Hello again my good and loyal readers. Welcome to chapter 12 of A Fox in the Machine.

I do not own Zootopia or its characters, that's Disney. I only own my own OC's. One can only hope that Z2, whenever it happens, will come up to the standard we hold Z1 to.

Anyway. On with the show, such as it is.

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Chapter 12

Over the next several days, a cloned body was grown for Nick, having spun him up in a VR environment, Judy and Chet getting a chance to talk to him. Though there was a delay in growing the clone until after Honey had reviewed and profiled the genetic sample and quizzed Piberius about oddities in the genetic sample. To which he provided Honey detailed description of those oddities that provided the resultant body significant benefits, as well as a huge database of such modifications and how they could be incorporated into the genetic map of just about any mammal.

With that, they integrated a few other additions, created an injection for Chet, and modified the genetic map for Judy. The part that terrified Honey, was the fact that with the data she now had access to because of Piberius, she could create almost entirely organic cybernetics. Something Piberius outright expressed as a possibility when they were later discussing the various possibilities.

This included things like cells patterned after electric eels, that granted the mammal a stun grip. Making them a walking, organic, contact taser. It wasn't super powers, but at the same time, it was damn close.

While the clone for Nick was being grown, Honey commented in a status meeting with Judy and Fin as to just how fast the process was progressing. The body was growing significantly faster than expected, given what would have been expected before Piberius got ahold of the cloning tank. The body would be ready for upload in less than twelve hours instead of the week plus, depending on the size of the mammal, it would have previously taken. All thanks to Piberius and the data and information he provided, as well as some very interesting modifications he made to the system. Once they built some updated equipment, they'd be able to grow an adult body in an hour or two. In fact, they would be able to provide backup services for rodents now. While they wouldn't have live backups because anyone smaller than a capybara was simply too small to have an eChip implanted, they would be able to have a device that could do so daily and append that to their on file backup with the shop. Meaning, they could provide clone body services for rodents.

All that, and GenoM wouldn't be able to do anything about it. Because it was Piberius that had the data, and with all that came out, the filings that made him a full person also made claim to all data that made him up. Which included all of the data he was sharing, and separate from the massive data store he created and provided out to the media and public at large. That data store documented their almost unceasing malfeasance. While Piberius kept most of the good stuff to himself.

GenoM and every employee from security guards to top level executives, were too busy worrying what sort of legal peril they were in. Must office workers and such were in the clear, if soon to be out of a job. It was mostly the researchers, research assistants, like the one that initially tortured Nick, along with mid level managers, executives, and above that were in real trouble. Anyone that had a V or C associated with their title were pretty much screwed.

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Honey looked up from her terminal and looked over to Piberius as he oversaw the growth of the body. "Piberius. All this data. This is clearly more than just what GenoM had. There is more to all this information you have."

Piberius didn't look up. "You are correct. Some of it is simple extrapolation from what was already known, some of it is from data stores that GenoM got their paws on. Some of it is from other sources I'm actually not comfortable revealing, and not because it was obtained illegally, from the government, or things like that. I know things, Honey. I know things about our world, and its place within the universe, that I cannot share lest I break the world."

"Stuff, I assume, that would make my old conspiracy theories seem mundane."

Piberius nodded and faced Honey. "Putting it mildly. The brain development is done and the eChip is already in place, since we were able to grow and direct the body around the eChip. He'll be finished with the upload and ready to wake up in about three hours. Where is Judy?"

"She and Chet were making some modifications to the apartment to accommodate him."

Piberius smiled widely. "Ah! That's good."

"They've also made modifications to accommodate you and her version of you."

Piberius smiled wider. "Yes. I have held off transfering to that body so that hers will be ready as well. Last I checked, it'll be ready tomorrow and we can both be uploaded."

"Yep. The body is in fact ready, we're just running the same quality checks we did with yours. It's so much more complex, despite not having a biological component onboard. It'll be ready for transfer at any time now. The last checks are in that final completing stage that could take five minutes or five hours."

Piberius chuckled. "Ah! That's great. The bodies are complex to be sure. The equipment you have is actually more advanced than I expected, by a lot. Which is why we did the modifications to mine. With the data I have, once it's fully integrated. We'll be able to revolutionize a lot of things."

Honey nodded and paused, looking up at him again. "Piberius… I have already slipped some of the data you've shared to some friends at Kits Hospital Tundra Town. Improved burn skin graft clones that will grow fur. Treatments and cures for dozens of things, including a few cancers."

"I am aware. Was a test of sorts. You've been very careful in how you disseminated the information. You've claimed no credit. Even the oncologist, who knew it was you. You put them off. Told them the truth, just not all of it. I now trust you'll put it out there slowly and with consideration to not overwhelm things, while doing the most good."

"Yeah. And the information for me directly? I ran a full run of the compound and took it. I feel that part of me receding. I think you have very literally saved me. I can now see what I was becoming. Erratic. Paranoid. Even dangerous."

"It's okay, Honey. I'm just glad to help. I think that drive to help is a carryover from Judy. Wanting, even in my modified state, to make the world a better place. Even now. It's an interesting bit of code that I find myself attached to. Then again, I am more than code, and this is really part of that deepest, non-code part."

Honey nodded. "It's part of the fox you were, and still are. Anyway, I am going to call Judy. She should be here when he wakes up."

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Upon arrival, Judy performs a final backup. That backup was then merged with the previous one she provided and then transferred to the body built per Piberius specifications. Piberius himself uploaded to his new body at the same time. Upon waking he grinned upon completing a full system check. "Seriously? When did you slip functional genitals into the design?"

Judy chuckled from two locations, the uploaded version speaking. "Oh, come on P. Did you think I was going to lose my lapin libido just because I am now an uploaded personality matrix?"

Piberius laughed. "Point taken, but you are already far more than a simple personality matrix upload, Laverne, and that's just right now. As your mind grows into the capabilities of that body, and what I will teach you out on the net. Well, you were already more than just a simple mammal."

Laverne nodded. "I know I am supposed to be the Laverne version, but still weird. Well, let's go wake up your other version."

A few minutes later they are in the observation room outside of the recovery room. Judy and Chet standing next to the bed, Nick laying, and snoring lightly, on the bed. Honey checked a few final items, then disconnected the last things keeping him unconscious.

Honey nodded and stepped over to a console. "Okay, Judy. He can wake up at any time."

Judy leaned over and kissed the side of his muzzle. "Nick. Time to wake up, Slick. You've been gone too long, and it's time to wake up."

Nick groaned as he clawed his way to consciousness. The first thing he noticed was the scent of his bunny, as well as another fox that seemed familiar. Along with them, he could smell a badger. None of this made sense, given what he had lived through, again and again.

The next, and equally confusing data point was the fact that he could feel a body. He swore his heart stopped when Judy's scent got suddenly much stronger, much closer. Then feeling her lips on the side of his muzzle, and her voice. Her perfect voice.

Nick did not dare open his eyes. He didn't think he could survive the truth of this being another trick, another twisted joke by that evil ewe.

The voice of his friend, Chet , gripped his heart again. "I don't get it. I know that would have woken me up."

Judy giggled. "He's awake, but after everything Piberius said he's been through at the point this version was created, he's probably terrified to open his eyes. Remember, he was only grown as a head, so he's got a lot of sensory disconnects with what he's expecting. Probably assumed it's the twisted ewe messing with him." Leaning over and pulling Nick into a deep kiss. "Not a dream my love, and not that ewe."

Nick's eyes popped open in shock, locking on Judy's. "Judy?"

Stroking his cheek. "It's me, Nick. Chet is here. Fin is in the other room with some other friends. It's been a long road, Slick. A lot of explanations are going to be needed. I can tell you this. GenoM is done for, for what they did to you and so much else. But you're safe now. You've been returned to me. To us."

Looking at Judy, then Chet. "Long enough that you're with Chet now?" The pain clear on his face and in his voice.

"Yes, I'm with Chet, but… we are wondering if you wouldn't be okay with becoming a trio. Chet and I have discussed it, and after everything, well… we wouldn't reload you just to break your heart. We actually spun you up and asked a few days ago, the memory of that just didn't write back to your chip."

Nick took a long, slow breath, enjoying the sensation of a body breathing. "Really? You'd be okay with that, Judy? You know what that means, right?"

Giving Nick a fox worthy smirk, leaning into his ear. "I have always known you swung that way, Nick. I had actually bought a harness and strap-on to surprise you with before the incident. I still have it."

Nick's eyes went wide as he looked at his bunny. Swallowing hard he chuckled nervously. "Okay, but you're different, somehow."

Judy nodded. "Yeah, part of those explanations. I guess we can just get it all over with. I was…" Taking a deep breath to ready herself. She knew she didn't breathe like a normal mammal now, but it helped, mentally. "Nick. I was pregnant, only a few days, when we fought Doug. The kit was killed during that fight, and well… There wasn't much left of me that was salvageable, either."

Judy gave an overview of what got them to that point. Nick occasionally asked a question. Finally he laid back and stared at the ceiling. "Okay, that's a lot, Fluff. But now you've got genetic samples. We can have kits across all three of us? That's insane. There's another version of me. The one after I… This version of me was backed up, that finished becoming what that evil beast was hoping for. It's actually been years, and I was declared legally dead. Something Patricia is fixing, and in all this, you became a cyborg vigilante."

Judy huffed and crossed her arms. "Not a vigilante. I'm a fully licensed Hunter. Admittedly, the effort to free you and your counterpart was a bit…" Seeing Nick's raised eyebrow, she rolled her eyes and head in a fully exaggerated manner. "Okay! Okay! A lot, illegal. But Nick… I'd give just about anything to get you back. I fought my feelings for Chet for so long because of it. Chet was so patient, and even willing to walk away when you woke up."

"I take it that my counterpart, Piberius, made the suggestion of a trio?"

Chet smiled and leaned against Judy. "He did, if you'll have us both?"

"It'll take some adjustment, and I hope you are both up to dealing with the damage I've got now."

Judy smiled and kissed him again. "You've got an appointment with a counselor on Monday. It's Friday evening. We wanted to give you the weekend to just kinda get used to the idea that you are back and among the living again. Chet and I have been working to prepare the apartment. We're both eager to get you home. Now come on. There are a lot of mammals eager to see you again."

Nick nodded and carefully, with support from Judy and Chet, got his legs under him again. "Been a long time since I had legs."

Chet chuckled. "No worries. Honey made sure the body was in top shape, but told us to expect it to take a bit for you to get used to being in it and using it. Another reason your appointment is Monday."

Judy pinched Nick just above his tail making him hop, she and Chet catching him. "Just think, Nick. We get to pop your cherry again. Technically you're a virgin again."

With a nervous chuckle, Nick nodded. "Yeah. I'm suddenly not sure if I have bitten off more than I can chew."