FIRST SALVO
A Zootopia fan fiction by Dan

Rated M+

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

Chapter 13
School: part 4

       When my older brother Steven came back from U.S. Marine Basic at Paris Island in 1978, I was in awe of the transformation of him from the tall skinny undisciplined street punk he had been on the streets of Boston to this focused, chiseled out of granite Adonis in the Marine dress blue uniform. I ran every morning with him when he was home on leave and could not help but try on his dress uniform top and hat, which hung so loosely from my stick of a body. I so wanted to be a Marine at 12 years old but ended up joining the Navy instead. I was so proud of Steven. He left the Corps after eight years and wished he didn’t but the Marine never leaves the person like the Sailor never leaves the Navy man; They leave a mark that stays with you the rest of your life.

The Author

Mole Harbor, Savanna Central
9am
December 3, 2039

     “AAAAAAAAAWOOOOOOO! WOOO! WOOOO!” Alex bayed and screamed with excitement as he bounced up and down on the armored amphibious assault tank as it cruised around the warm waters of Mole Harbor!

     His Uncle Chancy sat in the driver’s seat wearing a radio set helmet and turned the metal beast in a sharp heel to port that could have thrown the spastic wolf pup into the water...which got his older brother yelling at him….

      “ALEX! SIT DOWN BEFORE YOU GET HURT!” Will screamed out!

      Chancy yelled back. “DON’T WORRY ABOUT HIM WILL! IF HE FALLS OVER, WE’LL STOP AND PICK HIM UP!”

      “YEAH!” Alex replied to Will. “I’M NOT A CHINA DOLL BRO!”

      Alex walked forward and leaned down to talk to his Uncle...”How fast does this thing go Unk?”

     “She’ll do 25 knots full speed kid. She’s not built to be a speed boat, she’s built to get Marines to the beach.” Chancy replied.

     “What kind of weapons does it have?” Alex asked as he sat down next to the driver’s seat.

     “Well up on the back there’s two lintle mounts for a pair of 50 cals but with a little creative engineering, we can mount two 20 Millimeter cannons. We also have flip open doors here on top to put a mortar crew in the crew compartment and we have grenade launcher packs we can mount on the body.” Chancy replied as he steered the armored tank back towards the shore.

      “How many Marines can this thing carry?” Alex asked. He looked back to see Will wasn’t enthused at all. Even wearing a pair of colorized shades, the older brother couldn’t hide the displeased shape of his maw. It didn’t phase Alex at all.

     “She carries two squads of 8 each. 16 total.” Chancy replied as he brought the tank onto the beach of the Marine base and stopped it near the crew who actually manned it…

      “How’s she handling Guns?” A Sargent asked as Chancy shut the tank down and climbed out of the driver hatch…

     “Pretty good.” Chancy replied. “The engine still has a bit of a knock in it though. You should let my nephew Will listen to it, he’s pretty adept at engines, right Will?”

      “Yeah…but I’m not a Marine so...” Will replied with no enthusiasm.

      Chancy turned to Alex. “Alex? Let these guys show you around this beast for a little bit ok? I want to have a little talk with Will.”

      Alex snorted. “He needs more than a talk uncle.”

      Will started to move but his Uncle waved a paw finger at him, then gave him a “come with me” gesture. They walked for a little bit before Chancy stopped and took a deep breath…

     “Ok Will….come out with it?” Chancy asked. “You’re not happy, I can tell.”

      “Uncle….it’s not you….” Will replied.

      Chancy rubbed Will’s head. “Go on….get out of here and go have fun.”

      “Uncle Chance?….I just….” Will replied gesturing.

      “Will?” Chancy said smiling. “If you keep hanging around like this? You’ll get Alex resenting you. Don’t worry about him ok? He’s got to be his own wolf, you have to be you so get out of here and go crazy in town but if you get yourself in trouble or end up in the ZPD lock up? Hope your folks catch you before I do.”

       Will sighed with a smile. “You’re just so cool Uncle.”

       “And you’re so much like my sister….don’t know if that’s a benefit or a recipe for disaster but I know you can always take care of yourself. Now get out of here before I have to kick your tail across this grinder and whip your little brother into a frenzy?” Chancy snorted as he pointed. “I’ll drive Alex back to the hotel after I tire him out, now GET!”

      Chancy walked back to the amphibious track and found Alex wearing a battle helmet as a Corporal was showing him around the inside…

      “Hey there snarler.” Chancy said smiling. “You wanna go punch some paper pussy?”

     “Fluck yeah!” Alex yelped back.

     Will pulled out his smart phone before getting to his car in the parking lot and tapped out a text…

      “I’m free to do what I want. Do you want to meet somewhere? Are you in school?” Will tapped out. He waited for a minute before the reply…

      “We’re in classroom until around 3pm and I have duty today so sorry. Maybe tomorrow? I’ll let you know where.” The reply came.

       “Cool.” Will replied. “I’ve missed you so much. “kiss, kiss”” He text’d.

       “Can’t wait to see you.” Came the reply back.

Savanna Central
10am
December 3, 2039
Naval Education Center, Savanna Sands Naval Base.
Electronics/Electrician School.
Power casualty simulator building

     Mister Johnathan Hopps, the class teacher, observed from the small control room on the ground floor of the three floor simulator as the class went through the paces of trying to re-route power around damaged electrical cable runs.

“Connecting Terminal 3-90-3! “A” circuit locked! “B” Circuit locked! “C” Circuit locked! Check! Check!” Whitney snapped into her head phone as she rigged the casualty power cable to a terminal set to her body height and threw up the indicator locking handle.

“No joy! No joy!” Came Jackson’s reply from two floors above the power and switchboard room! Whitney cursed a little, disconnected the line, dragged it to another terminal and went through the jump connection process again….

 “Connecting Terminal 3-93-3! “A” circuit locked! “B” Circuit locked! “C” Circuit locked! Check! Check!” She snapped again!

“No Joy! No Joy!” Jackson replied. “You sure the cable matches the terminal codes?” He asked.

“I checked it three times Wilde!” Whitney huffed back. “Give me a second to do a re-check?”

“This is a timed event Whitney!” Jackson replied with a stern voice.

“Well then you come down here and lug these cables around and see if you still feel “Chip chip” you dumb moron!” Whitney snapped back. That’s when Johnathan called an end to the exercise…

“Everyone come down here to the ground floor, be sure you have all the rodents with you everyone on the 3rd floor...” Johnathan Hopps said as he walked up to Whitney...”You alright there Whitney? I know it’s getting a little crazy.”

   “We’ve been at it since 6 am teacher and like you’d think we’d have it all down by now? If Wilde would stop….ugh….I’m sorry teacher, I’m just a little frustrated. You’re expecting someone my size to mammal-handle these jumper cables around the floor and find the right terminal in dim lighting?...”

    Mister Hopps patted Whitney on the shoulder. “You’re not the only one going solo in this exercise. And keep your head as much as you can. Insults and swears can be just as dangerous as bullets in getting you killed.”

    Jackson, Gilly and Kerdle  along with pockets full of rodents walked in and took seats on the floor….

    “Sorry I called you a moron Jackson.” Whitney said.

    “Told you that it would suck ass by yourself.” Jackson said as he gave her a light shoulder punch. 

      “Ok everyone...” Mister Hopps said as he raised a paw. “Might as well equal this to the “Buttercup” at boot camp, only instead of water? You’re dealing with electricity and the need to re-patch damaged electrical systems to restore power to the ship’s vitals. As Electrical specialists, your job on a damage control team will be to get things….like radars, radios, gun turrets, torpedo launchers and things that give the ship life...back to life. You can patch holes and pipes all you want but if you’ve lost the ability to defend yourself because vital power systems have been damaged...your chances of making it out of a fight will be zero.”

     “Not picking on you Whitney but each of you might face the prospect of having to work by yourself under pressure, alone in a power compartment, lugging around these casualty bypass cables working to get to the right terminal to make the right connections. That’s where communications between the guys up top and the person down in the power bank is vital. Wilde? You weren’t talking enough. Whitney? You weren’t describing enough. Everyone….talk, talk talk.

       Mister Hopps turned to Gilly and Kerdle. “You two? What’s with the blind foolishness trying to hook up your cable ends to the power panel before you had the “Check” call?”

       Gilly and Kerdle looked at each other and Kerdle groaned….”Fluck.”

       Johnathan pointed to the door. “Go run mister toilet mouth.”

       As Kerdle ran out, Johnathan took a cable end in his paws...”What’s the proper way to connect the circuit?” Johnathan asked around then pointed to Myler who stood in one of Gilly’s chest pockets next to Albert….”Mister Myler?”

      “Hooking up to the intended Supply of power before knowing the load of power has been hooked up can result in an electrical short and possible electrocution.” Myler replied.

       “Especially when what Mister Myler?” Johnathan asked again.

       “Ummmm?” Myler thought. “When some one turned the receiver unit trip switch to “ACTIVE” while we were trying to hook up the jump cables to it?”

        Mister Hopps smiled. “Precisely. You all seemed to had the basics in mind during our first hour of training then it all went into a black hole. Safety is always the first thing when dealing with electrical power everyone. We don’t make safety rules for all of you for nothing.”

      Johnathan pointed around the room. “All of you start from here and get all the cables stored back in their proper places and we’ll try this again from the top. And this time there will be no time pressure, we’ll walk through all of it step by step.”

Author’s notes:  Navy warships have extensive redundant systems throughout their decks to re-route vital liquids and electrical power should their systems take damage. Every compartment aboard ship has two or more “EEB-JAYS” or “Emergency Electrical Bypass Junction points” where 100 foot cables can be hooked up or “jumped” from one or more junctions to bypass damaged electrical cables, lines and circuits and maintain the ships fighting integrity. The Junctions and their cables are protected by thick walled ballistic armor piping and run the length ,width and depth of an entire ship. To knock out the EEB-JAY system would basically mean...you’d have to kill off the whole crew or sink the ship.

Rain Forest District
10am
December 3, 2039
Naval Welding Training Center, Camp Merrelson

       Darla broke the surface of the murky training pool, pulled up her diving goggles and waved a paw...”Give me another four welding rods Chewy?”

       Her class partner pulled four long welding rods from a storage can and passed them to her...”How’s it going down there?”

      “Just have to put the cap on the joint and it’s done.” Darla replied. “It’s taking a little long because not even your nice flashlight is cutting it down there. I feel like I’m welding in a cup of coffee.”

       Sitting on a chair nearby...another otter huffed out...”You’re now at twice the rods it took me to finish there Delaware. You sure it’s the flashlight that’s the problem?”

       Darla swam over to the edge of the pool where the lippy otter sat smirking down at her….”What’s your problem Skyler?”

      “Nothing at all Delaware.” The dark gray otter with hints of silver white fur in patches around his face replied. “I was just wondering if your eye sight’s ever been good at all.”

      Skyler...unfortunately...had been Darla’s one and only otter related interest in Junior High school...until she made it very clear by the long hidden scar on his chin for her swipe scratch that he was not only out for being such a jerk. He was the very otter who forced Darla to go looking elsewhere. Now by twist of mean fate….he was in the same welding class and probably looking to repay her for the insult to his otter pride.

      Darla snorted at him. “Skyler? Grow the hell up and get over yourself?”

      Skyler snapped back. “I don’t know what’s worse? You hating your own kind? Or you going out with a perverted half breed piece of snit.”

      Chewy blocked Darla from leaping out of the pool...”He’s not worth it Dar! He’s not worth you getting the boot….get back in the pool and finish the joint.” Chewy said as he gestured Darla down….”Go on Dar...finish the joint.”

     Skyler had enough of the busy body and in one brute swipe he nailed Chewy in the left ear and side of the head with his claws and sent the poor otter flopping foot over foot to crash into a table!

     By the time Skyler turned his head back towards Darla, however….she nailed him solid in the nose with a powerful right fist. It was obvious which otter took their service more seriously...Darla’s punch sent Skyler flying over his previous chair and got the attention of a Chief Petty Officer (Another much larger otter) who came running up with quite a look of anger on his furry face…

     “SEAMAN DELAWARE...STAND FAST!” The Chief snapped as he walked up. “Sailor? You better damn well have a good explanation for what I just saw?”

      Chewy, Darla’s class partner, stumbled up holding his paw to his ripped up ear….”He did it Sir! He attacked me! YOU FLUCKING BASTARD!” Chewy yelled as he charged for Skyler only to get caught by Darla….

     “Stop….let’s look at your ear….” She said as she pulled Chewy away from Skyler as the Chief snatched the insulting otter by his hair tuft…

      “You want to be a little bastard Seaman Skyler?” The Chief growled as he dragged the yelping otter behind him as he walked to a phone…

       “This is Chief Borgado at the welding school...send me a Master at Arms wagon right now. I have a little snit bag who needs to stew in a cell for assault.” The Chief snorted into the phone before he slapped Skyler hard in the face. “You sit down and behave yourself you little snit bag.”

        As Chief Borgado began describing what he witnessed to the Master at Arms on the phone...Darla walked up and lightly tapped his shoulder…

       “Chief? With all due respect? We don’t want to press charges on Seaman Skyler.” She said.

       Borgado looked at Darla like she’d gone crazy. “You….don’t want to press charges?”

       “No Chief.” Darla replied. “I believe this is something that should be handled “in house”? a little “Corrective discipline” administered by his peers?”

       “You understand Seaman Delaware….there is to be no hazing. No illegal acts of reprisal. Is that well understood?”

       Darla nodded. “Totally Chief. If you would be so kind as to turn Seaman Skyler over to our paws? I’m sure we can having him flying correctly true in no time flat…..legally speaking of course?”

       Borgado turned back to the phone. “Forget the report there Master at Arms. We have determined to handle this problem….locally. Of course you may send an observer.”

1 hour later….

      Darla danced around Skyler as he struggled to keep up the trotting pace around the running field laden with a heavy duty belt and an M-14 rifle slung on his back...which for an otter was a heavy thing to have to lug around…

     “So am I still a stupid birch tree to you Sky?” Darla said with a smile. “We can go at this for another hour by the regulations if you’d like? Grudges hurt a lot, don’t they?”

     “Gasp….” Skyler flopped onto the grass...”Ok…..”gasp”…..you win, you win...”gasp”….I’m sorry.”

      Chewy stood with his claws out. “I have a right to mark his stupid puss.”

      “We’re not here to get landed in the brig Chew.” Darla said with a head shake.

      “Why the hell are you even sticking up for this complete prick Dar?” Chewy asked. “He’s a fricken slug!”

       Darla smiled back. “He’s also the best welder in the whole class and even slugs can have a use you know? My boyfriend teaches me a lot of things...”

      Darla laid on the grass and went nose to nose with Skyler...”Just for your information there Sky? That “half breed bastard” happens to be connected with the Polar Bear Mafia. I’d hate to see what might have happened to you if you really ticked him off. I hear second to foxes and weasels? Polar bears love to use otters as hockey pucks…..get the warning there skippy?”

      “Your blackmailing me.” Skyler huffed.

      “I’m saving your furry butt from being kicked out of the Navy.” Darla replied as she gave Skyler a nose kiss. “Don’t fight the machine Skyler? You have qualities I actually do like that may come in handy someday.”

First Precinct “First Prinky”
11am
December 3, 2039

       Paige Clawhauser knocked on Judy’s office door and entered to find the Chief….dancing with a big stuffed fox plushie on her desk?”

       “Oh! Oh snit! Uh…..Uh…...yes! Officer Clawhauser? Paige! Uh….uh….” Judy almost fell off her desk as Paige stood giggling at her…

       “Wonderful night Chief?” She asked.

       Judy sat on the edge of the desk totally embarrassed...”Oh Frith of Inlay…. Which part should I begin with?”

        “Giggles” “Chief? You’ve got such a wonderful husband. I mean he must spoil you to death!” Paige said as she held a folder in her hands.

        “Ok Paige...what is it?” Judy asked. “Now that I am totally destroyed by embarrassment?”

        “Another case file I just put together for homicide.” Paige said as she handed Judy the folder. “Armando Bentley in Rodentia who worked for an advertising agency. Found by his boss, a Mister Achers, this morning at his desk….with a phone cord wrapped around his neck.”

        Judy cocked her head. “You’re serious? A land line phone cable? Who uses land lines any more these days?” Judy said as she slipped off the desk.

        “Anyone who’s a penny pinch’r and doesn’t invest in giving employees company cell phones?” Paige replied as she followed Judy out of the office.

       “Send that file over to “Precinct Denture” to Squirrel and Morocco Mole, they can take it since obviously we can’t from here. Oh yeah….darn….Paige? I am so sorry I missed saying happy birthday to you.”

       “No foul Chief.” Paige replied. “I got a wonderful present from officer Glish? I’m baby sitting his baby kit Kenny? Oh…..M…...Goodness….melt-able cuteness! I am such a sucker for cute.”

       Judy doe’d her eyes and gave Paige a sweet face...”Paige? Am I cute?”

      “I know better than to call you cute Chief.” Paige replied smirking.

       Judy giggled….”Well please? Don’t tell anyone about my fox plushie? Old Chief Bogo still has nightmares about being caught with his Gazelle App by your Uncle. Get that file off to “Secret” will you?”

ZPD Sixth Precinct “Little Dentures”
Little Rodentia
11:30am
December 3, 2039

     Morocco Mole walked into the Investigator’s office and up to Secret’s desk with a folder in his paws...”Hey Seek?” Said Morocco as he paw’d forth the file. “A murder case from “big prink” that happened here this morning. Fival and Jenner are already on the scene.”

     Secret looked through the file and contorted his face...”Phone cord? How classical. You’d think these days they’d use a cell phone, rat poison or just the standard “tail n neck” snapper?”

      Secret stood up from his desk and grabbed his fedora and white coat. “Let’s go Rock-oh...I’ve had my coffee for the day.”

Impressive Marketing Agency
Little Rodentia
11:30am
December 3, 2039

      Secret and Morocco arrived and walked into the office where officers Fival Mousekowitz and his rat partner Jenner Springs were moving about checking for evidence. The body of Armando Bentley was still there in his chair, covered by a yellow sheet…

     “Officer Jenner?” Secret asked. “Anything positive yet?”

     Jenner turned from the desk...”Our killer pre-planned this obviously. He coated the land line with “cro-oil” so the prints and any DNA samples would be destroyed. Obviously he was fit...I think he was a larger rodent to squeeze the life out of Bentley so quick. One more thing? Bentley had just enough time to try and phone some one. His boss Mister Crocker took this number down...”

     Secret looked at the number in the note book...”265-5467? Hey Rock-oh? Check this number out with the phone company and see if it’s relevant? Anyone scrapped his claws?”

    Fival walked over to the sheet and pulled one of Bentley’s paws out. “He was smart enough to rip the claws out.”

    “Yeesh…..brutal.” Secret replied.

    Morocco came back after stepping outside to call the phone company. “Hey Secret? “Ma Mouse” says the number doesn’t exist.”

    “Check any cameras.” Secret said with a paw wave.

      “Dead end on that.” Fival replied. “No cameras in the business, no cameras outside save a traffic cam and it’s pointed in the wrong direction.”

       Secret huffed….”Well this is a puzzle.”

       Morocco stood studying Jenner’s notes when he gasped….”Woe! Secret! Come here quick!”

       “What?” Secret asked.

        “I think Bentley told us who killed him.” Morocco replied.

Savanna Central
11:30am
November 16, 2039
Rifle Range
Fleet Marine Corps Base, Camp Quanaco

“BOOMFF!”…...”BOOMFF!”……..”BOOMF!”

Alex lay on a wool blanket with the M-1 Carbine tucked tight into his shoulder and popped off a ten round magazine with Chancy watching the hits on the paper target twenty yards down the range…

”BOOMF!” “I’m out Unk!” Alex said as he waved his paw.

“Ok...safe the rifle.” Chancy said as he watched Alex remove the magazine and run a claw into the open rifle reciever….

“Clear Uncle!” Alex yelped.

Chancy walked with Alex up to the target and the wolf mid-ling was less than happy...”I didn’t hit snit!”

“What are you talking about?” Chancy snorted. “You didn’t “bull” but look at the nice five group you scored between the thorax and the chest? This target’s a dead drop. Not bad at twenty yards kid.”

“Wish Will was here.” Alex said with a sigh. “We always go shooting together with Dad. We used to do almost everything together. Now it’s like he wants to avoid me all the time.”

Chancy snorted. “Are you going to wear a diaper when you go to boot camp? I’m so glad you and William have such a close relationship with each other kid but he’s out of high school now and should have his own life. You just need to get accustomed to it. I mean...does everything you do need his approval?”

     “No….” Alex replied. “But hearing him tell me how much I mean to him means so much to me you know?”

     Chancy snickered. “That’s it. I need to fill you up with “Puppy Chow” and run you till you can’t walk. Want to run the obstacle course after lunch and see if you can beat your old uncle?”

     Chancy clamped his teeth on one of Alex’s ears and shook it. “Come on you nose dripper! Loser has to buy the other a beer!”

     “But Unk? You said I can’t drink?!” Alex yelped back.

     “Is your mother around to complain?” Chancy replied.

419 Summit Street
Little Rodentia
2pm

     Fival and Jenner slammed a battering ram into the locked from door after there was no answer and Secret and his partner Moracco Mole went through first dressed in body armor with their pistols drawn…

    “Fival! Jenner! Sweep the second floor!” Secret commanded as he and Moracco went from room to room on the first floor…

     “SECRET!” Fival called from the second floor balcony. “We got a stiff up here!”

     Secret and Morocco ran up to the second floor bedroom to find a female possum laying cross ways on the mattress with a pill bottle clenched in her paw…

     “Well? She saved us the trouble of paperwork.” Secret said as he looked at the pill label. “A whole bottle of Secanol.”

      Moracco knelt down to look at the face of the deceased possum and without a word he snatched the tazer gun from Fival’s holster and shot two darts into the dead carcass...well she “was dead” until Morocco shot her full of juice and she flopped off the bed screaming….

      “I’m shocked you didn’t check that Secret?” Morocco said as he pointed while Fival sat the bewildered possum up. “She was playing a stiff till she got the first chance to up and bolt out the window.”

      Secret knelt down and smirked at her….”What’s the matter Alexis? Guess it was too hard a break up huh?”

      “I don’t know what you’re talking about cop.” The female possum snorted as Jenner walked up dangling a can of “Cro-oil” from his paw. “You should have thrown this away some other place but a can near your house. Your fur is all over the outside of it.”

      Secret pulled out a pair of paw cuffs….”Alexis Collins or “265-5467” you are under arrest for the strangle murder of Armando Bentley. You should have stopped him from dialing that old phone. Then again? no one really remembers that old phone buttons contain the 26 letter alphabet these days with everyone using smart phones. Morocco? Get her out of here and read her rights?”

Savanna Central
2pm
December 3, 2039
Naval Education Center, Savanna Sands Naval Base.
The Tron school house

     Johnathan Hopps pointed to one Sailor….”Some naval uses of the vhf band are what?”

      The Sailor stood up and answered...”mobile communications, repeater operation, navigation, amphibious and special operations, teacher.

       Johnathan Hopps pointed to another Sailor….”Radio emission circuit used for deceptive transmissions in time of war is?”

     The Sailor stood up and answered...”The A4 Circuit, teacher.”

      Johnathan Hopps pointed to Jackson….”In making casualty power connections at a load where there are no circuit breakers or transfer switches to interrupt the incoming feeder cable...”

      Jackson replied. “The load must be disconnected or cut at the equipment. Teacher.”

      “Good.” Johnathan said nodding. “And to answer your question Seaman Wilde? We’re distant cousins and I’m not helping you cheat your way through the rest of school.”

     “Damn it!” Jackson pretended to grouse as he sat down.

      Johnathan looked at his smart phone. “Since you all made progress on the trainer since this morning and you’re doing so good in grasping the material? I have the prerogative to give you all a three day weekend. See you all bright and early on Tuesday morning.”

     The Sailors whooped out in celebration of their holiday and soon..Jackson, Whitley, Kerdle and some of the mice were walking out to Jackson’s car…

     “Cool!” Whitney yelped. “I’m going home to Sahara to see my mother and spend two days beach bumming.”

      “I’m going home to see if my mother needs any help around the house.” Kerdle said.

     “Darla’s got duty weekend so I’ll probably visit home or go shopping or slum around the apartment.” Jackson said.

      Gilly smiled...”I have a friend coming by? Probably go see a couple of movies or go bar tripping. Haven’t decided anything yet. I have to finish duty tonight.” 

       Albert patted Myler on the shoulder. “We’re going home to see our families. If I know my parents, they’ll want to have a cook out and watch Soccer and feed Myler here until he ruptures.”

      Jackson had a second thought as he slipped into his driver’s seat….”You know? I might visit my Grandparents? I haven’t seen them since my induction party. I should give me a call.”

       Gilly leaned over the back seat of the car...”How does your Mom’s family square with you?” He asked.

       “Most of the older ones are pretty hard to deal with. My Great Great Grandfather never accepted me even to the day he died. My grandparents are super cool though, they supply veggies and berries to Gideon Gray.”

       “Thee Gideon Gray?” Kerdle asked. “I love his fox meat and blue berry pie dude! Oh….tooooo die for! And that meat sauce? If an orgasm had a taste? Yum.”

      Whitney snorted...”Kerdle? You are flucken sick.”

       “What?” Kerdle replied. “I’m serious ok? That fox meat pie is delightful, you tell me a fox that doesn’t eat that and think they died of a massive coronary from something close to sex?”

       Albert asked. “What’s he like? As a mammal? As a fox?”

       “He’s very kind.” Jackson replied. “He’s very big...if you like fat fluffy foxes? He’s a lot of fox but he is so nice even with all the money he makes. Lives in a simple three story house on some farm land. I should ask him if he would make us customized pies? That would be nice.”

       Whitney gestured...”Well don’t impose on him Jackson?”

        “It’s not like I’ll show up at his front door and go...”Hey Gideon? Make us some pies.” Whitney.” Jackson said as he pulled out of the parking lot.

The Tundra Straits
2pm
December 3, 2039
Destroyers Rain and Tujunga on patrol

       “SLAM!” “KABLOOSH!” The prow of the Destroyer Rain collided with the on-coming wave and threw up a big splash of water and heavy mist as it cruised along slowly through the stormy waters of the Tundra Strait. Outside Zootopia’s well controlled climate...the rest of the Northern hemisphere of the world was experiencing winter. The rough ride had the bridge crew teathered to rings in the deck of the bridge or buckled into their seats to prevent them from being tossed around!

        Out on the port and starboard weather wings outside the bridge, the two watches were dressed in thick rain and cold weather clothing along with wearing harnesses to keep them from being injured or worse...thrown off the tossing destroyer into the cold sea below…

        The Tiger on the port wing named “Hashina” was constantly wiping his big binoculars with a rag to clear the salt spray while his partner on the starboard wing, a white tailed deer name “Linowain” fought to keep her hooves from becoming a worse hazard than the rocky ship under her…

        “How you keeping “Wain”?” Asked Hashina.

        “I hate my long skinny legs.” She replied. “This is so dangerous it’s not funny.”

        “Everyone has to share the risk.” Hashina replied. “You should go “four legs” and “quad-pod” wide so you can stabilize yourself better.”

        “And how am I supposed to properly keep watch?” Linowain replied. “You think four legs would be more stable? You obviously think Bambi was just a comedy movie. Even the stunt deer had problems with the ice scene, he broke a leg, I saw the film making documentary.”

         Hashina suddenly snapped out….”Hey! I think I have a floundering boat ahead of us!”

         Linowain replied….”Where?” She said as she cleaned off her binoculars. Where is it? Distance?”

         Hashina replied….”I’d say…..80 to 90 Yards….3 points off our bow to starboard!”

       Linowain focused her Binoculars ahead until she caught the boat in her sights...”I see it! She’s on her starboard side! Definitely floundering!” She quickly switched her sound power phone to the bridge…

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

        Inside the bridge, the bridge duty officer turned to the Captain...a male Lion named “Callie”….who got up from his chair to walk into the starboard wing...”Where is she watch?” He asked Linowain…

        “There Sir! Coming up fast….she just turned turtle!” The white tail said as she pointed. The Captain took over her big ship binoculars and focused on the over turned boat and the figures trying to cling to it...”

        “BDO!” Callie snapped back towards the bridge door. “Contact “Spy Eye” and ask them if we have any fishing boats near here!”

        The Bridge Duty Officer snatched a phone and called the Combat Information Center….”Spy Eye? BDO? Do we have any fishing vessels in our immediate location?”

        The CIC replied….”None Sir. Our assigned fishing fleet is currently being shepherded by the Tundra two miles to our stern.”

        The BDO met Callie as he came back through the bridge door. “Sir? Spy Eyes says negative on the target being ours.”

        “I already know they’re not ours.” Callie replied. “Continue on.”

         “Sir?” The BDO replied. 

        “That’s my orders.” Callie said. “Stopping to help them is a hazard to this ship….leave them.”

        Linowain called from her sound powered phone….”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?”

       Callie snapped back...”You tell that watch to keep her task to forwards! I will not hazard this ship, I don’t have to explain why!”

       Hashina heard the commotion in his headphones and quickly ducked into the bridge from the port side...”Why aren’t we stopping for them?! Captain?”

       Callie snapped. “Get back to you post….watch!”

       “Sir! Seaman Linowain says we’re leaving mammals in the water!” Hashina yelped. “Aren’t we supposed to help mariners in distress Sir?!”

         Callie marched up to Hashina and snarled. “You want to bring those ten foot tall bastards on this ship so they can attack the crew?!”

         “They’re waving for help Sir!” Hashina yelped back. “They’re not combatants, we’re not at war! It’s our duty to help Sailors who are in distress! Sir? For Gawd’s sake...”

         The Executive Officer, another tiger named Anders came up and held Hashina by his shoulders….”Get back to you post Seaman…..now!”

         “XO…..with all respect Sir!” Hashina replied sorrowfully….”We can’t leave them to die out here! We’ve been looking to contact the Kzinti haven’t we? What better time to show them who we are but now?”

         “Get back to you GAWD DAMNED POST you stupid Tiger or by GAWD I’ll have you thrown in the GAWD DAMNED BRIG!” Callie snarled as he pushed Hashina back towards the wing bridge door. “GO!”

         Callie turned to his Executive Officer. “Anders? Take the Con….GAWD DAMN IT!” The Captain snarled as he walked from the bridge and slammed his paw against a power junction box on his way out….

The Tundra Straits
2:40pm
December 3, 2039
Destroyer Rain Radio Room….

      Two foxes manned the radio communications room when they heard the electronic lock on the door click open and in stepped Captain Callie. He looked at one of the foxes and gestured...”You...leave.” He then turned to the other. “Establish coms with the Tujunga’s Commanding Officer. I need a secure channel then you need to leave.”

       The fox, a female named Kiplinger, did as she was told. When your Captain sounds that serious….you don’t ask why, you just do as you’re told….

       “ Tujunga Commanding Officer on the com Sir.” Kiplinger said as she handed the Captain a headset and then left the room…

        The Mammal at the other end was also a lion named “Galon” who asked...”What’s the meaning of the secure call Cal?”

       “Gal? I think I’ve come under fire from a boat we tried to help as it was foundering. It was definitely a Kzinti vessel, they had hoods over their heads and they shot some small arms and shoulder rockets at us. My track currently is slow at 17 knots on a course of Zero….Two…..Zero. They are probably behind us now at 400 yards and you should be coming up to them in about twenty minutes.”

       There was a silence…..then Galon spoke. “If I find any in the water?”

       “Your discretion….I wouldn’t even try to save them….turn them into lead paper weights. Dead maniacs don’t talk.” Callie snarled. He then placed the head phones on the desk and walked out of the radio room.

The Jade Majesty Hotel
6pm
December 3, 2039

      Chancy walked into the room with Alex on his back and looked around for Will but the older brother was out and probably doing what his uncle told him…

      “Good.” Chancy snickered as he allowed Alex to slip from his back and onto the bed. The Mid-ling wolf was “Lights out” from a combination of joyful exhaustion and the little victory, hardly given easily, he got over his uncle on the Marine obstacle course. Two beers was enough to knock Alex out. If his mother ever found out? She’d crucify her brother for sure.

      Chancy pulled off Alex’s clothes except his Marvel underpants which Chancy chuckled over…”Still wearing under roos at your age?” He said as he tucked Alex under the covers and stayed around an hour to make sure the young wolf was ok. Gently….Chancy kissed Alex on the snoot before leaving a note for Will…

       “Told you I’d make your baby sitting job easy tonight. Alex well bushed. Let’s get together later on if you want and we’ll talk if you feel a need. Love you very much Will…..Uncle Chance. P.S…..Alex? If you get up and your brother hasn’t come home yet? Let me know.”

       Chancy stopped to look at Alex as he slept and then turned off all the lights and walked out of the room.

Bunny Borough, The Hopps Family Warren
6pm
December 3, 2039 

      Bonny walked through the main dining room waving her paws around…. ”Come on…..come on….last one’s just went through, this place should be clean by now...”Owen, Powen, Dori, Nori, Ori Hopps? Get off those smart phone games and get this place picked up?”

      “Mom!” Powen huffed. “You said after I cut the wood pile this afternoon that I could go out, remember?”

      “That was before I found out you hid half the pile in the cut pile Powen? Don’t try to weasel over your mother please? When I ask you to do a chore? Don’t do it half-tail.” Bonny huffed at her son.

       “Yeah...learn something dufus.” Nori yelped, which got a slap from his brother Owen…

        “Don’t call brother a dufus. Stop flipping the lips and wash those dishes?” Owen huffed. He walked by the fridge, pulled out a bottle of carrot juice and threw it at his father…

        “Dad! Your evening elixer, heads up!” Owen said as he flipped the bottle upwards to the second floor balcony where Stu Hopps caught it…

       “Thank you Son!” Stewart said with a paw wave. Owen walked by Dori and got a head slap…

       “Way to suck tail hole there carrot hole nose’r!” Dori yelped, which brought on a tackle from his irate brother as Bonnie ducked to avoid her coffee cups becoming casualties...”Please do not turn the house into the Mammal Mauler Association you two?”

      Bonnie’s cell phone suddenly chimed and she stopped to smile as the picture of Jackson came up….

      “Hello Yum Yum!” Bonnie said cheerfully. “Stewart! Jackie’s on the phone!”

      “I’ll be right down!” Stu replied.

      “How are you doing Jackie? How’s school? How’s your parents? Would you please tell your mother to call more often?” Bonnie asked as she brought up the video feed….”Oh my Lord Frith? Jackie? Are you loosing weight? You look like a stick.”

     “Sheesh Gammy.” Jackson replied with Bonnie’s pet name. “Can I look good or will you try making me into a blimp again?” Jackson saw Stewart coming up and smiled with a wave….”Hi Paw Paw!”

       “How’s my grandson?” Stewart asked. “Sheesh….are they even feeding you right in the Navy? Bonnie? He looks way too lean. Jackson? You better say you’re thinking about coming to see us so we can get some bulk in those muscles.”

       “Grand dad?” Jackson replied. “I’m fine. I’m just in shape you know? I eat very well though I do miss your cooking. I’d like to come and spend some time with you guys if you’ll put up with me?”

        “Well we can’t so suck it up “Blender”.” Powen Hopps yelped as he walked by the phone. Owen slapped him off the head and now those two brothers were at it!

        “Oh Frith these little devils….”YOU BOYS STOP FOOLING AROUND AND GET THE CHORES DONE!”

        Stewart sighed. “Always has to be the last of them to refuse to grow up. I swear. Jackson? You come down here and put some of that boot camp into the boot butts of your cousins.”

        “You bet “Paw Paw”. “ Jackie said with a smile. “I can’t wait to see you two. It feels like ages...even though you were at graduation? It’s never enough time.”

       “Do us a big favor Jackson and grab your mother out of her office too. I bet she needs a vacation.” Steward said. “Can’t wait to see you grand son.”

       “Same here “Paw Paw”.” Jackson said as he touched the screen. Meanwhile as he started to pack a back pack full of clothes to take down to Bunny-Borough, Gilly came out of the bathroom buttoning a pressed collared shirt...”You going out tonight?”

      “Yeah...I’m heading out to Sahara Square to “roust-a-bouts”.” Gilly replied. “They’re having a sweet clam bake special and I want to try their green bar and drink mixer. You going to see your Gramp-ees?”

       Jackson replied. “Yeah…you be careful ok? Don’t get yourself in a jam, you got my cell phone.”

       “Like you’ll come running all the way from the “Tries” if I get into a problem Jackie?” Gilly said as he put on a tie.

       “Yes…..I will.” Jackson replied. “Because that’s what a friend does. You just be careful ok Gil?”

The Jade Majesty Hotel
1am
December 3, 2039

     Will walked into the hotel room and caught Alex in the act, the younger wolf a blur of quickly flopping sheets as he hid his naked self…

     “Huh?…..fluck Will….I didn’t think you’d be home tonight….I mean, back here tonight….you know…..” Alex said obviously busted masterbating himself.

     Will played off his younger brother’s nervousness. “How was your day with Uncle Chance?”

     “Oh my Gawd Will….it was so cool! Look at the target on the sofa over there? I really scored good. Look at the grouping over the chest! And I creamed uncle in the obstacle course, got to drive another tank...dude, I am worn out.”

      Alex watched will go into the bathroom. “What about you big brother? What did you do?”

      “I went around the city and found a place for some eats and good music. Nothing to really write home about.” Will said as he took his clothes off and reached for a brush…

      Alex grabbed the slicker before his brother and held it in his paw….”Want me to brush your tail out before you shower? Oh wait….I better get my under...”

     Will grabbed Alex by a wrist and smiled...”You really don’t need your underwear in bed….do you?”

     Will was about to close his maw upon his younger brother’s when Alex stopped him….

    “Um…..yeah….I do need my underwear.” Alex replied as he pushed himself away. “If I’m going to join the Marines Will? Some things are just gonna have to stop.”

    Will smiled and pressed himself forwards….”They don’t have to stop...you know…..right now do they? I mean….what happened to one last fling Alex?”

    Alex pushed himself off again...”Will? Cut it the fluck out...I’m serious!” The young wolf said as he pulled his Marvel underpants over his legs...”Fling’s over Will. In fact...I’m gonna pull the couch bed out and sleep on that.”

     “You don’t wanna cuddle?” Will asked.

      Alex gasped back. “No Will….I do not want to cuddle ok? Go take a shower? You’re creeping me out.”

       Will sighed as if he was super rejected yet he turned with a pleasing smile on his face...”I was hoping this would happen.” He thought...then stopped at the bathroom door…

      “Oh yeah? Alex? If I were you? I’d grow up out of my Marvel undies and learn when and where to masterbate? Can’t do those things at Marine Corps basic, they’ll kick the snit out of your tail.”

       “Oh….fuck off and shower already snorkie.” Alex huffed back as he fooled around with the fold out bed.

End of chapter 13