Posted on October 9, 2021February 20, 2024The Masked Raiders (continued . . .) No buts ! Those white-masked monsters must be brought to justice ! And every inch of the Empire, above and below the ground, in the sea and under the sea, must be scoured till they are found !—See to it ! The Emperor was beside himself with fury. A whole lunar month gone by— and nothing done ! You are a pack of bungling fools ! The service and civil chiefs of the Empire quailed before Trigo’s lashing tongue. But, Imperial Majesty . . . Land, sea, air and police units searched day and night for the strange terrorists. Even the ancient catacombs beneath Trigan City were not overlooked. The Air Fleet kept up constant patrols. The comrades, Keren and Roffa, flew three sorties in a day. What a life ! Thank the stars we’ve a day off tomorrow. How about riding up to the hills for a day’s hunting ? And so, next day . . . He’s yours, Roffa !— after him ! Roffa chased his quarry and lost him when the mist closed down. It soon became apparent that he had also lost his friend. Keren, Keren, where are you ? This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 508 on 9 October 1971.
Posted on September 18, 2021July 2, 2024The Duplication Machine (continued . . .) Reaching the Trigan coast well ahead of the Caton air fleet, the duplicate Janno dropped flares and fired his guns. That should wake up the defences ! A cease-fire was in operation, but the Trigan coastal gunners quickly roused themselves. It’s a Caton craft !—Sound the alarm ! Action stations ! The evil triumvirate who ruled Cato were also in the craft. One of them struck wildly at the duplicate Janno. Fool—Get away from here ! Do you want to get us all killed ? With no hands on the controls, the craft swerved towards the coast. Open fire ! Meanwhile, the alarm had reached Trigan City—and the fighting craft of the air fleet were screeching up into the dawn sky. All-unsuspecting, the Caton fleet flew into a trap. Silhouetted against Elekton’s rising suns, they were mauled to tatters by the Trigans ! The war was over ! Later that day, a Trigan naval patrol craft found an unconscious figure lying on the shore of a lonely islet. By the stars !— It’s Lord Janno, the Emperor’s nephew ! In due course, Robi was brought from Cato and questioned by Peric. He confessed his secret to the great scientist. I think his Imperial Majesty will agree with me when I say that your execution or imprisonment will only deprive Elekton of a brain it cannot afford to lose. But the infernal duplicating device will be destroyed— and you will speak of it to no one ! Never, master !— I promise you ! One thing puzzles me—is the Janno who was found on that lonely beach the original Janno, or the duplicate Janno ? That we shall never know for sure, Imperial Majesty ! And neither will he ! As to the circumstances leading up to his crash, his mind is a blank ! A statue was erected in the great square of Trigan City to the Lord Janno who saved the Empire at the cost of his own life. Janno often pondered on the great question mark of his life. Am I the original me— or my own duplicate ? This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 505 on 18 September 1971.
Posted on September 4, 2021July 2, 2024The Duplication Machine (continued . . .) Janno’s craft plummeted into the sea. A comrade circled over the wreckage for some time—but . . . I regret to report that Lord Janno has departed to join his ancestors ! That night, at a lonely spot off the coast of Trigan . . . Is that you ?— Do you have the prisoner ? Yes !— I have him ! The duplicate Janno was dragged aboard the Caton undersea warship. Well—now do you believe me ? Is this not indeed Lord Janno the Emperor’s nephew ? By all the stars, so it is ! Then give me my money and let me depart, Admiral ! Ten thousand Trigan pieces, as agreed ! You will be paid for your treachery, fellow—but my orders are to take you back to Cato ! A cold finger of terror traced its course down Robi’s spine. I’m done for ! As soon as the Catons announce that they have Janno, the Trigans will issue a statement that it is a lie ! AAAAAH ! Then the Catons will torture the truth out of me ! This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 503 on 4 September 1971.
