Category: Trigan City

Posted on

The Man from the Future (continued . . .)

















	














As the Caton struggled upright, he gave a cry of pain . . . 

Uuuuuh!

 . . . and crumpled at Toth Zandu’s feet.

This gives me a great idea!

Later, when the pilot opened his eyes, Toth Zandu was tending his wounded leg.

So! You have turned the tables while I was unconscious, Trigan animal!

Not so, my friend. Your firearm is tucked into your belt, if you feel you have need of it.

What are you up to?

Simple. I am going to help you to escape back to Cato!

In return, you are going to help me!

That night, Toth Zandu drove his luxury hover-auto through the darkened streets of the capital.

Halt! Don’t you know it’s forbidden to be out after nightfall?

I am Toth Zandu, adviser to the War Council.

His very name already carried great weight.

Your pardon, Excellency! We did not recognise you. Drive on, please.

By the dark sea shore beyond the city, a craft waited.

Come out, friend. You’re safe now.
























	














Yonder fishing boat will land you on the Caton shore tomorrow. And when you reach Cato City . . . 

I give your message to our leaders.

This list contains precise details of three assaults by land, sea and air that the Trigans are planning to make against Cato.

The information will cost your country five million Thullars! A prompt payment will ensure further accurate information.

The first of the three fateful assaults took place when Trigan armoured forces crossed the border into Cato. They were expected, counter-attacked and cut to ribbons.

It was the same story when the Trigan high seas fleet sailed into Caton waters and ran into a trap of underwater craft.

We have them! Fire all underwater projectiles!

The treacherous Toth Zandu received the news with glee.

Success! I am seeing into the future and making a fortune out of history!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 695 on 10 May 1975.

 
Posted on

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.

 
Posted on

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.