Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 50 — page 108: what you’re looking at

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

WON’T his usual preliminary mental survey of the planet so that he might immediately recognise the rulers when he began his field operations. He inspected the other again and was gratified to see that his mental impression had been so accurate. He was also amused at the hopelessly inefficient construction of the strange life form. Two appendages supported an elongated main mass, on either side of which hung two manipulative tentacles. The Will-centre was contained in a smaller mass perched on top of the larger. An absurdly exposed position. And only two eyes! The loose, brightly coloured outer coverings were probably intended as protec- tion against the climatic con- ditions of the planet. Gwun heepled his churd at the easy conquest that lay ahead and, carefully re-estab- lishing contact with the stran- ger, he proceeded to deliver his standard thought pattern for such occasions. “T am Gwun. I appear 107 POWER before you as an Official emissary of the Multiplicity of Wills. Your planet has been selected as the next to be absorbed within the frame- work of our glorious empire. Very shortly you and your people will be under the benevolent control of the Great Will.” He paused, expecting one of the standard reactions to his news: horror, anger, surprise, disbelief, even attempted physical violence, but there was nothing apart from mild interest. No emotional re- sponse was detectable. Surprised but not dismayed, Gwun continued: “It is quite useless to try resistance. You have not the Will-power necessary to oppose us, and the sooner that fact is realised the better for everyone con- cerned. “Bluff will not help you either. I have already probed you and ascertained that you are completely lacking in awareness. It is axiomatic of the Multiplicity that where there is no awareness there —Comichbooks.com