Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 53 — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

WITHOUT LOVE “Hold it!” shouted Mattis and jumped. Alisoun’s hand had been stealing out toward the switch of her visor. Now it was twisted up behind her back in Mattis’ hard grip, and she winced. I left my chair, went to the middle of the room, pulled the carpet aside and examined the floor for hidden switches. Then I put the carpet back. “Bring her here,” I said to Maittis. He levered the girl up and marched her over to where I stood. “Is Mattis the one who is going to kill me?’’ she asked, still showing no fear. “You bet,’ he answered, “and if it’s the last thing I do. I don’t want to, really, but I see no other way out.” “Go ahead! She deserves it!’ blurted Tiger. “Oh, stop being melo- dramatic, all of you.” I had come around behind Mattis and was now covering him with my gun, standing five feet away. He still had Ali- 37 soun’s arm twisted up, and his gun was inher side. “Let go of the Dianotrix.” “And I will not. Even if you shoot me, I'll still get her, too.” “That will get us where?” said Alisoun. I grinned. “Exactly! Now listen to me, all of you. ’m going to give you a theory, and after you’ve decided whether to accept it or reject it, then you can still hold your shooting match.” Mattis nodded and Tiger grunted hisunwillingapproval. “All right. You know how an atomic pile works. There is a critical mass of uranium which would go into ultimate fission immediately if it were not for the cadmium dampers. Now, for uranium read ner- vous energy. Imagine a highly brilliant, energetic man, with- out humility, without pity, a man who, when he wants something, wants it and takes steps to get it, without con- sidering anyone else. A rest- less man, always hunting for something and yet not know- conmicloooks.corn