"If we manage this well, I think we'll be in a position to insist on standards for everyone using it. If it leaks, if there's chaos, then you're much likelier to get countries trying to grab what's theirs."

"Mmhm."

"So I'm trying to - do things cleanly and sensibly and defensibly enough that we don't take any risks and come out looking good in addition to having the resources to accomplish everything we need to."

"I already said fine about the military greens, what else do you want from me?"

"I want you to have correct expectations about how reasonable suggestions I make are likely to be, and to have a sense of what kind of things you should expect I'm trying to balance, and to have enough information and resources to play the role that you seem to be set up to play in this, given that Fëanáro trusts you."

"Okay."

"I don't know exactly what those resources are but I'm going to at least try."

"Thanks."

"Is there anything else we should talk about?"

"Nothing leaps to mind."

"All right. Thank you."

"If you decide it makes sense to pay me for anything to do with this it will be less unbelievable to anyone who's met me if you declare me part of the mixed-grey pilot project and pay me orange money."

"Have a reputation for being distinctly not the kind of person to join a secret military project? The scientists will fuss with me about messing with their randomization but I'll see about setting that up."

"Oh, they can count me out of the data set, it's way too late for me to go medical track."

"I have known people to change careers older than five."

"Well I'm not going to do it now, now I'm going to learn magic."

"Of course. Have fun."

Was he Melkorish, he wants to know when Pelape gets back.

Nah, just bluish. He has enough good reasons for wanting it to be a military project, I think. Although I'm going to keep notes on how many things he convinces me of like that and worry if it's a lot.

Why?

Because if it happens a whole lot it might mean he's just really convincing, not that he has good reasons.

That makes sense. I can't read his mind.

My email said how to do private thoughts.

Yeah, I wouldn't have even tried if they didn't know how. Most of them aren't good at it yet so I stopped after a bit anyway.