Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 50 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

IT TAKES TWO send a radio message imme- diately. It is of vital import- ance to Earth. Do you know where the owner of this radio apparatus is?” “My father? Oh, he’s gone off on a desert-lynx shooting hunt. Half a dozen of the men have gone. Should be good hunting weather, right after a storm like this.” “Yes, yes. Who else is there around that I can a4 ‘““My father is the only per- son who owns a radio here that can send a message to Earth.” The girl picked up one of the cans and unclipped it from the yoke, and went in the dome. “Come in and I'll fix you something to drink. It’s) always dry weather around here, whatever else happens.” “You mean that this is the only radio?” “Surely. need two?” “Well——” Jarril fumed. “Look, in a case such as is happening now, I must send this message. I'll have to use the equipment myself.” “The door’s locked.” The girl nodded to a parti- tion walling off the rear of Why should we 21 the room, at right angles to two other walls behind which were presumably _ sleeping quarters. The door was loosely fastened with a large and antique padlock. Jarril smiled. “ft don’t call that door locked. Why, even a child could get in there.” “Of course. It stops the dogs, though.” The girl busied herself at the stove, and soon Jarril wrinkled his nose as frying bacon sent palate-tickling odours circling in the room. This whole affair had the quality of a nightmare. And Jarril didn’t believe in night- mares—they were strictly for the maladjusted. He had come through Spatial Academy with one hundred per cent. Some little back- woods settlement would cer- tainly not step between him and his duty. He crossed the room determinedly, stood before the padlocked door. “T wouldn’t open that door if I were you,” the girl said casually. “But if you have to, I guess you have to.” “The Galaxy is at stake, miss,” Jarril said stiltedly. comicloooks.com