Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 43 — page 85: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION bullets,” said Raikes. “Big as it is, itll feel them, all right. Fetch another box— there’s going to be a battle, after all.” “If we make for the other side of the plateau, it can’t reach us,” suggested Lewes, weakly. “Get that box, Lewes,” said Raikes, with dangerous quietness. Lewes threw a quick, an- xious Jook at the creeping verge. Softly, continuously, the dust-like particles fell. He did rapid mental arith- metic and decided the ship would stand for another fif- -teen minutes yet. He went for the box. Inside the cabin, despite the menace from below, it seemed like a sanctuary. Here was the environment he’d lived in for weeks. It was familiar, friendly, safe. Not like—out there. He sought excuses to linger. The gleam of the TV screen caught his eye. Perhaps the telescopic camera could now discern the approaching monster. 84 Here was a real reason for delay—he might be able to help Raikes by warning him. He switched on, and focused the camera down-river. There was the river, flowing on into the misty horizon and merging with it. He waited a full minute, watching. Then a black shape loomed hugely from the mist, grew rapidly. It was coming. It was near. He ran. He shouted even before the air lock door opened. *“Raikes!”’ But Raikes’ attention was wholly engaged. He was reel- ing about on the river brink in a most unnatural way. He seemed to be having a life and death struggle with an invisible enemy. It was as though someone were trying to wrench the atomic rifle from his grasp, and he was hanging on to it like a terrier. Back and forth he teetered. With a desperate effort, he swung half round. He caught sight of Lewes. | “Help!” he shouted. ““Come and help.” comiclbooks.corn