[CCrusaders] Bert says, "Log on."

Wanda has arrived.

GM says, "Before we formally start, it might be a good idea to refresh everyone's FP pools."

Wanda sets their current fate point total to 3.

Jacob sets her current fate point total to 3.

Wanda sets their current fate point total to 2.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Also, did anyone make any character sheet changes at the last minor milestone?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Not me."

Roger has arrived.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Pretty sure I did not."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I didn't see any need."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Me neither"

Cuddlepaws asks (of roger), "Zircon ?"

Roger says, "No I'm just a fly on the wall"

Wanda asks, "Or it is... an illusion of a fly?"

GM says, "Oh, great, now Cuddlepaws is going to be distracted all session..."

Cuddlepaws exclaims (at red_dot), "Hey, you! Stop right there!"

GM says, "I think everyone's here."

GM says, "Although Eben is twelve hours idle..."

Cuddlepaws says, "Old people need more sleep..."

GM asks, "Should we give him a few minutes before we start?"

Cuddlepaws says, "Sure"

Wanda says, "Only fair"

Cuddlepaws sets her current fate point total to 3.

Eben de-idles!

Wanda exclaims, "Grandpa!"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Old guy!"

GM says, "Woot! Then let's begin."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "*music*"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Recapping, how many minor milestones have there been? Just the two?"

GM says, "Last week, you enjoyed a nice barbecue, got a call from Agent Z, asking you to investigate whatever nefarious deeds Antonio Sarducci -- political rival of the Mayor -- has been up to at his Casino, discovered that Agent Z is secretly Mayor Howard Fine, investigated a meteorite site in he woods, saved some of Wanda's friends from a super-powered tiger, and discovered an old alien spider pod."

Wanda exclaims, "Can I just say, woo!"

Wanda says, "That was a wild day."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "There were two Significant Milestones, and there's been one more Minor one since the last Significant one."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ah, OK."

GM says, "And now, it's later that night, as you're all pulling up to the old quarry in Eben's car, alien pod in tow."

Wanda says, "Great job, Cuddlepaws."

Cuddlepaws purrs.

Wanda would stroke Cuddlepaws, but lately she's been having to watch out with her super strength.

GM says, "Eben's headlights reveal that it's still a bit of a mess here, with detritus from the explosion still scattered about."

GM asks, "What do you, the heroes, do now?"

Cuddlepaws asks (of eben), "Where do you want this thing?"

Eben says, "Well, I was thinking we could just stash it somewhere."

Eben asks, "But do we want to try to re-open the lab itself, while we're here?"

Wanda asks, "Is there any obvious way in?"

Eben says, "Let's look around to see if anyone's been here since we were here last, at least."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(notice/investigate?)"

Wanda says, "Sounds like a job for..."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Sounds good."

Jacob looks around.

Jacob rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: -1 0 +1 0 | Fantastic (6)

GM says (to Jacob), "You look around, and everything seems more or less untouched since last time -- there are signs that some animals might have been through here, and you can still see the goldfish that you freed last time darting about in the water, but no indication of any humans."

Jacob says, "Looks like the coast is clear. Nobody's been here since us."

Wanda says, "I believe Jacob."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And that's a success with style, so you can either have a boost or use a special feature of your power if you wish."

Hunter goes home.

Hunter arrives at home.

Hunter goes east.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I'll take the boost. My special features aren't useful right now."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "is the lab underwater? Because I may have an idea."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "It is!"

Cuddlepaws finds a good place to stash the pod that's somewhat hidden. (Stealth?)

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Do you suppose that I could make enough water evaporate using my fire powers that the lab would become accessible?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Last time, there was an elevator platform that emerged from out of the water, and then lowered itself back down below the lake bed while you were inside it."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Do you suppose that I could make enough water evaporate using my fire powers that the lab would become accessible?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "Hmm."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "I'm guessing it would be a great challenge. Possibly Fantastic, even?"

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "A) Yes, because you are a superhero, and almost nothing is completely impossible. But B) it would be *very* difficult, and C) it would probably have fairly dramatic effects -- drawing attention from people miles away, maybe affecting the local ecosystem, etc."

Eben says, "OK, I'm going to guess that there's a remote controlled way to get that pillar to rise up, or at least there used to be. He fiddles with stuff in his trunk and puts together a broad-spectrum remote controller, so he can try to find the right frequency."

Eben exclaims (at Wanda), "But then you'd kill the fish!"

Wanda says, "Oh."

Wanda asks, "Don't we eat...?"

Cuddlepaws noms. "Waw fish?"

Eben says, "I mean, don't get me wrong, fish are there to be fished and eaten."

Eben says, "But *more* wanton destruction doesn't seem like quite the right approach here."

Wanda asks, "Okay, Grandpa. What's *your* plan?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Eben), "Hmm. So A) do you think that the lab's elevator still has power, and B) if not, what creative way will your device get around that?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I kind of thought it might have a chance of *starting* the pillarring process, at least, even if it then got stuck."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK. Let's say Crafts vs. +3, then."

Eben scratches his head. "But, hmm, wait--Nichols escaped out an escape hatch, right? Maybe we could find the other end of that.

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Wait!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "I think I can maybe help Eben's plan work?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Oh?"

[Crows-Nest] Roger asks, "Is this in a pond or something?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Yeah, it's an artificial lake in an old abandoned quarry."

Eben thinks about it, while fiddling with the stuff in the trunk.

[Crows-Nest] Roger asks, "Could you just portal all the water somewhere else?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Which had an evil scientist's secret lab hidden underneath it, until the heroes got it somewhat blown up."

[Crows-Nest] Eben exclaims, "I could!"

Hunter arrives at home.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Well, if the pillaring that needs kickstarting, maybe I could dive it, and get it moving a little to compensate for the lack of power, while Eben -- oh, poooortaks"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "uh, poooortals"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Wait! If we portal out the water, it won't be hidden anymore"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "We could portal it back?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "If we portal the water somewhere safe, we can portal it back afterwards."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "also, that poor goldfish won't survive in the ocean"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee."

[CCrusaders] Roger says, "Portal it up really high and outrun it to the lab"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "that could work"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of GM), "Is there more than that one fish in the lake?"

Eben thinks better while he's fiddling with stuff, so continues to make his remote control thingy.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "It's hard to count, because they're moving so fast, but you'd estimate maybe half a dozen were originally in the tank."

Eben rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 +1 | Epic (7)

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "That... works."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Success with style!"

GM says, "Eben scans through the frequency spectrum on his remote control, until eventually you hear a muffled 'ka-thunk'-ing noise from under the lake, as though some device were trying very hard to reboot itself, but not *quite* managing it."

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Some of you will have to go down there!"

Wanda exclaims, "I can!"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Spiders can't swim!"

Eben asks (of Jacob), "When you were looking around, did you happen to see a good different spot for a lake?"

Eben says, "I realize this is an odd question."

Jacob asks, "Uh.. not really?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob), "If you'd like, I'm cool with you burning the boost to invent one."

Wanda asks (of Cuddlepaws), "I can flame. That'll create a bubble of water vapor around me when I dive...?"

Jacob asks, "Let me think. For the entire lake? Um. Maybe that pit over there?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok"

Wanda says, "Wait, fire needs air."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "burned"

[CCrusaders] (from Jacob) Wanda says, "Hey, that's my schtick."

Eben tromps over to the pit. "Aha! Perfect!" He puts a portal on a cliff face next to the pit where water can flow out into the pit, then puts the other side on top of the pillar at the bottom of the lake.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "hehe"

GM says, "And thus you create a lovely waterfall."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(which seems like a no-roll thing to me, but I can roll if you want to think of an interesting way it could fail ;-)"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks, "At the bottom of the pit, a lone duck looks up from her nest where 8 chicklings just hatched. What's that noise?"

GM says, "It takes several minutes for the water to drain from the one pit into the other, and you notice a few flashes of gold in the waterfall as the pit fills up..."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "Wait! chicklings?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "ITYM ducklings. Unless Nichols has been tampering..."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "He meant chicklets."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "ilac"

Wanda says, "Grandpa, you did it."

Cuddlepaws naps.

GM says, "...until eventually, all that's left in the bottom of the quarry are a few muddy puddles, one poor confused goldfish who apparently missed the relocation memo, and the stone platform in the middle of the lake bed where the elevator platform had lowered itself."

Eben says, "Aww, shucks."

GM says, "The ka-thunk noise is still cycling every few seconds, and is now obviously coming from underneath said platform."

Eben moves the portal around a little to catch the last few bits of water, and to safely relocate the last... well, hmm. Maybe Nichols was experimenting on the fish, too? He takes a closer look at the near-stranded fish.

GM says (to Eben), "It is flaping its fins and tail *awfully* quickly."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "fish attaaaack incoming"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "[Jaws theme plays]"

GM says, "(But it's not wearing any control collar.)"

Cuddlepaws says, "I knew something tasted fun - er, seemed funny about these fish."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Good thing Eben never got a good count of them."

Wanda backflips onto the stone platform. 'Hey, c'mon,' she says.

Eben impulsively sticks his finger in the puddle.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "*Angling* for fate points, heh?"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "Snrk"

GM says (to Eben), "The fish ignores you -- it seems more concerned about the fact that it's barely got enough water to cover its gills than it is about your finger."

Eben cups his hands and picks up the fish and as much water as he can along with it. "Hey, little guy, are you okay?"

Wanda says, "Does anyone want me to try opening this thing? Or do we have a plan -- oh, goldfish."

GM says (to Eben), "It's quite agitated: its little fins are a blur as it flops itself over in your hands."

Eben says (to Wanda), "Go ahead and see what you can do--just try not to break anything any more than it already is."

Wanda says, "That... is going to be tricky."

Eben says (to fish), "OK, I'm putting you back in the lake now."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Drawback: Doesn't Know Her Own Strength."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Cuddlepaws), "Hey: that fish *does* look tasty... are you tempted to grab it from Eben's hands, then run off into the woods before he can get it back from you?"

Eben tosses it through the portal to the new pit-lake.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Very much so!"

GM gives a fate point to Cuddlepaws.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "You'll have to catch it in mid-air"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "As it's about to go through the portal"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "grabs the fish from the air in slow-mo."

Cuddlepaws grabs the fish from the air in slow-mo.

Eben exclaims, "Cuuuuu-ddddllllleee-paaaaaaaaaaws!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Jacob), "And if you're feeling protective toward that poor little animal, might you follow Cuddlepaws to try to save the fish?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Cats gonna do what cats gonna do. I nearly asked her to put it out of its misery anyway."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws gives Jota a fate point and tags "Split the party".

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Ha, alright!"

GM says, "So on the one hand, we have Eben, Wanda and Jacob here trying to open the elevator."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "I assume I'm in human form? I picked up my suit before we left?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "(just so I can visualize this better)"

GM exclaims, "And on the other hand, we've got Cuddlepaws who just ran off into the woods, and then... whoops, fell down a deep shaft underground!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Sure, if you'd like."

Cuddlepaws says, "Meooooooooooooooooow"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, ""Hi Timmy"

GM asks (of Team Elevator), "What are you guys trying next?"

Eben says, "That... doesn't sound good."

Wanda rolls up her sleeves, then hears Cuddlepaws.

Jacob sighs. "We'd better go help her."

Wanda says, "Family first."

Eben tromps off into the woods following That Darn Cat.

Jacob follows.

GM says, "Well, you look around, but you can't see any sign of her -- as if the earth had just opened up and swallowed her."

Jacob asks, "Cuddlepaws?"

Wanda exclaims, "Cuddlespaws!"

Eben scratches his head.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "Can I try something?"

GM says (to Cuddlepaws), "Meanwhile, you take a couple of minor bruises, but no real injuries as you tumble down the hole. It's dark down here, and it smells like machines and fuel and such. But most importantly, you still have your fish."

Cuddlepaws says, "*nom nom"

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "Sure!"

Eben attempts to re-activate the cuddle-cam from the airplane episode.

GM exclaims (at Eben), "It still works! And you can clearly see that Cuddlepaws is inside of... someplace very dark!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "I want to do a thing where because I've had a rough night, I punch the ground super hard and it creates a short of mini-earthquake."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "This might lead to... whatever you think is narratively justifiable"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "HEY! I'm underground."

Eben scratches his head again, then remembers that we gave her a phone.

Eben calls Cuddlepaws's phone.

Eben . o O ( Hope we get reception in a pit... )

GM says (to Wanda), "OK! Let's call that a Physique Overcome roll of, oh, +4."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "hehe"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "(I am fine with the answer being 'no')"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Yeah, that seems unlikely, sorry."

Cuddlepaws goes exploring (stealthily)

Eben leaves a voicemail, "Hey, Cuddlepaws; you seem to be in a pit; call back if you get this and we haven't already spoken. Uh. Hope you're ok!"

Wanda can't find Cuddlepaws, and this is just really the last straw. Falling onto her knees, she pounds the ground with her fists.

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

Wanda says, "RARGH! This is just --"

GM says (to Cuddlepaws), "Based on the smells and the stains on the ground -- now on your paws -- you think you're in a place that was used to store vehicles, like a garage. It's fairly confined, but there's what feels a bit like a door on one wall, and you think you can detect fresh air coming from above you at one point in the room."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "I can spend a fate point and invoke Don't Know My Own Strength to make it a full success."

Cuddlepaws asks, "Can I spend a fare point to find, say, a working flashlight?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "But I'm okay with a minor drawback"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "If it's more fun"

Eben asks (of Cuddlepaws), "Do you have one in your helmet?"

GM says (to Wanda), "You know that periodic ka-chunk noise? Well, there was a ka-chunk that was happening just as you punched... except instead of a ka-chunk, it turned into a ka-chunk-a-chunk-a-vroooooooom..."

Wanda says, "Uh oh --"

Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "I don't think so"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Let's say the drawback is..."

Eben . o O ( Man, I should have installed a lamp in that helmet. )

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Jacob), "Where are you right now?"

Eben puts another item on his to-do list.

Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "I didn't want one, because of my nightvision"

Eben says (to Wanda), "That sounds like the pillar started up again."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "With Eben and Wanda looking for Cuddlepaws, or back by the lake?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to Eben), "That makes sense."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I think we were all looking, but might not have been in a group."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I said I was following Eben"

GM says (to Jacob), "Hey, just before Wanda did that ground-punch, you happened to notice a shaft in the ground -- in fact, it looked like a sort of metal door in the ground that wasn't quite closed all the way."

Jacob says, "Hey, look at this." He kneels down at the door.

GM exclaims, "...except, when Wanda hit the ground, it must have knocked loose whatever was holding it open, and whomp, it's shut now!"

Jacob says, "It was open a moment ago." He shoots Wanda a look.

GM exclaims (at Cuddlepaws), "Oh, man, now it's even darker down here than it was before!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "nice job breaking it hero"

Eben exclaims (at Jacob), "I bet that's where Cuddlepaws fell in!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "So dark... are you sure this isn't the DC universe?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee"

Jacob tries to pry at the door with his bare hands.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh, whoops, I missed CP's flashlight request."

[Crows-Nest] Roger says, "Good news: the goldfish glows. Bad news: it's dying."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Sorry -- and the answer is 'yes', if there's a stuitable Aspect to invoke for it."

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "Aw"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Surely the gerade has "Tools" or something?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Sounds good to me!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "er, garage"

Cuddlepaws spends a fate point, leaving her with 3.

GM exclaims (at Cuddlepaws), "Just in time, as it goes completely dark, you discover a flashlight!"

Cuddlepaws checks out the bit where the air came from, which has stopped now for some reaosn.

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob), "Physique, Overcome, against +3."

Eben futzes with the edge of the door, trying to find a way to get it to open again.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Crafts?"

Cuddlepaws picks up a discared tire and knocks it on the ceiling in that place.

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

Cuddlepaws says, "(Will?)"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Eben), "Are you building a door-opening device? Or trying to repair the door-opening mechanism? Or something like that?"

Jacob asks, "Can someone get this opeN?"

Wanda says, "I'll do it"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "The latter."

Cuddlepaws rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: 0 -1 +1 -1 | Superb (5)

[Setting the zoned flag.]

GM says (to Cuddlepaws), "With the flashlight, you can now see that the air was coming from an opening in the ceiling into a larger area."

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

Wanda punches the door!

GM says (to Cuddlepaws), "(This is different from the shaft that you initially fell through.)"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks (of GM), "Did you say a +3 obstacle?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Punching things is totally the answer to all our problems."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "For Physique? Yes. (And if that fails, we'll let Eben try as a +3 Crafts.)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I rolled"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "and got a +6"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Oh, so you did!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "How high up is it?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Maybe the success with style means 'did not utterly rip the door off its hinges'"

GM exclaims, "Wanda completely rips the door right off, leaving open a broad shaft descending into the earth!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "haha"

GM says, "Like, big enough to drop a motorcycle down or something."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ha ha."

Eben pulls out his wrench, saying, "OK, I think I can..." (watches door fly away) "...or not."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Or -- ripped it off, but neatly so it would be easy to repair without a roll?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "That could work"

GM says (to Cuddlepaws), "So the space you're in:"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Sounds good to me!"

Wanda says, "Hey Grandpa, that door still has hinges."

Eben . o O ( Oh, good, the hinges still look intact. )

Eben exclaims (at Wanda), "Yeah, that was nicely done!"

GM says, "You can see some tools that look like they're for working on vehicles, and some spare parts, including a propellor you think. And there's a door in one wall, and a trap door in the ceiling you just bashed open. And, toward the back of the right, the broad shaft that you initially fell down."

Wanda says, "Thanks."

Eben calls down, "Cuddlepaws! Are you okay?"

Cuddlepaws asks, "(I assume I hear them from the room above?"

GM says (to Cuddlepaws), "You hear them from the shaft you first fell down."

GM says, "Which is different from the trapdoor to the room above."

Cuddlepaws runs over there. "Yes! but the fish, died in the fall, and I ... eated it."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(So, effectively three potential exits/entrances from this garage.)"

Eben says, "That's OK; I'm just glad you're safe."

Wanda says, "Me too"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "I assume Eben had a hard time teaching her that, no, the way the cats speak in those pictures is not how you are supposed to speak."

Eben says, "Hang on, I'm coming down."

Cuddlepaws says, "Careful! You're old."

Wanda says, "I'll help you."

Eben shoots a portal down the shaft into the floor, then puts the other one in the forest floor, and crawls through.

Wanda exclaims, "Or not!"

Eben says (to Cuddlepaws), "Pfft."

Cuddlepaws rubs against Eben's legs.

Eben scritches Cuddlepaws's ears. "It's a good thing you're so cute."

Wanda jumps down, pirouetting elegantly before landing on her feet next to Eben and Cuddles.

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Not so hold that he can't handle crawling through a portal that effectively reverses gravity in the middle of it."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Er, old."

GM says, "So now you're *all* in this garage."

Jacob shrugs and follows the others.

GM says, "With the shaft, and the door, and the trapdoor in the ceiling."

Cuddlepaws says, "Hey, bird guy"

Jacob asks, "Hey kitty. You ok?"

GM says, "And the tools and spare machine parts and the smell of fuel."

Cuddlepaws says, "Sure, landed on my feet."

Wanda says, "Wait. So this was how Nichols escaped...? Or am I going too fast..."

Eben shines his own flashlight around, and ponders the trapdoor.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "The trapdoor is open? Cp bashed it open with a tire?"

Jacob sniffs. "Wanda, don't light up in here, ok?

Wanda says, "Oh."

Wanda looks very nervous.

GM says (to Eben), "You can see there's a much larger area up there some kind of room? Corridor? Hard to tell from down here."

Cuddlepaws says, "There's also another door"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Correct."

Eben pats Wanda's head. "You'll be OK, sweetie."

Eben shoots a portal up through the trapdoor, and another one in a wall, and peers into the room from the ceiling.

GM says (to Eben), "Looking down, you see a lot of very badly damaged lab equipment, debris from where chunks of ceiling have caved in... some mangled cage doors..."

GM says, "In fact, as you pan your flashlight around, it looks awfully familiar."

Eben exclaims, "Oh! It's the trap door that Nichols escaped through!"

Wanda says, "Okay, this underground lab is bigger than I thought."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "There's also a door here?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Right."

Cuddlepaws checks out the door.

Eben tries to open it, if Cuddlepaws hasn't already.

GM says (to Cuddlepaws), "It's a fairly normal-looking door. Reinforced, but no super fancy locks or advanced electronics."

GM says, "On the other side, you find... a big electrical generator."

GM exclaims, "Which looks somewhat damaged, but it appears that *something* has just restarted it!"

Cuddlepaws asks, "So is the base starting to power up?"

Wanda says, "This looks cool."

Jacob looks around. "Neat! We're in.

Wanda exclaims, "We're finally going to get a base of our own!"

Eben says, "After we change the locks..."

Wanda says, "Oh, right. Nichols."

Wanda asks, "But if he comes back, I'm sure redemption's always an option, right?"

Jacob coughs, but says nothing.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So, I'll summarize the state of things here: lots of damage from the explosion, but nothing that couldn't be repaired given enough time, resources, elbow grease and good old mechanical known how."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "We all know what this means!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "MONTAGE!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Hehe"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ha."

Wanda says, "Looks like we won't be sleeping tonight, guys."

Wanda exclaims, "Luckily, I'm pretty sure spiders are nocturnal!"

Cuddlepaws is alreadying napping near the generator.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Is there anything specific you want to try to fix up tonight? I'm going to say that getting things back up to full-function is probably a more long-term goal, but repairing any specific individual thing could be tackled tonight."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "We want to fix the locks and stash the alien pod"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "So we know Nichols won't steal it."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Sounds good!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I want to be able to close things up and change the locks, so, re-lower the pillar, change the frequency on the remote, fix the shaft door."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, and put the pod in it."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Let's see... that sounds like one of those compound tasks..."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "And search to make sure there aren't any other exits."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "And find a comfy pillow for me"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Then sleep on Eben's workdesk."

GM says, "Locking things down so Nichols doesn't get back will involve succeeding at three things:"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Oh, right, a whaddyacallem Challenge?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Right!"

GM says, "Investigation, to find all the ways in. Burglary, to figure out how the locks work. And Crafts, to actually repair them all."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "So basically Eben and Jacob are going to rock out"

GM says, "And since Nichols built a pretty good lab, those are all going to be +3 obstacles, which will take all night."

GM asks, "So who's doing what? And who's doing other things to create advantages to assist?"

Jacob will look around at all the doors and such.

Cuddlepaws says, "I'm using Will to move things around just so people have clear paths and go everywhere and whatnot"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "We still have 'I know how this was built (x2)' from last time, and I have my 'broad-spectrum remote control' boost from this time."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK -- let's say the stuff that needs to be moved is about person-sized, for the opposition."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Eben), "Indeed!"

Cuddlepaws rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: -1 +1 -1 0 | Superb (5)

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Can I help Cuddles move stuff -- oh"

Jacob starts by creating a map of each floor, using his phone and watching where the light bounces, then investigates further.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(person sized is +2)"

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So Cuddlepaws gets a success with style, so she can create an Aspect with two free invokes."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Something like "Basic order"?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I put in 'clear paths to everything' on https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h88N6VTO6dtQ2RVzk1tqx4NdA5PNyShAjpXcoVjhU8M/edit#gid=1689105620"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Meanwhile, Jacob does an excellent job of finding every possible way in -- both the intended entrances that Nichols put there on purpose, plus some air vents and other similar access points, succeeding with style for a boost or special effect."

[CCrusaders] Jacob takes the boost.

Cuddlepaws levitates things around, clearing paths, unblocking doors, creating a perfect perched resting place for someone cat-sized "by accident" in the process

[CCrusaders] Eben puts down 'Ins and Outs'

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I guess CP could also choose a special effect instead of the second free invoke if she wanted.)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So how are we handling the Burglary part of this? Given that Jacob is busy finding ways in."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "A special effect for the base?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "And I'll be busy Crafts-ing."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "A special effect from your power."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Wanda), "It looks like the Burglary is up to you!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Crap."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I don't have Burglary... unless"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "We have six things you can tag ;-)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You can still roll it at Mediocre."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Oh!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "I can add another aspect with a free invoke, so how about "tactical advantage" because the base is now easier to defend?"

Wanda sighs. 'Okay, I'm going to take a look at those locks.'

Wanda rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: -1 -1 -1 -1 | Terrible-2 (-4)

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha ha ha"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ouch."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Wanda looks herself into a cell.�"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK! What will you be tagging first? :)"

Eben says (to Wanda), "Wait--here, take this remote control. See, it works like this... [launches into technical explanation]"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Do I have to spend a fate point...?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Nope, the rest of your team has been racking up a big pile of free invokes."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "No, you just take the free tag on the aspect."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Okay!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you using the free invoke on Eben's remote control first?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Yeah"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "You can use that to re-roll."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Can't you spend a Fate point to reroll?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "...timing"

Wanda rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 -1 | Terrible (-2)

GM says (to Wanda), "Ah, you now have a much better understanding of how a person might try to hack into the base's systems to remotely access it."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I've rerolled"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "An improvement!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Ha. Well, you got your +2!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Would you like to invoke anything else?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Is there a reason I can't invoke every free invoke?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "We have Jacob's "I know how this quarry was built" with two free invokes from last time."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Eben, Jacob and CP can probably remind you of some things that are available.)"

Wanda exclaims, "Hey, Jacob!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Wanda), "Nope -- go right ahead!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "You can pester him about things for a +4."

Wanda asks, "Jacob, you said you knew how this place was designed? Something about a template?"

Wanda asks, "Did those books tell you anything about how these locks usually work?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "The only limitation is that you can't spend two *fate points* on invoking the *same* Aspect on the same roll -- but you can use as many *free* invokes as you like, and invoke as many aspects/boosts as you like, as long as they're relevant."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "+4 --> overall result of +2."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "I've put everything here against the walls, I think you missed that door there."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "You need one more! There's CP's 'Clear paths' from his tk, and Jacob's 'ins and outs' from his explorations."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'll tag CP"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "uh oh"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "CP's CP."

GM says, "With Jacob's lesson on architectural engineering, Wanda now has a much better understanding of how the physical entrances of a building like this one could be secured."

Wanda exclaims, "Okay, thanks!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Sorry, Amdi came home and won't shut up."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Heh, no problem."

Wanda says, "And now that Cuddles' made everything tidy, I can focus better."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Aw. Doesn't he know this is important life or death business here?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Making this a +4!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Woo! Success!"

GM exclaims, "Between Jacob and Wanda, you now have a thorough understanding of all the potential points of access for the lab as well as how to secure them!"

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

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "And how about Crafts, for actually building your defenses?"

Eben has been following Jacob and Wanda, fixing things in their wake!

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

Wanda says, "Woo. Those locks..."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "I will tag Jacob's Ins and Outs for a +2, giving me a +4!"

GM says, "Eben almost leaves a vital air duct unsecured,but fortunately Jacob was keeping an eye out and didn't let the old man have any slack."

Eben exclaims (at Jacob), "Thanks for the head's up, kid!"

Eben exclaims (at Wanda), "You too! You figured out that remote control really quickly!"

[Crows-Nest] Roger says, "the old In and Out, nudge nudge"

Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "Do I find their storage of animal food?"

GM exclaims, "Through the power of teamwork, you've gotten this place sealed up tight! Congratulations, team!"

Wanda exclaims, "It was tough. But you're a great teacher, Grandpa!"

Jacob woo!

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Woo!"

GM says (to Cuddlepaws), "Ew. Oh, yes. Oh dear."

GM says (to Cuddlepaws), "It all used to be refrigerated, back before the explosion knocked out the power."

GM says, "A week or two ago."

Cuddlepaws asks, "Oh no! Not even kibble?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Question: did we get the alien pod inside?"

GM exclaims (at CP), "Oh, no, the rat kibble is just fine!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yup!"

GM says (to CP), "Hey, and the fish flakes are looking good as well."

Wanda asks, "What time is it, Jacob?"

Wanda has no watch ever since she accidentally smashed it when trying to set it to DST.

GM says, "You've been hard at work all night long."

Jacob says, "About 3am."

Wanda says, "Whoa."

Wanda says, "And we didn't even get to eat those marshmallows."

Wanda says, "And -- oh, Grandpa, what about Anna and --"

Eben says (to Wanda), "I checked in with Frances before we left--they're doing fine."

Wanda says, "Phew"

Wanda exclaims, "But yay, the Crusaders are a real thing now!"

Wanda says, "If things go wrong, we'll have a place to go."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Someone never taught Wanda what things a protagonist should ever, *ever* say."

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "We still have an Evil Mayor to go after!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Admittedly, 'if things go wrong' isn't as bad as 'there's no way this could *possibly* go wrong', but it'st still right up there."

Wanda gives one last glance at the alien pod, safely waiting in its new home. And she looks thoughtful.

Wanda asks (of Cuddlepaws), "Evil? Wait, did he kill someone?"

Cuddlepaws says, "He tried to blow up the dam, spiderbrain"

Wanda says, "Oh, right"

Cuddlepaws shudders. "all that water"

Eben says, "He knew... well. He was pretty sure we could stop it. But it was ridiculously irresponsible of him to do that, even so."

Eben says, "He wants us to go after the casino guy, who is probably actually not a great guy, either."

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "That's no way for the alpha of any pack to act!"

Eben says, "We can't just take down the Mayor and let the Scarducci win."

Cuddlepaws asks, "So we go after Scarducci first?"

Eben exclaims, "And we can't take down Scaramouche and let the Mayor win!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango"

Wanda asks, "Wait, so we take them both down at the same time?"

Eben asks, "Maybe?"

Eben says, "It's puzzling."

Cuddlepaws asks, "Maybe we should give the mayor a chance to explain himself?"

Eben says, "It would help to get more information, in any event."

Cuddlepaws says, "I feel like there is more to this"

Jacob says, "Yeah, perhaps."

Wanda asks, "Yeah. Where did the Half-Baker come from?"

Eben says, "The Payne family is often behind things, too."

Cuddlepaws asks, "Maybe we investigate the mayor secretly?"

Eben asks (of Wanda), "Right--was she there at the park by accident and then used by the mayor later? Or was she being used by the mayor the whole time?"

Cuddlepaws says, "Maybe we break into his office"

Eben says, "The mayor's? Risky. But possible."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I have a feeling the scene needs a way to end but we're kind of fumbling"

Eben says, "Or we could start with Sardonco."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I figured you guys were trying to agree on what to do next."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "aha"

Wanda says, "Let's just check out Sarducci"

Eben exclaims, "Or we could just wait until something else blows up and go fix it!"

Cuddlepaws says, "Yeah, he's more clearly evil"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK, so you're going to the casino?"

Eben exclaims, "Sounds good to me!"

Jacob says, "Ok"

Eben yawns. "But not tonight!"

GM says, "So you all emerge from the lab, under the starry night sky, by the still-dry lake bed (from which you stole all the water)..."

Eben says, "Oh, right."

Eben returns the water to the lake.

Wanda is splashed. 'Oh! Cold.'

Cuddlepaws is not splashed.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Cuddles can shield."

GM exclaims, "And your phones chirp!"

Wanda says, "Z."

Jacob pulls out the phone. "Now what does he want?"

GM says, "While you were undergound and out of cell range, you got a text message."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "zzzzz"

Cuddlepaws says, "Woo, there are Pokemon here ...oh"

GM says, "'ru going 2 casino 2nite?'"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims (at Cuddlepaws), "Ha!"

Wanda says, "Well, I guess the answer is no. Tell him we caught the tiger."

Cuddlepaws says, "No, bro. Caught tiger. #yolo"

Eben asks, "Let's say we're going Thursday and actually go Tuesday. Or the other way 'round?"

Wanda says, "Wait, I keep forgetting what day of the week we are."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(I have no idea)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Me neither -- you pick one."

Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "I'd say going earlier makes way more sense."

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "And since tomorrow is Tuesday, let's do that!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "If we were camping, that means you didn't have to go to school the next day, so let's say it was Saturday."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Or not!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of even), "Unless you need some days for something?"

Eben nah.

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "After this story is over, you might need to have a talk with your granddaughter about skipping classes."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Nah, I mean."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK, so you're telling Agent Z that you'll be investigating Sarducci Thursday night, then you're going home to get some sleep?"

Eben texts, "need 2 prep first--might be able to go Thur if u help?"

Wanda says, "Yeah, I need to recover from that stab wound first."

GM asks, "So you all get some rest, and Wanda manages to get up in time to go to at least *some* of her classes on Tuesday, and then you all get meet up and the pre-arranged time and place... which is when and where?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Oh, right, as this finishes the scene, your mild consequences clear!"

Wanda says, "(Luckily it's hidden by my skin suit)"

Wanda says, "(and now it's gone)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Woo"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "So where are you meeting up?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Time to dress up : https://thumb9.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/4305748/640719928/stock-photo-cute-white-cat-with-a-bow-tie-purple-background-640719928.jpg"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "At the casino? At your HQ to prep first? Someplace else?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Outside the casino, just after closing time?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Checks out"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Sounds good!"

Wanda's Tuesday was exhausting. And to top it all, she accidentally smashed her fork through her plate at mealtime.

Cuddlepaws finally got her 16 hours of sleep for once instead of going adventuring.

GM says, "The last few casino patrons are staggering out the front entrance as you watch from a secluded spot outside."

Cuddlepaws asks, "Didn't we find a back entrance last time?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "One bit of prep: I'm trying out some IR goggles I cooked up in my lab."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(create advantage/crafts?)"

GM says, "You notice that Sarducci has started campaigning a bit early this election year -- there are signs out by the parking lot proclaiming 'CROWNSFORD NEEDS A CHANGE /VOTE SARDUCCI FOR MAYOR'."

Wanda plays with a few tiny flames, making them hop from fingertip to fingertip, while leaning against the wall.

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "OK -- Crafts +1, Create Advantage."

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at CP), "Did you? That sounds plausible to me!"

Cuddlepaws asks, "Make Crownsford great again? What doe sthat mean?"

Cuddlepaws spends a fate point, leaving her with 2.

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "I did!"

GM says, "In addition to the main front entrance, CP has discovered a rear service entrance for deliveries and employees."

Wanda says, "Okay, great job, Cuddles."

Wanda says, "I have a few ideas myself about how the security works here, thanks to that janitor."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "So to recap: our free tags going in are 'Wanda: knowlede about casino security (x2)' and 'Secret lever'"

Wanda says, "Gosh, that was a *long* time ago."

Eben exclaims, "Yeah, must have been three weeks! Or more!"

Wanda says, "So much's changed."

Wanda exclaims, "But hopefully not their security system!"

Cuddlepaws sneaks towards the back door.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Burglary to enter?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Cuddlepaws), "Stealth! Overcome vs. +1."

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

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I gave you 'cat in the shadows (boost)' if you want to go with that."

GM says (to Cuddlepaws), "You conceal yourself effortlessly among the foliage as you approach the rear entrance, staying completely out of sight of the security camera mounted by the door."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That's a success with style as it is."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Right, that was the boost from that."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh, right, yes."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "sure"

Cuddlepaws says, "I can slow the camera down if you like, so each of you can approach easier"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "sounds good"

Jacob says, "Yes, please."

Eben says (to Cuddlepaws,earlier), "If you get the door open, I'll shoot a portal through it so the rest of us can get in."

Jacob says, "Or that."

Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "I don't know if it's alarmed"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Using TK? That would be Create Advantage, Will against +1."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Well, we can use Jacob to actually open the door with Burglary."

Cuddlepaws says, "Don't Say "there there", Eben"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Or we could just open it, I guess ;-)"

Eben exclaims, "Here here!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "CP also has Burglary, no?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I was referring to the camera.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, missed that."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "But yes, if I can get to the door, I can open it."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to jacob), "Only at +1"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "slows the camera for Jacob."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh, did you adjust it? The spreadsheet says 2. I have 2 now."

Cuddlepaws rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 +1 | Epic (7)

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Though I haven't updated the spreadsheet either."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of CP), "So are you using TK to manipulate the camera, or Burglary to open the door, or...?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "the former"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Should I still roll stealth?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK! That's a success with style, to create an Aspect with two free invokes! (Or with one plus a special effect.)"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob), "Yup -- against the same +1 opposition CP had earlier."

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

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Since we need to get 3 people over, 2 free invokes"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "And now burglary"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Jacob), "Also a success with style!"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob), "That's trickier -- +3 opposition."

Jacob rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 +1 0 +1 | Superb (5)

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Woo"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Excellent! Do you want to narrate that?"

Cuddlepaws artfully uses TK to slow the camera a bit, without stopping it completely.

Jacob dodges behind the bushes to get to the door, which he easily figures out the code to, which disables the alarm as well.

GM says, "Click! The door swings open..."

[Crows-Nest] (from Wanda) ... and fifty armed goons step out in marching order.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "To the tune of the Imperial March."

GM says, "...behind it, you see a dimly-lit corridor."

GM says, "Lined with closed doors."

Eben waits for the 'all clear' signal from Jacob.

GM says, "And the camera is swinging back towards you."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "sneaks inside."

Cuddlepaws sneaks inside.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Is the camera aimed away from the door? I was imagining above and aimed at doorstep/environs."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "The doorstep and environs is how I was picturing it."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Apparently swinging from left to right to scan the area."

Jacob waves at the others.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Cool; I thought it might see if the door was open."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(But mounted right above the door, so it can't see the door itself.)"

Eben waits until the camera is turned away, then shoots a portal through the open doorway!

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Eben), "That's also a Stealth vs. +1!"

Cuddlepaws sneaks down the corridor to check for guards.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Not shoot?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Nope! I trust your aim here. I don't trust your ability to correctly time it when the camera can't see you :)"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Sounds good!"

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Oh no!"

Eben gets the timing wrong, but fortunately, Cuddlepaws slows the camera down at just the right moment.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(tagging that once)"

GM says, "*One* end of a portal appears in front of Cuddlepaws, in the corridor."

GM asks, "Where does Eben shoot the other end?"

Cuddlepaws says, "*hiss* Oh."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Good question! I have the vague recollection that the casino was at the docks. Is that right?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "...sure! Why not."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Heh."

Eben and Wanda retreat down the beach from where they were waiting, and slip inside an abandoned fish camp (basically, a small shack), where Eben opens the other side of the portal.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Water? Again?"

[CCrusaders] Alex says (to Cuddlepaws), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that Water is Kimmelvassa, in proto-Indo-European."

GM exclaims (at Cuddlepaws), "And then the portal completes itself, resolving into... a room full of fish!"

Eben exclaims (at Wanda), "After you!"

Cuddlepaws says, "Ooooooooooooooh"

Eben brings a fish through for Cuddlepaws, for a job well done.

Cuddlepaws says, "*nom nom gnaw gnaw gulp*"

Wanda says, "Give me a second. *slips out of skin suit* Here, take this."

[Crows-Nest] GM adds 'petty theft: piscene' to the list of crimes taking place in Crownsford.

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks, "Oh, do I get a fate point?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Skin Suit Mark III is pretty nifty."

[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "For which?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Petty theft :-)"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Nah, Eben committed it."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "If you have a good complication for it to cause you... :)"

Eben converts the suit into a backpack, which he wears, stowing his random bits of gadgetry and the old laptop in it.

Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "Oh, *were* there any guards?"

GM says, "You're now all in a back hallway of the casino. The hall is lined with doors leading into offices, store rooms, and the like."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at CP), "Not by the back entrance!"

Cuddlepaws says, "Let's find Turducky's office"

Wanda says, "Yuck."

GM exclaims, "You walk down the hall, reading the names on the doors -- ah, there it is, 'Sarducci!'!"

GM says, "It is, of course, locked."

(From Cuddlepaws) Everyone looks at Jacob.

Jacob listens at the door first.

Eben leaves the orange portal in the fish camp active, but cancels the blue one.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Investigate? (without the +2)"

GM exclaims (at Jacob), "Hmm, you don't hear anything behind the door -- but wait, there are footsteps coming toward you from down the hall!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Get the door open or run?"

Wanda jumps onto the ceiling and tries to blend in!

Eben, in case Jacob can't open the door in time, tries to open a storage room door!

Jacob tries the door quickly.

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

Cuddlepaws asks, "Is there one of those tables with a vase on them in the hallway?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Burglary for Jacob and Eben, Stealth for Wanda..."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at CP), "Sure!"

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

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "If the storage door room is locked, I just leave it alone."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "It is locked -- unless you want to spend a fate point to say otherwise."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Nah, I'll just follow Jacob."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of CP), "What are you doing?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I think I'll follow Jacob, too."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "And I... just rolled a Mediocre stealth roll."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK -- Jacob's roll will get him through."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Anyone following, Stealth!"

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

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to Wanda), "You could tag 'knowledge about security'."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Oh!"

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

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

GM says, "A security guard walks down the hall, swinging his flashlight..."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "You presently have a tie, which is a success with a mild complication."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you tagging anything to make it a full success, or leaving it that way?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'll take the mild complication."

[Crows-Nest] (from Wanda) GM says, 'You now have a bow tie.'

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of Cuddlepaws), "You got a success with style, looks like. Another boost?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Sure"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, ""Quick and silent""

GM says, "...but he's too busy checking his phone to notice the office door swinging shut. In fact, he's so engrossed in his phone that he stops there in the middle of the hallway, looking at it. Right underneath Wanda."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "That's hilarious that he's checking his phone on his rounds."

Wanda tries not to breathe.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "@guard06 tweets "Boring day, lol.""

GM says (to Jacob, Eben, CP), "You're now in a dark office. Only Jacob can see clearly -- and what he sees looks like a fairly normal office for a high-level executive, but not really all that ostentatious or fancy."

Cuddlepaws listens ar the door, ready to spring to the guard's defense if he notices Wanda.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "She's been kind of ... uneven lately."

[Crows-Nest] GM says (to CP), "Ha ha."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "OOC: is the guard a nameless NPC?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

Jacob searches the desk.

Eben, now that he sees what model computer is in the room, rewires his flash drive downloady thing so that Jacob can use it to get interesting inormation.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'll keep that in mind."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(crafts/create advantage, if possible)"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Jacob), "Are you looking for something specific (e.g. an Overcome), or just anything useful in general (Create Advantage), or doing that special Investigate thing you do to check out a whole room for multiple clues?"

GM says, "The guard glances around."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Just creating an advantage."

GM exclaims (at Wanda), "Try Stealth again!"

Wanda rolls Average (1) + 4dF: +1 -1 -1 -1 | Poor (-1)

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Waaah"

Jacob rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: 0 +1 0 -1 | Fantastic (6)

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob), "OK -- Investigate, +2 opposition."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Oh dear"

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

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Wanda), "You're presently failing -- will you invoke anything?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Nah."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Really? Well, then."

GM says, "The guard says, 'Oh, hey, it's a Charizard!' And he swings his phone up toward the ceiling, and..."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(rolling my crafts, in the meantime:)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(or, wait, I'll wait for a TN)"

GM says, "...and inside the office Jacob is rifling through papers, and discovers a pile of personal papers in a locked drawer that clearly Sarducci doesn't want anyone to see -- they're describing a bunch of anonymous funds and activities he's been engaging in, almost a Secret Double Life."

Jacob grabs the papers and stuffs them under his shirt.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Which we can get more details on once we're out of immediate danger.)"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "That seems like a +3 challenge, since he's no doubt got passwords and stuff."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Sounds good!"

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

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Uh-oh -- do you fail, or tag something?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hmm, if Wanda's OK with it, I will tag one of her 'knowlege of casino security' invokes, since she's been talking about it for weeks."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Yup :)"

[CCrusaders] Eben does so!

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Then you succeed!"

GM exclaims, "...and the guard finds himself eye to eye-eye-eye-eye with a giant spider!"

GM says, "'THE SCARLET SPIDER!' He grabs his walkie-talkie. 'IT'S THE SCARLET SPIDER! OUTSIDE SARDUCCI'S OFFICE!'"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I was imagining a create advantage for a Jacob Investigate, but if we want to just say it was an Overcome, I'm fine with that, too."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Should've left her skin suit on, then we could've played the Exorcist card"

Wanda says (to Guard), "Hello! You're probably not a bad guy at heart, and I'm really awfully sorry about this, but it's time to go to bed, biped."

Cuddlepaws opens the door and runs into the corridor.

Wanda jumps down and POW!

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Create advantage works -- now Jacob has multiple advenues to explore once you get out of here."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Wanda), "That sounds like a Fight roll!"

(From Wanda) Grabbing him by the scruff of the neck, she sends the guard crashing through the thin walls of the corridor and into another office, knocking him out flat unconscious.

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "No! Collateral damage!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Or maybe it's a CDE!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "It is!"

GM exclaims, "CRASH!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "There is a big hole in the wall! It's guard-shaped."

GM exclaims, "Within seconds, three more guards are stomping down the hallway in your direction!"

Cuddlepaws grabns the walkie-talkie. "Uh, false alarm! It was just a Halloween decoration someone had left up!"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Ah, Crumpets!"

GM says (to CP), "'A voice from the radio says, "What? WHo is this? There must be a group of them! Call the cops!'"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And now, we fight!"

Jacob swears under his breath.

GM displays the initiative: WANDA/EBEN/JACOB/CUDDLEPAWS(2) GM(1)

GM advances the initiative: Wanda/Eben/Jacob/Cuddlepaws(2) GM(1)

GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND

GM advances the initiative: WANDA/EBEN/JACOB/CUDDLEPAWS(2) GM(1)

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks, "Call the cops? What kind of mafia casino is this?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "https://webwhiteboard.com/board/6bq7e2na"

Eben asks, "Guys, do we want to just leave? Do we have what we want?"

Jacob says, "Yeah!"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Run! I got this!"

Eben opens a blue portal in Sarducci's office behind the door, so the guards in the hallway can't see it!

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to Wanda), "If you're OK with me going first"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'm good with that"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Since I technically 'threw the first punch'"

Cuddlepaws throws up Shielding across the corridor, blocking the guards.

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Eben), "Are you going through the portal?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, I think so."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That's Eben and Cuddlepaws... leaving Wanda and Jacob."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "What are you doing?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of Cuddlepaws), "Are you also moving?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "I reinforce Cuddles' shield with a wall of fire?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "CP is creating a shield."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "As soon as everyone else is out, yeah"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Right, but you get an action and a move, IIRC."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "If she leaves, she won't be there to maintain the shield."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ah, OK."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I'll heroically go last"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can she delay her move until the rest of us go?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "OK -- that sounds like a Create Advantage roll."

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

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "Provoke, vs. +2."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Oh no -- are you invoking anything?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I spend a fate point. Cuddles is family to me."

Wanda spends a fate point, leaving them with 1.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "Enh, no need really, though I appreciate the sentiment"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK! +2, and you now have a free invoke on the Aspect you're creating."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Jacob?"

Jacob runs through the portal.

GM advances the initiative: Wanda/Eben/Jacob/Cuddlepaws(2) GM(1)

Wanda taps the ground with her fangs, and creates a wall of fire in front of the shield.

Wanda says, "There you go, Cuddles."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Sorry, was RPing. ;P"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Why is the building now on fire? I said I had this!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Go ahead"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Don't apologize! :)"

GM exclaims, "The guards draw their guns and open fire on the menace of Crownsford, the Scarlet Spider!"

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Hoho."

Cuddlepaws rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: +1 +1 0 +1 | Legendary+1 (9)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "..."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Not today, security guards! NOT TODAY!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "You just Neo'd them."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Whoa."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That's... succeeding with style, to say the very least."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "heh"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "So to start with, are there any special effects you'd like to apply here?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Cuddlepaws will become LEGEND!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Oh, hey--maybe the boost can be that it can last a round even if she's not there?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Well, they are mental or physical recovery, so no"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK. Then you will get a boost."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Yeah, I was thinking "AH !RICHOCHETS!" as a boost so they are distracted for a round"

GM says, "The guards' bullets enter Cuddlepaws' force field and immediately... slow... down... half a dozen slugs, just hovering motionless in mid-air..."

GM says, "...and then, they melt into six droplets of molten lead that fall to the ground in tiny puddles."

GM says, "The guards quickly exchange glances."

GM says, "And run for their lives."

Cuddlepaws licks her front paw.

Wanda exclaims, "We're a great team!"

GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND

GM advances the initiative: WANDA/EBEN/JACOB/CUDDLEPAWS(2) GM(1)

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "Okay, that's better"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hee."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Wait, is it the GM's turn or mine?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yours!"

Wanda focuses, and tries to put out the fire with the sheer force of her mind. No need for that wall now.

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You succeed!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you going to move as well?"

(From Wanda) And the wall of fire disappears as suddenly as it had appeared, leaving only a faint burn mark. Wanda takes this as an opportunity to leap through the door of Sarducci's office and through Eben's portal.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Alright -- and the rest of you?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Once cuddlepaws is through, I cancel the blue portal."

Cuddlepaws drops her shielding and runs through the portal as well.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "And then we can either watch the aftermath, or go home."

Cuddlepaws grabs a small fish.

GM says, "And you're now all in a small shack that smells like fish, with an inactive orange portal on the wall."

GM says, "You hear sirens -- like those from police cars -- in the distance."

Wanda slips back into her skin suit hastily. 'Crap, I'm going to smell of fish now.'

Cuddlepaws exclaims (at wanda), "I had it under control!"

Eben exclaims, "That... could have gone better, but we got what we needed. Let's head out!"

Cuddlepaws says, "*gnaw* *muhc* *chew*"

Wanda asks (of Cuddlepaws), "Did I do something wrong?"

Cuddlepaws says, "That fire could've been dangerous! We don't need to create unnecessary danger."

Eben opens a new blue portal and activates Fallback Plan to get everyone back home again.

Wanda says, "Oh."

Wanda thinks about this as she steps through the portal.

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Do we have time for one last scene...?"

Jacob hops through the portal.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Sure, we've got another hour or so."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Woo!"

Cuddlepaws headbutts Wanda gently. "Those guards were just doing their job. And there could've been other people there as well. Cleaning people maybe? And any of them could own cats. Think of all those poor cats in some sdhleter.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha"

Wanda says, "Aw. Now I feel bad about throwing that one guy through the wall."

Cuddlepaws says, "Ah, he was probably a dick."

Wanda says, "I did try to make sure he wouldn't be killed."

Eben exclaims, "And that's good!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "You have to admit, that *is* an improvement."

Wanda asks (of Cuddlepaws), "Oh. But what does his first name have to do with it? And how did you even know he was called Dick?"

Cuddlepaws says, "Oh, you didn't have the talk yet? Listen, every few weeks a female goes through a phase of intense sexual desire, unless she's neutered, and all the males in the neighborhood gather around her..."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Hehe"

Wanda listens, and is even more confused than ever.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "So. It's late in the evening -- after closing time at the casino, at least -- and the police are converging on Sarducci's to try to track down the trespassers who broke into the place. Meanwhile, you're back in Eben's workshop, with a sheaf of stolen papers, a full flash drive, and a couple of related Aspects with free invokes on them. And Cuddlepaws is teaching Wanda about sex. What do you do next?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee hee"

Jacob pops the flash drive into his laptop, and hands the papers to Eben to rifle through.

Eben leafs through the papers.

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "The worst part of this is that whatever CP is saying can't be any *less* useful to her than what her human-oriented health classes will assert."

Cuddlepaws asks, "Oh, wait, it's different for spiders, I guess? So you have to find a male, have sex, eat him, then lay a million eggs. But I guess all males of your species are a mllion trillion miles away?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "hahaha"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, ""Jacob, Eben" Are those both Overcomes, to get info?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Investigate?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "And yes"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yup. Let's say a +3 for each of you."

Jacob rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 0 | Fantastic (6)

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "He's Mr Fantastic"

GM says, "Jacob, reading through the papers describing aspects of Sarducci's private life, finds something a bit surprising..."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Eben is reading hte papers, I'm reading the files"

Cuddlepaws sits on Jacob's lap.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "RETCON TIME"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "I'm not doing an in-depth search, just a cursory scan. I could roll Notice, or just not roll?"

Jacob pats Cuddlepaws.

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob), "Oh! Right."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "I'd still call it Investigate."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Then I just look at them, get confused, and wait for Jacob to be done with the flash drive."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Since doing it cursorily won't help you to find *more* info just because you're better at Noticing than Investigating :)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

GM says (to Jacob), "Well, on the flash drive, you find a lot of documents related to the casino -- e.g. budgeting and the like."

Jacob says, "Forgot your reading glasses, eh? I'll read them in a moment."

GM says, "Most of it seems to balance pretty well, but there's one part that's oddly cryptic."

Cuddlepaws jumps on the table and checks the files.

GM says, "An entire section of the budget oriented toward something called the 'Crowne Room'. Which is a part of the casino you certainly don't remember seeing any mention of when you were there seeing Zircon's show."

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

Cuddlepaws says, "(Investigate)"

Jacob asks, "Does anyone know what the Crowne Room is at the Casino?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "I'm guessing it's a lot of money?"

GM says, "It looks like a fair amount of money goes in and out of there, and there's one section that looks like a list of debts or winnings, next to short little strings of letters."

Eben asks, "Not I. Maybe it's the room behind the secret lever?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Timing"

Jacob hmms.

Jacob says, "We should probably check that out."

Wanda flits through the pages of her organic chemistry textbook, underlining material by making faint burn marks. She hasn't yet noticed the expressions on her friends' faces as they make their discoveries.

Cuddlepaws says, "Yeah"

GM says, "'DCP', 'HZF', 'CCM', 'POP'... hmm, 'HZF' seems to have a particularly large negative number associated with it."

Cuddlepaws asks, "Bribes, maybe?"

Eben frowns, looks up Mayor Fine's middle name online.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I assume we know his first name, but I don't remember it."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda exclaims, "Howard!"

GM says (to Eben), "Mayor Fine... hmmm. Ah, there -- 'Howard Zachary Fine'."

Jacob says, "Yikes."

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "They are not bribes, they are fines!"

Jacob says, "if I'm understanding correctly, he owes Sarducci a lot of money. No wonder he's trying to get us to take care of things for him."

Cuddlepaws says, "If Sarducci has the mayor in his pocket, that explains that they'll call the cops on us"

Wanda exclaims, "Methylyctate!"

Eben sighs.

Wanda says, "Oh, wait, sorry"

Wanda says, "My mind was elsewhere"

Cuddlepaws asks, "Could DCP and POP be some of the Payne's?"

Eben says, "Is it too late to declare that you want to run for mayor? Who could we get to run? I wonder if someone else is already running? I guess there's usually a passel of them..."

Eben looks up everyone who's declared that they're running for mayor.

Eben exclaims (at Cuddlepaws), "That's a good guess!"

Eben looks up current Payne family names.

GM says (to Eben), "Howard Fine, Anthony Sarducci... oh, and that weird guy with the dinosaur mask who runs every time, but you think he might be a bit mentally unstable. His platform is mostly about using tax funding to turn big oil back into dinosaurs."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "heee"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yay"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Supervillian of the next arc?"

GM says, "In the Payne family, you do notice that Penelope Olivia Payne is an aunt of Mina Payne. She's known to enjoy throwing her money around for fun. In the ledger Jacob found, she apparently has a small positive balance."

Cuddlepaws says, "That leaves CCM"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "If you want to try to identify someone with those initials, you can make a Contacts roll to Overcome, vs +2."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I don't have contacts, only prey"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, hey, I have Contacts."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I just remembered that Zircon had better."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Time to play bridge with the Red Menace."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Sure, I'll try that."

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

Jacob rifles through the papers now, while Eben ponders the remaining people.

Jacob rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: -1 -1 +1 0 | Superb (5)

GM says, "Jacob, reading through the papers describing aspects of Sarducci's private life, finds something a bit surprising..."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Hmm. Worth a fate point?"

Cuddlepaws says, "I rolled for the papers way back there"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Whoops, sorry, CP."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of CP), "Oh, what did you roll?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "A 1"

Cuddlepaws says, "But your roll is waaaay better"

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to Cuddlepaws), "Yeah, but the TN was 3 and you rolled a 1."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ha."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws takes a nap on the papers instead.

GM says, "Cuddlepaws, reading through the papers, discovered that they shred really nicely between her claws and would probably be great for lining a litterbox with."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I feel that I should have Jacob roll vs. +3, even though I'm confident that he'll succeed."

Cuddlepaws says, "*Grar, take that paper!* Hey, don't dare to pick me up and put me on your lap oh ear scritches? okay fine"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda exclaims, "he already rolled!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I just rolled a 5."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "See? I told you!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "But again vs. Cuddlepaws's damage."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ha ha."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh!"

Jacob rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 +1 | Superb (5)

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "There!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Groovy, Jake."

GM says (to Jacob), "You find information suggesting that Sarducci apparently has a habit of spending an inordinate amount of his time and money secretly engaging in certain anonnymous activities which he hides from the public eye..."

Eben asks, "He's a secret philanthropist?"

GM says, "...such as donating money to feed the homeless, spending time assisting at orphanages, and setting up a bird sanctuary in Brazil."

Jacob whoa.

Jacob says, "Sarducci doesn't seem so bad."

Jacob says, "Not like the Mayor.."

Cuddlepaws says, "What? No animal shelters? What a dic -, er douche"

Wanda exclaims, "Well, then we know what to do!"

Wanda asks, "Right?"

Cuddlepaws asks, "We do?"

Eben says, "Well, work with Sarducci instead of Z; that's for sure."

Wanda nods.

Eben says, "Glad we didn't burn down his casino."

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

Wanda says, "Yeah, I extinguished that before I went."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So it's late-ish Tuesday night. Agent Z was expecting you to investigate the casino on Thursday, but it's likely that he'll figure out pretty soon that you weren't entirely honest about that."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "What are you going to do now?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "We should contact Sardonicy and apologize"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Send flowers to Sarducci along with an apology note"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I made a rather big hole in that wall."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "paw/icky spider lef high five"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "hehe"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "the scarlet spider did! if we go with everyone in human form ..."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Oho."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK -- are you ordering these flowers online? And on whose credit card?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "We should set up a meeting with Sarducci and give him back his papers."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Yeah."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws only has PayPal.

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Eben), "OK. How are you going to contact him?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I feel like Red might know him."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws looks him up on LinkedIn.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Maybe a Contacts roll?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Eben), "Sounds good!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Overcome, vs. +1."

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Eben), "Yes, you definitely remember Red talking about being friends with Sarducci!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Darn! If only Eben had remembered that sooner!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Heh."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "We'll have to claim the Scarlet Spider is a somewhat jumpy and unreliable associate of ours."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "And disclaim any responsibility for its acts."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "As I recall, you probably played bridge with Red earlier today, in fact. Are you going to be calling him up now, this late in the evening?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha, that's right."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Sure, why not!"

GM says, "A sleepy-sounding Red answers the phone. 'Hello?'"

Eben says, "Hey there! I have a sort of odd request. You know Sarducci, right? Can you set up a meeting between us? I ended up with some things of his that need to be returned to him."

GM says, "'Oh... hey, Eben. Wow, you're up late. But, sure. I was gonna have dinner at the casino tomorrow, with Chinh. He's usually there. I'm sure she won't mind if you come along.'"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Did we ever return Mrs. Red's statue?"

Eben exclaims, "That'd be great! Thank you so much. Sorry for waking you up!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "We did!"

GM says, "'Alright. Meet us there around five, then. Good night.'"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Is everyone turning in for the night at this point?"

Cuddlepaws snores on the papers.

Eben texts "prep work ended up getting a bit out of hand, but might still be able to make Thursday. U there?" to Z, but before sending it, asks everyone if that seems reasonable.

Cuddlepaws says, "Sure"

Wanda says, "Okay, we're in full deception mode now. Woo."

GM says (to Eben), "There's no immediate reply -- but then, it is pretty late at night, so hat's not surprising."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "That hat's not surprising at all."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "oops, #crows-nest"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Heh."

Eben yawns again, and stretches. "OK, everyone! G'night! If you need a place to stay, we have a couple extra beds, as usual."

Cuddlepaws's paw twitch in her sleep. She mumbles "Yes, you better run, security guards! For I am the mighty Kitty Cuddlepaws!

Wanda says, "I'd better head home. Mom and Dad are a bit worried about me at the moment."

Jacob heads home as well.

Wanda says, "Goodnight, Grandpa. Goodnight, Cuddlepaws."

GM says, "The next morning, when Wanda wakes up and comes down for breakfast, she encounters a cold reception. Commissioner Webb hasn't touched his breakfast. He's just looking very, *very* disappointed."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "uh oh"

GM says, "'Wanda. I know where you were last night.'"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Let's see her Super Strength her way out of this one"

Wanda's fork gets stuck in the table.

Wanda pulls it out hastily, accidentally knocking over some stuff over herself. 'Oh. Um. Oh.'

GM says, "'I've been trying to ignore what I've been hearing. I know you're at an age where you need to... rebel a little bit. I was a teenager once too. And I'm sure *some* of the stories I've been hearing must have been exaggerated. But...'"

GM says, "'But this is going too far, Wanda. You need to respect the law.'"

GM says, "'You're grounded until further notice.'"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "</session>"

Wanda says, "Daaaaad..."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "heeee"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "great way to end a session"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "And so the final session will be probably on June 30th?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Probably -- unless we end up needing two sessions to wrap things up, but we'll probably just need one."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Cool"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Woohoo! This was nice"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "I don't suppose June 2, June 9 or June 23 has magically become free in the meantime?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Yay!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "My character totally had this coming."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "I'm still out of the country for the first two, so.. no?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Nope"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK, then we'll meet back here on Saturday, June 30, at the usual time!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'm looking forward to it :)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Me too!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Me too!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And thanks for playing, everyone."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Thanks!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Thanks for DMing!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, ";..Jacob Hey, how attached are you to the character you made, Linda Savant? Can I use the sheet you made for an NPC (either reusing her or changing her name?)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(It's for the three-session Falcon City thingumbob)"

Eben exclaims (at cuddlepaws), "I appreciate being asked, though!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Yeah, this was fun, once more!"