Category: Landmarks & Structures

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Janno’s Five Tasks (continued . . .)

















	














Just when it seemed that they must be clear of the quicksand, Janno’s foot sent a stone bounding along the path.

Gnaaaaaaghh!

Now for trouble—big trouble!

He crouched to meet the coming onslaught.

If I step to one side, I could walk straight into the quicksand!

An instant before what seemed like certain destruction . . .

Using the Gora’s own impetus, he sent the great beast over his shoulders!

The quicksand took its victim in its deadly grip.

Farewell, Gora. It was either you or me.

Janno soon came in sight of his companions at the far side of the desert.

Congratulations, Excellency! You have performed the first test with great courage!

But remember, Colonel, there still remain four more to be carried out!
























	














News of Janno’s exploit reached the Emperor Trigo who was furious!

I send him to control the Zallus, and he spends his time trying to get himself killed.

Go to my nephew! Tell him that I do not expect the heir presumptive to the throne of the Trigan Empire to risk his neck for the amusement of a pack of Zallu barbarians!

Yes, Imperial Majesty!

Brag had a wry comment to make to his brother . . .

At his age, you would have done exactly the same! Come now, Trigo—admit it!

I admit nothing!

The Emperor’s emissary arrived in Zallusia the following day and presented himself at Janno’s headquarters.

I come by order of the Emperor to instruct Janno that he must not carry out any more of these foolhardy tasks.

I’m afraid you are a little too late, my dear fellow.

You have an excellent view from this window of Janno performing his second task—see!

By all the stars!

The highest building in the city was a giant memorial to a long-dead Zallu chief. Janno was climbing it!

He—he’ll never make it.

Possibly, but he’ll perish trying.

At the far side of the square, a hidden marksman took aim.

Die, Trigan.

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 763 on 28 August 1976.

 
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The Green Fog (continued . . .)

















	














The fungus grew—and grew! Presently, the older buildings began to collapse under the tremendous weight.

The whole city is falling down!

The green scourge even penetrated the interior of buildings. Within days, the Imperial Archives—nerve centre of the Trigan administration—was a shambles.

We can’t go on! This green stuff is everywhere!

The Imperial Council met in a state of panic.

Government has become impossible in the city!

Tharv is certain to invade us, knowing our weakness!

There are food riots in the streets!

Be silent!

The Emperor Trigo’s voice was calm and commanding.

The city will be evacuated immediately. The capital of the empire will be removed to the town of Vorgpass till the . . . emergency . . . is over.

News that the city was to be abandoned to the green fungus sent a wave of despair through the population. Grim-faced and silent, they took what belongings they could carry and filed out through the green-carpeted streets.

The voice of Uruz the blind beggar sounded like a knell of doom.

I told them, but they wouldn’t listen! I warned them that evil had been done!
























	














But, before the evacuation could be completed, it happened again.

The green fog! It’s come back!

Swirling over the fungus-hung rooftops glided the sinister green cloud.

Aaaaaaagh!

The green blindness enveloped the city, for the rest of that day and the day after.

I can’t take any more! I think I shall go mad!

It must end . . . mustn’t it?

The green fog cleared as quickly as it had come. And the weary and frightened people looked about them.

The fungus has gone!

Thank the stars!

But, as the great scientist Peric commented . . .

Not completely gone, as you see. It is as if someone had come along and cut off the fruit of the growth, to allow for more growth!

What are you suggesting?

I hardly know, Imperial Majesty! But I think we must send for Uruz the blind beggar again. I suggest we listen to him more patiently than we did before.

So Uruz was once more summoned to appear before the Imperial Council of the empire. But this time he was treated with respect.

Now, Uruz, if you will be so kind as to repeat to the council everything you heard and sensed while the green fog was enveloping the city.

The top people of the empire hung on the words of a blind beggar!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 734 on 7 February 1976.

 
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The Green Fog

















	














The blind beggar Uruz had sat at the base of Trigo’s statue in the great square of the city for as long as anyone could remember. One morning, Janno the Emperor’s nephew was crossing the square. As always, he dropped a coin into the beggar’s hat.

A thousand thanks, Lord Janno.

You knew who I was! Yet I never uttered a word!

So you think that I can see after all. But you are wrong, Lord Janno. Why, I know you from the sound of your footfall, from the very rustle of your uniform. My eyes are my ears!

The incident had passed from Janno’s mind by the time he reached the air fleet base, climbed into his tiny fighter craft and took off.

Calling control. Have cleared the ground. Your orders, please.

His orders took him to the stratosphere, high above the surface of Elekton, patrolling the sky frontiers of the Trigan Empire.

At about noon, people in the great square of Trigan City saw . . . IT!

Look!

What is it?

It was a wall of swirling green fog that swept across the great capital, enveloping everything . . .

It’s fantastic!

I’ve never seen such a thing before!
























	














. . . in a blanket of green blindness!

Help!

Where are you?

I can’t see a thing!

High above, Janno was shocked to hear the controller’s panic-stricken cries over his communicator.

It’s all gone green! I’m blind! Janno, for pity’s sake! . . .

What’s happening down there?

Receiving no reply, Janno brought his craft down in a screaming dive. Nearing the ground, he saw the ominous green cloud that shrouded the city.

It’s . . . unbelievable!

Even as he looked, the green murk cleared away and the capital of the Trigan Empire lay below him in all its accustomed glory.

It’s . . . gone!

The pandemonium in the city was indescribable, with crashed vehicles littering the streets, and frightened and bewildered people wandering about in shock.

It was as if the end of the world had come.

What if it happens again?

I think I shall go out of my mind!

Uruz, the blind beggar, cried out in a loud voice.

I tell you something terrible has taken place! An alien people have been amongst us.

What? Explain yourself!

His words struck a chill into the hearts of all his listeners.

While this green fog of which you speak was upon us, while you were all stumbling about like the newly-blind . . . there came amongst us some who walked with sure-footed tread, as if they could see!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 732 on 24 January 1976.