Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 47 — page 39: what you’re looking at

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

_~ AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION “His mastery over his own mental processes was superb; he deceived us all. I so little realised his true nature that I even staged a demonstration with the force screen in order to discourage him from at- tempting to force his way through it, which was ‘the thought I read in his mind.” “Doubtless he was a master of mind control.’ The pro- jected thought had sarcasm in it. “Nevertheless, you should have seen behind his screen and recognised him for what he was. You were sent back in time in order to provide a means Of escape for Reyell and Mayina, should they need it. Surely it should have been evident that the enemy would anticipate such action, and place a number of agents at various points. However, the war ended many years ago, and immediately this inter- view is over you will return to the period following its close in order to resume the normal course of your life within its natural compass. You are not to be punished for a fault that was shared with others. ”’ Dinton bowed his head. “Did any of my comrades succeed in forcing their way through the time barrier?” “By machirie, none. A few lived through the time-block, in the normal course of — events. The block is still there in time, and the past before the war commenced is forever cut off from us. Which brings me to a serious matter. What are we to do with this woman you have brought back with you from the past ? The laws of our realm are not to be flouted without very good reason. No immigration in time can be allowed. You came here because you were fortunate enough to reach a point of focus for the various dimensions of the Outer Cos- mos, those of our own uni- verse among them. Would you attempt to return this woman to her own time by the same chance that brought her here?” Dinton was silent. “TI see you care for her, but her mind cannot be left in its present state. With her primi- tive upbringing she would never know happiness in our civilisation.” “I do not care to tamper with her mind,” Jenryn protested. ' conmicloooks.conn