Category: Rays

Posted on

The Heat Controller (continued . . .)

















	














A harsh, grating voice made Janno turn.

Welcome, Trigan! I have been expecting one such as you.

My instruments detected that your craft was specially equipped, so I had to encompass its destruction.

So you are responsible for this fiendish business!

Not so fast!

Calm yourself and I will show you something that will fill you with awe and wonder.

Aaaaaah!

Helpless, Janno was dragged out on to a terrace.

Watch carefully . . . 

There came a rumbling of heavy machinery. The floor of the valley moved aside and a vast disc of bright metal rose skywards.

What . . .  What is it?

It is the heat controller! By means of its power, I am able to dictate the terms of life or death to all living things on this planet!
























	














You have seen its effect in certain mild demonstrations recently. What you have not seen is the heat controller at full power.

The old man pointed across the ageless glacier.

Regard that mountain! It has carried snow and ice on its crest since Elekton was formed. Now observe . . . 

Janno’s aged captor touched a control on his chair. Instantly, a band of purple light stabbed from the heat controller.

They saw it all quite clearly . . .  snow and ice turning to super-heated steam . . . a cataclysmic avalanche . . . and the peaks changed to MOLTEN ROCK!

Soon the whole mountain had been reduced to a heap of smoking ash.

Who are you, and what are you trying to do?

My name is Slatta. And, as the inventor and builder of the heat controller, I claim that it is I—and not Peric—who deserves the title of Elekton’s top scientist.

You have seen what I did to the mountain. This I can also do to individual cities. Unless the nations of Elekton bow to my dictatorship, they will all be destroyed!

At a signal from Slatta, two burly guards came forth.

This Trigan can be of some use to me. Take him away. Break his spirit and his will, and then lock him up!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 684 on 22 February 1975.

 
Posted on

The Volcano Factory (continued . . .)

















	














Janno closed his eyes and . . . turning . . . he cried out in a sing-song voice . . .

I—hear—and—I—obey—

The Zolls had not noticed that the young Trigan’s eyes were closed. The purple light was extinguished . . .

He is the second surface-man whom we were seeking . . . good!

At a harsh order, Janno climbed obediently on to the strange craft, which instantly took off again . . .

We will return to the volcano factory with the prisoner.

The craft swept over the mid-planetary plain till it reached the towering building which Janno had seen through the Meekers’ telescope. Looking down, he gazed upon the toiling mass of people . . .

I must find some way of stopping that fiendish work . . . but if the Zolls realise that my will was not destroyed by the purple light, I’m done for . . . and so is all life on the surface of Elekton!

The craft landed near the huge edifice, and Janno dumbly obeyed the order snarled at him.

Another prisoner from the surface . . . the last!

Good! . . . Join the other slaves, surface-man . . . and work until you’re told to stop!

With a sudden shock, Janno saw the Emperor Trigo labouring with the rest.

These are all people from the surface . . . slaving to destroy their own loved ones there . . . and, like my uncle they don’t know what they’re doing!

Janno took his place beside Trigo and bent his back to the muscle-aching work. Later . . . much later . . . the Zoll overseer called a halt.

Now you will rest for food!
























	














Scraps of broken meat were thrown at the slaves, who fell upon the rough food like animals. Janno ate . . . and listened to a conversation between two of his captors.

When they’ve finished eating they will receive their daily dose of the purple light.

When do we start the volcanoes?

In a few hours . . . as soon as this wall is completed!

Think of it! . . . There are thousands of volcanoes on the surface. In a few hours from now, the ground will open up and swallow whole cities! . . . Then we shall be masters of the entire planet!

Jamno waited to hear no more . . . he rose to his feet and poised himself for action . . .

This may be my last chance . . . and the last chance for Elekton! . .

He leapt!

AAAAAAAGH!

Pistol in hand, he raced up a towering flight of steps . . . firing as he went!

Alarm! Alarm! . . . Slave escaping!

Then . . . his way was barred!    

There he is! Shoot him down!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 389 on 28 June 1969.