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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

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.

From:

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?

From:

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.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

[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.

From:

wedonot

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.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

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.

From:

wedonot

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.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

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?

From:

wedonot

[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.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

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?

From:

wedonot

[He shrugs.] Not especially. But I'm quite familiar with the complexities of antagonistic relationships, and although I don't believe he had reason to lie, I still think it's only fair to at least attempt to understand the perspective and motivation of both sides.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

To what purpose? I have harmed a child of yours, Doctor. I have forfeited my privilege to be heard by you.

From:

wedonot

Maybe. [And he is still angry about it, as any half decent parent would be. The reminder doesn't exactly help keep his calm intact, but it doesn't seep through in a particularly noticeable way. Being furious isn't going to change that it happened.] But surely you can understand why I'd be interested in knowing exactly what I'm wandering into the next time you and the commander cross swords.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

Then I suppose I owe you at least that.

....John is a tool. A means to a greater end. He is the key towards eliminating a race of creatures in my universe known as the Scarrans. They are vicious, exceptionally strong and durable, do not believe in mercy, feel that other races that are not useful to them as tools for work or breeding should be eliminated, and are the dominating force of my galaxy, outside of the Peacekeeper army.

But John is reluctant to assist me for a multitude of reasons. He believes that the Peacekeepers are little better than the Scarrans - a stereotype I must admit is not unfounded. He also does not believe in weaponizing what he knows. He may in fact be unable to assist me due to the nature of his implanted gift. And our first meeting was...how can I put this...

I do not make a good first impression.

Edited Date: 2014-03-02 08:24 pm (UTC)

From:

wedonot

[Well, that much is obvious. It's still an interesting story, and he appreciates that Scorpius still doesn't seem especially interested in lying to him. It's a pretty nice change of pace.]

And what are you hoping to accomplish on the Barge, if you don't mind me asking?

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

To escape the Barge with both my goals and this knowledge intact.

But I suspect by the nature of graduation, I will be forced to give up my lifetime's goal. And that is simply...unacceptable.

From:

wedonot

Not necessarily. If your primary goal is protecting other people, I don't think anyone is going to try and tell you you're entirely, unforgivably wrong for wanting to do so. There have been plenty of inmates who have simply had to alter their methods slightly in order to graduate.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

Protecting the rest of the galaxy, unfortunately, comes as a side-along allowance of my desire for revenge. This is not to say I don't want to protect others, but I have been seeking revenge for far, far longer than I have even known some of the people who would end up sheltered under my plan.

Some of whom, ironically, would be John Crichton and his friends and allies.

From:

wedonot

And revenge is ultimately worth more to you than the well being of anyone else.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

Yes.

I suppose that is one of the reasons why I am on this side of the bars.

From:

wedonot

Probably. You're certainly not the first.

But you also wouldn't be the first to eventually realize your energy might be better spent towards other endeavors.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

I realize this.

But the nostalgic part of me resists it.

From:

wedonot

It's not exactly a fast process, [He's still very aware of the fact that it took two years for Erik to basically say one sentence that would have let them leave, and while he's not resentful of him for it, it's still sort of hilarious in retrospect that that had been the thing to seal the deal.]

But I can say from experience, it's much better on the other side.