Boy, does he have some explaining to do!
Aug. 26th, 2020 03:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gridloreI'm cleaning out some old files and found this one. Enjoy!
Joshua
What had started as a rumor, quickly dismissed as being too outrageous to be possibly true, grew over time to legend, then unconfirmed report, and finally to a fact that shattered assumptions around the world. There was a man who was immortal and had lived for at least 7,000 years.
Joshua (as he preferred to be called) had come forward because of the advances in the medical and genetic fields. He had also made it known that it had become too difficult to relocate and start a new life. Never aging led to awkward questions after a few decades, Joshua explained, and this modern world made it hard to assume a new identity. No, he had come out of the shadows now because he thought he could get some answers about why he had lived so long, as well as having the chance to finally live as his true self.
Once scientists at the University of Alberta confirmed his age through several methods (including checking his fingerprints against some found on neolithic tools found in Germany), the world focused on Edmonton. Researchers and historians from around the globe descended on Western Canada, and thousands of artifacts previously labeled “of religious significance” were shipped in, in hopes that Joshua might be able to tell them what they really were. The Canadian government, fearing unrest and possible attacks by those who weren’t taking the news too well, moved Joshua to CFB Edmonton under the guard of Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), an armoured regiment of some renown. From there an orderly investigation of Joshua and his remarkable life continued.
As information was confirmed, it was released to the media. Joshua was 5’5” tall, had dark olive skin and thick, curly dark hair. It was determined that he had been born in the region of Alsace-Moselle. . . a fact which caused a diplomatic furball between Germany and France over which state would be the first to offer Joshua honorary citizenship, as the area had changed hands several times in the past few centuries.
Several prominent historians resigned their posts and withdrew their writings after speaking with Joshua, finding that all their conclusions had been wrong. Others left frustrated. Joshua, despite his lifespan, was just one man and had missed many important places and events. Also, being a man of dark complexion and curly hair, he had wisely avoided Western Europe for many centuries.
But perhaps the most remarkable thing to come out of the endless examinations was a possible explanation for Joshua’s extended life. He possessed the ability to heal from almost any wound or ailment. He could even regrow lost limbs or organs. Aside from needing to eat prodigious amounts while healing, he showed no signs of trauma from even the most grievous of wounds.
Several books on Joshua had been published, along with hundreds of scholarly articles and one B movie (Megashark vs. Joshua), but still, the public wanted more. So a press conference was announced. Journalists from around the world competed to get one of the coveted spots. To even be considered, they had to show that they understood the subject and would not be covering material already released.
When the day arrived, the fifty chosen reporters, along with four times as many cameras and technicians, crammed into the largest briefing theatre the base had to offer. Introductory remarks came from the various scientists who had been leading the project. All hinted at the need for more money. Then Joshua took the stage.
To the disappointment of many, he looked normal. Dressed in a denim work shirt and khakis, he looked like a typical Métis, one of Canada’s mixed-race minority. But when he spoke, Joshua owned the room. He answered much of the world press in their own languages, mentioning that he rarely forgot a tongue once he learned it. He proved this by answering a question about life in the Bronze Age in the language of the long-vanished Hittites. He was smiling, laughing, and clearly happy at being able to finally tell the truth.
But then, at 1707 Mountain Standard Time, came the question. Addo Gravino of the Vatican News Service came to the podium.
“Signor Joshua, your accounts place you in Judea at the time of Christ. My question, did you witness Him? Did you hear His words? Please, tell us the truth!”
Joshua buried his face in his hands for a moment before speaking. “Look, I hate to tell all of you this, but I promised to be honest. I’m not political. I try to avoid politics. But the Romans and the Judeans were going to go to war. So I tried to teach a message I picked up in India. Peace. Brotherhood. Forgiveness. For my troubles, I was executed.”
There was an angry murmur coming from the crowd. “I healed and did what I’ve always done. I ran away. Spent three centuries in Arabia herding goats. That’s when I found out somebody made a religion around what I did! I’m sorry for the confusion, but. . . ”
The audience erupted in anger. Punches were thrown. Soon, riots broke out around the world. As he was hustled from the stage by Canadian authorities, Joshua was heard to say “Guess I shouldn’t mention my time in Mecca, huh?”
Joshua
What had started as a rumor, quickly dismissed as being too outrageous to be possibly true, grew over time to legend, then unconfirmed report, and finally to a fact that shattered assumptions around the world. There was a man who was immortal and had lived for at least 7,000 years.
Joshua (as he preferred to be called) had come forward because of the advances in the medical and genetic fields. He had also made it known that it had become too difficult to relocate and start a new life. Never aging led to awkward questions after a few decades, Joshua explained, and this modern world made it hard to assume a new identity. No, he had come out of the shadows now because he thought he could get some answers about why he had lived so long, as well as having the chance to finally live as his true self.
Once scientists at the University of Alberta confirmed his age through several methods (including checking his fingerprints against some found on neolithic tools found in Germany), the world focused on Edmonton. Researchers and historians from around the globe descended on Western Canada, and thousands of artifacts previously labeled “of religious significance” were shipped in, in hopes that Joshua might be able to tell them what they really were. The Canadian government, fearing unrest and possible attacks by those who weren’t taking the news too well, moved Joshua to CFB Edmonton under the guard of Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), an armoured regiment of some renown. From there an orderly investigation of Joshua and his remarkable life continued.
As information was confirmed, it was released to the media. Joshua was 5’5” tall, had dark olive skin and thick, curly dark hair. It was determined that he had been born in the region of Alsace-Moselle. . . a fact which caused a diplomatic furball between Germany and France over which state would be the first to offer Joshua honorary citizenship, as the area had changed hands several times in the past few centuries.
Several prominent historians resigned their posts and withdrew their writings after speaking with Joshua, finding that all their conclusions had been wrong. Others left frustrated. Joshua, despite his lifespan, was just one man and had missed many important places and events. Also, being a man of dark complexion and curly hair, he had wisely avoided Western Europe for many centuries.
But perhaps the most remarkable thing to come out of the endless examinations was a possible explanation for Joshua’s extended life. He possessed the ability to heal from almost any wound or ailment. He could even regrow lost limbs or organs. Aside from needing to eat prodigious amounts while healing, he showed no signs of trauma from even the most grievous of wounds.
Several books on Joshua had been published, along with hundreds of scholarly articles and one B movie (Megashark vs. Joshua), but still, the public wanted more. So a press conference was announced. Journalists from around the world competed to get one of the coveted spots. To even be considered, they had to show that they understood the subject and would not be covering material already released.
When the day arrived, the fifty chosen reporters, along with four times as many cameras and technicians, crammed into the largest briefing theatre the base had to offer. Introductory remarks came from the various scientists who had been leading the project. All hinted at the need for more money. Then Joshua took the stage.
To the disappointment of many, he looked normal. Dressed in a denim work shirt and khakis, he looked like a typical Métis, one of Canada’s mixed-race minority. But when he spoke, Joshua owned the room. He answered much of the world press in their own languages, mentioning that he rarely forgot a tongue once he learned it. He proved this by answering a question about life in the Bronze Age in the language of the long-vanished Hittites. He was smiling, laughing, and clearly happy at being able to finally tell the truth.
But then, at 1707 Mountain Standard Time, came the question. Addo Gravino of the Vatican News Service came to the podium.
“Signor Joshua, your accounts place you in Judea at the time of Christ. My question, did you witness Him? Did you hear His words? Please, tell us the truth!”
Joshua buried his face in his hands for a moment before speaking. “Look, I hate to tell all of you this, but I promised to be honest. I’m not political. I try to avoid politics. But the Romans and the Judeans were going to go to war. So I tried to teach a message I picked up in India. Peace. Brotherhood. Forgiveness. For my troubles, I was executed.”
There was an angry murmur coming from the crowd. “I healed and did what I’ve always done. I ran away. Spent three centuries in Arabia herding goats. That’s when I found out somebody made a religion around what I did! I’m sorry for the confusion, but. . . ”
The audience erupted in anger. Punches were thrown. Soon, riots broke out around the world. As he was hustled from the stage by Canadian authorities, Joshua was heard to say “Guess I shouldn’t mention my time in Mecca, huh?”
no subject
Date: 27 Aug 2020 20:23 (UTC)I Like how you went with "Joshua" though, instead of "John". Nice reference.