No somos dioses (We Are Not Gods)

Catalog Note "No Somos Dioses" by Ralph Barby is a science fiction novel set in a future controlled by the Terricola Confederation. The narrative begins with Dr. Inge, a renowned cosmic biologist, receiving an exotic gift—a rare Vesputian cat named Goliath, whose golden fur and phosphorescent purple eyes mark it as remarkable. The animal possesses mysterious cellular structures unlike any known organisms. Dr. Inge's assistant Gisela learns they will travel urgently to the planet Kramon in the Auria star system, a distant, poorly explored region. The mysterious benefactor "Xomik" remains undocumented in official records. The text shifts to introduce Ciril, commander of the independent spaceship Ferm 11-9, who completes a mineral delivery to Orbital Factory Nine and docks at the recreational satellite Break. Ciril manages a crew of five men and seeks new contracts through the station's contracting exchange. The narrative establishes a dual plot involving space exploration, biological mystery, and commercial spacefaring operations.