Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 46 — page 131: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION Gulsworth laid a hand on _his arm, forcing him to turn. “I want to know now.”’ Bradley knew he did. It was no good putting it off because it left a bad taste in the mouth. With one hand on the ladder, he turned his head. “O.K.” Gulsworth went away with- out answering. About midnight the convoy called on the visiphone. The face on the screen looked drawn, defeated. They had been going a long time. *‘“Coming up to the crossing now.” “Any sign of the others?” “Sure. Can see their lights up ahead.”’ The eyes suddenly focused with interest. Tired- ness fell away from the face like a mask. “That’s funny, they're stopped. Hold it, there’s something going on up there. Cripes, what a pile-up! Looks like half a dozen tankers!” Bradley tapped anxiously and futilely at the screen. “Can you get through, man?” “Sure. We can get through. But d’you know what? We’re the only ones that can! The other two roads are blocked. 130 One of those guys must have taken the wrong turning.” “Yeah,” said Bradley, slowly, as he switched off, **T wonder which ?”’ As Bradley stood watching his tankers fill up the ship, Bulmont came up to him. The early morning sun detailed his features with a sharp clarity. His hair was disordered, and his face a dead white, except for the mottled patches on his cheeks, like paint. His eyes were curiously remote, im- personal, and his discarded: tie trailed from his jacket pocket. . ‘Looks like you’ve made it, Bradley.”’ The voice had gone up half an octave, and the smile looked indecent. “It’s the luck of the game.”’ ““Maybe. But you’ve got to stand a long way back to see it. I’m finished, anyway. In a way I’m glad; it’s been a long time coming.” There being nothing left to say, he wandered off aimlessly among the trucks, like a lost child. It only remained to transfer the Clotid’s treasures to the armoured vehicles. That took some time, for each article had to be separately handled and listed. Although he had COMICSOOKS. COM ©