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

[velocette]

Every society likes to have their clean lines, their sharp rules. When I hear the word 'abomination', what it usually means is 'progress'.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Your perspective is refreshing and, I'm afraid, in the minority.

But I don't need their trust or approval to do what is necessary.

[velocette]

People here are pretty open minded. Iris sees it our way.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

One of the many reasons why I enjoy her company.

[velocette]

Mm. [Nodding a fraction.] There's so much company here I haven't really met anyone.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Truly? And here I thought this was an exceptionally small vessel. What has prevented you from meeting the other passengers?

[velocette]

I don't know if you have zoos where you're from, but it's kinda like that. You can see the people here, but you'll only see a fraction of how they really are. Most of them are so busy thinking about getting out, they don't stop to think about where they are, so all you see is a person scratching on the walls.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

A condition you can hardly blame them for. But there are other ways at getting to the person underneath their initial instincts.

[velocette]

How do you do it, when you have to?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Have you heard of a device called the Aurora Chair?

[velocette]

No. [Which sparks some deep interest in him.] What is it?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

The Chair is a method of interrogation that's proven quite effective for most species.

What it does is segment the mind into layers, and projects these layers as memories so that they're available for viewing whenever they're called up.

[velocette]

Regardless of whether or not the subject remembers? Is it possible to see early childhood, before long-term memory is fully developed?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Yes. The Chair can withdraw memories the subject had no idea they possessed.

[velocette]

Do you know how to make one?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I believe so. But it would take time, and tools. And it has been cycles since I've worked on one.

[velocette]

Can you make me blue prints?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Give me time and paper and I'll deliver it to you to the best of my knowledge. I did not design the chair and there may be specifics I miss, which would involve a good deal of trial and error.

[velocette]

We'll figure it out. I'm good with mechanics.

[And that he says with the same smooth confidence that could have convinced hopeless men twice his age to leap off bridges.]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

We may potentially be dealing with technology wildly outside your realm of expertise.

[You're human, Boy. What do you know of Sebacean machines?]

[velocette]

I'll work hard to catch up. Come by the art room and I'll get you materials...do you have any tech from your world?

[The trick, for him, is not being so stuck in what he knows; he absorbs information like a desperate sponge because of that. See something once, and he can generally recreate it. (Though he's positive alien machinery is going to be a slow and delicate process, and probably one with a hundred mistakes.)]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

None with me that would be conducive to our project.

I'll be out of Zero soon. I'll come then.

[velocette]

Oh it was less about the project and more about familiarizing myself with what the 'nuts and bolts' look like.

How long have you been in?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Six days now. But the one thing I can show you would have nothing to do with the Aurora Chair.

[velocette]

[He shrugs, smiling.] I wouldn't be much good in a renaissance if I limited myself to being interested in only one thing. I'd like to see it.