There was the sound of breaking glass. Fitz had thrown himself down, instinctively. The explosions were large, but not close. The screaming and panic in the courtroom were far louder. Having been a front-line officer took over.
"Quiet!" Fitz's voice was loud, but more like a whip-crack in its force. Only one hysterical screamer remained. "Shut that person up," he instructed.
Someone did.
"Right." Panic kills. If you're in charge you've got to keep your cool or your troops will lose theirs. "This building itself is not under attack," said Fitz. "Is that clear to all of you? This building is not being attacked. There is no cause for panic. Sergeant at Arms?"
"Sir!" said a voice from the darkness.
"Take two MPs and get out there and scout. Ariel," he knew she'd be in here, somewhere, "go with them."
"Sir!" There was relief in that assent. Relief that someone was taking charge.
The door opened. Several people headed after the three towards the rectangle of light.
"Stop right there," snapped Fitz. "The rest of you, stay put. If we get an 'all clear' l
"Quiet!" Fitz's voice was loud, but more like a whip-crack in its force. Only one hysterical screamer remained. "Shut that person up," he instructed.
Someone did.
"Right." Panic kills. If you're in charge you've got to keep your cool or your troops will lose theirs. "This building itself is not under attack," said Fitz. "Is that clear to all of you? This building is not being attacked. There is no cause for panic. Sergeant at Arms?"
"Sir!" said a voice from the darkness.
"Take two MPs and get out there and scout. Ariel," he knew she'd be in here, somewhere, "go with them."
"Sir!" There was relief in that assent. Relief that someone was taking charge.
The door opened. Several people headed after the three towards the rectangle of light.
"Stop right there," snapped Fitz. "The rest of you, stay put. If we get an 'all clear' l