With this lead in mind, he prepared to reach out to Yamane discreetly, knowing that subtlety would be key in gaining the information he sought.
There was some time for Rio to have a can of Coke before catching Officer Yamane going off from work.
As the cold carbonated drink flowed down his throat, Rio's attention was momentarily diverted by a series of beeps emanating from his computer. Aside from Isa, Rio had a few other buyers in the black market seeking to purchase illegal passes from him.
For the first time, Rio found himself able to ignore the sounds of the potential buyers.
"This is it," he thought to himself. This was never the life he envisioned when he left the AHC, but reality had forced him to succumb to this illicit trade. His skills were far greater than this, but he was unable to utilize them in the light of day.
Half can of the Coke sat beside Rio as his fingers danced across the keyboard, crafting the article titled "The Mystery of the Missing Flights in 2030.
The Mystery of the Missing Flights in 2030: Unraveling the Enigma
In the annals of aviation history, few incidents are as perplexing and haunting as the series of disappearances that occurred in the year 2030. The skies, once a symbol of freedom and connectivity, became the stage for one of the greatest mysteries of modern times. Flights operated by SkyVista Airways, a reputable airline known for its impeccable safety record, embarked on routine journeys only to vanish without a trace upon reaching a specific set of coordinates.
Located at 12°31'58.4"S 79°17'01.5"E, these coordinates marked the ominous threshold beyond which the flights seemed to vanish from radar detection and all communication was abruptly severed. What began as isolated incidents soon escalated into a pattern, as every flight operated by SkyVista Airways on the 9th of each month in the year 2030 met with the same fate upon crossing this enigmatic waypoint.
The scale of the disappearances was unprecedented, sending shockwaves through the aviation industry and leaving authorities baffled. Twelve flights, each carrying hundreds of passengers and crew, simply ceased to exist upon reaching the designated coordinates. Families were left distraught, loved ones lost without a trace, and an entire airline was brought to its knees in the wake of this inexplicable phenomenon.
The events surrounding these disappearances have become the subject of intense scrutiny and speculation, with theories ranging from mechanical failure to extraterrestrial intervention. However, despite exhaustive investigations and countless hours of research, no concrete answers have been forthcoming. The truth remains elusive, shrouded in a veil of mystery that has defied all attempts at unraveling it.
In the absence of tangible evidence, conspiracy theories have flourished, with some suggesting foul play or deliberate sabotage. Others have proposed more outlandish explanations, invoking the supernatural or invoking the possibility of a parallel dimension. Yet, as compelling as these theories may be, they remain mere conjecture in the absence of concrete evidence.
For the families of the victims and the aviation community at large, the quest for answers continues. The missing flights of 2030 serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of human existence and the mysteries that still lurk in the uncharted depths of the cosmos. Until the truth is uncovered, the spectre of these disappearances will continue to cast a long shadow over the world of aviation, serving as a chilling reminder of the unknown forces that lie beyond our comprehension.
It seemed that an unsolved mystery from three hundred years ago was resurfacing today. The DNA of one of the missing passengers had been found in a human being. Rio pondered the significance of this discovery.
Finishing his Coke, he left his house. It was time to visit Officer Yamane to see how much he knew about the case.
As the clock on his AD pointed to six o'clock in the afternoon, Rio found himself leaning against the wall in an open carpark, waiting for Officer Yamane.
A stream of people flowed out of the police station at this time, everyone heading home.
Rio had no idea how Officer Yamane usually got home. The crowd suggested that there were two main means of transport here: Hyperloop Pods parked in the carpark, and Maglev Trains located within a mile from the police station.
With the image of Officer Yamane ingrained in his mind, Rio focused his eyes on the crowd.
Then, a person strolling out of the entrance caught his attention. Although this person bore no resemblance to the picture Rio had seen of a man with a broad grin on his face, Rio had trouble recognizing the curly brown hair and sharp chin that belonged to Yamane.
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Rio stepped forward, ready to begin his investigation.
Officer Yamane seemed to be absorbed in his own thoughts, his expression grim and distant. Lost in his contemplation, he didn't notice Rio approaching until the latter was mere steps away.
"Officer Yamane," Rio greeted him, causing Yamane to startle slightly, his attention abruptly snapping back to the present.
Officer Yamane's suspicious eyes landed on the stranger. "Who are you?"
Rio ignored the question and lowered his voice. "Can we talk about Inspector Jaquan?"
Yamane's eyes widened like saucers at the mention of Inspector Jaquan, and he instantly whipped around to check if anyone was within earshot. Then, he immediately dropped his head. "I believe you have the wrong guy. I know nothing about Inspector Jaquan."
Rio quickly closed the distance with Yamane as he attempted to run away, pressing him with urgency. "You know nothing about him? But you are one of his closest subordinates." Rio could tell from Yamane's expression that his speculation was right.
Yamane halted, his face turning flushed at Rio's persistence. "I told you, I know nothing about him. He is on holiday. You can come back at a later date if you need to find him."
Rio, almost a head taller than Yamane, blocked his way with his body. "On holiday? I suspect he's not coming back at all."
Every muscle in Yamane's body tensed, frozen in a moment of disbelief, as if Rio had just said something that stole his breath.
The color drained from Yamane's face, each question from Rio stripping away another layer of composure. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he stammered, voice trembling. "I was told he was on holiday and would be back soon."
"By whom?" Rio pressed, his tone firm but low, ensuring Yamane was the only one privy to their conversation.
"That's none of your business. Who are you?" Yamane's lips quivered, his eyes betraying a hint of fear.
Rio leaned in closer, his voice a mere whisper. "I'm someone deeply interested in the disappearance of Batho."
At the mention of Batho, Yamane's complexion grew even paler, as if the very name threatened to rob him of consciousness.
Cold sweat beaded on his brow, his skin clammy and chilled. Yamane's mouth gaped open, words escaping in ragged gasps. "Are you... out of your mind? Discussing this openly?" His voice was tinged with panic.
"I'll release you once I have the information I need," Rio reassured, his words a stark contrast to the bustling crowd around them, oblivious to their clandestine exchange.
Yamane's mind was only partially present as they settled into a nearby Chinese restaurant, a place seldom frequented by patrons. The restaurant's emptiness provided a measure of comfort, easing some of Yamane's worries.
Rio ordered a shot of white wine, which Yamane mechanically consumed. The alcohol's warmth washed over him, restoring a semblance of composure as he met Rio's gaze once more.
Sipping on his Coke, Rio maintained his calm demeanor as Yamane made another attempt at conversation. "I'm not certain who you are," he began, "but I can assure you, I know nothing about the case or Inspector Jaquan."
Rio observed Yamane closely, noting the tension in his voice and the unease flickering in his eyes. There was more to this than met the eye, Rio was certain of it.
"I find that hard to believe," Rio replied evenly, his gaze unwavering. "You're one of Inspector Jaquan's closest subordinates. It's inconceivable that you wouldn't have any knowledge of his whereabouts or the details of his cases."
Yamane's eyes darted around nervously, his hands fidgeting with the cutlery on the table.
Rio leaned in closer, his voice low but firm. "Listen, Yamane. I'm not here to play games. I need answers, and I need them now."
Yamane swallowed hard, visibly shaken by Rio's intensity. "I... I really don't know anything," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Officer Yamane," Rio's voice rose slightly as he snapped his fingers to capture Yamane's attention. "I'm afraid Inspector Jaquan is dead, likely due to what he knew about the case," Rio ventured, noting the disproportionate level of fear emanating from Yamane.
Yamane's eyes widened with terror, resembling a cornered animal caught in the glare of a predator's gaze. "You think so? Who sent you to ask about this case?" he asked, his voice tinged with desperation.
"If you're so terrified of being questioned about Inspector Jaquan and this case," Rio said cautiously, "then perhaps it's best not to inquire further. Just tell me what you know about the case, and I'll leave you alone."
Yamane took another gulp of the white wine, weighing his options carefully.
Eventually, he nodded. "Inspector Jaquan was assigned to lead this investigation when Batho first went missing," Yamane began, his grip tightening around the cup of wine as he recalled his involvement. "He always suspected foul play, as cases like this rarely ended well. The victims usually ended up dead or disappeared without a trace. Mr. Kagiso is a renowned figure in Slateville, if not all of London. No one else would have the audacity to meddle in this case."
His voice trembled slightly as he recounted the discovery of Batho's body. "As he suspected, after three days of relentless searching, Batho's body was found in the river."
Rio nodded, recalling that Mr. Kagiso had mentioned this aspect of the case.
As Yamane recounted the events, a slow spark ignited in his eyes. "And this was when the strange thing started," he continued. "We searched the same spot using various technologies countless times and found nothing. But on that day, the body just miraculously appeared in the river. We had no explanation for how we missed it in the preceding days."
"Just appeared out of nowhere?" Rio muttered, incredulous. He believed Yamane's assertion that the spot had been thoroughly searched using advanced technology and yet yielded nothing. The current law enforcement technology would not overlook even the slightest movement, let alone a dead body.
"And what happened after that?"
"Inspector Jaquan reported this to our superior, Senior Inspector Morathi. He was then tasked with releasing the bad news to Mr. Kagiso," Yamane recounted, his voice betraying the weight of the memories. "And he did. At the same time, Mr. Kagiso also received a call telling him that Batho was back home and alive." Yamane paused, fixing his gaze on Rio, as if seeking an explanation from the stranger across the table.
Rio's expression remained impassive, revealing nothing.
"Do you think it's possible? Or perhaps Inspector Jaquan made a mistake?" Yamane asked, a glimmer of hope in his eyes, hoping there was no foul play in the case.
Rio's gaze turned cold. "Officer Yamane, you would have better insight into Inspector Jaquan's work ethic. Would he have released the news to Mr. Kagiso if he hadn't confirmed the identity or seen the dead body for himself?"
The tension in Yamane's muscles confirmed Rio's suspicions. "Did Inspector Jaquan tell you about the dead body? Who confirmed the identity of the dead body?"
Yamane's lips trembled. "He said it was Dr. Mossing who confirmed the identity."
Leaning in as new information slipped out, Rio asked intently, "Dr. Mossing? The forensic doctor who confirmed the identity? Do you know where I can find him?"
"It's a she," Yamane corrected, simultaneously activating his AD to search for the location of the mortuary where Dr. Mossing worked.
Rio mentally noted the next location he would be visiting, "Anything else you know about the case?"
Yamane shook his head, "I haven't been able to contact Inspector Jaquan since the day after Batho was found. I don't know what happened to him. I asked Senior Inspector Morathi, but he only gave me a vague explanation. I knew instantly that something had happened to Inspector Jaquan."
Rio leaned back and nodded.
"Please find and save Inspector Jaquan," Yamane pleaded, his voice shaking.
Rio's gaze hardened as he locked eyes with Yamane, "I'll do my best."