Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 54 — page 89: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTI@ SCIENCE FICTION almost dead with fear. His hands trembled and his eyes had the glazed look of a man suffering from extreme shock. Little globules of spittle drifted from his quivering lips, his skin looked grey, and the sound of his breathing echoed horribly in the confines of the tiny compartment. Shock, terror, the sickening fear of imminent death and the physical frenzy of despera- tion as he whad fought his way into the lifeshell had combined to bring him near madness and death. Time might cure him—if he were given time. “What I want to know,” said Jeff, irritably, “is what happened? All I remember is the alarm going off, the lights going out, and a lot of people screaming and yelling all around. J thought those ships were supposed ito be fool- proof.” “The pile went, I think. I saw something explode as we blasted free.”’ Lorna looked towards the officer. ““Would he know?” “He should.” Henley pushed against the wall. “Ill go and ask him.”’ The officer looked no better than he had before the first aid. Beads of sweat glistened on his face and neck, and his 88 lips were grey instead of red. He looked up as Henley cushioned himself to a stop . against the wall, then stared down at his equipment. “Can I help?” “Finished. Mrs. Caulder is quite a nurse.” The officer tried to smile at the woman. “Thank you, madam.” *T didn’t do much,” she said, nervously. “I’m not very clever at that sort of thing.” “You did your best,” he said, quietly, then stared at Henley. “I suppose you're wondering what all this is about?” “Naturally, and so are the others. What went wrong?” “Nothing went wrong, not in the sense you mean. We were sabotaged by the Nu- men.” The way he said it made the namé sound like a curse.” “The Numen!”’ “That’s right. They must have sneaked one of their people aboard, God knows how or when, and he did a good job. First he spilled the pile then smashed the rod- controls. He wrecked the lighting circuits and gim- micked the air doors. The guts of the pile burned their way towards the fuel tanks and touched them off. We blasted free only just in time.” comiclooks.cormn