Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, Issue 45 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION for life on the exterior surface of Mars, would make them far more fit for life on the arid, dusty planet than were any Earthpeople yet born. It had been a great dream. Now, with the flowering of the experiments and the fruits of the dream within his grasp, he dared not allow a single little thing to interfere with the next, logical step. After the congressional investigation committee had done their work, and had reported his full and unqualified success, he would go on, with more parents and more children. He remembered the two committee men who had come up from Earth and cursed under his breath. “‘Report anything else of a similar unlikely nature to me_ right away, Armstrong,” he said, absently. ““Don’t make an issue of it with the children. Just accept what they say.” “But, sir. Surely if we allow any false impressions to be- come implanted——”’ “For the moment, no ques- tions and no doubts.” 10 “Very well, Doctor.” Armstrong’s bearing and voice spoke eloquently of his acid reproof. Carpenter stu- diously ignored that, and went back up the corridor with a perfunctory goodbye. He was coughing again by the time he had reached his office. Louise was not there, and with a swift, furtive glance at the door of the washroom, he went on into the dimness of Laboratory Number One. Lab. No. 1! It was here, under the arch- ing dome that had first risen to form the nucleus around which the rest of the research station had grown, that his theories had been put to the test ten years ago. He’d been twenty- six then. Behind him, ten years of agonised effort to bring himself up to the educa- tional standard that warranted a degree and the microscopic, fragile beginnings of the dream. Then, at twenty-six, the swelling triumph of put- ting those theories to the test, financed by an eager congress back on Earth. comcloooks.conn