First Salvo Chapter 21, a zootopia fanfic

FIRST SALVO

A Zootopia fan fiction by Dan

Rated M+

(Artist ownership) Ayden Gull from BRO GULLS by Anti_Dev

(Artist ownership) "I Will survive" by William Borba 2017

(Artist ownership) Will and Alex Gray, Sheath and Knife by Harmarist

(Artist ownership) Anubis and the buried bone by Harmarist

(Artist ownership) Don Carnage Disney's TAIL SPIN

(Artist ownership) Ikkey the Fox Kit by Inkbunny's Ikkey

(Artist Ownership) Master Guns Flash by Inkbunny's Flash Timberwolf

(Artist Ownership) Chuck Dawson (cat) From Omaha the Cat Dancer Reed Waller 1994

Chapter 21

The Outbacks Part 1

USS Growler

In port, Sandy Cove Naval Installation

7am 28 August 2040

Jackson followed Ayden through the superstructure on the main deck of the ship to the stern deck with a backpack full of tools and a box of other items. Ayden had something long in a cardboard box on his shoulder in one hand while carrying a pair of coffee thermos's in his other. Besides being both a senior supervisor and a mentor, Ayden was also the shop coffee aficionado. He'd turned Jackson into a junkie in need of the morning fix of Ayden's specialty….Cookie and Creme Mocha delight.

Stopping past the missile and torpedo box launcher unit on the starboard side. Ayden pulled away a covering tarp to expose the first business of the day…

"Jackie? Meet my Mom." Ayden said as he leaned against the receiver and spitter body of a single barreled 50 caliber machine gun.

"Bet she has a nasty temper." Jackson said as he sipped his coffee thermos and almost looked like he'd have a wild orgasm..."Mmmmm! How do you get this coffee to taste so great?!"

"Bailey." Ayden said of his younger brother. "He's "minor'ing" in agriculture and does these little experiments in the college gardens with this Raccoon named Chitose (Chee-toe-say) they cultivate the beans….along with "other" things like cannabis. It doesn't take much for the coffee to spin your wheels huh?"

Jackson smiled..."It's like warm silk in your throat. You brother's a genius."

"Yeah….in more than some ways." Ayden replied….though he'd never explain the "some ways" to anyone. He stopped to divert the subject and sliced open the box to pull out the long steel and rifled barrel of the 50 cal…

"This is where you get to learn to be more than just a "tron chaser". Ayden said as he patted the barrel. You and I are going to take care and mammal up on this old "Bitch Deuce" this is our "bug out" station in case we have to haul butt out of Dodge; like we're going to do when we leave for the Outbacks."

Ayden put the barrel down for a moment and pointed down to the pier. "All the tie up lines for the ship have explosive charges inside them. If we have to "bug out", the Captain will order them blown, he'll turn the bow to the mouth of the channel and we will haul tail at full speed out of the harbor without tugs...most likely while taking fire like crazy."

Jackson gestured to the "Ma Deuce" and we're going to do what with this thing?"

Ayden smiled. "We're going to blow snit up. Or rather...I'll blow snit up. You just point and say..."Right there" and I'll let old Mama rip them to shreds. We should be great together because of my awesome pecks and your excellent long distance vision."

Jackson snorted back. "Long distance vision? What book did you dig that stereotype from? These babies?" Jackson gestured to his eyes. "These babies are set for detailed precision electronics work not gunnery spotting."

Ayden grabbed Jackson by his shoulders, lifted him off the deck and pointed him in the direction of the base supply building about 100 yards from the stern. "Ok?….See the row of steel shipping boxes?"

"Yeah?" Jackson replied.

"Second row to the left, second box down from the top, reading the serial number off it?" Ayden snickered.

"You're flucken joking?" Jackson yelped back.

"Read it?" Ayden pushed.

"hmph…..1701-1968-720-11…." Jackson said.

"Stereotype huh?" Ayden snickered as he put Jackson down. "I kinda thought that the combination of a fox and bunny would result in excellent vision. You were trying to shuck out."

"No? I was being serious! I didn't think my vision was "that" good at long distance! Didn't you see my boot camp shooting record? I struggled with the carbine rifle."

"You're not going to be shooting the "Ma Deuce", just spotting so we can slam rounds on target against surface threats. This coming trip to the Outbacks is an evaluated evolution for the annual Mahoof trophy given to ships for outstanding combat readiness. The Captain wants that trophy, that trophy gives the winning ship a ton of "bennies" and the winning ship will host Gazelle on her first concert of her farewell tour. Please tell me you are not a Gazelle fan?"

"Guess I'd better pamper by baby brights huh?" Jackson said smiling. "So what are we doing now?"

"I'm going to teach you how to take Mother apart and put her back together. Then we're going to review basic watch standing techniques and spotting tricks." Ayden replied as he went through the backpack and started to pull out the tools and the care manual for the "fifty cal".

ZPD First Precinct

Roof top training and garden area

7am 28 August 2040

A week had past since he was found and Kawam-ura had settled into a comfortable routine...at least it might be called so even though he wasn't allowed on the roof alone out of paw cuffs and not out of sight or sound of the pair of tigers who escorted him around.

He'd already gauged the size of the Capital or what he determined was the capital of this foreign land. He made careful mental notes of the skyline, the sounds, the times that perhaps certain sounds came and went. He'd seen the trains that passed not far from the precinct building to have an idea of their run times.

Other than the "Bani" whom he enjoyed the company of, he wasn't able to converse well with the other mammals who inhabited for the moment his small isolated world. The two tigers who followed him around were not very conversational though he petted them both out of kinship and tried to teach them the ancient language of their fathers.

This "Zoo-tope-pei-oh" was bigger than the Capital back home but not bigger going vertically. The mammals here didn't seem to understand the benefits of space economy...but that was only a visual observation so much as Kawam-ura could glean from his small and short universe.

"Ohayō Kawamura." Came the Bani's voice from behind.

"Ganbatte banī no shirei-kan. Ogenkidesuka?" Kawam-ura replied with a slight bow to Judy. "Anata wa komyunikēshon shiyou to doryoku shimasu. Shōsan ni ataisuru. (You make an effort to communicate. Commendable.) He said with a bow.

"I hope I got that right." Judy said. "I believe it is a greeting. I've had some help. There are friends coming to see you today and one speaks your language. Ummmm?…."Anata no gengo o hanasu tomodachi ga kimasu" Judy pronounced from a piece of paper.

Kawam-ura clapped his happiness..."Subarashī subarashī... Kare to hanashi o sa sete itadakimasu." (Wonderful! I will be happy to talk with him!)

Judy turned to the two Tiger officers. "We had some clothes made for him so if you officers wouldn't mind bringing him back down to his room?"

One of the Tigers gestured…."Chief? Might I see you alone for a second?" Officer Mayax asked. He turned to his partner, another yellow Bengal named Pike, and gestured to have Kawam-ura sit down in the grass.

Judy and Mayax walked a few feet away..."Chief? I don't want to be a bother and I don't want to sound….you know….too friendly? But….can't we move him from a processing room into something more….more normal? I'm not starting to become sympathetic towards this….I mean….is he or is he not a prisoner?"

Judy sighed back..."I understand Mayax, believe me I do. Tigers have a kinship like most of us and it seems obvious after a week that Kawam-ura isn't much of a threat but for now, for safety sake? He should stay where he is for maybe one more week. Then we'll set up a nicer room for him until the Mayor and the City Counsel weight in on his status. What's he been like with you guys?"

Mayax sighed…."He's a chatter box and looks at me and Pike as sort of lost kin. He tries to talk to us and that's frustrating because we can't speak his language nor do I think he understands that. He likes to just sit when we come up here and be quiet for the most part. Hardly the savage predator we've been told so much about, that's for sure."

Judy looked at the Kzinti and nodded. "Well we should know more about him when the intelligence mammals get here today. Just be careful being friendly, keep one ear and an eye open in case he's pulling some sort of act on us ok?"

"Yes Chief." Mayax replied with a nod.

Zootopia General Hospital

ICU

8am 28 August 2040

The first thing Beezler felt and saw when his eyes opened was his little brother Michael snuggling him under his chin…

The second thing he felt and saw was...he had no left paw and no left arm. The otter grimaced and winced. The past thing he'd remembered was trying to take that nice looking dagger or whatever it was and its' sheath out of a dresser on that Kzinti boat…..

"Welcome back to the living." Sargent Osa's voice sounded in Beezler's still ringing ears. He was all bandaged up, he was banged up, he felt like snit but at least he was alive…

"How long have I?" Beezler asked. He looked at where his left arm and paw should be and sighed..."I flucked up big time."

"Yeah….but you're alive." Osa replied as the Tanuki sat down.

"Is Virgil ok?" Beezler asked.

"Let's just say he's not in a talking mood right now." Osa replied. "He saved your rump by running in and tackling you before the charge went off...he got worse than you did."

Beezler grimaced and gritted his teeth..."Fluck! I totally flucked everything away!"

"Don't roast yourself." Osa said. "Mistakes are part of life."

"So easy for you to say." Beezler moaned. "You Tanuki are so matter of fact about things. I messed up, I screwed up my best friend's life, I'm a stupid dumb fluck for an otter."

Osa pulled out his combat blade. "Would you like to take the honorable way out? Any way….your lost limb can be replaced and before you know it you'll be back to work in no time so count your blessings that you breath. I think your little brother here understands that matter of fact very well."

In another part of the hospital...Virgil Tracy wasn't feeling good nor charitable. For one thing, he was in a body cast from his knees up to his waist. For another thing? He now had a stub where his tail used to be. And at the moment, his commanding officer was suffering his venting wrath…

"I want that flucker court martial'd Sir!" Virgil snarled at Lieutenant Colonel Max Biter (Bengal Tiger) "Stupid mother flucker. I want restitution for my tail damn it! I told him Sir...I told him not to touch anything, not to pick up anything and what does the dumb snit do? "Oh...lovely knife! "BLAM!" " Virgil moaned, winced and yiped at the pain coursing from his wounds…."Gnah! Stupid cock sucker! I want him court martial'd Sir!"

"Unfortunately for your wounded pride Tracy? We can't do anything. Higher authority has classified this as a "training accident". That's what public affairs will say, that's what the media will be told and that's what will come out of your snoot." Biter replied.

"What?" Virgil snapped back..."Training what the fluck? Are you kidding me? That whole boat was booby trapped to kill us Sir! This was an act of war! That Kzinti fluck-tard they have, where ever they have him, tried to kill us! Or are they going to say…."Oops, we just happened to screw up a little in our training module and our mammals got hurt...our bad." Well I was the one who lost his tail! I can't swim without a tail Sir! I'm not an otter without my tail! If you don't put that little snit head Beezler up on charges Sir? I am going to shoot that stupid rump fluck right in the gawd damned tail hole!"

Biter sighed…."Ok Virgil….tell me how you really feel?"

Virgil sighed back…."Better. I needed to vent. I mean….I told him Sir? I told him over and over...and like always here's Virgil to the rescue. He never changed from when we were pups, I was always getting him out of jams and getting my ass kicked. Gawd knows why I still stay so close to him."

Biter poked at Virgil's nose. "You're a sucker for needy friends. Do you want me to write the papers? And on the bright side, they can replace your tail with a prosthetic that would probably enhance your swimming abilities. You're lucky you're an otter. Any other mammal would have been shreaded. You owe your single muscle body some credit with saving your rump….well….almost all of it any way."

Virgil replied..."No….don't write the papers. It was just a "training accident" after all."

The Warren house of the Family Mackie

Llyne Village, Aden Borough

9am 28 August 2040

The tradition started with shepherding, the fashioning of extra clothing skins and fabrics to protect sons and fathers not just from the rough weather of the highlands, but as protection against wolves in the wild formative days of Zootopia. Over the course of time the tradition evolved to protecting marriage unions; families would bestow upon bride and groom a blanket made with the two family tartans which the new wife and husband would consummate their union upon this "talisman" for strong children and a long and strong marriage. Then it evolved into what it was now for the proud bunnies who watched their sons dawn the red beret of "the regiment". The "Tartan scarf" was a symbol of the old Aden-knight phrase..."From many paws is the strength of one."

The scarf began to take shape the day the young bunny signed his enlistment papers. Usually it was the family Matrons who began to fashion it...by hand in pairs knitting away at it as the young bunny went through the rigors of boot camp. Failure there was feared because….and this was very rare….the failant had to return home and face the shame of watching what had been done so far, dropped into a trash can before his eyes. If the bunny displayed cowardice in basic...that shame was worse than death. Many an Aden bunny had died in basic from their own torturous exertion rather than face the fear of their village and family calling them forever a coward or a shirker.

As the bunny graduated boot camp and continued his course through the Marines, the scarf grew...now being added to by every member of the family and extended family from the eldest to the newest in diapers; every bunny threw a few "stiches" into the growing length. All throughout...the bunny, now a Marine, never got to see the creation. Not until he came home to the regiment. Not till the day he received his first "warning orders" for deployment. Peace or War time, deployments away from home were viewed with a sense of excitement coupled with worry, angst and some fear. Never the less….the first deployment was when the young "Son of Aden" would receive his family's gift of love and talisman of protection. The ceremony was the same no matter what the family or the house.

This day, Evan Mackie...Son of Evy and Clarence Mackie, one of their 189 children thus far, stood in his greens with the red beret adorning his head upon which one of the daughters had tied a sprig cluster of clovers to (another tradition) as the last part of the tartan scarf was affixed and this was done by the family parson who stitched a writ from the great book of El-ahrairah….the rabbit bible…

"Bidh mi seòlta. Biodh mo chasan cinnteach. Biodh m 'fhiaclan gu dian, tha mo spògan geur agus bidh m' aigne soilleir."

"Let me be cunning. Let my feet be sure. Let my teeth be fierce, my claws be sharp and my mind be clear. Let me not be taken so surely, let my foe remember who blooded him so."

The Parson finished his work and with loving affection he wrapped the tartan scarf around Evan's neck then held him fixed by his shoulders…

"I held you when you were but a wee kitten before the eyes of Frith. I let you go as a Son of Aden. Go forth and do good by this house and Frith be with you." The parson said and high up in the lofts full of family a pair of bag pipes, a pair of boom drums and a pair of snare drums played out "The Rocks of Aden" as Evan's parents came forth….mother in loving kisses and embrace….father with a strong shake of the paw….this was how "The Regiment" was be-wrapped by the borough. "God n Clan" "Clan n Kin" "Kin to Kit" and "Kits" to everything. The old mystic rights were a bulwark to shore up the regiment to their duty should the call ever come. Everything would be staked on their backs, their feet, their paws, their claws and their teeth. It was much to live up too.

But for the rest of the day….gaiety and revelry were the fare.

Fleet Marine Corps Recruiting Depot Savanna

Camp Quanaco

Physical endurance obstacle course

9am 28 August 2040

Owen came on at a fast hopping run, slid to a dead stop before the wooden wall. He spread his legs wide out and pressed his paws into the plank work…

Behind him came an otter...Dean Wilson from Sahara Square who had been a teenage surfing drifter before he decided to walk into the Marine recruiting office with a "Oh what the hell, looks like fun." attitude. He slid over the ground, under Owens spread legs and supported the bunny with his muscular body; the well exercised swimming tail acting like a shock absorber for what was coming behind them….

Next came Nori, the most muscular of the five brothers in both legs and arms. He bounded off his brother Owen's back, shot up towards the top of the obstacle wall and straddled it like a horse! He caught Dori, Ori and Powen in flight and flung them over the top of the wall and dropped them down to the other side where Dori and Ori readied themselves as catchers and Powen as "The setter". Catch everybody then set them to keep running…

No one told them to do this. The gunny didn't tell them, the hours of classwork didn't tell them. The larger mammals would have viewed doing such things as "too pussy paw"….especially the wolves who had the benefit of reverting to their feral four legged sureness to clear the obstacles and maintain the required time. If the wolves had to scale the obstacle without assistance...it shouldn't be different for the smaller mammals….especially those "cotton tail pretty pussies". They had good legs did they not?

Not telling them however, was part of the training, at least in the first phase. Gunny Emma Rhaksha was looking to see if sudden inspiration and initiative would spring forth to show early leaders who could be cultivated to their best potential. The one bunny, Owen Hopps, seemed a natural…

"STEP IT UP SHANE! GET THE PELLETS OUT OF YOUR RUMP!" Owen screamed as Shane came running up, bounced off Owen's back, sailed into the paws of Nori and got whipped over the wall top! "GO! GO!" Nori encouraged with a waving paw as Shane hit the ground after getting caught by Dori and Ori then pushed into a hard run by Powen…

One after another...Bunnies, Otters and Tanuki took their turn at the leap and when the last had cleared...Nori caught a flying rope, dropped it to Owen and Dean and launched himself off the wall top pulling Owen and Dean up to the top!

"SOMEONE'S GAINED SOME FRICKEN WEIGHT!" Nori snapped as he stood with Powen to catch the falling otter while Dori and Nori caught Owen and took off at a run for the end of the course!

"LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOR-VILLA!" Dori shouted. "MOVE YOUR ASS NORI!" Dori snapped as he crossed the finish line and egged his brother and Dean on to the end where they flopped end over end onto the grass…

"GET UP! GET UP!" Owen yelped as he got the small mammals to their feet. "LOOK AT THOSE TONGUE DRAGGING DROOLERS!" Owen snapped as he pointed to the many Wolves and Tigers bent over panting and spilling spittle from their exhausted maws…

Gunny Rhaksha nodded pleasingly when she looked at the time sheets. The 3rd Squad had reached their scheduled marker for physical readiness on time because the smaller mammals had pushed unity among themselves so aggressively…

"Private Owen Hopps! Private Selukis (Timber Wolf) come forward!" Gunny Rhaksha called out. Owen and Selukis reported smartly before her…

"MAM! REPORTING AS YOU ORDERED MAM!" The two mammals yelled sharply.

"It's time the platoon had two recruit Sargents. Private Selukis? You're strong in academia, you know your books and you're good at stable thinking and accounting. You are now recruit platoon second Sargent."

Selukis popped tall. "Mam! Thank you Mam!"

Gunny Rhaksha turned to Owen. "Private Hopps? You are quick thinking, aggressive, motivating and you showed care for your fellow recruits from the first day. You are now the Recruit Platoon Top Sargent. And you better not get comfortable with it because for a bunny to be a Top Sargent over wolves is begging for a severe rump ravaging. You better have a good set of fluffy nuts there egg painter."

One of the wolves decided to giggle his head off? He forgot that bunnies not only can jump pretty high? They usually jump for accuracy. Owen calmly walked up to the insulting Lupine, leaped off his feet and nailed the wolf in the nuts with his head! Causing the poor mammal to double over and drop.

"Anyone else want to laugh like a stupid hyena?" Owen snorted. He looked in one direction and waved a paw finger...at a hyena. "For gawds sake Cheater? Put your tongue back in your mouth and look semi-normal?"

"I'm not making a dumb face Hopps! This is how I look when I'm really tired." Cheater said as Owen walked up….

"I was noticing that your belt buckles really glisten Cheat? How good do you think you could be with other "bright works" like buttons, Boot eyes and bayonets?" Owen asked the Hyena.

"How about I give you a shopping list and you supply me?" Cheater replied. "We can't actually make money in boot camp but I can make enough in supplies to make us look like high class whores?"

Owen snickered. "Marines….Cheater? Marines? I don't think any of us would look good in frillies and pink wear." He said before looking over his shoulder at his brothers..."Then again for some bunnies it might be an improvement."

Rain Forest Central High School

10am 28 August 2040

"Free P.E. Day."

Kimba Leo stood at the side of the school olympic pool and waited….and waited…..and waited…..and finally stomped a foot on the concrete floor… "Swill you just jump! Damn Alex! What is it?!"

"Nothing! I'm fine!" Alex yelped back as he stood on the high diving board. "When Chancy said…."the swim test consist of a high leap platform. Just jump off your schools diving board and you'll be use to it." Is that what he said? Well the only problem was? Alex had never leaped off anything over two feet into a body of water. Not at 6 years old, 13 years old or now at 16 years old. He never jumped off higher places because between Will and his parents...Alex might as well have been wrapped in bubble plastic for most of his life. He never got to do any fun stuff like jump off the train bridges in Rain Forest. Now as he stood on the top of the school high diving board. The water below just might as well have been a mile away!

Suddenly….Alex wasn't feeling his buoyant and confident self. "I didn't think the board would be "this high" Kimba!"

"Oh come on!" Kimba yelped back. "Alex?! It's a standard 10 meter board! it's only 33 feet tall!"

Alex yelped back..."Don't tell me how many feet it is Kimba!" Alex yelped. "It doesn't look 33 feet!"

"Ten meters is 33 feet Alex!" Kimba yelped. "And you want to be a Marine? You're going to let a stupid diving board turn you in a pussy? Bear those teeth of your Alex and tell this water to bite you!"

"I don't want the water to bite me!" Alex yelped back.

"Please don't tell me you can't swim?!" Kimba yelped.

"I can!" Alex replied. "I just never dropped from so high up!"

Kimba huffed. "Oh my gawd..." He growled as he walked to the steps of the platform, climbed to the ten meter perch, stomped up to Alex….

"Get out of my way pussy." The White Lion Mid-ling yelped as he passed Alex by and leaped into space….

"BEN AND GERRY MOE!" Kimba screamed as he launched off the platform, did a flip and landed feet first into the pool below!

"SPLASH!"

Kimba came up from under the water and blew a stream from his mouth. "THERE! IF A WHITE PUSSY LIKE ME CAN DO THAT?! WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM?! ARE YOU A WOLF OR A WORSE PUSSY THAN I AM?!"

Alex closed his eyes….

"DO NOT CLOSE YOUR EYES ALEX!" Kimba snapped.

"WELL HOW THE HELL DO YOU EXPECT ME TO JUMP?!" Alex yelled back!

"ONE, TWO, THREE DROP!" Kimba yelled back. "I'LL HELP YOU IF YOU NEED IT ALEX! NOW JUMP!"

"I'LL DO IT WHEN I'M READY!" Alex screamed back.

Kimba growled at the wolf Mid-ling…."GRRRR...YOU'RE NOT A WOLF! YOU'RE A LITTLE PUSSY! YOU'RE A WORSE PUSSY THAN ME BEING A PUSSY! CATS LAUGH AT YOUR BUTT! YOU'RE NO WOLF! YOU'RE A SUPER LIMP WRIST'D PUSSY ASS!"

"SPLASH!"

Kimba smiled as Alex popped up…."There...works every time." The White Lion Mid-ling said with a confident smirk.

Alex looked up at the platform…."It really did look super high."

"You forgot about it after you got pissed off enough." Kimba said as he paw slapped Alex in the chest. "Way to go Alex."

The two friends swam to the side of the pool and sat on the edge..."So? What did you think of Callie's sentence?"

"Ten years?" Alex replied…"Could have been twenty. I had to reconcile the fact that he did lie….good intentions for the ship and crew or not...he was wrong."

Kimba sighed..."Your brother...must be tough there too."

"That's Will." Alex replied. "He's not me and I'm not him so there's that understanding. He doesn't want us in a war and I have to respect him for that. Doesn't mean I agree with everything he stands for. I just don't want us to be roll over pussies. Will thinks we shouldn't even have a military."

Kimba cocked his head. "Now why would you lie about your brother like that?"

"What?" Alex replied. "I'm not lying."

"Yes you are." Kimba returned. "You're brother's never said that in public. He's never said we shouldn't have a military."

"Well you don't know all about my brother." Alex replied. "Sometimes he gets on my nerves being a pussy ass." The wolf mid-ling snorted. "Like I said? I don't have to agree with everything my brother stands for. Can we just get off the subject before I start growling? Let's go do something for the rest of the period?"

Kimba thought…."Like what?"

"Oh…..shower and gay sex." Alex just said with a shrug.

Kimba pushed on Alex's shoulder…."Very funny dufus snot!" He growled.

"Just putting it out there White dork eater!" Alex replied.

"Come on! We'll grab our baseball gloves and zing a ball till the period's over!" Alex yelped as he took to his feet and ran for the locker room!

USS Growler

In port, Sandy Cove Naval Installation

10:14am 28 August 2040

Gilly walked down the passageway with a backpack of tools and Albert and Myler riding in his chest pockets as they made their way towards "BATSET" (BATSET = Battle Central or Combat Information Center) to respond to a trouble call on one of the many display LCD monitors for the ship's combat radar array…

"This app is working sweet." Albert said as he swiped over his phone screen. "You know how much time and money we've saved so far with this?"

"He's always talking about that app." Myler snorted. "Never talks about my half of the work."

"Captain Jealously speaks." Albert said smiling. "Sound the horns, roll out the carpet and pretty bow to his inflated ego."

"I value your work Myler." Gilly said with a paw wave. He'd just started to turn towards a ladder to go up when someone came flying down fast!

"SNIT!" Gilly didn't have time to brace himself for the collision. A bunny decided that coming down "rocket riding" the ladder hand rails was a smarter way to traverse the ship's ladderway...well it was by far the most stupid and dangerous way to do it because…

1. Fur slides too easily on non-coated metal.

2. Some one didn't apply non-skid strips to the hand rails like they should have.

The collision was so violent that it threw Gilly against a bulkhead (wall) and almost knocked him out! Things went flying from his back pack and his pockets! Shaking himself back to reality...Gilly fumbled over himself and found that Myler and Albert had been thrown!

Forget the stupid idiot who was sitting up grimacing over his leg...Gilly frantically looked for the two mice as another rabbit came running up….

"What happened?!" Radar Specialist Derek Star asked as he yelled up the ladder to another Sailor…."CALL AWAY MEDICAL EMERGENCY!" He then attended to the injured idiot who'd done the ladder rocket to "a header" as the call sounded over the ship's address system!

"He came down the damn ladder on the rungs and nailed me!" Gilly yelped. "I had two mice in my pockets! Oh snit!..." Gilly was frantic till he saw Albert lying in a corner where Myler had pulled him out of the way of the passage…

"Oh snit..." Gilly said as he gestured his shaking paw..."Myler? Is he alright?"

Albert raised a paw….thankfully….."Yeah….cept my right leg's a little broke. What I do for days off."

Gilly breathed relief, then he clenched his teeth in a rage. He got to his feet, walked up to the injured bunny who'd flown down the stairs and just hauled off and slapped him in the snoot…."YOU STUPID FLUCKEN TAIL HOLE! WHAT THE FLUCK?!"

"HEY! Calm down dude!" A tiger Sailor who'd arrived to help gently pushed Gilly back…

"Calm down?! That stupid mother flucker almost killed the two mice I have in my pockets with his dumb snittery! You stupid dumb fluck!" Gilly yelped.

Suddenly another bunny came from the side and pushed Gilly into a bulkhead. "You better close that yap of yours snit stain before I close it for you."

"HEY!" A loud voice filled the passage. "BREAK UP THIS SNIT AT ONCE!"

Everyone turned to see the old Master Chief standing with his hoof hands behind his back. "Now? Kindly tell me why I have a bunny being put on a stretcher with his leg twisted like taffy, a mouse chirping Planetarium theory with a compound fracture and two bunnies getting ready to do some more idiotic damage?"

No one replied.

"Excuse me? Your Master Chief has asked a question? Please don't tell me I have to gore someone right now?" The Master Chief asked.

Gilly replied. "Master Chief? That bunny decided to "red rocket" down the ladder-way and creamed me and my two mice sailors. This one bunny is being a complete tail hole because I got a little miffed at the stupidity of his friend!"

The old ram nodded and pointed to the offending bunny. "You? Follow me to my office. After he's patched up? Your buddy and you are going to be doing scullery work for the whole deployment coming up and while everyone else is enjoying the hospitality of the outback mammals? You and "silly slide bunny" will be chipping paint. Now march you little miscreant!"

The Master Chief then got in Gilly's snoot. "And as for you Sailor? You will keep your head and not go off and strike someone when it would be better for you not to. That's my job you usurper. Do we have an understanding?"

"Yes Sir." Gilly replied.

"Sailor? If you ever call me "Sir" again? I will gore you to death. What is my title again please?"

"You are Command Master Chief or "COB"….(Chief of the Boat) Master Chief!" Gilly replied smartly.

"Thou gainst wisdom child." Master Chief said smiling. "Carry on if you're not injured please?"

Gilly turned back to Albert who sat against the bulkhead getting his leg tended to by another mouse. "Damn Albert….I'm so sorry." Gilly said.

"You didn't pancake me." Albert replied as he pointed around the passageway. "Damn...he really hit you hard didn't he?"

"I think that's mostly from me hitting the bulkhead." Gilly replied. "Hey Myler? You ok so we can get to that job?"

"Yeah….fine." Myler said as he gestured to Albert. "Lemme see your phone so I can use that app Albert?"

Albert put his smart phone into Myler's paw..."Don't go taking "up skirt" shots with it ok?" Albert said as he got picked up by a medic.

"I'll find the nastiest up skirt possible." Myler snickered as he wiggled the phone in the air. "Enjoy your day off."

Camp Quanaco, Savanna Central

10:30am 28 August 2040

4th rifle squad, 1st platoon, 2nd Company, 4th Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 1st Fleet Marine Division.

A typical Zootopian Marine infantry squad usually consists of….

Eight rifle wolves with M-14's and hand grenades.

Four Grenadiers with grenade launchers and anti-tank rockets.

Two Heavy machine gunners with M-60 Machine guns.

Two light machine gunners with Browning Auto Rifles.

This squad had twelve wolves, two tigers and two panthers. Chancy Hyke was their senior enlisted leader and his officer, a Wolf Lieutenant, wasn't in the quanset hut when Chancy walked in. Most likely he was at the Battalion officer's meeting for "pre-deployment prep talk"

The squad was at work cleaning weapons and shooting the snit between themselves as they threw and passed cans of gun oil and bags of swatch clothes between each other…

"Hey Gunny!" Sargent DeCastro, A khaki Panther, said with a wave. "So you're not retiring?"

As if on cue, one of the young wolves produced a box of Depends. "We got this for your "ruck" Gunny."

"Ha...ha….very funny you little snit." Chancy snorted. "Carmichael? Did you get the sear replaced on that sixty like I've asked you what? How many times?"

Carmichael, a Timber wolf, replied. "I did Gunny. Took it to the range to bang out a belt but it still sounds sloppy."

Chancy waved a paw..."Shake it."

Carmichael picked up the M-60 and shook it up and down..."Hear that?"

"Strip it down. Adjust the spring tension and put it back together." Chancy said with a puzzled face.

"So Gunny?" Another wolf asked. "What exactly does an old Gunny wolf do after they retire?"

"Get fat and become nasty door greeters at PawMart." Chancy snickered. "Oh? You want "Canned Wolf chow Patte?" don't you wish I'd tell you where it is? Go find it yourself fluck stick. Have a wonderful day."

The squad laughed as Chancy snatched up an M-14 rifle barrel and looked into it with a ceiling light behind it….

"Masterling? They made rifle brushes for a reason other than tickling your ass. Use them." Chancy snorted as he passed the barrel back to its' owner.

Staff Sargent Delome ( A white Siberian Wolf) showed a clip board to Chancy. "Just so you know? All the training is up to date as of yesterday. I arranged us "combat town" time on short notice if you want to run a day or two of exercises before we deploy."

"Yeah." Chancy replied. "That's good. We could use the warm up." Chancy said as he clapped his paws and got everyone's attention…

"All of you? Eyes on me." Chancy said. "Now….we're going to have our nice little talk about our upcoming deployment. Specifically? And this is for our new pups...Vinchy, Griff, Zab and Johnson. Let's talk about...drippy dick, crabs, powder resistant fleas and other strange exotic gifts from the charitable female, and in some cases, male hospitality genre of the outbacks."

"Now…." Chancy voiced. "It is is an assured fact that out of these such deployments where some of us partake in the pleasurable offerings of the natives. My most earnest advice to you….especially to our "cherry pups" Vinchy, Griff, Zab and Johnson…."

Griff replied..."Gunny? I'm not going to go hunting for strange."

Chancy walked over and got snoot to snoot with Griff..."Oh? So you'll be volunteering with the Chaplains on good will projects?" Chancy snickered. "Good advice there cub scout? Most of the cases of the "clap" come from good will projects. The Kangy's can smell a "cherry pup" a mile away and if you can resist their charms? I'll be calling into question you "breeding-hood"."

Everyone giggled…."Seriously? If you catch one of the lesser irritation forms such as flea-festation, mites or crabs? All you'll get is a ball fur shave and some medication. Now if you catch the "acid-etch" or "Nuclear nuts"? That's a different story. That process is worse than all that med-evil snit you watch on "Growl of Horns". My advice to all of you is...keep your knot in your pants and when you can't? Wear…..a…...rubber!"

Chancy gave all the Marines a low growl. "If you persist in not taking my advice? If you do happen to get the worst of the list of gifts...you will suffer my wrath and I promise you...P.T. is not pleasant when you're flowing green from your "Little Dog Flucking Machine." So please…..GRIFF!…..Do NOT catch THE CLAP!"

One Wolf snickered…."This coming from someone who knows from experience. Right Gunny?"

"Fluck you Dominic." Chancy snorted back.

"Gunny caught the "Kangaroo flu" when he was a Staff. Didn't you Gunny?" Dominic ( A Grey Yellowstone Wolf) snickered with a teeth lick. "Gunny forgot to "frisk the rail before lifting the tail."

"I was tricked by being told Mojo was fruity punch. Which is another warning subject. If you intend to buy Mojo Punch at any establishment? Make sure it's in a sealed bottle and you take it to a hotel room to drink. Mojo is not "fruit punch" it is seven types of alcohol mixed with pure fruit. It will totally fluck you up and make you vulnerable...gang rape by horny female Kangy's? Is not out of the question...and they go way overboard with their sexual liberties" Gunny snickered.

"Where can I get this stuff again?" Griff asked as he pulled out a note book and got the squad rolling. "No! I'm serious! I want to "Growl-gle" this so I know the closest hotel!"

Vinchy walked up and patted Griff on the head. "Griffy? Please stay a virgin? The world will thank you for it?"

"Quit Vinchy!" Griff snapped back.

"Alright! Enough lessons today!" Chancy yelped. "Staff Sargent Delone will find out when we have Combat Town open for training. I'm sure the Lieutenant will agree with me that we need this little session prior to deployment so please make sure your gear is prepared ok?" Chancy said with a serious look on his face. "That includes what Marines?"

"Packing our rubbers Gunny!" The squad replied.

"Fantastic." Chancy yelped back. "Continue with the day's work Marines."

ZPD First Precinct "First Prinky"

10:30am 28 August 2040

Page was taping up some cute toddler artwork from Kenny when two wolves walked up to her desk….

"Excuse me? I am Sancho Ricardo, this is my grand son Morty and we have an appointment to see Chief Hopps and then your "special guest".

"Oh yes." Page replied as she turned to her announcer mic..."Chief? Those Mammals from "Intel" are here?"

"Good." Judy replied. "Send them to the basement."

Moments later, Morty and Ricardo were looking through the 2-way mirror glass at the Kzinti eating a plate of fish…

"Look at the size of those teeth..." Morty saint as he pointed.

"He's just another member of the tiger family Morty." Ricardo said. "All of em have got huge appetites. He's not going to have any interest in you Morty, you're a fellow predator…all be it a canine..."

Morty turned…."Wolf grandpa…..wolf…..W…..O…..L…..F…..WOLF! I'm not a K-9, I-m not a "domesticus pot lickerus stupidus" I don't do the "sit and be cute" thing…Lupine gramps….LOOOO PINE…..got it?!"

"Ok! Sheeesh the kid is so sensitive about his identity these days. Frankly I think he's a closet latent picanese or a picante or something like that." Ricardo snorted.

Judy waved a paw at Morty. "I think that when you start speaking his language, he'll really open up. But watch what you tell him about the city, about our society, anything with a lot of detail. We want to be careful because he may or may not have been in the kzinti military."

Morty looked at the window…."I guess if I'm torn to shreds it will be for the service of my country. Make sure that when they write about me in the news? They don't make me look like I pissed myself silly ok? Tell everyone that Morty the wolf went down clubbing his attacker to death or….or something that sounds bitching hot that would make an epic movie. And give the starring role to Richard Fur-ton...that mammal's a hot snit you know? I know he's a beaver and playing a wolf would be kinda queer? But you know? Still bitching….just saying"

Ricardo sighed…."Just get in there Morty and strike up a nice quiet conversation with the murder machine please? I tell yah….the kid's a difficult handle you know? Sometimes I want to leash him up to prevent his ADHD from destroying the city."

Judy sighed..."You do that Mister Sancho and I'll have to arrest you for cub abuse charges, have your security clearance pulled and you'll be lucky to get a street sweeper job these days with that kind of a wrap sheet."

Richardo smiled..."You know Chief? You sound so tough and yet you are so cute?…."

Judy snorted..."You call me cute again? You so much as smile at me one more time? I'll practice my footwork amateur dentistry on your stupid puss. Zip it pal."

"Pal? Woe...That's a clear warning order before the ass kicking." Ricardo replied.

"Works great with my husband. Keeps him calm and compliant." Judy said smirking. "Actually? I am happily married. And you?"

"Ugh…." Ricardo replied. "Please do not get me started, I mean...I have nightmares about this fantasy place called Vietnam? Bad visuals. If such a place like that really existed? That would be my marriage. "Vietnam….ten years in hell." Not a good thing to remember what so ever. The only good light from it? My grandson Morty. Watch the artist at work here."

Inside the holding room which had been semi-converted to a more comfortable setting, Kawam-ura had just finished eating when the door opened and in walked a small and obviously young mammal holding a note book. He watched, thinking the visitor was a Canid of some species, as the youngster stopped a few feet from him…..and bowed deeply?

"Good afternoon. I am Morty. I give you welcome to Zootopia." The young mammal said….in Kzinti tongue?

"You? You know my language?" Kawam-ura replied in Kzinti.

"Yes. I am very fluent." Morty replied.

Kawam-ura expressed joy..."Please? Please sit! This makes me so happy! Thank you for visiting me!"

"I can't imagine the last week being less than full of tension." Morty said as he took a seat. "I first want to assure you that you are not a prisoner. You life is not in danger. I think we are all just as surprised at being able to have you here as you are of being here. We hope to allow you more freedom soon."

Kawam-ura nodded..."I can understand the treatment thus far. I was very surprised at meeting Bunny Commander. Very courageous, I was deeply impressed."

"She is the Chief of Police. I am just a student." Morty said. "Is the food and drink to your liking?"

"Yes..." Kawam-ura replied. "Do explain please? How is it that you so quickly grasped Kzinti tongue? How did you learn it?" He asked Morty in earnest.

"I guess it would be easy to say that I am very intense with my mind. I've listened to many of your radio broadcasts, was able to isolate some words and their meaning, deciphered the inflections and vowels….it all came about very easily… though your written language is much more difficult." Morty said.

Kawam-ura looked downcasted. "If you listen to our radio broadcasts? Then there is much of it which must be dis-pleasurable. Believe me when I say much of it upsets me as well."

Morty nodded..."I can't hide that fact. Much of it speaks of death. We do not desire war with Kzin. We want nothing bad with your country. We wish in earnest to be friends."

Kawam-ura nodded..."I too am bothered. I come from a lower cast family to begin with and even in that standing, I am considered by my family as….well…. strange? I could never understand anything my country has done nor believed. That was the reason why I risked leaving. I wanted to see what they claimed is deviant, perverse, sickening and abomination."

Morty waved a paw…."We do not have to get very deep into all of these things today..."

"Wait please?" Kawam-ura replied. "It is important that we do. For understanding." Kawam-ura raised his paws for a moment..."I beg for you to understand Morty-wakamono. My country is one...one species….very proud, very old and very stubborn. We believe that you….are " Itsudatsu shita" "Hinekureta" "

A honyūrui" and "Fuketsuna fuketsuna ikimono" Your existence perverts the way of nature. That perversion must be swept away as a blight in a field of rice."

Morty looked away for a moment…

"Believe me Morty-wakamono! I do not subscribe to this way of thought! Why would I risk coming here to see for my own eyes this so called "perversion" if I did not believe the thinking to be so wrong?!"

Morty sat back in his chair and patted his paws on the table..."Is war coming between our countries?"

"I can not say for sure." Kawam-ura replied with his head bent down. "But you must keep my presence here a secret. You must treat my country like a true predator. Do not back down from it and do not turn your back from it. Like a true predator? It only has to have the one correct moment to strike and if it does strike? It will be in one massive strike to kill." Kawam-ura said softly..."Morty-wakamono? I hope in earnest that you and I can be good friends. I would like this very much."

Morty replied with a slight head bow..."So do I? Forgive the shortness of my visit. I am sure we will have more time soon."

Morty stood up to bow and got a hug instead from the Kzinti…."So wonderful to meet such a very smart Wolf. We have wolves in my country? But they are as your ancestors...vicious and wild creatures of the great mountains who can not speak as you do."

Ricardo and Judy watched as Morty walked out of the room and flopped in a chair…

"Well?" Ricardo asked. "Come on Morty? Juicy details like yesterday….what did the walking butcher shop have to say huh?"

Morty looked at Judy and Ricardo and just said one word…."Fluck."

USS Growler

In port, Sandy Cove Naval Installation

10:57am 28 August 2040

Jackson and Ayden were coming down to the shop after working on the fifty caliber machine gun and got the text about the accident from Myler. They walked into the sick bay to see Gilly leaning against an empty book shelf which served as the place to put rodents. Albert was in a rodent sized bed with a nice cast on his leg…

"How'd this happen?" Ayden asked.

"It all started with this nice female beaver I met..." Albert said with a smirk. "Actually? Gilly got wall tackled by this rabbit using the hand rails to slide down a ladder way."

"I thought rodents who were "physics smart" were incapable of being injured?" Jackson joked.

"I didn't have time to plot a successful re-entry before my butt smacked the bulkhead." Albert huffed. "Any way? I'm down for a week at least."

"Well glad it wasn't worse." Ayden said as he poked Albert with a feather finger. "You'll be on desk duty for a while. Oh? By the way Jackie? Since you've never been to the Outbacks yet? Maybe you and your girl should hook up with me when we get there? I know some nice bars, places with excellent food….and a few nude beaches."

Jackson smiled back. "Let me talk to Darla? She has her heart set on swimming the blue ice coral reefs when we're there, it's like top priority on the bucket list."

Ayden nodded..."That's cool. We could also rent a "Jeepnee", pack it full of rabbits and foxes and go way into the interior. There's "bush bunnies" out there who are super hospitable and the beauty of the interior is to die for, trust me."

"Yeah?" Jackson replied. "Hope we get a lot of in port time."

Myler sat on the edge of the book case. "What about us? You guy's just going to leave us hanging?"

Ayden knelt down close..."Not on your life little shipmate. Rodents have their own exclusive island out there called "The Western Havens" no bull snit...all the cheese, crackers, tail and beer you want and you don't have to worry about big feet trying to stomp you into the pavement when you're three sheets to the floor."

"I like that idea." Albert said waving a paw. "Now? If you all don't mind? The medication they gave me is making me sleepy so….Can I have some quiet now?"

Ayden saluted..."Sure thing el capitano. Let's leave Albert to snonker while we go get something to eat guys?"

Jackson nodded. "About time for Darla to show up in the chow line too."

Executive Building, Downtown Zootopia

11am 28 August 2040

Secretary of State Baloo and Defense Secretary Baghira meet the press

Gary Gnu of ZOO News: As we await the Secretary of State and the Defense Secretary for this press conference Gentle-Mammals, once again the Mayor in a statement this morning explained that the Navy and some of our Fleet Marine Force will make what's described by official sources as a "good will demonstration exercise" with the Outback Islands at the request of their Governor. By all evidence it appears that the Kzinti have increased their provocative actions there as they have carried out with Zootopia for the last 80 years. The Mayor has emphasized this deployment as a "peaceful and non-combative" demonstration of solidarity between Zootopia and the Outback Islands. We will get more information of course when…..and here comes Mister Baloo and Mister Baghera now….

Secretary of State Baloo: Good morning everyone. As his honor the Mayor said this morning, some of our destroyers and a compliment of Fleet Marines will be heading for the Outback Islands in the next two weeks to conduct exercises and training with our good friends at the behest of the islands Governor. Concern has grown for sometime over Kzinti activities in the region including what was described as a naval task force including troop carrying ships appearing off the coasts of several Outback Islands. The Outbacks have never been threatening to anyone, their hospitality and their kindness are legendary but they do not possess in any sufficient capacity a capability for self defense. I want to make this very clear, we are not going there to be antagonistic, we seek no conflict, we hope clear heads will seek to avoid any conflict but we're not going to fool ourselves and we're not going to gloss over the risks involved. Yet we will not permit a peaceful society to be bullied or threatened by any nation, not in such a clear manor as we've been told. That being said...I turn the podium over to the Defense Secretary…

Defense Secretary Baghera: Gentle Mammals. We will be sending a compliment of three Destroyers, their support ships and an Amphibious Ready Group consisting of the Command Ship "Tun Tavern" and the Amphibious Assault ship "Sayoni" with the 1st Fleet Marine Division onboard. The flotilla will spend two weeks visiting the Outbacks on maneuvers and good will visits as well as providing training to local military units. We are going there to keep peace, not to cause a conflict. We will be going there fully armed for any situation but we desire no such situation nor will we seek such...we want to be clear on this. The purpose is simple...to give Kzin a moment of pause, to deter them from believing they could do something in the false belief that the Outbacks would be easy pickings. We have been requested to give the citizens of the Outbacks our support and as our friends and fellow mammals who desire peace, we will offer it. Now for your questions….

Reporter One (a pig): Why send such a large force? Wouldn't just a single ship be enough? You say you don't want to antagonize but come on...this many ships and the whole first Marine division? That's sort of waving a bigger baseball bat if you ask me.

Secretary of State Baloo: Let me answer that Baggy?

Defense Secretary Baghera: Now why is it that between you and I Baloo, it's always "Baggy" you shouldn't use such a term of endearment in a public setting.

Secretary of State Baloo: Woe….Mister prim n proper is getting a little touchy feely. Look Mister reporter, it's simple...if you want to break up a near tooth and claw fist fight between two lions...you don't send in a mouse….you send in a polar bear with a truncheon; that usually gets the right response. It's not enough to send just a single destroyer, certainly not against the evidence we've been provided about what the Kzinti have been floating around the Outbacks. We want them to have a clear demonstration that if they intend to get a little hostile? We intend to pull out a big truncheon. Simple math here friends.

Reporter Two (A wolf): You said you have evidence? Can we see some of it?

Defense Secretary Baghera: We have provided information packets on the table in the back of the room with information we've declassified. Obviously we would not want everything to come out for good reason; why let the Kzinti know what we actually have on them military speaking? But this should be sufficient to give justification for our actions.

Reporter Three (A giraffe): With the conviction and sentencing of Commander Callie this week? Have the Kzinti replied or responded to the news?

Secretary of State Baloo: There was some positive mention of it in their state run radio stuff...between the rest of it which was basically all negative against Zootopia. It was described as "The correct action" which indicates they were pleased with the outcome. I don't think that's changed the over-all nature of things though. They still won't talk to us.

Reporter Four (A Ram): What if the Kzinti decide to send warships in response to what we're planning to do? What's the contingency should they do something you might call "rash"? Say they toss a few rounds by our ships?

Defense Secretary Baghera: Then we will state that our intentions are peaceful and move to reduce the tension. We will do everything open to us NOT to seek a conflict. But as I have stated before...we will go there fully ready for any contingency. That's all the time we have for now Gentle-mammals. We will of course keep you informed as things continue to shape up.

Baloo and Baghira left the room with Baloo stopping to try and scratch his back against a door corner….

"I'm telling you Baggy. It's so hard for me to keep up as you call it "A stiff upper lip." I'm not cut out for official "prim n proper" stuff." Baloo said with a groan. "Sheesh...I really need to invest in a back scratching post you know?"

"Ugh….You got a call this morning concerning our guest at the police station didn't you?" Baghira asked.

"Yeah….I did. Chief Hopps basically told me the short version..."Death to Zootopia….kill, kill kill." At least that's what I cobbled together from the conversation." Baloo said as he walked with Baghira into a coffee room. "But she did tell me our guest hates the propaganda and seems open to reason. She'll allow the kid from Inteligence regullar visits so they can get "Chum Chum" and flop gums more." Baloo said as he stood sipping a coffee cup. "Sigh….Baggy? I'm really getting depressed about prospects here."

"You're in good company." Baghira replied. "We're planning the first city wide Civil Defense exercise in a few weeks. The television, cable and phone mammals have come up with a public warning system. Saw the preview of it and the very sound of it gives me panic attacks."

Baloo replied..."Natural running urges huh?"

"Like cowarding to fire is more like it." Baghira said shaking his head. I hope we never have to use it, I pray we will not see it."

City Hall, Downtown Zootopia

Noon 28 August 2040

Mayor's Office

Cesar sat at his conference table with Judy, Rheana, Ricardo and Morty scanning over the notes Morty had taken during his meeting with Kawam-ura…

"So….we can't possibly return him home." Cesar said. "You must keep my presence here a secret. You must treat my country like a true predator. Do not back down from it and do not turn your back from it. Like a true predator? It only has to have the one correct moment to strike and if it does strike? It will be in one massive strike to kill." Cesar's head and ears turned down casted..."So all we're trying to do to preserve peace? Is in vain."

"Not so Sir." Morty replied. " Kawam-ura told me he is from the lowest class in Kzin and many of them are just farmers occupying these great estates trying to meet out a daily living. He says he left because he didn't believe anything the government says. He only warned us not to turn our backs on Kzin or back down from them. The Kzinti honor and respect strength and courage, cowards make them sick and aggressive. If we continue to stand up for ourselves, it might be an uneasy peace but it's still peace."

"But to what price? Perpetual worry? Eroding our values? Increasing expenses just to "Keep up with the predatorial Jones family across the sea? Why won 't they meet with us? Why can't we just agree to live together, respect each other and share good fortune? Do you think I want to send our Navy to the Outbacks? To have to worry that the Kzinti might invade there and slaughter every poor Kangaroo, Koala and Walabee who haven't done a single thing wrong to them?"

Cesar threw a pen off the table and it bounced off Judy's head…

"Oh! Chief! Chief Wilde….I am so sorry." Cesar begged forgiveness.

"Sir? Your stress and frustration is understood, believe me?" Judy replied. "I tend to agree with Morty's observations...I don't see any threat coming from Kawam-ura. He has much to teach us Sir. Can we move him from the holding cell to a guarded safe house?"

Cesar looked at Morty's notes again..."It says here the clothing he was found in "looked" military. Has anyone examined the clothing for evidence of that? Maybe insignia patches? Collar devices? Awards on the chest?"

Morty replied. "He stated his clothing is typical of late high school and college attending students, he just grabbed the first things he could slip into. He had to use clothing that helped him to blend into the coastline and sand at night when he got into a fishing fleet and found the "flying dragon" crew-less."

Cesar turned back to Judy..."And he has no idea of the bomb that injured two of our Recon Marines aboard the Lucky Dragon?"

"What?!" Judy replied. "When did that happen?!"

"A week ago." Cesar replied. "We've kept that detail secret for now. Hurt those two otters quite severely. It was a tripped booby trap in a dresser aboard the vessel."

Judy frowned. "It would have been nice to know this a week ago Sir. Now we have a potential killer in our midst so letting him out of that room just became a non-issue."

Morty replied. "We don't know if he set the trap? And what more will we gain if we keep him cooped up? Chief? The risk is worth taking."

"The risk is your life." Judy replied.

"And I'm willing to accept it if we can gain more information on the Kzinti that might help us should we come to blows. And don't tell me he could lie his tail off because I'm fully expecting him to try it." Morty said with his paws clenched. "Let's at least try Chief?"

Judy closed her eyes and smiled. "My guts always told me to back up mammals with big nut sacks...specially if they come with a ton of youthful piss and vinegar. If it helps me chose the best cops? It sure can't hurt trusting a young wolf. I agree. I'll arrange a safe house with the right crew to serve as guards."

"Thanks Chief." Morty said nodding. "I won't let you down."

Gilly's Apartment

2pm 28 August 2040

Will heard the door bell ring and quickly threw his pants and a t-shirt over his semi-wet body..."HOLD ON! I'M COMING!" The wolf yelled as he skipped and hobbled to pull his pants up and get his tail through the hole in the back before he reached the door..."I'M ALMOST READY!"

"Take your time!" Came the reply from the other side of the door.

Will opened the door to come face to face with an orange and black striped tabby cat dressed in a light blue sweater, a white collared shirt and a pair of dress slacks…

"Your Will Gray?" The tabby said. "Charles Dawson but my friends and family call me "Chuck".

Will smiled as he shook Chuck's paw. "Major in business and news media. I read what you sent me and you don't know how happy I am right now."

Chuck walked into the apartment. "Nice place."

Will nodded. "Yes it is. Chuck? Before we sit and talk? There's one thing you need to know..."

"Your a homosexual." Chuck replied as he finger pointed to the one picture Will forgot to put in the bedroom of him kissing Gilly. "Ok...I'm not but big deal, we both have the same road of thought." Chuck took a moment to look at the photo. "A bunny? That must get some snide looks?"

Will shook his head. "We're not "open" about it. My boyfriend prefers we stay discreet. He doesn't want too much attention."

Chuck smiled. "He must mean a lot to you."

"He's helping me through a lot of snit in my life." Will replied. "He's in the Navy so you can probably understand my passion."

Chuck sat at the kitchen table. "Like I said...we share the same road. You were searching for a secretary and an organizer? You got one pro bono. My payment's going to be no war. I don't need extra cash but we'll need to generate cash to get this movement really off the ground."

Will sighed. "You heard we're sending a fleet to the Outbacks?"

"Just did." Chuck replied. "Talk about flucken stupid. Big "come and attack us, see our big balls?" signal to antagonize the snit out of the Kzinti. And there's not going to be just surface ships in this flotilla."

Will rubbed his head. "Drones?"

"Yeah." Chuck replied. "Armed airborne drones and submersibles. Do you know how they operate the underwater attack drones?"

"From the ships?" Will asked.

"Nope." Chuck replied. "They give the responsibility to some dirt scratchier in the boroughs by way of a smart phone. You get a text, you input a few key codes and you could be a bunny fresh out of diapers in command of a deadly attack drone armed with four 2000 pound torpedoes. Very little control between point "A" the order givers and point "B" dirt bunny. Push the screen, launch the torpedo, instant war."

Will gestured to the coffee maker. "You're not a serious conspiracy kind of guy are you?"

"What? Like Alex Boar, Jimmy Hoofah, Micky Mouse Savage or Sheep Hannity? No...but you know who would stand to get super rich if a shooting war broke out? That little gangster snit bag "little whelp Don Lanzoni" from Tundra Town. Just saying the obvious." Chuck said as he tapped his paw fingers. "As for the Mayor? I think he's doing everything he can not to let a war happen but this sending a huge fleet of warships is a dangerous provocation we have to get the population pissed about. Would you accept more help?"

Will nodded earnestly..."Yes! Damn right I would!"

"Great." Chuck replied. "Let me make some calls to some of my college friends and we could meet in a few days for a strategy session."

Jackson and Darla's Apartment

3pm 28 August 2040

Darla placed Albert in his bed in the living room while Jackson set up a bath for Myler in the bathroom after the mouse spent most of the day crawling inside electrical boxes and equipment in the Combat Information Center…

"Pretty fast work even without Albert." Jackson said as he sat on the toilet while Myler washed in a paper cup…

"It wasn't that hard." Myler said. "Worst part was all the dust. I should tell the Chief and see of we could do like a day to blow and vaccum all these critical electronics out and clean them up. Did you know dust can actually impede electronics performance?"

"They didn't cover that at school." Jackson said. "So? How's your trouble with dyslexia?"

"Not much trouble any more." Myler replied. "Only really small type gives me fits now, like you see on some of these computer chips. Not like we mice have 200 power vision you know." Myler said as he scrubbed his head. "So when's the wedding date?"

"There is none yet." Jackson replied. "I haven't arranged to meet Dars' parents yet. We decided we'd wait till we come back from this deployment. There's no rush to it."

"How's your Dad?" Myler asked. "I know he really wrenched his back and it's always been a problem for him."

"Yeah…." Jackson said with a sigh as he sat back against the toilet head. "My mother's going to retire early. They'll sell the house downtown and move to Aden. My father loves it..."

Myler leaned against the lip of the cup. "You don't."

"No...it's not that..."I don't"...I can't be that selfish. Just that...my Dad's back is getting worse, he puts up a brave front...my parents are getting older..." Jackson sighed..."Yeah...there's a time crunch to the marriage thing but I don't want to fluck it all away with Dar's parents you know? Sheesh….one of the few times my Mom's positive re-enforcement isn't being re-enforcing."

Myler noticed the nose twitch..."You're a normal bunny after all see?" The mouse said pointing a paw finger. "Well then? Don't go too fast. That's probably what your parents have been trying to tell you I bet?"

Jackson sighed again…."Well? There's also a competition thrown in for good measure."

Myler smirked back..."You two are just crazy and strange. I'm done setting my brain on fire trying to figure you guys out. Just….just remember to breath so you don't pass out when you meet her father?"

Zootopian Fleet Marine Recon (Zoo-cons) base

Muddy Swamp Island Facility

4:37pm 28 August 2040

Quansett Hut 15

Home of Zoo-con team six (The Max Rippers)

Two otters walked into the hut and had to quickly jump out of the way of two big Tanuki's going at each other with paws swinging and teeth clamping down on lumps of pulled skin and fur….

"PAY UP YOU SNIT HEAD!" Corperal Gataki yelped as he tried to pin Sargent Osa to the floor. "I SAID PAY UP!"

"NEVER!" Osa snapped back. "YOU FLUCKEN CHEATED YOU SNIT!"

Corperal Schmidt waved from the far end of the hut..."Hey! Staff Denardo! Sargent Dyes! Welcome to the play pen! Don't mind "tweedle dumb and dork" You guys want coffee or anything?!"

"Good to see you too Schmidt!" Staff Denardo replied. "Are you still eating Pocky?"

Schmidt snickered. "Are you still a chronic masterbater?"

Dyes gave Schmidt a cross-ways sneer. "He knows you very well Staff."

The otter staff Sargent turned to the two antagonists. "Guys? It just rained anvils outside? Why don't you find a mud puddle to beat the snit out of each other?"

As if they'd gotten a gift from God, the two Tanuki fought to get through the door to continue their bickering in a more messy and playful setting…

"I swear...can't take the animal out of the mammal." Staff Denardo said as he placed his "ruck" pack down on the floor. "Where's the skipper? We have our transfer orders from Team Three." Denardo then looked downcasted. "Damn Virgil and Beez...filthy Kzinti pieces of snit."

Schmidt shrugged..."It happened Staff Sargent. We can't cry forever, we're all torn up but at least we don't have to bury them. I hate those pin slamming ceremonies. It's even more painful when your buddies die in training accidents. Which by the way for general info when wandering about the "pop-lation"...that's what we must say about what happened. It was a training accident."

"And a traffic accident is "a car departing the intended course of travel." Sargent Dyes snorted. "What flucken bull snit word play. We're at flucken war with the Kzinti, been at war with them, when do we get to make them bleed for a change?"

Osa came walking back into the quanset dirty with mud..."We're not the ones who make the Geo-political decisions regarding what to and what not to say."

Staff Denardo chuckled. "Did you win your little fight?"

"Don't see Gataki yet do you?" Osa replied. "He's still enjoying his mud pie in his mouth. Sorry I didn't say welcome to you guys."

Sargent Dyes waved a paw. "No problem. We've been told we have Sunny and Beezees gear. Is it all here so we can survey it?"

Gataki came up behind them..."Yes….stalls 5 and 9 over there. We have to check out new side arms for you guys because theirs got trashed by the boobee."

"Pockey" sighed..."I wonder if they'll return to duty? I know they can get faux limbs but Virgil losing his tail? For an otter it's about as devastating as a fox losing theirs."

"Like you'll ever keep Virgil down." Denardo huffed. "He'll be chomping at the bit to get some pay back. he'll probably request a prosthetic with a machine gun and a drum mag her can lug in a back pack. He'll even call it "ass of fire" or some crazy nick name."

"Glorious Butt Cannon" Gataki chuckled. "He'll have a spread leg female Otter made up like a drone nose art flash on his tush."

Everyone laughed about it. So? Since Staff Sargent Denardo is now the senior NCO of this group?" Pockey said with a gesture.

"Who's been the senior NCO so far?" Denardo asked.

"Osa." Pocky replied.

"Let it stay Osa then. I don't want to butt in and change things all of a sudden. I'm the new kid here right? When do we start packing up for deployment?" Denardo asked.

"A few days from now." Osa replied. "We're currently doing security testing operations around the city and in the water ways. Our next assignment is to hit the ZTA subway and test the response of the ZPD. I already gave the warning order to the Police Chief."

Denardo asked. "Cool. Got a target or targets laid out?"

"Yes." Osa replied. "I'll brief you two on it once you settle in and do your equipment survey. El Kadar (The Lieutenant Colonel) should be back before we dismiss for the evening." Osa patted a paw on Delgato's shoulder. "How about we go out for dinner? You and Dyes? I'll buy."

"Thanks Osa." Delgato said smiling. "We promise not to eat you out of clams and muscles."

Nick and Judy's house

Downtown Zootopia

6:30pm 28 August 2040

The sound coming from the television and the tones sounding from the smart phones caught Judy's attention from the bathroom and Nick's attention as he sat sipping an evening coffee…

The television began with a series of short annoying aural bleeps which transited to a long steady tone before being broken by a vocal track….

"This is the Zootopia Emergency Broadcasting System. This system will interrupt normal broadcasts in the event of a Zootopia wide emergency situation. When you hear this broadcast...give attention in to your local cable, radio station or your smart phone for important government information. This is only a system wide test. There is no threat or situation currently occurring."

Nick cocked his head. "Oh kay….that was an attention getter."

"So's this?" Judy said as she came out wearing see through panties and thick hot pink cotton socks..."Please tell me you have not forgotten what today was?"

Nick smiled and took her paws in his..."How could I forget? This was the day 25 years ago when a certain "dumb bunny, meter maid." Sank in wet cement."

Judy gave Nick a play slap in the chest..."You lied to me. I trusted you and you lied to me…..YOU LIAR!"

Nick snickered..."I'm not the liar…..he is!"

"Alright Slick Nick...you're under arrest!" Judy said as she paw'd Nick's cheeks.

"For what?" Nick replied smiling warmly. "Hurting your feewings?"

They giggled at each other…." Oh my gawd Nick...25 years! It's been…..it's been that long…." Judy said as she laid over her love's chest…

"And now I'm a broken down old fox." Nick sighed. "Call Gid? I need to eat berry pie and get disgusting and fat."

Judy bopped Nick on the nose.."No you do not! And you're not broken down or old...except the little gray on your ear tips? You're as wonderful as the day you pissed me off. Now tell me? What did you think of me after you rounded that parked car? Be honest?"

Nick sighed…."Honestly might get me killed here….hmmm..." Nick raised a paw finger…."Honestly? I thought you were over your head. I was actually afraid that you'd get chewed up and everything I said to you when we walked together was flat honest. Reality in the city had a way of devastating little dreamers which is why I built up a really hard shell against shock. I felt it wouldn't be long for you to get serious hurt….both emotionally and physically...boy was I stupid. You turned out to be way more resilient. Especially when you chased after me and called yourself a stupid dumb bunny. And you know what I thought to myself after the "Savage Crisis" ended?"

Judy asked…."What?"

"I said to myself..." Nick replied. "Nick? If you let her go? The only dumb, stupid mammal left in the entire world…..will be you. That thought turned out to be the best one I ever had. I have never….not since my mom….I have never found a vixen that could in any way measure up to the girl I have now..."

Judy pressed her face into Nick's chest...he knew she was crying. "Hey? We've made it 25 years without killing each other so how about another 25 years huh? How about that? So what if I lose my ability to walk? I'm not going to be that lame? You could use me as a handy wheel barrel? A shopping cart? A down hill soap box racer..."

"Nick? Stop it..." Judy said as she tried not to laugh while crying.

"Judy? Darling? Stop this ok?" Nick asked as he pulled Judy up so he could kiss her…."Stop it? Stop crying or you'll ruin everything. My gawd the Chief of Police acting like a pussy...ok, a bunny not a pussy. Well? You are a bunny with a very cute pussy but..."

Judy gave Nick a play slap. "Stop digging your hole you dumb fox!"

"Stop trying to entice me you sly bunny." Nick snickered. With one swipe of his claws he tore Judy's panties from her body..."You need a little 25th anniversary gift don't you?" Nick said as he slowly licked his teeth and his lips. "What about it there innocent bunny who just happened to stumble into the lair of the vicious Hombrah? Would you like me to be "nice" to you before I eat you or should I make you suffer and scream?"

Judy bent her face down to Nick's nose…."Ravage me with that hot tongue of yours….you murderous Hombrah bastard."

"Your wish is my command oh Bunny Commander." Nick snickered as he started to position himself. As if on cue….Judy flipped the channels on the television…..

"Dumb dunb….dweedle dum dum. Dumb dunb….dweedle dum dum. There was a turtle who's name was Bert. And Bert the Turtle was very alert. When danger threatened he never got hurt. He knew just what to do…he'd duck and cover. Duck and cover..."

Nick turned his head to look at the television and his ears drooped… "What….the fluck is this?"

"That's our new PSA for the cubs." Judy replied. "Isn't it cute?"

Nick forgot about the festivities of their 25th anniversary and sat up with a look of confusion on his face…."Are you kidding me? What the hell? Who's crazy idea was this?"

"You don't like it?" Judy asked.

"This guy's corny as hell? Bert the Turtle? Duck and Cover? Please don't tell me we're going to teach cubs with this abomination?"

As if the strangeness couldn't get any worse…..

"Hello….mesah Jar Jar Binks. Protectin your noggin is ah very important…."

Nick put his paws to his face…."Are we trying to teach cubs or make them laugh and pee themselves to death? What in hell is this thing? I hope that's a rubber suit? That guy wants me to "go Savage", I swear. He only had to start talking and I just want to rip his throat out and shove his guts into his mouth."

"We're trying to explain the seriousness of things on a cub's level Nick." Judy explained.

"What's wrong with something more basic and less offending to the eye balls Judy? Look….if you want to do a PSA that will reach cubs and kits? I will do it. All I need is a nice looking red sweater and a film set that looks like an average home. Trust me….that will do more good than….Judy? Turn that thing off or I swear I will rip the TV off the wall and make it do a header out the window."

Judy clicked off the television as Nick looked down between his legs. "Oh great. Not only was that thing disgusting? It made me flaccid. Well...we know it makes good birth control medication."

Nick looked up to see Judy sobbing again…

"I ruined our anniversary." Judy sobbed.

"No! No, no, no…..Judy?….hey?…...hey funny buns?" Nick said as he pulled Judy's paws from her face. "I'm sorry for being such a dumb ass if that was your idea but you know I'll always tell you the truth of what I think? It was a nice effort….just…..just a little strange and bizarre…..as if you and a few other friends were sort of drunk on inspiration."

Judy giggled…."Well? We were sort of more drunk. We cobbled that together over at Dawn's house doing a wine and cheese n carrots social."

"Well...that explains it." Nick said with a smirk as he watched Judy slowly move down between his legs….

"Carrots? What are you doing?" Nick asked.

"I'm going to please you back up." Judy said with a smile and a lick of her lips.

"No!" Nick yelped. "I've never let you do that in 25 years and I'll never let you do it period! That's disgusting and degrading to you and I forbid it Judy!"

Judy smirked back. "Oh….shut up you old dusty fox." She snapped. "Lay back and enjoy it? Happy 25th anniversary my darling. And if you think this is going to be good? Wait till we hit our wedding anniversary." Judy snickered. "I'm going to rape you like a wild beast."

Nick gulped because Judy's face...was dangerously serious and frighteningly demonic.

The village of Glemmuir

Aden-Burough

The warren house of the family Boyd

He was one of the 89 sons and daughters of Steven, a junior Sargent of the Kyber Rifles, and one of the youngest in the 3rd brood yet this one was more responsible than most of his high spirited brothers which is why Steven always chose him to be the "Butch of the hutch" as it were, the one who kept order so his father wouldn't worry during deployments.

"Evening father." The young white and brown bunny said with a sight cheer as he walked into his father's study.

"Sit Micah." Steven said as he gestured to a chair. "Is the time again you know." Steven said.

"Yes father." Micah replied with a stoic perk of his chest. "Will it be long?"

"Nay." Steven said. "Bout a month. I don't expect any trouble but...be ready for anything." Steven held his paws out. "Come here my son."

The 13 year old Bunny left his chair and allowed his father to steady him on a knee…."My Lord Frith how you have grown...so much so in your head than anywhere else. I hate it that you grew too fast."

Micah gave his father a peck on the head..."I love you father. I'll join up like you when I'm 18."

"I'd rather you put that head to more productive and benefiting purposes for yourself Micah. You do enough just filling my role when I'm gone. Treat yourself, you don't have to join the Marines to make me happy." Steven said as he rubbed his son's chest. "But as if I can tell you what you should do? Now I expect the usual out of you while I'm gone so your dad can do his work and not have to worry about home and mother."

"Yes Father." Micah replied dutifully. "I know it's a bit funny father? But I'm still not changing anyone's diapers. Nope."

Steven might have laughed himself silly..."How do you expect to be a good father someday if you coward from changing dirty diapers?"

"That's why I have brother and sisters to push around." Micah snickered.

"A good father figure sets an example." Steven snorted.

"That's why you have sons and daughters." Micah snorted back, knowing that not once did his father change any diaper himself.

"Well played you little devil." Steven chuckled as he tickled Micah's chin. "Now get off my knee before it loses circulation?"

Micah slipped off his father's lap and saluted him. "Fear not father. All is in good paws with me. Mother will have nothing to worry about."

Steven saluted back. "That's a good bunny. Off to bed now with you and pleasant dreams my boy."

Steven stopped Micah to kiss him one more time before watching him walk out as if he was already wearing the uniform. Chin high, chest out and a "cock" in every step.

End of chapter 21