Adventures in the Far Future & Tales of Outer Space — page 312: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

of a thermocan and gazing thoughtfully at the murky Shadows in the far corner of the room. He was intent upon his problem to such an extent that he only occasionally remembered to take a bite. New weapons. Year-in and year-gone combat engineers had invented new means of knocking down the menacing legions. And certainly, with the power available, there seemed no more lethal weapon than the arc cannon—for here it was evolved to a point over the horizon from weapons used in the remainder of space. The invention of another weapon, even if that could be accomplished would not prove wholly efficacious for it would only last two or three years and then yet another would have to be compounded. His door was thrust inward and General Drummond stood there looking at him. Drummond’s eyes were bloodshot and his mouth twitched at the right comer. GEDSO was confused by the unusualness of the visit and hastened to leap up—spilling the thermocan’s gravy across the bare boards. Drummond flung himself into a chair. “I’m worn out. Worn out! The responsibility, the greatness of the command, the rotten character of aid—” He looked fixedly at Gedso. “When will your new weapon be ready?” “T... | don’t think | am going to build one,” faltered Gedso. “There is nothing better than an arc cannon.” Drummond sagged. “Served by fools! Strangled in red tape! The most valuable command in the Empire left with no attention to its need!” He straightened up and looked at Gedso, addressing him directly. “You were sent here to invent a new weapon,” said Drummond harshly. “You are going to invent it. | know | CORniclooo SS CO