Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 42 — page 139: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION | sors had left in the medical journal I reconstructed the doctor’s theory—and a true picture of the wave.” He paused, gulped a few breaths of air. ““You see, the wave is of incredibly high fre- quency, really. It originates where all human energy origi- nates, apparently, down in the very cells of which we’re made. And it has all the potential of those billions of cells. “It sparks our nervous and motor systems; as it courses through the thalamus it pow- ers our emotions; in the cortex it generates thought, and in the higher centres of the cortex, creativity; and where it routes through a post-cortical node it has the ability to penetrate matter and control it, to penetrate mind and——’” “____and never does,” Samuels said. “It may have such ability. I’ve never seen evidence of it.” Kermit nodded. “I know. That’s where purpose and in- hibition enter. I suppose you read the journal?” Samuels grunted. “I noticed the words.”’ “Yes. Well, my theory is that they’re directly related.” He’d never really had a theory. But suddenly the whole thing was falling into place. It had to be explained in terms of structure and order, and that was precisely how Kermit saw it. “It’s axiomatic that every human being alive must have had common ancestors, there- fore common genes and com- mon cells. Our higher centres aim at individuality. But our very cells recognise kinship. Now suppose we purpose an act. Our senses may be dulled so that we don’t see—or don’t care—that others may be injured. “But our very cells know it! Immediately an inhibition is set up. Our most powerful force is choked back, weak- ened, at the very source of its power.”’ Kermit shrugged. ‘““That’s why we’ve never seen the wave in action. It would take per- fect integration of individu- ality and kinship. How many men could have achieved this? A Ghandi, perhaps. A Christ.” There was a long silence. Then Samuels said, slowly: **You know what I think, Ker- mit? I think you’re insane.” Kermit sagged. It was no use. Samuels’ shell was too hard. It would take more than theories, no matter how lucid, to penetrate. 138 comicbooks.conn —