"That's what I'm supposed to do. It's my purpose."

He's keeping his tone carefully neutral but his head hurts and a shadow crosses his face. Sometimes he wonders if there's supposed to be more to life than this but of course that's a stupid notion, impossible. They own him. End of story.

There's something disarming in that smile and he finds himself smiling back. Or maybe he's just concussed.

"Uh, thanks. ... It's not often someone gets the drop on me, so, likewise I guess."