Station, стр. 71
Whether they were receptive to advisement or not,Hadder always left them with some - begin preparations. Thisentailed fortifying areas, collecting or making weapons, andorganizing watches. Despite Hadder's prominent status because ofhis victory in the Rising, time was all most residents would offerhim, going back to their chemical drinks and smoky lounges once hedeparted.
"They just don't get it," Hadder said to Royal asthey walked back from another set of fruitless meetings withimpotent residents.
"They didn't fight hard for their lives in theBefore. Chances are they ain't gonna fight hard for Station,either."
Royal's words rang true, and he couldn't help butrecognize that he, too, surrendered his previous life. But he wasanother person now, walking hand-in-hand with a Rage that would notallow him to roll over. In Hadder's opinion, the Fall was onlyconsidered inevitable given that the people of the Setting wereinevitably going to be fearful and docile, too consumed byparalysis to act. Hadder aimed to change that.
As Hadder and Lilly's injured partnership healed,rumors trickled out of the Rising. The Riser Wars, now merely abattle between two titans, was back on in full. Hadder felt atwinge of guilt as he climbed the Perch to see pillars of smokeemanating from South Rising. Perhaps his appearance had upset thebalance, expedited the war. Or maybe he was just the excuse TheKrown needed to drive his Risers into a frenzy of violencenecessary to overtake Ego Rounds' organized defenses. Either way,things were progressing quickly now, the wheels of destinyturning.
Hadder took in the landscape, taking mental notes,using SWOT analysis to help guide his thoughts. There was much todo, but Hadder felt that there was time.
He was wrong.
The main doors to The Royal Jelly blew open,sending the last rays of Solay into the Bar. DD Bryce, a kindresident of no consequence, soon followed, his legs barely stayingunder him as he sprinted towards Royal, who was restocking the barfor the night's concert. Hadder and Lilly, setting up instrumentson the stage, turned towards the ruckus.
"The Risers! The Risers!" repeated DD as he fellagainst the counter, trying in vain to catch his breath. Hadder andLilly ran up as Royal poured the exhausted man some water.
"What are you saying," demanded Hadder as he reachedDD. "What about the Risers? Talk, man!"
"Let him catch his breath first," said the alwayskind Lilly.
DD took huge gulps of air, chased them down withequally large swallows of water. He finally nodded his head, ableto continue. "The Risers, they're gathering at the Skirt."
Panic seized Hadder. It was too soon, far too soon."Where are the Risers from, the North or South?"
DD shook his head. "Hell if I know. But there aretwo large groups of them gathered just south of the Caesar Bridge.Looks like every fucking Riser in the city."
Hadder's face wore a mask of worried confusion."Which way are the groups facing? Are they facing the Skirt?"
DD shook his head frantically. "No, no. They'refacing each other. Looks like they're putting on a goddamshow."
"So they are," whispered Hadder to himself.
"What was that, Hadder?" said Royal.
"I said DD is right. They are putting on a show.They want all of Station to see their forces, see who's going tocome out on top. Ego Rounds versus The Krown. For all themarbles."
"Then what the hell do we do, Hadder?" Royal soundedlegitimately concerned, the first time Hadder had sensed concern inhis unflappable friend.
"We go watch."
Residents from across Station had gathered on thewestern side of the Skirt. Hadder, Lilly, and Royal fought theirway through the masses to reach the front of the crowd. Severalresidents voiced their displeasure with being pushed out of theway, but quickly moved aside when they saw that it was MarlinHadder parting the throngs.
As the trio reached the Skirt, they found Glenalready there, staring across the barrier into the dark unknown.Simple nods were all that were exchanged in terms of greeting. Theeleven Caesars stood on the Skirt dozens of yards apart likesentinels, weapons in hands ready to draw blood, daring the Risersto cross.
Across the Skirt, two Riser armies had gathered. TheKrown's obviously larger, somewhat disorganized soldiers stood instark contrast to Ego Rounds' smaller force that held tightformations, blades at the ready and projectiles aimed with steadyhands. Looking at the collected warriors, it looked to Hadder thatThe Krown's numbers dwarfed those of Ego Rounds, even more so thanpreviously thought. It seemed that the past few weeks of fightinghad favored the North, tipping the scales even further in thedirection of The Krown.
During their hurried trek to the Skirt, Solay hadfallen into Haela, dimming the city and the battlefield Hadder nowfaced. The bright lights of the Skirt, however, clearly illuminatedthose Risers closest to the Setter audience while torches andbonfires lit the remainder of the armies. From the gathered Riserson the right stepped Ego Rounds, his massive form unmistakableagainst the backdrop of his men and their fires, light gleaming offthe metal knuckles that adorned his hammer-like hands.
Ego Rounds continued forward, stopping about twentyfeet in front of his followers. "The Krown! Let it be known that I,Ego Rounds, challenge you to one-on-one combat, to the death. Maythe victor control the Rising and the fate of Station. Do youaccept? Or would you rather forfeit your power and retain yourlife? The choice is yours!"
Complete silence fell over the scene, stealing soundfrom both Riser and Setter alike before deep laughter cut throughthe muted air. The Krown stepped out from between his supporters,his jade eyes wild with excitement and bloodlust. He moved forwardon light feet, more animal than man, also halting twenty feet aheadof his forces.
As Hadder looked on at the increasingly barbaricscene, puzzle pieces clicked into place, allowing Hadder to see theentirety of the picture. Over the last few weeks, Ego Rounds hadclearly seen that his men, despite their superior discipline andtactical know-how, were no match for the North's vast numbers,insane combat Elevations, and unmatched ferocity. As the men andwomen under his command fell, Ego made a brave