"Slow down. What exactly is going on? Roy, do you know?"
Westheid comforted the tearful little girl as he questioned the tax officer.
"...As I said, after Qinghui Territory fell, we first fled to the nearby Imperial Pioneer Territories. But the price of establishing ourselves there was more than we could bear."
Roy's expression was grim, and he lamented with a sigh:
"Most were unwilling to sign indenture contracts, but some of our people... had no other choice."
Westheid immediately understood what had happened and sneered.
"Damn those Pioneer Territories, preying on my people during a crisis. They're insane with their desperation for official status!"
"That's exactly right, Brother. You should know how attractive official Imperial recognition is to a Pioneer Territory. They'll do anything to populate their land for it."
Yolanda spoke up.
"In that case, allow me to perform my first real deed for the people of Qinghui."
