Puzzled, Marshal Zeros sent for the merchant Scarpa and questioned him about the statue.

But surely you know, Marshal. Your messenger paid me for it yesterday, and ordered it to be erected here last night!

Zeros dismissed the merchant without any further comment . . . and gazed thoughtfully at the statue.

Who paid for it . . . and on whose orders was it brought here? Well . . . I shall find out soon enough, I doubt not!

And then . . . joy of ownership overcame all his scruples.

Until then, you shall grace my garden and delight my eyes, proud warrior!

Some days passed. His fellow-consuls Brag and Peric visited him. Old Peric commented caustically.

Hmmm! Throwing your money around again, I see!

Zeros said nothing!

Then one morning, the Marshal took off for his usual early flight.

The Marshal handles his craft like a veteran!

Still the finest pilot in the Air Fleet, despite his age!

Later—high over the barren plain of Vorg—his engine spluttered and died. He glanced at the fuel gauge.

Empty!

With masterly skill, he brought his craft down in a glide on to the plain.























As he climbed out, the roar of engines filled his ears.

What craft is that?

It landed close by. Three men got out . . . and one of them addressed him blandly.

Good morning, Marshal. My name is Yorro. I have wanted to meet you for a long time  . . . and I regret if my arrangements to do so have caused you any inconvenience!

Marshal Zeros glared furiously at Yorro.

What do you mean?

I mean that I arranged for your craft to be emptied of fuel. I can arrange most things . . . as you will discover!

Why have we met? I will tell you. Because you are going to help me become the Dictator of the Trigan Republic!

Zeros’ scornful reply died in his throat.

You must be mad! Why, I . . .

Silence! You are completely in my power! You have already betrayed your people by accepting my bribe of a priceless statue!

With a bellow of fury, the Marshal hurled himself at his tormentor . . . but . . .

By all the demons in Daveli! I’ll smash you . . .

Aaaaah! Strike him down!

Yorro’s brutal bodyguards sent the veteran warrior sprawling.

Now, you old fool . . . you will listen to me  . . . and you will do exactly as I order!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 406 on 25 October 1969.

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 297 on 23 September 1967.

Old Peric entered the royal apartments in search of his master, Trigo. He stared in alarm to see the Emperor snarling orders to an officer.

The Trigan air fleet will take off at dawn tomorrow and bomb the country of Daveli! . . . Understood?

Yes, Imperial Majesty!

King Kassar of Hericon also gave his orders.

Admiral! . . . You will take the Hericon sea fleet to sea at sunset and bombard the cities on the southern coastline of Victris!

Peric met the wild eyes of the man he believed to be the Emperor of the Trigans.

Trigo . . . my emperor . . . old friend . . . what does this mean?

It means, Peric, that Kassar and I will be masters of the planet Elekton within a very few days!

The old man left the apartment, his mind in a whirl . . .

It can’t be true . . . it can’t . . . and yet . . .

Returning to his study, Peric found Janno raising himself, dizzily, to his feet.

That drink you gave me . . . it was . . .  drugged . . .

Yes, my young friend . . .

I thought you were deranged in your mind . . . but now . . .

You mean. . . you believe me now . . . about Trigo and the other two?

Peric told Janno what he had seen and heard.

The man I saw was not Trigo! . . . Some alien and evil intelligence is directing his mind and his body.

I know it well enough . . . for a short while I was taken over by one of those fiends!

Peric crossed to a window which commanded a view of the harbour.

What are we going to do?

What can we do? . . . It is already too late . . . look!























In the glowing light of Elekton’s setting suns, the vast sea fleet of Hericon was leaving harbour on its mission of destruction.

Where . . . where are they going?

To conquer Victris . . . and the Trigan air fleet takes off at dawn to destroy our friends of Daveli!

And then Peric and Janno heard the tramp of booted feet in the garden outside.

That’s the door!

Janno felt a sudden shock of fear, which he instantly quenched.

They’re looking for me! . . .  Give me a sword, old friend . . . let me die fighting, like a Trigan!

But Peric had no sword . . .  and it was with a heavy candlestick in his hand that young Janno faced the armed men.

Right! . . . Come and get me!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 296 on 16 September 1967.