Leighton said coldly, «Feelings have no place in a laboratory.»

Blade laid a hand on J's arm, saying softly, «I know there's danger, sir. There's always danger. But when you're pushing into the unknown, you have to obey the unwritten law of science.»

«Which unwritten law?» asked J.

«The law that says, 'If you can do it, you must do it,'» said Blade. He turned away from J and headed for the changing room. This time J made no attempt to stop him. Richard had missed the sarcasm behind J's remark. Leighton pressed the button. A green-glowing digital clock lit up and began the countdown.

Stiffly J asked Lord Leighton, «What generation computer is this now?» J did not really want to know. «Tenth? Eleventh?»

«A new series,» said Leighton.

«Really?»

«I call it the KALI Mark L»

«Kali? Why do you call it that?»

«That's what the initials of its scientific name spell out. Kinematic Analog Leighton Integrator.»

«Kali is the name of a Hindu goddess.»

«You don't say! What sort of goddess?»

«A goddess of destruction!» said J grimly.

«Coincidence, old boy. Pure coincidence. Doesn't mean a thing.»

Richard Blade emerged from the changing room, naked. In times past he'd worn a loin cloth into the machine, but the cloth had always remained after he'd departed. Even the coat of black grease smeared all over his body to prevent electrical burns was no longer needed.

With a glance at the rapidly changing countdown clock, Leighton said sharply, «Quick, Richard. In you go. We don't want to have to abort the mission, do we?»

Richard stepped into the upright case and stood in the gleaming copper-colored many-segmented interior, saying, «Like this?»