Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 43 — page 55: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION kept their baffle up, we could have tracked it like a beacon. As it is, if I tried to pick up their thoughts—which in it- self is absurd in a town the size of Manchester—they’d spot me and knock me for a loop. We’d probably wind up through a shop window.” “You seem very pessi- mistic.”’ “Marcia, they’ve got two of their positively best im- mortals in that car. heard what one of them did to Prentiss. Psycho sur- gery on an imbecile is hard work.” “All right. If you say so.” She pulled the car into a sidestreet and sat discon- solately looking through the windscreen. “Clairmont!” “‘Listening.”’ “I’m here, too, Guiscard. So’s Savigny.”’ **Well, I’m afraid you’re too late, Duplessis. Nice to meet you again, of course.” _ “Bad news?” “Very bad news. We've lost them.” You * “‘Where are you?” “In a dismal sidestreet in Manchester.” “Raining ?”’ With a chuckle. That was Savigny. “No. But for all I care it can snow cheese. They’ve got Michel safely out of the way, and all we’ve gained from this skirmish is the knowledge that a catastrophic move is brewing, which the opposition have been planning for years.” Duplessis sounded thought- ful. He said: “I’m trespassing on your territory, Guiscard, but it seems to me that we must keep Michel alive—or at any rate, convey to the opposition the impression that a large number of unpleasant things will occur if they either undermine his sanity or put a positive end to his life.” *““Agreed,”” nodded Clair- mont, emphatically. “Maybe if we found him again we'd be in a position to dictate,” suggested Marcia, caustically. ““Maybe,” Guiscard con- 54 Conmmicookxs.comm