Burn Notice Season 5 Episode 13

Michael: (voice-over) The age of satellite surveillance has made some operations easier for spies and a lot harder for others. If you need to secretly meet someone who's being tracked by a satellite, your options are pretty limited. The only move is to make sure you're someplace the surveillance satellites can't see you. That usually means a cave, a tunnel, or, in a pinch, a freeway overpass.

Michael: (voice-over) When you're surprised by an enemy who has you outgunned you're first instinct is naturally going to be to try to run. This can be a serious tactical mistake. Sometimes it's less important to get away immediately... Than it is to make sure your enemies can't follow.

Michael: (voice-over) In a situation where you're trying to keep someone from being captured, your best leverage is often the life of the very person you're trying to protect. The trick is convincing the bad guys that you're willing to kill their prize before you let them have it.

Michael: (voice-over) When you need to buy time for an operation, the key is staying relaxed. No matter how high the stakes are, you have to act like everything's fine. The key is staying natural, giving your team as much room to operate as you can without letting on to what you're doing. When you know that time is running out, you have to signal your team at the first opportunity and hope for the best.

Michael: (voice-over) Information stored in a dram chip was long considered impossible to steal. It's automatically erased when the chip's removed. The one way to preserve the information in a dram chip is by freezing it immediately after you take it out of the computer. A quick application of compressed air from your local drug store will keep the memory intact long enough to get what you need. It's possible, but far from easy. And if you don't want to get caught, it takes some practice.

Madeline: You want me to steal what?
Sam: Listen, it's not really stealing. It's more like, uh, uh, borrowing without asking.

Michael: The fact that I'm being evaluated for a higher clearance, does that mean that...
Agent Pierce: All this means is that D.C. likes having someone who can work off the books.
Michael: Last time I checked, that was illegal.
Agent Pierce: It pushes the boundaries. But I'd say, in light of your recent activities, you're in no position to be too squeamish about laws. After all, that's what they like about you. Oh, and one more thing. Just remember that a team of agents is going to quadruple-check everything you say here today. So do yourself a favor. Stick to the truth for a change.

Michael: (voice-over) Creating a good diversion isn't just about making noise and firing guns. It's about giving the enemy the impression that it's being attacked in way that demands immediate attention of all his forces; ideally, something big and very, very loud.

Madeline: (looking at her fake I.D) The state listed me as aged 52!
Jesse: Well, you know, a good cover I.D states the age you look not the age you are.
Madeline: And a good spy knows how to flatter.

Michael: (voice-over) When operating without official cover in remote locations don't have resources or backup for when things go wrong. So it's usually best to move fast and stay exposed for as little time as possible. It's just a matter of figuring out what you're up against, crossing your fingers and getting in and out as quickly as you can.

Michael: (voice-over) For a spy, the worst thing that can happen is to become someone else's assets. You do anything you can to avoid it, making sure there's nothing people can grab onto and use as leverage. You move through life unattached, keeping the world at a distance, it's a hard way to live, but there's a cold logic to it. Love nothing, and nothing you love can be used against you. Once you violate that rule and make that connection with someone, you've handed your enemies the key to destroying you.