Space Cats E-Book

Craig A Price

• Herausgeber: Claymore Publishing
• Kategorie: Für Kinder und Jugendliche
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

Cats are out to explore the galaxy… dogs are ready to protect it.
 
In the vast expanse of the galaxy, feline explorers from the Cat Exploration Corporation, led by the ambitious Blake, yearn to make their mark and unveil the secrets of uncharted space. All Blake desires is to honor his father's legacy and contribute to the endless curiosity of catkind. Meanwhile, Shadow, a loyal canine under the banner of the Tofferis Empire, is determined to pass his trials and stand as a stalwart guardian, protecting the very galaxy the cats seek to explore.
 
At the forefront of the Mineral Mining Corporation, Jade, a charismatic catsplorer, spearheads daring expeditions into uncharted territories. His mission: to unearth valuable minerals crucial for advancing feline exploration. Little do they know that their individual aspirations will intertwine in an unexpected political showdown, where cats and dogs are at the center of a cosmic power struggle.
 
As Blake, Shadow, and Jade navigate the complexities of interstellar politics, allegiances are tested, and the line between friend and foe blurs against the backdrop of unexplored galaxies. In "Space Cats: Making Enemies," the first installment of the series, these unsuspecting heroes find themselves entangled in a captivating space opera with a feline twist. Will they emerge victorious, or will the clash of paws and claws reshape the destiny of the cosmos? Embark on a thrilling journey that combines cosmic curiosity, canine loyalty, and the indomitable spirit of feline explorers.
 
If you're a fan of space adventures where the stakes are as high as the humor is charming, "Space Cats: Making Enemies" awaits your cosmic companionship.

Leseprobe

paws and reflect

Blake

To boldly go where no cat has gone before!

Blake's brown tail waved back and forth as he paced on the bridge aboard his ship, the StormCat. The shutters on the window opened wide, causing starlight to flood the room, and the haunting beauty of the deep purple planet they approached illuminated the darkness. Inside the bridge, the cats worked tirelessly, constantly working the controls, and would often take naps if they weren’t doing anything. It was way more efficient than the way of humans, who were always constantly without rest.

The CEC, or Cat Exploration Corporation, demanded felines explore any solar system they passed, searching for intelligent life out there. More intelligent than the humans they'd left behind on earth. After all, humans were nothing but savages who spent all day worrying and working rather than doing something productive… like napping or chasing mice.

Blake's eyes grew drowsy as he thought about sleep. He ceased pacing, curled up and laid down on the floor, feeling the cold metal under his belly, and purred.

"Captain, we're here," Azalea said, turning from her chair.

Blake stretched, his paws trembling as he nearly hissed at Azalea for disturbing his nap. But he could not hold her to blame. This was what they were tasked with doing.

Once they finished with this system, Blake could get his much deserved nap before they arrived at the next location. Licking his chomps, he sauntered over to Azalea, standing to his hind legs and peering at the screen. "Have you run the scanners?"

"Searching for life now, Captain." Azalea looked back to her second monitor, where she pawed at a mouse behind the screen.

The system beeped and Azalea turned from her game to look at the screen once more. "Scans for life have come back negative, sir. The atmosphere is not breathable."

"Right." Blake ran his paw through his matted fur, then turned around to stroll back to his chair, his tail flicking in the air. "Ready the engines. It's time to head to the next system, and take a much needed nap."

"Sir?" Fransis interjected.

Blake turned to the scientist. Fransis was the most curious cat Blake knew. One day, it was going to get him killed. "What is it, Fransis?"

"I would like to explore the planet."

"For what?" Blake hissed. "We've already determined there is no life on it. And we can't breathe on the surface. What would you have us do?"

"I want to collect samples."

"Don't you have enough samples in your lab?" Blake yawned.

"Please?" Fransis asked. "I just want a sample of some of that purple gas."

"What for?" Blake asked.

"I've been running experiments with catnip with various gas and vapors, and would love to see how this gas reacts with it."

Blake twirled his paw in his whiskers. "Fine… but don't waste all the catnip. Set a course for the planet's surface."

Blake motioned for Fransis and Azalea to follow him. A few other cats moved from their positions on the bridge to fill the gaps they left as the three of them went to the decompression chamber.

He knew he shouldn't be traveling to the planet with the others. After all, he was the captain. His place was on the bridge. He had people to send out to the planet, and for a moment, he thought about it. But that wasn't why he got into this business. Blake was an explorer at heart. He wanted to see the stars. To go where no cat had gone before. He wanted to make his family proud.

Blake had never met his father. His mother told him he was a farmer. Blake wished he had known him. He spent many catnaps wondering what his father was like. All he knew was that his father magically disappeared when he was still an infant. He liked to imagine the amazing catnip his father grew and hoped he could make him proud by being on the go as an adventurer—an adventurer like him. At least, that was what Blake hoped had happened to his father. Surely he hadn't just abandoned him. No, that wasn't what he dreamed about. His father was out there somewhere, on some grand adventure. And Blake would make him proud. He was no scaredy cat. Blake had to fulfill his dreams, no matter the costs.

They all put on their space suits and waited for the red light to turn green. It only took a few more minutes for the light to turn when the ship jerked slightly as it touched down on the surface.

Blake was the first one to step out of the ship and glance around. He observed the planet seemed to be mostly made up of gas, but upon looking closer, he saw a few strange objects buzzing around him. Were they life? They reminded him of insects, particularly the flies he used to chase while still a kitten back on earth.

Fransis got straight to work, using jars to catch the purple vapors. He even captured a few of the strange objects floating around in separate glass containers. Blake and the others who had joined monitored the perimeter to ensure nothing strange had occurred. They were prepared, blasters at the ready—just in case.

Once Fransis finished his samples, they went back to the StormCat. All of them were tired, and quite ready for a nap. Fransis departed the shuttle bay immediately and left for the Research Laboratory.

When Blake stepped back onto the bridge, he discovered everyone was asleep. A light, muffled purring lingered in the otherwise silent room. Each purr complimented another in a beautiful harmony.

Blake's nose twitched, and he meowed.

Everyone stretched to attention.

"Did everyone get a good nap?" Blake asked.

"I did," Azalea purred.

"Rhetorical. We've talked about this. You cannot all nap at the same time. What if we're attacked?"

"We would have sensed an attack," Azalea said. "Besides… we have nine lives."

"Now you know that’s not true. That was used to make us cats more superior," Blake said sarcastically.

Azalea frowned. "Yeah, but no one has to know, now do they?"

"Let's get out of this system so we can properly take a nap."

"Aye, Captain."

The ship shook as they headed out of the system. Blake stretched his paw and clawed at his chair to prevent the ship from tossing him across the bridge. Others weren't as lucky. Diego hung onto his chair with his claws as long as he could before letting loose and flying across the room, hitting the wall; but of course, he landed on his feet.

"What was that?" Blake asked.

"We're nearing a volcanic planet," Azalea said unsteadily as she clawed herself to a chair, watching the monitors.

"We're in space. How is that affecting us?"

"The pressure of the planet's volcanoes is excessive. It's blowing out volcanic rock into the atmosphere, and shards of it are slamming against the exterior hull."

"Is it dangerous?"

"I don't know how much more our hull can take before a shard penetrates it."

Blake growled. He glanced side to side, trying to find where the pilot had gone, before he remembered he was the pilot. He pounced into the air for the steering column. Slamming the controls to the left, he maneuvered the ship away from the erupting volcanos of the planet, and into empty space. A few more pieces of space debris collided with the hull before they were out of the volcanic storm.

They were clear as Blake hit the controls to make the jump to the next system. It had been quite a day, and now it was time for a nap. He yawned, curled up on his captain's chair, and began snoozing.

flyball and furious

Shadow

In space, no one can resist the charm of a wagging tail.

Shadow meticulously organized his den, ensuring that every item was in its proper place. A dog had to keep his den nice. While Shadow worked on organizing his things, his mentor, Obsidian, walked into the den. Shadow was under Obsidian as an apprentice. He looked up to Obsidian. They often worked together on various tasks and missions.

Obsidian noticed Shadow's attention to detail. “Are you preparing for an inspection?”

Shadow nodded, his paw resting on some of his paperwork. “I don’t want to be caught with my tongue hanging out of my mouth.”

Obsidian, understanding his apprentice's dedication, offered to help him finish up the organization. Eight paws were better than four. Together, they worked to make sure the den was spotless and ready for any potential inspection.

"I believe that is clean enough, Shadow. It's time for morning training," Obsidian said.

Shadow nodded, and they began their routine training. When it came to catching tennis balls, Shadow was a pro, and tackling Obsidian with the football was not much of a challenge either. Shadow loved to do it all, especially when he had an excellent mentor who did a great job of helping him. Even though Obsidian was kind of independent and strict, he was a good teacher. If there was one thing Shadow did not like, it was being all by himself.

Obsidian was always a paw behind Shadow with football. Football was not really Obsidian's thing. He'd rather be doing secret covert missions for the Dog Empire, but he was stuck with having to train Shadow to prove his worth. Shadow was the dog's bark when it came to football. It was his favorite sport. Nobody could ever get the ball from him when he had it, especially when he stayed in shape. Obsidian could be grumpy at times, especially whenever he lost to Shadow all the time.

As they were training, Max, one of Geoff's assistants, came running into the training room, his paws pattering against the cold steel floors. He came to a thudding stop and panted. "Geoff needs to see you both in his quarters right away.”

Shadow and Obsidian exchanged a worried glance before following Max to Geoff's quarters through the winding corridors. It was hard keeping up with Max, as he was fast. He had to be as an assistant to Geoff. Shadow did well keeping up, as he was young and in shape, but Obsidian trailed a little behind.

It didn’t take long to reach Geoff’s quarters. Shadow paused outside of the door as Max rushed in. He turned around and saw Obsidian panting a dozen yards behind. Shadow was a good dog, as he sat and waited for his master. Once they were reunited, Obsidian nodded to Shadow and the two of them stepped inside of the office.

"I have a very important mission for the two of you." Geoff paced back and forth when they walked in. "It's a matter of great urgency, and I need you to begin it as soon as possible."

"Of course, Geoff. What's the mission?" Obsidian asked, his tail wagging. “It’s about time I break free from here and embrace the celestial world outside.”

Shadow knew Obsidian was finally ready to get out of this boring place.

Geoff paused, looking at them both. "I'm afraid I can't go into too much detail just yet, but I will tell you it involves a graduation and a final test for your training, Shadow. I hope that Obsidian has trained you well because it will be a tough challenge."

Shadow's heart sank. He had been working with his fellow trainees for months, and the graduation ceremony was meant to be the proudest moment of his career. Shadow had been looking forward to it for so long, but he didn't expect it so soon. He wasn't sure if he was a hundred percent ready yet. "I understand, Geoff." Shadow gulped. "I will do whatever it takes to complete the mission."

Geoff nodded, looking pleased. "Good. The final test will be a hard challenge, but I know you're up for it. There are three parts to it. The first is a fighting challenge, where you must show your skills in the ring. Second is a flying challenge, where you must fly a spaceship and destroy targets in a certain amount of time. The last and third challenge is a game of capture the flag. You must retrieve a desired item, getting past security and not getting caught."

Shadow and Obsidian looked at each other. Shadow knew that this was going to be a hard challenge, but he was determined to succeed.

"When is the test?" Shadow asked.

"Right now."

"Now?" Obsidian barked. "We don't get any time to train for it?"

Geoff laughed. "What do you think you've been doing all this time? You've been training every single day. I've kept tabs on you and Shadow. You are the best we've got. You never stop training. This should be a walk in the park."

Shadow took a deep breath, hiding his tongue back in his mouth. “I'm ready.”

Geoff led them to the testing arena. It wasn’t crowded, but there were a handful of spectators. Other dogs who would assess them based on their scores. He hoped his recruits would be up for the test, but he too needed to prove himself. He needed to show he was capable of being a leader. It was time to no longer be considered a puppy. It was time to be a dog.

Shadow entered the ring. He didn't care for fighting, but he knew it was all part of his training. It was all to prepare him for a mission. Shadow couldn't be afraid. They depended on him. The dog who faced him had drool foaming at the mouth. This would not be easy.

"Come on," Shadow growled. "Throw a dog a bone."

His opponent charged at him, but Shadow dove to the side, nipping at the other dog's ankles. The two circled around each other, trying to gain an advantage, but the other dog was much stronger. Shadow couldn't use his strength to be victorious. He would have to use his smarts.

He calculated his moves. Each nip and swipe precise. They fought fiercely and unyieldingly. He yipped when the other dog got his tail, and Shadow nearly put his tail between his legs and trotted off, but people depended on him. He couldn't give up now. Shadow growled back, leaping forward and bringing the other dog to the ground, biting at his neck.

He brought the dog down but not long enough. The dog then shook Shadow off and growled fiercely. Shadow knew this was going to be a tough fight and knew the only way to defeat the stronger dog was to tire him. Shadow ran around the ring in circles and made the other dog dizzy. He then jumped to the top of the ring and pounced on the dog, who was too tired and dizzy to shake him off this time.

The bell rang.

Shadow was victorious.

Next, he needed to prove himself as the best pilot.

Shadow sat in the spaceship's cockpit, his hands gripping the controls tightly. Filled with nerves, he contemplated backing down, but his loyalty as a dog prevented him from doing so. The ship was a sleek, black vessel that had been designed for speed and agility. They equipped it with state-of-the-art weapons and shields that would protect Shadow from any attacks. He was nervous since he never flew a real ship, just a simulation when he was training.

He activated the ship's engines and began his routine. He started off by warming up the engines, adjusting the thrusters, and checking all the systems. Once he was sure everything was in good working order, he began his training.

Shadow set the ship to flight simulation mode and began practicing his maneuvers. He flew through tight spaces, dodging and weaving through obstacles. He practiced his aim and shot at targets, honing his skills. As he flew through the vast expanse of space, Shadow felt a rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins. He was in his element, and he loved the thrill of flying.

While he trained, Shadow's mind was laser focused, and he was in complete control of the ship. He knew that this was his chance to prove himself as one of the best pilots in the galaxy.

Suddenly, the ship's alarm went off. Shadow's heart skipped a beat as he saw a fleet of enemy ships approaching fast. He wondered if this was a simulation, or if this was the real deal. He quickly activated the ship's weapons systems, undocked it from simulation mode, and prepared for battle.

Shadow flew the ship in circles, dodging the blaster fire from the enemy ships. He returned fire. Careful to avoid all the attacks, he maneuvered his ship with barrel rolls, shifts to port and starboard, and several other evasive maneuvers. He loved flying in space. It was much more flexible compared to flying on a planet. There was no up or down. Instead, he could move himself around in any position.

A laser struck his rear deflectors, and for a moment he believed he was in real trouble. Checking his rear cameras, he saw three enemy ships closing fast. He pulled his controls hard left, causing his ship to spin port. Shadow then pulled his steering right, causing port rotation as the ship flew starboard. A few more strikes on his rear deflectors, then silence. He turned all engines off, pulled his steering hard, causing his ship to flip a hundred and eighty degrees. The three ships came straight for him, but now, he had a clear shot.

Shadow grinned as he pulled the trigger. One. Two. Three.

With the last ship destroyed, Shadow let out a victorious cry. He had saved the day and had proven himself to be one of the best pilots in the galaxy. He flew the ship back to the base, where everyone greeted him as the champion and praised for his skills.

His victory was short-lived, as it was time for his last test. He met back up with Obsidian, and they were on the same team together. Shadow much preferred team exercises compared to solo missions, and he was grateful they allowed his mentor to do this exercise with him. He was ready for capture the flag. The team who successfully stole and returned the flag first would be triumphant.

Shadow and Obsidian moved swiftly through the dark corridors of the enemy base. They had just finished their last training exercise and were now ready to put their skills to the test. Their objective was to infiltrate the enemy base, where the flag was being held, and retrieve it without getting caught. They needed to be careful not to encounter other teams.

They crept through the shadows, staying out of the sight of the enemy guards. Obsidian had studied the layout of the base and knew where the flag was being held. They had to be careful not to set off any alarms or trip any motion sensors.

As they made their way deeper into the base, they encountered a few guards. Shadow used his stealthiness to take them down quietly, one by one, alerting none of the others. Meanwhile, Obsidian used his knowledge of the base to guide them through the maze of corridors and rooms.

Finally, they reached the room where the flag was being held. The room where the flag was being held had heavy security, but Shadow and Obsidian had a plan. They split up, with Shadow taking out the guards on the left, while Obsidian took out the guards on the right. With the guards taken care of, they quickly retrieved the flag and made their way back to the exit.

As they almost made it to the exit, another dog and his mentor stood in the way. The dog growled. “Hand us the flag, and we won’t hurt you. “

“No way.” Shadow stood his ground.

Obsidian attacked the other mentor while Shadow tried to get past the other dog. The other dog was much bigger than Shadow and blocked the exit. He grabbed Shadow by the neck and tossed him aside. Shadow regained his footing and noticed a gap under the dog’s leg. He swiftly slipped underneath and made his way toward the exit.

As they emerged from the base, everyone greeted them with cheers and applause. They had successfully completed their mission and retrieved the flag without being caught. Shadow had proven himself to be a formidable teammate and was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.

planet pawscovery

Jade

Space is full of mysteries, just like an unopened cardboard box!

Jade and his team, including Ryan, Autumn, and Jasper, were tasked with collecting metals and minerals from various planets for the Mineral Mining Corporation. They had explored long and hard, searching for anything that would be of use for the MMC, when their radar caught something they didn't expect.

Inbetween solar systems, they had a blip on their radar. Normally, they would just ignore it and go about their day. In space, there were all kinds of rogue objects in the middle of the vastness of space. Asteroids, space debris, old destroyed spaceships from when humans thought they were smarter than cats and went to explore the galaxy. However, this was different. It was larger. Much larger.

They approached the anomaly on their radar, and Jade was astonished to see a massive orange planet stranded in the middle of nowhere. It wasn't moving, but just suspended there without rotation or movement.

"Jasper, are you seeing this?" Jade asked, his bright green eyes glimmering as he watched the viewscreen.

"Yeah, do you think a giant cat chased it all the way out here?"

"Can you get any readings on the rogue planet? What is keeping it here? Is there any gravitational pull taking it further into space?"

Jasper scratched his bare back. He really needed to put some fur on, except for the fact his breed didn't have fur. Perhaps he needed a jacket to stay warm. Besides, he may look cool with a jacket. "I'm not seeing anything, boss."

"Nothing has a lock on this planet?" Jade flicked his whiskers.

"Nope. It seems to be forgotten about."

Jade purred. "Scan the surface. Perhaps we can find trace minerals here to bring back to the MMC."

Jasper worked on his scanner, sitting at his console. He yawned. He really needed a nap, but his boss was depending on him. The readings were irregular, which had Jasper sitting at the front of his seat.

"What is it?" Jade asked.

"I'm reading a lot of minerals on this planet, but several aren't showing up in our database."

Jade meowed. "Explain."

"I can get some of the bio-composition of the trace minerals, but the overall substance is foreign to what they cataloged in the MMC."

"How is that possible? MMC has been cataloging minerals for generations. Not to mention all the catalogs we've stolen from the humans as well."

"I don't know. I can't explain it.” Jasper licked his chomps. “I can't even comprehend it. The only way we'll be able to find out anything is if we explore it ourselves."

"Explore?" Ryan beamed.

"Hold on, Ryan," Jade cautioned.

"The possibilities are endless. We can bring a new mineral to the MMC. We'll be hailed as heroes." Ryan meowed. "They'll give us so much catnip."

"Hold on, Ryan," Jade said again. "Remember what they say about curiosity?"

"Come on, Jade. Cats are explorers. We’re catsplorers. This is what we're meant to be doing." Ryan pranced to the window to get a better look at the glowing orange planet.

"We can't just prance in."

"Why not?" Ryan moaned.

"It could be dangerous," Jade said.

"Oh, come on. It'll be fine."

"Hold on, let me talk to command," Jade reminded him.

"Fine, but hurry up. This is our chance to shine.” Ryan frowned.

“Whatever.” Jade turned away from Ryan. "Jasper, connect me to the MMC."

"Yes, boss," Jasper said.

After a few minutes, the director of the MMC answered the call, and his face appeared on the bridge's viewscreen. "Yes, Jade?"

"Director, we've found a rogue planet between systems we were exploring. On the planet, our scans show there are many trace minerals, including a rich source of an unknown mineral."

"Unknown mineral?" the director asked.

"Yes," Jade responded. "Ryan says it's nowhere in the MMC database."

The director purred.

"How should we proceed?"

"Collect samples. Be cautious."

"Yes, sir."

The screen went black.

"We get to go exploring," Ryan purred.

Jade shook his head. "We still need to be cautious."

"Whatever."

Autumn decided to stay on the ship for an emergency, while Jade, Jasper, and Ryan prepared for their journey. Jade really wanted to get this over with so he could take a nap. He'd been awake for nearly forty-five minutes now, and he was feeling tired. Jade wondered if he could take a short catnap before they got started, but he knew they had to continuously update the MMC since they were on watch protocol while investigating the strange planet.

They set up all the security protocols, including their transporting beams on red alert to pull them from the surface of the planet should anything go awry. They also had several emergency protocols to put into place, and Jade sent out the probes to the planet's surface to test its atmosphere.

Being a cat wasn't easy, and being a part of the MMC even more so. They were expected to do the unexpected. They didn't always get the naps they wanted, but it was all part of the job. It had its benefits. There was a mouse chasing exercising program. Catnip for a job well done. Complimentary balls of yarn. And all you could eat lettuce. It wasn't an awful life. But sometimes, it was exhausting. They were always exhausted.

They entered the decompression chamber and prepared themselves to go to the planet. The readings had come back, showing it has a hospitable atmosphere with enough oxygen to breathe. However, Jade was always cautious. Cats didn’t have nine lives like in the stories. He didn't want any cat to fall on his watch.

Jade, Ryan, and Jasper suited up, securing their spacesuits and prepared to step on the planet. Jade was nervous, though that was always how he felt. He was the leader for a reason. If they had put Ryan in charge, they'd all have lost their lives by now. Jade was cautious. Nervous. He was careful. Jade wanted them all to come home safely. He took a deep breath, then looked at the others.

"Is everyone ready?"

"Ready, boss," Jasper said.

"Do you think there are any mice on this planet?" Ryan asked.

Jade ignored him. "Let's do this."

cat-astrophic encounter

Shadow

Space exploration is a walk in the park... a really, really big park!

Shadow and Obsidian walked out of the training ring, but Shadow couldn't help but feel nervous. Did he do well enough to pass? Did he make any mistakes? He replayed the training scenarios in his mind, analyzing every move he made. Despite his nerves, he felt a sense of accomplishment. He had trained for this moment for months and he felt prepared for his first proper mission.

As they walked toward the judges, Shadow took in his surroundings. The training facility was state-of-the-art, with holographic screens and advanced equipment. The walls were made of a shiny, metallic material that glinted in the bright lights overhead. Shadow noticed the other agents in training. Some were celebrating their success, while others looked disappointed. One dog who looked disappointed was the dog Shadow defeated in the ring. When Shadow looked at him, he glared.

"Who is that?” Shadow asked his mentor, nodding at the glaring dog.

"I think that is Henry. He looks mad though, if I were you I would ignore him. He looks mad at the results and blames you," Obsidian said.

Finally, they reached the judges' room. Shadow took a deep breath and walked in. The room was small, with a long table and several judges sitting behind it. Shadow and Obsidian stood at attention as the judges reviewed their performance. Shadow's heart was racing as he waited for the verdict. After what felt like an eternity, the head judge spoke up.

"Congratulations, Shadow. You have passed the training with flying colors. You are now officially a member of our team."

Shadow felt a surge of pride and relief wash over him. He had been shaking only moments before as he awaited the decision with anticipation. Shadow could hardly believe it. After working hard for so long, now he was official. He couldn't wait to see what kind of missions they would send him on next.

There was a moment of silence, and he turned to his friend, his mentor, Obsidian. He was told he had made it, but what about Obsidian? Shadow couldn't imagine going on a mission without his best friend... his mentor.

"You will accompany him, Obsidian, as you have formed a bond and did your duty to the Tofferis Empire training him well." Geoff looked at them, grinning. "You're ready for anything, and I hope I can count on you."

Shadow and Obsidian were relieved and proud. Their training mission was complete, and they had proved themselves worthy. They knew that their training and their bond as comrades had helped them succeed and they were ready for the next challenge… whatever that may be.

"What is our next mission?" Shadow asked.

"Meet me back at my office after the ceremony and we'll discuss it," Geoff said.

As Shadow and Obsidian approached the graduation ceremony, they saw a crowd of dogs gathered around the stage. Shadow's heart raced as he realized that these were the other dogs who had passed their training and were waiting to receive their honors. He could hardly contain his excitement as he walked up to the stage with Obsidian by his side.

Shadow could see several of his fellow trainees breaking away from the crowd to congratulate him and Obsidian on their success.

"Great job, Shadow! You nailed it!" said a big, burly Rottweiler, giving him a hearty pat on the back.

"You too, Obsidian. You two make a great team," said a sleek, silver-coated Greyhound.

The adrenaline was pumping through Shadow's veins as he grinned from ear to ear, enjoying the praise and attention. He was a good dog. Shadow felt a sense of pride and accomplishment that he had never felt before. As more and more dogs came over to offer their congratulations, Shadow felt like he was on top of the world. The rigorous training, the hours of practice and the moments of self-doubt, it had all been worth it. Shadow knew he was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead, and he couldn't wait to see what the future held for him and Obsidian.

Shadow saw Henry walking out of the training facility, who turned his head madly at Shadow as he walked out with his mentor. He gulped, feeling sorry for the other dog.

The celebration wasn't long. They all received certificates on their completed training, had a few bowls of drinks and snacks as they were all excited about passing the rigorous training, and most of them were ecstatic to get started on their first mission right away, but it was a good time to catch up with some of the other trainees. Until now, they had had little time for socialization since they were all training the entire time. After a bit of socialization, Shadow and Obsidian left the celebration early, eager to get started.

Excited and relieved, Shadow and Obsidian hurried back to Geoff's office. Shadow was ready to start. He didn’t even want to follow the typical expectation of waiting through the night. No, he hoped to get started right away.

Shadow and Obsidian walked through the halls of the Tofferis headquarters. They took in the sights and smells of the bustling environment. They adorned the walls with motivational posters and holographic displays that showcased the latest advancements in space technology. The air was filled with the scent of fresh coffee and the hum of computers as employees rushed back and forth, tending to their duties.

As they arrived at Geoff's office, Shadow felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. This was the moment he had been working toward for months, and he wanted to make a good impression. The door to Geoff's office slid open, revealing a spacious room with a large desk in the center. They decorated the walls with awards and commendations from past missions.

As they approached the receptionist's desk, Shadow noticed a potted plant sitting in the corner, its vibrant green leaves adding a touch of life to the otherwise sterile environment.

The receptionist, a cheerful dog named Luis, greeted them with a warm smile. “Do you have an appointment?”

Shadow blinked, unsure of what to say.

“What are your names and purpose of visit?” Luis asked.

Shadow took a deep breath and introduced themselves, trying to hide the nerves in his voice. “Geoff requested we stop by his office after the ceremony.”

Luis checked his computer. “Ah, yes. Geoff is expecting you.” He directed them to Geoff’s office at the end of the hallway.

“Thank you.” Shadow grinned nervously.

They continued on their way, the anticipation building with each step. Shadow grew increasingly nervous. He was new at this, and he didn’t know what they expected of him after training.

Geoff sat inside, waiting for them, a serious look on his face. "I have an important mission for the two of you." Geoff uncrossed his arms. "Our intelligence has recently uncovered a group of rogue cats that have been attacking and causing chaos on nearby planets. I need you to find and destroy any cats that cross your path."

Luis, Geoff's assistant who still stood behind them, then stepped forward and gestured toward the loading bay. "We've built a new spaceship, especially for this mission. It's equipped with the latest technology and weapons."

Luis led Shadow and Obsidian to the docking bay, where their new ship awaited them. The sleek, metallic vessel gleamed in the bright light of the bay, with its sharp lines and streamlined design making it look like they built it for speed. As they approached, Shadow could feel the excitement bubbling inside him. He had never flown a ship like this before, and he was eager to learn.

Luis gestured for them to climb aboard and opened the hatch. The smell of new technology and freshly oiled metal greeted them as they stepped inside. The interior was surprisingly spacious, with room for a small crew to live and work comfortably. Shadow ran his hand along the smooth surface of the console, taking in all the different buttons and switches, feeling the texture of the polished metal beneath his claws.

Luis showed them around, pointing out all the features of the ship. He showed them the controls for the engines, the weapons systems, and the communications array. Shadow listened intently, taking in every detail and committing it to memory. As they went through the ship, he could feel himself growing more confident and excited with each passing moment.

Finally, they arrived at the cockpit, and Luis took a seat in the pilot's chair. He gestured for Shadow and Obsidian to join him and taught them how to fly the ship. Shadow could feel the thrill of the engines as they roared to life, the ship vibrating beneath him as they lifted off from the docking bay. Luis showed them how to steer, how to adjust the engines for speed and maneuverability, and how to fire the ship's weapons. Shadow soaked it all in, his mind racing with the possibilities of what he could do with this ship.

Geoff sent coordinates of where the rogue cats were located to their smartwatches. The little screen then flickered, and Shadow tapped his watch to turn on the live video chat.

"Coordinates have been sent. Are you two ready to depart?" Geoff asked.

Shadow scratched his ear. "Yes, sir."

"Excellent. Best of luck to the both of you, and make sure that no cats are left alive."

Luis departed the ship, and Shadow and Obsidian found themselves alone. They didn't have a crew yet. For now, it was the two of them, but they were more than capable. They could do this.

Shadow and Obsidian walked onto the bridge, each taking their positions in the cockpit. Shadow double-checked that all systems were online and functioning properly. He went through the pre-flight checklist, his heart beating faster with excitement and a hint of nervousness.

He glanced over at Obsidian, who was already at the controls, entering the coordinates for Rhazeos. As he initiated the countdown for liftoff, Shadow could feel the vibrations from the ship's engines. He could smell the faint scent of lubricants and fuel mixed with the cool metal of the cockpit as they prepared to leave.

"Three, two, one... ignition!" Obsidian shouted, pressing down on the thruster controls.

The ship rose off the ground, and Shadow could feel the pull of the G-forces. He tightened his grip on the armrests as they left the planet's atmosphere and entered space.

The stars shone brightly all around them as they approached the designated coordinates. Shadow activated the hyper-drive, and the ship's engines roared as they shot off at light speed. The ship was now a blur of colors as they traveled faster than the speed of light.

Shadow watched the stars as they flew by, mesmerized by the colors and patterns. Obsidian remained focused on the controls, adjusting the ship's course as they navigated through the vastness of space. Shadow couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and excitement at the unknown possibilities that awaited them on Rhazeos.

The ship jolted as it exited light speed, causing Shadow and Obsidian to grip their seats tightly. As they looked out the viewport, a stunning sight greeted them. The planet of Rhazeos loomed before them, with its swirling clouds of purple and brown, its rocky terrain, and its two bright moons orbiting around it.

Shadow couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as he gazed at the planet. It was different from any planet he had seen before, with its vibrant colors and rugged landscape. He couldn't wait to explore it, to see what secrets it held.

Obsidian was equally impressed, but he quickly regained his composure and began checking their systems. "We need to find a suitable landing spot," he said, tapping away at his console. "Somewhere that's not too heavily guarded, but still close enough to the mining facilities."

Shadow nodded in agreement and began scanning the surface of the planet for any suitable locations. As he did, he caught a whiff of something strange. It was a musty, almost metallic scent, and it made the fur on the back of his neck stand up.

"Hey, do you smell that?" he asked, turning to Obsidian.

Obsidian sniffed the air. "Yeah, that's strange. It could be a mineral deposit or something, but it's worth investigating."

With their curiosity piqued, Shadow and Obsidian plotted a course towards the source of the scent. As they approached Rhazeos, Shadow and Obsidian could see that the planet was under attack. The rogue cats maneuvered their ship through space, sparks flying off of its exterior hull, wreaking havoc. Shadow saw scraps of exterior hull floating nearby them in space. Had they already destroyed a dog ship? All Shadow saw was remains. Without hesitation, Shadow and Obsidian flew their ship into battle, determined to defend the planet and destroy the intended targets.

They fired the ship's weapons, attempting to take out the enemy ship, but the pilot was good, dodging each blast. Shadow and Obsidian worked together seamlessly, each of them knowing exactly what the other was thinking.

The enemy ship continued to evade their blasts. Shadow and Obsidian knew they needed to try something different. Shadow suggested they fly above the enemy ship and use the ship's grappling hook to latch onto it. Obsidian agreed, and they quickly put their plan into action.

Shadow expertly piloted the ship above the enemy vessel while Obsidian aimed and fired the grappling hook. It hit its target, and they were able to reel in the enemy ship, causing it to lose control and plummet towards the planet's surface.

The enemy ship crashed into the ground, causing a massive dust cloud that could be seen from miles away. Shadow and Obsidian watched from their ship as the smoke and dust cleared, feeling a sense of relief that the threat had been neutralized.

However, as they scanned the wreckage, they realized they needed to act fast. There were still enemy soldiers alive, and they could regroup if not taken care of quickly. Shadow and Obsidian quickly donned their weapons and rushed to the scene, prepared to take out the remaining enemies and finish securing the area.