Walls of Acid

"Walls of Acid" by Henry Hasse is a science fiction novella written in the mid-20th century, specifically in the post-World War II era, reflecting the era's fascination with space exploration and technology. The book explores themes of survival, evolution, and the consequences of scientific hubris through the tale of a once-glorious civilization on the planet Diskra that now faces a deadly menace from an underestimated species—the Termans. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of underestimating one's enemies and the potential consequences of advanced scientific experimentation. The story unfolds through the perspective of Braanol, an advanced brain preserved in a liquid medium, who recounts the history of his planet's downfall due to the rise of the Termans, a previously insignificant subterranean species that have been genetically altered and organized by the demented brother of the ruling emperor, Palladin. As the Termans grow in strength and intelligence, they threaten the very existence of the Diskrans, forcing them to develop new technologies and prepare for an interstellar resettlement. The narrative culminates in Braanol's desperate efforts to record their civilization's history while warning future generations of the lurking dangers, ultimately reinforcing the message of vigilance against potential threats that can arise from the roots of history and scientific ambition. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Henry Louis Hasse was an American science fiction author and fan. He is probably known best for being the co-author of Ray Bradbury's first professionally published story, "Pendulum", which appeared in November 1941 in Super Science Stories. Hasse co-authored two more published stories with Bradbury: "Gabriel's Horn" (1943) and "Final Victim" (1946).