Reptil by John Catchpole and Angus Peter Allen. Episode Four: The shadow of the Serpent.

Episode four.

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The shadow of the Serpent.

Page 1:

Todays’ preferred distraction for Don Redding and Nick Dexter is fishing.
Nick, I’ve got something on the end of my line!

Lucky! Wait for me, I’m coming to help you.
Even together, the line is still too heavy.
But, but, it’s not a fish!
Nick! Its, it’s a man!
The two boys bring back the drowned man to the shore.
Quickly! Artificial breathing Nick!
I will try Don, but I’m afraid it will do nothing.

Page 2:

However, the drowned man seems to come back to life. But his eyes remain closed.
He’s not very well yet.
I’ll look for Mister Timms, he may be able to help us.
A few minutes later, the man of science, Mister Timms, comes to their aid.
I did what I could Mister Timms.
Let’s bring him inside here.
A half hour later.
Where, where am I?
In good hands, my friend. My name is Mister Timms.
The two young people, they have pulled you from the river.
The…the river? Oh yes! They drowned me to prevent me from becoming the master of the world.

Page 3:

I ALMOST HAD EVERYTHING! DO YOU HEAR ME!

Great gods! You are doing well Monsieur.
Excuse me! I am so, so tired.
At the same instant, at the offices of Scotland Yard, London.
Glad to meet you Mark.
And you too, Inspector Manning, as our names are associated with the shadow of the serpent.

That creature could destroy the country, Mark.
I feel quite a relief now that he has been eliminated.

Page 4:

The man they speak of was a famous biologist who had discovered a potion allowing him to transform reptiles into fearsome monsters.

I won’t be able to relax until we fish out his corpse.
The current may have swept it away, mark.
But the serpent was alive and well.

Nick and Don, which the newspapers have spoken of.
They fought Creech, chief of the white eyes.
I must find this Creech! And together we will rule the world.

Page 5:

A few minutes later, the saviors find the serpent under the covers.
Nick, Don, you two can retire, I’ll take care of things.
You believe that he is completely recovered?
At the slightest warning, I’ll call a doctor.
Perfect. Till tomorrow.
All is serene in the little bungalow, and then suddenly.
What! What is this?
Silence Imbecile! You are under my power!
You and your two friends fought Creech, the master of the white eyes.
Creech?!

Page 6:

What has become of him! You know, tell me!

Uh! He is dead!

But the door opens suddenly…
Timms, is that you Timms?
Creech! It is impossible!
Creech’s fingers tighten on a small device that emits rays…
Ah!
Thurf!
Ha, ha! Timms! You rejoiced too soon!
It is YOU that are going to die, right now!

Page 7:

Wait a moment, hang on a minute, something isn’t quite right!
Back you! I am the master here!
Don’t move! The slightest movement, and I’ll transform you into a serpent!

You are the serpent then?

It is me! I wanted to meet you! Because together, we can become the masters of the world!
I have the secret of rays that can make men ten times stronger!
And I have power to transform anyone into monstrous reptiles!

Page 8:

Two days later, the two master criminals rob a pet store.
That’s it! I have the lizards.
Let’s hurry! Henceforth we shall be known as the Pet Shop Boys!

And back in their new laboratory…
A lizard is a type of reptile that I can command.
Let me do it Krait! My rays will work Marvels!
A few minutes later, a monstrous beast is standing before them!
Skur!
Ah! Look at our power and despair!
Extraordinary! Let’s see if he will obey!

Creech and Krait appear amazed by the result!
What a menacing appearance!

It is a monster, a monster that I will control!

Page 9:

Back! Back! Obey the orders of your master!

Immediately, the monster lays on the ground.
Marvelous Krait! But will he obey in other circumstances?
You doubt my Power? Let’s try it on you!
You threaten me!? I can transform you into a white eye that obeys me with a finger, do you hear?
Ha, ha! A mere jest, my friend! We must join our exceptional forces!

Krait became serious.

I have little work to do. This man you want to make disappear, this Timms.
Creech’s eyelids flutter for a second.
Timms, ah yes. I forgot all about him.

Page 10:

With a sneer, Creech directs his rays at the monster, and it retransforms into a harmless lizard!
Let’s recover Mister Timms.
Come my beautiful Lizard! I promise you Timms for dessert!

Meanwhile, Don and Nick comeback to see their friend Timms.
Bizarre! Timms isn’t in the habit of leaving his door open.
Quick, let’s go in and see what’s happening.
They find Timms lying on the ground.
And on closer inspection…
No! No! It’s not possible!
The curse of the white eyes!

Page 11:

It is serious!
This means Creech is still alive!
We must notify the police! And get Timms out of here!
Timms seems totally unconscious.
Beware Nick, Creech must be close by.
Indeed.
Here, Look! With that other mannequin that we dragger from the river!
Quick, let’s go out the back door. If they see us, we’re cooked!
When Creech and Krait enter the House.
What? Flown? Timms couldn’t have left all by himself. He did not have the strength.
One moment!

Page 12:

Look!
The two boys!
Pass me the lizard! He will be the instrument of my vengeance!

And while Nick and Do are in train with their friend.
Timms is already a white eye! A Zombie! I could order him to destroy these boys!
Certainly, certainly! But the lizard is so much more spectacular!
And Creech pulled out his amazing Ray device.
Go ahead! Turn it into a giant reptile!
And I will prove my power to command the reptiles! But... What are you doing?
I’m changing Timms back to normal, so he can be terrorized by the attack of the Lizard.

Page 13:

Timms convulsed and almost fell over.
What is going on?
Timms, you have become yourself again!
There it is! I remember! Creech is back! What a nightmare!
Only Creech could return you to normal! He must still be around!
Stand aside Krait! The show begins! Look at this!
Those two get along like thieves at a fair! Let's go! Fast!

BUT:
Grah!
Turn around, my beautiful creature! Take a good look at the enemies you must destroy!

Page 14:

The ground trembles as the giant reptile lurches forward!
Hiss!
It is hard to believe! Another Creech invention!

How can we escape him> He has the strength of a dinosaur!
Hiss! Rip!
The three friends run straight ahead, without the faintest idea of where they are going.
Ah! The ground is slippery, there is nothing to cling to.
Ah! A cliff is ahead of us!
All three of them fall and roll on the ground.
Ah! We’re going to fall!

Page 15:

Forever followed by the ignoble reptile…
Hiss!
Which in turn, slides along the slippery rocks behind Timms, Don and Nick!
Skar!
Ah! Hiss!

Page 16:

Luckily, the three amigos
Were stopped at the first rock outcropping.

Ugh! This is horrible!
By a miracle we have been saved.
But Timms has been struck on the head.
Ah! A spectacular end for those three idiots, Krait!

I told you that I could command the reptile.
Listen krait! We are going to create an army of lizards, snakes and toads which I will transform into giants, thanks to my rays!
And I will command it to sow terror!

Page 17:

At that moment.
Poor Timms! What a shock he received!
His breathing is labored!
We absolutely must get him out of here and to a hospital. But how?
Help me up Nick!
You watch over him, while I search for help.

Page 18:

The business is perilous but Don is determined to achieve his goal.
I must have a good hold! Provided these two lascars are not nearby.
Phew! I’m there. I’ll get what I need from Timms house.
Ten minutes later he returned with a rope, a hammer and a stake.
He pounds the stake into the earth.
I’m going to throw you a rope Nick! Attach it under your armpits before climbing!

A few minutes later, Nick and Don haul up their friend.
How are you doing? Careful not to slip Nick!

Page 19:

The main road is five hundred meters from here.
We will find a car to take us into town.
After dropping Timms at the hospital, we will run to the police station.
But then.
Creech?
The white eyes? A giant reptile? Come on, come on, what do you take me for?
But its true monsieur inspector.
We could not invent such a story!
And there was another man with Creech! An ugly man with a nasal voice. Perhaps an Australian.
Perfect, we are going to see the commissioner.
But I warn you, if you lie, it will be a bad quarter hour.

Page 20:

What is the point Nick? They will not believe us.

And these two monsters are at large? Who knows what they will invent next?
You will explain everything to the commissioner, since you are so sure of yourself.
He will never believe us Don!
And that was naturally what happened.
How can you prove that Creech is still alive?
We have reported the strict truth monsieur commissioner! We must act quickly!
The commissionaire is enraged when.
Don points to a photograph on the wall and exclaims.
That’s is him! The other man that was with Creech!
WHAT? But that is absolutely impossible!

Page 21:

Right away the commissioner grabs the telephone.
Get me inspector manning, it is extremely important.
And that’s how Nick and Don found themselves in the Police officer in charge of the Krait affair!
Mat I present Mark Bowen!
He was Kraits assistant.
We’re all ears.
We will tell you everything, down to the minutest detail.
The story Nick and Don tell convinces the two men totally.
I shall create a gigantic cordon enclosing your estimated location of Creech and Krait.
Make sure the army helps! Their usefulness is immeasurable!
I will order a helicopter and take these two boys with us.

At the same time, alone in their lair.
What do you think of the chair Cheech? Is it convenient?
I am delighted, it is the last word! I move like a normal being.

Page 22:

Ha-Ha-Ha! I can even descend the staircase!
Thump! Bump!
In this case, we can move anywhere, I can’t wait to try it out.

Pick up the specimens Krait!
The entire Village would tremble in fear is it was aware of our plans.
Krait fills a box with Lizards.
Come, come, and advance towards the master of all reptiles.
Suddenly, the roar of a helicopter is upon them!
Take cover Krait! No one must see us!

Page 23:

Do not worry, my friend.
Who would be interested in two harmless old men!
However.
LOOK THERE!
LOOK THERE!
Aim over there.
At the first attempt! What luck!
All units in location, Encirclement!
Five, four, three, two, one.
I repeat encirclement!
On the ground, Krait knits his eyebrows and frowns.
Those two boys, with my old enemies from the past, Brown and Manning!

Page 24:

Release the Lizards! Quickly, quickly!
I will direct my rays upon them.
They will bring us those demons in that helicopter.
Inspector Manning continues to give orders.
Assemble yourselves and tighten the cordon.
Attention, Manning here! They are preparing something below!
Quickly Krait, quickly! Release the lizards!
Three little lizards are set free and subjected to the fantastic Rays!
Zap!
Come on, my little ones, you have to GROW, GROW LARGER!

Page 25:

Gar! Snurfa! Slurp!
The pilot abandons control of the helicopter, and Manning ceases to give orders!
By the great ghost of Caesar!

What are those monsters called?
We have to escape! Krait commands monsters!
Advance my lizards! Destroy the enemies of your master!
Like creatures of a horrible nightmare, the Reptiles pursue their prey!
Higher Manning! Climb even higher!
But Manning seems paralyzed with fear!
They climb into the void! One of the Lizards touches the helicopter!

Page 26:

Slurp!

Indeed, a slight lick to the fuselage boom of the Helicopter…
The passengers are knocked about, but Manning regains control of the aircraft.
On the Ground, Creech and Krait are Jubilant!
Fascinating! Magnificent!
They will see that we are serious now.
Crouching on the ground, one of the Lizards concentrates its energy into a strike with its tail against the aircraft.
Ah! Look!

Page 27:

At just that instant, shots are heard, and grenades are thrown.

Boom!
Skrak! Ah!

Our men surround them!
Don’t Hesitate! Arrest Creech and Krait!
The two fools saw the danger.
We must flee! Bad luck about the helicopter. The reptiles must open a way for us!

To me, my beautiful lizards! This Way! You must help us now.
Obeying the power of Krait, the two monsters advance under the gunfire.
That is very good! Continue! Help us to escape!

Page 28:

But the soldiers have nerves of steel!

Parker, Jenkins, there is no point shooting, nothing touches them.
Then, heavy artillery rounds detonate and burst around them.
Tak! Tak! Boom!

Finally, Manning, Don and Nick see the reptiles crashing to the ground.
Bravo! They fall!

Yes, but the weight of their bodies rolls them towards the soldiers.

The soldiers are indeed swept in all directions.
Out of the Way!
Argh! Crush!
Crunch! Squelch!

Page 29:

Keep Moving Krait! Forward! We will get through this!
Vroom! The two criminal masterminds hurtle away on the wheelchair.

A man tries to stop them, but Krait knocks him down.
Crack! Thung!
DOG! You can do nothing against us!

While, from the Helicopter.
Hello, Hello, This is Manning. They are getting away, they are getting away, heading south!
We must not lose sight of them.

Of course Nick! Do not worry! The inspector has one more trick up his sleeve!

A place to finally intercept them.
We have two tanks. In two minutes, they will be in action.

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Indeed, as Creech and Krait motor away.
The devil! Look there!
We don’t have any time to operate on Lizards. You will have to think of something else!
Creech stops immediately.
Perfect! Be reasonable, and we won’t shoot!
Poor idiots! They are ignorant of the power of my rays!
But, I hope you don’t turn them into giants Creech!
On the contrary, on the contrary, ha-ha-ha!
Thrash! And the rays burst forth!

Page 31:

Ah! What is this? What is happening? We have become smaller!

Blinded by the rays, the soldiers continued to fire.
You see Krait! It works! These cretins are getting smaller and smaller!

Oh No! No!
The soldiers continue to shrink!
What is happening to all of us!

Page 32:

Look carefully Krait!
One of them will shoot at us, his bullet will disappear into the atmosphere.
Suddenly there was nothing.
You are a genius Creech! They have become invisible to the naked eye!
Ah! What adventures they will live! They will fight like tiny insects! They will fall into the crevices that are like abysses!

Without them, I could rule the world!
What for? A world without slaves?

Page 33:

Bursting out in sinister laughter, the two men escape on their fantastic wheelchair.

And above all, we must not quarrel Krait.

From their helicopter Nick, Don and the others did not comprehend what had happened.
Look, there are the tanks!
The men had to conduct Creech and Krait to headquarters.
But the response from headquarters surprised them.
The colonel has completely lost contact with them!
We had better descend Mark, but for heaven’s sake be careful.
There is no one left in the tanks!

Suddenly, Nick picks up a rifle that had partially escaped the effects of the rays.
Look! This rifle, look at the size it has been shrunken to!

Page 34:

So, they guess the ugly truth.
Creech possesses a ray that can change man and beast into giants.
And to shrink them to even make them disappear!
But then Creech and Krait have escaped.
In order not to spread panic, Inspector Manning decides to keep the adventure a secret.

We will have to keep quiet and follow the sequence of events. For now, and action would be risky.
Ten kilometers away, life continues as normal in the small village of Tanbury.
Good morning postman! It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?
Well I’m quite worried about the storm.

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Everything was calm in the municipal library.

When suddenly, against all expectations.
Crunch! Splat!
What is going on?
The building is collapsing!
And in the middle of the stones and rubble appeared a gigantic toad.
Gurk! Guruck!

Page 36:

In vain, the people attempt to run away.

Ah! Everything collapses!
Things fall apart, the center cannot hold!
Look at that monster, it’s the biggest one of those I have ever seen!
Skrunck! Crunch! Slurp!
An invasion of space monsters!
Run away! Run away fast!

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On a nearby hill, Creech and Krait rejoice at the spectacle.
Go ahead!
Destroy! Crush everything!
Ah! Ha-ha! In a few minutes everything will be in ruins!
Can you imagine Krait! The panic there must be there!
We are the masters of the universe!
At the police station of the little village.
This is sergeant Walters in Tanbury.
Horrible things are happening here! It is terrifying!

Ah! Crunch!

Page 38:

The news reaches Manning and Bowen.

But that’s not here from here! Let’s go!
And these two young boys, inspector?
Sorry! But we can’t involve you in these events!
But here we are! And from the start!
You can’t exclude us like this!
Ah! But we must!
It’s too dangerous! Out!

What a story! I am furious!
Don’t worry I know a short cut! We will arrive at the same time in Tanbury!
Advancing through the fields, the two friends stop suddenly.
Oh look Nick! A gift shop!
GREAT GODS! CREECH AND KRAIT!

Page 39:

Monsieur Bowen and Inspector Manning will be happy after all when we give them this information.
Excellent!
They have to be stopped!

But a twig snaps under Nick’s feet!
What? Those two kids again!
Turn around!
Creech and Krait motor towards Nick and Don!
This time, they won’t escape us! I will direct my rays on them, and they will die!

Page 40:

Nick and Don start running!
We need to warn Bowen and inspector Manning!
Behind them, Creech fumes!
I cannot have them in my way!
Calm down, my friend.
There are bumps in the chair, and trees that get in the way.

Suddenly a falcon crossing the sky gives Krait a diabolical idea.
Stop Creech! Direct your rays on that falcon.
But, but, you cannot control the birds!
No! But the falcon is a predator, and transforming into a giant, he can attack the two boys.

Page 41:

Immediately the rays from Creech sweep the sky and an immense shadow falls on Nick and Don!

Nick!
Oh No!
We are caught!
Where can we hide!
While the giant bird descends on them, Nick grabs a pebble the size of a small ball, and throws it at him.

Page 42:

The pebble hits the bird on the beak, and unbalances it.

Run quick!

Nick and Don arrive on the main highway.

Look Nick! Its Inspector Manning’s car! They have seen us!

In a second Manning is out of the car.
Bang! Pop!
Stand aside, young boys.

Page 43:

A revolver shot, and the bird falls heavily from the sky.
So little fools!
We had recommended that you go home!
But! But! We saw Creech and Krait! We followed them!
Where are they? I don’t see them!
No doubt, this huge bird is there work. We have to get our hands on them!
In fact, the two men are only a few meters from them…

We have all four of them Creech! Do you realize! All four at once!
A moment Krait! Be patient. I will focus my device at one point.

Page 44:

A second later, and Creech presses the button of his diabolical machine.
My darlings, I will reduce them to grains of powder. They will flow like sands through the hour glass, for the rest of the days of their lives.
Sparkle! Zap! Crackle!
For a few seconds, the four friends do not realize what is happening to them, and then.
Hello! The car is getting bigger!
But no! It is we who are shrinking! Its Creech again and his Rays!

Don and Nick approach the Car.
But this car is enormous! It’s as big as a whale, and seats about twenty!
No way! I am telling you, it is us who are becoming smaller!

Page 45:

Ha-Ha-HA! Look Krait! They become microscopic!

Manning is the first to react.
Run away, before they make us disappear completely!

We will have to hide in a safe place!
This cave would be a good choice!
Quickly, inside!

Page 46:

And once inside.
Oh Look!

Great Gods! This cave is the lair of some animal!

Page 47:

The beast resembles a rabbit, but it has the eyes of a ferret.
Don’t move! Stay especially still!
These little animals attack anything that moves!

But we cannot go out! Creech and Krait are waiting for us outside!
I have my revolver, I will shoot.
But just at the moment Manning is about to pull the trigger, the beast rushes at them.
Guh!

Page 48:

Don grabs a big stone, and
Come on, Youi Big thing!
Wham!
The ferret rolls to the end of the cave.

Oh look! The cave is collapsing!

The stones crumble with a deafening noise!
We are imprisoned!

Page 49:

At the same time.

Those miserables! They have slipped between our fingers.
Ah! No matter, they cannot do us any harm, tiny as they are. They will never return to their normal size!

The four trapped friends examine the collapse with the aid of inspector Manning’s flashlight.
What are we going to do? How are we going to get out of here!

Nick is the first to regain his wits.
What a mess we are in! Everyone knows rabbits dig holes! Surely there is another way out.
They advance into the dark.
Damn! Look at that millipede!
Fortunately, he fears us! He looks like a giant serpent!

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If it is a snake, Krait has the power to control it!

AH, those! You will have to find them.
But what can we do against them, small as we are?
We must get our hand on that infernal machine of theirs, otherwise we shall stay small forever.

In the ruined city, Creech and Krait rejoice at their success.
In this dust that was a city, here we are, we’re sitting pretty!
It is destruction! Chaos! We can cause it anywhere, anywhere!
London, Moscow, New York can become our targets. Do you realize we have achieved the impossible!
The governments of all countries will tremble!

But they will gain nothing by resisting! Nothing!

Page 51:

Raising his head, Krait gives a long whistle in the direction of his reptiles.

You did a beautiful job, my friends.
Come closer, and return to your normal size.
Then, Creech shines his rays on the monsters, and.
Ha! Ha! They are rendered harmless. Now we can go home to study our plans.
But one man who has known Creech for a long times has just left the hospital.
He drives alone, and listens to the radio.
What? Huh? Everyone has left town? But I am not afraid. I would love to meet these two characters.
That man is Timms, The companion of Nick and Don, the only one with the power to calm the panic that has gripped the region.
Behold the village! But the reptiles have gone. I have to find Creech and Krait!

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Two hundred meters from Timms car.
Finally, the exit! A way out you say? A way out?
I thought we would never get there.
But our troubles are not over. We do not even know where we are.
Look, we are at the entrance to the village.
With hope, Creech and Krait are still here.

Just then a warning noise advertises itself.
Great Gods!
Trying to run from the monstrous engine, Don slips close to the wheels.
Ah!

Page 53:

The car slows down.
Argh!
Manning draws his revolver and aims at the wheel.
Put! Le bang!
The tire bursts!

Bang!
And the automobile comes to a halt.
Screech!

Page 54:

Don, who do you feel?
All good, inspector Manning.

When the driver gets out of the car.
Don! Look! It is Mister Timms!
Reduced to the size of commix division, the small friends recognize their friend.

Timmy look down here!
Squatting down, Timms can hardly believe his eyes.
Is this the work of Creech!
Do you know he and Krait demolished the village?
Of course!
Timms, you are our only hope!
He is right mister Timms!

Page 55:

We must recover him if we want to return to our normal proportions.
And small as we are, we can approach them without them noticing!

At the same time, in the ruins of Tanbury.
What do you suggest that we do now Krait?
A telephone call to the Prime Minster. I’m sure he’ll want to see us.
He will try and use force against us.
Of course! But we can transform their soldiers to the size of dwarves! And we can send giant toads against London!

Suddenly!
Thwack!
Argh! What was that?
Someone threw a pebble!
I thought the entire village ran away in panic!

Me! I’m not afraid of your monsters!

Creech! Here is a madman who must be pursued and destroyed!
Bah! Leave this poor idiot.

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No! I will transform myself into a reptile! Allow me to take this man Creech.
I will destroy him!

The incredible potion transforms Krait in a glance.
Argh! I am changing!
On the other side of the wall.

My trick worked! I caught their attention!
Perfect Timms! Occupy Krait, while we sneak up on Creech’s wheelchair unobserved!

Page 57:

Careful Timms! Krait is behind you! Stay here, but don’t get caught!

Krait is transformed into a reptile! Watch out for the ring! She sends her venom!
Timms begins to run, making as much commotion as possible!
Argh! You cannot escape me!

Page 58:

Suddenly, flexing his muscles, Krait jumps like a toad!
Great gods!
Timms finds himself in a courtyard, surrounded by rubble.
I am a prisoner, the stones are unpassable.
There is no sign of Krait, only his voice reaches Timms.
Ha-ha-ha! Have you ever heard of the Chameleon, that’s takes the color of his surroundings? I am here!

No! No!
Stop poor fool, I am coming.

Page 59:

Timms jumps into a hollow behind the pile of rubble.
I must hide, he has extraordinary power!
But no barrier can prevent Krait from passing!
I hiss saw you! Hiss! I will follow you!

Creech starts to become impatient.
Krait!
Krait! Stop!
Stop being stupid we have more important matters to attend to.
He does not see the four tiny shadows that slide towards him.
Krait? Do you hear me? Come back.
Keep going Creech! continue! An above all, don’t look around you!

Page 60:

A few minutes later, the four little adventurers are on the wheelchair.

Ouf! It is difficult to climb on this slippery surface!
And when Krait returns empty handed, they are again safe.
He ran away! But it is of no consequence. When he tells of his adventure, he will sow panic around him!
And off they motor on their wheelchair.
It is good Krait!
Now to serious matters.
We will be masters of the Universe!
The masters!
Nothing can stand in our way!
Nothing but us!
We are in the mouth of the wolf!
But our luck is holding!

End of this episode!

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