Avon Fantasy Reader No. 13 — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

a It barely made the journey to Jaron, the nearest planet, and crashed so badly, from lack of power, that all save one man were killed. “He luckily tore off his menore, and insisted in speech that he be brought here. He was obeyed, and, in a dying condition, was brought to this very chamber.” Kellen glanced swiftly, sadly, around the room, as though he could still visualize that scene. : » “Every agent of the Alliance upon that hateful planet was set upon and killed, following the working out of some gigantic and perfectly executed plan—all save the crew of this one tiny scout ship, which was spared to act as a messenger. ““Teli your great Council,’ was the message these people sent to us, ‘that here is rebellion. We do not want, nor will we tolerate, your peace. We have learned now that upon other worlds than ours there are great riches. These we shall take. If there is resistance, we have a new and a terrible death to deal. A death that your great scientists will be helpless against; a horrible and irresistible death that will make desolate and devoid of intelligent life aay world where we are forced to sow the seeds of ultimate disaster. _ “We are not yet ready. If we were, we would not move, for we prefer that your Council have time to think about what is surely to come. If you doubt that we have the power to do what we have threatened to do, send one ship, commanded by a man whose word you will trust, and we will prove to him that these are no empty words.’ : 7 “That, as nearly as I can remember it,” concluded Keilen, “is the message. The man who brought it died almost before he had finished. “That is the message. You are the man we have picked to accept their chal- lenge. Remember, though, that there are but the four of us in this room. There are but four of us who know these things. If you for any reason do not wish to accept this mission, there will be none to judge you, least of all, any one of us, who know best of all the perils.” es “You say, sir,” I said quietly, although my heart was pounding in my throat, and roaring in my ears, “that there would be none to judge me. “Sir, there would be myself. There could be no more merciless judge. I am honored that I have been selected for this task, and I accept the responsi- bility willingly, gladly. When is it your wish that we should start?” | The three presiding members of the Council glanced at each other, faintly smiling, as though they would say, as Kellen had said a short time before: “Youth! Youth!” Yet I believe they were glad and somewhat proud that I had replied as I did. 3 | “You may start,” said Kellen, “as soon as you can complete the necessary preparations. Detailed instructions will be given you later.” He bowed to me, and the others did likewise. Then Kellen picked up his menore and adjusted it. | The interview was over. “What do you make it?” I asked the observer. He glanced up from his instrument. . 29 +8 connichbooks “Tea oo Porade @ Jlumn Tawn @ Charry, my Trieort Cries for You ¢ The Paving Kind e@ Ww y SVNIIGTIGSES (E(0) S