Puzzled, Marshal Zeros sent for the merchant Scarpa and questioned him about the statue. But surely you know, Marshal. Your messenger paid me for it yesterday, and ordered it to be erected here last night! Zeros dismissed the merchant without any further comment . . . and gazed thoughtfully at the statue. Who paid for it . . . and on whose orders was it brought here? Well . . . I shall find out soon enough, I doubt not! And then . . . joy of ownership overcame all his scruples. Until then, you shall grace my garden and delight my eyes, proud warrior! Some days passed. His fellow-consuls Brag and Peric visited him. Old Peric commented caustically. Hmmm! Throwing your money around again, I see! Zeros said nothing! Then one morning, the Marshal took off for his usual early flight. The Marshal handles his craft like a veteran! Still the finest pilot in the Air Fleet, despite his age! Later—high over the barren plain of Vorg—his engine spluttered and died. He glanced at the fuel gauge. Empty! With masterly skill, he brought his craft down in a glide on to the plain.As he climbed out, the roar of engines filled his ears. What craft is that? It landed close by. Three men got out . . . and one of them addressed him blandly. Good morning, Marshal. My name is Yorro. I have wanted to meet you for a long time . . . and I regret if my arrangements to do so have caused you any inconvenience! Marshal Zeros glared furiously at Yorro. What do you mean? I mean that I arranged for your craft to be emptied of fuel. I can arrange most things . . . as you will discover! Why have we met? I will tell you. Because you are going to help me become the Dictator of the Trigan Republic! Zeros’ scornful reply died in his throat. You must be mad! Why, I . . . Silence! You are completely in my power! You have already betrayed your people by accepting my bribe of a priceless statue! With a bellow of fury, the Marshal hurled himself at his tormentor . . . but . . . By all the demons in Daveli! I’ll smash you . . . Aaaaah! Strike him down! Yorro’s brutal bodyguards sent the veteran warrior sprawling. Now, you old fool . . . you will listen to me . . . and you will do exactly as I order!
This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 406 on 25 October 1969.
