This was a bit too idiomatic for Dr. X. By way of explanation, 
Hackworth flipped out a ten-year-old card bearing Dr. X's dynamic chop. As 
the old fisherman hauled the dragon out of the water, Dr. X suddenly got it, 
and grinned appreciatively. This was showing a lot of emotion—assuming 
it was genuine—but age and war had made him reckless.