«It's good news, of course,» said J. «But precisely what does it mean for the Project?» He was always a trifle more ready to talk back to Leighton than Blade.

«We discovered something about the metal the formula didn't show,» said the scientist. «It's not affected by electricity. Something about the molecular structure lets electrical currents through as if the metal wasn't there. It can't possibly disturb an electrical field.»

Blade's eyes lost their sleepy look. «Then I could wear anything made of this metal without disturbing the electrical fields during the transition to Dimension X.»

«Precisely,» said Leighton. His voice took on something of a lecture-room tone. «As you know, the basic problem of the transition has always been creating a completely even, completely identical electrical field over and around Richard for each transition. We solved part of the problem by building the KALI capsule, after we eliminated the initial failings of the system.»

J and Blade looked at each other again. Those «initial failings» had in the end killed thirty-two people, let a deadly peril into the world from Dimension X, and very nearly destroyed the Project. As it was, most of the new self-programming KALI computer was so much junk, and only the seven-foot capsule that enclosed Blade like a coffin remained from that particular experiment.

«But wearing something into the capsule-that would disrupt the electrical field all over again,» said Blade.

«Unless it was made of this new alloy. I've got here-«Leighton rummaged in all his pockets «-no, I forgot it. But I made a sketch of a suit of the wire you-or another traveler-could wear, reinforced at the crotch, joints, and soles of the feet. We'd start off with a coarse mesh, then tighten it up until you'd be going through practically wearing a suit of armor. After that we could start adding equipment-a knife, a folding bow, fishing gear, a slingshot.»