Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, No. 66 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION by a weed. The weed has been destroyed three times in its entirety, or so I thought; but each time it has regrown. Now, my people are desperate. The Galactic Union have tentatively refused to extend any further credit. If they finalise that, my people will starve. I need your help. Simple, isn’t it?’ ‘The six previous agencies,” said Vaun. “They destroyed the weed?’ _ “Three did, on the occasions when it was routed out. The other three agencies unac- countably gave up almost before they had begun in- vestigations.” “IT see. And the weed itself ?”’ Rahming shrugged his tre- mendous shoulders. “‘A multi- farious, many branched flower, with small blue-petalled heads. It seems to grow up alongside our normal crops and then, just about the time we begin harvesting, it flowers, seeds and chokes everything.” “You would say that on Mizrab IV this weed has an 12 advanced, an accelerated, time life ?”’ “Yes. I am not familiar with the world of its origin; it is not natural to my world. But I would concur that it goes through its life span after flowering very much faster than it does on its home world.” Rahming produced tri-di colour slides and they watched the life and death cycle of the crops and the weed. **There’s precious little food left by the time the weeds have finished flowering,” Cal- shot said grimly. ‘‘All right, Mister Rahming. My partner and I will take your case, and we'll solve it for you. After all, we do specialise in ecology .. .”’ Calshot broke off abruptly, and glared at Vaun. When it came to pinching each other’s speeches—— “Thank you, gentlemen.” Rahming heaved himself up. He didn’t seem to have any real interest. He’d gone through. this so many times before that by now he had coniicloooks.com