One of the people in a lab suit approached Haydon with a solemn look. "Mr. Haydon, it's going to rain soon. Do you want to continue transporting the remaining few pieces back in time? After today, all the aircraft will have been taken care of."
Haydon glanced at the monitors, which Rio strained to understand.
"Do it," Haydon said authoritatively.
The man nodded and left, giving instructions to the group, who began working around the monitors.
"Mr. Rio," Haydon said, "Since you are here today, I believe you are interested to see how time-travel happens. I admire your courage and capability to find me. In return, I am going to show you how the aircraft are being transported back in time. Today will be the last time we send back the remains to where they belonged."
Without waiting for Rio to reply, Haydon started striding, and Rio followed closely behind him. Despite all the dirty work that Haydon had done, Rio could not suppress his admiration for how Haydon had managed to create this lab and achieve the impossible. The question now was why.
Rio followed Haydon to what looked like an elevator. The elevator was sleek and futuristic, with a panel of buttons that seemed to glow softly. As they stepped in, Rio noticed that there were no visible doors, just a seamless, smooth surface that closed around them.
Haydon signaled for Hyllos to stay in the lab, but Hyllos seemed hesitant, concerned about what Rio might do. However, Haydon insisted with a stern look, and Hyllos reluctantly backed off.
The futuristic elevator closed smoothly, and as soon as it did, it began to ascend without a sound.
As Batho moved slightly on Rio's back, Haydon cast a cautious look towards them.
Rio felt a slight sense of weightlessness as the elevator rose rapidly. In no time, the lab disappeared from view, replaced by the breathtaking sight of the surrounding mountains.
The mountains stretched tall and majestic, their peaks shrouded in mist. The elevator seemed to emerge from the side of a sheer cliff, as if it were a partition separating two worlds - the futuristic facility below and the untouched beauty of nature above. Rio felt a wave of disorientation wash over him as he stepped out of the elevator, the cool mountain air hitting his face.
As Rio took in the breathtaking mountain scenery, Haydon pointed towards a structure not far from them. Rio squinted and saw a chimney-like tube extending from the side of a cliff. From the tube, small pieces of aircraft were being ejected at regular intervals, disappearing into the air as they fell.
Rio watched in awe as the pieces seemed to vanish into thin air, their disappearance a testament to the incredible technology at work. He couldn't help but marvel at the sight, wondering at the forces that allowed such a feat to be possible.
"This is how the pieces of the aircrafts are transported back in time," said Haydon. He pointed to the mountain pass, and Rio noticed the craters on them for the first time. "These craters were formed when these aircrafts were brought here and landed on these mountains."
"There were miscalculations on the magnetic powers when the aircrafts were transported, so they appeared at the wrong place and time," explained Haydon. "We had to take care of that. It was a tough job to come up with an excuse to the government, but it seemed like they bought the explanation."
Rio nodded. This explained why Haydon and his men appeared at the disaster site.
The sky above them started to rumble, echoing the turmoil within Rio. Dark clouds gathered, swirling ominously over the jagged peaks of the mountains. The overcast sky threatened rain, casting a sombre hue over the landscape. Lightning flickered in the distance, illuminating the craters and rugged terrain around them. Rio couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding as nature mirrored the turbulence of the situation he was in.
Rio acknowledged Haydon's remarkable achievement, despite his disdain for the man's methods. "Why keep this a secret, then?" he inquired. "Surely, such a breakthrough deserves recognition and could benefit mankind."
Haydon's smile remained enigmatic. "Recognition and wealth hold little value to me," he replied. "What I seek is far greater than that."
"Then what is it?" Rio pressed, curious about Haydon's true intentions.
Haydon's response was cut short by a severe coughing fit. The sound echoed off the mountain walls, each cough wracking his body and stealing his breath. Blood dribbled from the corner of his mouth, contrasting starkly against his pale complexion and the rugged backdrop of the mountains. The eerie atmosphere heightened the severity of the moment, as Haydon struggled to regain his composure. Rio watched, a mix of concern and curiosity evident in his expression, unsure of what to do in the face of Haydon's deteriorating health.
After a prolonged coughing fit, Haydon finally managed to regain his composure. He wiped his mouth as if he had just finished a meal.
"What illness do you suffer?" Rio inquired.
"Mr. Rio, you must understand that everything I have shared with you must remain confidential. If you continue to ask questions and seek answers, it may decrease the likelihood of your safe return," Haydon warned, his tone as gentle as the breeze that brushed past them.
As if to emphasize his point, Rio adjusted Batho, who was still on his back, breathing steadily.
Haydon smiled and shook his head. "Mr. Rio, I believe you're not so naive as to think I would want to keep that child alive at all costs. You've seen the medical facility I have here. What makes you think this child is so indispensable that I won't kill you?"
Rio felt a chill run down his spine at Haydon's words, a deep sense of fear creeping into his heart. The realization that Haydon was willing to go to any lengths, even to the extent of harming Batho, made Rio acutely aware of the danger they were in. Despite his resolve, Rio couldn't help but feel a pang of fear for Batho's safety, knowing that their lives were hanging by a thread in Haydon.
But then, Rio's realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. Haydon wouldn't kill him as long as he had Batho. It was all a game, a twisted ploy to manipulate Rio into giving up Batho. Rio shook his head, defiance in his eyes. "No, you need him. He's as indispensable to you as you hate to admit. Your medical facility can't replicate another like him."
Haydon locked his gaze on Rio for a long moment before letting out a chuckle. "Mr. Rio, sometimes it's rather annoying when your opponent is too smart."
Rio remained silent, not feeling pleased by the compliment.
"But, Mr. Rio," Haydon's voice took on a persuasive tone, "please, trust me on this. You and I want the same for Batho. We both want him to live. Now that I have shown you how the time-travel works, perhaps you could return the favor by allowing me to give him the treatment he needs. Dr. Rega had started the treatment before he was... terminated. But now, Batho seems to be weakening again. Please, let my medical team take care of him." Haydon's eyes flickered with a mix of concern and urgency, as if time itself was slipping away.
Rio could feel Batho's breaths on his neck becoming ragged and irregular. "Do what you need to do to save him," said Rio firmly, "but I want to be with him, at all times."
As the elevator descended, Rio couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. The walls of the elevator seemed to close in on him, and the journey down felt longer than the journey up. Haydon remained silent, his expression unreadable. Rio glanced at Batho, whose condition seemed to be deteriorating. The urgency to get him medical attention grew stronger with each passing moment.
When the elevator finally reached the lab, Rio stepped out quickly, his heart pounding. Haydon led him to the medical facility, where the doctors immediately started examining Batho.
The doctors swiftly connected Batho to a range of advanced medical equipment, including monitors, scanners, and infusion pumps. They meticulously analyzed his condition, checking his vitals and running various tests to determine the best course of action. With each passing moment, Rio's anxiety grew, but he remained steadfast by Batho's side, unwilling to leave him even for a moment.
As the treatment progressed, Rio noticed a subtle change in Batho's complexion. The pallor that had plagued him began to recede, replaced by a healthier, pinkish hue. Rio's heart skipped a beat at the sight, a glimmer of hope igniting within him.
As Rio watched intently at how the doctors managed Batho, Haydon, who stood across him, started coughing violently. His face became congested, then turned purplish, and his whole body shook from the force of the coughing. More fresh blood spat out onto his handkerchief.
Despite the severity of Haydon's coughing fit, the doctors paid no attention. Their impassive expressions suggested that this was normal for Haydon. Their focus remained solely on Batho, as if Haydon's condition was of no concern to them. Rio found this behavior strange and unsettling, adding to the tension in the room.
As the doctors continued their work on Batho, Rio couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that settled over him. Haydon's condition was worsening by the second, yet the medical team seemed indifferent. Rio's instincts told him that something was deeply wrong.
Haydon finally managed to control his coughing fit and straightened up, wiping the blood from his mouth. "Mr. Rio, it seems I'm not as strong as I thought," he said with a weak smile.
Rio nodded, though his eyes remained fixed on Haydon, his suspicions growing with each passing moment.
After a long moment, a doctor, with silver hair framing his weathered face, wore an expression of focused determination, stepped forward and reported to Haydon that Batho had been stabilized. Haydon gave an approving nod.
Rio's gaze flickered between Batho and Haydon, the pieces of the puzzle slotting together in his mind.
He realized that the doctors' seemingly indifferent demeanor towards Haydon's condition masked a deeper concern. Their eyes betrayed their worry as they noticed the bloodstain at the corner of Haydon's mouth. While they were undoubtedly focused on Batho's well-being, Rio understood that Batho's survival was not only crucial for his own sake but also for Haydon's.
The intricate interplay of life and survival in this futuristic setting painted a complex picture, leaving Rio unsettled at the realization of the delicate balance at play.
"I see," said Rio after he was quite certain of his speculation.
Haydon cocked his head curiously, waiting for Rio to explain himself.
"I'm guessing Batho is essential in the treatment for your medical condition. I came to know that there is a specific type of illness that runs in your family that your father and grandfather succumbed to at a young age. For some reason, you found Batho and you need something in him to save you. That's the reason you will save him at all costs. That is also the reason you would kill another man to save him. You did all of this for you and your survival." Rio said, his voice firm.
Haydon dropped his head as he listened to Rio's speculation. He managed an unreadable smile after a long while and clapped his hands, "Very well, Mr. Rio. The moment you stepped into my lab, I asked my men to run a detailed check on you. And guess what, they found nothing. I don't know how you managed to hide your identity, but you have proven yourself to have intelligence above most of the SynthHumans. It was not surprising that you came to this conclusion, though not the whole truth, but it was not far away from it."
Rio took a deep breath. He was right about Batho's presence in all the conspiracy.
"So, Mr. Rio. Tell me, what should I do with you? With the secrets that you obtained from my company. I don't think I would risk letting you out alive of this facility." Haydon pressed his lips and studied Rio.