Saucer Trouble is the first of two stories in Issue 72 of the Adventures of Biggles comic series published by Action Comics of Sydney, Australia, issued around Aug 1958. The comic strip carries a byline for Jeff Wilkinson.
In issue #72, the story is followed by the story Super Jet.
The inside front cover has a feature on "Contrast in Designs": the Fiat G.91 and the Aerocar.
Synopsis[]
Biggles and Ginger search a jungle area for a missing scientist but find more than they bargain for.
Plot[]
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Biggles and Ginger search a jungle area for Professor Little. Little is the third British defence scientist to disappear within the last two months. They land near the spot where Little was known to have set up camp. At the campsite, they discover an unusual footprint which Biggles had last seen in the Central Australian desert--those were made by aliens from Mars! (see Issue 61 The Human Satellite (Action Comics))
They fear the worse--perhaps Little has been brought to Mars. But just then, a Martian shows up and tells them Little is still on Earth. The Martian tells him he is here on Earth in pursuit of two escaped Martian criminals. Biggles tells the Martian about the missing defence scientists. To the Martian (we will later learn that he is a policeman), this is a serious development. If the escaped criminals learn about Earth's defence secrets, they could start to take over the planet.
The Martian policeman invites Biggles and Ginger into his flying saucer and they initiate a global search from high altitude. The area is extensive and the operation could take some time. Two days later the instruments detect a saucer taking off from somewhere in Alaska. They land nearby and spot some smoke rising from a rocks near a cave. Approaching the cave, they hear voices--the three kidnapped defence scientists are arguing with one of the Martian criminals by the name of Kerz. The policeman arms himself with a ray projector and prepares for action.
Kerz comes out of the cave to wait for his partner. The policeman spots him and arrests him. He orders Kerz to take him back to the cave where his prisoners are. Inside, the three defence scientists think Kerz is coming back with his partner and they jump them as they enter. In the ensuing scuffle, the policeman drops his ray projector. Kerz grabs it and exits the cave, sealing the rocks behind him with the help of the ray projector.
Outside, Biggles and Ginger see Kerz coming out and realise that something has gone wrong. Soon they see another saucer landing. It's Kerz's partner Mano. The two Martian criminals head for their saucer. Biggles realises that this is their only chance to free their captured friends. He and Ginger jump the two Martians as they walk past. Taken by surprise, the Martians are quickly overpowered. Biggles picks up the ray projector and burns an opening, freeing the policeman and the three defences scientists.
The policeman departs, taking his two prisoners and their saucer, steered by remote control. He tells Biggles that he will radio the authorities to pick Biggles and his team up. As the Martians depart the group reflect on their incredible adventure. People will think they are mad when they tell their story. But not quite. Biggles has proof: the policeman left his ray projector behind!
Characters[]
The Special Air Police[]
- Air Commodore Raymond
- Biggles
- Ginger Hebblethwaite
Others[]
- Doctor Harkness
- Professor Little
- Group Captain Wild
Mentioned[]
Aircraft[]
- Westland Dragonfly
- Two Flying Saucers
Places[]
Visited[]
- Jungle area in unspecified region
- Alaska
Mentioned[]
Research notes[]
Gallery[]
