Home on The Range Part 2

Posted on Sun May 29th, 2022 @ 1:57am by Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Holodeck
Timeline: TBD
3369 words - 6.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Gary was in the holodeck, he couldn't readily explain it, but he just had a desire to be back at the ranch. Was it home sickness? He didn't think so. More of a longing for a simpler time and what better place for it than the ranch and he wanted Lia to partake and share in the adventure.

He was in the stables. he was dressed in jeans, boots and blue and white striped shirt, It was all topped by the cowboy hat he had on his head. He had just finished saddling Angel for Lia to ride, and he was now doing the same with Vic, his big, golden palomino. "Going to go for a ride Vic. Lia and Angel are going with us. We'll head for the Laramie Mountains or maybe just out to the rivers and grasslands. We'll see what Lia wants to do." The horse nickered at that. "Oh? You like Lia? You have good taste." Gary said as he placed the blanket and then saddle on Vic's back. "I love her very much. You know, she saved me? She sure did. After Catlin died, I was lost, rudderless. But I was transferred to the Elysium, met its captain, Phoenix Lalor. You'd like her as well. She's young in age but old in experience. A first-class person. That's where I first met Lia and sparks flew. Not romantic sparks more like explosives sparks. It was a time Vic. but we made it and I'd be lost without her. Lia got me to live again, to trust and love, to tear down the walls I had built up." Gary finished tightening the saddle and waited for Lia to join him once she changed and saw his note to meet him here.

In the Tea House, Lia now found Gary's note. *So he's back in the holodeck, bet he's at the ranch*, she thought. Looking at her wardrobe she pulled out maxi skirt, it was suede with a red silk lining. She pulled on a white blouse and then a linen petticoat, finally she put on the skirt. With her underwear and tights, that made four layers between her and her saddle. With luck it should help with padding her behind, now Lia pulled on her riding boots and headed for the holodeck. She arrived and entered looking for Gary, she heard a noise from the stable and made for it. Standing in the door she saw Gary, "Guess the call of the prairie was to strong to resist?"

He turned at the sound of her voice a bright, brilliant smile on his face. "Lia!" He said in greeting as his smile grew. Pushing his hat back, he shook his head. "You guess right. I just wanted to be here, just the two of us and not thinking of anything but being with you."

With her black Spanish style hat held in front of her, she walked forwards and kissed Gary. "You need to be careful husband of mine, one can get addicted to holodecks. Or are you saying you're addicted to me??" She giggled as she spoke, then she glanced at Angel. "So where are we headed? I can't see a sunset out there." Lia pointed out of the stable door, and smiled.

Gary returned the kiss. "I am addicted to you Lia." he admitted honestly. Lia had given a reason to live and rejoin the human race. "Going out towards the hills, let you see the splendor of the land." He led Vic out of his stall. There was a high-powered rifle in a rifle sleeve. Angel had one on the side of her saddle as well. "In your saddle bags are some sandwiches and water. I've got some as well in case we get hungry."

Tapping the rifle, Lia looked at Gary. "And we need these because???" Mounting Angel she looked towards the hills Gary had pointed to, "I should have made some Onigiri, you might have enjoyed them."

"Mountain lions and coyotes Lia. They sometimes come down out of the mountains." Gary explained. "Onigiri? Which is?"

"Japanese style rice balls, they're really more triangular in shape. You can put all sorts of fillings inside of them, and eat them when ever." Looking at the hills Lia continued, "As Puma's and Coyotes where here first, shouldn't we be the ones avoiding them? After all, they didn't invite us to stay."

"Sounds delicious." Gary admitted before returning to her question on mountain lions and coyotes. "Lia, we're not going to hunt them. They leave us alone, we'll leave them alone. This is just a precaution, nothing more." He explained as he slid into the saddle on Vic's back. "Ready?"

Looking at Gary Lia smiled, "Lead on Kimosabi, Little Feather here will try and keep up." Gently urging Angel forward, she headed for the hills. "Does the wildlife cause a lot of problems around here?"

Gary looked at her, "Little Feather? here I was thinking Little Antelope." He teased before he then moved to her question, "They can. That's when they come down from the mountains and hit the ranches. Sometimes it's one others it's a whole pack."

"If you want an Antelope, I'm sure I find one for you. BUT husband of mine, if you want to get into the Tea House tonight. I would amend your wish, or Vic may have a lodger in his stable." Lia Blew Gary a kiss and urged Angel forward, giggling as she rode past him.

Gary shook his head as Lia rode by a smile on his face. He liked being with Lia able to relax and joke. "I do like it when you're feisty." He muttered as he urged Vic forward to follow after Lia, catching up to her, he said "Instead of antelope, look for some deer.''

Standing up in her stirrups, Lia scanned to ground before her. "No Deer dear, only some rabbits." She sat back down and followed a path she had found, Lia checked the ground around her as she rode slowly. "Guess your wish for a deer will go unrewarded, unless your better at tracking than I am."

"No don't want rabbits Lia as for deer, we need to look at higher elevation for some deer. However, if you look to your left, you will see some bison. Which is very good."

Looking towards where Gary said, Lia noticed the Bison. "Big buggers ain't they, I take it that getting close would be silly, I mean one of them hits you and its goodnight Vienna." Lia continued riding slowly up the hill, "I do hope your not going to kill Bambi when and if we find them?"

"Very big buggers and very temperamental and very protective of their young. One of them hits you and your day has suddenly become very bad. As for killing Bambi, no I'm not. Now Bambi's daddy or grandfather that's a different story." Gary answered as he rode slowly, his searching the landscape for any deer.

Lia looked crestfallen, "Well don't expect me to assist you in that, the only shooting I would do is with a camera." She continued to sweep the ground before her, but what she found wasn't Deer tracks. "Ah Gary, you know you mentioned Mountain Lions. If I'm not mistaken, I've found tracks heading towards our ranch."

Gary rode up next to her, his interest raised. He looked at the tracks then to the hills and back to Lia. "You aren't mistaken Lia. They are mountain lion tracks. A big one. If you want to go back to the ranch, you can but I need to go after this cat before he can play havoc on the herds around here."

"No, I'll watch your back. Even I know that these big cats can double back and ambush the hunter, so where do you think this thing is going?"

" I appreciate that Lia and you are right they can and have doubled back on the hunter." Gary looked at the tracks again. "He's a big boy, came down from the higher evaluations. Means he's looking for food and won't be particular. Probably headed for the canyon about 2 miles up the trail. Good place for him to attack the cattle herd out on the plains."

Lia looked to where Gary was pointing, "Ok, so where do you think it'll be best to ambush this big cat? If he's that big, he won't be stupid or he wouldn't be that size."

Gary thought for a moment. " We'll split up. I'll ride toward the canyon. You'll have to swing wide and come in behind and higher than him but you'll have a clear shot to take him down.'

Shaking her head, Lia now pointed. "I'll take the canyon, your better at this sort of thing. Call me soft, but shooting any animal isn't me. I agree this cat is dangerous, but I still can't shoot it." She turned Angel towards the direction she needed to go, "Just make it clean, I wouldn't want to see that creature suffer."

"You aren't soft Lia." He replied, "And you aren't going into the canyon alone. We'll go together, after all we're a team." He finished. "We'll go slow, keep your eyes sharp and on the high ground. If he attacks, it will come from above." He took his rifle out of its sling and cocked, making ready for use. "Let's go. Make sure rifle is ready to use, even if you can't kill it you can scare him off if need be."

Pulling the rifle out of its sleeve, Lia first made sure the chamber was clear. Then quickly she loaded the weapon and ensured the safety was on, Lia placed the butt on her thigh and kept the rifle at the port. Even if she pulled the trigger nothing would happen, only once they entered the canyon would she cock the rifle and take the safety off. "Ok lets get this over with, here kitty kitty." She flashed a wide grin at Gary, even though she wasn't overjoyed at having to kill this big cat.

"Wait a minute." Gary answered as he reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a binocular. He handed it to Lia. "Use these to look on the canyon walls. You'll spot him quicker."

Taking the binoculars, Lia remembered a time when Ayuki had done the same thing. "Yeah ok, I'll be the spotter." She scanned the high points of the canyon, a slight movement caught her eye. "Gary, check at the eleven o'clock. See that cairn up there, watch and you'll see his tail swishing."

Gary's eyes came up instantly looking at the area Lia had pointed out. "Yep. I see his tail. Good call sweetheart." He checked his rifle again, to make sure it was ready as he wouldn't get another chance when the cat attacked. He nudged Vic slowly forward. "Steady Vic. I know boy, I see him." He whispered as he patted Vic's neck.

Slipping the safety off her rifle, Lia followed Gary forwards. "Easy Angel, this fool is leading where we fear to tread." Stopping again and checking, she noticed the big cat seemed to be leading them further into the hill country and more importantly into what seemed like an ideal ambush spot. "Gary, have you noticed where this thing is going? That looks like a box canyon up ahead, if he slips behind us we're in trouble."

"It is a box canyon Lia... or so it appears. up and to your right is a narrow trail, you can get around and behind him. bring him to me." Gary answered without turning his head to look at her.

Lia now put the rifle back up at the port, placing the binoculars over the horn of her saddle. Pointing Angel at the trail she started forwards, "You'd better be ready for this cat, I don't think he's going to go down easy."

Gary turned his head, to look at Lia. His eyes are cold. She has never seen him like this. It is what him the top assassin in the Wolf Pack and the Federation and the Wolf Queen's favorite. He knows what he has to do. "I'll be ready." He says simply.

Starting up the trail, Lia simply watched where Angel was treading. The trail was narrow and steeper than it looked, she slowly emerged on a small flat area the wind caught her bolero jacket and her hat now fell back on to her shoulders. Lia spotted the trail continuing up a now more slight rise, and pointed Angel in that direction. The horse crested this rise quite quickly and then stopped, refusing to go any further. Taking the binoculars, she scanned the area and saw the big cat moving towards where Gary waited. Lia urged Angel to go forward, but the horse simply stayed where it was. "Yeah I get it, your not to keen to get any closer." Replacing the binoculars she pick up her rifle, it was up to Gary now as he surely must see the big cat clearly.

Gary watched Lia head up the trail on Angel until she disappeared from view. he had sent her up the trail to keep her safe and out of a direct confrontation with the mountain lion. he couldn't and wouldn't lose her. If he was being overprotective then so be it. He'd deal with that and Lia's anger later. he turned his attention back to the canyon and where he knew the big cat waited, Vic snorted nervously. "I know boy, I know. He's waiting for us." Gary whispered as he thought Lia must be in place by now. He cocked his rifle and placed it so it rested on the saddle horn. As they moved slowly the wind shifted and Gary knew if the cat didn't know they were here before, he would now. As Vic took them deeper into the canyon, Gary saw the big cat on an outcropping, crouched low, ready to spring. "Ten feet more Vic boy. Just ten feet." Gary urged to horse, so he could get a clear shot.

As she watched the Mountain Lion, something else now caught her eye. Moving towards Angel was a snake, she wasn't sure about what type of snake but Angel let her know she'd seen it. "Ok girl, lets ease back. I hope Gary's ready, because when I shoot that damn thing that cat is going to attack." Slowly and quietly Lia aimed her weapon at the snake, Taking her breathing down to a slow rhythm she took aim. A loud report startled Angel, but she steadied quickly. The snake lost its head and died instantly, the big cat now attacked towards Gary.

Both Gary and the cat heard Lia's shot, The cat was spurred into action by it as it turned its head, its yellow eyes on Gary and it sprang at him, roaring at him as it did. Gary's rifle was up and he fired. The shot reverberated off the canyon walls as he hit the cat dead center of its chest. However the big cat's momentum carried it into Gary, knocking him out of the saddle and onto the canyon floor, causing Vic to scamper clear and stare at the scene before him with the cat laying atop Gary.

Putting the safety back on, Lia turned Angel round and headed back down quickly. The horse stumbled a few times in Lia's haste to get to Gary, but Angel proved to be sure footed and the pair soon arrived. The sight which greeted her caused some concern, was Gary alive? Was the Mountain Lion still alive? Where they both dead? Lia quickly dropped the last possibility as this was the holodeck, but that didn't mean Gary wasn't hurt. "If you like that cat so much, just say and I'll leave you two alone." It was sarcastic ribald humour, but Lia was worried about Gary. Only she didn't want him to know she was worried about him, so she insulted him instead.

For a moment maybe two, Gary lay unmoving before one eye cracked opened, and he turned his head to look at Lia, "I'd much rather have you on top me Lia." He quipped, a mischievous grin on his face. "Do you think you can get off Angel and help get this cat off me? If it isn't too much trouble." He snarked. "It's got my left arm pinned under him. I can't get any leverage. What were you shooting at by the way?"

Dismounting quickly, Lia made her way over to the pair. "Some snake decided to pay a visit, I wasn't sure what kind it was so he lost his head to a round from my rifle. Jesus, this things bloody heavy. Next time shoot something lighter, or flippin' duck." Lia talked as she pulled the big cat off Gary, noting the hole in its chest. "Nice shot by the way."

As Lia pulled on the cat, Gary was able to get his arm worked free and able to help push the cat off him. "Sage advice. Ducking would have been a safer option." He quipped once the cat was off him. "Thanks. Nice shot for you as well, take a snake with one shot. Probably a rattler." He guessed.

"Didn't ask it before I shot it, and it wasn't in a fit state to answer after I shot it." Lia smiled and climbed back on Angel, "I think it's time we headed back, I have a job to do and so do you." Turning the horse, Lia now made for the ranch.

"Well damn." Gary whispered. He was a little disappointe dby Lia's reply but she was right, they did have jobs to do. He mounted Vic and slowly moved the big horse forward to catch up to Lia. As he came alongside her he began to sing, soft and low.

Wise men say only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you

Shall I stay? Would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you?

Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be

Take my hand, take my whole life, too
For I can't help falling in love with you

Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be

Looking at Gary, Lia cleared her throat and began to sing a response.

So goodbye my love till then, till the white rose blooms again.

The summer days are ending in the valley, and soon the time will come when we must be apart.
Now you must start your journey to the sailing, and leave till another springtime comes around.

Till the white rose blooms again. You must leave me, leave me lonely.
So my love goodbye till then, till the white rose blooms again.

Till the white rose blooms again. You must leave me, leave me lonely.
So my love goodbye till then, till the white rose blooms again.

The cotton leaves are falling in the valley, and soon the winter snow will lie no the ground.
But like the rose that comes back with the springtime, you will return to me when springtime comes around.

Till the white rose blooms again. You must leave me, leave me lonely.
So my love goodbye till then, till the white rose blooms again.

Goodbye till then.
Goodbye till then.

As she finished she looked at Gary, "Come back safe, I'll be waiting for you."

Gary smiled a smile of thousand suns. "I do so love you Mrs. Taylor. That song was beautiful. Now, let's go home

Smiling, Lia simply said "Arch". She dismounted and turned to Gary, "I love you to, just don't do anything stupid. Now lets go do our jobs, so we can enjoy our self's later."

"Yes ma'am. I won't do anything stupid and I'm looking forward to us enjoying ourselves later." Gary answered with a smile as he also dismounted.

Commander Lia Taylor
Chief Security Officer
USS Elysium

Commander Gary Taylor
Executive Officer
USS Elysium