How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"I killed him," Torrens answered flatly. "I have not forgiven myself for that. My occupation is to save life, not take it. But he would have taken mine. Unfortunately for him, I know the vulnerabilities of the human body better than he did. He was not a sailor, by the way. Cabbarus had sent him. For you see, I too am under sentence of death." (14.44)
Torrens made a drastic decision—to kill the man Cabbarus sent to kill him. It was the most extreme of situations—life or death—for a man whose mission is to save life. He made the choice to save himself, but feels great remorse for taking a human life. It's noteworthy that he realizes the necessity of his action, though he regrets that it was necessary.
Quote #2
"The first day I met you," said Theo, "at Rina's birthday party, you said there was only one law, that all men are brothers."
Florian nodded. "Yes. And sometimes brothers kill each other. For the sake of justice. For the sake of a higher cause."
"Who decides what's right? Me? You? Dr. Torrens? He's against you. He holds with the monarchy. But he seems a good and honorable man." (19.33-35)
Who's got the final say on what is morally right? Who decides who gets to kill or be killed? Theo's confronted with this consuming dilemma—if all people are equal, why should anyone end another's life or have his or her life ended? Florian claims that it can be done in the service of justice, but Theo isn't so sure that things are so black-and-white anymore. After all, who decides what is just?
Quote #3
There was no question in Theo's mind. He had done the right and honorable thing. For the first time since taking up with Las Bombas, his conscience was at ease.
And he felt miserable. (11.41-42)
Theo decided to leave Mickle and the crew behind because he felt he couldn't honestly be a part of their fraudulent schemes. But choices aren't always easy to make, especially when they involve friends, and Theo's upset that he had to leave behind the only people he could rely on in this world. Should morality really trump all?