Authentic Science Fiction, December 1951 — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

64 THE MOON is HEAVEN wiches. You know this isn’t going to be nice—especially for Atah. Schnabel grunts and answers without looking up. ‘‘I work on the air-lock no more. Such treatment as I get here does not please me. They can learn about mining them- selves. I am staying here.”’ “You'll be here a long time, Schnabel,’’ Atah points out.’ ‘““None of us can leave here until that lock is repaired.”’ “I know that. Perhaps, later, I will decide to do it. Not now. I wish to read.’' ““ There’s not a lot of ie Atah explains. ‘It’s a long job.” ‘ *' Do it yourselves, then, ’”” Schnabel snaps. ‘‘ No one is stopping you. You can repair it and dig as much as you wish. My equipment is at your disposal.’’ Atah remains silent for a moment. You sneak a quick glance across and see that Schnabel has not moved. He still has his back to the company. You look at the others. Reina is fuming inwardly. So is Leeson. Clavier is at least pre- serving an exterior of other-worldliness. “Very well, we will do that,’’ Atah says at last. He swings round. ‘“‘ Will you three give me a hand? Reina’d better stay here and watch the electrolysis gear. You know how to work it?’’ ‘“‘ Sure I do,’’ Reina replies. ‘‘ But I’d rather come with you.’’ She sends a meaning glance towards Schnabel. ““T know. But here’s where you must give way to men,’” Atah says gently. ““T don’t think you’d be as useful as the others.”’ ‘* All right. But I think we ought to take shifts.’ ‘‘ Maybe we’ll do that later. For the moment we must get all the heavy work done, Let’s go.’’ The four of you climb into your suits. It seems to you that you’ve done nothing but climb into and out of space: suits ever since you landed on the Moon. And this won’t be: the last time, you reckon. As you go through the air-lock, Reina glances regretfully comicbooks.com