"I'm going in after him," Herb said. "I've got to. It's more than him, more than killing or getting killed. I've got to."
"It's so senseless," she said. "If we could get control of the ship...."
He shook his head. "You stay here!"
He walked across the messhall. He stepped out into the narrow corridor.
"Get away!" the Oligarch cried frantically. His voice was no longer vigorous, and it sounded pathetic and child-like through the door.
Herb, going toward it, said, "I'm coming in!" He tried the door. Locked.
He fired twice at the lock. He stepped back and kicked. The door swung inward.
The Oligarch did not fire. Herb, pressed against the wall, could not see into the room.
"I'm coming in, damn you!"
"Don't," the Oligarch cried weakly. "Please, don't. Don't now!"