Posted on October 11, 2025October 14, 2025 by YarriThe Mind Controller (continued . . .) As the smoke of the exploding anti-aircraft battery cleared away, the alien craft came low. Ready for the lift-off ! All three convicts were lifted from the top of the black tower. They were helped aboard the craft, and Raspardi was greeted by none other than. . . the physician Torga. So ! It is to you that I am indebted for this rescue ? It is indeed, my friend — and it will cost you half of the stolen moneys which you have got hidden away ! A fast automobile waited on a lonely road on the mainland. What now, Torga ? Now, Raspardi, we drive to a hide-out where you will remain till you have paid over the money. As for our friends Janno and Roffa . . . Janno and Roffa remained on the craft when the others had left it. At a curt order from Torga, Janno piloted it skywards again. Where are they going ? They, my friend, are going to destruction ! You mean ? . . Their task is finished. I now propose to wipe out the living evidence of our little conspiracy . . . Or, more correctly, order them to wipe out themselves ! Torga spoke into a transmitter which was wavelengthed to the miniaturised receivers in the inner ears of the two in the craft. Listen, Janno . . . do you hear me, Janno ? . . . You will now take the craft to its maximum height . . . and then dive it into the sea at full speed ! . . Is that understood ? But—another voice was also dinning in Janno’s inner ear ! The voice of his friend, the great scientist Peric ! Janno, you will disregard all other orders and obey only me ! Answer me, Janno . . . where are you ? I am . . . I am . . . Why do you not acknowledge my order, Janno ? Moments later, the craft came screaming down in a power-dive. What are you doing, Janno ? . . Janno ! Answer me ! But the voice of Torga no longer had the power to control Janno’s mind and actions . . . as was swiftly proved ! Aaaaaaagh !— What’s happened to him ? Not far distant, in a Trigan Air Fleet craft that was speeding to the scene, Peric was speaking into a transmitter that was also broadcasting on the secret wavelength to Janno’s inner ear. With the great scientist was the Emperor himself. It’s all over, Janno ! The nightmare’s over ! You are free of the evil power that has been direct- ing you and Roffa ! Thank the stars for that ! Trigan security forces speedily apprehended Torga and his accomplices and Raspardi. That same day, the two comrades were formally cleared of all charges against them. Gentlemen, since it is deemed that you did not act of your own free will, but while under the hypnotic direction of a criminal, your sentences are immediately cancelled ! It was found to be impossible to remove the offending miniature receivers from the inner ears of the two Air Fleet pilots. But, as Peric said . . . You have nothing to fear—the chances are several billion to one that anyone would stumble on the wave- length which connects with your minds. Only I know the secret, and I shall never use it again . . . Unless you both voluntarily take to a life of crime ! This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 717 on 11 October 1975.
