DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Ad Astra, v. 1, issue 2, July 1939

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Ad Astra, v. 1, issue 2, July 1939

Page 8

PAGE #8                                 AD ASTRA

"Beyond the Gates" (continued)

manded, flinging myself directly into his path, "for the love of God, speak to me!"

   Unheedingly, he strode through the very spot on which I stood. He had walked through me. I could hear the thud of his footsteps as he made his way into the dark cellar --- in search of me!

   I waded through the walls to my laboratory where Prof. Stone still waited. Then utter rate surged within me. The professor had not been spending his time fruitlessly. Cunningly, he had traced the exact plans to my invention -- the one I had asked him to look at. The two-faced devil --- and I absolutely helpless to prevent him though I stood at his side. His motives were clearer than ever. That invention could be turned into a weapon, a relentless implement of war, far more destructive than any in use. He would sell it to the highest bidder, the damn thief. If only ---

   With the sound of James' return he concealed the plans and innocently rose to his feet. The leer of triumph diffused as the servant came into view, his face ashen with anxiety.

   "Quick, come with me," he beckoned soberly, leading the professor across the house to the cellar door. I could see the surreptitious bulge in his vest pocket, a horrible potential menace to humanity. Only he knew of its destructive qualities; if I could remove him ----- But I was powerless. 

   James came to a halt at the head of the stairs leading down into the gloomy basement, drawing the treacherous, professor alongside. The servant's lips moved silently, whispering words I could not hear. All I could see was my chance --- my opportunity for revenge. Ah, at last! Stone poised quizically on the top stair, peering into the basement gloom. With every fiber in my soul, I willed; I launched myself blindly at his body.

   The blood surged through my veins hotly --- shrieking soundlessly I pushed at his turned back. Emptiness against matter, will against will, I battled feverishly. For a moment failure seemed to face me, horribly, then --- by all heaven --- he slipped, seemingly of his own accord! He fell those ten feet as I had --- fell crushingly to the cold, hard pavement. A scream of horror escaped from his throat before his head cracked fatally against the cement. Then, silence. 

   Revenge --- I had done it, killed him! Killed him by sheer will.

   James stood, shocked to rigidness. He stared awfully into the emptiness, gazing at something --- something.

   I leaped to the head of the stairs, invisible and unnoticed by his side. My soul shrieked in anguish at what I saw, my brain reeled almost to madness. It explained it all --- Lord have mercy. For at the foot of the wooden stairs, lying silent in expiration were TWO bodies ---- one of them mine!

   I AM DEAD!
         
              (The End)
*********************************************************
*********************************************************
                NEXT ISSUE 
AD ASTRA presents its feature fiction story:

   "THE LONELY WANDERER"

             by 
    W. Lawrence Hamling

Reprinted from the "Lane Tech Prep" by special permission.
*********************************************************

Saving...

PAGE #8 AD ASTRA "Beyond the Gates" (continued) manded, flinging myself directly into his path, "for the love of God, speak to me!" Unheedingly, he strode through the very spot on which I stood. He had walked through me. I could hear the thud of his footsteps as he made his way into the dark cellar --- in search of me! I waded through the walls to my laboratory where Prof. Stone still waited. Then utter rate surged within me. The professor had not been spending his time fruitlessly. Cunningly, he had traced the exact plans to my invention -- the one I had asked him to look at. The two-faced devil --- and I absolutely helpless to prevent him though I stood at his side. His motives were clearer than ever. That invention could be turned into a weapon, a relentless implement of war, far more destructive than any in use. He would sell it to the highest bidder, the damn thief. If only --- With the sound of James' return he concealed the plans and innocently rose to his feet. The leer of triumph diffused as the servant came into view, his face ashen with anxiety. "Quick, come with me," he beckoned soberly, leading the professor across the house to the cellar door. I could see the surreptitious bulge in his vest pocket, a horrible potential menace to humanity. Only he knew of its destructive qualities; if I could remove him ----- But I was powerless. James came to a halt at the head of the stairs leading down into the gloomy basement, drawing the treacherous, professor alongside. The servant's lips moved silently, whispering words I could not hear. All I could see was my chance --- my opportunity for revenge. Ah, at last! Stone poised quizically on the top stair, peering into the basement gloom. With every fiber in my soul, I willed; I launched myself blindly at his body. The blood surged through my veins hotly --- shrieking soundlessly I pushed at his turned back. Emptiness against matter, will against will, I battled feverishly. For a moment failure seemed to face me, horribly, then --- by all heaven --- he slipped, seemingly of his own accord! He fell those ten feet as I had --- fell crushingly to the cold, hard pavement. A scream of horror escaped from his throat before his head cracked fatally against the cement. Then, silence. Revenge --- I had done it, killed him! Killed him by sheer will. James stood, shocked to rigidness. He stared awfully into the emptiness, gazing at something --- something. I leaped to the head of the stairs, invisible and unnoticed by his side. My soul shrieked in anguish at what I saw, my brain reeled almost to madness. It explained it all --- Lord have mercy. For at the foot of the wooden stairs, lying silent in expiration were TWO bodies ---- one of them mine! I AM DEAD! (The End) ********************************************************* ********************************************************* NEXT ISSUE AD ASTRA presents its feature fiction story: "THE LONELY WANDERER" by W. Lawrence Hamling Reprinted from the "Lane Tech Prep" by special permission. *********************************************************