Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 44 — page 45: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION culties that might develop on Tauron as a result of such a sudden change, say, unrest in the army, I would willingly send back with you a con- siderable portion of my own Space Fleet.” | I could almost hear the high whirring noises made by the minds of the Council as they contemplated the many- faceted aspects and complex subtleties of this bland offer. If they chose to support me to the extent of demanding an abdication from Tomos, all might go extremely well with them; but it might not, for even if I forced a form of abdication from Tomos, my position was still most pre- carious. I should have the army at home and _ public opinion to contend with; the tables might be turned on me, and brother Tomos would revenge himself on his be- trayers. But the King was offering me his fleet. If they did not support me I should kill Tomos, and some of them, and imprison the others, or at the very least look on them with disfavour. Undoubtedly the correct move was to support me—and if Tomos later turned the tables on me, one could always claim to have acted 44 ‘one thing that matters . . thus purely and simply to save his life. One of the Councillors rose to his feet. He pulled his robes about him, and looked as dignified as he could. *““My Lord King,” he began. “In this business there is only He paused pretentiously. ““The well-being of the peoples of the two planets.” Everyone thought this was a good gambit. There was a murmur of approval. The speaker took confidence from it. “Let us, therefore, not en- quire too closely into the causes of our present diffi- culty; let us not seek to attribute blame; let us look forward instead of back. Clearly, and _ reluctantly though we do it, we must ask our King Tomos to take note of the present urgent circumstances.” The old rascal spoke as if he was completely and bliss- fully unaware of the most urgent and pressing circum- stance of all—the two blast guns held in the unwavering and tireless grasp of James. My brother’s face was a study of changing emotions. Events had gone at a gallop beyond his control. I do not connicloooks.com