They found themselves in a room as big as a normal-sized bedroom or office. Parts of the floor became chairs if anyone wanted to sit.
No one did, not yet anyway.
They had no problem breathing, even though they were surrounded on six sides by solid blocks of plant life.
They had no problem seeing, even though there was no evident light source.
No one took their hands off Noel.
Another part of the floor rose, took shape...
and became Mother Naturia.
She smiled at them all. "I am meeting some very interesting people today," she said. "Before we go any further, I'm going to need the device."
"The..."
"The device. Two years ago, you took Silveria down by inserting a device in her that caused her to solidify and crash. One year ago, you slipped a device into Egoneg, nullifying what added attributes Valtair gave him. And now, here you are, Azure agents all, and you crossed half the world to get to me, and the Azure didn't give you anything at all to use on me?"
"They didn't," Noel said, "but there's no way we'll ever be able to convince you of that."
"In that regard, you are correct."
"We're here for Adam Forwarder."
"And to kill me."
"How much do you know about us, I wonder?"
"I could always find out more, I imagine."
"But you know that we are all invincible."
"Well, yes, you are, but..."
One of the walls brightened to become a viewing screen, and on that screen appeared four people.
"Damn you," Trevor muttered.
Three of the people were Gramps, Abby and Alison.
END OF CHAPTER SIX