SGA 4.06 "Tabula Rasa" Transcript
Episode Guide
SGA 4.06 "Tabula Rasa" Episode Guide
Précis
With almost everyone on Atlantis infected by an amnesia-causing bacteria, McKay finds himself zip-strapped to his desk with cryptic letters on his arm and no memories of who he is or what has happened.
Guide | Transcript
Transcript
TEASER
INT—MCKAY'S LAB
[A disoriented McKay sits on a stool in front of a table with a laptop computer. He panics when he realizes his left hand has been tied to the table.]
MCKAY
Hey! Hey is anyone there?! Look, I need some help in here!
[He struggles with the binding, then notices a post-it note on the tablet computer. It points to a button on the machine with the words "Press Here". He presses the button and a video appears showing a close up of McKay's face.]
MCKAY
(recorded video)
All right, look, I know you're probably panicking right now, but there is no time for that. You need to focus! I'm sure you're wondering…who tied you to the desk. Well, the truth is…it was you. I mean…me. I did it because I needed you to get this message. It would take too long to give you the full explanation, and you wouldn't remember it anyway, so you're just gonna have to just trust me on this. Now, you'll find a knife taped to the underside of your chair. Find it and cut yourself loose.
[McKay finds the knife and cuts off the plastic restraint.]
MCKAY
(recorded video)
Now…I need you to listen. It is vitally important that you find this woman.
[The video display moves to show a monitor displaying a file photograph of Teyla. Over the picture is written: "THIS IS TEYLA. FIND HER". Underneath is displayed "Teyla Emmagan—Athosian". The camera moves again to show McKay. McKay watches the recording of himself while rubbing his face, looking confused and afraid.]
MCKAY
(recorded video)
I don't know where she is, but you have to find her. She can help. Uh, check the mess hall, or maybe they took her to the brig. I don't know. You just have to keep looking. Don't worry about anything else. And for god's sake, don't trust anyone. Just find her, and do it fast, because if you don't, hundreds of people are going to die, including you.
[The recording shuts off and the monitor now displays the picture of Teyla.]
END TEASER
OPENING CREDITS
EXT—ATLANTIS, DAY
INT—BOTANY LAB
[McKay wanders into the plant-filled room, clearly looking for someone.]
MCKAY
Katie?
[Katie turns from where she is working on some plants and approaches him.]
KATIE
(brightly)
Rodney! Hey, what are you doing here?
MCKAY
Well, I heard you were back, and I hadn't seen you for a while, so…
KATIE
Yeah, I know. We didn't—we have this whole new mainland to explore, and I've been bringing back samples all week.
MCKAY
So, I see. Anything interesting?
KATIE
Well, it's all pretty similar to what we found back on Lantia. We found a few new species.
MCKAY
Hmm.
KATIE
Oh, which reminds me, I've got a surprise for you.
MCKAY
Oh?
[Katie giggles as she goes over to one of the tables and picks up a small potted cactus and brings it over to McKay. She clears her throat.]
KATIE
I found this guy hiding in some shrubbery.
MCKAY
(nonplussed)
What is that?
KATIE
Well, it doesn't have a name yet, but I'm thinking of calling it…Rodneyana Villosa…after you.
MCKAY
(excited)
Really? What…you can do that?
KATIE
Yeah.
MCKAY
Huh.
[He holds the pot and starts to touch the plant.]
KATIE
Be careful! The bristles will pierce skin.
MCKAY
Oh. Anyway, look, I wondered if I could…tear you away from this long enough for us to have some lunch?
KATIE
Oh! I would-I would love to…
MCKAY
Oh!
KATIE
But I think I'm coming down with something. I have a headache, and I've had a few dizzy spells, so I was thinking of going down to the infirmary.
MCKAY
(unenthusiastic)
Oh. Uh, well, I'll come… with you.
KATIE
Oh, no, Rodney. You don't have to do that. I know how much you hate being around sick people.
MCKAY
(nervously)
Oh. No. Really. It's fine.
KATIE
Oh, that is so sweet. Thanks!
MCKAY
After you.
[Katie walks out. McKay sets down the plant and wipes his hands on his jacket, then follows her.]
INT—ATLANTIS INFIRMARY
[Katie and McKay enter. Keller is on duty.]
KELLER
Doctor Brown! I see you've brought my Number One Patient.
MCKAY
What? Oh, no. We're not here for me this time. I'm here for her.
KELLER
Oh. Okay, well, what can I do for you.
KATIE
I've got this really bad headache that won't go away, and I-I feel kind of dizzy.
[Keller starts checking her throat.]
KELLER
When did you first notice it?
KATIE
Sometime this morning. Why?
KELLER
Well, because you're the fourth person to come in here with those exact symptoms, and the second person from the botany department.
[Keller indicates a filled infirmary bed. The patient waves to Katie.]
KATIE
Gerald? Hey.
MCKAY
Who's that?
KATIE
Gerald Baxter. He's on my team. You've met him before.
(sotto voce)
He's got the bug collection?
MCKAY
Oh, sure, right, yeah. No, I remember now. Hey.
[He half-heartedly waves.]
KELLER
Well, I'm gonna have to take some blood.
(to McKay)
You too, Doctor.
MCKAY
What?
KELLER
If there is something going around, you might've been exposed to it as well. Sorry.
[McKay sighs in disappointment. Katie rubs her head.]
INT—ATLANTIS CORRIDOR
[Carter briefs Sheppard as they walk through the area. She is in civilian clothes, while he wears his BDUs.]
CARTER
Major Dorsey and his team just returned from M6R-214. They examined the debris field above the planet, and found the parts from one, possibly two replicator ships.
SHEPPARD
Just a matter of time before the Wraith got organized and started hitting back.
CARTER
I suppose. They did defeat the Ancients, after all.
SHEPPARD
The replicators may look like the Ancients, and they may use the same technology, but they're gonna be a lot tougher to put down.
KELLER
(over comm)
Colonel Carter, come in please.
CARTER
(keying comm)
Go ahead, Doctor.
KELLER
(over comm)
I've got a situation developing. Be advised I've imposed a quarantine on the entire infirmary level.
[Carter and Sheppard exchange alarmed looks.]
CARTER
What's going on?
INT—ATLANTIS INFIRMARY
[Keller walks through the infirmary, now crowded with staff and patients in various degrees of distress.]
[The conversation switches between Carter's and Keller's locations.]
KELLER
(into comm)
Eleven patients have shown up here in the last hour complaining of headaches and dizziness. Eight of them are from the survey team that just got back from the mainland.
CARTER
Any idea what's wrong with them?
KELLER
I ran some blood tests and found a bacteria I've never seen before. I'm checking it against the Ancient database.
SHEPPARD
What do you want us to do?
KELLER
Well, first thing we need to do is isolate everyone that went to the mainland and have them report to Doctor Neves in the auxiliary med lab for testing.
CARTER
(over comm)
Will do. Keep us posted.
[As the communication ends, a lab tech approaches Keller.]
LAB TECH
More test results. You and I are both infected. So is Doctor McKay. The good news is, the most advanced case is still only showing mild flu-like symptoms. Maybe it won't get any worse than that.
KELLER
Yeah, let's hope so.
FADE TO WHITE
PRESENT
INT—ATLANTIS CORRIDOR
[McKay warily walks through the empty corridor. He carries the tablet computer in one hand.]
MCKAY
Hello?
[He turns a corner and sees a man sitting against a wall. He sighs in relief.]
MCKAY
Oh. Hey, hey wake up.
[He jostles the man, who keels over, dead. Behind McKay, Zelenka appears. He brandishes a long thin rod as a weapon.]
ZELENKA
What are you doing here?
MCKAY
I-I don't know.
[He approaches Zelenka, who raises the rod like a bat.]
ZELENKA
What are you doing?
[McKay raises his hand in surrender.]
ZELENKA
You're not a soldier.
MCKAY
If you say so.
[Zelenka lowers the rod and starts walking, motioning McKay to follow.]
ZELENKA
You should come with me. It's safer.
MCKAY
No-no. Slow down. What's going on here?
ZELENKA
It's the soldiers. They're after us. If they catch us, they'll take us away.
MCKAY
Take us where? What soldiers? What is this place?
ZELENKA
(whispering)
Shh! Will you shut up? The soldiers will hear us.
MCKAY
(shouting)
What the hell is going on here?! Why can't I remember anything?!
ZELENKA
(soothingly)
I don't know. No one can.
MCKAY
No one can? You've seen others?
ZELENKA
Yes. One or two others, apart from the soldiers.
MCKAY
(turning on his computer)
What about her? Was she there?
[He shows Zelenka Teyla's picture.]
ZELENKA
No.
MCKAY
I have to find her.
ZELENKA
Why?
MCKAY
I don't know. It's important.
ZELENKA
Look, the soldiers probably have her by now, okay? C'mon.
MCKAY
Well, can we ask them?
ZELENKA
Are you crazy? If the soldiers see you, they shoot you, they take you away.
MCKAY
Again with the taking away.
ZELENKA
Look, you should come hide with me. It's safer.
MCKAY
I can't. I have to keep looking.
ZELENKA
Fine. Suit yourself. If you get yourself killed, I don't care.
[He hurries away, muttering in Czech. McKay stays put, looking lost.]
TEN HOURS EARLIER
INT—ATLANTIS INFIRMARY
[Personnel in hazmat suits treat the various patients. McKay follows Keller to her computer.]
MCKAY
It started suddenly, and then it just…uh, it just stopped.
KELLER
Okay. Well, I appreciate you telling me.
MCKAY
Aren't you going to do anything?
KELLER
To be honest, I don't see how it's relevant.
MCKAY
Well, it's a new symptom. I thought it might be important.
KELLER
I don't see how "a tingling sensation in your knees" relates to this condition, especially since you're the only one experiencing it.
MCKAY
Yeah, but, so far. I'm just saying, we don't know anything about this disease.
KELLER
Look, the best thing for you to do right now is try to relax, okay? And let me do my work.
[McKay looks over her shoulder while she types. She stops, and McKay nervously wanders away. Keller sighs, rolling her eyes.]
[In another part of the infirmary, Marie gives Katie a mug. Katie is in scrubs and on a bed.]
MARIE
Here you go.
KATIE
Thank you.
[Katie sips her tea. Marie leaves and McKay arrives.]
KATIE
(slightly hoarse)
What did Doctor Keller say?
MCKAY
Oh, she's gonna, uh, take it into consideration, thanked me for my input, and, uh. How you doin?
[Katie doesn't seem to know what to do with her mug. McKay notices and places it on the bedside table.]
KATIE
I'm okay.
MCKAY
Well, Doctor Keller's got her team working pretty hard. I'm sure they're trying a bunch of stuff. I'm sure they'll come up with a way to beat this thing in no time.
[Katie nods, but looks distracted and in pain.]
MCKAY
(concerned)
Seriously, are you okay?
KATIE
(sighing)
It's…my headache. It's-it's getting worse.
MCKAY
All right, look, is there anything I can do?
KATIE
Could you, uh, ask the nurse to bring me some tea?
MCKAY
Well, what's wrong with this one?
[He picks up the mug.]
KATIE
Oh, yeah…right.
[They turn at a clattering sound. One of the people wearing hazmat has collapsed. It is Marie. Keller rushes over and she and another aide help Marie up.]
KELLER
Marie? What's-what's going on?
MARIE
I don't know. I just got really dizzy. Oh.
[McKay looks alarmed. Katie watches blankly.]
INT—CARTER'S OFFICE
[Carter and Sheppard are in the office.]
CARTER
(into comm)
Are you telling us that the infection has breached hazmat protocol?
INT—KELLER'S OFFICE
[The conversation switches between the two offices.]
KELLER
I'm not entirely sure. It's possible she could've been previously exposed, but that would mean it's already spread much farther among the general population than we thought. I've got off-duty medical personnel conducting random blood tests around the city just to get a sense of where we're at.
SHEPPARD
Have we confirmed it came from the mainland?
KELLER
Well, the plant and soil samples brought back by the botany department were negative, but it still seems like the mostly likely point of origin.
CARTER
What about the database?
KELLER
I haven't found a match yet, but I'm still looking. There is one more thing. Since we have no idea what this disease does, or how it's spread, or even if our containment measures are having any effect, I recommend we suspend all Gate travel immediately.
CARTER
Thank you, Doctor.
INT—ATLANTIS INFIRMARY
[McKay eats a tray full of food at Katie's bedside. Katie wakes up.]
MCKAY
(smiling)
Hey! How you feeling?
KATIE
I, I-I don't know.
MCKAY
Oh, well, they brought dinner. The salisbury steak's actually quite good. Oh, and by the way, I asked Doctor Keller about your friend Doctor Baxter. She says he's asleep, but apparently the fever's down.
[Katie looks around bewildered.]
KATIE
Who?
MCKAY
Doctor Baxter? That's his name, right? The…guy on your team…? Katie?
[Rodney becomes concerned as Katie continues to look around utterly confused.]
KATIE
Where am I?
MCKAY
What do you mean? You're in the infirmary. I brought you here, remember?
KATIE
Who are you?
[McKay looks at her in shock.]
PRESENT
INT—ATLANTIS CORRIDOR
[McKay continues to wander the halls. Lorne and a team of guards appear at the far end. Lorne spots McKay and raises his pistol.]
LORNE
Hey! Hold it right there!
[McKay turns and raises his hand in surrender.]
MCKAY
I don't want to cause any trouble, I just…
[They stun him and he collapses to the floor, unconscious. His computer slides away in the fall. The group approaches, and Lorne checks him over.]
LORNE
Yeah, put him with the others. Go on. Get him out of here. C'mon.
GUARD
Yes, sir.
[The carry McKay away. Lorne pops a pill and hands one to one of his men as they follow. McKay's computer, still displaying Teyla's picture, remains unnoticed under a chair.]
EIGHT HOURS EARLIER
INT—CARTER'S OFFICE
[Sheppard enters.]
SHEPPARD
Well, what's the word?
CARTER
Well, the random test results came back. Six different people working in six different areas of the city—all positive.
SHEPPARD
Well, that doesn't sound very promising.
CARTER
Well, it's either a statistical miracle, or the entire base has been exposed. We're running more tests to confirm it, but it doesn't look good.
SHEPPARD
I don't know about you, but I feel fine.
CARTER
Well, me too. And that's the problem. If there is a delay before the first symptoms appear, it could've spread anywhere before we even knew what was happening. I've informed Stargate Command that we're suspending Gate operations.
KELLER
(over comm)
Colonel Carter, this is Doctor Keller.
CARTER
(into comm)
Go ahead.
[The rest of the conversation switches between Keller's office to Carter and Sheppard.]
KELLER
I'm sending you scans on Katie Brown as well three other patients who are beginning to show signs of amnesia. All of them show large concentrations of affected cells in the medial temporal lobe. It looks like the bacteria is causing these cells to produce a hormone that interferes with the brain's ability to access episodic memory.
[While Keller talks, Sheppard and Carter look at display in Carter's office, showing the test results. Sheppard and Carter exchange concerned looks.]
SHEPPARD
How bad are we talking?
KELLER
Well, the rate of deterioration seems to vary from patient to patient. But in all cases, it looks like it's progressive—meaning, the longer they go without treatment, the worse it gets. Pretty soon, they won't be able to remember their own names.
CARTER
You said the first symptoms were headaches and dizziness.
KELLER
Yeah, that's right.
CARTER
How long after they appeared before the first signs of memory loss?
KELLER
Again, it seems to vary, but you're looking at an average of about six hours.
SHEPPARD
How about you, Doc? Showin' any signs?
KELLER
Yeah, the headache started half an hour ago.
[Carter and Sheppard both sigh.]
CARTER
All right, keep searching the database. I still think it's our best bet to find a solution.
KELLER
I'd…love to, but if we're right about these numbers, I'm about to get overrun with a lot of new patients. It's already pretty crowded in here.
SHEPPARD
Mess hall. We can clear it out and make a temporary ward.
KELLER
Yeah, that's a good idea. At the very least, it'll consolidate everyone in one place for treatment.
CARTER
Do it.
[Sheppard leaves.]
PRESENT
INT—ATLANTIS MESS HALL
[McKay regains consciousness lying on a cot. He groans as he sits up. The mess hall is filled with confused people, including Keller.]
MAN
Are you all right?
MCKAY
Yeah. Where am I?
KELLER
We were hoping you could tell us.
MCKAY
Who are all you people?
MARINE
We don't know.
KELLER
None of us can remember anything.
MAN
What's happening out there? What did you see?
[McKay stands.]
MCKAY
Nothing. It was just…empty hallways. How did I get here?
KELLER
The soldiers brought you.
MCKAY
Why?
NEVES
They-they bring everyone here. They say it's for our own protection.
[McKay goes over to the door and tries to open it, but it is sealed.]
SCIENTIST TWO
Don't waste your time. It won't open.
MCKAY
(panicking)
Why are they doing this to us? Look, why can't anyone remember? My…computer. Where's my computer?
[He starts searching under the cot where he'd been lying.]
KELLER
It wasn't with you when they brought you here, why?
MCKAY
I have to find someone. It's…uh…a woman. Teyla! Do you know who that is?
[Keller shakes her head.]
MCKAY
(raising voice)
Does anyone here know Teyla…? Anyone…?
[Everyone looks back at him blankly.]
EARLIER
INT—ATLANTIS MESS HALL
[Sheppard and Ronon set up hospital cots in the mess hall as others move in supplies.]
RONON
I thought this city had some sort of automatic lockdown to prevent stuff like this.
SHEPPARD
It does.
RONON
Oh yeah? What happened?
SHEPPARD
You're asking me?
[He leans over on the cot they just placed and grabs at his forehead.]
RONON
You got a headache?
SHEPPARD
Yeah, I guess it was just a matter of time, huh?
[Teyla approaches.]
TEYLA
(concerned)
John?
SHEPPARD
I'm fine.
[He pats her on the arm as he leaves. Ronon sits on the cot.]
RONON
Hey. How you feelin?
TEYLA
I am fine.
RONON
Any symptoms?
TEYLA
No, none yet.
RONON
Me neither.
[Ronon looks thoughtful. Teyla notices.]
TEYLA
What is it?
RONON
How do they know we're all infected? My blood wasn't part of the sample that was tested.
TEYLA
Nor was mine. Even so, it is likely we were exposed.
RONON
So? Being exposed doesn't mean you've got it. Maybe it doesn't affect everybody the same way. All I know is, I feel great.
[He shrugs.]
TEYLA
(sighing)
So do I. Perhaps you should make Doctor Keller aware of this.
RONON
Yeah. Okay.
[He leaves.]
INT—ATLANTIS INFIRMARY
[Ronon passes personnel moving equipment to approach Keller. She and a nurse are with Baxter.]
RONON
(to technician)
Excuse me.
(to Keller)
Doctor Keller! I need to talk to you.
KELLER
Uh, I'm a little busy right now.
RONON
I'm not sick.
KELLER
Well, if you're lucky enough not to be exposed, you just blew it by coming in here.
RONON
No, I know I've been exposed. People I've been working with all day have been getting sick. But I'm not feelin' anything. Neither is Teyla.
KELLER
You think you might have some kind of immunity?
[She moves up to him and feels his lymph nodes.]
RONON
You're the doctor.
KELLER
Okay. I'm gonna need a sample of your blood.
RONON
Take as much as you need.
[He follows her.]
PRESENT
INT—ATLANTIS MESS HALL
[McKay has taken off his jacket and is writing various notes on his arms in black felt marker.]
KELLER
What are you doing?
MCKAY
I have to remember somehow. I already feel certain things slipping away.
[He gets off the cot where he's been sitting. Katie is lying on a hospital bed nearby, unconscious. McKay stands on a stool.]
KELLER
All right, now what are you doing?
MCKAY
Gettin' out of here.
(calling out to everyone)
All right, everyone! Listen up! I need to escape as quickly as possible. Does anyone know how I can do that?
KELLER
You can't just leave.
MCKAY
Why not?
MARIE
What about the soldiers?
[Several gather around, Carter is also among the group.]
MCKAY
We're just going to have to deal with them. I'm sorry, call me crazy, but I don't exactly trust them.
NEVES
That doesn't mean we should be running loose. We have no idea what's out there.
MCKAY
Look, something caused this to happen. All right? And we're not gonna figure it out from in here. Somewhere out there, there is a woman that…a woman named…
[He winces, unable to remember.]
CARTER
(stepping forward)
Teyla.
MCKAY
Teyla, right. Thank you. I think she knows something.
KELLER
What?
MCKAY
I don't know. We gotta get out there and find out.
CARTER
I think we should listen to him.
KELLER
Why?
CARTER
Wh-it makes sense! Why haven't the soldiers told us what's happened? Why haven't there been any announcements, or-or any help on the way? Maybe they don't know any more than we do. We need a plan.
EARLIER
INT—ATLANTIS GATE AND CONTROL ROOM
[Sheppard joins McKay walking up the central staircase to the control room.]
SHEPPARD
They let you out?
MCKAY
Well, the second set of random blood tests just came back, all positive. They didn't see much point in, uh, quarantining the infirmary anymore.
SHEPPARD
You showing any signs?
MCKAY
Headache?
SHEPPARD
Yeah, same here.
MCKAY
Five bucks says you start losing your memories first.
SHEPPARD
Rodney…!
[They join Carter in the control room.]
CARTER
All right, we've got food, water, and blankets. We don't have enough beds, but we're just gonna have to make do.
MCKAY
All right, well we may need to think about, uh, ordering all non-essential personnel to report to the mess hall. I mean, they're gonna wind up there anyway. And this way, we won't have people wandering the hallways.
SHEPPARD
That's what I'm worried about. I'll send Lorne and a team out, make sure those orders are followed.
[They arrive in Carter's office.]
INT—CARTER'S OFFICE
[Carter hands Sheppard and McKay containers of small white pills.]
CARTER
These are from Doctor Neves. They're stimulants. He thinks they may slow the effect of the memory loss. It's just a stopgap, but at least it may buy us a few hours.
MCKAY
Do we know what's in these? Because, I'm allergic to a lot of—
SHEPPARD
Just take it.
[Sheppard dry swallows his own pills with a flourish. McKay more hesitantly takes one tablet. Carter hands Sheppard another bottle of pills.]
CARTER
Hand these out to Lorne and his men. And one more thing. I've ordered Doctor Zelenka to remove the gate's main control crystal. No matter what happens, we cannot risk spreading this disease elsewhere in the galaxy, or to Earth.
MCKAY
And what happens when we all start losing our memory?
CARTER
Doctor Keller will come up with something before that happens.
[She bites her lip. None look confident.]
INT—INFIRMARY
[Ronon enters the infirmary to find Keller there with Marie and Baxter, who's breathing erratically. Keller looks flushed shiny with perspiration.]
RONON
Hey…I thought we were moving everyone to the mess hall.
KELLER
He's our most advanced case. His vitals are too unstable. What can I…do for you?
RONON
I was just wondering if you found anything.
KELLER
What do you mean?
RONON
I'm not showing any signs of the disease, remember?
KELLER
Oh, well, it's possible you could have some sort of…natural immunity.
[She starts examining Ronon the same as she did before.]
RONON
(worried)
Doc…?
KELLER
Stay here, I'm going to take a sample of your blood.
[He holds her back.]
RONON
Doc…you've already done that.
KELLER
It's happening to me, isn't it?
[Alarms start to ring from Baxter's monitors.]
MARIE
Doctor, he's convulsing!
[Keller and Ronon rush over.]
KELLER
Okay, uh, give him, um, uh, meda…medazolam, four milligrams. He's in V-fib. I need a crash cart!
[Neves rolls one over.]
KELLER
Charge it to 200. Clear.
(she shocks him)
Charge it to 300! Clear.
[She shocks him again. The monitor goes flatline. Keller looks scared.]
PRESENT
INT—CORRIDOR OUTSIDE MESS HALL
[Lorne's team approaches with more strays. As they open the doors, everyone inside rushes the soldiers, knocking them down. Lorne's team scramble to unholster their stunners.]
MAN
Go! Go!
LORNE
Stop!
[The soldiers begin to fire at the crowd, stunning many, but others break free, including McKay and Carter.]
KELLER
This way!
[She gestures for Carter and McKay to come through an alcove, but gets stunned herself. Carter drags McKay through and they escape. Lorne and his team give chase.]
INT—CHAMBER, ATLANTIS
[Carter and McKay, breathing heavily, enter the room.]
CARTER
Okay, I think we're clear.
MCKAY
Oh thank god. My lungs were about to give out. So what next?
CARTER
I don't know. How do we find her?
MCKAY
Who?
[Carter grabs his arm and points at the writing.]
CARTER
Teyla! The one we just risked our lives for!
MCKAY
Right, right. I don't know.
[Carter wanders into the next chamber.]
CARTER
All right, we just have to search room by room. I mean. How big could this place possibly be?
[She continues walking through a door that opens, it leads out onto a balcony in the city. McKay and Carter stare in shock at the scale of Atlantis.]
EARLIER
INT—ATLANTIS CORRIDOR
[Sheppard, Ronon and some marines escort a pair of scientists to the mess hall.]
SCIENTIST
Where are you taking us?
SHEPPARD
I already told you, the mess hall.
SCIENTIST
I don't wanna go there.
SHEPPARD
Just relax. I know you're scared. But you're just going to have to trust me. It's for your own good.
(low, to Ronon)
So much for coming quietly.
[Sheppard continues to lead the group down the hall. Ronon looks confused and he and a marine start to veer to a corridor to the right.]
RONON
Hey…! Mess hall's this way.
[Sheppard heads over to Ronon.]
SHEPPARD
Right! Right. Don't look at me that way. It's easy to get turned around in this place.
[The doors open and they enter the mess hall.]
INT—ATLANTIS MESS HALL
[The mess hall is crowding with people. Sheppard and Ronon report to Carter, who's already there.]
SHEPPARD
Major Lorne's picking up some more stragglers. We're starting to get a little resistance.
CARTER
Yeah, they're starting to lose their memories. They probably can't understand why there's a bunch of "soldiers" after them.
SHEPPARD
That's why I told him to take his men to the armory and equip them with stunners.
CARTER
(wincing)
I'm not sure I like the idea of us shooting at our own people.
SHEPPARD
Well, we may not have a choice.
CARTER
Yeah, I suppose you're right. Pretty soon, there's gonna be some panicked, confused people out there. Okay, carry on.
[Carter leaves. Sheppard looks lost in thought.]
RONON
What?
SHEPPARD
Come with me.
[They leave the mess hall.]
INT—ATLANTIS ARMORY
[Lorne's men arm themselves while Lorne pops down some more stimulants. Sheppard and Ronon enter.]
SHEPPARD
You might want to go easy on that stuff, Major.
LORNE
Sir, we need to delay this thing as much as possible. If we all go, there's no coming back.
SHEPPARD
Yeah, I know. That's what I want to talk to you about. I've got an idea.
PRESENT DAY
INT—ATLANTIS CORRIDOR
[Carter and McKay walk down a corridor.]
MCKAY
Didn't we come this way before?
CARTER
No.
MCKAY
Are you sure?
[Carter looks around.]
CARTER
No.
MCKAY
I have an idea.
[He takes a marker out of his pocket and marks up a corner of the wall.]
CARTER
What are you doing?
MCKAY
If we come back here, we'll know we've been this way before.
CARTER
Presuming of course, that we remember that we're the ones who put it there in the first place.
[They hear someone coming down the hall, so they hide against the wall.]
ZELENKA
I know you're out there! Drop your weapons and come out slowly.
[Zelenka spins around randomly pointing a stunner weapon. He's got McKay's tablet computer clutched to his chest. McKay and Carter peer around the corner and see him.]
MCKAY
(to himself)
Little guy with glasses…Huh.
[He frantically looks at the notes on his arms. He starts to move out from hiding, but Carter grabs his arm.]
CARTER
What are you doing?!
MCKAY
Hey, I know him.
(to Zelenka)
Don't shoot. We don't have any weapons.
[He raises his hands in surrender. Carter follows.]
ZELENKA
Who are you?
CARTER
We were captured by the soldiers. We escaped.
ZELENKA
Really?
[McKay spots the computer.]
MCKAY
Wait a second. What is that?
[Zelenka looks at the computer, then shakes his head, raising his weapon.]
ZELENKA
I found it.
MCKAY
Let me see.
CARTER
What is it?
MCKAY
I don't know, but something tells me it's important.
ZELENKA
Why?
MCKAY
I don't know.
[Zelenka hands it over. McKay presses the button on the side which turns on the screen. The picture of Teyla appears along with the message to find her.]
ZELENKA
Hey, how did you know to do that?
MCKAY
I don't know. I just did.
CARTER
Well, that's her! Teyla!
ZELENKA
You know her?
CARTER
Well, not exactly. We're looking for her. We think she can help us.
MCKAY
Huh…
ZELENKA
It says, "find her." How are we going to do that?
EARLIER
INT—CARTER'S OFFICE
[Keller briefs Carter, Teyla, Sheppard, McKay, and Ronon.]
KELLER
This is what I wanted to show you.
TEYLA
This is the bacteria that is causing our disease?
KELLER
Not exactly, but it's very similar.
CARTER
And you found this in the database?
KELLER
I stopped looking in the database. I knew there was a reason why Teyla and Ronon are the only people who have tested negative so far. And we don't have a lot of records on the Satedans, so I started looking through Doctor Beckett's records on the Athosians. This is a blood sample taken from a ten year old boy. He was suffering from something called um…uh…I wrote it down.
[She looks around blankly.]
TEYLA
(hesitantly)
Kirsan fever?
KELLER
Yeah, that's it.
TEYLA
It is a common childhood ailment throughout the galaxy. I had it when I was…eight.
RONON
I had it when I was ten.
TEYLA
But this cannot be the same disease. Kirsan fever does not affect adults, nor does it cause memory loss.
KELLER
Well, that may be true, but the structure of the bacteria is too similar to ignore. They have to be related somehow.
[McKay starts to snap his fingers.]
MCKAY
Wait a minute. Maybe they are the same. That would explain why the sensors didn't identify it as a threat.
TEYLA
How is that possible?
MCKAY
Well, think about it. I mean, this planet didn't have a Stargate until we came here. Maybe when the Ancients were-were first, uh, scouting this place, they accidentally brought this, uh…uh, Kirsan Fever with them. It got trapped here, and over the course of ten thousand years, it mutated to cause the symptoms we're now experiencing.
KELLER
That would also explain why you and Ronon aren't effected. You have antibodies built up from when you were young.
CARTER
Well, if they have the antibodies, then—
KELLER
It would take months to reverse-engineer a cure. I mean, I'm not even sure it's possible.
TEYLA
The sap of the enchuri plant. My people have used it for generations to combat Kirsan Fever. It is highly effective, and not much is needed.
SHEPPARD
Let's go get some.
CARTER
Take a jumper.
RONON
Wait a minute. You disabled the 'Gate, remember?
[Carter looks at them blankly.]
TEYLA
You ordered Doctor Zelenka to take the control crystal. Where did he put it?
SHEPPARD
(into radio)
Zelenka, this is Sheppard, come in.
INT—ATLANTIS CORRIDOR
[Lorne leads his team.]
LORNE
Check out the rooms down there, and there. I want this section cleared out in ten minutes.
SHEPPARD
(over comm)
Lorne, come in.
LORNE
(into comm)
Yes, sir. Go ahead.
SHEPPARD
(over comm)
Have you seen Zelenka?
LORNE
(into comm)
As a matter of fact, I have.
[The conversation switches between Carter's office and the corridor with Lorne.]
SHEPPARD
Did you bring him to the mess hall?
LORNE
Uh, sorry, sir. But he gave us the slip. Must've heard us coming. Cracked one of my people over the head with a metal rod, and disappeared down a service hatch before I could get a shot off. There's no telling where he is now.
[Everyone in Carter's office looks at each other in shock and dismay.]
INT—ATLANTIS CORRIDOR
[Sheppard's team searches the corridor for Zelenka.]
SHEPPARD
(into radio)
Zelenka, respond. Zelenka, come in.
TEYLA
Radek, we are not trying to hurt you. We need your help!
MCKAY
Okay, this is pointless. Look, we don't even know if he still has a radio. And even if we find him, chances are, he's not gonna remember what he did with the control crystal. Let's face it, we're screwed.
SHEPPARD
There's gotta be some way out of this. What about the jumpers? They've got DHDs.
MCKAY
That doesn't matter. Without the control crystal, the 'Gate can't establish a stable wormhole. We're not going anywhere.
SHEPPARD
I'm missing something. I-I can't concentrate.
RONON
What about the mainland?
TEYLA
Ronon's right. The enchuri plant is abundant on many worlds. It may be here as well.
SHEPPARD
All right. Assuming we can find the stuff, how are are we gonna distribute it.
MCKAY
(sighing)
I'll figure something out.
[He heads to his lab.]
TEYLA
(to Ronon)
I'll stay with Rodney. Do you know what to look for?
RONON
It grows like a weed on Sateda.
[Teyla nods and follows McKay.]
INT—PUDDLE JUMPER
[Sheppard enters the jumper and looks around blankly. Ronon, carrying some empty sacks, closes the door and motions Sheppard to the pilot's chair.]
RONON
It's, uh, right there.
[Sheppard and Ronon sit.]
RONON
You can fly this thing. It's in your blood…literally.
[Sheppard looks confused, but complies.]
EXT—ATLANTIS, DAY
[The jumper flies out of the bay.]
INT—MCKAY'S LAB
[McKay steps away from his laptop to move to another computer. En route, he starts blinking heavily and looking unsteady.]
MCKAY
Oh…wait a second. What am I doing?
TEYLA
You said the quickest way to spread the cure was to aerosolize it and distribute it through the ventilation system. You are currently attempting to override base protocol for temperature, humidity, and air pressure.
MCKAY
Right. Right. Okay, that's easy. It's just a simple matter of accessing the root directory and…
(he presses a few buttons, and the computer beeps an alarm)
Aw, come on!
TEYLA
Rodney—
MCKAY
No, no, no, no. I should be able to do this in my sleep. Oh god…it's happening to me too, isn't it?
TEYLA
You have to remain calm.
MCKAY
Oh, no, no, no. You don't understand. My memory was lousy to start with. I mean, people's names, birthdays…I once forgot mother's day five years in a row.
TEYLA
What is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter?
MCKAY
Well, that-that's pi. 3.14159265, etc., etc. But that doesn't count, that's easy.
TEYLA
You are a scientist, Rodney. That is what you care about. That is what you will hang onto the longest.
MCKAY
Right. Right, so… Wait a minute, doesn't that make me a really bad person?
TEYLA
It makes you the type of person who is going to save all our lives.
MCKAY
Oh, okay.
[Teyla gets him to turn back to his work.]
PRESENT
INT—ATLANTIS INFIRMARY
[Carter, Zelenka, and McKay enter the infirmary. It is empty, and supplies are scattered everywhere.]
ZELENKA
What is this place?
MCKAY
I don't know. Looks like they left in a hurry.
CARTER
She's not here, let's…
MARINE
(from down the hallway)
This way! Let's go!
CARTER
(whispering)
Quiet! Go-go!
[She shoos at them to hide. They scatter and take refuge behind equipment. Lorne and his team enter.]
LORNE
All right. Everybody spread out. They've got to be in here somewhere.
[The team looks around, passing very near the hiding places. One person spots something in the cabinet Carter hides behind.]
MARINE
(to Lorne)
Sir! Found them!
[He holds up bottles of stimulants.]
LORNE
Good. Let's go. Let's move out. Come on.
[Lorne's team leaves. Carter steps out of hiding.]
ZELENKA
Can we get out of here, please?
[Carter looks at him with a thoughtful expression.]
MCKAY
What is it?
CARTER
I have an idea. Come on.
EARLIER'
EXT—NEW LANTIA MAINLAND, DAY
[The jumper has landed. Ronon steps out. Sheppard hesitantly follows.]
RONON
Let's go.
SHEPPARD
Wait a minute. What is this place?
RONON
The mainland.
SHEPPARD
What are we doing here?
RONON
(impatiently)
I told you already. We need to get that plant.
SHEPPARD
Something seems fishy.
[Ronon primes his pistol and stuns Sheppard, who collapses unconscious onto the ramp.]
RONON
Never gets old.
[Ronon hogties the unconscious Sheppard on the bench inside the jumper and heads out.]
RONON
Sorry, buddy. You're just going to slow me down.
[He closes the jumper door with the remote and runs off.]
INT—MCKAY'S LAB
TEYLA
How's it coming, Rodney?
MCKAY
I'm just about finished…I-I think.
[They hear a clatter outside.]
MCKAY
What was that?
TEYLA
I will go see. Keep working.
[Teyla steps into the corridor outside. McKay looks nervous, then turns back to his computer.]
INT—ATLANTIS CORRIDOR
[Teyla cautiously walks around. Lorne's team comes around a corner, raising their weapons instantly upon spotting her.]
LORNE
Don't move!
TEYLA
(smiling)
Major Lorne. It's me, Teyla.
LORNE
You shouldn't be out here.
TEYLA
Major, it's me.
LORNE
Everyone's been ordered back to the mess hall.
TEYLA
But Doctor McKay and I—
LORNE
Put your hands on your head…slowly.
[Two of the men step forward with restraints ready. When they get close enough, Teyla fights them off with hand to hand. Her movements allow her to dodge Lorne's blast. She gets a stunner off one guard then uses him as a shield. She backs away as Lorne hits his man. They give chase.]
INT—MCKAY'S LAB
MCKAY
(whispering)
Teyla?
[He approaches the door, but sees no one.]
MCKAY
Oh god.
INT—ATLANTIS CORRIDOR
[Lorne and his lone man chase Teyla. They shoot their stunners at each other. One man finally hits Teyla with a stunner blast. They approach cautiously, but she is out cold.]
LORNE
All right, let's get her up.
INT—MCKAY'S LAB
[McKay fumbles with a camcorder.]
MCKAY
Come on…All right, look, I know you're probably panicking right now, but there is no time for that. You need to focus! I'm sure you're wondering…who tied you to the desk.
PRESENT
INT—BRIG
[Teyla paces inside. Lorne enters. He's sweating and looking ill.]
LORNE
You're awake.
TEYLA
Major Lorne, you must set me free—
LORNE
Save it. You're not going anywhere 'till I get some answers. I need to know what you've done to my people.
TEYLA
What I've done? You believe I'm behind this?
LORNE
Is-is it a drug? Some kind of bio-weapon?
TEYLA
Major, they're sick. You as well. The entire base is infected with a disease.
LORNE
Everyone except you.
[He fumbles in a pocket for his bottle of stimulants.]
TEYLA
Yes. I'm immune to its effects.
LORNE
(popping more pills)
Isn't that convenient?
TEYLA
(cautiously)
How many of those have you taken?
LORNE
Why don't you just let me worry about that, okay?
TEYLA
It's the pills. They're what's making you act like this. They're confusing you. They're making you unstable!
LORNE
Making me unstable?! I'm not the one who unleashed a disease on my people, okay? Quit stalling. I want to know what you were doing in the hall—
[He is shot from behind by a stunner blast. Carter wields the stunner. She, McKay, and Zelenka enter.]
TEYLA
Rodney!
MCKAY
Teyla!
TEYLA
(relieved)
Yes. It's good to see you. Colonel Carter, Doctor Zelenka, you as well. How did you find me?
CARTER
Uh, well, we were having trouble finding you by ourselves, so we followed him.
TEYLA
Eh, did you finish your work?
MCKAY
Wh-what do you mean?
[Teyla sighs and moves over to the control panel.]
TEYLA
Can you disarm the force shield?
[McKay studies the panel.]
MCKAY
I-I don't know. Wait…
[He looks on his arm and reads some information, then presses keys on the control panel. The shield deactivates, and the door opens. Teyla steps out.]
TEYLA
Quickly.
[She leads them out.]
EXT—NEW LANTIA MAINLAND, DUSK
[Ronon runs back to the jumper with two full bags of plants. He finds the ramp down, with no Sheppard in sight. He groans in frustration and checks inside the jumper, dropping his bags and priming his gun. As he steps out, Sheppard comes up from behind where he's been hiding next to the vehicle. He raises his pistol.]
SHEPPARD
Don't move! Drop it.
[Angry, Ronon complies, raising his hands in surrender.]
SHEPPARD
Now back away.
[Ronon takes a few steps and turns. Sheppard reaches down and grabs Ronon's gun, keeping his pistol trained on Ronon the whole time.]
SHEPPARD
Now. Tell me. Who the hell are you?
RONON
I know you don't remember everything. You have no idea what's going on. You're confused. Maybe even a little scared. I know I would be. But you have to trust me.
[Sheppard cocks his pistol.]
RONON
We're friends! The things we've been through together…I don't care what anyone says, no disease can wipe that away, not completely. Okay? Deep down, you know I'm telling the truth. Now give me the gun.
[While Ronon's been speaking, Sheppard's been giving careful thought to what he says. His pistol lowers slightly. But at the last sentence, Sheppard raises it again, alert.]
SHEPPARD
Oh, nice try. For all I know, you're the one who tied me up.
RONON
Fine. Then shoot me. Then you'll be all alone, in the middle of a dark forest with no idea who you are, where you're going, or what you're gonna do next. How could I possibly make it any worse?
SHEPPARD
That's a good point.
[Ronon smiles and motions to lower the gun. Sheppard uncocks his weapon.]
INT—MCKAY'S LAB
[Teyla leads the others inside.]
TEYLA
Here. Sit.
MCKAY
Are you sure you wouldn't rather do it?
TEYLA
I do not know how.
MCKAY
Oh, and I do?
TEYLA
Yes! You created the override program. You said you were almost finished.
MCKAY
(desperate, sarcastic)
Oh, then it should be easy.
TEYLA
(encouraging)
Rodney, listen to me. You must do this, it is our only chance. The knowledge is inside you, you just have to find it.
[McKay looks at the computer, then presses Enter. The program runs, then a screen says "Program Complete."
MCKAY
Oh. Wow.
ZELENKA
He did it.
MCKAY
When I said I was almost finished, I-I guess I wasn't kidding.
CARTER
Now what?
TEYLA
Well, now, we just have to hope that Colonel Sheppard and Ronon completed their side of the mission.
MCKAY
Right…right.
[Carter, Zelenka, and McKay all turn to Teyla.]
CARTER, MCKAY, AND ZELENKA
Who?
INT—ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM
KEMP
What is it?
MARINE THREE
A ship. Headed for the bay doors on the roof.
KEMP
Have they identified themselves?
MARINE THREE
No, sir. It could be help.
KEMP
It could also be some kind of an attack. Get in touch with the others. Tell them to meet me at the jumper bay. Find Major Lorne!
[He heads out.]
INT—JUMPER BAY
[Sheppard and Ronon's jumper lands on the floor of the bay.]
INT—PUDDLE JUMPER
RONON
Nice flying.
SHEPPARD
Thanks.
[He grabs the sacks as the doors open.]
RONON
Come on, help me with the stuff. We've got to get it to Teyla straight away.
SHEPPARD
Who?
RONON
Come on.
INT—JUMPER BAY
[They exit and are instantly stopped by the Kemp and his men, weapons raised.]
KEMP
Hands in the air. Now.
RONON
Listen, Lieutenant, this is medicine. We need to deliver it.
KEMP
I said, hands in the air.
[Sheppard is pulled aside by a soldier. A frustrated Ronon throws down his sacks and raises his hands.]
KEMP
Let's take them to the brig.
RONON
You're making a mistake. There are sick people who need that.
SHEPPARD
(low to Ronon)
You sure you know what you're doing?
[Lorne arrives.]
LORNE
What the hell is going on here?
KEMP
Sir. We caught these men trying to infiltrate the base.
RONON
Lorne, you have got to listen to me. Everybody on this base is going to die if you don't.
LORNE
And who are you?
RONON
Look in your pocket.
LORNE
What?
RONON
Just look in your vest pocket!
[Lorne looks in the pocket that Ronon indicates. He pulls out a picture. It's a Polaroid of Sheppard. Underneath is written: "Lt. Col John Sheppard. He is your commanding officer. Trust him."]
RONON
You took a picture of him, just in case it came to this. I was there.
[Lorne compares the picture to Sheppard.]
LORNE
He's telling the truth. This is our commanding officer.
[Sheppard looks nonplussed, but rolls with the change in fortune.]
SHEPPARD
That's right. I am your commanding officer. So…you should do what I say.
LORNE
Yes, sir. What are your orders?
SHEPPARD
(after a pause, indicating Ronon)
Do what he says.
RONON
Gun.
[The guard hands back Ronon's weapon. Ronon picks up the sacks of plants.]
RONON
Follow me.
EXT—ATLANTIS, DAY
INT—ATLANTIS INFIRMARY
[Sheppard wakes up slowly in an infirmary bed. Teyla and Ronon are by his side.]
TEYLA
Colonel, you're awake.
SHEPPARD
(groggily)
Mmm. What happened?
RONON
Teyla distributed the plant through the ventilation system. Knocked you out for a bit.
SHEPPARD
How long have I been asleep?
RONON
'Bout a day.
SHEPPARD
A day?!
RONON
Hit some people harder than others.
TEYLA
How you feeling, John? How's your memory?
SHEPPARD
Oh, pretty good, I think. I mean…things are a little fuzzy. If I forget your birthday next year…
TEYLA
(smiling)
I will forgive you. When you are feeling well enough, Major Lorne wishes to speak with you. He feels badly about what happened.
SHEPPARD
It wasn't his fault. Just glad he still had the photo I gave him.
RONON
That was good thinking, by the way.
TEYLA
Yes. If the distribution of the cure had been delayed any longer, many more people would have died.
SHEPPARD
(worried)
What do you mean?
(looking around)
Where's McKay?
[In another section of the infirmary. McKay has his head down on Katie's bed while he holds her hand. She is unconscious. Keller comes over.]
KELLER
You should get some sleep.
[He raises his head.]
MCKAY
It's okay. I'm…fine.
KELLER
I can let you know when she wakes up.
MCKAY
I'll stay.
KELLER
Okay. She's not giving up, you know. She's a fighter.
[She rubs his arm, then walks away. McKay notices her hand shifting on his.]
MCKAY
Katie?
[Katie stirs slightly.]
MCKAY
Doctor?!
[Keller rushes back.]
MCKAY
She's moving her fingers.
KELLER
Katie? Katie! Hey.
[Katie awakens.]
KATIE
Wha—where am I?
KELLER
You're in the infirmary. You're safe. Do you remember anything?
KATIE
Um…
(she spots McKay)
Rodney? It's good to see you.
MCKAY
(relieved)
Yeah. Yeah, it's good to see you too.
[He takes her hand.]
FADE OUT
END CREDITS
Transcribed for Solutions by Aurora Novarum, January 2009.
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