Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 52 — page 42: what you’re looking at

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

STAR HAVEN “Sol, you mean. You couldn’t see Earth from here even with a telescope.” Her- mitage stared up at the night. “I’m no astronomer, but we can find out if you’re really interested.” *‘Should I be?” “Perhaps—if you’re going back there. But if you’re not, then why worry? As far as I’m concerned Sol is just another star, and a pretty dim one at that. I... .”’ He let his voice fade to silence and Gerald squirmed beneath the sudden grip on his arm. ehh | en ag “Silence.” Hermitage pointed towards the edge of the clearing and spoke in little more than a whisper. “See it? Over there beside the seed store?” “No.” Gerald squinted in the darkness. “I can’t see anything.” “It’s gone now.’ Hermitage released his grip and spoke in his normal tones. “‘Probably a trick of light and shade. This dusk and faint starlight is 41 deceptive, but I thought I saw a man standing just by that building.” “What of it? A guard perhaps, or someone out for a last stroll? It could even have been one of the women saying goodnight to her boy friend.” “Perhaps, but I don’t think so. I had a different impres- sion.” Hermitage walked slowly towards the dim bulk of the store. “I could be wrong, of course, but maybe we can find something.” A small handbeam glowed to life as he pressed the switch, the: bright circle of light cutting through the gloom and shining on the soft loam around the building. ‘“‘Care- ful now.” The doctor moved back and forth, doubled like a monkey, the light shining down towards his feet. It swung, hesitated, swung again, then settled as Hermitage gave a grunt of satisfaction. “There! See it?” Gerald looked, and swal- lowed, then looked again, hardly daring to believe what comiclooks.cormn