Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, Issue 45 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION tion and heredity value. Of course, the full effects would come in the grandchildren; that was to be the next great step forward in research. What remained now, what he was expeciing to be allowed to do after the meeting in a month’s time, was the wholesale irradia- tion of volunteers to form a hard core, a nucleus of colon- ists for Mars. After that, his work on Venus forwarded by his success with Mars, other eugenicists would carry on, produce the first colonists for the misty, damp planet. He would show the way—a sort of elder statesman, a doyen—the pros- pect of the future was dazzling in its possibilities. And now the Government were stepping in with a flat no. And no appeals. He became aware that Merrick was speaking. “Look, Doctor. We know youre ill. You’ve been work- ing under far too much of a strain. You'll crack up, have a nervous breakdown. Can’t you see it?” 20 “[ can carry on with my work as long as is necessary,” Carpenter said, stiffly. “The Government is pre- pared to have this matter fully thrashed out at the meeting in a month’s time.” Merrick twisted his cigar round in his wet mouth. ““But we’re here to put a proposition before you.” TXCBT “It’s this. Leave your work here at the point at which it has arrived. Retire. Have a good time. Enjoy yourself. See a doctor about that T.B. Later on, when the time is ripe, the Government of Earth will take up your work again.”’ ‘“‘Waste ten years of my life? No, twenty. D’you think I should throw all that away now? What d’you think all this is about ? Am I just an old shoe that you don’t want and so toss aside?” “We were rather hoping you wouldn’t take it like that, Doctor.’ Mackenzie’s hooded eyes and sallow face brought home that likeness to a rock lizard with force to Carpenter. He shivered. He opened his comicloooks.com