Here is the 35th installment. Hope you enjoy.

A Shorty this time, because the next few are beasts and I just couldn't see a good way to break them down father than I have. Enjoy.

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If you enjoy this, and you are not also reading my original Log Entries series over on my Blog. Why aren't you? (takes a Nick-esk pose of hurt) Also. I am now posting them on AO3, so you have even less excuse. It's free, ORIGINAL fiction. "An original story told through the log entries of the pilot and captain of an experimental star ship."

Sadly, I do not own and thus can claim no rights to Zootopia or its characters. They belong to Disney.

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Tundra Town Exotic weapons range.

As they drove, Stu watched out the windows in awe as they passed through the city. Marveling as they passed through the climate wall and found themselves in a winter paradise. "This is just amazing. You see the photos, even some of it from the train, but it has so much more impact when you're on the ground. You get a feel for just how large it actually is."

Mikel looked back from the passenger seat. "I suppose you get used to it when you live here, but I agree. I mean, I rarely leave Central unless I'm taking Joan on a date. My job just doesn't require me to."

Ed laughed. "Yeah, lucky you. I range all over the city, sometimes in one day."

"Well, that's what you get with a job like yours. Same goes for Judy, Lizz, Nick, and Mike. So, Stu. You're the father of the great Judy WildeHopps? What do you do that created the force of nature that she is."

Stu laughed and shrugged. "I am the head of the largest warren in the Tri-burrows, and head of Hopps Family Farms with my wife, Bonnie who your mates stole away with Judy. As for what we did. I don't know. She has always been different than other rabbits. I don't think it is something we did or ever could do, if anything we fought her nearly every step of the way. I think she would have ended up doing something like this, no matter what we said or did."

Mikel grinned. "I see. I can kinda get that. My family are a bunch of wood workers, I'm a legal aide at a major firm in central."

Stu nodded. "Yeah. Judy never let anything get her down. Not even when Gideon clawed her face. If anything, that was the final thing that fully cemented the idea of being a cop in her brain. As she will tell you herself. She just doesn't know when to quit. Though she was also never one to take in girly activities. Now, Bonnie on the other hand... I worry how much this is going to cost me. Bonnie, getting to share some girl time with Judy... That's like a dream for her. Judy refused to wear a dress unless she absolutely had to since she was six."

Mikel chuckled. "Not to worry, Stu. The girls were arguing over who was going to be covering for her. Not sure which one of us will be getting the bill, but it won't be you."

"I guess that's okay. I trust Bonnie. She's just done this whole shopping thing with all our other female kits. But not Judy. She never had time for that. Give her jeans, a flannel shirt, something physical to do, and she was happy. Getting to shop and pamper with Judy is something she gave up on a long time ago. Getting to do that with Judy, well. I'm usually the cryer of the family, but when Bonnie gets to brag about it when we get home. Tears will be shed."

"You're the crier?"

Stu chuckled. "Yeah. Emotional bunny and all that. I know myself. When it comes to my kits, I just can't keep it in sometimes. Especially when it comes to Judy. Her job is so much more dangerous than any other of our kits. We have gotten better. Tried to trust her, but as a parent, even of as many kits as we have, I can't help but still worry."

Ed nodded as he pulled into a parking lot. "I can kinda get that. Not fully, though Elli and I are adopting soon. We really love those cubs, and they are not even ours. I many not fully get it, but I can start to feel it. As for Bonnie. Well, if things go the way it usually does, I expect she is going to come back to you with painted claws, fully pampered and with new clothes. Especially if they are stopping at Vivian's."

"That's Nick's mom's shop, as I understand."

Ed turned around, having parked the car. "That's right. She's just the best, and hooks the girls up. Now, there are a few things to know about this place, Stu. You're going to have to go through a short safety course, and there will always be someone looking over your shoulder. This is so you can be safe. Remember, we're going to be able to shoot things only the military gets to play with normally. They have a 22mm cannon, mini-guns, and just about everything but actual explosives."

Stu grinned. "This should be fun."

Exiting Ed's car, they entered the range's front lobby, the receptionist, an arctic hare, looks up and grins. "Mikel, Ed. Good to see you again. Who's your guest?"

Ed steps forward. "Hi Cynthia, this is Stewart Hopps. Head of Hopps Family Farms and father to one Judy WildeHopps."

Cynthia's eyes go wide. "Oh... Oh Wow! It is such an honor to meet you. Judy and Nick come in monthly to train. Have you been here before?"

Stu smiled and shook his head. "First time. Visiting from Bunnyburrow, and these two fine mammals have agreed to show me a good time while their mates take mine and my daughter shopping."

"Okay, well let me get you the paperwork, and while you fill it out, I'll get your video and training materials together. Welcome to Tundra Town Exotic Weapons range, where you can shoot just about anything."

Stu nodded. "Okay. Thank you."

"My pleasure." Cynthia chirped with a wide smile as she handed Stu a clipboard with about ten sheets of paper and then walked through the double doors behind her desk. The forms consisted of a questionnaire about the familiarity with weapons, military history, sensitivity to sound, a form for basic information, a release for a background check, and both a standard and special liability release form. After ten minutes Cynthia returned with a large polar bear.

The bear walked up with a smile on his face. "Greetings Mr. Hopps. Nice to see you again. My name is Kevin. We encountered briefly the other night at poker. I am a friend of your daughters and am honored that you grace my establishment." Kevin then nodded to Ed and Mikel. "Ed. Mikel. You are escorting Mr. Hopps today?"

Mikel smiled. "We are Kevin. Missed you at poker the last few weekends."

Stu looked all the way up at the massive predator with a smile. "Thank you, Kevin. Please call me Stu."

Kevin chuckled. "This is true. You only a little bit better than Bill. Stu. I see you are done with forms. I will take them and have Cynthia process, then we will get you through safety training. Ed, Mikel. You two must do it too. You have been away too long, so refresher neccessary. Sorry about poker. Angela has kept me busy with projects at the house, and then there is other job." He took the paperwork and handed it over to Cynthia, needing only one step due to his size.

Ed chuckled "Oh, we get it. All good on the training. I'm sure Stu will feel better having a few others struggling through that test."

"Is only meant to make sure you are safe. Some weapons can be dangerous for more than what you point them at."

"This is true."

Cynthia chimed in from her desk. "All set! Do you want me to over see it sir?"

"No. Thank you Cynthia. I will oversee. Do we have any scheduled clients or regulars that will likely show up today?"

"No sir. Unless we get a surprise group of tourists like last week, I expect it will be quiet for the rest of the day."

"Good. Good. When if your kitten getting off work?"

Grinning shyly. "Daryl gets off at three."

"If things are dead, then close the front and spend some time with him. Regulars and special guests know to call me or come through large and mega entrance."

"Thank you sir. I will."

Kevin motioned for Ed, Mikel, and Stu to follow him. "Please, come. Training is simply video then test on computer. Is easy, so not worry. Even I can do."

Ed smiled up at Kevin. "Your accent is slipping, Kevin."

Shaking his head with a tired but happy smile. "Angela kept me up last night with more than projects."

Stu laughed. "Well, when it comes to being kept up, there are few better reasons. Wear that tiredness with pride."

They all chuckled at that as Kevin led them down a long corridor and into a smaller room with many chars of various sizes. Mikel, Ed, and Stu finding chairs their size while Kevin set up a video to display on the wall screen.

The training was basic weapon safety. Always keep the weapon pointed down range. Always listen to and respond to the range supervisor. Hearing and eye protection is required at all times while on the range floor. You can inspect and handle the safe weapons in the selection area, but the weapon you will be firing along with ammunition will be brought to you at your designated firing area. Along with other basic and obvious safety rules.

Once training was over with, and they had easily passed the simple follow up test, they made the selection of about a dozen rifles and hand guns, and then took their places on the range. Stu asked if they knew what Judy and Nick had and if he could test that weapon first. The group was escorted by Kevin to the far left side of the range. Their firing location had positions to fire standing, seated, or prone, depending on the weapon in question. It also had additional seating for those of the group not firing at the time.

The range assistants would bring out each weapon and ammunition, and then much to the surprise and pleasure of Stu, show how to properly load the weapon, how to handle it, and other details about the weapon. Then, watching over him, they would then let him load the magazine himself at a provided table, load the weapon, and fire down range all he wanted. As long as he kept to the safety protocols from the training. This meant, once he was done with any magazines he had loaded, he would unload the weapon, and then have them verify the weapons was safe. Once that was done, he could exit the firing area with the magazines, if he wished to reload the same weapon. Otherwise, they would take the weapon, magazines, and ammo, returning with their next weapon.

They did have copies of the weapons Nick and Judy used and that what was brought out to him first. Stu examined it carefully and looked up at Kevin. "This doesn't seem like it would be effective against anyone larger than Nick himself." Holding up one of the rounds to inspect it. "These just seem... small."

Kevin nodded. "This would be true, but they have modified versions with larger caliber. Theirs are effective against most mammals accept elephants and Rhinos. They have fewer rounds because of it, but they are both best shots I have seen."

Stu nodded. I see. Do you happen to have what the actually shoot?"

"Not in that same weapon, but in something similar. Would you like to try that?"

"Please."

A few moments later, Stu had a much larger weapons in paw. "Goodness. This is larger than I expected. They shoot this?"

"Their weapons are like the first one, but modified to use the ammunition this one shoots. Be warned, the recoil is going to be significant as I have given you a few of the same rounds they use. Their rounds have more powder and specialized bullets. When they shoot these, Nick and Judy mean it."

Stu nodded and after loading up the magazine and taking the seated shooting position. He took aim, taking heed of Kevin's warning and bracing himself. Lining up his shot, he pulled the trigger and had to set the weapon down and shake his paw. "Damn! That does have a kick."

Kevin nodded. This is why they had theirs modified. They have better recoil control, and better accuracy."

"So what is the caliber they are actually shooting?"

"They, like you just shot, are using ten millimeter. Similar to .45acp, but more powder and special bullets, so they have longer range and more stopping power. Their weapons come as .380, which is normally considered large for a small mammal weapon. What they shoot is enough to hurt even me, though it would take a full magazine to hurt me badly without lucky shot. Though that is why the do it. It, as Nick said once. Levels the playing field a little bit."

"No kidding, and they shoot here regularly?"

Kevin nodded. "They do. As I say. They are best shots I have seen. They buy their ammunition here because the ZPD doesn't carry it. I think Judy mentioned that they get compensated for a measure of it, as well as the rounds they use here in training. Many officers have started to come here to train, and ZPD SWAT now uses this range so they can train with their weapons more often."

Having unloaded and safed the weapon, and gotten cleared by a range assistant, Stu stepped back to the reloading table. Stu pulled one of the bullets out of the case and looked at it. "These are big. Okay. What else do they shoot when they are here?"

Kevin grinned. "Let me get the rifles they shoot for when they are on SWAT." He walked off and returned a moment later. "This is the one Judy uses when she is here. It is modified, like her actual weapon and is a clone of it. Shoots 5.56x45mm .223 normally, but... Both Judy and Nick have theirs modified. This switch allows her to shoot also 7.62 and .30-06 for Judy. Nick's, being larger can also fire .50 BMG, but only one at a time. He has to manually load each round. I don't know who they got to make such modifications, but they are genius."

Stu looked at the weapons, then loaded it with the standard rounds, firing multiple down range. "There is almost no recoil."

Kevin nodded. "Yes. It was part of the modifications. Listen." Kevin flipped the switch to 7.62 and handed Stu a new magazine. They all heard a strange whirring and clicking from the gun, then a ping. "Is ready."

Stu loaded and fired fifteen rounds down range, then set it down after unloading and clearing it. He then rubbed his shoulder. "Now, I felt that. I can only imagine what Nick feels if he's shooting that .50."

Kevin smiled. "He said is like kick from a horse. Said it is only in case his sniper rifle is not available."

"Nick's a sniper?"

"This is what he said. Though I don't think he has been called for that duty yet."

Stu grunted. "Okay. This was interesting. Now, lets get to the real toys. What you got next, Kevin?"

The grin on Kevin's face, teeth and all, showed just how much fun they were about to have. By lunch, they had fired nearly two dozen weapons, other than the first ones to see what Nick and Judy shot. Their ears were buzzing and paws, arms, and shoulders were sore.

Kevin led them into a comfortable lounge. "I will order lunch. Menu's are there. Please look over, I need to check on things."

Stu, Mikel, and Ed looked over the menu, placing their order when Kevin returned. Kevin looked to Stu with concern. "You are sure you want that? It is has chicken in it."

Stu nodded. "Oh, very much so. After all this, the protein will help keep me from hurting too much."

Kevin looked to the wolves who just nodded. "Okay."

A few minutes later the food had arrived and Kevin watched in shock as Stu enjoyed his cucumber, chicken, and sharp cheddar wrap, with avocado and turkey bacon. Shaking his head Kevin turned to his own salmon sandwich. "I suppose Judy has not fallen so far from the tree as we all thought."

Stu laughed, taking a drink to clear his mouth. "Oh, not so very far as any of us thought. There are some secret family histories that will be coming out once all the documentation can be verified. Along with a few genetic tests. It seems that there are actually a few predators in the Hopps family background."

Ed laughed. "That I believe. I have heard Judy's growl. There ain't nothing prey about that rabbits growl."

Stu nodded, a sad look passing over his face. "I know that growl well, and have been it's unfortunate target. I was being an over protective, over bearing idiot, so I deserved it."

"Seems she forgave you for whatever it was."

"Forgiven, perhaps. But I lost her trust. I almost lost her. That is part of what this trip is all about. Trying to overcome what I broke."

Ed put a paw on Stu's shoulder, and to Stu's credit, he didn't flinch. "Judy wants to give you a chance, Stu. I know this, because she has said as much by her actions."

Stu nodded. "I know. I just worry that my specisism will raise it's head again and I'll destroy what little ground I have gained."

"You are doing great so far then, Stu. You haven't made one remark that I would call specisist, yet."

"It is as a few of my other kits have told me. I have to see beyond the fur, the muzzle shape, of a mammal and see the mammal themself. It's hard with how I was raised, but it is important. I have a dozen or more kits who have taken mates, even gotten married and adopted kits in a few cases, and I didn't know. I didn't know because they were afraid of me and how I would react. Especially after what I did to Nick and Judy... I can't blame them."

Kevin spoke up. "It sounds like you are trying though. No? It sounds like you recognize the issue you have and are working on it."

Looking up at Kevin, Stu nodded. "I do see it now. I didn't understand how I was hurting my kits or myself. I do now. The relationships, the friendships, that I probably cost myself from my fear. Fear of predators for no reason other than I was taught it. It is hard to break, but I am working towards it. Because it is important to the lives of my kits, and their happiness is more important than the fear and stupid, unfounded, hate I was taught."

Kevin nodded with a smile. "Then you will succeed, because you have a reason to succeed. Will you stumble. Sure. Do not we all? Now. If lunch is finished. Let us return to the range. There are many more weapons to enjoy shooting. I will have coffee and tea brought."

Stu smiled. "Thank you, Kevin. That sounds like an ideal plan."

By the time they were leaving, they had fired a total of 83 different weapons, even convincing Kevin to join in on a few of them, as well as having him fire a few things they were just too small for, so they could see them fired. Including the 22mm cannon and a large mini-gun.

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A/N Keep the reviews and comments coming, it's making Muse happy, which lets me work on this and other things. And also remember, if you see issues, misspellings, etc... Let me know in PM, I'm under no illusion of being perfect and want to fix those things I miss.

If you are truly enjoying this, you can check out my original work by popping over to my blog, Scribblings. You can link to it here: ( Direct: dcballard (remove the spaces) because the forwarding is misbehaving.) and then select Scribblings Blog ( Scribblings ).