Posted on July 5, 2025July 5, 2025The Man with a Mission (continued . . .) The probing finger of light played upon Lukaz Rann. It was immediately followed by a hail of projectiles. The Daveli guard came at him, gun blazing. Lukaz Rann had only one chance of survival— to risk all in a death- defying leap. He connected and hung on ! Roaring out of control, the jet-pack carried the two battling figures up over the edge of the cliff. Lukaz Rann felt his opponent go limp from a lucky blow. He reached and switched off the jet-pack and they fell, locked together. As he rolled clear and picked himself up, the intrepid rocketeer heard more jet-pack engines. They must have heard the shots ! Two more airborne Daveli bodyguards zipped out of the darkness. Do you see anything ? A figure lying over there ! By the time the newcomers had found their stricken comrade, Lukaz Rann had reached the building that housed the evil genius of Tharv. And now to deal with Vallu. The sound of the shots had awakened Vallu, who had leapt from his bed and was scanning the audivision screens that gave him a view of every part of his abode. Is it an intruder ? What are those guards doing ? Are they protecting me properly ? And then, he saw. . . The intruder ! Lukaz Rann trod silently through the building, all unaware that his every move was being watched by his intended quarry. Suddenly . . . Aaaaaaaaagh ! This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 703 on 5 July 1975.
Posted on June 28, 2025July 5, 2025The Man with a Mission (continued . . .) Lukaz Rann’s dossier on the Tharv scientist, VALLU, gave a complete picture of that creature’s evil career. It was Vallu who had invented a plant-killer, which, if sprayed from the air . . . . . . brought swift destruction to plants and crops ! With my compound, we could wipe out an enemy’s plant food supply in the first day of war ! One drop of my X-germ in a city’s water supply will eliminate the entire population of that city ! Currently, he was at work on a sensational new explosive force. My plan is to harness the latent magnetic energy of the planet ! Many times, the clever Trigan scientist, Peric, had warned the Imperial Council of the peril from Tharv. I tell you all that it is theoretically possible that, in testing his new explosive force, Vallu will blow up the whole planet. He must be stopped. Peric ! You know we can do nothing to stop a citizen of another state ! When Vallu was questioned about Peric’s claim, he only scoffed. And what do you say to the allegation that your new force will blow up the planet ? The allegation was made by an old fool ! At his age, he should give up science and take up needlework ! Lukaz Rann read through Vallu’s dossier. I’ll rid Elekton of that unspeakable creature ! This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 702 on 28 June 1975.
Posted on June 21, 2025June 22, 2025The Man with a Mission (continued . . .) We found this animal lurking in the shadows. Do I smite him in two, Zorza ? Not yet ! Who are you and what are you doing at the encampment of Zorza ? Lukaz Rann’s quick wits came to his aid. By your leave, Master, I am an entertainer, a tumbler and acrobat of some merit, I have come to amuse you and earn my supper. Then I’ll see your entertainment. If it amuses me, you sup. If it doesn’t—you perish ! Lukaz asked for ropes to be rigged in the surrounding trees, and then climbed high above the camp. As a trained rocketeer, he was, of course, an adept acrobat. If I fail, I shall still enjoy the six months of life left to me. He swung into space over the searing heat of the campfire. Even the battle-hardened barbarians cried out in alarm, as he released the rope and hurtled towards the other. Aaaaaah ! Look at that ! Zorza never saw his peril till it was too late. The rocketeer’s booted foot caught the barbarian leader in the chest, knocking the breath from his powerful body. Uuuuu—u—uhhh ! With one muscular arm around his unconscious victim, Lukaz Rann continued his swing. He landed neatly on the back of a tethered kreed . . . . . . and was away, before the dumbfounded barbarians could raise a finger to rescue their leader. His craft was where he had left it. It’s going to be a close run thing ! It WAS close, indeed, but Lukaz Rann had claimed his FIRST VICTIM. It was to the picturesque old Vorg castle out- side Trigan City, which he had bought with the proceeds of his daredevil rocketeering, that Lukaz Rann took his prisoner. No sooner had he locked the dungeon door upon Zorza, than he reached for the next dossier. Now for another dangerous and detestable creature ! This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 701 on 21 June 1975.
