Pythias

In Pythias, Frederik Pohl crafts a gripping science fiction short story that opens with an impossible confession: a man sitting in a prison cell, awaiting execution for the murder of his closest friend—a man who once saved his life. This paradox forms the heart of Pohl's exploration of loyalty, sacrifice, and the impossible choices that define us. When childhood friends Larry Connaught and the narrator reconnect after years apart, their reunion becomes complicated by Connaught's mysterious scientific work and their diverging life paths. One pursued medicine and research; the other found contentment as a Senate guard. But circumstances force them together again, leading to a shocking act of violence and a confession that raises more questions than it answers. Why would someone murder the person they owe their life to? What extenuating circumstances could possibly justify such betrayal? Through masterful storytelling, Pohl examines the nature of friendship, duty, and the moral complexities that lurk beneath surface loyalties. His exploration of these themes challenges readers to consider what they would do when faced with an impossible dilemma where every choice carries devastating consequences. This audiobook is ideal for listeners who appreciate thought-provoking science fiction that prioritizes character and philosophical questions over technological spectacle, and for those who enjoy stories that linger long after the final pages.