Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 52 — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

STAR HAVEN air in a twisted mass of broken bone and smashed flesh. The firing halted as they ran from the advancing menace, and Gerald snapped quick instructions as he threw himself forward down the beach. “Hermitage! They'll be trapped against the cliff unless we can draw it off. Aim for the eyes—if you can see them. Hurry!” Sand plumed from beneath his feet and the pistol snarled in his hand as he squeezed the trigger, holding it back for continuous fire. Slugs whined towards the glistening bulk before him, and red spots blossomed like ugly flowers as he swung the weapon like a hose, trying to find a vital spot in the huge beast. Beside him, the doctor swore with a dull monotony as he recognised the hopeless- ness of what they were trying to do. “Tt’s like sticking pins in an elephant. We're only annoying it,” 37 Thunder and a gush of searing flame spurted from the head of the creature, and in the sudden shocked silence following the explosion, they could hear Williams’ voice. “Take cover. All of you get under cover!” *““He’s got a projector!” Hermitage dragged at the ecologist’s arm. “Lei’s get away from here. Quick!” Gerald nodded, and to- gether they ran away from the threshing bulk. As he dropped behind a_ boulder Gerald saw Williams, straight and tall in his uniform, stand- ing on the brow of the low cliff, a rocket projector cuddled in his arms. Deliberately the commander took aim and a streak of fire flashed from the muzzle of his weapon to ex- plode in incandescent fury against the head of the sea creature. It shuddered, writhed, seemed about to lunge for- ward, then, as if realising that once fully out of the water it would be utterly helpless, opened its shovel mouth and comiclbooks.conn