Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 48 — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

TABARNI DOCUMENT in the drab uniform. . No one answered. “T am going to the Moon,” said the marshal, “ to visit my son, and to take him with me on a little journey. A little journey to wherever beings go when they have no longer any use for life.” DIRECTOR TAKATO was uneasy. He stood in front of a glow- ing screen which warmed him pleasantly. He balanced in his hand a glass of Venusian spirit which tasted good. He smoothed out the skirt of his elegant blue lounge gown which fitted him like a caress. Yet the transcripts in his hand made him feel uneasy. He glanced at the one which the monitors had pro- duced first. “‘ Venus Revolu- tion transmitting,” it said. “No contact with Martian forces for two days. Havoc in White Zone being brought under control by medical and construction teams. No fur- ther weapons have landed.” The next message read: 51 “Venus Revolution _ trans- mitting. Scanning shows Mar- tian forces have left Venus approaches. Nothing to be seen at high altitude but dis- carded equipment.” The third message read: “Venus Revolution trans- mitting. Confirm departure Martian forces. Provisional curve indicates destination Moon.” The Director tossed his glass of spirit into a canister and began to stride up and down the lounge. He looked up sharply as a robot entered. “Mercuric _ observations, my lord,” it reported. ““Tenta- tive figures only. Curve of Martian flight appears to be towards Moon.” Takato took the sheet of figures from the robot and studied it. Then, with head bowed in thought, he left the lounge and walked along a subterranean passage to the operations cupola. He barely glanced at the group of Con- structors who were stationed at various instruments under commcloooks.conn