"What is that," I asked.

"That is the information you required. It is the life work of a master gem cutter."

"Whoa, what kind of format is it in?" I asked and again she was loath to answer. "Okay, I guess I will just have to see for myself."

I stared at the icon and blinked. The rush of information was a maelstrom of sensory overload that forced me to shut my eyes and let the download finish. I think I screamed when the input reached its height. I opened my eyes and there was silence. I looked at Feng and she was now kneeling at my feet. Due to...