Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 48 — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

TABARN!I DOCUMENT Takato hesitated. He found the conversation repug- nant. He thought of break- ing it off when an idea struck him. He pressed the panel which cut off transmission and said quickly to Lubkov, one of the Constructors: “ Get his co-ordinates quick. He’s up to no good, and a blast from the neutralisers will knock out his motors and render what’s left of his fleet harmless.” Then he released the cut- off panel and_ transmitted again : “I do not see the pur- pose of this conversation. Have the remnants of your fleet come to surrender? Reply. Reply.” Now it was the marshal’s turn to hesitate. He pressed down his cut-off panel and turned to the colonel who sat beside him in the control room of the binary. The colonel answered his glance with : “Keep him talk- ing, sir. I haven’t been able to get his co-ordinates yet.” “We should wish to be 53 treated with all due honour if we were to surrender,” the marshal transmitted to his son. “Can you guarantee our lives if we hand over control to you? Reply. Reply.” The Director in the Lunar operations cupola glanced at Lubkov. The Constructor said: ‘Once more and [ll have him.” “Can you guarantee that you have no aggressive inten- tions against the Moon?” Takato transmitted to his father. “Reply. Reply.” The marshal shifted impa- tiently on his seat. He asked the colonel sharply: “ Any- thing yet?” “Once more, sir,” said the colonel. ‘‘ Once more and I'll have him.” The marshal released the cut-off panel and said: “ We have no means of carrying out aggressive intentions. We are entirely at your mercy, Director. Reply. Reply.” In the Lunar cupola Lubkov nodded his head. He scribbled figures on a sheet of comicloooks.com