Chapter 17- Zigs Intstead of Zags

The fighter thumped into position on the docking platform. Nick let out a pent-up breath. "That was-"

"Intense?" suggested Bonnaire cheerfully.

"Um, yeah. And-"

"Fun?"

"Not exactly what I was thinking."

"Oh, relax, Nick," said the pilot. Their was a clang and the fighter vibrated as it started moving along the track back into the hangar. "You did great. I can't think of anyone that got a confirmed kill on their first time out."

"Yeah," said Nick, smiling slightly. "I guess I did."

"Damn skippy, you did." They were thrown forward as the fighter slid into position at one edge of the hangar. Bonnaire started flipping switches, shutting down the fighter. As the engine settled into a dull whine, then silence, she popped the cockpit and jumped down. She reached up to help Nick, who was a bit shaky on his feet.

"So is this common?" asked Nick, leaning against the Arewing.

"What, combat or being jumped like this?"

"Either. Both."

Bonnaire pulled off her helmet and shook out her hair. "This is my, um," she paused in thought. "Probably three hundredth combat mission. Somewhere around there, anyway. These ambushes are rare- only the Karathi are crazy enough to try and pull it off."

"Ah," said Nick, trying to imagine going through that three hundred times.

Another fighter slotted in next to them, and Rudaski got out of the cockpit. "Hey, Rudaski," said Bonnaire. "Get any kills out there?"

The lieutenant took off her helmet, revealing a grim look. "You didn't hear?"

"I was busy being chewed out by the captain," said Bonnaire, her smile evaporating. "What's wrong?"

"Romao bought it." Rudaski looked down. "Zigged when he should have zagged." She threw down her helmet and walked away.

"Damn," said Bonnaire, suddenly looking weary.

"I'm sorry," said Nick quietly.

"It happens," she said. "Especially with newbies. Hate to see it happen in a nothing fight like that, though."

"Nothing fight?" said Nick. "Weren't we outnumbered something like three to one?"

"More like four to one," she said. "Though the Nike evened the odds a bit with their point defense. No, Nick, you don't understand. We're the best in the galaxy. Four to one Karathi is nothing. Now, four to one against Drex, or Larrat- that'd be tough." She sighed. "Look, I gotta go see the captain to get chewed out in person. And you probably have your own dressing down to look forward to."

The fox looked confused. "I do? Why? I didn't do anything?'

Bonnaire smiled and shook her head. She said nothing, just pointed across the hangar deck. Nick turned to see a gray blur approaching him at speed.

"Carrots-" he said, just before being knocked flat by the speeding bunny.

"Nick," she said, her eyes wet with tears. She gripped him so hard he thought his ribs would creak. "Thank God you're okay."

Recovering from his surprise, he hugged her back as he struggled to his feet. "Piece of cake, Fluff. I was with the best pilot in the fleet." He pulled back and looked her over carefully. "You're okay? I heard there were boarders."

She hesitated. "Piece of cake," she echoed. "The Marines came and got Barker and me."

"Really?" he said slowly. He reached down and fingered a rip on her shirt.

Judy saw what he was looking at and avoided his eyes. "It may have gotten a bit hairy at one point," she admitted.

Sighing, he steered her towards the exit. "We seem to have a knack for getting into trouble," he said. "Think we'll make it?"

"We always do," she said, snuggling closer to him as they walked.

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Hunter stood outside the church, which was currently being processed by ZPD's CSI unit. Beside him, Tavi fussed over Shepherd, who had somehow managed to repair his right side grav unit enough that he was no longer "limping". Strangely, though, his speech seemed slightly impaired. The tank assured them it was a temporary problem, though it was hard to trust him when he sounded like a drunk on a three-day bender.

In front of him stood Bogo, who glared down on the human. "Do you know, Hunter, when I was told that an off-duty officer suddenly called in an assist, I immediately thought of you?"

"That's sweet of you, chief. I think of you all the time, too."

"I bet you do. I bet you think of me every time you're doing something you shouldn't." He leaned closer. "And if you are, then I know you're thinking of me all the time."

Hunter took a step back. "You're not going to try to kiss me, are you, chief? Because that's the way this conversation sounds like it was going."

"He's right," said a passing CSI officer. "It sounded a lot like that."

Bogo snorted a laugh. "Hunter, I really should fire you. You're supposed to be sleeping off a concussion, not chasing wolves through churches." He eyed Shepherd. "With a tank."

"It was a super-wolf," insisted Hunter. "The tank was necessary." He leaned back and grinned insouciantly at Bogo. "Besides, you can't fire me."

The water buffalo frowned. "I don't know what you mean."

"If you could have, you'd have done it by now," said Hunter. He crossed his arms.

For a long moment, Bogo studied him. "You're right," he said finally. "City hall thinks you're a hero."

Hunter nodded. "Glad someone appreciates me."

"So I can't fire you. Presumably they want you around to trot out at appropriate times, like mayoral speeches and ribbon-cuttings for orphanages." Bogo smiled mirthlessly. "What they haven't told me is where you should be assigned."

Hunter's smile slipped. "Now hang on a second-"

"We can always use more officers on foot patrol," mused Bogo. "In Tundratown, for example."

Hunter snapped to attention. "Sir! Request permission to pretend the last bit of this conversation did not happen!"

"Permission granted." The water buffalo sighed. "The only thing keeping me from coming up with a really creative punishment, Hunter, is that you sent me a report just before this whole fiasco. Granted, I was reading it just about the time Officer Tavi's assist dropped, but it's the thought that counts."

"Sir? What report-" Hunter stopped as Tavi cleared her throat loudly next to him.

The chief appeared not to notice. "I think finding this Prometheus character is a priority. Whoever he- or she, or whatever- is, they need to be stopped. And in this case, I will very grudgingly admit that you were the best officer for the job." He pointed his finger at Hunter. "But for now on, ask permission before you go haring off on your own, understand?"

Hunter was about to say something sarcastic, but then recalled how cold it was in Tundratown. "Understood, sir."

"Outstanding." Bogo sighed. "Now I'm going to go try and make some sense out of this mess." He walked off towards the CSI officers.

Hunter looked down at Tavi. "Report?" he said dryly."

"Of course," she said, raising an eyebrow. "You don't remember sending it in? Then it must have been some other officer, who was trying to keep you out of trouble. Well, more trouble." She poked him in the ribs. "It was me, if that wasn't clear."

The human smiled down at her. "I'm not that dense," he said.

"Really?" said Tavi with a smirk. "Because I've watched you work, and frankly-"

"Easy, rookie. You've been hanging around with me too much."

She was about to reply when something caught her eye. "That's weird."

"What-" Hunter looked up and then shot to his feet. "Amna?"

The black-haired woman was walking through the outskirts of the scene, scanning the area, with a police lieutenant- a grizzly bear- trailing her. She spotted Hunter when he spoke and hurried toward him. "Zach? Are you okay?" She looked at the church. "What the hell happened here?"

Hunter gestured to Shepherd. "Tank. Super-wolf. Boom."

She stopped near him, putting her hands on her hips. She looked him up and down. "Super-wolf?" she said, her tone dry.

"And tank." He mimed an explosion with his hands. "Thus boom."

"Hunter?" asked Tavi, her tone suspicious as her eyes flicked between Hunter and Khabat. "Who is this?"

"Oh, right. You two haven't met." Hunter gestured between them. "Tavi, this is Amna Khabat, a Directorate Ranger. Amna, this is Tavi, a nosy rookie."

"And his ex-wife," added Khabat. Tavi's ears shot up, quivering as she stared intently at the ranger. Khabat didn't seem to notice, reaching out to touch Hunter's shoulder where he was bleeding. "You're hurt?"

"It's not bad," said Hunter. He put his hand up and moved her hand down- but didn't let go. Tavi's eyes narrowed at that. "What are you doing here, Amna?"

She smiled. "Do I need a reason to check up on you?"

His eyes didn't move from hers. "Yes. You do."

"Okay, so maybe I do." She finally moved away, walking a few steps toward the church. She spoke, her back still turned to him. "What are you investigating, Hunter?"

"Super-wolves, apparently," replied Hunter. "Why?"

The ranger turned back, looking at him sharply. "That's not why you're here," she said. "Your department leaks like a sieve. You're after Prometheus, aren't you?"

"Prometheus?" said Hunter. "What's that? Sounds like a cleaning product."

She hissed in annoyance. "Hunter, you are the most frustrating man I know."

"See," he told Tavi. "I do have some skills."

"I don't think that's marketable."

"I dunno, I've see your news programs. Just mammals arguing with each other. Seems like I could go far with abilities like that."

"Hunter," said Khabat, exasperated. "We can help each other. I think we're on the same side here."

"Really?" said Hunter, turning to face her. "Because you spent quite a lot of time the other day suggesting that we weren't."

"I-"

"I'm a suspicious person, Amna. You know that. It comes with being a cop." He took a step towards her. "And you haven't really regained my trust yet."

Khabat's eyes travelled up and down him again. A slow, lazy smile came across her face. She put one hand on her hips.

Tavi saw Hunter swallow.

"Amna," he said, a bit hoarsely. "I think it's past my bedtime. See you around."

She suddenly moved forward and leaned close, her lips just beside his ear. "Take care of yourself, Zach." Her eyes fell on Tavi and the sultry smile widened. "Keep an eye on him, Miss Tavi."

"It's Officer Tavi," said the mongoose stiffly.

Khabat didn't seem to hear. She leaned in and kissed Hunter's cheek. "See you soon, Zach. Don't be a stranger."

Hunter's eyes followed her as she walked away. Tavi walked up next to him, her eyes flicking between his face and Khabat's retreating form. "Um, Zach." She tugged on his pant leg. "Zach!"

With a start, Hunter looked down, a little wide-eyed. "What?"

"What was that all about?" she demanded, staring up at her friend.

"What was what?" Hunter shoved his hands in his pockets and walked away. "She's just being- well, herself."

"That's not what I meant," said Tavi. "You looked like she stabbed you instead of kissed you."

He looked up at the sky, avoiding her eyes. "Let's just say it's been a while since I've been around humans and leave it at that, huh?"

She scowled and kicked a pebble. "You can't let this cloud your judgment, Zach."

"My judgment isn't clouded," he said defensively. "I'm completely on-board with whatever it is we were doing. Trying to catch the super-wolf or whatever."

"Uh-huh."

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Bonnaire snapped to attention. "Lieutenant Commander Bonnaire reports as order, sir!" she announced crisply.

It was normal for a superior officer to put a reporting subordinate at ease, or even allow them to sit. Oakes, sitting behind his desk, just set down the paperwork he was reading and leaned back to look at her. "I spoke with Tosetti, so you're not in official trouble." Tosetti, on the other hand- but realistically, he wasn't going to punish her. "I just want to know why you thought it was a good idea to bring the fox along on a CSP."

"Sir, it seemed safe. Wolf 359 hasn't had a recorded attack in, well, almost ever." She had checked on that on the way to the captain's quarters. "The last one was in-"

"I'm not interested in history, commander." Oakes continued watching her. "Okay, so you thought it would be safe. We'll put that aside for now. Why take him on a flight to begin with?"

"Our orders, sir?"

Oakes's eyebrows climbed his forehead. "Orders, commander?"

"Sir, I was informed that, while our primary mission was to transport the Terran VIP's to AlphaCen, we were also to try and impress upon them our military strength. Taking Nick- I mean, Mr. Wilde- on a flight seemed a good way to do that." She made the entire speech at a position of perfect attention, eyes forward and back straight.

Oakes nodded slowly. "All right. Fair enough. Well, it turned out well- thanks, I am told, to some exemplary flying on your part." It was the closest thing he would give to a compliment- Bonnaire was too full of herself as it was. Typical fighter jock. "You are dismissed."

The pilot blinked and started to turn away, before looking back at her captain. "Sir? Permission to speak freely?"

The captain had already picked up the paperwork he had been reading before she came in. He looked up at her and frowned. Finally, curiosity won out. "Granted, commander."

"Sir, these orders- we shouldn't be trying to intimidate the Terrans. They're a lot like us. We should befriend them. Couldn't we- you know, make more of an effort to do that?" She hesitated as Oakes's eyes became hard.

"Are you questioning our orders, Commander?"

"No, sir!" She instinctively snapped to attention again. "I'm just saying- nothing precludes us from just being neighborly, sir. Why not try it?"

"We are being friendly, commander," said Oakes. "We are protecting them against the Karathi and the Larrat. Maybe even the Drex, though the mammals seem to be talking to those psychopaths." He shook his head. "Much good it will do them. No, commander, I think we're doing enough for them already. If they can't see that being our friends and allies is the obvious choice- well, so much for them. We can always take Terra back once the Drex or someone else wipes them off it."

He had gone back to signing off on a requisition form, which is why he didn't notice Bonnaire's eyes flash. He also didn't notice the frost in her voice when she replied. "I see, sir. Good evening, sir."

Oakes waved an acknowledgement as she left.

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Technically, Maximus, Premier of the Council of Terra, didn't need to be here, where the Human Stars delegates were meeting with the Council of Terra diplomats. As head of state, his place was well away from the negotiating table. The diplomats talked (or sometimes, shouted) at each other all day, then they'd return to their political masters for further instructions. The next day, they'd sit around the table again, with- maybe- slightly modified orders, and talk some more. Eventually, in theory, they'd reach an agreement. Maximus's presence would not contribute an iota to that discussion.

But he wanted to be there for this one.

Since the beginning, the humans' tone had been one of condescension. They acted as if Terra was theirs by right, the mammals allowed to remain on sufferance. That the Terrans should immediately bow to their admittedly massively superior military power and become- what? Vassals? A colony?

Slaves?

Maximus had dug in his heels throughout the negotiations. He had allowed the Terrans to send businessmen to the planet, to seek out markets. He'd even allowed tourism, even that ridiculous exchange program between the ZPD and FLPD. The results of that still astonished him. And the humans had abused his hospitality abominably, using the intercourse between the two polities to sneak in secret agents and that murderer Lucas.

They still refused to admit to that, of course.

"I must reiterate," said Ambassador Castell, in the patient monotone of a man repeating himself for the hundredth or so time, "the XSO operation was wholly illegal and occurred without our knowledge. Those responsible have paid for it, often with their lives."

Maximus, sitting in a massive chair designed for an elephant behind the Terran delegates, shivered. The humans had delivered video of the executions as proof of their veracity. The Premier had been able to watch three of them before refusing to watch more. How could such an advanced people be so barbarous?

"The XSO soldiers we captured said they received their orders through the standard chain of command," said the Terran delegate. "That this was-" he held up a transcript and read, "-business as usual. You must understand that our relations cannot and will not be normalized until we receive the necessary guarantees that such an attack will not happen again."

"And you must understand that a full technological transfer such as you request cannot occur until we know that Terra will be a faithful friend to the Human Stars," returned Castell, in the same bored voice. "We have many enemies, and every small advantage in technology we have is crucial to our survival."

Philip, an oppossum who acted as Maximus's adviser- and friend- entered the room quietly and sat next to the elephant. "Sir," he said, handing a folder to Maximus.

The Premier casually glanced inside the folder and read the first page. "Very good," he murmured. He stood up.

Immediately, all eyes swung to him as he moved to sit at the table. He let out a sigh as he sat down. "Forgive me, your excellency," he said to Castell. "But there has been a development that I wished to explain personally."

The ambassador watched him suspiciously, though his voice remained civil. "Of course, Premier. Please go on."

Maximus handed the folder to an aide, who brought it to the ambassador. "As you know, the beings you call the Drex have also sent a delegation to the planet. What you are looking at, sir, is a draft document, though one fairly well advanced. It is-"

Castell looked up, his face blank but pale. "A Drex guarantee of your independence. Your excellency-"

"You read quickly," said Maximus, smiling as he settled back in his seat. "Perhaps you can write quickly, as well. I strongly suggest you do so. For example, back to your superiors on Alpha Centauri."

Maximus didn't need to be here. The consternation, the panic on the other side of the room would have occurred whether he had delivered the news personally or not. Castell would have still gathered up his delegation and stalked out of the conference room in just the same way. The Terran delegation would have exchanged precisely the same satisfied smiles as they did now.

Maximus didn't need to be here. But after being browbeaten by the humans for so long, he had really, really wanted to be.

Author's Note: My writing process- Step One: Focus on plot Step Two: Add copious amounts of humor and characerization Step Three: Torture Captainprice79 with Hunter/Tavi hints and potential ship-sinking. Step Four: ? Step Five: Profit!

Another note: I started (on Archive of Our Own only, to keep all the suggestions in the same place) a series of short Zootopian Fusion Fics (titled A Series of Unfortunate Zootopia Fusion Fics, unimaginatively enough). The first two are Zootopia/WH40K (specifically Ciaphas Cain) and Zootopia/Dragnet. If you're interested, have a read and suggestions are welcome. Mind you, I may not know the fandom or may just not be able to come up with any good ideas, but I'm going to try as many as I can for practice purposes. I may (may!) expand one or more of them to full-fledged stories if the interest level is high enough and I feel I can pull it off. Amusingly, I already kinda want to expand the Ciaphas Cain one- I've got several good ideas already.

Anyway, again, that's only on AO3. I just want to keep all the suggestions in the same place to avoid confusion. Hope you enjoy!

Oh, and don't worry- I'm not starting any major projects until this story is done. So it won't impact my schedule. After this is done, I plan to go back and review those stories to see if there are any I particularly like.