"So I had been edgy even before I left the shuttle from Ell-Five at Stationary Station to board the beanstalk capsule...But, damn it, being edgy isn't reason to kill a man" (Chapter 1, p. 1).

"I looked back at Boss. He was a welcome sight. Same old unstylish eyepatch - why wouldn't he take time to have that I regenerated" (Chapter 3, p. 17).

"Friday, one of your weaknesses is that you lack appropriate conceit. An honorable hatchet man does not kill by reflex: he kills by planned intent" (Chapter 4, p. 28).

"At that point he could adjourn it with no hurt feelings or he could elect to invest in goodwill against a possible future encounter. He chose the latter" (Chapter 5, p. 39).

"I was a combat courier in a quasi-military organization" (Chapter 6, p. 47).

"Presently freefall went away and we entered the incredibly thrilling sensations hypersonic glide" (Chapter 9, p. 78).

"After a while I...