Here is the 29th installment. Hope you enjoy.
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If you enjoy this, and you are not also reading my original Log Entries series over on my Blog. Why aren't you? (takes a Nick-esk pose of hurt)
A fresh Log Entry went up when Chapter 26 did. ( Scribblings ) Also. I am now posting them on AO3, so you have even less excuse. It's free, ORIGINAL fiction. "An original story told through the log entries of the pilot and captain of an experimental star ship."
Stats: Not going to call them out, but I am going to just say WOW! The support that the number of views and reviews I am seeing really is amazing. Thank you for enjoying this story.
Sadly, I do not own and thus can claim no rights to Zootopia or its characters. They belong to Disney.
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Precinct 1, Monday morning.
Nick passed through the front doors of Precinct One and walked casually through the atrium up to the front desk sipping his coffee. A larger, Tiger sized cup i his other paw. "Hey Spots, how goes the morning?" Checking his watch to make sure he didn't need to bolt for the bullpen.
Ben smiled warmly down at the fox as he approached. "Pretty quiet this morning, given the news and activity of the last few days. Something you and your bunny seem unable to keep yourself from getting involved in. How is she doing, anyway?"
"Hey! We just triggered things. We were the bait, but we're barred from working on the case. Besides, once she gets back, we have all those old cases and such to keep going through. I mean, I still am, with Mike's help. As for Judy, she is doing as well as can be expected. At least she has Lizz and some friends to keep her from going completely nuts. I mean, you're on her CoD squad." Looking around. "Where is that wolf, anyway?" The door opening and Mike walking in, bed fur still on the side of his face. Nick laughed. "Oh wow. He had a long night. Hey, Wolfie, what's up?" Holding out the second, larger, tiger sized cup of coffee towards Mike.
Ben laughed. "Oh yeah. I am. She's gotten a lot better. I can imagine that she needs a break from the video games."
Grumbling, Mike looked at the coffee Nick was holding up. Taking it, he took a large swig. "Oh gods. Lizz is so worried about dinner tomorrow, plus being pregnant. She just couldn't get comfortable last night. So every time I was about to fall asleep, she was shifting and adjusting."
Nick smiled. "I sympathize. However, it's time we headed in or we'll be doing parking duty. We'll chat later, Spotts."
Ben grinned and turned back to his Gazelle App. "Later Nick."
A few moments later Nick and Mike were in the bullpen with the rest of their shift. Bogo entering shortly thereafter to the usual hoots and howls before demanding quiet. "That's enough!" Locking eyes with Nick and Mike. "Any plans to upend the city today?"
Mike responded as Nick held his tongue. He knew when to not push the chiefs buttons. Most of the time. "No sir. We have several more old cases to review this morning. Nick found his fox last night and he should be coming in this morning to complete the paperwork. Then some follow up on that robbery from last week."
"Excellent. Other than that, I expect you to be on patrol. Your normal area. Maybe break it up. Dismissed."
Nick and Mike saluted, speaking as one. "Aye sir!"
Bogo's glare softened a bit. "Any word on when they'll pop?"
Nick turned back. "No sir. Doc can't give us more than, soon, at this point."
Mike nodded. "Same."
Grunting, Bogo nodded. "Typical." His glare returning as he turned his attention to the rest of the officers in the room. "Jones, Grizolli, Patrol, Tundra town. Trunkaby, McHorn, you're on a fresh robbery in Sahara Square. Jewelry heist, but from a large and huge mammal store. The rest, regular patrols, except Hollis and Heard. Speed trap duty, after you see me in my office. Dismissed."
Back at their desks, Nick was reviewing one file while Mike checked over another. Each making notes and then swapping. Nick leaned back looking towards Mike's cube. "Hey, Mike."
Mike looked around the edge of his cubicle. "Sup?"
"The apartments. I'm just guessing here, but I am thinking you'll want to take the other ground floor unit until Jacob can get the townhouse fixed up for you and Lizz. That right?"
"Yeah, got it in one. You going to call him today?"
"I panned on it during lunch. Figure we can swing by on patrol and pick up the contracts."
Mike nodded with a smile. "Sounds like a plan..." His smile falling to a frown as he looked at the file on his screen. "Good gods. This... How did they get away with this."
Nick chuckled sadly. "I know, Mike. Gods I know. They actually got better at it, which I really don't mean as a compliment. These are some of the earliest cases. They were sloppy, but since this was before the law was changed, prosecutors looked the other way, or even helped, and few attorneys worth their degrees were willing to take such cases, and only then if a mammal could pay. It's a complete miscarriage of justice, one that we must fix. Speaking of which." Nick rolled back, pulled the proposal folder out of Judy's drawer, and walked over to Mike's cube.
Mike looked up seeing Nick walk over. "What's up, Nick?"
Holding out the folder. "This is the task force proposal. I'm finished with my case, so I am going to head up to see Bogo and give it to him. Figure, you might be at least interested in reading it."
Nodding, Mike took the document and flipped through it. After a few minutes, he closed it and handed it back to Nick. "You know what. That's a damn good proposal. Not too long, but nails the justifications and goals, even got your preferred team and alternatives there. I notice that Lizz and I were already on it. I appreciate the vote of confidence that shows."
"No worries buddy. Same reason Eric is listed, and Jeff would be added as liaison for evidence. While we, as inter-species couples could be seen as having a bias, we're also the only ones that are going to be able to tell the difference between a love bite or scratch, and actual defensive and attack wounds. Think about Judy and I, and the claiming bite she bears. Even other canines might think it abuse, because she is a rabbit. Which is why the proposal includes supervising Detectives that will review all conclusions and evidence and make sure we're not letting ourselves come to biased conclusions."
Mike nodded. "You are right there. I've had to make that point a few times in the past, when it was effecting a case. You and Judy have done really well so far. I'm sure you can keep it going."
"Thanks Mike. Yes, we are emotionally invested, but not in a bad way. We want the truth to come out. We don't mention it much, but there have been a few cases that, while some of the evidence and such was tampered with, the mammal in question was in fact guilty. May they rot for eternity. Anyway... I'm going over to the printer now to get these blown up for the Chief."
"Perfect. I'm almost done with this one. Another frame job."
Nick spoke over his shoulder as he walked away. "That does seem to have been their preference when setting mammals up."
A few minutes later Nick was walking back past Mike's desk. "Okay, Mike. I'm heading up. Wish me luck."
Mike stood up. "Hold up, Nick. Not letting you go in there alone on this. Judy isn't here to give you support, so that falls on me."
With a warm smile, Nick nodded. "Thanks Mike."
Outside Bogo's office, Nick takes a deep breath and knocks, the typical gruff voice coming from inside. "Come."
Nick and Mike step in, Mike closing the door. They stand before the desk waiting to be acknowledged. After letting them sweat for several minutes, Bogo looks up from what he was reading. "Okay. What do you two want now? Some new shock and awe campaign to get me off balance? Discover some new conspiracy that will further shake the foundations of the city? The mayor get caught doing something?"
Nick smiled. "No sir. That was really more for Mike and Lizz's benefit. To help them get over their worries about coming out. We're here for this." Placing the larger format printout on Bogo's desk. "A proposal sir. For when Judy gets back from leave."
Picking up the folder, Bogo motioned for them to sit, both climbing into an appropriately sized chair. He read over the documents, which included a draft resource budget that took the salaries of the assigned officers into account. Grunting a few times as he read though the proposal, Bogo nodded. "Sooner than I expected. Figured you'd actually wait until she got back. I suppose you figure by giving so much lead time, you can bug me about it in the interim, and if approved, things will already be ready and waiting for when your mate gets back. Sound about right."
Nick grinned. "Got it in one, sir. Judy and I feel, with this small team as described, we can quickly and efficiently address the backlog of cases that needs to be reviewed. We can track down and pin down the illegal acts committed, and turn that evidence over to the DA's office and Judiciary liaisons for review and reconsideration of convictions, as well as any time served for subsequent crimes against corrected records and extenuating circumstances."
"I'm sure you would like to review the arrest records of mammals such as foxes, weasels, and other marginalized species?"
"If, once the initial scope of the task force is completed and you see fit to assign that task as well, we would gladly take that on. Though, that is more something that should be addressed with training. At least for an ongoing fix to such an issue. Species profiling as you suggest with your question, sir, is only fixable by addressing the source. The officers committing the act, knowingly or not."
Bogo nodded with a snort. "What about you, Wolford?"
Mike took a deep breath. "I'm with them, as is Lizz. As I have worked with Nick on these old cases, I have become horrified and enraged. There was a long standing and ongoing travesty of justice committed against so many mammals of this city. It needs to be set as right as we can make it. There are some that we will never fix it for. The last one I just finished reviewing being just such a case. There are some that will never be the same. There are some that currently serve time in prison due to sentencing guidelines for multiple offenders, for acts of survival they were forced into because of what was done to them by the beasts that did this. If there are others that still feel like them, then they need to be found and removed from the ZPD, because they represent a rot no less rancid and disgusting than a cop on the take of a drug dealer."
Bogo looked between the two with his usual gaze, one that were they there to be yelled at, would make both officers squirm. They were not, so they were just slightly uncomfortable. "Very well. I will discuss this with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor and see if we can get them to sign off on it and bring it to the city council. This task force puts the entire city in the cross hairs, so don't expect swift action on it."
Nick kept his face neutral. "Understood sir."
Bogo snorted. "However. You bring up at much larger point. There is an issue of training that needs to be addressed. One that I think you, Officer Wilde, are uniquely situated to address. I want you to put together a collection of marginalized mammals, Foxes, Weasels, Skunks, Raccoons, etc... Maybe even a rabbit. At least ten, and I want them to be ready to lay down their lived experience. You will give at least three presentations, which will be recorded, and it will be added to the bi-annual training all officers have to undergo. It will also be added to ZPD academy training. I expect there to be a test of some kind as well."
"I can have those mammals here in two hours if needed sir. A test. That will take some time to put together. Just to make sure that it covers the needed detail, while being general enough to be applied across different recordings."
"I want it before the next bi-annual training cycle begins, which is in three months. It needs to be added to the curriculum, so I'm going to give you two months. You will then audit the training to ensure that it is treated properly and report any issues with the format to me once HR and the training team get their paws on it. Also, I expect you to include your own lived experience in it."
Nick's ears fell, disappearing against his head, though he nodded. "Yes sir. I can get that done sir."
"I expect Judy will likely help you?"
"She's going stir crazy sir. Letting her help put this together will do her a world of good by giving her something to do with her brain. There are only so many Sudoku and crossword puzzles you can do before things start blurring together. She's also getting way too good at Call of Duty and a few other games."
With an uncharacteristic smile, Bogo nodded. "Don't have to tell me about it. When my mate was nearing the end of her pregnancy, I think I cleaned out every toy shop in Central of puzzles. She can't stand them now. On that note. I expect a draft within a few weeks."
"I'll have a draft test, which will be pretty generic, ready for the first recording. Once we have that recording, we will be able to generate more specific tests, and after a fourth recording, we will have multiple test options along with multiple recordings to pick from. The tests will be applicable to all, but dissimilar enough. If that works for you."
Bogo nodded. "Sounds good. Now, I would think, based on the time, you two would be heading to lunch and then your patrol. No?"
Both saluted, Mike responding. "Yes sir. We will be on our way."
"Good. Get to it then."
Nick and Mike beat a quick retreat from Bogo's office and headed to their cubicles. Bogo leaned back, listening to the tell tale creek of specific boards in the wall of his office. Once he knew they were at the stairs, he looked back down at the proposal. "Very good Wilde. This is even better than I hoped you two would come up with. Herald and Janice will like this, and I even have a meeting with them this afternoon, thanks in no small part to you, where I can give them this." Hitting the intercom on his phone. "Clawhauser, I need you up here to make some copies for me. Right away."
"On my way sir!"
A surprisingly short time later, a slightly winded Clawhauser appeared in Bogo's office. "You called sir?"
"You almost don't sound winded, Ben. You okay?"
"Yes sir. Some days are better than others, but the trend is towards the better, thanks to Nick and Judy. What was it you needed copies of, sir?"
Handing Ben the proposal folder. "This. I need ten copies in large, ten in medium, and five in small. All in a doc binder to be handed out as needed. I need this before I leave for my meeting at city hall in two hours."
Taking the folder, Ben salutes. "I'm your cheetah, sir."
Thrity minutes later, Bogo had his copies and smiled as he watched Ben sit back at his desk, taking only a few moments to catch his breath and drinking a flavored water instead of soda. Mumbling to himself, Bogo chuckled. "Next thing that fox will have him drinking tea." With that, he returned to his office to address the thousand other issue he had on his plate.
Bogo picked up what he was looking at when Nick and Mike had arrived with the proposal. It was a report from Chromest and Ghalt regarding the behavior of Nick and Judy on their investigations. What surprised him, though Bogo admonished himself that it shouldn't have. Chromest and Ghalt were actually recommending that Nick and Judy be promoted to Detective, early. Something Bogo had only ever done once since taking the position of Chief of police. He added that as a discussion note to a legal pad on his desk as he would need the Mayor's sign off due to the black mark in Judy's jacket. He put the report in with the proposals. The proposals in green binders, the report in a thin blue folder.
He then picked up the other report, also from Chromest and Ghalt. This one in a red binder. It detailed their findings that extended from the work they were doing with Nick and Judy. Nick and Judy had pinned at least three other officers as being highly likely involved, but hadn't been able to pursue the line of inquiry. Chromest and Ghalt had completed that work in the mean time. It demonstrated, without question, that he had three more officers that he needed to fire. One of which needed to be arrested and charged. The other two would have the evidence turned over to the DA for review for possible charges, but they were at the very least out of a job and would never work in law enforcement, or even as a security guard if he could help it.
Punching the intercom again. "Clawhauser. When will Officers Thrillis, Rast, and Root be on shift?"
After a moment Ben replied. "They're on shift this evening sir. They're on 3rd shift."
"I see. Thank you." releasing the intercom and rubbing the bridge of his muzzle, Bogo sighed. "How did we not see this? How did I not see this?" Shaking his head. "I guess, even I had my prejudices. I didn't want to see it. I didn't want to see that who I thought were good cops were anything but." He then pulled out his personal cell phone and dialed a number.
After a few rings, a cheerful female voice answered. "Adrian! To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?"
"Nothing nice, Ursula. I am wondering if you can be here before third shift starts? I think we are going to need the muscle. Bring Hector with you."
A noticeable frown entered Ursula's voice. "Oh, Adrian. More?"
"More... Can you make it?"
"I'm on my way to get him now."
"Great. You'll be having a late dinner with Patricia and I."
"Well, there is a silver lining. Something to look forward to after some unpleasantness."
"See you in a few hours."
The call ended, Bogo then sent a text to McHorn.
3rd shift. Three. On start. U and H coming to assist.
The simple reply was a single sad faced rhino emoji. With that, Bogo shifted the paperwork on his desk, pulled up his computer, and printed out the forms he needed to fill out for MR. Which would be turned in by him personally after all three soon to be former officers were placed in custody and stripped of their badges. He then called the DA to get search warrants and other items arranged before messaging Chromest and Ghalt to expect their warrants shortly so they could be executed while the former officers were processed.
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Precinct 1, earlier that morning, right after Bull pen meeting, Bogo's office. ( Hollis and Heard )
Partners James Hollis and Nicolas Heard walked up to Bogo's door, Hollis knocking, and receiving the deep grumbling voice of Bogo from the other side. "Enter."
They entered the office, closing the door behind them and stood at attention before Bogo's desk, waiting him to acknowledge them. Hollis, a jackal, stood at attention, but otherwise unconcerned. He had eighteen years on the force and even worked as a stand in partner with Bogo early on in the first years of his career, just before Bogo made detective. Heard on the other hand was all but sweating bullets. After the previous days activities in his former home, he was terrified that his time of the force was over.
After at least five minutes, Bogo looked up, taking his reading glasses off. He looked between the two, clearly evaluating their demeanor. With a snort, he looked to Hollis. "Officer Hollis, what, as the TO, do you think of your charge, Officer Heard?"
James knew this was coming. Knew it the moment Nick had opened his muzzle and explained that he was from the target area. "I believe he is a strong, dedicated officer. He's smart, quick on his feet and his thoughts. He doesn't withhold ideas, but is respectful with them and understands that he may not always have all the information when his ideas get rejected. He is still green, with with some additional guidance and continued work, he will make an excellent TO himself some day."
Bogo nodded. "And what about his performance yesterday?"
With a smile, James continued. "We discussed this on the way there, and on the way back after we were dismissed. While Officer Heard knew of the teachings, and knew that something was up, just as the rest of us did. Other than the one instance where he saw the family that Officer Delgato contacted returning to their home in fear, he was never part of what they were doing. In fact, he left for the ZPA the moment he was old enough and a class was available to take him. As for yesterday itself. As soon as he recognized where we were going, he stepped forward and gave up information freely. As soon as he heard the mention of tunnels, which brought the memory to him, he worked quickly with Clawhauser to pin down as many exit points as he was able.
That he didn't bring them up in the initial planning meeting was a simple oversight of memory, and an understandable one. No one asked, and why would we? It was something they were taught as younglings, but not something he had ever actually seen himself. In my view, he was instrumental in the success of yesterdays operation and helped ensure the maximum number of arrests."
Turning to Nick, Bogo pierced him with a look. "You never saw the tunnels yourself, but you knEw of them?"
Nick nodded quickly, swallowing thickly, his nerves on clear display. "Yes sir. We were all taught a song. It told us where each entrance and exit was, and how to make the turns to get to them as quickly as possible once in the tunnels. It was a younglings nursery rhyme. I told the officers going into the tunnels the song and I'm told it helped them greatly. We all knew of the tunnels, but only those who had the proper trust and position within the church organization were actually allowed to use them. Some friends decided to sneak in, and well... They did not get far, and once caught they were brought before the congregation and punished..." His eyes going wide in shock as a memory clearly overtook him before he looked down, a tear dropping from one of his eyes.
Bogo leaned forward, his voice and look softer. "What did they do, Nicolas?"
With a quick wipe of his eyes, the tears starting to flow, the memory clearly taking control of him as he started to shake. "I wouldn't go with them, so I didn't actually see the tunnels. They... They whipped them in front of the congregation. One lash for every meter into the tunnels they had explored. They were my friends. It was a stupid dare amongst ten year old kits. The oldest was eleven, soon to be twelve. They each had over three hundred lashes coming to them. There were seven of them. I, and all my other friends, were forced to stand and watch, not allowed to look away, and they whipped them, again, and again, and again." He was crying in earnest, no sobs, but tears streaming like a river. "You couldn't recognize them after they were done, not who they were, or what they were. They kept whipping even after they passed out from the pain and blood loss. They kept whipping until all their lashes were complete."
Nick looked up at Bogo, tears dripping from his muzzle. "I... I don't remember not remembering that." He fell backwards, James catching him as his legs gave out on him. "Oh great gods. I watched them kill my friends. I never wanted to be a part of the group. I always knew I needed to leave, that it was not a good place to live. I never understood why, but I was driving to leave." At that Nicolas Heard collapsed into sobbing. "I... I should have died with them. I was part of the dare, but I was scared. I actually believed that we would be punished, though they never said how. My friends. My brother... Oh gods! My brother! My parents. They never said anything. When I got home, any picture that showed him were gone, save the one I always kept in my wallet." Pulling out his wallet, he showed a pic of two kids, clearly twins. "He was always braver than I was. Now I know why it was always so painful and confusing to look at that picture."
Bogo looked on for a moment than shook his head. "Officer Heard, you did really good yesterday. You used what you remembered and saved countless lives. You saved the lives of that family and of your fellow officers with what you remembered about the tunnels. What I can say for sure, is that those deaths were not your fault." Looking to James. "Hollis, take him to see the councilor, and then get on your assignment. Do you have any concerns about him and WildeHopps?"
James shook his head with a sad smile. "No sir. While I think Nick needs some time with the councilor, he has been to my home several times. My wife adores him and often asks when he will be by next. I think he will need a proper meal tonight after work. I think she's trying to adopt him."
Bogo nodded. "Very good. Officer Heard, do you have any issues with inter-species couples, predators, etc..."
Pulling himself together after a moment. "I... I'm sorry sir. The memories hit me really hard. I remember more now. I'll write a report of everything I remember, then see the councilor." Shaking himself, he looked up to Bogo. "I... I think I suppressed a few incidents. As for your question. No sir. Honestly, after meeting them, seeing them interact. I have to say it is as if they were made just for each other. I've never seen a couple so perfect for each other. Fangmeyer and Wolford too. I had eyes for a roe deer doe, but she was just that, a deer doe, not a goat. We never dared, because another couple got caught, a Wolf and Jackal, and they got punished the same. They didn't die from their lashings, but we never saw them again either after that."
Bogo nodded. "Okay, get that report together. Take your time and make sure it is as complete as you can make it. Add to it as your memory allows, and see the councilor. Don't be ashamed, we all need their help from time to time. James, say hello to Franny for me."
James just nodded as Nick replied. "I will sir."
With that, James and Nick left Bogo's office and headed to their desks. James putting a paw on Nick's shoulder as he booted up his computer. "You going to be okay, Nick?"
Smiling a real smile, Nick looked back at his partner. "Actually, James. I think I just might be. It's going to be a while to get this all right in my head, but putting it down in this report. Knowing that it will help put the evil scum, including my parents behind bars. That's something that might just finally lift this weight I have felt on me for so long. The weight of what I knew, but couldn't let myself remember until now, when they are finally getting what they deserve."
James smiled. "Good. My place for dinner tonight, and don't try and say no. You know Fran will have your horns if you don't show."
Smiling and turning back to his computer, Nick nodded. "That she would. Learned that the hard way the first time you had me over. This should only take me an hour, then I'll make an appointment for the councilor. After that, we can head out and catch us some speeders. I know we didn't get everyone, and I really hope we run across a few."
"Sounds good, Nick. I'm going to grab some coffee from the cafe, want any?"
"Tea, please." Rolling his eyes as he says it. "I know. I know. I just like a nice strong tea. Just as much caffeine and tastes better."
"Whatever you say. Back in a few, and don't push yourself. Let it happen naturally."
"You got it. Thanks James. It's good to know that there are mammals that have my back."
James smiled. "That's why it's called a brotherhood in blue. Species, background, what our lives were before we put on this uniform. None of that is not supposed to matter."
Nick began to fill out the report, and as much as he tried, he still fond himself needing to wipe away tears as he typed. About an hour later, he was sitting in the councilors office explaining why he had broken down in Bogo's office. The chief had apparently called ahead and ensured that the councilor would make time for him. Once that was done, Officer Nicolas Heard jumped in the cruiser with his partner Officer James Hollis and they headed out to set up a speed trap. Heard feeling significantly lighter.
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A/N Keep the reviews and comments coming, it's making Muse happy, which lets me work on this and other things. And also remember, if you see issues, misspellings, etc... Let me know in PM, I'm under no illusion of being perfect and want to fix those things I miss.
If you are truly enjoying this, you can check out my original work by popping over to my blog, Scribblings. You can link to it here: ( Direct: dcballard (remove the spaces) because the forwarding is misbehaving.) and then select Scribblings Blog ( Scribblings ).
