The London Pen is a sequel to H. G. Wells’ famous masterpiece: The War of the Worlds. What if, after their initial failure, the Martian came back? In The London Pen, this second invasion was successful. Human beings are treated like cattle in breeding stations, where the aliens «milk» people regularly to satisfy their bloodthirsty needs. But the reader also gets the Martians’ viewpoint, and can even visit their dying world. At last, this story reveals what was only hinted at by Wells in his book: «So soon as they’ve settled all our guns and ships, and smashed our railways, and done all the things they are doing over there, they will begin catching us systematic, picking the best and storing us in cages and things. ... Well, the Martians will be just a godsend to these. Nice roomy cages, fattening food, careful breeding, no worry. ... They’ll be quite glad after a bit. They’ll wonder what people did before there were Martians to take care of them. »