SGA 4.18 "The Kindred Part 1" Transcript
Episode Guide
SGA 4.18 "The Kindred Part 1" Episode Guide
Précis
A mysterious illness wreaks havoc on humans across the Pegasus galaxy; Teyla's vision about the father of her child prompts her to join Sheppard on a mission that yields an unexpected discovery.
Guide | Transcript
Transcript
PREVIOUSLY ON STARGATE ATLANTIS
Scenes from "Be All My Sins Remember'd Part 2" and "Missing" are shown.
END EXCERPTS
TEASER
EXT—NEW ATHOS, DAY
[The body of Kanaan lies on a funeral pyre. A heavily pregnant Teyla stands with the rest of her team, Colonel Carter, and some Athosians holding torches.]
CARTER
I'm so sorry, Teyla. Kanaan was a good man. He would've made a wonderful father.
TEYLA
I really thought I could save him.
SHEPPARD
You did everything you could. That's all anybody can ask for.
CARTER
He's at peace now.
[Teyla bows her head for several moments, and cries.]
TEYLA
All right. I'm ready.
[The Athosians step forward with their torches. Teyla goes with them. She looks at Kanaan one last time, then takes one of the torches and lights the pyre. She steps back as the Athosians extend the fire. As Teyla watches, Kanaan sits up.]
KANAAN
Teyla! Teyla!
TEYLA
(horrified)
He's still alive!
KANAAN
(beseeching)
Help me, Teyla, please! Please help me!
[Teyla starts forward, but Sheppard and Carter hold her back.]
TEYLA
He's still alive! Let me go!
CARTER
Teyla, it's too late!
KANAAN
Help me, Teyla! Teyla! Teyla! Teylaaaa!
[The flames surround him, and Kanaan screams in agony.]
INT—TEYLA'S QUARTERS
[Teyla awakens in her bed. She looks around in surprise, breathing heavily.]
END TEASER
OPENING CREDITS
EXT—ATLANTIS, DAY
INT—ATLANTIS INFIRMARY
[Keller briefs Carter.]
KELLER
As you know, for some time now, we've been tracking what appears to be a new sickness in the Pegasus Galaxy. We don't know exactly when or where it started, but so far, we've encountered it on seven different planets.
SHEPPARD
Make that eight.
[Sheppard and McKay enter.]
SHEPPARD
We just came back from 447. They got it, too.
KELLER
Really? The same symptoms?
[McKay pauses by the medication table, wiping his hands with a solution.]
MCKAY
Mmm. Starts with respiratory difficulty. Proceeds rapidly to fatal organ shut down….
(notices them all staring)
Oh, it's, uh, disinfectant.
SHEPPARD
We just came back from the bio-screen, Rodney. We were wearing a hazmat the whole time, too.
MCKAY
Yes, well, it's better safe than sorry.
CARTER
Do we have any idea how it's spread?
KELLER
Well, that's the strange part. Most of these planets have no regular contact with each other. But a few of them do have regular contact with other neighboring planets that have been completely unaffected.
SHEPPARD
So far.
CARTER
How bad is this going to get?
KELLER
If I had to make a projection, I'd base it on the evidence from M1R-992. There have been no new cases there for some time, which would seem to indicate the sickness has run its course.
CARTER
And…?
KELLER
It killed thirty percent of the population. If those numbers bear out on the rest of these planets, we're looking at a death toll of about 200,000. That's assuming it doesn't spread out any further.
[Everyone exchanges concerned looks.]
INT—ATLANTIS MESS HALL
[Teyla drinks from a mug, looking distracted. McKay comes up behind her. He has a small white box wrapped in blue ribbon, which he holds behind his back as he approaches her. She starts out of her reverie when he arrives.]
TEYLA
Rodney! Has Doctor Keller made any progress with her investigation?
MCKAY
Unfortunately, not, no. But she-she's still working on it.
[Teyla notices McKay awkwardly holding his hands behind his back.]
TEYLA
What are you…hiding?
MCKAY
I um, well, I-I've been waiting for the right time to give this to you. Um, and what with everything that's been going on and all, I, uh…anyway. Here you go.
[He gives her the gift.]
TEYLA
You didn't have to do this, Rodney.
MCKAY
Well, think of it as a-as a, kind of a "pre-baby present". Back on Earth, there's this company that produces recordings specifically for the fetus. The thinking is that, by, listening to the works of, say a great composer while still in the womb, the baby will be born with a natural predisposition toward musical ability, or in this case…science.
[Teyla opens the box. It holds a MP-3 player and large earphones.]
MCKAY
Yeah, I-I recorded some of my reflections on some of my more ground-breaking accomplishments and theories…uh, just a couple hours worth.
[Teyla smiles.]
TEYLA
You should not have gone to so much trouble.
MCKAY
(pleased)
Oh, it was no trouble at all.
TEYLA
Mmm.
[Teyla packs the gift back into the box, already looking distracted once again.]
MCKAY
Something wrong?
TEYLA
Uh…I was debating whether or not to tell anyone.
MCKAY
Oh! Tell anyone what?
[He sits across from her.]
TEYLA
I believe I had a vision last night.
MCKAY
(nonplussed)
A…vision?
TEYLA
I saw Kanaan, the father of my son. I believe that he was trying to…send me a message, that he's alive. And that I must not abandon the search for him and the rest of my people.
[McKay struggles not to look skeptical.]
MCKAY
And-and this was while you were sleeping?
TEYLA
(sighing)
You think it was a dream.
MCKAY
Well, I…uh.
TEYLA
(insistently)
I believe it was more than that. It did not feel like a dream.
[McKay doesn't know where to look. His discomfort is obvious.]
TEYLA
I knew you would doubt me. I should not have said anything.
MCKAY
Hey, I've been cocooned inside an alien spacecraft, I've had another person living inside of me, I've encountered not one, but two different versions of myself. So who am I to judge, huh? If you say it was a vision, then I believe it was a vision.
INT—ATLANTIS CORRIDOR
[McKay walks with Sheppard down a corridor.]
MCKAY
I seriously doubt it was a vision.
SHEPPARD
She's had them before.
MCKAY
She's had remote contact with the Wraith, never another human. Besides, those Athosians have been missing for like, what, six months now? Do you really think they're still alive?
SHEPPARD
What do you want me to do, Rodney? Tell her to give up hope?
MCKAY
At some point, she may not have a choice.
[They part ways.]
EXT—ATLANTIS, NIGHT
INT—TEYLA'S QUARTERS
[Teyla sleeps in her bed. A bright light passes over her. She opens her eyes to find her whole bed is now in a forest.]
EXT—FOREST, DAY
[Teyla sits at the edge of her bed, looking around. From nothing, specks of light swirl until Kanaan appears before her.]
TEYLA
Kanaan!
[She gets up and walks towards him.]
KANAAN
Teyla?
[He looks at her, surprised to see her pregnant. She grins. Kanaan schools his expression to be more somber.]
KANAAN
You must help us.
TEYLA
How?
KANAAN
Save us.
TEYLA
Where are you? Where are our people?
[He pulls off a pendant from around his neck.]
KANAAN
You bought me this.
TEYLA
Yes.
KANAAN
Do you remember where?
TEYLA
The village of Croya. Is that where you are?
[Kanaan drops the pendant into her hand. Her fingers close over it.]
KANAAN
Come find me.
INT—TEYLA'S QUARTERS
[Teyla awakens to find herself sitting up in bed in her quarters, her hand still outstretched as if clasping the pendant. She opens her hand as if expecting to see the pendant there, but her hand is empty.]
INT—CARTER'S OFFICE
[Sheppard briefs Carter.]
SHEPPARD
She says the pendant in her vision is the same one she gave to Kanaan before he disappeared.
CARTER
So what's the significance?
SHEPPARD
Well, uh…I'm not sure.
CARTER
Well, what does she want, exactly?
SHEPPARD
Well, she bought it from some guy in a village on M2S-181. She wants to go back and check it out.
CARTER
That's a peaceful trading settlement. I'd be very surprised if they had anything to do with the disappearance of the Athosians.
SHEPPARD
That's what I said, but she still wants to go. She thinks that Kanaan is sending her a message, a clue.
CARTER
And what do you think?
SHEPPARD
It doesn't matter. It's Teyla, and we owe her one.
[Carter nods.]
CARTER
Okay. But we're stretched pretty thin, dealing with this plague.
SHEPPARD
I'll try to make it quick.
[He leaves her office.]
WORMHOLE EFFECT
EXT—M2S-181 FIELD, DAY
[Sheppard's team heads to the village.]
TEYLA
I purchased the pendant from an artisan in Croya, the village we are about to visit. Among the Athosians, it's quite common to present such gifts as expressions of admiration and respect.
RONON
(to McKay)
Hey, maybe I'll pick you something up while we're there.
MCKAY
Really?
RONON
No.
SHEPPARD
(to Teyla)
All right, so we'll ask around, see if we can get some useful intel, but if you even begin to sense any danger—
TEYLA
(interrupting)
I'll make straight for the 'gate, leaving you to deal with it.
SHEPPARD
(a bit surprised)
All right, then.
EXT—VILLAGE OF CROYA, DAY
[Several merchants ply their wares. Teyla approaches a woman setting out her baskets in a booth.]
TEYLA
Excuse me. I'm wondering if you can tell me what happened to the artisan who used to occupy this space? He specialized in handcrafted jewelry—bracelets, pendants, chains…?
WOMAN
He's gone.
TEYLA
Gone?
WOMAN
During the sickness that took the village several weeks back. He and some forty others. I'm sorry, child. He's dead.
[Teyla looks stunned.]
INT—ATLANTIS INFIRMARY
[Carter enters, heading to Keller.]
CARTER
Hey, I hear you have something.
KELLER
Yeah. I found out what's making these people sick, and it's something we've encountered before.
[She leads Carter to a monitor showing a display of molecules.]
KELLER
It's a unique protein originally created by the inhabitants of a planet called Hoff. It was designed to interfere with the Wraith's feeding mechanism, making them immune to the process.
CARTER
It also killed the feeding Wraith and half the people who took it.
KELLER
That's right.
CARTER
So this isn't some contagion that spreads naturally.
KELLER
No. This is mass murder.
[Carter sighs.]
EXT—CROYA VILLAGE, DAY
[Teyla speaks with a villager, who shakes her head. Sheppard approaches as the villager walks away.]
SHEPPARD
I think we're done here.
TEYLA
Not yet.
SHEPPARD
I've given this place the twice-over. Nobody knows anything.
TEYLA
Well, perhaps someone does and has not seen fit to come forward yet. I was guided here. By showing me the pendant, Kanaan was telling me to come to this village.
SHEPPARD
Look, you're going through a tough time. You want answers, that's understandable, but you might want to consider it's clouding your judgment…just a little.
TEYLA
(piqued)
What are you questioning, John? My interpretation of the vision or the vision itself?
SHEPPARD
(sternly)
We've been here long enough. If there was something for us to find, we would've found it by now.
[Teyla sighs as Sheppard turns away.]
SHEPPARD
(into radio)
Rodney, Ronon, we're heading out.
EXT—ATLANTIS, DAY
INT—ATLANTIS CONFERENCE ROOM
[Keller briefs Carter, McKay, and Sheppard.]
MCKAY
Are you sure it's the same protein?
KELLER
I ran a side-by-side comparison. It was almost an exact match.
CARTER
Almost?
KELLER
We're dealing with a new and improved version. The Hoffan drug killed fifty percent of the test subjects, and this one only kills thirty percent.
SHEPPARD
Yeah, it's still thirty percent too many.
MCKAY
How do the populations of eight different planets get inoculated with a drug and not even know about it.
KELLER
It's possible it was administered through their food and water supply. We're running some tests.
[McKay looks startled.]
CARTER
So who's behind this?
KELLER
Well, maybe the Hoffans have resumed distribution of the drug, but on a much larger scale.
MCKAY
They haven't been doing much of anything lately. When the Wraith discovered what they were up to, the whole civilization was wiped out.
SHEPPARD
Well, maybe a few of them survived, and they're planning a little payback.
CARTER
The random nature of this drug's distribution is clear and calculated. It's obviously intended to throw the Wraith completely off balance. They have no way of knowing which of their food sources have become infected.
MCKAY
So it's just a matter of time before they become hungry and cranky. Well, I mean, I know I would.
CARTER
We need to go back to Hoff. Search what's still standing, see if we can shed some light on the situation before another planet's targeted.
SHEPPARD
Let's go, Rodney.
[Sheppard leaves. McKay reluctantly follows.]
INT—TEYLA'S QUARTERS
[Teyla sits meditating.]
EXT—FOREST, DAY
[Kanaan appears before her.]
KANAAN
Teyla…
TEYLA
Kanaan. Where are you?
KANAAN
I don't know.
TEYLA
Who took you?
KANAAN
I don't know.
TEYLA
How can I find you?
KANAAN
You already know where to go to uncover the answers.
TEYLA
The village.
KANAAN
But you stopped looking.
TEYLA
I went. I found nothing.
KANAAN
You were close. Please, Teyla. Our time is growing short. We need you.
[He holds out his hand to her. She reaches out to grasp it.]
TEYLA
Kanaan.
INT—TEYLA'S QUARTERS
[Teyla gasps as she opens her eyes, her hand still outstretched.]
INT—CARTER'S OFFICE
[Carter and Teyla head into her office.]
CARTER
And you weren't sleeping?
TEYLA
I was in a meditative state, but I was most definitely awake. There can be no doubt. This is real.
[Carter gestures for Teyla to sit in lounge chairs to the side of her desk..]
CARTER
But you've already been to the planet.
TEYLA
We missed something. I am certain of it.
CARTER
I want to believe you, Teyla, but I'm a scientist. I'm trained to think critically.
TEYLA
There is a possible explanation. Kanaan has the gift, the same ability that I do.
CARTER
The Wraith DNA.
TEYLA
Yes. Among my people, the gift is considered useful, but it also sets one apart. It can be difficult. Kanaan was the only one who could truly understand what it felt like.
CARTER
It brought you together.
TEYLA
It is something we have shared since childhood.
CARTER
But have you ever communicated this way before?
TEYLA
No.
[Carter sighs and shakes her head doubtfully.]
TEYLA
I know what this looks like, Colonel. And I know what everyone is thinking: "she sees what she she wants to see; she believes what she wants to believe." But I assure you, that is not the case.
[Teyla and Carter study each other.]
CARTER
All right. When Colonel Sheppard gets back from Hoff, we'll—
TEYLA
I cannot wait. Kanaan said their time is running short. I must leave immediately.
CARTER
I see.
[She pauses, and they stare at each other again.]
TEYLA
I do not need your permission, Colonel. Unless you intend to restrain me…
CARTER
(into radio)
Major Lorne, come in.
[Teyla looks very concerned by Carter's response.]
LORNE
(over radio)
Go ahead, Colonel.
CARTER
(into radio)
Assemble your team. You'll be escorting Teyla back to M2S-181.
[Teyla sighs with relief.]
LORNE
(over radio)
Understood.
[Carter and Teyla stand.]
CARTER
(to Teyla)
I'm not letting you go back there alone.
TEYLA
Thank you, Colonel.
CARTER
Call me Sam.
TEYLA
Thank you, Sam.
EXT—HOFF, DAY
[The city consists of bombed out buildings.]
INT—HOFF LIBRARY
[McKay looks around scattered papers and debris.]
SHEPPARD
(over radio)
Rodney, come in.
MCKAY
(into radio)
Go ahead.
SHEPPARD
(over radio)
Did you find anything?
MCKAY
(into radio
Just a bunch of junk, you?
EXT—HOFF STREET, DAY
[Sheppard patrols a street.]
SHEPPARD
(into radio)
Nothing. The Wraith did a pretty good number on this place.
MCKAY
(over radio)
Yeah, this is more than just random destruction. This place used to be the repository of all Hoffan knowledge.
INT—HOFF LIBRARY
MCKAY
(continuing, into radio)
I'd say a lot of it's just missing.
[There is a clatter from behind McKay.]
MCKAY
Who's there?
[The rest of the Sheppard and McKay conversation takes place between their respective locations.]
SHEPPARD
Rodney, what's going on?
MCKAY
I thought I heard something.
SHEPPARD
Relax. Probably just rats.
MCKAY
(worried)
Rats?
[McKay warily approaches the area where he heard the sound.]
MCKAY
Okay, if there's someone in here, you better come out.
[There's another clatter.]
MCKAY
I'm not kidding!
[He heads down what used to be a row of book stacks. He peers in, seeing movement. Suddenly several children come out from where they're hiding and make a run for it.]
MCKAY
Hey! Whoa! Hey!
[The children get by him before he can do anything. He sighs, then spots one boy running from another row of book stacks.]
MCKAY
Hey!
[McKay heads him off. The boy stares at him, petrified.]
MCKAY
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Hang on. I'm not going to hurt you. I just wanna ask you a couple of questions. Now, who are you? What are you doing here?
[The boy looks around, still frightened.]
MCKAY
Okay, maybe you can help me. I'm looking for medical stuff: books, files, equipment…
BOY
I don't know anything about that. By the time we got here, most of the good stuff was already gone. We're just picking through what's left.
MCKAY
(keying radio)
Sheppard!
[The boy takes advantage of McKay's distraction and escapes.]
MCKAY
Whoa!
[He sighs and rolls his eyes as the boy disappears around the corner.]
MCKAY
(into radio)
Looks like we're not the only ones here.
[The conversation switches between McKay's and Sheppard's locations.]
SHEPPARD
What do you got?
MCKAY
A bunch of kids going through what's left of the place.
SHEPPARD
Scavengers. You think they got a hold of what we're looking for?
MCKAY
Nah, Hoffan research wouldn't have meant anything to them.
SHEPPARD
All right, then, if not them, then who was it?
MCKAY
I don't know. One thing's for sure, whoever has it knew exactly what they were looking for.
EXT—CROYA, DAY
[Lorne and his team walk with Teyla through the village.]
LORNE
Hmm…Kind of reminds me of the flea markets they used to have back home. Every Sunday, stroll down to the Bay area, find pretty much anything you wanted…and a lot of things you didn't.
[He looks at a merchant putting out a particularly ugly lamp. Teyla gets distracted by a merchant selling jewelry to a man.]
LORNE
What is it?
[Teyla does not respond. She unsheathes her knife and heads to the merchant. Lorne follows.]
LORNE
Teyla?
[Teyla reaches the vendor's stall.]
TEYLA
(to customer)
Leave!
[The customer takes one look at Teyla's fierce expression and the knife she wields and takes off. Teyla immediately holds her blade to the startled merchant's neck.]
TEYLA
I will ask you once, and you will answer me truthfully. Where did you get this pendant?
MERCHANT
From a trader. If you like it that much, it's yours with my blessings.
[Teyla snatches the pendant and steps back. She looks at it. It is the same stone pendant with a marking that she saw in her vision.]
LORNE
You recognize it?
TEYLA
It belonged to Kanaan.
(to merchant)
What else did you acquire from this trader?
[The merchant purses his lips, but reaches back and sets out a wooden box. Teyla opens it and starts rummaging through it.]
MERCHANT
You know, I don't want to be difficult here, but I did acquire that merchandise for a price. And while I really don't mind gifting you with an item, from a purely business standpoint, it really doesn't make sense for me to part with my stock—
[Teyla ignores the merchant and turns to Lorne.]
TEYLA
This necklace belonged to Belara. It was a gift from her parents to mark her coming of age. And this ring—belonged to Halling.
[The merchant rolls his eyes.]
LORNE
The trader you say you got these things from, when's the last time you saw him?
MERCHANT
Several days ago, but he comes through here quite regularly. In fact, it's more than likely he may pay me a visit today. It would be my pleasure to make you the proper introductions.
EXT—ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM
[Sheppard, McKay, and Ronon arrive in the control room. Carter is there.]
CARTER
Anything?
SHEPPARD
No. The place was cleared out.
[McKay notices the monitor display.]
MCKAY
Is that what I think it is?
CARTER
It's getting to be a familiar sight.
RONON
What is it?
CARTER
Wraith subspace tracking device. It's our old friend.
MCKAY
Todd.
CARTER
Maybe he wants to talk, and maybe he just wants to lead us into an ambush. There is always that possibility.
SHEPPARD
Well, there's only one way to find out.
[Sheppard and Ronon head out.]
MCKAY
(whining)
Aw, come on, we just got back.
CARTER
Sorry, Rodney.
MCKAY
(pouting)
I haven't even had lunch yet.
[He follows the others.]
CARTER
(to Chuck)
Dial it.
EXT—CROYA, DAY
[The jewelry merchant sees his dealer approaching and catches Lorne's eye as the dealer approaches. Lorne saunters over as the dealer takes items out of a satchel.]
DEALER
Got some real nice merchandise for you today, my friend. Real nice.
LORNE
Hey there. How you doing? You mind telling me where you got this stuff?
[The dealer looks between Lorne and the merchant. He sneers, then makes a run for it. He runs through the village, abruptly stopped by running into a large branch. He falls unconscious to the ground as Teyla steps from concealment, still wielding the branch.]
INT—ABANDONED HOME, DAY
[The dealer is tied to a chair. Water is poured on him, shocking him back to consciousness. Lorne looms over him.]
LORNE
Wake up! Look, we need to know where you got this merchandise?
[The dealer looks at Lorne's team surrounding him.]
DEALER
I do trade so much, it's often hard to keep track of it all.
LORNE
Oh yeah? Well according to the merchant you do business with here, the stuff you've been bringing in lately has been a helluva lot nicer than your usual crap.
DEALER
He said that?
LORNE
Yeah, he said that.
DEALER
Well, there's no accounting for taste. I can't give up my sources. They're trade secrets.
LORNE
(in intimidating tone)
I don't give a damn about your trade secrets. We want to know where you got this stuff.
DEALER
And if I don't tell you, what are you going to do? I recognize those uniforms, I've heard the stories. People from Atlantis, do-gooders of the galaxy. You wouldn't hurt me.
[Teyla steps out of the shadows.]
TEYLA
I'm wearing no uniform.
DEALER
A pregnant woman, Very intimidating.
[Teyla calmly stands over him and pushes him in the chest with her stick. He falls onto his back.]
TEYLA
I will inform the villagers that you are a Wraith worshipper, and let them mete out their own justice. Let's go.
[Lorne and Teyla start to leave.]
DEALER
Wait! Wait.
[They turn back.]
DEALER
I got it at an off-world dumping ground.
LORNE
Dumping ground? For what?
DEALER
Corpses mostly. Loose ends that need to be disappeared. Occasionally they may still have some valuables on them—valuables they obviously have no use for!
LORNE
This merchandise…you removed it from the dead?
LORNE
No! Not that merchandise. The last time I was back on the planet, I spotted what I thought was a fresh grave, a potential new opportunity. But when I dug it up, instead of finding a body, I found a box containing those items. I suppose somebody was just trying to get rid of them. It was odd to me at first, but I wasn't just about to—
TEYLA
You will take us to this world. You will show us where you found them.
DEALER
Of course. Whatever you say.
LORNE
(to his team)
Get him up.
EXT—WRAITH OUTPOST, DAY
INT—WRAITH OUTPOST
[Sheppard, Ronon, and McKay spread out within shouting distance and investigate the outpost.]
RONON
Sheppard. We got something.
[Sheppard and McKay join Ronon, who enters a room where two dead Wraith guards lie.]
RONON
Well, they're dead. But there's no marks on them.
TODD
That's because they were poisoned.
[They turn and raise their weapons as Todd comes into view.]
TODD
And I suspect you already know how.
EXT—M2S-181 FIELD, DAY
[Teyla, Lorne's team, and the dealer head to the Stargate. Lorne is in front with Teyla.]
LORNE
The first thing we do when we get back to the 'gate is radio back to Atlantis. Let them know where we're going, okay?
[Teyla nods her agreement. Behind them, the dealer looks around nervously, as if expecting something.]
LORNE
Listen, Teyla, I know you're looking for answers to what happened to your people, but I'm thinking, maybe it's better if you let us check it out, okay?
TEYLA
Major…
LORNE
Look, just let us scout ahead, all right?
[Teyla swiftly turns as an engine whines overhead.]
LORNE
What is that…? Dart!
[The dart swoops. Everyone spreads out away from his path except for the dealer, who grabs Teyla and forces her into the path of the culling beam. The dart flies away before any of Lorne's team can get a shot.]
INT—WRAITH OUTPOST
[The team have lowered their weapons, but are still wary.]
SHEPPARD
Well, let me guess…something they ate?
TODD
(carefully)
Many of my fellow Wraith have fallen victim to this attack on our food supply.
SHEPPARD
Yeah, it's a shame, but it's not really our problem.
TODD
From what we have been able to surmise, this blow against us has been delivered at great cost to human lives, something you would've made your problem in the past…Unless, of course, you're responsible for the dispersal of this plague. In which case, you may well consider the human lives sacrificed…acceptable losses?
SHEPPARD
Actually, when we were putting a list together of most likely suspects, you were at the top. What better way to stick it to your competition?
[Todd chuckles.]
TODD
Effective, yes, and admittedly creative. But the truth is, all of the existing Wraith factions have been adversely affected by this. Our food supply has been so randomly tainted, we have no way of knowing if our next meal will be our last.
SHEPPARD
All right, times are tough. Doesn't explain why you called us here.
TODD
I brought you here, because I need your help. I am aware you had a hand in helping the Hoffans refine this drug. I require whatever research you possess in order that I may synthesize a cure for my hive, and my hive alone.
SHEPPARD
That's not going to happen.
TODD
You always say that, but you always come around.
SHEPPARD
Yeah, well, this is different. You know, we're still a little upset over the whole, uh, "Earth conquest" thing.
TODD
(protesting)
I had no part in that.
MCKAY
Actually, in an indirect way you did. The Wraith who led the attack was able to access the Midway Station with information that you stole on your last visit to Atlantis.
TODD
Information he stole from me in turn! So in a way, we were both victims. But let's save our commiserations for another time. I have a proposal.
[The team looks skeptical.]
SHEPPARD
Let's hear it.
TODD
In exchange for this information, I will give you the identity of the individual responsible for disbursing this poison, and killing both Wraith and human alike.
RONON
Huh. A couple minutes ago, you thought we did it.
TODD
There are only two parties who possess the resources and capabilities to launch such an attack. If you are not responsible, then, by process of elimination, there can be only one.
EXT—SPACE
[A Wraith hive ship' flies through hyperspace.]
INT—BRIG, HIVE SHIP
[Teyla waits alone in a cell. Michael approaches. Teyla's eyes widen in alarm.]
TEYLA
Michael..?
INT—CARTER'S OFFICE
[Sheppard, McKay, Ronon, and Keller brief Carter.]
MCKAY
Well, according to Todd, every Wraith faction has been hit, which makes it extremely unlikely that any of them are responsible.
SHEPPARD
When we told him we weren't the guys behind it, he said there can be only one other.
CARTER
And you think you know who he's talking about?
[Sheppard nods.]
SHEPPARD
Michael.
KELLER
The Wraith Doctor Beckett converted into a human?
MCKAY
Well, temporarily converted. Eventually, he became kind of a…human-Wraith hybrid.
SHEPPARD
The other Wraith didn't want anything to do with him, so he's been kind of holding a little bit of a grudge ever since.
MCKAY
He's not a big fan of humans either. No, for him, the Hoffan drug is the perfect weapon.
CARTER
Still, this is just speculation. I mean, do we have any proof?
MCKAY
Well, not really, but even if we did, we'd have no way of finding him.
SHEPPARD
We can go back to Todd, see if he's got something more than a name.
KELLER
Well, wait, you're not seriously thinking of…giving him our research on the Hoffan protein?
MCKAY
Well, why not?
KELLER
Because! We'd effectively be giving the Wraith the means to reproduce the drug and potentially infect and kill millions.
MCKAY
Theoretically, yes. But practically, it really wouldn't be in their best interest to poison their own food supply, regardless of whether our research helped them come up with an antidote or not. No, I think the more likely scenario is that they find an antidote that works as a short-term solution to the existing threat. Then they work on weaponizing the protein. You know, coming up with a more effective delivery system, one that cuts out the middle-man, in this case the human victims? No, what we're doing? Is giving them the means to kill each other off.
[While McKay has been speaking, the others exchange nervous looks.]
SHEPPARD
So, when you, uh…put it that way, giving them our research could be a good thing.
CHUCK
(over intercom)
Incoming wormhole.
INT—ATLANTIS GATE ROOM
[Carter and the other greet Lorne's team, noting the absence of Teyla.]
CARTER
Major, where's Teyla?
[Lorne looks downcast.]
INT—BRIG, HIVE SHIP
TEYLA
(biting down panic)
Why am I here? What do you want? Answer me!
MICHAEL
I'm disappointed. I was expecting a little more gratitude, after everything I went through to arrange this "family reunion."
TEYLA
Reunion? My people…you took them?
[Michael tilts his head in a gesture of assent.]
TEYLA
Where are they?! What have you done with them.
MICHAEL
They're alive and well, and working with me toward the common goal we all share.
TEYLA
What are you talking about?
MICHAEL
The extermination of the Wraith. I'm building an army that will soon replace them as the dominant race in this galaxy.
TEYLA
An army of monsters.
MICHAEL
I'll admit, my early attempts were a little…crude, but that's all changed now. I've refined the retrovirus to create the perfect balance—ability well beyond any normal human, but without the one weakness that will be the downfall of the Wraith.
[Michael raises his right hand, his feeding hand. It looks like a human limb, with no Wraith mutation.]
MICHAEL
The need to feed.
TEYLA
It was you. You're the one responsible for spreading the Hoffan drug.
MICHAEL
Consider it the opening salvo in a much broader assault.
TEYLA
How were you able to discover the drug?
[Michael starts to walk away.]
TEYLA
(calling after him)
How were you able to refine it?
[Michael pauses and turns around.]
MICHAEL
I had help.
[He smiles and walks away.]
TEYLA
Wait! Where are my people?! Michael!
EXT—WRAITH OUTPOST, DAY
INT—WRAITH OUTPOST
[Two Wraith drones drag away a dead Wraith. They pause as Sheppard, McKay and Ronon aim guns at them. Todd enters.]
TODD
Oh, don't mind them. They're just here to help with the clean-up.
[Sheppard nods, and the others lower their guns. The drones finish pulling the dead Wraith out.]
TODD
I assume you've agreed to my terms?
SHEPPARD
Not exactly.
TODD
You do not wish to know who's responsible for these…unfortunate events?
MCKAY
We already know. At least, we have a pretty good guess.
SHEPPARD
We call him Michael. Don't ask why. He used to be a Wraith. Now he's a…I'm not sure what the hell he is.
TODD
(smiling)
I know the one of whom you speak, and I believe you are correct.
SHEPPARD
Confirmation. Without us giving you anything. That's very generous.
TODD
Obviously, there's more you want from me, or you would not have come.
RONON
Maybe we just came to kill you.
[Todd's eyes widen.]
TODD
Did you?
SHEPPARD
Unfortunately, no.
[The Wraith huffs a laugh.]
TODD
Well, there's always next time.
SHEPPARD
Rodney?
MCKAY
One of our people, Teyla, was taken by a dart today.
TODD
I suppose she's already made some lucky Wraith a very tasty meal.
MCKAY
This was no culling. She was targeted. Someone set a trap.
TODD
And you suspect this…what do you call him? Michael?
SHEPPARD
Well if not, the timing's a helluva coincidence. We need you to tap your intel sources, find something useful.
[McKay reaches behind him into his pack and pulls out a tablet computer.]
MCKAY
This tablet has the address of an off-world relay station. If you leave a message for us, we'll get it. It also has our research on the Hoffan drug.
TODD
Ah!
SHEPPARD
Just enough to whet your appetite. You find something we can use, we'll give you the rest.
TODD
(pleased)
Well, I'll see what I can do.
[They part ways.]
EXT—SPACE
[The hive ship flies through hyperspace.]
INT—BRIG, HIVE SHIP
[Michael approaches Teyla's cell. He carries a bowl.]
MICHAEL
I understand you're refusing to take food. It's not poisoned if that's what you're worried about.
[He eats some himself. Teyla merely glares at him.]
MICHAEL
Take it. You need to keep up your strength.
[He holds the bowl out between the bars. Teyla knocks it away.]
TEYLA
What do you care about my well-being?
MICHAEL
I care a great deal. I may not be foolish enough to consider us friends, but we do have a history. And even though you've betrayed me repeatedly, you're still the only one, human or Wraith, who's ever come close to understanding what I've been through.
TEYLA
Really?
MICHAEL
We're not that different, Teyla. You're a human with Wraith DNA—a hybrid, just like me.
TEYLA
I'm no murderer.
MICHAEL
You kill to protect yourself and your own, so do I. Of course, circumstances require me to do it on a slightly larger scale, but the principle is still the same.
TEYLA
You're insane.
[Michael seems sincerely hurt by her rejection.]
MICHAEL
Spite me all you want, but don't do it at the expense of the child.
[Teyla looks frightened.]
TEYLA
(fiercely)
My child is of no concern to you.
MICHAEL
On the contrary, I have great plans for him.
[Michael walks away, leaving Teyla even more nervous.]
INT—ATLANTIS MESS HALL
[Sheppard and Ronon watch McKay devour a huge tray of food. They exchange looks of distaste.]
RONON
How can you eat right now?
MCKAY
Are you kidding? This is the first decent meal I've had all day. Besides, it's not going to help Teyla at all starving ourselves. I'm just trying to, uh, keep my strength up. I suggest you two do the same.
[Ronon notices Sheppard fidgeting restlessly.]
RONON
(to Sheppard)
Hey, we'll find her.
SHEPPARD
I've just got to do something.
[Carter approaches.]
CARTER
Colonel…it looks like Todd came through for you.
MCKAY
He did?
CARTER
We just got a message from the relay station. Apparently there's a rumor going around amongst certain Wraith worshippers about one of our people being held captive. You've got the coordinates.
SHEPPARD
All right, I'm going to need Lorne and his team.
CARTER
(nodding)
He's already volunteered. You'll 'gate to the nearest planet where the Daedalus is en route to pick you up.
SHEPPARD
(to others)
Let's go.
[McKay forlornly leaves his meal as he and Ronon follow.]
INT—BRIG, WRAITH SHIP
[Teyla does not even look up when someone comes to her cell again.]
TEYLA
I told you, I'm not hungry.
[She turns to find Kanaan standing there.]
TEYLA
Kanaan.
[She approaches the door, spotting that Kanaan is a hybrid like Michael. He looks at Teyla with no emotion.]
TEYLA
What has he done to you? Kanaan, it's me, Teyla. I came for you, just like you asked.
MICHAEL
Like I asked.
[Michael comes to stand next to Kanaan.]
MICHAEL
I was the one in your visions. Appropriately disguised, of course.
TEYLA
You're lying.
MICHAEL
I reached ten thousand light years of space and touched your mind. There is more of a bond between us than you know. Once the child is born, the bond will grow even stronger. Enjoy your reunion.
[He leaves Teyla and Kanaan alone.]
TEYLA
Kanaan, you must help me. You must help our child. Please, Kanaan.
KANAAN
The child will serve the cause. Then, one day soon, the galaxy will be ours.
[He leaves Teyla to look on in horror.]
EXT—SPACE
[The Daedalus flies through hyperspace.]
INT—DAEDALUS BRIDGE
[Sheppard's and Lorne's teams enter the bridge.]
SHEPPARD
Colonel.
CALDWELL
Sheppard.
FEMALE HELMSMAN
Approaching target destination.
CALDWELL
Drop us out.
FEMALE HELMSMAN
Yes, sir.
EXT—SPACE
[The Daedalus drops out of hyperspace above a planet with one moon.]
INT—DAEDALUS BRIDGE
[The Atlantis teams move into position to be beamed out.]
CALDWELL
We're unable to get a lock on Teyla's subcutaneous transmitter.
MCKAY
No surprise there. I'm sure Michael got rid of that.
SHEPPARD
Guess we'll have to do things the hard way.
RONON
Good. Let's do it.
[Caldwell nods, and the helmsman activates the Asgard beam.]
INT—LAB
[The teams beam into the lab, weapons at ready.]
SHEPPARD
(to Lorne)
All right, stay in touch.
LORNE
Yes, sir.
(to his team)
Let's move out.
[Lorne's team moves in one direction, while Sheppard's goes in another.]
[Sheppard notices a locked door. They approach and warily start inside. Behind them, someone fires a stunner. They dodge out of the way and return fire. In the ensuing firefight, Ronon is able to stun the shooter, then Sheppard shoots him with his P-90.]
[Lorne's team stops to listen to the shooting and determine their next move; they are then fired upon as well. Lorne gives hand signals to his team, then moves into position to return fire.]
[Sheppard's team approaches the downed shooter, who's attempting to crawl away.]
EXT—SPACE
[The hive ship drops out of orbit above the planet, braking to a halt when it spots Daedalus.]
INT—DAEDALUS BRIDGE
FEMALE HELMSMAN
Sir, I'm picking up another ship. It's a Wraith cruiser, sir.
CALDWELL
Shields up.
EXT—SPACE
[The Wraith ship shoots at Daedalus.]
INT—DAEDALUS BRIDGE
[The bridge is rocked by the blasts impacting the shields.]
CALDWELL
Return fire!
(into radio)
Sheppard, this is Daedalus, we've been engaged by a Wraith cruiser!
SHEPPARD
(over radio)
How's it going?
CALDWELL
(into radio)
More than holding our own. Just thought you might want to pick up the pace.
INT—LAB
SHEPPARD
Where's your boss?
[The shooter doesn't reply. Sheppard pushes him over and points his pistol at his chest.]
SHOOTER
You're too early.
SHEPPARD
And what the hell does that mean?
SHOOTER
We're expecting him back. He's on his way with an important prisoner.
[Sheppard, Ronon, and McKay exchange concerned looks as they realize.]
SHEPPARD
(into radio)
Daedalus, this is Sheppard, come in. Daedalus, do you read?
INT—DAEDALUS BRIDGE
[The conversation switches between the lab and the Daedalus.]
CALDWELL
Sheppard, this is Daedalus.
SHEPPARD
Do not destroy the enemy ship! I repeat, do not destroy the enemy ship, Teyla may be aboard! Did you hear me? Teyla may be on board!
CALDWELL
We heard you.
(to helmsman)
Can you cripple it?
FEMALE HELMSMAN
It's possible, sir. It's already sustained some heavy damage. Sir, the enemy is attempting a retreat.
CALDWELL
Target the engines!
EXT—SPACE
[Daedalus fires at the Wraith ship, but it takes evasive action and jumps into hyperspace.]
INT—DAEDALUS BRIDGE
FEMALE HELMSMAN
I'm sorry, sir.
CALDWELL
(into radio)
Bad news, Sheppard. The cruiser made the jump to hyperspace. It's gone.
INT—LAB
[Sheppard, McKay, and Ronon exchange sorrowful looks.]
[Lorne and his men continue to exchange fire with another shooter. The enemy is downed by an energy blast from Ronon's gun. Lorne sees Sheppard's team and he waves his men to join them.]
LORNE
Any sign of her, sir?
SHEPPARD
She's not here.
LORNE
Are you sure? That guard was protecting something.
[They look to the door at the end of the hall. Sheppard's trio takes point. Sheppard shoots the lock, and McKay unlatches the deadbolt and shifts to the side. They kick the door open, weapons at ready.]
[The three cannot believe their eyes. Carson Beckett sits on small cot at the end of the cell.]
BECKETT
Finally. It's about bloody time. What took you so long?
[He stands and stares at the men.]
TO BE CONTINUED
FADE OUT
END CREDITS
Transcribed for Solutions by Aurora Novarum, January 2009.
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--Michelle 05:25, 8 July 2009 (UTC)