After the trials and tribulations of last season, the Isikara are ready for a good year. None more than Trixie who finally got a new mate and now is on her second litter with King Tut as the proud father. While the family prepares for the debut of their newest members, the two pups from Trixie's previous litter are enjoying a game of chase under the watchful eye of their older brother Chip. At four months old, Kat and her brother Stein are still young, but they no longer are the babies of the group and soon will be expected to do their share of the hard work. For now, they are more interested in fun and do not seem to notice when the work stops around them. All eyes are on the opening to the burrow where a little face is peeking out. The pup seems very unsure about himself and tries to go back down the tunnel that leads to the main sleeping chamber. His older brother, Carter tries to encourage him with some reassuring peeps. When that doesn't seem to convince him, big sister Sadie settles for an easy solution. She plucks the pup up and carries him up to where everyone else is waiting. If Trixie disapproves of the rough handling, then she shows no sign of it as she grooms her little son. The family waits, but no other pups emerge. Meerkat litters can range from one to seven pups, though some have had eight. For little Papyrus, this means that there is a lack of competition from littermates for the adults' attention. This also could give Trixie an excuse to move the family if she should feel the need.

Right now, however, the family will stay put until Papyrus is old enough and strong enough to go out with the grown-ups. He will be in the capable paws of his sisters, Tiffany and Serena. Kat and Stein have decided to stick around for some reason, so it pays to have two capable babysitters to ensure that neither pup nor teenager will come to harm.

The Isikara are not quite as numerous as they once were, this is due to some deaths and also a few of the older males leaving for new roving activities. King Tut has his work cut out to keep rovers away, but he does have the support of Chip, Amos, and Carter to help in a pinch. While some meerkats are no longer around, a few thorns still remain in Trixie's side. Well aware of how close they had come to face serious punishment, Britney and Vicky are either staying out of Trixie's way or groveling before her. For now, she is still their queen and they will best remember who has the final say in everything.

Winter had recently come to an end and the rains had returned to the desert. There is warmth and food, but it still requires some hard digging. Like any good leader, Trixie does her best to lead the family to a different part of their territory each day. This helps previously visited places to have the chance to restock the things that meerkats like to eat. Today the Isikara are visiting a part of their territory that is covered with tall grass. Despite the risk they face, meerkats prefer open spaces where they can have a clear view of approaching danger and can also easily dig at the soil. The tall grass also makes it easy to get lost. By the time they emerge on the other side, Trixie can tell that there is a very big problem. Britney, Vicky, Veronica, and Star are missing. She sends out lead calls to guide them to safety, but there is no answer. Maybe they will catch up later. 

Around Midday, it is very hot and Trixie wants to check on her pups. The four females have yet to make an appearance and Trixie is only mildly concerned about it at the moment. Later on as dusk begins to settle over the desert, Trixie begins to worry. Although all four of the missing females are potential rivals due to being old enough and appealing enough to roving males, they are also key babysitters and their absence drops the group's numbers down from eighteen to only fourteen. Perhaps they will be back tomorrow.

Early the next morning and in a bolt hole that is a mile away from the main burrow, Britney is first to emerge. She is soon followed by Veronica and Star. It is almost an hour later before Vicky decides to finally rouse herself, but when she does all four of the lost Isikara girls take the opportunity to get some sun. They should really be trying to make their way home, for even four meerkats can find it rough living without the safety of the group. None of them seem in a hurry to do so, in fact when they do finally set out it is in the opposite direction of the burrow. By midday, they have crossed the border into unknown territory and it is clear that this is the start of something new. As of today Britney, Vicky, Veronica, and Star are no longer members of the Isikara tribe, and their troubles have only begun.