.
In the Driftspace, an entirely different thing's happening. Vega, Aeternum and Mailen are fighting off the monsters as much as possible. Their goal is to reach a million monsters by the time the 'Code' executes.
"There's so many. Vega, are you keeping count?", asks Mailen, killing every monster possible.
"Around 998,023 left. We're only .1% there.", says Vega.
"Also, Vega. Why is it that we need to fight off exactly a million?", asks Aeternum, still confused on what's going on here.
"It's a number of monsters that we can heal in our time-frame before we activate 'Code 12'.", says Vega.
"Okay. I wonder, why do we have to do it?", asks Aeternum. "I am confused, what even is Code 12?"
"You will see eventually. We only have a few hours to reach the number and heal as many people as possible this way. Code 12 will give the monsters a small change while they're being healed. We also mustn't be in the Driftspace when it's happening.", says Mailen. "So, stop talking, and get to killing already."
Vega, Mailen and Aeternum lock in on killing, reaching 100,000 monsters quickly. In the real world, Rain's trying to figure out what's happening.
"Zarya? What is going on? What did Asparion tell you? Why is everyone hiding things from me? Please, tell me!", says Rain, shaking Zarya, with Zarya's expression being neutral.
Zarya exhales, sits down, and says: "Rain. There's some stuff that we can't reveal just yet. It's not because we want to hide it from you, it's because you just... aren't ready."
"What does that mean?", asks Rain. "Huh??"
"You'll find out in 14 days. Everything will make sense then.", says Zarya. "Even Xita knows. He is the main character involved in this – the executor."
"Come to Asparion's office. I have to show you something.", adds Zarya, her eyes starting to tear a little.
Rain and Zarya walk into the office, with Asparion missing. The screen flashing the following message: [[Code 12 execution (UNREMOVABLE) – 13 days, 23 hours, 4 minutes, 18 seconds.]], and counting down.
Rain is just staring at the screen. The text – flashing red and black, and counting down to eternal demise of the Driftspace, gives Rain a sight of anxiety. "Asparion! Where are you?", shouts Rain, starting to look around.
"He will come soon. Let's leave now. We don't have anything to do now. Let's get some ice cream.", says Zarya with tears in her eyes, telling Rain that they have a 2-week break.
In the Driftspace, the killing is only getting bigger and bigger. "890,204 monsters. We're nearly there. We only have a few hours left, too. Around 11 Earth days.", says Vega, looking at her screen.
"I still haven't gotten my question answered, miss. What will happen to the monsters affected by Code 12?", asks Aeternum, looking back while also fighting the monsters.
"They will have a little bit of radiation, which we will take care of. However, because we're healthy, it would kill us on the spot. No second chances. That's why we have to leave as fast as possible. Kill as many monsters as possible. If it's below or above a million, doesn't matter.", says Vega. "Mailen is doing a great job."
...We need to take a step back. Rain and Zarya are currently just playing games together. Something is genuinely wrong here.
"...Rain?", asks Zarya, with a confused look on her face.
"...Yeah?", says Rain, looking at Zarya.
"...Is it just me, but is your face all distorted?", asks Zarya, looking at Rain, preparing her weapon.
"...Where is Rain?", says Zarya.
Just then, Rain's shape distorts. This isn't Rain, but a monster that escaped from the Driftspace. Zarya quickly kills it, and calls Xita.
"XITA! RAIN'S GONE! THE RAIN I HAVE BEEN WITH FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS WAS A MONSTER! CAN YOU TRY TO LOCATE HER?", screams Zarya on her phone, shaking and worried.
Xita quickly runs to the console, and sees Rain's physical location outside the universe. "She is in the Driftspace. What is this crazy woman doing?"
Zarya quickly thanks Xita, ends the call and runs towards the UHC building. She enters the Driftspace and calls Vega. "Vega, this is important. Abolish the mission! Rain is here in the Driftspace. I am here too, looking for her."
Vega quickly runs with the crew, and tells Zarya to leave immediately. "Zarya, you shouldn't be here, you'd die from Code 12! Run out, we'll look for her. We only have 3 Driftspace hours. Run."
Zarya quickly leaves the Driftspace and starts crying.
"If anybody is listening. Please, help the crew find Rain, and help them leave safely. Everybody in the Driftspace will die by the execution of Code 12."
Vega, Mailen and Aeternum are running to find Rain, by the coordinates Zarya gave them from her conversation with Xita.
"She should be around here. Where... exactly?", says Vega, as in front, there's 15 tunnels to go through. And only 2, lead to Rain's location.
"I'll take the risk and go left, alone, you guys go right.", says Mailen. "I'll take the risk for Rain."
Mailen leaves, and Vega and Aeternum leave to their tunnel. Mailen ends up finding Rain, completely unconscious.
"Rain! Come here, now!". Mailen picks up Rain and carries her towards Aeternum and Vega.
"Guys, we do not have time. Only one hour. Call Leo as fast as you can, and tell him to bring us home.", says Mailen, carrying the unconscious Rain on his shoulders.
Vega calls Leo. Leo comes with the teleportation point and brings the crew out.
"Only one hour until Code 12 executes. Does anyone know CPR?", says Mailen, putting Rain on the floor.
Aeternum notifies Zarya to come here as soon as possible, with her coming in 3 minutes.
"Rainy! What happened!", says Zarya, crying and sitting next to Rain on the floor.
"She can't hear you, I think. She's unconscious, if not dead. I can't feel a pulse or any signs of breathing.", says Mailen.
"Leave it to me, I'll perform CPR.", says Zarya, starting the process.
...
"There's pulse!", says Zarya. "Mailen, Aeternum, please continue. I'm exhausted.
Mailen remembers how he learned basic CPR during UHC training. "Give me a second."
Mailen performs basic CPR, and trying everything to revive Rain. A few minutes later, Rain quickly sits up, and starts breathing heavily. "Oh my... where am I?"
Zarya hugs Rain. "You're here. Welcome back. Where did you go?"
"I was curious of Code 12. I am sorry.", says Rain, crying.
"I am sorry to interrupt your family reunion, but we have around 3 real-life hours until Code 12 executes. Let's go to the UHC building quickly.", says Vega.
2 hours later, they enter the building. They quickly go to Asparion's office, with him still missing. The timer – still here, now shows "1 hour, 2 minutes, and 34 seconds."
Suddenly, the timer moves up, and a camera shows. Asparion is in the camera, and what's behind him seems to be the inside of the Driftspace.
Rain quickly notices. She finds a microphone and shouts "Asparion! Leave! You'll die there!"
"He can't hear you.", says Vega. "Just watch."
The system suddenly makes a sound. "Hey, family!". Xita's voice can be heard across the room. "Code 12 is going to execute in one hour. I hope everybody is here."
Vega confirms. "Rain Usen, Mailen Kurpun, Zarya Lunova and Kärn Vennur (also known as Aeternum). And Vega, rank 14 of the Universal Holder Corporation."
"Good. Rain, I am sorry for hiding this from you for nearly 3 weeks. Just watch.", says Xita. In the Thread, his robotic arms are trembling, not ready for what's going to happen.