Shanghai, China: Inventor and patent attorney Marc Wayne is held captive until he produces a functioning model of his Meissner Field Generator. At stake, his ransomed sister''s life. At the request of the FBI, Marc submits a patent application based on a theoretical device that has tantalizing military applications to lure the technology thieves.

Now sequestered in an undisclosed laboratory far from his small Midwest town, Marc struggles to convert an unproven idea into a weapon of global superiority. He suspects that he will be killed if he succeeds...

USPTO: Alexandria, Virginia: Muslim Hatim Saad is in the grips of a sadistic international spy, blackmailed to leak vital inventions from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Motivated by a longing to repair relations with his estranged Jewish son, in a moment of passion, he tricks his blackmailer...

Washington D.C.: A team of FBI agents, led by young Mallory Wayne, strive to trace the stolen patent only to find its author - her brother - has disappeared. As first-time project leader, Mallory is cognizant of the danger to her brother''s life and struggles with doubts of her own abilities. So far, the kidnappers have remained one step ahead...