Author: Yarri

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The Great Flood (continued . . .)

















	














One shattering explosion and the “Daveli” plunged to the depths!

The Emperor conducted an enquiry into the disaster.

How did it happen?

None of the survivors were able to tell, Imperial Majesty! All we know is that, shortly after daybreak, the ship suddenly began to sink!

To lose more vessels, in our present plight, would be a double disaster! I call for two volunteers to examine the wreck!

The Emperor’s own nephew was the first to respond.

I’ll go!

And I!

The second volunteer was the Lokan youth, Zaro. Later . . .

Strange to think of you—a Lokan—in the service of the Emperor!

I have to make some amends for the terrible wrongs that my people did under the evil leadership of Yorri-Zim.

Yorri-Zim was a son of the tyrant Zorth, last king of the Lokans. By our traditions of obedience, we were bound to follow him!

I disobeyed him and betrayed him! I thanks the stars that he perished in the deluge!
























	














But Zaro was wrong! Day and night, a pair of hate-filled eyes watched the Imperial Palace, from a rooftop nearby.

It was . . . Yorri-Zim!

Once Trigo shows himself, I will destroy him! When he is gone, the rest of them will turn and tear each other apart! I shall be the last man alive on Elekton!

All eyes were upon Janno and Zaro as they plunged into the flood waters.

Good luck!

Down . . . down . . . down . . . past familiar, submerged landmarks.

There’s the great gate of the city!

Presently . . .

The “Daveli”!

As they drew near the sunken craft, Janno had a premonition of peril. Turning, he saw . . . . THEM!

Zaro! Behind you!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 640 on 20 April 1974.

 
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The Great Flood (continued . . .)

















	














Food became a problem. Day and night, fishing boats toiled at their task of providing for the teeming multitudes.

Suddenly, the helmsman saw . . . 

Aaaaaah!

 . . . The face of evil!

The boat was from one of the islands that was populated by people from the former province of Tharv. Next morning, they found it drifting . . . 

What could have happened?

Who would do such a thing?

That’s easy to answer! Someone attacked them, threw our lads overboard and stole their catch!

The people from over there—who else? The animals from Cato!

Accursed Catons! Never trust a Caton, my father used to say!

Ancient hatreds having been aroused, the Tharvs set out to avenge the imagined crime!

Long live Tharv! down with the Caton murderers!

Throw them back into the sea!
























	














Soon, a battle royal was raging!

Share that between you, Tharvs!

Aaaaaaaagh!

Eeeeeeeegh!

The turmoil was only ended by the arrival of a Trigan aircraft.

Cease fighting!—or we open fire on you all!

The Emperor Trigo himself arrived.

You’ve lost your homelands and your possessions! have you also taken leave of your senses?

The Catons raided one of out fishing boats!

That’s a lie!

Silence! If this kind of madness continues, there will be no one left to rebuild this planet of ours! From now on, all survivors will live in mixed groups—no more tribal warfare!

The following dawn, aboard the Air Fleet carrier ‘Daveli’.

Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh!

In the early light, it was seen that the ‘Daveli’ was sinking!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 639 on 13 April 1974.