Chapter Three: The Living Dead

The unconscious driver had no identification, but a silver ring was tattooed on his neck. As sirens approached, Xu clutched Shen. “This wasn't kidnapping. It was cleanup. When you scored, they knew the system had awakened.” “What system?” “Echo.” She studied his face as if matching a file. “You're Goaltender Zero.” In the ambulance, Xu explained. Twelve years ago, the club's predecessor ran secret trials beneath the old North Bay rink. Cold and infrasound stimulated athletes' brains, teaching them to sense fast-moving objects before they moved. The Circle financed it, its members concealed throughout the club, its sponsors, and city government. “Where is Lin Che?” Lin Wu asked.