Astounding Science Fiction, February 1952 (British Edition) — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

——_~— = = — ier, — > — es >. : ——- — — ee —— 64 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION He switched on his helmet radio. “Twoie may change his plans, Al,” he -said. “Ill go out and see him.” “T...ub... If wouldn't, Ray,” Al said. “We're sure happy for you both. But two more trips through the air lock will take too long—he’s behind his flight-plan al- ready. Pll give you a private frequency to talk to him on, though—Boy, what a send-off!” Als helmet was filled with grin, Ray noted. But he wasn’t standing for any change in plans, just the same—And what the chief dispatcher wouldn’t stand for, wouldn’t happen. But Ray had a card in his own hand. “You're the Dispatcher,” he grunted, “but [I’m the Consenter. Find me that wave- length, will you?” Al laughed. “Whatever you say, Grandpa. Tll call the boy, first. To give him the channel.” Twoie was waiting when Al twisted the dial on Ray’s suit and nodded his signal. “Everything’s fine,” Ray told his son. “But sit down. I-want to read you some- thing.” - He read. Deafeningly, his joy. Ray cut him off. “Listen, this ties right up with what I’ve been saying. Now you can’t go!” “Of course J can! Now I’ve got some- thing—someone new to do well for. You went, didn’t you?” “Yeah. And they don’t allow children on the Moon, so today’s the first day I ever saw you face to face.” “I know, Dad. And I didn’t handle it Twoie howled NEWS! well, did I? But don’t you see, I want to go out there so much. I’ve practically gor to do it. Janet knows that—” “Oh?” “Look, Dad. I’m all set. The tower called while you went after the message and gave me final clearance. VI] see you on my return trip. I'll stay longer—”’ “How can you-go and let your wife stay behind and have your son all alone?” “How else do ‘women have children?” Twoie was laughing at him! “Pm glad to be out of the way—babies are something I just can’t bear!” “It'll be more than a few months, what with quarantine and all. You may not see the kid for years!” “They've cut down the quarantine period, Dad. The things you found out have made it easier for the rest of us.” “Never mind the apple-polishing,” Ray said. “I’m still bound and determined not to give my consent.” “Tisten! My name is also Ray Fincek. And P’m bound and determined to go!” “At the price of not seeing your wife and boy for a long time?” Silence. Then, “That'll be O.K., Dad. Just so my boy wants to pilot, too. Just so he wants to be like his Grandpa—” The air went dead again, till Twoie asked, “Still there, Dad?” “Yeah, I’m here,’ Ray answered heavily. “And I guess Vil still be here when you get back. Good luck, Twoie. PIl watch your blast-off.” But when the time came he couldn’t see a thing. His eyes were watering. Your favourite S-F magazine AS TOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION is in future to be PUBLISHED MONTHLY PLACE AN ORDER WITH YOUR NEWSAGENT TO ENSURE YOUR COPY cGomicbooks.co