Chapter 2: Echo that.
Stepping off the train the phantom took a moment to admire the awe inspiring sight before her. A colossal cave stretched out carved out by a combination of glacial water and mammalian paws. The floor of the cavern was covered in an assortment of building ranging from single story houses to moderately sized sky scrapers (nicknamed cave scrapers down here). While the centre piece of the ceiling was a titanic jade that shined with infinite brilliance as the many lights and lasers bounced from its jagged surface. In the centre of the space sat a subterranean lake too deep and beautiful to drain.
The nocturnal district was the one district that few from outside the city knew about as many considered it an embarrassment. Behind the amazing facade it hid a dark and seedy under belly. Located in the labyrinthine of tunnels and caves that honeycombed underneath the mighty city the district had been intended to cater for all nocturnal mammals as it was forever bathed in darkness with only the artificial light of street lamps and neon signs present.
The thing is though. Night is the time when every criminal and deplorable comes out.
Shortly after the area was opened it had descended into crime and degradation. Over the years the area had been carved up between competing gangs and crime lords while the ZPD was no where to be seen. The police had deemed the area a lost cause even before Bellwethers administration and for the most part left the locals to fend for themselves.
But this also made it the ideal place for any mammal that wished to disappear.
The maned wolf strolled down the street dodging drunken revellers and promoters in equal measure. Her normal uniform had been dropped for a white tank top, dark coloured hoodie unzipped at the front and ripped jeans in a sun bleached blue. Despite the apparent chaos of her surroundings she felt completely at ease. Her hood down, head up and stride confident. She could handle herself well enough and anyway there were two outstanding citizens just ahead that would help her if she needed it.
Just because the ZPD had abandoned the place didn't mean that every law minded mammal had. Two painted dogs stood on the street corner backlit by the ever changing lights of a club. Both wore a simple but smart blue shirt and black cargo pants. While each wore a bullet proof vest to protected their torsos, the letters NVF proudly embroidered across the chest and shoulder blades, while a utility belt was located around their waists. Their belts held an assortment of different pieces of equipment including pepper spray, paw cuffs, a tranq pistol and a live fire pistol.
They were part of the closest thing to a professional police force down here. The Nocturnal vigilance Force. Set up relatively recently it had rapidly expanded from protecting individual businesses to entire neighbourhoods thanks to an influx of former police and private security guards.
However these two fine members of the force had more immediate concerns.
"Where were you hiding that?" One painted dog asked the other pointing towards the family sized tub of Badger and Jackal's cookie dough flavoured ice cream. The second canine merrily munched away on his favourite ice cold treat, tail appearing as a blur as it wagged behind him, making a complex series of motions with his occupied paws. "What do you mean its a secret?" the first asked incredulously. To be met with more paw signals.
But any further questioning was cut sort by a chirp from their side. "Hey Delta, Atom"
Looking up Delta greeted in a friendly if surprised manner "Oh hey Savannah" While Atom forgot any professionalism as he rushed over rapping the female up in an enthusiastic hug snorting all the while.
Atom was well known as the best hugger this side of the salmon Nivarda mountains. "Ah Sticky! Atom!" she giggled as Atoms ice cream covered muzzle nuzzled into her cheek. Satisfied that Savannah had received her required hug for the next half an hour, Atom released her and went back to munching on his ice cream. Fixing her clothes and wiping the sticky remanence of Atoms hug from her cheek the maned wolf turned to Delta who had watched the odd exchange with just a roll of his eyes. "You boys headed to the 10-7?"
The painted dog nodded "We just finished our shift and could use a drink. Wanna come with?" Savannah was headed there anyway so she decided to join the painted dogs. Neon lights bathed the three in an unnatural glow while a deep base boomed from with in the club as they set off. It was one of many such establishments in this area of the hidden district. Every imaginable sin and vice could be sated on this one street alone and there were many others like it. But the maned wolf and painted dogs only ever visited one bar down here.
It did help that they knew the owner.
The 10-7 had originally been located on the surface, serving those who dedicated their lives to serving the city. Police, fire mammals and ambulance crews together with all their support staff were the exclusive clientele. This hadn't changed. But times had. 'Reforms' brought in by the new administration had forced almost all predators out of these services and down into the nocturnal district, with many pray choosing to follow. The new ZPD didn't like to associate with a bar owned by a predator. But Echo was anything but a push over. Instead she simply followed her customers and relocated the bar.
The bar was now located in a group of former small stores in one of the nicer areas of the underground space along the banks of the lake. The dividing walls had been knocked through to connect the different spaces creating a large open area for the new bar. The front windows once used to display any number of wares had been replaced by tinted glass allowing patrons to gaze upon the subterranean lake formed by melted glacial ice, without anyone from outside peering in. A smorgasbord of different flags, badges and photos lined the walls while from the ceiling hung the lights from police cruisers and fire trucks that illuminated the drinking hole in a warm glow.
The small group entered to the familiar warmth the bar offered. It was quiet around this time with only a pair of otters huddled in one of the booths away from the windows. Other than that only the staff seemed to be present. "Savannah!" a lovely otter with green eyes and tight fitting shirt with the bars logo across the front called out from atop the bar. Her shapely legs swinging back and forth idly as her paw waved in the air to gain the attention of her friend.
"Hey Em" The maned wolf chuckled as she approached wrapping the smaller mammal up in a hug. It had been a while since the two had seen each other as Em had been on a different shift the last time Savannah had dropped by "How have you…" The canine was about to ask only to interrupted by the now familiar feeling of a small mammal scrambling up her back. Disappearing up the back of her hoodie. A pair of brown paws latched onto her shoulders and a matching pair of feet locked around her waist. Feeling a small muzzle burrowing into her mane Savannah rolled her eyes but her tail still wagged none the less.
A low mumble came from under her jacket. "Mmmm fluffy"
"Hi Trisha" Two brown, black tipped ears sprang free from under the item of clothing. Em had to cover her mouth has she sniggered from the strange sight.
Savannah had learned that attempting to pry the bubbly bunny from her back herself was pointless. Those legs were stronger than they looked. So she turned back to the otter "Little help Em?"
Em rubbed her chin and pretended to think "Hmm. Nah." Savannah's face took on a pleading edge as the otter smirked. "Sorry hon guess you should have come back sooner"
Her head flopped back as she groaned "Trisha come on. I gotta see Echo"
"Nope. You have 2 weeks of hugs to make up for." the ears chirped from beneath her hoodie.
"Hugs?" The light bulb went on. "Hey Atom! Trisha wants a hug!" With that the maned wolf threw her hoodie from her shoulders revealing the brown furred blue eyed doe. She was dressed in a similar shirt as Em except this one was ZPD blue instead of fire mammal red. Trisha's eyes shot open as a pair of feet scampered towards them.
The brown rabbit was then plucked from her perch on Savannahs back. "Ah Atom! No!" she giggled as the painted hugging machine held her close and began to spin Trisha around.
Savannah seized her chance.
"Sorry Trish catch up later!" Savannah called disappearing down a corridor into the back of the bar. Passing the employee locker room, which was more of a large cloak room, on her left and the main store room to her right she made her way to the last door. It was open as was usual for the 10-7. The staff all considered each other family, its why they all stayed when the bar moved. Well almost all.
The bars owner was seated behind her desk, merrily typing away on her computer whilst munching her way through a plate of peanut butter bites. The painted dogs fur followed no discernible pattern though her fore arms were mostly white with chocolate brown and cream patches. She wore a tasteful deep blue polo shirt with the bars logo embroidered on the left breast with karki shorts on her lower half.
Sensing someone was watching her Echo looked towards the door were Savannah leaned against the frame arms crossed cocky smile upon her face. "Hi Echo"
"Savannah!" she tried to say around her mouth full.
"Don't talk with your mouth full young lady" The maned wolf playfully chastised.
Echo snorted "I'm older than you 'young lady'"
"And you still have no manners tch tch" The two canines shared a laugh with Echo who playfully throwing a pen at Savannah
"So. Did that tip I gave you pay off?" Echo hadn't intended her business to become an information hub but the thing about bars is that mammals love to talk and given her clients Echo had developed quiet the little empire. Nothing illegal ever passed through but tip off's and useful hints became common place and with the phantom being a regular she had a perfect recipient for that information.
But some tips were rather vague "I...don't know" Echo raise her eye brow. "Well I broke in and got this" Whilst out on patrol Delta had over heard that Bellwether had an important item in her private office from a former maid. Though the maid had failed to specify what this item was.
Pulling the carrot pen from her pocket Savannah carefully placed it on the desk. "A pen? You broke into Bellwethers mansion for a pen?" Savannah nodded even though the ridiculousness was obvious. "What's so important about a pen?" The painted boss picked the badly damaged item up sounding incredulous, worried it would fall apart in her paws.
"I don't know but it was protected by two layers of bullet proof glass and pressure sensitive alarms." The young thief hastily listed off. "Plus it was the only thing on her desk. It may as well have had a big flashing sign saying 'please steal me'" Echo laughed at the maned wolf saying the last part in an exaggerated high pitched voice. Turning the device over and pressing the play button. Only to receive the same distorted static from the speaker that Savannah had "That….is the other problem"
Echo sighed "I guess that's why you brought it to me" Savannah awkwardly nodded. Furrowing her brow Echo thought for a second before perking up. "I think I know someone. Give me a few days."
The younger canine's tail began to wag as she bounced on the spot. "Great! Thanks Echo!" The maned wolf bounded towards the door hell bent on making up for the missed days at the 10-7 but was stopped when Echo called after her.
"Before you go…." Savannah stopped in the doorway "could you take a look at something for me"
Re-entering the office the younger canine sat in the chair opposite the bars owner. "Sure, what's up?" The maned canine always got excited when Echo had tips or jobs for her. It promised excitement and free drinks.
Lowering her voice and leaning forward as if someone were listening "A friend in the border force tipped me off to someone strange who arrived recently"
"So?" the thief shrugged "Strange mammals come through all the time." It was true. Zootopia was one of the largest cities on the planet and was major hub of both finance and culture. With the shear number of mammals coming and going unusual and strange mammals passing through was simply an everyday event.
Echo seemed concerned by the young canines response "I know but this guy came through with 3 reinforced, sealed cases and went straight to a meeting with the mayor."
That made Savannah stop for a moment "Ok, ominous. Got any pics of this guy?"
"No and that's where you come in. I have a name, Benjamin Smith and I know he's staying at the bay plaza hotel room H 13." The painted dog gave an apologetic look towards the thief. "You'll have to fill in the rest, sorry"
Although Echo obviously felt guilty for the lack of info Savannah actually preferred it this way. "No worries Echo that's the fun part." It was true. It made her feel like she was in one of those noir private investigator stories she loved so much. All she needed was a trench coat, fedora and a Chicago accent.
Echo was concerned by Savannah's eagerness "You worry me sometimes Savannah"
"I can handle it. How many police chiefs have I chased out of the city already? 5?" Savannah laughed off.
"3"
The maned wolf cocked her head "Really?"
"Razorback and Aleksei have been chief twice remember?" Chief Silverback had resigned once after the phantom had broken into, and then emptied, a branch of the sable trust bank. He had then return a second time to replace Michael Fulgens but following further failures had vanished with Savannah being blamed.
That last point concerned Savannah "Right" she murmured. The maned wolf deflated, her ears lowering and tail stilling.
Echo knew it was something of a sore spot for the young thief. Everyone suspected that Silverback had probably come to a violent end and although Savannah may have been prepared to steal from and humiliate her foes. Murder simply wasn't in her. The older of the two stood and made her way around the desk placing a reassuring paw on Savannah's shoulder. "Just be careful" She hadn't meant to sourer her friends mood but being a former fire fighter she'd seen first hand what happened when you forgot about the dangers of the job.
Glancing down Savannah glanced at Echo's left leg, or rather where her left leg should have been. Instead a prosthetic, made from parts of various fire rigs and painted black and white was there. A gift from Echo's former fire house. As poignant a reminded as it was Savannah was confident she could handle anything Bellwether or anyone else could throw at her. "I'll be fine Echo" She finally spoke patting the painted dogs paw.
The pair shared a smile "Wanna drink?" the painted boss asked breaking the silence.
"For you cutie, of course" Savannah batted her eye lashes playfully.
Rolling her eyes Echo made for the door "Come on" gesturing for the other canine to follow. "Em and Trisha aren't letting you out of here for a long time."
Atom: Almost blonde fur colour.