The Lost Years (continued . . .)




After what seemed like an eternity, Janno and Roffa were summoned from their infernal dungeon. Out of it, you two ! Today you face trial ! Their trial was held in the great court of the Imperial Palace, and the Emperor himself was Presiding Judge. You are both accused of foully conspiring to sabotage three bombing craft of the Imperial Trigan Air Fleet. Denial is useless—your action was recorded on the security device . . . Projected on a giant screen, they saw and heard themselves as they had been on the fateful night—captured by a hidden camera. . . . I’m fixing the electronics . . . Most damning of all—there was a newsreel shot of the disaster they had caused. And then . . . Have you anything to say ? We acted in good faith ! We believed that Marshal Ossan was conspiring to assassinate the Emperor and . . . Marshal Ossan ? What next ? Narri was called as a defence witness. The poor wretch was cut to pieces by the astute prosecutor. So you went into the future, did you ? And you saw Marshal Ossan riding around in a big car as the Dictator of Trigan ? Yes, I did . . . at least, I think I did . . . The fellow’s mad ! He should be locked up.

This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 577 on 3 February 1973.

 

The Curse of King Yutta (continued . . .)




During that night, Brag—normally a peaceful sleeper—awoke from a dreadful nightmare. Something terrible’s going to happen tomorrow! Trigo’s in awful danger—I know it! He sought out his brother, the Emperor, early next morning. Brag, as you know, I’m making a trial descent in Peric’s new undersea exploration sphere today, and . . . No! You mustn’t go! I’ve had a premonition of disaster! A dream . . . Trigo listened to Brag’s account of his nightmare. Then he smiled indulgently. It’s quite touching, the way you worry about my safety. I really do appreciate it, my dear fellow, but if you think I’m going to cancel the descent on account of some silly dream . . . Something terrible will happen today. I know it! The faithful Brag was watching from the Palace roof when Trigo’s air craft set off for the rendezvous on the Great Ocean. I shall never set eyes on him again—never! In the middle of the Great Ocean, at its deepest part, floated the undersea exploration rig that supported a massive sphere. The Imperial craft approaches! Trigo joined the scientific party that was to descend to the uncharted depths. The sphere was sealed. Commence the lowering of the sphere! Down—down—down!
And then—deadly peril! Instants later, the controllers on the surface received the information. Emergency! Emergency! The sphere is under attack! In fact, the men in the sphere averted certain disaster by electrocuting the unknown monster! By this time, the news had been flashed to Trigan City, where Brag was anxiously waiting. I knew it! I knew it would happen! Contact the landing strip and tell them to have my private air craft ready and waiting for me! At once, Lord Brag! He took off in haste . . . What’s happening? I can’t get this confounded thing above half-power! . . . And crashed almost immediately! Brag’s premonition of disaster had come true!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 563 on 28 October 1972.