Posted on November 1, 2025November 1, 2025The Gambler’s Gift (continued . . .) An instant before impact, Janno’s sixth sense made him hit the escape button . . . Seconds later the high-tension wires blew the plane to pieces. The result was inevitable—a court martial. You are indicted on two counts. Firstly, you did fly dangerously and without due caution. Secondly, you did fly while knowing yourself to be medically unfit. How do you plead to these two charges ? Guilty to both, sir. In view of your excellent record, no further disciplinary action will be taken. But you are removed from the list of air fleet pilots. Never to fly again . . . Never ! What am I going to do ? Meanwhile, in the fishing village on the coast, the gambler Nastor, now recovered from his accident, was continuing with his “faith-healing” among the simple fisher folk. How is the little fellow ? Much better, sir. Every time you see him, he improves. Alone, Nastor was quite frank with himself. No one ever gets better, but it makes them feel better, to be in contact with me. A pity it can’t go on for much longer, because it’s more profitable than being an unsuccessful gambler, but they’ll see through me in the end. He tested again the strange power that had followed his being struck by lightning. But the way I can attract metals as if by magnetism . . . that’s genuine enough ! One day, Nastor chanced upon a vagabond and immediately an idea sprang into his mind. See here, fellow, do you want to earn yourself a few zersts ? Certainly, good sir— provided I don’t have to work for it. Working’s against my conscience, you see. That evening, when Nastor received his “patients”, the vagabond limped forward on crutches . . . I’ve been crippled since birth, sir, and they say you can cure me. We’ll do what we can, friend. He laid his hand on the vagabond’s shoulder. Did we say ten zersts or twenty ? We said ten. I’ve changed my mind. It’s worth twenty ! Indeed, Nastor got twenty zersts’ worth of excellent acting. I can walk ! I’m cured . . . cured ! There were tourists present in the village that day. One of them—a Trigan City newspaperman on holiday—made a visual record of the event. I’ll get a picture of this. We could use it in the paper. This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 720 on 1 November 1975.
Posted on October 25, 2025October 31, 2025The Gambler’s Gift (continued . . .) The fishermen dragged the half- conscious form from the surf. Later, Nastor opened his eyes to find a row of honest faces looking down on him. Here, friend, take a little gruel. It will make you strong again. A couple of days later, Nastor felt strong enough to try and feed himself. He reached out for a spoon . . . There ! See how much better you are, friend. And the spoon hung suspended in the air ! Aaaaaaaah ! The superstitious fisher-folk thought they had the answer to this strange phenomenon. He is a miracle- worker ! One of the wise ones ! I knew of such a one when I was a lad. He could cure all manner of sicknesses ! Within a few days, the news had spread among the simple people of the coast. A long line of patient figures queued outside the cottage where Nastor lay. Touch my son and make him well again, sir. I beg of you. All the people asked of Nastor was the touch of his hand or a few words of comfort, then they departed happily, leaving behind a few coins or some food. I feel better already, sir. I’m pleased to hear it. The simple folk would have been surprised to know the thoughts that were passing through the “wise one’s” mind. I don’t know how long these stupid fools are going to treat me like some kind of god, but I’ll stay here until I get my strength back and at the same time make some money on the side. Meanwhile, in Trigan City Air Fleet base, Janno was making one last desperate bid to continue his career as a pilot. Janno, you’re in no fit state to fly with those blinding headaches. Why not take a year’s leave and get fit again. I’m better, I tell you, Keren ! And I’ll prove it . . . today ! Janno’s proof of his fitness to fly was a demonstration of low-level aerobatics that had the whole base staring in awe. But, in the cockpit . . . Aaaaah ! My head ! The agony ! Blinded by the pain, Janno never saw his peril . . . He’s going to crash into the high-tension wires ! This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 719 on 25 October 1975.
Posted on October 18, 2025October 31, 2025The Gambler’s Gift Janno was on holiday, enjoying the wild and exhilarating sport of water-planing. And then . . . someone saw Janno’s peril . . . Hey ! Look where you’re going. . . . Too late ! They picked him up out of the water, unconscious from the tremendous shock of the impact. He was rushed to hospital. Immediate and skilful treatment, added to his strong constitution, soon had the young air fleet pilot back on duty. But not for long . . . Headache again ? Yes. It attacks me without warning and nearly drives me out of my mind. I won’t be able to fly this morning. The best medical treatment that Elekton had to offer did nothing for the Emperor’s nephew. The attacks grew worse. Soon, Janno was spending most of his time in a darkened room. Why did it have to happen to me ? Your browser does not support the video tag. Your browser does not support the video tag. Your browser does not support the video tag. Nastor was a professional gambler, whose one aim in life was to make a quick and easy fortune. An ambition that, alas, forever seemed to be thwarted. I’ve got a feeling that tonight is going to be my night. I’ll risk everything I have on one spin of the wheel. Needless to say, on this occasion, Nastor’s luck failed him again. I’m ruined. Ruined. He walked out into the night. The stormy sky matched the turmoil in his mind. What am I going to do ? He walked to the end of the quay. And then it happened —a flash of lurid light, a deafening crash of thunder. Eaaaaaaghh ! Others came running . . . Did you see that fellow being struck by lightning ? Yes ! He was over there, by the end of the quay. He’s gone . . . disappeared ! Next morning, just after Elekton’s twin suns had risen, a fisherman saw something—someone —lying in the surf. By all the stars ! Aaaaahhh . . . ahh . . . This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 718 on 18 October 1975.
