Chapter 7: What is right and what is necessary

I picked up the badger engineer and dumped him into the bushes. All twenty workers had been tranquilized and hidden a good distance away from the listening post. The station was wired to blow in addition to the radar station. I had cleared both sites with brutal efficiency, eliminating the small guard details at each station and holding up the workers at gunpoint. Afterwards, setting up mocking birds devices to mimic radio communications to trick their HQ into thinking everything was alright. Whatever the rabbit had told them about me, he exaggerated the details no doubt. In trying to prevent any of them from cooperating with me, he had sowed seeds of fear of me into them. They said I was merciless, that I would kill those who surrendered and make sure those who fought back suffered fates worse then death. A foolish move. I took a position overlooking the station and set charges into the dirt at the entrance and along the dirt road so I would trap any vehicles that were here in a kill zone. I looked at my watch. By now, it was long past the pick up time. We were to be considered MIA by the ZBI until we came back. No one was coming to extract us but that was okay. There's still that port we can get to to escape.

I forced them to call for guards to come to the station as fast as possible to recover any bodies and save the workers. Once reinforcements come, I would attack them, take a uniform and drive any operational vehicle back to their base... Wait... No, that would be foolish. I can't just swap uniforms, they would know! They can smell me, not to mention, I don't think any foxes work here. Why didn't I see this earlier!

I got up and looked around, I need to do something! The bodies of the guards laid scattered about Five of them. Perhaps... I have an idea... But I really don't like it.

I poured petrol throughout the building and the courtyard, making sure to cover the bodies and trailing it everywhere. The back up generator fuel storage and the small garage had proven to contain enough fuel for the job. I raised the can over my head and doused myself in the strong smelling liquid, tossing it to the side once it was empty. I know the guards will recover the bodies once they clear this place out. Once the fire eats up the bodies, they can't I.D them and they'll just put them into a morgue. I'll be with the bodies and once I'm in, I'll take them by surprise. Hopefully, the rescue soldiers would be quick enough so that I don't start to regenerate by the time they finish recovering the bodies. I had hidden one of the wolf bodies in the garage and took his spot on the dirt. I had to hurry, I could see lights coming from the jungle.

I quickly tossed myself down on an explosive charge and pulled out the detonator as well as a lighter. I pray this works. God help me. *Click*

I laid there in darkness for who knows how long. I felt as if I was underwater. My senses were numbed and I couldn't feel anything. Likely from the fact all my nerves had died when I set myself on fire and blew myself up. "God, the bodies are so disfigured, it's impossible to I.D them."

"I know... Come on intern... Just... I know, this is rare and may be more then what do you expect but I can assure you this is my first time as well."

"I understand doctor it's just..."

"Come on, lets take a break. We've dealt with enough bodies already. We'll deal with this one later."

"Okay..."

I could hear paw steps slowly disappearing before a heavy sounding door shut. My body still felt numb from the fire and bomb. I could feel I was in a body bag. The smell of rubber, cleaning agents, and rotten flesh indicated I was in some morgue. I quietly unzipped the bag and took a look around. Bodies were lined up next to me and neat rows, a thin layer of frost sat on everything and a cold mist laid on the floor. Fifteen. I could barely move... I feel weak... Body... Not right I slipped the bag off of me and noticed my legs trying to reform themselves... Thirsty... Need. Water.

I noticed a sink in the far corner. I rolled off the exam table and landed on the floor with a dull thud. I crawled out of the bag and began to drag myself over. I could feel my bloody legs trailing behind me. The flesh on my arms had barely reformed, exposing the muscle and burnt flesh on top. The charred bits of myself began to peel away as my body put itself together at an accelerated rate. My hand slapped hard against the floor, trailing blood each time I dragged myself closer to the sink. Eventually, I made it and I grabbed the rim of the sink, pulling myself up. A mirror hung above the sink... I saw myself. My face was unrecognizable. Disfigured beyond recognition. Flesh and fur burnt off... Bits of meat missing... Only one eye still there. I threw up in the sink. The thick brown bile hit the sink and slowly flowed into the drain. I threw up again. And again. And again. Until there was nothing left to vomit. I stood there, breathing hard and retching. There was a burnt taste in my mouth which mixed horribly with the taste of bile. I twisted the knob on the sink and greedily drank from the tap. I felt my strength return to me.

I looked at the mirror again. The flesh and fur was coming back. I could see my face again. I used the sink to carefully stand up. I felt wobbly still but I could manage. My gear was still with me. I pulled out my carbine and checked it. Fully loaded. I readied myself and carefully opened the door. The corridor from the morgue was empty. Hospital gurneys lined the hallway with body bags on them. The extent of my damage was quite severe. How many men did I kill today. How many brothers... Husbands... Fathers... Lovers... How many did I take away. These are just mercenaries. Doing their job... It's not like they wanted this.

I shook the thought from my head and carefully walked down the corridor, rifle aimed in front of me to make sure I'll be prepared if anyone tried to hold me at gunpoint. I could hear someone in the distance. "I can't believe one fox could do this! It's... It's not right!"

"Could it be true? That he's a living incarnate of the devil? You know what they say."

"What?"

"Foxes are red, because they were made by the devil!"

"That's... I... Maybe."

I could hear them in a room to the right. Likely a break room. God, how could anyone put a break room here? It's so absurd! I peaked in through a crack in the door and noticed a male deer and a female rabbit. Okay, they don't match my species but they may have something I want. Keycards, documents, maps? Any intelligence I can gather off these two might be important. I took out a tranquilizer pistol and loaded a single cartridge. The two noticed immediately, the deer looked towards the door. "What was that?"

I breached it and quickly shot him in the neck. He fell down and the doe went to his aid as I loaded another cartridge. "Hands on your fucking head now!"

"Alright, alright!"

She raised her paws and stopped moving. I pointed the dart gun at her head as I patted her down for weapons. She shivered the entire time, frozen with fear. I pulled out my knife and put it to her throat. She squeaked and I let out a menacing growl. "Where. Is. He."

"Who?"

"Lepus! TELL ME!"

"H-he's in the media room! He's making a public address to Zootopia to demand ransom for the agents!"

"Where is that!?"

"It's on the tenth floor of the facility! Please, just don't hurt me!"

I kicked her in the leg and choked her. She passed out and fell to the floor like a sack. I searched her and found a key card on her. Elizabeth Brandenburg, female, rabbit, age 33, scientist key card, level four access. Perfect. I ripped it off of her neck and took it with me. Time to pay a visit to our sweet Mr. Lepus.

I exited the room and carefully went down the hallway. A the end, I found an elevator. I hit the button to go up and a elevator came down. I got into the elevator and noticed that the panel on the had a slot for the key card. I inserted the key card and the panel lit up. I hit the button to the tenth floor. The door closed and elevator began to move upward. I checked my rifle.

Ding! Wait what?

The elevator doors opened to reveal three wolf guards and a moment of silence passed. I raised my rifle as they went for their pistols and gunned them down. I heard screams as the sound of the shots echoed throughout the building. I ran out into a lobby, workers vacated the area, knocking over tables and sofas in the process as they scrambled to get away. I need to find a way though! Alarms began to blare and a robotic announcer came on. "Warning, the facility has been breached. Intruder on the ground floor. Lock down, is in effect. Please remain calm. All personnel, evacuate in a orderly fashion or take cover in designated shelters. Security has been notified."

The lights turned out and red emergency lights flashed. The elevator next to me and the one I came from were clearly deactivated. Shutters to the upper floors began to seal. I need to save Skye and Jack and get the fuck out of here!

I ran until I got to a shutter that blocked a set of double doors which I would need to get through to an staircase that would lead to the second floor. I can't lift it and I don't have any explosives aside from grenades. I have to find another way out. "THERE!"

I quickly took cover behind a couch just as I heard the sound of glass shattering and the sound of darts slamming into the floor nearby. I took a peek up and noticed several guards up above in a skylight. "He's pinned! Shield team, sweep and clear!"

I could hear the sounds of armored footsteps. I took another peek and noticed guards with ballistic shields coming out and forming a wall. "Surrender Greenfield and you will be spared! We can talk this out!"

I growled. "GO! TO! HELL!"

I pulled out a frag grenade and pulled the pin. I lifted my fingers which held to grenade's spoon and it flew off. I tossed the grenade behind the shield wall. *Boom!*

The men screamed as the grenade exploded, cutting them down. I heard something thump near me. I turned and noticed that my grenade managed to toss one of the wolves close by. His arm still had the shield strapped on. I need that shield. I grabbed his arm and pulled him over. His back was torn to hell from the shrapnel and his leg was missing. I unstrapped his shield and put it on my arm. Fits like a glove. I stood out of cover and looked through the shield's view port. Darts hit the shield as I made a break for the doorway where the guards came from. They had left the shutter open which. Keeping the shield in front of me, I slung my sa80 behind my back and pulled out my beretta. The alarms continued to sound as I ran. I noticed a stairway which I could use to get up. I quickly opened the door and began to run up the stairs. "He's coming! Get back! Get back!"

I stopped and noticed footsteps above. Lots of loud footsteps gathering above and stopping. They're setting up an ambush! I saw I was on the fifth floor, dormitories. I can cut through this floor first! I turned around tried to open the door before I kicked open the door that lead into a hallway. Darts hit my shield as three guards from behind a hastily made barricade began to shoot at me. The darts hit my shield and I returned fire as I ran to a pillar in the hallway to take cover. I heard movement from the staircase and I raised my pistol to fire at the guards who tried to come down the stairs. I shot one and fatally wounded another who began to gurgle as he clutched his neck in a vain attempt to stop the blood from flowing out. My gun clicked and I quickly reloaded my gun.

I turned and began to charge them with my shield raised, firing at the the guards behind the barricade. I shot two and made the other cower from my fire. I sprinted and jumped just as he poked his face above cover, allowing me to kick in the face and knock him to the floor. I raised my foot and stomped on his neck, snapping his neck and crushing his windpipe. The P.A system came back. "All security personnel, target is on the fifth floor dormitories! Secure the floor and sweep!"

I could hear footsteps from the hallway in front of me and the stairway I came from. I'm trapped! I turned to the side and saw that there was a door there. I tried the knob and of course, the door was locked. I slammed into the door and slammed into the door. It budged as I rammed into it. The door gave when I bashed into it one last time, just as the guards came. I turned around and tried to close the door, only to realize I had broken the lock. I heard shuffling behind me and quickly raised my rifle to see a pig behind me. The pig quickly raised her hands. "Don't!"

I snarled. "DON'T FUCKIN MOVE!"

She froze and I quickly ran over and gave her a quick pat down. Nothing. I was in a bedroom, there was a balcony on the far end of the room and beds to my right. I wouldn't be able to escape though. Too high up and I want to go up. I heard the guards on the other side of the door and they opened it. "Greenfield! We have you surrounded! There's no way out! Surrender!"

I raised my rifle and fired a round at the door, causing the pig to scream. "I've got a hostage here! And if you don't want to add another body to the morgue I suggest you stay the fuck out!"

I could hear them panic on the other side. "Doctor Hoskins? Are you okay in there? Are you hurt?"

I nudged her with the rifle. "I'm fine! Get me out of here!"

"Don't worry doctor, we will... Everything's going to be okay!"

I growled. "No, it fucking won't!"

She began to bawl. "Please, don't hurt me! I've got a family! I beg you, just let me go! Haven't you killed enough people today?"

I... I shook the thought from my head and backhanded her. "Shut the fuck up! I get to decide who lives and who dies today. Understand that! You fuckers made a big mistake messing with the ZBI!"

She began to sob uncontrollably and I pushed her to the ground before I gagged her and bound her hooves behind her back with a zip tie. I could hear a guard come out and I quickly stood the pig up, making sure to put my pistol to her head. An raccoon stood in front of me with his paws raised. No weapons on him. "Please Mr. Greenfield. There's no need for this. Just give up. Skye and Jack are safe. Lepus said he would let them go if you stop."

I fired a round into the ceiling causing them both to shrink. "GET BACK!"

The raccoon got back up and stopped here he was, I could see he was shivering a bit. "Please Mr. Greenfield. You've killed fifty of my friends already. They were good people, just doing their jobs... They have families... Friends... Mammals who care about them. Just... No more. I beg you."

I growled. "Too bad. You boss signed all of your death certificates the moment he agreed to protect Lepus. You people fucked up"

"We never wanted this! We just wanted to show Zootopia that they couldn't trust their government! We wanted to wake them up!"

"How! By gassing them and turning them into mindless slaves!"

"That isn't true!"

"Really, what the fuck the ZBI tell me! Why the fuck did Jack turn on us!"

"He didn't! There is no gas! He has Jack tied up like Skye! He's broadcasting it to all of Zootopia right as we speak!"

"What do you mean there's no gas?"

I looked into his eyes... Those, cold eyes... He was shaking but his eyes told another story... Somethings not right. I noticed his eyes shift to something behind me. Shit.

Straight jacket and muzzled. Bound like a fucking animal! Like a present, ready for Lepus himself to unwrap. Of course, I would just kill him so he would never let me out. Turns out, that arctic wolf was just a distraction. The real trouble came from the two security guards who climbed down from the floor above, got on the balcony and knocked me out. Now, I'm locked in a jail cell, waiting for them to decide what happens to me. A wolf guard sat outside, having fallen asleep in the middle of the room on a chair, well out of reach. I heard the sound of a door opening and of tiny footsteps. The wolf who was sleeping immediately woke up and snapped to attention. The raccoon from earlier came. The guard who had been sleeping saluted him and he came over to inspect me. "Has the prisoner tried anything yet?"

The wolf who had been sleeping shook his head. "No sir! He's just been standing there. Staring at me."

He nodded. "Good. I want to have a few words with the fox."

"Of course. I'll get the door."

The guard opened the cell and the raccoon stepped inside. He looked to the wolf guard. "Go on. Get some rest Balto. I'll be fine."

"You sure? Lepus said he didn't want to take any risks."

"Of course. Get along now. I'll deal with him."

"Okay, if you say so. Just yell if you need anything."

"Glad to know you have my back Balto."

The wolf walked down the cell block and the Raccoon looked at me. When the wolf was far enough away, the raccoon spoke. "Corporal Marcus Greenfield, was it?"

I looked at him. "Yes. Who are you?"

"Canadian security intelligence service, analyst Clayton Reed."

No way. "Were... Were you human?"

He snorted. "Of course. What? You think there are Canadians here?"

"Well, I mean there are the Canine-adians."

"Well I'm not. I'm human like you from the human Canada."

"Prove it. What's the capital of Canada?"

"Ottowa."

"When did the British invade Iraq?"

"March twentieth, two thousand and three and you all pulled out by December eighteenth, two thousand and eleven. The invasion force was made of a coalition of British, American, Polish and Australian forces. You were the a member of the seventh armored brigade, the desert rats I believe. Anyways, your group was responsible for peacekeeping efforts in Southern Iraq after the war was over."

I nodded. "Okay, it's highly unlikely the animals of this world would know much about our world and its wars so you've convinced me. I believe you are human Clayton... What are you doing working for a bunch of mercs?"

He snarled. "When I got here, I ended up in their little hideout. They thought I was a Animalian spy so they locked me up. After they did some sifting around in the ZBI databases, they found out I wasn't one of them but they caught me for trespassing... In exchange for my freedom, I had to work for them."

"Jesus."

"I know. The bastards had me sniff out any spies among their ranks and gather intelligence for them so they can go on their bullshit ops."

"Didn't you try to escape?"

"I was building up their trust first so I could get away. I managed to contact your employers and tell them what was going on. Unfortunately, your friends at the ZBI wouldn't have any of it so they ignored me on the grounds I was a raccoon."

"Damn it... What now?"

"I'm going to need you to play along for a bit with what Lepus is going to do for you. I need time to get you your gear and your friends some weapons to we fight our way out. I've got an armored car outside we can use to get the the port. From there, we can take a boat and escape. In exchange, I want a pardon and asylum from the Animalian states."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I hate working for these fuckers. They're dumb as rocks and they're racist as hell. I want to get a little payback for what they did to me."

"Alright, I'll cooperate. My co-workers may not be in agreement with my decision to work with you but I'm sure I can convince them of our authenticity and capabilities."

"Don't get too far ahead of yourself Marcus. Lepus isn't messing around now. He'll have every guard right in that room just to make sure you and your friends don't escape. You need to keep him busy until I can get the gear and get rid of his guards."

"Of course."

"Good."

"So the gas isn't real?"

"It isn't real."

"Wait, but the mammals they tested on-"

"All paid actors Marcus. They wanted to lure the ZBI out. They used the crazy conspiracy theories of chem trails against your people... Heh, surprised it worked, considering it's usually the ZBI getting accused of using chem trails to create a complicate society."

"Wow... So, it's just the guards we have to worry about correct?"

"Right."

"What about our double agent?"

"Don't worry, he'll be taken care of."

"What do you mean?"

"I'll kill him myself. There's some things I need from security to stir up hell. I'll make a quick stop by the labs once I'm done."

It had been two hours since I talked to Clayton. I had fallen asleep during this time and when I awoke, I found myself being wheeled out on a handcart into some sort of news room. A huge team of mammals were sitting behind sets of cameras and monitors. Guards with dart rifles stood on scaffolding above and among the TV crew. Jack and Skye were in the center of the room, restrained by handcuffs and forced to sit on a set of high quality chairs. Jack was sedated and Skye looked like she was a bit shaken up. Lepus sat across from them stirring a cup of tea which he placed on a small coffee table when I was wheeled in. "Ahhh, good. The trio are reunited. Isn't that swell. Zootopia, this is Marcus Greenfield. Corporal Marcus Greenfield by his superiors in the Royal armed forces, officer Greenfield to his co-workers in the ZPD, and agent Greenfield by the ZBI..."

He continued to talk and Skye turned and looked at me with a sad expression. "They've got you too huh."

"Yep. Got me good I have to admit."

"Now what?"

"Stay calm okay. It's-"

Lepus coughed and we all stopped. "I've... seen what you did out there Greenfield. Those horrible things you did to our security agents. What you did to our workers. Why?"

I glared at him. "Fuck you!"

He shrunk back from my words but straightened himself out afterwards. "How rude Mr. Greenfield. Why couldn't you be more like your friends Jack or Skye. Oh right, your a human... How could I forget."

So it's a monster you want eh? Oh I'll give you one you little bastard. I glared at him. "You can go get stuffed you little shit!"

"Violence is such a primitive behavior Mr. Greenfield. Your anger and rage. Such things have never been seen within all the recorded history of mammals kind. You do understand what I'm saying right Marcus? Or do I need to spell it out for you?"

"Oh I understand what your saying you disgusting little bastard... Well, not disgusting per say."

"What?"

"I know a few dishes involving rabbits."

He looked disgusted. "Excuse me!"

"Yea... Rabbit stew with a little red wine tastes great. Or, maybe stuffed rabbit... Rabbit with mustard sauce... I also love rabbit pot pie."

He looked like he puked a little in his mouth. "Sweet cheese and crackers! You're- You're a physco! A murderer!"

"No. I'm a human. We rule the world back from where we come from. And back home, you all, are nothing more then a bunch of stupid animals!"

The security guard who was holding onto me punched me in the face. "You're- You're sick! You kill my friends and then you go on about eating rabbits! What's wrong with you!"

The guard was about to deliver another blow when Lepus stopped him. "Guard... That's enough. He's sick but... we can fix that. We are better then them."

The guard steadied himself. "Right... I lost control of my emotions sir... I'm sorry."

"Understandable."

He turned to me. "Now James, mind telling us why you were sent here."

I growled. "No chance you tosser."

He sighed. "Okay then. I think we should have someone else talk to you. My chief of security. He's not military like you but he has a strong sense of duty like you. But unlike you, he also has honor."

A grizzled dire wolf came over. "Right. Now James, tell us... Who are you."

"Corporal Marcus Greenfield. Service number, 27463."

"Good. Now, tell us and Zootopia why the ZBI sent you."

I spat in his face. He wiped it off, looking very disgusted. "Why you little!"

He punched me in the face. Lepus tried to get up to stop him but was held back by a guard. I laughed a little bit and he snarled. "Tell us what we want to know!"

"Corpral Marcus Greenfield. Service number, 27463."

I received another punch in the face from the Agies chief of security. "TELL ME!"

I spat some blood out. "Corporal Marcus Greenfield. Serial number-"

The chief punched me in the stomach and growled. "Listen here you savage human. Nobody is going to save you and resistance is futile. Just tell us what we want to know and things will be easier!"

I smiled. "Corp-"

The chief screamed in anger and slashed me across the face. I hung my head down, pretending to show weakness. "Darn it! I wish the gas we lied about to the ZBI was real! I wouldn't have to put up with this fox!"

He turned away and looked at the cameras. "Lepus! I don't want to deal with this filthy human anymore!"

Crap! That's not good, I'm not stalling long enough! Lepus shook his head. "That was unnecessary Mr. Dresdon! I'll have to have a word about this with you later."

The chief walked off stage and Lepus got up to inspect me up close. "As you Zootopians can see. Marcus. This human is... Violent and stubborn by nature. We can't exactly blame them. Perhaps they just aren't as evolved as us."

I mumbled something unintelligible, Lepus looked at me. "What did you say?"

I murmured and he got closer. "What?"

He stepped closer, his little face was just inches away from my mouth. Just a little closer. Bait him. "I..."

He got close to the point where my see my breath could move his fur. Now. I lashed out and bit his face. He screamed in panic and pain as my teeth sunk into his cheek. The whole room erupted and every one began to panic, a few of the mammals even fainted when they saw what I was doing. I began to shake my head to tear his flesh off and he tried to move with my motions. Big mistake.

He had moved just enough to the point where one more thrash tore his cheek off. He fell the the floor, holding his mutilated face. I spat the chunk of flesh out and onto the floor. Three of Lepus's security guards got to him and began to tend to him while the others began to try and shut off the cameras. I saw something drop onto the floor and the guards noticed it as well. They looked up just as a loud bang sounded throughout the room accompanied with a flash. The personnel near the flash bang were incapacitated by the bomb, rolling on the ground in agony. Such a tool was very effective against mammals given their sensitive hearing and eye sight. The three guards who were tending to Lepus fell as darts hit them. The rabbit quickly scrambled up and ran out the door. Clayton jumped down from the scaffolding with a duffel bag in his left hand an a special .38 revolver and the other. He ran over and cut my binds with a knife. "Get up soldier! We've got to get the fuck out of here!"

I reached into the duffel bag and pulled out my vest. I strapped on my gear and reloaded my rifle while Clayton released Skye from her bounds. She sat there, shivering, here eyes wide and unresponsive. "Skye?"

I ran over looked into her eyes. "Skye!"

I shook her but she still didn't respond. "Shit! Clayton, she's in shock!"

He growled as he fired his revolver at a few of the survivors, scaring them and causing them to run away. "Damn it Marcus we don't have time!"

I slapped her across the face and she seemed to come back a little. "Skye! Listen to me! We don't have time, grab Jack, we need to get out!"

She wordlessly went over to Jack and picked him up, holding him princess style and she came back. By now, Clayton had gone to the double doors of the news room taking shots at fleeing guards and workers, keeping them distracted. I came up behind him. "Lead the way!"

He nodded and began to run down the corridor. I followed close behind and Skye trailed behind, jumping each time at the sound of Clayton's revolver. He stopped as he fumbled for a speed loader. "Reloading! Cover me!"

I got in front and fired at semi-auto at the fleeing employees, making sure not to hit any. We turned a corner and saw personnel getting into elevators and shutting the fire escape door. I ran over and tried the door. "Shit! There's no way through!"

He turned and opened a window. "No need! Go through here!"

Clayton pulled a grapple hook out his pack and sunk it into the ground. He grabbed on and repelled down. I looked to Skye who was still shaking. I pulled some rope out of my pack. "Skye, give me Jack and hold still."

She did so and I carefully tied him to her back. "Okay, can you go down."

She gave me a shaky nod and got up onto the window sill. She carefully grabbed on and repelled down as well. I looked down and when she got to the bottom, I joined them.

It was quiet. Too quiet. I ran alongside Clayton who was going to a armored van. "Clayton, what the hell is going on! Why aren't they after us?"

"I disabled the security alarms and all their radios. They're disorganized and confused but that won't last forever. Now drive!"

He gave me a set of keys and I opened up the armored van's doors. I got inside while Clayton shoved Skye into the back of the van. I heard the sound of banging from the back and I gunned the engine.

The van drove down the path and into the shipping yard. It smashed through the chain link fence, nearly running several of the employees who were stationed there over. I stepped on the brakes and the van skidded to a stop. I noticed a patrol boat at the end of the dock where several wolf guards were trying to escape. Clayton jumped out of the back of the van. "Shit! Stop them!"

Clayton shouted as he fired a shot into the air. The wolf guards stopped and raised their paws. He turned around. "James! Secure them! I'll get Skye and Jack!"

I jumped out of the van and ran over. They stood there, trying not to be scared, though their tails were tucked between their legs and their ears were folded back. I raised my rifle. "On the fucking ground! Now!"

The dropped with their hands on their heads. I took my dart gun out and shot each of them, and sedated them. I'm out. I put away the empty dart gun as Clayton and Skye came over. Clayton brought her on deck of what looked like a archer class patrol boat. I looked at the cabin door which was closed. "Clayton, cover me!"

He looked away from sky and at the shore. "Can't, we need to untie this thing and get the hell out!"

I looked and saw several vehicles approaching. "Shit! Okay, I'll clear it, just get ready!"

"Got it."

He jumped off and I pulled out my pistol. I quickly opened the door and narrowly avoided a wolf with a knife. I tried to fire but he kicked me in the leg, causing my to drop my pistol. I braced myself and grabbed his arms to try and prevent him from stabbing me. I know it wouldn't kill me but I can't let them know. He lifted his arms and brought the knife down again. This time, my hand wasn't in the right place and it went through my paw. I screamed in pain as I tried to keep him from moving the knife. He growled, trying not to cry. "You... You f-fff-f—ff-u-fucker! I'm going to kill you!"

*BANG* My Beretta sounded off and a bullet cut through his neck. He fell off, looking at the person who shot him while holding his neck. He died, wide eyed and looking at... Skye. She sat there, shaking hard. The smoking pistol was in her hand. She was on the verge of crying. Clayton jumped back on. "Marcus! What the hell are you doing! Drive the damn ship!"

I snapped out of it and ran to the cabin. I pushed the throttle and steered the ship out of port, just as darts began to pepper the side the vessel.

The boat sailed smoothly along. I traded places with Clayton who was rested enough to continue piloting the boat. Skye was was sitting there, looking at the bloody deck and Jack was in the cabin with Clayton, resting in a chair that was too large for him. I found the provisions and prepared a hot cup of coffee for all of us. Clayton took his coffee and drank it down in seconds. I took my coffee and Skye's out to the deck. She wouldn't move. I set the cup down next to her and sat beside her. "Skye... You shouldn't think too hard about this."

She was quiet. I looked to here but she wouldn't move. She just sat there, huddled in an emergency blanket we found in the supply box. "I know you... Zootopians don't have the capacity to kill like a human does. I'll admit, even I don't but you shouldn't beat yourself up. He was going to kill us Skye. They were going to hurt us, we had no choice."

Skye was quiet for a moment. "I know, you are conflicted and I know you are scared... But I think you did the right thing. You did what was necessary to keep us safe. I'm proud of you for that."

She was quiet. "Just say something... Please?

I looked to her and she looked at me with sad golden eyes. "Do... Do you ever regret killing?"

"Of course I do."

"Then why do you keep doing it? We have dart guns that are just as effective as your rifle. Why do you insist on using it?"

I sighed. "You want to know something Skye? A secret if you will?"

"What?"

"What are you more afraid of. Getting darted or getting shot?"

"Getting shot."

"Exactly."
I pulled my pistol out and she shied away from it. "This is a weapon of war Skye. It is meant to kill and maim. Everyone is afraid of that. Even pulling it out caused you to back off."

I unloaded it. "You saw how Clayton fired up into the air and at the personnel right? How they all ran or surrendered?"

"Yes."

"That's the point. It's loud. Commanding. It demands respect, it is meant to terrorize and cause fear."

I pulled out my empty dart gun. "This is a weapon of enforcement. One that pacifies and protects. It's threatening but ultimately safe so long as you don't overdose."

"So that's it? You just cause fear and kill those who are too stubborn to stop is that it?"

"I'm not going to lie. That's pretty much what this is."

"Why?"

"Because fear always works Skye. No matter what."

"Isn't what those terrorists from your world do? Just scare people and kill those who resist? What separates you from them?"

"I don't go around attacking my own people Skye. I use my weapons to protect our interests but I don't relish in it and I don't use it to excess, and I certainly don't use it to bully people around."

"But it isn't right."

"I keep telling myself it is to save us. That it's just self defense but at the same time... I just don't know. Even I ask myself. What constitutes as self defense anyways? Does a guard holding a dart rifle count? Does a scientist with a scalpel? Are they defending themselves from me or am I defending myself from them. If I shoot that person, who am I killing? A husband? A father? A brother? A friend? Why my life more important then theirs? Should I shoot or not. That is the question Skye."

"So... Even you don't know if it is right."

"Morality is strange Skye. Even that wolf you shot. Sure he was going to kill us but he had been driven there by extreme circumstances. He broke Skye. I broke him and he couldn't cope with the fact his friends were dead. You think if you let him live he would have a good life? No. He would be haunted by killing me and the death of his friends. You put him out of his misery. That's all he could really ask for."

"What I did wasn't right per say?"

"There isn't a definitive answer Skye. It's too questionable to really think about it. In the eyes of the every day Zootopian, they would say killing is too much. I say you acted in the face of danger and that's commendable. Of course, it's up to you to decide if what you did was right in that stressful situation."

"What about when you tore Lepus's face off."

"That was wrong on so many levels. I have to admit that. I could have taken a alternative method to buying us time but... At the same time. I wanted to scare them. Remind them I wasn't a play thing or trophy they can just parade around. I'm not proud of what I did there. It was certainly wrong."

"Is Lepus evil in your eyes?"

"Evil is a strong word... I would say he's stupid."

"Why?"

"He wanted to pick a fight and turn a profit from us. Wanted to manipulate me into helping them. That's just sick. He sent a bunch of rent a cops to die to a highly trained soldier. But he certainly isn't evil. After all, he didn't exactly hurt us and he still cares for his employees. They get benefits, vacation days, and are treated well. His drugs helps lots of people too and he has built plenty of schools, libraries and parks around the world. He's brought water and food to third world nations and did whatever it took to help them build. Is that just for PR? Maybe. Maybe he just hates the ZBI and wants to bring attention to the fact they have someone like me in their ranks. A killer. Maybe he believed he had the capacity to expose them and what they were doing and did what he thought was right. I'll never know."

"So, are you saying even he might not be wrong in what he did."

"Yes."

We were both quiet. "Marcus?"

"Yeah?"

"F...F... Fu.. Fuck you. I don't think we should see each other for a while."

I looked to her and saw her with a small smile on her face. I smiled. "I completely understand Skye."

Wow, look at that. Sorry I've been gone so long. I've been working on school stuff and other fanfics. I promise I'll try to keep updating regularly but no promises.