Log 0007

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[In Zero, Scorpius does what he does best: he plans. Giving him space and time to think through what he wants and how to get it is one of the unintended gifts of his cell space, and he appreciates every moment of it.

After several days, he addresses the Barge]

A question to my fellow shipmates;

When an inmate commits a grievous crime, who is to blame for it? Obviously the inmate must share some, but what percentage is attributed to them and what percentage is attributed to their warden, who may be unfit to command them? A warden may fail just as easily by not admitting to something that could be most assuredly out of their control.

And what of inmates who aren't paired and no one has taken the time to explain to them the rules?

My apologies to Alex Summers. While it was certainly my intent to hurt him, he had done nothing to harm me and was simply in the correct place at the correct time.



[Private to Crichton]

Of course, John, we all know that you are the one fully to blame.

More like Alex will follow. You cannot hope to save them all.

In a few days' time they will be forced to release me. What has changed between the time of my entering this cell and the time of my leaving it? As a deterrent towards behavior, Zero leaves much to be desired.

I am willing to entertain ideas of a deal between us.

Comments

Video

[fireincarnate]

There are things you can do here, that you can't do alive?

[bodilesswarrior]

Not everything. Even I can't hack the private filters.

For example, I don't know why you need wormhole tech. That would factor in on potential offers.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

To commit genocide.

Video

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Also correct. The Barge affords me time for planning and has even gifted me the one person I would most like to have sharing my term of imprisonment.

Video

[fireincarnate]

And you figure the best way to get his help is hurting his friends.

[bodilesswarrior]

To what purpose?

Video

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Are you content to state the obvious facts throughout the entirety of our conversation, or are you going to ask more intelligent questions?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

There is no purpose after that. The purpose is to commit genocide.

Video

[fireincarnate]

Okay, here's one.

Do you know any ways of getting what you want that don't involve intimidation and fear?

[bodilesswarrior]

Because - what, the universe would be better without that particular species in it?

Video

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I do.

Unfortunately I don't have the tools to enact them here. And when I tried to use one in my home universe, John extracted it.

[Somehow. He's still pissed about that, thx]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Immensely.

Video

[fireincarnate]

So find some new ones.

The way you're used to doing things ended with you dead on a prison ship.

[bodilesswarrior]

Why? What did they do?

Video

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I died because my body chemistry in its natural order decided to cook my brain inside my skull.

Not because I intimidated or terrorized any creature.

This prison ship is a second chance I do not intend to waste. But nor do I appreciate having my path dictated by those who only seek to condemn.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Innumerable hostile take-overs of planets far too many to count, to begin. And all the misfortunes wrapped up in what bloody war is made of.

Video

[fireincarnate]

[She's about to snap back, but then it hits her - she's being a hypocrite. He's probably hurt a lot of people, but so did she; she's only mad because he hurt Alex.

He's here to change, and she's not being fair.

Her expression softens, a little bit.]

You're right.

[She shakes her head.] But I still think you're going about things the wrong way. This kind of thing - even if you get what you want from John, what will it matter if you can't go back?

[bodilesswarrior]

[Her brow furrows, as she considered. Genocide is, generally, the ultimate evil - but it's also beyond a general human's comprehension. How can they decide if it's just to kill millions to save billions?]

What kind of people are they? If we were talking humans, I'd say go for the world leaders, the people making the decisions, but... [She knows how different things can be. If the species is a hivemind, for example - well, it's the classic hydra problem.]

[megamind]

I look forward to running simulations! [ Because he totally, honestly does. ] It'll be a nice distraction while I have no inmate.

Video

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[By degrees, Scorpius calms too. By which he means, not being so snappish or condescending. His fingers flex once, as he leans his head back]

That is the puzzle I am struck with time and time again.

One piece at a time.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

They are a race called Scarrans. And they do not like negotiations as a rule. I lived among them for twelve cycles.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Of course.

[He turns to go, pauses, and turns back]

As a non-human, can you explain to me the abject fascination this Barge has with humanity? I hear species like you and I described as "humanoid" and every measure of time conforms to the one found on the human homeworld of Earth.

Is this a coincidence?

[his_drededfate]

And what you want is?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Complete open access to the mind of John Crichton, currently.

Video

[fireincarnate]

Maybe you haven't made the right space for it yet. The next piece.