The Thing from the Sea (continued . . .)




News of the disaster was flashed round the Trigan Empire. Trigo and his staff were among the first to inspect the tangled wreckage in the centre of the great bridge. The scientist Peric commented grimly . . . See that massive pillar, Imperial Majesty ? It is severed as cleanly as if it had been sliced by a giant sword. You think ? I think that the same malevolent intelligence that sank the “Daveli” was also responsible for this ! Later. I have come to the conclusion that the instrument of destruction was sea-borne—probably carried in some underwater craft. Find an alien underwater craft armed with a weapon that can cut metal like wax, and you have the answer. Trigo issued his orders. From now until further notice, constant air and underwater patrols will be carried out around the Trigan coastline. Alert the fleets. No man rests till this menace is found—and destroyed. That evening, undersea fighting ships of the Trigan navy began to comb the depths. At dawn, Janno and his crew joined the low-flying patrols off the coast.
Suddenly, Roffa gave the alarm. An object has just risen out of the sea—dead ahead. Janno sighted the shape in the water. Stand by to fire projectiles ! And then . . . Ready to fire. No !— Hold it. —It’s one of ours. Before their horrified eyes, the two cleanly severed ends of a Trigan undersea fighting ship hovered on the brink of their final plunge. Janno brought his craft round in a tight turn, and splashed down. Moments later, they were picking up survivors. What happened ? We saw it coming at us . . . There was no escape. And then . . . Aaaaaagh ! There it is again. By all the stars.

This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 464 on 5 December 1970.