Category: Air Fleet

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The Man from the Future (continued . . .)

















	














In a wave of sound and fury, the Caton battle-craft pressed home their attack upon the bridge, Trigan City’s vital link with the empire!

Then, from high above came A MASSED FORMATION OF TRIGAN FIGHTERS!

Janno was in one of the lead attackers. Sighting his cannons, he let fly twin projectiles.

Got him!

Like a swarm of stinging insects, the little fighters closed upon the enemy bombers and clawed them out of the sky.

Some Caton craft escaped to tell the tale of destruction. The rest fell in Trigan Bay.
























	














Back at Imperial war council headquarters, the Emperor heard the news, and turned to Toth Zandu.

I thank the stars that I overruled my generals and listened to your warning, Toth Zandu. You have saved the Trigan Bay Bridge!

How did you know they were coming to attack?

I have ways and means of predicting future events. I am willing to place my powers at the disposal of my Emperor and my country.

I hereby appoint Toth Zandu adviser extraordinary to the Imperial War Council. In my absence, you will give careful consideration to his predictions.

As your Imperial Majesty commands!

The Emperor took his new adviser to see Peric. The great scientist was in the Imperial records office, supervising the hundred scribes who worked upon the day-by-day history of the Trigan Empire.

Here, history is recorded as it happens. From all over the empire, come news items that are immediately set down for all time. Future generations will be able to read everything about the empire, right down to the smallest detail.

It is a great honour to meet you, Peric.

Likewise, Toth Zandu. You must come and see me often. I am most curious to know more about your strange powers of foretelling future events.

That night, Toth Zandu retired early to his luxury villa.

There is no changing the pattern of future events, any more than one can change the past . . . 

 . . . but I can so arrange matters that it is I, Toth Zandu, who benefits!

He poured a flask of a strange-looking liquid.

Now, the strange chemical, with which I shall presently travel through space and through time.

Make the most of your last moments of life, Toth Zandu. You took what was mine and I have come to destroy you!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 693 on 26 April 1975.

 
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The Man from the Future

















	














The new Air-Fleet carrier “TRIGAN HERO” was launched by the Emperor, with great ceremony, on the seventeenth day of the year of Zenf.

I name this vessel “Trigan Hero”. May she sail the seas of our planet and bring glory to the empire.

The Emperor’s nephew, Janno, himself a pilot in the Air-Fleet, was flying over the scene of the launching.

There she goes! Be ready to land in formation as soon as she’s in mid-harbour.

Janno and his companions were the first to land on the broad deck of the new carrier.

The “Trigan Hero” was leaving immediately for the Great Central Ocean, where a war with the state of Cato was threatening.

As soon as Cato gets news that we’re at sea, they’ll have second thoughts about making trouble.

Yes, Janno. With what we carry on this ship, we could take on Cato single-handed!

Among the massed crowds watching the departure of the great vessel was an individual with red hair.

A fine ship!

Aye! Makes you feel proud to be a Trigan!

Those about him would have been shocked to have known his thoughts at that moment.

A pity that “Trigan Hero” is going to sink on her first voyage!
























	














The red-headed one had an assignation that day. He met a stranger, by prior arrangement, in the great square of the city.

I recognise you from your description. You’re the fellow who advertised for the Lottery ticket with the special number, aren’t you?

I am. And you have that ticket?

The Trigan Imperial Lottery, in addition to providing useful revenue for the state, paid out one massive prize every quarter-year.

I am satisfied.

This is ticket number seven, three, six, two, zero, zero, nine, four. Are you willing to buy it for five thousand zersts—a ticket that only cost me fifty?

The bargain was made.

I will pay you in cash!

I don’t understand it. You’ve made me an enormous profit, but your chances of winning with that ticket are millions to one!

You can’t go wrong, especially when you know what’s going to happen in the future!

“Trigan Hero” reached the Great Central Ocean the following day. Towards sunset, alarm bells rang throughout the huge vessel. Janno was just about to climb into his air craft.

What’s happened?

Fire!

Fire in the engine room!

The next instant, the newest unit of the Trigan fleet was riven asunder!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 690 on 5 April 1975.

 
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The Food of the Gods (continued . . .)

















	














Again and again, the fighting-craft came in with guns blazing.

Open fire on him!

The defenders never had time to strike back.

Then the attacker streaked off.

You’ll pay for this day’s work, Janno—you foul traitor!

The news was brought to the Emperor Trigo.

My own nephew, you say? Is there no possibility of a mistake in the identification of the craft?

None at all, Imperial Majesty. It was Lord Janno’s craft—and he has caused havoc at the base!

That craft—or my nephew—are to be attacked and destroyed on sight.

Yes, Imperial Majesty.

Alone, Trigo could only ponder and grieve.

Janno! Why did you do it, lad? Why? . . . Why?
























	














At that same moment, Janno was watching his own craft coming in to land at outpost seven.

How does he do it? . . . It’s unbelievable!

He met the grinning face of the boys’ leader.

I’ve just wiped out half your base. Not bad for a beginner-pilot, eh?

But—I only showed you the basic controls, with someone prodding me in the back with the muzzle of a gun. If I’d guessed that you could have even got it up into the air . . .

How could you have guessed . . . about us?

Something has happened to us. Not only has our physical strength greatly increased, but our mental powers also. We are super-creatures!

A pity you will not be around to see us masters of Elekton, Janno! Eliminate him!

Janno saw the weapon coming up on aim. He ducked . . .

Aaaaagh!

Get him! Shoot him down!

Janno ran for his life.

Feet, don’t fail me now!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 664 on 5 October 1974.