Hello Readers,

I expected this chapter to come out next year, but I was able to get it done earlier than expected. Criticism always welcome!

-CG

Reggie slowly regained consciousness. He's not sure when he lost it. It must have been sometime after Ikan dislocated his sixth digit. There was a point where the Pangolin had gotten bored with that tactic and started to put paper thin cuts on his legs. The mustela's body was radiating pain all over. His breathing was haggard and there was no question some of his ribs had been broken. The Weasel's left eye was swollen shut and his right wasn't faring much better. Reggie could taste blood, but wasn't sure if he had simply bitten his tongue or cheeks or had actually lost some teeth. What he did know was that a mixture of drool and blood was dripping from his muzzle.

A clawed paw grabbed Reggie's muzzle. "I know you're awake, Xander. So why don't you open that eye of yours?" The young mammal struggled to open his eye. Slowly the room entered his vision once more. Nothing had changed in the room, except for more blood spatter. The paw belonged to the Ikan who was staring unblinkingly at the mustela. The Pangolin waved happily in the vision of Weasel. "Hey sleepy head, have a good nap?" Reggie tried to remove his muzzle from the grips of the crazed mammal, but Ikan only held on tighter. "No, no, no, Xander," mockingly scolded the scaled mammal, "you're not going anywhere."

"Quit messing with him Ikan and eat your food," the Weasel heard Ivan say, "You can have your fun later."

Ikan huffed, but relented and let Reggie's head fall out of his grip. "Fine Ivan, but aren't you the one who said the boss was gonna be mad if he ain't talking yet?"

Reggie watched the grey mammal walk to a shadowed corner. If the fuzzy memory of the Weasel was correct, there was a table over there. The young mammal couldn't focus at all, and after awhile the only sound he heard was his own ragged breaths. Eventually the mustela faded once again.

The smell of bleach forced Reggie awake. He tried to desperately move his nose away from it, but the struggle only caused him to start huffing as the scent continued to tickle his senses.

"That's enough Mr. Skaal," commanded a familiar voice, "he's awake."

Reggie turned his head slightly left to get a better view of the mammals in the room, his breathing coming in pained gasps. He saw Ivan and Skaal standing close by, with the Pangolin's claws holding something small and white. Partially in the shadows stood Kedi, a lazy grin on his muzzle as his left paw remained behind his back.

"Xander, I'm glad to see you're awake," said the unseen voice from the shadows, "or should I call you by a different name?"

"Who...?" The mustela tried to question, but his broken ribs not allowing him to breathe deep. It was a struggle just to stay conscious with all the pain reverberating through his body, the young mammal did not have the mental fortitude to guess who the shadowy figure was.

"My apologies, I do prefer the dramatic reveal. Mr. Puankulak, could you move me closer to our guest?" The Bobcat responded in kind and stepped fully into the light. Standing in the feline's right paw was one Herbert Himils. The Pika smiled at the Weasel and adjusted the glasses sitting on his snout. "I know it may come as a shock to you, and it may be cliché, but I am more than willing to answer any questions you have. However," the rodent raised a warning digit, "it will come at the price of you begging me to put you out of your misery, so choose wisely."

The young mammal's head swirled in confusion at the revelation and the willingness for the rodent to answer any questions. The price seemed high, but even the mustela could recognize the dire straights he was in. Reggie was going to die anyway, might as well have some answers. "How's it possible?"

An amused glint came into the Pika's eyes, "Even when faced with death, you still want to know? I truly wish you had joined us whole-heartedly Xander, you would have made an excellent addition." The rodent gave an exasperated sigh and raised his paws up with a shrug, "No matter. To answer how it's possible that I, a well respected accountant, came to become the leader of three less than sophisticated gentlemammals is a long and tiresome story. Instead I will give you a simple overview of events."

"It all started over two decades ago, when I started to become agitated at my position in society. While brilliant enough to balance the numbers mentally for any of the larger businesses in Zootopia, yet I was continually stopped from doing so. It was after this time that a certain event happened, one that changed the way I thought of the city. You and my associates know of this time as 'The Bad Old Days,' but I see it as the first time Zootopia ever showed its true colors.

The violence and bloodshed was terrible, but the economic impact was breathtaking. Just imagine the sight of an entire district up in flames as hundreds of mammals fled. It reminded me so much of the story of Neighro fiddling as Rame burned. All of a sudden small businesses were opening up all over Zootopia, looking for someone to balance their books. Who better than me?

Of course my services weren't free, and I padded my income with what your law abiding mind may call 'Embezzlement.' As I see it, if mammals aren't smart enough to protect their money then it wasn't worth them having. This would happen for many years before another event changed Zootopia. This we all know as The Nighthowler Incident.

It was foolish of Dawn Bellwether to believe that only predators were to fear, but considering her upbringing in the Meadowlands it also made sense. While the city as a whole was trying to tear itself apart, I happened to make the acquaintance of Mr. Puankulak, who was working for an illegal gambling ring at a cleaning operation. It had only taken me several days to figure out that the numbers weren't adding up, and when Kedi was sent to...'deal with me' If you will...well I had a better deal for him."

"He offered to create a business for me," injected the Bobcat with a smile, "the club is my retirement plan."

"Of course that's not all I offered him," continued Himils, "I needed his knowledge of the workings of the criminal element of the city to allow for me to...invest...if you will in different groups and organizations success outside the law. Eventually as my fortune grew, so did another idea.

It's quite ingenious really, we create and corner a specific market and beat down any competition that tries to grow in said market. The problem in the beginning was which market. That solution came thanks to Mr. Puankulak, who has proven himself my equal. Please take a bow sir!"

The feline gave a shallow bow as the other three mammals clapped. Skaal giggled at the antics and Himils added in his own polite laughter.

"Back to the matter at paw, Kedi suggested the firearms market. After the events of the past, the few providers in Zootopia left after the public backlash from all of the gruesome deaths. While it was assumed that the weapons in question would never come back to our fair city, I saw it differently. The events of the Nighthowler incident showed me how easily the public could be persuaded to change if fear was a motivator. I could not, however, target specific mammals but needed Allspecies to feel unsafe for opinion to turn, and what better ways than to have officers falling as flies. To ensure not only my own sales, but also the deaths of many officers, why not simply suggest a bounty to those less fortunate enough?"

"The Z.P.D. will stop you." Reggie tried to growl, but his chest burned too much so the Weasel had to settle with a pointed glare. His head was starting to swim and the young mammal was losing focus. The smell of bleach filled his nose once more and the mustela gasped.

"Can't have you passing out again. To answer your assumption, the Z.P.D. will not stop me. In fact they will be the ones to help me."

"They would never do that! No officer would touch one of those...those...things!?" The Weasel was becoming more agitated and lunged forward, only to be stopped by his restraints, his breathing shallow.

"Of course we both know that's a lie, don't we officer?"

Reggie's blood ran cold and all of his pain temporarily disappeared. He tried his best to hide his shock, but if the grin on Himils snout was anything to go by he had failed.

"What are you talking bout boss?" asked Ivan.

"It's very simple Mr. Svinya; our dear Xander Claws is a plant, by none other than Precinct One. That is why our friend here wouldn't reveal whom he worked for...well that and a misguided sense of loyalty." The Pika waved a paw dramatically at the captured mustela. "Gentlemammals, I present to you one Officer Reginald C. Weaselton. First Weasel of the Z.P.D., valedictorian of his class, but more importantly the only son of the famous Rick Weaselton."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa boss," begun Skaal, obvious excitement in his voice, "are you tellin me I've been scratchin up 'Mad Rick's' kit?" The Pangolin fell into a fit of giggle, "Am I gonna be a legend or what?"

"I am terribly sorry Mr. Skaal, but you know you won't be able to brag about such feat for some time." Himils gave an apologetic smile to the pouting manidae before turning back to the scowling mustela. "As for your unasked question Mr. Weaselton, you're not the only one with informants in the Z.P.D...Granted mine had just recently sent me your information. A mistake I will make sure they do not make again."

"So all the murders and fear are simply so you can sell some guns on the street?!" Reggie barked. The shock of his identity bring revealed wore off and there was no doubt that he would die. Still maybe if he stalled...

The Pika frowned, a paw going to his chin in thought, before he simply shrugged. "The cost of doing business." Himils smiled at the dumbstruck Weasel, "Of course my ultimate goal is to move them off the streets and into the paws of law abiding citizens. I have no want to keep Zootopia in chaos. Who better to purchase my shipments than the city itself?"

"That's what Rhino Hide is then? A shell to sell guns legally?" pressed the young mammal. He felt as though the conversation may end and wanted to buy time, even if it was futile.

Himils laughed into a paw, "So it was you who went through my paperwork? I was sure it was that foolish she-Wolf. Then again she was idiotic enough to contact me... No matter! She is no concern to you...Rhino Hide was a placeholder if you will. My first thought for the name of the company that would legally sell firearms. It never stuck, but I decided to use it in my writings as code for me. Obviously you figured this out and were able to contact your superiors about the route for the weapons."

Reggie chuckled dryly, "Honestly I guessed." He looked straight at the rodent, "Course that means you're not as smart as you think."

The mirth in the Pika simmered, "I expected too much from you it seems." Himils motioned in front of Kedi, and the Bobcat stepped closer to the Weasel. "My apologies Mr. Weaselton, I lied to you." The rodent smiled sadly, "No matter what you chose today, you were going to beg for your life."

"Go rutt yourself," Reggie responded, his anger building, "and while you're at it, go rutt yourself into traffic."

"Such ferocity! I am slightly surprised you have so much energy after Mr. Skaal worked on you. Mr. Skaal, any comments?"

"Hehe, he's a tough Weasel boss. If you would gimme some more time I coulda done it."

Himils sighed, "Sadly we do not have time. My informant tells me that the Z.P.D. is looking for our associate here. We're going to have to disappear for awhile once our job here is taken care of."

Reggie did his best to sneer, "Well what are you waiting for? Better hurry up Himils."

"Patience sir, I need to explain another fact for you to truly understand your predicament. I know who you are and have access to your file. That means I have access to your emergency contact list and their addresses and occupations." Himils smile maliciously, "Don't you wonder why I simply came here once I found out who you are? It's simple my dear Reginald, I was checking on the information...It's a shame really, Mary looked so tired after her shift today."

"NO!" screamed Reggie once again throwing his suffering body against his restraints, "I'll Kill You." The young mammal flailed against his restraints, pushing his abused and overused muscles past his breaking point. Finally with his chest only allowing him to breathe shallow breaths, the mustela stopped moving. He didn't stop with his threats, even as tears ran down his cheek. "I'll kill you," muttered the seething Weasel as he continued to stare daggers into the rodent, "you and everyone around you. I'll kill you, then them. If you touch her I'll kill you..."

"Mr. Weaselton, I don't want you to hurt," the Pika chucked to himself, "at least not anymore. Besides I'm a business mammal and I have a proposition for you. If you beg for me to put you out of your misery, I won't go after your sister, aunt or even your uncle. If you decide not to beg well...I will make sure that everything Mr. Skaal did to you, he'll do twice as much to each of them."

Reggie looked into the eyes of Himils with his good eye. There was no hesitation in the rodent's words and no deception in his gaze. This was the deal and there was no getting out of it. His vision blurred as the young mammal felt the sting of tears from his left eye, the salt burning the cuts from Ivan's blows. "You promise?" the mustela desperately asked, "You won't hurt any of them?"

Himils sighed and removed his glasses to wipe them with his tie. "I have no reason to promise you anything Mr. Weaselton. It simply does not help my cause by adding three more bodies to my list." He placed his glasses back on his snout, "If it makes you feel better than yes I promise not to harm any of the Weaselton brood. Now can we get on with this?"

Reggie's mission was over, and he had failed. Three months of struggle and fear of being found out had left the young mammal only wishing for the end of this long journey. The Weasel tried to stay the tears that rolled down his cheeks, but still they came. The assignment had been too much for the mustela to shoulder and he hung his head as all of his misdeeds filled his thoughts. Did he deserve to leave his captors alive? Was he not just as guilty as they are, if not more? Even as doubt flooded his thoughts, Reggie's resolved hardened. There was no way out and no one was coming for him. If he could save the lives of his family at his own expense...well it was a price worth paying.

"Ok..." spoke the defeated Weasel in just above a whisper, "...you win Himils...I'll beg..." Reggie kept his eyes shut; he couldn't look at any of the mammals around him.

"Splendid! Now that you've agreed, this will be much easier. Mr. Svinya, do you have your phone?

"Got it right here boss!"

"Excellent work. Mr. Puankulak, could you place me on the table? I know you have expressed interest in do this yourself."

"With pleasure boss."

Reggie kept his head bowed. Nothing the mammals were doing around him mattered anymore. Thoughts and memories of his family flittered through his mind. There was so much the young mammal wish he could have said to them. To Mary it would be to remind her that she will get past it and go on to help so many other mammals. To his aunt and uncle, Reggie wanted to tell them how much he loved them one last time. The good times with his parents and the best times with Crystal came to the forefront. He may not have been there long, but the young mammal also remembered patrolling with Snarlov and Hopps. How there were days where the mustela could see the difference that he had made and that Reggie did do some good. Finally the memory of Sheri forced its way to the front. She would never know that the barista had gotten the Weasel through some of his worst nights. If the raccoon was lucky, Reggie surmised, than she wouldn't remember him at all, just another customer that came and left and never returned a face to be forgotten. He would never forget her though, and as these were his final moments he only had a final regret, the young mammal would never know how Sheri felt about him. "Another unanswered question, huh Regg?"

"Are we all ready?" called out Himils, his voice more distant than earlier. There was a round of confirmations from the other free mammals. "Good, now Mr. Weaselton I am going to need your attention once more."

Reggie opened his eye and looked forward, exhaustion making his movements sluggish. He couldn't see the rodent, but he assumed that once again Himils was in the shadow.

"For your end of the agreement I need you to state your position, your precinct and that you are begging for your life, understood?" The Weasel leered, but nodded slowly. "Alright then…Mr. Svinya, please set up the camera."

A bright white light blinded the young mammal before his eyes adjusted. Reggie could see the Boar standing off to the side with a camera phone in hand. Why would they want to tape this? The Weasel pushed the thought out of his mind, it didn't matter anyway. There was a period of testing how much Kedi was in the shot, with the goal for only the drawn gun on him to be visible for what the mustela assumed was plausible deniability. Skaal stood behind the filming mammal, releasing his mirth in either fits of giggles or random clapping. Reggie wished he could kill the Pangolin. Eventually everything was as Himils wanted it, and the young mammal was given a signal by Ivan. It was his time to shine.

"My name is Officer Reginald C. Weaselton from Precinct One," Reggie started slowly, adrenaline wearing off and the bleach smell gone from his nose, "I am begging my captors to please…Please…put me out of my misery and kill me." The young mammal swallowed dryly and tears once again rolled down his cheek. He felt the cold metal press against his head. Reggie leaned into the object, accepting that this was it. The earth felt as though it was shaking. His body was vibrating in anticipation as his breathing became frantic. "Come on," the mustela pressed, "Come on…DO IT!" Reggie heard an explosion, and his world went dark.