The door of the dank cell creaked open, and a harsh voice summoned two wretched prisoners.

On your feet, Lord Brag and Lord Janno. Your time has come!

Father and son clasped hands.

We are being led out to execution! Farewell, Janno.

Farewell, Father.

Instead of being led to the execution block, they were taken to where the strange usurper sat alone.

Good day to you, my lords. I see you are alive and well, if a trifle grubby. You should have provided washing facilities when you had the cells constructed.

Brag found his voice.

I take it that we are to be executed?

It was to save your lives that I let Zacho and Serro lock you up. Otherwise they would have destroyed you, as I fear, they have already destroyed Trigo.

Speaking of Zacho and Serro—those two miscreants have already begun to suffer for their crimes. Come and see.

The two rascally ex-councillors were chained to a water-wheel that irrigated the Palace gardens.

Where did we go wrong about Z? Where?

It’s all your fault. You said he couldn’t read or write.

Who are you and what are you trying to do?

I am Z . . . 

And I am going to save the Trigan Empire!























Meanwhile, far across the barren wilderness, in the desert city of the warrior-people.

With tomorrow’s dawn, we march against the provinces of the Trigan Empire.

Ayeeeeeeee! Let the Trigans beware!

The armourer and his slave loaded their cart. They, too, were setting out with the war-hordes on the morrow.

There’ll be plenty of work for us during the campaign, and the prospect of loot. How do you feel about marching against your own people?

I can remember nothing about my former life, master. It means nothing to me.

Thus spoke the rightful Emperor of the Trigans.

At dawn, the long column crossed the barren Plain of Vorg. Suddenly . . . 

I hear patRolling air craft! Take cover!

Blow the alarm!

At the sound of the trumpet, every warrior dismounted and covered himself and his Kreed with his sand-coloured cloak. The wheeled transport did likewise.

It’s a Trigan patrol craft. He’ll never see us. For all their technology, we shall prove to them that the old ways are the best.

When night began to fall, the invaders came to the shores of the great ocean. Below, the lights of a prosperous seaport burned brightly.

Our first objective!

With the dawn’s light, we will descend upon that town with fire and sword! When the suns are in the Zenith, it will be ours!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 674 on 14 December 1974.