Love Bug by H.E. Goodhue

head under his chin. No more words needed to be spoken. Nothing was left to say. Cora, feeling Remmy’s support and strength, finally let go, and allowed herself to cry.
    What she felt was terrible, like someone ripping her heart into shreds. She momentarily wondered if her pain and sadness were actually causing some sort of unseen physical harm.
    “It’s okay,” Remmy said softly, “let it go. It’s the only way to feel better.”
    Cora hated her Em-Pak. Hated that it had robbed her of her mother’s love and of so much more, but these feelings were almost unbearable. How could a person survive them, let alone ever feel happy again? It seemed impossible. But with no other point of reference, Cora listened to Remmy’s strong, steady voice. Just let go…
    Tears blurred Cora’s vision and stung her eyes. Remmy pulled his arm tighter. He said nothing, but continued to hold Cora as she cried beside her mother’s grave.
    In that moment, Remmy was the only thing that Cora could still believe in, could still think would ever put a smile on her face again. He was all that was real and right in the world. Slowly, she wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him closer to her. It was strange to hug Remmy, something that Cora worried she might do wrong, but her arms seemed to fit perfectly around Remmy and his around her.
    Cora had no idea how long she cried against Remmy, but he never faltered, remained steadfast the entire time. Remmy would always be there. Cora could feel that much.
     

 
    -18-
    The headquarters of the ERC Council , gray and imposing, looked even more so now that rings of sandbags and barbed wire surrounded it. The riots and Reds had finally reached the Stele and Eldritch couldn’t have been more pleased. He imagined that without his Em-Pak, he would feel quite happy right now, very proud of himself and his careful planning.
    “Are you sure this is a good idea, sir?” Captain Ortiz asked. Both he and Eldritch’s aide rode in the back of his limo, their Em-Paks beeping with increased frequency as they approached the ERC Council building.
    “Yes, of course it is,” Eldritch nodded with confidence. There was no point second-guessing the plan now. Things had already reached a tipping point and he was unable to turn back.
    “Sir?” the aide said as he held out a small flash drive. Eldritch had loaded it with the required override programs and Em-Pak ID numbers. All he had to do now was gain access to the main server.
    “Thank you,” Eldritch smiled. He propped his left shoe on his knee and twisted the heel, revealing a small compartment. Ortiz had designed it and lined it with a thin sheet of lead, ensuring that whatever was inside would remain invisible to the x-ray machines that waited at the doors on the ERC Council building. Dropping the flash drive inside the secret compartment, Eldritch twisted the heel and locked it back into place.
    “Sir, you may want this as well,” Ortiz held out an odd looking rectangular piece of plastic. Left in his briefcase , it would easily be overlooked as a random bit of office junk.
    “And you’re sure this works?” Eldritch asked as h e looked at the plastic box.
    “Absolutely sir,” Ortiz nodded. “I tested it myself yesterday on a Red. Just twist the rear section. That will puncture the compressed air cartridge and fire the plastic projectiles. You get two shots from this weapon, Mr. Eldritch, so you’ll need to make them count, sir. I’d recommend you aim for the face or neck, sir. The bullets may not be able to puncture body armor, but will definitely deliver a kill shot when fired at flesh, so avoid a chest shot and aim for softer targets.”
    “Outstanding , Captain,” Eldritch beamed.
    The limo rolled to a stop outside the ERC Council building. A group of ERC officers immediately surrounded the vehicle in a defensive circle and quickly whisked Eldritch out of the limo and into the building.
    Dropping his briefcase and shoes onto a conveyor