Posted on April 15, 2022January 23, 2024The Zota Club The first of the tragic and inexplicable disasters took place on a day like any other day. A pilot of the Trigan Air Fleet took off on a routine training flight. His instructor and flight commander watched him go. Garran is a promising young fighter pilot. Yes, and careful, too. Not like some of the young hot-heads we’ve been getting recently. Suddenly, the craft flipped over—and streaked back towards the air base at zero height. Look out ! What does he think— ? The blast of disintegrator shells rose above the scream of the craft’s racing engines ! Flashing low over the scene of destruction, the craft headed towards a high pylon. Too late, the pilot saw his peril . . . By the time they reached the scene of the crash, it was too late to do anything. Why did he do it—why ? We’ll never know—now ! The second mystery disaster was brought about by a scientist named Ricco. He worked in the Imperial Science Laboratories. One morning, he brought two highly unstable chemicals into close proximity. . . . Then swiftly walked out of the building. His face was blank. It remained blank and he never so much as looked back— when the Imperial Science Laboratories were riven by a shattering explosion ! Three days later, with the disasters still unexplained, the Emperor Trigo was addressing his council on another matter of great gravity. Gentlemen ! I do not have to warn you that the misunderstanding between ourselves and Cato could lead to war. I warn you to treat the Caton Ambassadors with great tact and courtesy, so that we can settle our differences ! The doors of the council chamber swung open. Imperial Majesty ! Excellencies ! . . . The noble Ambassadors from Cato ! Remember ! One unguarded word could lead to war ! Escorted by the Emperor’s nephew, Janno, the haughty Caton Ambassadors entered—eager and ready for trouble. They found trouble soon enough ! The guardsman on the door brought down his weapon . . . and . . . This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 535 on 15 April 1972.
Posted on January 15, 2022February 15, 2022The Prisoner of Zerss (continued . . .) This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 522 on 15 January 1972.
Posted on February 6, 2021January 27, 2025The Thing from the Sea (continued . . .) As Sorra raised her hands to strike—Janno entered. Uncle ! We’ve returned— and all’s well ! Nephew ! Sorra switched her aim to Janno ! You shall be the first to perish ! The three Trigans threw themselves aside as the searing green flame tore past. It struck the prisoner—Ura Zircon, Lord of the Planet Thalla ! Uuuuuh . . . Father ! Father and daughter ? I don't understand . . . She’s a Thallan— and was infiltrated into the palace to kill you. Janno told his uncle about the Thallans' search for a new planet. What's this strange power she has ? It’s some kind of electro-magnetic force they can aim from the fingertips—they all have it, which is why we tied Ura Zircon’s hands behind him. And then—Ura Zircon opened his eyes. Oh, Father . . . It is fortunate that the force which would have killed a Trigan was only sufficient to stun me. There was no fight left in the Lord of Thalla. I have failed. My people are at your mercy—what are you going to do with us ? That is for the Imperial Council to decide. That same day, the council of the Empire met to decide the fate of the Thallans. Trigo listened to their views. These monsters should be destroyed ! No—send them back where they came from ! Kill them, I say ! And then . . . I say NO ! There will be no more killing. The Trigan Empire has absorbed many peoples within its boundaries—why not the Thallans ? So it was that the Thallan survivors were brought before the Emperor. You will be given a vast area on the bed of the Great Ocean. Develop it —build your cities— raise your crops—and live in peace. Thank you, Imperial Majesty ! Later, Trigo spoke with Ura Zircon. Tell me—why did you choose Elekton for conquest ? It was the most suitable for our needs. We made many exploratory journeys to other planets . . . Ura continued . . . “including Earth. No doubt we alarmed them . . .” I wonder if the people of that planet could have defeated you —as we did ! This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 473 on 6 February 1971.
