Author's Note: So I know I've been gone awhile, being under some creative slump lately and I just can't get back to The Liaison quite yet. I'll have you all know that I've had my mind on other things, including work and the fact that I was on vacation for the past few days and couldn't stay focused. But here's one of the stories I've promised and have been looking forward to writing, as I think you will all enjoy seeing Nick Jr. all grown up kicking ass like his parents. I will warn you though, there is a major character death. I set it up at the end of The Dark Mammal in my original storyline, but I just couldn't kill Nick. But it's crucial to this storyline, so please be in a forgiving mood in the comments. Furthermore, I still don't own Zootopia and you all know why it's rated what it is.
Chapter One: The New Recruit
Zootopia Police Academy
The police academy hadn't changed much physically over the last sixty years of the facility's operation. Promising young mammals stood in formation on the massive lawn in between all of the buildings at the heart of the campus, including one twenty-two year-old arctic fox vixen from the rural community of Foxborough. Her name was Skye Frost, and she always wanted to grow up to become an officer on the ZPD, much like her childhood idols, the current Chief and first rabbit, Judy Hopps, as well as the late-great Nick Wilde. Even in a town with a large fox population, they were still viewed as a dishonest, thieving race by most. But heroic specimens like Nick Wilde gave the impressionable little girl something to aspire to be. So she knew well before she started getting her first periods that she would either join the ZPD oor the MDF as an adult. After the particularly tragic and gruesome death of Sergeant Wilde in the line of duty, her parents kept telling her she was crazy. Crazy is as crazy does, thought Skye as a battle scarred kangaroo in his mid fifties, wearing a full police uniform, showing the rank of Captain, and an Aussie hat surveyed the recruits.
"Listen up you ugly mutts," barked the kangaroo to his batch of twenty four recruits of every shape and size (excluding rodents as they required a completely different course), "I give a flying fuck about any of you, yet! My name is Captain McBoot and I've been on the force since before most of you were an itch in your daddy's pants. Until the time you graduate," he continued, in a fashion not unlike an MDF drill sergeant, "unless you pussy out, you will hate my guts because I will treat you like pigeonshit. My dad was an asshole, it got him through Vietpaw and the ZPD until the old bastard got himself shot. I have seen horrible and terrifying shit that would scar you all for life," he happened to look at Skye, without dropping his demeanor, "I will work you hard, because it will keep you alive in the future. Twenty pushups you brats, go!"
The recruits stood confused, not entirely sure what Captain McBoot meant and too nervous to ask. McBoot dropped to the grass with his upper paws extended and barked, "Wake the fuck up! Training starts right this goddamn second!" Skye and the rest of the recruits in her group dropped and did twenty push ups to satisfy the angry kangaroo.
"I want to be an Airborne Ranger," called out Captain McBoot as he lead the recruits on a run.
"I want to be an Airborne Ranger," responded the recruits, even Skye who actually considered that route of employment.
"Living the life of death and danger!"
"Living the life of death and danger!"
"Airborne Ranger!"
"Airborne Ranger!"
"Death and danger!"
"Death and danger!"
This Captain McBoot is one strange kangaroo, thought Skye, was he ever in the military!
"Frost," snapped McBoot, "wake the fuck up and pay attention to the route! Take it from the top little fuckwits!" They continued their cadence as they ran another mile, something about SCUBA divers, paramedics and some other jobs in call and response form, going back to Airborne Ranger.
A week later Skye and the rest of McBoot's group found themselves at the gun range. Mastering the elements had already taken a toll on the recruits and four had already dropped out. They could all tough out the desert, even the polar bear and yak (not without having to overcome heat exhaustion), but a zebra fell off the rainforest obstacle course and broke both of his hind legs, a camel was medically evacuated after succumbing to frostbite, a beaver had a nervous breakdown and an elephant nearly drowned on the water training. This was the simple part, mastering firearms. As long as nobody did anything stupid, there wouldn't be any injuries.
"The Beretta M9," said Captain McBoot, "standard issue on the ZPD, along with the Glock 17." He held the pistols in view of the recruits, "This is the most important tool you will carry. This device is your life, and most likely, you'll never fire a shot outside the firing range. But you will still need to learn. Frost," he pointed to Skye, "I've read that you have some background experience with firearms so I'm going to volunteer you to go on the range first, farmgirl."
"Sir," asked Skye as she approached McBoot, "may I have permission to speak freely, sir?"
"Talk to me kid," said McBoot.
"Did you really have to insult me by my background," asked Skye.
"I insult everyone on everything except the tragic loss of their loved ones or any serious injuries that I can't blame them on," replied McBoot, "besides, one of my best friends has a background similar to yours. Damn shame her personal life went to hell twenty years ago and she's never been back, but it's been a good thirty years working with her. Now grab the damn gun and shoot the target."
Skye nodded then grabbed the Beretta and took a deep breath as she gazed downrange at the target, a snarling grizzly bear cutout. Just like dealing with those pesky hawks back at home, thought Skye as she aimed the pistol and gently squeezed the trigger.
Bang!
Skye nervously closed her eyes as the gun flashed, not eager to be lectured by that damn kangaroo on how to aim properly or any other thing she sucked at.
"Out-fucking-standing Miss Frost," said McBoot, without a hint of sarcasm in his voice, "you almost as good s my last partner, God rest his soul." She opened her eyes and saw where the bullet hit, right between the eyes. "A single shot to the occipital lobe," he continued, "that has Nick Wilde written all over it. From now on, you ugly mutts, shoot like this bimbo right here."
Five and a half months later
Skye Frost stood in the front row of academy graduates in her dress blues uniform for the ceremony. Up on stage speaking at the podium was a rabbit in her mid to late fifties, with gray fur, lavender eyes, and the tip of her left ear shot off. This was the legendary Chief Judy Laverne Hopps Wilde, the first rabbit to serve on the ZPD and played a major role in bringing down some of the biggest criminals in the city's history.
"I've been on this force for thirty two years," said Chief Hopps, "whoever said things get easier with experience is either lying through their teeth," she continued, "or never had a job like we do. We do the dirty work, we see the worst in mammals and also bring out the best. I can remember when I was down there, where you all are. I was young, energetic and had both my ears intact. I've always appreciated both the little guy," she kept going, "being one since I was born. But even better is one that can go after the wheels come off through sheer dedication and grit. I'd like to award today's first badge to the valedictorian. Miss Skye Frost."
Skye perked up and walked to the stage, barely able to contain her excitement, until she saw Captain McBoot standing next to the Chief. He stood there coldly, with his icy gaze and said, "Officer Frost."
"Sir," she replied nervously.
"It's been a pleasure training you," he loosened up, showing something that looked like a smile and extended a paw to her, "my name's Daniel by the way, and yes, Nick Wilde was both my partner and my best friend. And my farmgirl friend would very much like to meet you."
"Yes sir," said Skye as she shook paws, still nervous, but relieved that Captain McBoot had finally thawed out and she would get to meet her childhood hero.
"I've always been a huge fan of you," said Skye as she stood in front of Chief Hopps, "ever since I was a kid I wanted to be a legend like you and Wilde."
"Glad to meet a fan," replied Hopps, "but seriously, don't get killed. I've heard you could shoot almost as good as him too."
"I thought Captain McBoot was kidding," replied Skye.
"He wasn't," replied Hopps, "his dad was a sniper in Vietpaw and he was partners with the best marksmammal in ZPD history. The 'roo knows shooting."
"I just hope I don't get sent to something dull and unimportant like parking duty on my first day on the force," said Skye as Hopps gave her her badge.
"I'll tell you what I tell my son," replied Hopps, "every job is important, parking duty builds character and being tough can only take you so far. Welcome the force and smile for the camera. Be at Precinct One in a week."
(Opening Credits, Photograph by Def Leppard)
Author's Note: I'm sorry about the empty period, I feel bad about not finishing The Liaison by now, but I've had this story floating around for awhile and I've wanted to get started. I thought the best way to do it was a change from the usual perspective. We'll get to meet Nick and Judy's grown up kids in the next chapter, which should be ready tomorrow night as I've got my creative energy flowing now. Until then, this is Sharkinator627 signing off for the night.