>>5894152You knew this tactic. Back in high school, you went through a webnovel phase. Whenever a villain in one of them wanted to convince the hero to join his side, he never argued for his ideals openly. That sort of confrontation would just antagonise the other side. Instead, he would offer ‘facts’ with a particular slant. If the hero agrees, then she may just be that more susceptible to accept everything else. There's probably a specific name for this move in psychology textbooks, but you don't need to know it to realise you are being manipulated.
That still leaves the question, how best to respond? You could try matching Johnson at his own subtle game. No, you can't count on him inexplicably overlooking some glaring flaw that you can exploit. Life is not a story, not that kind of story. Besides, as he has said, trust is important out here. Let's see if he trusts you, too.
"If Silas is working for Fleet Intelligence, then who are you working for, Lieutenant Commander Johnson? You seem terribly knowledgeable about all this."
A chuckle. Johnson takes out a handkerchief to wipe the wine glasses, “You are learning, good. Doubt always, doubt everything. But why do you think our XO is working with Intelligence? I don't think I have mentioned them yet.”
It should be obvious. No, it is only obvious to you, Johnson didn't know about the Hermes incident, “Well, let's just say we have been bumping into Jean-Pierre a bit too often to be a coincidence...” The piece of cloth suspends itself over the rim, “I've had my suspicions, but it certainly makes sense. Yes, Ministry and Intel. Together, one set of eyes turned inward, another outward.” His voice stoops to a murmur, his hands obsessively moving the wipe back and forth, “Whose eyes will watch over them both?”
A good question, but let's focus on the previous one. You cough a little to get his attention, “Perhaps the eyes of whoever you are working for?” A errant ray of light hits the now spotlessly clean edge and explodes into a rainbow. “I don't know whether I should regret sowing doubt in you like so.” Realising his work is done, he smiles and passes the handkerchief, “In this moment, I am employed by Black Sun Enterprise, and Black Sun Enterprise only.” Nod gratefully, but you have your own. “You won't believe me, I know. But your company," An instinctual slip, swiftly corrected. "Our company has a reputation in certain circles. I had to learn more before signing the dotted line.”
