Category: Atmosphere Craft

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The Thing from the Sea (continued . . .)

















	
















	
	News of the disaster was flashed round the Trigan Empire.
	Trigo and his staff were among the first to inspect the
	tangled wreckage in the centre of the great bridge.

	
	The scientist Peric commented grimly . . .

	
	
	
	
	See that massive pillar,
	Imperial Majesty ? It
	is severed as cleanly
	as if it had been
	sliced by a giant sword.

	
	
	
	
	You think ?

	
	
	
	
	I think that the
	same malevolent
	intelligence that
	sank the “Daveli”
	was also
	responsible for

	
	this !

	
	Later.

	
	
	
	
	I have come to the conclusion that the instrument
	of destruction was sea-borne—probably carried in
	some underwater craft. Find an alien underwater
	craft armed with a weapon that can cut metal like
	wax, and you have the answer.

	
	Trigo issued his orders.

	
	
	
	
	From now until further notice,
	constant air and underwater
	patrols will be carried out around
	the Trigan coastline. Alert the
	fleets. No man rests till this
	menace is found—and destroyed.

	
	That evening, undersea fighting ships of
	the Trigan navy began to comb the depths.

	
	At dawn, Janno and his crew joined
	the low-flying patrols off the coast.


























	
















	
	Suddenly, Roffa gave the alarm.

	
	An object has just
	risen out of the
	sea—dead ahead.

	
	Janno sighted the shape in the water.

	
	Stand by
	to fire
	projectiles !

	
	And then . . .

	
	Ready
	to fire.

	
	No !—
	Hold it.
	—It’s one
	of ours.

	
	Before their horrified eyes, the two cleanly severed ends of
	a Trigan undersea fighting ship hovered on the brink of their
	final plunge.

	
	Janno brought his craft round in a tight turn,
	and splashed down. Moments later, they were
	picking up survivors.

	
	
	
	
	What happened ?

	
	We saw it
	coming at us . . .
	There was
	no escape.

	
	And then . . .

	
	Aaaaaagh !
	There it
	is again.

	
	By all
	the stars.

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 464 on 5 December 1970.

 
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The Thing from the Sea (continued . . .)

















	
















	
	By the time rescue craft
	arrived, the Daveli was
	nearly gone !

	
	The Emperor Trigo himself watched the vast
	hull go to its grave at the bottom of the
	Tibor Ocean.

	
	
	
	
	Why ?—

	
	How

	
	could

	
	it happen ?

	
	An Imperial Court of Enquiry
	was summoned a few days later.

	
	
	
	
	Tell us in your own
	words, Captain—
	What happened ?

	
	
	
	
	Imperial Majesty, it happened
	at the fifteenth hour—a shudder
	ran through the ship, as if she
	had struck a projecting rock . . .

	
	
	
	
	No, Sir ! It
	was more like
	an underwater
	explosion !

	
	
	
	
	Not an explosion ! It
	felt like a mighty blow !

	
	
	
	
	You were off-watch and asleep,
	while I was on the bridge !

	
	
	
	
	Silence !—

	
	Silence,

	
	I tell you !


























	
















	
	Since your evidences
	do not tally, this
	Imperial Court has no
	other course but to
	order an inspection of
	the sunken hull of the
	Daveli !

	
	The Emperor's nephew Janno and his two
	comrades volunteered for the hazardous
	task of diving to the wreck. They were
	given special instruction.

	
	Your gear will
	protect you from the
	massive pressures
	you will encounter.
	But at that profound
	depth, there are
	many
	hazards !

	
	unknown

	
	In due course, their submarine craft was
	lowered at the fateful spot in the Tibor Ocean.

	
	Down—Down—into
	the unfathomable
	deep they went . . .

	
	Testing
	communications . . .

	
	Receiving you.

	
	Receiving you.

	
	The nightmare landscape
	of the ocean bed was
	laid out below them—
	and they saw the Daveli.

	
	And then . . .

	
	By all the stars !

	
	—LOOK !

	
	Along the vast hull of the sunken liner was
	a clean rent that might have been sliced
	by a giant's sword !

	
	What

	
	on Elekton

	
	could have done

	
	that ?

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 462 on 21 November 1970.

 
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The Deadly Formula (continued . . .)

















	














The blade of the doublehanded war sword was already descending . . . when the Lokan crumpled up and pitched forward on his face!

Uuuuuhhh!

And then . . .

By all the stars! Look!

Daveli warriors!

They came charging out of the jungle, weapons flashing through the air . . . the splendid warriors of Daveli, staunch allies of the Trigan Empire!

As he scrambled to his feet, Trigo saw the Lokan leader racing for the nearest atmosphere craft.

He’s got the formula!

Moments later, the craft swept low over the clearing.

Trigo vaulted into the second craft.

If he gets away with that formula, the planet is doomed!

The Lokan had spotted his pursuer, and was in the mood for a fight. As Trigo took his craft up in a swift climb, his quarry came down in a screaming dive, guns blazing!
























	














Trigo’s instrument panel dissolved into a mass of scrap metal, and he was instantly enveloped in flames.

He’s got me!

Through the flames, he saw his enemy ahead of him. Only one thought dinned in Trigo’s brain . . . and he deliberately steered the doomed craft towards his adversary!

For the sake of the planet Elekton!

They met with shattering force above the tumbling waters of the broad river!

Trigo was thrown clear, and the shock of the icy waters instantly revived him. Suddenly he saw the limp form of his enemy floating past . . . and he reached out to grab him.

By this time the Daveli warriors had overpowered the Lokans and freed Brag and Janno. They all gathered round as Trigo brought his burden ashore.

But what about the formula?

Gone! Lost for ever in the rapids! No man will ever set eyes on it again!

Later, back in Trigan City, wise old Peric gave the Emperor his assurances.

It is of no consequence, Trigo. It will take a long time . . . years perhaps . . . but I can re-work the formula.

Trigo was silent for a while before replying.

No, old friend! We have learned our lesson. The planet came very close to destruction. From now on, the Trigan Empire will keep the peace of Elekton without the formula!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 402 on 27 September 1969.