The rain from the day before had given way to a brittle, cloudless morning. The workshop smelled faintly of solder and fresh coffee, but the mood was anything but calm. Riley sat at her desk, scrolling through something on her tablet with a look Jace had learned to recognize — the one that meant she was already three moves ahead of him in a game he didn't know they were playing.
"You're quiet," he said, setting down a half‑assembled circuit board.
"I've been digging," she replied without looking up.
"On what?"
"Daniel Price."
Patchwork's voice slid into Jace's mind, amused.
"Finally. The manager takes the offensive."
---
The File
Riley turned the tablet so Jace could see. On the screen was a neat dossier: corporate filings, property records, a few blurry photos.
"He's not just some curious hobbyist," she said. "He's a consultant for a private security firm. They specialize in 'technology acquisition' — which is a polite way of saying they find people with unique skills and figure out how to monetize them."
Jace frowned. "So I'm a potential asset."
"Or a target," Riley said. "Either way, we need to know what he wants before he decides to stop playing nice."
---
The Plan
Riley tapped the screen again, bringing up an address. "One of his firm's clients — a mid‑sized manufacturing plant — just posted an urgent maintenance request. Multiple systems down at once. I pulled some strings and got us the job."
"You think he'll be there?"
"I think he'll make sure someone is."
Patchwork: "And you're walking right into it. I like her style."
---
Arrival
The plant was a sprawling complex of steel and glass, the air outside tinged with the smell of machine oil. A harried floor manager met them at the gate.
"Thank God you're here," she said. "We've got a conveyor line jammed, the control system's throwing errors, and the break room's HVAC is dead. Oh, and one of our guys sliced his hand open on a sheet metal edge."
Riley's eyes flicked to Jace. "We'll start with the conveyor."
---
Conveyor Line
The line was a tangle of rollers, belts, and half‑assembled components. Jace traced the jam to a misaligned guide rail and a seized bearing. He loosened the rail, realigned it, and swapped the bearing for a spare from his kit. The belts hummed back to life, carrying parts smoothly down the line.
From the corner of his eye, Jace spotted a man in a dark jacket watching from the mezzanine. He wasn't wearing plant ID.
Patchwork: "There's your observer. Smile for the camera."
---
Control System
Next stop was the control room — a cramped space lined with humming cabinets. The PLC controlling the line was throwing intermittent I/O errors. Jace pulled the module, found oxidation on the backplane connector, and cleaned it. He reseated the module, ran a test cycle, and watched the error logs clear.
The man in the dark jacket had moved closer, leaning casually in the doorway.
---
Break Room HVAC
The break room was stifling, the air heavy and still. Jace opened the rooftop unit's access panel, finding a blown capacitor and a frayed contactor coil. He replaced both, powered the unit back on, and felt the rush of cool air spill into the room.
The observer was now leaning against the vending machine, pretending to check his phone.
---
The Injury
Finally, they found the injured worker in the first‑aid room, a rag wrapped around his hand. Blood had soaked through.
"Let me see," Jace said.
The man hesitated, then unwrapped the rag. The cut was deep but clean. Jace pressed his fingers lightly to the skin, letting the echo pulse — warmth spreading, tissue knitting, bleeding slowing to a stop. The man's eyes widened.
"That's… incredible," he murmured.
From the doorway, the observer's gaze sharpened.
---
The Confrontation
As they packed up, the observer approached. "You're Jace Thorn."
Jace kept his tone neutral. "And you are?"
"Let's just say I work with Daniel. He's very interested in what you can do."
Riley stepped between them. "We're not interested in whatever he's selling."
The man smiled thinly. "You will be."
He turned and walked away.
Patchwork: "Well, that was subtle."
---
Payment and Numbers
The floor manager handed Riley a check. "You saved us a fortune in downtime. Thank you."
Payment: $1,200
Patchwork: "$204.00 added to Pending Taxes. Current total: $4,357.45."
Wealth: $21,814.88 → $23,014.88
RP Gained: +90 (multi‑capability repair under active surveillance)
RP Total: 778 → 868
---
Back at the Workshop
Riley dropped her bag on the desk. "We've confirmed it — Daniel's not working alone. And they're not going to stop."
Jace nodded. "So what's our next move?"
Patchwork's voice was a low hum in his mind.
"You keep working. You keep building RP. At 2,000, I'll give you something that might just make them think twice."
Jace looked at Riley. "We buy time. And we get ready."
The echo pulsed once — steady, resolute.
---
Status Update
Technician: Jace Thorn
RP Total: 868
Wealth: $23,014.88
Pending Taxes: $4,357.45
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
---
The workshop was calm that morning, the kind of quiet where you could hear the faint tick of Riley's pen as she made notes. Jace was hunched over a small motor assembly, coaxing a stubborn bearing into place, when Riley's phone buzzed.
She glanced at the screen, then at him. "Local machine shop. Their CNC mill's down — coolant pump seized, spindle control throwing errors. And one of their guys sliced his forearm on a burr. They're losing money by the minute."
Jace set down the motor. "Sounds like a two‑person job."
Patchwork's voice slid into his mind, dry as ever.
"And maybe a two‑capability job. Possibly three. You ready to spend a little RP if it comes to that?"
Jace didn't answer. He hated dipping into that reserve unless there was no other choice.
---
Arrival
The machine shop was a cavernous space, the air thick with the smell of cutting oil and hot metal. The foreman, a broad‑shouldered man in a grease‑stained cap, waved them over.
"Mill's dead in the water," he said. "Coolant pump's seized, spindle control's glitching, and Eddie—" he jerked a thumb toward a workbench "—caught his arm on a sharp edge."
Eddie sat on the bench, a rag pressed to his forearm. Blood had soaked through.
---
First Aid
Riley was already moving. "Let me see," she said, crouching beside him. She peeled the rag back, revealing a long but shallow gash.
"Not deep," she said, pulling a small first‑aid kit from her bag. She cleaned the wound with antiseptic wipes, then wrapped it in a snug bandage. "That'll hold until Jace can finish up here."
Eddie managed a grin. "Thanks."
Patchwork: "She's good. Keeps the stage set for you."
---
The Coolant Pump
Jace knelt beside the CNC mill's base, opening the pump housing. The impeller was locked solid, the bearings fused from heat. He didn't have a replacement in his physical kit — not one that would fit this model.
He hesitated. "Patchwork… I need it."
"That impeller assembly will cost you 20 RP," the AI replied. "Worth it?"
Jace's jaw tightened. "Do it."
RP deducted: 868 → 848
A moment later, his hand closed around the exact impeller assembly as if it had been in his kit all along. From the outside, it was seamless: he swapped it in, reassembled the pump, and the motor hummed to life, coolant flowing again.
---
The Spindle Control
Next was the spindle control error. Jace traced it to a failing encoder on the spindle motor. This one he did have in his physical stock — a universal replacement he'd modified months ago. He swapped it in, recalibrated the control, and ran a test cycle. The spindle spun up smoothly, the readout steady.
The foreman let out a low whistle. "Didn't think you'd get it running today."
---
The Repair
With the machines humming again, Jace returned to Eddie. "Let's finish that up."
He placed his hand lightly over the bandaged cut, letting the echo pulse — warmth spreading, skin knitting, the angry red line fading beneath the gauze. Eddie's breathing eased.
Jace carefully unwrapped Riley's bandage, revealing smooth, unbroken skin where the gash had been.
Eddie blinked. "Feels like it never happened."
Riley was already packing the first‑aid kit. "Don't make a habit of it."
---
Payment and Numbers
The foreman handed Riley a thick envelope. "Worth every penny."
Payment: $880
Patchwork: "$149.60 added to Pending Taxes. Current total: $4,507.05."
Wealth: $23,014.88 → $23,894.88
RP Gained: +75 (multi‑capability repair with first‑aid assist and reluctant RP spend)
RP Total: 848 → 923
---
Back at the Workshop
As they unloaded the van, Riley glanced at him. "That pump part — you didn't have it yesterday."
Jace kept his tone casual. "I keep spares tucked away."
Patchwork's voice was a quiet chuckle in his mind.
"923 RP. You're closing in. At 2,000, I'll give you something that'll make even Daniel blink."
Jace met Riley's gaze. "Whatever's coming, we'll be ready."
The echo pulsed once — steady, certain.
---
Status Update
Technician: Jace Thorn
RP Total: 923
Wealth: $23,894.88
Pending Taxes: $4,507.05
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 morning sun was barely over the rooftops when Riley's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, then at Jace.
"Urgent call from the city library," she said. "Main circulation desk printer is down, the security gates are locking up randomly, and one of the staff cut her palm on a cracked bookend. They've got a school tour coming in an hour."
Jace zipped his kit closed. "Let's make it quick."
Patchwork's voice slid into his mind.
"Three issues, one location. And I'm sensing at least one part you don't have in that bag."
Riley caught the look on his face. "If we need to pull from the store, we pull from the store. No hesitation."
Jace nodded. "Alright."
---
Arrival
The library's glass doors slid open to reveal a flustered branch manager waving them over. "We're in chaos. The printer's dead, the gates keep alarming for no reason, and poor Dana—" she gestured toward the front desk "—sliced her hand on a broken metal bookend."
Riley was already moving toward Dana with her first‑aid kit. "Jace, start with the printer."
---
Printer
The circulation desk printer was a heavy, industrial model. Jace opened the side panel and found the fuser unit scorched, the roller cracked. He didn't have a replacement in his physical kit.
He glanced at Riley. She gave a small nod.
"Patchwork," he thought.
"Fuser unit, model 4X‑L. Cost: 15 RP," the AI replied.
RP deducted: 923 → 908
A moment later, his hand closed around the exact part as if it had been sitting in his kit all along. He swapped it in, closed the panel, and powered the printer back on. The warm‑up cycle hummed, then the first test page slid out crisp and clean.
---
Security Gates
Next, he moved to the entrance gates. The sensors were tripping randomly, even with no one passing through. He traced the fault to a cracked IR emitter housing. This one he had — a universal emitter module. He swapped it in, recalibrated the alignment, and the gates stopped their phantom alarms.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Riley finishing with Dana, the bandage neat and snug.
---
The Repair
Jace walked over. "Let's finish that up."
Dana looked nervous. "It's fine, really—"
"Humor me," Jace said, placing his hand lightly over the bandage. The echo pulsed — warmth spreading, skin knitting, pain fading. He carefully unwrapped Riley's work, revealing smooth, unbroken skin.
Dana blinked. "That's… amazing."
Riley smiled. "He's good at what he does."
---
The Wrap‑Up
The branch manager returned, relief written all over her face. "You've saved my morning. The tour's going to go smoothly now."
Payment: $640
Patchwork: "$108.80 added to Pending Taxes. Current total: $4,615.85."
Wealth: $23,894.88 → $24,534.88
RP Gained: +75 (multi‑capability repair with seamless store use)
RP Total: 908 → 983
---
Back at the Workshop
As they unloaded the van, Riley glanced at him. "That fuser unit was worth the RP."
Jace nodded. "Fifteen well spent."
Patchwork's voice was a quiet hum in his mind.
"983 RP. You're halfway to the upgrade threshold. Keep this pace, and you'll see what I've been holding back."
Jace smirked. "Then let's keep the pace."
The echo pulsed once — steady, ready.
---
Status Update
Technician: Jace Thorn
RP Total: 983
Wealth: $24,534.88
Pending Taxes: $4,615.85
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
---