Jori stepped onto the hovering disk. Slowly it ascended to the next level of the Worker's stronghold. When the platform finally stopped, Jori expected to see the Worker sitting on his throne tinkering on his latest gadget, but his Great Hall was empty.

Climbing the stairs to the sleeping quarters, he called out for the Worker. . . or anyone. But the entire complex was empty. Jori found another staircase, leading to the fourth floor. At the top of the stairs, there was a long corridor, leading to large double doors. He crossed the hall and entered the room.

Jori stared incredulously at the massive, bright white, sterile room that was the Worker's lab. In the center of the room was a large desk with many objects scattered on top, seemingly haphazardly. On the edges of the room were several strange machines that Jori had not known existed past the Fall of the Planet. He made his way to the desk and looked over the objects.

On the edge of the desk, two stacks of disks caught Jori's eye. The stack on the left consisted of disks that were two centimeters in diameter with a half-centimeter hole in the middle. The other disks, on closer inspection, were rings. He put one of the rings on out of curiosity. He spread his fingers apart then balled them into a fist, twice, testing the feel of the ring. Jori saw a bright flash of blue and white and then felt something materialize in his hand. Opening his hand, he saw one of the small disks that had just been on the desk now in his palm. Jori's eyes widened as he realized that they were teleportation devices of some sort.

Jori, testing his theory, reached into his pack and pulled out his least favorite dagger. He brought the disk closer to the weapon and watched as the disk magnetically latched onto the hilt. Judging that it was firmly attached, Jori set it down and began clenching and unclenching his fist as he had done before. The dagger vanished before his eyes and his fisted-hand loosened as the hilt appeared in his grip. He had materialized the weapon in his hand in an instant. He quickly scooped the remaining disks and rings into his pack and attached the disk from the dagger to his preferred sword.

Jori went back to scanning the desk for any additional useful items he might liberate. His eyes were drawn to a shiny black pad, fifteen by ten centimeters in size. Jori vaguely recalled the . . . tabloids? No, the tables? No tablets - that's what it was. Yes, they stored and processed information at very high speeds. He tapped the screen hesitantly and it came alive.

"Hello. I am D3DM1ND14," it said and Jori started with surprise, "How may I assist you?"

"Um, hello?" Jori asked hesitantly.

"Hello. I am D3DM1ND14. How may I assist you?"

"Yeah, hi I'm Jori."

"Hello Jori. I am D3DM1ND-14. How may I assist you?"

Jori sighed at the annoying device that was supposed to help. He wanted to see what other magnificent gadgets the Worker had lying around.

"List files?" Jori inquired.

"Listing all folders: Project 15B, Project Redeem, Project Infinity Blade, My Favorite Things to do with Cola-"

"What is Project Redeem?"

"Project Red Team is a-"

"No, Project Redeem!"

"Project Redeem is an experiment to alter deathless Q.I.P.s to be reborn as an infant without past memories. Would you like to access lab tests?"

But Jori wasn't thinking about answering the question. His mind was racing with other thoughts. Why would the Worker want to have Deathless reborn as children? Was it an alternative to actually killing the Deathless, or was it what the Infinity Blade actually did? And why the hell did he make this tablet device so annoying?

"Would you like to access lab tests?"

"Oh shut up, Deadmind!"

"Shutting down."

"No, no wait! Gahhh!" Jori screamed in frustration.

Well might as well figure this device out later, Jori thought to himself.

He resumed scanning the table for any actually useful items as he stowed the tablet in his pack. He saw another cluster of rings of different colors and sizes. Scooping these into his pack, his attention was drawn to a gold ring that looked like it was on fire. His hand hovered over the ring to feel for the heat, but to Jori's surprise it wasn't burning. Still cautious, he picked up the ring and felt its warmth in his palm. He slipped the ring on his finger and it felt instantly warmer.

Jori, having developed very decisive instincts over a long life, suddenly ducked. He didn't know why, but he felt the urge to move out the way. Unfortunately, not quickly enough - Jori felt searing pain in his right shoulder. Looking at his shoulder, he saw a twenty-centimeter shaft embedded in his upper right chest area. Jori frowned. He reached up and pulled on the shaft. After a considerable amount of effort, it came free, tearing away a chunk of skin and a good portion of the front of his shirt with it. Damn it, the cursed thing had barbs designed to rip flesh off and damage the target. He heard a couple of items fall from the other side of the desk.

"You still alive?" the intruder asked hopefully.

The voice sounded feminine and also . . . slightly sultry. What the hell! She shot me! I should not be attracted to that voice! He lifted his head just slightly to see over the desk, and felt sharp pain jar his body. He screamed as he readjusted and pain shot through his shoulder again. What I wouldn't give for the Worker to make a healing device. He felt the ring on his finger grow warmer and the warming sensation spread throughout his body. His finger nails grew alarmingly fast and his stubble grew out. His hair grew longer and, while he looked at his shoulder, the wound began to close with a new, nasty scar forming over the hole.

"Still not dead I assume," The attacker quipped. Her voice not as sultry now – it must have been the pain messing with his mind. At least that's what Jori was going with.

"Not just yet, no," Jori replied cheerfully.

He carefully planned his next moves based on the position of the voice. She was directly on the other side of the table. Jori leaped up onto the desk, saw the woman a meter away and dove at her, taking her down with him. He tackled her, knocking the crossbow out of her hands.

Landing on top of her, he quickly rolled them both into a prone position, using the full length of his body to pin hers down. As he lifted his upper body, he summoned his sword with the new ring on is hand and held it to her neck.

"Who-the-hell-are-you?" he said slowly and ominously.

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