Leighton was also standing beside a silvery metal object, about seven feet high and looking like a cross between a medieval Iron Maiden and a futuristic space capsule. It didn't look particularly sinister, but it made Blade start and he could understand why it made J angry.

It was the launch capsule used with the KALI computer, supposedly destroyed along with it. Its existence proved that Leighton had violated strict orders from the Prime Minister, with the cooperation of Project staff.

Blade said nothing, but headed for the changing booth. He wasn't sure this unexpected development justified canceling the trip, and if it didn't he'd need to strip as usual. He felt a trifle dubious about leaving J, because the older man looked quite genuinely on the verge of having a stroke. On the other hand, it was hard to believe he had anything to contribute if an all-out quarrel between J and Leighton was brewing. He had no illusions that either man would accept him as a mediator, even though J regarded him almost as a son and Leighton had great respect for his intellect and survival qualities. When the chips were down, both men were too stubborn to listen to anyone.

By the time Blade came back, wearing only a loincloth, the atmosphere seemed a bit less tense. Whatever was going to happen, it wouldn't be the sort of head-on collision that might make it impossible for the two men to work together again. That would be almost as final a disaster for Project Dimension X as another attack by the Ngaa!

«-radical reduction in the stresses imposed on the subject during the transition,» Leighton was saying.

«Is this a fact, or simply an educated guess?»

Leighton must have been in a fairly good mood, because he didn't bristle at being accused of the obscene act of «guessing.» He shook his head. «It's a hypothesis, but one supported by all the data we have on Blade's first transition into the Dimension of the Ngaa.»