Disclaimer: I do not own Zootopia or any of its characters, they all belong to Disney. I do not own Halo or any of it characters, that are all belong to 343 Industries. Rated M for sexual themes.
Just One Small Spark
Chapter 13
Judy felt nervous as the Dark Star approached Shield World 1723. The third planet his been only a relay station and the actual Shield World was something altogether different. She checked making sure that the other four ships of her fleet stood off in the Oort cloud. The fifth ship was sent back to report what they'd found. Her ship's crew now had at least one of every individual from each race that had joined the UNSC in the last few years. They approached the Shield World which was a Dyson sphere which encompassed the other star of this binary star system and came to a halt 500 miles from its surface. The surface of the Shield World filled their horizon in every direction.
A relatively small round aperture opened in its surface.
"How large is that opening?" Judy asked.
"Ma'am, it has a diameter of 62.1371 miles," the sensor tech reported.
"Navigator, take us in."
The Dark Star moved forward on thrusters only and entered a tube of the same dimension. They stopped facing an internal wall and the aperture closed behind them. Then the tube was then pressurized and a second aperture opened ahead. They slowly moved forward and their ship slowly drifted off course.
"Captain, .98 gravity is pulling us toward the surface," the navigator said and tapped keys on her console. Sorry, Ma'am is should have realized."
"Steady as she goes."
"Ma'am," the sensor tech began, "as far as the sensors can read the entire inner surface of this Dyson sphere is a biosphere – forests, grassland, rivers, and oceans. The inner surface is one astronomical unit from the yellow dwarf star and its inner surface area is approximately 550 million times the surface area of Earth or Zootopia."
Judy unconsciously felt her ears go up and then she looked at her Fox.
"We could move the entire populations of every planet we've discovered so far," Nick said and smiled, "and that wouldn't even scratch the surface of this place."
"Ma'am, we are receiving docking instructions," the communications tech said.
"Please feed them to the navigator," the Captain said.
Mark and his ODST troopers stood before the airlock and went ahead of them when it opened. The crew followed a well lit hallway that led toward a closed hatch which then opened as they approached. Then they stepped into largest enclosed space any of them had ever seen. Looking across the open area they saw hundreds of large starships connected to larger floating docks. Then a spherical shaped metal object with an illuminated blue photoreceptor floated toward them and then stopped five feet away.
"Greetings! I am 2742 Vibrant Contemplation Monitor of Shield World 1723."
Judy removed her helmet.
"I am Captain Judith Wilde of the UNSC Destroyer Dark Star."
"You're a Rabbit from Experiential World Two," 2742 Vibrant Contemplation stated. "How did you acquire a Human starship? Are there humans with you?"
"To answer your first question - that is a very long story and to answer your second – we do have humans with us along with many other intelligent species."
The others removed their helmets and 2742 Vibrant Contemplation studied them for several seconds. Then it moved closer to Judy and Mark.
"Reclaimers," he said and they looked at him questioningly. "Humans and the species of the Experimental Worlds were chosen by the Forerunners to be the inheritors of the Mantle."
Mark smiled.
"The Mantel?" Judy asked.
"The Mantel is responsibility for the protection and cultivation of the species and planetary systems throughout the galaxy. Being a Reclaimer also gives you access to all Forerunner technology."
Judy's ears came up.
"So we'll have access to this Shield World and all of its technology?" Judy asked.
"You will have access to all the shield worlds and all their intendant technologies throughout the Galaxy."
Judy smiled.
"If you would come aboard my ship you can speak to Joan, our ship's AI, and she would be able to give a more complete picture of what we've accomplished in the last few years."
Much her security officer's dismay 2742 Vibrant Contemplation was able to immediately access any and apparently all of the Dark Star's systems. Afterward Joan reported that the Monitor had upgraded her so she would no longer go rampant at the end of her seven year lifespan.
"Reclaimer, you and your peoples have accomplished much," the Monitor said facing Judy. "I shall provide the coordinates to the other shield worlds and civilizations that you've not contacted in this part of the galaxy."
"Are there other species living in this and the other shield worlds?" Judy asked and felt Nick touch her hand.
"Yes," the Monitor said, "a great many and in time I shall help you contact all of them."
"Thank you," she said and looked at her Fox. "You said that I was from Experiential World Two. How many Experiential Worlds are there?"
"One hundred and Twelve originally, but now only 104 are now viable."
"What happened?"
"Mostly from natural disasters over the last one hundred thousand years."
"How many shield worlds?"
"Six hundred and seventy three."
"All like this!"
"No, not all of them are the same."
"And we'll have access to all those ships."
"Yes, and the Huragok to maintain them."
"They are …"
"The Huragok were created by the Forerunners to maintain their technology and some biological species," he said and then brought up their images on the conference room's screen.
"We've met some very different species than ourselves," Nick said examining the images, "but nothing quite like them."
"The gas bags," Judy said and touched her pad and turned it to show the Monitor. "We found them on the other habitable world in our system."
"Interesting," the Monitor said and then turned back to the screen. "There are two types. The one on the right maintains machines and the other is called a Lifeworkers who were designed to repair and maintain biological life forms."
"Are there any of the species we've contacted on … in any of the shield worlds?"
2742 Vibrant Contemplation was silent for a full five seconds.
"There are currently fifteen humans in Shield World 006."
"That's a Keyship," the Monitor said as they reached its dock. "All stores and your personal belongings have been moved to this ship from the Dark Star. This ship will be able to reach Shield World 006 in seven minutes and thirty one point five seconds."
"That's 950,000 times the speed of light!" Maria and Alejandra said almost simultaneously a few seconds later.
The sisters stared at each other and then Alejandra giggled.
"I got it first," Alejandra said, teasing her twin sister.
Maria gave her the finger and Judy rolled her eyes. She looked at Kurt who only shrugged and smiled. Nick chuckled.
"Come on, people let's get aboard," Captain Wilde said and smiled. "We've got a long trip ahead of us."
The crew took their positions. As 2742 Vibrant Contemplation had said the humans and Animals from her world could operate Forerunner technology intuitively. The systems were powered up and they proceeded to one of the numerous airlocks and were soon on their way to the Oort cloud to rendezvous with the other four ships.
"Captain, we're receiving a message from the Zootopia," the Communions Tech said.
"Please put it through."
"Captain Wilde, are you aboard that ship?" the Cheetah said as his face appeared on the main screen.
"Captain Johns, yes, I'm aboard the Dark Star II," Judy said and smiled. "I got a really good deal on this and decided to trade up."
They heard laughter over the communications channel and then around her bridge. Captain Johns' mouth twitched upward and then smiled.
"Would it be too presumptuous of me to ask how much?"
"Of course not!" Judy said and grinned. "It was free."
The Cheetah chuckled.
"Did they have any more on the lot?"
"Oh yes, quite a few. Bring your ship aboard and when we get back you can pick yourself out a nice shinny one."
The five crews took several days to completely familiarize themselves with the new ship.
Exactly seven minutes and thirty one point five seconds after the Dark Star II entered slipspace they arrived a billion miles above the plane of the ecliptic.
"This solar system is known to the humans as the Zeta Doradus and that was the planet Onyx," the Monitor began as they looked at the expanding debris field. "Its purpose was to guard the entrance to Shield World 006 which existed at its core and is encased in a slipspace bubble of compressed dimensionality of only 23 centimeters in diameter in normal space. This Shield World itself is 300 million kilometers in diameter."
This ship jumped into slipspace and almost immediately reentered normal space inside the shield world.
Dr. Catherine Halsey and Chief Mendez were leading their collection of Spartan-II and IIIs through the tall grass when they heard and felt a sonic boom roll over them.
"Four Pelican Dropships," Fred-104 said and pointed.
Dr. Halsey looked up and saw their contrails. The ships circled and then settled about a quarter mile away. Their ramps dropped and a dozen tall individuals in armor marched out and walked toward them. They stopped ten feet away.
"I am Captain Judith Wilde of the UNSC Dark Star II."
"Dr. Catherine Halsey," she said, "and this Chief Mendez and …"
"Your Spartans," Captain Wilde said and looked at Mark.
Judy heard Nick chuckle back on the bridge.
A moment later ten more even taller individuals in very different armor marched off the shuttles and soon faced their counterparts. Judy looked at the surprise on Dr. Halsey's face.
"I am Commander Mark Johnson," he said and removed his helmet. "These are our Spartans."
Catherine looked at Captain Wilde and smiled.
"How?"
"That's a very long story," she said and removed her helmet. "My friends call me Judy."
"That's a keyship!" Catherine exclaimed excitedly as they approached.
"Yes," Judy said and chuckled. "Which surprises you more – my ship or me being a Rabbit?"
Judy raised an eyebrow while several different emotions flitted across Catherine's face. Then she laughed and then hugged the tall Rabbit. Then Judy returned the hug and the air whooshed Catherine's lungs. Fred-104 looked up and Catherine smiled.
"You don't know your own strength!"
"Rabbits, Cheetahs, Foxes, and a few others have only been like this only a few years since the plague affected us," Judy said and Catherine pulled back a bit. "The plague doesn't affect humans. When we get back to the ship you can speak to Elizabeth, our doctor, about it if you wish."
The dropships passed through the airlock and set down in their cradles. The boarding ramp extended and the airlocks opened. Captain Wilde led the way and the monitor met them.
"This is 2742 Vibrant Contemplation," Judy said. "He's the Monitor of Shield World 1723. We only discovered it within the last few days."
The humans had stopped and stared at the Monitor. It moved closer to Catherine and Fred-104 and Chief Mendez flanked her.
"You created these Spartans."
"Yes."
He moved closer to Fred-104 and he tensed. Then the monitor scanned the Spartan. He turned back to Dr. Halsey.
"You have done an excellent work creating them."
"Thank you."
"Catherine, Chief Mendez, please follow me to the bridge," Judy said. "Mark, please take the Spartans to Elizabeth."
Fred looked to Catherine and she nodded and smiled.
"Mark good to see and our Spartans and our guests." Elizabeth said and nodded. "So which of you is in charge?"
"Fred-104 ma'am," the Spartan said stepping forward.
"Dr. Elizabeth Rawlins," she said and extended a hand.
Fred gently took it and then she saw the slipspace field pods the other Spartans were carrying. She picked up a scanner.
"You found those on the shield world."
"These five contain Team Katana and the other three are unknowns."
"For now put them on the far side of the medical bay," she said and pointed to the other side of the room. "I'm assuming that some of you need some medical attention and I need to examine you all. So let's get you out of that armor."
None of the Spartans moved. Elizabeth looked at Mark.
"Fred, I understand your reluctance, but you're among friends and fellow Spartans," Mark said and indicated the female Rabbit removing her armor. "There's no war here or where we're going. For now you can stand down."
"Is that an order ma'am?"
"No, it's simply a request," she gently touching his armored shoulder.
Fred looked at his teammates and then removed his helmet.
"Ben, Marco, there you are," Elizabeth said seeing her husbands enter. "Please help the Spartans with their armor."
"OK," Ben said and stepped up to Mark and tall Spartan beside him. "Mark, how you doing today."
"Good," he said and indicated the Cheetah. "Fred, this is Benjamin Clawhauser."
Ben was now well over eight feet and had grown quite broad in the shoulders. He looked down at the human and extended hand. Fred stared up and cocked his head.
"You're a Cheetah."
"For the last thirty five years."
Despite himself Fred laughed and took his hand. The other Spartans looked at him somewhat surprised. Twenty minutes later everyone was out of their armor. Then Elizabeth looked at them, sniffed the air, and then wrinkled her nose.
"Ben, Marco, please show them to the showers quickly."
The Dark Star II came out of slipspace half a million miles from planet five in the Zootopian system. It was interrogated and all the correct passwords were returned.
"Captain, we are receiving a message from Central Command."
"Put it on the main screen," Judy said.
"Mary," Judy said and smiled at her cousin.
"Where'd you get the new ship!"
"There's a lot more where this one came from," she said and smirked. "So how are things going?"
"Well, we've now cleaned out every rock larger than a house in the inner system," she said and smiled, "and an average of three new capital ships are coming online each month."
"Mary, this is Catherine Halsey and Chief Mendez. We rescued them and several Spartans from a … well a place a lot like the one where we found this ship." She turned to the humans. "Mary is the Military Commander here in the Zootopia system."
"I look forward to meeting you in person and showing you around a bit."
"I would be interesting seeing your world," Catherine said.
"Judy, I can't wait to read your report," she said excitedly. "I've things to do and I guess you do to. I'll see you later."
Judy turned back to the humans and led them to her office.
"Catherine, so I …"
"I want to see Shield World 1723."
"Of course you do," she said and then smiled. "That's just what I was going to suggest." She turned to Chief Mendez. "Chief, we have colonized our fourth planet and we also have our Spartan training camp there. Up to now Commander Johnson has been in charge of their training. As I mentioned before the plague changed us I was three and half feet tall and now I'm about six and a half. Some Rabbits are even taller and our muscles are generally three times as dense as an average human. So are almost all Rabbits, Cheetahs, and Foxes are almost equivalent to your Spartans."
"So you want me to take charge to that training camp."
"Yes."
"And my Spartans?" Catherine asked.
"Don't you think they ought to have a bit of downtime?"
She stared at Judy and then looked at Chief Mendez. They came to a silent agreement and Catherine turned back to Judy.
"Yes, maybe they should go with the Chief," Catherine said.
"Again that's what I was thinking," she said and leaned back in her chair. "Mark, Elizabeth, and Kurt, the three humans we found on the Dark Star and Joan, the ship's AI, all told us about the UNSC's thirty year war with the Covenant. So here you find a group of aliens who say they are members of the UNSC and you don't really seem particularly surprised. I kinda wonder why."
"First, you simply didn't have to rescue us or once you did you could've taken us to one of the colony worlds and left us," Catherine said first looking at Mendez and then at Judy. "Then we wouldn't have seen any of this."
"Even now if you'd like we can take you to Earth or anywhere else you want to go."
Catherine smiled.
"Second, you're being open with us."
"You can speak to Joan," Judy said. "She told us that she was created from a flash clone of your brain. She'll show you all of our records and you can ask she any question you wish."
"Third, you've treated us like comrades," Chief Mendez said. "You could have asked us for our weapons and treated us like prisoners."
"That certainly wouldn't have been easy."
"You're a UNSC Captain and outrank all of us and just could have ordered it. The readouts in the Spartan armor can and did verify your rank. So we would have to obey you."
Both humans noticed that Judy looked a bit embarrassed.
As they walked toward the mess hall the group was greeted by a myriad of nonhuman species. The Spartans had been fighting the Covenant for decades and this was a completely new experience all for them. They didn't even have their armor or weapons! Dr. Rawlins had told them they were on a UNSC ship and among friends. They didn't need to be armored or armed to the teeth all the time. So they followed the doctor and her husbands along with the other Spartans. They entered the mess hall and joined the line.
As it slowly crept forward Fred-104 looked around the mess hall. None of the crew looked like any of the Covenant species, but most of them had the same body plan as a human – a head, two arm, two legs, hands with variable number of digits, and a trunk. One was unlike any of the others – it was a quadruped, but had six limbs. The other two were being used as arms on a trunk that rested above the main part of the body which had four limbs. It was a larger than a deer and was brown furred. Its head had two long sharp horns. The word Centaur came to mind.
It noticed him staring and looked back. Then it rose and slowly approached. When it was within a few feet of him its nostrils flared taking his scent.
"You're different than the other humans," it said in English. It turned its upper body and reached into a backpack. It retrieved a pad and powered it up. It looked up at him and then back to the device. "What had been done to your bones?"
"Who are you?"
"My original designation was Doctor 1632, but my friend Jesse has given me the name Jasmine."
The pad beeped and she began to read it. The other Spartans took notice and one of the female Rabbits put an arm over his shoulders. Fred flinched.
"She's one of the colonist species whose planet was destroyed," the Rabbit said. "They'd launched twelve colony ships to save their species from extinction. After one ship arrived here we found the others and brought them all here. Their ships are enormous and you'll see them soon enough. I think she's the only one on our crew."
Fred looked at the Rabbit and she smiled.
"I see," she said tapping on her pad a bit more, "that these enhancements have made you more intelligent and your body faster and stronger. You brain can even interface with a computer! Your technology is almost on par with ours. I would like to speak to the person who designed them."
"That would be me," Dr. Halsey said coming up beside Fred and the Rabbit.
Jasmine looked up and smiled at the Human.
"You have done excellent work on them and I do have a few ideas for further improvements. I have done an extensive study on human anatomy."
"Why don't you come over here and we'll talk."
"Certainly."
Dr. Halsey looked at Fred and smiled.
Fred noticed that Dr. Halsey and the alien were still talking as they left. Dr. Rawlins led them back to the sickbay where they found Chief Mendez waiting.
"There is a Spartan training camp on the fourth planet of this system," he begin. "I've been assigned there. We will be deploying there and you will take shore leave for two weeks." The human Spartans looked at him like had grown a second head. "You may do anything you wish except for training. The planet has only been recently colonized and I'm sure that your fellow Spartans will show you around. You may also go to planet five if you wish. I will be taking command of the training camp and that's the one place that will be off limits to you for those two weeks. We're leaving in two hours. So get your equipment together and report to bay six."
Fred felt the same Rabbit beside him as they walked back to the sickbay.
"So do you have any plans for your shore leave?"
"Actually I … well none of us have has ever been on shore leave."
He saw the Rabbit smile.
"Well, my brother has a farm in a valley a few hundred miles from the training camp as do some of the others," she said and put an arm around him again. "Maybe you and your friends could come with us."
The shuttle followed a river that split valley before empting into a large lake at the far end. As they did Lynne, his new friend, pointed out the sights. Then the shuttle curved around and landed near a house higher up one side of the side of the valley. The engines spun down and then the ramp lower. As the Spartans marched down the ramp Rabbits, Cheetahs, and Foxes ran toward them. Fred felt himself tense and then had to calm himself remembering they were civilian relatives of the other Spartans. It was an odd felt watching them hug, lick, and even kiss each other!
"These are our comrades from the Earth," Lynne said putting an arm around Fred. "They … well we too are here to take some time off and relax. So now let's show them a good time!"
Fred and the others escorted by the civilians back to the house. They saw smoke rising from the other side of it as they got closer. Then they smelled and saw meat cooking over the open fires as they rounded the house. A Fox noticed them, raised a hand in greeting, and then hugged Lynne.
"So these are the new humans," he said and held out a hand to Fred. "I see Lynne's taken you under her wing. I'm Paul."
"Fred," he said and shook. "Well … ah thank you for inviting us."
Lynne looked at Paul and smiled.
"Paul and his friends went hunting so you predators now have something to eat besides vegetables … or us." Fred raised an eyebrow. "That's a joke."
"A bad one too," he said and smiled.
Fred and the other Spartans had read about this culture on the way down to this planet. Animals had been taken from Earth by the Forerunners, given intelligence, and settled on the other inhabited planet of this system. Predator and prey fought for time and then came to an agreement to live together in relative peace. This report prepared by Joan didn't draw any conclusions as to why the Forerunners had done this, but Fred had a few suspicions.
Later Fred thought this was one of best meals he'd ever eaten. It was certainly better than the food they carried in there armor or what they'd eaten on shipboard. Lynne had sat next to him and ate contentedly seemingly unfazed by the smell of the cooked meet. He'd assumed that a herbivore would be. When she finished he'd lay back and just stared into the blue sky.
"It looks like you liked the food."
"Yes."
She chuckled.
"Fred, you're a male of few words."
He looked over at the Rabbit and her ears came up.
"Have I offended you?"
"No."
She chuckled again and patted his shoulder.
"You don't like being touched, do you?" She said and took her hand away. "Do you mind talking about it?"
He sighed and thought about what he could tell her about his training. Then since she too was a Spartan he thought it didn't really make much difference anyway.
"We were recruited as children," he began and stared into infinity. "Recruited … no we were kidnapped from families and replace by flash clones who died a few months later!" A twinge of anger boiled up. "Then we were trained as soldiers and when we were older our bodies were enhanced and out of the original 75 only 33 survived." Lynne put a hand on his arm and tried to take it away, but Fred covered it. "Then for thirty years we fought first the insurrectionists and then later the Covenant. Then the war was over and then we were fighting the Covenant remnant. Then you rescued us."
He smiled and then squeezed her hand. Lynne blushed.
"Fred, let's go for a walk," she said and stood.
Then she pulled him to his feet and he followed her into the woods. The human Spartans looked after them and then heard several of the Animals chuckle.
He followed behind watching her white furry tail bob up and down. Despite himself he smiled and kept up. After a mile by his reckoning they came to a large round pond and Lynne stripped off her clothes and dove in. Needless to say Fred was surprised. Lynne came back up and smiled.
"Well aren't you going to join me?" she asked and winked. Fred just stood and looked at her. "You can swim, can't you?"
"Of course," he said gruffly.
"Well."
Fred stripped off his clothes and dove in. He was surprised by the warmth and swam to her.
"Do you like it?"
"Yes."
"It's fed by a hot spring over there," she said and pointed to the other shore where a steaming stream flowed into it.
She smiled.
"Let's swim a few laps," she said and took off.
Fred followed and a few laps turned into a hundred by his count. After five more she swam to the shore and pulled herself out and squeezed the water out of her fur. Then she found a rock in a sunny spot, brushed it off, and sat to dry. Fred watched all this and she patted the spot next to her. He pulled himself out let the water runoff his body. He walked toward her and noticed a small smile on her face.
"You're a good swimmer," she said and looked at him, "but at least your bare skin will dry faster than my fur will."
Fred looked the Rabbit and her fur was plastered to her body showing every curve. He looked away and heard her chuckle.
"Fred, I've only been a Spartan only a little over a year," she said and he turned back to look at her. "We've never actually had to fight. We've had training and fought in wargames. All the aliens we've met have been friendly."
"You're lucky."
They were quiet for a while.
"I do suppose you're right," she said and leaned against him. "My first mission was coming to this planet. I was in the army and we were the first to catch the plague." Fred turned and looked at her. "It doesn't affect humans. Anyway, we came to this world to test the Dark Star and we found humans and aliens living together."
He'd noticed humans among the ships' crew, but just assumed they'd been crew on the original UNSC ship.
"Where are the humans from?"
"We have no idea, but we do know they are not from the UNSC since we found their ship in the lake."
"Which lake?"
"It was the one you saw when we flew in," she said and pointed down the valley. "It's more like an inland sea than a lake I guess. Their valley is about forty miles from here and it's a lot larger than this one. I've been there several times and you can go overland and be there in just a day. The aliens are really different than the other ones we've met."
The trip to the other valley soon became an expedition. Since it was after the semi-annual harvest not as many animals were necessary for daily chores. It took most of the next day for Lynne and Fred to get things organized with over hundred animals wanting to tag along. Before the shuttle left the Spartans had cleaned out its weapons lockers, food, and all the survival gear. An hour after dawn they started walking up the gentle slope of the valley to flat land on the plain above. Some animals had asked about taking vehicles or a shuttle to get there, but none of the Spartans, human or animal, would agree to that suggestion.
Now with more animals it would take a bit longer. One reason was that most of the animals were civilians and tended to wonder off if that found something interesting. One of the human Spartans mentioned it was like 'herding cats' and since a good number of the animals were Cheetahs that statement turned to truer that she'd thought. So near the end of that first day they were still ten miles from the edge of the other valley. They found a good place to setup camp which to Lynne's eye meant that Fred and his Spartans found a very defensible position. Tents where setup and cook fires were started. Then unsurprisingly at least to Lynne sentries were posted.
Several Foxes and Cheetahs volunteered to 'hunt for the pot' and several Spartans went along.
Twenty minutes later several shot rang out.
"Supper will be here soon," Lynne said, leaning over and whispering in Fred's ear.
He felt her warm breath and then her whiskers tickled his ear. He looked at her and she smiled. Several prey animals had also gone to gather plants at the same time and a few minutes later shot came from that direction too. Lynne and the other rabbits were instantly up and running with Fred and several other Spartans right behind them. They soon found a group of Rabbits in a clearing giving first aid to another with a bleeding calf.
"That little bastard snuck up on me," she was saying in the old Rabbit language as they came into earshot. "Had shoot it before he'd let go."
Fred prodded the animal with rifle and to him it looked like a cross between a small dog and a rat. Then he went to the injured Rabbit and bent down to look at her leg.
"Can you walk?" he asked and the doe looked at him blankly.
"Fred, she doesn't speak English."
Then he lifted her into his arms and started back to camp. At first the doe was a first surprised, but then put an arm his neck and lay her head on his shoulder. Lynne followed along and other doe winked at her.
"What a strong buck you have," she said and smiled. "I wonder if he could carry me tomorrow too?"
Lynne rolled her eyes and the other doe laughed.
"What did she say?" he asked.
"I think I could get used to this," she said and seemed to snuggle a bit closer.
Lynne felt a pang of jealousy.
"She wants to thank you for helping her."
"Please tell her that she's welcome."
"He's says your welcome."
When they got back to camp he put the doe in her tent while a doctor who'd come with them did a more thorough examination. Dinner was already roasting over a fire when they sat by the campfire.
"That's about exciting as it gets around here," Lynne said, "at least on this continent."
"And the others?" Fred asked.
"Larger predators."
They finished dinner and the stars came out as the sky darkened. Lynne lay back and looked at the sky.
"When I was a kit I always wondered if anyone lived up there," she said and patted his arm. "I guess now I have my answer."
"As I said you're lucky they were friendly."
She turned and looked at him.
"I guess I am," she said and yawned. "Time for sleep. Come on."
She stood and led him to her tent. Several eyes followed them. She crawled in and slipped under the blanket. Fred stuck his head in and hesitated. She patted the spot next to her.
"Fred?"
Then he made up his mind and sat next to her.
"Is there a problem?" she asked and squeezed his hand. "Or have I offended you."
He held up her hand.
"Before I met you I never did this," he said and shook her hand. "I just don't know what to do! I've never been close to …"
Then she reached up and then gently pulled him down beside her.
Fred woke and was instantly alert. He felt one of his arms slightly numb where Lynne's head rested on it. She chuckled as one of his hands lightly squeezed something soft and furry.
"Well good morning," she said and then turned to face him. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes," he said and felt her snuggle closer.
"You're so nice and warm," she said and rubbed her face against his.
She looked up and then touched her lips to his. Unconsciously one of hands moved down her back and brushed against her tail. Then their kiss became just a bit more passionate and he pulled her closer. After a time as all things eventually do their kiss ended. They stared into each other's eyes.
"Fred, I like you," she said and licked the tip of his nose.
"I know," he said and smiled.
She giggled.
"I never had friend like you before."
"I understand," she said and touched his face. "I'm a bunny."
He laughed and she touched her lips to his again. Then her stomach growled. They both started to laugh and held onto held onto each other for support. Later she looked at him, took his face in her hands, and touched her forehead to his.
"Let's have breakfast," she said and stooped the blanket falling away.
He looked at her and blushed.
"Maybe first you should put on some clothes," he said unconsciously staring at her.
"Fred, are you staring at my naked body?"
"Yes."
She smiled.
"I like honesty in a male."
She put on her clothes and crawled out of the tent. Fred followed.
After they ate breakfast and cleaned up their camp they formed up and were on the march. Since the plague had changed most of these animals bodies almost all of them could easily keep up with the Spartans. Just as the day before some of the civilians still tended to wonder off. They reached the rim of the valley four hours later and started down through the forest. When Fred guessed they were half way down they met a group coming to meet them.
"Jill!"
"Lynne!"
Then Lynne was running toward another Rabbit and when they met they embraced and kissed each other. Fred was soon by Lynne's side and Jill eyed him. Then she looked a Lynne and grinned.
"So you made a new friend," Jill said and hugged her friend again.
Fred listened to the other voices calling in greeting and looked back to his Spartans being introduced to the newcomers. He noticed that they were on guard and used a hand signal to suggest they stand down.
"Fred, this is Jill," Lynne said touching Fred's hand. "She's Captain Wilde's sister and an Ensign in the UNSC."
"Ensign," he said and saluted.
"Fred, since we a on leave and off duty please just call me Jill."
"Jill."
Jill giggled.
"Well we'd best get going," Jill said and smiled, "since everyone's waiting."
To Lynne's eye it looked as if everyone that lived in the lower valley were there to greet them like conquered heroes. She thought that Fred and his Spartans deserved every accolade they received. Lynne walked beside him and held his hand.
"Is it more than you expected?" Lynne asked and raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," he said and smiled. "I would like to stay a few days and talk to the humans and the others. You really have no idea where they came from."
"No," she said, "We did recover their ship from the lake, but over time the water had destroyed the computers and other electronics. We can go and see the ship if you like. We know it was a warship." He looked at her sharply. "I knew that would pique your interest."
He smiled.
"You are getting too good at reading me."
"I hope so," she said and chuckled.
They were shown to several houses that were set aside for guests and quickly settled in. After lunch that first day a steady stream of visitors arrived just to talk and show them items from their people's past.
"I did tell Jill that you were curious about the humans here and I guess she let a few people know. She was the first animal to make first contact with these people here so they honor her."
"I'll thank her tomorrow when we tour the ship."
The most interesting visitors late that day were three triads of centaurs from their upper valley settlement.
"Doctor 1632 published her findings on the human Spartans," he said through his translator. "I contacted her and she told us you were on the planet. Luckily one of the humans traveling to upper valley told us you were here. I'm Doctor 11278 and my mates are nurse 12761 and medical technician 7632."
"So you want to examine us."
"Yes," he said excitedly. "It'll only take a half an hour for all of you."
"Each Spartan will decide on his own," Fred stated. "If they say no then it's final. OK?"
"Yes."
Each human Spartan agreed and true to his word it only took half an hour. Just before supper the stream of visitors ended and no more came afterward.
"Fred, let's go for a walk," Lynne said took his hand.
As they walked Fred looked at the city and it was different than most he'd seen. Of course most of the ones he'd been in were being or had been reduced to rubble. This city was more spread out and had large parks. Homes were on large plots of land and businesses were intermixed with them. As it began to get dark the street lights came on and Lynne led him into one of the businesses. They sat at a table and a human waiter approached with menus. She waved them away and ordered. Only then did he realize she did it in the native language. He looked at her and she smiled.
"You speak the native language."
"I have a knack for it," she said and shrugged.
"So how many do you speak?"
She counted them off on her fingers.
"Rabbit, Zootopian, English, Gazelle, this human language, Fuzzy, and Ris."
"What's Fuzzy?"
"The ones with no eyes that have fuzzy dark fur. You saw them when we came into town."
"Ris?"
"They are one of races we contacted about a year ago," she said and closed her eyes. "They look like big bipedal cats and they're even larger than the Tigers we have at home. Maybe about nine feet tall or so and they look kinda intimidating, but they're quite amiable."
The waiter brought their order and set a tea pot and two cups on the table. She poured and the aroma drifted up to his nose. He inhaled deeply and she smiled.
"Now taste it."
He'd thought he'd had tea before, but this was wonderful. She smiled at the look on his face.
"I like it too," she said. "We trade with them and my brother always sends me some of the leaves every few months."
They sat and chatted about nothing in particular. Then they took their time walking back to the house taking a different route back to see a different part of the city. When they returned they found most of their friends had already retired to their rooms. Lynne smiled at him, took his hand, and led him to hers. She took off her clothes and Fred slipped under the covers beside her, but this time without any hesitation. She smiled when he pulled her close and tucked her head under his chin. He was quite tall for a human being well over her seven feet. She felt his hand pet the fur on her belly and she giggled. Gradually his breathing became soft and regular and soon she joined him in sleep.
When he woke he felt her fur tickle his chest. He smiled and hugged his bunny. She woke and made a sound of pleasure.
"You can do that all you like."
Fred chuckled.
"Your warm and your fur feels so soft."
She turned and looked into his eyes.
"Is that all?"
"You're my friend."
She'd hoped for more, but from their talks she knew he was still quite inexperienced with emotional attachments. She smiled and then kissed him. He returned the kiss and she felt his hands begin to explore her body. Apparently he liked her tail as she felt him ran his fingers through it. Then he squeezed it. She sucked in her breath and arched her back.
"Did I hurt you?" he asked concerned.
"No, not at all," she said and smiled. "Actually gently squeezing a doe's tail is quite pleasurable."
"You're not angry?"
"No," she said and moved closer to whisper in his ear. "Please do it again."
She looked at his face and he blushed just a bit and then smiled. She rolled him on his back and climbed atop him. She felt a hand slide down her back and just touch her tail again. Then someone banged on the door.
"Fred, breakfast in 30 and we're going to the ship in an hour."
Lynne laid her head on his chest and sighed. He hugged her and sat up.
"Why don't you shower first since you'll take longer to dry?"
"Maybe it would be faster if we took our shower together."
She smiled and Fred raised an eyebrow.
When they came down to breakfast the others were already eating. They sat and several people, Humans and aliens, served them. Breakfast consisted of the local versions of pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs, potatoes, salad, and tea. Of course, Lynne had had the vegetarian foods before, but it was all new to Fred. Much to the amusement of the others without prompting she explained where these foods came from and how they were prepared. Fred listened politely and simply ate some of everything.
"So you liked the food," she said as he took the last bite.
"Yes," he said and lifted his mug. "Is there more tea?"
She lifted the pot and refilled his cup. He took a sip and smiled.
"Maybe we could take some with us," she said filled her cup too. "I'm sure they can find a thermos."
Not only were they provided with tea, but picnic baskets with food for lunch. Most of the civilians had gone off to visit friends and/or explore the city. So only the Spartans and a few others went to see the ship. It was housed in a museum which had been constructed nearest to the place that it had been salvaged. The building had to be quite large to contain a spaceship of its size and spaceship itself had to be restored to withstand the gravity of the planet. Fortunately the lake was fresh water and it was found in its deepest part. The metal and plastic were undamaged by its thousand year emersion, but computers and most of the other electronics were damaged beyond restoration.
Fred looked at the ship with a critical eye. He and his Spartans had seen and served on many types of warships over the last thirty years, but none of them had seen one like this. Fred read the English part of the large placard posted next to the gangway. It was 2000 feet long, 200 feet wide, and 150 feet high. There were seventeen gun mounts and ten missile launchers on the outer skin. The engines were a type of slipspace drive, but somewhat more primitive than the ones that the UNSC used. The restoration was complete enough to allow visitors to enter the spaceship and explore it. Some of its systems had been restored to be operable too.
Lynne walked beside Fred and he marched his Spartans onto the ship like it was a military objective instead of just a tour. She took his hand and he looked at her and smiled. The Spartan stopped at the airlock and waited.
"Orders sir," Lucy said coming to attention and a moment later all the other Spartans did too. "I'm sure the UNSC forces here in the Zootopian system have inspected this ship." He looked at his bunny. "But we've had decades more experience with nonhuman technology and we might notice something they might've missed. So inspect the ship and report anything you might find that differs from official survey." He held up a pad computer they each were given at the tour desk. "Then report to me afterward."
The Spartans quickly entered the ship and started their 'tour.' Lynne looked at her Spartan and raised an eyebrow.
"How diplomatic of you," she said and smiled.
"Orders ma'am," one of her Spartans asked and smiled.
"You heard your orders!" she said and touched Fred's arm. "Now get to it!"
"Lynne!
She turned to see Jill and Nick starting up the gangway toward them. She hugged Jill and then saluted Command Wilde.
"Sir," Fred said coming to attention and saluted him.
"Commander, I am surprised to see you on planet," Lynne said.
"I came to surprise my bunny," he said and put an arm around Jill. "Judy gave me shore leave too."
Nick smiled.
"And I came to keep an eye on these too," another even larger Fox said coming up behind them.
She was followed by a Cheetah who extended a hand to Fred.
"Joe Clawhauser," he said and Fred took it. "And this is my wife, Catherine."
"I'm also Nicky's mother," she said and smiled. "So you're a Spartan. Both Joe and I are OSDTs and we've decided to enter the Spartan training program. When you have some time we'd like to talk to you."
Lynne chuckled at the expression on son's face from Catherine's news.
"We could talk at lunch," he said and turned back to ship. "Now our Spartans are currently surveying this ship."
"I've read that our engineers went over it quite extensively," Nick said.
"Nicky, this is a human ship," Catherine said putting an arm around her son, "and humans may have a different perspective on things."
Commander Wilde shrugged and Fred and his bunny preceded them aboard.
They went to the bridge first which was buried deep inside the ship. Fred had seen warships with theirs near the outside of the ship. One lucky hit on a ship built in that manner would and had decapitated its command structure. Apparently these designers had learned from experience.
The Captain's chair sat back and bit above the main command deck. Everyone looked at Commander Wilde and his bunny gave him a little shove. He took the seat and smiled.
"You look good there," Catherine said putting a hand on his shoulder.
"No, for now I'd prefer to stay where I am," he said and stood.
Nick inspected bridge and every so often glanced back at the Captain's chair. Everybody noticed and acted as if they didn't. As they left Jill put an arm around him and gave him a squeeze. There next stop was the auxiliary bridge. It was smaller and apparently only had the minimum number of work stations to run the ship. This time Nick scrupulously avoided the Captain's chair. Fred watched him and then looked at it himself. For some reason it looked different to him and he pulled up the pictures of the main bridge on his pad.
He looked at the pictures, but angle he needed wasn't there. He walked back of the Captain's chair and took pictures from every angle.
"I'll be back in a few minutes," he said to no one specifically and moved toward the door.
Lynne was beside him as soon as he was out the door. She took his hand as soon as they were out of earshot.
"You noticed something, didn't you?"
Fred smiled at his bunny and squeezed her hand. It only took a few minutes to get back to the main bridge. He brought up the pictures and compared them.
"Tell me!"
"Better yet I'll show you."
They returned and he connected his pad to display on the main screen. Then he brought up pictures side by side and then everyone could see it. The back of the Captain's chair was thicker on the auxiliary bridge. Everyone immediately crowded around the back of the chair.
"Fred, since you figured it out," Nick said, indicating the chair.
Fred ran his hands along the edge and felt small indentations in the metal. He looked closely and drew his combat knife. He put the tip in one of the indentations and heard a snick. The metal covering separated just a small bit. Then he didn't next one with same result. After ten minutes he pulled the cover off revealing a wiring harness connected to square metal box.
"Well, I guess we'd better get some engineers down here," Nick said touching the wires. "Good work Fred!"
He patted Fred on the back and took out his pad computer. Fred did the same and sent a message to the other Spartans describing how and what he'd found. Engineers had descended on the ship an hour later and then followed the Spartans around. Just before lunch a second well sealed hidden compartment was found in a cabin. It was larger and contained paper books, empty bottles, a computer, and other personnel items. Then they broke for lunch and by the end of the day another was found containing gold coins and another computer.
They went back to the same restaurant as the previous evening and were joined by Nick, Jill, Joe, and Catherine. This time they ordered food. Actually Lynne did all the ordering since she was the only one fluent in the language and could translate the menu. Fortunately this was specialty restaurant and the menu was short.
"So what do you think of the food?"
"Excellent," Fred said and gave his bunny a hug.
Everyone else agreed. After they finished the couples separated and took time to wander around the city. Eventually Lynne and Fred made it back to their house and went up to their room. Lynne crawled under the covers Fred quickly joined her.
"I'm not really sleepy," Fred said.
"Me either," she said and smiled.
She snuggled close and then kissed him. Again she felt his hands on her body and it felt even better than before. She broke the kiss and looked into his eyes.
"Fred, I started my estrus today."
She watched her revelation register on his face and smiled again.
"But I'm human!" he blurted out.
"I've noticed," she said and smiled.
"But I … well I've never …"
She put a finger to his lips.
"Do you want to make love with me?"
"Yes!" he said and hugged her.
Fred had never had feelings like this for a female. In fact he knew the process that had made him a Spartan had dampened his sex drive. Why after all these years had he begun to feel like this? And this had happened all in the last few days! Then he felt her hands on him and he forgot about everything else. He felt her tug on his shorts and he pulled them off. Then she touched his erection and he sucked in a breath. He pulled her closer and she helped him slip inside her. Unconsciously he thrust and she cried out.
"Fred!"
He stopped and looked down at her.
"Did I hurt you?"
"No!" she hissed. "Please don't stop!"
Fred knew how to follow an order and this one was easy. Then he continued and felt her legs lock around his hips pulling him deeper. Her fur tickled his skin everywhere they touched. He looked into her eyes and she leaned up to kiss him. Since this was all new to him Fred didn't understand how to pace himself. After a few minutes he tensed and felt a pleasure that he never had before experienced. A moment later he felt his bunny tighten on him and thrust again. She cried out and shuttered beneath him. Then he relaxed and looked down at her. She smiled and hugged him.
"That was wonderful," she said and rubbed her face against his. Then she looked into his eyes.
"Fred, I love you."
He smiled down at her.
"That's something else I've never done before until now."
She kissed him again.
Over the next two months fifty of the keyships were activated and crewed. Although operation of the keyship's systems where intuitive as the monitor had said all the captains agreed that they wanted the crews needed to get a 'feel' for the new ships. Also, they wanted to make sure the ship's systems operated correctly and the Huragok were well integrated with the crews. It soon became obvious that someone needed to have overall command of the newly commissioned keyships and older ships of the fleet. Of course, all eyes fell on Judy.
"Admiral," he said, getting into bed with his bunny.
She jumped.
"Nick, don't do that!"
He pulled her close and hugged her.
"Don't you want to be my Admiral?"
She giggled and then kissed her Fox. She felt his hands begin to explore her body and she broke the kiss.
"Nick…" she said and he licked her throat and she moaned, "wait."
He looked at her surprised.
"We need to talk."
That didn't sound good, he thought. He took a second to review the last few days. He couldn't think of anything he'd done lately.
"About," he said and strung out the word.
"Don't worry," she said and smiled, "I'm not angry with you." He looked so relieved she had to laugh. "Or have I missed something?"
"No, of course not!"
She eyed him and then laughed again.
"Elizabeth called me today and with Forerunner technology and with the Monitor's help our first kit is now viable."
"You're pregnant!"
"Yes," she said and smiled.
Nick pulled his bunny close and just held her.
"Judy," he said and tentatively put a hand on her stomach, "how long?"
"For a Rabbit around four months and I read it's a bit longer of a Fox. Elizabeth thinks since our child is a hybrid maybe about five months."
"You'll be a great mother."
"And you'll a great father."
He smiled and they were soon asleep in each other arms.
Chief Mendez was enjoying his new assignment. With the help of the Spartan IIs and IIIs and the ones Commander Johnson had trained the training regiment was going ahead of schedule. The current class contained 511 trainees most of which were Cheetahs, Foxes, and Rabbits, but there were a fair number of aliens and humans from this world. It felt a bit strange training nonhumans after having to fight them for the last thirty years.
The animals and aliens only required minor augmentations, but the ones for the human's were more extensive. Since they were using Forerunner technology all the augmentations were completely successful and the new forerunner armor was far superior to the old ones used by the UNSC. Then there were the weapons and ships which were a quantum leap over anything used by the UNSC back home. Also, he'd noticed the changes in Fred and the others. They were forming emotional attachments among themselves and with others. This was something unexpected and he'd have to speak to Dr. Halsey.
He was waiting in the chow line and he noticed the food had improved markedly since the new class started. On her own initiative an exceptionally tall vixen had taken charge of the mess hall and got it running correctly. He liked initiative and kept an eye on her. He'd made it to the head of the line and the vixen was serving.
"Chief Mendez," she said and smiled. "What would you like?"
"Surprise me," he said and Cheetah beside her smiled.
"Joe Clawhauser," the Cheetah said and extended a hand. The Chief took it. "This is my wife Catherine."
What a coincidence, he thought and saw the vixen smile.
"Chief Mendez, would you like to have lunch with us?" Catherine asked.
"Catherine, trainees don't socialize their commanders."
The Chief saw the vixen roll her eyes.
"I would like that," the Chief said, "and I have few questions too."
"Good," the vixen said. "I've been wanting to talk to you."
The Chief thought this should be interesting. He sat at a table by himself and a few minutes later the Cheetah and Fox joined him.
"So you have questions," Catherine said and smiled.
"Tell me how all this got started."
"Neither of us were there from the very beginning," she said. "For that you'd have to talk to Nick, Judy, and/or Maria." The Chief raised a questioning eyebrow. "Commander Wilde, my son, his wife Admiral Wilde, and/or Chief Engineer Maria Muler.
The story began with those three being kidnapped by aliens – the Dark Star's AI and ended an hour or so later with the discovery of Shield World 1723 and their rescue from Shield World 006. The Chief noticed with the expressive way the vixen told the story that a large number of trainees had gathered to listen. A few trainees even added details to the story along the way – one of which was Rabbit who sounded as if she'd been there from almost the beginning. She sat next Fred along with the other Spartans – human and animal. The Chief took a few seconds to digest the story and looked at the crowd and smiled.
"So don't you trainees have somewhere to be?" he asked and they scattered. Catherine started to rise and he waved her down. "You wanted to speak to me."
The vixen looked at Fred and other human Spartans. Then she turned back to the Chief and smiled.
"Actually we all do," she said and Chief Mendez looked surprised. "I would have simply asked my son, but Joe and Fred said we need to make this request through channels. So …"
The request surprised the Chief even more and he looked at Fred who actually smiled.
On July 19, 2557 Fifty Keyships came out of slipspace near Shield World 0001 also known as Requiem. With their superior Forerunner technology the ships of Sangheili Jul'Mdama and his Covenant remnant were left adrift in space.
Spartan-117 stepped out of the cryochamber and felt the ship bump.
"John, I need you," Cortana said. "The 'Forward Unto Dawn' has just been taken aboard another ship. With the power out in many parts of the Dawn and so many of the external sensors badly damaged I can't tell if it's a UNSC ship or not."
John pulled Cortana's chip and placed it in his armor. For a moment he felt the familiar feeling of extreme cold go down his spine as she interfaced with his mind and the armor's systems. Then she guided him to the nearest armory to gather weapons.
"Cortana, anything new?"
"Not yet."
As he placed the Arbiter's Energy Sword on his armor he felt the ship vibrate.
"John, the cargo bay is opening and a ship has just set down," she said and he started in its direction.
He arrived just as the last Spartan walked down the ramp. Then he stepped into the light.
"John," came a familiar voice.
He turned and Fred-104 and another Spartan were walking toward him. He extended a hand and John took it. He looked at all the Spartans.
"Looks like Dr. Halsey's been busy."
Fred chuckled.
"Not quite," he said and looked at John's helmet. "Cortana?"
"I'm here," she said through the armor's external microphones.
"John," he began and removed his helmet, "this is Lynne."
She reached up and removed hers too. Then her ears came up.
"Nice to meet you," she said and smiled. "My husband's told me so much about you."
For the first time in his life the Master Chief was completely surprised.
