Posted on

The Secret Assassin (continued . . .)

















	














Janno’s father, Brag, was the first to greet him on his arrival at Trigan City airport.

Thank the stars you’re safe, lad. But why the serious face?

I have grave news, Father, but it must wait till we’re alone!

He introduced his fellow-survivors.

Kittu must go immediately to the Court of Justice. He has evidence which will save his best friend from unjust execution!

He shall be escorted there by my own personal bodyguards.

Lord Brag, the thanks of an old blind man are poured upon your fine son, for his bravery and his kindness.

I thank you.

And now, Father, I want you to meet the true hero of the adventure. We never would have got back without him and I don’t even know his name!

Call me . . . Zith.

I am in your debt, Zith. Any favour you ask will be granted.

I would greatly like to see today’s opening of the Imperial Assembly, from a seat high up so that I shall not miss anything of the spectacle.

That afternoon, the Emperor and his family and entourage entered the vast assembly building.

Long live the Emperor!
























	














Following Janno’s grave news that there would be an assassination attempt, the great amphitheatre was ringed by armed guards.

Alone, in a favoured place near the roof, was Zith. There was no one to see him produce his deadly gun!

And now, proud Emperor, with the helpful connivance of your family, I will eliminate you!

The professional assassin took aim at the same moment that Janno’s broad back obscured the Emperor from his view.

Move, curse you, or I’ll have to eliminate you to get a shot at your uncle!

I can’t kill Janno in cold blood . . .

Not someone who saved my life at the risk of his own!

Then, a voice behind him, a menacing, hissing voice.

Shoot them both now!

You?

IT WAS THE OLD BLIND MAN! Not blind, and at closer inspection, not so very old!

Yes! My task was to follow you and make sure that you did your task!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 659 on 31 August 1974.

 
Posted on

The Secret Assassin (continued . . .)

















	














Janno saw their attacker as it came in low, with Elekton’s dying suns behind it.

We’re going to be shot up!

A blast of gunfire, as projectiles slammed into their frail craft and kicked up the water all round.

Janno’s companion whipped his gun out of its case.

Watch this.

Nice shooting! We owe you our lives.

That is the finest weapon I’ve ever come across. It has saved us many times.
























	














The secret assassin smiled.

It will also serve to eliminate the Emperor Trigo and earn me a fortune.

He would have been surprised to have known Janno’s thoughts at that moment.

May we reach Trigan City in time for me to warn Uncle Trigo that someone is planning to assassinate him tomorrow.

A third member of the party—Kittu—had other grave reasons for wanting to reach civilisation.

My best friend will be executed unless I’m there tomorrow, to prove his innocence.

All through the long night, the makeshift raft was borne on the turbulent waters of the broad river. At dawn, they saw lights and knew that their long voyage was nearly over.

It’s a fishing village.

They’ll have communications with the Capital. I’ll have air transport here in no time.

Janno sent a message to Trigan City which swiftly brought a transport craft of the Air Fleet.

You must have plenty of influence, to order up one of those things so smartly.

Who are you, anyhow? I never thought to ask.

I’m the Emperor’s nephew, Janno.

To think I’ve travelled with a close relation of the very person I’ve come here to eliminate.

Later, as the craft took off for Trigan City and a date with destiny, the assassin’s keen mind had arrived at a decision.

What a stroke of luck. I shall use friend Janno’s influence to get myself close to the Emperor this afternoon . . . for the fatal shot.

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 658 on 24 August 1974.

 
Posted on

The Secret Assassin (continued . . .)

















	














They pressed on through the heat of the day. At length, the old blind man stumbled and fell.

I . . . I must rest!

Then rest and rot! We’re halting for nothing and no-one!

Janno’s voice rasped out, commandingly . . .

I say we halt!

Oh, you do, eh? Well, just you listen to me, my fine young . . .

The secret assassin never finished what he had to say.

Eeeeaaaaghh!

He—e—e—elp!

Janno raced forward and grabbed the fallen gun-case. As he did so, he saw the face of the thing in the hollow tree!

I’ve got to get that creature before it gets me, too!

The hideous arms were already scrabbling at him, as Janno took hurried aim and fired!
























	














The assassin’s magnificent killing-weapon did its work swiftly and well. Its owner stared at his rescuer in disbelief.

You risked your life to save me! That brute could have got you before you had a chance to fire!

One good turn deserves another,. May I repeat my suggestion that we stop for a while?

They rested. Later, they set off again.

Water! I smell water! We must be close to the river!

Presently, they were gazing out across a broad torrent.

It’s in full spate! If we built a raft, we’d be carried back to civilisation before tomorrow’s dawn! We could be in Trigan City by midday!

They all fell to work. Somehow, a crude raft was put together and borne down to the flood.

And then, the great voyage began.

High above, a patrol craft of the Caton air fleet appeared.

There’s a raft on the river, I can make out four or five people on it!

Ah! Heading for Trigan territory!

No actual state of war existed between Cato and the Trigan Empire, just mutual hatred.

Our orders are to destroy anything suspicious and ask questions afterwards!

Prepare to attack!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 657 on 17 August 1974.