«And there's no other KALI hardware plugged in anywhere?»

«None.»

Blade turned to J. «Sir, I think I'd better take the chance. It doesn't sound like an unacceptable risk, as long as we're using nothing but the launch capsule. In fact, reducing the stress load on me won't do any harm at all. The faster I'm ready to fight when I reach the other side, the better. Most enemies there aren't so sneaky as the Ngaa.»

J frowned. «The problem is, you will be taking a chance, and a bigger one than I like.»

«That's possibly true,» said Blade. «But either I take the chance, or the whole Project takes it. If I know anything about the way politicians think-«

«Assuming their mental processes can be described as thinking,» put in Leighton.

Blade went on. «I suspect we're not out of the woods yet, as far as the Prime Minister is concerned. If we don't produce a fairly straightforward and normal roundtrip to Dimension X fairly soon, he may have second thoughts about keeping us going. We're still in the 'risky' category, and politicians like to keep that category as small as possible.»

J managed to laugh. «Richard, telling me that is teaching your grandmother to suck eggs. I was dealing with politicians while you were in short pants. But you're basically right. Go, and you'll have my blessing.» He raised his right hand, with the fingers firmly crossed.

Then he turned to Leighton. «Leighton, I don't particularly like this business of the hidden KALI capsule. But I'll let it pass on one condition. You tell me exactly how you managed to keep the thing hidden, and who helped you. I'm not questioning anybody's loyalty, but facts are facts. A network like yours could hide more disagreeable things than a piece of equipment.»

«Yes, but-«

«No 'buts,' Leighton. I don't play games with your computers. In return, I'll have to ask you not to play games with the Project's security.»