Posted on September 23, 2022December 21, 2023The Fiendish Experiment (continued . . .) The King’s ejector gear brought him safely to the ground. Instants later, a column of water descended near by the shocked monarch. The water trickled towards the King, touched him, and— Eeeeaaaaghh ! Vella re-materialised. It will be several days before you recover your senses, you barbarian ! He dragged his victim to a cave mouth, close to which stood an air fleet fighter-craft. He will lie safely in the cave till I have been paid the ransom-money. What could be simpler ? At that moment, in Trigan City, a squad of police were surrounding Vella’s apartment. Smash the door in ! Peric was among the first to enter the apartment and see the strange apparatus that filled one of the rooms. I was right in my assumption ! That young scoundrel has submitted himself to my process—and used it for criminal purposes ! Why ! That’s the folder containing details of your invention ! I remember the night you showed it to Vella and me ! I should have guessed right from the start, when he had his miraculous escape from the air crash. I told you at the time, Janno —there are no such things as miracles ! This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 558 on 23 September 1972.
Posted on September 16, 2022December 21, 2023The Fiendish Experiment (continued . . .) The water ebbed towards Janno. Then—krakkk !—He was flung into the air by a stunning electrical charge ! Eeeeeeaaaghh ! Vella materialised from his own volume of water. I had an idea that his Imperial Majesty would try to trick me. Too bad you got yourself landed with the job, Janno ! He was picked up—together with the money—by his accomplice. By the stars ! That two million zersts was easily earned ! This is only the beginning, Zerros my friend. We shall soon be the richest fellows on Elekton ! It was some days before Janno recovered consciousness in a Trigan City clinic. Tell us anything you can remember, Janno. Any clue—however seemingly unimportant —could be vital. Water . . . the water came towards me . . . It seemed to have . . . a life of its own ! Something clicked in Peric’s brilliant mind. Water, and alive ? My invention ! That diabolical experiment I stumbled upon ! The great scientist hurried round to his laboratory. Gone ! The red folder containing my notes and diagrams ! Meanwhile, in Vella’s apartment . . . Your method is almost foolproof, Vella. Provided you don’t fall into the trap of over-confidence, you will never be caught ! My method, as you call it, is completely foolproof ! And there is no limit to what I can accomplish ! For instance, take the King of Daveli —that unfortunate monarch whose crown jewels I have already purloined —who is flying home tomorrow after his disastrous state visit . . . . . . I intend to kidnap him and hold him for ransom ! 7 The following morning, the Emperor bade farewell to his guest, the King of Daveli. Your Majesty, it grieves me that your visit has been marred by the loss of your jewels. But be assured that no effort will be spared to recover them. I thank you, Imperial Majesty. The royal air liner soared skywards. It was some time later that the King noticed water seeping into his compartment. Strange . . . Then, before his astonished eyes, a figure materialised from the water . . . Fasten your seat belt, you royal barbarian ! You are going for a ride ! Aaaaah ! Who are . . . you ? An instant later, the terrified monarch was ejected from his air liner ! Eeeeaaaaaaghhh ! This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 557 on 16 September 1972.
Posted on September 9, 2022April 16, 2023The Fiendish Experiment (continued . . .) In a very short time, the unconscious assistant was discovered, and the guards were alerted about the Imperial Archives building . . . Alarm ! Alarm ! Intruders in the precincts ! Shoot on sight ! . . . But it was already too late ! Some distance away, a trickle of water . . . Became . . . Vella ! Crime made easy ! Ha, ha ! Back at his apartment, Vella was greeted by his accomplice. Well, I see from your expression that the operation was successful. What did you find ? A diplomatic secret, my friend—a secret so hot that our esteemed Emperor will give his private fortune to keep me from shouting it from the rooftops ! It concerns Daveli, the country with which our empire has a long- standing pact of friendship. What would the King of Daveli say if he knew that we have a secret long- range missile battery aimed at his country—all ready to fire if his people showed any signs of unfriendliness towards the precious Trigan Empire ? That same day, a message found its way to the Emperor. By all the stars ! Oh no—not this ! What . . . what is it, Imperial Majesty ? An emergency meeting of the Imperial Council was called. Gentlemen, there is no need to go into our reasons for the secret missile battery. Sufficient to say that, if Daveli hears about it, our valuable friendship is at an end. Then what does your Imperial Majesty propose to do ? My mysterious correspondent advises me to get together two million zersts in small currency, and be ready to deliver it to him, to buy his silence . . . . . . I intend to accept his advice ! A few days later, Janno was urgently summoned to the palace. You require me for a dangerous operation, Uncle ? I am only too ready. I knew I could rely on you, Janno. For reasons I cannot reveal to you, I must fly to the heart of the Vorg wilderness and deposit a large sum of money. I am supposed to travel alone —but you will be a secret passenger ! Later that day, they were hovering over the deserted wilderness. Are we there, Uncle ? Yes, Janno, we’re right above the spot now. As soon as I land, you take cover behind the rocks. No one in sight. You know what you have to do. Good luck. Soon, his uncle’s craft was vanishing towards the horizon, and Janno settled down for a vigil over the sack of money. Whoever comes to pick up that money is going to get a nasty shock. Suddenly, to his astonishment, the water hole overflowed—and began to trickle towards him ! By all the stars—how very strange ! This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 556 on 9 September 1972.
