Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 52 — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION “I see.” Williams stared down at his hands. ““Have you discovered any alternative source of food? Fish perhaps ?” “Not yet. The insect life is rare, but I will test to see whether or not we can eat the beetles. I discount the bees, though there may be honey in the forest. You want me to search the lake for fish ?”’ “Yes. We can hardly rely on beetles.” “Why not? Many races eat beetles and other insects and a starving man can’t be choosey.”’ The ecologist stared at the sweating commander. “Anything wrong?” “No, but it is as well to be sure about these things.” Williams forced himself to sound casual. “After all, we are here for at least ten years, you know.” “I know.” Gerald didn’t sound too happy about it. “Did you get around to checking the radio?’ “Yes. Nothing wrong there 26 at all and that’s another thing which worries me. If the first colonists had discovered some- thing wrong with Hyperon, a disease for example, or an alien menace, or something which made it imperative that they leave the vicinity of the settlement, then why didn’t they record a tape to be played back to the ship when triggered by the incoming signal? That would have been ' the simple and obvious thing to do.” He sighed. “It’s becoming more and more obvious that my predecessor was hopelessly incompetant.”’ ““Hermitage wouldn’t agree with you,” said Gerald dryly. “Perhaps not, but Hermit- age claims to have known the man. I didn’t, and I’m not letting sentiment blind me to the fact that he was criminally negligent in his duties. One thing, however, I can promise. Nothing like it will happen again.”’ “No?” “‘No. From now on arigorous discipline is to be maintained. No one is to leave the clearing comicloooks.com