Here is the 64th installment. Hope you enjoy.
Notes now live at the end of the chapter, so here is the obligatory, on with the show.
Sadly, I do not own and thus can claim no rights to Zootopia or its characters. They belong to Disney.
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The next week went by relatively smoothly. There were no more challenges against Mike and Lizz, so they were able to live their lives without interference. Lizz and Judy visited for a few hours each day with Victoria and her First, Terry, in order to continue to learn their positions as Regent and First to the Regent, while Nick took instruction under Mike and Arron, Mike's father, for an hour or sow when they would go to pick up their ladies. Dinner was always at the Wolford estates and was always in the informal dining room. Mike siblings and their mates appearing at one time or another.
Several Wolford council members, including Relti and his allies were arrested by the ZPD for a myriad of crimes. They were then summarily exiled from the pack, and notice made to other packs around the world of their crimes and the reason for their exile. They were expected to live the rest of their lives in prison once convicted, but no one wanted to risk them being accepted into another unknowing pack and starting their efforts over again. The convictions of Relti and the other conspirators were all but assured because Relti, for reasons no one but he seemed to understand, maintained complete documentation of all their activities, and recordings of their calls. Calling it a slam-dunk would be an understatement.
Relti made an off-paw comment to one of the detectives about the records being how he would secure his place in history when they succeeded. The detective may, or may not, have given Relti assurance that the records would in fact secure his place in history, though perhaps forgetting to mention that it would be in infamy.
Darr and his mate settled into their new roles easily and began helping the audit of the banks. By the end of the week, thanks to Darr's IT skills, they had found enough evidence to send multiple ZPD referrals, as well as the firing of many management level mammals by Bill as the reports of their activities were forwarded to him.
It became clear that it would be several months before things were fully cleaned up, due to the need to vet and hire new management for the bank and it's ten branches throughout the city as much as the structuring and application of new rules for how accounts were to be handled. Rules that were designed to be utterly blind to a mammals species or social standing. With those things going into place, and all the mammals that were moving their accounts, the other banks in Zootopia started filing the anticipated lawsuits. The suits included accusations ranging from fraud, to violations of competition regulations, corporate espionage, and other more mundane and outrageous claims. All of which Bill's lawyers were more than ready to address. The publicity of those lawsuits actually drove more mammals to change banks.
Lemming Brothers and Bill's bank, renamed as All Mammal Savings or AMS, were adding accounts to their rolls almost faster than they could manage. Lemming Brothers saw the writing on the proverbial wall, and simply mirrored the changes AMS was making, including dumping personnel that refused to follow the new rules. Being the only bank in Zootopia that wasn't completely screwing over smaller and marginalized species, it was a much simpler change for them, unlike the other banks.
The publicity, and the documented claims brought by Bill's team in response to the filing of the suits, brought regulatory scrutiny and almost daily news stories. The regulators that had been looking the other way suddenly felt the need to cover their tails. While the reporters found easy meat for stories about the abuses by the banks and corruption in the regulatory agencies. Abuses that were out in the open for anyone bothered to look, to see. They just now had motivation to actually look.
By the start of the following week, the entire banking industry of Zootopia and beyond was in utter chaos. The policies that they had been using for decades, or even centuries, were being forcibly re-examined. Public pressure driving by the non-stop press reporting was driving bank executives to madness as they tried to figure out how to adapt and keep account. Stories showing mammals who had random fees applied to their accounts, along with others who could show years of paper statements, but suddenly had their accounts cease to exist, just amplified the pressure.
The reporters following those stories were quickly drawn to claims about missing young, taken by Kit Services, often from the same families with vanished money and accounts. That led to reporters looking into what Kit Services was up to, and the shocking reporting of how marginalized species such as foxes, raccoon's, and others were abused in the system. Reporters who could not have cared less before, now seeing the chance to make names for themselves.
Monday morning of the following week, Bill's bank announced its intention to open branches in other cities. The existing banks in those other cities found themselves scrambling to make changes in order to keep the accounts of the mammals they had managed to legally screw over up to that point. Much as the banks in Zootopia had, only with a few weeks or months chance to make changes.
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Wolfeyer apartment, Tuesday after the Doctors visit.
Nick smiled at the slightly larger than normal fennec fox sitting at the dinner table in Mike and Lizz's apartment. "So, Domi. You came highly recommended by Doctor Reddillis as a midwife for our mates. Especially as you live closer and will probably get to the hospital before the doc does."
Domi smiled with a nod. "That is correct. I am well qualified as you can see on my resume, and have worked with Doctor Reddillis on many hybrid births. I can help ensure that the doctors at the hospital do not make any mistakes assuming that they are dealing with just a simple rabbit or tiger birth. Although the tiger-wolf hybrids will be less likely to have issues, and since you have been healthy and are very healthy, Judy, I don't expect any complications. However, that doesn't mean there can't be. Murphy being the goat he is."
Judy nodded with a chuckle. "True story. We found out that I was pregnant because we ended up in the hospital after one of the Bellwether followers hit us with Nighthowler, again. We were so scared when the doctor told us I was pregnant that getting hit with Nighthowler would cost us the pregnancy. So very happy that it didn't."
Domi gasped, suddenly very concerned. "Oh no! Are you sure you are okay?"
Judy nodded. "We're fine. Nick and I are all but immune to Nighthowler at this point. I mean, it affects us, but not like it did during the original scare."
Domi scrunched her brows. "And you are okay with me, a predator, being your midwife?"
Judy shrugged. "I really don't know why mammals keep asking me that. I married a predator, a fox of all mammals. Two of my best friends are a wolf and a tiger. My kits are half fox, so yeah. You being a predator never entered my mind as a concern. However, if the fact that I am prey is going to be an issue for you…"
Domi shook her head, ears flopping slightly with a smile, putting her paws up in surrender. "Oh no. Please don't misunderstand me. I just have to be sure. I'm actually dating a rabbit myself, and she works at the hospital. With everyone else in the room being a predator, it only just dawned on me that there was a rabbit in the room. I just have to be sure of your comfort level. I've met a few prey who said they were fine with me as their midwife, and turned out not to be unless pressed. Though none, I admit, had a predator as a mate. I suppose I should have taken that into account."
Judy nodded. "Okay, that's one of the few reasonable reasons to ask. So, assuming we hire you over the other three midwives that we have met with. What are your expectations of us, and what can we expect of you? Neither Lizz nor I have any experience, personally. Though I do have dozens of sisters who have had dozens of kits, and at least thirty sisters or cousins that are midwives. So I do have some idea. One thing they all made clear when I called them for advise is that none of them have exactly the same habits or expectations, and I needed to find one that fit me and my pregnancy."
Domi smiled wider and nodded. "You got good advice. My expectations are simple. I will check on you twice a day, or you can check in with me. Text or call is fine. We'll have a short conversation, confirm how you are feeling, that the kits are active, etc… If Doctor Reddillis schedules inducement, you need to let me know when that is going to be so that I can be there. My job is to help facilitate the birth, and run interference with the hospital and doctors unfamiliar with diverse inter-species pregnancies and births. Something that is, I assure you, especially important with you carrying such diverse hybrids.
If you go into labor, I need to be your first call. This is important. It won't be a long call, but it needs to be your first. I will confirm some details with you, find out if you need transport to the hospital, and then hang up. I will take care of contacting Doctor Reddillis and the hospital from there. I will make sure they are ready for your arrival and meet you there. With any luck, I will be there before you.
At that point, I'll help make sure you get checked in, placed in a private room, and are monitored. If you get there before me, I will make sure that any room changes, or other accommodations are made to ensure you are properly cared for. I will make sure the doctor is kept in the loop while she travels to the hospital, and will perform the delivery if I have to. Of course, after you have called me, while you are on the way to the hospital. I encourage you to contact your mates, and any family that you feel the need to advise. I will however prevent anyone other than your mates, and maybe a parent, from entering the delivery room. I know a lot of mammals want friends and family present, but the health of you and your young is more important. Therefore the fewer mammals not me, the doctor, and nurses, the better."
Judy nodded with a smile. "And that's something my family also said is the indicator of a good midwife."
Giving a warm smile of her own, Domi nodded and continued. "I do have one other question for each of you. Judy, are you aware of the custom for cutting the umbilical for foxes, and specifically red foxes?"
Judy nodded with a laugh and leaned against Nick. "I am, and I have no issues with it. As long as he is there, I want nothing more than for him to fulfill his instinctive needs."
Domi nodded with a warm smile. "That is great to hear. Many would consider it barbaric, especially prey."
Nick chuckled. "Well, Judy is anything but normal prey. I mean, she has eaten meat since she was a teen. So me needing to give into some instincts isn't going to bother her. I mean, we've claimed each other, and she initiated it."
Nodding with a smile, her tail wagging gently, Domi turned to Mike and Lizz. "That is fantastic, and surprising. Now, for you two. I do not normally take on two clients at the same time. However, the doc has asked me to do it as, if we reach the point of inducing you, it'll be on the same day. She actually joked that she expects you two to go into labor at the same time. Now, are you Lizz, familiar with the wolf custom regarding births?"
Lizz nodded. "Mike and I have had nothing but time to talk before we came out publicly thanks to Nick and Judy. We've discussed our cultural expectations, and as with Judy. I'm more than happy to let Mike do the honors required of him. Our differences actually work out well, as he will cut the cord, and then pass the cubs to me to be cleaned."
Domi laughed lightly. "My gods. A pair of couples that have actually talked it out beforehand, know what to expect, are prepared, and have even planned for it! I think I must have died and gone to paradise.
Okay. Lastly, as for pay. I ask a fee of five hundred Z's a week, and then a thousand Z's for the birth itself. As I am taking you both on, I think a weekly of 350 per couple is reasonable after an initial up front of 500, given you live in the same complex, and the fact that you, Judy, are Lizz's First. I expect it will be unusual for you two to be apart from each other for long periods. I am also available for after birth care and looking after your kits while you recover for an additional two hundred fifty Z's a day."
Judy, Lizz, Nick, and Mike shared a look and all smiled.
J: Well?
L: I'm feeling Domi. She's up front, smart, and I feel she will be a real force to be reckoned with if any doctor gives us a hard time.
J: Agree. Helps that she is also the only one familiar with, worked with, and not bothered by us as couples.
N: You're right there, Fluff. Also getting really good at reading mammals. The others were very uncomfortable, and that deer…
M: Already forwarded a note to Del to look into her.
J: So… Domi?
L: Definitely, Domi. Even if the doctor hadn't recommended her.
Judy nodded and turned back to Domi. "Okay. When do you need your first payment? Do you have a contract? We will need to put your number in our phones."
Domi grinned, her oddly shorter tail wagging. "I take it that I got the job. Not sure what just happened, almost like you all just had a conversation. You'll have to explain that, but later. I do have a contract, actually brought two per the doctor's suggestion. First payment is due now, we'll arrange when the weekly installment is due on the contract. Payments due for the delivery and such we will settle after the fact, including kit and cub care after the birth if you want my help with that. If that sounds good, then I'll pull out the contacts and we will make it official."
Judy and Lizz nod and nudged their mates. Nick and Mike both rolled their eyes and pulled out five hundred Z's each. Seeing this, Domi pulled out the contracts from her attache case, and twenty minutes later, the contracts were signed and put away.
Domi leaned back in the chair and looked over the four soon to be parents. "I have worked with Doctor Reddellis for several years. She recommended me to you, and you to me. She usually just makes suggestions, but in this case she made a strong recommendation that I reach out to you and stated that she had already given you my information. That's a very strong endorsement from the doctor, and I start to understand why. You are good mammals, and you deserve to have this process go as smoothly as possible. I promise that I will do all I can to make sure it does."
Lizz nodded with a smile. "Thank you, Domi. It helps all of us feel less worried to know we have someone in our corner for the final part of this." Putting a paw on her belly.
With another warm smile, Domi nodded to Lizz in return. "I'm happy to help, and happy to be a part of this with you. It is a special time, and I look forward to helping bring your young into the world."
They continued to chat until late that afternoon, set up when Lizz and Judy would call Domi to check in. After saying their goodbyes, the couples ordered in some take out and settled down to a few games and a movie.
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Wolford Pack Estate - Evening, Thursday.
Nick's stomach growled loudly causing Arron and Mike to look at him and all three start laughing. Nick shook his head. "Sorry. We missed lunch thanks to that damn robbery."
Arron nodded. "It's all good. We're pretty much done today anyway, unless you have questions? I mean, you really had quite the head start, as did Judy according to Vic. I don't think there is much more either of you are gong to need from us."
Nick shook his head. "Nope. So, what's for dinner?"
Arron shrugged. "No idea. Lets go find out."
A few minutes later they walked into the informal kitchen and dining area to find their ladies arguing over what to order. Nick shook his head. "Nope. Not happening. Carrots, why don't you, Lizz, and Victoria head into the living room and find something mindless with thoughts towards a movie while Mike, Arron, and I cook something up."
Victoria laughed. "Oh gods. Now we have to order something. Arron, I love you, but you can't cook to save your life, and you know it."
Nick grinned. "Now, Victoria. You doubt me already?"
Shaking her head, Victoria continued to chuckle. "Not you, Nick. Just Arron. I've tried to teach him to cook since before were married and mated. He's simply not able to do it. However, if you can manage to get him to cook successfully, I will bow down to you and never question you again."
Nick laughed. "Okay. Challenge accepted." Turning to Arron. "Let's see just how bad you are and then we'll fix you right up. It's probably something simple."
Arron laughed nervously. "I've successfully burned water, on more than one occasion."
A few minutes later, Nick, Arron, and Mike were in the kitchen, the ladies retiring to the living room, their laughter and the sounds of video clips from the show Absurdness coming through the short hallway.
Grinning, Nick turned to Arron. "Okay. First thing we need to do is figure out what we are going to make, and no, I'm not letting you cheat and just make sandwiches. We're going to cook something real, well, you are. Mike and I will direct."
Mike shook his head. "Nope. I'll watch, but this is all on you, Nick."
Nick rolled his eyes and turned back to Arron. "Okay, Arron. What do you want to cook? Something to challenge yourself."
Arron's ears fell flat, his tail trying to curl up between his legs. "Nick. I… I really can't cook." Pointing to a scorch mark on the back splash and hood of the stove. "That was me. I was only trying to heat up some jarred spaghetti sauce."
Nick grinned. "Perfect. We'll make a spicy pasta, as I know everyone loves a bit of heat. You have some boneless chicken as well as some shrimp in the fridge, if I remember right. What do you think, Mike? Shrimp, Chicken, or both?"
Mike looked at his clearly terrified father. "Don't worry, Dad. Nick and I have your back. You're going to be the one cooking, but we're here to make sure nothing explodes on you." Grinning at Nick, Mike nodded. "Well, Nick is. I'll be manning the fire extinguisher." Laughing at his fathers terrified expression, ears flat, tail trying to curl up between his legs. "I say both. Let's really wow the girls."
With a nod, Nick's grin widened. "Sounds good to me."
Arron frowned. "But we don't have any canned sauce…"
Nick returned the frown. "Arron. There is no way I am going to teach you to cook and not also teach you to make a proper home made sauce. Mike, why don't you call Jael, Harvee, Terry, and Greg. Invite them over for a surprise dinner, but don't tell them anything else. Just get them here."
Mike nodded and pulled out his phone while Arron whined. "Nick… Please, they all know how bad I am in the kitchen. No need to make it worse."
Nick gave Arron a confident smile. "Arron, by the time we are done, you are going to have a complete meal cooked up for everyone, and it will be one of the best things they have ever eaten. You are going to do all the work, with Mike and I supervising. So, first things first. You need to prep things before you start cooking, that way you can focus on the cooking and not worry about prepping while things cook. That's lesson one. When you decide what you are going to cook, have everything ready before you start."
Arron nodded, ears still folded. "Okay." Taking the boneless chicken breast and shrimp out of the refrigerator and setting both on the counter. "Now what?"
"You need three cutting boards. One for the chicken, one for the veggies that we will be using, and one as a backup. I see that the shrimp has the tails on, but are already cleaned. The question is, is there anyone we're cooking for that doesn't like the tails? I know Carrots and I love them, but a lot of mammals won't eat them."
Arron thought for a moment and nodded. "Nope, everyone but Frank likes them. I like the extra crunch and flavor they add."
Nick smiled wider. "Excellent. I'm of the same opinion. So, pull out a large bowl for the shrimp and just dump it in that, then set it aside." After Arron had done that. "Great, pull out another bowl you can put the chicken into once you've cut it up. Now, where are your knives?"
Frowning again, his tail succeeding in curling between his legs, Arron pointed. "I'm not allowed to touch the knives."
Nick smiled warmly at Arron. "Well, that changes today. Come on, let's pick you a pair of good ones. One for the chicken and another for the veggies and such. Now here's a tip, and will explain while you have two cutting boards out. While not strictly necessary, it's always best to use a different board and knife for your meat, especially chicken, than the one you use for any veggies or other things. It is just so you don't contaminate things. With modern food preparation and refrigeration, so long as you are clean, and are using clean fresh ingredients, it isn't strictly necessary or presents a real risk, but it is best practice. If you can't use more than one, just clean it thoroughly after you do the chicken and before you use it for anything else."
Arron nodded. "Okay, I guess that makes sense. What knife should I use?"
Nick gave a smirk. "A sharp one." Laughing at the look of irritation from Arron, Nick pointed. "I'm actually serious about that. A sharp knife is a safe knife in the kitchen. It helps ensure that you cut what you are intending to and not things like your fingers, that you don't want to."
"Okay, that makes sense. Vic make sure all our knives are razor sharp."
"I expected as much." Pointing, "Use that smaller Chef's knife for the chicken, and the slightly larger one for the other stuff. Now that you are ready, wash your paws thoroughly."
Arron flicked an ear in irritation. "I'm a clean wolf, Nick."
Nick nodded. "Yes, and you are about to handle some raw food. Don't care how clean you are, you always wash your paws before you start, and after as well. You want to wash about halfway up your forepaws. The point is to try to clear out any dirt, dust, and loose fur so it doesn't contaminate the food."
Arron nodded with a smile. "Oh! Okay, I get it. Since we don't have those gloves I see mammals using on the cooking shows."
Nick nodded with a smile. "Exactly. You'll want to make sure you get deep up under your claws too. It's not something a lot of mammals think about, especially those of us with claws." Once Arron had finished washing under Nick's watchful eye, Nick directed him over to the chicken. "Now, we are going to go slow. There is no need to rush, and you want to be careful. Place the first piece of chicken on the board and pick up the knife in your dominant hand. … Good, now turn the chicken… perfect. One paw on the chicken, using your claws to gently hold it still, slice off a small piece … move the knife a bit more. Don't be afraid of it, just be careful… that's better. … Right, now move your paw holding it and repeat. … Excellent. Now take each section and cut it down a bit smaller. Slightly larger than bite-size because it will shrink a little when cooked. Once the pieces are the size you want, and they don't have to be uniform, we're not auditioning for Hell's Kitchen here, put them in the bowl. Once done with this piece of chicken, repeat with the others."
Nick watched as Arron worked on the chicken and in short order, he had it all cut up and ready. Nick grinned. "Great job, Aaron. You're already well on your way there. Now let's prep the veggies we'll be making. Just set the bowls with the chicken and shrimp near the stove, then wash your paws again, because you handled the chicken. Making sure you get under your claws again."
After a few minutes, they had a rough dice on some garlic, onions, and had minced up some fresh herbs, all separated in smaller dishes. Nick looked it over and grinned. "Excellent job again, Arron. Look at all that, and you did all that yourself. I was thinking we'd do some green beans, but I don't want to overwhelm you, so we're just going to do the pasta. There will be more than enough that a side won't be needed."
Arron smiled slightly embarrassed. "Only because you were telling me what to do."
"Arron, I only directed you through the first piece of chicken, you did the rest all by yourself, same with cutting up the onion, peeling and mincing the garlic, and prepping the fresh basil and other herbs. Now, open those cans of tomatoes. We could do it with all fresh, but who wants to spend the time working with dozens of tomatoes when they have perfectly acceptable cans of tomatoes already diced and/or pureed up for you. It's a little short-cut, but not totally cheating, since we're not Greetha's."
Arron grinned, his tail wagging happily. "This is great. I've never gotten this far without some sort of major disaster. What's next?"
"First, we're going to prepare the sauce."
"What about the noodles?"
Mike chuckled from the background. "The noodles are the last thing you start, Dad. Otherwise they'll be nothing but mush."
"Oh… No kidding?"
Nick nodded with a bright smile. "Nope, he's not kidding. We have the water already ready, and you salted it. I know it seems like a lot, but the water should taste like the ocean, especially since we're using dried pasta. Not going to overwhelm you with making fresh pasta too. It's easy enough, but messy, and no way we're doing that without gloves, otherwise you'll be picking bits of pasta dough from beneath your claws for a week.
Now, turn the pasta water onto medium heat. We don't want to boil it just yet, but we want to get it hot so it takes less time to get it to boiling when we need it. Another trick to making things faster. Now that pan." Pointing. "Pour the oil I had you measure out earlier. … Good. Now add the larger section of garlic and onion that you set aside, and the spices and herbs. Right, heat on medium high and grab that wooden spoon. … Good. Good. Keep it moving, but not so fast it isn't experiencing the heat. Right, careful to avoid splashing. You're stirring it not mixing it, so be gentle. … That's it. Let it rest a few, then stir, rest, stir, rest, stir. You've got it.
Okay, you smell that? Good, and you see the onion pieces are starting to get, but not quite fully translucent? That's your indication that you're ready to add the tomatoes. Just dump them all in, just be careful to not splash. … Great, keep it moving like before. Rest, stir, rest, stir… just like that. When it starts to bubble and stirring doesn't stop it, start the other burner there on low and move the pan over.
Now, keep an eye on the sauce, stir it occasionally, but otherwise it should be fine on its own for the next few minutes. Good, that's the right pan. The rest of the garlic, onion, and the oil. Good. Drop in the chicken. Great. Keep it moving like the sauce, but a bit more so the chicken doesn't burn. Great job. Now that the chicken is starting to look mostly cooked, take the ladle and put enough of the sauce to cover… Perfect. Just like that. Once the chicken is done, it'll be firm like that smaller piece. … Good, add the shrimp and some more sauce, and turn the pasta water up to high so it can get to a boil."
"I thought we wanted to wait on the pasta?"
Nick smiled. "We are, but the shrimp doesn't take long to cook. Look at it, it's already starting to change color and curl up."
Arron grinned. "It is. Wow!"
"Good, shrimp is done, now turn the heat down to low and pour the rest of the sauce into that pan. it's why we used the larger one. … Good, now the water is boiling, so add the pasta and give it a stir to make sure the individual noodles don't clump together. We're using a smaller penne, which will hold the sauce well and won't take long to cook. … Good instinct to stir the sauce and meat, but don't be too vigorous and let it be generally, it's why we turned it down. … Great, so after about five minutes, we want to check the pasta. Use that slotted spoon and retrieve a noodle. Now nip the end off, is it gummy? Do you still see the hard dry white on the inside still?"
Arron nodded. "Yeah, see." Showing Nick.
Smiling, Nick chuckled. "Right, there is nothing wrong with that, it just means it needs another minute or two. You want to wait another minute or so, then check another noodle. Once it doesn't have that dry part, but has a good firmness to it, we'll drain it and dole it out in the bowls that Mike set out. I think they call it howl-dente."
Mike snorted from the breakfast bar, a fire extinguisher next to him. "Nick, that was terrible. It's al dente, dad. It means to the tooth, in Zitalian."
Aaron chuckled as he tested another noodle then held it out to Nick. "Yeah, that was bad. But funny. Like this?"
Nick checked the noodle himself and nodded. "Exactly how you want it. The noodle still has body to it, but is fully cooked. So pull the strainer up carefully. … Good, use that slotted spoon to give out the portions. … Great, now the ladle and the sauce. Make sure every serving gets some chicken and a few shrimp. Excellent, and the garnish with the basil and some of that shredded cheese. Perfect. Mike has set the table, already. Mike, call everyone in."
A few minutes later, everyone was sitting around the table and sniffing appreciatively. Victoria looked over at the beaming grin on her mates face. "What I smell, smells awesome. Did you really cook it?"
Arron nodded, his grin getting bigger and tail wagging like a fan. "Yep, the only thing Nick did was a few taste tests and suggestions, and verify that the pasta was ready. He just gave direction, I did all the work. Had to stop me a few times getting too crazy when stirring the sauce, but he slowed me down and I got it done." Setting the plates of pasta in front of the various mammals. "We decided not to do a side and just load everyone up with the pasta."
Victoria took a tentative bite, her eyes going wide. "Love, this is fantastic! Do you think you can do it again without Nick here?"
Arron's ears folded back. "I don't know, but he gave me a lot of pointers on how to do it so that I don't destroy the kitchen. I could probably pull off something simpler with just the chicken or just the shrimp. They cook really fast."
"I look forward to it. This is absolutely fantastic. Nick, I bow to you. I've tried walking him through things before and something always goes wrong. I don't know how you did it, but the results are proof."
Nick shrugged. "His issue was just that he was too eager. Once he got to cooking he lost patience. Just had to draw him back, and make sure he had everything prepared ahead of time. That way he wasn't focusing on prepping something while something was on the stove. I think the main issue he has is focus, he gets too focused on the job at hand and forgets about the other things going on, such as prepping something while something else is on the stove behind him until it starts to burn."
The rest of the meal was filled with appreciative grunts and happy congratulatory conversation to Arron for a first time successful meal that wasn't a simple sandwich. After that, Nick started teaching Arron, with Victoria present to observe, becoming one of their new regular activities. Arron cooking dinner with Nick supervising.
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Press Conference - Precinct One. Monday Afternoon.
Location: Task Force Offices
Nick and his team were meeting with Bogo in the conference room of their office space in the building next door to the precinct. Judy and Lizz joined in by video conference from Lizz and Mike's apartment. Bogo growled from the head of the conference table. "Wilde. What did you do?"
Nick chuckled. "We didn't do anything, Chief. The banks did this to us when they filed those lawsuits. Reporters, the blood sucking ticks that they are, started looking into the claims in the suits and the responses filed by AMS. That led them to the actual mammals affected, which led them to the very stories that you have assigned part of this task force to look into. If anything, the press has done us a favor, if unknowingly."
Bogo frowned. "How so?"
"With all the eyes now on KS and other government organizations, the mammals we are after dare not do anything but their jobs, and do them right. They can't destroy evidence, because someone will notice and either call us or the press. That's how we have gotten at least a dozen leads and arrested three mammals for kit abuse. Del?"
Delgato stood. "Actually, as of this morning, we got five more reports on the hot-line, and they are good tips too. If they play out, just the press coverage thus far will have generated fifty tips we would not have gotten otherwise, and a dozen arrests."
Bogo nodded. "Okay, what about the other aspects of what you are supposed to be doing?"
Nick grinned. "With everything, like KS, the specist pricks are doing their best to keep a low profile and that's good for us. It gives us time to go through old cases, review the evidence, and build new cases against mammals that falsified or manipulated the evidence, as well as seek the release or conviction reversal when warranted. As I said in my last message, we need to add two more prosecutors and two more defense attorney's to the roster in order to keep up with things. At least for right now. My proposal is to bring them in directly from law school. We can pay them less, since they will be starting out, but they will also be qualified and have ready jobs in those departments once they finish working for us. Though that has to be from you to the DA and head of the Public Defenders Office for approval."
Bogo sat back in his chair. "Fine. I've got the proposal, just thought you were stretching, but if it's getting that busy, it's warranted. What else?"
Nick nodded and continued. "As for how we are actually doing. We are preparing to take down two more cells from the prey supremacist group. These are more cells left behind by Bellwether. We're also watching a predator rights group that has some chatter about eating other mammals, since the prey are so terrified that they're going to do that. The chatter and social media posts suggest they should just do it, then the prey will have something to actually be afraid of. So far it looks like keyboard tough mammal talk, but we are watching them. We will be turning all the information over to Gangs and Organized to monitor them once we confirm that they are not actually going through with that.
We have one other group we're currently gathering information on. Got a call from a scientist who says he was contacted by a group that wanted him to come up with a new toxin or other biological weapon like a virus. Something that would go after predators only and make them savage permanently, unlike how NightHowler can be treated. They are apparently very well funded according to him, as they offered him a five million up-front fee and then another twenty five upon completion. I've verified that he is a geneticist, and probably one of the only mammals that could actually pull it off. He told them he needed to think about it and then contacted Judy directly. We're organizing a sting and then protective custody for him."
Bogo snorted. "That's not terrifying at all. If he had gone through with it…"
Nick nodded. "Yeah. I know. Beyond the arrests, we have located nearly a hundred kits, cubs, and other young, and moved them into foster homes where they are actually getting care, or returned them to their parents. This has led to…" Glancing at Delgato who gave Nick a hand signal. "Fifty arrests for Kit abuse, neglect, false imprisonment, and worse. We have two murder charges so far, and there will probably be more. I have Del looking into and working with some contacts in Happy Town to identify more kits that have been stolen by KS."
Nick paused for a moment and looked away, his ears folding back before he could right them, before he continued. "The horrors we are finding are even worse than we thought they would be, and we were expecting things to be pretty damn bad. As such, I want to bring Officer John Grazer into the KS team. I spoke with Henry, and he agrees that it would be a chance for John to feel like he is redeeming himself."
Bogo nodded. "I've already approved all of that. Anything else?"
"Skye and Jack are currently following some leads in New Yak and are slowly building a federal mirror to our task force here. The Zootopia ZBI has been cleaned up at this point, and they are now turning their attention to other ZBI and AIA offices, the police forces of other cities, and the federal gov as a whole.
Lastly, they're setting up the press conference in the lobby right now. I will not be saying anything about the task force, but I will mention that the ZPD has only recently been given new authorities to look into these things.
Now…" Giving one of his patented smirks. "If you really want to blame someone, blame Wolford. His parents, the Alpha's, announced that they were moving the pack accounts. They'll be split between All Mammal Savings and Lemming Brothers with their personal accounts at AMS. I believe their statement reiterated their support that all pack members are free to make their own choice, but as Alpha, they recommend a bank that doesn't discriminate.
I'm sure you've heard the saying. As the pack moves, so does Zootopia. It's true. The banks are hemorrhaging cash and can't stop it because of decades of abuse. The pack making a move like this pulls more accounts away in the form of the pack accounts, and accounts of pack members, as well as mammals that will move their account because the pack did, even though they are not wolves. They trust that if the pack is moving their account, they don't want their account to still be there when something happens. Then the banks went and filed lawsuits that just amplified the spotlight on their policies. It's a wonderful spiral that helps us immensely, and the press just can't help itself. They're doing so much digging, we're all but copying their notes on some of the cases."
Judy piped up from the TV. "I'd call it more of a feedback loop, Slick."
"Fair. Either way, it's helping us by forcing all the mammals we're after to stop what they're doing and try to hide. But they also can't do anything to cover up past activities because of the media attention, and attention from all the mammals around them. They can't destroy evidence, they can't keep up with what they had been doing before, and those that do are getting caught out either by mammals calling our hot line or the media. Both of which feed right back into us."
With a deep nod and snort, Bogo sighed. "Okay. I know you can handle the press. I expect you will probably put them on blast, and they'll deserve it. Just don't overdo it."
"Not to worry, chief. I got this. If anything, I hope to motivate them to keep digging. The longer they keep up the pressure, the longer we have to build airtight cases, and Karma knows, they've exposed a few we hadn't heard about." Looking over his team, Nick nodded with a smile. "You all know your jobs, get to it. Eric, Mike, Janice, you're with me. Carrots, I'll see you tonight."
Judy grinned out of the TV. "Love you more, Slick."
Mike blew a kiss to Lizz, who grinned back. "Don't be late, pup."
"If I am, he'll be to blame." Pointing a thumb at Nick.
Bogo turned back, shaking his head at the antics. "If your mates weren't technically on leave… One more thing, Lieutenant."
Nick stopped. "Sir?"
Bogo looked down at Nick and snorted, clearly considering the fox. "I've gotten reports that, during the meeting with the Wolford council, you ended up killing a mammal."
Nick's ears folded back flat to his head, tail freezing. He didn't even try to suppress the sigh. "Told you I needed to advise you of something, but we have both been busy with things as we got up and running. The issue is simple, really. Did I kill a mammal. Yes, yes I did. It was a formal challenge during the Wolford pack council meeting. The opposition brought in Chet Morris. A lot earlier than we expected, honestly, but it is what it is, or was. It started as a simple challenge, but Chet saw my Athame and pulled it from the sheath. He then made threats against me, Lizz, Mike, and Judy. Pulling my Athame like that, well… The rules surrounding it are much the same as if someone were to pull your Ketket. Yes, we've all seen that blade."
Bogo frowned with a deeper growl, though it was clearly not directed at Nick. "So, he turned it into a death match. Of course, since you were not on duty, you were wearing it accordingly. As I don't see it, I assume it is on you, but hidden." It wasn't a question, though Nick nodded anyway patting under his arm opposite the holster for his lethal. Bogo snorted, patting under his own arm where his Ketket resided. "What an idiot. With him pulling the it, and the threats, it could even be ruled self-defense, if it wasn't already covered by the rules of challenge and combat within the council chamber, and your position as First. Along with the documentation I know is on file for it." Giving a long, tired sigh. "Thanks. I'll make sure that gets closed up and shut down. Just… Next time, at least call me, or force me to listen."
Nick nodded. "Yes sir."
They broke up, the majority of the mammals heading back to their jobs, some heading out to continue investigations, others back to the files they were pouring over trying to determine if the cases were fabricated, or otherwise questionable. Nick followed Bogo across the short bridge that had been added between the office building and precinct one. Eric, Mike, and Janice following Nick.
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Press Conference - Precinct One. Monday Afternoon.
Location: Precinct One Lobby
Ben was not at his desk, because his desk had been converted for the press conference. The design of the front desk allowed it to change shape when needed. The desk slid back against the wall creating a raised dias that a podium could be set up on. Stanchions extending from the floor to create a corral for the press, while allowing officers and other visitors to the precinct to move past them freely on either side. Ben himself was in the main dispatch room deeper in the precinct still doing what he did best. Watching Gazelle videos and managing dispatch. He was actually the head dispatcher and in charge of the entire dispatch department.
The press were corralled into a large group in front of the podium, all clearly eager to know what the presser was called for. They chatted among themselves while they waited, speculating on what it might be about. Theories ranging from the mundane, such as the report on some high profile arrest, to the more outlandish and unlikely of Bogo retiring, and the patently absurd, such as that the Zootopian ape had been captured as was going to be revealed to the public. That last idea being from the tabloids. The Zootopain ape was supposedly a furless mammal with no tail, long skinny fingers on its forepaws, no muzzle, and a shock of hair on the top of its round, ball-like, head. The other reporters rolled their eyes at the absurd idea.
Bogo looked down at Nick from just outside the view of the reporters. "You sure about this, Nick?"
"You confirmed that the information about Judy and my promotions, as well as everything else the council did hasn't made it out yet, right?"
Bogo nodded. "Yes. Which is actually pretty shocking, considering how many mammals were there, including that friend of yours."
Nick grinned. "Yep. They're in the gaggle, and as soon as I start speaking, they already have their story ready to go. They just have to send it to their editor and they'll beat every reporter here to the story by at least an hour, if not more. The scoop is more than enough payment. The information on the change in ZPD authority, along with the promotions and changes to ZPD promotion structure, will take care of the rest. They just want a story, and by the time they realize that we have utterly dodged the actual questions they came to ask, they'll be on their way out the door."
Bogo snorted and gave a terse nod. "Alright. Let's do this."
Nick put on his patented smirk and motioned for Bogo to lead the way. Bogo rolled his eyes and with a shake of his head, walked out and onto the raised dias, followed by Nick, Mike, and Janice. Stopping behind the podium, Bogo glared at the reporters as they yelled questions at him, and continued to glare until they were silent.
"Thank you. It seems you all still remember the rules. We have a few statements, and then will be answering questions. Officer Wilde will be handling both." Bogo then stepped aside and Nick climbed up the steps built into the podium for smaller mammals like himself. Bogo walked off the dias leaving Nick on the podium, with Eric, Mike, and Janice standing behind him at attention.
Once in position, Nick looked over the reporters, who immediately started to yell questions. He waited, and waited, just standing there, smirk in place, and waited. After several minutes the reporters went quiet, looking at each other nervously. "Thank you. As a smaller mammal, there is no chance I would be able to shout loud enough to be heard over all of you. As such, lets keep the shouting to none at all. If you start all yelling at once, I will simply stand here and wait, and if you don't get the clue, I will leave, concluding the press conference and you will leave with nothing at all and it will be entirely on your inability to control yourselves. Are we clear?" Nick watched as the reporters nodded their heads. "Great! I know you all have questions, but we need to cover a few things first."
One of the reporters, actually Nick's friend, yelled out. "Sergeant Wilde. You do not normally handle the entire press conference, only addressing the case specific items you have worked on with your partner, who also seems to be absent. Is there a reason you are doing that today, and why is your partner missing?"
Nick managed, barely, to keep only his smirk in place. His friend provided exactly the primer he wanted, knowing that they already had their story filed. Nick had seen them slipping their phone into a pocket while he waited for them to get quiet. "Excellent questions, and in fact provides me a lead into some of what we are here to talk about today. As of last week, the city council passed several pieces of legislation regarding the ZPD, all of which have been signed into law by the mayor. This included long overdue updates to the rank structure of the ZPD.
Those changes include in-rank grading. This means an officer can have the rank of Sergeant, and then a grade within that rank. Chief Bogo has been trying to get the council to approve these changes since he became chief. He has finally succeeded, now that the two mammals that had stood in the way of that, have been arrested. This has improved things for officers throughout the ZPD, as they are now able to receive promotions within rank to reflect their work and efforts in making the city a better and safer place for all mammals.
As for myself. You can be forgiven for not knowing, but please address me as Lieutenant or Detective Wilde moving forward. Both my partner and I have been promoted to Lieutenant and also made Detectives. As for my partner, my temporary partner is behind me, Sergeant Wolford-Fangmeyer. Lieutenant Hopps is currently on maternity leave, as is his partner. If any of you have been paying attention to the society pages, you will have already known this."
The reporters started throwing out questions again, and Nick just stood there and waited. After two minutes, he checked his watch and turned to step down from the podium. The reporters went dead silent almost immediately. With a nod, he turned back around.
"Good. Let's not do that again, shall we? In addition to those changes, the council has expanded the mandate of the ZPD to allow it to investigate things it was previously prevented from doing. This includes Kit Services, government agencies, and a long list of other things related to corruption and mammal abuse. The ZPD was unable to investigate these previously due to rules applied to them by the actions of former council members Therance and Meadowlaw.
Agencies like Kit Services were supposed to be overseen by an independent board. A board filled with mammals put there by the former council members, and which did less to oversee Kit Services and more to cover up the activities of Kit Services. We are finding, now that the ZPD can actually look into these agencies, that this appears to have been the case across the board. Something your own recent investigative reporting has also revealed in places as diverse as Kit Services, Bank Regulation, and Building Inspection.
While I cannot comment on any active investigations, I can say that under these new powers, the ZPD is moving with all due haste and caution to ensure justice is brought forth to and for those that need it. Now, I will take some questions, but as before, If you all start yelling at once, I will simply wait, and if needed, end the conference. First question." Pointing to a snow leopard in a tasteful skirt-suit. "Fabine."
Fabine smiled. "Fabine Growly, ZNN. First, if I can offer my congratulations on your promotion. Now, based on the society pages, it would seem that both yourself and your temporary partner are in more than just partner relationships with your regular partners. Is this true, and if so, how is that allowed?"
Nick smiled. "Thank you, Fabine. Not quite the question I was expecting, but I'm happy to answer it. Yes, Judy and I are in a relationship. In fact we are married and mated, as are Sergeants Elizabeth Fangmeyer-Wolford and Mike Fangmeyer-Wolford, as you are aware. We held a rather fabulous wedding recently for them, after all. As for how it is allowed. The ability for mates to continue to be partners both on the job is left to the careful discretion of the Chief of police, the precinct captain, and the partners direct supervisor. Some teams are allowed to stay together because they are more effective that way, such as Lieutenant HoppsWilde and myself, or the afore mentioned Sergeants. Others are separated as the relationship negatively effects their ability to function as an effective team. It is based on your performance as a team on the job, your ability to keep things professional while on the clock, and is reviewed regularly to ensure the relationship does not negatively impact your ability to do the job. Does that cover it for you?"
Fabine nodded with a smile. "Thoroughly. Thank you, Lieutenant."
Nick nodded and pointed to a pig in a polo shirt. "Red polo. Not sure what your name is. I promise after we get through a few of these, I will know all of your names."
The pig smiled. "Jason Hoggton, Animalia National Review. Thank you Lieutenant Wilde, and congratulations on your promotion. As you still seem to be the only fox in the ZPD, do you feel any extra weight or expectations of you? Or worse, do you feel that perhaps, as has been suggested by officers in other precincts, that both you and your partner have received promotion and credit for work that wasn't yours?"
Nick grimaced. "Oh. You clearly haven't been on this beat long."
"No. I am filling in, the normal mammal is out for surgery."
Nick nodded. "Okay. I'll answer your question, but you might take in the looks your colleagues are giving you. Extra weight, no. I put far higher expectations upon myself than my supervisors. The same goes double with Lieutenant HoppsWilde. Being the only two of our species, and the only two in our size class, the next closest being a few coyotes in the Canyon Lands district. We pushed ourselves harder than other officers in order to prove that yes, a rabbit and a fox can in fact do this job.
Lieutenant HoppsWilde and I have a higher case closure and conviction rate than any other officer in the ZPD. At first, this was us proving ourselves, but by the time we reached the point where we had, the success we had achieved became expected of us, and the rest of the ZPD. If the only rabbit and fox could perform so well, then why can the rest of the ZPD also not meet such standards?
You can imagine that this flipped the reason for why we were looked down upon by some of our co-workers. You do realize that both Lieutenant HoppsWilde and I graduated from the Academy as Valedictorian, and this was before the requirements were updated. We had to outperform mammals dozens of times our size. And before you stick your foot in your mouth again and start chewing. No, we received no special treatment, save maybe trying to drive us to quit.
They did not haze Judy, but they also did not help her. So she was entirely on her own. As for myself. I was accused of all manner of acts, thefts, and hazing that included physical assaults. Next question. Perhaps something more relevant? Pointing to a sheep. "Jake, Meadowlands Daily."
The sheep nodded. "Thank you, Lieutenant. As you said. Jake Herdison with Meadowlands Daily. Given the revelations that the press has discovered over the past week, the abuse of foxes and other small and marginalized mammals at the paws of KS, the mammals they got to look after such kits, the ZPD itself, and others. What is the ZPD doing about this?"
Nick had been waiting for this question and suppressed a wicked smirk, frowning instead. "As I stated at the onset here. The ZPD was hamstrung by councilor Meadowlaw and Therance. They had created and stocked an overseeing body filled with their own mammals, and stripped the ZPD of authority to even look into anything to do with departments like Kit Services. Even IA was corrupted by the former council members, as the reporting of your own publication has shown. The only time the ZPD could investigate was if there was actual evidence of a death, and even then, only when they were notified of it by the overseeing body.
Lieutenant HoppsWilde took a black mark in her service jacket in order to frustrate Kit Services in committing the very acts you are talking about. The issue here is not, why the ZPD hasn't been looking into these things. The ZPD would have loved to be able to do so, but they could not do so legally. You, the press, on the other hand. You have never had any such restrictions. I have documentation of literally thousands of reports that have been made to the press over the years. Things you, as the press, have not bothered to look into because those making the reports were mammals such as foxes, raccoons, weasels, rats, and other smaller and marginalized mammals.
The question you should be asking, Jake, is not why the ZPD wasn't doing anything. The reason for that is clear and obvious. They couldn't. The question is why you, the press, did nothing. Why you ignored the reports?" Nick pulled a rolled up set of papers from his back pocket, flipping through several pages until he found the one he wanted. "Here we have twenty reports made to Meadowlands Daily, and all twenty were ignored by your publication. Lets see, fox, fox, weasel, fox, raccoon, rabbit, rabbit, hare, fox, raccoon. Those are just a random selection, and the list goes on. All are parents who had their kits stolen from them, just as you are now reporting. Only, you ignored it. Not a single one of you work for a company that does not have a list like this that is hundreds if not thousands of reports long. Something you're only looking into now because of what came out recently.
So what is the ZPD doing? Now that we actually have the authority, we are looking into Kit Services and everything else we were legally prevented from looking into. We are being diligent, we are tracking down where they have placed kits, especially those mammals like myself, that we have known for decades were targeted for abuse if not literal slavery. That you have received reports from desperate parents whose only crime was to lose a job, and often lost their young before they could even get home, is the real issue. Why have you, the press, ignored the issues up to this point? Why have these reports gone ignored until it is now convenient for you to look into?
The ZPD has created a hot line for parents who have had this happen to them to contact the ZPD. We are looking into things as fast as we are able, but we cannot simply shut down Kit Services, because it has a very legitimate function, and has lots of very good, caring mammals within its ranks. Mammals you have been smearing. It has just been corrupted by specist mammals who got into positions of authority and turned it into a source of slave labor. Something you, the press, by failing to even bother looking into just one of these reports, are complicit in." Holding up the packet of papers.
"The City Council has also created an independent commission that will review the policies of Kit Services and other city organizations. It will recommend changes that the council will review and enshrine in law as appropriate. The new commission also has an avenue that allows the ZPD to forward suggestions when we find something that really ought to be illegal, but isn't, for whatever reason. This commissions job will be to ensure actual justice and fairness in the system and will be a mix of citizen volunteers, rotating ZPD, ZFD, and council appointed mammals. The original overseeing groups have been shuttered and their records turned over to us.
It is going to take a long time to go through it all, to return kits stolen for no legitimate reason. To determine kits removed for good cause, and also make sure that they are all actually receiving the care they should be. There will be arrests and prosecutions, of that you can be assured, but we will be diligent about it. We will make sure that we have all the evidence so that the mammals that committed the crimes you have finally bothered to look into, are properly brought to account.
Beyond that, I cannot comment on any specific investigations, pending arrests, charges, etc… So please don't waste both of our time and ask. Though, if you really care and want to do something. Keep reporting on it. Don't let the news cycle let mammals forget, and when you do report, make damn sure you get it right, and are not smearing a mammal who has done nothing wrong but do their best in a corrupt system. Pointing to a Margay "You."
The Margay nodded. "Yella Bento, Rainforest Gazette. What about the reports that dozens of officers throughout the ZPD have been arrested and are being charged with crimes including murder?"
Nick nodded. "I am authorized to confirm that these reports are true, though the numbers are blown far out of proportion. While I cannot comment on specific cases, a number of officers have been caught up as members of specist groups including Bellwether sycophants, prey supremacist groups, predator supremacist groups that have cropped up in response to both of those, and anti-inter-species groups.
There has been quite a bit of overlap of the first three groups, and the anti-inter-species groups. We at the ZPD will not stand for that in our ranks, as Chief Bogo has made clear in previous statements. Some of those officers are being charged with crimes committed while using their position in the ZPD. We expect them to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. If we, as the ZPD, are to expect the general population to behave in a lawful manner, we must hold ourselves to a higher standard." Pointing to a large rat. "You."
"Ken Rattatio, Little Rodentia Daily. Considering that you yourself are in an inter-species relationship, does this not taint any work on such matters that you might investigate?"
Nick's smirk returned. "I could give a few snarky answers to that question, but I will address it as a legitimate question. Any work I, or any officer that is in an inter-species relations, do on such a case is overseen by a senior Detectives, all actions, warrant applications, etc… are reviewed beforehand by them, evidence reviewed, conclusions reviewed and discussed, before they are turned over to the prosecutor's office. This ensures that the work I or anyone else completes is beyond reproach. If anything, our work on such cases is invaluable, as we are able to relate to the experience of mammals in such relationships who have been targeted by these groups. As such, we have mammals in inter-species relationships reviewing things to ensure the evidence is not being misinterpreted due to cultural or species misunderstandings." Pointing to a goat in a green suit. "Final question. Green suit."
"Thank you, Lieutenant. Greg Craaags, Zootopia Broadcasting System. In the vein of the previous question, but related to the actual results. I have seen reports that a number of judges and prosecutors have been arrested in connection with that investigation. Can you comment on if that is true?"
"Thank you for that question, Greg. While I cannot comment on specific cases or the ongoing investigation, and it is still a very active and ongoing investigation. I can advise that groups such as those we are talking about do not last long unless they cultivate mammals in positions of power to help cover up their activities and protect their members. This is why members of the ZPD have been discovered to be part of these groups. If any judge, prosecutor, or other mammal is found to be a part of these groups. They will be found out, they will be arrested, and they will be charged. They will then get their day in court, just like every mammal deserves, and something they may very well have worked to deny mammals they targeted. That is how our system works.
If you have additional questions, as always, reach out to the ZPD press office." With that Nick stepped away from the podium, and ignoring the yelled questions, walked off, followed by Janice, Eric, and Mike. Once out of sight, letting other officers escort the press out of the building. "So… How do you think I did?"
Bogo appeared with a deep frown on his face. "You may have laid into Jake from Meadowlands Daily a bit hard, but you could see just how uncomfortable you made them. It wouldn't surprise me if a few of them ran stories decrying their own lack of action. It certainly wasn't like Judy's first. Damn, I blame myself for that."
Nick looked up at Bogo. "Maybe, but not as much as Judy does. Besides. If she hadn't bombed that so badly, she wouldn't have ended up quitting, getting the clue needed to solve the case, and then coming back to find me. She might have figured it out eventually. I believe she would have. This is Judy after all, but it would have taken her longer, and the gods only know what horrors Dawn would have managed to get into place."
Bogo nodded. "I try not to think about that. Very well. You did good. Now, get back to work."
Nick saluted. "Yes sir." Nick, Mike. Eric, and Janice made their way back over to the task force offices from there.
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Spicy Shrimp and Chicken Pasta
(The actual recipe Arron cooked up for everyone)
Spicy Shrimp and Chicken pasta (Use more or less depending on how many people you are feeding.)
3-4 boneless chicken breast (depending on how many people are to be fed – chopped to bite size chunks.)
1 bag shrimp (31-40 count – About 25-30 shrimp)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (About 5 tablespoon for sauce and for meat – This is actual measuring spoons.)
1-2 heads of garlic, minced (I Like garlic, so I go with 2 myself. Split ¼ for chicken/shrimp cooking, ¾ for sauce. If using the pre-minced you can get at the store, use double the volume. It just isn't quite a strong as fresh, so you need more.)
Fresh basil, sliced into thin strips for garnish at the end, about a 1 / 4 cup.
~ 2 tablespoons Fresh Basil, minced
~ 1 tablespoon red chili flake (More or less to taste and how spicy you want it. I actually use 2 when I make this. I like it hot hot hot.)
~ 1 Serrano chili, minced (Remove seeds for less heat or leave out, keep seeds for spicier)
~ 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, removed from stem and minced
You can also use dried spices and herbs, but remember they are always less powerful so you will have to use more.
1 large yellow or white onion, diced or small chop
1 shallot, diced or minced
Fresh shredded Parmesan for garnish
1 can tomato sauce
2-3 cans of diced tomatoes.
Put olive oil, garlic for sauce, onion, shallot, Serrano chilli, thyme, and chili flake into a pan and turn heat to med-high. Cook, stirring constantly to prevent burning, until the onion starts to turn but is not fully translucent. Add tomatoes and tomato sauce. Cook on med-high until the sauce comes to a light boil that doesn't stop when you stir, stirring occasionally but often until you get there. Taste periodically and add additional spices, garlic, etc… as needed. Set aside on low.
Turn on the pasta water on med heat to heat but not boil. Make sure you salt the water so that it tastes like sea-water. Needs to be salty, but not overly so.
In new pan add oil, garlic, some chili flake, and heat on Med-high. Add chicken and cook until chicken is almost done, add sauce to cover chicken and finish cooking. Add shrimp and cook, turning pasta water to high.
As soon as shrimp are done, turn down to low and add remaining sauce. Once pasta is done, there are two options. You can do as suggested in the story and dole out the pasta into dishes and add sauce on top, or combine sauce and pasta, finishing pasta in the sauce and then serving that way. Garnish with the fresh basil ribbons and cheese.
Always save some of the pasta water as you can add small amounts to tighten up the sauce if needed.
Serve and enjoy.
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A/N
Remember to share the love. Review and Fav. It is the life blood of every writer to know you are enjoying their work. I also want to thank everyone who has Fav'd, followed, and reviewed this little project. I know that isn't much, but to me, it's huge. Even as a writer of original fiction, that you enjoy this means a lot to me as an author. You can check out my original work and link to my Blog, Scribblings, where a lot of it lives by hopping over to dcballard . com ( Direct: ascensionnovel . / scribblings (remove the spaces) because the forwarding is misbehaving.)
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) 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."
You should really be checking out my bestest bud, Bear678, and his story What Foxes May Come as well as his new story Heart-Beeps.
So keep those reviews and comments coming. 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.
