That evening, David was completely deflated, like a wilted plant after a frost. Even the mess hall"s limited-supply, Mars-farm "real meat" steak failed to lift his spirits. Miller, whose sharp eyes belied his smart mouth, prodded him with a fork. "Hey, man. You look like someone just kicked your puppy and then stole your girl. What"s eating you?" Bottled-up frustration and anger finally found an outlet. At Miller"s question, David spilled everything—the encounter with Vance, and the whole mess with Elena"s vanished account. The G-Squad guys sitting around the table immediately erupted. Rodriguez, a Hispanic sergeant from Brooklyn, was the first to curse. "That Spartan prick! Thinks he"s hot s**t just "cause he"s riding a fancy tin can? We oughta go have a "chat" with him, Gladiator style!"
