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.

57. Chapter 57

Here is the 57th installment. Hope you enjoy.

Notes now live at the end of the chapter, so here is the obligatory, on with the show.

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

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Later that evening, around ten, Ed and Elli dragged the pups home to sleep around seven. Most of the band members giving in to exhaustion by nine, leaving just Nick, Lizz, Judy, Mike, Arron, Victoria, Mike's brother Frank, Maria, Jarvis, Carlos, Bobby, and Al, along with the Nightwolves. They sat around the same conference room table, laughing and sharing stories, and surrounded by empty pizza boxes.

Al looked over at Nick as Judy snatched another piece of sausage from his forgotten slice of sausage and pepperoni pizza. "Nick, my mammal. That is one weird rabbit you have there."

Nick shrugged. "I really can't tell anymore. She's just Judy."

Judy poked Nick in the side. "He means the whole meat eating thing, dork." Looking to Al. "Actually, we have confirmed that we're both hybrids, from the very long past. Our families interacted thousands of years ago, before the Great Agreement, or Compact, or whatever the history teachers of the moment are calling it. We, foxes, rabbits, and other marginalized small mammals call it the Great Pact. We all know what it was. Where the great clans of both prey and predator came together and committed tor peace between all species, the predators would stop hunting prey and the prey would stop their extermination efforts of predators.

Sadly, we all know that not everyone got that message, or they let fear and specist attitudes rule them, and as with Dawn, sometimes they get into power. Which is why you have most of the wars our world has suffered through since then.

What most don't realize, or don't care to know, is that most smaller mammals were not included in the original agreement. This is a fact not often mentioned when mammals are taught about it, save the occasional line about X species signing onto the pact at later dates. The assumption is that those other mammals just didn't have delegates, which is in fact untrue. They were quite specifically excluded. The teaching of history, outside of some progressive university professors, ignores the reason why they were excluded." Seeing Al's skeptical look. "Look it up yourself. The information is there in the original text, listing certain species and groups as excluded from the agreement. I'm sure there are apologetics about the species in question being less evolved or something like that, as untrue as that is. It is there, it just isn't taught or included in most history books because it wasn't the predators that did it. It was the prey species that lobbied for the exclusion of species like rabbits, foxes, weasels, most omnivores, small predators that were also prey to the larger preds, etc… Worse, the reality for species like foxes and raccoon's is that they were only allowed to sign on in the past two hundred years. Rabbits in the past three hundred, at the same time the burrows signed on as part of the federal state and by extension finally gained the protection of the pact.

The reason, and I actually want you to verify this so you know the truth of it for yourself, the reason rabbits and other smaller mammals were excluded, by the prey that signed on, such as sheep, if we're being fully honest here. The reason they did that was because by not being included in the pact, we could still be hunted as food, and the larger prey species didn't believe that fish and other such protein sources were going to be enough for the predators.

To this day, the border warrens of the Tri-burrows area maintain their fortifications, upgraded with modern equipment and weapons. The burrows have a full militia that no one talks about, and for a reason. Foxburg, Vulpine Meadows, and other such communities look sedate enough, but there are fortifications now hidden within the surrounding forests that are only a hundred years old. Because even after signing onto the pact, species like foxes were attacked at will by others, accused of all manner of things, and routed from their homes. It is not a pretty picture when you get down to it. There is a reason Nick and my wedding was a private affair with only a few friends. Not even my own parents could attend, or were even let know it was happening because of what happened to foxes only a century ago."

Al looked over to his drummer, the black fox, who had come in while Judy was speaking. "James, is that true?"

James shrugged as if it were no big deal. "Yeah. The rabbit has the right of it, and if either of her parents didn't approve, the approving member of the family could not be told if they were being traditional. It was for safety, because fox weddings would be crashed, mammals beaten if not killed, etc... Still happens sometimes in more rural areas and less advanced countries.

As for the fortifications. I'm from Foxburg, before we moved to the Meadowlands when dad got a new job, and in school we used to take field trips out to the old fortifications. They're still there, just as she says, and things are still not great for foxes. If anything, they have gotten a lot better in the last few years thanks to him." Indicating Nick.

Al frowned. "And you never said anything?"

James shook his head with a resigned shrug and sigh. "What good would it have done, Al? For instance, Nick here actually gets some healthcare coverage since he is a cop, and I'm sure he's getting screwed over even so, because he is a fox. You remember the last time I was sick, right? I paid for all that care, out of pocket, because it is actually cheaper than if I had been paying insurance, and I actually get care, though I have to pay up front.

I learned that the hard way when I got hurt during that first tour. Insurance denied the claim, and I ended up paying most of my take from that tour just to cover it. You asked me once why I didn't move out of that dunghole of an apartment when I had money. I didn't have money, because it all went to covering my medical bills. After that, I opened an LLC so the banks don't know I'm a fox, and put the money in an account that way. Basically insuring myself."

Al was clearly angry at that point as he turned to Maria. "Maria! Surely you knew about this and are doing... something?" Waving a frustrated hoof in the air. "I would think with all your activism, you would have been screaming from the rooftops."

Maria looked down sadly. "I wish I could say I did, or that I was doing something, but in truth, I learned about it a few days ago. Worse, as I have thought about the actions of myself, I have completely ignored the plight of smaller mammals and the marginalized like foxes even more so. I've always supported species unity, and sure, I have supported charities and such, but have I actually done things? Have I spoken up about the treatment I knew, that we all know, they are subjected to?" Waving a hoof at the mammals around the table. "No. I have been no better than anyone else on that front, until now." Looking up with a smile, as Al's frown and angry brow deepened at hearing the implication about the banks and saw James nod. "But not to worry, I'm already working with Bill Ekarts to fix that. We're fixing up a bank that he owns so that they do not discriminate or screw over the marginalized. I think Mike's brother, Ed, who you met earlier with the pups, is working on it."

"The one married to the water deer? They make such an adorable couple."

Smiling wider, Maria nodded. "That's them. Now that I think about it, it is Ed. He is some kind of accountant and his firm is currently auditing the bank. It's already caused at least a dozen firings and two referrals to the DA's office for possible charges. Along with that, Bill and I are buying a small insurance company and will be offering real, affordable, blanket coverage insurance to anyone, with a focus on marginalized species that cannot get it from the rest of the companies without getting screwed. We're actually in negotiation with the ZPD to take over their coverage for all ZPD employees."

Judy laughed. "I knew you moved fast, Maria. But this is fast even for you."

Maria nodded. "It's Bill. He's putting his billions behind it. In the short term, it might actually cost him his billionaire status at the rate he's spending money on the two projects."

Nick laughed. "Yeah, but in the long run, he'll probably end up richer than he started out. Al, if you are so inclined, now would be the time to get with Maria and invest. James and I are probably going to be some of the first customers, right?"

James laughed. "Depending on what the coverage looks like. Hell yeah! It would be nice to have real insurance. I wonder what it's like being a cop and having coverage."

Nick shook his head. "Not as good as you think. They try to deny coverage for everything, even the work related stuff they are supposed to pay for, and I pay through the nose for it. Plus I still deal with demands to pay up front, assuming they even believe that I have coverage at all and then tell me to have the insurance company reimburse me. Judy has had to raise hell on more than one occasion, and it isn't even the doctors, it's the admin types that are the problem."

A bobcat female walked in. "Hey sweetie, how was the recording you were telling me about?" Giving James a kiss.

James grinned, returning the kiss. "Hey, babe! It was great. Let me introduce you. We have Judy and Nick WildeHopps, and yes they are apparently their kits. Healthy hybrids according to their doctor, the same doctor that assures them that the hybrid wolf-tiger kits the Tiger is carrying are healthy. Speaking of which, this is Mike Wolford-Fangmeyer and his mate, Lizz Wolford-Fangmeyer. Mike is the Wolford Pack Designate. Then we have Mike's parents Arron and Victoria Wolford, the pack Alphas." Looking over the mammals at the table, James grinned wider. "Everyone, this is my own wife and mate, Lynn."

The Bobcat waved shyly at the collected mammals. "Hello. A pleasure to meet you all."

Judy waved with a warm smile. "Hello, Lynn. A pleasure."

James chuckled and pulled Lynn into the seat next to him. "Don't worry, babe. They're good mammals. I mean, Judy was apparently Maria's college roommate. And before you ask, I asked, and Judy gave me the card for their specialist." Glancing over to Al. "I keep telling you, maybe you should look outside the normal ewes you date. They're all just vacuous woolbrains with no interest in you as a person."

Al groaned, deflating visibly. "I get it! But no one ever seems to want to give me the time of day, no matter the species."

Judy pipped up. "I'm sure you'll find the right mammal, ewe or otherwise, Al. You're a great mammal, you just have to find that person that is willing to see past the wool and the spikes, past the stereotypes." Smiling, Judy leaned against Nick for a moment.

Al shrugged. "I've given up looking." Looking at Judy and Maria and their mates. "Maybe what I need to do is look for a predator."

Bobby laughed. "Half jokingly, but my sister is going to be in town next week. I'd be willing to introduce you."

Al laughed. "Like you said. Half jokingly. Go for it. Think she would be interested in an aging rock-star?"

"She's my older sister, and no, she's not going to be interested in you. You're not female. But she might have a friend."

"I'll take what I can get."

Bobby had his phone out and was texting as the conversation switched back to the bank and the insurance company. Maria smiled. "Nick, Judy. How is the MMSF doing?"

Nick laughed. "Last update I got, they have operating funds to run full tilt for the next three years, and that would be without new donations."

Al looked up from his own phone. "MMSF?"

Judy smiled. "A foundation and charity that Nick and I started. The Marginalized Mammal Support Fund. It is a place that anyone, not just marginalized mammals, can go for help. The name simply describes the fact that it is the marginalized that often need help, because of how society treats them. It provides both financial and legal support for anyone with a verified need, be it rent money because they lost a job due to being a fox, legal aid and defense because they were a raccoon who happened to be too close to a robbery, regardless of who actually did it. Things like that. Maria and Bill helped get it off the ground. Nick and I are on the steering committee and board since we're founders."

Al nodded. "I assume that also means helping with medical bills and such."

Judy nodded. "That is one of the top three outputs for the MMSF thus far. Once the insurance company is set up and the plans vetted, the MMSF will be promoting it and the bank to the primary target audience."

Al shook his head, glancing at the article he had just been reading that was tearing him up inside as he learned just how horrible things were for smaller mammals. "Because having insurance and a bank that isn't going to screw you over is just as much support as providing the money directly."

Nick nodded. "Exactly that. From what Bill told me." Looking to Maria. "There is a lot of money going to be going back into the accounts of a lot of mammals once the audit is done."

Maria nodded. "It's already started… Well, the initial stages. Legal is putting together the wording for the notification letters. Once those go out and are received, then the money will start flowing back into those accounts. Those that have accounts are already seeing the abusive fees and such vanish. That was one of the first effects of the change. New accounts are being set up without restrictions and blind to the species of the mammal. Ed's recommendations have been taken to heart, and the bank is already making money because of the word of muzzle going around. New accounts and direct deposit numbers are up ten percent already and the changes have only been in effect a few days."

Nick nodded. "That is good."

Al nodded. "Okay. Someone needs to tell me how I contribute to this MMSF thing, and how I get in on the insurance company to invest in it."

Maria laughed. "Just look up the MMSF, they are a registered non-profit charity. As for the insurance company, Bill is having to buy one, but the sale should be finalized soon. Then we can go in, clean-house, and set up new products. That's apparently the term in the industry. At which point the negotiations with the ZPD will close, because the agreement to take over as their insurer is contingent on the purchase. It's Bill's world. I'm just acting as a backer and will be the face on the advertising along with Jarvis and a few others."

Judy piped up after just giving up and taking Nick's slice of pizza. "Maria, do you have the comics so we can go over them?"

Maria lit up like a searchlight. "I do! Thank you for reminding me. We need to get your sign off before we can publish." She quickly left the room and returned a few moments later with four large binders. Handing them to Nick, Judy, Mike, and Lizz. "Mike, Lizz. Given that we are ret-conning some things, we have some proposals that include you two as characters. Nick, the Fennec stuff has already been looked over and approved by Fin. He also said that he'll have all of Therus accounts moved by the end of the week. I guess his girlfriend is helping him."

Nick shook his head. "Claire is his mate. They've been together for more than three years. He has never had a relationship that lasted more than a few weeks, and that was only because they got snowed in at her apartment. Fin just hasn't gotten around to asking her formally. I think because he would end up having to stop living in his van."

Judy laughed. "Oh, parish the thought! Fin, not living in his van? The great pact might just dissolve."

Nick flipped open to the first image and laughed. "Oh gods, please tell me there is more than one artist doing this? That is just too much!"

Maria nodded with a chuckle, the others opening their binders and laughing as well. "Yeah, I had that one put first for the shock value. It's so over the top we had to include it. It'll be a very limited run to help it sell. The rest are different styles but a bit less over the top. We're doing five artists for the first five issues, and depending on which sells the best, other than that first one, the top two will get to do the next five issues along with three new artists."

With a nod, Nick continued flipping. "The art looks good." Flipping into the actual story boarding for the comic. "I like this initial story. It introduces VV and BA nicely, along with their new friends The Wolf and Tigress. Sure, it's a bit reductive, but then so was Bunny Avenger."

Judy laughed. "Or Vengeful Vulpine. I agree, the art is really good. Nice nod to The Fennec without him needing to be in the comic as well. No need to overload since we're already introducing two new characters. Story is a good opener. Now, where is the story and such for the other five issues?" Maria handed over another, smaller, binder to each of them. After reading through it Judy grinned. "I like it. It's a basic arc that establishes why they have put back on the costumes and why they took them off to begin with, as well as why their friends are getting in on things."

Nick nodded as well. "Good tension and character development. I'm good with these. I also like the nod to the relationship between BA and VV. No mention of CG or SF? … There it is. End of the arc, and a good place to open up stand alone comics for TW&T if they're popular, and set's up the next arc. How about you guys, Lizz, Mike?"

Mike looked up at Lizz who looked back at him in utter shock, then started laughing. "You're serious? We get characters in a comic book‽"

Maria nodded with a bright smile. "You do, and an equal share of the net profits from sales. The contracts are in the back for all of you."

Nick smiled as he read the contract. "If you guys want… Actually, Lizz give yours to Judy to review. Mike, let me see yours."

Mike handed his contract to Nick, Lizz to Judy. After a few minutes, Nick and Judy swapped, and after reviewing again, handed them back to their owners. Nick then pointed a few things to Mike, making sure Lizz could hear too. "As you can see here, you will get a quarterly report that shows the total sales for each issue, your percentage appearance in the comic, and therefore what your percentage of the net profit is. You will also get, as stated here, five copies of each artist's version of the comic from the first hundred, selected at random for any issue your character shows up in, and can purchase additional copies of those, and any other issues under this title or spin off titles, at cost. Note, you will never get the first, second, or third as those are the most valuable and are always sent out randomly and no one, not even the printer knows where they are shipped."

Mike nodded. "And you know how to read this stuff again, how?"

Maria laughed. "Because they are both functionally attorney's. So when it comes to the law, they're about as good as having an actual lawyer go over them."

Judy nodded. "We've both considered challenging the Bar, but while I could, we cannot do so together, and until the law gets changed, even if Nick passed, they wouldn't let him practice. That of course also assumes that they let him take the test to begin with."

Nick chuckled. "Yeah. If we were to, there would be some things we would want to brush up on, but stuff like this is easy, and there isn't any mealy mouthed legalese in these. Also note, if you want to withdraw from the contract, it's pretty easy to do, but must be done in writing, and they get up to ten issues, under the existing contract terms, to write the characters out unless it is at the end of an arc, and if you end up with a spin-off comic, you'll have a contract specific to that."

Lizz nodded. "Seems reasonable."

With that, all four mammals signed to an ear to ear grin from Maria who handed everything over to Carlos. Carlos nodded as he reviewed things. "Perfect. Yes, I'm actually overseeing this project as well. I'll get these to the lawyers and then let you all know when we have an expected release date. We're shooting for the next ComicCon to do the release at the con. Nick, you did note the appearance clause, right?"

"I did."

Judy shook her head. "That's the only other minor part. If you are requested to appear at an event, such as ComicCon, you will have to show up for at least one appearance. Although I expect Carlos will find proper stand-ins for us, as well as costumes that we can wear if we want. I'm pretty sure our, Nick and my, old costumes don't fit, though we will try them on." Judy turned to Carlos. "Please give Vivian of Vivian's Fine Clothing a copy of the costume patterns and let her know that it is for us and to use our standard fabrics."

Carlos looked at Judy with his head cocked to the side. "Why?"

"Because she is Nick's mom, and makes all our clothing. Do the same for Lizz and Mike." Judy turned to Lizz and Mike. "Which reminds me. This weekend, both of you need to get your tails into Vivian's and have her do your measurements. You specifically Mike. Lizz, you'll need to do that after your recovery."

Lizz nodded. "I remember. I'll make sure and drag this lunk there tomorrow afternoon." Giving Mike a kiss on the cheek and a gentle flick on his ear.

Victoria shook her head. "You're both effectively lawyers too? Dear gods. It's as if you two were literally made for the position of First."

Judy shrugged. "It's not all that, Victoria. Nick and I, for different reasons, found it necessary to study the law and many other things. For me, as a smaller mammal seeking to be a member of the ZPD, I had to do more, and prove myself over and over again to be taken even remotely seriously. For Nick, it was about making sure he didn't run afoul of the law, and in life in general."

Arron shook his head with a chuckle. "That's it! Vic, these two could pull off being Alphas themselves, with them backing Lizz and Mike, there is no chance. NO CHANCE! That they will not be the most successful Alphas the pack has had since Alpha Mike Wolford first agreed to the pact with the Hopp rabbits."

Judy chuckled. "We're Hopps now, Arron, but thank you for the compliment."

Arron frowned. "Okay, hold on. I know we chatted about this a little bit when the whole pact thing came up the other day, but are you implying what I think you are?"

Judy nodded. "I am not implying it, I'm telling you that as fact. It's why we want to get all that old documentation over to my family's historians. They already have the Wilde documentation, and we know from the Hopps histories that there was a pact between the Wildes, who lived with us in the same burrows, and a pack of wolves. That pact therefore expanded to apply to the Hopp clan.

We were originally Hopp, but that got changed to Hopps by a clerical error a few hundred years ago. Our documentation shows that the pact was with a pack of wolves known as Wolford, but we couldn't be sure it was your pack, since there have been a few that have claimed that name."

Laughing, Arron shook his head till his ears flapped. "Oh boy. So you are saying that the pact that is still in effect as far as we are concerned, applies to your family? I guess I remember us talking this out when we discussed the pact you are building, but it's just… Wow. Okay, that means that we need to let the Nightwolves know that they should be sending some security wolves to keep an eye on things in Bunnyburrow." Looking up at Jason Nightwolf. "Jason?"

Jason looked down at Judy, then up at Arron and back. "Oh wow. Yeah, Judy. Uhm… I am going to need the contact information for those historians. The Nightwolf pack was also the historians for Wolford and a few others in the early days, and we have not given up our careful documentation in all that time. We preserved far more information than most. We can probably fill in quite a few gaps. I'm wondering what Arron is talking about a pact?"

Nick chuckled and sighed. "Yeah, and with the way things are going we are going to have to lean on the Nightwolf pack for security too. Though I expect you'll want to sign on yourselves, as well as via your pact with Wolford. You see, with all the inter-species couples out there, far more than you realize, and with us seeming to be able to have hybrid kits. Well, it just kinda came about, and so we are going to have a huge get together and offer the formation of a pact with all those in attendance that chose to sign on. There are several who have stated commitments already, and a few who will be able to sign for entire family lines, as well as themselves."

Al choked on his drink and blinked heavily. "Whoa there! A pact of inter-species families?"

Nick looked across at Al. "What about you, Al? Would you sign on in your personal capacity?"

"I… I'd need to see the pact language, but I'm not against the idea on its face. It's just kind of shocking."

Shrugging, Nick grabbed another slice. "It's not really that big a deal, at least that was what we were thinking prior to seeing the response we have gotten."

Al looked across the table with a thoughtful expression. "Let's see. The Hopps rabbits, I assume Judy that since your family is providing the location, they're signing on?" Getting a nod from Judy, Al continued. "Then I assume you're signing as WildeHopps family. There is the Wolford Pack."

Nick chuckled. "Correct, and I'm actually authorized to sign as representative of the Wilde family of foxes, and there will be a red fox species representative there as well."

Judy smiled. "As well as a rabbit and hare representative."

Lizz smiled. "I'm signing with Mike, as our family, as well as for the Fangmeyer's." Looking to Mike. "Mom texted me earlier today. She's confirmed that she has the authority to sign as the eldest female, and has therefore assigned me as her representative if she can't make it herself."

Al looked between them, leaning back, seemingly almost scared. "How many species?"

Judy shrugged. "We do not know at this point. Won't really know until the signing happens." Then getting serious. "Please don't tell me you would try and stop it or interfere?"

Putting his hooves up, Al chuckled nervously. "First. No. I'm more interested now than before. I really hope you have a lot more prey species signing on."

Judy nodded. "As part of their individual families, such as Nick and I as WildeHopps, yes. Which is why the pact will have options for individuals on behalf of themselves and any future family they may have. There will also be options for groups such as the Wolford pact. In addition to that there will be space for those authorized to sign for larger or entire family lines. That is like when Nick signs as the extended Wilde family of foxes and Lizz for the Fangmeyer's, or my brother in law as the extended family of Uleric weasels. There will also be a species option, which binds anyone of that species to the pact. We don't actually know if any will do so, and it isn't as if we're broadcasting it, yet. That'll happen later when we get closer. We're just preparing. It isn't happening until this coming fall anyway."

Al nodded. "I'm officially on board, barring something weird in the text of the pact document." Looking thoughtful again. "You know, you're going to have a lot of push back, even from the government. They cannot legally stop you, but that won't stop them from trying."

Mike growled. "Yes, and Wolford pack will stand against any such efforts. Our world needs this. We need to affirm a new pact that will establish some true trust across species the way the Great Pact claimed to but never actually did. So many mammals were excluded from, and even to this day are denied some of the benefits. Society needs this to build a real future and to break out of the bigotry and specism that created the likes of Bellwether."

Nick smiled. "Well said, Mike. Sounding like an Alpha there. Careful, you might convince your mom and dad to step down if you keep talking like that."

Victoria laughed. "Oh! Perish the thought. It's going to be many years yet. Lizz has so much to learn, as does Mike, but now they can learn it together. You two are also key to that. With that in mind, I need at least one of you to show up at the next council meeting. Preferably you, Nick, with Mike."

"I just need the when and where. Unless Judy goes into labor, I'll be there."

Victoria nodded. "Totally understood and that is a legitimate excuse for sure."

Mike smiled. "I'll get us there, mom."

Al balked. "Hang on! You're the Designate?! Bloody hell! I didn't make the connection." Turning to Victoria and Arron. "Two of the best guitarists I have ever known where Wolford pack wolves. They explained some wolf stuff to me, and the Alphas and their Designate was part of that. I knew you were the Alphas, but I figured Mike was a later pup, not the Designate. And his mate is a Tigress, who is going to give him pups? You're okay with this?" Shaking his head. "Of course you are, you're sitting here. I'm... This is a lot to take in."

Al turned and glanced at Nick and Judy before facing Victoria and Arron again. "So that means the rabbit and fox are their Firsts… You said that earlier, just didn't click. Now that set of mammals is putting a pact together as well. The, Judy Hopps. The, Nick Wilde. Oh, that pact is going to need some really weird stuff in it to not have me sign on. What I want you to do now is let me know how I can support making this pact happen. I agree with Mike. Our world needs this to help counter the forces that still support the likes of Bellwether."

Judy smiled. "Know any high ranking sheep that would be interested, or other larger prey? The Hopps extended family will be obligated because my parents are the heads of the clan, and are signing in that capacity. That covers a lot more rabbits than most realize. I'm sure a few other families, and especially the border warrens will sign on."

Nick nodded. "I can think of dozens of families from Foxburg that will jump at the chance, though they'll likely wait to see who else signs on first. Not that I blame them."

Al laughed. "Oh, I know a few, and you said fall… Yeah, I can make it so a rather massive herd, or two, signs on. Do you know what some of the pact provisions will be?"

Judy nodded again with a smile. "We have a few worked out. Respect, for one thing, and that is enumerated out to treating other signers and their families as equals, in employment, in interactions on the street, etc… The language is still being hammered out and we are seeking to make the meaning and the wording plain and unambiguous, save where that would make it more inclusive."

Nick picked up from there. "The usual provisions of offering assistance, shelter from the storms of life. Things like that. The real hope I have for it is that we capture enough mammals that it strikes at the heart of things like Kit Services. Forcing, if by the obligation alone, mammals that work in Kit Services to stop some of the practices, such as selling off foxes as basically slave labor."

Al blanched. "That's not funny."

James shook his head. "He's not telling a joke, Al. I think we all wish he was, but he isn't."

Judy frowned. "I took a black mark in my service record to stop Kit Services, and even then I was not completely successful. It cost me at least one promotion, and is why Nick is actually higher ranked than I am now."

Nick leaned over and kissed Judy between the ears. "You'll always be my superior officer, Fluff. It isn't as if I get paid more. If I wasn't paying as much as I am for the insurance, I'd still be making a bit less than you."

Judy nodded. "And that isn't fair either, but until we can get some laws changed, they can get away with that."

Al looked down. "Wow. This has been an educational evening, and a lot of this has not been pretty. I read an article earlier about the unfairness and horrors that some mammals live with, such as banking and jobs. I had no idea it was legal to pay a fox or weasel significantly less than the minimum wage. That's just..."

Nick nodded. "Yep. Not even the ZPD is immune. As I said, I am higher ranked than Judy and still get paid less than she does. I get paid less than a starting patrol mammal of just about any other species. Judy gets paid more, and even she is shorted."

Mike smiled. "You get used to it, Al. That being the regular gut punch of reality that happens around these two. The problem is that so few mammals realize the things mammals like Nick and Judy have to go through. When Judy first started, no one in the precinct helped her. We looked at her as nothing but a PR stunt, and just expected to be scraping her body off some crime scene at some point. She ended up betting her career on the missing mammals case, and had to get help from a con-fox." Pointing at Nick. "Who, when the chips were down and Bogo tried to claim her badge before her time was up, stood up for her when none of us did."

Lizz nodded sadly. "I was there. None of us believed her, and who was going to believe a fox? Well, a few hours later, we were converging on Cliffside and arresting a mayor. Then she got set up at that press conference. Should have never been in front of those cameras, it was like her third day on the force, and she wasn't given any instruction from MR or the PR mammals. Though that was just part of the setup, given that Doug was slipped in as a reporter to ask just the right question."

Nick smiled wistfully. "Everything she said was just a repeat of what we heard the doctor say while we recorded Lionheart. Biggest mistake of my life, walking away from her that day. Yet, after quitting her job when that psycho ewe tried to make her the ZPD poster-mammal, she still figured out what was going on. She came back to the city and found me. She didn't go to the ZPD, because they, at the time, would have just laughed at her, or worse. She came to me, and together we got the evidence and a confession."

Judy shivered with a slightly embarrassed grin. "That's where I learned that a predator's teeth didn't have to be scary, even when wrapped around my neck. Nick was so gentle, so careful. I knew then that he would never hurt me, probably couldn't. Then again, we have learned that to be an absolutely true fact at this point."

Al furrowed his brow in confusion. "What do you mean, learned that he couldn't hurt you?"

Nick laughed. "Simple. ZPD requires that all officers, prey and predator, undergo exposure to Nighthowler. That way we know what it feels like, and what it looks like when various species go savage under its influence. Neither Judy, nor I, have to do that." Glancing at Mike and Lizz. "Only Bogo knew that until just now. It is because the sycophants of Bellwether have targeted us since her trial and conviction. We've had dozens of assassination attempts, which is why we are both armed at all times. We've also been targeted with NightHowler in one form or another more times than I can count.

At this point, the only mammals that would know Judy or I were hit with Nighthowler would be each other and ourselves. Let me tell you, the goat that shot us both the last time was surprised when we looked up at him and growled. Then commenced to pound him into the pavement before arresting him."

Al chuckled. "You pounded him into the pavement?"

Nick shrugged. "Yeah… Not necessarily our finest moment, but the DA didn't charge us and the fact that we were under the influence of NightHowler at the time was actually used against the goat."

Mike's eyes went wide. "Wait! You two were on NightHowler when you did that? How were you not savage?"

Judy shrugged. "Doc's are not sure. But at this point, Nick and I are not necessarily immune to NightHowler, and while it does make us savage, it no longer overrides our conscious minds. It is more just a complete suppression of our inhibitions and right vs wrong thinking. So, in our minds at that moment, he had attacked us, had attacked our mate, and we were therefore justified in pounding him into a pulp."

Nick nodded. "Yeah. We remember everything that happened, what we were thinking, etc… But then, we've been hit with many different versions. That week we took off last year, just suddenly, we'd been hit with a new version that the original antidote didn't work on. We were in quarantine, much to our frustration, which was only amplified by the effects of the NightHowler. We have physiological changes, and we are bound to each other on a deeper level that most realize. I mean, they hit me with original NightHowler on my second week on the force, and I did go savage. Thing was, I didn't attack Judy, she was actually able to keep me calm until someone with a properly sized tranq could get to us."

Lizz nodded. "I remember that. We just had to stay back, while you stood over her protectively. It was so weird. Not the behavior of a typical savage mammal. Same with when Judy got hit because their shooter couldn't shoot for shit. Judy hid behind you, but when I tried to approach, I took a savage bunny kick to the chest. I had bruises for a month."

Al shook his head. "Insane. So you two have been targeted and hit so many times you're essentially immune, at least in that it doesn't turn you savage the way most think of it."

Mike laughed. "Yeah. I have actually been read in on it as part of the Nighthowler response team. Those two are to be sent in first whenever we have an active shooter situation where Nighthowler is involved. They had to tell us why. Now, as I was saying, after Nick started... We still didn't give either of them the respect they were due. So these two crazy mammals spend three months taking down mega-fauna. As in dragging in bull elephants cowering in fear as a fox and rabbit glared at them. It would be funny if it was just once. None of us wanted to believe the claims of an elephant that they were terrified of a fluffy little bunny and her fox. Then we watched the traffic cam footage of the take-downs. Follow that with the failed attempt by Bogo to punish them. He tried to make an example of them by having them fight a few rounds in the sparring ring with a few of the former special forces mammals on the force."

Al raised an eyebrow. "They took down elephants?"

Lizz nodded with a laugh. "Elephants, Rhinos, Giraffes, and anything else factors of magnitude larger than they are. All without using their tranq's and tasers, and on camera often enough to make it clear that it wasn't a fluke the first time."

With a shake of his head, Al chuckled. "So what happened with the Special Forces mammals?"

Mike groaned. "I lost a hundred Z's on that."

Lizz laughed. "Kidding? I lost three hundred." Looking at Al. "They took down two Special Forces mammals, the guys that did our hand to hand training, in tandem, as if it were choreographed. The guys never stood a chance. Nick and Judy dropped two of the baddest mammals I'd ever met until Nick and Judy, in less than three seconds. Both are big, strong, wolves, and neither have wanted to enter the ring with either Nick or Judy since."

Al laughed. "So, you are saying that the rabbit and fox, are the scariest mammals you have ever met?"

Victoria laughed. "Al, you've seen the wedding photos for Mike and Lizz's wedding, right?"

Al nodded. "I have. It was a beautiful ceremony."

Lizz blushed. "Thank you."

With a shake of her head, Victoria continued. "Al… Nick and Judy pulled that entire ceremony, including food, entertainment, guests, officiant, music, the cake, everything, in a matter of a few hours. They are a force to be reckoned with, and I pity anyone who pits themselves against them."

Al looked over the mammals surrounding him and shook his head. "Fine. I'll buy it. Still going to look up the Great Pact stuff, but I fear I'm just going to end up angrier."

Conversation continued from there until about midnight, at which point the pregnant ladies dragged their mates off to the limo so they could get some sleep. Information was exchanged and promises made to get together at Al's for a barbecue some time in the future. They all then piled into the limo with Mike's parents, a fresh driver since Frank had done some drinking, driving them back to the apartment complex and then Frank and the Alphas to their homes. Al, James, along with Maria and Jarvis, having their own rides.

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A/N

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 dcballard . com ( Direct: ascensionnovel . / scribblings (remove the spaces) because the forwarding is misbehaving.)

If you enjoy this, and you are not also reading my original Log Entries series over on my Blog. Why aren't you? (takes a Nick-esk pose of hurt) Also. I am now posting them on AO3, so you have even less excuse. It's free, ORIGINAL fiction. "An original story told through the log entries of the pilot and captain of an experimental star ship."

You should really be checking out my bestest bud, Bear678, and his story What Foxes May Come.

So keep those reviews and comments coming. 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.