Chapter 23- Shots Fired

Nick tugged at his uniform shirt as he walked into the building, neatly swerving to avoid a man in a business suit who didn't even see the much shorter fox. "I'm getting tired of having to wear a uniform every day," he complained.

Judy, following just behind him, shrugged. "It's diplomacy," she said. "Although, you realize we haven't even met with the Terran delegation yet? Seems like they would have come to see us. Brief us in, that sort of thing."

"It's probably just as well they didn't," said Nick. "They'd probably stop my brilliant plan."

"Do you think if you keep saying it's brilliant, it'll work?"

"Confidence, Carrots, confidence. That's why they call them 'con-mammals'." He strode up to the reception desk. "Excuse me."

The woman behind it blinked at him. "Are you- are you a-"

"Fox," said Judy. "And I'm a bunny."

"Oh." The receptionist hesitated. "We don't usually allow pets-"

"You really, really don't want to finish that sentence," said Nick. "I take it they didn't warn you? We're here for an interview. We're appearing on the, um- what's it called?" he asked Judy.

"The Morning Scoop," said Judy.

"Right. With Chamberman Liu."

The call had come in when they got back to the hotel room. A very conciliatory Avenford Raines had come just short of begging to get the apparently reluctant (but inwardly gleeful) Nick to agree to appear with Liu on the show. Which is why Nick was here, well before daylight, instead of sleeping in his bed. Or Judy's bed, for that matter.

Still, he was in the groove, and not much was going to bother him. Even the fact that the receptionist was still hesitating over whether to classify them as "guests" or "pets". "Look," he said kindly, "Maybe you should phone upstairs and see if they're expecting two ZPD officers. Wilde and Hopps."

"Wilde and Hopps," said the receptionist faintly. "Right." She picked up the phone.

Moments later, they were being ushered into a makeup room by a flustered blonde studio executive. "I'm very sorry about our receptionist," she said nervously. "I'm afraid she didn't get the memo."

Nick waved a paw negligently. "Not to worry."

Judy stared at the makeup chair. "What's this for?"

"Your makeup-" said the executive. She stopped in mid-sentence as the makeup technician came in.

He was a short, fat man whose broad smile evaporated when he saw the two mammals. He looked at the executive. "Joyce, what is this?"

"The two Terrans," said Joyce. "We need them prepared for the interview, Marvin."

"Um, I don't think we need makeup," said Judy hesitantly.

"Oh, everyone thinks that," said Joyce airily. "But in practice, when you have those bright lights on you, every little thing shows."

"Like fur?" said Nick pointedly.

"Like- oh."

Joyce and Marvin exchanged looks. "Maybe brush their fur?" suggested Marvin.

"Are you suggesting we don't?" asked Nick, an edge in his voice.

"No, no," said the makeup artist nervously. "Look, what do you- I mean, when you appear on camera, how do you normally-"

"Like this," said Judy dryly. "Some of the mammals with less hair use makeup, I hear, but most of us have fur. I think we'll be fine without it."

"Right," said the executive. "Um. Well. I guess you can go to the set, then."

They followed her to a large, extremely well-lit stage, which had a half-circle table with chairs set around them. Judy and Nick nodded as Liu walked in.

Nick eyed the thick makeup on the human's face. "Now I'm really glad we have fur," he said quietly.

Judy elbowed him and hopped up onto the far left chair. Liu nodded gravely to her.

"Ms. Hopps."

"Mr. Liu," said Judy. "How expected is is to see you."

Nick, with some difficulty, managed to pull himself up into his chair. He faced the human as well. "Well, Liu, I'm led to believe that you are willing to come to an arrangement with us, based on my chat with your colleague."

"Certainly," said Liu casually. "You work with me, and I'll be happy to do what I can for the Terran government." He leaned back and looked around. "Have you ever done one of these morning shows before?"

"No," admitted Nick. "What do you recommend?"

"It's mostly aimed at house-wives and such. They tend to loft pretty soft-ball questions, so just smile and look pretty for the cameras."

"Easy enough," said Nick. "Although- I suppose you can smile, but how do you manage to look pretty?"

Liu gave him a cool look. "I thought we were friends."

"Politicians have friends?"

"A friend is just an enemy you haven't turned your back on yet, fox."

"So that's a no?"

The human just smiled at him. "Try turning your back on me and see, Wilde."

Before Nick could answer, a young man with important-looking hair walked up. "Ah, Mr. Liu! So good to see you on the show again. And you would be Officer Wilde?" He held out a hand to Nick, who took it. "Trenton Spencer, host of The Morning Scoop."

Nick took his hand with his paw. "Pleased to meet you. This is my partner, Officer Judy Hopps, also of ZPD."

"Charmed," said Spencer with a winning smile, showing teeth that gleamed in the stage lights. "So, my understanding is that you have been meeting with Mr. Liu to try and resolve the Terran question?"

"Yes," said Liu, nodding gravely. "The Terran representatives are quite remarkable beings, and I am confident that our governments can work together with my friends just as I have."

Spencer held up his hands. "Hold on, Chamberman. Save it for the cameras." He held up his hand to one side of his face to shield his mouth from Liu. "Never turns it off, this guy," he said to Nick and Judy, jabbing a thumb in Liu's direction.

"Oh, we know. We're great friends," said Nick dryly. He looked at Liu. "Aren't we?"

"Are we?" said Liu speculatively. "I suppose we are."

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"It's not a duel," said Khabat.

Hunter sprawled across a chair in her office, Tavi sitting primly in another chair- human-sized, almost swallowing the small mammal- to his right. Khabat was leaning on the desk in front of them, reading the message Hunter had received from the Drex.

"It says he's challenging me to a test of strength and skill," said Hunter. "A duel."

"A game, Hunter," said Khabat. She handed back the message. "He's challenging you to a game."

Hunter and Tavi exchanged quizzical looks. "Like what, foozeball?" asked Hunter. "Because I'm really good at that-"

"No," said Khabat. "Usually more like a boxing match." Seeing his confusion, she sighed. "How much do you know about Drex culture?"

"Someone cultures them? What, like in a petri dish?"

"That's bacteria, Hunter."

"There's a difference? Other than size, I mean?"

"Are there any non-human cultures you like, Zach?" asked Khabat curiously.

"Yeah, of course. The Terrans are basically just like us, but fuzzier." He paused. "And the Karathi."

"The Karathi?" said Tavi, surprised. "I thought those were the genocidal lizard-bug things."

"Yeah, they're simple. There's only basically three ways they view us, and it all depends on the time of day."

"Huh?"

Hunter leaned back in his chair. "Breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They're not sophisticated enough to have invented brunch."

"Anyway," said Khabat, shaking her head slightly as if to clear it. "The Drex. So they have no fear instinct, right?"

"Right," said Hunter. "So they have no moral code- or at least, they don't fear breaking it. And that's all that keeps people in line."

"What?" said Tavi. "That's not true."

"Sure it is. We don't do bad things because we're afraid. Whether of the consequences, or guilt, or failing to live up to our own view of ourselves."

"They also have no impulse to stay away from things that might hurt them," said Khabat. "Oh, sure, they can gradually calculate the odds that they might get hurt once they have enough experience, but- well, they have to train themselves to realize that consequences exist and need to be avoided. It's not instinctual. For example, a child doesn't learn to fear being burned- though they may, if they're old enough, be able to rationally connect 'hot thing' and 'being burned'."

Hunter wrinkled his forehead in thought. "Wait a minute. How do they even survive to adulthood, then?"

"By rigid, constant, on-going indoctrination and training," said Khabat. "Which is even more difficult because they also don't fear shame or being cast out of the group. They basically have to control their children's entire worldview. Make it unthinkable to break out of the training, or make the consequences so severe they can comprehend it on a rational level. That generally means execution, because anything less might mean someone decides to take the risk."

Tavi stared at her. "That's horrible."

"Estimates are that something like twenty percent of their children are deemed 'unsuitable' and eliminated from the gene pool, either intentionally or accidentally," said Khabat, her voice flat.

Both Tavi and Hunter closed their eyes. "Oh, my God," said Hunter quietly.

"Part of their training is to assess threats in a rational and realistic manner," said Khabat. "Because they don't do so instinctively, you see."

"This is all very interesting," said Hunter. He was still a little shaken by what Khabat had just told him, but was trying not to show it. "But what's it got to do with this not-a-duel?"

Tavi sat up. "Oh! They're trying to assess Hunter- through games! See what he's capable of."

Khabat smiled at her. "Not just a pretty face, I see." Her eyes fell on Hunter again. "Congratulations, Zach, the Drex see you as a threat."

He grinned in satisfaction. "As well they should."

"The best solution is to not fight Octavius," continued Khabat, rolling her eyes at his reaction. "That way you're still an unknown quantity to them. They'll be a bit less likely to want to face you."

"But they still might," said Hunter thoughtfully. "But what if I win?"

"If you win," said Khabat flatly.

"Yeah."

"Against the genetically-engineered supermen. You're going to box Frankenstein."

"I can beat Octavius any day," said Hunter confidently. "After all, there are rules to this duel?"

"Not a duel. And yes, of course."

"Well, then," Hunter said, spreading his hands. "Easy."

She gave him a long, considering look. "I can never tell when you're serious, Zach," she said softly.

Hunter's eyes grew sharp. "Yes, you could, Amna. You just didn't care."

"That's not true."

"Uh-huh." He stood up. "Come on, Tavi."

The mongoose also came to her feet, though more uncertainly. "Um, okay- what's going on here?"

Hunter opened the door for her. "I'm going to fight a duel."

"It's not a duel," said Khabat.

He ushered Tavi out. "Yeah, and Frankenstein was the inventor, not the monster. I'm going to box Frankenstein's monster." He held her gaze. "And win."

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"Welcome to the show!" said Trenton Spencer to the camera. "I'm Trenton Spencer, and this is The Morning Scoop. All the news fit to scoop! With me today are Chamberman Lin Tu Liu, of the Expansionist Party, and- as a special treat for us- two of the Terran delegation, Officers Wilde and Hopps of the Zootopian Police Department! Let's give them a warm welcome!"

The studio audience cheered and clapped their hands. Nick smiled and waved. He glanced at Judy, who was frowning. "What's the matter, Carrots?" said Nick out of the corner of his mouth.

Her ears flicked back and forth. "You can't hear what I'm they're saying," she muttered.

"Like what?"

"Mostly variations on the theme of 'They're so cute!'"

"Oh, relax," said Nick, though his eyes narrowed slightly.

Spencer turned to Liu. "Chamberman Liu, welcome again to the show. It's always great to have you on."

"Thank you, Trenton. I always enjoy the opportunity to reach out to the public." He gestured toward Nick and Judy. "And in particular I enjoy this opportunity to introduce my good friends."

"So you two are police officers," said Spencer. He glanced back at the crowd. "I have to say, I thought you might be a bit taller."

"Most of police work is brains, not brawn," said Judy smoothly. "And we're held our own the times it hasn't been."

"Yes, I understand you were involved in the, er, incident where a number of police officers had to engage a rogue XSO operation," said Spencer. The audience's gaze suddenly intensified on the two police officers. "That must have been rough. I'm sure that my audience will agree with me when I say you have our full condolences."

"Officers Wilde and Hopps- or Nick and Judy, as I like to call them- performed admirably under very tough circumstances. I think we should all be thankful that they helped stop an abominable act, even if it was against criminals from our own world."

There were a few claps and cheers, but before it could get going Spencer spoke again. "That's all well and good, Chamberman, but there are rumors your party was heavily involved in this 'rogue operation'. How do you respond to that?"

"Was the Expansionist Party behind the rogue operation?" asked Liu. "No, we were not. Some of those arrested were in the party, but they were stripped of their party membership as soon as their guilt became apparent."

"Hey," whispered Nick. "He just stole my thing- rephrasing a question and then answering it."

"Maybe you could become a politician if the policing thing doesn't work out," said Judy.

He glared at her. "Bite your tongue, Fluff. I was a hustler, not a politician. I do have some standards."

"-and Nick and Judy were actually heavily involved in the Zootopian investigation," said Liu, apparently still talking. He turned to them and showed them a tight little smile. "Whispering amongst themselves like little lovebirds," he said, in a mock whisper to Spencer. "They're not just police partners, you know. They're a couple."

Nick's ears lay flat, while Judy's sprang up. She felt herself blush as the crowd cheered again.

"Smarmy little-" muttered Judy.

"Easy, Carrots. Stay on script," warned Nick. Though he was feeling much the same way as she was. He took a rein on his temper and forced himself to breathe.

"So, you two were involved in the Terran side of the investigation," said Spencer. "And what did you find?"

"Well," said Nick carefully. "In point of fact, the investigation isn't entirely complete, as it happens."

Liu's face darkened almost imperceptibly.

"But Mr. Liu is correct. We have found- and will find, I'm sure- his cooperation most valuable," finished Nick.

Liu relaxed, smiling broadly.

"We are very close to Mr. Liu," said Judy with forced cheer. "I have no doubt that we will have much more to talk about as the investigation progresses."

"That's good," said Spencer, absently. He seemed to be distracted. "So you two are together? A fox and a rabbit? Is that normal on your world?"

Judy sighed, but kept a smile on her face. "Not exactly normal, no. But not unheard of."

"As close as peas in a pod, these two," confided Liu. "I have no doubt that wedding bells will soon be heard in the future."

There was a chorus of awwws from the studio audience.

"That's great," said Spencer, smiling broadly. "Perhaps you'll come here for the honeymoon. As you can see, we humans have a lot of love for Terrans."

But not much respect, thought Judy sourly.

"No doubt young Nick will be shopping for a wedding ring soon," observed Liu. "I daresay he might even ask my advice, eh?"

"Oh, I'm sure you and I will be able to discuss jewelry options all day," said Nick, trying not to grit his teeth. "Among other things."

"It's great to see our elected officials getting along with such adorable- I mean, courageous young Terrans," said Spencer. He looked back at Judy. "So tell me about Zootopia. I understand you have some considerable species diversity. What's it like policing there?"

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"I thought it went well."

Nick and Judy walked through the lobby of the media building, nodding to the receptionist on the way. She gave them a shamefaced glance and looked away.

"I have never been so embarrassed in my life," said Judy. She waved to Arrizondo, who was waiting outside to pick them up. The human cop, wearing plainclothes, waved back.

"Just wait, you're young yet," said Nick. "Besides, while that wasn't exactly the way I had intended to bring it up, there was a valid question about-" he stopped to negotiate the revolving glass door, timing it so he would make it out as someone else came in. They were awfully heavy to get through otherwise. A short, stout man, fumbling with his briefcase, was going inside at the same time. Nick stepped into the doorway- just before he noticed the gun the stout man pulled from his briefcase.

Judy, behind him, saw the gunman jam his foot against the door, trapping Nick inside. "Nick!"

Her heart skipped a beat. Nick was shut inside the revolving door, trapped.

The fox hit the door as hard as he could, but he simply didn't have the mass to keep it moving against the heavier human's weight. His eyes widened as he saw the human raise the gun.

Judy knew she couldn't hit the door any harder than Nick had. But there was another human approaching the door- Marvin, the makeup technician. He had his head down, engrossed in his phone. Not even thinking about what she was doing, Judy leaped and struck him in the back of the knee, causing him to lose balance and fall headlong against the revolving door.

The door spun, throwing the gunman off his feet and popping Nick out like he was shot by a catapault. Judy picked herself up to see him rolling down the steps leading to the building entrance- he wouldn't be happy, but he was alive. She felt a weight leave her chest.

The human with the gun had been thrown into the building. Judy reached for the laser Bonaire had given her as the human raised his gun again- this time on her. Now that Nick was out of immediate danger, her thoughts became calm. The world seemed to slow down.

The laser caught in her pocket, stuck. She yanked harder, but it was going to be too late-

Three rapid gunshots.

The would-be killer jerked backwards, dust rising from his suit jacket and then a spray of red from his head as two rounds struck him in the chest and one in the head. Judy blinked, then saw Arrizondo sprint through the doors. "Police!" she shouted, holding up her badge.

Judy noticed two armed security guards, both lowering their weapons as they saw the badge. Arrizondo warily approached the human she had shot, circling the body until she was close enough to kick the gun away. "Stay away from that," she ordered one guard, who had moved as if to pick up the gun.

The man twitched, tried to sit up.

Arrizondo fired again and the body jerked before laying still.

Judy flinched. He had been moving, but surely he wasn't enough of a threat-

No, that wasn't true. He could easily have had another gun on him. She looked at Arrizondo. The human's eyes were flat and cold, steady on the recumbent form in front of her, which was surrounded by a growing pool of blood. Judy hesitated before deciding not to draw the laser. There was no reason to show she had it, even to Arrizondo.

The human cop pulled a small radio from her belt. "Unit Fifty Four Fifty Six, shots fired at one three eight five Camberton Drive. Suspect down. Suspected Drex."

As she spoke, Judy looked around frantically, saw a shaken but apparently uninjured Nick limping through the doorway. She rushed to him and he winced as she hugged him.

"I'm okay, Judy," he said, wheezing slightly. "Got the breath knocked out of me, that's all." He looked at Arrizondo, still holding her gun on the downed human. "Drex?" The fox's eyes were wide, but darted around, checking the perimeter.

She glanced at Nick, nodded. "He took a gunshot to the head- right above the nose, should have been a kill shot- and was still trying to move. He's not human."

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"You can't fight a duel, Hunter," said Tavi.

She was driving him back to the ZPD Academy. Her friend shifted irritably. "You heard Amna. It's not a duel. It's a," he grimaced, "a game."

"You can get hurt," she pointed out.

"Nah, there are rules and such." He shifted again. "You know, your car is really too small for me."

"It was the largest they had for a mammal of my size." She hesitated. "At least, that I could afford."

"You could have gotten a smaller one," said Hunter. "Then I'd have had an excuse to get a cab."

"I wanted to be able to-" she stopped.

"To what?" he asked, sighing as he gave up trying to get comfortable.

"To give you a chance to stop persecuting that sheep cabbie."

"Who, Shornington? I kinda like him now."

"The feeling isn't mutual, I don't think," said Tavi dryly.

He frowned at her. "You're not just concerned about a random xenophobic sheep's feelings."

"So," said Tavi hurriedly. "What's the deal between you and Khabat, anyway?"

"She's my ex-wife."

"Yeah, but- why'd you two break up?" asked Tavi neutrally, keeping her eyes on the road.

Hunter was silent for a moment. "It was a question of loyalty," he said quietly.

"What do you mean?"

He looked out the window, avoiding her eyes. "I was stupid once," he said.

"Just once? And what do you mean by 'was'?"

"Ha, ha. Do Terrans have wedding vows? Promise to love, protect, cherish, etc?"

"Of course," said Tavi. "Don't you?"

"Yeah," said Hunter. She snuck a glance at him. He was still staring out the window. "I broke those vows to her."

"Wait...you cheated on her?"

He didn't say anything, but finally nodded.

Tavi frowned. Her first instinct was to snap at him, for some reason- but it had been a long time ago. And he seemed to be feeling guilty enough- and she wasn't sure why, but she almost would have preferred something other than guilt. Guilt meant he was sorry he had done it. And that was- bad? She shook her head, clearing it of her confusing thoughts. "With who?"

"Ex-wife number two," said Hunter. "I mean, before she was ex. Or wife, of course."

"And Khabat dumped you?"

"No, she wanted to work it out," said Hunter. He sounded defeated, ashamed. "Remember how I said I was stupid? I thought that soon-to-be ex-wife two was a better deal. Prettier, more understanding, and so on." He shook his head. "Like I said, it was a question of loyalty. A question I answered wrong."

They were heading a bit downwind of Tundratown, and as usual some rain started to patter down. Tavi turned on the windshield wipers. "Zach. It's over now." She wasn't sure if she was talking about the affair or his relationship with Amna.

He must have taken it as the latter. "She still cares about me, Anila." He swallowed and rubbed his forehead tiredly.

"And do you still care about her?" asked Tavi, her voice almost a whisper.

Silence, broken only by the sound of the rain pattering harder on the roof of the car.

Finally, Hunter spoke. "Yeah, I do."

The car picked up speed slowly as Tavi's foot pressed down on the gas pedal a tiny bit harder.

Author's Note:

To Captainprice79: Okay. Breathe. It's going to be okay. Ship hasn't sunk yet (though frankly I don't know yet where it's going).

More generally: Bear in mind the Drex and the humans have been fighting for thousands of years, off and on. The human view of them is not necessarily one hundred percent correct, and is probably heavily biased toward the negative. That said, they have been fighting them for thousands of years. They know a fair bit. Bottom line, it's unreliable, but not necessarily wholly inaccurate.

I should note that Erinnyes was extremely helpful in fleshing out the background of the Drex, in many different ways. For one specific example, the idea of using moderated "games" to judge the threat level of an opponent was his. I think it's rather brilliant. See, the idea is that the Drex, having no fear instinct to guide them, have to constantly assess threats rationally. After all, they still are trying to avoid negative outcomes. They just don't have the instinctive reaction that humans do that bad things are bad. Imagine having to think "Okay, that thing is hot. I shouldn't touch it because it is hot and will burn me, and getting burned is painful which I don't like" every time you look at a stove, for example.

It's an interesting thought experiment. The plot is almost completely sorted out now in my head, so I may or may not be able ot incorporate new ideas, but if anyone else has a comment on what a people without fear would look like I'd love to hear it.

One last thing- the next chapter has a bit of explicit violence in it. As usual, I'm not dwelling on it, but it's necessary to show it to some extent. I'll be putting in a warning at the beginning of the chapter when I post it, but I wanted to let people know beforehand as well in case that bothers them.