"What's your favorite?" Arcade asks, instead of answering the question offered. "I'm sure you have one in mind, the story you're always secretly primed to tell over a stiff drink."

Although he really doesn't look the part, that kind of obnoxiously charming macho bonding ritual is one with which he is actually quite familiar. Growing up surrounded by military, though, one can hardly avoid the intermittent deluge of war stories and cheap booze and full-chested posturing.