Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 47 — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION in the void as he made his way down the long passage. “Let me go, Bill,’’ pleaded - John, coming up behind him. - “No,” he answered, shortly. “Give me a hand with this suit.” The shielded suit used for making inspections of the fission chamber was a heavy and uncomfortable attire. With the helmet in his hand, he paused and gripped John’s shoulder. “It’s better that I go, John. You may not be able to handle the job, and besides, ve about run out of time anyway.” “No, Bill,’’ groaned John. “It’s all my doing; you must letme go.” Bill paused, wondering how he could convince him. “You mustn’t look at it that way. These things happen and that’s all there is to it. But I would like you to take some advice.”’ *‘What’s that?” asked John, hollowly. “Marry her. Don’t let her go out of your life. Marry her quick!” Turning away from the stricken man, he slipped on the helmet and stripped the seals 110 from the door. He paused for a moment to glance behind, but John had left. Then he was inside the engine room. His geiger counter began to chatter excitedly as soon as the radiation penetrated his suit, and after a moment’s hesitation he disconnected it. As far as he could work out he could stand about ten minutes in the room. After that there would be no hope left. Thirty minutes later he slipped the shield back into place and sealed up the fission chamber. His move- ments were sluggish and he found it difficult to think. The realisation was with him, however, that he hadn’t very long to live. With an amused smile he took off the useless suit, put over the control switches and watched contentedly as the scream of the motors rose in crescendo and the little black needle hovered steadily in the safety margin. Switching on the visa-screen he cut out the vision with a thought to his friends in the control room. His face wouldn’t be very nice to look at. comicloooks.conn