Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 52 — page 55: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION “What makes you think that?” “I’ve been studying them. As Williams seems deter- mined to carry out his insane plan I thought I'd better know a bit more about them.” He looked at the doctor. “Incidentally, thanks for sav- ing my life. I hope the fact that it’s taken a week for me to get around to saying it doesn’t lessen my gratitude.” “Forget it.’ Hermitage reached for a nearby fruit and sank his teeth in the succulent pulp. He smiled at Gerald’s expression. “I’ve been eating native: produce for a week now—most of us have, but I’ve kept it from the com- mander.”’ ““Why? Why eat it I mean. I can understand your keep- ing secrets from our dictator.” “T have a theory,” said Hermitage, slowly, ‘‘and if I’m right trouble’s due to break at any moment now.” . “Good.” Gerald made no attempt to hide his satisfac- tion. ““What sort: of trouble? Mutiny ?” 54 “Perhaps.” Hermitage stared thoughtfully at the half-naked ecologist. “If it came to that who’s side would you be on?” “The other side,” said Gerald promptly. “If for no other reason than to stop him wrecking this world.” “He won’t spoil Hyperon,”’ promised the doctor with a calm certainty. ““But he’s got to work it out of his system. I’ve got high hopes of Mary. I think that girl will be the making of him.” “I'd feel happier if you’d have said ‘breaking.’ When I think of the way he was going to have me shot...” ““He didn’t want to execute you, Gerald, but according to his lights he had no choice. You saw how pleased he was when I showed him a way out.” Hermitage grunted as he sat down. “‘Williams is a typical example of the military mind, and as such is very easy to predict. To him everything is black and white. An action must be followed by a reaction. He lives by the manual be- comicloooks.com