In that moment, there is nothing he can do. The intruders are swift, a bomb of making he recognizes commonly used by Komarran's dissatisfied with the Barrayaran Empire enough to seek violent retribution for perceived crimes. The damage done would be swift and the only thoughts in his mind are his regret that he could not do more to save his wife and that their children would be orphaned, all due to the rash actions of individuals fighting for a pointless cause.

The thoughts leave him when he feels Lakshmi suddenly shielding him, feels himself hold onto her for if they were going to be maimed, die it may as well be in each other's arms.

But then it's over and she seems to have acted as she had intended in her movements for he was shaken yet breathing. He holds her, keeping her upright even if it means them falling on top of each other in the end.

"Lakshmi?" he calls, his voice feeling small and foreign as his ears ring from the sound of the explosion. Was he underwater? It sure as hell felt like it when he needed to keep his thoughts about him. ImpSec would be here, they would be descending on them within moments with a med team. He cursed his own mental failings and faltering hand that he was unable to help when all he held dear was dying in front of him.