In the control compartment of an underwater fightingboat of the Tharv Navy, the atmosphere was tense. Computer ready! Target within range! Fire the projectiles! Deadly shapes sped to their goal. The “Emperor Trigo”, flagship of the Trigan Fleet, was hit—and sank almost immediately. Tharv was a vassal state of the sprawling Trigan Empire. News of the sinking was greeted with wild joy by the populace of the Tharv capital. Down with the Trigans! Who needs those goodfor-nothings? Freedom for Tharv! At dawn the next day, Tharv armoured spearheads were moving towards Trigan City, and the cry was on every lip . . . We’ll throw off the chains of that ramshackle empire!With the frontier aflame, Janno’ s squadron was ordered to battle, He went to say farewell to his uncle, the Emperor. Come back safely, lad. When this nightmare’s over, the Empire’s going to need the likes of you! By the way, how is your father? I haven‘t seen him since the night of that disastrous council meeting. They say he’s been ill. Yes. He’s . . . not well, Uncle. Returning home, Janno sought out his father—and found him asleep. Ill? There’s nothing wrong with him at all! He sits around all day, eating and sleeping . . . He’s caught the malady that’s destroying the empire—he just wants to do nothing all day! At that moment, Janno’s squadron-mate Roffa was preparing to leave. There came a knock on his door. Who can that be? Roffa’s world dissolved in a sea of sudden pain! Uuuuugh . . . As he lay there, electrodes were connected to the head of the Air Fleet pilot. He smiles. Indeed he does. And with good reason. All the riches of Elekton would not induce him to fly a fighting craft any more!
This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 543 on 10 June 1972.
