The Terrible Answer

"The Terrible Answer" by Arthur G. Hill is a science fiction story set on Mars, where Earthlings arrive with dreams of conquest. These men, fueled by their quest for expansion, find the native Martians, who appear to be harmless. Arrogance and a desire to control consume the Earthmen; thus, they try to dominate the Martians. They turn to violence to try and manipulate the native beings. The Earthmen’s leader, Larkin, meets a dark end when he is killed by the Martians he sought to control. Ultimately, the surviving Earthmen flee Mars following the shocking death of Larkin, leaving the reader to wonder if the Earthlings will ever try to conquer Mars again.