Omega is Central's 'evil twin', a high-probability alternate outcome which vies with Central for dominance. Like Central, Omega began with a central spindle containing a highly sophisticated core computer and a small space habitat with several hundred inhabitants.
Structurally, the two stations have taken different paths. Central is a crown-shaped assemblage of spindles. Omega has built itself as a series of tightly packed orbs hung on three interlocking hoops, attempting to gain maximum space with minimum material. (fig. 2.1) The original spindle (fig. 2.3, yellow) is enclosed by the outer layers in a defensive array and has become engulfed by a second spindle-shaped hull(red). This hull connects two of the points where the hoops cross one another. At each such crossing, Omega has placed an offensive station(figs. 2.1 and 2.3,brown). Due to this arrangement, Omega can bring five of its six 'turrets' to bear on any target in its range.
Anyone seeing Omega from the outside would see a forbidding, gargantuan mass of dull, blackened orbs welded together into rings and spheres of dark metal. The outermost orbs bristle with long-range sensors and several types of weapons. Central might be like a fantastical city, but Omega would come close to eclipsing the Moon, were it in near-Earth orbit. In purely physical terms, Omega is far bigger than Central. It is 'home' to more than twice Central's population, and has constructed other habitats holding nearly three billion more. Inside, Omega is a series of cramped, dimly lit metal cells joined by narrow causeways. For a more efficient use of resources, inhabitants are fed at appointed times as they are marched through automated cafeterias. A standardized dole of yeast proteins and synthesized starches is measured out to each person.
Each habitation orb (fig. 2.2) is cross-sectioned into many floors(green), and has monitoring centers and suicide charges built into the caps(red). These charges are Omega's final control over its population. If triggered, the charges will split the orb's hull along its seams, cracking it open and spilling the contents into vacuum. The monitoring equipment receives signals from the hundreds of thousands of 'slave collars' worn by the people in each orb. The collars are mandatory, each containing a telemetry device reporting its wearer's position, a biochemical gauge recording and reporting his/her blood chemicals, an implanted hair-fine electrode monitoring EEGs, and a pair of blunt contacts capable of delivering an adjustable electrical shock.
Suspect levels of blood chemicals, a location signal in a forbidden or unusual area, or an EEG spike will lead to Omega or one of it's android enforcers switching to a visual monitor in the region of the signal, and a low-voltage warning shock. If the person is indeed up to something, and they do not immediately desist, the shock is repeated and then increased in voltage with each subsequent repetition. Meanwhile, several Browns will be dispatched to manually remove the offender.
Browns are Omega's equivalent to Central's Grays. However, they are not like the quiet, human-seeming Grays in appearance or manner. Browns are dressed in a quasi-military brown uniform, and are blatantly inhuman in most cases. The exceptions are Omega's "secret police", which serve as spies and are all but undetectable.