So, basically, nuclear to provide the energy, ion drive to provide the thrust

I stand to be corrected, but could a nuclear reactor provide huge amounts of electrical energy which combined with a massive ion drive create an interesting and efficient propulsion system? Very lay perspective here. Spitballing

Yup, unfortunately the difference is that employment contracts and relations are actually based on Roman slave laws, whereas I expect ordinary supply contract laws are likely based on a far more equitable arrangement. Glad that this law helps people stop being slaves. It's not a true free meeting in the market where one sells labour and one buys labour if one party has perfect information and the other has no information. Information asymmetry.

Price a function of supply and demand. A company should use how much it needs you to determine the price, not what you used to be paid under different circumstances. Do you go to Apple and demand the cost price of the iPhone and say I'll pay that plus 5%? Does your company go to Microsoft and say I'll pay your cost price for office 365 plus 5%...or does it ask them for a price and perhaps if you are a large organization negotiate it. Only Walmart and one or two other companies are able to bully their suppliers to give them their input cost and then determine the price from that. Companies should ask what you would like to earn, or what they are prepared to pay, and you both decide if you will take the deal from there. Supply & demand, not demand and demand like a feudal lord.