Beta

In the future, A.I and robotics have been curtailed and extremely limited in its access to mobility and security systems due to a "incident". To replace these assets, governments and corporations have gone into GMO to modify animals into a more humanoid form and intelligence. The Alpha run series was functional but required cybernetics to function properly. Hence, the "Beta" Classification of the new generation of humanoids.
Beta's are anthropomorphic animals that barely have any legal rights beyond the property of the organization which created them. Several very intense court battles occurred which eventually gave the Beta's the right to earn a wage for their work, be recognized as having "Human-like" intelligence and eventually gain "Buy-Back". The right to buy themselves back from the organization which created them and gain freedom, legal standing and citizenship. As nice as this may seem, an individual Beta's buy-back runs in the millions of credits. Only one known Beta has survived long enough to do so.
As a Beta, your job is to work jobs that are considered to dangerous or dirty for a human to do. Often, Beta's are given a military upbringing and an education in a field of study suitable to their aptitude profile. This is, of course, is added to their buy-back.
A major application of Beta employment is being sent to other planets and systems to explore and assess new planets for potential colonization and exploitation of its resources. Justification.
  Light years from home, anything can happen and there is only you and your team of fellow Justifiers.