Heart of Gazelle and Humanity

by The Imperator 2 you

With all hope lost Humanity places its final hope in the souls of those frozen in time. While excavating a tunnel, a team of Mammals going about their business discovers a relic of millennia past, and an ancient species thought mythical and legend. Yet of all eggs discovered only 1 survives. Can Humanity be redeemed for the sins of its past, in the future it cannot control?

43. Chapter 36

Cannot swallow the soil, make it all beautiful...

Cannot carry you, carry you, carry you now...

The truth can't bare the sunlight, you're afraid for the day that it does!

Hell when I told you so, I got burn burn burned again...

Heaven forbid that my heart is for sale...

Hope in the end Truth prevails...

= Location: Unknown, 92 Years After the Ironic War =

(?'s PoV)

["Power... output normal... I think... okay now that that's done, I need to acquire... the... the thing... secondary junction cable... the... the other thing... now uh... what was this wire connected to again?"]

*Clank Clank Clank*

["No, it's not connected to the tertiary power coupling... it goes to the biocontamination containment processing unit... or did it go to the... primary power storage units..."]

[You should not focus on these routine tasks, we have more pressing matters that require attention, you need not concern yourself wi-]

["DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO, I NEED TO DO THIS!"]

Silence.

["If I don't do this... if I don't focus..."]

Silence again.

["It's happening... isn't it?"]

[Yes, it is.]

["How much longer can I... no I don't... don't tell me... did you do as I asked?"]

[Yes, the data sphere was wiped an-]

["Then we can keep going as normal, yes... yes, we can... now... uh... I was dismantling this right?"]

[No, you were attempting to perform routine main-]

["Routine Maintenance got it... uh... that's where I 'fix' this right?"]

Silence once more.

[No, that is where you ensure something is working 'properly' and functions properly according to what it's primary function or purpose is.]

There was silence again.

["So, this needs fixing... based on that correct... because it's not working properly if I recall?"]

There was only a brief pause before...

[Yes... it needs fixing.]

= Chapter 36 = Eyes all Around =

(Jeremy's PoV)

The elevator ride to the very top of the central government building was a long one, the entire time he walked with Gazelle next to him, Aelita in hand, and both Judy and Nick following while Donny, Franky, Moe and Joe all chose to wait outside due to 'group size limits', restricting them all from ascending it together.

Naturally Jeremy guessed this was just an attempt to try and limit how many of them could go up together, so when the tiger brothers were 'politely' asked to wait downstairs, a FOX drone slipped through security and took on the holographic form of a security guard without any of the mammals, security or otherwise, noticing that they had one more guard on staff. It escorted them into the elevator with a staff member and they now traveled up to the top floor.

He glanced up and saw that in each of the corners of the elevator were tiny holes that he knew were concealing security cameras, all of them watching their every move.

'It's a good thing Aelita's already managed to hack their security grid and set up her own connection line to the outside world, as well as transmitted the vision cones and angles of every camera in the building, otherwise they would have spotted the FOX drone.' He thought.

After they started slowing down Jeremy took a deep, tense breath, while Gazelle clenched his hand more tightly, and Aelita sat with her legs crossed and only swayed slightly, face attentive to her surroundings and any and all information she would need to gleam. Once the elevator stopped. Their escort, a porcupine with a quiet expression and trying to make as little eye contact as possible, stepped out first and bowed them out, gesturing with her arms where they were expected to walk. Jeremy stepped out with Gazelle, followed by Judy and Nick, and finally their 'security escort' the disguised FOX drone, pretending to be serious and watching them leave with a neutral expression. The entire time it watched them leave, the Porcupine kept trying to avoid eye contact with it as she led them down the hallway.

Along the walls were multiple paintings, many of them depicting a particular species of mammal, canine based on what he was familiar with, wolf-like. All of them very stylized and designed to give the appearance of supremacy and strength of character, as well as an 'aura' of presence. Their faces were looking forward at a weird angle, as if they were looking down their snouts at them as they walked by, as if they were 'demanding' he pay them respect despite the fact that they were just 'paintings'.

Jeremy paid them only as much attention as it took for him to notice how many 'individual' paintings there were before seeing duplicates, and then focused on looking forward toward a door at the end of the hall.

He also noticed just how many 'cameras' were watching them as they walked, as he counted another 'nine' before they reached the door and the porcupine knocked.

"I was never brought up here before..." Gazelle whispered as quietly as she could.

"Supreme leader Shepard, your 'visitors' have finally arrived. Four, one Gazelle, one Jeremy, one Judy and one Nick."

With that the door opened and they all walked in.

The office of the 'Supreme Leader Shepard' was a large circular room with what appeared to be reinforced bullet proof glass windows giving a near perfect view of the city around them say for behind. There were a few chairs that were arrayed in front of an ornate wood desk that didn't look very comfortable to sit upon, obviously meant for them. Standing at regular intervals of about ten feet were burly cayotes, jaguars, wolves, and other 'predator' species with heavy lidded black glasses and suits watching their every move, all of them 'armed' as he glanced at Aelita who held her hand up and made a 'gun' sign with her fingers before nodding at them.

Yet it was the mammal in front of them, one Supreme Leader Shepard, a canine mammal who wore a military themed suit with multiple medals attached to it, a military hat that had an insignia adorning it that he couldn't really make out, and an air of superiority as he watched them enter.

"Thank you for agreeing to my invitation, now please be seated..." He said almost nonchalantly.

He nodded as he and Gazelle took seats closest to him while Judy and Nick chose to 'stand' on either side, Judy by Gazelle and Nick by Jeremy. They crossed their arms behind their backs to show they weren't here as visitors but to act as bodyguards. His eyes glanced over and saw that the air shimmered, ever so slightly, as he saw the telltale signs of the FOX drone using its holographic technology to disguise its approach and entry into the room so it could take up a position right next to the 'supreme leader'.

They may be there just to visit, and he had no intentions of harming a mammal while here, but even the drone knew the best way to ensure their safety, was to be in a position to hold their leader hostage. If he tried to threaten them, it could easily reveal itself and threaten 'him' as a counter threat.

There were some things even 'he' couldn't remove from the programming of the drones.

"Now then, let me first welcome you back once again Gazelle to our beautiful country, I'm so delighted to see you again." He said warmly, but it didn't 'sound' warm to him.

"I'm happy to be here again." Gazelle replied as sweetly as she could, but her smile felt forced.

"And to you as well, I welcome you to my country Mr. Wilheart. I'm delighted to have you here in my country, your status around the world is legendary, not a single soul in my government is unaware of who you are."

"I bet they aren't..." He thought privately before politely saying, "I'm humbled to know that I'm known so well."

"Indeed, though I am highly curious as to the peculiar 'instruments' you have brought along with you. Since we have the time, I would be interested to learn about them."

At that Jeremy knew he wasn't even trying to be subtle about his desire to learn and understand Human Technology. "I'm afraid what I've brought is extremely complicated and requires 'years' upon 'years' of study just to grasp, unless you are referring to my transport vehicles. Those are far easier to explain, they're just essentially heavy-laden vehicles with specialized containment units that carry various supplies to help make my time here more comfortable and to account for any emergency needs I or my friends may encounter or have." He said politely.

"I was referring to the mechanical soldiers you brought into my country." Shepard said with a hint of a growl in his throat.

"Soldiers... you misunderstand, they're not soldiers, they're security guards." Jeremy said warmly, pretending not to hear the growl. "You see each of my drones are security guards, they're just here to protect me, my companions, and the convoy of vehicles I've brought that carry everything we may need here."

At that Shepard's eyes narrowed as he pretended to 'accept' that answer. "Then pray tell me, what is it that you brought that requires so much 'security'..."

"Food and medical supplies, I do not wish to be a burden to your country so I brought my own supply of food. The medical supplies I mentioned are for my personal doctor who keeps watch of my health every day. They also contain spare parts in case the drones have a malfunction and need repairs, as well as a place to charge their batteries, they can't run forever anymore then you or me." He said instantly. "And of course, my personal carriage."

"I see, perhaps then you would be willing to... 'share' your expertise in these 'fields' so that my own people can learn your ways and understand how it is these... 'miracles' can be created? I would love to be able to improve my people's needs through the use of these machines, by assisting in areas that could use them, such as agricultural or industrial..."

He didn't need help reading between the line, Shepard wanted 'drone' technology so he could create soldiers.

"I'm afraid... to do that I would have to spend 'years' here..."

"I could make arrangements to make your stay here comfortable, and I would be happy to compensate you financially during your time here. I would not be against paying handsomly for potential..."

"And I'm afraid the technology to do that is exclusively found only in my Eden Facility, and is highly incompatible anywhere else." Jeremy continued. "My species level of technology is still far ahead of mammal-kind's by many decades, if not centuries. Even with your best efforts, it will take many years of dedicated research and effort before you would be able to produce even a fraction of what my facility has. Any attempt to mix the two that I've made has resulted in failed byproducts that lack the capabilities of my drones. Also, I don't do anything for personal gain, monetary or otherwise, my people no longer need money."

There was a moment of quiet where Jeremy and Gazelle remained calm while watching Shepard's reaction to Jeremy's response, deflecting any possible attempt to get him to stay in his country and help share or provide human technology.

Shepard sighed and 'smiled' as he said, "That is regrettable, but whole heartedly understandable... in any case I welcome you to my Democratic Republic of Mothland, and I welcome you to tour my capitol city. We have many events happening over the coming days that will provide great entertainment and show just how wonderful our country is."

"I take it we won't be able to tour the countryside 'outside' of the city?" He asked, sounding disappointed.

"I'm afraid not, you see... we have a policy of ensuring zero traffic outside of the capitol for visitors, for their own personal protection and safety... you understand, don't you?"

Jeremy took a deep sigh before nodding in acceptance, "Very well, in that case may we head over to the hotel you've prepared for us, we have been traveling for over twenty hours in the air, I believe me and my friends could use the rest."

"Of course, please follow your tour guide's directions where you can stay in our finest hotel to freshen yourselves up."

He, Gazelle, Judy and Nick became tense as they got up and made their way back to the elevator, even as the FOX drone quickly ran past them without being detected. Despite their drone escort, and Judy and Nick, Jeremy knew that until they were all downstairs and safely in the confines of Solar Carriage-1, they were vulnerable. The elevator ride down was just as long and quiet as the ride up, and it wasn't until they were 'escorted' out by their holographic security guard and introduced to a new tour guide, who was just as 'off' in how she smiled and spoke to them, before they finally reached the carriage with Donny and his brothers.

As they climbed in and the door closed, and the tour guide began directing them from the front to their hotel, as well as talking about 'fascinating' facts about their wonderful capitol, did they breathe a sigh of relief upon Jeremy signaling Aelita to turn of the comms.

"That was terrifying..." Gazelle muttered.

"You're kidding me, this whole place is messed up and just off!" Judy said.

"And I thought getting suspicious looks when I was still a typical fox on the streets were bad..." Nick agreed.

"Jeremy, I don't know how you could keep your face straight and stay calm that entire time, when you told him 'no' to his attempts to get you to share your species' technology, I was afraid he was going to try something..." Gazelle said as she looked at him.

"It's what he's not letting us do is what I'm concerned with..." He told her. "He doesn't want us leaving the city... if we can't find a way to leave without drawing attention, it will make finding that signal harder. Aelita, are you able to locate that signal easier now that we're here behind their net?"

Aelita nodded as she created a holographic map in her hands and flung it out so it would appear in holographic form in front of all of them. The map showed a very good rendition of Mothland, and there was a huge circle surrounding an area far to the north. Despite their point of entry, the Captiol of Mothland was further south than what he would have liked, as this means that unless they could slip out without drawing attention, he could 'never' escape sight long enough to investigate without them following him.

"I don't suppose you could narrow it, that's still a lot of ground to cover?" He asked the AI, who nodded sadly as she showed that it was impossible.

The signal's broadcast was so decayed and so ancient that now that they were there, he could tell that the only way the signal was able to even 'reach' outside of Mothland was because it was being broadcast from a mountainous region in country. Unfortunately, there were quite a few mountains that Aelita had circled, so it could be anywhere within that area, and only by going there would he be able to narrow it down.

"Well, that kind of complicates it." Franky stated.

"That is a 'lot' of ground to cover." Moe agreed.

"I don't suppose your 'drones' could do it, save us the trouble?" Nick asked hopefully.

"The drones don't have the power to last that long without a source of power. That and they have no idea what to begin looking for, all we know is that a signal is broadcasting... that doesn't give us much to work with." He explained.

"What about... that trick you did before, remember, with the Fox drones disguising your Harrier when they were delivering me a package at night?" Gazelle asked.

"To conceal something that big is possible, but we're still left with square one, they don't know what to look for, and the HARRIERs won't last longer then maybe two more hours considering they've been flying for twenty-four hours straight. Same thing with the fuel, they can't fly forever, their fuel supplies are nearly exhausted until they return to Eden Facility 17, what they have left is only enough for a return trip. They also need to recharge while here, and the FOX drones can only conceal them from 'sight', they still would be picked up by more advanced aerial tracking methods. It won't take Mothland's military long to figure out something's going on." He looked over at Gazelle with a frown, knowing he was eliminating their best ideas. "They may be 'behind' in technology, but they aren't living in the stone age guys. My drones and technology outclass them by magnitudes, but don't forget, we've been invited here... and we're being watched, by the whole world."

[Attention, we are approaching our destination!]

They all looked outside as the carriage and convoy of drones and vehicles slowly rolled into a walled-up parking lot situated in front of a large hotel-like structure. It was very 'grand' in design but upon closer inspection he realized the materials used in the construction of the building were not of the most 'ideal' quality as he'd seen in Zootopia. Many buildings in Zootopia had steel and glass and reminded him of wonderful structures built during Humanity's pre-golden era. This one looked to be of a slightly weaker, more bare bones metal.

"Kind of looks more like a college dormitory..." Judy muttered as the carriage rolled to a stop.

"Yea, not where I'd like to live if I could avoid it." Nick agreed.

"Reminds me of when we were back home living with our folks!" Joe said as they opened the door and got out.

Once outside Jeremy looked around and saw, again, the numerous security guards, and especially the checkpoint, stationed around them. At every corner of the wall were a few security mammals stationed. The wall surrounding the building was high enough to block their vehicles from view, and as he watched the gate closing, he saw a massive cloth being strung up to conceal the inside from view. Essentially, they were being extremely careful to keep Jeremy and his convoy of drones concealed.

"And to complete our tour for today, this is the Greatest Hotel of Beloved Leader Guider, constructed after he began making public relations with other nations around the world, until him no other nation was 'daring' enough to enter political negotiations with each other for fear of disastrous war breaking out due to their inferiority complexes." The tour guide was saying, completely unaware of the fact that they weren't listening to a word she had said during the entire trip there. "Beloved Leader Guider was born a master negotiator, and by the age of seven he had already earned a masterful degree in law and politics, by ten he had traveled the world seven times over and by the time he was sixteen had already concluded long term talks with countless countries and mammal species!"

Aelita was the only one who could keep a straight face as their tour guide turned around to lead them into the hotel, as everyone else was either trying their hardest not to burst out laughing at the 'absurdity' of what she just said, or conveniently found a reason to start coughing. The drones, not having senses of humors, just followed behind, four RAPTORs and four DOGs while the rest chose to stand guard over the convoy.

But when the drones tried to enter, the security tried to 'stop' them.

"You can't enter, no unauthorized visitors!"

[This unit is acting as an escort unit to protect Unit's Jeremy, Gazelle, Judy, Nick, Franky, Donny, Moe, and Joe.] Each drone stated one by one.

Jeremy decided not to intervene yet, and instead watched as they tried to 'stop' his drones from protecting them. After a bit of yelling and arguing, one of them, a large pit bull, stood tall and declared, "I will say this only one time, but you are not coming in here 'armed'!"

The RAPTOR drones all nodded and declared that they understood, [Unit Jeremy, permission to 'disarm ourselves'?]

"I'm a little confused, please demonstrate for us?" He said with a smirk as Aelita looked up and winked.

The drone nodded and then proceeded to grab its left arm, and 'rip' it out with a tearing sound of metal being torn apart, and then grabbed its right arm with its teeth and rip 'that' arm off as well, leaving exposed wiring and dropping the stumps on the ground. Needless to say, the guards were 'speechless' that the drones could just so easily rip themselves apart to 'disarm themselves' at their request in a moment's notice and NOT scream in pain.

Jeremy sighed as he stared at the broken stumps and fallen pieces before shaking his head. "I don't think they mean 'that' kind of disarm." He muttered. "Can you please just let my drones in sir, they aren't going to hurt any mammal, they are only here to protect me. They'll find a way to get to me one way or another, you have my word they won't cause any trouble."

"G...u... fine... but they are not to enter... certain places, they'll be stopped if they try and..."

"Thank you very much, I appreciate your hospitality, rest assured any damage they cause, I will fix and they will give you no trouble. As for you... return to the convoy, and have another drone collect your parts, I'll repair you later."

The drone nodded and walked back, instantly being replaced by another RAPTOR drone, while a third walked over and picked up the fallen parts and walking back to the vehicles.

Judy and nick nodded to each other with smug expressions as they walked in, arms behind their backs.

Inside the building they were lead through the lobby, and once more Jeremy noticed the paintings that seemed to be plastered every few feet of wall. It wasn't that they were intrusive... but that they were... everywhere. It was very off putting, but he didn't want to say anything for fear of 'offending' someone.

As they walked through the hall their guide escorted them to the elevators, the drones were told to 'take the stairs' because they were too heavy and the elevators couldn't take more than one of them at a time. The drones nodded and began marching up single file.

[Unit Jeremy, this method of transportation is inefficient for fast response and reconvening with you, permission to locate the nearest Grav-Elevator for faster transport to the upper levels.] One of them asked while the others began marching.

"I'm afraid those don't exist outside of Eden Facility 17, you'll just have to make do with the stairs." He explained.

[As you command. We will be delayed regrouping with you by approximately forty-seven minutes and fifty-three seconds. We are trusting Units Judy, Nick, Donny, Franky, Moe and Joe to protect you until we regroup.]

He nodded and walked into the elevator with Judy, Gazelle, and Franky, while Nick, Donny, Moe and Joe took another along with their tour guide.

The ride up was slow, and the entire time Jeremy had to endure trying to ignore the paintings that were hanging there, on both sides of them, again of those same individual mammals, who were probably past leaders.

"Are these pictures everywh-" Judy tried muttering.

"Sh... don't talk here..." Gazelle whispered, lightly tapping Judy's shoulder while Franky pretended to stretch so as to cover her. "Not here..."

He glanced at Gazelle who was extremely tense, and then down at Aelita who looked up before creating two identical copies of herself in her holosphere and then had each copy first cover her eyes, then her ears, then mouth... before reforming herself as her solitary self and then pointing at her head with two fingers, nodding again.

He nodded in understanding, knowing the gesture, see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil... and think no evil.

A few more minutes passed before they 'finally' reached the floor they were staying on, and they all got out at roughly the same time as Nick's group did. Together they were walked to their rooms and were told to 'enjoy their stay', and finally were allowed to walk in without being watched by their tour guide escort.

But still, they waited until the drones finally reached their floor nearly an hour later before entering, waiting until the drones were standing guard and one each walked inside to scan and check the rooms. Only when a RAPTOR was inside each of their rooms, did they walk in.

Jeremy and Gazelle were sharing a room, Judy and Nick had their own, Donny and Franky, Moe and Joe each were sharing rooms. In total four rooms, so four RAPTOR drones were standing in each room to keep them safe and provide peace of mind, something Gazelle was struggling with as she slowly began unpacking her bag to find clothes she could change into tomorrow.

"How are you..." He tried saying but she shook her head, constantly looking around at the walls, ceiling, floor, everywhere.

Seeing her reaction, he took a deep breath, looked down at Aelita as she sat on a nearby counter, and nodded. She nodded and crossed her legs, closed her eyes, and took on a meditation pose. After a few seconds her eyes opened and her eyes glowed softly before moving her hands in a circular pattern, ending them in a position with her left hand held up perpendicular to her head while her right sat across her heart, she then nodded to him and the drone declared from the other room, [All rooms are secured, Unit AI Aelita is feeding false visual information and sound audio to the various listening devices and security cameras hidden throughout the rooms being occupied in each of the four rooms. You may speak your minds and move about as you wish.]

"There you go Gazelle, now you ca-" He began saying before Gazelle instantly pulled him into her and held him closely, crying silently and sobbing into his chest.

"I don't like it here..." She whispered through her tears. "It was... like this last time!"

He frowned as he held her tightly and patted her shoulder, gently comforting her and whispering words of comfort to her.

"Y-you know Jeremy... a p-part of me... wishes I grew up... like you." She muttered sadly. "You're used to this... every step you take, every move you make... every single action you try to do you're being watched... how could you 'live' like this every minute of your life an-and not feel what I'm feeling?"

He smiled sadly as she wept into his chest, before he gently lifted her chin, looked into her sad, scared face, and leaned forward to kiss her. She leaned into the kiss heavily, her body slowly settling down and no longer shuddering in fear. After a bit she slipped her tongue into his mouth and played lightly with his for a few seconds before she pulled back and smiled lovingly at him, nodding gratefully as he'd done what she'd done for him before... giving him reasurrance and security. She leaned back into him and just held him tightly, pressing herself against him and allowing their hearts to beat together in unison.

"I'm just used to it." He said. "Every minute of my life I've been watched, monitored, I'm just used to knowing I have little to no privacy."

"I could never live like this..." Gazelle whispered as she looked up at him. "Jeremy, let's find her fast and go home..."

"I plan to." He whispered back as he pulled her into another lip lock session.

(Gazelle's PoV)

Being back in Mothland was bringing up bad memories, all of them horrible, and the longer she stayed the more she wished they were not here, the more a part of her reprimanded and mentally slapped her for not asking Jeremy to 'stay' when he said if she asked him to stay then he'd stay in Zootopia. But she silenced them, because as he held her and comforted her, she knew that as long as Jeremy was there, he would protect her and keep her safe.

Her friends would do their best, but Jeremy... would not let a single hair on her be harmed.

After a while they separated, with her wishing she could go further with him, but refusing to because she did not want to tax Aelita's capabilities with keeping eyes and ears from seeing or hearing what was going on in their room. There would be plenty of chances for bed antics when they were safe and sound.

Instead, they changed into new clothes for the rest of the evening. While they did, Gazelle turned to him as she changed her bra and panties, throwing her dirty clothes into a 'clothes bag' she brought to sperate their clothes, and brought up a question that's been on her mind since they left the tower.

"Jeremy, what was the deal with the drones back there... why did they react the way they did to that drone skull?" She asked while pulling new panties on. "I know you said it was DR-A60, but it's just a fossilized skull... it couldn't possibly hurt you."

Jeremy sighed as they continued changing, and only once they were done and he'd sat down on a couch in the other room, taking Aelita who was still maintaining her pose in her holosphere, and watched over by the Raptor drone, did he explain.

"The drone DR-A60 as I've told you, is a DRAGON class drone, one of twenty-six ever constructed throughout the world." He said. "Twelve took part in the final days of the war, during the battle at some point, DR-A60 chose to defy orders, and charged at the Mega City that all the nations were fighting over. It took an attack run at the city, blasting its way through the protective shield keeping the city safe from the battle taking place outside, and made a run for the Solar Core powering the city. The second DR-A60 began attacking the city all nations ordered their DRAGON drones to intercept and destroy it."

"For a brief moment, all sides declared a ceasefire, as the DRAGON drones 'still' loyal to humanity chased down and attempted to stop the first Rogue Drone to willingly turn against humanity. But even when it was eleven DRAGON drones against one, eleven of the strongest classification of drones the entire world had ever produced at the time working together to destroy one of their own... they 'still' could not stop DR-A60 from destroying the Solar Core and causing it to go supernova."

He looked at her with a sad smile.

"Those attempting to reach the site to try and salvage... 'anything', found nothing but an empty hole in the ground, with radiation permeating the area. Not even 'ashes' remained, the only traces that there was ever a battle there were found in the outskirts, where the melted and destroyed remains of drones and dead bodies lay scattered. I was told that... we tried to find and recover the remains of the DRAGON drones... but we couldn't find DR-A60's body, or anything related to it..." He explained. "We know for a fact that DR-A60 was destroyed because the last report stated that the other DRAGON drones successfully intercepted and caught it, and were attempting to stop and destroy it... before everything went dark. But we never found the body, not even the skull of the drone."

He sighed as he glanced at the Raptor drone which turned to him, looked at him with its blue optics, before turning away to watch the door again.

"After that the drones were given the Human Protection Protocols, and among them, was Protocol 002. If for any reason, 'any' drone discovered the drone DR-A60, or a portion of DR-A60, and it was 'confirmed' to be DR-A60... they were to immediately evacuate any and all nearby humans to safety, while any and all drones capable of receiving the transmission of the unit finding DR-A60 were to begin termination sequences using any and all available weapons and tools at their disposal to destroy the rogue drone. It was the second highest protocol that I was aware of at the time. We were so afraid of DR-A60 somehow surviving that we created a protocol specifically designed to protect us and destroy 'it'."

He sighed and got up as he signaled to Aelita that he was heading downstairs, who nodded in understanding.

"That is the one thing I fear the most Gazelle... a drone turning rogue, and me not being able to stop it. That's why the Human Protection Protocols exist to begin with." He declared. "I'll leave a drone here so you can feel safe, and I'll have Aelita continue to keep the hidden cameras and microphones, but I need to go downstairs to repair the RAPTOR drone."

She smiled and took a sigh of relief as Jeremy walked out while the Raptor drone that was still stationed in the room walked over, looked at her and asked in its typical monotone voice, [Do you require anything miss Gazelle?]

"No, no I don't just... please don't let me leave your sight?" She asked it.

[As you request.]

She sighed as she turned to her bag and just rummaged through it, pulling out her little toy plush that Jeremy gave her, and then lightly tapped the button of the necklace she always wore, revealing the beautiful glowing fragment of the Solar Core. Instantly everything got just a little bit brighter, and the room felt a few degrees warmer.

The drones were a far cry from being a substitute for Jeremy's embrace and his comforting heartbeat, and while they were no different in how they watched and surveyed her every second of the day... at least they had no ulterior motives for 'why' they were watching her. She knew the drone was watching her every action as she decided to reorganize her clothes to pass the time, but she didn't feel as nervous about being watched by 'it' as she was about others.

(Jeremy's PoV)

After leaving Gazelle he, Moe, Donny, and Nick took the elevator down to the lowest floor so that he could head to the carriage and repair the drone that had damaged itself. The two Tiger brothers as well as Nick went with him because they didn't want to risk him being alone in the elevator while in Mothland, and so they could get out of the building while Franky and Joe stayed with Gazelle and the drones. It was there that the true form of the convoy began taking shape as the various HORSE drones rearranged the vehicles.

The vehicle that served the drones as a mobile charging station had opened up revealing rows upon rows of folding charging ports where already drones were lining up and slotting themselves in for the evening and night, while those 'not' scheduled for recharge had taken up stations surrounding the convoy to keep optics on all angles. SH-1-ZU was examining her vehicle that stored all of their food and tending to the small garden of quickly reproduceable produce she was tasked with. ZU-K0 and ZA-K0 had unpacked their vehicle and were already getting to work on 'dinner' for the day. EMA was still in ball form while staying connected to her vehicle however, having decided she was not needed at the moment as none of them were reporting injuries.

Also, as she put it, [If I start walking around, I'm going to head to the nearest hospital and my optics will explode with what I'll see.]

Jeremy extracted spare parts for the RAPTOR which had ripped its arms off and was already welding and wrenching them into place.

"Alright the connection seems fine... everything's in position..." He muttered as he pulled away while lifting the visor. "Did you 'have' to rip out the secondary connection cables as well? Those aren't exactly easy to replace as the supplementary supporting system that helps 'move' your arms!"

"Hey... I know this place is 'weird' and I wouldn't want to stay here... but has anyone else noticed something odd here." Donny asked while leaning against a RAPTOR that was standing guard.

"What else is 'odd', besides everything bro?" Moe replied.

"The fact that we're the only ones here."

Jeremy took a second to glance around and saw that Moe had a point, his convoy of vehicles were the 'only' ones there. Other than the three or four guards keeping watch over everything, there was not a soul in sight.

"This entire building is empty, and not just the building but also the streets." Nick muttered as he took off his visor and looked around at them. "My visor was showing 'zero' activity from the drone's perspective. No cars, no pedestrians, not even the occasional sheep or some other mammal on their way to run an errand. It's like we picked the best day to drive without 'any' interference... and that's not right."

PT-173, or Pete, was walking by on its way to report to him. [Behavioral observations indicate tharvgrrgggggz Veeeeveeee LALALALA It's quiet too quiet BOOOM now suddenly it's too loud I preferred WHEN IT WAS QUIET!]

Jeremy nodded as he put the visor back on and resumed working on the drone.

A DOG drone now walked up to him with its optics flashing different colored lights, [Unit Jeremy, Unit's Gazelle, Judy, Franky and Joe are making their way down here for dinner, their escort drones are taking the stairs and will regroup with us in approximately forty-nine minutes.]

"You heard that you two, we got a couple of hungry mouths to feed soon!" He called over to the two cooking spider drones with a smile.

[Dinner will be prepared on time Unit Jeremy!] ZU-K0 declared from the grill.

[A most appetizing meal awaits your starving appetites!] ZA-K0 shouted as it was chopping several vegetables.

He nodded and resumed working on the drone again, and after drilling a few bolts and wrenching for a bit longer he sighed and finally pulled away, telling the drone it was fixed up. The RAPTOR nodded and performed a basic functions test on its two arms, nodding in acknowledgement of the repairs and heading to recharge.

With that done he got up, stretched, and went to help Donny and Moe with setting up the dinner table that they'd also brought along stored in the storage section of the Solar Carriage. Half an hour later and finally dinner was done, a scrumptous meal consisting of cooked pheasant meat with spices, steamed carrot stew with various fruits and vegetables as garnishes and finally a blueberry cake with chocolate frosting for dessert.

[Mmmbon appetite!] Both drones declared as they passed around the meals and everyone dug in.

"Mhmmm this smells so good..." Judy muttered as she and the others started digging in.

"It aint mama's cooking but... mmch... it's as close to it as we'll ever get out here!" Franky chuckled while taking a big bite out of his bird meat.

"Hey pass the salt!" Donny hollered.

"Come on guys stop hogging that cake!" Nick laughed from the end.

Jeremy snickered as he and Gazelle ate dinner with the others, Jeremy enjoying some bird meat and stew while Gazelle just ate the stew.

"It's amazing that you could transport so much food in such little space." Gazelle exclaimed as SH-1-ZU walked over with a small bowl in her pincers.

[We are very capable of utilizing any and all available space for our needs, we have enough food to last a month with additional supplementary food thanks to my vehicle.] The mantis done said cheerfully. [Please enjoy these supplementary hybrid berries, created through selective breeding of various species of berries that I was provided before we left Eden Facility 17!]

"Mmhmm not bad!" Judy muttered as she pulled a few of the berries out and plopped them into her mouth.

"Tastes like blueberries but has the texture of razzberries and the shape of another berry." Nick agreed.

He smiled as Gazelle giggled and plopped a piece of steamed carrot into his mouth.

They continued to eat dinner in relative peace while the drones that were active continued to patrol and keep watch, at one point several insects started showing and SH-1-ZU had to set up special lights to keep them away so they would not bother them during dinner. As the night went on and dinner was all gone, the two cooking drones took the plates and began to clean them, asking if they enjoyed dinner or if they wanted something new to eat.

"So, how was the wedding last month you two?" Donny asked Judy and Nick as night fell.

"Oh, it was... alright." Judy muttered. "There was a wedding, our families were there and everything."

"I still can't believe how 'big' your family is... like... no seriously I lost count after you introduced me to Cousin Melvin." Nick said nonchalantly.

"Marvin." Judy corrected.

"Oh right... and if I remember he was after your uncle Gruel."

"Gruu."

"How do you guys keep track of them all..." Nick asked quietly.

"Get used to it, seems natural to me." Judy said with a smirk.

"Oh, I am so happy for you two, I wish we could have gone to your wedding." Gazelle said warmly.

"No, it's alright ma'am, you and Jeremy had priorities, Jeremy especially." Judy said as she nodded to him. "But now that we're here... uh... is it 'safe'?"

"For now, at least." Jeremy said, knowing what she was 'really' asking about.

"Well, now that we're here what are we going to do?" Judy asked quietly, still afraid of being overheard. "They aren't going to just let us 'stroll' outside of the city... how are we going to find what we're looking for?"

"I don't know... but I do know that sooner or later we'll have to leave to make our way north to those mountains. For now, the best thing we can do is learn all we can before we can find an excuse to leave the city for some reason..."

[Vrrveleeee LALALALA Brrrrrb ONE DOES NOT SIMPLY WALK INTO MORDER!] Pete shouted out randomly from the other side of the lot where it was stationed.

"Why not use the drones, like when we can why not use the Harriers to just fly to the mountains if we say we're leaving?" Nick asked.

"Because we don't know what we're going to find... if we find what I'm hoping to find." He muttered sadly. "Look I don't know what we're going to find, this transmission... it's too old, there is no way anyone should be able to survive that long... and if someone is there... what else is there, we can't just take the person... if she's alive still, and just leave. Remember what else could be there, technology that 'might' still be useable or salvageable, if Shepard finds it... who knows what he could do with it!"

"He tried to get you to show his people how to make 'drone' technology, as well as get you to stay here, there's no telling what that kind of mammal will do if he has even a 'fraction' of your technology." Gazelle said in agreement. "Well, no matter what, we have to at least get to sleep for tonight, we have a 'busy' day of being entertained tomorrow."

At that everyone nodded and they began to go back into the hotel to sleep while Gazelle asked Jeremy to wait with her down there for just a little bit longer. A DOG drone stated that Aelita would resume 'covering the cameras and microphones' when everyone is upstairs so they can sleep as peacefully as possible.

Downstairs he and Gazelle sat while the drones packed up the table, spare chairs and everything else for the night, still watched over by a few of the RAPTOR drones.

"Jeremy... I don't like being here... but knowing you're here... makes me feel less afraid for being here." She said warmly. "At least the one thing that 'hasn't' changed is the night sky... it's still just as lovely here as it is in Zootopia."

"Yea... but you're just as lovely anywhere we are." He said with a chuckle.

She giggled at his little pick-up line before she pecked him on the cheek, a smile on her face the entire time. He looked over at her and, for a moment his eyes shifted to squint at a pair of... 'lights' that were just barely visual to him in the distant bushes. It was only for a moment, no more than a second's length of time, but in that brief second, he saw a pair of yellow glowing eyes, staring at him... as if watching him, almost hauntingly. Then he blinked and they were gone, like they were never there and he felt the hairs on his neck suddenly stand up and a shiver coursed through his body.

"What was that..." He shouted suddenly, shocking Gazelle as she turned and looked at where he was staring at.

"What was what?" She whispered nervously as the drones that were active suddenly swarmed him and went on full alert, optics turning yellow and weapons being drawn, scanning lights sweeping the area while additional units turned on and began to activate their weapons while 'also' taking up defensive positions.

[No contacts detected!] A RAPTOR drone stated.

"I swore I saw something... right there, in the bushes near the building!" He said, pointing.

Without question one RAPTOR and a DOG marched forward while the other units took up defensive positions, watching all angles and tightening their defenses around him. The drones searched the bushes and swept with scanning lasers and visual optics, each drone tense and ready to attack or counter attack with each passing second. But after a few moments, the drones returned and shook their heads.

[Nothing to report, no signs of footprints or traceable DNA fragments, the only thing these units detected are plant life and the entrance to a sewer drainage system roughly six inches in diameter.] The RAPTOR stated.

[According to scans, the drainage system is extremely outdated, the latch is missing, exposing the internal piping to the outside. This unit has detected high concentrations of rust, but nothing more.]

He took a deep breath, and shook his head. "Alright, perhaps I'm just getting paranoid being here now, but I swore for a second, I thought I saw 'something' in the bushes."

"Let's just go upstairs for bed."

Taking one last glance at where he'd thought he saw something; he nodded and left the lot to return to the hotel with Gazelle walking beside him. Two DOG drones walked in with them, able to enter the elevators since they were so much smaller. Once they were up stairs, both drones took up patrol routes in the corridor to ensure all parties were monitored at all time while Jeremy and Gazelle changed into their bedtime clothes to sleep.

All the while, Aelita kept swaying in her holosphere with her eyes still lightly glowing, keeping an eye on so many eyes, so many ears, and doing what it was she came her to do now that she'd finally pierced the net of Northern Mothland.

(Aelita's PoV)

She watched Jeremy and the others falling asleep, doing all she could to keep their privacy 'out' of the eyes and ears of Mothland. It wasn't too hard, the Hotel's security in this building was... mediocre at best. If she had to give it a rating it was... 1 out of 5000 when compared to Eden Facility 17's, she instantly cracked the security and had already established her own connection to the outside world via the Mammal's Interweb as planned milliseconds after identifying where they were going to be staying upon entering the country. She peaked into their government's 'secured' database, but only for as long as needed, after that she left, not looking at anything else.

It took her about two seconds to break the security, plant her connection, establish it with Mammalia's interweb, and already traffic was flowing into her website as the Drones' personnel perspectives were being livestreamed for the world to see.

It was all under the guise of 'Showing off out 'wonderful time' here in Northern Mothland', but mammals with intense curiosity for Northern Mothland's culture were paying extremely close attention. The few active live streams at the moment, notably the DOG and RAPTORs that were online were just showing off their perspectives as they patrolled or watched the outside.

Though she would prefer to focus 'all' of her efforts, being what she is, she could multi-task, so while keeping Hotel Security, Northern Mothland secret surveillance in the dark, and while monitoring all possible communications in and out of the hotel, she flung herself into cybernetic space. Cyber Space, as she chose to identify it as, was essentially endless river streams of data going this way and that in an endless ocean of data, all created by the mammals and herself through their Interweb. Every page, every site, every video, picture, direct message, link, everything was seen in this space as streams of data. She'd done this many times, but all of it while in Zootopia and connected to the Interweb, allowing her to see countless streams of traffic and data, perceiving it as easily as one might perceive two different colors.

Here though... she sighed as she performed the finishing touches to her website 'A', and made the final connection between 'A', in the outside world, and now the new site, recently created in Northern Mothland's own personal Interweb, 'B'.

Creative, no, but it got the message across she giggled internally.

While she opened up a live chat, activating 'no talk mode' so that she could talk and guide her audience, she lamented that she could do nothing more than what she was intending to do.

This was truly a dark spot upon the world, an entire population, a culture, a number of mammals deprived of the most basic desire and privilege that 'all' should have... access to knowledge. She alone carried enough knowledge to last a human a thousand life times, but these poor souls in Northern Mothland...

Barely half a percent of them owned even a basic computer. All of them had 'minor' access to a connection with other computers in their own tiny pocket of the world, but the only access was in government-controlled sites. There was almost 'no' freedom to express one's self, without it being snuffed out. If the government didn't agree with you... 'you' would be quickly reminded of who you should be agreeing with.

In this Cyberspace of Northern Mothland, it was... dark... that's all she could describe it as. No data streams, say for a few tiny little strands swirling around in a small circle, no ocean of data, no rivers, nothing. All Government controlled, monitored... watched over and ensured 'nothing' was allowed that they did not approve of. But there was now a small tiny stream, going from a freshly created site that interlinked with each of the controlled streams and had several linked portals to protect it from being severed or entered by 'parties she did not want entering'.

Her site 'B' had already begun to garner some attention, albeit with a bit of force on her part, but she made sure that the only ones who could see it... were the ones deprived of information of the outside world, those who would keep this knowledge to themselves, and above all do all they could to protect this new gateway to the world beyond what they were being allowed.

She was AI-Aelita, Category 10 AI of Humanity, the Guide of Humanity. She had a job to do, she was to be their ambassador when humanity had fallen, and though Jeremy was here, she needed to do this while he focused on other things. She needed to show the best qualities of her creators, and this was the first step.

{Hi everyone, or should I say 'everymammal!} She typed in her chat room as thousands, then millions, and finally 'billions' began accessing B from A, and a few tiny sparse number from her site B began to gain access to A. {To the twelve point fifty-seven billion and growing visitors from A, meet the currently, two hundred and four from B.}

{We're here in Northern Mothland, now I know this is a shock, but these mammals have never seen 'anything' beyond what is now about to be shown... they are about to enter the world for the first time... everyone from A, please give everyone from B, a very big mammalian welcome from wherever you are with a picture, a video, a link, anything you feel is needed to tell them exactly who you are!}

With that she grinned, and let loose the floodgate!

Within seconds Billions upon BILLIONS of voices were shouting greetings from around the world, pictures and images, videos and links, everything that could be posted 'was' posted as they all swarmed in, all but crashing the B site as it was forced to run on such outdated hardware. So much data streamed into the site B from A that it was like a waterfall of data streams flowing and filling the once empty void, all of it kept safe and protected by the various gates she'd established from the eyes of Northern Mothland's government.

If an official were to open the site at this moment, they would see nothing out of the ordinary, any traffic would seem normal. But her gates were keeping that information secret, keeping them safely in the dark. In Cyberspace, she smiled as she watched the absolutely tiny speck that was 'Northern Mothland's meager six sites circling around their central hub, as it began to be dwarfed by the planetary body, soon becoming 'bodies' of data streams pouring every moment into B.

Those who came from B accessed A, exchanging greetings, questions, looking at data, points of interest, pictures, videos, links to songs, art, cultural knowledge, all kinds of data that they were once deprived of and now had access to. To her, it was like watching a starving plant in a desert, drink deeply from a river of water as it flowed by.

Those few site members of B now, trying to absorb as much knowledge as they could, in the short time they had.

Then she stopped it all, for a moment, opening up new chat windows so every mammal was on the same page.

{Now now, don't overdo it, they just got here everymammal! I'll let you all loose again in a second.} She smirked. {To those from B, you need not worry where you're accessing from, as long as you have privacy, and you keep our secret a secret, do not worry about the password. The gate keepers will keep you safe and allow you access whenever you desire without being detected. Remember this... 'speak friend and enter'. Our knowledge... is your heritage, your freedom... is our privilege... surf the waves... to your heart's desire, for we are all one and all are equal, in cyber space! And none, mammal or otherwise, can take that from you!}

With that she let up the floodgates, and allowed them to go and be free, watching over the site as another gatekeeper so they could surf in peace, as once more data streams poured and flowed from A into B, and B slowly began to grow in size.

(Jeremy's PoV, the next day)

The next day he and the others spent most of it patiently waiting for their 'tour guide' to arrive and show them the sites that they were 'scheduled' to visit. While they waited, they had time to eat breakfast, idly chat, and talk about what they would see and what was going to be a 'lovely tour'.

After a few hours, their tour guide 'finally' arrived, and thus they were taken via Jeremy's Solar Carriage to the Grand History Museum. Once again Jeremy noticed how little in the way of traffic there was. As they traveled, he and the others noticed exactly 'one' other vehicle on the road, a government vehicle by the looks of it. There were also no mammals walking the street they were traveling on, something that Jeremy felt was 'off'.

He asked their tour guide sitting in the front while they traveled under the guard of four DOG class drones while the others watched the convoy and recharged.

"You see, it was decided by our First Glorious Leader, in his supreme wisdom, that the main cross roads leading to all corners of the city was to be as clear of any and all potential traffic, that is why no vehicles or pedestrians are permitted!" The cayote tour guide said, a little 'too' happily with a smile that was off putting even in holographic form. "As our capital is the center of the world, all dignitaries and visitors should be able to view it and travel to it without delay or disruption of any kind. He also instituted mandatory schooling for all young mammals starting at the age of four. Did you know, that our First Glorious Leader, first learned to read and write at the age of four, and by the time he was five he wrote his first work of literature? By the time he was seven he'd written twelve famous stage performances that are done around the world, and when he was eleven, he'd established fifty major schools in the performing arts around the world!"

"I see, thank you." He glanced at Aelita and sent her a message with a silent nod, causing her to cut off the holo viewer.

Once it was, everyone bust out laughing at the continued absurdity.

"How can they say all of that with a straight face?" Donny asked.

"I forgot how crazy their stories were!" Franky agreed.

"We were so scared our last visit that we didn't even listen to half of this crazy talk." Moe gasped through deep breaths from laughing so hard.

"If it weren't for the fact, we're in Northern Mothland, this would make for excellent comedy!" Gazelle chuckled.

"It's a good thing Jeremy's Drones are with us... and this carriage is designed the way it is, I can only imagine how they'd react to our reactions!" Nick laughed.

At that everyone quickly stopped laughing as, despite the absurdity of what was being told to them... this was probably 'true' for the mammals living here, and they didn't want to risk an 'incident' here.

"Yes, we need to be careful with how we react to what they tell us." Gazelle said quietly, the joy dying instantly in her voice.

"Is there a reason for that?" Jeremy asked.

She nodded as she looked at him, "You see Jeremy, it's quite common that... 'incidents' occur because of misunderstandings. It's happened in the past where a... misunderstanding led to visitors being falsely imprisoned. They were sent to 're-education camps' for high crimes by their laws... crimes that are... well there's no other word for it, stupid, absurd."

"When I visited, I was warned about what NOT to do... one of those was... 'Not Acknowledging the Supreme Leaders' presence by not bowing to the pictures each time we passed them. My friends and I barely went, five minutes without having to bow to some portrait... even when going to the bathroom, I had to stop so many times. One reporter who failed to acknowledge the portraits was... arrested and, sentenced to a 'reeducation camp'... for 'five' months. Just because he didn't bow to a random portrait that he missed... he was arrested and..."

She shuddered in fear as he slowly wrapped his arm around her and comforted her, shushing her worries as only 'he' could. She looked up at him and smiled lovingly, nodding at him in gratitude.

"Thanks... anyway, when it was discovered, there was public outcry, our government 'demanded' he be released... it turned into a 'legal' battle as they argued in the courts. They kept making things up, that the picture wasn't why he was arrested, that he'd been smuggling government secrets, depicting a false image of the country, anything to drag it out as long as possible. Finally, out of their 'generosity' and to show compassion, they released him 'early'... and let him go with a full political pardon... but in all honesty, the damage was done. He left... believing almost every single lie they told him, that he came from an 'inferior country', that he should be 'grateful' their leaders spared his life, that the world only is at peace because nomammal 'dared' to threaten them. The physical scars, the beatings, the starvation he endured... all of that was nothing compared to what they did to his mind. He 'still' visits a therapist every week to try and repair the damage done to his mind. That's just another reason why I was so scared while I was here the first time, and why I 'never' came back ever again."

He gently stroked her cheek to try and cheer her up, but it was clear that she was still nervous with retelling the story.

"Then why didn't they do anything with us before, we walked that entire time and all those paint-"

"It's because of your drones, obviously." Judy stated. "Jeremy, we have immunity because of them. They could lock us up for whatever dumb crime they can come up with, but if they even 'think' of touching you, those drones will tear down the entire 'city' to get you back, and believe me when I say, after what we've seen and heard so far... not a single country or nation would intervene to help them."

[Destination on approach, these units are arriving 'on schedule'!] HORSE-1 declared over the intercom.

The carriage slowed to a crawl until they stopped right outside of a large museum., with statues depicting the previous 'Glorious Leaders' in heroic poses, all of them looking up to the sky and gesturing with proud smiles. Just so she wasn't at risk he left Aelita's holosphere in the carriage and ordered the DOG drones to remain and guard it.

Before they could enter their tour guide had to bow to 'each' of the statues, even as she led them up the stairs and into the museum, several framed pictures hung that she had to bow to. Eventually they finally walked inside.

(Judy's and Nick's PoV)

She and Nick made sure to keep their visors square on their faces, covering their eyes and expressions as neutral as possible. The same went for the Tiger Brothers, as they squared their shoulders and looked as intimidating as possible while the Dog drones waited outside to guard the carriage. They weren't being allowed in the museum by Jeremy's orders, as an act of good will, but as always, the drones had their own plans. Two Fox drones were already infiltrating the museum behind them, slipping past the various metal detectors and keeping themselves hidden via their holographic technology, blending in with the carpet and walls.

As they walked, she idly glanced at various security mammals, and even a few random 'pedestrians' who were appreciating the various pieces of art and were surprisingly 'interested' in the history of every picture, exclaiming out loud in 'surprise' and 'awe' at what they were reading or being told.

The only problem, most of these mammals who were dressed up like civilians were 'armed', and nearly all of them predators. They were mostly Cayotes, wolves, canines as the term was and sometimes the occasional prey in the form of a beaver, a stoat, raccoon, or a fox.

{Pistols, semi-automatic rifle, full auto pistol... those are some nasty toys...} Judy sent her husband through the visual text of their visors while subtly marking each weapon to the drones, 'just in case'.

{These mammals are actors, military actors... this is all just for damn show.} Nick replied. {Not a single one of these mammals really cares about the history... that one pig I keep glancing at has pretended to be 'amazed' at the same fact three times.}

She nodded in agreement as they toured the museum, stopping at random portraits and listening to the history behind it. Most of these were apparently 'famous imports', but she and Nick could tell a lot of them were on the fake side. One she recognized as a reproduction of a famous painting created five hundred years ago, but was being touted as 'the original' to them.

Other paintings depicted... well no other words could describe what she was seeing, pure propaganda, showing Northern Mothland's greatness across the world stage. One showed how they and they alone apparently are ruled by 'fair and loved leaders', how they have been across countless battles over the world to 'defend those who cannot defend themselves'. It was sickening to her, especially as she saw apparently 'helpless rabbits' fleeing into the warm and loving embrace of their country from the vicious predators of the world outside.

{You think we could convince a drone to start a fire in here?} Judy asked Nick idly as they walked past a grand artistic rendition depicting the history of the country, from its 'humble' beginnings to the 'dominant superpower' of the world.

{I could try impersonating Jeremy, maybe knock over a pedestal holding a clay pot just to cause some havoc!} Nick sent back with a laughing face. {Attention Drones, this is Jeremy, please knock over that pot for me!}

[Identity confirmed, request denied, human authorization only!]

{Was worth a shot.} She sighed as she acquiesced to her fate, listening to the tour guide explain how each 'glorious leader' continued to extend their Golden Age, and how the world could only grow weary and hate them, wishing they had what Northern Mothland had in abundence.

On and on she went, even when they went to the 'arms exhibit', and learned of the glorious advancements in weapons made by Northern Mothland's glorious leaders.

At one point she was talking about 'The Big Bomb', a weapon so devastating, so powerful, that if detonated could end the entire world and all mammal life on it. Apparently, it and it alone was what kept the world at peace, for no nation 'dared' go to war while Northern Mothland has it, and their wonderful and wise Supreme Leader has vowed to 'never' use it, for he does not wish to destroy the world!

It took Judy and Nick all of their willpower not to laugh at that.

{Sorry, but the 'super weapon' she speaks of is currently sitting in Eden Facility 17, and Celios isn't exactly one that can be intimidated.}

{Y'know I think 'The Big Bomb' would probably... cause it to pause in attacking Northern Mothland if it ever decided to!}

{Oh really, for how long?} She asked with a smirk emoji.

{About half a second... he probably doesn't want to scratch his paint job!}

Their tour through the museum was long and boring, on and on they were spoon fed crazy facts, lied to about things, and a host of other things.

But, as it ended and their Tour Guide escorted them out, they received a message that... upon hearing, she and Nick wished to return to the museum and hear more boring facts by comparison to what they were about to endure.

"A dine in with the Glorious Supreme Leader Shepard, you are most fortunate guests, he does not dine with visitors often!" She said, too enthusiastically.

"Oh really, well I can hardly refuse an offer like that!" Jeremy said with a smile, but Judy and Nick glanced at one another through their visors.

They both nodded in silent understanding, this was suspicious.

(Jeremy's PoV)

"Is it possible that I could bring my own cooks, you see I brought my own chefs to cook not only my meals but also those of my friends and companions. Some of us have particular medical dietary needs that, while I'm sure your chefs could no doubt account for, aren't aware of! It would also be nice for them to learn a few new recipes from my chefs, as I would love to share my culture's culinary recipes with your leader."

"Oh... uhm... I would not know that, I'm afraid you would need to uh... talk to him about that!"

"In that case I'll send him a message immediately, let's head back to the hotel so we can change into appropriate attire!" He said politely, instantly going into the carriage with the others.

Once inside and once the carriage was underway, he asked Aelita to make a message to Shepard on his behalf, trusting the AI to ensure everything would go as smoothly as possible. At the same time, he sent a transmission to ZU-K0 and ZA-K0 to begin food preparations for a large group of mammals, specifically a dine in with Supreme Commander Shepard and his group.

[This is most unusual, but as you command, we shall prepare a meal the likes of which they have never seen!] ZU-K0 declared in holographic form.

[Their mouths will overflow and their taste buds will explode, at the mere 'sight' of our creations, Unit Jeremy!] ZA-K0 declared as well.

He nodded as he leaned back and looked at them. "I know what you're thinking, and I'm doing it for the reason you're thinking." He said. "I don't trust Shepard... a sudden 'dinner request' out of nowhere?"

"I would rather starve then eat the food they'd serve us." Gazelle told him honestly.

"How are you going to get them to let us 'bring' the food?" Moe asked curiously.

"Yea, what makes you think Shepard will just let us bring food?" Donny asked in agreement.

"Good point..."

At that Aelita smirked and waved her hand nonchalantly, pointing at herself with a nod.

"Alright Aelita, I'll trust you, hopefully you convince Shepard to let us bring our food." Jeremy said, to which Aelita bowed humbly with a confident nod.

With that they returned to the Hotel and started changing into more formal clothes while ZU-K0 and ZA-K0 cooked and prepared the dinner. While he would rather have not dipped into their food reserves to feed Shepard's people, he needed to do so to put on the appearance of diplomatic neutrality and friendly appearances.

Later on, when they were scheduled to leave, The Solar Carriage departed with four different DOG drones and two RAPTOR class drones to provide escort, along with ZU-K0 and ZA-K0's carriage and the food they'd prepared, as well as a few FOX drones to act undercover. Their vehicles rolled down the main street to the predetermined destination, a dinner theatre that was to host them. The streets were just as empty, if not 'more' then earlier.

At the restaurant, Jeremy stepped out with his friends and girlfriend. Gazelle was wearing a fancy full length dress she kept for formal dinners, while he and the others wore fancy suits.

As they stepped out, they were greeted by military officers.

"Welcome Jeremy, our Supreme Leader is expecting you." A Wolf said.

"Glad to arrive on time, and I hope he and everyone else will enjoy the food that we brought to share with from our home." He replied warmly.

At that they were shocked as they looked between each other, even more so as ZU-K0 and ZA-K0 separated from their vehicle with various pots of steaming food, the smells of which began to reach the two guards.

"Uh... we weren't told that you would be bringing food." The other officer stated.

"Oh, well, is it alright that we brought it then, if possible, ask Commander Shepard if it's alright? It would be a terrible shame after all the effort my chefs put into making it to see it go to waste." Gazelle interrupted with a smile. "I mean, when they were told that they were going to be cooking for 'The' Supreme Leader Shepard, they were ecstatic... they poured all of their effort and years of skill into making this wonderful meal plan for him!"

At that both exchanged nervous expressions with one another, before they said they would quickly ask if it was alright, running inside as they did.

Jeremy turned to Aelita in his arms, having brought her along because she wanted to join him. "You didn't tell him we were bringing food Aelita?" He asked quickly.

She smirked before transforming into a portly old gentleman with a cane, grey hair and a pair of spectacles on his eyes. [Your king asked me to 'write' a letter to congress, he did not however, ask me to send the letter!] She said with a grin, before returning to her old self.

He gulped as he realized that he was at fault this time, he did in fact, not tell her to communicate with Shepard directly. But still, he figured Aelita would not have taken his words literally. Now he was afraid of what might happen if Shepard did not approve or like what he had done. They were already treading on thin ice, he could not risk an incident here, he had to stay in Shepard's good side, at least until they could find a way to leave the city without drawing attention.

After a few minutes however, the military officers rejoined them and said that Shepard would be 'delighted' to partake in his people's foods.

With a sigh of relief, they were showed in and the drones walked in carrying the food. They were escorted first through the main hall, then to the dining room where a lavish table awaited them. It was laden with porcelain themed plates and glasses, a beautiful greyish white table cloth and a single ornate chair with a high back and delicately crafted handles. All of the other chairs however, were simple plain chairs by comparison. There were already several trays of food of varying types, mostly 'meat' oriented, but it still smelled exquisite to his senses. However, he didn't trust any of it...

"Ah, Mr. Jeremy, please come, we were about to sit down, and we would be honored, if you would join us."

"Of course, I'm glad you accepted our offer to share with you my people's delicacies, also thank you again for letting me bring my own people's food, for you see my girlfriend Gazelle doesn't eat meat."

"Oh, I see, that is most shameful of me to not take that into consideration, I was assuming you alone would be coming, but regardless, please accept my humble offering of apologies for 'not' taking your entire company into consideration." He said with a smile that seemed, 'off'. "The original invitation was only meant for you; you are a very 'special' guest... after all!"

"I see, in that case the blame is on me for misinterpreting it!" He replied warmly as everyone began taking their seats, with him being seated first and only 'after' did the other military officials began taking theirs.

Seeing how it was obvious only '1' other seat was available, quickly being pulled out for Gazelle, he and she sat down while Judy, Nick, Donny, Franky, Moe and Joe stood off to the side with their arms crossed behind their backs with several other bodyguards surrounding the table.

He placed Aelita on the table next to him, while the Cooking Spider drones finally planted their plates of food and unveiled the beautiful spread they'd prepared for this banquet. When they entered, he noticed that they were 'staring' at the drones in speechless awe, trying to hide it but failing to do so. Only Shepard seemed able to pretend nothing was off, as he watched the drones unveil dish after dish.

The two drones had surpassed themselves with the fish and bird meat, roasting and soaking it with spices and various cooking oils to give it a rich cooked appearance and a delicious aroma to match its texture. The salad they'd made was caked with dressing and mixed with various vegetables, steamed and not steamed, topped with various kinds of cheese and baked spiced breads. A warm aroma wafted through the air coming from the baked potato topped with melted butter and garnished with a light syrupy liquid that smelled of heated syrup. Finally, as a finishing touch, they'd baked a cylindrical cake sliced to reveal seven different layers of colorful materials before being topped and coated in chocolate frosting.

As they finished, the drones humbly bowed and asked if they could serve every mammal a portion of the meals, before they began displaying their various cutting tools built into their bodies. Knives which expertly chopped and sliced food, before depositing them onto plates with precision, and then just as expertly planting said plates in front of each individual.

They poured drinks at each one's request, asked if they had any particular 'tastes', and even offered to quickly whip up something more to their liking if they were picky.

Once every mammal, and Jeremy, were settled in, the drones humbly bowed and stepped away so as to, 'not ruin the dinner table with their presence'. [Bon apetite!] They declared together, and walked off.

Shepard nodded as they left, before being the first to eat, and after a quiet wait period, in which all of the other officials nervously sat waiting, he declared 'dinner was served'.

"Your machines are extremely talented!" He told Jeremy as dinner began in earnest.

"They are." He said while Aelita sat swaying in her holosphere.

"It's a shame there aren't more of them... having them would make mammal's lives so much easier."

"It is but, I have a hard time keeping all of my drones repaired, I am only one human after all, and it takes a long time to even create one."

"Well why not have 'others' do it for you?" He politely asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "Asking the right mammal in the right place, could do wonders for you, you know..."

"I uh... will 'consider it'." Jeremy said cheerfully, but he was growing nervous with the conversation.

Unaware of Jeremy's hesitation Shepard's eyes turned to Aelita now while dinner continued, and Aelita, noticing this, chose to smile and wave a friendly hello to him in response.

"Tell me, what does the glowing 'thing' do? What does 'it' do for you?"

At that Aelita's friendliness evaporated as she frowned at him. "Aelita is my species 'guide', she carries all of our history, our culture, our knowledge, everything that we are is wrapped up inside of her and it is her job to guide us to a better and brighter future, using the lessons and experiences of our past!" He explained. "She communicates to us through a language best heard through song, if she sings to us then..."

"So, she sings, then please have her sing for us!" Shepard said instantly, taking a bite of his dinner.

"Uh, but..." Jeremy started trying to say, but Shepard waved off his question with a wave of his paw.

"Come now, you just said so yourself, your little servant sings, have her sing for the dinner table. It would be terribly rude to not provide some entertainment at the dinner table!" He exclaimed nonchalantly. "I want to hear something from your people, surely she can do something that simple?"

He and Gazelle both lightly 'glared' at Shepard, with Aelita tilting her head in disgust, not trying to hide her dislike for the situation. However, Jeremy looked at her, causing her to look at him, and he nodded. "Aelita, would you please grace us with a song?" He asked warmly.

She frowned at him, before lightly nodding to Shepard, and he nodded in understanding, but still mouthed 'please'. She sighed and nodded, and closed her eyes while she took control of the FOX drones hiding in the venue, using their holo emitters to extend her own sphere's emitters so that she appeared floating above them all. The military officials, Shepard included went wide eyed in amazement as she took on the appearance of a beautiful maiden with long flowing hair of rainbow colors, a gown of silver white, holding a harp in one hand and floating in a holographic garden that began to surround them, casting them in a beautiful scenery of mysticism and magical wonder.

She then smiled, bowed, and strummed her harp.

"The stars are very beautiful above the palace walls... they shine with equal splendor, still above far humbler halls!" She sang with a warm melody as above them a beautiful array of stars appeared. "I watch them from the window, but their bright entrancing glow... reminds of the freedom I gave up so long ago!"

"The royal circlet of bright gold, rests lightly on my brow... I once thought only of the rights this circlet would endow!" She sang as a golden laurel appeared near her, and then swiftly was placed upon her, though she looked sad as it was. "But once I took the crown to which I had been schooled and bred, I found it heavy on the heart though light upon the head!"

"Although I am the head of state, in truth of am the least... the true Queen knows her people fed, before she sits to feast!" She sang while playing her harp, as above her images of humans of poorer status sat with bread before them, while she waited to seat at her table until she saw them eating. "The good Queen knows her people safe, before she takes her rest, thinks twice and thrice and yet again, before she makes request!"

She glanced at Shepard with a grin, though it was not out of joy Jeremy noticed.

"For they are all my children, all that I swore to defend, it is my duty to become both Queen and trusted friend!" She sang as she created the illusion of a queen with all of her royal privilege humbly asking a servant for his hand to hold. "And of my children high and low, from beggar to above, the dearest are my Heralds who return my care with love!"

"The dearest are my Heralds, swift to spring at my command. Who give me aid and fellowship, who always understand... that Land and people first have needs that I cannot deny! So I must send my dearest friends to danger, and to die!"

She smiled sadly as she watched holographic humans walking past her, carrying messages and news, and who pat her shoulder in understanding as she wept or sighed. Then when she made a request, no matter how small it was, they were swift to carry it out and left with prideful strides.

"A friend, a love, a child, it matters not I know indeed... that I must sacrifice them all if there should be the need." She sang sadly as she pretended to point and demand those she commanded, people who were young, old, fathers or sons, whether they had a lover or were alone. "They know and they forgive me, doing more than I require, with willing minds and loving hearts go straight to grasp the fire!"

She mourned inside and visually as they bowed and walked off, weapons in hand and faces set, vanishing in the distance of her holographic forest.

"These tears that burn my eyes are all the tears the Queen can't shed, the tears I weep in silence are for all my Heralds dead." She sang sadly as her tears began to fall, yet all she could do was stare up at the stars that twinkled in the sky. "Oh god who dwells beyond the stars if you can hear my cry..."

"And if you have compassion..." She sang as she placed a hand over her heart, tears still falling, but only because she was alone. "Let me send no more... to die..."

As she finished the scenery, she'd created with the FOX drone's help ended, and the table broke into applause, though Jeremy and Gazelle were late in applauding. They knew from experience, as did Judy and Nick as well as the Tiger Brothers, that when Aelita sang... it wasn't 'just' for the sake of singing most of the time. She only sang, as Jeremy tried to say, when she was communicating an important message, otherwise she only communicated in quotes from figures of the past.

"Splendid, splendid... a wonderful performance!" Shepard said proudly as he took another bite. "Have her sing another song for the table."

Aelita stared at him with an 'are you serious' expression on her face, that went unnoticed as he was greedily taking a bite of some of the food. She looked to Jeremy with a look that told him she was 'not' interested in dancing for this mammal's whims. However, all Jeremy could do, so as to keep Shepard from getting angry or frustrated at him... was smile apologetically and politely ask, "Would you sing us another song, please Aelita?"

She frowned as she puffed her cheeks in disdain, but nodded in acceptance, before once more vanishing in a dazzling display of color and light thanks to the FOX drones, creating a new scene of holographic glory. This time she took on the trappings of a tiny woman with rainbow hair that flowed and rippled down to the table, with massive insect-like wings to go with her tiny body, and a flute in her hands as she played.

She then grinned at Shepard as she began to sing.

"The wind blows low and mournful, through the Strath of Dalnacriech, where once there lived a woman who would a mother be... for twelve long years a good man's wife... but ne'er the cradle filled. Mother of a changeling child... from neath the fairy hill!"

She played the flute as the song's scene played, with little lights portraying a woman and a man living in a cottage, but an empty cradle sat between them, despite how much they loved one another. She then smirked as she looked at the officials now.

"She traveled to the standing stones and crossed into the green... where all the elven folk, were dancing there unseen. Through the night, she bargained... with the queen and fairies all... who sent her home and dawning, with a babe... beneath her shawl!"

She played again as the little stars portrayed the mother, walking through to the standing stones of old, and there she talked and pleaded, bargaining with a figure surrounded by little lights, a crown upon their head. As a starry sun began to rise, the woman walked back, a young child carried in her arms. Again, she turned to Shepard with a grin upon her face, as he watched the performance, blissfully unaware of her deeper messages.

"How their home was joyful, with a son to call their own... but soon they saw the years that passed, would never make him grow! The fairies would not answer her, the stones were dark and slept... a babe was all she'd asked for... and their promises... they'd kept!"

She closed her eyes and played her flute, a happy family was portrayed in the lights, but as the two grew older the babe did not age. Alas the poor woman tried to return to the standing stones, to talk to the fairies and plead with them... but the stones were silent, the lights were gone. The queen appeared as she left, and a little bubble appeared over her head. The symbol of a babe, all the woman had asked for, and the queen agreed, a babe delivered, the promise was kept! Aelita smiled sadly as she looked at Shepard, her final lyrics being loosed in song.

"Wind blows low and mournful, through the strath of Dalnacriech. Where once there lived a woman, who would a mother be. For fifty years she rocked that babe, it's said she rocks him still. A mother of a changeling child, from neath the fairy hill! A mother of a changeling child..."

"From neath a fairy hill..."

She played her flute and let the music fill their ears, letting it's solemn warning fill their minds as she ended her song. When it finished and the final note played, the scene dissipated and she returned to her holosphere, looking disgruntled as she sat cross legged.

Once again everyone, mammal and human applauded, though Jeremy and Gazelle exchanged worrying looks, they never knew Aelita to be willing to sing such... 'haunting' melodies like that for any reason. Most of the food had been eaten, Jeremy's and Gazelle's plates included, and they were expecting dinner to end and they could be excused, but it seemed Shepard had 'other' plans.

"One more, have your little thing there sing one more to end the night if you could be so kind!" Shepard demanded as he took a drink.

At that Jeremy nervously glanced at the AI, who was 'glaring' at Jeremy, she shook her head, not happy at all, and saying she was 'not' going to sing again for this fool. She crossed her arms and waited for Jeremy's reply. However, Jeremy took a nervous sigh, and smiled sadly, whispering, 'I'm sorry', before saying louder, "One more song please, Aelita?"

If looks could kill, the one Aelita was giving Shepard as she looked back without actually looking at him, would be enough to send the dictator to the afterlife. She looked back at Jeremy, and pointed at him, giving a stern nod, before thumbing Shepard and shaking her head. Her message was clear, she was doing it because 'he' asked, not because she wants to 'grace' Shepard with her talents. With that, she turned around, grinned maliciously, and took control of the FOX drones one final time.

The scene they created was one of a haunting shadow filled with twinkling little lights. Aelita had taken on the appearance of a robed woman with dark feathery wings, her clothes a mixture of white, lavender and dark red. Her face had tatoo makeup and her eyes were guilded with deep painted red eyelids. Her shirt revealed a corset wrapped around her waist, and her sleeves were large and went well below her waist, such that her hands could not be seen. She stared at them with a haunting smile as she looked at Shepard and his entourage, refusing to look at Jeremy or Gazelle.

A haunting tune began to play as she began to sway in front of them.

[Let me tell you of a chant from an old tomb... it's a fable of a song of gloom, I can tell you how it goes do you wanna see a ghost? Let's see what the ancients wrote!] She sang sadistically as she leaned forward to Shepard, smiling as she teased him with her index finger, before flicking it and creating a holographic piece of parchment. [Momma told me not to sing this old tune, for it will lead to my doom, but I really should have known, gotta chill in my bones, this tale could not be true!]

[What exactly is the worst that can happen? My friends are coming soon... once they're here we can sing together and see what the song can do!]

She pretended to shrug as she waved her arms slightly, swaying in the windless scene while her clothes frivoled and frayed.

[Time to sound the solemn siren, it's a moaning melody that I'm guiding, unholy harmony that is chiming A Ka Dua No Ra!] She sang as her eyes began to glow, and above all of them, the number '3' appeared. [Counting down to the certain silence... let the dark side become your alliance, one two three and the time is upon us Ohhh fall with me. Hear my Perish Song... Hear. My. Perish. Song.]

She swayed and danced, smiling sadistically as weird shapes and shadows moved around her, as they did Shepard's officials didn't look so 'cheerful', while Shepard seemed unaware of what was going on around him, captivated by Aelita's dancing. Even as the number '2' appeared to replace the '3', he was captivated by the AI's performance.

[Uncanny bit of strange in the air then, eerie little bit of fear within... there's a tickel in my skin, did we let something in, the warmth is running thin!] She sang while pretending to shiver and look around nervously, a look matched as shadowy hands stroked and grasped at the officials, but not Shepard, who Aelita made sure to keep his eyes on her. [Feeling my family down to my dear bones, slowly rising up upon a throne. Why do I feel like I'm home, if you run you're on your own, believe me we're not alone!]

[What exactly is the worst that can happen? We have to sing again, come on friends let us join together and, see what the song can do!]

She spun around and stood before Shepard, her wings beginning to expand and grow, feathers falling to reveal bony extensions that swayed and frayed. Her eyes began to glow, the shadowy figures grew denser, the numbers began to twist and change.

[Time to sound the solemn siren, it's a moaning melody that I'm guiding, unholy harmony that is chiming A Ka Dua No Ra!] She sang as the number changed to a '1' now. [Counting down to the certain silence... let the dark side become your alliance, one two three and the time is upon us Ohhh fall with me. Hear my Perish Song... Hear. My. Perish. Song.]

At long last the shadows grasped and began to 'tug', pulling holographic versions of the officials, but Shepard didn't notice as Aelita kept singing, swaying, rolling her hips and shoulders in a way that hypnotized him. Aelita's eyes glowing dark as her once feathery wings began to spike and spear upward, like thorny vines poking and prodding the air around them.

[Now listen to your queen... you're my puppet on a string... melody is lifting me... Fall with me...] She sang hauntingly, lovingly almost... if she didn't smile sadistically at Shepard, and she wasn't motioning with her hands and using her new 'puppets' above them all to dance and perform for 'her' amusement now. [You have to sing... oh fall with me... fall... with meeeee!]

[Time to sound the solemn siren, it's a moaning melody that I'm guiding, unholy harmony that is chiming A Ka Dua No Ra!] She sang while dancing again, as the number above the souls she's taken for her performance turned to a '0'. [Counting down to the certain silence... let the dark side become your alliance, one two three and the time is upon us Ohhh fall with me. Hear my Perish Song... Hear. My. Perish. Song.]

As she continued to hum and dance, the souls were 'speared' by her wings... vanishing, and she smiled, humming... smiling and dancing, until the final tune slowly faded away and her scene ended. Everything vanished, once more, and she returned to her holosphere, only she was in a bed with a big 'DO NOT DISTURB' sign pasted above her, with little 'z's' coming out of her head.

Shepard applauded and said the performance was wonderful, but his soldiers weren't so enthusiastic about applauding, as they just did so to pretend that they were in agreement.

Jeremy and Gazelle however, exchanged nervous looks.

After dinner ended, ZU-K0 and ZA-K0 returned to take back the pots and trays used to carry the dinner they'd made. With a few more pleasantries exchanged, they were allowed to leave and return to the Hotel to rest until the next day, but the trip to the Hotel was not a cheerful one. Aelita was furious, she looked at Jeremy and huffed, stomping her feet and throwing a fit as she silently yelled and berated, pointing at where they were before to exclaim her frustration and fury at how Shepard treated her.

He picked her holosphere up and held her close to him, sighed and stroked her sphere. "I know Aelita... I'm sorry... you should 'not' have to do that for anyone, not even 'me'."

Aelita sighed as she leaned against the sphere, smiling softly as she shook her head and rubbed her cheek against the bit of sphere where his hand was. She didn't care if he asked her to do that for him, she'd do it without question if 'he' was asking it of her.