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[mandrakeroot]

Mandrake here.

Comments

[mandrakeroot]

I believe I still have some grasp on it, but it'd probably be best to go over them again, to make sure.

[Solid logic! Nothing bothering anyone!]

[tarakan]

Of course. We can meet in library after your latest shift.

[mandrakeroot]

Thank you, I'll see you there.

[Complete with neat stack of books.]

[tarakan]

[ Hilbert's there, in the library, enjoying the silence. When Nathaniel enters, he gives him a little nod. ]

Mandrake. Shall we get started?

[ As far as Hilbert's concerned, studying and learning in relative silence is a PERFECT way to continue the day. ]

[mandrakeroot]

Yes, thank you.

[Studying and learning in relative silence is the perfect way to continue the day, yet another way Nathaniel knows that Hilbert has an objectively correct understanding of the world.

He doesn't ask if Hilbert's alright - not a thing to ask or which he wants to be asked - but he does eventually speak on something that's not directly the topic at hand.]

Do you have any recommendations for practical experiments? I've gone through many basic ones I've found, and my current temporary warden seems - relatively willing to listen to requests.

[tarakan]

Of course, [ Hilbert nods, ] Though I suspect main question now is what do you want to learn?

[mandrakeroot]

I've come across a number of biology experiments that involve simple dissection, but I'm not sure if I could get the material for that. [He's also not entirely sure he'd like to go around cutting up cow eyes or the like. It sounds kind of gross.]

But I do want to see how things are put together.

[tarakan]

We can obtain live material for dissection next port. The rest of supplies could be obtained on Barge.

[ rip froggies, Hilbert is perfectly fine killing you for science. ]

I believe they have x-ray machine in infirmary. Perhaps that could be useful?

[mandrakeroot]

[Some people are more squeamish about the poor frogs. Human test subject would be a lot less objectionable.

He nods.]

I've never seen an x-ray machine before, though I've read about them, now.

[tarakan]

Believe they have one in the infirmary. If you ask Dracula, I'm sure he would be pleased to show you.

[mandrakeroot]

I'll ask him. [Nathaniel has an important problem with Dracula - he's much too tall. But he seems a fine source for technical information.]

[tarakan]

Good.

[ There's a pause before Hilbert admits, ]

I find Dracula...annoying as person. But I cannot deny that man has surprising depth of scientific knowledge. [ A pause before he grumbles, ] Why all scientists on this ship are eccentric nuisances is beyond me, but he and Iris prove that the case.

[mandrakeroot]

The Admiral seems to like 'eccentric', in general.

[It's a real shame that a completely normal and helpful doctor like Hilbert is an inmate while they roam free.]

I suppose he does have to pull from the pool of people who would be willing to come on board, or stay on board.

[tarakan]

Eccentric is very diplomatic way of putting it.

[mandrakeroot]

At least some are 'eccentric' but know something. Other people are just incompetent, on top of all their other problems.

[tarakan]

If you are incompetent and eccentric, then I feel you cannot be called eccentric. You are simply nuisance.

[ aka fuckin' agreed, kid. ]

[mandrakeroot]

If that's the standards the 'Authorities' tried to impose on the Admiral - lack of nuisances, they would have been entirely right.

[tarakan]

[ There's a long pause before Hilbert admits, ]

Wish we could have known for a fact what standards Authority felt Admiral was lacking. I did not enjoy time in Galley, of course. But everything about this ship feels defective. Of course Admiral is failing standards. Look at this place and the people here.

[mandrakeroot]

Me too. The Galley had its flaws, especially in execution, but I thought that having the reasons the Judge thought you should be there and a set list of requirements to meet was very sensible. If the work had been of actual value, it would've been even better. The other ships might have also had useful pieces, though I don't know if there are people who'd talk about them objectively. The Admiral could do with a number of standards.

[tarakan]

Standards would help wardens as well as inmates. We all would know what to aim for and wardens would know how to help inmates attain it.

Problem now is if someone suggested it, doubt Admiral would listen.

[mandrakeroot]

I'm not sure the Admiral would've ever listened if someone had suggested it, at any time.

But it is probably even less likely, now. The Admiral is rather 'eccentric' himself.

[tarakan]

'Eccentric' and stubborn. Deadly combination.

[mandrakeroot]

He has a great deal of power, too. [Which truly makes it deadly.]

[tarakan]

And I doubt he will ever acknowledge level of power he truly has. Not to Barge population, at least.

[mandrakeroot]

Definite answers would allow people to ask specific questions. A potentially dangerous precedent, for him.