City of Amnesia

Luna wondered back to her car and got in, wondering what to do.

T"Hello?"

*Shortly after Thiera answers, a line of 8 tanks approaches the Megadeus. Vega is now stuck between a giant robot & a wall of tanks. Hitomi also stumbles in on the scene.*
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*Outside of the dome, she sees the vague outline of a Megadeus.*

[Fuck, I jinxed it.]

*Hitomi stares up at the Megadeus.*

[The pilot of that is probably stupid.]

"I have to see this" Luna drives in the direction of the Megadeus.

Zell took another bite, and swallowed it before turning around, "So, are you saying you want to get a better feel of my insides?" She asked.

*The blade of the knife passes over a few hairs on her throat.*

"You shouldn't make sudden moves in the kitchen. It can be very dangerous."

*Continuing to reach over Zell's shoulder, she sets the knife down on the table.*

"You could say I would appreciate a hands-on approach.*

OOC: I'm not really sure whether I implied murder or sex right there.
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*The Megadeus continues to stand around like a jackass. The tanks seem to be awaiting its response.*

OOC: When in doubt, both.

*Taking advantage of the stand off, the two go about their way. Hitomi going around the tanks and Vega mozying on past the Megadeus. Or vice versa.*

Zell feels the knife at her throat and tenses for a second. When she continues to reach over Zell she can Lilith's closeness to her, but tries not to shrink away from it, she was just told moving could be dangerous. After Lilith's last comment Zell simply replied, "You're the chef, you can take any approach that pleases you since I already know that the end result will please me."

Topaz: <I found one of those robots. And I am now apparently surrounded by tanks. Any thoughts, seing as you were digging around for stuff about them?>

T"Get the Megadeus underground. I can take care of everything from there."
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*After passing through a security check point, Vega enters the dome. Inside, it's completely different from the city, with wide fields of tomato plants, & a bright sun overhead. It even seems to be raining slightly in some places. At the very center of the dome, about 100 feet in, is a simple wooden shack.*
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*Hitomi finds a card on her door asking if she's prepared to move yet & stating that she should get ready, if not.*
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L"Affirmative."

*She sits down & just kind of stares at Zell.*

Topaz: <Fine.>

*He puts the phone away and heads back towards the tunnels, stepping over the tanks.*

*Confused, Hitomi looks at the card.*

[But they said I won't be moving.]

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*Vega heads to the shack and knocks on the door.*

*As the tanks prepare to fire, the ground collapses, & Topaz finds her & the Megadeus being sped along the tunnels by an unknown means.*
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For Questions, Call 555-PRDM!
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<Are you here for the tomatoes?>

*Sitting not far away from the door, in the shadows of the awning, is an old, balding man with a thick build sitting on a rocking chair. He's wearing overalls & a red flannel shirt, & even though he has his eyes closed, he seems to be looking at Vega.*

*Hitomi enters her apartment and after closing the door and taking her shoes off heads to the phone and dials the number on the card.*

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*Vega abruptly turns around towards the mysterious old man.*

"Yes."

*She decides not to act against it, considering everything that has happened during the day, and just waits.*

[What's happening?]

*There's a light at the end of the tunnel [strike]and then she dies horribly[/s]! The Megadeus enters into a large concrete dome, presumably underground, lit by stage lights. There are 3 other Megadeus set in support structures on the wall, & tunnels branching out from the cave at various points. Besides that, there are metal staircases & catwalks leading to the various levels, & multiple elevator shafts. An elevator is descending close to where her Megadeus stops.*
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<Yullo.>
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<It's not quite time for the harvest yet. You have to wait until just the right time to harvest tomatoes, you know. That's how you get them nice & juicy. But there should be some tomatoes ready. Hey! Will someone please find some ripe tomatoes for Mr. Ballentyne? I'd say, oh, 4 or 5 should do the trick.>

*A farmer nods, picks up a basket, & heads off into the fields.*

"I recently recieved a card about moving to Paradigm-2 when yesterday I was informed that I wouldn't be moving."

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[How'd he know my name? Is it possible someone called ahead? Yes, that would explain a lot, but he's rather strange, so there's probably a crazy reason for it.]

"That's very interesting."

*The cockpit descends to the Megadeus' torso and the exit opens. A metal ladder stretches down and she climbs down.*

Zell isn't sure what to do so she folds her hands in her lap and shifts positions to a more comfortable one, looking at Lilith as well, a small smile playing on her lips; she was always terrible at keeping a straight face in staring contests.

*She continues to stare at Zell for several minutes without blinking or moving.*
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<Okay...may I ask your name?>
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<What's interesting is the tomatoes. Did you know that they're produced synthetically, with only the memory of the sweet, flavorful original? But, in time, these synthetic tomatoes will become the real things. Don't you think?>
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*The elevator opens & Thiera steps out.*

"Hitomi Alla."

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*He nods every now and again attempting to feign interest.*

"Yep."

Topaz: <You.>

*She sighs and turns around to the Megadeus.*

Topaz: <This is the one.>

Zell tilts her head, still looking at Lilith, unsure of why she is being stared at.

*She tilts her head as well.*
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T"I see."

*She presses a button on a remote in her hand. The structure supporting the Megadeus drives towards the center of the cavern, the beams expanding to hold it more securely.*
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*She hears some clicking.*

<Don't worry about it. It seems it was just a clerical error. Is there anything else I can help you with?>
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*The farmer comes back, handing him a basket of tomatoes.*

<Now if only running a company were as easy as farming tomatoes....>

"No."

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*Vega takes the basket.*

"Yeah, that would be swell. Well, thanks for the tomatos."

*He begins to take his leave.*