CHAPTER 31
5.00 pm, Setthim Riverfront Residences
302… Star mumbled under her breath, standing in front of Ryan's room with one paw holding a bag of their takeout.
The black panther had been standing outside just a minute ago, pondering what she should do? It was not that she did not come to his room at all and not that she had not been alone with him before. But, this time was not the same as the past. She was not in this kind of situation before, being alone with her partner in his very own apartment, in his territory, feeling like a lost lamb walking into the wolf den. She could not help but think about what would happen between them, although she knew her partner was a decent man and not going to do anything unmeet to her.
Thinking back to the earlier hour before coming here, she wanted to ask her two senior officers, why? Why they had to do this to her? Why they ditched her this time by working overtime? It was a question that she pretty much wanted to hear the answer. As she kept assuming the reasons that they would probably reply, her brain began to tease her, creating images of she and her partner doing disgraceful things in the bed.
Then, a cold chill crept up her spine just thinking about them, raising her paws to cover her face as she felt her cheeks burning in embarrassment.
Okay, calm down, big girl… Star thought, trying to recollect herself. I'm here to deliver his food and have a quick dinner with him. After that, I'll go back home… That's all. Nothing more, nothing less…
Letting out a soft sigh and lowering her paws, she picked out a spare key to Ryan apartment and inserted into the keyhole. Alright, here I go, she made a final thought then turned the key.
"Here I come, Ryan!" Star exclaimed cheerfully, entering the room, and closed the door. Then, she made a beeline to the kitchen without checking anything and set down their takeout on the counter.
As she began to prepare dishes for dinner, Star spoke up, "You aren't gonna believe this. Nick and Judy chose to work overtime today and left me to come to see you alone. I don't know what they're thinking, but whatever."
She placed their prepared foods on the dining table. "I brought you food, you can guess what I bought for you… Paradise's Sandwich from Peponi Café, your favorite. Yahhh… Let's have it while it's still warm…" Her voice trailed off as she realized that there was no response from her partner since she had arrived here.
"Ryan? You home?" she questioned, walking to the living room then Ryan's bedroom.
"Ryan?" Star uttered, peeking her head inside, but no sign of Ryan. Now, she began anxious and confused, thinking where he could go and why. Even he was well aware that he was still in danger, he still disobeyed Chief's command and brought everyone trouble. She scurried back to the living room again, mumbling, "Jeez… Where is he?"
"Where could he go…" Then, she saw a pile of letters on the coffee table, and one was already opened. "What's this?" Star picked it up and began to look into it. As she read, she could feel her face was slowly chilled until she could not feel any warmth left on her face after she had finished it.
"Oh boy…" Star folded the note, put it in her pocket, then dashed out the room.
Meanwhile, Precinct 1
The famous police duo had volunteered for the overloaded paperwork which actually to hide their real intention. Both Nick and Judy just wanted Ryan and Star to develop their relationship and have some alone time. Also, it had a side benefit as themselves could have more free time on a later day. And, while the two were doing paperwork in their respective cubicles diligently, it seemed like Judy began to feel sorry for making her friend go alone.
"I don't think it's a good idea to let Star go alone, Slick," Judy mumbled as audible as she wanted her fox partner to hear.
"Hey, wasn't that your idea to work overtime?" Nick sounded, craning his head over the panel to look at her. "And, due to our beloved boss' order, our poor human can't go anywhere without us. Even to buy food for himself, he has to order from his apartment, or we have to deliver it to him."
Then, the fox rose from his seat and walked into her cubicle. Resting his paw on her desk while another on his hip and leaning towards her, he continued telling her with a mischievous smirk, "Since our rookie is free tonight, isn't it a good chance for her to go and buy him a meal, huh? After that, what they're gonna do next it's up to them."
With that, her mind began to image what would happen afterward, mostly about naughty things, and her face started warming up by that thought. She glared at Nick who was giving her a smile that he knew what she was thinking in return.
"Go back to work… pervert…" Judy pushed his smugly smiley face away and eyed back on her unfinished paperwork again. However, her iCarrot phone chimed, playing 'Try Everything' ringtone, and showed a caller's face. "And speaking of which, our rookie calls us."
Nick's face showed excited somehow, reached his paw to her, and said, "Ohh, gimme, gimme…"
Judy rolled her eyes at the childish act of her fox and handed her phone to him.
And without hesitation, Nick quickly took and answered the call, "Hello, Star! How your dinner with Ryan, huh?"
"No, not good…" Star replied in a panicked voice. "Nick, we have a big problem now… A very, very big one…"
With the fear filling in her voice, his smile slowly disappeared. "What might it be, rookie?"
She answered, "Ryan, he's gone." And that, his face dropped suddenly.
"He's not in his room, and I already called him several times, but no answered," she continued, and the sound of background from her end blared. It was like a revving engine noise, and Nick could surmise that she was on the way out. "Right now, I'm heading to Joann's Diner, and I want you guys to meet me there quick."
"Why there?" Nick asked with his face now showing seriousness, catching Judy's attention as she began to lean her ear closer to the phone.
"'Cause I found a note in his room saying that there was a private meeting with him there. And, I don't think it was just a normal meeting… it might be a trap, and it might be those ASS guys trying to capture him again."
"Oh… my… goodness…" Nick gasped. "Okay, Star. We'll see you there. If you find anything there, call us."
"Roger. *Beep*" The call ended.
"Carrots," he said, turning to her, "we gotta go now. Ryan is in-"
"I know…" Judy interrupted, hopped off her seat, and dashed to the door. "I heard it all. We'd better be quick, or Chief Bogo will pull our ears out."
As she opened to door to the hallway outside, Judy unnoticably bumped into something or someone and fell onto her tail. Before she could know what she ran into, a deep masculine voice said first, "And, I'm gonna pull your tails out too if you two don't tell me why I have to pull your ears."
Her eyes still looked at the floor yet widened as she noticed that voice. But to be sure, she looked back at her partner who was now standing shocked with his shoulders sagging and his face showing absolute fear. Then, there was no need to guess anymore. She gulped once, turning her face back upward to see her boss standing with his arms crossing.
"Oh hey… Chief!" the rabbit greeted with a sheepish smile, quickly standing up. "I didn't see you coming. How can we help you, sir?"
"ANSWER. MY. QUESTION.," Chief Bogo plainly said in a gruff tone that made them jump.
"Okay, boss…" Nick then cleared his throat, trying to stay calm and make the situation better. "You see… our human friend went out of his room and-" He could not choke out any further as he saw Chief Bogo's face enraged and was about to explode in anger. He gulped once and prepared to accept his fate.
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT!?" was bursting out from the cape buffalo, so long and loudly that every mammal inside this precinct turned all their attention to the sound.
Downstairs, in the reception area, Clawhauser was climbing up back to his chair again after falling off his seat by the sudden roar of his boss. Looking around the area with his fur standing on end, he gazed back at his feline colleague in front, Fangmeyer, whose expression was not much different from him.
"I think it's about Zootopian's favorite human again," said Clawhauser.
Fangmeyer nodded and simply replied, "You bet…"
6.00 pm, Joann's Diner, Troop Street
Star had arrived at the scene for some time. She now was walking around the area as to find some evidence and clues. But, there was nothing suspicious, except for some traces on the ground and the wall inside the alley next to the diner. They seemed like a fighting strain, and they were still fresh. She could assume that someone had a fight in here, and if the time was right, it might be a fight between Ryan and unknown mammal. Then, she walked further into the alley only to see a dead end.
Star shook her head and let out a sigh, trying to think positive that Ryan might not get captured and run away. To see if her thought was right, she picked out her phone and dialed his number again. Hearing a waiting tone once, then a muffled sound of ringtone chimed somewhere around here. Turning her head to the direction of the sound, she found a dumpster nearby the back door of the diner.
"Damn…" she groaned, canceled the call, and headed to that dumpster. Opening it and craning her head over, she found large amounts of leftover food, garbage, and Ryan's cell phone, which fortunately was on very top. She picked it up with only her forefinger and thumb as if it was a disgusting thing and dropped it in an evidence bag that she happened to had it along.
Then, her ears twitched as she heard a loud screech of brakes outside the alley. The black panther quickly made her way out to the street and saw not only one but three police cars parking at the curb, which was over her expectation.
"What took you guys so long?" she complained, walking towards one of the cars.
"Why do you bring other…" the black panther still kept on complaining until she saw none other than her boss getting out from the cruiser. "Chief Bogo!"
"Panthera, can you briefly explain to me what happened?" asked Chief Bogo.
"Y-Yes, sir!" she stammered along with saluting him.
A moment later as she finished telling all about the happening from the beginning till now, the chief could not help but let out a long tired groan and massage his temples. Then, he looked up, gazing around the area until he found a street camera across the diner at an angle, aiming towards the alley. Chief went to his cruiser to pick out a 10-inch tablet and turned its on. This device was made and developed by Mayor's tech expert as to assist the officer on duty. Using direct and secure connection to the police server, it was very useful while in the field or patrolling.
As the screen brightened up and began to booted up its system, it required two biometric verification of its user which were Chief's face and voice. Chief then rose it up to let the camera processing his face, and after the first check had passed, he started saying his rank and name respectively as the last confirmation.
The screen showed a green 'Permission Granted' and revealed all the police assisting software. He clicked on the surveillance camera system and began to find the record of that street camera. Entering the period of time and date, the server then streamed the recorded video to his tablet.
The video showed that Ryan had arrived at this diner 4.00 pm. He was standing for a second there in front of the door before going for it. But later, there was a canine in long black coat, walking towards his left, making Ryan startle a bit. Then, the human and canine began to have a little talking. It seemed Ryan got frustrated later, throwing his hands in the air, and he turned away from that canine then walked away.
The canine seemed annoyed too and dashed towards him, jumping up and delivering a powerful kick to Ryan's side, sending him into the alley. That canine then threw off his long coat revealing his true identity which was the golden jackal named 'Nabhan.' Now as Ryan was out of the camera, Nabhan's mouth was moving as he was talking to the human inside the blind spot. After that, he picked out a machete and slowly stepped forward then ran into the alley.
The viewers now were shocked. All of them could not believe that the assailant had pushed this far to capture Ryan. As the video was not yet showing anything or anyone coming out the alley, Nick, Judy, and Star could only pray and hoped for Ryan to come out. But, nothing happened. So, Chief decided to fast-forward the video until a black van with blacked-out windows pulled over in front of the alleyway.
A large stag appeared out of the van and sauntered into the alley. This stag was 'Uthman' for sure as he was the only exotic deer in Zootopia right now. After he had walked into the alley without any concern, he later came out of the alley with unconscious Ryan lying on his shoulder, followed by Nabhan who seemed tired from the fight. They got in the van, and before it pulled off, Uthman craned his head out of the side door, looked at the camera, and waved his hoof at it.
After that, Chief Bogo began to track the van by switching the camera. He kept on following it until the last sighting was at the Animalia International Airport.
"It's really those ASS guys," Star mumbled, her eyes still looking at the screen.
"ASS?" asked Chief Bogo, arching one brow and looking at her.
"Sorry, sir. I mean Aandhi Special Service," she quickly corrected. "I remembered that stag from that night. Now, they got Ryan. We need to stop them."
"Delgato!" the chief shouted at the lion officer who now was busying with his phone. "Call the airport authority, ask them about the flight to Aandhi, especially the private jet, and stop it."
"Done, sir," the lion replied promptly. "There is one private jet, but we're too late. It already took off, sir."
"Damn it! Mayor's not gonna be happy to hear this…" Then, Chief turned facing two smaller officers and a new one and asked, "Wilde, Hopps, Panthera, why this happen?"
They looked at each other as if they also had no clue, but Star actually had one. She took a step forward towards her boss and handed him a mysterious note from Ryan's apartment. "Here, sir."
Chief Bogo took it and put his reading glasses on. He began to read it thoroughly. His eyes slowly dilated as he started to understand the reason. "Hmm… they're smart," he accepted. "They know how to lure him out."
"What should we do next, sir?" Judy asked.
"Get back to the precinct…" the chief replied, passing the note back to Star. "We need to plan out how to rescue him from their self-willed Sultan."
A moment later, all of them arrived back at the precinct and were in the briefing room. They began the discussion about how to save Ryan and created plans and other alternative methods as many as possible. However, whenever they thought about the implementation of each plan, all of them led to conflict between Aandhi and Animalia. Even the mildest one still triggered a war due to that Ryan was in Sultan's possession.
"Sir… neither of these options is gonna rescue him without risking international conflict," Nick began. "To tell the truth, sir, some of them could lead us to war."
"Then, Wilde…" Chief sighed tiredly, "please do tell us if you have any better way to save him."
Nick rose his finger up and said, "I think I have one, sir, and you might not like it." And, that earned everyone's attention as they eyed at him.
"Why's that?" asked Chief Bogo.
"Because we need to find someone who had relation with Sultan."
"You mean her?" Judy questioned him, and the only reply back was his single nod.
Next Morning, Somewhere in Tundratown
Using his connections, hustling skill, and police resource to gather all the information about a certain mammal, Nick finally found out and pinpointed the location of his target. After the first fall of the Cerberus Society, this secret society however still existed and kept themselves under the radar. Even though they were good at hiding, they still could not secrete in Nick's eyes. Actually, it was kind of easy for him to find anyone in Zootopia since he knew everyone. And, that made Chief Bogo question him why he did not help to find them after the raid. For the answer, Nick simply said that he was not assigned to take care of that case.
Now, Nick, Judy, and Star were in the back of the van that was driven by Finnick, preparing their gears and disguise. About an hour later after they had taken off from the precinct, the fennec fox began to slow down his van as they reached the deserted industrial estate of Tundratown. Then, he parked in front of a large abandoned building in the area.
"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?" Finnick asked, looking at his fox friend in a black jacket with white T-shirt underneath and jeans. With the look of concern displaying on his face, Finnick could not help but worry about what they were going to do in that place. "It's dangerous in there, at least I could help-"
"Don't worry about it, bro," Nick quickly cut him off. "We can take care of ourselves, you know. And if something happens, at least we have you on standby for our escape."
"But, you're going to the terrorist's den here!" Finnick yelled. "You won't have a chance to get yer ass out without a hole in yer body."
"Again, don't worry about it," Nick said with a smile, waving his paw at his friend and lifting his T-shirt to show a vest underneath. "We wear a bulletproof vest, and if they want us dead, we already would be."
Then, Nick leaned closer to Finnick and pointed at the top of the building across them. "Look over there."
The smaller fox followed his pointing and saw two small figures on the top. Even he could not clearly see them, he could assume that they were Cerberus goons, watching them.
"I believe that their leader already knew our presence and probably knew that we come in peace," said Nick, before he walked to the rear doors.
"I hope you're right, bro. But, be careful in there, okay?"
Nick nodded at him once with a smile, then he raised his left paw up, turning inside wrist towards him. There was a small microphone on his sleeve, which allowed him to communicate directly with Chief Bogo and Mayor Lionheart who were on the other end.
"Boss, can you hear me?" Nick said to the small microphone.
"Crystal clear, Wilde," was Chief's voice, said clearly in his right ear where a small speaker was hiding. "Let's get things over with and don't get yourself and your friends killed, alright?"
"Aye aye, sir," Nick replied.
Looking at Judy and Star who just finished checking their gears, he gave them a nod that meant the mission begin. Nick opened the rear doors and hopped down to the snowy ground. His heart now was beating hard by the agitation and fear, but he had to stand fast as this was the only way to help Ryan.
"Let's go, guys," he announced as his team was ready to go, closing the doors and hurrying into the building.
The three-story building seemed big enough to cover a city block. Its windowsills, the rim of the terrace, and porch roof were heaped by the pile of snow. The exterior of this building looked old, unattractive, and unmaintained that was no doubt if the terrorist was going to use it as a hideout. Inside the building, there was nothing in particular. It looked like a reception area of a three-star hotel, having chairs, couches, coffee tables, and some little ornaments, which were all covered by thick dust.
Slowly pacing deeper into the abandoned reception area, they were shining the area with their small flashlights. Looking at and following where the light shone on, everything in here seemed to be untouched as there was no footprint, no clean spot, and no trace of moving. And, that began to make them worry about what the Cerberus would do to them. Their pace began to slow down, back-to-back as to see in all directions. Their paws were on their holstered dart gun, preparing for anything bad to show up at them. They stopped in the center of the dark and dusty reception area, hearing some small movement noise.
Then, everything was brightened up as the old chandelier with thirty light bulbs illuminated, so sudden that all three pairs of eyes temporarily went blind. As they moaned in agony, covering their eyes with their paws, a cheerily mischievous voice announced, "Hello there!"
Hearing this distant, familiar voice, Nick and Judy knew who it was and probably so did Star. They waited a short moment for their eyes to adjust and squinted around. Surprised, they were surrounded by two dozens armed masked mammals with real guns pointing them. The trio could not do anything else except raising their paws defeatedly.
Then, a gray-furred fox in white halved mask walked through between the masked mammals with a smug smile on his face. "Hello, my fellow officers," he greeted, looking at Nick and Judy. "I glad to see you two, the finest ZPD duo in fur!" Then, he turned towards Star and bowed, "And, you too, my dear Stasia."
"Swift-Fang…" Nick hissed, narrowing his eyes and glaring at him.
"Oh!" Swift-Fang exclaimed with his smile broadening into a grin. "It's such an honor to be recognized by you-"
"Shut up, you forked tongue!" Star snapped. "Where is she? Where is your boss!?"
"Aw… No need to be harsh, my dear…" His face showed mockingly submissive, placing his paw over his heart, only to gain more irritated groan from her.
Then, Swift-Fang straightened up with his paws behind his back and stated, "As you can see, she has foreseen your arrival and need of her help, concerning your friend. So, she sends me to escort you three to her chamber. Our generous leader is willing to succor you, to show you the guidance to retake…"
"Zootopian's… beloved… human…" he spoke melodramatically with an act in each word. "Ahh… such a poor fellow, to be possessed by none other than the self-indulgent Sultan of Aandhi. What a pity!"
The masked fox looked back at his guests again, only to see them not amused. "Oh, dear me!" he exclaimed in somewhat apologetic manner and bowed to them. "I have to apologize for my garrulousness that costs your precious time. Our supreme leader has been expecting you to see her now. Please follow me, sir, madams. Also, don't you worry about our liegemen, they won't bring you any harm as long as you don't bring yours, of course."
Then, Swift-Fang led them the way to the inner corridor where was cleaner and newer than the reception area. They all kept quiet and walked down the lit corridor to the polished oak double doors. The masked fox, without hesitation, knocked twice on it and announced aloud, "Our expecting guests await, my supreme leader."
"Let them in, Swift-Fang," said a feminine voice from behind the doors in reply.
"Yes, ma'am," he responded and turned facing his guests, opening the door and gesturing to them to go in. "Here you go, my dear fellas."
Three officers stepped in with their eyes still fixating at the masked fox until the door closed. Turning their attention back to where they stood, their jaws could probably drop as they amazed the room. The chamber was actually a large bedroom with a 16-foot-high beehive-shaped ceiling, lighted up by a small-sized chandelier up there. It looked more likely a kind of temple than bedroom unless there was a half-tester bed at the left side of the room.
"Greeting, everyone," said the same feminine voice, from behind the mahogany desk across them. "I've been expecting you three. Come, come, take a seat." A smaller canine in a white hooded robe with a white and gold masquerade mask on her face pointed at the three chairs that had prepared for them.
"I didn't have a thought that you're so confident…" Star stated in a threatening tone, her friends and she walked to the chair but refused to sit down. "… To be alone in the room with three individuals that can apprehend you. And no guard, at that?"
"The help, you seek, is required to be secret to my associates at all cost," the masked canine reasoned then began to smile. "And yes, you can say that I'm confident about my skill. You can try me if you want." At that, the black jaguar could not hold her down from the want to beat this mammal anymore, cracking her fingers in intimidation and stepping forward. But, fortunately, Nick rose his paw to stop her.
"Calm down, Star," he said, looking at her. "We're here to find a way to help Ryan, remember?"
"Ahh…" the masked canine uttered, clapping her paws. "And, here's the civilized one."
"Shut your trap, GOD…" he quipped. "Or, should I call you, Rawa Wamkulu, the first and lost Princess of Aandhi, huh?" With that, Star's face fell in shock, looking at Nick as she had no idea who that mammal actually was before.
"And, the smart one too. I didn't surprise…" Rawa sighed, taking off her mask and placing it on her desk. Pulling down the hood to fully reveal her identity, the side-striped jackal then gave them a smile and added, "That old Matthew told you for sure, saying that he had killed me, had seen me falling off the waterfall. Tsk, tsk, tsk… what a foolish to think like that, everything I've done is all according to my-"
"Stop blabbering, will you!?" Judy interrupted. "If you know why we're here, please do tell us what we have to do."
"Alright, let's stop our chitchat and get down to business," Rawa said, leaning forward, propping her chin on her paws. "Like you, I wish neither Animalia nor Aandhi to create an unavailing war because of one single mammal being unwillingly captured. And to do so, I require two compliances to prevent the crisis and save…" Then, she glanced at the black panther before continuing, "your beloved human."
"In the very first place." Rawa straightened herself up and leaned her back against her seat. "Carl Heron must be freed from the penitentiary and all charges." And, that made her guests speechless.
"He's the key mammal to save your hapless friend without triggering a senseless conflict for sure," she continued. "And before I tell you the second requirement, I need to know that are you going to abide by the first one or not?"
Rawa eyed at the red fox who still stood in shock. His eyes dilated and ran wild as his brain kept processing about the first bargain, until he heard, "Nick?" from his partner, sounded anxious.
"You seem vexed, Nicholas Piberius Wilde," Rawa stated with a smug smile across her muzzle. "Why you have to? Since you aren't the one to make the decision… it's the one who speaks into your ear… Isn't that right, Mr. Mayor and Chief of Police?"
"How could she…" / "How could you…" Nick, Mayor, and Chief spoke at the same time.
"Oh, for the heaven's sake…" she groaned, sounded a little annoyed. "Guys, you should know about my ability already. So, what you say?"
"You too should already know the answer, your highness," he retorted.
"Aww… I just want to hear it from your mouth. It's kinda soothing."
"Ugh…" Nick rolled his eyes before he could hear something in his ear. He rose his right paw covering his ear and cooed to his left wrist, "What!? Are you sure, Mr. Mayor?"
"And, they finally made the decision, and they say…"
"Yes…" he sighed defeatedly.
"Wonderful, I really like your begrudging and desperate tone. And for the second requirement, it's just a trivial yet crucial thing." Rawa placed a half-foot antique silver stick with a dazzling oval-cut brilliant on its end on her desk and pushed it towards them. "Please, give this thing to my dear Heron after you bring him out. He'll know and help you find your friend."
Nick reached out to take the stick and took a close look at it before putting it in his pocket.
"As we now finished business here with no charge," she announced and wore her mask again, clapping her paws twice to let Swift-Fang open the door. "You may have my good luck wish and begin your another grand quest now…"
"No charge?"
Rawa shook her head in disbelief before saying, "Do you think I doing this for free? No… I charge every client expensively. But, for you, it's free, and if you're saying releasing that lion is a cost, no, it's a necessity."
Then, she slid off her seat and walked her guests to the open door. "Now, off you go. Oh, if you have a chance, please convey my regards to my Matthew too. I kinda miss him."
Next Day, Dead End Correctional Institution, Sahara Square
After using all the power to quicken the paperwork for releasing one particular lion from prison, Mayor Lionheart assigned Nick and Judy to pick up the said mammal at Dead End Correctional Institution in Sahara Square. Where it located at the very far side of this desert district in Dead End neighborhood. This prison was for the ordinary criminals who were not labeled as the too dangerous mammal yet. Still, this place had a high security with two layers of security fence wrapping around the institution and dozens of wardens guarding this place.
The two now was glaring at the front iron gate, waiting for the lion to be escorted out. They stood by the police cruiser, backs against the car, crossing their arms over their chests. Remaining quiet, no word had been escaped from their mouth since they had departed from the precinct. With the mood of frustration and ire smoldering in their chests, the thing that lion had done to Ryan still indelibly imprinted in their memory. They did not want to let this mammal out. They wanted to see him rotten behind bars, but the order was an order, and it was for saving Ryan.
They had to push their hatred aside just for now until the human could set his foot on this land again.
While trying to calm them down and keeping professional, the alarm went off, long and once as to signal that the front gate was going to open. Then, a thunderous sound of revving motor blared, and the thick large iron plate opened for a mammal behind it. The mammal walked through the gate and to the two officers who stood with their hateful eyes glowering at him. With a triumphant smile slowly displaying on his face, the lion namely Carl Heron announced in a haughty tone, "About damn time!"
'Toll to Retake'