Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, Issue 45 — page 76: what you’re looking at

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

DEATH DEFERRED last until the air is safe to draw through the surface vent. We could live down here for six months, if we have to, but they'll be here long before then.” *“Will they ?”’ George stared down into his paper cup, half- filled with tepid coffee. “‘What makes you so sure?” ““Of course they'll be here,” snapped Jeff, sharply. “I’m a Government man, a valuable man, and they know where I live. Aside from that the Civil Defence Rescue Squads will do what they can to save life and property. It’s just a matter of time.” “Six months’ time?” George shrugged. “I hope that you’re right, Jeff, but ’'m not so optimistic.” “Why’s that, George?” Lorna sat down beside her brother and stared at him with worried eyes. “‘Jeff has every- thing worked out, haven’t you, Jeff? He built and stocked this shelter so that we would be safe in case of a raid, and we are safe. The fact that we are sitting here drinking coffee proves it. We’ve got nothing to worry about at all.” ‘Are you trying to convince 75 yourself, or me?” George shook his head. ““Look, Lorna, I don’t want to worry you, but I don’t think it’s all going to be as easy as you seem to think. We counted five bombs, one of them almost directly overhead, and that means that London has been practically wiped out. Even if the rescue parties were still operative, they would have more than they could cope with to help the radiation victims on the fringe of the area; they couldn’t possibly bother with the life- less portions towards the centres of the blast.” “London wiped out!’ Lorna shook her head. “I don’t be- lieve it. Five bombs just couldn’t do that. Jeff, tell him that he’s wrong.” “Of course he’s wrong,” snapped Jeff. “Don’t worry about it, dear. In the course of my work I’ve seen the White Papers on atomic missiles. No nation would use five atomic bombs on a city, they cost too much for one thing, and...” He let his voice trail into silence and scowled at the younger man. “And what?’ prompted George. ““Would it be that comiclooks.corn