Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition — page 79: what you’re looking at

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

Trif GARDEN IN Trif FORES” By ROBERT F. YOUNG We would have very little metal indeed if the miner could not recog- nize potential in dark, stained rocks. In judging a race, perhaps something of the same is important. .. . Illustrated by van Dongen From: Administrator of Alien Cul- ReQuEST: That the Supreme Arbiter tures personally check the culture in question Stellar Headquarters and forward his report to this head- Sosterich HT To: Ghan, Supreme Arbiter Parapsychology Center Sosterich IV GENERAL: The Office of Perimeter Research -reports that the culture in Star Group 206 has entered Phase Nine. Phase Nine cultures have a fear base, are unstable, and are usually im- mune to regenerative stimulus. (Ref.: THEORETICAL EVOLUTIONARY PATTERNS, Official Version; I. S. Library.) SPECIFIC: It is the carefully considered decision of the Office of Perimeter Research that the culture in question constitutes a menace to Galactic Security. Therefore, the only logical recourse is immediate extirpation. However, since no culture beyond Phase Eight has ever been known to exist, such procedure will be unprece- dented and will require the authoriza- tion of the Supreme Arbiter. 77 quarters, with authorization appended if his decision coincides with the decision reached by the Office of Perimeter Research, or with recom- mendation as to alternate course of action if it does not. Quadri-dimensional spatial warps involve neither subjective nor objective temporal distortion. Ghan’s transition . not only seemed instantaneous; it was instantaneous. Since the type of investigation he intended to make usually obtained the most relevant results when conducted along unpremeditated lines, he had chosen his base at random. He was neither surprised nor chagrined, then, when he materialized in a snow covered field. If anything, he was mildly pleased to have struck a zone with a climate that was reminiscent of summer on Sosterich IV. A small group of buildings showed against a blue backdrop of afternoon sky, and he set off across the fields toward them. The terrain presented little of interest: a few isolated stands conniicloooks.c© im