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 47
“Barukan no hi no hi!” part 8
(The Day of Vulcan’s Fire)

5pm
18 October 2040
Nick and Judy’s house
Downtown Zootopia

       Judy had not stopped since she came home from helping the Police Department to evacuate Sahara Square. Now she and Nick were busy getting what they could from their shattered home that they could take with them to Aden Borough and their cottage in the hills. Aden had been spared rocket hits, and it seemed to be safely beyond the range of any more should they come in, so there was no choice but to pack up and get out while they could...

       Nick, strapped to his “butt cart”, wheeled around from room to room putting things in the canvas bags hanging over his back...”How much can we pack into the cruiser Carrots?”

      “As much as we can grab clothing wise.” Judy replied. “Jag just put the food cooler into the back with some ice so we can take as much of the fridge with us as we can.”

      “That’s good.” Nick replied. “Uh? Carrots? How are we going to let Jackson know we’ve’d moved? I mean...the cell phone system’s kind of dead right now?”

      “I left information with a lot of mammals at the department, with Jag and with the Clawhausers. Jackie will go to the First Precinct when he gets home. I’ve had that worked out with him for a while.” Judy replied.

      Nick was about to transfer some belongings to another bag in the living room when there came a knock on the door...

     “Carrots? Someone’s at the door?” Nick yelped. “Now who would want to show up in the middle of all this crazy stuff? It’s Probably Jag...” Nick said to himself as he opened the front door....”Hi Jag...." Nick said with a paw wave and then “woe?” Nick said as he didn’t see Jag the Tiger but a tall black fur colored Egyptian wolf in a khaki naval uniform...

     “Mister Wilde?” Anubis asked as he removed his uniform cap. “May I come in?”

     “Who is it Nick?” Judy asked as she walked into the living room. “Oh?! Chief Anubis? This is a surprise?” Judy said as she walked up. 

      “Yes it is.” Anubis said. “Are you both alright?”

      “As best as “alright” can be defined.” Nick replied. “As you can see? Half our house is gone, I’m strapped to a butt cart and Judy?.....Well? Carrots is still Carrots but all in all we’ve made it without a scratch so far.”

       Judy gestured. “We don’t have electricity of course but I do have a hot Thermos full of coffee. Would you like some? How are you and how is the family? Are they safe?” Judy asked.

       “ My family is in a shelter right now.” Anubis said as he looked around the living room then paused quietly for a moment...

        Mister and Mrs Wilde? I must confess to you....I’m not here on a social calling. Normally there are established formal practices in place which would give my responsibility more assurance but.....obviously due to our current national situation... we must make due with what we can provide to you at what is a difficult and terrible duty to perform.”

       Judy looked at Nick...”Chief Anubis?” She asked.

       “Mister and Mrs Wilde? I think you should both sit down.”  Anubis begged with a pointing paw.

       Judy reached for Nick’s paw...her husband’s lips began to quiver as he held her paw tightly....

      “Mister and Mrs. Wilde?” Anubis said sadly. “I’m afraid....that the news I bring you...is painful....”

      Anubis pulled an envelope from his uniform coat pocket...removed the single sheet of folder paper and took a deep breath as he opened it....

From: Chief of Naval Operations, Zootopian Fleet Defense Headquarters

To: Mister and Mrs. Nicholas J. Wilde

Subject: Confirmation of Casualty Report of EM3 Jackson Stewart Wilde, ZND Growler 18 October 2040.

Dear Mister and Mrs Wilde,

The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your son, Jackson Stewart Wilde, was confirmed killed in action on 18 October 2040 in action against the enemy aboard the Zootopian destroyer Growler.

On behalf of a grieving Navy and nation, we tender our deepest thoughts and love to you at your irreplaceable loss.

Signed
Admiral Don Carnage
Chief of Naval Operations.

     Judy got to her feet....took hold of the letter....fell to her knees and screamed and wailed as Nick scrambled to grab hold of Anubis’s coat....

     “NO! NO! IT’S NOT TRUE! TELL THEM TO CHECK AGAIN! IT’S NOT TRUE! CARROTS! IT’S NOT TRUE! MY SON’S NOT DEAD! HE’S NOT! HE’S NOT DEAD!”

      “Mister Wilde?....” Anubis tried to be consoling...

      “GET OUT!” Nick screamed! “GET OUT! TAKE THIS BULL SNIT LETTER AND GET THE FLUCK OUT OF MY HOUSE! IT’S BULL SNIT! MY SON’S NOT DEAD! MY SON’S NOT DEAD! GET OUT!”

     Nick scrambled back to Judy and held her tight sobbing as Chief Anubis left the letter on the coffee table and slowly walked out...

5pm
18 October 2040
The Assault Ship Sayoni
Off the coast of Sahara Square

      Kerdle the fox watched as his combat drone came floating down over the blackened back part of the flight deck and snagged the arresting wire with a heavy thud. He quickly ran out into the landing deck, signaled to the drone’s on-board camera to lift the tail hook up then walked backwards to guide the pilotless fighter to a spot where it could be checked, re-fueled and re-armed for whatever came next. As the engines whined to a stop, the red fox checked his smart phone for any messages from his wife. Nothing yet but this was no time for despair, the drone had to be ready to go within minutes. 

      As he fought to pull a rubber fueling hose from the edge of the catwalk behind the drone...Kerdle looked up as he heard the sounds of planes flying overhead. Four A-6 Intruders passed the ship in a “V” formation...and that was it?

      The same was being wondered by the ship’s captain as he watched the jets start to circle around the ship. “There’s only four of them?”

     A chief petty officer, a bull moose, stood by the Captain with a pair of sound powered phones on his head....”Lieutenant Apollo Sir, the flight leader. He says the rest of the squadron got caught on the ground. One Kzinti rocket and “BOOM” ten of them were wrecked. These four were hanger ornaments, the only reason they’re flying is because the crews are doing it by wire and compasses. They’ll need full service repairs when they come down.”

     The Chief recited the score card...”Of the ten drones we had? We’re down to three. Lost four to combat....the rest of the loses were controller caused mishaps.”

      The Sayori’s Captain nodded. “And the damage we took?”

      “Forward hanger bay...save the elevator door...suffered medium damage from the rocket that exploded inside. The stern of the ship is wrecked, the after part of the flight deck peppered with shrap holes but she’s operational. Add the four Intruders and we have seven usable pieces of flight equipment. We have the destroyer Savanna currently with us. The Destroyer Zootopia is close by. The Tundra is on her way out of Tundra Town. The Gnu York is gone, The Rain is damaged, The Tujunga is in dry dock and the rest of the fleet? Who knows. But we do have several drone submarines out on our flank hunting for the enemy.” The Chief said, then he raised a hoof...”And Captain Apollo is asking for landing clearance Sir.”

       “Ask him why he’s waiting?” The Captain replied.

5:10pm
18 October 2040
A-6 Intruder number 503 of “The Sunday Punchers”
Pilot: Fleet Marine Captain Apollo (March Hare)
Bomberdeer: Fleet Marine Lieutenant Starbuck (Honey Badger)

       “Do you know how un-nerving it is to look at your flight console and half of it is empty holes?” Starbuck asked.

       “Use our imagination?” Apollo replied.

       “Didn’t someone tell you that we badgers don’t like our imaginations? Hell is there anything we do like?” Apollo asked.

       “Your mother in law actually seems very nice to me?” Apollo joked.

       “Now I know you’re huffing some expensive catnip.” Starbuck snorted. “We were lucky to get out of there with all that smoke overhead. Son of a hundred hutch whores “Low low” we got our tails spanked.”

        “They did a number on us.” Apollo replied. “Not easy to leave forty six kittens and momma fuming at the brisket. Sandy was chasing me out of the house! Said if I loved this plane so much? Perhaps I should marry it.”

        The airplane radio cracked....”Puncher leader, Sayoni LSO...deck is clear for approach...call your order. Proceed out to marshal point, altitude One Zero Zero Zero feet, call your ball at three miles inbound to the deck over?”

         Apollo replied....”Rodger Sayoni...I can’t wait to get on board for a meal and a cot.”

        Starbuck pursed his lips. “Hopefully we don’t get called out on an alert launch. My side of the plane is so worthless right now I should bring a deck of cards or some throw rings to amuse myself.”

        “You could always stay on the boat?” Apollo said smiling.

        “Some one has to be here to keep you focused.” Starbuck replied. “Knowing you? You’ll start having funny conversations with yourself and get your ass shot off. Besides it takes two to pull off a scam.”

        “What idea have you cooked up now?” Apollo snorted.

         “I’ll let you know when I got it perfected.” Starbuck said as he shifted in his ejection seat to get comfortable. “Right now I think we should get down as soon as possible? There’s no fuel indicator on the control panel but from my expert and acute mental acumen?”

        Suddenly the Intruder’s left engine whined down!

        “Says we’re running on vapors?” Starbuck said calmly.

        “SNIT!” Apollo yelped as he key’d his helmet mic. “I thought you were keeping track of the fuel and time Starbuck?!”

        “That’s why you should stop making useless conversations there buddy.” Starbuck replied with a smile. “Better land now? I think we have.....oh? Two more minutes before we go swimming? I dunno about rabbits but we badgers love water.”

        “You’re a prick Starbuck!” Apollo snapped.

         “That’s Emeritus Prick there Energizer Bunny.” Starbuck replied. 

 5:10pm
18 October 2040
Lion’s Gate beach, South Savanna Central
4th Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Fleet Marine Division

      Chancy took the opportunity to flop onto his back in the fighting trench and look at his cell phone for messages....

Will: At a friends house for now. If I can? I’ll hook up and Alex and we’ll try and get home to Mom and Dad. How are you Uncle?

Chancy replied....”Still waiting...which is a hopeful sign. For now? If you have a good place to shelter....stay....put.” He then thought of Will’s “significant other” and tried to think of just how to say it right...”Hope your boyfriend is alright...are you alright?”

Will: As best as I can be. No news they say is good news but...yeah...I’m chewing the snit out of my tail and I ripped a friend’s couch pillow to shreds...Sunday papers are the best for nose whacks.

Chancy smiled...”Trust me kid, your mother and grandmother used to be hell to live with when I went on deployments and didn’t write home, ask your old dad. Just bear it and don’t clam up.”

Will: Uncle? Can I be honest? What if “we” caused this?

Chancy groaned. “Not for me to delve into that Will. I just clean up after the cat’s mess. Let’s just say I hope we didn’t cause this by some grand fluck up, I wanted to retire...then again....I was a little afraid too so this thing’s kind of a blessing? That sounded stupid...yipe!”

Will: Doesn’t change my love for you Uncle. Be careful? Kiss.

Chancy snickered...”Was that a gay kiss?”

Will: Oh shut up and take your Geritol you old buzzard.

Chancy had to pull his legs up as another wolf Marine, Corperal Kodo, slid into the trench! “Watch it Kodo!” Chancy barked!

“Sorry Gunny...” Kodo replied. “Just came back from the chow tent. Got you some K-9 Kibbles and beef?”

Chancy sat up and accepted the “MRU” (Meals Ready to Urk) sans MRE pouch with a plastic spoon. “Processed insect proteins, how fricken delightful.” Chancy snorted. “So? Any scuttle butt being tossed around?”

Kodo flopped onto his backside...”Some of our destroyers are gone. Both the Gnu York and the Growler were sunk. The Kzinti over ran the Out Backs and some other island nations. Rumors are flying about a second wave that’s going to come. Mayor Caesar is dead...that’s confirmed.”

Chancy growled...”The Mayor...every fricken Kzinti bastard should be skinned alive. Only Kzinti will be spoken in hell when we’re done with them.”

“Pissed because you’re not retiring?” Kodo asked.

“That and about a thousand other things.” Chancy replied. “Can’t they make MRE’s more tolerable?! Snit! Put some “dum dum” deer meat in here?! That’s what I want to do right now Kodo? Go to the North Country, get feral, extend my claws and just rip a deer to shreds, get my fricken stress and aggressions out.” Chancy tossed the MRE pouch aside and stood up to look over the trench lip at the sea beyond...

“You know they don’t dare invade us? That would be “stupid-scidal”. The war would end quicker. But we’re going to have to go across the ocean and slowly kick their ass back to their home. We could only get so lucky if they’d invade.” Chancy said as a little drool and foam dropped from his mouth...

“Sheesh...your rabidness is showing Gunny.” Kodo said as he pulled out a handkerchief and patted Chancy’s lips as the older wolf panted.

“I know...” Chancy replied. “Absolutely shameful huh?”

The corporal dropped his head on the lip of the trench...”Sheesh....I was all pumped up earlier about this...now? Not so pumped as scared. I’m a failure as a wolf.”

“Then welcome to the League of Extraordinary Flops there Corporal.” Chancy said as he petted Kodo on the head. “Relax Marine...if we don’t get “tuck tails” at least once? We’re not canids...”Tuck tail” keeps you alive.”

Kodo turned around and leaned on the trench...”You think about that Orphanage in the Outbacks too....don’t you?”

Chancy nodded...”We can’t get back there soon enough. All I can hope for is that they’re with the otters. Right now however? Let’s just concern ourselves with this beach.

 5:10pm
18 October 2040
Rattle Back Company under Captain Oakley
Waddle Plains defense point five miles south of Carnifax Station

     Owen Hopps climbed up the side of the pile of lime and sandstone boulders and sand to where his brother Powen sat Indian style with his long barrel M-14 sitting on his lap. Powen was always the oddity of the five, the quiet one...the clam one...the reserved and laid back bunny who didn’t get angry, never got snappy, never panic’d, never got emotional even when family members passed away. He was the perfect one who didn’t score a single boot camp demerit and he had the mind of a computer. Many often joked that Powen would be the one to do some terrible thing or become a serial killer because his calm behavior sometimes caused mammals to cringe...

      Owen finally got to the top and flopped onto his back....”Gasp, gasp...damn.....that was....gasp.....damn!”

     Powen pointed to a set of spikes beaten into the rocks with ropes tied to them...”There was a ladder?”

    “Oh fluck me.” Owen huffed. He then looked out over the scene around the natural tower...”Nice choice.”

     “Good vantage.” Powen replied as he looked through his spotting scope. “Except the sun and the heat. Hope no one minded me being in just my shorts?”

     Owen got a second glance...”As long as you had plenty of water, I’m not going to report you.” He said as he took a seat. “So? What does the calm and patient minded one have to say about our current situation?”

    “They’re not coming.” Powen replied. “But I’m not the one to make the decision about packing up. They haven’t followed up with another rocket attack and they would have by now if they had planned to invade us? But they’re not coming. But a second wave rocket attack will....just not....right now.”

    Owen played with his paw fingers...”You should be Sargent.”

    “No.” Powen replied. “You’re doing fine. Besides? Do you think I could do better than you? Leadership comes natural to you just as I have my own traits which came naturally and benefit me and the rest of us. Just because I’m balanced and rational doesn’t mean I can lead a bag of rocks...which I might say you do well with the right amount of finesse.”

     Owen thought for a moment...”Do you have any suggestions as to how I placed everyone?”

     “From here?” Powen said as he pointed. “You left Ori alone by himself? you know better.”

      “I can’t stick him with Nori.” Owen replied. “Sheesh...match to kindling.”

      “You could stick him with Lance Corporal Stenowa?” Powen said with a paw gesture. “They’re like minded so they’ll play off on each other but Stenowa’s got just enough sense to keep Ori’s wandering mind in check. Plus? Stenowa’s good with a long gun, deadly accurate and quick thinking. He’ll keep Ori safe. As a Sargent? You should be getting to know all your Marines, shame on you brother.”

       “That’s why I have you “Pow Pow”.” Owen said smiling. “You’re my handy dandy lap top.”

       “Hmph....when you can get past the porn adds.” Powen said smirking. “Any way? Drop it to Captain Oakley that we’re wasting our time here. They’re not coming. But?....going to them is going to be a bitch.”

       Owen nodded...”Now? We depend on you “Pow Pow” so don’t fall asleep ok?”

      Powen snorted. “You make that assertion one more time brother and we’ll tangle....as if you could ever win a fight with me?”

      Owen chuckled...”I wasn’t entertaining an idea....trust me “Pow Pow”

 5:10pm
18 October 2040
The Mansion of Don Sunny “Lil bigs" Lanzoni
Tundra Town

       Sunny stood on the desk in the old study room. His face cut and plowed with creases made from a mix of anger, concentration and gritting his teeth....

      “Are they comfortable?” He asked Pauley as the big bruin stood with his paws low in front of him.

     “As can be made Shrewfather.”Pauley replied.

     “What about the shipyard? How much damage was there?” Sunny asked.

    “The main machine and foundry shops were damaged. One of the two building slips was destroyed. The Destroyer Tujunga took a rocket in the stern, thankfully she wasn’t loaded with ordinance. They missed the drydocks, the fuel farm, the rest of the work shops. We came out of it a little banged up but that won’t take long to fix.” Pauley said as Sunny started to pace about the desk...

     “Bastadio, Zebatza gato scum.” Sunny snarled. “Those milk bowl droolers have flucked with the wrong herd.” Sunny stopped...”What about the assistant Mayor? Where is he?”

      “In hiding for now.” Pauley replied. “It’s best that way...at least until we know the security situation is sound enough to let him come out. Till then? The country needs a strong visible presence to rally behind.”

     Sunny nodded. “Then we start with the shipyard....no.....first thing we do is call the rest of the families and read the riot act. No one had better take advantage of this situation to pull some stupid snit. We’re all in the same snit soup and cutting each other’s throats would be a bad idea.”

     “Agreed.” Pauley said nodding. “I will make the arrangements for a counsel at once. Shall we have it at a neutral site or...?”

     “Nothing wrong with having it here.” Sunny said waving a paw. “Any news about the Growler? About Jackson?”

     Pauley shook his head. “Nothing but rumors. They say the Growler went like the Gnu York though I refuse to believe them. No official word has been given public yet.”

     Sunny rubbed his chin. “Make a call to Judy and Nick...give them our mutual hope. Jackie’s a smart kid....or a smart little ass from my point of view.”

     “Do you still hold a grudge from when you two were cubs?” Pauley asked. “Jackson cared a lot for you.”

     “He liked to meddle where he knew not too.” Sunny snorted. “One of these days? I’m gonna get him back for all the dumb butt blisters he caused me for snitchin me out to my Pa Pa.”

      “Blisters...with my respect....” Pauley replied. “You earned yourself. Jackson’s always cared about you Shrewfather...”

      “Yeah....yeah.....yeah Pauley.” Sunny replied waving a paw....”Don’t get in depth with it ok? Just go on your way and make the counsel preparations?” 

      

 5:10pm
18 October 2040
Chuck and Omaha’s apartment
Riverside...Southeast suburb of downtown Zootopia

     Omaha opened the door and Alex flew past her! “BROTHER!” He screamed as he leaped, knocked Will off his feet and they fell to the floor in a pile of out of control tail wags and wild tongue licking over each other’s faces!

    “ALEX!” Will yelped as he sat up! “Thank the Gawdess!” The older brother replied as he whined and cried with joy while giving Alex a fierce tight hug!

    Omaha stood next to Tina as she held the extra folds of the mechanic’s coveralls that drooped over her body...”I.....? I’m a little grossed out right now...” Omaha said as she watched the brothers swap tongues back and forth...

     “Lick, lick!” Will....”sob”.....It was terrible....”sob”.....Mister Packer’s dead!”

     “Lick, lick!”....I was so worried! “sob” “Lick, lick!”.....Alex....my little baby brother! “Sob” If you had died?.....”sob”

    “It’s a canid thing!” Tina yelped. “Alex could have been killed! We wolves? We don’t hide our emotions at all.”

     Will cupped Alex’s head in his paws....”Are you alright? You’re not hurt? You’re dirty.....sheesh you stink?” The older brother said as he licked all over Alex’s face....”But you’re alive....”sob”.....

     “Mutual you dufus!” Alex snorted back. “Sheesh you smell like piss Will! What the hell? How long have you been here? Shower? Use that much? Yuck!”

     Omaha huffed....”No running water right now.”

     The two wolf brothers sat on the floor...”So what happened Will? Where were you when the rockets starting hitting?”

     “In a drain pipe with my tail coming out of my mouth!” Will replied. My apartment building was cut in two! I’m getting thrown around, I’m pissing myself silly, absolutely shameful.”

     Alex thumped Will’s chest. “So what! You’re here!”

     Will looked at Tina...”What were you doing? Fixing a car?”

      “Long story.” Tina snorted. “This was the best we could find. The whole downtown is destroyed.”

      Omaha put a paw on Tina’s shoulder. “Let’s go to my room and see if we can’t find something for you to wear.”

     As the two females left the living room...Chuck flopped onto the floor with Alex and Will...”You heard the mayor was killed Alex?”

    “Yeah....” Alex replied frowning. “Right now? A lot of mammals are dead. But our parents are ok sooooo.....we should go home. Actually? I should go to the recruiting office and sign up then we should go home.”

    Will sighed deeply....”I wish you’d think about holding off on trying to join the Marines...at least until we’re sure Mom and Dad are alright Alex.”

    Alex waved his cell phone....”They’re fine Will. Right now we need to worry about those monster tigers coming here. Guess all your hopes for peace just got thrown in the trash huh?” Alex said....then his ears downcasted.  “I’m sorry big brother...that was callus of me. I wasn’t thinking of how you feel...”

    Will petted Alex’s head tuft and kiss licked his nose...”You never change...that makes me a little happy.”

    Alex sat quiet for a moment before he spoke....”Will? There’s rumors running around that some of our ships are gone? I guess the Gnu York’s confirmed but now some mammals are saying the Growler is gone.”
 
    “Well?” Will replied. “Until something official is said? Rumors are like snit Alex.....they stink. I’m not going to let un-based thoughts get in my head, now’s not the time to shrivel in a panic.”

     Alex gritted his teeth...”I want to sink my “nines” into a Kzinti’s throat and gutt the bastard....for Mister Packer and Elias. They threw themselves over me...they died to protect me....I owe them revenge!”

      Will gave Alex a light slap on the face....”And “That” is why I want you to wait before you enlist. Even Dad will give you a slap back to your senses, nothing will get you killed faster in combat than some blind lust to get revenge. You get that out of your head Alex...I will not watch Mom get a letter and a visit because you got yourself killed on a blood lust.”

     Alex felt slighted....”What “You” want is for me to stay home, locked in a room with my Pawstation. That’s what you want Will.”

     “You know better than to accuse me of that crap Alex!” Will snapped back!

     Tina came running out of Omaha’s room dressed in a mini-skirt, a Daisy Duke shirt and a red scarf....”Oh no you two! Don’t start getting into a dog fight here ok?” She yelped as she got between the two wolf brothers....

     “I need some air.” Alex snorted. “I’m not only smelling piss? I’m smelling yellow.”

     “Alex!” The white female wolf yelped.

     “It’s alright Tina.” Will said waving a paw. “Let him vent out at me, our whole day has seriously sucked.”

     Alex stopped to do a double take with Tina and ran to get a sheet off the couch...”TINA! WHAT THE HECK?!”

     Tina snickered. “Oh Gawd! Alex suddenly becomes a complete prune! It’s the best I could get Alex?”

     “What do you do for a living Omaha?” Alex yelped. “I mean seriously?”

    “I model and I’m an exotic dancer silly.” Omaha giggled back. “And she looks nice!”

    “Yeah.....” Alex yelped. “For every pervert wolf and dog in a twenty mile radius?” Alex looked quick under the sheet. “She doesn’t even have panties on! All the droolers will be running crazy! Don’t you have any panties? Of course you wouldn’t, you’re an erotic dancer.”

     “Oh sure?” Tiny replied. “I’m going to use her dirty one’s in the hamper huh? Alex? Quit before you get buried please?”

       Will sniped....”This is the first time I’ve ever seen him focused on a female so intently! Wow Alex?! Progress!”

       Alex snarled back....”Oh! You are “SO” fricken dead right now!” The younger wolf jumped on Will and the two brothers went at it all over the living room floor!

     “You think you’re such a hawt snit?! Grrrrr! Grrrrrrr!” Alex snapped his teeth on one of Will’s ears!

     “OUCH! YOU LITTLE DICK!” Will replied as he picked Alex up and body slammed him on Omaha’s couch!

     “Good thing that’s a “go-mei” couch.” Omaha said shaking her head.

     “Come on Girl?” Tina snorted. “The only thing that’s going to cure this insanity? Is some wet rolled up news paper.”

5:10pm
18 October 2040
Downtown Zootopia
THE ZTA, Troop Street Station

      Simon was the first to come out of the rodent tube and look across the wide expanse (by a rodent’s view) at the park where Little Rodentia was....was, being the terrible description word...

      The sound of Theodore dropping to his knees as crying added sad emphasis to the terrible scene before the brothers...Little Rodentia was gone....annihilated....obliterated. What ever number of “little ones” had lived there? If they were not lucky to have scurried and given the obvious power of the rockets that had bombarded the city...scurry might not have made any difference. No rodent could have escaped the concussion of what to a mouse....was a nuclear sized detonation.

     Theodore clutched Alvin’s sweater.....”NO! NO, NO, NO, NO....AAAAH!.....NO......(sobbing) NOOOO!”

      Alvin looked at Simon with a long stone look of grief....”How? How many Simon? How.....”

      Simon shook his head in sorrow....”Perhaps....it’s too much to look at...” The normally stowic, resolute, calm and mathematical older Chipmunk walked back into the rodent tube with back to his two brothers and he too sobbed terribly...”

      For Alvin...the thought was Brittany and her sisters, Jeanette and Eleanor. They could not have been anywhere else but in the little city when the rockets came down, he couldn’t think of any other place they could have been. The thought that they had been caught in what had happened filled him not with sadness but with rage! He let go of the crying Theodore and stomped over the ground, picking up rodent sized rocks and throwing them, swearing every other word, punching his paws until a sickening crack was heard....he’d broken one of them blindly smashing it against the tube side...then he fell to the concrete screaming...

     “BRITTANY! GAWD DAMN IT! I LOVED YOU! WE MAY HAVE HATED EACH OTHER SOMETIMES BUT GAWD DAMN IT! I LOVED YOU! AND IT’S TOO LATE TO TELL YOU NOW!”

     Alvin rolled onto his knees and pounded his unbroken fist! “DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT!...

     Suddenly....someone snatched him from behind....”ALVIN! STOP IT! STOP IT!” A famillar voice called out! And when Alvin turned around... he came face to face with Brittany?

     “AAAAAH!” Alvin jumped! Picked Brittany off the ground then crashed to the concrete when he realized....he’d busted his paw. “OW! THAT HURTS! OW! OW! OW! DAMN THAT HURTS!”

     “Eleanor!” Theodore screamed as he ran and caught Eleanor in a crashing collision with each other! “Sob”.....”Oh Ellie!”

     “Theodore!” “sob”....”I thought you were killed.....”sob”.

     Simon had gained his sudden composure as he walked up to Jeanette. “I knew......I knew you’d......”

    “Come here you freeking stud muffin.” Jeanette said as she dropped her glasses, pulled Simon practically onto his back and deeply French kissed him...”Ditto Ein-Shrew......ditto.”

      Alvin snapped back to his somewhat superior aura of self confidence. “All right?! You girls care to tell us how you escaped being vaporized?” Alvin said, he then grimaced from his broken paw...”Eeeesh! Yipe! Yipe! Yipe!”

     Brittany smirked. “So typical of you Alvin. You’re out of control emotional outbursts always end up breaking something.”

      Simon pointed to Jeanette...”How did you get out? Even the subway couldn’t have offer you all any protection?”

      Jeanette replied. “The first operational test of my specially designed impact resistant survival ball. You didn’t think I wasn’t planning well in advance of this eventuality did you? Please say you weren’t trying to write us three off?”

      Simon looked at the smoking hole that had been Little Rodentia. “No one else?”

     “Sadly no.” Jeanette replied. “I was only able to sell some hundred spheres to rescue five hundred rodents. I don’t even know if any of them got out. Those that didn’t?” Jeanette sadly pointed to the debris.

5:10pm
18 October 2040
Downtown Zootopia
The Flying Leaf Financial building

       “Oh.......me screwy skull.” Tony Toponi the mouse and leader of the Jickett Street Mobsters gang moaned as he sat upside down in a seat harness with his tail in his mouth.....”Ugh.....frig the E ticket ride, I wanna get off.” He said as he shook the fog out of his head...”Hey? Philly? Philly you ok kid?”

      “Noooo.....” Fievel Mousekowitz replied from his own seat. “I threw up and I’m covered in it.....ugh.....Sis?” Fievel said as he looked around. “Sis?....”

      Tony squinted as his eyes cleared up and he saw Fievel’s sister Tanya lying still on the side of the protective ball....”Oh no! Fievel! Tanya got thrown from her seat!”

     “Tanya?!” Fievel yelped as he scrambled to his older sister but Tony got there first....

     “Easy kid...back off....let a pro examine her for injuries and such?!” Tony replied.

      Fievel snorted....”What a universal bull snitter.”

      “Hey! First aid here you...shuts.” Tony snapped back. “First of all we has to get air into her lungs.” Tony opened Tanya’s mouth and locked his with her lips.....until Tanya got a good healthy teeth snap on Tony’s protruding tongue! AAAAAAH!! ELP! ELP! OW! OW!”

      Tanya let Tony go and snorted...”Serves you right you pervert!”

      “I was tryin ta save your life!” Tony snapped back. “Philly?! Tell her! She wasn’t movin!”

      Fievel snickered. “He was trying to tongue fluck you Tanya.”

     “Why you little dirty snitch!” Tony yelped back!

     “Will you all shut the hell up?!” Pixy screeched as he held on to his brother Dixy...” Oh my smarting head! Damn boss this was the worst idea you EVER fricken had!”

      “Well it beat being turned into rodent shredded wheat there Styx!” Tony snapped in reply....”Cheese...all those other poor “swells” in Little Rodentia....they must have all been wiped out? Good thing I bought this pricy little investment after all huh fellahs? Sure saved our behinds.”

      Fievel snorted. “And left us flat broke.”

      “Flat broke is better than flat pancakes kid.” Tony huffed back. “At least we’re alive.” The confident gang leader said as he stood patting his chest. “Tony Toponi never goes astray! Once we recover and get set back up? We’ll all be back in business and as always? The sky is the limit!”

     Tony opened the escape door....stepped out with his eyes closed...with the predictable results......

     “OH FLUCK?! KID?! PHILLY?! TANYA?! PIXY N DIXY?! HELP!”

      Fievel ran to the door opening and found Tony hanging onto the turn wheel.....with nothing below him!”

      Fievel did the only thing he could think of! “CHOMP!”

      “OW! YOU’RE CUTTING MY TAIL YOU LITTLE SNIT HEAD!” Tony screamed at Fievel as he fought to keep from being pulled out of the sphere!....

       “DON’T GAWK! PHELP ME!” Fievel snapped! Dixy, Pixy and Tanya all jumped in to get Tony back into the sphere!

        “OY SHEESH!” Tony said as he rubbed his head while looking down at the main street fifty floors below...”I almost bought the heavenly farm....or stole it. Hey? That might be a good racket.”

         Fievel smacked Tony off the head...”Back to Earth “Tone Tone”. We obviously got shot up here by the explosions! We have too see if we have a safe way to get down.”

        Fievel looked out the hatch then back into the sphere. “Ok! Everyone line up behind me. When I climb out? You move back so we can keep this sphere balanced...”

       “Hey! Philly?!” Tony snapped. “Who the hell is the leader here?”

       Fievel smirked back...”Oh I forgot. I’m stepping on the shadow of genius. Please enlighten us little children?.....boss!”

      Tony turned to the rest of the rodents...”So Kay! Like Philly says? All of you get behind me and when he moves? We’ll move back to keep the sphere balanced out ok?”

       Fievel joked...”I’m tickling all over from your astute brilliance my Capi whom I love.”

       “Shut yer trap and get a move on Philly?!” Tony commanded. As Fievel climbed carefully out of the sphere and looked around, the rest of the mice kept the sphere from rolling to far....

        “Cool!” Fievel yelped as he looked where the sphere was and clumbed back inside...”Oh kay! We’re on a window ledge and there’s an office behind us! Me....Pixy....Dixy and Tanya will get back in our seats. When I say “Go”! Tony’s gonna run to the back of the sphere and roll us inside the room.....piece of cake!”

          Tony walked up and kissed Fievel on the head...”See? Now you all know why I love this little kid! That’s why he’s the second fiddle in our outfit. Everyone take your seats!”

           As the mice slipped into their harnesses....Fievel waved a paw at Tony...”Now Tony?! Not too hard ok? Just enough so we land in the waste paper basket.”

          Tony stood making himself ready like a track star....”Wait? A waste paper basket? Point me in the right direction kido?”

          Fievel held Tony’s hips and aimed him in the direction he needed to run and collide with the sphere wall....”Right?.....there! Now remember Tony?! Not super hard just a light touch.”

          “Light touch.” Tony replied as he spat on his paws and rubbed them together with his tongue out of his mouth...”Yeah! Light... very easy.....”Fin-Es-EE-Quah”....Uh? Count down from three for me Philly?”

          Fievel threw a paw out at each number....’Three! Two! One! GO!”

          Tony took off like shot and crashed his full weight into the side of the sphere sending it flying into office!

         “TONE TONE! THAT WAS TOO MUCH!” Fievel yelled!

         “WHAT DID YOU WANT KID?! TOO LITTLE?!” Tony yelped back as he bounced around the sphere as it missed the trash can, bounced off the wall, bounced off the floor, threw Tony out the hatch opening and sailed back over the window ledge where it dropped as Tony looked up!

        “OH SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEK!” Tony screamed!

10:10am
The Attack Drone Submarine Thresher
Location: 50 nautical miles from the Island of Roya.

        Perkins yelped from the mapping table at Botasky as he was looking through the sub’s periscope. The feeling of the deck jumping under his feet told Perkins that the Thresher was building speed for an escape run as she had finished her turn after the last salvo of Mark 48 Torpedoes were fired from her tubes....”Bodah?! Status!”

       “Looks like their big one took four all down one side of the hull Packy! She’s listing with heavy smoke coming out of the stack! Some of the destroyers or whatever these other ships are that didn’t get hit by our torpedoes are staying by to assist! Three ships are gone and these cats are fricken pissed! I think we just got made by two of them because they’re turning and kicking up froth!” Botasky yelped as Perkins ran up to the periscope...

       “Let me see Bodah!” Perkins snapped as he took the periscope and watched two of the Kzinti warships coming strait in pursuit. “I sure hope the handler of this water pig knows what to do about this?” Perkins said snarling. “Bodah? Check aft and see if this sub’s armed with “tail-pedoes”

      Perkins got his answer when the deck under his feet slanted and the submarine went into a dive....”Control?! Sound off?!”

       Sargent Major Osa (Tanuki) replied....”Fifteen degree down bubble! We’re going for the basement fast! one hundred feet......passing one two five feet!......passing One Five Zero feet!”

       Botasky came back from the sterm...”No Packy! No tail tubes!”

      “Then it’s cats against the mice.” Perkins snorted. “Hope this thing’s built for speed and silence.”

10:14am
Bunny Valley High School
Bunny Borough

        The crowd of bunnies cheered at the results, offering Alphius their hugs or praises for what they considered the first act of justice for the brutality visited on Zootopia! Alphius however was more concerned with getting the Thresher away from the two fast moving ships seeking to close with it. In all the hype and confusion and concentration on hitting targets...the young rabbit missed the flashing light on his smart phone that indicated Zootopian lives were at risk...

       “That was awesome!” Demitor said as he rabbit nose touched Alphius in the head...”You are the nation’s first hero dude! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! DIE MURDERING TIGERS!”

         “Will you please! Stop hanging on me?!” Alphius snapped! “Yes, good hits but now I have these two ships coming after the sub and I think they’re destroyers.” Alphius said as he stayed attentive to his phone. “And there’s warm bodies on the Thresher...ours! Please?! Everyone stop celebrating, sit on the grass and pray to Lord Frith I can get these guys out of danger.”

       The other bunnies replied....all sitting down, all holding paw in paw. Some biting their lips in intense worry while others put their faces to Frith and Prince Rabbit, their prophet, in unified prayer for their fellow countrymen confined to what could become a quick, cold and brutally murderous sea coffin.

10:16am
The Attack Drone Submarine Thresher
Location: 50 nautical miles from the Island of Roya.

         Perkins yelped....”Depth! Speed!”

         “Depth now Four Seventy Five. Speed flank at 28 knots.” Sargent Major Osa (Tanuki) replied.

          “Speed of the enemy?” Perkins yelped.

          “Speed 34 knots flank!” Sargent Major Osa (Tanuki) replied.

          Perkins looked at the dim returns on the submarine’s Sonar scope then back through the controls...”If they persist? They’ll run over us and spread depth charges or worse yet? They have good homing torpedoes and we’ll get a shut in our ass.”

         “Do you think he’ll slow us down and try to bluff?” Sargent Major Osa asked as he looked back over his shoulder. His answer came as the submarine felt like it was slowing down...
 
          “Your answer.” Perkins snorted. He turned around to the rest of the mammals in the submarine. “Everyone heads up! No one talks, no one moves, no one chews, drinks, spits or fricken farts! Our lives are in the hands of the mammal controlling this submarine so let’s help him out to give these butt holes the slip ok?”

2pm
18 October 2040
Nick and Judy’s house
Downtown Zootopia

        Nick was busy walking around the house in his butt cart getting clothes and essential things, putting them in the canvas bags hanging from his body and taking them into the living room where Jag was busy packing boxes and staging them by the front door so Nick and Judy could leave for Aden Burrough.

       Suddenly....the front screen door opened and Judy stumbled into the living room shaking....sobbing...crying and wailing with Benjamin Clawhauser right behind her trying to scoop her up! “Judy?! Judy wait!” Ben cried out as Judy saw Nick and almost crashed him off his feet as she frantically threw herself into him!”

       “What?! Carrots?!” Nick yelped as he tried to talk to his hysterical wife...”Ben?!” Nick asked Clawhauser. “What’s wrong with her?!”

       “I don’t know?!” Ben replied. “One minute we’re taking a break in the cruiser? The next she wakes up all over the place and we’re doing a hundred down the flipping road with her crying...”I wanna get home! I gotta get home!”

        Nick cupped Judy’s head in his paws....”Carrots?! What is it? What’s got you so upset?”

        Judy looked at Nick and her eyes, her face showed an intense and terrible fear had taken hold of her....

       “Nick!.....Our Son! Our baby! He’s dead!” Judy screamed! “They killed our Son! THEY KILLED OUR SON NICK!”

         Nick looked at Clawhauser then Jag as he held Judy to his chest...”You guys? Can you?....”

         “Sure.” Jag replied. “Come on Mister Clawhauser....I’ll give you some coffee.”

          Clauhauser stopped to kiss Judy on her head....”It’s going to be alright Judy...I know it will.”

          Nick watched as Clawhauser slowly closed the door behind him and looked down to nuzzle his wife....”Judy?.....Carrots?......shhhhh.” He said softly.....”Judy? Look at me please?”

         “Our son is dead Nick...I saw it! He was trapped....he was calling for us and now he’s dead.....my baby....” Judy sobbed. “My baby....my little Jackie....”

          Nick got stern....”Carrots?! Stop avoiding me and look up at me!”

          Judy slowly looked up at Nick as he shed his own tears....”Our son is not dead. There’s been no news of his ship. Nothing’s been confirmed. We’ve gotten no phone calls and no one’s come to this house. Until I have something in my paws that said our son is dead? He’s not dead. That goes for dreams, premonition and parental panic. Understand?”

           Nick slowly rubbed Judy’s shoulders....”Do you understand me Carrots?”

           Judy suddenly snapped....”What is WRONG with YOU?! YOU HEARD ABOUT THE GNU YORK! IT’S GONE NICK! I KNOW MY SON! DON’T PLASTER ME WITH YOUR OPTOMISTIC BULL SNIT! THEY MURDERED OUR CHILD!”

          “DON’T YOU DARE TELL ME I DON’T CARE ABOUT MY SON YOU!”.....Nick had his paw raised over his head and a tight grip on Judy’s arm...he caught himself in the midst of a blind rage, ready to beat her up....then broke down to flop on the floor crying....

         “Don’t tell me to give up on our son Judy! Don’t even ask me too!” Nick screamed! “Our son’s not dead! Jackson’s not dead! You’re wrong Carrots! You’re damn wrong!” Nick sobbed as Judy collapsed on top of him and rubbed her head over his....

         “Nick! I’m scared! I’m scared!” Judy cried out....”Our baby! My precious Son!.....my son.......” Judy cried over and over as she and Nick lay in the living room of their shattered home in deep despair.

End of Chapter 47