Testrun! It's showtime!

[a_louse]

1. [You're in the middle of some kind of disagreement, or had one recently. Whether it's a big and important thing or a relatively trivial one, it doesn't look like any kind of compromise can be reached. And then, suddenly this guy shows up.]

I am Roger Smith, Paradigm City's top negotiator. What seems to be the problem?


2. [You got into trouble, and a bunch of armed thugs or other human-sized bad guys have accosted you in a dark street. Looks like this is going to end in a mess... But suddenly a smoke bomb explodes, blocking the vision of most of the bad guys and causing them to cough! A man in a suit swings in on a line, landing a kick to the head of the one that escaped the smoke!]

I suggest we get out of here. Fast.


3. [Roger got waken up by some loud noises before noon, which counts as way too early for him. Now he's going down the corridor like a slightly annoyed zombie, trying to find the source of the noise.]

What is this ruckus...

Comments

[a_louse]

That does sound very similar to a Megadeus, actually. Except that they are giant mechanical robots, not magical.

These nationalists. Do you have a safe place to hide from them?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

No, not at the moment. I'm afraid that's something that tends to happen when you're chased by terrorists.

[a_louse]

I see. I know it sounds weird coming from a complete stranger, but I can help you. My house is almost open to a lady in need; you can stay there for the time being.

My name is Roger Smith. I am a negotiator. The best one in Paradigm City, in fact.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

You better not try anything.

But, yes, I accept. I'm Alexandra de Witt. I'm an archeology student.

[a_louse]

I won't do anything funny, I am a gentleman. But I don't blame you for being suspicious. If you need a background check on me just to be sure, you can ask the Paradigm police. Or pretty much anyone else reliable.

How did an archeology student learn how to summon an ancient god? Did you find a tablet with an incantation in a ruin?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Don't worry, I don't need a background check.

And that's not quite it. It's the pendant I've had since I was a kid. I thought it was just a forgery, but it seemed to...awaken, I guess, the first time I was attacked by Sumerian demons a few weeks ago.

[a_louse]

Demons. Your story just gets more amazing the more I hear of it.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I know. Really, at this rate I wouldn't be surprised if zombie Hitler was behind it all, it would only be slightly more ridiculous.

[a_louse]

Watch out, or that might just happen. Anyway, let's go.

[Roger starts to get moving, but he pays attention to the surroundings, to make sure no more minor country nationalists are around to attack them.]

So, these Sumerian demons. How did they look? Does ancient history portray them accurately?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Well, they didn't introduce themselves by name, but I'm pretty sure I identified them. I did some research and one of them had the vaguely leonine features of Humbaba, while the other had rock minions and caused the water to boil suggesting it was Asag.

[a_louse]

If you don't mind, I'll refer to your expertise when I meet them myself. I get the feeling that'll happen eventually.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Don't rely too much on it. I'm a classical archeologist, my expertise is ancient Greece. All I know about Sumerian mythology I've learned doing some basic research over he last few weeks.

[a_louse]

That's still better than a layman. But I suppose it's time to hit the books if we want to learn more about your circumstances. Luckily my collection is quite decent.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Good. We'll see what we can find. And if there's nothing, there's always the internet. I should still have my university access to article databases.

[a_louse]

Ah yes, the internet. A very useful tool for obtaining information... Which we don't have in Paradigm City.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Really? I thought that even the worst backwaters in Africa or the Pacific or something had it these days.

[a_louse]

These days, yes, but the days of the City of Lost Memories are not yours. We have been isolated from the outside world for who knows how long.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Is it some kind of secret moonbase or something?

[a_louse]

Nobody in Paradigm remembers anything that happened over 20 years ago. The true nature of the city, and what happened to it, is still a mystery.

But I can assure you that it definitely is not on the moon.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

That's even harder to believe.

[a_louse]

Harder than ancient Sumerian gods and demons?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

You got me there. But it's still pretty unbelievable. Especially since it seems like the rest of the world forgot about Paradigm too.