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

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Understood.

[Private]

Put crudely, but yes. In essence.

[soliterraneous]

[Private]

I see.

[ And Aeryn hangs up. ]

[Private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Aeryn that is not a choice]

[Private]

[soliterraneous]

[ Fuck you and your choices man, they're all shitty. ]

[private]

[gard]

I'll let you know.

[his_drededfate]

Then it will no longer be my duty, only my concern.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

And why should you hold concern, Mordred? Soon you will have your own inmate over whom to lavish your concerns. I need no such thing.

[his_drededfate]

You are wrong. Simply being assigned an inmate does not mean it is appropriate for a warden to ignore all others, especially when other inmates are doing harm to those around them.

I believe you are in very much need of my concern as well as others'.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

If you attempt to attend to all other inmates, you will exhaust yourself into oblivion.

Look to others. I have gone without the concern of any other person for a very long time and am more practiced at it.

[bodilesswarrior]

Thank you, Scorpius.

And I hope you figure out some way to - do what needs to be done, and still find peace with yourself.

Spam

[fireincarnate]

I don't need anything. [A slight smirk.] I've gotta say, the free room and board part is nice.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

If I do what needs to be done, that alone will be enough to bring me peace.

Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

For me, it was enough that I am not under daily torture. This Barge, as I've said, is a luxury of a prison.

Re: Spam

[fireincarnate]

[Something sparks in her gut, a flare of indignant rage. It only shows briefly on her face.]

That'll happen sometimes, just to warn you.

[bodilesswarrior]

You'd think, but it doesn't always work out that way.

Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Scorpius hardly reacts at all, except to stare more intently at Jean's face]

Then I have ample warning.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I am not someone who seeks ever-higher, more unattainable goals. I know how to be content with what I have.

Spam

[fireincarnate]

[There's no trace of ardent fury now, but it's waiting there, behind her eyes.]

Some worlds will strip you of all your abilities. They'll make you vulnerable.

[bodilesswarrior]

But will you feel whole, without that purpose? Without your obsession?

Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I have been vulnerable, and I have survived.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

If the obsession has been rendered complete. Yes.

Spam

[fireincarnate]

There are always new ways to be powerless.

Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Your concern is noted, but you are telling me nothing I don't already know. I have known helplessness. I have known what it is to have nothing, to be made to feel like nothing. This Barge will do nothing to me that I have not already battled in some way.

[bodilesswarrior]

What else do you have, right now?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Wealth, power. Command of thousands of soldiers and a warship. A position I earned.