Turncat Purrsuit. Herc Tom, Champion of the Empire, #13

Herc Tom remains under suspicion following the escape of his clone with Colonel Tulin. Even his fighter Shadow has abandoned him to take up with the fugitives. To make matters worse, they seem to have gone to the dogs - the empire's most recent nemesis. Herc knows that he should be the one to stop these Turncats from whatever mischief they plan; he could save the empire once again, but no one trusts him, including Emperor Octavio.
Well, as has happened before, it is better to forego purrmission in favor of asking forgiveness later. Or so he hopes."Turncat Purrsuit" is a speculative fiction novelette, the 13th of the "Herc Tom, Champion of the Empire" stories.