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
(c) (Artist ownership) The K’zin by Lary Niven.
(Artist ownership) Don Carnage Disney’s TAIL SPIN
(Artist ownership) Ikkey the Fox Kit by Inkbunny’s Ikkey
(Artist Ownership) Master Guns Flash by Inkbunny’s Flash Timberwolf
(Artist Ownership) Chuck  Dawson (cat) From Omaha the Cat Dancer  Reed Waller 1994
(Artist Ownership) Jag Damien Tiger from PuffyFluffy of Inkbunny
(Artist Ownership) Dean Wilson from the 1980 cartoon Animalympics
(Artist Ownership) Tanya Mousekovitz from American Tail
(Artist Ownership)   Corporal Blotasky and Lieutenant Perkins from “Cat Shit One” The Animated Series by (c) Motofume Kobayashi

Chapter 32
2pm
MCRD Savana Recruiting Depot front gate.
Quanaco Fleet Marine base
24 August 2040

      Gunnery Sargent Rhakshah paced about before some of her training company, including Dori Hopps who sat on the grass quite happy and smiling as he looked along the service road in front of the gate for his brothers. The Gunny certainly wasn’t happy at all as she gave Dori a little kick in his folded legs…

      “If your brothers don’t show up in the next ten minutes? All of them with be washed out of basic. I’m not sure if they even deserve an appeal after what I’ve been hearing.”

        “Mam?” Dori asked. “The assignment for the course was to escape and evade where possible. You didn’t specifically say that we “couldn’t” engage the opposing forces coming after us nor take any advantages to turn things to our favor?” Dori replied. “I told you we’re quite a resourceful brood of bunnies.”

        “That doesn’t excuse not sticking to the learning lesson of the exercise and going off to make mischief Private.” The Gunny snorted as she turned her attention to the roadway and saw the Gator tank coming towards the main gate. “And here are the jokers now.”

          The tank approached the gate with various mammals on top from the recruit company. Behind it being towed by a rope was a “Deuce” (a 2.5 ton truck) full of Marines who’d been stripped of their uniforms and their dignity. The recruit Depot commanding general was still in his “PJ’s” and robe, at least the bunnies didn’t dare disgrace him. Nori stopped the gator in front of the gate and Owen jumped out to report to his Company Commander….

         “Mam!” Owen yelped as he popped tall. “Recruit Sargent Owen Hopps reporting success in navigating the course! We picked up fifteen of our own while dealing the OPFORCE a crushing blow…..Mam!”

          Rahkshah clenched her paws….”STAND AT ATTENTION YOU CARROT SUCKER!” She yelled at Owen as she walked up to the Gator tank and started “wrapping” off complaints….

          “Number one…you took a military vehicle you were not qualified nor authorized to control.” Rahkshah said.

           “It was our prize for successful engagement and defeat of an enemy patrol Mam!” Owen replied.

          “Number two...you ordered two recruits to perform sexually perverted and indecent acts which are violations of command policy.” Rahkshah said.

           “Tactics used to sway the enemy into a false sense of security and set them up to be engaged and defeated are not illegal...Mam.” Owen replied.

           “Number three...kidnapping a superior officer, terrorizing his family was outside the scope of your assigned orders!” Rahkshah said.

              “The General was a target of opportunity to enhance our advantages against enemy forces….Mam!” Owen replied.

              “Number four. Hacking a government owned and operated fuel pump at the base commissary.” Rahkshah snarled.

             “Had to get fuel for the Gator mam. We sort of ran it almost dry.” Owen replied.

             “After you went “four wheeling” through the desert!” Rahkshah snapped.

            “We were…..evading enemy patrols.” Owen replied trying not to smile his butt off. His brothers were chuckling behind him.

             “You broke into the commissary and stole some cases of….Vanilla wafers?” Rahkshah snarled.

              “Medical needs Mam.” Owen replied. “We ran out of Vanilla Wafers and Private Nori Hopps was becoming pissy.”

             “I’ll say!” Ori Hopps yelped as he walked up. “He spanked the snit out of me with this leather belt for no clear reason! I want to file assault charges!, sexual harassment charges!, and rear end compensation charges on him Mam!”

            “SHUT UP YOU DUMB BUNNIES!” Rahkshah yelled! “Do you have any idea of the list of violations of policy all of you have done?!”

             General Stortch slipped off the Gator tank and walked up...”Ok Gunny...you don’t have to start ripping them apart. Obviously they got all their “pluck” from your excellent teaching.”

              Rahkshah snapped to attention. “Sir! I didn’t teach them to act like a pack of rowdy fools….who drew a large penis in the desert so a drone could see it!”

             Owen shrugged...”Evasive tactics against ground opposing forces. Didn’t know we were drawing something falick.” He said with a slight smile.

              “Oh you are such a bull snitter.” Dori snickered.
 
              General Stortch waved a paw. “They showed aggression, resourcefulness, adaptability, care for their fellow Marines and audacity. Yes…..they went a little “crazy” but considering their gains? I think they were just a little “over-achieving” which is what I want out of Marines. Better to “over-achieve” and “over-whelm” the enemy than under-achieve and end up dead.”

             The General then got nose to nose with Owen...”Still….recruit Sargent Hopps...you can not escape harsh discipline for a few of your “chosen tactics”. Gunny? I think a little extra physical training is justification for a bunch of way ward long eared fools...don’t you think?”

             “Yes Sir!” Gunny Rahkshah snapped back. She then turned to the Hopps brothers...”Move you little maggots!”

             Ori gestured as he walked by the angry Gunny. “Mam? Is a severe spanking part of the deal?”

              “Get moving you sick little carrot sucker!” Rahkshah snapped. “I’ll do more than spank you!”

               “Is that a promise?!” Ori replied with delight before Dori slapped his paw over his brother’s mouth!

               “Will you shut your dumb trap Ori?! We’re already screwed as it is!”

4pm
Executive Office Building
Downtown Zootopia
24 August 2040

         Secretary of Defense Baghera entered Cesar Leo’s office...”You wanted to see me Sir?” He asked the White Lion.

         “Yes Baggy.” Leo replied as he held some stapled papers in his paw. “Do you listen to Miss Piggy on AM radio?”

         “No.” Baghera replied. “But my wife does. What female in the city doesn’t listen to her? She’s not a personality to be avoided...least of all by our wives.”

        “How true.” Leo replied. “Mine doesn’t miss a broadcast, certainly not her latest one. Here’s a transcript.” Leo handed Baghera the copy. “Her last broadcast raised an interesting concept. Look at page fifteen please?”

         Baghera read the page….”She’s talking about the use of submarine drones to deliver spies to Kzin. Sort of hinting that we’re doing that already.” Leo said as he leaned forward in his chair. “I ask you Baggy….are we doing such a thing?”

         The black panther replied. “No Sir. Not to my knowledge.”

         “You’re absolutely sure?” Leo asked.

         “I know of no such operations personally nor do I dare think that any of our officers or commanders would risk such.” Baghera replied.

          Leo nodded….”I accept your explanation Baggy but I want you to arrange a meeting between myself and the Commander of our underwater drones. I want you to inquire and make sure such things are not going on behind my back nor behind the backs of the city counsel. That’s not a request Baggy.”

          Baghera waved a paw. “Sir? I understand your concerns but let’s not forget that this was just the creative thinking of a popular radio host. I just want to advise that we look into this subject with care and don’t threaten or destroy the careers of good commanders by an investigation that got out of control...”

         Leo growled….”Baggy? I’m not “requesting” a meeting, don’t give me excuses? I want him or her in front of my desk by tomorrow afternoon. Is that understood?”

         Baghera nodded. “Yes Mister Mayor. I will have the Commander report to you as you ordered.”  

4pm
Will and Gilly’s Apartment
Sahara Square
24 August 2040

        Will couldn’t contain himself as he leaned on his desk and wagged his tail furiously….”Hi!” The wolf said affectionately with little whines...”How was it?” He asked his love…
        “The whole place is a knock out!” Gilly replied. “I couldn’t do enough! Of course it sucked because my “woof, woof” wasn’t there. I miss the hell out of you Will.” Gilly said as he kissed his monitor. “I love you.”

         Will licked his screen then grabbed a cleaning cloth...”Giggles….I slobbered all over the place! You’re on your way home right?”

         “Yup.” Gilly replied. “We just pulled out of port. Got some stuff too like some new bath salts, some shirts, a doggie collar for you….isn’t this cute?”

         “You saw “Wolf’s Rain” didn’t you?” Will asked. “A spiked collar?”

         “I have to have my play time fantasies you know?” The Rabbit said as he waved a paw finger. “You want to be well spoiled when I get home.”

          Will sat back in his chair...”We’re almost done arranging the big welcome home for all of you. Got Gazelle, The Wild Otters, food booths, the Mayor to make a speech….me too make a fool out of myself.”

          “Oh shut up?” Gilly replied. “You will not make a fool out of yourself. Just speak from the heart?”

          “I’ll end up speaking porn-eeze.” Will snickered.

          “I can’t wait to get home.” Gilly said...”I soooooo miss my snuggles.”

          Will patted his paws on his desk and licked over his lips in thought….”Gill? I want you to meet my parents.”

           The bunny shivered...”Are…..are you sure?”

           “Well they know I’m gay and they’re not fussing over it.” Will said. “It’s important they know I’m stable and not….you know….”free balling” it.”

           Gilly rubbed his arms...”But?….But you know how insecure I am about letting this get too far exposed?”

           “It’s just my parents Gill.” Will replied.

           “Parents? They talk...a lot.” The bunny replied. “You know how things are in my neck of the woods? How bunnies might react? I get sick just trying to get up the courage to tell my friends about this.”

            “I’m sorry.” Will replied. “Do any of them know?”

            Gilly replied. “They…...they sort of know something? Maybe I’ve kinda fudged the truth a little bit?”

           “Fudged?” Will asked. “What do you mean by…...fudged?”

            Gilly looked to the side...”I kinda…..well I kinda dime’d you as being...a female rabbit?”

           Will almost fell out of his chair, causing Gilly to cringe at him….”You’re passing me as a girl?”

           “I’m sorry!” Gilly replied. “I just don’t know what to do!”

           “Well….” Will replied. “I could sort of graph some doctored tits on a photo and pass as a female wolf but a female bunny’s not gonna happen. You need to just tell the truth.”

           “I can’t!” Gilly replied. “One of my friends is really close. We went through boot camp, advanced training together and he’s really helped me out but he’s a rabbit….well...kinda sorta partial bunny and partial fox but….but he’s a Frith-rist believer, if he finds out I’m gay?”

           “Well what you’re doing isn’t right.” Will replied. “If he’s a good friend, he won’t walk away from you. You just have to get up the balls and tell him.”

         “But it’s not just him Will.” Gilly said. “There’s a lot of rabbits on my ship, if I “come out”? I might get my tail cut off and my teeth kicked in, it would end my service and this is so important to me...”

          Will patted his screen. “Gill? Do you love me?”

          “What kind of question is that?!” Gilly huffed back.

             “Do….you…..love….me?” Will asked again.

             “You know I do.” Gilly replied.

             “Then show me you really do by telling the truth?” Will asked. “I know it’s got you scared but you can’t let this lying snow ball worse than it is now.”
        “You’re angry with me.” Gilly said with his ears drooped.

        “No! No….why? I feel you “Kissy fur” I really feel for you but you have to be brave for the both of us. Just think about it ok? Trust me? If this mammal you like is really a friend, he won’t quit on you.” 

             “I gotah get back to work ok?” Gilly replied with a sigh.

             “Ok….” Will replied smiling. “I love you. Everything will be all right Gilly. Trust me ok? Please”

             “Ok.” Gilly said back with a slight smile.

4pm
The Rebel Devil Gaming Center
Downtown Zootopia
24 August 2040

          Alex squeezed the trigger on his rifle and watched the Kzinti on the other end fall over from a hit to the neck….

          “Where’s there’s one? There’s always another…..SNIT!” Alex turned around too late to catch the Kzinti who blind spotted him with a hacking blade. The mid-ling wolf snorted with disapointment that he didn’t even match his current high score for the tenth time! Obviously other things were rolling through his mind as he pulled off the VR helmet and stepped out of the gaming booth…

          “Puppy Chow Nibbles and Mint.” Kimba said as the white mid-ling lion passed a double scoop ice cream to his depressed friend. “So?”

           “Huh?” Alex replied.

           “So?” Kimba asked again. “Spill the juicy tidbits? You know? The Where, When, How and Why of….”The Deed”?”

           Alex snorted back. “Oh grow up?”

           “At least tell me something positive?” Kimba pressed.

            “We had a nice date.” Alex said smiling as he licked his ice cream cone. “We say “Wolf’s Rain”, got totally scared, went to Volks to rip apart a deer flank and spent the rest of the night talking in my dad’s snit box jeep….tah dah!”

             “That’s it?!” Kimba said snorting. “Gee...I set you up with the hottest female wolf in our school and you...Trah, la, la, la Banana Split the whole night? I am so disappointed in you.”

            “What were you expecting?” Alex huffed back. “Damn Kimba?! Do your parents know what a pervert you are? You didn’t follow us around did you?!”

           “No!” Kimba replied. “Just that I do have good hearing you know? She talks enough that your tail should spontaneously combust. Between she and her friends? You my fine young wolf are choice hump bait.”

             “Well thank you for that “scoop” Jimmy Owl-son.” Alex snorted. “Did you call your bookie for a wager on the bang-er board too?”

           “I’m sorry if I made you upset Al?” Kimba said as he waved his paws around.

          “How about you say sorry to Tina for suggesting all she’s good for is a litter bag?” Alex huffed. “I had a great time last night without drippy dick. She’s smart as a whip, funny as any comedian, compassionate, tender, selfless and a good empathetic listener. Make sure you add that to the “dick report” slick.”

          “Ok….ok…..I’m sorry for being crude.” Kimba said as he followed Alex out of the game center and towards the nearest bus stop. “Why are we taking the bus? What happened to your Dad’s jeep?”

          “It blew a gasket seat.” Alex replied.

          “Too much vibration huh?” Kimba asked.

          “What did I just tell you Kim?!” Alex yelped.

          “I didn’t mean it like that! Dufus!” Kimba snapped back. “So is there going to be a date number two?”

            Alex smiled. “I’m going to take her to see Gazelle’s send off concert when they finalize the details. Will got me special passes for two aboard one of the three destroyers that are going to be her stage.”

          “Oh you lucky K-9 piece of snit. I hate you!” Kimba yelped.

           “Well you set it ll up there Cupid Cat?” Alex replied. “You do know I turn seventeen next week right? I’m going to go down to the recruiting office and put in my year delay enlistment papers for the Marine Raiders.”

           “Still going through with it?” Kimba asked. “You sure you want the Raiders? Does she know? What about your parents?”

          “I’ll tell everyone when I’m ready.” Alex replied. “They’ll get used to it. After all? I will be 17 so I have the right to my own decisions don’t I?”

          “You think Will won’t say anything about it? You are after all trying for a spot in the Marines that’s like the first of the first wave in anything that happens? Will might not accept it.”

          “Well I’ve been living under Will’s shadow since I was a baby and I’m not staying in the dark any more. If he doesn’t like it then tough luck on him, I don’t “dance for his dick”.”

            “That was pretty harsh?” Kimba said as he followed Alex onto the bus.

            “I’m cutting my tail clinging days Kim. No more hugging onto my brother, no more being “second bling” he can use to score with, I will be my own wolf from now on. Whatever Will thinks or does is “none me”.” Alex said as he waved a paw finger. “So your parents are good with you coming over right?”

           “Better my little sister under their feet than me sticking around to get some dumb chores.” Kimba replied. “My Dad’s going to be super busy for a while so I can easily vanish into the mist.”

           Alex snorted...”You’re hanging with the Mauldy brothers again.”

           “It doesn’t affect you.” Kimba replied. “You got plenty of pack bros to tongue hang with don’t you?”

          “Those two are trouble makers Kimba. You don’t need to hang with them.” Alex warned. “And I’m not talking about their “Juv-ee snit” I’m talking about the other serious problems they have and you getting caught with them. I think you need to dump those two morons before they or you end up getting shot by the wrong pissed off mammal.”

            “I can handle myself fine Alex.” Kimba replied. “I don’t need you using me for your “own bling”.

            “Oh my gawd...” Alex huffed. “I’m just giving you some warning advice. Please don’t cut my head off for it ok?”

            Kimba punched Alex in the shoulder. “Barking bitchy dogs should stay in their own yard.”

            Suddenly a Grey colored adult wolf from across the bus isle stood up. “You got something to say there you little pussy? Who you calling a “dog” there “Frisky”?”

            “I was just using a phrase Mister!” Kimba replied. “I wasn’t insulting any wolves!”

           “He didn’t mean anything by it.” Alex said waving a paw. “It was said to me any ways.”

           The big wolf growled…”Stupid milk lickers should stay in the Savana.”

           “Dumb wolves should stay in kindergarten.” Alex snapped. “Mister? Go back to your seat? Butt out of other people’s business.”

           “What?” The wolf asked. “What’s this snow white yawn ball hugger to you? You a “cat fag” humper? Do you take it up the tail hole from this Frisky faggot?!”

            Alex frowned and clenched his paws...”You should go back to your seat right now Mister.”

           “Oh yeah?” The Gray wolf snarled back as he looked about the bus. The driver was already on his radio and bringing the vehicle to a stop by the side of the road. It was momentary distraction that gave Alex his opening….

       “WHAM!” Alex leaped and sucker punched the brutish wolf in the snoot then snatched a flailing arm and threw the canine over his shoulder and into a pair of seats where he began to rain punches down on the big wolf’s face!

        “WHAM!” “Fag what?!” “WHAM!” “How’s this for a fag?!” “WHAM!” “Not so cool is it?!” “WHAM!” “Getting your tail kicked huh tail hole?!”

         Kimba jumped onto the enraged Alex and pulled him off! “ALEX! STOP! STOP DAMN IT! THE DRIVER CALLED THE COPS!” The white lion had to push throw Alex as he tried to get past Kimba’s block…

         “Fluck you tail hole!” Alex snarled over and over as Kimba struggled to push and pull him away. “Retarded, snit eating, dumb flucker!” Alex screamed until Kimba tossed him through the bus doors just as a Zootopia Police cruiser came to a screeching halt and a rhino cop drew his weapon on the pair….

         “FREEZE!” First Precinct Officer Merlin Makowski bellowed.  

7pm
15 miles over the Demarcation Line
Zootopia Navy Un-Mammal’d Combat Vehicle Submersible
ZUSV-17 Paladin
Depth 25 feet
Location: West of Roya Islands in the Ryuku Atolls 
24 August 2040

       The Paladin was a two mammal submarine, a smaller sister to her much larger Trident class attack submarines and like them she was under the control of an unknown and unseen controller somewhere in Zootopia. The lives of the two “March Hares” now riding inside her were at the whim of some high school mammal for all Lieutenant Perkins cared as he looked through the periscope and hit the camera button to capture stills and video. The light gray and white colored rabbit relayed observations and data to his black furred partner, Corporal Blotasky.

        Perkins always requested a team up with this talented enlisted sniper, They gel’d perfectly with each other. “Bodah” (Bow-dah) , Perkins’ pet name for his side kick, was ever dependable and incredibly loyal almost to foolishness. He sometimes disobeyed orders to put himself at risk for his “Packy” which in the end? Perkins while a little annoyed...was always deeply grateful. Both of them kept a respectful friendship, mindful of the rank of the other. Friends was fine, close friends was dangerous in their chosen profession.

        “What’s you got there Packy?” Botasky asked from his desk and station as his officer scanned the island beyond the sub’s holding position in the sea…

         “A lot of construction equipment.” Perkins replied. “They’re removing a whole lot of earth from somewhere. You know Bodah? Even from this distance? Those Kzinti are enormous. They certainly outsize our own Tigers back home.”

         “Can you tell by what you can see? What are they building?” Botasky asked as he got up from his desk and studied the chart on the light table in the center of the sub’s control deck.

         “I can’t figure that right now.” Perkins replied. “They have much of the high ground covered with screens. Probably as a precaution. I don’t think they believe they’re being observed. Ask “CP” (Command Post) for a security update and the latest sonar sweep.”

         Botasky walked to a laptop computer and typed out his request on a language scrambler program that turned the type into code and sent it off to the reciever who’d get it back un-coded. Moments later...Botasky received the reply…

“No OPFOR (Opposition Force) water activity detected. Sonar is clean. Will you proceed with second phase of operation as planned? Awaiting orders.” 

         Perkins mulled over his options. The second phase would proceed, they didn’t come all this way to sit and “paw off” a circle jerk. The Kzinti were building something significant up in the hills that demanded investigation. Second phase had two parts. The first part was a detailed examination of the beaches and what defenses the Kzinti had in place, the obvious reason for the data was of course for armed invasion. Perkins and Botasky had already made several island incursions like this around the Atolls where the Kzinti were equally busy with other construction projects. The second part of second phase was to try and find out the purpose for Roya Island. Why were the Kzinti putting so much of their construction efforts here?

“Down periscope.” Perkins said as he pulled back from the scope controls and walked over to the lighted chart table…

“Need you to check all the gear one more time Bodah before I send the order to “CP” to close us with the landing site. The Southwest beach looks to be the most favorable, it’s not so busy and it’s where the bivoac area for the “Habbits” (Habitation area) that’s where we can plant the listening devices and get some intel recordings.”

“Copy.” Botasky replied. “I should be able to get all the hydro-graphic data and some of the defense layouts scoped. If the chart is correct? The beach slopes away pretty sharply at that point so I’ll have a quick way to dive into deep water if I need too.”

“Good.” Perkins replied. “Just remember. We’re only going in with pistols so absolute silence is key. I don’t know if these cats have night vision goggles or equipment but you can be sure they probably don’t need that stuff because Tigers have excellent night vision in their own right.”

Perkins grabbed Botasky on the shoulder. “Bodah? You realize that if things go south? We will have to kill ourselves or throw ourselves at them like prey, right? This mission can not become compromised. If you have to “do me” then it can’t be helped.”

Botasky snickered. “You know that just sounded so wrong?”

“I’m serious Bodah...if worse comes to worse?” Perkins said.

“Well it won’t come to worst Sir.” Botasky replied. “Because you and me are the baddest mother flucker rabbits West of South Savana. Like I should be afraid of some big cats, They should be afraid of “US” because we’re not the stupid dumb cave dwellers these guys are probably used too terrorizing. We’re not called “Cat Shit One” for nothing.”

“Hmph….I always admire your spirit of youth Bodah. But as an insurance policy? I brought us a little extra back up.” Perkins said as he reached into his uniform pants pocket and pulled out a vile of liquid that floressed bright yellow.

  “So what’s that stuff?” Botasky asked.

     “Piss from a fully pregnant white tail deer who had a set of beautiful twin fawns last week.” Perkins said as he flipped the vile into the air and caught it with a swiping paw.

      “Oh dude! That is so rank! How did you get a hold of that Packy?” Botasky asked.

      “A family friend was happy enough to donate to the defense of Zootopia.” Perkins replied.

      “Now why in hell are you carrying deer piss? You have some strange kinks I should know about Sir?” Botasky asked as he followed Perkins into their sleeping quarters.

      “I thought you were an expert sniper Bodah? One of the oldest tricks in the book is scent deception.” Perkins said as he reached into his combat pack and pulled out an aerosol spraying canister. “To you and me? This stuff is putrid. To a big cat with huge teeth? This is a dinner bell. If these Kzinti are predators who live off their ancient instincts? Then a whiff of this is going to make them die of dehydration from salivating all their moisture out of their mouths.”

       Botasky smiled...”I get it….you’re going to spray that stuff into the air so they go chasing it. You are just as cleaver as a fox Sir.”

      “And while we talk about scents my dear sniper?” Perkins said as he pulled up another vile. “This one will do the opposite...gull snit. It’s so rank to cats that they back off from it. Etu de snit Johnathan Livingston from Tar-jay-et.”  

     “Why don’t “you” wear it then?” Botasky snorted. “I’m not smearing that snit on my body.”

     “Then you can enjoy being a tasty horderve.” Perkins replied. “It’s not going to burn our noses Bodah.”

      The two bunnies progressed in their preparations with Perkins walking to the laptop and typing a message for the “CP” back in Zootopia to pilot the Paladin closer to the island of Roya as things got much darker and later into the night.

8pm
Zootopia Police Department First Precinct
“First Prinky”
Downtown Zootopia
24 August 2040

     Alex and Kimba sat silent in the holding room, suspecting the place to be “bugged” with microphones...which it wasn’t but the movie “Wolf’s Rain” put all kinds of paranoia into the mid-ling’s minds. It felt like an eternity in hell before the reception officer, Page Clawhauser (Female Cheetah) came through the door…

    “You two ok? Do you need something to drink? By the way, we did call your parents.” Page said as she sat down with a folder in her paws.

     Kimba dropped his head on the table...”Ugh….my Dad is gonna kill me. He’s gonna bite off my tail and then he’s really gonna kill me.”

     Alex huffed. “You?! I’m the one who threw the punches Kim! My Dad is going to shake me like a scolded pup! I can’t believe I whaled on that guy, what was I thinking? Well….good by Marines, hello gas pumper and window cleaner at the local car mart. Ugh….this really sucks!”

     Page opened the file...”How about we talk this over and see where it goes from here?”

     “Where can it go?” Alex sighed. “I beat the snot out of a guy. I laid in a blind haymaker then broke his snoot. My life is gonna suck tail...the Marines won’t accept a felon.”

      “I dunno?” Kimba replied. “After that example of ass whooping? You’ll probably get a knighthood.”

      “Can you be serious Kim?!” Alex huffed.

      Page waved a paw...”You two? Shoosh.” She commanded. “Now…you were both on the bus, something was said, the big wolf came up to you all offended, made some threatening remarks and gestures, he turned away and you proceeded to beat him down am I correct?”

        Alex sighed. “Yes mam….that’s accurate. I’m sorry I whaled on the guy but he called us stuff and clenched his fist! I thought he was going to start punching us so I nailed him and just didn’t stop, I didn’t mean to knock out a few teeth and bust him up but I was pissed! Now my life is going to be snit.”

       Page patted the paperwork...”Do you both wish to place charges on the assailant?”

      Alex replied...”No...wait? You called him “An assailant?”

      Page replied. “Usually a guy who has a record and threatens two under age juveniles? Warrants our attention. You’re lucky the bus driver knew this wolf’s reputation and called the dispatcher. Add to this the other passengers who seem in agreement that the tail beating by yourself was justified self defense and you don’t have to sweat a charge save a notation on your juvie records. I just have to ask two questions in regards to the case…

     Page looked at Alex then at Kimba. “Are either of you homosexuals?”

     Kimba replied….”Ah…..no.”

     “Are you being truthful?” Page asked.

    “Yes.” Kimba replied. “Last time I checked, I wasn’t gay.”

    Alex gestured a paw. “Why is this important? Yeah, the big dufus made a big deal of it just because I’m a wolf and Kimba’s a lion.”

     Kimba raised a paw finger. “I’m a pussy, get it right.”

     “Yeah….” Alex replied. “Yeah….he’s a pussy, a wise ass pussy.”

     Page Clauhawser gave Alex a mean look...”Do you mind with the species epithets please?” We just want to know because this would make this incident a hate crime.”

     Alex waved and pointed his paw...”I’m not gay, Kimba’s not gay, don’t know if big moron was gay but we’re not gay.”

      Page gestured...”Question two, are you lovers?”

      “We have to be gay to be lovers?” Alex snickered. “Oh gawdess Luna, that came out stupid.”

      “You said that right.” Kimba snickered back. He turned to Page. “No mam, we are not lovers. That’s the honest answer.”

        Page made some notes, then stood up...”Alright then, you are both free to go. Kimba? Your mother is coming to pick you up.”

       Kimba sighed...”I’m so dead. If my mother’s picking me up? That means my Dad is home sharpening his claws for the beat down.”

       Alex gave Kimba a shoulder punch. “You’re dead? My father’s going to ground my sorry tail for a week of slavery. At least it didn’t make a permanent record.”

      The two mid-ling mammals sat on a bench in the precinct lobby awaiting their doom when Kimba gave Alex’s ear a quick toothy nip…

      “Ouch! Kim?! What the hell?” Alex yelped.

      “You liar.” Kimba snorted. “You’re gay’r than a two buck bill.”

      “No I’m not!” Alex replied. “I want out of this place, don’t you? Sheesh, I’m so lucky it’s not funny. All those moves I put on that guy were Marine combat moves. I could have gotten my Uncle in so much trouble...”

       “Those couple of times we had don’t say “gay as all get out”?” Kimba asked.

       “Those were experimentation and penis touches Kimba? Just drop it? And don’t go blabbing around school? No one else knows about this so keep it that way?”

        “You sure scream gay.” Kimba snickered.

        “Do you WANT to be practice dummy number two?” Alex growled. “I can make that happen?”

         Just then….Kimba’s mother walked up and hugged her son. “We are so glad you weren’t hurt! Oh baby!”

         “It’s ok Mom!” Kimba yelped. “Don’t make a big deal over this?!”

         “If you’re gay Kimba? We understand...” Kimba’s mother sobbed.

         “Oh great...” Alex sighed.

         “Mom!” Kimba yelped. “I’m not gay! Alex isn’t gay. Don’t know if the moron he beat the stuff out of was gay but we’re certainly not gay! Except Alex’s hair tuft, that screams super gay.”

         “Speak for yourself Kimba!” Alex yelped back.

           Just then….Will showed up and hugged Alex...”Alex! Did that bastard lay a paw on you? Dad and Mom are freaking out, are you hurt?”

          Kimba pointed to Will…”His brother is super gay, look how they’re hugging, super gay-dar alarm!”

          Will  looked at Kimba’s mother and she wisely pulled her son with her out the front door of the precinct…

          “Mom and Dad didn’t come which means I am super dead.” Alex sighed.

          “They didn’t come because the police couldn’t reach them so they got my number from the school administrator.” Will replied as he wrapped an arm around Alex’s shoulder. “You can sleep at my place tonight.”

          Alex pushed Will’s arm off his shoulder. “Do you mind not being so clingy to me bro? I’m not your walking stick.”

           Will was a little shocked by the snipe...”Sorry. I knew you might want too avoid...”

          “I’m just not a walking cane.” Alex huffed back. “I’m almost seventeen Will not ten.”

         Will smiled a little...”Want to get something to eat? Need something to drink?”

         “No.” Alex replied. “I’m tired, I’m still a little amp’d up and you’re getting annoying. I just want to lay down.”

          Will followed Alex as the younger brother tried to keep a space between them...”Will?! Do you mind not trying to crawl your way back up my flucken tail hole?!”

         “Alex?!” Will snapped back. “What’s your problem?”

         “Nothing Will...nothing’s my problem ok? Can we just go? I’m very tired and a little upset and I just want to get into a bed….” Alex started to sob but Will didn’t dare try to reach for him…

         “Come on Alex...” Will gestured. “Let’s go. I understand.”

10pm
15 miles over the Demarcation Line
Zootopia Navy Un-Mammal’d Combat Vehicle Submersible
ZUSV-17 Paladin
Depth 30 feet
Location: Approaching Roya Island from the south
24 August 2040

       Each bunny was left to his own private thoughts as the water began to fill the airlock around him and each checked the other over for last minute equipment accountability. The last think Packy did was grip Bodah’s cheeks and give him a confident head shake as the water surged over their heads, a sort of last second seal of approval of how important his sniper was as both friend and college.

         Perkins reached out in the lighted capsule and hit the door switch, allowing the two of them to float out and swim up the spine of the attack sub to where their individual “sleds” were. The unseen commander of this un-mammal’d submarine had brought them within three miles of the shore now their sleds would bring them into harms way.

        Detaching them from the holding clips, Perkins and Botasky were soon “flying” just under the surface of the water, allowing their unseen handler to guide their sleds to the target point indicated on Packy’s combat tablet. At the edge of the “surf zone” the two March Hare’s allowed their sleds to return to the mother sub as they both rode the waves and the current to a landing on the sandy beach where they quickly flipped down their night vision monocles and scanned the land beyond…

        The excellent acuity of their ears allowed the hares to speak to each other in near silent whispers while every word came clear and crisp as if they were having a normal dinner conversation…

        “Affix….silencers.” Perkins said. Botasky pulled out a Desert Eagle bull magnum pistol while Packy pulled a snub nose “Snarl and Weasel” 357 revolver. They screwed long barrel silencers to each and slowly set to work pulling things out and organizing them for use.

        “They seem pretty confident.” Botasky said as he scanned across his field of view from his prone position. “I don’t see any beach guards.”

        “They may have sensors or trip traps.” Perkins replied. “Stay alert and watch your movements. You do your amphibious reconnaissance, I’ll do my intel work. But first? Let’s wet their lips and make their dicks hard shall we?”

         Perkins pulled out the aerosol application can full of pregnant deer urine, screwed the base onto a telescoping selfie stick and asked Botasky for a weather check….

       “Wind steady at ten miles per hour, South-west to North-east.” Botasky said. Perkins extended the stick above his head and depressed the trigger on the handle, releasing a spray stream of urine into the wind…

       “Get out that gull snit and coat yourself.” Perkins said as he shook the stick to make sure the can was dry then packed the stick into a pocket and buried the can in the sand. “Ok….I’m off. Be careful Bodah? We will meet back here in three hours. That should be sufficient time.”

        Bodah reached out and grabbed Packy’s paw...”Sir? Do be careful? You know I can’t cover you?”

       “And I know you have a hard time not obey’ing orders to worry about my safety. Don’t do anything nuts that could compromise our mission Bodah?” Perkins said with a wink before he checked his field of view one more time and slowly began to move forwards in the darkness towards the vegetation line.

10pm
Will and Gilly’s Apartment
Sahara Square
24 August 2040

     Will slowly opened the door to the bathroom and gently placed a large towel on the vanity. Alex was sitting in the tub which was full of suds from the half a bottle of dog shampoo he’d dumped into it…

     “Will?” Alex asked softly. “You there?”

     “Yeah.” Will replied. “I brought you a towel. I’ll…..I’ll leave you alone ok?”

     “It’s alright.” Alex replied. “I need to talk to you. I need to be honest and get stuff out of my head for once.”

     Will sighed...”I….I don’t think I’m ready to handle what you’re going to say.”

      Alex poked his head out from behind the curtain...”What? I wasn’t going to ask like...”Will? Why did you molest me?” was I?”

      Will sat on the toilet...”Well….I did molest you. I molested you and I was selfish and a complete...”

      “Oh and like I just touched you by mistake while sleeping naked with you at the lake? Don’t be that dense?” Alex replied. “I was scoping you out before that, just so you feel better.”

        Will giggled from the amount of suds covering his younger brother. “How much shampoo did you waste?”

        “Enough to leave a crusty film.” Alex replied. “You will be happy to know big brother that I have chosen NOT to be gay. No offense. And you didn’t molest me. Molesting requires the victim to not be Assenting and you know I ack-scented like a mother flucker.”

         Will drooped his ears...”Still….Alex…..I am the older brother, I should never….never…...never had allowed it to happen. It was wrong and I feel like dirt even with the happiness I have with Gilly. I feel like a piece of snit. I….”

        “Gawd damn Will? Are you going to ball up into a complete pussy now?” Alex huffed as he leaned against the lip of the tub. “It’s done and over with Will. I didn’t get all pissy tonight because of that...I got pissy because I’m almost seventeen and still feel like I’m being coddled by you, Dad and Mom. It’s flucken strangling me! I’m breaking it off completely. Tomorrow? I’m going to ask Dad and Mom to help me get my own apartment. I might have a potential girl friend. I’m getting ready to leave home soon and I’m going to bury everything in the past so I’m finally airing out the cob webs.”

          Alex looked Will seriously in the eyes….”Will? I’m not gay, I never will be gay and while I was beating that guy up? I had your face pictured on my fists. I love you big brother but it’s time you stopped trying to be a bull snit artist with me. I know you got those pictures you took of me? You know “those special” pictures you like to jack off too? I want them destroyed and I want you as a pervert out of my life. You want to cheat on your boyfriend? You cheat with someone else, not me!”

          Alex growled...”You keep even one picture? I’ll tell mom and dad everything you did….everything. Then I’ll go to the cops and file a report if you think I’m bull snitting you. I’m going to finish my bath, get dressed and then you and me are going to burn every last picture, melt every zip drive and go through your lap top just to make sure you don’t hold out. Now? Get the fluck out of my face Will? Time for us to move on with our lives and let the past die.”

        Will stood up and started to sob...”Alex? I’m…..I’m….”

          “Damn it Will! Grow up! It’s fricken over between us and you’re still trying to hang on?! Do you want to destroy your life?! Do you want to ruin everything you’re trying to do?! Do you want to lose Gilly?! Mom and Dad?! Me?! Time to suck it up and do what’s right Will! Now get the fluck out!”

        Alex flopped back into the tub water as Will left. A harsh and brutal treatment but it needed to be done, Alex thought to himself as he sat soaping himself up again as if another dose of lather would clear the images from his mind.

10pm
The Destroyer Growler at sea
Male ICERM berthing
24 August 2040

     In a quiet corner of the berthing where Jackson had his coffin locker, Gilly, Ayden Gull and Darla sat on the floor while Jackson lay snug in his rack. They were all playing “Spades” for “ZooPens” (Pennies) while the compartment around them was bathed in a red hue from the switched color lights over their heads. From 10pm to 5am the whole interior of the ship glowed red to prevent it being easily seen in the dark when one of the outer doors was opened to the environments. The color also served to help the eyes of the watches around the ship adjust to seeing at night…

       “How many books can you take?” Jackson asked Darla as he scanned his cards…” I can take two.”
 
       “Ummm…..three….no…...four.” Darla replied as she reached into a bowl and nibbled on some kibbles. “Chew, chew….oh gawd, I am going to be a fat bride from these “nibble kibbles” She said as she chewed the kibbles with sweet relish...”Yum, yum, yum….”

       Ayden looked at Gilly...”How many Gilly?” He asked.

       “Six.” Gilly replied. “Six solid.”

       “I’m gonna go nil.” Ayden said.

        “Someone’s going to bag or set.” Jackson said. “I’ll…..throw in ten pens.”

        “Five.” Darla said as she threw her change.

        “Twenty.” Gilly said confidently.

         Ayden looked at his cards again. “I’ll throw five. I’m sticking with nil.”

         “Dealer is closed.” Jackson said. Ayden goes first.” 

Author’s note: The card game “Spades” is the most played past time aboard U.S. Navy warships. A 52 card deck makes 13 books of four cards each, the object being to score a set high number of points fist in order to win a round. Cards from 2 to 10 are 5 points a piece with the Jack, Queen and King scoring ten points a piece and the aces 15 points a piece. Each team of two people declare how many “books” they can grab in a single round. If you “bag” or over grab a number of extra books during the game before you reached the required number of points to win, you can be “set back” 50 points. If you fail to get your required number of books in a round...say you and your partner declare you can get six books but you only get three...you can charged 50 points for each book you failed to pick up. Most sailors played for money while to avoid being charged with gambling and other penalties, others played for cigarettes, beer buys, porn magazines or other interesting prizes.

     Ayden smiled. “What do you guys think of us being one of the ship’s for Gazelle’s last concert tour start?”

      “I fainted!” Darla replied. “I can’t wait! I’ll be right up front with all the mice, the rats, the bunnies, foxes and the other otters! I have to buy some ball caps so I can toss em and see if she’ll scribble on them.”

       Gilly giggled. “Easy there girl or you’ll piss all over the floor.” He threw down his card and snickered at the others...”Mine! I am so going to wreck your dreams Jackie.”

       “Blowing smoke again huh?” Jackson snorted as he threw down his card. “While all of you are here? I need help with the reception after my mom’s retirement from the ZPD and I told her I wanted to present the colors with a guard from our boat at the public ceremony. Any of you interested?”

      Ayden shook his head...”You really should ask other bunnies. A diverse species color guard always looks awkward.”

      Gilly gestured. “Yeah  but you know the Captain will insist on diversity.”

      Another round played and Darla smiled. “My book. Ayden? Gill? You guys better not flub, you’re playing dangerously. Why not have two otters, two bunnies and a fox or wolf color commander? That would be diverse enough to please the sensitive?”
      Gilly threw a card down. “Nope….we have to have a seed eater, a grass grazer, a meat eater and a hemorphodatic, gender fluid, kelp muncher who is a quarter rabbit, a quarter bull moose, a quarter dolphin and two fifths bush baby. Oh yeah….throw in lactose intolerant.”

      Ayden snorted. “Do you sit in the shop all day and dream up ways to offend?”

      Jackson won the book...”He’s taking a college course in offensive biology. And by the way Ayden? Gilly will be best mammal when me and Darla get married.”

      “Congrats.” Ayden replied. “Which means we’d soon have to plan a “batching party” for Gills.”

      Gilly chuckled...”Not soon enough. We haven’t gotten there yet. And…..BANG!” Gilly yelped as he slapped a card on the steel deck and got shooshes and “shut up!” from mammals trying to sleep around him...”Oops… sorry. But I got another book.”

      Darla looked at Ayden. “So how’s your brother doing in college?”

      “Bailey’s in mid-semester with a 3.7 average.” Ayden replied. “He’d be 3.9 or 4 if he’d keep his mind off me. Bailey tells me he never stops thinking of how I’m doing. I don’t mind saying that if it wasn’t for my little brother? I’d be a failure. He kicked my tail feathers through high school and made me realize in my senior year that I was on the edge of being a complete loser.”

      “Harsh self criticism.” Jackson said as he shuffled the card deck again.

       “I was a dirt bag Jackie.” Ayden replied. “A big muscle bound dirt bag who was a lazy weight on his old man. Hard to believe isn’t it? Nothing was more shocking to me than the day I stood before my Dad in my dress blues with my chest sticking out.”

      “My mother lost it.” Jackson said. “I don’t think her eyes were dry the whole day at graduation. My dad however was more philosophical about it, he did more preaching than sobbing. “Now Son? Don’t you bend over in the showers aboard those ships. It will leave you to be bullied and worse. Invest in a long handled floor retriever….” (LOL!)
  
       Darla snorted...”Did Nick really say all that?”

       “Yes….he did.” Jackson replied. “He also said that I should stand outside your assigned bathroom to make sure no “problems” occurred when you went in to “powder your nose”.

       “That’s your father.” Darla giggled. “Deal the cards, we’re only going to 11pm.”

      Jackson dealt the deck. “By the way? I caught the news on the network and they say we might step up deployments to the Outbacks. They’re talking about two ship in port visits on a rotation basis but they haven’t approved anything yet.”

      Ayden nodded as he scanned his card hand. “I could deal with that schedule. Maybe the timing will be perfect? I can have my little brother over in a hotel room or a rental and we could all shoot the snit with each other.”

      “I could enjoy more visits there.” Darla said as she spooned another helping of kibbles into her maw. “We didn’t have enough time there did we Jackie?”

       “Nope.” Jackson replied. “How about we delay our honeymoon, build up some leave time and get a whole month there next year?”

         The hand passed quickly with Gilly scooping up the pile of pennies. “See? Told you I was good at this game huh?”

         “Bet he’s gonna boast he has a system.” Darla snorted. “Ok mister slick floppy ears? How about you take on the officers and chiefs in the tournament coming up? See if you can crack the “skippers” good luck with card games?”

       “I might do just that.” Gilly replied confidently. “If one of you care to tag along with my genius?”

        Jackie climbed out of his rack. “Excuse me while I climb higher to escape the rising level of snit.”

       Gilly slapped Jackson on the butt...”Wise hump! Why don’t you team up with me for the tournament? I’m going to be your best mammal right?”

       “You already have a good partner in Ayden?” Jackson replied. “Besides I’m going to be too busy to think about any card game tournament. My mom’s retiring, my parents are planning to move and there’s the wedding to plan out so my schedule’s full….right Darla?”

“Don’t involve me in your weaseling out!” Darla snorted back. “He could make the time Gilly, he’s just ditching because he wants to suck up to the Skipper.”

“I thought my future wife would back me up?” Jackson huffed.

“My purpose is to sit and get fat while you work, who were you trying to kid?” Darla giggled. “No seriously Jackie, play with Gill? Besides Ayden should avoid any appearances of favoritism since he’s a supervisor.”

  “My saving mammal.” Ayden said smiling. “I knew gulls and otters were always tight with each other.”

10:30pm
15 miles over the Demarcation Line
Location: West of Roya Islands in the Ryuku Atolls 
24 August 2040

     Botasky moved slowly on his belly over the talcum like beach sand scanning his field of vision through his NV eye scope while pushing a probe and meter into the sand and recording the moment of resistance measurement in his water resistant “98 tac” book.

      The resistance meter was a calibrated decimal scale attached to a steel rod with a quarter inch thick disk at the end that Bodah pushed into the sand until it resisted the probes’ intrusion. From this measurement, a gang of statistical bunnies at the defense department would prepare weight and movement tables for everything from landing craft to tanks, artillery pieces and armored vehicles to see if the beaches could support their movements. Any “bogging down” of equipment could mean certain death in an amphibious invasion. This was Botasky’s soul mission tonight...gathering information for an amphibious assault should that become a reality on what his partner and leading officer Perkins could uncover on his little excursion…

       For his part at the moment...poor Perkins was recoiling from a face full of cat anus and a set of big hanging balls...”Eeesh….gawd damn it.” The Gray March Hair snorted as he pulled back from his boro-scope hand set and winced. Obviously he’d found a single floor barracks building which took a lot of time “skulking” to get too. Thankfully in his trek from the beach landing, the sea gull snit had done its’ work well and the Kzinti were not wise to the “trail of stink” at least not yet and hopefully never…

“Packy” as Botasky nicknamed his officer, pulled out several MP3 recording devices, about the size of half zip drives, and carefully stuck them between the open spaces of the floor planking above at various places under the barracks building. While he couldn’t understand the language the Kzinti were speaking, he could at least be thankful they were so blabby tonight. He found a safe place in a corner of the foundation to poke his boroscope up through the slats to look and gain what he could about these ten foot tigers…

    He’d seen them plenty of times of course already on other missions. But here they were in a state of comfort...if you could call their barracks life a comfort. The surroundings appeared rigid and sparse, orderly and immaculate to a fault, as if leaving one article out of step or place was an offense or a crime to commit. They all wore under “wrappings” not under “wear”, long cloth wrapped around the groin and the rumps and held by a decorative knot in the front. That seemed to be standard sleep wear as well. One of the silly past times they did enjoy with each other was standing in the middle of the squad bay and crashing into each other in a struggle to get hold of the under “wrap” and wedgie one another until one could be thrown down...which enlisted growls and cheers of joy from the rest. “Packy” found them weird.

     A look at the weapons rack made “Packy” snort a little. Except for some weapons he refused to consider as “automatics” every rifle in the rack was a bolt action. Zootopia’s military had been equipped with “auto-loaders” for decades and if what he was seeing held true? This put the Kzinti at a great disadvantage, at least by army standards any way.

      A sudden sound of excitement filled the air above which made Perkins move his scope around using the hand control wheels. One of the big cats came walking into the barracks with a squealing rabbit being held by her ears, she was obviously a female as she kicked her legs open and from what Packy could see? She was a “dummy” or un-evolved mammal and while he could feel sympathy for her plight, doing anything was compromising and all be it worthless for a mammal that couldn’t advance beyond facial expressions and “dumb language”. Though there was an opportunity to witness Kzinti stoked up on a fever for killing and devouring, there was still the feeling of kinship he shared with their victim. What was going to happen to her would be tough to watch as it could be his wife and kits hanging by those murdering paws.

      The obvious leader, probably an NCO, chucked the rabbit into the center of the bay and the chase was on! The strict decorum and order of the place became a quick disordered mess as the big cats chased, dover after, crashed and fell over their fleeing victim! Curses and shouts went out in their language as the Kzinti soldiers screamed “Ban-ee, Ban-ee, Ban-ee!” among other things Perkins couldn’t understand. Finally...one soldier snatched the bunny and in an act of brutality….ripped one of her legs clean off at the hip joint!

      Perkins slapped his paws over his ears and grimaced at the horrific scream made by the female rabbit! The urge to say “fluck it!” and pull his magnum cried out in his head as he watched another Kzinti pick up the brutalized bunny and rip one of her forelegs off! The crying, suffering rabbit was thrown hard to the floor like a piece of garbage and Perkins could no longer sit by in inaction to the barbarity on display.

      He crawled across the foundation to the spot under the floor where the poor female lay suffering and bleeding to death. Thankfully to Frith...the gap between the floor boards was wide enough where her head was resting. Pulling his combat knife from its’ sheath….Perkins pushed it fast into the poor females head, scrambled her brain and gave her welcome peace before the carcuss was picked up again and torn to shreds among the hungry cats. It took all of “Packy’s” strength not to go to pieces as he buried his face in the dirt to muffle his cries and soak his tears. No mammal deserved such an uncaring ending...not like that.

Midnight
Will and Gilly’s Apartment
Sahara Square
25 August 2040

    Alex lorded over Will as his brother gave him the last lewd picture he had of Alex when he was younger. It was a “money shot” of the young wolf showing off his tail hole after a shower…

    “And this is the last of all of it right?” Alex demanded. “Will? This is it right? You’re not holding out are you? You better not be holding anything.”

     Will replied. “That’s the end of it Alex, I swear it is.” The older wolf said with his ears down casted as his brother tore the picture up, threw it in a coffee cup, put in a few drops of lighter fluid and put the pieces to the torch. Alex then looked at Will who looked as beat up as he might have after a school fight…

     “Hey?” Alex asked as he bent down...”Will? Look at me?”

      Will raised his head as Alex rubbed his shoulder. “Brother? It’s for the best. I love you Will...I love you and I really want you to be happy. What we had together however can’t continue, it has to end here for both of us.”

       Will sighed….”Maybe I’m trying to hard to live up to expectations? Maybe I’m trying to hang on to more simple memories...maybe I’m not cut out to be a leader of something Alex...”

       “Oh gawd….will you cut the stupid snit already Will?! Damn! Stop chopping your own legs off? What you’re doing right now is super important, even I admit that! You got so much ahead of you, why do you want to throw it all away drooling over my lack of an ass? Better yet? How about Kinkbunny? Be thankful I fixed your lap top and smart phone so you can “get off” on that stuff any more. Heck I even paid a mammal to fix my stuff. I don’t need that stuff any more, don’t want it anymore and you don’t need it in your own life.”

       Alex flopped onto the floor next to Will’s chair. “You keep doing your peace stuff big brother! Heck, one day you might be running for mayor! Yeah...I said it. Mayor William Gray of Zootopia. Then you’ll need a misfit, former Marine, loud mouth younger brother to contrast your resplendent awesomeness!”

      Will giggled...”You’re being stupid kid.”

       Alex jumped up and latched onto Will’s ear with his teeth...”And you’ve always been a pain in my hump! Both “lit and fig” but I still love you to death!” Alex let go and stood crossing his arms...”Now? Promise me there’s nothing more in the closet? Zilch, nadda, nothing. And if you’re keeping some old wet diapers anywhere? I’m really going to freak out.”

      “There’s nothing else kid. I swear.” Will replied.

       Alex reached out and wrapped his arms around Will. “Then we’re done and done with this crap once and for all. I swear if you loose Gilly? I will so beat the flea flying dog snit out of your hide you block head. That’s a promise!”

        Will sat for a moment rubbing a paw over Alex’s face with a smile then frowned...”I can’t keep this from you Alex...there’s an issue with the….well? Well the “mob” might be a little upset?”

       Alex cocked his head and snarled….”Do what the fluck?”

Midnight
Page Clawhauser’s house
North Savana Central, Walnut
25 August 2040

       Page came through the front door and the sound of a popping confetti shooter almost made her jump to the ceiling!….

        “There’s my favorite niece! A little bit late than expected but never too late for a good dinner!” Benjamin Clawhauser said as he held out his big arms and smiled.

       “Uncle?!” Page yelped as she ran up and got scooped into a “bear hug” by her big uncle...”Uncle Ben you silly kitty, what are you doing here?”

       “What?” Benjamin replied as he put Page down. “Is there a new department regulation I can’t see my niece when I like? You must be impressing the new Chief to be working so late?”

        Page followed her uncle into the living room. “I stay late once a week. Just following your good example uncle.”

        Clawhauser stopped to wave a cartoon covered diaper at Page. “Is there something I should know about here?”

       “Oh...that’s not mine.” Page huffed as she took the diaper from her uncle. “This belongs to a little friend of mine called Kenny who is adorable and blinding as the sun and I sooooo want a cub of my own Uncle! Kenny is so precious!”

         Ben smiled...”He better be a little tyke the way you talk about him?”

         Page showed Ben a photo of little Kenny and his father. “He belongs to officer Kitsune and you should see what this little devil does to your old station Uncle. It is so wonderful to come to work and be so spoiled by such a cute little thing! Mmmmm...I want a cub so bad!”

          Benjamin pulled a chair out from the kitchen table...”To have a cub Page? You need a fellah. Now when am I going to meet sed fellah?”

          “Well?” Page replied. “I haven’t found mister right cheetah just yet. Maybe it’s because of the old Clawhauser syndrome of hard work, dedication and loyalty? I have found myself “married” to the spot just as you were. It breaks my heart to think you don’t have anyone yourself.”

         Ben smiled back. “Oh? I do have “some one” and it’s not a Gazelle app ok? She happens to be another Cheetah with a boring job as a librarian, which is all the more boring because these days? People just need a smart phone instead of a library...except yours truly. I am fatally nostalgic for “old school tech” and old style cooking. I would be growling if I knew you existed on fast foods and microwave abominations passing as food. I have Chef’s Bordalay and basted beef with a touch of wine. In fact my dearest niece? You need to find yourself a boy friend so I can have an excuse to cook dinner.”

      “With your cooking? I might have to fib just to get you to cook all the time.” Page said as she sat down. “You know Chief Hopps will be retiring soon?”

       “Yup.” Benjamin replied. “I’m working on the traditional farewell dinner at Buckies for her, she doesn’t know yet and don’t you blab? All the old officers from her rookie days will be there, you should have seen the amount of pleading I had to do to get old Chief Bogo to promise a trip from the Meddowlands for the occasion. I even provided the Zootopia Sentinel with Judy’s biography so they could write her a tribute piece in their opinion section. She’s going to kill me for spoiling her rotten, I know her too well.”

        Page tasted the food and nodded. “Once again? Perfect. Why don’t you open an eatery? A small mom and pop sort of diner? You love to cook Uncle, you should do it!”

       “Running even a small place is too much work and do you know your uncle to be anything less than 50 percent lazy? Especially in retirement. But I won’t be taking another cruise around the water any time soon so….that idea I may be open too. But enough about me. Are you working tomorrow?”

       “No. My next three day weekend starts tomorrow, why?” Page asked.

       “Good.” Benjamin replied. “We can get a late start tomorrow and go shopping. I need some new clothes and you need a mate.”

       “Uncle?” Page smirked at her Uncle sarcastically. “You would be the last mammal I’d think of taking advice on how to find a mate.”

       “That’s fine.” Benjamin smiled back. “There have been many who have doubted that this old tubby kitty has “prowice de amour galore” but fear not my sweet Page? I will not blind you with the glare of my brilliance.”

        Page tried to hold her laughter in but lost it when her Uncle “cocked” an adonus like pose….

        “Laughter!”…..”Uncle Benjamin! “Laughter”…..”

        “Did I tell you, you could laugh? You must take me seriously Page! I can teach things you younger mammals couldn’t cook up between your fuzzy wuzzy ears, I swear your whole generation is fixated on “Muzzlebook” and “Furtube”, you’ve all turned love into a lost art.”

          “Next thing you know Uncle? You’ll blame us for killing television. Is there anything about my generation you don’t blame the death of for?” Page snorted.

         “Mmmmm….Frizzle Kibbles….actually the only good thing your generation has done “mammal-it-ee” (humanity) a service. You successfully killed off the worst food conglomerate of our time and banished forever “MSG” from our food supply. Yup...your generation is useful after all.”

         Page smirked off the ribbing and finished her dinner...”Uncle? Can you really help me find a mate?”

         “Question is my dear Page? Are you willing to learn? Here’s where “I hope” you are nothing like my brother Darron. The only reason he got lucky with your mother after repeatedly not listening to what I told him was that he dropped out of a tree….by mistake…..while sleeping on a branch and just so happened to land on his paws in such a cool display of recovery that your mother could have filled a reservoir with her drippings.” Ben replied. “But I also taught him how to fall and look cool doing it so…..yes, I am a professional.”

        Page snickered back. “We’ll just have to see it.” 

Midnight
15 miles over the Demarcation Line
Location: West of Roya Islands in the Ryuku Atolls 
25 August 2040

       Botasky cautiously looked around at the beach, then scanned the vegetation line for movement before climbing through the narrow slit hole of the concrete gun emplacement he’d found as he crawled over the sand. Quickly he pulled his camera from his fanny pack and took a few shots of the artillary piece and the construction of the bunker around him.

       The concrete looked fairly new, perhaps only months old. There had not been time for weather marks to set in and the surfaces were still construction smooth…

        “They must have been bringing concrete here for a long time. There’s no way they could use the local materials.” Botasky said as he ran his paw over the surface and stopped to estimate the thickness of the bunker itself. He also noted a “rebar” sticking out from one corner. “A foot and a half thick. Add the dirt around it and it’s pretty stout.” Botasky said as he walked over to the artillery gun and inspected it. He reached into his fanny pack again and pulled out a “T-gauge” which was a gauge with two spring loaded tips designed to span the diameter of a circumference. Jumping onto the back of the cannon, Botasky measured the breech opening and noted the numbers and twists of the cannon’s inner rifled liner…

    “88 Millimeters….up rage high velocity…son of a hutch whore.” Botasky said to himself in awe. The gun could turn tanks into vapor! So far….Botasky counted at least ten heavy guns like this one all up and down his sector of the beach. A foreboding sign that Roya was indeed worth drawing blood for…

     Bodah pinched the switch on his pit mic...”Packy? Packy you alright?” He asked.

    “Yeah...” Perkins replied as he sat fat and comfortable under the barracks building. “These cats are purring like crazy, another half hour and we’re out.”

    “Copy.” Bodah replied as he continued to look around the gun emplacement with his flashlight. “Listen Packy? These guys are fricken serious as all turnip soup! I’m in a gun emplacement on the beach and its’ scary as hell! The piece here is an 88 milimeter high velocity cannon and they have tons of them here! Something serious is going down….”

    Suddenly….Botasky heard noises coming closer and looked around in a panic! Too late to climb out, too late to run, no place close to hide….except curiously enough? A hole in the center of the bunker floor under the artillery barrel! And why the hell was the floor shaped in a conical depression? No time to think as the black and white March Hair dropped into the hole and stopped his fall by wedging himself firm with his paws and claws!  

12:37am
Will and Gilly’s Apartment
Sahara Square
25 August 2040

     Will stood between Alex and the apartment door with his arms stretched out...”Now Alex? Calm down.”

      “Calm down what?!” Alex yelped back. “The mob threatens our family and you tell me to calm what?!” The younger wolf snarled. “Will? Get the fluck out of my way?!”

     “I’m not going to let you make snit worse damn it! Sit down Alex!” Will replied. He got snoot to snoot with his enraged little brother and snarled… ”Sit….the fluck…..down!”

       Alex frowned….”You’ve never given me such a hateful snarl before.”

       “I never had too until you became such a bull head.” Will replied. “I need you to think before you do something that will make things much worse.”

       Alex sat in a chair and crossed his arms...”Ok? Go ahead and explain why I shouldn’t go to the police? Why I shouldn’t tell Mom and Dad?”

      Will sighed...”Because I have a good arrangement with Don Lanzoni’s top Lieutenant. If I’m careful with what I say in public, nothing will happen and if something should happen? I’ll be the only target.”

      Alex shook his head...”I’m going to the flucken cops!”

      Will pushed his little brother back into his chair. “You’re going to sit, shut that loud yap of yours and open those big ears! I can handle my own life Alex? You complain you want to be treated like an adult wolf? Then show respect to your big brother and let him handle his own affairs….please?”

      “I won’t sit by and let them hurt my big brother!” Alex yelped. 

       Will slapped his head exasperated...”Oh for the love of Luna, Goddess of all wolves…..Alex! Will you cut out the superhero bull snit?!”

        Alex turned his head and frowned. For a moment both wolves were quiet till Will got on his knees and grabbed Alex’s paws….

        “Al? Look at me?” Will begged.

        Alex turned his head...”I don’t want anything to happen to you Will?”

        “And I don’t want you living the rest of your life worried about me. I can handle my own life Alex? Why did you come over here in the first place? To put me in my place? To put an end to everything and make me fly strait? What good will it do for you to throw all your own dreams away just to protect me? I can handle this Al. It’s time for you to be separate from me as I should be from you.”

        Will kissed Alex on the forehead….”I love you little brother. And this is honest love. Go forward and do what you want. You’re not my shadow any more.”
        Alex sobbed….”But Will?”

        “And you jump me for going all to pieces? You little sniveling pussy. Show a little faith in me at least?” Will begged.

        Alex took a deep breath and sighed….”Ok Will...I won’t tell the cops and I won’t tell Mom or Dad. I trust you.”

        Will rubbed Alex’s cheeks. “You look like snit. Go take a shower and I’ll make up our pull out sofa bed for you. You’re not running home tonight, it’s too late.”

       Alex jump hugged Will around the neck. “Don’t be a stupid moron ok?” Alex begged.

       “Wasn’t planning on getting my moron license any time soon Al.” Will said as he hugged his little brother tight before letting him go the the bathroom for a shower.

12:45am
15 miles over the Demarcation Line
Location: West of Roya Islands in the Ryuku Atolls 
25 August 2040

        Perkins was busy slowly removing his recording devices from the under the barracks floor when his radio cracked with Botasky’s softened voice….

“Paaaackeeeee?” Bodah sounded nervous and scared. “Paaaaackeeee?”

Perkins answered. “Bodah? What’s your “sitrep”? (Situation Report)

  “I’m inside a gun emplacement on the beach….with two Kzinti on top of meeee.” Botasky replied as he fought his rabbit instincts to flea...”Packy…?”

    Perkins pulled the last two recorders off the underside of the barracks floor and moved to leave the foundation...”Hold tight Bodah. I’ll get there as fast as I can.” Perkins whispered.

    Botasky pushed out his limbs harder to keep from sliding further down the hole as the two Kzinti chatted on the floor above…

     “Please? Please? Please go somewhere else to blab you stupid cats!” Botasky snorted silently. Suddenly he felt a few liquid drops hit the top of his head then a showery stream of warm liquid washed over his body!

      “Oh Son of a hutch bitch Packy!” Botasky yelped in his radio.

      “I’m coming Bodah! Just hang on and stay still?” Perkins said as he weaved and ran from hiding place to hiding place towards the beach…

       “Packy?” Botasky said upset...”Packy? One of these mother fluckers just pissed all over meeeeeee…..”

        “Well? We found out what the hole was for didn’t we?” Perkins said as he stopped at the vegetation line to the beach.

         “I’m close to death and wet with cat piss and you’re flucken making Frith damned jokes?!” Botasky groaned….”Fluck you Packy…..Sir!”

          Perkins moved to a few feet of the gun emplacement. “I got your signal clear Bodah...be patient and lets see if these two leave first?”

        “If they don’t smell me!” Botasky snarled. “Ugh….I’m fricken soaked!”

        “That took care of the DNA sample portion of our mission.” Perkins said smirking.

        “Ugh! Gawd damn you Packy!” Botasky cried.

        It took another twenty minutes but the pair of Kzinti finally left the gun emplacement and allowed Perkins to run in and snatch Botasky out of the hole by his ears…

       “Ow….ow…..ow!” Bodah yelped quietly as Packy pulled him out.

       “You all right?” Perkins asked as he rubbed Botasky’s shoulder.

       “No.” Botasky snorted. “I’m covered in cat piss Packy and I’m not happy about it.”

        Perkins looked around the emplacement. “That’s a nasty looking field piece.”

        “Sight seeing is over Sir.” Botasky said as he stood up. “We need to leave, we are over our three hour limit?”

        “Quite right.” Packy replied as he looked at his watch. “And we’re going to leave in about……...right…….”

         Suddenly an alarm sounded and a muffled explosion went off somewhere up and behind the gun emplacement…

         “What the hell?!” Botasky shuddered as he spoke.

         “Paint locker.” Perkins said as he snatched Botasky by his black jacket and pushed him into a run!

         “Paint locker?” Botasky asked as they ran over the beach.

         “Pint locker plus cigarette equals kaboom.” Perkins replied as the two March hares entered the ocean and began to swim through the surf. Perkins touched his wrist watch and spoke into it...”Send DV sleds now!”

         The un-mammal’d submarine Paladin released its’ DV sleds which followed Perkins signal and met the hares as they cleared the surf line. After another twenty minutes, both rabbits came out of the air lock and flopped onto the floor of the living quarters as the Paladin turned and left Roya behind.

         Botasky stripped off his uniform and lay catching his breath...”Thanks Packy.” He said. “I thought I was going to be caught.”

         “No problem Bodah.” Packy replied. “You handled the situation very well. By the way Bodah? How big was it?”

         “How big was what?” Botasky asked. “The artillery piece was pretty big, I told you it was 88 millimeters?”

          “Wow.” Perkins said snickering. “That’s one big penis.”

           Botasky frowned. “Packy?” He asked.

           “Yes Bodah?” Perkins replied smiling.
         “With all do respect Sir?” Botasky snorted. “Fluck you Sir.”

         Perkins got snoot to snoot with his Corporal. “Bodah? Let’s keep something in mind?”

          “What Sir?” Botasky replied.

          “You were pissed on. I wasn’t. But the mission was a success. That’s the important lesson to keep in mind.” Perkins gave Botasky a toothy smile and petted him on the head as their submarine sailed for home.

End of Chapter 32