Posted on December 27, 2025December 28, 2025The Ultimate Collection (continued . . .) Next morning, the planet’s newspapers screamed—Chorpinal kidnapped—Elekton’s greatest living composer snatched from the liner “Emperor Trigo” while on his way to conduct his newest symphony. Peric was at the Imperial Palace soon after dawn. His Imperial Majesty is not to be disturbed ! Stand aside. My business won’t wait ! Trigo was at sword practice. Imperial Majesty, I tried to . . . Good morning, Peric. It must be an important matter to bring you here so early. It is, Sire ! I request that you designate me, by Imperial Proclamation, as Supreme Scientist of Elekton. Well, by all the stars ! The Emperor was wryly amused. And you such a modest individual. You are undoubtedly the greatest scientist alive, but do we have to thrust it down the throat of every other scientist on the planet ? It is not for myself I ask it, Majesty, but part of my plan to get to the bottom of these thefts and kidnappings. . . Is it, indeed ! Yes, Sire. I will explain . . . Peric’s explanation was so satisfactory to Trigo that a special ceremony took place the same day, to which all the scientists within call were hastily summoned. Whose idea was this ? Meaningless mumbo-jumbo. Surely not the Emperor’s ? And Peric would never have the impudence to suggest it. Peric, in appreciation of your great works for the cause of scientific progress, I grant you the title of Supreme Scientist of Elekton. The ceremony over, Peric took himself to his villa in the suburbs, where he relaxed. And now . . . to wait ! He did not have long to wait. That same evening . . . The great scientist did not turn a hair when they burst in on him. Good evening, gentlemen. I’ve been expecting you. They took him away. Not far away, in a pleasant valley beyond the city limits, a sumptuous mansion standing in secluded grounds . . . He was taken into the palatial dwelling and brought before its owner. We have him, master. This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 728 on 27 December 1975.
Posted on December 20, 2025December 21, 2025The Ultimate Collection (continued . . .) The fiendish cunning by which the diadem had been taken was the most sensational aspect of the news story. Following on an unsuccessful attack upon the temple, one of the thieves posed as the Abbot of Zemf, switched the diadem for a fake and made off with the true jewel ! The Emperor Trigo summoned an extraordinary session of the Imperial Council. Janno’s kidnapping and the various thefts are clearly the work of one will. But what is the reason behind it all, Peric ? Majesty, it is difficult to say. The great scientist pondered on his sovereign’s question. It is simple to guess the motive behind the kidnapping of a member of the Imperial Family. But what connection does that have with the theft of a pile of ancient fossilised bones ? Trigo’s retort was short and brutal. You will find that connection, Peric ! And you will work day and night till you do ! It was night. The great ocean liner “Emperor Trigo” was heading for port with a host of passengers. Danger lurked nearby. Prepare to surface and fire a warning projectile. The first warning of peril came with a thunderclap of sound, followed by a streak of lurid flame. They’re signalling us to halt, or else they’ll sink us ! Stop the ship ! A party of masked and ruthless raiders soon boarded the ship. See here, you animals ! I protest . . . Aaaaghh ! Silence ! Down into the palatial dining saloon, among the horrified passengers, they marched. They halted by a mild-looking individual who was eating alone. Get to your feet ! It’s you we’ve come for ! News of the outrage reached Trigan City before dawn. It was immediately passed to Peric, who had spent a sleepless night in his laboratory, puzzling his brain. What did you say ? Repeat the name of the kidnappers’ victim. A great light dawned in Peric’s mind. I’ve got it ! I’ve found the connection ! This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 727 on 20 December 1975.
Posted on December 13, 2025December 13, 2025The Ultimate Collection (continued . . .) News of the snatching of the Emperor’s popular nephew was flashed round the planet. For the first time, there was a mention of a sinister connection between Janno’s disappearance and other sensational events. In this manner, Lord Janno was snatched up into the sky. It will be recalled that the Ultimate Aircraft and the Monster of Vorg were taken in the same way. Beyond the borders of the Trigan Empire, in the domains of Cato, the sacred city of Zemf was dominated by the mystical Temple of the Jewel, where thousands of worshippers a day filed past the great green glittering diadem. The diadem was guarded by the most sophisticated electronic devices. It was reckoned that the sheer complexity of the defences were sufficient to defeat any intruder. And then one day, they came. The invaders landed on the temple’s roof, and immediately ran into electronically discharged projectiles that turned the roof into a death-trap. By the time they had broken through into the temple, it had been emptied of panic-stricken worshippers. But their troubles had scarcely begun. When they attempted to mount the stairs to the diadem the stairs straightened out to become a slippery slide ! Aaaaaghhh ! Eeeeeghhh ! By then, the wail of police sirens outside the building told the intruders that a hue and cry had been raised. Their leader came to a swift decision. We have been beaten by time ! Back the way we came ! Thwarted by the very complexity of the defences, the raiders broke off the attempt and flew away. Guardian and keeper of the Great Green Diadem was the Abbot of Zemf, who dwelt in a palace on the mountain crest and was seldom seen. Soon after the departure of the raiders, the Abbot arrived at the Temple of the Jewel. The Great Green Diadem is untouched, Most Splendid One. This I must see with my own eyes, and with my own hands. I must ensure myself that it has suffered no harm. Only the Abbot himself was allowed to lay hands on the sacred gem. This he did, in full view of all. All is well. The sacred diadem has not been defiled ! Later that day, the resident high priest of the temple received a call on vidi-phone. This is the Abbot’s secretary. His Excellency, the Most Splendid One, wishes to come to the temple and assure himself that the diadem has not been defiled. Please make arrangements to receive . . . But the Most Splendid One has already been ! What ? Do nothing and touch nothing until I am with you ! One hour later, the Abbot’s secretary was inspecting the huge gem. Fools ! Dolts ! Bunglers ! This is not the Diadem of Zemf. He who came here was an impostor. He took the true diadem and left behind this copy. This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 726 on 13 December 1975.
