Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 50 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION helmet back, ran his fingers through his hair. “I can’t think straight. The pain is beginning to dislocate my co- ordination.” That had begun some time ago, Jarril knew with a quick flash of anger at himself for his own lapse. He _ should have investigated Garfon’s capacity to carry on before this, before so much time had been wasted. With an abrupt movement he drew his knife and handed it to Garfon. “Thanks, Jarril. I’d better use my own. You can start at once and waste less time.” Jarril accepted his knife back and stood waiting. Garfon licked his lips and brought his water - bottle round, flipped up the cap and raised the half-full bottle to his mouth. Quite naturally, Jarril barred the completion of the movement, took the bottle away and corked it, hung it on his own belt. “Sorry, Jarril.” Garfon stared dully at his knife. Glancing at his wrist- watch, Jarril scuffed his foot suggestively in the sand. Already the sun was bisected by the horizon and _ black shadows stretched away from the dunes and ridges and crops of boulders tossed hap- hazardly across the desert. Garfon tightened his grip on the knife without saying any more and took a deep breath. When it was over, Jarril methodically removed all Garfon’s equipment. What he couldn’t carry he would dispose of some distance away from the body. Already cold was chilling him between his shoulder blades, where sweat had collected and dampened his shirt and coverall during the rapid dash from the smashed lifeboat. Finally he surveyed the scene, selected a fair-sized boulder and heaved it to shoulder height with one fluid lift of arms and shoulders. He brought the boulder - down with all his strength onto Garfon’s skull. That should—in fact, he shook his head annoyedly at his own lack of definition—it would prevent the Sokkaths from reading the information contained in Garfon’s brain cells. The aliens’ neural re- call surgery technique was in the same class as that of the comiclbooks.com