Golgota (a science-fiction novel)

Chapter 10

Previously.

"And the father of the gods said, Let there be light."
Glaring lamps spring on, showering the sleeping area with their sterile light.
"And the father of the gods said, May the rain wake your weary heads."
Cold water shoots down hard on them from glands.
"And the father of the gods said, A new day to protect paradise. So swarm out, my soldiers. Kill them, you children of war, and build a wall from their dead bodies. Climb the tower until you reach the Glass Gate. But remember, the price of paradise is always duty."
Kovacs stands up, dripping, wet, freezing. They run to the towels, dry off, then step out into the chamber where the issue takes place.
"Name?" an electronic voice demands.
"Kovacs, Robert."
"Serial number?"
Right. He's forgotten the serial number.
"Kovacs, Robert. Serial number 900248."
"Serial number identified."
The components, along with the gun, end up in the output. Kovacs gets dressed. A new day on the battlefield awaits beyond the airlock.
As soon as he steps out of the station, he hears the hammering of the Nubiis thudding against his helmet visor again. He thinks that this sound will eventually drive him insane. Other than that, he doesn't think much. He is exhausted.
Another day drags by, just like all the others before. Kovacs is grateful for the uneventfulness. They walk across the metal walkways, following the solid paths. In the direction of the tower. He knows that. Everyone wants to go in the direction of the Tower of Golgotha.
Kovacs has joined two men named Thompson and Fernandez. They have been here for five years. Kovacs thinks it's a good idea to join men who have survived this long. It's generally good to have allies. They seem tough, and they have nicknames for him. "Carrot Head" - a reference to his red hair, "Carrot Head, hurry up!" Other nicknames include "rookie," "greenhorn," "freshman," "dilletante" "fuckface" - lots of strange words that are yet familiar, somehow. Otherwise, Thompson and Fernandez are two very taciturn people. This is what Kovacs is used to. No one on the battlefield talks very much. There's always that one prankster who can't keep his mouth shut, who talks for the sake of talking. It's the only way he can conquer his fear. Silence leaves room for all the ghastly thoughts.
The jokester of this squad is Andrew McLachlan.
Most ignore him, and even Kovacs tries as hard as he can, at least. Andrew McLachlan tells jokes.
"So there's these two guys sitting at the bar. Guys, you know what a bar is, right? So one guy says, 'See that woman there, with the big tits? That's my wife. Then he points to a redhead: And that one? With the red hair and the beautiful legs? That's my mistress. That's when the other guy says, "Funny, it's the other way around for me."
McLachlan laughs.
"Ha, you get it? Isn't that a real hoot? Here comes another one. This one goes like this. An old couple comes to the farm. They look out over the yard and see a big rooster strutting around, humping one hen after another. There the hand says to the man: Do you see the cock there? You could take an example from him. Says the man: Yes, if you think so. Did you see that he takes a different one each time?"
McLachlan laughs out loud. It sounds hysterical; on the verge of a screaming fit.
Kovacs closes his eyes briefly. His head is pounding. He feels miserable. And McLachlan's laughter echoes from left to right through his helmet. He wishes he could turn off the intercom. He'd have to get very far away from McLachlan to stop hearing his laughter - out of frequency range.
"So, you guys know this one yet? What's green and smells like Miss Piggy? Kermit's pointing finger! Ha ha ha!"
Kovacs has no idea who Kermit was. Or Miss Piggy, for that matter. Nor does he care.
"Shut up, McLachlan!" someone yells.
"That's right, McLachlan! Shut up!"
"Hush, all of you. This is Ngoy territory."
Silence falls, and with a howl and bared teeth come all the ugly thoughts. Kovacs feels a painful pressure in his chest. He misses Nakamura and Macey. He even misses Gleeson. He misses them so much that just remembering their faces feels like tearing him in half. And yet it's been so long since they've been out of his life.
He knows he's lost them. He will never see them again.