Category: Landmarks & Structures

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The Man from the Future (continued . . .)

















	














Janno dived his stricken craft towards a broad river.

Will I make it?

I’ve blown off the canopy. There’s still a chance.

Janno kicked his way out of the wreckage.

I’m safe—if only my lungs . . . hold . . . out!

But as he clawed his way to the bank . . .

Come out with your hands on your head!

Later, he was interrogated.

Why did you start the attack at dawn?

I have nothing to say.

Toth Zandu informed us you were coming at midday! 

So Toth Zandu is the traitor!

The traitor was already marked for punishment. Later, in another part of the Caton headquarters, grim orders were given.

You are the one who first made contact with Toth Zandu?

Yes, sir!

You will accompany this trained killer to Trigan City. You will lead him to the victim’s residence and point him out. Then you will render any necessary assistance in eliminating Toth Zandu!
























	














All that day, bells rang throughout the Trigan Empire in honour of the victorious attack. Toth Zandu was baffled and frightened.

Cato is now in desperate straits for, despite their recent victories on land and sea, they are now without air-cover.

It can’t be true! I read of the Trigans’ defeat in the future.

When dusk fell over Trigan City, a highflying aircraft dropped two avengers.

Toth Zandu was alone in his luxury villa when they burst in on him.

I think you can guess why we’re here, double-dealer!

Toth Zandu’s hand stabbed a button.

The assassins from Cato were instantly surrounded by a sheer-sided projectile-proof wall that rose from the floor.

Fools! Though I know that no harm is destined to come to me, I take reasonable precautions against my enemies.

Later, Toth Zandu left his villa and climbed into his hover-auto.

This new development makes my position insecure. I must go to the Emperor and give him a number of sensational predictions about the future. Then I am safe, no matter what.

As he sped towards the city centre, he heard a sound behind him.

You! What do you want?

Vengeance!

It was Toth Zandu’s sworn enemy—the one he had cheated out of a fortune.

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 697 on 24 May 1975.

 
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The Man from the Future (continued . . .)

















	














The watcher waited till all was silent in Toth Zandu’s bedchamber. Then he crept in, stealthily.

Vengeance is mine.

A keen blade flashed in the moonlight, but never descended.

Gone!

But how could he have gone? And where? He’s never been out of my sight since he got into bed.

Unknown to the would-be assassin, the individual whom the Trigans knew as Toth Zandu was travelling through the trackless wastes of time and space.

Aeons passed in instants. Empires rose and fell. Countless generations were born and forgotten.

He awoke in a familiar room in a familiar city.

Nothing has changed, though countless million lunar years have gone by in the flickering of an eye!

The time-traveller walked through the broad streets of a noble city of the FUTURE. He was hailed by all who met him for was he not a person of substance?

May the stars smile on you this day, Zudd Ra.

And upon you.
























	














Zudd Ra was keeper of the historical records and, as such, he was accorded great respect. But he craved more than respect.

Now to familiarise myself with more details of the Trigan Empire in the far-off year of Zenf.

Details which will be of use to me!

Flashed upon a screen, at the touch of a control, were facts recorded by Trigan scribes centuries before.

“On the twenty-fifth day of the year of Zenf, Toth Zandu was appointed adviser extraordinary by his Imperial Majesty . . .”

Now let us see what happened during the rest of the time that the Trigan Empire and Cato were at war.

Night was falling when he left the place of historical records and returned to his apartment.

I think I see a way to get what I want. After all, I am not ambitious for power, all I want is boundless wealth!

And Trigan City in the year of Zenf is the place and the time to get it!

In the privacy of his chamber, he poured for himself some of the same strange liquid that he had swallowed in Trigan City.

Let Trigo rule his empire. All I want is to be the richest of his subjects!

It was dawn in Trigan City when the time-traveller opened his eyes again. And the sky outside his window was resounding with gunfire.

There’s an air-battle taking place overhead!

As he rushed out into his garden, a silvery shape flashed past overhead—in flames! And something blossomed forth from the doomed craft.

He’s going to land in my garden!

Toth Zandu was left in no doubt about the pilot’s nationality when he rushed forward to his assistance.

Do as I order, Trigan . . . or perish!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 694 on 3 May 1975.

 
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The Man from the Future (continued . . .)

















	














In a wave of sound and fury, the Caton battle-craft pressed home their attack upon the bridge, Trigan City’s vital link with the empire!

Then, from high above came A MASSED FORMATION OF TRIGAN FIGHTERS!

Janno was in one of the lead attackers. Sighting his cannons, he let fly twin projectiles.

Got him!

Like a swarm of stinging insects, the little fighters closed upon the enemy bombers and clawed them out of the sky.

Some Caton craft escaped to tell the tale of destruction. The rest fell in Trigan Bay.
























	














Back at Imperial war council headquarters, the Emperor heard the news, and turned to Toth Zandu.

I thank the stars that I overruled my generals and listened to your warning, Toth Zandu. You have saved the Trigan Bay Bridge!

How did you know they were coming to attack?

I have ways and means of predicting future events. I am willing to place my powers at the disposal of my Emperor and my country.

I hereby appoint Toth Zandu adviser extraordinary to the Imperial War Council. In my absence, you will give careful consideration to his predictions.

As your Imperial Majesty commands!

The Emperor took his new adviser to see Peric. The great scientist was in the Imperial records office, supervising the hundred scribes who worked upon the day-by-day history of the Trigan Empire.

Here, history is recorded as it happens. From all over the empire, come news items that are immediately set down for all time. Future generations will be able to read everything about the empire, right down to the smallest detail.

It is a great honour to meet you, Peric.

Likewise, Toth Zandu. You must come and see me often. I am most curious to know more about your strange powers of foretelling future events.

That night, Toth Zandu retired early to his luxury villa.

There is no changing the pattern of future events, any more than one can change the past . . . 

 . . . but I can so arrange matters that it is I, Toth Zandu, who benefits!

He poured a flask of a strange-looking liquid.

Now, the strange chemical, with which I shall presently travel through space and through time.

Make the most of your last moments of life, Toth Zandu. You took what was mine and I have come to destroy you!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 693 on 26 April 1975.