Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 72 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION Murbash agreed to remain silent.” “Only until the next trip,” said Murbash. “It'll come out then.” “That’s not now.” Jelks dragged at his cigar. “The position is this, Mark. You’re in charge of getting new colonists and you’re falling down on the job. Unless we can get more applicants and found a stable colony we’ll be shut down.” His broad red face became sombre. “I don’t want that to happen, Mark. I don’t intend to suffer for the mistakes of my staff. Understand ?” Mark understood only too well. “What I don’t understand,” said Susan, “is why the com- mander is trying to keep the Deneb failure a secret.” *‘Jelks,” said Mark bitterly, “is a twenty-four carat heel.” He stared sombrely around the glittering decorations of the restaurant. An orchestra occupied a raised dais and played on instruments of sequined plastic. The sequins added nothing to the tone, 20 but, in the skilful lighting, the musicians flashed and glowed with prismatic colour. Other luminosities suspended from the ceiling or hung against the walls turned the night club into a fairyland of delight. “Tell me.” Susan had changed from her uniform and looked radiant in an off- the-shoulder gown. She lit a cigarette and blew perfumed smoke towards Mark. He waved it away, one strong hand toying with his glass. “Did you contact Mur- bash ?”’ “*He’ll be along.”’ Susan dis- _missed the captain with a wave of her cigarette. ‘““What’s with Jelks? Politics ?” ““What else??? Mark glow- ered at a passing waiter. “Commander Jelks is one man who is going to come out on top no matter what hap- pens. If we fail I get all the blame. If we succeed then he gets all the credit.’’ He pulled a face as he swallowed his whisky. “The man’s a rat, a clever rat, but a rat all the same.” “So he’s a rat,”” said Susan. comiclooks.corn