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The Green Fog (continued . . .)

















	














The might and majesty of the Imperial Council of the empire was gathered to hear the evidence of a poor, blind beggar.

Now, good fellow, you are not going to try and convince all these learned and wise people that there were actually aliens walking about in the city during the period of the green fog?

It’s true, I tell you.

My ears are my eyes and I heard them! Many of them! Walking in the fog as sure-footed as sighted people do in the broad light of day, and they were doing evil work!

What kind of evil work?

Uruz had no answer to the last question. The Emperor consulted with Peric, the wise scientist.

Do you think this fellow is telling the truth?

We have no way of knowing, Imperial Majesty. He may be sincere. He may be mistaken. On the other hand, he may simply be seeking notoriety.

The general opinion of the Imperial Council was that the blind beggar was trying to fool them.

Uruz, you are lucky not to be imprisoned for contempt. Don’t let us hear from you again with your trumped-up tales!

You’ll be sorry, you’ll have cause to remember my words! Great evil has been done in this city . . . great evil!

A lunar month passed. Life went on in the hub of the mighty Trigan Empire.

One day, Janno, the Emperor’s nephew, drove to see his old friend Peric, at the great scientist’s villa just outside the walls.
























	














He found Peric absorbed in an unusual task.

What are you up to?

I’m examining this green fungus that’s suddenly appeared on my wall.

The curious thing is, in all my lifetime’s scientific study, I’ve never come across its like before.

The following morning, the Emperor Trigo rose early and went out on to the balcony of his bedchamber. What he saw there brought a strangled cry of shock to his lips.

By all the stars!

The stonework of the Imperial palace was hung with a strange green fungus.

It’s . . . unbelievable!

What was more, the entire city was plastered with the green scourge.

In his accustomed place at the foot of Trigo’s statue in the great square, the blind beggar, uruz, shouted his woeful dirge.

I told them evil had been done, but they wouldn’t listen to me! And now the evil is all about us!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 733 on 31 January 1976.

 
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The Green Fog

















	














The blind beggar Uruz had sat at the base of Trigo’s statue in the great square of the city for as long as anyone could remember. One morning, Janno the Emperor’s nephew was crossing the square. As always, he dropped a coin into the beggar’s hat.

A thousand thanks, Lord Janno.

You knew who I was! Yet I never uttered a word!

So you think that I can see after all. But you are wrong, Lord Janno. Why, I know you from the sound of your footfall, from the very rustle of your uniform. My eyes are my ears!

The incident had passed from Janno’s mind by the time he reached the air fleet base, climbed into his tiny fighter craft and took off.

Calling control. Have cleared the ground. Your orders, please.

His orders took him to the stratosphere, high above the surface of Elekton, patrolling the sky frontiers of the Trigan Empire.

At about noon, people in the great square of Trigan City saw . . . IT!

Look!

What is it?

It was a wall of swirling green fog that swept across the great capital, enveloping everything . . .

It’s fantastic!

I’ve never seen such a thing before!
























	














. . . in a blanket of green blindness!

Help!

Where are you?

I can’t see a thing!

High above, Janno was shocked to hear the controller’s panic-stricken cries over his communicator.

It’s all gone green! I’m blind! Janno, for pity’s sake! . . .

What’s happening down there?

Receiving no reply, Janno brought his craft down in a screaming dive. Nearing the ground, he saw the ominous green cloud that shrouded the city.

It’s . . . unbelievable!

Even as he looked, the green murk cleared away and the capital of the Trigan Empire lay below him in all its accustomed glory.

It’s . . . gone!

The pandemonium in the city was indescribable, with crashed vehicles littering the streets, and frightened and bewildered people wandering about in shock.

It was as if the end of the world had come.

What if it happens again?

I think I shall go out of my mind!

Uruz, the blind beggar, cried out in a loud voice.

I tell you something terrible has taken place! An alien people have been amongst us.

What? Explain yourself!

His words struck a chill into the hearts of all his listeners.

While this green fog of which you speak was upon us, while you were all stumbling about like the newly-blind . . . there came amongst us some who walked with sure-footed tread, as if they could see!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 732 on 24 January 1976.

 
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The Ultimate Collection (continued . . .)

















	














Lipka let out a wail of anguish as one of the guards picked up the Great Green Diadem.

We’ll cut this up and dispose of it. It will fetch enough money to keep us in luxury for the rest of our lives.

No! Do not harm The diadem! It is utter perfection!

He was felled by a brutal blow.

Babbling fool! What do we care for perfection? We’ve done your bidding, and now we’re taking our payment.

Loaded weapons were trained on the helpless pair.

And now we’ll still your wagging tongues for ever!

But one person had been entirely overlooked—Janno. And he burst upon the scene like a thunderbolt.

Uuuuuuugh!

Eeeeeeeeeeghh!

The remaining guards rushed forward to deal with the young Trigan.

He must have broken out of his cage. Seize him!

Picking up a fallen weapon, Janno took hasty aim.
























	














The projectiles neatly severed the massive vertebrae of the Monster of Vorg and the great fossilised bones came hurtling down.

Aaaaaaah!

No!

Eeeeeeeeh!

Moments later, all was silent in the great hall. Peric laid his hand on the shoulder of he who had collected perfection.

Come, Lipka. I will be at your side when you confess all.

You have been good to me, Peric—better than I deserve.

The great scientist pleaded Lipka’s case before the highest authority of the empire, Trigo himself.

It is my submission, Imperial Majesty, that Lipka has not stolen for profit, nor has he done any bodily harm to anyone. Furthermore, he is willing to make full restitution for any damage or inconvenience caused by his insatiable desire to be surrounded by perfection.

I am willing to pardon him, provided we can be assured that he keeps his insatiable desire in check. Any suggestions, Peric?

Yes, Sire. Frankly, this fellow is bored to death by being a multimillionaire. He needs a job of work!

What employment have you in mind?

I thought your Imperial Majesty might appoint him—Curator-General of the Imperial Museums!

And so, Lipka was from then on surrounded by the perfection he craved. As Curator-General, he was responsible for every museum in the vast empire.

And all mine!

. . . In a manner of speaking!

His eye often fell upon the restored fossil of the Monster of Vorg, and then he remembered.

Was that really the fiercest thing that ever lived, sir?

Yes, my boy, and it can still smite mightily, I assure you!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 731 on 17 January 1976.