The Lost Valley (continued . . .)




The sight of a blacksmith attaching thick plates of metal to one side of a motor vehicle greatly interested Kalli, Janno’s Nobe friend. There you are, Kalli—armour plating while you wait. That will stop a projectile, and fifty of these vehicles will add up to our armoured division. Later, the pick of the valley’s young athletes were gathered in the main square. I have a plan for the destruction of the Caton invading force. It calls for careful timing and instant obedience on your part. You will learn this plan, till you carry it out in your sleep! Any questions? Yes! What are we going to use for weapons? We don’t have any weapons! In fact, you have a splendid weapon. With it, you Nobes play the fastest and most dangerous game on Elekton. The Bollo Ball! Shortly after dawn the next day, the Catons entered the valley. They marched to attention, colours flying. Not a sign of the Nobes. I fully expect to walk through the valley and take it without firing a shot.
And then . . . Vehicles! The Nobe armoured division was heading into battle! Yahooooo! With disciplined calm, the Caton guards halted, faced their flank, and the command rang out. Open fire! The Nobe armour drove at breakneck speed down the Caton column attracting all the enemy fire. It was then, behind the Catons, that the best bollo players in the valley rose from their hiding place in a dried river bed, and sent their hard metal balls rocketing towards the enemy. The Caton guards were taken entirely unawares by the most dangerous game on Elekton. Aaaaaagh! Uuuuuughhh!

This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 746 on 1 May 1976.