Chapter 4: Long Live Hydra!
"Wait—Hermo's actually willing to hand over the core technology for refractor field defenses?!" Omega picked up his water glass and took a slow drink, a smile spreading across his face.
"No, no, the planetary authorities made contact with the Imperium's military. If we hold out long enough, they promise reinforcements will come on time!"
"That's good news." Omega kept his tone neutral.
"It is, but then again, we can't trust their 'on time' promise."
The Imperium was fighting wars across the entire sector. There was no telling when Imperial Navy support would arrive; it could be a year, a decade, or even centuries.
Adhering to his principle of staying out of sight, Omega commanded an elite force of over a thousand operatives who earned their income through various channels. Intelligence gatherers, covert agents, mercenaries, bounty hunters, and other specialists.
The network kept him exceptionally well-informed and gave him access to considerable technological knowledge.
The heavy power armor he wore wasn't ordinary equipment. Obviously.
Doctor Hermo had given it to him as payment for past services. Omega was intensely interested in advanced technology and had obtained significant data from the doctor over the years.
After telling his subordinate Royce to decline the xenos-hunting contracts, Omega finished his water and headed to the bedroom.
Books covered the desk. Omega picked up a book titled "Principles of Geometry," sat down, and grimaced at the cover, "Uggh...maths," before dutifully opening it.
He'd finally established a working relationship with Doctor Hermo and was about to learn how to fabricate power armor. Then Hermo told him to study mathematics first.
The stack before him contained nothing but mathematics textbooks: algebra, number theory, functions, geometry, topology, calculus, probability, statistics, a massive collection of fundamental mathematical knowledge.
In Doctor Hermo's words, only after mastering fundamental mathematics could they discuss building power armor together.
Omega suspected the doctor was stalling, unwilling to share military-classified technology. However, he also strongly agreed that all scientific advancements were built on a foundation of mathematics.
The collection Hermo provided was systematic, unlike the fragmented technical knowledge he'd pieced together from a dozen different sources over the years.
With stable life on Balsavor, Omega threw himself into studying mathematics. His enhanced intellect and the Audience's ability to perceive heightened perception let him absorb difficult concepts faster than he'd imagined.
Combined with the doctor's guidance, he worked through the vast body of mathematical knowledge in just a few years.
Right now, he was reviewing geometry principles. A two-and-a-half-meter powerhouse using thick fingers to turn delicate pages carefully. He continued reviewing several texts until late in the night, his mind swimming with geometric formulas.
Omega discovered that studying mathematics, when it didn't cause splitting headaches, was surprisingly enjoyable.
He slept well that night.
The next morning, the city's urgent alarm shrieked him awake. Omega moved quickly, donning his power armor, grabbing the Pale Spear, and taking a transport flyer to the front lines.
Day after day, for a whole month, Omega single-handedly stalled millions of Rangda troops in urban warfare.
In open terrain, he wouldn't dare attempt such tactics. The enemy had orbital support and air superiority. But in urban combat, he exploited his Audience ability and peak combat capabilities to devastating effect.
An undetectable terror moved constantly through Rangda forces. Command centers fell silent. Commanders died mysteriously. Elite warriors vanished. Even powerful war-beasts, cavalry formations, armored vehicles, and artillery batteries were inexplicably destroyed.
One day of such occurrences would be a miracle. But after a month, the military throughout the city was utterly shocked.
They might not know about every Rangda commander killed in secret, but they certainly noticed the organized destruction of war-beasts and heavy armor units.
They also discovered this powerful reinforcement wasn't part of any official military unit, and they couldn't locate him.
It was as if an incredibly powerful ghost was conducting urban warfare in the enemy-occupied ruins. Millions of Rangda troops couldn't catch him, yet his kill count continued climbing.
They only learned from rumors among civilians that a figure in full power armor, wielding a spear, had appeared on the battlefield. He possessed immense strength and could easily kill terrifying war-beasts and Rangda warriors.
Even captured Rangda slaves described him the same way. The planetary Governor, hearing these reports, ordered a thorough investigation to find this warrior.
Another night passed. After returning to his apartment and showering, Omega drank some water and sat on the living room sofa. The communicator on the table flashed red.
He touched the control, somewhat surprised that the doctor was contacting him.
"Mr. Omega~, the military has become a routine guest at my research institute several times; they seem to be quite concerned about heavy power armor. Would you mind informing me who you sold the armor I gave you to?"
"Uh...It was an acquaintance. Why?" Omega took a slow sip of water.
"You have some gall to think you can fool this old man? That armor was specially customized and modified for your massive frame, Boy. I wager that no one in this entire city, hell, on this planet could wear it. Tell me the truth, you're that Ghost Super-Warrior everyone's talking about, aren't you?"
"Wait, Who? Ghost what?"
"Ghost super-warrior, it's the only thing on everyone's lips these days."
After a few exchanges, Omega understood the planetary military was looking for him.
Heavy power armor was military-grade equipment with restricted access. More importantly, it had been secretly repaired from salvaged Astartes armor fragments recovered from other battlefields.
They'd quickly traced it back to Doctor Hermo and related researchers.
Upon learning that even Doctor Hermo didn't know the core manufacturing technology for refractor fields, Omega understood the situation. But he still refused to reveal himself.
On the other side, in a highly classified research facility, an elderly scientist in a white coat spoke into the communicator.
Behind him stood three Astartes warriors over two meters tall, wearing unmarked power armor and holding heavy bolters pointed at the old man.
As soon as the call ended, the white-haired scientist looked back at them with a bitter smile.
In truth, he'd lied to Omega.
The Astartes had approached him even earlier. Stealing Space Marine power armor from a battlefield, even damaged armor, was an extremely unlawful act incompatible with life. No Legion would easily abandon their wargear.
These three Astartes wore unmarked blue-gray power armor. They looked at Doctor Hermo with interest, exchanged glances, and one asked, "This 'Ghost Super-Warrior', is this Omega really that powerful?"
"What does he look like?"
Doctor Hermo studied these Space Marines for a moment.
If Omega was truly so powerful, perhaps joining the Imperium would give him greater opportunities. The Imperium was constantly at war and needed capable warriors. This could be his chance to atone and escape danger.
Doctor Hermo utilized his old drafting skills and precisely sketched Omega's appearance from memory on white paper.
The three Astartes were greatly astonished.
Omega looked exactly like them.
The familiar features made the three Alpha Legion warriors exchange meaningful glances. As Doctor Hermo struggled to comprehend the strange atmosphere in the room, one of them spoke with unexpected humor:
"Hail Hydra."
Late that night, Omega was sleeping like usual after a day of good work, when he suddenly opened his eyes.
He rolled sideways, grabbed a plasma pistol from beside the bed, and tumbled to the floor, aiming at the door.
He remembered Doctor Hermo's call from earlier. 'Military?. '
Light suddenly illuminated through the crack under the door from the hallway. Then the light dimmed again, leaving only silence.
[End of Chapter]