Mr. Haydon was the third generation in his family to run PharmaMedicor, a company with a long and prestigious history. Both his grandfather and father had tragically passed away in their forties, leaving Mr. Haydon to take the reins at a young age. Now at thirty-five years old, he was a formidable figure in the pharmaceutical industry.
PharmaMedicor was not just any company; it was the largest pharmaceutical company, known for producing cutting-edge medicine and medical equipment. Its estimated value was so immense that it could practically buy a small country. Under Mr. Haydon's leadership, PharmaMedicor had expanded its reach globally, with offices and facilities in major cities around the world. His strategic vision and business acumen had propelled the company to new heights, making it a powerhouse in the field of health care.
Rio watched several videos of Mr. Haydon being interviewed, his calm and determined demeanor evident in each one. In these interviews, Mr. Haydon spoke with confidence and clarity, showcasing his deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and his strategic vision for PharmaMedicor. He seemed composed and articulate, a stark contrast to the man who had just posed a threatening ultimatum to his subordinate.
It was clear that Mr. Haydon was not just a businessman; he was a visionary leader who knew how to navigate the complex world of health-care and business. His words were measured, yet impactful, and it was easy to see why he commanded such respect and authority within the industry.
As Rio watched these videos, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Mr. Haydon was a man of great power and influence, and Rio knew that crossing paths with him could have serious consequences.
Rio's heart raced as he heard the footsteps approaching his hiding spot. He quickly shut off the holographic display and ducked further into the shadows, praying that he hadn't been spotted.
To his relief, Mr. Haydon and his men passed by without noticing him. They were leaving the room, engrossed in their conversation and oblivious to Rio's presence. Rio waited until they were out of sight before cautiously emerging from his hiding spot.
Rio made a quick decision to stay and investigate further.
He realized that the room he was in now was the real version of the hologram he had seen earlier in the control room.
This room was an expansive, cavernous space, a stark contrast to the sleek, modern control room he had just left. It was filled with the wreckage of aircraft, scattered across the floor in a chaotic jumble of metal and debris.
The Synthetiks moved with a fluidity and precision that was almost eerie. Their mechanical arms reached out and grasped pieces of aircraft, fitting them together with a delicate touch that belied their robotic nature. Sparks flew as welding torches sealed seams, and the sound of machinery echoed off the walls.
Rio watched in fascination as the Synthetiks worked tirelessly, their movements synchronized and efficient. They seemed to have no awareness of his presence, their attention solely focused on their task of reconstructing the aircraft.
The air was thick with the smell of metal and grease, and Rio felt a sense of unease settle over him. This place held secrets, and he was determined to uncover them. Steeling himself, Rio stepped further into the room.
As Rio cautiously navigated through the maze of aircraft debris, he noticed a section of the room that seemed to be more heavily guarded. Synthetiks in PharmaMedicor uniforms stood watch, their eyes scanning the area for any intruders.
Rio's curiosity piqued, he approached the guarded area and peered through a gap in the wreckage. What he saw took his breath away. In the center of the room, surrounded by a ring of Synthetiks, was a massive machine unlike anything he had ever seen.
The machine hummed with energy, its surface covered in intricate symbols and markings. Tubes and wires snaked out from its base, connecting to various parts of the room. At the heart of the machine was a pulsating light, casting an otherworldly glow over everything around it.
Determined to find answers, Rio searched the room for a way to get closer to the machine. He spotted a set of stairs leading up to a platform that overlooked the entire room. Without hesitation, he began to climb, careful to avoid attracting the attention of the Synthetik guards.
As he reached the top of the platform, Rio's eyes widened in shock. Before him, laid out in a perfect circle, were the twelve reconstructed aircraft from the missing flights in 2030. It was clear now that PharmaMedicor had been involved in a massive cover-up, but the extent of their deception was still unknown.
Rio knew he had to act fast. With his AD recording everything, he began to document the scene before him.
As Rio recorded the scene, he noticed a figure approaching the machine at the center of the room. It was Haydon, accompanied by Hyllos and several other PharmaMedicor executives. They seemed to be discussing something, their gestures animated as they pointed to various parts of the machine.
Rio strained to hear their conversation, but the noise of the machinery made it difficult to make out their words. However, he could sense the urgency in their voices, and it was clear that whatever they were discussing was of great importance.
Suddenly, Rio's AD beeped, alerting him to the presence of Synthetiks approaching his location. He quickly ducked behind a pile of debris, watching as the Synthetiks passed by, unaware of his presence.
Once they were gone, Rio cautiously made his way back towards the stairs, his mind racing with thoughts of what he had just witnessed. PharmaMedicor's involvement in the disappearance of the flights in 2030 was now undeniable, but he still didn't know the full extent of their plans.
As he descended the stairs, Rio knew that he had to get this information to the authorities. But he also knew that doing so would put him in great danger. PharmaMedicor would stop at nothing to protect their secrets, and Rio was now a major threat to their operation.
With a deep breath, Rio made his way out of the room and back into the maze of corridors.
As Rio stepped out of the building, he was greeted by the cold embrace of the night. The air was crisp, carrying with it a hint of winter's chill. Above, the sky was clear, sprinkled with a myriad of stars that twinkled like diamonds against the dark backdrop. The moon hung low, casting a soft, silver glow over the world below.
Despite the beauty of the night, Rio's mind was heavy with the weight of the information he had uncovered. He knew he couldn't rush his next move. Taking a deep breath, he decided to clear his head and gather his thoughts at a nearby bar.
The streets were quiet, the only sound being the distant hum of traffic. Rio walked with purpose, his mind racing with possibilities and dangers. He knew that the information he possessed could change everything, but he also knew that he needed to be cautious.
He hopped onto his Hyperloop Pod and made his way to a nearby bar.
As he entered the bar, Rio took a seat at the counter and ordered a drink. The warmth of the room enveloped him, offering a brief respite from the cold outside. He took a sip of his drink, letting the familiar burn of alcohol soothe his nerves.
Sitting there in the dimly lit bar, Rio knew that the night was far from over. He had a long road ahead of him, filled with twists-e aircrafts unfolded before him, each piece fitting together like a complex puzzle. The Synthetiks moved with precision, their mechanical arms deftly manipulating the wreckage. The scene was a symphony of motion, a ballet of machinery.
As he watched, Rio's mind raced. He thought about the implications of the missing flights in 2030 and how they might be connected to Haydon and PharmaMedicor.
Rio found himself searching for the information of Haydon again as he ordered his second drink.
Rio delved deeper into the archives, searching for any information that could shed light on the mysterious deaths of Haydon's father and grandfather. As he sifted through old news articles and records, he found a pattern emerging. Both men had been in apparent good health, with no known medical conditions.
The media had speculated about foul play, but no evidence had ever been found to support these claims. The lack of information only added to the intrigue surrounding the deaths.
Despite the lack of concrete evidence, Rio couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story. The timing of the deaths, occurring when both men were in their early forties, seemed too coincidental. He wondered if there was a genetic factor at play, or if something more sinister was afoot.
The deaths of Haydon's father and grandfather added a layer of mystery to the situation. Their deaths, shrouded in secrecy, hinted at something darker beneath the surface.
The discussions surrounding Haydon's health further piqued Rio's interest. As Haydon approached the age at which his predecessors had died, questions arose about his own well-being. Was history destined to repeat itself?
Rio continued his search, hoping to find some mention of Haydon's interest in the missing flights of 2030, but to no avail. It appeared that there was no direct link between PharmaMedicor or Haydon and the mysterious disappearances.
Frustrated, Rio leaned back in his chair and pondered his next move.
Rio contemplated using the videos stored in his AD as leverage to initiate a conversation with Haydon. However, he weighed the risks carefully. Revealing that he had been monitoring the activities in the building could expose him to significant danger. Haydon was not someone to be underestimated, and Rio knew that any misstep could lead to dire consequences.
Rio sat at the bar, surrounded by a buzz of conversation from the other patrons. The bar was filled with a mix of humans and SynthHumans, their voices blending together as they discussed the day's events. The atmosphere was heavy with the weight of the disaster that had unfolded, with everyone seemingly touched by the tragedy in some way.
The talk revolved around the biggest event of the day - the disaster of the falling aircrafts. It was a scene of chaos and destruction, with hundreds of lives lost and more than ten large buildings reduced to rubble. The patrons exchanged stories and theories, trying to make sense of what had happened and mourning the loss of so many lives.
Despite the sombre mood, there was also a sense of resilience among the patrons. They were determined to carry on, to not let fear and tragedy dictate their lives. Rio listened to the conversations around him, feeling a mix of sadness and determination. He knew that he needed to uncover the truth behind the disaster, not just for himself, but for all those who had been affected by it.
He finished his drink and made his way out of the bar.
Rio took a deep breath, the cool night air filling his lungs. He knew he needed a good night's sleep before taking his next step. As he walked, he could almost picture his reflection without needing to look in a mirror: a disheveled man with red-rimmed eyes, dark circles beneath them, an unshaven chin, and worry lines etched into his forehead. He knew he needed to rest and gather his thoughts before confronting Haydon at PharmaMedicor headquarters.
When his head touched the pillow in his bedroom, he could barely recall the route from the bar to his home. The exhaustion was so intense that his mind could no longer function. It had been a while since he had put his body to work at this intensity.
Just when he thought he could at least get a few hours of sleep, urgent beeping sounded from his AD, which was feet away from his bed. Determined to ignore it and continue sleeping, Rio tossed to one side and covered his ear with his pillow.
But the beeping seemed more determined to wake him up and vowed not to stop until he answered the call.
With an upset grunt, Rio jerked up in his bed and stomped to his AD.
"Hello," answered Rio without looking at the ID. There was no need to; regardless of who was calling at this hour, Rio was determined to take his anger out on this person.
"Rio," a familiar voice sounded, "you need to get here. Something happened to my wife."
It was Mr. Kagiso.