Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, Issue 45 — page 119: what you’re looking at

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

‘ AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION sector has already gone, Naxos, and I’m sorry to have this news for you... I realise how many years you worked with that wonderful team of yours.” An air of great sadness came upon Naxos; then, quite suddenly, he squared his shoul- ders and a grim look came on his face. Before he could reply the emergency line of com- munication with the Council flashed for attention. Rendlow, the Supreme Minister, looked very serious. “Citizens, we feel that an attack has been launched against us. Intelli- gence indicates that this comes from 5D.” Kleria looked meaningly at Naxos. She noted the tight lines round his mouth. The Minister continued: *“‘All emergency measures are operative under Class One plus, which means the man- ning of the BZ-ray ready for attack if necessary. Appoint, at once, integrator officials for the closest possible liaison. Continuous reports are to be given. That is all.”’ As the Minister’s face faded Ekrill bustled about his desk pushing buttons as though his life depended upon it, and probably that was true. He jerked his head: ‘Naxos, Kleria, I’m appointing both 118 of you as integration officers. Take over in control five.” The control room (5) was equipped with every possible instrument. Kleria’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Some of this you must ex- plain, Naxos. I’m a little behind the times.”’ “That will not be difficult... mostly refinements. These de- tectors can trace dimensional frontiers with uncanny ac- curacy and show faults in the energy patterns. [il demon- strate the fault we'll find near my own sector... or what was my sector.”’ The detectors flickered and the scopic amplifiers hummed, but the long-range viewcators adapted for pattern readings in the output channels only presented coherent lines on the beaming field; the resultant receptics were chaotic. “That’s it,’ Naxos ex- claimed. “‘No formulation of the basic return frequency which should be there. All we have is the fundamental flicker of the probing transmission. We'll have to search the perimeter and plot those which are still existent and amend our charts.”’ | They worked many hours, reporting every thirty minutes. Eventually, they had a fairly complete picture ... one of comicloooks.com