A thousand bollo players sent their metal balls rocketing towards the enemy.

Hah!

Too late, the Caton commander saw the new source of attack.

Turn and face the rear!

Open fire on . . .

. . . Uuuuuugh!

It was then that Janno, leading the Nobe “armoured division”, gave the order.

Turn! Cha—a—a—arge!

The careering vehicles tore through the crumbling line of the Caton guards, scattering them like leaves.

Long live the Nobes!

It was a brief, but desperate hand-tohand struggle.

Freedom! Freedom!























Presently, it was all over. The cream of the Caton ground forces surrendered to an army of amateur sportsmen.

We did it! Thanks to bollo!

Thanks to you, Janno!

Go back to your masters and tell them what happened! Tell them that this valley will never belong to Cato!

The lesson was not lost upon the Caton leaders. A few days later, their prime minister came to a decision.

This country has lost enough international prestige over the affair.

The valley project is abandoned.

Later, the Emperor Trigo paid a state visit to the valley, where he was courteously received by the Nobes.

Greetings, Enlightened One.

Greetings, Imperial Majesty. Thanks to you, to the Trigan Empire—and to our young friend Janno—we remain free!

Tell me, Majesty, is it within the competence of your people’s technology to seal up the valley again?

Of course, Enlightened One.

Then we ask you to do that for us. We have seen what happens in the outside world and, with respect, we like our old ways best.

And so, a heavy charge of explosive was detonated in the pass. The mountain wall fell—and the secret valley was secret once more.

When all was silent, Janno raised his hand in salute to those he would never see again.

Farewell, Kalli! Farewell, brave Nobes! May you and yours live in peace and tranquility for ever!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 747 on 8 May 1976.

The sight of a blacksmith attaching thick plates of metal to one side of a motor vehicle greatly interested Kalli, Janno’s Nobe friend.

There you are, Kalli—armour plating while you wait.

That will stop a projectile, and fifty of these vehicles will add up to our armoured division.

Later, the pick of the valley’s young athletes were gathered in the main square.

I have a plan for the destruction of the Caton invading force. It calls for careful timing and instant obedience on your part. You will learn this plan, till you carry it out in your sleep!

Any questions?

Yes! What are we going to use for weapons? We don’t have any weapons!

In fact, you have a splendid weapon. With it, you Nobes play the fastest and most dangerous game on Elekton.

The Bollo Ball!

Shortly after dawn the next day, the Catons entered the valley. They marched to attention, colours flying.

Not a sign of the Nobes. I fully expect to walk through the valley and take it without firing a shot.























And then . . .

Vehicles!

The Nobe armoured division was heading into battle!

Yahooooo!

With disciplined calm, the Caton guards halted, faced their flank, and the command rang out.

Open fire!

The Nobe armour drove at breakneck speed down the Caton column attracting all the enemy fire.

It was then, behind the Catons, that the best bollo players in the valley rose from their hiding place in a dried river bed, and sent their hard metal balls rocketing towards the enemy.

The Caton guards were taken entirely unawares by the most dangerous game on Elekton.

Aaaaaagh!

Uuuuuughhh!

This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 746 on 1 May 1976.

Long after the founding of the Trigan Empire, vast tracts of the planet Elekton, for geographical and political reasons, remained totally unexplored.

In the beginning of the year of Zemm, an eruption of cataclysmic proportions rent the remote mountain range of Zeros, in the continent of Tharv.

A rock wall fell during the eruption, revealing a vast and fertile valley lying within the heart of the range.

News of the development was received in far-off Trigan City, and a public announcement was broadcast in the Great Square.

A race of strange people have been found living in the secret valley since the beginning of time. His Imperial Majesty is appointing a commission to visit these people and convey to them the good-will of the Empire.

In fact, it was the Emperor’s nephew Janno and the top scientist Peric, who were even at that moment being briefed by the Emperor.

I want you to convince these people that we wish only for friendship and that they have nothing to fear from us. Understood?

Yes, Imperial Majesty.

Yes, Uncle.

Always remember, Janno, that you may,  one day, be Emperor of the Trigans. We have no wish to make enemies of these unknown people.

I understand, Uncle.

Janno piloted them both across the planet. Over deserts, mountains and trackless forests. 

Approaching Tharv now . . .























The air space over the Tharv province surrounding the Zeros range was jealously guarded by a treaty that the Tharvs had made with the Empire. The two emissaries were obliged to travel by kreed, under the suspicious eyes of mountain tribesmen.

Will they shoot us?

It has been known! But don’t worry, cannibalism was stamped out last year.

. . . At least, that’s what they say!

Presently, they came safely to the strange valley.

It’s like . . . a miracle!

They were met by the leaders of the people who inhabited the valley.

Sir . . .

Address me as “Enlightened One“ if you would be so kind. I am the present elected leader of the Nobes, and you would seem to be more emissaries from the outside world. We are flattered.

There was a strong attitude of superiority about the leader of the Nobes.

We are aware that, because you have been cut off from us since the beginning of time, there are vast differences between us. But, I assure you, the Nobes are more than willing to help you.

Help us? But . . . how?

We will assist you with our superior technology . . .

Of which that flying machine is a notable example.

One day, with our help, you will be able to construct another of those! 

A few paces distant was the piece of “superior technology”!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 740 on 20 March 1976.