The devices emitted a powerful magnetic field, drawing in all metallic objects and causing chaos among the men. Rio knew that this was the right choice, even if it meant sacrificing the technology for the greater good.
Rio descended into the marine vehicle, his heart racing as he realized the magnetic field was affecting the metallic components inside. With little time to spare, he hastily entered a random set of coordinates and mimicked the actions he had observed earlier to start the vehicle.
As the vehicle hummed to life, Rio felt a surge of relief. He steered it towards the exit, hoping to make a swift escape before the facility was engulfed in chaos. The vehicle moved smoothly, guided by Rio's quick thinking and determination to escape. Behind him, he could hear the commotion growing as Haydon's men struggled to deal with the activated Magnetar Cores.
As he descended, the outside world became obscured, the vehicle enveloping him in its metal shell. The only connection to the outside now was the loud explosion that reverberated through the vehicle's walls, indicating the destruction of the facility. Rio gripped the controls tighter, navigating through the darkness, determined to leave this chapter of his life behind.
Rio found himself on the shores of a vast ocean, the waves crashing gently against the sandy beach. The location was remote, surrounded by lush greenery and towering cliffs that framed the horizon. It took Rio several days to make his way back to his country, traveling by various means to avoid detection.
When Rio reached his country, unsurprisingly, the news was ablaze with reports of the mysterious disappearance of Haydon, the prominent owner of PharmaMedicor Company. Speculation ran wild as authorities and the public alike tried to unravel the events that had led to his vanishing.
After the destruction of Haydon's facility, Rio took a few days to rest and reflect in his apartment. He needed the time to process everything that had happened, from his unexpected involvement in Haydon's twisted plans to the explosive end of the PharmaMedicor Company. During this period, he deliberately ignored messages from Oceane's W Club, knowing they would be seeking updates on the situation.
When Rio finally emerged from his apartment, his first destination was Mr. Kagiso's home. He climbed into his Hyperloop Pod, a sleek vehicle that whisked him away at incredible speeds. The journey was a blur of scenery, the landscape outside zipping past as he traveled towards his destination.
Arriving at Mr. Kagiso's house, Rio found a moment of calm amidst the chaos that had recently consumed his life. The modest home and its peaceful surroundings provided a stark contrast to the events that had unfolded.
Mr. Kagiso appeared more composed than the last time Rio had seen him. His usual air of authority and wisdom seemed heightened, as if he had processed recent events and come to terms with them. He greeted Rio with a steady gaze, his expression a mix of curiosity and understanding, as if he already knew the purpose of Rio's visit.
With the same glass of whiskey on the same table in the same living room and the same individuals seated across from each other, the atmosphere felt different, charged with a new purpose.
"Mr. Kagiso," Rio began with a solemn expression, "I am here to update you on what happened to Batho."
Mr. Kagiso met Rio's gaze unwaveringly. "I don't want to know. I have decided to leave everything behind and start a new life."
Rio considered his words and nodded in understanding. "Very well. Just one thing. Batho told me to tell you that he loved you before... he lost his life."
Despite Mr. Kagiso's attempt to appear unfazed, Rio noticed a hint of sadness flicker across his face. Mr. Kagiso nodded. "I understand, Mr. Rio. Thank you."
With that, Rio left Mr. Kagiso's home. As he drove away in his Hyperloop Pod, he glanced at the rear-view mirror, pondering when he might return to this place again.
On that night, Rio met with Oceane. She still looked stunningly beautiful, as radiant as ever.
In a bustling bar, the music blaring to drown out any eavesdroppers, Rio sat across from Oceane.
"I've decided not to join the W Club," he said, taking a sip of his Coke.
Oceane raised her eyebrows, more surprised than disappointed.
"However, I would like to take on cases from you and solve them independently," Rio continued. "I won't work for anyone, but I'm open to working with you. So, thanks for the offer."
Oceane smiled at him. "I understand. Mr. W still appreciates how you managed to solve this case." She paused, referencing everything Rio had told her over the past hour about Haydon's conspiracy and his secret facility. "So, we will still grant you what we have promised. You will have a new ID under the name of Rio. A legitimate ID."
Rio nodded and thanked Oceane.
They spent the rest of the night in peaceful companionship, savoring their drinks and the music.
Rio couldn't help but reflect on the case that had unfolded before him. The sense of excitement and thrill of uncovering the truth, of delving into the depths of a complex conspiracy, still lingered within him. He thought about the challenges he had faced, the risks he had taken, and the moments of revelation that had led him to this point. Despite the danger and turmoil, there was a satisfaction in knowing that he had played a part in bringing justice to light.
That night, Rio found himself sitting in the basement, writing by the light of a flickering lamp. The pen he held was a relic from a few hundred years ago, a tangible link to the past. The title on his paper read: "Uncovering the truth of PharmaMedicor Company's descent - Misuse of time-travel and genetic manipulation."
As he wrote, a sense of justice burned within him. He was determined to expose the atrocities that had been committed in the name of science and progress.
The truth had to be revealed. The world had a right to know.