"You knew more than I did." Some men would balk at admitting they'd gone on a fool's errand, completely blind as to the reward. S.T. was of the opinion that this was less ridiculous than going all windmill-tilting (though he left the green power generation activism to others) at saving the world. Which he did every day.

"A coliseum? I'm guessing it's not to give us front-row seats at a rock concert." They'd waltzed through a ballroom, so it wasn't impossible, but intentional mayhem seemed more likely. "I don't think that dinky little shield will do much good against whatever's down there."

"Hey, look who decided to join us." He pointed his sponge at Scott, standing in the lineup. "Looks like nothing ate him after all." By which he meant he was glad to see the guy alive, but that wasn't the kind of thing he said out loud without half a six-pack.