Chapter 126: Mechanic Mayhem and a Heist Surprise (Patreon)

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Author's Note

I'm embarrassed to admit it, but since my son started the summer vacation and I don't have his school bag to track days, my days got mixed up.

My family engagement is tomorrow. So today, you do get a chapter.

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In Trinidad, I tackled food shopping with a fresh approach. Instead of the usual store-hopping or relying on conventional methods, I chose to buy everything from wholesalers. To make this plan a reality, I found a closed restaurant with a living space above and negotiated a two-week rental. I convinced the owner that we were a group of traveling chefs conducting workshops in various cities.

Mahya decided to use the time to gain a skill she thought was important: motorcycle and ATV mechanics. She made up a story that we were going on a motorcycle and ATV trip in Africa and needed the knowledge to take care of the vehicles if there were any problems along the way. Al was not interested in mechanics, so I announced he would be in charge of receiving deliveries while Mahya and I studied. I was already despairing of him. He said he wanted to fill the missing classes, but I didn’t see any interest from him in any field.

I asked him about it, and his answer was that he had not yet found his passion. He said that when he did, he would make the necessary investment.

As I calculated our food needs, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. I was especially mindful of the possibility of our group expanding (I still hoped that Lyura would join us). With this in mind, I placed our food orders, ready to accommodate any additions to our team.

Grains and Rice

·       Pallets of long-grain white rice

·       Pallets of brown rice

·       Bulk bags of jasmine rice

·       Bulk bags of basmati rice

·       Bulk bags of wild rice

·       Bulk bags of quinoa

·       Bulk bags of couscous

·       Pallets of rolled oats

·       Bulk bags of steel-cut oats

·       Bulk bags of barley

·       Bulk bags of bulgur wheat

Pasta and Noodles

·       Pallets of spaghetti

·       Pallets of macaroni

·       Bulk bags of penne

·       Bulk bags of fusilli

·       Bulk bags of fettuccine

·       Bulk bags of egg noodles

·       Bulk bags of rice noodles

·       Pallets of lasagna sheets

·       Bulk bags of orzo

Baking Supplies

·       Pallets of all-purpose flour

·       Pallets of whole wheat flour

·       Bulk bags of bread flour

·       Bulk bags of cake flour

·       Bulk bags of cornmeal

·       Bulk bags of almond flour

·       Pallets of sugar (white granulated)

·       Bulk bags of brown sugar

·       Bulk bags of powdered sugar

·       Bulk bags of baking powder

·       Bulk bags of baking soda

·       Bulk bags of yeast

·       Bulk containers of vanilla extract

·       Bulk containers of cocoa powder

Beans and Legumes

·       Pallets of dried black beans

·       Pallets of dried pinto beans

·       Bulk bags of lentils (green and red)

·       Bulk bags of chickpeas

·       Bulk bags of split peas

·       Bulk bags of navy beans

·       Bulk bags of kidney beans

Canned and Jarred Goods

·       Pallets of canned tomatoes (diced, crushed, and whole)

·       Pallets of canned beans (black, kidney, garbanzo)

·       Bulk packs of canned vegetables (corn, peas, carrots, green beans)

·       Bulk packs of canned fruit (peaches, pears, pineapple)

·       Bulk jars of pasta sauce

·       Bulk jars of pickles

·       Bulk jars of olives

Nuts and Seeds

·       Bulk bags of almonds

·       Bulk bags of walnuts

·       Bulk bags of cashews

·       Bulk bags of pecans

·       Bulk bags of sunflower seeds

·       Bulk bags of pumpkin seeds

·       Bulk bags of chia seeds

·       Bulk bags of flax seeds

Spices and Seasonings

·       Bulk containers of salt (kosher, sea salt)

·       Bulk containers of black pepper (whole and ground)

·       Bulk bags of garlic powder

·       Bulk bags of onion powder

·       Bulk bags of paprika (sweet and smoked)

·       Bulk bags of cumin

·       Bulk bags of dried oregano

·       Bulk bags of dried basil

·       Bulk bags of dried thyme

·       Bulk bags of dried rosemary

·       Bulk bags of dried parsley

·       Bulk bags of dried dill

·       Bulk bags of turmeric

·       Bulk bags of curry powder

·       Bulk bags of chili powder

·       Bulk bags of ground cinnamon

·       Bulk bags of ground ginger

·       Bulk bags of ground nutmeg

·       Bulk bags of ground cloves

·       Bulk bags of mustard powder

·       Bulk containers of bay leaves

·       Bulk bags of red pepper flakes

·       Bulk bags of fennel seeds

·       Bulk bags of coriander seeds

·       Bulk bags of cardamom pods

·       Bulk bags of star anise

·       Bulk bags of sumac

·       Bulk bags of za’atar

Oils and Fats

·       Pallets of vegetable oil

·       Pallets of olive oil

·       Bulk containers of extra virgin olive oil

·       Bulk containers of coconut oil

·       Bulk containers of shortening

·       Bulk containers of sesame oil

·       Bulk containers of avocado oil

Sweeteners

·       Pallets of honey

·       Bulk containers of maple syrup

·       Bulk containers of agave syrup

Dairy and Alternatives (Shelf-Stable)

·       Pallets of powdered milk

·       Pallets of evaporated milk

·       Bulk packs of almond milk (shelf-stable)

·       Bulk packs of coconut milk (shelf-stable)

·       Bulk packs of soy milk (shelf-stable)

·       Bulk packs of shelf-stable cheese (e.g., Parmesan, cheddar powder)

Snacks and Convenience Foods

·       Bulk packs of crackers (assorted varieties)

·       Bulk packs of pretzels

·       Bulk packs of granola bars

·       Bulk bags of dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, apricots, dates)

·       Bulk bags of popcorn kernels

Miscellaneous

·       Bulk containers of peanut butter

·       Bulk containers of almond butter

·       Pallets of bulk containers of jelly/jam (various flavors)

·       10 Pallets of coffee in all its forms

·       Bulk bags of dried pasta sauce mixes

·       Bulk packs of bouillon cubes (chicken, beef, vegetable)

·       Bulk containers of soy sauce

·       Bulk containers of Worcestershire sauce

·       Bulk containers of hot sauce (various types)

·       Bulk containers of vinegar (white, apple cider, balsamic)

Cold and Frozen: Meat and Poultry

·       Pallets of frozen chicken breasts

·       Pallets of frozen chicken thighs

·       Pallets of frozen whole chickens

·       Pallets of frozen ground beef

·       Pallets of frozen beef steaks (ribeye, sirloin, tenderloin)

·       Pallets of frozen beef roasts

·       Pallets of frozen pork chops

·       Pallets of frozen pork tenderloin

·       Pallets of frozen pork ribs

·       Pallets of frozen ground pork

·       Pallets of frozen bacon

·       Pallets of frozen sausages (various types: breakfast, Italian, bratwurst)

·       Pallets of frozen turkey (whole and ground)

Cold and Frozen: Fish and Seafood

·       Pallets of frozen salmon fillets

·       Pallets of frozen cod fillets

·       Pallets of frozen haddock fillets

·       Pallets of frozen shrimp (various sizes)

·       Pallets of frozen scallops

·       Pallets of frozen mussels

·       Pallets of frozen clams

·       Pallets of frozen lobster tails

·       Pallets of frozen crab legs

·       Pallets of frozen tilapia fillets

·       Pallets of frozen tuna steaks

Cold and Frozen: Dairy Products

·       Pallets of butter (salted and unsalted)

·       Pallets of margarine

·       Pallets of cheese blocks (cheddar, mozzarella, Swiss, Monterey Jack)

·       Pallets of shredded cheese (various types)

·       Pallets of cream cheese

·       Pallets of sour cream

·       Pallets of yogurt (plain and flavored)

·       Pallets of heavy cream

·       Pallets of half-and-half

·       Pallets of cottage cheese

·       Pallets of ricotta cheese

Cold and Frozen: Eggs and Egg Products

·       Pallets of fresh eggs (large, medium, small)

·       Bulk packs of liquid eggs

·       Bulk packs of egg whites

·       Bulk packs of powdered eggs (for baking and cooking)

Cold and Frozen: Miscellaneous Refrigerated Ingredients

·       Bulk containers of mayonnaise

·       Bulk containers of ketchup

·       Bulk containers of mustard

·       Bulk containers of salad dressings (ranch, Italian, Caesar)

·       Bulk packs of refrigerated dough (pizza dough, croissant dough, biscuit dough)

·       Bulk packs of ready-to-bake pastries and cookies

Cold and Frozen: Vegetables and Fruits (Frozen)

·       Pallets of frozen peas

·       Pallets of frozen corn

·       Pallets of frozen green beans

·       Pallets of frozen spinach

·       Pallets of frozen mixed vegetables

·       Pallets of frozen broccoli florets

·       Pallets of frozen cauliflower

·       Pallets of frozen bell peppers

·       Pallets of frozen strawberries

·       Pallets of frozen blueberries

·       Pallets of frozen raspberries

·       Pallets of frozen mango chunks

·       Pallets of frozen mixed berries

Cold and Frozen: Other Refrigerated Ingredients

·       Bulk containers of fresh herbs (basil, parsley, cilantro, dill)

·       Bulk containers of minced garlic

·       Bulk packs of pre-cut vegetables (onions, carrots, celery)

·       Bulk containers of tofu

·       Bulk containers of tempeh

·       Bulk containers of refrigerated pasta (ravioli, tortellini)

·       Bulk packs of refrigerated sauces (pesto, Alfredo, marinara)

·       Bulk containers of fresh lemon and lime juice

·       Bulk containers of salsa

Cold and Frozen: Prepared Foods

·       Bulk packs of frozen pizzas

·       Bulk packs of frozen lasagna

·       Bulk packs of frozen burritos

·       Bulk packs of frozen soups and stews

·       Bulk packs of frozen appetizers (mozzarella sticks, chicken wings, potato skins)

·       Bulk packs of frozen entrees (chicken pot pie, shepherd’s pie, meatloaf)

Cold and Frozen: Other

·       Bulk containers of refrigerated almond milk

·       Bulk containers of refrigerated soy milk

·       Bulk containers of refrigerated coconut milk

Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits

·       Pallets of Granny Smith apples

·       Pallets of Fuji apples

·       Pallets of Gala apples

·       Pallets of Honeycrisp apples

·       Pallets of oranges (Navel, Valencia)

·       Pallets of lemons

·       Pallets of limes

·       Pallets of grapefruits

·       Pallets of peaches

·       Pallets of nectarines

·       Pallets of plums

·       Pallets of apricots

·       Pallets of strawberries

·       Pallets of blueberries

·       Pallets of raspberries

·       Pallets of blackberries

·       Pallets of bananas

·       Pallets of pineapples

·       Pallets of mangoes

·       Pallets of papayas

·       Pallets of kiwis

·       Pallets of watermelons

·       Pallets of cantaloupes

·       Pallets of honeydew melons

·       Pallets of pears (Bartlett, Bosc, Anjou)

·       Pallets of grapes (red and green)

·       Pallets of cherries

·       Pallets of figs

·       Pallets of pomegranates

Fruits and Vegetables: Vegetables

·       Pallets of spinach

·       Pallets of kale

·       Pallets of romaine lettuce

·       Pallets of mixed salad greens

·       Pallets of Swiss chard

·       Pallets of carrots

·       Pallets of potatoes (russet, Yukon gold, red)

·       Pallets of sweet potatoes

·       Pallets of beets

·       Pallets of turnips

·       Pallets of parsnips

·       Pallets of radishes

·       Pallets of broccoli

·       Pallets of cauliflower

·       Pallets of Brussels sprouts

·       Pallets of cabbage (green, red, savoy)

·       Pallets of onions (yellow, red, white)

·       Pallets of garlic

·       Pallets of shallots

·       Pallets of leeks

·       Pallets of zucchini

·       Pallets of yellow squash

·       Pallets of butternut squash

·       Pallets of acorn squash

·       Pallets of spaghetti squash

·       Pallets of pumpkins

·       Pallets of bell peppers (red, green, yellow, orange)

·       Pallets of chili peppers (jalapeño, serrano, habanero)

·       Pallets of sweet mini peppers

·       Pallets of beefsteak tomatoes

·       Pallets of Roma tomatoes

·       Pallets of cherry tomatoes

·       Pallets of heirloom tomatoes

·       Pallets of cucumbers

·       Pallets of celery

·       Pallets of green beans

·       Pallets of peas (snap, snow)

·       Pallets of eggplants

·       Pallets of mushrooms (button, cremini, portobello)

·       Pallets of corn on the cob

·       Pallets of asparagus

·       Pallets of artichokes

Miscellaneous: Candy and Snacks

·       Bulk packs of chocolate bars (milk, dark, white)

·       Bulk packs of assorted candy (gummies, hard candy, licorice)

·       Bulk packs of chocolate-covered nuts and fruits

·       Bulk packs of chips (potato, tortilla, vegetable)

·       Bulk packs of pretzels

·       Bulk packs of popcorn (microwaveable and ready-to-eat)

·       Bulk packs of granola bars

·       Bulk packs of protein bars

·       Bulk packs of trail mix

·       Bulk packs of crackers (assorted varieties)

·       Bulk packs of cookies (chocolate chip, oatmeal, sugar)

·       Bulk packs of snack cakes (cupcakes, brownies, pastries)

Miscellaneous: Deli Products

·       Bulk packs of deli meats (ham, turkey, roast beef, salami)

·       Bulk packs of sliced cheese (cheddar, Swiss, provolone, American)

·       Bulk packs of pre-made sandwiches and wraps

·       Bulk packs of pepperoni and other cured meats

·       Bulk packs of pâté and spreads

·       Bulk packs of hummus and other dips

·       Bulk packs of pickles (dill, sweet, bread and butter)

·       Bulk packs of olives (green, black, kalamata)

Miscellaneous: Beverages

·       Bulk packs of bottled water

·       Bulk packs of sparkling water

·       Bulk packs of soft drinks (cola, lemon-lime, root beer)

·       Bulk packs of juice (orange, apple, grape, cranberry)

·       Bulk packs of sports drinks

·       Bulk packs of iced tea

·       Bulk packs of energy drinks

·       Bulk containers of drink mixes (lemonade, iced tea, sports drink powders)

Miscellaneous: Condiments and Sauces

·       Bulk containers of ketchup

·       Bulk containers of mustard (yellow, Dijon, spicy brown)

·       Bulk containers of mayonnaise

·       Bulk containers of BBQ sauce

·       Bulk containers of hot sauce (various types)

·       Bulk containers of soy sauce

·       Bulk containers of Worcestershire sauce

·       Bulk containers of salad dressings (ranch, Italian, Caesar)

·       Bulk containers of relish

·       Bulk containers of salsa

·       Bulk containers of marinades and cooking sauces

Miscellaneous: Baking Mixes and Ready-Made Dough

·       Bulk packs of pancake and waffle mix

·       Bulk packs of muffin mix

·       Bulk packs of cake mix

·       Bulk packs of brownie mix

·       Bulk packs of cookie mix

·       Bulk packs of bread mix

·       Bulk packs of refrigerated dough (pizza dough, croissant dough, biscuit dough)

·       Bulk packs of ready-to-bake pastries and cookies

Miscellaneous: Breakfast Items

·       Bulk packs of cereal (various types)

·       Bulk packs of oatmeal (instant and regular)

·       Bulk packs of granola

·       Bulk packs of breakfast bars

·       Bulk packs of pancake and waffle mix

·       Bulk packs of syrup (maple, pancake)

Miscellaneous: Items

·       Bulk containers of peanut butter

·       Bulk containers of almond butter

·       Bulk containers of jelly/jam (various flavors)

·       Bulk packs of dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, apricots, dates)

·       Bulk packs of nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews, peanuts)

·       Bulk containers of coffee (ground, whole bean, instant)

·       Bulk containers of tea bags (black, green, herbal)

·       Bulk packs of honey

·       Bulk containers of agave syrup

·       Bulk containers of molasses

·       Bulk packs of instant noodles and ramen

·       Bulk packs of canned soups and stews

Long-Lasting and Specialty Foods: Dehydrated and Freeze-Dried Foods

·       Bulk packs of freeze-dried fruits (apples, bananas, strawberries)

·       Bulk packs of freeze-dried vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)

·       Bulk packs of freeze-dried meals (stews, pasta dishes, rice dishes)

·       Bulk packs of dehydrated potatoes (mashed, hash browns)

·       Bulk packs of dehydrated soups and stews

·       Bulk packs of dehydrated meat (beef, chicken)

Long-Lasting and Specialty Foods: Canned Goods

·       Bulk packs of canned meats (tuna, chicken, beef)

·       Bulk packs of canned soups and stews

·       Bulk packs of canned pasta (ravioli, spaghetti)

·       Bulk packs of canned chili

·       Bulk packs of canned milk (evaporated, condensed)

·       Bulk packs of canned coconut milk

·       Bulk packs of canned beans (black, kidney, chickpeas)

Long-Lasting and Specialty Foods: Jars and Bottled Goods

·       Bulk jars of nut butters (peanut, almond, cashew)

·       Bulk jars of pasta sauces (marinara, Alfredo, pesto)

·       Bulk jars of curry pastes and sauces

·       Bulk bottles of flavored syrups (vanilla, caramel, hazelnut)

·       Bulk jars of ghee (clarified butter)

Long-Lasting and Specialty Foods: Dry Mixes and Instant Foods

·       Bulk packs of instant potatoes (mashed, scalloped)

·       Bulk packs of instant rice (white, brown)

·       Bulk packs of instant pasta (mac and cheese, Alfredo)

·       Bulk packs of instant couscous

·       Bulk packs of instant polenta

·       Bulk packs of instant quinoa

·       Bulk packs of instant soup mixes (chicken noodle, minestrone)

Long-Lasting and Specialty Foods: Fermented and Pickled Foods

·       Bulk jars of sauerkraut

·       Bulk jars of kimchi

·       Bulk jars of pickled vegetables (beets, carrots, cucumbers)

·       Bulk jars of fermented soy products (miso, tempeh, natto)

·       Bulk jars of pickled eggs

Long-Lasting and Specialty Foods: Baking Ingredients and Enhancers

·       Bulk packs of baking enhancers (gluten flour, dough conditioner)

·       Bulk packs of flavor extracts (almond, lemon, mint)

·       Bulk packs of baking chips (chocolate, butterscotch, peanut butter)

·       Bulk packs of decorating sugars and sprinkles

·       Bulk packs of cake and cookie decorating supplies

Long-Lasting and Specialty Foods: International and Specialty Ingredients

·       Bulk packs of sushi rice and nori sheets

·       Bulk packs of dried seaweed (wakame, kombu, nori)

·       Bulk packs of dried mushrooms (shiitake, porcini, chanterelle)

·       Bulk packs of specialty grains (farro, spelt, millet)

·       Bulk packs of international spices and seasonings (garam masala, harissa, za’atar)

·       Bulk packs of dried chilies (ancho, guajillo, chipotle)

·       Bulk packs of miso paste

·       Bulk packs of fish sauce

·       Bulk packs of tamarind paste

Long-Lasting and Specialty Foods: Beverages and Drink Mixes

·       Bulk packs of powdered drink mixes (sports drinks, flavored water, electrolyte drinks)

·       Bulk packs of herbal teas (chamomile, peppermint, hibiscus)

·       Bulk packs of specialty coffee (espresso, cold brew)

·       Bulk packs of cocoa powder and hot chocolate mix

·       Bulk packs of shelf-stable milk alternatives (oat milk, rice milk)

·       Bulk packs of kombucha starters and supplies

Long-Lasting and Specialty Foods: Dietary Supplements and Health Foods

·       Bulk containers of protein powder (whey, soy, pea)

·       Bulk packs of meal replacement shakes and bars

·       Bulk packs of vitamin and mineral supplements

·       Bulk packs of electrolyte tablets

·       Bulk packs of green superfood powders (spirulina, chlorella)

·       Bulk packs of chia seeds and hemp seeds

Long-Lasting and Specialty Foods: Miscellaneous Edibles

·       Bulk packs of dried herbs (basil, oregano, thyme)

·       Bulk packs of bouillon cubes and powders (chicken, beef, vegetable)

·       Bulk packs of jerky (beef, turkey, vegan)

·       Bulk packs of trail mix (various blends)

·       Bulk packs of hardtack or survival biscuits

Fresh Baked Goods

Bread

• Pallets of white bread

• Pallets of whole wheat bread

• Pallets of sourdough bread

• Pallets of rye bread

• Pallets of multigrain bread

• Pallets of French bread

• Pallets of ciabatta

Rolls and Buns

• Crates of hamburger buns

• Crates of hot dog buns

• Crates of dinner rolls

• Crates of Kaiser rolls

• Crates of brioche buns

Bagels and English Muffins

• Crates of plain bagels

• Crates of sesame bagels

• Crates of everything bagels

• Crates of cinnamon raisin bagels

• Crates of plain English muffins

• Crates of whole wheat English muffins

Pastries and Croissants

• Crates of croissants

• Crates of chocolate croissants

• Crates of almond croissants

• Crates of Danish pastries (various flavors)

• Crates of cinnamon rolls

Muffins and Scones

• Crates of blueberry muffins

• Crates of chocolate chip muffins

• Crates of bran muffins

• Crates of banana nut muffins

• Crates of plain scones

• Crates of fruit scones (various flavors)

Cakes

• 2000 chocolate cakes

• 2000 vanilla cakes

• 2000 carrot cakes

• 2000 red velvet cakes

• 2000 lemon cakes

• 2000 fruit cakes

• 2000 cheesecakes

Pies

• 2000 apple pies

• 2000 cherry pies

• 2000 blueberry pies

• 2000 pumpkin pies

• 2000 pecan pies

• 2000 lemon meringue pies

Cookies

• 2000 batches of chocolate chip cookies

• 2000 batches of oatmeal raisin cookies

• 2000 batches of peanut butter cookies

• 2000 batches of sugar cookies

• 2000 batches of gingerbread cookies

• 2000 batches of shortbread cookies

Brownies and Bars

• 2000 batches of brownies

• 2000 batches of blondies

• 2000 batches of lemon bars

• 2000 batches of raspberry bars

Donuts

• 2000 glazed donuts

• 2000 chocolate frosted donuts

• 2000 jelly-filled donuts

• 2000 cream-filled donuts

• 2000 powdered sugar donuts

Looking at the list I made, I sighed and increased my storage capacity twice more. At least this time, I didn’t get a headache. Now I had 64,000m³. My ability points dropped below 200; I now only had 199. They were easy to accumulate on Earth, but they also disappeared quickly.

Maybe it would be a good idea to attend some more workshops.

It took me four days to place all the orders and send all the conjured documents. During this time, Mahya made phone calls until she found someone who agreed to teach us for an exorbitant price—$5,000! We left Al in charge of the deliveries and went to learn to become mechanics.

The garage smelled of motor oil and rust, a scent that clung to my clothes and hair no matter how many times I cast Clean on them. Mahya and I stood side by side, listening intently as our instructor, Dave, explained the intricacies of an ATV engine. His gruff voice echoed in the large space, filled with tools, spare parts, and vehicles in various states of disrepair.

“Alright, first things first,” Dave began, wiping his grease-stained hands on a rag. “Understanding the engine’s anatomy. This here is the carburetor, and it’s responsible for mixing air and fuel before sending it into the engine.”

Mahya leaned in, her eyes wide with curiosity. She scribbled notes in her little notepad, now and then shooting me a glance to make sure I was keeping up. I was, but just barely. The sheer amount of information was overwhelming, but there was something thrilling about it, too. The challenge of mastering a new skill kept me motivated.

It was a rough start for the first few days. My hands fumbled with tools, and I made more mistakes than progress. I remember dropping a wrench into the engine’s guts and spending half an hour fishing it out while Dave chuckled from the sidelines. Mahya, however, had a knack for picking up the practical aspects quickly. She could dismantle an engine and put it back together almost as fast as Dave himself.

By the end of the third day, we had the basics down and the new skill at level 1. We could identify parts, understand their functions, and even perform simple repairs. Dave seemed impressed with our progress, a rare smile crossing his usually stern face.

“You two are catching on quicker than most,” he admitted, handing Mahya a new set of spark plugs. “Let’s see if you can handle a full engine overhaul next.”

The next two weeks blurred into a routine of grease, sweat, and learning. Our hands grew calloused, our minds sharper with each passing day. We tackled every challenge Dave threw our way, from changing tires to fixing electrical issues. Every evening, we left the garage exhausted but fulfilled, our skills improving incrementally.

One evening, as we were closing up, Dave handed us a last test—a broken-down motorcycle with multiple issues. “Fix this by the end of the week, and I’ll say you’ve earned your stripes.”

Mahya and I exchanged determined glances. We worked tirelessly, applying everything we had learned. Slowly but surely, the motorcycle resembled its former self. We replaced faulty wires, adjusted the brakes, and cleaned the carburetor until it gleamed—yes, I cheated with the Clean spell, but please don’t tell Dave.

Finally, on the last day, we turned the key. The engine roared to life, a triumphant sound that echoed through the garage. Dave nodded approvingly. “Congratulations, you’ve done it.”

We had not only gained the skill but had also raised it to level 3 through sheer determination and hard work. As we left the garage, covered in grease but grinning ear to ear, I felt a profound sense of accomplishment. Mahya high-fived me, her eyes sparkling with pride. We were mechanics now, ready to tackle whatever the road threw at us.

While we were learning to be mechanics, all my orders arrived, and Al was free to attend a few workshops. For our last three days in the city, we did the usual round of shops, this time without alcohol and coffee. On the last night, Al and I did the usual round of drug dealers. The first two stops were normal, or as normal as robbing drug dealers could be, but the third stop was different. We arrived in the middle of what seemed to be a big drug deal.

The night air in Trinidad, Colorado, was cool and crisp, a stark contrast to the heated tension I felt as Al and I approached the abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. The place looked decrepit.

We arrived in our own jeep, parking it discreetly behind a cluster of trees. With a nod to each other, we activated our invisibility spells, our forms shimmering out of sight. Our footsteps were silent on the gritty floor as we slipped through a cracked door, the sounds of muffled voices and the clinking of weapons reaching our ears.

The scene before us was intense: a group of heavily armed thugs stood around, guarding stacks of crates and bags. Nearby, a sleek, black jeep stood parked with its engine still warm, ready for a quick getaway. The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing on the walls as the thugs moved about, engrossed in their transaction.

John, this surpasses our initial expectations, Al’s voice echoed in my mind, his telepathic message tinged with both excitement and caution.

No kidding, I responded, my eyes scanning the room. Let’s put these paintball guns to good use.

We put the protective masks on and moved into position, taking advantage of our invisibility. The thugs were oblivious, engrossed in their transaction, weapons slung carelessly over their shoulders. A quick count revealed more than a dozen men, each one armed to the teeth.

On three, I signaled mentally. One… two… three!

We fired in perfect synchrony, the paintballs hitting their targets with pinpoint accuracy. The potion worked almost instantly, a faint, sweet-smelling mist filling the air. One by one, the thugs staggered, their eyes rolling back as they collapsed to the floor.

We moved swiftly, reloading and firing at anyone who looked like they might raise an alarm. The chaos was over in less than a minute, every thug on the ground, sound asleep.

That task was surprisingly simple, Al mused, stepping over the unconscious bodies.

We began our sweep of the warehouse, systematically looting the place. I pocketed bundles of cash, each one thicker than the last. Al focused on gathering the weapons, a mix of high-caliber rifles and handguns. Finally, we found the stash of drugs, carefully packed and ready for distribution.

Mahya is going to love this, I thought, a grin spreading across my face as I looked at the jeep.

We stored everything, the cash, weapons, and drugs disappearing into the ethereal space with a thought. The black jeep was the last to go, its sleek frame vanishing as I stored it away safely.

Ready to go? I asked Al, knowing we still had to make our escape unnoticed.

Yes, let us depart, he replied, the excitement in his mental voice palpable.

We retraced our steps, slipping back through the warehouse door and returning to our own jeep. As we drove away from the scene, the night swallowed us up.

On the way, Al commented, “I wish I could witness their awakening.” And both of us burst out laughing.

Mahya was already outside, tinkering with her latest project, a half-assembled ATV, when we arrived. She looked up, wiping her hands on a rag, curiosity evident in her eyes.

“Hey, Mahya, got a minute?” I called out, trying to keep the excitement out of my voice.

She raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “What’s up, John?”

I stepped out of the jeep, waving Al over. “We got you a little something. Close your eyes.”

She laughed but complied, closing her eyes and holding out her hands as if expecting a small gift. I concentrated, pulling the black jeep from my storage and placing it in front of her. Next, I retrieved the crates of guns and ammunition, lining them up neatly.

“Alright, open your eyes,” I said, unable to hide my grin.

Mahya opened her eyes and gasped. Her jaw dropped as she took in the sight of the sleek, black jeep and the neatly stacked crates of weapons and ammo. She walked around the jeep, running her hands over its polished surface, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“This is incredible!” she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of awe and delight. “How did you manage this?”

Al and I exchanged a look, both of us grinning from ear to ear.

“We encountered a minor yet thrilling escapade,” Al said, his tone casual. “We assumed that you would take pleasure in embarking on a new endeavor.”

She turned to the crates, lifting the lid of one to reveal the gleaming guns inside. “And all this?” she asked, eyes wide with astonishment.

“A bonus,” I said, shrugging. “Figured it might come in handy.”

Mahya let out a laugh, shaking her head in disbelief. “You guys are something else.” She walked over and gave me a quick, tight hug, then did the same to Al. “Thank you. This is amazing.”

I could see the wheels turning in her mind as she inspected everything, already planning how she would use and modify the jeep and the weapons. Her excitement was contagious, and I felt a surge of pride knowing we had pulled off something that made her so happy.

“Can’t wait to see what you do with it,” I said, clapping her on the shoulder.

“Oh, you have no idea,” she replied, her eyes sparkling with ambition. “This is going to be epic.”

As she dove into her new toys, Al and I stood back, watching her with satisfied smiles. Seeing her so delighted was worth every bit of the risk we had taken. I didn’t know how many drugs we took. Al stored them for good. But the financial gain of the night was a little over a million. I just facepalmed and shook my head—resigned.

After a few hours, we had to drag Mahya off her new toys and drive to Pueblo, CO.