it made a squishing sound and a thud-that was the first thing i noticed-and then the shock of the blow wore off , and i felt it , too . `` why is it harder to breathe up here ? and all of them chose chairs that kept him in sight . never seen that suit before , mate , he wants to say . my squadron has been reduced to half its force . he raises his hands in front of him in a silent peace offering . when it came to his personal life , that was where the conversation would end . 