It was the horror of the serpent, or of the Gorgon's head. They were fascinated; in that moment not one of them could have torn his gaze away. All work ceased. The noises in the concrete-walled room died until the whish of breathing and the thumping of hearts could be heard. Then panic caught them, and fought against training. Panic cried, Run! and training said, Remove yourself quickly. With the motion-saving efficiency of the emergency drill, each man turned from his position and walked rapidly towards whichever exit was nearest. Actually, they could not outrun the danger any more than one can duck a rifle bullet or outrace the atomic bomb. But they went, five men and one woman, out through the zigzag corridors towards a mirage of safety...