but

He never presided over a meeting in the Hall, but it was with glee that he had demonstrated to young Donald the override which locked out the commo-control board. The override had still been in the Old Man's room, waiting for Don's need with the pair of remote units.
Somewhere toward the back of the Hall, Councibr Hauksbee's unaided voice was being swallowed by the space around it. Beverly Dyson was stabbing at the control board. His expression was one of furious incredulity.
Slade swung over the waist-high panel before him. He cocked his right knee, then, and mounted the low podium without bothering with the steps.
The Hall came alive with nervous exclamations, but the big man rode them down with the amplifiers as he said, "Today I'm the first speaker. And if there's anybody out there who hasn't guessed by now—I'm Don Slade, and I've come here to get justice for my nephew Edward." He paused. Very faintly through the facade of the Hall came the sound of what was happening in the courtyard.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
"Hey, what'd those trucks do?" demanded one of Ahwas' men. "Give us the slip and go round the back way?"
"Bloody well better have," said another with a nod back toward the north wall of the courtyard. The wrecked cars had been removed, but the gravel was still enlivened by scorch marks and bright debris.