Before leaving Redstone, Aria requested one final meeting. Luna Sera arranged a private session in the secure facility where Thomas was being held. He was brought to a small consultation room where Aria waited, guards present but at a distance.
Thomas looked worse than during the proceeding. The defiance had drained away entirely, leaving only exhaustion and shame.
"Why did you do it?" Aria asked without preamble. "Why extract from people? And why claim I taught you?"
Thomas was silent for a long time. Finally, he spoke.
"The extractions... I convinced myself they were justified. The people I extracted from had gifts they were not using. One was a latent precognitive who ignored her visions. Another had a fire starting ability he considered a burden. I told myself I was redistributing gifts to those who would value them more."
"That is not your decision to make," Aria said.
