Chapter 16:
Samantha wakes up with her kits. She yawns and smiles down at all of them. She starts rubbing backs, and the whole pile starts to chirr. The need that woke her up made its presence known again. Samantha disengages from the pile and goes to use the washroom. When she comes back out, she leans against the door frame and watches the pile of kits. A tear comes to her eyes as she looks at her kits. She looks down as she feels a tug on her pant leg.
The tiniest little girl is looking up at her. "I'm glad you're back, Mom. I missed you." "Oh, my little one, I've missed you all so much. I resigned myself long ago to never being able to see you all again." "Long ago, Mommy"? "Well, I had to grow up all over again. I hoped for the last eighteen years that I would see you all, but I thought it was a very slim possibility." "Why would God destroy our family"? "He didn't. It was that wolf working under that Antilope who destroyed our family. God brought us all together again." "I'm glad he did. I love you, Mommy." She says as Samantha scoops her up and hugs her. "You have to let me go, Mommy, or I'm going to pee on you." Samantha laughs as she sets her down. The rest of the kits slowly wake up. As they do, they all get down from the bed and use the facilities. After using the facilities, they all get up on the bed and look at their mother.
"Mom, when do they feed us around here? We're hungry." Samantha giggles a bit. "They don't feed us; we feed ourselves. Come, we are going for breakfast. I want you all to hold paws and follow me down the hall to the cafeteria." They all climb down, and linking their paws together, head out the door for the cafeteria. Samantha holds the paws of the two in the front. The kits all stare around them in wonder at the bigger world they are now in. None of them feel scared, just a sense of awe. Soon they arrive at the cafeteria.
As they walk in, they are greeted by a smiling Horse. "Good morning, ma'am. I'm assuming that these are the kits that Thomas told me about"? "I assume so. Did he leave any specific meal instructions for them"? "Well, he did mention that they probably have never had a nutritious breakfast. How does oatmeal, toast, and juice sound"? "It sounds divine." "Just grab a table, and I will bring the juice and glasses right out. Oatmeal is about five minutes away. Just making a new batch." "Don't go to trouble on our account. We can eat replicated food." "No trouble, ma'am. You are not the only group we are feeding this morning." They grab a table and get into the booster seats Samantha got from a pile of them in the corner of the room. Because they're so small, it's two kits for every seat. The cook brings over the juice and some glasses.
Samantha pours and then passes the glasses around. Most sniff at the orange-colored liquid until the littlest girl sips hers. As if a switch had been flipped, they all drink at once. "Whoa, slow down, everyone. There's more where that came from. You need to save room in your tummies for your breakfast." The cook walks over with their breakfast. Again, it's the littlest girl who tries the oatmeal first. A look of bliss crosses her face as she does. They all close their eyes as they taste oatmeal with nuts and honey. Samantha finds that this oatmeal is as good or better than her mom makes. Thomas and Jessica grab breakfast and sit down with them. Soon all that's left are empty dishes and crumbs on the table. The jug of juice is empty as well. All the kits sit back and burp loudly. It sounds like a small bomb went off. Jessica and Thomas smile at the kits. Alex and Marsha walk in as the kits rest after the meal.
"Good morning, Thomas, Jessica, and Samantha. I hope I remembered your name right." Say Marsha turning to Samantha. "You did. If you like, you can shorten it to Sam. I answer to both." "So, what are the names of all the kits"? The two from the pens pipe up, "I'm Stew, and my sister is Bits." Sam is horrified at the names they have. "Neither of you is stew bits. That was the derogatory name that wolf called us all. How about we call you Stuart, and you, my dear, how about we call you Brittany"? Both look at each other and nod their little heads yes. "And the rest"? Asks Marsha. "The rest don't have names. Garth and I didn't give them names. Why give the kits names when we would all end up in stew pots"? With a tear in her eyes, Marsha reaches out to Sam, and they fall into a hug. "I want Garth to be there when we both give them names. We can make it a kind of ceremony."
"I like that," Marsha says. "Now, Marsha, I know you want kits, and I was told by a certain dog that kits are incoming." "I'm pregnant"? Jessica looks at Marsha. "Not at the moment, Marsha. But I believe him when he said they are incoming." "How then"? "Can't say at the moment, but trust us, it's true. That dog doesn't make false statements or false promises." Marsha turns to the kits and says, "If they're as adorable as all of you, I can't wait." Marsha sits on the floor as the kits crowd around her for a hug. "Well, everyone, I believe it's time to head out. Ira opens his shop in about ten minutes. It will take us about twenty to get there."
They all head for the doors holding the paws of two kits apiece. There is a collective gasp from all the kits. This is the first time they haven't been in some box or walls. They were looking all around at everything. They saw the clear blue sky for the first time. And the questions start. "Why is the sky blue"? "What is that monster following us"? (Car on the street) "Is that a real tree"? "Can we climb it"? "What are we walking on"? "Where are we walking to"? Thomas and Alex chuckle and answer the kits. Samantha thought they would be scared, but they were curious about everything. Soon they arrived at the clothier.
Ira looks up from his paper and smiles. "Good morning, everyone. Good to see you all again. What can I do for you all today? And who are these cute kits"? "Morning Ira. We are bringing Samantha by with all her kits to meet you. The kits need clothes." "Mom, why do we need clothes"? Asks the littlest girl. "You need clothes, as all people wear clothes when in public." "But we all walked here without." "Yes, you did. But that was because we had nothing for you to wear at the time. But now that we are here, I want you all to pick out two sets of clothes with underwear."
"What's underwear"? "Underwear or undergarments are there to protect you from bad looks." "Are our private areas bad"? "NO, they aren't. It's just that others don't need to see your privates. And while in play, you could inadvertently expose yourself to people who like to look at privates of kits. This gives them bad ideas." "Oh, you mean like the otter who used to bring us food"? "WHAT"? "Yes, Mommy, he always thought about what he would do with us before we went into the pots. He thought about putting his thingy in us before he would rip our heads off. His thoughts said he had done it before with some kits and cubs. It was a horrible thought." Samantha sees red, but it cools quickly as she hugs her. "If you ever feel thoughts like that again, I want you to run. I want you all to run to an adult you trust." "We will, Mommy"! "Good, now let's go get you all some clothes."
With a tear in his eye, Ira leads them all to the kit section. He looks at the kits individually, gets clothes off the shelves, and hands them to individual kits. They all chuckle when one of the boys puts his shorts on his head with his ears and antler nubs sticking out the leg holes. He smiles up at the adults. Samantha removes them from his head. "You are quite the joker, aren't you." She says with affection. She then holds them in such a way as for him to step into them. She helps a few with their pants. Shirts go on without any problems, well, a few backward ones, which were quickly straightened out. Jessica and Thomas smile down at the squirming kits on the floor. He remembers his kits doing the same thing with their first set of clothes. Marsha takes mental notes on how Samantha is talking to the kits. She treats them like small adults. They are small adults in thinking with all that they have been through. But they are still kits with kits logic. Ira takes payment from Wilde Industries for the clothes, and they all return to the sunshine.
They return to the complex by the closest gate. As they get to the central fountain, Samantha tells them to go to the grass and play tag. Stuart and Brittney had never played before, so it was a bit for them to get the hang of it. Soon they are all running around, laughing and screaming at the top of their lungs. The grass was new to them; they could dig their hind claws in and jump. Thomas, Jessica, and Alex excuse themselves. They have a class to teach this morning, and Alex has work. He kisses Marsha and heads out. Marsha and Samantha converse as they watch the kits running around. People walking by smile at the antics of the kits. Soon the kits start to fall out of the game and lay on the grass panting. Having fur is not conducive to staying cool. Samantha whistles, and the kits all look at her. She pulls out a water bottle. They all come over for a drink.
"Will you be taking them to the daycare"? "Wilde Industries has a daycare"? "They do. I will take you there." "Marsha, why do you know where the daycare is"? Marsha's ears turn a little red. "I know where it is as I spend much time there while Alex works. The machine hasn't been built yet for me to work. Alex and I have a longing for kits of our own. I think it's mostly me, but he will go along with anything I ask. And I'm sure the practice helps. Helping out in the daycare gives me my kit fix. I help Vivian look after the Wilde children when she needs a break." "I had forgotten about that, so you help to look after my nieces and nephews"? "Your nieces and nephews"? "Well, my great nieces and nephews. The founders of Wilde Industries are my nieces and nephews."
"So, you're a Hopps"? "I am. Judy Wilde is my sister. She called me asking if I would look after some kits, and I said yes. I have my teaching certificate for early childhood development." "Wow, you're going to be a real asset to the daycare. They only have two other certified teachers. I'm sure you will get along with the grandmothers and grandfathers who organize the daycare." "The old teaching the young? What a perfect setup. This was only a theory in school. I didn't know someone had done this. The wisdom and knowledge that can be passed down, just, wow." "Yes, we have some of the best-behaved children. The grandmother put up with no guff. And all the children are very attentive at storytime. It appears to be the high lite of the day." They arrive at the door to the daycare. Samantha calls the kits into a huddle.
"Now, children, we will be entering the daycare…." "What's a daycare, Mommy"? "A daycare is a big room full of other children of different species that you can play with. If you feel overwhelmed, find me, and we can discuss it. Or if you like, you can call me to you. Either way, I'm here for you." "We think we will be fine, Mommy, but if we feel overwhelmed or start to panic at any time, we will find you." "Good, now I want to mark you all for scent identification." She marks all the kits. Once done, she states, "Now, we can enter. Marsha, can you take us to Grandma Vivian"? "I can. Follow me, please. I think she's going to love you all." Marsha leads them in. The first thing Samantha hears is the cacophony of noise. She looks down at her kits. All their ears are swiveling around with the sound. They appear to be handling the noise just fine. Then looking up, she spies Vivian over on the side, talking to another grandmother while she rocks the bassinet with her great-grand kits in it. Marc, Oscar, John, and Charlotte sit beside her at a small table, coloring in their books. The other Grandmother leaves as Samantha arrives.
"Good morning, Grandmother." "Good morning… wait, don't tell me… Samantha? Is that you? "I haven't seen you for years. "It is Grandma. I've brought my kits over so we could all say hi to you." "Your kits? I didn't even know you were pregnant." Samantha chuckles for a bit. "Never pregnant, Grandma. I'm still a virgin." "Well, then, whose kits are these"? "As I told you, they're mine and a Jackalope named Garth. Marsha, brother." "So, he was rescued along with his kits"? He was, he's in a nutrien tank as we speak, he's having his hind legs and paws regrown." "How are you, the kit's mother"? "We will talk later about that. I have permission to tell you. But for now, I think you need to meet all the kits. Children, this is your great Grandmother, Vivian Howler. You can call her grandma." "Hello, grandma." They all say as they crowd around her for a hug. Vivian sits on the floor as she hugs them all. She has a tear in her eyes as she does so.
Marc is the first to get down from the table and come over. "Hi, everyone. I'm Marc." Marc is a little unnerved when they turn as one to look at him. ("Do you think we should know him? He's a bit of an enigma.") Marc is slightly startled but hope leaps in his soul that now there are more kits who can speak like this. ("Yes, you should get to know me. We are all special, and I'm sure we can learn from each other. My sister is just learning how to speak.") ("Oh my God, he can speak like us.") ("I can, but I'm not the only one. The three behind me can speak like this as well.") ("Hello, everyone. I'm Charlotte.") Says Charlotte into their minds as she raises her paw. ("Hello, I'm John.") He raises his paw. Oscar jumps down with a forward flip and stands beside Marc. ("And I'm Oscar. We should all speak with words because some adults get weirded out when we talk in our minds.") This silent conversation does not weird out Samantha, Vivian, or Marsha. Marsha smiles down at them all.
(So, children, I didn't know you could speak like this. I was shocked when I found out I could. My mate and I talk like this all the time.") "It is so much easier and faster than using words." "It is, so amongst ourselves and quite a few others, this is the norm. But like you were told, it weirds out other people. I think they can feel our conversation, which weirds them out." "Why can't all people talk like us"? "I don't know. Maybe this is the next step in our evolution as a people. We are just the first of many. I'm sure you have never had a day of play or structure. And I hope you can do both here in the daycare." We are willing to learn, Auntie." "Good, then come along, and I will introduce you to the other grandmothers and grandfathers and the kits, kittens, pups, cubs, foals, and fawns we have running around here."
Samantha is left alone with Vivian. The kits are fast asleep when Samantha looks into the bassinet. "Can you tell me how all ten of those kits are yours"? "Well, they're not all mine; only the smaller ones are mine by birth. The other two were discovered hiding in a mattress in one of the pens." "How can you have kits by birth when you say you are still a virgin"? "The body I have now is still virginal, but the body I had before wasn't. My first remembered name is Tabitha Leapson from over Deerbrook Way. Grandma, I died about five days ago and was reborn as Samantha eighteen years ago. I still remember my death at the paws of the "Cook."
I had met myself many times but could not tell myself anything. Every time I tried, my mind went fuzzy, and by the time it cleared up, the opportunity to tell myself anything about my future had passed. I gave up after a while trying to tell myself anything. When I was old enough, I started to study. I knew my kits would need me to teach them. I even have a first-year psychology course under my belt. I have lived with fear and hope these last eighteen years. I hoped to get to hold my kits and mate again but feared I never would. And now I get to hold them all." Samantha said this with a tear in her eye. Vivian reached over and held Sam as she let out tears of grief and relief. Samantha soon dries her tears and looks up at Vivian.
"I now know how Daniel and Susan felt about time travel. Trying not to change what has to be." "Daniel and Susan? What do they have to do with this"? "Grandma, I'm sure you know that Daniel and Susan are Thomas and Jessica." "Yes, I know. But how do you know"? "Gab and Sirius Omega sat me down in the meadow a few days ago and explained this to me. It was a bit of a shock, but I have known about divine intervention, or lack thereof, for some time. Sirius can only teach. He can't interfere in his creation." But why can't he"? "Because he gave us all free will. The object in life is to learn and grow. If he stepped in, he would have to take away free will. And he won't do that." "You seem sure of that." "I am. He told me so." Vivian and Samantha spend the rest of the morning in conversation until the lunch bell rings.
"Well, grandma, I guess I should go find my kits and get them fed. Would you like me to get you anything"? "No, Betty should be along shortly to feed her kits. I'll go and get something to eat at that point." "Ok, off I go." Sam leaves for the cafeteria. She follows the stragglers to lunch. She finds her kits in the lineup with Marsha. When one kit sees her, they all rush over to hug her. Sam gets down and embraces them all. They all speak as one, telling her about their day so far. She inserts the occasional comment into the conversation. Soon it's their turn at the replicator. Seeing the indecision on her kit's face, Sam orders them all vegetable soup with bread rolls. Marsha gets the same thing and sits with them.
Sam and Marsha have a delightful conversation over lunch and get to know each other better. Soon the water and food are gone. And several of the kits start to nod off at the table. Samantha and Marsha scoop up the kits and head back for Vivian and the nearby mats. They place all the kits on the mat, and they curl into a sleeping pile. Samantha turns to greet the new people looking after her Great nieces and nephews.
"Hi Amber, I don't know if you remember me, but I'm Samantha Judie's sister." "I don't remember you, but hi. What's another Hopps doing in the city? Do you work here"? "Not yet. I'm here now looking after my kits. Garth should be out of the Nutrien tank in about four weeks. Thomas said it would take that long for his legs to regrow." "So, your brother was rescued, Marsha"? "He was. His kits are on the mat over there." Marsha points
to her left at the sleeping pile. "So, where are your kits, Samantha"? Samantha points to the same pile. Amber looks confused. Ember fusses a bit, so Amber switches her to the other breast. Marc and Sandy continue to suck on their mother. Marc has his ears turned to the conversation.
"I'm a bit confused. How are Garth's kits yours"? "They're mine, as I gave birth to them all. Before I begin, who are you"? Asks Samantha of Betty. "I'm Betty Conley. My husband and mate works here as a transplant specialist." "Oh good, you're both on the list too." "What list"? Asks Betty. "The list of people I can tell my story to." "Not sure what's going on, but I'm certain you were not one of the individuals we rescued yesterday." "I'm not Betty. I died three days before the feast. The cook told me I was to become a candied hare. My original name is Tabitha Leapson.
After my death, the judge told me he was sending me back to life. But he told me he would take my memories from me for my new life. He didn't take my memories, but they were more like a book I had read. The emotions attached to them were removed. I don't think I would have survived until now if the emotions were still attached. I am Tabitha Leapson, but I'm also Samantha Hopps." "That's quite unusual."
"It is, but I've had years thinking about this. Going back in time was new; if I had been allowed, I could have changed much of the bad. But when I thought of using my knowledge, my brain went fuzzy, and I forgot what I wanted to change. I would remember later after the event had taken place. I realized that time had to flow a certain way, and I couldn't change it. Once I accepted that, I remembered without the fuzziness. How Daniel and Susan put up with it, I don't know."
"They didn't put up with it." Said Betty. "They learned to work with it instead. When we went back in time, we did change some of it. But only if it allowed things to be better in the future. We all cried and clung to each other as the world ended. Marc was conceived back then, and we all spent centuries in cryonic tubes to get back to this time."
"Wait, you went back in time"? "I did. Thomas, Jessica, and I returned to before the bombs dropped." "Bombs dropped"? "Yes, we weren't always as you see us now. At one time, all people had one bipedal form. But that changed when we destroyed ourselves. Animals emerged as the new form of the human race." "Wow, that's big. How come I've never heard any of this before"? "I would be surprised if you did.
The World Council has kept a lid on it from its beginning. Thomas and I laid all the information before them in their first council session. As a body, they decided to keep it quiet. Jessicas waited in the shuttlecraft so we could have a quick getaway if needed. It wasn't required." We had brought some honey bees and other beneficial bugs forward with us. The world would need some pollinators again if we were to survive as a people. But not cockroaches, ticks, and fleas. They somehow survived the nuclear winter. But mosquitoes died out on their own. Those blood thirst pests were quite the nuisance, and because the world now had no birds to feed, they became redundant." "What's a bird"? "A bird was classified as a flying aviary. The world was full of them. But most died out in the cull. The rest died out in the nuclear winter."
"Ok, so why am I hearing about all this now"? "I'm telling you all this now as I have permission. Bob Cromwell has permitted me. Because you kept your secret all these years, Bob thought you would also keep all this a secret. You will, won't you"? "I will, Betty. Besides, who would believe me"? "You would be surprised." Marc and Sandy had finished and were nodding off. Betty covered her breasts and teats and placed Sandy back in the bassinet and Marc in the sleeping pile. Amber covered up and placed Ember back in the bassinet. She returned to their conversation just as Elizbeth rushed in to feed her kits.
Johnathon sticks his head out of the bassinet as she enters and barks at her. The rest of her kits became vocal as well. Vivian returns to see she's not needed and flakes out in the comfortable corner chair behind the sleeping pile of kits. Elizabeth sits in the feeding chair and, uncovering her teats and breasts, positions all her kits to feed. As they feed, she looks up at Samantha and smiles. "Hi Samantha, I bet you don't recognize me." "Your right, I don't. But you do look familiar to me."
"I should. The last time you saw me, I was a lot smaller. You could say I was a kit." Samantha thinks for a bit, and it comes to her. "Elizabeth, is that you? You're so big and with kits, no less." "Well, the kits happened when I had relations with my husband." "Right, I had forgotten you were married to John. But what are you doing here"? "I work here. My husband and I are nurses in the hospital. Right now, my mate is in surgery with Betty's mate. Heart-lung transplant. How's it going right now, Betty"? "The surgery is going fine. They should be done in the hour." "How can Betty know that? She hasn't left my sight in the last hour." "I'm sorry, Betty, for putting you on the spot." "It's ok, Elizabeth. Bob permitted me to tell her up to level three. He trusts her."
Betty turns back to Samantha. "Samantha, I'm not a real person. I'm a machine. An AI, to be precise." Marsha looks over at her, "Well, that explains the joke that Thomas told the first day I met you." "Betty, stop degrading yourself. You are just as real as the rest of us. Just because you have a computer for memory storage does not mean you aren't real. I think it's great never having to forget." "It's not all it's cracked up to be, Elizabeth. Never being able to forget is the same as remembering everything. Some memories are just as hard now as when they were made." "I never thought of it that way. Can you not delete the bad memories"? "I could, but then I might repeat my mistakes. And that I don't want to do. So, I remember everything."
"So, Betty, have you reviewed the information you received from me? And can you use it"? "Well, if or when you can build a quantum computer, I can use it. Size for size If you built a computer the size of my brain, It would be the most powerful computer on earth. Not sure I could handle all that power, and I wouldn't need an external storage device. And having a quantum computer, what could I see and feel on the quantum level? I could go crazy and destroy everything or everyone." Marsha pulls out her crystal and holds it as it starts to glow.
After about forty seconds, the glow stops, and Marsha puts her crystal away. She rubs her head and looks at Betty. "You can't go crazy, Betty. If you remember, it uses life force. If you used too much, you would die. If you had a life force generator, you could lose your marbles, leaving you in a reset position. Would you lose your personality? My crystal is unsure. So technically speaking, if you went crazy, you would just reset to default settings. My crystal says that safeguards can be implemented to prevent that."
"As for the Quantum level, what you can do and see my crystal said would be amazing. I can't comprehend all I was shown, but one of the things you could do would be to travel in and out of our reality." Like teleport"? "Well, that's one way to describe it." "But my son already does that. Teleport, I mean." "He does? Can I check him out"? Betty nods her consent. Marsha pulls out her crystal and, going to the sleeping pile of kits, touches Marc. After a few, she stands up and puts her crystal away.
"How do I say this? Your son Betty has a quantum signature. I have a suspicion. Can I check you out"? "Sure, but why"? "I was wondering how you got into the past. Did it have something to do with a Quadratic drive"? "Not sure what a Quadratic drive is. We went back using a broken Menushion stellar wormhole drive." Marsha removes her crystal again and touches Betty with her glowing crystal. When she removes it, she smiles at Betty. "You, Betty, have the same Quantum signature.
The Quadratic drive signature is quite pronounced. I don't know who the Menushions are, but if their drive acts like a wormhole. Then that would explain the unique signatures of you both. You said you went back with Thomas and Jessica. They probably have the same signature." "I'm sure they do. They can teleport like my son." "Interesting. In that case, I can see your son being able to teach you as well. His body and your body have been changed. His by gestating in your signature, and yours by the drive. You are no longer fully in our universe. You are anchored here in our reality but have aspects of the quantum realm. Your son was steeped in your quantum signature, so it's natural for him to have the same signature, just a little weaker. Or so my crystal is telling me."
"Wow, this is something new. And you're sure I could learn how to teleport"? "Pretty sure. My crystal can probably teach you as well. But once you have a quantum computer brain, it will all become second nature to you. What else you could do would be up to you." Again, I'm not sure I want all that power." "Power is only defined by how you use it. It's neither good nor bad. I'm sure you can learn to use it properly." "I can help you, Mom. I've had years of practice." Says Marc rolling away from the pile and standing up.
"How have you had practice"? "My spirit roamed free in the quantum realm while in the cryonic tube. Gab had blocked this memory from me and returned it when we learned about Garth. Gab kept me safe and taught me some things about the quantum realm. I learned a few things on my own. The cryonics tube I was in was slightly malfunctioning. The harmonics were off. It was vibrating at the quantum level. When you placed me in it, Mom, my soul was separated from my body, and I dived into the realm. My quantum signature harmonized with the tube. Gab brought me back to our universe after I got lost. He changed the harmonics of the tube and anchored me in our reality. Time doesn't work in the quantum realm.
There is no forward or back, but more of an up and down. That's the best I can describe it. It's like trying to explain colors to a blind mammal. Until you experience it, you won't know what I mean." Betty brings Marc into a hug and starts to cry. "I'm sorry, son, I've done you wrong. I should have protected you better." "It's ok, Mom, you didn't know. Besides, I'm in a unique position to teach others now. Marsha has a control and information node. I don't think she can explain what she sees, but I'm sure we can understand some of it over time."
"You're right, Marc. I don't understand half of what my crystal has shown me. But I really would like to." "With your crystal, you are a quantum mechanic. So, in time, you will understand most of it. Alex's welder is a quantum device. That's why he can weld at a molecular level. With some training by you, he can become a quantum mechanic as well. You both should be able to teach others how to weld with his device. I am sure he's not the only one with the right mindset to weld with his welder. It doesn't require a quantum signature to use, or a crystal, but it helps. But for now, we will have to wait for the quantum computer to be built. Small Quantum devices will have to be built for the average person."
Vivian seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to children. While they talked, Johnathon stuck his head out of the bassinet, and seeing no one watching him, he jumped out and landed clumsily on the floor. He gets up to run. But is scooped up by Vivian as he does so. "Oh, you little imp, what am I going to do with you"? She says, cuddling him to her breast. Johnathon sighs and, in a high squeaky voice, "Down, please." Elisabeth's paws fly to her muzzle at his first words. Vivian stood there in shock when he spoke. "Well, Grandma, I guess it's time to cage off this area. This is a lot earlier than expected." "Your right, If I could get some help, please, we need to get some dividers for this area." Elisabeth takes her son while the rest get up to get the dividers. Soon they cordon off the small area they are in. Elisabeth sets Johnathon down on the floor. She scoops the rest of her kits out and places them on the floor as well. Ember and Sandy are in no rush to hit the floor.
Vivian takes out her phone to record the event. Johnathon takes a few hesitant steps but gets more confident and takes a few more steps down on all fours. His sister and brothers get up on shake paws and try to emulate him. All of them are slow at locomotion and hit their chins on the floor many times as their paws go out on them. But soon, they are walking all right, if but a little stiffly. Johnathon goes over to the sleeping pile to sniff them. Some of the kits wake up and sniff him back. Marsha and Betty have a tear in their eyes as the kits take their first steps.
John comes in at this point to see his kits walking around. He steps over the barrier as his kits all head for him. "Dad," they all cry in unison as he does. He's floored and stumbles to all fours. They glom onto his arms and legs, and all just stand there. John has tears in his eyes seeing his kits all walking. But also at their collective first word. He manages to shake them all off and goes to lie on a corner of the mat. They all toddle over to him. When they get close they all pounce on him with a collective growl. They all bite their father and worry the areas they bite. It doesn't hurt as they don't have teeth yet, and they have mostly clothes. John laughs as they do. "Help, love, a pack of Wilde predators has got me. Whatever shall I do"? Elisabeth laughs at the scene in front of her. "You're no help, love. They're going to eat me." Elisabeth laughs harder. John picks them all off and holds them to his breast. They all squirm for a bit, then settle down to sleep again. John just strokes them one and all. As he, too, falls asleep. Elisabeth smiles and gets lots of pictures for their family album. Mom and Dad were going to get a shock tonight seeing them run around the house, well, toddle a bit at first.
Marsha and Samantha take the rest of the kits out to the play/learning area. Samantha sits down with a storybook to read to her kits. Some of the other children realize the new kits are having story time, and they go and sit down to listen. Samantha is a great orator. Soon the noise level goes down to almost zero. All the children sat down in a semicircle around her to listen to the story. Some chairs are brought over, and most of the grandmothers and grandfathers sit down to listen as well. Samantha looks up from the book to take a drink and is shocked she has an audience. She covers her nervousness with another drink and begins to read anew.
As the Story ends, there are cries for more from the children. "Sorry, children, but my throat is raw. I can't speak more today, or I may lose my voice. But I will do another one tomorrow if my throat heals up a bit." Elisabeth, who had been listening to the story while her husband slept, came over to Samantha and laid a paw on her. Soon her scratchy throat is no more. Samantha looks up at Elisabeth with wonder. "We will talk later." She says as the noise level goes up to previous levels. Sam's kits all join in on the organized games and instructions. Several of the grandmothers expressed a wish for Samantha to read to the children in the afternoons.
Soon John wakes up. He picks his kits off his chest and places them back into the bassinet with a kiss to the top of all their heads. He kisses his wife and heads off back to work. Elisabeth follows a few minutes later.
Later in the afternoon, Samantha is called into MR. She leaves the kits with Vivian and heads over to the MR office. Once there, she is offered a job in the daycare. She accepts with a tear in her eye. MR offers her a key to her new apartment. Sam stares down at her paw with the key lying in it. She doesn't really need the key as the door will have a paw pad beside it. The key is symbolic. She is then handed her employee card for the complex. She gets a map to the building she will now be living in. She walks out of the MR office and back to the daycare with a dazed mind.
When she gets back to the daycare, Marsha asks if she's her new neighbor. Sam shows her the building's address. Marsha squeals and says that Alex and herself are on the fourth floor. Sam and the kits are on the second floor. At the end of the day, William, Amber, Betty, and Alex all come to collect their kits. Well, Alex comes to collect his wife. He can see the longing for kits and feels bad he hasn't been able to give her any yet. But "it sure is fun to practice," he thinks with a smile. William helps Vivian pack up her stuff and get Charlotte, John, and Oscar ready to go. They head out for the cars and home.
Samantha, Marsha, and Alex walk down the street with the kits running around and playing. They were warned to stay off the street, or the monsters would get them. They all heeded that warning. Soon they arrive at the apartment block. Mr. Hasher waves to them all from his window. They all go into the cafeteria for supper. As they stand in line, Alice twines herself around Alex. "Hi, big boy, you are kind of unusual." "Hi, Alice, do you remember my mate Marsha"? He points to his left side. Marsha gives her a bit of a look. "Of course, I remember her. I just like to touch males. You haven't minded in the past." "I didn't mind when I had no mate, but now that I do, could you please stop doing that"? Alice gets a pouty look on her face as she releases him. "Spoilsport." She says.
Alice then turns her attention to the kits. "Well, you are the cutest group of kits. What are your names"? Samantha speaks up. "Sorry, they have no names. Their father and I didn't give them names yet. We were in a situation that was not conducive to names." "What kind of situation was that"? "I'm sorry, Alice, until the story is released to the public, I can't talk about it." "Well, that's strange. Was it that bad"? "It was. Find me after they release the information, and if you still want to know, we will talk." Alice takes her leave of them with a sad look in her eyes.
Marsha, meanwhile, had ordered them all rice and stir-fried vegetables. Samantha ordered the drinks. Fizzy root beer for all the kits and herself. Marsha and Alex had cokes for themselves. Samantha showed the kits how to mix the rice and vegetables in the dish. When done eating, the kits all sat back and burped. With the fizzy drinks, it was quite epic. Smiles and laughter happen around the room. Samantha gets the dishes to return trays and goes back to the replicator. She then replicates chips and dips for later. She places it all on a tray, and they then head for the elevator.
The kits all stare into the tube as Alex is lifted up. He gets off on the second floor and soon returns to them by the down elevator. Samantha and the kits all jump in as one. It was exciting for the kits. They look down as Alex and Marsha step into the elevator below them. They wave up to the kits, and the kits wave down. "I see what you mean by needing underwear, Mommy." They all jump off on the second floor. As they go down the hall to their apartment door, Marsha and Alex jump out of the elevator to follow them. The door has two paw pads, one at adult height and one at kit height. Samantha then puts the key in the door. When she does, this disembodied voice talks to her.
"Please state your name and reason for entry." "Hi, I'm Samantha Hopps, and I was told this would be my new apartment." "You are correct. Do you have all your kits as well"? "I do." "Then let's begin. Samantha, could you place your right paw pad on the scanner, state your name, and look into the iris scanner, please"? Samantha does as directed. "Very good. Can you have the kits place a paw on the lower paw pad and say "Hi" one at a time, please"? Starting from the oldest to the youngest." Samantha gets started with Stuart and Britney. They are older than her kits. Then the rest of the kits do the same thing. Samantha tells the kits who's next. All the kits say hi to the voice. "Thank you all. Do you wish parental controls on the door"? "Yes, please, until such time as their father and I say differently." "Where is the kit's father"? "He is in a repair tank having his wounds healed." "Will you bring him by for identification"? "I will when he's better." "Very good. You may now enter the apartment. The key will not be necessary in the future. But please don't lose it." The door clicks open, and they all enter the apartment.
Marsha and Alex follow them in. Marsha's bag is on the floor by the door. The kits all bound in and stare at everything in the living room. There are a few gaming consoles and a big TV sitting in front of a long couch. The couch is big enough for a wolf to lie down upon. "Mommy, what is that thing in front of the TV." She asks, pointing to the couch. "It's called a couch, little one. We sit on it to watch TV. The table in front of it is called a coffee table." "Is it made out of coffee"? Sam holds in a snicker. Marsha and Alex are not as successful. "No, little ones, it's not made of coffee but wood. It's called that as it's a place to set down coffee and other drinks." "Can we all watch a movie, Mommy"? "We could, but what do you suggest we watch? Stuart and Brittney have never watched a movie before. I'm sure you all can come up with a good first movie for them." The kits all go into a huddle and talk fast. Stuart and Britney are left out of the huddle. The rest decide what should be the first movie.
"Can we all watch Beauty and the Beast"? "Don't you think it could traumatize Brittney and Stuart"? "We don't think so, mommy. If it does, we will soothe them. It's only a story, after all. Just like the story, you read this afternoon, only with pictures." "Your right. Now we only have to find nutflix on the connection." "You can use Alex's, and I's password until you get your own." Marsha picks the remote off the coffee table and activates everything. She finds nutflix and, entering her password, searches for Beauty and the Beast. "Which version do you want to watch? They have an animated version and a live-action version." "Can we watch the animated version, please"? "Animated it is." Marsha selects the movie, and they all proceed to sit down on the couch.
Most of the kits fall asleep before the end. Britney and Stuart were the only ones still awake at the end. The chips and dip went over great with everyone during the movie. At the end, Marsha helps Samantha with putting all the kits to bed. She then hugs Sam. Alex and her leave for their apartment. But warn her the day starts early with an exercise routine led by Thomas and Jessica.
Samantha thanks her as she closes the door to her new home. She wanders through the rest of the apartment. The kitchen is fully loaded, and she is sure she can make many delicious meals here. There is a small laundry room by the kitchen pantry, which is fully stocked. There is a massive bed in the master bedroom. Samantha unpacks her bag into the dresser and gets ready for bed. She crawls between the sheets and calms herself to sleep. "Get out of that tank soon, Garth. I miss you." She thinks as she falls asleep.
FROM THE STAR NEWS
By Chris Beaverton
We have some sad and terrible news to impart to the good people of Zootopia. Three days ago, a meat farm was discovered about a thousand miles away. Yes, you read correctly, a meat farm. One Brian Forester was the owner of this farm. We have found out that he participated in the atrocities committed on this farm. It was listed as a grain farm on the tax rolls and did just that to avoid suspicions. But its real purpose was the dissemination of meat and meat products.
The computer expert had found the invoices on the computer. All people who had bought meat products were arrested and charged with accessory to murder. All told, one hundred and fifty-two people were charged. Most for multiple accounts. Not all were from Zootopia, but some were. Six other cities on this continent were implicated. The suppliers in those cities were shut down and arrested. The suppliers from our city were shut down several years ago by Daniel and Susan Wilde. They didn't have time or chose not to start up again in Zootopia.
All assets of the accused were seized. Most will have their day in court, but the ones at the "Feast" won't. Their guilt is evident. The video evidence proved they were there and enjoying the "Feast." Not all of the guests at the feast were predators. Some were prey mammals. The assets of Brian Forester and this group of mammals were seized. His businesses and theirs here in town and in other cities were shut down and are now on the auction block. All of these mammals have been sent to the "Ice House." There they will remain for the rest of their natural lives. The "Ice House" is so far north as to be totally inaccessible. There are over a thousand miles from the snow line to the "Ice House." Inmates have to be flown in and dropped from cargo planes. The guards are rotated in and out by the same cargo planes. They are scooped up in cargo nets. I'm told it is quite an uplifting experience.
My heart goes out to the families of the victims. They are having a hard time identifying all the victims, so if you have a missing loved one, contact your local police department and have a DNA test performed on yourselves. They may not be able to identify all the victims, but with the DNA samples, they should be able to identify most of them. I know this isn't what you want to read, but it's better knowing than not.
