For some crazy reason, Misha wasn't tired or sleep in the least. She did dig in hungrily into the food Jo was generous to provide, and was grateful for the food. She stayed awake thinking about the day's events and quietly stared at the sky and looked at the stars as everyone slept peacefully. 

Tomorrow was the library. Books. Misha was not the biggest fan of books, preferring to exercise or play sports with her teammates, but this was important to Jo, whom she knew would be more than capable to find the information they needed - and not to mention that a talking pigeon situation and a missing scientist didn't equate to a good time.

As she watched the sun rise, she could already feel the heat of the summer sun on her tanned face, and she closed her eyes, thanking some unknown higher power to be alive in a time to see such beauty.

Bell went straight to documenting their finds when they returned back to the treehouse, using a low burning lantern to illuminate the darkness that had consumed the inside of her safe haven. She wrote down everything in her adventure journal; about the birds, about Stacey, and about their plans for tomorrow, and she shoves it back in her pack when she's satisfied with her work. She stays awake a little longer in her sleeping bag to quietly talk to William who had been nibbling on a block of cheese for the past few hours. She is lulled to sleep eventually, William curling his body next to her for warmth.

When morning came, Bell was up and ready to go to the library. She may not have been as in the books as Joan was, but she indulged reading some action and adventure books time and again when the feeling came to her.

The Boulder City Public Library was open at 10am. it was fairly populated, due to the fact it was another scorching hot day in the desert and the library had air conditioning. Armed with the information you've found so far, you attempt to find any meaning to the scrap of metal that says "IEX-4Z32". 

Time to make a COMPREHEND roll!

Joan eats breakfast at Bell's and then takes the gang to the library. She greets Miss Headley, the librarian that's nice to her and has been there for support ever since her Mom died. Miss Headley seemed a little bit perplexed when Joan asked if there were any books about the subjects they had been researching yesterday, but she didn't stop Joan or offer to help, because even though she was nice and she cared about Joan, she was still an adult. Joan heads to a quieter area of the library where there aren't so many people and begins looking at the books with Bell's help. Joan knew that Bell wasn't as much of a bookworm as she was, but she still appreciated having her friend give another pair of eyes during the search.

Misha carried all the books for Jo and Bell that they needed, gladly. She sat down next to them and waited patiently to hear the results of her research. This is what you discover.:

You find out that IEX-4Z32 is the code name of a magnetraine ship that was previously used to transport ore in northern Russia, but it was scrapped a few years ago, and is now located on an island called Sentinel Island. You also read many newspaper articles about birds and their surgically implanted microchips. The articles describe how they're behaving abnormally, and how they should not be able to cooperate, talk, or even attack humans they way they have. Further down in the articles reveal how removing the chips on the bird that are alive kills them.

"The birds, they've all got these little microchips in their brains. That's why they're acting the way they are, talking and attacking people. I don't know what to do, the birds will die if the chips are taken out. Also, IEX-4Z32 was the designation for this old Russian ship, but now it got scrapped and is on Sentinel Island." Joan squints for a second. "I still wonder how Stacey's uncle and Diane Petersen are involved with this."

"To Sentinel Island!" Misha exclaims triumphantly. What time are you guys going? Are you going now? If not, when? What are you bringing? If applicable, what are you telling grown-ups?

"Looks like we'll be having another sleepover tonight. Although you guys have to chip in on snacks this time!" 

Jason grins at Joan's exclamation, "As you wish princess." he sticks his tongue out at her for good measure.

He'd pack the same things he brought last time, and add an extra bag of jerky. Who knew if they'd run into more runaway kids with dogs again.

Bell agrees on telling the grown ups they were going to have another sleep over, and suggests they again go in later in the evening for the cover of night. As for what she brings, she brings the same as before, but with an additional bag of cookies that her grandma made the night before.

SENTINEL ISLAND
THE SHOWDOWN

The wreck of the magnetrine ship IEX-4Z32 lies on the small island of Sentinel Island, just past Big Boulder Island. Getting to the pier by bike, and then rafting there during the night was, once again, an easy task. You arrive at Sentinel Island free of trouble. On the island was another story. As you approach on foot, IEX-4Z32 is a 25 meter long wreck, lying tilted to one side. The ship was previously painted black, but is now largely rust colored. Rainwater can be seen collected in the magnetrine discs. On the old antennas, birds sit looking out over the water. Birds fly in and out of the wreckage through vents. Machine fans and bird chirping can be heard from inside the ship. Large Killer Birds patrol the area.

TROUBLE 1 - QUIET!
Killer birds are out on patrol this evening while you snoop around. To avoid being spotted by patrolling birds around Sentinel Island, you each need to make Sneak or Move rolls to avoid getting spotted and pecked at to get to the main door of the ship. If you fail this roll, you will gain a condition of your choice - role playing it as appropriate.

TROUBLE 2 - IT'S BARRED!
On the side of the ship, close to the ground, there is a door that is blocked from the outside by a metal beam. This is the way into the ship. This beam needs to be hauled away to the side in order to enter. Someone can make a Force roll to move it. If you fail this roll, you will gain a condition of your choice - role playing it as appropriate.

Joan attempts to sneak across to the door, but she fails utterly and is caught by the birds. They fly down and attack her and while she does manage to avoid getting hurt by the Killer Birds, the encounter does leave her scared, clutching on to her book for dear life.

Jason is quick enough on his feet, and is able to get to the doors. However, seeing Joan's condition, he tries to offer her some reassuring words, to calm her down even a little.

Sneaking around wasn’t anything new for Bell, managing to avoid detection from the killer birds with ease. However, she’s saddened to see that Joan didn’t fair as well as she did, having gotten attacked. She offers the girl a hug and a homemade cookie in hopes it would help her feel even a little bit better.

Misha sprinted to the door, then had her back to the wall. She saw Jo get pecked by the birds, but remained quiet as to not alert the whole flock or completely give away their positions. Thankfully, Jo managed to reach the door, but was scared.. Misha grabbed her and pulled her in, protectively hugging her tightly, scanning the birds with a menacing look while awaiting Bell and Jason - almost wishing she could take them all on for attacking her friend.

She thanks the Gods when Bell and Jason made it across safely.

Misha turned around, saw that the door was barred by debris from the inside, like a heavy barricade. She studied the door for just a moment. Psyching herself up, she put her weight into the door and pushed. There was a lot of debris. She held her breath and strained, her face turning red like her hair. For a moment, her muscles almost gave up at the resistance, but by sheer luck some of the debris behind the door moved and fell over, making it easier to push the door just open enough for the Kids to get inside.

Joan accepts the hugs from her friends, as well as Bell's homemade cookie and powers on inside. "Thanks guys."

INSIDE THE SHIP
THE SHOWDOWN

Stairs led up towards the top of the ship. We saw a machine room and storage facilities. There were birds everywhere and dropping covered everything. It smelled terrible. The way to the cockpit was clear. We climbed up through the tilted ship to the cockpit. What we saw we didn't expect. A machine with multiple bird feeders filled with bird food was in the center of the room. The machine looked like an arcade game, with blinking lights and long metallic arms. The machine was being powered by a large generator with a battery. Hundreds of birds were here, including an enormous black bird of prey staring us down hungrily. The Goshawk, a Killer Bird. It squawked terrible loud.

A man emerges from a storage room next to you. He is filthy, covered in small wounds, his hair and beard are unkempt and his eyes are glazed over with an insane stare. He wears scientist scrubs.

"Diane? My beloved?" he calls out, searching. "Is that you?" Then he sees you all. "No. Just some kids. What are you doing here!?" he yells.

"We're here because of the killer birds that have been showing up around the town."

"Glorious, isn't it?" he says, picking up a pipe from the ground. "It's all my doing. What do you think? Well, I cannot take ALL the credit however, Diane.." he sighs, as if lost in love, "..such a genius she is. She laid out the initial plans, told me what to do. And now, soon, the entire city will be filled with them." As he revels in his plan, the Goshawk slowly inches towards you all, as if studying a new prey.

"So this mess is all her fault?!"