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The Secret Assassin

















	














In the translucent depths of the sea off Tharv, a lone hunter was closing with his prey.

All at once, the hunter found himself—the hunted!

Knocked unconscious by a shock-projectile, the victim was connected to a grab . . .

And lifted aboard a waiting sea-craft.

Later, when he had recovered consciousness . . .

See here, you—whoever you are!

Who I am is of no importance to you! I apologise for interrupting your sport, but I have need of your very special services.

Who do you want me to kill—and for how much?

The Emperor Trigo! For half a million thullars! Cash in advance!
























	














How did you come to know of me?

That is immaterial! I know you are the top operator in your—er profession! That you kill silently and without trace!

You will fly to Trigan City and assassinate Trigo during the opening of the Imperial Assembly in two days’ time! Fail . . . and you perish!

I never fail!

In accordance with his instructions, the hired killer boarded a trans-plangtary air-cruiser in Tharv.

The air-cruiser was soon skybound.

Not many people flying to Trigan City today.

Suddenly, over the Daveli jungle—IT HAPPENED!

Alarm! Alarm! This is an emergency! All passengers remain seated! We are going to crash-land!

The big cruiser tore a path of fire and wreckage through the dense jungle . . . then there was silence.

Much later, the assassin clawed his way out.

Am I the only survivor?

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 653 on 20 July 1974.

 
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The Elixir of Youth (continued . . .)

















	














Don’t drink that, Uncle—or you’re dead!

Wha-a-at?

Janno pointed to . . . Mallo!

I saw that treacherous animal putting poison in the goblet!

It’s a lie!

Janno hurled himself at Mallo—and fared badly at the hands of an expert wrestler.

Aaaaaagh!

You taught me well, Mallo! Next time, I shall try not to let you down!

The contest was brief—and dramatic!

Eeeeeeeaaagh!

Pass me the Emperor’s goblet! We’ll see how this scoundrel likes his own medicine!

No! No! Not that! Anything but that!
























	














Aaaaah! Ahhhh . . .

Janno forced the liquid between the other’s lips. Before the eyes of the assembled company, Mallo aged . . . half a lifetime!

Eeeee-aaaaahhhh!

Moments later, an incredibly aged creature sank to his knees.

Im-Imperial Majesty . . . I was tempted . . . the Catons were going to pay me . . . to do this . . . to you . . .

By all the stars!

The Emperor turned to Peric, his top scientist.

Your Majesty, I blame myself! I allowed this youth to tamper in experiments far beyond his intellect!

These experiments will cease, Peric! And you will devote yourself to devising an antidote for this evil thing!

So it was that Peric worked, day and night, in his laboratory.

Is this the antidote?

There is one swift and sure way to find out!

Later . . .

I see, from your changed appearance, that you have carried out my order!

Yes, Imperial Majesty! I have aged—once again! I have also destroyed all my notes!

I shall never find the secret of youth again. But I can restore to their normal state the others—including Mallo—for whom the experiment went hideously wrong!

This was done. Some time later, old Crillus and old Narrod watched a race-craft streaking round the measured course.

There goes young Janno—breaking your record!

Good luck to the lad! I’ve learned my lesson! From now on, I’m leaving record-breaking to the young—the really young!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 652 on 13 July 1974.

 
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The Elixir of Youth (continued . . .)

















	














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.