Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 54 — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

THE LESSER BREED seated himself on a _ chair, facing the android liaison officer: “Tutin asked me to come along and talk with you. We just had a rough passage ai the staff meeting— ~ %> Johnson “I know,” interrupted Mayo, grimly. “Johnson wanted me jettisoned out of the nearest airlock.”’ “That’s about the size of it,” said Admans. “But what he had in mind wouldn’t have been quite as quick or pleasant. He had some strong support, too. Harewood and a couple of the geologists were more than keen on the idea.” *““Want me to give you the list?’ said Mayo, with a sneer. “I could name them one by one—all the purblind, narrow-minded anti-android swine. And our dear military- minded admin officer—how did he stand?” Admans pulled a cigarette case from his pocket and offered it to Mayo. “Luckily for you, he’s just that. When a man like Tutin is in com- mand, nobody from below tells him what to do. He was 27 forced to make a stand and tell them that you were to be kept alive, pending a court martial which would take place after we have made a landing.” Mayo whistled humorously. “That must be the longest adjournment in history.” “Maybe,” said Admans. “But afterwards, when there were just the two of us, he qualified the statement. Watch your step, Mayo—you can only hope to remain alive just so long as you co-operate with him in the handling of the androids and ensure the efficient running of the ship.” Mayo lit his cigarette. ““Be- tween you and me, Mark— that’s a soft touch. Those Granellas will take the Astra- venturer to its destination if they have to go through Hades to get there. They can’t do any other with the conditioning that was pumped into their brain matrices.’ “Even without you?” said Admans, quietly. Mayo was suddenly aware that he had placed his life in the hands of the medic. Per- — haps some unconscious comicbooks.conm