Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition — page 50: what you’re looking at

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

48 were Nelson, he had no chance. Nelson would fire at once. He would be dead before they saw the ship. But if he had time to call out, hold them off for a moment—That was all he needed. Onee they saw the ship he would be safe. But if they fired first— A charred branch cracked. A figure appeared, coming forward uncertainly. Olham took a deep breath. Only a few seconds remained, perhaps the last seconds in his life. He raised his arms, peering intently. It was Peters. ‘*Peters!”? Olham waved his arms. Peters lifted his gun, aiming. ““Don’t fire!’”” His voice shook. “Wait a minute. Look past me, across the clearing.” ‘“T’ve found him,” Peters shouted. Security men came pouring out of the burned woods around him. “Don’t shoot. Look past me. The ship, the needle-ship. The Outspace ship. Look!” Peters hesitated. The gun wavered. “It’s down there,’ Olham said rapidly. “I knew I’d find it here. The burned wood. Now you believe me. You’ll find the remains of the robot in the ship. Look, will you?” “There is something down there,”’ one of the men said nervously. “Shoot him!’ a voice said. It was Nelson. “Wait.” Peters turned sharply. “Il’m in charge. Don’t anyone fire. Maybe he’s telling the truth.” “Shoot him,’? Nelson said. “He killed Olham. Any minute he may kill us all. If the bomb goes off—”’ “Shut up.” Peters advanced toward the slope. He stared down. “Look at that.”” He waved two men up to him. “Go down there and see what that Iss The men raced down the slope, across the clearing. They bent down, poking in the ruins of the ship. ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION “Well?” Peters called. Olham held his breath. He smiled a little. It must be there; he had not had time to look, himself, but it had to be there. Suddenly doubt assailed him. Suppose the robot had lived long enough to wander away? Suppose his body had been completely destroyed, burned to ashes by the fire? He licked his lips. Perspiration came out on his forehead. Nelson was staring at him, his face still livid. His chest rose and fell. “Kill him,’ Nelson said. “Before he kills us.” The two men stood up. “What have you found?’ Peters said. He held the gun steady. “Is there anything there?” “Looks like something. It’s a needle-ship, all right. There’s some- thing beside it.” “Tl look.’ Peters strode past Olham. Olham watched him go down the hill and up to the men. The others were following after him, peering tosee. “It’s a body of 'some sort,’’ Peters said. “Look at it!” Olham came along with them. They stood around in a circle, staring down. On the ground, bent and twisted into a strange shape, was a grotesque form. It looked human, perhaps; except that it was bent so strangely, the arms and legs flung off in all directions. The mouth was open, the eyes stared glassily. “Like a machine that’s run down,” Peters murmured. Olham smiled feebly. ““Well?” he said. Peters looked at him. “I can’t believe it. You were telling the truth all the time.” “The robot never reached me,” Olham said. He took out a cigarette and lit it. “It was destroyed when the ship crashed. You were all too busy with the war to wonder why an out- Connicloooks com