Ascension provides more insight into Omega, although oddly it makes no mention of Aria.
Perhaps it was written prior to BioWare creating her.
-“Every corner of the station stank with the mingled odors of a dozen different alien species: sweat and pheromones poorly covered up by the gagging scent of unfamiliar perfumes; the reek of unidentifiable foods wafting from open windows and doors; the putrid stench of uncollected garbage that littered the back alleys.” (Pel POV, pages 46-47)
-- Omega does stink horribly
The mention of “uncollected garbage” also implies that garbage is collected elsewhere. Or perhaps that Pel’s bias showing through (he’s not an Omega native) and he’s assuming that garbage is normally collected.
-“The aliens couldn’t even agree on a single name for the station. Each speaker called it something different in his or her native tongue. The unpronounceable asari name loosely translated as ‘heart of evil,’ the turians referred to it as ‘world without law,’ the salarians called it ‘place of secrets,’ and the krogans knew it as ‘land of opportunity.’ For the sake of convenience, the automated translator Pel wore strapped to his belt translated all these terms into the human word ‘Omega’ – the absolute end of all things.” (Pel POV, page 47)
--The names used convey some insight into each species. The asari prioritize morality, the turians law, the salarians knowledge, and the krogan, well, opportunity.
Also, I’d like to comment on Pel’s hypocrisy. He bitches that the other species can’t agree on a name for Omega, yet doesn’t comment that humanity gave it yet another name when they had numerous options to pick from.
-“The warehouse was in a prime location: their proximity to the spaceport allowed small ships to come and go without drawing undue mention, and they were within walking distance of a monorail linked to several other sections of the city.” (Pel POV, page 156)
--Somehow, despite being asteroid being splintered into numerous districts under various (and frequently contested) rule there’s a monorail.
How? And how does it continue to exist as wars wage over the districts it passes through?
I don’t think Karpyshyn considered all the details on this.
-“The station was a haven for slavers, and he witnessed firsthand weeping men, women, and children being bought and sold like chattel.” (Lemm POV, page 175)
--For all her talk about freedom and rage at Cerberus for caging Omega, Aria permits slavery on the station.
Perhaps this was retconned in the games, but I doubt it. That would go against Omega’s ‘lawlessness’.
