People of the Crater

People of the Crater, written by Andre Norton and first published in 1947, follows an air force pilot who, after being downed by a mysterious mist during an Antarctic expedition, discovers an ancient alien civilization that has prophesied his arrival. Accompanied by his pet Ana, he must navigate the depths of the crater and confront the Black Ones to rescue Thrala, the daughter of the Ancient Ones. This novella is notable for its early exploration of science fiction themes and Norton's significant contribution to the genre.