The Dragon Factory

The Dragon Factory

I recently had the opportunity to read Mr. Jonathan Maberry's 'The Dragon Factory', and much like its predecessor, 'Patient Zero', it was a highly entertaining read. The story is a fast paced action thriller packed full of government intrigue, just barely fictional scientific madness, and a whole lot of special forces butt kicking. Sadly, our hero did not get to take another crack at battling the undead, however Mr. Maberry succeeded in creatively taking the mad scientist theme in other equally frightening directions.

*Warning* Spoilers

In this chapter of the ongoing Joe Ledger story, global destruction is imminent via the schemes of aged Nazi scientists. Mastery of genetics and gene-therapy have dramatically extended their lives and afforded them time to develop weaponized diseases, which they intend to unleash around the globe.This plan for genocide of unprecedented scale is the grand goal of the book's arch-villains, but we're also treated to other unsettling oddities, and outright horrors, in the shape of transgenic animals, men, and women of bizarre design.

As readers living in a world where our scientists' understanding and mastery of genetics is rapidly increasing, this story really highlights the potential power of this technology. I would by no means advocate abandoning the pursuit of this realm of understanding, for I believe an equally tremendous amount of good and benefit to humankind could be attained. However 'The Dragon Factory' plausibly postulates just how terrible a use it could be put to as well.

Putting aside the possibility of terrorists or governments creating and unleashing custom tailored plagues, the ethics behind this research walks a very fine line. For instance, we see examples of the technology being used to extend life expectancy, and greatly increase physical strength. Admittedly, at a glance, this doesn't sound all that bad.

We also see examples of extinct animals being brought back to life. Perhaps a noble aim, given the number of species devastated by humanity's presence, but it is getting a bit fuzzier. As I think we can all agree, roaming packs of velociraptors would not make anyone's life easier.

The point where I think the line has been fully crossed is when we see the radically redesigned species. Creatures that have been combined piecemeal from the genetic code of unrelated organisms for the service and amusement of those that can afford the purchase price. 'The Dragon Factory' effectively demonstrates just how repulsive and heartbreaking the results can be. Even if you forget the countless malformed trial-run experiments that must have briefly lived before the final design was perfected, the picture this novel paints of their existence, in a world in which they did not naturally evolve, seems cruel beyond imagining.

'The Dragon Factory' is pretty damn fantastic in both the questions it raises about the future of modern science, and the craft of the story it delivers. Admittedly, the story is almost archetypically cliche with its villains, though in a thoroughly delightful manner. We have an evil dad, with his evil assistant, and evil henchmen, and evil children, in their secret evil lairs, with grandly evil plans for world domination. It's pretty hilarious in that regard.

However, I have to say that one big and annoying aspect of the story (which was also present in 'Patient Zero') is the villains' insistence on only unleashing their grand plans when it coincides with some event or anniversary of some personal significance, but zero strategic value. All through 'The Dragon Factory' were references to the count down to the extinction waves, and how everything was in motion and nothing could stop it. Um, false. Seriously, Dr. Evil, when you have the opportunity, just shoot your nemesis and be done with it.

This bit of foolishness aside, it did fit the formula, and it did nothing to lessen the entertainment value of the story. Mr. Maberry crafts a pretty thrilling adventure in this novel, and once again does so while addressing questions of real world consequence. My compliments to the author, and I look forward to reading more of his work. If you haven't read either 'The Dragon Factory' or 'Patient Zero', you won't regret checking them out.