Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 54 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION androids. He should be con- sulted.” Tutin’s eyes were veiled. “J did not consider it ad- visable to involve Mayo at this stage. He is rather fana- tical about his charges.” “But surely his opinion is necessary under the circum- stances?’ persisted Admans. “‘He is the only one whose work takes him into the Styx. If there were any truth in this preposterous allegation, he would be the one most likely to know.” ““Exactly,”’ Tutin said. Admans was incredulous. “You mean, you don’t trust him? You would rather listen to the babblings of this half-witted agitator? Perhaps I should have told you that the radiograph I showed you this afternoon was of Mayo’s wife. Do you seriously believe any man would do a thing like that to his own child?’ Tutin hesitated. One hand moved to finger his moustache. “This is not a personal mat- ter, Admans. I am in charge of this expedition. You have your job to do—but I have to co-ordinate the whole project. 16 | To do that, I must have the full picture of what is going on. This man came to me with a plausible theory, which could account for the trouble we are having—I had to listen to him. I wanted your opinion, because you more than anybody should realise the seriousness of the position.” “T'll give you that, in two words,” broke in Admans. “It stinks! And if you believe it, you’re an even bigger fool than I took you for.” He kicked the chair from beneath him and stamped out of the office. Walking along the corridor, his rage began to simmer down a little. He realised that he had allowed his own personal feeling of animosity towards Tutin and Johnson to goad him into a rather foolish display of temper. He shrugged —Tutin could take no serious disciplinary action against him —his function was too im- portant to the well-being of the project. Admans entered the main corridor of the staff living } j comiclbooks.conn