The Masked Raiders




In the fourth lunar month of the year of Yedd, the “Princess of Vorg”, largest ocean-going liner ever, was launched in Trigan City harbour by Salvia, daughter of Elekton’s top scientist. I name this vessel “Princess of Vorg” ! May she voyage the oceans of this planet in safety and tranquillity. As the massive hull glided down the vast slipway, the Emperor Trigo made a gracious presentation to the girl who had performed the ceremony. Salvia, I should like you to accept this small memento of the occasion. Your Imperial Majesty is too kind. Later that year, all Trigan City turned out to see the “Princess of Vorg” gliding from the harbour on her maiden voyage. This is the Imperial News Service bringing you, live from Trigan City, this unforgettable spectacle. Passengers aboard the liner on this, her maiden voyage, include his Imperial Majesty, the Lord Janno, Peric and his daughter Salvia . . . Swiftly, the great liner spanned the ocean, past the forbidding peaks of the untrodden ice continent. Within the vast hull, safe from the killing winds, the great ballroom resounded to the music of the dance. Enjoying the voyage, Salvia ? Yes, Janno. And you ? But disaster threatened ! The liner’s helmsman was the first to suffer . . .

This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 506 on 25 September 1971.