Heart-wrenching tale, Guy!
I'd put this in "Literary" without hesitation because the character development, conflict, world-building, and descriptions are so rich and deep, so fraught with social issues. It could even fit the Thriller label. And yet it's still very much *hard science fiction * - and very haunting. I'm awed, as always, by your skill as a wordsmith, and your vivid imagination. Thank you for sharing this story with Steemit!