Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 54 — page 123: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION gripped the Head in both hands to keep it from rupiur- ing the flesh and plastic join by the violence of its motions. ““We’re friends I tell you. _ Friends.” ' “Then kill me. If you love God then kill me. If you hope for mercy or salvation, kill me. Make an end. For God’s sake, make an end!” “You know?” “I know. I keep coming back, keep thinking that I’ve been asleep, that I’m normal, with a body instead of a machine. I keep trying to move and then I can’t move, and then they come and do things to me, and...’ The drooling voice dissolved into formless screams, the eyes glazed and as the screams faded into insane mumblings, Longsirom had the menial impression of a damned soul running shrieking down the endless, twisting corridors of hell. “They'll never get me,” he whispered, sickly. “They’il never take me alive.”’ He wasn’t surprised to find that he was soaked with sweat. They met the enemy two days later. Harding grunted as he saw the flash from the alarm and his finger stabbed the inter- 122 ccm button as he slipped into his chair. “Red alert. Enemy sighted.” Carter licked his lips as he took position, little beads of sweat shining on his face and neck, his hands quivering with tension. Longstrom felt like an unwanied dog. He had nothing to do. Always before he had been the busiest man on the ship in time of combat. He had con- centrated on his instruments, trying to join himself to the relays and the scanners, sens- ing the flow of current and trying to anticipate, by just that fraction faster than the enemy, and so gain the ad- vantage. Now the Head had taken over and there was nothing for anyone to do. “Object approaching 34:56:298.”” The voice was mechanical, lifeless, dis- interested. “We'll get them this time,” gloated Harding. “They will be relying on our time lag and poorer computation.” He glared at Carter. ““Keep your hands away from the firing controls. You're there to check, not operate.” Wes, Irs “Sit down, Longstrom. Watch the screens and try to anticipate. See how near you comiclooks.corn