Chapter 10
The woman- some sort of Permanent Assistant Secretary for Something or Other, Hunter gathered- escorted them through the halls of the embassy.
"So Hunter," asked Nick. "Aren't you wanted by the Terran government? How are you even here?"
"They granted me diplomatic immunity," murmured Hunter. "And keep it down, will you? I really don't want the whole embassy to know I'm a wanted terrorist."
Two men passing by at that moment looked at him uneasily. "Don't worry," Hunter told them. "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter."
They exchanged looks and hurried on. "Besides, if they're planning to apologize to me, then they'll surely-" he stopped as they rounded a corner.
Three men and a woman were walking down the hall. One woman, tall, dark-haired, and with skin almost as dark as Hunter's, caught his attention. It wasn't until she looked up that he was sure, though.
"Amna?" he said, coming to an abrupt halt. Nick, who was walking behind him, ran into his leg.
"Hey!" protested the fox.
But Hunter wasn't listening. Their escort and Judy stopped as well, both looking quizzically between Hunter and the woman.
She kept walking until she was about ten paces from Hunter. "Zacharias," she said coolly. "You look well."
"So do you," he said, his voice just as flat. "Much better than the last time I saw you."
"You mean when you left me in the middle of a riot?" she asked, her voice rising slightly.
"One ranger, one riot. Wanted to see if it was true."
"That's a motto, Zach, not a testable proposition."
"Hunter," said Judy. "Who is this?"
Hunter looked down at her as if he had forgotten she was there. "What? Oh, right. This is Amna Khabat. She's a Ranger."
"A what?" asked Nick. "A ranger?"
"Rangers are an independent division of the Human Stars Security Directorate," said Khabat. "We go from place to place, sniffing out corruption and treason, and deal with those responsible."
"Sometimes they even give them a trial," said Hunter, his eyes back on Khabat. "You know, if they're feeling generous."
The ranger looked exasperated. "Come on, Hunter. You've never bent the law a bit to get the bad guy?"
He opened his mouth to answer, then closed it again. "It's not something to be proud of."
"Keeping people safe is always something to be proud of, Zach." She moved closer. "You know, even though you abandoned me in the middle of an angry mob, I still missed you."
"It would never have worked out between us, Amna," said Hunter. "I'm a man, you're a harpy. Think what the kids would have looked like."
Nick and Judy both blinked. "Zach," said Judy, hesitantly. "How exactly do you know her?"
He looked down at them again. "Oh, right. This is Amna Khabat. Security Directorate Ranger and-" he sighed, "-ex-wife number one."
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It was getting near the end of shift. Tavi yawned- she'd had a late night- and looked around. Most of the shoppers had gone home, and there were few if any mammals to talk to. She desperately wanted to talk to someone. Anything to pass the time. Shepherd was interesting in some ways, but talking to him was something of a chore. Her eyes fell on a bat working on an electrical pole.
She strolled up to the pole and looked up at him. "Good evening!"
The bat glanced down at her. "Hi." He turned around to continue what he was doing.
Tavi tried again. "Isn't it dangerous to work without a safety line?"
The bat paused, and looked down. "Officer, I'm a bat." He held out one paw, unfolding his wing.
"Oh, right."
She tapped her foot, humming under her breath, then looked up again. "So, nice evening, isn't it?"
The bat sighed. "Are you going to just stand there and annoy me until I talk to you?"
"It's worked before."
"All right. Yes, it is a nice evening," said the bat, squinting in the fading light at whatever he was working on. "I am looking forward to going home, as it happens, and yes, I do generally enjoy my job. There, that exhausts all the immediate small talk, doesn't it?"
Tavi watched him curiously. "So what are you doing, anyway?"
The bat paused. "Yes, I did forget that one. Silly of me. It's part of the new electrical network," he explained. "We're running the wires underground and hardening the system against electromagnetic pulse."
"What?" asked Tavi. "Electromagnetic pulse?"
"Yeah. It's a sort of bomb that can be set off in the upper atmosphere. Overloads the electrical systems exposed to it." The bat clicked something into place and leaned back from the pole in apparent satisfaction. "I'm rewiring the leads."
"I don't understand."
"Good thing it's not my job to explain it then, isn't it?" said the bat disinterestedly.
"Why do we need to harden our system against this electro-whatsit?"
"Because the humans use them prior to invasion," said the bat. "At least, that's what they told me."
Tavi felt her hackles rise. "Invasion? Why would the humans invade?"
"If you ask me," said the bat, "They already have. You hear of the Raid?" He glanced at Tavi again. "I mean, you're a cop, but you look brand new. Maybe they don't tell the newbies about it."
She nearly told him that she had been in the Raid, but decided against it. She still wasn't completely comfortable with talking about it. "Question for you."
The bat finished climbing down the pole. "Fine. But I'm off now, so that's it."
"Do you know anything about computers? Like programming and stuff?"
"You know," said the bat, "That's a really stupid question that just happened to be right. If I'd just been an electrician, which is what most mammals would assume, then I wouldn't know anything. How'd you know I was in charge of programming these things?" He gestured to the light pole, which blinked on as the night started to close in.
Tavi pointed to his work bag nearby. "Because you have a laptop in there, and also what looks like a manual for computer code entry."
The bat looked at the bag, then at her again.
"I'm not just a newbie," she said, somewhat smugly.
"Okay, fine. What's your question?"
"Do we use AI on Terra?"
He blinked at her. "That's sort of an odd question."
"I'm sort of an odd mammal, these days."
"As it happens, we do. Even these things-" he pointed to the power pole, "-are controlled by an AI of sorts. Tells the poles when to light, diverts power to critical systems first, manages power flow."
"So it's intelligent? Like, self-aware?"
The bat shuddered. "Of course not. Can you imagine spending your whole life doing nothing but systems maintenance on a power grid? That'd be hell for any intelligent being." He paused and looked down at his work uniform. "Huh. Think I just had an epiphany."
"So we don't make them self-aware on purpose?"
"Well, no. And we don't know how, anyway." The bat picked up his bag. "The technology is too complicated. Even the humans don't know how to program an AI from scratch, from what I've been told. Everything is based on a design that survived whatever apocalypse nearly destroyed their civilization."
"Really? So my tank is actually based on a design from millenia ago?" asked Tavi.
"It's what I was told," said the bat with a shrug. "And what tank?"
Shepherd was quiet, but this was ridiculous. "That tank-" said Tavi and turned around.
There was a wide expanse of nothing where there should have been a King Cobra Light Battle Tank.
"Oh, no."
The bat watched her run off and scratched his chin reflectively. "Wonder if the police department is hiring," he murmured. "Seems like they'll take anyone these days."
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"Ex-wife number one," repeated Nick. "How many ex-wives have you had?"
"Three," said Hunter. "No, four."
"Oh, come on," said Judy. "Even you couldn't have forgotten that."
"Well, it's a bit iffy. See, I had a little too much to drink in Loronar Gardens one night-"
"It's three," said Khabat coldly. "That one was never official. Weddings at the Church of Rodney don't count under AlphaCen law."
"Church of Rodney?" said Nick.
"It's a long story," said Hunter and Khabat simultaneously. They both frowned at one another.
"Right," said Judy. "Well. We should really get going."
"Yes, we should," said the ranger, suddenly businesslike. "This way, please."
They followed her through a nearby door. Hunter glanced around the room where several humans and a mammal sat around a large wooden conference table. "Hey," he said, pointing to a kangaroo. "I know you."
The kangaroo muttered something suspiciously like "not again" before plastering on a smile. "Ambassador Leapzig, Mr. Hunter. A pleasure to see you again."
"Wow," said Hunter, impressed. "You said that with a straight face. You must be a really good diplomat."
"And this is Omar Castell," said Khabat hastily. "Newly appointed ambassador to the Terran government."
Castell was a tall man with a patrician air and a haircut that Hunter suspected cost a week's salary. His salary, anyway. He disliked him on sight.
The ambassador extended a hand. "Mr. Hunter," he said evenly.
"Ambassador," said Hunter, showing his teeth in what could be interpreted as a smile. He shook Castell's hand.
"Ambassador, allow me to introduce Officers Wilde and Hopps, of the Zootopian Police Department," said Khabat.
The ambassador, with a much more genuine smile than he'd had for Hunter, gravely leaned down to shake each mammal's paw. "I cannot tell how pleased I am to see you well," said Castell.
Nick eyed him. "No thanks to your soldiers."
"The incident you refer to as the Raid was not an official government operation," said Castell smoothly. "Nevertheless, the individuals involved were part of our military, and appopriate disciplinary measures have been taken against those who gave the orders."
"Not all of them," said Hunter under his breath.
Castell gave him a frown, but continued. "Part of the reason I've invited you here is to apologize for allowing our rogue citizens to commit such violence. We are grateful that more lives were not lost."
Nick and Judy gave him measuring looks. "Thanks, I guess."
"What about me?" said Hunter in a low, dangerous tone.
Castell looked at him. "You killed Klaus Lucas."
Hunter just shrugged. "He needed killing."
"Zach!" said Judy, appalled.
"He was a useful asset, Mr. Hunter," said Castell coldly. "He would have been dealt with, in time."
"He was a psychopath, Castell. And there's no time like the present, I always say." Hunter stepped up to face Castell, who met his gaze unflinchingly.
Judy watched the confrontation worriedly.
Khabat stepped forward. "Ambassador," she said, warningly.
Castell finally nodded, his eyes never leaving Hunter's. "We apologize deeply to you as well, Mr. Hunter. Your family's death was never supposed to happen."
"And saying sorry makes it all better?" said Hunter, in a voice like winter ice.
The ambassador hesitated, then a fleeting look of sympathy crossed his face. "Nothing will bring them back," he said quietly.
"No," said Hunter. His shoulders sagged, and he suddenly looked very tired and very old. "Nothing will." He grabbed a chair and sank into it, one hand covering his eyes.
Judy and Nick started toward him, but Khabat was there first. She grabbed his shoulder. "Zach," she said softly. "I'm sorry. I know you loved them."
He didn't take his hand away from his eyes, but reached up with his free hand and put it on top of Khabat's.
Nick and Judy watched, a little confused. Hunter had always seemed a bit awkward around them. He moved slowly and carefully all the time, always conscious of where he was and what he was doing. It was subtle, but it was there. They knew why- he was a large mammal, and like most large mammals he had to be careful around smaller ones. Even stepping on a smaller mammal's foot could be dangerous, resulting in broken bones. Now, though, with Khabat gripping him companionably and Castell standing nearby, he looked- normal.
Like he belonged.
Leapzig coughed nervously in the sudden awkward silence. "That's not the only reason we've called you here, however."
Hunter took a deep breath and looked up. He took his hand from Khabat's, but made no move to stop her from gripping his shoulder. "What else do you want?" he said, his voice low and husky with emotion.
Leapzig shook his head. "Not from you, Mr. Hunter." He shifted his gaze to Nick and Judy. "From you."
They both snapped their ears upright. "Sir?" asked Judy.
Castell spoke. "As part of our sincere apologies for your horrible experience, the Human Stars would like to formally invite you to visit AlphaCen. As our guests of honor."
"What?" Hunter sprung up. "They are not going! This is a trap!"
"At ease, Hunter!" snapped Castell. "No one's asking you!"
"No way," said Hunter, moving to stand between Nick and Judy and the rest of the room. "You're not getting your paws on them, Castell. So just forget it."
"Hands," corrected Judy, almost timidly. Hunter turned to look at her. "Not getting their hands on us."
"Actually, I did mean- never mind," said Hunter. "Don't worry, Judy, I won't let them make you go."
"What are you going to do to stop us?" asked Castell, an edge in his voice.
Hunter moved, blindingly fast, stopping almost eye-to-eye with the ambassador, whose face paled noticeably. One hand gripped Castell's lapel. "Ask Lucas," he said.
Castell gulped.
"Hunter," said Judy.
The human turned to look at her. "What?"
"Don't we get a say in this?"
He hesitated. "What? You want to go?"
She nodded. "Remember what we were discussing a little while ago? Isn't this a perfect opportunity?"
Hunter's face froze in sudden indecision. "Judy-"
"It's the best way."
He looked at Nick, who was watching him thoughtfully. "Nick, come on. You're street smart, you know better than this."
He spread his paws expressively. "Hey, she's the brains of the group. Besides, I think she has a point."
Hunter let go of the ambassador, who took a step back, and turned to face the smaller mammals. "It's too dangerous. How far do you think you'll get without-" he stopped.
"Without you to look after us?" asked Judy wryly. "I think we manage pretty well for the most part."
Nick's eyes searched the human's face. "We'll be safe, Hunter."
"Rule one," added Judy.
His fists clenching and unclenching, Hunter looked at them. Finally, he looked back at Castell. "You're responsible for them," he said.
"Now, just a minute-"
Hunter just smiled at him.
Castell swallowed nervously. "I'm certain they'll be fine. We've got the finest ship in the fleet to transport them, and they'll have an escort from First Landing PD."
"Yeah?" Hunter thought about that. "Okay. But I get to pick the escort."
"We have a number of names on a list," said one of the functionaries nervously. He quailed as Hunter turned to look at him.
"I have my own list," said Hunter.
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Sergeant Louis Wu, First Landing PD, Alpha Centauri, opened his email with a sigh. After deleting about a dozen emails about things that didn't apply to him- or, he suspected, any working police officer- he stopped at a familiar name.
"To Louis Wu," he read. "From Zacharias Hunter." Feeling a bit nervous- Hunter was still, as he recalled, wanted for murder- he read on, his eyebrows climbing as he read. "I have two friends coming over to visit for a while. One is a bunny rabbit, and the other a fox. Together, they fight crime. I've been allowed to contact you and I've put together a list of our old buddies at FLPD who will escort them around. You're top of the list. If they don't come home safe and intact, then I'll rip out your-" He continued, gradually growing paler and paler.
One of his officers- Arrizondo- happened to be walking by and noticed the look on his face. "Sarge? You okay?"
He looked up at her. "Um, yeah. Read this." He swiveled the computer to face her. She sat down and read before giving a low whistle.
"Wow, sarge. Never seen someone spend six paragraphs of a seven paragraph email just on death threats before." She turned the screen around to face him again. "Sucks to be you."
"Sucks to be us," said Wu, spinning the screen back to her. "You're on the list."
Author's Note: Hunter is being a bit over-protective, of course. I think it's obvious why.
Rule One, if you don't recall, is "Always go home".
The Church of Rodney is a reference to Larry Niven's Known Space series. It was a sort of joke organization that- well, it'd take too long to explain. If you're familiar with the Church of the Sub-Genius, it's not dissimilar.
Just a word of warning- while there are some jokes, the next chapter or two will probably be slightly more dramatic in tone. It's necessary, I'm afraid- I have a pretty involved plot that needs to be set up here, including showing some of the character motivations. Don't worry, though, I will continue to put as much funny in as possible.
