Romantic science fiction about space and a future in which people remain the same as in our time. Both from the good and the bad side. Is it possible to change your past? Of course not, and is it worth it? The past is experience and practice that cannot be taught in any academy. Experienced space reconnaissance officer Andrei Cherkasov, having been on several dangerous expeditions over the years of service and tired of adventures in deep space, decides to change his occupation. Friends take him to their ship for two positions at once: assistant captain and chief engineer. A series of commercial failures leads the brig Nadezhda to run aground. As a result, the crew is left without money, fuel, food and water. Suddenly they receive a lucrative offer from animal dealer Olga Weiner to transport sixty cats from one area of explored space to another. Andrey's instinct tells him that this deal will not lead to anything good, but no one listens to him... On the cover is the painting “Ship's Cat” by artist Keith Spangle.