks around so everyone can see this...” Jackson commanded. Soon the whole company was packed into a tight circle around Jackson and Manny with smaller mammals sitting on the largest ones. Papers were spread out over the floor with a crude drawing laid out on a large sheet of printing paper…

       “The Buttercup has one large room….compartment….and four smaller ones. The main room is laid out like a crews quarters with bunks, tables, matresses, sheets, pillows….it’s made to look like it took a hit, the place is a mess of obstacles. There’s holes in the walls….the bulkheads….busted pipes...holes in the floor….the deck. There’s the main DC Locker compartment, three stand alone lockers in the bay with repair kits, patches and hole plugs. The tables in the compartment are quick pop tops that come off.”

       “The third compartment has a damaged bulkhead….a wall…..and a door that won’t seal properly so it has to be shored up. A big pipe runs through that and it will be pissing gallons of water. That has to be stopped and the door braced closed to prevent the water in that compartment from filling the main compartment.”

       “The fourth compartment? They’re going to set it on fire. So now we’re fighting a fire and sinking at the same time. On the main deck of the Butter Cup there’s two 250 gallon per minute pumps and a hose rack….problem is? Most of the hoses will have bullet holes in them.”

       “Oh yeah….” Jackson said raising a finger. “They’re going to kill and mame a whole mess of us. So now we have to deal with wounded mammals, fire, flooding and messed up hoses.”

        “And…..an additional oh yeah? They’re keeping us awake for twenty four hours before hand and will march the snot out of us.” Jackson said.

       “Fruck…..me.” A Rhino naked Turk snorted.

        “No….fruck us all to hell.”  A female Jaguar named Constance sighed…

        “It’s got to be realistic conditions.” Manny said as he crossed his arms. “Mammals have actually been killed in accidents in the trainer during these events, which is probably why they allow us all to spy on it, have at least a preview.”

        Jackson patted his paw on the floor...”Don’t let this scare you guys! We can do this if we know what everyone has to do in advance; specific assignments for specific mammals, they’ll take a slew of us out from the get go so everyone needs to be ready to step up and take the slack. Controlling the flooding is the whole smack, we have to get the pumps working as fast as possible from the get go.”

        A mouse stepped up from the circle. (Cameo….Jerry Mouse from Tom and Jerry) “You give me a gang of mice and we’ll run through the hoses as they get laid out. We can spot the holes on the inside of the liners.”

       A rat (Cameo….Justin from Secret of Nimh) stepped out. “We’ll place the pipe patches for someone to wrench em shut.”

       One of the Granola bears raised his paw….”Bears, Rhinos, Oxen and horses will handle the broken door and the holes in the walls with the tables and shoring.”

        Gilly raised a paw. “Bunnies will be investigators, messengers, relay runners and phone talkers. We’ll also handle the DC locker.”

        Double Dutch the English Fox raised his paw. “Give the fire to us and the otters. If we can attack it from the top? The otters will hit it high while we hit it from below. We’ll kill that son of a bitch in seconds.”

        Wimmerwill snickered….”And risk your beautiful tail?”

        Dutch replied. “Sacrifices must be made. My darling will understand.”

       Mammals broke out laughing at Dutch’s strait face then at his romantic hollywood like swooning of his beloved tail….”My darling….if it must be you should be singed in battle...your sacrifice shall not be in vain.”

       Jackson looked at his watch. “Fifteen minutes before lights out. We have another week before D.C. classes start and two weeks before the Buttercup. We’ll hit this every night until classes start. My guess is they’ll show us the Buttercup at some point just as an orientation tour. Till then? We have to school every night. Everyone get ready for bed.”

September 14, 2039
9:30am
The parade ground aka “The Grinder”

      “Company! Halt!” Anubis yelled out as he interrupted Jackson’s lead of the marching drill. “RPOC Wilde? What’s this some of these recruits are doing?”

       Anubis showed off a very stiff, almost comedic walk like something you’d see out of a Monty Python sketch. “What the heck is this? You giraffes? You make it look even more obvious with those necks. Don’t any of your breath? What are you trying to be? Plastic soldiers?”

      Anubis gave a demonstration...” See? Not “too” loose and not like a bunch of cord wood. Natural walk with some relaxation in the shoulders. You giraffes can sway your heads a little but don’t make it look like your flopping in a 30 knot wind. Like your sister company over there? Everyone look at sister company 260? Obviously their Commander is not instructing the RPOCs correctly? Or that otter leading those Sailors is too stupid to notice their problems.”

     Jackson bit his lip….

     “She seems pretty competent?” Anubis snorted. “Then again...some otters put on a better show of stupid...”

     “SIR!” Jackson snapped. “REQUEST PERMISSION TO TALK TO YOU IN PRIVATE SIR!”

      Anubis gestured a paw….”Permission granted.”

      As Anubis walked away. Jackson told the company to sit and rest then chased After his Commander until he stopped…

     “Yes RPOC Wilde?” Anubis asked.

     Jackson was hot….”Sir! I must tell you that your insults on our sister company’s assistant RPOC are abusive and unjust Sir!” Jackson said with a deep scowl.

    “Are they?” Anubis replied. “I was just stating a fact of observation.”

    “No you were not Sir!” Jackson snapped. “Calling the assistant RPOC stupid is not an observation…..Sir! Singling out otters as stupid? Is not an observation Sir!”

     “RPOC Wilde? I would caution you against getting emotionally upset...”

      Jackson snapped back….”Sir! I demand to speak to Commander Arch at once and file a formal complaint….Sir!”

      “You would?” Anubis snorted. “Why? Do you like that slimy piece of otter pussy….”

      Jackson gritted his teeth and threw a punch...which Anubis caught in his hand. He held it for a moment before slowly pushing Jackson’s hand down to his side….

      “Give me your rope?” Anubis asked.

      “Sir?….” Jackson stood shocked. “Sir? I….”

      “Everyone is always under testing Wilde. You let your emotions for your girlfriend run over your judgment. Did you think I didn’t know who she was? Do you think they were really that bad? Look at them now Mister Wilde?”

      Jackson looked to see the sister company marching almost perfect with no exaggerated swaying. “You tried to strike a senior officer Wilde. As a leader? No matter what emotional attachments you have? You can not lose your cool. You probably won’t be the first RPOC of this company to get ax’d but I was hoping you wouldn’t be the first. Give me your rope.”

      Jackson took off his shoulder rope and handed it to Anubis.

      “Back in ranks Seaman Recruit Wilde.” Anubis ordered. “As they walked back, Anubis called out. “Assistant RPOC Leach….front and center! Seaman Recruit Turk! Front and center!”

     Leach stepped up as did Turk (A Rhino). Anubis placed the RPOC rope on Manny and gave Turk the silver colored assistant rope…

     “I have lost confidence in Seaman Recruit Wilde as RPOC. Seaman Recruits Leach and Turk will now lead the company. “RPOC Leach? Take the company to the school house for afternoon training after noon chow.”

      Jackson slipped quietly into the ranks but no one missed the look on his face as they formed up to march off. If he’d been slapped….it would have put him in orbit.

September 14, 2039
2:17pm
Break time from classes

         “He’s right over there.” Manny said as he pointed to a tree where Jackson was sitting against the trunk...obviously upset. You can only hold emotions as long as you can…

         Darla leaned against the tree and slowly ran a paw finger over Jackson’s red fur tuft...”You ok? She asked.”

         “Sigh….I feel like a failure.” Jackson replied. “Like I let the whole company down.”

          “Don’t feel bad?” Darla said as she dangled her new head RPOC rope from her shoulder. “Our RPOC got nailed an hour after you did. Pocketed a dropped twenty dollar bill outside the chow hall. Commander Nester? The one with the long donkey ears? Caught him red handed.”

          Jackson clenched a fist….”He called you slimy.” 

         “Well?” Darla replied. “We are naturally musk oiled and hard to hang on too, which is why we took the paw to paw combative flag.”

         “He also insulted your…..privates.” Jackson said snorting.

         “You did the right thing until you threw that punch!” Darla said. “You really did let the emotions go a little crazy Jackie but it’s not the end of the world, it doesn’t mean you won’t pick up the rope again. What? Are you going to sit here and cry and let the company fail the rest of the boot camp or are you going to do what your Mom always does? Sheesh, If she saw you like this? I’d run to escape the blast out of her mouth.”

        Darla snorted. “Get up Wilde and stop being a sniveling little bitch!”

        Jackson shot up and frowned in her face, to which Darla smiled back and growled like a cat….”Meeoww...fox growl….now that’s more like it Jackie.” Darla said as she flipped a paw finger off his chin. “I’m still going to beat your sorry butt on sports day though.”

       “I don’t think so….RPOC Delaware.” Jackie snorted at her as she walked off.

       “Don’t quit Jackson!” Darla yelped before one of her company mates snagged her by the arm! Gilly came running over and grabbed Jackson by his paw….

       “You gotta come to the mess hall now!” Gilly yelped. “Something bad just happened!”

       “What?” Jackson asked as they ran. “Gilly? Tell me?”

       Running into the crowded mess hall, Gilly and Jackson scrambled to climb onto a table as Mammals were screaming “shut up!” “Keep it down!” and focusing their eyes on the only two viewing monitors in the hall…

ZNN Television News Bulletin.

       “Once again this is Carla Cougar with Jerry Elkwood and we are reporting this information, which is still unconfirmed and very sketchy that a Zootopian fishing trawler has either been seized or sunk by K’Zin warships in the Tundra Straits. At this moment we have reports from Albert Whitehall our Tundra Town corespondent that three Zootopian destroyers have been sortied from the 1st Naval district Headquarters into the Tundra Straits in response to this situation. The Mayor of Zootopia, Mayor Cesar Leo is expected to address the city though we’re not sure as to when….Jerry?”

      “Thank you Carla….Gentle-mammals...as Carla has said...we don’t know, we have no information more than we had when we started, all we know is that a distress call was sent by this fishing vessel and then…..nothing. We don’t know the name of the vessel, we don’t know how many of our citizens were on board or who they are or what has happened to them….all we know is that this is considered to be something of grave seriousness….”

Gilly yelped….”Son of a birch tree from hell. We’re going to war.”

“Don’t say that.” Jackson replied.

“Why not?” A tiger sitting at the table snarled. “Those barbarian bastards. Why the hell are we playing so nice?!”

“I don’t want a war if we can help it.” Jackson said.

“Then I guess you want a cooking split shoved up your bunny hole?” A white tail deer yelped. “Now one’s going to cut my balls out and fillet me like steak! I say we go over to K’Zin and shell and rocket those bastards till their balls burn off!”

       Suddenly….several Company Commanders came stomping into the mess hall.  “All recruits out now and muster up with your companies! Get out! Clear the mess hall! Report to your Companies! The Commander in Chief will make a City wide address at 3:30pm!”

      Jackson and Gilly ran out to form up with the rest of the Company as Anubis and Chief Arch pointed Manny and Turk to get in with the company….

      “Come on, come on….form up, get strait….” Chief Arch gestured as he walked around the Company. “Now all of you listen to me real quick before we go back to the Company billet. You will all get back your smart phones that you turned in for induction after the Commander in Chief speaks so you can contact your families because right now they’re probably wetting themselves with worry. Do not try to call them right now because you won’t get through! Text them! You will turn your phones back in tomorrow morning so use all the time between the speech and lights out to tell your loved ones that you’re alright!”

       One rabbit raised his paw….”SIR! QUESTION SIR!”

       “Speak Seaman Recruit Hasenpheffer!” Arch replied.

       “Sir! Are we being shipped out Sir?” The rabbit asked.

       “No!” Arch replied. “No...no one is being shipped out! You are not ready for the fleet yet so don’t worry about shipping out!” Arch replied as he turned to Anubis. “Vice Commander? Take the Company back to the Company billet!”

September 14, 2039
2:57pm
Juvenile Court, Downtown Zootopia

     The buzzer went off on Nick’s smart phone and he swiped the screen to see a text from Judy…

“Are you watching the news?” She asked.

Nick texted back...”No. Actually I’m engaged right now in sensual foreplay with my tail in my office  ******”lick lick” ; )> XXX”

Judy texted back...”NICK! &*(^%$$ !!!”

“Holy snits!” He yelped to himself as he rapidly replied….”Yes! Yes I’m watching it! I’m sorry!”

“I’ve tried calling the base...I can’t get through….” Judy replied.

Nick took a moment to lick his teeth...”I’m sure Jackie is just fine. They won’t throw him out of boot camp onto a ship honey...”

“But I want to talk to him!” Judy replied. “Nick...I’m scared...”

“Every bunny in Zootopia’s probably crapping pellets over this right now Judy but there’s nothing we can do.” Nick replied. “The cell phone lines are clogged.”

“Please? Come home?” Judy asked.

“I want to puffy-kins but the roads are probably socked tight right now.” Nick said. “Judy? Trust me...Jackson is just fine where he is right now. Tell you what? Tonight I will cook you dinner, give you a honey milk bath and pamper you to your heart’s pleasure...I love you….. : ) XXXXX

“ I love you.” Judy replied. Nick placed his cell phone on his desk and sat patting his paws nervously….”Fluck...” He thought to himself. 

September 14, 2039
3:15pm
Company 259’s bay

       The Company sat together on the floor, on the bunks or standing in small groups with the television monitor set up at the front of the bay with Z.N.N. providing non-stop coverage of the situation at hand. Jackson stood with Manny and Turk who at the moment were voicing quiet protests over the “Hatchet” job done to the company by Jackson’s sudden replacement. The little whispers of putting forth a protest got Jackson’s ire. Though it was a little boost to his feelings, the idea of displeasure was absolutely counter to regulations and certainly challenged the authority of the Commanders to do as they deemed required to hammer home important lessons to the recruits. Jackson was raised to respect authority figures and their appointed right of command…

        “It’s still a pile of bull pucks.” Manny snorted. “Totally unfair.”

        “You afraid of that rope?” Jackson asked.

         “No!” Manny snorted. “Just of the way it was handed. You’re still taking us through the Butter Cup.”

         “No.” Jackson replied. “Too many leaders will cause confusion. Don’t worry Manny...We’ll be ready for it.”

         As they watched the television. Turk gave off a low groan...”They haven’t said a thing yet about what happened. What’s got us on the edge of war here? What did those crazy catnip sniffers do?”

        “Let’s watch and see if they’ll say anything?” Jackson replied with a pointed paw finger.

ZNN Television News Report

     This is Carla Cougar with Jerry Elkwood in our main studios as we continue to cover this situation which may or may not have involved any number of K’zinti warships acting hostile to one or more of our fishing vessels in the Tundra Straits.

     Yes Carla...We are awaiting an address from the Mayor of Zootopia, Caesar Leo, from the Executive Mansion. Our covering reporter and long time radio host Gary Gnu is right now at the Executive Mansion. Gary I can only imagine the Mansion has been very busy these last few hours as this crisis unfolded. Before the Mayor speaks and we’re getting a warning that he is getting ready to speak, Gary? What have you seen yourself so far taking place at the Executive Mansion?

     Carla...Jerry….activity and comings and goings have been non-stop; I have seen the Commandant of Marines, Fleet Admiral Don Carnage, Secretary of Defense Baghera, members of the Mayor’s administration, military, high ranking civil leaders….obviously the one thing on their minds right now? What exactly happened in the Tundra Straits? Is there going to be some sort of military action? Is war an imediate possibility? I’m sure as we approach the time for the Mayor to make his address…..

      Gary? This is Carla, we just received the warning from the Executive Mansion. Females and Gentle-Mammals….His Honor, The Mayor of Zootopia.

September 14, 2039
3:30pm
Company 259’s bay

     The whole bay hushed as the screen image of the Seal of Zootopia was replaced by a powerful figure sitting behind an ornate wooden business desk. Cesar Leo was a White Barbary Lion, the rarest of his species and yet judged by many to be higher on the intelligence scale of lions if not eqully fearless. He’d reduced former Mayor Lionheart to a “Neutered and declawed” disgrace during the clemency hearings for former assistant mayor Dawn Bellweather and his apology to her for years of abusive treatment at the paws of Lionheart in a sense “saved” Dawn into a new life and garnered a wave of admiration and respect. 

        All the mammals in the bay craned their necks intently to listen to Cesar’s every word….

My fellow Mammals. our collective civilization today...is faced….with a serious challenge….

Over these past many years….our city has striven to live in peace and understanding with other nations of mammals in our world. Predator or prey, we of Zootopia have always taken great pain and greater pride in what our striving for peace have achieved. Today….that peace is under strain but we as a collective society will always to the very ends we can accept...will always chose the way of peace before resorting to the sorrow of war.  

Today we have been asked together….as one city, one society…..to make a decision so important that how our world evolves…..the course it takes for the next few years…..perhaps even over the next century will almost surely depend on what we decide.

As your Mayor….As the Commander in Chief of our Defense forces and with the valued Council of the leaders of the City Counsel, the Zootopian Defense Council and the members of my cabinet, I have made that decision. My decision is to make it absolutely clear to those who would impose unreasonable and crippling restrictions on vital commerce that such restrictions are unacceptable. To make it absolutely clear without ambiguity and with sober clarity that we will protect those rights to sustenance which have been and are vital to maintaining our society as a unified whole where predator and prey live in peace, where the lion can hold the meek lamb in his powerful paws as protector without fear. Where our children shall never know the fears of isolation or cages or shock collars or muzzles because of forced deprivation of milk, meat or floura. Such which would surely become a terrible reality if we were to accent to the domination of our rightful access to the fishing grounds of the Western sea.

To make a decision which would send a signal that is one whit less clear less determined would be to abdicate my responsibilities to the safety of our society and too those who have given me their deepest trust to preserve, protect and defend our existence as a free, peaceful and prosperous society. To give substance to this decision, I have ordered the Navy to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that the Western Sea and the Tundra Strait is open to shipping and commercial fish harvesting.

This decision….does not mean that war is imminent, it does not mean that we seek hostilities. In keeping with our City charter, with our earnest desire for peace, we shall not take the path of aggression, we wish not violence and will take every measure short of surrender and submission to seek a resolution of peace. We seek no test of arms. our commitment to peace is matched only by our resolve that no nation great or small may hold other nations hostage to its greed for wealth or power. There is a point which we will not permit the complete abolition nor the violent restraint of our right to subsistence nor existence. Let those who seek to bully us into such abdication understand fully...Our society shall not surrender, it shall not be bullied to beg for the life of its’ citizens nor its’ children.  

To the armed forces of our beloved Zootopia. Your Commander in Chief is with you, your families are with you and the diverse faiths of our many citizens are with you. Know that each of you are watched over by every eye and every voice. Always with earnest supplication...hope for peace….but be prepared for war.

Great providence bless you all our beloved citizens and good night.

     For a moment...there was silence. Animals looked at each other with grim resolution. Others welcomed a gentle paw pat...even a brief shoulder hug. Then Chief Arch and Anubis brought out the boxes full of smart phones…

     “I want to be perfectly clear.” The Chief said as he started handing the phones out. “You WILL NOT be sent out of here even if something happens, make that fact clear to your families. We don’t want mass panic on our hands. I’m sure that by the morning we’ll have a better idea of what happened but for now? You have until morning to text your loved ones and “text them” because right now the cell phone system in the city is probably twisted in knots and the damn squirrels are eating the cables.”

       Anubis remarked…”I hope there is no confusion as to why you all are here. If you have doubts? Better to come forward and air them out now. Time for sleep has been extended to 11pm….reveille will be at 7 and not 5.”

       Anubis waited for Jackson to come up and get his smart phone...”Seaman Recruit Jackson? Are you alright?”

      “Sir. Perfectly Sir.” Jackson replied. “I understand what you did Sir. No complaints, no hurt.”

       Anubis gave Jackson a light shoulder punch. “As for RPOC Delaware?…She is very exceptional and resourceful. Don’t let her burn you because she fully intends to beat you…..at everything.”

      “Oh she thinks that all the time Sir.” Jackson snickered. “She was all hot air in high school….most of the time.” 

September 14, 2039
7pm
Wilde family home

      “Ow! Ow!….” Nick yelped as he reflexively reached his paws for his tail as his wife stood in the tub roughing it up with her own paws. “What are you doing?” He yelped and winced from the stabbing pains in his back.

      “It needs a good scrubbing.” Judy replied as she swayed and danced with the tail stuck up between Nick’s legs and rubbed her bunny body with it to the music of James Otter and the Blue night Specials…..

“Get up off of that thing! And dance till you feel better!”

“Get up off of that thing! And dance till you feel better!”

“Get up off of that thing! And try to release that pressure!”

“Get up off of that thing! And shake till you feel better!”

“Get up off of that thing! And shake till you feel better!”

“Get up off of that thing! And try to release  that pressure!”

     Nick laid back against the tub seat backing and swayed his head back and forth with his paw fingers conducting a band as he sang each line….

      “Get up upon my thing bunny! And scream as you relieve your pressure!” Nick yelped. Until the smart phone lying aside the tub started to chime and caused Judy to fumble for it!…

     “Oh! Oh snits!” She yelped as she almost dropped the phone in the tub and Nick snatched it at the last second!…

     “Finally!” Nick yelped. “He’s texting us!”

     Judy moved to sit next to her husband and the fox winced as pain shot up his back...”Judy? Careful…..careful…..I’m not going to hog the phone.”

     “What’s he saying?” Judy asked with anticipation.

     “He’s alright.” Nick replied. “He’s asking how we are...”

    Nick snickered as he typed….”Fine...I am currently “bunny hopping” your mother in the tub….”

    Judy yelped! “NICHOLAS WILDE YOU JACK ASS!”

    Nick held the phone away from Judy….”Say please?”

    Judy took the phone and started texting when she felt a poke in her backside that almost caused her to drop the phone in the water again….”GASP! I’M GOING TO FORGET YOUR BAD BACK AND KICK YOUR TAIL NICK!”

    Judy sat away from Nick in the tub water and texted….”How are you doing? We were so worried today...”

    Her eyes lit up as she read Jackson’s reply. “Gasp! Nick….Nick, he was made Company leading Petty Officer!”

    Nick nodded in approval. “Of course….was there any doubt?”

    “Oops….and he lost it.” Judy replied. 

      “Why?” Nick asked.

      “Oh Jackie...” Judy sighed. “He tried to punch his Commanding officer.”

       “For what?” Nick asked.

       Judy showed the reply text and Nick scoffed. “Always there’s a female to bring the downfall of every strong male...”

      She gave Nick’s family possessions a quick rabbit kick.

     “Boof!” Nick grimaced….”I’ve been proven right…..ow…...”

      Judy quickly text back. “You better behave yourself Mister.”

      Jackson texted...”How’s Dad’s tail? Is he taking care of it? How’s his back?”

      Nick took the phone and smiled. “My back is still here but my tail drags me out of bed every night and pines for you. I might get a divorce soon from the hussy.”

      Judy stood up and leaned against her husband...”Ask him about Darla? Does he see her?”

      Jackson replied. “She’s here. She’s her companys’ RPOC and she’s itching to beat my butt.”

      Nick typed back….”Your mother’s made butt beating an Olympic event. Welcome to the club kid. So what do you know on your end about all this mess?

      “Not much more than anyone right now.” Jackson replied. “We won’t be shipped out of here to any places so for now...relax. Pamper mom Dad? You know she loves honey milk baths.”

       Nick snuggled his snoot against his wife’s breasts...”The kid is perceptive. Sheesh I keep calling him a kid. I forget he’s old enough to drive, drink and….that… other thing….” Nick tapped out….”Say? Have you tried a milk bath with Darla?”

       “NICK!” Judy yelped. “Sheesh you are dangerous with a smart phone.” She took the phone and tapped out. “You just concentrate on what you’re doing and don’t worry about Darla or us Jackie. We’re very busy around here though it’s sometimes too quiet around the house.”

       Jackson tapped back...”Magic tongue Dad.”

       Judy shook and yelped….”Why you little snit!” She huffed as she typed. “Jackson! That was not appropriate!”

       “Oh you’re in the bath tub mom….like I wouldn’t know?” Jackson replied. “Dad? I think you’re letting yourself get too soft with her.”

        Judy handed the phone to Nick. “You just wait till you come home on leave mister smart rump.”

        Nick smiled as he read the next text. “Says where he comes home, he’s going to show me how to properly pamper you. He loves us both? But no one deserves more love than you Judy...hugs, kisses, snuggles and more hugs.”

      “Yeah….he’s saying that to save his fur like his father. You should be fortunate you met me Nicholas Wilde because by now? You’d be in jail getting used as a neck warmer for a prison buffalo.”

       Nick smirked as he texted Jackson….”Maybe call later tonight? You keep to your studies and do good. No more trying to punch your skipper.”

September 14, 2039
8:27pm
Company 259’s bay

      Manny took a seat on the floor next to his and Jackson’s bunk along with another Cougar named Bratko and a Lynx named Simon….

      “How’s your parents Jackie?” Manny asked.

       “They’re fine.” Jackson replied. “Anything more from the news?”

       “Nadda.” Simon replied. “My brother Leopold is with the 1st Marine Assault Division? Nothing’s changed for them, they just got off alert call. Right now the only things going out are the destroyers.”

       “My wife is nervous.” Manny said with a sigh.

       Jackson did a double take...”Wait…..wait…..wife? You’re married?”

        “I don’t usually go blabbing it around.” Manny replied. “My family belongs to a cougar line that believes in arranged marriages, even fights between males for a female...which is how I got this nice trophy...”

       Manny dropped the shorts he was wearing to show the scar on his left hip to almost the groin, which got head turns and winces…

      “Yup….I was 12 when I was betrothed. 15 when I had to fight and 16 when I married her.” Manny said. “Aysha...my everything.” Manny said as he showed off a picture of his wife in a silk Indian costume.

       “Didn’t think an arranged marriage would be successful.” Bratko said. “My father served in the fleet. His reply text? “Mother’s fine, I’m fine, the neighbors are in a panic now get back to marching! My girlfriend broke up with me, she’s going out with some “Naturalist” dude and “getting back to her purity.” Here’s a girl who’s a wizard in Calculus and physics and she wants to spend her time “Getting back to her base fur and learning how to be humped like a wild creature.”

       Jackson smiled...”That’s ok. My girlfriend is the RPOC of our sister company. She’s determined to crush me. It’s a rivalry we keep up to have a little spice in our relationship. I was demoted defending her honor.”

        Manny snickered. “Thank you for the advancement. You suck.” 

        “Sudden change and sudden shifts in commanders should be expected.” Jackson said with a shrug. “We have to learn to roll with the shocks.”

       “You’re still leading our nightly classes leading into the Butter Cup.” Manny said with a paw finger point. “We need to start fresh tomorrow night and get our organization firmed up. Who’s leading the fire squads, the patching squads, the pump discharge squads and how we’re going to handle our losses and wounded.”

         A female black panther interrupted the group. “Just got some stuff on the news if the RPOC is interested?” She said as she sat down. “It was a fishing trawler that got attacked. The Pacesetter out of Tundra Town. Crew of 13. Four polar bears, three foxes, three otters, three gray sea lions. Only two of the sea lions got away. They were in bad shape when they got picked up.”

           “You sure it was an attack?” Manny asked.

           “That’s what the news said.” She replied. “The Mayor and the city government are trying to get news on the rest of the crew.”

           “Then the answer’s obvious.” Bratko said. “We sink one of their damned warships. Blow the son of a bitch out of the water.”

             “Then we go into a tit for tat and then we have war.” Jackson said with a hand gesture. “It’s not that simple. The Mayor is right, let him make the decissions on this.”

            “What are you Jackson? A dish licker?” Bratko snorted. “How much more evidence do we need? You want them to come right up to our coast and shell the city? They got our citizens over there doing who know what sick things? No more, not one more. I say we let the snit fly and make them scream. Slap some reality to those crazy eyed psycho tigers.”

           “I’m not going to start a war so we end up fighting it in our streets.” Jackson snapped. “Excuse me everyone….I need to go outside for a bit.”

September 14, 2039
10pm
Wilde family home

          Nick was sitting in the thick recliner chair by himself with a small glass of chocolate wine and a pair of cordless headphones over his ears listening to some early Michael Jaguar “Pawtown” classics in the dim lighting of the living room. He’d put Judy to sleep an hour before and decided he’d wait to see if Jackson would be able to call...which the twitching of the smart phone on the arm rest gave the obvious and very happy answer…

      “Hello? You have reached “Nick the Slick” Industrial hustling corporation. If this is my son, press one and be placed on eternal hold from hell. To hear me and your mother having wild animal sex? Press two..” Nick snickered.

      “Hey Dad.” Jackson said. “Is Mom up?”

       No. You know your mother needs all the sleep she can get these days. I bet the Precinct tomorrow morning is going to be chaotic as hell.” Nick pulled his tail to his side where he pet it as he talked….”So? You tried to sock your Commanding Officer?”

      “My Company Commander.” Jackson replied. “It was an honest test that I failed. How did mom react to the news?”

      “Like your mother.” Nick replied. “You have plenty of time to recoup the rope Jackson. How’s your academics?”

       “97 percent grade average.” Jackson replied.

       “Keep that up.” Nick said as he rubbed his eyes. “I’ve been drinking a little chocolate wine and I’m feeling sleepy. I got the day off tomorrow from court so I’m going to sleep real late.”

        “We go through some serious training here in two weeks then we’re on the down hill to graduation. I want us to get the color company so we’ll get leave after boot camp...” Jackson said.

        “And you’ll spend it with Darla.” Nick replied. “Don’t you come back to this house and plant yourself in your room because your mom’s turned it into her personal shooting range.”

        “The fact that she’s an otter and I’m a...”what ever” doesn’t bother you two?” Jackson asked.

        “Now that’s the dumbest question you’ve ever asked.” Nick replied. “I didn’t love your mother on her looks Son. It was never about the looks. We don’t want you to be alone and we like her...she’s testy….but so’s your mother. A testy female makes life interesting. I did find something today though? My first gray hair, can you believe that? Sheesh by the time you get out of boot camp I’ll be an old sable fox.”

      Jackson thought for a moment. “Dad? Are you and Mom scared?”

      “If you mean as in scared of ten foot tall tigers with carnivorous attitudes? Yeah….somewhat. Scared for you? A little bit to be honest but we raised you to take on challenges not run from them. If you run? That would be a bad thing because your mother will come after you and your old dad has a bum back, you’re out of luck.”

Jackson chuckled a little.

“Look Son. You keep doing well. You get out there and show them that fox attitude and your mom’s penchant for insane daring. Don’t forget the candy and flowers for Darla, big thing there. You get out there and kick some tail and make us proud of you ok? Chance given.”

Jackson cocked his head. “Dad? You keep saying “Chance given” all the time? What does that mean?”

Nick replied. “Someday I’ll tell you. Just…...just go kick tail. Shoo. Get to bed.”

“I love you Dad.” Jackson said with a smile.

“And I love you. Now go before I ball out and wake up your mother.”

end of Chapter 4