It had taken millions of dollars to develop the first working prototype of the resonance manipulator from the schematics John Hunt had given them, millions of dollars that Madeline and Ayala had not had. For this reason, it had been essential to engage a proxy that would provide them with the resources they needed. This, of course, had come at a price, and the team had been under no illusions that using an outside company to develop this crucial device had been a large potential gap in their security. But they had neither the money nor the materials to build such a machine. They had considered attempting to tap into the military’s seemingly bottomless research funds, but while it was going to be difficult to manage a private company’s curiosity, that was nothing compared to what it would have been like trying to restrain a general or admiral once he had seen what the resonance manipulator could do.

Nonetheless, the chance that the development of the machine by Matsuoka Industries would be discovered by the Agents or their guardian angels overhead had been a constant threat. Because of this, Ayala had enforced strict controls on Madeline while she was working at the Matsuoka plant in North Dakota in order to protect her identity while there. She had carefully mapped each of the security cameras within the facility itself, as well as at the nearby extended-stay hotel where Madeline had taken up residence.

Ayala had then shown Madeline ways to come and go from each building without her face being seen by any of the cameras. She had done the same for two restaurants nearby which Madeline was then cleared to eat at. It was a limited lifestyle and Madeline had never felt so constricted in her life, but she knew all too well the consequences should she stray from the path. The only place where she could move at ease was in the highly secure research lab at the facility. There were no cameras there, by design, the programs that were conducted in its confines being highly confidential.

Hours had passed since the demonstration, but eventually Ayala had arrived. It was 4:15pm before Madeline finally met with Ayala in a back room of the Matsuoka facility in North Dakota. Madeline excused herself briefly to talk with Ayala when the woman arrived at the building. It only took a few moments for Ayala to get up to speed and then the Israeli woman told Madeline what they were about to do. There had been no discussion, once Ayala had told Madeline what she must do she had opened the door and sent for the Matsuoka CEO to join them. As they waited for him, Madeline found she was even more worried now, having some small idea of what Ayala was willing to do to keep the emboldened CEO in line.