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On Raggashoon, the Omega Men finally tend to the psychotic Harpis. Here on her former home, she is tended to by her former mentor, Mama Madame. On the bordello world, Tigorr admits to visiting during the Great Wars. Using her psychic powers, Mama Madame eventually calms the raving Harpis and places her in the care of the long-lost Delengis, who is revealed alive.(OM 11)

Broot can deny his duties no longer. Since the Omegans' victory, his aching desire to find his wife has consumed him. When last he was a captive of the Gordanians, he overheard the coordinates of mining colony; he begins his search there, with Shlagen as his companion. Broot is greeted by a horde of young Changralynians who lead him into the colony. There he finally discovers his wife, now blind. Primus orders the Omegans to make haste for Euphorix. When they arrive, he finds the impenetrable force field already in place. Kalista honors the promise to her people, erecting the shield and destroying its controls. (OM 12)

To his horror, Broot finds that his wife and the children on the mining colony share the complacency of their kin. Though they are forced to work in dangerous conditions, they accept their fate with the consolation of Changralynian scriptures. They fear the outside world and choose to remain on the colony. Primus at last fitted with a new synthetic eye. (OM 13)

Since leaving his wife, Primus has taken to despair. Tigorr actually takes pity on his comrade, offering to take him with as he travels back to his homeworld of Karna. Unseen, the bounty hunter Bedlam trails them to Karna where their ship is destroyed. On the tropical, savage planet, the Omegans battle Bedlam and a host of native predators. Their luck is short, though, as Primus' psi powers continue to prove unreliable. Unexpected aid comes from Raggashoon, where Mama Madame has approved a painful procedure in hopes of restoring Harpis' sanity. The process somehow mentally reconnects her with her wings (in the possession of Bedlam, on Karna). Freed of Bedlam, Tigorr (whose given name is T'Ghurrhu) and Primus make way to civilization where Tigorr is chided by his Supreme Commander. When Primus pleads Tigorr's case, the Commander is shocked to learn that T'Ghurrhu is the legendary Citadel War hero. The two Omegans are furnished with every amenity and a ship, which they use to depart for Euphorix. Bedlam is left to the Karnavoran jungles. (OM 14)

Obsessed, Primus directs an all-out assault on Euphorix's shield. By piling space debris on top of the planet's shield. His fellow Omegans are disturbed by his actions and band together to confront him. But just as Kalista convinces Primus to call off the attack, the shield breaks. To save the planet from the falling debris, Nimbus summons Auron. Because the shield was built with the power of X'Hal, Auron is able to reabsorb the shield's energy and destroy the falling rocks. Kalista finally learns of Alonzo Dulak's various schemes to win her love; she sends him away. And in the end, Kalista she also sends Primus away. But once he is gone, regrets her decision. Harry Hokum witnesses Primus' formidable attempt and wonders if he should be on the Omega Men's side. (OM 15)

Elsewhere on Euphorix, warriors are continually trained in preparation for war. Primus contacts the elder master, Skokiaan, to perform a reconnaissance mission to Tallgrass (a moon of Euphorix). She is to investigate reports of Citadel activity and scout the moon as a potential Omegan base. When Skokiaan disappears, her star pupil, Katydid follows. There Katydid successfully conquers a physical and psychological labyrinth and frees her teacher and others. (OM 16)

 

The Replicave

Felicity succumbs to a powerful vision and lapses into a coma. This vision is actually a distress signal from a nearby asteroid. Doc extracts the asteroids location from her mind and the Omegans pursue the call. What they do not realize is that the call is a trap set long ago by the Psions. Its design is based on the Velorpian ability (of which Lobo is the last) to duplicate. The signal lures sentients in and automatically sends a duplicate back to the Psion base for experimentation. When Tigorr enters this "Replicave," it immediately begins producing an endless stream of Tigorrs. Kalista banishes Alonzo Dulak from Euphorix. A spy alerts Harry Hokum of her decision fate and Hokum ponders an alliance with Dulak. (OM 17)

Investigating, Primus enters the Replicave and he too begins to duplicate. Meanwhile, the asteroid they inhabit hurtles towards Euphorix, and Kalista orders a ship to destroy it. The duplication process stops at 100 clones and the army of Primuses engages the Tigorrs. Upon Primus' victory, his clones collapse, spent. Then, both sets of clones begin to merge into one giant Tigorr. Alonzo Dulak refuses Harry Hokum's proposition of an alliance. On Euphorix, Kalista realizes that she has banished Dulak in error. (OM 18)

The Omega Men experience flashbacks while investigating the giant Tigorr. Primus calls for help from Lobo, which is ignored, but when Lobo learns of Euphorix's approaching ship, he goes to the Omegans' rescue. The giant Tigorr begins birthing scores more Tigorrs (the natural Velorpian way). Above, the original Tigorr awakens from his trance and is transported to the Psion Homeworld. Primus, too, enters the teleporter in the Replicave and finds himself among the Psions. (OM 19)

Lobo prevents Euphorix's ship from decimating the Omega Men and then vaporizes the asteroid along with the clones. He recounts the Velorpians' fate: the Psions had introduced a virus into their world, rendering all sterile. On the Psion Homeworld, Primus destroys the replicating machine and its master. Nimbus guides Felicity's conscience back to her own body, out of Tigorr's. This is the first time his touch conveys anything but death. (OM 20)

Continues...

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 Part 5

The Omega Men are property of DC Comics. © 2000 Mike Kooiman