Summary

Rebecca allows Mel and Tristan into her home to meet Dr. Frank Oda, despite her suspicion about Mel and Tristan’s motives. Oda remains enthusiastic about his work, but reveals that his machine’s size limitations would prevent use on humans. He takes them to the basement of his heritage building home, where the old ODEC machine gathers dust. It is an insulated box packed with wires, a cryogenic chamber for liquid helium, and an ancient computer. Oda explains that though the machine worked, he did not have the funds, the space, or the technology to optimize its processes, leading to his disgrace in both the academic and defense industries. Oda tentatively agrees to work with Tristan on a bigger and better ODEC, if Mel can gain Rebecca’s consent.

An entry from Rebecca’s journal recounts the day from her...