Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 54 — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION Mayo smiled grimly. “‘Oh, I think they believed him all right—but they squashed his report, all the same. You, and the rest of the poor fools aboard this ship, think you’re taking part in something pretty grand, don’t you? Man’s first outpost in the stars and all that guff. I hate to disillusion you, my friend, _ but project Astraventurer and those to follow are nothing of the kind. ““Remember what Malthus said about war and pestilence being the natural safety valve which prevented the world from suffocating under the weight of over-population? That little ball of mud we call Earth and the rest of the planets of the solar system, such as they are, can only support so many human beings at a reasonably high standard of living. The World Council abolished war and your distinguished colleagues of the medical profession abolished pestilence. “No doubt some of the members of the I.C.C. truly believe that they are doing something noble and adven- turous—but the real guiding 30 force behind the commission is a group of politicians who see the matter in a rather different light.”’ Admans ran his fingers through his blond hair—his eyes were hard as a sudden chill seemed to freeze his soul within him. “So that’s what we are! Surplus stock to be syphoned off into space. If were killed, it doesn’t matter—just so long as we don’t come back, the project is a success.” His clenched fists descended, beating his knees with brutal force. ““The swine! The dirty swine!” Checking the frenzy of rage suddenly, he looked pierc- ingly at Mayo. “You knew this all the time ?”’ “Of course,” replied the liaison officer. “You must realise that even Goldfarb was not certain of the ultimate results of the space change. He gave me all the information he had and left the choice to 99 me, “And you still accepted the assignment,” Admans said. “Why yes “T told you—the Granellas are the finest androids Gold- Comiclbooks.com -