Chapter 139: Alpharius Omega
Rogal Dorn studied Omega intently before following him into the administrative chamber.
He was certain the man before him was Alpharius, the one who had officially returned, but the question of the other Alpharius's true identity gnawed at him.
Omega let Horus fuss while he gathered a substantial stack of files and began processing them with practiced efficiency.
The Emperor remained silent throughout, as if oblivious to the undercurrents, and the two worked through the documents in companionable quiet.
An hour later, Omega had skillfully cleared the stack, feeling an unexpected surge of satisfaction at the accomplishment.
Then the doors burst open.
Horus strode in with Dorn, Captain-General Constantin Valdor, and a full contingent of the Legio Custodes at his back, their expressions thunderous. Every eye fixed on Omega, who sat innocently at his desk, pen still in hand.
As Horus's imposing frame filled the doorway, the Emperor finally glanced up, blinking as though mildly curious about the interruption, watching to see how Omega would handle the confrontation.
"So, you all know the truth now?" Omega set down his pen gently, lifted his tea cup, and took a measured sip.
Horus raised his massive claw, displeasure etched across his features. "Yes. Your Alpha Legion truly excels at concealment. I never imagined your Legion possessed twin Primarchs, Alpharius Omega. What are you playing at, using two names for one identity?"
"I cannot accept such deception between brothers. Alpharius should have returned to the Imperium openly, as you did, with ceremony and honor, instead of lurking in the shadows. This is unfair to him!"
Rogal Dorn's stern gaze fixed on Omega. "You are twin Primarchs. You should receive equal treatment and recognition. This arrangement is selfish."
Omega didn't rise to the accusation. He set down his teacup, his expression growing distant, almost wistful. "Unfair. Selfish."
He sighed softly. "Actually, I did advise Alpharius to participate in that grand return ceremony with me. He refused. What could I do? It was his choice. I could hardly tie him up and drag him to the Imperial Palace."
Horus's frown deepened. The revelation that Alpharius had returned over a decade ago only amplified his frustration. Dorn's expression shifted to confusion. "Why would he refuse?"
Omega spread his hands. "Our Legion values operational security. There's a reason the Imperium calls us the Ghost Legion. Twin Primarchs, one visible, one hidden. He felt the arrangement perfectly embodied our principles of secrecy. I tried to dissuade him, but the logic was sound, so I agreed."
Horus compared his impressions of both brothers and sensed truth in Omega's words, though it didn't diminish his irritation.
"I disagree with this excessive secrecy. There's no need for such concealment between brothers. As twin Primarchs, you can both operate openly within the Imperium."
"I concur," Dorn added. "This serves no purpose."
Seeing their agitation, Omega spoke carefully. "Each Legion develops its own culture. Perhaps we can't always understand one another, but we should respect our differences. The Emperor hasn't mandated uniformity in Astartes Legion culture, has he?"
Every gaze turned toward the Emperor, who had remained a silent observer. He gave a slight nod but offered no further comment. Horus realized then that the Emperor had known about the twin Primarchs all along.
Horus pressed forward. "Since you put it that way, I propose we convene a meeting here on Terra. All our brothers. And both you and Alpharius must attend."
"Agreed," Dorn said firmly. If the Emperor wouldn't weigh in, then this was for the Primarchs to resolve among themselves.
Omega considered Alpharius's temperament and the mood of his brothers. "Horus, Dorn...I'm the reasonable one. Alpharius may not be as accommodating. Please prepare yourselves for that."
Horus's eyes narrowed. "From the moment we met until now, you've casually introduced yourself as Alpharius, joked with everyone, and no one suspected a thing. You call that reasonable?"
Omega remained calm. "Everyone has secrets. Demanding complete transparency won't necessarily give you what you're hoping for."
"Regardless, I will have answers." Horus's tone brooked no argument. He was determined to address the Alpha Legion's obsession with mystery once and for all.
The Emperor entrusted the matter to Horus, who issued a summons in his name. The Primarchs campaigning across the galaxy responded immediately upon hearing about Alpharius and Omega.
...
One month later, the magnificent halls of the Imperial Palace on Holy Terra hosted a gathering unlike any in recent memory. Snow fell softly outside the towering windows while inside, tension crackled through the air like static before a storm.
The Primarchs had returned from distant warzones across the galaxy, assembling in the grand banquet hall. Crystal chandeliers cast brilliant light across the gathering, supplemented by the warm glow of thick candles arranged throughout the chamber.
Having learned the truth from Horus, the assembled gene-forged sons were visibly agitated. Criticism of the Alpha Legion's secretive practices rippled through their ranks in heated murmurs.
Then the main doors opened.
Alpharius and Omega entered simultaneously, both clad in blue-green power armor, their appearances strikingly similar. The hall fell silent.
Mortarion was the first to break the quiet. "They truly are twins. Alpharius Omega, one name for two people. Extraordinary."
As the pair approached their seats, Konrad Curze rose abruptly. "The cold... "
"Alpharius, it was you who competed with me during the campaign against the AI Overlord, not Omega. You switched places."
Alpharius smiled, confidence radiating from him. "A pity we never determined a victor, Konrad Curze."
Curze's eyes narrowed. "Why the substitution? Omega agreed to that contest."
Omega looked vaguely uncomfortable with the topic.
Alpharius answered for him. "He was leisurely enjoying tea on the bridge at the time. I convinced him to let me take his place in your little game. He didn't care about the outcome, but I refused to concede."
Omega shrugged. "I had a slow start. As long as you two enjoyed yourselves."
Without waiting for Curze's response, Omega moved to his seat. Alpharius settled beside him. The assembled Primarchs regarded them with renewed scrutiny, this casual revelation adding another layer to the mystery.
Curze's words triggered a memory in Lion El'Jonson, who studied Alpharius thoughtfully but chose not to voice his suspicions.
The contrast between the twins' personalities was becoming clear. Horus and Dorn exchanged glances, recalling Omega's earlier warning about his brother's temperament.
Sanguinius, sensing the rising tension, spoke with characteristic grace. "Omega, if Alpharius returned to the Imperium years ago, why keep it concealed? Regardless of when or how they arrive, we welcome all our brothers home."
All eyes turned to Omega. He stood, meeting their gazes with an easy smile. "We're all brothers here. Let's approach this civilly. First, let's properly welcome Alpharius's return. As Sanguinius said, we should be celebrating, not interrogating. A little warmth wouldn't hurt, would it?"
He began to clap, a steady, deliberate rhythm in the silent hall. The sound echoed awkwardly as every Primarch stared at him.
Sanguinius recovered first, his smile genuine as he joined the applause. Jaghatai Khan and Klax followed suit. Gradually, the others contributed their own reluctant applause. Mortarion's laugh boomed out as he clapped enthusiastically. Fulgrim looked utterly incredulous that they were going along with this performance.
When the applause finally faded, Horus regarded Omega with wary interest, wondering what other surprises he had prepared.
Understanding that the taciturn Alpharius wouldn't elaborate, Omega took the lead. "My name is Alpharius Omega. My brother's name is also Alpharius Omega. We are twin Primarchs who share a single designation; we haven't deceived you about that."
"For clarity, you may call him Alpharius and call me Omega." He glanced at his twin. "Alpharius, perhaps you should introduce yourself as well, in case anyone doubts the arrangement."
[End of Chapter]