As the Trigans watched, a young Nobe climbed aboard the aircraft and took off.

There was pride in the voice of the Nobe leader.

It must be a revelation to you poor ignorant people, to see a living person fly like a bird.

What will they think of next?

By the stars! He’s going to crash!

They lifted out the stunned pilot.

What hard luck. He was doing quite nicely.

What are you saying, young man? That was a perfect landing.

There is only one way to land an aircraft . . . that is, to crash it!

Sometime, somehow, we have to break the news to these delightful people that the rest of the planet can fly at ten times the speed of sound!

They’re never going to believe us. They think we’re all backward compared to them!

Their hosts led them through the capital city of the hidden valley.

They can’t build aircraft, but they know how to build cities that are a delight to live in.

It’s very restful, I must admit.























They were taken before the grand council of the Nobes, where Janno gave them the message from the Emperor.

My uncle, the Emperor Trigo, wishes to extend to the people of this valley the aid and protection of the Trigan Empire.

Aid and protection. Why?

Well, for the sake of argument, in case of . . . war.

What is war?

He means, if you’re invaded.

In case another power tried to steal your territory and enslave your people.

We do not understand. What is invaded? What is steal? What is enslave?

Later, when they were given a pleasant groundfloor apartment in one of the city inns . . .

Of course, it is obvious that ages ago, the Nobes were in touch with the rest of the people of this planet, for they speak the common Elekton language.

But some of the words have fallen into disuse. Words connected with war, violence, crime.

This valley must be a very pleasant place to live!

SUDDENLY . . .

The strange vehicle smashed itself against a pillar.

Aaaaaagh!

Are you all right?

Perfectly fine, thanks.

You know, one day, someone will have to contrive a way of stopping these things without having to run into a wall!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 741 on 27 March 1976.