June 18th, 20X8

Before Noon

Nova Ferocia, Northern Federation

"How's it goin', sweetheart?" Nick was sweet-talking the snow leopard secretary. "Zootopian Commercial Litigation Consultant, Patrick Sternfang."

"Oh!" The leopard looked at Nick, surprised. "Mr. Sternfang! We-we weren't expecting you until this afternoon, we thought your flight was delayed." The secretary almost jumped out of her seat as she checked her post-its around her computer monitor to make sure she hadn't written it down incorrectly.

"It was, so I booked a flight with another airline at the last minute. I was able to make my original time," he responded without hesitation. "I apologize for the surprise, as you can see this lawsuit is bringing about a high urgency for both parties."

"O-of course! Bu-but I'm afraid that Mr. Hammond hasn't arrived in the office yet, he thought your appointment was later in the day. I'll call him now, please have a seat, I'm so sorry, sir," she apologized profusely, picking up the phone and pressing a few buttons.

"Not a problem, ma'am," he assured, "Please tell him what I have to discuss is extremely urgent." He sauntered over to a designer couch designated for waiting.

"Yes, yes, of course," she nodded, putting the phone up to her ear.

Nick studied the room he was in, a fancy executive lounge. Tall ceilings, enough for a giraffe, and long, with windows that let in the bright light outside. The walls were grey concrete, brutalist, with vertical ridges that extended to the ceiling. The whole room had a very industrial, yet upper-class, feel. The secretary's desk was round and also seemed to be made of concrete. The snow leopard was frantically looking at her computer's calendar and trying to explain to her boss that he was needed earlier than expected.

Several tall doors lined the room, wooden, with plaques on each. Nick spotted the office for Lister Hammond, the one they would undoubtedly be meeting in.

While Nick was much calmer than he was earlier, he still felt nervous, shaken. He pushed the feelings aside and did his best to meditate, breathe, and accept what he was feeling. He had been thinking of Judy, the pain she caused him, the way she made him feel; before and after the press conference. Was he doing this job to spite her? This was a thought that had emerged from his subconscious, and he was now fully aware of it, and he was confused. He missed her, this much he knew, but she hurt him in ways even he didn't understand.

He shook the thoughts from his head, as he normally did when confronted with uncomfortable emotions. He tried to return to his mindful state, and breathe. If he was going to make it out of this place with what he wanted, or even unharmed, he would need his charismatic, versatile charm more than ever.

"Red," the tinny radio quietly projected Finnick's voice into his ear. "I found somethin', man— this is big, can you chat?"

Nick looked around, the secretary was still on the phone, she was being yelled at from the other end. Nick clicked the radio button in a sequence signifying that he could listen freely but only speak in a limited capacity.

"Well, listen then," Finnick continued. "Dude, I don't think this deal is gonna go down like we thought it was. The CFO, uhh, Margaret Hood, some tiny ermine broad, looks like she made the decision to add some chemical to the Caracort."

"What?!" Nick whispered, alarmed. "They did it on purpose?"

Nick had snuck Finnick into the C-Labs, a protected area of the building where clinical testing and limited-run test production of medications were conducted. He must've stumbled upon some well protected records, things they were trying to hide from the possible future federal audit.

"Yeah, dude," Finnick continued, "I found some quality sign-offs where they were asked to add some experimental chemical directly from Hood, I don't see any reason though. It looks like they expected the chemical to form some kind of harmless dependency on the inhalers. Only it turned out it ain't so harmless after all, side effects started showin' up years later. I'll send all this stuff in an email to you and Flash. We might be able to use this stuff as leverage if these cats ever try to retaliate after we run off with the money."

SinistraNova was facing an injunction from the Federation, if the lawsuit was ruled in the favor of the victims of the Caracort impurity, the government of the Northern Federation would consider dropping it as a contractor. If they found out that SinistraNova poisoned its patients on purpose… Nick and Finnick had found much more than they could've ever hoped for.

"I've got an idea," Nick said, a smile spreading on his muzzle. "I'm going to find the CFO; we're talking to her instead."

"Red, don't even mess around," Finnick warned, "You know the plan, I ain't goin' to prison for this…" Finnick knew what Nick was planning, and he now cursed himself for telling Nick what he found.

"Listen, buddy," he reasoned, feeling his excitement rise. "We can come out of this with much more than we expected, I set up a shell company in case something like this happened—"

"Fool, think about this!" Finnick hissed, "I know you the leader and all, but even Flash told you this is a bad idea, I say we stick with the plan." He could hear the greed in Nick's voice, and while normally that was a good thing, with the state Nick was in, Finnick wasn't so confident in his ability to work on the fly.

Nick looked over to the secretary; her conversation was wrapping up. Nick had already made up his mind. Certainly Flash would understand.

"Sorry, buddy, new plan," Nick chirped. "Like you said, I'm the leader."

Nick could hear Finnick cursing on the other end, warning him to stop. Nick did his best to ignore him as he made his way to the secretary. He finally clicked his fingers, silencing the radio.

"Excuse me," Nick said sweetly, "I apologize, but could you be kind as to tell me where I may find Mrs. Hood?"

Savanna Central

Judy tapped some digits into her time sheet on her computer. She sat alone in her cubicle at the precinct. While most cubicles were very personalized with pictures of family, toys, figures, posters, Judy's was bare. She hadn't yet gotten the energy nor excitement to have decorated her new cubicle.

Bogo had sent her home after Clawhauser had spoken with him, and she was just filling out her time sheet to reflect her time off. It felt good for her to have made a friend so quickly in the precinct, although the generously sized cheetah made friends with everyone that walked through the front door, including the mammals being booked.

After having a long chat with Ben in his car, she had felt better, but exhausted. She told him everything, and the large cat listened, his heart breaking as she relayed how she blamed herself for the protests, how she felt she achieved nothing but an empty dream, how she couldn't bring herself to tell her parents how ashamed she was… and the story of her and Nick.

After Ben's encouragement and even urging to "let it all out," she did. She cried for the first time since she was a young girl, and was shocked at just how much it hurt, how much she was holding back. Ben had picked her up, much to Judy's surprise, and hugged her close as he began to cry with her. Judy was much too distraught and in need of comforting to resist, and simply allowed the cheetah to hug her tightly, patting her on the back, giving her comforting words through his sobs, which threatened to overpower her own.

Eventually, Judy had calmed down. Ben kept crying though, the sight of Judy crying was too much for him. In the end, Judy was the one doing the comforting.

"Even though I didn't see much of you and Nick together," Ben started, handing Judy some tissues he had in his glovebox, "I can tell, you both have something special together."

"…What if he never forgives me?" She said forlornly, before becoming frustrated, "Ugh, I hate this feeling that I can't do anything!"

"Judy, you listen," Ben said sternly, yet compassionately, "If he's too stupid that he's going to just toss out your friendship over one dumb mistake, then he doesn't deserve to be your friend. This is as much of a trial for him as it is for you. You've reached out to him, and if this Finnick is honest with you and he's trying to get that 'dumb fox' to talk to you, then you've done your part. It's his turn to calm down and prove that your friendship is stronger than the mistakes both of you made. Trust me honey-bunny, you'll both keep making mistakes." He bellowed a laugh, as if he spoke from experience.

"But that's the problem! We only knew each other for a few days before it happened, but I miss him so much! And I feel so guilt-ridden that I hurt him, what if he doesn't feel the same way about me? How could I think I even mean anything to him—?"

"Think about it," Ben interrupted gently, "if you meant so little to him, how could he have been hurt so deeply?"

There was a silence, Judy reflected on this. He had filled out his application; he had wanted to be her partner. He was willing to give up his old life, and start anew just for her... And he was hurt by what she said. Their relationship had developed so much in their short time together. Judy could now see that without a doubt. It was a bittersweet realization; while they had shared a deep meaningful friendship, he was gone now, and she was still unsure when... if he would come back.

"I know it's a really tough thing to do," Ben continued, cautious, "But you need to trust him to let you know when he's ready..."

Judy tapped away at her computer as she fondly recalled the conversation. Ben was right. If the friendship was truly one-sided, then…

Judy finished her time sheet and sent an email to Bogo, confirming that she went home for the day. Ben truly was a great friend, and she was thankful for his strong support. Judy made a decision: she would do her best to stop moping. The protests weren't her fault, even though she felt otherwise, and tomorrow, she would do her best to go out there and protect the city while it fought itself. The city would eventually tucker itself out, and things would go back to normal… right?

It was something she could dedicate herself to while she waited for Nick. It was obvious he didn't want to be found right now, but as she trusted him before, she had to trust him again, to come back to Zootopia, and let her make amends.

Finnick scurried through the ducts of the research building, cursing Nick under his breath.

That idiot, that damn fool! he screamed in his mind, I knew something like this would happen.

Something wasn't right with Nick, he was emotionally compromised, this much was apparent to the small fox. In hindsight, he should've done more to try to get Nick to talk before agreeing to this job.

He had to get to Nick and stop him before he made an unrecoverable mistake. Could Nick pull it off? Normally, yes, absolutely, 100%. Could Nick pull this off in the state he was in? There was no doubt in Finnick's mind that Nick was going to get himself killed, or worse, thrown in a Northern Federation prison.

Finnick stopped and took a look at the map of the air system that Flash had sent as part of the job details. He would need to come out of the ducts to cross the vernacular that connected the research building with the executive complex. Without Nick to carry him in the duffel bag, he would be exposed as he crossed the entire walkway.

He put the phone away, resuming his frantic scurrying, and pleaded in his mind that no one would be there to see him.

"Just what is it you think you found?" The female ermine asked skeptically, "I assure you that your business is with Mr. Hammond, as I am not involved with our legal strategy for the impending legal affair." Margaret Hood's tone of voice was even and professional, almost indifferent.

Mrs. Hood was seated in a very small circular desk that was in the middle of a large room, large enough for an elephant to comfortably call his own. The desk was atop a multi-stepped platform with the stairs a size that she could ascend without assistance.

Nick was nearly eye level with the powerful executive. "Mrs. Hood, I'm sure you're aware that your company is not sufficiently prepared to deal with this lawsuit, it is my understanding that you have an impending injunction from the Federation. If you are proven liable in this lawsuit, your government will bar your company from selling any of your products in foreign territories, including Zootopia."

These were practiced lines for Nick. While he didn't quite understand law, or foreign policy, or business, he did know what to say to get what he wanted, with a little help from the information him and Flash were able to put together.

"Mr. Sternfang," the tiny white ermine leaned forward on her desk, clasping her paws together in front of her, "I fail to see why you felt the need to address me directly, if you would kindly—"

"Ah, yes," he interrupted, putting up a paw. He noticed his paw was shaking slightly, so he hid it behind his back, "I do understand you are a very busy mammal. So let me get down to it. My team and I have uncovered information that could be… inconvenient were it to appear in court against you. It appears I was able to uncover compelling evidence that you personally were responsible for the decision that caused the chemical impurity in the Caracort." He gave her a smug grin, pausing for her reaction. He could feel himself becoming nervous as he had gone on the offensive, now with accusatory implications, and his confidence from earlier was already starting to waver.

Keep it together, he coached mentally. I have the upper hand. He forced himself to breathe normally, hoping the ermine wouldn't catch his nervous body language.

Mrs. Hood's expression cycled through one of shock, then to one of hostility. He saw her run some mental calculations before coming to her conclusion, "Are you… are you intending to blackmail me?"

"I'm merely suggesting that if I was able to uncover this information so easily," he lied, "Then who is to say that a certain law-firm wouldn't be able to find it just as easily?"

The ermine sat back in her chair, and studied Nick. Had she caught onto the hints his body was throwing off that he was nervous? Nick could feel himself get light-headed again. He tried to calm himself down, to meditate, as he struggled to keep his confident demeanor.

"I see, Mr. Sternfang," she said, giving him on odd grin. "What is it that you found, and what do you propose?"

Was she falling for it? Humoring him? Nick's mind raced to find answers; years of hustling had honed his ability to read the mammals he swindled into a second nature. But it seemed, in this case, to be quite the opposite: she was trying to read him. And there was so much to read.

"We were able to find drug quality reports, signed by yourself," Nick stated, doing his best to keep his voice from wavering. "Authorizing the use of an experimental addictive substance in a manufacturing run of Caracort. This chemical was tested by your own labs, showing no short term side-effects, so you made the decision to continue production using this additive."

Nick could feel his confidence returning. He relished watching the ermine squirm as he continued reciting the evidence that Finnick had collected, and the dire consequences of ignoring said evidence. Not only to her company, but criminal charges that would undoubtedly follow against her.

"We should be able to make this disappear," Nick prepared himself to deliver his most generous offer. SinistraNova wouldn't be able to give Nick money during the litigation, this questionable movement of funds would draw too much suspicion. "If you would 'sell' all three Ferocia Allergibbon facilities that you obtained during the acquisition of the company for say, I dunno… one Zootopian buck a piece? Not only would I get what I want, but the sale of the property, as I understand it, would prevent the opposing law-firm from collecting evidence or manufacturing information from the property, as it would no longer fall under a legal hold. My team can, of course, work to back-date the sale of the property to have occurred before the court order to retain the information regarding Caracort."

Mrs. Hood sat in her chair, overwhelmed. Nick smirked at her, confident that he had delivered the final blow. And in truth, he had; a look of panic overshadowed the ermine's face.

"Mr— um… Look, if I agree to this," she said, trying to not appear eager to find the easy way out of this whole mess she had gotten herself in, "If we make this sale, save my company— h-how can I be sure you won't turn around and release the information?"

Nick chuckled, "It's not just a matter of trust, sweetheart. We would be in the same boat: if we expose you, then we expose ourselves. It would be in our best interest, to keep your company afloat, and you out of prison. Which, I'm sure me and my team would be glad to do for a certain yearly fee for our services. You know what they say: if you're good at something, never do it for free."

The ermine sighed, her eyes closed. Nick waited patiently for her response, but he already knew the answer. She opened her eyes, and surveyed him for a moment. Eventually, after a period of silence, Nick noticed he had been taking in shallow breaths subconsciously. The corporate mammal grinned, seemingly noticing at the same time. This grin sent a chill through Nick's spine, and his legs started trembling. The ermine immediately took notice of his sudden change.

"Mr. Sternfang, if that is your real name," Hood spoke smoothly, every hint of panic gone. Was she toying with him? "I know of another way we can make this all go away."

Nick didn't like the way this was going. She was trying to call his bluff. The only problem was that he wasn't bluffing; he had what he needed to blackmail her, and quite thoroughly, in fact. But his body betrayed him, he could feel the darkness of panic swell within him again. Nick had to say something, or he risked losing the deal.

"Really?" He spoke, attempting to calm himself. "Because as I see it, you're looking a pretty go-good—" His eyes grew wide as he realized his stutter, he cleared his throat. Hood smiled at him, a look of affirmation that she was pushing back and gaining ground. "…a pretty good deal. Or we could just call it quits here, and I could bring all the information and sell it to a certain interested law-firm. Either way I—"

Hood interrupted with a giggle, rising slowly from her chair. She had seen enough. Nick stopped talking mid-sentence, and he was once again reduced to silence. Even though Nick had all the cards, held all the advantages, he lost one thing: his nerve.

The ermine thought he was bluffing, and maybe she could simply call it and be rid of him, or she had something up her tiny sleeve. Either way, Nick was losing, his mind went blank as to what to do next, and the feeling of nausea returned.

"That is— I mean—" Nick stammered pathetically, as the tiny mammal leaned forward, her paws resting on her desk, "What do you think you… um…" No longer was she under the spell of Nick's legendary charm, or at least what little remained of it.

"I think I have another plan," She began, boisterous and stern, her voice dripping with a sickening confidence. She could see how the fox crumbled before her, and she was becoming increasingly annoyed with his presence.

No, no, no, no… Nick echoed in his head, his eyes closing, ears lowering. This is all wrong! What's happening to me!?

"I have two security personnel outside my door, armed. I'm sure in Zootopia, things like that are regulated, but here in my territory, we play by my rules. You're going to tell me where it is you—"

An alarm blared, the sharp sound pierced the ears of both mammals, both trying fruitlessly to shield themselves from the audio. But as quickly as the alarm had sounded, it ended. Both mammals looked at each other.

Shaken from her silence, Mrs. Hood reached over to her intercom. "Wh-what's happening?"

"Armed intruder in the building, ma'am, please remain calm," a male voice on the intercom answered.

"L-look, Mrs. Hood, I'm sure it's nothing," he said, his legs shaking. He talked fast, without thinking, "I— I should probably get going!" He backed up slowly, waving his hands in the air as he talked, pointing both fingers towards the door after spinning them in a circle, "I'll call you later with the details, we can get that deal we discussed all hammered out! I'm sure you're a very busy mammal."

"Security!" The ermine shouted.

Oh no, nonononono! He panicked as his heart threatened to beat out of his chest.

A caribou and wolf burst into the room, already on high alert with their lethal weapons drawn. They spotted Nick immediately, and trained both their weapons' sights on him.

"Get down on the ground!" The caribou shouted, with him and the wolf quickly but cautiously approaching the panicked fox.

"Guys! Guys, this is all just a misunderstanding—!" He tried to reason.

"Sir, keep your hands we can see them and get down on the ground!" The caribou boomed.

"Ah, what the—?!" The wolf shouted in distress as he attempted to reach around his own back. "Aagggh!" He shouted, his face grimacing as he stiffened up.

Nick watched, shocked, as a small fox leapt from the wolf to the caribou and latched onto the bulky protrusion of his vest armor. The caribou dropped his pistol as he stiffened up as well.

First the wolf, then the caribou, fell to the floor. Finnick stood on the back of the caribou, getting his balance back. Both security officers were unconscious, a metallic ball latched on to the back of each of their necks.

Finnick hopped off of the caribou and holstered his taser. He glanced between the equally alarmed Nick and corporate ermine.

"Sorry to interrupt," Finnick said, crossing his arms. A knowing look passed between him and Nick, one of begrudging annoyance and deference. Whatever plans they had had crumbled with Nick's ego or confidence, and now they were flying by the seat of their pants. It was up to Nick to salvage what was left of this job. "Continue."

Nick turned back to the flabbergasted Mrs. Hood, and gave her a quick toothy smile. His confidence had returned, at least for a single moment. He straightened his overcoat, and chuckled his usual foxy chuckle.

"As I was saying."