Hughes Log 1

This is overseer Jackson Hughes. As of two days ago, field agent Alexander Goldsmith has been in a state of mourning. This does go against the protocols of not getting attached to your research subjects. Fortunately for him, this is only a rule in name. If I had my full authority, I'd have Alex removed from this research site, but unfortunately his situation involving the ITS device makes him too valuable to be rid of. I have made efforts to see if another ITS could override control of the SPAR unit, but something within it seems to be preventing that. The ARAI is likely to blame, having developed defensive measures after my attempts to remove this project Headache. I will note there has been an update on this AI generated project, namely that it is completed.

At the time of the Thunder Clan's leader's death, a faith event occurred that seemed to have facilitated the completion of this project. In fact, SP has taken a keen interest in this project Headache claiming it was the breakthrough of the century. A brief analysis of the schematics does draw interest. The chief component being faith infused circuits. It is commonly believed that faith metals contain distinct properties that make them stand out from standard metals. Usually, it is simple properties like durability, malleability, weight, or sharpness. By the calculations in the schematics, the faith metal in the circuits hold no such property besides a basic tarnishing resistance. Instead, they seem to have a similar effect to the few known cases of crystal balls mixed with a few magic swords. Basically, the circuits seem to have very minor precognition mixed with a minor sentience, allowing them to collect the computations of the CPUs at the same time they are being calculated and routed without a mechanical means of routing them. Several faith forge industries are already putting up bids to see if they can replicate the effect.

The main reason I bring up project Headache and SP's interest in the project is that something changed about Alexander upon the device interfacing with "Sparky." He seems more aware despite having to simultaneously pilot the cat bot and control his real body. The migraine effects of the ITS have vanished entirely, and the processing load of our local computers has shrunk significantly with only occasional spikes originating from the ITS link. SP is even giving us payment on data relating to the changes Headache has caused on our systems and on Alexander.

I don't know how to feel about Alexander. He's way too close to this project, almost fanatical in his desire to study and know these clans. I've heard him offhandedly refer to Bluestar as his former mentor to that cat Blair. Unfortunately, I did not have active translation software running at the time, so her response is unknown. I will note the oddity that Alexander did understand her perfectly though. I can only imagine that is because of his connection to the ITS and subsequently our language database and systems. Thankfully, he isn't meowing back to her, so we've been able to get half the conversation.

Moving on. Yesterday, we were able to record another faith event. This one is labeled the leadership ceremony. I'm linking in the stream from that event now.

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"Are you sure it's alright for me to attend this?" Sparky mewed to Fireheart near the camp entrance.

"I think Bluestar would want you to be there to see it." Fireheart replied, turning his attention to the medicine cat Cinderpelt.

"Do you believe Starclan might have any qualms with this?" He asked.

Cinderpelt shook her head in response. "Starclan moves in mysterious ways. Last night I received a dream of Mothermouth. A bolt of lightning stuck the opening and went inside. I believe they are requesting Sparky's presence."

"Then Starclan has spoken. Let's not keep them waiting." Fireheart mewed in a half joke, clearly suppressing his own grief at the death of his leader and former mentor.

The journey was silent. It was almost as if the forest itself was sharing in the mourning. It was only when they reached the edge of Windclan territory did the quiet whisper of whipping grasses break the silence. The trees' leaves began to rustle lightly again, caught in a slow breeze. They hesitated only a moment before moving forward again. The sky was crystal clear with stars that were more plainly visible than they should have been given the light pollution from the nearby city.

After a somewhat lengthy journey that ended up crossing a scarcely used highway, they arrived at their destination. Sparky's faith readouts were beginning to spike from simply being at the entrance of such a sanctified place. It didn't quite reach the scale of some of the grand churches and mosques, but this did appear to be a place of extreme religious significance, and they hadn't even gotten to the holy relic yet.

- For Security Reasons The Path To The Moonstone Has Been Skipped-

Finally, a glimmer of light sparkled up ahead. A massive growth of quartz filled the underground chamber. It was charged with enough faith to be considered a grand holy relic. The monument faintly glowed in the darkness as the moon got higher in the sky. Tiny pinholes to the surface began to flood with moonlight, lighting up the Moonstone in a divine blue glow. Fireheart slowly made his approach before touching the Moonstone reverently and immediately being put into a trance. Cinerpelt was quick to follow.

Sparky could only watch silently as his faith readouts spiked to something beyond what this small culture of clans should have been able to produce. Nine faith entities seemed to have been generated by the Moonstone. They could not be seen, but the faith signatures were distinct, almost as if they were separate living beings, or demigods. One by one, the manifestations approached the sleeping Fireheart, instilling some form of power upon him before vanishing back to whence they came. Finally, there was one. This one was familiar, registering in Sparky's memories faintly. Before this manifestation imparted their gift unto Fireheart, they approached Sparky.

"I am glad you are here to witness this. You'll play an important part in the fate of the clans. Remember (Sparky/Alex) you may walk in two worlds now, but some day you will have to make a choice. Continue to learn from us as we learn from you." Came the voice of Bluestar, which somehow wasn't picked up by the audio sensors but was registered as audio regardless. The name Sparky and Alex layered each other but distinctly hearable.

Then Bluestar's manifestation approached Fireheart, imparting her gift upon him and disappearing back to their afterlife. Fireheart was still for a couple moments before he seemed to be seized by a terrifying nightmare. After a couple moments longer, he awoke.

"That was fascinating." Was all Sparky could mew, still marveling at his genuine interaction with a spirit and relieved at Bluestar's appearance to talk to him.

"I am Firestar now, and I've received my nine lives." Firestar stated. He now seemed to have a constant faith effect upon him.

Nine lives should not have been feasible for a culture of this scale, but since nine lives is a common myth for cats, the clans seemed to have tapped into the belief granting them a miracle beyond what should have been possible for their population. It was a discovery that ESRAI would likely sink billions into to see if they could recreate.