Lukaz Rann’s dossier on the Tharv scientist, VALLU, gave a complete picture of that creature’s evil career. It was Vallu who had invented a plant-killer, which, if sprayed from the air . . . . . . brought swift destruction to plants and crops! With my compound, we could wipe out an enemy’s plant food supply in the first day of war! One drop of my X-germ in a city’s water supply will eliminate the entire population of that city! Currently, he was at work on a sensational new explosive force. My plan is to harness the latent magnetic energy of the planet! Many times, the clever Trigan scientist, Peric, had warned the Imperial Council of the peril from Tharv. I tell you all that it is theoretically possible that, in testing his new explosive force, Vallu will blow up the whole planet. He must be stopped. Peric! You know we can do nothing to stop a citizen of another state! When Vallu was questioned about Peric’s claim, he only scoffed. And what do you say to the allegation that your new force will blow up the planet? The allegation was made by an old fool! At his age, he should give up science and take up needlework!Lukaz Rann read through Vallu’s dossier. I’ll rid Elekton of that unspeakable creature! Getting at Vallu presented many obstacles. He lived in a fortress on a cliff-top . . . . . . and never travelled without the constant attentions of his six hand-picked Daveli bodyguard. Night fell over Tharv and a figure rose from the sea. Lukaz Rann began the hair-raising and tortuous climb up the sheer cliff-face. He was half-way there when . . . The sound of a jet-pack. One of the bodyguards is patrolling. A probing finger of light swept across the cliff-face, threatening to reveal the intruder in all his helplessness.
This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 702 on 28 June 1975.
