Astounding Science Fiction (British edition) — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

22 I’m under arrest?’ lessly. “Get up!” The face was flat and brutal, there was sadism in the heavy mouth. A typical blackcoat. June whimpered. The man who held her was twisting her arm behind her back. ‘Don’t do that,” said Thornberg. “‘She’s innocent.” “Get up, I said!’ The gun thrust closer. “Don’t come near me, either.” Thornberg lifted his right hand. It was clenched around a little ball. “See this? It’s a gimmick I made. No, not a bomb, just a small radio control. If my hand relaxes, the rubber will expand and pull a switch shut.” The men recoiled a little. “Let the girl go, I said,” repeated Thornberg patiently. “You surrender first!” June screamed as the cop twisted harder. “No,” said Thornberg. “This is more important than any one of us. I was prepared, you see. I expect to die. So if I let go of this ball, the radio signal closes a relay and a powerful magnetic field is generated in Matilda —in the records machine. Every record the government has will be wiped clean. I hate to think what your fel- lows will do to you if you let that happen.” Slowly, the cop released June. She slumped to the floor, crying. “It’s a bluff!” said the man with the gun. There was sweat on his face. “Try it and find out.” Thornberg forced a smile. “I don’t care.” “You traitor!” ““And a very effective one, wasn’t I? I’ve got the government turned end for end and upside down. The Army’s in an uproar, officers deserting right and left for fear they'll be arrested next. Administration is hog-tied and trembling. Security is chasing its own tail around half a continent. Assassi- he said tone- ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION nation and betrayal are daily occur- rences. Men go over to the rebels in droves. The Army of Liberation is sweeping a demoralized and ineffectual resistance before it everywhere. I predict that New Washington will capitulate within a week.” “And your doing!” Finger tense on the trigger. “Oh, no. No single man can hanes history. But I was a rather important factor, yes. Or let’s say—Sam Hall was.” “What are you going to do?” “That depends on you, my friend. If you shoot me, gas me, knock me out, or anything of that sort, my hand will naturally relax. Otherwise, we’ll just wait till one side or the other gets tired.” “You're bluffing!” squad leader. “You could, of course, have the technicians here check Matilda and see if I’m telling the truth,” said Thornberg. “And, if I am, you could have them disconnect my electromag- net. Only I warn you, at the first sign of any such operation on your part, Pll let go of this ball. Look in my mouth.” He opened it. “A glass vial, full of poison. After I let the ball go, Pil close my teeth together hard. So you see, I have nothing to fear from ou.’ : Bafflement and rage flitted over the faces that watched him. They weren’t used to thinking, those men. “Of course,” said Thornberg, “there is one other possibility for you. At last reports, a rebel jet squadron was based not a hundred miles from here. We could call it and have them come and take this place over. That might be to your advantage, too. There is going to be a day of reckoning with you blackcoats, and my influence could shield you however little you deserve it.” They stared at each other. After snapped the COME DOO|KKSs€O© nl