OTTO Hopps - A Rabbit's Life

by Furbearinvarmint

Otto Hopps was Bonnie Hopps Father, Judy Hopps Grandfather and called foxes red because they were made by the Devil. Otto Hopps was also a soldier, a wounded veteran and a warrior...who like many warriors never spoke of their lives. Now, Nick Wilde, mate of Otto's grandkit Judy was who Otto needed to talk to, to share his history.

3. Chapter 3

Officer Ben Clawhauser was on his 2nd bowl of Luckychomps of the morning and was reaching for his morning goodness of a chocolate sprinkled donut as he watched his favorite ZPD officer partners leave the building. "OM Goodness, they are not having a good morning" he said to no one in particular. Judy's ears were flat down her back and Nick couldn't even work up a good smirk and goodbye to the cheetah. 'What happened in the Chief's office this time', he wondered.

"Benjamin", Chief Bogo called down, "would you please come up to my office for a minute…get Wolfard to cover for you."

"Wait, what! No, not the front desk…I hate the front desk." Wolfard whined.

"Don't be such a kit…er, pup partner!" Officer Fangmeyer snickered.

"Fangmeyer, help your partner on the desk too!" Bogo called. 'I hate whiners…now they'll have company'.

"Oh gawd…Benjamin? He doesn't call me Benjamin, ever…not good, not good at all." 'C'mon Cheetah, take the stairs, it's good exercise' he scolded himself, as he pushed the elevator button and waited for the doors to open.

"Ben, would you please have a seat and give me a few minutes of your experience" Bogo asked.

Benjamin Clawhauser was a vet, a combat vet with 3 purple hearts, a bronze star and bad memories. Chief Bogo was one of the very few mammals who knew what his fattest and most jovial officer actually was…a true warrior who had hated almost every second of his time in the Army, but did his duty, came home and didn't talk about it. His memories were killed by food, 'well, muted by sweets' Ben told himself. The Chief knew he could talk with Ben, he'd understand.

"You carry enough of a load Ben…but after Wilde-Hopps this morning, could you give me a few minutes, one ex-troop to another?" Bogo said quietly not yet able to meet the officer in the eyes.

"Sure Chief!" he responded in his usual cheerful manner, until he met Bogo's eyes as the buffalo finally looked up, "Uh, of course sir, anytime…a bad morning?" as he sat back to listen, eyes set and no smile visible. The unseen by the ZPD, "real" Clawhauser, was needed by his friend, the warrior was back, front and center.