Video Log 1: New Staff
"Man, it's never fun seeing yourself on camera." States a man with a slightly tan skin and fair complexion. His hair was somewhat long and ratty, clearly displaying either his diligence to his work or his laziness. He wore a classic lab coat with a name plate hanging from the right front pocket. On it in silver letters over a black backdrop was the name Alexander Goldsmith.
"Well, I guess I'll start this log with an update. ESRAI did begrudgingly approve my continued interactions with the clans. Of course, this came with some caveats, namely a couple of baby sitters. I've been demoted from head researcher to field agent. The now overseer of this research site is a man named Jackson Hughs." Goldsmith said in an almost playful tone before picking up the camera and pointing it at another man, clean shaven and bald with a no-nonsense attitude. He wore business attire with a gold lettered nameplate. He was currently typing away at a computer filled with raw data.
"That's Hughs. Currently, he's working on the translation software since it is still imperfect. He's also trying to headhunt some kind of virus that's currently using a lot of processing power. So far he's sussed out that the origin claims to be the ARAI, and the processing power seems to be working towards a file simply labeled headache. He's tried deleting it, but whatever is creating the file is clever. It keeps restoring the file from numerous redundant data points that are near impossible to track down. We did get a peek at the file though. It appears to be schematics for some kind of foreign computer, but the way the connections are set out makes no sense. Instead of a multicore processor, there semes to instead be many single core processors linked to individual data storage systems. Then, they seem to be directed by some kind of coordinator processor. The purpose of such a strange computer is unknown, but SP snagged a copy of it since it is supposedly from the ARAI, and they haven't gotten back to us yet besides to say to send them the whole file when it was done." Goldsmith stated before turning the camera to a woman in a suit dress currently watching through old video footage and taking notes on timestamps.
"Moving on. This is Annisa Donahue. She's technically the liaison between SP and ESRAI, but she's more of a PR manager. Since SP got the logs of what's been happening to me, they've shifted the ITS's design drastically. Now, it's a helmet that interfaces indirectly. Unfortunately, given my unique condition, we can't have the ITS neural implant removed from me. Annisa's job is mainly to sell the idea of ESRAI using the ITS system for first contact scenarios. Apparently, I was one of the top performers when it came to putting out raw useful data until ESRAI realized how I was getting so much valuable data. Along with me, I believe ESRAI is running some trials with the new ITS involving groups that we've already established a first contact with and have diplomatic relations with. Anyways, she's currently digging through my old camera footage from both my discretely placed observation cameras to Sparky's sight. I've seen her popping a few bags of popcorn. She claims that, with a little editing, some of this footage was on par with old nature documentaries. Of course, this footage is unable to be aired publicly since ESRAI has now officially recorded the clan cats as sentient, likely rekindling a lot of single sapience cases on domesticated cats."
Annisa's business-like diligence is broken when she visibly pulls a piece of popcorn from a well concealed bowl. The current footage she is watching is when Sparky and the rest of the rescue patrol were rushing through the woods to save those apprentices. She pauses briefly and notes a timestamp when the sound of barking is heard.
Goldsmith then places the camera back where it started, facing him, before leaning back and giving his chair a single spin.
"Honestly, it's a bit demoralizing to have my solo project taken from me, but I only have myself to blame. I took a lot of needless risks and broke many protocols because I thought they'd give me just a bit more data." Goldsmith says while looking skyward. Then a munchkin bluish silver cat leaps into his lap, letting out a series of meows. An auto generated caption appears at the bottom of the video.
"That's a lie and you know it. You didn't rescue that kit because it was data, and you certainly didn't join the can because it was data. Face it. You're a bleeding heart. Not like it hasn't worked out for you. You look much better than a week ago when you were juggling writing your reports, maintaining a position in the clan, and caring for yourself. Now you've only got half the workload."
Goldsmith smiled softly before replying. "Thanks Blair. I think I needed to hear that. Oh. I almost forgot, ESRAi gave me a grant… Maybe grant isn't the right word. It's more of a bounty. You see, Sparky presents a major advantage in terms of medical care to any clan he's allowed within. If I can get the clans to allow Sparky to interact with all the clans, I'll get a level five treatment unit. Those things are usually reserved for hospitals, but with it I should be able to treat near any wound. Though, I won't be able to treat Brightpaw's eye. Eyes usually require a level seven or above. But that's besides the point. If I can give a demonstration of Sparky's medical prowess, she'll allow me the opportunity to present the offer of Sparky's aid to all the clans. I'm honestly hoping it all works out. Imagine all the cats I could save and all the data I could collect from interacting with each clan from within their own camps. I might even be able to get a good faith reading. So far, I've only found two spikes, namely around Bluestar and Fireheart. So far, religion wise, the best I can approximate their afterlife as is heaven but their ancestors are their god. From what was described to me by an elder, the afterlife is a paradise, but the ones they worship are their ancestors."
Goldsmith briefly flicks his attention away from the camera, clearly distracted by something. "Looks like I'll have to end the recording here. The dogs are back."