Chapter 5:
Mike Wolfson a wolf, and his partner Nina Chesterton a lioness, were on patrol on the west side of Central square, not far from the meadowlands. It had been a slow night, with not much happening, when a red fox ran out of the alley a few blocks up, crossed the street, and went into the next alley. Two mammals also ran out of the alley and into the next, following the fox. Nina sped up, and turned down the alley. Mike put the lights on, into the glare of the head lights, they could see the assault on the fox by two cheetahs.
ZP-33 calling dispatch over. Dispatch to ZP-33 come in. dispatch we have a possible 10-30V at Main and Vine, south west alley, requesting 10-64, we are in pursuit of perps, requesting back up. Roger ZP-33. ZP-18 do you copy? ZP-18 copy, ETA 1 min. Roger ZP-18. Nick and Judy had also been having an uneventful night, With Judy driving, Nick was sitting in the passenger seat staring at nothing in particular, when the call came in. Nick hit the lights and siren, Judy hit the gas and they were there in about a minute. "ZP-18 we are 10-23" said nick hanging up the microphone, Roger ZP-18.
Nick do you hear that? I've never heard anything like that before. Neither have I carrots, it just sets my nerves on fire. In the headlights, they could see what appeared to be a fox on the ground with a growing pool of blood at her head. Nestled between her tail and chest was a kit, his head thrown back, and the strange sounds were coming from his throat. Dispatch ZP-18, 10-76 at scene. Roger ZP-18. Nick and Judy got out of the car, and slowly approached the scene. Nick went to check the fox, but found no pulse. Nick grabbed his shoulder mick. Dispatch ZP-18, Go ahead Zp-18, Dispatch we have a 10-38 with a minor involved, possible kit to the deceased. Roger ZP-18 contacting social services now.
When the kit became aware of them, he let out a bark, and ran under the nearest dumpster. Did he seem a little strange to you nick? How so carrots? I don't know, he just seemed different. Judy got down on her knees and shone the flash light under the dumpster, looking for the kit. There in the corner of the wall and dumpster was the kit. Judy could see He was different. Nick, I think this kit is a hybrid. Are you sure? Yes, he appears to be a fox, but he is twitching his nose like me, and his ears appear to be rounded. Wow that sure is different, replied Nick.
I looked up and saw a male fox and a rabbit approaching me, I panicked and ran under the dumpster. I had just lost my mom, and was scared. But she didn't come under the dumpster after me, instead she turned the light on herself and showed be she was a rabbit. Rabbits could be trusted, couldn't they? The answer came from my sibling. DeDe told Susan, to tell me, I could trust the people in blue to keep me safe. I believed that, because when I relaxed a bit, all I could feel from her was love and compassion. I slowly crawled over to her, and when she picked me up, I clung to her, she soothed me, and at this point I broke down and started crying again.
There, there, little guy, your safe with me. Nick came over to looked at him. Good grief carrots, your right, he is different. I looked at this strange fox, and found the same kind of love and compassion coming from him. I though that they must be mates. They were just that close, and they just felt so right.
About this time, Mike and Nina returned. Did you catch them? asked Nick? Nina hung her head, No, they got away. She replied. Mike and Nina then secured the scene. And waited for the ambulance, which had just arrived. The ambulance attendants checked out the fox but they could tell she was gone. Forensics arrived, and the ambulance attendants had to wait for them to finish. They then then approached me, to check me out. I grabbed onto Judy with a death grip and refuse to let them near me. I screamed again, and Judy's ears went down trying to block out the sound. She tried to calm me, but all I could see were white coats. Judy and Nick apologized to the attendants, but the attendants said they understood, and walked back to the scene. When forensics was finished, the attendants picked up the female fox and loaded her into the ambulance.
Nick and Judy went back to their cruiser and sat down waiting for social services. Judy got me to calm down enough that I became aware of my surroundings. Judy, look at his feet, Exclaimed Nick. they're bunny feet. Your right Nick. At this point Judy looked at Nick with tears in her eyes. Come on fluff, what's with the tears? Oh Nick, If I imagine what our kits would have looked like, this is one of the combinations I see. She then turned to me and asked, do you have a name, little guy? Danyo-J I replied. Do you mean Daniel-J? I shook my head yes.
About an hour later a harried sheep approached nick and Judy's cruiser. Do you know what time it is? Yes ma'am, it's about 5 AM. I don't have time for this, just give me the kit and I will take him to an orphanage. At this point Judy's hackles rose at the uncaring altitude of the social worker, her mind started to work trying to think of another way, and it came to her. She looked over at Nick, and could tell by his face he felt the same. He gave her a small nod yes. Miss? Nick said. That's Mis Downy. Right Mis Downy would I be safe to assume that he could be fostered? He could if someone wanted to foster foxes, but there are no foster families wanting foxes at the moment. I believe that we know I couple who would. Really? Can you contact them? No need there right here. Nick and Judy both pulled their foster cards out of there wallets. To say she was shocked, was a bit of an understatement. But you are a fox and a rabbit! We also have been married for two years now. To each other? Yes ma'am, replied Nick. She thought about all the paperwork she would have to fill out, for the orphanage, and at the office, and decided it was too much, and decided to let the head office decide what to do. After all who wants a fox kit? All right, contact the social services office in the morning, officers? Nick and Judy Wilde. She wrote down their names, and stormed off in a huff. ZP-18 to Dispatch. Dispatch to ZP-18, go ahead. Dispatch we are 10-35 and coming back to station. Did something happen? 10-4 dispatch, will discuss it when we get there, is the chief in yet? Roger, the chief is in already, see you when you get here.
Hey Daniel, want to come with us? Judy asked. I though about my luck, but my sibling chimed in and told me to go with them. It felt right, so I said Yes!
What the hell happened in the lab tonight? It sounded like the world was coming to an end. Sir, at about 4:10 all the test subjects woke up and started to scream. DeDe went to them, and they all tried to crawl into her lap, needing consoling. She eventually got them to calm down, and fall back to sleep.
And when did red expire? Uhm about 4:10. How did they know? Are they linked to subject J? Unknown Sir, well find out if they are linked, we might be able to use that.
YOU IDIOT Stan, not only did you not get the hybrid, but you made the ZPD aware that hybrids do exist. And above that, you killed the surrogate. It was an accident. HOW DUMB DO YOU THINK I AM? I've read the reports, I KNOW IT WAS AN ACIDENT, but you could have handled in differently. Where is the hybrid now? Two police officer have him now. WHAT? Two of the responding officers haver decided to foster him. How the hell are we going to get him back now? He walks around the room for a bit, thinking about what to do.
Wait, this could be an opportunity, if we keep eyes on him, will it change the study parameters? No Sir, it might actually enhance them a bit. Enhance it? Yes Sir, we will be able to gauge his reactions to foreign stimuli. Alright, let see if we can't get cameras into their house, sound too if possible, but video for sure, And I want a plan worked up to get him back. Yes Sir. (excerpt for the archives of the institute.)