Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, No. 51 — page 75: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION he carried. Margaret’s name consoled him. ‘Earth ahead,”’ Peters said quietly. THIS TIME THERE WAS NO excitement in them. The second landing was anti- climax and they did not feel sure what to expect. The ground came up to meet them. Through the porthole, For- man saw rolling hills, thick woods, a swath of green grass, and ... he rubbed his eyes. What he saw could not possibly exist. “Now I know I’m going crazy!” Massive stone castles, three of them, set on adjacent hills, moated and draw-bridged with pennants flying. A double file of men in armour mounted on horses and carrying lances. And spaceships ... Peters laughed hysterically. *T could believe in one—or the other. But not both. Not both together. You see it, don’t you, Larry? Don’t tell me I’m the one that’s insane.” Forman wetted his lips. 74 The spaceships—of varying designs—were grouped about the three castles. Some were tall and bullet-shaped, some spherical, others of dumb-bell form. One looked like a trun- cated cone. Some were pain- ted, some silvered—a few appeared derelict, stained with rust where the protective coat- ing had weathered away. Weeds grew round them and flags fluttered from them. “Larry! You do see it?” Forman nodded. Earth hurtled up at an alarming speed and Peters had to fire the retarding jets in a hurry. It was a bad landing and they were both shaken up. ‘What now?” Peters asked. “Do we go outside? If our reception is anything like last time, I vote for sitting tight.” “We've got to find out what’s happened.”’ Forman opened the door and looked out. Horsemen came trotting up, and one armoured man dismounted and stepped forward. He had a flag in his hand which, after some difficulty, he succeeded comiclooks.com