Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 54 — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

THE LESSER BREED you wrecked the drive. With- out him we would have absolutely no control.” Tutin was quick to seize the initiative. ““He’s right, John- son. Stop acting like a fool!” Johnson lowered the weapon. His bluster could only carry him so far—the conviction that he had ven- tured out of his depth was growing in his mind. “What do you suggest, doc?”’ he mumbled. “Where do you stand in all this, anyway ?” “I’m with you and the colonists,’ said Admans. “The ship should turn back to Farth.”’ He turned to Tutin. ’ The face of the admin officer was a mask of frustrated rage. “Can’t we approach this thing in a sane manner? Whilst we’re fighting amongst ourselves we may be throwing away what little chance of survival remains to us. Admit to yourself the true serious- ness of the situation, instead of being blinded by foolish orders which no longer apply. Why can’t we _ investigate Mayo’s statements? If they are true, perhaps there is _ 35 some way of modifying the drives of the androids.” “How do we do that?” asked Johnson. “By going out into the Styx,” interrupted Mayo. “The four of us could go— you, Admans, Tutin and my- self. If the solution is any- where, it’s out there. You can bring your weapon along to make certain that nobody does anything foolish.” Admans looked sharply at the liaison officer—the sug- gestion had come too readily. The crowd in the hall were silent, watching the playing out of the scene on the dais. Johnson shifted uneasily. The colonists would expect some decisive action from him, as their self-appointed leader. “I don’t know,” he mur- mured. “Seems like asking for trouble, to me. Mayo knows his way around out there—and the radiation .. .” Admans looked up at the tall man, with cold grey eyes. “Scared, Johnson?” he asked, quietly. The big farmer was in a corner. “No, damn you!” he comiclbooks.corn