The Sarcophagi of the Sixth Continent
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The Sarcophagi of the Sixth Continent PART 2 BATTLE OF THE SPIRITS Script: Yves Sente Drawing: André Juillard Colour work: Madeleine DeMille Based on the characters of EDGAR P. JACOBS The authors wish to thank Mrs Jacqueline Moens de Fernig, Miss Marie-Laure Rippel, Mr Daniel Van Kerckhove, Grégoire Costa, Etienne Costa, Daniel Ceppi, Nicolas Vadot and Patrick Jusseaume for their invaluable help in the search for documentation. SUMMARY OF PART 1 Early 1958. To the future pleasure of millions of visitors, Brussels is preparing to receive delega- tions from the most prestigious countries in the world. They are coming to present their cultures, their most advanced scientific discoveries and their most audacious social projects—as part of a sumptuous Universal Exposition. It’s this international event that a third-world terrorist movement—led by a mysterious Indian emperor risen from the dead after 2,000 years—has chosen as the theatre for his first actions aimed at destabilising Western countries. Professor Philip Mortimer has been chosen by his nation to head the “British Industry” pavilion, within which Great Britain is proud to present its scientific knowledge and technological accom- plishments. Throughout the entire Exposition, the pavilion will be linked to the Halley scientific base in Antarctica. That way, visitors to the British pavilion in Brussels can discover in real time the heartbeat of the sixth continent. What Mortimer doesn’t know is that, from their secret base in Gondwana, neighbour to Halley, the terrorists are going to use the Halley-Brussels radio wave link established by the British to invade and attempt to destroy the Universal Exposition, using a deadly new type of weapon. Mortimer is also unaware that the Machiavellian Indian emperor poised to destroy the Brussels Exposition is none other than Ashoka. Ashoka the sorcerer, whom a handful of Indian fanatics believe to be immortal, and who had accused a teenaged Philip Mortimer of killing his daughter many years ago. Ashoka the Eternal, who had sworn to him that he would one day take revenge on him… As the tragic events that perturb the preparations for the Universal Exposition threaten to rekindle the Cold War, Blake, Mortimer and their old friend Nasir head to Antarctica to try to derail the terrifying machination… Original title: Les sarcophages du 6ème continent tome 2 Original edition: © Editions Blake & Mortimer / Studio Jacobs (Dargaud – Lombard S.A.) 2004 by André Juillard & Yves Sente - www.dargaud.com - All rights reserved English translation: © 2011 Cinebook Ltd Translator: Jerome Saincantin Lettering and text layout: Imadjinn Printed in Spain by Just Colour Graphic This edition first published in Great Britain in 2011 by Cinebook Ltd - 56 Beech Avenue - Canterbury, Kent - CT4 7TA www.cinebook.com A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 978-1-84918-077-1 2 AFTER A LONG BUT UNEVENTFUL FLIGHT, THE SABENA’S DC6 HAS DROPPED OFF CAPTAIN BLAKE, PROFESSOR MORTIMER AND THEIR OLD COMPANION NASIR ON THE TARMAC AT CAPE TOWN AIRPORT. … AND TODROP WASTING NO TIME, THEY A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE THREE MEN ARE HAIL A TAXI AND ASK THEM OFF AT SEEN BY A PORT OFFICIAL. THEY QUICKLY ASK THE DRIVER TO GET TO THE PORT WHERE THE SHIP IS MOORED THAT IS TO TRANSPORT THE HARBOUR AS AUTHORITY PROFESSOR LABROUSSE AND HIS MYSTERIOUS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE… BUILDING. ICE SUBMARINE TO ANTARCTICA. Alas, gentlemen, the Madeleine cast off over… over eight hours ago now. Blast! Flying all this way to miss it by such a short time! How infuriating! Sorry, sir, but the next cargo Isn’t there another ship If that is so, we will follow your ship to Antarctica will only call in harbour bound for kind suggestion. Don’t hesitate here in about 10 days. the same destination? to call us in case you hear of a new departure towards this destination. We’re really very eager to get to Halley. You can count on me, Mr Mortimer. But don’t get your hopes up. Surprise departures for the South Pole are rather rare. Well, it seems that I’d suggest the Alexandra’s all we can do now is Nest. It is quite popular with be patient and start European guests, I hear. looking for a nice hotel… 3 EVENING… Captain! Do you see that man with the My dear Philip, dark glasses over it looks like we What would you say to a there, next to the have visitors… nightcap before we go get man with the white some rest, my friends? hat? Capital idea, old chap! He was already looking If they’re spies, they’re us over at the Harbour really not very discreet! Master’s. I’m certain he’s They even seem to be coming still spying on us. towards us… Professor Mortimer, Captain Blake, sir, allow My deeds pale in comparison Please, Professor. Let’s put protocol aside: me to introduce myself. I am Lord Archibald to yours, gentlemen! Call me Sir Archibald. I’d be honoured. McAuchentoshan, and this is Captain Costa. But I wouldn’t want to impose. Lord McAuchentoshan?! The famous billionaire, protector of You’re too kind. May we our planet’s wildlife?… invite you to join us, Lord Not at all! This unexpected encounter is McAuchentoshan? an honour for us! And… to what do we owe the pleasure of such a visit, Sir … who’s already made the Archibald? front page many times for his spectacular actions! It so happens that, in spite of himself, WITHOUT ANOTHER WORD, THE Captain Costa overheard a conversa- Well… This is a STRANGE CHARACTER HEADS tion in which you expressed your deep TOWARDS THE HOTEL’S EXIT, happy surprise. LEAVING THE THREE MEN TO THEIR disappointment at not having been able But… SURPRISE AND THEIR QUESTIONS. to get aboard the Madeleine. Having learned of your quandary, I have come to offer a solution to your problem. Doing so for such outstanding British individuals as yourselves is, for me, both an honour and a duty. Well, then, I will brook no “buts!” Meet me tomorrow at nine at the Yacht Club, and bring your luggage, gentlemen. I wish you a good evening! 4 THE NEXT MORNING, A TAXI DROPS BLAKE, MORTIMER AND NASIR OFF IN What?!… I don’t see any ships If you would be so kind as to climb FRONT OF THE YACHT CLUB’S ENTRANCE suitable for ocean-going here! aboard this launch, you shall see AT THE TIME GIVEN BY SIR ARCHIBALD. that I do, indeed, have a craft able to brave the open ocean… Indeed! Could this strange billionaire have wanted to play a trick on us? I was once given the opportunity to read an MI5 report on his eccentricities, and believe me, he… Good day to you, gentlemen!… … but it’s actually an aircraft! SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, SIR Welcome aboard the Flying Yacht, gentle- ARCHIBALD’S GUESTS ARE BOARDING men! It’s from in here that I survey THE IMPRESSIVE SEAPLANE. the areas of the world where man puts nature in the gravest danger. It’s a Blohm & Voss I “borrowed” from the Germans during a commando raid in Norway, towards the end of 1943. It’s also in here that I compose … a radio emitter There, Good. With this problem the reports that will be dis- or beacon? it’s off. solved, I invite you to tributed as widely as possible take your seats for take- amongst those who govern us. off. Lately, I have begun looking into the alarming problem of Antarctica’s shores; they are det… Pardon me, Oh… I think that gentlemen… might be I… I have a small, new type of emitter.* I must have turned it on We have just started the engines, and we’ve in my pocket by We shall reach the Madeleine in approximately three hours… noted some interference on our onboard radar. mistake… Might one of you have turned on… Its Captain has been informed. He will stop his engines when we come near. We’ll try to touch down close to it to allow you to get onboard. *SEE PART I OF THIS STORY. 5 SOME THREE HOURS Their radio operator just confirmed that they LATER, THE FLYING stopped their engines and are lowering a launch… YACHT IS IN SIGHT OF THE MADELEINE. Fasten your seatbelts. We will take advantage of Thank you again for your the calm seas to touch down, drop you off and help, Sir Archibald! take off again as quickly as possible. It was a real pleasure, gentlemen. Sa y no more, and allow me to wish you good luck. My friends, I must admit I didn’t expect to see you again so soon. Go get settled into your cabin. I’ll wait for you in the mess, where you can explain to what I owe the pleasure of welcoming you aboard. My dear Labrousse, you are decidedly the very embodiment of French hospitality! Farewell, gentlemen. I hope we meet again soon! AFTER WRENCHING ITSELF UP FROM THE A FEW HOURS LATER, AFTER HAVING A little luck is always necessary in life. That OCEAN, SIR ARCHIBALD’S HUGE SEAPLANE SETTLED INTO THEIR CABIN, BLAKE, being said, it’s better not to push it and to MAKES A LAST FLYOVER OF THE MORTIMER AND NASIR FINISH TELLING save the strength we will no doubt need very MADELEINE TO SALUTE ITS PASSENGERS… PROFESSOR LABROUSSE ABOUT THEIR soon. With your permission, gentlemen, I will RECENT ADVENTURES AT THE SITE OF THE BRUSSELS UNIVERSAL EXPOSITION.* try to get some rest. … And this is how we decided to A wise decision.