Mallo fled in panic from the terrifying creature who had once been Crillus, the great sword-fighter! You have turned me into the oldest living thing on this planet! Give me back those lost years! Aaaaaaah! Mallo’s s only thought was to put as much distance as possible between himself and Crillus. What went wrong? The mixture I gave Crillus had a completely opposite effect from that I gave Narrod! Talking of Narrod, I’d better see how he’s getting on. Oh, no! He’s turned into a baby! But what am I worrying about? This is fantastic! It offers marvellous opportunities for . . . profit! That night, Mallo kept an appointment in a seedy part of the Trigan City dockland. You are the official I spoke to at the Caton Embassy? Yes, and you are he who called and spoke of a sensational proposition?Though not currently at war, Cato and the Trigan Empire were—as usual—in a state of mutual loathing. What would Cato give to a scientist who could turn the Emperor Trigo into a dotard or, perhaps, an infant? In either case, my country would immediately invade! The Trigan Empire is nothing without the guiding hand of Trigo! Then, my friend, we are in business! Listen . . . Much later . . . It is agreed! You will feed the green liquid to Trigo. When we have proof that it has taken effect, we will act and you will be rewarded! I will give it to him tomorrow night—at the Imperial reception! Mallo worked till dawn to prepare more of the strange green fluid. Which way will this work, I wonder? The following evening, Mallo presented himself, by invitation, at a splendid Gathering in the Imperial Palace. There’s Trigo. I slip the stuff into his goblet while he isn’t looking, then stand by for quick results! ’Tis as easy as lying! I do not foresee any immediate trouble from Cato, gentlemen. Drink it down! Drink it!
This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 651 on 6 July 1974.
