Posted on January 9, 2021February 20, 2024The Thing from the Sea (continued . . .) Inside the alien mass that crouched like a submerged monster of the deep . . . . . . Janno, Keren and Roffa were imprisoned in airtight capsules of transparent fibre. All about them, the inhabitants of the vast, water-filled interior went about their tasks. Suddenly, the water level began to drop —and the strange people placed curiously- shaped devices into their throats. When the water had gone, the three captives were released from the capsules and led towards a commanding figure. So ! The Trigan prisoners ! And who are you ? I am Ura Zircon, Lord of the planet Thalla. Our mother planet lies in the distant galaxy of Cerris, and is entirely covered by water. We are a water-breathing people. Regrettably, Thalla is moving inexorably nearer to one of its suns, which means that the surface of the planet will one day be a boiling mass . . . Mindful of my people's peril, I caused this conquest- machine to be constructed, so that we could leave Thalla and win another planet for our home. When all was ready, we launched ourselves in the machine and journeyed to Elekton—a planet whose way of life, speech and customs we had studied by long-range systems in our technology. Since then, the destroying units of the machine have been doing their work. Soon—with all civilisation in chaos —Elekton will be ours ! The three Trigans listened in awe and alarm to the rest of Ura Zircon's speech. Armed with the devices which enable them to breathe out of water, units of my people have infiltrated into the towns and cities of the surface. My own daughter is among them . . . She goes by the name of Sorra, and has gained herself a position of trust at the side of your emperor himself. Her task—when the time comes—will be to destroy Trigo ! Meanwhile, back at the Imperial Palace at Trigan City, the Emperor Trigo spoke approvingly to his new secretary You have done your work well, Sorra. I am pleased with you. You are too kind, Imperial Majesty. This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 469 on 9 January 1971.
Posted on January 2, 2021February 20, 2024The Thing from the Sea (continued . . .) Janno and the others flattened themselves against the rocky ground as the thing from the sea reared high above them. And then . . . Janno ! It's going out to sea again ! Right—we’re going after it ! Quickly ! Propelled by the special high-speed machines on their backs, they followed it. After what seemed an eternity, Janno signalled his companions to halt. Before their eyes lay the secret thing that menaced Elekton. Janno had seen all he needed to know. He made the pre- arranged signal for their return. And then, Zatti raised his hands— krakkk -krakk !— a strange, stunning force sparked out from his fingertips ! Presently, alien forms emerged from the massive shape on the sea-bed. The three unconscious Trigans were carried away. After three days had passed, the Emperor summoned his brother Brag, who was Janno's father. They have not returned from their mission. I fear we must accept that Janno and his comrades have perished in the course of duty. Later, he called for one of the palace secretaries. I will dictate further plans for the location and destruction of the menace. You will send copies to the captains of my armed forces. Yes, Imperial Majesty. By the way, you are new here, are you not ? Yes, Imperial Majesty— my name is Sorra. That night, the girl called Sorra slept submerged in the water of the palace baths ! She belonged to the same alien race as Zatti ! This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 468 on 2 January 1971.
Posted on December 26, 2020February 20, 2024The Thing from the Sea (continued . . .) One evening, the now-familiar menace rose from the river near the great tower in the city of Yannis. Aaaaaagh ! It is the thing from the sea ! One slash of the strange antenna —and the tower was riven ! At almost the same moment, on the distant Isle of Zooth, the lighthouse met the same fate ! News of the two disasters reached the Emperor Trigo. You realise what this means, Peric ? There must be two of these infernal machines —perhaps more ! The possibility had already entered my calculations, Imperial Majesty. Then what are you doing about it ? Before I can devise a means of combating the menace, I need to know the length of the trunk attached to the head of the device. Peric took the Emperor to another part of his laboratory. This high-speed underwater engine should enable a diver to pursue the menace and bring back the information I need. I will need a team of brave volunteers. There will be no shortage of them, Peric. Make as many of your engines as you can ! Janno and his comrades Keren and Roffa were among the first to volunteer. Janno tested the engine. It works, Peric ! Yes. And remember that he is only travelling at half speed ! Not everyone was so keen to meet the monster. In the barracks of the Imperial Guards . . . “Special hazardous duty connected with the undersea menace.” What do you make of that ? Not for me ! Nor me ! But . . . You, Zatti ? Tired of living, Zatti ? I think I shall survive ! Within a few days, teams of four volunteers were ready to leave for selected parts of the coast. And in Janno's party . . . Zatti of the Imperial Guard, sir ! Glad to have you with us, Zatti. The following dawn, the four were at their appointed hiding place. See anything, Janno ? Yes ! One of the things is coming straight at us ! This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 467 on 26 December 1970.
