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]

And what could a creature so old wish to do aboard the Barge?

[no_talent_hack]

Oh, come on! You're trying to justify beating someone up because there wasn't anyone around to tell you not to?

[Private]

[no_talent_hack]

[For half a moment, he thinks she means she knows the truth, and his heart skips -- although with fear or excitement for the challenge, he's not sure. Then he realizes what she really means and quietly deflates again, although he just nods uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck.]

I used to know someone a lot like this. Even if he's just provoking people now, if he's really unpaired... we should be keeping an eye on him, shouldn't we.

[routemistress]

Oh, 'e'll come around. I've been guilty of it meself; when you've spent a lot of your life fighting people that be'ave certain ways, it's a bit of a readjustment to come 'ere and ally yourself to 'em. But like you say, 'e's smart.

What's a starburst? Some kind of hyperspace deal, I take it? Can they travel in time, at all?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

How else was I to know it would be perceived as wrong to do so?

[no_talent_hack]

You knew.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

He is. And I can only hope he'll come around, despite your friendship with me.

Not to my knowledge, but Peacekeeper information on Leviathans has been woefully lacking.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Oh, yes. I knew very well.

But we were speaking philosophically, not specifics.

[Private]

[routemistress]

Oh yes. I've got rather attached to 'im but between my Victor and me various projects I really don't 'ave enough time spare. And on a boat this size you can't get away with doubling up very easily.

But aye. Like I said, I'm fond of 'im but Scorpius is a dangerous bloke and 'e's nowhere near ready to give up causing trouble. I don't 'alf envy 'is warden; 'e's going to be a wild ride.

[no_talent_hack]

You've got that wrong! I'm not interested in philosophy. If you just talk in hypotheticals all the time, you can make up an excuse for anything. You'll wear yourself out before you even get started!

[And that's not a hypothetical.]

You did something -- that's not a hypothetical! You can do something about it or you can hide behind all this manipulation crap.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I believe you're the one wearing yourself out.

[Private]

[no_talent_hack]

What makes him so dangerous?

[no_talent_hack]

By which you mean trying to talk to you is pointless.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Talking to me is never pointless.

Convincing me not to follow through with my plans for the future as they are currently laid out will put you at a severe disadvantage.

[Private]

[routemistress]

'E's extremely intelligent, manipulative, technically capable, and 'e's a man with an obsession. Pretty dangerous combo if you 'appen to be someone 'e can use. Safe enough if you're not.

Oh, and 'e can tell when people are lying. Which is pretty minor on the scale of things, but it all adds up.

'E's going to be magnificent graduated. I can't wait.

[no_talent_hack]

And it would be pointless to ask you what those plans are supposed to be?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Complete annihilation of the Scarran army.

Which I imagine means next to nothing to someone unfamiliar with their species. But there are many pieces in place to achieve this, and one of them happens to be on this ship.

[Private]

[no_talent_hack]

But does he have any other abilities? Like you do?

[The lying thing has the potential to be bad, but there are ways around it. The rest... he can handle the rest, he thinks, if there's no more to it than that.

Maybe... maybe it is a good thing that he's not just an average guy anymore.]

[no_talent_hack]

[Well, that's more honest than he was expecting, if indeed meaningless.]

And somehow beating up random wardens is going to get it for you?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Not random wardens, no.

Very specific wardens. Some inmates. An occasional pet or two. It all depends.

[Private]

[routemistress]

Not that I know of; if there are, the boat will 'ave suppressed 'em - she does that, for inmates. It's at our discretion to allow 'em back.

Any road, it's not abilities make a person dangerous. It's the mind be'ind them - then again our Scorpius 'as a mind like a laser cannon. I love it.

[Private]

[no_talent_hack]

[That's not completely untrue, given that Nagito is probably the most dangerous person he knows, and also the smartest. Then again, Nagito had luck on his side, and...]

That's important, but I think being able to read minds or have supernaturally good luck or whatever probably helps a lot, too.

...why are you getting such a kick out of this?

[no_talent_hack]

[HA, SCOTT, he knew someone was going to go after the pets eventually. He's both surprised it didn't happen sooner and that it's being threatened so soon after that conversation, but he's not even a little surprised by the threat itself.]

So it's about timing, that's all?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

No.

It is, as ever, about John Crichton.

[Private]

[routemistress]

I love the work we do 'ere. I love watching people put themselves back together better equipped to live around other people. I love watching 'em learn and grow and interact.

...all right, and I love being in a space filled with sharp, clever people that live their lives on a grand scale. It's the biggest adrenaline kick imaginable.