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

[private]

[gard]

That's a surprisingly complicated question.

The short answer is - yes. Probably.

[private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

How much do you know about these parasites?

[private]

[gard]

As much as is known.

[private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Have you lived with them? Observed their politics and strife and values?

Are you quite sure there is nothing redeemable about them and nothing overlooked?

[private]

[gard]

Unfortunately, it's more complicated than that.

These parasites, when they take over a humanoid being, destroy that being's nervous system and brain. Once control is established, that person is gone. They murder just to live, and they enjoy it - their blood lust knows no bounds. If I had lived among them, I would be dead.

Every time they have been contacted, every time speech has been possible, they have said one thing and one thing only: that they want to kill us. All of us.

I've been fighting them as long as I can remember. Longer.

[private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Then they ought to be wiped out, for the safety of all other humanoid races.

[private]

[gard]

Yes.

It's my last option.

[private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

And how far would you go to see this accomplished?

[private]

[gard]

I suppose I won't know until I'm there.

[private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I suppose these parasites think of you in slightly stronger terms than rapscallion.

[private]

[gard]

Yes.

[private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

And if innocent bystanders need to be harmed in order to end their threat?

But no; I suppose that's why you're here for your deal. A third option.

Unfortunate that not all of us have that choice.

[private]

[gard]

It's true that you could. If you manage to get yourself out of here.

[private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

If.

And if I were permitted to keep revenge at the forefront of my desires after graduation.

[private]

[gard]

Sounds like you could end up doing the same thing, without a thought to revenge.

[private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

It would certainly make my journey easier than having to rely on the eccentricities of John Crichton.

But I cannot be sure.

[private]

[gard]

Welcome to life, where nothing is sure.

[private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Or death, as the case may be.

[private]

[gard]

Existence, then.

[private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I try to be as sure as possible before making any sort of move. The wrong mistake at the wrong time can lead to dire circumstances.

As you can probably surmise by the fact that I am here and dead.

[private]

[gard]

Oh, don't look at me. I've died lots of times.

[private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Are you a self-resurrectionist?

[private]

[gard]

Merely one host in a very long line of them.

[private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

You are a parasite of some kind yourself?

[private]

[gard]

A symbiont. On my planet, symbionts co-evolved with humanoid life. We can function separately, or Join together to share experiences, memories, extended health.

We are not the same as the parasites.