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

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

STAR HAVEN and space and alien worlds, yet we are still soldiers at war. And in war there can be no room for sentiment, indi- vidual judgments and per- sonal preferences. And so you must die. Not because of any personal dislike or hate. But because you represent the one thing we cannot tolerate. You represent anarchy.” Williams sighed and seemed to sag a little, not looking at the shocked features of the girl, but keeping his eyes steadily on those of the ecologist. “You will be executed at dawn under the conditions as laid down in the manual.” ““No.”” Hermitage rose from where he had been restraining the now-quiet ecologist. “He will not be executed at aill.”’ “Indeed ?” “Indeed.” The doctor sighed as he looked at the commander. “The girl is right. To kill him would be murder —and you know it.” “IT am acting as instructed by the manual,”’ said Williams stiffly. “If you object, no 51 doubt a complaint can be made to the proper quarters.” “Naturally, but as a com- plaint cannot be made until after the execution, because until there is an execution there is nothing to complain about, it wouldn’t do much good. And in any case, you seem to forget that no ship will contact us for another ten years. But never mind that. You will not shoot him because there are specifica- tions laid down to protect him.”’ “Are there?” Williams smiled, confident of his own knowledge. “Is he insane? Drunk? The victim of hyp- nosis or post- operation shock? Is he suffering from wounds or battle fatigue? Space fever or radiation sickness? To me he seems perfectly healthy and in his right mind.” “You've left something out,” reminded Hermitage, quietly. ““‘What about being a victim of drugs?” “‘Inapplicable.” “Ts it? When for a whole month now he has _ been comicloooks.com