Chapter 14:

"Looks like he's hacked into the main frame and shut the systems down," Jack said to the group that had gathered in the hotel's control room.

"Can you fix it?" asked Jay.

"Oh yeah, I can fix it," said Jack, "the problem is, he's broken down the main firewall and it'll take me a bit to repair it."

"What are you saying Jack," Slade asked.

"I'm saying that Mega can do whatever he wants with our computer system until I get that fixed…Having Ram here would really help speed things up."

"Oh yeah, just what we need, another Techno," Lex returned harshly.

"Lex, Ram really knows his stuff, and besides he's changed, he's one of us now. He helped us defeat Mega before; he knows how to beat him at his own game. We need him here." Jack argued.

"I agree with Jack," Jay said, "We need to get Ram back here. The question is how."

"I'll go," Slade answered.

"You can't go," said Jay, "You may be able to help us locate Mega."

"No, I'm the one that's least needed here," Slade replied. "Lex can't go because of May and the baby, Jack's needed here working on the computer system and you can't be spared. So I'll go. I know my way to and from Liberty pretty well. I'll be back before you know it."

"Alright then," Jay agreed, "I'll have my men gather some supplies for you."

"Thanks Jay, but I'll be fine. I've never needed any help before. It's a short trip, whatever I need I'll grab on the way. I'll leave immediately." With that announcement Slade said his goodbye's then turned and left the hotel. As he turned toward Liberty a movement to his left caught his eye. As he turned to look, he thought he caught sight of a black lycra Techno uniform.

"Josh!" Slade called out. "Josh…are you there?"

But there was no answer.

"One last push May…" Amber yelled.

Sweaty, exhausted and in the worst pain of her life, May struggled to do as Amber said.

"Come on May, you can do it," Salene urged, "I know you can," she added gripping her hand tightly and wiping a soggy strand of red hair from May's eyes.

"Salene, I can't. Make it stop…I don't want this," May sobbed.

"It's alright honey, just keep trying, I know it's hard but it's almost over. One last push," Salene encouraged as best she could, a tear sliding down her own cheek at the sight of May in such terrible pain.

"Please Salene…I never wanted to have this baby…I can't do this anymore…"

"Stop it May!" Amber yelled as loud as she could, "I need you to focus, we need one more push. The baby is almost out."

"No…" May sobbed.

"MAY!" Amber screamed again, "Push Now…I don't care how much you don't want this to happen, It's happening, and if you want to live, if you want your baby to live, you will do as I say!"

Salene squeezed May's hand then leaned over and gently touched her lips to her forehead, "Come on May, push one last time. We can't lose you, not now, not like this."

With every ounce of strength she had left May pushed one last time. "That's it, I've got him. It's a boy!" Amber announced. At last it was over.

Salene smiled down on her friend, "It's over May, you did it, it's a boy."

"Salene…" May managed to whisper softly, before she lost consciousness.