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.

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[ She shrugs. ]

New leaf. Trying to graduate. All that jazz. It's a work in progress.

[Scorpius sets his hand on the bar walls, his fingers pushing against the metal. It's rare when he wishes he was anything close to Scarran, but here he finds himself missing that strength given to him by his paternal genetics]

I would never accuse you of being naive. Perhaps a little too succinct, but this may be because we are still virtually strangers, and neither fully understands what the other is capable of yet.

While I'm pleased to hear you don't consider torture an option, I'm at a loss to determine the purpose of your visit. Of course there would be - will be - consequences. Such is the inevitability of desperate men in desperate situations.

And how is that progressing along?

Well I haven't punched anyone since Bond, so I'd say pretty good.

So if you're not taking responsibility for beating Alex senseless, who's fault do you think it was? [ She can't resist making one little jab. But at least she knows she should. ] Did God make you do it?

Of course. But considering thus far, the consequences have been brief intervention by Ben and then what's effectively a time out with plenty of time to plot your next move, I felt it only fair to inform you that next time, you won't be as lucky.

[Won't, because it's pretty difficult to hide what you've done from a telepath once they know to keep a better eye on you than they've been doing thus far. It's still not voiced as a threat though, just an inevitability.]

I'd also be interested in closing that gap of not knowing what the other is capable of. I've heard Commander Crichton's side of the story. I'd be interested to hear yours as well.

How about if I insist on not psychologically dismantling any passengers?

Oh no: I am the one responsible for Alex Summers. Above, I'm speaking to the general idea of inmates as a species. Not specifics.

How would you go about enforcing that insistence?

Guess there's my answer.

Given the range of wardens and my inability to gauge who can do precisely what, I still feel reasonably confident asserting that anyone who tries to dissuade me using more creative methods will find themselves demoted faster than I will break.

[Because Scorpius is determined with a capital D.]

Then read my mind. I invite you.

You fail to provide convincing incentive.

Certainly. I eagerly await your release.

I don't know you. Or what you want.

As do I.

Do you have an interest in knowing?

Sure.

Coming out of a cell in Zero, that's definitely not what it sounds like.

I'm less confident. You wouldn't be here if there wasn't potential for you to adjust your world view, and I'm afraid I'm exceptionally patient. As are plenty of the other wardens on board.

[Iris, for example, seems to have taken an interest in him, and while they don't always necessarily get along, Charles has seen her wear down the defenses of other inmates, and he's seen plenty of others do it, too. Even someone like Arthas eventually has been worn down by the Barge.]

And I'd be more than happy to take you up on that offer, but as I'm sure you've discovered by now, the cloaking that dampens any supernatural abilities you possess while in your cell works both ways. Fortunately, as I've said, I'm patient.

I want the wormhole technology housed in John Crichton's mind.

Then a miscommunication has occurred between us, and I apologize.

I too can vouch for my own patience. I suppose we'll need to leave it up to the Barge to determine who is right and who is overconfident.

So am I to expect a mentally-driven incapacity the moment I step out from Zero?

As another interested party-- purely scientific as I refuse to engage the most woefully bland attempts at the Blame Game since I left the Prison for the Criminally Gifted--as the longest standing engineer on the ship, I can sure you that the barge is:

Alive, unmappable, and she can get very, very testy when you muck about her guts the wrong way. And yes, the Admiral is as much a part of her as anything could be.

Just an FYI, for those who need to know.

[He knows it would probably read as cockiness to point out that he's been here for far longer than he has, and that it's not really fair to rub his experience in his face, so he lets the topic lie and chuckles again at the question. It's still not unkind.]

No. Not unless you've done something to infuriate one of the other telepaths on board, anyway. As I said, I'm not interested in torturing you. I'd also be perfectly happy to hear what you have to say now, rather than waiting for Mr. Parker to let you out again. I'm curious.

What John has likely told you of our struggle together is undoubtedly the truth. I've never known him to lie except in order to protect something or someone, and despite our being enemies, he is reasonably fair in his assessments.

[Minus the Looney Tunes references]

Do you have a specific question in mind?

Then very much like a Leviathan.

Interesting. I'd be curious to know if this Barge shares any ancestry with that class of starship.

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