Feline Red

"Feline Red" by Robert Sampson is a science fiction novel published in the early 1950s. The story unfolds aboard the freighter "Bertha", where chaos erupts as a group of strange, cat-like creatures threaten the ship's operations. The narrative explores themes of survival and rivalry in the harsh environment of space mining, where the stakes are high, and every misstep can lead to dire consequences. The plot centers around Scott Jerill, the First Mate of the "Bertha", as he grapples with the fallout of unintentionally bringing the mysterious alien "cats" aboard the ship. These creatures, which consume energy from uranium, wreak havoc in the engine room, causing delays that jeopardize the crew's haul against a rival ship, the "Kastil", owned by the ruthless company Inner-Planet Metals. As the situation escalates, Scott is plunged into a race against time, using both his wits and courage to secure their claim on a rich ore deposit while contending with both the space fauna and the mercenaries of the "Kastil". Ultimately, he devises a clever plan to turn the tables on their would-be enemies, showcasing clever resourcefulness amid treacherous circumstances.