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]

Of course not me. I am far too unseasoned. I answer to wardens.

[When he's not manipulating/kidnapping/beating them up]

Are wardens the highest form of authority on this ship, or does the Admiral step down to deliver his own judgement where needed?

How do wardens become...demoted?

[gard]

I haven't the slightest idea. But here's something I do know: the demarcation between inmate and warden is not a line. It's got to be fuzzy in between. An inmate gets promoted by clearly going into the warden side; a warden probably gets demoted for clearly going to the inmate side. Meaning a warden has to be worse.

Now, I'm not sure I'd put any real faith in a justice system that punishes those who fail to prevent more than it punishes those who choose and perpetrate.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Yet how much blame can you place on those who are unwillingly kidnapped and held who are in the process of resisting what many feel is an unjust arrangement, next to those who willfully chose this lifestyle?

[gard]

Plenty.

Every criminal has a story, and reasons to do what they did. You all have a reason in common right now. Doesn't make it any more or less compelling.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Here I must disagree with your terminology, I'm afraid.

In my universe criminals are called such because they undergo a trial process that proves their criminality. Had I been afforded this opportunity, it's questionable whether some of us would have even merited the title.

[gard]

What would you prefer? Villain? Wrongdoer? Rapscallion?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

How utterly judgmental.

[gard]

Sorry, is this a sensitive subject?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I have several sensitive subjects, but my status as an inmate is not one of them. I only find your definition close-minded.

[gard]

Not at all. I've lived for thousands of years. You think I haven't crossed that line before?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Have you? That must be a very interesting story.

[gard]

I think, at my age, you can make 'story' plural.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

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

[gard]

Maybe if you're a little more straightforward with me, I'll be a little more straightforward with you.

[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?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

The unraveling of the mind of John Crichton.

[gard]

So that's the virtue of placing blame.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Yes.


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

[gard]

Just hammering the point home?

[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?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

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

[gard]

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

[keeps_a_cool_head]

How would you go about enforcing that insistence?