As they closed with the Caton battle-craft, Janno fired his pistol.

One down and five to go!

The next instant, he was clinging for dear life as his friend, Kalli, banked violently to avoid the return fire.

Hey! Are you trying to get rid of me?

Sorry!

Hanging on to a strut with one hand, Janno blasted loose again.

Got him!

Janno’s second victim swerved into the path of one of its wing-mates—with disastrous consequences.

That’s three out of six.

Great! Let’s down the other three!

But the remaining Caton crewmen had other ideas.

We’ve lost half our force. That hostile craft must be armed with a secret weapon of invincible power.























Break off the attack! Set course back to base!

Triumphantly, Kalli brought his primitive craft to ground near the three wrecked Caton machines.

Who was it who said we were not a match for the Caton air-fleet?

You have seen nothing of the Caton air-fleet in action—yet! Wait till our massed, high-level bombers come.

Returning to base, the remaining crewmen were given a tongue-lashing by their air-fleet commander.

How many craft attacked you and downed your three companions?

Er . . . one, sir.

Did you say . . . one?

Get the high-level bombing force into the air! By the end of this day I want to see an empty valley—strewn with corpses!

The vast armada of destruction rose skyward above Cato City.

Set course for the valley!

Later, the captain of the lead craft saw something that brought a gasp of disbelief to his lips.

Oh, no! It . . . it can’t be!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 744 on 17 April 1976.