First Salvo Chapter 26, 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

(Artist Ownership) Jag Damien Tiger from PuffyFluffy of Inkbunny

Chapter 26

Liberty Time part 1

21 August 2040

MCRD Savanna

Camp Quanaco Marine Base

7am

Rifle range

The whole Company was turned out after morning chow for this event. A confident and smirking Nori Hopps placed a rifle case on a long table, flipped open the cover and pulled out the Browning Auto Rifle he had spent the previous day working on at a machine shop on base. He stopped before the wolf Sargent who had told him there was no way in hell he could modify the heavy rifle for a bunny to be able to shoot it.

"Took me? Nine hours to modify this BAR. Do you want to get those skimpy underclothes now or later Sarge?" Nori said with a snicker as he turned his service cap around…

"GET EM BROTHER!" Dori yelped out!

I Warned you not to get him hard up there Sargent!" Owen said as he sat crossing his arms and smirking. "You're about to get eaten for dinner by a bunny there mister Canine."

Nori looked back at Pow Pow and smiled. "Give me some gangster music Ka Pow Pow?" He asked.

Powen hit "play" on a boom box which caused Nori to sway and bob with the rifle resting against his shoulder as he wiggled a "thirty ot" magazine in his paw…

This is how we do it
It's Friday night, and I feel alright
The party is here on the West side
So I reach for my 40 and I turn it up
Designated driver take the keys to my truck
Hit the shore 'cause I'm faded
Honeys in the street say, "Monty, yo we made it!"

Nori sauntered up to the firing line, slapped the magazine into the magazine lock and racked the charge handle to put a round into the chamber…

"Mam? Gunny Rakshah Mam? I am ready on the line!" Nori yelped as he brought the big BAR down and held it at his hip…

"READY ON THE LEFT…..READY ON THE RIGHT…..READY ON THE FIRING LINE?! RANGE IS HOT! FIRE WHEN READY!" The Gunny yelled.

Nori jerked the "BAR" up tight against his shoulder and pulled the trigger!

"KAK, KAK, KAK, KAK, KAK, KAK, KABLAW!"

He wasted the whole magazine and stood amidst the dust kicked up by the barking machine gun with a toothy snicker on his face….

"How's that? Big mouth?" Nori said to the Sargent. "Need more convincing?"

Dori stood thumping a foot on the bleachers….."AAAAROOOOOOO! EAT HIM UP BROTHER! EAT EM UP!"

Nori slapped another magazine into the BAR, shouldered it tight and walked forwards as the rifle barked again!

"KAK, KAK, KAK, KAK, KAK, KAK, KABLAW!"

Nori stopped, turned around and draped the rifle over his shoulders…"I prefer my bitches wear pink panties with white laces by the way?" He said confidently as he un-shouldered the rifle, slapped in another magazine and one paw pointed the weapon down range….

"KAK, KAK, KAK, KAK, KAK, KAK, KABLAW!"

Re-shouldering the rifle...Nori walked passed the shocked wolf and sneered at him. "Uh…...Mic drop…...bitch!"

The Company went nuts with the brothers high five-ing and hugging their burly crib mate….

"YEOW! YOU SHOWED HIM HIS ASS BROTHER!" Dori yelped gleefully.

"Calm down before you piss yourself Dor?" Nori said as he rubbed Dori's head tuft.

Owen pointed to the still smoking rifle with a smile. "Works great! What are you using in the recoil shock-absorbers?"

Nori patted the rifle. "Grade six viscosity oil. It's like two shades near gelatinous but that works well to dampen the kick a little. Along with the riding assembly of the free floating barrel."

The wolf Sargent who made the bet with Nori sagged…"You won Private… damn….I never thought anyone could modify a BAR like that. What the hell did you do to that weapon?"

"I told you I like to tinker with mechanical stuff?" Nori replied. "I just modified the receiver and the barrel with a shock and piston float system so everything moves with the recoil. Had to carve out a little of the wooden stock to make it all fit but it worked. The rifle doesn't kick like an angry mule any more and…."

Nori threw the BAR into Dori's paws.

it's light enough for some bunnies to carry it. You'll also notice that I shorted the barrel? I compensated for that with a new barrel with a greater number of rifling twists per inch. Plus….?"

Nori pulled a bullet from a magazine and showed the Sargent and the Gunny. "I got rid of the point nose bullets and went to a blunt nose and a longer round. No more bullet wobble coming out of the gun. This big bitch now? Will cut things in half at seventy five yards. All that? From a stupid, dumb, claud hopper feet bunny."

Dori snapped his paws…."Game….set…..and grave there stiff!"

Nori got nose to chest with the wolf Sargent…."Now...I want my three boxes of Vanilla, chocolate and chocolate cherry wafers. They have to be on a "silver" platter service tray? And "my bitch" must be dolled up in a nice black lacy pair of Lingerie with long white socks and a pink bow on "her" head. That…..was the deal Sarge?"

The Sargent snarled. "Just who are you calling a bitch Private!"

Gunny Rakshah snapped back. "You...bitch! Are you going to welch out of your obligation?"

"Gunny!" The Sargent yelped. "You're not possibly going to let me go through with this! This is degrading and humiliating!

"You! Made the bet Sargent!" The Gunny snarled. "And now in addition? You will wear some perfume when you show up or I'll have you run around the athletic track at the physical performance field in full view of the Commanding General's house. I'm sure he'll blow a gasket if his children get an eye full of a Marine wolf running in full on drag…..won't he?"

Ori walked up to Nori and took the BAR from him..."Lemme try this Bro?"

"This isn't back home Ori. Besides this is still too heavy for you there...rubber arms." Nori said as he passed the BAR to Gunny Rakshah. "So Mam? Can I get that issued to me? Can I qualify with it?"

"After I send it to ordinance and they look at it." Rakshah replied. "That's pretty innovative there Private."

"Might be more practical if it were a solid composite stock. I'll be honest with you Mam? Very few bunnies are going to be capable of lugging that beast on the battlefield by themselves unless they were mules on their daddy's farms." Nori said.

"Sheesh….they needed a crane to pull Nori out of momma." Ori snorted.

"How would you like a fat lip Ori?" Nori warned.

Gunny Rakshah nodded..."Once ordinance gets to examine this work of yours Hopps? I'm sure you'll get issued the weapon. The problem though might be the ammunition for it. I don't know if they'll supply you just for unique purposes. You may have to rely on the standard bullet, unless the Fleet Marine addopts this BAR as a special purpose weapon for bunnies. Then...as you've said? There may be a very limited number of you bunnies that are capable of lugging this piece all over the place."

"Not if they're willing to bulk up a little for it." Nori replied. "All has to do with good eating and exercise."

Dori walked up and rubbed Nori's stomach. "And wafer cookies."

"Don't go blabbing my secrets away Dori?" Nori huffed.

Downtown Zootopia

8am

21 August 2040

Center of Naval Intelligence (CNI) aka "The Brick"

Morty (Wolf Cub) sat with his head down onto his crossed arms with his Grandfather rubbing his back…

"Was it that extreme a night Morty?" Ricardo Sanchez (wolf) asked.

"Uh huh….before and after the sake." Morty replied. "At least that's what he called the stuff..."

Rheana (Honey Badger) The chief of intelligence leaned over to Morty..."Do you want to do this later?" She asked.

"No..." Morty replied. "Better to get it over with now while I have it in my head. That's if the Sake didn't destroy half my brain cells."

Soon...two more honey badgers showed up. One carried a recorder, the other a pad of paper…

"Morning Madam Director." The Badger dressed in a deep blue shirt with black jeans said as he directed the female badger with him to another seat close to Morty. "Morty? Before we begin this session?" The blue shirt badger said. "I want to ask you again as always if you're having any negative feelings about what we're doing. If you feel overly pressured or if you believe we're wrong in how you've been tasked. I'll understand if you have developed….you know….fondness or attachments to the subject..."

Morty waved a paw finger…."His name….is Kawam-ura ok dude? Not subject, not thing, not object….Kawam-ura...ok?"

"Calm down Morty." Ricardo said with a gesture.

"I'm just laying that out there Gramps….just laying it out there. He's got flesh, he's got teeth, his breath smells like fish but that's…..that's ok...he's not an object….just pointing that out." Morty said as he slouched and crossed his arms. "So what's on the agenda today?"

The blue shirt badger opened his note book. "Can you give us any more clarity on the social structure of the Kzinti? I know it was kind of choppy the last time we talked about it?"

Morty relaxed in his chair…."Ok….it starts with the Imperial family. They're called the "Pretoriant Class" which is made up of the Emperor, the Imperial Family and nobility such as Lords, Knights and sub-Knights. They call the knights "Samurai" and they run the military, the national police and the secret police or what's known as the Kempi-Tai. And they have zero sense of humor."

"Seriously Morty." Ricrado snorted. "This is a serious meeting and we don't have time for little snippets and jokes."

"Just saying Gramps. That's how Kawam-ura described them. They are "ate up" tail holes with no sense of humor. Serious 24/7 365 days a year. They are die hard warriors who believe death in battle or in daily life is glorious. But the males don't run the day to day functions in the country….the females do all that. All the males in Kzin exist for is to fluck, pump iron and fight."

Blue shirt waved a paw..."Let's stick to the base question please Morty? So there is the Pretoriant class. What's next?"

Morty thought for a moment. "The next class is the business and industry class. These are your money makers and industrial chiefs, merchants, the corporate magnates who run the economy, the production centers, things like that. They have almost all the influence in the central government. Theier version of our City Counsel is called the "Diet" and it listens more to these guys and acts on their whims than on the rest of the population. Most of these guys along with some of the lower royal classes own these huge swathes of the land where the rest of the Kzinti live and work. That's the last class, the "dirt scratchers" your farmers and menial labor cogs you know?"

"You describe that the lowest class of Kzinti society are treated worse than garbage. Surely there must be some dissent, a little unhappiness with their lot in life?" Blue shirt remarked.

"Don't get the wrong impression." Morty replied. "The Kzinti view of happiness is way different than our view of things. The way Kawam-ura describes it? Our houses here would absolutely offend any Kzinti, they're simple minded when it comes to how they live, they're not overly ostentatious like us."

Ricardo snorted. "There you go again Morty, trying to measure up to my genius with these gold plated dictionary words."

"Gramps! Why don't you take what I say seriously?!" Morty snapped as he stood up from his chair. "Let me warn all of you! If you think the lowest most impoverished living Kzinti….and that's by OUR standards of thinking….is going to suddenly jump up and welcome us all with open arms? Guess wrong! The whole population will fight if they have too, loyalty to the state and especially to his majesty is pounded into every Kzinti from cradle to grave. You keep that in mind!"

Morty flopped back into his chair. "Kawam-ura is a rare exception, which is why they have a secret police and believe me? Brutality is as easy to them as butter on bread. I also can't say much if anything about the military...most low class Kzinti have no idea about it and to even show a tenth of an interest in it could get you killed."

Rheana asked..."What is their schooling like? Education?"

"Our cubs and kits would hate it." Morty replied. "Rigid discipline. It's almost like a military boot camp. From pre-school to like sixth grade? You go naked. Naked outside...in the rain….in the snow during winter. You tell any parent here your cubs are gonna do that? Oh hell no."

Blue shirt badger cocked his head. "They….go to school naked?"

"Yup." Morty replied. "They believe that elemental exposure toughens resistance to disease and stiffens mental discipline. Once again, Kawam-ura was a rare exception to the rules….got his rump beat constantly for resisting. Brought a ton of shame on his family."

The female badger who was recording everything raised a paw. "Just how does honor play in the society? You said Kzinti use honor like a currency?"

"Yeah." Morty replied. "Kzinti call it "Stak-kah". Honor determines your value even among the lowly classes. It determines your education, your importance in the "machine", the success of your business or your little farm, your chances of mating. It's very complicated, I still don't understand much of it."

Rheana asked. "Morty? We know they do trade with other nations. They have that Island off their coast, what makes us such pariahs in their minds?"

"We're not like the nations they trade with." Morty replied. "Unisis cultures? You know...one's where it's a single species or that's single species dominant? They respect that. Don't ask me how they think because my brain still hurts from trying to figure out every detail but we're an abomination to them. They have the Island because they do trade with "prey-only" nations but our inclusive society is an offense to them because to them...predators and pray can not exist, that's an abomination against nature itself."

Blue shirt badger replied. "If they knew our own history of how we came to this point..."

"They….don't…..give….a…..snit." Morty replied. "How many times do I have to say it? They don't care what you think, what I think, what our history is, what our values are, what our morals are…..they don't care! We're all scum in their eyes and the upper classes are just chomping at the bit for a good excuse to rip us all to shreds!"

The room went silent for a moment.

"It's just a reality we need to get used too." Morty sighed. "I think it's worthless to try to continue to contact them with offers of peace because you'll only make things worse. I'm done with this session, I'm tired."

Rheana waved a paw. "Ok Morty...you can go."

Morty walked out with Ricardo behind him leaving Rheana and the other two badgers reading over the notes…

"What does that kid want?" The blue shirted Badger snapped. "For us to say "fluck it all" and go to war?"

"That's not what he said Edward." Rheana replied. "He just as frustrated as we all are by their not even talking to us. And yet now we must accept the fact that this is how the Kzinti are, it doesn't mean we should just abandon any efforts to reach them."

Edward threw his paws up in frustration. "We only have a little understanding of their military...at least the Navy and their own fleet marines but we have no ideas as to numbers of troops, numbers of ships, how diverse their weapons systems are. It's time we went to the City Counsel and pushed for permission to employ spy methods. Otherwise we're living in a "whack-a-mole" box and we won't know the size of the hammer till we pop up and get our heads kicked in!"

"The Counsel will shoot us down Edward." Rheana replied. "They've shot us down over and over again for the past ten years on any suggestion of employing espionage and sadly I agree with their logic, Zootopia is not and never must be a society that employs offensive methods as a means of defense."

"It's not "offensive" to protect ourselves from becoming beef jerky on a spit!" Edward yelped. I don't want Zootopia to go blindly into a tail kicking all right?!" Edward flopped exasperated back into his chair. "From what that kid just described? Even their toddlers could rip us apart. When you can scare a badger into a shake? I'm scared for my kids Rheana! But of course you've never had cubs so how would you understand?"

Gilly and Will's Apartment

Sahara Square

9:17am

21 August 2040

Will was thumbing through his cell phone messages when the phone hummed an incoming call….

"Hey Bobby!" Will said. Bobby Shaw (Poodle) was on the other end. "I was thinking about your idea of welcoming back the ships? I think it's great! You're non-offensive, offense is the bomb dude…I even got a nice visit from my little brother from the protest? For once we didn't drift into a spat, really positive impact."

"I have some other news for you too." Bobby said. "She wants to talk to you."

"The Sailor from the USV base?" Will said with a slight gasp. "How did you get her to say yes?"

"Wasn't easy." Bobby said with a sigh. "She's super skiddish about it, yet she's dying to meet you."

Will snickered..."Are you trying to se me up with her?"

"No mammal..." Bobby replied. "She's a lesbian. She likes lamb chop."

"How does she want to meet?" Will asked.

"I arranged for a hotel room in the gay district on Sahara Beach. Told her I know the owner, there's no hotel cameras, she'll be perfectly fine. I'll be there too." Bobby replied.

Will thought for a moment. "Bob? Is she on the up and up about this? Is she sure she actually saw this stuff go own?"

"As best sure as she can be." Bobby replied. "Now...she can't confirm if these were actual covert operations into Kzin. All she can do is tell what she saw and what she heard. It's up to us to use the information. And we must keep her identity secret Will….big….big must."

"I understand Bobby." Will replied. "You call when she's ready and I'll come meet her."

"I hope she's wrong." Bobby replied. "I hope it's just a role acting deal for training purposes and not real "black arts" stuff in Kzin."

"You and me both Bob." Will said as he rubbed his head tuft. "Just call me when she'd ready ok? By the way? I was interviewed by the Tundra Town Sentinel and I'm anticipating the article to come out any day now."

"That's cool." Bobby replied. "By the way? If me and Rick seem a little snippy at each other next meeting? We just have a little disagreement going with each other over some really stupid thing."

"Ok…." Will replied in thought. "Don't need to "TMZ" that to the world."

"Well? It concerns you." Bobby replied. "Rick….got pissy because he thinks I was "cop-ing" looks at you."

"Oh wow..." Will snickered. "Bull dog and a wolf, what do you expect Bob?"

"I'm sorry Will….it's so fricken stupid." Bobby sighed. "I'm thinking of buying horse blinders so I can really piss him off."

"Don't you dare do that in our apartment!" Will yelped. "Bobby? You show up with a pair and I'll snap your poodle tail right off!"

"I won't dude." Bobby replied. "Any way? Good for that article. We should have a planning meeting in two days for the home-coming show."

"That we will do." Will replied. "I'll text you later. Gotta meet my little brother at the gym. We're going to put on pads and kick the snit out of each other."

"Awwww…." Bobby said…."Nothing like unrequited sibling love."

"Dude? Don't trigger me." Will snickered. "Later."

ZPD Safehouse

Sahara Square

10:37am

21 August 2040

Kawam-ura walked around the back yard wearing a hoodie over his head and looked down on Morty with concern…

"You are not cheerful. Are they upsetting you?" He asked.

"Huh?" Morty looked back. "They? School? Oh no….no….I'm just board as snit in school. It can get so repetitious you know?" Morty replied with a stutter.

Kawam-ura stopped..."Morty?" The Kzinti asked. This time he didn't attach the "young friend" honorific to Morty's name which made the young wolf feel nervous. "It is very distasteful to a Kzinti to be lied too."

Morty shook…."I'm sorry….I am so…..so…...sorry Kawam-ura tomodachi."

"Why don't you just come out and say it?" The Kzinti replied. "You're getting information from me, it's that simple."

Morty gasped and shook his paws…."But I like you Kawam-ura tomadachi! Honest! I like you! I'm sorry I deceived you!" The young wolf was starting to panic…

"Morty?" The Kzinti replied waving his paws. "Morty? Breath before you pass out? I'm not going to throw you out because you've been asked to act in the stead of your country. Perhaps this is a better way than if I just sat in a chair all day being questioned by some who have no….character. Do you understand this?"

"So….you're not angry?" Morty asked.

"Not at you at all. Though I do wish your government could have been a little forward with the truth. I won't or would not give them everything I might know. I certainly have no secrets that would be of any use to your government unless you think growing rice is a secret?"

Morty shrugged..."I don't know what rice is."

"Well….there's one thing I can share with you." Kawam-ura said waving a paw. "Did your government go through the boat I was on?"

Morty was silent for a moment…."About that Kawam-ura? We….did have some of our mammals go through your boat? It was booby trapped with a bomb. Several bombs in fact."

"Well I did not plant those bombs." Kawam-ura replied. "It is more likely that our secret police planted them for just such a case as someone stealing a boat to leave or as a warning to the crews of our fishing vessels not to become shall we say….overly adventurous?" Kawam-ura said as he traced a paw finger over the table. "Was anyone hurt?"

"Two otters." Morty replied. "Quite seriously hurt."

Kawam-ura lowered his ears…."I am very sorry. Once again? Those bombs were not my doing, I swear to you. But there is something that was on the boat that I would very much like to show you. If you could ask for it from your police? I promise it is not offensive in any way."

Morty thought for a moment...then pulled his smart phone from his school backpack. "Hello? Rheana? This is Morty. Did you keep all the things that were taken off Mister Kawam-ura's boat?" Morty asked. "So….? It's been cataloged and everything is stored? If I want something from it, will I have to go through a ton of tape or will you just hand it over to me?"

Morty listened a moment to Rheana. "Ok...there should be a canvas bag among the items that simply says "Rice" on it. Yes….R….I….C….E….rice. I'd like the whole bag if possible." Morty said then he stopped to listen. "Yes we are at the safe house location now." Morty said…."Yes….fine….thanks a lot." He said as he hung up. He turned to Kawam-ura with a smile. "They'll deliver that bag you described."

"Good Morty-Wakamoto." Kawam-ura said with a slight bow. "Then I will show you how to grow rice."

The Outback Islands

Paddy Beach, Elsbane

11am

21 August 2040

The welcome music boomed from a band of Kangaroos (The 1964 Tokyo Olympics march fare) playing on a small Island as the Growler followed by the Gnu York passed by with all their signal flags flying from the yard lines and huge Zootopia flags flying from the main center line running down the tall mast of the superstructures…

Everyone was out in their dress uniforms and as the ships came abreast of the playing band, the old naval anthem of Zootopia boomed out from the ship's speakers and every tongue and maw boomed out the old stanzas….

"Fife and Drum flourish"

Oh Raise up the colors….and sound the anchors away.

Set the watches to their duties...act swift without delay.

We sail for the herd...We sail for the herd.

For our dear Zootopia…we go upon the sea.

Chorus

Oh bless our dear old land….United and forever free.

We'll fight to defend it…... as our Fathers did upon the sea.
The gallant Mammal Navy…..will make the enemy dance.
They'll never harm the herd…...They'll never get the chance.

"Rolling Drums"

Sound the call to quarters….Every mammal to their guns.

Predators and prey...we shall all act as one.

Train the cannons true...score on every round.

Till on the sea floor….only the enemy can be found.

Chorus

Oh bless our dear old land….United and forever free.

We'll fight to defend it…... as our Fathers did so brave,
The gallant Mammal Navy…..will make the enemy dance.
They'll never harm the herd…...They'll never get the chance.

"Rolling Drums"

Oh from rodent to Elephant….Bless us every daughter and son.

Brothers and sisters of Zootopia..we shall all act as one.

Train the cannons true...score on every round.

Till on the sea floor….only the enemy can be found.

Chorus

Oh bless our dear old land….United and forever free.

We'll fight to defend it…... as our Fathers did so brave,
The gallant Mammal Navy…..will make the enemy dance.
They'll never harm the herd…...They'll never get the chance.

Jackson stood once again...chest out, head high, arm raised in salute welling with pride as his voice joined his shipmates. The kangaroos responded by changing their music to the Navy song until the noise bounced off the hills and the sides of the steel warships as they headed for the docks in the harbor.

With the call of "Ship's company at ease!" from the Captain, Jackson pulled out his smart phone and started snapping pictures, making videos and texting like crazy back home…

"Hey Mom and Dad! We're pulling into the Outbacks now!" Jackson yelped as he posed a selfie video. "Me, Darla and everybody got the next three days on liberty, I can't wait! We'll call you when we get ashore ok?!" Jackson sent a video, a few pictures and stood watching as the harbor tugs came out to pull the destroyers to their births.

The Growler and Gnu York with the Amphibious Command Ship Tun Taven would visit Paddy while the Savana and the Sayoni would visit Olopo Bay. Of course everybody was encouraged to spread out to all the islands, each offering different rest and relaxation pleasures. Darla had her heart set on taking Jackson to Seal Haven island with it's underwater hotel built with colorful natural coral growing all over it. And speaking of her…

"Hi!" Darla yelped as she wrapped her arms around Jackson's waist then backed off because of them being in uniform. "Sniff…..smell that air!" She said as she leaned against the railing..."Where to first?" She asked playfully.

"I promised Ayden we'd stick with him the first night here." Jackson replied. "He wants to take us club hopping in Paddy. Then you and me can go to Seal Island."

Darla playfully rubbed a paw finger on Jackson's chest. "Where I can teach you SCUBA….and some other things." Darla turned her ears down and frowned… "Oh Jackie...I am so sorry for Daddy being such a stubborn old traditionalist dork." Darla said as she flopped her tail hard. "Ugh! I want to go home and punch him!"

"Dar?!" Jackson said. "How can you think like that?!"

"Well it's very easy where Daddy is concerned. The nerve of him! I gave them both a piece of my mind." Of course Darla was putting up an act. Question was… was Jackson buying it? She snuggled him quickly…

"I want to see what this drink they call Mojo can do?" Darla said smiling. "I hear it's like the "Funky Cold Medina"."

Jackson smirked back. "I'm not willing to find out. Might end up sex bumping a plant or the wrong guy."

Darla snickered..."Any way? Since we'll be off soon, I better finish packing a bag and getting ready. Oh yeah...sigh….we can't leave until we watch the "Channel Fever shot" on television. You know? Don't catch ticks, don't catch crabs, don't catch VD and wear protection."

"Oh I am so excited to watch that." Jackson said. "I should get a video and send it to my Dad. You know what he said to me once? "Now Jackson? The Navy can be a corrupting influence on a young impressionable mammal as you so keep your whits in your head and your penis in your pants."

Darla slapped Jackson's arms. "Nick did not say that!"

"Yeah….he did." Jackson replied. "And my mother said..."Now you remember what your father is saying Jackson, he is very concerned about you. And oh? Did your father teach you how to use a condom?"

Darla laughed falling onto her butt…."She said that!"

"And she left me totally confused." Jackson replied smirking.

"How is he?" Darla asked.

"He's no different than the last time." Jackson replied. "I know he's sort of chomping his tail tip wanting my Mother to get busy and retire already so they can move to Aiden to that cottage my Uncle Fennick owned. In fact? Mom's supposed to see her replacement today."

The ZPD First Precinct (First Prinky)

Downtown Zootopia

noon

21 August 2040

Judy was ever a perfectionist. She looked herself over again..."Feet leathers clean...uniform un-wrinkled…buttons shiny...badge shined...belt polished….ok…. (breathing) Captain? Welcome to the First Precinct, pleasure to meet you….ok…."

Judy reached for her intercom switch..."Ok Paige. Please tell Captain Jordan that I am ready to meet her now?" She said.

"Yes Chief." Paige Clawhawser replied. Moments later, paige opened the Chief's door and gestured a tall black female panther through.."Captain Jordan? Chief Wilde." Paige said as she introduced Jordan to Judy.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Chief. A real pleasure." Jordan said with a smile.

"Captain...Welcome to your new assignment." Judy replied. "Would you like to sit down? A cup of coffee or a preferred drink?"

"Water's fine Chief. It's a bit of a broiler out there today." Jordan replied.

Paige got the Captain a glass and a pitcher of water and left her and Judy to talk by themselves…

"So how does it feel Judy?" Jordan asked. "Leaving after all you've done?"

Judy sighed..."Do I look all right?"

"You'll feel different the first time you don't get up with your tail on fire for work. But you deserve it girl! Go!…..get!…..enjoy your life…..breath….." Jordan pressed. "I know….I know…..we must go through the rituals….the meet and greet or in my case to the subordinates….the "Meat" and "eat"

Judy chuckled…."Typical predator female."

"It's in my feline blood." The panther replied. "When the mayor called me to say I'd been selected, it took me a moment to realize he wasn't pulling my leg. You're a tough actor to follow Judy."

"Then don't try." Judy replied. "Just be yourself. So how did the hubby take the news?"

"Oh you know Tyrone..."Now I won't see you at all." So I'm like. "We have enough kittens don't we? Some one needs to invent reverse blue pill for that husband of mine….seriously. And what about Nick? How is he?"

"At least there's been no change so far." Judy replied. "He's using a cane more often to get around but the doctors added a little emphasis to my speeding up retirement."

"It's that bad?" Jordan asked.

Judy sighed then stood up on her desk..."We should go about the day's particulars so I don't drop into a funk and become a babbling mess..."

"Judy? I am so sorry I brought all that up." Jordan said as she petted Judy with a paw. "That was wrong of me."

"No...it's alright." Judy replied. "I'm dealing with so much emotional stuff. This? Nick? My son may be getting married but I wish he would wait...then again I'm still thinking he's waddling around the house in pampers. You know I actually went into his room to kiss him goodnight at like one in the morning last week?"

Jordan smiled. "Shows just how much you love him. How's he doing in the Navy?"

"His ship's in the Outback Islands right now." Judy replied. "See? He's pulling into an adult Disneyland and I think he's twelve...if he didn't have a girl friend I'd be scolding him over the phone right now against bar hopping."

Jordan shook her head. "That wouldn't be the only angst I'm sure."

"Like I said Jordan? Let's get into the mundane and boring part of this turn over so I can forget my worries and die in a bureaucratic brown tsunami."

"Fine with me." Jordan replied.

The Sled Pull Gym

Downtown Sahara Square

noon

21 August 2040

"THWAP!" "THWAP!" "THWAP!"

Alex laid into Will with three good punches and the older brother felt the hits!

"Good! You're not a skinny little stick any more!" Will snapped as he dodged a swing and nailed Alex good on the head protector!

"Snit! Will! Lighten up!" Alex yelped.

"What?" Will snorted as he danced around the floor. "What? Were you expecting your "peacenik" brother to be a "weak fag"? I'm the "Top" if that slipped your mind?"

"THWAP!" "THWAP!" "THWAP!"

Will laid in three good punches and sent Alex down on his butt! "Come on Alex! You have to be faster, I told you I wasn't going to be fair and light with you."

Alex leaped up, tackled his big brother, crashed him to the floor on his back and clamped his maw over his throat!

"SNARL…..GRRRRRR…..Who's the little bitch now?" Alex growled. He then unlocked his jaws and sat back breathing heavy…

"I think I pissed my underwear." Will said as he shook his head and felt his neck. "We're not in Marine basic kid."

"How's work?" Alex asked. "Anyone at the carborundum give you any grief over your anti-war beliefs?

"No….not at all." Will replied. "Might be different if we decided to bash the military. It's not the common grunts fault for policies. How about you and high school? Anyone know about you big brother?"

"I got into a fight." Alex huffed. "Big mouth called you a sniveling pussy and I closed his trap. Mom…..wasn't too happy about that."

"Let me guess? You got suspended." Will said waving a paw finger. "Of course Mom's going to be upset. Alex? This is like the sixth suspension since tenth grade with you. You can't throw punches at every mammal who insults me."

"Even if they insult Mom and Dad too? Call you lies? I can't stand up?" Alex huffed.

Will waved a paw..."Alex? How many fights did I have before I was ten? How many?"

"Oh like I'd remember?" Alex snorted.

Will held up his fist…."Zilch. You know Peter Puma?"

"Yeah...I know. He was a bully….yadda….yadda….you've told that story like a bazillion times."

Will chuckled…."You were in fights before you were ten. You beat up a female Alex. All she did was pick up your bike to put it on on the kick stand and you walked up and slugged her."

"It was a mistake Will!….really." Alex huffed. "Damn...what do you have? My whole history in notations?"

Just to perk Alex up...Will pulled a note book from his back pocket.

"Seriously?" Alex yelped.

"No...but I know you too well….you are my little brother." Will said smiling.

"Wow….I was expecting you to say you knew my tail hole more." Alex snickered.

"Let's not talk about those times ok?" Will replied. "Let's just talk about your temperament. You need to control your urge to lash out. I was thinking that with all this preparation you've been doing to join the Marines, you might have improved your self control."

Alex sighed…."I just don't believe I should sit back when my family gets attacked."

"But if you snap off every time some one decides to call me a "faggot" I can also guarantee you Alex that your time in the Marines is going to be troublesome. You have to learn when and where fighting is absolutely required and where restraint is the best option. You are smart as a whip Alex, you probably know those MCT training modules front and back but you need mental discipline as much as you need mental knowledge. "Sticks and Stones" is not a stupid phrase."

Alex frowned. "And I suppose you're going to teach me the Will Gray school of fight avoidance?"

"And I won't even ask for money." Will replied as he stood up and pulled Alex onto his feet. "Come on….let's go take a shower."

Alex followed his older brother into the shower without a care even as they had it by themselves because of the time of day….

"Awww look Will..." Alex snickered as he lathered soap around his groin. "You don't interest me any more." Alex said as he pointed out his unsheathed penis.

"Don't fool around ok?" Will replied. The feeling of Alex's claws rubbing over his back caused Will to jump..."Alex!"

"What?" Alex replied. "I'm soaping up your back you prune….sheesh grow up."

Will turned around and grabbed Alex's wrists…

"Yipe….help….brother rape!" Alex joked.

"Stop it." Will commanded. "When I tell you to stop? You stop. Don't touch me Alex unless I let you."

Alex pulled his arms away…."Oh damn it Will! We talked about this before didn't we? You know damn well I wasn't getting sexual with you! Remember? "It's over Alex?" Cheese Will….is everything I do now going to fall under "good touch, evil touch...every touch is a bad touch?!"

Will sagged..."I just don't want to get triggered."

"All of a sudden everything we did together was bad." Alex huffed. "Our whole cub-hood is nothing but shame and sin. Even all the love we shared when it wasn't sex was bad and disgusting huh? You reading books to me? Playing together? Christmas shopping? Everything we did was flucken sick?!"

"Alex?" Will replied. "I only feel remorse for having used you like I did."

"Will? Get the flucken guilt trip excuses out of your head?" Alex huffed. "I was sucking knobs before you got the idea to pull my swim trunks off so stop putting yourself on the torture rack. I guess I have to stay a mile away from you now because I'm just a trigger huh?"

Will looked downwards…

"Will you look at me?" Alex huffed. "Look at me big brother before I get pissed off and slug you?"

"There you go." Will said as he waved a paw finger. "You prove my point like always Alex."

"Oh…..shut the fluck up, get the soap out of your fur and let's go get something to eat before I text your boyfriend to tell him what a miserable "top" you are." Alex snorted as he smacked Will off the head and walked out….

"Sheesh...I can't see what Gilly sees in you. You were by far the ugliest male I ever had sex with." Alex snickered. "I'm glad we did more doggie style than other positions because looking at you made me wretch!"

Will's maw dropped and he chased after his running brother..."Get back here you little snit and I'll show you ugly!"

The Destroyer Growler

Paddy Beach, Outback Islands

2pm

21 August 2040

Jackson stood with Darla, Ayden Gull, and with Myler and Albert in his shirt pockets as they waited in a line for liberty call to go down. Gilly had to say on the Destroyer as part of the ready duty section.

"My mind has been turned to mush." Jackson said. "They should call the "Channel Fever Shot" Mammal abuse.

"I was looking for tape to keep my eyes shut." Darla said smirking. "The tail holes in the shop confiscated it all. The last thing I wanted burned in my mind was Chlamydia.

Albert joked..."They had to instruct us on how to use a condom? What the heck did they think we were in, Primary school? "Don't put it on inside out"...do what the heck? I think it's all self explanatory even to a high IQ mammal as myself?"

Myler joked..."You especially are bound to put it on inside out."

Ayden snickered. "They left the S&M part off the curriculum again damn it."

"What?!" Darla yelped. "You're sick "P Oh One!"

"Yeah...make a jury case out of it?" Ayden snorted. "I'm all into whips, chains and dildos. Ask Jackson."

"I'm not touching that." Jackson snorted back. "I don't know what he does in off time ok?"

"Well are we all going to team up for the ship's Spade tournament on the way back home or what?" Darla asked.

"If you're all gain for that, I sure am." Ayden said waving a feather finger. "Where's Mister Dolf?"

"He'll meet us on the pier. He's coming down the officer's brow." Jackson said. "Where are we going Ayden?"

"Up and down the "main drag" of "Sai Sai Street" so you guys can see what's offered and pick what you chose. But I recommend for the mice the "Nitsy Bitsy Bar if wine and cheese is your desire along with pretty females...or in the case of Albert? Buff males."

Albert snorted. "How about I buff snap my teeth into your tail feathers? What is it with this belief that all highly intelligent mammals are bi-sexual or gay?"

"It's the coke bottle glasses." Myler snickered. "Dead give-a-way."

Suddenly….party music started playing over the ship's announcing system…

"NOW HEAR THIS! NOW HEAR THIS! THIS IS YOUR LAST WARNING...DO NOT CAUSE ANY TROUBLE! DO NOT GET INTO TROUBLE! DON'T DO ANYTHING YOU DON'T WANT THE FOLKS AT HOME TO HEAR ABOUT! BE SAFE AND PLAY SAFE! MASTER CHIEF OUT! LIBERTY CALL! LIBERTY CALL! LIBERTY CALL FOR ALL HANDS NOT ON DUTY! THE BROWS ARE NOW OPEN!"

Jackson wrapped an arm around Darla's as they walked over the brow and down to join the throngs from the ship and the Gnu York walking through the pier gate to the road where buses and "Jeep Nee" cars would take them into Paddy Beach…

"Hi everyone!" Rudy Dolf yelped as he came running up.

"Hey Sir!" Ayden said as he reached out a feathered hand. "Welcome aboard."

"You've been here a lot PO1?" Rudy asked. "Hi Mister Wilde. Miss Delaware. Good mice." He said to everyone else.

Albert waved a paw..."Sir? No offense but how did that nose come about?" He asked.

"Albert?!" Darla replied. "I'm sure he doesn't want to deal with that right now?"

"It's nothing." Rudy replied. "I was born with it. Don't try asking me why it's the way it is because that's a mystery to me."

"Where are you from originally Sir?" Jackson asked. "Where's the stuffy?"

"The mascots locked up in the Master Chief's stateroom during in ports. I only have to carry it around another two months. I'm from the Meadow-lands originally." Rudy said as the group stopped to wait for an open bus or a "Jeep Nee"

"Was it difficult when you were a fawn?" Darla asked.

"Actually? My father made it worse." Rudy replied. "When he realized my nose was permanent? He didn't want it to cramp his social life so he made me wear this stupid plastic cap over it."

Jackson frowned. "I'm sorry….jerk."

"The cap made things worse." Rudy said waving his hoof hand. "My voice sounded stupid and I got my tail beaten in school for it. Actually I got it worse from my own kind more than any other mammals. Reindeer can be very cruel if your antlers don't measure up or your tails not flash white or your prancing gate isn't perfect. I was also not coordinated to save my life."

"So you joined the fleet for more abuse." Ayden snickered.

"I had the test scores to go officer." Rudy replied. "My folks were totally against me joining the Navy..."Not a place for deer son, they'll make you cut off your antlers and turn you into a girl." He said. Obviously my father is an expert in judging character."

Jackson yelped…."Jeep Nee guys!" He grabbed Darla's paw and swung her up onto the back and almost dove onto the floor on his back to save seats for everyone else!

"Come on Foxtesticles Bunny! Move!" Ayden snapped as he climbed in with Rudy behind him!

Darla was busting her gut! "Foxtesticles Bunny! Foxticulus Rabbitus!"

"Ok Dar…?" Jackson snorted as he wrapped his arms around his girlfriend and suckle kissed her cheek. "Mmmmm!….I'm going to spoil you so rotten when we get to Seal Island….Mmmmm!"

"Ok….save the passions!" Ayden yelped. "Get ready to experience the best adult theme park you ever laid your eyes on."

Nick and Judy's House

Downtown Zootopia

2pm

21 August 2040

Between the soft music flowing around the bedroom from the speakers in the ceiling and the paws on his back coursing their way along his spine, Nick for the moment forgot all the pain…

"How many times do I have to say you have the gift Jag?" Nick said as he regarded the young adult Bengal Tiger working on him.

"Enough Nick." Jag said with a smile. "Feeling ok?"

"Like I'm in heaven." Nick smiled back. "How's Isabella and the kids? Hope she doesn't think something weird is going on."

Jag tapped Nick with a playful paw to the head. "Smart tail. No...she doesn't think anything weird is going on. As for Koujo, Hanna and Drogo? They're doing great. Hanna's going to be in sixth grade soon. Drogo's in fourth at that gifted mammal school and Koujo will be three next week."

"You still have little ones." Nick replied. "Aren't they a joy? I used to think mine at times was a little hellion on steroids. I didn't think I'd miss the screaming, the stomping and the diapers so bad."

Jag chuckled..."How's Jackson doing?"

"Fantastic." Nick replied. "He's making good evaluations, he just got a promotion and he might be getting married soon. Ugh...ouch!" Nick yelped as he arched up from his stomach…."Ow! Ow! Ow!….whine….whine…."

Jag slowly held Nick in his paws until the pain spasms passed..."I must have touched a really bad nerve...I'm sorry Nick." Jag said as he laid Nick back down and pulled some hot towels from a box heater…

"Let these sit on your back for a bit." Jag said as he spread the towels out and wiped tears from Nick's eyes..."Are you ok?"

"No..."sniff"...I'm a broken down old fox." Nick replied.

"Cut that out." Jag said sternly. "You are not a broken down old fox." The tiger said as he cracked his paws and rubbed Nick's shoulders…

"Jag?" Nick asked. "How did you get that divit in your right shoulder?"

"Accident as a cub." Jag replied….which wasn't exactly true. Nick caught a glimpse of the missing chunk when Jag was working in his back yard. He didn't see all the scars on the tiger's back...a legacy of a destroyed cub hood filled with violent beatings, forced drugs and sexual abuse. The only thing that stopped it was a pair of long alert ears and a bunny cop who moved too fast for an adult Tiger high on drugs and booze to kill…

"Jag?" Nick asked. "Let me pay you?"

"I'll chuck it right back at you so don't try." Jag replied. "I don't need your money and I'm doing this for a good reason." Jag pulled the hot towels off Nick's back and moved his paw finger around..."Now roll onto your back?"

Nick pursed his lips..."I think….we have to….wait a little bit?"

"So you got a stiff." Jag yelped as he held out a towel. "That's why they make towels?"

"It's gonna be quite a tent?" Nick chuckled.

"Nick! Turn over? Cheesh...you think you're back in Junior High?" Jag snorted.

Nick turned over and jag flopped the towel on him. "Now...going to work out the calf muscles...it's gonna probably hurt a little. Keep hold of that towel?"

Nick wrapped a paw in the bed sheets and grimaced…

"Nick? You're being melodramatic. It's not going to hurt that much." Jag said as he took hold of a leg and picked it up to a ninety degree angle..."How's that feel?"

Nick sighed and winced..."Yup! Pain…..pain, pain, pain…." Nick yelped as he held his paws out.

Jag relaxed the leg and rubbed over the calf. "When are you moving to Aiden?"

"When Jackson comes home from deployment." Nick replied. "We're going to miss you Jag."

"I could come out on weekends and spend the day if you want?" Jag replied. "I'm sure the Miss's would like that to happen."

"I'd want that very much." Nick said as he steadied himself as the other leg came up. "You're a good friend Jag. We should go out for a beer some time?"

"Won't be beer though." Jag replied. "I don't drink. But I know a Tiger centered cafe I'd enjoy a dinner date to? I don't do much "Bro flopping" very often."

Nick allowed the slight pains to subside..."Then let's have a "Bro-date", you and me at that cafe? Let me spend on you since you won't take my money? And you can't say no!"

Jag smiled..."Ok...I won't say no. You just make the day and time."

Nick sat up, wrapped his arms around the tiger's thick neck, gave him a soft lick kiss and snuggled his big head..."You're my favorite best tiger."

Jag replied softly rubbing Nick's head..."And you are my favorite fox. Now let me finish before we get "soupy" you old broken down flea bag."

"Ok...I take back everything I said about you….you piss poor excuse for a lounge rug."

The two friends laughed as Jag worked on Nick's feet.

Gilly and Will's Apartment

Sahara Square

2pm

21 August 2040

Alex and Will had just placed shopping bags on the kitchen table when the chime rang on Will's desk top computer…

"Snit!" Will yelped as he ran to the desk, flopped into the chair and clicked the mouse to bring up the screen..."Snit...snit….snit" He yelped. When he brought up the messenger program, he about tried to kiss the monitor as he grabbed the sides of it…."Hi!" The wolf said lovingly. It almost made Alex puke…

"Oh….oh my darling….(air kisses) Oh I've missed you so (air kisses) Oh lovey! Oh Thurston!" Alex joked.

"SHUT THE FLUCK UP!" Will snapped as he snatched a nearby couch pillow and chucked it! "Little prick!"

"He's not on the moon Will!" Alex yelped.

"I'm sorry about the little dick head Gilly." Will said to the screen.

"How are you?" Gilly asked. "Are you ok?"

"I'm a wreck!" Will yelped back. "But what did you think of the protest? Seriously now?"

"How many times do I have to say genius to you?" Gilly replied. "I love you so much and miss you so much more."

"Well we're planning to do a sort of welcome home thing for all you guys when you come home. Want to make sure you all know we're thinking of you and we care about you."

"Will?" Gilly replied. "You don't have to try so hard, trust me. I think the point's been well made."

"Hi!" Alex said with a paw wave. "Hi Will's pocket pussy!"

Will smacked Alex off the head! "You little bitch! Shut up!"

"Chuckle"….Will? Stop abusing him!" Gilly thought for a moment. "That? Didn't come out so good did it?"

Alex snorted. "Gilly? Get back here and fluck his brains out so he'll chill out? He's being a grand snit bag in my ass."

Will sighed..."Gill? Please don't isolate yourself because of me ok? If you want to go to a gay bar over there and unwind? You go do it. Nude beach? What ever. You don't have to be chaste for me."

"Send a video!" Alex yelped!

"That did it!" Will leaped off his chair, tackled Alex and tried to wrap him up like a pretzel! Yet Alex had been getting a good lesson from all that Marine training and soon he had his big brother head locked and twisted up around his arms and legs..."Look who's the bitch now!" Alex yelped. "Hey Gilly?! Free topping of the top!"

"Don't strangle my boyfriend Alex?" Gilly said with a sigh. Alex released Will and backed off…

"I'll leave you two love birds alone so Will can spooge over the monitor and shock himself to death." Alex giggled and chuckled as he walked out.

"What are you laughing for?" Will asked Gilly.

"He's become a hoot!" Gilly replied. "Oh he's right Will...lighten up!"

"I'm sorry…." Will replied. "Gill? I miss you so much! Look at me...I'm going to pieces..."

"I didn't think you were seeing how you did so well with that big protest." Gilly replied. "It won't be long Will...I'll be home soon enough."

"The sooner...the better I'll feel." Will replied. "You go have fun ok? Bring home some nice things?"

Gilly replied..."Like a nice silk nighty for me to wear just for you?"

"What ever you wish my love." Will said softly as he blew an air kiss. "Call me later ok?"

Gilly signed off and Will turned in his seat as Alex came back into the apartment….

"Oh my gawd….the moisture is dripping off of everything….sigh." Alex snickered.

"Fluck you?" Will huffed back.

"He looks good." Alex said pointing to the screen. "At least you're smiling a little Will?"

Will watched as Alex walked over to his stero, played with the controls, plugged in his smart phone and played a track from the "Wild Otters". Of course Alex altered the words as he started singing the song but Will had to admit, his little brother had been gifted with a beautiful young singing voice….

Well it's been building up inside of me
For oh I don't know how long
I don't know why
But I keep thinking
Something's bound to go wrong

But he looks in my eyes
And makes me realize
And he says "don't worry, baby"
Don't worry, baby
Don't worry, baby
Everything will turn out alright

Don't worry, baby
Don't worry, baby
Don't worry, baby

I guess I should've kept my mouth shut
When I started to brag about my car
But I can't back down now because
I pushed the other guys too far

He makes me cum all the time
And makes me wanna drive
When he says "don't worry, baby"
Don't worry, baby
Don't worry, baby
Everything will turn out alright

Don't worry, baby
Don't worry, baby
Don't worry, baby

Alex gestured with his paws..."Come on Will? Let's dance a little? For old times sake huh?"

Will yelped as Alex grabbed a paw..."Alex!"

"Oh shut up!" Alex yelped. "I'm not gonna throw you on the couch and rape you? I need the practice for all those Marine balls…."snicker"….Marine balls, big huge Marine balls….I'm talking about the formal dances dork meister."

Will and Alex danced around the apartment to the music….

I guess I should've kept my mouth shut
When I started to brag about my car
But I can't back down now because
I pushed the other guys too far

He makes me come alive
And makes me wanna drive
When he says "don't worry, baby"
Don't worry, baby
Don't worry, baby
Everything will turn out alright

Don't worry, baby
Don't worry, baby
Don't worry, baby

"Did those MCT's teach you how to dance too? Wow! You're good Alex?" Will said smiling.

"Good enough for "Dancing with the Zoo animals" huh?" The Mid-ling wolf replied smiling. "I can cut a wicked Tiger Mombo."

Will began look upset but Alex put a paw finger to his mouth. "Shut your trap? You need the practice so you can dance with Gilly….though I still think a wolf dancing with a rabbit is flucken hilarious."

"You're not…." Will hesitated. "You're not hard are you?"

"Who gives a fluck?" Alex replied.

"Umm….How long are we dancing?" Will asked.

"Till we pass out." Alex replied. "Like I said Will? Who gives a fluck?"

Paddy Beach, Outback Islands

3pm

21 August 2040

What was Paddy Beach like as you walked out the main gate of the port? First there was the smell of food. Different aroma's touched different noses. The smell of curry, the smell of cooking chicken or fish meat, the different kinds of smoke. Fruits, grapes, sauteing veggies, fresh breads…everyone stopped for a moment, their mouths turning to liquid. Next was the noise...music all over the place coming from every street and every corner, Jazz mixed with Gazelle, hard rock with Jive, cool soft music with Indian tantrah music coming from massage parlors or tattoo shops.

The streets were alive with vendors selling hats, t-shirts, ice cream, quick meals to go to serve vegetarians and meat eaters alike. There were street side cafe's, coffee shops, pastry bistros, open air bars, bars with fighting rings in the center where Kangaroos threw down in amateur kick boxing matches showing off the Kangaroo collective martial art call "Sam Dah" or "Kicks of thunder". The impacts of those big back feet slamming into the tough hides of opponents could be heard even out into the street. There would be no surprise if some of the bigger mammals off the ships, the Marines in particular, wouldn't be foolish...or drunk… enough to think they could take down a Kangaroo. Jackson snickered as he stopped to watch one match…

"My Dad would absolutely clean up in a place like this. What a sweet set up for a scam." Jackson said to Darla and the others.

Rudy Dolf pointed. "What do you mean?"

"Well first you get a sucker into the ring with a smaller kangaroo, some one a drunk Marine thinks he could take easy. Let him take the first couple of rounds in a three round match? Then on the last round, the Kangaroo just unloads and kicks him clear of the ring. It would be such a money maker." Jackson said smiling.

"They probably had that planned out years ago." Darla replied.

"Doesn't have to be a Kangaroo." Albert said. "A wallaby isn't a push over. I knew one in Junior High school who "thrash" a tiger. You think wallaby's can't jump strait up twice their height? Do a scam with that?"

Rudy looked at Jackson as the group kept walking. "You're not honestly thinking of pulling a scam are you?"

"Shame on your Sir." Jackson replied. "I am an upstanding member of our fine Navy i'm not my father. But? The day is still pretty young."

Paddy Beach wasn't just full of locals, Sailors and Marines. It was a small cosmos of the world around it. There were mammals from other countries, except Kzinti. There were also plenty of ex-patriot Zootopians who moved to the Islands for the shortage of experienced labor. The islands were mineral rich with deposits from gold and silver to diamonds and plenty of big mammals heard the call of good money and good living to work the mines. The results from all that mining were on display at the "gold sook" the group passed by as they toured the "Main Drag" of Paddy with Ayden pointing out the "good quality" night life from the "Alright" to the "Don't go here if you don't want to get into trouble." places. He then stopped at a fence that sat between two buildings…

"And for our mice shipmates? The Mini Sai Sai plaza. That's where the "Nitsy Bitsy" Bar is…

Albert tugged on Jackson's shirt. "And this is where we get off."

"How are you two getting back to the ship? You have to be on by the third day?" Jackson asked as he held Albert and Myler in his paws.

"I got em." Ayden said waving a feather hand. "I have to be back on the same day so i'll pick em up."

Jackson put the two mice on the ground..."You guys got my cell number so if you get into a fix? Buzz me and Darla ok?"

"Get worry wart." Myler snorted. "We can take care of ourselves."

Jackson watched them go through the fence openings and waved as he and the group walked off…

"I don't know what to do first?" Rudy said as he rubbed his arms. I feel so…"

Ayden snickered. "You feel so cherry Sir?"

"That's about right." Rudy replied. "Um….big secret? I've never been laid."

Darla giggled…."You are sooooo screwed."

"Don't feel pressured that you have to "give it up" to impress anyone Sir. Ayden said patting Dolf's shoulders. "Specially the other "Reinpricks" you have to put up with. There's plenty of females here who would be just as happy to serve your every whim and leave you as loose as a string of pasta without the screaming and yow'ing "extras"….trust me."

"Just enjoy yourself Sir." Darla said with a smile. "Who knows? You might meet a female reindeer who'd think you were dashing with that nose?"

"Where to start though?" Dolf asked. "I'm for the dancing and a few cold ones if you all don't mind?"

Ayden smiled..."I got just the place for you then Ensign. Follow me."

end of Chapter 26