Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 52 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

STAR HAVEN my orders. What do you expect me to do now—give you a medal?” ‘“No, and I can do without sarcasm as_ well!’? Gerald took a step forward, then remembered who he was and where he was and straightened to attention. “I think that you are being unfair. You gave me a double task, to determine whether or not the native produce was both edible and harmless, and I am perfectly aware of the difference. There could be some unknown element, some combination of vegetable acids or mixture of cellular juices which could prove to be a powerful nar- cotic, a stimulant or even a hypnotic. Such things are not rare and, even though some fruits are delectable to eat and perfectly edible, yet to eat them is to become hopelessly dependent on them. The case of the phorypi on Quendis illustrates what I mean. The planet had to be abandoned because of the homicidal frenzy the juices induced. There are other cases, not so 25 dramatic perhaps, but just as insidiously deadly. I cannot as yet tell whether or not the native produce falls into that category, but as there is only one sure way to find out I acted on the assumption that you would want to know as soon as possible.”’ > “Of course.’’ Williams slumped into a chair, sweat- ing, half-ashamed of his out- burst, and yet trying to justify it by telling himself that he was acting for the good of all. He didn’t even think of apologising. To him, that would have been a con- fession of weakness, and a commander must never be weak. He gestured towards a chair. “Sit down.” “T would prefer to stand, sir, if you have no objection.” — “Sit down, Gerald!”’ “Yes; sir.” ““How long will it take to determine whether or not we can safely eat the native fruits ?”’ ““A couple of weeks, say a month to make certain.” comicloooks.com