This story was inspired by, indeed could not have existed without, the wonderful artwork of Charon2 (that's him, on the right, next to that handsome Badger). Two pictures in particular stand out above the others as the very heart of the story: Modern Siberian (you'll soon meet him as Dennis) and mates (a future that never was).

Charon2 has generously allowed me to pass on some of these gorgeous sketches. They've been distributed, where appropriate, in the following pages -- See if you can find them all!