adept

adj. highly skilled; expert

audible

adj.  capable of being heard

banter

v.  to exchange playful, teasing remarks

n. light, playful conversation

crucial

adj.   extremely important; vital in resolving something

decelerate

 v.   to slow down or to cause to slow down

deploy

v.  1. to arrange troops or equipment in position for battle

     2. to put into use

fitful

adj.   not steady; irregular

grapple

v. 1. to struggle with in close combat; to wrestle

2. to come to grips with

n.   an iron shaft with a claw for grasping and holding things

pang

n.  a sudden sharp feeling of pain or distress

precede

v.  to go or come before in time, rank or position