Astounding British Edition, Volume 8, No. 11 — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

THE SPECTER GENERAL to Kurt who was still poised stiffly at the fire-control board. “You can relax now, lad. Everything is under control.” Kurt gave a sigh of relief and pulling himself to his feet, stretched luxuriantly. As the other officers saw the firing stud deserted, they tensed and looked to Com- mander Krogson questioningly. He frowned for a second and then slowly shook his head. “Well?” he said to Colonel Harris. “It’s obvious,” said the other, “you’ve a fleet, a darn good fleet, but it’s falling apart for lack of decent maintenance. I’ve got a base down there with five thousand lads who can think with their fingers. This knucklehead of mine is a good example.” He walked over to Kurt and slapped him affectionately on the shoulder. “There’s nothing on this ship that he couldn’t tear down and put back together blindfolded if he was given a little time to think about it. I think he’ll enjoy having some real work to do for a change.” “I may seem dense,” said Krogson. with a bewildered expression on his face, “but wasn’t that the idea that I was trying to sell you?” “The idea is the same,” said Harris “but the context isn’t. You're in a position now where you have to co-operate, That makes a difference. A big difference!” “It sounds good,” said Krogson, “but now you're overlooking something. Carr will be looking for me. We can’t stand off the whole galaxy!” Schninkle interrupted. “You’re overlook- ing something too, sir. He hasn’t the slight- est idea where we are. It will be months before he has things well enough under control to start an organized search for us. When he does his chances of ever spotting the fleet are mighty slim if we take reason- able precautions. Remember that it was only by a fluke that we ever happened to spot this place to begin with.” As he talked a calculating look came!into his eyes. “A year of training and refitting here and there wouldn’t be a fleet in the galaxy that could stand against us.” He casually edged over until he occupied a position between Kurt and the fire-control board. “If things went right, there’s no 29 reason why you couldn’t become Lord Protector, commander.” A flash of the old fire stirred within Krogson and then quickly flickered out. “No, Schninkle,” he said heavily. ‘““That’s all past now. I’ve had enough, It’s time to try something new.” “In that case,” said Colonel Harris, “let’s begin! Out there a whole galaxy is break- ing up. Soon the time will come when a strong hand is going to be needed to piece it back together and put it in running order again. You know,” he continued refiectively, “the name of the old empire still has a certain magic to it. It might not be a bad idea to use it until we are ready to move on. to something better.” He walked silently to the vision port and looked down on the lush greenness spreading far below. “But whatever we call ourselves,” he continued slowly, half talk- ing to himself, “we have something to work for now.” A quizzical smile played over his lips and his wise old eyes seemed to be scanning the years ahead. “You know, Kurt; there’s nothing like a visit from the Inspector General once in a while to keep things in line. The galaxy is a big place but when the time comes, we'll make our rounds!” CHAPTER XVI. On the parade ground behind the low buildings of the garrison, the 427th Light Maintenance Battalion of the Imperial. Space Marines stood in rigid formation, the feathers of their war bonnets moving slightly in the little breeze that blew in from the west and their war paint glowing redly in the slanting rays of the setting sun. A quiver ran through the hard surface soil of the plateau as the great mass of the fleet flagship settled down ponderously to test. There was a moment of expectant silence as a great port clanged open and a gangplank extended to the ground. From somewhere within the ship a fanfare of trumpets sounded. Slowly and with solemn dignity, surrounded by his staff, Conrad Krogson, Inspector General of the Imperial Space Marines, advanced to review the troops. THE END Eomichbooksnco mi