The Gathering: Log 2 of 2
Is there a proper term for when one is looked upon with a deep hunger, a desire for you in a ravenous, exploitative, but not sexual way? If so, than that word would best fit what I saw from Tigerstar. Even from such a distance as the top the Great Rock, I could still give a basic read out on his physical condition. His eyes were slightly dilated, an indicator of obvious interest. His muscles were slightly tense, as if he wanted to pounce. Did you know that perspiration can also be used to detect interest or affection? This is because interest can cause an adrenaline surge. For humans, this causes effects like clammy hands, an altered sense of time, a reactionary fight or flight response toned on the severity of the interest. For a cat like Tigerstar, he sweat. His body would overheat slightly, and in response, he'd perspire to remain cool.
From my time under Bluestar, I knew fully well the record of Tigerstar. He was an egocentric opportunist. The fact that he managed to get into the position of a leader after his exile showed both a drive and cunning that few could match. I was a golden opportunity, one he could not possibly pass up. I fear what one such as him could do with even a fraction of the power Sparky's mechanical form possessed, but I'd already sworn my oath. For better or worse, definitely for worse, I had bound myself to serve him in some capacity.
The Gathering took a sudden turn when Tigerstar moved forward to announce something. It was something that made my skin crawl. Tigerstar announced his desire for a total unification of all cats of the clans under his rule. This was the beginnings of a conqueror. To prove his intentions weren't just for show, Leopardstar stepped forward ceding control of her clan to Tigerstar, ruling the now combined faction as Tigerclan.
The interactions of the leaders has been recorded and will be played back.
Tigerstar: While Sparky's miracles will prove a boon to all the clans, I have a proposal to put forth that will benefit us all. As we currently stand, the clans are weak. We spend all our time and efforts suspicious of our neighbors. I say no more! We should gain strength through unity and decisive leadership. I do not stand before you alone in this endeavor. Leopardstar, you have accepted my request to unify our strength as one clan. We name this alliance Tigerclan after one of the great clans of old. And now we offer you the same. Firestar, I remember you once questioned the validity of maintaining four clans instead of cooperating. I now offer you the chance to follow through on that commitment.
Firestar: I may have once questioned the clans of why they did not cooperate, but that was when I was but a kit. You preach of unity, but I do not see it. Do you even see Leopardstar as an equal or she but another minion to command? You pose as a savior to us all, but you are conceited enough to name your alliance after yourself. No. The clans draw strength through rivalry. As rivals, we bring forth further strength to each clan. We learn to keep our claws sharp. We learn to fight. It is why we are strong enough to drive outside forces off. So no Tigerstar. You will not have Thunderclan. I won't even concede a single whisker's length of territory to your so called Tigerclan.
Tigerstar: You and your clan will live to regret that decision. Tigerclan will unify the forest one way or another. Tallstar, I offer you the chance to join Tigerclan as well. What do you say?
Tallstar: I say you are a fool. There have always been four clans like there has always been four trees. To try and change that is to invoke the wrath of Starclan. Windclan has always been strong on its own. We survived famines. We survived plagues, and we've survived droughts. We've even survived being driven off our homes. With all that being said, we will certainly survive you.
Tigerstar: Then we'll certainly have to put your claims to the test. You better watch your back, because I'll be proving the strength of Tigerclan real soon. Maybe once you've felt our power, your foolish bravado will fall away.
End recording.
It was with three of the four leaders lashing their tails and growling at each other that Tigerstar made another play, an effort to single out the other newfound boon to all the clans. He looked at me and made a demand.
"I hope you two won't mind me taking this Sparky on now. You see, we've got far more cats than you, and some are still recovering from sickness. Sparky did pledge themselves to healing as many cats as possible, so it would stand to reason that they come back to Tigerclan to heal all they can." He stated in an almost bragging tone, confident in his argument.
Unfortunately, he was correct in his assessment. Tigerclan indeed had more cats in need than the other clans. A variation of the flu was still detected within the Shadowclan camp. Riverclan was also showing signs of metal poisoning, likely a symptom of pollutants within the water. The river that was Riverclan's namesake was sourced from a freshwater lake several miles Northwest. Unfortunately this lake was a common party spot for teenagers. A mining site also up the mountain from that lake. It was a mining site for lead. For all intents and purposes, the mining site was within regulations and put out its waste properly. Unofficially, the site was close to a runoff point for when the snow on the mountain melted and ran down to the lake, taking along with it traces of lead and other poisonous metals. The ecosystem could survive the mining site, but it teetered on a dangerous edge that was easy to topple over until the river bled the pollutants out.
Yes. I'd have to follow Tigerstar back to his Tigerclan. That did not mean our research team would go without a presence within Thunderclan. Snowpaw is still an ESRAI employee and field researcher. I'd just never given him duties before. That'd have to change.
I found Snowpaw before I needed to depart. He looked fearful at Tigerstar's threat to the rest of the clans. I managed to pull him aside under the guise of needing to charge his hearing aids one last time.
"Snowpaw, I need you to keep it together. I know you've trusted me to keep you safe. That is not changing. Above my oath to the clans is my duties as an ESRAI employee. Among those duties is protecting other ESRAI employees from harm. Even if I got you the position on a technicality, you are my number one priority. Unfortunately, I will not be able to remain by your side to protect you. For that reason, I'm modifying one of your hearing aids to have a two way communicator. It will call me is you ask for Alexander. If you cannot get in contact with me, ask for ESRAI. This will contact the other researchers here. They are bound by the same duties as I am. You'll also likely receive calls and requests from them. Please fulfil them if you can and see no threat in it. If you get yourself in their good graces, they may be willing to assist in the coming war. I'll be back as soon as I can." I reassured, knowing fully well that Tigerstar would do whatever he could to keep my healing capabilities monopolized to his Tigerclan.