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

[no_talent_hack]

You can't force someone into being better. That's not even real improvement -- it's just being afraid or obedient enough to follow orders.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Incorrect, I'm afraid. It is how you break in rebellion. Commanding is a form of teaching, but what if the inmate refuses to learn?

[no_talent_hack]

Honestly, that sounds pretty weak to me.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Have you ever given or received orders before?

[no_talent_hack]

[Scorpius, if only you knew.]

Yeah. Then I grew up.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Am I led to understand you do not hold military or scientific officers in any regard? Do you not respect a chain of command?

[no_talent_hack]

Maybe I would if I were in the military, but I'm not.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Yet by accepting the title of 'warden', you have willingly inserted yourself into a situation with superior and inferior crewmates.

[no_talent_hack]

Seriously, that's just an excuse. You're still the one making your own choices.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Can you tell me what you absolutely know to be a universal rule across this Barge that warrants detention into Zero?

You can't. There are none. Wardens make their own rules as they go, specific to their inmates.

Yet when an inmate goes about unpaired, how are they to determine a responsible course of action? If we are to assume that they are morally destitute, where do you expect them to find personal responsibility?

There is simply no structure.

[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?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

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

[no_talent_hack]

You knew.

[routemistress]

What you said. I mean, Scorpius is trolling a bit 'ere, but it bears repeating. We 'ave to set boundaries, specially with the more hardarsed contingent. But we're not 'ere to be in command.

[no_talent_hack]

Trolling?

[routemistress]

'E only does it to annoy, because 'e knows it teases.

'E's 'oping to find out more about 'ow individuals think by putting up a plausible argument that 'e knows is wrong. I don't mind taking the bait; like I said, it bears repeating.

I'm Iris - Iris Wildthyme. I did see you on the network, I'm sorry I've not got round to saying 'ello yet. I see Babs and Dean did the introductions up right - welcome aboard, though!

[no_talent_hack]

Seriously? [Oh, good. Another Nagito. Or even a Junko. Now that he's on this side of the screen, he's finding it harder to remember why he ever liked her. He sighs, rubs his temple, and offers Iris a weary smile.]

Hajime Hinata. It's nice to meet you. Iris... [Why does he know her name? Oh.] Oh, uh, Jean... mentioned you to me.

[routemistress]

Oh, that's right; you were talking about telepaths. I saw that.

[private]

You've come up against one with no ethics, 'aven't you?

[Private]

[no_talent_hack]

Y-yeah. Once or twice.

[Private]

[routemistress]

I've been that person. In floods where we were flipped into mirrors of ourselves. It's a ...uniquely unforgivable kind of violation. I'm very sorry you've 'ad to live through it.

[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.

[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.

[Private]

[no_talent_hack]

What makes him so dangerous?

[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.

[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.]