Andrew Mackay - Infinity Claws

“Meow,” she whined and curled up beside Tripp’s free hand on the deck.

“Very well, playing message,” Manuel said. “One minute, twenty seconds.”

Maar Sheck’s image appeared on the screen. He stood in front of a podium and a bunch of microphones, addressing a hoard of news reporters.

“Thank you for attending this emergency press conference, everybody. I will try to keep this brief…”

Jelly’s eyelids closed, squeezing a couple of drops of red tears from her eyes.

“USARIC received a visual communication from Space Opera Beta a little under one hour ago. We can confirm that the vessel reached its intended destination, Enceladus, slightly ahead of schedule. We can also confirm that the nature of its distress call, in accordance with USARIC’s Infinity Clause, was deciphered with success by the gifted and talented scientists on board Beta…”

Jelly opened her eyes and took one final look at the symphony of pink light emitting from Enceladus. “Meow…”

“We regret to inform our friends, however, that the mission was sabotaged by a direct contravention the Bering Treaty and USARIC’s own Infinity Clause. Due diligence has been disregarded. Two crew members, under the command of Dimitri Vasilov, have been detained. Our last communication indicated that Opera Beta’s oxygen levels were running well below the requirements needed to get home.”

Jelly’s ears pricked up. They were unable to go home. “Meow.”

Maar continued reading from his statement. “As of this moment, USARIC will cease operation. Following the death of Viktor Rabinovich and, now, the sabotage perpetrated by our Russian allies. All diplomatic relations have been suspended with immediate effect. It is with regret that all Russian operatives are to be ejected from American soil, and vice versa. We send our thoughts and prayers to the souls aboard Opera Beta and wish them all the best on their survival in the vicinity of Enceladus. Beta, may God be with you.”

The media kicked up a frenzy. Dreenagh Remix pushed through the crowd and held her wrist to Maar’s face as he walked away from the hubbub. “Mr Sheck, can you confirm that USARIC is preparing Space Opera Charlie to recover what’s left from the first two missions?”

“I’m very sorry,” Maar said, stepping away from the podium. “No questions at this time.”

The message came to an end.

“Miss Anderson,” Manuel asked, politely, “Would you like me to replay the message?”

Jelly climbed onto her feet once again, shaking her head. Determined, she made her way over to Tripp’s head and looked at his right hand.

A few inches away lay the hyper-thruster lever.

“Miss Anderson, what are you doing?”

“Peee… Pee…” she growled, almost losing her ability to keep upright. “Sim… fonee…”

“Miss Anderson?” Manuel asked, “Listen, you may be the current in-command operative aboard Opera Beta, but you can’t seriously be suggesting we—”

Jelly ignored Manuel despite his attempt to distract her.

A page containing a big, fat mouse didn’t work.

He flipped to another page, displaying a bright and colorful set of jangling keys.

“Miss Anderson, please—”

“—Grrrr,” she growled, lifted her right paw and placed it on the hyper-thruster lever. “Pink. Symphony…”

She pushed the lever forward, but wasn’t strong enough.

“Miss Anderson, I ask you to reconsider. I realize we only have three days’ worth of oxygen left, but—”

“Piii-iiink…” Jelly coughed, her voice croaked, more human-sounding. “Symphony…”

With two paws on the lever. She pushed forward. It shifted a bit, but not enough.

“We do not know what is in there, Miss Anderson. It’s very dangerous.”

The roar of pink fire from Enceladus blotted out across her eyeballs. It was enough of a last-push for her to force her entire weight onto the lever.

It was either journey into the great unknown, or stay and die.

Jelly gripped the lever in her Infinity Claws and slammed it forward.

“Hyper-thrusters initiated.”

The core of the ship rumbled to life. The array of hyper thrusters lit up, almost brighter than the sun.

Opera Beta shot off, plummeting toward Enceladus.

Jelly hooked her paws around the lever. Her hind legs lifted off the console and flew into the air.

“Meeeooowww,” she cried as the swirling cacophony of pink streaks blasted across the ship’s screen.

Space Opera Beta shot into the fantastic symphony of pink light emitting from Enceladus…

They sent her into space to secure our future.

Now, she’s about to make history…

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For K

Also to:

My immediate family.

The CVB Gang Members / ARC Street Team.

Jolene Huber, the real captain of the ship.

Jennifer Long, the “Bonnie” of stalkers.

Adele Embrey, the “Androgyne” of proofing.

The members and admins of 20BooksTo50K.

Extra special thanks to authors Michael Anderle, Craig Martelle, Jonathan Brazee, Justin Sloan, Martha Carr, Charley R. Case, Amy Duboff, Sarah Noffke, Dominque Mondesir, and JN Chaney.

This book is dedicated to the memory of Mandy Reed. She passed away five days before this book’s release.

A devoted mother, an exceptional wit and a loyal and voracious ARC reader.

A “star cat” in every sense and one of my first champions.

I will miss you.

Beyond the stars.

Beyond your wildest imagination.

Discover how it all began…

Young Jamie Anderson’s world is turned upside down by tragedy.

But a new character is about to enter his life and change it forever.

A little cat named Jelly.

USARIC (formerly NASA) is preparing a mission that will change history.

And perhaps even the future.