First Salvo
a Zootopia fan fiction by Dan

Rated M+

(c) Zootopia 2016 by Disney Animated Studios
(Artist Ownership) Ayden Gull from BRO GULLS by Anti_Dev
(Artist Ownership) “I will Survive by William Borba 2017
(Artist Ownership) Sheath and Knife by Harmarist
(Artist Ownership) Anubis and the Buried Bone by Harmarist
(c) (Artist Ownership) The Kzinti by Larry Niven
(Artist Ownership) Don Carnage Disney’s TAIL SPIN
(Artist Ownership) Ikkey the Fox Kit by Inkbunny;s Ikkey
(Artist Ownership) Master Guns Flash by Inkbunny’s Flash Timberwolf
(Artist Ownership) Characters From Omaha the Cat Dancer Reed Waller 1994
(Artist Ownership) Jag Damien Tiger from Inkbunny’s Fluffy Puffy
(Artist Ownership) Dean Wilson from Animalolympics 1980
(Artist Ownership) Tanya Mousekovitz from American Tail
(Artist Ownership) Blotasky and Perkins from Cat Shit One by Motofume Kobayashi
The Chipmunks and Chipettes (c) from the 1980‘s cartoon series

Chapter 41
“Barukan no hi no hi!” part 1
(The Day of Vulcan’s Fire)

“To his most sincere and august Majesty....”

“As the representative of my nation of Zootopia, I extend to thee my deepest respect, admiration, mutual affection and give unto you...your glorious mammal-son....my paw in friendship.”

“I extend to your majesty the hope of friendship and understanding between us as both fellow felines and leaders of our two great societies... realizing that while there are great differences and variances between our nations...that we, you and I, do not allow them to become walls by which you and I can not speak reason with each other.”

“There is nothing my nation nor any mammal of Zootopia desires of your country more than an exchange of cultures, beneficial friendship and a universal peace between us. Zootopia desires not nor seeks to force change upon your august Mammal-son or that of your beloved subjects. We wish to take nothing from your country nor deny anything from your country. We wish the end and bring to resolution the long standing antagonisms and feelings of mistrust we have allowed to exist between us and our children for far too long.”

“I open wide both my arms and the arms of my country-mammals to your great Mammal-sonage to come visit us and know us as your friends. There is so much our two cultures can gain from a shared peaceful exchange and so much more too lose if we allow our differences to be reduced to spilled blood and great losses which we ourselves can not surely bear. If such strikes a cord in your marvelous and great heart dear sovereign of blessed Kzin....then please come and know welcome and friendship for yourself and your beloved subjects.”

With deepest respect and Sincerity

Caesar Leo Writt
Mayor of Zootopia

20 years ahead
The ZOO television special
“The War”
Kimba Leo Writt, Son of the late Caesar Leo Writt.

     “My father read to me the letter before he sent it on to be read by radio and television and asked my opinion of it. Of course at that time I was only sixteen years old. I read it and told him...”I think that’s all you can do Dad...it’s up to the gawds now.” My father looked at it then closed the blue leather folder it sat in...I could see a tear rolling down his face, my father rarely displayed such emotion in public even less to me or my sister...father’s aren’t supposed to cry when they sit where my Dad sat but he couldn’t help it....I still have that face burned into my mind all these years later...”

      “He looked at me and said.....he said....”Then I....a son of simple mammals have just given his last letter to a son of gawd.” Denoting that the High Kzin is looked on by his country....as a gawd...”I’m still struck by that phrase....”I....have given my last letter.”

       The much older Kimba begins to cry and turn his head away as the television screen goes blank. It soon returns with a black shadow of a Zootopian destroyer shot from behind, cruising over a semi-rough sea with the evening sun setting in the distant horizon as the narrator spoke...

     “We know now that the High Kzin never got the letter. Tucked away in his palace in the capital city, sequestered by the very constitution which made him Commander in Chief in letters only.....sequestered because of the “dirtiness” of politics and the layers of court and government formalities.....his military and the zealiots who claimed to act in his name had signed the orders.....for mass murder. On the ships now sailing from their ports, from the many island bases the kzinti occupied, one phrase was sent by headquarters....

     Quote....“The survival of our empire and the future of our race depends on our coming action. Without fail.....slaughter our enemy!”...un-quote. The pin had been pulled.......on the bomb of war. Yet in the streets and in the homes and aboard the ships and the Marine bases of Zootopia...hope reigned in the last fleeting hours of peace.”

“Charles Camel-lault”
Legendary ZOO commentator

Gilly and Will’s Apartment
Sahara Square
7am
October 1st, 2020

      The bunny threw himself into the arms of his big wolf lover as he cried. The engagement ring sitting on his ring finger just after Will had surprised him with breakfast...the perfect time to say and make things official....

     “Will you marry me?” Will said as he sat on his knees and proposed.

     Gilly snuggled Will tight....to bad it was all going to have to wait until his return to port. The next four months were going to suck tail with long dragging days and many nervous nights....

    “Have you called Alex or your parents yet?” Gilly asked.

    “I’ll call my parents around 9am. I already text’d Alex and he’s probably still sleeping. He doesn’t go to work until 10am.” Will said as he carried Gilly around the apartment...”I’m going to be such a grouch for four months.”

     “We’ll get through it.” Gilly replied. “It’s four months to think about a honeymoon spot? I’m all for the Outbacks.”

     Will pursed his lips...”I? I think we should avoid the Outbacks for at least the near future. At least until we’re certain the Kzinti have had some sort of change.”

      Gilly sighed as he rubbed Will’s snoot. “You don’t want me to go....do you?”

      “My thrill meter’s on empty. Is it obvious?” Will replied as he settled Gilly down on the kitchen counter. “If I had the nuts Gill? I would claim you were exposed to some flu bug and ended up reverting to a feral rabbit. But? Can’t try that scheme till we’re married so...”

      Gilly kissed Will on his nose....”There’s time? Take me back to bed for one more romp?”

      “Gladly.” Will said as he carried his love into the bedroom.

Jackson and Darla’s Apartment
Sahara Square
7am
October 1st, 2020

      “Think I can pack any more stuff into this bag?” Jackson asked Darla as he pounded the top of the duffle to try and fit more things into it.

      “No.” Darla replied. “We’re not seeing any ports this time out so don’t take so many pieces of civilian clothing. How much do you have in there?”

      “Mostly towels.” Jackson replied as Darla walked up and peaked into the bag....”Yeah right...repack it silly?”

      “We’re not even married yet and already you’re pecking me?” Jackson snorted.

      “I haven’t even begun to bite chunks off your behind Jackie. You have like half the bag full of wash towels.” Darla said waving a paw.

      “Well it usually takes two to get the water off a rabbit, give me a break?” Jackson replied.

      The bell to the apartment door rang and Jackson opened it up to a stocky rabbit wearing a blue sports soccer team jacket...

      “Can I come in?” Fireman First Class Westy Clinic asked. Clinic had been one of the rabbits who threatened Gilly after they lured him into a compartment when they found out he was gay.

      “Hi Westy.” Jackson said as he motioned a paw.

      “Morning Westy.” Darla said courteously though her voice spoke how disgusted she  felt. Westy stood shifting his foot over the floor....

      “Can I be honest?” Westy asked as he stood with his hands behind his back. “What the fluck?”

       Jackson smiled a little in reply...”I’m not going to question my best friend’s thinking. Personally? I would have left all of you to rot in a cell then celebrated a little to see you busted and booted into the street. I.....we, Dar and I, don’t feign to be a little “pissed” by what you and the others did to someone we care about.”

       Westy sighed....”It was stupid. As a first class I was supposed to be responsible....that? I wasn’t.”

       “Yeah...” Darla snarled in a rare display of anger without restraint. “How Gilly could speak up for any of you? Broils me. I think you’re all big flucken tail holes who need their butts chewed to bloody meat! Fluck you Westy!”

       “Dar?” Jackson begged. She walked away and slammed the door to their bedroom behind her. Clinic was silent for a moment...”Why did he do it Jackson? At least explain it to me? And she’s right! I should be doing twenty for assault! These stripes should be gone and yet Gilly says...”No charges....” I don’t get it?”

       “He said.” Jackson said as he got nose to nose with Clinic. “We need them back because they can’t be replaced.” And he’s right. You can’t be replaced. not now, not ever till you rotate and someone else is trained. The ship needs you because you’re the absolute best at what you do. But you mark my words Westy? You fluck up this chance? You get it in your mind to do something stupid to Gilly? And there won’t be another chance. You’ll be done in more than one way. Don’t....fluck this?” Jackson snapped. “And “don’t” you “fluck” with “me”.”

       Jackson pushed his paw finger into Westy’s chest until the other rabbit turned at left....

       “Is he gone?” Darla asked as she stuck her head out of the bedroom.

      “Yes.” Jackson replied. “Dar? What’s done is done. They all have the same warning, I don’t expect any more problems from them.”

      Dar tapped her foot...”You?....you talked to....”Them” about it?”

     “I only talked to “one” Jackson replied. “Sunny doesn’t like homosexuals at all. Only “one” knows about it and I only need “one”. That’s all we should talk about.” Jackson said as he walked back to his bag. “Now? You were saying how many towels I should actually have?”

Rudy Dolf’s Apartment
Sahara Square
7am
October 1st, 2020

      Rudy sat on the bed with Clarisa as the two equines looked over the various folders scattered about the mattress....

     “Always the thing about adoption?” Rudy said...”So few if any of our kinds ever end up without homes...unless the family get’s killed by a fire or a car accident.”

      Clarisa looked at one folder and shook her head...”Will they? Will they look for species compatability first?”

      “Always the case.” Rudy replied. “They want species to be with their own or a close relative species but if they can’t do it and they don’t want the little one to sit there till they’re 18...”

     “She’s a little cute one?” Clarisa said as she showed Rudy a little female cheetah cub in a pink pajama suit.

     “She’ll be fun to raise. Endless amounts of gnawing at our hooves with her “prey drive”....to say nothing of butt scratches?”

     “That’s why you invest in scratching posts silly buck?” The gazelle said smiling. “I like her sweet little face and the cute whiskers.”

     Rudy stood up and walked over to the window of the bedroom. “My worry is “Reindeer-dom” if you and I decide to adopt and even if you were still capable of bearing fawns. We’ll have to teach whatever cub, kitten or fawn we eventually have to have a little streak of “pred” in their veins. You know how Reindeer are?”

     Clarisa rested her head on Rudy’s shoulder...”We’ll meet that bridge when it comes up. I am going to be all pins and needles the next four months while you’re gone.”

    “It’s just another little romp around the sea.” Rudy replied. “Don’t pay any attention to those fear mongering morons on the television? The Kzinti have been quiet, they’re ships have been staying around their shores and the Outbacks say there’s been no sight of them hanging around....maybe they’re thinking things over?” 

Alex Gray’s apartment
Downtown Zootopia
7am
October 1st, 2020

     Tina shivered as she felt the paw finger brush slowly over her clitorus as Alex stood behind her in the shower nibbling on an ear...

      “Alex?....” The white female wolf gasped as she leaned forwards against the shower wall....”Mmmm.....fluck.” She uttered...

      Alex kept it smart as his brother told him too...he slowly felt his paw over Tina’s pussy just enough to make her orgasm and for now that was all they needed. He stood feeling his own hardness while looking down at her gasping and quivering form...her fluffy tail whipping rapidly back and forth, shaking water droplets from it as she stood up and allowed the shower spray to drain down her soaking wet body....

      Tina turned slowly around...allowing Alex to play with her nipples... “When?” She asked softly....almost begging....”When?”

      “The anticipation’s killing you huh?” Alex asked as he leaned back against the shower wall. “How about when we’re ready to actually risk you getting pregnant?”

      Alex rubbed his paws on Tina’s face....”I’m not going to risk getting my tail ripped off by your dad or my dad because of a one in a thousand chance the condom breaks or we say “fluck it! We know when to pull!” I’m not dumb enough to risk it.”

      “Oh come on!” Tina yelped. “Just a quick hump?”

      “Then quick turns into a fat belly and I’m hanging in an illegal meat market with my dick some fried special on a platter?....ah.....no.” Alex said. “Tina? We have like forever and a day and we’re still in school? I don’t want you going to Civic’s class and you break water! We are not ready to handle puppies.”

      Tina snickered wickedly. “There’s more than “one” hole silly? And you can’t “get pregnant” in that one?”

      Alex pursed his lips. “You’re just desperate aren’t you?” He said as he nibbled an ear again...”You can wait? Like I said? We have plenty of time don’t we?”

Judy and Nick’s house
Downtown Zootopia
7am
October 1st, 2020

       Nick extended his paws up with a smile...”Good morning my “juice”.” He said to Jag as the big Tiger took Nick in his arms...

     “Judy? You got the bath fixed?” Jag asked as he came out of the room and walked around the many moving boxes dropped here and there which formed a sort of maze from the bedroom to the bathroom on the second floor.

     “Yes Jag!” Judy replied. “The same for breakfast?!”

     “Yes!” Jag replied as he walked into the bathroom and lowered Nick into the suds filled tub. “There you go Nick.”

     “Thanks.” Nick replied. “Can you imagine? Leaving this house?” Nick said as he poured “fox-shamp” onto a puff and as you know foxes? The first thing had to be the tail...

     “I’ve decided what I want to do when we get to Aiden Jag.” Nick said with a paw finger raised. “I want to be an elementary school teacher.”

     “In Aiden?” Jag asked. “You know how those bunnies view foxes?”

     “Oh? And how can they resist an old, gentle, kind and docile mammal like me who wears a butt cart, has a wonderful sense of humor and has a voice so calming and caring?” Nick replied. “I can melt hearts just as good as anyone else can’t I?”

     Jag shook his head...”The old scam’r charm huh?”

     “Well I can’t sit around the house and lay on the couch or the bed. I’ll go nuts and tear the furniture all to hell.” Nick said as Jag worked a soapy hand puff around the fox’s legs...

     “How are you feeling right now Nick?” Jag asked as he finished spraying water over Nick’s body then carried him like a baby to the sink counter...

     “I’m.....I’m “holding” if you want to say it like that? I had a bad bought a day ago...oh my gawdess Vulpix I was a complete bastard to my poor wife.” Nick said as Jag sat him up. “It was over trying to help with all the packing, she was worried something heavy might fall on me and yaddah, yaddah.....bing......yaddah, yaddah kaboom and...one word turned into that word and.....and I locked myself in my room where even more bad words came flying out.....it wasn’t a good day.”

     As if to accent the meaning...Judy came into the bath room, jumped onto the sink counter, wrapped herself around Nick’s neck and sobbed over him...

    “Sigh”.....Carrots? Come on? We had a rough day...don’t spend today being sorry?” Nick said as he gently petted her.

    “I love you!” Judy sobbed.

    “Sigh.....see Jag?” Nick said as he gestured. “Now she’s going to be a cling ornament all day and nothing will get done.”

    “I say she fits you very well Nick.” Jab replied as he worked a towel around Nick’s furry naked frame. “I’ve got an hour of therapy exercise Judy and I usually charge double for a cling mammal?”

     Judy pulled back, rubbed Nick’s face and said softly...”How about some fox-cakes? huh?”

    “How about some more bed mombo?” Nick replied evilly then he pinched Judy’s behind. “That’s a better idea?”

Kerdle and Rachel’s house
South Sahara Square
7am
October 1st, 2020

     Ownership was 3/10 of a percent...or in the case of a favorite toy? 3/10 percent of Auburn’s and part of Loki’s tail...

     The screeching youngster climbed up his father’s back, held onto his neck and hissed at his sister who knew how to stand totally innocent of any wrong doing...

    “Well?” Kerdle said as he held onto his son. “You got testy you little ball of fire?” The english fox said as he held his son under his arm pits and snuggled his nose into the baby fox’s stomach...

    “Oops...someone needs a change.” Kerdle said as he carried his son over to the cubby table as his wife came into the living room.

    “Is the tornado alert over yet?” Rachel asked as she picked Auburn up off the floor and kissed her.

    “Yeah...the bomb’s been defused again. I swear they look for everything to start a fight with each other don’t they?” Kerdle asked.

     “Oh it’s a phase my mother tells me.” Rachel said as she bounced Auburn on her arms. “They’re learning boundaries, it’s going to happen. Sheesh...I was born into a big family and there wasn’t a moment’s peace or a nude “cat fight” not going on every five seconds between siblings. You know Daily? I use to bloody his butt every day over something dumb.”

     “Bet he tasted horrible?” Kerdle said as he changed his son’s diaper. “They’re sleeping together peacefully, that’s a blessing. What did your parents do for the teething stage?”

     “Honey and mint.” Rachel replied. “Mother would mix it in a small bowl then spread it over our gums. Don’t ask me how it worked though? Old family secret. I think it has something to do with the taste and the smell...sort of hypnotic with us foxes, you know? Like you say a word over and over again because you’re puzzled by the sound? You get fixated to it and you don’t worry about the cutting on your gums.”

       Kerdle picked up his son and held him close as he looked around the living room. “Raych?” Kerdle asked. “I want your dad to come over so I can talk to him about a shelter in the basement.”

      Rachel played a paw finger on her lips. “Are we really going to build one?”

     “I would rather be safe than sorry.” The English fox replied. “I know a lot of my friends aboard the Sayoni are putting shelters in their basements or in their back yards. We don’t need like a fortress or something that grand...just big enough for us four to sit in.”

      Rachel sighed...”Well? Can I say it bothers me a little? I mean...we have neighbors...their own children....would it be right to just have something small only for us and not at least enough to maybe take in Charles and Veranda with their kits?”

     “We have to think of us Raych?” Kerdle replied with a gesture. “It’s not our fault if we prepared and our neighbors didn’t? I’m not going to risk my family on a “pie in the wild sky dream” that peace is all of sudden going to break out with rainbows and flying unicorns. My concern is as a husband and a father first....my wife and my babies. But? If will make you feel better? I will gladly talk to your Dad, become a caring “Mammal-a-tarian” and make sure some room is added on for Charles and Veranda and their kits.”

     Rachel hugged her husband...”Gee? Maybe being a little charitable does pay off?” He said smiling.

Naval Intelligence Center
Sandy Cove Naval Installation
Sahara Square
7am
October 1st, 2020

      Perkins came into the small room where Botasky sat calmly enjoying a morning carrot cake pastry and a cup of coffee...

      “Our latest assignment.” Perkins said as he put a folder before Botasky’s paws...”For your edification.”

       Botasky opened the folder and reviewed the cover page of the document inside...”Woe....we’re going back to Roya?

       “Not alone.” Perkins said as he opened his own packet. “We’re taking in a platoon of eight Tanuki Marines.”

      Botasky’s ears flew up. “We’re going to blow snit up?”

     “I would hope that’s not the eventuality but....high command wants to know if the Kzinti are indeed building a rocket base on Roya. They’re also planning to send three more teams to Ketabang, Rongalap and Tweetok. Same purpose. If there’s a rocket base? Blow it to hell.” Perkins snorted.

      “But that? But Packy? That would mean we would be the first to open hostilities? We’ve always said that Zootopia would never do that?” Botasky said with worry.

      “Bodah? If the Kzinti do indeed have rocket bases within range of our home land then who starts the damn war is academic. Navy vessels are one thing....slow, time consuming and they can always be tracked. Even drones are manageable to deal with and tolerate.” Perkins said as he walked around the room. “Rockets though? They change the whole deal. You’re not married so maybe you don’t have those extra little worries like I do? I have ten kittens botasky, I don’t want to come home to see them thrown and torn all to lumps of bloody flesh from Kzinti rockets. I don’t think I could handle that.”

       Botasky got up, walked up to Perkins and placed a paw on his shoulder. “Of course I understand you Sir. If our orders say we blow snit up? We’ll blow snit up and I’ll cover you like always a hundred and ten percent. Of course Packy. I will not fail you.”

      “You haven’t yet Bodah. I’m happy for that trust me.” Perkins looked back at the table. “I only see one coffee cup Bodah? Care to pick me up some and we’ll go over these orders?”

      “Yes Sir.” Perkins replied. “I assume we’ll brief and prep with the Tanuki on the way?”

     “Of course.” Perkins replied.

Naval Medical Training Command
Sandy Cove Naval Installation
Sahara Square
7am
October 1st, 2020

      Dori Hopps finished brushing his teeth and walked out into the four mammal barracks room to find his room mates were already off to breakfast. The sudden loneliness caused a little discomfort. The last time he and his brothers were ever really apart for any stretch of time was the two weeks Dori spent in bed with hoppy pox when he was four and his mother would even let the other four stand at the door to the bed room. Bonnie was ever protective of the huge gaggle of youngsters and she wasn’t about to let the other 200 or so get sick.

       Nori was probably going nuts at S.O.I. (School of Infantry). Hopefully he was already buying his own vanilla wafers and trying not to get ancy because Dori wasn’t around. Breaking up the Hopps brood wasn’t good for anything, which was why Owen was being persistent in petitioning the Corps to let the brothers stay in the same unit once advanced training was done.

      Well.....as big sister Judy always said? “Suck....it.....up.” So...Dori grabbed his medical backpack, slung it over his back and marched confidently to his first class at 8pm. As he crossed the big parade field towards the hospital, his smart phone chimed off....a text message from Nori, right on time....

“Hi.” Nori said on the screen.

“Hey brother!” Nori replied.

“How you doing?” Nori asked.

“Going to classes now. You?” Dori replied.

“Sitting in a fox hole absolutely freezing my bunny nuts off.” Nori replied.

Dori giggled...”Fun. And the others?” He typed.

“Equally enjoying being dirty, wet and miserable.” Nori typed back. “It sucks without you Door Door!”

“Oh Frith Nori? Where’s that spirit of yours? You’ll be fine.” Dori typed back. “I miss you all terrible but I have to pass this school so I focus on that first. Doesn’t mean you guys aren’t here with me. You’re all my big motivation!”

“Just want you to know how much we love you brother.” Nori typed.

“I love you guys too. Come on “Bear Bear”! You get that top class-mammal award! I know you can do it!” Dori typed. “I’m right there with you in spirit! Just remember “Bear Bear”? A pillow is a cheep ass substitute.”

Nori typed back. “But....you are my pillow. Oh snit....gotta go, we’re moving on the combat sim city in five minutes.”

“Don’t die ok?” Dori typed with a smile.

“I’ll make it an academy award performance. Trust me.” Nori replied as Dori entered the hospital and followed the signs to his first day of medical school.

Downtown Zootopia
University of Zootopia (ZOO U)
College Row Apartment block
7am
October 1st, 2020

     “Ayden? I have the breakfast ready!” Bailey, Ayden Gull’s little brother called out as he finished putting breakfast on the kitchen table...

     “Morning Bail.” Ayden said yawning as he came out of the bedroom dressed in a pair of blue and gold Navy PJ bottoms and a white T-Shirt. The much bigger and muscular white and gray sea gull stopped to give his little brother a hug and a kiss before he sat down...”Thanks for letting me stay overnight after we party’d like crazy last night.” Ayden said as he sat and smelled the meal...”Bail I swear...you should be a cook instead of a chemist.”

     “I got the recipe off the net and thought I’d give it a go.” Bailey replied. “So how long will you be out this time?” The smaller gull asked.

     “Bout four months give or take any complications.” Ayden replied. “Just your standard patrol kid, nothing to worry over. Which reminds me? I have to write Dad and send some pictures of us together. We don’t get a whole lot of moments between the ship and you in school.”

      “I know.” Bailey replied. “Senior year is a tough one. Last night was a rare release for me.”

     Ayden frowned...”Has Nick come back to say sorry?”

     “Fluck no.” Bailey replied.

     “Leave it to me.” Ayden snarled. “I’ll make that son of a bitch....”

     “Ayden? It was partially my fault ok? Please?” Bailey asked.

     “You don’t put your flucken paws on my little brother, you don’t accuse him of cheating and you don’t slap him around like a worthless little bitch!” Ayden snapped.

      “Ayden?” Bailey begged....”Please? Let me handle my own issues? You always think you need to come on the white horse and save my ass every five minutes since I was a kid....let me handle it?”

       Ayden’s beak quivered....”You don’t put your paws on my little brother...”

      “Ayden? The last thing I need is you being courts martial’d for assault.” Bailey said as he reached out to slowly rub his feather fingers over his brother’s beak...”I’m so proud of you still after all these years, what you’ve done with your life from the rough start you had?”

       Ayden teared....”It was because of you....damn it Bail? That stupid ass should never hit you...you don’t deserve to be abused....”

      “Oh my gawd....big and bad Ayden’s going to lose his cookies...come here you big lug.”

      Bailey embraced Ayden warmly and stopped to sniff over his big brother’s frame...”Damn...do you have to shower like crazy?”

     “Blame the Navy kido.” Ayden replied. “Body odor to me now is actually repugnant. I don’t sit around much after a work out and the work out room aboard ship is a sterile as the kitchen.”

      “Guess we’d better finish our breakfast but Ayden?” Bailey asked softly.

      “Yeah?” Ayden replied smiling as Bailey pulled him down to listen...

      “It was great to get my world fricken rocked last night again.” Bailey said softly into Ayden’s ear. 

Savanna Central
7am
October 1st, 2020
UBC grounds (Urban Combat Course)
Fleet Marine Corps Base, Camp Quanaco
(number 10) 

      Chancy led an eight wolf combat squad through the west gate of the walled combat town....four wolves on the left side of the main street, four on the right....

      “Arrow One....Mauler Two in the zone. Are you up and tactical over?” Chancy said into his pit mike as he and his four tag-a-longs took a side alley...

     “Mauler Two...Arrow One...we are up and tactical. Give your SITREP over?” Owen asked as he, Nori, Dori and Powen with an instructor in tow “set up shop” on a small rise about 200 yards from the combat town.

      “Arrow one....Mauler two in process of clearing two over-watch sites. No visible evidence of an opposing force present in the town. Will advise....over.”

      “Arrow One to Mauler Two.....copy.....over.” Owen said as he looked over at Powen...”What are the “criticals” “Pow Pow”?” Owen asked Powen who was getting readings with a paw held wind guage tool.....

      “Wind West to East at five ( 5 MPH ) vertical deflection fifteen (15 degrees down to up) “DFT" (deflection change ratio) ten seconds on twenty five seconds off.”

       Owen turned to Dori. “Relay to “Brick pit” “

       “Brick pit this is Arrow One... Brick pit this is Arrow One over?” Dori said into his radio as he called back to a six gun artillery battery five miles behind where the brother’s sat...

        “Arrow One this is Brick pit...what are your criticals over?” The radio-bunny at the artillery station asked Dori.

         “Brick pit this is Arrow One...our criticals are Wind West to East at five ( 5 MPH ) vertical deflection fifteen (15 degrees down to up) “DFT" (deflection change ratio) ten seconds on twenty five seconds off...over.” Dori said as he turned to Nori...”See any trouble around Gorvilla?”

        “When I do? You’ll be the first to know.” Nori replied as he patted his Browning Auto Rifle.

        Meanwhile inside the combat town...Chancy waved one of his Marines to a locked door on the ground floor of a four story house....

       “Whitchner! Blow the lock!” Chancy snapped and his Corporal stepped up to blast the lock away with a shotgun slug!...

“BLAM!”

       “BREAK! CRASH!” The Marines with Chancy in the lead surged into and through the house in a controlled chaos of screaming, lobbing hand grenades, kicking down doors and blasting pop up targets with M-14 rifles....

“BOOM! BRACK! BRACK! BRACK! BOOM! BOOM!”

     “SWEEP RIGHT!”

     “CLEAR CROSS!”

      “FRAG OUT!”

      “CONTACT FRONT!”

“BOOM! KAKAKABRACK! KABRACK! KABRACK! BOOM! BOOM!”

        Another lock at the top of a stair case was blasted to pieces and the small team came onto the roof with Chancy quickly pulling a pair of binoculars off his neck...

       “Arrow One....Mauler Two on spot....standby for call for fire if required over?” Chancy spoke to Owen Hopps as he crouched by the raised wall that formed a ring around the roof. The Wolf Gunny then waved to his other team of Marines who had swept a house across the street...

      “SET UP MA DEUCE (The 50 caliber machine gun) AND THE JAVLALINS!” Chancy snapped, then he grabbed one of his Marines who came up with a box in his hands....

       “Come on Lance Corporal Percival? That dragon fly drone should be flying by now.” Chancy snorted as Percival snapped open his box...

      “I can only “paw off” so fast there “Guns”.” The young wolf said as he worked to assemble a small flying drone. “I mean look at these fat furry dick skinners?”

       “Excuses...excuses....my swabby Brother in Law could put that together and still jack off with his other paw.” Chancy snorted.

       Owen’s reply came back clear in Chancy’s ears...”Mauler two....Arrow One, ready to copy your call for fire on your orders....over!”

      Owen turned to Powen...”Are we good to go so far Pow Pow?”

       “Yes....no contacts around. Just keep your head on a swivel there brother.” Powen said. “Ori? Come here?”

       Ori Hopps skittered on his paws and knees to his brother with a map in his paw. “Yes Pow Pow?” Ori asked as he laid the map out on the edge of the fox hole...

       “Get your brain cooking and start working the AATS (artillery aim tables or AATS) for anywhere from three miles left and right of the road, come in to about a hundred yards before the town.” Powen asked as Oriwhipped out a pocket calculator and a pad of paper....
 
      “How big a target am I calculating for?” Ori asked.

      “Make it about a brigade with a squad of armor.” Powen asked calmly. “Come on now bro? Need it quick ok?”

      “No problem.” Ori replied.

      Lance Corporal Percival got his insect looking drone together, threw it off the building with a hard over head toss and controlled it with his smart phone as it flew over the combat town and towards the far side gate that led to a two lane asphalt road...”Looks clean Guns....No contact so far.”

     “We put out our invitations. We’re even paying for the beer. Be a shame if no one comes to the party.” Chancy growled back as he scanned the horizon with his binoculars. 

     It didn’t take long from the range controllers to respond to Chancy’s groaning...”And....right on time. Percival? Get your drone some height because I have a dust cloud front on the horizon and growing fast.”

    Chancy waved a fisted paw over his head to the team on the other building then made a triangle with his paw fingers (symbol for armor) and pointed towards the far side of the combat town...

    “Gunny?” Percival yelped. “Got a column coming right at us. Four remote control “sim” tanks with four personnel trucks behind that.”

     Chancy clicked his pit mic....”Arrow One....Mauler Two...Arrow One....Mauler Two.....stand by for fire mission call....OPFORCE inbound from North to South....armor and infantry support...information coming.”

     Owen relayed Chancy’s request back to the artillery line...  “Brick pit this is Arrow One... Brick pit this is Arrow One. Fire mission inbound, stand by for relay of coordinates. Request mix of anti-armor and ant-mammal rounds....prep....prep....prep.”

    Nori sat chewing on a vanilla wafer....”Let the orgasms begin.”

    Chancy called Owen with his information...”Fire mission!” Chancy snapped on the radio. “Fire Mission! Grid 17 to grid 37, Quadrant 273, deflection 3369! Salvo! Salvo! Salvo!”

     Owen threw a paw out to Ori...”Ori! You got those figures?!”

     “Set!” Ori snapped back as he gave own his filled out fire sheet!

     The school observer said nothing as he watched the brothers go through their motions...

     “Brick pit this is Arrow One... Brick pit this is Arrow One. Fire mission...Mauler One requests....Grid 17 to grid 37, Quadrant 273, deflection 3369! Salvo! Salvo! Salvo!Wind West to East at five ( 5 MPH ) vertical deflection thirty down 15 “DFT" (deflection change ratio) ten seconds on twenty five seconds off...over. Request Fire expedite over!” Owen snapped.

Brick Pit
2nd Battery, 2nd Fleet Marine Artillery Corps

    “Grid 17 to grid 37, Quadrant 273, deflection 3369! Salvo! Salvo! Salvo!Wind West to East at five ( 5 MPH ) vertical deflection thirty down 15 “DFT" (deflection change ratio) ten seconds on twenty five seconds off...over. Request Fire expedite over.....confirm!” The rabbit taking the information replied as he rapidly wrote the calculations on a sheet of paper and passed it to the battery Sargent Major who turned and passed it to the 105 millimeter Battery Sargent...

    “LOAD BATTERY!” The bunny Sargent snapped to his six gun crews who now moved their bodies in a well oiled ballet of precision to ram the first six artillery rounds down their breeches and into the firing tubes....

    “ALL GUNS LOADED!” Snapped the Gun Sargent!

     “ALL GUNS LOADED!” Repeated the radio bunny to Owen!

     “ALL GUNS LOADED!” Repeated Owen to Chancy!

     “EXECUTE!” Repeated Chancy to Owen!

     “EXECUTE!”  Repeated Owen to the Radio Bunny!

      “EXECUTE!”  Repeated the Radio Bunny to the Gun Sargent!
     
     “OPEN FIRE!” The Gun Sargent snapped out and the line of ten field guns released their first massed salvo of deadly rounds!

“BOOM!BOOM!BOOM!BOOM!BOOM!”

Arrow One
Artillery observer trench

     Owen and the others heard the high pitched screams of the 105 millimeter artillery rounds as they flew over their heads...

    “Arrow One to Mauler Two! Rounds incoming!” Owen called to Chancy.

Mauler Two
Inside the Combat Town

      Chancy heard the artillery rounds scream over his head, their whistles increasing to a screeching climax as they landed among the incoming RC vehicles and blasted several of them airborne!

     The Wolf Marines howled, barked and yelled with rapturous joy! “OH! THE QUARTERBACK IS SACKED!” Percival yelped and howled as he humped the air and spanked his back side....”Yeeeeah! Get some! Get some! Get some!.....”

     Chancy and the other wolves looked at the young Corporal as if he’d lost his mind....

     “Gawdess damn.....we need to get you laid.” Chancy snorted as he tapped his pit mike...”Mauler Two to Arrow One....spot on target, spot on target...I want to buy you bunnies some beer after work over?”

      Owen replied...”Arrow One to Mauler Two...affirm the beer. Throw in a case of vanilla wafers too if you would. Happy to do business. Out.”

The Destroyer Growler
9pm ICERM Berthing
October 17th, 2020
On four month patrol cruise in the North Polar Sea.

     The deep red lighting gave an accent to the soft music playing from Ayden Gull’s small portable stereo as he sat on the floor with Gilly and Darla while Jackson laid in his coffin rack...

Jackson: Ace of Clubs
Darla: Jack of Clubs
Gilly: Three of Clubs
Ayden: Nine of Clubs

     Jackson looked over his card hand carefully...reaching up to his shoulder to pull and play with one of his long rabbit ears before throwing down his next card....

Jackson: Ace of Hearts
Darla: Ten of Hearts
Gilly: Six of Hearts
Ayden: Nine of Spades

      “Fluck.” Jackson huffed.

      “Snuck that up on you didn’t I?” Ayden snickered.

      “Hmmm....Gill? Please tell me you can hook one more?” Jackson asked his spade partner...

      “I’m not too sure.” Gilly replied. “It’s all in how the last few sets go.”

       “Just admit you ass kicking now Jackie.” Darla snickered at her fiance.

       “Hmph...” Jackson replied. “Are we not over-confident?”

Jackson: 4 of Spades
Darla: Ten of Spades
Gilly: King of Spades
Ayden: Ace of Spades

       “And with that? Set and game.” Darla said smiling at Jackson.

       “I admit that you’re good Darla.” Jackson said as he adjusted himself in his tight bed...

       “So when’s the big day for you two?” Ayden asked. “Do you have a place yet for the wedding?”

       “Two places.” Jackson replied holding up his paw fingers. “Hard choices between my parents new home in Aiden Burrough and a family friend’s place in Tundra Town. We don’t want anything big but my mom’s friend would be very upset if we didn’t let her plan out the details.”

     Darla sat back against the row of personal lockers...”We have to intersperse some otter tradition which involves a swimming tank or a pool.”

     Ayden smirked. “You guys are going to have...open air sex?”

     “Well not “that” far.” Jackson replied. “It’s a lot of water dance and body rubbing...sort of doing the wedding reception first dance in water nude with colorful cloth ribbons.”

     Gilly shook his head...”I can’t believe it involves the best mammal...”

     “The closest friend of the groom is sort of the second consort who swears to protect and care for the bride should the husband die. It’s a high honor in an otter wedding.” Darla said as she petted Gilly’s paw.

     “I hope I don’t mess everything up?” Gilly said shrugging. “I’m not exactly the right material for a strait wedding.”

     “Bull snit.” Jackson replied. “You are every bit the right mammal I could have asked for. Ayden’s the sword Sargent for the otter detail that’s going to do the “cathedral of blades” for us and that might sound awkward but Ayden fits that bill for us.” Jackson giggled. “Fits the bill.”

      “Thanks for sending an invite to my little brother Jackie.” Ayden said. “Bailey will be pretty excited but keep him away from the bar because when he gets plastered? Holy snit Jonathan Seagull he is a wild drunk.”

       Gilly shook a paw...”Right now? I’m all pins and needles over the advancement exam. I don’t think I can wait two months for the results.”

       Ayden asked...”How do you think you did?”

      “I don’t wanna say and then I jinx it.” Gilly replied. “The supply section and parts tracking and ordering questions were a fricken nightmare but I think I’ll be surprised.”

      Darla waved a paw...”One more play before “taps” everyone?” She asked around.

     “I’m gain.” Ayden replied. “Here’s a question for the incoming newly weds?....children?”

      Darla looked at Jackson and vice versa...”We’re going to try egg fertilization outside the womb and see if one will take.” Darla said. “There’s a slim chance it will and a slimmer chance it will gestate properly.”

      Ayden sighed....”I’ll pray for both of you to be blessed, I know how difficult it must be for a hybrid birth.”

      Jackson nodded...”My mother was worried sick all 28 days of her pregnancy. I’m not going to put Darla through hell if we can’t have a successful egg together. We’re already considering adoption.”

      “Me and Will sort of talked about that.” Gilly said. “Any of you think “we” shouldn’t have a cub or a kitten?”

     Ayden asked...”Why even ask that question? Can you two rise a cub?”

     “Will believes we could. He’s thinking of two actually...a rabbit and a wolf. Will wants the wolf to be a female. I just want to be happy and make my wolf happy.”

      Gilly shuffled the cards and passed them out. “We have all the time in the world for all this stuff....marriage....children.....taxes....let’s just play this one more round and turn in.”

      At the other end of the ICERM Berthing, in the corner reserved for all the “little ones” the ship’s numerous rat and mouse sailors, Albert and Myler were playing their own Spade game with their newest electricians...Salvatore, an umber red and white colored mouse, and Lance, a white mouse...

Myler: Ace of Diamonds
Lance: Two of Diamonds
Albert: Six of Diamonds
Salvatore: Ten of Diamonds

      “So....Salvatore? You’re married already?” Myler asked.

      “Yes.” Salvatore replied. “I got her pregnant in 9th grade, I had no choice. Thank gawd she only had three the first time.”

      “There was a second?” Albert asked.

     “Oh no....not yet. I wised up for sure after her father threatened my tail with a carving knife.”Salvatore huffed. I think it was all fate any way? I love her very much. Our children are all four years old now.”

Myler: Ace of Hearts
Lance: Four of Hearts
Albert: Six of Hearts
Salvatore: Ten of Spades

       “Wow....hearts fell early huh?” Myler yelped. “So you guys getting along on the Grau?”

      “I’m still getting turned around in the tubes.” Lance replied. “I took this left turn yesterday and went through these curtains? Turns out I got into a female berthing and I had a big furry mound right in my face! I snit you not....a big furry feline pussy...Clitoris and all!”

      “Why couldn’t I have been that fortunate?” Myler snickered and shook his head. “But you have the more important places down right? You got a big’ins to carry you to our Damage Control Station?”

      “Not yet.” Lance replied. “I use the air shuttle tube but that ride is pretty hairy and I get all dizzy on it.”

     Albert waved a paw...”Best bet is to hook up with a big-ee and let them carry you there. I can talk to Jackson and see if he can make room in a pocket. He’s already carrying fifteen of us.”

Myler: King of Clubs
Lance: Three of Clubs
Albert: Ten of Clubs
Salvatore: Jack of Spades

     “Oh snit...Are you spade tight or what Salvatore?” Albert asked.

     “Not at all.” Salvatore replied. “Just a little lucky. I play the cards at the right times.

Myler: Ace of Spades
Lance: Four of Spades
Albert: Nine of Spades
Salvatore: Ten of Spades

       “Nice Myler.” Lance said as he raised his soda. “You took your books and then some but you set yourselves back twenty for too many books. That makes things.....180 for you and Myler. 175 For me and Salvatore. It’s almost bed time too.”

       “One last paw round.” Salvatore asked with a gesture. “Everyone in? We should practice any way for the ship’s tournament coming up in a week.”

       Back at Jackson’s rack, everyone but Darla had gone. She sat on the floor leaning on the side of the rack and traced a paw finger over Jackson’s chest as he lay looking at her soft eyes...

      “What are you thinking about Dar?” Jackson asked as she started to hum softly to him...

      “Our future home.” Darla replied smiling. “Where do you want to live?”

      “Rain forest.” Jackie said. “In an otter house so we can swim-commute to work.”

      “Really?” Darla asked. “You really want to live in an otter house?”

      “What’s wrong with that?” Jackson asked. “I love swimming and from what I’ve heard? Those underwater houses are great as far as comfort or am I wrong?”

      “You’d be surprised.” The female otter said as she looked around the berthing.”It stays a comfortable middle ground temperature all year round....not to hot in the summer and just enough to knock off the Winter chill.” Darla then slowly began to slip into the small coffin rack...

      “Huh? Dar? What are you doing?” Jackson softly yelped. “What are you doing?”

      “There’s enough room for me.” Darla said giggling. “I’m in my coveralls ok? Relax Jackie.”

       Jackson waved his paws....”You’re going to get me super busted Dar! Get out!” He asked as Darla rolled onto her side...”Pull your curtains closed Jackie.”

      “Darla! This is seriously against regulations!” Jackie snapped. From the bed above him...a First Class wolf petty officer patted the metal side of his rack...”No one’s going to rat on you Jackson. Just don’t keep me awake with a shaking bed?”

       Darla kissed her fiance...”Now? Where were we exactly Jackie?” 

       “I dunno....” Jackson sighed as he kissed Darla back. “Talking about where we might live? An otter house?”

      “And that’s ok with you?” She asked softly.

      “Anywhere is ok when we’re with each other...” Jackson said as he gently played with Darla’s long blond hair...”Even like this.”

      Darla snuggled under Jackson’s chin...”I want every day to be just like this...you’re as soft as silk Jackie. I never said that to you before.”

      “I never though I was that soft.” Jackie said as he snuggled Darla back. “Just don’t stay here all night ok? I really don’t want us to get into trouble.”

       Jackson moved his head to see Darla’s eyes closed....”Dar? Um....Dar?”

      Jackson shook her but she was out cold....

      “Hmph?......oh fluck it.” The fox bunny said with a shrug as he too gently fell asleep...the gentle roll of the Growler lovingly cradled them as the warship sailed on the feeling of a limitless and peaceful sea.

October 18, 2020
Day One 

The Destroyer Growler
On patrol in the North Polar Sea
100 miles West of the demarkation Line
7:00 am

“This is how we do it
It's Friday night and I feel alright
The party's here on the West side
So I reach for my 40 and I turn it up
Designated driver take the keys to my truck
Hit the shore 'cause I'm faded
Honeys in the street say, "Monty, yo we made it!"
It feels so good in my hood tonight
The summertime skirts and the guys in Kani”

       The song by Montell Jackal played from an mp3 as Jackson, some of the ICERM mice, a Tiger and a Panda worked to run a new bundle of electrical cable through the pipe and wire festooned ceiling of a passage way...

    “Do it Bunny! Do it!” The tiger named Phiegal (Fee-gull) purred as Jackson air humped his hips too the music as he wrapped securing bands around the wires before the two larger mammals pulled them through the crowded “overhead”

    “You seem “extra chipper” this morning.” Second class electrician rat Jenner asked as he stood on a pipe attaching a holding harness to the installed bundle. “Did you shag her last night?”

     Jackson stopped dancing...”What?”

    “Don’t fane ignorance lover boy.” Jenner snickered. “Everyone knows she was in your rack. The only reason Fireball didn’t call you into the office for rules infraction was because he knows how you behave. No fouls....no reasons.”

     “Couldn’t hold it huh?” Phiegal asked. “No one else outside if ICERM knows about it and we’ll all keep it that way...relax.”

      Jackson chuckled....”We mostly talked about anyting. Where we might live after the navy? How many cubs we might try to have? You know....what couples usually scheme in bed.”

     “She’s wonderful.” Jenner said. “I’m happy for you Jackson. I think everyone’s happy for you....Well....except maybe some of the other otters.”

     Jackie cop’d a look. “And?”

    “Oh don’t let it blow you?” Phiegal snorted. “You know how male otters are? None of them will dare do anything stupid though after how you handled the rabbits and their “gay problem”. Otter’s are gonna grouse like any Mustalde if they think a female is jilting their superiority?”

     “Yeah....I know.” Jackson sighed. “I’m dealing with Darla’s Dad. I just keep hoping he’ll change his mind once we get married and he knows he missed the most important day of his life.”

The Destroyer Growler
Communications Room
7:10 am

      All of the radio and communications Sailors in the “Radio Room” were foxes who manned the banks of monitoring receivers and “big ears” that picked up both civilian and military chatter. From time to time they would be lucky to pick up Kzinti which would be routed to a collector station where the broadcast would be stored then radio’d off to Naval Intelligence.

       Chief Bob Hood (Robin Hood from Disney) controlled and ran this small part of the destroyer and his foxes liked him a lot for his cheerful yet disciplined character. He was big on expectation yet generous with liberty and fun. For him it was a chore to resist the temptations of the female foxes in his charge. He was still a very open bachelor fox and faulted himself sometimes when the females swooned for his attention which he had to sternly and flatly reject and discipline them about attempts to fraternize with their supervisor.

      One of them, a light gray sable female named Triasash had the duty civilian channel watch and she turned in her seat waving Bob over...

      “Chief?! You better listen to this!” She said as she passed her ear phones to him. “They say they’re the “Crystal Gale” out of Tundra Town.

        Bob listened to the frantic sounding radio call intently then took the phones off his head....”Trisash? Mark that signal, get a bearing, try to call them...” Bob ordered as he walked over to an internal coms “squark Box”, switched the dial on the face and pressed the talk button....

      “Bridge.....radio shack......Bridge.....radio shack?” Bob spoke.

     “Radio shack, Officer of the Watch go ahead.” A mammal on the bridge replied.

        “Bridge.....radio shack....We’re picking up a distress call from a civilian vessel named “Crystal Gale”.” Bob said as he took a piece of paper from Trisash...”Crystal Gale is squawking imminent danger. Kzinti warship bearing down on her....overhead shot fired at her. Radio bearing Zero-three-Zero. Radio range to target fifty nautical miles. Over.”

      “Copy your call Radio Shack....keep us informed....Captain will be notified. Stand by on your end for a lot of work. Bridge out.”

The Bridge of the Growler
7:15am 

      The Officer of the Watch, a Lion named Eozer turned to the Boatswain’s mate...”Boatswain? Call the Captain to the bridge.”

     “Captain to the bridge eye Sir!” The female otter standing on a chair replied as she turned and clicked on her squalk box...”Commanding officer to the bridge....Commanding officer to the bridge....urgent!”

     Eozer turned to the helms-mammal...”Stand by for orders to course correct and apply speed.”

    “Aye Sir! Standing by for orders to course correct and apply speed!” The Gazelle replied.

    Commander Winsor entered the Bridge from the hatch at the back wall...”What is it Watch?” he asked.

    “We’re receiving a call from one of our civilian vessels Sir.” The Watch officer said. “The Crystal Gale out of Tundra Town. She says a Kzinti warship is bearing down on her and has already shot a round over the top.”

     Winsor nodded soberly....”Where is she? Is she on radar?”

     “No Sir. She’s fifty nautical miles from us at zero-three-zero degrees on the compass.” The watch officer said.

     Windsor turned to his navigator. “Navigator? Time to intercept at full battle speed?”

     “One hour and ten minutes Sir!” The Navigator snapped sharply.

     Windsor turned to the helms-mammal....”HELM! HARD ABOUT! COURSE ZERO-THREE-ZERO! SPEED FULL BATTLE SPEED 45 KNOTS FLANK!”

     “AYE SIR!” The Gazelle replied. “HARD ABOUT! COURSE ZERO-THREE-ZERO! SPEED FULL BATTLE SPEED 45 KNOTS FLANK!”

     Windsor turned to a sqaulk box...”Radio Room....Commnding Officer....Tell the Crystal Gale we are responding. Tell her if she can to run as fast as she can towards us at course two-nine-zero, we have to close the time and distance. Call out and see if there’s another ship that can join us. over.”

     Bob replied..."Commanding Officer....Radio Room...Tell the Crystal Gale we are responding. Tell her if she can to run as fast as she can towards us at course two-nine-zero, we have to close the time and distance. Call out and see if there’s another ship that can join us. over.”

      Orders demanded repetition between parties for clarity sake. No mistakes could be afforded when handling a powerful warship as the Growler...

      “Navigator? Keep track of closing distance and time. Radar? As soon as you have that ship on your screen? Speak out. Boatswain? Sound Captain’s call...” Windsor rapped off order after order then walked over to take the mike from the otter at the squalk box...

Long Broadway below the main deck
7:28am

     Jackson and the others working on the stretch of overhead cable almost got thrown off their feet by the swift left heel of the ship as she lurched over into a tight turn!

    “WOE! FLUCK!” Jackson yelped as he caught Jenner rat and Swissguar mouse as they were thrown violently off an overhead pipe and the three of them tumbled over against the wall of the passage...

    “DAMN! HOW ABOUT A WARNING YOU MORONS?!” Jenner snapped as he stood on Jackson’s head. 

    “NOW HEAR THIS! NOW HEAR THIS! THE COMMANDING OFFICER WILL NOW SPEAK!” Came the sound of the boatswain.

     Windsor sounded....”Shipmates....we have just received a distress call from one of our civilian vessels. She is being pursued by a Kzinti warship which has already fired a shot over her head. I have directed her to close with us the best she can and we are now turning to steam at full battle speed to her aid. Estimated time of contact is now 80 minutes. Stand by to go to general quarters. Cease all work. Wake up the night shift. All paws and claws to your work centers. Updates to come. Captain out.”

      Jackson stuffed Jenner and Swissguar in his pockets and got to his feet. “Get all the tools up and lets go!”

      “Never a dull day around here.” Phiegal snarled as he started throwing tools into his bag.

      Faasalm the Panda Bear chuckled....”This is giving me such a hard on right now.”

     “Everything gives you a hard on.” Jackson snorted. “Bamboo gives you a hard on.”

      The ship became alive with extra activity as the warning bells went off in all the berthing compartments and the night shift was rudely woken by the sqaulk boxes....”NIGHT SHIFT UP TRICE! NIGHT SHIFT UP AND TRICE! ALL MAMMALS PREPARE FOR GENERAL QUARTERS! THIS IS NOT A DRILL....THIS IS NOT A DRILL! TIME TO INTERCEPT NOW 70 MINUTES AND COUNTING!”

(Trice: Prepare spaces for combat action)

     Darla caught Jackson and his crew on their way back to the ICERM shop...”You should see it from the outside Jackie! We are hauling tail!”

     “Hopefully not into a fight.” Jackson replied. He kissed Darla on the head as an afterthought before letting her paw go....

      “I love you.” He said from his lips.

     “Same.” Darla replied before she ran off.

 Jackson and his crew quickly ran to the ICERM shop where Chief Fireball was taking roll call as the night shift crew came stumbling through the door....

“Ike!”

“Here Chief!”

“Wilde!”

“Here Chief!”

“Jenner! Swissguar! Phiegal! Faasalm! Myler! Trundle!.....”

“Here Chief!” “Here Chief!” “Here Chief!” “Here Chief!” “Here Chief!”

     Fireball called up to the bridge where Rudy Dolf was accounting the muster of the shifts from his place on the bridge...

     “Rudy? ICERM is all present and accounted for. Mammal’d up and ready!” Fireball snapped into his phone.

     “Aye aye.” Rudy replied as he checked ICERM off his status board in grease pencil.

     “Red?” Fireball said to Rudy. “Between you and me? You made a nice choice of a mate. Who flucken cares what other reindeer think of you...red nose and a gazelle doesn’t make a buck.”

     “Thanks Fibo.” Rudy replied. “Hopefully this isn’t going to be a party.”

    “They’ll do what they always do.” Fireball snickered back. “Finger fluck and run away.” Fireball hung up the phone and looked at his shop crew....”Well everyone? We just have to wait. Don’t anyone drink coffee, just water.”

The Bridge of the Growler
7:35 am

       The navigator cried out.....”Distance from targets now 60 nautical miles on course zero-three-zero. Time to intercept now 65 minutes and counting unless targets are true on our heading!”

(True on: to bear down on incoming ship from opposite compass heading such as heading 090 with bearing 270)

      Windsor cracked an “AFFIRM NAVIGATOR!” And picked up his phone at his command station. “Radio....Skipper....report on the Crystal Gayle?”

     Chief Hood replied....”She reports she has turned Two Nine Zero and is making best speed at twenty knots. Kzinti warship on her heels about three miles and still closing fast astern. She reports it’s teasing the snit out of her.”

     “Affirm radio.” Windsor replied. He quickly clicked his call selector switch to the CIC (Combat Information Center) the Growler’s defensive/offensive nerve center and called for Lieutenant Commander Holly (The Owsla secret police chief from Watership Down) the white rabbit who controlled the banks of radars and sensors....

     “CIC....Skipper....do you have the targets on the big boards?” Windsor asked.

      “We’ll have them soon Sir.” Holly replied as he walked around the room. “Skipper? Shouldn’t we do a pre-mammaling of the “ME MALS”...

(The ME MALS is the Growlers forward vertical missile launch station that carries multi-warhead land attack missiles and several anti-air defense missiles)

        “Shouldn’t we do a pre-mammaling of the “ME MALS” in case we have to snap fire a long distance shot?” Holly asked.

       Windsor thought for a moment then turned to the boatswains mate... “Boatswain? Sound mammal up ME MALS.....mammal up ME MALS.....spin up launcher cells one to five. Spin up launcher cells one to five.”

       The Boatswain replied...”Aye Sir! Sound mammal up ME MALS.....mammal up ME MALS.....spin up launcher cells one to five. Spin up launcher cells one to five.”

(To “spin up” means to warm the missiles electronic packages and connect the fire circuits for release “launch” on command)

ICERM shop
7:38am

       The word cracked over the announcing system....”NOW HEAR THIS! NOW HEAR THIS! MAMMAL UP ME MALS! I SAY AGAIN! MAMMAL UP ME MALS! SPIN UP CELLS ONE TO FIVE! SPIN UP CELLS ONE TO FIVE!”

       Jackson blew from his mouth as he sat on a work bench kicking his feet...

      “I gotta piss.” Gilly said quivering.

      “Ask the Chief if you can go?” Jackson asked.

      “Not alone.” Gilly replied. “You come with me.”

      “I’m not holding your paw while you piss?” Jackson giggled. “All the rabbits know not to do anything stupid, you’re absolutely safe Gill.”

     “I’m absolutely nervous.” Gilly replied. “What if they want to fight?”

     “I don’t think they want to fight.” Jackson replied. “I hope they don’t.”

     Gilly grabbed Jackson’s paw...”Jackie? Come with me?”

      “What will Will say?” Jackson said smirking.

      “Oh fluck you and come on dufus?!” Gilly snapped as he caught Fireball’s attention. “Chief! I have to use the bathroom!”

      “So do I!” Jackson yelped out.

      “Make it quick.” Fireball yelped. “We could go to “GQ” soon since they called away the ME MALS battery.”

       A moment later...Gilly and Jackson were standing at a pair of rabbit sized urinals in the nearest bathroom...

      “Sheesh....my hearts like hitting my chest.” Gilly said as he gritted his teeth. “I feel jumpy as fluck.”

      “You?” Jackson replied. “I feel about the same when we went through the Buttercup in boot camp. It’ll be ok. They’re just playing stupid chicken.”

        “Yeah....” Gilly snorted. “Typical pussy cats ruining our pleasure cruise. Oh Frith...you know what Will would be doing right now? Pacing around the living room and whining with his tail all tucked under his belly...worried as snit.”

          Jackson walked over to the sink...”You! Keep your head where it belongs Gill? The here and now is your only concern.”

         Gilly blew a breath and hopped in place. “Yeah.....yeah.....here.... right here....here with.....here with......”

         Gilly stopped hopping and wrapped his arms around Jackson’s shoulders...”Damn frith inlay.....I love you so much Jackson. So very, very much.”

        “Your proposing? Now Will’s gonna be fricken pissed!” Jackson replied as he pushed his friend back and shook his shoulders. “I only had one mammal I ever called my brother and I have no brothers...now make this two.....brother.”

       Gilly petted a paw and nodded....”Ditto mammal.......ditto.”

7:46am

       Suddenly the alert claxon boomed over the announcing system....”GENERAL QUARTERS! GENERAL QUARTERS! ALL PAWS AND CLAWS TO BATTLE STATIONS! ALL PAWS AND CLAWS TO BATTLE STATIONS! SET CONDITION ZEBRA THROUGHOUT THE SHIP! SET CONDITION ZEBRA THROUGHOUT THE SHIP! UP AND FORWARD ON THE STARBOARD SIDE, DOWN AND AFT SET TO PORT SIDE! SET CONDITION ZEBRA IN FIVE MINUTES!”

7am
18 October 2020
The Zootopian UAV attack submarine Thresher
Depth 700 feet, speed 30 knots
Destination: The Kzinti held island of Roya.

     The submarine rocked gently in the under currents of the ocean around it as Perkins and Botasky stood at the map table with Tanukis (Japanese Racoon Dogs) Sargent Major Osa, Staff Sargent Gataki, Sargent Komo, Corporal Kiba and combat swimming otters Sargent Schmidt and Corporal Pepper.

     Perkins traced a paw finger over the map...every few seconds pausing to look at the Tanuki who has transformed himself into a ten foot tall Kzinti soldier and had to stay bent on all four paws just to fit in the cramped planning room…

    “Can I please change back now?” Kiba asked.

    Perkins waved a paw and the Tanuki flopped over on his side in a puff of dust….”Ugh…..that was tiring.”

    “Fifty minutes.” Osa said smiling. “Your personal best.”

    Perkins looked around the room. “How long can all of you hold that form?”

    “About forty minutes average.” Osa said. “Transformation takes a lot of mental energy and we burn through our fat stores and water intake like a steam engine...hence Kiba’s having to put away a gallon of water right now. 

    “So hedge around thirty minutes them.” Perkins said as he studied the map of Roya Island. “Thirty minutes to recon, learn if they have a rocket base and if they do? Blow the bitch to hell and start a war we’ve been trying not too start. The City counsel has determined that there are no other options open to us. The Kzinti must not be allowed to put rockets on Roya nor any atoll island near the demarcation line.”

    Botasky sighed...”Packy and I only got so far onto the beach to study the defenses and they are robust. I also got an up close look at these tigers and they are some mean flucks. We’ll be counting on you Tanuki to get us off the beach and up the hill flanks to whatever they’re doing on the summit of this hill.” Perkins said as he tapped the map.

    Gataki replied. ‘How about gorgeous Kzinti female with huge child sucking tits? That should drive those tigers crazy?”

    Bodah shook his head. “As I understand it? The Kzinti have great discipline. They’d probably go “Eh? Nice.” And remain at their posts. I had an unfortunate close encounter with them.....and I don’t think they’ll be easily coaxed to doing things they know they shouldn’t.”

    Perkins looked at the otters...”Perhaps a few underwater explosions then? We could use that to draw them into defending the beach lines and put their attention away while we flank em out?”

    Schmidt nodded....”We could set off some charges on the Western side of the island then harass them into sending boats out after us. But need I remind you Sir that they’d probably call for help? If we try any type of diversion? It should be as our assault team is trying to get down from that hill...otherwise they would risk being cut off.”

    Perkins nodded....”Agreed. We won’t use a diversion unless we have no other options left. I want to make sure everyone understands....this is a “MUST HAVE” mission...we can’t sit on our ass debating anything. All of us must be prepared to die or to kill ourselves if that time should come. These are blood lust predators, we know some of their reputation. If you are captured, if everything looks hopeless? Better that you end your life on your terms....not theirs...”

    Perkins continued. “This? This is for our home...every loved one and every Zootopian. It is “WE DO” or we fricken “DIE”. That’s about as black and white as you get I think.”

7:50am
18 October 2020
The Destroyer Growler
Time to intercept: 40 Minutes
Distance: 45 Nautical miles

    “NOW HEAR THIS! NOW HEAR THIS! MAMMAL UP MAIN GUNS! MAMMAL UP SECONDARY GUNS! MAMMAL UP THE TORPEDO AND ASROC BOX! MAIN GUNS LOAD AP! MAIL GUNS LOAD AP! NOW HEAR THIS! NOW HEAR THIS! MAMMAL UP MAIN GUNS! MAMMAL UP SECONDARY GUNS! MAMMAL UP THE TORPEDO AND ASROC BOX! MAIN GUNS LOAD AP! MAIL GUNS LOAD AP!”

    Gilly was behind Jackson as they tore through main broadway below the main deck! Not a word was spoken as Gilly caught a hand rail to a ladder one deck below and spun himself into downward flight while Jackson flew over the knee knocker of a hatch and jumped inside his damage control station where he tossed Myler, Albert, Jenner and four other mice and rats onto a shelf so they could get into their protective suits...

    Ayden Gull came in next and pulled a pair of sound powered phones from a box under the compartment work desk....”Jackie! You’re my phone guy.”

    “Got it PO 1!” Jackson said as he took the phones and slipped into his fire fighting coveralls. The compartment was getting crazy and crowded as mammal after mammal jumped in to get suited up and pull their gear... Axes, pipe patches, fire hoses, hose nozzles, hole plugs and kit boxes were flying or being tossed from the compartment to the passageway outside....

      “TIME! PLUS FOUR! SET FULL CONTROL CONDITION ZEBRA IN ONE MINUTE! LOCK ALL HATCHES, DOORS, SCUTTLES, VENTS!TIME! PLUS FOUR! SET FULL CONTROL CONDITION ZEBRA IN ONE MINUTE! LOCK ALL HATCHES, DOORS, SCUTTLES, VENTS! SEND STATUS REPORTS TO DC CENTRAL AND THE BRIDGE!SEND STATUS REPORTS TO DC CENTRAL AND THE BRIDGE!

Aft 8 inch gun mount
“Michigan’s maulers”

      Gunner Chief Michigan, a rare white spotted African cheetah, bounded up the ladder inside the gun mount to his place above the compartment in the Gun Captain’s Cupola bubble...

     “LET’S GO! LET’S GO! GET THE LEAD OUT OF YOUR TAIL ENDS!” He clapped to his crew down below as a tiger named Balstrum grabbed the locking handle of the gun breach and unsnapped the safety catch that kept it in place....

      “Breach coming open!” He screamed out as he pulled the handle back and brought the breach assembly away and down from the maw of the cannon.

      “AP UP!” The loader/rammer fox named Gaspar screeched as he threw his arm up to indicate that the 1,000 pound naval shell was riding the hoist to it’s place on the span tray.

      “EXTEND!” Yelped another tiger, a female named Senshen who commanded with a dropping arm for the spanner tray to drop into it’s place between the rammer fist and the barrel maw. The moment it dropped....she screamed out “RAM SHELL!” and the naval bullet was thrown home into the gun by the ram and the fist quickly flew back to its’ ready position....

      “POWDER UP!” Senshen commanded as she pointed to the armored powder hatch on the wall of the compartment. The hatched dropped down and she and her partner Balstrum quickly caught and pushed four powder bags into the barrel...

      “TIGHTEN UP!” Senshen barked. The ram fist slowly came forwards to push the four powder bags against each other and up snug against the rear of the 8 inch armor piercing projectile. When she was sure the assembly was ready...she ordered the ram drawn back, the spanner tray retracted and Balstrum to close and lock the breach block assembly...

      “GUN READY!” Balstrum yelped as he jumped clear of the travel space the barrel would ride when it fired.

      One last look and Senshen jumped to her own station, buckled herself to the wall of the compartment and flipped the gun signal switch to GREEN / READY set.

      “Bridge! Mount two captain....mount two is ready to fire!” Michigan spoke into his sound powered phone.

      “Aye Mount Two ready!” The bridge replied.

7:58am
18 October 2020
The Destroyer Growler
Time to intercept: 34 Minutes
Distance: 38 Nautical miles

Bridge

     “Bridge! Radio! Crystal Gale reports overhead shell burst! One crew mammal has fallen to the deck! Kzinti warship now fifty yards astern on an even trail!”

     “Bridge! Tower watch! Have visual on the target coming over the horizon now!”

     “Bridge! Combat! (Combat=CIC Combat Information Center) Two targets on radar, bearing Zero-three-zero, course two-nine-zero, Speed 28 knots! Following target signature is a Kazami class destroyer!”

     Commander Winsor affirmed each report in turn as his executive officer, Lieutenant Commander Tostado, a gray and black spotted Spanish Lynx stood beside him and looked through his own binoculars...

     “At what point if they don’t veer off do we fire a warning shot?” Tostado asked as he looked up at his Commander. “I know an air burst isn’t a clear picture of intent Sir but we’re not going to let them shoot a second one are we?”

     Winsor grabbed his phone....”Radio? Skipper....Tell the Crystal Gale to keep her crew off the open exposure decks.”

     Skipper.....Radio......aye! “Tell the Crystal Gale to keep her crew off the open exposure decks.”

     Winsor bit his lip....”Hardest part is the wait. I want to wait as much as possible....give them a chance to turn off. Let’s just hope they play smart.”

     “And if they don’t?” Tostado asked.
 
     Winsor grabbed his phone and sit the dial to ship wide squalk,...

      “All paws....all claws.....this is the Skipper....We have the targets on radar and in sight....both are closing very fast so we should know how things will play out shortly...”

      “Now if tradition holds right? The kzinti will decide to veer away and go their happy separate ways....This of course is what we would like to see. However? There is always the slight chance the Kzinti would like to “play ball” in which case we will have to oblige their request and turn their ship into scrap metal. This I very much don’t want. To all controllers, all gunners and all gun crews....keep sharp. Keep your paw fingers and claws off the triggers, we don’t want an accident gawd forbid but stay sharp and ready. If these fine mammals wish to play a round of “street ball” then let’s make damn sure it’s us who come out first, come out tough and come out alive.”

       Captain Winsor finished as he looked through his own binoculars. “Take this time to shake the paw, hand and hoof of the mammal beside you. We’re all one family on this ship, this ship is our home, let’s tell each other we’re willing to fight for this home of ours. Stand by...... Commanding Officer out.”

       A brown and black tabby cat, a female Yeoman, came up aside Winsor with a folder in her paws...”Sir? The Crystal Gale is out of Tundra Town. She left port on September 2nd with a crew of seventeen. Standard small fishing vessel owned by Glister Harvesting Services.”

       
8:05am
18 October 2020
The Destroyer Growler
Time to intercept: 24 minutes
Distance: 24 Nautical miles

      “Bridge! Tower watch!” The mammal on the ship’s high tower mast called over the radio...”I think the pursuing target is starting to veer off to our starboard, his port.”

       Winsor replied. “Keep track and call it out Tower Watch.” Winsor then switched his radio button...”Radio Room....Skipper....contact the Gayle and get the status on the crew-mammal who may be injured. Has the ship taken any damage? Have any threats been communicated. Skipper out.”

      “Aye Aye!” Bob Hood replied. “Contact the Gayle and get the status on the crew-mammal who may be injured. Has the ship taken any damage? Have any threats been communicated. Out”

      Winsor switched his radio again....”CIC....Skipper....find out if we have any submarines with us? Any other targets than this Kzin destroyer? Over.”

      “Skipper.....CIC......No other contacts than the fishing ship and the Kzinti. We have no submarines and no other surface ships. Our closest support is still the Gnu York at a hundred and ninety nautical miles, bearing Two-Seven-Zero by true North. Over.”

       “Copy CIC.....skipper out.” Winsor replied.

      
 8:10am
18 October 2020
The Destroyer Growler
Time to intercept: 17 minutes
Distance: 20 Nautical miles

Starboard Aft 50 caliber deck gun.

      Gunner’s Mate second class Zepher (Gray Fox) sat in the shoulders of the “Ma Deuce” Rhino shooter, Petty Officer Demish, and look nervously through his binoculars towards the bow of the destroyer...

    “Snit....I gotta piss.” The fox yipped.

     “Well too bad.” Demish snorted. “You better hold it. You dare piss on me and I’ll make you my new antenna flag for my car back home. See anything yet?” Demish asked.

     “Nope.” Zepher replied. “They’re bow on right now. But I heard over the “SP” (Sound Phones) that the “zinny” ship’s starting to turn off.”

     “Good.” Demish said with a breath. “It might be over in a few.”

     “I hope so dude because I really have to go bad.” Zepher said as he put pressure against Demish’s head....

     “Damn it.” The Rhino said as he reached up, grabbed Zepher by his scruff and held him out with an extended arm....”Go.”

     “What?” Zepher replied as he grabbed the Rhino’s arm over his head. “What? Hey? This isn’t funny Demmy!”

     “Just drop your pants and tinkle fox? Right now? No one gives a fluck. Just don’t spray me or so help you.”

      “Sigh....this will be on the ship’s cameras.....really?” Zepher complained.

     “You don’t piss now and you even dare piss on me? Your live hide skinning will be on the cameras so.....PISS ALREADY!”

      Zepher dropped his pants and let go a nice golden stream as he hung in the air....much to the distant giggling and laughter from those on the ship would could see him....”I’ll never live this down...” He said with a moan.

     “You’ll be fine Zepher.” Demish said as he put the fox back on his shoulders after he’d finished going. “I need you spotting...not pissing.”

 8:15am
18 October 2020
The Destroyer Growler
Time to intercept: 13 minutes
Distance: 16 Nautical miles

  “Bridge! Tower watch!” The mammal on the ship’s high tower mast called over the radio...”The pursuing target is sharply veering off to our starboard, his port. The Crystal Gayle is waving a distress signal flare and is reducing speed!”

   “Tower watch...Bridge.....affirm.” Winsor replied.

   “Bridge....CIC.....opposing target bearing 010 off our nose, increasing speed, heading 160. Friendly approaching at reduced speed, course on the compass 180 from our course to pass to starboard.”

    “CIC....Bridge.....affirm.” Winsor replied.

    “Bridge....Radio Room.....Crystal Gayle reports some “shrap” injuries and a polar bear down on the main deck with severe head and upper body wounds and heavy bleeding from the mouth.”
   
    “Radio Room....Bridge.....affirm.” Winsor replied. “Contact the Gayle and tell her we will come along side on her starboard and send over a medical team to assist.”

     “Aye Sir! “Contact the Gayle and tell her we will come along side on her starboard and send over a medical team to assist.”

      Winsor waked over to the boatswains mate....”Sound Captain’s call.” He said as he pulled the phone receiver off the squalk box....

      “Growler....this is the Skipper. The Kzinti ship has veered off and looks to be pulling away. We will take the ship she was chasing on our starboard side and give them some attention. Everyone stay at your stations, keep your eyes sharp and your claws sharper. I’ll pass when it’s safe to relax. Skipper out.

 8:19am
18 October 2020
The Destroyer Growler
Time to intercept: 8 minutes
Distance: 5 Nautical miles

Damage Control Station Five

        Jackson sat on the deck in the passage way outside the “DCS” room and rested his head on his knees...”Glad they’re leaving.”

       Myler sat pouting on Jackson’s shoulder....”I wanted them to get stupid. Would break the tedium a little.”

      Albert had a cheese block in his paws that Jackson had brought from the shop fridge...”Want some cheese My My?”

      “Yeah...please cut me a little slice?” Myler asked. “Did you tell Jackson yet?”

       “No.” Albert replied.
   
      “Tell me what?” Jackson asked.

      “Well?.....” Albert said. We impregnated our Tanya before we left port. She’s pregnant.”

       Jackson moved his head between both mice...”You’re both serious?”

      “Little buns are in the oven.” Myler replied nodding. “We.....we did talk of not doing it yet but you know?....as if we could “force” ourselves to remain angels forever right?”

       “Well damn...good for both of you.” Jackson said. “How many do you think you’ll have?”

       “Hopefully? Not a bank busting number.” Albert replied. “Five. Five would be a nice number....three females, two males...a nice ratio.”

       “Screw you.” Myler snorted. “They’ll be five “wool” males with good genes, stout loins and strong legs like mine.”

        “I’m happy for both of you all around.” Jackson said smiling.

       “You better be.” Albert said waving a paw finger. “You’re their gawdfather and Darla’s their gawdmother. Oh my mother is going to be angry with me Jackie...she said...”Don’t you dare make me a grandmother when I’m still so spry do you hear me Albert?”

        “We will be happy to be the gawdparents to them.” Jackson replied. “Oh wow....my mom’s friend “Foo Foo” is going to want to do the christening for them, I can see it right now you two and you “better” not say no to her.”

 8:24am
18 October 2020
The Destroyer Growler
Time to intercept: Zero
Distance: 100 nautical yards

 “Bridge! Tower watch!” The mammal on the ship’s high tower mast called over the radio...”The Kzinti destroyer bears 090 off our beam, course 270, speed steady at twenty knots. Range increasing steady! The Crystal Gayle is reducing speed to slow ahead.”

 “Tower watch...Bridge.....affirm.” Winsor replied.

“Bridge....CIC.....opposing target bearing 090 off our nose, steady speed, increasing range. Negative on radio traffic. Negative on radar locking or tracking beams. Submarine targets nil....not our own and none opposing.”

   “CIC....Bridge.....affirm.” Winsor replied as he reached for his switch setting for ship to ship loud speaker...

   “ZCV CRYSTAL GAYLE......ZCV CRYSTAL GAYLE....THIS IS ZOOTOPIA NAVAL WARSHIP GROWLER APPROACHING! STANDBY FOR ASSISTANCE! SLOW TO STOP AND WE WILL SHOOT SECURING LINES OVER TO YOU!”

      Moments later.....

    “ARE WE GALD TO SEE YOU GROWLER! WE HAVE SEVERAL MINOR INJURIES AND A POLAR BEAR WITH SEVERE HEAD AND SHOULDER WOUNDS! PLEASE COME OVER AS FAST AS YOU CAN!”

      Winsor and the bridge crew watched as the civilian fishing ship slowly drifted closer as the destroyer came up for a right side to right side pass. The Gayle was a standard heavy trawler with long and wide weather decks from the bow to the cabin and bridge superstructure and from the superstructure to the aft end or “fan-tail. She was painted the standard issue colors (Blue line’d at the water/white for the rest) and was covered bow to stern in fishing winches, crab boxes, storage barrels and stacks of canvas covered container boxes....the containers more often used by the crews as make shift recreation rooms, bed rooms or snit can and shave rooms to save space on the boat for more fish....

      Windor observed that they were dressed in their standard company uniforms with “foul wear coats, pants and broad rimmed sea hats. A few of them stood waving from the superstructure as others tended to their wounded comrade, a poor Polar Bear probably caught by flying “shrap” from the rounds that had detonated over the boat...

     “Now hear this....now hear this....” Winsor said into his bridge phone. “Emergency medical crew to the starboard rib boat. Emergency medical crew to the starboard rib boat. Prepare to render assistance. Stand by line shooters fore and aft. Stand by line shooters fore and aft. Prepare to fire mourning lines.”

     Winsor turned to his helms-mammal....”Helms-mammal...maneuvering thrusters to starboard slow....bring us closer please?”

     The Helms-mammal replied....”Aye Aye Sir! Maneuvering thrusters to starboard slow....bring us closer.” 

 8:30am
18 October 2020
The Zootopian Attack Submarine Thresher
Depth: Making for periscope depth to check communications
Location: 30 nautical miles from the Island of Roya.

      Botasky sat at his laptop on a desk near the map table and waited for the latest news and reports to come in by WIFI as the Thresher slowly rose to periscope depth so its’ antenna could be raised. Just out of curiosity....Sargent Komo, one of the special forces Tanuki attacked to Botasky and Perkins, decided to play around with the periscope....

      “Hey? Hey? Sargent Botasky?” Komo asked as he pulled his head away from the scope glass...”You want to look at this?”

     Botasky raised his head from his lap top. “What is it? You see a ship?”

     “No......no ship. But it’s something. I dunno? Come see it?” Komo asked as he gestured to the periscope.

     Botasky got up and walked over, taking control of the periscope from the curious Tanuki. “Ok....where at?”

     “Just above the horizon. Komo replied. “Swing the scope till you see it.”

     Botasky turned the scope until he caught the sight of the sky above the horizon of the sea. Sure enough...there seemed to be tails of smoke or vapor flowing across the sky. Some were well into fattening out and dissipating while others were sharply pronounced as if in the process of being generated...

     “Huh?” Botasky wondered as he tilted his head. “What is that?”

     “I dunno.” Komo replied with a shrug.

      Botasky left the scope...”Keep watching Komo while I go get Packy!”

      Running to Perkins room...Botasky cared not for protocols. He came through the door and shook Perkins awake from his sleep...”Packy? Hey Packy? We have something strange going on outside. You need to come look at the periscope quick!”

     Moment later...a very irritated Perkins stumbled into the control room wearing a pair of boxer shorts...”This better be something honest Bodah! I swear if it’s not? I’m gonna chew your tail off.”

     “Just look into the scope and you tell me Packy...I don’t know what I’m seeing.” Botasky replied as he gestured. “Look at the horizon and then up.”

       Perkin took hold of the scope...

       “What the?......”

       He kept on trying to focus the control dials....

       “Oh no........oh no......”

       He slapped the periscope body hard with his paws.....

       “OH NO! FRITH FLUCKING GAWD DAMN IT!” Perkins cried out. “BODAH! BREAK RADIO SILENCE! CALL COMMAND HEAD QUARTERS! ROCKETS ON THEIR WAY! HUNDREDS OF THEM!
GAWD DAMN IT MOVE YOUR FAT ASS BODAH!”

 8:30am
18 October 2020
The Destroyer Growler closing to tie up with the Crystal Gayle

Starboard Aft 50 caliber deck gun.

     Zepher stood panting pleasingly as he wagged his tail to the sweet smell of fresh salmon coming from the closing fishing boat that was less than fifteen yards off the starboard side of the ship...

     “Mmmmm....smell that Demmy! Mmmmm....so nice.” Zepher said.

    “I don’t eat fish.” The Rhino replied.

    “You just don’t understand what you’re missing my friend.” Zepher said...Nothing like the taste of a warm fresh salmon with a nice side of greens, carrots and fruit. I like strawberry slivers with my salmon.”

     “Your thing my friend.” Demish snorted.

     As the Gayle drifted ever closer to the Growler’s side...Zepher put his spotting binoculars to his face and scanned the crew as they moved about the deck of the trawler. A cluster of them seemed to be hovering over a prone Polar Bear on the after deck by a large stack of shipping containers covered by a large grey deck canvas...

     One of them stood up from the prone body and pulled the weather jacket hoodie from his head....the face, the shape, the ears were sharp and frightenly apparent to the suddenly shocked fox....

   “OH FUCK!” Zepher screamed!

End of Chapter 41