Entering D-sector, the density of buildings noticeably decreased, giving way to narrow streets lined with cramped shops selling all sorts of goods. Qianlong's task was simple: go door-to-door and ask if anyone needed help.
"Hello." He stepped into a small diner.
A middle-aged woman behind the counter greeted him warmly. "What'll you have?"
"I'm not here to eat. I was wondering if you need any help."
Her smile faded. "Sorry, we're just a small shop. No openings. Maybe try somewhere else?"
Rejected, but Qianlong remained polite. "Alright. Thank you."
As he left, the woman sighed. A portly man emerged from the back. "Customer?"
"Looking for work. Polite kid."
"Hmph. Fifth batch of refugees this month. Competition's getting brutal." The man shook his head.
Qianlong patiently repeated the process at every shop. The answers were always the same: No.
By the time the artificial sunlight began to dim, he finally understood Cromie's warning. Jobs weren't just scarce—they were nearly impossible to find.
With no luck today, he headed back to F-sector. Around him, crowds hurried home. An unspoken rule here: Stay indoors. Save money.
Passing through the checkpoint, Qianlong collapsed onto his bed, staring at the cold ceiling.
Where am I even drifting to? And if Cromie's right about the rear sectors falling… did Father go to the frontline?
He curled up, pushing the thoughts away. Soon, exhaustion pulled him into sleep—and dreams of simpler, happier days.
Morning light seeped through the narrow window. Another day.
After a quick wash, Qianlong grabbed three nutrient bars and set off for D-sector again. Life went on, whether he liked it or not. He didn't hate survival; he just felt… alone. He missed Phantom's voice.
Two weeks later, he sat on a D-sector bench, still jobless. The competition was worse than he'd imagined.
He'd seen others like him—begging for work on their knees.
Now Cromie's words made sickening sense. Those extra nutrient bars weren't just kindness. He never expected us to find work in seven days. The jobs were already gone.
Cromie had visited twice since, offering encouragement. But the reality was clear: F-sector refugees were bottom-feeders in this ecosystem.
A gust of wind blew. Qianlong closed his eyes, admiring the realism of the ship's weather simulation—Thwack. A flyer slapped onto his face.
Peeling it off, he frowned. Paper ads? How archaic.
Then he read it:
WANTED: Healthy males aged 16-100 (Note: In this era, 300 is middle-aged. The wealthy push 1000+.)
-Mechanical aptitude preferred.
-Strong mental resilience. (Waived if you meet Condition 3.)
-Training provided.
-1,000 base credits/month + bonuses.
-C-tier healthcare.
-Temporary C-tier provisional access.
-Death benefits included.
The fine print explained: C-tier access granted non-combat logistics privileges—a step up from F-sector squalor.
The job? Resource scavenger.
The Hyperion needed constant resupply. Scavengers piloted retrofitted mining ships and "Reaper" mechs to strip asteroids and derelicts.
It sounded decent. The truth?
30% annual fatality rate.
No wonder recruitment was desperate. They'd even lowered standards to trawl D and F-sectors—the only pools desperate enough to sign up.
Qianlong stared at the flyer, then stood.
The address wasn't far: D1-6-11-12.
A small crowd had already gathered at the recruitment office. Qianlong joined the line.
Ahead, rejected applicants trudged out, faces grim. The screening was swift. Soon, it was his turn.
Inside, a woman in a red jacket was massaging her temples, visibly stressed.
"That's another fail. Can't we bend the rules?"
Her colleague checked a datapad. "This one scored best today: 1.6G tolerance, 300 on the Fenlos Stress Index—"
"Ugh, stop. I need air."
Qianlong waited silently.
Suddenly, the woman slammed her desk. Everyone jumped.
"Just approve the top candidate!"
"But the minimum's 2G and 500 Fenlos. This breaches protocol."
"Protocol? We're a thousand workers short!" She slumped into her chair. "Next."
"Qianlong." He stepped forward.
The woman eyed him. "Age?"
"Eighteen."
"So young… Fine. Preliminary test first."