The Conquistadors Come

The Conquistadors Come is a science fiction novella by Mary Elizabeth Counselman, written in the early 1950s. The story centers on the first contact between humans and the alien race known as the S'zetnurs, who are depicted as a once-thriving civilization now suffering from deformities and disease. This work highlights the stark contrast between human explorers' optimistic views and the tragic realities faced by the S'zetnurs, addressing themes of colonization and the complexities of human-alien interactions.