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Zakhargrad Unit 582: Chapter 2

A voice crackled through the radio "We got one hostile down." the voice said. Anthony pressed the send button on his radio and said "How many contacts?" The voice on the radio responded "There was a guy with a knife he was waving it around like a madman. I ordered him to drop it and he charged at me. I had to take him out." Anthony turned to Yakov and said "You should go inside until we get control of the situation."

The ram nodded and retreated back in the reception area. A door slammed open and four heavily armed creatures bust through running for the main door. Yakov jumped out of the way pushing himself up against a wall. It is a good idea to get out of the way and he wasn't armed so he couldn't fight off an attack he thought.

Yakov encountered Marther at the reception desk her eyes wide in alarm. "Marther I don't know the full story but some lone nutcase decided to attack the front driveway with a knife." Yakov said. The ram softened his expression looked at Marther trying to convey calmness. "The situation is under control." said Yakov putting his power into his words. Marther's was starting to look more calm now.

Fear was the mind killer thought Yakov. He needed to help the way he knew how. Satisfied that the ewe was in a better state of mind Yakov decided to head up to his office. He was just in the way down here. Yakov went to the lift and pressed the call button. The life opened and out stepped an otter Yakov knew as Mr Chevonisky he had a first name but everyone called by his surname.

Mr Chevonisky was dressed in his ILA officer's uniform complete with his sidearm. His eyes narrowed upon recognizing Yakov. "Yakov you pansy why are you running away we are under attack." Yakov frowned and replied "I was-" "pick up a rifle and shoot." the otter interrupted drawing his pistol from it's holster. "Shoot at what sir." Yakov said dryly. "The enemy!" Mr Chevonisky yelled as stamped his paw on the ground his muzzle curling into a snarl. The otter glared at the ram. "I can't shoot if I don't have a weapon sir." the ram said struggling to keep his voice neutral. "Well fuck off then." Mr Chevonisky spat. Yakov straighten his posture and and replied "Yes Sir!".

Yakov quickly jammed his arm into the closing life door. It opened and he stepped inside and stabbed the sixth floor button with his hoof like hand. Yakov watched the lift door close he felt the lift begin to rise. The ram balled his hand into a fist and stuck the wall of the lift. "That fucker!" Yakov yelled to himself. Eventually the door opened at his floor. The office was in a commotion with creatures talking anxiously on the phone trying to find out what had happened.

The ram trudged to his office he entered and closed the door a little too loudly. Yakov ran his hoof like hand slowly down his muzzle. He jumped as his phone on the desk rang. He picked it up. "What?" he said into the phone. "Yak I just wanted to see if you're alright." said a voice he recognized as Bogdan's. "I'm fine Bogdan. There was an incident outside but it's under control." he said he voice softening. Yakov heard some papers shuffling on Bogdan's end of the phone. "I am coming up to your office. I just read a message from Mr Chevonisky. At the mention of that name a snarl formed on Yakov's muzzle even for a sheep it looked scary. "Yak are you still there?" said the fox. "Yeah see you soon." Yakov said and he hung up the phone.

Yakov's mind returned to the file from this morning. He opened the folder and started reading. The file contained three police reports about what appeared to be suicides. What was strange was the fact that the creatures involved had worked at the same factory. It was also strange they had chosen such a public suicide method also at their own workplace.

One of the creatures a coyote had put his head into a industrial press that killed him instantly. The second creature a ram had self immolated by dousing himself with petrol taken from his delivery van. The third a wolf had electrocuted himself in the transformer room using a spool of copper wire.

There was a knock at Yakov's office door. "Come in" said Yakov not looking up from the papers. The door opened and Bogdan walked in. "Hi Yak. It looks like we are working together on this case." the silver fox said his whiskers twitched excitedly. "What?" Yakov replied. The ram leafed through the papers and found the sheet that contained his instructions. It read possible mind control power use investigation. Officers assigned Yakov Greenhoof and Bogdan Shadowfur.

Just when I want to get away from this fox. I can't let him find out my feelings thought Yakov. "We're partners now." the fox beamed his tail wagging quickly. "Alright let's look over the case files." said Yakov. I just have to act normal and get through this thought the ram.

Bogdan pulled up a chair and picked up a sheet of paper and started reading. Yakov pulled up his swivel chair and found where he was up to. What connected the workers besides working at the same factory was their shared social life. They were spotted drinking at Snow Bar often together by a number of witnesses and they drove around in a car they shared.

There was something else one of them the coyote who was named Eric was involved in a murder case. "I think we should start with this crime the coyote Eric was involved in." Yakov said to Bogdan. "His file said it was a murder and he was acquitted but we need the court records" the fox replied.

"Let's get out of here and head over to the courthouse before they close for the day." suggested Yakov. "Yes let's go." Bogdan replied his golden eyes widening. The ram and the fox exited the office and headed for the lift. They entered the lift and Bogdan pressed the B1 button. "I'll pick up a jeep from the motor pool." said the fox. Yakov nodded.

The lift's door opened and they stepped out. The pair signed out a jeep and they headed into the underground garage. Bogdan jumping the driver's seat and started the engine. Yakov sat in the passenger side and fastened his seat belt. The jeep lurched forward and turned toward the exit ramp.

The jeep climbed the ramp and come out into the light. The jeep neared the driveway exit. Yakov saw some Unit 582 soldiers and civilian police milling around the front gate. One of the guards waved for them to stop. The jeep stopped next to one of the guards a ram and Bogdan asked "What happened? Did our people get hurt?." The ram guard replied "Some fool attacked us with a knife and got wasted." he gestured to a body covered with a blue tarpaulin. Bogdan said "Whoa I wonder who this creature was." The guard replied "Some black wolf don't know his name yet the police are doing a investigation." The guard waved them through.

The jeep turned onto the street and they drove onward. The rest of the drive to the courthouse was uneventful. The Zakhargrad Central Courthouse was a sandstone block building with tall windows. The entrance was up some steps with a large oak double door. Well dressed creatures in business suits some carrying leather briefcases walked with purpose into the building. "We'll find a parking spot and head in Yak." said Bogdan. "Yeah." replied Yakov.

Once parked the pair headed inside. Inside the courthouse in the main foyer there was a large painting of Vadim Steelhoof. His expression was stern and he was dressed in a ILA field marshal dress uniform. The walls of the courthouse where paneled in lacquered oak on the bottom half and the top was covered in ornate green wallpaper. The courthouse made creatures feel small because of the high ceilings and the large scale of the rooms.

Yakov lead Bogdan to the left to where he knew the court offices where. The pair entered the office there were several creatures waiting on chairs along a wall. On one side of the room was a large counter. Yakov approached the counter and Bogdan stood beside him. A pine martin looked up from her computer terminal and her eyes widened in recognition. "Hello Yakov is it? Long time no see. How can I help you? Yakov embarrassed that he had forgotten the pine marten's name just got straight to the point and explained his need for the court records on Eric the coyote.

The pine marten tapped away on her keyboard and then disappeared out the back. Some time later she reappeared with a small stack of files. She handed the files to Yakov. Yakov thanked her and turned to leave but not before one of the creatures waiting in the office a feline shot him a black look. The feline said "What gives I've been waiting here for four hours and this guy gets instant service." Yakov turned away and headed for the door not in the mood for a confrontation.

Once back out in the foyer Yakov turned to check if Bogdan was behind him. He spotted the silver fox emerge from the office. "Let's get out of here. I am tired of people's bullshit." Yakov said. The fox just nodded his eyebrows furrowed. The pair exited to courthouse and headed to where Bogdan had parked the jeep.

Yakov placed the stack of files down on the back seat of the jeep. Bogdan jumped in the driver's seat and started the engine. The fox turned to Yakov and said "Hey Yak is something wrong you don't seem yourself." The ram's eyes widened "I'm fine." he said forcing a smile. Bogdan turned his attention to the road but not before eyeing Yakov in the rear vision mirror.

The pair drove back to Unit 582 headquarters. Turning into the driveway Bogdan took note that the corpse had been removed and the pavement looked wet like it was hosed down. They stopped to get their papers checked the guards moved stiffly as Bogdan and Yakov passed their IDs to them. One had their hand on their AK-74 assault rifle the entire time. After their IDs were handed back to them Bogdan slowly drove the jeep down into the underground parking lot.

Once inside Bogdan parked the jeep and handed the keys back at the motor pool counter meanwhile Yakov retrieved the files from the back seat. The pair headed back up to Yakov's office. Where they started to go through the court records.

Yakov pulled up his chair and Bogdan pulled his over next to him. The pair started reading. The case involved Eric Norisk who was accused of murdering a young ram named Stanley Oska. Stanley was found bludgeoned to death in the male toilet block at Zabriskie Point park. Zabriskie Point park is a notorious cruising spot for the gay creatures of Zakhargrad.

Yakov had heard about Zabriskie Point from one of the men he had hooked up with in his more closeted days. He never went there because he had also heard of the gay bashing that went on at such places. Gay males in Zakhargrad still had some ways to go as far as community acceptance. Many times when a crime was reported the police laughed at the victim and often dismissed reports as a lovers spat. There were even rumours that some of the police were the perpetrators.

In the testimony of the trial Eric had said he was having car trouble and he had stopped to take a leak in the park's restroom. Once inside he claimed Mr Oska came onto him and had put his hand down his pants. Eric sicked by the violation said that he panicked and beat the ram to death with a tire iron he was holding.

There were some inconsistencies in the story a witness had claimed that he saw three creatures enter the restroom that night. The three creatures comprised of two canines and a ram. At the trial the witness a mouse by the name of Henry Softail recanted his statement to the police and said he only saw one creature enter the restroom.

Next there was the reason why Eric was there he said he was having trouble with his car but on the route that he said he was traveling on the night had sent him straight past a service station. Why he didn't stop there wasn't answered.

The final inconsistency was the fact he carried a tire iron into the restroom with him. In the cross examination Eric said he didn't want the tool stolen but he had a locking trunk to store it in and didn't use it.

Yakov frowned as he read the documents. While it wasn't illegal to be gay or have same sex relations in Iska it could still get you fired from your job and there was the so called gay panic defence. The gay panic defence as a notorious excuse used by gay bashers to get away with murder. One other case Yakov remembered was about a pack of three wolves that bashed this tiny weasel into a wheelchair. One of the wolves claimed he was so scared of the weasel half his size he needed two of his mates to help defend himself. The weasel never walked again and the wolves got only three months in jail each.

Yakov sighed. Bogdan's ears twitched at the sound. "This trail smells fishy. Who carries a tire iron into the loo with them and where are the police interviews of Eric's coworkers, friends and acquaintances?" Yakov frowned and said "It does look like they didn't care. It's the usual story." Bogdan glanced at Yakov and said "If Eric and his friends were indeed murdered this might be the motive. With no justice from the state creatures will get justice in the street." Yakov considered Bogdan's statement and then replied "That is our next step." Yakov checked the time on his watch and said "That's it for today we will have to get back on it tomorrow."

Yakov said goodbye to Bogdan and exited his office. The ram started off home once he had exited Unit 582's HQ his stomach growled. "I hope I can eat dinner in peace" he thought to himself. The streets had emptied of traffic and he noticed he was the only creature walking down the street. The street lights had come on and lit the way. Yakov arrived at his apartment building he headed inside and stopped inside the hallway near the lobby to check his mailbox.

Yakov opened his dark green mailbox. The paint had chipped from use and betrayed the dull coloured metal underneath. Yakov spotted a crisp rectangular cardboard postcard. The ram examined the postcard on one side of the cream coloured card there was a embossed symbol. Yakov recognized the symbol as the Greek letter psi. The ram turned over the card on the back it said "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." Someone's testing a new font thought Yakov.

Yakov then noticed some numbers in red on the bottom right corner of the card 539927. Yakov's eyes widened that number was his identity number for Unit 582. Yakov felt like a weight had been placed on him. He staggered down the hallway and came upon a leather lounge and promptly collapsed into it. The lounge creaked loudly in protest to Yakov's body falling into the seat. The ram's head was swimming. His eyes felt heavy and soon the ram reclined back into the seat. Yakov went limp on the lounge as his eyes closed the card slipping from his grip.

Yakov's eyes snapped open he was still in the hallway of his apartment building. He looked around he was alone. He was still seated on the leather lounge. The card he remembered. Yakov looked for the card. The floor was empty so Yakov looked under the lounge he didn't find the card but he did found an envelope. On the envelope was the logo of the state owned power company that of two power transmission towers connected by wires. The letter was addressed to Yakov and it had been opened. Inside was just a power bill there wasn't anything else.

Yakov got on his hands and knees and checked under the lounge again. There was only the dusty floor. Yakov got back up and checked under the lounge cushions and he didn't find the postcard. Yakov groaned in frustration. The ram went back to his letterbox. He slammed his letterbox open. It was empty. What the hell I didn't pass out over the power bill thought Yakov.

Yakov checked his watch it said 2:08 AM. I did had a stressful day with the attack on the headquarters. thought Yakov maybe I just dreamt up the postcard. Yakov yawned. Yakov went to the lift and then up to his apartment. His key opened the door to his apartment and he stepped inside. Yakov prepared for bed changing out of his uniform. The ram pulled back the covers and climbed into his bed.

Some time latter Yakov woke up and turned on the room light and went over to his stove. The ram opened his cabinet and retrieved a can of soup. He heated up the soup in a saucepan on his stove. Yakov poured the contents of saucepan into a bowl. It was still early because Yakov couldn't see outside because it was still dark. After breakfast the ram prepared for the day.

The streetlights were still on by the time Yakov had made his way downstairs to the street. The ram looked at the time on his watch and started walking down the street. He took a left turn walking down the pavement into a part of town he had never been to. He was walking twenty minutes or so before the ram stopped outside what looked like a pet shop.

The pet shop had a sign on the top of the display window that said Pet Paradise. In the window Yakov observed some kittens sleeping on shredded newspaper. The white kittens were nestled together their tiny bodies breathing slowly warm and snug.

Yakov's eyebrows furrowed when he saw a sign on the door to Pet Paradise. It said open but it was so early the shopkeeper must of forgot to change the sign before they left. Out of curiosity Yakov put his hoof like hand on the door handle and he gave it a push. The well worn handle opened the door. It must be open thought Yakov.

Yakov stepped inside the place appeared deserted from what he saw. On one wall there was dry dog biscuits stacked neatly on shelves above them was tins of various dog and cat food. In the shelf opposite there was pet medicine flee power and worm tablets among other things.

Yakov stepped deeper into the store. He noticed a large display of dog beds and a plastic dog kennel. Yakov's eyes widened as he saw a display of dog and cat collars. He went in for a closer look past the counter that was empty besides the cash register and a display of dog treats.

Yakov returned his attention to the collars. The collars were displayed sorted by size with smaller ones on top and larger ones further down. They came in various styles and colours. One of the largest collars caught Yakov's gaze. It was a large black leather collar with silver pointed studs and it had a silver coloured buckle plus d-ring.

Yakov took it off the display and examined it in his hoof like hands. Yakov felt his face warm up. The collar was large enough to fit an anthro someone like Bogdan. Yakov blushed at the thought. He felt himself become aroused picturing this collar around the silver fox's neck. "Do you like that one?" came a voice.

Yakov jumped and dropped the collar on the ground. The collar clinked on the tiles of the shop's floor. Yakov turned to the source of the voice. The owner of the voice was a red fox he had striking green eyes. The fox was wearing a navy blue apron and a white shirt with green pinstripes and black slacks.

The fox's eyes locked with Yakov's and he said "Sorry I startled you. I don't usually have customers this early." Yakov took a moment to compose himself and replied "That's fine I was just browsing." The fox licked his chops and bent down and picked up the collar from the floor.

The fox handed the collar over to Yakov. "This is a fine collar we don't sell many because there aren't many big dog's in the city." Yakov looked at the collar and then back at the fox. The fox smiled back at Yakov. "It's important to get a collar the right size that's not too tight but tight enough to let the pet know who's in control." the fox said.

The fox continued "The right collar can make all the difference." The fox put his handpaw onto Yakov's hoof like one and he guided it down the length of the collar. "You can feel the craftsmanship in this collar. What is your pet's name?" Yakov wanted to look away from the fox but something held his gaze in place. Yakov felt the warm soft handpaw of the fox on the top of his own. "You can tell me don't be shy." the fox said.

"Bogdan." Yakov said heat rising to his face. The fox licked his nose with his long tongue and said "Well I think Bogdan will love this one. I have a feeling this Bogdan pooch is giving you some discipline problems isn't he?" Yakov felt the fox's hot breath flow across his muzzle "Yeah." replied Yakov a little to huskily for his liking.

"This collar is what you need to take control of him show him who's the master." said the fox as he said control he gave Yakov's hand a squeeze before letting go completely. Yakov was panting now at the image of Bogdan with this collar around his neck in his mind.

The fox said "Sorry I haven't introduced myself. My name is Florence." Yakov looked at the fox and introduced himself. "Well Yakov do you want me to bag up that collar?" Florence said. Yakov said "Yes please." Florence took the collar and walked over to the counter. He produced a paper bag with the Pet Paradise logo on the side from under the counter. He placed the item inside pausing to ring up the sale on his cash register. Florence reached over to the display of dog treats and picked up one. It was shaped like a stylised bone and it was wrapped in cellophane. "This is free with your first purchase." said the fox as he added it to the bag.

Yakov went over to the counter and took out his wallet to pay. Florence announced the total of the sale and Yakov paid the bill. The fox took a business card from a draw under the cash register and took it and the receipt and placed them into the bag. "Let me know how Bogdan does with his new collar and give him the treat if he's a good boy." said Florence. Yakov looked into the fox's green eyes. "Thank you for your business Yakov see you next time." said the fox winking at Yakov. Yakov said goodbye as he picked up his bag and headed outside.

Yakov started walking towards the Unit 582 headquarters. The ram looked at his bag and thought to myself why did I buy this I don't even have a dog. Those foxy sales tricks one touch of their paw and my little head takes over and money comes flying out of my wallet.