Landon smiled to nobody in particular. Not like anybody could see his face anyway.

But somehow or rather, Karen knew he was going to enjoy what he was about to say. He thrived on moments like this. And the number of times he'd given a speech like this? Experience wins out over nerves every single time.

"Hello.

Goodbye.

Nothing new is old again, and everything old is new once more. The light shines brightly as the night gets darker and more unseemly. Will you stand up and be counted?

... Or will you suffer an existence of no consequence?"

Landon folded his arms across his chest and turned around, facing his audience. None of them could quite understand what he was saying, that Landon knew. And he loved it. He adored the thrill of the address, filled with metaphorical subtext.

It made him appear smarter and more knowledgeable.

"Knowledge is power!" Landon proclaimed, fixing his eyes on Karen just now. "And with power comes the responsibility that'll follow you around like a shadow.

How do you make it worth your while?"

Landon cleared his throat, aiming to ascertain his audience's reactions. Some of them murmured to themselves, the majority continued to look perplexed and disconcerted. Karen, however, had that twinkle in her eyes.

For as long as Landon knew Karen, he simply had a feeling that the sweet thing had more brain than she'd ever let on. She caught on quick. She was resourceful. And ultimately, she had the opportunity to be his most valuable asset.

Soon, he thought to himself. Just a matter of time.

Just a matter of time, Karen noted to her inner psychopath. Not long before she pulled the trigger.

Landon decided to wrap things up. "Ladies. Gentlemen. In-betweeners and out-of-worlders.

Tonight, we stake our claim.

You all can see, clearly and unabashedly, the fire across the horizon. We will not put it out.

Neither will we let it engulf us all and destroy everything we stand for."

Now he got them really going, Landon thought. Everybody in the crowd were nodding their heads and purposefully pursing their lips. The conviction was brewing, meaning the trap had worked like a charm. The stench of rotting flesh continued to pierce the air but nobody cared.

All they wanted to hear was the command. Permission to continue. Instructions to engage.

And who was Landon to deny them their calling.

"Tonight, we shall show The Coalition what happens when they mess with us!" Landon announced, drawing a passionate cheer from the crowd. Karen played her part, and kept quiet.

Landon looked over at her and blinked twice. The signal was in place.

"Sir?" Karen asked timidly. "They said we're in serious trouble. I-Is that true?"

Landon fought the urge to laugh. Brilliant acting. Deep down, he wanted to run over and hug her.

Everybody else was silent by now, eager and also anxious for the response.

Being the showman, Landon paused for as long as he could for dramatic effect. The suspense was killng everyone, especially Karen. It was like she was ten years old and met Landon for the first time, she thought to herself.

"... No. NO.

THEY'RE IN TROUBLE."