Posted on October 25, 2025October 28, 2025The Faith Healer (continued . . .) The fishermen dragged the half- conscious form from the surf. Later, Nastor opened his eyes to find a row of honest faces looking down on him. Here, friend, take a little gruel. It will make you strong again. A couple of days later, Nastor felt strong enough to try and feed himself. He reached out for a spoon . . . There ! See how much better you are, friend. And the spoon hung suspended in the air ! Aaaaaaaah ! The superstitious fisher-folk thought they had the answer to this strange phenomenon. He is a miracle- worker ! One of the wise ones ! I knew of such a one when I was a lad. He could cure all manner of sicknesses ! Within a few days, the news had spread among the simple people of the coast. A long line of patient figures queued outside the cottage where Nastor lay. Touch my son and make him well again, sir. I beg of you. All the people asked of Nastor was the touch of his hand or a few words of comfort, then they departed happily, leaving behind a few coins or some food. I feel better already, sir. I’m pleased to hear it. The simple folk would have been surprised to know the thoughts that were passing through the “wise one’s” mind. I don’t know how long these stupid fools are going to treat me like some kind of god, but I’ll stay here until I get my strength back and at the same time make some money on the side. Meanwhile, in Trigan City Air Fleet base, Janno was making one last desperate bid to continue his career as a pilot. Janno, you’re in no fit state to fly with those blinding headaches. Why not take a year’s leave and get fit again. I’m better, I tell you, Keren ! And I’ll prove it . . . today ! Janno’s proof of his fitness to fly was a demonstration of low-level aerobatics that had the whole base staring in awe. But, in the cockpit . . . Aaaaah ! My head ! The agony ! Blinded by the pain, Janno never saw his peril . . . He’s going to crash into the high-tension wires ! This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 719 on 25 October 1975.
Posted on October 18, 2025October 28, 2025The Faith Healer Janno was on holiday, enjoying the wild and exhilarating sport of water-planing. And then . . . someone saw Janno’s peril . . . Hey ! Look where you’re going. . . . Too late ! They picked him up out of the water, unconscious from the tremendous shock of the impact. He was rushed to hospital. Immediate and skilful treatment, added to his strong constitution, soon had the young air fleet pilot back on duty. But not for long . . . Headache again ? Yes. It attacks me without warning and nearly drives me out of my mind. I won’t be able to fly this morning. The best medical treatment that Elekton had to offer did nothing for the Emperor’s nephew. The attacks grew worse. Soon, Janno was spending most of his time in a darkened room. Why did it have to happen to me ? Your browser does not support the video tag. Your browser does not support the video tag. Your browser does not support the video tag. Nastor was a professional gambler, whose one aim in life was to make a quick and easy fortune. An ambition that, alas, forever seemed to be thwarted. I’ve got a feeling that tonight is going to be my night. I’ll risk everything I have on one spin of the wheel. Needless to say, on this occasion, Nastor’s luck failed him again. I’m ruined. Ruined. He walked out into the night. The stormy sky matched the turmoil in his mind. What am I going to do ? He walked to the end of the quay. And then it happened —a flash of lurid light, a deafening crash of thunder. Eaaaaaaghh ! Others came running . . . Did you see that fellow being struck by lightning ? Yes ! He was over there, by the end of the quay. He’s gone . . . disappeared ! Next morning, just after Elekton’s twin suns had risen, a fisherman saw something—someone —lying in the surf. By all the stars ! Aaaaahhh . . . ahh . . . This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 718 on 18 October 1975.
Posted on October 11, 2025October 14, 2025The Mind Controller (continued . . .) As the smoke of the exploding anti-aircraft battery cleared away, the alien craft came low. Ready for the lift-off ! All three convicts were lifted from the top of the black tower. They were helped aboard the craft, and Raspardi was greeted by none other than. . . the physician Torga. So ! It is to you that I am indebted for this rescue ? It is indeed, my friend — and it will cost you half of the stolen moneys which you have got hidden away ! A fast automobile waited on a lonely road on the mainland. What now, Torga ? Now, Raspardi, we drive to a hide-out where you will remain till you have paid over the money. As for our friends Janno and Roffa . . . Janno and Roffa remained on the craft when the others had left it. At a curt order from Torga, Janno piloted it skywards again. Where are they going ? They, my friend, are going to destruction ! You mean ? . . Their task is finished. I now propose to wipe out the living evidence of our little conspiracy . . . Or, more correctly, order them to wipe out themselves ! Torga spoke into a transmitter which was wavelengthed to the miniaturised receivers in the inner ears of the two in the craft. Listen, Janno . . . do you hear me, Janno ? . . . You will now take the craft to its maximum height . . . and then dive it into the sea at full speed ! . . Is that understood ? But—another voice was also dinning in Janno’s inner ear ! The voice of his friend, the great scientist Peric ! Janno, you will disregard all other orders and obey only me ! Answer me, Janno . . . where are you ? I am . . . I am . . . Why do you not acknowledge my order, Janno ? Moments later, the craft came screaming down in a power-dive. What are you doing, Janno ? . . Janno ! Answer me ! But the voice of Torga no longer had the power to control Janno’s mind and actions . . . as was swiftly proved ! Aaaaaaagh !— What’s happened to him ? Not far distant, in a Trigan Air Fleet craft that was speeding to the scene, Peric was speaking into a transmitter that was also broadcasting on the secret wavelength to Janno’s inner ear. With the great scientist was the Emperor himself. It’s all over, Janno ! The nightmare’s over ! You are free of the evil power that has been direct- ing you and Roffa ! Thank the stars for that ! Trigan security forces speedily apprehended Torga and his accomplices and Raspardi. That same day, the two comrades were formally cleared of all charges against them. Gentlemen, since it is deemed that you did not act of your own free will, but while under the hypnotic direction of a criminal, your sentences are immediately cancelled ! It was found to be impossible to remove the offending miniature receivers from the inner ears of the two Air Fleet pilots. But, as Peric said . . . You have nothing to fear—the chances are several billion to one that anyone would stumble on the wave- length which connects with your minds. Only I know the secret, and I shall never use it again . . . Unless you both voluntarily take to a life of crime ! This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 717 on 11 October 1975.
