The Terrible Answer

Seven ambitious Earthmen touch down on a red‑dusted Martian plain, convinced they have discovered the next frontier for empire. Led by the domineering Larkin, they set up a makeshift camp, unpacking glowing tents and high‑tech condensers while the native Martians watch in silent, unsettling grins. Their conversations swirl around wealth, progress, and the age‑old idea that a new world must be shaped by human ambition.

As the crew samples alien food and sips steaming coffee under alien stars, they debate whether the planet’s “vital ingredient” of empire can be harvested. Psychologist Cleve, archaeologist Dane, and the reluctant financier Smith each bring a different perspective, but all share a common hunger for conquest. The Martians’ indifferent presence and their eerie smiles hint at mysteries the newcomers have yet to comprehend, setting the stage for a clash of ideals on a world that may not be as empty as it seems.