Three Strikes

by Timelong

The duo of Wilde and Hopps were tasked to track down a pair of suspicious characters due to, for once, their small size being an asset. So when they do find these characters, a pair of pilots, Judy's luck of turning even simple cases into complex conspiracies turns up again as Zootopia finds itself getting involved with a war that until now, was just another thing on the news.

46. Chapter 46

Chapter 46: New Arrivals. A Concert

"I just wanted to check something with you, rabbit. You're Judy Hopps, right? From the news?" Mead smirked down at the officer. "The one who drove Zootopia completely crazy with fear over how us predators were losing our minds and attacking everyone?"

Alone with Avril in the mechanic's hotel room, helping her get ready and then drive the both of them down to Gazelle's concert, Judy felt a pang of annoyance start to swell up from deep within her. "Yeah, that was me," she relented, always hating it when someone remembered that part of her very first case. "What of it?" Lucky Nick was already with the other officers setting up the security operation in the charity concert. Why did she have to be stuck with ferrying Mead over there?

Mead shrugged. "You get long well enough with the other cops. Your partner's a fox. Trigger didn't kill you yet. Figure you can't be all that bad then. No, my reason's simple. Wasn't what you found also the same stuff the Urusians hit us with?"

"Nighthowlers," Judy explained, eager to see that this conversation wasn't going where she feared it was. "Farmers grow them around organic produce fields to keep the pests down. Thing is, the stuff that keeps the bugs away? In a high enough dose, and you feel it too. Acts differently too. Bugs quickly figure out to just fly away. Or they drop dead. Mammals on the other paw go into hyper-aggression, and well? You've seen the news. Farmers are so used to just knowing to avoid eating nighthowlers, that the rest of society forgot what ingesting them looks like. Then Bellweather got that idea to concentrate it and turn them into a drug."

"And Urusia thought they can do better..." Avril brushed away at the wrinkled on her dress, looking quite disgusted by it. "First and only time I've seen the airbase all on the same side for once. How do I look?"

Judy bit back a grin. "When was the last time you ever wore a dress?"

"A very longtime ago..." Avril let out an irritated huff. "This one's not even mine." Her muzzle soften a bit as she brushed away at it. "Does hide the leg brace quite well though, which I won't complain too much. I don't- err, hate dresses, just haven't worn one in years. No matter how nice one it, can't hold a candle to nice work pants and a shirt you don't care about ruining. But since everything I have withing grabbing distance is covered in oils and who knows what else... Shame docs said the brace has to stay on for another half a year. Healed back at the wrong angle or something. But yeah... What's his name cop lent it to me from one of his sisters or something. That wolf… I can't remember his name, but Count and Trigger said he can be trusted. But between something covered in engine grease or something else soaked in diesel, it's not like I own anything that can be worn to a concert." Her nose wrinkled as she took a whiff of her arm. "But perfume? Don't get me started. I'd rather bathe in hydraulic fluid before putting something like this on again!"

"If it makes you feel any better, I know several people who share that attitude," Judy commented, rather enjoying how fish-out-of-water the mechanic was looking.

But her comment only got her a grunt. "And how many of them are being forced to go to a charity concert? And besides, you're one to talk, you're in your cop uniform. I'd much rather wear one of those than what I'm in now. Only hope that Tabloid appreciates the effort. Say, how does my fur look?" She held out her arms, slowly twirling in place.

This time, Judy did grin. "It looks wonderful! You cleaned it out yourself?"

Mead waved a paw dismissively at her direction. "Me? Clean? That's some amazing stuff you're smoking, rabbit! Nah, I went to a groomer's for that. Docs told me I really needed to go, and Tabloid didn't allow me to say no, concert or no concert. So as payback, I made sure to wear long sleeves and not let him see much. Think he'll appreciate it now?"

"Oh, he will." While Avril didn't look very convinced, Judy continued. "So how long have you and him been… you know? I wouldn't think the military would appreciate a pilot and mechanic getting together. Not that your unit was anything normal to begin with or anything, but still."

"What the army thinks, they can take it and shove it where the sun don't shine," Mead growled. "I don't work for them, and as soon as the war's over, I'm going to remind them that I'm a civilian and don't listen to them. Not like they need me so much that they're willing to turn a blind eye to everything. You think being forced to go to this concert is my choice? They know Tabloid and I are the only people back at base who can possibly drag Count and Trigger out of here, and they also know that they owe me for all of the crap they made up to get me to work on their aircraft for them. Say, that reminds me!" Hurrying over to a drawer, she grabbed and showed off a magazine. "Got it this morning. Look, I made the news!" Magazine held where Judy can see the cover, it showed a photograph of some military aircraft parked on a pavement field somewhere.

One of them was sporting an unmistakable three thick, white lines crudely painted across the vertical stabilizer.

"That's you?" Judy grabbed the magazine, inspecting the cover. Although she knew already why Trigger was called 'Three Strikes', helped by many hours scouring the internet for news and confirmation, not to mention straight up being told by both pilots and Jack and Skye. But seeing the crisp, detailed picture plastered over the entire cover, with the caption teasing 'Is the Three Strikes Back in Action?', still brought upon a strange feeling from within her. Like two completely separate parts in her mind had to collide by seeing the image.

"Someone had to fly Laika over here," Mead proudly explained. "Tabloid flew Count's plane. And I don't trust anyone else other than Trigger to touch Laika, let alone fly her. Which, god only knows Trigger brings her back with a critical part or two falling apart at the seams every time he takes her up. That and, well... Not to mention it was the first time I was allowed to fly since…" her muzzle fell. "...That Starfighter was my last link I had to my granddad, and some fighter jockey destroyed it because they didn't bother to look at what they're shooting at properly.." She hid her expression behind a sudden forced frown. "But I'm sure Trigger already told you all of that."

"Humphrey did tell me about how you built a plane out of scraps in a boneyard," Judy confirmed. "Wanted to explain to us that not everyone in the unit were hardened criminals after we found out what kind of a place it was. Was he… not supposed to?"

Avril blinked. "By 'Humphrey', we're talking about Trigger here, right?" When Judy nodded, she let out an annoyed huff. "So how does a mere city cop like you know all of this stuff? And not just him, but I mean about all of us. Our unit. Zapland. Spare squadron. Would've thought-" she gave a slight shrug. "Don't take it the wrong way, but I would've thought someone would have rather put a bullet through you before letting you find that all out."

"Hum- Trigger and Count both went out of their ways to hide what the unit was like before we found out for ourselves," Judy clarified, hoping that the explanation will calm the mechanic down. "They might have let something slip out every once in a while by accident, but it was never anything that allowed us to piece together any clues. And we did have multiple ZIA agents trying to do just that!"

"That white striped rabbit and the arctic fox?" Avril asked dismissively. "I remember when the rabbit flew over to our base. McKinsey was furious that one of us cons would spill the beans when he wasn't looking. Made life rather hard for all of us, to be honest. But… Was nice to find out that Count and Trigger were still alive though, as we feared the worst… Would have been a stupid way to go too. We always thought that Trigger would get himself killed on some heroic but utterly stupid sacrifice to get one of the squad back safe. Never thought it was being a passenger on a transport plane that was the closest he got to buying the farm."

Judy waited for a moment, seeing if there was anything more. "You remember me telling you about those TAME collars? Trigger was hit with a full charge multiple times from it. Never did tell us why he was particularly vulnerable to it compared to Count. Would have really helped us out if we did know… We… To answer your question about we found out about your penal unit-"

The fact that she was on the clock and needed to help Mead get ready for the charity concert was somewhat forgotten as Judy propped herself on a convenient shelf as she ran through the events that lead to the 'mere city cops' to finally find out the truth. To her credit, Mead listened patiently even as she continued to get ready, allowing Judy's rundown of events to conclude with the two of them in her police cruiser and driving over to the concert location.

"-I still can't believe they forced bogus charges on Trigger," Mead complained with a groan, eyes once again fixed outside the window on the city passing by outside. "At least everyone knew my charges were shit, so even McKinsey was careful when it came to dealing with me, and made sure to give me a lot of leeway with what I was able to get away with. Okay… Being the main one who knows how to take piles of scrap and turn them into aircraft that turn into medals on his chest also helps. But we all thought Trigger was guilty as sin, no matter how hard he denied doing anything. Didn't do him any favors back at base with how he always complained that he was innocent, that's for sure. Hell, only reason I even bothered to talk to him was because I thought that he really did kill Hareling. Don't get me wrong, rabbit, but Hareling was the guy whose foreign policies killed my dad, so finding myself in the same place as the guy who supposedly killed him? Was almost disappointed to find out that Trigger didn't actually do it. Certainly didn't expect to find out that when I landed here yesterday. Does explain a lot about him, actually. Only a straight shooter would bother flying missions properly rather than floundering about like all the other pilots." Her ears and eyes perked up when she noticed them turning away from the concert hall and down a small alleyway instead. "Hey! Where are we going?" Another turn and they were driving inside a large indoor parking garage.

"Out back," Judy answered smugly, enjoying being the one in the know at this moment. "I'm helping work security, remember? If you want to feel special, call it the semi-VIP entrance if you will. Not the red carpet treatment, but no security either. Plus, you get your very own police escort! And since I can tell you're wondering, Nick is already inside, which means Tabloid too."

"...I thought the concert doesn't even start allowing people in for another half hour." Avril was looking around the parking lot, frowning at the completely packed place and slow crawl of other cars also looking for a spot. "Is it just me, or is this night going to be long and boring? With far too many people?"

Slowing down, Judy turned to look behind her despite still navigating the tight parking garage. "It's not going to be boring. It's Gazelle! If you get really lucky, you'll even meet her, seeing how you're here with us, the security detail and all! Might even get an autograph or two! Has to be better than being locked up in a military base!"

Avril snorted. "Sure, it's better! But that's the problem, isn't it? Getting bombed and shot at? Not a way I want to spend my time, but it's not boring. But Gazelle? I don't even like Gazelle."

"Ryan likes her a lot." Judy pointed out.

Avril stared back blankly. "Who?"

Judy let out a groan with a roll of her eyes. "Count! The guy you know as Count, also called Ryan Velveton. Count, Ryan. Trigger, Humphrey. Got it?"

"Whatever you say, bunny. Still don't like Gazelle."

Jaw dropping, Judy stomped on the brake, causing the car to lurch to a jerky halt. "Out." She pointed out the window.

"There's nothing there, just a parking space," Mead complained. "Are we there yet?"

"Out!" Judy motioned again.

"Bu-" Avril let out a huff of air. "You're angry that I don't like Gazelle." she pointed an accusatory claw at the back of Judy's head. "Isn't it?"

Judy gripped the steering wheel, eyes fixed firmly ahead. "I am not driving anyone who doesn't appreciate Gazelle," she said calmly but sternly. "This car will not be tainted by your negativity. So walk."

Mead didn't budge. "You can't do that to me, Hopps. What happened to police brutality?"

"Walking through a parking lot hardly counts. Or do I need to make you leave?"

The mechanic didn't budge from her seat. "Nah, I think I like being driven around," she said instead with a smirk. "Rabbit, I've been inside my hangar while bombs were exploding just on the other side of a thin tin-can shed of a wall. While I don't even know how I am left with what hearing I do have left, if you think your threat of making me walk is going to do anything-"

"I know about your surviving Urusian bombing runs," Judy cut her off. "You're not the first one to try and use that excuse on one of us. But come on! You've at least heard of Gazelle. You must know a song of hers or two. Which is your favorite?"

"I don't have one!" Mead complained. "She doesn't make the kind of music I like to listen to." When Judy didn't move away from staring intensely at her, she squirmed a little in her seat. "But if I had to pick one, 'Try Everything' was hardly a song that was able to be avoided, was it? Was playing on the radio nonstop only a few years ago, didn't it? Sure, go with that one."

Judy turned back so that she can actually finish the drive and park. "Good choice." While putting her attention back to the garage allowed her to get moving, it also meant that she wasn't able to see Mead's expression, even as she plainly heard the question right after.

"Might be just a nice concert for you, Hopps, but remember why it's happening. I was only given the basics of it, but you were there. So spit it out: How did they react to what they did to us? Count and Trigger, I mean. They must've gotten the news before any of us at Zapland did. So how were they?"

"They-" Judy hesitated. "...How much were you told?"

"Didn't ask them, if that's what you're wondering," Mead's voice from behind her spoke. "Was to busy giving them shit with Tabloid over the fact that they were here in the city while we were back there in that hellhole of an airbase. But they're still the same guys. I know Count turns into an emotionless brick, while Trigger was always a whiney-ass bitch. Sound about right?" Trust canines to go straight for those kind of insults.

The grip on the steering wheel tightened. "Avril, that 'whiney-ass bitch' lost his family in that attack," Judy reminded her carefully. "You of all people should know what that feels like."

"If you think I don't have any sympathy for him, think again," Mead answered back. "But if he expects to fly out of here in a few days and just get back to the war, think again. He's supposed to go back out there ready to kill people, not topple over from a slight breeze."

"We're here," Judy said simply, crawling the car to a parking spot close to the back entrance to their venue.

"Hopps? I'm not mean just because I like to be," Avril explained. "Sure, I get a lot a lot better with machines than I do with people. But can you blame me? I was raised by my grandpa in the middle of a desert! But it also means that I do know how what it means to lose those you care about the most… I'm not heartless. Just blunt. And I had years to get over my dad dying and my grandpa dying- and I still hadn't. I'm not expected to go and win the war though. Just fix up the tools that will allow Three Strikes to do so, as it were."

"You still don't need to call him names," Judy said as she got out of the car. Then opening the door for Avril, she further continued. "Especially when he's not here."

Stepping out of the car herself, the mechanic was sporting an unusual grin. "But he is. Or will be. So that changes things, doesn't it?"

Judy hesitated. While she didn't tell Mead her plan specifically, there was a reason why there were a couple of rather warm jackets tucked away in the back of the car, ready to be transferred to the plain white car parked next to theirs that she knew was Nick's plainclothes ride she had asked him specifically to bring over.

"Still not a reason to call him names" Judy said simply. "But I fear that this is something we can ague with to the end of time, isn't it? Seeing how arguing is not the reason we're here, so… Shall we?"

Walking over to the door, she pressed at the numbered keypad next to it using the code she was given. With a beep and reassuring thump of the bolt unlocking, the door let her know that she was allowed in. Pushing it open, she motioned Avril through before following the mechanic inside.

The sound of the bands performing their pre-show tuning echoed the inside of the halls they were in. For the importance of the event they just arrived to, the plain white painted walls looked completely… plain.

Mead certainly didn't approve. "Big grandiose concert, and we're inside a place that wouldn't look unusual at my old desert base of a home. Well done, Gazelle., I really applaud the effort."

Judy grunted in amusement. "I thought you'd appreciate the brutal efficiency of the back service corridors," she commented. "Can't say that you strike me as someone who would be into the velvet curtains and pretty lights of where guests are expected to be."

Grinning, Mead swirled her hips, letting the dress wave around playfully. "Seems like you understand me, Hopps," she teased. "Don't get me wrong – I love efficiency and functional forms when it comes to aircraft. The Starfighter is the most beautiful bird in the sky, and yes, I'll kill you if you disagree. But down here at a concert venue? Give me those velvet curtains any day of the week!"

"-I thought I heard you arguing back here, Carrots!" Nick turned a corner, walking over to them with a wide grin, a pair of radios in each of his paws. An equally amused Tabloid was trailing close behind, gesturing ever so slightly at Avril that he approved of her setup. "Took you two long enough to get here." He shoved one of the radios in Judy's direction. "To communicate with the entire security team if you need to, but really just for listening in." He flashed her a wink, tapping the radio. "I would say that these are rather nifty, but we're going to be stuck outside patrolling the street again, so use your regular unit instead. Though I also heard that they'll have us shuffle inside every now and then." He pretended to look nonchalant as he gave her a shrug. "Personally? I think it's just a way to make sure that each one of us will be able to hear at least a song or two, but hey, what can you do?"

Clipping the radio to her belt – and immediately reaching down to lower the volume as a radio check nearly deafened her ears, Judy had other immediate concerns. "If we're outside, where will Tyler and Avril be? And where's Ryan and Humphrey?"

Nick jabbed a thumb over his shoulder. "Out back, chilling," he answered like it was an obvious answer.

With a huff and barely a fraction of a second later, Mead was already pulling Tabloid away by the arm, dragging him down the hall. "We'll find our way. Let's go, Tabloid! Enjoy your patrol, officers!"

"You'll want to have your tickets with you though!" Nick called out after them, causing her to stop dead in her tracks. "Wouldn't want to be thrown out to the street with us officers for sneaking in, would you?"

Grumbling in complaint beneath her breath, Mead reached out for the very important papers. "Fine. But we're going to find Count and Trigger. Want to know where we are? Find them."

Knowing a losing battle as she saw it, Judy gave over the two tickets without complaint. And just like that, with barely a grunt of thanks for them, Tabloid and Avril were off, finding their own way to the main hall.

"You know," Judy mumbled to Nick with a hint of disapproval at how easily he let the two go, "it's not okay for them to just be walking in the back sections like that. Other security might think they broke through and are trying a stunt. Or worse."

Nick waked a paw in her direction. "You worry too much, Fluff! They'll be fine. Besides, I guarantee you all their doing is finding our pilots and whatever for the rest of the night as a group. Or-"

Judy raised an eyebrow. "...Or?" One of her ears twitched in annoyance as she heard the voices of some other group talking as they walked somewhere else in the building, but unfortunately also getting closer.

Another shrug. "I mean, I'm sure there are janitorial closets in this building," Nick said with a grin and a raised eyebrow, ignoring his partner's stunned jaw dropping to the floor. "Or a spare bathroom stall. Or-" He jumped out of the way of Judy's fist. "Just saying! You see how they both look at each other. And they've been in jail for the past how long! I wouldn't blame them."

"They better be going to find Humphrey and Ryan, Nick," Judy hissed. "I can't afford to keep a close eye on them and do my job here. Do you know how much trust I'm putting into your intuition instead of running after them in order to cuff them up and leave them locked in the car?"

"...Is everything all right, officers?" The accented voice of a certain famous singer interrupted their conversation. Whispering something to one of her tigers, he left along with a number of her group, heading away to continue with their preparation for the concert.

Smoothly, Nick turned to the source, Gazelle herself, flanked by a couple of assistants and a few of her backup tigers, as she stopped in her own work to look at the pair curiously. "We sure are. Just heading over to our posts." With a click of his tongue, he pointed at her. "You're doing a wonderful thing here today. Break a leg, Gazelle!"

Hiding a blush behind a slight dip of her muzzle, the singer quickly regained her composure. "I'm flattered, Officer Wilde. But I'm just an entertainer. I do what I can, but compared to what you and Officer Hopps do… How can I ever compare?"

"Well, Officer Hopps and I weren't the ones to stage an emergency charity concert," Nick answered quickly but gently. "In this case, you're the one doing far more than we can. But the compliment is appreciated by both of us." He playfully ruffled Judy's ears. "Isn't that right, Officer Hopps?"

"I- Uh- Uh-" Eyes wide, Judy was staring, transfixed at the singer, barely registering what was going on around her. Suddenly, one of her paws shot up in greeting. "Hi, I'm Judy Hopps!" Her greeting came out as barely more than a squeak.

Chuckling, Gazelle lifted a hoof to cover her mouth. "Oh dear, she's been starstruck," she commented. "Don't worry, it happens more times than I can mention. Don't feel bad about it." She smiled warmly down at the smaller officer. "Although I hoped that our first meeting wouldn't have been so… unprepared with you, Officer Hopps. At least for this city, you have made a far greater impact than I can ever hope to."

"I uh…" Slowly, Judy was starting to come out of her daze. "How do you know our names?" She lowered her arm, squeaking out an apology for her freezing. "I mean, you're Gazelle! Everyone knows who you are! But we're just cops! There's no way you can know who we are." She paused, coming to a realization. "It's the name tags, isn't it? You read the name tags. That's how you know our names-"

"Carrots, you're blabbering," Nick teased, further ruffling her ears in such a way that he knew that she hated, especially while at work.

"Sorry!" Judy squeaked again.

"It's okay, really!" Gazelle giggled. "I get this a lot. You're doing just fine, honest!" Although despite her reassurances, she tilted her head in confusion as Judy started to pat down her uniform vigorously, looking for something. "But… Are you okay?"

"Carrots, did you sneak Fru Fru in with your uniform?" Nick teased. "Or is that some kind of dance move you're trying to show off?"

Still patting down every single pocket and enclosure in her uniform, Judy looked close to a panic. "No, I'm looking for something. I swear I had it with me- Oh no." Letting out a groan of despair, her ears dropped behind her head. "It's in the car! I didn't think I'd run into Gazelle this soon, so I left it in the car!"

A still amused Gazelle took a few steps closer to Judy. "What did you forget?" She looked thoughtful. "Let me guess, a personal item you would like autographed? Tell you what? Find me after the concert, and I'll make sure to find the time for it. It's the least I can do to the officer who did so much to save the city from our crisis only a few years ago."

While Judy looked grateful, there was still a hint of uncertainty in her expression. "I, err… That would be great, really! Just… It's not actually for me, and I was hoping to get it signed right before the concert, not after."

Gazelle blinked. "Oh? Well, who is it for?"

"A friend," Judy said quietly, noticeably biting her lip. "He's been working with us here in Zootopia for the past several weeks, but he's… He's Ocelotian. And from Bana City..." While her voice fell and she didn't elaborate any further, she didn't need to.

"I think I understand," Gazelle answered back, equally as quietly, looking distraught at the news. "Must have been horrible. How's he taking… all of this?"

"Quite terribly, I'm afraid," Nick said, oddly bluntly and to the point. "Lost his family, had to find out about it in the news. So you can imagine how he's feeling right now. He is here though, at this concert. Not alone, by the way, even if we do need to work and can't be with him the entire time. Did… Have to practically force him to go, though. Thinks the whole thing is for a bunch of self-righteous Animalians to feel better about themselves without actually doing anything… You probably hear that all the time with any charity concert. So while I don't think he'll want to go and meet you for a signed album, or whatever it was Hopps wanted to bring to you..." Despite the rather dismissive statement, he patted Judy's shoulder reassuringly. "He might not look it, but if you do see him, we know that deep inside, he's grateful for what you're doing."

"I got him one of your compilation albums," Judy mumbled at her feet. "He's not that much into your music, so I picked one that I thought he would enjoy well enough despite not being familiar with it. And he'll need to leave back for Ocelotia in just a couple of days, especially because of what happened. I didn't want to leave him without something good to remember his time here..."

"A signed album is hardly enough to give at a time like this!" Gazelle insisted. "Lost his family? Oh, dios mio! I appreciate the effort, I really do, but a cheap album is not enough! Actually-" Turning around, she whispered something urgently to one of her helpers. With a silent nod and a wink to Nick and Judy, he turned back to where they came from and hurried away, walking swiftly. "I'm afraid I also need to finish preparing for the concert," Gazelle then told them, "but I think… I appreciate knowing that there'll be at least one person here who will benefit from it. Before I go, do you have a picture of your friend? Just in case I do run into him?"

Pulling her phone out with a nod, Judy took only a few moments to shuffle through her photographs before she found a good one. "Here, the coyote. Name's 'Humphrey'." She held the phone out to let the singer get a good look.

Gazelle's expression softened when she examined the picture. "I'll ask my team to keep an eye out for him," she told Judy as she gave the officer her phone back. "Thank you, Officer Hopps, for telling me this before the concert. For I too, was worried-" she flashed Nick a grin of her own, perfected by years in the music business, "that this was only going to be put on for a bunch of self-righteous Animalians." Turning to leave, she finished with, "I want the world to see that we all can put our skills to making the world a better place. I don't know how to shoot a gun, and dios knows I never want to learn. But I can sing. And if singing to help others is what the Lord brought me to this world to do, then that's what I will do." While turning to go and finish preparing for the concert, she stopped. "Where… Are you two going to be helping out inside, or outside?" she asked.

"We're starting out outside," Nick answered for Judy. "Will be rotated around to wherever we'll be needed. Not too many smaller poliece officers, right? We're usually in demand with calming down some of the smaller guests, especially Ol' Carrots here!" He again playfully ruffled Judy's ears, ignoring her protests at being treated as such right on front of her favorite idol.

"I'll make sure to have you two not waste the entire evening outside," Gazelle promised them with a nod. "Don't think of it as a favor– I'm sure we'll have more than enough trouble with a few overexcited patrons, but I can already tell it won't due to have you two patrol the parking lot the entire night. And thank you, really, for telling me about…" She froze, letting out a low groan. "Oh dios mio, I'm forgetting his name!"

"Humphrey?" Judy offered helpfully.

"Humphrey," Gazelle repeated. "I… Even one person here who has lost so much to too much. I'll give the best performance I can, not just for him, but for everyone like him, both here and in Ocelotia. They deserve it. Thank you again, Officer Hopps. I hope to see you after the end, when we're not in such a hurry, okay?"

Finally leaving the two officers alone, the singer and her entourage went off on their own way, the hall filling with an uneasy silence.

First to come around, Nick grasped Judy by the shoulder again. "Well Fluff, you finally met the one and only Gazelle, in person, and you didn't even have to wait in a long line to do so! Still alive?"

"Nick?" Judy groaned, tugging at her ears. "Nick, I froze! I was completely stupid! This wasn't an album signing or press conference. We just ran into her like… Like normal mammals! I got to talk to Gazelle, and all I did was freeze up and turn into a bunn-pawpsicle!"

"You were fine!" Her partner reassured her with a chuckle.

"No I wasn't!" Another groan. "Look, can we at least go to where we're supposed to be patrolling at least? Then you'll have all night to try and tell me exactly how I wasn't a dumb bunny!"

Nick couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, if you put it that way, Fluff…" Gently pushing her along, he guided her down the halls and off to the outside location where they were supposed to start their shift.

It was… all right. The majority of the guests arriving and leaving were clearly trying to maintain their best behavior considering the nature of the event, meaning that the crowds were noticeably more well behaved than the usual concert going crowd. Not that there wasn't the occasional individual or group who showed up just to go to a Gazelle concert, not caring about the nature of the evening if it meant it getting in the way of their fun. One small group of rodents was more than glad to show up with bottles nearly as large as they were…

...Which a very peeved Judy made sure to call in a car to drive them down to the station to sleep off their inevitable hangovers when they came back out a surprisingly short time later. Far better to have them sleep in a cell rather than allowing them to get into their own car to cause an accident somewhere down the road.

Still, there was certainly a fair amount of jealousy that came with having to stay outside and guide the guests and just passerbys to and fro rather than slipping indoors, a tempting idea that wasn't helped by the music coming out of the doors whenever they were opened to allow someone through.

Meaning that Judy practically jumped into the air, screaming with joy, when they finally got a radio call to let them know that their presence was being requested… Inside the event. Even better, as soon as she radioed back for clarification on the location, it was narrowed down to a table right inside the main hall.

"Jeez, Carrots, perhaps you shouldn't be letting your grin show quite this much," Nick taunted her as they headed over. "It's not like we won't be in, talk to someone for a few minutes, and be right out again. And don't you have this song downloaded onto your phone anyways?"

"Nick, you know perfectly well that there's a difference between a recording and a live performance," Judy answered swiftly with a roll of her eyes. And a bat at his tail. "And it's exactly that – One's a recording, and the other is a performance! So no, I'm not going to pretend not to enjoy this, even if we do need to work. Speaking of which, we should almost be there-" she paused, practically allowing Nick to run her over. "-Oh."

The table they were told to get to was tucked away towards a wall and against one of the many large pillars supporting the hall roof. And the seating surrounding the table on two sides was completely filled by a familiar but not unwelcome group of mammals. Count and Trigger were there, the coyote looking like he wanted to be anywhere else. As were Tabloid and Mead, looking by comparison quite comfortable enough in their small Ocelotian 'squad' making up half the table. Opposite them, James sat next to a white furred female wolf Judy thought she saw a few times at the precinct. What was her name again? Dahlia was there too, arm in a white sling, was looking quite comfortable sitting between Mike and Ethan. Their cub, looked quite uncomfortable in the barely formal attire his parents got him to dress into.

"There you two are!" Count raised a glass in greeting. "Come and sit with us! Shame you're both in your uniforms though. Talk about being out of place." He slid over to make room for them, roughly shoving Trigger aside in the process and ignoring the complaints of protest from the coyote. "Mead was busy telling the little guy all about maintaining Three Strike's aircraft!"

"Which I still say is just her pulling our legs," Mike complained with a frown, also shuffling over to try and make room, while also making sure that Dahlia had more than enough space for her arm. "Everyone knows that Three Strikes was just internet rumors. After all, why would his actions just stop suddenly? Urusia would love nothing more than to be able to claim that they shot him down, which they didn't. Because he doesn't exist."

"Oh, believe me, Three Strikes exists," Avril said with a smirk. "Seeing how I maintain his bird, you really don't think I didn't meet the guy? Or gal. Won't say which. If the plane is real, how come the pilot isn't?"

"It's easy to paint a plane..." Mike pointed out. "Much harder to fake a pilot. Or is 'Three Strikes' some sort of new drone technology no one's saying anything about?"

"Guys! Come one now!" Tabloid grinned at Nick and Judy. "They've been at it for the past hour!" He shuffled over, trying to make more room, but the available space was very much running out. "You know... Still don't think there's enough room for more people here," Tabloid complained, frowning at Nick and Judy. Ears perking up, he stood up suddenly, tugging at one of Avril's sleeves. "Hey, I like this song! Here's an idea: Let's go dance!"

"Tab, no! My leg!" Avril complained, using the metal frame hidden beneath her dress to band loudly at the table, letting the sharp metallic noise do the arguing for her.

The pilot shrugged, grinning sheepishly. "I don't mind. You think I know how to dance myself? No one will care!" He tugged at her sleeve again. "If nothing else, it'll make some room. Come on! It'll be fun!"

Avril shot him a glare, but stood up away from the table nevertheless. "You're so lucky I'm in a good mood right now," she seethed through gritted teeth. "But I'm warning you- only one song!" With his paw still clasping her sleeve, she didn't even get to add much of anything else before he hurried to the crowd dancing to Gazelle's music, the two of them disappearing in a matter of seconds.

Blinking at the spot that was occupied mere moments before, Judy let Nick slide in first before following him on the cushioned bench seat, carefully perching herself on the edge. "Well that was… rather generous of him," she commented. "Good to see you all! Especially you, Dahlia. How's the arm?"

"Stiff," Dahlia grunted through half closed eyes. "Which is good. Means it will heal back nicely." Using her free arm, she prodded Mike. "Doesn't stop this guy right here from complaining about it non-stop."

Mike took the opportunity to find his glass extremely interesting.

It took a few more minutes to catch up with the others. The lady James was with, Bianca, was in fact not too unfamiliar to the precinct, which was why Judy thought she looked familiar. But otherwise, everything at the table looked… normal. She glanced at the number painted on the pillar behind everyone to double check that it was the right one. It was.

"So..." Judy was wondering where the fire was. After all, she and Nick were called here for a reason, and yet, looking at the group, there wasn't so much as a hint of smoke or any other cause for concern. "Anyone know why Nick and I were specifically asked to come here? I was under the impression that there was some trouble..."

Count grabbed his drink again. "You mean apart from Tab and Mead enjoying being away from Mc-" his eyes vaguely to Ethan's direction. "They were relaxing way too hard without McKinsey around, if you know what I mean. But other than that? No, we're behaving ourselves. Gotta set an example for the young ones, after all." He flashed a wink at Ethan's direction, even if the tiger didn't catch it.

"Look, I really don't mind not hearing that you're getting into trouble," Judy commented. "But Nick and I, unlike everyone else here, are supposed to be working. So unless we have a valid reason to remain, I'm afraid we'll have to get back to patrolling outside."

"Aww, Carrots, come on!" True to his form, Nick immediately started to complain about her work attitude. "We just sat down! Surely we can stay at least a little bit!" He lowered his ears and stared at her with the widest, most innocent eyes he can muster, just to make it that much harder for her to argue.

If anything, his effort made it that much easier for her not to buy it. "Sorry Nick. Work is work, and play time is for after work. Now, is work." She grabbed her radio just to be sure, about to confirm just which table they were actually called to. Because as much as it was nice to sit down with her coworkers and the pilots, if there was real trouble at a different table, and she and Nick were needed to deal with it, then it was a problem.

Except that a raised paw from Trigger paused her mid-motion. "Relax Judy, you're at the right place," he said quietly. "Some of Gazelle's tigers are walking about, and were asking about people her." He gave a rather nasty look. "Like about me. What's that about?"

Lowering her radio, Judy glanced at Nick nervously, suddenly feeling her voice failing her. "Oh, that, well-"

"Judy," Trigger warned. "If it's serious…"

"It's not serious!" Judy blurted out. "Well, not like… you know." She really hated how now, everyone at the table were watching her closely. "Nick and I managed to stumble into Gazelle while she was preparing when we got here. I... mightta letherknowthatIwantedtogiveyouasomething." Next to her, Nick chuckled and buried his muzzle into his paws for her sake.

Trigger stared blankly at her. "You what now?"

Judy shrugged. "Well, you're leaving us soon, right? Work here is done, so, how many days you have left? Four?"

"Three," Count and Trigger said simultaneously.

"Right… Three. That's not a lot of time left." Judy watched the two carefully, a strange feeling creeping onto her. It was almost like she was having a hard time grasping the concept that they, after several false starts, that they were finally leaving. "I wanted to get you gifts as a, you know, thank you, for everything you did while you were here in Zootopia." She felt extremely self-conscious as both pilots stared at her intently.

"I suppose it's the thought that counts," Trigger finally said, leaning forward. "What kind of gift was it?"

Judy stared at the table. "An album. Gazelle. Wanted to get it autographed and everything."

"Oh." Trigger settled back in his seat. "Okay."

"You don't sound so pleased to hear that," Judy pointed out.

A pause, then a long sigh. "Judy, you know I'm not the biggest fan of Gazelle…" He ignored the glares of no less than several mammals at the table. "It's not that I hate her. Just that I'm not particularly into her. Heard a lot of her songs growing up on the radio, but never bothered to buy her music or anything. Or even figure out who was the one singing those songs in the first place..." Noticing how Judy looked at least a little upset by what he was saying, he hurried to further his explanation. "Look, I know that everyone being intro Gazelle is a bit of a joke in the precinct, so… I appreciate the effort, I really do. But… Can't say I'm into the whole 'I want a new album to listen to' mood right now. You get what I'm saying?"

"Well, you're not the only one who thought that," Judy mumbled with a slight nod, a frown on her muzzle. "Gazelle wasn't exactly fond of the idea of giving you an album either, signed or not." She huffed when Count prodded her in the shoulder. "What?"

"If you want to know what she wanted or not, you can ask two of her tigers," the pilot answered smugly. "Seeing how they're back!"

Sure enough, looking up from the table, Judy spotted a pair of Gazelle's backing dancers carefully making their way to the table. She recognized both as being part of the group that was with the dancer when they bumped into each other in the hallway. Dahlia stiffened as they came over, while Mike next to her grumbled underneath his breath, crossing his arms in irritation.

"Officers Wilde and Hopps, you made it!" one of the tigers greeted after introducing the two of them to the group. "We were worried you might be too busy to join in for this." He shuffled a canvas bag he was holding. "We were here earlier, but figured that we can radio over to have to two come over. That way we were able to wait for you two to show up. Visit a few more people on the list first."

"A list?" Trigger asked, eyes narrowing in suspicion. "What kind of list would a pair of Gazelle's backup dancers have?"

"You're from Ocelotia, right?" the tiger asked Trigger directly, ignoring the pilot's tense questioning. "Yes, a list. If I recall your name properly, it's 'Humphrey', correct?"

"Yeah," Trigger mumbled through a clenched jaw. "I'm not the only one from there." He jerked his head in Count's direction. "So's he. And the two wolves who were sitting here the first time you two showed up. They're off somewhere dancing together, but they're Ocelotians too. Are they on this list of yours?"

"You're the only one in this group of yours who's from Bana City," the tiger answered calmly. Trigger's eyes immediately snapped away from the dancer and down to the table between them. "There's a reason why we asked everyone for their address as part of the entry process. Because we have a small number of these..." The tiger reached into his bag, pulling out a package carefully wrapped in a colorful decorative paper. "This one's for you, personally on behalf Gazelle. A little something that she hopes will help you with the tragedy that took place in Bana." He placed the package on the table, sliding it over carefully over to Trigger.

With a heavy sigh, and knowing that all eyes were on him, Trigger grabbed the package and carefully began to open it, using his claws to break through the glue holding the paper together. "Let me guess? An album?" He carefully bounced the dark plain box that was revealed from the wrapping in his paw. "A bit larger than a CD case, and heavier too. But what else can it be?"

"See for yourself," the tiger answered with a hint of smugness. "An album was, as we found out completely by accident I mind you, what Officer Hopps here wanted to give you. But a CD in a plastic jewel case? Gazelle might be a pop singer, so I'm sure you've heard it all before, but she really does care. After all, she's not originally from Zootopia herself, and her home county still continues to bare the burden of its fair share of issues. She cares… When something terrible happens, doesn't matter where. Believe it or not, but she really doesn't want this concert to go down as a vanity project to increase her own popularity on the back of the worst tragedy the world has seen in decades."

Opening the box, Trigger frowned at what he found inside. "It's still a CD. Just more than one," he complained. "And in a metal box. At least it's not splattered with her photographs."

"I keep telling everyone that no one uses CD's anymore. Downloads and streaming are where it's all at these days," Nick commented with half-closed eyes.

"Gazelle is a pop singer at the end of the day." The tiger explained carefully. "Her talents are in making music, not in building homes. But she does know when it's a good idea to up the glamour. And when to tone it down. Check the back."

Flipping pas the discs containing Gazelle's greatest hits, Trigger held up the remaining item, a small, plainly shaped flash drive. "What's this?"

"That is a rather large check," the tiger answered. "All yours."

"Err… How large?"

"A lot. Don't know how much exactly yet. This concert, you see? All of the profits from this concert are going to help Bana City recover. That you're holding right there is two percent of those. Pegged to the final profit as it will be determined at the end of the concert and donations drive. We made ten of these. And unfortunately, we're going to be giving away all of them tonight."

Paws shaking, Trigger sat the box down, placing the flash drive back in its slot. "W-why? Why me?"

"Because you live there. Humphrey… You're not the only one here who's from Bana City, but we're trying our best to make sure that we are able to talk to each one of you. A charity concert like this is as good of a place as any to be able to find mammals like you. The normal routes of distributing financial aid? Inefficient. Too many mammals in the way taking a cut, honest or not, and eating up the aid rather than giving it to those who need it. Gazelle figured out years ago that the best way to increase that efficiency is to cut the middlemammals and give the aid away directly. All she asks is that you don't go blurting out where this money came from."

"What's the catch?" Trigger asked. "I- I don't want this! What am I supposed to do with it?"

The tiger eyed him with a solemn expression. "There is no catch, apart from not saying this is from Gazelle. That goes to all of you. Too high of a risk that people will try to cheat her if word gets out that she does this. But otherwise? Keep it if you want. Help your neighbors when you get back. Help as few or as many as you want. That will be up to you. We don't track how it'll be spent or where, but Gazelle hopes that it will be put to a good use. The software on there will let you know how much you'll have by this time tomorrow."

Trigger eyes the box again. "I-? Thanks, I guess," he mumbled. "I mean… I don't know what to say. Guess you can pass along something to… To Gazelle. Let her know that I appreciate it."

"We can very much do that. After the concert, if you don't need to leave right away, stick around. I'm sure Gazelle would love to talk to you. Get to know how you're going through all of this." With a polite nod, the tigers backed away and slipped into the crowd, leaving the others alone at the table.

"Hey, Trig, you're set for life!" Count teased him with a jab to the shoulder, earning a very sharp glare from the smaller pilot. He eyed the box. "Can I take a look?" Glare turned at the box, Trigger nodded. Picking it up, Count flipped through the CDs, reading the labels. "You're going to want to ask someone at the office to load these up, they're not your regular music files," he informed them. "These are very high quality ones. Recording master quality, I recon-" he spotted a motion out of the corner of his eyes. "Judy, knock it off with your excitement. Gazelle or not, these are not for you."

"I'll be able to get these converted properly!" Judy urged. "I know who to ask and what! Everything will be done before you two will leave! I promise!"

"You're also planning on keeping copies for yourself," Count accused, pointing at her. "Let me guess, one-up Clawhauser?"

"I'm not going to keep the case!" Judy protested. "Just copy the files over!" She turned to Trigger with large eyes. "Come on, Humphrey! Please!"

He just shrugged. "Not like I'll be able to do it myself anytime soon," he grumbled. "Sure. Besides, you're the Gazelle fanatic here, not me. Just let me know how Ben will react." He picked up the flash drive again, spinning it around slowly in his paw. "Still think I didn't sell my soul?" Another heavy sigh escaped his muzzle.

"Humphrey? Don't." Dahlia muttered sternly. "What happened wasn't your fault. Neither what lead up to it, or after." She wiggled her arm, drawing his attention to the sling it was in, even though she knew it was a futile attempt to try and improve his mood. Then oddly, she started to smirk at James' direction. "Besides, it's not like Gazelle is the only one who got you something. We figured you both should get something after all of your work with us. A shared thank you from all of us, even Chief Bogo, for the hard work you put in for us. Since you'll be leaving soon, we didn't feel right for you to go without anything. So a little something portable… but full of memories."

Trigger frowned, but at least it was a different expression than the mood he was just in. "It's not a Gazelle CD, is it?" The corner of his mouth was lifted as he asked Judy, giving away the fact that he was teasing her.

Shaking her head, Judy then rested her chin in her fists. "No. It's much better than that. The CD I forgot was just me hoping that Gazelle can sign it for you. Her gift really is much better. But from us... James? You were supposed to bring it. Please tell me that you did."

James shrugged. "Sorry, Judy. I don't have them."

Her jaw dropped. "You... what?"

"Yeah," Nick agreed. "What gives, Wolfy? Carrots and I are working. You're the one who had one job." He held up a single finger, pointing it at the wolf. "One job!"

The officer raised his arms defensively. "Hey, don't you all look at me like that!" he protested. "I said I don't have them, not that I didn't bring them!" He let out an unintentional yelp when Bianca racked his shoulder with her claws. "Hey, what's that for? It's how we tease each other around here! You know that!"

"It's for you being a dork!"

"Tease? Right..." Judy glared at him. "So where are they? Don't make me force an answer out of you!"

James pointed at Dahlia. "Look at her, not me."

Everyone's attention turned to the tigers.

"Mike?" Dahlia teased the one sitting next to her. "You brought them with us, didn't you dear?"

Her husband reached down below the table. "And risk being murdered in my sleep if I forgot? Got 'em right here! Not like you didn't check for me, just to be sure." He stared at her intensely. "Twice." Pulling his own small backpack from beneath the table, he rummaged inside of it briefly. "Let's see here… Ryan-" he handed over a plainly wrapped box over to Count. "And Humphrey." The same with Trigger.

Trigger sat his box down on Gazelle's without opening it, leaning back as he let Count get to his first.

The deer pried the simple brown paper off the package, finding an even plainer white cardboard inside. A moment later, and unfolding the edge, he slid out what lay inside. "Oh… Hey, I remember this one! Not a bad one at all!" He held up a small framed photograph, showing it off.

It was one of the many pictures taken of the pilots by an officer or two while in the precinct. This one was a little less impromptu than the rest, taken down at the precinct gym: He was posing at the sparring mat, tired, sweaty, but very much beaming, flanked by several of the precinct officers, all sharing the joy of a shared victory. A scoreboard behind them showing the reason for their shared delight. "That was a good match!" He slid out another picture from his box, identical to the framed one, but smaller and merely protected by a layer of clear plastic.

"The frame is to go on a wall or your desk," James explained. "The unframed picture is for wherever you'll want it."

"And here I thought all these pictures where for you to laugh at us behind our backs," Count mumbled cheerily. He passed on the frame over to Ethan. "See, kid? That's what your mom sometimes gets to do at work."

"Very rarely!" Dahlia complained.

Count grinned. "But often enough that it's now quite literately framed!" He nudged Trigger. "Come on, let's see yours!"

Trigger stared down at his box. "I… Think I've seen enough for today," he complained, sounding completely drained. "It's… I appreciate it, really! But, I dunno..." His voice fell.

Count's eyed him carefully. "Hey, we get it. But it'll still be better if you open it now. We're all here. And you can always mope alone when we get back. Besides, if it's anything like mine, you'll like it!"

"Fine…" Grunting, Trigger grabbed his box, carefully prying it open. Sliding out the picture frame, back side up, out of its own box, his gaze immediately softened as soon as he flipped it over to take a look at it. "Aww, guys… That's…" Whatever he wanted to say about his own picture, it didn't come out as he pressed his muzzle into his fist, silently staring at the frame with a glazed look.

"Uh oh, I think we lost him," Count commented. "What did you use for his?" Leaning over Trigger shoulder, his eyes widened when he took a look. "Oh, I see now. That's… Okay, that one is far better than mine."

"As I recall, you didn't want to go," Nick commented with a smirk. "Was entirely your loss."

"Also helps that this one was taken by a real camera," James added with his own grin. "And edited by someone who knows a thing or two about photography. Humphrey? Mind letting us take a look? Let's see how it came out!"

Trigger blinked. "I- yeah..." He slid over the picture to the others.

Judy slid it close to herself and Nick, unable to prevent herself from breaking out into a squeal of delight at seeing the photograph protected behind the frame. The image instantly brought to her a multitude of memories, some bad… but most were good.

Nick grunted. "Great picture, but I still get sore just looking at it," he complained. "I can already feel my legs stiffening up just thinking about that day."

"Nick! Don't be like that!" Despite wanting to look at it longer, Judy slid it over to Dahlia and, more importantly as they hadn't been there, Mike and Ethan.

The photograph was taken of the four officers, Trigger in the middle of the group, all perched on a wooden table in the middle of a bushy hilltop. The sun reflecting off the ocean water and only disrupted by the curved coastline far below them.

"Where was that taken?" Mike asked, inspecting it closely. "I think I should know this place, but I can't place it."

"Point Hind," Dahlia answered him with a dreamy tone. "But not where we've been. Far too long of a walk for Ethan to do still." She leaned a claw over the picture, scanning it, while holding the frame so that both her son and husband can see clearly. "See that bit over there? That's where we usually go to. There's some cars you can barely see. More of the sun reflecting off their roofs because of how far they are, see? And that's-"

Judy smirked at Trigger's direction. "You know, Humphrey, there's still a day, that if we were to sneak out perhaps. We could… go there again." Lowering her voice so that only he would hear, she added, "no collar this time."

His eyes widened. "Oh? Uh, no-" He stammered, shaking his head. "No, no… Not enough time. We'll still need to pack and everything. Besides, I don't want to just go again. It'll be..." He frowned, searching for the right word. "It'll be too weird." Since the framed picture was still being passed around, he pulled out the spare picture, also unframed just like with Count. The back had a written message on the back, as well as a whole section of signatures from the various officers. "As strange as it might sound… I like it how it was then. If it has to be my last time there… I think I'd prefer it that way." Setting the picture down on the table, his expression fell into a depressive state. "Besides, with my family gone… I don't even think I'll ever like going there ever again. It… It will never be the same." He sniffed, scratching at his fur nervously, unintentionally brushing at where it was still slowly healing from being burned repeatedly. "But this picture… You guys really outdid yourselves. And not just the picture, but for deciding to tag along with me that day. Neither one of you needed to… and I wasn't the easiest to get along then… Still not, I mean..." Managing to force a smile, he grabbed Judy's paw. "Thank you. All of you."

She smiled back warmly. "You're welcome! Uh, Nick..?"

"What? You want me to say something?" Nick lifted his head, staring at the roof as he hummed in thought. "You really want me to interrupt this very tender and very special moment? Why not someone else?" He looked around, but apart from Count grinning at him, silently agreeing with Judy that he really should say something, the others were occupied. James was showing off the spare picture to Bianca, while Dahlia was still doing the same with the framed one. With Avril and Tabloid still gone, that left no one else to take away the heat. "...Okay, I think I got something. How about this? Humph, you're welcome, you big emotional dope?" He felt a sharp pain of a small set of claws biting into his arm. "Hey, Carrots, knock it off! I'm trying my best here!" The teeth showing through his grin said the complete opposite.

"You did that on purpose!" Judy growled out at her partner.

He grinned, shrugging his shoulders. "No, this fox did exactly what you wanted him to."

"And that was..?"

"Completely change the mood!" For extra effect, Nick stuck his tongue out at her.

"Ugh, Nick, stop!" Moment completely ruined, Judy let out an irritated huff. "Well, if that's the case, how about something completely different?" Turning back to Count and Trigger with a wide smirk, she then asked something that she was curious about the entire evening. "You're a fan of Gazelle, and you are not. But come on, admit it… How is she live?"