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]

Not at all. I would use my time here on the Barge to work out my plan of action.

[his_drededfate]

Plans will do nothing for you if you cannot even plan to leave. And these actions will only delay both efforts.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I will plan to leave.

There are only...other things that take important priority over my escape.

[his_drededfate]

[N. O. P. E.]

Then perhaps you should reconsider your priorities.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I'm often told that these days.

[Usually by people who want him to stop harassing Crichton]

[his_drededfate]

Then perhaps it is advice you should heed.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I've taken it under advisement. But my experience has taught me that the only advice I should be following is that which my own logic has decided is sound. Too many others have...tried to lead me astray, in the past.

[his_drededfate]

And harming others is sound logic? Perhaps at home in times of war, but that will not be effective here. It will only harm your chances of leaving further.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Harming a select few, for very specific reasons, is sound logic.

As I told you, my chances of leaving come secondary to other things I deem important.

[his_drededfate]

[Huff puff. He is so disappointed with you.]

So I can see.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Look how much he cares, Mordred. Look at it. So much caring]

I can sense your unhappiness.

[his_drededfate]

There is no joy in witnessing someone harm themselves through others.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

How considerate of you to look after my well-being.

[his_drededfate]

Do not be mistaken. Without a paired warden it is just as much my duty as any other warden's.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

And once I am paired?

[his_drededfate]

Then it will no longer be my duty, only my concern.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

And why should you hold concern, Mordred? Soon you will have your own inmate over whom to lavish your concerns. I need no such thing.

[his_drededfate]

You are wrong. Simply being assigned an inmate does not mean it is appropriate for a warden to ignore all others, especially when other inmates are doing harm to those around them.

I believe you are in very much need of my concern as well as others'.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

If you attempt to attend to all other inmates, you will exhaust yourself into oblivion.

Look to others. I have gone without the concern of any other person for a very long time and am more practiced at it.

[his_drededfate]

Then, let me assure you that this will not be the case.

And it is the lack of concern you have received from others that gives me even more reason to. You cannot change my mind.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

There is a reason for that lack of concern. I have...somewhat of a reputation.

You would do well to look to other people, Mordred. For your own sake.

[his_drededfate]

Is that reputation one where you harm those who would show concern?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I harm those I perceive as harmful to me. Nothing more.

[his_drededfate]

Then are you saying this instance was unusual?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

In a sense. But he was harmed for a greater purpose.