Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 72 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION ~ _ fingers crossed and making me the patsy. If I can’t im- prove things then he’ll confess to Colburn. If I make a go of it, then the Deneb failure won’t matter.” *“You’ll make a go of it.” Susan smiled at him, and then, as she glanced over his shoulder, lifted an arm in greeting. Captain Murbash, looking uncomfortable in his civilian clothing, eased a _ cautious way between the crowded tables. He looked relieved as he saw Susan and slumped into a chair with an audible sigh of relief. “Some place.’ He looked around the night club with a vague air of wonder. “Do people really like coming to these clubs?” “They try to imagine they do.”’ Mark snapped his fingers at a waiter and gave the order. He smiled at the captain after the man had gone. “I’ve ordered the speciality of the house, genuine meat steak. I hope you’ve no objection ?”’ “To meat?” Murbash shook his head. “I’m a realist. Man is an omnivorous creature, 22 his teeth prove it. I'll eat anything edible, anywhere.” He looked almost cheerful. “Steak, eh? The last steak I had was on Deneb Five. Good, too.” *““Deneb Five,” said Mark slowly. “Just what did happen there, captain?” | Murbash grunted and began to make doodles on the menu. He drew a circle, a spiral, another circle. He was either deaf or didn’t want to answer the question, and Mark knew that he wasn’t deaf. “Bacteria?” Susan knew better, but she was trying to be helpful. ““An epidemic they couldn’t handle ?’’ ““Would I be here if it had been that??? Murbash looked at her from under his eye- brows. “There was no epidemic.”’ “Are you sure?’ Susan switched on all her charm. “TT mean, couldn’t the sur- vivors have been afraid to tell you for fear that you might have abandoned them ?’’ “They had four doctors and equipment for a full- sized hospital,’ said Murbash evenly. “‘I have three doctors conniclooolkks.com