AN: Shorter chapters then the main story of Distilled Dreams to help fill in the AU around the OCs that will be reoccurring. Much like some side quests while they add to the main story they are not necessary to the main plot so feel free to skip them if you wish. I hope you enjoy.
Distilled Dreams: Side Stories
The Black Sheep of the Family
Chapter Three
Rosette sat in the padded chair in front of Mr. Big's desk while he read though the files she had brought him. Koslov was strangely absent from behind the desk having left at Mr. Big's order shortly after Rosette arrived. "I am afraid those reports are just the tip of the iceberg Mr. Big," Rosette said clicking her hoofs together. No one liked bringing bad news to the arctic shrew despite his reputation of not icing the messenger. She had found more then a dozen reports of abuse the Ranger Scout program had if not condoned had turned a blind eye too and had confirmed most in the last three weeks since visiting the police archives. "While Precinct One is the central repository for records there are likely more in the other precincts. Also it was just myself and a assigned officer looking through the records for a few days. With more mammal power I fear what we might uncover. Especially when we expanded out search to the rest of the country."
"I have had some other teams look into this as well as monitoring the progress of the Ranger Scouts internal investigation," Mr. Big said setting the files down. "I was displeased with what was being found by the teams and hidden by National Chair."
"I saw the news over that," she said carefully. While she was certain no one would dare to bug Mr. Big's office without him being aware of it as a lawyer she was careful of how she spoke trying to keep her plausible deniability over the Families actions on any official record. "He must have felt great sorrow for what was happening within his organization in the end to take his own life."
"Yes I have heard rumors that a copy of the investigations I encouraged him to order where found with him. Unedited and substantially different from what the organization released to the public," Mr. Big said just as use to saying one thing and meaning something else entirely just for the sake of potential eavesdroppers. "A terrible way to go he chose. One would think heading an organization that taught skills like knot tying one wouldn't make the mistake of tying a knot that would leave you to slowly strangle instead of snapping ones neck."
A quick closing of the eyes and an quick intake of breath was the only moment Rosette Blackwoole gave to the poorly hidden confirmation that the tragic and sudden loss of the Ranger Scouts top leader was anything but tragic. "Truly it shows how far the program has fallen from its original ideals," she said absentmindedly fluffing her wool at the wrists before smoothing it back down. "Bravery, loyalty, helpfulness, and trustworthiness are all worthy ideals to stand for."
"They are in a way the same that the Family follows," Mr. Big said getting to his feet and pacing on the desk. "Your family knows that better then most. It is one of the reasons we have worked so well together over the years. The way those ideals have been twisted and left to rot in the Ranger Scout program sicken and worries me. What has been slipping though the cracks in even my own organization and what has been festering?"
While she wasn't sure if the question was directed at her or just spoken aloud Rosette decided to answer. "With all due respect sir if there is anything slipping though the cracks in the Family it is likely isolated incidents not something this...corrupt. At its core the issue with the Ranger Scouts as the division between predator and prey species. In making a program that catered to the larger prey population the predator population was excluded. When they tried to be included they suffered push back. Unfortunately when that was combined with other specist stereotypes things often got out of hand. I found an example of a wolf cub being chaise of by a pack that was nearly entirely sheep for no other reason then he was a wolf."
Mr. Big stopped his pacing and looked at the black wooled ewe sitting in front of him. "Have you thought on how to solve these issues?"
"Yes sir," Rosette carefully pulled out the micro-mammal sized folder and handed it to him. As he read over the entire file she explained her thoughts. "The Ranger Scout program as it stands...is beyond saving in my opinion. It needs to be dismantled and something else built from scratch to take its place that would be more inclusive to all species. Starting with a large class-action lawsuit to recover the funds the discriminated families spent to be part of the program as well as pain and suffering we can drain their liquid assets to the point when they will be forced to sell off their illiquid assets. Mainly the land that their outdoor camps are on and district and regional headquarters buildings. Without those assets the organization will either collapse on its own or reduce in size to the point of fading over time as mammals loose interest in it and negative publicity builds."
"Hmmm...," Mr. Big hummed looking over the more detailed plan she had put together, "I approve of the lawsuit and will have resources moved to support your firm in this. I'll be making a note for whomever oversees this to see if the Wildes would like to be included. I owe then far more then I have given them for bringing this to my attention. However acquiring the Ranger Scouts illiquid assets would put a heavy drain on the Families resources. Not to mention I am leery of starting what could be seen as to some as a youth Family training program."
"Unfortunately that is the main issue I thought of as well if the Family took over the Ranger Scouts leadership or replaced the program directly," Rosette replied with a cringe. "If we just acquired the land and facilities we would be able to control who used it. We could guide what programs rise and fall without being directly involved with them. Plausible deniability at its finest as we could have any number of legal reasons for denying the use of the facilities to programs we find...unsuitable. Unless they had funds to construct their own facilities they would likely collapse as well or stay small enough not to be a major issue."
"A sound plan," Mr. Big said closing the folder. It was thorough even including a list of programs that could potentially fill the void that dismantling the Ranger Scouts would leave. "Send a copy of this to Mr. Howlstine and Mr. Lemmington. A lawsuit will take time to build and work its way though the courts. Mr. Howlstine can lay the ground work to acquiring the land and building they will be forced to sell off and be able to give a reasonable estimate for Mr. Lemmington to start building a fund."
"Of course sir. I can have the appropriate sized files made up and sent over today. If I may be so bold to ask you recommend me to spearhead this lawsuit?" Rosette asked nervously. Her normal case load had been light in the last couple of months and could be picked up by a number of lawyers in her firm if need be.
"I will consider it," Mr. Big said stoically dismissing her from his office. He was already planning to recommend the young ewe get the lead on this after seeing how much she had put into her report on so little time. Mr. Big shook his head in thought. Rosette took after her families views about predator and prey equality but after what happened to Theodor she became more focused on fixing it. She was a good lawyer but her heart wasn't in the cases she was assigned unless they touched on pred/prey issues. Considering how losing him had broken her heart he wasn't surprised.
He sighed as he sat back down and leaned into his chair with his paws rubbing the sides of his head. She had been wrong though. There where specks of rot forming in his Family. Koslov was even now going to burn out that rot. A few names on the report his teams had identified as being guilty of recent violent discrimination in the Ranger Scout program where connected closely with the Family. He could not let that rot spread even at the cost of destroying parts of his own Family.
No one was waiting to give her a message this time as Rosette made her way though her law-firms building and to her office. She had not added any new photos to the walls but eyed a blank spot sizing it up for what she hoped would be her next big case. Carefully she slipped the copies of her analysis and supporting documents she had given Mr. Big about the Ranger Scouts she had already made into messenger envelopes. A quick call down to the mail room had them whisked off to be delivered by courier.
Until she was assigned to a new case all she had nothing to work on. All she could do was look over what she had already gathered in the hope she would be able to pursue it herself. If not she would be able to give whoever it was assigned to a solid start. Opening one of the file cabinets she pulled out the copies of the police reports along with her notes she had taken when talking with the families. She didn't notice the time slip away as she worked. The knock at her door startled her scattering a couple of the pages she had been working on. "Come in its open!" Rosette called after turning the papers she was working on over and closing file folders to hide their content from whomever was at her door.
"I've been in the partners office too long Rose," her father said closing the door behind him, "This office feels like a broom cupboard to me. Not even a window."
"It's not too bad Dad," she said standing to give her father a hug. "As I prove myself and move up in the firm I'll get a nicer office."
"That maybe coming sooner then you think," he said with a grin handing her a folder tied shut with a loop of string and a blob of wax over the knot. "Your new case will require you to meet with clients on a regular basis and you will need more room. Mr. Big personally recommended you for this one." He chuckled as Rosette tore the folder from his hands and opened it.
Her eyes rapidly scanned the pages inside. It was the case she wanted along with the resources to see it though. "There's so much to do! I'll need to talk with the Police Chief again and send someone to go though the records with a finer wool comb then I did. Maybe a few of the paralegals can be spared for a while. I'll need to speak with the victims and the families again to offer them a place in the lawsuit before we announce it..."
"Don't forget you will need to head into Bunnyburrow first," her father reminded her. "This all started with the Wildes they should be the first to hear the news and be offered the lead plaintiff position. It is also one of the main conditions for you getting this case."
"Of course! Of course!" Rosette said energetically. "It will take a few days to get a basic lawsuit drawn up then I'll take a drive out to the to speak to them in person."
"Excellent," her father shifted slightly looking from side to side in the otherwise empty office before leaning in to talk quietly to his daughter, "While you are there I hear Mrs. Wilde has been busy brewing and maybe keeping a small private stock of what she has been making...the last shipment she sent in was spoken for and gone nearly as soon as it hit the warehouse floor after mammals had a taste of the first one. I was lucky enough to get to the bar before the keg was tapped to get a glass the other day. I don' suppose you can see if she has some she is willing to send back with you?"
Rosette narrowed her eyes at her father. "Wait...I had to spend an hour with Mom listening to her complain about how you had to work late at the office instead of being able to make it to dinner on time the other day! Did you really sneak out on dinner just to get to a bar before a keg was tapped!?" He shifted nervously back and forth before nodding once under his daughters glare. 'Oh I'll bring some back. Mom and I can have a nice drink while you are actually at work and I'll leave the empty bottle out for you to see!' Rosette though to herself before answering her father, "I'll see what I can do."