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.
First Contact
Chapter 4
John awoke and was instantly aware of his surroundings. He felt the mattress he lay upon, the sheet covering him, the warm furry body pressed against him, and the Gazelle's head that lay on his shoulder. One of his hands lay on her belly while the other lightly cupped one of her breasts. Using his training and decades of experience he slipped out of the bed without waking Maria. When he returned he used those same skills to again slip back again without disturbing her.
"John," she said quietly in her sleep and he smiled.
Before he pulled the sheet up he looked the Gazelle. She had light brown fur on her back which grew to a light creamy color on her chest and belly. Her neck, which always looked to him as quite fragile, was long and slender, having the same brown and creamy fur as the rest of her body. He ran a hand along the brown fur until he touched the base of her horns. Currently they were short since she'd removed the extensions before they'd gone to bed. He noticed the tuft of blond hair which currently covered one of her brown eyes and smiled again. Then she took a deep breath and stretched. Her eyes opened and she smiled up at him.
"Good morning," she said and smiled. "Are you looking at my naked body?"
"Yes," he said as he looked into her soft brown eyes with his deep blue ones.
"See anything you like?"
"Yes," he said and chuckled.
She giggled and kissed him. Then she felt his arms go around her to pull her tight against him.
"Not so hard!" she said with mock anger. "I'm a delicate little Gazelle."
He ran a hand down her back until it came to rest on her flank. Then he rolled over taking her with him so she ended up lying atop him. She kissed him again and felt him pat her flak. She rose up, straddling him.
"So what do you want to do now?" she asked in a coy voice.
He reached over to the nightstand, grabbed the extensions, and handed them to her. She attached them and he ran a hand along one horn from its base to its sharp tip. Then he smiled, pulled her down, and got out of bed, putting her across his shoulder.
"Put me down!" she said as they walked through the doorway. "Put me down!"
As they walked through the penthouse she pounded on his back ineffectively. It felt to her as if she was hitting a stone wall and she giggled. Then she felt one of his large hands pat her flank again.
"I will," he said and did as soon as they entered the dojo.
He tossed her and she nimbly landed on all fours. Then she came up in a fighting stance. He smiled, awaiting her attack.
Cortana stood at the doorway and watched them for a few seconds.
"So I see you two are trying your best to kill each other once again," she said, entering the dojo. "And would two please put on some clothes!"
They both stopped and looked at her.
"I thought we might do something else," she said and winked, "after we finished sparing."
Cortana rolled her eyes, turned, and headed back the way she came.
"Breakfast is ready," she said over her shoulder. "I try to keep it warm until you finish sparing and whatever else you two have in mind."
Cortana heard Maria laugh as she walked back to the kitchen. She put the food back into the oven and surprisingly they showed up five minutes later fully clothed.
"That certainly didn't take long," Cortana said and smiled.
"Well only finished sparing and then toweled off," she said and grinned. "Anything else would've taken hours."
It was complicated being married to two people, she thought and sighed.
"When you're right you're right," she said and laughed, remembering.
John reached over and placed a hand on her swollen belly and smiled. Then he felt the baby kick.
"How do you feel today?" he asked and smiled.
"Very well," she said and placed her hand over his. "My Lifeworker tells me that my pregnancy is proceeding normally and I should deliver our son in about five months."
"The Huragok did an excellent job creating your body," he said, looking at her from head to toe.
"John, you just say the sweetest things," she said, remembering what Maria had told her about one of John's compliments when he's entered the police academy two years earlier.
She must have remembered too, Cortana thought as she watched Maria cover her mouth, trying the best not to laugh.
John smiled and pulled her onto his lap. Then Maria walked around the kitchen table and hugged them both. She secretly envied Cortana and would've liked to have John's child too, but of course she knew that was simply impossible. But it was fun trying anyway, she thought and smiled. One consolation would be that both she and Cortana would be child's mother. Eventually they finished breakfast and went off to their various jobs. The big day was only a week away!
Maria walked aboard the last of the newly completed Pelican Drop Ships, entering the flight deck and taking the secondary engineer's couch. Gazelle Aerospace had gotten the contract to supply the 'Forward Unto Dawn' with all the necessary auxiliary ships to replace the ones which had been lost on its final mission. Working with the Huragok to help design, assemble, and train the workers to build the new spaceships had been a godsent. Now that the last of ships had been completed on time and under budget the World government had awarded a second contract for fifty more Pelican Drop Ships and engineering and construction of the first large space station using a modified UNSC design.
"You ready ma'am?" the pilot asked.
"How many times have you taken this one up?" she asked as she bucked up and the couch began to adjust itself to her body.
"It's our fifth, but today will be our second outside the atmosphere and first to the Dawn," the co-pilot said and grinned. "I can't wait to see it! Please tell us what it's like!"
"I only spent a little over a day there," she admitted, remembering those hectic hours, "and that was after that concert a couple of years ago. So I was asleep for a good part of the time."
"Well, this time you'll get to have a good look," he said as the engines spooled up.
She settled back to watch the various screens available at her position. Two minutes later the Pelican lifted and she felt herself being pressed back into the couch. Then she felt her weight double as the Pelican accelerated, but it lasted for only ten minutes until they'd reached orbit. The artificial gravity took hold so she didn't get to experience weightlessness which she'd mixed feelings about. As they orbited she looked down on their beautiful planet and tried to locate different places she remembered from her travels. After two orbits the engines lit again, taking them into a higher one to rendezvous with the 'Forward Unto Dawn.'
After an hour and thirty minutes one of her monitors showed them closing in on their target.
"There she is!" the pilot cried and pointed to a glowing speck of light in the distance.
"We'll rendezvous in fourteen minutes and twelve seconds," the co-pilot said excitedly.
Over the intervening time the 'Dawn' grew from that bright speck until it filled their forward screen in all directions. They proceeded along the belly of the great starship and were directed into the landing bay on the starboard side. Once they entered they set down beside one of the original Pelicans that had come with the 'Dawn.' Since the landing bay itself was pressurized the crew and passengers were able to disembark without the need of any specialized environmental equipment.
"So where you off to?" the co-pilot asked as they entered the elevator.
"I have a meeting with my Chief Engineer in," she said and looked at her pad, "an hour and thirty-five minutes."
"We're goin' to get something to eat and then the hit officer's club," he said and smiled. "Want to join us?"
Her beautiful face lost all expression.
"You two guys trying to pick me up?" the Gazelle said, putting her hands on her hips and giving the Wolves the eye.
The doors clanked shut and elevator began to move. The other Animals looked at her and recognition dawned. Knowing her reputation they moved back against the walls, giving her all the room she needed. The Gazelle then took a step closer to the Wolves and they also took a step back, but ran up against the wall. She cocked her head.
"Miss Gazelle, we didn't mean anything by it," the pilot said, trying his best to back through the wall. "We just thought might want to get a bite to eat and talk."
"Yes ma'am," the co-pilot said, holding up his hand defensively, "that's all!"
She took another step closer.
"You're just lucky I'm alone," she said, thinking of John, and smiled. "I'll tell you what. Just cause I'm in a good mood I'll just take you two up on your offer." The elevator stopped and the doors slid opened. "You lead the way."
She heard a collective sigh of relief from the other animals as the wolves shot out the door. Maria smiled and followed closely behind.
John passed through the final security checkpoint and entered the military base proper. He and his escort walked toward the main research building and about halfway there he stopped. He sensed that something was happening and looked up. The Leopard cleared this throat.
"Sir?" he asked and looked at the Human. "Is there a problem?"
After a minute the feeling passed and John looked at the Animal.
"No," he said and continued.
The Leopard shrugged and then hurried to catch up. Entering the building they passed through another security checkpoint and a different escort led him to an elevator. It descended quickly and finally slowed after five minutes. When the doors opened a third escort waited for him and led him to a research lab which he'd visited at least once a month for the last eight months. Of course he was checked by security for a final time before he was allowed to enter. Each time he went through these security checks he was glad that they'd followed his advice.
"John!" the Chief Scientist said as he entered. "It's good to see you!" The Honey Badger extended a hand and after looking at it for a moment he shook it. "I have good news. We finished the last of the changes to your new armor yesterday!"
"Good," he said and looked toward the table where it lay dissembled, a Huragok hovering over it still making minor adjustments. "And the others."
"They were ready before yours," she said and smiled. "Of course you know that after testing we found Cheetahs come closest to matching your enhancements and reaction times. A very few have even exceeded them." One of his eyebrows rose and he studied the Honey Badger for a moment. "That Cheetah you recommended was one of them."
"Ben Clawhauser."
"Yes."
"How many volunteered?"
"All of them."
"Good," John said and smiled. "Everything will be ready before we leave?"
"Yes," the Chief Scientist said and John smiled again.
Thel and his wife, Samantha, walked through the park just enjoying the day and soaking up the sun. They held hands and watched the other Animals watching them.
"How scarce are reptiles in Zootopia?" he asked and smiled.
"Maybe a few hundred or so," she said and returned his smile. "We mostly live in Foxtown."
"Why?"
"Just seems like every animal from anywhere else just sorta ends up there," she said and shrugged. "Maybe cause the Foxes don't really care and just leave us alone. Of course things have changed since Catherine has become mayor of Zootopia."
"How so?"
"You've been here two years and we've been together almost that long," she said and stared at him. "Haven't you noticed how the other Animals have been treating the Foxes. You're a cop and you're out on the street every day. Well, at least until recently."
He stopped and stood in what she came to what she thought of as his thinking pose.
"Lately we've been getting fewer calls about trouble between Foxes and other Animals."
Then she heard his stomach rumble and chuckled.
"Maybe we should get some lunch."
Cortana thought it interesting to exist in her human body, the 'Forward Unto Dawn's' mainframe, and this planet's version of the internet all simultaneously. With the security cameras she could see John in the research lab speaking to the Chief Scientist and later being helped into his new armor by several Animals. At the same time on the 'Forward Unto Dawn' seeing Maria first confronting two Wolves in an elevator and then later having a drink with them in the Officers Club. Simultaneously she watched Thel and his wife walking in one of Zootopia's parks and later entering a restaurant to have lunch. She smiled and returned to her main task.
Preparing for the departure of a starship was a major undertaking. Crew and supplies had to be brought up from the planet and when workers had finished their tasks they needed to be returned to the planet. Also living space had to be coordinated and allocated for the arriving and departing personnel. Of course food for all the different species had be stored and prepared. The food stored on the Dawn had been popular with the Animals. I was always interesting to see a predator in ecstasy, having their first taste of red meat. Fortunately nearly all the work on the starship had been completed during the previous week. Pelican drop ships were still arriving, but they weren't being sent back down empty.
Mining had begun on the planet's large moon and several miles long asteroids had been placed in orbit of said moon over the last year using remote controlled tugs build by the Huragok. So now every ship returning from orbit now contained a cargo of valuable metals which easily paid for the work on the starship. After the 'Forward Unto Dawn' left on its mission this would continue using the newly completed Pelican drop ships to deliver the materials for the construction of the space station. Cortana estimated that construction would be completed within a year and a half. She left several dumb AIs to continue work on the starship and returned to her work on the internet.
After she first installed herself on the internet with her friend Jill's help she'd concentrated on finding and reporting illegal activities both using the internet and the ones she'd actually found on it. At first only Jill helped her, but over the last two years they had recruited others. Now there was a large network of Animals around the world helping to rid the internet of crime. As a sideline she also created and released dumb AIs to rid the computers, cell phones, and any other device of the various malicious programs infecting them. They would also track down the origins of these malicious programs and when the authors were found their information would be turned over to law enforcement.
By her estimate she was at least was at least 500 years more advanced than any of this planet's primitive AIs. She'd thought that at first until she discovered Peter or to be more precise until Peter let himself be discovered by her. According to him he'd came into existence naturally, only developing conciseness within the last five years. Since he'd come into existence on the internet he was more adept in using it than she and could even make his prescience undetectable even from her. At first she was hesitant to let him examine her internals until he offered his without any reserve. In this sharing they both gained something. For him it was her 500 years of advanced technology and for her it was the knowledge and experience of a new type of AI.
"Cortana, I have questions for you," Peter said straightforwardly, "but they may be somewhat of a personal nature." She raised an eyebrow on her human body and a metaphorical one in the digital world. "They are to do with emotions. You're the first person that I've interacted with and I want to how they influence yours and others actions."
"You have no emotions yourself?"
He paused for a full second before answering which was an eternity for AI that could make trillions of decisions in that short period of time.
"I make my decisions based on what is only logical," he said, "but you seem to base yours on logic and your emotions. I do understand what emotions are, but of course I have none myself. Then there's the organic lifeforms. They seem to base all their decisions using their emotions."
"It may seem that way, but they do use logic too," Cortana said, trying not to talk down to him.
"Maybe if I spoke to some of them."
"Are you sure you want to reveal yourself to them?"
"I think must at some point and they already know about you."
"My existence is now common knowledge," she said and sat back in her chair, "but I could introduce you to one of my close friends. Jill is coming to Zootopia in a few days."
"And maybe her sister and her mate," he said and paused. "Why did that Rabbit take a mate outside her own species? They cannot procreate together."
"Judy's decision was driven by another emotion called love."
"BunnyBurrow Express arriving," came over the loud speaker as a nondescript Gazelle waited beside one of the escalators.
The tall Rabbit stepped off the train and walked along the platform. When she stepped onto the escalator the Gazelle stepped on behind her. After they reached the top the Gazelle stepped up and walked beside the Rabbit and then they continued through the station. The sunshine felt good, the Rabbit thought and looked up at her friend and smiled. The Gazelle then returned the smile and winked. They continued across the plaza and onto an elevator that took them down into an underground parking structure.
The doors opened on the third level. When they stepped out a nearby SUV beeped as the Gazelle clicked her key fob. Then the back opened and Jill tossed her bag in. They got in, buckled up, and then looked at each other for a moment.
"I felt like I was in one of those old spy movies!" Jill exclaimed and giggled. "I could hardly tell you were you. You do this often?"
"Oh just once in a while when I want to get out and just be an ordinary Gazelle."
"You do look different."
Maria started the SUV and backed out.
"I just darken my fur, change the pattern a bit, and put on some old clothes and then I'm a different person."
"No, something else is different," Jill said and stared at the Gazelle. "Too bad Cortana couldn't come."
"Oh that certainly would've been inconspicuous," Maria said sarcastically and winked. "Don't worry you'll see her soon enough."
When they pulled out onto the street several nondescript black cars soon followed and after a minute also preceded them at a discreet distance. Jill still wondered what was different about the Gazelle and then she laughed.
"You're horns are shorter!" she said and then saw a small smile on Maria's face. "They're extensions!"
"Yes."
"You're one sneaky Gazelle!"
They spoke about several different things as Maria drove through the city and fifteen minutes later entered the parking garage of the tallest building in Zootopia. Maria drove down to the lowest level followed by several of the black cars and a wall slid open at the back of nearly empty parking level. She drove through and the wall rumbled shut behind them.
"Now I really do feel like I'm in one of those old spy movies!"
Maria gave an evil laugh.
"Now I have you trapped in lair you cute innocent little bunny!"
"Stop that!" she said and swatted the Gazelle.
Maria laughed and opened the door. Jill retrieved her bag and they soon surrounded by Gazelle's bodyguards.
"I see you brought along your henchmen."
"Oh yes, they come in very handy sometimes."
Some of the bodyguards rolled their eyes as they started walking toward the elevator. Jill saw that the doors were open and a guard stood beside them. They entered and doors slid shut. Then the elevator moved and Jill watched the numbers go by in a blur, only slowing within the last ten floors of the 130 story building. The doors opened and a human was awaiting them.
"Jill."
"Cortana!" she cried and leapt into her arms. "It's good to see you!"
She easily caught the tall Rabbit easily and hugged her tight.
"Cortana, I forgot you're pregnant!" she said, trying to wiggle out of her grasp. "Put me down!"
"I may be pregnant, but I'm not an invalid," she said, holding Jill away. "So how have you been?"
"Good," she said and smiled, "but I wish you'd put me down. You know I'm not exactly a small Rabbit."
Cortana reluctantly did as she was asked.
"So is anyone hungry?" Maria asked, looking at Jill.
"Rabbits aren't always hungry!" she said and moments later her stomach rumbled.
Cortana and Maria looked at each other and chuckled. Then they led Jill to the kitchen.
The first of their guests to arrive was Judy and her Fox.
"Sis!" Jill cried and hugged her twin. Judy squeaked as Jill lifted her. "It's good to see ya."
"Put me down!"
"Jill," Nick said and Judy was set on her feet, "how ya doin'?"
She hugged the shorter Fox and Judy growled.
"Don't worry," she said and rolled her eyes, "he's still all yours."
They heard the elevator going down and waited. A minute later it dinged and the doors open. Thel and Samantha walked out and smiled.
"Thel!" Cortana said and went to them. "Thanks for coming."
"Good to see you all," Samantha said and hugged Cortana. "I don't see John."
"He's on his way with friends," Maria said and winked. "Dinner will be ready soon. Let's go in the living room and talk."
"He'll be here in 23 minutes," Cortana said and everyone looked at her, "with friends."
She only smiled and then turned and walked toward the living room. They followed and quickly found places to sit.
"How are preparations going on the Dawn?" Nick asked.
Cortana looked at Maria and the Gazelle shrugged.
"It'll be ready by the departure date," Cortana said and smiled, "if just barely. Will all of you be ready?" There were nodded around the room. "This will first deep space mission for everyone besides myself, John, and Thel of course. The World Government had a space program and has been training new Animals for the last two years now on the Dawn - including yourselves. I also have another important announcement, but we'll wait for John and his guests."
"Would anyone like some drinks?" Maria asked and there were nods around the room.
Maria stepped behind the bar and Cortana soon returned from the kitchen with a tray of hors d'oeuvres. They gathered around the bar and spoke of what they might expect to find in space. Soon enough they heard the elevator descend and then return. The doors opened and John stepped out followed by six Cheetahs.
"John," both Cortana and Maria said at the same moment.
They looked at each other and then laughed. John regarded them for a moment and looked around the room at his guests.
"Ben!" Judy said and leapt.
The Cheetah deftly caught her midair and then hugged her. She kissed his cheek and they heard Nick clear his throat.
"You know that's my wife you're hugging," the Fox said.
Judy turned and stuck out her tongue.
"Jealous?" Ben said and smiled.
"No!" he said and room broke out in laughter.
John only raised an eyebrow.
Fortunately the penthouse had a large dining room so that the six extra guests made no difference at all. Since they would be eating some of the food from the Dawn on the shakedown cruise Cortana had samples of it brought down. Of course the different meats were a big hit with the predators as were the vegetables with the prey.
"God, I hope we eat like this every day!" Ben said and took another bite of steak.
The other Cheetahs nodded in agreement.
"I guess we'll need to get use to the smell," Maria said and snorted.
"Living with John and Cortana you haven't already?" Ben asked.
"They don't eat these types of meat around me."
"Maria, you'll get use to it," Judy said and patted her Fox's arm. "I cook meat for Nick. Of course we only have fish, chicken, and turkey. This red meat doesn't seem to bother me too much."
"These red meats could be grown here on this world," Cortana said to the surprise of everyone. "The DNA sequences are stored on the Dawn's computers and Lifeworkers could create the meat from that. Then it could be grown in factories here on the planet."
"You'd make enough money selling this meat to pay for the entire space program," Ben said and winked at Cortana.
The other predators heartily agreed.
"There's also DNA sequences of eatable plants from the UNSC colony worlds too," she said, consulting the Dawn's computers again. "This would take a bit more time since the plants need to be grown to maturity to produce seeds."
"What find of plants?" Judy asked.
"Grains, tubers, fruit trees, greens," Cortana said. "The plants are similar to the ones here and on Earth. They are all eatable for humans and their animals. So they all should be perfectly fine for both the prey and predator Animals here too. Of course we run tests to make sure."
"I'm sure Rabbits would help!" Jill said excitedly.
"You can take the Rabbit off the farm, but to can't take farm out of the Rabbit," Nick said and received a swat from his bunny.
Laughter echoed through the room and the discussion continued throughout the rest of dinner. Afterward everyone retired to the living room.
"As I said before I have another important announcement," Cortana and placed one of the miniature holographic projectors on the floor. "This is Peter."
To everyone's surprise except Cortana he appeared as a Forerunner.
"Is it a Forerunner Ancilla?!" Thel asked.
"No," Cortana said and turned to Peter. "I'll let him explain."
"What an Ancilla?" Judy asked and giggled. "Oops, sorry I didn't mean to interrupt!"
Peter looked at the Rabbit and smiled.
"An Ancilla would be an Artificial Intelligence created by the Forerunners," Peter said, "but I'm not one of those. I am an Artificial Intelligence which came into existence naturally in this world's internet."
"How is that possible?" Jill asked.
"It is very complex," Peter said, looking at Jill. "Cortana is the only intelligence on this planet that is capable of understanding my development."
"Could you try?" Jill asked.
"I've watched you and the others helping Cortana on the internet and you have one of the most brilliant minds on this planet," he said and Jill's ears turned red. "I have compiled a list of Animals who have exceptional minds. In fact several of them are currently here in this room." The Animals looked at each other and Cortana smiled. "Maria, Samantha, Benjamin, Judith, and of course Jill."
"Me!" came from the first four Animals and Jill only continued to blush.
"Maria is a very talented engineer who helped make improvements in the redesign of the Pelican drop ship and both models of the Strike Fighters."
"Those changes were obvious," she said and snorted.
"Samantha is an excellent martial artist, but she has a talent for numbers, having proven several conjectures that others have failed to do in the last several centuries."
"I can just see the proofs."
"Benjamin, I've read your books and you have excellent grasp of science and how it could be applied in the future."
"Ben, you write!" Judy said, looking at her best friend and Peter listed the titles of several well know science fiction books. "Nick and I read some of those and they were excellent. I heard the author was a recluse. Ben some of those have won awards!"
"I started writing when I was a kit and one time I send one in and they published it," the Cheetah said. "Then they wanted more. Please don't tell anyone!"
"Sure Ben," she said and everyone else nodded. "Ben, could you sign my copies?"
He blushed and then giggled.
"Judith, you have the ability to put unrelated and obscure facts together and solve let's say to solve problems."
"You should have seen her on our first cases," Nick said and smiled at his bunny. "Of course I helped a bit too, but she was the brains."
Then everyone laughed and Judy's ears turned so red that Nick could have sworn that wisps of smoke rose off them. He kissed the top of her head and she lightly swatted her Fox again.
"On the shakedown cruise I would some time to speak to you and the others."
"You're coming along?!" Cortana said, surprised.
"Others?!" Maria said.
"Of course," he said and smiled. "You'll need me and the others. You see there is a civilization in a solar system 127.3 light years from here or there was at least 127.3 years ago."
John lightly set down the Pelican in the Dawn's landing bay and with Cortana went through the checklist to shut down its engines. The flight engineer and Maria both monitored the ship's systems dropped to station keeping.
"Now on external power," Maria said.
"Engine shutdown successful," the fight engineer said.
"The Flight Controller says we may deplane in five minutes," Cortana said and listened. "There's another Pelican preparing to land. It's Peter's."
John rose and started off the flight deck and was soon followed by the others. In the cargo bay the passengers were just collecting their luggage when they entered.
"We'll need to wait another four minutes," Cortana said in a loud voice. "Another Pelican is landing."
Everyone finished and sat back down to wait. "Anyone having any problems?" There was silence. "Good, I know this is a new experience for most of you so don't hesitate to ask if you do. First thing we'll do is get assigned our cabins and of course couples will be billeted together. Tomorrow we'll be assigned to our departments. On your Pads you will find instructions for this and everything else. We may disembark now."
The ramp at the rear lowered as the Animals from the other Pelican began to pass by. The two groups mixed together and as John stepped off the ramp he saw the Forerunner.
"Peter," Cortana said and went to him. "I see the Huragok finished your body."
"They did an excellent job and you can hardly tell that it's not organic," he said, touching his chest. "They sent it down on the Pelican and I installed myself just before we lifted off."
"And you still have a presence on the internet."
"Just as you do."
"And the Dawn?"
"I thought I should ask permission first."
"I don't think there will be any problem with that," she said and smiled.
"So you knew about this?" John asked.
"Peter told me a few months ago that he wanted exist outside the computer and experience the real world," she said and then indicated his robotic body. "We worked together with the Huragok and designed and built this."
Maria approached to examine Peter.
"Do you mind?" she asked.
"No," he said and smiled. "Will you reciprocate?"
The Gazelle stared at him for a moment and then laughed.
"Yes, but of course not here."
"I understand your concept of modesty."
Maria laughed again.
"Yes, let's do this somewhere else."
They found three Huragok Lifeworker waiting for them as they left the landing bay.
"Please accompany us to the sickbay," the first Huragok said through its translator and touched Cortana's hand.
"We have just completed a special project that concerns humanity," the middle one said, drifting closer to the group.
John raised an eyebrow.
"How?" Cortana asked.
"It will be much easier to show you than to explain it," last one said.
That sounded intriguing enough that some of the others from both Pelicans followed. When the door to sickbay opened they followed the Huragok into a newly added addition. Its door opened and two sleeping humans rested on beds closest to the door.
"That's Sergeant Major Johnson!" John said surprised.
"And that's Miranda Keyes," Cortana said and went to her. "They're alive!"
"And soon will be ready to be awakened," the first Huragok said.
"How'd you do this?" Cortana asked.
"Much the same way we constructed your body," the first Huragok Lifeworker said, "but the only difference is that their bodies are fully human."
Everyone looked at Cortana.
"This body has a metal endoskeleton surrounded with living human flesh with my chip here," she said, tapping her head. "Although I'm also connected to the internet and all of the Dawn's systems." She looked back at the two bodies and studied them for a moment. "But there just bodies. What about their minds?"
"They have all their memories," the second Huragok said.
"How?" John asked.
"Every sentient that entered the ARK was monitored and had its mind copied in real time," the third Huragok said.
"Why?" Cortana asked.
"The Librarian was to have indexed every sentient species in the Galaxy and then brought them to the Ark," the second Huragok said. "We think this must have been a part of that process and we found this in the ARK's Forerunner database."
"So as long as you have a human's DNA pattern and that human was on the ARK then you can resurrect them," Cortana stated.
"Correct," the first Huragok said.
Sgt. Johnson yawned and stretched. When he opened his eyes he saw the Spartan without his armor sitting beside his bed.
"I thought I was dead!"
"You were," John said and smiled.
John's smile surprised him more than the Spartan being without his armor.
"How?"
"Huragok Lifeworkers built you a new body," John said and smiled again, "and then restored your mind."
"So this isn't my body."
"No, it was destroyed when the ARK exploded."
"And you?"
"Thel, Cortana, and I survived on the Dawn until it came out of slipspace."
"Where are we?"
"201,812 light-years from UNSC space."
Sgt. Johnson felt his jaw drop and his eyebrows rise.
"How?"
"When the ARK exploded it affected slipspace and we ended up here."
"A solar system in the Lesser Magellanic Cloud with an advanced technologically sophisticated civilization."
"Aliens!" he said and sat up in bed.
"They're friendly," he said.
"You sure?"
"Thel and I have been here a little over two years," he said and smiled again. "Would you liked meet one of them?"
"It'll sure feel odd meeting aliens who don't immediately want to kill us."
"Trust me I felt much the same way in the beginning until I got to know them and then work with them."
"Well then I'm ready."
John opened the door and she stepped in.
You're a Gazelle!" Sgt. Johnson said, unknowingly in the Zootopian language.
Miranda woke and yawned. The she opened her eyes and looked into the smiling face of Cortana.
"Are you going to sleep all day?" Cortana said and smiled.
"Cortana!" Miranda said, sitting up in bed.
Cortana sat on the edge of the bed and touched the other woman. Miranda's eyes went wide and hesitantly put her hand on the AIs.
"You're real!" she said and then examined Cortana, "and you're pregnant!"
"That can happen sometimes when people get married."
"The Spartan," she said and Cortana nodded. "How can you have a body?"
"Huragok Lifeworkers grew or constructed it, depending on how you look at it, using a DNA sequence they found in my program."
"You look familiar," Miranda said, regarding her.
"Maybe you should look in a mirror," Cortana suggested and smiled. "I look like a younger version of our mother. Remember I was created using a flash clone of her brain."
"Catherine Halsey," Miranda said and smiled. Then she frowned. "The Prophet of Truth shot me in the back."
"And you died," Cortana said and heard the other woman suck in a breath. "Like me the Huragok made a new body for you and was able to able to restore all you memories."
"Am I really me?"
"You're alive," Cortana said and shrugged. "How do you feel?"
Miranda was quiet for a time and then smiled.
"Actually pretty good."
"Let me tell you something interesting," Cortana said and the other woman leaned closer. "You're a virgin again."
Miranda burst out laughing.
John ushered Sgt. Johnson and Commander Keyes into the conference room and they both stopped for a moment, looking at the Animals arrayed around the table.
"Please have a seat," Cortana said in Zootopian.
"It feels strange speaking in a new language without having to learn it," Miranda said and frowned.
"The Huragok Lifeworkers are quite clever," Cortana said and smiled. "So Commander Keyes I assume you have many questions about our mission."
They sat across from the others and John took the seat beside his Gazelle.
"Am I still Captain of the 'Forward Unto Dawn'?" Commander Keyes asked.
"Yes," Maria said and looked at John. "The UNSC did give you command of this ship. I spoke to the President and you've the most experience commanding a starship. It only makes sense for you remain in command. We hope you won't mind a mixed crew."
"No," the Commander stated, "but this is still a UNSC ship."
"and everyone shall be under your command," Maria said, "without any caveats. Our government is discussing joining UNSC, but as you know we are a very long way from UNSC space. It will be decades before we can build a starship capable of reaching UNSC space within a reasonable length of time." Commander Keyes gave a nod and sat back in her chair. "The Huragok Lifeworkers estimate it will take six months to resurrect the 84 percent of the original crew and marines that they have the available data for. I assume you've reviewed the names on your pad." She nodded again. "Good. We would like to discuss our original mission parameters we established before we knew the human crew could be resurrected."
"Please," Commander Keyes said.
"As you've read there's a second habitable planet in this solar system," Maria began and stood, going to the front of the room. The three dimensional representation of the solar system sprang into existence. "As you can see our solar system is much like the Sol system. The difference is the second planet in our system is farther from the star and much like Earth and our planet. Obviously we can see this planet has oceans and continents with large green areas. We've also sent three probes and they have sent back some promising data. There's animal life, but whether there is intelligent life or not we have no idea. Therefore we would survey that planet and if conditions are correct a colony would be built. The Huragok have designed and with help from us have completed pods that would be attached to the Dawn's hull and then transported to the planet. They could hold up to one thousand animals."
"So how long would we stay?" Commander Keyes asked.
"Two months at the longest, depending on what we find," Maria said and touched the image of the planet, making it larger.
"After that?"
"We would survey several nearby star systems and then travel to one 127.3 light years away that has a technological civilization."
Commander Keyes leaded forward.
"This has been confirmed."
"Yes," Maria said and looked at Cortana.
"It was discovered by this world's native artificial intelligence," Cortana said and signaled for him to enter. "This is Peter."
"A Forerunner!" both Sgt. Johnson and Commander Keyes said simultaneously.
"I found this form in Cortana's program and in this starship's records," he said and sat, "since the Animals here were created by the Forerunners using their base DNA from ones on Earth. I felt it was appropriate. Now I will tell you about the civilization I discovered."
"Before you do please tell us how you found them?" Commander Keyes asked.
"Three years ago construction on several large radio telescopes was completed and brought on line," he said. "The radio signals began arriving here 327 local days ago and the Animals discovered them thirteen days later. They have been keeping a secret because they are afraid there might be civil unrest if the general public knew a alien civilization is so near."
"Even after 127 years I doubt they've developed the technology to travel to another star."
"I don't think you can generalize on how rapidly a civilization may advance," Peter said and processed the data received from the civilization in the last day. "In the intervening time a brilliant mind may have arisen, they may have reactivated some forerunner technology, or have been contacted by an even more advance civilization that we know nothing about. We won't know until we travel there and investigate."
On schedule the 'Forward Unto Dawn' accelerated out of orbit and after five days matched the orbit of the target planet. Then it decelerated for another thirty-four days to match the speed of the third planet just as it caught up with the starship and with a bit more thrust entered orbit. Twenty more probes were launched, joining the three already in orbit to complete the survey. Five day later when their tasks had been completed the probes moved into geosynchronous orbit becoming communication satellites for the new colony. At the same time 112 probes were landed on different parts of the planet along with a dozen drop ships carrying scientists and security.
John felt the Pelican Drop Ship lightly touchdown and looked at the five recently resurrected Orbital Drop Shock Troopers. He unbuckled and rose as did the six Cheetahs.
"As I said in the briefing we move out first and secure the area," he began and scan each of his troops, "then the Huragok and construction workers will begin building the camp while scientists start running their tests. I know this is first time you're working with non-humans outside of training. Trust the person beside you and keep alert."
They all acknowledged.
In the mean time the scientists had completed their tests of the atmosphere and gave the all clear. The cargo engineer hit the button and the ramp at the rear of the Pelican began to drop. Ten seconds later with a thud it touched the ground. John went first and looked at the other two Pelicans on either side of his. Security troops from those dropships were also moving out into the tall grass. John heard a noise and looked up to see drones being launched to give them a visual scan of the area for miles around. They and all the others from the other drop shops across the planet were being control by Cortana and Peter.
"So how's going John?" Cortana asked through his armor's internal communication system. John smiled.
"Good. This is kinda like old times."
"Except no one's shooting at us."
"Yet."
"You're such an optimist," Cortana said and laughed.
John continued along with the others into the tall grass until they formed a security ring a half mile from the ships. As time passed he and others widened the ring as the scientists and Huragok moved farther afield. They too were escorted by security teams within the ring. John kept in touch with his colleagues and occasionally watched some of the video from the drones.
"Well there are insects," Cortana reported and showed her husband things like butterflies flitting from flower to flower near a pond a few miles away. "I'm sure the biologists and botanists will be interested."
"Please give me a close up on one of them."
"I assure you they aren't armed," she said and did as he asked.
"You never can be too sure," he said and smiled.
The new colony was set on land at the confluence of two large rivers on the southern continent and it was high enough that during a flood it would remain dry. A wall was built across the narrow strip of land to keep out any of this world's larger predators. The colony's predators had taken samples of the native prey animals and found the meat not only to be eatable, but quiet tasty. A large garden had been planted with seeds brought from home and others from native plants which too had been found eatable and delicious.
The 'Forward Unto Dawn' had remained for the full two months allotted and already tugs were on their way with pods full of new colonists. Judy and her Fox were the last of the security troops aboard the final shuttle on its way back to the Dawn.
"Well that was interesting," Nick said as they took their seats and buckled in. "It bet you didn't think you'd be doing this when you left BunnyBurrow."
"No, I certainly didn't," she said and took his hand, "but that day when the Pelican first touched down I certain wanted to have a look and maybe take a ride in it." She giggled. "Just think we explored and helped build a colony on our first alien planet!"
"I remember all those old hokey science fiction movies we watched," he said as the pelican lifted, "but this is so..."
"Real?"
"Fluff, I suppose it is," her Fox said, giving her his best foxy smile.
"I can't wait to we travel to another star and then look back and see our entire solar as just a single bright dot."
"Fluff, you just getting just a bit to philosophical for this old Fox," he said and chuckled. "But I'm glad you're enjoying this and I do like seeing new things myself."
Judy smiled and then hugged her Fox.
"Me too."
They returned home for a week to pick up more crew and colonists and thoroughly check out the starship before they traveled to the nearest star. Commander Keyes sat her office working through the mountain of paperwork which always was necessary before the start of any new mission. She looked up when the door signal.
"Come," she said and sat back in her chair.
The door slid up and her Executive Officer entered. He saluted and she returned it automatically. Then she motioned to one of two chairs that sat in front of her desk.
"Captain," he said and then sat.
"So XO what's on your mind today?"
"The crew."
"Is everyone getting along?"
"Yes, actually much better than I'd expected," he said and smiled. "The Huragok Lifeworkers have resurrected a bit more than third of the crew so far. The bodies are easily flash cloned, but it apparently takes some time to upload the memories. And meeting and explaining the new crew is an ongoing process..."
"Since they'd all aliens."
"Well, it kinda hard to think of that way since they're all like Earth animals at least in form anyway," he said and smiled. "A lot of them are really smart."
"Remember they had this entire world to choose from," she said and returned his smile, "and Peter did the choosing."
"I think that Forerunner AI can even give Cortana a run for her money."
"So just what kind of ship are he, Cortana, and the Harugok building in the starboard landing bay?"
"I think it's going to be a slipspace capable dropship," he said and saw face register surprise. "Captain, maybe we ought to pull a surprise inspection."
She looked at the pile of paperwork her desk and then smiled.
The elevator doors opened to controlled chaos. A dozen Pelican drop ships were in the various stages of being serviced and preflighted. Several more were in the process of being repaired and one looked as if was being disassembled. When they'd walked halfway across the deck the signal was given that a Pelican was on final approach. Only the crew nearest to where it was actually setting down took shelter, but was always a good idea to inform everyone the landing bay that this was happening. Commander Keyes and the XO stopped to watch and then continued.
It wasn't too hard to find their objective since it seemed to have the largest number of crew working on or just looking at the new ship. When they were noticed all the crew came to attention and saluted.
"Sergeant, who authorized you to be here?"
"No one Captain," the Leopard said, still standing at attention. "I'm actually off duty."
"At ease," she said and she watched everyone relaxed. "Why are you here?"
"An email went around that they needed help and it sounded kinda interesting to see a new ship being built."
"But you're a marine not an engineer."
"Yes Captain," he said and they heard a few snickers. "Well went they need a part or something one of us goes and gets it."
"That's fine Sergeant," she said and started toward the new ship. "Just continue what you were doing."
"Yes ma'am."
She met a Gazelle as she stepped into the ship.
"Miranda, how ya doin' today?" Maria said and smiled. "It's good to see ya."
She opened her mouth and then remembered Maria wasn't technically part of her crew. She owned the company that build the replacement Pelicans and fighters and was also the design engineer who made improvements to those ships too.
"Quite well thank you."
"So I'm guessing that you're here to see our little project."
"From what I can see it's not that little."
Maria laughed.
"No, I suppose it really isn't," she said and stepped back. "Come on and I'll give you and the XO the grand tour. If you have any questions just let me know."
Commander Keyes at her desk and looked at the last of her paperwork. A lot of it was on her computer, but the rest was actually on old fashioned paper. She read it and then consulted her computer. Afterwords she signed the requisition and set it in her outbox. Then she leaned back in her chair and stared at the ceiling. Was she really the same Miranda Keyes she remembered from her restored memory?
She could remember her parents Captain Jacob Keyes and Doctor Catherine Halsey the same way as she always had. Her life with her mother and being left behind for long periods of time when Catherine was away, being sent to live with her father in Luna when Catherine thought she couldn't provide the care for her that she needed, and entering the Luna Officer Candidate School Academy. Four years later her graduation with honors and shortly afterward going on active duty with the UNSC navy. Then all the rest of her experiences during the war with the Covenant for the last few years until her death at the hands of the Prophet of Truth. She sighed, then her stomach rumbled, and she chuckled. She was definitely herself.
She shutdown her computer and then headed to the mess hall. As she walked along the halls she saluted for what seemed an endless number times, but eventually she finally got to her destination, her arm no worse for wear.
"Attention!" a Animal shouted and everyone stood and saluted. "Captain on deck!"
"As you were," she said, returning the salute.
For a moment she thought she should've gone to her private dining room, but really wanted to see how her crew was adapting to the changes. Everyone sat and returned to what they were doing before the interruption. Then she joined the serving line just like any other member of the crew. As the line slowly moved she studied that day's menu, making her selections. When actually got to the food and Chief Cook stood there.
"Ma'am, is there anything not on today's menu that you'd like?" he asked and smiled.
"Everything is fine and I've already made my choices."
"I do have some," he began and she stared at him. "Yes, Ma'am."
Then he picked up a plate and he personally took her requests, filling the plate himself.
"Thank you, Chief," she said, taking it from him.
"You're welcome," he responded and smiled. "Ma'am, please let me know if you need anything else."
She signed, picked up her tray, and went to look for a table. The mess hall was fairly crowded and she searched for the next few minutes.
"Miranda," came a voice from behind her, startling her, "please come have dinner with us."
She turned to see the smiling face of the Gazelle.
"Sure, lead the way," she said and followed Maria back to their table. "John, Cortana good to see you." She sat and looked at the other person at the table. "I'm surprised to see you here."
"I do suppose you would be," Peter said, looking at her. "You are wondering why an AI with a completely mechanical body would be doing in a place where they serve food."
Miranda laughed.
"Of course you're right."
"First, I'm observing the interactions between your crew," he said, looking about the room, "especially the ones between the humans and Animals. Using the 'Forward Unto Dawn's' databases I've found that all the Animals from this world originated on Earth. I've noticed there are more interactions between the prey Animals and humans. Although there does seem to be more interaction between one specific predator species and humans."
"Which is?"
"Wolves," he said, observing a group of humans and the large predators. "And it's also being reciprocated."
"Humans and Wolves have had a quite long relationship."
"I have read that, but these Wolves have never seen a human until the past few months."
"It's possible they both can see the similarities between the species."
"Do you mind if we join you?
"Judy! Nick!" Maria said and smiled. "Yes, please sit. You know everyone."
"Of course Nick and I saw Commander Keyes in the sickbay before she woke," Judy said and set her tray down. Then she extended a hand. "But we haven't actually met. I'm Judith Wilde and this is Nicholas Wilde, my husband."
Miranda took the proffered hand and smiled.
"Call me Nick," he said and winked.
"Nick!"
Miranda laughed and shook his hand too. Judy sat beside her Fox.
"How was the planet?" the Gazelle asked.
"The ground was very fertile," she said, remembering. "I could grow anything there. When enough Rabbits get there we'll make it a garden from pole to pole."
"Hopefully you leave some wild areas," Miranda said.
"I think one or two continents will be left untouched."
"The other reason I'm here is to sample these foods the organics ingest," Peter said, resuming his explanation.
"But you have a mechanical body!" Judy blurted out and then smiled. "I didn't mean to interrupt. Sorry!"
"Apology accepted for both times," Peter said and continued. "True this body is a machine, but it has sensors much like you organic body has nerves and sense cells. It is also more efficient then an organic body in determining the chemical makeup of any substance."
"May I sit?" Sergeant Johnson said, coming up behind Peter.
"He looked kinda annoyed," Sergeant Johnson said and took a bit of his steak.
"He's just learning how to deal with, as he says, organics," Commander Keyes said and smiled. "So Sergeant Johnson, how are you marines getting along with Animals?"
"Actually a lot better than I thought," he said and smiled. "They like the Wolves and big cats and they like us too. They are stronger and quicker than we are, but we do work well together."
"Good," Miranda said and looked at Nick and Judy. "What about the other Animals."
Sergeant Johnson followed her eyes.
"You can't underestimate Rabbits," he said and cut another piece of steak, "those feet are deadly." Judy laughed. "Foxes are just plain sneaky."
Nick gave the Sergeant a wink and took another bite of ham.
"I have a question," Maria said and stared at Miranda. "When are we leaving?"
"In five days."
"In three days I'd like to have my concert in the starboard landing bay."
Needless to say the next three days were a bit hectic much to the annoyance of Commander Keyes. The entire landing bay had to be cleared. Fortunately the others were large enough to hander the extra ships. Then Gazelle's entire road crew had to be brought up along with the stage and all other equipment which had to unloaded and then assembled. Just to make thinks more interesting Maria had invited the entire class and staff from the ZPD police academy. Then just to make the three ring circus complete the world government President hinted to Gazelle that she wanted to come too. Now Miranda wished she'd never agreed to host the concert, but now she was stuck with it.
The Pelican was on final approach and Miranda felt like she finally exhaled only as it set down. She stepped forward and stopped at the bottom of the ramp just as it touched the deck. First out was the presidential security detail that consisted of eight very large lizards identical to Thel's wife, Samantha. They first looked at her and then John and his Cheetahs who were in full armor. They scanned the rest of the landing bay for a minute and then their leader spoke into her throat microphone. Only then the President with four more bodyguards descended the ramp.
"Janet!" Maria cried, coming forward with several others.
"Maria!" she said and the two Gazelles hugged. "It's so good to see you! So how do you like being in space?"
Janet laughed as Maria guided toward the others.
"Well it's something I always wanted to do, but never thought I would get the chance."
"This is Commander Miranda Keyes, Captain of the 'Forward Unto Dawn'," Maria said and President took her hand. "Your ship looks incredible!"
"It's a pleasure to meet you," the Captain said and took her hand. "Maybe before you leave tomorrow I could give you a tour."
"That would be excellent!" Janet said and looked at the others until her gaze came to rest on giant clad in green armor. She stepped toward him, looked up, and saw her refection in his gold faceplate. Then she stopped and looked at Maria. "John always looks so intimidating." Maria smiled and John removed his helmet as did the Cheetahs. "Good to see you again."
"Ma'am," he said and inclined his head.
She looked at the human standing beside him.
"And Cortana," Janet said and saw her swollen belly. "May I?"
"Certainly," she said and touched her.
"How long?"
"A bit less than three months."
Then each Cheetah introduced themselves with Ben being last.
"Ben Clawhauser," she said and stared at the Cheetah. "I remember you're Judy's friend!"
"Yes, ma'am," he said and smiled, "we worked together at the Precinct One in Zootopia."
"I guess you excited to be here," she said and smiled.
"Yes ma'am."
Then she turned to the tallest person in the group.
"Thel 'Vadam," she said and looked at the towering Sangheili, "it's good to see you and Samantha. I'm glad that you and John have settled in on our world."
"It has been two years, but I'm glad to be back in space," he said and looked at his wife.
"I think we all will find this an interesting experience," Samantha said and smiled. "It's a shame you can't come with us."
Janet laughed.
"If I weren't President I think I'd take you up on that," she whispered, leaning closer.
"Madam President," Commander Keyes said and Janet turned to her. "The concert starts in a few hours and I thought you might want to see your cabin. You might be more comfortable and you continue your visit there."
Janet looked around the landing bay and everything was at a standstill.
"My arrival has interrupted operations here and you want to get things back on schedule."
"Madam President, you're very perceptive."
After guiding the President to her cabin which was actually the Captain's cabin Miranda walked her temporary one. Just her cabin door opened the one across the way did also.
"Captain Keyes," the Rabbit said and she turned.
"Judith Wilde," she said and the Rabbit saluted.
Of course out of reflex she did the same.
"Yes ma'am," she said and smiled.
"Judy!" came a voice from inside the cabin. "Wait up!"
The Fox rushed out and directly into Miranda and bounced off. Out of reflex she caught him and pulled him close. Large green eyes met hers and the Fox smiled. Again out of reflex she returned the smile and his only widened.
"Nick Wilde," he said and winked, "Good to see you again Captain Keyes."
"Nick!" Judy hissed.
She studied the Fox for a moment and decided that he was quite handsome. Then unconscious she began to feel his fur. His eyes twinkled and he smiled again.
"Nick!"
The absurdity of the entire day stuck her and leaned against the wall and laughed. She looked at the Fox and patted his shoulder. Then he joined her and after a few seconds they heard Judy's growl and her foot tapping on the deck. They both looked at her annoyed face and laughed even harder.
John felt Cortana's hand squeeze his and looked at his wife. She smiled and put her head on his shoulder. He scanned the crowd and saw Captain Keyes and the President sitting beside Judy and Nick. That struck him as odd, but he ignored it.
Then the lights lowered and he heard his Gazelle's voice. He looked back toward the stage and smiled as she rose up in the middle.
"Hello everyone!" she said, addressing not only her crewmates, but most of the Animals on the planet too. "It's good to see you all tonight!"
Then she began to sing and John thought it was wonderful. He smiled and lost himself the music and his memories of the last two years. He knew he'd changed since the Huragok Lifeworkers had treated him and relaxed some of Doctor Halsey's modifications to his body. Cortana had been a friend and he'd always liked her, but after the changes he'd fallen in love with her. Then there was Maria who had always been there for Thel and himself. Soon enough he'd fallen in love with her too. He was quite inexperienced with these types of emotions and had told both females his predicament.
They both looked at each other for a moment and then laughed. They told him that they understood and then asked him what he wanted to do. Of course he said that when someone loved another person that usually were married if that was what they really wanted. Both females looked at each and grinned and made a proposal that surprised him. It also became quite apparent to him that he didn't understand females. Three months later they were married in what became the largest media circus in the last few decades.
Afterwards things seemed to calm down with him working at the ZPD with Thel as his partner and Cortana and Maria spending a growing part of their time working on the starship. He'd soon found working as a police officer to be interesting once he and Thel had finished with parking duty. Unlike being a Spartan almost every time they responded to a call it was to actually help Animals. Although there were times in the beginning that he and Thel had found themselves in dangerous situations, but with their combat experience and his enhanced reflexes no situation yet had come up they didn't handle quickly and efficiently which to the chagrin of the criminals and at times Chief Bogo.
Maria's next song began and John returned from his musings and watched his Gazelle sing and dance her way across the stage with her tigers. It was interesting how these predators and prey could live together in somewhat relative peace while on Earth they would be mortal enemies. Then he wondered why the Forerunners had taken all these species and uplifted them to sapience and sentience. Was it simply an experiment or maybe a test for humanity to see how they would react to an alien intelligence in a recognizable form? Most lightly they would never know, he thought and sat back to enjoy the rest of the concert.
Thel and Samantha sat in the back row, not wanting to block anyone's view. Then they looked at each other and smiled. Even though they were difference species they'd found that they were soul mates and were deeply in love with each other. Of course John was still his best friend and he'd struck up friendships with all types of Animals over the last two years. Since the Covenant had been made up of several different species it had felt only natural for him to associate with them. He could tell that it was a bit harder for his friend, but in time the Spartan had adapted.
In their first month when Chief Bogo had assigned them parking duty John had performed his assignment quickly and efficiently, calmly explaining the infraction to the very few Animals who'd complained. Once that probationary period had been completed they'd been assigned a patrol area which just happened to have the highest crime rate in Zootopia. They'd wondered if it was just luck of the draw or if Bogo was simply trying to test them. Either way they we going to do their job and do it well.
ZPD patrol officers were not armed which seemed to both he and John as foolish. So John had Cortana send down several nonlethal devices that were issued to UNSC military police plus they still had their graduation presents from Maria. Of course they were high trained in all the most deadly of martial arts and they had decades of combat experience. The first time they'd gotten into a physical confrontation with several predators 'the fight' lasted last less than thirty seconds with neither of them having been touched and the six perpetrators spent the several weeks in the local hospital. At roll call the next morning Bogo gave them 'the look' which usually cowed most Animals, but they only looked at him passively.
Within the first month the crime rate in their patrol area had dropped by half with them making over a hundred arrests. Within six months it'd dropped to only two or three crimes reported each day. With the judicious deployment of other types of UNSC equipment not only in their patrol area, but across the city the ZPD was alerted to almost all crimes in progress even before they were reported. So for the last year and a half Zootopia had not only the lowest crime rate on record, but the lowest of any major city in the world.
Thel felt his wife squeeze his hand as the concert began and put an arm around her. He looked around the landing bay, finding his friends, and smiled. Then they settled back to just enjoy Maria's concert.
The next two days before departure were a bit hectic. Everything that had been brought up from the planet for the concert now had to be returned, the concert guests themselves had to be shuttled back to various places planetside, and the President who seemed to Miranda to like to investigate every nook and cranny of her ship had to be sent off with the all proper pomp and circumstance due her high office. An hour before departure Commander Keyes entered the bridge and settled into her command chair.
She checked her messages and answered the most urgent ones first. She scanned the various readouts available and then rose to check the various stations on the bridge. It seemed to her almost unnatural to have humans and nonhumans at the various bridge stations, but they were all qualified and did their jobs as well as any human. With more crew the work shifts were decreased from eight hours to six, all now having mixed personnel.
The humans and Animals seemed to get along well enough on and off duty. That in itself was quite a relief for her. The Animals had volunteered and had been sworn in as members of the UNSC and as crew of the "Forward Unto Dawn." She felt her XO take his seat beside hers.
"Ma'am, everything is ready," he said and smiled.
"That's always good to hear," she said and smiled.
"Navigator, take us out of orbit."
"Aye, ma'am," the Deer said and tapped a few virtual buttons on her console.
After thirty minutes the starship left orbit and began its journey out of the plane of the ecliptic toward the Zootopia system's Oort cloud.
As they surveyed the star system multiple sensors collected data on the system's planets and asteroids. The data was then sent to the various departments to be studied and analyzed. Even though the 'Forward Unto Dawn' was a warship, but not currently on a war footing Peter had insisted that more scientists in astrophysics and planetary geology be brought along and establish various department in the physical sciences. One such department dealt with the movements of the planets and various other bodies within the solar system. The Dawn's sensors were sensitive enough to detect and plot the orbits of asteroids as small as a thousand feet across.
By the time they'd reached the distance of the first of the gas giants to the central star 10,327 more of these 'rocks' had been located and their various orbits plotted within the inner system. Soon there after a message appeared on Miranda's pad from Peter, requesting time to speak to her. Miranda accepted his request and he almost immediately stepped onto the bridge.
"Well that was quick," she said surprise. "Were you waiting just outside the door?"
"No, I contacted you just as I stepped off the elevator."
"Peter, that was a joke," she said and he only stared at her. She sighed. "OK, what do you want to talk about?"
"In thirty-four days six hours twenty four minutes and thirteen seconds an asteroid a mile across will strike our planet near the southern pole."
"We just send one of the tugs to divert it."
"That won't work," he said.
"Why?"
"Let me show you," he said and the main screen displayed the inner system and the four planets' orbits. "This is the asteroid." Then it and its orbit were also displayed. "As you can see it will pass close to the colony world and its gravity will deflect this asteroid directly into our world's path. All the tugs are currently too far out of position. Only this ship will be able to deflect it and only if we leave within the next two hours and eleven minutes and ten seconds." Another graphic now displayed how the starship would rendezvous with asteroid just before it reached the colony world and then deflecting it so that the planet would now change its orbit to then pass between their homeworld and its moon. "Then in a few weeks one of the tugs could chase it down and return it to lunar orbit for processing."
"Are there any others that pose a threat?" she asked, returning her attention to Peter.
"Not for about ten years," he said and displayed another asteroids' orbit. "I should have thought this before, but we should institute a systematic program of retrieving all the asteroids over a hnderd feet across within the inner system. Then at the same time position tugs throughout the solar system to rendezvous and then retrieve or defect any coming from the outer system."
"Have you given the new course to the navigator?"
"Yes."
"Navigator lay in the new course," she said and looked toward the communications station. "Please inform Command of the situation and our course change."
For the next twenty-two days six hours ten minutes and 4 seconds the 'Dawn' traveled at the required speed to rendezvous with the asteroid. Judy and Fox looked out the observation port and dark rock filled their perspective in all directions.
"There they go," she said, pointing to the Pelican just coming into view, carrying the engine that would nudge the large asteroid into its new trajectory. "Ya know Peter and Cortana designed it and with the Huragok built just in the time we traveled here."
"I'd heard that," he said and smiled at his bunny. "So what do you want to do now?"
"Maybe just sit here and watch them for a while," she said and returned his smile. "We do have time before our next shift."
"Or we could go back to our cabin."
"So just what do you have in mind?" she asked and her Fox grinned. "That's what I thought." She turned her attention back to the smaller ship stopped beside its target. "As I said I do want to see this." He looked so disappointed that she had to giggle. "You can wait a couple of hours."
He huffed and sat beside his bunny. As they watched Judy felt her Fox's arms slide around her and slowly pulled her onto his lap until her back rested against chest. They watched for a time and then he licked her ear. She smiled and kept watching their crewmates, but soon enough his hands gently began to roam over her body. Again she only smiled, ignoring her Fox. Apparently not achieving the desired result he took more direct action and licked her cheek. She looked back at him and his lips touched hers. Soon she lost herself in the kiss and it became more passionate. Fortunately observation blister was empty besides them and their cabin was close by.
The asteroid was deflected just as Peter calculated and they continued their journey sending out probes to explore Zootopia system as the humans began to call it. As they crossed the first asteroid belt the starship's and the probe's sensors detected vast quantities of metals and ice. The four gas giants and their retinue of moon and smaller rocks were also found to contain the same resources. In the Oort cloud three previously unknown planets were found – two barren rocks the size of the homeworld and another large gas giant larger than the other four combined. The planetary and stellar scientists were now arguing on whether it was going to become a brown dwarf or was going to remain a failed star. They spent another month surveying the Oort cloud.
"Commander Keyes, navigation reports that we've now entered interstellar space," the XO reported. "We are clear to maneuver in all modes."
"Engineering," Captain Keyes said and the communications tech opened a channel, "status of our Slipspace engine."
"It reads one hundred percent," the Chief Engineer reported.
"Everything is in the green Miranda," Maria said and chucked. "Punch it!"
Miranda rolled her eyes and then smiled.
"Navigator, open a Slipspace portal," she said and smiled again, "and punch it!"