Speaker's corner

The Javelin made a casual left and fell in with the pace of the evening traffic, moving north down the broad and tree lined East Shore Drive. By the quay walk on their left hand, small restaurants were scattered, their cozy orange light gleaming in the rapidly falling darkness and people could be seen moving about, darker shadows against the dusky surroundings. On the houses lining the right side of the boulevard, neon and light boards was lighting up, advertising all kinds of proposals from theatre plays to toothpaste.

Everything out there seemed so absurdly normal to Narheda, especially since she was brooding over the fact that the man behind the wheel of the sports car was a real life Istari. A several thousand years old legend coming alive, a legend who had met Elves for real and could tell what they had looked like. What they had been like! And most of all what become of them! Still he looked so perfectly – normal, with his salt and pepper beard and the sinewy, slightly hairy hands resting on the wheel, his eyes on the traffic paying attention to the other vehicles and the traffic lights shifting from blue to red and then back again.

At the Ekastara Roundabout, there was a traffic jam as usual, and they spent perhaps 20 minutes just navigating around the large circle with its lit fountains, something which made Narheda feeling a bit apprehensive. Would they make it in time for the broadcast-show? However Mitikas didn't seem to worry, he just sat there completely relaxed as if there was no qualms in the world, drumming his hands against the wheel to the music. The wireless was tuned into a soundcaster playing olden goldies, like Frozen Sun's I can make it and Hurry Up with The Tomatoes.

Just when Narheda was going to express her concern, while seeing the light in front of them turning red again, Luwan spoke up from the back seat.
"How are we gonna make it into the show? Isn't this a really popular one, with people queuing for days outside to get a chance to speak up?"
"Don't worry," the Istari met the eyes of the Harnendorite in the rear view mirror. "I'll take care of it."
"You're gonna pay or shoot this time?" Luwan's voice sounded almost sarcastic and the Istari chortled at that, as if he interpreted the younger man's exasperation as nothing but a joke.
"None of it," he replied. "This time I have another method coming."

"Given that we make it there on time, of course," Narheda couldn't help adding.
"It's good to be sceptic," Mitikas said and pressed the accelerator gently when the traffic started to roll again and the car responded with an almost pleased-sounding purr. "But in this case there's no need to worry. We're just going across the bridge and then we're there. Give me another half an hour," he almost grinned.

Then suddenly it was like someone had pulled a plug and the traffic started to roll in earnest. The Javelin shirked out from the cross and continued across the Dúnedan Bridge and soon they were back on the Western side of the city again. The sky was now completely dark, and Sarmaltar was an explosion of lights, of neon signboards, lamps, streetlights, traffic lights, lit windows and floodlighted structures. Mitikas turned left and headed down the Five Winds Boulevard and at the first red light he retrieved his communicator from his inner pocket, dialing a number out of memory.
"Hi, Komoe! Yes, it's I, Mitto! How's it going.. ...sure thing! Yes yes..."

The light changed to blue and the car moved further down the broad street. In front of them, the mighty, cone-shaped Minas Certeaur was surging into the sky. Being slightly more than 1000 meters high, it was Sarmaltar's second tallest and most spectacular structure with its tree glass orbs mounted triangularly and floodlighted in an undulating rainbow of ever changing coloured light.

Mitikas continued his discussion with this Komoe while they advanced perhaps three blocks more.
"I imagine you remember that you owe me one for pulling you out of the way of the hungry fangs of the tax department the other year," he went on and then there was a silence for a second or two while Nira sang about Little White Flowers on the soundcast, her silky voice pearling gently over the mellow tunes of an electrochime. "I've come to collect now," Mitikas went on. "Yes, tonight... I want you to find a slot in Speaker's corner for my two scientists... Good broadcast? Now, don't you worry about that, old chap, I can guarantee that this is going to be awesome broadcast! Just you wait, we'll be there within ten minutes from now."

Narheda turned around and met Luwan's dark eyes, they were reflecting what she felt too. This was almost running too effortlessly. They were both beginning to fear that something would blow up in their faces at the very last moment. However Mitikas switched off the com with a smirk on his face.
"Now I imagine that this will be the final act before the curtain falls. So make sure you know your parts and play them well."

"Give me a break, Mitikas," Luwan protested, leaning forward and placing his hands on the driver's seat. "I don't even know what part to play in there. Given that your guy really can fix us, in first handedly."
"Just be yourself," Mitikas answered as he pulled the car to a stop by a free parking spot and started to navigate it inside of the small square. "I know it sounds like a cliché, but what I mean is for you to be the scientist and scholar who was a part of the ground breaking research which eventually led to the discovery that the Elves had been real."

"And I?" Narheda asked.
"Same thing with you. Tell about your research, your excavation – after all people love archeology!"
"They think it's all about treasure hunting and tomb raiding," Narheda huffed.
"Then play upon that misconception," the Istari suggested. "Make them believe you're a hero just like Savi of Terena in those theatre films of the last decade. Then you'll sure get their full attention."
"Meh, Savi!" Narheda scoffed. "The only thing that over-muscled and under-dressed woman did was shooting down beasts and avoiding booby traps, and then ending up finding some ancient bling-bling. Gems and gold. Never did any real discoveries. Nothing to deepen or alter our perception of history. Not to mention that with her gung-ho attitude, she wouldn't last a minute in a real life institution. So what part are you going to play, Mitikas?"

"I think I'll be content with sitting in the audience," Mitikas proclaimed as he finally switched off the car engine.
"No," Narheda laid her arm upon his as he was beginning to undo his belt to step out. "I believe you should sit in. Tell about the Elves, who they really were. You, who were there."
"Narheda," said Mitikas as he removed his arm and started undoing the belt. "That means I have to come out as an Istari, and I told you earlier about my view upon that. No, consider..."

"Mitikas," Luwan cut him off. "Narheda is right. You have to be on stage. You won't have to be the eye witness. Just say you've read a first-hand eye witness report. First hand writings. Besides, it's you who's getting rich if this scheme is pulled through. Narheda and I are just getting some academic cred," he finished, sounding like he really was playing down the scientist's part in the game, as if they were simply there to help Mitikas out.
"And where should I obtain those writings, you suggest?" the Istari asked, ignoring the last statement from the Harnendorite.
"Why, write them yourself!" Luwan said with a 'how hard can it be'-voice and no matter that Narheda had her back at him, she could tell that he was rolling his eyes.

"And when should I get the time to do that, you suggest?" Mitikas reached out and opened the car door.
"It's not like you have to do it today. Or tomorrow. Just say you have the writings back home at your place, or in a safe or something and then you can present them if someone asks. I'm pretty sure you have some real old papers lying about and some old ink as well, if anyone should want to do some coal-age tests on them. You seem like the screwed enough fellow to keep these things around. Otherwise I can help you with that, I know how to fake things."
"I imagine. Car thief." But now there was mirth in the Istari's deep voice and when they stepped out of the vehicle, he reached out and took the Harnendorite's hand. "You've got yourself a deal, young man. Because it was a good idea, you know. Come on now, let's get this show on the road!"

The three of them crossed the first side street and then walked about half a block and up to a large, glass-fronted house with an entrance with sliding doors, through which people kept on coming and going in a never ending stream. Next to the entrance was a huge, lit board announcing this building as the headquarter of Broadcast Channel 4, home of Extensive News and Running With Microphones. Narheda had no idea that BC4 was located here, at 65 Copper Street, come to think of it, she had never cared earlier.

With just a slight hesitation they entered through the doors, and on the other side, in a large sumptuous but slightly worn foyer, a tall and gangly olive skinned man with red, orange, purple and pink hair came to meet them. His lose-fitting clothes were of the same kind of colour explosion and he had more gold rings in his nose, ears, lips and eye brows than a Khalif of Haradwaith. He was Komoe, there was no doubt about it.
"Mitto! Your old wheeler-dealer!" the two men pressed palms and then they hugged each other too. As they let go, the younger man continued. "Now, tell me what you've got for me!"
"They're here," Mitikas stepped back and held out his hand towards Narheda and Luwan. "Narheda of Nihaya and Luwan al Magni. Scientists from the University. Here to prove that Elves really existed."
"Elves! Oh my!" the broadcast worker was scratching the back of his head with a long-fingered hand, gold rings and purple nails gleaning in the stark lamplight.
"Yes, and this man is Komoe, son of Bundrinato. Director of Speaker's Corner."

"I've heard a lot about this Elf thing earlier," Komoe said, pulling his brows together. "But nobody has been able to come up with more than speculations. Actually, we ransacked the subject as late as a year ago after the finding of some knickknacks during a tunnel construction in Emyn Arnen. Trinkets believed to be Elven, old helmets and rifles and such but no matter how fancy and outlandish they were, it was impossible to show that they were of any other origin than human. I hope you guys are having something more substantial than that, or my job might be at stake."

"We sure have," Narita affirmed and took a step forward. "We have proofs here from the best ones both at our own university and in Cardolan. Real proof, DNA with non-human parts in it originating from human-looking skeletons. Besides, some people don't want this truth out. They've been doing all in their might to stop us earlier today and the day before yesterday. Including trying to kill us. If you check with your own news desk, you'll find more info about an arson at the university on Secondday this week and a taxi being shot at and chased down in the Anduin on the very same day. Also today, there was some extensive quarrel over at a uni building housing the section of Biologic History."

"I take your word for it, we haven't got much time," Komoe said and then he turned to two women standing in the background, one blond and one brunette. "These are Secaraba and Inlanlari, they'll take care of you, make sure you'll get the makeup and prepare you for tonight. Then I'll see you ten minutes before we start, and you'll also meet Akol son of Natrent, the Speaker's Corner's host."

Narheda regarded the two scantily clad women. They looked more like they would be working in the Lantern District than at BC4, then again, what did she know about the dress codes in the world of broadcasting. They were probably in turn considering her peach coloured cotton tunic and pantyhoses prim and proper bordering on boring.

"By the way, could it be a chance to grab something to chew before the show starts?" Luwan asked. "I feel like I could eat a mûmakil."
"There's breadrolls and mead in the dressing-room," said Secaraba gently and at that moment Narheda felt that she was hungry too. On the other hand she was certain she would not be able to digest anything for real, since she was way too nervous.
"C'mon let's go!" Inlanlari added, her voice being quite a bit more sharp and stern than the one of the brunette. She turned around and started down the foyer towards a set of elevators and Narheda and Luwan could do nothing but follow.

=0=0=0=0=0=0=

"So to cut this story short," Akol said, taking his eyes off Narheda to gaze into the camera. "You found these skeletons in your excavation in Rendell, also known as Rivendell or Imaldris, and when you researched their DNA, you found that they were not of human origin, but what you presumed were Elves."
"Imladris," Narheda corrected gently. "And no, I did not perform the DNA tests myself, but a colleague to me, named Dr. Traven, of Gerentha."

"And why is he not here today?"
"He had to go home to Osgiliath, for family reasons," Narheda said, relieved by finally getting hold on Traven just before the start of the show. That she had silently called Hikarete's bluff over at the Biologic History office site. "However his findings were confirmed by no less than two colleagues to him, Dr. Arlig of Derlor and Dr. Iusa Vinidad of the Tharbad University in Cardolan. It's the latter who's created those screenshots of DNA strings shown earlier. The one to the left showing the Human DNA, taken from herself and the one to the right taken from the Elven male whose skeleton was found in Rivendell. Not to mention the beautiful 3D manipulations of those Elves' presumed looks."

"Was Dr. Iusa the one who proclaimed that Elves and humans were actually able to procreate?" the program host asked next.
"No, that was our very own Dr. Arlig."
"And what would that mean?"
"That enough elven DNA resides within human genes these days to safely claim that some of them still live on. Inside of us."

"Like the theory with the pointed ears?"
"I imagine," Narheda replied, grinning as in duty bound. Now, Akol turned serious again.
"And Arlig of Derlor, he met a sad faith just two days ago?"
"Yes, unfortunately he was killed in the arson I told you about. Then most of his work was stolen out of a bank safe, but Dr. Iusa Vinidad was kind enough to supply us with back-ups instead."

"Now, this arson, these attempts against you, who are behind them, you think?"
"We're not sure."
"And the police, what do they think?"
"They're investigating the crime, I'm not the one to answer things in their stead."
"But you do have some theory, right?"

"Yes," Narheda began, choosing to face the camera this time instead of Akol. "There are people out there who are making a lot of money on cheap orc labour. They fear, that if we should manage to prove that the Elves actually existed, then there would be renewed discussions about the status of the orc specie as well. That they are not mindless brutes as claimed, that they might not be mere mutants but a sentient specie too. A specie suppressed by drugs and electrochemical processes to keep their minds dulled so that we humans can make use of their strength and durability without having to worry about them revolting. And then simply kill them with gas or a poisonous shot in the vein when they are too old or injured to perform anymore."

"And yet they rose up in Isengard," Akol said, once again, turning to Narheda. "And showed extreme brutality during that upheaval. Was that brutality the sign of a 'sentient specie' you think, doctor?"
"I haven't been studying the orcs that well to be able to answer you, but I can only speculate that when a group has been so hardly suppressed as they have, then the uprising against the terror is going to be a nightmare to deal with. A recoil so to say."

Now Akor turned to Luwan, who had been quiet for a while.
"Do you believe that these evidences of Elves will change mankind's look upon the orcs as well?"
"Too early to say," Luwan avoided the probing question carefully. "What we do know is that elves did live in Rendell as long as into the third age. Or in the 25th century, using today's calendar."

After that Akor turned to the camera once again.
"Thank you, scholar! After the intermission we're going to meet a man who in his possession has an original written eye whiteness report from a man who met Elves back in the 23rd century. We'll be talking to Mitikas of Keratorion right after these messages..."