Chapter 10: The Wandering Tank
A/N: Have you heard the new Ice Nine Kills album? HOLY SHIT IT FUCKING RIPS! ICE NINE KILLS FOREVER!
We drove back to my house to grab all of my necessities before heading off into space. I immediately loped inside and packed a bag in my room. I had no idea how long I'd be gone so I packed a few days' worth of clothing changes.
"Hey mom," I shouted. Winter came right up to me.
"I love you so much," she said to me.
"I love you too," I replied as I went in to hug. "I'm off to end this whole thing once and for all. You'll see me soon."
"Best of luck to you," Blizzard said, "and may you reign victorious."
I ran back out. Nick and Judy were in the Primo Victoria tank. I got in too.
"Alright," I said, "I'm really good with directions and have put them into my phone."
"Thanks," Nick said.
"Okay. Continue straight on Bergen Street, in one mile, take the ramp onto highway 61."
"We got this now," Judy said.
We continued along in the tank, blasting Dragonfox on full volume.
"Alright," Nick said, "turning left on highway 61."
"Wow," Judy then said, "this tank can go highway speeds. Who knew?"
"I mean, it seems like it's the number one tank in the world," I said, "granted this is the only real tank I've been inside of. TAKE THIS EXIT! MOUNTAIN VIEW PARKWAY!"
Nick turned the tank onto the exit ramp and we drove mountain view parkway as it wound through the highlands.
"So," Judy said, "I guess we really go into space."
"Yeah," Nick replied, "that will be one weird experience."
"Tell me all about it," I said, "This will be interesting. Get to experience Zero G. Maybe the mothership has artificial gravity."
We continued up and over the Foxbury gap. I kept having to pop my ears due to the elevation change.
"And who are these 'Jack Savage' and 'Skye Renarde' mammals?" Nick asked, "I guess Skye is another fox because of the last name of Renarde, which is a very common fox surname."
"But so many mammals of all species are named 'savage'," Judy said, "Well, I guess we'll all find out."
Eventually, we came over the gap and arrived into the Dustlands Warehouse District. One could see how many buildings had gotten damaged or destroyed by the Slammerjams.
"Damn," Judy said, "They took out BigStage."
"Well, that venue sucked ass anyways," I said.
"I remember the only time I went there," Nick said, "Oh my fucking Satan that was terrible."
"TURN RIGHT ONTO FLANDERS PLACE!" The directions shouted out of my phone as Nick turned the tank.
"So," I then said, "we got to look out for 14572."
"Judging by this," Judy said, "it should be the next block."
"And…" Nick said, "there it is."
We parked the tank in the driveway there. The warehouse was small and seemed very dilapidated.
"Sure this place is actually occupied?" I asked.
"Well, who knows," Judy said.
We walked into the warehouse, which had its doors open. We could hear "Push It" by Stoatic-X playing over a speaker.
"Skye Renarde?"
"Jack Savage?"
No answer.
"Anyone here?"
Suddenly the music stopped.
"Who enters here?" Asked a Scottish accent.
"Uhhhh," I said, "a friend referred us to you. Hopinf you could help us with one thing."
"Okay," the voice replied, "I'll see."
Soon enough, a middle-aged Jackrabbit entered the room in a Linkin Bark themed wheelchair and an Iron Marten jacket.
"By the way, I'm Jack Savage. I work this warehouse with Skye Renarde. Both of us used to work for the ZIA, but then retired and now we fix technology in this warehouse."
"Okay," I said, "I'm Snowy Lucifer Celsius Broden: A Foxer from The Freezer. Also an upstart metal vocalist."
"Judy Hopps of Bunnyburrow: Former carrot farmer and police officer and currently a metal guitarist."
"Nick Wilde: Former popsicle hustler, former police officer, and also a metal guitarist. The three of us are forming a band."
"What are you here for?" Jack asked, "a busted amp?"
"No," I said, "actually something much different."
"Talk to Skye," Jack said, "she will help."
An Arctic Fox, a bit taller than me and looking like Floor Jansen, walked in. She had an Alestorm prosthetic leg and was wearing an Elkuveitie long sleeved shirt.
"So," Skye said in a slight Swiss accent, "what do the three of you need."
"Well," I said, "we're trying to defeat these Slammerjams who have invaded."
"And we were told to look for the two of you by one of our friends," Judy said.
"We were also told," Nick said, "that the two of you would be able to get us to where we need to be."
"So that brings us to our question," I said.
Skye and Jack leaned in.
"Do you know how to affix a rocket engine to a tank?"
A few seconds of silence followed.
"Oh," Skye said, "piece of cake. We have done some very weird shit with our tech business. We even helped a tapir make a car that could withstand the pressure at the exact center of the earth."
"So you can do it?" I asked, "You'll get us up into space?"
"We've gotten other mammals into space," Jack said, "so why not?"
"Well," I then replied, "the tank is in your driveway. Do what needs to be done."
"Okay," Skye said, "time to get going."
The two then took the tank into the warehouse and closed the door.
"Wow," I said, "maybe they really can do it."
"Maybe they can," Judy replied.
"I mean, in Zootopia, anyone can be anything," Nick replied, "and these motherfuckers are sending tanks into space."
The sound of loud machinery broke through the walls as we waited for the process. I pulled out my phone in the meantime.
"Oh shit!" I said as I pulled out my phone. "The Sahara Amphitheater is closing for good!"
"Well good riddance," Judy said.
"lemme guess," Nick said, "because no one goes to shows there?"
"Well," I said as I read the article, "that is correct. Due to the poor sound quality and failing infrastructure attendance has dwindled over the years. I mean, average ticket sales for the whole venue were only 4,000 out of its nearly 20,000 capacity and there were only a few shows hosted there per year. Also it's now run out of its lease. Plans are to replace it with a new development including condos, nightclubs, other venues, and a water park. Plus the aquarium is expanding into the new space."
"Maybe they will have some good venues this time," Judy said.
"Maybe," Nick said, "the new Heat venue is opening there. That would be great."
"Plus the new aquarium expansion," I said, "wonder what they'll get this time. I'm hoping for leatherback sea turtles."
"I mean, if one needs to be rescued," Nick said, "I'd definitely expect that."
"Oh yeah plus my Mink friend from middle school got booted from that aquarium because they drunkenly swam in the stingray tank."
"Wow," I said.
"They were underage too," Judy said, "like, really young."
"And I thought that my friend throwing an apple off of the Palm Hotel was bad," I said.
"No one will miss Sahara Amphitheater," Judy said.
"Indeed," said Nick.
"I mean, sound quality is still worse at Zootennial Stadium but that isn't a real concert venue."
We all laughed and joked around with each other more as we waited for the final product. We also talked about what plans our favorite bands had. The new Bullet For My Vulpine album was coming out soon (they were one of my favorite bands in middle school).
"Also," I said, "glad that that mange pandemic is under control now. But still, my high school graduation was all on zoom."
"I never even graduated," Nick said, "dropped out at 16. Street smarts were always better than paper smarts."
"I also realized that as soon as I came here," Judy said, "especially in the Tundratown metal scene."
"I mean I'm in college but who needs straight a's when you got a kick-ass scene and an up-and-coming kick-ass band!"
"Hell yeah!" We all said in unison as we gave each other the horns.
After an hour or so, all the noise from the back room stopped. Jack and Skye both popped out.
"Alright, the tank is ready for you," said Skye.
"Just get the space suits on and get in," Jack said.
"Alright," I said nervously as I headed back.
"Good luck to all of you," said Skye.