Authentic Science Fiction, December 1951 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

THE MOON IS HEAVEN 21 universe. Way over to one side, the smaller unmanned jobs are standing. Waiting to be launched as soon as the main rocket is under way, bringing up mining equipment and chemical apparatus for Clavier. As you get near the main rocket, you both have to bend your heads back sharply to see its nose. Even a tail fin is twice as tall as you are. And the air-lock is way above you. g Altogether the whole thing is an awesome sight. Some- thing that makes you silent, that would make anyone silent. More grand than the Pyramids, more significant than Stone- henge, greater potentialities than the Ark. As you both stand there looking up at the great machine that will wing you a quarter million miles through space, you fecl some kind of a bond rise up between you. Your arm comes up and rests lightly on Reina’s shoulder. She doesn’t move for several minutes, and then she turns her head and smiles at you. Strangely enough you don’t even want to kiss her. The idea behind it all is too big for that. Kissing wouldn’t help, might make it bad. The only thing is to climb into the rocket and take off for the Moon together. And that will happen at noon. Instead, you walk away to one side and sit down on a boulder. You talk about the Moon, about Atah, about the Moon, about Schnabel and Leeson and Clavier, about the Moon. You talk until it’s time for coffee. But never once do you talk about yourselves. Back in the refectory; with coffee cups steaming and light bread rolls freshly brought up by the London Circle boys from the town way down below, Atah sends his gleaming eyes from one to the other. His intent stare rests on each one for a few seconds before drifting off to the next. Finally he nods with satisfaction. “Good. I can see you’ve all been resting. Everyone knows what to do. . All you have to do is do it.” His heavy laugh rings round the hut and sets up just the comicbooks.com