According to the
instruments, looks
like there was a bad
crash back there.
They are all big
kittens. They will
be fine.
We are approaching
Martian orbit.
Then we
all agree.
Yes, there’s not
enough power to
get back to Earth.
The CosmoCats’ supplies
on the surface are our
only chance at survival.
We must land on Mars.
I just wish we didn’t
need to include the
CosmoCats.
What do you have
against them
anyway?
I trained with Petrov
and Bianca when I
first started.
I was part of
a space student
exchange program.
And?
They were
complete bullies.
Messing with my
stuff, calling me
names, telling me
that I’d never
make it to space.
That’s it? That’s why
you don’t like them?
That was a
long time ago.
Perhaps it’s best
to let sleeping
fish float?
Don’t we all have
repairs to finish?
C’mon, cats! We’re
landing on Mars soon—
let’s hop to it!
I’m glad to
hear we are
still landing on
Mars, at least.
Yes, even in our
reduced state, I have
many experiments I’d
like to perform.
Experiments?!
Do you like
science?
Of course I like
science. I am an
astronaut, after all.
I’m Gemelli, the
Head of Science
at MEOW.
I thought you looked familiar!
You’re doing the dancing fish
experiment!
I think studying how
zero-g effects motor
skills in aquatic life is
fascinating!
I’m Pom Pom, by the way.
I know who you are. I’m
familiar with your research
on orbital dynamics.
Would you like to
help me recalibrate
the stasis unit for
my fish?
Really?! That
would be
awesome!!
I mean,
uh—yes, of
course.
Wow, is this
the new T-70
control stick?
Yes, it’s standard
on all of our
spacecraft.
So cool. We
only have the
T-65’s.
Here, why don’t
you try it out?
Thanks!
The vibrations
from the rocket’s
thrust were too
severe!
We couldn’t
see any of
our screens.
Then I realized
that we could pulse
the display at the
same rate as the
vibrations!
You’re tricking the visual
cortex into thinking there’s
no bouncing at all! The
screen would appear clear.
That’s genius,
Über !
Yah, they used
to call me
“Wünderkitten.”
How’s it going,
team?
We’re 95.7
percent complete
with the repairs.
There’s one
small problem,
though.
We are missing a heat
shield for landing.
Ours were all
broken beyond
repair.
I know where we can get one.
218 DAYS IN SPACE
Maintaining
standard orbit.
Starting the
pre-landing
sequence.
CosmoCats,
come in,
CosmoCats.
CosmoCats,
come in, CosmoCats.
No, Petrov. I
want to hear what
they’re saying.
Bah, such a
nuisance.
We need assistance.
We are unable to
make it back to Earth
and can only land on
Mars with your help.
I know how
important being first
on Mars is to you.
But without your
help, you’ll be the
only cats to land.
I have heard
enough.
They’re out of
communication
range.
They must have gone
to the landing site.
This is
not good.
All right, everyone,
what other options
do we have?
We are some of the
best minds in the world.
Let’s work on the
problem.
What the fish
is that?
Uh, you cats will
want to see this.
THEY CAME
BACK!
CHAPTER 9
Airlock opening.
Please stand back.
Petrov. Bianca.
Major.
It’s been a
long time.
It’s true. I remember
when you first came
to SOCKS HQ.
You said we had
too many rules.
We almost
sent him
home.
Wait? Major, you were
the troublemaker?
But you said they
were bullies.
No, no, no. Major
Meowser was a rebel.
Always taking risks.
We don’t need to
talk about this now.
There is plenty
to do.
We were hard on
him for his own good.
We had to turn him
into a leader!
We’re approaching
Martian orbit.
Now that we’re
here, how can
we help?
How would you feel
about sharing some
240 DAYS IN SPACE
I must tell you, my
friend. This is one of
the craziest ideas ever.
It’s the only way to
get us all safely to
the surface.
There’s no
way we’d all fit
in your ship.
That being said, I’m not sure
this is going to be so effective.
Our heat shield looks a
little small for this ship.
It’s better
than nothing.
How’s it going, cats?
We should be over our
landing site shortly.
We just
finished.
Come on, my
friend. Let’s go
exploring.
Is everyone
ready?
You know, the
simulation says
there’s only a 34
percent chance of a
successful lan
ding.
Hold on to
your tails.
Initiating landing
sequence.
We’re 240 days
away from Earth!
This is our only
option.
The structure
is weakening!
She’ll hold
together!
I’m upside
down!
We lost the
starboard
thruster!
There goes the
port fuselage!
She’s ripping
apart!
AUGGHH!!
We made it through
the atmosphere!
Firing reverse
thrusters.
Is everyone OK?
Hey, look!
We made it.
CHAPTER 10
32 DAYS ON MARS...
Meow, this
looks great!
It is amazing what
a few weeks of work
will get you.
Anything from
Earth yet, Yogi?
Negative, I still
can’t get a signal.
Well, they’re out there
somewhere. They wouldn’t
just abandon us.
Pom Pom, your new soil
compound is amazing.
Look at these eggplants!
Thanks,
Gemelli.
And your fish
experiment is showing
some great results.
Thanks!
I’m just glad they
survived the crash.
Über and I are heading out
on another salvage mission.
You cats need anything?
Nope! We’re
good!
Just be back
by sundown!
This is the
life, Blanket.
I’m starting to feel
like I don’t even
want to go back.
Do you know
what I mean?
Kind of.
As exciting as
Mars is, I still
miss Earth.
Not me. Given a choice, I
would stay here. Think of
all the possibilities here.
Everything we do,
we’re the first on
this planet to do it.
BLANKET.
Hey, Cat-Stro-Bot.
Wait a second…
CAT-STRO-BOT!
What are you
doing here?!
I AM HERE TO
TAKE YOU BACK
TO EARTH.
Who’s that?
Über, I’d like to
introduce my good
friend and invention,
Cat-Stro-Bot.
43 DAYS ON MARS...
PREPARATIONS
FOR THE RETURN
JOURNEY TO EARTH
ARE COMPLETE.
What’s our
status?
Repairs to
Cat-Stro-Bot’s shuttle
are also finished.
He took a pretty
good hit from an
asteroid.
It took out his main
communications array.
Fortunately we
had enough spare
parts from our
ships to patch it
back together.
Great job,
guys.
We’re ready to go
when you are, Major.
Thanks, Uma.
We’ll be ready
in a minute.
Are you sure you
want to do this,
Pom Pom?
Yes, I want to
stay. There’s so
much important
scientific work that
I can do here.
I’ll come back on the
next return mission.
Don’t worry,
CatStronauts, she’s
in good hands.
Just like the
exchange program
back in the old
country.
We’ll be back as
soon as we can.
Stay out of
trouble.
Gemelli, I’ll send you
all the new data on
your experiments.
Thank you, and
I’ll make sure your
discoveries are well
known back home.
We’ll be
the first
interplanetary
pen pals!
Good-bye,
everyone!
Major?
I’m hungry.
Yes,
Waffles?
EPILOGUE
Come in,
Cat-Stro-Bot...
Flight, it’s been over 300
days since we last heard
from Cat-Stro-Bot.
I know you don’t want to
hear this, but maybe it’s
time to stop searching?
Mission Control, come
in, Mission Control?
What was
that?
Everyone! Get this on
the main screen, stat!
Mission Control,
come in, Mission
Control?
We read you,
CatStronauts,
loud and clear.
Welcome
home.
INCOMING MESSAGE:
Don’t
miss: