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of wild food beyond the perimeter. They don’t need to break into places to nick our hardware!”
“Besides,” says Walker, “there’s no evidence of any holes in the building.”
TedTalker adds, “we know that the foxes can dig under the perimeter fence occasionally, but the only time they go anywhere near a building is when the back door of the kitchen is open. They know there’s food in there.”
The smile on CandiCrush’s face vanishes as quickly as it appeared. KristalClear turns to Tolstoy again.
« I’ve never talked to a fox. They’re canines aren’t they? Have you ever talked to one? »
« Never! They might be canines, but they’re odd. They have retractable claws just like felines. They’re omnivores like rodents. And they always bark like they’ve just sat down on a drawing pin! They’re not proper canines. »
« When do you see them on site? »
« Just after sunrise. Usually. »
« 06:00. »
« Oh six what? »
« Sorry, human speak, just a mo … »
Scanning everybody, making eye contact with each one of them in turn, and then turning her attention to the military policeman, KristalClear says, “Ted, I need to talk to one of the foxes!”
She bends down, strokes Tolstoy’s head, and gives him a warm cuddle.
« See you later Tolstoy! »
« See you later Pretty! »
Having watched them approach, BarmyWaffle opens the door of the lab and invites them in. Tolstoy stays outside by his bowl of water.
Like all of the wooden huts in this part of the Garrison, the Innovation Lab sits slightly elevated on short supports above the dry, sandy ground. It’s functional and austere, built purely for practicality rather than comfort. Twice as long as it is wide,
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