The ever-increasing mass of equipment in the first few rooms was a familiar sight to both men. They passed swiftly onward from room to room with hardly a glance to either side. They only stopped when they came to the massive door of the main computer room. Beyond that door was Lord Leighton's private sanctum, with the huge computer, the product of his genius and the heart of Project Dimension X.

Blade had seen the main computer as often as he had the supporting equipment in the outer rooms. Unlike the supporting equipment, the main computer remained interesting, even awe-inspiring. It was monstrous-ranks of towering consoles with gray, crackled finishes, rising almost to the rock ceiling of the room.

Its creator was already on the spot, as he usually was. Lord Leighton came bustling out of the shadows as Blade and J entered. In spite of a hunchback, polio-twisted legs, and eighty-odd years, he moved with surprising speed and agility, wiping his hands on his filthy lab coat as he came.

«Greetings, gentlemen, greetings.» There was little age or feebleness to be heard in his voice. «We can proceed any time Richard is ready.» He looked at the attach case Blade was carrying. «You have the knife?»

«I do. I also brought the sheath and a belt I've had for some time.»

«Very good. I fear I cannot report much progress in our research into the matter of the ring. What about you?» he said with a glance at J.

«Nothing worth your time or mine to discuss at the moment,» said J. «I'm afraid I've been rather heavily committed in this blasted 'mystery hero' affair.»

«I quite understand,» said Leighton. «Very well, Richard. If you would care to change, I will see about activating the main sequence.»

Blade nodded and headed toward a small door in one wall, taking the attache case with him.