Can we square this circle somehow?

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Behind the desk, in a case, were minature replicas of each and every airship in the Aetherium Fleet of Albion, from the mighty battleship Dreadnought, the size of Rowl, down to the tiniest destroyer, Energetic, no larger than Gwen's smallest finger.

Compare that to

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Grimm had read accounts of battleships and dreadnoughts that had attempted a dive, only to have their lift crystals tear themselves entirely free of the ship when attempting to arrest their descent too rapidly.

Another squaring possibility is that Albion has no active dreadnoughts with their fleet capping out at the battleship Dreadnought.  This leaves open several possibilities such as other spires may have active dreadnoughts, Albion's dreadnoughts may be mothballed and only brought out during war time because of maintenance costs, or that the crystal requirements for new dreadnaughts are so steep that they effectively become unreproducible relics (with Albion not having any at the moment).

1. We have been told that Nicodemus has a very specific target in mind, ostensibly kept in the Labyrinth of Daedalus.  What is Nic trying to get his hands on and why?

What to be filled in later.  Why?  Nic believes the Outer Gates will fall and "the end" will come.  He thinks the object will be a useful bargaining chip that will let him survive "the end".

2. Nicodemus apparently called in a marker from Mab to get Harry on the team.  Does he have a specific plan for using Harry or did Mab twist his request?  Which of Harry's capabilities will he admit to needing, and (given that this is Nicodemus after all), which abilities is he scheming for Harry to use?

Specific plan for Harry
He will admit to needing access to Demon Reach for it's Nevernever connection.
He will admit that he needs Harry to do something that only a mortal who has crossed the bounds of death and returned can do... only when they get to the situation requiring it.
He is scheming to have Harry use Soul Fire and for it to have disastrous consequences for Harry but beneficial consequences for Nic.

3. Jim has mentioned that the book will be "Ocean's Eleven".  Who else did Nicodemus recruit?  How will they interact with Harry?

Shagnasty - Antagonism as Shaggy gloats over what he did to Harry last time and that Warden or not now, he still has plans for Harry
Anna Valmont - Playing damsel in distress who got roped into this again until the reveal that she is Lasciel's new host
Binder - Gruding play nice attitude with Harry.  Dribbles hints about what else was going on during Turn Coat.
A High level Fomor Operative - Harry's introduction to the Fomor and the main series gateway peek into what the Fomor are doing with the people it is abducting
Marva - Plays her cards close to her chest and doesn't do much more than unnerve Harry.  Her presence however tugs at the strings at the back of Harry's mind that put together Black Court and Outsiders.

4. Harry's general method of operation is to call on his friends for help.  In this book, Harry is (initially) allowed one extra backup member on the crew.  Who will it be?  Which of Harry's other allies will "interfere" before the plot is over?

Mouse as the initial backup (see tie in to 4)
We will see Sanya, Michael, Murphy, Daniel, Kincaid, The Archive, and Molly in direct ways.  Marcone indirectly

5. This is a Denarian book, so (unlike the last "end of the world" showdown), the Swords will almost certainly be present.  In fact, there have been various hints...  Which Sword wielders will appear in the next book and how will their interference/help affect the plot?

Harry grabs Mouse and warns Michael both about what Denarians are up to an possible threat of parasite in Harry's head.  Michael spreads the word to get the swords on the job.

Sanya and Murphy wield the swords faithfully.  Daniel gets involved wielding one but is not ready and screws up.  At the end of the book Michael is off the bench getting Daniel ready to perhaps try again.

Although Dresden means to get them involved to help him get out of the mess he is in, they get involved too early and Dresden is going to have to face off against them until he is done with the job and can turn on Nic.

6. Mab is apparently against Nicodemus succeeding in this heist.  In the Cold Days, we found that Mab had complex reasons for wanting Harry to kill Maeve.  What are Mab's reasons in this book?  Is it simple thwarting or is there something deeper?

See 1.  The Macguffin is going to be outsider related and Mab wants it too in her own way.  So she is going to show Hades her competent Starborn Winter Knight who probably is going to need to borrow it someday...

7. At the end of Cold Days, Harry needs to stay on the island to keep his growing headaches at bay.  The start of Skin Games implies that those headaches will need to be resolved by the end of the book.  Who or what is causing those headaches, and how will the whole thing get resolved by the end of the book?

Lash is causing the headaches.  Molly is going to transfer Lash out of Harry and into - To Be filled in.  Anna/Lasciel?  Persephone?  The Macguffin?

8.  One of the key components of the "Ocean's Eleven" movie is that there is a final twist/reveal.  Given that we've got Nicodemus, Harry, Mab, and potentially Hades (and who knows who else) all trying to get the better of each other, if there's one thing you can count on it's some sort of last minute quintuple-cross.  What will be the nature of the twist and how will it all fall out?

Twists in order

Anna revealed to host Lasciel at a very bad time for Harry.
Harry revealed to be jotting things down keeping the Archive in the loop.  An angry Archive and Kincaid being Harry's final ace in the hole.
Hades revealed to know the entire thing was happening and letting it play out to test vault security and see it's weaknesses.  Final result of that being a thanks to Harry and a mention that he might need the Macguffin later.  Secondary reveal that Marcone consulted in the matter and Hades owes him a little something...

9.  (Extra Credit) There are many WAG ("Wild A$$ Guess") theories on the boards, some crazier than others.  Write up to three WAG theories (or make up your own) you believe are correct that will be confirmed (or at least have evidence in favor of) in Skin Games.

Anna Valmont as Lasciel's host.
Black court on the side of Nemesis
Fomor on the side of Nemesis

10. (Extra Credit) This is that "free form" question where you can come up with anything else you think will be in this book.  Specific quotes Harry might say (will he actually quote Ocean's Eleven?  The movie will have come out already in Harry's timeline)? Tidbits about the White Council? The fate of Molly? Write down anything you want.  Note that whatever you write must be specifically mentioned or hinted at in Skin Games in order to be worth credit.

To be filled in.
Something something Odin psychopomp something something having Thorned Namshiel's coin.
Something something Persephone something something.
Something something Uriel something something.

1 ) Harry usually has a few supporting characters in each book.  Who do you think will be the main sidekick in Cold Days and in what way will they help?  Who else will have a significant contribution to the plot?

Fix who will teach Harry about Faerie and Knighting and will be a way for Harry to demonstrate his determination to be independent of Mab.  Other significant figures will be Bob, Toot Toot, and Maeve.

2 ) At the end of Ghost Story, Harry has said goodbye to all his friends in Chicago.

a. Who will be the first friend to find out Harry isn't dead?

Murphy because he will go to her first about how to get involved again in Chicago.

b. What shenanigans/snark will Harry use when he "re-appears"?

Turns out I was mostly dead instead of all dead. (Princess Bride if for some reason the reference doesn't click)

c. Who will have the coolest reaction?

Kincaid.  Who will be in Murphy's company when Dresden comes to visit.

d. Who will have the most touching reaction?

Thomas.  The way that Harry and he have problems opening up to each other means this is going to be spectacularly awkward but heartfelt.

3 ) In nearly every book, Harry usually comes up with a new powerup/tool/way of making things go boom.  Given that he just became the new WK, what new abilities will he rely on and which new ability will be the most useful to him during the story (and how)?

Making things out of ice.  Instant focus items that not quite as good as a dedicated blasting rod, or staff, or shield bracelet, can be called up at any time and used in a pinch.  Also finding new ways to mix fire and ice.  If you are familiar with Chrono Trigger, think the antipode dual skill for the destructive effect.  On the constructive side, working out an approximation of icy hot for himself.

4 ) Harry generally has a "Big Bad" to worry about.  In fact, according to the blurb, Harry is going after someone very specific.  Who will that enemy be, and how will Harry take him/her/it down?

Unnamed Black Court elder in league with the Black Council.  Immortal in this case only refers to the potential to live forever if their life is not ended by an outside agent. 

5 ) Harry usually faces some sort of "Choice" in every book.  A point where the easy way out will cost his soul/humanity in some way. According to the blurb, this book will be no different.  What will be the most crucial "choice" Harry makes?

This book is going to be about Mab exploiting a rift in the Black Council to dish out some vengeance.  The choice is going to be which faction Harry decides to help in the end.  With Marva and Cowl both seeking help, Harry needs to decide which Devil he leaves standing and which he kills.  He sides with Cowl.

6 ) As the new Winter Knight, Harry is pretty much garunteed to encounter his Summer counterpart -- Fix.  What will their interactions be?  Will Fix survive?

Strained at first meeting until Harry assures Fix that if they ever come in to conflict Harry first will warn Fix that that's how its got to be.  With Maeve and Lily working deals in the past, I see no reason for the Summer Knight and Winter Knight not to pal about when not directly in conflict.  See prediction 1 of Fix as my choice of main supporting character.  Fix will survive but will be wounded, and the implication will be that Titania will see this injury as a reason to start thinking about replacing Fix.

7 ) Jim has mentioned that it's about time now to start revealing some of the motivations/dealings of the shadowy figures working behind the scenes (i.e. what Harry calls the "Black Council").  What Black Council secrets/actions will be revealed in this book?

See prediction 5 about different factions in the Black Council at odds.  We are going to learn a little more about what went down at Arctis Tor in Proven Guilty and get a little more about why both Marva and Cowl were in Dead Beat working different angles.

8 ) There are many WAG theories on the boards.  Write up to three WAG theories you believe are correct that will be confirmed (or at least have evidence in favor of) in Cold Days.

Odin is Black Council - evidence only
The Eebs survived - confirmed

9 ) Extra credit:  Write down any prediction about that you think might improve your final score.  Only issues aluded to within Cold Days will be counted.

Harry is going to get a look at the Athame, decide it is something important, and then totally fail to follow through on it... just like he failed to follow through on the importance of Demonreach