I grew up in an average household, I studied in an unknown university in a backwater country. After graduation, I immediately moved out of the house under pressure of independence, and luck has long since become my companion.
In my country, there's a program for all youth. A free university tuition program that requires less information than buying an alcohol, so long as one pursue its course in a given date. But that's not actually all, this program keeps the students who had graduated under leash, loose or tight.
They are to "repay" the kindness the government had given, by providing sufficient contribution to the country in a certain amount of time. I am one of students who entered such program.
And that's how I was led to this uniquely strange, yet expected situation, the UNSC knock on my rundown apartment in a downtown located within the space port of Segunda.
Supposedly, I am off for the entire day from work as I will be receiving a notice regarding my transfer. However, I didn't realize they move with haste! UNSC themselves, showing in front of my door!
"Oh, what do I owe the greatest pleasure?" I give a smile, not reaching entirely to my eyes, as I asked their purpose of visit. "I was told of my transfer, but I didn't know it would be this early."
A man in the suit, accompanied by yet another one, took something from his suitcase. It was a document, nothing I'm aware of, and hand it over to me.
The man didn't gave further information, after giving the document, they just left.
I sigh and gave them a curse before closing the door. I walk towards the sofa and drop the document down the table before resuming my well-earned sleep.
It has been almost four years since I was kicked off the house. I was told to be independent like any other person would and provide for myself, such was the life. They did gave me enough allowance to last for like... an entire month, so I used it to find work and such while I slept on a desolate place under a bridge.
It was a good experience, nothing was taken as hatred from it. My family gave me enough time and experience to realize my independence and they just gave me the opportunity to utilize it.
For those four years I worked hard, since I can't afford an intern, I decided to apply for a part time car washer, then became mechanic's apprentice, which went horribly wrong.
After that, I applied for orbital job program where I was given a pre-program job that pays well. It was a little bit of a hassle since I am constantly on a move between nation, I couldn't afford a stay since I have to save for the flight trip, but local governments are kind enough to provide a safe space.
And after those years, I was finally granted permission to work on higher orbit station as part of the program. Thus, here I am, in Segunda station, a semi-residential space city constructed for moon operations back in the days until it became apparent that it no longer serve its original purpose so it was converted to some kind of city for the people pursuing their dreams.
I dozed after that, for an entire 6 hours. And I was only awaken when my alarm blared like a fucking car horn. I begrudgingly smack the alarm off the table and massage my temple to subside the irritation I just felt and sit for a bit of second to procrastinate.
Afterwards, I did my usual routine assigned by the station's local government, a routine exercise to keep up with the space station's gravity. Then, I took my dinner and wash up, before finally sitting on my sofa once again to surf the internet.
As I was busy at it, reading posts and comments from a well-known media, I notice a piece of paper on my table. There, I realize I actually had UNSC knock on my doors, give me a piece of paper, and left without saying anything.
I knit my eyebrow at my phone before finally deciding to grab the paper.
As I read it, my thoughts begin to race.
"WHEREAS, The subject shall procure a total amount of $300,000 and a Oracle-class Freighter ship with 17 crews onboard from the UNSC Foundation.
THEREFORE, with provided subsidies, the subject shall partake in the Intergalactic Trade Operation program, under the guidance of Chief Hughe of UNSC's newly established Intergalactic Civil Affairs.
Signed by Frederick Zakharov, Chief Executive of UNSC, and Helen Hughe, Chief Director of UNSC Civil Affairs"
"Woah... Wait, what the fuck?! Wait wait wait, Is this certain?! I-I have to make a call... like... for real?" I hurriedly grab my phone from the sofa, dialed a number I have known for quite a while and asked the person regarding the documents.
"Oi, Frank. The hell's this document I just received?! It says I received a lotta money and a heck of a ship!"
Frank is my advisor in the Orbital Job Program. He's the one who oversee my progress, basically, my guardian.
"WHAT?! You did?! How the hell did that happen!"
"Fuck you, you sound more shocked than I am. Am I really unreliable?!"
"Undeniably so, but let's take a look at this document of yours. How much did you actually received?"
"A little over a hundred?"
"Hundred what? Give me digits. I want 'em. Also this ship you got, what kind?"
"Err... over a hundred thousand, I guess? And I got a-"
"SPECIFICS, Marcuz, goddamnit!"
"Okay, okay... Three hundred thous-"
"Three hundred fucking thousands?!! What the fuck did you do, suck off a dick?"
"Hell no, what kind of man do you think I am."
"A man that would do everything for a cheap price."
"Damn."
"The ship, what did you get? Is it big?"
"W-well... about that..." I scoff off for a bit, "I got this Oracle-"
"Oracle class freighter ship?!!! What the fuck man!! That's like... one of the most advance large ship we have as of yet! It's been only a year since its initial production! It's powered by the newly acquired warp technology, state-of-the-art turret and shield system, and its thrusting system? It has incomparable force than your dick! It's made from the neighboring space nation, Mek'Ra! Do you even know how advance those fuckers are?! They produce warp drives, 1000th fold of ours!"
"Can't you at least let me finish my words? You goddamn lunatic!"
"Man, this... this is revolutionary, no this is a fucking miracle! How did this happen?! I am genuinely curious!"
"That's why I called you, dude! I don't actually know what is happening. Two guy in a suit and suitcase just handed me this and left without uttering a single word! What do I do?!"
"Hire me. Technically, it seems your program has ended since, as far as I know, two man in a suit signals the end of the program's term, though I have never encounter a call from one of you regarding this kind of thing, which means, I no longer have obligation to answer your questions. The moment I learn about that is the moment my answers become voluntary. So yeah, any more answers will require compensation."
"You cheapstake... Ugh... I'll hire you, okay. But what kind of job will you even get?"
"Well, if you gave me a high position in a single drop, the government will suspect nepotism which contradict to their principle so... why not hire me as your adjutant?"
"Can you repeat the words you just utter and think about it? Do you think being my adjutant is a low position?!"
"Well, yeah?"
"Good heavens, I'm going—"
"No, No Marcuz. I'm just fucking with you. You can hire me whatever, so long as I can see your progress, really."
"Man... you sounding like you wanna fuck me."
"Would you?"
"Hell no, I'm ending the call. Call you in a bit."