The Embattled Trust is Primed for a Comeback

By KAYE SHEPHERD

Hydrogen News Network, Reporter-at-Large



Change is in the air at Omni. The nanite Trust, whose wide-ranging product lines and policies have made them a ubiquitous presence in the lives of every Atlas citizen, has undergone one of the most tumultuous periods of its 240 years of existence.



In March, not only did they lose their lead inventor, Helio (the boy genius who single-handedly redefined Omni-tech for the Resurrection era), they were also besieged by a series of successful and unsuccessful break-ins. There was even an attempted “teleportation” into Omni reported just recently.

The last break-in, brazenly popularized on both open comms between Freelancers and in holos, has seemingly marked a turning point for Omni internally.

After a summer of upheavals from outside of the organization, Omni has retaken control. First, the Trust added a new security team to their ranks, helmed by the formidable Freelancer, Juno. Then, they ostensibly confirmed long-standing rumors of Project Nidus by bringing in their newest, (and oldest) Freelancer, Su-Ren.

It is rare when Omni lifts the veil on their operations, and rarer still, lately, for them to do it intentionally. Yet today, in light of the public distress and increased tension between Warbotics, Evolution Solutions, and themselves, they’ve invited HNN to visit Omni-Plex and speak to Su-Ren in person.

Or, in android, as the case may be.

“You… breathe,” I say, somewhere between a question and genuine surprise.

The woman across from me laughs. I’m stunned again by how joyful and light it sounds. “Fascinating observation. I was told you were a journalist. I see that you’re very thorough.” Su-Ren says, cheekily. “If you must know, I take in ambient energy from the Reactor through a process reminiscent of your own respiratory system. It was how I was born into this world.”

“Born?” I ask, dumbly.

She smiles at me kindly, but does not respond. The brief red glint I catch in her eyes tells me it’s best to change the subject.

“Let me check that I have your name right. It’s Su-Ren, correct?”



“Technically, Su-Ren is my title. It works fine enough as a name.”

“Su-Ren, of the Rens. It was you and Tol-Ren?”

“Among others,” she says. “Tol-Ren is my – excuse me – was my partner. He was murdered a year ago.”

The light tremor in her voice breaks my heart. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Not as sorry as some will be,” she replies, demurely. “But I thank you for the sentiment.”

I clear my throat, anxiously. “I would love it if you would tell us a bit about Project Nidus. The only documents ever released about it could never be verified by Omni.”

“Precious few Atlas citizens comprehend the extent to which Omni has tried to protect them,” she says. “Project Nidus is one example. Its broad goal was to restore the Reactors to their full power.”

I pull up my notes on the project, skeptically. “What does injecting children with concentrated doses of nanites have to do with restoring the Reactors?”

Su-Ren leans back in her chair and folds her arms across her chest. While her expression is still kind, the focus with which she’s looking at me is unsettling.

“GAIA granted the individuals of Project Nidus with gifts beyond human comprehension. They have a connection to GAIA, and to the Reactors, that can never be broken. As such, they are guided by a higher purpose.” Su-Ren’s voice becomes firmer and colder. “Most individuals are content to believe that the reactor was made by humans, and therefore, can be controlled by humans. They are wrong. Arrogant at best, and treacherous at their worst.”

The word “treacherous” rings out like a bullet from a gun. Her eyes are dark and threatening. I wondered if she was thinking of someone in particular. She leans in closer. “In the darkness, GAIA is our light.”

“So Omni Trust is trying to get GAIA back?”

She laughs again, the warmth returning to her voice. “Omni Trust is GAIA’s inheritor. We’ve cared for her Reactor for two centuries, and will continue to care for it as long as it will let us.”

“What about rumors that the Omni Reactor Core is siphoning power from the Reactor? Isn’t that hurting the Reactor?”

She raises an eyebrow at me. “Rumors from a certain presumptuous young man, perhaps?”

“Perhaps.”

“Knowing is half of any battle. And by that measure, Helio is quite ill-prepared for a fight,” Su-Ren says, unblinkingly. “Omni understands the Reactor more intimately than anyone. If people would trust in us, we could return the world to its true glory.”

“The Immortal Era?” I offer.

“Precisely.”

“But… you’re an android. Aren’t you already immortal? What do you gain from restoring the Reactor?”

Amusement flashes across her face. “Time may wear on me differently than it does you, child, but I assure you, that does not make me immortal in and of itself.” She folds her hands one over the other and grins. “The Reactor does.”

My comm beeps suddenly, and Su-Ren’s eyebrows furrow. I glance down at the message and my heart skips a beat.

“I’m sorry for the interruption, Su-Ren, but I have a new question. I’ve been told there may be a connection between you and the new Freelancer who’s gaining popularity in Atlas. He goes by the name, Kaigin.”

Su-Ren’s eyes sink to bloodshot red and her fist tightens. “Kaigin?” she repeats, softly.

“Yes. Is there anything you’d like to say about that?”

She stands up and whirls her staff to her side. “I’m afraid I must be going now,” she says.

“You don’t have anything to say about Kaigin? No last words for the people of Atlas?”

Her lips curl into a snarl as she turns back toward me. “Yes. I do, in fact. Omni will do what it must to protect this city, as it always has. Trust that. And stay out of our way.”

