Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 48 — page 81: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION complain again when he forced himself to crawl back into the spacesuit, after equipping it with a new air unit. He steeled his quiver- ing fingers long enough to get the suit properly fastened, and found himself more con- fident after he was ready for space. Nielson stamped in the proper rhythm to activate the airlock. There was no response from the Perseus. Fifteen minutes later, Niel- son had unfastened his helmet and had listened again to the thrice-familiar _—_ instructions from the manual on opera- tion of the airlock. The manual told Nielson that he had done things correctly. The Perseus, like a friend turned enemy, simply refused to co-operate by reaction to the proper signals. It was unbearably hot inside the spacesuit, within the ship, and Nielson feared that he was feverish from oncoming illness. The thought of the life-rocket bouncing 80 gently or clinging firmly to the hull just outside the ship obsessed him. He clawed at the point where the airlock entered the cabin, attempting to pry it open by brute force. Hammering and pounding, he finally heard something give way. His lips curled into a grin for an instant, then turned white. The hiss of escaping air told him of the rip in the palm of his space- glove, before he saw where he had torn loose the lining. Now he couldn’t go into space again. He was gazing stupidly at the damage when the warn- ing bell for the next report sounded. Nielson feverishly pulled himself from the space- suit, hurrying to be on time for the report. His haste widened the tear, ending all hopes of making repairs. Nielson was seated in place at the bell’s second ring. Waiting for the _ proper moment, he twitched ner- vously as something pinged against the side of the space- comiclooks.com