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]

I know John. He will not forgive.

[gard]

And if you knew torture wouldn't work, as a way to get what you want? What then? Would you use all that strength of will, all that determination, to do something really good, and do it the right way?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Most likely.

But it would need to work.

[gard]

Most people snap under torture, Scorpius. You know that, I know that. Training only goes so far - when you have someone in pain, helpless, they will tell you anything you want to know.

He didn't.

What makes you think this is going to work? Slow-motion torture, when you don't even have the power in this situation?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

John is strong. Stronger than any creature I have yet to meet. There is something wholly...unworldly about the way he resists.

But I won't torture him. There are easier ways of extracting what he knows, if he would only cooperate.

[gard]

This is torture. It's the long-term kind, and the kind that doesn't leave marks. You're hoping he'll just give in.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Is it? I suppose it all depends on what you consider torture. John has not been physically harmed.

[gard]

It's a risky gamble. You're just hoping that a different kind of pain is the way in.

Honestly, I think it sounds like you're stuck in one pattern. Hurt people to get what you want. Is that what your life has been like?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Not at all. If a method is not working, I know how to adjust my tactics.

[gard]

From one kind of attack to another. Doesn't sound so flexible.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I would be interested to hear what you would do, if our positions were switched.

[gard]

[ He considers this, seriously. ] I'll admit that past hosts of the Gard symbiont would have taken a different approach. Perhaps a drug-induced state, a holodeck illusion, skirting illegality with mind-to-technology links.

My latest host would have sat him down and given him a stern and honest talking-to, because that was the kind of man he was.

Me?

I think I'd try humility.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

A curious concept.

How successful has it been for you?

[gard]

[ Quietly: ]

Admitting you're wrong is one of the most powerful things anyone can do. It's a test of character not only for you, but for the one you admit it to. It can change everything. It can move mountains.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[He considers what he's being told. Certainly Scorpius regrets the first time he interacted with Crichton and potentially scared him away from ever working with him peacefully again, but at the same time he can't be compelled to think of it as wrong. How sincere can he possibly be with the man while still getting what he wants?]

You've given me a great deal to think about.

[gard]

I hope you do.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

And this has been successful for you in the past?

[gard]

What, thinking things through?

[ Humor in his voice. ]

I've been known to give problems due consideration every once in a while.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Humility.

[gard]

[ A long pause. And then, he takes a breath. ]

Well, why don't I give it a try?

[ private ]

You're not the only one here who's aiming for genocide.

[ Quiet, and frank, and deeply personal. ]

I know what it's like when that's necessary. When you're out of other options.

Mockery was not what you deserved. I'm sorry.

[private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Silence on the other end. On the one hand this feels very much like a trick. He doesn't know Gard, doesn't know his angle or what he means to accomplish by telling Scorpius this]

You are clearly not well-versed in mockery if that is the best you can do.

[He's been mocked worse by better]

Is that your deal? Genocide?

[private]

[gard]

I wasn't trying for a comedy award. [ Dryly. ]

Yes. It's what I bargained for.

[private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

You're a warden.

[come on man wardens don't dream of killing millions of people]

These creatures you are working to eliminate. Who are they?

[private]

[gard]

They're parasites. Bent on the destruction of all humanoid races - mine, in particular.

[private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

And you've tried every other method of elimination or pacification?