Station, стр. 67
Hadder mulled over The Krown's words, had to admitthat some good points were made. But in Hadder's mind, one keypoint trumped them all. "We had our chance in the world, Krown. Wehad it, and we blew it. All of us. We don't deserve another crackat it, and lord knows the world certainly doesn't deserve usshowing back up, still full of anger and resentment, but now withElevated bodies to act out our mania."
The Krown's jade eyes took on a hint of danger. "Youtalk of anger, but you have the Rage, Hadder. You have it like fewI've ever seen."
Hadder took another drink, and his head fell. "Iknow this. But it's not something I welcome, it's not something Ibathe in and cradle in my arms. And it's certainly not something Iwould want to be unleashed upon the world." The Krown had noreaction but to continue his serpent stare, so Hadder continued."You say you tired of life in the Setting, and I get that. I alsoquestioned what kind of life I could lead there, but I made a homeand the best of the situation. You would rather wage war and playdeadly games, and that's fine, too. But do it here in the Rising,ask Rott to extend the Skirt, but people don't deserve to diebecause of your boredom and ambitions."
The Krown leaned forward. "You dare speak EgoRounds' words to me. What's next, will you spit in my face?" Therewas a challenge there, but Hadder would not take the bait. "Do youknow what Ego Rounds is? He is someone who wants anarchy withoutchaos. He wants to organize lawlessness. He wants to control thosewho shun authority. He is a walking contradiction, a fat slob of awarrior. Why is it do you think that my numbers swell as hisstagnate?"
"I think you promise the chance to hurt theinnocent. And that appeals to most of these sick twists."
The Krown's hand came down on the table, almostsplitting the thick wood. He deeply inhaled, an apparent attempt tocalm himself. "I give my people something…" The Krown's large armsspread wide, "Grander."
Although Hadder grew tired of this conversation,there was something he remained curious about. "And why do youthink you need me, Krown? I'm no one, have been in the city lessthan anyone."
"Oh, I don't need you, plain man. But you'vebeen placed here by Rott for a purpose, at a time of greatturbulence. The Rage you possess, the way you wield that Rage,makes you the perfect Riser. The respect you demand; yes, I see italready in my men, begrudging, but there, makes you a perfectwartime general. I'm going to win this war. I'm going to usher inthe Fall. I'm going to conquer these walls. With you beside me, wecould minimize casualties, charge the world with an armada ofRisers. Take the world by the balls!"
"What makes you think Rott would ever allow you toescape these walls?"
The Krown shot Hadder a conspiratorial look. "It'sbeen done before."
Hadder's eyes went wide. "Viktor Krill."
"Yes."
"Tell me about him."
"He was the first of us, the best of us. He deniedStation and denied Rott. He almost singlehandedly ignited theRising. Many of us thought as he did, but few would face the wrathof the Caesars. After setting off the Riser Wars, he retreated tothe shadows, began to study the human form. He disappeared formonths. When he returned, he was changed. He was more. Although helooked the same, he was faster, stronger, and smarter than anyonein history. This, coupled with unmatched nastiness, made him themost formidable man in the world. The Risers would have overtakenStation long ago were he still here."
"What happened to him?"
The Krown smiled. "One day, he was gone, and therewas a dead Caesar next to the Station Wall. It was the first andonly time anyone had gotten the best of a Caesar, and Viktor Krilldid it by himself. He showed us that the Caesars could be killed,that the Wall could be overcome, that Rott could not keep us underhis thumb forever. They try to say that Krill died in the desert,but we know better. Viktor Krill lives, and he's closing his fiston the world as we speak. It's our duty to join him."
"Well, I think that about covers it." Hadder rose tohis feet, watched as The Krown's face darkened. "I thank you foryour offer, but I'm afraid I must decline. You use intelligentwords and some sound logic, but all of that is just to cover afact."
"And what fact is that, plain man."
"That you're a killer. A killer with a reason isstill a killer. You want to be a killer, be my guest. But you do itin the Rising. Not in the Setting. And not in the wider world. MyRage needs only a target. Proceed on this course, and you'll benext in its crosshairs."
After completing his speech, Hadder tensed, waitingfor The Krown to attack. Instead, the giant king merely remainedsitting, his face betraying two emotions - dumfounded respect and adesire to slay Hadder where he stood. When no actions unfolded,Hadder turned to leave but stopped to face The Krown again. "Younever let me tell you my condition."
"What is your condition, Setter?"
Hadder held up the head he had been carrying withhim since the Meat Show, Skeelis's dumb dead face staring out intothe distance. "I'm taking this fucking head with me."
Hadder didn't wait for permission, simply turned andexited the private tent. Cal and Otho waited outside, their weaponsreturned to them. "Let's go. Quickly," stated Hadder as he passedbetween the Caesars and through the throngs of Risers still buzzingfrom the Meat Show. Hadder walked briskly and continued even whenhe heard the flap of the private tent rip open.
The Krown's voice chased him as he exited the Risercompound. "You had your chance, Marlin Hadder! After Ego Roundskisses my crown, you'll be next! The Rising is mine! Station ismine! The world will be mine! Do you hear me, you Setter fuck! Theworld is mine!"
Hadder looked up to Cal as they walked. "I bet hewishes