(In accordance with our mission objectives, I imprinted visual images of our trip into my memory for Orval’s future reference.)

The darkness worked well, cloaking our first exploration of our hosts.  For the most part, our expedition to the colony was uneventful.  We were not accosted, nor did we take part in any substantial interaction with any of them.  I was relieved, but I do not expect this trend to continue indefinitely. 

We did not find the resources we were looking for, nor did we discover a significant sign of Adras or the missing ship.  As we have only traversed a miniscule part of the area, we should not be discouraged by these results. 

The trip was not a complete waste of time.  During our visit, we spied a huge archway that may have been part of a gigantic structure at one point.  Perhaps it is the sole monument of a great empire: I can’t imagine a sentient being that large to fit through it.  I wonder if there is a species we have not encountered yet, or if they have died out or been removed.  Whatever the case may be, it is a magnificent example of design.  I wanted to test it for its potential as a means of an intergalactic doorway, but I do not think that the humans are advanced enough to harness that technology.  After making a record of it, we decided to return to the ship with our findings; at a later date, I will take the opportunity to inspect it further. 

It should be noted that our general feeling throughout was of disorientation, alienation, and overall isolation in this collective of life.  I can only assume that we missed the greater part of the typical human experience in the “city.”

End his entry.