4.15 "Chain Reaction" Transcript
Episode Guide
Précis
When SGC commander General Hammond steps down saying he's "too old for the job," SG-1 immediately suspects foul play. And when a hard-nosed new general steps in to replace him and splits up SG-1, they vow to solve the mystery and get their beloved General Hammond back at the helm.
Guide | Transcript
Transcript
TEASER
INT—SGC, CONTROL ROOM
[Sound of klaxons. General Hammond hurries down the stairs. Technician Davis is awaiting him.]
HAMMOND
Report.
TECH DAVIS
It's SG-1, sir. They're under fire.
HAMMOND
(into MALP microphone)
Colonel O'Neill, this is General Hammond. Your report status?
O'NEILL
(over radio)
We're pinned down. Carter was able to dial the Gate. We're trying to get clear to come through.
HAMMOND
Open the iris.
[Through the observation window, the iris opens. Shots come through the Gate.]
HAMMOND
Evacuate the Gate room.
INT—GATE ROOM
[SFs run from the Gate room as more shots come through the Gate.]
INT—CONTROL ROOM
HAMMOND
(into MALP microphone)
Colonel O'Neill, we're taking fire. Report.
INT—GATE ROOM
[Shots are hitting the doors, walls and destroying equipment.]
HAMMOND
(into MALP microphone)
Colonel O'Neill?
TECH
Sir?
HAMMOND
Give them some more time.
INT—GATE ROOM
[Daniel runs through the Gate, followed by Carter, Teal'c and O'Neill. The iris closes.]
INT—SGC, BRIEFING ROOM
[Hammond is standing by the observation window. Carter, O'Neill, Daniel and Teal'c are sitting at the table.]
O'NEILL
So essentially we were ambushed on the way back to the Gate.
CARTER
We almost didn't make it out.
HAMMOND
If you delayed much longer you wouldn't have. I was about to close the iris.
O'NEILL
Well considering the SGC was taking fire, kinda glad you waited as long as you did, Sir.
HAMMOND
Strictly speaking, if I'd followed procedure you'd all be dead right now.
CARTER
Well, Sir, every time we go through the Stargate it's a calculated risk.
HAMMOND
I realise that, Major. But frankly I'm getting tired of sending good people out there never knowing if they're going to come back. I've had enough.
DANIEL
I'm sorry, Sir, what are you saying?
HAMMOND
I wanted you all to be the first to know. Effective immediately I'm stepping down as commander of the SGC.
OPENING TITLES
INT—SGC, HAMMOND'S OFFICE
[Hammond is packing with help from a female NCO. O'Neill enters.]
HAMMOND
Come to see me off, Colonel?
O'NEILL
Nope. Come to talk you out of this.
HAMMOND
Thank you. You can finish later.
FEMALE NCO
Yes, sir.
[The female NCO leaves.]
HAMMOND
Jack, weren't you there for my goodbye speech?
O'NEILL
Yes, I was. Of course. You know that. And it was lovely, General, but do you really think I believe you're quitting because we ran into a little trouble out there? Hell, we've been presumed dead before.
HAMMOND
I don't have to explain myself to you, Colonel.
O'NEILL
No, Sir, you don't, you're my commanding officer. But could you throw me a bone?
HAMMOND
Jack, this has been a long time coming. I'm asking you to respect my decision and accept it. When I took over this command the Stargate was inactive. This was supposed to be a quick and easy assignment on my way to retiring.
O'NEILL
General, need I remind you I was retired. Some things are worth changing your plans for.
HAMMOND
I've had enough.
[Hammond picks up a case and walks through to the Briefing room.]
[Carter, Daniel and Teal'c are waiting.]
HAMMOND
Let me just say it's been a pleasure serving with all of you.
CARTER
We'll miss you, Sir.
[Carter hugs Hammond.]
DANIEL
Won't be the same without you, Sir.
[Daniel shakes Hammond's hand.]
TEAL'C
On Chulak, when a great warrior retires from the field of battle it is custom to sing a song of lament. Fortunately we are not on Chulak.
HAMMOND
Take care of yourselves.
EXT—SGC, MOUNTAIN ENTRANCE, DAY.
[White cars drive into the base's entrance.]
INT—SGC, GATE ROOM
[All the SGC teams and staff are lined up. O'Neill, Carter, Daniel, Teal'c are on the front row.]
CARTER
So what do we know about this new guy?
O'NEILL
Not much.
DANIEL
Let's hope he's not some sort of spit and polish, brass tacks…
O'NEILL
Hard ass?
DANIEL
I was building up to that.
O'NEILL
Ten-hut.
[All the soldiers stand to attention. Daniel turns. General Bauer enters.]
BAUER
My name is Major General Bauer. I'll be your new commanding officer. I'd just like to say I look forward to working with all of you. Thank you.
[Bauer walks through the Gate room and leaves.]
O'NEILL
Squadron at ease. Always leave 'em wanting more. I guess.
INT—SGC, CORRIDOR
[Daniel and Carter are walking along the corridor.]
DANIEL
I don't know, I guess I was expecting someone a little more inspiring.
CARTER
I guess when you spend that much time at the Pentagon it's easy to become a bureaucrat.
FOLLOW THROUGH TO CARTER'S LAB
[Bauer is waiting inside.]
BAUER
Or a politician. Depends on where your interests lie.
CARTER
General, I…
BAUER
At ease, Major Carter. At ease. I've been going over your research into naquadah reactors. Very impressive.
CARTER
Well, large-scale application is mostly theoretical right now but the mineral does show incredible potential as an alternative power source.
BAUER
It also demonstrates some interesting properties when used in conjunction with nuclear ordinance.
CARTER
Wa…it does tend to increase the explosive effect, yes, Sir.
BAUER
The Pentagon feels that the Stargate project, while exposing Earth to considerable danger, has yet to produce any practical returns. Now we've been working on a device designed specifically to take advantage of this naquadah-enhancing effect. I'd like you to take part in the operation.
CARTER
What about my duties with SG-1?
BAUER
You've been reassigned.
DANIEL
What?
BAUER
As have you, Doctor Jackson. An archaeologist has no place on a front line unit. From now on, you'll work as a consultant, going offworld only as required.
CARTER
But, General Bauer…
BAUER
The decision has been made, Major. Now, I suggest you get to work.
EXT—SGC, CORRIDOR OUTSIDE BAUER'S OFFICE
[O'Neill knocks once one on the door.]
BAUER
Come.
FOLLOW THROUGH AS O'NEILL ENTERS BAUER'S OFFICE
[A female soldier is helping him move in.]
BAUER
Colonel O'Neill.
O'NEILL
General.
BAUER
Thank you, Captain.
[The female soldier leaves.]
BAUER
I've just been going through your mission reports.
O'NEILL
Yes, Sir?
BAUER
They're satisfactory, although in the future, you might want to include bullet-point summaries in each section. Makes for an easier read.
O'NEILL
Bullet-point summaries…
BAUER
Is there a problem with that?
O'NEILL
General, I realise the format of my reports is of vital importance and if you'd like, some day we can get together and talk about fonts and margins, but right now I like to discuss the fact you're dismantling my team without discussion.
BAUER
General Hammond might have allowed you a certain latitude in his presence, Colonel, but you'd do well to watch your tone with me.
O'NEILL
You know, General Hammond kept us together for a reason. The fact is if it wasn't for SG-1, right now you'd be sitting there with a snake in your head instead of your head up your ass…
BAUER
Colonel! No one around here is above reproach. If it continues your long history of insubordination will come to a swift and completely unspectacular end under my command, that I can assure you. Now I suggest you take some time, think things over. Decide if you still want to be a part of this operation. Dismissed, Colonel.
INT—HAMMOND'S HOUSE, KITCHEN
[Hammond is seated at the table reading a newspaper. Out of the window two children are playing in the garden. O'Neill walks around and greets the children who run to him and hug him. He hugs them back and shoos them off before approaching the window and putting his lips to the glass, leaving a 'kiss' mark there. Hammond gets up from the table and goes to the door to let O'Neill in.]
HAMMOND
Hello, Jack. Come on in.
O'NEILL
General. See you're keeping busy.
HAMMOND
Have a seat. What are you doing here?
O'NEILL
Ahh, little vacation.
HAMMOND
Didn't you just take some time off?
O'NEILL
Yeah, this one wasn't by choice.
HAMMOND
Not everyone is going to be as patient with you as I was.
O'NEILL
That's why I'm here, Sir.
HAMMOND
Bit of a rough adjustment?
O'NEILL
Oh, no, no everything's fine. SG-1's been dismantled. Daniel's got a desk job, Teal'c's with SG-3 and Carter's working on some kind of doomsday machine. You know, same old same old.
HAMMOND
Are you serious?
O'NEILL
For once, yes.
HAMMOND
It's just going to take some time to get used to the man. I'm sure he's very competent.
O'NEILL
Ah, come on, General. I've never met anyone who liked doing what they do more than you. You were good at it. Great. You'll never convince me you just got fed up. I'll never buy that.
HAMMOND
I'm sorry, it's out of my hands, Jack.
O'NEILL
What's that mean?
HAMMOND
I can't discuss it.
O'NEILL
General?
HAMMOND
You don't understand.
O'NEILL
I won't, unless you explain it to me.
HAMMOND
Two weeks ago I was contacted by a representative of the NID. He suggested I should become more aggressive in my policy.
O'NEILL
They have no jurisdiction over you.
HAMMOND
They wanted me to help them gain access to off world technology which they're unable to do since we shut down their little side operation.
O'NEILL
You told them to go to hell?
HAMMOND
Of course. Then he told me if I didn't cooperate there would be consequences. The next day, two men in plain clothes driving a black unmarked car picked up my granddaughters from school.
O'NEILL
I don't believe it.
HAMMOND
They took them for a little ride then brought them home. The girls were fine, but I got the message. We're talking about an organisation as powerful as the CIA. These people are above the law. I can't protect my family twenty-four hours a day. I had no choice.
O'NEILL
Of course not.
HAMMOND
Don't get yourself into trouble over this, Jack.
O'NEILL
You know me, Sir.
INT—GOVERNMENT PRISON
[O'Neill is let into Maybourne's cell block. Maybourne rises.]
MAYBOURNE
Jack O'Neill. What a pleasant surprise.
INT—SGC, LAB
[Some scientists are working on a bomb. Above, in the observation room, Carter is working. Bauer enters the observation room.]
BAUER
At ease. How are things progressing, Major?
CARTER
Well, the hardware's almost ready. But the problem is the ratio of naquadah to lithium hydride. According to my calculations, we don't have enough weapons-grade material to complete the bomb.
BAUER
Then we'll just have to get some more.
CARTER
Sir, we're talking about refined naquadah. It's extremely rare.
BAUER
Not on P3S-452.
CARTER
General, that planet is a Goa'uld stronghold.
BAUER
I realise that. I'm confident a well-armed strike force can get the job done.
INT—GOVERNMENT PRISON, VISITING ROOM
[O'Neill is seated at a table opposite Maybourne.]
MAYBOURNE
Nice of you to come by. I don't get a lot of visitors.
O'NEILL
I find that hard to believe.
MAYBOURNE
In my line of work…people don't exactly stick by you through thick and thin. Most of my associates are busy trying to forget they ever knew me.
O'NEILL
Your former associates are why I'm here. They're causing some problems for a friend of mine.
MAYBOURNE
General Hammond.
O'NEILL
What do you know?
MAYBOURNE
Why should I tell you?
O'NEILL
Because I can help you.
MAYBOURNE
I've been convicted of treason. What can you do?
O'NEILL
Air Force One and I go way back.
MAYBOURNE
I suppose I'll have to trust you.
O'NEILL
I wasn't going to say it.
MAYBOURNE
It's really very simple. When you shut down the offworld operation with the second Gate, you cut off the NID's access to alien technology.
O'NEILL
That's when they sent you to work for the Russians.
MAYBOURNE
The Pentagon forced the Russians to deep-six their Gate in exchange for continued sharing of information and technology.
O'NEILL
We have the only operational Gate.
MAYBOURNE
Exactly. The NID thinks Hammond and the policies that govern the Stargate program are too soft.
O'NEILL
So this Bauer guy is part of it?
MAYBOURNE
Truth is, I don't know. I've been out of the loop for a little while, but it's possible he's just a patsy, unwittingly manoeuvred into position because he's got the right mentality.
O'NEILL
All sounds so cloak and daggery.
MAYBOURNE
You're a Special Ops Colonel, Jack. Why do you always pretend to smell like roses?
O'NEILL
Hey! I never threatened a two-star general by kidnapping his grandkids.
MAYBOURNE
Don't pretend to be so naive either.
O'NEILL
How do I get him to back off?
MAYBOURNE
You really want to play in my sandbox, Jack?
O'NEILL
Tell me what I have to do.
MAYBOURNE
Quid pro quo, Jack.
O'NEILL
You're facing the death penalty. The best I can do is put in a good word, maybe recommend they commute your sentence to life.
MAYBOURNE
You'll have to do a lot more than that. I can get you the information you need—names, proof of certain influential peoples involvement with the NID.
O'NEILL
Keep talking.
MAYBOURNE
My word is useless. You want hard evidence, you're going to have to get me out of here for a few days.
O'NEILL
Are you nuts? Do you know how many strings I'd have to pull to make that happen?
MAYBOURNE
One big one. I know you're prepared to do it, Jack, you wouldn't be here otherwise. I won't bother to say you can trust me.
INT—SGC, CONTROL ROOM
TECH DAVIS
Receiving transmission Sir. It's SG-3's iris code.
BAUER
Open the iris.
INT—SGC, GATE ROOM
[The iris opens. Teal'c and two members of SG-3 step through the Gate. One member of SG-3 is helping the other, who is injured. Three medics meet them at the top of the ramp. Bauer meets Teal'c at the base of the ramp.]
BAUER
Where's Major Waite?
TEAL'C
Dead.
BAUER
What happened?
TEAL'C
We encountered heavy resistance. Lieutenant Morrison was providing cover fire.
BAUER
What about the naquadah?
TEAL'C
I believe I secured a sufficient amount.
BAUER
Excellent.
[Teal'c walks off.]
BAUER
You can give me your full briefing later.
MEDIC'S VOICE
(in background)
We've stopped the bleeding. Let's get him to the infirmary.
EXT—YELLOW BRICK APARTMENT BUILDING, DAY
INT—EMPTY APARTMENT
[O'Neill and Maybourne enter. It's sparsely furnished—a table with a desktop computer, a chair, a microwave and a fridge.]
O'NEILL
Have you heard of Ikea?
MAYBOURNE
You want to feel privileged Jack. No one, not even the NID knows about this place.
[O'Neill picks up a letter from a pile of letters on the floor.]
O'NEILL
Charles Bliss?
MAYBOURNE
Now you know one of a hundred names I go by.
[Maybourne goes to the fridge. The only thing in there is loads of bottles of beer and a bottle of mustard.]
O'NEILL
I see you're on that famous beer and mustard diet. How's that working out for you?
[Maybourne takes two beers from the fridge and offers one to O'Neill.]
O'NEILL
No thanks.
[Maybourne puts the beer back and removes a wrapped floppy disk taped to the top of the fridge. He walks to the table and sits down, turning on the computer.]
MAYBOURNE
If anyone tries to boot the computer up without this disk the whole thing fries.
O'NEILL
What are you doing?
MAYBOURNE
Accessing NID files on the Internet.
O'NEILL
On the Internet?
MAYBOURNE
The organisation is made up of cells. They communicate with each other by accessing bulletin boards online. Information is deposited on any number of firewall-protected floating servers and accessed using decoding software and passwords.
O'NEILL
Yadda yadda. Blah blah. Why'd we have to come here for this?
MAYBOURNE
Because the decoding software happens to be on this computer. They've deactivated my password.
O'NEILL
Now there's a shocker.
MAYBOURNE
I'll try to hack in through the back door.
INT—SGC, BAUER'S OFFICE
[Bauer is seated behind his desk. Carter is standing in front of it.]
CARTER
The naquadah we got from P3S-452 has been successfully incorporated into the device.
BAUER
I'm glad to hear it. Here's the test site.
[Bauer hands Carter a file. Carter reads a couple of pages.]
CARTER
This planet supports plant and animal life.
BAUER
Yes. But the aerial survey shows no sign of habitation within a fifty-mile radius of the Gate.
CARTER
That may not be good enough. I'll need some time to run some simulations. Sir, we've never done anything like this before and I'm not entirely sure how destructive the device will be.
BAUER
Major, the whole point of the experiment is to determine how destructive the device will be. Request denied.
CARTER
But Sir…
BAUER
Proceed with the preparations.
CARTER
Yes, Sir.
INT—MAYBOURNE'S APARTMENT
[Maybourne is siting at the table operating the computer. O'Neill is at the window.]
MAYBOURNE
Jack? Once you've got the information that links the key names to the NID, what are you going to do with it?
O'NEILL
What do you think?
MAYBOURNE
I think you're going to turn it over to the Pentagon and hope that the proper chain of command leads to justice.
O'NEILL
Are you tryin' to say something to me, Harry?
MAYBOURNE
You can't take down the whole NID and they'll kill you for trying.
O'NEILL
That wouldn't be very nice.
MAYBOURNE
But you might be able to hold the incriminating evidence over them and get Hammond reinstated.
O'NEILL
So I should sit on this?
MAYBOURNE
It's your play.
[We see on the screen that Maybourne's password has been rejected.]
MAYBOURNE
Damn.
[Sound of cars pulling up outside. O'Neill looks out of the window and sees men getting out of the cars.]
O'NEILL
Thought you said nobody knew about this place.
MAYBOURNE
They've probably been tracing me since I went online.
O'NEILL
You got a way out of here?
MAYBOURNE
Gimme a second.
O'NEILL
What are you doing?
MAYBOURNE
Burning the hard drive.
INT—MAYBOURNE'S APARTMENT
[Several armed men burst in. They search the apartment quickly and find a secret door but O'Neill and Maybourne are gone.]
EXT—STREET, DAY
[Maybourne walks across the road in front of the other car. The driver gets out of the car and O'Neill knocks him unconscious from behind.]
MAYBOURNE
Nice.
[Maybourne tries to pick up the gun the driver dropped.]
O'NEILL
And a nice try to you.
[O'Neill picks up the gun. They get into the car and drive off.]
INT—SGC, GATE ROOM
[Carter and Siler are preparing the bomb.]
CARTER
We're ready, Sir.
BAUER
(in control room, over speaker)
First observation MALP is in position. Prepare to send the bomb through.
CARTER
Seal it up.
EXT—PARK, HOT DOG STAND, DAY
[O'Neill is on the phone while Maybourne gets a hot dog.]
O'NEILL
Yeah Daniel. How are things at camp?
INT—SGC, DANIEL'S LAB
DANIEL
Erm, not good. General Bauer's testing his new naquadah bomb. He's taking shortcuts which Sam thinks could be disastrous.
EXT—PARK, DAY
O'NEILL
Well, Maybourne claims he doesn't know whether Bauer's in with NID or just a gung-ho patsy.
INT—SGC, DANIEL'S LAB
DANIEL
Yeah, well, either way he's dangerous.
EXT—PARK, DAY
O'NEILL
Well hang in there, do what you can. I'll check back.
[O'Neill hangs up and joins Maybourne at a table. Maybourne offers him a hot dog.]
MAYBOURNE
You want one?
O'NEILL
No. You know, there's still something about you that puts me off my food.
MAYBOURNE
I know you've got a strong stomach, Jack. I've read your file.
O'NEILL
Now what does that have to do with anything?
MAYBOURNE
You want to help General Hammond, you're going to have to get your hands dirty. I need to know you're going to see this thing through.
O'NEILL
Under no other circumstances would I sit here and watch you eat.
MAYBOURNE
Yeah, well, things are about to get a lot more dicey. They're onto us. Our only chance now is a more direct approach.
O'NEILL
Such as?
MAYBOURNE
We have to connect someone with significant influence to the online websites. The only way to do that now is straight through one of the high profile associates.
O'NEILL
Who are we talking about here?
MAYBOURNE
An old friend.
INT—SGC, CONTROL ROOM
[Sound of klaxons. Siler is sitting at a control computer, Carter is standing near him. We see on a screen that the MALP with the bomb is travelling over sand on the test site planet.]
SILER
Fifteen minutes to target location.
[Daniel rushes in.]
DANIEL
We have to stop the test.
BAUER
Why is that, Doctor?
DANIEL
The aerial survey shows evidence of an old Goa'uld mining operation. Now even though it's probably been shut down for several thousand years there could still be significant amounts of naquadah present on that planet.
BAUER
My soil samples indicate only minute traces.
CARTER
The geological survey I read said there was none.
BAUER
We're not stopping the test.
CARTER
I don't think you realise the implications of this. Or maybe you do.
BAUER
Are you making an accusation, Major?
CARTER
You knew all along, didn't you? You were hoping for a chain reaction with the naquadah in the soil. Sir, that entire planet could be destroyed.
BAUER
That possibility has been considered. Most worlds occupied by the Goa'uld do have a high incidence of naquadah. This could be a very effective weapon against them.
CARTER
There's only one problem, Sir. When that bomb goes off we'll still be connected to that planet by an active Stargate and we've seen radiation, gravitational effects, even time distortions translated back through an outgoing wormhole.
BAUER
According to my intelligence, we should be able to get just enough data before the Stargate is destroyed and the wormhole disconnected.
CARTER
Who provided this intelligence?
BAUER
That is not your concern.
CARTER
Sir, we've seen the Stargate survive a direct hit from a meteorite. The truth is, we have no way of knowing what might happen.
BAUER
A risk assessment has been made and deemed acceptable. End of discussion.
EXT—SENATOR KINSEY'S HOUSE, DAY
[O'Neill and Maybourne drive up.]
O'NEILL
How long you known the guy?
MAYBOURNE
We go way back.
EXT—KINSEY'S HOUSE, ENTRANCE, DAY
[O'Neill and Maybourne stand on the front step. Sounds of piano playing and people inside the house. Maybourne rings the doorbell.]
MAYBOURNE
Looks like a party.
[The door is opened by a maid.]
MAID
Yes?
MAYBOURNE
Would you please tell the Senator that Colonel Maybourne and Colonel O'Neill would like to see him.
MAID
He has guests.
MAYBOURNE
Tell him he has two more.
[Kinsey comes to the door.]
KINSEY
What the hell are you doing here?
MAYBOURNE
Our invitations must have got lost in the mail.
KINSEY
This is not a good time.
[Mrs. Kinsey approaches behind Kinsey.]
MRS. KINSEY
Who is it, dear?
KINSEY
A couple of old friends.
O'NEILL
Afternoon ma'am. I'm Mr. Starsky and this is…Hutch.
MRS. KINSEY
Come in, come in. We're just having a little get-together.
[They enter the house. A dog runs over to O'Neill.]
KINSEY
(to dog)
Oscar, down.
O'NEILL
It's all right.
MRS. KINSEY
He seems to like you, Mr. Starsky.
O'NEILL
Birds of feather, ma'am.
KINSEY
Dear, Starsky and Hutch is an old TV show.
MRS. KINSEY
Oh, so you're actors then?
KINSEY
Maybe we'd better go up to my study. This won't take long.
INT—SGC, CONTROL ROOM
SILER
The weapon is in position.
[Bauer detonates the weapon using a remote control. On the computer screen we see the bomb explode. Then the MALP camera feed is lost.]
DANIEL
What happened?
SILER
We've lost transmission.
CARTER
The observation MALP was destroyed.
TEAL'C
The wormhole did not disconnect.
TECH DAVIS
Sir, I'm picking up increasing levels of radiation in the Gate room.
CARTER
They're gamma rays, ultrahigh frequency.
BAUER
Shut down the Gate.
TECH DAVIS
No response. Radiation levels approaching critical.
CARTER
Close the iris.
[The iris closes.]
TECH DAVIS
Radiation levels decreasing.
CARTER
Sir, if that iris succumbs to the heat and loses integrity, there will be no way to stop the radiation from bombarding the base. We have to evacuate.
BAUER
We were positive the other Gate would be destroyed.
CARTER
Sir, we have act now.
CARTER
(over speaker)
Attention all personnel, by order of General Bauer commence immediate evacuation of the base. Repeat, immediate evacuation. This is not a drill.
[Alarm sounds.]
CARTER
We can monitor the Gate room from a security station on Level 16.
BAUER
What's going to happen, Major?
CARTER
I have no way of knowing, Sir.
DANIEL
Guess your risk assessment didn't cover this.
[Daniel walks off.]
INT—KINSEY'S HOUSE, THE STUDY
[Kinsey closes the door. O'Neill and Maybourne are standing inside the room.]
KINSEY
Gentlemen, I have the undersecretary of state, the governor of Maryland and half the United States Congress waiting for me in my living room, so let's make this quick. What in God's name could I possibly do for you?
O'NEILL
We need some information on the NID.
KINSEY
The NID?
O'NEILL
Snaky government agency involved in all sorts of illegal covert operations, like blackmailing Air Force generals.
KINSEY
You are making less and less sense to me as the seconds are passing away, along with my patience.
MAYBOURNE
Don't tell me you're not aware of all the money they funnelled into your re-election campaign?
KINSEY
If you have a problem with my campaign finances, why don't you take it up with the Federal Elections Commission?
MAYBOURNE
That's just the tip of the iceberg.
KINSEY
And aren't you supposed to be in a federal prison, Colonel?
MAYBOURNE
Colonel O'Neill graciously asked to President to help me dig up some information about my former associates.
KINSEY
And you trust this man?
O'NEILL
No.
[O'Neill looks at Maybourne apologetically.]
KINSEY
I'm sorry, gentlemen, but this conversation has lost all amusement for me. I have a party to get back to.
O'NEILL
We're not going anywhere.
KINSEY
Excuse me?
O'NEILL
I'm not leaving until I get what I came for.
KINSEY
Oh, and what are you going to do?
O'NEILL
Well, I was thinking about shooting you.
[O'Neill produces and aims a gun at Kinsey.]
MAYBOURNE
Jack, what are you doing?
O'NEILL
Getting a little dirty for you, Maybourne?
INT—SGC, SECURITY STATION
[Carter, Bauer, Teal'c and Daniel enter and switch on the lights. Carter sits down at the controls.]
CARTER
Bringing the Gate room online. The iris is still holding, but it's starting to heat up.
BAUER
How long before it loses integrity?
CARTER
I'm not sure. It's possible that we turned that planet into a giant ball of super heated plasma. It could power the Gate for months.
BAUER
We'll have to set the autodestruct.
TEAL'C
The Gate on the other side survived the explosion. Would not ours as well?
BAUER
But at least it would be buried under a million tonnes of rock.
CARTER
That wouldn't stop it from pumping out radiation. Eventually the heat is going to melt through that iris.
BAUER
Then what do we do, Major?
CARTER
There is a chance the Gate will shut down on its own.
BAUER
The 38-minute window.
CARTER
There's no way to know for sure, Sir. These are untested circumstances.
BAUER
How long has the Gate been open?
CARTER
Coming up on twenty-one minutes.
INT—KINSEY'S HOUSE, THE STUDY
[Kinsey is standing with O'Neill holding a gun on him. Maybourne is seated behind the desk operating the computer.]
KINSEY
Colonel, have you completely taken leave of your senses?
O'NEILL
I've been hanging round Maybourne. What does that say?
KINSEY
How dare you come into my house waving a gun?
O'NEILL
Not waving. Pointing. Sit down.
[Kinsey sits.]
KINSEY
I hope you realise, Colonel, you are making the biggest mistake of your life. When this is over, I promise you'll regret the day we ever met.
O'NEILL
Oh, that day has come and gone, Senator.
KINSEY
If you don't care about your own career, maybe you should think about your friends.
O'NEILL
What's that mean?
KINSEY
You mess with me, Dr. Jackson will be out of the SGC permanently, and Major Carter will be scrubbing toilets in some Air Force weather station in Alaska—and as for the alien, Teal'c, well, let's just say I know some bioengineers in the Department of Defence who would love to get their hands on his symbiote.
MAYBOURNE
Okay, I'm in. I need the password.
O'NEILL
I'll give you a choice: white meat or dark meat?
KINSEY
You wouldn't dare.
MAYBOURNE
It's usually something familiar, like, er, wife's maiden name.
KINSEY
I have a wife, three children, seven grandchildren and various nieces and nephews. Good Luck.
[O'Neill spots a photo of Kinsey, his wife and dog on the desk.]
O'NEILL
Try Oscar.
[Kinsey makes a face.]
MAYBOURNE
That's it, we're in. I'm downloading now. Kinsey's online activities connect him to NID actions over the last year and a half. Including the secret operation I ran out of Area 51, the involvement with the Russians…and the threats to Hammond.
O'NEILL
You're a piece of work, Kinsey. Try to shut down the SGC, you make this big speech about how much you hate secret organisations and then you jump in bed with the NID. What is that?
KINSEY
Oh, I still think the Gate is a Pandora's box and I still think it should be buried forever, but as long it's open and as long as it's a threat to this planet, then I'm damn well going to make sure its used the way it should be used. To defend God's creation.
O'NEILL
Oh, blow the rhetoric up somebody else's nose. You're nothing but a power-hungry hypocrite.
KINSEY
The only currency in this town is power. So if I have to shake hands with the Devil to do the Lord's work, then so be it.
O'NEILL
You self-righteous son of a bitch. Where do you get off…
KINSEY
Judge not lest ye be judged. I read the mission reports that come out of that mountain. You play with the fate of this planet on a daily basis.
O'NEILL
I'm doing the job I was asked to do. I doubt very much your constituents could say the same about you.
KINSEY
Oh please! Given the chance half of all American citizens won't even vote and the half that do vote are too stupid to know what they're doing.
O'NEILL
Which explains how you got elected.
KINSEY
In order to expose me, you're going to have to compromise the secrecy of the SGC. Are you really willing to do that?
MAYBOURNE
I'm done.
[Maybourne takes a disk from the computer.]
O'NEILL
Give me that.
KINSEY
What are you going to do? Take down the whole NID?
O'NEILL
Nope. Here's the deal. Get them to reinstate Hammond or this disk goes to the press.
KINSEY
It'll never see the light of day.
O'NEILL
Well, I really don't think you'll see the light of day if your secret friends find out you're the weak link.
KINSEY
You learned to play hardball pretty fast didn't you, Colonel?
O'NEILL
I had a good teacher.
[Out of the window, Maybourne sees black cars approaching.]
MAYBOURNE
Trouble, Jack.
INT—SGC, GATE ROOM.
[The iris is glowing red.]
INT—SGC, SECURITY STATION
[Carter is seated at the controls. Bauer, Teal'c and Daniel are standing.]
CARTER
Approaching 38 minutes.
INT—KINSEY'S HOUSE, THE STUDY
MAYBOURNE
Who made the call? Your wife?
KINSEY
Give me the disk and you might just get out of here alive.
O'NEILL
They won't come in here with the group he's got downstairs.
MAYBOURNE
But we still got to get out.
[O'Neill takes his cell phone from his pocket and dials.]
INT—SGC, SECURITY STATION
[The computer screen indicates 38 minutes have passed.]
BAUER
It's still open.
CARTER
Yes, Sir.
BAUER
Well, there's no point staying here. I'll inform the President from the surface.
CARTER
Yes, Sir, I'm sure it'll be much safer up there.
[Carter rises and leaves the room, Daniel follows. Teal'c is about to leave when he sees on the screen that the Gate has deactivated.]
TEAL'C
Major Carter?
[They all come back into the room.]
BAUER
What happened?
CARTER
The Gate shut itself off.
BAUER
Are you sure?
CARTER
It's over.
BAUER
For what it's worth, Major, I'm sorry.
INT—KINSEY'S HOUSE, THE STAIRCASE
[Kinsey, O'Neill and Maybourne descend the stairs.]
O'NEILL
Great party, Mrs. K. Thank you.
EXT—KINSEY'S HOUSE, DAY
[The front door opens. The men from the black cars start toward the door. Suddenly, a herd of reporters runs to the front of the house. Maybourne and O'Neill leave through the throng of reporters while Kinsey signals the men in black to do nothing. Kinsey comes out to stand on the front patio.]
REPORTER 1
Senator Kinsey, we have heard you are planning to run for the White House.
KINSEY
White House?
REPORTER 2
Are you declaring your candidacy?
KINSEY
Well, this is really not how I intended this to come out.
REPORTER 3
So it's true then, Senator?
KINSEY
Well, now that you're all here, we've often talked about my goals. Do I think I would make a good president? You're damn right I would. You know how I feel about things. You know how hard I've worked.
[O'Neill and Maybourne walk past the men in black to their car.]
KINSEY
The potential I see in the people of this great nation and the way so many of it's leaders have let them down. It's enough to bring tears to your eyes. The solution to the problems by our government are so simple. Listen to the people.
[O'Neill and Maybourne drive off.]
INT—SGC, BRIEFING ROOM
[Hammond is standing looking out at the Gate through the window. Then he walks toward his office.]
FOLLOW THROUGH TO INT—HAMMOND'S OFFICE
[O'Neill knocks on the wall.]
HAMMOND
Jack, come in.
O'NEILL
General, it's good to have you back.
HAMMOND
Thank you. I hear I missed a bit of excitement while I was gone.
O'NEILL
You'll have to ask Carter about that, Sir.
HAMMOND
I'm looking forward to the debriefing.
O'NEILL
As am I.
HAMMOND
Jack, what do I owe you for this?
O'NEILL
Continued latitude, patience and understanding. So just be yourself, Sir.
[Sound of the phone ringing. Hammond answers it.]
HAMMOND
Hammond…It's for you.
[Hammond hands the receiver to O'Neill.]
O'NEILL
Hello.
EXT—A TROPICAL ISLAND, DAY
[Maybourne is on the phone, a steel band playing in the background.]
MAYBOURNE
Hello, Jack.
INT—HAMMOND'S OFFICE
O'NEILL
Maybourne. Where are you?
EXT—A TROPICAL ISLAND, DAY
MAYBOURNE
Well, not in jail, if that's what you think.
[Maybourne holds the phone up to the steel band.]
INT—HAMMOND'S OFFICE
[O'Neill looks peeved.]
EXT—A TROPICAL ISLAND, DAY
MAYBOURNE
I e-mailed myself a copy of the incriminating evidence when I saved it to disk for you.
INT—HAMMOND'S OFFICE
O'NEILL
I know.
EXT—A TROPICAL ISLAND, DAY
MAYBOURNE
Kinsey felt obligated to get me transferred to a nicer facility while I await my execution. Made things simple after that.
INT—HAMMOND'S OFFICE
O'NEILL
Why didn't you try to escape when you were with me?
EXT—A TROPICAL ISLAND, DAY
MAYBOURNE
Oh, come on, Jack, you trusted me. I didn't want you to look bad for the president. Besides you're too good to have let it happen.
INT—HAMMOND'S OFFICE
O'NEILL
What are you going to do now?
EXT—A TROPICAL ISLAND, DAY
MAYBOURNE
Well, short term, I think I'll have a few margaritas. After that, who knows?
INT—HAMMOND'S OFFICE
O'NEILL
Yeah. Right.
EXT—A TROPICAL ISLAND, DAY
MAYBOURNE
Thanks for all your help.
INT—HAMMOND'S OFFICE
[O'Neill puts the phone down.]
O'NEILL
General, about what you owe me?
HAMMOND
Anything I can do.
O'NEILL
Well, nothing right now. But one day I may ask you to…buy back my soul.
EXT—A TROPICAL ISLAND, DAY
[Maybourne puts his arm around a local woman and dances off to the sound of the steel band.]
ROLL CREDITS
Transcript by Kira Rothery, revised by Elfin for Solutions, 16 Mar 03
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--Kylie Lee 04:59, 7 Jul 2004 (PDT)