| “ | It wasn't just a mouse, you fool! I think it had a rider! It's the goddamn Mounted Police! Help me catch it, or kill it, or we'll both hang! | „ |
| ~ Goldilocks to Bluebeard, Fables #14 — "The Mouse Police Never Sleep: Storybook Love Part One" |
The Mounted Police, nicknamed the Mouse Police, are Fables who live at the Farm. They are a police force of Lilliputians mounted on Fable field mice, and debut in Fables #14 — "The Mouse Police Never Sleep: Storybook Love Part One."
History
Background
The Mounted Police are a police force of Lilliputians mounted on Fable field mice, who patrol the borders of Smalltown on the Farm, and are sometimes recruited for special missions in Fabletown in New York City. The proper title of the group is the Mounted Police; however, the Lilliputians have humorously dubbed them the "Mouse Police."[1]
The Bluebeard mission
One day, Sergeant Wilfred is called upon to leave the safety of the Farm and embark on an espionage mission in Fabletown, where his task is to gather information on Bluebeard through covert means. The tiny Lilliputian carefully sneaks into Bluebeard's imposing castle, riding atop his loyal companion, the Fable field mouse Corporal Rex. The two examine Bluebeard's private journal, and are shocked when they witness Bluebeard engaging in conversation with Goldilocks, a wanted fugitive from the law. They realize that Bluebeard is harboring the fugitive.[1]
The duo quickly scampers off to report the news, but Goldilocks and Bluebeard catch sight of them. Hobbes hurls a knife in their direction, impaling Rex, who, with his dying breath, orders his boss to continue onward and do his duty. Sergeant Wilfred manages to get away. Hobbes presents Rex's lifeless body to Bluebeard. After examining it, Bluebeard determines that the intruders were likely part of the Mounted Police. Bluebeard is confident now that the little police officer has lost his mount, he will be stranded on foot, and it will take time for him to report back.[1]
Invasion of the wooden soldiers
As Rose Red leaves the barn at dawn, four members of the Mounted Police, a male and female Lilliputian each mounted on a field mouse, are seen sleeping peacefully on a branch next to Bagheera's cage, with the two Lilliputians leaning against each other as they slumber.[3]
The significance of the Mounted Police's actions during the invasion of Fabletown by the wooden soldiers is not fully recognized until the aftermath of the battle, when the Fables are interring the deceased in the Witching Well. Bigby Wolf reveals to the gathered individuals that he had assigned the Mounted Police the task of attacking the joints of the wooden soldiers, resulting in the tragic crushing of many brave officers and mice.[4]
Trivia
The Mouse Police are inspired by the song "And the Mouse Police Never Sleeps" by Jethro Tull, from the album Heavy Horses; even though the song is actually about cats.[5] Fittingly, the issue where the miniature police force makes their debut is called Fables #14 — "The Mouse Police Never Sleep: Storybook Love Part One."
Appearances
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 Fables #14 — "The Mouse Police Never Sleep: Storybook Love Part One"
- ↑ Fables #59 — "Burning Questions": "What is training like for a new member of the mouse police?"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Fables #24 — "The Letter: Chapter Five of March of the Wooden Soldiers"
- ↑ Fables #27 — "In Like a Lion — Out on the Lam: Chapter Eight — March of the Wooden Soldiers"
- ↑ Fables Encyclopedia pg. 122