[b]Black![/b]

She retrieves the briefcase. It's frictionless. 

That's a rare feeling. To be a part of someone else's operation. To have a colleague who she doesn't need to oversee. Discomforting, to know that other people are smart. To think there are things she doesn't have to control. It's easier if she has to do all the work. With something like this she's encountered someone who she can't condescend to, but doesn't yet know the failure points of. Maybe he gets sloppy. How? When? She doesn't know. He did this too well for her to know why she can't trust him.

She will wait patiently, then. This isn't her operation, she'll let herself be handled at whatever pace Pope is comfortable with. Her only acknowledgement of receipt is a black heart reaction emoji appended to the photograph he took of the courthouse in the moments before Blue and Orange arrived.

[b]Black![/b]

[b]November:[/b] I appreciate what you're telling me.
[b]November:[/b] I hope I do not come off as distant. I will be as honest as I can be with you: I am managing you right now.
[b]November (Orange):[/b] Professionally.
[b]November:[/b] I am withholding data and drip feeding you revelations for effect. This is because I am neck deep in an investigation and before long I shall need to look into getting a snorkel.
[b]November:[/b] Right now I have both more than you'd expect and less than you'd hope.
[b]November:[/b] So, I must make an unfair request. You feature heavily in my current contingency plan for if the shit does in fact hit the scramjet. It would cause problems if you had already gotten yourself igualad for putting yourself on the front line. 
[b]November (Red):[/b] or killed yourself with opiates and sleep deprivation
[b]November:[/b] You represent a rare source of credibility. It would be professionally damaging if you burned out before I do. 
[b]November:[/b] This is a big ask based on no evidence. If the choice is between my vague insulation and using your platform to confront a clear and present danger I am well aware I have no right to question your decision.
[b]November:[/b] But if the choice is between my career defining scoop and giving yourself a late twenties heart attack from soaking your ramen in energy drinks, I would politely request you give some consideration to the former.