A Friendly Hustle

by Blkdragon7

A few years after the Missing Mammal & Nighthowler cases, Nick and Judy are officially mates. They have managed to keep it a secret until they discover that their friends Lizz Fangmeyer and Mike Wolford are also in a mate level relationship. To help their friends, Nick and Judy draw Lizz and Mike to a restaurant to reveal their knowledge and their own relationship.

24. Chapter 24

Here is the 24th installment. Hope you enjoy.

Remember to share the love. Review and Fav. It is the life blood of every writer to know you are enjoying their work. I also want to thank everyone who has Fav'd, followed, and reviewed this little project. I know that isn't much, but to me, it's huge. Even as a writer of original fiction, that you enjoy this means a lot to me as an author. You can check out my original work and link to my Blog, Scribblings, where a lot of it lives by hopping over to

This one is a beast, but I decided to get it all out and over with, instead of metering it out to you. I hope you enjoy, but don't get used to it. I let the chapter determine it's own length and what it has to say.

I do not own and claim no rights to Zootopia or its characters. They belong to Disney.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Precinct One Armory

Delgato lead a group of a dozen mammals into the armory, and spying Nick, marched over to them. Seeing that Judy, Lizz, and Mike were there as well, and strapping on weapons, crossed his arms over his chest with a huff. "Okay, WildeHopps, Wolfeyer! What in the name of all that is unholy, is going on? Bogo reached out to me directly, on my personal cell, and asked me to come in and meet you four here. That is not normal! Nor is seeing two very pregnant officers, who are supposed to be on leave, strapping on weapons."

Lizz smiled at Delgato, her normally stoic and no-nonsense officer making an appearance, yet somehow it was softer than usual. "Calm down Eric. We asked Bogo for some backup. We were out apartment hunting. Nick had a line and an invite to view some townhouses in a place called Throughkelt Heights. It was presented as being a very exclusive, invite only, sort of place. Records show a top tier school. You get the idea. As soon to be parents, everything about this place seemed perfect. Tailor made, even, for us. However, since receiving that invite, Nick's contact has been trying to warn him off. Ass some follow up research, and we discovered that..."

Delgato interrupted her. "You found out that inter-species couples, especially those with or expecting kits seem to get drawn in, and after they move there, they go dark and disappear."

"Pretty much." Mike nodded as he pulled his jacket over the shoulder holster he had just finished securing. "Talking to my mom, it is an area that the pack has been watching very carefully. Lots of questionable activity. Mammal's that go missing and are never seen from again, but because of the insular nature of the area, no one can seem to get an in. Well, inter-species couples get in, but they don't seem to make it back out."

Shaking his head, causing his mane to wave like water. "So you four figured, since you're their target audience, you'd go ahead and go in, but go in prepared and with backup."

Nick nodded, stepping forward and looking up at the other officers, the smallest being a coyote. "Right. It is clear that there is a lot of suspicion about the area, but no one can get anything about them. So... As officers, and their target audience, as you put it, we saw an opportunity. Lizz called Bogo, and here we are.

Here's how this is going to play. Four pairs will be going in as extra community policing patrols. The other two will be in standby at the two access roads in order to block them off if needed. Eric, if you are up for it, you can bring Jeff along and act as additional direct backup." Glancing over his shoulder at his wife and Lizz. "I think Mike and I would feel better if you did that. They don't know how many couples are coming, only that there is more than one and that it is inter-species couples. If you are up for that, we need one more mammal, so whoever is losing their partner needs to pick up someone trustworthy. We don't know what we are walking into here, it may be nothing, but everything points to a group that is making mammals disappear, under force, which is never good."

Eric grunted, and looked over his shoulder. "Eloni, go grab Heather, she's stuck on paperwork right now. I'm sure she'll be happy to drop that for something more interesting."

Eloni took off back out the door, with Nick's nod. "Good choice. My contact has been trying to warn me off. In fact, he called again from a burner and was a bit more explicit. He passed along the invite in good faith, but once he figured out what was up, he tried to warn me off, keeping up the facade under duress, or as he put it, pressure from his contact that got him to send the invite to begin with. The leader of the group that controls the area is a family friend slash distant uncle. My friend, Ghel, has put himself in between us and this person. I think he is hoping to scare us off. He has no idea we're going in hot, and it needs to stay that way.

A note for all of you. I've contacted a few of my less reputable friends and they'll be in the area ready to cause trouble if we need a distraction. As such, we will have at least a few non-hostiles in the mix. That said, don't hesitate to tranq anyone and I'll vouch for them after the fact. Better to tranq them and apologize after, then not tranq someone who should have been."

"That assumes that it's needed."

"Very true. So Eric, you up for it?"

Grinning, Delgato nodded. "Oh yeah. Jeff will love this." Pulling out his phone and stepping aside.

Mike steps up next to Nick. "Okay, who's going to be doing the patrols and who will be sitting in standby? As Nick said, there are only two actual roads into the area and one subway stop with two lines passing through. We need to be able to lock it down quick, so be ready for that. We'll have Clawhauser for the subway lock down. No one can get that applied faster than he can."

A younger goat officer stepped forward. "Uh. Sirs."

They all turn to the clear rookie, Judy stepping forward. "What's up Officer? You seem pretty new."

Looking down at Judy he smiles nervously. "Oh... Oh wow. You're Judy Hopps. Are your really mated to the fox? I.. I mean officer Wilde?"

One of her ears dropping slightly, Judy answered coolly. "I am, is that an issue?"

Putting his hooves up defensively. "No. No. Please, don't take it the wrong way. I'm from Throughkelt Heights." Looking down clearly ashamed. "I joined the ZPD to get out of there. They're crazy. The leader is a completely nuts fanatic. He's controls the whole area and is an old stag. He isn't anti-predator, but is very anti-inter-species. I don't know what actually happens to the couples or the kits, but they move in and everything seems happy at first.

I didn't pay much attention until the most recent one. I am only just old enough to join the ZPD. It was what made me leave. They were such a happy couple... They were expecting their first cubs shortly after they moved in. Everything was fine until after the cubs were born. Then he requested that they start attending services locally, even though it wasn't their faith. It was nice at first, and they did attend, clearly enjoying getting to know the community. He always changed what he preached when there was a new family attending.

It was a few months in when he started preaching what we were all used to hearing when a new couple wasn't there. He would go on and on about the purity of the species, how like should stay with like, and then he'd start in on the abomination that was inter-species relationships. How their offspring were monsters and freaks.

The couple got uncomfortable at that point, obviously. They were an Otter and a Cappybara. I know they tried to get out, but the old stag controls the whole area, even the cops in the small precinct. They're all members. Several in leadership positions in the group. I remember watching them return to their townhouse one day, clearly terrified, clutching their cubs to them. I don't know what happened, but they clearly wanted to leave and couldn't. I left that week for the academy. I never actually saw anything bad happen, but in a small community like that. You just know."

Nick nodded. "Okay Officer..."

"Heard, Nick Heard."

Nick chuckled. "I see. Well, I'm going to call you Heard for now, since I'm the only Nick allowed." The goat smiled and nodded. "What was the townhouse number, if you remember, that this last family was in?"

"It was Seventeen Eight fifty. first one on the street, left side as you drive up the road. The road is a culdesac, so only one way in or out, and they all back up against cliffs, so even the ally only wraps around from one side of the street and back down the other."

Nicked turned to the others. "Almost like it was built to make sure you only had one way in or out so you could be watched. Per my friend, we were going to be seeing Fifty one and fifty two, though they said there were as many as five available."

"Yes sir. There are Six units on that street. It's the only part of the community that a member doesn't live."

"I see. Nothing suspicious about that." Nick looked to Liss, Mike, and Eric. "We are going to need to keep an eye out for fifty, and if we see those mammals, at least one of us needs to find a way to make contact."

Delgato stepped up. "Okay. Jeff will be down in a minute. Did I hear we have an inside line?"

"Do we, Heard?"

The goat nodded. "I joined the ZPD to get away from that place. I always wanted to help mammals, and I never bought the crap the old stag preached. My family disowned me when I left. If what I know can take down that stag, maybe even help that family..." His face showing a growing resolve. "What can I tell you?"

Nick gave a smug grin. "Good decision, Heard. You can tell us what you know about these townhouses that we're going to go see. Who the primary members of this group are, other than the preacher. Him we know. Just anything you can think of that might be important. Even more importantly though. If you think of something we don't talk about here, make sure you let us know as soon as it occurs to you. Better a useless data point is communicated, then missing something that costs a life."

Heard nodded. "I totally get that, sir. I never saw the feeds, but from what I understand, the townhomes have hidden cameras that cover every room in the house, and I do mean any. A former friend of mine used to brag that his dad worked the camera room and would tape the couples in bed, the shower, etc... My friend claimed that he got and used the tapes to..."

"Like amateur porn." Nick said with a frown.

"Yeah. That. I never saw the videos, but he was really explicit about what he got to see. It kinda creepped me out. It would be one thing if they knew they were being watched and recorded, but those people didn't."

Mike sighed. "That's the right response, Heard. That is some real creeper, pervert, stuff. Anything else?"

An impromptu planning session with the help of officer Heard, got them the best way to provide coverage with the patrols. He identified the higher ups of the group, which did include his former friends father. Once the plan was laid and ready, Nick sent off his text that they were on the way. His contact responding with a simple acknowledgment. The decision was made to not involve the locals precinct, given the information from Heard. That decision signed off on by Bogo himself.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Apartment Hunt, part 2. The Sting of Questionable offerings

Geared up, the group made their way to Lizz's car, an unmarked for Eric and Jeff, and their cruisers. Forty five minutes later they were entering Throughkelt Heights. Two cruisers sitting just beyond where the two roads lead into the rest of the city, ready to block them off as they were two lane roads. The other four cruisers slowly patrolling, but keeping close to where the townhouses were. Nick, Judy, Lizz, Mike, along with Eric and Jeff pull up in front of the first townhouse. Nick's contact and friend, a Red deer, stepped up to them from unit Seventeen Eight Nifty One.

The town homes were very attractive. Well manicured lawns and landscaping. A driveway to a small garage in the back on the right side of each creating separation. The units sat back enough to give them front yards with attractive fencing and lots of room for a kit or cub to play. A small porch with enough room for a few chairs and a porch swing. The front doors accented with frosted windows on either side and a nice door with a window near the top.

The parents could see just how attractive the town homes were. If they did not already know that things were a set up, they would have all jumped at such places. Sharing a look, Lizz, Mike, Judy, and Nick all acknowledged that, they really were too good to be true.

Ghel walked up, his smile clearly forced, putting out a hoof. "Nick. Good to see you. More than I expected."

Smiling widely, Nick nodded, shaking the offered hoof. "Ghel, my friend. Good to see you too. Yeah, with how great these places sounded, and with there being 5 up for option, we figured Judy and I thought we would invite a few friends."

Frowning for a moment, Ghel recovered. "If you say so. They're really nice places. The insides are even nicer than the outside. Come on, I'll show you this one first, built for small to mediums like you and your mate. Then I'll show your friends the medium to large builds."

"Sounds good." Looking over his shoulder Nick winked at Eric and Jeff. "Why don't you guys check out the street. Meet the neighbors."

Eric nodded with a smirk of his own. "Sounds good. There's more to a place then just the floor plan. Who the neighbors are helps too."

Judy laughed. "Don't I know it. I'll never forget Pronk and Bucky."

Nick nodded, following Ghel. "How are they doing, anyway?"

"Still arguing, but they've gotten better about it last time I talked to them. I think that intervention you helped set up, really helped. They aren't as stressed as they used to be, now that they're on better terms with both their families."

"That's good. They were good guys, just unnecessarily loud."

Ghel opened the door, letting Nick and Judy enter first. "As you can see this has a lot of craftsman style to the construction, while also being fully open and modern. Everything is fully updated, inducing WiFi repeaters in every room, smart home lighting and fixtures, and top of the line appliances. The over and fridge are both smart. It is one of those where you can put something in the over, and it'll act like a fridge until a programmed time, or you log onto the app and kick off cooking. Really great for mammals you you where you might have a patrol go long or something. You would be able to turn it down and just keep it warm, from your desk at the precinct."

Nick nodded in appreciation. "That's awesome Ghel."

Ghel continued. Nick could tell it was killing him to try and sell the places. "I like to think the sytle as a contemporary craftsman style. There are three floors, plus a bonus room slash attic. A finished basement where the laundry is, this level with the main room that acts as a living slash family room. The entire floor is mostly open with the one partial wall to create separation for the kitchen at the back from the rest of the living space, while keeping it open."

As Ghel showed them the unit, he continued to talk. "This unit is obviously staged, and the furnishings can be purchased if you like them. The small hallway you see on the left goes to a bathroom on this floor with a medium shower and fur dryer. It also has the door leading down to the basement, mirroring the stairs to the second floor and to another bonus room. It's big enough to be a bedroom, but there isn't a closet, so we can't call it that. It would make a great home-office or guest room. Perhaps both with a murphy bed in place. Having a full bathroom on the first floor makes it perfect for guests or family visits. As well as cleaning up dirty kits.

The basement is finished and has a bathroom with a shower, but no fur-dryer. That said, it wouldn't take much to add one. It is broken into four rooms. The laundry, the utility room with the water heater, AC, etc..., a storage room, which is perfect for keeping holiday decorations, and a general room. Personally, Nick. I would get a pool table and such and make it a male-cave.

There is a back deck and a patio off the master upstairs. Plenty of space for grilling if you wish, and enough room for a small garden as well. Trashcans are in a small shed in the back that can be opened from the alley. The alley itself wraps around so you never have to put them out, the truck just comes by and empties them.

Upstairs has a shared full bath for the three bedrooms and an on-suite for the master. Depending, you can convert one of the upstairs bedrooms, or the spare room down here into an office as I suggested. Finally, there is the attic. It is finished, but lacks proper stairs to get up into it. Though with a little work, something could be built and turn it into an amazing play room for kits."

Nick nodded with a smile as the stood in the kitchen looking out the sliding doors to the back yard. "This is great, Ghel. No. Amazing. I see what you meant when you first told me about these places. They really do seem too good to be true. What's the price?"

"Two thousand a month, but since you are officers, it is eligible for offset, but I'm not sure how much."

"That's not bad even without, for the offset."

Judy nodded. "It really isn't. Let us explore a bit will you. We'll meet you back here in the kitchen."

Ghel nodded with a smile that never reached his eyes. Eyes showing fear and worry. 'Great. I know you both like to cook, and this island really offers the extra counter space you need, as well as a great breakfast bar setup."

Heading for the stairs, Nick smiles. "The place really is awesome, Ghel." Reaching a paw to Judy to assist her up the stairs.

Once up the stairs, Nick whispers to Judy in Vulpine, masking it as a kiss between her ears. "We need to check for hidden cameras and such." Then louder. "If we take this place, it will need to be properly blessed." Giving his usual smirk.

Judy nodded and smiled wistfully. "You're right, you naughty fox. If we do take this place, we are going to need to properly christen it after the kits are born. I know our moms will be happy to give us a day to ourselves."

"I'm glad you agree." Returning a smug smile.

"We haven't had a good chase since, well, before I got pregnant, and this place is more than large enough to allow it."

Nick nodded, giving Judy a heated look. "That is very true." Giving her a full tooth grin as she giggled and walked away from him, flicking her tail. Following with a chuckle of his own. "Naughty Bunny."

Opening the door to one of the bedrooms, Judy looked over her shoulder. "You know you love me."

"Do I know that?" Opening another bedroom. "Yes. Yes I do. These bedrooms are really nicely sized."

"They're like five of my first apartments, combined."

"A large closet was bigger than that shoe box. I know you are small and all, but I cannot grasp how Dharma justified calling that an apartment. It wasn't even a studio!"

"We already talked about this. It was on budget and near the precinct."

"Well, you'll never live in such conditions again."

Judy stepped next to him as they entered the Master and pulled him down for a kiss. "I know it, and you'll never again live in the horrific conditions of that horror show that you called an apartment. That was a utility room and you were paying four times what I paid for my shoe box."

"And this again we have talked about my love. As a fox, before a certainly rabbit hopped herself into my life, that was pretty good, for where it was."

Judy shook her head as they looked over the rest of the upper floor. Nick pulling down the collapsible stairs and taking a look at the attic. "Honestly, if we added stairs to get up there, Ghel is right, it would be a great playroom.

In the mater, there were French doors that lead out to the desk and a small fireplace in one wall, something they both really loved. They marveled over the size of the shower and bath. The bath almost being a small pool for Judy and would easily fit either of them. The shower stall fit them both without issue, as did the fur-dryer pad, which was in its own small alcove in the bathroom.

As they walk down the stairs to check out the bonus room and basement, they exchange a few hand signals that communicate what they each found. This included dozens of cameras, microphones, and other monitoring devices. Judy picking up the high pitched whine of the electronics, while Nick noticed them with his magnetic vision.

Meeting Ghel in the kitchen, Nick smiled. "So, Ghel. Who owns these again? These are way under-priced for what is being offered. I mean, depending on the price, I think Carrots and I would be very interested in an outright purchase."

"It's an older Red deer buck. He's an old friend of the family, distant uncle really, and when he found out that I knew you, he insisted I pass on the invitation. I was kinda surprise, because..."

Nick stopped Ghel. "Say no more. We appreciate the opportunity. These are really nice places. We'd be fools to not at least consider them."

Judy's ear twitched and she turned to face the front of the house, trying to make out what she was hearing approaching in the distance.

The radio in Nick and Judy's ear going off. "This is Delgato. We've made contact with the neighbors. Unit A and B, block the roads. We need additional backup. Clawhauser, lock down the subway station. no trains are allowed to stop, and if they are, they do not leave until cleared. I'm calling a Code One."

Nick and Judy froze for the briefest of moments, then look to each other.

N: HOLY CRAP!

J: Sweet cheese, this is bad. Eric wouldn't call that without reason.

N: We need to get Ghel in the car and safe.

J: What about your other contacts.

N: I'm texting them now to congregate at that park we passed and to stay out of the way. This just went sideways bad.

J: Okay. Then lets do this.

Glaring at Judy, Nick shakes his head. "No. You and Lizz are going to get in the car with Ghel, and go join the others at the park."

Ghel looks between them in shock. "Wait just one second."

Spinning on Ghel. "Not now. You need to go with Carrots and Lizz. They'll keep you safe. A moment later, Lizz and Mike burst through the door as her car explodes in the street.

Judy yelled in surprise. "What the actual fuck?"

Nick laughed. "I'm going to blame that one on you being pregnant. Don't make me tell Bonnie on you."

Judy punched Nick in the shoulder as they both pulled their weapons and checked them. The look of surprise on Ghel's face clear. "Now is not the time, Nick. Lizz, Mike, Report!"

Mike, not turning away from the window.

M: As soon as Eric subdued those holding the family next door hostage, a mob showed up. Threw a molotov in the car. We tranqed as many as we could, but there are just too many of them. It's fixing to be a full on riot out there. Although they really only seem to be blocking the street so we can't get out.

L: I am so not up to this. Running in here took more than I thought it would.

J: You're pregnant, Lizz. It's going to be like that until we give birth and can get back into the gym.

L: I know, but still.

N: So what, we hide out here? What if they try and torch the place.

J: Shit! Someone is in the basement. There must be underground passages. Lizz, Mike. How many you have left?

L: I've got ten.

M: Ten as well.

J: Okay. Nick and I have ten each as well for Medium to small. What are we dealing with out there. Only seems to be one in the basement.

M: I count at least thrity mammals sill walking around, we tranq'd five each before they threw the molotov.

J: Okay. Nick and I will check the basement and if we have to, we're going to just block the stairs. Mike, radio Eric and warn him about the basement. Once we do that, Nick and I will go upstairs and see if we can't pick off a few more. Thin out the crowd a bit.

L: You sure?

J: Yes, now Mike, give that warning to Eric and Jeff.

Mike keyed his radio. "Eric, watch for encroachment from the basement, there may be tunnels."

Eric over the radio. "Roger."

Clawhouser over the radio. "Reporting. Backup in route, five minutes from Rain Forest and Meadow Lands. Trusted groups. Subway locked down. It was between trains, so no trains will be stopping."

Bogo over the radio. "Seriously. Even on your days off, you four can't stay out of trouble."

Nick laughed and smiled towards Judy. "I think it's time we invited buffalo butt to dinner with Maria."

"You may be right." listening at the stairs. "They're on the stairs, sounds like covered hooves. I'm only hearing one, and what sounded like the cocking of a lethal."

Nick nodded. "Okay, lets see how this shakes out. You opposite the door, and I'll be behind it."

Judy nodded, reaching out a paw to him and locking her shoulder. They knew that there were cameras, but that didn't mean their enemies knew they knew. Mike moved so he was angled, with a clear shot once the basement door was opened, weapon at the ready. Nick and Judy were the bait.

Judy had her ears locked on the door, Nick listening to her mind. He yanked her clear as she signaled him that the person on the other side was lifting a foot to apparently kick the door. The door burst open as Nick yanked Judy to the side and into the bathroom. The horse that had kicked open the door put two lethal rounds into the wall she had been in front of, then dropped as the tranq from Mike took effect.

Mike reporting over the radio. "Warning. Hostiles have used lethals. All units use extreme caution."

Acknowledgments going across the radio confirmed the warning, while Bogo ordered them to only resort to their own if they had no choice. Followed by additional acknowledgments.

Nick darted down the stairs to the basement, finding the open door to what was clearly some underground passages more than large enough to allow even a large mammal to pass. Checking for anyone, he keyed his radio. "This is Wilde. Confirmed that there is a significant tunnel system, under the streets here. At least where the townhouses are. We had a mammal try and use it to get the drop on us. There are too many passages to risk exploring without backup." Seeing what looked like a map, Nick Checked the passages he could see then called Judy down. With her listening, he retrieved the map, then closed the door. Then had Mike come down and push some heavy boxes in front of it. It wouldn't stop the door from being used, but it would warn them if it opened again.

At the top of the stairs, they leaned the horse against the door to the basement to act as an additional blockage should anyone else try to get in via the tunnels. Spreading the map out over the kitchen counter they all cursed. Mike checked the mob, and while still loud, it wasn't approaching the houses, just blocking their only exit. Though, a trio of ZPD cruisers was also blocking them in and giving them orders via loud speakers was likely a factor.

Judy shook her head looking over the map. "This entire area is covered by tunnels. These..." Pointing to several going off the map. "I'm betting, these are emergency exits, and they're probably being used as we speak."

Nick nodded with a frown, keying his radio. "Chief. We've confirmed that the whole area has tunnels, and what looks like nearly a dozen exits from the area into the other districts. There's no indication on the map as to where they go, or if this map is even complete. I'm sending a text with a pic now."

Bogo over the radio. "Roger. Clawhauser. Have the other precincts begin a search from the edge of the subject region outwards."

Ben acknowledged and began reaching out to the other precincts. The young goat officer jumping on the radio. "Sir! Officer Heard. I can show on a map where all the exits I know of are at, as well as entrances are."

A grunt from Bogo answered before he spoke. "If you know it, than do it."

"Sir!"

A few minutes later, Clawhauser had photos of a Zootopia map and officers were in route to the tunnel exits with enough backup to begin exploring into the tunnels. The officers trapped in the town homes by the mop took up positions on the upper floor, allowing them to snipe any member of the mob that tried to leave the group. By the end, none of them had more than two darts left.

Over the following hours, hundreds of mammals were arrested, of which only a dozen got Nick's sign off and were immediately released, including Ghel. The officers of the local precinct were also arrested as they had fired on the additional ZPD cars trying to enter the area before being tranq'd from behind by one of the cars that were part of the initial backup set. What made it worse for those officers is that they used lethals against their fellow officers.

After four hours had passed, the news was in a frenzy trying to figure out what had happened to bring such a massive response from the ZPD down on the small, insular community. The leader, the older Red deer stag, had called ZNN to claim that it was persecution for their religious beliefs. A story that fell flat as soon as ex members of the cult in question also started calling into the station. By the time Lizz, Mike, Eric, Jeff, Nick, and Judy were able to climb into an unmarked to be taken home, it was nearly midnight.

As they were climbing into the seats, Bogo walked up. "You all really cannot keep out of trouble."

Nick shrugged. "Sorry sir. My buddy, Ghel. You met him to get his statement. Well, the leader of this place was distant family. He didn't know about what he was up to at first, and passed along the invite in good faith, as he knew Judy and I were looking for a larger place." Looking over at the town homes. "They really are nice places, and I mean really nice. If you can overlook the psycho cult, the multiple cameras in ever room, minor things like that... As soon as Ghel found out the truth, he tried to warn me off. Though by that time we had also gotten the warning from the manager of the place we are going with. Unless anyone has objections?" Getting shaken heads from Lizz, Mike, and Judy. "Cool, we'll discuss it more tomorrow and then I'll call Jacob."

Bogo snorted. "That's nice for all of you, now..."

Nick ducked. "Sorry sir. It's been a bit crazy. Once we had multiple lines of confirmation, that's when we contacted you. There are cameras and mic's all over these buildings. Those that get drawn in... There is no telling what happens to them. Threatened, forced to do things on threat against their kits I suspect, and probably worse. We're not sure what happens over the long term, but Officer Heard helped us put the plan we needed for the roads and patrols. We were not expecting the mob that cropped up when Eric went in for the neighbors, and were very glad for the extra backup. Though he forgot to mention the tunnels. He's originally from here and joined the ZPD to get away. I have to say, he was beyond helpful."

Eric nodded. "Correct sir. While Nick and Judy were investigating this townhouse, Jeff and I went to meet the neighbors. We saw them being threatened as we walked up before the wife opened the door. I charged in and took down the wolf that was in the house. The warning about the underground tunnels allowed us to keep more from making an attempt on us while we waited for backup to deal with the mob."

Bogo nodded. "Okay, what about the horse?"

Nick growled before he could suppress it. "He cam in through the tunnels, kicked open the door from the basement and put two rounds into where Judy had been standing. If we hadn't been expecting something like that, knowing they had the cameras..."

"I see. We'll add that to his charges. Okay. All of you. Go home. I expect you to be in the precinct, pregnant or not, to file your reports, and you ARE getting paid for this. I need to call the Mayor so we can hold a press conference in the morning. This is such a mess."

With that Bogo walked away and the group finished getting in the car, heading towards their respective homes. Eric and Jeff's car, the unmarked that they had arrived in, was also singed from a second molotov, and now evidence itself. Lizz drove the new unmarked as it was a tiger sized car. They dropped Erik and Jeff off first, then Nick and Judy. The agreement was to meet up at the precinct around noon."

The tunnels were flooded with ZPD, and they found dozens more cult members hiding in various safe rooms, store rooms, and then worst of all. They found several of the previous families, still alive, chained up, and clearly beaten and abused. Even the kits. Then they found the bodies. Some no more than skeletons, simply piled into a huge pit dug out in the tunnels. The first officers to find it would spend the next few months in therapy.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Press conference. ZPD, Precinct 1

As usual, the podium was set up on a small dias in front of the front desk of precinct one. Ben moving to an alternate location to continue his duties. There was actually an office directly behind the wall he normally sat in front of that contained his actual desk, dispatch equipment and other things, all of which he duplicated to where he usually sits to greet mammals as they enter the precinct.

The dias actually pulled out from beneath the front desk, as it pushed back to the wall, allowing plenty of room and allowing the speaker to be above the collected press. The stanchions that the ropes were attached to actually rose out of the floor when triggered. The ropes stored in a compartment in the dias, accessible when the dias was fully deployed. Thus creating an area for the press, while allowing the normal denizens of the precinct to go on about their business.

Bogo stood next to the current Mayor, a bull elk, and his Deputy Mayor, a large black bear sow. The Mayor leaned over to Bogo. "I can't believe we had another cult like this within our borders. Worse, one that committed such horrors and no one suspected."

Bogo snorted. "The issue is not a lack of suspicion, but one of a lack of evidence. The fact is, the Wolford pack, the ZPD itself, the ZBI, and even 's organization had tried to get information out of that area and determine what was going on, and we were all stymied. However, since we had to evidence that we could actually act on, we were stuck. Sure, we all knew something was rotten there, but couldn't prove it. Sadly, we couldn't act on hunches, no matter how good those are. What we did last night only happened because of WildeHopps and Wolfeyer."

The Mayor frowned, the Deputy Mayor speaking up. "I'm sorry chief. Who and who?"

Giving a very uncharacteristic smirk, Bogo chuckled. "Is the names affectionately given by the other officers to our two best and most infuriating teams of officers. As a squad, they are nearly impossible to stand, or stop. Judy WildeHopps and Nick WildeHopps, along with Elizebeth Fangmeyer and Mike Wolford."

"Wait. You're saying that Officer Hopps married the fox?"

"And are having kits, as are Fangmeyer and Wolford. Now that they are no longer hiding their relationship, I expect the wedding invites to go out in a few weeks at most. Though they may wait until their cubs, or pups, are born. Not sure which as they're half tiger half wolf."

The Mayor stared for a moment while the Deputy Mayor processed what she'd just heard. The Mayor shaking his head as he spoke. "Wait a second. You're telling me that the first fox and rabbit officers in the ZPD ended up married, and are having kits? Did they go to a clinic?"

Bogo shook his head. "Nope. Well, they do go to a clinic, a specialist. But both couples conceived naturally, and from what I understand, their young are healthy. They are also the most scary pairs of officers we have. Now that Wolford and Fangmeyer are no longer hiding, and hanging out regularly with WildeHopps, I honestly fear that they will get into even more trouble. WildeHopps by themselves were magnets for trouble. So were Wolford and Fangmeyer to an extent, just not as bad. Yet. I fear that together, they will be something even more."

The Deputy Mayor frowned. "Why do you say that Adrian?"

"Simple. Judy Hopps, with no experience, and no support from the ZPD took on a case that consisted of the missing mammal report sheet, and a single traffic cam photo. In the process of doing that, she roped a con-mammal fox into helping her, who stood up to me, and helped her solve all eleven missing mammal cases, in slightly less than 48 hours. Then, after that setup of a press conference, which I blame myself for allowing to happen, Judy quits the ZPD. She then returned to Zootopia two months later and finds her fox, because she was no longer an officer and it wasn't as if we showed her that she could put any trust in her fellow mammals in blue.

The two of them then bring down a second Mayor and the actual mastermind behind the savage mammals. Literally hustling her into a movie villain monologue that they record on a damn novelty recorder pen shaped like a carrot. This they do in less than 24 hours are her return to the city. Just the two of them, a rabbit and a fox.

I'll add that in addition to the then Mayor, two city council members, two dozen prey cops, and the pray chief of precinct three. From there, the fox joins the ZPD, and despite the abuse and accusations that he suffers under, ends up graduating as valedictorian of his class. Leaving a dozen instructors without jobs and black-balled due to speciesism, as well as five recruits, two of whom ended up with actual jail time. And that was just the first act with those two. I mean, he was accused of cheating, but it turns out the instructors were actually the ones altering his work to make it look like he was cheating.

I swear to the gods! I gave them a simple convenience store robbery, and then took a cross district insurance scam that put thirty mammals in jail for no less than 10 years. I'd joke, but Zootopia central prison warden Nuvell is giving serious consideration of opening a new wing, which he jokingly calls the WildeHopps wing of the prison. It doesn't matter. They take down rats and mice as easy as they take down elephants and Rhino's.

I gave them another missing mammal case. Everything about it screamed teen runaway. They took down a mammal smuggling ring that we didn't even know about. I have sent over reports. You really should read them. Now I fear that Mike and Lizz will end up being like them, and I cannot for the life of me, see that as entirely a bad thing, save for my own frustration. Knowing that when I send them out on something, the likelihood that they will stumble upon some major crime and bring that down is almost a sure thing. Have either of you read the reports on the anti-inter-species situation that they uncovered and that is still unraveling?"

The Mayor shook his head. "I can't say I am. Janice?"

Shaking her head, the Deputy Mayor chuckled. "I am, slightly. It's just. It touched Bill Ekarts of all mammals? That's hard to believe."

"It isn't when you realize that his wife, Carry, is a Lynx."

"She's what?"

"Yes. You should both read the reports I send to you. There are some interesting revelations in there. Such as how long you two have been a couple."

The Mayor gulped audibly. "What now?"

"You two were targets of the group. They found out about you, and were going to try and take you down. Either through political embarrassment by exposing you, or killing you by darting Janice with NightHowlder. Yes, they had some, but had not dared use it. They were quite well organized and financed. Which is why a few CEO's lost their golden parachutes recently, all because of WildeHopps."

Janice blanched. "Dear gods. Tell me you're joking."

Bogo shook his head, seeing the crowd of media mammals collecting outside the front of the precinct. "Not kidding you. However, now is not the time. We have a press conference on something else to deal with now." Standing, Bogo signaled the officers at the door to let the media in. In am almost trained fashion, they funneled directly into the roped off area in the center of the atrium. Then started shouting.

Standing, Bogo stood before the podium and motioned for quiet. "Okay. I'm going to give you the ZPD statement on yesterdays actions. I will take questions at the end, and ONLY at the end." Giving the media mammals a glare. "Anyone that interrupts will not get a question. Not even you Jeffery. Same rules as always. After I'm done, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor will also make a statement and take some questions. Questions?"

The assembled were silent, which forced Bogo to suppress a grin. "Very well. Yesterday afternoon, an impromptu sting operation was conducted in order to confirm long standing suspicions about the Throughkelt Heights neighborhood and those in control of it. The initial intent was simply information gathering so that a larger initiative could be planned. However, once the team began their collection of information, it became clear that things were far worse than expected. On of the senior officers then called for additioanl backup, under a code one. You know that means we come running, and as we are learning, it is a good thing we did.

The area and group that controled it have long been suspected of drawing in inter-species couples, especially those with or expecting kits, forcing them to cut off ties with family, friends, and jobs. Those couples would then go dark and never be heard from again. However, as this happened slowly, and the insular nature of the group controlling the area, neither the ZPD, ZBI, or other organizations were able to obtain any actionable information.

This changed when invites to view and possibly rent units in that neighborhood were pass along to several ZPD officers. These officers were not aware of the suspicions surrounding this community. However, they received warnings from others and being diligent officers with kits and cubs soon to be born, they performed some additional background research. This showed them the potential danger they were in.

They also recognized that they, being inter-species couples expecting cubs and kits, were in a unique position to reveal the truth of what was going on in this community. To reveal what had happened to all those previous couples. As such, they contacted me to arrange backup, and then went in, essentially under cover to collect evidence for further action. The intent was just a that, collect evidence, get out.

Once they were on site and backup was in place, they made contact and proceeded as if they were genuinely interested in the properties, which was a series of townhouses. They approached as three couples, one attempted to make contact with the neighbors, which were the previous couple drawn into the community, while one waited as lookout and the last went in to look at the home.

The home was discovered to be quite literally riddled with monitoring devices, including cameras, microphones, and even IR cameras to record the goings on of the occupants in the dark. These were hidden quite well and only discovered due to the skills, training, and abilities of the officers in question. However, before they could exit the location, the officers that were set to make contact with the neighbors, which were the previous couple. They noted that the couple was being held at gunpoint. The officer moved in, and as soon as they did that, the residents of the area formed a mob.

We have learned that the monitoring devices were actively monitored by the group. The mob that formed tossed several molotov cocktails into the vehicles the officers arrived in and threatened them. They did this by blocking the dead end street the homes were located on. The officers on lookout tranq'd several of the mob who tried to approach, but were forced to retreat into the home that the other officers had gone in to look at. The officers tranq'd several more members as they approached the house before the crowd was cornered and subdued by the backup they had the foresight to ensure was in place.

The area was locked down and the local officers were also arrested as they fired on the other ZPD officers with leathal rounds and refused direction. Once additional resources were in place, a mop-up operation was begun. Everyone in the community was placed under arrest until a disposition of their participation in the crimes committed by this anti-inter-species group.

There was also discovered a network of tunnels built beneath the area, which included tunnels that allowed escape into other districts. The cult leader and others attempted to use these, but with the assistance of a former members of the group calling into the tip lines, and ZPD officer, these escape routes were cut off and the mammals attempting to use them apprehended.

We are at this time still verifying that we have arrested all members. The ZPD therefore calls upon any members of this group to turn themselves in. We will identify you, and you will be brought to justice if you participated in the actual crimes of the leader of this group.

That is all we can tell you at this time, as this is still an ongoing investigation. Questions?" He looked over the assembled mammals, indicating a wolf from ZBN. "Jason, ZBN."

"Thank you Chief. There is rumor, and you hinted, that this was going on for a long time. Do you know how many couples and their kits were lured in by this group? Were any of them found?"

Frowning, Bogo nodded. "We know that the group has been operating for years. We do not have a count of how many couples and their kits were drawn in, nor do we know if we will ever have a full accounting." Picking another mammal. "Clair, ZNN."

"Chief Bogo, there is rumor also that the officers in question, and you seem to indicate this fact, are in inter-species relationships. What is the ZPD's stance on..."

Bogo cut her off. "Clair. You know better. The ZPD has no stance, pro or con, on such things. What and how officers of the ZPD choose to interact with, who they love, who they take as a mate, so long as it has no effect on their performance as officers of the ZPD, is their business. I make it my business to know who may be dating whom, but only in so far as I, as their supervisor, need to know this to be able to judge their performance or issues with said performance so that action can be taken. Erica, FNN."

"Thank you Chief. As we know that the officers in question are in inter-species relationships, are you able to advise of of the officers names?"

"No. To do so would be a violation of their privacy and security. I warn all of you now, the privacy and security of the officers of the ZPD is not taken lightly. Anyone who leaks their identities, or reveals them in or to the press, will be found out and have charges pressed as deemed appropriate."

"Certainly understood Chief Bogo. Given that, do you think the officers in question will testify at the trial?"

"Given the lawyer that the head of this group has retained, I expect they will not have a choice in doing so in open court. I expect the lawyer in question to do so in order to try and intimidate the officers in question." Bogo chuckled at that thought. "Knows who those officers are, that lawyer will find it rather difficult to intimidate them. So, I expect in due time you will know, and you will all make a much bigger deal about it and try to make their lives miserable, soon enough. That's all the question I am taking." Turning to the Mayor. "Mayor?"

The Mayor stepped up to the podium. "Thank you Chief Bogo. I will not be taking questions specific to the case, but will be addressing some of the issues raised by it. First off. As Chief Bogo stated, inter-species marriage has been legal for more than ten years. While the city supports freedom of speech for all mammals, regardless of their positions, that support ends when you take the law, as you see it, into your own hands. If you wish to protest, you are allowed to do so, peacefully. Get a soapbox and stand on a street corner and speak your peace. You do not however have the right to attack, hurt, injury, or harass mammals you don't agree with.

The mammals of this group will get their day in court, and if the evidence shows that they should be, they will be punished in accordance with the law and commensurate to their crimes. That is what our courts are for. The ZPD collects the evidence, the Prosecutors office decides what actual charges will be brought before a court and tries the case. The courts are then the arbiters of the law, and it is in fact the courts, who despite their conservative bent, ruled that it was unreasonably discriminator against inter-species couples and overturned the laws that held such to be illegal.

The court even went farther than that to compare such restrictions between consenting adult mammals to having a law that made it illegal for a sterile mammal, no matter the reason, from getting married. As Such, the entire law was overturned, making it legal for same-sex and inter-species couples to become married. Think on that a moment. A law that had been in place since the founding of this city was overturned because we grew up at a society and realized that such discrimination was unacceptable."

Reaching a hoof back, the Mayor pulled the Deputy Mayor forward, drawing his arm around her. "It has come to our attention that another, and different than the current group, anti-inter-species terrorist group was planning on targeting the Deputy Mayor and myself. The intent was to create at least political embarrassment for us.

As Mayor of Zootopia, I want to assure all mammals of the city, that we will not stand by while terrorists try to create fear and discord across our fine city. We will not stand idly by as terrorists seek to destabilize our city by turning its citizens against each other. This is Zootopia. No matter what kind of mammal you are. Here, you can be anything. We're not perfect at that, and we have a long ways to go, but with Janice by my side as Deputy Mayor, and my wife of, in our minds, fifteen years this August. I know that we, as a city, can rise above the hate that is sown by so many for no other reason than fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of things we do not understand. Fear is the enemy, and so long as we can learn to not let fear rule our thoughts, to seek understanding, to learn and understand, this city will be able to live up to the legacy it has set for itself. You do not have to accept another mammals choices to understand them, and let them live their own lives in peace."

The reporters stare blankly for a moment, before the camera mammal for ZNN starts laughing. "Alright. Every single one of you owes me fifty. Pay up!"

A collection of groans before the ZNN reporter, Clair shouts a question. "Mr Mayor. Are you revealing this now under pressure of some kind?"

Smiling, the Mayor shook his head. "Not at all. It was revealed that we were to be targeted, for no other reason that the fact that we are in a relationship, and have been for a very long time, while choosing to keep it private. My intent, discussed with my wife and Deputy Mayor, is to eliminate such a tool against us. Our lives remain private, but the status of our relationship can surely be known. We love each other. As I said, we have been married, in our minds, for fifteen years this August, and have been together for twenty. That is longer than many same species relationships last."

"Mr. Mayor. Arnold Geth, Zootopia Daily Gazzette. Don't you feel that being married to your Deputy Mayor will compromise your ability to function as a team?"

"Not at all. We disagree on a great number of things, politically and otherwise. Our most epic disagreement was over what to have for dinner. The reason we have been able to stay together as long as we have is that we have learned to communicate. We talk through our issues, and even when we fail to agree, we never hold a grudge. At least not for more than an hour or two. This ensure that we are able to compromise, and even give in to the other when needed. Sometimes I win, sometimes she does. We ended up having pizza that night, if you are wondering. She is far more conservative than I am, but we work through things. She tempers my rush to change, and together I feel we in fact make a far stronger team because of our relationship and the deep lines of communication we have fostered over the years."

"Do you think this reveal will help or hurt you in the upcoming elections? Is this just a stunt for votes?"

Janice stepped up. "In truth, this may well hurt us. There are many mammals out there that seem to think that what others do in the privacy of their homes is somehow their business. Just look at what this most recent group is accused of doing, or the anti-inter-species protests that went on last week. We don't seek and never expected support from such mammals. They are beyond reach, as they are entrenched in their positions. There is a very large overlap between those that are against predator/prey cooperation at all, and who still see Bellweather as some kind of folk hero. If anything, it is such mammals that we are opposed to and seek to hold the line against so that our society can progress. Instead of fall back into the days when prey had actual reason to fear predators."

The Mayor stepped back in at that point. "It is something that I simply cannot quite grasp. In our society, Prey and Predator no longer need fear each other. Yet, there are groups of prey, and predators as well, who seek to take us back to when our lifespans were half or less what they are now. When we were barely better than un-evolved beasts. That will be all. If you have more questions, please reach out to our media representatives. They will have photos and other information for you."

This broke the rest of the reporters out of their stupor to shout more questions that were roundly ignored. Officers appearing on both sides to gently guide them out of the building. The stanchions retracted and front desk returned to its normal position, along with Ben. The Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Chief Bogo retiring to his office.

Sitting behind his desk as the Mayor and Deputy took up the chairs opposite, Bogo reached deep into the lower drawer of his desk, pulling out a set of glasses and a very expensive bottle of burbon. Pouring two fingers worth for each, he put the bottle on the desk.

Taking a quick sip, Bogo looked over the other two mammals. "So... Wasn't expecting you two to just come out like that. Didn't tell you to try and force you or anything, just trying to get you to read the reports I send."

The Mayor took a draw off his own glass. "Adrian, we have aides to do that, and then they summarize things for us. When we tell you that we haven't read your reports, that is technically true, but we do know what is in them. Though some of it seems unbelievable and our aides have been editing that out. I suppose we need to have a conversation with them that they need to include all the details. When the bit about us being on a target list, and for what, we talked it over between us, brought in our PR people and chiefs of staff, and made plans to do what we just did. We didn't know when it would be required, but we felt, given the situation, that this would be a good time."

Bogo nodded. "I see. Then I'll ask you both this now. I know Judy and Nick. They are driven. Judy especially, but Nick just as much. He is a fox after all, as she is his mate. He'll follow her into death if needed. So are Lizz and Mike. They are all as dedicated to the job and as Judy would put it, making the world a better place, as they are each other.

I expect that they will be asking to be allowed to create a task force. I know that they want to focus on the work they are already doing with an IA and DA's office liaison, as well as two of my best detectives. They have worked tirelessly to go back over evidence and clear the name of any mammal they can. There are still hundreds of cases that need to be gone over. As well as the names of officers to clear that were terminated because they wouldn't go along with the part line. There are still members of the ZPD that need to be flushed out who were in some way a part of what went down, either with black marks in their jackets, or outright fired. So, I'm going to ask you know if you will back the funding needed for the effort. It will not be a small one. It will expose far more bad actions by the ZPD, the DAs office, and the city as a whole."

Janice nodded. "As much as that will suck, I think the city, the DA, the ZPD, etc... will be better served by being open about it. If things come out later and it was clear that we chose to sweep it under the rug. That will fair far worse for us then a show of solidarity and effort to actually root out the rot and make things right. Honestly, since it will happen in small bites over a long period of time, we can probably get away with including those in standard media dumps, with a press conference like this one whenever a smarter reporting picks up on things."

Bogo nodded. "I agree. It will be better for all. At least the officers effected are both prey and predator, as well as the victims. That way we don't also have that issue. We can show that they were targeted because of their relationship and not their class of mammal. If nothing else, that will be a win for us. As terrible as it is to say."

The Mayor nodded. "As do I, and you're right. It is sad that we have to take our win from that, but it is what we have to do. Now. I am hoping you can clarify for me. You said WildeHopps. As in Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, the first rabbit and fox in the ZPD? I just want to be clear I understand."

Bogo smiled warmly with a sip of his drink. "Yes. The biggest pains in my tail, ever, and one of the most amazing teams I have ever had the pleasure of seeing in action. The way they play off each other, their ability to seemingly communicate without a word, just a look. I've seen them have what seems like full conversations, and arguments, without uttering a sound. And let me tell you, when the do it in front of a suspect, it freaks them out enough that many just come clean. Their physical abilities are such a compliment to each other than I try to build similar teams, and while effective, they just never come up to the level the Nick and Judy achieve. There is something special about them, which is why I was less than surprised when they started a relationship."

"So the rumor is true?"

Nodding, Bogo took another sip. "It is, and they are having kits, that are theirs. So are Lizz and Mike. I've known they were together for years, but they have been afraid to come out and say it. The issue became more concerning when Lizz got pregnant, but WildeHopps swooped in and saved the day. I'll tell you, the little shock and awe campaign they ran on me was quite something, and clearly the work of Nick and Judy. I'm just glad those two will have less stress, but at the same time, they were friends of Nick and Judy before. Now, I fear they will become more like them and that is a scary thing. There is just something about these odd-pairs that seems to work when you find the right pairing."

Janice smiled. "That's very nice. What are Lizz and Mike?"

"Wolf and Tiger. Lizz is the tiger. Mike is the eldest son of the Wolford pack alphas."

The Mayor almost choked on his sip. "The eldest is dating a Tiger?"

Bogo shook his head. "That would have been true a few years ago. No, they've been mated for several years, just hiding it. Like the two of you. Though not as long."

The Mayor nodded. "I see. Janice, we will have to have them over for dinner some time. It would be nice to get to know some other mixed couples."

Bogo chuckled. "Then Nick and Judy are the ones you want. Though I expect Lizz and Mike now come with the purchase. They're part of a larger inter-species support group in the city, and Nick and Judy seem to have become their defacto head. They can connect you to to many dozens of other couples. Which reminds me." Taking another sip. "I actually got a call from Gazelle and her agent. All four of my officers were singing on a charity album. That album has apparently spun quite out of control, and some time late this year or early next, there is going to be a benefit concert. One that will have my officers as staring performers."

Janice grinned. "Oh wow. A call from Gazelle herself. I'm kinda jealous, but why would your officers be singing for her on a charity album or know her? Did they audition?"

Bogo chuckled. "Oh no. It's far worse than that."

The Mayor frowned. "What do you mean, worse?"

"They, Nick and Judy, know Gazelle personally. Judy and Gazelle were college roommates. So Judy knew her before she was a superstar, so of course she is going to introduce her mate. Gazelle actually flies out and visits the Hopps family farm periodically, even when Judy isn't there. She's all but family to them."

"Oh, that's very amazing."

Shaking his head, Bogo continued to chuckle. "Oh, it gets worse. This is where I tell you things that are not technically a secret, but both I and my officers would very much prefer if you kept it to yourselves."

The Mayor and his wife share a look. "Okay... What is this secret?"

"Well, you know that a few years ago now, they passed the vigilantism law. Do you have any idea why? It didn't hit the regular news much. Just the tabloids and lower end papers that needed something salacious to sell some copies. Don't get me wrong, ZNN and the other major new stations did a few features, but they were on the late night editions. They worked with us to keep the fact that the city had a vigilantly problem under wrapps."

Janice nodded while the Mayor looked confused, leading her to roll her eyes at him. "Oh, come on Herald. The vigilantes. They were running rampant, and a lot of them were getting hurt, or killed because they were just average citizens trying to go up against real criminals. There were a few that were quite successful though..." Her eyes went wide and she shook her head. "Adrian, you are not telling me that Judy Hopps was one of those."

Bogo gave in to an outright grin. "The Bunny Avenger. Gazelle was the Crimson Gazelle. Wilde, that damn fox, was then Vengeful Vulpine. They are still close friends to a few others that put on a costume and took justice in their own paws when cuts to the ZPD and local police forces reached a breaking point."

Janice put her face in her paws. "Oh dear gods."

Chuckling, Bogo continued. "Yes. Want more? Judy is the god mother of Mr. Big's grand-cubs."

The Mayor looked stricken. "What? How is she still working here?"

"Simply. Neither Nick nor Judy hid this fact. Per an agreement with IA, whenever they get a case that touches on Big, they hand it off. Whenever they attend a family function, they are required to put in a report on it, and Big knows this. It actually works for him. No business can be conducted while they are there, so it gives Big a chance to actually relax.

So long as no one in the ZPD or ZBI are stuipd enough to try and infiltrate such a function, everyone wins. It also provides us, the ZPD, with a way to get information from Big. He simply holds a meeting within Judy and Nick's ear-shot. They of course are open to him, and him alone, that they have to report on anything they hear. I'm sure Koslov knows, but he is Big's second in command.

When he wants something to be know to us, he simply has them over for dinner. Lets something slip, and Nick and Judy pass along the info in their reports. Big knows that IA and the organized crime division review those reports with a fine toothed comb. Then of course there is the fact that they meet with IA monthly for an interview, and there is a quarterly audit of their cases. If anything, they are the cleanest cops I have, because they are under so much, honestly unfair scrutiny.

There have been several IA agents that have lost their jobs because of it. They went after WildeHopps with a vendetta. One guy because he refused to accept that a Rabbit and fox could work together, let alone be cops. IA has been forced to review every case he worked and lets just say, IA has a lot of egg on their muzzle. The others were just simply not impartial. Thing is, WildeHopps agreed to the scrutiny in order to keep their jobs. Alone with monthly visits to the precinct councilor. Honestly, as effective as they are, all this scrutiny has negatively effected their performance, and I can't even fault them for it. As soon as I can get it to back off, I will. At least the IA part. A quarterly review is something every officer should undergo, or at least bi-annually. That said, until the agreement expires in another year, I can do nothing.

As for Big. He would never put Judy or Nick in a position of risking their jobs, because that would be hurting family. So long as they keep their noses out of Big's business. They're safe, and he totally understand that they can't look the other way, but they don't have to be the ones that look into things."

Janice shook her head. "My gods. That does seem excessive. I know you Adrian, you wouldn't let this happen."

Bogo nodded sadly. "Out of my hooves. Your predecessors and the city council forced the issue. They figured it would break them, if they agreed, or that they were dirty and it would expose them. None of them would listen, and so we end up with this. The councilor is even forced to disclose details from his meetings with them."

The Deputy Mayor shook her head in disgust. "I wish that surprised me. That is beyond unreasonable and could be construed as a violation of their rights." turning to the Mayor. "Herald, we have to stop this. It is reasonable for some heightened scrutiny, but this is simply punitive without justification."

The Mayor nodded. "I agree. We'll get this looked into first thing Monday."

With a smile, Bogo continued. "I know they will appreciate it, as will I. If anything, they have a bigger issue with Bill Ekarts. He was part of what revealed the target on your backs. His desire to show his appreciation is obsessive, but as a billionaire, what else does he have to do? I think Nick and Judy have eaten at Greetha's four or five times now, the most recent being this past week. It wouldn't surprise me if those two, thanks to Bill, didn't have the ability to walk in and get sat whenever they felt like it."

Janice leaned forward. "Greetha's? You can't be serious."

"I'm very serious, Janice. They are both very forthcoming with their IA and DA interviews. They don't hold anything back. You have to understand, those two are actually far more wealthy then they behave. They have lots of memorabilia from their time in costume. They sell it every so often when then need some extra cash for something. Now they have started a foundation and a Trust. Essentially selling off some stuff and placing the rest under the Trust so that it no longer shows as their assets. Thus bypassing the rules that dictate how much net worth an officer can have. It will let them spend more freely now that they are going to have kits, while insulating them financially as well. I've added their foundation to the ZPD charitable donations list."

"What is this foundation?" The Mayor asked.

"Marginalized Mammals Support Fund, or MMSF. I have to say, I get why a fox and bunny would create such a thing. Especially a fox with Nick's background. That said, the setup of the charity foundation fills in a gap that various species specific charities miss. It has already received personal and corporate donations in the multiple millions, and has started helping mammals across Zootopia and beyond. It has only existed for a few days and it is funded to the tune of millions and is already doing good work. Better, they are rated a 1AAAA charity. Most of the staff is volunteer, and those that are not get paid far less than the usual charity staff. It's a fair wage for the job, but that's it. The set up was very deliberate."

Janice smiled. "I will have to look this MMSF up. Find out more about it then. Perhaps it needs a city charter and support."

Shaking his head, Bogo sighed. "That would be just part for the course. It was created after Nick was almost tazed by bank guards for daring to demand he not have his things stolen from him by the bank. The end result was several units dispatched to what they thought was a fox trying to steal from the bank. It was the exact opposite. I actually had the detectives that were sent in my office to explain why the shouldn't pursue the bank."

The deputy mayor was clearly frustrated. "Let me guess, becuase he was a fox he was paying far more than he should have. Had escorts to and from, and other things. I assume he had something valuable in what he had."

Nodding, Bogo sighed. "He did." Finishing his drink and topping it and the Mayors up. "Memorabilia and comics worth millions. The assumption is that the bank manager overheard Nick, Mike, and Nick's cousin discussing what he had. It is a sad fact of life for many smaller predators and other marginalized species. They pay more than they should, they have harder times getting jobs, keeping those jobs, and get paid less. It is one of the big failings of this city. One of our truly great failures of equity."

The Mayor sighed. "It really is, and there is little we can do about it until we get certain mammals off the city council. They're the same mammals that will fight against this task force you are suggesting."

Bogo nodded. "We have enough fund in the discretionary that I can probably fund them for six months. Might squeeze more out, depending. Fact it, I could ask Ekarts, and he would fund it himself without a thought. So, if you can't get that to happen, then maybe slip in something to the budget that allows outside funding of such endeavors."

Janice grins wickedly. "Certainly something we can look into. I think however, I can get it through the council. It is all about how we present it to the council. We put it in the right frame, and even those that will complain, will not stand in its way, lets they find themselves branded with the same brand as this recent group."

The Mayor chuckled. "Thanks my Janice. You are ever a wicked, political creature, my dear."

Bogo chuckled and looked between the other mammals in his office. "Okay. Enough of all that. We haven't just talked in ages. What is up with you two, and the city, other than your coming out as married?"

With a laugh, the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Bogo sipped their drinks and conversed as the old fiends they were. Bogo knew quite well that they were married, as he had officiated both their original, unofficial wedding, and their official one once the law was overturned.

The media itself was in a frenzy over the take down of the cult, as well as rampant speculation of who the officers were that were involved, and who were in inter-species relationships. What their species were, and long segments were given over to experts, and non-experts, to discuss the merits, morals, ethics, and other aspects of such unions. By the end of the day, it was clear that the anti-inter-species camp had no actual experts in their corner. Just fanatics spewing hate disguised with pretty words and outright lies.

Due to the laws of Zootopia, while they have a free press, there is an enforced requirement for truth. Opinion can be broadcast, as long as it is described as such, but when someone comes on and spouts supposed fact, they station is required to verify those facts.

It quickly became apparent that the few so called experts on the anti-inter-species side were at best accredited quacks, and at worst, outright frauds with degrees worth less than the paper upon which they were printed off the internet. Once discovered that they were spewing outright lies, they were cut off and the network apologized.

The shock of the revelation that the Mayor and Deputy Mayor were not only in a relationship, but in a very long standing one, held sway over the discussions. All the actual experts were saying that it was not a psychological aberration, and if anything, those inter-species couples that had been studied had more mature and deeper relationships that many same-species ones. This was attributed to, as the Mayor had stated, their need to communicate better due to the differences of species culture, biology, and instinct.

Many of them suggesting as well that same species couples could benefit from learning a few things from inter-species couples like the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. The communication skills, the conscious decision to not hold onto anger, and other factors.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Later that morning, well after the media had left, the group, Lizz, Judy, Mike, Nick, Eric, and Jeff, walked into the lobby, Ben looking them over. "Hey guys. Had a real long night, huh?"

Erik laughed. "One way to put it Ben. Once I file this report, we're going home and crashing again." Giving Jeff a side hug as they walked arms around each other. Ben's eyes widening in shock.

Nick groaned. "I wish. We have a meet-up with family early this afternoon." Looking to Judy. You did tell them to meet us at Therus, right?"

"I sent the text and got the acknowledgment. I also warned Fin that he'll be seeing a bunch of rabbits."

"Did you warn him that we'll be joining?"

"Yes, and to expect extra guests. I told Aunt Sasha, she insisted I call her that. I told her to be there around two, but I will text her if it'll be sooner. Mom is going to be there too."

"Oh crap. Really?! You brought my mom in on this?" The seriousness of his statement eliminated by the smile. "Not that I am surprise. Might as well get the meeting of the parents over with."

"Nick. My grandfather is going to get to meet his first love again. Someone he gave a Hopps sapphire pendant to. I don't know if you really understand the significance of that."

"Right. I... We're so screwed."

"Maybe, maybe not. We will just have to wait and see. You read the reports in the chat. The dinner went really well. Though the revelation about meat eating was a shock."

"You aren't as weird as you thought you were."

Ben leaned over the reception desk with an incredulous look. "Say what now?"

Nick looked up, a wicked smirk emerging on his muzzle as he saw a chance to seriously mess with the cheetah. "Ben, you got any of that jerky I gave you left?"

Reaching back, and then holding the bag back down to Nick, Ben smiled. "Of course. It's really good, but filling. Not like a doughnut. Still, it's helping me feel more energetic and lose some weight."

Taking a large piece from the bag, Nick smiles up at the cheetah. "Thanks Spots. Yeah, you're a predator. More protein, less carbs and sugar. Bound to be better for you buddy." He took a bite and chewed it slowly, waving the remainder, which was a very large piece, almost as large as her face, in front of Judy. In fact, he made sure that it passed just millimeters from her nose as it started to twitch furiously.

Ben started to protest. "Nick! Don't do that to a prey! That's so not..." He was going to say right, but had the statement died in his throat as Judy snatched the piece almost faster than he could see and took a chuck out of it. He blinked in disbelief as she closed her eyes and moaned as she chewed.

After a moment's chewing, and the shocked look on every face but Nick, Lizz, and Mike, Judy swallowed and spoke. "Oh gods, that so good! Nick, you know how much I love that brand of Jerky. Jerk."

Nick laughed, ruffling the fur between her ears and receiving a glare from Judy as she took another bite. "Always the best for my meat eating bunny."

Ben's eyes bulged. He voice rising as he tried to comprehend what he was watching as Judy finished off the jerky. "WHAT‽"

Nick chuckled. "Better watch out for this one, Spots. She will bite you to get at that jerky if she's hungry."

Judy shrugged. "Meh... I'm not that dangerous, Ben. I've been eating jerky, protein bars for predators, even fish when I could get it, since I was a kid. How the hell else do you think a bunny like me had the muscles to compete in the academy that was designed for wolves and larger? You really should try the spicy shrimp and chicken burrito at Therus."

Ben blinked, unable to form a coherent though. Eric looked down. "Yeah. That explains a whole lot." Shaking his head as he walked away. "I want to get this report done so I can get back to sleep. You can all do what you want."

Jeff nodded. "I'm going to catch up on some paperwork. Let me know when you are done, Hun." Walking away towards this office. This knocked the rest out of their thoughts and the rushed off to their desks, waving goodbye to the still stunned silent cheetah.

Two hours later Nick and Judy were done with their reports and headed out of the precinct. They enjoyed a chuckle between them as Ben watched Judy with a slight hint of fear, especially when he jumped as she chomped the air in his direction with a very predatory grin. They headed directly to Therus, getting there right at one, and just as the Zuber dropped off a large group of rabbits, and one ferret.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Bogo's office.

Chief Bogo was going through the last of his paperwork, and barring some new emergency, he would actually be ahead for one of the few times a year he pulled that off. It was nice to catch up with the Mayor and his wife. He and his wife had been happy to support them privately.

His good mood souring as he heard the unmistakable huffing of the approach of a certain feline officer. He listened and just as Ben reached the door. "Come in Ben."

Opening the door, Ben entered and then leaned against the desk. "Sorry... Sir... One sec..."

"Take your time Ben. If it were truly an emergency, I know you would have used the intercom or called me on my cell for security."

Ben nodded as he straightened up. "I'm getting better sir. Nick gave me some jerky. Really good stuff, and a few bites of it covers my hunger better than a dozen donuts."

"That's good. I see you caught you wind faster than usual."

"Yes sir. I'm trying to stick to the routine Judy left for me. I'm not perfect, but I'm getting there."

"Good, so what brings you up here?"

Looking away for a moment. "It's about Judy. Sir."

"What about her? Last I checked she was on maternity leave, save for coming in to give me this report."Pointing at one of the folders on his desk. "Regarding yesterdays activities."

"Sir. She eats meat. Not just little bits, but lots of it. She said that she has since she was little."

Bogo leaned back in thought. "Huh... That would explain why her strength ratings are so much higher than any other rabbit that has applied since she graduated."

Looking up at Bogo with a confused look. "Sir?"

"I was reviewing the read outs on some new recruits, which include both foxes and rabbits. Funny thing. Even though these recruits are in top shape according to the academy docs. Their strength, speed, agility, just about every metric is far below what Wilde and Hopps rated at when they were in the academy, or their annuals. I was just going to recommend that they not use WildeHopps as a baseline for what to expect from such mammals. They are just not normal specimens of their species. Perhaps normal for their families, but not the wider species."

Ben chuckled. "That's the truth. I watched that bunny each a chunk of that jerky, and enjoy it like it was fine wine."

Bogo nodded. "Did she say anything, or was it more of a dare sort of thing?"

"Oh no, sir. She stated that she had been eating meat, predator protein bars, etc... since she was a kit. Nick, Lizz, and Mike, were clearly not shocked by it at all."

Giving a snort. "I suggest you dissuade your fellow officers about making food bets with her. Thanks for the report, now get back to work."

Giving a salute, Bend left the office. After a few moments, Bogo couldn't hold it in any more and let out a deep, belly laugh. "That explains so damn much about that rabbit."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A/N Keep the reviews and comments coming, it's making Muse happy, which lets me work on this and other things. And also remember, if you see issues, misspellings, etc... Let me know in PM, I'm under no illusion of being perfect and want to fix those things I miss.

If you are truly enjoying this, you can check out my original work by popping over to my blog, Scribblings. You can link to it here: and then select Scribblings Blog.