Station, стр. 53
But there was something more in those computer eyes,something only someone with a similar affliction could see.Something Marlin Hadder could see all too clearly.
In the uncomfortable silence, Hadder looked down tosee that the man held two books to his side. Hadder cocked his headto read the titles. One was Frank Herbert's God Emperor ofDune, and the other was Jeff VanderMeer's VenissUnderground. Hadder, once an avid reader, was familiar withboth books and didn't like what it said about this man that hechose these two dark texts to carry with him like a rosary.
After a while, the uncomfortable silence grewunbearable. "I'm Marlin Hadder, requesting a meeting with MisterRott."
The small man cracked a victorious smile as if hehad just won some secret game. "We know who you are. We know whyyou're here. Follow me."
The man spun on his heels, and Hadder followed,stepping onto a plush red carpet that ran from the entrance, downthe length of the mansion's main room, and up multi-leveled stairsthe width of the interior to disappear in the darkened distance ofthe floor above. Soft classical music greeted Hadder as he entered,coming from hidden niches high in the building's domed ceilings.Looking around as he walked, Hadder marveled at the tapestries thatdecorated the walls, antiques that sat on small pedestalsthroughout the room, and handcrafted furniture that looked tooexpensive and uncomfortable to sit on. As Hadder started up thestairs, he noticed ancient paintings hanging from the walls betweenlevels, several of which were reminiscent of the works of some ofhistory's most influential artists.
At the top of the stairs, the man in the doctor'scoat spun back to face Hadder, barely able to hide or disguise hisdisdain. So much for first impressions, thought Hadder as hefantasized about punching a hole in the diminutive man's chest."Wait here. Don't move." With that, the man moved against therighthand wall, books held in his crossed hands at his belt.
Hadder did as he was told and remained standing onthe red carpet just a few steps from a dangerous fall, staring intothe darkness of a long hallway that seemed to have no end. Thesmall man stood against the wall unspeaking, his beady blue eyesfixated on Hadder.
Hadder chose to ignore the little man, his platecurrently full of bizarre characters he had to maintain dealingswith. As he looked into the abyss, Hadder worked hard to slow hisbreathing, a constant battle to control the Rage. Slowly, twotowering figures began to emerge from the dimness, walking oneither side of the red carpet. As they came into focus, Hadder sawthat it was two Caesars who had joined them, just as large andimposing as those he had seen before. The monster on the right hadblack skin, a silver mohawk, and a clear vest while his companionon the left had beige skin, twin black braids that fell over hisshoulders, and a black muscle shirt that swirled with color.
Approximately fifteen feet from Hadder, both Caesarsstopped, crossed their massive arms over too-large chests, andwaited, their looks threatening to wither Hadder's confidence. Inthe quartet's muteness, Hadder noticed that the Caesars observedthe small man as closely as they watched him, something to put inhis back pocket for later. With no words being exchanged betweenparties, Hadder simply looked down the endless hall, unsure of whatwas going to peer out from the darkness.
As he waited, the lights around the mansion began todim almost imperceptibly. Hadder looked to the others, but noneseemed to take notice. A warm breeze caressed Hadder's face andbody, increasing in heat until it was uncomfortable, like standingin front of the oven door. Beads of sweat began to form on Hadder'sbrow and upper lip, forcing him to wipe them with the back of thishand. As the hot air was radiating from the darkened hall, Hadderstared harder into the black maw, searching for any sign oflife.
And then he saw it, so faint at first that he had torub his eyes to ensure that they were not playing tricks on him.Two embers could be seen bouncing through the darkness, growingcloser by the second, first mere specks, then floating marbles ofglowing red. As those lit coals approached, the darkness congealedand split down the middle.
A man of indescribable power emerged from themurk.
He stopped his approach ten feet from Hadder andwaited, accustomed to people needing time to adjust to hispresence. Tall and slim, the man's skin was as white as the marblewhich surrounded him. His hair, dark red like dried blood, wasslicked back, just grazing his shoulders. He wore a fitted suit ofthe blackest material Hadder had ever seen; it seemed to selfishlypull light from the room, refusing to reflect it back.
A red button-up shirt was open at the collar,revealing a sparkling tattoo of light at the top of his sternum. Itwas a familiar form that tickled something in the recesses ofHadder’s memory.
For some reason, Hadder's attention was captured bythe symbol. It whispered secrets to him as he looked upon it, thelight it gave off piercing his skin and fingering his heart. Afterseveral seconds that felt like minutes, Hadder was able to tear hiseyes from the compelling design.
Three other characteristics, however, were equallystriking about the man before him. First, his eyes were like ablacksmith's forge, simmering heat that crossed from deep red toblack and back again. They didn't look at you, but rather throughyou, to your innermost thoughts, fears, and desires, rendering liesexercises in futility. Next was a fiery red scar ran across theman's pale face from left to right, starting at his temple andending at his jawline. As it pulsed gently, Hadder began to believethat it was a constant source of agony for the man. Finally, theman's age was completely indeterminate; Hadder couldn't decide ifhe was early middle-aged or thousands of years old.
The man smiled at a joke that only he heard."Salutations, Marlin Hadder. I am Albany Rott, creator of this finecity that you now call home." His deep