Nightfall transforms Los Angeles into a grid of lights and shadows as you lean against the BMW's hood in the motel parking lot. The conversation with Dom replays in your mind—calculated risk, unexpected connection. Your interface calculates next steps with cold precision:
[STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT: CREW COMPOSITION]
[DEFICIENCY: ELECTRONICS/NETWORK SPECIALIST]
[SOLUTION: TEJ PARKER]
[CURRENT LOCATION: MIAMI, FLORIDA]
[ACQUISITION TIMEFRAME: 11 HOURS TO CREW MEETING]
You activate your GTA menu interface, scrolling through transportation options before selecting:
[PRIVATE JET REQUISITION]
[DEPARTURE: MIAMI INTERNATIONAL - 11:30PM EST]
[ARRIVAL: LOS ANGELES PRIVATE AIRFIELD - 1:45AM PST]
[STATUS: CONFIRMED]
The phone rings twice before Gisele answers.
"I need Tej Parker's contact information," you say without preamble. "Dom mentioned him this afternoon."
"The Miami mechanic?" Her voice carries mild surprise. "I can get it, but it's almost midnight in Miami."
"Time sensitivity is part of the test," you reply. "I need to see how he handles pressure."
Twenty minutes later, your phone displays a Miami area code. You dial, mentally configuring voice analysis parameters through your interface.
"Tej's Garage, we're closed," comes the guarded answer.
"Tej Parker? This is about a job offer from Dominic Toretto."
A pause. "Dom?" Suspicion edges his voice. "Who is this?"
"Someone with a private jet leaving Miami in ninety minutes. The ticket has your name on it if you're interested in the biggest score of your life."
"Man, do you know what time it—"
"Union Depository," you interrupt. "Federal reserve holding. Estimated take: two hundred fifty-six million."
The silence on the line stretches until your interface registers a shift in breathing patterns:
[SUBJECT: TEJ PARKER]
[INTEREST LEVEL: ELEVATED]
[RISK ASSESSMENT BEHAVIOR: ACTIVE]
[TECHNICAL CURIOSITY: TRIGGERED]
"That's a federal facility with military-grade security," Tej finally responds, professional assessment overriding suspicion. "Biometric access, redundant systems, response protocols tied directly to homeland security."
"All problems requiring specific expertise," you acknowledge. "Your expertise."
Another pause. "How'd you get this number?"
"The same way I know you nearly went to MIT before street racing captured your attention. The same way I know you've been developing network penetration tools that even the NSA doesn't have yet."
Your interface monitors his reaction through audio analysis:
[SUBJECT: TEJ PARKER]
[SURVEILLANCE AWARENESS: INCREASING]
[DEFENSIVE POSTURE: ACTIVATED]
[FLIGHT RISK: MODERATE]
Time to pivot.
"Look, I'm not a threat. I'm an opportunity. The jet leaves from Signature Flight Support, Miami International. Private hangar. Show up or don't—your choice. But Dom specifically asked for you, and I don't disappoint family."
The word 'family' creates the expected shift in his response. "I'll need to bring equipment."
"Bring everything. The jet has space." You end the call, confident in the outcome.
Three hours later, your interface alerts you to an approaching vehicle at the private Los Angeles airfield:
[AIRCRAFT ARRIVAL: CONFIRMED]
[PASSENGERS: TWO - TEJ PARKER + EQUIPMENT]
[LOCAL TIME: 1:52AM]
You step from the shadows as Tej descends the aircraft stairs, equipment cases in both hands. He stops short upon seeing you, wariness evident in his posture.
"Dramatic entrance," he comments dryly, setting down his cases. "You always lurk at airports past midnight?"
"Only when acquiring essential talent," you reply, extending your hand. "The crew needs what you can do, Tej. Dom was right about you."
His handshake is firm but brief. "Yeah, well, I haven't agreed to anything yet. Two-fifty-six million sounds good, but federal heat doesn't."
"Smart caution." You gesture toward the BMW. "Let's get you settled. Meeting's at 8 AM."
During the drive to the safehouse you've prepared, Tej studies you with professional assessment. "So what's your role in all this? You don't strike me as muscle."
Your interface analyzes response options:
[PARTIAL DISCLOSURE: 72% POSITIVE OUTCOME]
[PROFESSIONAL FRAMING: 88% POSITIVE OUTCOME]
"Strategic architecture," you answer. "I build the plan, identify the pieces, assemble the puzzle."
Tej nods, accepting this. "And I'm a piece."
"An essential one. Without you, there's no electronic access, no bypass of their security protocols, no clean getaway."
His pride engages visibly. "You've done your homework."
"Always." You pull into the safehouse garage, security system disarming automatically. "Rest. Review these." You hand him a tablet containing preliminary security information about the Union Depository. "Meeting's in six hours."
Tej takes the tablet, curiosity overcoming caution. "This is internal architecture. Security patrol schedules. How did you—"
"See you at 8," you interrupt, knowing the technical challenge will occupy him until morning.
At 7:30 AM, you arrive at Dom's garage with Tej. The BMW's engine announces your presence before you've even parked. Inside, the crew has already assembled—Dom at the center, Brian slightly apart, tension still lingering from yesterday's revelation.
Dom's eyes find yours immediately, questioning. You give a slight nod, confirming your overnight mission's success.
"Family," Dom addresses the group, command natural in his voice. "Meet Tej Parker. Electronics specialist from Miami."
Tej steps forward, confident despite the scrutiny of unfamiliar faces. "Morning," he offers simply.
Vince scoffs. "Another outsider? How many people you planning to bring in, Dom?"
Before Dom can respond, Tej sets down one of his equipment cases and opens it, revealing custom-built hardware that immediately catches Jesse's attention.
"Is that a modified signal interceptor?" Jesse asks, moving closer.
"Built it myself," Tej confirms. "Captures and clones any wireless transmission within two hundred meters, including military frequencies."
The technical display shifts the room's energy, establishing Tej's value without words. Your interface notes the change:
[CREW DYNAMICS: ADJUSTING]
[TEJ PARKER: INTEGRATION 38% COMPLETE]
[JESSE: ALLIANCE FORMING]
Dom uses the moment perfectly. "Tej is here because what we're planning needs his skills. Just like it needs each of you." He looks toward you. "Our friend suggested we bring him in early. Get a jump on the technical challenges."
The attribution solidifies your position as valued strategist without challenging Dom's leadership—exactly as intended. Gisele catches your eye from across the room, subtle approval in her expression.
"So what exactly are we hitting?" Tej asks, addressing the group but looking at Dom.
Dom nods to you—a subtle passing of the floor that the others notice. The gesture reinforces both his authority and your expertise simultaneously.
"The Union Depository," you begin, moving to the whiteboard. "Federal reserve holding facility for the Western United States. Current gold reserve: approximately 187 tons."
"Jesus," Leon whispers.
"But we're not after the gold," you continue. "Too heavy, too traceable. We're targeting the cash reserves—certified bills awaiting destruction. Unmarked, non-sequential, scheduled to be incinerated. Value: two hundred fifty-six million dollars."
The room falls silent as the number registers. Tej whistles low. "That's serious federal heat."
"Which is why we need your network penetration tools," you reply. "The facility has five security layers. Digital is the most sophisticated."
You gesture to the equipment Tej brought. "With your systems, we can clone security credentials, manipulate camera feeds, and create the window we need."
The strategic introduction works perfectly—Tej's expertise becomes immediately relevant, his overnight recruitment justified. Dom watches the interaction with approval, your delivered value strengthening the trust established yesterday.
"We have six days," Dom announces, taking back control of the room. "Tej, you'll work with Jesse on the electronic approach. Brian—" he pauses, the name still carrying tension, "—we need everything you can get on federal response protocols."
The crew disperses to their assigned tasks, purpose overriding yesterday's fractures. Tej integrates seamlessly, already deep in technical discussion with Jesse. Your interface confirms success:
[STRATEGIC RECRUITMENT: COMPLETED]
[CREW COHESION: INCREASING]
[MISSION PROBABILITY: ELEVATED 13%]
Dom approaches as the others work, voice low. "Overnight jet from Miami. That's one of your 'abilities' at work?"
You nod once. "Resources when needed. No questions asked."
"Impressive," he acknowledges. "But remember our conversation. Whatever you can do—"
"Serves the family," you finish. "I remember."
His hand lands on your shoulder, the gesture both approval and subtle reminder of the hierarchy. "Good. Let's get to work."
The heist planning begins in earnest, your overnight acquisition of Tej already paying dividends in crew confidence and technical capability. The foundation strengthens beneath your feet—not just for the job, but for something deeper. Something like belonging.