Entry #1 - 3.21.5502

We've been living here in the old Central City for several months, and I continue to be amazed, each day, at what a spectacularly beautiful place this is. Each morning I rise to watch a deep crimson sun ascend past the crystal spires of the city's innermost ring -- a visual celebration of glass and titanium rising high above the capital's turquoise canals and lush green parks. It seems such a strange contrast -- the resurrected splendor of this city on such a parched, dying world; harmony reclaimed in reaction to strife. The designers of this place were as much artists as they were architects; as much humanists as engineers. They were truly an enlightened people -- how sad they must have been when they had to leave.

Having finally settled in to quarters in the old Academy of Sciences building, I decided it was time to start keeping a journal of our lives here on the Ohm home world. It's something I did regularly, back when I was living with Deke and Doris, and always felt it helped me keep a perspective -- writing helps me think things through and, with a journal, one's thoughts and actions can be viewed within the context of a historical document. Plus, it's a good way to keep one's far-off friends (you, in this instance) up-to-date on what's happening. So here goes...

Over the past few weeks Athena and I have begun re-purposing the hardware in the computer sciences labs, and developing necessary software for communicating with galaxies outside our own. The Guardians are anxious for us to "set up shop" as quickly as possible, as there are a great number of planets in imminent danger of disintegration. Already, in the short time we've been here on the Ohm home world, there've been no fewer than 7 solar systems that have collapsed into black holes -- all within this relatively limited area of space.

As such, our immediate goal is to establish a network of contacts with most-endangered worlds by the end of our first year. Unfortunately, Dr. Hershel is still lurking about and has succeeded in sabotaging several of our projects to date. We'd thought (and hoped) that after the explosion in the lab that first night, that Hershel would be scared-off for a while at least. But no such luck -- his insane thirst for revenge seems to have outweighed his paranoia; he seems to have decided that if he can't get even with the Ohms directly that we're his next best targets.

My rats, meanwhile, have been setting up housekeeping in the maze of wall spaces and passageways that connect the buildings of this sector. 3.14 has assumed a leadership role and, assisted by 50-50, pledged the vermin's (their choice of moniker, not mine) assistance in tracking Dr. Hershel's future movements -- rats as moles, if you will. As much as I welcome their assistance in protecting our work from the mad doctor's wrath, I also fear for their well-being -- Dr. Hershel has made it eminently clear that he views the rats as his #1 enemies, they being the spiritual progeny of Sona and all.

As for Mar, she's been away for much of this time, checking-in on some of her more active "clients" in this part of galactic space. In addition to the Little Geckins, it seems there are at least a dozen other species the old lady's been helping of late -- and she's determined to continue serving them despite new demands being placed on her by The Guardians. Personally, I'd like to see her give up the trade and concentrate on our work here -- but I have to respect her principles in seeing through what she's started. After all, a lot of oppressed beings are relying on her help in their fight for liberty. I just hope, without Athena and me there to help, that she doesn't run afoul of any bad guys who'd like to see her out of business permanently.