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“It is the goal of the Center to ensure that all our guests are enjoying themselves,” Oberon said. “And I have noted some feelings of restlessness.”
“I was only worried about why Naomi ran off,” Gage told him quickly. “The Center is perfect, just as it is.”
“Thank you,” Oberon said. “I am gratified that you are pleased.”
The lights around the Tiki bar seemed to glow a little brighter for a moment.
“I was speaking of your companion, Athena,” Oberon went on. “She is content with her meals and sleeping options, but it may be that she lacks stimulation here.”
That was considerate. But it wasn’t like Athena could do what she really wanted to do here.
“I know you tried with the toys on the beach,” Gage said carefully, hoping Oberon wasn’t hoping to take his partner for a grooming or a ball game. Athena was all about work. “I appreciate you thinking of her, but I don’t think she really enjoys playing.”
“She is a working dog,” Oberon said. “She needs work or training to feel her best.”
“Exactly,” Gage said, relieved.
“I thought she might enjoy running a training mission with you,” Oberon said.
“A training mission?” Gage echoed in disbelief.
“I read the training manual for her licensure,” Oberon said. “And I incorporated the scoring database into my own systems. I have created a triathlon for the two of you, testing her skills and your partnership. It may remind you of your multi-cycle recertifications.”
“Oberon, that’s seriously amazing,” Gage said. “I know she’ll love it.”
“When you are ready, follow the path,” Oberon said.
Gage looked up and saw tiny solar lights marking a path away from the tiki bar.
“Athena,” he said softly.
The big Shepherd lifted her head instantly, ears pricked up, as if she had never been asleep at all.
“Let’s go to work,” he said simply.
Athena was on her feet in a single, graceful movement.
He got up and headed for the trail, Athena right by his side. He could feel the happy, eager energy pouring off her.
She missed working. More than he could have imagined.
Maybe as much as he missed it.
Even the sleepy, safe lifestyle of the Bly-Xarxyns had given them both a purpose. Now the days blurred together.
The trees opened up to a small clearing.
“Your first mission is a tracking mission,” Oberon said in a more serious than usual tone, if such a thing were possible for an AI. “You have sixty seconds to examine the sample on the rock.”
Sure enough, there was a handkerchief sitting on a granite boulder.
“Take a look, Athena,” Gage told his partner.
She ran for it, going up on her back paws as her front paws rested carefully on either side of the specimen.
Gage came up to stand beside her. Generally, the tracking specimens were only for the canine, but occasionally there was a clue for the handler as well.
He memorized the green markings on the white cloth. There were two stripes, both deep green like coniferous trees against the snowy white material.
