tigger by A. M. LIGHTNER
They call me Tigger. I’m a cat. Not one of those little household cats that are sometimes taken aboard a spaceship for the companionship they give. My ancestors were earthside wildcats—often called bobcats—which is why I have such a short tail. But the rest of me is bigger than most space cats and I have a handsome ruff. I’m also a smart cat and have learned to use the bio-thought-recorder. And that is why I’ve been asked to report on some of my most interesting adventures.
I joined the space service when the call went out for cats. It was recognized that when exploring a new world with unknown dangers, the special senses of a cat—an animal that can see better, hear better, and smell better than humans—could be used to great advantage. Oh, a human can spot a huge monster coming at him. And the many instruments they have can tell if the atmosphere is poisonous or if an avalanche is about to fall. But for the many little dangers—the snakelike animal in the grass, the deadly creature hanging from a bush—there is nothing like the keen senses of a feline. Especially if it’s a smart one like me with all the instincts of my wild ancestors.
I’ve always worked with the crew of the Condor, and of all the humans aboard that ship, my favorite is Ellie. That’s short for Eloise, but everyone calls her Ellie. Ellie has the loveliest smell. I’d know it from thousands of others on a dark night. Like me, she’s only been on this ship a short time. You see, we’re both quite young and just starting in this work.
. . .
