The paper benefits for soldiers or armed agents of Military Technology in New America remain quite favorable compared to their peers.

An annual salary of 35,000 Orokin, and that's after taxes.

But in the capitalist world, even if your job is to defend the nation, risking life and limb for a company, protecting its assets, it doesn't stop you from having to pay for corresponding services, because transactions are everywhere.

Each year, military uniforms cost 800 Orokin, accommodation 1,500 Orokin, and all your living supplies have to be bought out of your own pocket. Monthly food allowance is 450 Orokin, but each meal costs at least 10 Orokin, and that's the basic package, typically a starchy hot dog + synthetic mashed potatoes + fried vegetable rings. It might be slightly different depending on the place, but the total won't differ much.

Want to eat well?

Sure, just pay for it yourself.

No matter if it's a garrison or an airship, there are small supermarkets offering everything from organic food to alcoholic drinks and drugs, just at a slightly higher price than outside.

Even gear has to be purchased by soldiers themselves, otherwise you can use the eighteenth-hand equipment left behind by predecessors.

As to how their previous users ended up, don't ask.

The treatment on airships, a sort of semi-naval experience, is considered good all over the moldy establishment, but the standard package at most adds synthetic meat patties, hot meat sauce, peanut butter, jam sandwich, and some organic canned fruits available weekly.

If a garrison's soldier monthly dining fees add up to 45,000 Orokin, having 15,000 showing on the table is already a sign of a high-ranking officer's benevolence and love for the soldiers.

Military Technology also has its own hydroponic farms, but the crops grown there are for making money. Even though the armed department has special low-price procurement channels, it won't be much cheaper than organic foods on the market.

In a capitalist world, in short, as long as you're willing to pay, you can buy anything; but if you're unwilling, then you're only fit to eat shit.

Because many scarcities are artificial, not truly scarce, with the purpose of deliberately maintaining prices.

The kind of scene like the Truth Department gorging themselves at a table full of organic food only happens at the dining tables of school-level officers.

Don't even think about looking, regular soldiers can't even smell it.

The Truth Department at the frontline points to the empty ground beside them, speaking to the visiting Military Technology squad

"Don't just look, sit and eat together. Old Third, order two more Granny Cat Ice Feild set meals for delivery."

This is an armed escort team of one Military Science second lieutenant and six soldiers, specially sent to find Super Earth.

"Eat?"

The soldiers behind the lieutenant were first stunned upon hearing this, then their eyes revealed a longing look, staring hungrily at the delicious meat and dishes, but only after the lieutenant at the front nodded did they obediently sit at the table vacated by other stealth players, waiting for the delivery to arrive.

The lieutenant was also a bit tempted, but he still had some self-control, not forgetting the main purpose.

Though these dishes aren't at a level he normally consumes, attending an organic food banquet with other officers once a month is still an option.

"I've seen your performance in the software livestream, simply put, my superiors are very pleased. Name a price."

"Oh? Name a price? What price? I don't understand what you're talking about."

The Truth Department feigned ignorance, tearing a large chicken leg off a sizzling roasted chicken in front of them and eating it, mouth dripping with oil, savoring it loudly.

"...."

The lieutenant's Adam's apple moved, having to resist the urge, close his eyes, and sit upright, saying

"Military Technology wishes to invite members of your organization to become our advertisement spokesperson, using our weapons for a theatrical performance war."

"Performance? War?"

Truth Department swallowed the chicken in its mouth

"How did you connect these two words together?"

"..."

The lieutenant still did not open his eyes but remained expressionless

"Military Technology hopes to avoid any variables or risks. We hired professional directors and a military committee to prepare the entire advertisement show, we take care of all the scheduling, you just need to cooperate."

The Truth Department caught the subtext

Military Technology is worried that Super Earth might mess things up with their weapons, fearing a poorly fought war would reveal their incompetence instead of their strengths, hence proposing a 'fake war' to fool the livestream audience.

In other words, it's a 'studio' setup

But in the Truth Department's eyes, this is distrust in their abilities.

He looked at the lieutenant, stopping his eating actions

"Are you joking with us?"

Do you know what competitive game players hate besides dumb official planners?

Cheaters and actors

The former can still be said to have no mother, while the latter truly have no family left.

"This is for safety reasons."

The lieutenant said

"For this show, we will pay you 200,000 Orokin, and each soldier will receive an additional 1,000 Orokin performance fee. No one will be sacrificed during this process, and all military equipment will be left to you after filming."

In his view, getting so much money and equipment without risking lives or needing compensation is an incredible deal, no reason not to agree.

The Truth Department was speechless, since when did Super Earth care about casualty figures?

We've lost more people in the Melafunmon River than your entire Military Technology combined!

He tapped on the table

"How much did you spend on the military committee, director's hiring fees, battlefield rental, prop costs, and extras fees?"