All that power achieves is pain

By Kazman87

Part 1

Ved had Kayla pinned up against the wall. Tears were coming to his eyes but he managed to hold them back for just a little longer."I'm sorry" Kayla sobbed. Ved's grasp around her neck tightened."Sorry? You are sorry?" Ved screamed."How could you do this to me Kayla?" Ved finally let the tears roll down his cheek."I loved her." He whispered. There was a silence between them then Ved finally loosened his grip. Kayla struggled free."Don't come near me ever again. You hear me!" Ved called as Kayla made her way off into the distance.

Kayla hastily wiped the tears from her eyes, hoping Ram wouldn't notice that she had been crying again. She entered the room where Ram was sat, engrossed in something on his laptop screen."Ah, Kayla." He flashed a crooked half-smile as he looked up from the computer."Just the girl I wanted to see." He paused and then studied Kayla carefully."You haven't been crying again have you?" He asked, a certain tone of disgust was present in his voice. Kayla without realising wiped her eyes again which confirmed Rams doubts."You've been with Ved, haven't you?" He screamed."You've spoken with Ved when I have told you again and again to forget about him!" Kayla was too afraid to speak. This business with Ved had got out of hand. She wished she hadn't let Ram talk her into it. But it was done now. She couldn't change that. Cloe was gone.

Kayla had a flashback. She remembered back to when she was with Ram at high school. How they were good friends. She wanted the old Ram back, not the power driven psycho she knew now. But it was too late for her. She was too involved now. Java stepped into the room, breaking Kayla's train of thought."I have the second lot of headsets ready, Ram." She smiled."Thank you Java." Ram replied."Now go and find a tester, I want this project finished as soon as possible." Java started to reach for the door, but Ram stopped her. "Wait," he cried."We have a tester right here." There was a pause."Kayla?...."

"Ram, you can't use me as a guinea pig!" Kayla cried out. She didn't like to argue with Ram but she couldn't get Cloe's image out of her head."You know what happened to Cloe." she challenged. Ram smiled the same crooked half-smile Kayla had seen time and time again."All part of the plan." He replied. From the look on his face Kayla knew arguing was pointless. Ram turned to Java and ordered her to put the headset on Kayla. Kayla tried to control her breathing; she breathed in long, deep breaths and tried to re-assure herself. "What happened to Cloe was a bug in the system." She told herself."It's not going to happen to me....."

Kayla looked around. There was a clear blue-sky overhead and she could hear birdsong from the nearby trees. She glanced down at her clothes. Her black techno-outfit had been exchanged for some cropped denim pants and a silky blue top with pink cris-crosses. Everything was so perfect, just how she remembered virtual reality to be. For a second she lost herself in the beauty of it all. Just for a moment she wanted to stay there. Forever. Then a voice called out from behind her. A familiar voice. She turned around.

Ram laughed. Kayla shuddered."You like it here?" Ram asked her."Yes, it's beautiful.." Kayla began but Ram interrupted her."All this will be yours soon." Kayla looked around. She was surrounded by trees, some seemed to touch the sky. To her left was a path. A long winding path. She wanted to follow it but was scared at what she might find. Kayla had never really trusted technology. She understood it, but didn't trust it."All of this will be yours." Ram repeated. "What are you doing here?" Kayla asked him."Java brought in 2 headsets, Kayla. You didn't think I'd leave you in here on your own did you?" There was a long silence between them. Ram stared at Kayla's face. He had an expression she had never seen before. A loving expression."Follow the path." Ram told her. Kayla hesitantly did what he said. As the trees cleared she had to raise her hand to shelter herself from the sunlight. Kayla looked up at a large house. It had white wood cladding and big bay windows. She knew the house all to well. It was where she had spent most of her days before the virus. It was Ram's family home.
How did you...?, um... how did you do this?" Kayla asked, amazed by her surroundings. Ram smiled once again but didn't reply."And what were you saying earlier - about this all being mine?" Ram began the story. About how he had recreated his childhood home, about how he was going to stay there forever with Java and Siva, Ved and Jay. He told Kayla about his plan, how his body would be kept alive by virts who were addicted to The Game. Kayla listened in amazement. She noticed Ram had not mentioned her name."And me?" She asked."Well, that's why I've brought you here, Kayla. I've changed my mind. Java, Siva, Ved and Jay are history. It's just you and me now. In virtual reality together, forever."
Ram slowly moved toward Kayla. He put his arms around her and moved in to kiss her. Kayla didn't know what to do, she wanted to push Ram away, to take her headset off and get out of Virtual Reality. But her lips were already locked to his."You and me..." Ram smiled to himself..."Together," He whispered."Forever."

Meanwhile in the real world Java was sat at Ram's laptop, tears welling up in her eyes."That little cow." She sneered. Kayla slid out of the headset and rubbed her eyes as they adjusted to the light in the room. Java quickly shut the laptop, she didn't want Ram to find out she had been spying on them. Ram too took his headset off and smiled a secretive smile at Kayla. "You may leave now Kayla," He said,"Thanks for helping me test this. Java, I'll speak with you later." Java and Kayla left the room. Kayla walked briskly down the corridor, she needed to get away. Suddenly someone jumped her. A hand slid round her neck and clasped it hard."I was watching you," Java scoured."I know what you and Ram got up to in there...""I don't know what your talking about Java," Kayla lied."I was only testing the new surroundings.""Oh don't give me that!" Java practically spat the words out."I've known people like you before. You think you can have Ram all to yourself don't you. You got in Ved's bad books and now he's leaving. You're trying to get me to leave too. I know it.""Java, I'm not." Kayla squirmed."Me and Ram, we go way back. We were at high school together." Kayla hoped this excuse would be enough for Java to leave her alone this time. Then she suddenly realised something Java had just said."Ved's leaving?" "Yeah. That's right." Said Java."He can't stand being near YOU any longer. You're trying to break this tribe, but it's not going to work. I'm on to you and your little game. And you can't go escaping off into Virtual Reality again. Cos I'll be watching you..."
Further down the corridor, in his room, Ved was packing the last remaining items in to his bag. He picked up the picture of his parents from it's usual spot next to his bed."Well this is it." He said to himself as he placed the photo into his bag. He blew out the candle on the bedside table and turned for the door. Kayla was stood in the doorway. Ved looked down, he didn't want to make eye contact with her."This better be important, I'm busy." He came up with."Ved, we need to talk." Kayla managed. Her throat was swollen, she was so nervous. Ved finally made eye contact."We need to talk." He said sarcastically."We need to talk." He finally snapped."What do you want to talk about?" He screamed."How you took Cloe away from me? How you've driven me out of the Technos? How you've wrecked my life?!!!" Kayla could feel her heart pound in her chest. "I didn't do this to Cloe." She told herself."It was a bug in the system." She repeated these words over in her mind. She wanted to let Ved leave. Let him get on with his life. But she needed to clear this up first."I'm sorry..." She started."You knew I loved her, yet you still used Cloe for your little experiments." Ved snapped back."I had no choice, it was Ram's orders." Kayla told him. Ved couldn't take anymore. He pushed himself passed Kayla and out in to the corridor. He was slightly surprised that Kayla didn't try and stop him as he made his way out of the building.

Kayla burst into tears. She couldn't hold the emotions back any longer. She had ruined Ved's life. Nothing could change that. She went and sat on the edge of his bed. She laid back and shut her eyes.

Kayla had been in a good mood that morning. Ram had completed his big project and the scanning centre was up and running. "All I need now is a tester" Ram told Kayla."Have any kids been scanned yet?" Kayla checked the database, which came up with one name."Only one so far." Kayla said. Ram looked over Kayla's shoulder."Cloe." He smiled, reading the name on the screen"Go and find her. She will be my official tester." Kayla went off to find Cloe. The database had said she was a mall rat so she checked the Mall. Cloe was there and Kayla took her to the hotel. Kayla recognised Cloe but couldn't remember from where. When they bumped into Ved in the corridor though Kayla remembered. She was Ved's girlfriend."What are you doing with Cloe" Ved asked, slightly startled."Don't worry, were just running some tests." Kayla smiled. Then she made up some lie that it was to do with The Game."Well, as long as you bring her back in one piece." Ved joked, believing Kayla's story. He walked off. Kayla reassured Cloe and then placed a headset on her. "Here we go." Ram laughed. Ram watched Cloe on his laptop as she made her way through the virtual world. "Everything seems to be in order." Ram said happily. "I'll leave you to it, Kayla" And he left the room. Kayla watched Cloe carefully. She didn't want anything bad to happen. She knew how much Ved loved her. Suddenly an error warning appeared on the screen. A box came up asking if the system should continue. In a moment of panic, Kayla clicked YES. Cloe froze. Kayla could see her on the screen but she wasn't moving. Her eyes were fixed in position and her body was motionless. Kayla called in Ram, she didn't know what to do. As Ram arrived she burst into a fit of tears."What happened?" Cried Ram."I leave you in charge for 2 minutes and the whole thing crashes!" Kayla cannot answer, she is crying so hard."What happened!" Ram screamed. Kayla knew the real answer. She had caused the system to continue when there was a huge error. But Kayla's life was on the line here. She couldn't risk it."It was a bug in the system." She answered."It wasn't my fault." Ram took the headset off Cloe. At first Cloe showed no signs of life. Her eyes were in a fixed position. Her body motionless. But then they noticed she was breathing. Ever so slightly."What's wrong with her?" Kayla plucked up the courage to ask. "Her mind thinks she's still in Virtual Reality, but her body isn't responding because she no longer has the screen in front of her." Ram called the guards."Take her away." Ram told them, and Cloe was carted out.

Kayla woke up. She had been having this nightmare every night since it happened. She couldn't get over what she had done.

Ved was walking the streets, bag in his hand. He looked up at the mall. The only safe place he could think of. But would he be welcome there? After deciding it was the only option, he stepped inside. He was greeted by Dee who was helping out at the hospital."I was wondering, well, if it's okay with you, the mall rat's I mean, if, please, well, could I stay here?" Ved stammered. Dee smiled."As much as I hate to say this, I don't bear grudges. Sure you can stay here.""Thank you." Ved answered, but he didn't smile."I'm so sorry about Cloe." Dee tried nervously."Yeah. Well so am I." snapped Ved as he made his way up the stairs. The moment he said it, he regretted it but he didn't want to be thinking about Cloe. It upset him too much. Upstairs he bumped into his brother."Glad to see you've finally joined us." Jay told Ved."Well, I didn't do it for you." was Ved's reply."I'm here because I want to be."
The hotel was fairly calm as each techno was getting on with individual tasks. Ram called for Kayla and asked her to deal with a problem that had occurred at the old warehouse. Java was disappointed that Kayla was appointed the job and not her.

At the warehouse... Kayla opened the door. She fumbled around for a light switch. She finally found the switch but when she pressed it, nothing happened. She could just about see, as a narrow beam of light was cascading down through the high dusty window. Kayla could hear footsteps and watched as a figure came closer to her. It was a techno guard."Kayla, the power's down here. We can't get it back on so all projects may soon fall behind schedule." The guard explained."I'll see what I can do, but I can't promise any results." Kayla answered. The techno led Kayla into another room. It was much brighter for several large candles had been lit. The techno showed Kayla the problem and Kayla started work."So what goes on in this warehouse?" Kayla asked as she fiddled with the electric wires. She had been studying physics in university before the virus so she new a fair bit about electrics. "Experiments." The techno replied, not wanting to give much away."What kind of experiments?" Kayla asked. But the techno wasn't going to reveal anymore."It's private stuff." Suddenly Kayla had a thought. She turned to face him."Is Cloe here?" She asked doubtfully."Yeah, she's the prime tester in our experime..." He trailed off, realising he had said too much. He left the room in a hurry.

Salene showed Ved to his new room in the mall."I'm sorry." She said, supportively,"About Cloe, I mean." Ved was sick of hearing people say they were sorry. Being sorry was not going to bring Cloe back"Yeah, well what would you know? You're just a virt." Ved answered, rather aggressively. Salene shouted in shock"Ved! We're all upset about Cloe. She was a great friend to all of us. And technically, if that is the right word to use here, you are a virt now too.""I'm sorry." Ved looked up and for the first time in a long while he felt sympathy for someone other than himself."So," Salene started, treading carefully. "Is Cloe, well is she dead?" Ved was about to snap again, but managed to control himself."I don't know." was his answer."Maybe she's just in a coma. They wouldn't give me much information." Salene nodded and left the room, as Ved began finding new homes for all of his belongings.

At the warehouse... Kayla was intrigued to find that Cloe was in the building, but as not much was going to happen until the power was back on, she continued with the electrics. After much fiddling, the building regained power. Kayla stood back, proud of her efforts. Then she remembered about Cloe, and set about finding her. Kayla had never been to, or even heard of the building before so thought it was going to be a hard task. But soon enough she found large double doors, guarded by 2 Technos. Kayla had no trouble getting through. They both knew she was Ram's general and were unaware that Kayla was not allowed in. Once inside a gruesome sight met Kayla's eyes. Dozens of kids, of all ages, hooked up to headsets. They all seemed to be completely out of it. Kayla gasped. Her trust in Ram diminished and she knew she had to do something about this. She forgot all about finding Cloe and headed for the mall...Kayla entered the mall. She was surpirsed at how easy she could just walk in, back at the Techno's hotel the entrance was heavily guarded. Kayla bumped into Jay, the one guy she was looking for."Jay, I need your help." Kayla gasped, she was slightly out of breath due to the long walk she had just taken to get there. Jay looked at her with caution. Jay didn't really know Kayla too well. She came to the Technos after he had left."Please, Jay." Kayla pleaded."What is it?" Jay asked her. It better not be one of Ram's tricks he thought to himself. Kayla explained what she had seen at the warehouse. The kids that were being experimented on. Jay listened carefully."I know." He replied when Kayla had finally finished."You know!" She exclaimed."You know, and you are not going to do anything about it!" Jay sighed."We've tried. The mall rats tried to broadcast it on CityNet, but Ram found out and..." Kayla looked at him with disappointment."Well, I'm not going to give up on this." She said."I'll find away to stop this.""And Ram?" Jay asked, knowing how close Kayla and Ram were."History." Was Kayla's reply.
Kayla was about to turn and leave the mall behind, but an idea sparked in her mind."We need to go undercover." Kayla burst out, quite frightening Jay, who had thought she had left.
"What are you talking about?" Asked a startled Jay.
"I pretend I am taking some of the Mall Rats in to be experimented on but really we set all the kids free. The guards will let me through no problem." Kayla explained.
Jay looked at her quizzically."And who do you think will volunteer for that job, Kayla." The blonde haired guy threw at her.
Kayla paused."Salene?"
"No, she is City Leader."
"How about the kids, Mouse and what's his name, the one she hangs around with."
"Too young" Jay said breathlessly, he was tired of listening to Kayla's pathetic ideas. Kayla was running short of ideas. She went over anyone she could think of who could help but there was an excuse for everyone. Lex and Dee were Sherrifs, Mouse was too young, Ved wasn't a mall rat and besides, he wasn't speaking to her. Then she finally thought of the perfect person.
"You, Jay!" She exclaimed."You're in The Technos bad books so I can pretend I am arresting you!"
Jay looked sceptical. He wanted to help. He wanted to help those kids more than anything. But he couldn't trust Kayla. Not well enough.
Kayla could tell by the look on Jay's face that she was fighting a losing battle."Fine I'll go alone." She sulked and stormed out of the mall.

"Wait!" Jay called. He never could stand up to his conscience. Guilt always got the better of him, every time. "I'll help." He said.
Kayla smiled."Thankyou" she whispered, and headed out of the mall.
Jay followed. He wanted to get this over and done with. Kayla understood and guided him to the forbidden warehouse.
The guards stopped Kayla, asking what she was doing with Jay. Kayla paused, she prayed the plan would work. She wished as hard as she could."He has been arrested, I am taking him in for experiments. Rams orders." Kayla spoke, without expression.
The guards hesitated but let them by. The pair of them set to work immediately. Releasing the prisoners. Kayla's heart was pounding hard in her chest. She was sure she was gonig to be caught.
Suddenly footsteps could be heard in the next corridor. Kayla feared that her thoughts would come true. She would be caught in the act...

Kayla glanced toward the door that led out to the corridor. It was open. The footsteps were getting louder, there was no way they would miss her. Kayla panicked."Jay!" She whispered loudly. Jay was on the other side of the room. The footsteps were extremely close now."Jay! Jay!!" Kayla exclaimed. But Jay couldn't hear her, and the footsteps were almost there.
Kayla ducked down low, hoping not to be spotted. A guard walked past the door. Straight past. He didn't notice her. Kayla breathed a sigh of relief.
But there were more footsteps and the sound of wheels approaching. Kayla watched as a long metal trolley was pushed past the door by another techno. Kayla creeped along quietly, trying hard not to be caught, she peered her head around the door, intrigued.
On the trolley was a body. Human. But it wasn't dead. The blanket covering the body was slowly quivering up and down as the person breathed. The 2 technos left and Kayla walked over to the body. She held back her fear and whipped off the blanket."Oh my god!" She screamed. It was a scream of surprise more than disgust or fear. Jay came running to see what the comotion was about...

Kayla stared down at the body below her. She grabbed on to Jay, who reluctantly held her in his arms. Kayla looked away, she couldn't bare the sight any longer.
There beneath them, lying on the trolley, was Cloe's body. Her face was so pale, she could have been mistaken for dead, had you not seen her breathing. Cloe's eyes were staring, wide, unblinking.
"Come on." Jay said softly, trying to reassure Kayla. "Lets grab as many people as we can and get out of here."
Kayla was so deep in shock she could hardly respond."Have you.. you, the... camera."
Jay understood."Yes, I have the video camera." He answered."I'll film some of the kids so we can broadcast it on CityNet."
Jay took Kayla's hand and guided her back in to the experiment room. He took some video footage of the experiments, then freed as many kids as he could.
They had a van waiting outside and Jay loaded the kids in, so they could be taken back to the hospital at the mall.
Jay started the engine. He noticed that Kayla hadn't spoken for a while.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Jay asked.
"Cloe." Kayla answered, as if in a trance.
"We cannot take Cloe now," Jay said sternly and drove off before Kayla could argue.

Kayla's return to the mall, brought with it, a mixture of emotions. The mall rats felt happy the rebellion was succesful. Jay felt lucky that it was succesful. Kayla felt nothing but shock.
Cloe's image had triggered a whole new set of emotions for her. She remebered once again what she did. What she did to Cloe. The nightmares were back once again.
Kayla asked Jay to keep Cloe a secret. She did not want the mall rats finding out what she had done. Her own feelings were already too much to deal with, without theirs adding to the stress.

***

Life became hard for Kayla. She stayed living at the hotel. She stayed with Ram. But her thoughts were with the mall rats. She wanted to be with them, with Jay, who she had become quite close too. Kayla manged to set up another rebellion behind Ram's back. Her and Jay went back to the warehouse and freed the rest of the kids.
The Technos were in great panic, but Kayla was getting away with everytihng. Ram was so in love with Kayla, he was blinded by this, and didn't think for a minute that she was behind these scams.

***

"Kayla, We need to talk."
Kayla was in another of her trances, most probably thinking about Cloe.
"Kayla," Jay tried again, waving his hand in front of her face.
"I'm listening," Kayla said, without expression. She seemed to be in her own little world.
"Well, I hope you are, because it's about Cloe." Jay sneered.
Kayla snapped out of the trance immediately."Huh?"
"I have a plan." Jay smiled.

Part 22

Jay's smile spread even further across his face. He had been searching for a way to cheer Kayla up for ages. Jay had grown to like her. A lot. But her depression had prevented them from becoming too close.
"What is it?" Kayla asked, she even began feeling excited at the prospect.
"Cloe was in Virtual Reality, when she, well, when she..."
"When the system crashed, yes." Kayla said impatiently, urging him on.
"All we need to do, is get her back onto that program." Jay said in one breath.
Kayla looked confused. Jay tried again."We need to get her back into Virtual Reality..." He begun."If we get her back into the program she was in, then her brain will pick it up and could start responding again."
Jay smiled. He felt quite pleased with himself.
Kayla sighed. She thought the plan was a bad one, but didn't quite know how to tell him.
Jay was sure it was the only way though. He decided to explain it all once more."Cloe was in Virtual Reality. The program crashed. Cloe's brain couldn't understand what was going on becase as far as it was concerned Cloe was still in VR. But she couldn't see it in front of her face. And now her brain still thinks she is there but her body isn't responding. If we get her back there, so she can see it again, her body will respond and she will be back to her old self again."
For, the first time Kayla started to think about it clearly. This was the only way. But it was impossible.
"How do we do it?" She asked."Cloe is in the warehouse, and Ram has the program. It's impossible."

At the Hotel:

Java entered the room. She tried hard not to share eye contact with Ram, one of the Technos had previously told her how angry he was.
"Where is she?" Ram screamed, scrunching his hands into tight fists.
"Ram, honey. She'll be here soon," Java smiled doubtfully.
Kayla had been away from the hotel so much recently Java was sure she was involved in the release of the prisoners. But Ram was having none of it. He loved Kayla too much.
"She should be here." Ram told Java,"Why isn't she here?"
"I don't know Lord Ram." Java answered as she walked over to massage his tense muscles."But I'm here for you."
This angered Ram."I don't want you!" He exclaimed. "I want Kayla."
Suddenly the door opened and Kayla waltzed in, unaware of what just happened. She noticed that Ram looked upset and asked him what was wrong.
"Why are you never here?" Ram sighed."I need you here Kayla."
Kayla looked deep into Ram's eyes."I'm sorry." She whispered. And she meant it. She didn't like to hurt Ram. "Now that Ved has left us, I have a lot more work to do." Kayla told him."I can't be here all the time. Besides, you have Java."
Java scowled at her.
"I understand." Ram said finally. Cocking his head to one side, trying to look cutesy."And Ved shall be dealt with."
Java left the room. She was fed up with watching Ram act all puppy dog like whenever Kayla was in the room.
Kayla was afraid of being alone with Ram. She didn't fear him. She feared that she might fall for him again. Ram and Kayla used to date at high school. They had big plans. They used to talk about marriage, about kids. Then the virus came. It wiped out the adults and wiped out their dreams.
Kayla desperately wanted the old Ram back. Not psycho Ram who wanted nothing else but Power.
"You have a broadcast to do tonight." Ram said, breaking the silence.
"On CityNet?" Kayla asked, surprised. She had never done a broadcast before.
"That's right." Ram smiled, Kayla could tell he had an idea brewing."We are going to give Ved a little pay-back for leaving us!"

Part 24

"So what are you going to do?" Jay asked, hoping Kayla would say the right thing.
"I don't know" She sighed.
"I thought we were a team, you and me!" Jay cried, he was beggining to loose his temper.
"We are," Kayla smiled, putting one hand on Jay's knee. "I took a big risk coming back to the Mall again, you know." Kayla told him."Ram is starting to suspect that I am up to something. I'm going to have to cut down on my visits here."
Jay sighed. He could sense that Kayla was drifting from him, just when they were getting close.
"So, you're just going to sit back and let Ram punish Ved?" Jay asked.
Kayla could tell Jay was hurt."What else can I do?" She tried."If I turn against Ram now then it will be me that gets punished, not Ved."
"Oh, so you're doing this, just to help yourself!" Jay screamed,"This is my brother, we're talking about, I'm not going to let you chuck him in some stupid game where he will get killed!"
Suddenly the door to Jay's room opened. Ved walked in.
"Ved..." Jay began, but Jay knew Ved had heard it all. Every word.
"So, I'm going to be killed am I?" Ved said, surprisingly calmly. He scowled hard at Kayla.
Kayla didn't answer, she couldn't think of anything to say.
"No, you're not going to be killed," Jay said, a smile beggining to grow across his face."Not if I have anything to do with it."
Kayla sighed."What can we do?" She asked,"Ram has already set up the game, then I have to do the broadcast, then..."
"You, will do the broadcast." Jay smiled.
"Huh?" Ved asked blankly, he was very confused.
"Kayla, will do the broadcast. Just not the one Ram wants her to do."

Part 25

"Rise and Shine" Jay called, sticking his head around the door to Kayla's room.
After noticing she was in nothing but her underwear, he politely covered his eyes with one hand.
Kayla pulled her techno catsuit up over herself."It's okay, you can look now!" She giggled.
Jay removed his hand."Hurry up." He moaned."The rest of us are all up and dressed. Even Lex has managed to get up early!"
Kayla didn't reply. She sat down at the mirror to apply her make-up.
"It'll be okay you know. This plan will work," Jay said reasuringly. He prayed Kayla was not having second thoughts.
"I know." Kayla answered untruthfully.

Kayla and Jay then met up with the rest of the tribe. "Everyone ready?" Jay asked.
"Yes." Everyone but Kayla replied.
"Kayla?" Ved asked.
"Ready as I'll ever be."

***

As Kayla approached the hotel, she went over the plan once more in her head. They had discussed it for hours and hours the previous night, she wondered why her mind was so full of doubt.
"I can't believe that we are finally going to bring the Technos down!" Ebony laughed.
"We hope so." Ved said, looking up at the 'Ram's Palace' sign above."We hope so."

Part 26

Jay, Pride, Lex and Siva made their way to the abandoned warehouse, cautious of any danger."Everyone clear on what they have to do?" Jay asked, for the second time that journey.
"Yes, Jay." Replied Lex, who was quite fed up with Jays never ending questions. "Everyone clear on what they have to do? Does everyone remember the plan? Everyone feeling okay?" Lex imitated sarcastically.
Siva tried hard not to, but began to giggle, then Lex started to laugh as well.
"Shut up, all of you!" Pride hissed, pushing them into a nearby bush."Technos!"
2 Techno guards were scouting around, trying to find the source of all the noise.
Pride resorted to covering Lex's mouth with his hand. Lex couldn't stop laughing.
Finally the 2 technos gave up and walked back into the warehouse.
Lex cracked up.
"What is with you?" Pride shouted."This isn't a game you know."
Lex controlled his laughter.
"If anyone mucks up, however insignificant it may seem at the time, it could ruin the whole plan. All our lives are at stake here." Pride told Lex, who finally calmed down.
"Sorry," Lex said, ashamed, and the four of them walked up to the warehouse entrance.
Lex secretly took another swig of the drink he had hidden in his coat.

Part 27

Kayla grabbed hold of Ved's arm."This is it." She said, taking a deep breath.
"Lets get this show on the road!" Ebony added, taking Ved's other arm.
The 3 of them walked into the hotel. They were stopped by a guard but Kayla had memorised exactly what she needed to do and say. "We have brought Ved for his punishment." She told the guard. He eyed Ebony suspiciously but let them through.
Ved pretended to struggle as Kayla and Ebony dragged him into Ram's office.
"Ah, Kayla!" Ram looked up from his computer, he was about to smile but seeing Ebony forced him to frown.
"Did you have to bring her?" He moaned, gesturing toward Ebony.
"Sorry Ram." Kayla said with fake sympathy."But Ved was putting up a struggle so I needed an extra pair of hands to get him here."
"Well she can leave now." Ram said aggresively.
Ebony smiled as she left the room. All was going to plan.
Ram was still frowning. He had been angry with Ebony ever since she refused to marry him. Ram looked over at Ved."Why did you leave us?" Ram asked, pretending he cared.
"Well maybe it had something to do with the fact that I don't like FREAKS!"
"Then why stay with the mall rats?" Ram joked. Kayla forced a laugh.
"Lock him away." Ram said suddenly."We can deal with his punishment later."
Kayla took Ved to his cell."Sorry," She whispered as she took the key from her pocket."You wont be locked up for long."

Part 28

Siva, Pride, Jay and a rather drunken Lex prepared themselves for the fight.
"There aren't too many guards here." Jay told the others."Lets just stick together and we'll be fine."
They slowly entered the warehouse and were spotted almost immediately."Hey! This building is out of bounds!" A guard warned them.
"Really?" Lex said."We'll see about that!" Lex walked up to the guard and took a swing at him, his fist tight. Lex missed.
The guard punched Lex and he hit the floor with a great thump. Lex's secret bottle of drink fell from his coat and slid across the floor.
"Lex! You've been drinking!" Siva shouted in disgust, not caring about the fact that he had been knocked out. Suddenly the guard held his laser up to Siva.
Jay picked up the bottle from the floor and smashed it over the enemy's head. Just in time. He crashed to the floor in a pool of blood.

All the mall rats had been given a job to do. Jay, Pride, Lex and Siva were taking over the warehouse in an attempt to rescue Cloe.
Salene, May, Dee, Sammy and Mouse were out on the streets, persuading people to watch the next broadcast on CityNet.
Patch was"guarding" the mall.
Ved was acting as bait, staying locked up to keep Ram happy.
Ebony was secretly spreading throughout the Technos in the hotel, the news about the evil experiments that went on in the warehouse.
And Kayla was going to do the broadcast. The broadcast that would hopefully bring down the Technos and restore peace to the city.

"Only 10 more minutes before you're on air and we can get our revenge on Ved." Ram told Kayla."Are you ready?"
"Um, yes." Kayla lied. Kayla was extremely nervous. She was waiting for a signal from Ebony. The signal that the others had returned with Cloe and the real fight could begin.
"I forgot to ask you before..." Ram said worriedly, "Where did you stay last night? You were not in your room."
Kayla struggled for an excuse. She had been with the mall rats but she couldn't tell Ram that. "I...I..."
Ram looked at her with deep suspicion.
"I was at the warehouse." She finally came up with. "Another problem with the electrics. I had to help out."
"Ok." Ram smiled, hardly believing her.

Kayla had been sat, waiting for the signal for what seemed like hours.
"2 minutes to go!" Ram cackled, he was getting excited.
"Please hurry up Ebony." Kayla whispered under her breath. "Time is running out."

Part 29

"On air in 10 seconds!" A technician shouted, signalling the number with their fingers. Kayla took a deep breath and tried not to panic. Ebony still hadn't given the signal.
Ram gave her a quick smile. "Go, get 'em!" He laughed.
"On air in 3, 2, 1!" The technician called.
Kayla had no choice. The broadcast would have to begin.
"Hello everyone," She said slowly to the camera, trying to buy time. "This is my first broadcast that I have ever done, so I apologise if I seem shaky." All the time she was talking as slow as possible, thinking about the others. "Where are they?" She thought to herself.
"I am doing this broadcast today...because..." Kayla was getting slower and slower. Ram gestured for her to speed up.
"I am doing this broadcast because of Ved. He has left us. He has left the Technos and betrayed us. And now he will pay. We are going to play a little game. Everyone is invited to play. We can all bring down Ved together."

Part 30

Suddenly Kayla turned away from the camera as Ebony burst in the door. Ram was about to shout but didn't want to disturb the broacast.
Kayla turned back to the camera."I'm sorry." She said with a smile."But we have experienced a temporary fault with the cameras. We are working hard to ensure that we will be back with you as soon as possible." Kayla turned off the camera.
"Ebony what took you so long?!" She exclaimed.
"Sorry..." Ebony began, but Ram stopped her.
"What is going on!" He screamed, eyes wide with rage.
Kayla suddenly remembered the plan. She ran toward Ram and quickly made a grab for the lazer that was strapped to his arm. Ebony did the same with Java.
Ebony and Kayla held up their knew weapons to Ram and Java. "You will now do as we say. When we say it." Ebony shouted, as if she was a sergeant in the army addressing the ranks.
Java laughed, but inside she was terrified. Tears slowly came to her eyes. Then Ram's eyes too.
"What is going on?" He asked Kayla."I don't understand."
"I'm sorry Lord Ram." Kayla replied. Ebony glared as her.
"Lord ram?" Ebony moaned.
Kayla sighed."Sorry Ram, but it's over. We are bringing the technos down."

Kayla and Ebony guided Ram and Java to the hotels cell. Kayla reached for the key and unlocked the door.
Ved squinted as light came pouring in, then he smiled when he saw the plan was working.
"Get in." Ebony snarled, pushing her sister and Ram into the cell.
Ved walked out into the corridor and greeted Kayla with a little hug.
Ram was still crying."Why are you doing this to me?" He sobbed."I love you Kayla, I love you."
Kayla blocked her ears. She was weak when it came to love. She fell in love too easily and let it get the better of her. Not this time though. She slammed the door shut and turned the key.

"So what took so long?" Kayla asked, turning to Ebony.
"From what I gather, Lex got himself drunk, then some techno knocked him out." Ebony answered.
"Trust Lex to nearly ruin the whole plan." Kayla giggled.
Ebony laughed too, then;"What were you saying on the broadcast when I came in the room?"
Kayla looked away, ashamed of what she had done.
"Kayla?" Ved tried.
"I did the broadcast Ram wanted me to do. About your punishment."
Ved tutted."Kayla, how could you?!"
"I thought Ebony wasn't going to show, it was my only choice. And besides I didn't say much, just that you had betrayed the Technos basically."
Ebony butted in;"It doesn't matter now anyway. We need to get on with the rest of the plan now, before it's too late and we lose viewers on the broadcast."

Footsteps were heard in the corridor. They were running. And fast. Then a techno appeared around the corner.
"I have the program Ebony." The Techno said, panting hard from running so much.
"Great!" Ebony smiled."I'll go and get the others to bring Cloe.
Ved almost choked when he heard her name. Cloe. He was going to see her again. But was he ready? Was he ready to witness the one he loved in a coma? What if the plan didn't work and she stayed that way forever?
"I'll wait outside." He told the others, one of his hands holding his forehead as if he was in pain.
"Are you sure?" Kayla asked, surprised."Don't you want to see Cloe?"
"Of course I do, It's just, I don't think I can face seeing her in a coma. You understand, don't you?"
Kayla gently grabbed Veds arms and looked him straight in the eyes."Cloe is going to be fine. We are going to save her. And when she wakes up, you will be there, by her side to give her a big hug and to tell her you love her and that everything is going to be fine. Ok?"
"Ok." Ved replied and the three of them went off to retrieve the others.

Part 31

The meeting was a strange one. Ved burst into tears. Ebony and Kayla had a moan at Lex for getting himself drunk. Jay hugged Kayla and told her everything would be fine. Ved hugged Cloe and told her everything would be fine. Cloe lay still, gently breathing.
"We really should get on with the broadcast." Pride said. "Kayla, do you remember you lines?"
Kayla nodded and not long after everything was set up for the broadcast to begin.

"Hello." Kayla smiled to the camera, feeling the surges of happiness well up inside her. "We are ready to continue the broadcast. As you all know, I am Ram's general. But not for much longer. Ram has been lying to you, to all of you, but now I will show you the facts. The Technos captured your family and friends and have subjected them to horrible experiments." Kayla paused and Pride rolled the tape that Jay had made, when Kayla and Jay first visited the warehouse. The video of the experiments.
Back to Kayla; "This is what has really been happening. I myself only found out a short while ago. But there is more. You know the Game that you all play and love? Another one of Ram's sick plans. He purposely made the game addictive so he could control you. So he could have power." Kayla stopped for a moment and relayed that word again in her mind. Power. That had once been what she had wanted. And now she was destroying it. "Ram has been planning to live in Virtual Reality forever. And you would be his slaves, he would control you because you would be addicted to the Game." Kayla paused once more and thought back to her experiences of Virtual Reality. Ram was there, and they kissed. Kayla pushed these thoughts away. "There is no longer reason to fear. We have Ram and Java locked up and have released the Techno's prisoners. We will restore happiness to the city." Suddenly Kayla's tone of voice changed. "With us now we have a mall rat. Cloe. Cloe has been severely affected by Virtual Reality and Ram's program has put her in a coma." Kayla signalled to Pride to film Cloe. Whilst Cloe's motionless body was being broadcast to the entire city, Kayla thought back to what had happened. How she had put Cloe in a coma. Why was this guilt returning?
Pride turned back to Kayla.
"The Techno's are finished." Kayla shouted, "This is the end of evil, the end of the lies, the end of torture. We have found a way to save Cloe. To save her form the nightmare Ram has made her live."
Kayla crossed her fingers tight as Ved lowered the headset over Cloe's unblinking eyes. Ved's hand shook as he switched the ON button. For a moment there was nothing but silence. No one dared speak. No one dared move. Then, Cloe's left arm twitched. It moved a bit more, and as Ved removed the headset, Cloe sat up.
Everyone breathed a huge sigh of happy relief and Pride switched off the camera.

* * *

Kayla entered the mall and was greeted by Patch, Dee, Mouse, Sammy, May and Salene. Salene hugged Kayla and congratulated her on the broadcast. "You're a true Mall Rat now, Kayla."
Moments later Ved walked in. He was supporting Cloe, helping her tom walk, holding her upright.
Cloe was in a daze, but seemed somehow aware of the people around her. Patch helped Ved to lay Cloe down on a hospital bed. Ved began to cry, tears of joy, and tears of immense relief.
The rest of the tribe arrived back at the mall, and everyone began talking at once, each smiling more than they had ever smiled before.

As night began to fall, each mall rat said their good nights and in turn headed off to bed. Soon there was just Jay and Kayla left awake.
"Coming to bed?" Jay asked, his blond hair glistening in the pale light. It was more of an offer than a question.
"I'd rather be alone, if you don't mind." Kayla replied, a little embarrassed. She went off to her room.

Kayla experienced nothing but nightmares that night. That is, they seemed like nightmares at the time, but when she woke up, surrounded by a blanket of darkness, they were warm and almost inviting.
She dreamt of Ram. Ram before the virus. And Ram after. The Ram she loved, and the Ram she feared. She dreamt of her virtual kiss, and of the power Ram gave her.
Suddenly she pushed all the thoughts from her mind and wondered about Jay. She almost felt sorry that she had turned Jay's earlier offer down.

* * *

The sunlight poured down through the window of Jay's room. He had forgotten to draw the curtains when he went to bed, which he now regretted because the blinding light had woken him up. He pulled a shirt over himself and wandered into Kayla's room to see if she was awake. Her bed was empty.

Kayla tried to keep her mind blank as she walked. She figured if she didn't think about anything in particular she could just get on with what she set out to do.
She arrived at the hotel. It was familiar, yet amazingly distant at the same time. A few Technos were still loitering around, unsure of where to go. Kayla asked one of them to lock Java in a separate room to Ram so that she could speak with him.
Ram's eyes twinkled a little as he met Kayla's confused gaze. "Kayla," he whispered, then he noticed she had left the cell door open and made a break for freedom. Kayla didn't stop him. As he looked around he saw almost all his workers had deserted him. His precious equipment was battered and in ruins.
"I'm sorry." Kayla said.
"Go back to the mall rats." Ram sobbed.
Kayla thought of something Salene had said the day before. "You are a true Mall Rat now, Kayla."
Suddenly Kayla screamed, "I'm not a Mall Rat!" Ram turned to face her and she continued; "I'm not a Mall Rat. I'm a Techno. I choose you Ram. I choose power. We still have power."
Ram shook his head. He knew Kayla was wrong, but how he wished she was right. He wished he could be with her again. But it was over now.
"No." He said sympathetically. "We have no power now. All that power achieves is pain."