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.

83. Chapter 83

Here is the 83rd installment. Nothing else really to add at this time.

Additional notes live at the end of the chapter, when they exist, 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.

It continues…. Enjoy.

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ZPD Special Investigations Division or ZSID

ZPD general services office building.

Approximately 2 months before the kits 1 year birthday

Reviewing reports from the dozen ongoing investigations, all requiring at least her sign off before they go over to the other heads for their review. Judy rolled her eyes and looked up from her computer at the knock at her office door. "Hey. I knew there would be paperwork at a cop, but never thought it through about how bad it would be in higher positions. What's up, Erik?"

The lion giving a deep chuckle nodded. "Don't I know it. If anything, working for the ZSID has lessened my personal paperwork load. Anyway, There is a camel here in a lab coat that wants to speak only with you and Nick. Claims to have some information on a terrorist plot."

Judy nodded. "Alright. Show them to the conference room, make sure the recording is running, and let them know we will be there in just a few minutes."

Delgato nodded. "You got it, Boss."

Ten minutes later, Nick and Judy entered the conference room to find a very nervous camel who flinched when they entered. Judy tried to give a reassuring smile. "Sir. I'm Judy HoppsWilde. This is Nick WildeHopps. You asked to see us about some information you have?"

The camel nodded rapidly. "Yes. Sorry. Sorry. … I'm sorry, I'm absolutely terrified. Not of you guys. I like you guys. You're amazing. No. I'm used to being scared. By… everything. But this is different. This is worse. The mammals that hired me are crazy. They will kill everyone if that is what it takes. They said so. Worse. My friend. My handler. I think that was his title. They change them out every so often. He's with them. I don't know who to trust. Well. I do. I know I can trust you. I can trust you, right?"

Nick moved to the far side of the room and sat down, keeping his paws in view on the table. "Well, sir. I believe you can trust us. We are here to listen to what you have to say. So start at the start, and lead to how you find yourself here."

The camel nodded as Judy sat next to Nick. "First. I really don't have any hate or anything towards predators. Sure, I'm nervous around them, but I've never had a bad experience or anything. I was just always taught to be afraid of them. I know that's stupid, but it was how most prey are raised. Things need to get better.

Anyway… I'm a scientist. A geneticist specifically. I have my own private lab and work on genetically modifying mammals, plants, animals, etc… by contract. Someone, a business, a farm, even an individual, comes to me with a request, and I will see about making it happen. I had a rich kid come to me wanting blue fur, as in so that it would grow that color. I don't make promises, but if it is possible, I can probably pull it off.

My goals have always been to improve the world, at a price. I guess that is a little mercenary, but it worked. Crops that are more productive. That kid that wanted blue fur. By the time I figured it out, he didn't want it anymore, but I got paid anyway. I sold the patent to a company that turned it into the permanent fur-tattoos you see some mammals with now. You get the idea. It modifies the genes of the fur in the area of application so that it grows with certain pigmentations. I was rather proud of that."

Nick smiled with a not. "Very cool. I always wondered how that worked. I thought it was a dye job."

The camel smiled proudly. "I'm sure some are, but those that never change. That's my work, and not just blue. Anway, again. A few months ago, some new mammals approached me. Gods, it feels longer. I've been so scared, if feels like years. They had cash, a lot of it, and wanted me to make a tailored virus. One designed to target only predators. The purpose was to strip out or in whatever way I could, make a virus that would make a mammal permanently and incurably savage. I agreed and they paid me. I agreed because my handler told me to. That's part of their job. I'm not good at deciding which projects are good ones for me to work on and which are not. I was actually against the idea. It just seemed… Wrong. It is the only project I have been working on."

Nick and Judy were using every ounce of skill they had to hide the sheer terror and horror they were feeling as the Camel continued. "First I had to figure out what in a mammal's genetic structure made them sentient. It is basically the same thing in both predators and prey. It's even in the same general place, taking species into account. After that, I had to figure out a way to make it focus only on predators. That is where I ran into problems. I did as I always do. I created a drug test. I pay a few bucks and get lots of mammals in need of a few bucks to give me samples. I then started analyzing those samples, separated by species, separated by predator versus prey, and any other ways to break them down and look for genetic markers I could use to tell X from Y. To tell Predator from Prey by looking only at the genetics. Look for what makes one group actually different from another. I found so many shared markers I was sure that my samples had somehow gotten cross contaminated.

That was my first assumption, as it was the simplest and most obviou. Cross contamination. Someone reused the needle to do the blood draw. Something like that. So I ran three more drug trials, with the same results. Then I ran a fourth with deep background genetic history checks for all. That is where I found the key to what I was seeing.

Mammals have been breeding not just across species lines, but between predators and prey for centuries. Millenia even. Worse, they came by to get an update and I explained some of my findings. They were fine with those findings, even liked the idea that, and I quote, twisted hybrids suffer the same fate as the beasts. So long as, in their words, the pure prey survived, they didn't care. This is the point I truly knew something was wrong.

I brought this problem to my handlers' attention and they just told me to keep at it and stop asking questions. That's what told me they were not doing their job right. Even I knew I should stop. But they… I tested myself. I have markers from nearly a dozen species, three are extinct non-prey species. I would be targeted by what I was creating! I always, when it is something like this, make sure I have a cure or antidote made at the same time. But this wasn't something that could just be, reversed. I could innoculate against it, so long as the mammal wasn't already infected with it. If they were, it would be too late because of the active genetic changes. It might take longer for some mammals than others, but a difference of a few hours between, say an Elephant and a mouse.

I didn't mention that I'd tested myself, and them too. That is when I learned what their plans were. When I figured it out. Once I gave them the completed virus, they were going to infect themselves with it, making themselves carriers. They would then go to predator bars and get into fights, thus spreading the virus to the predators they came into contact with. That's exactly what they told me they planned to do." The camel wiped his brow. "I admit, that bothered me even more. But they had paid me. I had to at least follow it out to it's inevitable conclusion, even if that was just by doing some computer scenarios. I checked the scenario and that's when I realized that I could not give them the virus. Even having inoculated myself, what would happen was true, Hollywood apocalypse movie, bad.

If I gave it to them and they did as they planned. They would cause a mutation in the virus. One I could not control for. It was designed to mutate and adapt to the host. Assuming it was just a predator infected and spreading it to other predators. Then I realized that there was no way to restrict such transfer. Then, with how they were going to infect themselves…" The camel looked away, a distant look in their eyes. "It was the only way I could make something capable of attacking all predators, and they were going to cause it to infect all mammals. I ran a simulation. Even if it was injected only to a predator, it would spread beyond predators unless they were already isolated and couldn't come into contact with a prey mammal. Just one prey mammal getting infected and it was fully world-ending. There was no way to stop it. I couldn't do it in a way that wouldn't result in all mammals being infected."

Judy nodded as Nick spoke. "But, if they infected themselves as planned, there is no telling how things would play out. That adaptation to the host would change it to affect prey as well, at the very least."

"Correct. The outcome is not something I could model fully. Not the individual impact, at what rate a mammals might be naturally immune, or the mutation do something else weirder. Not the impact on infected prey or how it would work. Considering that even between predator and prey, the genetic differences are actually pretty minimal. As you both know. So the risk. It was too great. It… Too many variables. The only scenario I could map was the assumption that it impacted predators and prey the same and as initially designed. The impact was impossible to map beyond that, and… I only saw a maximum natural survival of 1% across all species. That's not 1% of a given species, but 1% of all mammals alive at the time. I tried to explain the problems. They didn't care. Wouldn't even listen. And… I felt this weird pang in my guts. Something deep inside just said this isn't right. I have had predators as handlers before. Once I got to know them, they were great mammals. Understanding, smart. I realized that this would impact my friend, his kits. I liked his kits."

Judy nodded. "What have you done with this virus?"

Pulling a hard drive from his jacket, he laid it on the table. "Every sample, test batch, etc… has been destroyed. All my research is here on this hard drive, with the exception of the part about how to target the part that makes us all sentient."

Judy stepped over and retrieved the drive. "This and your own memory, right?"

The camel shook his head. "No. I needed to see you with such urgency, because I took a version of something I created for a government organization. Once I take this pill." Displaying a pill in his hoof. "Once I take this, my memory for the last several years will be wiped clean. If I got the calculation wrong, well… I'll need retraining. The actual memory cells are killed by this process. I fall unconscious, and when I wake up, I'll think it is several years ago."

Judy looked him over. "What about those that contacted you?"

"Everything you need is on that drive. I have high definition video of every interaction with a client, to protect myself. It's in the commission contract, not that anyone reads the entire contract, so I can use it if I need to sue them. Or in this case, turn the video over to the ZPD." With that, he downed the pill before Nick or Judy could react and then promptly fell asleep.

They looked at the sleeping camel, then the drive and Nick groaned. "I really hope that isn't encrypted."

Judy nodded with a frown. "I suspect it is, and I really hope the random character set written on a sticky that is taped to it is the password." Judy hit the intercom. "Delgato! Grab Ket and the cyber group. Conference room, yesterday!"

Three minutes later the room had a lot more mammals in it. Nick looking up at the lion. "Get the camel in a holding cell, then you and Ket pull the recording of our conversation and get a case started. This is priority over everything but already active operations."

Judy was handing over the hard drive after filling out the evidence paperwork to the dedicated IT mammals. "Make a clone first. That's the right term, isn't it?"

A marmot nodded. "Yes ma'am, that is the correct term, and that is always step one. We never work directly on the source evidence if we can help it. Too risky to break something."

A stoat spoke up, getting the marmot's attention. "Uhm, boss. This is a P-drive. I've never actually seen one. To clone this, we're gonna need some new equipment, and either we're going to have to clone it into an array, or buy several ten thousand Z drives."

Judy gave the marmot a narrowed eye glare. "How much?"

The marmot flinched. He would never understand how a rabbit could make him feel like he was under the gaze of an angry predator like Delgato. Yet, even Delgato didn't intimidate him like she did. "Just to read the drive, we will need the equipment to do so, and that is literally state of the art. Cloning it into an array won't be that expensive once we have the equipment to read it, but we cannot trust the results from the array because the P-Drives use a new and unique storage method that the array cannot mirror."

Judy nodded and hit the intercom again. "Jack. Skye. Conference room, please."

Jack and Skye walked in, all smiles Skye taking the lead. "What's up, Judy?"

"Can you guys get the IT nerds the equipment to read a P-Drive harddrive and a few drives to clone the content to?"

Skye nodded, instantly all business. "Of course, though there will need to be some justification for it."

"Get with Delgato and Ket. Had a camel come in, supposedly a genetic scientist. Did a lot of contract work. Claims to have been the one that came up with the targeted virus that mammals use to create fur-tattoos."

Jack's ears went rigid, eyes wide in a panic reaction. "Why in the name of all things good and evil was he here?"

Judy sank back and wiped her face with a paw. "Claims he got contacted by what I assume is one of the cells we have been hunting. They wanted him to build a virus that would permanently turn mammals savage, but was of course to only target predators. They were more than happy if any mammal that was a hybrid was impacted as well. Only, our scientist had an attack of conscience, or cold paws, or something, and brought the information to us instead. Claims he destroyed all the samples and such. After that, he took a pill that put him to sleep, claiming that it would wipe all memory he had of everything for the last few years. As long as he got the calculation right. He's in the holding cell currently."

Skye nodded. "We will have the equipment delivered as soon as possible. If you couldn't tell, he is known to us. I mean, we will go confirm, but once we do, that drive is going to need to be decoded as soon as possible."

Judy sighed with a nod. "I was afraid of that. He didn't seem like a crank."

Jack shook his head, hopping down from the chair he'd taken. "Not a crank. Brilliant in a mad scientist sort of way. If he is here, there are additional problems. Did he say how long he's been working on this virus?"

"Yes, a few months I think. It's on the tape. I'm guessing someone like this is supposed to be monitored. so either their monitor is a problem, or… He mentioned a handler?"

"Likely, or… bad things"

Judy nodded as Nick joined her. "Then let us know if you need back up."

Jack paused with Skye waiting for him. "We will. Hopefully it won't be needed, but that's why this crew exists." With a nod, Skye and Jack disappeared into the division's office space in search of Delgato, Ket, and the camel.

xxxXXXxxx

Jack and Skye caught up with Delgato just as Ket was meeting him at the holding cell. Seeing the camel in question, Jack turned to Delgato, voice tinged with an urgency the lion never expected to hear from the agent. "Delgato. NO ONE that is not a fully vetted member of the ZSID is to be allowed in this building until I rescind that order. Are we clear?"

Delgato looked at the Jackrabbit and nodded. "For clarity, does that include the lobby? Full lockdown?"

Jack nodded. "Yes. That mammal." Pointing to the camel. "Has a minder. He calls them a handler. A minder that is supposed to observe ALL contracts they take and report on them should we need to intervene. So either they did report and their direct supervisor that is supposed to report to Skye and myself is the problem, or they are. We'll know once we see the video he will have provided us on the drive he provided WH."

Skye turned to Ket. "Find three mammals that are vetted members, and I don't care if they have to be called in from their days off. There is to be no less than 2 guards on him at all times, clear?"

Ket nodded. "Yes ma'am." He quickly stepped over to the desk and computer and started making calls. While Ket was doing that, Delgato ordered and then as soon as three more mammals arrived to guard the camel, headed out to ensure the lockdown happened properly.

Five minutes later, the lockdown was complete and all members not present were moving to their alternative locations. Skye and Jack then left to obtain the needed equipment and spare drives for the IT mammals to properly work on the PDrive the camel had brought with him.

xxxXXXxxx

The lockdown was absolute to the point that even Commissioner Bogo had limited access, and neither Chief of the ZPD or P1 was allowed past the front door. Even the Commissioner was only allowed into the lobby. Looking at the four mammals, two foxes and two rabbits waiting for him, Bogo growled. "What in the name of all that is unholy is going on? What causes you to go full lockdown? I didn't even know you had such protocols, or the fact that it actually activates heightened alert for the entire ZPD, and city emergency services as a whole. Please explain what in the everloving hell is going on?"

Nick spoke as Bogo glared, seeing both rabbits with their ears pointed behind them, clearly listening to something. "Sorry Chief, this is a big one." Glancing to Judy and frowning, clearly being given an update in their normal not needing to talk manner. "Damn. Okay… Simply put, sir. We have verified intelligence that an attack is imminent and we are taking the needed actions, as authorized under the ZSID charter, to try and head off or minimize issues and possible casualties. Yes. Casualties. To put the appropriate fear in you. This is of a biological nature, is mammal indiscriminate, would very likely be fully irreversible to the victims, and makes Night Howler look like a mild hay fever reaction."

This caused Bogo's eyes to go wide and his nose to go ashen as the blood drained from his face. "Oh… And you've found verified compromised or worse, complicit mammals in high places."

Skye nodded. "That is correct. Sheldon Lee Camelton is compromised. Well, not Sheldon himself, but his overseer."

Bogo took a step back, catching himself. Being the Commissioner, he was read into things neither of the two mammals glowering through the glass behind him were. Things that the mayor was not. Things like a genius like Sheldon and the things the mammal had come up with. "Shit."

Skye smirked. "Exactly. We're trying to head this off, but time is at a premium. We need to take these mammals down before they can move or disappear."

After some further explanations and details, Bogo nodded. "We will await instruction and will be ready to provide backup as needed."

With that, the four mammals headed through the inner door leaving Bogo to glare at those doors in growing concern. He knew without question that this was serious. Just as he knew the name of the camel in question and why it would be such a concern. Shaking his head, Bogo turned and approached the outer door which unlocked as he approached, allowing him to exit and sealing again behind him.

xxxXXXxxx

Stopping, Commissioner Bogo turned and looked at the doors again. Thinking through things he realized why the ZSID office space was on the top floor of the General Services building. It gave them full control over in and out via the stairs, elevators, and the sky-bridge he currently stood on. The design was as secure as it could be, including a private elevator and secure section of the attached parking garage. Seeing them in lockdown for this, the pieces fell into place. He was suddenly very glad and slightly terrified all over again at the four mammals he had just spoken with.

Chiefs Swiftspot and Harcort watched him carefully. Swiftspot finally spoke. "With all due respect, Commissioner, what the actual fuck is going on? How do these mammals have the authority to do what they are doing?"

Bogo sighed. "It is part of the wider charter that they have been granted. The ZSID has grown far, far beyond their original mandate. Next month… Assuming we still have a civilization next month, the ZSID will officially become a federal law enforcement agency." Giving both of them a glare. "That does not leave your lips, got it!" Both mammals nodded. "Good. Given the situation and who is involved, we're looking at something, if they cannot stop it, that will make the NightHowler attacks seem like a nice sunny day at the park."

Bogo looked both Chief's over before continuing. "Be prepared to render assistance and not be read into the reason you are taking certain actions, such as raiding a business, until after this is all over. Expect that you will have Von forces stepping in to supplement you, because right now, a lot of officers are suspects. You two are in fact not, but you are also not read into certain facets of what this involves."

Harcort groaned. "You know… I really hoped to get away from things like this when I joined the ZPD. I understand informational compartmentalization, but I also hate it. I get it. But I hate it. Not knowing why you are doing a specific mission until after the fact, because, guess what, turns out your buddy was part of the bad guys. Nightmare fuel, that. … Okay. P1 will be ready."

Swiftspot shook her head. "Bloody hell. If this is that kind of situation, then that means we are going to have Von officers filtering into places all over the city and beyond. Even in undercover states. This is all bad. I was going to cancel the Chief all-hands later today, guess I should keep it on the books. Going to need to get a reading on how they all react to this."

Bogo nodded. "Let me know if you want me on it, even if it is just sitting in the room quietly off camera."

Swiftspot nodded, then shook her head. "No. If I feel I need the backup, I'll call you in and add you, but otherwise I got this. I need to get a cleaner feel for them all anyway. It may surprise you, but I'm actually least worried about Stripers out of the Meadowlands. If anything, I expect the biggest pushback from Burnsetter out of the Canyon Lands. He's openly anti-inter, and if I ever catch him going after anyone he's done, but so far he has kept his muzzle clean. That said, that is his personal opinion, and like I said, he's open about it. Weirdly, he seems to recognize that the world is moving beyond him and has actually actively pushed some of the better reforms at that level. If I had to pick a mammal to suspect, it would be Elkerton out of the Forest District. They've openly clashed with Burnsetter and Stripers. It is a weird thing to watch Burnsetter standing next to Stripers, who is an open Inter, against Elkerton."

Bogo nodded with a smirk. "Yeah. That is always entertaining. Very good. I'll be in my office. I have some things of my own to review given what I just learned, and no, I cannot let you know what that is, just yet." Bogo got an alert on his phone, glancing at it, his eyebrows climbing up his forehead. "Oh! Well, in that case. Both of you. My office, now."

With that, he shut off his phone and led the way back across the sky-bridge and to his office.

Text Message

From: HoppsWildeJ

To: BogoA

Message: Commissioner. Per authorization NH11U, please read Chief Swiftspot and Harcort into the details of why the ZSID is moving in the way we are, specifically in relation to the subject that triggered this move. Use your best discretion. Code WH11258

xxxXXXxxx

10 minutes later - Bogo's office

Commissioner Bogo opened his desk drawer after watching Swiftspot and Harcort lock the door and sit down. Setting three size appropriate glasses and a bottle of Johnny Walker Master's Ruby Reserve and proceeds to pour each of them 2 fingers worth. He then reached over to a desk fidget toy with a smirk, Turning it on, something neither had ever seen him do, they both blinked as there was a popping sound and they found their fur experiencing a bout of static.

Harcort stares at the bottle for a moment. "Uhm… Commissioner?"

Bogo chuckled with a genuine smile. "WildeHopps. The Fox. Got it for me for my birthday a few years ago. I don't reach for it often, save for a retirement where I knew the mammal well. Last time I pulled it out was when Hammersmith retired. Given what you are about to learn, I felt we could all use something of this level."

"Chief… That bottle is probably worth twenty thousand."

Bogo grinned. "Considering they only ever bottled five at this size, this being number three, it's worth a bit more than that. I don't know how much they actually paid for it. I don't care. That is something you both are going to need to learn quickly about those two. You haven't interacted with them much because of them transitioning to running the ZSID and that being primarily under me to give you both the ability to focus on your new positions. Something I must say you have both transitioned into with skill. Now, like I said earlier, they will be directors of a new federal agency soon, assuming we survive the next few weeks as a society.

That is not however why we are here, or why I have a device like that." Pointing to the almost hypnotically moving kinetic sculpture. Another gift from them. So let's start there. When it comes to Judy and Nick, and more and more so, Mike and Lizz. That's Fangmeyer and Wolford. Do not ask a question you do not want an answer to. They will more than likely answer it, and you may just regret learning that answer.

All four have mate rings with Void Diamonds in them. Verified. Yes, that means they have the authority in certain matters you think. You'll also notice that they do not use that authority or brandish around the fact that those mate-rings you see have such stones in them. Their only request was that they be allowed to wear them like any other mated pair. Not an unreasonable ask, given everything."

Swiftspot took a hit from their glass and groaned in pleasure. "Gods, that's good. As for those two. I have interacted with them. There is something… Wrong with them."

Bogo laughed, tried to get himself under control and failed for several long moments. "Heh… Oh you don't know the half of it, but you are about to. I suppose we should have had this meeting a long time ago, but as is the way of things, other things got in the way."

Swiftspot groaned again, but this time in pain. "Why do I get the feeling I am not going to like what I am about to learn. The void diamond thing is bad enough."

"Because it is so much worse than you think. You've seen the reports. Hit with all manner of NightHowler variants and if they are affected, it's more like them just losing all inhibitions. They are both stronger than they have any right to be, because of all that exposure. Judy is as strong as any full grown wolf, if not stronger. Nick is at least as strong as a full grown tiger who works out. According to the docs, it's because of the NH and how it interacts with a mammals physiology over long term exposure.

That is however not the half of it. Might want to finish that swallow before I say this, Gerald." Pausing a moment for both mammals to put down their glasses. "Nick WildeHopps is the only known, living, master of the Helketta." Bogo got a grin from the shocked looks on the faces of the other two mammals in his office as he realized he was going to get a few moments of entertainment from the situation. "Judy HoppsWilde is one of two known living masters of the Cheth."

Bogo watched both mammals try and reconcile what they had just been told. Harcort finally shook himself, hard. "No way. No way in any version of hell! You have got to be pulling our tails." Seeing the grin and head shake from Bogo as Bogo tried to control a laugh, he sank into his chair. "Oh fuck. Then the paw to paw training they give."

Bogo nodded with a grin, a chuckle barely contained in his voice. "Yep. They are not teaching any of that deadly stuff, but their take down techniques, the ways to hit to incapacitate without killing or causing permanent damage. You've both seen the results. They are survivors of those traditions, but as should be clear, they have no intention of recreating where those skills came from. The full details are as weird as they are unimportant. So now you understand some of what you're dealing with, and why no officer without brain damage wants to be in the ring with them. And why I used sparing with them as a punishment."

Harcort laughed. "Noted. Once, whatever this is, is over with. Think they'll still be up for that?"

Bogo nodded. "Pretty sure. Anyway, there are mammals in this world that are special. I don't mean like Nick and Judy, and to a lesser extent Lizz and Mike. They are chaos magnets. Send them on a simple B , they'll expose an inter-district conspiracy of some form. The skills they get from being trained in those traditions just make them better cops. They see things, signs, and hints others just simply miss. But that's not what I'm talking about.

I'm talking about scientists, engineers, and mammals like that. There are some who border on the crazy. Who, in a comic book sort of way could easily become a mad scientist in a lair somewhere threatening the world with a death ray." Seeing the slightly incredulous looks he was being given Bogo smirked. "I am not actually kidding. There are a few dozen mammal's like that, just in Zootopia. Most cities have at least a few. Three or four. Sea Otter has six. We have the highest population of them at thirty.

They are geniuses of unparalleled level, and frankly, crazy as hell for various reasons. They, with one or two exceptions, generally lack social skills. They're so smart, they don't seem to understand the motivations of normal mammals. That TV show, Big Bang Theory, well… the mammal that triggered this situation identified with Sheldon from that show so much he had his name legally changed to Sheldon. Mammals like that are who helped create the concepts and then designed the climate walls. The very way this city is is more literal than you think a living thing. No, I'm not getting into that with you today.

All these mammals, once identified, are assigned a minder of sorts. A mammal that watches over, and out for, these mammals. That minder is usually a Fed. ZBI or similar. They're carefully vetted, and part of their job is to watch what kind of jobs these mammals take, report on what they are up to, and generally help keep them from being used by less than reputable actors. Their minders are actually given great latitude and are supposed to be very independent, even if they do have to report on what their charge is up to.

One of those mammals is a genius with genetics. He's the one that figured out the targeted virus that mammals now use to create permanent fur color tattoos. He's created a few bug strains that maximize the protein and flavor while making them easier to raise, manage, and faster to mature for harvest. He has developed a dozen treatments for various genetic diseases, and an uncountable number of cures. That very mammal is why the ZSID initiated the lockdown. Either his handler or the person they report to is compromised. Given the reaction, this means that he was put on a project that could be very bad for all of mammality."

Swiftspot swallowed hard. "Damn. Do we know where he is?"

Bogo nodded. "He is with the ZSID team. They locked down to ensure he remained protected once they confirmed what he told them… He came to them with information about a project he was put on. He had a rare moment of conscience. Or maybe it was just the implications of what he was working on, and the fact his minder was either not in the picture anymore or pushing him. He brought them the information."

Swiftspot nodded. "That is… terrifying. So there is no telling if what he was working on is out there or not?"

Bogo nodded. "Yeah. I'm speculating a bit here, but yeah. There is no telling if he had this change of heart. Well, for him, it was more likely a realization that something wasn't right. So he came to those he knew could guide him since it was clear that his handler wasn't being objective."

Harcort frowned. "You said there were more. Are they being checked on as well?"

Bogo chuckled. "Yeah. The other fox/bunny pair. They're the top level supervisor for the entire minder program. So yeah, guaranteed they are going to be reviewing and following up on the others. For now, our concern is the fact that this mammal was even able to get to the ZSID offices at all. That means a lot of potentially bad things may be coming to us. So we need to be prepared. Explain the higher patrol levels however you want, just anything but the truth and keep it consistent. In this instance, the fact that the ZSID and the three of us know why things are actually happening is the highest level secret."

Swiftspot sighed and finished his drink. "Yeah. You were right. I wish I didn't know any of this now."

Harcort lifted up his glass towards Swiftspot. "I second that." Slamming the rest of his drink. "I'm glad I know, but I wish I didn't."

Bogo grinned. "Then let me make your day worse. Neither Nick, nor Judy are ever, not, armed. They have knives, darts, blades, guns, and other things on their person at all times. Their clothing is designed to hide dozens of weapons and is an armor cloth, because of how often they get attacked, that can withstand either of your lethal firearms. Their cruiser has been rebuilt in such a way to be a tank. It's got emergency egress panels, armor plating, and is probably the fastest thing we have. They do this job because they want to. Because as Judy would put it, to make the world a better place for their kits.

They both now have a belt that is some kind of morphing weapon. It's a whip and a sword at the same time. It's a crazy thing to see."

Swiftspot shook her head. "So all the stories. Beating a goat to a literal pulp. Breaking nearly every bone in his body, without killing him, after being shot with Nighthowler. The Cheesy Conspiracy? The Radio War? You're telling me these things are real? That the rabbit and fox stumble on city breaking things by accident?"

Bogo leaned back after having refilled their glasses. "No… In my opinion, they are chaos magnets. If you send them on a foot patrol. They will come back with a megafauna purse snatcher, who will complain, loudly, about how the fox and rabbit used excessive force. If anything, we are all better off that they are going to be feds soon. At the same time, they'll just uncover international conspiracies once that happens, all while making the world a better place. And we will have to clean up after them."

They finished their drinks, discussed how to justify the OT to their troops in a way that was plausible but didn't give away the truth. Bogo then invited them and their mates over to his home for dinner later that week.

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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.