Judy stood with her back to one of the trees that lined the edge of the clearing. The treeless expanse behind her went up the mountainside. It was a relatively long way up to the top where a defined rocky ridge offered very little cover. The grass was at least tall enough that her ears would likely peek over it, but not by much. The bunny's arms were crossed as Nick paced in the forest before her. The two lions looked on curiously as the four hyenas sat in a circle in front of Skye's pack where the vixen and her striped buck consumed some rations. At least the hyena family had stopped crying at that point. Apparently, as Judy and Jack got water from the stream, Motti had told them that Ukweli had died. They were obviously not happy to hear that. They seemed, as a result, much less interested in the discussion between Nick and Judy.
Nick grumbled a bit. "I know you're faster right now, Carrots! But, I don't like sending you. I really don't like it. In a list of stuff I don't like, I'd circle this one here with a red pen, Fluff."
Judy sighed yet again. "I won't get caught Nick... and I'm gonna be a lot harder to see than some bright red mammal slinking through the weeds." She was more than a little exasperated to be going around in circles with the absolute most sensible choice.
"Foxes used to sneak up on rabbits just fine," Cassie grumbled. She was still not feeling amicable toward Judy after being introduced to the forest floor so hard earlier. Nick and Judy ignored her, however. It would serve no great cause to provoke her.
Nick crossed his arms defiantly. "I know you, Judy. There's an entire town on the other side where you haven't arrested or beat down a single bad guy. Can you even resist that kind of temptation?" Judy rolled her eyes. Nick was stalling with wit. She knew why. It was the main point of contention between them at that moment. Judy wanted to call immediately, and her partner wanted to wait until dusk when it would be harder to see her.
"We are wasting time, Nick. The sooner this is done, the sooner we get everyone to safety." It was pure common sense. "Some of us need medical attention." She indicated the lioness without a shirt who was still hugging her middle. Cassie nodded emphatically and pointed to her sister as well.
"It's not that bad." Charisse grumbled. She didn't like being the focus of attention.
Nick slumped a little and rubbed his muzzle. "Okay, fine. You make that call, and come right back. Don't do extra investigating and don't get curious and check up on a thing you see. You make the call and get back to the tree-line. Please?" Judy could see the fear in his eyes. She knew how protective he was even before they were dating. She figured it had to be so much worse for him now. They could not let that get in the way of their job, however. And that job, right then, was contacting Chief Bogo and asking for help. Judy moved over to Jack and Skye and nodded to the understandably morose family seated with them.
Judy spoke in a bare whisper, "Okay, I'm heading up. Skye, I need you to keep an eye on everyone here and make sure they stay together. If anything happens, you follow Motti to the shelter point. Don't take unnecessary chances on our behalf. We will be focusing on our own safety. Jack, you and Nick get up the hill to that big twisted stump Motti pointed out. Hold there so you are close enough to hear me call down if there's trouble. I can get myself to cover faster than all of you can together, so I need to give those in camp as much of a head start as I can."
"Wait, why is Jack going?" asked Skye fearfully.
"To keep Nick from following me up the damned hill." Judy grumbled under her breath. She knew the real reason, though. It was to give Jack a chance to get a very special piece of information from Nick. Skye didn't question the reason Judy gave. She knew Nick well enough to believe that.
"Please be careful," she said to Judy. "I hate sending you alone. It's nearly half a mile up to the top. I would be willing to go with you." Skye having that bright white pillowy fox tail was just as bad as the beacon-worthy orange fox tail, so Judy had already shot that idea down.
