Shout out to Bob the Turtle for his vivid reviews. Artemis and I really appreciated your heart felt sentiments. We want to thank Bob and all our readers, without you all, we could not keep going.
Due to scheduling conflicts, there has been a delay. We hope you enjoy this next installment.
*Update* Thanks to Bob the Turtle for bringing it to our attention that our section dividers disappeared. Sorry for the confusion this might have caused.
IV
"Subjects 6 and 16 have successfully survived a three month incubation period. Their bodies have taken on more canine properties. Their paws do still retain primate digits but have gained retractable claws. They did start a growth from their hindquarters, further examination proved it to be a functioning tail. They also formed a growth on their heads which revealed to be ears that do function. Cosmetically, I will need to remove their now non-functioning primate ears. Now, I just need to see that they live through their rebirth." Dr. Baahseft put down her recorder as she looked at the two toddlers resting in their beds. The two were still ugly, fur-less things but they had a small layer of fuzz on their ears and tails that they would grow into their coloring. The male was sure to have a dark coat, possibly black or brown. The female was a fair color, possibly white or grey. Their eyes were still very light and she would not know their coloring until later.
Lola hovered just in her peripheral vision and she nodded to the female as she got ready for another night in the lab. She wanted to make sure her subjects lived for at least a month. If the month was a success she will start on the rest of the subjects.
Woolter leaned back in his seat while Jesse came out of the RV. Canyonlands was the perfect place to work on their operation away from most of the mammals. Evelyn has been quiet and kept to her promise of providing the necessary materials they had needed to continue their work. Woolter and Jesse decided to double up on their operation of the Blue and Night Howler serum.
Turns out the back alley swill got a good buzz out of a diluted batch of Night Howler. Something about going primal got them off and who was he to argue with the customer? The cash flow was also great and that's really what mattered right now.
He checked his watch and he sighed as he saw his thin wrist. He recently went and got himself shorn down. With all his medical tests he had to do, it just made more sense to shear down to the skin and go with it. Jesse got a good kick out of it for a bit before he started poking his nose where it didn't belong and that ended him with awkward conversations with the degenerate he didn't need.
His phone buzzed on his thigh, he looked down before answering "Yes Evelyn." he listened for her instructions, muttered an "alright," and hung up.
"Yo ram what's the psycho want?"
He glanced down at the phone, and squeezed it as if wishing to break it in half. "More test subjects."
"Log number two: Subjects 6 and 16 are healthy and active creatures. The two have already started to walk and get into everything. They have been given adjoining cells until they get older. With this success I will move on to the Genetic modification of subjects 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26. Subject 9 and 18 are selected with Fennec Fox, 11 and 20 Chimpanzee, 12 and 21 Lion , 14 and 22 Goat, 15 and 23 Sheep, 18 and 24 Pig, 25 and 26 Rabbit. In three months time, the next phase of the experiment can begin."
-DH-
"Now I understand you all have gotten word on the recent crime spree. We are looking for a serial kidnapper. We are looking for fourteen missing babes, all within the same age group between the ages of two days to one year. The media is calling the kidnapper "Noah" because they always choose one female and one male of the species. Officer Pennington with be giving you the criminal profile of the perpetrator." Chief Bogo stepped back as the large male elephant took his place. The male was serious and slightly stressed as he glanced over at the female elephant sitting towards the back her arm resting on the large bulge.
"The Unsub appears to play with the children and has no attachment to their victim. The unsub is extremely clinical with their torture of the victim and chooses children because they are less likely to fight back. Judging from incisions and the use of tools the suspect is a smaller mammal and most likely female looking to gain control. The Unsub is not working alone and pulls resources from other mammals. The unsub is meticulous, each kidnapping was precise and surveillance was cut right before each kidnapping and reestablished five minutes later." Officer Pennington said as he looked at the group. "From the way we have found the bodies just dumped at two scenes we are dealing with a mastermind and grunts. The grunts are sloppy but not overly so that we know who they are. The grunts are male one driver and one disposer. We are looking for a large service van, black, hidden plates."
-DH-
Baahseft perked up to the sound of her front entrance opening up. She faintly heard the sound of children laughing as she go up from her desk.
"Alright kiddies file in two by two please."
"Pinkram."
"Psycho."
"Where is my cousin?"
"Rolling in the infants while I deal with the ones that can walk." Jesse growled when the babe in his arms tugged on his horn.
"Charming I'm sure. Bring them to lab B, Lola should be in there with the candy." At the word Candy suddenly the children perked up in excitement as Jesse led them to the room.
"Candy? Evelyn really? Resorting to poisoning."
"Drugging but it's the same difference," Baaseft said as she watched her cousin wheel in a wagon of infants.
"I take it everything went well." Baaseft commented peaking into the wagon all of the babes were sound asleep curled up to each other.
"It's criminal how easy it was to grab these children." Woolter said as he readjusted his sweater.
"Society has grown complacent. They believe that no wrong can happen in Zootopia." Baahseft smirked as she lead her cousin to the lab.
"Is this research really worth this?" Woolter asked as he pushed the wagon into the lab. Around the room he watched as the children sleepily sucked on lollipops and were put on some medical beds for their 'Naps'.
Jesse stood back as each babe was almost lovingly tucked in by Lola. The Chimp caressed each child's head and removed hats and glasses placing them off to the side. Jesse could see how sad she was when turning away from the last child.
"Evelyn? Is this really worth it?" Woolter asked as the wagon was taken from him.
"Oh yes very much so," Baaseft said as she pushed a medical tray over to the first bed scalpels and syringes catching the light with a dangerous glisten.
"No… Mom look I am alright Nick is here with me." Judy said as she stared at her T.V., slouching on the couch was Nick watching the news.
"...In other news a recent crime wave has been sweeping zootopia. Noah has struck various locations leaving families mourning the loss of their young. In the past three weeks, various missing persons between the ages of two days to one year have been found mutilated across Zootopia." Fabienne Growley said as she turned to look at her co-anchor Peter Moosebridge.
"That is correct Fabienne, eighteen babes were kidnapped from various locations across Zootopia, one male and one female from Elephant, Wolf, Fox, Chimpanzee, Lion, Goat, Sheep, Pig and Rabbit families. All eighteen have been found in various forms of mutilation. Police Chief Bogo had this to say." Nick growled as he paused the news report and turned to look at Judy.
"I can't believe this Carrots, this murderer is making us look like a joke." Nick said, turning to look over his shoulder.
"Mom look I'm going to have to call you back alright. Yes, I know dad wants me to come back home but I am safe and Nick is here to keep an eye on me if anything. Yes, mom the fox. No mom...Mom I don't think that's appropriate to be asking me. Mom look please don't worry about me I'm fine. I'll call you tomorrow. Love you too, bye." Judy said hanging up with a sigh. She started rubbing her temples before flopping down next to Nick on the couch.
"That bad?" Nick asked raising his arm so Judy could curl into his side.
"Yea mom's just worried. With the recent crime rise she just doesn't know how to feel with me so far away."
"And your old man?"
"Dad? He's always been a worry wart. I'm not as small as a mouse but I'm still pretty small compared to everyone else. He's worried that one day I will just get picked up and someone will walk away with me." she said as she hugged Nick and looked at the frozen image of Chief Bogo on the screen.
"That won't ever happen Carrots. Not while I'm here." Nick said softly holding her close before unpausing the T.V..
"... We are still investigating the kidnapping and subsequent murder of the babes. We have Zootopia's finest on the case. We will find whoever is committing these atrocities and when we find them we will make them pay..."
"Log three: all of the subjects have been rebirthed. Each subject genetically modified to their new species with little to no issues. Each subject has received their cosmetic surgery to remove or adjust ears, snout, or lips . The subjects are adjusting well to their environments. It has become prudent to keep them all separated for the time being to minimize injuries. Their only contact with another is through their caretaker, Lola, and myself. They are not aware that there are others, I want to keep their curiosity contained."
-DH-
Judy sighed as she banged her head on her desk repeatedly.
"Carrots, while I do believe that any item can be an instrument, using your forehead as a drumstick is not that great of an idea." Nick said with a smile looking down at his partner.
"I just don't get it!"
"Give me a bit more Judy."
"Well think about it, we had a crime spike one after the other in fairly quick succession then suddenly it stops. With no caught suspect. I don't understand how a criminal can just fall off the face of the Earth." Judy said as she turned to look at Nick with concern.
"Well maybe they didn't fall off the face of the Earth. You still in contact with Fru Fru?" Nick took a sip of his Blueberry Mocha Latte.
"Of course. It's Little Judy's birthday this week, so I went shopping at the toy store for some doll clothes. I mean Little Rodentia is great and all, but 50 dollars for a dress the size of my pinky when I can buy the same thing at the toy store for 5 dollars on a doll with accessories. I got her a whole box of clothes, accessories and even bought a bedroom set from the miniatures section. I mean she's….3..4 ." Judy said looking over at Nick in confusion.
"She's 5 but I'm sure whatever you got her is fine. I was thinking when we head over for the party we could also talk to Mr. Big." He said as he took off his aviators and put them in his pocket.
"Mr. Big?"
"Well Yes. You know to see if he has iced anyone recently, and if not, he might know something."
"That….You're a genius."
"I have my moments." Nick smirked as he shrugged turning to look at the evidence board taking up a quarter of their office.
-DH-
"Log 23: Testing sequence will begin shortly. Subjects 6 and 12 will be introduced to one another in Testing Chamber A. Fir and Linden have proved to be very volatile subjects and attuned closely to their respective species. We will be testing their reaction to another, in short a test of male dominance of territory." Dr. Baahseft looked at her main screen which showed the empty testing environment on the bottom right and left respectively were her two feral subject toddlers, Fir and Linden. They growled and snapped at the cells throwing themselves to the wall to try and get out. Smirking, she leaned back and pushed a button and watched the two subjects rush for the open door.
-DH-
"Oh my gosh Judy! It's been so long! How are things? You look as athletic as ever!" Fru Fru the Artic shrew cheered as she ran across a table to see her. She gave Nick a courteous wave then turned all of her attention back to Judy.
"Fru Fru, as always I love your hair. Did you get it cut again?" Judy asked as she pulled up a seat. The polar bears that surrounded the table no longer made her nervous even as they stood stoically, barely moving.
"Yep, oh you know, I have to change it up every now and then." Fru Fru said as she played with a loose strand of hair.
"That's fantastic." Judy craned her neck to look at all the rodent visitors at the table.
"So where is the birthday girl?"
"Oh she's hiding somewhere. Little Vito played a prank on her this morning and she's been mad ever since." Fru Fru said with a huff looking around the table.
"Oh and where is the little troublemaker?"
"Probably with Daddy trying to get someone iced again. He really wants to take up the mantle as the next Mr. Big."
"Well Judes, I will go find Mr. Big and pay my respects to head of the house." Nick said as he nodded to Fru Fru. With a smirk he shouldered Judy as he passed by his tail caressing her feet.
"That fox. You know he has a thing for you right?"
"Fru!"
"Yea Aunt Judy he is a Def Preyophile." a voice spoke from behind Judy. She turned to see another Polar Bear enter the room with a tiny version of Fru Fru in his paws. She wore a light blue dress with puffy sleeves and a tiara. She hopped from the guards paws before he could place her on the table.
"Little Judy!" Judy's cheeks were burning. The little shrew giggled as she skipped to her godmother and gave her arm a squeeze.
"Hey, when you have babies, I can be their god-sister!"
"Oh, Judy, you must let me plan your bachelorette party! I know this cute little shop-"
"Fru Fru!" Judy pressed her paws to her cheeks and tried to put on a serious face. "Nick and my relationship is purely professional." She turned to Little Judy then back to Fru Fru, "No babies, no wedding."
To avoid any more embarrassing conversations on her love life, Judy reached down and pulled out Little Judy's birthday present. The birthday girl squealed and hurriedly began ripping through the bags. Fru Fru smiled at her daughter then looked up at Judy.
"I know you don't like talking about romance Judy but remember, you ain't getting any younger."
"I know Fru Fru, you're sounding a lot like my parents. I just don't have the time for that, with work and...and…" she trailed off. Is that all she had in life? Her work? Fru Fru gave her a smile and patted her larger paw.
"Come Judy, they'll be bringing out the cake soon."
-DH-
"Log 24: Both subject 6 and 12 have expired. What was supposed to be a show of dominance turned into a bloody fight. They both died from their wounds. This level of savagery is reminiscent of a time when predators would hunt and eat prey. While it would be fascinating to study, I fear I would only lose more subjects. The next rounds of the experiment would see if male and female pairs can procreate. Their DNA haven't been affected the same way, so it begs the question, can these creatures still reproduce. Science has seen the birth of such mammals as the liger and the mule, the combination of two similar but distinct species, whom can not reproduce. I will begin this study finish with similar animal pairs. As for Subjects 16 and 21 whose partners, 6 and 12 expired, they will be on standby. After the initial mating, I will introduce the other males to them on the basis that all the subjects fundamentally have human DNA."
-DH-
"Nicky. You come here on the day of my granddaughter's birthday to ask me for a favor."
Nick smiled in his relaxed stance his eyes roamed the room. The old shrew leaned back in his chair while his bodyguard took post around the room.
"Mr. Big, you always know how to throw a good party I can't resist."
"Nicky you are family now. Vito, call me Vito. What can I do you for." Mr. Big linked his fingers together.
"Judy and I have a problem."
"Need me to ice them? I would be more than happy to make the problem disappear."
"Not really, more like we are looking to see if you got rid of them already. Deal with any child snatchers or killers lately?"
The room lit alive with growls as Mr. Big hissed, his sharp white teeth catching the light.
"No but if I do he will sleep with the fishes in pieces."
"We thought we would ask seeing as how we haven't found them yet."
"I do have something you might be interested in though?"
"Really?"
"Koslov!" Mr. Big called over his shoulder. At his call a Polar Bear pulled a bag out of his pocket and dropped it on the table. Inside the bag several blue crystals gleamed.
"What in the world is that."
"Blue. Diluted nighthowler."
"Diluted What?"
-DH-
Baahseft stared at her monitors, the male and female couplings didn't seem to be getting along as she had hoped. The females cowered in the corner of their cells while the male pranced about, urinating and rubbing themselves against the walls.
"Too young," she said. That was it, the subjects were too young to develop the urge she wanted to study. She had Lola help her administer another growth serum. It was another two months until the subjects were the right 'age'. This time when she introduced the males, they ran straight for the females.
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