Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, No. 66 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

THE OLD FIRM on Earth. And yet he exuded an air of purpose, a feeling that here was a man—an alien if you like—with some- thing to do in the Galaxy and the determination to get it done. Looking into his eyes, Vaun and Calshot could see there, plain and frighten- ing, the shadow of fear. “Your letter did not men- tion what business you were conducting on Mizrab IV, Mister Rahming,” Vaun said politely. “But feel perfectly reassured that whatever it is, we can be of assistance to you. We specialise in re- organising any planetary ecology, economics, agronom- ics, politics and all types of industrial enterprises.” Enterprises made it not a set speech. Rahming inclined his head, and with that simple gesture both Terrans caught a breath of their visitor’s unworldly origin. They watched him, conscious of his power. “Gentlemen,” Rahming said. “My problem is so simple that I have come to 11 your rather—er—new com- pany.” Vaun trod on Calshot’s foot. “Quite so, sir, politely. “Please do not think I am trying to insult you,” Rah- ming said, his thick lips curving to a quite Earthly smile. His tired eyes clouded at once and his big belly heaved as he settled his gross bulk more comfortably in the chair. Calshot moved forward solicitously. “Shall I dial a larger chair, sir?” “This will do, thank you. My problem is so simple that six other agencies have failed to handle it and have giv up.” ‘Uh, quite,” said Vaun and Calshot in unison. “The problem is this. I run Mizrab IV. The planet is smaller than Earth, pleasant, Terran ecology, G2 sun. Fifty- nine light years from Alpheus. During the past few seasons our crops—our complete live- lihood—have been blighted > he said comicloooks.comn