Nebula Science Fiction, Number 26

Nebula Science-Fiction, Issue 26 (January 1958)

This British monthly science-fiction digest features Eric Frank Russell's novel Dear Devil and E. C. Tubb's novelette Training Aid. Tubb's story concerns Mark Curtway, a decorated wasp-fighter pilot in humanity's war against the alien Frenshi, an enemy whose contact with humans invariably results in death. Curtway has been removed from combat and stationed at ComTrain headquarters, where his exceptional piloting reflexes are being studied and replicated through simulacrum training devices—perfect artificial reproductions of fighter-ship cockpits used to train new pilots. Colonel Hendersley justifies this reassignment by arguing Curtway's skill can be extended through teaching others rather than wasted through individual combat. The issue also includes short stories by Robert J. Tilley, Philip E. High, and Brian W. Aldiss, plus editorial content and reader letters.