Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 71 — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION A light burst in Winter’s mind like a rocket, leaving him shaken with the know- _ ledge that he was going to help Barker in his plans, despite the millions more who would die, another savage wound on the same battle- weary generation. “It would be better in another hundred years,”’ Bar- ker admitted. “‘A hundred years for the Earth-Venus Alliance to grow and temper itself into the great thing it will be, and for Mars to seethe and surge in terror and despotism. But unfortunately I won’t live for ever, and I might lose my own gifts if I wait too long. I can’t trust another Barker to be born in - a hundred years. I have to do it now. Premature children often grown up strong and healthy.” ‘““Have you had something to do with this trouble on Mars?” “Me? No. I have no or- ganisation—only millions of Venusians who wouldn’t stand for my death. That’s why I’m here. After this, I still won’t die. Maybe the Venusians by that time will be ready to 24 allow it, having fought against instead of for me; but instead there will be millions of Martians who will only enter the Earth-Venus Alliance if my life is spared. Think of it, they'll lose millions, but the leader who brought about the loss mustn’t be harmed. Next time they'll put me somewhere else—I’ll try to make it Ceres.” It was fantastic the way he assumed success, foresaw fail- ure and exile, and even chose the place of his second exile before he had escaped from . his first. “TI was glad to come here the first time,” Barker ob- served reflectively. ‘““There’s something beautifully ironic about a man being exiled on an asteroid he charted and named. [I was glad they didn’t become vindictive and rename it Persephone or something similarly meaning- less fromclassical mythology.” There was no argument. Barker had chosen the right man. Winter was no senti- mentalist. His soul writhed in horror at the thought of the death of millions. But at conmiclsoo ks. conn