the (from "the mysterians", 1957) make their presence known on earth following a sequence of disasters in the fuji area: a forest fire, an earthquake, and the rampage of a giant robot called moguera. following these events, their leader meets with five scientists and reveals their history: originally inhabitants of the (formerly) hypothetical planet mysteroid, the ancient mysterians had advanced nuclear power and subsequently destroyed themselves and their planet in a nuclear war (thereby creating the asteroid belt). their descendants colonized mars and remained there until earthlings began claiming martian land. in retribution, and to preserve their fading race, the mysterians request a three-kilometer patch of land on earth and the right to marry earth women. they wrought destruction at first, they claim, to demonstrate their power and prevent humankind from foolishly instigating a nuclear war against them.