[rpg] Gunther asks, "there is game?"

[rpg] Jota says, "Yup, on #Department."

[Department] * Gunther has joined the channel.

Gunther arrives from the west.

[Department] Jota says, "(In about ten minutes.)"

[Department] Fang says, "oh huh"

[Department] Fang says, "I forgot"

Fang arrives, looking for booty.

James arrives, looking for booty.

[Department] James wave!

[Department] James asks, "We will probably have to head out early for Halloween stuff, but I hear this is supposed to be shorter anyway?"

[Department] GM says, "Yeah. Sargent is also busy with Halloween and kids."

[Department] Alexey particle.

[Department] James nods.

[Department] GM tries to remember if katre and/or Duchess said anything along those lines.

Reeve has connected.

[Department] GM says, "Let's wait a few minutes, since there are only three of us here so far."

[Department] James says, "And Sara is actually still in the kitchen with pumpkin seeds; she'll be down in a bit."

[Department] Reeve says, "hello"

Bob_Nobody arrives, looking for booty.

[Department] Bob_Nobody says, "sorry for lateness"

[Department] GM exclaims, "Yay, you're here!"

[Department] Reeve asks, "halloween distractions? do you get many trick-or-treaters?"

[Department] Bob_Nobody says (to reeve), "not as many as we expected"

[Department] Bob_Nobody says, "which means, yay, more candy for me"

[Department] GM says, "Hee."

[Department] Bob_Nobody says, "but I took both kids out trick-or-treating so bedtime got a little late"

[Department] Reeve says, "that's why you should always buy candy *you* like :-)"

[Department] GM asks (of Bob), "Is Duchess on her way?"

[Department] Bob_Nobody says, "yes"

EmmaSmith arrives, looking for booty.

[Department] Bob_Nobody says, "in fact..."

[Department] GM exclaims, "Apparently so!"

[Department] Reeve exclaims, "timing!"

GM says, "Last time, our heroes had just finished up their training mission, only to discover that there was no one waiting to congratulate, grade, or even berate them for it."

[Department] EmmaSmith says, "katre likes expensive candy"

Alexey cries soulful tears.

[Department] EmmaSmith says, "for halloween i believe in cheap"

GM exclaims, "They decided to take a look around, taking the elevator down a level... and found someone trying to break into the Department's archives!"

[Department] Gunther says, "I hope you got a ton of brain mints"

[Department] Gunther says, "kids would never EVER return"

[Department] EmmaSmith says, "heehee"

[Department] Gunther says, "if they did... there's always twiglets."

GM says, "While they were digesting this information, McNeil showed up, followed shortly by McNeil."

[Department] Alexey asks, "wasn't there that thing about using dried toothpaste as mints?"

[Department] Gunther says, "I hope there's a doctor somewhere who gives out H1N1 shots instead of candy"

GM says, "They quickly concluded that one of them was an alien shapeshifting imposter, and disabled him, along with the flunky who was working on the door."

GM says, "Bringing us to the present."

Bob_Nobody says, "Hmm, aliens disguised as Department agents."

GM says, "The still upright McNeil looks over your handiwork, nodding. 'Nicely done. I can see why Billings selected you.'"

Bob_Nobody asks (of The_Real_McNeil), "This happen often?"

Alexey makes sure the two Martians (?) are well restrained.

GM says (to Bob), "'Not too often -- but I did see something like it once before, in Morocco. Of course, that time they were squids, and they were trying to steal a shipment of translubinium.'"

EmmaSmith asks, "i don't get it. why didn't that scanning thing tell billings the guy was a fake you?"

Bob_Nobody says, "Sheesh, they wanted to steal that? There are so many easier ways to get some."

James says, "Other than that, just the same."

GM says, "'But, speaking of Billings, I wonder what's happened to him... I didn't see anyone in the lobby when I came in.'"

Alexey asks, "Is this all of them? Is there a way to get in contact with Billings?"

Bob_Nobody says, "And, um, whatshername, Ms Purple."

GM says, "'Can you take a look around, see if you can find him? I'll take these two and lock them up.'"

Bob_Nobody says, "We should make sure she was a person."

Bob_Nobody says, "Oh, sure."

EmmaSmith says, "i wonder what they wanted from the archives"

Bob_Nobody says, "Let's tie them up better."

Alexey asks, "I guess we should just go around stunning everyone, just to make sure, then?"

Reeve asks (of James), "Can you query the system again, see if any of it has recovered?"

[Department] Bob_Nobody says, "okay, while tieing the fake McNeil, I want to grab the fake keycard I presume he has"

[Department] Bob_Nobody asks, "otherwise, how did he get around so easily?"

[Department] Bob_Nobody asks, "this is, what, Sleight of Hand?"

GM says, "He scans and bleeps open the elevator door. (to Alexey) 'That's one option.' Then he drags the two bodies in with him."

[Department] GM says (to Bob), "Sounds good."

Reeve makes sure nobody even twitches whilst they're being tied up and searched.

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

[Department] GM says, "You've got it."

[Department] Bob_Nobody says, "awesome"

GM says, "'Going up?'"

Bob_Nobody says, "We should, yeah."

Bob_Nobody asks, "Let's go up floor by floor?"

Bob_Nobody looks at the military guys.

Alexey says, "To Billings' office, first, I think"

Alexey says, "maybe we should get up top and lock down the base somehow"

GM says, "McNeil pushes button 3 for himself."

Alexey says, "so no one can leave"

Reeve says, "Yeah, let's start at the top, at least make sure we can get out if we have to."

Reeve says, "If we can't find a way out, we can always make one."

[Department] GM says, "Also, http://www.grunk.org/rpgs/department/floor1.gif http://www.grunk.org/rpgs/department/floor2.gif http://www.grunk.org/rpgs/department/floor3.gif if you need them."

Reeve pushes the button for the top floor.

Bob_Nobody gets in the elevator too.

Alexey gets in.

James asks (of McNeil), "Where are you heading?"

GM asks (of Reeve), "Is that 0 or 1?"

GM says, "(They're labelled 0, 1-5, and X.)"

[Department] EmmaSmith asks, "i assume 0 is the diner?"

Alexey pushes 1.

GM says (to James), "'There are some empty guest rooms on level 3. They can be locked from the outside, and they're relatively secure.'"

[Department] Reeve asks, "Whatever looks more like the top. 0 I guess?"

[Department] GM says, "That would make sense, given the buttons you say Billings pushing earlier."

James asks, "Oh, for the guests?"

GM says (to James), "'Right.'"

GM says, "The elevator ascends. When it reaches level three, McNeil slings one shapeshifting dinosaur alien over his shoulder and drags the other out by its tail."

James looks at the others in a 'should I go with him?' way.

GM says, "'I'm 09722 on the WTT, if you need me. Good luck.'"

James asks (of McNeil), "Are there others?"

GM says (to James), "'Good question! I'd recommend keeping an eye or two open.'"

Alexey says, "depends on if Billings is one of them"

[Department] James says, "It would sort of make sense to split the party, but splitting the party is always annoying to play."

[Department] Bob_Nobody says, "yeah, let's not"

GM says, "'There should be an observation room upstairs that you can use to watch the security cameras -- but if the security system were working, I don't think they'd be just wandering around like this, so that might not help.'"

Alexey asks (of McNeil), "is there a way to lock down the base?"

[Department] Bob_Nobody asks, "and, really, what would we do if this really is the fake? half the party fights him?"

[Department] Alexey says (to Bob_Nobody), "well, one of us shot him in the foot, and he doesn't seem very nonplussed"

GM says (to Alexey), "'In the observation and control room, you should be able to lock down all exits. If the security is working.'"

Alexey asks, "and that's on level 1, right?"

GM says, "'Right.'"

[Department] James says (to Alexey), "Right: http://www.grunk.org/rpgs/department/floor1.gif"

GM says, "McNeil then drags the bodies off down the hall."

Bob_Nobody says, "Let's hit that first, then."

Bob_Nobody says, "I bet we can get the security working."

Reeve says, "Sounds good."

Bob_Nobody looks at James and the very silent Eugene.

James smiles. "I'll give it a shot!"

GM says, "So the elevator continues to ascend to the top level."

GM says, "The lobby is, as McNeil said, empty."

Alexey peeks out the east door into the corridor.

Bob_Nobody looks around.

James heads out to the observation room in the NE corner of the floor.

[Department] Bob_Nobody asks, "this floor had Billings' office?"

GM says (to Alexey), "You can see doors in both directions (as described on the map)."

Alexey asks (of GM), "no signs of activity?"

GM says (to Bob), "You notice some signs of a struggle by the desk: the phone is askew, and the chair's knocked over."

Reeve checks down the hall.

GM says (to Alexey), "No one appears to be loitering about at the moment."

Alexey approaches Billings' office and listens at the door.

James approaches the observation room and tries the door.

GM says (to James), "Inside, you see a large array of television monitors, as well as a bank of controls and a few computer consoles. The monitors are all showing static, and the computer consoles have error messages scrolling past."

James sighs.

GM says (to Reeve), "You check the halls, but don't see anyone in them."

[Department] Bob_Nobody asks (of gm), "that was in billings' office?"

James says (to Stan), "Hey, I might need your help here."

James sees what he can do to get the computers up and running again.

[Department] GM asks (of Bob), "That was in the observation room. Are you going to Billings' office?"

Alexey opens the door, and checks inside Billings' office.

[Department] James asks, "I don't suppose we can pretend Eugene is here?"

GM says (to Alexey), "You don't hear anything on the other side."

[Department] James says, "At any rate:"

[Department] Bob_Nobody says, "not yet"

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

[Department] James says, "And Computers for Stan, too:"

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

GM exclaims (at Alexey), "Inside, you see chairs knocked over, papers scattered everywhere, and Billings' computer monitor on the floor dangling by its cord!"

Alexey exclaims, "!!"

[Department] GM says (to James), "I suppose we could."

GM says (to James), "Stan asks, 'What's up?'"

[Department] James exclaims, "Rolling Computers for Eugene, then!"

James rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 -1 -1 0 | Good (3)

Bob_Nobody goes to help Alexey after all.

[Department] James says, "Sheesh ;-)"

Bob_Nobody says, "Hmm, let's look for ...um, clues, about what happened here."

Alexey thinks.

[Department] Bob_Nobody says, "and if I happen to find the files on anyone in the group, but primarily myself, I will totally take them."

[Department] Bob_Nobody asks, "so, Alertness or Burglary?"

GM says, "Between James, Eugene and Stan, you manage to get the security computers rebooted! One by one, the monitors flicker to life, showing scenes from different locations in the building."

James asks (of Stan), "OK, I'm in the control room--we're trying to get the system back up and running again. I don't suppose you can find anyone on your end to help?"

Alexey says, "We'd best search the other rooms on this floor."

James looks at floor 3.

GM says (to Bob), "You find files on people in the group! Including yourself! And including a handful of files on other people who aren't in your group."

James says, "(and then the other floors)"

Bob_Nobody says, "Oooh, paydirt."

Alexey radios James. "Can you check on the status of the elevator from there?

Reeve joins Alexy & Bob in the search.

Bob_Nobody says (to Alexey), "Here, some light bedtime reading."

GM says (to Bob), "It looks like they were grouped together under 'Potential Transfers adn Recruits' until someone knocked them all around."

Bob_Nobody starts handing out everyone's dossiers to the proper person.

James looks at the elevator next.

[Department] GM says, "Slow down -- I think I'm losing track of people."

Alexey asks (of Bob_Nobody), "don't you think we should try and save our boss?"

Bob_Nobody says (to Alexey), "Oh, eventually."

Bob_Nobody says, "I'm sure he's fine. Ish."

Alexey says, "we need to see if this is a kidnapping"

Reeve skims his dossier.

Alexey says, "Billings being in the wrong hands would be a Bad Thing."

Alexey says, "we need to secure the facility in case there's a third hostile"

GM says (to James), "Stan says, 'Sure, you're probably looking at that system I was looking at earlier, that was hacked and slashed? I can try to--' Eugene taps in a few commands. '--hey, woah, did you guys just do something? It looks like it just rebooted itself!'"

[Department] James says (to GM), "I'm looking at all the different floors, looking for Things Gwan Oft Agley"

GM says (to James), "'Looks like you've got this under control without me.'"

Alexey proceeds with a search of the entire floor, going counterclockwise.

[Department] James says, "Whoops, Gang Aft Agley."

Alexey says, "Opening all the doors, checking inside them, etc"

James asks (of Stan), "Anything wrong that you can find?"

Reeve covers Alexey with both guns, just in case something twitches funny.

GM says (to Reeve), "It mentions a lot of things that were in your character sheet -- including your father! That bit mentions something called 'The Grenfield Incident', which he was apparently involved with, although there isn't a lot more detail about it."

GM says, "Each of your files also contains a weird page at the very end, with lots of funky black and white symbols and patterns."

Alexey decides not to read what he isn't meant to know.

[Department] James says, "(I'm particularly interested in looking in on the McNeils.)"

Reeve notes to research the Grenfield Incident, and possibly ask James to ask Stan to ask the computer system about it.

James asks (of Stan), "Hey, does the computer system say that McNeil is a werewolf?"

[Department] GM says (to James), "Scanning floor three, you see no one in the gym or kitchen. You do see McNeil in a corridor, shoving two green shapes into one of the rooms marked 'quarters' on your map. The camera inside the quarters looks like it's off-limits to you if there is one, though. (Probably for privacy.)"

[Department] Alexey says, "(though it would be nice if one of you would read my file for me..."

GM says (to James), "ANd the elevator is on floor one."

[Department] GM asks, "Also, I am sure that I am missing things right now -- are there any actions/qeustions I should be responding to that I haven't yet?"

[Department] Alexey says (to GM), "I'm exploring the rest of the floor."

[Department] Alexey says, "proceeding in a ccw direction"

[Department] Alexey says, "especially the bathrooms"

James looks for movement or things awry on any of the other floors/rooms.

[Department] Reeve says, "Reeve finished scanning his dossier, and was covering Alexey during the search. Ready to shoot if needed. :-)"

[Department] James says, "(I'll also be interested in my file once I'm done here, of course)"

GM says (to Alexey), "OK. So next is the conference room, which has a nice big table and projector, but it's unoccupied. Then the observation room, where James and Eugene are working. Then a bathroom marked with some kind of star or asterisk, which is empty. Then a men's room, which has Billing's bound and gagged inside..."

Bob_Nobody stands by to help James.

[Department] Bob_Nobody says, "and sure, I'll skim my own dossier."

James also makes sure the archives are locked down.

Alexey exclaims, "there you are!"

Reeve exclaims, "Billings, man! You look dreadful!"

GM says (to James), "Second floor... nothing obvious. First floor... you see the other recruits, some in Billings' office, Alexey peeping into the bathrooms..."

Alexey says (to Reeve), "Stun him."

Alexey says, "i.e. with the stun gun. We need to be sure."

James presses the intercom button. "Uh, I think maybe we should hear his story first?"

Alexey exclaims, "this way is quicked!"

GM says (to Bob), "It includes a fair bit about your background, including lists of people you knew at the circus. It looks like the Department might have an interest in some of them too, especially those who were employed at the 'freak show'."

Alexey exclaims, "*quicker!"

Bob_Nobody says, "They were pretty freaky."

GM says (to James), "Level four shows the storage area, which is huge enough that it would take a while to search it even using the cameras... level five shows the training area. You find cameras in the tavern, general store, castle, etc."

GM says (to Bob), "Hey, what's this other file? That photo on it looks familiar..."

GM exclaims (at Bob), "'Jason Mann' -- it's that guy who was trying to access the archives!"

Reeve rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: +1 0 0 +1 | Epic (7)

Bob_Nobody read read "Hey guys, look at this."

[Department] GM asks, "So is anyone actually untying, ungagging, or shooting Billings?"

[Department] Reeve says, "I think the guy is stunned."

[Department] Alexey asks, "with a stun gun?"

GM says, "And Billings goes from peering up at you hopefully to passed out completely on the floor, unconscious."

[Department] Reeve says, "yes"

[Department] James says, "Man, you people."

[Department] Reeve says, "shoot first, ask questions later."

Alexey says, "oookay"

[Department] James exclaims (at Alexey), "You were the one that suggested it!"

Alexey asks, "should we pour water on him to wake him up?"

Alexey asks, "or would that only further curtail out future career prospects?"

Alexey says, "*our"

Reeve asks (of Bob), "Say on?"

Bob_Nobody says (to Reeve), "This file I found, it's for someone named "Jason Mann""

Bob_Nobody says, "I'm trying to figure if it's really the guy downstairs or if the guy downstairs was another imposter."

Bob_Nobody says, "But I don't really speak DNA."

Bob_Nobody peers at the genetic background profile part of the document.

Reeve keeps talking with Bob while searching Billings, trying to determine if he's legit (wallet, ID cards, that sort of thing).

GM says (to Bob), "...parents Albert Mann and Julia Chong... skills include driving, firearms, and psychic-sensitivity... ah, special genetic traits: 'chromatic instability'."

Reeve says, "Sounds kinda like he occasionally reverst to black and white, instead of color."

Reeve says, "I had a TV that used to do that."

Bob_Nobody says, "Or maybe he's instable when looking at certain colors. Like those video games that cause epilepsy."

[Department] GM asks, "Are you with the others, or are you still scanning the security cameras?"

[Department] James says, "If the cameras showed nothing, I'll check McNeil one last time then report back to the others, and look at my file."

James says, "However, 'shape-shifting alien' is definitely not 'chromatic instability'."

[Department] GM says (to James), "You manage to see enough to be fairly confident there's no one lurking on the first, second or third floors, although it's hard to say with the fourth and fifth, since they're so much larger."

Alexey sneaks a look at his own file, since he isn't doing anything

[Department] James says, "Sounds good."

[Department] James asks, "Anything on floor X?"

[Department] GM says, "Just the one camera, showing the room you just came from. No one there."

GM asks (of Alexey), "Huh. Did you know that your family's restaurant had connections with illegaly brewers and smugglers?"

[Crows-Nest] James says, "Looking at http://www.grunk.org/rpgs/department/floor3.gif I can't help but hope that the three bathrooms are 'men','women' and 'other'."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "They *are* labelled M, F and *..."

Alexey exclaims, "those were just scurrilous rumours!"

[Crows-Nest] James says, "Yay"

GM says (to James), "You presumably join the others eventually, and find your own file..."

James reads it with interest.

[Department] Reeve asks, "do I find anything on Billings?"

GM says (to James), "It looks like your blood tests indicated that your DNA shows faint traces of something known as the 'Sidhe Factor'. There's also a cross-reference to something called 'Project AVALON'."

[Department] GM asks (of Reeve), "In the pile of bios?"

Gunther touched your tinky-winky Oskar Kokoschka.

[Department] GM says, "You see one for McNeil, and several for other people who look vaguely familiar, but none for Billings."

Gunther arrives, looking for booty.

[Department] Reeve says, "no, I was searching him for evidence he was the real Billings."

[Department] Reeve says, "Since I stunned him, and all."

[Department] GM says, "Oh, right."

James says (to Reeve), "Oh, hey, McNeil? Let me see that one."

James scans it to make sure the file says 'werewolf' or the equivalent.

[Department] GM says, "His wallet does have a driver's license and other similar materials in his name. His handerchief is monogrammed WB. And he didn't change shape when he was stunned (unlike the two guys you just fought downstairs)."

[Crows-Nest] James says, "Hey, that's a good excuse to have stunned him."

GM says (to James), "Temporary transfer for training new recruits... yup, there it is! 'Lycanthrope, class A'."

[Department] James says, "(only here)"

James says, "Oh, good, our McNeil was the real one."

James looks at the computer system and tries to find a way to contact HQ.

Reeve gets some water and starts trying to revive the guy, since he seems to be the real deal.

[Crows-Nest] Alexey asks, "why, did you think I stunned him for any other reason?"

James asks (of Stan), "Hey, while I'm doing this, can you see what you can find on a 'Project AVALON'?"

GM says (to James), "There are a couple of notices flashing in the status area of the taskbar..."

James click.

GM says (to James), "Stan says, 'Sure, I'll see what Google has.'"

GM says (to James), "Instant Message. From Stan. 'Hey, anybody out there? The recruits are done, and they're getting bored.'"

[Department] James says, "Hee hee"

GM says (to James), "Oh, and here's one indicating that the security computers went down and came back up again, and that now that they're back up, an auto-notification was sent to HQ."

James sends a follow-up message to the same address.

GM asks (of James), "OK. Anything special, or just detailing the current situation?"

James says, "Yeah, general info."

GM says, "Sent."

GM says, "Suddenly, you hear a female voice..."

James says, "Request for two shape-shifters containment."

GM says, "'What is taking so long down there?'"

James looks for the intercom button.

GM exclaims, "You realize it's coming from the communicator you took when you searched the guy trying to break into the archives!"

James . o O ( Wait, that's their accomplice! )

James flips on something static-y

Bob_Nobody gestures for James to hand him the communicator.

James hands Bob the communicator!

Reeve keeps trying to revive Billings, and vaguely considers feeling badly for stunning him.

GM says, "'Kerd, do you read me? Acknowledge immediately.'"

GM says (to Reeve), "He begins to twitch, then blinks a bit, then peers blearily up at you."

[Crows-Nest] James exclaims, "This is Whey, checking in. Almost done!"

Bob_Nobody waits for James's static to start, then, "We're having some trouble with the security interlocks. Head for the security office on the first floor and I'll tell you what to disengage.

GM says (to Reeve), "'Mrfle?'"

[Department] Bob_Nobody says (to James), "Okay, give me some kind of bonus aspect for static and I'll make my Deceit roll"

James rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 0 | Epic (7)

GM says (to Bob), "'I think you *already* disengaged everything up there? Grrr. Fine, I'll contact you when I get there.'"

Reeve starts untying Billings.

[Crows-Nest] James says, "That should do."

[Department] Bob_Nobody says, "and then we'd better clear out of"

[Department] Bob_Nobody says, "grr, mis-erase"

Bob_Nobody rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 +1 | Legendary (8)

[Crows-Nest] James says, "Hee, that should work."

[Department] Bob_Nobody asks, "there we go. Can I try selling her a bridge?"

Alexey hides in the bathroom.

Bob_Nobody grabs James, heads out of the office, and tries to get people to set up an ambush

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

GM asks (of Reeve), "Did you untie/ungag Billings?"

James heads by Reeve and the others, and waves them to meet him outside the lobby!

Reeve says (to GM), "Yes I did."

Bob_Nobody says, "Okay, so we should stun her as soon as the elevator closes behind her."

[Department] James | Reeve starts untying Billings.

Bob_Nobody exclaims, "Don't give her an escape route!"

Bob_Nobody exclaims, "Everybody hide!"

GM says (to Reeve), "'Mr. Reeve! There's something not... that is to say, Mr. McNeil is not as he appears!'"

GM says (to Reeve), "'The three of them waylaid me in my office, and tied up myself and Ms. Desoto. They must be stopped!'"

Reeve exclaims (at Billings), "Yeah, we found out. Whisper! Someone's coming!"

Alexey asks, "where is Ms Desoto?"

Gunther touched your tinky-winky Oskar Kokoschka.

James heads to the S room next to the elevator.

GM says (to Alexey), "In the other, er, that is, one of the other, I mean, in the female restroom."

Bob_Nobody hides in the security office, with his stunner out.

Alexey says, "that's very polite of them"

GM says (to James), "There are a few coats in the closet, making hiding all the easier."

GM exclaims, "Bing! The elevator doors open!"

[Department] Bob_Nobody says, "Emma is, I should note, asleep now"

GM says, "And a red-haired woman -- whom you might recognize from another one of the bios -- steps out, walking purposefully toward the observation room."

Reeve says (to Billings), "(in a whisper) Anything else we need to know? Quick, I just heard the elevator chime down the hall."

James peeks out the door and tries to aim his gun at her after the doors close.

[Department] GM asks, "Long day?"

James sets it on 'stun'.

[Department] James says, "Oh, I thought you meant Emma, not Duchess ;-)"

GM says (to Reeve), "'There's one man with glasses and a woman with red hair. They're working with McNeil.'"

[Department] Bob_Nobody says (to James), "Okay, duchess. who got maybe two hours of sleep the past two nigts."

GM says, "She strusts down the hall."

GM says, "Struts, even."

[Department] Bob_Nobody says, "okay, someone with better guns than me make the first shot"

James fires! (assuming he got a lock)

GM exclaims (at James), "Roll for it!"

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

[Department] Alexey asks, "shouldn't we ask questions first?"

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

Reeve angles behind the bathroom door for the best shot across the hall.

Reeve makes sure he's got the tranq dosage set pretty light, so she won't be out too long.

[Department] Bob_Nobody asks (of Alexey), "Like you did Billings?"

GM says, "She's hit! And, like McNeil and Mann, starts losing her shape. 'Whaaaa.... whargh...'"

[Department] Alexey says, "no see, we should only shoot people on *our* side"

[Department] GM says, "Anyone else who was readying an action for her ambush, feel free to take it."

Reeve rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 -1 | Epic (7)

Alexey tries to pin 'her' down.

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

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

GM exclaims, "She goes down like a rock!"

GM says, "Between Reeve's shot and Alexey's strong arms, you have no trouble subduing her."

GM says, "Even as she transforms into her natural, scaley self."

GM says, "Billings stumbles out of the bathroom to see this. 'A Regzula! I should have known!'"

GM says, "'But what about the other two?'"

Reeve says (to Billings), "McNeil got them."

Alexey asks, "is that all of them?"

Reeve says (to Billings), "Those scaly guys drop just like humans if you shoot 'em right."

GM says, "'Thank heavens!'"

[Department] Alexey asks (of Reeve), "not taking any credit?"

GM says, "'They must have been after the, er, that is, their device, the... 'Kylestocholastiphlogineximatrixotor', I believe it was called."

Reeve says (to Billings), "With a little help. <grin>"

GM says, "'And in direct violation of their parole, as well!'"

Reeve asks (of Billings), "Was that the doohickey in the training basement?"

GM says (to Reeve), "'Oh, no, the Kylestocholastiphlogineximatrixotor is a component used by Regzula inter-stellar drives and mind-control devices. We confiscated it from them when they tried to enslave New Jersey several years ago.'"

GM says, "'The doohickey in the training basement was just a gravimetric accumulator.'"

Reeve says (to Billings), "I shot it."

GM says, "'Ah. Mmm. Did it, er, explode?'"

GM says, "'Oh! Speaking of the training scenario, did you deal with the Count?'"

Alexey exclaims, "I think so!"

GM says, "'Excellent! Well done.'"

Reeve says, "Um, it broke kind of impressively, but I wouldn't say it exploded per say."

GM says, "'Will we, er. That is. Is he still in, well, operational... condition? The Count, I mean.'"

Bob_Nobody says, "He is in perfect operational condition."

Bob_Nobody says, "If the operation you want is as a paperweight."

GM says, "'Ah, good! Then we won't even need-- oh. Oh. I see.'"

Reeve says, "For really large documents. Life size, in fact."

Bob_Nobody makes sure his dossier is well hidden inside his shirt.

James says, "Oh, I can get him up and running again no problem, if you like."

GM says, "He looks to James and Emma. 'Er, you two are acquainted with machines? And the, er, mysticalish side of things? Respectively?'"

GM says, "'Ah, good. Excellent. It shouldn't take you long, then. We even have blood samples in storage that you can use for the ritual.'"

James looks at Emma, winks, then back at Billings. "Yup!"

GM says, "'Well, then! It seems that you were quite successful, all in all! Congratuations on your first day!'"

James asks, "Was it the real Count?"

GM says, "'Oh, yes! That is, no, but yes.'"

GM says, "'I mean, it was not his current standard body, but it was the actual Count occupying that temporary form.'"

GM says, "'You see, at his trial, he agreed to stop trying to thwart the natural order of day and night in exchange for being given an underground laboratory where he was safe from sunlight.'"

Bob_Nobody asks, "Trial?"

GM says, "'It seemed quite an equitable arrangement, and his research has proven quite beneficial to the Department.'"

Bob_Nobody says, "No one said we had to bring him in for a trial."

Bob_Nobody says, "Of course, I guess that was a bug-eyed alien giving us the orders."

GM says (to Bob), "'Oh, not to worry. His trial was handled years ago. He took part in this training exercise quite voluntarily.'"

Bob_Nobody says, "All in all, I can 't see how anyone would blame us for all the people and or things we've blasted today."

Reeve asks, "I think the trial already happened for the Count, but maybe the alien trial is in order?"

Reeve exclaims, "I quite agree!"

GM says (to Reeve), "'Yes, quite! Oh my. I've got to send a message to headquarters to inform them!'"

James says, "I sent them a basic message, but I'm sure they'll be glad to hear from you."

Reeve asks, "And do we get the official kit now?"

GM says, "'Oh, excellent! Well, in that case. Would anyone like a cup of tea?'"

Alexey says, "yes please"

Alexey asks, "any champagne?"

Bob_Nobody says, "Tea? Hmph."

Bob_Nobody goes looking for a coffee machine. "Guess I'd better bring my french press with me until I can get them to bring in an espresso machine..."

GM says, "With that, Billings takes everyone back to his office, gives everyone proper identification and a cup of tea. Someone eventually remembers to untie Ms. Desoto, who finds you a bottle of champagne."

Alexey exclaims, "huzzah!"

GM says, "He promises that everyone's first paycheck will include a nice bonus for your work dealing with the Regzula, informs everyone that they will need to supply written statements for the trial, and informs you that you are now free to go home for the evening if you would like."

GM says, "Which is quite nice of him seeing as the first rays of dawn are beginning to peek over the horizon."

James says, "Holy cats, look at the time."

[Department] GM exclaims, "And thus ends the story!"

[Department] Reeve says, "sweet! Fun story."

[Department] James says, "Yay, thanks."

[Department] GM says, "Congratulations, all! Your fate points officially refresh now."

[Department] GM says, "If folks are interested, I'm up for doing a second installment some time early next year."

[Department] Alexey says, "cool"

[Department] James says, "Yeah, I'm definitely interested; this was fun."

[Department] Bob_Nobody says, "yay summation"

[Department] GM says, "Any hanging questions for me? (Or for Billings?)"

[Department] James off to trick-or-treat!

James has disconnected.

James exits stage left.

[Department] Fang asks, "Where's Regzula?"

[Department] GM says, "It is a faint star a few dozen light years away."

Reeve has disconnected.

GM has disconnected.