"There's a jet of flame springing from the mirror, and it leaps right at the advancing men. It strikes them head on! Good Lord, they're turning into flame! ... Now the whole field's caught fire! The woods — the barns — the gas tanks of automobiles — it's spreading everywhere! It's coming this way — about twenty yards to my ri—"
DEAD AIR.
"2X2L calling CQ, New York. 2X2L calling CQ, New York. Isn't there anyone on the air? Isn't there anyone on the air? Isn't there... anyone?"
The famous ending is this from the Martians' point of view: they'd eradicated disease so long ago they pretty much don't have an immune system...then fall victim to Earth diseases. They likely didn't know what was even happening to them. Granted, they kinda have it coming, but still a terrifying thought.
