Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 41 — page 87: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION put on a pre-recorded pro- gramme—something strictly technocratic—such as a talk on the esthetic significance of eighth-order harmonics in dis- sonant fugues. Got that?” “Yes. Vil do what you suggest.” “Good. In the meantime— regard those instructions as top secret. We don’t want any leakage of information.” “Certainly, Major.” Rondo clicked a switch, and cut off -the contact. He grinned happily for a moment, then lit up a cigarette. The stage was set for a most interesting situation. Four people sat in Com- mander Kratt’s office at 20.00 hours on the following even- ing. There was Kratt himself, looking confident and su- premely self-important; Major Rondo, immaculate, with a rather enigmatic expression in his eyes; Zora Varney, still dressed in the grey blouse and slacks, and Karl Soliki. A small intercom unit on Kratt’s desk was switched to a radio monitor receiver, located in the communications room on the floor below. 86 Kratt had waived the usual interrogation procedure when Soliki had been brought in; for one thing he was probably full of synapsin, and in any case, it didn’t matter. The Bureau had enough evidence against Soliki to put him in half a dozen gas chambers. “We know all about your plans,’ Kratt had said to Soliki. “I’m going to sit here and enjoy the expression on your face as you hear the preliminary stages of your revolution crumble.” “‘We shall see,’’ Soliki had replied. The girl had said nothing, apart from her first cry of surprise on coming into the room and seeing Soliki already there. It was obviously going to be a gloating session, with Kratt enjoying the increasing confusion of his victims. What would happen after- wards was anybody’s guess. Karl’s fate was sealed—had probably been sealed for a long time, awaiting an oppor- tune moment such as this. She hadn’t much hope for herself. The Secs didn’t usually release political prisoners. commicloooks.comnn