All Cats Are Gray by Andre Norton

All Cats Are Gray is a 1953 science fiction short story by Andre Norton, a prominent author known for her works in science fiction and fantasy. The story, set in the vast expanse of space, features Steena, a seemingly unremarkable woman, and her gray tomcat, Bat, as they embark on a space adventure aboard a haunted derelict ship, The Empress of Mars. Norton’s tale blends mystery, intrigue, and an understated heroism, bringing a unique twist to the concept of space exploration and danger.

Plot Summary

In the dim recesses of a smoky spacer bar, unnoticed by most, sat Steena—her appearance as gray and indistinct as the well-worn clothes she always wore. To those who didn’t know her, she was simply another face in the crowd of space travelers, blending into the background. But those who knew the spaceways recognized her for the treasure she was: an expert on the big calculators used in space navigation, with a memory as sharp as a master navigator’s charts and a talent for listening, always listening. In the spaces where others saw only emptiness, Steena found opportunity.

Her constant companion was Bat, a large gray tomcat who matched her quiet, shadowy existence. The two were inseparable, an odd pair drifting through the far reaches of the galaxy, content in their own company. Bat was no ordinary cat, and Steena, with her detached, calculating mind, never seemed to question the intuition that often drove their strange partnership.

One evening, the calm of the bar was disrupted by the arrival of Cliff Moran, a once-successful spacer who had fallen on hard times. His ship was on the brink of repossession, and his prospects seemed to shrink with every drink he took. Moran was desperate, at the edge of losing everything, when Steena approached him with a proposition that would change both their fates.

It was the mere mention of The Empress of Mars that pulled Cliff from his brooding. The Empress was a ghost ship, a luxury liner that had vanished into space decades ago, rumored to carry untold riches. Over the years, the ship had been spotted many times, drifting silently, always eluding capture. Some who had boarded it never returned, while others came back with stories so outlandish that few believed them. The legend of the Empress had haunted spacers for years, and the man who could bring her in would be rich beyond his wildest dreams. But no one had ever succeeded.

When Steena told Cliff it was time for the Empress to reappear, his disbelief was palpable. Why would a woman like her, who preferred solitude and anonymity, care about the derelict ship? But Steena’s knowledge had saved men before, and her calm certainty made Cliff reconsider. With nothing left to lose, he agreed to set out in search of the ghost ship, with Steena and Bat as his unlikely companions.

Days later, they found themselves navigating the dark void of space, and there it was: the Empress of Mars, hanging silently in the blackness, its red warning lights casting an eerie glow. The ship looked almost alive, as though waiting for someone brave—or foolish—enough to board her. Cliff maneuvered his ship alongside, securing the magnetic lines, and together the three crossed into the derelict vessel.

Inside, the Empress was eerily intact. The air was stale, with a faint odor of decay, but the ship seemed frozen in time, untouched by the years it had drifted alone. Cliff went straight to the control room, eager to assess what he could salvage. Steena, on the other hand, was drawn deeper into the ship, with Bat prowling beside her. The corridors were silent, the once-grand luxury liner now a ghostly shadow of its former self.

As they explored, Steena came across a cabin that had clearly belonged to a wealthy passenger. Silks and jewels were scattered across the room, but something about the scene felt wrong. In the middle of the bed, a glittering pile of gems caught her eye, and Bat, ever alert, tensed beside her. His gaze fixed on something invisible, something Steena couldn’t yet see. But she sensed it—a presence, a disturbance. Then, as if in answer to her unspoken fear, one of the jeweled bracelets lifted into the air and hovered, as though played with by an unseen hand.

Bat growled low in his throat, the fur along his spine standing on end. Whatever it was, it wasn’t human, and it wasn’t friendly. Steena, with her colorblind eyes, suddenly understood. The creature that haunted the Empress existed outside the range of normal human sight. It was gray, like her world—just another shade of the monochrome universe she inhabited. And in this moment, her limitation became her greatest asset. She could see it.

Bat followed the unseen entity as it retreated down the corridor, and Steena calmly trailed behind, every sense on high alert. They moved silently toward the control room, where Cliff was still engrossed in his work, unaware of the danger. As Bat stopped just inside the door, growling at the invisible presence, Steena acted quickly. She removed her own spaceall, a drab, shapeless garment, and flung it over a nearby seat. It was a gamble, but her only hope was that the creature’s outline would become visible against the gray of the fabric.

And it worked. For just a moment, Steena saw the vague shimmer of the thing that had been stalking them. Without hesitation, she called for Cliff’s blaster, aimed carefully, and fired. The creature vanished in a puff of ash, leaving behind only a faint, oily stench. Bat relaxed, and Steena knew the danger had passed. Whatever had made the Empress a ghost ship was now gone.

Two weeks later, Cliff, Steena, and Bat returned the Empress of Mars to a Lunar quarantine station. The ship’s long journey as a derelict had finally ended, and with it, so had the strange chapter in Steena’s life. She had faced the unknown and triumphed, not through brute force but with calm observation and quiet determination.

In the end, Steena’s world of gray had led her to something extraordinary. Cliff, recognizing her strength and courage, saw more in Steena than the drab, colorless exterior she presented to the world. Together, they left the quarantine station, bound for a new life. Steena, now draped in vibrant colors and jewels, had found someone who could share in her gray world—and Bat, content as ever, followed along, always at her side.

Main Characters

• Steena: The central figure of the story, Steena is a quiet, colorless woman with a gray appearance. She is highly intelligent and observant, with a keen memory and an instinct for uncovering valuable information. Her colorblindness becomes a vital trait in the narrative, allowing her to see things others cannot. Steena is defined by her practicality, independence, and calm composure in the face of danger.

• Bat: Steena’s loyal companion, a large gray tomcat, who shares her understated nature. Bat plays a crucial role in the story by sensing the presence of an invisible force aboard the derelict ship. His bond with Steena is strong, and his instincts help them survive the dangers on the Empress of Mars.

• Cliff Moran: A struggling space captain who finds himself desperate to recover the abandoned ship, The Empress of Mars, to regain his fortunes. His initially brash and rough demeanor contrasts with Steena’s calmness, but he eventually learns to trust her judgment.

Theme

• Perception and Reality: One of the core themes is the idea that what we see is not always the full picture. Steena’s colorblindness becomes her strength, as it allows her to perceive the gray, ghostly force aboard the Empress that remains invisible to others. This theme explores the idea that limitations can sometimes reveal hidden truths.

• Courage and Ingenuity: Steena’s courage isn’t loud or flamboyant but quiet and deliberate. The story showcases how intelligence and observation, rather than brute strength or aggression, are the keys to surviving the unknown dangers of space. Steena’s careful planning and Bat’s intuition lead to their success.

• Isolation and Companionship: Steena’s solitary nature is a recurring motif, mirrored by the lonely ghost ship she investigates. Her companionship with Bat underscores the idea that even in the vast loneliness of space, connections—whether with humans or animals—can provide solace and protection.

Writing Style and Tone

Andre Norton’s writing style in All Cats Are Gray is crisp and direct, reflecting the minimalistic and matter-of-fact nature of the protagonist, Steena. The story’s pacing is steady, building tension through subtle details rather than fast action. Norton’s descriptions of space and the derelict ship are sparse but evocative, lending a haunting quality to the narrative. The language is simple, yet it effectively conveys the eerie atmosphere of a ghost ship drifting through the dark void of space.

The tone of the story is understated yet suspenseful. There is an air of mystery that permeates the narrative, with a quiet intensity that reflects Steena’s character. The tone also carries a certain detachment, much like Steena herself, who observes and acts without letting emotions cloud her judgment. Norton’s choice to focus on Steena’s logical approach rather than fear or drama adds depth to the story’s subtle tension and makes the eventual resolution both surprising and satisfying.