Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 71 — page 69: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION ground the ashes to powder, lifted that calm green gaze. “Stupid words to frighten children, Jake. Yes, they kid- napped me. I never reached Earth, three months ago. I was indoctrinated—oh, they didn’t have far to go. Each race to its own fulfilment.” Her eyes were shining. ““Look out the window.” Numbly, I moved past her. I stared. In the distant black- ness, a column of living flame flickered up the slope of Cobalt Mountain. Ice-green, ruby, silver and blue. The Terms were leaving. “They're not ready for in- dividuality yet,” Fern breathed. “In a million years, perhaps. Not now. They’re going home.” “To die.” “The race will live. Individuality isn’t the penul- timate, darling. You'll find out.” I moved towards her. “You've got a very tough mind, Jake. You'll make a wonderful Guild agent——” 68 I got both hands on her throat. Fern moved. Her right arm was a snake striking, and a steel strength lifted me, turn- ing, against one and a half gravities, and the floor wavered up to hit mein the face. Some- _ thing broke. I tasted blood. Through the agony, I moved. I crawled towards her. ‘““They gave me six weeks of handcombatundertwogravs,”’ she said. “Soon you'll be one’ of us, Jake. One of the Guild!” I stared up at her in a dull horror. I kept crawling. “We'll heal you,” Fern said. “We'll give you back the dream. We may even. work together! Maybe I'll fall in love with you again, who knows ?”’ Her eyes were brim- ming. She took out a sonic pistol. “It’s all right, darling. Pll adjust it for knockout. In three hours we'll be on a Guild flier. Please, darling,” she said, and I kept crawling. And Fern’s smile was a benediction as she pulled the trigger. conmiclsoOoks.Conn