Dane Maddock Universe 11.Golden Dragon by David Wood

Author:David Wood [David Wood]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Adrenaline Press
Published: 2022-02-10T00:00:00+00:00

7

The tunnels were dank and chilly. Icy water from the storm that raged over the city flowed down the walls, seeped through the cracks, and ran in rivulets at their feet. In places, the ceiling was so low that Maddock had to duck pass through. Despite the inconvenience, he had to admit it was nice being the tall guy for once. Maddock stood just a hair over six feet tall, but his friend Bones towered over him, and never failed to call attention to it.

Maddock let out a curse as he stepped into an unseen puddle and plunged calf-deep into icy water. These old tunnels were sturdy, but they had their pitfalls.

“It’s usually not this wet down here,” Chan explained. “This storm is like nothing I’ve seen in years. At least the uniforms are warm and dry. The fabric is a special weave my family developed.”

They were clad in outfits that resembled classic kung fu uniforms: tunics with long sleeves, high collars, and loose-fitting pants, bright red and trimmed in gold. The fabric was surprisingly tough and flexible and resisted the damp. Beneath their uniforms, they wore thermal bodysuits that mostly kept out the cold and wet.

“It’s a bright shade of red,” Maddock observed. “Paying tribute to the old legend?”

“That might be how it started, but the red seems to make a difference.”

“Seems to?” Maddock echoed.

“It’s not like we can conduct scientific tests. We follow the teachings of our mentors, try new things sometimes. But at the end of the day, we’re just fighting for survival.”

Chan and Lou each carried a staff made of shiny metal, gold in color, light and sturdy like titanium. Engraved at each and were symbols painted in bright red. The engraved Nian tooth that Lou had used to convince Maddock of the truth of his story hung from his belt. Chan carried a pair of stun grenades. Maddock carried a flamethrower. It was a homemade, backpack-style device that Chan told him had a flame length of up to thirty meters. He also carried the pistol he’d taken off of the Dominion thug.

“How often do you come down here?” Maddock asked

Chan shrugged. “As often as we need to. But it’s been a while for me.”

They squeezed through a jagged break in the wall, slid down a pipe, and landed in a much older stretch of passageway. The walls were crumbling in places. Maddock looked up at the dripping ceiling and frowned.

“It will hold,” Chan said. “As long as you don’t sneeze.” He winked

“Dammit, Chan. Can’t you focus for once?” Lou complained.

“I’ve told you before, humor helps me focus.”

“Sorry, I didn’t realize that was humor.”

They turned the corner and found themselves face to face with a group of armed men and women. Each wore layer upon layer of shabby, dirty clothing. They carried clubs, knives, and shivs. Despite their weapons, Maddock sensed no immediate threat. They seemed wary, but not particularly dangerous.

“It’s all right,” Chan said quietly. “This is their neighborhood. We just need to ask permission to pass through.

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