The rest of that day was a whirlwind. As soon as Matt said "Yes" he was taken to the Director who welcomed him to the team.
He had to read through more forms and sign multiple documents, At least he would get paid and the pay was very generous. No doubt commensurate with the dangers involved. He was also introduced to Doctor Mendall, who again reassured him that the process was totally reversible but for the first time he was informed there was a 12 hour delay between changes. Evidently the 'Artifact' as they called it would not work on the same being twice within 12 hours.
Matt realised he and Cheryl would be guinea pigs. The agency had only acquired the artifact days ago and so far Doctor Mendall had only tested it out on animals. He assured them though that the person they had acquired it from had used it on themselves multiple times. Doctor Mendall also had Matt and Cheryl donate an article of clothing each which he placed in storage in his lab. Evidently that clothing would be used to return them to their correct forms once the assignment was complete.
That night Matt spent in a safehouse with Dave. Cheryl had returned to her own safehouse to finalise her affairs. He did not see her until they were on an agency plane to LA before dawn next morning. With them were Dave, Doctor Mendall and the director with his own bodyguards.
At the private field they landed at were two armour plated limousines with darkened windows. Matt and Cheryl were rushed to the closest of the vehicles and from there to another safehouse. There they spent the remainder of the afternoon catching up with the latest developments on the cartel and studying floor plans of Pedro's mansion and pictures of known associates.
The plan as outlined by Dave was that Melody's bail would commence at 5pm. Whoever came to pick her up would be intercepted at the jail where the organisation had been given access to a special room. Dr Mendall and the Director were already there preparing for the exchange.
Dave gave the two young lovers privacy and suggested they say goodbye to each other in their true bodies. However they were interrupted immediately by a message to say that Melody's bail had been bought forward by an hour. All Matt got was a kiss before Dave hurried them back to the car.
They were rushed into the jail via a special gate. They were covered by a cloak as they entered the building. Knowledge of their presence could not be risked. Many cartel members were among the inmates.
Doctor Mendall was ready for them. The real Melody had already been intercepted. Evidently she had been put to sleep and would wake in about 24 hours to find herself in a secret prison operated by the agency. Doctor Mendall wore gloves as he touched Cheryl with the artifact and the dress Melody had changed into in anticipation of her release. Matt, Dave and the Director got to watch as Cheryl changed. She grew to Melody's statuesque height and her hair changed from Cheryl's blonde to Melody's dark locks. Her skin changed to Melody's latino complexion and her features morphed. 30 minutes after the doctor had touched her Cheryl had completely changed to become Melody's doppelganger. They had cut it fine. Cheryl or 'Melody' as she now appeared to be, rapidly put on the clothes presented to her. When she spoke she even had Melody's voice and accent.
The Director took a call. "It sounds like her pickup has arrived. Get ready Matt, you're about to earn your money. Remember we need to hurry. Pedro will be expecting Melody without delay. If the bail takes too long to process they might become suspicious and the change will take 30 minutes"