Thompson’s Cat by Robert Moore Williams Episode #481

Robert Moore Williams | February 1, 2026

Thompson’s Cat by Robert Moore Williams Episode #481
Robert Moore Williams

THOMPSON’S CAT

Episode #481 · Written by Robert Moore Williams · Narrated by Scott Miller

Exploration promises discovery, but in Thompson’s Cat, it delivers something far more dangerous. A deserted alien world raises unsettling questions, and the answers do not come easily. As the crew investigates, an unseen threat follows them beyond the planet’s surface, turning confidence into doubt and routine procedure into desperation.

This is a story built on tension and restraint. The danger is not loud or obvious, but creeping and relentless. Williams allows fear to accumulate naturally, forcing the characters—and the listener—to confront how quickly certainty collapses when long-held protections fail. The result is a gripping narrative where intelligence and observation matter more than weapons.

At its core, Thompson’s Cat is about responsibility. What do explorers owe the worlds they visit—and the civilization they return to? The story’s power lies in its moral weight, asking how much one life, or many, is worth when the alternative could be extinction.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robert Moore Williams was a prolific mid-century science fiction writer whose work frequently blended scientific speculation with tight, suspense-driven storytelling. He wrote for many of the major genre magazines of the era, earning a reputation for clarity, pacing, and high-concept ideas grounded in human consequences.

In Thompson’s Cat, Williams demonstrates his mastery of economical storytelling, delivering a memorable cautionary tale that remains strikingly relevant. His ability to fuse exploration, ethics, and quiet terror makes this story a standout example of classic science fiction done right.

LISTEN TO THE STORY

Listen to Thompson’s Cat by Robert Moore Williams — a vintage science fiction short story where unseen danger threatens humanity’s future.

ABOUT THE LOST SCI-FI PODCAST

The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast is the most listened-to vintage science fiction podcast in the world. Ranked #1 in 34 countries and heard in more than 190 countries, the show has surpassed 3.3 million listens, introducing classic science fiction to a global audience of devoted fans.

Each episode features carefully selected stories from the Golden Age of science fiction, professionally narrated. Timeless storytelling the way it was meant to be heard.

What listeners are saying:

★★★★★ “Classics from the Masters. Great stories! I listen every week, sometimes the stories are shorts by a famous master of vintage Sci-Fi. Sometimes they are great stories by someone you never heard of. The narrator is perfect, I imagine sitting in front of a classic radio.”
—TCBermy

★★★★★ “A legitimate Top Tier Pod. I can’t do justice to how good this podcast is, truly. The host has an affect and vocal style that’s just perfect. The stories are buried gems, sure, there’s problematic vocabulary but you have to enjoy it in the spirit it’s offered. I LOVE seeing how creative people from 40-50 years ago, imagined how the world would exist. It’s just glorious and I love it.”
—bwdesmo

Vintage science fiction. Professionally narrated. Carefully curated.