Snow: It was admittedly, not the smoothest process if I'm being honest. There was very little time for the city to...recover from the bombshell revelation that an entire civilization had been hiding underneath...well basically everyone's snouts before having to actively begin the integration process. And I do mean this from a global perspective, although the cities that were actually close to these human enclaves were particularly shaken by the reveal.
Hart: It's one thing to learn of a previously unknown species living somewhere on Animalia far away, but in the case of our own city, this was right under most mammals' feet.
Snow: And then to have to go into discussions within the week about how this discovery was going to be handled, and whether or not Subterrania would want to be incorporated into Zootopia or exist separately had many mammals reeling, especially those of us tasked with actually handling the affair.
Ruddy: The meetings were so exhausting...mostly because I don't think in all of Zootopia's history, save for maybe during the Sheep-Wolf War in the Meadowlands, World War One, and the Rodent Exile Crisis in Roarope have we ever had so many crisis meetings back to back.
Snow: In the case of Subterrania, it was in better shape than most of the other human cities, at least politically and socio-economically. However, like most of the other settlements technology and development were all over the place and sometimes quite...confusing.
Hart: On average, they were about 50 or so years behind contemporary Animalians, which was better than the others that were lagging nearly a century behind. But they had managed to find roundabout ways to tap into our communications systems and make primitive hodgepodges of computing and other contemporary technology.
Dawn: I've seen some of those actually...most of the humans were using what looked like...old green and black text PCS made out of old tv monitors and typewriters.
Snow: They scavenged a lot of broken materials here and there, not counting the fact they also did trade with other settlements in secret...
Ruddy: In truth, they didn't have any real reason to have their district absorbed by Zootopia, at least not a dire reason. Sure, there was the technical argument as to whether or not their settlement legally counted as the Nocturnal District, and who settled what land first. And there was the aspect of just how much infrastructure and utilities the settlement had leeched from the other districts without their knowledge. But there was no real...how can I can put this *Scratches chin thoughtfully.* 'major incentive' to join us.
Snow: I think the push to offer integration into our city, and the desire of Subterrania to merge with Zootopia was largely driven by both public sympathy for the humans based on what had been seen of the other settlements, and Leon Heartman's...rather idealistic desire for unity...along with those in the city that supported him.
Hart: He was very well versed in Zootopia history despite the circumstances, and Richard Lionheart, and the founding of Zootopia was a deep inspiration to him.
Ruddy: Plus there was the incentive for free trade and freedom of movement. And on top of that, we agreed to wipe off the utility debt and start with a clean slate.
Snow: So it was put to a vote among his citizens, and despite how quickly the vote was sprung on the populace, they voted overwhelmingly to become Zootopia's 14th district.
Dawn: There was some pushback on both sides, but most were limited to some light protesting within the months that led up to and followed the vote and ratification...but that's tapered off and is next to non-existent now...
Ruddy: Save for a few 'petitions' that haven't managed to crack 100 signatures between them. And as for Leon, despite his age, he's integrated into the District Rep Council quite well.
Snow: He's quite a likable young male, with a good head on his shoulders. Despite his new position not holding the same level of prestige his former title held, he's still quite humble, and eager to learn.
Hart: We've all sort of...taken the boy under our wings so to speak, showing him the ropes and helping him lift his city up to contemporary standards...not that he's needed that much help in that regard.
Snow: Yes, he's managed the integration, budgeting, and infrastructure elements of the transition very well with little guidance from us. Sufficed to say, he's very bright, and I believe he's got a long and respectable career in politics ahead of him.
Dawn: As for human migration to the surface, I think the district that has seen the most human immigration has been the North Meadowlands.
Ruddy: Well why not? Our District is wonderful. All the quiet comforts of the countryside while being just a stone's throw away from the big city! *Laughs*
Dawn: To be fair, I think a large part of that too is the North Meadowlands is a very large district, with wide open spaces and arable land. I mean, if I had to live in a dark, claustrophobic underground city for most of my life, and then was suddenly offered the chance to move to the countryside on the surface I'd snap it up in a heartbeat. Especially considering humans aren't nocturnal...
Hart: *Shudders* Sounds like my days in the Zootopian Reserve Navy, spending months in a cold, damp metal tube shoulder to shoulder with a bunch of other mammals...*Shakes head* Whenever shore leave came around, I'd jump out of that sub and run for the hills as fast as I possibly could.
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