01 - Status Civilization by Robert Sheckley

In Status Civilization, Will Barrent awakens with no memories, only to find himself on Omega—a ruthless planet designated for criminals, where the average lifespan barely exceeds three years. Branded as a murderer, he is thrust into the depths of an illicit society as a mere “peon,” the lowest of the low. A mysterious girl hands him a weapon, igniting his journey towards power—a journey fraught with brutal choices. Yet, this path is essential for uncovering the truth behind his imprisonment, a truth that challenges his very identity and forces him to confront the strikingly similar yet profoundly different ideologies of Omega and Earth. Originally published as “Omega!” in the August and September 1960 issues of Amazing Science Fiction Stories Magazine. (Summary by Gregg Margarite)