As I've gone through life I've come to the realization that all events, traits, pitfalls, triumphs end up being swords that cut both ways. As wonderful an achievement can seem, it will blind you to all the disadvantages wrapped together with the advantages.

In this vein, let's take Kino Loy, Unit Manager of level 5-2D. That's level 5, unit 2, D... for day shift.

When first met we see the stereotypical "company man" who has completely bought into the system and is dependably operating as a cog in the Imperial Prison manufacturing machine. He lays out the terms and conditions of each inmate's imprisonment on their arrival, essentially telling them to keep their personal shit to themselves and make sure to make him look good with their numbers.

From upper managements perspective, this guys is great, he keeps the output churning and brings them 0 % of the bullshit he deals with on a day to day basis to their attention. He insulates them from any understanding of the reality or interaction with the laborers who work and die on the assembly floor.

The insidious tool of competition without compensation is applied here, where all 7 floors, rooms, and tables are constantly competing with each other for..... essentially nothing. The flavor additive is pennies, the electricity to punish the slowest table is already covered by the hydro generators, and you have these inmates working like dogs through their 12 hour shift day after day, week after week, with no pause, no vacation, and organics are incredibly cheap and simple vs. a droid labor force.

Imagine the glee if amazon could foster this level of competition in their warehouse and delivery services for nickels on the winners next paycheck.

The manipulation of humanities tribal inclination, desire for social distinction, and proficiency at rote labor combined with the capacity to innovate withing systems, is as insidious as it is effective.

____

Will continue later, effectively Kino Loy is also a knife pointed at their throats, the system intentionally/unintentionally mirrors Roman training camp, where the focus was not on sword work or individual fighting skill, but discipline and teamwork. Each table represents a contubernium (tent-group) creating family level of loyalty among them men at these tables, kino has an army at his disposal when the completely betrayal of the empire is exposed. An army created by the empire. Which ties into Nemic's legions just waiting to join the fight.