keeps_a_cool_head

Log 0012

[Infirmary Spam, pre-flood]

[Some time after Gard's unconscious, coma'd body is discovered and moved, Scorpius plants himself on the edge of the man's bed, casually running through his datapad to pass the time. There's no obvious reason to outsiders why he feels the need to watch over his warden in typical creeper fashion, but he does, and presumably will make difficult the lives of anyone attempting to get near to either without a solid reason]

[Public, post-flood]

In some ways, I feel as though a comatose warden is simply not holding up their end of the bargain. The game feels less interesting when one of the players is absent.

I wonder if Hiziki Gard thought to leave anyone in charge of my supervision in the event of his...disposal.

[Private to Horatio]

I believe I have something of yours, Horatio. If you wish to collect it, come to my cabin.

[Private to Crichton]

John. Yet another flood is happening. Be on your guard - I have yet to discover the logic of this one.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Doesn't even come close to being even.

[He clenches his teeth angrily. He can't argue with Scorpius' logic. For all he knows Scorpius really will have won now that he has the chip. What can he do about it? Not a damn thing.]

Your warden is probably right, so you might try sounding more sincere next time.

What ideas have you got anyway?

I had thought it best to be honest. Had I sounded sincere, you would not have believed me. And it would not have been true.

A fair few, scaled to varying levels of probable success. Some are in motion even as we speak. Aeryn Sun has graciously offered her assistance for one.

You can't force this kind of thing. You're just going to have to learn how to be less of an asshole. ...Good luck.

[He's contemplating just hanging up, and then Aeryn's name is mentioned. His voice pitches low with suspicion.]

She's helping with what?

[Strategic as he is, Scorpius sometimes can't help rubbing a victory in Crichton's face]

Aeryn is assisting me in manufacturing a bioweapon. Still in its early phases, of course, but she was kind enough to deliver her blood sample.

HER BLOOD!

[It's amazing how fast he can go from mostly calm to extremely red in the face.]

A bioweapon?! What the hell? Does Gard know?

[Straight face. Straight face. You're so easy to upset, John]

If he's doing his job properly. Certainly not now, as he's slipped into a coma.

What about this revelation upsets you more, John? That I am constructing a weapon, that I am using Aeryn, or that she deigned not to inform you?

[Steam might actually come out his ears any minute now. He's not answering that! But if he had to...they both know it's the last one.]

How long has he been in a coma?

Several solar days at least. Perhaps longer.

And in the mean time you've been playing mad scientist. Perfect.

Why do you need Aeryn anyway?

My warden, while he was still capable of speech, was attempting to encourage me to find other, non-wormhole-related means of securing victory for the Peacekeepers over the Scarrans. The Barge has provided me with an opportunity to create, test, and perfect a bioweapon capable of infecting their entire race.

The difficulty with bioweapons in our world, John, is that the risk of contamination is high, not to mention how difficult it is to capture Scarrans alive.

I am half Scarran. I am easily able to determine what will kill me, but unless I have Aeryn's cooperation, I will never know how to keep Sebaceans immune to whatever I create. Here on the Barge I have multiple, countless opportunities for trial and error.

I suppose the chance to watch me sicken and die was too opportune to pass up, even if it meant placing her own health at risk.

Let me get this straight. You're making a bioweapon to wipe out all the Scarrans...and you are testing it on yourself?

And her?!

Essentially. It seemed a more fitting compromise, since I have no access to my first choice of weapon.

[It is better than Option A, but it's still not something he's all that comfortable with.]

Let me ask you this: are you making an antidote?

If this works, and the Scarrans decide they would rather surrender than continue dying horribly. You going to let them have it as the price of total surrender?

[Can you hear the eyerolling from here, John? He's going at it pretty hard]

You say that as if I don't plan for every contingency.

In the highly unlikely event of that happening, yes. An extra bargaining tool never goes amiss.

I've just noticed you've been going a little further off your rocker than usual lately.

[As if he has any room to judge, but that is your fault too Scorpius.]

I'm trying to see how far you're taking this mad scientist motif.

I can always turn my attention back, if you prefer.

If it's between me or her, I'd still rather you be chasing my ass. But, she'd take it too personal if she knew that. Aeryn's a big girl; she can take care of herself. And, I have the video evidence that she can take you down too if she has to.

[A small grin at that. Still his favorite home movie ever.]

I'll stay out of it for the time being. As long as wormholes aren't involved, I got no say.

[Heartless as he feels admitting this: he's got no love for Scarrans, and no stake in saving them. He won't risk himself for their sake, only Aeryn's. If this weapon works how Scorpius claims it will, then Scarrans are the only ones that will suffer from it directly. It's the better of two evils for now.]

A well-reasoned answer. You continue to surprise me, John.

[Seriously, he's pleased. Look at you, all grown up.]

You know on Earth I'm considered a smart guy, right? Try not to act too surprised or you'll hurt my feelings.

For the record, this doesn't mean I approve of what you're trying to do.

I've long ago learned my lesson in regards to awaiting your never forthcoming approval. Not that it should factor into my plans, unless you begin work to actively stop me.

Pretty sure you got over that on day one. [You know, when you tortured him. Very unapproved.]

It would be easier for me to promise to stay out of it if Aeryn wasn't involved.

[As with most things John says, Scorpius chooses to ignore this]

Aeryn is essential. There is, surprisingly, a streak of intelligence and forthright determination that I've come to appreciate in her.

[Crichton has come to expect that anyway, so he never bothers holding his tongue.]

I know, it's one of my favorite things about her. Now, can you explain to me what you'll be doing with her exactly?

There's no need to be overly concerned. Aeryn has taken precautions, and has requested that my warden supervise everything I do concerning this side project.

That's my girl.

So, I'm assuming you won't be doing any more work on this with her until said warden wakes up?

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