Posted on August 19, 2022December 21, 2023The Fiendish Experiment (continued . . .) A few days later, all Trigan City crowded the streets for the ceremonial visit of the King of Daveli. Later, the King visited the Air Fleet Headquarters, where he was introduced to the crewmen by his son—Keren—himself a pilot of the Trigan fleet. Janno you already know well, my father. Greetings, Lord Janno. Your Majesty ! Vella watched—and pondered. I’d like to get my hands on that jewelled helmet of the old fellow’s. And it shouldn’t be too difficult—though I might have to eliminate him first. My father has expressed regret that he missed the marvellous feat you two performed on Empire Day. Well . . . we swore never to attempt it again. But what do you think, Vella ? If it would amuse his Majesty . . . Accordingly, the two young pilots climbed into their speedy fighter-craft, which were then chained together. Take no risks, Vella—as you once said, eventual disaster is a mathematical certainty ! And this will be the last time we ever do it, I hope ! The display began . . . Ready for next evolution ? . . . Ready . . . The death-defying close aerobatics were controlled by Janno. Commence right- hand climbing turn . . . now ! Commencing ! And then—Janno gave an uncontrollable sneeze ! Aaaaa-shoooooo ! Disaster was immediate and fatal ! His wingtip sliced into Vella’s craft ! Aaaaaaaagh ! Then he was watching in horror as his comrade spun down to his certain doom ! Eject, Vella ! Get out, man, before it’s too late ! But there was no escape, it seemed, for Vella ! The ejector gear’s damaged ! I’m trapped in here ! What does it matter if I am ? —Ha, ha ! Moments later, the craft ploughed into a hillside ! This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 553 on 19 August 1972.
Posted on August 12, 2022February 4, 2024The Fiendish Experiment (continued . . .) The apparatus fell silent. Zerros tremblingly approached the transparent container. Where Vella had lain was now only . . . water ! Lieutenant Vella . . . can you hear me ? Of course I can, fool ! Decant me on to the floor, as planned ! The crooked scientist did as he was bidden. Are you . . . all right ? Never felt better in my life ! A savage nurdot—one of Elekton’s more unpleasant vermin—was tethered at the far end of the makeshift laboratory. Heh ! Heh ! The stream of water snaked, deliberately, towards the animal. The nurdot’s fanged jaws descended to gulp at the water. In that instant—it happened ! And then . . . I am now . . . Returning . . . To normal ! Beaming with triumph, Vella enthused to his accomplice. The whole thing is evil . . . diabolical ! Rubbish ! It is the greatest money-spinning idea of the century ! From now on, I can change myself to an equal volume of water at will. Electrically-charged water which—as you saw with the nurdot—can kill at a touch. . . . I am the perfect murder-weapon and I can turn myself into profit— firstly, by eliminating the man who menaces my whole way of life ! In my water-state, I can move against the force of gravity in any direction I will. I can remain undetected and unsuspected . . . The following day, a private aircraft descended upon the well-kept lawn of a stately villa overlooking Trigan City. Welcome home, Master. I trust that you have had a successful business trip ? Shut your mealy mouth, Slakka ! You know very well that my business has been the business of eliminating my rivals in big-time crime. This was the leader of the most powerful criminal organisation in the Trigan Empire. Later, bathed and perfumed, he relaxed by his luxury pool. Er . . . touching on the matter of Lieutenant Vella, master, who owes you a thousand thullars in gambling debts, plus another thousand for some hairbrained scientific scheme . . . The big-time crook condemned Vella to death—all unaware that a trickle of water was snaking towards his bare feet. Vella is a fool. Furthermore, he has begun to bore me . . . . . . have him eliminated ! Heh ! Heh ! The next instant . . . The water ! . . . It’s surrounding me ! . . . It’s going to destroy me . . . The way it just destroyed my master ! This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 552 on 12 August 1972.
Posted on August 5, 2022September 12, 2024The Fiendish Experiment (continued . . .) The dreaded penal mines were the disgrace of the Trigan Empire. There, the empire’s worst criminals were sent to slave themselves to death. None escaped . . . Until . . . What . . . What are you doing ? Shut your mouth. Do everything I say. In less time than it takes to tell, the astounded convict was seated in a fast vehicle that was driving him through the night towards Trigan City. We must get into the city before the general alarm’s raised and road blocks are set up ! There were no complications. Before dawn, the escaped man was standing in Vella’s comfortable apartment. You ?—An Air Fleet officer ?—Why have you done this for me ? Not for you, my friend, but for me ! I need you ! You are—or were—Zerros the scientist. Possibly the greatest scientist on Elekton after Peric, till you were condemned for life for selling secrets to Trigan’s enemies. I have a job for you. Read this. Zerros scanned the contents of the red folder. It was not long before he was staring in horror at his companion. It’s insane ! . . . diabolical ! . . . I’ll have nothing to do with it ! You will conduct the experiment, using me as the subject—or back to the mines you go ! Anything but the mines ! . . . anything ! But it will take time, and money, to construct the apparatus for the experiment. Time we have plenty of . . . money I will get ! Vella went to the leader of the criminal organisation to whom he already owed a fortune in gambling debts. Are you out of your mind, Lieutenant ? I gave you till the end of the lunar month to settle, now you come asking for more money ! I tell you that your investment will be repaid a thousandfold ! Trust me . . . He got the money. By the end of the lunar month, his apartment was filled with strange apparatus. It is ready. But I must ask you to reconsider . . . You will conduct the experiment immediately ! Vella laid himself down in a transparent container. Why do you hesitate ? . . . Begin ! On your own head be it, Vella ! The scientist reeled back before the assault of sound and light. Aaaaaaaaaghhhh ! And when it was all over . . . It can’t be true ! . . . It can’t ! This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 551 on 5 August 1972.
