Fifteen minutes before the end of his shift, Lex sat on a stool by the workbench, secretly working on practice problems for the Selection Program that was happening in two weeks. His data pad was hidden in a drawer between grimy tools. As he cleaned wrenches with an oil-stained rag, he kept glancing up to make sure no overseer was patrolling the hall. He definitely didn’t need another two days in a dark cell without food or water. And he could live without another round of lashes from the electric whip.

After the shift, Lex slumped on the long bench in the locker room. The prisoners used melted moon ice to shower. To save energy, the water was barely heated to ten degrees and only loosely filtered before it sprayed out of the nozzles. The steam made the air colder, preserving the mix of sweat and unwashed feet. Lex sighed and bent over his boots. A musty smell rose from the shafts. He was just holding one of his sweaty socks when a hall overseer entered, flanked by two guards. Several gold stripes decorated the padded shoulders of his uniform. He wore a blue beret tilted over his shaved hair. It was made of velvet. Lex knew that much, though he had no idea what velvet actually felt like.

When the prisoners saw the corporate officer, the locker room froze like a still life. The man walked straight toward Lex, his guards trailing behind. Lex's heart pounded. He thought maybe the overseer had seen him smoking with Tayus. He shot to his feet, forcing his crooked neck into an upright position. He was taller than the officer, but when it came to authority, he felt tiny. Standing there in his stained boxers and a single sock, Lex waited for what was coming.

"Are you Lex Marrow?"

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Yes, sir."

"What’s your qualification?"

"I’m a certified mining engineer, sir."

"And what do you actually do as a mining engineer?"

"Mostly, I repair the mining vehicles that get damaged out in the open pit, sir."

"Exactly," the overseer said. "Which means you’re not a mining engineer. You’re just a regular mechanic on the lowest pay grade."

"Right, sir."

"Do you want more? A better future?"

"Everyone dreams of that, sir."

The overseer nodded, looking him over with cold, calculating eyes. "How much experience do you have working in the pit?"

"You mean out in the open, sir?"

"Yes."

"None so far, sir."

"And how long have you been working here?"

"One year today, sir. Feels a lot longer, though."

"Don’t you think it’s about time you got some fresh air?"

Lex stared past the overseer at a spot on the tiled wall, then looked back at him. "Fresh air sounds good, but if you mean the frozen wasteland out there, I’m just fine in the workshop. Sir."

"Tough luck, Marrow. We’re short a man in the recovery team since last night, and there’s been an accident in the pit half an hour ago. We need your skills taking machines apart. I’ve heard that despite your age, you’re one of the best in Orongu."

Lex nodded. "No one’s better than me, sir."

"Good. You’ll get thirty percent more pay for the job. Don’t bother thanking me, it seems God is smiling on you today. Your team will meet you at airlock D, right by the cold suits."

"Sir?"

The overseer was already walking away. He stopped, his thin lips tightening into a near-invisible line. "What is it?"

"I, uh, don’t really want to go, sir. I’m happy with my current job. Plus, I’ve got plans tonight."

"Your insolence borders on blasphemy," the overseer snarled, stepping menacingly toward Lex. "I tell you, God has blessed you, and you reject His gift? I’ll make sure you’re properly punished for that. Now get moving, or I’ll report your refusal to the court. I assume I don’t have to explain the punishment for that."

"Exile, sir."

"Did I ask you a question?"

"No, sir."

"Get lost, Marrow."