Among all of life, rationality makes up what truly defines "intelligence". It separates people from animals, creatures from beasts. Craving of urges, nature instilled upon all life. 

Upon all knowledge and intelligence, the existence of such beings is what makes up all history and beyond. What exactly makes people, "people"?

This question has been controversial among philosophers. But within the nature of humanity, your physical being, or body makes up what you are and will be—confined by natural biology. 

However, humans are kind to be curious. This makes us innovative and logical. 

Thousands of years after the age of industry, technology has driven some individuals to become crazed, and unfazed by the unethical treatment of others. Experiments from the last hundred years have tried to prove that material beings are superior to those who still retain their biological pureness. Slowly driven out of control, society shifted to utilize all advancements for the "betterment of humanity". Some interpret this as removing all those deemed to be unfit, individuals who still stood by morality, and humanity, and seemingly failed to adapt to the changes.

Streets are filled with the anger of the "unrefined". The imagined utopia is lost within the societal division. Cities around Asteis, a ringworld, connected to multiple smaller chambers. Asteis is the largest ringworld within the system. 

Human expansion has reached a point where colonies like Asteis are specialized as "Industrial Colonies". Entailing these colonies there are "Agricultural" and "Core" colonies. 

The combinations of these colonies function as a chain line of production, acting as a self-sustaining world within itself. Each section is controlled by a centralized government. The dependency upon each other allows unity.

Scoundering down streets, sounds of machinery, thick dense smoke trickling flows from large above-ground pipes. Looking around, Ann, flinched from the sheer stench surrounding her. Between being confined within a shoulder-width street. The pure feeling of claustrophobia. And the large rat-like creature crawling between her feet. 

The only thing that she can think of is getting out as quickly as possible. 

Ann is a "colony inspector", inspectors are security forces. They pertain to empathy and compassion. They're mostly recruited from those deemed unrefined. Through education and training. The governors have chosen individuals who are deemed to be expendable to face the most dangerous jobs. 

Her footsteps continue down a stone stairway, tainted by the environment, her shoes blackened because of the ash. Within her bag, she held out a flashlight. Shining the flashlight down the endless tunnel way. 

The reflections of her light are stunted by the thick ash. 

"Cough" "Cough" The dust has gotten through her helmet filters. A helmet was provided for the expedition. Though crude it was better than nothing.

"bzzzz" strapped to her chest, a small metal box. The box is a radio receiver, it's wired to her helmet. 

A cranky and loud voice came through, "A-4?----You alive?"

Ann, suffocated by the ash, "y-yes"

Filling with agitation "Having fun? Do you like ignoring me?" 

"n-no sir" Ann unhesitantly answered.

"Now listen, you are responsible for your survival. Do not make it a waste of my time."

"yes sir"

Stumbling down the streets she's slowly approaching a lit area. Noises of people can be heard. Speaking to herself "Just ignore them, just ignore them."

Stepping out of the street corner, she wrapped a ragged howl to cover her radio and face. 

In front of her, hundreds of people, scounder the underground market. Wearing ragged clothing, their skin is covered with a layer of dark ash. They are using rags to cover their face. 

Passing by them she slowly sees children, adults, and the elderly. All suffering from the disastrous and almost inhabitable environment. Most live in inherently horrendous conditions, disease, and waste-filled streets. 

Remembering the dangers she's in causes her empathy to fade. Fear overtakes her sense of sadness. 

In the academy, she was warned about what she would see. But seeing it with her own eyes instilled nausea in her stomach. Quickly hiding in a dark corner, her stomach gave out because of the pure stench of rotting flesh. Sliding off the cowl and opening up her mask. 

Revealing her pure white skin, a trait that bio-tech-engineered humans have. 

"Bam". A loud sound radiated from above, surprised she looked up and noticed the sound coming from a large window above her. 

Slowly realizing the situation, terror filled her head. If she is caught, she will be killed.