The giant automaton spun around, trying to locate its quarry, and upset the suspended flying machine. The contraption swayed from the rafters like a hanging toy next to the pillar guard. The cables holding the flying machine snapped one at a time, and it crashed down onto the display next to Eva.

As Eva pulled herself from the rubble, she realized the mounted yellow jackvest was lying next to her on the floor under chunks of glass.

The Omnipod, still hanging from her wrist, spoke in its chirpy voice. “Jacket,” it announced, projecting a similar hologram. “A form of hip- or waist-length garment for the upper body. In the nineteenth century it was often referred to as a ‘coat.’ In the latter part of the twenty-first century climatefiber was invented, which revolutionized the fashion industry, allowing for a variety of new and popular styles, including the sleeveless jackvest. Shall I continue?”

Eva clambered up just in time to see a pillar guard barreling toward her. She shot down the exhibit corridor, but the short hallway simply looped around, reconnecting with the main hall. She spied the fallen flying machine lying on top of the display case.

“Hovercraft, model S-five-thirty-one, also known as the Goldfish,” the Omnipod said. “This vehicle, often referred to as a ‘floatster,’ was popular in the—”

“Does it work?” Eva cried over the commotion. She crawled underneath a case full of shabby Beeboo toys and dolls, aiming the Omnipod at the hovercraft.

“Sending communication to vehicle and analyzing data. Please wait for a response,” the Omnipod replied. A pillar guard picked up a case and threw it across the museum, searching for Eva.

“Hurry!” Eva scrambled to her feet and bolted toward Muthr. A gigantic foot came down onto a display case that stood between them, causing it to erupt in a blast of glass and metal.

As Eva dug her way out of the debris, an immense clawed hand lowered near her, holding a remote in its pincers. She looked up, recognizing that her pillar guard had somehow completed its task.

Eva scanned the havoc in the museum. There was no sign of Zin.

“Destroy the remote,” Eva said with a smile. The remote shattered in the pillar guard’s massive vice grip.

Without control the other activated pillar guards aimlessly rampaged, destroying everything within their immediate area.

Eva stood, looking up at her guard’s three glowing eyes. “You are free,” she commanded. “You are no longer under anyone’s command. Do you understand? Now go!”

The pillar guard stood, blatted loudly, and walked out of the museum’s Great Hall, crashing through the glass of the front entrance.

“Get him!” Eva heard one of the royal guards shout. “The rest of you, get everyone out of here and deactivate the cursed pillar guards!”