[i]For the first time since this strange encounter had begun, Jackson's permanent scowl had been broken. However, his face now bore a humorless grin, his eyes as those of a shark. He spoke, his voice having a flat tone to it as his face set quickly into its usual frown.[/i] "[b]I only need the one round, sir. And rest assured, I can recover from bruises and blunt force trauma.[/b]"