Transcript

Summary | Analysis | Production | Transcript | In the Making | Review

Carter and Teal'c go in search of the Asgard to try and save Colonel O'Neill, but discover that the Asgard's enemy has returned with a vengeance. The System Lords seek an alliance with Earth against a common enemy.

EPISODE #801
ORIGINAL AIR DATE: 07.09.2004
SYNDICATION AIR DATE: 09.19.2005
DVD DISC: Season 8, Disc 1
WRITTEN BY: Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie
DIRECTED BY: Andy Mikita
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Transcript by Callie Sullivan
Edited by Deanna Moll-Landry

S.G.C. DANIEL'S OFFICE. Daniel is packing some books. Doctor Weir comes to the door.

JACKSON: Doctor Weir.

WEIR: Elizabeth.

JACKSON: Elizabeth. Almost ready. Can't believe we're finally going. I mean, I know I should have been ready a long time ago but I needed some ...

WEIR: The talks have stalled again.

JACKSON: You're kidding me.

WEIR: It's a complicated situation.

JACKSON: The Antarctic Treaty was established to promote scientific research in the area.

WEIR: With the interests of progress for all mankind, not just that of the United States. So argue the other eleven states, all claiming shared jurisdiction. I mean, Article 1 states quite clearly there can be no establishment of any military base, and no testing of any weapons. You saw first-hand how powerful the Ancient outpost is.

JACKSON: And so meanwhile Jack just stays frozen in a stasis pod down there? He sacrificed himself to save us -- all of us, not just this country.

WEIR: I know, but the scale of Anubis' attack makes covering it up tenuous at best. If we're gonna keep the entire world from finding out everything to do with the Stargate, we're gonna need the full co-operation of every government now aware of what's been going on. It's just gonna take more time.

JACKSON: And in the meantime, we just sit here and do nothing.

WEIR: I'm sorry, Doctor Jackson. (She turns and starts to walk away.)

JACKSON: Daniel. (Elizabeth stops and turns around again.)

WEIR: Daniel. (She walks away.)


S.G.C. BRIEFING ROOM. Doctor Weir is talking with SG-1.

CARTER: We use the Gate.

WEIR: It's not that we can't use it. Officially, all normal Gate activity will remain suspended. It will just be until the agreement for the Antarctic site is resolved.

CARTER: What does one have to do with the other?

WEIR: While we obviously still have full jurisdictional control over the Stargate, the President feels that ultimately how we proceed with operations here at S.G.C. will reflect on our international goodwill.

JACKSON: In other words, it's our political leverage in negotiations.

WEIR (insincerely): I would never say that.

CARTER: What about Colonel O'Neill?

WEIR: Look, I know what he means to the three of you. We all appreciate the sacrifice Colonel O'Neill made.

JACKSON: The Asgard can help him. Last time they were able to erase the Ancient knowledge from his mind before it killed him.

WEIR: We've tried contacting them. What do you suggest we do?

CARTER: You're aware of how we helped the Asgard trap the Replicators in the time dilation field on the planet Halla.

WEIR: Something to that effect, yes -- that was a couple of years ago, right?

CARTER: Basically we know that that trap is only gonna hold them for so long. Thor and the Asgard must be monitoring the situation. If we can get there, we should be able to contact them.

WEIR: Isn't the planet you're talking about in another galaxy?

JACKSON: Othalla.

TEAL'C: O'Neill used his knowledge of the Ancients to modify the Goa'uld vessel currently in our possession.

WEIR: According to your report, Major, that ship is capable of flying faster and farther than anything the Goa'uld have.

CARTER: Yes. I think it might just get us there.

WEIR: And back?

CARTER: That may be a problem. There's a good chance the trip will burn out the engines.

WEIR: OK, now that's a big problem. If you get there and it turns out you can't contact the Asgard?

CARTER: We're willing to take the risk.

WEIR: As admirable as that is, I can't let you do it.

TEAL'C: For what reason?

WEIR: Colonel O'Neill was able to fend off Anubis' fleet using the weapons from the Ancient outpost. Hopefully that will make the other Goa'uld think twice before attacking Earth in the foreseeable future but the truth is, we don't know if we're ever going to be able to use those weapons again. And if we can't, we're gonna need a new tactical advantage over the Goa'uld -- at least that's what the Pentagon tells me; and the modified cargo ship -- it's too valuable right now. I'm sorry -- request denied. (She stands up and leaves the room.)


S.G.C. WEIR'S OFFICE. Sam comes to the door and knocks.

WEIR: What can I do for you, Major?

CARTER: I want you to reconsider my request.

WEIR: I'm sorry.

CARTER: That cargo ship was modified using the knowledge of the Ancients. Now, there is no guarantee that anyone will ever be able to figure out how it was done.

WEIR: And as the most likely person on the planet to figure it out, are you saying that if I don't let you attempt to contact the Asgard, you won't even try?

CARTER (smiling sarcastically): I would never say that.

WEIR: Right now that is the most advanced piece of technology we have.

CARTER: If it weren't for Colonel O'Neill, we wouldn't have that ship. For that matter, we wouldn't even be here discussing this. (Elizabeth nods thoughtfully.)


S.G.C. CARTER'S OFFICE. Sam is talking to Teal'c.

CARTER: We got the co-ordinates from the Prometheus. Now based on the amount of time it took to get the modified ship from Taonas to Earth, I'm estimating our trip to Othalla from Earth will take roughly ten days. (Daniel comes in.)

JACKSON: Hey! So, uh, how did you talk Weir into letting us go?

CARTER: I didn't. I talked her into letting us go (indicating herself and Teal'c). You're staying here. (Daniel stares at her and Teal'c disbelievingly.) Daniel, even with the modifications to the ship there's no guarantee it'll get us there, and if it does there's a good chance it'll burn out the engines. The ship was never meant to fly at that speed which means, if we don't find the Asgard, we'll be stranded.

JACKSON: I know.

CARTER: We need you here. You're our best chance at deciphering whatever information's in that Ancient outpost.

TEAL'C: If we fail, you will be O'Neill's only hope.


HYPERSPACE. CARGO SHIP. Teal'c is sitting up front. Sam comes forward.

CARTER: Hey, Teal'c. (She holds up a sandwich.) Can I get you anything? I packed lots of turkey -- I know it's your favourite.

TEAL'C: Thank you, but I am not currently hungry. Have you been able to determine how O'Neill modified the engines?

CARTER: No. I'm just taking a break. I didn't think it would be easy, but at least it's a good way to pass the time. (She flinches.) I'm sorry -- have I been ignoring you? (She sits down.)

TEAL'C (smiling): I am fine.

CARTER: I thought maybe working on the engines would help take my mind off Colonel O'Neill ... which is kinda silly considering he's the one who modified them. Look, I know this plan isn't exactly foolproof. I have never plotted an intergalactic course before. I mean, if the co-ordinates are off by even one half of a percent we could wind up ten thousand light years from our destination. But still (she laughs nervously), tryin' to stay positive.

TEAL'C: I have the utmost confidence in your ability.

CARTER: I know. So, you wanna talk?

TEAL'C: Concerning what subject?

CARTER: I dunno. How's Rya'c?

TEAL'C: Fine.

CARTER: You still keeping in touch with Ishta?

TEAL'C: Indeed.

CARTER: Bra'tac?

TEAL'C: Bra'tac is well.

CARTER: C'mon, Teal'c, throw me a bone here!

TEAL'C: How is Pete Shanahan?

CARTER: He's fine. (She turns away, looking awkward.)

TEAL'C: Is not all well between the two of you?

CARTER: No! Everything's great. It's just -- as you well know -- it's not easy saying goodbye to someone you care about when you think there's a chance you may never see them again. I know that's a risk we take every time we step through the Stargate but ... still ... try to stay positive. (She pauses for a moment.) I'll get you a sandwich. (She gets up and goes to the rear of the ship. Teal'c opens his mouth to stop her, but then closes his mouth again and smiles.)


S.G.C. WEIR'S OFFICE. Daniel comes to the door and knocks.

WEIR: Daniel.

JACKSON: Elizabeth. Just wondering if you'd heard anything.

WEIR: They're still bogged down.

JACKSON: It's been over a week.

WEIR: Well what do you expect? A quick round of handshakes, champagne toast, seal the deal?

JACKSON: We were attacked from space by an armada of alien ships. If that doesn't get us past our distrust of each other, what will?

WEIR: You forget those alien ships were destroyed by a single weapon. I mean, that kind of power's gonna give anyone cause for concern.

JACKSON: Yup. Not that I want this to come off as an attempt to get rid of you, but, uh, isn't this sort of international negotiation exactly your area of expertise? (The Stargate starts to dial in. Alarms go off.)

DAVIS (over the tannoy): Unauthorised off-world activation!


S.G.C. CONTROL ROOM. Doctor Weir and Daniel come down the stairs and walk over to Walter.

DAVIS: We're receiving a signal. It's a text message. (Symbols start to appear on the screen.)

JACKSON: It's Goa'uld.

WEIR: What does it say?

JACKSON: Um, it's from one of the System Lords, Camulus, the Celtic god of war.

WEIR: I'm not familiar with him.

JACKSON: Um, we've never had any contact with him before. (He reads on.) Wow.

WEIR: Uh, yeah, of course, ‘wow'.

JACKSON: Sorry. It says he wants to arrange a meeting for the purpose of negotiating a treaty.

WEIR: A Goa'uld wants to arrange a treaty with us?

JACKSON: Not just one Goa'uld -- all of them. The System Lords. They wanna send representatives here.


HYPERSPACE. CARGO SHIP.

TEAL'C: We are preparing to emerge from hyperspace. (He puts on a headset similar to the one that Jacob wore in "Serpent's Venom".)

CARTER: As soon as we drop out I'll start broadcasting a signal. If the Asgard are monitoring the region, they should find us. (The ship comes out into normal space. Teal'c checks his headset.)

TEAL'C: Should we not be able to see the planet?

CARTER (nervously): Yes. (The ship vibrates.)

TEAL'C: We are experiencing the effects of an extremely powerful gravitational force.

CARTER: Something's not right. Teal'c, turn us around and get us outta here now.

TEAL'C: Hyperspace generator will not engage. Sub-light engines are at maximum, yet we are not moving.

CARTER: There's only one thing I know of that could create this kind of gravitational pull. (Exterior shot: behind the cargo ship, matter and light are spiraling into a black hole.)


S.G.C. BRIEFING ROOM. Doctor Weir is reading Daniel's translation of the Goa'uld message.

WEIR: You're sure this is an accurate translation of the message?

JACKSON: Pretty much.

WEIR: What do you make of it?

JACKSON: Well, to be honest I'm not sure what to think.

WEIR: The Goa'uld did come here once to negotiate a treaty.

JACKSON: Yeah, with the Asgard, not with us. Earth just served as neutral territory. For them to want to meet with us as equals is extremely unusual.

WEIR: Maybe we gained a bit of respect in their eyes.

JACKSON: Yeah, they must have heard what happened to Anubis. They couldn't defeat him, not with all their combined forces and we did it in a single day.

WEIR: Which may explain why they wanna come here.

JACKSON: Yeah -- to see how we did it.


SPACE. CARGO SHIP. Sam comes forward from the engine room.

CARTER: It's pretty much what we expected -- we burned out the hyperdrive getting here. (Teal'c takes off his headset.)

TEAL'C: That is most unfortunate.

CARTER: Even if it was working, it would have been very dangerous to open a window this close to the event horizon of a black hole.

TEAL'C: Are we that far off course?

CARTER: No! We came out of hyperspace right where we were supposed to. This just doesn't make any sense. Halla's sun wasn't nearly massive enough to collapse into a black hole.

TEAL'C: Yet that is what appears to be happening.

CARTER: I'll see if I can get a little more out of the sub-light engines. (She heads back to the engine room.)


S.G.C. Weir finishes a phone call in her office and comes out into the Briefing Room to join Daniel.

WEIR: The President has authorised me to pursue negotiations with the Goa'uld.

JACKSON: (without looking up from what he's reading): OK.

WEIR: You don't think I can handle it?

JACKSON: (looking up): I didn't say that, but, if I may, you don't sound all that confident.

WEIR: Well, as you said, I have brokered my share of international negotiations; this will just be my first interplanetary one.

JACKSON: The System Lords can't be trusted, either as a group or individuals. They're posturing egomaniacs driven by an insatiable lust for power, each one capable of unimaginable evil.

WEIR: See -- why should I be nervous?! Sounds like an average day at the United Nations. Look, I'm not afraid to admit that I need help. So what can you tell me?

JACKSON: The High Council of the System Lords is a rather flimsy coalition of the most powerful Goa'ulds in the galaxy who only co-operate when it suits them. Their numbers vary from time to time -- new ones rise up, old ones get knocked off. We think there's about a dozen right now. I've put together a summary of what we know.

WEIR: Alright. I assume I can't just open the iris and let the representatives just walk through.

JACKSON: No, that would probably be a bad idea. We should get them to meet us in a neutral location, preferably a planet of our choosing. Send a team, make sure they're unarmed and then escort them back.

WEIR: Good. Send the message. (Daniel doesn't look happy, but gets up to comply with her order.)


SPACE. CARGO SHIP. The ship is slowly being pulled backwards towards the black hole.

TEAL'C: We are now being pulled backwards. Advise that we divert power from the shields.

CARTER (in the engine room): Right now they're the only thing holding the ship together. Drop them and the gravitational fields will tear us apart.

TEAL'C: I do not believe there is any other choice. (Sam goes to a bank of crystals and takes one out.)

CARTER: Diverting power.

TEAL'C: We are now moving forward.

CARTER (closing the bank of crystals and running forward): It's not gonna be good enough -- we're losing hull integrity. (There's an explosion and air starts rushing around the ship. Teal'c jumps up from his seat.)

CARTER (shouting over the noise): We've got a hull breach! (The back of the ship starts to rip open. Instinctively Teal'c grabs hold of Sam and pulls her forward even though it won't make any difference. At that moment, a transporter beam engulfs the two of them and whisks them away and they reappear on ...)


THOR'S SHIP.

THOR: Greetings!

CARTER: Thor!

THOR: It is good to see you again, Major Carter, Teal'c.

CARTER: Likewise!

TEAL'C: Indeed. Your timing is impeccable.


S.G.C. DANIEL'S OFFICE. Doctor Weir walks in.

WEIR: So the Goa'uld have agreed to our terms for their travel here.

JACKSON: Yeah. I was just going over some research material on the delegates they're sending. Camulus is the one who sent the original message. Then there's Amaterasu, the Japanese sun goddess; and the last one is Lord Yu.

WEIR: Yu?!

JACKSON: Don't. Every joke, every pun, done to death, seriously.

WEIR: I just thought I remembered reading he was not himself, or something. Of course, for a Goa'uld, what that means exactly, I'm not sure. Please, continue.

JACKSON: Well, he no longer has the ability to take on a new host and it seems the regenerative powers of the sarcophagus are losing its effectiveness for him. Basically, he's suffering from old age.

WEIR: He's senile. Why did they choose him as a representative?

JACKSON: Well, his underlings may be doing a good job of covering for him.

WEIR: The other System Lords don't know.

JACKSON: The interesting thing is, Lord Yu is the one System Lord who opposed Anubis' desire to be reinstated to the Council after his banishment. (Elizabeth looks at him.) Long story. The point is that he fell out of favour when the other System Lords accepted Anubis back and he used his power to become an effective leader.

WEIR: So now that Anubis has gone, you think the balance of power shifted back to Yu.

JACKSON: On the bright side, out of all the Goa'uld, Lord Yu has been the most co-operative with us in the past.

WEIR: I thought you said none of them could be trusted.

JACKSON: Oh, they can't, especially not a ... crazy one.

WEIR: Huh -- that's the bright side?

JACKSON: More of a slightly less dark side.


THOR'S SHIP.

THOR: I am afraid I cannot leave this sector, Major, not at the moment.

CARTER: Thor, you're the only one who can save Colonel O'Neill.

THOR: As you have said, he is being preserved in stasis at the moment. I will be glad to return with you to Earth as soon as my mission here is completed.

TEAL'C: What is your mission?

THOR: I must wait here until I am certain the Replicators have been destroyed. You may have noticed that Halla's sun has collapsed into a black hole.

CARTER: Just before the back of our ship was torn off.

THOR: I'm sorry I did not reach you sooner. I was not expecting you.

CARTER: Yeah, you haven't been responding to our attempts to contact you.

THOR: I am sorry. Time/space distortions caused by the black hole have been interfering with my ship's long-range communications.

CARTER: Understandable.

TEAL'C: Indeed -- for some.

THOR: The time dilation field was only a temporary measure. We knew the time it would take for the Replicator humans to reach the machine would translate to less than two years outside the field. Therefore a more permanent solution was devised.

CARTER: So you collapsed the sun.

THOR: By artificially increasing its gravitational field, yes.

CARTER: That's ... pretty cool! (Thor calls up a computer image.)

THOR: As you can see, the planet has already broken apart. However, a large number of Replicators have managed to come together in a coherent mass that has yet to pass the event horizon.

CARTER: Well, even if they can withstand the gravitational force without being torn apart, there's no way they could ever ...

THOR (watching the screen): Interesting.

CARTER: What is it?

THOR: The mass of Replicator blocks have begun moving away from the event horizon.

CARTER: How is that possible?

THOR: They have the time dilation device. I do not know exactly how, but they seem to have used it to counteract the gravitational effects that should be pulling them in.

CARTER: Frightening -- not only that they can do that, but you don't know how.

THOR: I agree. (The computer shows the Replicator mass moving.) They are picking up speed. Scans indicate the blocks have formed together.

TEAL'C: Into what?

THOR: A ship. They are escaping. Their course indicates they are headed this way.


S.G.C. GATE ROOM. Weir is waiting nervously at the bottom of the ramp as the Gate dials. Daniel walks in.

WEIR: I thought you were going to stand me up.

JACKSON: Yeah, sorry. Heard anything from Teal'c and Sam?

WEIR: No. (The Gate whooshes.)

DAVIS (from the Control Room): Receiving a signal, ma'am. SG-7 reports that we have a green light.

WEIR: Open the iris. (The iris opens and Amaterasu, Camulus and Yu step through, accompanied by Oshu, Yu's First Prime. SG-7 follow behind.)

WEIR: Welcome to Earth. Allow me to introduce ...

CAMULUS (dismissively): We are not interested in your name.

WEIR (sarcastically): Really? I generally find it helps so much.

AMATERASU: We prefer to present our offer, so we can spend as brief a time as possible on this planet. (Elizabeth looks at Daniel, who smiles ruefully.)

WEIR (to the System Lords): Right this way. (She indicates the direction and they head out of the Gate room.)


THOR'S SHIP. The Replicator ship is still approaching.

CARTER: Have you ever seen anything like it?

THOR: No, and it is doubtful my ship's weapons will be effective against it.

CARTER: We should probably get out of here, then, huh? Can you jump into hyperspace?

THOR: We must clear the gravitational distortion field of the black hole first. (The Replicator ship fires part of itself towards Thor's ship.) They have fired upon us.

CARTER: Can it penetrate your shields?

THOR: It is more than likely. Brace for impact. (The Replicator weapon hits the ship.) The hull has been breached.

CARTER: Where?

THOR (checking displays): The damage is minimal. The projectile was likely composed of Replicators. They are not visible to my ship's scanners. This is how they have boarded Asgard ships in the past.

CARTER: Can you use the shields to prevent decompression in those sections?

THOR: Yes. (Sam and Teal'c go to one of the crates that Thor beamed over from the cargo ship, take out rifles and head off.)


S.G.C. BRIEFING ROOM. Camulus and Yu are seated on one side of the table, Daniel and Amaterasu on the other and Weir at the head. Oshu stands behind Yu.

CAMULUS: Your unexpected defeat of Anubis has created an unstable situation among the System Lords. In order to avoid open war, we came to an agreement to divide his territories and his armies evenly.

JACKSON: How civilised of you(!)

CAMULUS: Yes. Unfortunately, one of those among us has broken that agreement.

JACKSON: Oh, no, no, no, don't tell me, let me guess, it's, um ... (He drags out the suspense as long as he can but Amaterasu gets tired of waiting.)

AMATERASU: Baal.

JACKSON: (almost simultaneously): Baal!

CAMULUS: He was able to learn the location of the planet where Anubis was creating his Kull warriors.

JACKSON: Baal got there before you did and found a way to reprogram the soldiers to serve him.

AMATERASU: With those orac at his command, Baal has tipped the balance of power in his favour.

WEIR: Orac?

JACKSON: "Unspeakable."

CAMULUS: In battle, the Kull are far superior to the Jaffa. Already many among us have begun to speak of capitulation, much as they did with Anubis. If that happens, Baal will indeed be unstoppable.

WEIR: Well, this is all very interesting, I'm sure, but I fail to see what it has to do with us. (Yu beckons Oshu forward. Oshu leans down and Yu whispers into his ear. Oshu straightens up.)

OSHU: My master wishes to say it is well known the Tau'ri possess a powerful new weapon, something far beyond their current level of technology.

JACKSON: Yes, we used it to kill Anubis and destroy his fleet.

OSHU: By means of this weapon, Baal can be prevented from conquering the galaxy.


THOR'S SHIP. Sam and Teal'c are cautiously making their way through corridors. After a while they hear the all-too-familiar sound of Replicators. They move towards the sound but Teal'c is distracted by damage to the walls. Sam continues on alone and shortly afterwards we see Sam from the point of view of a Replicator moving up behind her. She finally hears it and turns towards it, but is transported away.

TEAL'C: Major Carter! (A Replicator is nearby. He shoots it, then speaks over comms) Thor, it is Teal'c. Major Carter was beamed away. Is she in your presence?

THOR: I did not do it. The Replicators must have her. (More Replicators appear. Teal'c shoots them all into bits. Outside, the Replicator ship goes into hyperspace. Teal'c goes to the bridge.)

TEAL'C: I have eliminated all of the Replicators I could locate.

THOR: There is no way of knowing if there are more. The Replicator ship has entered hyperspace.

TEAL'C: Can you follow?

THOR: Yes.


S.G.C. BRIEFING ROOM.

CAMULUS: If Baal defeats us, how long do you think it will be before he turns his attention to you?

WEIR: If he does, he'll suffer the same fate as Anubis.

AMATERASU: Perhaps, but there are other worlds in this galaxy without the luxury of such advanced defenses.

JACKSON: What are you talking about?

AMATERASU: We could not help but notice that the Asgard did not come to your aid when Anubis threatened your planet. In fact, we've heard nothing from the Asgard for quite some time now.

JACKSON: Really? That's odd, 'cause we talk to them all the time.

WEIR: The Asgard didn't come because they knew it wasn't necessary.

AMATERASU: Baal believes otherwise. He is convinced that the Asgard can no longer exercise power in this galaxy. He intends to take the planets protected under the Goa'uld/Asgard treaty for himself.

CAMULUS: If you do not help us stop him, millions of humans will die, and millions more will be enslaved.


THOR'S SHIP. The ship is now in hyperspace, following the Replicator vessel.

TEAL'C: Do you know its destination?

THOR: Before you destroyed them, the Replicators managed to access the ship's computer. They learned the location of Orilla, the planet where we are attempting to rebuild the Asgard civilisation. I assumed it would be their first target.

TEAL'C: What is your reasoning?

THOR: Orilla is rich in neutronium, which is a key element in Asgard technology. It is also essential for the creation of human-form Replicators.


REPLICATOR SHIP. Sam, disarmed, is in a room. She walks around cautiously and soon realises that the walls are made of Replicator pieces. She touches some of them, and a shape appears where her fingers touched. The shape distorts, and Fifth walks out of the wall.

FIFTH: Major Carter.

CARTER: Fifth!

FIFTH: I imagine you never expected to see me again. (He advances on her threateningly.)

CARTER (backing away): I'm sorry we left you behind, but we had to do it. We couldn't risk the others getting out. You know what they're capable of. I know you must be upset.

FIFTH: "Upset".

CARTER: We betrayed you. It must have hurt. (She reaches the far wall and can go no further.) See, that's the part of you that's most like us, the human part of you. I understand how you feel.

FIFTH: No you don't! You couldn't! But I promise you, you will. (He reaches out his hand towards her head. Sam grabs his hand to stop him, but his fingers elongate and plunge into her head.)


S.G.C. BRIEFING ROOM. The meeting is in recess and some food has been provided for the System Lords. Yu tries something, and spits it out in disgust. Meanwhile Weir and Daniel are talking in her office.

WEIR: How many planets are protected under this treaty?

JACKSON: Um, twenty-six. Twenty-seven if you include Earth.

WEIR: And what good is it if the Asgard aren't actually available to protect anything?

JACKSON: At one time they were -- more recently we've been trading on the threat, kind of a big bluff.

WEIR: Well, Baal is about to call the bluff.

JACKSON: Unfortunately there's nothing we can do about that. Earth is safe so long as the Goa'uld think we can defend ourselves.

WEIR: But that's a bluff too.

JACKSON: Yeah, more or less.

WEIR (sighing): When I was a kid, my dad used to have these weekly poker games. All I remember is smoke making my eyes water. I'm starting to wish I'd paid more attention.

JACKSON: I'm sure you've misrepresented the truth before in negotiations.

WEIR: Actually, no -- my job has usually been to get people to recognise the truth.

JACKSON: Well if they even get a hint of the fact that we can't use the Ancient weapon to defend ourselves, trust me, this game is over. Too dramatic?

WEIR: At this point, not for me.


THOR'S SHIP. The ship is still in pursuit of the Replicator vessel.

TEAL'C: How can we stop them?

THOR: My ship's weapons will not function in hyperspace, much like the shields. However, in close proximity, the self-destruct may be sufficient to eliminate both ships. I am sorry, but we have no choice. If the human-form Replicators reach Orilla, they will have the resources to replicate many thousands of times. We cannot allow that to happen.

TEAL'C: So be it.


REPLICATOR SHIP. Sam is experiencing a multitude of images flashing through her mind in rapid succession. Finally Fifth pulls his hand out of her head and she drops to the floor, gasping.

CARTER: Why are you doing this?

FIFTH: You think you deserve better?

CARTER: You can see my thoughts. You know I didn't wanna do it.

FIFTH: I suppose in a way I should thank you. It was because of what you did to me I came to realise my full potential. I am more human than the others. At first I thought it was weakness, but now I see it makes me capable of so much more.

CARTER: Fifth, please!

FIFTH: My brothers and sisters will devour entire civilisations in order to replicate, but they will know nothing of cruelty, or betrayal, or revenge. Not like us. Isn't that right, Major Carter? (He moves his hand towards her head again.)

CARTER (terrified, pleading): No.


S.G.C. BRIEFING ROOM. The meeting has resumed.

WEIR: We appreciate you bringing us this information, but it doesn't change the fact that we can't get involved in any internal Goa'uld dispute, and if Baal tries to attack any of the protected planets, he'll suffer the consequences.

CAMULUS: Unfortunately, we do not share your faith in the Asgard. We must stop Baal before it comes to that.

WEIR: You'll forgive my bluntness, but that's not our problem. (Yu slams his hand down on the table angrily.)

YU: Enough! With each passing moment, Anubis grows more powerful! (Everyone looks uncomfortable.)

JACKSON: (awkwardly): You mean Baal.

OSHU: My master is fatigued. We request a short adjournment.

YU: Silence! I need no adjournment.

CAMULUS (to Weir): We know you have a formidable new defensive weapon, but with it you must wait for your enemies to come to you, and that can be dangerous. What if an enemy were to devise a means of defeating this weapon?

WEIR: What exactly are you offering?

CAMULUS: Hyperdrive engines.

AMATERASU: We know you have battleships that are not capable of interstellar travel.

CAMULUS: We are offering you a means of producing a fleet of ships as advanced as the Goa'uld Ha'tak vessels. You could take the fight to the enemy.


THOR'S SHIP. The ship has almost caught up with the Replicator vessel.

THOR: We are almost in range ... (On the screen, it shows his ship getting closer and closer.) Now. (He activates the self-destruct but the power goes down momentarily before resuming.) We are slowing down. Something is interfering with the controls. (He checks his read-outs.) The auxiliary control console outside the engine room. (Teal'c picks up his rifle and heads out.)


S.G.C. BRIEFING ROOM.

WEIR: Your offer is very generous, but I'm afraid we're going to have to decline.

CAMULUS: You would be able to uphold the Protected Planets Treaty with or without the aid of the Asgard.

JACKSON: How many hyperdrives are you willing to give us?

AMATERASU: How many ships can you build?

JACKSON: I think the real question is: how many ships do you have? I mean, if we're gonna enforce this treaty ourselves, we need to build enough ships to match any fleet that would oppose us.

CAMULUS: We are not at liberty to disclose such information.

WEIR: Well then, this discussion is over.

AMATERASU: How can you blindly reject such an offer?

WEIR: Because we're not about to fight your battles for you in exchange for a couple of hyperdrive engines that may or may not do us any good in the long run, and especially since we already have that technology at our disposal. (Camulus looks startled.)

CAMULUS: You have viable hyperdrive technology?

WEIR: Yes, we do, and with the help of the Asgard, we are in the process of implementing it right now. So, thank you very much. (She stands.)

AMATERASU: This Ancient weapon: such an advanced piece of technology. The power requirements must be enormous. Even simple maintenance must be extremely difficult, given your limited capabilities.

WEIR (sitting down again): We manage.

AMATERASU (insincerely): Of course, we believe you. (She looks at Camulus.) But I wonder what Baal would think if he were to receive intelligence that the weapon was temporarily out of commission.

CAMULUS (to his fellow System Lords): Hmm. He would come to this world to claim it for himself. The Tau'ri would be forced to destroy him.

AMATERASU: And we would have to give them nothing.

JACKSON: Oh, come on! Baal would never fall for that. He knows how desperate you are. I think he might find this information a little bit convenient ...

CAMULUS: Perhaps, but you leave us few options.

WEIR: OK, we'll do it.

JACKSON: We will?!

WEIR: In exchange, we want Baal's territory.

CAMULUS: What do you mean?

WEIR: Well that's the way it works, right? When one System Lord kills another, he takes over his armies, his fleet, his planets. That's what we want -- everything in Baal's possession.

AMATERASU: You cannot be serious.

WEIR: If we're gonna be the ones who destroy Baal for you, why should we settle for anything less?

CAMULUS: Preposterous. We can't accept those terms.

WEIR: Take it or leave it.

CAMULUS: We must send a message to the other System Lords to advise them of the current situation.

WEIR: Go ahead. (She stands and leaves the room.)


THOR'S SHIP. Teal'c destroys a final Replicator.

TEAL'C (over comms): The problem has been eliminated.

THOR: Unfortunately the Replicators are now beyond our reach. We are too late to stop them from reaching the new Asgard homeworld.


S.G.C. WEIR'S OFFICE. Weir and Daniel are talking.

JACKSON: I guess you did learn something from your father's poker games.

WEIR: Always bet big when bluffing?

JACKSON: I just didn't know you were looking to become a System Lord.

WEIR: I just had to do something to keep them talking. It looked like they were going to try and draw Baal here no matter what we said.

JACKSON: You can be pretty sure they're not gonna agree to our terms.

WEIR: I know. (She sighs.) We may have to revive Colonel O'Neill.

JACKSON: (clearing his throat): What?!

WEIR: If they suspect we're bluffing, they'll come here and take the weapon for themselves. If they don't, they'll trick Baal into coming. Either way we may actually have to use that weapon again, to defend this planet.

JACKSON: We don't even know if there's enough power to fire another shot.

WEIR: I know.

JACKSON: If you try to revive Jack without the Asgard standing by, it'll kill him. In fact, he'll probably die before he can do anything to help us. (Walter knocks on the door.)

DAVIS: Doctor Weir. (He hands her a disc.) It's a copy of the message the Goa'uld sent back to the System Lords. It's coded. (Elizabeth hands the disc to Daniel.)

WEIR: We need to know what they're thinking.


THOR'S SHIP.

THOR: I have managed to send advance warning to Orilla. By providing them with the Replicator ship's course and speed, they should have a fair approximation of where it will drop out of hyperspace. What ships we have available will be waiting in ambush.

TEAL'C: You believe the Asgard ships can destroy the Replicators before they can raise their shields.

THOR: They will only be defenseless for a few moments, but if my calculations are accurate, that should be sufficient.


REPLICATOR SHIP. Again Sam is being tormented with images. As Fifth pulls his hand out of her head, she collapses to the floor sobbing.

CARTER: Stop it, please!

FIFTH: Why should I?

CARTER (tearfully): You can't change what happened. Is this making you feel better? I never intended to abandon you.

FIFTH: But you did. You gained my trust, then you used me and left me behind.

CARTER: It wasn't my decision.

FIFTH: You could have come back for me.

CARTER: There was no time!

FIFTH: Time! Thanks to what you did, I had plenty of time to think about what a fool I was.

CARTER: I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what we did to you.

FIFTH: Yes, you are now.

CARTER: Part of being human is having compassion, learning to forgive.

FIFTH: Yes. I'm not there yet. I need more time. (He reaches out his hand ready to plunge it into her head again. Sam flinches, sobbing in fear and pain. His hand stops just before it reaches her head and he hesitates for a moment, looking confused, as Sam continues to weep. Then he reaches out slowly and gently cradles her head in his hand, stroking her hair.)


S.G.C. DANIEL'S OFFICE. Weir comes in as Daniel works on the translation of the System Lords' message.

WEIR: Progress?

JACKSON: Yeah, it's basically a confirmation of what we suspected. They think we're bluffing but have no way of confirming their suspicions, so they're not sure what to do.

WEIR: They could still try and draw Baal here, let him figure it out for them.

JACKSON: Yeah, that's dangerous for them, because if we can't power the weapon ...

WEIR: ... which we can't ...

JACKSON: ... Baal would end up with both Earth and the Ancient outpost in his possession. (Alarms go off.)

DAVIS (over tannoy): Unscheduled off-world activation. (Elizabeth goes to the nearest phone and dials.)

WEIR: This is Weir, what's happening? ... OK, we'll be right down. (She hangs up and turns to Daniel.) Our guests just got a response.


THOR'S SHIP. An Asgard appears on the communications screen.

AEGIR: Commander Thor, this is Aegir of the Valhalla. We have assumed defensive positions and are awaiting the target ship.

THOR: Understood. (The Replicator vessel comes out of hyperspace to find a fleet of Asgard ships waiting for it. They open fire immediately and the ship disintegrates.)

AEGIR: The enemy ship has been destroyed. (Teal'c stares at the view screen, mourning the loss of his colleague and friend.)

THOR: I am sorry, Teal'c.


S.G.C. CONTROL ROOM. The Gate is dialing out. Daniel comes in and goes over to Walter.

JACKSON: I need to see the most recent message they received. (Walter calls up the information.)


S.G.C. GATE ROOM. Weir is with the System Lords.

WEIR: It's unfortunate you're being recalled. I thought we were making such good progress.

CAMULUS: Your demands were ridiculous. We had no choice but to terminate negotiations.

WEIR: Well, give my regards to Baal. (She walks away from him. Camulus smiles smugly as the Gate whooshes.)


S.G.C. CONTROL ROOM. Daniel finishes reading the message.

JACKSON: (to Walter): Shut it down.

DAVIS: What?! (Daniel walks round Walter and hits the button to shut the Gate down just as the System Lords reach the top of the ramp.)


S.G.C. GATE ROOM.

AMATERASU: What is the meaning of this?! (Daniel comes into the Gate room. Weir turns to face him.)

JACKSON: The second message. They've been recalled because the System Lords have decided to test our defenses. They're sending a ship to attack Earth. It'll be here within the hour.