"Suppose Bemmelman has discovered some way to speed up growth—to hasten maturity."
"An aging process? It's—it's impossible."
He shook his head. "Plants are forced; why not animals?"
The blue giants, he saw, had broken through the last of the trees into a lush meadow of mauve fen grass.
"Look, Mia!" he pointed toward the center of the meadow. "The second lap of our journey is provided for. Our kidnapper shows considerable foresight."
In the center of the meadow, a small surface plane rested on the fen grass like a silver bullet. There was no sign of life inside or out.
"It's deserted," said Mia in surprise. Cosmo frowned, but didn't reply.
The Jovian Dawn Men trotted straight to the empty plane. They opened a door in the side, shoved them within, cage and all. Cosmo heard the door click shut. The Dawn Men had not followed them inside.
He glanced curiously about the interior. All the seats had been removed, even the pilot's chair.