Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 48 — page 53: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION the transparent plastilux dome. - He stopped in front Or a systematic chart and began to operate a hand cal- culator. “ Record this,” he said to a robot. ‘“ Estimated time of arrival ot Fighters, zero five nine hours. And you’d better add a plus or minus half hour tolerance. Get that out to all neutraliser bases at once.” A buzz of excited anticipa- tion broke out from the Con- structors as the robot left the cupola. Takato remained staring at the chart for a moment, stroking his cheek with the calculator. Then he turned and said quietly: “I hope everything is in order. Good. Then there is nothing for us to do but wait.” Several meals came and went. The Constructors changed watches and tried to get some sleep. Then the receiver in the cupola began to hum and emit signals. They were the standard contact preamble of the Fighters. “Marshal Takato calling 52 Director Takato.” The call went out again and again. “Marshal Takato calling Director Takato.” Takato spoke. “ Director Takato receiving,” he said. “Come in Fighters.” “This is Marshal Takato,” said the clipped voice. “‘Greet- ings to the new leader of the system. Greetings from the man who has been beaten by the Takato neutralisers. Reply. Reply.” “No greetings come from the Moon to the man who destroyed the Venusian satel- lites, terrorised all who believed in freedom, wasted the resources of the system in wanton destruction, and mur- dered his wife. Accept the hatred of Director Takato.” “My son,” said the voice in the receiver. “Each man must do what he thinks good. I have killed, but I have been beaten. Now I send you sreetings from the remnants of the once-proud Fighters. We were glorious in our day. Your day has come. Reply. Reply.” comiclooks.conm