Posted on December 30, 2022November 8, 2023The Lost Years (continued . . .) In the worst part of Trigan City was a low haunt given over to the illegal sport of colli-baiting. One night, a stranger entered . . . Who are you, and what do you want ? All strangers were suspect in that evil den. Er—I’m looking for a fellow named Rocco. He’s big and bearded. Perhaps you know him ? Rocco ? Never heard the name ! Be off with you ! Narri walked away down the ill-lit alleyway. I’ve searched everywhere for him, and that was my last hope. It’s no use ! And then . . . it happened ! Aaaaaeeeeghhhh . . . Who are you, eh ? A police spy ? Why are you searching for me, hey ? I . . . I heard that you were looking for somewhere to live and . . . and I might be able to help you ! The big man released Narri. I’m thinking of leaving my place, see ? And I might let you have it cheaply. It’s true my place burnt down the other day. Let me know when you leave, eh ? You can always find me at the colli-baiting. Narri went on his way, a great dread in his heart. It really wasn’t a dream. It will all happen ! Rocco will take over my house, just as I saw him. You can’t change the future ! Back home, he looked down at the tiny sapling by his door. That will grow up into a tall tree, just as I saw it in the future. The Trigan Empire will fall, and the tyrant will take over ! It’s all inevitable ! And then . . . with a sudden flash of inspiration . . . It’s not inevitable ! This sapling won’t grow into a tree, for a start ! My fore-knowledge has enabled me to destroy the sapling and change the future, so I can change the course of other future events ! With my fore-knowledge, I can save the Trigan Empire ! Early next morning, the Emperor Trigo and his young nephew Janno were at swordplay exercise in a courtyard of the Imperial Palace. Hah ! Well done, lad ! You improve daily ! Suddenly, a figure leapt from the top of the high wall ! Cut him down ! Imperial Majesty ! Narri struggled forward and threw himself at the feet of his Emperor. Who is this fellow ? He’s obviously mad ! You are in danger, Imperial Majesty. Only I can save you ! You must listen to me . . . This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 572 on 30 December 1972.
Posted on December 2, 2022December 22, 2023The Lost Years This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 568 on 2 December 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.
