First Salvo

by Dan Rush

The story of Jackson Jackie Wilde, the son of Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps and the first major at sea clash between Zootopia and the Island nation of K'Zin. The story is now complete as of June 27,2020. This has been my longest completed story so far. The sequel to this will be Dori Hopp's war diary "Gang of Hoppers" which will start in a few months.

25. Chapter 25

FIRST SALVO

A Zootopia fan fiction by Dan

Rated M+

(c) Zootopia 2016 by Disney Animated Studios

(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

(c) (Artist ownership) The K'zin by Lary Niven.

(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 25

The Outbacks Part 5

Operation Paw N Paw Shield

19 September 2040

0001 hours

The Destroyer Growler

"My darling Will….I can't be too specific right now but we will soon carry out our planned visit. What I can tell you is the reactions of some of the crew to the news of the protest back home."

"You're methods were brilliant Will! I heard very few complains against you, most were very positive for what you're trying to do! I am so proud of you."

"You have made me so proud that I fell in love with a wolf who is so smart, cleaver and caring. You've made a lot of friends from my ship and certainly many of the ships in the group are the same way. Though….I must be honest with you, I believe we're doing the right thing by the "Outbacks". They can't defend themselves well enough should the Kzinti think of attacking them so we couldn't just send one ship as a message. But I do think we've got more here than a number that's sufficient to show our determination. This could spark a conflict and no one in the task force wants that to happen."

"You are doing the right thing Will...it is a good thing that our whole society is talking with each other over such issues as this; that all our citizens will not allow us to trip and fumble our way into a war and we can talk about it without resorting to throwing stones or fisted paws at each other. That was the most amazing thing we got to see from the news coverage; you've really proven how wonderful you are to me."

"I love you my darling. Please think of us all out here and wish for our safety so we can get home as soon as possible. With all my heart…..Gilly."

At 0001 hours, the task force reached the waters of the Outback Islands, sailing North West of the target Island Athahead. Athahead was a sand, rock and scrub Island the Outbackers used more often for running dune buggies and ATV's over than anything else. For the visit by Zootopia...The Outbackers deemed Athahead a live fire zone. If the Zootopian Navy rendered the island completely flat? That would be a cost saving bonus. The Outbackers were happy for a little free explosive packed urban renewal.

To the South of Athahead was Carbobridge Island which had been designated an "ordinance free zone" save a long strip of beach line where the Zootopian Marine Recon were going to stage a diversionary action to draw the Outbacker National Constabulary Guard there while the Zootopian Navy pounced on Athahead. Carbobridge had been "stocked" in the prep time before the arrival of the Zootopian fleet with police, actors and a few professional soldiers of the Outbackers Auxiliary Defense Force to give the Zootopian Fleet Marines "Testy" targets of opportunity. For their part, The citizens of the Outbacks showed an eagerness to learn from their Zootopian friends the best ways they could defend themselves. The Kzinti had the population frightened; especially the very small mammals like the Koala and the placid Wallaby. The Kangaroos however….were filled with determination, especially eager to learn paw to paw combat and how best to use their powerful clawed legs to overcome their not to powerful nor long arms against potential opponents.

The Prime Minister or Governor of the Outbacks was a Koala named Osmenia (Oos-men-yah) and he had received the Zootopian ambassador the day before the fleets arrival not only to explain what the Naval maneuvers would entail and where they could go, but also explained in detail the expected behavior of the guests when it came time for the fleet to come into port. Stories of over indulging visiting mammal's turning liberty ports into "Raucous Circuses" were inescapable and the Prime Minister made it clear that though Zootopia's Sailors and Marines didn't cause a whole lot of trouble during their port visits; it was just for protocol that the point be refreshed. Major incidents required Zootopia to turn over the miscreants for local prosecution...though you couldn't consider the Outbacker version of "prisons" to be exactly that kind of prison.

One thing about the Outbacks….Though prostitution was in public illegal? Providing "The best relaxation and entertainment" to visiting tourists and the Zootopian Navy meant using euphemisms and cleaver words to say…."There are no prostitutes, we don't employ prostitutes….however….if a horny female Kangaroo wanted to experiment with a Tiger in the privacy of a hotel room and get treated to "a nice pampering in the offing"...The officials were not going to exactly get involved. One thing was very sure, there was no way possible that the fleet was going to "drink the outbacks dry" or leave without ache and pain reminders of their having enjoyed the hospitality of the natives.

Two small cities on the main island of Elsbane were known for their "jubilant and exhorting" hospitality, Olopoe Bay in the north and Paddy Beach to the South where it was rumored aboard ships that a sailor could "double tie" themselves silly on less than five Zoo-bucks a night. Of course, both cities would be packed with police as shore patrol teams to make sure insanity didn't break out.

But before anyone could think of shore leave and enjoyment, the force demonstration had to be carried out. It began with the early morning launch of a squadron of Flying Fox UAV's off the Sayoni. Eight fully armed drones which would form a sort of "trip wire wall" north of the task force as they circled high above the ocean at 30,000 feet. Armed with both GPS guided 500 pound JDAM bombs and Viper Mark I anti-tank missiles, the Foxes were there for the obvious reason should the Kzinti ships still sitting some 30 miles away to the North decided to "get their frog on."

Of course there was also the unknown quantity lurking under the sea. Who on any of the ships save those on the Command Ship Tun Tavern knew how many Trident USV attack subs could be lurking around with their torpedoes and missiles primed and awaiting a firing solution?

The Zootopian UAV Trident Submarine "Snow castle"

0037 hours 19 September 2040

Closing in on Carbobridge Island

The sub's sloping deck made it obvious that she was heading for "the roof" a few miles off the coast of Carbobridge as the passengers began to assemble their gear, check their weapons and talked to each other in groups over smart phones and tablets as they reviewed their plans in the glow of red combat lights…

Corporal Hashino (Tanuki), Team Nine's Sniper, was taking deep breaths and shaking the cobwebs from himself as Corporal Harper (Otter) came up and slapped him in shoulders…

"Feeling better now?" Harper asked.

Hashino nodded and threw paw thumbs up..."Glad we're here now...I am so ready for this!"

Harper rubbed Hashino's head tuft..."Keep it frosty big boy. Save the excitement for later when we need that "Fifty Snipe" watching our backs."

Sargent Ushijima (Tanuki), the "NCO" lead of Team Nine came up with Lieutenant Salters (Tanuki). "Hashino? You know your place?" Ushijima asked.

"Yes Sir." Hashino replied confidently.

Lieutenant Salters gestured to a gray and white fox..."Private First Class Kapes here will be your spotter."

"Charmed." Kapes said with a paw wave.

Lieutenant Salters waved his paw as he got onto an equipment box. "Team Nine on me and Sargent Ushijima right now!"

The team besides Salters (Tanuki), Ushijima (Tanuki), Hashino (Tanuki), Harper (Otter) and Kapes (fox) included five more combat swimming otters and seven more Tanuki (Japanese Raccoon dogs). They and Team Seven were a "diversionary punch" to draw the Outback defense forces to look south while the main invasion was going to hammer Athahead Island to the North. Team Seven had the job of putting on a fantastic explosives display along the Western beach of Carbobridge, a convincing dazzle of pyrotechnics and small arms to make the constables think an invasion was underway. While they and the small national auxillary force would respond to that? Team Nine was going to attack the island's rail yard facility and blow up two key bridges (One road, one railroad). Of course they weren't going to do any actual attack damage.

The sub's decking suddenly level'd off indicating that at least the upper work or "sail top" had broached the surface of the sea. An off and on again sounding horn gave notice that it was ok for the teams to climb the ladders leading from their cramped living and working quarters, break the seals on the hatches for the diver airlock compartments then climb further still to break the seals of the armored hatches which opened onto the back or spine of the cruising submarine.

Note: These Tridents follow the same design as those of the American navy which were converted from carrying large nuclear missiles to equipment storage tubes to support special operations from the sea.

One of team Seven's Otters went from tube door to tube door on the sub's spine, setting a large "T Key" into recessed holes in the deck and turning it to open the large circular armored doors that covered long vertical tubes which held both equipment and the explosives needed to set off the pyrotechnical diversion on the far off beach. As pack after pack and tube after tube of gear was pulled from the submarine's storage tubes, elevator platforms at the base continued to bring all the required gear to the top where Otters snatched them and slid over the black smooth sides of the submarine into the water…

Meanwhile….Team Nine was putting together four rubber fast boats with their silent outboard motors, Gun Lintels, light machine guns and grenade launchers and tying them to steel eye loops on the sub's hull. It didn't take long for Team Seven to get theirs up and running as soon a pair of "ribs" were speeding into the darkness manned by Tanuki standing at their gun stations. A whole lot of noise was about to kick the day's "party" into high gear.

The Zootopian Amphibious Command Ship Tun Taven

0100 hours 19 September 2040

Northwest of Athahead Island

"Teams Seven and Nine are now moving towards their target points." A female rabbit said from her console in the dim red lighting of the Operations monitoring center where General Bugs and his officers, Admiral Arthur Ace and his staff officers and two visiting dignitaries from the Outback government stood watching the various mammals who sat at consoles or stood over the lighted map table or stood writing in reverse on the large plate glass illuminated boards continuous updates on various statuses, including the location, distance, speed and course of the three Kzinti warships being watched by the "Trip wire wall" of Tridents and Flying Foxes some thirty miles from the task force.

Government representative Blaimy (A Tasmanian Devil) Stood at one of the consoles paying close attention as the fox working the screen explained what was going on. What each Avatar or "counter" meant, where it was moving and what was likely taking place…

"Hopefully we won't make things to boring for your troops." Blaimy said. "We might be a little "short" just to be descriptive? That doesn't mean we won't throw out a few surprises of our own."

The fox replied smiling. "That may be harder for you to achieve than you think Sir?" He turned his screen into a split view and showed Blaimy the green colored images being filmed by a high flying recon drone over Carbobridge. "So you use dune buggies and ATV's for everything?"

"No everything but they are the fastest way to get around the islands. And of course you can see some of them? But what you don't see may end up biting your tail pretty hard. We do have the home team advantage here after all mate."

"Wasn't saying you'd make our visit boring at all minister." The fox replied with a nod.

The other government official was a female Wallaby named Bethany who looked with wonder at all the gadgets. Not that the Outbackers hadn't the same things as Zootopia enjoyed. Outbackers just didn't bask themselves in a lot of "tech". They were quiet and simple mammals who found their enjoyment off the environment around them and felt no real need for too many modern trappings. But they well knew that ease of life came with a double edged sword. There wasn't too much in the Islands that could be considered of worthy value, save some precious minerals and the lands themselves. The Outbacks if they were taken by a brute force could be turned into quite a nasty redoubt base of operations, hence the worry of the Government in asking Zootopia to send their fleet as a little "Moment of pause" when the Kzinti started their "teasing" around.

General Bugs leaned over Bethany..."Any questions? Is there anything you'd like to have Miss? Water? Greens?"

"I'm fine thank you General." Bethany returned with a smile. "I'm just a little absorbed by all this."

"Yeah…." Bugs replied. "I get boggled by it too….trust me. When I was a boot Lieutenant Twenty Five years ago we didn't have all this stuff. Try digging borough tunnels without GPS today. I was lucky not to wind up in Kookamunga by that Albuquerque Right turn when I was running from my Daddy's switch."

Bethany pointed to one of the large screens. "So those counters with the smiley faces are the special teams?"

Bugs frowned..."Alright? Who's the wise guy in here that's messing with the big boards? We're supposed to be serious and professional in this room, put the proper pips on the big boards!"

Some one changed the Smiley faces to avatars of Bugs' head chomping a cigar. "Ok….you're really testing my patience now...I don't smoke cigars. What do I have in my mouth right now? A carrot stick. Carrot stick see?"

Bethany chuckled. "Can't be serious all the time General. I see they're getting close."

"By now….team Seven should be starting to set up their little fireworks display off Marpie Point Beach. That will take them about twenty minutes to do but they won't start the craziness until Team Nine gives the signal." Bugs replied. I'm beginning to thing they're throwing an unauthorized ice cream social out there."

0130 hours 19 September 2040

Marpie Point, Carbobridge Island

Team Seven

Corporal Justin (Otter) affixed a "daisy chain" detonator to two wire leads between a pair of cannon charges his partner Sargent Drewberry stabbed into the sand from one of the Ponkis tubes the pair of otters had pulled with them from the submarine…

"Three, four set." Justin said with a waving paw as he swam to the next set of leads where he did the same action as before then popped up to the surface to look at the shore line with a pair of night vision binoculars. "No movement Sarge. Beach is clean so far."

Drewberry popped up next to Justin. "Don't "stargaze" too long. We have…. About fifteen minutes or so before we're supposed to hear from Team Nine."

Justin quickly dropped back down to the sandy bottom and worked two more connections to complete the daisy chain of charges...fifteen massive blasters packed with 500 pounds of TNT designed to make as big a noise as possible to make the locals piss themselves silly. Just by chance as he finished up, a sweet pump salmon swam slowly by and not one to pass up an offering...Justin jumped upon it and sat happily eating it until Drewberry showed up…

"Oh that's kind of you." The Otter Sargent snorted. "Fluck your superior and horde it for yourself huh?"

"Never pass up a free snack you know." Justin giggled back as he licked his paw fingers..."This place is food rich!"

Drewberry smacked Justin off the head. "You'll be food poor if you let your mind wander like that in the middle of a mission. Get a move on. Did you finish the chain?"

"Yeah! All set up." Justin replied as he swam to a tethered "Ponk", broke open the sealed doors and passed the Sargent a Mini-M-14 while Justin grabbed a 203 Grenade launcher and two Javelin anti-tank rockets...only these Javelin's were fire work shooting simulator rounds not the real "bunker buster" missiles.

Drewberry texted on his smart phone…."We are all set. Come and get us now." To the rib boats cruising two miles out in the sea beyond the surf. The otters of Team Seven planted a total of 30 cannon rounds all along the beach line. This was going to be a great show.

0130 hours 19 September 2040

Sharp Line point, Carbobridge Island

Team Nine

PFC Kapes (Fox) stopped in his four legged climb to sniff the air and once he felt comfortable of the cleanliness of the waft of air and breeze through the tropical vegetation….he progressed farther up- the slope, stopped and repeated the process. The ability to go from two legs to "feral four" and take advantage of those gifts of your particular species made the Zootopian Fleet Marines highly flexible and quick adapting. It was also good when you wanted to surprise a potential adversary. Such was the case with Kapes and his sniper/partner Hashino moving to take the highest point on Carbobridge where information being beamed out by the Tun Taven and the high flying UAV drones above the island indicated a watch tower emplacement…

Upon reaching the crest of the mount and putting his eyes on that very tower. Kapes shed his clothes, his field pack, his rifle and his service belt and pulled an object from a side pocket in the pack. It was time to go from being a Marine, to being an actor….

In the tower were a pair of Koala bears maintaining a stern and ever revolving watch around the walkway outside the tower housing going from big binocular set to big binocular set mounted on pole stands and calling down to watches and patrols chomping at their bits to "Sink their teeth into Zootopian flesh." They all felt the same way because earlier in the day, the Commanding General of the Zootopian Marines….General Bugs….sent an advanced warning of what was coming with a little snippy crassness attached to it…

Quote….I understand that this is your home and that many of you no doubt know it like the back of your tails but that means nothing to myself or my Marines. How would you like your crow? Baked? Sautay or Fricassee? I prefer to serve it raw with a huge dash of salt...it will add to the tears you will shed after we're done with you." Signed General Bugs Charles Jones, Zootopian Fleet Marine Force Commander. Though Zootopia was considered both a dear friend and a great ally, that affection didn't include the wise butt Marine bunny General. The residents of the Outbacks were determined not to be so easily conquered by an upstart fluff tailed, long eared foreigner.

"Anything?" Timothy, one of the Koala manning the tower, asked his partner Sidberdinand or "Birdie" as he switched over to another binocular station.

"Not a sign yet mate." Birdie replied. "We know they're here already. A fisher-mammal caught site of the fleet just on the horizon at sunset yesterday."

Suddenly a shriek and cry of pain filled the air causing Birdie to lean over the railing of the tower and look down at the ground below. Something was rolling around and screaming in terrible pain. Hobbling over the ground and falling over as if something were attacking it…

"What the devil?" Birdie yelped. "I don't know what that is but it sounds like its' being torn apart Tim."

As if to reply to the curiosity... Kapes screamed out…."Help me Mates! (crying) My leg is caught in something and its' chewing me leg off! (crying) I think its' some kind of trap! (crying) help me mates I beg of you!"

Timothy yelled back. "Hold on bloke! I'm coming down!"

Birdie stayed on the tower top looking down and watched as Tim reached the crying fox….

"Easy there Mate? We'll call for a doctor and…."

Tim didn't get a chance to finish before Kapes jumped at him from his feral four to his two legged form, whipped a rubber K-Bar knife from a gap between the fake rubber leg trap and his foot and pressed it against Tim's neck…

Birdie was starting to back from the tower rail when a pair of pant balls slapped him in the chest and made him curse himself as Hashino popped out of the thick jungle-like brush with a paint ball pistol in his paw. He twirled it with great satisfaction before slipping it back into a holster…

"You can come down now." Hashino gestured to Birdie.

"Pretty foul trick there friend." Tim snorted at Kapes as the fox bound the Koala to one of the legs of the tower.

"But it worked?" Kapes replied. "I thought there were no foxes in the Outbacks? That should have tipped you guys off that my act was bogus?"

Birdie hopped off the tower ladder and walked up to Kapes with his arms up. "We have a natural tendency to be sympathetic towards hurt mammals."

Hashino walked past Birdie and petted his head tuft…."Natural tendency can get you killed." He then regarded Kapes as he threw him his clothes and his ruck pack. "Impressive...I never thought you'd be an actor?"

"I do "Improv" on the side." Kapes replied as he pointed to the ladder to the tower. "Your perch awaits my good Mammal."

Hashino bounded up the ladder and quickly flipped the lights of the spotting tower to red instead of white as Kapes followed close behind….

"Are you trying to attract attention?" Kapes asked. "Dimming the lights might get someone's curiosity you know?"

Hashino knelt down, unzipped the leather pouch he had been carrying on his back and pulled out what looked like a large caliber sniper rifle but was just a "souped up" paint-ball gun. "Are you my spotter or my mother there mister fox?"

"I'm beginning to think we'll work just great together." Kapes replied smiling as he turned on his night vision binoculars and started scanning the low terrain and the railroad/vehicle causeway bridge between Carbobridge and the main Island. He reached for his throat microphone attached to his smart phone via blue tooth. "Lightening is in place." He said quietly…

"Very well." Came the reply from somewhere below. The rest of Team Nine was on the move.

0146 hours 19 September 2040

Below the Causeway Span Bridge, Carbobridge Island

"HEY!" A big Kangaroo snarled as he pointed the bright white spot light attached to the bow of the police patrol boat into the eyes of an otter that was floating on his back. "What the hell are you do'in here mate?"

The otter allowed his lower body to sink as it turned him upright in the water..."Aww…..what the hell bloak? You woke me up!"

"You're swimming in a restricted swim area there my friend. And for crapes Sue Zet there mate? Cover yer balls and hardy there!" The Kangaroo snapped as he threw a towel into the water. "Now wrap that towel around you and please come into the boat?" The Kangaroo didn't turn around but waved his small arm around. "Hey Carl? Start the engine back up and let's get close to this chap so I can pass him a line ay?" The Kangaroo said. When his partner didn't reply, the Kangaroo huffed at him…."Damn it Carl, if you're cutting "dream wood" again I sug….."

The Kangaroo police officer turned to see a pair of Tanuki pointing Mini M-14 rifles at him…

"Good day officer." One of the Tanuki's said with a smile. "Is it Good Day" or "Gee day"? I can't pronounce it that well." The Tanuki's looked at each other and smiled..."Excuse me Sir but we need to borrow your uniform if you don't mind?" One of the Tanuki said to the Kangaroo while gesturing with his paw.

The otter climbed into the boat as the Tanuki stripped the Kangaroo bare tail and tied him up on the floor of the boat…

"We promise that if we damage this boat? Zootopia will give you a better one." Sargent Reese (Tanuki) said as he petted the Kangaroo's head.

"That was a mean trick you blokes played on me." The Kangaroo snorted.

"Everything is an advantage in warfare you know." The Sargent replied. Then he looked at Corporal Everwine (The Otter) and grimaced…."Damn you Wine'r? What's with the stiff?"

Everwine smirked back. "It's our mating season and I smell pussy ok? Give me a break Sarge! Like it really throws off the mission."

Reese smacked Everwine off his head. "Get back in the water and finish up those charges with the others?"

Reese texted Lieutenant Salters (Tanuki)..."Almost finished with the causeway. We have a police patrol boat."

Salters replied. "Moving into the railroad yard now. Going to take out the guard house. Blow the cause way 30 seconds after my go signal. "

0155 hours 19 September 2040

Guard house, National Railway Carborandum, Carbobridge Island

The Kangaroo on watch at the front desk of the guard house was a little stunned to see a diapered little Otter waddle through the front door with a teddy bear and a blanket held fiercely in his paws.

"Here now? What are you doing little fellow?" The Kangaroo named "Erwin" asked as he hopped from behind his desk to stand over the crying youngster…

"Are you lost?" Erwin asked as he petted the poor thing then turned to his partner "Butler" who looked in on the scene from the back room. "Where's this little tyke come from?"

"Dunno." Erwin replied. He'd only turned his head for a second when he felt a knife pressed against his throat…."Oh hello..." He said as the otter smiled back at him…

"Can't you tell the difference between a baby otter and a full grown one?" Harper snickered as he threw the diaper off. The Tanuki that took advantage of the ruse already had Erwin's partner on the floor and were zip tying him with thick bands designed for kangaroos.

Erwin chuckled back..."Can't you tell a bushwack when you fall into it mate?" Suddenly the windows and doors were shuttered with steel bars and the sounds of screaming dune buggies came upon the house from the outside."

Harper smiled at Erwin. "Nicely done. But of course you two are dead."

"Makes no difference mate." Harper said as he sat up. "You bloke's are not leaving. That's the important point here. My name's "Harper Jax" I'm the Captain of the "Island Rats" or if I have to get technical here mate? It's the "Rapid Attack all Terrain Specialists".

"It sort of fits." Harper said smiling. "You guys are after all….just big old rats. Of course….too late for you to save the causeway."

A few seconds later the sound of a chain of explosions outside signaled the simulated destruction of a section of the railroad and road causeway to the mainland thus cutting off any reinforcements to what was coming next…

0200 hours 19 September 2040

Mount Kapachau look out tower, Carbobridge Island

Kapes yelped quietly to the scene some 600 yards away down in the low lands of the island in the railroad storage yard as the causeway went up with signal fountains of colored water…

"Snit! These guys came up fast." Kapes said as he looked through his binoculars then switched over to his range and wind-age spotter scope. Where do you want to his first?"

"Buggies huh?" Hashino asked as he looked through his sniper scope. "Give me range and windage on the heavy machine gunners first, the one's riding on the high back seats."

Kapes placed his crosshairs on one of the Kangaroos manning a SMAW (Squad Mammal-portable Automatic Weapon) mounted on a "Lintle stick" and read off the flashing information from the scopes digital computer…

"Target….center vehicle…...range Six Two Seven…...wind ten knots from Southeast to Northwest….shift your needle right four and two up."

Hashino aimed his rifle and snapped back "Locked"

Kapes yelped back..."Execute!"

Hashino took two deep breaths, half held the third and squeezed the trigger…

"KAFLOOF!"

The air powered paint ball sailed the six hundred twenty seven yards and was a flying glob of sticky mess by the time it struck that kangaroo in the upper chest! Another was already on the way to smack a second Kangaroo in the back as he began to move to get some cover.

"SNIPER! SNIPER! GET DOWN!" The screaming sent Kangaroos scrambling all over the yard and no doubt some already knew where the shots were coming from as Kapes patted Hashino on the head….

"Time to displace." The fox said as he started grabbing gear and throwing it down on top of the shrubs and bushes below the tower.

And it was then that the big fireworks began to go off…

0210 hours 19 September 2040

Marpie Point, Carbobridge Island

Team Seven

The rib boats jumped as the first in the series of thunderous daisy chained subsurface explosions blasted up from the Semtex charges and raced down the surf line. If the inhabitants of the island did not know things were under way….they would know it now as the earth must have shook with each hard detonation!

The otters were already back on board the boats, slapping magazines into their carbines and M-14 rifles and letting go the locks on the receivers. The follow up to the massive explosions is going to be a concentrated stream of small arms fire….rifles, machine guns, anti-tank rockets, grenade launchers. The expenditure is a ruse for the Outback defense forces. They know the Zootopians are coming… they just haven't been told the how, when or where the invasion will come. Only the government knows all the details. If the noise from the causeway doesn't cause wet pants? This surely will.

As the last daisy chain round goes off...the Team Seven rib boats sweep as close to the shore as the surf allows and they let go with a noise of violence….

Sargent Drewberry hammers away, though with blanks, from a modified Browning Automatic Rifle spewing rounds from a belt of ammo out of a box while Corporal Justin slaps a Javelin missile computer pack onto one of the two tube launchers he has and lets go a rocket that arcs high over the beach and explodes in a brilliant while star shell that lights everything up!

"WAAAAAHOOOOOOO!" IT'S YOUR TEA AND CRUMPETS WAKE UP CALL BOYS!" Justin yelps with excitement as he snatches up his M-1 Carbine and cuts loose…every Tanuki and Otter is wasting ammo with abandon, dropping magazines, reloading and letting rounds fly as fast as they can move until Captain Ayataki (Tanuki) fires a blue flare above his head and the two rips fly from the surf line towards deep water leaving Marpie Point shrouded in a haze of thick cordite smoke.

0217 hours 19 September 2040

Mount Kapachau towards the railroad yard, Carbobridge Island

Once again Kapes assumed his four legged form with his paint ball pistol slung in a holster under his breast as he swiftly covered the slope down from the watch tower to the flat low land wearing a set of night vision goggles…

"So far so good "Hashy" I have no targets." Kapes said as he stopped to test the air.

Behind him, Hashino had switched his sniper rifle for an M-14 Commando shortie rifle with a large star scope mounted over the receiver bolt…

"Right on your tail..." Hashino replied. "Expect some of them to come up this way unless they got drawn to the shore."

Kapes was almost to the end of the slope when the scent of flesh hit his nose..."Contact front!" He snapped as he changed to his two leg form, pulled his paint ball pistol from his holster and banged off two quick rounds nailing a pair of Kangaroos jumping from their dune buggy on the road ahead! "I have five targets to my front!"

"No….you have three behind their buggy." Hashino snickered in the radio. "What are you waiting for? Move up, I have them zero'd."

Kapes moved to the edge of the brush where the vegetation line met the concrete road and quickly bounded into a charge….and right into an ambush…

"Splat!" A paintball smacked him hard in the rump. "He'd been counter flushed by another sniper."

"Should have been more careful." Kapes said smiling as he threw his paws up. But no sooner had he given up then the three Kangaroos behind the buggy were also "sniped" but from a different direction. It was Team Seven, having finished their work along the beech line, they landed elsewhere looking to do some "fun foraging" They quickly forced the "Rats" holding the railway guard house to retire under fire and run for the hills.

This part of the day was judged a fair draw but it served the intended purpose as now the whole of the Outbacks police and defensive forces were streaming southward to meet an invasion….that was about to hit them from behind.

0300 hours 19 September 2040

The Zootopian Amphibious Force

30 miles Northwest of Athahead Island

The call to battle stations rang out on every ship as mammals rushed to man their weapons and their damage control stations. To Jackson's disappointment, he'd spend most of the time during the mock invasion at his Damage Control locker, so he would miss seeing what the fleet was going to throw down upon the intended recipient of the fleets firepower. The captain assured all that they would get to see the replay of the results in High Def stereo. The demonstration was for the Kzinti however and no one was sure how much they might get to witness.

On the giant Assault Ship Sayoni however...the Marines had been staging their appearance most of the night before. In the flooding bay and the hanger deck above it, the Fleet Marines organized their upcoming landing once the island had been "Renwah'd" with an explosive make over. The first out would be the "Raiders" the Marine's light infantry wolves in fast boats who would hit the beaches first on the flanks and use their four legged forms to bypass the enemy strong points, sweep their rear them come up behind with light weapons, bayonets, knives, grenades, their teeth and their claws to rip their opponents to shreds. Their targets were artillery and mortar emplacements, pill boxes, command posts, ammo dumps, anything to get the enemy to turn and worry about them while the main force assaulted the beach from the sea. The wolf marines called this..."locking the scissor joints" or "Grab some ass and take a bite" It was "Blitzkrieg" in canine style.

But first the Navy had to "plow the road" and thankfully there was no one on the island to experience the bulldozing once it got started and it didn't get started by anyone in the fleet….it got started back in Bunny Burough.

Bunny Burough

0315 hours 19 September 2040

Seventeen year old Fiver was sleeping on the couch as he always did after playing hours worth of video games. His older brother Hazel was "snokered" next to the stack of bunny pizza and breadstick boxes they had consumed from Hoppy Ginos pizza down the street. Both of the young rabbits were serious "Geekroids" who's talents when they were 12 and 13 respectfully had not escaped the attention of the Zootopian Department of Defense or the Intelligence Agency….hence why now...Fival was waking up cursing Fritz and all nature at the annoying song coming from his cell phone…

"Over the river and through the woods to grandma's house we go…. Over the river and through the woods to grandma's house we go…. Over the river and through the woods to grandma's house we go…."

Fival snatched the offending phone and sat up on the couch…."Oh kay, Oh kay….fluck me….." The young gray rabbit snorted as he tried to focus his sleepy vision on the screen…."Hey? Hazel? Wake up….I think we got an alert call."

Hazel rolled over and scratched his rump. "Tell em I don't flucken care dude. Probably another test...ugh."

"It's no test Hazel!" Fival snapped. "It's a real mc'coy! Go get the cards!"

"Ugh…..Fival if you're pulling my tail dude? I swear I'll…." Hazel complained as he stumbled around the floor and waddled still asleep into their bedroom….

"Hazel! Hurry up! This is fricken serious bro!" Fival yelped. "We can't wait all night dude! Move your butt!"

Hazel came up half running with a stack of cards encased in plastic snap holders. "Here….you don't need me."

"Two rabbit rule Hazel….stay awake." Fival snapped as he selected a card and matched the black serial numbers to the taped seal running the length of the holder.

"Ok...this one Hazel. Is this right?" Fival asked. "Well?"

"Yeah….get it over with bro so we can go back to bed. Ugh….I was really having a good dream when this stupid snit came up."

Fival confirmed the serial number and snapped open the plastic case. "Ok….the card number is 9…...3…..7….1…..1…...8…..4….4….6. The number on the screen is" 9…...3…..7….1…..1…...8…..4….4….6." Fival set his smart phone to speaker and spoke the number then showed the phone to his brother. "Read the numbers then you can go to bed….pussy."

Hazel read the numbers and snorted back at his brother..."I got your "pussy" with my fists."

"Right now dude? I don't care." Fivel snorted. "Target identified, select missiles, two each….um…..altitude?"

Hazel snorted. "Two feet so it goes right up the tail hole of the tail hole who woke me up. Fluck him!" The brown bunny snapped as he flopped back onto the floor and hugged him pillow.

"Your patriotism is so inspiring Hazel." Fival snickered.

"Bite me, fire the stupid missiles and shut up dude?" Hazel snapped back. "Do it and go back to bed?"

Fival raised a paw finger and brought it down to contact the screen over the blinking red "FIRE" button…."And…..have a nice day…..in hell!"

The USV Trident Submarine "Goatshorn"

30 miles East of Athahead Island

0330 hours 19 September 2040

The outer doors on the torpedo tubes slid open and two SLAM cruise missiles came flying out….first by high pressure compressed gas forcing them free of the tubes then by steam and fire as their launch packs erupted and threw them towards the ocean surface where they broached and lit off their main engines. They raced upwards to 1000 feet in long arcs before leveling off and making their way towards Athahead.

So was the same with two other Tridents, one to the South, the other from the West. Each fired off two missiles a piece. Six were now making their way towards the target Island and not all of them would arrive at once but in stages and at various altitudes with a variety of "packages" for potential opponents depending on the requirement.

The Destroyer Growler

20 miles Northeast of Athahead and closing

0340 hours 19 September 2040

From inside the hull...Jackson felt the ship shudder and quake as the next phase of the assault got underway. Outside on the main deck behind the 8 inch forward gun mount, towers of flame and steam burst from vents around the Vertical Launch System or "VLS". Two missiles burst through the foam plugs that encased them in their storage tubes and they left the Destroyer with a thunderous shriek as did four more on the other two Zootopia class Destroyers now falling into a single line of battle as they steamed towards Athahead with the Amphibious ships behind them. Their missiles were timed to arrive just as the Trident's six missiles were hitting Athahead.

The destroyer missiles were "high arc'ing" meaning they would climb in an arc above Athahead and then drop down upon it and at a selected altitude, they would blow away their side panels and send a rain of destruction down from above. These falling "packages" would go after armored vehicles, bunkers, artillery pieces, hard covered defenses, whatever the other missiles failed to take care of.

Moments from now….Athahead was going to look like a volcanic island that had blown its' top, an ample description of what was about to happen.

Athhead Island

0345 hours 19 September 2040

The SLAMS arrived over Athahead from different directions, at different altitudes and blew open panels down the length of their bodies to throw a mix of softball sized charges in lethal falling clouds over the landscape below. Some were hot incendiaries designed to destroy equipment...or flesh. Some were loaded with the same "stunner" drugs used by the ZPD to incapacitate suspects. Some were percussion bombs meant to stun and shock.

Moments later the Multi-hit missiles from the destroyers came screaming in from their overhead arcs, their bodies bursting in half to throw dozens of explosive warheads and steel darts strait down upon the island's already chewed up surface. From the decks of the incoming Sayoni and Tun Taven...the island from tip to tip looked to be on fire and still the fleet wasn't done yet.

the Destroyers Growler, Gnu York and Savanna

15 miles West of Athhead Island

0400 hours 19 September 2040

Three warning bells and the Growler's two 8 inch guns belched a torrent of fire as their projectiles leaped from the barrels as blurs of gray and hot red against the early dawn sky. Soon all three Destroyers were filling the air around them with flames and smoke as twelve rounds a minute flew the space between the ships, over the ships and boats of the amphibious force and down to thundering explosions over the whole of Athahead.

On the Amphibious Command Ship Tun Tavern high on the superstructure from three miles off shore, Bethany and Blaimy watched and felt the concussions raining down on Athahead with amazement and teeth clenching fear as if the island was going to turn upside down and capsize from the pounding it was taking. All the while in the waters below, the fast boats of the Marine Raiders were breaking their formation circles and streaming towards the shore with the main force forming up in their various assault craft from seaborne tanks to personnel carriers as they spilled into the waters from the floating dock at the back end of the Sayoni.

General Bugs pointed out the details to the two Outback representatives as he matched what he had on a personal smart tablet to the what they were witnessing. A minute before the Raiders hit the beach, the last sets of shells from the destroyers raked the island and now the distant staccatos from heavy machine guns filled the air as the fifty caliber guns on the Raiders fast boats began to sweep the beach ahead…

"See….we want the opposition to keep their heads down." Bugs said as he pointed. "Once we start slinging lead, we don't quit. See? The Raiders are hitting the beach and they're off running wide right and wide left."

Blaimy (Tasmanian devil) looked through one of the powerful big binoculars. "The wolves are on all fours? How much equipment do they have?"

"Rifles, grenades, a little ammo and that's it." Bugs replied. "Those wolves need to be light. Speed and aggression are their best advantage. They'll be on top of an adversary before he can get his head up. Those guys take out the heavy defenses, artillery and mortar pits that didn't get hit by the bombardment and they sew confusion so the opposition doesn't see what's going to hit them next."

Main Assault Force

0417 hours 19 September 2040

Chancy's Squad

4th rifle squad, 1st platoon, 2nd Company, 4th Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 1st Fleet Marine Division. Squad Officer: (Wolf) Lieutenant Westerbrook

Embarked aboard an LTV-7B Armored Landing Vehicle with two 20MM guns.

Eight Wolf rifle Squad (M-14's with hand grenades)

Four Grenadier Wolves (M-203 launchers and Law Rockets)

Two heavy machine gunners Tigers with M-60 machine guns

Two light machine gunners Wolves with Browning Automatic Rifles

The heavy bangs reverberating off the hull of the LTV were the signal. The force was a minute from hitting the beach. Chancy turned to look at the Lieutenant who was adjusting his chin strap on his helmet and stomping a foot on the steel deck. Everyone in the cramped compartment was doing something to "Pump their moxy" up. Even though this was an unopposed landing and no one was going to be shooting live amo, everyone was building up a "Teeth in their ass" act of self assurance. Chancy even snotted out his nose in laughter as one of the tigers carrying an M-60 Machine gun popped a baby pacifier in his mouth!

"Lendrey? What gives Kitty?" Chancy asked as he pointed to his snoot.

"It keeps me centered Gunny." The tiger replied. "It's the latest stress reducing trend you know?"

"Please tell your gunny that you are not wearing pampers under your uniform? You're not one of these "Reverto-mammals are you?"

"I sleep with a plushie besides my girlfriend. And no...I am not a reverto-mammal Gunny! This was a suggestion from my mother to keep me from going "Savage". You know us tigers and our pissy attitudes when we're in the "rage cage!"

The Lieutenant took to his feet and raised his arms over his head. "Prepare! Stand up!"

The 4th squad took to their feet, turned to the back of the LTV where the drop door was and crouched themselves into a "bolt" position, ready to spring out and go where the Lieutenant and Gunny would direct them…

"LEFT! LEFT! RIGHT! RIGHT! LEFT!…." The Lieutenant went down the rows slapping shoulders as he passed….which would go with him and which would go with Gunny Chance as all of them felt the LTV lurch up indicating it had "beached" onto the dry sand…

The rear door flopped open onto the sand and the Marines flew out into flat runs in two teams just as they had practiced for months...the Tigers with their M-60 machine guns wasted their belts of ammunition covering the charge by those wolves with M-14 and "BAR" rifles then while the riflemen covered them, the Tigers ran past the line, took prone to the ground and the rolling barrage charge continued forwards with a never ending stream of lead that continued up and down the landing zone.

Main Assault Force

0422 hours 19 September 2040

the "Rock of Aden"

2nd gun group, 3rd Battalion Artillery, 1st Fleet Marine Division

four 105 millimeter howitzers.

Colonel Dennis Lannan (Bunny) commanding

Nipping on the tails of the main ground pounder assault force, four artillery guns of the "Rock of Aden" regiment made their way to the beach in heavy duty classical "Higgins" boats "up-gunned" with small gas turbine engines. Each boat carried one field piece, the crew to man it, the tractor to pull it, another tractor with the ammunition and two squads of armed bunnies to cover it.

The moment the front ramp dropped...Sandy Fannon, a grey coated bunny sergeant, Jumped from the boat extolling his crew forwards as the tow tractor raced by him with the 105 millimeter howitzer hooked to the back! It plowed up the sandy beach, turned around to point the gun tube inland and was "Hutch jumped" by the swarm of bunnies that chased after it!

"GET THE LEGS SPREAD OUT!" Fannon shouted as he clapped and screamed himself near horse! SPEED! SPEED! SPEED DAMN IT! MOVE YER TAILS!"

Gangs of bunnies pushed the towing bar legs of the field piece wide apart and dropped them hard into the sand so the spikes on the bottoms of the towing eyes would sink into the beach and hold the piece fast as it started to open fire. Four groups of bunnies were working at a blistering pace on the four guns now unlimbered along the invasion beach to see who would bang out the first shell…

Fannon heard his radio bunny screaming shooting co-ordinates to the gun captain who screamed them out to the two bunnies manning the elevation and side train wheels on the gun, which they turned with furious speed to bring the gun to bear as the loader popped the breach block open and gestured madly for the first artillery shell….

"COME ON YOU FRICKEN SLACKERS! HIGH EXPLOSIVE UP!" The gun captain screamed as two bunnies set the fuse on the first round and dropped it into the load tray behind the breach….

"DROP!" Screamed a large and burly who held a ramming rod in his paws. The gun captain threw the load handle on the gun and the shell dropped into a cradle where that big bunny with a good running start rammed the artillery shell up into the gun tube…

"CHARGE UP!" Another bunny screamed as he came up with a powder bag and passed it to the handler bunny who shoved it into the tube….

"CHARGE HOME!" The loader screamed as he threw his paws skyward to show he was clear of the gun.

"SET!" The gun captain screamed as he threw a leaver and brought the gun breach into lock and battery.

"FIRE!" The gun captain screamed!

"ON THE WAY!" Another bunny snarled as he pulled the firing rope.

"KABOOM!"

The field piece boomed out with a belch of fire and smoke and soon all four of the 105 guns were in action. Their crews, machines of endless drill and practice, were working their separate specialties to be a single focused engine of slinging destruction. A well drilled crew of artillery bunnies could send as many as five rounds a minute down range, 20 rounds a minute were flying from the gun tubes and slamming into the beach at the far end of the island as the grunts continued to advance until they ran into the Raiders watching up close the "fireworks of Aden" not seventy yards away from the trenches they'd dominated.

"CHARGE UP!" "CHARGE HOME!" "SET!" "FIRE!" "ON THE WAY!"

"KABOOM!"

"KABOOM!"

"KABOOM!" "KABOOM!"

Dennis Lannan walked the line of banging guns, shaking shoulders, slapping helmets, extolling his crews as they toiled away. He stopped to shake one of the rammers by his flack jacket…."Aye….yer a fricken beast lad!" He snarled through his teeth. "That's the style lad, keep it up!" Lannan yelled as the big bunny ran up, slammed home another round and hopped back to howl like a wolf and thump his foot on the sand.

Suddenly a call came in on Lannan's radio….."CEASE FIRE! CEASE FIRE! CEASE FIRE!" and he threw up a small red flag to bring the guns to rest and with that their tired crews as the bunnies flopped onto the sand around their pieces.

"Ugh! Fritz in heaven….my arms…." Young Corporal Sendry gasped as he flopped onto his back and tossed his ram rod aside. One of his crew mates sat over his head and dangled a "nip" of carrot liquor over Sendry's nose….

"Want a sip?" Corporal Dandy, a two tone brown bunny asked with a bright smile.

"No! You want to get us flippen pinched?" Sendry huffed.

"Oh bite it Sendry?" Dandy said as he twisted the cap and took a little sip. "We're done for the day...relax?"

Sure enough...wolves and tigers were flocking back from running the distance of the island and crashing out over the beach as the sunrise started to pop up over the horizon. Sendry took the small bottle and had himself a sip…."Mmmm...that's nice. A little caramel taste." Sendry said as he took a moment to savor the sweet flavor. "We were great!" Sendry said to Dandy with a smile as he felt the morning sun tickle his face. "It's so good to work yourself silly to exhaustion isn't it Dandy?"

"You're the sicko for punishment you over sized beast." Dandy said as he looked around at his fellows. One even brought a battery powered coffee maker in his combat pack…..with cups!"

"YO ANDREW!" Dandy yelped. "HOPE YOU GOT ENOUGH CUPS AND COFFEE FOR EVERYONE?!"

As if the brownish red furred bunny didn't? He pulled two long tubes of coffee cups from his combat pack and smiled. "Get over here and get a cup! Got sugar and crème too!"

Colonel Lannan walked up with his own coffee cup. "Hit me there Corporal?"

"Spot sure Sir." Andrew replied. "Were you pleased Sir?"

"You all weren't fast enough." Lannan replied. "You will all please me by running the width and breath of the island till you puke. Of course I was very pleased. You all performed perfectly."

One bunny raised his hand to Lannan as he rummaged through a breakfast Ready to Eat Meal (MRE)…."Sir? Will we be getting full liberty in port?"

"Once the "Showing of the flag" is done." Lannan replied. "We're going to march and perform for the natives and the Governor General on our first day in."

Kendry...a gray bunny with a blonde head tuft, sat against his field piece and smiling warmly..."I got it set in my mind to take a wallaby as my wife."

"You're daffy." One of his old classmates from elementary school snorted. "Kendry's had wallaby on the brain since he was a kitten. Why are you so fixed on a wallaby?"

"You'll never understand Marley." Kendry snorted back. "They have eyes like angels and their so warm looking, specially those little mouths of there's? I bet a snuggle kiss from one of em could turn my heart to liquid wax..."

Kinny, a stain red bunny who sat on one of the gun's towing legs, threw a paw out. "Sheesh….he's blinded. He's gonna marry a whore who'll cheat on him with some Kangy the moment we get back home."

Kendry jumped to his feet and got in Kinny's face. "You want to repeat that?"

"I said….you'll marry a Wallaby bar whore who'll cheat on you with a kangy…."

And the fight was on! Colonel Lannan was content to let it go as he raised his coffee cup to keep the combatants from spilling his precious morning brew as they threw fists and tackled each other over the beach...

0600 hours 19 September 2040

Chancy's Squad

4th rifle squad, 1st platoon, 2nd Company, 4th Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 1st Fleet Marine Division. Squad Officer: (Wolf) Lieutenant Westerbrook

Chancy had the squad spread out over the sand with blankets field stripping and cleaning their weapons as he and Lieutenant Westerbrook sat looking over MP4 movies the "EL T" took with his smart tablet as the squad made its' running assault advance across the island…

"They kept it pretty tight Sir." Chancy said as he pointed out the timing between the tigers laying down their suppressive fire, the wolves moving forwards to take and hold ground and the tigers flying past them to repeat the rolling assaults between the left and right wings of the squad while the center group of two BAR and two M-14 carrying wolves were sweeping trench lines as the squad came upon them.

"Pretty tight yet a little too fast." Westerbrook replied as he swiped his paw finger over the tablet. "Then again...this was an unopposed landing. We're not going to enjoy neat and clean advantages like this if the real snit happens."

Chancy snickered. "EL...T"…."How can you disparage our Navy like that?"

"Hmph!" Westerbrook snorted. "Who's enjoying air conditioning and tea service while we're eating the dirt again? Do we really think the Navy's bombardments are going to sweep everyone clean? Look at this place Gunny? It's more sand than rock. Bet you the explosive removal mammals are going to have a chore making sure all the ordinance detonated. Which reminds me?"

The Lieutenant stood up pouting…."PFC Eckolts? Come here please? And bring your Corporal with you?"

The young wolf dragged his Corporal, a three tone gray wolf named Braws up to the Lieutenant and saluted..."Yes Sir!"

"Would the PFC please tell me what was said expressly to everyone prior to leaving the ship?" Westerbrook asked.

"Sir?" Eckolts replied with a questioning look. "You ordered us to have our canteens for water, cleaning kits for weapons and food for breakfast."

Westerbrook waited then motioned his paw…."What else PFC? One more thing? Please?"

"Our cock socks Sir.(Condoms) to cover the rifle barrel ends so they wouldn't get salt water in them Sir." Eckolts replied.

"The 54 thousand dollar question PFC...come on? One more?" The Lieutenant beckoned. "And what else? What else were you told to have clipped to your weapon?"

Eckolts thought…."Oh yeah! The catch bags for our spent brass Sir!"

Chancy was almost laughing till the Lieutenant gave him a mean look. "Enough out of you Gunny. This pup is your responsibility too you know?"

"He's yours' too Sir." Chancy replied.

"I am immune to corrective torture." Westerbrook replied as he pointed to the young wolf's uniform pants..."What's on the other end of that blue string in your pants PFC?"

Eckolts winced and slowly pulled out his receiver catch bag..."My….catch bag…..Sir….." He said sadly.

"PFC? We made a sollum promise to the citizens of the Outback Islands that we would return this island...though somewhat chewed up...at least free of our debris and trash which is why what?" Westerbrook snorted…."PFC? Why?"

"Sir….we…..we were to have these bags over our receivers to catch….our spent brass."

Westerbrook smiled..."You have gained wisdom child. Now….you, Your leading Corporal and the good Gunny will walk to the other end of the island and police all your spent brass….get going PFC Eckolts." Westerbrook said with a pointing paw finger.

Braws snorted..."Thanks a lot Eckolts."

"That's enough out of you." Chancy replied with a warning. "Instruct him, don't berate him."

The three wolves walked along picking up brass shell casings as they went…

"Gunny, I'm sorry." Eckolts said mournfully.

"Hey." Chancy replied. "There's nothing saying you can't take notes to remember things ok? That's what you have that little green note book in your pocket right? You do have one in your pocket?"

Eckolts showed his note book. "Yes Gunny. At least I'm not too stupid to remember that."

"I ever hear you call yourself stupid again PFC and we're going to have a long discussion about attitude." Chancy said. "And trust me…I am very boring."

"But Gunny? I always seem to do something wrong and I don't mean to do it, honest!" Eckolts moaned.

"And that is why you have a senior Corporal who "should" be educating you instead of playing on his smart phone?" Chancy gave Braws a sneer. "You got these two stripes of a reason Braws….not for play and show. Taking care of the lower ranks is essential if you want to be a sergeant. Remember that."

The three wolves walked along carefully...who knew if all the ordinance dropped on the island was dead or blown up…

0700 hours 19 September 2040

Breakfast in the Officer's mess hall aboard the Tun Taven

A wonderful spread was laid out for Bethany and Blaimy by the crew of the officer's mess on a white linen covered table and General Bugs, gracious though as always informal and rough looking, gestured the wallaby and the Tasmanian Devil to pick their hearts content of fruits, breads and other foods to their like before sitting at their table among the officers and Senior NCO's (Non-Commissioned Officers) who represented the ships of the Task Force.

Bugs clinked a spoon against a glass to get the attention of everyone present when all were seated at their tables…

"Good morning." Bugs said as he did what he was best known for...putting his paws behind his back and holding them at the wrist to keep from getting overly animated. "We are very happy to have our guests from the host county on board today….Counsel members Bethany and Blaimy, you are very welcome our friends."

All in the room rose up to clap, then sat back down….

"I promise I will not be a wind bag and let the food get cold." Bugs said with a smile. "We earnestly hope that the demonstration we put on for you is the measure of our commitment to our friends and a moment of pause for potential adversaries. That is what we most earnestly want….a pause. We are not here for war. We are hear because our friends have asked us to come, both as allies and friends and to enjoy the hospitality of beautiful mammals and a beautiful country. May the Outbacks always remain both beautiful and bountiful for her mammals and for her friends to enjoy in peace."

All in the room rose up to clap, then sat back down….

Bethany the Wallaby stood up in her chair. "On behalf of our citizens, we extend to all of you from Zootopia our gratitude and affections. I must admit that the display was frightening as to the power Zootopia can wield and yet...you show that with such great power comes great responsibility and indeed...we know that Zootopia is a responsible steward with her power. We are in your debt for your offer to help us protect what we hold dear. Our islands are open for your enjoyment over the coming days and we hope you will be happy with the rest we will provide all of you as our eternal friends. Once again….we of the Outback Islands thank and appreciate all of you."

All in the room rose up to clap, then sat back down….

"Now?" General Bugs said. "Shall we eat before ice forms on the strawberries? And if everyone ate the strawberries before I got any….you will all see my frowny face go to extreme frowny face and then you really will not like my big buck teeth."

8am19 September 2040

Carbobridge Island

The "Rats" (Kangaroo soldiers like the old "Rat Patrol" television show) wasted no time in putting together a morning feast of veggies, fruits and pastries for their guests. Teams Seven and Nine flocked to the open field near the railway yard to enjoy the breakfast fair of their patrons who were unashamed to pull out cold beers and enjoy a morning glass of brew with their brewed coffee and banana scones…

Hashino and Kapes sat with the two Koala they surprised at the tower and some of the Kangaroos they sniped exchanging ideas and tricks of their trade…

"How did you all know we would hit the rail yard? You weren't given the targets in advance were you?" Hashino asked as he nibbled on a nut cake slice.

"No...we just thought of it as the best target." Said "Harper Jax" who led the RAT patrol. "See we "rats" are free roamers, we don't report to the Governor and we don't make it a habit of wearin our uniforms and advertising ourselves unless we need too, which is why we were able to take some of you blokes so easily. In fact? Most of our important buildings have those shutter traps. You check in and you don't get to check out. We kinda figure that any war around here is going to be a gorilla affair. You've only seen a little of what we offer but any tips you can give us would be a big help. As you can see? We Kangy have advantages and serious disadvantages...like these less than ideal arms. We modified the machine guns on our buggies to suit us but as for small arms, we're limited to pistols."

"That's all why we're here." Kapes said as he changed to his feral four legged form and hopped around "Au Natural" out of his uniform. "Sometimes being a good actor is just as important as being a good soldier. If your enemy falls for the old "Dumb Age" charade? Well doom and dumb upon him huh? I shucked you all pretty good….till I got stupid and forgot there's always a counter-sniper lying around."

"Harper Jax" cocked his head. "Hey bloke? Put yer clothes back on?"

"Hmph!" Kapes snorted. "You Kangaroos are only wearing tops!"

"Sure….but our "knittens" don't hang out with big flags on em mate." "Harper Jax" said as he gestured to his big legs. "How can we possibly over come our weakness on the waters is a big question I have." Jax said. "We don't have indiginous water mammals like otters, at least not in the sufficient and trained numbers we'd need."

Hashino replied. "Perhaps that's a question for our governments to resolve? I wouldn't mind being posted to the Outbacks but our government and laws are against us having forward deployed forces. We are very much restricted and I like that as do most Zootopians."

Jax nodded as he took a coffee from a fellow "rat". "Perhaps our situation will influence your Mayor to at least consider stationing as a benefit? We are more than willing to accommodate at least half a battalion of otters and Tanuki. I'd enjoy having some of you blokes over at my home."

Kapes tapped Hashino..."Why don't we try an apply? At least maybe write a request chit up the chain to propose the idea?"

"It will get shot down." Hashino replied.

"Oh come on Hashy? Let's at least try it?" Kapes questioned. "Come on? We won't get in any trouble for just bringing it up?"

9am19 September 2040

Fleet Marine Vehicle Maintenance Facility

Big Dunes, Sahara Square

The polar bear in casual clothing flashed his identity credentials to the Marine on watch at the main reception desk of the facility warehouse…

"Good morning. My name is Phinious and I work for the Tundra Town Sentinel. I'm looking to do an interview with a Mister William Gray. If he's here? I promise it won't take long."

The guard called for a Corporal to escort the bear into the main repair bay and up to an engine stand where Will was working to strip the transmission block down for an LTV (Transport Vehicle Landing)

"Mister Gray? I am Phinious from the Tundra Town Sentinal, I called you yesterday?" The Polar Bear said as he gave Will a business card.

"Oh yes...yeah….um….let me get you a chair." Will walked a few feet and brought a chair for Phinious to sit. "I'm very happy to meet you." Will said cheerfully as he extended his paw.

"Like wise to meet such an articulate, intelligent and concerned mammal as yourself." Phinious said as he pulled out a note book and a pen..."It would seem your efforts have bore some very good fruit. How do your co-workers feel today about your movement?"

"It's not "my" movement." Will replied. "There's so many more mammals involved than just me and I want to make sure I don't have all the credit for it."

"We can speak about them as well Will...may I call you will or William?" The Polar Bear asked.

"Will's ok." Will replied smiling.

"So what about the basics? Where are you from? How does your family feel about your efforts? I would believe you have or had someone in your family that served in the military, wolves usually do."

"My father served in the Navy. My little brother Alex is planning to join the Fleet Marines when he reaches 18. They're very supportive. My father raised Alex and myself to always stand on our principles. They were all there at the protest."

The Polar Bear took notes. "Anyone special in your life? They must think highly of you?"

Will nodded back. "He does. My boyfriend serves on the Destroyer Growler."

"So you're a homosexual?" The Polar Bear asked.

"Please keep that part out?" Will asked. "It's kind of a sensitive thing."

"Of course." The Polar Bear said nodding. "What exactly is your goal? You know there are of course detractors who may have the wrong ideas about your campaign?"

Will thought for a moment…"Does anyone in Zootopia desire war? No...no I think the reaction for our protest was pretty clear that no one wants a war with anyone, especially if we stumbled around and caused one by accident or misfortune or a single mammal's act of stupidity like what former Commander Callie did. I don't want Zootopia to be defenseless and I don't hate the military, I just want us to do everything possible to prevent a war. That's as basic as I can be."

The Polar Bear took his notes and stood up. "I feel I have enough to write an opinion article that will be interesting and get your word out to a wider and older readership. Thank you for your time Will."

"It's worth it Sir." Will replied.

"Sir? Your upbringing shines through. No wonder your parents must be proud of you." The polar Bear said as he gave a slight bow and excused himself.

Once in his car...the Polar Bear pulled out his smart phone and dialed a number….

"Pauley? It's Menzy." The mafia bear said. "I got some info on this wolf punk William Gray. He's got a little brother named Alex. He's a flucken dick sucking faggot with a boyfriend on the Growler. But he doesn't sound like a big deal, I mean...to be honest? Who wants a damn war? I don't want a war but the Don sees something wrong with him."

Tall Pauley replied. "Good...I'll talk to the Don but I want nothing done unless "I" give the order you understand? Light harassment's all right but no one is to rough this guy up or beat the snot out of him unless "I" fricken order it! Clear?"

Menzy nodded. "Yes Tall Pauley. Absolutely. Your word only."

10am19 September 2040

The Destroyer Growler

Enlisted Galley

As promised…..Commander Winsor broad-casted the morning's assault on Athahead Island on the ship's television circuit for the crew, most of them gathering in the enlisted mess to watch the bombardment portion of the operation.

Some mammals stood in silence, their faces going from timid fascination to gasping awe.

Some pointed to the television and talked between each other on the particulars like the mechanics of the weapons systems or the precision selectivity as the explosives struck home.

Then the space erupted with cheers and whoops as it was obvious that the destroyer shells were raining down with huge concussions and great heaps of dirt being thrown skyward like opening flower blossoms.

It was after that, that the Captain and the Master Chief appeared on the screen together…

The old ram smiled slightly..."I'm sure you liked the end of the show."

The crew in the mess responded with clapping, cheering and whooping! For his part...Jackson sat next to Darla just rubbing his paw over her thigh. To be honest, the display of fire power had him scared snitless. She grabbed his paw in reply. Anyone who wasn't thinking a little bit about the result such brutal ferocity could do to anyone caught in it….could never call themselves a mammal. Darla found the celebratory mood a little offensive. It seemed the old Master Chief echoed her feelings…

"I wish to impart on anyone considering what we did this morning to be "cool" to think deeply about their possible giddiness over our "urban make over" of the Athahead landscape. Had the Island been "populated" this morning? Most if not all the inhabitants would be dead. There is no joy in this. This my shipmates is what we earnestly don't want to do." The old Master Chief turned to the Captain. "Sir? Your thoughts?"

"The Master Chief makes the point pretty clear." Commander Winsor said. "Shipmates….it's not a light thing to possess the sort of power that we have. The folks back home don't scrimp when it comes to protecting what we have nor in providing us with the tools to do it. You only got a small sample of what the Navy and the Fleet Marine can throw. If there had been living mammals under all that firepower...they would not be having a good day and that's not something to chuckle or cheer about. To take the life of even a single mammal, is one life too many destroyed. To be the stewards of this power requires us to be both professional and compassionate, Sober yet thankful that our citizens care so much about "our" lives...they make it absolutely certain that if things go South for us, if we are faced with war? We WILL dominate the battle space, we will end any conflict swiftly with maximum violence. Only by that policy will we hope to deter our adversary from event the thought of war."

"That being said shipmates? We will hit the ports after two more days of tandum operations with our host nation. Myself and the Master Chief will of course give an extensive briefing prior to calling away liberty. Let's get back to work, finish our tasking, get the ship clean and neat and prepare for the welcome hospitality to be offered by our Outback friends. That is all."

Darla gave Jackson a quick cheek kiss and rubbed his head tuft. "Don't bum out today ok?" She said as he rubbed his chin. "After work? Let's get with Ayden and Gilly and play spades?"

Jackson stood up and checked to make sure he had Albert and Myler secure in his uniform pockets. "Ok...We'll play in the enlisted mess after evening chow." Jackson said as he smiled and walked back towards the ICERM shop…

"Petty Officer Wilde!" A voice called from behind. Jackson turned to see Rudy Dolf coming up..."Good morning Sir." Jackson said.

"I didn't give you proper appreciation for what you did for me Mister Wilde." Rudy said with a smile. "Thank you so much again."

"Sir...it's what shipmates should do." Jackson said as he pointed to the mascot. "bet you never lose that again."

Rudy looked around..."If you go out on the town during our first day of liberty? Would it be too much trouble if I tagged along with you?"

Jackson smirked back. "But Sir! That's inappropriate behavior becoming an officer of the line. You should not soil your immaculate mammalage with the likes of us slimy enlisted types?"

Rudy snickered back…."For once?…..Fluck…...that. Will you have me?"

Jackson looked around and gave Rudy's arm a quick punch tap. "Yes Sir. Of course you may. Myself, my girlfriend, two of my rodent friends are all going with Petty Officer Gull. You are very welcome."

As Jackson walked away...Myler seemed unhappy at the thought. "Sheesh….you invited a "silver spoon flyer" to be with us? I was hoping to let myself go on liberty."

"Being too generalizing there." Albert replied. "I bet Mister Dolf is real lonely among the reindeer and other equines because of his nose. Of course he can hang with us. Glad to have him with our band." Albert said smiling. "Having an officer with us could be an advantage?"

Myler snickered. "Bet he's a virgin?"

"You're a virgin so shut up." Jackson snorted. "In fact? I'm going to start a pool just to say that Myler doesn't get laid a single day in port."

"Bah." Myler joshed. "Make it on Albert. He'll spend all the time up in the hills of Tametoka Island studying something like plants."

Albert snorted. "There is nothing wrong with being absent from drunken debauchery. The Captain says we should be on our best behavior."

Myler looked up at Jackson. "I know what you'll be doing."

"Open your snoot and I'll make sure you get electrocuted." Jackson replied smirking. "And yes….I saved up a lot of pay for it too."

"What? To get married?" Albert asked.

"Huh?" Jackson replied. "No….we are not getting married! I'm….going to pamper her like she should be."

"Yup…He's going to be broke in six hours." Myler. "She has him pussy whipped. Wanna make a bet Albert? They'll be married in six hours from liberty call, you watch."

"Nope." Albert replied. "I know they won't. But we are going to spend the first night in Paddy Beach. I will at least allow myself that little bit of "clubbing" around. I hear the establishment called "The Little Acacia Tree" serves the best cheese and wine in the tropics."

"You are not going there for "cheese and wine"." Myler said as he tweaked Albert's ear.

"That's for me to know and you'll never find out." Albert said smirking. "It will give me a chance to study the social activities of the local inhabitants for my college thesis."

Jackson hopped on a nearby escape ladder. "Cheese n Ritz" It is getting super deep in here now." He said with a snicker.

11 am19 September 2040

Bunny Borough

Nick followed Judy from the car and into the small pastry store owned by Gideon Gray. Actually it was his original store when he opened it after coming home from culinary college…

"Well look who's here." Travis Halfgate, Gideon's long time weasel friend since childhood said as he walked from behind the counter. Get over here you?"

"Morning Travis." Judy said as she walked up and hugged Travis. "How are you? Is Gideon around?"

"Right now Gid's up in Deerbrook county working the fall fair there. You want something?" Travis asked. "Oh shoot, where are my dang manors at this morning? How are you Nick? Uh….can I offer you a chair to sit in?" Travis asked as he noted the walking cane.

"Oh no…." Nick replied chuckling. "This here? This here is my latest scam, you know? The old fashioned "pitty play prop" to sucker un-suspecting widows."

Travis snatched a chair from one of the in eating tables. "For you if you need it Sir."

"Now you're really insulting my age Trav." Nick sighed then chuckled.

"Now? Can I get you both some coffee?" Travis asked.

"Actually? I'm here to order some pies….for my retirement." Judy said sounding somewhat down.

Travis poked her with a paw finger..."Never thought that would come so soon. Where did the time fly?" He then offered Judy an order menu. "I'm sure Gid's going to say..."She gets it all free, sky's not the limit, hut two three four!"

"I'm not going to let Gid do this all for free." Judy replied.

"I'll tell him that but since when does he listen to me?" Travis said waving a paw. "So? You going to see your folks while you're here? I was shocked when I heard they sold the farm and moved to a smaller house."

Judy showed Nick the menu and allowed him to pick a selection of pies. "Well they sold it to one of my cousins so it stays in the Hopps family. But it was time they retired from working."

"Your paw was never one to like sitting around as I remember." Travis said as he gave Judy a pie. "That's for your parents. I'll pay for it."

Judy placed the pie on a table and gave Travis a hug..."You know? I never realized how soft a weasel could feel?"

"Don't make me cry you stupid bunny?" Travis snickered back. "I see you still have ridiculously huge feet."

"Hey?" Nick snorted. "Don't insult my wife...sex is not complete without huge feet."

"You two are just complete pigs." Judy snorted.

"And who spent more time playing in mud?" Travis snickered. "Should tell your husband about the naked mud wresting you got into with Gid."

Nick gasped…."Honey! How could you cheat on me!"

"Living proof that foxes suck at wrestling in mud….especially big fat fluffy foxes. We were in Junior High School and I had been reading a book on police take down tactics. So? I decided to grow a pair and took Gideon on at his favorite swimming site."

Travis laughed…."She got a face full of fox balls!"

Nick laughed…."Oh my gawd!"

"Well? I wasn't exactly a smart bunny in school ok? My daring ran faster than my head sometimes." Judy snickered. "Now shut it Travis."

"Ok, ok…..I'll save the details for your retirement party." Travis said giggling as he took the menu. "I'll call Gid and we'll plan this out right away. It's good to see you Judy. You too Nick."

Nick and Judy finished their business and got back into their car to drive to Stewart and Bonnie's new house…

"An up close and personal view of big fat fox nuts? How interesting?" Nick snickered.

"Don't make me kill you?" Judy yelped back.

"So?…..Just how big are Gideon's nuts?" Nick chuckled! Judy just about drove their car off the road as she busted her gut laughing her head off!

(Laughter) Nick! (Laughter) I'm going to piss myself!

"Did you? Did you kiss those nuts?" Nick asked as he laughed..."Oh my gawd! The visual is turning me into stone! I thought Medusa was a myth!"

"It was nothing Nick! Nothing! I was getting in touch with my wild side, I saw Gideon and Travis skinny dipping and I thought I could take him down. Big mistake ok?" Judy gasped out. Then she said quietly..."Yes...his nuts put you to shame ok? Now please…..please don't say anything in front of my parents?!"

Nick snickered..."Bonnie? Stewart? Your daughter kissed some huge fox nuts and nooooooo...they were not mine."

"NICHOLAS WILDE!" Judy warned. "Grrrrrrrr….."

Nick pointed out the window. "You missed the house?"

"Oh for Fritz sake!" Judy yelped as she stopped.

"Hmmm...fox nuts on the brain?" Nick jested.

Judy punched him hard on his shoulder…."You so much as squeak and I'll sock you in the eye Nick Wilde!"

Nick waved his paws…."Ok….ok…..sigh…..absolutely….calm and collected….."

Then he sang…."Glory...glory big old fox nuts…..Glory, glory big old fox nuts…."

And Judy socked him in the eye!

"OUCH!" Nick yelped….Ow….help...domestic violence division? My wife hit me?"

"If you don't quit it? I will de-ball you." Judy snorted back as she stopped the car. "It's a nice little house." She said as she looked at the small white and blue two story house.

Nick slipped out of the car and smiled. "They went for the "Leave it to Beaver" look. Very home-eee sub-modern and calming."

As Nick and Judy came through the picket fencing, Bonnie and Stewart came out of the house…

"Hey you….how's my soon to be retired cop?" Bonnie asked joyfully as she took her daughter in a hug…

"Great Mom." Judy replied. She was about to hug her father when she noticed he'd stepped back a little. Was he backing away from Nick?

"Oh Stu...stop fooling around?" Bonnie asked. "It's Nick you clown."

"Nick?" Stu asked. "Oh! Oh yeah….Nick! Sheesh….I uh…..I kinda zoned out there a little bit, you know me...mile a minute Stu?" The old male bunny hugged Judy tight…."Hey my Jude the dude…How are you honey?"

"Great Dad." Judy replied a little taken back by her father's behavior.

"Stewart?" Nick said as he offered a hug, which Stu took…."Hey!" Nick said as he wrapped an arm around Stu's shoulders. "Look...I know you want to show off the house but Stewart and I? We have enough time for that later? I want to take my Father in Law out to lunch….if you two don't mind?"

Stu gave Nick a questionable look..."Is that? "Me lunch" or "Us lunch"?" He said shrugging.

"Do you believe this big bunny?" Nick replied. "I mean seriously...grade A comedy act here! We should do improv…...Stew Stu?"

Judy looked at Nick. "Are you sure you can drive our car Nick?"

"I still have the good use of my arms and legs. I'm just going to the Roxy Foxy field kitchen down the road soooooo….we'll be on our way ok? Come on Stu." Nick took Stewart by a paw and walked him to the car while Judy followed Bonnie into the house…

"Mom?" Judy asked concerned. "Mom? What is wrong with Daddy? It's like he didn't know who Nick is?"

"Well….you know your father Judy? He's always got his head moving in three different directions..." Bonnie tried to explain.

"Mom?" Judy pressed. "I can tell you're trying to lie a mile away? Please?"

Bonnie sighed and leaned against the door jam leading into the kitchen. "Honey? We're both old….your father's….your father's….loosing his mind. I didn't want to worry you..."

Judy turned her head to the side..."How long has this been going on?"

"It's gotten worse over the last month." Bonnie said as she fought to hold back tears..."Our delivery boy is a fox Judy...your father went for our gun. I had to have your brother Dennis come in and take it and all the sharp knives out of the house. Sometimes your father is doing well and other times he's just a blank statue ….I didn't want you to be upset..."

Judy walked up to Bonnie and snuggled her tightly..."You should have called me when it started getting bad mom? At least call Sandy? She'd be here in a heartbeat!"

"You kids have your own lives." Bonnie replied.

"You're our parents! As if I tell Jackson the same thing and he ever listens?" Judy said as she kissed her mother on the nose. "We love you...Mom?"

Bonnie walked into the kitchen and sat at the table..."I just don't know how bad it will get...we might miss your retirement honey...worse? You might not be able to bring Nick around here any more. He even snapped at Gideon last week."

Bonnie started to panic but Judy took hold of her paw..."Mom? I'm sure Nick can take care of Dad just fine. Why don't you show me this cute little house? It's so funny? I'm feeling claustrophobic right now."

the Roxy Foxy field kitchen

Nick led Stu to a table after they went through the buffet stands and filled their plates…

"I tell you Stewart, I love this place every time we come here." Nick said as he sat down. "Specially the sea food salad spread? Top notch."

"Nick?" Stu said as he played with his salad..."I'm sorry...for that thing at the house..."

Nick petted Stu's paw…"It's not a problem...I feel worse than you do. I should have told Judy a while ago but...I felt you deserved your privacy."

"It's getting worse." Stu replied. "I mean….these black outs? Not knowing faces? Looking at our photo albums and you can't place a name with a face?"

Nick rubbed Stu's cheek gently..."It's alright Stu...Doesn't change how I think of you. Certainly won't change how Judy sees you or any of the kids."

"Have you told Jackson?" Stu asked.

"No….and I don't plan to tell him. I don't tell him a lot of things, I don't tell Judy everything. It's best I don't upturn the apple cart. I tell Jackson and he'll dump everything to run home." Nick replied as he ate.

"How? Is your back?" Stu asked.

"Oh….it hurts. Hurts about everywhere with everything. Every step is a potential nightmare. I'm so used to the pain that I can act like I'm normal but trust me...I'm screaming." Nick replied.

Stu sighed…."We're both busted old toys aren't we?"

"Hmph….how about for old times sake you and I get one of those bottles of yours and get totally flucked up? Then at least we'll forget snit together?" Nick chuckled.

"Nick?" Stu asked. "If the worst should happen? Would you and Judy look after Bonnie?"

"Well….." Nick replied. "Nothing bad is going to happen. You're going to stay in that house even if I have to use my retirement money to pay for a care giver for you. You belong with Bonnie and that's that."

"It'll be too much for her to bear…." Stu replied.

"If I know Bonnie? She'll burn the house up with you and her in it before anyone comes to take you to a nursing home or a hospice. Hell no...you are staying in that house. And if the worst does happen? You don't have to ask us twice and you know that well." Nick leaned forwards and gave Stu a loving lick kiss…

"Now?….can we finish our lunch without any water works? I think we have a bottle of sweet lightening bliss to guzzle don't we?" Nick asked.

Stu smiled back..."Bonnie and Judy will absolutely kill us if we get stone drunk."

"Good….then all our problems will be solved after all!" Nick yelped. "I'll even put the shovels beside us so our wives can bury the evidence. What do you think Stu? Would I look sweet on a cooking skewer with those cute white paper cooking booties on my severed legs? I hope I have a granny smith apple stuck in my mouth? Boy?…..I am one sicko mother flucker fox."

Stu chuckled…."I have some really old Blue eyed Bourbon stashed away." The old bunny snickered. "And trust me? You won't have to worry about lost virility with this stuff….you filthy Hombrah bastard."

Nick snarled wickedly back..."You make my mouth water you big fat juicy bunny."

end of Chapter 25