Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition, December 1955 — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

IN CLOUDS OF GLORY 27 Kaempfert smiled wanly. “Not quite. But close enough All right, next question: What has the Agency done for you?” ‘““Given me a job.” “All right, it’s given you a job. It’s also provided an outlet for all the drives and irascibilities that make life on Earth a chancy proposition for ou. You’re antisocial. You don’t fit. The Agency puts you where you do fit.” “Sure. I’ve admitted that. But—” ‘““You’re one of hundreds. We located you—which isn’t hard, considering that all you misfits, myself included, kick up such a row. We trained you, we put you in the best kind of Agency jobs for your personality, and we shipped you out. Right?” “Admitted. But that doesn’t give you the right to make our lives more dangerous than necessary!” “I could argue about necessities, but I won’t. I gather that what you want is a private hunting preserve.” ‘“No ! Look, I’m no killer. If I can change something with my brain instead of my gun, I damn well will!”’ “O.K. Then mull this over in your brain: With our ‘perfect’ military record, and with Sullivan’s efficient system, which I don’t dare monkey with —how much have the other races in the universe progressed?” “Plenty! Stain’s a major power, just because of you.” “Oh, yeah? And next year, is it still going to be? What about Farla, that inherited the Vilk empire? Charging back and forth isn’t progress. Small but steady forward motion is. You don’t fight wars in space—not big, slam- bang fleet actions, you don’t. But you do infiltrate, and you do sabotage. And ‘next year, the guy you skunked sabotages you. How far do you get, working that way? “Thad, you’ve been griping about Earth government not moving out of the Solar System. Even if their motives are bad, they’re right, in a way. “Except that you, and I, and hundreds of others can’t take it. So we’re j 7 SACK FSSUWES? Here is a chance for you to secure these missing copies of ASTOUNDING from your collection. Unfortunately none is held prior to 1952, but the following are available:— 1952—-Feb., April, May, June, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec. 1953—Jan., Feb., Mar., April, May, June, July, Aug., Sept. 64 pp. EDITIONS, PRICE 1/- POST FREE ALL issues from November 1953 to the present day are available. 128 pp. EDITIONS, PRICE 1/9 POST FREE ATLAS PUBLISHING & DISTRIBUTING CO. LTD., 18 Bride Lane, Eande £.0.4 CONNIC MOO KS Colin}