Chapter 1: The all-important first lesson…
Zootopia….Precinct One….4:55 pm
Detectives Hopps and Wilde had finally managed to finish the last of their paperwork and were getting ready to go home for the day. Their desks were the hallmark of their respective personalities; Judy with her organized and orderly desk and Nick with papers scattered around, pens, pencils and paperweights keeping the ordered chaos from blowing away.
It being summer, the nearby fan on the filing cabinet was turned on, trying to beat back the heat that had built up throughout the day.
"So Nick, what's the plan tonight? You want to stay in, or maybe we could go out, catch a movie?"
"Ya know, it's been awhile since we just walked and talked, plus there's that new park that opened up near our place."
"At night?" Judy asked, skeptical.
Nick chuckled, "Oh Carrots, it's well lit, and besides, it's not like we live in a bad part of town. I've seen couples go there a lot, I kind of wanted to share that with you." He smiled warmly.
"Mmm, sounds perfect, actually." She smiled, a small blush on her cheeks.
"I have my moments," he replied, continuing his eternal smile.
Nearby there was a small commotion, a few officers came out of the break room and turned on a nearby TV, flipping through the channels
"Yeah, it's the same thing out here," said one officer.
"What's going on?" said another.
"Is it one of those test things?" said a third.
Judy's ears turned towards the sound from the TV, a high pitched tone usually of the emergency broadcast system to get people's attention, her head turned along with Nick's. They stood from their chairs and walked over.
The tone was accompanied by a stylized logo saying "Zootopia welcomes you" from the many city billboards, but the colors inverted and the letters distorted. The tone and logo disappear and clips from various news broadcast began to play, each only a second in length. Judy recognized a few of them, one from the Gazelle protest during the savage case, others from the near riot that broke out afterwards. The rest were seemingly stock footage of violence and chaos, imagery and sounds to illicit an emotional response of fear. Then the screen went black again and a voice began to speak. Deep, guttural, and booming, each word enunciated in proper Zootopian.
"Greetings, Zootopia… I apologize for interrupting your regularly scheduled programming."
Judy turned to notice every mammal in the station, police, cuffed criminal and civilian had their attention locked onto the screen. Judy could almost feel that the entire city was doing the same.
"They say that in Zootopia "Anyone Can Be Anything". Affectionate words listed on billboards and media for the city."
"The truth of those words is as hollow as the mammals who wrote them…"
"Words created by prey to alleviate the guilt of the suffering they wage on predators every day."
"The suffering they wage is not one of physical harm, but it is violence against them nonetheless."
"It is the suffering caused by instilling hope, when there is none, of creating the illusion of something that doesn't exist."
"In truth, there is a danger in this city. But it isn't that of savage predators."
The black screen cut to a clip of Judy's press conference, the clip with its focus changed and its color values distorted for effect.
"…it may have something to do with biology….."
"…a biological component. You know, something in their DNA…"
"…Thousands of year ago… Uh, predators survived through their a-aggressive hunting instincts…"
"….We must be vigilant. And we at the ZPD are prepared and are here to protect you….."
The screen cut to a stock shot of the police station, the mayor's office and various other well-known Zootopia landmarks, the voice returned.
"The true danger lies in the duplicity of prey; they pretend to be our friends, our neighbors, and yet in a moment all of that connection drops away to fear and distrust."
The audio cut, and played what clearly sounded like a recording, the words of which made Nick and Judy look to each other in absolute bewilderment as to how it could have been captured.
"So let me ask you a question? Are you afraid of me? Do you think I might go nuts? You think I might go savage? You think I might try to EAT you!" said the recording
For a moment afterward there was silence.
"They are afraid of you."
"But I will show them. Teach to them, that there is something else to be afraid of." said the voice.
The video cut to a live shot of the equality monument in Sahara Square, the structured rocks arranged in a beautiful fashion, resembling a pinnacle. The mammals walking along it and on top of it unaware of the fact they are being watched.
"This is the so called 'Equality monument' erected to symbolize the mutual cooperation of the predators and prey in the building of this city."
"However, this is nothing but a cheap knock off; the real pride rock this monument was based off was bulldozed to make way for 'progress' years ago."
"It is a lie but in so doing, it tells us the truth. Erected by prey, as food for the spirits of uneducated masses."
"And it fits too, because it is full of lies, and to predators, leaves a bad taste in the mouth."
"Some people will call me a terrorist, but I like to think of myself as a teacher."
"And Judy Hopps will be my star… pupil."
The station gasped as the voice addressed her by name, some glancing in their direction
"Lesson… Number… One."
"Equality… there is no such thing."
The station went deathly quiet a moment, Judy could feel her heart beating against her chest, her purple eyes fixed on the TV. She could swear her heart stopped when it happened.
There was a series of flashes, like demolition charges, the resounding pop, similar to popcorn in a microwave. Then the deep rumble of the earth, the monument's familiar shape distorting as it fell towards the ground, huge clouds of dust began filling the air as the dirt was cast skyward, the mammals on the monument disappearing behind the debris. The larger rocks hit with an impacting thud causing the audio on the television to turn to static, but the deep resounding bass of the impact resounded with such force that it was heard and felt at the station. The vibration rippling into Judy's footpaws.
Within seconds the monument was gone, replaced by a pillar of dust, the screams of the mammals rang out. The abject shock kept everyone frozen, even after the rogue transmission cut back to the 'Zootopia Welcomes You' logo, now changed to look as though it was covered in blood, and then black, the regular broadcast coming back into view.
The silence was broken as the phones started to ring, every line, every phone, rising into a cacophony of angels crying out in sorrow. No one able to do anything until a familiar voice of the cape buffalo rang out into the station. All eyes turned to Chief Bogo.
"Higgins! Mute the phones, now!" the chief ordered.
The hippo went over to the desk sergeant and quickly hit the mute button on the phone system, the cacophony silenced as quickly as it started.
"Listen up, I know what you're thinking, what you're feeling. But we have a responsibility to get keep it together. We trained for this, so just keep your heads about you and concentrate on doing your jobs." said the Chief.
"Trunkaby, Grizzoli, Fangmeyer. Coordinate with Zootopia General, ask them what they need from us in terms of assistance."
"Delgato, Wolford, Snarlof. Blockade duty, secure ways in and out for the ambulances and rescue crews."
"Everyone else, get to the site and start pulling people from the rubble."
"Chief! What about these suspects?" called out Higgins, pointing to the two wolves in custody.
"Cut 'em loose, we don't have time to process them."
"And YOU TWO!" The Cape Buffalo pointed at the suspect wolves.
The two wolves locked gazes with a very angry buffalo.
"Go home! And tend to whatever families you have." He ordered.
The two wolves nodded obediently as Higgins took off their cuffs and muzzles.
"Hopps, Wilde, Frost! You're riding with me," called out the chief.
"We are going to get through this, and when we are done, we are going to go after this son of a bitch with everything we got," he said, trying to motivate his officers.
Later…
Nick and Judy went with Bogo in the ZPD mobile command center, which looked like a long RV; the inside had banks of monitors, computers, phones and various electronic equipment even a small planning board for coordination. Frost was at the wheel driving towards the crime scene in Sahara Square, sirens blaring, lights flashing, making haste but keeping it on the road. Bogo, Nick and Judy were in the back conversing.
"Now you know I have always been supportive of your friendship with those Bureau 13 mammals, but I need to know. Does this have to do with them in ANY way? I don't have to tell you what my response would be if this is connected to some secret operation or anything like that." said Bogo.
Nick and Judy simply shrugged.
"Chief, we are as in the dark as you are, but I'm sure Kaiden and Kit would have told us if there was any impending threat to the city. I don't think they would keep such a thing to themselves." She said.
"You're sure?"
"I've trusted them with my life, sir. They would give their all before letting harm come to the city."
"Look I'm sorry to question, but I have to ask. I didn't get much of a chance to know them as well as you did."
"I understand sir," replied Judy.
"Do we have any idea of anything Chief?" asked Nick
"Right now Wilde, we are reacting, in fact I venture in twenty four hours or less, we will have every law and intelligence agency at our front doorstep, pretty much an alphabet soup we will have to wade through." Replied the Chief.
"In fact, I'm surprised that—" Bogo was interrupted by the chirp of one of the phones to his right. He picked it up, clutching it to his ear. "Yes, Mayor Deveraux…" He addressed knowing who it was.
"Yes sir, we are on our way to the site right now...I already have my teams working with medical and fire personnel...Yes sir… Yes sir… At this point, we are focusing on rescue efforts...I understand… You have my full assurance that forensic procedure will be preserved, but not at the expense of lives sir...Thank you sir… You can reach me by calling this line, I will have an officer in the MCC at all times."
Bogo hung up the phone.
"Well the mayor was watching TV like pretty much every other Zootopian tonight, I suspect he will be making a statement within an hour or so," commented Bogo.
"Frost! When we get there, park it next to the FDZ command truck."
"Got it," called out Frost.
When they got there, Frost found and parked next to the red mobile command truck of the Fire Department of Zootopia.
Over the next few hours, police, firefighters, paramedics even fellow citizens had lent a paw in rescue and recovery. The monument which now lay in abject ruin had mammals of all sizes crawling over it like ants on a hill, pulling out wounded and the dead alike. Normal citizens caught in a seemingly random act of terror, whose only crime was being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Judy and Nick had lent a paw in the efforts, recovering and digging people out. Nick was using his nose to sniff for mammals and helped to guide rescue crews, using his innate hunting instinct to find and recover the many animals that were buried, and Judy using her sharp hearing and small size to listen for the muffled calls for help from inside and squeeze lower into the rubble, tending to those she found with the first aid supplies.
All in all the recovery effort took over eight hours, recovering over 150 animals, many were injured, many more were dead. As an exhausted Judy and Nick had come back to the support area, near the ZPD's mobile command center, other rescue workers grabbing a quick drink or more supplies before heading back out, they went to a nearby folding table where there was a large water cooler and nearby stacks of cups. Nick has dispensed two cups of water, handing one to the tired bunny.
She up ended the cup, downing the cool contents in one or two gulps before going back to dispense some more, she winced in pain as she tried pushing the button on the dispenser, but thirst compelled her to do so regardless.
After getting her fill, she looked at her paws, they were rubbed almost raw from the grabbing, pulling, climbing and clambering. Several small cuts and scraps were on the palms of her paws, the moisture in the skin and fur were gone leaving a dry and rough feel to them, her fingers hurt to move. Nick noticed her staring at her paws and came with a moist napkin, taking each paw and wiping them down, washing away the grit and dirt, and to provide cool relief.
"It's ok, Carrots. Let me." As he wiped her paws.
"So many…" she said softly.
She turned to glance at the rubble pile that was now all that was left of the equality monument. She had ignored the glances and looks she had been getting all night, from other officers, they had all heard the broadcast. This was done for her benefit, this horrible mammal who exacted this bombing was as he said, "teaching" Judy Hopps. For what reason, no one knew, but by indicating her by name no less, they felt that in some strange way she shared responsibility for this.
Many questions were sure to be asked in the hushed tones and whispers, yet for now, there was the job, find people, rescue them, get them to help. Questions and reasoning will come later.
Judy could feel their gazes, and normally was not one to shrink from such glances, felt as though she was under a very uncomfortable microscope. Part of her wanted to run and hide, not from this bomber, but from the gazes of her fellow officers.
Nick was well aware of this, he could see the expressions on their faces, and hers. He wanted to take her away from this, hopefully soon Bogo would rotate out responders, bring in another shift if necessary, and not let her volunteer for another trip back to the pile. In his mind, more than just the victims of this horrible event, he realized someone out there was thinking of his favorite bun and in a most unfriendly way.
Nick's neck fur bristled at the thought, his general anger transmuting to more specific. "Whoever you are, if you try to hurt her, I will kill you." He thought, thinking of the unknown assailant.
Chief Bogo had stood in front of the assembly of mammals with a bullhorn, and spoke into it.
"Firstly, I want to thank you for your quick and precise action. We saved a lot of lives tonight, be proud of that."
"I know a lot of you are angry, even confused as to what happened this evening. I want you to know that every effort is going to be made in finding this perpetrator."
"Justice will be served, that's a promise. Wherever it may go, whoever it may lead to. Justice WILL be served."
"I am being told by search and rescue that we have found the majority of the victims, that the volume now is able to be managed by a smaller team. So clean up, get yourselves home and get some rest."
"Because tomorrow we run this bastard to ground, dismissed."
The cape buffalo disappeared back into the command truck, a few minutes later Gideon Frost comes out, walking over to Judy and Nick.
"Hopps, Wilde, the chief wants a word." Said the silver white timberwolf.
The duo followed Frost into the truck. Inside, the chief was sitting down, Judy and Nick managing to catch the end of the conversation as he talked into a speakerphone,
"….effort is going to be made to catch this terrorist."
"I would be careful at throwing that term around, Chief Bogo. I don't want to start a panic," warned the Mayor
"Sir, this was a political target, the broadcast on television can't be interpreted any other way, I would already say that the city is in panic, sir."
"Granted, but it's your responsibility not to let this get further out of hand."
"I will do as best I can, sir."
"You catch him Bogo, I want him caught, and I mean NOW! I don't want this to be the embassy all over again, and we never find the bastard."
The buffalo huffed as though he had just been insulted. "Yes, sir." He politely replied, talking out the side of his mouth, before pounding the disconnect button. The chief turned his attention towards the duo. "Sorry about that. I just wanted to say 'that I need you to be on your paws especially you Hopps, since you were addressed by name. Be careful."
"Yes, chief, you can count on me."
"I want you to take point on this."
"Of course, sir." she nodded.
"I'm serious, in a few hours, the FIB, MIA, and several other agencies will be at our door step, I need you to represent the ZPD in the investigation."
"What about you?"
"I'll be too busy coordinating the logistic and administration angle, this is the part of the job I hate. I need YOU to be my eyes and ears. And don't let them push you around."
"I won't sir."
"Good, because a representative from the FIB will be meeting up with you, working for the JTTF."
"JTTF, Sir?"
"Joint Terrorism Task Force."
"And who's the representative."
"I didn't catch a name, but I was told this mammal will meet you in your office at eight am."
"We won't let you down sir."
"Good, now go get some rest, the both of you, we need the Hopps and Wilde duo now more than ever. Dismissed."
The Judy gave a sharp but tired salute and they left the trailer, catching a ride back to the station with one of the officers heading that way.
When they arrived home they didn't say much, whether it was the exhaustion or simply the weight of the entire ordeal or maybe both, at least that is what Nick assumed. He watched as Judy answered the plethora of text messages that were bombasting her phone asking if she was alright, which resulted in a muzzletime call, Judy had sat at the table and comforted her parents, they had seen the broadcast and subsequent news coverage. Nick stepped into the other room to call his mother to let her know of the situation. This bombing had riled up the sensibilities and complacency of the whole city.
Nick had to calm down and reassure his mother about the whole situation, as if now realizing the danger of his new profession, but the interesting thing was the flow of the conversation was about Judy. Nancy Wilde was a smart vixen and was aware that whatever crosshairs were out there, they were pointing squarely at Judy Hopps and anyone close to her.
A few months ago shortly before the Rush case, Nick had told his mother that he and Judy were a couple. Ironically, this was something the vixen had long expected. She had met Judy three times before then, the first was at Nick's graduation and even then she had displayed the classic Wilde smirk when he took a picture of the two together. Even at that early stage, she suspected something. Out of the many people to come and go into her son's life, this young rabbit named Judy Hopps made Nick change for the better. A sign as she took it, for better times.
After Nick had finished his phone call with his mother, and the exchange of 'I love yous' to end the call, it only made Nick more concerned. Not much in this world would rattle the cage of his mother, and if she was concerned, then the danger was real and immediate.
Nick trotted back out to the den and saw Judy finishing up her phone call to her parents, her nervous smile and understatements of the situation, trying to play it off like it was no big deal. This was the stark contrast between how Nick and his mother vs Judy and her parents, she would try to minimize, conceal or otherwise obfuscate the truth from them, while Nick would face it head on. Perhaps the product of urban living vs country living, Nick wasn't sure.
Judy had taken Nick to her parents once before back during the early days of their partnership and at the time friendship, she had introduced him to her family, to which the brothers, sisters, cousins took to Nick, he suspected that her father did not, being the protective patriarch that he was, Judy's behavior would change in the face of her father. It took the fox by surprise at first to see that side of her, gentle and kind and a bit of a Daddy's girl, when he had known her as a tough, enthusiastic and eager to prove herself kind of rabbit. But then again, that was then, when she DID have to prove herself, and her value WAS of question.
But that was seemingly a lifetime ago, before a lifetime of conspiracies and cases, and societal upsets, of personal growth and confidence. Back when each had their assumptions about the other and about how they thought the way world worked.
While mulling over all these thoughts a question came to mind, at first it seemed trivial especially given the light of current events, but of course this is when these kinds of questions often rear their heads. However given the many thoughts that must be coursing through his favorite bun's head, silence seemed the best course, it wasn't worth the argument that might start in light of exhaustion and stress.
The two of them went through the routine they always do, Nick would make dinner, Judy would set out their uniforms for the next day, they would take turns hitting the shower, trading nuzzles and kisses throughout the evening. Usually followed by either watching of a favorite show or saved movie on the DVR, or more romantic pursuits. However not tonight, not with the spectre hanging over the city, that had reached into their happy home and created an air of anxiety and fear.
They sat in bed, in silence, hearing the sounds of the outside world, holding each other, enjoying the warmth and contentment of each other's embrace. He could feel her apprehension; he had never known her to be this way nor himself. He petted her head, and nuzzled her cheek.
"What's the matter Carrots?" Nick asked.
Judy remained in silence for a few moments and then finally looked back at Nick, looking into his emerald eyes.
"People died Nick….and it's my fault."
"What?!" he asked incredulously.
"How can you say that?"
"You heard it Nick, whoever this mammal is, he bombed that monument….killed and hurt so many people…..just to 'teach me a lesson'."
"You can't blame yourself for that, Carrots."
"Yes, I can…This last year, we've changed things, and I mean BIG things."
"We've toppled a mayor and deputy mayor, we got involved in a generations old conspiracy, AND ended it, and busted a major drug ring, run but one of the former members of said age old conspiracy."
"And that's not to mention of the OTHER cases, lesser exciting ones we've investigated for the last 6 months."
"Whoever has a bone to pick with me, could be anyone."
"I hope you're not lumping me with 'anyone', Carrots." Nick replied with a jovial tone.
"Nick, stop it, it's no time to joke." She replied back with a slight playfulness.
"Hey…..we'll get through this, we always do." He said trying to reassure her, holding her chin with his thumb and index finger.
"How do you do that?" she asked, changing the subject.
"Do what?"
"Make me feel better?"
"What do you mean?" he asked innocently.
"You know what I mean, you have this way where you can say things, just so, and it makes me feel warm inside, and I just…..feel better."
"It's because I love you, you silly bunny." Nick replied with a loving smile.
"I really believe that….I mean I can feel it from you." She said hugging him extra tight.
Nick gave her a soft smile.
"Always Carrots, always."
"You sure you still want to run around with me?" she said playfully.
"Yes, Carrots."
"Even if we get a low life expectancy as a result?"
"I would rather have a day with you then live the next 50 years without you. You know that." Nick replied.
Judy looked at him strangely, as if suddenly struck by a distant thought.
"Wait…you've said that before."
"No I haven't." he retorted.
"You sure?"
"Pretty sure."
"It's not like a movie quote or something?"
"No, Carrots, one hundred percent, Wilde certified."
"I just…..I just could have sworn I've heard you say that before."
"Déjà vu?"
"Maybe…"
Sleep finally found the pair, couched in each other's arms, it was a worried and listless sleep, for they knew with the coming morning, the real task would begin.