Posted on August 19, 2022December 21, 2023The Fiendish Experiment (continued . . .) A few days later, all Trigan City crowded the streets for the ceremonial visit of the King of Daveli. Later, the King visited the Air Fleet Headquarters, where he was introduced to the crewmen by his son—Keren—himself a pilot of the Trigan fleet. Janno you already know well, my father. Greetings, Lord Janno. Your Majesty ! Vella watched—and pondered. I’d like to get my hands on that jewelled helmet of the old fellow’s. And it shouldn’t be too difficult—though I might have to eliminate him first. My father has expressed regret that he missed the marvellous feat you two performed on Empire Day. Well . . . we swore never to attempt it again. But what do you think, Vella ? If it would amuse his Majesty . . . Accordingly, the two young pilots climbed into their speedy fighter-craft, which were then chained together. Take no risks, Vella—as you once said, eventual disaster is a mathematical certainty ! And this will be the last time we ever do it, I hope ! The display began . . . Ready for next evolution ? . . . Ready . . . The death-defying close aerobatics were controlled by Janno. Commence right- hand climbing turn . . . now ! Commencing ! And then—Janno gave an uncontrollable sneeze ! Aaaaa-shoooooo ! Disaster was immediate and fatal ! His wingtip sliced into Vella’s craft ! Aaaaaaaagh ! Then he was watching in horror as his comrade spun down to his certain doom ! Eject, Vella ! Get out, man, before it’s too late ! But there was no escape, it seemed, for Vella ! The ejector gear’s damaged ! I’m trapped in here ! What does it matter if I am ? —Ha, ha ! Moments later, the craft ploughed into a hillside ! This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 553 on 19 August 1972.
Posted on August 12, 2022February 4, 2024The Fiendish Experiment (continued . . .) The apparatus fell silent. Zerros tremblingly approached the transparent container. Where Vella had lain was now only . . . water ! Lieutenant Vella . . . can you hear me ? Of course I can, fool ! Decant me on to the floor, as planned ! The crooked scientist did as he was bidden. Are you . . . all right ? Never felt better in my life ! A savage nurdot—one of Elekton’s more unpleasant vermin—was tethered at the far end of the makeshift laboratory. Heh ! Heh ! The stream of water snaked, deliberately, towards the animal. The nurdot’s fanged jaws descended to gulp at the water. In that instant—it happened ! And then . . . I am now . . . Returning . . . To normal ! Beaming with triumph, Vella enthused to his accomplice. The whole thing is evil . . . diabolical ! Rubbish ! It is the greatest money-spinning idea of the century ! From now on, I can change myself to an equal volume of water at will. Electrically-charged water which—as you saw with the nurdot—can kill at a touch. . . . I am the perfect murder-weapon and I can turn myself into profit— firstly, by eliminating the man who menaces my whole way of life ! In my water-state, I can move against the force of gravity in any direction I will. I can remain undetected and unsuspected . . . The following day, a private aircraft descended upon the well-kept lawn of a stately villa overlooking Trigan City. Welcome home, Master. I trust that you have had a successful business trip ? Shut your mealy mouth, Slakka ! You know very well that my business has been the business of eliminating my rivals in big-time crime. This was the leader of the most powerful criminal organisation in the Trigan Empire. Later, bathed and perfumed, he relaxed by his luxury pool. Er . . . touching on the matter of Lieutenant Vella, master, who owes you a thousand thullars in gambling debts, plus another thousand for some hairbrained scientific scheme . . . The big-time crook condemned Vella to death—all unaware that a trickle of water was snaking towards his bare feet. Vella is a fool. Furthermore, he has begun to bore me . . . . . . have him eliminated ! Heh ! Heh ! The next instant . . . The water ! . . . It’s surrounding me ! . . . It’s going to destroy me . . . The way it just destroyed my master ! This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 552 on 12 August 1972.
Posted on July 29, 2022April 18, 2023The Fiendish Experiment Each anniversary of the founding of the Empire, the Trigan Air Fleet gave a thrilling display over the Imperial City. This particular year, the high spot of the display was a demonstration of aerobatics by two fighter-craft chained together ! The Emperor Trigo and his brother Brag watched from the balcony of the Imperial Palace. That lad of yours and young Vella are not only the finest pilots in the air fleet, but they have the blind courage of youth ! Humph !—I’ve done some crazy things in my time, but nothing on Elekton would induce me to try that trick ! Later, the two craft landed. Janno and his comrade Vella grinned across at each other. Thank the stars that’s over ! Agreed ! We must never try it again— eventual disaster is a mathematical certainty ! Moments later, Vella was accosted. A few words in your ear, Lieutenant ! Message from a friend ! Oh ! How dare you come here on the air base ? Do you people want to ruin me ? It might come to that, Lieutenant —unless you pay up like a gentleman ! Give me time . . . please ! You’ve had time. The message is that, unless you settle your debts by the end of the lunar month, Lord Janno will be told that his friend is a gambler and a cheat ! If that happens I shall be ruined ! Thrown out of the Air Fleet in disgrace . . . But I can’t pay up . . . I haven’t a zerst piece to bless myself with ! Vella managed to conceal his private problem that evening, when he accompanied Janno on a visit to the laboratory of the great scientist Peric. Yes, gentlemen, I am on the threshold of several new discoveries which will revolutionise our way of life on this planet. All Elekton is in your debt, Peric, for the great work you have already done. You must be a very happy man. Happy ? Yes, perhaps. But I have done things, in the cause of science, that give me cause for regret. This invention, for instance, would be worth a fortune to anyone who could get his hands on it. But it is a thing of evil . . . utter evil . . . and I wish I could bring myself to burn the papers. When his companions’ backs were turned, it was an easy matter for Vella to slip the red folder inside his tunic. Enough of science for one evening. Come and have supper. Worth a fortune, eh ? Then I’ll borrow the papers for a while. The old fool will never miss them. That night, Vella studied the contents of the purloined folder. When dawn came, he was filled with mingled triumph and terror. Either Peric is raving mad, or what I have here is the key to riches beyond belief . . . . . . if only I have the courage to submit myself to the dreadful experiment described here ! This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 550 on 29 July 1972.
