Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 52 — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

STAR HAVEN or rotted. There is at least one other alternative.” ‘Radiation ?”’ He shook his head. “The soil was tested for that before the settlers landed. There is no reason to assume that the seeds were killed by an excess of ground radioactivity.” “I wasn’t thinking of that,” she said slowly. “But did you notice the beetles?” “You think that they would have destroyed the seeds?” He frowned as he thought about it, acutely aware of the gaps in his knowledge. Com- manders were picked for their ability to stick to orders and not for ingenuity and initia- tive, but even he could see the flaw. “No. If that were the case how would the native plants survive? If the beetles ate all seeds there is no reason why they shouldn’t eat roots and other vegetation. Why pick on terrestrial seeds?” “Some subtle difference per- haps?’ Mary sat down as she returned to her task. “If I may suggest a line of investi- gation ?”’ . amused by his **Please do.”’ “Plant control areas. Plant some boxes which have been sifted and freed of beetles. Plant others with beetles. See which grows and which doesn’t.”” Again he had the impression that she was ignorance. “Shall I attend to it?” ““Yes.”’ Shyness and a sense of inferiority made him even more curt than normal. “Re- port to me when you have determined the cause. Give the project top priority.” He nodded and walked out into the brilliant sunlight, annoyed with himself for feeling dis- turbed and yet warm with the satisfaction of getting some- thing done. Gerald waved to him as he crossed towards the hut he was using as an office. “Commander.” “Yes?” “I’ve just finished the tests on the fruit and nuts.’ Gerald was grinning. “Both edible and harmless and, if I might say SO, very nice too.” “You've eaten some ?”’ comicloooks.com