Author: Yarri

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The Lost Years (continued . . .)

















	














After what seemed like an eternity, Janno and Roffa were summoned from their infernal dungeon.

Out of it, you two! Today you face trial!

Their trial was held in the great court of the Imperial Palace, and the Emperor himself was Presiding Judge.

You are both accused of foully conspiring to sabotage three bombing craft of the Imperial Trigan Air Fleet. Denial is useless—your action was recorded on the security device . . .

Projected on a giant screen, they saw and heard themselves as they had been on the fateful night—captured by a hidden camera.

. . . I’m fixing the electronics . . .

Most damning of all—there was a newsreel shot of the disaster they had caused.

And then . . .

Have you anything to say ?

We acted in good faith ! We believed that Marshal Ossan was conspiring to assassinate the Emperor and . . .

Marshal Ossan?

What next?

Narri was called as a defence witness. The poor wretch was cut to pieces by the astute prosecutor.

So you went into the future, did you? And you saw Marshal Ossan riding around in a big car as the Dictator of Trigan?

Yes, I did . . . at least, I think I did . . .

The fellow’s mad!

He should be locked up.
























	














I suggest to you that you are motivated by envy and malice! You hate Marshal Ossan because he is famous and splendid, while you are nothing but a cringing failure!

I don’t know! I’m not sure of anything any longer. Let me alone—please! Please!

It was then that the Emperor intervened . . .

Enough of this nonsense! I’ll not have the Imperial Court of Justice mocked by such rubbish. The case is proved!

Then—the grim sentence.

Though one of the condemned is my own nephew, I am not tempted to mercy. You will both slave for the rest of your natural lives in the mines!

Chains were hammered on to the two youths, in preparation for the deathin-life to which they had been doomed. Marshal Ossan looked on.

Before they are taken away, I should like a private word with the prisoner Janno.

Janno had had his doubts but Ossan soon swept them away!

I don’t know how you really discovered my plans, Janno, but I’d like you to know that the second assassination attempt is planned for tomorrow—and this one will succeed!

Narri was right! Traitor! Assassin! Tyrant!

Aaaagh! Guards—help me! Strike him down!

There’s further proof of the evil in him. Take away the wretch! Take them both to the mines!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 577 on 3 February 1973.

 
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The Lost Years (continued . . .)

















	














Janno followed Narri over the high battlements, with a last word for Roffa.

You know where to meet up—tonight!

Right! Good luck!

He struck the water of the moat with breath-robbing force, and seized the floundering Narri.

Aaaah . . . aaaahhh . . . I’m drowning!

Courage, Narri! In here!

They crawled into the dank darkness.

Where . . . where does it lead?

It’s an overflow for the moat. It probably comes out at the river bank.

Meanwhile, Roffa had raised the alarm.

What’s happened? Where’s the prisoner?

He jumped for it! Lord Janno went after him. He’ll catch him, never fear!

That night, Roffa went to Janno’s apartment—to find his friend and Narri already there.

It was easy. We were home before dark. I contacted the governor and told him Narri had given me the slip.

There won’t be much fuss. Narri isn’t important. They regard him as a harmless half-wit.

Well—what do we do to save the empire?

Is there anything we can do to change the future? Narri saw it happen—isn’t it unchangeable?

Narri answered them.

Three years from now, I saw a young tree growing outside my house. The other day, I tore it out of the ground as a sapling.

Here it is! I have kept it concealed upon my person ever since! It is proof that we can change coming events!
























	














Their spirits rose.

The three bombers that are due to attack the palace are already armed and fuelled!

Then we’ll sabotage those bombers! They’ll never reach their target!

Later that night, two black-garbed figures crept towards the Air Fleet bombing base.

They took cover.

Look who’s there!

It’s Ossan! He’s going to say something to the crewmen!

Marshal Ossan addressed the pilots and bombardiers of the three craft.

You know your orders, gentlemen! Let there be no mistakes! At midday precisely, you will make a low-level run over the Imperial Summer Palace . . .

It was in that instant that Roffa’s foot knocked against a case of ammunition!

What’s that? Someone’s over there!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 575 on 20 January 1973.