The blow that the strange creature had received from Janno’s fist left him in no condition for fight or flight.

We’ll present our prize to the Emperor himself.

Uuuuh. Uuuuhh.

The prisoner had all but recovered when he was brought before Trigo.

You are a party to a conspiracy that has brought my capital city to near-ruin and my empire to the brink of collapse. Do you understand what I am saying?

The alien creature replied in the  common tongue of the planet Elekton.

I understand. But I am saying nothing. You will learn nothing from me. I will not speak again

The alien’s stubbornness left the Trigans with only blind theories about his origins. The scientist Peric’s theory sounded the most convincing.

This city that you founded, Sire, is only one of many that have been built—and destroyed—on this site. It’s likely that Janno’s prisoner is a descendant of one of the surviving members of some long-gone holocaust.

Then where have he and his companions been living all this while?

For answer, Peric held up a transparent strip.

This may tell us. It was found on the ground near to where Janno overpowered the alien. It is an eyepiece—through which, I am convinced, these aliens are able to see in the green fog!

Every gaze was turned to Janno.

Nephew, it seems to me that you are going to be called upon to brave the fog once more.

I’m game, Uncle Trigo!

Another lunar month went by. And Elekton’s noblest city crumbled beneath the weight of the eerie fungus that was choking its very life away.























Janno was on the alert day and night. The next sinister visitation of the rolling green fog came shortly after midday.

Here it comes, Janno!

Put on your eyepiece, and good luck, son!

Janno peered out at the murk through the transparent screen.

I . . . I can see . . . them!

They came from out of the sewers and the water-courses, from holes in the ground and from long-forgotten cellars. An uncountable host of the alien creatures, moving barefoot and silent through the fungus-hung city.

Labouring by hand, they cut down the masses of green fungus and carried it away on their backs.

It’s just as Peric said. They’re gathering the foul stuff!

And then, the young Trigan’s world fell apart in a blinding flash of agony.  

Uuuuuugh!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 736 on 21 February 1976.