-So long Ranger-
-Ranger Training….suspended due to budget cuts-
Nick missed Judy.
The memories of the day before kept playing over and over in the poor fox's mind.
The bunny had been waiting for Nick just outside the conference room where the fate of the parks department had been discussed. Sadly things had not gone so well.
The initial reason for the meeting had been to present the recently gathered information about the forest and its status. What happened next had thrown everyone through a loop.
Several auditors from the government had been sent to Fairfax and attended the meeting. While Judy and her fellow park employees painted a somewhat hopeful picture the auditors didn't see it the same way.
The fact still remained that the parks department and forestry service had depleted its funding fighting the June fire. Even with a bailout of some kind they were looking at a serious deficit.
They all knew they couldn't just shut the parks department down though. It was vital that they still remain in operation. They did, however, have to find ways to cut budgets across the board. Programs were being shut down, events temporarily suspended, and staffing….well some mammals would not be continuing their career with the parks department.
As Judy held back tears she explained all this to her fox. Her voice would quiver on occasion and her eyes were red with irritation. She was still the definition of beauty to Nick who placed a paw on her cheek and tried to comfort the doe.
"They aren't getting rid of you right?" Nick asked, his main concern being Judy who had spent so much of her life here and made a name for herself.
"No, for now, I have been listed as an asset."
"And quite the pair of assets at that," Nick teased which got him a playful slug on the arm from a giggling Judy.
"Nick…the Rangers were brought up….with so many programs suspended they….they are going to have to cut-" Judy began but Nick placed a finger to the doe's lips.
He already knew what she was about to say. He had a feeling when he heard staff cuts what would happen. He hadn't been with the Parks Department for even 6 months yet and knew that if someone was going to be put on the chopping block it would most likely be the new guy.
"Did they say my name specifically?" Nick asked he didn't sound panicked when he asked if anything he was confident. He had to, for Judy.
"No, but Nick.."
"Then, for now, I am still here and we will face that problem when it comes."
That conversation had been yesterday.
Today was a new day.
And from the looks of it was also Nick's last day as a Ranger.
Though it hadn't been said yet the fox was smart and knew where everything was going.
All the Rangers had been called to a mandatory meeting at the Rock Pile. Those that couldn't make it because they were too far from the main region had tuned in via radio.
Trisha and Nick had to share a seat because the room was so full. Nick felt a little awkward about this mainly because Delta was in the room. The painted dog didn't seem phased by this at all though. Having given Nick a pat on the shoulder and a friendly smile before excusing himself to chat with a coyote in similar tactical gear as his own. Nick recognized the other canine as the one that had helped Delta arrest a certain buck at the end of Nick's firewatch season.
Nick looked around the room and studied the mammals of all shapes and sizes. He had gotten to know a few of them during his time training with Trisha. The brown bunny having made sure that Nick got to meet as many of the rangers as they could.
They had all been very friendly and welcoming to Nick. Offering little bits of advice, mostly on how to deal with Trisha. The comments were normally met with a pinecone being tossed at the mammal's head or a playful wink from the bubbly bunny.
Nick felt a pang of regret as he looked around. Having a feeling that after this meeting they may no longer be his co-workers but simply mammals he used to work with.
Skye stood up from her chair right next to Jack and cleared her throat. Everyone quickly fell silent and looked over at the arctic fox who slowly scanned the room. Even though Nick had just met Skye a short while ago his skills as a street hustler came in handy. He could tell just by looking at Skye that she was saddened. As her eyes met with each of her rangers the fox would give off a few tells. Pride, happiness, content. When Nick and Skye's gaze met though there was a slight sadness in the vixen's eyes. That had been all Nick needed to know what was coming next.
Skye prepared to speak but froze when she felt a paw on her arm. She looked down to see Jack giving her a firm look the hare taking in a deep breath as he stared up at his second in command.
"It should come from me Skye," Jack said as he stood up in his seat.
The arctic fox nodded and sat back in her own chair.
Jack was the only mammal not in a ranger uniform. He wore a white button up dress shirt and navy blue slacks. A matching jacket was slung over the chair. He gave off a rather commanding presence for such a small mammal. The more Nick thought about it though the more he realized how all the rabbits in his life seemed to ignore their own size when dealing with others.
"Rangers," Jack began, his words came out with confidence mixed with sadness. "I am not going to waste everyone's time by trying to sugar coat things. I respect you all too much and I also know that Trisha's attention span only lasts so long."
There was a collective laugh from the rangers as they looked over at Trisha.
"Sorry boss you say something? Kinda drifted off there," Trisha teased, giving Jack a wink.
Even in such a somber setting, Trisha managed to get a few chuckles from her fellow rangers.
"The budget is still being assessed but I am not going to lie, this is going to be a rough year for some of us," Jack continued. "Salaried leadership will not be getting a raise this year."
Skye let out a sigh and simply shrugged.
"My part-time rangers," Jack continued as he nodded over at a ewe in the corner. The poor mammal looked terrified as she waited to hear her fate. "We will only be able to provide the minimum standard of hours that are required to keep your benefits."
The ewe let out her own sigh but unlike Skye's, it was one of relief.
"Full-timers," Jack continued which caused most of the rangers in the room to shuffle around nervously. "Goes the same for all of you, which means no more 40 hour work weeks."
"What's the minimum?" Asked the coyote next to Delta.
"35," Jack said firmly.
There was a collective groan, a large grizzly bear on the other side of the room raised his paw quickly.
"We will still be able to provide 40 to those in dire need, such as new parents," Jack said with a smile towards the grizzly who quickly lowered his paw. Jenny who was standing next to the grizzly let out a smile and patted her fellow ranger on the back. Nick remembered meeting the gentle giant of a mammal a few days prior, Trisha informing both Nick and the unaware bear that she was the godmother of the new cub. The bear relented in the end and had even whispered to Nick how he had planned on asking Trisha anyways.
Nick was rather impressed with how Jack managed to control the room. He seemed to know what questions were coming and what answers would keep his rangers calm and collected.
"Sadly some of these changes won't be enough," Jack said with a sigh. "I have been ordered to cut at least 7% of our budget by the end of the month. Now I won't bore you all with the exact details right now but that is a huge chunk of change. I am also only allowed a certain amount of staff."
Nick tensed up in his seat. Trisha must have known what was coming as she reached for the fox's paw under the table and held on tight. The fox was grateful to have a friend like Trisha right then if he was about to be let go then at least he wouldn't have to face the news alone.
As the bunny and fox held paws they both kept their eyes on Jack, sadly the hare looked right at Nick.
Jack looked at the table before him, the parks department logo had been painted in dark green on the polished wood. As he let a soft breath out the rabbit looked back at Nick. Everyone in the room could tell what was coming next. They could also tell how much it pained their leader.
"Nick I want you to know that Skye and I fought this," Jack began.
Trisha's grip on Nick's paw tightened as she let out a shudder.
"If there was some other way trust me we would take it," Jack continued. "Hell, we even suggested selling off some of the trucks or maybe having you at least go seasonal… but I am afraid-"
There was a sudden movement at the side of the table which caused Jack to fall silent. Everyone stared over at Chris Wolfard who had suddenly stood up and cleared his throat.
"Sorry to interrupt Jack but I wanted to take this moment to announce my retirement."
Everyone was so shocked at what Chris had said that it took a few moments to process it.
"Chris you don't-" Nick began but was cut off.
"Quiet Rookie the adults are talking," Chris said firmly as he gazed at the fox.
"Chris I appreciate what you are doing but I can't ask you to," Jack had started but he too was cut off.
"You aren't asking me anything, I just told you I am retiring, simple as that," The old wolf explained as he looked across the table at Jack.
"Chris it is completely obvious-" Skye said as she stood up from her chair.
"That I am old and need to leave this kind of work to the youngins? Yes, I fully agree."
"And if I refuse to accept your request to retire?" Jack managed to get out before Chris could interrupt.
"Refuse?" Chris asked with a wicked grin. "Jack look at me," The wolf waved at his fit form, his uniform neatly pressed, though he may be old he didn't exactly look it. "I am falling apart here, I am growing senile."
"I'll say," Delta joined in which got him a few glares from his fellow rangers. Chris, however, gave the painted dog a wink. "I mean the other day this bag of bones just passed out during the briefing."
"Hadn't had my morning nap yet," Chris added.
Nick couldn't believe what he was hearing. Just moments ago he thought this was over. He thought he would have to leave the Rangers but now thanks to this old wolf he may have a chance.
There were several whispers around the room as the other rangers watched. No one was fooled by all this, they were, however, curious to see how it would play out.
"Chris you have been with the department for so many years, we can't possibly ask you to-"
"Who asked?" Chris questioned. "Wilde didn't, Rose didn't."
"Hate when he uses my last name," Trisha grumbled, her paw still grasping Nick's.
"Delta may have but that's because he knows he will always be the second most handsome canine while I am around."
Delta roared with laughter at the last comment, several other mammals joining in.
"So let's stop pretending for just one minute," Jack said firmly as he raised a paw to get everyone's attention. "Chris, you mean to tell me that you are willing to retire, right here and now for…. Well for Wilde?"
"Hey now," Nick shot back. The fox was about to throw a comment or two Jack's way but he fell silent when he heard Chris's response to the question.
"Absolutely."
The whole room was silent.
The way Chris spoke there was no hesitation. He said the words with a firm confidence that told everyone there was no talking the old wolf out of his decision.
"Besides if you don't let me go I may just start trying to find ways to get fired," Chris suggested playfully.
"Really now?" Skye asked one of her eyebrows raised in a questioning manner.
"Oh yeah," Chris said with a chuckle. "Drinking on shift, swearing, grabbing female Rangers by the tail…you know….how Jack used to be before he was promoted."
This caused the whole room to burst into laughter, including Jack who tried his best to look ticked but failed miserably.
Trisha's paws shot up quickly which caused everyone to look at the small doe, "So do we make an appointment for the tail grabbing or do we form a line?"
The laughter in the room began anew. Delta trotted over to Trisha and put a paw on the small doe's shoulder, giving Chris a look that made the wolf raise his arms in a defensive manner.
Eventually, everyone managed to calm down. A few of the Rangers needed a moment to catch their breathes before the meeting could continue.
Nick was still in a state of shock from all this.
"Ranger Wolfard," Jack began which caused the room to fall silent once more. "I hereby accept your request to retire."
Chris smiled at Jack and gave his leader a nod.
"Ranger Rose?"
"Yes, Ranger Savage?" Trisha asked, throwing some attitude towards her boss. Nick wasn't sure if it was because the hare used her last name or because of her spunky attitude.
"I am now short one Ranger which means you better get Nick up to snuff asap," Jack said as he looked over at Nick and Trisha.
The bunny stood up suddenly in her chair and gave the hare a curt salute, "You can count on me, boss."
"Wilde!" Jack barked which caused the fox to sit up straighter.
"I am sure you can appreciate the importance of all this," Jack began. Nick simply nodded before looking over at Chris who gave the fox an encouraging smile. "Don't let us down."
"Wouldn't think of it, sir."
Before anyone could say anything else Trisha grabbed Nick by the paw once more and hopped off her chair. At first, Nick wanted to protest, he felt he needed to thank Chris before they left.
The fox looked back at the wolf as several of the Rangers gathered around the old canine, many of them shaking his paw or giving him a warm embrace.
When Nick and Chris's eyes met Nick just stared. There was so much he wanted to say at that moment but the words eluded him.
Trisha continued to tug at Nick's arm, insisting that they hurry since they had no time to waste now.
Chris smirked at Nick and gave the smaller canine a kind nod.
Nick simply returned the nod with one of his own, he realized right then that for an old-school mammal-like Chris that was all that was needed.
"We have so much time and so little to do!" Trisha blurted out as they exited the Ranger's conference room.
"Wait what?" Nick asked with a chuckle as he was dragged along.
Trisha froze and thought about what she had just said, "Wait! Strike that, reverse it."
"Alright then Trainer Rose," Nick chuckled as he watched the doe roll her eyes. "What is first on the list?"
"The most important thing."
"Which is?"
"We gotta go tell Judy you still got a job before she puts in her own resignation," Trisha said in a rather giddy manner as the two hurried through the halls of the Rock Pile.
"Sounds like a plan."
"Then the real torture begins."
"Wait what?!"
"Pinecone!"
Hey there Firewatchers.
Sorry been a bit busy lately. I wish I had a more consistent schedule to write but sadly work has become very demanding.
On top of that, I had to handle a situation involving a group of rouge pinecones wearing a suit and tie and pretending to be the prime minister. We can't have that! Their platform on education is just not feasible! I mean teaching ancient pinecone history should remain as an elective and not a core course.
A short chapter I know but it just seemed like a good place to stop for now. I am already working on the next chapter and with luck, we will have that done soon. :D
I am sorry to see Chris go but don't worry we still have a neat send-off planned for him. He is actually based off of a friend I used to work with who after so many years of working hard protecting and serving he finally took everyone's advice and is now enjoying a well-deserved retirement. I get emails from him (because the old dinosaur hasn't figured out texting yet) about his days. Spends most of them on a dock, smoking a cigar, drinking beer, and watching the fish eat all his bait. I really enjoyed creating this character as a nod to my friend. Hope you all enjoyed having him around.
Till next time!
Pinecone!
-Blue