11 Rationalizing Death

"Should we dive right in?"

Tory asked Vik, his fingers tracing the surface of one of the Oasis pods. The anticipation filled the air as they stood before the gleaming pods, their destinies on the precipice.

Vik, his expression filled with determination, gazed at the pods intently. He had endured countless trials and escaped the clutches of their captors at the facility. Now, the time had come for them to claim their hard-earned reward.

"Tory, we weren't meant to escape that trap back at the facility, but we defied the odds. After everything we've been through, we deserve what awaits us within those pods," Vik declared, his voice carrying the weight of their shared struggles.

Stepping closer to the Oasis pods, Vik suggested, "Before we enter, let's load up our respective pods with the nutritional supplements we found in the truck. It's better to be prepared for any situation."

Hidden within the truck, they had discovered a trove of nutritional supplements stored in isolated cold storage units. Initially, they had refrained from exploring the truck further, fearing the activation of backup sensors that could expose their identities to the organization they had defied. But now, knowing their cover had been blown, they seized the opportunity to make use of the stolen goods.

Tory's holo-band chimed, interrupting their preparations. It was a call from his aunt, Avril. Without hesitation, he accepted the call, allowing Vik to witness the unfolding conversation.

Projected before them in a real-like 3D rendering, Aunt Avril appeared in a state of panic. Her words tumbled out rapidly as she relayed the urgent situation.

"Nephew, what have you done? The police are demanding entry in the middle of the night, and they seem to," Aunt Avril's voice quivered with fear. After taking a deep breath, she continued, "Is Vik with you? Please tell me you're not alone. You must hide for now. I'll try to contact..."

Before Aunt Avril could finish her sentence, a loud bang echoed through the room. Her gaze shifted behind her, and terror filled her eyes as she witnessed her reinforced door being breached by the police.

Unbeknownst to the intruders, the holo-call was set to private mode, shielding Vik and Tory from their view. The unfolding tragedy played out before them, culminating in a single gunshot that abruptly severed the visual connection.

Silence fell, a heavy blanket of death. Tory's fists clenched, his eyes turning red with anguish. He seemed poised to sprint to his aunt's aid, but he restrained himself and listened intently.

"Sir, the area is secure. No survivors. Three confirmed casualties," a detached voice reported. The team leader had entered the room, accompanied by his subordinates.

"Good. Our orders are to eliminate all traces. Burn the place down and make it appear as though this deceased woman staged an arson to counter us," the team leader commanded, his authority unquestioned. He gestured to George, assigning him the task of crafting a fabricated narrative to cover their tracks.

"Let's go. We have more tasks ahead of us," the team leader declared, his voice cold and calculating. The sound of footsteps receded as the team retreated, leaving behind a haunting silence.

Tory terminated the holo-call, sinking to the ground, his face buried in his hands as tears streamed down his cheeks. A tempest of emotions raged within him, self-blame and sorrow intertwining.

"It's my fault... Tia's gone because of me," Tory sobbed, his voice laced with grief and anger.

Vik approached his distraught friend, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. He spoke in a soothing tone, trying to alleviate Tory's pain. "I understand how difficult this is for you, brother. Aunt Avril was a kind soul who touched many lives. But she was never one to bow to the whims of authority."

Vik paused, attempting to make sense of Aunt Avril's untimely demise. "Her time was running out anyway. I don't believe she would have wanted to live her remaining days following the orders of any city-state."

Tory's anger flared in response to Vik's rationalization. He shot a piercing gaze at his friend, his voice tinged with sadness and resentment. "Vik, please... don't try to justify it. Aunt Avril's death wasn't part of the operation. Can't you see?"

Caught off guard by Tory's outburst, Vik remained silent, allowing his friend to express his emotions.

Taking a deep breath to regain his composure, Tory continued, his voice calmer but still tinged with sorrow. "We bear the responsibility for her death, Vik. The moment we embarked on this operation, we signed her death warrant. The moment we knocked on her door..."

Tory's emotions gradually settled, his tone shifting to a more composed state. "Hermano, you need to stop rationalizing everything. It's not healthy. Will you rationalize my death when my time comes? Suppressing your emotions like that will only corrode you from within."

Anticipating Vik's response, Tory paused briefly before adding, "I understand what you're trying to say. I'm not foolish enough to rush to Aunt Avril's place now that she's gone. What's done is done. I just hope her death marks the end of it all."

With a heavy heart, Tory turned away, seeking solace in the bottle of alcohol they had acquired. Plans to enter the pods and explore their mysterious contents were abandoned for the time being. Tonight, he sought solace in drowning his sorrows, hoping to find temporary respite from the nagging voices in his mind.

Vik refrained from stopping him, recognizing the need for his friend to find solace in his own way. They both knew it would be a long and arduous night, filled with the weight of loss and regret.

Aunt Avril's untimely death didn't affect Vik as deeply as it did Tory. While he had appreciated her kindness during his occasional stays at her place, he had always felt like an outsider in a family setting. Loneliness often loomed over him, dissipating only when he was in the company of Tory.

Vik couldn't help but acknowledge the truth in their contrasting personalities. While he easily connected with others on a surface level, Tory formed deep bonds with a select few. Tory's boisterous interactions often led to conflicts, yet those conflicts forged unbreakable bonds.

In contrast, Tory and Vik's friendship transcended superficial connections. They understood each other on a deeper level. Vik was grateful for their unspoken understanding, aware that he had found a true companion in Tory.

As Vik moved to join Tory in their impromptu drinking session, he pondered the questions that plagued his mind. 'Would I rationalize and justify Tory's death too?' The weight of his contemplation settled upon him, signaling that this night would be a lengthy and introspective one for both of them.