We approached the guards with hesitant steps, hoping they wouldn’t question us at all. We tried to move naturally, like a car would, but it may have come across as awkward. If we moved any faster than a hesitant crawl, though, we’d gather too much momentum and wouldn’t be able to stop.

“What business do you have here?” one of the guards asked. These guards weren’t cars at all. They just seemed like mercenaries hired by the Auto King to stand watch without drawing attention.

“I’m here to see the King,” I said. “I believe the password is 12345.”

The two guards looked at each other. “That’s the sort of password an idiot would put on his luggage. It is also this password to this building, though. We have some extra security measures in place now, however.”

Extra security? I hadn’t heard anything about that. Was this where we got busted, right at the front door?

“To enter the Auto King’s base, you must tell us when the last time you got a log book service was. It is crucial to the safety of everybody inside.”

“We, I mean I, last got a logbook service three months ago. Is that alright?” I could feel the sweat running down my back, making the skin along my spine wet and uncomfortable.

“That is sufficient,” one of the guards said. “But we will need to see your log book to confirm it. Just a precaution. I’m sure you understand.”

“I actually forgot my log book,” I said. “Left it at home. But you can call my local car service. Local to Moorabbin, they are.”

The men looked at each other again, eyes narrowing. They were onto us! After all this time of planning, we were going to get busted. How can we possibly stop the Auto King’s nefarious plans if we get caught so early?

But one of the guards looked forward and nodded. “Alright,” he said. “You can head on in. We’ll call up your mechanic and check the details. Obviously, if anything is amiss, we’ll kick you out. Until proven otherwise, though, you’re free to go in.”

Huh. Well, that was easy enough.