The ink had faded in places, but the letters were distinct. Something about the shape of the M and the long tail of the C caught his attention. He had seen that handwriting earlier that day. For a moment he could not remember where.
Before he could ask, Greg called them toward the observation area. The installation was complete, and he wanted to perform the final static checks while the engine remained off. Daniel rotated the crank slowly using the proper equipment, watching the indicator. The wobble they had seen the previous day was gone. The timing alignment remained steady through repeated cycles. The pressure measurements looked promising, and a careful inspection found a fuel connection that needed reseating before they would attempt a start.
Noah was the one who noticed the connection wasn't sitting at the same angle as its counterpart. He did not claim to know whether it would cause a leak; he simply pointed out the difference and asked Greg to look. Greg examined it, found a slightly loose fitting, and corrected it while the engine was off. "Good eye," he said.
Noah gave a small, pleased nod, then returned to the diagram. It was becoming clear that his strength was not a magical ability to repair anything. He paid attention, remembered patterns, and was willing to notice when an apparently unimportant detail did not belong.
By five, the garage had grown quiet. Greg checked the timing readings once more, then asked Daniel to confirm the fuel system was secure. They reviewed their safety procedures, moved unnecessary people away from the vehicle, and opened the doors for ventilation. Angela stood with Noah at the observation line. Victor watched the mechanics with a tension that brought back the last six months: the failed starts, the wasted mornings, the sound of his father laughing somewhere in memory. He did not dare imagine the engine running smoothly for more than a few seconds.
"Ready?" Greg asked. Victor almost answered automatically, but stopped himself. "Are you ready?" he asked the team instead. Greg checked Daniel's expression and received a nod.
They had repeated the measurements and agreed that the car could be started safely. "Yes, sir," Greg said. "This time, we have a reason to expect success, not just a hope." Victor took the key from its leather case and held it in his hand for a moment.
He walked to Noah and crouched so their eyes were level. "You deserve to be here for this," he said. "I would like you to have the honor of giving the start signal. Greg will turn the key, because the car needs an adult at the controls, but I want it to happen when you're ready."
Noah looked toward his mother. Angela nodded, her eyes bright with a pride she was trying not to show too openly. The boy glanced at the car, inhaled slowly, and raised his hand.