This was New World calendar year 19, the Conglomerate’s Interstellar Generation Ship Continuum-5, as known as “Ark”, is on her way to the Andromeda galaxy. Until the day she arrives in the New World, countless men will spend their whole life in this Ark of 5 million cubic kilometres.
The crew of the Ark were basically classified by three Tiers. Tier-0 personnel were the technocrats, the elite of humanity, the pinnacle of the hierarchy; they enjoyed the best that the Ark could offer. Ivan belonged to Tier-1 and worked in core technology. Of course what he got can’t be compared to the Tier-0, but that was still a lot of luxury compare to those below him. Most of the crew were classified as Tier-2, they often work in the less sophisticated tasks and what they get was modest at best.
Resources were always limited; there were no place for useless person on the Ark. There were also the Tier-3 personnel, those that were forsaken. If work’s quota was unfilled, or grave mistake was made, or their credit score stayed low for too long, one could be demoted to Tier-3. For them, getting fed was a constant struggle, some said they were being used for human experimentation. Yet, their fate were irrelevant for the system.
Crew member’s area access was limited by their relevant Tier privilege. Low level personnel cannot gain access to those of the higher easily, and it was never easy to get promoted. Those that were ambitious and smart often stay low and work for extra credit score, hoping to be promoted one day, or at least keep their current life going.
Aside from human, there were numerous automata around the Ark. From everyday chores to collecting gametes, they helped in all kind of work. The Collective Genome System stored hundred thousands of embryos and billions of gametes, it was always ready to replenish any lost number during the 2518 years journey ahead, and build up the necessary work force when they reached the New World.
Before reaching the Andromeda galaxy, humanity must develop the necessary technologies. Ivan was responsible for upgrading the Warp drive from Speed-4 to Speed-5, they could save a thousand year if Ivan was successful. “Kozak”, the Survey Vessel modified by Ivan, could stably go over Speed-5 for an infinite period. It could be said that it was a matter of time for Ivan to get promoted to Tier-0.
