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

[a_louse]

No, I am a negotiator. A spy would try not to attract attention and pretend he's familiar with the place he's trying to infiltrate.

[keep_your_dignity]

[One of the fairies beams happily]

"That makes sense!"

[The other, however, is not completely convinced]

"No, silly! If he was a spy, that's exactly what he would say so we didn't think he was a spy!"

[Very bright, these two aren't]

[a_louse]

[Mental facepalm.]

...My name is Roger Smith. You can ask the Paradigm City police to see that I'm legit.

Can you answer my question now?

[keep_your_dignity]

"We're Mistletoes! My name is Kyouku-maru! Nice to meet you!"

[The other one, however, is still not very happy with this, and her tiny little face eyes Roger with the suspicion of a cat in front of a new person]

"I have my eye on you, mister. If you do anything suspicious, I'm totally telling the Major!"

[a_louse]

I'll keep that in mind. Isn't mistletoe usually a plant? And who is the major you speak of?

[keep_your_dignity]

"Yep, there's also a plant called that! Funny, uh?"

[No, these two aren't really familiar with the reason their species were given that name. At the second question, they look at each other, and the happier one can't suppress a little shiver]

"The Major is our partners' boss. She's super nasty and super scary and really, really strong"

"So if you try anything she can make you disappear and nobody will ever find you, so there!"

"She doesn't do anything to you if you stay out of her way, though"

[a_louse]

I'll keep an eye out for her. Your Major sounds like one hell of an iron lady.

[keep_your_dignity]

"I don't actually think her armor's made of iron..."

"That's a met-y-phor, dumbnut. It means she's really tough"

"Oh! Then yes! You know, I heard that once someone deserted on her and he was never heard of again."

"My partner says she must be able to smell fear and pain and she enjoys-"

[And it's about then that the two fairies freeze and look behind Roger with terrified expressions. Roger might be aware of the fact that there's noticeably less light than there was a moment ago, as if something really large was looming and blocking out the light]

BY ALL MEANS, DO CONTINUE.

"Oh hi Major" [One of the fairies squeaks feebly]

[a_louse]

[Roger turns around slowly, and looks at the giant figure looming over here from top to bottom.]

The Major, I presume? Hmm... Are you a friend of Optimus Prime, by any chance?

[keep_your_dignity]

MAJOR KAGURA OF THE EXECUTOR GRAVEYARD. AND YOU'RE ROGER SMITH FROM THAT GHOST TOWN OHARA FOUND.

AND NO. I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS. BUT I KNOW PRIME. HE'S PRETTY HARD TO MISS.

[In the meantime, the two fairies start to do the flying equivalent of trying to tiptoe out of the room...]

[a_louse]

I see. I know for a fact that mr Prime is the leader of a larger group of androids - not the same one as yours, I presume?

And believe me, Paradigm is no ghost town. The city is full of people and bustling with activity. Too much activity, when it comes to certain matters.

[keep_your_dignity]

YEAH, NO. I'M NO MORE AN ANDROID THAN THE CYBERTRONIANS ARE. I'M AN AI. AND NO, GRAVEYARD HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ALIEN CIVILIZATIONS.

AND IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER TERM FOR A TOWN THAT SEEMS TO HAVE APPEARED FROM THIN AIR FULL OF PEOPLE THAT MIGHT AS WELL BE HAUNTS FROM A CENTURY AGO, I'M ALL EARS.

[a_louse]

I didn't know there's a difference.

And I don't know what are you talking about. Paradigm has always been there. If a whole city suddenly changed location, at least a few people would've noticed.

[keep_your_dignity]

READ A BOOK.

[To the second part, Kagura does a very low noise before continuing]

EXCEPT THAT THERE WASN'T A CITY THERE TWO YEARS AGO. PLANES GO OVER THE STATES EVERY DAY AND NOBODY EVER NOTICED YOUR LITTLE MIRAGE CITY.

FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, IT'S ABOUT AS LIKELY THAT YOU'RE FROM ANOTHER WORLD ENTIRELY, OR THAT YOUR MEMORIES ARE FAKE.

[a_louse]

Fake memories, huh? You probably heard about the widespread amnesia that fell on Paradigm 40 years ago. But since then, no such events happened, or even hints that suggest such a thing took place but nobody remembers.

Perhaps Paradigm was hidden from the outside until recently. Or perhaps what you're saying is true. We can only guess for now.