Peril of the Blue World

"Peril of the Blue World" by Robert Abernathy is a science fiction novella written in the early 1940s. The narrative centers around a Martian expedition sent to Earth, initially intending to assess the planet for colonization. However, the explorers soon discover that Earth harbors unexpected dangers, including bizarre creatures and societal complexities that challenge their preconceived notions about intelligence and civilization. The story unfolds through the perspective of Shapplo, an interpreter for the Martian crew, as they land on a lush and vibrant Earth landscape, only to encounter a mix of animal life and a medieval human named Sir Henry de Long. As the Martians engage with Sir Henry, they learn about Earth's peculiar customs, dangers like dragons, and the existence of werewolves and vampires, which lead them to question the safety of their mission. Ultimately, following a harrowing assessment of the threats posed by Earth's inhabitants and creatures, the expedition concludes that the planet is fundamentally unfit for Martian settlement, prompting a swift return to their home world. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Robert Abernathy was an American science fiction author during the 1940s and 1950s. He was known primarily for his short stories which were published in many of the pulp magazines that flourished during the Golden Age of Science Fiction. Many of his stories have been included in anthologies of classic science fiction such as the French Les Vingt Meilleurs Récits de science-fiction edited by Hubert Juin.