The Trigan Empire

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.

At dawn the following day, the massed air fleet of Cato flew low over the valley of the Nobes in a brutal display of power.

The people of the valley stared up, awestruck.

It can’t be true!

It’s some kind of trick!

Living creatures can’t fly so high and so fast!

Later, the Caton emissaries delivered an ultimatum to the Nobes.

The Nobes will acknowledge the overlordship of the Caton state, or the people and cities of the valley will be destroyed from the air.

What you  suggest is absurd.

Next, the emissaries of the Trigan Empire, with Janno as spokesman.

The Trigan Empire offers  you the protection of its power. All you have to do is ask.

I thank the Trigan Empire, but we can look after ourselves.

After all, we, too, have a superior technology. Think, for instance of our air fleet!

As Janno said later, to his new friend Kalli.

Do you think you could defend the valley for any length of time with that collection of museum pieces?

We can but do our best.

If the Catons come, I, for one, will take the air against them!

Then I request the honour to accompany you, Kalli!

Back in far-off Trigan City, the latest news reached the Emperor Trigo and his advisors.

Well, gentlemen, what can we do?

The Nobes have rejected our help. If our forces entered now, we would be as guilty of invasion as the Catons.

Then the Catons have outmanoeuvred us. Order Janno and Peric to return.























But the message of recall never reached Janno and Peric. At noon, a force of Caton low-level battle-craft entered the valley. 

Commence a pattern of destruction! Fire upon everything that moves, and reduce all buildings to rubble!

The Nobe’s lovely and gracious towns were pounded with high explosive and their gentle inhabitants sent fleeing in panic.

Aaaah! It’s the end of the world!

One of the Caton gunners happened to scan the horizon behind his craft.

I see it, but I . . . I don’t believe it!

Here comes the Nobes’ fighting air fleet!

. . . All of it!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 743 on 10 April 1976.

I am the proprietor of this inn and . . . oh, I see what went wrong.

Neither the manager nor the young driver seemed at all put out by the incident.

I forgot to slow down in time and had to crash through your wall.

I know how it is. I’ve smashed up three of them in a lunar year. I walk everywhere now.

The newcomer introduced himself to Janno and Peric.

I’m Kalli. The Council asked me to look after you and show you around. I’m afraid we’ll have to walk.

That suits me fine. I think it will be . . . er . . . safer.

Their guide took them through the delightful city of the Nobes.

Over there is the stadium where we play Bollo. Bollo is our national sport and our national obsession.

Bollo, the Trigans discovered, was played with a hard metal ball. The game was fast . . .

One!

. . . And violent!

Two!!























After the game, Janno and Peric had a confrontation.

Trust the Trigans to be here already!

Emissaries from Cato. There’s going to be trouble!

Catons and Trigans were implacable rivals and enemies.

I suppose you are looking around to see  what’s in it for the Trigans. I wager you’ll  soon be moving in to take over the Nobes. 

That is a most improper suggestion!

The Trigans’ method is to come in friendship. After that, they take over your country and enslave your people! Never trust a Trigan. Every Caton child learns that almost as soon as he can walk!

Janno leapt at the taunting Caton and it took all the efforts of the others to part them.

Gentlemen, gentlemen! Let there be peace. This sort of behaviour is not permitted in the land of the Nobes!

Janno and Peric went on their way and the Catons watched them go.

Trigan animal! I’d like to have destroyed him with my bare hands!

Quite unnecessary, you did well. I found out all I needed to know. The Trigans do not  intend to take over the Nobes’ territory.

What they do not want, the Catons will have! I shall send a message to Cato this day, advising an immediate invasion of this valley, which is rich in mineral resources and a people who will make excellent slave labourers!

That night, in far-off Cato, the bombers and escort fighting-craft of the massive air fleet stood ready to take off and attack the peaceful valley of the Nobes.

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 742 on 3 April 1976.