Undertow (The UnderCity Chronicles) by S. M. Stelmack Page B

this thing had an infra-red illuminator you might be okay. Even then, not in high humidity areas. You know this thing can’t see in color?”
    Jack was a little gratified to see it was her jaw that was now hard. “Yes, I know.”
    “So how you going to spot water-damaged floors before you fall through them? By the way, these things glow, so anyone with a gun can see where your head is, and they’ll blind you under sudden bright light.” He dropped the goggles into her pack and handed it back to her. “Like I said. Junk.”
    Lindsay zipped the bag closed and stood. “Fine, Jack. I get it. Can we get going now?”
    He rose, too.“Sure. Right after I tell you the rules.”
    “Rules?”
    Was everything a question with her? “Yeah, rules. As in the non-negotiable ground rules for me helping you. Get it?”
    “Okay. What are they?”
    “The first one is keep your mouth shut and your footsteps light. It won’t matter so much when you’re close to the station. The deep tunnels are a different story. Sound travels there, and it carries your age, your gender, your size, and your numbers with it—valuable information to anyone wanting to ambush you. I’ll tell you when it’s safe to talk.”
    “Okay.” He was pretty sure he could hear her teeth grind.
    “Second rule. No whining. You complain about the filth, damp, cold, vermin or danger just once, and I’m taking you right back to the surface. As it is I’m going to have to babysit you, so don’t think I’m going to put up with any gripes or attitude.”
    “You know I’m not a complainer, Jack.”
    She wasn’t, but it was important she concentrated on proving it to him. “We’ll see about that. When we’re down there you do what I say, because I’m the expert. I’ve survived in the deepest tunnels for days without food, water, clothing or weapons. You can’t make it a mile out of Grand Central without being robbed.”
    Jack paused here. She was not going to like this next part. “And that brings me to the final rule. Reggie introduced you as my woman, and we’re going to stick with that story. That means that when we’re down there you defer to me completely, because as far as the tunnels go you can forget women’s lib. Under the streets a person’s either predator, prey or property, and until you’re ready to be the first you’re going to be the third. Got it?”
    “Got it.”
    No questions? No backtalk? “You do?” Jack challenged her. “Then tell me the rules.”
    Lindsay twisted her mouth unhappily. “Be quiet, no whining and do what you say,” she replied without hesitation and then sighed before adding, “and that property thing.”
    She looked so damn annoyed, Jack nearly smiled, and to hide it he spun and started toward Reggie. Over his shoulder, he risked saying, “Great. I don’t own much. You’re my biggest ticket item.”
    He could hear her scramble after him. “Yeah? Well, hope you got a warranty. Maintenance on me is high.”
    Didn’t he know it.
     

 

    Beyond the door that Reggie guarded was a long, dim hallway. From it branched stairwells and service hatches and, at its end, was an oversized manhole held in place by a pair of weighty padlocks.
    Reggie squatted and undid them. “This here’s the fastest way down,” he explained to Lindsay. “Past all the meth heads that hang around the station. Right to the core of the City.”
    Although the cover was designed for a pry bar, Reggie’s fingers were strong enough to pull up the thick metal plate unaided. He rolled it aside, revealing a sturdy steel ladder descending into a seemingly bottomless concrete pit.
    Lindsay felt her stomach heave. Her first step on this adventure was straight into her greatest fear. She glanced at Jack. He had clearly read her mind.
    “Still not good with heights, huh?”
    A small part of her was flattered that he’d remembered. A bigger part, and the one that kicked in, was determined to keep up with him, like all those years ago. She