Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition — page 45: what you’re looking at

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

iy TAL, as) Red Ait: a (a2? lS . eal 1} ha lOe: ‘ <3 A IMPOSTOR : 43 a report that an Outspace ship had penetrated the protec-bubble. The ship let off a spy in the form of a humanoid robot. The robot was to _ destroy a particular human being and take his place.” Peters looked calmly at Olham. “Inside the robot was a U-bomb. Our agent did not know how the bomb was to be detonated, but he con- jectured that it might be by a par- ticular spoken phrase, a certain grou of words. The robot-would live the life of the person he killed, entering into his usual activities, his job, his social life. He had been constructed to resemble that person. No one would know the difference.” Olham’s face went sickly chalk. “The person whom the robot was to_ impersonate was Spence Olham, a high-ranking’ official at one of the Research projects. Because this par- ticular project was approaching cru- cial stage, the presence of an animate - bomb, moving toward the center of the Project—”’ Olham stared down at his hands. “But I’m Olham!” “Once the robot had located and killed Olham, it was a simple matter to take over his life. The robot was probably released from the ship eight days ago. The substitution was prob- ably accomplished over the last week end, when Olham went for a short walk in the hills.” “But I’m Olham.” He turned to Nelson, sitting at the controls. ““Don’t you recognize me? You’ve known me for twenty years. Don’t you remember how we went to college together?’”’ He stood up. “You and I were at the University. We had the same room.” He went toward Nelson. “Stay away from me!’’. Nelson snarled. “Listen. Remember our second year? Remember that girl. What was her name—’’ He rubbed his forehead. *‘The one with the dark hair. The one we met over at Ted’s place.” “Stop!”” Nelson waved the frantically. “I don’t want to hear any more. You killed him! You... machine.”’ Olham looked at Nelan: *““You’re wrong. I don’t know what happened, but the robot never reached me. Something must have gone wrong. Maybe the ship crashed.” He turned to Peters. “I’m Olham. I know it. No transfer was made. I’m the same as I’ve always been.” He touched himself, running his — hands over his body. “There must be some way to prove it. Take me back to Earth. An X-ray examination, a neurological study, anything like that will show you. Or maybe we can find the crashed ship.” Neither Peters nor Nelson spoke. “I am Otham,” he said again. “I know I am. But I can’t prove it.” “The robot,” Peters said, “‘wou be unaware that he was not the real Spence Olham. He would become Olham in mind as well as in body. He was given an artificial memory system, false recall. He would look like him, have his memories, his thoughts and interests, perform his job. “But there would be one difference. Inside the robot is a U-bomb, ready to explode at the trigger phrase.” Peters moved a little away. “‘That’s the one difference. That’s why we’re taking you to the Moon. They’ll disassemble you and remove the bomb. Maybe it will explode, but it won’t matter, not there.” Olham sat down slowly. *‘We'll be there soon,”’ Nelson said. He lay back, thinking frantically, as the ship dropped slowly down. Under them-.was the pitted surface of the Moon, the endless expanse of ruin. What could he do? What would save him?” COMIGaIOOKS (©)