A Hunting we will Go!

[Pneuma 0]

“Computer, create setting woodlands, Earth style,” Pneuma said as the doors to the holodeck closed encasing him and his dog Cherub inside. Seeing he had a bit of a break Dom decided that he would head to the holodeck and take Cherub on a hunt. Instantly there was a vast expanse of trees with Hills and ravines with creeks cutting through them. By the appearance the setting was in late spring or early summer.

“Very nice but the season is all wrong. Computer, Set the season to autumn.” Dom watched as the bright greens turned into fiery reds, Golden yellows, and dreary browns. The floor, which up until now had been grass and dirt, changed as well. Instead of the green and brown landscape, It was covered in fallen leaves.

“Oh yeah much better! Now we need wildlife. Computer, create game animals”

“Define Parameters,” Responded the computer in the usual voice.

“Oh . . . How about rabbits, Squirrels, Pheasant, quail, Foxes, and deer.” With that Dom watched as all the different animals appeared together and were very active. The Foxes spotted their lunches and moved to attack the rabbits. The squirrels began chirping at each other. The game birds began to fight!

“Computer, Freeze Program!” He yelled with a sigh of relief. “Ok lets try this again. Computer, relocate all animals to various parts of the woods according to their natural habitat. Also make the animals as real as possible Right down to their scent. Set the time of day to dawn. Weather conditions: Clear with a few clouds, about 46F with a gentile breeze.”

Dom looked around and than looked down realizing he was still in uniform.

“Well this won’t due, Arch!” The control panel appeared before him and he began designing and replicating the appropriate attire. “Hmm . . . almost forgot something.” With that he created a hologram of an Antique Remington 12-gauge shotgun. Now with everything ready to go, Dom slipped the hunting attire on over top his uniform and took the gun in hand.

“Now we are ready aren’t we boy!” Cherub’s tail began to wag as his master unleashed him.

“Computer, Run Program.” Ambient noises began filling the air. Birds chirped signifying the start of a new day. The sounds of the creeks resounded off of the trees. The breeze kicked in causing the trees to sing and join the chorus. Cherub looked up at Pneuma and began wagging his tail again as if to say, “thanks for bringing me to this place.” Dom could see his hot breath in the cool air.

“Well boy, Let’s hunt us a rabbit!” Cherub knew that command all to well! Straight away he was off sniffing around knowing a rabbit had been around.

Pneuma followed close behind shotgun in hand watching every move Cherub made. Cherub stopped for a moment and looked back at his master for a moment but quickly continued his pursuit.

On and on Cherub walked searching for his trophy. When suddenly he stopped and lay down.

“What are you doing, boy?” Dom whispered as he walked up to him. Just than a twig snapped. Dom glanced up to see a rabbit take off running. Raising the gun up to his shoulder he lined up a shot. The explosion echoed through out the wood, and the rabbit hit the dirt.

Dom walked over to the lifeless rabbit and picked it up. Cherub looked with all the excitement a beagle could show.

“Good boy, But what was with the laying down? Are you getting lazy?” With that he knelt down set the rabbit aside and proceeded to give Cherub a well-deserved belly rub. It was a joyous time being the first time in a long time that Dom got to go hunting with Cherub but it was sadly interrupted by a yellow alert.

“Oh well time to go boy. Sit!” Cherub sat up and waited as Pneuma put his leash back on.

“Computer, Reanimate the rabbit and save program as Pneuma-Cherub Hunt 1”

“Program saved” Responded the computer.

With that the two exited the Holodeck.

“Computer End Program.”