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

Chapter 18
The Growler part 3

Author’s note: Another question on Fanfiction.net from a reader in Macedonia who asked how I knew so much about the military to shape the fan fiction like this. I served 20 years in the U.S. Navy and spent a lot of time with the U.S. Marines aboard amphibious warships and at their bases in Japan like MCAS Iwakuni near Hiroshima. I also did three years at Camp Pendleton in California with the Marine’s “School of Infantry” and the Navy hovercraft command at ACU-5. I grew up within an extensive family military linage dating back to the days of sail with the British Royal Navy. I served from 1985 to 2005 and saw service in the Persian Gulf Tanker Wars 1986-1988, the 1990-1991 Gulf War, Somalia from 1993 to 1994, The Yugoslav Civil War from 1997 to 1998, Operation Desert Fox in 1998 and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq after 9/11.

ZNDG-3 Growler
6pm
August 1, 2040
ICERM Medium Mammal berthing compartment.

“KER BONG! BONG! BONG! BONG! BONG!….GENERAL QUARTERS! GENERAL QUARTERS! ALL HANDS MAN YOUR BATTLE STATIONS! SET MAXIMUM CONDITION ZEBRA THROUGH THE SHIP! ALL WATERTIGHT COMPARTMENTS WILL BE SEALED IN FIVE MINUTES! MOVE SMARTLY! GENERAL QUARTERS!...KER BONG! BONG! BONG! BONG! BONG!….

   Jackson rolled out of his rack and tucked himself to the side as he and his bunk mates practiced so no one would collide with the others as they came out! He was into his coveralls and in a quick but careful “hop” and up the ladder into lower Broadway within a minute. Snatching both Albert and Myler off a horizontal “T-Beam” as they emerged from their scurry tube, Jackson tucked them into his breast pockets as he made his way through a cross-way passage and back down towards the stern (rear) of the ship to his repair locker where others were getting their fire fighting suits on or pulling “DC” (Damage Control) tools from their lockers…

    Jackson set Albert and Myler on a table and dropped two equipment bags fashioned for rodents in front of them….”There you go guys!”

     Myler smacked his maw as he dawned a protective rubber suit...”They didn’t waste time getting good cheese in the galley did they?”

     “Master Chief tastes all the deliveries when they first come in.” Albert replied as he finished getting his suit on and stood swinging his arms around to get comfortable...”He thanked me for being so concerned about the freeze lockers in the storage spaces not achieving the right temperatures. No one fine adjusted the temperature regulators before we left port.”

     The call to General Quarters was just a drill. The latest in a surge of drills that had been called to bring Growler up to peak performance. Another minute and every watertight door on the ship would be secured. The destroyer would be at maximum protection. One of the requirements Jackson and other Sailors had to complete for both their performance evaluations and future promotion was to read and know by heart “The Bible” of Zootopia’s naval fleet written by its’ “Father” Albert Thayer Mahoof. Among the chapters was the one that emphasized Damage Control as if it was a holy religious script…

     “To practice and excel in controlling damage to your ship...Is life! To not do so? is the grave of your shipmates and your nation. This practice must be exercised with all deadly seriousness until every action is automatic, every response a blur and the final result is the infliction of greater damage upon the enemy than he was able to inflict upon you. You may have been beaten up, your hull full of holes and you have a hundred managed leaks throughout the lower decks, but if the enemy has been sunk, your weapons are still in good order and you are ready to inflict more punishment? Then you have mastered that which keeps you and the nation alive. First rule of Damage Control? Practice to fight, fight as you practiced.”

      “GENERAL QUARTERS PLUS FIVE! ALL DEPARTMENTS REPORT MAXIMUM PROTECTIVE CONDITION ACHIEVED!” The ship’s address system boomed out.

        Jackson had two jobs in the repair locker he was assigned too. Damage investigator and reporter and electrical systems restoration. His locker was responsible for all the spaces from the stern of the ship (The back end) to the locker location left of the ship’s center line and then the vital spaces in the decks below like the main electrical distribution station and the after steering room. He, Ayden Gull and Tyre (a tri-color fox) along with Albert and Myler would handle restoring knocked out vital electrical systems by repairing their distribution boxes or rigging the casualty bypass power cables to the bypass junction boxes between decks…

      The ship’s announcing system sounded...”All Hands! This is the Captain. The scenario is this...Growler has been called to come to the aid of one of our fish hatchery farms which has come under fire from a Kzinti warship. We have been ordered to engage and drive the ship off or cripple her if possible. Destroying her will be our last resort. Hold on tight, we are about to execute a sharp battle turn to port...”

    The boatswain made the announcement and Growler leaned over sharply to her right as she swung her bow hard to the left in a tight 180 degree turn….

    “All hands stand by….We are coming out of the turn. Kzinti warship bears 190 degrees, heading 090, distance 15 nautical miles, speed 30 knots. Time to intercept...four minutes.”

    Ayden handed Jackson a thermal image gun as he dawned a fire suit with a SCUBA bottle...”Here you go. Remember the line tug system?” Ayden asked as he tried a rope to the back of Jackson’s harness. “What is it?” Ayden asked…

      “One, forwards. Two, back. Three, holding. Tug like crazy, help.” Jackson said as he adjusted the mask tailored to a rabbits face.

      “Situation update….two minutes to intercept. Kzinti warship now coming on true, bow to bow. Distance ten nautical miles, speed 30 knots. Missed cannon splashes to port! Main bow gun is engaging the enemy!” The ship’s announcement system boomed out battle simulated noises.

       Ayden tapped Jackson on the shoulder. “So? While we’re waiting for our impending doom? Have you and Darla thought about marriage?”

      “Actually we have.” Jackson replied. “But her parents might be a little dicey on the subject...you know….the species thing and children? Otters are like bunnies, all the females are “expected” to “produce” and her parents? It’s gonna get complicated so….we’ll just….”

       “TWO MISSILES INBOUND! BRACE, BRACE, BRACE!” The announcer system boomed and the simulated sounds of explosions with a real loud sounding “BANG” simulation device filled the air!

       “HIT!…..PORT SIDE AFT AT FRAME 180! HIT!….STARBOARD SIDE FORWARD AT FRAME 60! RELAX BRACE!”

       Ayden pointed to a fox and a tiger….”You two are wounded or dead! What does the word “BRACE” mean! You’re both just standing there like you’re trolling prostitutes on Mainecoon Ave and both of you just broke your legs! Sit down! You WILL take this training seriously or else!”

      Ayden then turned to Jackson. “Investigator forward. Frame 180. You’re SCUBA bottle is cracked, you have 15 minutes till the warning bell, go.”

      Jackson nodded and walked down the passage to the first water tight vertical door where he removed a protective glove, felt the door for heat then slowly cracked the pressure relieve valve on the door frame, opened the locking mechanism and stepped into the next secured section…

     “Seaman Jackson to Locker Five. I’m at frame 210. No damage but several casualties on the deck. Seven in number.” Jackson went from mammal to mammal and read the paper tags attached to their arms or legs….”Three are dead from head trauma….three have broken arms or legs...one’s an armadillo and….she’s a beach ball.”

      The armadillo uncoiled herself. “I take offense to that remark.” She snorted.

      “It’s the lingo Seaman Edwards. I’m just using what the command puts out. Sorry...take it up with your Division Chief because I can’t stop; time’s air.” Jackson said with a shrug as he walked to the next door in the passage and read the red card on it….

      “Seaman Jackson to Locker Five. I am at frame 190 watertight door. I have heat on the door. Request fire party come up ASAP!” Jackson looked at his air gauge for his SCUBA pack. “Seaman Jackson to Locker Five, I have nine minutes of air, request another SCUBA bottle.” Jackson asked into his radio mic.

      Within minutes a fire hose team came running up to the door with a tiger carrying Jackson’s new tank….”Here you go. Another 15 minutes.” The tiger said as he changed out the tanks and tapped Jackson on the head.

     Ayden came up took his place by the fire hose team. “Get ready to crack the door! Lead mammal...crack the pressure valve!”

     The front hose mammal (a Brown bear) cracked the pressure valve then dropped an insulated pipe over the locking handle on the door face and stood ready to break the door seal with a quick jerk…

    “Stand bye…….BREAK!” Ayden yelled! And as the door unlocked and Ayden pushed it open, a cloud of simulated smoke poured out of the next section! “Investigator up!” Ayden called for Jackson to come up and scan along with the fire team as it entered the next section. Jackson walked through the fake smoke haze and took cards from a chief (a moose) which described the scene…

    “Fires in the compartments to the right! Broken fire main piping to the left! Structural damage and compromised bulkhead with severe warping to the right at frame 180. Watertight door ahead is jammed. Twelve casualties throughout this section!”

     Jackson came to a bunny lying face down on the deck and when he turned him over...it was Gilly smiling at him with a tag tied to his uniform pocket...”Ugh...” Gilly joked. “There is no hope for me….ugh….double amputation of my legs…. Oh….severe laceration wound to my groin…...ugh….my love will be so upset….”

     Jackson slapped Gilly in the chest….”Take this seriously?”

     “I am!” Gilly replied. “Look at me! I’m seriously screwed here! No legs? How can I have decent sexual relations? Have pity on me!”

     “If I wasn’t running out of air right now Gilly? I would so kick your cotton tail butt around the compartment?” Jackson snorted as he stood up and kept going through the drill.  

Sahara Square
Rifle enthusiast club on Molehill Ave.
6pm
August 1, 2040

      Judy walked into the clubhouse with two officers, Mercedes (an elephant) and Darnay (A black leopard) 

      “Never a better time to call me than dinner time. So what do we have?” Judy asked as Fritz Katz from homicide uncovered the body of the deceased...A white tailed deer named Von Viddles…

        “Mister Von Viddles here Chief was meeting with some other members to sample wine for their upcoming charity shooting event. As you can see...classic “do em good” when it comes to venison...a cross bow bolt to the back. From all appearance by angle and trajectory? The shot came from that window of the gun tooling shed across the way. We found the crossbow ditched in the bushes, it had clear identification as to the owner. That’s this female lioness here…

       Judy walked up to the lioness...”Chief Wilde.” Judy said. “And you are?” She asked calmly.

       “Betty Eastwood. I’m from Savanna.” The lioness replied calmly.

       “That was your crossbow?” Judy asked.

       “Yes.” The lioness replied.

        “You understand that this makes you a suspect?” Judy asked.

        “I didn’t do it Chief.” The lioness replied. “I was in the female’s room at the time of the murder. I know being in there with no witnesses to back me up proves anything but I didn’t kill him, I had no reason to harm him.”

        Judy looked around the lounge...”Who else was here? This was a wine sampler right?”

       Betty replied. “Yes it was. There was Algernon Pundle (A sheep) He brought this Chablis.” Betty said as she pointed to the bottle still in the ice chiller bucket. “There was Harry Muldune (A hippo) he brought this Petite Syrah over here which was rather smooth and vibrant with a tropical fruit scent. I liked that one. The last one was Emile Tucker (A Kangaroo) who brought this Marsala which was a little sharp in tartness but not too bad. My guess is one of them could have done it because they were gone when I came out of the bathroom and found Mister Von Viddles dead.”

      Fritz suddenly waved Judy over to the desk….”Chief? Come here?”

      Judy walked up and hopped onto the desk. “What’s up Fritz?”

      “Take a look at this?” Fritz replied as he pointed to the decorative chess board on Viddle’s desk. “Miss Eastwood? Did Mister Viddle play chess?”

      “Not likely.” Betty replied. “That set is a very expensive hand carved limited edition that he kept there for decoration and conversation starters. Why?”

      Fritz scratched his head. “He had enough time before he died to do two moves...White to King four (e4) and black to queens bishop four (c5). His hoof hand is obviously pointing to the board.”

      Judy pulled out her smart phone and took some pictures. “A code?”

      Fritz pursed his lips. “Possibly.” He replied. “I play chess with my older daughter so I know the letter/number designations of the board very well. Let me call her when she gets home from her Juku (advanced college entry studies) and I’ll let you know.”

        

Rain Forest District
The Gray home
7pm
August 1, 2040

     Grace Gray peeked into Alex’s room and found her younger son sitting on his bed in baggy red shorts brushing himself and checking for fleas as he pulled fur from the slicker brush…

     “Hi mom.” Alex said cheerfully. “Was out in the woods all day so I thought I needed to spend a couple of hours brushing myself over. Forgot to bag my tail obviously...look at all the stickers tied up in it?”

     Grace smiled back...”Let me comb your tail?”

      The mid-ling wolf playfully flopped onto his back and coo’d and yipped like a new born puppy...”Mommy? I wub woo….”

       “Chuckles”…..Grace giggled as she took hold of the tail slicker. “You clown. Sit up?!”

       Alex sat up and wrapped his arms around his mother’s neck….”Come here mom?” The “mid-ling” wolf said softly as he pulled his mother to him and hugged her tightly...”I really do love you mom...very…..very…..much. I just want you to be proud of me?”

      Grace hugged her son back...”Since when have I ever not been proud of you! But you don’t have to join the Marines to prove that.”

       “I want to join the Marine to prove to myself that I can do it.” Alex replied. “It’s what “I want” Mom. I love you to infinity but I’m not whelping any more. I mean…I dunno...why have you been more protective of me than Will?” Alex chose to risk getting his head taken off by more than one direction...”Is it because Will’s gay?”

       Grace looked away...”I didn’t expect that one to come out.” She said. “And yes Alex...I’ve known for a while that your brother’s a homosexual so you can put your heart back in your chest. And no silly….Will being “gay” has nothing to do with how I feel. I just want you to understand how fearful I am for both my babies.  I can’t have pups any more Alex, you and Will are all I have. It has nothing to do with my thinking you can’t be a Marine. Not at all….I’ve realized that I’ll never get you to change your mind and yes...you have my blessing to pursue your dream. Grace cupped Alex’s head in her hands….”I just wish you didn’t grow up so fast...”

     Alex started to sniffle. “Gawd damn it mom...you’re gonna make me cry. Stop it!”

     Grace hugged Alex again and sobbed as he held her, his head trying to dig itself into her soft head tuft as he too sobbed with her….”I love you momma...that will never change….never….”

    From the other side of the room door...Gordon said nothing except to nod with a simple smile. His youngest cub had just grown six feet bigger than his britches, a sign that a thought of beating his older brother near to death had receded with the assurance that the youngest was not damaged after all. And yes….Gordon did know. He was just waiting to see what Alex’s course would be in life. So far…it was going strait and true.

ZNN News
7pm broadcast
August 1, 2040

    “Good evening Gentle-mammals, this is Carla Cougar for ZNN News tonight. Tomorrow...opening arguments will begin in the public trial of former Navy Commander William Callie on charges of murder stemming from Callie ordering a follow on destroyer to shoot several alleged Kzinti fisherman after their craft foundered in the Tundra Straits last year. The trial has evoked deep passions within our city of course. Commander Callie has supporters and detractors who are firmly entrenched in both his guilt and perception of innocence. For the third time now in the last three weeks, a petition was delivered to Mayor Cesar Leo to give Callie an executive pardon to which the Mayor replied...the courts are the recognized authority in this matter, not this office. Earlier today, two representatives of the sides of this issue sat down with our legal corespondent Michael Boyle in our studio…

Michael Boyle: Welcome William Gray….Welcome Mister Boar (Alex Boar of INFO WARTS aka the stupid real life Jesuit liar and blow hard known as “INFO WARS” Alex Jones). Mister Gray is the leader of “NO-WAR-TOPIA” William? You are firmly against executive clemency for Commander Callie, you say he should be given the maximum penalty of twenty years, that whatever he may say as the trial will give him the public forum to do so, will amount to nothing but tripe and excuses. Why don’t you elaborate your position further?

William Gray: What Commander Callie did has no excuse. Nothing can justify the danger he placed our country in. Did he think he could do what he did and that it could be swept under the rug and those dead bodies would just never be found by anyone? He violated our laws….he ordered the butchering of helpless mammals who waved to his ship from a sinking civilian vessel as he passed them by. He put the lives of my family, someone I deeply love and the loved ones of every citizen of Zootopia in grave danger by his insane actions. Yeah….20 years is nothing for the level of insanity and danger he created….he should do life without parole.

Michael Boyle: Mister Boar?

Alex Boar: That’s fine to say for someone who doesn’t seem to comprehend the growing situation we find ourselves in with the Kzinti. What would you have said if Commander Callie had picked those Kzinti up and they then rampaged through one of our naval vessels? Do you think bunnies, rodents, foxes and other small mammals could deal with these monsters?

William Gray: Wow….a bristling with weapons warship which has more than enough small arms for every member of the crew and you make them sound like they’re dumb, stupid and helpless. My father was a Navy Chief Mister Boar. Care to open your big mouth again?

Alex Boar: Perhaps our young Wolf here could tell us all how many of our civilian sailors were plucked mercifully from the sea by the Kzinti? Here’s a foxes tail recovered from the only survivor of the provider there Mister Gray.

William Gray: Using the severed tail of a murder victim to justify more murder and perhaps a war...you are a sick bastard Boar. A sick, dumb, mentally inept bastard.

 Alex Boar: Well I’m not a flaming little coward like you, that is a blessing.

Carla Cougar: We had to cut that feed for obvious reasons, this event has indeed raised the heated rhetoric on both sides of the isle which is why tonight I have invited the distinguished Doctor Emeritus of Zootopia University, Doctor Mandemus (Orangutan from the original Planet of the Apes movies) to the studio tonight. Doctor? Do you believe that this open trial serves the best interest of Zootopia knowing full well the heated debate between what is obviously a camp for and against Commander Callie? Is it a wise idea? Could it create more tension perhaps provoke the Kzinti to further aggression?

Doctor Mandemus: Carla? We are a nation of laws. This is about the law, this is about one of our naval officers, by all accounts of his record he was one of the finest officers we had in the Navy and in this case he not only violated the rule of law, he went further to order his abuses covered up by killing what were clearly by all evidence...non-combatants in a time of peace. We are making a considerable risk for sure but what we have learned about the Kzinti in even the last week has been astounding, we know that in their society things like honor, forthrightness, boldness to tell truth in important matters of society and business is highly regarded by the Kzinti, especially by the one they refer to as the High Kzin, the Emperor himself. We have boldly explained this terrible incident, what we intend to do and it has caught their attention. They want to see if we are a society of its word, that we keep our word. We have to do this, it is vital, it is essential if we are to make any progress with the Kzinti and gain their respect of our society which to be honest...the Kzinti actually fear it as some sort of cancer. We must do this.
     
Wilde House
7:30pm
August 1, 2040

      Nick took one more peak out of the bathroom door before he went to the bath tub and slowly lowered himself into the hot water. He was crying and wincing from the pains in his back and his legs as it was so hard to sit down. He worried about slipping as he finally struggled the last few inches to sit then he sat sobbing for a moment before having to quickly cover up his discomfort as he heard Judy coming up the stairs towards the bed room…

     “Nick?! Nick where are you?” Judy called.

     “In here Carrots!” Nick replied. “Just soaking in hot water.”

      Judy walked in and leaned over to kiss Nick on the snoot. “How was your day?” She asked as she stood rubbing Nick on his head.

      “Oh?….uneventful.” Nick replied. “I got that model half way done. I wrote a nice letter to Darla. Another to Jackie. Talked to Ben Clawhauser, he’s doing great. Ben just got back from a trip to the Outback Islands, he loved it. How was your day Carrots?”

      Judy sat on the edge of the tub. “Got a murder case to work on. Waiting for Fritz Katz to call with some information. Till then?….” Judy slipped off the tub edge and began to remove her clothes...”There’s more than enough room.”

      Nick smirked back. “Carrots? I was thinking I’d be in this alone for a therapeutic soaking?”

      Judy tossed her panties aside and giggled. “What could be more therapeutic than enjoying your wife?”

      Nice smiled as Judy slipped into the tub and slowly sat on his lap...”So what are you going to do oh brave and powerful predator?” Judy asked as she rubbed Nick’s chest slowly…

     “Judy?….I need to be honest with you.” Nick said softly.

     “Honest?” Judy replied. “All I want is for my big bad fox husband to use me all he wants. It’s been a long time….don’t you think too long Nick?”

      “Judy? I have to say something very important. I’ve been hiding a lot from you and I feel bad about it honestly….” Nick tried to explain but Judy kept at it…

       “Yes…..ok…..I know a naked little bunny here with the way to make you feel better? Are you willing there Mister Fox?” Judy said playfully but Nick wasn’t feeling playful….

      “Damn it Judy! Stop!” Nick snapped then he winced hard and yipped in distress.

         “Nick?!” Judy asked as she held her husbands paw. “Nick? What’s wrong?”

         The pain spasms passed and nick laid himself back again in the tub.

        “Gasp….gasp….Sorry I snapped at you. I’m so sorry….” Nick said as he felt his wife’s cheek….”Judy….I love you.”

         “Nick? You’re scaring me.” Judy replied. That nose twitch made Nick smile…

         “Nothing’s helping me anymore carrots. I’ve been trying to hide my back from you but I guess I can’t any more. It’s getting much harder for me to walk.” Nick tightened his grip on his wife’s wrist because he knew what was coming next...”Don’t you go calling the doctor and don’t you dare send anything to Jackie. That’s all we need is him running home to something he can’t do anything about.”

        “Carrots? Sit down in the nice hot bath...I need a snuggle.” Nick implored.

        Judy slowly relented and laid herself down...her paw tenderly caressing a loving finger over Nick’s hardness…

       “Amazing huh? The only part of my body that doesn’t hurt.” Nick snickered and got a slap in the chest from the remark...”Hmph….what do you think I told Darla? Take a wild guess?”

      Judy sighed….”If she doesn’t marry our son, she’s stupid?”

      “Wow! You would have said that? And you sometimes say you practice good diplomacy, Carrots I am soooo disappointed in you.” Nick snorted. “I just did it in a longer, more….conservative estimation. In fact? You and I should go and talk to her parents because I know they’re probably a pair of steel walls that need a little persuasive cracking.”

      Judy gave Nick a tender lick kiss...”You think she’s a winner too? Despite the fact that we might not have any natural Grandchildren to spoil?”

      “Hey hey!” Nick yelped, then grimace again from his pain...”Yie yie…..yipe… They’re not marrying to give us grandchildren Carrots, though….that is a wonderful fringe benefit. They’re marrying because they’re perfect for each other and their happiness together is what matters. Just as right now….

      Nick slowly moved a paw down his wife’s body to rub between her legs...” Just as your happiness is always important to me...and?…..And I might need a little help getting out of this tub…

      “What’s the hurry for getting out?” Judy sighed. “You sweet Vulpine creature you?”

      As Judy sighed from her husband’s affections upon her body, her smart phone rang….

     “Mmmm….there’s that important case Judy.” Nick said…
 
     “Fluck em….they can wait a half hour.” Judy replied as she wrapped her arms around her husband’s head….”Oh…..screw it….they can wait another hour.”

ZNDG-3 Growler
9:35pm
August 1, 2040
ICERM shop

      Ayden walked up and slapped Jackson on the shoulder as he worked at a bench over a power distribution box...”Good motivation during the drill today Jackie.”

      “Thanks “P oh one” Jackson replied.

      “Cull the “officialities” Jackie.” Ayden said. “You don’t have to be stiff boarded all the time just because I’m the shift supervisor. So your Mom’s the ZPD chief? How long she been in the force?”

      “Almost 30 years now.” Jackie replied as he pulled out his wallet and showed Ayden his family photo. “That’s her….on my lap….and that’s my Dad. He’s been retired for a while from the force because of an accident.”

      “I see where your fur comes from.” Ayden replied as he showed Jackie his family photo. “That’s my Dad. And this skinny one’s my little brother Bailey. My dad was a shipping customs officer till he retired. Bailey is pushing his Masters degree in college now. He’s the smart one in the family, I’m just the big brute.”

      “He must mean a lot to you?” Jackson said. “You’re holding him pretty tight. Sorry if that sounded a little embarrassing but being a cop’s kid...I tend to notice details.”

      Ayden looked at the photo and smiled...”He means the world to me. If it hadn’t been for my little brother? I wouldn’t have gotten my snit right. I was so young and stupid, I had no focus, no drive...I was a muscle bound “doof”. Bail got me strait. Being apart from him sometimes….sorry….I’m getting a little choked...”

      Jackson gave Ayden a chest punch. “Family’s always everything right?! Where would we be without family?”

      Ayden sighed...”Yeah….well anyway? You need to get your next training assignment in by next week. You’re keeping a good pace so don’t lose that.”

     Jackson gave Ayden a paw wave as Albert walked up over the table holding his coffee cup. “You’re still messing with this?” The mouse asked.

     “Haven’t found the fault yet.” Jackson replied.

     Albert showed Jackson his shipboard smart phone. “Oh kay?” Jackson said wondering. “I don’t have a microscope to read that Albert.”

     “It’s simple.” Albert replied. “Want to bet it’s the C-34 card? To be more specific, it’s the K-98 chip on the C-34 card. That’s designation item 129 in the maintenance manual.”

      Myler came walking up wiping his paws with a work rag...”Showing him our app?”

     “Well?” Albert asked Jackson as he watched him test the circuit card with a meter…

     “Nice guess.” Jackson replied as he wiggled and pulled the circuit card clear of the box.

      “Guess?” Albert snorted. “I should put a bite in your paw. It’s nothing more than a statistical analysis of the maintenance history of the power box by serial number. The most common problem with box serial number B-127-4D? Failure of the K-98 chip due to overloading.”

       “So you made a tracking app?” Jackson asked. 

       “Not just tracking.” Albert replied. “The replacement’s already on order to the supply department with a warning note that the K-98 chip will continue to be a constant issue unless it gets addressed.”

        Jackson smiled...”You two need to run this app through the chain and get it approved for use. I hear you can get a reward for innovation.”

        Jackson bagged and tagged the circuit card, taped a “Supply awaiting processing” tag on the box and placed it onto a stock shelf. “Is it me or are we kinda rocking more?” Jackson said of the ship as it felt as if it was rocking around harder…

      “We’re supposed to go through some rough weather tonight in the straits.” Myler said as Jackson came back to his bench with another electronics box.

       “Really?” Jackson asked. “I have the twelve to four bridge wing watch.”

       “Yeah...” Myler replied. “The Captain says we need to go through a rough squall to test the stability systems...which means we’re going to rock and roll like crazy.”

      “And this is my first time having the wing watch too.” Jackson said pursing his lips. “It’s not going to rain or get real stormy out there?”

      “This is why you need to watch the shipboard television and catch the weather.” Albert said waving a paw finger. “I hope you waterproofed your foul weather jacket?”

Gilly’s apartment in Sahara Square
10:00 pm
August 1, 2040

     Will Gray sat at the lap top in the bedroom waiting on his ZMAIL account for a ping to show up. When it did, his tail wagged like crazy…

“Hi!” Gilly had typed. “I miss you awful!”

Will replied….”I miss you just as worse. Is everything ok?”

“Yeah.” Gilly replied moments later. “Training’s intense...sleep is light and sparse...days are tooooooo flucking long! Are you alright? You’re keeping yourself occupied?”

Will typed back. “I am...I promise. Have you seen the news on board ship? I get scared you might not understand what I’m doing.”

“Not understand?” Gilly typed back. “I totally love you! I mean...if you bashed us out here? Then I’d probably be a little pissed but your hearts in the right place.”

Will typed back….. “ : ( ::::: “

“Oh gawd Will! Don’t cry!” Gilly typed. “ : ( :::::: xxxxxxx” I miss you so much and it’s only 30 days! We’re going to be home soon, trust me.”

Will gathered himself together again and sighed...”I got work at the Fleet Marine Motor Pool in Savanna. I start this coming Monday. When you come home, I am so going to spoil you rotten.”

“Looking forwards to it.” Gilly replied. “I gotta go ok? I love you very much my cuddle wolf.”

“I love you too...pillow is a sucky replacement. It doesn’t kiss good.” Will typed.

“LOL! LMSCTO!” Gilly typed….”Will write again tomorrow.”

“Can’t wait.” Will replied. “Stay safe my love.”

Wilde House
10pm
August 1, 2040

    Judy had helped her husband from the tub to their bed where she laid atop of him with her back on his chest and her paws gently caressing his snoot behind her head…

    “Sigh….I don’t know if I should rate what you did a normal ten or the best performance you’ve ever given in your whole life.” Judy said softly as she snuggled her head against Nick’s chin. “Definitely a scale of ten.”

     Around them….the sound of Nancy Shrew-natra’s “You only live twice” played softly from the room speakers as Nick poured two glasses of wine and adjusted himself so he could sit up and hold his wife with a wrapped arm…

    “I am to please you my beloved.” Nick said as he nuzzled Judy’s head with his nose and licked her slowly up the back of her neck and head…

     “Wine….” Judy said smiling. “You are so gallant my joy.”

      “Remember that time we went to that harvest festival as Robin Hood and Maid Marion?” Nick said as he played with Judy’s ears…

       “That was before we were married.” Judy said. “You had so many vixens about to pass out and wet themselves with that close English accent. And to think Claw Deu Furrier the actor himself called our house after he saw you acting on Fur Tube!”

      “Now there is a class act fox.” Nick said. I so wanted to take him up on playing a partial stunt stand in role in his second movie. But you know how police duty rolls?”

      “I was so motivated to make Chief so I could kill that stupid policy.” Judy snorted. “Oh…..speaking of the department? Excuse me...I have to call Fritz.”

       Judy snatched her smart phone off the bed side table and tapped Fritz’s number. “Sorry I didn’t call you sooner Fritz.” Judy said. Then she frowned. “Watch your mouth Captain!”

      Nick laughed out loud….”Yeah! She was on cloud nine!”

      “Enough out of you!” Judy warned Nick. “Sorry Fritz. What do you have?”

       Fritz answered….”Well I talked to my oldest daughter and come to find out Chief? White to King four (e4) and black to queens bishop four (c5) is known as the “Chinchilian stand off defense”. Now that had me a little stumped until I looked at the crime scene photos again. Mister Von Viddles was spread over his desk top with one hand near the chess board and the other hand pointing off with the index finger slightly open. Apparently he died before he could point but still? The hand was aimed at?….a bottle of Marsela.”

        Judy thought for a moment. “Continue?”

       Fritz replied. “Who makes Marsela wine?”

        Judy replied...”Chinchilla wineries of Little Rodentia?”

       “Ka zing bat!” Fritz replied smartly. “I already called the admin desk to get a hold of the judge for a search and arrest warrant.”

        Judy hopped off her bed and walked to the closet to snatch a clean uniform. “I’ll meet you at the precinct in a half an hour. Should take the judge about that long to approve a warrant.”

      Nick pulled himself over to the bed side and blew Judy a kiss...”Please be careful?”

     “Have I ever not been?” Judy replied as she walked up and bumped her forehead to her husband’s. “Tomorrow? You and I are going to sit down and talk about how we’ll deal with your back problem...we’ll get through this Nick, we always have.”

Hopps family Warren house
Bunny Borough
11pm
August 1, 2040

     Owen Hopps slowly walked into the bed room and shook his two brothers awake…

     “Nori? Ori? Come on...time to get up, Momma’s making us something to eat.” Owen said as he shook his brothers. He then went into another bed room and gently rubbed a paw on the head of another….”Dori? Come on, up now brother. Momma’s making us something to eat.” He watched as Dori slipped out of bed then went to the last bedroom and patted another brother on the head. “Pow Pow? Time to get up brother. Momma’s making us something to eat before we go.”

        It wasn’t long before the five Hopps brothers, the last of Bonnie’s 269 children, came down the stairs to the big dining hall and up to their mother who waited patiently for them to walk by….

“Kiss”….”Thank you momma.” Dori said.

“Kiss”…..Thanks mom.” Ori said.

“Kiss”….”Love you maw.” Nori said.

“Kiss”….”I’m sure gonna miss your great cookin for a while Ma.” Powen said.

“Kiss”…..Owen, the first but always the last to be affectionate to Bonnie, placed a box in her paws...”From all of us Mama...”

Bonnie almost let herself go but she placed the box aside and in her true fashion she pushed her boys to eat...”Go on! You all don’t have the time to gaggle with your food now eat up before the bus comes.”

“Where’s Daddy?” Dori asked.

“Your father will be down soon enough.” Bonnie replied.

“Momma? Don’t be upset. We’ll be alright.” Owen said. “Love these carrots n grits. Bet the Marines don’t make em like Momma does.”

“Here! Here!” The other brothers voiced. Just then, Stewart Stu Hopps entered the dining room…

“Hi Daddy!” Dori yelped.

“Evening Paw.” Ori said with a law wave.

“Daddy.” Nori said with a paw wave.

“Father.” Powen said with a paw wave.

“Dad.” Owen said as he reached out and took his father into a hug.

    “My boys.” Stu said as he stood with his paws on his hips. “No chance getting a sudden change of mind is there?”

“Nope.” Owen replied.

“No way.” Dori replied.

“Ah ah.” Nori said.

“Can’t renig it.” Powen said.

“Spank us and it might happen.” Ori said smirking.

    “Ori?” Stu warned. “You better not be the one to get kicked out of boot camp for acting silly.” He walked around the table and shooked each of the brothers on their shoulders. “Now….take care of each other you hear me?”

    “We will Dad.” Owen said. “We’ve done pretty well so far.”

    “You done pretty well getting into trouble.” Stu replied to Owen. “I am expecting your youthful silliness not to repeat itself in the Marines. Those wolves are pretty tight and adamant about having to share their service with bunnies.”

    “Those tongue laggers are all mouth and slobber and no bite.” Nori snorted. “We ain’t never gotten into a fight with just one brother paw. I’m not scared of their so called “pack mentality”. They want “pack mentality” wait till they see us angry flat teethers coming after them. Huh bros?”

    Stewart gave Nori a light head slap. “That attitude I don’t want to see! Boys? Marine boot camp is not a joke, you all need to treat it with seriousness! Then wolves will want you to fail just like the police academy tried their damn best to make your older sister wash out. You boys need to be just like Judy...all smarts, focus and attention more than looking for the next elementary school fight.”

    “Heavens to Great Frith paw!” Ori snorted. “You’re talking to us as if we’re all still in pre-school?” Ori turned around in his chair and lightly patted his behind. “Does this mean you’ll give me a good parting spank paw? Come on Maw, swing for the fence!”

       Stewart turned to Owen. “Especially watch Ori? Frith!...this one will get into trouble hoping the Marines practice spanking as a form of discipline!...”

       “They don’t?” Ori replied. “Oh snit...I’ve been jip’d!”

       “He’s just funnin you Paw.” Dori said as he chewed on a muffin. “I’m going to strike for Medical Corpsman. I want to be a doctor when I get out.”

       Bonnie walked up and hugged and kissed Dori...”You’ve always been the most caring and the less trouble.”

       “You suck up!” Nori snorted. “He’s less trouble Ma because he’s a suck up!”

       “This suck up patched you up a lot when you got stupid Nori.” Owen snorted. “Like that time you twisted your testicles after that crazy bike crash?”

        Everyone cringed….”Owen!” Stewart snorted. “Damn boy! Not at the dining tables please?!”

       “What Daddy? I was only telling the truth. Damn Nori twisted his nuts like a pair of Kerbangers hanging from a high tension line. Speaking of Kerbangers? You and Maw did do that to our toys! And we haven’t forgiven you two yet!”

      “I cried for a week.” Owen snorted.

      “I didn’t miss em.” Dori said.

      “I was having the shakes without em.” Nori huffed.

      “I was waiting for a good spanking!” Ori yelped.

       “Well….” Owen said with a raised paw. “We forgive you Maw and Paw. We realize now how dangerous they were in our young, disobedient and irresponsible paws. Right boys?”

      “Speak for yourself there doof-ball.” Nori snorted back. “Throwing em up on the lines without telling us was just all wrong.”

       Dori tapped Nori on the shoulder. “Now get right in Momma’s face and say it? Come on there “ball twister”….” He snorted.

        Nori got out of his chair, walked up to Bonnie, crossed his arms and started to say...”Mama?….” But the toughness soon feel to affection as Nori pulled her into a hug….”Sigh….damn it Momma….we’re gonna miss you!”

        Each of the brothers in turn got up and joined the hug fest, leaving Stewart to stand thumping his foot….”Dang….Does you paw get any affection?”

        “You know where you stand with us father.” Ori replied as he broke the hug circle and hugged his father. “We’ll miss the hell out of you too paw.”

         “Well….” Stewart replied. “It’s not forever. You boys all remember to “buck up” yourselves and each other. What have I always told you?”

         Owen replied. “We’re stronger together than apart.”

         Powen wrapped an arm around his brother. “Damn right. Inseparable and invincible.”

         Dori slapped Nori’s shoulders. “One of us has to take responsibility for these other lunatics.”

         Ori snickered evilly….”We never got spanked enough.”

        The other brothers turned their heads and shook back in confusion. “Ma Ma?” Owen snorted. “Can we put Ori back inside? I don’t think he came out quite done right.”

        Soon the sound of the bus horn blew outside the front of the big house and Stewart and Bonnie went to the door to see their youngest children out and into the world beyond the farm with tinges of worry as the paused one by one for a kiss, a paw shake and a hug. Owen was the last as he always was when the boys went out to do something crazy…

        “Keep them sane and safe Owen.” Stewart asked. “Bring them all home in one piece?….please?”

         Bonnie couldn’t say anything so Owen kissed her gently on the forehead and rubbed his forehead over hers….” I promise momma...we’ll all come home. You can count on that.”

         Owen gave her one last kiss then walked out towards the red bus and what lay ahead. 

Saharra Square Beachfront
The Palmetto Bug club
Midnight
August 2, 2040

     Judy walked through the front door with two wolf officers from the ZPD night shift following after her. She pointed her paws left and right and sent them hugging the walls to form flanks in case the mammal of interest decided to bolt for an exit. A kangroo was nothing to mess with, especially if they were cornered with no way out. Their paws might be on short arms but their claws were as sharp as daggers and their back legs could snap rib cages without much effort. The club wasn’t too full of innocent bystanders now which was a good thing as Judy caught site of the Kangaroo sitting at a drinking table alone…

     “Ok….I have the subject pinged. Saul? Eddy? Pull your trank guns and load number sevens on the scale. Do it now...and watch out for this one….especially those legs…

      Judy slowly walked up to the Kangaroo and drew her own pistol...”Mister Emile Tucker? Chief Judy Wilde, Zootopia Police Department. You are wanted in connection with the murder of Mister Charles Von Viddles last night. I want you to get those stubby arms up? Get on your knees and lay on the floor face down….

      Tucker didn’t move…

      “Mister Tucker!” Judy commanded. “I didn’t request you move, I am ordering you to get on the floor now! DO IT!”

      The Kangaroo sprung quickly from his chair with his powerful legs and came flying down at Judy with his sharp claws out from his feet! Judy got off a round from her gun that grazed the angry marsupials face but he was going to nail her for sure!….

     Until one of the wolves crashed into Tucker’s side and threw him into a table! “EDDY! SHOOT THIS MOTHER FLUCKER NOW!” Saul yelled as the wolf punched Tucker in the snoot and face…

      Judy watched in horror as Tucker got his balance off his tail and slammed the wolf hard in his chest with those powerful feet just as three trank darts nailed the Kangaroo in his neck. Saul flew like a rag doll and bounced onto the dance floor of the club…

      “SAUL!” Judy screamed as she ran to his aide and grabbed her shoulder mic. “CHIEF WILDE CALLING OFFICER DOWN! OFFICER DOWN AT THE PALMETTO BUG CLUB! SEND EMT’S NOW!”

       Judy reached the downed wolf and saw him coughing blood up...”Saul! Saul, the EMT’s are coming...” Judy gasped as she checked the suffering wolf over...”Saul? Is it one side of your chest or both? Where do you hurt?”

      “Left side….” Saul replied weakly. “Gawd…..Chief…..”

      Judy struggled to roll Saul onto his wounded side and was joined by his partner Eddy Whips who steadied his battered partner and whined in his ear...”You’re gonna be ok Saul….stay with me…..stay with me dude.”

      “Eddy? Dude I am so flucked up. I didn’t know those bastards could kick so hard?” Saul said weakly. “He punched a lung for sure….damn.”

       It wasn’t long before a pair of Gazelles came running into the club with medical bags...”EMT’s, what’s his condition?”

       Judy replied. “He was kicked by that assailant!” She pointed to the drugged and shackled Tucker. “Collapsed left lung, possible shattering of the rib cage on the left side. Difficulty breathing.”

       “We’ll take him from here Chief.” One of the Gazelle’s replied as they began to get Saul ready to transport.

        Judy snarled and started to storm towards Tucker when Eddy snatched her off her feet...”No Chief….no….he’s my prisoner. Saul’s a tough wolf, he’ll pull though...”

    “All this because of some silly argument over gawd damned range fees? I’d like to shove that big rats tail up his tail hole and out his damn mouth.” Judy snapped.

    “Well...that would be a feat for “Zootopia funniest videos” but I’m sure they’d rate that one a flucked up “R”.” Eddy said as he set Judy on a table, snatched Tucker by his hair tuft and shot an antidote for the “trank” injections into his neck. “I got this dirt bag Chief. It’s late...go home. I’ll go to the hospital to check on Saul and call you...go on?”

     Judy sat moaping….”It’s my fault...”

     “Damn it Chief...” Eddy huffed as he walked up to the table and scooped Judy up...”Do I have to call your husband to come get you? I said….go home, I got this. And cut the guilt trip?”

     Judy rubbed her head...”Ugh….I’m just tired I guess.”

     “You’re too dedicated is the problem.” Eddy replied. “Go…..home….” The wolf pointed to the club door. “Go!”

     Judy was about to snap off as if Eddy thought he was talking to some Police cadet, yet she relented after the big wolf gave her a most caring smile...”I wish you wouldn’t retire Chief. No one drives us to love our jobs more than you do.” Eddy said as he gave her a soft pat on the head.

The Growler
Cruising the Tundra Straits in a storm
Midnight
August 2, 2040

     Jackson learned two important things when it came to storms and destroyers. Hold on tight and wear your “cranial” (A navy head protector worn by flight deck crews) He went weightless or so it felt like it as the ladder to the bridge suddenly dropped from his feet leaving him suspended in the air them rushed up to almost pancake him into the rungs!

“BOOM!”

     At times he was almost walking the walls till he got onto the bridge….

      “OFFICER OF THE DECK! SEAMAN WILDE REPORTING FOR WING WATCH!” Jackson yelled out as he hung onto the safety line running the back bulkhead of the bridge.

      The watch officer (a Yak) walked up with a harness in his hoof hand. “Here Seaman...put this on.”

      Jackson quickly dawned and strapped the harness around himself as the Officer of the Deck instructed him...”You understand the basics of underway watch standing from the bridge? Let’s hear your speal Seaman...”

     Jackson replied. “Sir! To keep careful observation within the vertical and horizontal arcs of my station from bow to stern using a grid pattern on the “Big Eyes” to identify and report all targets waterborne or airborne Sir!”

     “It’s pretty violent out there Jackson...you scared?” The Watch officer asked.

     “No Sir!” Jackson replied smartly. “Bring it on!”

     “Awesome.” The Officer of the Deck replied. “You will relieve Seaman Decant on the starboard wing. Go to it and keep dry….maybe?” 

      Jackson knew the OOD was laughing his butt off but he was excited and perhaps a little sick in the head to get out and see how whipped up the sea was. Then again he wouldn’t see much since Growler was running lights out so the mystery of the darkness only caused him greater excitement as he got to the door and slid it open…

      “WA-BOOM!”

       The sudden and even worse feeling violent collision between the ship and a wave caused a natural panic in Jackson! Curse those bunny and fox reactions to a perceived threat to life as Jackson bounded the pitching deck and wrapped himself around the soaked wolf watch Decant…

      “WHAT IN SAM FLICKEN HELL!” Decant yelped as he flopped onto his rump and fought to get the Sailor wrapped around him off...”DAMN IT WILDE! LET GO!”

       Jackson relented as Decant put him down on a raised platform and quickly secured his harness to it….”Cheese and Crackers...putting a bunny on a bridge watch during a storm...super flucken hilarious!”

       “Sorry Decant...that was just….you know….natural.” Jackson said as he patted the wolf’s arm…

      “That natural could have thrown us overboard.” Decant snorted. “Well….this little amusement ride should leave you piss soaked soon enough. It’s rough as hell, we’re doing about ten knots and you can’t move. I have you secured enough so you won’t get swept over but trust me Wilde...you are going to get drenched. The waves are topping below the platform for sure.”

        Decant showed Jackson where the binocular cleaning gear was, placed a pair of sound powered phones on his head and patted him on the shoulders...”Stand your watch Wilde and enjoy the punishment.”

       Jackson spoke into the phones...”Seaman Wilde now officially on the starboard bridge watch.”

       The OOD replied. “Report every half hour unless you have a contact Seaman Wilde.”

      “Aye Aye Sir!” Jackson replied. When he got his first look through the night vision setting of his binoculars, he had just enough time to say….”FLUCK!” before the bow of the ship slammed through a huge wave and a torrent of water slammed into, over and past the bridge wing leaving Jackson absolutely drenched!

     “Cough! Cough! Cough!” Jackson coughed and spat water from his mouth… then he went nuts with dancing, whooping and shouting as if on a carnival ride!

     “YEAH!…..WOOOOOOOOO!…...WOOOOOOO! THIS IS FRICKEN AWESOME!”

      The ship rose swiftly, pushing the fox-bunny down into the platform from the accelerated “G force” and Jackson saw the bulbous bow of the destroyers front clear the water! The Growler looked as if she’d take off into the sky, she hung for a moment then started to fall fast! Jackson’s body left the platform, his feet were hanging in the air and his mouth was gaped wide open in glorious extacy as the ship slammed down into the tempest around him!

“KA-BOOM!”

      His heart was racing and his face was contorting between some fear, some wonder and some absolute joy as he dared to stand with his paws resting on the top rail of the wing station and take another blast of sea water to his body….

     “Oh Great Frith! This is what I like! AAAROOOOOOOO!” Jackson wooped and yelped….till someone grabbed him by his harness…

     “What the hell are you doing Wilde?!” The OOD snorted. “You missed your first half hour report! Explain yourself Mister!”

     Jackson was stunned...he couldn’t speak.

    “Mister Wilde? I asked you a damned question Seaman! What the hell are you doing out here?!”

    Jackson recovered...”Sir! I was delinquent in my duties! I allowed my excitement and selfishness to put the ship in danger Sir! Report me please!” Jackson said saluting.

    The Yak smiled. “I like the honestly. Better than Seaman Decant who, can you believe this? He actually slept standing up in this mess.” The Yak pushed a hoof finger in Jackson’s snoot. “Be excited Mister Wilde? But not crazy excited. Keep to your duties.”

    Jackson replied. “Yes Sir!” He then got serious and grabbed the handles of his binoculars to scan the sea and sky around him.

 
The Red Bus to MCRD Savanna Central
2am
August 2, 2040

       Nori slowly nibbled on a vanilla wafer as if it was his last meal before death. Every small bite enlisted a warm smile as the bus pulled away from another stop. It was almost full now of a mix of mammals, the majority being wolves from different parts of Zootopia with bunnies spread among the seats along with some tigers, a few lions and a pair of Rhinos.

      The Fleet Marine was comprised mostly of Wolves, that’s how it started out when Albert Mayhoof first set the concept to paper. Wolves were “the Chosen” and the Corps had resisted for a long time any sort of “mixing” even if it proved vastly beneficial to the service’s power and flexibility. “Teeth, paws, pack n claws” was “wolf only” and though the service had yet to see real combat experience, the wolves had proven the “pack killing” power they possessed had not faded from their four legged lupine ancestors. Nori and his brother well knew that to wolves, bunnies were inferior little flat toothed bastards and they would use every legal means at their disposal to send bunnies packing out of the ranks.

     Yet there was the “Rock of Aden” regiment which itself was almost an exclusive breed unto itself. The highland hares of Aden were tough bastards who earned the wolves respect, which packs usually did. Nori and the others were under no illusions about what they’d gotten themselves into. Beside him, Dori was reading one of the only books which would be permitted in boot camp. The script of El-ahrairah was the base of the religion of rabbits. Nori realized that Dori was engrossed in reading the “book of courage” chapter.

    Behind them….Ori and Powen were sharing music from a smart phone and catching what sleep they could again with Ori snuggled up against “Pow Pow”.
Across from them, Owen was conversing with another rabbit and from the dialect Nori knew he was an “Aden-night” or “Son of Aden” but voice is only one tell tale sign. Around the rabbit’s neck hung a “tradition scarf” which is knitted together by the entire family when a son chooses to leave Aden for the Corps. “From the paws of many comes the courage of one.” so goes the mythos behind the talisman. Nori caught the name “Shane” and kept it in mind. Every bunny was going to have to count on another to get through boot camp…

     A nudge on his face made Nori turn to his brother who had closed his book and sat cleaning his glasses...”What’s up Dori?” Nori asked.

     “Do you think I’ll get through this ok?” Dori asked with a hint of worry.

     “What kind of question is that?” Nori asked. “Course you will. You got the smarts and the heart for it, stop having these second doubts.”

     “But...” Dori replied. “I’ve never been as tough as you guys...you and the others. I’ve never been in fights, hell I did everything to run from getting into fights.”

      “That doesn’t mean you don’t have the guts.” Nori snorted. “Hell...we did everything not to let you fight but you’ve always had the guts to do things when some one needed help. Who went down that water well when little Brianna Hines fell into it? Did any of us four wrap a rope around our waist? Hell no...you did because you said “wait hell.” That’s not courageous? You want to be a Corpsman, there’s your strength right there.”

     Dori seemed to feel a little better...though still not much, which got Nori wrapping his arm around him. “Come on? Who’s always been your teddy bear?”

     Dori replied. “You...sheesh...we’re the same age Bro! Gawd I feel like a...”

    “Shut up.” Nori snorted. “Feelings are never a bad thing. Don’t hide em. Now who’s always been your teddy bear bro?”

    “You.” Dori replied with a little smile.

    “If that smile doesn’t get bigger, I’ll kick your cotton tail butt?” Nori said smirking. “You’re gonna make it through basic Dori because “we” won’t let you fail. I don’t go anywhere without my snuggle buddy.”

    Nori looked out the window and saw the lights in the distance which could only mean they were getting close to MCRD. He pointed it out to Owen who quickly woke Powen and Ori from their sleep. “We’re almost there...wake up and keep your ears open.”

Wilde House
2am
August 2, 2040

       Judy stood quietly in the dim light of the bedroom and just...watched. Only a whispy presence of white hairs on the tips of his ears showed Nick’s advanced age and yet….he was just as beautiful and perfect as the first time she met him. Even in deep sleep with every now and then a little “yip” or “mew” or “growl” escaping his lips...he was her wonderful darling, her everything...and he had hidden his pain away from her because he didn’t want her to be unhappy, so “Nick-typical”. The thought only made Judy tear up. She lovingly rubbed her head over his hanging paw off the bed side and kissed it tenderly for a moment...which rustled him from slumber…

     “Judy?” Nick said lightly...”How did it go? Did you get the perp?”

     Judy shook in surprise….”Oh! Nick! Uh….you’re awake! Uh….yeah….yeah we….we got the perp. One of our officers got injured taking him down but yeh… we got him.”

     Nick slowly moved to kiss his wife on the head. “Every time you go out on stuff like this?” Nick said. “I shake. Really Carrots...I do worry.”

    She replied...”I….I worry about you too. I try to be as careful as possible you know...”

    Nick put a paw finger to Judy’s mouth. “Oh you lying bunny. Stop while you’re ahead ok? Now get up here...you’re probably tired.”

   “Sigh….” Judy answered...”Nick? I’m thinking that….well…..after our talk tonight and after….after what happened with this perp….I’m thinking of advancing my retirement up.”

    Nick painfully pushed himself into sitting up on the edge of the bed as his wife undressed before him...”You do whatever you feel is right Carrots. You know I’ll never say no.” Nick patted his lap...”Come up here?”

    Judy giggled. “Nick...it’s late, I’m a little tired and….”

    “Your excuses suck.” Nick replied. “Get….up…..here?” He said again as he slowly licked his maw...”Time for a little special “magic tongue” for my sweet bunny.”

     “Nick?…..I mean…..” Judy shook her head and smiled at him innocently.

     “What?” Nick said with a wide smile. “Are you afraid of me? Do you think I might go nuts? Do you think I’ll go Savage? Do you think I might?…..oh…..eat you into paradise?”

     Nick picked Judy up and held her standing on his lap. “I’ll just call this….a little extra special predator snack with shivers...” The fox said as he gave his wife a wicked look in his eyes…

    Good thing for well built houses and good windows because her screaming would have had the whole neighborhood calling the “Prinky” for a domestic.

2:30am     
August 2, 2040
Fleet Marine Forces Recruiting Depot, Savanna.
Camp Quanaco Fleet Marine Forces Base
Savanna Central

     The bus passed through the main gate and drove for what felt like an eternity at a slow 15 miles per hour down a long road with sand and scrubs on both sides until it passed by a pair of signs on both sides of the road. The driver ensured to go at a crawl so every passenger would know the place they were about to enter…

MCRD SAVANNA

“WE SHARPEN TEETH.”

     Dori watched his brother Nori chomp down the final wafers of Vanilla he had. “Boy….this is gonna suck.” Nori chirped. “You know me and these Dori? I don’t have any and I become a real nasty tail hole. Detox is gonna kill me.”

    Dori grabbed his brother’s paw and squeezed. “Guess we’re both each other’s snuggle buddy then huh?”

      Nori smiled back. “Damn right. Show em who we all are.”

      “Awwww….got that loving feeling.” Owen snickered from across the isle.

      “They were made for each other.” Ori said from over the back seat.

      “Do you guys want to get your teeth re-arranged?” Nori snorted.

      The bus coming to a stop shut them all up real quick. This was another eternity it seemed. The bus just sat still. No one moved, no one spoke….no one dared to move anything…

      Then the door opened and up came a White arctic wolf wearing a pressed so crisp set of greens and a ranger hat that they probably could have been a weapon themselves to cut heads off. You couldn’t see his eyes under the brim of the “Ranger Smith” but you could see his teeth….white and perfect as new pearls….

     “Welcome to Fleet Marine Recruiting Depot Savanna, Fleet Marine Base Quanaco Savanna Central! I am Corporal “New Moon” but to all of you, I am Sir! You will not speak unless spoken to! You will not howl, growl, grunt or for you little fairy bunny rabbits….”chirp” unless you are spoken to! Every word from your maws shall be SIR or MAM before and after YES and NO! Do I make myself clear?!”

Everyone on the bus screamed “SIR YES SIR!”

     “Damn it wolves! I want to hear you over everyone else on this bus! I want to hear predators not cotton tailed pussies! Do I make myself clear?!”

Everyone on the bus screamed “SIR YES SIR!”

      Corporal New Moon pointed to the door...”When I give the command, you will all fall out of this bus in a quick manor and assemble on the four red lines on the pavement! You will touch your toes to the back of the red lines, you will not let your toes or your claws extend past the back of the red lines! Do you understand me?”

Everyone on the bus screamed “SIR YES SIR!”

        New Moon snapped….”GO! GET OFF THIS BUS NOW! NOW! NOW! NOW! MOVE! MOVE! MOVE!”

        Owen gestured to his brothers and Shane not to move because the stampede of bigger animals threw bunnies back in their seats like rag dolls. It was obvious to every one….bunnies were not liked at all.

        When the last predators cleared the isles, Owen got his brothers and Shane and the others left behind moving lightening quick to keep up! Getting off the bus it looked like they’d all entered into hell. There were snarling wolves in uniform to the left, the front, the right, and behind them screaming and snarling in their ears!

      “GET ON THE LINE! GET ON THE LINE! GO! GO! GO! GET YOUR FAIRY BUTTS MOVING YOU STUPID RABBITS! YOU’RE TO SLOW! YOU’RE TOO GAWD DAMN SLOW!”

       Owen went up and down the line his brothers and other rabbits putting them where they had been told and he got instantly jumped upon by two big wolf D.I.’s (Drill Instructors)…

      “WHAT ARE YOU DOING YOU LITTLE PISS ANT, LONG EARED BASTARD! HUH?! DO YOU THINK YOU’RE AN OFFICER OR SOMETHING?! ANSWER YOU LITTLE DIRT BAG!”

       Owen replied...”Sirs! I was making sure the bunnies were doing as instructed by Corporal New Moon Sirs!”

       One of the wolves got in Owen’s face….”Well I like that...a bunny showing concern for his fellow mammals. That’s nice. How about these wolves over here? How about that Tiger? Just helping your fellow cotton tail rats huh? GET IN LINE YOU LITTLE SNIT HEAD BEFORE I SNAP YOU OVER MY KNEE AND RIP YOUR THROAT OPEN!”

      Owen quickly found a place and stood strait as a board. He knew better than to smart off…

      “Flucken k-9 tail hole.” Came a voice from down the line and Owen winced...”Oh Gawd damn it Nori!” He thought. The explosion was immediate.

A wolf pounced on Nori...”What the fluck did you just say you little dirt eater?”

“Sir...I said...”Flucken k-9 tail hole….Sir.” Nori replied.

The wolf didn’t spare a muscle as he back paw’d Nori so hard in the stomach that he puked up the wafers he’d eaten...”YOU LITTLE CARROT SUCKING, EGG PAINTING FLUCK! I’LL TEAR THOSE BACK TALKING, FLAT ROOT TEETH FROM YOUR WORTHLESS FLUCKING HIDE! I’LL SEND YOU HOME IN A LETTER ENVELOPE! YOU BETTER CLEAN YOUR ACT UP QUICK!”

“Nori?” Dori tried to reach down to help his brother and got a face full of teeth! “DON’T YOU HELP HIM! YOU WANT TO JOIN HIM YOU LITTLE SNIT!”

“SIR! NO SIR! SIR! HE’S MY BROTHER SIR!” Dori screamed loud.

The wolf D.I. snorted back. “That’s your brother huh? Well you listen to me there “Peter faggot tail”...you better guard your brother’s mouth. You better be on him like a flea on a dog because when he flucks up? You’re gonna pay for it. We’re gonna have fun playing the “Corsi-corgie Brothers” when he flucks up? You die. Would you like to play the game you little dirt scratcher?”

“Sir! Bring it Sir!” Nori snapped.

“I like your spirit.” The D.I. snarled. “I guess you have more control than your brother….he wet himself the poor baby. PICK HIM UP!”

Dori helped Nori to his feet as one of the D.I.’s pointed. “Do you all see that building ahead of you? When I give the command you will….one line at a time in file one mammal after the other...you will smartly and quickly flow into that building. You will find a seat and you will stand at attention until directed to sit! Do you understand?!”

Everyone screamed “SIR YES SIR!”

“DO IT NOW! EXECUTE! MOVE!”

end of chapter 18