Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 48 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION his voice, not his thoughts. The Head fixed them with his flinty gaze. “T think it would be best if we spoke,” he said. “I do not wish our conversation to be intercepted. All the audio- circuits function in my room, so what we say will be secret. You realise, of course, that this boy is someone special. Does his name not mean something to you?” The masters shook their heads. “You have heard of Mar- shal Takato, I presume?” said the Head dryly. Dakers stammered: “ But surely ... this boy .. .?” “The boy is Marshal Takato’s son,” affirmed the Head. “ The marshal and I were acquainted during our college days. Why else do you think he sent his son to this little college on this little barren planet? Oh, I mean no discourtesy to you, gentle- men. But it must be admitted that this school does not rank amongst the foremost in the 10 solar system. Why else, except for friendship’s sake, would the greatest military genius in the system choose to send his son here?” Dakers was deeply offended by the Head’s remarks. He took particular pride in the uniform mental bearing of his boys. But his resentment was modified by the knowledge that the Head was acquainted with Marshal Takato. Takato, the only Terrist to attain high rank amongst the Fighters, had changed the whole concept of warfare. Takato had said: “ Century after century our space vehicles have moved along routes pioneered by rockets five hundred absolute years ago. One would think we were running a transport ser- vice instead of a destructive force. Our task is to let blood, to mutilate, to cripple, to ter- rorise, to wreak vast havoc, not to ferry milk to satellite babies.” Under his brilliant strategy the proud satellites had been forced to meet the Fighting comiclbooks.com