There is a man heading down the aisle.

He has confederates.

There is something that is manifestly not a man heading for Gabriel Tam.

That one is alone.

Gabriel Tam, however, is not moving.

There are cameras, vidcrews, reporters--all of them getting this information out to Core and Rim alike.

Some things people in this 'verse are better off not seeing.

All this passes through Galadan's mind in mere moments, even as his gaze flicks toward River and her brother.

He remembers the footage of Beaumonde. He knows what she can do--and not the whole of it, either.

"River!" he cries, voice echoing the soft brush of his mind against hers. "Get your father out of here! Now!"

That last is not quite a growl as Galadan raises his hand, gathers his power, and sends the entirety of the hall and its environs into darkness.