Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 71 — page 40: what you’re looking at

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

POINT OF VIEW slowly. ““We do need water, and I suppose that it will be allright. But you'll take care?’ “Til watch it,” promised Malchin. He grinned, con- scious of his own superior bulk and courage. “I'll take one of the projectors, you can have the other one, and if I see anything Ill shoot first and ask the questions after- wards.”” He chuckled and slapped the little man on the shoulder. “Stop worrying, Carter. There’s nothing out there to hurt me. This is a sterile planet; there aren’t even any natives.” He was wrong. The journey to the stream took longer than he thought, and it was getting dark by the time Malchin came within sight of the lifeshell. He grunted, setting down the five-gallon container, and flexed his arm to ease his muscles. The projector was awkward; it kept slipping from his shoulder, and he tightened the sling, hoping that this time it would stay in position. He was stooping to pick up the water can when 39 he figures. They were all around him, almost invisible in the tall grass, small shapes something like an animal but disturbingly familiar. Malchin released his breath in a long sigh, turned suddenly and stared back the way he had come, then, cau- tiously, picked up the con- tainer and continued his jour- ney towards the ship. He was nervous, the skin prick- ling between his shoulder blades, but he forced himself to walk steadily towards the haven of the lifeshell. He was sweating when he slammed the door behind him. ““What’s the matter?’ Car- ter, his thin face anxious, stared at the big man. “‘Has anything happened ?”’ “We've got company.” Malchin slipped the projec- tor from his shoulder, stood it in its rack, and crossed to the window. He stared out into the deepening gloom. “Company ?” ‘Animals, or natives, I wasn’t sure which, and I became aware of the | didn’t stay to find out.” — Malchin touched a_ switch and the skin-lights suddenly CEomllchbooks.conn =