Log 0015 - [Voice]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

It is with considerable disappointment that I report the departure of Hiziki Gard.

A word to the Admiral: make certain the next warden you assign me is sustainable. Inconsistencies and lapses are a sign of disorganization within your operations.

[Private to Catra]

I trust you've recovered from your ordeal.

[Private to the Boy, Mira]

The Chair is ready for its initial testing.

[Spam for Crichton]

[Now unpaired, Scorpius feels at liberty to test a few less-than-savory parts of his growing arsenal in the battle for John's mind. He waits patiently in the hallway towards Crichton's room, working diligently on Francis' crossword puzzle. Most of the human references escape him, but he's been doing research. Slowly but surely he'll understand this perplexing species that overwhelms the Barge in sheer number]

Comments

[Action]

[neverfeltbetter]

[It's not long before Crichton appears in the hallway, walking at a leisurely pace toward his room. He stops when he spies Scorpius waiting for him. Oh, he's sure it's for him.

His next steps forward are cautiously slow, his entire demeanor has changed to something like a dog with its hackles raised. He's heard the news about Gard; he's at least that well informed. Scorpius is un-tethered again now and god only knows what that will meant for them both.]

What the matter Scorp? Need help figuring out one of the puzzles?

[He saw him working on that thing at breakfast too, didn't he? He's still a little curious why...]

[Action]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Scorpius glances up as Crichton speaks, but doesn't yet move over to him. They're more or less evenly matched in strength now, and he still recalls his broken nose. Best not to antagonize the human too early and risk his escape.

He turns the paper over in his hands, observing the puzzle and tilting it so that John can see: halfway to completion. It's taken days, mainly because he keeps needing to pause to look up pointless references]

In a sense. 'Mets manager Hodges', three symbols. A Met is a unit of organization on Earth?

[Action]

[neverfeltbetter]

[He snickers and glances at the crossword puzzle, but he doesn't move any closer to look.]

The Mets are a New York baseball team. Their manager's name was Gil Hodges. Your answer is Gil. G I L.

[He can't help smiling a little smugly. But that one wasn't even hard.]

[Action]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Choosing to ignore the snickering, Scorpius picks his pencil up again and writes the answer in, observing the rest of the paper with a slightly puzzled expression.

Underneath the paper and lying heavy in his spare hand is a syringe. But not yet; not until Crichton is within arm's reach]

'GIL' fits. I'll have to take your word for the rest of it.

[Because frell if he knows what either New York or baseball is]

Four letters. '____'All That', 1999 teen movie.'

I hope I'm not interrupting whatever it is you were doing.

[Action]

[neverfeltbetter]

[He plants his hands on his hips and cocks his head curiously at Scorpius.]

'She's all that.' S H E S. I saw the previews for it before I launched. Looked like crap to me; probably wouldn't have seen it anyway.

[Wow, cue sudden stab of home sickness. How long ago was that now?]

I was going to my room, but I'd like to know what you are really doing hanging out over here. I'm sure it's not just to quiz me on crossword answers.

[Action]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[He studiously records the answer in the appropriate spot, before setting his pencil down in his non-dominant hand.]

It was not. I suppose you've heard by now that my warden has left.

[Action]

[neverfeltbetter]

I heard. I'm sure you're all broken up about it.

[Action]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I regret the missed opportunity, but he is..replaceable. I will graduate with any warden regardless of how much time it may take.

[He steps to the side and away from Crichton, in order to give him access to his bedroom door. That John would have to move close by him in order to enter is not a fact that should be overlooked.]

[Action]

[neverfeltbetter]

That still doesn't tell me why you came all the way over here to wait at my doorstep.

[Crichton doesn't budge. He's not about to open his door with Scorpius standing this near. That would be practically inviting him in.]

[voice ; private]

[walkingmeltdown]

Oh, we've lost Gard? Shame. I rather liked him. You know. Comparatively speaking.

My condolences to you, then. I know you found him useful.

[voice ; private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Useful, and helpful in his own way.

I believe I shall miss him.

[voice ; private]

[walkingmeltdown]

New experience for you?

I realize it's belated in coming, but sorry about Ms. Sun as well, by the by. I meant to say something the other day but our conversation got a bit...derailed, as it were.

[voice ; private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Not precisely. Gard and I were paired together not of our own choice, but I believe we made the best of our given circumstances. I cannot fault him for his disappearance.

It is not the end of his story. Nor Aeryn Sun's. They will live on in their respective universes.

[voice ; private]

[walkingmeltdown]

At least the two of you were getting along. [Him and his warden, on the other hand...]

She graduated, didn't she? At least that was the rumor.

[voice ; private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

And now I am a cast-off: presumably the Admiral felt his pairing was not properly conceived. It may be some time before I am paired again.

She did. Aeryn made her escape faster than I had anticipated.

[voice ; private]

[walkingmeltdown]

Good news, or bad, in your estimation?

So then her 'story' continues as planned, presumably. But what about Gard? What happens to him, getting off a few stops early?

[voice ; private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Neutral: a warden is not tantamount to my graduation. I will conduct my business as usual, with or without one.

I haven't an answer for him. Perhaps we'll meet again, some day.

Private;

[velocette]

[He is smiling when he answers. And, for the sake of effort, he makes it video rather than text.]

Are you still wanting to go first?

Private;

[keeps_a_cool_head]

It may be difficult; someone else would need to operate the controls.

But I can go first, if you wish me to test it properly.

Re: Private;

[velocette]

[He nods slightly]

Show me how to use the controls. I pick up mechanics fast; I'll make sure I have it down.

Private;

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Come to my cabin and I will provide a demonstration.

Offline;

[velocette]

[ He shows up shortly after, as usual without so much as a 'good bye' before he signs off. He's almost-smiling, though.

God, but it is nice to be learning something new. ]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Standing alone in his minimalist room is Scorpius, leaning over a roughly-built console and configuring it with quiet focus. Wires lead in from the computer to a metal chair, set in the middle of the room. Placed in front of the chair is a reflective dish, displaying nothing]

Come in.

[velocette]

[ He examines everything, but touches nothing. ]

What should I expect will happen, if all goes the way it should?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

{Scorpius does not glance up, but steps slightly to the side to allow the Boy closer access to the project.]

What will happen is one of us will sit in the chair while the other remains here. The chair will begin to rotate slowly, and the machine that powers it will begin to map the neural patterns inside the subject's mind, displaying them in the center dish there.

It will be the other's job to track, locate, and monitor these memories as they flood in. Too slow, and all the chair will manage to extract is an excruciating headache. Too much too quickly and...the brain could liquify.