The morning light slanted through the workshop windows, catching the dust motes in slow spirals. Jace was halfway through calibrating a torque wrench when the door opened.
Daniel Price stepped inside like he owned the place.
Riley looked up from her desk, her expression neutral but her eyes sharp. "Mr. Price. Back so soon?"
Daniel smiled. "Had such a good experience last time, I thought I'd bring you something a little more… challenging."
Patchwork's voice slid into Jace's mind, low and amused.
"Translation: he's here to poke the bear."
---
The Delivery
Daniel set a heavy, foam‑lined case on the counter. When Jace unlatched it, he found a compact, high‑end 3D printer — the kind used for precision prototyping. Its casing was scuffed, but the internals looked pristine.
"Won't hold calibration," Daniel said. "Prints start fine, then drift. I've tried everything. Thought I'd watch the master at work."
Riley's tone was polite but firm. "We usually ask clients to wait in the seating area."
Daniel's smile didn't falter. "I'll stay out of the way. Just curious about your process."
Patchwork: "He's not curious. He's hunting."
---
First Pass
Jace carried the printer to his bench, aware of Daniel's gaze on his hands. He powered it up, ran a test print, and watched the nozzle drift by half a millimeter every few layers.
He popped the side panel. The stepper motor mounts were solid, belts tight. But the Z‑axis sensor was reading inconsistently — a hairline crack in the solder joint on its board.
Jace reflowed the joint, replaced a worn connector, and ran another test. The drift improved, but didn't vanish.
---
The Second Problem
As the printer worked, Daniel wandered the shop, eyes flicking over every tool and part. "You've got quite the setup here. Ever think about expanding? Bigger space, more staff?"
Riley didn't look up from her tablet. "We like the control we have now."
Patchwork: "She means 'we don't want strangers sniffing around.'"
The printer beeped — another drift. Jace frowned. The electronics were fine now, which meant the issue was mechanical: the Z‑axis lead screw had a subtle warp.
He swapped it for a spare, recalibrated, and ran a third test. This time, the print came out perfect.
---
The "Bonus" Request
Daniel clapped softly. "Impressive. While I'm here… I've got something else."
From his bag, he produced a ruggedized tablet with a cracked screen and a boot loop issue. "This one's been giving me trouble for months. If you can get it running, I'll double your fee."
Riley's eyes narrowed. "That's not what we agreed on."
Daniel shrugged. "Call it a tip for your time."
Patchwork: "And here comes round two."
---
The Tablet
Jace took the tablet, noting the faint smell of burnt plastic. Inside, the mainboard had a scorched power regulator. He replaced it, reseated the battery connector, and powered it on. The boot loop persisted.
Digging deeper, he found corrupted firmware. He flashed a clean image from his kit, rebooted — and the tablet sprang to life.
Daniel leaned in, watching the screen. "You're fast."
---
The Real Test
As Jace handed the tablet back, Daniel hesitated. "One last thing. My assistant outside twisted her wrist carrying the printer in. She's in the van. Could you… take a look?"
Riley's gaze snapped to Jace. "We're not a medical clinic."
Daniel's tone was smooth. "Of course not. But you've got a reputation for… fixing things others can't."
Patchwork: "He's baiting you. He wants to see it."
---
The Decision
Jace wiped his hands on a rag. "Bring her in."
A young woman entered, cradling her wrist. She winced as she tried to flex it.
Jace crouched, taking her hand gently. "May I?"
She nodded. He let the echo pulse — warmth spreading, tendons easing, pain fading. She blinked, rotating her wrist with surprise.
"That's… much better," she said softly.
Daniel's eyes were on Jace's hands the whole time.
---
The Exit
Daniel paid in cash, sliding the bills across the counter. "You're worth every penny. I'll be in touch."
When the door closed, Riley exhaled. "That was a setup."
"I know," Jace said.
Patchwork's voice was quieter than usual.
"He's testing boundaries. And you're getting close to mine."
---
Payment and Numbers
Payment: $360 (printer + tablet) + $180 "tip" = $540
Patchwork: "$91.80 added to Pending Taxes. Current total: $3,869.55."
Wealth: $19,604.88 → $20,144.88
RP Gained:
- Printer repair (mechanical + electronic) … +30
- Tablet repair (electronic) … +15
- Wrist healing (biological) … +15
- Crowd/case management (emotional, keeping Riley calm and Daniel at bay) … +15
Total RP: +75
RP Total: 553 → 628
---
Back at the Workshop
Riley leaned against the bench. "We can't keep letting him in here."
Jace nodded. "Next time, we meet him somewhere neutral."
Patchwork's tone shifted, almost thoughtful.
"You're at 628 RP. At 2,000, I can unlock something new. Bigger than anything you've seen from me yet."
Jace raised an eyebrow. "What kind of upgrade?"
"Not telling. Yet. But you'll want it."
Riley glanced between them, oblivious to the exchange. "What?"
"Nothing," Jace said quickly. "Just thinking ahead."
---
Status Update
Technician: Jace Thorn
RP Total: 628
Wealth: $20,144.88
Pending Taxes: $3,869.55
Monthly Rent: Workshop – $1,200 | Apartment – $1,400 (covers both Jace & Riley)
Patchwork Capabilities:
- Mechanical Repair
- Electronic Repair
- Emotional Repair
- Biological Repair
Next Upgrade: Unlocks at 2,000 RP
Taxes due: one month
---
It was barely mid‑morning when Riley's phone buzzed. She glanced at the caller ID, then at Jace.
"New client," she said slowly. "Name's Claire Voss. Says Daniel Price recommended us."
Patchwork's voice slid into Jace's mind, dry as ever.
"Of course he did. He's outsourcing the surveillance now."
"What's the job?" Jace asked.
Riley scanned her notes. "She runs a boutique co‑working space downtown. Elevator's out, their network's down, and one of her tenants had a fainting spell this morning. She wants it all handled before lunch."
Jace zipped his kit. "Let's go."
---
Arrival
The co‑working space was all exposed brick and polished concrete, with potted plants in every corner. Claire Voss was waiting in the lobby — tall, sharp‑eyed, dressed in a tailored blazer. She shook their hands briskly.
"Daniel spoke highly of you," she said. "We've got a lot riding on today. Investors are touring the space this afternoon."
Riley's smile was polite but cool. "We'll get you back on track."
Patchwork: "Investors, cameras, and a ticking clock. Perfect stage for a little performance."
---
The Elevator
First stop was the elevator — stuck on the third floor with the doors half‑open. Jace popped the service panel, finding a tripped safety relay and a worn contactor. He swapped the contactor, reset the relay, and cycled the lift. The doors closed, the motor hummed, and the car descended smoothly.
Claire watched from the lobby, arms folded. "Fast."
---
The Network
Next was the server closet — a cramped, overheated space with a rack of blinking switches. The main router was in a reboot loop. Jace traced it to a failing power brick and a corrupted config file. He replaced the brick, reloaded a backup config from his kit, and brought the network back online.
A cheer went up from the open‑plan desks as Wi‑Fi icons reappeared on screens.
Patchwork: "Two for two. She's clocking every move."
---
The Crowd
In the kitchen area, a small knot of tenants was grumbling about the morning's chaos. Riley stepped in, her voice calm and steady, redirecting their frustration into curiosity about the repairs. Jace added a few reassuring words, letting the echo pulse just enough to smooth the edges of their irritation. Shoulders relaxed, conversations shifted to weekend plans.
---
The Fainting Spell
Finally, Claire led them to a glass‑walled meeting room where a young man sat pale and shaky, sipping water.
"He's one of our designers," Claire said. "Collapsed in the stairwell earlier."
Jace crouched beside him. "Mind if I check your pulse?"
The man nodded. Jace rested his fingers lightly on the wrist, letting the echo pulse — warmth spreading, color returning to the man's face, the tremor in his hands fading.
"Better?" Jace asked.
The man blinked. "Yeah. Much better."
Claire's gaze lingered on Jace's hands a moment too long.
---
The Wrap‑Up
Back in the lobby, Claire handed Riley an envelope. "Impressive work. I'll be in touch."
As they stepped outside, Riley murmured, "She was watching you the whole time."
"I know," Jace said.
Patchwork's voice was a low hum in his mind.
"And every time you pull this off in public, you're feeding the legend. You're at 703 RP now. Only 1,297 to go before I can show you what's next."
---
Payment and Numbers
Payment: $720
Patchwork: "$122.40 added to Pending Taxes. Current total: $3,991.95."
Wealth: $20,144.88 → $20,864.88
RP Gained: +75 (multi‑capability repair under observation)
RP Total: 628 → 703
---
Status Update
Technician: Jace Thorn
RP Total: 703
Wealth: $20,864.88
Pending Taxes: $3,991.95
Monthly Rent: Workshop – $1,200 | Apartment – $1,400 (covers both Jace & Riley)
Patchwork Capabilities:
- Mechanical Repair
- Electronic Repair
- Emotional Repair
- Biological Repair
Next Upgrade: Unlocks at 2,000 RP
Taxes due: one month
---
The rain had been coming down since dawn, drumming on the workshop's tin roof in a steady rhythm. Jace was halfway through replacing a cracked housing on a belt sander when the door swung open.
Daniel Price didn't bother with pleasantries this time. He stepped inside, water beading on his coat, and set a large, battered equipment case on the counter.
Riley's eyes narrowed. "We don't have you on the schedule."
Daniel smiled faintly. "This one couldn't wait."
Patchwork's voice slid into Jace's mind, low and sardonic.
"And here comes the main event."
---
The Reveal
Daniel unlatched the case. Inside was a portable medical diagnostic unit — the kind used in field clinics. Its casing was cracked, the display dead, and a faint smell of burnt circuitry hung in the air.
"This belongs to a friend," Daniel said. "It's been down for weeks. They need it operational today. And…" He hesitated, as if for effect. "…there's a patient in the van who could use it."
Riley's gaze snapped to Jace. "We're not a medical service."
Daniel's smile didn't waver. "I'm not asking you to treat anyone. Just fix the machine."
Patchwork: "He's asking you to fix the machine… and then use it."
---
The First Layer
Jace carried the unit to his bench. The power supply was fried, the mainboard scorched around the voltage regulator. He swapped in a spare regulator, replaced a blown fuse, and reflowed a cracked solder joint.
The display flickered to life, but the touchscreen was unresponsive. He pulled the panel, cleaned the contacts, and reseated the ribbon cable. The interface lit up, responsive and smooth.
Daniel watched every move, leaning just close enough to see without getting in the way.
---
The Second Layer
Riley moved to stand between Daniel and the bench. "You've been bringing us a lot of work lately. Why?"
Daniel's eyes stayed on Jace. "Because you're the best. And because I like to see how the best work."
Patchwork: "He's not even pretending anymore."
---
The Patient
When the unit passed its self‑diagnostic, Daniel gestured toward the door. "She's in the van."
Riley's jaw tightened. "Jace—"
"I'll take a look," Jace said quietly.
Outside, under the patter of rain, a woman in her fifties sat in the passenger seat of a black SUV, pale and breathing shallowly. Daniel opened the door.
"She's been dizzy for days," he said. "Doctors can't find the cause."
Jace set the diagnostic unit on his lap, connected the sensors, and powered it up. The readout showed mild dehydration and an irregular heartbeat.
---
The Choice
Jace could have stopped there — handed the data to Daniel and walked away. But the woman's eyes were glassy, her pulse weak.
He rested his hand lightly over hers, letting the echo pulse — warmth spreading, heartbeat steadying, color returning to her cheeks. Her breathing eased.
She blinked at him. "I… feel better."
Daniel's gaze was sharp, calculating. "Remarkable."
---
The Exit
Back inside, Riley was waiting. "You crossed the line."
"She needed help," Jace said.
Daniel closed the case, tucking it under his arm. "You're worth every penny. I'll be in touch."
When the door closed behind him, Riley turned to Jace. "He's not going to stop."
Patchwork's voice was a low hum in Jace's mind.
"And neither are you. You're at 778 RP now. Only 1,222 to go before I can show you the next upgrade."
---
Payment and Numbers
Payment: $950
Patchwork: "$161.50 added to Pending Taxes. Current total: $4,153.45."
Wealth: $20,864.88 → $21,814.88
RP Gained: +75 (multi‑capability repair with biological intervention under direct observation)
RP Total: 703 → 778
---
Status Update
Technician: Jace Thorn
RP Total: 778
Wealth: $21,814.88
Pending Taxes: $4,153.45
Monthly Rent: Workshop – $1,200 | Apartment – $1,400 (covers both Jace & Riley)
Patchwork Capabilities:
- Mechanical Repair
- Electronic Repair
- Emotional Repair
- Biological Repair
Next Upgrade: Unlocks at 2,000 RP
Taxes due: one month
---