Posted on September 14, 2024September 22, 2024The Food of the Gods It was in the fourth lunar month of the year of Zooth that an astral phenomenon was observed in the sky above Elekton. Countless multitudes saw it, wondering at its brightness that turned the night to day. It’s a shooting star ! I never saw such a shooting star before in my life ! Elekton’s top scientist, Peric, had the answer to the strange object in the sky. It is an exploded world ! Somewhere out in space, a world like ours blew up into fragments. The thing that passed through our outer atmosphere was one of the pieces of that destroyed planet ! The phenomenon passed on its way into the trackless wilderness of outer space. But, high in the upper atmosphere of Elekton, a cloud of strange particles remained and slowly descended. The particles were seeds. They fell upon the surface of the planet, widely scattered. Presently, they put forth small white flowers . . . Some distance from Trigan City, a herdsmen played his pipe and idly watched his flock. Suddenly . . . They’re surrounding me ! Then, sheer blind panic ! No ! No ! Keep away from me ! The creatures closed in upon him, their baaing drowning his screams. Some time later, Peric chanced to visit a botanist friend of his. This species is unknown to me, Beris. What is its name ? To be frank, my dear fellow, it also a total stranger to me. It has suddenly started to grow in considerable abundance on the Plain of Vorg. The local bird life will soon make short work of your specimen, Beris. So it appears. I had not noticed that before. And then . . . By all the stars ! They—they’re coming at us, Peric ! Aaaaaaah ! Run for your life, Beris ! This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 661 on 14 September 1974.
Posted on March 9, 2024March 11, 2024Planet Zootha (continued . . .) An instant before certain destruction, Trigo rolled sideways—and the Kerd’s spear shattered against the rock close to the Emperor’s head ! Uuuugh ! Picking up the small, muscular form, Trigo hurled the Kerd into the faces of his oncoming comrades. Aaaaagh ! Uuuuugh ! More of the warlike little savages poured into sight. The cry went up from the Vorg slaves . . . This stranger has shown us how to act ! Let us be slaves no longer ! Let us fight ! Fight ! . . . or die ! The slaves fought, and Trigo fought with them. But they were overpowered by sheer weight of numbers. Take them alive ! The Great Ones shall decide their fate ! They were dragged to the city, and brought before the stout and pampered creatures who ruled the planet by fear. No-one defies the law of the Great Ones ! You shall all perish ! Then—IT HAPPENED ! . . . Take them away and . . . Aaaaaaaaaaaah ! The ground trembled ! A might roaring filled the air ! The great building collapsed ! It is happening again ! The planet is moving ! Vorgs ! Rally to me ! Let us gain the upper world ! Trigo led the Vorgs through the tunnel and out of the vast cave mouth on to the surface of the planet. Great was the Emperor’s joy to find that his nephew was among those whom he had brought out. Janno ! Thank the stars you’re alive ! I was condemned to a lifetime of slavery, Uncle —but I never doubted that you’d keep your promise and save me ! They rejoined the others in the Vorg camp. It was a time of joyful reunions. My son ! My first-born ! When I delivered you to the Great Ones as a sacrifice, I never thought to see you again ! The Great Ones are not gods, Father. Now the myth is destroyed, we shall never sacrifice to them again ! Where are the Great Ones now, my son ? In the nether-world, together with their minions the Kerds. They fear to set foot up here. We shall never be bothered with them again. The volcanic disturbance drove them into a state of terror. The great scientist Peric broke in . . . Speaking of volcanic disturbance, the signs are that this planet is in a highly unstable state and will shortly be changing its orbit again ! We must return to Elekton before it is too late ! Trigo addressed the chieftain, pointing to the vast bulk of Elekton above them. Garron ! There may be time, yet, to send space-craft to take you and your people to the planet of your forefathers. What do you say ? Zootha is our home, mighty Emperor. Here we will stay. Thanks to you, life will be infinitely sweeter from now on ! That evening, the Trigans took off for their return voyage across the wilderness of space. Farewell ! Farewell ! Before they reached their home-planet, they saw Zootha moving off on a new orbit. There they go ! Will they ever return ? Perhaps— after countless ages ! This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 634 on 9 March 1974.
Posted on February 23, 2024February 23, 2024Planet Zootha (continued . . .) Behold—the Great Ones ! Trigo was deeply impressed. They look like Gods ! Do such creatures live ? They live ! And they demand the sacrifice of the best things we have—our best flocks, finest foodstuffs, and our first-born sons. In return, they allow us to live and prosper ! Garron pointed to Janno. That one will be sacrificed to the Great Ones this day ! Oppose this at your peril, mighty Emperor ! Janno was brought to a great cavemouth . . . He was tied there . . . Soon, noble youth, you will have the honour of perishing at the hands of the Great Ones ! Aaaaah . . . Trigo, on the pretext of saying farewell to his nephew, whispered an assurance in his ear. I will save you, Janno ! Never fear—you will not be abandoned ! Do you understand ? Yes, Uncle. A mighty horn was sounded. Its mournful note echoed and re-echoed in the deep fastnesses of the great cavern. Then Janno was left standing alone, in the growing darkness. How . . . how long do I have to wait ? He was not alone for long ! Aaaaaaaaaah ! Out of the darkness of the great cavern . . . THEY came ! Some distance away, in the Vorg camp, when all was silent, Trigo rose to his feet. First—to deal with that sentry ! The Trigan Emperor set off to keep his promise. I hope I am not too late ! This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 632 on 23 February 1974.
