His desire for revenge on Milos was a driving factor in keeping himself whole.Nevertheless he fought to hold the pieces of himself together.
He wanted the joy of running Trumpet.
He wanted to see Morn Hyland again.
He wanted revenge on Milos.
And Warden Dios had given him something to hope for.
We've committed a crime against your soul.
It's got to stop.
They both rest prior to docking at Billingate, Milos by choice, Angus through hidden commands in his zone implant.
They dock, and Angus books rooms in the Ease-n-Sleaze, a central part of the Cruise that he hopes Milos will be uncomfortable with. SRD describes the atmosphere there very effectively, from the surprising population of women to the obvious guards as well as the 'wires' who were more disguised, with hidden communication equipment on their bodies. Angus was able to easily identify all the guards through their EM emissions.
They make their way towards the Ease-n-Sleaze:
They make their way past the "reception" via voiceprint, to the fourth floor where their rooms are located, and Angus scans the area for bugeyes and booby traps. Locating the bugeyes and finding nothing overly out of the ordinary, they enter their rooms:EASE-N-SLEAZE
BAR & KEEP
FUN & FROLIC
YOU NAME IT:
IT'S HERE
That's a pretty vivid description!The room was bigger than his cabin aboard Trumpet, but not much. The air was no better than the atmosphere outside Ease-n-Sleaze: apparently the room had recently been occupied by someone who liked to smoke nic laced with dorphamphetamines. The nacreous walls were rank with stains; some of the splotches looked like old grease or blood. Two ersatz stainless steel chairs slumped against them. A ratty fabric like exhausted Velcro covered the floor. Light the color of defeated neon spread like reflectors in the corners of the ceiling...
... The bed probably knew almost as much about desperation and hate as he did.
Angus confirms that both rooms are safe enough. They both have bugeyes but that is pretty standard here.
"At least we can get drunk" is the cue to go to the bar. The hate between Milos and Angus is palpable. The chapter ends with:"It's like living beside a bugger. Everything's recorded. You're safe - as long as you never do anything."
It's pretty much a set up chapter. It sets the scene and surroundings with disturbing detail. I find its vividness a great introduction to the subsequent chapters.Chewing useless fantasies in which Milos begged for death while Angus played cat's cradle with his guts, Captain Thermopyle led his second down to the bar.
Nick Succorso was waiting for them at a table in one of the dim, dirty corners.