Category: Imperial Games

Posted on

The Elixir of Youth (continued . . .)

















	














That morning, Mallo went to the Trigan City amphitheatre to watch two exponents of the ancient Vorg art of sword-fighting.

Defend yourself, Luccus! Strike at him, Kella!

Coaching them was Crillus, the greatest living professional sword-fighter.

Enough! You have lost the bout, Luccus! In the bad old days, you would now be despatched!

Turning, the old warrior saw the newcomer.

Its young Mallo, winner of the wrestling crown. Come to see me teaching what I can no longer practise, eh, lad?

You could still do it, Crillus! You could still defeat every swordsman who came before you . . .

. . . But it would cost you money!

. . . Big money!

Just what are you driving at?

You heard that Narrod broke the all-time air race-craft record yesterday?

Yes! A man my own age! I could scarcely believe my ears! What of it?

Mallo explained . . .

Are you trying to tell me that all I have to do is drink this green liquid and—like Narrod—I shall be young again?

Yes! Don’t take my word for it. Take it home and try it!

The going price is a million thullars—the same as I charged Narrod!
























	














When Mallo arrived back at his apartment . . .

And who in the stars may you be, brat?

You may well ask, scoundrel . . .

 . . . I’m Narrod!

It can’t be true! There’s some mistake!

Indeed there is! And the mistake is yours! I asked to be given back my youth, not regressed into childhood! I demand to be returned to my proper age!

Mind racing, Mallo prepared a draught . . .

I’ll do what! Can. First, you must drink this sedative. Then I’ll inject the antidote to the youth drug.

It had better work, Mallo, or I’ll have you imprisoned for life in the penal mines!

The boy drank and immediately fell to the floor.

What am I to do? There is no antidote as far as I’m aware!

I must have time to think. He’ll be unconscious for days. I’ll hide him here. Next, I must go and see Crillus and warn him not to take the green liquid!

He drove across Trigan City to the great mansion where the famous sword-fighter lived.

I pray that I may yet be in time!

Mallo burst in and recoiled, ashen-faced!

Oh, no!

What . . . have you . . . done to me, Mallo?

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 650 on 29 June 1974.

 
Posted on

The Elixir of Youth (continued . . .)

















	














At Mallo’s proposition, Narrod threw back his head and laughed till the tears ran down his lined cheeks.

A million Thullars in cash?—ha, ha, ha!—you really have taken leave of your senses!

The old man’s mood changed. Suddenly, Mallo saw something of what Narrod must have been in the days of his youth and strength.

You insolent young animal! A million thullars is half of my  fortune, which I earned by the sweat of my brow and by risking my life . . .

I will show you how I came to be a millionaire, my lad! . . .

Narrod touched a switch . . .

Watch! . . . And learn!

Narrod winning the Elekton water-speed record!!

Narrod gaining the Elekton air-speed title!!

Narrod winning the Vorg wrestling crown at the Imperial Games—for the third time!!
























	














There was more—much more. When it was over, the veteran grabbed his companion in a classic Vorg wrestling grip.

I can still do it! I can still throw you across the room, old as I am!

Think so?

Uuuuuuuhhh . . .

You will never throw an opponent again, you old wreckage of a creature! No more crowns . . . no more titles . . . no more speed records . . . You are finished! Finished!

Narrod answered whiningly—brokenly . . .

Make me young again . . . if it’s in your power, Mallo!

First—the money!

That morning, in the Bank of Trigan, a million Thullars were counted out for the young scientist-athlete.

Three hundred and fifty thousand . . . three hundred and sixty thousand . . .

And now . . . the elixir!

Take it! Drink it down!

. . . but later, when you’re alone!

A storm broke over Trigan City that night. It illuminated the luxurious living room of Narrod’s villa, as the old man raised the phial to his lips and devoured the strange brew in one gulp!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 648 on 15 June 1974.

 
Posted on

The Elixir of Youth (continued . . .)

















	














In the courtyard of a Trigan City apartment, two youths were practising the classic art of Vorg wrestling.

How was that?

Well done, Janno!

Janno was delighted to be taking lessons from Mallo, the wrestling expert.

Did I hurt you, my friend?

It’s all right, Janno.

The Emperor’s nephew calls me “friend“! My, you’ve come a long way from being the son of a shoemender, Mallo!

At that moment, a messenger arrived.

Something important?

A summons from my uncle. I am to go immediately to the palace. And you are to come with me, Mallo.

The two youths arrived in the Imperial apartments, where the Emperor Trigo awaited them.

You wanted to see me, Uncle?

Yes! Janno and Mallo, I want you both to meet an old friend . . .

Good day to you, sirs!

Peric!

The very same, and to prove it . . .
























	














Eeeeeeeh!

In my younger days, Janno, I was something of a wrestler! And suddenly it all comes back to me!

Elekton’s top scientist—now much changed—grinned at his companions.

But, you’re . . . you’re . . .

Younger! Between twenty and thirty lunar years younger! With scarcely any grey hairs, all my teeth, and with the pulse and blood pressure of a man in his prime!

But . . . how?

It happened last night. As Mallo knows, I have been searching for a rejuvenating agent. Last night, a strange green liquid appeared in the test tube. Almost immediately, it exploded . . .

I absorbed that green liquid and it took years off my life! It has all gone, but we will find more of it, Mallo! You and I will work, day and night, to re-discover the secret of youth!

Yes, Peric! . . . Yes!

In the days and nights that followed, Peric and his assistant never left the Imperial Research Laboratory.

The mixture of ingredients is very critical. I must take a short rest. You carry on, Mallo. But be very careful—the true mixture is highly unstable!

Alone, the ambitious young scientist grew reckless.

The secret of youth! It would make me the richest man on Elekton, and more powerful than any Emperor! . . .

To blazes with caution! I will increase the ingredients a hundredfold!

Suddenly, the liquid in his test tube turned into a luminous green!

The secret of eternal youth is mine! All mine!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 646 on 1 June 1974.