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]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Of course. Unless a better option presents itself.

I may need John's trust in the future. Why do I need you?

[Action]

[neverfeltbetter]

Are you certain the information you seek is in the chip?

[Action]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

John would never have gone to such lengths to protect the knowledge of its existence from me if it weren't.

I am confident it is.

[Action]

[neverfeltbetter]

You misunderstand his motives. He is himself unaware of the contents of the chip. It was taken from him before it could be tested.

He kept that information from you to forestall you. He rightly guessed that if you were focused on retrieving the chip, you would be spending less time looking for alternative means of obtaining your goal.

[A smug smile. It's the absolute truth and Scorpius will not be able to deny it.]

[Action]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Scorpius drums his fingers over Crichton's chest. This...complicates matters, if he is to take Harvey's word at face value. He makes no mistake in thinking Harvey, by way of himself, would say or do anything to keep himself alive. But the truth rings out: there is no guarantee.]

And yet his deal was not to erase the chip from existence, but to rid his mind of you. John must believe you to be more dangerous than I am.

[Action]

[neverfeltbetter]

You cannot see things as he sees them. What do you imagine would be changed should the chip have never been? How might events have unfolded differently? John has imagined it many times, but he cannot know for certain. So, he chooses to isolate the variables. By removing only my existence, he preserves his own timeline.

It has nothing to do with you. Or, perhaps it is more appropriate to say it has to do with more than just you.

[Action]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Clever of him. Here I had thought he only wished to preserve his own mind and be his own individual once more. Now I realize differently.

How do you see John?

[Action]

[neverfeltbetter]

I should think you would know better than to underestimate his intellect.

[Harvey has watched many creatures make that fatal mistake.]

I find him complex. He is like a naive child, yet he is dangerous, unpredictable.

[Action]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

It was not an underestimation: more of a misinterpretation of his motives. I try not to underestimate John whenever possible.

Precisely.

But he has the capacity to grow into much more than an infant.

[Action]

[neverfeltbetter]

Perhaps I am not without my usefulness. I could, in the future, clear up more...misinterpretations.

[He smiles, and there's a gleam that resembles something like pride in his eyes.]

He will continue to adapt, he will grow, and become more dangerous. The question is only: 'He will become more dangerous...to whom?'

[Action]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

You have that insight into his mind.

[Yeah, not just a little bit jealous of that. He could argue that whatever Harvey knows, Scorpius could find out in time, but it's never a guarantee. Harvey knows this, being him. So why not skip the whole pretense and go right to the meat of the conversation?]

To everyone, I imagine. To anyone who isn't him. Even his allies are at risk, through no fault of his own.

He will need to learn direction. And I should need someone to steer him in the appropriate one.

[Action]

[neverfeltbetter]

[He smiles knowingly. To the chase, as he would expect no less of himself. wise, given Crichton will not stay suppressed for much longer. Still, it is a shame he cannot drag this out longer. Opportunities to converse this way come all too rarely.]

And no less dangerous to himself.

[He considers Scorpius silently for a moment.]

I cannot steer him where he would not naturally go. He would detect my influence. That is not to say he cannot be manipulated, as you know. I could be persuaded to assist you in that. My insight and other talents can be of great use to you.

[Action]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

No. He would refuse all guidance.

I don't wish to control him. Placing him in containment would only facilitate his escape faster.

[Like an explosion of a pressurized container]

I need John here to graduate. I need his knowledge in our world.

Are you searching for a life outside his mind, or the sustainability of your current situation? I can provide both.

[Action]

[neverfeltbetter]

[There's a slow blink, as Harvey works to mask the sudden flare of excitement from this suggestion.]

I intended to drive John from this Barge to preserve myself, but I would sooner remain if there is the possibility I may obtain freedom from this mind without fearing my own destruction.

[Action]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[No frelling way is Scorpius paving the way for his replacement with John's euphemisms. He'd like to drive the two apart rather than risk them ganging up on him, or end his clone's existence before it gets even more out of control. Maybe John would let him devise an inhibitor of some sort...but that's a plan for another day. For now, he's happy to let Harvey keep thinking Scorpius would ever allow him his freedom]

Then let us keep John here for the time being. I will watch Catra to ensure she never graduates. You will procure the knowledge I need without driving John to such lengths that he wishes to leave the Barge, and in return I will create autonomy for you.

[Action]

[neverfeltbetter]

[Harvey does not expect Scorpius to allow his freedom, but it will not stop him attempting to trade for it. But, he will need more than Scorpius’ assurances to satisfy him that such a thing could be possible. He’s not about to take Scorpius’ word on good faith. He knows himself too well for that. However, it will do no harm to maintain this illusion of partnership for the time-being. Scorpius’ meddling in the affairs of John’s inmate will be of benefit either way.]

I will do what is within my power. As a show of good faith, I should warn you: what he hears, I hear, what he knows, I know. If you attempt to plot against me with John, I will stop you. Do not cross me Scorpius.

[Harvey snarls. He can feel Crichton stirring now. The drugs have run their course, and the seizures have finished in entirety. Under normal circumstance Crichton would be waking now from the unconsciousness caused by them. This meeting will need to conclude if they are to keep the illusion that nothing has transpired. Crichton will be suspicious as it is.]

He wakes.

[Action]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[It's a curious thing, talking to a version of yourself. Scorpius has to rearrange his entire level of thinking in order to converse with Harvey. He's still wavering on where his loyalties lie - with the man or with the parasite he himself inflicted upon the man - but there's no harm in both he and Harvey playing both fields for now. Catra will not graduate: he will ensure it.]

Then go, before you're discovered. I don't know when we will be able to speak again, but I will take your warning into due consideration.


Goodbye, Harvey.

[Action]

[neverfeltbetter]

[Harvey does not bother to bid Scorpius farewell, he fixes one last intense look on his creator, then his eyes roll back. Crichton's chest rises and falls heavily, then his eyes re-open. He gasps, then groans at the residual pain in his head, the only remaining sign of the drugs.]

Oh...god.

[He puts one hand to his face slowly and rubs at his eyes. Then he rolls his head to the side to check if Scorpius is still in his room with him. He's dismayed to see that he is.]

How long was I out?

[Action]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Scorpius watches Harvey fade into the background noise of Crichton's consciousness, and is actually relieved when John resurfaces. He stands up, looking down at the human on the bed]

A few microts. No more.

Can you see, John?

[Action]

[neverfeltbetter]

[He shoots Scorpius a furious look.]

Yeah, I can see. Was that a concern?!

[Did Scorpius really risk his eyesight with this drugging bull-honkey?!]

You wanna tell me what the hell you did this for?

[Action]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[He's not particularly inclined to discuss his prior conversation, but Crichton needs to be told something before he starts wondering to himself. So Scorpius replies,]

An attempt to wrestle the neural clone from your head.

I'm afraid it did not work, but I had hoped to catch him off-guard. I apologize if my methods have disturbed you.

[Action]

[neverfeltbetter]

[Angry snort-laugh.]

What, did you think you were doing me a favor?

[Disturbed him? Disturbed him?! It did a lot more than that, and he doesn't actually believe Scorpius is sorry.]

You're so full of it.

[He tries to sit up, but has to abort the action halfway through on account of the room spinning violently.]

Re: [Action]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Scorpius' completely neutral expression and tone have no hint as to whether or not he's actually sorry. But when Crichton slips back down, he's there to grasp his arm and sit him back into bed]

No, John. Remain here for the next thirty or so microts. By then, all effects of the seizure should have passed.

It was an attempt to separate the two of you and nothing more. Admittedly I should have warned you, but that would have been warning the clone as well. I needed to catch you unaware.

[Action]

[neverfeltbetter]

That's your story and you're sticking to it?

Hey, get your hands off me!

[He pulls his arm away from Scorpius as best he can, but admittedly it isn't until after he's been safely settled back onto the bed.]

[Action]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[And Scorpius obliges, stepping back away from the bed once he's certain Crichton isn't going to roll off]

When you're able to stand, go to the kitchen and drink something.

I am..sorry I had to do this, John.

[Yeah he looks real remorseful]