Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, No. 67 — page 120: what you’re looking at

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

THE EARTH NEVER SETS The supply ship arrived right on the dot. I ran the Old Man out in a crawler to pick up the crew. There were two of them; a brisk, efficient little captain and a starry-eyed blond lieutenant who looked too young to be. doing any- thing but playing at spacemen. When we arrived back at Base, the captain produced a sealed folder. He and the Old Man retired to his private quarters. I was left as a kind of nursemaid-cum-guide to show the lieutenant round the Base. “You chaps have done a marvellous job up here,” he said, admiringly. Just for the good of his soul I tried to summon up some of the enthusiasm that had been drained out of me by the long, monotonously routine years—but it tasted bitter, and dusty. We had been through every- thing from ventilation to sewage reconversion in grind- ing detail, when the intercom burst into life. “All personnel report im- mediately to Base H.Q.... All personnel report im- mediately .. .” We made it at the double. The way I was panting to keep up with the young lieutenant showed me how out of con- dition life under low gravity conditions had made me. The rest of them were already there, standing round the Old Man and the captain. The Old Man referred to the sheaf of papers in his hand and spoke: “‘Well, gentlemen, I have called you all together to tell you that there has been a slight change of plan since our talk yesterday. Captain Oakes has brought with him confidential orders which [ have verified by radio with home base on Earth.” I could feel the ripple of tension which ran through the room. Chambers’ eyes were closed, his lips moving as if in prayer. ‘‘First,”’ continued the Old Man. “Both Captain Oakes and Lieutenant Groves have come here not only as crew. They will be staying here as replacements.” I looked at the young lieutenant. He grinned back at me like a kid who has just been given the biggest helping of ice cream. “Second; Captain Oakes will be temporarily in com- mand of the Base. I trust you will give him all the co- operation which you have shown towards me.” 119 conmicloooks.conm