Category: Marine Craft

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The Masked Raiders

















	














In the fourth lunar month of the year of Yedd, the “Princess of Vorg”, largest ocean-going liner ever, was launched in Trigan City harbour by Salvia, daughter of Elekton’s top scientist.

I name this vessel “Princess of Vorg”! May she voyage the oceans of this planet in safety and tranquillity.

As the massive hull glided down the vast slipway, the Emperor Trigo made a gracious presentation to the girl who had performed the ceremony.

Salvia, I should like you to accept this small memento of the occasion.

Your Imperial Majesty is too kind.

Later that year, all Trigan City turned out to see the “Princess of Vorg” gliding from the harbour on her maiden voyage.

This is the Imperial News Service bringing you, live from Trigan City, this unforgettable spectacle. Passengers aboard the liner on this, her maiden voyage, include his Imperial Majesty, the Lord Janno, Peric and his daughter Salvia . . .

Swiftly, the great liner spanned the ocean, past the forbidding peaks of the untrodden ice continent.

Within the vast hull, safe from the killing winds, the great ballroom resounded to the music of the dance.

Enjoying the voyage, Salvia?

Yes, Janno. And you?

But disaster threatened! The liner’s helmsman was the first to suffer . . .
























	














Suddenly the doors of the ballroom burst open. The music faltered to silence, in obedience to a harsh order.

Quiet!—Stand still!—Any who offer resistance will suffer dearly!—Be prepared to hand over your valuables!

The newcomers moved among the hushed, horrified passengers. A gloved hand reached out and snatched the Emperor’s gift from Salvia’s neck . . .

Oh!

By all the stars!—You’ll not get away with that . . .

Janno paid for his gallant act!

Eeeeeeegh!

In less time than it takes to tell, the small army of intruders stripped the “Princess of Vorg” of all the valuables aboard her. And then, a dark vessel came alongside.

This is piracy!—By all the demons of Daveli, you monsters will pay for tonight’s work!

Silence, Captain, and pay heed!—We are leaving now. Very soon, the “Princess of Vorg” will be no more. If you wish to save your passengers’ lives, get them into the lifeboats!

The liner’s commander was swift to take this piece of grim advice. Later, in the lifeboats, the passengers saw the end of the pride of Trigan!

Adrift in the waste of icy ocean! Salvia clutched the stricken Janno more tightly—and shuddered.

It’s like some dreadful nightmare from which there’s no awakening!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 506 on 25 September 1971.

 
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The Duplication Machine (continued . . .)

















	














Some time later, Janno recovered consciousness and raised his aching head.

Uuuuugh . . . 

Lord Janno!—Why are you here?—What’s happened to you?

Confound it, man, you know very well what I’m doing here! I came in answer to your message, and no sooner did I set foot inside the door than I was struck down from behind!

Message, Lord Janno?—What message?

Janno handed the young scientist the note that had been delivered to the air fleet base.

But, my Lord, this is not from me—it is not even in my handwriting! Someone must have lured you here to rob you!

By all the stars!

My jewelled identity medallion—gone! And my ring! And a considerable amount of money too! Curse the thief, whoever he is!

And that the thief should have used my name and my home—this puts me in a terribly embarrassing position!

Forget it, Robi—you are not to blame! Farewell.

Farewell, my Lord—you are very kind.

When Janno’s footfalls had died away, the scheming Robi flung open the door of a back room.

Ha!

There, bound and gagged, sat Janno’s exact duplicate!

You are worth a fortune to me! Trigo’s nephew! Third in succession to the proud throne of the Trigan Empire!

I can sell you to the empire’s enemies for an emperor’s ransom!

That night, Robi put out to sea in a small boat.
























	














Caton undersea warships are patrolling every part of our coastline. If I fail to meet one tonight, I will try again tomorrow, and the next night . . .

Suddenly! . . .

It is a Trigan!—Bring him aboard for questioning!

What are you—a civilian—doing at sea in a war zone?

I came to make contact with a Caton warship!—I have a proposition to put to your rulers!

It was at dawn the following day that a Caton bombing force was chased off, with heavy losses, by Trigan fighter craft.

An early casualty in the running battle was—Janno!

I’m done for!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 502 on 28 August 1971.