The Trigan Empire

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.

As the Trigans watched, a young Nobe climbed aboard the aircraft and took off.

There was pride in the voice of the Nobe leader.

It must be a revelation to you poor ignorant people, to see a living person fly like a bird.

What will they think of next?

By the stars! He’s going to crash!

They lifted out the stunned pilot.

What hard luck. He was doing quite nicely.

What are you saying, young man? That was a perfect landing.

There is only one way to land an aircraft . . . that is, to crash it!

Sometime, somehow, we have to break the news to these delightful people that the rest of the planet can fly at ten times the speed of sound!

They’re never going to believe us. They think we’re all backward compared to them!

Their hosts led them through the capital city of the hidden valley.

They can’t build aircraft, but they know how to build cities that are a delight to live in.

It’s very restful, I must admit.























They were taken before the grand council of the Nobes, where Janno gave them the message from the Emperor.

My uncle, the Emperor Trigo, wishes to extend to the people of this valley the aid and protection of the Trigan Empire.

Aid and protection. Why?

Well, for the sake of argument, in case of . . . war.

What is war?

He means, if you’re invaded.

In case another power tried to steal your territory and enslave your people.

We do not understand. What is invaded? What is steal? What is enslave?

Later, when they were given a pleasant groundfloor apartment in one of the city inns . . .

Of course, it is obvious that ages ago, the Nobes were in touch with the rest of the people of this planet, for they speak the common Elekton language.

But some of the words have fallen into disuse. Words connected with war, violence, crime.

This valley must be a very pleasant place to live!

SUDDENLY . . .

The strange vehicle smashed itself against a pillar.

Aaaaaagh!

Are you all right?

Perfectly fine, thanks.

You know, one day, someone will have to contrive a way of stopping these things without having to run into a wall!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 741 on 27 March 1976.