Stargate: Continuum Transcript
Movie Guide
Précis
While SG-1 attends the execution of Ba'al, the last of the Goa'uld System Lords, Teal'c and Vala inexplicably disappear into thin air. Carter, Daniel and Mitchell race back to a world where history has been changed: the Stargate program has been erased from the timeline. As they try to convince the authorities what's happened, a fleet of Goa'uld motherships arrives in orbit, led by Ba'al, his queen, Qetesh (Vala), and his first prime, Teal'c. SG-1 must find the Stargate and set things right before the world is enslaved by the Goa'uld.
Movie Guide | Transcript | Production Notes
Transcript
MAIN TITLES
NT—SGC GATE ROOM
[A team, SG-9, has just come through the gate and is walking down the ramp.]
HARRIMAN
(from control room)
Welcome back, SG-9. Stay in the gate room. General Landry will be down for a short de-brief.
INT—CORRIDOR TO GATE ROOM
[Landry walks toward the gate room.]
INT—SGC CONTROL ROOM
[Harriman is speaking to the airman beside him.]
HARRIMAN
So, after ten years and about 1,000 e-mail requests, I finally get my own parking spot. Two days after…
INT—SGC CORRIDOR
[An officer walks down the stairs and through the corridor on Level 28. Major Davis exits the elevator there.]
AIRMAN
Major Davis.
DAVIS
Morning.
[He walks down the corridor and turns left. Coming the other way is SG-1 minus Vala, with Mitchell and Carter ahead of Daniel and Teal'c. They are dressed in desert BDUs as if prepared for a mission.]
DAVIS
Morning, Colonels.
MITCHELL
Major.
[The team continues down the corridor and into the gate room, where Landry and Siler wait.]
INT—SGC GATE ROOM
LANDRY
(to Harriman)
Dial it up, Chief! They're right on schedule.
[Landry gives his clipboard to Siler, who holds it out to Mitchell.]
MITCHELL
What am I signing this time?
SILER
Nothing, sir, just wanted your autograph.
[Carter and Daniel exchange looks.]
HARRIMAN
(over PA)
Chevron One encoded.
MITCHELL
(to Landry)
Sure you don't want to come along, sir? Might never be another one of these.
LANDRY
Tempting as it is, I'll be doing paperwork the whole time you're gone. Besides, one general looking over your shoulders is plenty.
DANIEL
Yes, speaking of Jack…
LANDRY
He went ahead with SG-3 to officially hand over the prisoner.
CARTER
Well, I guess he knows who we're dealing with.
TEAL'C
Such precautions are unnecessary. Half of the free Jaffa fleet stands guard over the Tok'ra homeworld to ensure that the execution of Ba'al takes place as planned.
[Vala strides in. She is dressed in the desert BDUs but carries a huge energy gun.]
VALA
You know better than anyone, muscles, this is an extraction, not an execution.
[She smiles and holds the gun casually, although she is barely able to carry it.]
HARRIMAN
Chevron three encoded.
[Everyone looks at Vala and her gun expectantly.]
VALA
Oh, well, this is just in case.
MITCHELL
No. No, no. Airman! You're not walking into my first extraction ceremony carrying that thing.
[As he speaks, he takes the gun from her and hands it to the airman.]
DANIEL
Whoa, wait a minute. This is your first?
MITCHELL
Yeah, it should be interesting.
LANDRY
It'll blow your mind.
CARTER
It is pretty incredible.
VALA
Huh, well, witnessing a Goa'uld being extracted from a host is one thing. Actually experiencing it is something else.
HARRIMAN
Chevron five encoded.
VALA
To feel the sensation of the symbiote that has controlled your every action for so many years, while you watched helplessly from the darkest recess of your mind, as it is finally excised from your body and left to writhe in the light of day…
HARRIMAN
Chevron six encoded.
VALA
Well, that is…incredible.
HARRIMAN
Chevron seven locked.
[The wormhole whooshes to life.]
LANDRY
Go to it, SG-1.
MITCHELL
Okay, this I gotta see.
LANDRY
(smiling)
I'll leave the light on.
[The team walks up the ramp into the wormhole.]
EXT—WORMHOLE TRAVEL
EXT—TOK'RA HOMEWORLD, NIGHT
[The planet for the extraction has a city of crystal-like buildings and a stone pyramid.]
INT—TOK'RA EXTRACTION CHAMBER
[In the spacious chamber, a large group of hooded Tok'ra stand chanting in their language. Others, wearing weapons, stand still and silent. At the end of the room is Ba'al, frozen in stasis. He's wearing simple clothing. Along one side of the room is SG-1 and General O'Neill. They all appear tired or bored, as if they've been standing for a long time. Beside Carter, O'Neill yawns expansively.]
O'NEILL
Never in the history of boredom has anyone been more bored than I am right now.
CARTER
Come on, sir, it's only been…
(looking at watch)
Whoa.
DANIEL
It's almost over.
[They look at him, questioning.]
DANIEL
The crimes they're listing are starting to sound familiar.
O'NEILL
Crimes? That's what they've been crooning about for the last three hours?
MITCHELL
Quite the ditty, ain't it?
VALA
It's not at all fair to the host, anyway.
DANIEL
Vala, you don't really think there's any hope for the… I mean, you were host to Qetesh for a relatively short period of time. Ba'al's been inhabiting this guy for over two thousand years!
TOK'RA ELDER
(lowering hood)
Revive the prisoner.
[The stasis field around Ba'al fades away. He takes a deep breath then looks around the room.]
VALA
(to Daniel)
Watch him try and make a run for it.
DANIEL
(looking around)
Well, with all this security, I really don't think he's going to get very far.
[Daniel looks back to where Vala was standing and sees she is no longer there.]
DANIEL
Vala?
[Teal'c and Mitchell look around for her too, but don't appear too concerned.]
TOK'RA ELDER
The prisoner will step forward.
[Ba'al begins to step out of the stasis chamber. Four Tok'ra guards activate their zats and point them at him.]
TOK'RA ELDER
Ba'al, last of the Goa'uld System Lords, murderer of untold millions, these will be your last words. Speak.
BA'AL
I have nothing to say to the Tok'ra.
[He walks down the short flight of steps and over to SG-1 and O'Neill.]
BA'AL
(a bit surprised)
SG-1 and General Jack O'Neill. Well, well.
O'NEILL
How's tricks, B?
BA'AL
I've been better, I'm afraid. And you?
O'NEILL
(jovially)
Not so bad, actually. Quite good.
BA'AL
(menacing)
How nice for you.
O'NEILL
How about those last words?
BA'AL
As you wish. Teal'c… I will always regret that you never became my First Prime.
(looking around)
And uh, where is my dear Qetesh?
DANIEL
Well, Vala was here.
BA'AL
(smiling)
Huh. Interesting.
O'NEILL
Oh, she's probably gone to the bathroom, for heaven's sake. I'm next in line, by the way. Can we get on with this?
BA'AL
There is one more thing. You've all made a terrible mistake.
DANIEL
Yes, that is what they all say.
TEAL'C
There can be no doubt of your crimes.
BA'AL
What I mean to say is, I'm not the last of the Goa'uld System Lords, though I do admit I may be last of the clones. There were so many of us, it is difficult to be certain.
O'NEILL
Mitchell?
O'NEILL
We tracked them all, sir. This one is the last one.
O'NEILL
You sure? That is, after all, why we've come, why we had to endure all that singing. Get rid of the last bad guy, and then there's cake.
MITCHELL
Carter?
CARTER
Well, as you know, in order to track his clones, Ba'al gave each of them a tracking device detectable from anywhere in the galaxy. Now he also placed one in himself, so we wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a clone and the original.
BA'AL
And because he was the original, he was the only one of us who possessed a tracking device that could be removed. So you see, the last of the Goa'uld System Lords, the last of my dear brothers, is still out there, and since, as of this moment he knows he's the last, he has very special plans for you.
O'NEILL
"Plans," you say.
BA'AL
A recently completed failsafe device should an unfortunate circumstance such as my imminent death, arise. It was you who gave us the idea, actually. I suspect it has already been put into action.
[Teal'c steps forward and stands just in front of Ba'al.]
TEAL'C
He lies.
[O'Neill joins Teal'c.]
O'NEILL
He does that, you know.
[Teal'c grunts.]
BA'AL
We shall see.
TOK'RA ELDER
It is time.
[The Tok'ra guards grab Ba'al and strap him to a vertical platform that holds him still.]
MITCHELL
This is gonna be cool.
NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN, 1939
EXT—ABOARD ACHILLES, NIGHT
[The cargo ship Achilles steams westward under a full moon. The ship is aged, with rust spots visible on the metal. Crewmen move about on the deck, one holding a lantern. He ascends the steps to the bridge and enters.]
CAPTAIN
(to helmsman)
Make your course three-five-zero.
HELMSMAN
Three-five-zero. Aye, Captain.
BOSUN
We'd be in Boston right now if we weren't zigzagging all over the bloody Atlantic.
[In the light of the bridge, the Captain resembles Cam Mitchell, only he is older and has a greying beard.]
CAPTAIN
You'd rather make it easy for the U-boats?
BOSUN
We're not at war, yet. Besides, we're riding too high in the water for a U-boat captain to waste a torpedo.
[The ship vibrates, shaking a cup of coffee on a table.]
CAPTAIN
Check to see the cargo's secure.
BOSUN
You're never going to tell me what it is, are you?
CAPTAIN
If I knew myself.
[The bosun leaves as ordered.]
INT—CARGO HOLD OF ACHILLES
[The bosun enters the hold shining his lantern. The sounds of chevrons locking are heard. A very large wooden crate is attached to the deck via large chains. The box is marked "Langford" in painted letters. Hearing the sounds of the chevrons, the bosun steps up to the crate and touches it. He steps up onto a different crate to get a better view. The wormhole forms, disintegrating him. The kawoosh puts a hole in the side of the ship, well above the waterline.]
EXT—BRIDGE OF ACHILLES, NIGHT
[The ship lurches and lists to one side, alarming the Captain. He steps out of the bridge and looks over the side of the ship.]
CAPTAIN
That's no torpedo.
[He re-enters the bridge.]
HELMSMAN
What is is, Captain?
[The Captain moves to the period intercom, a funnel-shaped speaker.]
CAPTAIN
(into intercom)
Emergency stations! All hands!
(to helmsman)
Maintain your heading, son.
HELMSMAN
Aye, Sir.
CAPTAIN
I'm going to check for damage.
[He opens the first aide cabinet and removes a pistol. He leaves the bridge.]
INT—CARGO HOLD OF ACHILLES
[The Stargate is active. A long, wide plank comes through it and falls such that it forms a walkway over the stack of crates in front of the gate and to the metal mesh walkway of the ship. Two armed Jaffa come through the gate and take up positions beside the walkway. After a moment, Ba'al comes through, trailed by two more Jaffa. One is holding a large, spherical bomb.]
BA'AL
Secure the ship. Make ready the Chappa'ai. Take your time, Jaffa. We have all the time in the world.
[Ba'al stands near the large hole in the side of the ship as the Jaffa follow his orders.]
TOK'RA HOMEWORLD PLANET, PRESENT DAY
INT—TOK'RA EXTRACTION CHAMBER
TOK'RA ELDER
Begin the extraction process.
[A lighted chamber with a needle on its front is poised on a rail that is aimed at Ba'al's head. The SGC personnel step toward him.]
DANIEL
Seriously, did anybody see where Vala went?
CARTER
Maybe extractions bring up too many bad memories.
O'NEILL
Hey, have you ever tried to find a bathroom in a pyramid?
TEAL'C
She cannot have gone far, O'Neill. There are—
[Teal'c fades and disappears. The team react with alarm and raise their weapons. O'Neill waves the air where Teal'c was.]
O'NEILL
Carter?
CARTER
I don't know, sir. He wasn't beamed out.
[Ba'al chuckles at them.]
MITCHELL
It's like he was there on second, and—
DANIEL
The next second he was gone, just like Vala. I think we'd better get the hell out of here.
[Suddenly Tok'ra begin disappearing, and those remaining react with shock.]
TOK'RA ELDER
Everyone, remain calm!
[The elder disappears, followed by other Tok'ra. The extractor moves slowly toward Ba'al, who is still smiling. O'Neill suddenly rushes at him.]
O'NEILL
(furious)
What have you done with my people?!
[Ba'al breaks loose from his restraints, grabs the large needle from the extractor device, and stabs O'Neill in the upper left chest with it.]
CARTER
Sir!
[O'Neill falls to the floor. Mitchell fires on Ba'al with his P-90, hitting him many times. Daniel goes to O'Neill's side, as does Carter.]
DANIEL
Jack!
[Carter and Daniel look down at O'Neill, who has a wound in his chest and a pool of blood forming beneath him.]
O'NEILL
(straining)
Go to the gate.
CARTER
Not without you.
O'NEILL
Go.
[O'Neill appears to die. Shocked, Carter looks over at Ba'al. He falls unconscious and disappears. Mitchell grabs Daniel by the jacket and yanks him up.]
MITCHELL
All right, you heard the man. Let's go.
[Carter stares at O'Neill. Mitchell grabs her.]
MITCHELL
Carter!
NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN, 1939
INT—CARGO HOLD OF ACHILLES
[The Captain enters the cargo hold with two crewmen. A Jaffa fires from behind, hitting one of the crewmen with a staff blast. He falls. The captain grabs the other man and drags him forward. Another Jaffa fires on them hitting the Captain in the upper leg and the other crewman in the back.]
TOK'RA EXTRACTION PLANET, PRESENT DAY
INT—HALLWAY TO GATE
[Daniel, Carter, and Mitchell run for the gate. Mitchell stumbles to his knees.]
CARTER
(helping him)
Whoa, whoa, whoa!
[Carter and Daniel grab Mitchell, and they continue on.]
NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN, 1939
INT—BRIDGE OF ACHILLES
[The helmsman continues to steer the ship. He hears shouts and staff weapons fire. A Jaffa comes to the doorway and shoots him with a staff.]
INT—CARGO HOLD OF ACHILLES
[The Captain sits against a bulkhead, groaning in pain. He makes his way to his feet.]
INT—RADIO ROOM OF ACHILLES
[A crewman sends a Morse Code message from the ship. A Jaffa enters and shoots him, causing him to fall on the signal device.]
INT—DECK OF ACHILLES
[Jaffa shoot more crewmen all over the ship, until none remain.]
INT—CARGO HOLD OF ACHILLES
JAFFA
The vessel is secure, my lord.
[Ba'al arms the bomb.]
BA'AL
Dial the Chappa'ai.
[The Jaffa places a small portable DHD onto the side of the Stargate and activates it. The Stargate begins to dial. The Captain makes his way to the entrance to the hold and cocks his revolver. The gate activates. In the hold, Ba'al disconnects the mobile DHD and steps through the gate, leaving the bomb behind. The captain makes his way in, bleeding heavily from his wound. He sees the bomb, picks it up, and throws it through the hole into the ocean. A few seconds later it explodes, doing no damage to the ship or gate. The Captain collapses.]
TOK'RA EXTRACTION PLANET, PRESENT DAY
EXT—TOK'RA HOMEWORLD, DAY
[Entire Tok'ra buildings are disappearing now. Mitchell, Daniel, and Carter run to the DHD. Daniel starts dialing. More buildings are disappearing.]
MITCHELL
Jackson!
[Daniel finishes dialing, and the gate activates.]
MITCHELL
Move!
[They enter the wormhole.]
EXT—WORMHOLE TRAVEL
[A strange red glow shines part-way through the wormhole.]
INT—CARGO DECK OF ACHILLES
[Carter, Mitchell, and Daniel arrive not at the SCG, but into the frozen cargo hold of Achilles. They look around, trying to get their bearings.]
MITCHELL
Okay, not Earth.
[The gate shuts down, leaving them in darkness. Mitchell and Carter activate the lights on their P-90s, and Daniel turns on his flashlight.]
DANIEL
I dialed Earth.
MITCHELL
Yeah, I know, like I've seen you do a hundred times before, but my keen professional eye is seeing a few differences between this place and Stargate Command.
(points to the ice-covered hole in the wall)
That, for one, and… the Stargate is in a box.
[He puts on his lightweight cap; it is clearly very cold in the ship.]
MITCHELL
Carter, what's going on?
[Carter takes a deep breath but doesn't move.]
MITCHELL
Sam?
CARTER
I don't know.
[Mitchell walks over to her.]
MITCHELL
Look, I know what happened back there, but we need you in the here and now. Wherever or whenever that is.
[Carter nods.]
CARTER
Right. Right.
[She pulls a device from her vest and turns it on.]
CARTER
Okay. Looks like the active gate warmed things up for a bit.
DANIEL
(incredulous)
Warmed things up?
CARTER
Yeah, because the temperature's falling again. It's just gone past minus 20.
MITCHELL
Okay, that's chilly. Let's, uh, not just stand around.
[The begin exploring the area.]
DANIEL
I don't see anything that could be a DHD.
CARTER
This has to be connected to what was happening on the Tok'ra homeworld.
MITCHELL
All right, so Vala and Teal'c disappear into thin air, we gate into somebody's freezer, put the pieces of that puzzle together and…uh, I got nothing. You?
CARTER
Well, there is almost no EM of any kind from any direction to help us determine our location.
MITCHELL
(into radio)
Mayday. Mayday.
[Daniel opens a crate he has been examining. It has frozen life jackets in it.]
MITCHELL
(into radio)
This is Colonel Cameron Mitchell. Do you hear me? Please respond. Mayday. Mayday.
DANIEL
I don't think anybody's going to hear you.
[He pulls out a life vest and shows it to them. It has "Achilles" written on it.]
DANIEL
We're in the cargo hold of a ship.
CARTER
What?
DANIEL
Not just any ship. This is the Achilles.
MITCHELL
That name's familiar.
DANIEL
Yeah, because it was the ship that brought the Stargate from Africa to America before the outbreak of World War II.
MITCHELL
No, that's not why.
DANIEL
See, at the time, they thought the Stargate might be a weapon of some kind, so they wanted to keep it out of the hands of the Nazis. Do you realize what this means?
[Carter's device beeps.]
CARTER
Guys, I hate to interrupt, but the temperature's falling. We just passed minus 40.
DANIEL
Celsius or Fahrenheit?
MITCHELL
At that temperature, they're the same.
DANIEL
Really? Didn't know that.
CARTER
We've got about three minutes before frostbite sets in. Hypothermia, five minutes after that. I'm already starting to lose the feeling in my fingers.
MITCHELL
All right, break out the camp stove from the emergency pack.
DANIEL
Oh, you mean the one that was with Teal'c?
CARTER
We can't light a fire in here. There's nowhere to vent the smoke.
MITCHELL
Cover your ears.
[Daniel and Carter cover their ears. Mitchell begins firing at the frozen-over hole in the side of the ship. He stops after a moment and goes to check on it.]
DANIEL
You realize that's not going to do much.
MITCHELL
I'm not done yet.
[He pulls out a block of C-4 and looks for a place to put it.]
CARTER
If you don't blow a hole in the ice with that, the entire blast is gonna come flying back into this compartment.
DANIEL
Or worse, what if that ice is holding back seawater?
MITCHELL
Yeah, I admit, there's a few problems with this idea. Carter, how cold is it?
CARTER
(looking at device)
Uh, minus 43.
MITCHELL
Fire in the hole.
[Mitchell carries his remote detonator, and they all take cover. He sets off the explosive. There is the sound of falling ice.]
DANIEL
Well, it's warmer.
MITCHELL
Yeah, I'm seeing stars. Let's get this fire started.
[The ship begins to groan and shutter.]
DANIEL
What was that?
CARTER
Okay, the explosion must've dislodged the ship from the ice.
DANIEL
Don't tell me. We're… sinking.
[The ship shakes violently.]
MITCHELL
Well, we had to leave sooner or later!
CARTER
Foul weather gear. There's got to be some around here somewhere.
[They begin ripping open crates, searching. Daniel steps on a plank, and his foot breaks through into the water below. He pulls it back out.]
DANIEL
Hey, we've got water coming in over here!
MITCHELL
Hey! I've got something.
DANIEL
Jackson, try this on for size!
[Mitchell holds up a coat and tosses it to Daniel.]
MITCHELL
Carter!
[He throws one to Carter.]
MITCHELL
Hey, we've gotta go!
EXT—ARCTIC SEA, NIGHT
[The ship is rising out of the ice. Mitchell, now dressed completely in foul weather gear including boots, pulls himself out of the ship and slides down a patch of ice. Carter follows, sliding into him. They climb up to look for Daniel.]
MITCHELL
Jackson! Jackson!
[Daniel shouts and slides down to them. From the ice, they watch as the ship breaks apart and slides into the ocean. The wind is howling around them.]
DANIEL
The ship was warmer!
MITCHELL
You want to go back?
DANIEL
No, I'm good.
[Mitchell looks around with his flashlight.]
MITCHELL
All right. So, which way?
CARTER
Well, we're above the Arctic Circle, so does it really matter?
MITCHELL
South it is.
CARTER
Daniel!
[Carter has noticed that Daniel's left leg is frozen in his boot, and he doesn't have the foul weather pants on. He speaks loudly, over the wind.]
DANIEL
(rubbing his leg with his gloved hand)
I know. Back on the ship, my foot went through the deck where-where water was coming in. It froze the laces on my boots. I couldn't get it off.
[He laughs nervously. Mitchell and Carter appear defeated.]
MITCHELL
Jackson, what'd you want to go and do that for?
CARTER
(bending to him)
Look, we'll just have to help you walk.
[Daniel groans in pain.]
DANIEL
No, I can't feel a thing below my knee. I don't think I'm going anywhere.
[Mitchell and Carter look around, helpless.]
DANIEL
Look, I'm being selfish here. Our only chance is for you guys to get within radio range of some kind of help. The sooner you go, the sooner you can send help back for me.
[Mitchell and Carter look at him, hesitating.]
DANIEL
Go, don't waste time! Once that sun rises, it's gonna warm right up.
[Daniel bows his head.]
MITCHELL
Jackson?
[He hands Daniel a flashlight. Daniel nods. Mitchell turns to go.]
CARTER
(sadly)
Daniel.
DANIEL
Bye.
[Daniel watches Carter and Mitchell leave. He breathes heavily and his eyes tear up.]
DANIEL
Oh, shit!
EXT—ARCTIC OCEAN, DAY
[Mitchell and Carter walk across the desolation of the frozen Arctic ocean.]
MITCHELL
I keep wondering what Daniel was going to say.
CARTER
When?
MITCHELL
Back at the ship, he got all excited when he said, "Do you realize what this means?"
CARTER
Well, obviously that Ba'al had gone back in time and stopped the ship that was carrying the Stargate from ever reaching the United States.
MITCHELL
By sending it to the North Pole.
CARTER
Yeah, apparently.
MITCHELL
Carter, that is a terrible plan.
CARTER
Yeah, but you have no problem with the fact that we went back in time?
MITCHELL
All I'm saying is, why not just sink the damn boat?
CARTER
I think the bigger point here is that Ba'al has rewritten history. Teal'c and Vala just disappeared because they never joined SG-1. The Stargate program never happened.
MITCHELL
In which case, I would have never crashed my F-302, which means I wouldn't have a titanium pin in my leg, killing me, which it is, right now.
CARTER
You're right. You're right, it's a paradox.
MITCHELL
Thank you.
CARTER
Or maybe because we were in transit through the Stargate when the timeline shifted.
MITCHELL
Well, Ba'al never would've intended that gate to wind up anywhere but the bottom of the ocean. Something went wrong, and we were not supposed to make it back to Earth alive. That's his first mistake.
CARTER
Maybe he's already taken over the entire planet. I mean, humanity could be enslaved for all we know.
MITCHELL
That's quitter talk. All we got to do is stay alive until you figure a way to undo this.
CARTER
Undo this?
MITCHELL
You heard me.
(into radio)
Mayday! Mayday! This is Colonel Cameron Mitchell. Mayday! Mayday.
EXT—ARCTIC OCEAN, DAY
[Later, they walk surrounded by the vastness of ice. Carter stumbles a bit, and Mitchell steadies her. Later they walk between ice structures, and the wind is blowing. Carter comes to a stop and bends over as if exhausted. Mitchell grabs her.]
MITCHELL
Sam, we have to keep moving.
CARTER
Why? If we're going to freeze to death, here's as good a spot as any, isn't it?
MITCHELL
Uh, I don't like this spot.
CARTER
Cam, come on. What is the point? There's no one around for hundreds of—
[She spots something and points to it.]
CARTER
What is that?
[Two people are walking toward them, dressed in white outerwear and carrying weapons. Carter and Mitchell start jogging toward the people. They meet.]
O'NEILL
Hey! Which one of you is Mitchell?
MITCHELL
That'd be me.
O'NEILL
Jack O'Neill, Special Forces.
[He lowers his face covering a bit.]
CARTER
My god. Oh! We thought you were dead.
[She reveals her face.]
O'NEILL
Well, back at you, ma'am.
MITCHELL
Do you recognize her?
O'NEILL
Sure do.
CARTER
(smiling)
Sir, we've got to go back for Daniel.
O'NEILL
What we have to do is get you people off this ice.
(to other man)
Major Wood?
MAJOR WOOD
Yes, sir! I marked the "X" and dropped the buoy. It should be along any minute, sir.
O'NEILL
Mitchell, I don't know what you're doing in the Arctic with a dead astronaut, but I am going to need some answers.
[Carter and Mitchell exchange shocked looks.]
MITCHELL
Yeah, well, back at you.
CARTER
What are we looking for?
MAJOR WOOD
(pointing)
There!
O'NEILL
Your ride!
[The ice cracks near them; they watch as a nuclear submarine comes up vertically through the ice. O'Neill turns to Mitchell and smiles proudly. They all walk toward the sub. A third special forces man has appeared. A man appears from the sail structure.]
CREWMAN ON SAIL
Colonel O'Neill!
O'NEILL
Permission to come aboard!
CREWMAN ON SAIL
Permission granted, sir! The C.O. would like you to make it snappy. Sonar picked up a Russian sub nosing around.
O'NEILL
(to others)
Let's go!
[The crewmen put a rope ladder over the side of the sail.]
INT—BRIDGE OF SUBMARINE ALEXANDRIA
[The Commander is looking through the periscope.]
COMMANDER
Down scope.
COB
Aye, sir.
[He steps forward. Carter and the others step onto the bridge. Carter smiles.]
COMMANDER
Colonel, welcome aboard the Alexandria.
O'NEILL
Captain, thanks for the ride.
COMMANDER
We're always happy to help the Air Force.
(to COB)
Chief of the boat, escort our guests to the ward room.
COB
Escort our guests to the ward room. Aye, Captain.
[The COB goes into the corridor with Carter.]
COMMANDER
Colonel, isn't that—
O'NEILL
If it isn't, it's her twin sister. I'm going to need a couple minutes to debrief those two.
COMMANDER
You mean those three.
O'NEILL
What?
COMMANDER
Officer of the deck, prepare to stationary dive. I intend to take her down immediately.
OFFICER OF THE DECK
Prepare to stationary dive. Aye, Captain. Stationary dive. Stationary dive.
[O'Neill leaves the bridge.]
EXT—ICE AROUND ALEXANDRIA, DAY
[The sub blows its ballast and begins to sink.]
EXT—WATER BENEATH ICE
[The sub descends vertically.]
INT—WARD ROOM OF ALEXANDRIA
[Carter and Mitchell enter, now holding their foul-weather gear. They are surprised to find Daniel there. He has an IV and is being attended to by a medic.]
MITCHELL
Jackson!
DANIEL
Hey!
CARTER
(relieved)
Daniel!
DANIEL
Hi! I didn't think you guys were gonna make it.
[The come around to the side of his bed away from the medic.]
MITCHELL
Us? What about you?
DANIEL
(mildly doped)
Oh no, the sub actually came up about a half hour after you guys left. It must have heard the Achilles going down. Scared the hell out of me, too. I thought I was hallucinating. In fact… I still am afraid I might be. See, they pumped me up with something, and…
MITCHELL
No, it's… it's all real.
DANIEL
Oh.
CARTER
How bad is the leg?
DANIEL
Oh, they say I'm probably gonna lose it.
(at their shock)
Hey, uh, you know, I thought I was dead. I guess in the grand scheme of things, I can't really complain that much.
[O'Neill enters behind Daniel. Carter clears her throat.]
O'NEILL
(to Navy personnel)
Excuse us?
[Daniel looks around to see O'Neill.]
DANIEL
(mystified)
Jack?
O'NEILL
Are there any more of you I should know about?
MITCHELL
No. Look, uh, I understand how weird this is—
O'NEILL
About four hours ago, one of our satellites took the damnedest picture you ever did see.
[Behind Daniel is a large flat-panel display. O'Neill inserts a memory stick and the screen blanks.]
MITCHELL
How did you get here so fast?
[The screen now shows a picture of a blue-green light over the ice.]
O'NEILL
I was already on my way up here to supervise a training exercise on the ice, and then I got orders to make a drop to determine what caused this.
[He points at the image and enlarges it. It shows a top-view of a Stargate activating over the ice.]
O'NEILL
Whatever that was is gone.
CARTER
And you have no idea what this is?
O'NEILL
You're the astronaut, you tell me.
[Daniel blinks in shock and stares at Carter.]
CARTER
The device that made what you see in this picture, an energy vortex created prior to the establishment of a stable wormhole, is called a Stargate. Now normally we use it to travel to other planets, but this time we came through it from an alternate timeline, one where, amongst other things, I'm not an astronaut.
[Mitchell looks doubtful, and Daniel pulls a face in anticipation.]
O'NEILL
(sarcastically)
Yeah, that's pretty much how I had it figured.
DANIEL
Actually, she's telling the truth.
[Carter nods.]
O'NEILL
(to Daniel)
And who are you?
DANIEL
Daniel Jackson. Um, in the timeline where we come from, we've actually traveled to several hundred planets together.
O'NEILL
"We", as in you and…
DANIEL
Yeah, in fact, in our timeline, I'm the closest thing you have to a best friend.
O'NEILL
(sarcastically)
Yeah. Yeah, I'd buy that.
DANIEL
Okay, you're from Minnesota.
O'NEILL
Yeah.
DANIEL
Eleven years ago, your son accidentally shot himself with a loaded 9 millimeter he found in your closet—
O'NEILL
(angry)
All right. Stop it right there. My kid is fine. He's at home, and he's fine! What the hell's wrong with you?
[Carter and Daniel react in surprise.]
CARTER
Obviously, some things are different in this timeline, but what you have to understand is—
O'NEILL
No, I don't! I don't have to understand anything! More importantly, I don't want to. As far as I'm concerned, you people are nothing but a pile of paperwork waiting to happen.
DANIEL
Jack, please…
O'NEILL
And stop that!
[He looks at all of them for moment then starts to go.]
O'NEILL
Jeez.
CARTER
You should at least warn your superiors that this planet is in great danger.
O'NEILL
I'll get right on that.
[He pulls the memory stick from the flat panel then steps out.]
INT—CORRIDOR OF ALEXANDRIA
[O'Neill steps into corridor and addresses Officer.]
O'NEILL
All right, they can have access to food, water, and any medical attention they might need, but they cannot go past this door except to use the head. And nobody comes in or out until we can surface, and… deal with these freaks.
OFFICER ON GUARD
Aye, sir.
INT—WARD ROOM OF ALEXANDRIA
[Mitchell, Carter, and Daniel exchange concerned looks.]
EXT—ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, DAY
[The base has aircraft of various types.]
INT—ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE CORRIDOR
[A doctor wheels Daniel down the corridor in a wheel chair. He is now missing his left leg below the knee. Mitchell and Carter walk behind.]
INT—ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE INTERROGATION ROOM
[Carter is being questioned and the session recorded on video.]
FEMALE INTERVIEWER
Samantha Carter?
CARTER
Yes.
FEMALE INTERVIEWER
It's common knowledge that four years ago a computer failure forced the space shuttle Intrepid's main engines to shut down before it could reach a safe orbit or a secondary landing site. When the autopilot also failed, Mission Commander Samantha Carter stayed behind to fly it, while her crew bailed out of the escape hatch. The orbiter went down over the Atlantic, and her body was never recovered.
CARTER
It wasn't me.
FEMALE INTERVIEWER
You just said your name—
CARTER
I was recruited into the Stargate Program in my timeline, not NASA.
FEMALE INTERVIEWER
So you have no recollection of the crash whatsoever?
CARTER
Oh, God help me.
[In another room, Mitchell is being questioned. Daniel is interviewed from his hospital bed. The screen splits to show all three interviews at once.]
MITCHELL
Stargate Command is a branch of the United States Air Force. Founded in 1990-something…
DANIEL
—Four…
MITCHELL
…I forget the exact year,for the purposes of exploration and the establishment of peaceful relations between new worlds.
DANIEL
Actually, it was—it was less an altered timeline than it was this kind of multiverse thing…but um,…
MITCHELL
It operates in secret from a facility underneath Cheyenne Mountain.
DANIEL
The point is, I know what you're thinking, and-and you're thinking I'm insane.
CARTER
And so we had the Stargate powered, and it was capable of operating, but none of the random addresses we tried were able to make a connection. And so…
MITCHELL
A list? You-you want the whole list of every planet we visited? Okay. Earth. You never forget your first. Right?
DANIEL
And that's when I realized that the symbols were actually constellations, and it was just a matter of determining which of the thirty-nine symbols on the inner ring represented the point of origin. The so-called ring—
MALE INTERVIEWER
Tell me that again?
[Daniel stares at him in disbelief.]
CARTER
Then we discovered that the symbols in a combination of seven represented a gate address, with the home planet being the point of origin. It was just a matter of figuring out which was the symbol for Earth, being the home planet.
DANIEL
I-I-I've given you all the details on our allies…and our enemies…and everything I can think of…
MITCHELL
…known as Kassa. It's kind of like space corn, but you know, that is a story you're gonna wanna hear sometime.
[He chuckles.]
MALE INTERVIEWER
Why do you think this is funny?
MITCHELL
Because it is funny, and you need to learn that things can be both funny and true at the same time.
CARTER
I listened! Whereas I have been trying to tell you that Earth is in serious danger, and you don't seem to give a rat's ass!
DANIEL
I have told you. I mean-I mean, seriously, who would make this shit up?!
MITCHELL
Okay, fine! You say O'Neill wants nothing to do with us? What about Landry?
MALE INTERVIEWER
He wouldn't tell me.
MITCHELL
No! You see, I know him! I know the man. I know that he will listen.
DANIEL
If you would like to hear the answer to that question, why don't you go ahead and play your tape back?
FEMALE INTERVIEWER
…exactly are we in danger—?
CARTER
Oh my God, for the umpteenth time!
DANIEL
I want to take a break.
CARTER
I want to talk to somebody else.
MITCHELL
…has changed history. I am agitated because this is not the way things are supposed to be.
[Landry enters Mitchell's room.]
LANDRY
Unfortunately, Colonel, it's the way it is.
MITCHELL
(standing)
General. Thank you for coming. You flew F-4s in Vietnam. You have a daughter named Caroline [sic.]. You're wild about Fulvous Whistling Ducks.
LANDRY
Stop right there, son. I believe you.
MITCHELL
You do?
LANDRY
I've been listening to all three of you for quite a while now. It's a hell of a story. The fact is…
[He takes a phone from its cradle on the wall.]
LANDRY
(into phone)
Are the other two already in the hangar? Good, we'll be right there.
(to Mitchell)
I can't stand having to repeat myself. Follow me.
[Landry leaves.]
MITCHELL
(to questioner)
Yeah, see, I knew that about him, too.
[Mitchell leaves.]
INT—ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE HANGAR
[The hangar is empty except for a table in the center, at which are seated Carter and Daniel, in a wheelchair. There are sandwiches, coffee, and water on the table. Landry and Mitchell enter and walk over.]
MITCHELL
Hey, guys. Having fun?
CARTER
Oh, joy.
LANDRY
You've been at this for five straight days. Eat something.
[He starts to fix a plate. The others don't touch the food.]
DANIEL
It's not like you didn't feed us.
LANDRY
Fine, I don't like to eat alone. You should know that.
[Daniel picks up a sandwich.]
CARTER
Sir, you're probably wondering why I requested that you be brought all this way up to meet with us.
LANDRY
Actually, you all did. Something about the fact that I'm the sort of man who would understand.
[He smiles, bemused as if teasing them.]
LANDRY
You'll have to forgive me. I was at your memorial service on the front lawn of the White House. I imagine you're an extraordinary person in whatever timeline you happen to be in.
MITCHELL
Sir, if you don't mind my asking—
LANDRY
You don't exist. That is to say, there's no record of a Colonel Cameron Mitchell fitting your description currently in the US Air Force, or anywhere else, for that matter. And you, Doctor Jackson, were last seen in Egypt, attempting to find proof that aliens once visited Earth and that the pyramids are landing pads for their spaceships… I take it that in your timeline that you're not a discredited whack-job living on the fringes of society.
[As Landry speaks, Daniel slowly stops chewing his sandwich.]
DANIEL
That really depends on who you ask.
MITCHELL
General, not that I need to make this all about me, but—
LANDRY
There was one Mitchell of note who served in the Merchant Marine in the late '30s.
MITCHELL
(realizing, to teammates)
The captain of the ocean freighter Achilles. That's how I know the name. Grandma had a picture of him standing beside his ship in Boston Harbor. It's the one in my locker right now. Ba'al must've killed the crew when he gated aboard.
CARTER
Wow. You're literally a grandfather paradox.
LANDRY
That's what Doctor Lee said.
[Carter and Daniel exchange looks at the mention.]
CARTER
Sir, I realize that it may be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to recover the Stargate from the bottom of the Arctic Ocean, but there is another one.
LANDRY
The one in Antarctica, you mean? I'm told we're sending a team to check it out.
CARTER
We need to do more than check it out, sir. We need to use it. We have to set things right.
LANDRY
How exactly?
CARTER
I've been thinking about this. Now, Ba'al must have built some sort of temporal device.
LANDRY
Time machine.
CARTER
Yes. Now, if we could use the Stargate to contact one of our allies, then we should—
LANDRY
That will not be allowed to happen.
DANIEL
Sir, I don't think you understand exactly what will be lost if we're not allowed to return things to the way they're supposed to be.
LANDRY
"Supposed to be" is relative, Doctor Jackson.
CARTER
The allies we've met, the technologies we've acquired, the hundreds of planets we've visited—
LANDRY
We can do all that, assuming we can recover the Stargate in Antarctica, and assuming it does what you say it does. I'm sure we'll use the thing to go out and explore the galaxy. There are a lot of excited people around here.
CARTER
With respect, sir, you're missing the point. The timeline was altered by one of our enemies.
LANDRY
Hmm, the System Lord, Ba'al. You talked about him at some length.
DANIEL
Because he's a very real threat.
LANDRY
(unconcerned)
According to your own story, it's been seventy years since the timeline was changed. If all this is part of some plan, where is he?
MITCHELL
Man has a point.
DANIEL
Okay, if his plan was to take over Earth, he would first have to reestablish a power base with the other System Lords. Now, that wouldn't be easy. Now if his plan died with him, then—
CARTER
Or, he's still in the process of establishing his power, and it's just a matter of time.
LANDRY
This is as far as we're willing to go. In exchange for signing a non-disclosure agreement, you'll be given identities, a place to live. In different parts of the country, for obvious reasons.
[Daniel and Carter begin to be visibly upset.]
LANDRY
(to Carter)
And you better behave yourself in public, otherwise you'll end up on the front page of The Enquirer.
CARTER
(shaking her head)
Sir, please don't do this.
LANDRY
The decision has been made at the highest level. I'm sure that in time, your advice will be welcome. If and when the Navy gets this Stargate up and running, you can come aboard as consultants.
[Mitchell and Carter exchanged looks of confusion.]
CARTER
(mouthing silently)
Navy.
LANDRY
But you will never, ever, be allowed to step through that thing.
CARTER
You're afraid we're going to try and repair the timeline.
LANDRY
Oh, you've made that intention abundantly clear—
DANIEL
(intensely)
Because we have a responsibility.
LANDRY
(indignant)
But you don't have the right! If you were to succeed, events in the lives of thousands, if not millions of people, would never have happened!
(angry)
My goodness, people! The arrogance of what you're asking us to help you do is mind-boggling!
[He calms for a moment as Carter, Mitchell and Daniel contain themselves from responding.]
LANDRY
(lighter)
Maybe if I wasn't woken in the middle of the night and flown to Alaska, I might be more like the kind, sympathetic former general you were hoping I'd be. But trust me, if you lived in this timeline…
MITCHELL
We'd want it to stay the way it is.
LANDRY
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to go back to my wife and my very pleasant retirement. And you all have new lives to begin.
(to Airman)
They're ready to board the aircraft!
[The hangar door slides open.]
LANDRY
It was a pleasure meeting all of you.
[Landry walks away.]
MITCHELL
Yeah.
(looking at Carter and Daniel)
It truly was.
EXT—ELMENDORF AFB, DAY
[A C-130 takes off from the runway.]
INT—CHARTER BUS
[A man in civilian clothing briefs Mitchell.]
MALE OFFICER
At no time are you to make contact by any means with Mr. Jackson or Ms. Carter without prior authorization. Any such attempt will be seen as a breach of this agreement, and you will be remanded in custody.
EXT—CITY STREET, DAY
[A large bus drives down the street.]
INT—BUS
[The bus is marked McChord AFB. McChord is in Lakewood, Washington. A woman instructs Carter on her new life.]
FEMALE OFFICER
You will be provided a suitable home, vehicle, and a living allowance, which may be augmented without penalty should you choose to seek employment in any field other than the following: astrophysics, aerospace, engineering…
[Carter rolls her eyes in exasperation.]
INT—TAXI
[Daniel is riding in the back of a taxi. He recalls the instructions he'd been given.]
AUDIO FLASHBACK
MALE OFFICER
At no time may you discuss, write, or communicate the matters and/or events as stated in this agreement with any person other than your authorized contact. Is that clear, Doctor Jackson?
END FLASHBACK
[The taxi pulls up to a high-rise style building in an urban setting. Daniel doesn't notice.]
DRIVER
Doctor Jackson?
DANIEL
Yeah, I'm sorry.
DRIVER
This is the place.
DANIEL
(sighing)
I guess it is.
[He pulls out money to pay the driver.]
DRIVER
Do you need help getting out?
DANIEL
No, I think I can handle it.
[He pays the driver.]
DANIEL
Keep the change.
[Daniel gets out of the cab and slings a duffle bag over his shoulder. The cab pulls away, and Daniel uses crutches to walk to the building.]
EXT—STREET IN WASHINGTON STATE, DAY
[Carter gets out of a cab marked "Ranier Taxi". She looks up at a building and at her surroundings as she holds a small suitcase.]
EXT—RESIDENTIAL STREET, DAY
[A cab marked "Heartland Taxi" pulls up to a 2-story house on a cul-de-sac. Mitchell gets out of the front seat and takes his bag from the back seat. He stands in the driveway looking at the house.]
ONE YEAR LATER
EXT—MITCHELL'S HOUSE
[Mitchell works on the engine of a vintage, yellow and black Mustang. A woman and boy approach.]
HEATHER
How's it going, Cam?
MITCHELL
Oh hey, Mrs… Heather. Heather. Caught myself this time.
HEATHER
Finally.
MITCHELL
Yeah. Yes, ma'am.
HEATHER
So, when do we get to go for a ride?
MITCHELL
Well, I'm gonna take it for a road-trip test drive, so maybe when I get back.
HEATHER
I'll hold you to that.
(to boy)
Come on.
[They walk away.]
MITCHELL
Oh damn, that's trouble.
EXT—CITY STREET, DAY
[Daniel walks with a cane, wearing a prosthetic leg. He stops in front of an independent book store and goes in.]
INT—BOOK STORE
[Daniel walks along the shelves of books. He sees a large book whose spine reads "The Truth About the Pyramids" with author name Jackson at the top. He takes it from the shelf. It's marked with a 70% off sticker. The author is listed as Daniel Jackson, PhD. He opens the jacket and smiles, looking around for a moment as if he wants to tell someone. He turns to the back cover, which shows a rather disturbing looking version of himself. He clutches the book to his chest hiding the back cover and walks up front to pay for it.]
INT—GROCERY STORE
[Carter shops. A woman almost seems to recognize her and Carter smiles at her self-consciously. She picks up a box of Frooties cereal, sighs, and tosses it in the cart.]
EXT—MITCHELL FAMILY FARM, KANSAS
[Mitchell drives up, in his Mustang, to the driveway of what was his family's farm in his timeline. He gets out of the car and approaches the house. An older man sees him.]
OLDER MAN
Can I help you, son?
MITCHELL
Oh, uh, I apologize for the intrusion. I spent some time here when I was a kid.
OLDER MAN
Uh huh. What's the name?
MITCHELL
Mitchell. Cam Mitchell.
OLDER MAN
(suspiciously)
I've lived here over thirty-five years.
MITCHELL
Really? Who-who was here before that?
OLDER MAN
Hendersons.
MITCHELL
(nodding)
Harry and Lorna.
OLDER MAN
Oh, so you knew Harry?
MITCHELL
Yeah. I was just a boy, but they were nice people.
[He watches the house for a moment.]
MITCHELL
Look, I know this is weird, but do you mind if I go inside? I have an image of the place that I can't quite shake.
OLDER MAN
Ah, what the hell, I'm not doing anything.
(gesturing for Mitchell to follow)
Come on.
[They go inside.]
EXT—LARGE CITY, NIGHT
INT—DANIEL'S APARTMENT
[Daniel sits on his unmade bed. His prosthetic leg is lying on the bed on top of some newspapers. He is dialing his cell phone.]
DANIEL
(into phone)
Hello, Doctor Jackson?… Yes, I'm sorry I'm calling so late. I'm calling from the States, and… Well, I've stayed in that hotel myself a number of times, and I just thought that you might… Well, because I wanted to tell you something… That you're right. About everything. About the pyramids, about what the glyphs said about aliens visiting Earth. Everything… It doesn't matter who I am. Let's just say I'm someone who believes in your work, and you should, too… No, no, no, I do. I really do. I… You have to have more faith in yourself, Doctor Jackson… Hello? Hello.
[He disconnects the call and closes the cell phone, then picks up Jackson's book and looks at it.]
INT—FARM HOUSE
[Mitchell steps into the living room and looks around. He sees a series of photos on the mantle. He remembers the photos that were there in his timeline, including one of his grandfather in his Merchant Marine uniform.]
EXT—CITY STREET, DAY
[Carter carries a bag of groceries to her car, a Prius. As she is placing the bag in the rear hatch, she hears a high-pitched whine. She looks up to see a Goa'uld al'kesh speed by. She grabs her cell phone and activates a number.]
CARTER
(into phone)
Put me through to your commanding officer. Tell him it's Colonel Carter. I need to speak to him now.
INT—FARM HOUSE
[The older man has the news playing on his TV.]
OLDER MAN
Mr. Mitchell?
[As Mitchell peaks around the corner from another room, the TV is heard.]
TV ANNOUNCER
…this stunning footage just in from our affiliate station…
OLDER MAN
Son, you'll want to see this.
TV ANNOUNCER
…alleged alien craft pursued by an Air Force F-16 illustrates just how close they came to both the White House and several treasured national monuments before climbing out of range of the pursuing fighter.
[Mitchell has joined the man in front of the TV. They watch the playback footage showing the al'kesh buzzing the Washington Monument.]
TV ANNOUNCER
We're hearing reports of confirmed sightings from all across Europe and Asia as well. According to White House sources, there has been no communication from these vessels, but neither have they taken overtly hostile action.
[As the report continues, Mitchell pulls out his cell phone and begins a call.]
TV ANNOUNCER
The President has called for calm, but we are told our armed forces are on high alert.
INT—DANIEL'S APARTMENT
[It is night, and Daniel is asleep in his bed. His cell phone rings and he reluctantly answers.]
DANIEL
Hello?… Sam! This is so great. I was just thinking about you guys. I thought by now they'd at least allow us to see each other, but every time I— No, I don't have a TV. Why?
EXT—SPACE
[The Goa'uld fleet is assembled near a gas cloud and a planet.]
INT—COMMAND ROOM, BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[Qetesh (in Vala's body) and Ba'al approach their throne chairs and sit.]
BA'AL
Bring in the prisoner.
INT—CORRIDOR, BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[Teal'c walks, following two Jaffa. He is not carrying a staff weapon.]
INT—COMMAND ROOM, BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[The Jaffa and Teal'c enter. There are other Jaffa behind Teal'c. Teal'c wears Ba'al's symbol on his forehead and on his armor. Ba'al stands and approaches.]
BA'AL
Well done, Teal'c.
TEAL'C
It is my honor to serve Lord Ba'al.
[Teal'c steps out of the way to reveal Apophis, on his knees.]
BA'AL
Yes, it is. But generations from now, they will speak of Master Teal'c of Chulak, First Prime of Ba'al, first leader of the free Jaffa nation.
[Teal'c nods in acknowledgement.]
APOPHIS
(to Teal'c)
Shol'va.
BA'AL
Apophis. Last of the System Lords to stand against me. What have you to say to your new sovereign?
APOPHIS
May your reign last days, and your death, years.
BA'AL
(smiling)
That's actually rather good, isn't it?
[Teal'c nods. Ba'al unsheathes a long knife.]
BA'AL
Did you plan to say that when you walked in?
[Apophis glares at Ba'al, and his eyes glow. Ba'al slashes the knife across the top of Apophis's head, removing the top of his skull. The symbiote slithers out and goes still.]
BA'AL
Or was it just off the top of your head?
[Ba'al re-sheathes his knife. Teal'c gets a silent message from a Jaffa.]
TEAL'C
My lord, Cronus hails us.
BA'AL
Clean this up.
[He approaches a communications screen while washing his hands in a cistern held by a slave.]
CRONUS
(via comm)
Lord Ba'al, the squadron of al'kesh that you ordered to the Tau'ri have reported. It is as you promised. They number in the billions, and they are defenseless.
BA'AL
Excellent. You may reveal the coordinates to the rest of the fleet. We shall leave on my order.
CRONUS
As you wish.
[He signs off. Ba'al looks at his hands and holds them up.]
BA'AL
There is a god standing here with wet hands!
[A female slave brings him a towel. He wipes his hands and throws it at her.]
BA'AL
Teal'c, you may tell your warriors that their dream of freedom is one step closer.
TEAL'C
I shall, my lord.
[Teal'c leaves. Ba'al walks over to Qetesh.]
BA'AL
Well?
QETESH
I am in awe of your accomplishment. You have predicted every move of your enemies and fulfilled every promise to your allies. Ra, Nirrti, Cronus, Zipacna, all once-powerful System Lords, and now, they all serve you.
BA'AL
They serve us, my queen.
QETESH
I am truly privileged.
BA'AL
I know… I can't help myself.
INT—PRESIDENTIAL UNDERGROUND COMMAND CENTER
[A news broadcast of President Hayes plays on a television. Hayes watches himself. There are numerous military personnel in the room, many video screens, and a glass map.]
HAYES
(on broadcast)
There is no nation on this earth that does not share in our resolve to defend our world.
HAYES
Until we give them something more to talk about, they're gonna play this speech to death. What about the Russians or the Chinese? Are they hearing anything?
HAMMOND
There's been no response of any kind from the alien craft, sir. We're tried every frequency there is.
HAYES
Why would they come all the way from wherever the hell it is they came from, fly around with a bunch of F-16s on their asses for half a day, and then just sit there?
[As Hammond gestures that he has no idea, Mitchell, Carter, and Daniel enter.]
MITCHELL
They're advance scout ships, Mr. President.
ALEX
You asked that they be brought to the command bunker the moment they arrived, sir.
HAYES
That's fine, Alex, thank you.
[He shakes their hands.]
HAYES
Henry Hayes. Thanks for coming. You were saying, Mr. Mitchell?
MITCHELL
The ships in orbit are called al'kesh. They serve both as scouts and as ground-support bombers.
CARTER
And they're nothing compared to what's coming next.
HAYES
Really? So, what's coming next?
DANIEL
Death. Slavery. Uh, more slavery, more death.
HAYES
Look, if you want to say, "I told you so," go ahead and get it off your chest. But then you can do one of two things. You can help, or you can leave.
DANIEL
(turning away)
Okay, bye!
MITCHELL
Jackson.
DANIEL
(turning back)
Right. I forgot to say, "I told you so!"
HAYES
Now are you gonna help, or not?
CARTER
Have you recovered the Stargate?
HAYES
We couldn't locate the one you sent down, but we did manage to find the other one, in Antarctica. It's still there.
HAYES
Why didn't you bring it back?
HAYES
Well, the Navy suggested, and I agreed, what better place to build a facility and start a testing program in complete secrecy than McMurdo base?
DANIEL
Why weren't we told?
[Hayes chuckles.]
HAYES
You'd be surprised at some of the stuff we do around here without running it by you.
CARTER
It isn't operational yet, is it?
HAYES
Not yet, but we have our best scientists working on it.
MITCHELL
How quickly can you get us there?
HAYES
(smiling)
Don't forget, I'm the one who gave the order to keep you away from that thing. Erasing the timeline is not an option.
DANIEL
(annoyed)
Then why are we here?
HAYES
When I was first briefed on you three, I thought my Chief of Staff was yanking my chain. I didn't believe him the second time, either. Finally, he had to bring in the National Security Advisor to convince me that he wasn't kidding. On page two thousand and something of the brief, one of you, I can't remember which, talks about how I handled a similar invasion in your timeline to the one that might happen here.
DANIEL
Of course, in our case, you had the benefit of an operational Stargate Program for about seven years.
CARTER
Well, to be fair, it was actually the Ancient weapons platform in Antarctica that saved us.
HAYES
Exactly… Shouldn't it still be there?
CARTER
It's under a mile of ice.
HAYES
The Army Corps of Engineers have been drilling at the coordinates you gave us for the last three months. We're not there yet, but we're close.
CARTER
Even so, its power source is depleted. We'd need a full-charged Zero Point Module.
DANIEL
(to Mitchell and Carter)
Taonas. There's no reason it still shouldn't be there.
MITCHELL
We'd have to steal a cargo ship.
DANIEL
Well, it's not like we haven't done that before.
MITCHELL
Hmm.
CARTER
Once we recover the ZPM, we can gate directly back to Earth, because the Stargate's already in Antarctica. We'll just need—
MITCHELL
Yep.
DANIEL
Someone with a gene that could operate the chair.
CARTER
(to Hayes)
If there's still time, sir, this can work.
HAYES
That's the SG-1 I read about.
CARTER
If the control crystal's intact and the power relay's in position, I should be able to dial out the gate in a couple of hours.
HAYES
General Hammond?
[Hammond turns around. SG-1 had not noticed him before.]
CARTER
Sir, it's good to see you.
HAMMOND
(not recognizing them)
If you say so… There are four F-15s on the tarmac at Andrews, each carrying minimal armaments and extra fuel tanks.
HAYES
Once the Stargate is operational, you'll be escorted through by a squad of four marines. That's not negotiable.
MITCHELL
To keep us on the mission.
CARTER
That's not necessary, sir, but we'll take the back-up.
DANIEL
Even if everything goes according to plan, it's going to be a couple of days at least til we get back. What are you gonna do if Ba'al shows up before then?
HAYES
Is there anything we can do, Doctor Jackson?
DANIEL
Well, I wouldn't mention us.
HAYES
Thought of that one. Good luck.
MITCHELL
To all of us, sir.
[They leave.]
EXT—SPACE NEAR EARTH
[Ba'al's fleet exits hyperspace inside the orbit of Earth's moon. There are dozens if not hundreds of ships.]
INT—COMMAND ROOM, BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[Ba'al addresses all of his System Lords: Ra, Camulus, Yu, Cronus, Nirrti, as Qetesh looks on from her throne chair. Teal'c stands near Ba'al.]
BA'AL
There it is, my friends. This little world in the middle of nowhere, lost and forgotten until now.
QETESH
Thanks to our Lord Ba'al, it is ours to enslave and pillage as we please.
NIIRTI
It is an abomination they have been allowed to breed to such numbers.
BA'AL
Their Stargate has been buried for centuries, and was subsequently involved in an… unfortunate boating accident. Hence, they have been completely cut off from us. They know nothing of the Goa'uld.
CAMULUS
Nevertheless, they are far too many to control.
QETESH
We'll just blast them to the brink of extinction.
BA'AL
That will not be necessary.
QETESH
But it would be enjoyable.
NIIRTI
I agree.
BA'AL
(smiling, chiding)
You are all so stuck in your ways. If we were to wipe them out by the billions, the survivors would despise us for all eternity. I know something of these people. I have studied them for some time. If we give them cause to fight, they will fight to the bitter end, but if we promise them a grand future, if we offer them our loving kindness, then I assure you, my friends, they'll fall for it completely.
CAMULUS
As you have done with your Jaffa?
BA'AL
If by that you mean the Jaffa who, with the promise of freedom, managed to defeat the combined armies of the System Lords, yes.
[He looks pointedly at Teal'c.]
BA'AL
And that promise will be fulfilled.
CAMULUS
(drily)
I'm sure it will.
BA'AL
Hmm. In fact… Teal'c.
TEAL'C
Yes, my lord.
[Ba'al walks over and sits in his throne chair.]
BA'AL
Camulus has kindly offered one half of his domain, Australia, to the free Jaffa nation.
CAMULUS
(angry)
I have said no such—
BA'AL
Your generosity brings a god to tears…
(lecturing)
Now let us be clear, my friends. The lands of the Tau'ri that you receive and the many millions of humans that inhabit them are a gift. Be grateful, or be silent.
[The System Lords stand silent, cowed.]
BA'AL
(waving them away)
Return to your ships. I shall contact the Tau'ri myself.
SYSTEM LORDS
Yes, my lord.
[The System Lords turn and leave.]
BA'AL
Teal'c.
TEAL'C
Yes, my lord.
[Ba'al walks over to him.]
BA'AL
There is something I want you to search for.
INT—PRESIDENTIAL UNDERGROUND COMMAND CENTER
[Hayes and Hammond stand near the large video display. Hammond hangs up the phone.]
HAMMOND
Ships, sir. Dozens of them. They just popped up out of nowhere a few minutes ago.
HAYES
Hyperspace. I read the brief. What's the status of SG-1?
HAMMOND
They should be airborne in a few minutes.
[The wall map shows red boxes popping up all over the US.]
HAMMOND
At this time, Mister President, it's my recommendation we take our forces to DEFCON 2.
HAYES
Do it.
[Hammond hands an order to an officer.]
HAYES
We should inform SG-1 that they're here.
HAMMOND
Yes, sir.
EXT—ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, DAY
[Air Force personnel prepare the F-15s for take-off. Mitchell sits in the front seat of one, with Daniel seated behind him. They speak to each other via the aircrafts' intercom.]
MITCHELL
Jackson, you may want to strap in back there and get some sleep. Should be a long, boring ride.
DANIEL
Yeah, I hope so.
[An airman approaches the aircraft.]
AIRMAN
Colonel Mitchell! We've just received a message from Washington. I'm told you'll understand… "They're here."
[Mitchell gives a thumbs up then looks across to Carter, who is alone in her F-15.]
INT—COMMAND ROOM, BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[Ba'al and Qetesh are seated in their chairs. A Jaffa brings a box to Ba'al, who opens it and takes out an Earth-based satellite phone. Ba'al activates the phone.]
QETESH
What is that?
BA'AL
Something I've kept in stasis a very long time, so that one day I could place this call.
[He stands and dials while Qetesh looks displeased.]
INT—PRESIDENTIAL UNDERGROUND COMMAND CENTER
[Alex holds his hand over a phone while speaking to the President.]
HAYES
What do you mean, he's on the phone?
ALEX
It came directly through the White House switchboard.
HAYES
From the spaceship? Ba'al?
ALEX
Lord Ba'al. His words, not mine.
HAYES
Yeah, right. Thank you, Alex.
[He takes the phone.]
HAYES
(into phone)
Hello?
INT—COMMAND ROOM, BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
BA'AL
(into phone)
Mister President. I was beginning to think I wasn't going to get through your gauntlet of minions.
[The conversation switches between Ba'al's location and Hayes's.]
HAYES
Who is this? Who am I speaking to?
BA'AL
I am Ba'al. I assume by now you've detected the presence of my fleet in orbit over your planet?
HAYES
As a matter of fact, we have our eye on you.
BA'AL
(laughing)
Please forgive this primitive means of communication, but if I were to land my ship in your Rose Garden, or appear as a hologram in your office, what kind of race of beings would you think we are? I wanted to give you my personal assurance that we come in peace, seeking nothing more than friendship.
[As Ba'al speaks, Qetesh looks ever more uncomfortable and suspicious.]
HAYES
Well, we're glad to hear that down here.
BA'AL
Then let me further assuage your concerns by meeting you in person in your Oval Office.
HAYES
I'm sure something can be arranged soon.
BA'AL
I was thinking this afternoon.
HAYES
It is the kind of thing I can clear my schedule for.
BA'AL
Excellent. Then perhaps we can get—
[His speech is cut off because Qetesh has stabbed him from behind. The blade she used is very long, and its tip protrudes at least 12 inches from his chest. Ba'al remains standing.]
QETESH
(whispering)
Put that down.
BA'AL
(roughly)
Mister President, I'm afraid I'll have to get back to you later.
[In pain, he drops the phone.]
INT—PRESIDENTIAL UNDERGROUND COMMAND CENTER
[Hayes looks at his dead phone.]
HAYES
(to Alex)
He hung up on me.
INT—COMMAND ROOM, BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[Qetesh holds the knife hilt at Ba'al's back. Earth is visible out of the viewscreens.]
QETESH
The edges of the Shikra blade have been honed to the thickness of a single atom. I must keep my hand very still, for fear that one slip will cut you in half.
[Ba'al blinks in distress and tries to control his breathing.]
QETESH
Now, tell me, how can you possibly know so much about this world?
BA'AL
I told you, my sweet.
QETESH
You've been studying in secret… When? You haven't allowed me to leave your side in fifty years!
[She presses the blade, causing him to gasp in pain.]
QETESH
Every time you have defeated your enemies, you've been one step ahead, and now you're as familiar with their world as if you have lived among them, and you even have one of their communication devices. How?
BA'AL
(struggling to speak)
For a short time, I confess, I did live among them.
QETESH
When?
BA'AL
Another life, another time. This world offers many pleasures, Qetesh. Pleasures I intend to share with you.
QETESH
Ohh.
[She takes his face in her hand, which is adorned by a ribbon device.]
QETESH
Not good enough.
INT—CORRIDOR ON BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[Teal'c approaches the command room and walks in.]
INT—COMMAND ROOM, BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[Teal'c enters, but Qetesh is standing such that Teal'c can't see the blade or Ba'al's distress.]
TEAL'C
My lord, forgive the intrusion.
BA'AL
Think nothing of it, Teal'c.
TEAL'C
I have the results of our search of the southernmost continent. There is a Chappa'ai, as you predicted.
BA'AL
Thank you, Teal'c. You may leave us now.
TEAL'C
However, my lord, it is not lodged within a crevasse. The humans have moved it to a small settlement and taken it inside. It does not appear to be yet functional.
[Blood now appears on Ba'al's lip.]
BA'AL
(angry)
What?!
TEAL'C
They have also drilled a shaft deep inside the ice elsewhere on the continent.
BA'AL
Impossible! How could they have known?
QETESH
Instruct the fleet to bombard both locations from space immediately.
TEAL'C
Is that your wish, my lord?
BA'AL
Do it, and report back to me when it's done.
[Qetesh moves the blade again, forcing Ba'al to quiet. Teal'c leaves.]
QETESH
Now, tell me, my sweet, if your plan going as well as you expected?
[While Ba'al tries to keep breathing, she activates her ribbon device and points it at him.]
EXT—EN ROUTE TO ANTARCTICA, DAY
[The F-15s fly in formation. SG-1 speak to each other over radios.]
CARTER
You realize Ba'al is going to figure out where we're headed before we get within a thousand miles of McMurdo.
MITCHELL
He thinks we're dead, remember?
DANIEL
(sarcastically)
Oh, we have him now!
INT—BRIDGE OF BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[Teal'c enters.]
TEAL'C
(to Jaffa)
Hail the fleet.
(over comm system)
This is Teal'c aboard the Sovereign's flagship. Lord Ba'al has given the order to destroy targets at the following coordinates near the planet's South Pole.
[He enters coordinates on the computer console.]
TEAL'C
Assign what vessels you see fit. Fire when ready.
EXT—SPACE ABOVE EARTH
[Some of the ships move toward the south pole.]
INT—PRESIDENTIAL UNDERGROUND COMMAND CENTER
[Hayes is on the phone.]
HAYES
I talked to Ba'al directly, and despite his assurances, I have reasons to distrust him. Very good reasons. Yuri, I have to tell you about something we're working on in the Antarctic that might help us deal with them. It involves an artifact we found a couple of months ago.
[Hammond enters.]
HAMMOND
Mister President?
HAYES
(into phone)
Hold on a sec.
(to Hammond)
George, do you know who I'm talking to?
HAMMOND
Yes, sir. A few minutes ago, we lost contact with McMurdo. The first report was something about brilliant flashes of light in the sky, then explosions all over the compound. We also lost contact with the drilling site above the Ancient weapons platform at roughly the same time. We're trying to get satellite pictures to confirm.
[Hayes nods his head with an ironic smile.]
HAYES
So much for afternoon tea in the Rose Garden.
(into phone)
Yuri, that project in the Antarctic I was telling you about? It's going backwards.
INT—CORRIDOR ON BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[Teal'c approaches the command room again.]
INT—COMMAND ROOM, BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[Teal'c walks to the doorway and finds Qetesh using the hand device on Ba'al. This time he sees something is wrong.]
TEAL'C
My lord.
[Qetesh turns them both to face Teal'c. She aims her hand device at Teal'c.]
QETESH
Stay back, Teal'c.
TEAL'C
My lord, should I enact your final instructions?
BA'AL
No, you idiot, save me!
QETESH
Try it, and I will kill him.
TEAL'C
You intend to kill him regardless.
BA'AL
(panicking)
No! There must be some arrangement.
QETESH
Actually, my love, he's right.
[She pulls the blade from Ba'al and he slumps to the floor. She moves to fire her hand device at Teal'c, but he dives out of the doorway. She rushes to the doorway to chase Teal'c down the corridor.]
INT—CORRIDOR ON BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
TEAL'C
(to other Jaffa)
Jaffa, treason!
[He bursts through the other Jaffa, and Qetesh's hand blast hits them instead. Qetesh pursues him down the corridor.]
INT—RING ROOM ON BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[Teal'c rings off the ship. Qetesh arrives in time to see him leave. After a moment she turns and walks out.]
EXT—EN ROUTE TO ANTARCTICA, DAY
[The F-15s continue flying.]
PILOT
(over radio)
Sierra Golf One, we're receiving an encoded message. Stand by… Message reads, "McMurdo has been destroyed. Return to your previous position and stand by for further instructions."
MITCHELL
Understood.
DANIEL
So much for that.
CARTER
Well what further instructions can there be, other than, "Kiss your ass goodbye"?
MITCHELL
Oh, let's pull about turn and find out.
[The fighters turn around and head back the way they'd come.]
EXT—SPACE ABOVE EARTH
[The fleet remains assembled.]
INT—BRIDGE OF AL'KESH
[Teal'c has ringed aboard.]
JAFFA
Master Teal'c.
TEAL'C
I am on a mission for the Sovereign. We will cloak the ship immediately and await further orders.
EXT—SPACE ABOVE EARTH
[The al'kesh cloaks.]
INT—BRIDGE OF BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[Qetesh enters.]
QETESH
Hail Cronus.
[As the Jaffa do as ordered, she sits on a command chair. Cronus appears on the viewscreen.]
CRONUS
My queen.
QETESH
Our Lord Ba'al has seen the light. He now wishes to blast the Tau'ri into extinction.
CRONUS
(smiling)
You are most… persuasive.
QETESH
We shall return in three days. The more of the planet you have destroyed, the more richly you shall be rewarded. And if you see Teal'c, kill him.
CRONUS
As the Sovereign wishes.
[The viewscreen shuts off.]
QETESH
Jaffa, set a course for Praxyon and engage the hyperdrive at maximum speed.
JAFFA
Yes, my queen.
QETESH
(to herself)
This world is not enough.
EXT—SPACE ABOVE EARTH
[Many of the ships in the fleet turn around so that their weapons point at Earth. The huge mothership starts to move off.]
INT—BRIDGE OF AL'KESH
JAFFA
(surprised)
The Sovereign's flagship is leaving the fleet.
TEAL'C
The Sovereign is dead, betrayed by Qetesh. Our only hope of avenging him is to arrive at the planet Praxyon before she does, and the only way to do that is through a Chappa'ai.
JAFFA
But you yourself ordered it destroyed.
TEAL'C
There is another.
EXT—SKY ABOVE EARTH, DAY
[The F-15s are flying near a refueling tanker. One of them is taking fuel. It finishes and disengages.]
MITCHELL
Thanks for the top-up, boys… Sierra Golf leader, we're going to be right back where we started—
[Suddenly the tanker is hit by an energy weapon and explodes.]
MITCHELL
Son of a bitch! Carter, break right! Break right!
[Mitchell's and Carter's jets break right.]
PILOT
Sierra Gulf Flight, request emergency vector change to 165 at 369. Please—
ANDREWS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER
Sierra Gulf Escort, Andrews confirmed, route vector authorized with KC-10 support to the target. Please confirm.
[More blasts rain down around the formation. The blasts are aimed at the city below the F-15s.]
DANIEL
What city is that?
MITCHELL
Washington.
[The city is seen to be under intense attack.]
PILOT
Sierra Gulf Escort, Five-nine. Good luck, Andrews.
ANDREWS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER
Sierra Gulf Flight, Godspeed.
INT—PRESIDENTIAL UNDERGROUND COMMAND CENTER
[The bunker is being shaken by the attacks; the lights are flickering.]
HAYES
(into phone)
Listen to me, because I don't think either one of us has much time left. If you have anything, any information that could help… Yuri, I can't hear you! What?…You've also discovered an artifact?…Where is it located?
EXT—SKY ABOVE EARTH, DAY
PILOT
We're receiving another encoded message with new flight instructions. Message reads, "The Russians have the other one."
DANIEL
Hello.
PILOT
"Do what you need to do."
CARTER
Coordinates received. Stopping for gas. I estimate ETA at 19:30 Zulu.
[The F-15s speed away from the mainland.]
MITCHELL
Let's do what we need to do.
EXT—SPACE ABOVE EARTH
[The fleet rains energy blasts down on the planet.]
INT—PRESIDENTIAL UNDERGROUND COMMAND CENTER
[The bunker is shaking more, dust falling.]
HAMMOND
We're on emergency power, sir, and all the elevator shafts have collapsed. We're not getting out of here anytime soon.
HAYES
Do we have confirmation that our message got through to SG-1?
HAMMOND
Yes, sir. By now, they're well over the North Atlantic.
EXT—SKY OVER NORTH ATLANTIC, NIGHT
[The four F-15s head to Russia.]
MITCHELL
That last KC-135 pilot was a bit stingy. Fuel's gonna be close.
CARTER
I have multiple contacts down range approaching at Mach 3.5.
DANIEL
Gliders?
MITCHELL
Yeah, that's a good bet. They're coming through at eighty thousand feet. Sierra Golf Escort, we must complete our mission. Do you understand?
PILOT
Affirmative. Sierra Golf One and Two, proceed to target. We will engage.
CARTER
Here they come.
[Mitchell and Carter's aircraft turn and move away. The other two F-15s turn 180 degrees to engage the death gliders.]
DANIEL
(sarcastically)
Oh, yeah! "Just go ahead and fall asleep back there, Jackson! It's going to be a long, dull ride!"
MITCHELL
Yeah, sorry about that. How many on our six?
[Daniel looks around visually.]
DANIEL
Too many!
[At least eight death gliders chase them, and they maneuver to avoid the gliders' fire.]
CARTER
We can't shake them at altitude. We're gonna have to go down to the deck.
MITCHELL
Yeah, we're right behind you.
[They roll and descend quickly to just above the water.]
CARTER
I've got another contact, six bogies, dead ahead, coming right at us.
MITCHELL
Sorry, Sam, we're kind of busy right now.
[Gliders fire at them.]
CARTER
I don't think they're gliders. They're MiGs!
MITCHELL
Jackson, get on the radio!
DANIEL
Speaks Russian to the MiGs.
MITCHELL
What the hell did you just say?
DANIEL
"We're Americans. Please shoot the people chasing us!"
[The MiGs fly past the F-15s and engage the gliders, taking out three of them immediately.]
RUSSIAN PILOT
We have been expecting you. Good luck!
MITCHELL
Yeah, back at you.
RUSSIAN PILOT
Says Thank You in Russian.
MITCHELL
I can see the coast. Sierra, rejoin, we're going to head on down.
CARTER
Copy that.
[The F-15s approach the Russian coast.]
EXT—RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE, NIGHT
[The Goa'uld attack continues in the distance.]
INT—RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE
[A cargo truck drives slowly inside the base, which is unlit. Mitchell, Carter, and Daniel get out of the truck and approach the Russian officer who is there. Beyond them is a Stargate, set vertically on the floor.]
MITCHELL
This is not encouraging.
DANIEL
Speaks Russian to soldier.
RUSSIAN OFFICER
Responds in Russian.
MITCHELL
Where is everybody?
RUSSIAN OFFICER
At home with their families, where I should be.
CARTER
I need to speak to the lead scientist on this project.
RUSSIAN OFFICER
He is not here. None of them have been here for weeks.
MITCHELL
Really?
RUSSIAN OFFICER
We had no idea of purpose of artifact. We named it Anchor because it was found on bottom of ocean.
[The have reached the Stargate and are looking at the pieces of equipment arrayed around it.]
DANIEL
Are there any grown-ups around that we could talk to?
RUSSIAN OFFICER
Speaks something insulting in Russian.
DANIEL
Says something also insulting.
CARTER
(distracting them)
Boys, we need power.
RUSSIAN OFFICER
What you see now is emergency batteries. We lost main power to facility over three hours ago.
DANIEL
O-okay, we understand that, but we've come a very, very long way to use this device.
RUSSIAN OFFICER
I cannot give you what I do not have.
[They hear a high-pitched sound of something approaching.]
DANIEL
What was that?
CARTER
It sounds like a ship. Al'kesh?
EXT—RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE, NIGHT
[An Al'kesh uncloaks and lands on top of the facility. It extends a shield around the facility.]
INT—RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE
[Debris falls down where the ship has landed.]
MITCHELL
And it's landing on the roof. Just great.
RUSSIAN OFFICER
We must get out of here.
MITCHELL
Hey, your weapon.
[He hands Mitchell a machine gun. Carter pulls her handgun. They run to the sound of where the ship landed. Rings activate inside the facility, depositing Teal'c and two Jaffa in the room. Teal'c moves out alone. He comes around a corner, where Mitchell is waiting on some steps.]
MITCHELL
(aiming at Teal'c)
Hands up.
[Teal'c raises his Zat. Nearby Carter pulls her weapon on the other two Jaffa, who begin to draw their weapons.]
CARTER
Don't.
[Daniel steps up to cover them also with his own handgun.]
MITCHELL
Teal'c?
TEAL'C
How do you know my name?
MITCHELL
I can do better than that. You're from Chulak, your best friend goes by the name of Bra'tac, and you're the First Prime of… Jackson, whose mark is that?
DANIEL
Ba'al.
MITCHELL
What did he promise to win you over?
TEAL'C
The freedom of my people.
MITCHELL
I'll give him credit for knowing which button to push.
TEAL'C
Ba'al is dead. Slain by his queen.
DANIEL
Oh, don't tell us. Qetesh.
TEAL'C
(surprised)
Indeed.
DANIEL
Why?
TEAL'C
That is none of your concern. Allow us passage through the Chappa'ai, and your lives may be spared.
MITCHELL
Or, you tell us what you're up to, and your lives will be spared.
TEAL'C
My only concern is my mission.
MITCHELL
Which is?
DANIEL
To avenge Ba'al's death. The final task of a First Prime.
TEAL'C
(surprised again)
Indeed.
MITCHELL
Well, that sounds great. We'll help out, right guys?
CARTER
Sure, why not.
DANIEL
I'm not busy.
MITCHELL
Let's do it.
TEAL'C
I do no require your assistance.
[The building shakes and there is the sound of energy weapons striking it.]
EXT—RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE, NIGHT
[The base is under attack from space. The shield limits the damage that comes through.]
INT—RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE
TEAL'C
My ship has been detected. Its shields have been extended to protect this building and the Chappa'ai, but it will not hold for long.
MITCHELL
What do you say we all get out of here?
[They face each other off for some tense moments as the building shakes.]
CARTER
(commandingly)
We can all die here when that shield fails, or we can go through the gate together and continue this discussion on the other side. It's up to you.
[Teal'c lowers his zat, and Mitchell lowers his gun. Teal'c holds up a small device, the same that Ba'al used on the Achilles.]
TEAL'C
This device will power the Chappa'ai.
[They all start walking toward the gate.]
MITCHELL
I like that. No hesitation.
[Debris starts to fall onto the gate. Teal'c reaches it and places the portable DHD on it. He dials an address, and the gate starts spinning.]
EXT—RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE, NIGHT
[The attack proceeds with more intensity.]
INT—RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE
[The gate activates.]
MITCHELL
Let's go. Go!
[The all run up the small ramp into the wormhole just as the energy blasts penetrate the shield into the building.]
EXT—WORMHOLE TRAVEL
INT—TIME MACHINE ROOM ON PRAXYON
[As soon as Mitchell comes through the gate, Teal'c takes his gun and pulls his zat on him.]
TEAL'C
Give me a reason I should not kill you where you stand.
MITCHELL
Because, you're a good man.
[Teal'c brushes him off angrily.]
MITCHELL
Because, somewhere, deep down, you realize we're supposed to be on the same side.
[Teal'c aims the zat at Mitchell's head.]
CARTER
Because we can offer you the freedom of your people.
[This gets Teal'c's attention. Carter and Daniel are also covered by Teal'c's Jaffa.]
MITCHELL
Really?
CARTER
This is Ba'al's failsafe. It has to be. I think this whole place is his time machine.
[Teal'c deactivates his zat. He looks around the cavernous space. There are three platforms separated by walkways from a central core device of some sort. There is open space above and below the assembly. One platform holds the gate, one a ring platform, and one a control console. As Teal'c walks along, the walkways light up. Daniel steps close to Teal'c.]
DANIEL
Teal'c, you have to understand, in the timeline we just came from, the Goa'uld are defeated and the Jaffa are free. Now, Ba'al used a machine to go back in time and change all of that. He made you his First Prime and Qetesh his queen so he could control you.
TEAL'C
This is the secret for which Ba'al was murdered.
MITCHELL
So that's why you think Qetesh is on her way here? She wants to use this device for herself.
TEAL'C
That cannot be allowed to happen.
MITCHELL
See? We agree about everything.
CARTER
Teal'c, if you let us use this device, we can return history to the way it was meant to be.
TEAL'C
The Goa'uld will be gone?
[Carter nods.]
TEAL'C
My people will be free?
DANIEL
You have our word.
[Teal'c looks at each of them.]
TEAL'C
Let it be done.
[Carter rushes to the control console. There is a light blue globe at the center of it.]
CARTER
It'll just take me a few minutes to figure out exactly how it works.
TEAL'C
That may be all the time we have.
(handing Mitchell his machine gun)
By my reckoning, Qetesh will be here at any moment.
MITCHELL
Thank you.
[All three are now at the console.]
MITCHELL
Well, you heard the man.
[Lights move over the sphere. Suddenly a representation of the Milky Way appears at the top of the tower core. May stars are visible in the gases.]
CARTER
There must be satellites orbiting every one of these stars. There's hundreds of them, each sending real-time telemetry back to this computer through sub-space.
MITCHELL
Exactly how does that add up to a time machine?
CARTER
(pushing on the globe)
They're looking for something specific.
[One of the stars grows into a sun and speeds down to float above them where they can see it up close. Readings appear next to it.]
DANIEL
Solar flares.
CARTER
Exactly. Until now, other than Ancient technology, the only way we know of traveling backward and forward through time is to pass through a wormhole as it intersects the magnetic field of a solar flare. Now with enough satellites and enough computing—
MITCHELL
Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's brilliant. Which button do we press?
DANIEL
Yeah, I think it's a little more complicated than that.
[The sun disappears.]
CARTER
Actually, not much. We just need to choose a time and place sometime before Ba'al can put his plan into motion.
[Rings descend onto the ring platform.]
TEAL'C
They are here.
[The Jaffa prepare to fight.]
MITCHELL
(urgent)
Sam.
CARTER
Well, if you want to go back to the Cretaceous period, we can go right now, otherwise we have to wait for a flare capable of sending us back to a time and place that's a little more useful.
[Mitchell hands a pistol to Daniel, who takes aim at the Jaffa arriving on the platform. Mitchell, Daniel, Teal'c and his Jaffa begin firing on the Jaffa while Carter works on the device. The dispatch the first group of Jaffa. A second group arrives immediately and the battle continues, Mitchell firing his machine gun, and Daniel two pistols. Two of Teal'c's Jaffa are taken out. Another sun descends above Carter, the disappears. A third group of Jaffa arrive by the rings.]
DANIEL
Sam!
[She throws him her pistol, which he begins firing. Another sun appears in front of Carter.]
CARTER
I've found one, but you're not going to like it!
MITCHELL
Why not?
CARTER
It'll send us back to 1929.
MITCHELL
That's ten years too soon!
DANIEL
Well, it'll have to do, because I'm just about out of bullets—
[Daniel is hit by a staff blast in the abdomen and falls over the edge of the platform. Carter stares for a moment in shock, then keeps working, Mitchell and Teal'c keep firing.]
CARTER
Once I dial the Stargate, we'll have less than twenty seconds to get through!
[She initiates the dialing.]
MITCHELL
Dial it up and get your ass down here!
[More Jaffa arrive. One takes aim and shoots Carter in the back.]
MITCHELL
Carter!
[The gate activates.]
MITCHELL
Teal'c!
[Mitchell drops his weapon and runs for the wormhole. Before he can follow, Teal'c is hit by three blasts and falls to the floor. Qetesh arrives by ring, alone. She surveys the bodies, then notices Teal'c is still alive, lying against the steps to the core.]
QETESH
Teal'c.
[She approaches him and laughs.]
QETESH
You are the most…
(crouching beside him)
stubborn Jaffa I have ever known. Perhaps I shall choose you as my First Prime… after all.
TEAL'C
(with difficulty)
I… think not, Qetesh. I… die… free.
[He releases a hand grenade, lit in red light. Qetesh sees it but not in time to do anything about it. It blows up her and the entire time machine complex.]
EXT—ATLANTIC OCEAN, 1939
[The Achilles steams westward under a full moon. A crewman holding a lantern climbs the steps to the bridge and enters.]
CAPTAIN
(to helmsman)
Make your course three-five-zero.
HELMSMAN
Three-five-zero. Aye, Captain.
BOSUN
We'd be in Boston right now if we weren't zigzagging all over the bloody Atlantic.
CAPTAIN
You'd rather make it easy for the U-boats?
BOSUN
We're not at war, yet.
[The ship vibrates, shaking a cup of coffee on a table.]
CAPTAIN
Check to see the cargo's secure.
BOSUN
You're never going to tell me what it is, are you?
CAPTAIN
If I knew myself.
[The bosun leaves as ordered.]
INT—CARGO HOLD OF ACHILLES
[The bosun enters the hold shining his lantern. The sounds of chevrons locking is heard. The Stargate is once again contained in a wooden crate. A man crouches to one side of the gate, holding a machine gun. He looks like the Captain in the darkness, but on closer inspection, the man is younger. It is Mitchell.]
BOSUN
Captain?
MITCHELL
We're about to be boarded.
BOSUN
(surprised)
Boarded?
MITCHELL
(pointing to other side of gate)
Get over there.
BOSUN
How?
MITCHELL
Don't shoot until I do.
[They move to either side of the gate, behind crates.]
MITCHELL
(gesturing)
Back up… Down.
[The settle into positions behind cover such that they can aim at those coming through the gate, and prepare their weapons to fire.]
EXT—OCEAN BESIDE ACHILLES
[The wormhole establishes, blowing a hole in the side of the ship, above the waterline.]
INT—CARGO HOLD OF ACHILLES
[The bosun looks at the active gate. As before, a ramp falls through to rest on top of the crates. Mitchell aims his rifle. Two Jaffa come through the gate. Mitchell and the bosun take them out. Ba'al comes through the gate, smiling until he sees Mitchell, then stopping in shock. Mitchell shoots him in the forehead and he falls. A Jaffa comes through the gate, holding the bomb. The bosun takes him out. The gate shuts down. By now the Captain has arrived in the hold. The bosun stares between between the Captain and Mitchell.]
CAPTAIN
Who are you?
MITCHELL
Well, you might say I'm a friend of the family.
CAPTAIN
What happened here?
MITCHELL
Well, that could take a while to explain.
[The Captain steps up to Mitchell's side, and the both look out onto the ocean through the hole in the hull.]
TOK'RA EXTRACTION PLANET, PRESENT DAY
INT—TOK'RA EXTRACTION CHAMBER
[All is as it was before Ba'al killed O'Neill.]
TOK'RA ELDER
Begin the extraction process.
[The extraction needle moves down its track toward Ba'al's head. The needle enters his head. He screams. Vala looks on in horrified sympathy. The symbiote is transported into the container behind the needle. The device moves away from Ba'al's host, who slumps unconscious. The Tok'ra elder removes the tank and holds it up to the audience.]
TOK'RA ELDER
Behold! The last of the System Lords!
[He throws the tank to the floor, where it breaks. The symbiote slithers out of it, moves and screeches a bit, then dies. SG-1 and O'Neill look on with interest.]
MITCHELL
I guess that was worth seeing.
DANIEL
What? That's all you have to say?
MITCHELL
Well, you guys made it out like it was this big deal. I expected something more spectacular.
O'NEILL
Nope. That's pretty much the extraction ceremony, right there. Yup. So, lunch, anyone?
[No one responds.]
O'NEILL
I'm buying.
MITCHELL
I'm in.
CARTER
Actually, sir, I was hoping that we could go over the plans for the new moon base.
O'NEILL
What moon base?
[They start to walk away, but Vala hesitates, looking at Ba'al's host, who is being released from the restraints. He is again conscious.]
VALA
You know, I think I might stay awhile and, um… help him through this.
DANIEL
Yeah, I thought you might. Have fun.
VALA
Thanks.
[Daniel and Teal'c resume walking.]
DANIEL
He's in for an interesting afternoon.
TEAL'C
Indeed.
EXT—CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN COMPLEX, DAY
INT—SGC LOCKER ROOM
[Mitchell, Teal'c, and Daniel change into their civilian clothing, Mitchell finishing last.]
DANIEL
What do you think Ba'al was talking about when he said, "You've all made a terrible mistake?"
TEAL'C
We shall never know.
MITCHELL
I know I ain't gonna worry about it.
DANIEL
I was just thinking, what if he really wasn't the last one?
MITCHELL
He was the last one.
DANIEL
As far as we know.
MITCHELL
Yeah, as far as we know, but you can't obsess about this stuff.
DANIEL
Yeah, you're probably right.
MITCHELL
I know I am. Come on, let's go. When was the last time General O'Neill bought lunch?
DANIEL
Good point.
[Teal'c and Daniel step away from their lockers. Mitchell grabs his jacket and shuts the locker door hard, such that it pops back open. Inside the door is a picture of his past self next to the Captain of the Achilles, unlike the solo picture that was there in the original timeline.]
FADE OUT
END CREDITS
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--Michelle 13:17, 21 September 2008 (PDT)