The Curse of King Yutta (continued . . .)




During that night, Brag—normally a peaceful sleeper—awoke from a dreadful nightmare. Something terrible’s going to happen tomorrow! Trigo’s in awful danger—I know it! He sought out his brother, the Emperor, early next morning. Brag, as you know, I’m making a trial descent in Peric’s new undersea exploration sphere today, and . . . No! You mustn’t go! I’ve had a premonition of disaster! A dream . . . Trigo listened to Brag’s account of his nightmare. Then he smiled indulgently. It’s quite touching, the way you worry about my safety. I really do appreciate it, my dear fellow, but if you think I’m going to cancel the descent on account of some silly dream . . . Something terrible will happen today. I know it! The faithful Brag was watching from the Palace roof when Trigo’s air craft set off for the rendezvous on the Great Ocean. I shall never set eyes on him again—never! In the middle of the Great Ocean, at its deepest part, floated the undersea exploration rig that supported a massive sphere. The Imperial craft approaches! Trigo joined the scientific party that was to descend to the uncharted depths. The sphere was sealed. Commence the lowering of the sphere! Down—down—down!
And then—deadly peril! Instants later, the controllers on the surface received the information. Emergency! Emergency! The sphere is under attack! In fact, the men in the sphere averted certain disaster by electrocuting the unknown monster! By this time, the news had been flashed to Trigan City, where Brag was anxiously waiting. I knew it! I knew it would happen! Contact the landing strip and tell them to have my private air craft ready and waiting for me! At once, Lord Brag! He took off in haste . . . What’s happening? I can’t get this confounded thing above half-power! . . . And crashed almost immediately! Brag’s premonition of disaster had come true!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 563 on 28 October 1972.

 

The Thing from the Sea (continued . . .)




A terrifying shape rose from the sea some distance from the craft. Aaaaaahhh . . . look ! It's coming at us ! Start the engines ! Prepare for emergency take-off ! The craft streaked skyward—with the “thing” close behind. Janno sent his craft into a dizzy side-slip—but not soon enough to avoid trouble. The object’s tongue slashed one wing in half ! Battling with the controls, Janno gained height. I'm going to make a counter attack ! Stand by to fire the projectiles, Roffa ! Right ! As the Trigan craft swooped, the deadly projectiles found their target. Well hit, Roffa !
But . . . The projectiles didn't make a mark on it ! It's sinking out of sight ! When it vanished, Janno and his comrades exchanged grim glances. What—what that thing ? is Only one man on Elekton could possibly answer that question—Peric ! That night, the great scientist Peric interrogated Janno in the presence of the Emperor. Think carefully, Janno— are you sure it was not a sea-creature ? Yes ! The thing was metallic—some kind of monstrous mechanical device. The enquiry over, Emperor Trigo turned to the man with the finest brain on Elekton. Well, Peric ? I confess myself baffled, Imperial Majesty—baffled ! Meanwhile, by the Trigan Sea, the inhabitants of the prosperous city of Karona went about their business, unaware that this day was to be their last . . . The “thing” arrived at dusk . . . . . . And the destruction began ! Aaaaaaaaagh ! Eeeeeeeeehh !

This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 465 on 12 December 1970.