Tyger followed Patterson into the bridge while his team strolled behind his back. Patterson approached the captain who was standing in front of the giant front window, displaying Saturn.

“What is the emergency?” Patterson asked.

The captain cleared his throat. “We received a message that the alien vessel is approaching Earth.”

Patterson widened his eyes. “Oh, no... Are all the fleets engaging that thing?”

“All available Star Alliance fleets are blocking its route. But I am afraid they might not last long.”

Patterson gritted his teeth. “Alright. It is time to act now for the hell of it.”

He turned to Tyger. “Get your team ready for battle. I will develop a plan for you to stop the enemy before they destroy Earth. It is now up to you to save the human race.”

Tyger and his team saluted the admiral.

“Affirmative sir,” he said. “We will get ready.”

***

Back in the hanger, two staff placed a metal crate down in front of Tyger. He opened the crate, finding a light rifle, two grenades, one light pistol, and three small power packs.

He picked up the rifle and stared at it closely. It was T-200X rifle, painted in black with a scope on it. The barrel was thin and long, which increased the weapon’s range. It would probably be useful in case Tyger has to move on foot, inside the alien vessel.

Rila sat on a crate, wiping a cloth across her sword. Red placed his armor vest on, and then his armor pants.

Maya sat on the floor with her legs crossed. While her eyes were closed, four boxes hovered around her as they glowed blue. She must be practicing on her concentration for her power. Although she was professional using her power, her practices kept her from making too many mistakes.

Jage lied on a pile of boxes, reading a space flight magazine. Sure enough, the kid was waiting to fly his new ship.

“Attention!” Patterson’s voice shouted.

Tyger and his team quickly stood in a row and saluted. Patterson approached them and saluted back. With him were two soldiers, carrying a green metal box. It has a nuke symbol below a black screen on top. They placed it down in front of the Star Cats.

“This will be a quick briefing since we got twenty-four hours to save the Earth.” Patterson held up the relic. “You will fly directly toward the hive ship in sheath mode and fire this thing in a torpedo. After the enemy shield goes down, you will enter the hive ship.”

Patterson pointed his finger at the green metal box. “This is a nuclear black hole bomb. You will bring it into the enemy ship and drop it off deep inside the vessel. After you activate the detonation sequence, it will give you fifty seconds for your furry asses to escape.”

Rila rolled her eyes. “Why does the military think nukes are the answer to the problems?”

Jage crossed his arms and smiled. “Fifty seconds don’t sound bad. I can outrun fifty seconds.”

“Why can’t we drop off the bomb on the surface instead?” Red asked.

“That option would risk the entire fleet,” said Patterson. “The black hole will grow slower as it eats up the ship. It will give us enough time to escape before the black hole is fully formed. After that, it will expire in ten seconds.”

“Okey dokey.”

“We are all counting on you. If you fail, we will lose Earth.”

Tyger saluted again. “We will succeed sir, or die trying.”

***

Red sat at his seat inside the cockpit. After his comrades sat down, he turned to them. “Anyone wants to say some words before we do this?”

Tyger sighed. “To be honest, I am afraid we might all die and fail to save the Earth. I do not know if this plan will be successful or a disaster. Nothing is quite clear. But we are Star Cats. It is what we are made to do. It is our duty, our purpose, and our way of life. If we have no purpose, then we wouldn’t exist. We are doing this for the sake of humanity’s survival. If we don’t risk our lives for them, then we have no purpose. Would a dog let his master die?”

Red laughed. “We are not dogs, comrade. We are cats.”

“That isn’t the point, but I am sure a good dog wouldn’t let his master die. We always protected humans and obeyed them. In return, they made us feel like we are more than genetic engineered specimens.”

“Plus, they gave us vodka,” said Red with a grin.

“Fish tacos too!” Jage shouted.

“Honor and respect,” Rila added.

“Purpose,” said Maya.

Tyger nodded his head. “So are we going to die without a fight? Are we going to let the enemy destroy the Earth?”

“No!” His team shouted.

Tyger smiled. “Then let’s get back out there and show those monsters we are more than just living weapons for humanity. We are Star Cats!”

Red raised his arms up and cheered. “Vodka for everyone!”