[KitJ]

If this is what you think it is Kit (and I think it is), it's nice to see the enemy grovel. Also in keeping with the Sun Tzu discussion of last night. Leave your enemy a path to escape, or something like that. A cornered rat fights to the death and can cause a LOT of destruction.

Remember the way early drops? How to hunt an animal (trap). Q team doesn't corner for the reason you cite. But they do trap! I don't think this one is being trapped. I think they're trying to come in from the cold with some info Q team might want.
If Q team knows the IP is a ghost, then the offer is for that person to open up their real IP which, presumably, Q could identify and open up direct comms (while still concealing Q team's ID). Thus - "can you trust?"

[bagster]

I think they're trying to come in from the cold with some info Q team might want.

I think you nailed it again, Kit. More of an offer than a threat.

If Q team knows the IP is a ghost, then the offer is for that person to open up their real IP which, presumably, Q could identify and open up direct comms (while still concealing Q team's ID). Thus - "can you trust?"

An in-thread BOOM. Kit, you are singlehandedly solving this entire Q drop. No more discussion necessary. Let's use your theory as the working theory from here on out. I'm 188% certain you're right.

:)

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

I think the anon gets off track with “play a game”; anon immediately thinks chess.

I think we (FReeQs) are thinking, “this is not a game” was a more likely direction.