The Negotiator

[a_louse]

1. Greetings. My name is Roger Smith, I am Paradigm City's top negotiator. Thanks for your assistance out there; I'm glad to see miss Ohara is alright now.

I should offer a short explanation. Paradigm is the city of lost memories; all of its citizens suffered from complete amnesia in a mysterious event 40 years ago. Since then, we had no contact with the outside world, and weren't even aware civilization exists out there; seems that this lack of knowledge turned out to be mutual.

I was hired to help with the talks regarding establishing relations between Paradigm and ESUN, so for the time being I can offer you my assistance - as negotiator, and Megadeus pilot. A TSEN is being set up as we speak, and you will be able to visit Paradigm soon if you want to. Just remember to stick to these rules:
- Do not draw attention to the fact that you're from the outside world.
- Keep the identity of Big O's pilot a secret.
- You can stay as a guest at my home for any time, but unless you're lovely young woman you have to let me know in advance. Also, wear all black; it is one of my house rules.

I think that's all. If you have questions, I should be around to answer. I heard you've been through hard times lately, Unity Group; perhaps by cooperating we can make it a bit better.
[The above is a message, but Roger can be easily accessed either through the comm system or in person.]

2. [Roger is walking around the bases, getting familiar with their layouts and various objects inside. Considering the technology level is vastly different from Paradigm's, it means a lot of things attract his attention! Not just super high-tech stuff, but even things like computers or color TV. Strangely enough, he barely blinks an eye at the hangar full of mecha.]

Well, that's interesting...

[What is it that attracted his attention?]

Comments

2

[tiger_ken]

Thats... a door.

[An automatic door, Ken fails to realise is the key difference.]

I was looking for you actually.

[a_louse]

I can see that. I can also see how it works - that red light over there casts an invisible laser. Still, such items are not used in Paradigm.

What did you want to ask?

[tiger_ken]

Not ask, say.

[Ken bows. Very, very deeply.]

Thank you, Mr Smith!

[a_louse]

Let me take a wild guess. Are you an acquitance of miss Ohara?

[tiger_ken]

[Nod.]

Setsuko is a friend and ally, and... she went missing on a mission I was on. She has this power that... activated, because our team - myself included - couldn't defeat the enemy in front of us, and sent her away. And you knew none of that when you took her in, and kept her safe, with no apparent benefit to yourself.

I am in your debt.

[a_louse]

Don't worry about it. I'm a gentleman; doing anything else would be against my principles.

I didn't know about Setsuko's special power, although I suspected she's nor an ordinary girl. Can you tell more more about it?

[tiger_ken]

Well... we're not sure on the exact reasons or mechanics behind it, but... Sometimes, when Setsuko is in danger, and she's scared, space will somehow... bend, around or in the general vicinity of her. It can send her miles away, or as we now know from this case, into other dimensions.

[...Oh, wait.]

We were in another world at the time. Kind of. We need teleporters to even get there.

Anyway, the enemy at the time... knew about this power. Apparently planned, or plans, to cultivate it somehow. Because even though someone just managed to defeat him... I'm wary.

[a_louse]

In short, you suspect someone is still after that strange ability of hers.

That wouldn't surprise me. All kinds of power have people who want to obtain them for their own use.

[tiger_ken]

Especially when the person who holds such power has no idea where it comes from. We've got a few of those about actually, and they all worry me.

But, one at a time, and as they prove important.

[a_louse]

You make it sound like Unity Group is a collection of strange and eccentric individuals.

[tiger_ken]

Thats putting it mildly really. I mean, there's a girl with inexplicable wealths of knowledge, an alien robot army, the would-be Void Empress, a ki user, a literal goddess of war, the prophesised destroyer of civilisation... and thats just off the top of my head.

[a_louse]

That sounds a little stranger than what I have to deal with on an everyday basis. But only a little.

And who are you? Just an ordinary kid?

[tiger_ken]

...the heir to two ancient, warring ninja clans.

[Ken is more than a bit embarrassed to admit, given what Smith might have been thinking...]

[a_louse]

Ninjas. Alright.

And where are your retainers?

[tiger_ken]

That's where the 'warring' bit makes things tricky. When my parents disappeared, I made myself scarce so that, when the families found out, I wouldn't be in sight for the elders to bump off. Its one thing to not fight when the most powerful people in each clan are protecting the union, but when there's just me...

[a_louse]

I see. You're in quite the tricky situation. If you ever need the help of a negotiator, you know who to call.