Interstellar Bounty Hunter: The Empire’s Mercenary

[Imperial wage-slave + blended civilizations + multiple power systems + mixed supernatural elements + adventure]

After more than a decade as a mercenary, Xing Guang opens his eyes in the Iron Eagle Empire.

Where its fleet goes, nothing is left standing. The insectoids steer clear, and the rebels are practically on the same side.

Any civilization that dares to resist? Well, the Empire decides who counts as a civilization.

The Empire is one of the strongest powers in the universe, but that has little to do with Xing Guang. He soon discovers that this lousy place is even more cutthroat than Blue Star!

A rigid class system? Yes. All the good planets already registered? Yes. Every path to advancement tightly blocked? Also yes.

The only way forward is to go to all sorts of civilized nations and play lackey for the Empire.

Work as a bounty hunter catching thieves, a PE teacher sniffing out moles, a mercenary cutting down insectoids, a temp sent to explore ruins. Join the military for staged matches against neighboring countries.

Every so often, he also has to go to some noble’s private planet to “go through the motions” and help officers at every level “show their appreciation.”

Every job has a fixed price, and every coin is hard-earned blood money.

The officer says, “Attitude matters more than results.” Right, the officer is right.

The officer says, “Just make it look good.” Right, the officer is right.

The officer says, “Work hard, and maybe you can keep doing this forever.” Yes, yes, yes, the officer is always right!

Xing Guang’s creed is simple: don’t ask why, and don’t pick a fight with money.

Staying alive comes first, making money comes second, and the rest is up to the officer.

Much later, Xing Guang discovers there really is a way back to Blue Star!