Man's Best Friend 3

The box and mat turned out to be part of the same system, the purpose being to create a place for a dog to relieve itself without being an inconvenience to anyone else in the enclosed area that is a spaceship.

The green mat had the properties of grass, clearly meant to be a spot appealing to pee on.

The black box was, to Don's amusement, a Miniature Atmospheric Isolation Device, a MAID.

Atmospheric Isolation Devices operated in a fashion similar to the Atmospheric Containment Field used in the hangars. The real differences only came about in terms of isolation capability, volume of contained area, and adaptability.

The Containment Field in the hangar was expected to isolate close to 100% of all gaseous molecules that make contact with the internal face of the field so as to retain precious air.

MAIDs are only expected to isolate a limited amount of molecules it interacts with, either by percentage of impacts or by type of molecule. This was extremely useful when dealing with potential hazardous gas leaks or containing aerosolized diseases and dust, excellent for quarantining.

Containment Fields are expected to encase a very large volume of space so as to facilitate movement without fear of imminent suffocation.

MAIDs are designed to be used on a small scale, usually on the personal level.

Hangar Containment Fields are designed with the unexpected in mind. In times of crisis, they need to be able to extend their reach beyond the hull in order to cover large openings in allied hulls in order to facilitate emergency repairs. They need to be able to create smaller field capable of isolating deployable craft leaking volatile fumes. They need to be able to account for deformations and cracking in the ship's hull from collisions and enemy fire that would otherwise interrupt the ability to hold in air.

MAIDs are expected to be used in conditions where you have a clear idea of what is going on. Settings for shape, volume, and surface area are heavily restricted in order to facilitate easy use.

Hangar Containment Fields were massive, unbelievably complex heaps of electronics and field generators. They often took up space the size of small houses, and required multiple to be present to provide a degree of redundancy should one ever be rendered inoperable. A team of energy field mechanics and volumetric surveyors were required to facilitate the proper use of its controls.

MAIDs could be strapped to your back and controlled by a few buttons and dialed.

Containment fields chugged the energy of a reactor at a phenomenal rate.

MAIDs could operate at full capacity for around ten minutes on a pack of AA batteries.

Both were useful, they were just used in different situations.

This MAID was designed to limit the spread of the stench of urine and feces beyond the predetermined bounds of the green mat. The field, not strong enough to form a problem for lungs and other such vacuous cavities inside of the dog's body, and certainly not strong enough to dissuade entry.

"Helsinki?"

"No. Isn't that a city?"

"It is indeed the administrative capital of the Baltic Sea Region."

"Try not to give names that are cities or towns. I'm sure they work fine as names for dogs but it doesn't feel right in my book."

"Noted. Would such suggestions be fine if they fell under separate categories?"

"If it is also a person's name or something along those lines that would be fine."

"I will take that into consideration. Renown, Reno as shorthand?"

"No, but I do like the theme. Try something more feminine."

"Very well."

The 24 liter bag was filled with what he had expected. There were toys, a leash, a harness, and a few collars of increasing size.

He opted not to open up the bag of treats for the moment. He remembered dog treats having an unpalatable smell from his experience as a child.

One of the bowls, the blue one, was filled with water and placed close to his bed.

Finished setting up the dog's quarters for the time being, Don collapsed on his bed and began reading the booklet to the occasional name suggestion from ARC.

The first chapter after the flowery introduction covered how to familiarize the dog with yourself. Proximity, physical contact, proper affection, where not to touch, all encompassed in the first few pages. There was even a full page dedicated to how a German Shepherd should be fed and what objects and chemical compounds should not be consumed by any means.

After having read this section, he felt it was a good idea to bring her onto the bed with him. He was hesitant about interrupting her nap, but he felt that this frail little puppy would appreciate the soft bed.

"Mercedes?"

"That's a good one."

"Should I start a list?"

"No. I think Mercedes works just fine. What do you think Mercedes?" His inquiry was met with upturned eyes, alert ears, and a wagging tail. "You're a good girl Mercedes! Good girl!" Don had subconsciously adopted the squeaky high pitched voice that many dog owners he had seen in the past used.

Now propped up against his pillows with a jolly dog by his side, Don buried his nose back into the book. The second chapter, immediately following the first which was a basic explanation on how to take care of a dog, was based around training. Discipline, discouragement, and enticement techniques were all listed along with pictures and diagrams of how to do it. Because of this, he read through it very quickly, though he would likely be reading this the most in the future.

This was something to do during his long periods of isolation, something he was extremely excited to try out.

The third chapter was what he needed to know right now, what he needs to do in order to ensure Mercedes' physical and mental health.