Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 52 — page 91: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION more serious than. a stomach ache. Big men suffer small pains loudly. Still he could not see Rodell. He wondered how the old Agent would word his report. On the other three sides of the square, closely controlled by the palace guards, stood the workers. Their faces were sullen and angry. At one word from Munson they would rush forward and be mas- sacred in their hundreds in an attempt to save him. But Munson did not intend to give the word. Four palace guards, carry- ing burning torches, walked down the palace steps. They paced, shoulder to shoulder, towards the mound with theatrical slowness. About ten yards away from it they separated and approached from different directions. Munson closed his eyes for a moment to summon the glandular control that would enable him to withstand the searing pain of the fire. He heard a deep-throated growl from the crowd as the torches made contact with the brush- wood and the flames began to crackle upward. He opened his eyes to smile down in benediction on the crowd—and realised, incon- gruously, that he was no 90 longer the centre of attraction. Every face in the square was turned upwards. With a surge of annoyance Munson fol- lowed their gaze. Far up in the cloudless Manyhian sky a shining object was descending rapidly to- wards the square. The heat of the fire began to gnaw at the soles of Munson’s feet. The acrid smoke drew tears from his staring eyes as the ESRA scout ship ceased its descent and hovered some ten feet above him. The Manyhians cowered in terror from the heavenly apparition. The port of the scout ship opened. A transparent plastic ladder dropped down and dangled a few inches in front of Munson. A brief ray of violet light flickered down- wards and he felt the bonds that held his hands melt away. The fire was a roaring torrent and he could smell the reek of burnt flesh peeling from his lower limbs. The lean face of Rodell appeared at the open port. “Get up the ladder, man— quickly!” Munson was unable to speak; the effort of conquer- ing the pain of his burning body was too great. He managed to shake his head. “Blast!”? said Rodell. He comiclbooks.com