Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, Issue 45 — page 124: what you’re looking at

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

DIMENSIONAL DESTINY A singularly vicious flash caught the roof of the museum, splitting it apart. The deluge poured into the upper rooms. “Not so safe here, Kleria— better if we move into the mausoleum. A grim thought I know, but it’s a much stronger place.” Naxos had to shout in order to make himself heard above the tumult, but his wife grasped his meaning, and she nodded. They passed along a service corridor connecting the two buildings. There were no locked doors; crime unknown, the geneticists had seen to that; the race was stable and intelligent. A golden age of sorts, though no one claimed that mankind had reached an apex of development, other- wise he would not now be at the mercy of the dimensional cataclysm. Once inside the mausoleum they huddled together for warmth. Without the stabilised weather they felt the cold. The only illumination came from the phosphorescent de- corations which had long surrounded the catafalque- type of tomb. The last resting place of the famous Meldrith’s earthly remains—the scientist- philosopher who had made possible the present advanced understanding of modern di- mensional physics. It seemed ironical that nature’s uwn- controlled energies would sweep all this to one side; here was the strongest build- ing in the district. The noise was deafening. Naxos and Kleria embraced, shouting loving farewells. They huddled still closer... awaiting the end... The mausoleum shook, wavered, seeming to melt away like grease struck by in- tense heat. There was a flash of brilliant light . . . the strident noises ceased abruptly ..! Naxos blinked. He looked at Kleria; she smiled; he grinned, reached out and pulled her to him. Then, very tenderly, he kissed her on the lips. Simultaneously they sprang to their feet, realising that the storm had passed, that all was calm... that they were still alive! They gazed round, un- believingly. The mausoleum was there . .. intact, but somehow different. They ran into the corridor and along into the museum, finding everything restored to normal —yet with a curious change. All had an air of enhancement. Outside they went, staring round in the park; all was 123 connicloooks.com