As the storm raged over the charmed ship, Plutonia, the captain, a young man named Imaginos, was giving orders to his crew when a large wave washed him overboard, sending the young shapeshifter into the roiling water below and causing him to hit his head on the railing as he tumbled into the depths. As he lost consciousness, his innate abilities took hold and he transformed into a small silver kitten that was less than two weeks old.
Tossed and tumbled in the waves, the kitten drifted further and further from the Plutonia as the storm raged on, unseen by his crew who were searching frantically for their captain.
When at last the storm subsided, a fishing boat cast its nets into the water, trawling for tuna. Bringing in the nets, the crew were amazed to find that they had not only pulled up a fine catch of tuna, but also an unconscious and sopping wet kitten that was barely alive.
Wrapping the poor creature in his coat, the captain, a wizened man in his sixties, brought him to the ship's doctor.
"Miles," he said, "I have a patient for you."
Dr. Miles Jameson looked up from his paperwork and his eyes filled with pity and concern for the tiny bundle in the captain's arms.
"Looks like he was born less than two weeks ago," he said, after examining Imaginos. "We need to cut the trip short and find him either some formula or a nursing cat if he's going to survive."
"I'll tell the crew," the captain agreed. "Meanwhile, we'll keep the kitten as warm as possible."