This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 578 on 10 February 1973.
The Lost Years (continued . . .)
After what seemed like an eternity, Janno and Roffa were summoned from their infernal dungeon. Out of it, you two! Today you face trial! Their trial was held in the great court of the Imperial Palace, and the Emperor himself was Presiding Judge. You are both accused of foully conspiring to sabotage three bombing craft of the Imperial Trigan Air Fleet. Denial is useless—your action was recorded on the security device . . . Projected on a giant screen, they saw and heard themselves as they had been on the fateful night—captured by a hidden camera. . . . I’m fixing the electronics . . . Most damning of all—there was a newsreel shot of the disaster they had caused. And then . . . Have you anything to say ? We acted in good faith ! We believed that Marshal Ossan was conspiring to assassinate the Emperor and . . . Marshal Ossan? What next? Narri was called as a defence witness. The poor wretch was cut to pieces by the astute prosecutor. So you went into the future, did you? And you saw Marshal Ossan riding around in a big car as the Dictator of Trigan? Yes, I did . . . at least, I think I did . . . The fellow’s mad! He should be locked up.I suggest to you that you are motivated by envy and malice! You hate Marshal Ossan because he is famous and splendid, while you are nothing but a cringing failure! I don’t know! I’m not sure of anything any longer. Let me alone—please! Please! It was then that the Emperor intervened . . . Enough of this nonsense! I’ll not have the Imperial Court of Justice mocked by such rubbish. The case is proved! Then—the grim sentence. Though one of the condemned is my own nephew, I am not tempted to mercy. You will both slave for the rest of your natural lives in the mines! Chains were hammered on to the two youths, in preparation for the deathin-life to which they had been doomed. Marshal Ossan looked on. Before they are taken away, I should like a private word with the prisoner Janno. Janno had had his doubts but Ossan soon swept them away! I don’t know how you really discovered my plans, Janno, but I’d like you to know that the second assassination attempt is planned for tomorrow—and this one will succeed! Narri was right! Traitor! Assassin! Tyrant! Aaaagh! Guards—help me! Strike him down! There’s further proof of the evil in him. Take away the wretch! Take them both to the mines!
This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 577 on 3 February 1973.
The Lost Years (continued . . .)
Narri picked himself up, and ran in terror—anywhere, to get away from the waking nightmare in which he had just found himself. Mad! That’s what he is—mad! You’d better watch out, or you’ll end up in the punishment mines! He did not pause till he came to the Great Square of the city. Everything’s changed overnight—everything! what’s that statue doing there, in place of the Emperor’s statue? By all the stars! Those slain figures represent the Emperor, his brother Brag, and the lord Janno! But what does this mean? He read the astounding inscription. “All hail the mighty Ossan, who saved our people from the tyrant Trigo and his brood, in the third year of Ziss . . .“ Nervously, Narri threw a question at a passing urchin. Er . . . little fellow . . . do you know what year it is? The sixth year of Ziss, of course! Everybody knows that! What’s happened to me? Yesterday, I went to sleep up on the hillside, and I wake up three lunar years later! At that moment, there came a sudden stir at the far corner of the Great Square. All hail Ossan!Narri caught his first, brief glimpse of the man who was to play such an important part in his life—and whose life he, in turn, was to change so greatly. That is Ossan? More questions teemed in Narri’s mind. He asked a man standing next to him . . . The people don’t seem very enthusiastic about their ruler. Isn’t he popular? You want to be careful what you’re saying, fellow! A few moments later, Narri saw that the man had sidled over to a police officer. He’s reporting what I said just now! I’m in trouble! Narri took to his heels. Hey, you! Stop! Stop, I say! The panic-stricken young peasant was stopping for no one. He fled out of the city, and headed towards the hills. Somehow . . . somewhere . . . I have lost three lunar years out of my life! And . . . and in that time, the Trigan Empire, as I knew it, has finished! And then—the roar of engines, and a harsh order! Halt—or perish!
This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 569 on 9 December 1972.
