"I want to know what went wrong—"
"That can wait. Let's put the fire out first, then learn how it started. Who's here with you?"
"The two guards. Rayburne! Householder! Come here!"
"Only those two? Where's the kitchen staff?"
"Dead," said Thornberry soberly.
There was a roaring in the skies and through a window Bennington could see the compound was almost as brightly lit up as it was by day.
"The riot-copter, and before I expected it," the general said, "I've been in touch with the State police. And the Army."
There was another short burst of submachine fire. Bennington mentally placed it as behind the Administration Building. Someone trying to sneak out the back way....
"Stop that shooting!" The PA confirmed his thoughts. "No one else is going to try to leave here. Warden, get on that intercom!"
Got to hurry, Bennington thought, I've got to get them talking and keep them talking.