If you opened this chapter, you are now on a list from the NSA. Congratulations!

Sorry for any inconveniences considering English being not my first language. Grammar and spelling might be difficult for me. I say sorry in advance.

Please review and criticize me, preferably via review button, but keep any insulting for yourself. If you have to be more extensive or want to establish contact with me, PM me and I surely will answer you.

Rated M for foul language and sexual innuendos, Rated HARD M for violence and gore

Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to Zootopia, they belong to Disney.

Zootopia Bureau of Investigation (ZBI)

Chapter 25: Car Talk

One week later, Wednesday, The LBI agents, their vehicle

They were driving for over eight hours to come here. Starting their journey yesterday night. The two animals inside this vehicle were not expecting the size of this great city to slightly overwhelm them. They were sure, that they would not have been able to navigate in this town and find their destination in any way accurately without asking someone for the right directions. Fortunately, virtually everyone had a phone in their possession nowadays. And with those phones, the access to the Global Positioning System was providing them with enough information to actually find their destination easily, knowing that the modern world navigation was being quite more comfortable than the maps of past decades.

Their vehicle was not provided by the Bureau. It actually owned by the driver. It was his private old timer belonging to Jacob Marsh personally. He harbored a nostalgic kind of love for the old classic Cadillac, a much bigger car than this rather little animal, a weasel, should possess and use privately. The interior had to be modernized so it could fit the small proportions of the two agents occupying the space inside it on this journey comfortably. This actually big room for two small weasels was shared with his brother Oscar Marsh on its side. Although, the possession of this vehicle would much more be considered a nostalgic love to the old days of the fifties, shared by both weasels, who always wanted to not only show their appreciation to this long bygone days, but were fans of this decades with its romanticized detectives and gangsters they wanted to associate themselves with.

Their outfits, both wearing similar ones, consisted of simple brown suits, a detective would have worn in such an old time. Even the trilbies placed on their heads would either tell anyone who would observe them, that they were actual old-age film stars, or time traveling detectives who got lost in the modern day. Their choice of vehicle and their choice of weapons, old looking revolvers, instead of modern firearms that would be much more efficient, were only reinforcing this impression they made to most animals they met.

The windows were down and open, letting a light breeze flow through the slightly smoke covered interior of the car. For the act, it simply could be described as a act, or rather an obsession, the two weasels loved to portray, the brothers occasionally were smoking cigarettes. Another one of their quiet sins, would be the very comfortable stance with liquor they had themselves as well. Anything the two did was screaming it out to the world, that they were enjoying the ways of the old days very much.

Besides their attire and their quirks, the two actually were real federal agents. Middle-aged weasels that had a good record on themselves and quite some experience to boost themselves with. They were elite animals, agents of the Lundenwic Bureau of Investigation, the LBI, so surely they had their good share of experience considering crime but mostly the aspect of terrorism. The counter terrorism division of Lundenwic was probably the most experienced concerning anything remotely covered and labeled as terrorism. There were six animals in the capital city occupied in this division alone, while most other Bureaus only had one team in this specific division in their respective Bureaus, while those mostly didn't concern themselves with real terrorism, but rather do normal criminal investigative work.

The capitol city of Animalia was Lundenwic. It was the main target of the only other terrorist organization in the whole country of Animalia: the Guy Fawkes movement. Hence, why their Bureau was the most experienced with terrorism. This terrorist movement consisted of anti monarchistic animals that tried and tried again to create as much chaos into any nobility caused event as possible.

Although, this movement was not very active for the last decade. This group was one of those, some animals were able to sympathize with. But for anyone else, it actually was considering the biggest threat to the modern aristocratic society of Animalia. Being an agent, who was occupying his time with the history and the prevention of sinister acts of especially this movement was considered to be immensely important. The well being of the whole country was constantly on their shoulders. Especially the nobles and the aristocracy appreciated this divisions of the Bureaus. Besides the secret services of the nobility, the counter-terrorism division of the Bureaus throughout the country always were considered the main fighting instrument of the government against those kind of movements and organizations.

The two agent brothers knew exactly what such a movement was able to do, and what dangers were consistent in this kind of terrorist threat. The main enemy was mostly not some individual animals that happen to be powerful and frightening enemies of the system, but terrorism mostly was something ideologically deep rooted. The enemy was the sheer Idea, mostly the philosophy of said terrorist organization, not some individual mammals. The two knew this only well enough.

Getting the main figures out of the picture would mostly just postpone anything for some time, till the Idea would spread again and create new animals with the same twisted and crazy thoughts. This was the Guy Fawkes movement in a nutshell. It was called a movement, because of being exactly that, a movement of constantly changing mammals and terrorists that were inspired by this and not born members of an actual organization.

The supposed leader of the movement, a snow fox with the actual name Guy Fawkes, was already dead for two centuries, but his Ideas lived on and on, creating copycats in every generation. And this copycats were taking it to themselves to fight the government like Guy Fawkes once did. The brothers Marsh were the agents, who should prevent this development and fought most of their lives against this copycats.

The actions of the movement were quite shady. But one thing was at least easy to reckon with those terrorists: they always had the same targets. Specifically targets that were in the aristocracy or even royalty.

Despite their mostly violent tendencies, the Guy Fawkes were mostly not a deadly organization. They were rather mostly just very misguided and stupid teenage animals that, for example, destroyed a bus stop in the name of Guy Fawkes, wearing those stupid snow fox masks.

The biggest deal they did recently under the name of the movement was the mammal-napping and eventual murder of a distant cousin of the Queen a year ago. This relative actually had no real connections, let alone any kind of power, so this act was ultimately just a cowardice murder, then a real terrorist act. The only thing disturbing was the reasoning at the time, that made it terrorism and not mammal-slaughter for profit.

The previous months though seemed very calm considering the Guy Fawkes movement. The movement stagnating and not doing anything significant at the moment. The Marsh brothers were effectively free to engage in something totally different than them. This new thing in terrorism was much more disturbing and already bigger then anything they had to deal with in their careers before.

The two animals were coming the whole way from Lundenwic by orders of the BI commissioner, by recommendation of Zootopia's High Judge Hathi. They were not blind or deaf, so they knew about the new threat called the Sturm as much as any other good informed citizen of Animalia knew about them. The news and media were giving them more than enough information than any other case they worked on before.

And they knew why this was rather called Terrorism instead of a simple jail break. It had mostly to do with the already involved animals of the Bureau and probably the Sheriff who decided to join the investigations as well. They wanted this enemy to be considered terrorists and labeled them this themselves. It was a tactical move of the ZBI. Probably because they knew the exact reasoning or something other very fishy considering the Sturm. A discussion the Marsh brothers were occupying themselves with while being on the way to their next destination. Slowly but steadily getting closer.

"I tell you, the definition of a terrorist attack is quite distinct and this prison break is definitely considered Terrorism." Oscar Marsh, the weasel with the slightly darker outfit, tried to reason with his brother, while taking a drag on his menthol cigarette, blowing the smoke out of the open window of their old Cadillac.

His brother, Jacob, was calmly driving the much to big vehicle for a small weasel. He wanted to elaborate on this definition some more, "In this context of definition, we are talking about an act of terrorism, yes. But the group responsible for the act is considered and labeled specifically as a terrorist organization. My point easily is, that any organization of organized criminals, like a mafia or a syndicate would be able to do a sinister terrorist act, but they would still be defined as organized criminals an as terrorists. The Sturm on the other paw was immediately referred to as terrorists. So somehow, this is believed to be terror, delivered by a terrorist organization, meaning that some animals want them to be defined such as that: terrorists."

Oscar was not sure, what his brother wanted to get across with this babbling, "Jacob, of course they are labeled that. What is your exact point? I mean, why is this something to think about more thoroughly?"

Jacob, taking a left at the next crossroad, was glancing at his brother, "Oscar, What I wanted to say is pretty simple. If they are labeled a terrorist group deliberately, than they have to be something different than organized crime or just crazy animals. The biggest specific difference of any organization of this kind and a terrorist one, would be their motivation, if you recall the definition of a terrorist organization."

It was clear for Oscar in this moment, what his brother was referring to, "I think I get you now. What would someone get with getting some animals out of a prison. We know that this Sándor animal was the supposed target in this jail break. And this Lion is supposed to be a leader of the Sturm. So, with this information, this organization did something quite predictable for any organized criminals. So, if they are still labeled a terrorist organization, although their motive seemed to be strictly to free someone of their own, why would they be called terrorists?"

Jacob smirked, seeing that he got his argument through, "Exactly. So, the law enforcers on this case probably know much more than the media covered already. I personally think, the two new ZBI agents might be much more informed or even involved in this. They all got to the conclusion, that the Sturm is a terrorist group. The only way I can describe how they would get to this conclusion, would be that they probably infiltrated them and could see through their obvious sinister terroristic motivation. They probably have inside information of them. They probably found a real, different line of thought or rather some kind of twisted philosophy, effectively making this group the terrorists they obviously are in the process."

This seemed right for Oscar, "Yeah. I follow you. We really should get briefed thoroughly the moment we get to this director Foreman."

At that, Jacob wanted to surprise his brother with more of his knowledge and thoughts about the ZBI and their whereabouts, "Did you know, that director Foreman of the ZBI just was appointed recently? A big part of the ZBI disappeared in the last months, actually."

Oscar: "Go on."

The other weasel sighed once, before he revealed his own new information, "I don't exactly know the details, but it seems that the whole ZBI only consists of four to five active agents plus the director right now. Actually the reason why we and some others, I think rookies from Mamalchester, have to temporarily support them, is this fact. And I personally think, that this whole Sturm thing has something to do with the sudden diminished numbers in the ZBI. Important with this information is, that our chief told me this as classified information. No one should find out, that the Zootopian Bureau, normally an organization with at least twenty five active agents, was now only six animals big."

A depressing thought for both agents of the LBI. Something that was verified by the destination they were driving at that moment. They did not wait a whole week for nothing. The ZBI explicitly invited them for this specific event they wanted to reach now.

The prison incident was a major blow for the animals of Zootopia and probably the whole of Animalia. The numbers of dead animals, not distinguishing between convict, guard or Sturm member, was in the forties. A shock for the news and the city of Zootopia, especially since the statistics of the whole country were quite favorable for the politicians and the government considering this kind of events. The number of homicides, violent crimes or major crimes like mammal-napping were on a big time low this year. This incident catapulting the victims of crime or rather, terror very much higher than estimated, and there still was half a year in front for the statistician, making this a very serious governmental business to deal with.

The idea of getting closure to this was actually one of the new Mayor personally. Mayor J.P Lionheart, the small brother of the last mayor Leodore Lionheart, insisted on this symbolic act the two agents were driving at. They did not know what exactly it would be, but it was quite a clear message, that the Bureau should be present, while the press and some relatives of some of the victims would watch this little gesture of closure.

Why exactly one week after the attack, and how fast actually the little monument that will be revealed was constructed, wasn't really mystery, but a political move from the mayor. The logical answer to this would be, that the Mayor wanted to get this chapter of a jail break as fast dealt with as possible. Or rather, he wanted to take it behind him and it should be forgotten in his opinion. Ordering this little get together in memorial of the victims, making a little show out of this, was his solution. It officially was called a memorial, a little monument to be revealed, some words spoken, all this right next to the prison itself.

"I am still not sure, why they need us there." Oscar asked his brother, taking out another cigarette to smoke quietly.

Jacob was not sure either, but he could quote their official invitation and orders from their own director, "We are hereby invited to the official memorial of the Zootopian State Prison incident ... hm ... The chief said, that director Foreman would like to meet us there, because he finished his first investigations and would like to start the real Bureau work soon. He wanted to get all important agents together on the job, probably near the place were it all happened, so he could elaborate there further and give us probably some direct insight. But this is just speculation."

Oscar: "I do understand, Jacob. T's just unorthodox, I would have to say. Do you think this super fox will be there too?" The weasel was obviously talking about the new famous agent Nicholas P. Wilde. Jacob himself was quite expecting one or the other surprise considering this fox. The media coverage of him was insane, and even if the two agents normally would not engage in something like the hyping of the media, the footage and the information was very appealing, even for them. Oscar was actually going this far, to consider himself a fan of this supposed hero that was shown in the news, while Jacob watched this whole crazy talk with amusement, knowing that no animal could sustain this high praise and life to the expectations.

Jacob: "I presume so. Just like his partner, agent Hopps should be there as well." They did not know as much about her role in this whole Sturm case, but Judy was famous on her own regards. The former police officer and her exploits were also covered by the media some time ago. Agents were all, without any exceptions, extraordinary intelligent and mostly observant animals. So they memorized even those old cases like the Night Howler one in very good detail. Judy Hopps was no unknown issue for them. And the fox, Nicholas P. Wilde was an out of proportion praised agent of the ZBI. The weasels looked forward, to meet those two specific and famous animals.

The long road, they were on was going through the crop fields next to Zootopia. Corn on the left, and corn on the right. They were following another small car, while seeing behind them more other cars that obviously were on their way to the same destination as the two agents were. This road was leading to the prison in question.

Oscar: "So, what should we do, Jay?"

Jacob sighed loudly, "Show the dead our respect. And probably do our Job afterwards. The Sturm will not know, what hit them when we are on the case." a small chuckle escaped him. The two knew what would be said next. Their own quirks showing to no one but themselves.

Simultaneously, they yelled out with a chuckle afterwards, trying to hype themselves a bit, improving their mood with their antics immediately. Tipping their hats on one end smugly, smiling brightly. Their gruff voices proclaiming loudly to the world, "We are the Marsh Brothers!"

slightly before this, The MBI agents, on their own way towards the prison memorial

There was another small group wanting to go to the same destination, the Marsh Brothers went to. The memorial, a rather public little event, should not really be a very big thing, but according to the media, it simply became inflated. The MBI agents, two agents from the Mamalchester Bureau of Investigation, did not used the common land vehicle to get into Zootopia. Boarding a plane from their home was particularly much faster then taking the road in their opinion. Three hours flight and while in the heavy transport plane the two agents could relax and simply enjoy the view or get a little nap. It was enough reason for this two big animals to prefer the flying way into Zootopia.

Furthermore, an email of the director of the ZBI suggested this route rather then the road or train ride. The two tickets were already paid for them. The MBI agents weren't reluctant at all to board a plane to the big city of Zootopia with this welcoming gesture of their new temporary boss. Any expenses were taken care of already, the two agents appreciating this very unusual treatment they already got from their temporary new employer. Especially since the both of them were not really experienced in the work they were brought here for.

Although, officially being the two agents of the MBI that were in the counter-terrorism division, their experience with exactly acts of terrorism or counter measurements were not very promising. The little city of Mamalchester, compared to Zootopia or Lundenwic, it was small, had no real threat of terrorism, so their main job consisted of being organized crime fighters, like the agents in the criminal investigative division. Also, those two were raid agents, considered as the actual tank unit of the whole MBI. Now, their new jobs in Zootopia should become like a training division for the actual department, they claimed to be a part of.

They were going out of the gateway after disembarking the plane, the two agents were very noticeable for anyone to look upon. The black colored suits with sunglasses were not very confidence inspiring for anyone around them. Their big frames walking out of the place were not budging for anyone. Most animals were immediately taking steps away from them the moment they recognized this two animals as being not considerate about their surroundings. Or more likely, this one big one of them was intimidating.

Agent Jaya was a giant animal compared to most others. The sheer size of her was something, not many were able to overlook. She was reaching sixteen feet high, standing on her hind legs, and a body of three thousand five hundred pounds, comprised of mostly muscles, she needed to be handled like an elephant on occasions, being one of the rare animals, that most thought extinct centuries ago. Although, one or the other ancient tribes of them were still frolicking in the prairies of the far western countries. She emerging as one special individual from said tribes, managing to become a ZBI agent in her persuasion of doing the right things.

Jaya was a Bison. Not any Bison, but a bison antiquus. The giant dimensions of her even dwarfing her partner in size and mostly muscle mass. The cape buffalo Steven Horn was only reaching a weight of two thousand two hundred pounds in comparison, only nine feet tall, looking like a child walking at her side. The two surely were a force to be reckoned with, if they decided to attack someone. The ground shaking with every single step the pair was making.

The two were calmly searching for the animal that should escort them to the prison memorial via a vehicle. The director of the ZBI arranged this taxi for them as well as this flight. And they were quite surprised when their eyes fell on a small little ferret in a black suit with a chauffeurs hat, holding a big sign up with the letters MBI inscribed on it. The surprise was evident in the confused smirk of Jaya. Her partner and long time best friend Steven was walking close to the small critter, asking him the obvious while bowing down to him, "You are our driver? We are very big and heavy animals, you know. Do you think you have a car that can handle us?"

The little ferret smiled brightly at the big buffalo, "I am aware of the dimensions of our esteemed guests, sir. The van I drive should be big enough for the both of you. Please follow me." With a small gesture of his paw, he turned, feeling the vibrations under the pads of his feet, indicating that the two incredibly heavy animals were following him closely. The ferret was smirking, happy that those two MBI agents were finally in Zootopia to help him.

A very big black van with a heightened ceiling and actually eight wheels instead of the normal four was on a parking lot right next to the taxi drive of the airport. The ferret opened the big side door with pressing on a small button of the electric key to the vehicle. The front door was opening as well, a little ladder getting out the immediate moment the ferret walked close to his car. He was sitting on the drivers seat, shortly after that. A seat which actually had a small mammal seat strapped on it. He was strapping some stilts on his feet so he would be able to reach the pedals, while he would be able to steer and drive the vehicle without many problems with his elevated position. The two agents of the MBI were getting inside without even acknowledging anything about the van or anything around themselves, occupied with looking at each other and enjoying the incredible view that was Zootopia.

Starting their journey, the chauffeur wanted to start a nice little conversation with the two of them. He already knew that this two animals were quite silent types and much more into observing and making their own conclusions quietly before they decided to actually engage in conversation about a controversial topic. The ferret was informed himself about this and tried to start one of those controversial talks, "So. You two are the support from Mamalchester, I suppose?"

While the female bison just snorted at that, watching the scenery outside of one of the window in the van, her partner Steven was much more communicative than her and answered him, "MBI. Counter-terrorism division. We are here to support the ZBI, you are right with that, little guy. Don't understand why they would get a small predator to get us, though. A normal sized animal would have no problem getting this van to work without those gimmicks on his legs."

Sometimes, the simple observational fact that someone was smaller than the others, could be interpreted as an insult to said animal, especially if delivered with this angry undertone like the cape buffalo just did. The ferret was not fond of his height. Especially since he did not like to be underestimated. A small glance back over his shoulders to the two passengers confirmed for him, that this cape buffalo at least, was a little bit projecting a specist or tried to act like one, considering the somehow angry looking face he was making. Probably even sympathetic to the prey vs. predator movement, the ferret concluded by the very unfortunate use of the term predator in this normally relaxed and calmed down situation. The chauffeur knew how to read animals, and this cape buffalo was not really someone he would have concluded to be Bureau material by this statement alone. He was sure, agent Horn was testing something. The silent and giant bison on the other paw rolled her eyes behind her sunglasses, showing her being not the same kind of mind like her partner.

The ferret, feeling offended in some kind of way, would not like to engage in this kind of conversation much further, already trying his well developed observational skills to get into the right direction, ignoring the comment concerning their talk and his size, "Good to have you here, Agent Horn. Agent Jaya. I was instructed to ask and introduce you two briefly to the current situation we are in now. Do you know where we are heading?"

Jaya stayed calm, watching her partner curiously. Steven popping his back because of a little itch he experienced, smirked at the reaction this supposed chauffeur was having. The cape buffalo was an agent. Of course, he was observant and watched the little animal casually while seeing all kinds of details that showed him, that this animal was much more then he wanted to show of himself. Steven was chuckling while he answered with amusement, "Prison memorial. Because of the Sturm. What I would like to know, though, is where we are actually heading?"

Steven was not the first time in Zootopia. But this is not why he asked this question. The airport was located in the western part of the city. The prison allegedly was some place outside of the town, in the same western part as the airport. Why would this vehicle drive towards the east, evident with the mid morning sun that was directly in front of the van. They were driving inwards to the city center, not towards their supposed destination.

The ferret was not faced by this question at all, answering Steven's question calmly, "We actually are on our way to the ZBI headquarters. Direct order of the director. We need to get there first so I can brief you thoroughly before we can get to the memorial, if we go there at all. And honestly, I would not count on that."

This was extremely suspicious. This time, Jaya asking with her very baritone voice for a female, "Any reason why?"

Chauffeur or not, the animal on the front seat was not ready to reveal this kind of information without knowing certain things first, "First at all, I would like you two to tell me what you know about the Sturm."

The cape buffalo and the bison antiquus did not know how to react to this question. The bison looking at her partner, shrugging and gesturing for the buffalo to answer the ferret.

Steven reluctantly tried to tell him his knowledge of this organization they already obtained, "Most of our information is media derived. The Sturm is a terrorist organization. Responsible for the Prison incident with over forty deaths. The motives and their goals are only subject of speculation. Prosecutor Akela confirmed this group as a terrorist organization, having labeled them deliberately as enemies of the public well being."

The ferret confirmed this as well, "In a nutshell. But there might be much more to this Sturm then we all think. Most importantly, the main reason they are considered terrorists. And this is much more a tactical approach of the current executive director and the High Judge to the Sturm problem, as the reality."

Steven, "Elaborate."

"The Sturm is a group not to destroy or harm the public society. They rather have very unconventional methods to approach their real goal, of getting as much special members into their organization as possible, we presume. This methods include killing animals for their gain and the whole prison incident.", the small ferret was trying to get his own information across, "So the authorities try to make them as unappealing as possible. Their attempts to recruit decent animals are hampered now. Also the reason, why we three and my boss are on our own now. We have to get this whole investigative operation under our control and need to find more information to get the culprits behind the Sturm behind bars or six feet under fast."

The cape buffalo was not so sure, what the ferret actually meant with this statements. One particular information did not slip his observatory nature, "Our control implements that it now is not under your control. Also, the kind of information you have and the way you are talking shows me, that you are not the animal we see here. You are not a simple employee of the ZBI, or any kind of chauffeur. I presume you are an agent?"

On the side of the dashboard was a small phone mounted. The two MBI agents did not know, that it was turned on the whole time and broadcasting the whole conversation towards another place. The surprising shock, when suddenly a voice emerged from the device alerted both immediately, Jaya actually reaching for her immensely big gun. Or rather, shotgun in one hoof form. Taking it out and aiming at the phone.

The voice was calmly confirming the suspicions of the cape buffalo, "Agent Horn, you are right in your assumptions. This ferret is actually an agent from my Bureau."

The ferret was throwing his hat to the passenger seat, giving them a smirk back, "Agent Paul Archer, at your service."

The voice exclaiming his identity shortly afterwards, while the two MBI agents slowly calmed their beating hearts down, "And I am former ZBI director William Stone."

This whole situation was confusing for the two MBI agents. "What is this all about? We don't understand this." Steven asked while confusion was evident in his sudden more high pitched voice.

Paul decided he needed to elaborate much more on this. What was most important for the ferret was to get this two animals on their side quickly. "I would like to tell you more about this."

Paul described the situation, "The Sturm is our enemy, we all agree to this premise. The thing is, that director Stone and I were more than busy with actual investigations concerning this enemy and their motivations. But then this prison incident happened and suddenly my boss gets impeached momentarily and my partner becomes the new director of the ZBI. We both debated on the meaning of this and got to the conclusion, that either William is falsely accused a suspect in the Sturm case, or something very fishy was going on in the ZBI at the moment. So I decided to cut all strings temporarily and work with the former director to get this case done, even in the case that he was a possible suspect. Our findings were much too important."

"Wait a second here, my dear." suddenly Jaya interrupted Paul, "So you are rogue agents, right now?"

The voice on the connection of the phone answered with a sigh, "I would be considered a rogue, yes. But Paul is still a member of the ZBI, that decided to disappear so we can get on this investigations together. The importance of our investigations are simply too important to ignore, especially because we believe that in the present ZBI, there is something very fishy going on. As if someone was being from the other side is a real proposition and possibility. So we needed to distance ourselves from them, especially after we found out, what dangerous path my good friend, now director Gordon Foreman, was taking."

"That's why we need your help in this, contacting you in this unusual way.", Paul finished William's speech. "We need help in observing and probably infiltrating our own organization. We need much more information. About what they know, what they think, what they speculate. We need their information, so we can work properly with ours as well. Would you two do that for us?"

Steven looked at the little ferret on the front seat. He was not very keen on doing something like this, but the sheer possibility of having the enemy in their own ranks was a threatening and dangerous prospect to think about at all. Any suspicions would be enough to actually consider this offer of joining a possible rogue agent. Especially under the circumstances that they would work for both sides, in a certain way. The actual decision would be the double agent approach. Getting as much information from as many positions as possible, to finally decide after you had enough time, to either betray one, or the other side, depending on the knowledge you managed to grasp. The two MBI agents were not reluctant at all, Steven loudly proclaiming, "Good, we are in. But we need much more then just this allegations."

This time, Paul would elaborate on this one big thing, that would be considered their main reason to actually do what they did, "Good. The present ZBI has a big problem. Not only with the Sturm, but with the information we already were able to obtain before the whole prison incident, mostly about the drug and it's use. But also about the real motivations of Sturm. And believe it or not, there is this one individual, that is the key answer to all of this. The Sturm themselves only acted the way they did, because they wanted to do certain specific things. And their whole getting members agenda is probably because this one reason. And to make it blunt, the result kind of is this one individual, that was the center of it all for the whole time."

"So, there is this one individual, this all is revolving around? And the way you talk, it seems you know who this individual is?" Steven concluded.

The voice of William Stone answered, "In this whole prison incident, there was this one animal, that was able to not only handle the whole situation easily, but actually was somehow involuntarily involved in the whole thing. We know, that Sturm did not reckon with his appearance, but after they realized it, he became the main individual everything pointed to. The Sturm deliberately was trying to get this one predator to cooperate with them. We were perplex to actually find out about it. Firstly, we simply wanted to understand but then it became to dangerous. The problem are his actions while he was fighting the Gorilla. We didn't need more evidence to get our suspicions confirmed. He actively was letting the main suspects go in this instant, namely Sándor, Horadi and Pedro. He is the reason, we needed to distance ourselves from the ZBI. And this animal is none other, then the media proclaimed new little hero, agent Nicholas P. Wilde."

same time, The ZBI agents, in the ZBI van

"Achoo!", a little sneeze. Nick Wilde was using the crook in his arm to cover his maw appropriately. The typical reaction came simultaneously from three directions at the same time with the exclamation of "Gesundheit." being heard throughout the van. All this, while one individual in the vehicle stayed silent, mostly because any word was very strenuous for the muscles in the maw of Zachary Wolfe, who insisted to come to this trip with everyone else of the ZBI.

All were wearing their black formal suits. They were ordered by director Foreman personally to be in the typical ZBI uniform clothing for this memorial. Normally any clothing would do, as long as the agent would be distinguishable as a member of the ZBI with showing of the badge, normally attached to their belt, but director Foreman insisted on the most formal approach. The two newest members of the Bureau actually got their new suits and most of the clothing with the ZBI insignia just the day before.

Nick was liking this garments very much, especially the sudden very intimidating look of him was compelling. Not only now really having some clothes that he was actually able to wear at official gatherings, like weddings and funerals, but looking quite badass in the process. He felt confident wearing this black suit, the dark tie and most importantly, this badass badge that sparkled on his belt and notified anybody who would look at him, that he indeed, was a badass. If there was one indicator of his new self being awesome, he would just need to take a look at himself. And he did smirk, because exactly there, he could remember Judy's reaction to his new outfit. It would brighten up his mood for the rest of this day and probably many days to come.

Start of Nick's memory

In this memory, Nick was in his room this morning, standing in front of his big mirror. Slowly, he used his extraordinary tie binding skills to get his black tie around the collar of his white shirt with a perfect Windsor knot. Looking at his own image, he was satisfied with the way this suit actually really suited his sleek body. For once, he really thought of himself that he was a rather handsome red fox. He had to admit it to himself in this light of the room and with his physique, and the jacket he casually dressed himself with, he was a nice looking fox for once. He tightly attached a little device on the sleek of his long sleeved shirt. It was one of those famous little mini microphones for communication purposes you would see an agent using in the movies. After that, he was attaching a very small normally not noticeable paw free devise inside one of his ears. He was ready for doing his first official appearance as an agent of the Bureau. Placing his sunglasses on his nose, he went out of his room with confidence.

Only to look through his open door into his Carrots room. They somehow agreed recently to each other, although doing it silently, to let their doors open at all times, not shutting them anymore at all. Why exactly was beyond his own reasoning, but he appreciated to always have the possibility to assure himself of Judy's presence. He himself knew, that she wanted to have an eye on him as much as he wanted to be able to watch her as well. Watching how the small bunny was struggling with the obviously very hard and complicated art of tying a tie onto yourself, Nick decided spontaneously to walk over to her. Without giving her the chance to protest, the fox walked behind her, she was concentrating on her tie and did not saw him approaching. And so he reached both arms around her. She, surprised by the sudden appearance of two paws on the tie she was just fumbling with, was shocked immediately. But the two new arms were not the reason the bunny was shocked.

Carefully, Nick was taking one of her paws in his own and made the exact movements to do a perfect Windsor. She was occupied starring at her own mirror and being shocked of his very gentle but deliberate moves, while his voice softly explained how a tie should be applied to the collar of your white long sleeved shirt. Nick knew, that if Judy was embarrassed, her ears were the most important indicator of this state. They would radiate heat and get slightly reddish under color behind the blue-gray of her fur, and most adorably on her face she would get this incredibly cute but very difficult to spot red hinge of color, that Nick really liked to see her with. Because it either meant, that she was infuriated by something, mostly the teasing or banter with Nick, which meant that his teasing was a success, or that she was embarrassed, which was a success in Nick's point of view as well.

Since his carrots was radiating this heat, he could feel that at this moment, because he was so close to her by helping her with the Windsor, Nick knew, that he managed to get to her. But after he finished, he recognized just how much he did get to her exactly. Judy was just looking into the mirror that moment, not blinking or averting her eyes, looking only at the reflection of Nick and not one bit at herself or the work he just showed her. Her mouth being slightly open as well. The fox, after finishing his knot, let his paws stay on her shoulders and told her that she should learn how to do this on her own, so she could do this herself without his help in the future, only to be answered with silence and heat radiating ears from her. He was able to see a reaction, after the probably fifth time asking her, if everything was okay and finally pinching her cheek slightly with one of his claws, to get her out of this sudden stupor she had. First, Nick was worried about this reaction, thinking that something extremely serious was on her mind. The confusing reaction of her was, that she said "Wow!", before she suddenly took a step forward, away from the fox.

Nick was asking what was going on and his carrots admitted, probably without thinking straight at that moment, that he just looked incredible. The fox could have teased her there easily, but he did not. He did something, he himself did very rarely. Because even if this situation was incredibly good to get a joke out of, he felt that her reaction was just too genuine. And this made him somehow so incredibly happy, that in that time, he was the one being in shock. The result being this awkward coughing fit of him and the excusing of himself that he needed to get something checked, leaving the room shortly afterwards with a fast beating heart.

End of Nick's memory

This memory, while looking to the right of his seat, directly into the face of this one incredible creature, that just made his day this morning, and probably most of any other days he actually knew her, let him smile brightly.

"Anything amusing, agent Wilde?", director Foreman asked the fox, who simply shrugged and grinned back. Gordon was sitting on his left side and was watching his sudden smiling colleague curiously.

Stan, although having a broken arm, was the one driving this vehicle. He was able to, since the cast was not really hampering his actual movements with his arm very much. The diminished strength inside his arm being the much bigger problem, not the accuracy he could use it.

His partner Zachary was on the passenger seat directly beside him. Bandages were adoring most of his face, a cast on his broken leg and different other bandages around his upper body with ointments under them. He was wearing a suit as well, that was quite hard to get on, he had to admit. Some crutches on his side were enough so he could walk and move around. Normally, a patient with this kind of condition would have to stay at the hospital much longer, especially considering the facial injuries which were influencing his breathing. But after enough discussion he got a leave, ordered by Gordon with the consent of his doctors, so that he could attend this memorial.

It was something, especially Zachary himself wanted to attend. The wolf felt really guilty about his own dumb decisions he made within the prison on this fateful day. He was the one, who ultimately made the decision to attack the lion. And in the process, Nora Snow effectively shielded him and lost everything to live for, including her own life. Zachary needed to at least get this little kind of closure, probably apologizing to any relatives of those two. His nightmares and his subconsciousness was begging for something like this, so he could end this dark chapter of his life and start on the next, hopefully better one. The exact reason, why Gordon Foreman wanted to take this trip with the whole crew that was present there. Psychologically this was like a final point. It would mean closure for them. It was his main reasoning, and everyone knew that.

They were on their way to the prison. The normally twenty minutes drive was not calm at all, Gordon was quite talkative the whole way. He just was talking about the decision of Sheriff Rickman to meet with his own superior, who actually was the Lord of Sherwood Forest, instead of attending this memorial.

The mink saw his new fox friend smiling which irritated him, so he needed to ask. Now, the director wanted to finish his sentence he started before, "The Lord, or rather professor Jaeger, tried to get the Sheriff for some private talking and Johnny decided it would be best, if he would not go to this event at the prison."

The agents all knew that the Sheriff was somehow connected with Nicholas. But they never got much more information of the two of them, as that the sheriff was a close friend of his parents once and knew his father very well. Nick himself just mentioning this relationship as something established in his childhood. Even Judy, who not wanted to ask this kind of questions directly because she knew how angry or sad he could react to those memories, didn't know much more. This could put a strain on their suddenly very close new friendship, if she would just bluntly ask something this private, although she was not sure, if this really was only a friendship anymore.

The whole topic of the Sheriff of Nottingham was a mystery for most. The only constant they had with this was the fact that he seemed to be a very reliable ally and that his godson, Nicholas Wilde, and the famous Lord Hood were vouching for him. John Rickman being a prime was a risk they wanted to take. The whole information they actually had about primes was very vague and it was only connecting him to the Sturm in this way. But there were other possibilities as well. In the end, they decided to trust the Sheriff, wasn't Nick the only one who actually concluded that the Sheriff actually was a full prime. The possibility that Rickman himself didn't know about it was plausible.

The Sturm was their main occupation, though. Looking through reports about the prison, made by the Lord or police officers that were instructed by the Sheriff or the director was one of the main things, they all did in this one week of recreational leave they got from Gordon. They were also writing their own reports, concerning the whole undercover operation and the terrorist attack. Everyone was having their own things to do, but would ultimately be working together after the whole memorial thing happened. Gordon wanted to get all four of them, even the maimed Zachary, into active investigative work with himself as fast as possible.

The director was talking about his plans, "Agents, when this memorial thing is over, I want you all to gather together at the headquarters, if we somehow don't drive back in the same vehicle. We need to get our forces together on this. Agent Wilde, do you have any idea what Sándor would do next?"

It was only a matter of time before this was asked of Nick. The fox sighed loudly and tried to retell the already practiced response to this particular question, "Sándor wants nothing more, than to get primes and new colleagues into the Sturm. He has one potential A animal with him already. He did not know, if Pedro Suarez would manage to become a prime, but he was not sure if he was only a B animal either. It always is like a lottery, Sándor told me. So, I think the lion will be occupying his time with getting the cougar into a savage state of mind and testing if he is a prime."

"Shouldn't he already have done that?", Stan asked.

Nick needed to inform his own colleagues about what this entailed, "Actually, as much as I got it, an A animal gets the same drug as a B animal, meaning it will have to be exactly fabricated for the specific animal, with all this medical informations needed and so on. So, this takes at least some time. The reaction on this drug should vary, but not much. B animals normally getting savage instantly but getting their control back after a week, sometimes after even longer. What I wanna say is, they will be either in a state of sanity, normal like all other animals I should say. Or they can change into a state of full insanity, getting feral in the process."

Stan followed this with a conclusion, "So, the last week, he probably was occupied letting Pedro become a full Sturm member by testing him. Probably needing more time?"

"I was not finished." Nick tried again to get his knowledge about the subject across, "Because, A animals are different with this things. They don't have this two states of mind, that are totally distinguishable from each other. A Prime is in a constant state of savagery, while being in control at the same time. Meaning, if a prime gets this drug, they will get into the savage state just like any B animal would. But they can't get out of it, ever again. They need to learn how to control it while staying savage, needing someone like a guide in this process, or they could become constantly feral. Sándor told me, that he wanted to be my guide, by the way. What I want to say is, that Sándor said, that Pedro might be not A material … but I actually know he is. And depending on it, he surely would need some more time, probably months with Sándor to become a full prime. Or he could be finished in a week, I don't know. But I think it takes rather longer than briefer. So, Sándor will be helping Pedro with that for quite some time, I concluded."

The director responded with a cough, they nearly were on their destination, "So, Sándor can be ignored for now. Another point. The MBI and LBI agents will be joining us shortly, so we will have to work and include them with us from now on. Any complains with that?"

Everyone was put off with this sudden statement. Stan actually saying, "Huh?"

Gordon was pinching the bridge of his nose, "Sorry. I am still used working with juniors and as an instructor. Most pupils normally did not like new competition. Ignore this. Different topic. What I really wanted to know now is much more important. We all need some specific leads so we actually can start any effective investigation work. I might have some, besides the simple reports and Sheriff Rickman's and the Lord's work, but I would like to know, if anyone here is having any ideas on that?"

Judy was mostly calm and watched the corn fields on the side of the road going by. Her ears listening to anything that was uttered in the car. She immediately answered this question, "We have three obvious options, probably even more, but at least those three are very promising, sir … erm … am I aloud to talk?"

Gordon was confused by this, the bunny looking so petite, although sporting the black suit and being someone of her experience and potential, being a big asset to the Bureau. The mink smiled at her, "I might be your superior, but we all are equal here. I would even like, since you four are my senior agents now, that you should be the only ones to actually call me by my first name and talk freely without constraint with me. I really need this familiar approach on my higher status, since my opinion is not more valuable than yours. I am your superior only if I give orders, of course. Okay?"

Judy nodding at him, "Okay, sir. So, about what options were surely should consider. Firstly, we have a member of the Strum, this weasel I shot with my stun gun, in our custody at the moment. I am pretty sure, no one actually interrogated him effectively at all. This should be done by us. Secondly, we should invest into the actual study of the drugs. Probably getting the professor to look into it and get more information on this. I still am in possession of this killer drug, one FABE pill. It could give us more clues on this whole drug aspect in the case. And at last ..."

The car was stopping at that moment, the agents starting slowly to disembark, getting their safety belts off first, while Judy was continuing, although immediately getting a very bad feeling even considering it, "We could play with the thought of getting Nick actively into the Sturm. I mean, *S* will make contact with him eventually. He probably could accept an get into the … "

For anyone's surprise, it was Nick who loudly protested, "Not an option. NEVER! You will not be able to convince me with that, I simply will decline and say no. This is my decision!" the slight panic was evident in his outburst.

While all would think, that the fox was just reluctant because of the possible danger, Judy was watching him and knew something different about this. Nick was not afraid of the danger that such a mission would entail, not at all. He was afraid of actually wanting, wishing for himself to be in the Sturm, if he somehow would get the option to. Only Judy knew, because of this one night. This night two days ago, were he was not able to sleep and talked to himself in the bathroom. The night Judy lost some tears, and the rarity of Nick himself losing some himself.

Start of Judy's memory

At that night, two days ago. Judy had a bad night sleep. It was probably induced by the constant thought of Nick. A movie they watched this day was a tragic drama. The main cast dying in the end, leaving only the family and friends to mourn him … and the lover of the wolf who sacrificed himself to be crushed with her emotions. Ultimately deciding to not live herself and committing suicide in the end by throwing herself down a cliff. She could not leave her thoughts of this movie alone, without actually comparing her own situation with it. The thought how it would be, to actually lose someone so important to you, that the sheer imagining of living without them, would get someone to do something so insane as killing yourself. She tried to ignore the face of Nick that constantly projected inside her minds eye, when she remotely tried to think about the tragic that she witnessed with watching the movie, and what would be needed, to get herself to even consider such an extreme reaction.

In the middle of this night, she listened to the small and silent steps of her partner going into the bathroom with haste. She could not hold herself, when she followed him, only to stand in front of the shut door of the bathroom, to listen to the sinks water splashing down, and the gurgle of the fox who obviously was drinking a little bit and splashing his face with cold water. A practice, she herself would always do, if she kinda felt spooked or confused, mostly after a nightmare. She would have just gone away, if not for the distinguish sob that escaped the foxes maw. She was shocked to hear this heart wrenching sound she never thought to experience.

Nick was full of it at that moment in the night. The movie somehow triggered more of it. Of those dreams he hated himself for. His firstly calm sleep interrupted by those idiotic nightmares of savagery. And those pictures that suddenly were so real and so terrifying at the same time. He could not stop himself from at least losing one sob, after he splashed his face for good. The sudden change of his mood into anger being much more important to him than his sob. He was angry with himself to even get this thoughts in the first place. All dreams were fabricated by his own subconsciousness. And not only those involuntary thoughts were his problems. His own continuous thoughts after that were the troubling things that made him angry with himself. This disgusting thought of just doing it, brought this anger forward. He would have screamed, but he did not want to alarm Judy of his inner struggle.

Rather than screaming, he started to reason with himself, silently cursing and whispering to himself, not aware but somehow knowing of Judy behind the door. But he ignored that, mostly because of his very shaken spirit he had at that situation. He whispered it, and brought his bunny to tears, "I will never do it ... I am stronger than that ... Don't listen to the voices in your head ... Come on, Nick ... Don't get this shitty thoughts again ... Do it for Judy you jackass ... Don't even think about considering it ... The Sturm means death … You are stupid to even think about it … Just shut up, go to bed and don't think about it anymore … please … just shut up you stupid brain … for Judy … please ..." And he was openly sobbing again. For a solid minute, Judy had no other wish to open the door and go to the fox. To embrace him. She wanted to reassure him so badly, but she waited instead.

She waited so long, that the fox was able to get himself together again. And he was angry about this very uncharacteristic outburst … who was he kidding … it was not uncharacteristically for him anymore than it was ever before … he knew that … It was not the first time he was beating himself up for his stupid thoughts. He always was very emotional and very sensitive ... although he always had to try and hide it behind his mask … It was his motto, after all: never let them see that they get to you … it did not mean, that it didn't get to you ... he opened the door of the bathroom then … and it got to him.

Judy, the immediate moment Nick opened the door, leaped into his arms, hugging with a force, the little bunny could not explain herself. Nick, shocked by this sudden hug of his partner, hugged immediately back. They both needed all their strength to not cry in their arms. But they were strong animals, in one case though, Nick exclaimed calmly, that everything was okay, with this one sob in between. Getting Judy only to squeeze harder. Nick was just holding her, while waiting for the force of Judy to get calmer and loosen up the hug. Judy wanted to show him, that she was there for him. She was silent the whole time though, knowing that Nick would appreciate to not talk about this. To have time to process it all. She was not really sobbing or crying, but burying her face in the crook of his neck in silence.

It lasted for probably only a minute, but it was enough for both, to get calmed down enough, so they could separate themselves from each other reluctantly. Without many words, Nick gestured immediately after they stopped the intimate contact, towards her room. He asked her then, if she shouldn't be sleeping, with a scowl on his face, obviously avoiding any conflict or talk that could happen in that moment. Her only answer was being considerate of his shaken state. The question that he should as well, be sleeping rather than splashing water into his face, was at least a try to loosen up the moment.

They actually developed a problem after that, standing closely together. They waited, before separating themselves when they both needed to get into their own rooms again with very small steps, not saying more words at all. Only watching the other. Judy effectively walking backwards her paws held close to her little heart and in front of her mouth, while Nick watched her move slowly with his eyes, not slightly closed, but observingly wide open. As if he could not believe that she saw him in this moment. Shocked about his own behavior, paralyzed standing and watching.

In the end, their doors stayed open … they wanted to be close together … or at least to know at any time, that the other was still there. Sliding into their particular beds, Judy's room door was in the middle of the wall, so she was able to glance through the other open door while being in her bed. The mirror of Nick was positioned good enough, to actually observe the other bed as well. They could see the other if they would both look at the same time. Rather, the lump inside the other bed, slowly going up and down, indicating the occupant breathing, was enough for both to feel comfortable. Reassuring both, that the other was still there. Both even playing actively with the thought, of just going to the other room and sharing their beds completely, so this charade could finally stop, and both would feel comfortable together. But in the end, both stayed cowardly in their own beds, to much fear to overstep their own imaginary boundaries. Quietly observing the sheets moving, knowing the other was still there. Since then, they did never closed or shut doors inside their apartment again, if they were not in the same room together.

After that, Judy knew that Nick was fighting with himself about this whole Sturm more than he showed anyone. And they developed this mutual understanding between themselves. She cherished this moments, more and more. Because this became more and more frequent … and more and more, she wished silently, that specific other moments could be shared with this fox in the future as well. But she would wait and not do something stupid to pursue this silly thoughts. She could not risk this incredible friendship they had with this silly thoughts interrupting her actual deep care she developed for him. Although, she knew exactly that caring was not the right term anymore to describe her feelings concerning Nick. It was more like … some kind of silent hope.

End of Judy's memory

This memory and the implications of all this. Judy knew about this inner turmoil of Nick with the Sturm. The others were having no idea about any of this. But they respected this fox. Especially Stan and Gordon, who actually once felt him showing them this primal site, would not question this reluctance.

They were all out of the car after Nick's statement. They accepted this without second thoughts. The memorial obviously did not start, they were quite early to this event. There was already a crowd of animals in attendance in front of the small stage they constructed in front of a monument obscured by a big sheet. All agents went to their respective place, seats being prepared right in front of the little podium, someone could make a speech on. This memorial should not take long, Gordon thought, but the very crowded place, so many media animals, he counted eight cameras, and even dozens of spectators. He did not expect this. He did not expect this at all. If his presumptions and fears about this event were correct, this just became a bad situation. A very bad and dangerous situation.

Chapter 25 End

Jacob Marsh, Weasel, LBI agent counter-terrorism division (experienced with Guy Fawkes movement), Marsh Brothers

Oscar Marsh, Weasel, LBI agent counter-terrorism division (experienced with Guy Fawkes movement), Marsh Brothers

Jaya (Cheyenne for Victory), Bison, MBI agent counter-terrorism division (used as organized crime fighters)

Steven Horn, Cape Buffalo, MBI agent counter-terrorism division (used as organized crime fighters)

Interrogation time

It was time, wasn't it. But I quite hinted on the development of their romantic plot for my whole Story now. It is just slow paced^^ (Pat-975)

Hope some more little WildeHopps moments in this chapter were very satisfying. (queenlmno)

Probably Sándor is more appealing ... I wonder too, by the way, if Nick is not just misinformed. (antoniodjones123)

Sorry for my grammar. (sturgis0708)

Sexual innuendo is talk mostly, you know, nothing explicit and especially not citrus fruits. The simple mentioning of mating would be considered M, I think (M being for 13 year olds or higher). And this Story is very gory! (so some would think MA would be right, so actually not permitted to be posted here at all). Judy and Nick will become a couple, or not, when I say so. (Lilly The Omega Wolf)

I hoped this kind of chapters were nice. But be thankful for Maderfole, he did most work on the last chapter. (ddqnewkwk)

I'll try to write more, but it is not easy at all. (Frozentongue)

I will need much time to actually refine a couple of chapters, so don't be to keen to find changes so fast, probably for every new chapter, I might try to revise and old one. Since now, only my first got a little optimized. I will give a shout out if I am finished with this task completely, by the way, but this will not happen before I am not finished with the story at all. Getting totally new chapters updated is my priority. (Astorathgrim)

Lemon might be a little bit too much, so don't count on it and please don't be disappointed. For some people, lemon is actually a deal breaker in a Story, so I will not include it. But I might play with the thought of creating a separate chapter (one-shot Story) and a notification were to find it, if I decide to use it. (DragoonSensei)

My definition for drabble is: Story without a plan. My chapters would probably be as long (at least 8000 words per chapter) as they are now. (ArmyWife22079)

Come to the dark side, because Nick has a dark side, too. I will not make this like the division or any anarchic post-apocalyptic thing … although, it is very compelling to do so … BTW, Judy carries a weapon, because Gordon saw her in action and knows how good she is. He also knows she is a smaller rabbit and NOT a dangerous animal or risky asset. Nick on the other hand, showed his fighting skills but mostly his savage side. He is, if you want it or not, a dangerous risk, Gordon is taking. (Rick Milde)

BTW, the word terror was in this chapter for more then 50 times. You're all welcome.