He was learning to go with the flow. Weird things had been happening since he'd returned to the OC, though he didn't realise it corresponded more to his decision to join the network than to his return to California.
The heat of battle wasn't really the place for small talk, and Alex decided to forgo trying to carry on a conversation. He needed to focus, especially now that he had a weapon, his goal wasn't just self preservation, but defense. Of himself, certainly, or others. He'd be much more likely to use the blaster if he was protecting someone else.