Posted on March 9, 2024March 11, 2024Planet Zootha (continued . . .) An instant before certain destruction, Trigo rolled sideways—and the Kerd’s spear shattered against the rock close to the Emperor’s head ! Uuuugh ! Picking up the small, muscular form, Trigo hurled the Kerd into the faces of his oncoming comrades. Aaaaagh ! Uuuuugh ! More of the warlike little savages poured into sight. The cry went up from the Vorg slaves . . . This stranger has shown us how to act ! Let us be slaves no longer ! Let us fight ! Fight ! . . . or die ! The slaves fought, and Trigo fought with them. But they were overpowered by sheer weight of numbers. Take them alive ! The Great Ones shall decide their fate ! They were dragged to the city, and brought before the stout and pampered creatures who ruled the planet by fear. No-one defies the law of the Great Ones ! You shall all perish ! Then—IT HAPPENED ! . . . Take them away and . . . Aaaaaaaaaaaah ! The ground trembled ! A might roaring filled the air ! The great building collapsed ! It is happening again ! The planet is moving ! Vorgs ! Rally to me ! Let us gain the upper world ! Trigo led the Vorgs through the tunnel and out of the vast cave mouth on to the surface of the planet. Great was the Emperor’s joy to find that his nephew was among those whom he had brought out. Janno ! Thank the stars you’re alive ! I was condemned to a lifetime of slavery, Uncle —but I never doubted that you’d keep your promise and save me ! They rejoined the others in the Vorg camp. It was a time of joyful reunions. My son ! My first-born ! When I delivered you to the Great Ones as a sacrifice, I never thought to see you again ! The Great Ones are not gods, Father. Now the myth is destroyed, we shall never sacrifice to them again ! Where are the Great Ones now, my son ? In the nether-world, together with their minions the Kerds. They fear to set foot up here. We shall never be bothered with them again. The volcanic disturbance drove them into a state of terror. The great scientist Peric broke in . . . Speaking of volcanic disturbance, the signs are that this planet is in a highly unstable state and will shortly be changing its orbit again ! We must return to Elekton before it is too late ! Trigo addressed the chieftain, pointing to the vast bulk of Elekton above them. Garron ! There may be time, yet, to send space-craft to take you and your people to the planet of your forefathers. What do you say ? Zootha is our home, mighty Emperor. Here we will stay. Thanks to you, life will be infinitely sweeter from now on ! That evening, the Trigans took off for their return voyage across the wilderness of space. Farewell ! Farewell ! Before they reached their home-planet, they saw Zootha moving off on a new orbit. There they go ! Will they ever return ? Perhaps— after countless ages ! This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 634 on 9 March 1974.
Posted on February 23, 2024February 23, 2024Planet Zootha (continued . . .) Behold—the Great Ones ! Trigo was deeply impressed. They look like Gods ! Do such creatures live ? They live ! And they demand the sacrifice of the best things we have—our best flocks, finest foodstuffs, and our first-born sons. In return, they allow us to live and prosper ! Garron pointed to Janno. That one will be sacrificed to the Great Ones this day ! Oppose this at your peril, mighty Emperor ! Janno was brought to a great cavemouth . . . He was tied there . . . Soon, noble youth, you will have the honour of perishing at the hands of the Great Ones ! Aaaaah . . . Trigo, on the pretext of saying farewell to his nephew, whispered an assurance in his ear. I will save you, Janno ! Never fear—you will not be abandoned ! Do you understand ? Yes, Uncle. A mighty horn was sounded. Its mournful note echoed and re-echoed in the deep fastnesses of the great cavern. Then Janno was left standing alone, in the growing darkness. How . . . how long do I have to wait ? He was not alone for long ! Aaaaaaaaaah ! Out of the darkness of the great cavern . . . THEY came ! Some distance away, in the Vorg camp, when all was silent, Trigo rose to his feet. First—to deal with that sentry ! The Trigan Emperor set off to keep his promise. I hope I am not too late ! This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 632 on 23 February 1974.
Posted on February 16, 2024February 23, 2024Planet Zootha (continued . . .) Janno brought the Trigan craft low. And they flew over a vast tented encampment. A multitude of faces were turned to look up at them. The Emperor and his companions looked down. Are my eyes deceiving me, or ? . . . It’s a Vorg encampment ! One of the primitive kind you used to see on Elekton ! Trigo ordered Janno to land. They climbed down from their craft. Are they peaceful, Uncle—or shall we have trouble ? Be prepared to start shooting ! Then, to the five Trigans’ utter astonishment, they were addressed in the common language of their own planet ! I am Garron, chieftain of the Zootha Vorgs ! I welcome you to the planet Zootha ! You are one of us . . . from Elekton ? That is so ! In a time long past, when Zootha last came close to Elekton, some of our people ventured across the wilderness of space to this planet, as you have done ! Garron showed them the crumbling ruins of an ancient flying craft. This is the craft in which our ancestors came. It is a treasured relic of our people ! Of course ! Fool that I am— the legend of the Vorgs who went up into a new world in the sky—surely you were told that as a child, Imperial Majesty ! Yes—but—it was always thought to be a fairy tale ! But . . . it really happened in the distant past ! Trigo then explained to Garron how the Trigans were descended from the Vorgs. He introduced himself and his companions. . . . and this is Janno, son of my brother Brag. Ah ! And would you be your father’s eldest son, Janno ? Janno answered in puzzlement—and saw a strange light in the chieftain’s eyes. Indeed I am, Garron—I am the only son ! Aaaaah ! That is interesting . . . very interesting ! The incident slipped from Janno’s mind during the feasting that followed. Is everything to your liking, Emperor ? Indeed it is, Garron ! Not since I was a boy in my father’s encampment have I enjoyed such fine Vorg fare ! As soon as the feast was over . . . IT HAPPENED ! Now . . . seize the victim ! Aaaah . . . Janno was dragged roughly to his feet. Let me go ! Let me go, you demons ! What does it mean ? Do you call this Vorg hospitality ? The chieftain replied . . . As a first-born son, he will be sacrificed to our Great Ones ! It is a custom that is never broken—my own son perished in a like manner ! Take him away ! This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 631 on 16 February 1974.
