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 19
The Growler part 4

1pm  
August 20, 2040
Sandy Cove Naval Installation
ZNDG Growler arrives at pier side

       Jackson made his way quickly from the stern of the ship to his bunk to get his sea bag and pick up Albert and Myler before joining Darla in the rush to get off the ship. He stopped over at Gilly’s bunk and tapped him on the shoulder…

       “Having a little dinner party at the apartment with some of the singles from the boat and Ayden. Hey! Keeb’s going to be there too...you gain?” He asked as Gilly was still packing his own bag.

       “I would but I want to spend some time….you know….” Gilly replied.

       “Well bring her over when you can ok? Me and Darla have been dying to meet your girl friend.” Jackson replied smiling.

       “Well first things first is my Mom.” Gilly replied. “She’s probably out there so I’m spending the rest of the day with her before I go home.”

       “I know.” Jackson replied. “My Mom won’t stop texting me, I mean just a month and she thinks we’ve been gone six months! Call me later ok? I gotta go get Darla and join the stampede.”

       Jackson made his way through the ship and up to the main deck where he almost bumped the ship’s “Bull Ensign” off his feet! “Oh! Beg your pardon Sir! Sorry!” Jackson said with a salute.

     “In a hurry huh?” Ensign Rudy Dolph replied. “Don’t go breaking a leg in the crush there Seaman Wilde.”

      “You have duty Sir?” Jackson asked.

      “No...” Dolph replied. “Just not in a rush to get off right now. I don’t have anyone waiting for me on the pier any way.”

      “Oh.” Jackson replied. He couldn’t help but see perhaps a little bit of sadness in the young reindeer officer’s face…”Um….Sir? I’m having a dinner party at my apartment tonight with some of our shipmates? I promise it won’t be something crazy and….well it’s an open invite if you’d like to come? You know? For comradeship?”

     Rudy smiled…”The offer is wonderful Seaman Wilde but that would still be considered a sort of fraternization. I must respectfully decline.” Yet Rudy put out his hoofed hand...”But I never say thank you when it’s deserved.”

    Jackson shook Rudy’s hoof hand...”The door’s open Sir...respectfully.” He said with a slight head nod before he ran off for the brow and soon found Darla talking to her mentor, Repair Specialist 2nd Class Kipper…

    “Hi!” Jackson said as he stood by Darla who threw away all the decorum and snuggle kissed her boyfriend on the neck...”I saw your Mom and Dad down on the pier Jackie. Your poor mom looks like she’s about to spray her water all over the place.”

    “A respectful description that she’s gonna pee herself silly.” Jackson replied. “Is your wife here Kipper?”

       “My wife...” Kipper said as he point to the pier….”My wife...and a set of triplets!”

      “Oh my Gawd!” Darla flung herself Kipper’s neck! “Why didn’t you say anything?! The shop should have gotten you off first!”

      Jackson smirked...”Gee Darla! His wife would sure love seeing you fawning all over him!”

      Darla slapped Jackson playfully off his shoulder. “You shoosh! We didn’t get you anything Kipper! We could have at least bought you a box of pampers or something!”

      Kipper waved a paw. “Relax Darla! The Service Mammal’s Auxiliary Corps took care of everything. She even gave birth naturally in a pool. You should see em swim now! They keep poor Denise up all night!”

      Jackson wrapped an arm around Kipper’s shoulders. “In that case? You need to come to our apartment tonight and get plastered because you’re going to be a busy daddy when you get home.”

     “I’ll think about the offer...if me and the wife don’t try for a ten brood when we get home.” Kipper replied. “You two enjoy your time off ok?” Kipper said as he walked off.

      Darla snatched Jackson’s paw and dragged him along towards the brow. “Let’s get to your parents before your mom floods the pier?”

      Half way down the brow...Jackson noticed something that disturbed him. His father was using a set of walking crutches normally used….by mammals who had been afflicted by Polio. Up to this point...Nick had only the walking cane and he very rarely had to use it. The thoughts of his father’s condition however were suddenly put to the rear as Judy almost knocked her son off his feet as she jumped to embrace him…

      “Mmmmm…..you’re home.” She said gasping…

      “Well….they wouldn’t stay out longer like I asked them too.” Jackson replied with a snicker as he regarded his father with his crutches….”Dad? Are you ok?”

       “No….my back has been a little problematic as of late.” Nick began to say.

        “What your father is trying to hide is that he got to overly excited at the Mystic thinking his back was better so he bolted around all feral crazy, went a little “nuts” and threw it out…..Nick?”

        “Yup. Naked, stupid and “ouch” in that order. But...I’m fine, nothing a few days bed rest and my sons loving attention won’t fix right?” Nick said smiling.

        “Sure Dad.” Jackson said. “Right after me and Darla decompress a few days. We’re having a dinner get together tonight at our apartment so you two don’t have to cook nor do we have to go out.”

        Nick looked at Judy….”Judy? We’ve lost our baby.” Nick said. “He’s been snared by this sweet sea siren….but?….” Nick held his paws out to Darla. “Darla? I think we should use this little get together to become better acquainted.”

        Darla giggled as Nick gave her an affectionate snuggle on the neck...”Mister Wilde!”

       “Uh uh….” Nick shooshed. “That’s “Nick” to you my dear. Just call us Nick and Judy. I think….we all have something to talk about.”

        Darla turned to Jackson….”Jackie? Did you know anything about this?” She asked as Jackson balanced his and Darla’s bags on his shoulders…

        “Not a dime Dar...but I think I know where it’s going.” Jackson replied. “Any way? We should all probably go to the apartment so there’s things we can fall on when they hit us with the two by fours.”

        Darla took her keys out and ran for the car...”Just stay there and I’ll bring the car to you!”

         Jackson waited till Darla was some distance before he turned to his parents. “Ok?….what have you two been plotting?”

         “What...do you mean?” Judy replied shurging and smiling. “Nothing Jackie.. we’re just so happy you’re both home….right Nick?”

         “Yeah…..yeah absolutely.” Nick said nodding.

         “Oh come on you two!” Jackson huffed. “You are so lying out your snoots!” Jackson snorted. “Out with it! Mom? Dad?”

          Nick cocked his head...”He’s become a little forceful hasn’t he?”

         “If you’re not careful Nick...he might piss on your back tonight.” Judy said with a chuckle.

         Nick raised his paws and waved them…..”Ok….ok…..we’re guilty as all get out. We….we might have been trying….to…...maybe….play match makers behind your backs with Darla’s parents.”

         Jackson’s eyes went wide….”Are you kidding me?!”

         “No….we’re not.” Judy replied. “Jackson?...”

         “Oh Frith Mom! I mean….I mean me and Darla? We….we haven’t talked about that stuff yet and you two? Oh Great Frith and Vulpix nuts….I haven’t asked her! We haven’t talked about it seriously and you guys go behind my back and try to fix it for us?!”

         Nick felt his son’s shoulder...”Son? We just want you to be happy just like your mother and I have been happy. We know you love her a whole lot and even though you two have differences...”

        “If you both love me then you’d let me deal with Darla’s parents myself! Mom? Dad? Don’t you understand how delicate this is between us?” Jackson saw the car coming and quickly waved his paws...”For now? Just…..just keep it quiet ok? Please? For now?!”

        Judy’s face turned sad….”Jackson? We’re….”

        “Mom? I’m just stunned ok? You guys mean well and I know you love me but please? Let me handle this myself?” Jackson said as he petted his parents paws.

       Nick however...pursed his lips...”Well? Jackson? There’s one more thing you should know? Umm….Darla’s parents? They want to meet you.”

          Jackson’s mouth drooped for a moment….”Ok….everyone in the car? We got to get back to the apartment before everyone starts showing up.”

          Jackson helped his parents into the back seats and sat up front with Darla, who could not help but notice his face…

         “You ok?” She asked.

         “Yeah…..yeah…...fine….Can’t wait to get to the apartment, you are going to love this surprise.” Jackson said as he looked back to give his parents something between a smile and a look of confusion.

1pm  
August 20, 2040
The hall of Justice, Downtown Zootopia
The Public Courts Martial of Commander William Callie
Protest rally by the newly formed “MAAW Society”
(Mammals Against Aggressive War)

     Will had text’d Gilly about the rally and that he would be home as soon as it ended. A good sized crowd had formed in the plot designated by the approved request ticket issued by the ZPD. Not to far off and separated by a line of big police officers was the counter protest supporting Callie and calls for “whooping tails” and they were highly vocal which kept the police line stone vigilant for objects and hand weapons. Their leader was a white Tiger named “Cruncher Block” and he was built like a concrete block with sharp angular features, huge paws and eyes that could melt mammals...if he had that power. He walked up and down the line of protesters on both sides with the same warning….

     “If I see one bottle, one rock, one stick, one bat or anything come flying out of your group...you will be very, very sorry. Do not test me, do not test my officers to make you sorry! Keep this peaceful!”

     Just to prove his point...when a Beaver in the angry crowd decided to flip a paw finger at Cruncher, two fox cops jump pounced the flat tailed miscreant and cuffed him quick...holding him down for a few minutes before giving him a warning and setting him back into the line…

    “Keep it in check buddy!” Officer Princept (A three gray tone sable fox) snorted with a warning paw finger in the beaver’s snoot.

     Will meanwhile reviewed his speech over again. He knew this was going to make the news and piss off tons of mammals, perhaps even his little brother. But he loved Alex too much to stay quiet. Not just Alex. Not just Uncle Chance. Will thought of his beloved, the one mammal that was keeping him “level”. The winds of war were blowing imagined or not and Will was bound and determined to see they were not turned into a typhoon of flying steel...by accident or by purpose. He took one last breath before he walked up to the podium….

     “Gentle and fellow Mammals! Hear me! Hear me I beg you!” Will said into the microphone and waited for some semblance of calm….with the exception of the vile insults being thrown from the other side…

     Will continued….

     “I am the son of a Navy veteran. A nephew of a good Marine. A wolf who adores his family and cherishes those he loves. These are the reasons why I stand opposed to Commander William Callie! Why I stand opposed to any and all efforts be they through the lies and disobedience of one military officer or by our own government to put us all into a war who’s only result would be death, destruction and desivation! We as Zootopians should make every effort possible to make war the very last and most unusable of options for settling disputes between us and other nations! I will not bury my family members or those I love because of war by design or war by mistake! I will not see the city that I love nor her citizens torn to shreds by rockets, blown to bits by bombs or savaged because our leaders and our military officers got us into a war that should have been prevented! I speak not hate of my city! I speak in love for it! Callie is a criminal! He deserves to sit in jail!”

     The crowds erupted in both applause and screaming rage as Will continued his speech while inside the hall of Justice, Callie’s Court Martial played out on the split screen of ZNN…

The Gray Family home.
Rain Forest District
August 20, 2040
1:13pm

        Grace, Gordon and Alex all sat in the living room watching both Will’s speech and the trial of William Callie and both Gordon and Grace couldn’t miss the look on Alex’s face. The “Mid-ling” wolf wasn’t happy, in fact...he was seething as every few moments his maw lips quivered from a low, pissed off growl…

       “Alex?” Gordon asked. “You want to talk son?”

       Alex gave his father a side look and sat silently brooding…

      “Alex? Don’t bottle it up son...let it out.” Gordon said. “I know you’re not happy.”

      Alex didn’t break his gaze from the television. “What good would it serve for me to say anything?” Alex said huffing. “I’ll just get my tail blistered for it.”

      Grace replied. “Alex? We will not blister your tail for speaking your mind. We wouldn’t do that. We’ve always told you boys to talk to us if something bothered you, you know that?”

      Alex shifted in his chair...”I can say anything and you won’t get angry with me? Honest?”

      Gordon replied. “You need to get things out Alex. We understand that what Will is doing is upsetting you.”

     Alex shot out of his chair...”Gnah!….Yeah! Yes! What he’s doing and saying is pissing me off! Ok! I talked to Uncle about it, he says I need to have “skin in the game” to understand what Will’s doing! But what he’s doing is….it’s cowardly! He wants us to roll on our backs and tuck our tails and act like…..like…..like flucken little bitches so the Kzinti can fluck the shit out of us!”

     Alex flopped back into his chair….”Gawd of the pack damn it! My brother’s a fucken coward!” The Mid-ling then turned his behind to his parents...”GO AHEAD AND BELT ME! I’LL SCREAM IT LOUDER! WILL IS A FLUCKEN COWARD AND HE MAKES ME FLUCKEN SICK!”

        Gordon motioned a paw finger around...”Sit right in that chair young wolf and calm down. We told you...we are not going to hit you for getting things out.”

         Alex sat in his chair and brooded...”I don’t care if he has a faggot boy friend he cares about. He’s still a flucken coward.”

        “Alex!” Grace snapped. 

        “Gee Mom?!” Alex yelped. “I thought I could “get it all out” without being jumped on?! He snapped as he got up. “I’m going to my room. If I stay here another minute I’ll really blow my trap and you guys won’t like what comes out.” Alex stomped off and slammed his bedroom door behind him. “And I’m joining the Marines for sure! At least one of your sons won’t be a coward!” Alex yelled from his room.

1:30pm  
August 20, 2040
The hall of Justice, Downtown Zootopia
The Public Courts Martial of Commander William Callie
The questioning of Petty Officer 3rd class Linowain (White Tail Deer).

For the prosecution: Peter Potomus (Hanna Barbara Hippo aka “Sencha” from Harvey Birdman A.A.L.)

For the defense: “Tigress” from Kung Fu Panda in a Blue business suit.

Peter Potomus: Petty Officer Linowain. I read the deposition which….was….sent.. to….meeeeeee….last week. I have carefully read your transcription. Do you Petty Officer Linowain testify that your recording of events is accurate and truthful?

Linowain: Yes Sir.

Peter Potomus: What watch did you assume at 23:30 (11:30pm) on the night of  December 3, 2039 aboard the Destroyer Rain?

Linowain: The Midnight to Four Sir. Starboard bridge wing watch.

Peter Potomus: And how long had you been aboard the Rain? Over two years correct?

Linowain: Yes Sir.

Peter Potomus: You were on watch in heavy seas and at around Zero Two fourteen, that’s 2:14 am civilian time, you saw a fishing vessel in trouble and the crew of that vessel clinging to the sinking hull is that correct?

Linowain: Yes Sir.

Peter Potomus: In fact….as recorded by both the Officer of the Deck and the ship’s audio recording system...this is what Petty Officer Linowain said…

“Bridge, Starboard wing watch! We have a vessel about 70 yards ahead, 3 points off the beam to starboard, taking on water and floundering!”

You are certain that the vessel was floundering Petty Officer Linowain? No mistake about the vessel’s condition?

Linowain:It’s condition was without question Sir. I reported it to the Officer of the Deck and he in turn rang the captain’s call button from the bridge.

Peter Potomus: And the Captain came out onto the wing to verify what you saw? Exactly what did you see?

Linowain: I saw the floundering vessel and seven mammals waving to us trying to hold on to the vessel. All of them were wearing hoods, I could see that through the binoculars. 

Peter Potomus: And Commander Callie saw this too? From your binoculars?

Linowain: Yes Sir.

Peter Potomus: And soon after he left the wing bridge. You realized the ship was not going to stop for them? In Fact? Here is your voice from the ship’s recorder…

”Bridge? The boat is now off our starboard side...there’s mammal’s trying to hang on to the hull and they’re waving at us! Why aren’t we stopping?”

Peter Potomus: Your voice….correct?

Linowain: Yes Sir.

Peter Potomus: What was the reply to you from the bridge?

Linowain: I was ordered to keep looking forwards and disregard the contact.

Peter Potomus: And you had no idea of the back and forth on the bridge between Petty Officer Hashina (Tiger) and the Captain until you talked later with him in his berthing? When you went to talk to him about happened and you found out that the Destroyer Tujunga had machine gunned the survivors of this vessel to death. Is that right?

Linowain: Yes Sir.

Peter Potomus: I reviewed all your training Petty Officer Linowain and you had completed the course of advanced seamanship and nautical law with 3.8 grade average. So you understand distress procedures by the law? Can you state those for the court?

Linowain: Yes Sir. Any vessel of Zootopia, of the Navy or of the civil private, corporate vanes, when coming upon any nautical vessel in clear distress SHALL respond with due speed and to the best ability possible, including summoning emergency assistance when so required. 

Peter Potomus: Was this vessel? This Kzinti vessel? A vessel of war? Were those clinging to it enemy combatants? Were we in a state of war with Kzin?

Linowain: We were not Sir.

Peter Potomus: So in your opinion Petty Officer Linowain? Did Commander Calli clearly violate the law?

 Linowain: Without question Sir.

Peter Potomus: No further questions for the witness your honor.

Tigress walked up to the witness box….

Tigress: Miss Linowain? What is your rank?

Linowain: Petty Officer 3rd Class, Clerical specialist Mam.

Tigress: And what rank did William Callie hold aboard your ship?

Linowain: Commander Mam.

Tigress: And what was his duties aboard ship?

Linowain: Commanding Officer Mam.

Tigress: So...he was the “Captain” correct?

Linowain: Yes Mam.

Tigress: So….you are a Petty Officer...Petty meaning you have “small” responsibilities and authorities within your level of rank and William Callie was “Your” Captain. So tell me….Petty Officer Linowain….who between you has the responsibility for the safety and welfare of a naval ship and its crew? You or the Captain? I’m speaking about command decissions.

Linowain: Mam….I am well aware…

Tigress: I asked you a question “Petty” Officer. I’d like to have a strait answer.

Peter Potomus: OBJECTION! The counsel is belittling the witness's importance and insulting her intelligence.

Tigress: I am stating a fact that Petty Officer Linowain is not in the chain of command that makes the day to day decissions for the life and safety of the crew.

Judge: Continue counsel….but watch what you say.

Tigress: Petty Officer Linowain? Are you in the chain of command that affects the safety of the crew of the ZNDG Rain? Yes or no?

Linowain: No Mam.

Tigress: Did you know the Mammals in the water were Kzinti?

Linowain: Yes mam. Through the binoculars I saw the descriptions as given in the watch briefing book. Hoods covering the heads and the size of the upper portions of the bodies.

Tigress: And given the Kzinti’s history of abuse upon our citizens? You don’t think the Captain has the authority to act as he deems fit to safeguard not just every other life on your ship but your own? After all...to a Kzinti? You especially would be sweet deer jerky to chew on.

Linowain: He doesn’t have the right to order cold blooded murder.

Tigress: You have the luxury of saying that from your comfortable position where you don’t have to speak to the Commander face to face, especially after you jumped the command chain to go running off to tell a superior officer. I’m done with this witness your honor.

2:45pm
Jackson and Darla’s apartment
Sahara Square

      Darla sat on the sofa after hearing Jackson tell her with Myler and Albert sitting on the arm rest next to her with equally astonished looks….

“Kaboom!” Albert joked, which got a love tap on the head by the smirking female otter…

“Wise butt.” She joked. She then turned to look at Judy and Nick, who looked as if they’d been caught in the cookie jar...”Well….” Darla said….”This makes things interesting.”

 Judy gasped...”Darla? I am so…..so sorry. Nick and I meant well...”

  Darla waved a paw...”Relax Mrs. Wilde...This has been like an on and off talk between me and Jackie for a while. We wanted to get….you know….sort of firmly grounded before thinking about marriage? Especially with my parents...I thought maybe you understood how difficult inter-species relationships can be? I mean Judy? You come from “Bunny Land” I bet Nick wasn’t well accepted off the bat?”

   Nick raised a paw. “Actually….she’s right. Judy didn’t bring me home...at all… before she got pregnant and even when Stu and Bonnie came for visits? Stu had this “shot gun to my face” look at me that could kill herds.”

      Darla gestured at Jackie. “Jackie understood it. My parents are super traditionalists. As a daughter? I’m expected to marry another otter and spend the rest of my life, on my back, shucking clams, getting slammed and factory pumping pups...”

    Jackson cringed...”Dar?! Do you have to be so descriptive? My parents right here?”

    Judy giggled. “Can he make you scream like my Nick makes me?”

    “MOM!” Jackson yelped. “Come on?!”

    “Sorry.” Darla said with a shrug. “It’s fact. Otters like most mammals are specists. Species mixing is like...rejecting your heritage, spitting on your ancestors, feeding the dead bad clams. We both wanted to have more time to kinda ease the pain with my parents.”

      Nick replied. “Well they sounded nice when we talked to them.

     “They wouldn’t just come out and say….no.” Darla replied. “I mean they’d like Jackson. He’s wonderful….he’s adorable….”

     Jackson got onto a kitchen table chair...”It’s getting bad now.”

     “Get off of there before I bite you!” Darla yelped. “He’s got character.”

    Nick snickered. “He pissed on his father’s back….real plus there.”

    Judy bumped him in the side. “Nick! This is serious.” Judy sighed at Darla. “We so messed everything up.”

    “Yeah...sort of.” Jackson replied. “But you two always mean well so how can I be upset? Just another competetive object I have to rub in Darla’s snoot.”

    “I love it when you wager.” Darla replied. “So? What’s the plan? Woo my parents? Good luck What’s the wager?”

    Nick smirked. “Turning this into a game? Oh this is going to be interesting.”

    Jackson stood thinking...”Ok...If I can get your parents comfortable to where they give their blessing...to both of us? You have to pay for me to have a whole day spa treatment at Mystic Springs...”

      Judy yelped...”The Mystic?! No! No Jackson…..no.”

      Nick grabbed Judy’s shoulder...”Carrots? He’s not 12 any more? Or did that not get noticed lately?”

     Judy covered her face...”Fritz and Ritz crackers I can not see his fluffy butt running naked all over that place.”

     Albert snickered. “You call it fluffy?”

     Judy replied. “You shut that little yapper!”

     Darla replied. “Hmmmm…..and let’s say you fail and we have to resort to rebellion, eloping and staying out of the water to avoid the relatives sneak attacking our tails? Hmmm….you will not only pay my whole spa day? You will buy me the most expensive wedding dress on the market.”

    Jackson snickered back. “You….are so on.”

    “I love rivalry.” Darla snickered….”It makes me so hawt...you want to wreck me on the coffee table?”

    “WOE! WOE!” Nick snapped….”Please?! Parents here? Hello?”

    Jackson giggled...”Magic tongue Dad.”

    “Jackie!” Judy yelped. “Mouth!”

    “Excuse me?” Jackson snorted. “But you’re in “our” apartment?” He said gesturing to Darla and himself. “Now if you two want to help us prepare the food and drinks for tonight? That would be great. But….I need to talk to my Dad if you two don’t mind?”

    Jackson had Nick follow him out of the apartment and down the hallway… ”Ok… cut the acting Dad.” Jackson asked. “What’s really going on with your back?”
 
       “Son, I just threw it out getting a little crazy….” Nick tried to play it off.

       “And like always you’re trying to fool your prodigy...not working Dad.” Jackson said crossing his arms.

        Nick sighed….”I didn’t want you to worry. I don’t want you changing your life for me...nothing’s working any more Jackie. My back’s going out… and I don’t know when but one day….I won’t be able to walk any more. Your mother’s even considering speeding up her retirement. We’re also planning to sell the house and move out to Aden Burough. Finnick’s willing to give us his cottage out there for nothing….which you know I’ll never agree with.”

      Jackson put his paws on his father’s shoulders and squeezed them….

      Nick sighed...” Jackie? You realize that...when mammal’s loose their ability to walk….”

     Jackson pulled his father into a hug and tried not to cry…

     “Ok….stop it. Stop it Jackie or I’m gonna lose it and then your mother will run out here and lose it and Darla will come behind her and the whole evening will be a disaster...” Nick said as he backed off and gave his son a light chest punch. “Hey? Don’t you go giving up on your old Dad just yet? I’m going to get one of those cool two wheel strap on things. I can work my arms into a pair of guns. Hell I might even put a “bubble gum” light on it and go back to work huh? What do you think Jackie?”

      Jackson wiped his eyes. “I think my Dad’s a psyco.”

      Nick wrapped an arm around Jackson’s shoulders...”Do not, I’ll say it again, do not stop your life because of me. I’ll be fine, trust me, I plan to live enough to see my first grand kids….natural or by whatever means….heck if you ended up addopting a pair of Kzinti babies? That would be a crazy challenge for your “slot car father” huh?”

      Jackson giggled. “Just know that me and Dar love you Dad. Alot.”
    
      “You better.” Nick replied. “What an embarrassment to get your ass kicked in public by a two wheeled old fox. Come on your little snit, we got a party to throw.” 

3:30 pm
Gilly’s apartment
Sahara Square

       Will came through the door and got “bounded” and thrown to the floor by the impact of the happy flying bunny who greeted himwith kisses and tender tongue licks….

      “I’VE MISSED YOU SO MUCH!” Gilly yelped as Will giggled and laughed holding his lover’s wiggling body…

      “OK! OK! LET ME BREATH!” Will replied as he rolled Gilly around on the floor and pinned him on his back. Their maws met in a loving dance of tongues and spittle for a long moment before Will sat up holding his love in his arms…

       “Every day has been torture without you.” Will said softly with a little sobbing.

      “I bet.” Gilly replied. “Let me make you dinner in bed? Please?” Gilly asked as he slowly rubbed Will’s chest.

      Will nodded quietly then set Gilly on his feet. “So? When do I get to meet some of your friends?” He asked...knowing it was perhaps a jabbing jest of a question. Gilly’s face in reply said everything.

      “It’s alright.” Will said waving a paw.

      “NO IT’S NOT!” Gilly snapped back. “I’m so stupid!” The bunny said as he walked around the living room...”Gnah!….I keep telling everyone that you’re a chick!”

      “Don’t give yourself a stroke?” Will said waving his paws.

      “I’m so ashamed to get the nuts up!” Gilly yelped.

       “Well?” Will giggled. “You don’t have a problem in “that” department trust me. Gilly? It’s alright! Take all the time you want. Believe me….”Outing” to my Dad was scary as fluck.”

       “You? You told your Dad?” Gilly asked. “Did you tell him about…..me?”

        “He…..didn’t want the details.” Will replied. “But I’m still here, I didn’t die. You’re not going to die Gilly.”

         The bunny shook his head. “If any rabbit hears about me? About…..you? I might as well be dead….which is why having to bounce around the bush is absolute bull snit! I hate it! I hate having to lie! I’m telling every one you have a flucken pussy!”

        Will smirked...”Ummm….me top, you bottom?”

         “Oh what ever?” Gilly snorted back. “Get naked and get in bed so I can spoil the fluck out of you and forget I suck?!”

         Will smiled and petted Gilly for a moment to calm him down...”What about Jackson? He sounds cool and level headed? At least tell him the truth?”

         Gilly shook his head. “I can’t...I can’t risk losing him as a friend. I know him, he’s like his parents when it comes to faith. I…..can’t.”

        Will gave his love a gentle kiss...”Alright then…..no more about it. I’ll be waiting for you under the covers...”

        Will backed away slowly as he tickled Gilly’s chin and blew him a kiss from the bedroom door.

20 August 2040
3:30 pm
MCRD Savana, Camp Quanaco

       The Hopps Brothers were assigned to the 3rd squad, 2nd platoon, 3rd Company, 1st training Battalon of the three training Battalions of the first training regiment, MCRD Savana. A lot to remember along with the chain of command coming down from the Mayor of Zootopia, through the Commandant of Fleet Marine Forces Zootopia, through the Commander of Fleet Marine Forces afloat, through the Commander of Fleet Marine Ground Forces, Through the Commander of Fleet Marine education and training and so on…..so on…...so on and so on down to the german gray furred snarling lupine beauty...but don’t tell that to her face...Master Gunnery Sargent Emma Rhaksha (Rha-K-Sha) or as she was more affectionatly nick named….”The Demon.”

        The 3rd Company was a mix of mammals, yet the one’s who got the most attention and felt the most deserving of it, were the wolves. Wolves formed the “Shock troops” of the Fleet Marine Force, the front line riflemen and grenediers who were expected to “kick in the door” and rip out throats. They were the elites and they weren’t ashamed to display it. The bunnies and foxes along with other mammals like lions, tigers, pathers and others who vollunteered for “the Force” or “The Corps” served in the support and auxillary units but they were expected to be on par with the wolves as “grunts” if the situation warrented and in that regard, the Bunnies were looked upon by the wolves as less than good toilet paper because of their size and because they were “cute-see prey” more suited to skipping down trails, hiding colored eggs or bouncing around carrot fields than chucking grenades, shooting rifles or lugging “rucks” (rucks = Combat back packs)

         Now dare say that about the “Rock of Aden” regiment? You could say that about bunnies who come from the lower farm lands of the Bouroughs, you could say that because so many of those bunnies never make it through week four of basic but for an Aden-knight to fail? Everyone knew these larger hare rabbits from the great highlands would kill themselves rather than quit. 

        The “Rock of Aden” and most bunnies in the FMF are put into the field artillery Corps (105 howletzers and 75 milimeter “Pack” guns) because the weapons fit their size and strength potential perfectly and because...bunnies tend to be extremely fast and extremely accurate with those cannons. They perfectly free up more wolves….so you have more wolves….to rip out more throats. Yet first...the bunnies had to get through basic training. And the wolves of course ran basic training and it was the desire and object of every wolf….to run out every little “dirt scratcher” because for all the ones that don’t hack basic...you get to those very few….like the “Aden-Knights”….who deep inside their little cotton tailed butts...had a predator inside that cute egg of a body. Yet….don’t call the Hopps brothers…..cute.

        “Three Company” was into phase one of training...education and strengthening….and already the bunny field had been culled by five. The bunnies needed strength training because while evolution had given them strong legs, they lacked the upper strength required to wield the Corps battle rifles and man the artillery guns they would eventually be assigned to. So strength training was designed to be hard and painful from man handling bare wooden logs to marching with faux rifles to climbing obsticles to arobics with medicine balls and weights.

        On this day, on a very hot sunny day over Sahara Square, Three Company was on a strength run through the camp’s dusty training fields with the wolves in the lead behind “the Demon” with lions, tigers and other mixed predators behind them with the bunnies behind them. Emma turned around and ran backwards pumping an arm up and down with a five pound weight in her curled paw….

      “I want to hear you bark! I want to hear you bark loud and shake the camp! You better get your growls up from your balls back there bunnies!” She snarled. “I better hear you little rodents scream!”

       Emma started to pound out the cadence to every left foot that struck the ground…..

       “AH PULL ME UP!” She barked.

       “AH PULL ME UP!” The Company answered.

       “DON’T LET ME DOWN!” She barked.

       “DON’T LET ME DOWN!” The Company answered.

       “AH PUMP IT UP!” She barked.

       “AH PUMP IT UP!” The Company answered.

       “ALL AROUND!” She barked.

       “ALL AROUND!” The Company answered.

       “THREE N ONE!” She barked. 

       “THREE N ONE!” The Company answered.

       “THREE N ONE!” She barked. 

       “THREE N ONE!” The Company answered.

       Then the cadence went on with her singing and the company answering to her every line….

      “AH ONE….TWO…..THREE…….FOUR!”

      “FLEET FORCE!”

      “AH ONE….TWO…..THREE…….FOUR!”

      “FLEET FORCE!”

      “THE ZOOTOPIAN NAVY WAS NOT FOR ME!”

      “FLEET FORCE!”

      “DRONE FORCE WAS JUST TOO EASY FOR ME!”

      “FLEET FORCE!”

      “WHAT I NEEDED WAS A LITTLE BIT MORE!”

      “FLEET FORCE!”

      “I NEED A LIFE THAT IS HARD CORE!”

      “FLEET FORCE!”

      “CAMP SAVANA’S WHERE IT ALL BEGAN!”

      “FLEET FORCE!”

      “A LITTLE BOX WITH A LOT OF SAND!”

      “FLEET FORCE!”

       “I CAN FORGET ABOUT THAT LAZY BEACH!”

      “FLEET FORCE!”

       “THERE’S GREATER HIGHTS  THAT I WANT TO REACH!”

       “FLEET FORCE!”

       “PT DRILL ALL DAY LONG!”

       “FLEET FORCE!”

       “KEEP ME RUNNIN FROM DEATH TILL DAWN!”

         “FLEET FORCE!”

         “AH ONE….TWO…..THREE…….FOUR!”

          “FLEET FORCE!”

          “TELL ME NOW WHAT YOU WAITIN FOR!”

          “FLEET FORCE!”

         “AH ONE….TWO…..THREE…….FOUR!”

          “FLEET FORCE!”

         “OH NO GONNA SING YOU SOME MORE!”

          “FLEET FORCE!”

          “FIRST PHASE WE’LL BREAK YOU DOWN!”
          
          “FLEET FORCE!”

          “SECOND PHASE YOU’LL COME AROUND!”

          “FLEET FORCE!”

          “THIRD PHASE LOOKIN LEAN AND MEAN!”

          “FLEET FORCE!”

          “GRADUATION STANDING TALL IN YOUR GREENS!”

          “FLEET FORCE!”

          “ANY BODY ASKS YOU WHY?”

           “FLEET FORCE!”

           “TOOTH EN CLAW YOU SHALL REPLY!”

           “FLEET FORCE!”

           “DEFEND EVERYTHING THAT WE HOLD DEAR!”

           “FLEET FORCE!”

            “OUR TEETH AND CLAW THE ENEMY FEAR!”

           “FLEET FORCE!”

            “AH ONE….TWO…..THREE…….FOUR!”

          “FLEET FORCE!”

          “TELL ME NOW WHAT YOU WAITIN FOR!”

          “FLEET FORCE!”

         “AH ONE….TWO…..THREE…….FOUR!”

          “FLEET FORCE!”

         “OH NO GONNA SING YOU SOME MORE!”

          “FLEET FORCE!”

      The cadence seemed to roll forever….then again every activity seemed to roll forever until the pain replaced the pain you still had from the morning run. The demon finally stopped the Company in a bivoac area….

      “I better not see anyone bending over?!” She snarled as she walked down the line of mammals and looked...as she expected, there was that one Hopps brother named Owen pushing the bunnies to stay perked up. She was going to have a little talk with that one soon enough but for now...a wolf became her first victim as he bent over to cough….

       “WHAT ARE YOU DOING PRIVATE!” She snapped! “STAND STRAIT UP! I DIDN’T TELL YOU, YOU COULD RELAX! YOU PATHETIC DISGRACE TO YOUR LUPINE FATHERS! LOOK AT THEM BUNNIES! THEY MAKE YOU LOOK LIKE A PICANEESE PANTY FAGGOT! GET OUT AND GIVE ME TWENTY DAMN YOU!” Emma commanded as she pointed the wolf to get on the ground and pump twenty push ups. Then she called the Company to fall out and take a good twenty minutes of rest…

      The bunnies flopped over like bowling pins, coughing and stretching their sore legs. “Ohhhhh…..is this murder times a hundred.” Shane said as he lay on his back. “Dori? Would you do me the honors and twist me legs like taffy?” Shane asked Dori as he sat sipping out of his cantine.

     “Sure.” Dori replied. He got up and worked each of Shane’s long, powerful legs, the one thing Aden bunnies were known for was their extra long legs earned from generations of climbing the highlands as shepherds. Shane always asked Dori since they met to work his legs because he had...”That touch”….a combination of good paws and gentleness. Owen flopped next to Shane...”Me next brother...ah! Ouch! I swear she’s trying to kill us?”

      “Nah.” Dori replied. “She’s just tenderizing us….”

      “HOPPS! WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY!” Emma’s voice boomed out, causing Dori to shake his head. “Oh what now?”

      “PRIVATE DORI HOPPS! FRONT AND CENTER!” Emma screamed. Apparently...Nori had flipped his mouth off again.

      “Damn it!” Owen snapped. “I’m gonna kick the snit the sense into him...”

      “Owen!” Dori yelped as he stopped his brother. “ It’s alright...I’ll handle Nori.”

        “No...you won’t.” Owen snorted. “You’ll take his punishment again like you always do Dori. It’s bull snit!”

        “Owen? Sit? Please?” Dori begged before he reported to Emma and got “cycled” for Nori’s mouth.

        Powen flopped next to Owen...”We need to blanket party Nori. This is getting out of hand.”

       “I wish we could.” Owen replied. “You know what Dori will do then and then we’ll all be screwed.” Owen said shaking his head. “Let Dori handle it.”

       Ori came up and flopped down….”I say we spank the snit out of him.”

       Owen smirked….”You sick little pervert.”

       “Oh trust me brother.” Ori snorted. “I won’t take joy in doing it. We can’t let Nori “loose cannon” himself out and I’m sick of him snitting all over Dori.”

       Owen sighed….”Well we have a free day coming up soon. I think that’s going to be the time we have a little family “correction session” but we do it in a legal way with family love. No one does anything behind my back….understand?”

       The brother’s nodded together.

       Dori meanwhile had finished his push ups and sat next to Nori who brooded to himself not wanting to look at his brother until a paw tapped him on the shoulder...”You ok?” Dori asked.

      “No...” Nori replied. “I’m not.”

      “Having a bad time with those cravings huh?” Dori asked.

      “Huh?” Nori gasped...”What’s up with you Dori?” Nori wondered. “How about you get a little pissed at me? Call me a “stupid tail hole”? I mean do something instead of being so cheerful! You keep getting “cycled” for my stupidity. for Fritz’s sake show some attitude about it?!”

      “And that’s going to improve things how?” Dori asked. “The other three want to use you for “Home Run Boot Derby” and that’s not going to make things better.”

      Dori wrapped an arm around Nori’s shoulders...”You’ll be ok Nori. And don’t worry about me? Not like I can’t use the extra “PT” to build up some awesome guns huh? Dori showed off his arm. “Kiss”….look at that bulge baby!”

      Nori giggled….”Oh my gawd...you’re as sick as Ori!”

      “I try to run a close second.” Dori said smiling.

      “Three One! On your FEET NOW!” Emma yelled. “Get in ranks! It’s back to the Company bivoac and evening chow….MOVE! MOVE! MOVE!”

       Nori got to his feet and held a paw to Dori...”Come on….let’s see how many more times I can get you cycled today.”

20 August 2040
4:45 pm
ZPD Water Patrol Squadron aka “The Sea Knights”
Knight Precinct Two, Rocky Humps harbor, Sahara Square.

      Officer Brent Mercadi (Polar Bear) pulled through the gate into the small fenced in compound and came out of his car to pull his equipment bag from the trunk as another member of his crew, A Grey Fox named “Strusel” climbed off his bicycle near by….

       “Hey Brent?” Strusel called with a paw wave. “Did that work?”

       “What?” Brent replied. “Oh….nope. Little guy did the “yuck” face and turned it down. Tried our best to disguise it and he still pushed it away. His sister? Oh she devoured it.”

        Strusel scratched his head as he and Mercadi walked towards the precinct building. “You’ve tried different fish?”

        “We’ve tried Cod, Pollock, Haddock, salmon, Bass….nothing with any of them, he turns his nose on all of them.” Mercadi said exasperated. “We’ve tried two different nutrition specialists so far? No change. I’m at the end of my brains here...seriously.”

         “Perhaps it could be the oils in the fish? Maybe he’s lubri-intolerant?” Strusel said.

         “Oh great.” Brent snorted. “Just another fancy word the drug companies can use to make more money. “Does your child roar at night? Does he growl in school? Does he intimidate during “PE”...just try “Calm-em-down” it’s better than pot.”

       Strusel laughed….”Brent? I’m being completely serious. Your son might have an aversion to the fish oil, perhaps semi-cooking the fish isn’t good?”

       “I dunno Stru.” Brent said as they entered the “Bull Pen” completely cooking the fish? Polar Bears don’t eat completely cooked fish.”

       “Well sometimes tradition has to be ditched for the sake of future generations.” Srusel said as he slipped into his chair next to “Phisher” the patrol boats “gun wolf” who looked miserable…

       “You still sick with that cold?” Strusel asked the black timber wolf as he wiped his nose…

        “No. The doctor said I’m alright. I’m on the tail end of this but I’m still hacking phlegm. Good thing for you guys this can’t cross species or you’d hate your life.” Phisher said as he lowered his head on the table and whined.

       “Fish? Go home?” Strusel said as he gave the poor wolf a gentle pet. “I can handle the bow gun just fine.” The fox flicked out his claws and dug them slowly into the wolf’s thick fur.

       Phisher looked at Strusel and smiled...”I’ll be ok Stru...mmmmm...just keep scratching my head like that? Mmmmm….you foxes have such nice claws….  mmmmm.”

      “Are you coming onto me?” Strusel asked.

      “No.” Phiser said. “Or I’d be humping your leg silly right now.”

      “Paw sex!” Sam Phillips, one of the two police otters yelped as he walked into the bull pen with Odus his partner behind him…

      “Get a room you disgusting pervs! Cheese..”Phi’s” thumping his foot. Stop teasing him Stru!” Odus chirped as he climbed onto a chair.

       “Hey! Show some compassion here? Poor Fish is sick.” Stru said as he rubbed Phisher’s chin...”There you go buddy….”

      “I wish I was a dog now.” Phisher said. “This petting gig is actually nice.” The Wolf raised his head with his tongue lolling out and began to “woo” softly until he let out a good comforted howl that split every ear in the room….

     “Damn dude!” Officer Bill Shockley (Rhino) yelled. “Tone that down!”

     “Sorry guys...” Phisher said with a shrug as the Precinct Chief, Harry Becket (A mule deer) walked into the Bull Pen with his clipboard…

      “Evening everyone.” Beckert said with a hoof hand wave. “Right off the bat? Let’s all clap for our day crew of Boat number 14. Today….number 14 bagged a 60 footer carrying…..ready…..a quarter ton of “Purk nip”.”

      The officers clapped at the size of the drug bust.

       Beckert continued...”First note of interest tonight is the tasking of Zootopia’s Fleet Marine Force Recon Regiment to test the security conditions of ports and installations so be aware of that. They may also try to play “fluck fluck” games with us, in that case they will announce ahead of time that they plan to play their “fluck fluck” games and you shall respond to those accordingly. And please? Don’t use live amo and tranks on our Marines?”

       Brent Mercadi raised a paw….”Can we maul them?” He asked.

       “You may maul them…..a little. But don’t eat them.” Beckert replied. “As always...stay safe...stay vigilant and stay professional. Other assignments are on the table as always. Have good patrols and good hunting out there tonight.”

20 August 2040
5pm
Executive Office Building, Downtown Zootopia
Mayor’s Security Briefing Session

Cesar Leo: Mayor of Zootopia
Rheana, Richardo Sancho and Morty from Intelligence
Secretary of Defense Baghera.

     Cesar Leo finished reading the combined brief from both departments of Defense and Intelligence and sat back in his chair…

     “So what we’re doing with this public courts martial seems to have the positive reactions we had hoped for. And there’s been no major “demonstrations” by the Kzinti Navy for the past few months? Not even what you described as “teases” by our fish farms?”

       Baghera nodded in reply. “No...the Kzinti have been keeping their distance from our ships with the exception of that one time one of their destroyers “sort of” formed up to sail next to the destroyer Zootopia off Sahara for about twenty miles. Of course we didn’t get to see any of the Sailors on the other ship and those the crew of the Zootopia did see were wearing those hoods. The Captain told Admiral DonCarnage it was the weirdest encounter he ever had.”

       Cesar pursed his lips. “Bizarre indeed. And nothing happened?”

        “Trust me...” Baghera replied. “The Zootopia was ready and you can bet more than a few patches of fur were….”wet with anticipation”. The Kzin ship was old for sure, at least that’s what the after-action reports stated. She wasn’t a “front line” vessel.

       Cesar turned to Rheana...”On your end? What are you gleaning from all this intelligence you have access too now thank to this brilliant young wolf here?” The remark perked Morty who sat wagging his tail wildly for the boost in his young ego…

     “Mister Mayor?” Richardo said with a paw wave...”I think my grandson deserves something nice for his continued efforts. I took him to the amusement park for a week but he has a request….not a big one...not going to bust the national bank….see….Morty’s close to getting his driver’s permit….

     “I want a hot sexy car to pick up females!” Morty blurted out!

      Rheana hid her face and Ricardo gave Morty a little head slap. “Do you mind? We are in the presence of the Mayor here Morty?”

      “And that has any bearing on my desire for a super hot sports care with a wide back seat how?!” Morty replied with a shrug.

      Cesar smiled...”I think we could arrange your request without busting the bank.” He said as he rubbed Morty’s hair…

“ Shichō arigatōgozaimasu. Anata no kokku ga anata ni meiyo aru kodomo-tachi no kyodaina gomi o ataeru tame ni shukufuku sa reru yō ni!” Morty said to the Mayor.

   “What did he just say?” Cesar asked Richardo.

      “He is very grateful for your magnanimous gift great mayor and he hopes you will be blessed with many more children.”

What did Morty actually say? “Thank you great mayor. May your cock be blessed to give you a huge litter of honorable children!” Richardo could have bit the kid for that.

      Cesar asked Ricardo and Morty...”So in this report you explain that we really can’t decipher nor trust anything the Kzinti actually say? That their language and translation alone is sort of “coated”?”

     “Well it’s like an onion Mister Mayor.” Ricardo replied. “An onion is made up of layers and you never know exactly what each layer will taste like. It’s all a confused word play like a scrabble game being played by a bunch of drunk hippos. You ever seen Hippos try playing Scrabble while screwed up on Mai Tai’s...wow! That?….is an atrocity.”

      “Not as bad as your beer farts Gramps.” Morty snickered.

      “Sigh…..” Richardo breathed as he looked up. “Please? Don’t not make me kill you Morty? Mister mayor….there’s many things involved in the Kzinti language arts like honor, perception, decorum, tradition, who the receivers and the givers are at any time. Take for example the “High Kzin, his Imperial Majesty that every Kzinti fawns over, makes offerings too, names their first born cub after…

     Morty suddenly boomed out….Kare no kōtei no shuken to kare no kyodaina chinpo o tataeyou! BANZI! BANZAI! BANZAI!”

     Cesar asked again. “What did Morty say this time?”

     “Praise be to his imperial sovereign, may he rule ten thousand moons. Cheer, Cheer, Cheer.” Richardo replied.

      What Morty really said was….”Praise to his imperial sovereign and his enormous cock!

      Richardo warned Morty…”That better be what you actually said. So Mister Mayor? Take for example what we know of, Morty? Shut up?, What we know about his majesty Mister Mayor? We know he is an insular figure head in that he is “shielded” from all politics because politics are considered filthy and nothing filthy must touch the eyes, ears, nose and fur of his majesty. His majesty can write opinions on matters? But even those opinions have to be quote/unquote “scrubbed” by a whole gaggle of “chamberlains” so that even his words won’t offend or be offended. In short Mister Mayor...it is very hard to know exactly what the Kzinti think or say….except their propaganda. Their propaganda has zero ambiguity. Death to Zootopia, Death to Zootopia and Death to Zootopia.”

     Morty blurted out...”Karera ga shukketsu suru made karera no josei no tora o gōkan suru! Nokori no bubun o paiku ni tsukisashi, karera ga kunekune shite himei o agete shinu toki ni waraimashou!”

     Cesar asked. “What did he say now?

    “Rape their female tigers till they bleed out from their torn vaginas. Impale the rest and laugh while they die on pikes. Death to the perversions and filth!” Ricardo replied. “Yes mister mayor, that is exactly what their propaganda says. There is nothing ambiguous about that.”

    Cesar buried his face in his paw...”I am so glad my family didn’t get to hear that one. So? Bottom line is? We must expect a clash. It’s unavoidable.”

    Richardo nodded in reply. “There’s always some last minute hope Mister Mayor. Morty refuses to give up, I refuse to give up and Rheana here? You will not find any mammal who’s been breaking her tail more than this badger Sir. She deserves more than a simple thank you.”

     Cesar nodded. “Done. Rheana? I’ll have a raise approved for you by next week. You have my word. Please all of you...keep working and do your best. I must be alone with the Secretary of Defense so please if you will?” Cesar gestured to the door.

     When they were away from the ear shot, Rheana looked up at Richardo and almost cried. “You did that for me? Thank you Richardo….thank you.”

    “Of course….after all, you did a big thing for my grand son so the favor is well worth the return. Though? I don’t think he deserves a sports car! You little snit! I wouldn’t have given you a car?”

     “No Grand dad. In fact? You would have dumped a snit box on me. I know you way too well you cheeps-cape. But still? Regardless, I won’t get too big headed about it. We have a lot of work to do. We still have to try and crack that military code we discovered.”

      Rheana’s mouth dropped...”A code? You two found a military code?”

      “I wouldn’t exactly call it a code just yet?” Richardo warned. “It could just as easily be a cleaver ruse. It will take time to decipher it and hopefully the Kzinti don’t change it in mid-stream. Come on Morty...I need to get to a Buckies for a beer and a sandwich before we get cracking again.” 

20 August 2040
7pm
Jackson’s and Darla’s apartment

      Nick and Judy were happy at the number of mammals coming through the door. Their son was doing well for himself judging by the happy hugs and head pats he was getting...especially from the foxes. Apparently aboard the Growler, Jackson had become sort of a savior among the fox Sailors as they walked up to show off their beautifully preened tails…

     “He charges to little for this.” One fox said as he showed off his tail to Nick who sat on the couch. “He learned all this from you?” The fox sailor asked Nick.

      “No.” Nick said waving a paw. “Actually he did all his own research and bought his own kit. He just used me as a lab rat.” Nick looked around at some of the rodents partying on the nearby tables...”I meant computer generated test rat of course.”

      “Well talk to him Mister Wilde? He really doesn’t charge enough for himself.” The fox sailor said. “I don’t think there’s regulations against having your own business aboard ship? He says he won’t charge more for the happiness we get and he shouldn’t cheep himself. He’s really good at this!”

      Nick smiled at the tan and brown country fox. “What’s her name?” He said pointing to the fox Sailor’s tail.

      “Nina.” The fox Sailor replied as he snuggled his soft, bushy tail. “And yours?” He asked Nick.

      “Chantelle.” Nick replied as he petted his. “I’ll let him know what you guys think. I’m glad he makes you all happy. It’s sort of his big purpose in life.”

       Meanwhile...Jackson was introducing his mother through the growing crowd when a pair of foxes came through the apartment door…

      “Where’s Jackson?!” Kerdle yelped as he and his girlfriend Rachel walked in. “I brought a big bottle of “Ambrosia” to celebrate!”

      Jackson came up and hugged Kerdle...”What’s to celebrate?” He asked.

      Kerdle wrapped his arms around Rachel and spun her off her feet...”A year from now? I will be married to this hot dish of a vixen.”

      “What?!” Jackson gasped. “You’re serious?!”

      Rachel showed off her engagement ring...”You better practice there best mammal.” The female fox snickered as she beeped Jackson on the nose.

      Judy came up and reached out a paw...”Congratulations you two!”

      “We got orders to the same command in Tundra Town. That’s where they’re going to base the newest flying drones; the X-47B attack drones.” Rachel said. The crowded apartment almost went silent hearing her…

       “Attack drones?” A tiger Sailor asked.

       “Well I can’t go into details but these drones will carry weapons. Bombs and Missiles. Right now they’re only for long range recon and photo work but the mission could change.”

       Albert waved from the kitchen table….”Speaking of missions? I got a text on my phone that says our next at sea period has us going to the Outbacks and Gala-pagos atoll with two more destroyers and the big assault ship Sayoni carrying the 1st Marine Division. A “show the flag” excursion where we chose an island and make holes in it. Seems the Outbacks and Gala-Pagos are having problems with the Kzinti as we are so we’re going there to show them a big middle paw finger.”

       Judy heard that and she cringed….

       “Mom! don’t worry about us?” Jackson said as he rubbed Judy’s shoulders. “We’ll be fine! Just to make you and Dad jealous and take your minds off any worries? Me and Darla will send you pictures of us walking nude on an Outback nude beach.”

       “You will not!” Judy yelped back. “Your father’s right. I can’t see you past being my little baby.”

       Jackson scooped his mother up in his arms...”Who says I stopped being your baby? Come on? I’ll make you and dad some killer drinks.”

       Kerdle followed Jackson...”Hey! Let Rachel make them? She’s good at bar tending. I let her work a few hours bar tending a local bar outside the base in Savanna so we have pocket money.”

       Darla snorted. “That’s not one of those so called “Coffee houses” is it?”

       “No!” Rachel replied. “Though there’s like three places like that. You know? When you have to have female mammals swinging their boobs and panties all over the place so you can sell coffee and specialty drinks? Then you shouldn’t be selling coffee at all.”

       “Mmmm….but hawt males who do it are fine huh?” Kerdle snickered at his girl friend.

       “SHUT UP!” Rachel snapped with a swinging paw over her fiance as he ducked under her fist.

      “She’s so sexy when she’s angry.” Kerdle said smiling. “We were going for coffee before work...”

       Rachel put a paw finger to Kerdle’s nose. “Don’t you dare!”

       Jackson snickered...”Mmmm...beef cake coffee huh?”

       Kerdle giggled...”Molten hawt tiger beef cake coffee….yum.”

       “I swear I will kill both of you!” Rachel snorted as Darla bumped her with an elbow…

      “So how stacked was the Barista Bengal again?” Darla asked.

       “Oh my gawd….he was as hawt as Adonis...He had these beautiful pecks. I told Kerdy he just has to hire him for my bridal shower.” Rachel said…then she back slapped Darla...”OH YOU TEASING SHELL SHUCKER! GET OUT OF HERE?!”

       “Can’t girl.” Darla replied. “My apartment.”

        “HEY!” A voice called from the apartment doorway. “AYDEN’s HERE AND I BROUGHT THE FOX DRAFT BEER!”

         Jackson walked over to meet Ayden. “Welcome “P oh two.” “ Jackson said with a paw wave as he noted the smaller much skinnier gull next to Ayden’s big frame.

       “Oh Jackie? This knock out guy is my brother Bailey from “ZOO YOU” (University of Zootopia) Bail? This is Jackie.”

      “This is the fox groomer?” Bailey said. “You should come to the University and make a mass slaying Jackson, trust me there’s two frat houses full of foxes and vixens in dire need of good preening services.”

      “I might check it out when I got the time.” Jackson replied. “I kind of want to get my Navy service going solid. So this is the famous Bailey you fawn over Ayden? What’s your major in college?”

       “Engineering.” Bailey said. “Though I haven’t chosen a specific field just yet, I’m only two years into my Masters but...I might take up afloat engineering because the market might be growing in the sub-surface drone fleets. There’s contracts being negotiated for a new fleet of attack drones.”

        Jackson looked around for his parents and saw them together on the couch. “Why does it seem that we’re building up for war and we’re not even close to that yet?”

       “Maybe we don’t want to get bushwhacked?” Bailey replied. “I heard that the taboo subject of using satellites for intelligence gathering over Kzin might go to the counsel floor again. That’s all hearsay. Has anyone been keeping up with the courts martial of that ship Captain?”

       One of the foxes in the apartment, an electrical specialist red English fox named Boothbay replied...”Only some of it. The outcomes already been decided so why bother with the drah-mah? If he didn’t lie about an attack that didn’t happen, he might have gotten off with a reprimand for failing to stop and report.”

       “Oh bull.” A tiger said as he came over. “The jerk called one of the watches a stupid Tiger, he orders the follow on destroyer to mow those poor Kzinti down, he fakes an attack...lock the bastard up for twenty.”

        “Easy for you to say when so far no tigers have been victims of tail dismemberment, beheading and gang rape.” Boothbay snarled.

        Jackson quickly got between the two arguing mammals….”Guys? Not in my apartment ok? In fact? Not anywhere. I’m already seeing you guys balling up fists. Don’t make me get Ayden over here?”

        Boothbay frowned. “No one cares about us foxes, we’re a dime a dozen.”

        Jackson grabbed Boothbay and pointed to the couch...”Next time you say that? Make sure my parents aren’t here Boothy?”

        Boothbay slackened...”I’m sorry Jackie...it just upsets me that there’s sympathy for those barbarians. I mean...”

        Jackie wrapped an arm around Boothbay...”What you need is a nice soft drink. Better yet? You just need to get pampered.” Jackson slipped a few bills into Boothbay’s shirt pocket. “Go to the Mystic and get your tail twisted.”

        “Jackie? Cut that out?” Boothbay sighed as he tried to give back the money.

       “No.” Jackson replied. “Keep it ok? You never know when I might ask for a favor in the future.” Jackson patted Boothbay on the head and went over to check on his parents who were comfortably snuggled against the couch…

       “Get a room you teenagers!” Jackson snorted.

       “Don’t command your parents to do anything!” Nick replied. “Sheesh...give him an inch and he wants the whole world.”

       “Yeah...” Judy replied. “Behave you!”

       Ayden and Bailey came up from behind Jackson. “So are these your parents Jackie?” Ayden asked.

       “Oh...yeah….This is my Dad Nick and my Mom Judy. Dad, Mom….this is Petty Officer Ayden Gull who’s my mentor on the Growler and his younger brother Bailey.”

        Nick shook Ayden’s feather hand and pursed his lips...”Wow. Don’t let me meet you in a dark alley.”

        “Nah….” Ayden said waving a feather hand. “All I’ll do is kill you with endless poses. So you’re Jackie’s parents? You raised one good son, let me tell you. He’s a good worker this one.”

       Jackie jumped on the couch...”Escaping the flood. He’s lying his ass off.”

       “Such modesty.” Ayden said. “Your sons on track for fast advancement. He must get all his motivation from you Mrs. Wilde. So you’re the Chief of Police? You must be close to retirement?”

       “I’m looking to expedite it.” Judy said. “This sweet lush of fluff needs me bad.” Judy said as she kissed and snuggled over Nick.

       “Any excuse to slack off.” Nick snickered back. “She expects me to do all the house work. Which is why we had a kid to start with. But “Chance” here had his own ideas.”

        Jackson sighed….”I think it’s time you told me what that nick name means? Dad’s called me “Chance given” since I was a toddler and he won’t tell me why.”

        “Parents just love their little secrets because they know it torments their kids to death. Trust me, my father has a ton of them he won’t share.” Bailey said. “Just have to roll with it Jackie. Anyway? Me and Ayden just wanted to do a face show. Don’t mean to be jerks and run but I never get enough time with my brother when he’s in town.”

       “That’s the truth.” Ayden replied. “I’ll see you back on the ship Jackie.”

       Jackson waved back. “You guys go have fun. Don’t get thrown in a lock up ok?”

20 August 2040
Gray Home
Rain Forest District
7:30pm

      Gordon poked his head in slowly to see Alex laying on his bed reading one of the Marine training books Chancy had sent him….

      “Is it ok to land in the LZ?” Gordon asked.

      Alex closed the MCT and sat up...”All clear Sailor. My pissy tank is empty.” He said.

     Gordon took a seat at Alex’s school desk and smiled...”Don’t worry. You’re not in any trouble.”

     “Dad?” Alex sighed. “I feel like I’m going through “Wolf-n-Pause”. One minute I get upset at Will? The next I’m whimpering over him and then the next I’m pissed off at him and then I’m crying….”

      “You’re no different than he was at your age.” Gordon replied. “Don’t you remember how he reacted when he got his drivers license and I told him to buy his own car?”

       Alex blew from his mouth. “Oh don’t remind me...he said so many things about you and mom? Did he tell you I bit the snit out of his lower lip?”

       “Never heard that one.” Gordon said as he rested his head on his paw.

        “He was absolutely pissy the day you two went on those job assignments for a week? He was in the living room and I was in the kitchen making a plate of sandwiches and he’s just going off about the car and how you told mom to tell him the same thing and he said one word about mom and I fricken lost it! Came out all tooth and claw on his butt...ripped hair from his tail and locked onto his lip.”

        Gordon shook his head….”That’s why a lot of the glassware looked different.”

         “We didn’t talk to each other that whole week.” Alex said...”Then I just balled, I mean I really balled hard and things went back to normal. We both went out to buy new glass stuff, Will took me out to get this mondo hot fudge Sunday big as a battleship….yeah….my whole world revolved around Will and here I am speaking absolute hate about him.” Alex looked ashamed. “I really suck Dad.”

         “No….and if I hear you calling yourself “suck” again? You and I will throw down. Of course me being an old geriatric flucker with thinning fur and you such a stud Marine and all...Don’t know how that will play out.”

          Gordon got onto the bed and hugged Alex tight….”You’re going through that phase between being with family and being on your own and believe me, that’s a rough patch. Part of you wants to stay comfortable other part wants to get out into the world so get ready because you’re going to have these swings more often. ”

        Alex cocked his head. “Are you being honest with me Dad? Is that what I’m really going through?”

       Gordon snorted. “Do you dare doubt your father?”

       Alex sighed back. “I just want to be sure. I mean am I really going through that?”

      Gordon thought for a moment and then said...”Yes….that is all . Stop questioning me? You need to spend more time with Chancy so you’ll get over this faster so your mother and I can have a little peace for once in our lives. I just need to know one thing? Do you hate Will because he’s a homosexual?”

       “Huh?” Alex replied. “No! No….that’s stupid. I was talking out my stupid tail hole! That’s…..that’s “his” thing...no worries Dad. It doesn’t change a thing between me and him one bit.”

        Gordon sighed a little….”His boy friend? Is a bunny.”

        Alex’s face drooped….”He’s a what?”

20 August 2040
Gilly’s Apartment
Sahara Square
8:14pm

      The tooth pressure was just enough to heighten the excitement coursing through Gilly’s body...that and the feeling of warmth that filled him. He was gingerly pulled up to his knees and lightly shaken as the faux act of predatory violence and mild rape was finished and then he was dropped onto his side on the bed gasping and catching his shortness of breath from the excitement and surge of Adrenalin…

       “You alright?” Will asked softly as he kiss licked his love.

       “I’m dizzy.” Gilly replied as he turned his head and slipped his tongue deep into Will’s mouth...”But I’m soooooo happy right now.”

         Will petted Gill on the chest….”I’m sorry it’s not a patch of woods. An apartment is not a great place for “Predator and Pray play”...you wanna take a shower?”

        Gilly slowly slipped off the bed and held his paws out. “I wonder If I’ll be able to walk after that.”

         Will scooped the bunny up in his arms...”Then I’ll carry you.” Will said as he stopped to sniff Gilly over and over and caused the bunny to giggle playfully as the wolf took him into the bathroom shower…

       “Sniff…..sniff….” Mmmmm….I love it when you smell of baby powder.” Will said as he turned on the water and passed his small love through the head stream like a cradled child...”You are so wonderful!” Will yelped as he held Gilly up and before him….”Every part of you is so perfect for me….” Will said gleefully as he pulled his lover in for a long snuggle and kissing session…

       “And I love you and I am proud of you.” Gilly replied as he stoked his lover’s hair tuft….”What you’re doing is a good thing Will, never think less of it?”

        Will slowly sat in the tub, allowing the shower water to cascade over him and Gilly as they lathered themselves thick with shampoo...”I do it because I hate the idea of war, I hate violence….sheesh….look at me talk, I just played “rape my pray”….

       Gilly stopped lathering himself to pull on Will’s jowls...”You’re such a flucken hypocrite.” He joked. “I wouldn’t ask you to change yourself for anything.” Gilly then popped out his rabbit claws and dug them into Will’s body. “Does my wolf love this?” He asked quietly and lovingly...”Hmmm? Does my big, strong, handsome and gallant wolf love his pray?”

      Will closed his eyes and started to pant….his tongue lolling from his tongue as he slid over the bottom of the tub and spread his legs out…

      “Mmmmmm…..Alex…..lick my tail hole….” Will sighed out...then he sat himself back up and pounded the side of the tub with a fist in anger as he clenched his teeth….

      “GAWD DAMN IT!” The wolf snapped.

       Gilly quietly shooshed him….”It’s alright….it’s alright….it’ll happen, I understand...”

       “No! Its not alright!” Will snapped as he got out of the tub. “I can’t get him out of my head!” The upset wolf cried as he snatched a towel and almost ran from the bathroom, leaving Gilly to sit by himself.

20 August 2040
MCRD Camp Savanna
Bivoac of the “third and one” Training Company
8:30pm

       Dori stood at attention at the side of the doorway leading to the Drill Instructor’s office and pounded it hard three times….

        “Who’s banging on my bamboo?!” Came the reply from Emma Raksha.

         “Mam! Private Hopps reporting as ordered Mam!” Dori cracked back loud.

         “Get on the spot Private!” Emma screamed back and watched as Dori executed the moves and stood before her desk at attention.

          “Do you know why you’re hear Hopps?” Emma asked. “Any inkling in that little dirt scratcher brain of yours?”

         Dori replied...”Mam. Because of my brother. Mam!”

         Emma pointed to a chair. “Sit Private.” She snapped.

         Dori sat down ram rod strait with his eyes fixed on her face as Emma leaned forwards over her desk...”Private? Why don’t you get upset? Don’t you hate it when he messes up and you pay for it? Why won’t you correct him?”

          Dori stayed quiet.

          “At ease cotton tail before you fall over.” Emma snorted. “Now answer me Hopps…

          Dori waved a paw...”Discipline? Won’t do him no good Mam. By discipline you want me to cycle him...or worse if that was permitted.”

          Emma nodded. “Hopps? You are too kind hearted. I take it your brothers kept you sheltered a lot and you never had to get in any fights growing up or you got really angry and smacked them around.”

         “Correction Mam.” Dori replied. “I have a very high tolerence, I’m not easy to anger but ask my brothers...I sure have punched them out when they got stupid, when there was a just cause for it. Cept with Nori? That’s not his problem. If I may ask the drill instructor’s opinion Mam? Is my brother a wash out?”

          Emma shook her head. “Hardly. The only problem with him is his attitude and mouth. You should not have to be punished for his problems but that’s why we play this little game. It seems however that more harsher things are required.”

            “No Mam.” Dori replied. “What’s needed is Vanilla Wafers…..Mam.”

            Emma cocked her head. “Come again?” She asked.

            “Vanilla Wafers Mam.” Dori replied. “You see? Nori grew up with them and ever since he was a kitten? They became a sort of comfort thing, like a teddy bear or a favorite blanket. He’s not getting them so he has this terrible detox thing going on, he gets all pissy and cranky. If he could just get a little bit every now and then? He’ll be perfect Mam...trust me, he’ll stop.”

             Emma smirked. “That? Is the most….” She stopped to think. “Alright…. Alright….I will….get you a bag of wafers there….”doc” if that will snap your brother out of this “tick” of his.”

            “Oh...it will Mam, trust me.” Dori replied. “But begging the Drill Sargent’s thought if I may speak freely? I’ll miss the extra PT...I’m really getting a set of sweet guns!” Dori kissed his arms and showed off his nicely firmed biceps.

            Emma smiled. “Get your crazy cotton behind out of my office you sick little carrot digger?”

            Dori popped tall...”Mam! Yes Mam! The Private thanks the Drill Instructor for her understanding...Mam!”

            “Dismissed.” Emma replied.

20 August 2040
Home of the First Family
Downtown Zootopia
11pm

      You could retire the polar bear from the force but you could never retire the force from the polar bear...which was why former ZPD officer Allen Snarlov took the job he had now with a private security firm. “BlackOtters” was contracted to provide security for all the high government officials like the mayor and his family and all of the employees were former cops and Marine “heavy mammals”. Just had to have the intimidation factor and presence thing when you talk deterrence.

          Tonight...Snarlov had the front gate watch and even for an old polar bear, he was still a muscular nine foot brute of imposing white fur and teeth. It wasn’t a glamorous way to enjoy retirement but it paid well and Snarlov missed his former life…

       He heard the sound of someone talking near him and turned his head to see an otter coming up to the gate with a smart phone in his hand...”Excuse me Sir?” The small mammal said as he stopped and pointed to his phone. “I’m trying to find a way to the inter-urban highway but I’m not getting a good signal for my “Drooler Maps” app. Could you help me?”

      Snarlov was about to say something when three trank darts nailed him in the neck and he dropped like a rock to the ground. It took a squad of wolves to drag him off while another polar bear….or you might think it was one….took Snarlov’s place…

     “We have the gate.” A Tanuki inside the polar bear costume said into his shoulder radio.

      “That’s the last guard down.” Came a reply.

      A pair of Tanuki bounded the perimeter wall of the compound after using a device and a laptop to “murder” the security system. They were followed by another four carrying a ladder who swiftly made their way up to the side of the main house where they rested the top of the ladder against the sill of a second story window…

    Inside the child’s room...the white lion cub had been stirred awake but didn’t get off a peep before a trank dart put him back down. Quickly...two Tanuki’s stuffed him into a canvas bag and passed him off to another four who quickly carried him out the front gate and into a car...
      
20 August 2040
Home of the First Family
Downtown Zootopia
1am

     The cell phone on the bed table chimed annoyingly which caused Cesar Leo to snarl and growl and he snatched at it….

     “Mayor Cesar Leo of Zootopia. Who am I speaking with?” Cesar said groggily.

     “Good morning Sir. This is Sargent Osa of Force Recon. I think you should check your son’s bed room.”

      Cesar replied. “Who is this? Is this a damn joke?” The Mayor replied. “I’ll have you know that this is a monitored phone.”

      “It was monitored Sir.” Osa replied. “Till we killed your security system. You might also find that your security guards around the compound are taking naps when they should be watching your house. Now if you would Sir? Please check on your son?”

       Cesar’s wife heard the conversation and scrambled in a half daze to Kimba’s room where she screamed and woke her daughter up in the next room…

       “WHERE’S MY BABY! GAWD!” Cesar’s wife screamed out!

       “You bastard!” Cesar snarled into the phone. “Where’s my son! You...” Cesar ran to a box on the dresser and hit the button on it…

        “By now Sir? You’re in a panic and you’ve hit the panic button right?” Osa asked. “We….kinda killed that too.”

        Cesar roared….”When I find you! I will rip your flucken throat out!”

         Osa replied….”Tun Tavern Thunder”

         Cesar suddenly drooped….”Oh Gawd damn it.”

          His wife rushed into the bedroom. “Cesar! Our baby….they have our baby...”

         “He’s alright.” Ceasar replied as he hugged the shivering lioness. “You silly bastards. Where’s my son?”

         “Right now Sir? He is enjoying the largest hot fudge Sundae we ever made and trust me? That bleached white fur is getting nicely matted in chocolate, isn’t it Kimba?”

        “That’s what you get for not keeping promises Dad!” Kimba snapped through the phone.

       “Young lion!” Cesar replied. “You keep your place!”

       “I am!” Kimba snapped back. “Eating stuff my “father” won’t give me! Thanks guys!” Kimba said to the Marines around him.

        “OOOH RAH! RECON!, RECON!, RECON!….WOOF!” The team shouted.

       Cesar growled….”I did not give permission for my house to be ruthlessly violated in this manor Sargent!”

       “Sir?” Osa replied. “You gave no expressed stipulations barring us from testing your security. I have a copy of the orders signed with your paw Sir.”

        “They made you a pussy Dad!” Kimba snapped. “Hah! What security system! All I know is? I’m eating a big fat Sundae, getting all gooey and messy and loving every minute of it because my Dad doesn’t keep his promises! AHROOOOOO!”

        “AAAARRRROOOOOOGAH!” The recon Marines replied.

       “Sigh….” Cesar relented. “Yes Sargent….you were doing what I ordered you too do….well done. Now? Can I have my son back?”

       Osa replied...”Of course Sir. And may I suggest you find another security company that will actually “secure” your home?” Osa turned to look at Kimba. “Oh yeah...give the kid a can of whip cream?”

        “Sargent!” Cesar snapped.

         “Hope your tongue is well rested Dad!” Kimba snapped at the phone. “I’m getting whip cream in every nook and cranny.”

         “Sargent? Please bring my son home right now so my wife can clean him up? Please?” Cesar said….before his wife started to clobber him silly with a hard sofa pillow!

        “I’M NOT CLEANING HIM UP! HOW DARE YOU LET THE MARINES KIDNAP MY CHILD! YOUR IRRESPONSIBLE CLUMP OF FUR!”

        Kimba was enjoying his revenge….after all….he made the call to the Marines and gave them all the information on the security system to start with.

End of Chapter 19