JIGSAW
By TOM McMORROW, JR.
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Thrilling Wonder Stories Winter 1954.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES
Spaceport Chicago, February 26, 2168.... DEPARTING—Spaceliner AmericanBeauty, Galactic Spaceways, for Mars. Scheduled to arrive SpaceportNew Dallas May 14. Eighty-seven passengers. Captain Anthony Kostov inCommand.
FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BULLETIN
THE SPACELINER AMERICAN BEAUTY CRASHED IN FLAMES TODAY ON THE LANDINGFIELD AT NEW DALLAS, MARS. OFFICIALS OF GALACTIC SPACEWAYS STATED THATLOSS OF LIFE WAS QUOTE LIMITED UNQUOTE. NO FURTHER DETAILS IMMEDIATELYAVAILABLE.
TRANSCRIPT
May 27, 2168—The following conversation between the spacelinerAmerican Beauty and GCA, Spaceport New Dallas, Mars, was recorded5/14/2168 and played at the official inquiry today:
KOSTOV: Calling GCA. This is Kostov in American Beauty callingGCA New Dallas. Do you read me? Come in, GCA. Over.
GCA: GCA to American Beauty. You're in the screen. Come in.All clear for landing. Over.
KOSTOV: Check. Coming in. Speed now ten thousand. Over.
GCA: You are now visible in northern sky. Will have drinkready. Over.
KOSTOV: That you, Ralph?
GCA: Yeah, Tony. Welcome back. Will you have that with sodaor on the rocks?
KOSTOV: Straight, with a blonde chaser, if you don't mind. Yousay you can see me?
GCA: Like Sirius on a clear night. Only one problem.
KOSTOV: What's that?
GCA: You're smack in between me and that girl in Omaha. Iwish you wouldn't block the view like that.
KOSTOV: I'll take my hat off. Better?
GCA: Much. Say, what's that light on your starboard side?
KOSTOV: Light? There shouldn't be any....
(AN EXPLOSION, FOLLOWED BY SOUND OF ROARING FLAME)
GCA: Tony! What happened? GCA calling American Beauty!
JENSEN: Stewardess to pilot! Stewardess to pilot! The starboardfuel tank's exploded! Fire in passageway!
KOSTOV: Activate all extinguishers—clear the passengers forward—I'mgoing to close the emergency bulkheads.
GCA: My God, it's a ball of fire! Tony, can you make it?
KOSTOV: I can make anything. If it gets hot enough I'll spit onit and put it out—Pilot to naviga-
NOTE: At this point American Beauty's radio went out.
BOARD FINDING: Flippant attitude of ship-to-port conversation tobe deplored. On the basis of this and other evidence, however, theofficial finding of this Board is No Negligence. Accident due solely tomechanical failure.
GALACTIC SPACEWAYS, INC.
Office of the Personnel Director
6/4/68
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL:
Interviewed employee A. Kostov relative to the unfortunate businessof 5/14/68 in which thirty-six passengers and two crewmen lost theirlives. Gave him the news that he is through as a pilot, due to the factthat we feel the experience has broken his nerve. Offered him a deskjob, which he declined as expected. Accepted his resignation, effectiveimmediately.
COMMENT: Entire incident most unfortunate. Understand that the Linemight lose passengers to Interplanetary Transport Service if theAmerican Beauty pilot continued to operate our ships, but regretthis loss of a va