Posted on May 24, 2025May 31, 2025The Man from the Future (continued . . .) Janno dived his stricken craft towards a broad river. Will I make it ? I’ve blown off the canopy. There’s still a chance. Janno kicked his way out of the wreckage. I’m safe— if only my lungs . . . hold . . . out ! But as he clawed his way to the bank . . . Come out with your hands on your head ! Later, he was interrogated. Why did you start the attack at dawn ? I have nothing to say. Toth Zandu informed us you were coming at midday ! So Toth Zandu is the traitor ! The traitor was already marked for punishment. Later, in another part of the Caton headquarters, grim orders were given. You are the one who first made contact with Toth Zandu ? Yes, sir ! You will accompany this trained killer to Trigan City. You will lead him to the victims residence and point him out. Then you will render any necessary assistance in eliminating Toth Zandu ! All that day, bells rang throughout the Trigan Empire in honour of the victorious attack. Toth Zandu was baffled and frightened. Cato is now in desperate straits for, despite their recent victories on land and sea, they are now without air-cover. It can’t be true ! I read of the Trigans’ defeat in the future. When dusk fell over Trigan City, a high- flying aircraft dropped two avengers. Toth Zandu was alone in his luxury villa when they burst in on him. I think you can guess why we’re here, double-dealer ! As he sped towards the city centre, he heard a sound behind him. The assassins from Cato were instantly surrounded by a sheer-sided projectile-proof wall that rose from the floor. Later, Toth Zandu left his villa and climbed into his hover-auto. Fools ! Though I know that no harm is destined to come to me, I take reasonable precautions against my enemies. This new development makes my position insecure. I must go to the Emperor and give him a number of sensational predictions about the future. Then I am safe, no matter what. Toth Zandu’s hand stabbed a button. You ! What do you want ? Vengeance ! It was Toth Zandu’s sworn enemy—the one he had cheated out of a fortune. This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 697 on 24 May 1975.
Posted on February 16, 2024February 23, 2024Planet Zootha (continued . . .) Janno brought the Trigan craft low. And they flew over a vast tented encampment. A multitude of faces were turned to look up at them. The Emperor and his companions looked down. Are my eyes deceiving me, or ? . . . It’s a Vorg encampment ! One of the primitive kind you used to see on Elekton ! Trigo ordered Janno to land. They climbed down from their craft. Are they peaceful, Uncle—or shall we have trouble ? Be prepared to start shooting ! Then, to the five Trigans’ utter astonishment, they were addressed in the common language of their own planet ! I am Garron, chieftain of the Zootha Vorgs ! I welcome you to the planet Zootha ! You are one of us . . . from Elekton ? That is so ! In a time long past, when Zootha last came close to Elekton, some of our people ventured across the wilderness of space to this planet, as you have done ! Garron showed them the crumbling ruins of an ancient flying craft. This is the craft in which our ancestors came. It is a treasured relic of our people ! Of course ! Fool that I am— the legend of the Vorgs who went up into a new world in the sky—surely you were told that as a child, Imperial Majesty ! Yes—but—it was always thought to be a fairy tale ! But . . . it really happened in the distant past ! Trigo then explained to Garron how the Trigans were descended from the Vorgs. He introduced himself and his companions. . . . and this is Janno, son of my brother Brag. Ah ! And would you be your father’s eldest son, Janno ? Janno answered in puzzlement—and saw a strange light in the chieftain’s eyes. Indeed I am, Garron—I am the only son ! Aaaaah ! That is interesting . . . very interesting ! The incident slipped from Janno’s mind during the feasting that followed. Is everything to your liking, Emperor ? Indeed it is, Garron ! Not since I was a boy in my father’s encampment have I enjoyed such fine Vorg fare ! As soon as the feast was over . . . IT HAPPENED ! Now . . . seize the victim ! Aaaah . . . Janno was dragged roughly to his feet. Let me go ! Let me go, you demons ! What does it mean ? Do you call this Vorg hospitality ? The chieftain replied . . . As a first-born son, he will be sacrificed to our Great Ones ! It is a custom that is never broken—my own son perished in a like manner ! Take him away ! This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 631 on 16 February 1974.
Posted on July 17, 2021September 12, 2024The Unscrupulous Servant (continued . . .) Our next strange story begins in the month of Yuss, on the day of the Imperial Examinations. A raggedly-dressed student named Robi took his seat among candidates from all over the Trigan Empire. The questions are simple enough. If I had bothered to go through the drudgery of study, I could have answered them all . . . . . . as it is, I shall have to rely on this tablet, which contains all the information I need ! Robi was a brilliant scholar but lazy. He cheated, and passed out top of the Imperial Examinations. At the head of the list is . . . Robi ! Ha !—that should get me a top job in the Imperial Service ! Indeed, the cheat was appointed assistant to none other than Peric, the most brilliant scientist on Elekton ! My boy ! With all the great work I am carrying out, it is an enormous relief to have the assistance of such a promising young scientist as yourself. And when I am gone, all this will be yours ! Pompous old windbag ! Does he think I'm going to wait around to step into his shoes ? Not me ! If I haven't lied and cheated my way into fame and fortune within the next lunar year, my name isn't Robi ! This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 496 on 17 July 1971.
