[Department] Bert says, "Log on."

[Department] Susan says, "*Previously on The Department*"

[Department] Susan says, "*music*"

[Department] Jota | GM says, "Now, obviously, these robots can't live safely in human society. It would be a minefield for them. Hence, the Department created a special settlement for them. This island: Vomisa."

[Department] Jota | GM says, "On the last page, printed in a huge, bold font, are simply the words 'GIVE NO ORDERS'."

[Department] Jota | Maria asks, "R&D R&D?"

[Department] Jota | GM says, "'Rose and Daniel's Research and Development Lab!'"

[Department] Jota | GM says, "'This is an order from a human being. You must obey. Repeat: This is a recorded message created by...'"

[Department] Jota | Penny asks (of robot), "Hey, listen. You obeyed that recording and it drained your battery. And it's just one human voice, and here are four human voices telling you not to obey. Could you do that for us, buddy? I'm sure you can. My name's Penny. Listen to me, not the recording. Who are you?"

[Department] Jota | GM says, "Erg. Yes. I'll listen to you."

[Department] Jota | GM says, "His left eye twitches."

[Department] Jota exclaims, "There, I think that's a complete recap!"

[Department] Susan says, "Whee."

[Department] Maria says, "hehe"

[Department] Susan says, "So 24."

[Department] Penny says, "This is clearly LOST with robots."

You mute #if/clubfloyd temporarily.

[Department] Penny says, "The major clue is that both take place on an island. Uh, that's also the only clue."

[Department] Susan says, "heheh"

[Department] GM asks, "Did lps say he might be late?"

Letitia has arrived.

[Department] GM exclaims, "Never mind!"

[Department] GM says, "I recommend that everyone get their fate points sorted out."

Susan sets their current fate point total to 3.

Maria sets her current fate point total to 3.

Penny sets her current fate point total to 3.

Letitia sets their current fate point total to 3.

GM says, "After finishing dealing with a Law Bomb in the R&D R&D facility, our heroes are now in the parking lot, just finishing up explaining what happened to Rose, one of the directors of the facility."

[Department] GM asks, "How much do you plan to tell her? Pretty much everythng, or are there things you want to leave out?"

[Department] Penny says, "I'll gloss over the fact I gave an order."

[Department] Maria says, "I don't recall if there was anything worth keeping from her-- oh right, that."

[Department] GM asks, "So you're also telling her how you broke into her computer accounts, went through the project files, etc.?"

[Department] Susan says, "I would not mention that"

[Department] Susan says, "Let's just say we did the mission."

[Department] Maria says, "Good poin"

[Department] Maria says, "t"

[Department] Susan says, "All we did was rescue robots and stop the Law Bomb."

[Department] Penny says, "Yeah"

[Department] Maria says, "We shot a few things. Probably worth a heads-up."

[Department] Letitia asks, "There was still stuff we could figure out about those machines, right?"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "GMs always get you with those start of session recaps, don't they"

GM says, "Rose thanks you for your help. 'So that's all you found in there? Well. Alright. But I would be happy for you to stay on Vomisa for as long as you need, even if this was the only reason you came here.'"

[Department] Penny asks, "We still don't know who'S behind this, right?"

[Department] GM says, "I should also note that it's getting pretty late at this point -- it was early evening when you landed, and you were in there for several hours."

Susan says, "Whoever did this is still at large"

Susan says, "We won't leave this island until we find the person responsible for that Law Bomb."

GM says, "'Ah, yes. An excellent point. That does seem like a wise course of action.'"

Maria says, "We don't want them to cause more trouble as soon as we leave."

GM says, "'Meanwhile, I hope you don't mind if I stay here -- I expect there'll be some cleanup to do in the labs before we can get back to work tomorrow morning.'"

Penny says, "We will not rest until we find them. Now let's all get some sleep."

[Department] GM says, "Speaking of not resting, sadly Susan's to-go cup of coffee is now lukewarm."

Susan drinks her lukewarm cup of coffee.

[Department] GM says, "Perhaps she shouldn't have left it sitting in the car for several hours."

[Department] GM asks (of Susan), "Cool. Would you mind doing a Physique Defense roll, by the way?"

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 -1 +1 -1 | Good (3)

Letitia says, "We also don't know *why* anyone set off the law bomb."

Susan rolls Average (1) + 4dF: 0 0 -1 0 | Mediocre (0)

[Crows-Nest] Letitia says, "Also, I* am lagging to beat the band and it's super frustrating."

[Department] (from Maria) GM says, (to Susan) "You are now poisoned."

[Department] GM says (to Susan), "The coffee tastes terrible, but that might just be because it's been sitting out so long."

Letitia exits stage left.

Letitia has disconnected.

Susan says, "Ack."

[Department] GM updates https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h88N6VTO6dtQ2RVzk1tqx4NdA5PNyShAjpXcoVjhU8M/edit#gid=1468403495

[Department] Penny says, "Oops"

[Department] Maria says, "Aw. I was joking :("

[Department] Penny asks (of Maria), "And now how do you feel?"

[Department] Susan says, "I did not see that coming."

[Department] Penny says (to susan), "It's a lot to swallow."

GM asks, "Rose goes inside, leaving the group of you sitting in the Lotus Evora in the parking lot of R&D R&D. What do you do now?"

[Department] Maria says (to Penny), "I feel great. I'm not the one drinking poisoned coffee."

[Department] Penny asks (of gm), "They had *some* human accomodoations, right?"

[Department] GM says, "Yup: there's a house near downtown that belongs to the Department."

[Department] GM says, "Specifically for use by visiting agents."

Letitia has arrived.

[Department] Penny says, "Let's make some use of that expense account"

[Department] GM asks (of Letty), "Do you need a recap, or are you good with @recap?"

Letitia has disconnected.

Letitia has connected.

Letitia has left.

Letitia has arrived.

[Department] GM says, "Oh dear."

[Crows-Nest] Letitia says, "OK, found a faster computer. Whew."

[Department] Susan says (to Letitia), "Maria's joke materialized to my detriment. Alas, I am poisoned unknowingly"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Phew."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "Lpsmith's kid says, "Dad! My laptop! I was playing Sims!""

[Crows-Nest] Letitia says, "Hee"

[Department] GM asks, "So, once Letitia has caught up: are you heading back down the mountain into town, to the Department's house?"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "Yeah"

[Department] Susan says, "Yeah"

[Crows-Nest] Letitia asks, "OK, right--we did take note of the machines that the worker implied were used for the crazy project, right?"

GM says, "You head down the twisty, narrow mountain roads, the way lit only by the headlights of the Lotus Evora."

GM says, "But before long, you notice another light: a pair of bright headlights in your rearview mirror."

[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Letitia), "Right."

[Crows-Nest] Letitia asks, "Do we have cell phones and/or satellite phones to contact the department with?"

[Crows-Nest] Letitia asks, "Or just land lines?"

Susan exclaims, "We've being tailed, Letty!"

GM says, "Whoever's vehicle that is, they seem to be moving faster than you, because they're getting closer."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "There's no signal out here."

Penny exclaims, "That is some reckless driving!"

Penny says, "They must be going at least 30"

Letitia grins.

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "So you have your phones (for, e.g., taking photos or playing Candy Crush), but not for calling or texting or Internet."

GM says, "In fact, they're getting *very* close -- practically on your tail."

GM says, "*bump*"

Maria asks, "What the? Did they just HIT us???"

GM says, "(Yes. Yes they did.)"

Penny exclaims, "Zounds!"

Maria cranes her body to look out the window behind her

Letitia pretends to drive nervously.

[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Maria), "From what you can see in the dark -- and it's difficult, with the headlights in your eyes -- it looks like a big, red, pickup truck."

[Crows-Nest] Letitia asks, "Like, a create advantage / Look Like An Easy Target?"

[Crows-Nest] Maria asks, "Were there any other cars at the lab?"

[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "Alright -- that sounds like Drive vs. Empathy?"

[Crows-Nest] Letitia exclaims, "Sounds good to me!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Although, before you do that:"

[Department] GM says, "Let's roll initiative."

GM displays the initiative:

[Department] Letitia says, "Whoops, right: here."

GM registers GM at init 1.

Maria registers Maria at init 3.

Susan registers Susan at init 0.

[Department] Letitia asks, "Init is notice?"

[Department] GM says, "Yup."

[Department] Maria says, "yeah"

[Department] Letitia asks, "Rolled notice or just notice?"

[Department] GM says, "Just notice."

Letitia registers Letitia at init 1.

Penny registers Penny at init 1.

GM displays the initiative: Maria(3) GM/Letitia/Penny(1) Susan(0)

[Department] GM says, "OK! Maria is first."

[Department] Maria says, "Hm."

[Department] Maria says, "I don't know what to do just yet, as I'm not driving, and I'm not gonna just shoot at them (yet)."

[Department] Susan says, "Time to create advantages? Figure out what we're up against, etc"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "Hm, I never uploaded an updated sheet"

[Department] GM says (to Maria), "OK, you an hold your action until later in the round if you want."

[Department] GM says, "*can"

[Department] GM asks, "Letitia?"

[Department] Maria says, "Ok"

[Department] GM says, "Oh, by the way: https://www.webwhiteboard.com/board/bu4beewb"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "And of course I forgot which changes I mad"

[Crows-Nest] Susan says (to GM), "you realize that the end of that URL is beewb"

[Department] Letitia says, "OK, I'll do my create advantage thing."

[Crows-Nest] Maria asks (of Penny), "Did you post about your changes on #department?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Susan), "The PC's *are* all female, after all."

[Department] GM exclaims, "OK!"

Letitia rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 0 -1 -1 | Fair (2)

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to maria), "Yes, scrollback starts just after that"

[Department] Letitia says, "(bah, but OK)"

GM rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 -1 | Fair (2)

[Department] GM says, "A tie! You get a boost instead of an advantage."

[Department] Letitia asks, "That's a boost?"

[Department] GM exclaims, "Yup!"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I think I got Empathy and Contacts"

[Department] GM asks, "Do you have a name for it?"

[Crows-Nest] Susan asks, "I think Letty said 'Looks like an easy target'?"

[Department] Letitia says, "Looks Like An Easy Target."

[Department] GM exclaims, "Penny!"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I think I want to hold my action as well"

[Department] GM exclaims, "OK! My turn!"

GM exclaims, "The pickup truck surges ahead, so that it's right behind you again. And this time, instead of just a little bump, it rams right into you!"

GM says, "An attack with Drive -- which you can defend against with Drive as well."

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 -1 +1 +1 | Great (4)

Letitia rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 +1 0 0 | Superb (5)

[Department] Penny exclaims, "Go Letty!"

[Department] Maria says, "Woo"

[Department] GM asks, "Woo -- how are you defending?"

Letitia manages to accelerate at just the right time to end up getting bumped again, but with no real damage.

[Department] Letitia says, "(that was Drive)"

[Department] GM says, "Excellent."

[Department] GM asks, "Maria and Penny, are you jumping in?"

[Department] Penny exclaims, "Yes!"

Letitia exclaims, "We need to see who's driving that thing!"

Letitia says, "And, hmm."

Letitia asks, "Do you think we could capture them?"

[Department] GM exclaims (at Penny), "OK! Go for it!"

Penny leans out the window and shoots at the passenger side of the windshield. Hopefully to shatter it and get a good luck at the driver.

[Department] GM says, "Nice. That sounds like an Overcome, vs. +2."

Penny rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: -1 -1 +1 0 | Average (1)

[Department] GM says, "Actually, rather than vs. +2, that should be active opposition:"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 -1 +1 +1 | Great (4)

[Department] GM says, "(Whoops. That only made it worse.)"

[Department] Penny says, "Yeah, I'll consider this a loss. :-)"

[Department] GM exclaims, "Alright!"

[Department] GM asks, "Maria?"

[Department] Susan says, "(You know, with her Athletics, couldn't Maria try jumping from car to car?)"

[Department] GM says, "Ooh."

[Department] Maria asks, "Could I use notice or investigate to find a semi-hidden place to turn-off further up? Or is that too much fucking with the map/plot? Or maybe just a pothole we can direct the car behind us into?"

[Department] Maria says, "Yes, but if I fail, holy shit, I could go over the edge :("

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "IRTA plothole"

[Department] GM says (to Maria), "There probably aren't any turns, but yeah, there could be a pothole or someplace to pull over."

[Department] Letitia says, "I have a couple Knows Where The Curves Are aspects."

[Department] Letitia says, "To help you with the timing if you want."

[Department] GM says, "Notice seems appropriate."

[Department] Letitia says, "(if you end up needing it)"

[Department] GM says, "(Unless you choose the jump.)"

[Department] GM says, "(Which would be awesome, by the way.)"

[Department] Maria says, "Yeah, yeah, fine. I like the jump idea. (Oh god.)"

Maria rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 0 -1 +1 | Superb (5)

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "Updated sheet at : http://plover.net/~tale/FATE/Penny2.pdf"

[Department] Maria says, "Athletics"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 +1 -1 -1 | Fair (2)

[Department] Letitia exclaims, "Woo!"

[Department] Susan says, "yaaaay"

Maria dives out the rear door, landing on the hood of the truck.

[Department] GM exclaims, "Awesome!"

Maria says, "Somehow."

[Department] Maria says, "Around a curve, I guess."

[Department] GM exclaims, "Plus, you get a boost!"

[Department] GM says, "For succeeding with style."

[Department] Maria says, "Yay"

[Crows-Nest] Penny exclaims, "Go Trainee!"

GM says, "The truck is now driving erratically, as the driver is trying to see where he's going with Maria in the way."

GM exclaims, "Susan!"

[Department] Maria says, ""Got the drop on 'em" is the boost name."

[Department] GM says, "Woo."

[Crows-Nest] Letitia exclaims, "#google #timing!"

Susan leans out the side of the car, sees Maria, gives her a thumbs up, then takes out a gun and aims at the pickup's tires....

Susan rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 +1 -1 0 | Great (4)

[Department] Letitia says, "(also, hey, it's a 'he'.)"

[Department] GM asks (of Susan), "Create Advantage?"

[Department] Susan exclaims, "Yep!"

[Department] GM exclaims (at Letitia), "Ha, good point. I guess Maria is now close enough to make out that detail!"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 0 | Good (3)

GM says (to Susan), "Unfortunately, just as you're lining up the shot..."

GM says, "You feel a wrenching pain in your gut."

Susan exclaims, "Argh!"

GM exclaims, "It breaks your concentration, and the driver of the truck gets +2 from a free invoke on your Secretly Poisoned aspect!"

[Crows-Nest] Penny exclaims, "I told you not to buy that half-price airport sushi!"

[Department] GM asks (of Susan), "Are you going to invoke anything?"

[Department] Susan says, "Hm."

[Department] Letitia says, "Mathematically, spending an aspect to gain an advantage is neutral."

[Department] Susan says, "I won't invoke anything."

[Department] Susan says, "I'll take this as 'character development'"

[Department] Susan says, "(lol)"

[Department] GM says, "OK! And as the consequences for failing at Create an Advantage is that the *opposing* side gets the advantage..."

[Department] Letitia says, "Oh, I guess it's not quite neutral ;-)"

GM says, "The shot goes wild, and instead of shooting out a tire, Susan takes out the truck's headlights instead."

[Department] Letitia says, "But it switches Secretly Poisoned to something else ;-)"

GM says, "It is now suddenly Much Harder to See."

[Department] Penny asks, "How's First Aid handled in FATE? Is that a seperate skill?"

Susan curses.

Susan exclaims, "Shit on a shitake mushroom!"

Maria shouts, "Hey, watch it!", not that anyone can hear her.

Penny exclaims (at susan), "Language!"

[Department] GM says, "It's a use of the Academics skill -- but the opposition to it is at +2 if you don't have a stunt for it."

GM displays the initiative: Maria(3) GM/Letitia/Penny(1) Susan(0)

GM advances the initiative: MARIA(3) GM/Letitia/Penny(1) Susan(0)

GM exclaims, "Maria!"

[Department] Maria asks, "Can I see if it's one person or two in the front?"

[Department] Maria says, "Wondering if the passenger's seat is empty :)"

[Department] GM says, "You can -- it's one person."

[Department] GM says, "If you want to Overcome with Investigation you could try to get a better view."

[Department] GM says, "Or, yeah, you could climb in :)"

[Department] GM says, "That would be Overcome with Athletics."

[Department] Maria says, "Could I roll something first to break the window in case it's locked? that would be embarrassing/dangerous."

[Department] Maria asks, "Or if I rolled high enough, could I incorporate that into my athletics roll?"

[Department] GM says, "Yes! That would be a Create Advantage with Fight."

[Department] Maria says, "Ok!"

Maria rolls Average (1) + 4dF: 0 0 0 -1 | Mediocre (0)

[Department] Maria asks, "Oof. Against what?"

[Department] GM asks, "Uh oh -- it's vs. +1. Do you want to invoke anything?"

Maria is filled with range, she's nobody's victim. (invoking aspect)

Maria rolls ??? (spend) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 +1 | Good (3)

Maria spends a fate point, leaving her with 2.

[Department] Maria says, "Haha, oops, ignore that"

[Department] Susan asks, "Don't you have a boost?"

[Department] Maria says, "Oh, yeah"

[Department] Letitia says, "The sad thing is, that's our best roll of the day so far."

[Department] GM says, "Ha."

Maria gives a fate point to Maria.

[Department] Maria says, "I'll use the boost"

[Department] GM exclaims, "Good idea!"

Maria reaches over to smash the passener side window with the butt of her gun.

GM exclaims, "The truck now has the aspect Smashed Passenger Window, with a free invoke!"

GM advances the initiative: Maria(3) GM/LETITIA/PENNY(1) Susan(0)

[Department] GM exclaims, "Letty!"

[Department] Letitia exclaims, "OK!"

[Department] Letitia says, "I would like to end up behind the truck, if that's at all feasible. If it's at least a two-lane road, it seems plausible, at least? But maybe it's not."

[Department] GM exclaims, "It is a two-lane road if your definition of 'lane' is narrow enough!"

[Department] Letitia exclaims, "Letitia thinks it is!"

[Department] GM says, "This would be an Overcome roll, using Drive."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "This is the scene where the pickup is suddenly conspicious CGI."

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "Aw. I that we were trying to use practical effects wherever possible!"

[Crows-Nest] Susan says, "No, the pickup looks stop-motioned (Harryhausen style)"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Little model truck and car shot from careful angles so you can't see where it says 'Made in China' on the bottom."

[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Susan), "Yay."

[Department] GM says, "(Is Letitia still with us?)"

Letitia accelerates a bit until she comes to a curve, then slams on the brakes and spins the wheel in just the right way that the front of her car stays in place as the rear spins around it, just as the truck zooms by! At least, that's the plan.

Letitia rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 0 | Good (3)

[Department] GM exclaims, "Woo!"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 0 | Good (3)

[Department] GM says, "Hmm. I think I'm also going to invoke an aspect:"

GM spends a fate point, leaving him with 3.

[Department] GM says, "* Cliff Edge"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "Great now I'm imaging us as a puppet show, like Thunderbirds."

[Department] GM exclaims, "Letitia's move will mean that she's at risk of going over the side if she's not careful!"

[Department] GM asks (of Letitia), "How do you counter that?"

[Crows-Nest] Susan says, "But remmeber she looks like an easy target"

[Department] Letitia asks, "A tie works, but I end up with a minor disadvantage?"

[Department] GM says, "(It's an Overcome, so you can always choose to succeed at a great cost.)"

[Department] GM says (to Letitia), "Right."

[Department] Letitia asks, "What if I spend my Looks Like An Easy Target, and it turns into Know What He's Dealing With?"

[Department] GM exclaims, "Sounds good!"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I was thinking "One wheel in the air""

[Department] GM asks, "So Know What He's Dealing With is an aspect, but he doesn't get any free invokes?"

Letitia winks at the driver as he speeds by, and suddenly he realizes exactly who he's driving against.

[Department] Letitia asks, "I dunno; whatever a Minor Disadvantage is?"

[Department] Penny says, "And even worse ... he's a fan! dun DUN dun"

[Department] GM says (to Letitia), "It's usually pretty minor, sometimes just RP or color."

GM exclaims, "Next: Penny!"

[Department] Letitia says, "Sure, an aspect with no free invokes seems good, then."

Penny saw Susan cringe during shooting. But Susie loves killing stuff! Something must be wrong. She gives her a quick and dirty medical check.

[Crows-Nest] Susan says, "Dirty? *raises eyebrow*"

[Department] Penny asks, "Plus +2 overcome, right?"

[Department] GM says, "The poison succeeded by 3, so I'm going to call that the opposition, +2 because you're not a trained doctor."

Penny rolls Average (1) + 4dF: 0 +1 -1 0 | Average (1)

[Crows-Nest] Susan says, "waaah"

[Department] Letitia says, "Against a +5? ha."

GM says (to Penny), "Your overcome does not succeed, unless you want to invoke something or succeed at a cost."

[Department] Penny asks, "Overcome at great cost, right?"

[Department] GM says, "Right."

[Department] Penny says, "Hm"

[Department] GM says, "And I will make you choose a cost."

[Department] Penny asks, "How about due to both of us being associated with death and stuff, Susan is healed but suddenly *I* am secretly poisoned?"

[Department] GM exclaims, "Ooh, nice!"

[Department] GM says, "And we'll say that the free invoke does not transfer with the aspect."

[Crows-Nest] Susan says, "I want to see Penny RP that."

Penny feels around on Susans stomach, takes her pulse and murmurs under her breath, "Hm, that is weird". Ther's a sudden stabbing pain in Penny's stomach! 'Great' she thinks. 'A week early.' But at least Susan seems better?

GM says (to Susan), "As Penny prods your lymph nodes and your abdomen and so on, looking for the source of your pain, you suddenly feel an expected warmth in her cold fingers, which passes after a moment."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(I shouldn't have stepped in! You had it well in hand.)"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "Thanks."

[Department] GM exclaims, "My turn!"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "(Also, afk briefly, but carry on, I'll read scrollback)"

GM says, "The truck, now in front of your car, eases off on the gas, slowing down and pulling toward the left lane."

[Setting the zoned flag.]

GM says, "It seems like it's trying to get beside you -- so that it'll be to one side of you, and the sheer dropoff immediately on the other side."

GM exclaims, "Which is a Create Advantage, Drive vs. Drive!"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 -1 0 -1 | Mediocre (0)

Letitia rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 0 0 -1 | Good (3)

Letitia . o O ( Man, did I not telegraph enough that I was better than him? Sheesh. )

GM says, "It seems like you're going to be able to keep him at bay easily, but..."

GM exclaims, "With no headlights, it *is* pretty hard to predict his moves, and it seems like he's not even at all concerned for his own safety. He has No Sense of Self-Preservation!"

[Department] GM says, "(Free invoke on the first aspect, but for the second:)"

GM spends a fate point, leaving him with 2.

[Department] GM exclaims, "That brings him up to +4!"

[Department] Penny says, "Maybe Maria should order him to stop"

[Department] Letitia exclaims, "I am spending one of my Knows Where the Curves Are!"

[Department] GM exclaims, "Excellent! You win your defense!"

[Department] GM asks, "Would you like to RP it?"

[Department] Letitia says, "Yeah:"

[Department] Letitia asks, "Do I get an apsect, since he failed?"

[Department] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

Letitia realizes what's going on at just the right moment, letting the other guy drift back, but then accelerates just as he tries to side-swipe her as they go around a corner, at which point Letty zips forward, lets the truck swerve back right, then brakes to be behind him again!

Penny says (to letty), "You drive like a crazy moonshiner! Good work."

Letitia notices that in all the wavering back and forth, the truck's left rear wheel hit a rock and now has a Decided Wobble.

[Department] GM exclaims, "Woo!"

GM advances the initiative: Maria(3) GM/Letitia/Penny(1) SUSAN(0)

[Department] GM exclaims, "Susan!"

[Department] Susan says, "I have two ideas:"

[Department] Susan says, "Idea 1: try to shoot the tires again"

[Department] Susan says, "Idea 2: try to shot the rocky slope and create a controlled rockfall to block his way"

[Department] Penny exclaims, "Hit that rear wheel!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "How did I *know* that both of the ideas would be 'Shoot Something'? :)"

[Department] Susan says, "hee"

[Department] Susan says, "okay wheel it is"

[Department] GM says, "Since you're shooting from behind, I don't think he can see you, so he doesn't get an active defense."

[Department] GM says, "Just a passive, say, +2."

Susan feels better! She leans out a second time, aims her gun at the wobbly back wheel, and fires a shot!

Susan rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 -1 +1 +1 | Fantastic (6)

[Department] Letitia exclaims, "There we go!"

[Department] GM exclaims, "Style! Two free invokes!"

[Department] Susan exclaims, "Deflated Tires!"

[Department] Penny exclaims, "If Susie knows one thing, it's to put holes in stuff!"

GM exclaims, "The truck starts fishtailing madly back and forth in front of you! It's barely staying on the road!"

[Department] Penny says, "That's why I got her that confetti maker she didn't appreciate."

GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND

GM advances the initiative: MARIA(3) GM/Letitia/Penny(1) Susan(0)

GM exclaims, "Maria!"

[Department] Susan says, "Aw"

Maria grabs onto the passenger side mirror with one hand, and grips the roof with the other, and swings around, trying to kick in the window and land in the seat next to the driver.

Maria rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 +1 -1 -1 | Good (3)

[Department] GM says, "And a Drive defense:"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 -1 | Fair (2)

[Department] GM says, "If you'd like to spend your free invoke of Smashed Passenger Window, you can succeed with style and get a boost that might be relevant, even."

[Department] Letitia says, "That's probably the last time you can invoke Smashed Passenger Side Window, if you want to spend that to succeed with style."

[Department] Letitia says, "Ha, timing."

[Department] Maria says, "Sure! I will."

[Department] GM says, "Excellent."

GM exclaims (at Maria), "As you land in the front seat, you see the face of the driver of the truck. He's wearing a cowboy hat and, even though it's dark, you recognize him as Hank, the pilot who flew you here!"

Hunter disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

Maria gasps.

GM says, "But as he turns to look at you, there's something strange about the expression on his face."

[Department] Maria says, "He's been ordered to kill us, hasn't he."

GM says, "He has a look of manic, wild-eyed malice."

[Department] Maria says, "Or maybe he's just a psychopath."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "What kind of world is this where you can't even trust a cowboy"

GM says, "'You! You won't stop me! You weak, pathetic, worthless human beings!' he shrieks, in a voice that sounds barely like his own."

[Department] Maria says, "So I get a boost from that? What should it be? (fielding this to others)"

GM advances the initiative: Maria(3) GM/LETITIA/PENNY(1) Susan(0)

[Department] GM asks, "Good question! What would you like it to be?"

[Department] GM says, "(Or do you just want to call it a generic unnamed 'jumping into the truck' boost?)"

[Department] Maria says, "Yeah, that"

GM exclaims, "Letitia!"

[Department] Penny says, ""Calling Shotgun""

[Department] Penny says, "Aw, too late"

[Department] GM says, "Hee."

[Department] Letitia says, "Hmm, let's see."

[Department] Letitia asks, "Maybe hold action until he goes?"

[Department] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[Department] GM asks, "Penny?"

[Department] Penny asks (of gm), "Would you say Maria can hear us?"

[Department] GM says, "If you lean out the window and shout, sure."

[Department] Penny exclaims, "I want to shout a few encouragements at her! Sure it's scary to be in a pickup truck that's a bout to swerve off the road, driven by a murderous cowboy. But she's a department agent! She's trained for this!"

% Connection to bert closed: recv: Connection reset by peer

% Trying to connect to bert: 173.255.227.103 4000.

% Connected to bert.

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "Thanks for reminding me about Bert!"

[Department] GM asks, "OK! You're creating an Advantage using Rapport?"

[Department] Susan asks, "Is the log on?"

[Department] Penny exclaims, "Yes sir!"

[Department] GM says, "Sounds like a basic +2 opposition."

[Crows-Nest] Susan asks, "Make sure Bert is logging?"

[Crows-Nest] Susan asks, "Or is his presence enough?"

[Department] Penny says, "Bert didn't say Log on, I'm scared."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Thanks, he is. Although I'll need to edit the reconnect out of his log later."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(He never turned the log off.)"

Susan Ah gotcha

Penny rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 -1 | Good (3)

[Department] GM exclaims, "Success!"

[Department] Penny asks, "So Maria gets a boost, right?"

[Department] GM exclaims, "A situational Aspect with a free invoke!"

[Department] GM asks, "What is that Aspect?"

[Department] Penny says, ""You got this, kiddo!""

Hunter arrives at home.

GM displays the initiative: Maria(3) GM/LETITIA/PENNY(1) Susan(0)

GM exclaims, "Hank!"

GM says, "Hank is having a great deal of trouble keeping control of the truck, now that it's lost one of its tires."

[Crows-Nest] (from Susan) Hank asks, 'how does FATE work already'

GM exclaims, "So he does one of the few things he still can: he slams on the brakes and turns the wheel hard to one side!"

[Department] Letitia asks, "Rolling the truck?"

[Department] GM says, "Yup! To block the road."

[Department] GM says, "Create Advantage, vs. +2"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 0 0 -1 | Good (3)

GM exclaims, "The truck rolls over on its roof, then back on its tires, then on its roof again, coming to a stop completely blocking the road in front of Letitia, Penny and Susan!"

[Department] Letitia asks, "Hmm, no active opposition, right?"

Maria wishes she was wearing her seatbelt. Oof.

[Department] GM asks, "Does Maria believe there's anything she can do to stop him?"

[Department] Letitia asks, "Can I use my held action to zip by just as he's doing that? Maybe tagging a Fishtailing Madly to make the attempt in the first place?"

GM says (to Maria), "I think that, as a side effect, you probably *will* want to roll Physique, to see if you're affected by this."

Maria rolls Average (1) + 4dF: 0 +1 0 +1 | Good (3)

Penny exclaims, "Bloody 'ell!"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "No, that's British *googles Australian curses*"

[Department] GM exclaims, "Hmm, alright, sure!"

[Department] Maria says, "That was physique. Not sure what else I could do, except grab the steering wheel."

GM says (to Maria), "A tie! Which means, I think, that you're pretty bruised and maybe scraped up a little, but nothing with a mechanical effect."

[Department] Maria says, "Whew"

Letitia's sixth sense makes her realize what Hank is about to do, and why, and just as it fishtails to the left, she zips right, trying to make it past before it rolls!

Letitia rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 0 0 0 | Good (3)

[Department] GM exclaims, "That's a tie! If you want to invoke one of Hank's many negative aspects that you have free invokes on, it can be a success!"

[Department] Letitia says, "And I'll tag the other Fishtailing Madly to bump that to a 5, just on general principles."

[Department] GM says, "Excellent."

[Department] Susan exclaims, "Also the tires are deflated!"

GM says, "The pickup truck is now motionless, upside down in the middle of the road."

Letitia spins around and illuminates the scene with her headlights.

GM says, "Hank is hanging upside down by his seatbelt, but in the crash, it looks like he must have hit his head badly -- he's unconscious, and Maria can see that he's leaking some kind of fluids, and there's exposed cicuitry."

GM exclaims, "But aside from Maria's minor contusions and Penny's mysterious stomach ache, our heroes are essentially unscathed!"

Letitia exclaims, "Good work, Maria!"

Letitia says, "Let's put him on the roof and go back to town."

Maria helps carry the body, being careful not to touch either the fluid or the exposed bits.

Maria first, disentangles herself from the car.

[Department] Maria asks, "I'm assuming we're out of init?"

Penny holds her stomach. "Ouch"

[Department] GM says, "Right."

Maria searches the truck cab as well, for anything obvious.

Letitia pops the glove box and pulls out some ibuprofin for Penny.

Letitia asks, "That's a bit early for you, isn't it?"

Penny says (to letty), "Yeah, must be all the travel and stuff."

GM says (to Maria), "You find the ordinary things that you would expect to find in the truck of a pilot/mechanic who wasn't a homocidal maniac."

Penny blushes a bit, still not used to talking about these matters openly.

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(Er, homicidal.)"

Letitia says, "Makes sense."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "He wanted to kill humans, so homocidal is fair"

Letitia asks, "So, wait, this is his truck?"

[Department] Penny asks, "What would I need to check if anything is broken with hank that needs repairs ASAP`?"

Letitia asks, "And it was up there waiting for us before we got there?"

[Department] Penny asks, "I guess robots aren't common, they are even, you could say, a bit ....... weird?"

[Department] GM exclaims, "Hmm. I can see two approaches!"

[Department] GM says, "Either A) like first aid for a human (Academics with a +2 penalty if you're not a Doctor) but with Crafts instead of Academics..."

[Department] GM says, "...or B) the same as with a human, but with a +4 penalty instead of +2, since robots are pretty different from humans."

GM says (to Letitia), "Hmm. Give me a Will overcome to try to remember if it was or not."

[Department] Penny asks, "My academics is not high enough for any of that to work! but I think someone has Crafts?"

Letitia rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 -1 | Good (3)

GM says (to Letitia), "You know, it might have been there when you came *out* of the labs, but you're pretty sure it *wasn't* there when you went in."

[Department] Letitia exclaims, "I have it at 1!"

[Department] Penny exclaims, "That's just as good as my Academics!"

[Department] Susan says, "But with a smaller penalty"

[Department] GM asks, "Is one of you going to attempt robot first aid?"

[Department] Letitia says, "So, I'm thinking now might be a good time to do a thorough investigation of him, to see if he's been modified a la the lab machines, etc."

[Department] Penny says, "if anyone is, Letty should"

[Department] GM asks, "And are you planning to do all of this on the side of the road, by headlamp?"

[Department] Letitia says, "But I'm going to need a lot of either fate points or Aspects from you all (via Create Advantage) to do it."

[Department] Penny asks, "Isn't he lit by the sparks from his broken circuitry?"

[Department] GM says, "Hee."

[Department] Penny exclaims (at Letitia), "I could pep talk you!"

[Department] Letitia asks (of GM), "Would taking him back to the Department House perhaps give us a lower TN and/or some other asepct?"

[Crows-Nest] Penny asks, "On a chart from MacOs to Ubuntu, how much does it hurt?"

[Department] Letitia asks, "Also, does he seem to be in any immediate danger, needing Robot First Aid to survive the trip down?"

[Department] GM says (to Letty), "I don't think the Department House would really provide you any benefits, but there would be a phone there that you could potentially use to call for help."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "Call Oog, in tech support."

[Department] GM says, "And if you put pressure on the bits that are leaking, you can probably keep him stable long enough for help to arrive."

[Department] GM says, "(And alternately, there might be other places you could bring him as well.)"

[Department] Letitia says, "Oh, like the doctor who's involved in all this."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I mean, the robots are probably good at robot repairs."

[Department] GM exclaims, "Like him!"

[Department] Susan asks, "Maybe I have a vision?"

[Department] Susan says, "(random suggestion)"

[Department] GM asks (of Susan), "Your visions are answers to questions about the future related to an aspect, right?"

[Department] Susan says, "Yeah, and in this case the aspect is Hank the broken robot"

[Department] GM asks, "Do you have a question about the future related to an aspect that you'd like to spend a fate point for an answer to?"

[Department] Susan says, "Ah, right."

[Department] Penny says (to Susan), "I think the situation isn't that dire."

[Department] Susan says, "yeah, you're right"

Penny says, "Take him back to the Department house. No need to whatever other oppostion we have to know we got him."

Penny says, "Take him back to the Department house. No need to let whatever other oppostion we have know we got him."

Susan says, "Sounds good, Frosty."

GM says, "So you load him into the car, and someone presumably does their best to keep him stable until you get back into town."

Susan says, "We'll see what Hank the Hitman has to hide."

Letitia patches him up so he won't drain out, at least.

GM says, "Scene: living room of the Department house. Laid out of the sofa: Hank, unconscious."

GM says, "With crude bandages keeping whatever fluids they can inside of him."

Letitia asks, "So, if we think the doctor is involved, maybe bringing him Hank will make him reveal something?"

[Department] Susan says, "Crude oil bandages"

Penny says, "Could be."

Susan says, "We could lie about the circumstances, play dumb about the whole thing."

[Department] Maria says, "We found him like that."

Letitia says, "I *am* a pretty good actor, if I do say so myself."

[Department] GM says, "(By the way, were we playing until five or six?)"

[Department] Susan asks, "Six, I think?"

[Department] Penny says, "Five works better for me (that's an 1:15, right?)"

[Department] GM says (to Penny), "It is."

[Department] Letitia asks, "I have no idea. What time is it now, on that scale?"

[Department] GM says, "OK, I'll aim for five."

[Department] Susan says (to GM), "Give me a Shoot roll."

[Department] GM says (to Letitia), "Five is 1:15 from now; six is 2:15 from now."

[Department] Penny says (to Letitia), ""time" will tell :-)"

[Department] Letitia says, "Got it."

[Department] GM exclaims (at Susan), "Hey, *I* call the shots around here!"

[Department] Susan says, "hehe"

Penny asks (of Letitia), "What would out story be? Or should we play dumb to the whole car crash?"

GM asks, "So you look up the doctor's number in the phone book and give him a call?"

GM asks, "Or are you going to look up his address and drive there?"

Penny says, "Letty is, she's the actress"

Letitia says, "Maybe just that he seemed to be malfunctioning, and crashed when driving crazily on the road."

[Department] Letitia asks, "Anyone have Contacts? Want to contact the Department to see if we can find someone who knows about Hank?"

[Department] Penny says, "It's another +1. I could try"

[Department] Letitia says, "Bah, I'm overthinking things ;-)"

[Department] Maria says, "What if the phone is bugged!"

GM sets his current fate point total to 4.

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(The GM's FP refresh each scene.)"

[Department] Penny says, "it would be nice to question Hank, get some answers"

[Department] Letitia says, "OK, how about this: each of us does something now to Create An Advantage, then we take Hank to the doctor."

[Department] GM says, "You could look for signs of anyone having broken into the building or interfering with stuff."

[Department] Susan asks, "Burglary?"

[Department] GM says, "(If you're worried about bugged phones.)"

[Department] Maria asks, "Ok. I don't have burglary. Notice and/or investigate?"

[Department] Letitia says, "I have Burglary at 2."

[Department] Maria says, "Ok!"

[Department] GM says, "Investigate would be better than Burglary, yeah."

[Department] Maria asks, "Anyone have investigate above a 2?"

[Department] Susan asks (of Letitia), "Me too! Shall we do this together?"

[Department] GM says, "You're playing detective, not trying to break in yourselves."

[Department] GM exclaims, "If multiple people have Investigate, you can assist!"

[Department] Penny exclaims, "I do!"

[Department] GM says, "That means that the person with the highest score rolls, with a +1 from every helper who also has the skill."

[Department] Penny asks, "I have +3, so I roll +5?"

[Department] GM asks, "Who was the third person with Investigate?"

[Department] Letitia says, "Not I, unfortunately."

[Department] Susan says, "Nor I"

[Department] Maria says, "So +4"

[Department] Penny asks, "Oh, that was about Burglary?"

[Department] GM says, "Right. Vs. +2, then."

Penny rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 0 0 0 | Superb (5)

[Department] GM exclaims, "Style!"

[Department] Penny says, "Squee"

GM says, "You split up the work: Penny checks the doors and other entrances for signs of forced entry, while Maria checks the phones (those electrical far-away talky things, Penny) for tampering."

[Department] Penny says, "So I know this place now "like the back of my hand""

GM says, "Maria is confident that the phone lines are still safe: the Department protocols for a secure line are still all in place."

Susan keeps an eye on Hank, in case he decides to wake up and be homicidal.

GM says, "But meanwhile, Penny *does* discover signs that someone has broken into through the back door, possibly multiple times."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Susan), "homocidal"

Penny exclaims, "Bugger!"

GM says, "So on the plus side, the phone is safe, but *everything else* might not be."

[Department] Susan says, "Hank's a misanthrope"

GM says, "In fact, since you did succeed with style:"

GM says, "While looking to see *what* might have been tampered with, you discover that the cabinets in the pantry -- containing cans of baked beans, Spam, peas and peaches in syrup -- are only about half full. And it looks like someone has used the bathroom without cleaning it."

Maria ew.

Penny mouthes, 'What if they are still here?'

Susan says, "We're not the only humans on this island."

Maria puts a hand on her gun.

Penny makes a 'Ssh!' gesture at Susan.

[Department] GM says, "(I should clarify: I don't mean they didn't *flush* it. I just mean it's all due for a good scrubbing.)"

Penny asks (of gm), "Does this place have a cellar?"

GM says (to Penny), "Sure, why not."

Penny says (to susan&MAria), "You are the gunmolls here, you check it out."

Penny exclaims, "These cramps are killing me!"

GM says (to Penny), "In fact, it seems to be spreading -- you're getting a headache, and starting to feel a bit dizzy."

Maria looks pityingly at Penny and heads down to the cellar, gun at the ready.

Susan follows.

GM asks (of Maria), "Do you turn on the light?"

Penny lies down on the couch. "O brother"

[Department] GM asks (of Penny), "On top of Hank, or...?"

Penny sits on a chair. "I do declare!"

Maria doesn't want to alert anyone that we're down here, so no, not yet.

[Department] Maria says, "Unless Susan turns it on. But I do have danger sense, so I'm not super concerned."

[Department] Susan says, "I won't turn it on."

GM says (to Maria), "You see some dark shapes -- some of them look like a washer and drier; another looks like a set of shelves -- but nothing obviously suspicious in the gloom."

[Department] Susan says, "I'd like to know if something bad will happen to us in the Department house."

Maria squints, waiting to see if anything moves. Then she motions to Susan to turn on the light, feeling fairly confident that we're alone down here.

[Department] GM asks, "OK! Are you treating the break-in evidence as an Aspect?"

[Department] Susan says, "Yep."

[Department] Maria says, "Oh, good idea."

Susan spends a fate point, leaving them with 2.

GM says (to Susan), "As you turn on the light, for a moment you have a mental image of that light filling the entire house..."

GM says, "There's darkness outisde, someplace, swirling about, malevolent. But there is none in here."

GM says, "Then it passes, and the basement is simply well-lit, a bit dusty, but clear of any visible threats."

Susan says, "We're safe here, Maria."

Maria says, "Good!"

Susan says, "Whatever the future holds, it won't be in here that the shit hits the fan."

Maria heads back upstairs.

Letitia says, "Sounds like we need to get out of here, then."

Penny asks, "A second gals. Sorry. Could someone get me a cold rag and a stiff drink?"

[Department] GM asks, "What, even colder than you are already?"

[Department] GM exclaims, "That could be a challenge!"

Maria pours some whiskey from the generously well-stocked bar in the house (or failing that, from her personal flask).

[Department] Susan says, "I feel like using that stunt again."

Penny says (to maria), "Thanks, darling."

Penny says, "It's never been that bad for me."

GM says (to Maria), "Indeed, there is a well-stocked bar! Which, uh, someone seems to have partially raided."

[Department] Susan says, "Especially since the session will be ending in less than an hour... and I still have 2 fate points."

[Department] GM asks, "Sure, what are you going to use it on?"

[Department] Susan asks, "Is 'Penny feels unwell' one?"

[Department] GM asks, "And what's the question?"

[Department] Susan says, "Will she die? (assuming that the future is malleable)"

[Department] Susan asks, "unless you think that that question is too specific and I should ask 'will she get worse'?"

GM says (to Susan), "As Penny lies there, you see her start to pant, and then to swoon, as his skin pales and seems to turn blue, and then she looks like she's about to throw up when she clutches her chest and--"

GM says, "But no, nothing has happened. It was just some kind of hallucination or vision."

Susan spends a fate point, leaving them with 1.

Susan blinks.

[Department] GM says, "Er, *her* skin, not his."

Penny drinks whiskey.

[Department] Letitia asks, "Wait, does that mean that Penny will indeed get worse?"

[Department] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

[Department] Letitia says, "That sounds like something we need to deal with, then."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I'd say so"

Letitia eyes Susan. "There's something wrong with Penny, isn't there?"

Susan says (to Letitia), "Let's say I had one of those 'flashes', if you remember what I mean."

Letitia nods.

Penny says, "It's just a bad spell of lady trouble at an inconvien- argh""

Letitia phones the Department, asks for a doctor, and describes Penny's symptoms.

[Department] Letitia says, "I have no idea if there's something we can roll for that, but hey."

[Department] Letitia asks, "Oh, maybe Investigate with my Drones, to describe her symptoms more precisely? Body temperature, etc?"

[Department] Penny asks, "Did we get a new doctor after that fiasco with Doctor Bergensteen and the alien eggs?"

GM says (to Letitia), "They say that that sounds very serious, probably some kind of poisoning, maybe even cyanide? They also ask for your location, saying that she should get emergency medical attention as soon as possible."

Susan exclaims, "Poison? But -- of course! the caf�!"

Letitia rolls her eyes. "Do you not have caller id? This is a land line!"

[Setting the zoned flag.]

Letitia shakes her head. "She didn't drink the coffee, though."

Letitia asks (of Department), "Is there a counter to cyanide? What can we do right now?"

Letitia says, "Our pilot isn't really able to fly us out of here right now."

GM asks (of Letitia), "Apparently there *is* a treatment, but it would take at *least* until midday tomorrow to get it to you, and their records show that there *is* a doctor on the island. Perhaps he could help in the meantime?"

GM says, "Because really, she should not be waiting until midday tomorrow to be treated. By then it might be too late."

Letitia exclaims, "OK, then!"

Susan exclaims, "But this doctor is probably the guy who ordered the hit on us!"

Susan says, "Or was involved, whatever"

Maria asks, "Also, can he treat humans?"

Penny exclaims, "Please, I don't want to die!"

GM says, "The unnamed Department physician who was summoned to answer your phone call can answer none of those questions for you."

Maria says, "'Doctor'"

Letitia asks (of Department), "The doctor here is a robot, right?"

Maria says, "You're not gonna die, Penny."

[Crows-Nest] Susan says, "The unnmamed physician is called Doctor Weird"

Penny says, "I have not seen all of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"

[Crows-Nest] Penny asks, "Does he make song parodies in his spare time?"

Letitia says (to Physician), "OK, thanks. Do send help; we'll see what we can do in the meantime."

GM says (to Letitia), "'A what? I don't know. Is there some reason he should be?'"

Letitia says (to Physician), "Never mind."

Letitia hangs up. "OK, it's time to see the doctor with *two* patients, it seems.

[Crows-Nest] GM adds, on top of 'accidentally gave an order to an innocent victim', also 'almost gave out classified information to an agent who was not cleared for it'.

Letitia says, "If we assume that all the problems on this island stem from an actual human who's roaming around causing trouble, that means the physician will *want* to help, assuming they haven't been specifically ordered to not help."

Susan says, "Fair enough, Letty."

Letitia sighs.

Letitia says, "Anyone who wants to do something to prepare for that visit, do it now."

Susan says, "I am always prepared."

Maria reloads her handgun.

Letitia, for her part, patches up Hank and also includes one of her smaller drones.

[Department] Letitia asks, "Can I use Burglary for that?"

Penny cringes. "Fuck'in'hell. Get on with it, you dingoes."

[Department] GM says, "I'm not clear on what exactly you're doing."

Maria says, "Language, Penny!"

Maria smirks, despite the gravity of the situaiton.

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "grins, beside herself."

[Department] Letitia says, "Create Advantage; Drone In Hank."

Penny grins, beside herself.

[Department] Letitia says, "To listen in on what he might say to people later."

[Department] GM asks, "You're trying to... widen the hole in his head to hide a drone inside that you want the doctor who's patching up his head to not notice...?"

[Department] Letitia says, "Or what other people might say in his presence."

[Department] GM says, "I *guess* that might be possible."

[Department] Susan says, "What about up his ***"

[Department] Susan says, "Since robots don't need to use the bathroom"

[Department] GM says, "(Or are you just trying to hide it on his person, like in a pocket?)"

[Department] Letitia says, "I wasn't thinking the only injury was in his head."

[Department] GM asks (of Letitia), "Or, sure, hiding it inside a hole in his chest or abdomen that the doctor is trying to close up?"

[Department] Letitia says, "Maybe just secret it on his person/in his boots or something? Or his hat! His hat would work."

[Department] GM says, "Oh, good. That sounds much less likely to kill my NPC."

[Department] Susan says, "heee"

[Department] Letitia says, "Head/hat, what's the difference."

[Department] GM exclaims, "Yes, roll Burlgary!"

Letitia rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 0 +1 0 | Good (3)

[Department] GM exclaims, "It is now inside his hat!"

[Department] Letitia exclaims, "Yay!"

[Department] Letitia says, "OK, let's roll ;-)"

[Crows-Nest] Penny asks, "What's that droning sound?"

[Department] Letitia asks, "Anyone else want a Create Advantage before we go?"

GM says, "You look up the doctor's address in the phone book and load Hank and Penny into the car."

[Crows-Nest] Penny asks, "Can I make a heartfelt speech about how I like the gals and I am sure we will manage to get out of his, and there is no greater team I've ever worked with?"

GM says, "When you get there, you see a building that looks like it's a house on one side and an office on the other side. The doctor's home must be attached to his practice."

[Department] Penny says, "Using Decei..er, Rapport, of course."

[Department] Letitia says, "Ha ha"

GM says, "It's around midnight, and the lights are off inside."

[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "OK, just as a general team morale aspect?"

[Department] Penny says, "Yep"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Alright, opposition +2."

Penny rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 0 | Good (3)

Penny says, "But Penny has a "heart of gold" and really, really, means it"

[Department] GM exclaims, "All of you feel like you would be very sad if Penny died, and you really want her to not do that!"

[Department] Penny asks, "Bringing it to +5 would give us another invoke, right?"

[Department] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

Penny spends a fate point, leaving her with 2.

[Department] Penny says, "Aspect: "Go Team!""

[Department] Susan says, "whee"

[Department] GM says, "Ah, clever: spending off your fate points now, knowing they'll refresh next week, in exchange for free invokes that will stick around for at least another scene or two."

[Department] Letitia says, "Ha"

[Department] Penny exclaims, "Uh, sure, that's exactly what I planned. Har har har!"

GM says, "You're outside the doctor's home/office. Penny tries to help you unload Hank, but the effort leaves her short of breath and with her heart racing,"

Letitia shoulders Hank, and knocks on the doctor's house door.

GM says, "You knock loudly, and eventually a light comes on."

GM says, "A few moments later, an older-looking man with grey hair answers the door."

GM says, "'Yes? Hello? Oh!'"

GM says, "He sees Hank, and immediately ushers all of you into his office."

GM says, "Along the way, calling for his wife to come down to assist."

Penny sits on a chair, blinking slowly.

Letitia asks, "Hi! We have two patients for you. This guy seemed to malfunction and got in a car accident, and our friend here is human, and seems to have some sort of food poisoning. Or worse?"

(From Penny) (it seems to be so bad she even undoes the top button of her blouse!)

GM says, "He has Hank up on the table and is already working on him with small, delicate instruments. 'Yes? Oh, it's been a long time since I've worked on a human. What are the symptoms? Do you know anything about what might be the matter?'"

Letitia describes the symptoms.

GM says, "'Oh. Hmm. Hmmm...'"

[Department] Susan says, "I feel tempted to make up a story about espionage, cyanide pills, and how Penny mistook them for aspirin"

[Department] Letitia says, "Not sure whether to reveal that we know it's cyanide."

GM says, "'Have you eaten or drunk anything that might have been almond-flavored?'"

[Department] GM says, "(E.g., Susan's coffee was.)"

[Department] Penny asks, "I'd say my coffee tasted weird?"

[Department] Susan asks (of Penny), "did you drink coffee?"

[Department] Penny says, "I think Penny has a hunch she transfered Susie's poisoning"

[Department] Susan says, "Oho."

[Department] GM says, "That seems reasonable."

[Department] Penny asks, "Hm, have we kind of ignored that this implicates the people at the coffee shop?"

[Department] Penny says, "Anyway, I'm gonna tell him my coffee tasted weird unless someone objects"

GM says, "The doctor is continuing to patch up Hank while you look at each other thoughtfully, trying to remember what may or may not have been almond-flavored."

[Department] Letitia says, "If there's a rogue human on the island, they could have ordered anybody to do anything."

[Department] Letitia says (to Penny), "Yeah, go for it."

Penny says, "My coffee tasted weird, but it always tastes weird in this time. Place. In this place. Because I'm from Australia."

Susan was on the point of mentioning that *her* coffee tasted of almonds, but stops herself and merely looks quizzically at Penny.

GM says, "'Hmm. The reason I ask is because there's a flavoring we use -- it's a kind of burnt-almond flavor -- but one of the ingredients is toxic to human beings. It sounds like you might have cyanide poisoning.'"

Penny exclaims, "Bugger!"

Maria just raises an eyebrow.

GM says, "At this point, his wife enters the room, and he starts giving her instructions: inhalant this, intra-venous that... Penny is promptly laid out on the next bed, and she's soon got a tube in her arm pumping in some kind of anti-cyanide treatment."

Penny says, "That's, that's bad, right? I once read a novel by a young woman called Agatha Christie, have you heard of her? Cynaide poisoning sounded pretty bad in that one."

Susan asks, "So somebody accidentally forgot we were human and served one of us coffee flavored for robot consumption?"

Susan says, "Huh."

GM says, "'Yes. It's very bad for humans. Depending on the dose, it's frequently fatal. I'm very glad that we caught this in time.'"

GM says (to Susan), "'Hmm. That would be surprising. I'm sure that...' then he looks like he realizes something."

Letitia nods at the doctor. "It'd be a violation of the first law."

GM asks, "'Where did you get this coffee'?"

Penny says (to gm), "No, mother, I feel fine. Just sleepy, mother."

[Department] Letitia asks, "By the way, is his name on the door or something? Is it the same as the doctor in the files?"

Susan says (to Doctor), "The Coppertop Cafe"

Susan asks, "Right?"

GM says (to Letitia), "'Yes, if a robot were to knowingly serve that to a human, it *would* be a violation. And anyone working at the Coppertop Cafe should definitely know that it's toxic to humans.'"

Letitia says, "And you couldn't even order someone to do it anyway."

GM exclaims (at Penny), "As the conversation continues, you seem to be feeling better!"

GM says (to Penny), "In fact, you wouldn't be surprised if you were back to normal by morning."

Letitia asks, "I guess you could order a robot to forget what it knew?"

Letitia asks, "About toxicity levels? Or would that be too much of a stretch?"

Penny asks, "Maybe one of the servers was secretly human?"

GM says, "'Forgetting isn't something that could be done by a simple act of will. Perhaps... some kind of surgical lobotomy? If the order was strong enough. But that would almost certainly leave obvious evidence...'"

Penny says (to doctor&doctor's_wife), "Thanks for saving my life! I appreciate it."

GM says, "The doctor also pointedly ignores Penny's question."

Letitia asks, "So it's not as easy as, I dunno, deleting a file?"

GM says (to Penny), "'Oh, you're welcome -- it's the least I could do.'"

GM says (to Penny), "'That's *literally* true, of course, but I am also glad to be able to help you.'"

Letitia chuckles.

Letitia thinks.

GM says (to Letitia), "'No, not at all. The mind is a very complicated thing. Of course, there are-- but...'"

GM says, "He seems to be trying to say something, but eventually shrugs and gives up."

Letitia sighs.

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "Fuck youuuu, Asimov"

[Crows-Nest] Susan says, "itym Ass-imov"

Letitia asks, "Are there any humans you know of that work at R&D R&D?"

GM says, "He finishes up with Hank -- there are still visible scars where the synthetic flesh was joined together, but he seems to be in good shape."

GM says (to Letitia), "'I couldn't say.'"

Penny asks (of doctor), "Will we be able to talk to Hank soon?"

Letitia asks, "Are there any humans you know of that work at the... post office?"

GM says, "'Yes. He should probably get some rest, but if it's important to talk to him immediately, I could wake him now.'"

GM says (to Letitia), "No, none at all."

Letitia asks, "Any humans at the Coppertop Cafe?"

GM says, "'I couldn't say.'"

Susan gives Letty a meaningful look.

Letitia asks, "Any humans here at your office?"

GM says, "He looks around the room."

Maria chuckles.

Letitia grins. "That work here!"

GM says, "'Aside from you? No, none.'"

Letitia says, "Hmm."

Penny says, "Hmm indeed, ladies."

GM says, "At this point, Hank's eyes slowly open."

GM says, "He looks tired, and a bit confused."

Letitia asks, "Do you know if there are three or more humans living on this island?"

GM asks (of Letitia), "Aside from the group of you?"

Letitia says, "Right."

GM says, "'No, I do not know of three or more humans on the island.'"

Letitia asks, "Do you know if there are two or more humans living on this island?"

GM says, "'No, I do not know of *two* or more humans on Vomisa.'"

Letitia says, "Thanks."

GM says, "Hank turns his head from one side to the other. 'Hey, uh... where am I? What happened?'"

Letitia asks (of Doctor), "Are there symptoms that robots get when ordered to harm humans?"

[Department] Penny says, "Ohh, excellent question."

[Crows-Nest] Susan |GM says, "Sandra serves you all your beverages, and seems to be kinda hovering nearby as you chat."

GM says (to Letitia), "'Yes. Those symptoms are mainly psychological: anxiety, possibly motor impairment, difficulty with cognition.'"

Letitia nods.

GM says, "'Tics or spasms, speech impediments. All of those would be common effects.'"

Letitia asks, "Is there anything that helps? Or do you just need to wait it out?"

Letitia asks, "Or see a psychologist?"

Penny asks, "What I don't get it, the folks at the Cafe couldn't be ordered to ignore the first Law, but he could? Or was that okay because I possibly just got the order to ram us off the road?"

GM says, "'Dr. J, did I get hurt?' Hank reaches up to feel the scar on his forehead. 'But... I got hit on he *back* of my head, not the front...'"

Letitia asks (of Hank), "Oh? When?"

Maria asks, "When did you get hit on the back of your head, Hank?"

GM says (to Letitia), "'A robopsychologist can help -- a human one, who knows how to give... I suppose the term might be 'para-orders'. Suggestions with the power to influence. It's a difficult skill to master.'"

Letitia exclaims, "Hunh!"

GM says, "'I had just put away old Gertie, the plane. It was maybe an hour or so after you guys had gotten off.'"

Maria asks, "Is that the last thing you remember?"

GM says, "'I was coming out of the hangar, and I just felt this... this *jolt* on the back of my head.'"

GM says, "'I guess I must have blacked out after that.'"

GM says, "'Hey, doc, do you know what mighta happened to me?'"

GM says, "The Doctor looks at him, then at you."

GM says, "'I couldn't say.'"

[Department] Letitia says, "The doc is about to say "I couldn't say'."

GM says, "<TO BE CONTINUED>"

[Department] Maria says, "Right on time."

[Department] Penny says, "Man, I'm starting to hate whoever is behind this just because of all the anguish he's putting these robots through"

[Department] Susan says, "Yeah."

[Department] Penny says, "SUggestes one-liner for killing him : "First law? It's more like a guideline!""

[Department] GM says, "One of Letitia's aspects seems potentially appropriate here as well."

[Department] GM says, "'Laws Are For Other People'."

[Department] Susan says, "yay"

[Department] Letitia says, "Hee hee"

[Department] Penny says, "woo"

[Department] Penny exclaims (at gm), "I like this setting a lot!"

[Department] GM exclaims, "Thank you!"

[Department] Susan says, "My visions of the future finally saved someone's life"

[Department] Susan says, "And I didn't try to kill an NPC"

[Department] Penny says, "Also I feel terrible about still not having a clear grasp on the FATE rules, even though they aren't that difficult"

[Department] GM exclaims (at Susan), "But that goes against everything you stand for!"

[Department] Susan says (to GM), "this is why my puns have dried up"

[Department] GM says (to Penny), "I haven't seen you having any trouble today."

[Department] Susan says, "the cosmic forces of death aren't happy with me"

[Department] Susan says, "so they're taking away my puns"

[Department] Susan says, "boohoo"

[Department] Penny says (to susan), "I for one am giving you ... the cold shoulder"

[Department] GM says, "Oh, I see now."

[Department] Penny asks, "Next week the finale? On Saturday?"

[Department] GM says, "Poisoning wasn't the *only* thing Penny inadvertantly took from you."

[Department] GM exclaims (at Penny), "Yup!"

[Department] Penny exclaims, "whee!"

[Department] Susan says, "exciting"

[Department] Susan says, "also, I finally have a theory about Penny/Susan:"

[Department] Penny says, "Predicition: We will have to give an order to some robot to save everyone"

[Department] Penny says (to susan), "So does the fandom! *wink wink*"

[Department] GM says, "Ha ha."

[Department] Susan says, "Penny is championed by the forces of life and Susan by the forces of death, so if good happens to one then ill happens to the other, and vice versa"

[Department] Susan says, "But both are needed to keep the team balanced"

[Department] GM asks, "So the session with Susan, Letty and RC was unbalanced?"

[Department] Susan says, "hoho."

[Department] GM says (to Susan), "Oh, by the way, I forgot to say:"

[Department] Penny says, "I like the idea that Penny is connected to the forces of life somehow."

[Department] GM says, "I think the Department theme is the best one yet."

[Department] Susan says, "Aww."

[Department] Penny says, "I'm sure that's not only because it's for a group *you* DM."

[Department] GM says (to Penny), "No, no, I wouldn't assume that. Whether or not Peregrine saves the best themes for the best DM's is entirely his choice."

[Department] Penny says, "ha ha"

[Department] Susan says, "Nah, it's just that I continually learn new music concepts and gain new skills, so my newer themes sound 'better'"

[Department] Susan says, "on average"

[Department] Penny says, "I guess we'll know once ggg DMs."

[Department] GM says, "Oh, and of course, Minor Milestone for everyone."

[Department] Penny exclaims, "Wee!"

[Department] Susan exclaims, "Whee!"

[Department] Susan says, "(Wee is cute but makes me think of urine for some reason)"