NFE Progress Report #3: panic mode

Still filling in blanks and running right up to the deadline as always. I'll have an awful lot of proofreading and polishing to do, but I'll have a little time after the holiday weekend is over. Of course, I still need a beta -- more for plot holes and general storyline feedback than actual proofing. If anyone reads this and is interested and, you know, not horrifically swamped with other obligations... help?