This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 504 on 11 September 1971.
The Duplication Machine (continued . . .)
Janno’s craft plummeted into the sea. A comrade circled over the wreckage for some time—but . . . I regret to report that Lord Janno has departed to join his ancestors! That night, at a lonely spot off the coast of Trigan . . . Is that you?—Do you have the prisoner? Yes!—I have him! The duplicate Janno was dragged aboard the Caton undersea warship. Well—now do you believe me? Is this not indeed Lord Janno the Emperor’s nephew? By all the stars, so it is! Then give me my money and let me depart, Admiral! Ten thousand Trigan pieces, as agreed! You will be paid for your treachery, fellow—but my orders are to take you back to Cato! A cold finger of terror traced its course down Robi’s spine. I’m done for! As soon as the Catons announce that they have Janno, the Trigans will issue a statement that it is a lie! AAAAAH! Then the Catons will torture the truth out of me!But fate was on Robi’s side. Some time later, Janno’s father, Brag, brought the news to his brother, the Emperor Trigo. Trigo!—he’s all right! Janno’s all right! He survived the crash after all, and he’s a prisoner-of-war! Thank the stars! what else do the Catons say? As you might expect, they’re using Janno to exert pressure on us. They demand an instant cease-fire, pending a conference to discuss peace terms. Then we will agree! And I will be willing to agree to any reasonable peace terms to save Janno’s life! Robi was in Caton city when he heard of the Emperor’s reply to the enemy demands. And he thanked his stars. Fate smiles upon the clever! The Trigans accept the duplicate Janno, which can only mean that the original Janno is missing in battle. Robi, my fine fellow, you are made for life! The duplicate Janno was brought before the rulers of Cato—a triumvirate of warmongers bent on the destruction of the Trigan Empire. Greetings, my lord! You will be unhappy to hear that your presence here is shortly going to lead to the utter annihilation of all you hold dear. I will explain . . . In accordance with our demands, a cease-fire is in progress throughout the Trigan Empire. Your Air Fleet is grounded and all defence systems are relaxed. Like a sleeping giant, Trigan’s powerful forces lie helpless . . . He pointed from the balcony. Not so in Cato! At dawn tomorrow, our Air Fleet—which you see there being prepared—will take off to blast Trigan City from the face of Elekton! And there will be nothing to oppose it! Treacherous animal!—UUUUGH! Convey lord Janno to a dungeon—and see that it is both dark and damp!
This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 503 on 4 September 1971.
The Duplication Machine (continued . . .)
Some time later, Janno recovered consciousness and raised his aching head. Uuuuugh . . . Lord Janno!—Why are you here?—What’s happened to you? Confound it, man, you know very well what I’m doing here! I came in answer to your message, and no sooner did I set foot inside the door than I was struck down from behind! Message, Lord Janno?—What message? Janno handed the young scientist the note that had been delivered to the air fleet base. But, my Lord, this is not from me—it is not even in my handwriting! Someone must have lured you here to rob you! By all the stars! My jewelled identity medallion—gone! And my ring! And a considerable amount of money too! Curse the thief, whoever he is! And that the thief should have used my name and my home—this puts me in a terribly embarrassing position! Forget it, Robi—you are not to blame! Farewell. Farewell, my Lord—you are very kind. When Janno’s footfalls had died away, the scheming Robi flung open the door of a back room. Ha! There, bound and gagged, sat Janno’s exact duplicate! You are worth a fortune to me! Trigo’s nephew! Third in succession to the proud throne of the Trigan Empire! I can sell you to the empire’s enemies for an emperor’s ransom! That night, Robi put out to sea in a small boat.Caton undersea warships are patrolling every part of our coastline. If I fail to meet one tonight, I will try again tomorrow, and the next night . . . Suddenly! . . . It is a Trigan!—Bring him aboard for questioning! What are you—a civilian—doing at sea in a war zone? I came to make contact with a Caton warship!—I have a proposition to put to your rulers! It was at dawn the following day that a Caton bombing force was chased off, with heavy losses, by Trigan fighter craft. An early casualty in the running battle was—Janno! I’m done for!
This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 502 on 28 August 1971.
