[His expression flickers visibly at that last one, annoyed; it's less that that's genuinely the case - hell, he doesn't know what rank Cobra even has within the organization - and more because that? That is a hell of a touchy subject, particularly lately.

However, he recovers quickly, at least verbally; there are more pressing things to deal with in that counterargument.]

That assumes that whatever compensation he could possibly offer me would be more important than my reputation. You've already made a note of my pride; do you really think that I would allow my reputation to be tarnished by an amateur, even if it was "strictly business"?