A Few Stars, A Small Face

Shall I go up the tree now? asks Squattu.

Not yet, says Terence. I have to edit the movie.

Do it later, says Squattu.

Wait, says Gaius. The possums won't be back for some time. 

Yes, says Pierre-Louis. We could take a short nap while we're waiting.

Alternatively, says Gaius, we could choose another tree and send the drone up.

Good idea, says Squattu. I'll go up with it.

Okay, says Terence. Which tree?

Can I choose? asks Banjo.

Certainly, says Gaius. Do you know of any trees nearby with suitable hollows?

Yes, says Banjo. Aunty Possum, Uncle Possum and Baby Possum live three trees down.

Ha ha! laughs Terence. Three trees down!

Down that way, says Banjo, pointing that way. Not DOWN!

We could make another movie, says Terence.

Let this one be more natural, says Gaius. In the interests of science.

Okay, says Terence. Let's go. Three trees down. 

He still thinks it is funny. 

Gaius brings the drone. Terence carries the control panel to the tree three trees down.

Easter Morning and Banjo follow.

Ready, says Squattu. Are they likely to be home or out hunting?

How do I know? says Banjo. 

Terence pulls the up-knob.

The drone shoots up through the branches of the great mountain ash.

I should go first, says Squattu. 

Too late, says Terence. Send me a signal if you want the drone to come down.

You should have been looking at the screen, says Squattu.

Just go, says Terence. Stop complaining.

Squattu flies up. The drone is nowhere in sight, even for her bat eyes.

She flits up and down through the branches.

She spies a small opening in the tree trunk. A hollow!

She goes in.

It is just like the other one, except for no possums. 

Just a warm possum smell.

She squeezes out again and flies down,

I found the hollow, but not the drone, says Squattu.

Try the down-knob, says Gaius.

Terence pulls the down-knob.

Nothing happens.

What's on the screen? asks Pierre-Louis.

Terence squints at the screen.

Blackness. A few stars. A movement. A small possum face.

Two more possum faces.

The drone's been captured by possums! cries Terence.

Curses! says Gaius. 

Let me see! says Banjo. It might be Uncle and Aunty.

And Baby, says Terence.

It is! cries Banjo. Shall I go up and tell them what's happened?

Yes, says Gaius. Assuming you can find them.

I know where they'll be, says Banjo.

He scampers away to a spot three trees down.

Every third tree, mutters Gaius. I must make a note of this.

And he would, if he could find a third pencil.