Somiir Neska, the head anchorman for the Republic Daily News, was one of the most recognizable humans in the nation. Any citizen of the Republic who watched any amount of video ether knew his photogenic features in an instant: square, chiseled face, thin moustache, and thick, wavy brown hair unaffected by middle age.
Somiir's position naturally afforded him a great deal of power, both to elevate any common man, elf, or dragon, to near godhood, or transform the most prestigious and elite into a shamed pariah. Such power, he believed, was better than magic.
Using his given power to that effect was part of day-to-day business. Those paltry bits of news composed the sameness of everyday life. There was always some act of heroism or scandal to report; that was commonplace and boring. News of a more special kind was what intrigued him the most: specifically the turning points, the pinions of change in the world. These, were to him, were more precious than gold.
And this was what he felt could be the type of change, spurred by the opportunity that had presented itself, if the news that came from the lips of this gorgeous android seated in front of him was true.
"And so, that's the full story," she said, daintily resting her finger on her cheek. She threw him a lustful look. "Once again, I'm so very thankful for the time that you've afforded me, Mr. Neska."
"Please, Call me Somiir," he said, taking a second bite out of his rack of lamb. His charming Lemsram drawl: the accent that won him his position in the ranks of the news company was evident even in his full mouth.
"Of course … Somiir," she said with a soft, musical giggle. "So do you think it was worth your while?"
"Perhaps," Somiir answered thoughtfully, trying half-heartedly to keep his eyes on the food he was eating, and not the android's extremely low-cut translucent blouse. "But I'll need proof of this, and of course, witnesses who are willing to give their statements."
"Oh, I can provide you with plenty of those," the android replied huskily. "Have no worries about that!"
"Then I believe that we have a deal." Somiir replied. "But remember that the evidence has to check out for us to run a complete investigation, and then to get it on the magazine portion of our broadcasts."
"Of course," she said. "But I have no worries about that; I'm sure you'll discover that the evidence is all you ever needed and more. After all, 'Information is the only thing of value,' as you say, isn't it?"