It

"It" by Hayden Howard is a science fiction novel written in the early 1950s. The book revolves around a group of Earthmen who explore a desolate, alien city, uncovering dark secrets and facing a peculiar and malevolent force that threatens their lives. The narrative delves into themes of control, survival, and the struggle against an unseen enemy. The story follows a captain and his crew as they venture into a decayed city on a distant planet, where they soon realize they are not alone. As they explore, the captain becomes possessed by a parasitic entity that seeks to control his actions and turn him against his crew. The tension escalates as the alien influence leads to violence and disarray among the crew members. The captain struggles to regain control over his body and ultimately must find a way to free himself and his companions from the terrifying entity. As the narrative unfolds, the novel explores the nature of fear and autonomy, culminating in a harrowing confrontation that tests the limits of humanity in the face of an alien menace. Ultimately, they must band together to ensure their survival and find a way back to Earth.