Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, No. 67 — page 82: what you’re looking at

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

THE LONG JOURNEY est. He sat, half-slumped in his chair, his face glistening with perspiration. ‘“‘Maybe they wiped themselves out as we almost did a time or two.”’ “Tl don’t think so,”’ objected Stanley. “War means ruin, and that structure wasn’t ruined, not as we understand the term. Deserted, yes, but not destroyed. It’s a pity that we couldn’t find any artifacts.” Klien shrugged. “It’s a big planet, and an old one. We’ve hardly touched the surface, and from what I could see that city went way down deep. There could be storehouses and workshops in the lower levels. New technologies, mu- seums, libraries, anything.” He smiled as he thought about it. “This is the biggest thing anyone has ever found.”’ *‘And that makes it good?” Thorne’s voice was heavy with cynicism. “Just because it’s big it’s good, is that it?” “P’m serious, Thorne. This discovery means . . .”” Klien made a gesture. “I can’t tell you all it means. For one thing we’re no longer alone. Intelligence isn’t a freak which has only happened on the one planet. It may even mean that, 81 sometime, somewhere, we are going to meet another race of thinking entities.” “God help them if we ever do,”’ said Thorne bitterly. “If our own history is anything to go by, they’d be better off dead.” ““You’re a cynic,’ accused Leman. ““Why don’t you ad- mit that it’s possible for a race to grow up? We’ve made our mistakes, I’m not denying it, but that’s all over and done with now. Anyway,” he grinned, “‘if it hadn’t been for the cut-throat persecution back in the old days, there wouldn’t have been any pressure to 33 force men into space. Men have suffered, sure, but man- kind has benefited in the long run. What do you think, Hemridge ?” “You could be risht, ”” said the astrogator carelessly. “I was never good at ancient | history.”” He yawned. “I’m all in. Guess [ll get to bed and catch up on my sleep.” He heaved himself to his feet and stood, swaying a little and blinking his eyes. “‘Con- tinue the argument tomorrow when I’m active.” “We'll save it for you,” comiclooks.conn