Chapter Twenty Five- A Brief Reunion
Nicholas Wilde watched as a military helicopter landed in the church yard in front of them, the vehicle slowly touched ground and its rotors began to slow down to a stop.
He watched the doors open to reveal an unexpected but inspiring sight, it was Judy . . .
The small bunny was in front of a giant six barreled minigun and leaning out from the doors, and he could see her expression immediately shift as they saw each other.
The fox went to run to her but was stopped as he was grabbed on the shoulder, he looked at Price who had his finger up.
"Not now, Wilde, give it a minute" the grizzly almost ordered as Nick stopped for a second, stepping away as the helicopter landed.
"Belikov! It's good to see you!" Price yelled as a polar bear jumped out from the cockpit and walked towards them "I can say the same for you, Price!" they said and turned to the vehicle.
"As you can see, I brought some support with me, courtesy of the ZPD" Nick watched Judy begin to slowly climb down from the helicopter, he forgot the conversation and ran over to her without a word.
"Judy, I got it," he said, helping her down, before being given a tight hug as he let her down "Nick, you have no idea how much I've worried about you . . . what happened?" She asked, looking up at him.
He was speechless for a second "a . . . Cheetah problem, I'll just say that" he responded with a small smile "how's your leg?" He asked as he let her down.
The bunny looked at her leg and then up at him "better . . . I don't really need crutches now" she said, smiling at him "heh, so that's why you came to join the party? Took you long enough . . ."
"Unfortunately Officer Wilde, Mrs Hopps is only here to support you and your comrades from above" a Russian voice said beside him.
He turned to look at the polar bear who spoke "yeah, Bogo's orders Nick . . ." Judy added apologetically.
He looked at the helicopter with narrowed eyes "so . . . what . . . ? Your manning that thing?" He asked, pointing a thumb at the large minigun.
Judy nodded "I mean I'll try, but yeah!" she said with a smile, Nick recoiled "I guess you're a really dangerous bunny now, huh?" He chuckled as Judy nodded again.
"You know it, Nick . . ." the bunny paused and hugged him again, "but really, I've been worried sick about you guys . . ." She said, letting go.
"Don't worry Carrots, we've got it covered for now" Nick assured, followed by a familiar voice "alright, can you two love birds stop it for now?"
Nick turned to see another unexpected sight, Wolford. The gray wolf slowly climbed down from the helicopter and limped over.
"Mike, why the hell are you here?" Grizzoli asked as if the wolf was crazy "thought I'd give you a paw" he said as the lion walked up to them.
"You should still be in the hospital." Grizzoli replied sternly "well I'm not, I wanna return the favor for you guys" the wolf said earnestly.
"Well that's one hell of a favor, mate" Delgato said with a laugh "s'good to see you didn't quit on us"
"Oh I'm not quitting anytime soon, trust me" the wolf said with a smile.
. . .
Officer Judy Hopps was about to continue talking to Nick, but she was stopped as her name was called "officer Hopps . . ." She looked at who had called her and saw the large grizzly bear who was talking to Belikov before.
"Johnathan Price, it's a pleasure" they said, offering their large paw for her "I-uh, the pleasures all mine, I've heard some real crazy stuff about you" she said, taking the offered paw.
The grizzly nodded "I'm sure you have, and you've met Ivan Belikov?" he asked, looking at the polar bear.
"He's a real damn good helicopter pilot, a close friend of Adrian . . . you can trust him with your life, hopefully you take a liking to 'em," Price explained with a smile.
"Well that's good to hear . . ." Was the only thing Judy responded with "it's good to see you recovered so quickly as well, you may not be fully combat effective, but this helicopter will certainly help" Price continued.
"I'm glad to be of acquaintance" the bear finished and walked away with Belikov, without allowing her to respond.
. . .
"You alright now mate?" Redbone asked as Nick put his armor back on "I think so . . . Still hurts like hell but at least I'm not bleeding anymore" he said, inserting the armor plates under his vest.
"That looked a lot worse than just some bleeding Nick, you sure you're alright?" Judy's voice suddenly asked as he turned to her.
"Judy, I'm fine, trust me" he nodded and watched Judy look at him with concern and suspicion "believe him Mrs Hopps, he's alright" Charlie added and stood in front of them.
"Who are you?" the bunny asked looking up at the wolf, "thats-" "Sergeant Charlie Redbone, SAS" Charlie interrupted Nick, giving them a nod.
"It's a pleasure meeting you-" Nick watched Judy stop herself and think for a minute "wait . . . you mean the record holding British sniper?" He watched Charlie wink.
"You bet Mrs Hopps, in the flesh" the wolf said, giving them a thumbs up and a fang filled smile, Nick saw Judy seemingly collect herself and nod "well you're . . . Quite the marksman, from what I've heard" the rabbit said, shaking his paw.
"But why are you here? I mean shouldn't you be back in England?" She asked as they let go, Nick watched Charlie shake his head.
"Nah not now, your chief called us in . . . He's got connections with the SAS" the wolf said as Judy looked up "nobody told me this was a joint operation . . ." She tapped her good foot as she spoke.
Nick stepped in though "that's 'cause it's off the books, Carrots, but I never took you for a military geek" he explained, and then teased with a smug grin.
He watched the rabbit look at him "I am not! I've just heard of some of the records Mr Redbone has set" She replied, looking at the mentioned wolf as she spoke.
"I'm glad you've heard of me, but please, just call me Charlie" Redbone said with a dismissing wave of his paw.
The bunny nodded "well it's a pleasure, Charlie" she said, still nodding.
"I can say the same here, Judy, you two make a good team . . ." Redbone said, looking at Nick, who's eyebrows rose at this.
"I'll take any compliment from you Charlie" he replied with a slight grin, which faded as he looked at his partner.
"Are you sure your leg is alright though?" He asked, concerned.
Judy nodded, "that's what the doctor said, I'm much more concerned about you . . ."
"I've already told you Carrots, I'll be fine" he said with a reassuring nod.
"Even if you're all bandaged up Nick, I'd try taking it a little easy if I were you" Redbone interrupted before abruptly leaving.
"So . . . It's been a while, hasn't it?" Nick started "why don't we catch up a bit?" He asked as his partner nodded.
. . .
Officer Micheal Wolford just stood and looked at the some fifty SAS soldiers gathered in front of him. He was beginning to think that making the decision of going with Judy wasn't the best one, considering it clearly looked like they didn't need his help, not that he could even do much to begin with.
He was in deep thought about it when he was interrupted by someone "Micheal Wolford, yeah?" He turned around to look at them.
It was another gray wolf, and clearly a member of the SAS, they had multiple weapons on their back and were swaying as they looked at him.
"Yeah . . ." Wolford answered and got a nod from the other canine, as they pointed to Officer Price "Price told me what happened to you" they said as Wolford leaned back.
"Oh yeah?" The other wolf nodded "yeah, took a lot more than a beating back there, I'm glad you made it out alive"
"Yeah, thanks . . . The others didn't though . . ." Wolford murmured "I watched them die right in front of me, after those bastards tortured them for hours, just for fun . . ." He made a weak fist.
"They need to die. All of them . . . After what they did . . . They don't deserve to live . . ." He stated with the most anger and hatred he could muster.
He was expecting another argument about "not being judge, jury and executioner" from the wolf, but instead a paw was put on his shoulder and he looked up.
"You're damn right mate . . . And that's what we're here for . . . To end this black cat's rampage once and for all" the wolf said with a firm and assuring nod.
"You're gonna get your payback, trust me . . ." He said, letting go of Wolford's shoulder, the cop laughed "You're the only mammal who's agreed with me on that"
He saw the wolf nod "Rouen's men are a different breed, they aren't criminals, their cold blooded killers . . . Nothing's worth less than them" he said.
"You'll definitely help us a bunch from the air, that helicopter's a killing machine" the soldier explained with another nod.
It made Wolford smile "thanks, I hope I will . . ." he said, crossing his arms as the other wolf smiled too.
"Sergeant Charlie Redbone, SAS, I'm glad you're back in the fight" the wolf introduced himself.
Wolford shook Charlie's paw "Micheal Wolford, ZPD . . . Glad the chief sent you guys here to help" he said back, giving the wolf a firm shake.
"How'd he manage to wrangle you in though?" He questioned just out of curiosity, yet curiosity turned into a sneaking suspicion as he watched Charlie quickly glance at Officer Price, and the grizzly slightly shake his head 'no' with a stern face.
It was very subtle, but being a detective and undercover officer, he noticed it quite a bit. And his gut told him that meant that something was up.
"He's got connections with us, your chief thinks there's a terrorist plot involved . . . But that's all I can really tell you" Wolford hid his suspicion though and nodded.
"Alright, I'm just glad you're here" he said and watched Charlie smile "I'm glad we're acquainted then Wolford" Charlie nodded, before walking off.
Wolford put his paw on his chin for a second and thought about what he just saw. He could only deduce one thing . . . Something was up . . . But what that was? He had no clue.
. . .
Frederick Manson stood with Ivan Belikov in front of the polar bear's helicopter, another cigar was wedged in his mouth as the two old comrades conversed.
"So Frederick, what's the plan?" Belikov asked lowly as Manson blew smoke and held his cigar.
"We keep heading North, it'll force Rouen out of the city and out in the open" he said slowly as Belikov cocked his head.
"What makes you think he won't just flee like he always does?" the polar bear inquired, cracking his knuckles as he asked the question.
Manson was silent for a few seconds before answering "Rouen's planning something big Ivan . . . He wouldn't be fucking with Night Howlers if he wasn't . . ." Manson began.
"Rouen is far from an idiot too, he's methodical and patient, he's probably been planning this for quite some time . . . But he's been planning to fight against the ZPD, not us." he said, ending his explanation with a smile.
He watched Belikov nod "and if it's what the CIA believes, then we are certainly cutting his time to do whatever he's planning . . ." The polar bear said in understanding "if we force him out of this city, then it will ruin his whole plan . . ."
"Then he'll either fold, or play his hand out of desperation or lack of time to put it all into motion" Manson explained with an affirming nod.
"Meaning he'll fuck up when we force his hand" Belikov deduced what Manson was planning.
The polar bear suddenly laughed "see? This is why I never play poker with you!" He exclaimed with a chuckle.
"Because you know I'd kick your arse Ivan" the grizzly said with a laugh.
He stepped back and looked at their surroundings "we need to move, we've already wasted enough time" Manson said, unholstering his M16 and holding it.
"I was waiting for you to say that, I am ready when you are," Belikov said with a grin, walking over to the helicopter.
"Everyone gear up! We're going back in now!" Manson shouted as almost instantly, all of the SAS teams were in front of him.
He stopped Belikov on his way to the helicopter though, gesturing for him to walk over, as the polar bear did, he watched Team One quickly follow the SAS and gather next to him.
"This is Captain Ivan Belikov, he's a Spetsnaz helicopter pilot, soldier and close friend to Chief Bogo" the grizzly bear explained as he turned to Belikov.
"Yes! I will be providing you and your comrades with fire support from my helicopter, and will notify you of any enemies we see!" Belikov said with much enthusiasm, topped off with a wide smile.
Manson looked at Nick "Wilde, Hopps will be flying with him and Wolford, she'll be safe with them" he assured as the fox looked at the helicopter, then at him.
He nodded "alright . . ." He could tell the fox was nervous as he said that, but he moved on.
"You all know what to do, cover our six and notify us of any contact" he said as there were many affirmations from the SAS teams "Belikov! Be sure to fly low and be ready to be called in for close fire support!" He yelled at the helicopter as it took off.
He looked at the teams gathered in front of him and made the gesture to move, "this is Price to checkpoint, SAS and SWAT are Oscar Mike and headed North" he spoke into the radio as they began to move.
"Copy that, Price, notify us of any contact, don't be a stranger" Bogo's voice responded from the other end.
Manson grabbed the radio again and slowly put it to his mouth as they moved into the city again "this is Bravo Six, going dark . . ."
AN: Hey hey everyone, so that was a brief reunion of Nick and Judy, as well as the first interaction with Manson and Belikov. Hopefully y'all liked that Judy isn't just . . . There on the sidelines, and I really hope you guys liked the interaction between Wolford and Redbone, I had fun writing that. But be prepared, the next few chapters are going to be focusing on someone else . . .
Anywho, see ya next time.
A Laughing Wolf.