SGA 3.15 "The Game" Transcript
Episode Guide
SGA 3.15 "The Game" Episode Guide
Précis
McKay and Sheppard participate in a SIMS-like game simulation which turns out to be very real and with very destructive effects.
Guide | Transcript
Transcript
TEASER
EXT—ATLANTIS, DAY
INT—ATLANTIS MESS HALL
[Sheppard's team eats their meals together in the crowded mess hall.]
MCKAY
Let me ask you a question. Say there's a runaway train. It's hurtling out of control towards ten people standing in the middle of the tracks. Only way to save those people is to flip a switch, send the train down another set of tracks. The only problem is—there is a baby in the middle of those tracks.
TEYLA
Why would anyone leave a baby in harm's way like that?
MCKAY
Well, I-I don't know. That's not the point. It's an ethical dilemma. Look, Katie Brown brought it up over dinner the other night. Question is: is it appropriate to divert the train and kill the one baby to save the ten people?
RONON
Wouldn't the people just see the train coming and move?
MCKAY
No. No, they wouldn't see it.
RONON
Why not?
MCKAY
(sighing)
Well, look, I don't know. Say they're blind.
TEYLA
All of them?
MCKAY
(getting annoyed)
Yes. All of them.
RONON
Then why don't you just call out and tell them to move out of the way?
MCKAY
Oh, because they can't hear you.
SHEPPARD
What, they're deaf too? How fast is the train going?
MCKAY
(exasperated)
Look, the speed doesn't matter!
SHEPPARD
Oh, sure it does. If it's going slow enough, you could…outrun it and shove everyone to the side.
RONON
Or better yet, go get the baby.
[Ronon and Sheppard exchange agreeing nods before Sheppard takes a bite of his orange.]
MCKAY
Oh, for god's sake, I was just trying to—
WEIR
(over radio)
Rodney…?
MCKAY
Wh-yes. Go ahead.
WEIR
(over radio)
Major Lorne just dialed in from M4D-058. He says he's got something you'll want to see.
MCKAY
Hmm.
[He stands and starts to leave.]
MCKAY
(to team)
Work it out.
INT—ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM
[McKay and Sheppard stand with Weir looking at a monitor which shows Lorne crouched low by a wall.]
LORNE
(over video)
We came through the space gate and immediately noticed a bunch of small satellites in geo-synchronous orbit above the planet.
WEIR
(into radio)
An advanced civilization?
LORNE
(over video)
That's what we thought. Then we picked up life signs directly below, so we flew down—saw several villages separated by a large river and decided to check one of them out. And as you can see…
(to sergeant off-camera)
Sergeant…?
[The sergeant moves the camera to show the village below the wall. The people are using wooden wheelbarrows and simple tools as they go about their daily business.]
LORNE
(continuing, over video)
These people…don't exactly look like they're ready to be launching any satellites, at least not for the next five hundred years or so.
SHEPPARD
Ancients probably put them up there.
MCKAY
(agreeing)
Mmm.
WEIR
(to McKay, but heard on radio)
Send a science team to check it out.
[Lorne, now back on camera, looks amused.]
LORNE
(over video)
Uh, actually…I think Doctor McKay may want to come check this one out for himself.
MCKAY
Why?
LORNE
Take a look.
[The off-camera sergeant pans the camera again and zooms its focus onto a small banner hanging from a building. It has a red stripe on each side of the banner, and in the white center is a picture of McKay's face.]
[Weir, Sheppard and McKay stare at the image in shock. Sheppard bites his lip as he and McKay exchange looks—as if they know something about this after all and also know they're in trouble.]
END TEASER
OPENING CREDITS
INT—WEIR'S OFFICE
[Weir storms into her office, McKay and Sheppard following.]
WEIR
(furious)
How the hell did your face get on that flag?!
MCKAY
Oh, uh, I don't know.
[Weir stares from McKay to Sheppard, aware they know more to this than they're saying.]
MCKAY
(perplexed)
Wai-wait. Here's the thing though. That flag's very similar to the one I designed in our game.
SHEPPARD
(snappish)
It's exactly like the one you designed in our game.
WEIR
What game?
SHEPPARD
The game Rodney and I have been playing.
MCKAY
(innocently)
Yeah, we didn't tell you about the game?
SHEPPARD
We've been playing for a while now.
MCKAY
Yeah, off and on in our spare time—you know, uh, at night, between missions, I could've sworn we told you about it.
WEIR
(impatient)
What. Game?
MCKAY
Well, it started a while ago…
FLASHBACK
INT—"GAME" ROOM, ATLANTIS
[McKay and a science team enter the room. The control panels light up.]
MCKAY
(voiceover)
Uh, a few months after we arrived here, we were exploring the city, checking out some labs on the East Pier when we discovered a room. There were several Ancient consoles and screens. It was quite an impressive layout. As usual, everything sprang to life as soon as we entered.
[McKay goes to a monitor, which shows a landscape with a winding river.]
MCKAY
(voiceover)
At first, we thought it was some kind of a geological facility. There was a screen with a map that we assumed was of the Lantian mainland.
END FLASHBACK
WEIR
Yes, I remember you briefing me about that.
MCKAY
Right, there you go. We did tell you.
WEIR
You mentioned nothing about a game, though.
SHEPPARD
That's because at first we didn't know what it was….
FLASHBACK
INT—GAME ROOM
[McKay sits at one of the panels. He punches controls and pulls up more menus on the screen.]
SHEPPARD
(continuing)
Then, Rodney studied it more closely. He realized it wasn't a geological lab at all.
MCKAY
(voiceover)
No, it turns out, it was it was in fact a-a-a kind of a…Ancient game room. The map was of a fictional civilization. It was part of a simulated world.
[The McKay in the flashback grins at his find.]
MCKAY
Sweet!
END FLASHBACK
SHEPPARD
Yeah, what you do, is you take these countries that are already in a database and you assume control of them.
MCKAY
Two societies, separated by a river straight down the middle. Sheppard took one country, I took the other.
SHEPPARD
First thing Rodney did, besides renaming his country, is put his face all over the flag.
[Sheppard chuckles and rolls his eyes. McKay also chuckles and grins. Weir looks very unamused.]
WEIR
I think you need to check this planet out.
[McKay and Sheppard's grins fade. Abashed, they leave.]
EXT—SPACE
[A puddle jumper comes through the space gate and flies around M4D-058.]
INT—PUDDLE JUMPER
TEYLA
So…the Ancestors created this game?
MCKAY
Yes, but this is no ordinary game. I mean, it is incredibly challenging, instructional…I mean the sheer number of options built into it? Staggering.
TEYLA
How does one play it?
SHEPPARD
You gotta figure out the best way to run your country.
MCKAY
Yeah, you build roads, you, uh, establish laws, mold it to your own specific ideology.
FLASHBACK
INT—GAME ROOM
[Sheppard and McKay sit across from each other, each with a computer in front of them. Their monitors show the river landscape. Sheppard looks over at Rodney's side as if trying to guess what he's doing.]
MCKAY
(voiceover)
You can control everything. Proper sanitation systems, water delivery.
SHEPPARD
(voiceover)
Transportation…
MCKAY
(voiceover)
I mean, every detail can be manipulated…I mean, right down to the women's hairstyles.
[On McKay's computer, he pulls up a computer image of a woman avatar. She wears a white dress with red trim, but there are other options. She has shoulder length red hair and green eyes. McKay changes the hair to blond and short.]
MCKAY
Hello there.
END FLASHBACK
RONON
So how do you win this game?
SHEPPARD
It's not really about winning.
FLASHBACK
INT—GAME ROOM
[McKay and Sheppard study information on their respective monitors. They peer over their monitor to look at each other.]
MCKAY
(voiceover)
Yeah, it's more about whose society outshines the other's. I mean, who creates a better infrastructure.
END FLASHBACK
MCKAY
(continuing, smugly)
…who's better at trade.
[Sheppard glares at McKay.]
MCKAY
(innocently)
What? Hey, don't start. I tried to negotiate with you.
SHEPPARD
Making a list of demands and not giving anything in return is not negotiating.
MCKAY
I offered you an entire crop of beans.
SHEPPARD
I don't need beans, I need lumber.
MCKAY
Oh, right, to build defensive fortifications for your army, which he doubled in size, by the way. Surprise, surprise.
[They glance back, making their arguments to Ronon and Teyla, who look equally amused and bemused by the conversation.]
SHEPPARD
I only did that after you started cheating.
MCKAY
I did not cheat!
SHEPPARD
He's giving his people way too much technology for their level of development. I'm not the only one increasing my army, by the way.
MCKAY
I had to do something to protect the people of Geldar from you.
RONON
Geldar?
SHEPPARD
It's the name of Rodney's country. He named it after a girl he stalked in college.
MCKAY
I did not stalk her. We dated…twice. Theresa Geldar. Very cute blonde. I always used to think her name reminded me of some kind of a…mythological land: the kingdom of Geldar.
[Teyla smiles, then taps Sheppard on the arm.]
TEYLA
What'd you call your country?
SHEPPARD
(shrugging)
Well, I…just…kept the name it already had.
[The HUD pulls up an image of a hundred satellites in a square pattern, floating over the planet.]
SHEPPARD
Well, there are the satellites.
TEYLA
Dozens of them.
MCKAY
Positioned directly above the continent. Perfect grid. Ten-by-ten. Should have a visual on one of them…
EXT—SPACE
[The jumper approaches a satellite.]
INT—PUDDLE JUMPER
RONON
Definitely looks Ancient.
MCKAY
Huh. And active. It's transmitting a tremendous amount of data.
SHEPPARD
All right, let's check it out.
EXT—SPACE
[The jumper flies down to the surface of M4D-058.]
EXT—VILLAGE, DAY
[A couple watch a primitive version of a movie on a cylindrical wheel; it shows an animation of a man who has his head pop off and go back on. Other vendors sell telescopes and other science equipment. Sheppard's team walks among the crowd. The villagers who spot McKay stop what they're doing and stare at him. Many of the women in the village have short blond hair.]
MCKAY
This is amazing!
RONON
If you say so.
[A man drives by on an early version of a bicycle, with a large front wheel and smaller rear one.]
SHEPPARD
(sarcastic)
Oh, yeah. That's something you see in every medieval village.
MCKAY
Yes, well, the…Renaissance obviously came early to these folks.
SHEPPARD
What, a couple hundred years early?
[More and more of the crowd have noticed McKay and have started whispering to each other. The team notices their interest and begins to feel uncomfortable under the scrutiny.]
TEYLA
Um…Rodney?
[Ronon picks up a tricked-out crossbow on a vendor's table and studies it as the crowd seems to watch with awe—their attention stuck on McKay. He stares back at them, bewildered, not noticing he's standing under a painting of…himself in the same pose, complete with jacket with the Canadian flag patch. The painting has a halo over McKay's head. Nola begins to approach. Sheppard looks from the painting to McKay, nonplussed.]
SHEPPARD
(whispering harshly to McKay)
Say something!
MCKAY
(low, to Sheppard)
Like what?
SHEPPARD
(low, to McKay)
I don't know!
NOLA
Hello. I am Nola.
MCKAY
Yes, well, uh…this is Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard, Teyla Emmagan, Ronon Dex, and I'm…McKay. Doctor Rodney McKay.
[He flashes Nola, who is an attractive young woman with short blond hair, a charming smile. Nola steps forward and studies McKay's features intently, glancing up to the portrait behind him.]
SHEPPARD
The resemblance is…uncanny.
[McKay glances back, finally seeing the portrait.]
NOLA
(awed)
You are the Oracle!
MCKAY
The Oracle?
[Nola steps back and bows deeply. All the villagers follow suit.]
NOLA
Welcome to Geldar.
[McKay looks shocked, and guilty. Sheppard shoots him a narrow look.]
INT—PORTAL BUILDING CORRIDOR
[Nola leads the team down a stone corridor.]
NOLA
Please forgive my nervousness. I never thought you'd appear to us in the flesh.
TEYLA
Why do you refer to him as "the Oracle"?
[Nola looks to McKay for permission to speak, he shrugs and waves his hand.]
NOLA
The Oracle is a wise and omnipotent deity.
SHEPPARD
(to Ronon)
Boy, she's in for a rude awakening.
NOLA
Thousands of years ago, he gave our ancestors life. He instructed them how to build their society, how to live their lives. His guidance was revered by all. Then one day, without warning, the Oracle ceased all communications.
RONON
(to Sheppard)
War with the Wraith.
[Sheppard nods in agreement.]
NOLA
Our people were puzzled by this, but they continued to adhere to his instructions, living their lives according to his teachings which they passed down from generation to generation.
[They pass more portraits of McKay.]
TEYLA
Have you not had any trouble with the Wraith?
NOLA
Yes. They've come periodically—culled our people, destroyed our villages. Those who survived rebuilt, but only to the level at which the Oracle had instructed before he left. We found ourselves stalled in our development, unwilling to push forward without the Oracle's guidance, hoping one day he would return to us. And two years ago, he did. The Oracle resumed communicating with us, teaching us many new things. He challenged us to think, to push the limit of our scientific endeavors. He changed the name of our country, and even revealed his likeness to us.
[McKay grins smugly at yet another portrait. Sheppard shakes his head in disgust.]
SHEPPARD
Enough with the pictures.
INT—PORTAL CHAMBER
[McKay looks down over a balcony to the floor below, where people work around an Ancient device that shows a map of the continent, similar to that of the game.]
MCKAY
Ah, and you communicate through that.
NOLA
The portal, yes.
INT—GELDAR HEADQUARTERS
[The team heads down the stairs to the console.]
NOLA
It's through this that we receive our instructions.
TEYLA
And the Oracle knows when you've carried them out?
NOLA
Yes.
MCKAY
It's the satellites! They must be tracking everything that's going on and then relaying it via subspace back to Atlantis. It's remarkable!
RONON
So, not a game after all.
MCKAY
No, it's obviously some kind of, uh, Ancient experiment, uh, social development, to try out different ways to create civilizations.
[Sheppard points to the symbol of an area on the other side of the river.]
SHEPPARD
This country here…?
NOLA
Hallona.
[Sheppard preens.]
NOLA
A persistent thorn in our side.
[Sheppard's face falls.]
NOLA
(to McKay)
Now that you've come to us, you can help us remove it.
[Sheppard and McKay exchange worried looks.]
EXT—ATLANTIS, DUSK
INT—GAME ROOM
[Zelenka, Lorne, and Weir stand in front of the console.]
WEIR
So this is it?
ZELENKA
(awed)
Yes. Yes, it is an amazing piece of technology. It appears to be a sociological experiment designed by the Ancients to help them as they were seeding various civilizations throughout Pegasus. I-I've had a chance to look at it further, and it-it's interesting, there are many more civilizations in the game's database.
WEIR
Really? I thought Rodney said there were only two.
ZELENKA
That's what he thought. The actual countries that he and Colonel Sheppard are controlling are on this specific planet, but I've been able to access the codes to unlock additional levels to the game…I-I mean, to the ex-experiment. I discovered countries on-on planets throughout the galaxy. Some have been idle for the past ten thousand years, I guess awaiting instructions from the Ancients, but some have managed to develop on their own, even flourish. Some have been destroyed by war, and others have been…completely wiped out. Er, not that R-Rodney's and Colonel Sheppard's societies are on this path.
[They stare at the civilizations shown on the monitor.]
WEIR
(concerned)
So much power at one's fingertips.
ZELENKA
(enchanted)
It's amazing the attraction of this…game.
[Weir shoots him a worried look.]
INT—GELDAR VILLAGE SQUARE
[Nola sits at an outdoor table with McKay. Helkin unfurls a blueprint for a dirigible.]
NOLA
We've managed to achieve propulsion through hand powered propellers, but now we're undertaking tests of steam-powered propulsion.
MCKAY
Oh.
HELKIN
Only this morning, I completed a test that proved quite promising.
MCKAY
(nonplussed)
Really, that's great.
NOLA
(anxious)
You're pleased?
MCKAY
Yes. Yes! I mean, this is quite an achievement.
[The rest of McKay's teammates arrive with a man dressed in chain mail, Baden. The villagers watch warily as he approaches. Nola stands when she spots Baden, looking angry.]
NOLA
What's he doing here?
BADEN
It wasn't my idea.
[A bewildered McKay looks between them.]
SHEPPARD
Doctor Rodney McKay, meet Baden.
MCKAY
(disdainfully)
Oh, your guy.
SHEPPARD
My guy.
MCKAY
Eh, it figures.
NOLA
I should have you arrested for trespassing.
BADEN
Go ahead and try.
SHEPPARD
Easy now. I brought him here because we need to have a little discussion.
NOLA
I have nothing to say to him.
BADEN
Fine with me.
[He turns to leave, but Ronon blocks his path, looking menacing.]
SHEPPARD
Eh, maybe not. But we definitely have something to say to you.
[Later, they all sit around the table.]
SHEPPARD
So, his story's pretty much the same as Nola's. His ancestors received instructions from their Oracle, who disappeared for thousands of years, only to suddenly resume communicating a few years ago.
MCKAY
(snidely)
Let me guess, he told you to double the size of your army.
SHEPPARD
(snidely)
Yes, he has a capable army…and some nice villages. No people riding bicycles or hot air balloons, because we weren't cheating!
MCKAY
I didn't cheat!
NOLA
Have you come to agree to our trade proposals?
BADEN
You mean demands? Never.
NOLA
(standing)
Then I refuse to sit at the same table…
MCKAY
(quickly)
Look, look, please sit.
[Nola complies.]
MCKAY
Thank you.
TEYLA
This…hostility between you. Have your people lived like this for thousands of years?
NOLA
No. There was once peace between our lands.
MCKAY
(with regret)
Oh, no.
SHEPPARD
(hesitantly)
So this…hostility…um…did it start a few years ago.
NOLA
Yes. Shortly after the Oracle resumed communicating with us.
[Sheppard and McKay exchange sheepish looks; Teyla and Ronon exchange glances.]
INT—ATLANTIS GAME ROOM
[Weir has left Zelenka and Lorne, who are studying the readout of a civilization.]
LORNE
So…they're starving?
ZELENKA
Well, not as of yet, but if they don't change their approach to agriculture, it won't be too long before many of their people go hungry. The frustrating thing is, there is a large piece of fertile soil in the south of the country that would be idea for a tuber cultivation, you know?
LORNE
Sorry, "tuber"?
ZELENKA
Tuber, yeah, tuber. It, eh, it is, uh, indigenous to the planet. It's like a potato.
LORNE
So why didn't you just say "potato"?
ZELENKA
Because it's not a potato! It's-it's…it's…larger…it-it-it has the same texture and nutrients as a potato, but…it's…like a cantaloupe.
LORNE
That's a pretty big potato.
ZELENKA
Uh-huh. It is a big potato.
LORNE
So, if they plant this thing there, it'll grow?
ZELENKA
Yeah, oh yes. Oh, whole fields of it. I mean, they could sustain an entire village, but…they're oblivious to it.
LORNE
Then tell them…anonymously. Oh, come on, Doc. You can either stand here and let the people die, or you can…help them out. Sounds like a no-brainer to me.
[Zelenka considers this.]
INT—GELDAR HEADQUARTERS
[Nola, Baden, Helkin, and others stand around the terminal with the Atlantis team.]
MCKAY
As soon as we input the instructions into our console, they are…relayed back to this device by a number of satellites in orbit over your planet. Once you've carried out the instructions, the satellites transmit the real-time results back to us on our homeworld.
NOLA
(upset and confused)
So…you're saying this is a game?
[McKay looks from Nola to Baden who looks equally disturbed.]
MCKAY
No…no. Uh-uh, well…we thought it was a game, but, uh…
SHEPPARD
We didn't know there were real people on the other end.
BADEN
You are the Oracle?
SHEPPARD
I'm your Oracle, yes…That doesn't sound right.
TEYLA
I-I know this is difficult to absorb, but…it is all true.
RONON
You flew in the puddle jumper; you know they have the technology.
BADEN
I'm not listening to this.
[He starts to leave. Sheppard stops him.]
SHEPPARD
Hold on a sec, now. We can prove it to you.
BADEN
How?
SHEPPARD
Let's go for a ride.
EXT—ATLANTIS, DAY
INT—ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM
[Weir and a security contingent are already in the control room as Sheppard's team, Baden, and Nola come down the stairwell from the jumper bay.]
SHEPPARD
Baden, Nola, this is Doctor Weir, leader of our expedition.
WEIR
Welcome to Atlantis. If these two gentlemen haven't done so already, let me please offer you our sincerest apologies for this intrusion into your lives.
[Baden and Nola wander to the inner balcony of the control room.]
SHEPPARD
(protesting)
"Intrusion?"
MCKAY
An imposition, maybe…and a benevolent one at that! I mean, if you could've seen the villages now compared to the way they were when we started—
WEIR
Rodney! Now, why don't you take them to your "game" room? Show them what you two've been up to?
MCKAY
Right. Shall we?
[McKay leads them away.]
INT—ATLANTIS GAME ROOM
[McKay shows a computer display to Nola and Baden. Sheppard is nearby.]
MCKAY
So…this is Geldar, and this is Hallona. Look, two weeks ago I instructed you to start digging a well for the new settlement on the eastern slope, and…look here.
(typing on computer)
There, see? Construction's already begun.
[McKay looks up, proud. Nola looks at the display, stunned.]
NOLA
Yes. I gave the order myself.
(upset)
Our lives are just a game.
SHEPPARD
Well, now, no! They're not games to you, and, in our defense, we were trying to improve your lives.
MCKAY
It's like he said, everything we did, every instruction we gave was to better conditions for your people.
SHEPPARD
(low voice)
And if that meant cheating…
MCKAY
Okay, you know, enough with that already!
[Baden watches everything. Nola just stares in despair.]
EXT—ATLANTIS, NIGHT
INT—ATLANTIS GUEST QUARTERS
[Nola sits stiffly on the bed. McKay stands nearby.]
MCKAY
Is the room…okay?
NOLA
(blankly)
It's fine.
MCKAY
Well then, if you, uh, if you need anything at all…don't hesitate to ask, okay? You hungry? 'Cause-cause, we could, uh, walk across to the mess hall. They've got, um, I think it's, uh, salisbury steak today? It's very good. They have-they have a gravy they put on the-on the steak part, and, uh…
[McKay's voice trails off into silence.]
NOLA
(upset)
The Oracle was a god to us! I believed in his teachings—so much so that my people elected me leader because of my passion for scientific advancement.
MCKAY
Well, they-they obviously made the right choice.
NOLA
Now I must resolve myself to the fact…that the Oracle is only a man.
MCKAY
(contrite)
Yeah. Sorry about that. So…it's like I said though, I…I did what I did with the best of intentions.
NOLA
(bitter)
To win a game.
[McKay rushes over and sits next to her.]
MCKAY
No! No-no. It is not about winning or losing. Look, the information I gave you and your people is very real, very useful! I've set you on a course that will allow you to develop into a-into a modern society. I mean, where were you two years ago, huh? You were a primitive, disparate cluster of villages stalled in development. Now you're making dirigibles! Do you have any idea how momentous that is?
NOLA
The Oracle once said: "Ask not what Geldar can do for you, but what you can do for Geldar." Those were your words.
MCKAY
(uncomfortable)
Um…give or take.
NOLA
They are very wise.
MCKAY
(looking away)
Yes. Yes, they are.
INT—ATLANTIS MESS HALL
[Sheppard and Baden sit in the empty mess hall.]
SHEPPARD
Well, now that you know the truth, uh, you can go back to living your own lives, and we won't…bother you anymore.
BADEN
No. You must still help us.
SHEPPARD
You don't need our help. You'll be fine.
BADEN
We need more weapons. The flying machine you brought us here in…you called it a "puddle jumper". Our army could use it.
SHEPPARD
(uncomfortable, but firm)
No. Can't do that.
BADEN
But you encouraged me to increase the military.
SHEPPARD
In response to McKay…the other Oracle doing things that I thought were, uh…
BADEN
Aggressive? Arrogant? Demeaning to me and my people?!
SHEPPARD
I-I will give you arrogant and demeaning, but uh…
BADEN
The people of Geldar have started digging a mine beneath our borders to exploit coal resources on our land!
SHEPPARD
(leaning forward, intrigued)
Really?
BEDEN
It was only confirmed yesterday. This after several diplomatic attempts to reach a compromise.
SHEPPARD
Yeah, we couldn't come to an agreement, but-but I didn't think he would start digging.
BEDEN
I'm curious to know what response you would have to such an incursion. I believe your next command would be to launch an attack on the mine. Prevent them from digging further? I'm right, aren't I?
[Sheppard fidgets, but doesn't deny it.]
INT—ATLANTIS CORRIDOR
[McKay and Sheppard walk with Weir.]
WEIR
Did they believe you?
MCKAY
Yes, they are fully aware of the situation—not too thrilled, obviously.
SHEPPARD
We've got a big problem, though.
WEIR
(sighing)
What is it?
SHEPPARD
Game or no game, the fact remains, we've started something these people don't seem to want to stop. They hate each other and may be headed for a very real…war.
[Weir stops short.]
WEIR
(sarcastic)
Great. Great. And this is thanks to your…"benevolent imposition"?
[She storms off.]
EXT—ATLANTIS, DAY
INT—ATLANTIS CONFERENCE ROOM
[Weir sits at the center table. Nola sits at one of the side tables, Baden at an opposite one.]
WEIR
I've asked you both here this morning so we can have a face-to-face talk. Now, hopefully, I can help you reach an understanding.
NOLA
Where is Doctor McKay?
WEIR
Well, I've asked that neither he nor Colonel Sheppard participate in this. I think they've already done enough in fostering the current tension between you. Now, I have had some experience brokering peace treaties; I'm sure we can find some common ground.
[Nola and Baden look resistant, and say nothing.]
WEIR
Okay…why don't we start by going back a few years, to the time when your two peoples lived in peace?
NOLA
We were naive back then—ignorant to our potential. Once we began to challenge ourselves intellectually, we began to see how the people of Hallona had been abusing thousands of years of kindness from us.
BADEN
I've done everything I could to achieve peace with you.
NOLA
Really? Such as?
BADEN
I sent gifts of good will.
NOLA
You sent crates of citrus fruit. Citrus! Do you have any idea what an insult that is to my people?!
BEDEN
It didn't used to be.
WEIR
Okay, see, I think I know where that comes from. Did…"the Oracle"…tell you that citrus fruit was bad?
NOLA
He made us aware of its toxic properties, yes.
[Weir opens her mouth to respond, but Baden cuts in.]
BADEN
Everything is toxic to you! If they're not busy insulting us, they're complaining about contaminated food, improper hygiene. Even the sunlight is dangerous to them!
[Weir nods in understanding, but can't break into the conversation.]
NOLA
The only insult has been your unwillingness to compromise in any trade negotiation. Instead, you choose to increase the size of your army.
BADEN
You built an army, too!
NOLA
Only in response to your aggression.
BADEN
My aggression? You dig a mine beneath our border to steal our coal, and you have the nerve to talk about aggression?!
NOLA
We're not stealing your co—
BADEN
You crossed into our land!
NOLA
What do you need it for anyway? It's not like you know the first thing about what to do with it!
BADEN
You see how she insults us?
NOLA
(cuttingly)
By stating a fact!
WEIR
Okay, please! If we could discuss this reasonably, I'm sure we can come to some sort of—
NOLA
We've tried! They agree to nothing. And until Doctor McKay is brought into this discussion, I have nothing further to say.
[Nola leaves. Baden shrugs helplessly and also leaves. Weir sits alone.]
WEIR
(to herself)
That went well.
INT—ATLANTIS CORRIDOR
[Weir talks with Sheppard and McKay as they head down a corridor.]
WEIR
Talk to them. Get them back to the table and hammer out a truce. I have run into a roadblock.
MCKAY
(surprised)
Really? Nola seemed very agreeable.
SHEPPARD
(snidely)
To you.
MCKAY
Yeah, well more agreeable than "Richard the Lionheart".
WEIR
They are both refusing to compromise. You seem to have convinced them that they can't make any decisions without your guidance!
SHEPPARD
That's not true!
WEIR
(sighing, frustrated)
Tell them that!
INT—ATLANTIS MESS HALL
[Nola tries a bowl of blue Jell-O for the first time. McKay sits across the table from her.]
NOLA
This is delicious!
MCKAY
Listen, you need to make peace with the people of Hallona. If-if tensions keep rising like this, it could lead to war.
NOLA
(nodding, somber)
I'm aware of that.
MCKAY
Well, then you're also aware that people will get hurt.
NOLA
I know the danger to my people. I also know you've taught us things Baden's band of knuckle-draggers won't learn for hundreds of years.
MCKAY
(preening)
Huh. Well…
NOLA
Under your leadership, we hope to remain many steps ahead of any kind of aggression from them.
MCKAY
Nola, you and your people need to start thinking for yourselves. Look, I'm not going to be there for you anymore. You need to-to take control of your own lives, start making your own decisions about your future. And there can be no future without peace.
NOLA
I agree.
MCKAY
Good.
NOLA
And as soon as the people of Hallona either concede or get out of our way, peace will be restored. What you told me before, I do realize how monumental our progress has been, and I refuse to let Baden destroy that. "Great spirits have always encountered opposition from mediocre minds." Those are the words of the Oracle. You words.
MCKAY
(uncomfortable)
Einstein's, actually, but…
NOLA
If we yield one bit to Hallona, it will be equal to taking a giant step back in our development. I owe it to my people to make sure that does not happen.
MCKAY
(sighing)
Hmm.
INT—ATLANTIS GAME ROOM
[Sheppard and Baden study a display.]
BADEN
They're digging further. Every hour, they intrude deeper into our land.
SHEPPARD
To get them to stop, you have to provide an incentive.
BADEN
Like attacking the mine?
SHEPPARD
Well, that'll cause a whole 'nother set of problems.
BADEN
The only problems will be with the people of Geldar.
SHEPPARD
Not necessarily. They can fight back.
BADEN
What are you saying? We should capitulate? Let them do whatever they want?
SHEPPARD
No, you make a deal. Trade. Say…you decide to share some of your weaponry, and they in turn, give you some of their technology.
WEIR
(over radio)
John?
[Sheppard turns his back on Baden and walks to a corner of the room to converse in private.]
SHEPPARD
(into radio)
Go ahead.
WEIR
(over radio)
How's it going?
[While Sheppard speaks, Baden notices his inattention and hurriedly types some commands into the computer connected to his home-world.]
SHEPPARD
(into radio)
Well…he's being a little…uh…
WEIR
(over radio)
Stubborn?
SHEPPARD
(into radio)
I was going to use a different word.
[Baden finishes and steps back, trying to look innocent. The computer beeps its acceptance of the commands. Sheppard overhears the computer beep and stiffens.]
WEIR
(over radio)
Hmm.
[Sheppard turns and studies Baden suspiciously. Baden pretends to look oblivious as he stands several feet back, studying the computer screen with interest.]
WEIR
(over radio)
I'd like you to come to my office. We need to talk.
INT—WEIR'S OFFICE
[McKay and Sheppard sit in the chairs in front of Weir's desk.]
WEIR
They're not open to any kind of deal?
SHEPPARD
Not yet. Maybe we should stick them in a room, force them to come to an agreement.
MCKAY
(blithely)
Don't worry about it, they'll work it out. Look, we just happened to catch them at a particularly bad time. Sheppard's guy's been doing a lot of aggressive posturing of late.
SHEPPARD
The only aggression is coming from the people of "Gelding".
MCKAY
Geldar.
SHEPPARD
Whatever! His people are digging a mine across the border into Hallona.
[Weir looks expectantly at McKay, who looks guilty.]
MCKAY
(defensively)
The coal resources straddle the border between my country and his.
SHEPPARD
Barely! They go three miles into my country, which your people are happily tunneling into.
MCKAY
It has been a point of contention between us, okay? But it is just a-a difference in cartographic interpretation. "To-may-to, to-mah-to."
SHEPPARD
No, no. It's pretty clear cut. You entered illegally into my country.
WEIR
Gentlemen—
MCKAY
You gave me no choice! You refused to negotiate!
SHEPPARD
Oh, you mean give in.
MCKAY
What do you care, anyway? It's not like your people are going to use the coal!
SHEPPARD
Oh, oh yeah, that's right. You need it to power your medieval steam engines!
MCKAY
We—
WEIR
(standing, furious)
Stop it! These are not your lands! This "game" is over, so you'd better set aside your differences. Because if the two of you can't figure out how to forge a truce, how the hell are these people going to?
ZELENKA
(over radio)
Rodney?
MCKAY
(peeved, into radio)
What?!
ZELENKA
(over radio)
You'd better come to the game room.
INT—ATLANTIS GAME ROOM
[Weir, McKay and Sheppard join Zelenka in the room.]
WEIR
What happened?
ZELENKA
We've just received a data stream from the planet.
[Sheppard sits at a terminal. It shows several Hallona troops descending on Geldar people at the mine entrance.]
ZELENKA
Colonel Sheppard's army has launched an attack.
[McKay and Weir glare at Sheppard.]
SHEPPARD
(innocent)
Well don't look at me! I didn't order it!
[As McKay studies his screen, the red Geldar people retreat. The blue Hallonans surround the mine entrance.]
MCKAY
Oh, they're going after the mine!
WEIR
Well…looks like your war just started.
EXT—ATLANTIS, DAY
INT—ATLANTIS GAME ROOM
[Nola and Baden, with their security escort, have now joined the others.]
SHEPPARD
Who ordered this?
BADEN
I did.
MCKAY
He entered the command on your game console.
BADEN
I only did it because I know it was something you would've told me to do.
SHEPPARD
I ordered you to make peace with these people!
NOLA
This attack will not go unpunished!
WEIR
No one is doing any punishing! There'll be no further escalation to this conflict.
[McKay studies the display.]
MCKAY
Well, there's no casualties reported. Looks like the mine was surrendered without a fight.
BADEN
I told my army to minimize collateral damage.
WEIR
You need to get back there. Take Ronon and Teyla with you. Go to your respective countries, and make sure this does not get any further out of hand. No one has been hurt yet; let's keep it that way.
WORMHOLE EFFECT
INT—GELDAR HEADQUARTERS
[Nola, McKay and Ronon hurry down the steps.]
HELKIN
You're back. We were beginning to worry.
NOLA
What's the status?
HELKIN
I've ordered three army units to retake the mine. They're on their way.
MCKAY
Oh, no. No-no-no. You need to put a stop to that.
NOLA
Why?
MCKAY
Look, we just need to step back and reassess the situation here, okay? We should be thinking about easing tensions, not inflaming them!
NOLA
Oh, no. They're continuing to advance.
MCKAY
What?
[McKay and Ronon study the computer display, which shows the Hallona troops leaving the mine and advancing towards the advancing Geldar forces.]
NOLA
(to Helkin)
Divert the units away from the mine. Have them gather in the village. Prepare to defend it.
RONON
(low to McKay)
Isn't this what you're supposed to be stopping?
MCKAY
Yes. Look, listen to me, you cannot engage them!
NOLA
We must protect our people!
MCKAY
Look, I agree, but you've got to give Sheppard some time. He'll call off the army.
NOLA
(fiercely, skeptical)
Will he?
[McKay sighs and moves away from the panel.]
EXT—HALLONA VILLAGE HEADQUARTERS, DAY
[Sheppard stands in a doorway. Teyla stands inside. Baden is with his people by their own Oracle station.]
MCKAY
(over radio)
Sheppard, come in.
SHEPPARD
(into radio)
Go ahead.
MCKAY
(over radio, nervous)
Are you watching what's going on here?
SHEPPARD
(into radio)
No, we just got here. Pretty much the same set up as yours. We don't have electricity, but I'm not gonna get into that right now.
MCKAY
(into radio, impatient)
Your army is still on the march!
[Sheppard hurries over to Baden and the control station.]
SHEPPARD
What?!
MCKAY
(over radio)
Look, they're headed to one of my villages. You need to call them off before they—
TEYLA
The attack has begun.
[They watch as Baden's forces take over the Geldar village. The Geldar forces retreat again.]
INT—GELAR HEADQUARTERS
[Ronon, Nola, and McKay watch the same thing from their terminal.]
RONON
Looks like your guys are giving up.
MCKAY
What? No-no-no-no. That can't be right.
SHEPPARD
(over radio)
That was fast, Rodney.
MCKAY
Well, they retreated without any kind of a fight. What kind of army is that?
RONON
(shrugging)
Well, at least there's no casualties.
NOLA
It's all right. I have another plan.
[Nola leaves.]
MCKAY
What other plan?
RONON
Why are you asking me?
MCKAY
Well…
[McKay takes off after Nola.]
INT—GELAR HALLWAY
[McKay finds Nola looking over parchment with Helkin.]
MCKAY
Uh…what are you doing?
NOLA
Preparing our counterattack.
MCKAY
What counterattack?
HELKIN
From…information you gave us about high temperature and energetic materials technology, I have constructed a tactical explosive device.
MCKAY
Wait…a bomb? You actually built a bomb?!
NOLA
I told you we'd always be several steps ahead of Baden.
MCKAY
How come I didn't know about this?
NOLA
We have yet to test it, so it still appears to not exist.
HELKIN
We will target one of Hallona's outlying villages.
MCKAY
How are you going to deliver it, huh? I mean, the-the catapult couldn't possibly reach that far.
HELKIN
I will deliver it.
NOLA
Using one of the airships you taught us to build.
(to Helkin)
Go.
[Helkin nods and leaves, taking the plans.]
MCKAY
Oh, no. No-no-no-no-no. Come back!
EXT—HALLONA VILLAGE, DAY
[Sheppard and Teyla step out of headquarters, looking worried.]
SHEPPARD
(furious, low into radio)
You taught them how to build a bomb?!
[The conversation switches between Geldar and Hallona.]
MCKAY
No! I mean…not specifically. Look…okay…maybe I provided them with the list of ingredients…but…
SHEPPARD
Gah! I don't believe this!
TEYLA
How much damage can it cause?
MCKAY
Enough to take out an entire village?
TEYLA
(panicked)
Well, then you must tell them to stop!
MCKAY
I tried that! It's already on the way!
SHEPPARD
How are they delivering it?
MCKAY
(weakly)
Dirigible?
SHEPPARD
You just had to cheat, didn't you!
MCKAY
I did not cheat! Look, nowhere in the rules did it specifically outlaw the development of flying machines, only the…degree and speed of technological advancement.
SHEPPARD
Well, they advanced pretty damn fast, didn't they!?
TEYLA
Do we still have time to shoot it down?
MCKAY
(checking watch)
Yes. Yes, I think so.
TEYLA
Then we'd better get moving.
[Sheppard and Teyla leave.]
INT—ATLANTIS GAME ROOM
[Weir enters the room. Zelenka and Lorne are arguing animatedly across the two opposing computer terminals. They have not noticed her presence.]
ZELENKA
Absurd!
LORNE
What are you talking about? It's a personally reasonable request.
ZELENKA
(sarcastic)
Oh, yeah. Perfectly reasonable. I give you all of my food, and my people starve.
LORNE
(talking over Zelenka)
I am not asking you for all your food!
ZELENKA
(talking over Lorne)
Yeah, that's perfectly reasonable to me, all right.
LORNE
I did say that we would make a deal.
ZELENKA
(scoffing)
A deal. Oh yeah, baskets.
LORNE
Big baskets! Two dozen of them, hand woven, and very nice!
ZELENKA
Oh very nice? What am I going to put in them, huh? Certainly not food!
LORNE
You know what? I think you're holding out on me. I think you have plenty of food.
ZELENKA
Are you calling me a liar?
LORNE
No, I think you're trying to squeeze me for a better deal. That's what I think!
ZELENKA
Ach! I have got nothing to hide! Now I—
LORNE
Okay, okay, then maybe I should send some of my army troops down, and we'll have a look, then.
WEIR
(shouting)
What the hell are you two doing?!
[Lorne straightens to parade rest. Zelenka stares, mouth agape.]
WEIR
I thought I gave specific orders to stay away from this device?
ZELENKA
(abashed)
Yes, yes you did.
LORNE
(contrite)
We just saw that there was some…people in trouble, and we thought maybe that we could…uh…help.
[He exchanges looks with Zelenka.]
WEIR
No! No more help. Clearly, we are not qualified. Now, turn this thing off, disconnect the power, and seal the room.
ZELENKA
Yeah, okay, but we…
WEIR
(firmly)
Now.
LORNE
Yes, ma'am.
[Weir leaves as Lorne and Zelenka type commands into the keyboard, shutting down the system.]
INT—GELDAR HEADQUARTERS
[McKay, Ronon, Nola and others stare at the terminal display. Some sort of timer is ticking.]
NOLA
I'd hoped you would be proud of our accomplishments.
MCKAY
(upset)
I am. Really, I just-I wish it didn't lead to this.
EXT—M4D-058, DAY
[The puddle jumper flies across the sky.]
INT—GELDAR CONTROL ROOM
[The display shows a new ship (the jumper) on the screen.]
GARTH
What's that?
[Nola looks to McKay, who exchanges an awkward look with Ronon.]
INT—PUDDLE JUMPER
SHEPPARD
There it is.
[They can see the dirigible in the distance through the window.]
TEYLA
Good. Now all you have to do is puncture the balloon.
SHEPPARD
Already on it.
EXT—M4D-058, DAY
[The jumper fires a single drone which strikes at the center of the balloon.]
INT—GELDAR HEADQUARTERS
[The display shows the jumper firing and striking the dirigible.]
NOLA
Colonel Sheppard! He shot down our airship with the puddle jumper!
[She looks accusingly at McKay.]
RONON
Yeah, don't worry, no one was hurt.
MCKAY
He-he just…punctured it. It sank harmlessly to the ground.
NOLA
(to Garth)
Prepare the other bombs for delivery.
RONON
Other bombs?
MCKAY
What, you have more?
[Ronon and McKay exchange looks.]
RONON
(sarcastic)
Great.
INT—HALLONA HEADQUARTERS
[Sheppard and Teyla return to the headquarters. Baden looks chastened.]
BADEN
Thank you for your help. You saved the lives of everyone in that village.
SHEPPARD
We won't be doing that again.
BADEN
I had no idea they were capable of delivering such a device.
SHEPPARD
(with sidelong glance at Teyla)
Tell me about it.
BADEN
I've issued orders to make certain they don't try again.
SHEPPARD
(suspicious)
What kind of orders?
BADEN
A full-scale attack has been launched. It's time to finish this war.
[They watch the terminal screen as Baden's forces start to invade Geldar.]
INT—GELDAR HEADQUARTERS
[Nola and Garth study plans. Ronon and McKay stand on the staircase balcony above.]
RONON
I've seen this before. If two sides are dead set on fighting, nothing's going to stop them.
MCKAY
So I gotta get Nola to call off the attack.
RONON
(scoffing)
You couldn't do it before. What makes you think you can now?
MCKAY
How about a little encouragement, huh? You know, a "go get 'em, Rodney? I have faith in you?"
[Ronon stares at McKay.]
MCKAY
Okay, whatever. Look, I am not giving up on these people. Which means until we get them to call this war off, then we are staying put right here!
[The pair are beamed away.]
EXT—SPACE
[The Daedalus is in orbit above M4D-058.]
INT—DAEDALUS CORRIDOR
[Ronon and McKay are beamed into a corridor. Sheppard and Teyla are already aboard and heading down the corridor.]
SHEPPARD
We could use your help. Come on!
MCKAY
Whoa-whoa-whoa! What the hell's going on?
SHEPPARD
Elizabeth diverted the Daedalus on its way back to Earth to check up on us.
TEYLA
Colonel Caldwell believed that the situation had deteriorated. He feared that we would become casualties of war and so, beamed us out.
SHEPPARD
Yeah, but, I talked him into beaming us back, but we gotta do something first, so come on.
[Sheppard grabs McKay by his tactical vest and drags him along. They start heading down the corridor.]
MCKAY
Wha—do what?
SHEPPARD
I got a plan.
MCKAY
What plan?
SHEPPARD
Oh, come on, already.
TEYLA
(to Ronon)
How's the situation on your end?
RONON
All out war. You?
[Teyla sighs.]
INT—GELDAR HEADQUARTERS
[Garth watches the display. Ronon and McKay walk down the steps.]
NOLA
Where did you go? What happened?
MCKAY
Uh…nowhere? No, we were just upstairs.
NOLA
Someone said you vanished into thin air.
MCKAY
What? No. That's ridiculous. How could we vanish?
GARTH
The airships have passed the southern forests. They're nearing their targets.
NOLA
That's hope we strike first, before Baden's army reaches our villages. We'll destroy their will to fight.
[McKay grabs Nola by the shoulders.]
MCKAY
(fiercely)
Okay, listen to me! For two years now, I have been the Oracle to your people. I have given you much wisdom and guidance and-and bestowed much of my knowledge. Look, it's like you said, I was a god!
RONON
(low, warning)
Easy…
MCKAY
And yes, yes, I may just be a man, but that wisdom still remains! And now, more than ever, you need to heed my guidance and call back those ships!
NOLA
(troubled)
You told me it was time to start thinking on my own.
MCKAY
Right…?
NOLA
So now I am. My people are looking to me. This is my decision. And we will be victorious.
[McKay and Ronon sigh and exchange looks.]
INT—HALLONA HEADQUARTERS
[Baden watches the dirigibles approach his villages and moves restlessly. Sheppard and Teyla are with him.]
BADEN
Why won't you help us?!
SHEPPARD
I'm not shooting down any more ships. We're done helping you wage this war.
BADEN
Then we'll shoot them down ourselves.
TEYLA
How?
[Baden nods to an aide, who leaves.]
BADEN
Our weapons are not as primitive as Nola believes.
TEYLA
Many people will die on both sides.
BADEN
If you want to leave, then leave! We'll continue this fight even if you've lost the will.
SHEPPARD
You're making a big mistake…
BADEN
The only mistake was not doing this sooner! You'll see. This is the right path for my people.
[Teyla and Sheppard exchange looks.]
INT—GELDAR HEADQUARTERS
[Nola studies the terminal display.]
NOLA
They've reached our villages.
GARTH
Two have already fallen.
NOLA
Airships are almost in position. We should—
[An alarm interrupts her. One of the airships disappears from the screen.]
NOLA
What happened?
MCKAY
They shot down one of your ships!
(protesting)
It wasn't the puddle jumper.
RONON
Maybe one of the catapults hit it.
NOLA
No! Impossible!
[They watch as the last of the airships is destroyed. Further south on the display, explosions rock the Geldar villages.]
GARTH
Two more villages have fallen. It appears many are dead.
MCKAY
(into radio)
Sheppard, come in! Sheppard!
(to others)
The radio's dead.
[Explosions are heard in the distance.]
NOLA
They're coming here…
[Everyone races outside.]
EXT—GELDAR, DAY
[People run, panicked, through the streets. McKay, Nola, and Ronon run outside.]
MCKAY
What, they have bombs, too?
RONON
(to Nola)
We need to get your people out of here, now!
MCKAY
(to Ronon)
Help them!
[Ronon runs to help in the evacuation. McKay joins Nola back inside.]
INT—GELDAR HEADQUARTERS
[McKay and Nola are back with Garth. The explosions are closer.]
GARTH
Their army has surrounded us.
[Ronon comes back in.]
RONON
The road out of the village is blocked. People are being slaughtered as they try to leave.
MCKAY
We're trapped!
[The power on the Oracle terminal dies.]
GARTH
What shall we do?
NOLA
(defeated)
It's over.
INT—HALLONA HEADQUARTERS
[Explosions rock Hallona as well as Sheppard and Baden watch the terminal screen.]
SHEPPARD
(into radio)
Rodney, where the hell are you?
BELEN
They've dropped another bomb! Hundreds have died! How can you stand by and let this happen?!
[Teyla runs in.]
TEYLA
Nola's army has surrounded the village.
SHEPPARD
Can we get to the jumper?
TEYLA
They've just destroyed it.
[Baden watches the terminal as his villages are being obliterated.]
BADEN
We're being overwhelmed.
TEYLA
What should we do?
[The Oracle terminal loses power. The explosions stop. Baden looks around, then stares at Sheppard.]
SHEPPARD
Game over.
INT—GELDAR HEADQUARTERS
SHEPPARD
(over radio)
Rodney, you there?
MCKAY
(into radio)
Yeah. We hear you. We'll give you a call when we're ready to be picked up.
SHEPPARD
(over radio)
Got it.
NOLA
I don't understand. What's going on?
INT—HALLONA HEADQUARTERS
SHEPPARD
(to Baden)
What you just witnessed is what I would call is another level to the game.
INT—GELDAR HEADQUARTERS
[The conversations switch between McKay & Ronon talking to Nola and Sheppard & Teyla talking to Baden.]
MCKAY
See, we were beamed up earlier to our ship, the Daedalus, in…orbit over your planet.
SHEPPARD
While we were there, I had Doctor McKay hack into the two devices, upload doomsday scenarios for each of your countries into the game.
TEYLA
Everything you saw just now was transmitted from the Daedalus.
BADEN
You mean…none of this was real?
MCKAY
No, no one was hurt, no one was killed—all just part of the simulation.
RONON
In reality, your two armies are standing down, awaiting further instructions.
NOLA
But we heard explosions! We felt them!
SHEPPARD
Thanks to some…pinpoint shots from our friends in the Daedalus. It really added to the realism, didn't it?
MCKAY
(sighing)
I'm sorry that we had to do that. But you needed to see how this could end.
RONON
Feel what a real war is like.
SHEPPARD
You still think it was the right path for your people?
[Nola and Baden each look troubled at what they've learned.]
EXT—ATLANTIS, DAY
INT—ATLANTIS MESS HALL
[Weir walks in with a female scientist.]
WEIR
Thanks, Melanie.
[Weir grabs a bottled water. She notices McKay and Sheppard playing chess at a table.]
WEIR
Gentlemen…
SHEPPARD
How's it going?
WEIR
Eh, it's still going. I'm just taking a break. There's a lot of animosity to be unraveled, but I think they are finally willing to at least try to make it work.
MCKAY
Well, it's about time.
WEIR
Yeah. And you two? Called a truce yet?
SHEPPARD
Yeah. Sure. We're-we're good.
MCKAY
Yeah, don't worry, we're going to stick to Chess from now on.
SHEPPARD
As long as Rodney doesn't cheat.
MCKAY
Oh, please. Like I need to cheat playing you?
WEIR
Okay, I'll leave you to it, then.
[McKay moves his knight.]
MCKAY
Hah!
[Sheppard moves his rook, taking McKay's pawn, and leaving his king unprotected.]
SHEPPARD
"Hah!" Checkmate.
MCKAY
What? Wh-wh-whoa, no-no-no-no. What happened there?
SHEPPARD
What happened there is I just kicked your ass.
MCKAY
No, no, I was distracted. She was…Okay, we're going again. Best of ten.
[He proceeds to reset the chess board to start another game.]
FADE OUT
END CREDITS
Transcribed for Solutions by Aurora Novarum, September 2008.
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--Michelle 13:42, 21 December 2008 (PST)