Officially, the Colonial Lottery is humanity's fairest system.
Every citizen is entered into the lottery.
The winners receive transport aboard a Colony Ship. These massive vessels carry engineers, scientists, technicians, medical personnel, and carefully selected specialists. They are provided with advanced equipment, construction materials, prefabricated habitats, agricultural systems, and military protection. Their mission is to establish prosperous new settlements for humanity.
The losers receive something else.
Transport Ships carry those deemed expendable. Their passengers are placed into cryosleep and shipped to frontier worlds with minimal oversight. Upon arrival, they are loaded into landing capsules, descent shuttles, or atmospheric drop pods and deposited onto the surface.
No habitats.
No support network.
No rescue.
No guarantees.
Official reports describe them as "Independent Colonial Pioneers."
Most people call them what they truly are:
Disposable settlers.
Resistance to the system exists but is suppressed with overwhelming force. Governments and corporations justify the practice as a necessary sacrifice for humanity's survival.
Many accept their fate.
Others prepare for it.
Some train for years, learning survival skills, engineering, medicine, and exploration.
These people call themselves Adventurers.
Some die within days.
Some survive.
A few become legends.