AN: Sorry for the delays, but work has been taking up a lot more time than normal lately. Anyways, on to our meetings!
Hunters, Strangers, and Primal Nights
Ch4: Meeting with the Devils
ZPD, Precinct 1
9:45A.M.
In the front lobby of the ZPD, reporters of all species bustled about, trying to get into position for the conference. They could smell the blood in the air at this one. Was it true that the ZPD had known about this for a day? Was it true no one had raised an alarm? Was it true they had ignored them? The sound of Bogo's hand tapping a mike silenced them all. Though they wanted to unleash the flood of questions, they knew better than to not let him speak his points clearly, especially after the wave of new regulations after the disastrous press conference after Lionheart's arrest.
"Thank you. Now, I will begin with the facts,after which I will take questions. Two days ago, the ZPD received a package, containing two three objects. The first, a marinated meat based dish, latter determined to be wolf. Second, the severed head of one Malcom Woler, a suspected serial rapist. And finally, a letter addressed to us by someone who refers to themselves as the 'Gespent Jaeger'. In the letter, the individual states that they are, and I quote, 'a stranger in a strange land' that wishes to return home, and is stalking the streets for the so called 'scum that slips the cracks' to pass the time. Also according to this letter, ZNN received a similar package. The ZPD attempted to hold a press conference, but we were unable to establish one, but to ZNN devoting the day to covering what they at the time believed to be a prank. Last night, at roughly 8:25PM, officers responded to a call from an individual identifying themselves as the Gespent Jager, who claimed to have committed five counts of homicide in a Night Howler filled warehouse. Officers established this to be true, as two 55 gallon drums filled with the purified substance were discovered, along with the corpses of five bears, all of which were suspected dealers in the narcotics trade, at least two of whom were not city natives. A sixth bear was also located, one Johan Fisher, having been severely crippled, but intentionally left alive. He has repeatedly stated to have heard unusual music, following which what he claims to have been an armored creature surrounded by smoke attacked them. He claims to have witnessed this creature resist automatic 9mm gunfire, turn and procure weaponry from smoke, and fight in paw to paw combat a bear two and a half times his size. He claims to have blacked out before the individual kidnapped the victim of today's... horror story, one Reynar Stone, suspected head of the Remor Cartel's operations in Zootopia. And I am almost definitely sure I do not need to repeat the events of today's broadcast and bombings." Bogo paused and prepared for the flood. "I will be taking questions one at a time. Please ask in order of seating, left to right, or you will be skipped over. Begin."
"Amanda Weller, ZNN," started up a leopardess. "Is it currently know how this serial killer accessed the Emergency Broadcast override network?"
"We are not able to confirm how it was done at the time, as our analysts have only had roughly two hours to investigate the systems. However, it is not believed that it was a wireless upload. As there is currently no signs of forced entry of the site, it is believed that he was able to covertly infiltrate it. Next question please."
"Reymond Burr, Leaf Times," the speaker was a portly hedgehog. "Has the unsubs claims of a drug lab at 975 Limburger been confirmed?"
"At the current time, investigators are still going over the two sites to discover if the claims are true. However, evidence may likely have been destroyed in the blast. Next.
"Geralt White, New Moon Press." This reporter was a one eyed arctic wolf, with an odd sounding, gruff accent. "Is it or is it not true that this criminal has displayed supernatural abilities related to smoke?"
"At the time I cannot comment on that. Next."
"Harold Grant, Rodentia Bugle." A usually small mouse was speaking into a mike setup so that they could be heard clearly. "My sources indicate that this Jaclan Anubs was a Jackal. This would make all three sets of victims so far preds. Is this potentially a case of post-Bellwether terrorism, or something entirely new?"
"At the present time, we have no indications of any motive. Due to his statements, we believe the unsub to be an equal opportunity attacker, and that they may attack prey criminal groups, if he were to encounter them. Next."
A somewhat haggardly dressed raccoon spoke up. "Malcolm Grey, Indie Inquisitorial. Given his current actions... is it possible that this unsub is more of a benefit to the city than harm? In each case, he has targeted criminal elements that either are unknown to the ZPD, or were capable of, if my sources on the Remor Cartel are accurate, bribe officials to look the other way. I say we should welcome them! This city needs someone that can strike fear into crime that they cant bribe away!" That one seemed to cause a murmur of agreement thought the crowd, like-minded folk unafraid to voice the idea themselves taking note of the wolfs words.
"Mr. Grey. What you are advocating support of is at best a vigilante killer. At worst, a terrorist. This individual broadcast to the public, on everything in the city, torture and cannibalism, acts of savagery not even Night Howler was able to produce. Do you think they're what this city needs?"
"Mr. Bogo, for starters, unless the dictionary can prove me otherwise, its only cannibalism if they are another bear. And as well, if the results are able shown, I say we can live with some fear. If the average rapist in an alley thinks twice about grabbing a female on the streets for some fun before slitting their throat, at the cost of peace of mind, I say we take it!" More calls of support came out from the crowd.
"Mr. Grey, you will stop trying to incite a riot or you will be removed from this conference."
"And there it is folks." The wolf stood up and turned to the crowd. "They wish my silence, furthering that I speak the truth they wish not hear! But... I am a peaceful sort. My card, Mr. Bogo."The wolf tossed Bogo a business card and began walking out of the room.
Most arrogant wolf I've ever met. Did he want jail time, or- At that moment of though, Bogo glanced down at the business card.
My oh my, you really need to research these things better. There is no paper in this city with that name I chose. And don't try to stop me from leaving, the press will rip you all to shreds at trying to silence one of their own.. You have no way to prove that I am who I am. -Gespent Jaeger
Bogos head darted up, trying to find the wolf. But all he could see was a small dissipating smoke cloud near the front door.
Tundra Town
3:45 P.M.
A figure walked through the snowstorm in a high quality suit, approaching the gates of a large mansion. Twin polar bears stood outside, each of them carrying the sort of secure presence most would feel only in the presence of large bore belt fed weaponry. To the figure however, they were merely two figures representing formality. One of the guards raised his arm, indicating the individual stop ten feet away
"State your business."
"Just a simple chef seeking to talk business with your boss." I had called ahead in advanced and told the owner of the home I wished to speak with him. I had told him that he would know me by the phrase. The guards nodded and moved forward to search me.
"Gentlemen, you won't find anything on me by hand. However," At that twin revolvers formed out of the air in my metal covered hands, barrels pointed at me as I handed them over. "That was all I brought, that can be removed anyways. I need the suit, and body parts are hard to remove and reattach these days. But feel free to follow protocol." The two guards took my guns and searched me, head to toe before finally stopping.
"Your clean. But... just what the hell are you? Your body's built like nothing I ever seen, even under that suit."
I shrugged and grinned under the metal face mask I wore at the statement. "Same as I told the ZPD, I'm a stranger on very strange shores. Myth, monster, legend, nightmare. I'm all those things and more."
"You're way to damn philosophical."
I put a hand behind my head and chuckled at the guard. "Just be glad I ain't using my disarming hick accent I used to use. Its amazing how much assumptions changed based on a voice." At that, the guards opened the gate and escorted me into the mansion, stopping at an office door. One of the guards opened it and motioned for me to enter.
"Mr. Big will see you now."
I nodded to the bear and began to enter the room. "Thank you my good mammal."
Looking around I could see it was what I expected. A large ornate desk, fireplace, picture of Grandmama, a nice rug over a trapdoor leading straight to the Tundratown river network, what else could a mafia boss want? And sitting on the desk was a shrew sized swivel chair, occupied by a suit wearing, cigar smoking shrew. He motioned for me to sit in a chair sized for one of my size, and I did.
"I would kiss your ring, sir, but I think my mouth may be a bit to big to make that practical."
"Very well then, Mr. Jager. You said you wished to talk with me, to discuss... business as you said. But what business does a rather... violent vigilante like yourself have with me?" Several of the guards in the room all stiffened at those words, and at least one seemed to be clutching what looked exactly like an elephant gun. Coincidentally, he was the one closest to me.
"Exactly that kind of business. But first, I must admit. I did my research on you Mr. Big. And I must say... your a far smarter man that most mob bosses I know of."
"Flattery won't get you anywhere with me."
"I'm not trying to flatter. I dug into your organization. I know you run a legal mafia family. Not a single place of business you own launders money. You own 78% of the bars in the city, and they have never had reports of incidents. You own the three largest casinos in the city, every one of which has been repeatedly verified as never being rigged. Heck, your even Little Rodentias police force."
"You've clearly done your research Mr. Jager. Not many people know I am that law abiding."
"And thats why you weren't so distrusting of ZPD Officer Hops, wasn't it? Yes, I know that little detail. Why, without your aid, she may have never gotten Weaselton to talk. Your one of the saviors of the city. And that, my good sir, is why I am here to talk."
"Go on..."
"I have found not a single indication that your family is involved in any major extralegal affair. Heck, I the closest I could find was a late credit card bill on Fru-Fru's part, and that was due to a server failure. Your better paragons of justice and law than most Mayors this city has had. So I am here to simply make a statement."
"And that is?"
"Hold one... I want to say this face to face." My helmet split down the middle, sliding back along my head. From the shocked looks on the faces of most of the guards I could tell either they were shocked at the scars or were freaked out by my face, either one. The left eye missing and the socket being open probably didn't help matters.
"Well... your certainly... not what I expected."
"I wasn't kidding about a stranger on a strange shore." I ran my hand along one of my many scars. "You could say I'm alien in nature... but even more so. But enough of that..." My one good eye stared straight at the shrew. "I, the Gespent Jaeger, formally swear, that your entire operations are safe from my little crusade. Not a single hair on the heads of a single member of your group will knowingly be touched by me. And in return, I simply wish the same. None of your associates try and stop me, a mutual treaty if you will. I think it will be for both our benefits, don't you?"
"I accept the deal. But I must ask...you come into my home, and show that you could have come armed, but turn over your weaponry. You hide your face from all, but willingly showed it to me without asking. You prove you know things about my own family no one else would know, but you do not use it to strike me. Why?"
"Because, Mr. Big... I am someone who has seen the truths of the world. And I am willing to bet on them."
5:30 P.M.
I continued to talk with Mr. Big for a short while, asking if he knew anywhere that I should dig into. He gave me a few intriguing leads, including one bit of news that I definitely was going to follow up on soon, if not tonight. I was walking down the main street of tundra town, disguised among the crowds. Still though, I couldn't shake a feeling I had. Something seemed off about my surroundings, like a pair of eyes zeroed in on the back of my head. A quick glance around showed me nothing out o the ordinary, but my reflexes screamed to dodge. I heard a splat ahead , and could see it. Blue stains in the snow, more than one, from multiple angles. But that wasn't the problem.
The problem were the six polar bears in the street that had been hit. And they were just about to go thru the crowds like tissue paper...
Armored metal snapped around my face, blocking off the only exposed area left on me. I rapidly fired off a call to the ZPD on the matter, and grabbed a baton off my side. I wasn't about to go lethal with this, but there were still going to be injuries all around.
"Deal with that to earn my keep."
AN: A little extrapolation on the delay here. My work recently had a few people up an quit without notice, leaving me to pick up the slack, which at into most of my spare time. Fortunately, we picked up some replacements, so I shouldn't be as long on the next chapter.
