Rites of the Righteous by Andrew Vaillencourt
Author:Andrew Vaillencourt
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Cyberpunk, action, Scifi, violent, funny
Publisher: Andrew Vaillencourt
Published: 2021-11-16T00:00:00+00:00
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Brother Martin led the fixers through the labyrinthine tunnels of Gethsemaneâs Underworld at a brisk pace. The sparse gray walls, strange smells, and near-constant white noise felt like so many other artificial environments Roland had seen in his career. Thrift and efficiency dictated the design and functions of these early colonial outposts, and as such most of them looked exactly the same. The great abandoned research stations that formed the bulk of Galapagos, the squat bunkers of Thorgrimm, the bowels of Enterprise Station, and even the old colony domes of Venus all testified to the necessity of form over function. Main corridors were wide enough for cargo vehicles, high-speed maglev tram lines ran in convenient rings throughout the various zones. Subtle recessed lighting cast a cold, shadowless glow across all the surfaces. They could have been anywhere, and it would have looked just the same.
Yet against the backdrop of all that familiarity, the differences only stood out more starkly. The Underworld looked like lots of different places, but it did not feel like any of them. As the tunnels took them deeper, Roland became ever more aware of the billions of tons of rock and dirt squeezing at the silver and gray structures around him. He had become accustomed to the crushing pressure and toxic liquid atmosphere of Venus while a soldier. Since his conversion to a cyborg the vacuum of space held no great novelty, either. Yet with each passing step, the depth and darkness of the Underworld reminded him of the only other point in his life where he had spent any length of time underground. A cell beneath a mountain back on Earth had been his home for almost four years. It still surprised him every time how the feeling of being underground brought back all the horror and despair of his time spent as a slave.
Lucia picked up on his mood shift before anyone else noticed. She nudged his arm while they walked. âYou okay, big guy?â
âYes,â he said.
Her answering scowl indicated in clear terms the inadequacy of that uttered syllable. She elected not to push for more, even as her expression informed Roland that conversation was not over. Instead, she addressed the friar. âHow much further, Martin?â
âWeâre here,â he replied. Martin indicated a tall double door along the corridor. âIâm pretty sure whatever you are looking for will be in here.â
âWell, thatâs super cryptic,â Mindy said with a dangerous look.
Martin held up his hands. âI say that because there are only so many things people like you come here to do. If you want them done, this is where you will need to start.â
Martin slapped a palm to the door control. The twin panes separated, releasing a burst of loud, angry music. A blast of fetid air ripe with the stink of sweat, drugs, and alcohol followed. Beyond the threshold, a short corridor opened to reveal a large room packed with undulating people in various states of inebriation and undress.
âShit,â Roland groused aloud.
Mannyâs jaw dropped, and he pointed to a couple writhing around in a nearby booth.
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