A shadow passed over Haydon's features, his eyes dimming with a sorrowful light. His lips, once firm with resolve, now trembled slightly, betraying a deep-seated pain. It was as though a wave of regret had washed over him, leaving behind a haunting melancholy in its wake.Haydon's voice trembled as he spoke, his words weighed down by a deep sadness. "She interfered with my experiment. I told her she had to cut ties with Batho as the time had come. The government had noticed his illegal origin. The only way to keep him alive was to bring him back to my facility. That was the only way to ensure his survival and mine." Haydon paused, his expression pained. "Then, of course, her maternal instinct would not allow her to do so. She did not bring him to the regular check-ups to ensure his body was adapting well, in fear that I might take him away. Batho had to depend more on Zonizide, and an overdose could potentially kill him. I had no choice..."Rio's disbelief grew as he listened to Haydon's explanation for his sister's death. It sounded like a feeble justification, a flimsy veil over the truth. Rio scoffed, unable to contain his reaction.Haydon remained composed, his fingers intertwining with purpose. "Mr. Rio, in the pursuit of progress, sacrifices are often unavoidable."Rio's expression remained stoic, though his mind raced with conflicting thoughts. "What fate awaits Batho? Why delay?"His gaze drifted to the crimson-stained fabric on the table, a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the lengths some would go to defy it."I need to wait for the cure gene to mature and fully adapt to the environmental exposures of this world before I can safely deliver it to my own body," Haydon explained. "The doctors have been working tirelessly on it.""And when the time comes, you'll sacrifice Batho," Rio stated, more as an affirmation than a question, knowing the grim reality.Haydon simply nodded."Then what was Dr. Rega's role in all of this? Why was he not in the facility with the other doctors? Why isolate him with the other passengers and Batho in the forest?" Rio pressed, seeking answers to the intricate web of Haydon's schemes.Haydon's cryptic smile lingered as he explained, "Mr. Rio, you don't put all your eggs in the same basket. In this matter, I can't risk having all of them exposed in the facility and risking my work being ruined." Haydon leaned back, continuing, "Dr. Rega's main role was to ensure that when Batho's body started showing illnesses from three hundred years ago, he would survive with the help of immune cells from other passengers from the same era. The doctors in my facility here would not be aware of this. They would simply continue to optimize his body and focus on the cure gene."Haydon remained impassive as Rio spoke. "Mr. Haydon, you know that what you've discovered is a great breakthrough for the world, and it could be used for the greater good.""I am the great breakthrough in this world," Haydon replied. "Technology should serve the people, and I am reaping the benefits of this principle. What good is technology if it cannot benefit humanity?"Rio sighed, realizing the depth of Haydon's conviction. "But at what cost, Mr. Haydon? Is it worth sacrificing lives, manipulating time and nature, just for your own survival?"Haydon's gaze hardened. "You wouldn't understand, Mr. Rio. The lengths I've gone to, the sacrifices I've made, are all for a greater purpose. Batho's sacrifice will ensure my survival and allow me to continue my work, benefiting not just myself but future generations."Rio shook his head, feeling a mixture of pity and disgust. "Your obsession with immortality blinds you to the ethical implications of your actions. No scientific advancement is worth this price."Haydon's expression softened briefly before returning to its usual stoic state. "Perhaps you're right, Mr. Rio. But in the end, history will judge me by the results of my actions, not the morality behind them."With that, Haydon stood up, signaling the end of their conversation. Rio was left with a sense of unease.Haydon's voice echoed in the dimly lit room, his words carrying a weight that seemed to press down on Rio. "Consider what I offer, Mr. Rio," he continued, his tone almost pleading. "Join me, and together we could achieve wonders. Your intellect, your resourcefulness, they could be invaluable to our cause."Rio met Haydon's gaze, his eyes hard and unwavering. "I can't," he replied firmly. "I won't be a part of this."Haydon's smile was enigmatic, almost chilling. "Such a shame," he murmured. "But remember, Mr. Rio, we are not so different, you and I. We both seek survival, no matter the cost."With that, Haydon straightened up, his expression unreadable. "Take him back to his room," he instructed his men. "And make sure he doesn't leave."Haydon knew all along that Rio would not kill Batho, he had been playing along with Rio to understand the reason behind all his actions - Rio realized.Haydon's true intentions began to reveal themselves in Rio's mind like pieces of a puzzle falling into place. It was clear now that Haydon had been orchestrating their interactions, manipulating Rio's every move to serve his own agenda. Rio felt a surge of both admiration and resentment towards Haydon. Admiration for his cunning strategy, yet resentment for being a mere pawn in his game.Rio was ushered into a room with bare, grey walls and a single window covered by thick curtains. The room was sparsely furnished with a small, rickety table and a chair. The door, solid and imposing, was locked and bolted by Haydon's men with a resounding finality.As Rio heard the click of the bolt, he knew he had to find a way to escape. He quickly scanned the room for any potential means of exit. The window, though covered, seemed like his best bet. He approached it and cautiously peeked behind the curtains. Outside, he could see the sprawling compound of Haydon's facility, guarded and inaccessible.Thinking quickly, Rio searched the room for any tools or objects he could use. His eyes fell on the chair, its legs sturdy and potentially useful as a makeshift weapon.With a plan forming in his mind, Rio knew he had to act fast before Haydon's men returned. He began to strategize his escape, using every resource at his disposal to outsmart his captors and uncover the truth behind Haydon's sinister motives.Rio scanned the room for anything he could use. Spotting a loose wire hanging from the ceiling, he quickly fashioned a trap. He tied one end of the wire to the door handle and the other to a small metal object on the floor. With a flick of his wrist, he pulled the wire taut and secured it in place, creating a tripwire.It wasn't long before he heard footsteps approaching. As the door swung open, the wire was triggered, causing the metal object to clang loudly against the floor. The guards rushed in, and Rio sprang into action.Using a nearby chair as a shield, Rio deflected the guards' blows and retaliated with swift strikes. He aimed for their weak points, using the chair legs as makeshift weapons. The guards were taken by surprise, and Rio managed to disarm them one by one.As the last guard fell, Rio knew he had to act fast. He darted out of the room and into the corridor, making his way towards the exit. He encountered more guards along the way, but he dispatched them with the same agility and precision.Finally, Rio reached the exit and pushed open the heavy door. He emerged outside, breathing heavily but relieved. He spotted the marine vehicle that had brought him here and knew that was his ticket out.As Rio made a dash for the marine vehicle, Haydon and his men suddenly appeared, blocking his path. Rio knew he had to act fast. Haydon's men lunged towards him, but Rio dodged their attacks with remarkable agility. He weaved between them, using his speed and reflexes to avoid their blows.Haydon watched with a mix of surprise and admiration as Rio effortlessly dodged his men. He knew he had underestimated Rio's abilities. Determined to stop him, Haydon shouted orders to his men, directing them to surround Rio.Despite their efforts, Rio managed to break through their ranks and reach the area where the scientists were working. He spotted the box containing the Magnetar Cores and knew he had to act quickly. Ignoring the protests of the scientists, Rio grabbed one of the cores."Stop," Haydon shouted, his voice echoing through the facility. Instantly, all activity ceased, and a heavy silence descended. The air seemed to still, and even the soft hum of machinery faded into nothingness. The tension in the room was palpable, as everyone awaited Haydon's next words."Do not touch those Magnetar Cores," Haydon continued, his tone firm and commanding. "It will not be a problem activating one of them. But it can be a catastrophe to activate all of them. The magnetic powers will interact with each other, and the facility will be shattered, possibly transported to a different time."His warning hung in the air, a sobering reminder of the immense power contained within the Magnetar Cores. The scientists and guards exchanged uneasy glances, realizing the gravity of the situation.As the heavy silence lingered, Rio remained unaware of a figure stealthily approaching him from behind. Suddenly, he felt a sharp blow to the back of his head, and everything went black. When he came to, he found himself on the floor, disoriented and struggling to focus.Before he could react, the box of Magnetar Cores was snatched from his grasp. Rio knew then that his chances of survival had plummeted. However, just as he resigned himself to his fate, a sudden commotion caught his attention.Batho had appeared seemingly out of nowhere, stumbling into the room. Despite being surrounded by Haydon's men, Batho held a scalpel to his own neck. His voice, though weak, cut through the tension in the room."Mr. Rio, thanks for everything that you have done for me," Batho's words were barely a whisper, his face drained of color, "my existence in this world is not supposed to happen. Let me do this one last thing for you. Just go."Rio watched in shock as Batho sacrificed himself to buy him time to escape. It was a poignant moment, one that would stay with Rio forever.As if to prove his point, Batho jabbed the scalpel into his neck, drawing a gasp from the onlookers. The doctors rushed to his aid, their movements frantic and urgent. Haydon, on the other hand, stood frozen in shock, his expression one of disbelief and horror, his usually composed demeanor shattered.Rio, now on his feet, watched in horror as blood spurted from Batho's neck, indicating that he had struck an artery. Batho's actions had bought him time, but at a great cost. Batho's lips moved, forming words that Rio strained to hear over the chaos. "Go, tell my father that I love him," Batho whispered before succumbing to unconsciousness.Realizing he had little time to spare, Rio knew he had to act fast. Seizing the opportunity, he elbowed the man holding the box of Magnetar Cores, causing him to groan in pain and drop the box. Rio wasted no time in grabbing the box and making a dash for the marine vehicle, his heart heavy with the sacrifice Batho had made for him.Rio's only thought was to escape. As he reached the marine vehicle, he hesitated. Climbing down would expose him to his pursuers. Instead, he held up the box of Magnetar Cores, a silent warning.Haydon's men stopped in their tracks, eyeing the device warily. They knew the consequences of Rio activating all of them, as Haydon had explained earlier. Rio, with a determined look on his face, activated one of the cores and hurled it towards them.The magnetic power surged, drawing metallic objects towards it. Haydon's men struggled to find a way to deactivate it, their expressions a mix of fear and desperation.Rio knew this was the right decision. The technology should not be used for Haydon's selfish purposes. It was not yet time for such advancements, and until humanity was ready, this technology should not exist.Rio knew that the technology for time-travel and gene therapy was too advanced for humanity's current state. With a determined expression, he activated all of the Magnetar Cores and hurled them towards Haydon's men.