We Have Come To Terms

[a_louse]

Batallion Zhar was kept by the Russian government on a leash for too long. It was only a matter of time until they broke free. Maybe now their fortune will turn around for the better.

I intend to let ESUN know about the way Russia treats its immigrants next time we talk. This is not how a professional government should act.

[Roger falls silent. Paradigm Corp at home is not exactly a paragon of virtue, either.]

Comments

[jianai]

I agree that it is harsh and unfair. But I find logic behind Russia's treatment of other people who come to that nation.

[a_louse]

Purely cold and rational logic, perhaps. But I am a negotiator, and must never forget that I'm dealing with living human beings. This is why I can't agree with that logic.

[jianai]

If an ordinary everyday person witnessed a catastrophe, and was forced to run to the rescue of one of two: the first a close friend or a beloved one - the second a random person they never met before; which one do you think they would try to save?

[a_louse]

The former, of course. I think can see where you're going with this analogy, but please, go on.

[jianai]

Of course. You are a smart person mr Negotiator - may I call you Roger?

This is the same for Russia. It's a country with conscription, so it's fair that immigrants serve in the military just as native Russians.

It's not fair that when forced to choose between Russian regiments, "their own" to speak of, or immigrants, the leaders always choose the latter to send to the frontlines. But my point is that it's not a logical decision. It is the exact opposite of one.

It is motivated only by humanity's way of thinking.

[a_louse]

Miss Ren, was it? Yes, feel free to call me Roger, if you want to.

So this is the angle you've decided to take on, when it comes to this decision. Not the same one I had in mind at first. I'm not a fan of going indepth with discussing the motivations of dictators, you often discover things that would be better left undisturbed. Whatever the motivation was here, it doesn't change the final decision; and that decision was not one a professional government should take.

[jianai]

Oh, I definitely agree with that.

I just wanted to say that since this is a very human way of thinking, as long as humanity remains unchanged, the government will keep acting in such a matter.

Unless someone forces it to change its ways. Do you think you have enough political pull to achieve that, Roger?

[a_louse]

Pull? You seem to mistake me for either a visionary or a politician. I am neither. I'm a negotiator. Once in a blue moon I work for the Paradigm Corp, but that's it. I'm not a part of them, and I prefer to keep it this way.

[jianai]

My apologies, I have made a mistake it seems.

Before I make another one: negotiators are people who usually work for a client, don't they?

[delouser]

Who are you, Roger?

[a_louse]

I am a negotiator, Dorothy. You knew that already.

[delouser]

Yes. And you assume they'll just listen to anything you say.

[a_louse]

Unity Group is an ESUN-sponsored organization. You can tell a lot about a man from the way he treats his employees; I think ESUN will be more open to hearing such things than Paradigm Corp, or the Russian government.

[delouser]

How can you be such a confident man, Roger Smith?

[a_louse]

A man has to be confident if he wants to get anywhere in his life. Especially a man who deals with criminals on an everyday basis.

[delouser]

It's called hubris, in my opinion.

[a_louse]

Well, you're a robot. You don't know how living as a human is like.

[majestic_keiki]

Wouldn't that just lead to people asking questions about who you are?

[a_louse]

Let them ask. I will tell them the truth; that a part of my job as a negotiator is to stay well-informed.

[majestic_keiki]

So you think the ESUN is going to listen to some guy without ID talking about being from a hidden city nobody has heard about and how one of its members is violating human rights?

[a_louse]

Haven't I mentioned that semi-secret negotiations between Paradigm and ESUN are going on? My position as an official negotiator is acknowledged during those. I am going to mention this topic during one of those meetings.

[majestic_keiki]

I must have missed that.

[a_louse]

It was a part of my greeting message.

You didn't think I intended to just approach an ESUN official out of the blue and tell them about this, did you?

[majestic_keiki]

It sounded like it. And with the things some people around here do, it wouldn't surprise me.

[a_louse]

Let me assure you, I have at least a bit more common sense than that.