The Game of Rat and Dragon

"The Game of Rat and Dragon" by Cordwainer Smith is a science fiction story set in a future where human telepaths called pinlighters team up with cats to fight against monstrous beings known as Dragons in space. The story centers around the bond between pinlighters, like Underhill, and their feline partners, such as Lady May, as they use their mental connection to battle these dangerous creatures. Facing not only the physical threat of the Dragons, but they also endure the mental and emotional toll the battles have on them. Through the struggles and sacrifices of these characters, the story inspects the strength of partnership and the different ways humans and animals experience and deal with fear.