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]

If you have questions, I'll be happy to afford them answers.

[gard]

Why violence at all? You don't seem stupid, and you're willing to weather the consequences. What part of your goals does this further?

spam!

[wedonot]

That's good to know. [It is, even if he knows better than to take anyone's word on that sort of thing, especially here.] And my apologies, I wasn't aware of his professional title. [They haven't had much reason to speak to each other before now.]

But I'm not here to threaten you, and Alex doesn't need me to ensure anything. He is more than capable of fighting his own battles, and as strange as it might be to say this considering what happened, you were actually extraordinarily lucky you caught him off guard. [Because otherwise they'd be having this conversation in the infirmary while he was recovering from being incinerated, in all likelihood.] I just felt it might be pertinent to let you know that if you're interested in attempting something like this a second time, regardless of who the target is - and I think I'm correct in assuming that you are - I'll be more than happy to help construct a consequence that's a bit less bland than having a full week to sit by yourself and think up ways to further dig yourself into this hole you've constructed for yourself.

And if you have any further questions about policy, or the rules, I'm also more than happy to answer them.

[no_talent_hack]

You seemed to want to a minute ago. Scarran army, John Crichton...

[keeps_a_cool_head]

The unraveling of the mind of John Crichton.

[Private]

[force_captain]

[She smiles back, coyly.]

Getting what I want, of course.

[Private]

[no_talent_hack]

[He doesn't know any of the names she's mentioned, but he thinks he gets the idea. It raises a good question: what kind of warden will he be? He doesn't know, yet.]

I don't know if I can help him, but I can try to stay close. Maybe I can stop him from doing this again.

[gard]

So that's the virtue of placing blame.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I answered your questions honestly. Nothing of what I have told you you could not simply glean from Crichton himself.

spam!

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[This isn't the way Scorpius envisioned this conversation going, and he peers curiously at Charles, attempting to gauge which emotions are genuine and which are an act]

You're far calmer about this than I would have anticipated.

[Perhaps you could give John a few lessons on controlling his temper, yes?]

Unfortunately, Dr. Xavier, as I'm sure you're aware, the threat of some unknown consequence is not enough to dissuade a determined mind.

How far are you willing to go, is the question?

[Private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

And..

How can I help to get what you want?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Yes.


Not that I need to voice it aloud. He blames himself.

[no_talent_hack]

Oh yeah? I appreciate your honesty, then.

Okay, so what does Crichton have to do with using the Barge on the Scarran army?

[gard]

Just hammering the point home?

[Private]

[force_captain]

Well, you will help me if your plans play out the way you wish. I want off this ridiculous boat as much as you do.

But...between now and then, I do have other needs. Though you can't help me with them while in Zero.

Video;

[ichoosefight]

You know, you're really not worth the trouble, but you could at least take responsibility for your own bad decisions. You're a grown-ass man.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

During his travels, John Crichton was first launched through a wormhole; a hole in time and space that provides almost instantaneous transportation across the galaxy to those who know its secrets. It was this encounter that brought him to the attention of several prominent species, one of whom was a race of creatures who possessed far greater knowledge of wormholes and were reluctant to share it.

But they did share it with Crichton, and he's kept this knowledge from me ever since, knowing that I wish to weaponize it to gut the Scarran army down to its last pathetic lieutenant.

I don't wish to use the Barge at all. I wish to escape it, with this knowledge intact.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Something to that effect, yes. It bears repeating on a mind as fragile as his.

[gard]

And you object to the label of "rapscallion"? Really?

[Private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Perhaps you'd care to elaborate on those needs once they free me from Zero.

Video;

[keeps_a_cool_head]

The regularity in which you initiate contact would suggest I am worth the trouble, Stephanie.

[Private]

[force_captain]

Oh I'll gladly explain in full detail.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

If you insist on the terminology, I will find a way to live with it.

[Private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Perhaps in your cabin? Mine is likely being watched after my latest escapade.

spam!

[wedonot]

[He probably could teach John a thing or two if he's interested, but if things had gone differently, the telepath might be more outwardly angry. He knows in the past he's lost his patience and his temper with other inmates for doing something stupid or dangerous or just cruel - he'd once punched Tony in the face for it.

But he feels different, now. Calmer. More willing to accept the fact that he's angry and use it constructively rather than getting angry with himself for losing his cool because he feels he needs to be better than that.]

Well, I'm not interested in torturing you. [Might as well put that out there from the get go.] As frustrating as this place can be, I do honestly believe your being here is about redemption, not revenge or punishment.

That being said, [Because of course there's a but.] I am more than willing to do what it takes to stop you from abusing anyone else, and you would be foolish to take my apparent idealism for naivete, or choose to underestimate what I'm capable of because of it.