The soldier behind the desk in the lab was becoming irritated as she went through the file from the orphanage again. Lieutenant Masters had been sent from the Imperial cruiser Nike to conduct the interviews with the potential draftees on this planet. The tall, well-muscled man in front of her was one.
Mr. Doe, the first records that we have of you are from when you were found in the orphanage as a newborn. You're an enigma. No birth certificates. Bright, but reclusive. Not prone to mischief. Taught Mandarin as your first language. What can you tell me about your past?
Ma'am, Jon replied in broken Standard, there not much to tell. Taken from the orphanage by man claiming to be my father when big enough to work in mines. Sold me to Jayco when he told them I thirteen for pay gambling debts. Jon replied.
Your Standard isn't bad. Who taught you that? She asked.
Jon was reluctant to answer.
Go on, Mr. Doe, Jon, if I may. I'm just trying to find out something about you. We might be able to use a man like you in the service. Masters prodded. Where did you get those scars? I've never seen anything like that.
Scars are from smelter explosion. Same one took mentor and friend, Jon Cabot, over year ago. He taught standard. He taught me read and write.
Good, you're literate, which is better than most of the rest on this godforsaken planet. We can give you a better life, Jon. I want you to read this contract. If you have questions, I will be happy to answer them.
Jon took his time and read the contract. There were many words that needed explaining, but eventually, he was through it.
What is physical thing, ma'am? Why necessary? He asked.
If you enter the service, we need to know if you are healthy enough to meet the commitment of the four years of the contract. If you cannot meet the standards of the physical, the contract will be null and void. We will leave you here on Janus as a citizen until the new government is established.
Jon signed the contract. Ma'am, what is date?
Today is February 5th, 2324, Masters said.
He passed the physical that immediately followed. There could be nothing worse than living as a slave on Janus, he thought. He was mistaken.
Jon joins the Imperial Marine Corps to escape the hell that is "Janus", a rouge mining planet, on the fringe of known space. The recruiter knew nothing about the recruit in front of her, except that he was a big man who wanted to leave. The Imperial Marine Corps saved Jon, but they had no real way to know what they had until after his team was called up to the conflict at Epsilon Eridani b. They learned quickly.
