The following morning, Wared woke up to the faint aroma of tea emanating from the kitchen. He sat up and rubbed his eyes and glanced in the direction of the kitchen. There was no-one there.

"Alice?"

"Good morning, sir."

"Are you making tea or is Tarun awake?"

"Tarun is still in his bedroom. I know you like your tea in the mornings, just like he does."

Wared sighed and sat up.

"What time is it?"

"Almost seven in the morning."

Good. He hadn't overslept.

He dressed and drank his tea in silence. If Tarun was still sleeping, he didn't want to wake him any earlier than he had to. As he returned to the kitchen to put the cup in the washer, he noted a piece of paper on the floor. He picked it up and was about to throw it in the trash when he noticed the printed writing on it.

"What's this?" he said to himself.

"That is the prescription for the medication Tarun was administered yesterday."

Wared furrowed his brow and checked the trash can. An empty medication container, the label partially ripped of, lay at the bottom of the trash can. He looked at the prescription label again. The name of the substance was unknown to him.

"Alice, do you know what this is?" he said and held the label up in the air. "What does it do?"

"It's a mild sedative that calms the nerves and blocks unpleasant memories."

Wared gasped. No wonder he had been so relaxed the prior evening. The doctor hadn't helped him recover. He had merely covered up the trauma, probably in an effort to get Tarun through to the ceremony.

"I've got to talk to him," Wared said and marched over to Tarun's door. He knocked and waited. A few moments later, he heard the sound of shuffling from inside the bedroom. The door opened first a crack, then enough that Wared could see Tarun's face.

Tarun looked up at Wared with blood-shot, large eyes. "Who's there," he demanded. "Who are you?"

"It's me, Wared. I'm here to take you to the ceremony."

Tarun blinked a couple of times and stared at him. "Ceremony?" He rubbed his eyes. "Wared, is that you?"

"It is, uncle, it is. Are you ready for your Departure?"

"My Departure?" Tarun's eyes grew larger. "Oh, I forgot. I've been watching—" His words trailed off.

"Watching what?"

"It doesn't matter. You're here now. We should get going. I don't want to be late.

"Hang on a minute. You can't go to your Departure ceremony dressed like that," Wared said and nodded towards Tarun's pajamas.

Tarun looked down at his clothes, then back at Wared. He ran a hand through his hair, nodded and disappeared into his bedroom without saying a word. Wared sighed and sat down on the couch as he waited for Tarun to return.

"Did you sleep well?" he shouted towards the bedroom, knowing full well from Tarun's appearance that it was likely the answer was no. He only heard a grunt and a door slamming shut.

"How are you feeling? All recovered from yesterday?"

Tarun popped his head out from the bedroom. "Why do you care?"

Wared opened his mouth to respond but found himself speechless. Tarun's question had caught him off guard. It was obvious to Wared that whatever medication Tarun had been given was wearing off.

When he finally emerged from the bedroom, . He sat down opposite Wared and handed him the device.

"What's this?" Wared said and took the device.

"It's the deed for the apartment, admin access to Alice. Everything."

"You're giving it to me?" Wared looked up at Tarun. "Why?"

"I don't have a family, remember?" Tarun whispered, a faint smile on his lips.

Wared felt his cheeks flush. He had been so surprised by Tarun's gesture, . "I'm sorry," he said and held up his hands. "You caught me by surprise, that's all."

"You can do whatever you want with the place. Keep it, sell it, pass it on to your kids when they come along. I've reprogrammed Alice to only obey your commands. Only she can give you access to everything." Tarun emphasized the last word as he handed Wared the device. Wared scanned the document and added his electronic signature.

"Thank you. I don't know what to say."

"I didn't just want to outright sell the place and terminate Alice. It didn't seem right. Not after all these years, you know."

Wared smiled and nodded. He had noticed that Tarun had become more attached to his AI after his family passed.

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Tarun put his hand on Wared's arm and looked him in the eyes. "Do me a favor, ok? Check on her after I'm gone, ok?"

"Sure, I'll come back first thing."

Tarun nodded with a smile, and walked over to the door. "Alice, it's been a pleasure. Thank you for your service these last few years. You made my life not only easier but more bearable. You've been a help and a companion."

"It has been an honor to serve you, sir."

"Take care of my nephew, ok? He's in charge now."

"Of course."

Tarun turned to face Wared. "Ready?"

They left the apartment behind and headed for the elevator. As they rode down in silence, Wared knew he needed to broach the matter of Kyra.

"Tarun, I have to apologize."

Tarun, staring off into the distance, looked at Wared with raised eyebrows. "What for?"

"You remember Kyra?"

Tarun nodded. "How could I forget. Couldn't let her go, huh?"

"I have her father's blessing."

"Do you now? How did you manage that?"

"We had a little chat about it."

As the elevator stopped, Tarun sighed and looked at Wared, then put his hand on his shoulder. "I'm happy for you, Wared. I hope it works out, I really do."

When they exited the building, Kyra stood outside the car waiting. She smiled and opened the door for Tarun as they approached.

"It's an honor to be here, Tarun," she said.

Tarun paused for a moment, met her eyes, nodded and got into the car.

"Destination, please," the car AI said as they all found their seats.

"Departure Hall," Wared said.

"No wait,' Tarun said and grabbed his arm. "Let's drive by the beach, if you don't mind."

Wared furrowed his brows. "The beach? I thought you didn't like the beach."

Tarun shook his head. "Not quite. I love it, I just never made the time to actually go down there and enjoy much of it. Too many memories, you see."

"Very well. Destination Departure Hall, detour through Settler's Park Avenue."

"Thank you."

They sat back and drove in silence. Tarun drifted off into his own thoughts and stared at the passing buildings and the pedestrians on the sidewalks, occasionally glancing back over his shoulder. As they turned onto Settler's Park Avenue, the street that ran parallel to the beach, Tarun cracked the window. A mix of morning air, the smell of sand and salt filled the vehicle. Tarun took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

A few minutes later, as the road curved away from the beach, Tarun sighed and looked over at his nephew. "I'm ready now."

Wared nodded. "I'm glad to hear it."

"Are you excited?" Kyra said tentatively.

"Of course," Tarun said and nodded with a forced smile. "The Departure is the most important time of our lives, besides the Bonding ceremony."

"So it is."

"Wared told me you have the blessing of your father."

Kyra nodded and blushed. "Yes," she said. "I'm so excited. Don't you just love the symbolism of it all? Here you are, preparing to leave this planet and Wared and I are getting ready to begin our journey in earnest."

Tarun nodded. "I'm happy for you both."

They continued in silence and within a few minutes, the Departure Hall appeared up ahead. Although only four stories tall, the building was circular in nature and appeared to tower over the surrounding park. As they turned into the parking lot, their car pulled up in front of the main entrance and stopped.

"You have arrived at your destination, the Departure Hall," the car AI announced.

They all exited the car. Tarun looked up at the white building in front of them. The main structure contained the main hall and administrative offices. Around the perimeter of the building, six smaller circular structures were attached in a symmetrical pattern around the building by short covered hallways.

"Are you coming?" Wared said a few steps ahead of him.

Tarun nodded and followed up the steps and through the large glass doors. Inside, Departure Agent Ruban stood dressed in black outfit and a red tie. He greeted everyone that came through the front door and his face lit up when he saw Tarun approach.

"Ah, Candidate Tarun," he said, stepped forward and greeted them all with a shallow bow. "I am Departure Agent Ruban. It is my sincere pleasure to be here to assist you with the beginning of your great journey. Are they to be considered your immediate family?" he said and pointed to Wared and Kyra.

"Sort of. Yes."

"Very well. If you follow me, I shall provide a brief tour. Come, let's begin over here." Ruban followed the circular wall to the first circular structure, or gallery. He stopped by the doorway that led into the first gallery.

"The first and second gallery contains the life and history of our Candidate, however brief or long. Would you like to enter?" Ruban said with raised eyebrows to Turan.

"I think I know the gist of what my life has been about," Tarun said.

"Of course, of course," Ruban said and nodded. "Let's continue to the third gallery."

"What is the third gallery?" Kyra asked.

"All our guests will have an opportunity to greet our Candidate in the third gallery and converse, should they so desire."

"I have to talk to people?"

Ruban stopped and turned to Tarun. "Well, your guests will be present because of you, am I right?'

"Yes, of course."

"It is a courtesy to your guests to make yourself available to them, is it not? They are, after all, present to witness your Departure."

"I know, but—"

"What are in the other galleries?" Kyra said, interrupting the conversation.

Tarun looked away as Ruban turned his attention to Kyra.

"If you'll follow me, I'd be happy to show you," Ruban said and led Kyra off towards the remaining galleries. Tarun put a hand on Wared's arm to slow them both down, creating distance between them and Ruban and Kyra.

"Not up for the public today?" Wared said in a hushed voice.

"I just want to get it over with."

"Why? What's the hurry?"

Tarun rubbed his forehead as he glanced over his shoulder.

"Listen, when all of this is over—" he started, then paused.

"What are you talking about? Is everything ok?"

Tarun held up his finger to his mouth. "Quiet. When I'm gone, just talk to Alice, ok? She'll understand."

Wared furrowed his brow. "Alice? Your AI?"

"Yes. Please? It's important."

Wared locked eyes with Tarun and nodded. "Of course. If that's your wish, I'll talk to Alice."

Tarun nodded with a smile. "Thank you."

They were interrupted by Ruban, who had stopped to let them catch up.

"Ah, there you are," Ruban said with a smile across his face. "I thought I lost you for a moment. Would you like to see the Departure Hall itself?"

Tarun sighed and nodded. "Sure, why not."

"Right this way," Ruban said with a smile and walked briskly towards a set of double doors.

"Here we are," he said as he entered the Departure Hall from the side. Circular in nature, it contained a raised platform in the shape of a half circle towards the back of the room. The Departure Chamber, a cylindrical compartment, was located on the platform. Tarun noted that it looked like a coffin. How appropriate.

"This is where your journey begins," Ruban said and walked to the platform and put his hand on the chamber. "For the beginning of the ceremony, the chamber will be raised to a standing position. You will enter, the chamber will be lowered and you will be sedated."

"Just like that," Tarun whispered.

"I'm sorry?" Ruban said. "Do you have a question?"

Tarun shook his head.

"Your guests will be seated over here," Ruban continued and pointed towards the seating arrangement setup in front of the stage. The chairs fanned out from the stage like the rays of the sun as the followed the half-circular shape of the platform. "They'll be able to celebrate with you as this new chapter of your life begins. Any questions?"

"No," Tarun said simply and looked over the hall. He walked over to the chamber and put his hand on the cool glass canopy. He swallowed hard and held back a tear that he felt forming in the corner of his eye. This was where his life would end. Everyone in the hall, all his friends, they would all see it. They would celebrate and be excited for him. They would never know the truth.

Unless he told them.

~~~