Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 54 — page 104: what you’re looking at

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

NONENTITY because we’re a little different from you and want to be left alone. You should learn more about your enemies, Henley.” **So you’re the Numan. You wrecked the ship and managed to get on this lifeshell.” Henley laughed, without humour. ““My God! And the officer died so that you could have his rations and a chance for life. You were the one we all felt sorry for. You!” “The more fools you.” There was nothing but acid contempt in the young voice. “I’m a Numan, yes, what you would call a midget, and I wrecked your ship and killed your people. Why not? We are at war, aren’t we?” ‘ “Then you.must have cut the wires. You killed Mrs. Caulder and the others, but why? We meant you no a hoa *“The woman suspected, but even without that she would have had to die. All of them had to die. You don’t know much about survival, Henley. Jeff thought he knew, but he only played with the idea. To survive at all you have to be strong all of the time, not just a part of it. That’s why we are going to win this war. We never stop, we daren’t stop; for us the only rest and peace is in the grave.” He paused, and in the silence Henley fumbled for the switch and tried to throw on the light. He wasn’t surprised when nothing happened. “I wanted the air and food in this lifeshell and to get it they had to die. You had the same idea, the girl, too, but you did nothing but talk. I didn’t talk, I acted, and now I shall survive while the rest of you rot.” He chuckled again. “Funny, isn’t it? When the rescue ship arrives they will all be so sorry for the poor little waif without a home, the nonentity caught in the cross currents of war. They will look after me, take me to Earth, give me a home, and then .. .”” He sucked in his breath. “Then [ll show them what their ‘scum’ can do.” “Perhaps,” said Henley, softly, and kicked himself to one side as steel lashed to- wards him. Savagely he struck out with the medical kit in his hand and grinned as he heard the knife tinkle against the plating. “Now we’re even, you little swine. Now we'll see who survives. You made a mistake, Numan; you talked too much, but then you couldn’t help it, could you? Half-pints like you always like to brag.’ Carefully he 103 comicloooks.conm