They came from all over the sprawling Trigan Empire, to witness the Imperial Games in the capital’s mammoth amphitheatre. We bring you a report on the ten thousand tellar foot race! Coming up for the last lap, Zampha of Tharv is in the lead . . . The high spot of the games was the classic Vorg wrestling. Finalists were a Trigan named Mallo and a Daveli named Heller. You have him, Heller! Do something, Mallo! Mallo turned the tables on his bigger opponent, with a throw that thrilled the crowd and won him the crown! The Emperor crowned the young victor, and spoke kindly to him. I hear that you are a promising scientist, Mallo. You must come and be Peric’s assistant. I would count that a great honour, Imperial Majesty! I shall be delighted. That doddering old fool can’t last for long, then I shall be head of the Imperial research laboratory—with plenty of chances to line my purse! And so, the scheming youth went to work with Peric, Elekton’s top scientist. What is this experiment? Merely a forlorn attempt to rejuvenate this poor rorn, who has given so many years’ good service as a laboratory animal . . .Poor old fellow. He’s like me . . .too many grey hairs and not enough teeth. Nature must take its course. May nature swiftly take its course with you, mumbling old has-been! That night, while Peric was working on his experiment, there was a shattering explosion! Aaaaaaaaaghhh! No one heard the crash and the old scientist lay unconscious until dawn. What happened? I remember! There was a flash . . . He crossed over to inspect the damage. What a mess! What happened to that poor old rorn? . . . By all the stars! The creature’s taken on a new lease of life! It hasn’t exercised on its treadmill for years! It was then that Peric saw his own reflection. Can that be . . . me? I look twenty years younger! My hair’s regained its colour and . . . and that isn’t all!
This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 645 on 25 May 1974.
