Rio sprinted down the hospital corridors, his heart pounding in his chest. He dared not look back, fearing that the men might be armed and gaining ground. The hospital around him seemed like a maze, with doors and corridors blending into a blur as he navigated his way through.
He skidded around corners, his senses heightened, every sound magnified. Nurses and doctors glanced at him in confusion or alarm as he rushed past, but Rio paid them no heed. His only focus was on escape, on getting Batho to safety.
Finally, he reached a fire exit, the glowing sign a beacon of hope. With a burst of adrenaline-fueled strength, he pushed open the heavy door and stepped out into the cool air. The hospital loomed behind him, but Rio knew he couldn't stop. He had to keep moving, keep running, until they were far away from danger.
As Rio burst into the parking lot, his heart raced. The hospital lights cast long shadows, adding to the urgency of the moment. He carefully placed Batho in the Hyperloop Pod, his hands trembling with both fear and determination.
There was only one person who could save Batho now—Dr. Rega. Even though Rio knew to his core that Dr. Rega was one of Haydon's people, he had no choice. Igniting his Hyperloop Pod, he rushed to the one place he knew he could find Dr. Rega—the forest.
The engine roared to life, its hum drowning out the chaos in Rio's mind. He glanced back at the hospital, knowing that every second counted. With a deep breath, he pushed the accelerator, hurtling towards the forest.
The forest loomed ahead, its dark silhouette against the night sky. Rio's mind raced, contemplating the risks of seeking help from someone he didn't fully trust. But Batho's life was on the line, and he had no other choice.
As he entered the forest, the trees closed in around him, their branches reaching out like grasping hands. The Hyperloop Pod navigated the dense foliage with ease, guided by Rio's desperate determination.
Finally, he reached a clearing where a figure stood waiting. It was Dr. Rega, his expression unreadable.
Rio leapt out of the Hyperloop Pod.
"Please, he needs Zonizide now!" Rio's voice echoed through the forest as he approached Dr. Rega, Batho's limp body still draped over his back.
Dr. Rega's expression darkened as he surveyed Batho's lifeless form on Rio's back.
"I was assured Batho would be safe when they found you in the hospital," Dr. Rega said, his voice tinged with frustration. "But now you're telling me he never received the Zonizide?"
Dr. Rega's jaw clenched, his mind racing. "I can get you the Zonizide," he finally said, his tone resolute.
With that, Dr. Rega turned and led Rio deeper into the forest, towards a hidden facility where he kept his most experimental treatments. Rio followed, his heart heavy with worry for Batho's fate.
Dr. Rega stopped at a large, sleek, silver transport, resembling a futuristic caravan. The vehicle gleamed under the forest canopy, its surface smooth and unblemished. It was adorned with intricate patterns of glowing symbols, indicating its advanced medical capabilities.
Dr. Rega gestured for Rio to stay outside and wait, his expression firm and commanding. Rio had no choice but to trust him, knowing that Batho's life hung in the balance.
Rio waited anxiously outside the vehicle, the silence of the forest amplifying the clanking of the medical equipment within. Each sound stirred a troubled feeling in his stomach, a mix of fear and hope for Batho's life.
His eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any signs of movement or danger. The forest, however, remained eerily quiet, as if holding its breath along with him.
Feeling a sudden urge to act, Rio fished out the metallic device he had reclaimed from Professor Landon. Its cool surface felt familiar yet mysterious in his hand, a stark contrast to the urgency of the situation at hand.
As events unfolded around him, Rio realized he possessed several pieces of a larger puzzle, but he hadn't yet had the time to think and connect them all. The metallic device, found amidst the ruins of aircraft from three centuries past, possessed a magnetic power capable of destroying a steer wrench. This device seemed to be connected to the passengers from the past, who were being controlled by Dr. Rega and the company.
The revelation that they had sacrificed a man to save Batho added another layer of mystery to his existence. Rio was certain Batho was not one of the passengers brought from the past. This raised questions about Batho's origins.
One thought nagged at Rio: did Mrs. Kagiso know about all this and play a part in the events unfolding around him? She had been involved in some way, but to what extent remained a mystery.
Rio's mind buzzed with questions as he tried to make sense of the tangled web of events. Haydon's presence seemed to coincide with the appearance of the aircraft and Mrs. Kagiso's death. It was not a stretch to think that Haydon might have had a hand in her demise. Dr. Rega's actions, sacrificing a man to save Batho, spoke volumes about the company's sinister agenda.
Batho himself was a mystery. A child who had vanished, only to return with a body containing two sets of DNA. What did this signify? Was he the key to unlocking the truth behind the company's experiments?
As these thoughts swirled in his mind.
After what seemed like an eternity, Dr. Rega emerged from the vehicle, his expression unreadable. Rio rushed to his side, eager for news of Batho's condition.
Dr. Rega assured Rio that Batho was stable after the injection of Zonizide, but cautioned that he was not yet out of danger and would require continued monitoring. Rio breathed a sigh of relief at the news.
However, Dr. Rega's next question caught him off guard. "Did you know that bringing Batho back would mean I inform my boss?" he asked, eying Rio suspiciously.
Rio nodded, acknowledging the implication of his actions. "I had no choice," he replied simply.
Dr. Rega let out a heavy sigh. "I'm a doctor," he said. "I just want to do my job."
Rio couldn't help but give a wry smile at the irony. "Does that include sacrificing someone to save another?" he asked, his tone tinged with sarcasm.
Dr. Rega's expression hardened, his gaze piercing. "Sometimes, sacrifices have to be made for the greater good," he replied cryptically. Rio's mind raced, trying to make sense of everything. He had to tread carefully, as Dr. Rega's loyalties seemed uncertain.
"I understand," Rio said, choosing his words carefully. "But what is the greater good in this situation? Why all the secrecy and manipulation?"
Dr. Rega's gaze softened slightly, and he glanced away, as if wrestling with his own thoughts. "There are things at play here that you can't possibly comprehend," he said finally. "But know this, Rio, there are forces at work far beyond what you see on the surface."
Rio's head was spinning with questions, but before he could respond, Dr. Rega's AD beeped, signalling an incoming message. Dr. Rega glanced at it, then back at Rio.
Just from the look on Dr. Rega's face, Rio knew immediately that it was either Mr. Haydon or someone from the PharmaMedicor company who was responsible. Rio fixed a cold stare at Dr. Rega's AD, ensuring that he wouldn't do anything to inform them.
However, Dr. Rega replied with an exasperating smile, "And what makes you think I wouldn't have informed the company the moment I saw Batho and you together?"
Rio's heart sank as he realized the depth of the deception. He had hoped Dr. Rega would be an ally, but now it seemed he was just another pawn in a much larger game. The implications of Dr. Rega's words hit Rio like a ton of bricks. If Dr. Rega had already informed Mr. Haydon or PharmaMedicor about Batho and Rio, their lives were in immediate danger.
"Why?" Rio demanded, his voice laced with frustration and fear. "Why would you do this?"
Dr. Rega's smile faded, replaced by a steely resolve. "Because I have my own orders to follow, just like you," he replied cryptically.
Rio knew he had to escape immediately. He wasn't sure when Dr. Rega had informed the company. If it had been at the start of Batho's treatment, that meant the company's people were either already in the forest or very close. Rio had to move quickly.
Dr. Rega shook his head, his expression sympathetic. "You should surrender, Rio. Bringing Batho back was a good deed. As long as Batho is alive, the company won't harm you if you can keep it a secret."
Rio's mind raced as he processed Dr. Rega's words. He knew he couldn't trust the man in front of him, not when their lives were hanging by a thread.
Rio could sense that Dr. Rega was merely stalling, trying to keep him and Batho in the forest. His heart pounded in his chest, and he strained to listen for any distant noises, unsure if they were real or just his imagination. Dr. Rega insisted once more that Rio should stay and wait for the company.
"Shut up!" Rio shouted, his patience wearing thin. Dr. Rega flinched at the outburst, sensing Rio's growing impatience and anger.
Rio's fear grew as Dr. Rega's AD beeped incessantly, the sound cutting through the tense silence of the forest. Dr. Rega's gaze darted between Rio and the device, his hesitation palpable. Rio knew that if Dr. Rega answered the AD, their exact location would be revealed to the company.
With a surge of adrenaline, Rio lunged forward and grabbed Dr. Rega's AD, ripping it from his grasp. Dr. Rega recoiled in shock, but Rio's determination was unyielding. He crushed the device underfoot, silencing its insistent beeping.
Dr.Rega tried to shout for the people.
As Dr. Rega's shout pierced the air, Rio's panic surged. Reacting instinctively, he delivered a powerful blow to Dr. Rega's head, staggering him. Dr. Rega, however, fought back fiercely, and the two engaged in a frantic scuffle. Despite Dr. Rega's resistance, Rio's martial arts training gave him the upper hand, and he managed to pin Dr. Rega to the ground.
Dr. Rega, his face contorted with determination, continued to shout for the others, refusing to surrender. Rio's heart raced as he struggled to restrain Dr. Rega, knowing that every passing moment increased the risk of being discovered by the approaching company operatives.
Just as Rio struggled to contain Dr. Rega, he heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching. The company operatives were getting closer, drawn by Dr. Rega's calls for help. Rio's mind raced, knowing he had to act quickly. With a burst of energy, he subdued Dr. Rega, muffling his shouts, and then dragged him into the cover of the trees, away from prying eyes.
As Rio's fist connected with Dr. Rega's temple, the man collapsed in a heap, his eyes wide with fear. Rio knew that only an unconscious man could remain silent in the face of danger. Dr. Rega lay sprawled on the ground, his limbs splayed, as Rio stood over him, his mind racing. The footsteps drew nearer, echoing through the forest with an ominous rhythm.
Rio's heart pounded in his chest as he contemplated his next move. He couldn't afford to be caught now. The secrets he held were too dangerous, and the company's reach too long.
Rio stared at the unconscious form of Dr. Rega, a thought flickering in his mind. He could use his abilities to change his appearance to look like Dr. Rega. It would buy him some time, but he knew it was only a temporary solution. The company's advanced technology would soon uncover his disguise.
A more permanent solution flashed through his mind. He could change his appearance to match Dr. Rega's and then register himself at the National Registry. However, the system would not allow him to register an appearance that was already in use. The only way to proceed would be to eliminate Dr. Rega, a thought that made Rio uneasy.
Rio stood over Dr. Rega, wrestling with his moral compass. He refused to become another Dr. Rega, someone who would kill to survive. As he contemplated his next move, the sounds of the approaching company operatives grew louder, likely only a couple of miles away.
Suddenly, a figure leapt onto Dr. Rega's body and swiftly injected something into his neck...