Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 44 — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

FIRST DOWN was sarcastic, a flush of red high on his cheeks belying his level words. “We could turn around now—the amount of fuel for the operation would only be that needed to over- come our present accelera- tion. Then we'd begin to drop back to Earth. There’d be enough to go into orbit.” “Well, then—that’s the way out “Like hell it is! I came on this trip to go to the moon. And [’m going. You won’t stop that. Even if it means that on our way back we'll smash into the Earth, or miss it and head for the sun.” Steve wiped his hand un- steadily across his face. The gun almost slid from his sweaty palm and he gripped it again in sudden terror. “‘Isn’t there anything we can do?” “T’ve already told you what we can do. You can be tossed out and then there will be enough fuel.” “No! You swine—turn ~ back!” “Go to hell! I’m the skipper aboard this ship.” *“You’ve no right to do it.” “Why not? You’ve forced your way in here unasked, messed up the life-work of a team of men dedicated to this one thing. You don’t deserve 65 mercy. You’re nothing better than a murderer.” Steve was shaking all over now; sweat filmed his narrow face, shining with a sleazy, sick look. He lifted the gun, then pulled it back to his side. His mouth was working. “Tf I kill you Pll drift on and on out to nowhere, or maybe drop into the sun. And if I don’t——” For the first time since Steve had entered the cabin, Curry rose from his seat. His face held no readable emotion; deep lines, graven by years of battling against pain, shad- owed his mouth, turned his face into the semblance of a death’s head. He sailed easily across the cabin, passing the flinching reporter, to finish up by the airlock hatch. “You knew me back at the station, Steve.’’ Curry’s eyes were hooded, the pupils fixed hypnotically on the cringing reporter. ““You saw me waft- ing fairy-like around the cor- ridors \on the rim. I don’t suppose you gave a second thought to the fact that I never went down to Hub.” Steve choked in a gurgling spasm and shook his head. “I'll never go back to Earth, Steve. I use a wheel- chair there. I’m _ crippled, conmicloooks.Ccomn)