The giant automaton let out its low blat sound as it stepped over Eva and Muthr swinging its long segmented arms. Guardsmen were thrown against the wall while others retreated down the hall.

In moments Eva and Muthr were at the doorway leading out to the top floor of the museum’s Great Hall. Eva glanced behind her. From a safe distance Zin appeared holding another remote, the taxidermist scurrying alongside him.

“You gave your word that you would not destroy this place,” Zin said in an alarmed tone.

“You said you would help me escape,” Eva said with a sneer. She turned and ran through the door with Muthr. The pillar guard followed.

Out on the top floor of the Great Hall, visitors fled from the rogue pillar guard. Eva looked toward the ramp leading down to the exits. A full squadron of royal guardsmen was ascending with boomrods ready.

“Well, that way is blocked,” Eva muttered as she pulled out the Omnipod. “This is Eva Nine. Can you see if there is another way down from here?”

“Greetings, Eva Nine. Radar scanning superficial structure,” the device chirped. “This may take several moments to render. Please hold.”

“We don’t have time!” Eva saw that the palace guards were almost to the top floor.

“Is there another way down?” Muthr asked as she surveyed the immediate area.

“Not unless we jump,” Eva said, peering over the balcony to the floor far below. She looked back up at the pillar guard and commanded, “Carefully carry us and jump down to the floor level, please.”

The pillar guard lifted the girl and the robot up, bounded over the balcony, and landed firmly on its three columnar legs. It came down on top of the display of water bears, toppling the gigantic mounted specimens and sending pedestrians scrambling.

The pillar guard set Eva and Muthr down near its feet. Eva could hear the guards on the top floor turn around and head for the ramp.

“Come on!” she yelled, grabbing Muthr’s hand and leading her toward the back entrance. They pushed their way through the crowd of onlookers and headed toward their escape from the museum. As they neared the doors, Eva spied royal guard reinforcements coming in from outside, and spun around. “This way!” she shouted, dragging Muthr right between the pillar guard’s towering legs. As they dashed to the front entrance, Eva could see that the squadron of guardsmen was now on the ground level and closing in on them.

“I do not know if this is the best solution, Eva,” Muthr said over her whining motor as she wheeled along at full speed.

“We’re almost out of here!” Eva exclaimed. The giant pillar guard followed.

They were nearly through the front entrance of the museum’s Great Hall when Eva stole a glance at the jackvest displayed in the exhibit hall. She hesitated at the entrance—in mere seconds they would be stepping through the doorway.