"Trouble might be mitigated by this talk of gliders."

Redundant for him, but useful for those without the advantages wings offer. Then again, the one at the helm of their design - she seemed far more trouble than any tumble out the sky. At least when the ground comes up to meet you, there's very little left to worry about after.

The little good humour he has evaporates into his usual grim sobriety.

"Something there that shouldn't be? Or something that should be there and isn't?"