A. E. van Vogt

“Black Destroyer” is an influential science fiction short story by A. E. van Vogt, first published in Astounding Science-Fiction in July 1939. The story follows Coeurl, a fierce and intelligent alien creature roaming a desolate planet in search of sustenance. When a ship of human explorers lands, Coeurl detects a vital substance that awakens his insatiable hunger and triggers his predatory instincts. As he cunningly observes the humans, he prepares to seize any opportunity. Widely regarded as the beginning of the Golden Age of Science Fiction, the story is also recognized as one of the inspirations behind Ridley Scott’s film Alien.