Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

ENOUGH ROPE 9 lan. “If the subspace radio would reach so far, we would call the League secretariat directly, to give it. As it is, I am delivering it to you. If you do not evacuate Garvish at once, Ulugan will consider your aggression a cause for war.”’ | ““Now look—”’ began Alak. ‘A task force is on its way to force your evacuation, if you will not go peacefully,” said Sevulan. ““Take your choice.” Weakness flitted across Alak’s well- trained features. “I... I am really not given such responsibility,’’ he said slowly. ““You must allow me time to communicate with my government—”’ “No 12? “Well—” *“You have my message,”’ said Sevu- lan. The screen blanked. _Alak stood up, hugged his aide, and danced around the shack. Hurulta the Arkazhik leaned over his desk as if he meant to attack Sevulan. Then, slowly, his great fists unclenched and he sat back. | “They were gone, you say?’ he repeated. “Yes, lord,” said the general. ‘When our task force landed, the planet—the whole system—was aban- doned. Obviously they took fright when they realized our determina- tion.” “But where did they go?” Sevulan permitted himself a shrug. “A light-year is too big to imagine,’ he said. “They could be anywhere lord. My best guess is, though, that they are running home with their tails between their legs.”’ ““Still—_to abandon a base which must have cost an enormous effort and sum to start—” “Yes, lord, it was astonishingly far advanced. They must have employed some life-form adapted to Garvish II conditions as workers. They do have that advantage: among their citizens, COMIC HOOkKS.CGO