Nick sat behind his desk with his eyes closed. Rubbing his temples to try and ease the headache that was already there. The last month had been a nightmare. The entire brigade had been moved to the border of Burrowland. Every single item was inventoried and packaged for the move.
The brass decided to make a show of the move. Placing the infantry battalions along the mountain regions and the armor near the open country to the east. This would serve to their advantage once the war started. If it ever started. Then the tanks could move quickly to fill in the gap that would only temporarily be held by the airborne battalion.
From their new positions, the airborne battalion would get to the gap within 6 hours after being alerted. The tanks could be there in 24 hours. The fighting would most likely last much longer but all they had to do was hold out.
Eventually world opinion would turn against them and force the wolves to retreat. That's what everyone was hoping anyway.
And then there was Nick, he knew better then to count on the world to come to their rescue. It hadn't come to his when he was nine. The bullies who muzzled him and the Ranger Scout leaders who ignored his mother's complaints about what happened to him.
It was all set though, the propaganda machine that would play up the cute helpless bunny image being attacked by the big bad wolf. Little to no mention of the assistance from their fox allies. It all made Nick's head hurt.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Enter!" he called out to whoever the inconsiderate pest that was disturbing the first moment of quiet he had since this whole ordeal started.
Easing the door open, Skye took a nervous step into the office of her commanding officer. This day had been coming since before her assignment to this battalion. Reports of a battalion holding illegal gambling operations on military property were not taken lightly.
When the Military Justice Department decided to investigate, they asked for assistance from the Special Forces Command to more easily infiltrate the airborne unit in question. After recent events, it made it easier to select a promising candidate. Aware of her relation to the former commander of the unit, the MJD decided to have her infiltrate as second in command to the newly appointed commander. This would allow her greater access to all areas in question without raising suspicion.
Taking a few steps inside the office, Skye regarded the red fox sitting in front of her. From what she had seen of his professional side, he was indeed a capable commander and a dear friend to her sister and her family. It saddened her that she would be the one to perform this duty.
Taking in her nervous tail twitch and that her ears where splayed to the side of her head, Nick leaned back in his chair and regarded the vixen standing before a moment before breaking the increasingly awkward silence. "Yes, major?"
Broken of the thought of how disappointed her niece and nephews would be at the news of what is about to happen, Skye recomposed herself to show the confidence she wasn't feeling. "Lieutenant Colonel Wilde," Nick raised an eye brow at the commanding tone in her voice, "by authority of the Military Justice Department I'm placing you under arrest for illegal gambling while on military property." After she finished her sentence two more foxes entered the room wearing Military Police arm bands. Each taking a stance to the side and behind Skye.
Nick, for his part, never moved or even flinched. Just stared blankly into her eyes for a moment before moving. Never taking his eyes off Skye, Nick reached for the phone on his desk. Turning the speaker on he called For SSG Longtail.
"Yeah boss?" Marty called over the line.
"Marty, bring the book please." Ending the call, Nick leaned back into his chair without saying another word.
"Colonel, are you going to come peacefully?" Skye asked.
"Major, what evidence do you have of illegal gambling taking place?" He asked.
Turning to leave the office Skye motioned for the two MPs to proceed. As she walked out she could hear them reading him his rights. Walking down the hall in the opposite direction, Skye didn't stop until she was in the female latrine. Locking the door, she leaned back against it and let the tension work its way out.
She didn't know how she was going to explain her part of arresting someone so dear to her sister and brother in law. What was worse was how close he was to Jason, Joseph and Lacey. Hearing that he was a criminal was going to break their little hearts.
When she finally allowed herself to leave her hiding place she was not surprised to find SSG Longtail leaning against the wall waiting for her. In his paws a large binder.
"I assume this is the 'book' LTC Wilde called about."
Nodding in confirmation, Marty Longtail handed the binder over. "You'll find everything you need to know in here."
"And what exactly will I find sergeant?" Opening the binder to view some of its contents, she was surprised to see on the front page the title of 'FRG Support Operations'.
"More than what's on those videos you took." Marty said with a smirk. The surprised look on the major's face more than enough reward to him. He and Joey Sanders had discovered a hidden camera by accident in the supply room. Smart enough to play it off like they didn't see anything, they let Nick know secretly what they found.
After that Nick decided they should start the games up again, with the exception of soldiers only. Give the cameras what they wanted to see and bring out the suspected spy among their ranks. Skye had reviewed all the videos taken that included the nights that soldiers came in afterhours and played gambling games. The videos clearly showed soldiers trading money for chips. That and the games they played where they lost the chips and the money being handled exclusively by LTC Wilde was more than enough for the MJD to make an arrest.
"Sergeant I suggest you come forward with whatever you know or you may be the next one to be arrested." She warned.
"Oh, I don't think that'll be necessary Skye!" a voice down the hall called out.
Recognizing the voice instantly, Skye turned around only to find her brother-in-law and a very smug red fox walking towards them. Perplexed even further when she notices the MPs aren't there and the cuffs are off.
"Will someone please tell me what's going on!"
With the same smirk all three answer in unison, "It's called a hustle, sweetheart!"
Burrowland Military Base Officer Candidate School
Two weeks after starting her military career, Judy had gotten into a rhythm and was starting to enjoy the rigid schedule they were put on. The first two weeks were dull at first. Mostly consisting of classes on how to be an officer in the army. Drug screenings and drills to learn how to march. The most interesting were the two days they spent learning about weapons.
Other than her dad's shotgun, Judy had never seen another gun…scratch that…weapon in her life. The M8 battle rifle was a truly rugged piece of equipment as far as Judy was concerned. The wooden stock gave it a nice warm and sturdy feel, although it was heavy. They learned to strip it down and clean it properly as well as drill with it.
Every morning started with exercise. While the workouts weren't exactly challenging for her, she found they were a perfect for maintaining a certain fitness level. Then after showers and eating her class would make their way to the whatever activity was planned for the day. And today was a subject Judy was really looking forward to.
After completing the written exams for placement, Judy was excited to learn that because of her degree in criminal justice, she was being selected to be an officer in the military police. She was certain that even military police training would give her a head start on fulfilling her dream.
After buttoning her uniform top Judy looked at herself in the mirror that was hanging inside her wall locker. The all brown slacks and jacket that stopped at the waist with a tan colored button up blouse and neck tie. One of the classes they were given was how to properly wear and care for their uniforms. As well as the history of the military uniforms.
Judy, along with the rest of her class, was surprised to learn that the uniforms hadn't changed much in the last 100 years. With budget cuts, it was decided that updating uniforms would be a low priority. It was also decided that the current service uniform would be used for both daily wear as well as during war. The baggy uniforms weren't very fashionable, but at least they seemed durable and comfortable.
Grabbing her garrison cap, Judy closed her wall locker and locked the handle closed. One of the other candidates had made the mistake one day of forgetting to lock the locker. The result was having all their equipment and clothes strewn all around the room.
Turning to face her roommate, Judy waited while the dark brown bunny finished getting herself ready. Katherine Lawns was from the southern side of Burrowland. At first, they clashed, both having the type of personality to take charge. But the more time they spent together the better they worked together.
Seeing her close her locker and turn to face her, Judy smiled before addressing her new friend. "Ready?" she asked.
"You know it!" was her peppy reply. While Katherine had never aspired to be a police officer like Judy, she was enjoying the army life to some extent. The sense of purpose it gave you was a source of pride.
The two bunnies made their way out of their barracks to join the rest of their class for formation before being marched to their class room.
"So, what are learning about today?" Katherine asked.
Rolling her eyes before leveling them at her new friend, Judy had learned Katherine or Kat as she preferred to be called, didn't bother checking the daily class schedule. She seemed to excel at whatever they did. Able to pick up on anything she was being taught without having to practice or study for hours on end.
"We're actually starting MP training today. We'll be learning how to do our jobs. This is supposed to last the rest of the 6 weeks we'll be here."
"Eh, sounds boring." Kat answered in a disappointed tone.
Before Judy could begin to correct her friend, a loud voice boomed from the doorway to the barracks.
"Atten-hut!" Every rabbit immediately snapped to attention and fell into line of the rectangular formation. A mostly white rabbit with brown splotches all over her fur walked to the front of the formation. Even darker brown eyes were barely visible underneath the campaign hat on her head.
"Listen up worms! Today you're gonna learn how to actually be police rabbits in this rabbit's army!" A resounding 'HOORAH' was yelled back as the response. "I expect each and every one of you to pay close attention! From now one everything you learn will be something you may have to apply in your everyday duties."
The drill instructor brought herself to attention and began giving marching commands.
"Right face!" as if one machine the all-female platoon of rabbits made a two-count pivot motion to face right. "Forward march!"
All starting on their left foot. The rabbits started marching towards the class rooms. It took about 20 minutes to get to where they were going. Once there they would link up with the other two platoons that made up their company. One female and two male platoons. They were all expected to perform to the same standards and were only kept in separate platoons because rabbits had a reputation for a reason.
As they marched the drill instructor began calling marching cadences to help everyone keep in step. They could also be sources of entertainment and motivation to keep spirits high. The instructor was starting one that Judy found somewhat morbid but sang along with everything she had. It was about a family and bears and their friends from the stone age.
Pebbles and Bambam on a Friday night
Tried to get to heaven on a paper kite
The lightning struck and down they fell
Instead of going to heaven they went straight to hell
Dino the dog was on the bone
While Fred and Barney rocked the microphone
There was a shout and then a scream
It was mister slate a knocking Wilma out
There wasn't a thing that Fred could do
'Cept sing yabba dabba dabba dabba do
By the time they finished they were nearly to the building where classes were held. Calling the platoon to a holt, the instructor gave the command to file into the class room. "File from the left column left!"
Then each rabbit at the front of the squad line would look over their shoulder and repeat the command of yell stand fast. "March!" and one squad at a time would walk into the class room.
Once she was in her seat, Judy sat stone still and facing forward. They learned early on that talking during class would not be tolerated. A few extra pushups or some other random exercise encouraging the rest of the class not to follow in the transgressors footsteps.
Once everyone was seated, the instructor for the class took over and began teaching those present what it meant to be in the military police. Judy was entranced. She was surprised how much being a police officer in Zootopia and the military police had in common. She probably shouldn't have been, but she was worried that the most action she would get would be standing guard at some boring base somewhere.
While that was certainly part of the job, there were other things that would help to make up for it. And Judy was busy taking notes of things she wanted to know more about before the next class. Ever eager to excel at everything she did, she was bound and determined that while she was here, she would do her best to make her home a better place.