Posted on September 4, 2021December 22, 2023The 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.
Posted on August 21, 2021December 21, 2023The Duplication Machine (continued . . .) Late that night, a dark figure climbed the face of the tenement building that housed Robi's apartment. This is the window. The intruder was soon inside the apartment, and delving into a drawer that contained an emperor's ransom in precious objects. They're all here. Enough to keep me for the rest of my life ! And he won't be needing them any more ! —heh ! heh ! And then . . . So, you animal— you dared to come back, eh ? Aaaaaaaaaah ! Robi stared at the thief in astonishment. You're a ghost ! An evil spectre ! With my own eyes I saw you hurled from the cliff-top last evening ! Don't come near me ! You are evil—evil ! Blinded by panic, the wretch fell back to his doom ! Eeeeeeeeeeaaaaaagh ! In the silence that followed, Robi looked down. So that's it, eh ? My duplicate was destroyed by that cur ! And it is impossible to make a second copy of myself ! I am all alone again—and the chances of my great discovery being detected increase with every day that passes ! What shall I do ? At dawn next day, the Catons attempted the first bombing raid of the war upon the Trigan capital. An air battle raged till noon. Robi witnessed the conflict in the sky—and it gave him food for thought. That's it ! It's to Cato I must look to complete my fortune ! I will provide them with a rich prize, for which they will pay me anything I demand ! When Janno, the emperor's nephew, landed his fighter-craft later that day . . . Message for you, Lord Janno. What's this ? . . . "You will remember me, Lord Janno. I am Peric's assistant Robi. I have something of great interest to show you, if you will come to my apartment . . ." Intrigued and mystified by the strange invitation, Janno went to Robi's apartment that evening. He found the door ajar. Robi !— Are you in there ? Sudden oblivion descended upon Janno ! Uuuuuh ! . . . Instants later, Robi was bundling the unconscious form of the emperor's nephew into his strange device. I must work quickly—before he comes to his senses . . . It was not long before Janno's shape began to appear— duplicated ! What's this ? . . . "You will remember me, Lord Janno. I am Peric's assistant Robi. I have something of great interest to show you, if you will come to my apartment . . ." This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 501 on 21 August 1971.
Posted on July 31, 2021March 28, 2024The Duplication Machine (continued . . .) It happened in a dark alleyway in a rough quarter of Trigan City. A figure leapt out at a passer-by, and a heavy cudgel was raised for a merciless blow. But the blow never fell ! Uuuuuh . . . Hmmmm ! What have I caught ?—a sneak-thief of the worst and most contemptible type. But he will serve my purpose. Later, the footpad recovered consciousness. Aaaaah ! Where am I ? Don't hurt me, master. I—I meant no harm, I swear it ! You meant the worst possible harm, you rascal—but I am willing to overlook it. Robi sneered. In fact, I will do better than that—I will make you the richest rogue in Trigan City— If you obey me without question ! The following morning, Robi went to Air Fleet Headquarters. As assistant to Elekton's top scientist, he carried a pass that admitted him to the air strip. Here comes Janno now. I'll speak to him when he gets out of his craft. It's a good idea to be on good terms with a member of the Imperial family. Janno recognised the young scientist. Hello ! Robi, isn't it ? As you see, my leg is mended, and I'm back on flying duty. Very glad to see you recovered, Lord Janno. I've brought something for you. Something you probably thought you'd lost for ever . . . My signet ring ! You dropped it the day you visited the laboratory, Lord Janno. I found it when I was sweeping up this morning. Janno was profuse in his thanks. He would have been surprised to have seen what Robi held in his hand as he walked away. Everybody's happy ! The stuck-up Lord Janno has his ring back —and I have an exact duplicate of it ! That night, Trigan City suffered the first of many inexplicable thefts. Robi's henchman stole a collection of gems from the home of a millionaire. Cry out—and it will be the last sound you ever make ! AAAAH ! Take the jewels ! Take anything—but don't hurt me ! He delivered them to the darkened laboratory where Robi waited. Good ! Now wait outside till I call you. You have one more task to perform before dawn. With the aid of the strange device he had secretly perfected, the ruthless young scientist duplicated the priceless gems. Ha ! Ha !—Nothing can stop me now—nothing ! By the end of the lunar year, I shall be able to buy and sell the Trigan Empire ! There was a surprise in store for his henchman, later. You ask me to return this loot to where I stole it from !— Master, have you gone mad ? No, my friend. I have not gone mad. I have simply discovered the perfect crime ! This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 498 on 31 July 1971.
