Authentic Science Fiction, December 1951 — page 34: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER FOUR Aetucd ond Athes " Gradually, very gradually, the pressure increases. Leeson brings finger after finger down on the buttons, firing motor after motor as the rocket streaks down towards the Moon’s inhospitable surface. You lie back on your mattress and try to sleep. But sleep doesn’t come. The uncomfortable weight pushing you away from the rocket’s tail keeps you awake, and you think of what’s going to happen when you land. If all goes well, the rocket will settle gently on its tail and stand there until the blast-off for Earth again. In the mean- time, a dome must be built for everyone to live in and to be waiting for the next party to the Moon. Surveys must be made so that your successors will have a better idea of what minerals and other materials are available. Airy must be made. : But the biggest job of all will be the production of six hundred tonnes of hydrogen as fuel for the return trip. Unless that can be made there will be no return ttip.. Not until another rocket turns up. And that would not be for eight to ten months. If the unmanned rockets arrive safely, you'll have food for three months, no more. As you lie there looking at the situation, there seems to be so many things that can go wrong. You've every confidence in Atah Kark. You know he’s spent years studying just this situation. But you can’t help thinking that something un- foreseen is bound to happen. You hope it will be a minor point. ‘ How’s it going, Lee?’’ Atah asks. The drawling American sends Atah a quick smile then 32 comicbooks.com