STARGATE SG1
Episode 610
"CURE"
By
Damian Kindler
PANGAR (ALIEN PLANET)
We see several people working at what appears to be an archealogical
dig, including a blond woman. She looks off camera and begins
walking in that direction. The camera pans in the direction she
is walking to reveal a Stargate. There are four individuals standing
next to the DHD, waiting for something. One of them is wearing
what appears to be a military type uniform and is pacing slightly.
He looks directly at the man nearest him who is wearing a long
grey suit coat.
DOLLEN
"Calm yourself, Commander."
TEGAR
"We are about to meet an alien race
in person for the first time. If you
are correct, they are more advanced
than us and capable of being a significant
threat. That gives me good reason to
be on the highest alert."
He turns to stand next to Representative Dollen. Several people,
including the previously seen blond woman are seen approaching
and standing behind them.
DOLLEN
"Since the discovery of the temple ruins,
we have had reason to believe that there
are other inhabited planets in the galaxy
and now finally, we have our proof.
I, for one, am relieved that the very
first contact that we have made is with
a race of humans that seem to be very
much like us."
TEGAR
"Maybe you trust them without suspicion,
but I cannot."
DOLLEN
"Nevertheless Commander, we must proceed."
The Stargate activates. All stand and watch with anticipation.
DOLLEN
"They are sending their most respected
team of representatives. No doubt, the
leader of this group will be a brilliant
and savvy negotiator."
TEGAR
"We must be at our best to match the
challenge."
DOLLEN
"Personally, I cannot wait to meet a
man of such genius."
Just then, Jack, Sam, Teal'c and Jonas step through the 'gate.
JACK
"Howdy, folks."
Dollen looks at them in their full gear, and his smile fades,
slightly. Jack smiles and walks toward them.
PANGAR
We see what appears to be a gondola platform overlooking a city
on a body of water. There are airships (derigible-type) flying
in the air. Next, SG-1 is lead into a Japanese style room by
Dollen. Someone is placing a tray of refreshments on the table.
JACK
"Nice."
DOLLEN
"Thank you, Colonel. We would be happy
to take you on a full tour of our city,
but first, we would like to spend a
little time talking about our mutual
interests. So, please, please, sit."
SG-1 takes a seat across the table from Dollen.
DOLLEN
"To be honest, we are still trying to
adjust to the fact that our...Stargate,
as you call it...is no longer a mere
relic of a bygone era."
TEGAR
"Obviously, it was quite a shock when
your communication machine appeared
last month."
SAM
"First contact can be somewhat unnerving."
DOLLEN
"Well, we are all very pleased to finally
get the chance to talk face to face."
TEGAR
"From our study of the ancient temple,
we have been able to deduce the Stargate
was an interplanetary transportation
device..."
DOLLEN
"...but we haven't determined how to
make a connection with the many worlds
described in the writings in the temple."
CARTER
"It took us a while to get the hang
of it too."
DOLLEN
"We know that the symbols on the Stargate
itself are the key, but as for the number
and sequence to enter in the dialing
device..."
JONAS
"We can definitely help you out there."
SAM
"Once we get to know you a little better."
DOLLEN
"Oh, yes, well, of course. We intend
to allow you full access to our...our
citizens, our history, our culture,
so that you may come to trust us."
JACK
"I hope we can reciprocate."
DOLLEN
"We also want to make it clear that
we intend to offer all that we can in
trade for any knowledge or technology
that you are willing to share."
A bottle of purple liquid is placed on the table in front of
Jack and Sam. They look at it and and each other. Sam gives a
cute little combination shrug and questioning look. Jack picks
up the bottle and looks at it.
JACK
"Qu'est-ce que c'est?"
DOLLEN
"We call it Tretonin, Colonel. It is
our greatest scientific discovery."
SAM
"How so?"
DOLLEN
"Major Carter, from what you have told
me about your world, your people suffer
from a myriad of illnesses. Many of
them are untreatable. Tretonin makes
our immune systems impervious to any
ailment. We live in perfect health."
PANGAR
We see Jonas and Teal'c walking among the ruins near the Stargate.
TEAL'C
"What is it you hope to achieve here,
Jonas Quinn?"
JONAS
"I figure if we're gonna learn about
these people, the best place to start's
at the beginning."
Suddenly, the blond woman seen earlier, shouts to them.
ZENNA
"Earthans!"
JONAS
"Uh, that's Earthlings." (then, quietly
to Teal'c) "...sort of..."
ZENNA
"I am Zenna Valk, supervisor of the
temple research project. It is a pleasure
to meet the explorers from the planet
Earth."
JONAS
"Well, we're not originally from there..."
TEAL'C
"...however, we have dedicated ourselves
to the cause of the Tau'ri." (Then,
when Zenna gives him an uncomprehending
look) "Earth."
ZENNA
"Am I at least correct in assuming you
are Jaffa?"
TEAL'C
"Indeed."
ZENNA
"I cannot tell you how exciting this
is. We have learned much from the discovery
of this site, but it must pale in comparison
to what you can teach us."
JONAS
"I don't know about that, but we'd love
it if you showed us around."
ZENNA
"By all means, that was my intention.
We first discovered these ruins over
a hundred years ago and since then,
we've dedicated ourselves to studying
the secrets the Goa'uld left behind.
This area was obviously some sort of
reception colonnade for greeting travelers
who came through the Stargate. The real
discovery was made just over here."
BACK IN THE NEGOTIATING ROOM.
Jack is holding up the Tretonin bottle.
DOLLEN
"Although we fully admit Tretonin is
not without side effects, we assure
you, the good it can do far outweighs
any negative aspects."
SAM
"What kind of side effects are we talking
about, exactly?"
TEGAR
"It depends on the individual. Most
people experience almost no reaction
to it. Those who do merely require more
regulated doses."
SAM
"We'll need a decent amount for testing..."
JACK
"...on Earth, of course."
DOLLEN
"Yes, certainly."
TEGAR
"Of course, we will need something in
return from you, as a measure of good
faith."
SAM
"We've been authorized to give you these
ten addresses and a rudimentary lesson
in 'gate technology. These are all peaceful
planets, safe from hostile forces, rich
with historical relics and natural resources."
DOLLEN
"Well, this is a very generous offer,
Major, very generous. However, based
on our own studies of the writings in
the temple, we have compiled a list
of the names of the worlds that we would
like to visit."
He hands a booklet to Jack and Sam.
JACK
"Do you recognize any of these?"
SAM
"Well, I'll have to cross-reference
the Goa'uld names with our database
of Stargate addresses, but off-hand,
I recognize these three, sir. They're
classified off-limits: Goa'uld homeworlds."
JACK
"Yeah, uh, fellas...you really don't
wanna go here. Not exactly a walk in
the park, you know what I mean?"
TEGAR
"We know the Goa'uld are a hostile race
that once ruled this planet centuries
ago."
JACK
"All right, you're new to this, so I'll
cut you a break..."
TEGAR
"Those are the worlds we wish to explore."
DOLLEN
"We believe that they are significant
to our history."
JACK
"Look, guys, we're not lying to you
about this...you don't wanna go there
first time out. Trust me."
TEGAR
"If you have been to these worlds and
survived, can we not?"
JACK
"All I'm tryin' to say to you is...it
would be stupid."
TEGAR
"We are aware of the risks and believe
the rewards are worth the potential
consequences, as you and your people
obviously do, Colonel."
DOLLEN
"Please, Colonel, in exchange for the
Tretonin, we are simply asking that
you respect our wishes."
BACK AT THE RUINS.
Zenna is still leading Jonas and Teal'c around.
ZENNA
"There is an underground tunnel system
that leads to the main temple."
TEAL'C
"It is most likely a means of escape
to the Stargate in case of an attack."
ZENNA
"That's exactly what I thought." (They
have reached the tunnel entrance and
she gestures for them to follow her
in.) "Please."
TIME JUMP
Inside the temple.
ZENNA
"The writing in this chamber seem to
tell the story of the Goa'uld who once
ruled here. We've been attempting to
decipher this section of the wall for
many months. Thus far, with limited
success."
TEAL'C
"It is written in a rare dialect of
ancient Goa'uld...an account of the
warlord Shak'ran."
JONAS
"He was a system lord who was eventually
defeated by Apophis about 300 years
ago."
TEAL'C
"Indeed. Until his defeat it appears
Pangar served as Shak'ran's homeworld."
ZENNA
"And what of the Goa'uld Apophis? The
one who conquered Shak'ran?"
TEAL'C
"He was killed in battle, not long ago."
ZENNA
"As I suspected, you have much wisdom
to share."
JONAS
"Teal'c and I'll be more than happy
to help you out with the translations.
I've got at least a dozen ancient ciphers
I can try..."
ZENNA
"Please...I do not wish to be overheard
by the Pangar security contingent. There
is something you need to know about
the Tretonin..." (Then she notices someone
coming.) "Please come with me and I
will finish showing you the rest of
the ruins." (The quieter, so just Jonas
and Teal'c can hear) "I will try to
talk to you later."
TIME JUMP
Outside the ruins.
Jonas and Teal'c are meeting up with Sam and Jack.
TEAL'C
"She said there was something we needed
to know about the Tretonin..."
JONAS
"...and she seemed to be worried about
these guys, like she was going way out
on a limb just talking to us about something
other than Goa'uld hieroglyphs."
JACK
"All right. You guys keep digging. See
what you can find. Carter and I'll take
this sample back to the SGC."
Sam and Jack separate from the pair and continue on.
THE TEMPLE CHAMBER.
Zenna is alone in the chamber. Jonas enters.
ZENNA
"Jonas."
JONAS
"Dr. Valk."
ZENNA
"Please, call me Zenna."
JONAS
"How's it coming?"
ZENNA
"It's slow and painstaking. Any help
you're willing to give me..."
JONAS
"Certainly, I brought those ciphers
I was telling you about." (He looks
around.) "Looks like we're alone."
ZENNA
"What do you suppose this means?"
JONAS
"You said that there was something we
needed to know about the Tretonin."
ZENNA
"I'm sorry, you must've misunderstood."
JONAS
"No, I think you were pretty clear."
(She looks at the door behind him.)
"No one's coming. Teal'c is up there
standing guard. You can talk to me."
ZENNA
"I don't have anything to say..."
JONAS
"Zenna! If you know something..."
ZENNA
"No, I don't!"
She breaks free and walks out of the temple. Outside, Teal'c
watches, surprised as Zenna rushes out past him. Seconds later,
Jonas follows her out.
JONAS
"That was strange."
TEAL'C
"What did Zenna Valk have to say?"
JONAS
"Nothing. Someone must've got to her."
PANGAR
Teal'c and Jonas are hanging out near Zenna's tent. Teal'c notices
Zenna leave and silently signals Jonas that it is time to move
out. Jonas tries to be sneaky and slips into Zenna's tent to
do some looking around. He looks at one book, replaces it and
then moves to another pile of books. He finds a map in another
book and snags it.
JONAS
"I think I've got something here. She's
on Tretonin herself; looks like she
has regular appointments to get injections."
TEAL'C
"Continue."
JONAS
"I was thinking we go and check out
the place they get their shots. I found
a map of the city. I'm pretty sure I
can get us there." (Teal'c nods.) "Let's
do it."
As they leave, the camera stays behind to reveal that Zenna has
overheard their conversation.
TIME JUMP
It's nighttime.
Jonas and Teal'c are sneaking into the Tretonin facility through
an underground tunnel entrance. They walk along with flashlights.
They come upon what looks like a lab. There are several bottles
on a table, some of which look just like the one give to Sam
and Jack.
JONAS
"Looks like this is where they actually
make the drug as well as administer
it."
TEAL'C
"This way."
They walk onto a catwalk suspended above what appear to be fish
hatchery-type tanks. Sounds of water can be heard.
JONAS
"What is it?"
TEAL'C
"I am not sure."
They continue along the catwalk.
JONAS
"Well, something tells me this isn't
the rec room."
TEAL'C
"No, it is not."
They come to a point where the catwalk turns at a 90 degree angle,
a corner, and peer over the rail into the water tanks below.
JONAS
"There's something living in there."
TEAL'C
"Goa'uld symbiotes."
JONAS
"Are you sure?"
TEAL'C
"Yes...and there are a great many."
JONAS
"What are they doing?"
GUARD
"Who's there? Identify yourselves!"
Suddenly alarms go off. Teal'c hears guards coming up behind
them and turns to take them on.
GUARD
"Stop!"
Teal'c fights with a couple of guards and another tackles Jonas
from behind. The railing gives ways and Jonas and his attacker
plummet into the tanks below.
JONAS
"Teal'c!"
Teal'c stops fighting and rushes to the corner to see Jonas in
the water below. He continues on the catwalk to find a way down
to the tank level. Meanwhile, in the tank, Jonas and the guard
stop fighting and look at the water around them. Jonas sees a
symbiote headed for him. He starts swimming toward the edge and
get there just as Teal'c arrives to help haul him out. The guard
is not as fortunate and as Teal'c and Jonas turn to try and help
him, he is dragged under the surface. All watch for a few seconds
and then the guard emerges and they help him out of the water.
Immediately, Jonas and Teal'c turn him over. An entry wound is
seen on the back of his neck.
JONAS
"He's got one in him."
TEAL'C
"Stand aside."
However, the guards who have gathered around him have other intentions.
They pull their arms.
GUARD
"Lower your weapon!"
TEAL'C
"This man is a Goa'uld."
JONAS
"Teal'c. Something's not right. This
guy's completely out of it."
GUARD
"Lower your weapon now!"
Teal'c reluctantly lowers the Zat.
THE PANGARAN NEGOTIATING ROOM, THE NEXT MORNING.
TEGAR
"Would you care to tell us what you
were doing at the Tretonin facility?"
JACK
"You wanna tell us why you have a pool
full of Goa'uld symbiotes?"
DOLLEN
"You have betrayed our openness with
you."
JACK
"Openness? You're raising Goa'ulds!
When were you gonna tell us that?"
DOLLEN
"The symbiotes are a critical component
to making Tretonin."
SAM
"Excuse me?"
DOLLEN
"It is a complicated process, one which
is better explained by our scientists.
Quite frankly, we intended to tell you
how the Tretonin was made, eventually.
We just wanted to first assess how you
might react."
JACK
"Not well."
TEGAR
"I don't know why you're taking such
offense. You've told us yourselves,
the Goa'uld are mortal enemies who have
enslaved countless humans. Where is
the harm in using them to enhance our
quality of life?"
JONAS
"Do you really understand the risks
involved?"
DOLLEN
"We have been using the same method
to produce Tretonin for nearly 30 years.
We take every precaution possible to
protect our people."
TEAL'C
"How were these symbiotes procured?"
JACK
"Yeah, for people who haven't mastered
'gate travel, you sure got a lot of
'em."
TEAL'C
"We would require answers before sharing
any further information about the Stargate."
TEGAR
"We have already told you everything
that is necessary."
DOLLEN
"Tegar, the Colonel is right. There
is no reason to keep more secrets."
THE TRETONIN FACILITY
SG-1 and Dollen are walking down a hall.
DOLLEN
"The drug was developed and is now manufactured
and administered here...and since it's
use has spread to more of the general
population, we've, uh, implemented other
treatment centers throughout Pangar
as well. Now, through here is the reason
we were able to create Tretonin in the
first place. The symbiotes were not
procured through 'gate travel." (He
opens a door and ushers SG-1 into a
room.) "Our symbiotes are all bred here
in captivity."
SG-1 are stunned to see what appears to be a Goa'uld symbiote
attached to a large womb in a tank similar to a fish tank. There
are wires attached to the womb portion which is fleshtone in
color and in stark contrast to the grey color of the symbiote.
The symbiote seems to look at them as they enter the room
TEAL'C
"A queen."
JACK
"No kidding."
A PANGARAN HOSPITAL?
We see the guard who was implanted strapped to a type of hospital
bed. A female walks by carrying a tray and the camera pans back
to reveal Dollen standing outside the room. He turns to Sam and
Jack.
DOLLEN
"Is there nothing you can do to help
him?"
SAM
"What's his condition?"
DOLLEN
"Well, his lower-brain functions seem
to be intact. His breathing and heart
rate are normal, but he is completely
unresponsive to any stimulus."
SAM
"It doesn't make sense."
JACK
"Teal'c?"
TEAL'C
"Prior to the process of incubating
Goa'uld symbiotes using Jaffa, the blending
between Goa'uld and host had only a
one-in-two chance of success. The Jaffa
were created for the very reason of
improving the ability of the symbiote
to take human hosts."
SAM
"So the fact that this symbiote was
raised in a tank could explain the coma-like
state?"
TEAL'C
"To the best of my knowledge, a failed
blending results in death to both Goa'uld
and host. This man is very much alive."
DOLLEN
"Our understanding is that this is a
typical reaction to contact with Goa'uld
offspring."
TEAL'C
"A Goa'uld offspring is born with the
intellect and knowledge of the queen
who bore it. Normally, the fully developed
personality would emerge, allowing the
symbiote to control the host immediately
upon blending. "
JACK
"Glowing eyes, cliché behavior, evilness,
that kind of thing."
SAM
"This one's more of a blank slate."
DOLLEN
"Is it possible that the production
and raising process has somehow hindered
the development of the symbiote?"
TEAL'C
"This I do not know."
SAM
"Colonel, I recommend we contact the
Tok'ra. They may have a deeper understanding
into this man's condition and in the
very least they may be able to take
the symbiote out of him."
DOLLEN
"Uh, I-I'm sorry. Who are the Tok'ra?"
SAM
"Uh, basically, they're an offshoot
of the Goa'uld who oppose them philosophically
in every way."
DOLLEN
"You propose to bring these Goa'uld
here?"
SAM
"They're very different. They co-exist
with their hosts in a much truer symbiotic
relationship." (Jack rolls his eyes.)
TEAL'C
"They are, in fact, allies."
DOLLEN
"And they can help?"
JACK
"We'll see."
ZENNA'S TENT
Jonas enters and knocks on something wooden.
JONAS
"Hi."
ZENNA
"Hello."
JONAS
"I have an admission to make. You know
Teal'c and I tracked down the Tretonin
facility."
ZENNA
"Yes, I heard."
JONAS
"Yeah. Well, I did it by goin' through
your stuff when you weren't here. I
was wrong..."
ZENNA
"I know..."
JONAS
"Well, you know it was wrong or..."
ZENNA
"I know what you did...I saw you."
JONAS
"Really? 'Cause I thought that we were...we..."
ZENNA
"...Not so good."
JONAS
"No?...but you didn't try and stop us..."
ZENNA
"No, I wanted you to know. In some ways
I'm glad you did what you did. In others,
I'm disappointed you were so willing
to betray me."
JONAS
"You know, I never would have done this
had you not come to me first."
ZENNA
"I should have told you outright. I
was afraid. Tretonin is not available
to everyone in Pangar yet. Taking it
is a privilege...on that can be revoked."
JONAS
"I hope I didn't get you in trouble."
ZENNA
"No, but our relationship, our people's
relationship, if we ever are to trust
each other...we're not off to a very
good start."
JONAS
"I know."
ZENNA
"You could make it up to me..."
JONAS
"How?"
ZENNA
"Help me finish the translations in
the tomb."
PANGARAN HOSPITAL
Malek and Kelmaa are examining the Goa'ulded guard.
KELMAA
"It is as though the symbiote within
this man has taken a host before it
was mature enough to do so."
MALEK
"And yet our scans indicate it to be
a full-grown adult. Most puzzling."
SAM
"Can you account for its lack of identity?"
MALEK
"As you know, memory is passed on genetically
by the queen allowing them to be born
with the collective knowledge of their
lineage."
KELMAA
"It is possible that the queen that
spawned him was unable to pass on this
information to her progeny."
JACK
"Unable?"
MALEK
"The knowledge imparted on her young
by a queen is done so voluntarily."
KELMAA
"In this case, if nothing were passed
on to this symbiote it would be, uh,
as you say, an empty vessel."
SAM
"Can you remove it without harming the
host?"
MALEK
"Possibly, although such a procedure
would be dangerous." (Turning to look
at Sam and Jack.) "We would like to
see the queen that spawned this Goa'uld."
THE QUEEN'S TANK ROOM
Sam, Jack, Kelmaa, and Malek are looking at the queen.
JACK
"Not a pretty sight, even for a Goa'uld,
huh?"
KELMAA
"She is extremely old."
MALEK
"She's been kept in this manner for
decades?"
SAM
"According to the Pangarans, they began
using her for medical experiments over
fifty years ago. She's been breeding
symbiotes to make Tretonin for more
than half that time."
JACK
"All right. Now, how is that possible?
I mean, how does she make kids without
a...man friend?"
MALEK
"Symbiote queens are able to fertilize
their own eggs. It is essentially an
asexual process."
JACK
"That why you guys take hosts?"
KELMAA
"It is impressive that a primitive human
culture could develop this process of
creating such a drug."
JACK
"Does it bother you at all that they
use Goa'ulds like this?"
MALEK
"No."
JACK
"Okay."
MALEK
"The Goa'uld have done no worse than
this to humans for centuries. That the
Pangarans can use them for a beneficial
result is surprising but not morally
objectionable to me, if that's what
you mean."
KELMAA
"I believe her condition is the reason
her offspring are not mentally developed.
Most unfortunate."
SAM
"What is it?"
KELMAA
"My scans indicate massive cellular
degeneration. Quite simply, she is dying."
SGC CONTROL ROOM
Dr. Fraiser and General Hammond are talking with Sam and Jack
via M.A.L.P transmission.
JANET
"I am sorry, Colonel. The Pangarans
totally sugarcoated the whole side effect
aspect of the drug."
JACK
"Well, that's a shock, isn't it?"
JANET
"While Tretonin does appear to cure
most diseases, it ultimately creates
far bigger problems than it solves."
SAM
"How so?"
JANET
"The drug acts like a symbiote in many
ways. Upon entering the user's bloodstream
it immediately takes over, completely
suppressing the normal human immune
system. The result is a powerful resistance
to disease."
SAM
"But..."
JANET
"The healing effect is not permanent
and the user's own immune system remains
suppressed. Basically, you have to keep
taking the drug for it to work."
SAM
"Considering how it's made, we'd never
create enough to sustain our population."
JANET
"I don't know how the Pangarans can
make enough for their population."
SAM
"They don't...only about 20% are on
it and they seem to be running into
a wall as far as production's concerned."
JACK
"They've sucked the queen dry, Doc."
SAM
"According to the Tok'ra, she's dying."
JANET
"As far as I know, there's no way to
reverse the drug's effects. If their
queen is dying, as you say, it's just
a matter of time before anyone currently
living off Tretonin will be facing death
as well."
JACK
"Okay?" (Sam nods - then he walks up
to the M.A.L.P, his face filling the
computer terminal.) "O'Neill out."
PANGARAN NEGOTIATING ROOM.
JACK
"So you wanted the 'gate addresses to
the Goa'uld worlds because you wanted
to snag another queen?"
DOLLEN
"Colonel, we have no choice but to replace
the one we have."
SAM
"Exactly, how did you get to this point?"
DOLLEN
"60 years ago, our archaeologists discovered
a secret chamber beneath the temple.
We found a sealed canopic jar containing
a living female symbiote, perfectly
persevered in stasis."
TEGAR
"From our study of the temple, we knew
the Goa'uld never suffered from illness
or disease. We saw this discovery as
an opportunity to learn why."
DOLLEN
"Of course, once the queen gave birth,
we immediately began experimenting on
her offspring's physiology, searching
for a way to mimic their seemingly perfect
immune system. After decades of trying,
we finally came up with Tretonin. It
seemed like a miracle at first."
SAM
"Couldn't your scientists foresee the
negative effects?"
DOLLEN
"Of course. What we couldn't predict
was our inability to refine the drug.
We were confident that we could solve
the problems if we limited the use,
but ultimately, we didn't see why we
shouldn't reap the benefits while working
to overcome the down side."
TEGAR
"We know the risks in confronting the
Goa'uld, but tens of thousands of lives
will be lost if we do nothing."
DOLLEN
"Perhaps, you could assist us. Now you
have faced the Goa'uld many times. Your
knowledge could give us a tactical advantage."
JACK
"No...there is no tactical advantage
when you're dealing with the Goa'uld.
We've stayed ahead of the game only
because we don't bite off more than
we can chew...usually."
SAM
"Besides, we need to get you off the
Tretonin, not find another source."
DOLLEN
"Our scientists have been trying for
years to find a way to reverse its effects.
We've made very little progress. We
need more time."
SAM
"...or...more help."
THE TEMPLE CHAMBER
Zenna, Jonas and Teal'c are working on translating the walls
of the chamber.
JONAS
"This is important to you. More so than
just curiosity about your history."
ZENNA
"As you now know, the Tretonin may not
be available to us for much longer...and
when we run out, those of us taking
it are going to die."
JONAS
"Not if we can help you find some kind
of antidote."
ZENNA
"Do you think that's possible?"
JONAS
"Anything's possible."
ZENNA
"If we could find a new queen..."
JONAS
"Long term..."
ZENNA
"I know it's not the answer, but it
could buy us a little more time...until
another option is available. This has
been my life's work...my father's life's
work."
JONAS
"Your father?"
ZENNA
"My father was the one who found the
jar that contained the queen. He was
attempting to remove a section of the
temple ruins for further study when
he literally stumbled into the chamber.
Of course, he had no way of knowing
that his discovery would...eventually
doom so many people."
JONAS
"The result...is not his fault."
ZENNA
"No."
Jonas turns to his right (he currently has his back to the wall
that Teal'c is working on) and looks at the wall at the back
of the chamber.
JONAS
"Teal'c." (He walks to the wall to get
a closer look.) "Didn't you say this
temple was built by Shak'ran?"
TEAL'C
"It was."
JONAS
"Then why does this section of the Fresco
mention Ra?"
Teal'c turns from his task to look at Jonas.
ZENNA
"Who's Ra?"
TEAL'C
"Ra was a powerful system lord, brother
of Apophis. He, too, is dead."
JONAS
"Well, according to this...Ra used to
live here."
A LAB
Sam and Jack are talking with Kelmaa and Malek.
KELMAA
We will examine the drug."
MALEK
"If it acts as I suspect, it may be
impossible to perfect as the Pangarans
would hope. The best we might be able
to do is essentially provide an antidote
that will allow their normal immune
systems to regenerate. They would not
possess the superior health that they
do now."
JACK
"And how long will it take to go from
theoretical to...enough for everyone?"
MALEK
"We can make no promises, Colonel O'Neill.
However, as you say, we are in your
debt. We will begin immediately."
THE TEMPLE CHAMBER
Zenna, Teal'c and Jonas are still talking.
TEAL'C
"It is possible that Shak'ran captured
this world from Ra in battle."
JONAS
"And built this entire temple on top
of whatever Ra had here before. It goes
on to say something about this being
some kind of prison...or, or tomb...
for one of Ra's enemies." (Jonas and
Teal'c look at each other.) "Wait a
minute..." (Jonas walks over near where
Teal'c has been working.) "... 'Here
lies Egeria, betrayer of the Goa'uld,
may she...suffer for all...eternity.'"
(He points to another symbol on the
wall.) "Egeria..." (He turns to look
at Teal'c and opens one of Daniel's
journals which he is carrying.) "Dr.
Jackson's notes mentioned her. Isn't
she supposed to have been killed?"
TEAL'C
"Indeed she was, but this would seem
to indicate otherwise."
JONAS
"That means..."
TEAL'C
"...the queen the Pangarans are breeding
is not Goa'uld. She is the origin of
the Tok'ra."
THE PANGARAN NEGOTIATING ROOM.
SG-1 are the only people present.
JACK
"This could be a problem."
SAM
"Are you sure?"
TEAL'C
"The writings in the chamber are extremely
clear."
JONAS
"From what we can piece together, Ra
used this planet as his base of operations
in this sector of the galaxy."
TEAL'C
"Centuries later, a rival Goa'uld named
Shak'ran captured this world in battle
forcing Ra to abandon it."
SAM
"The question is do we tell Malek and
Kelmaa?"
JONAS
"How can we not tell them?"
TEAL'C
"If we remain silent, the Pangarans
will continue to use Egeria as a source
for their drug until she is dead."
SAM
"And if we don't find a way to get them
off the drug, they're gonna die eventually,
anyway.'
JACK
"We have to tell them."
THE TOK'RA LAB
Sam and Jack have come to tell Malek and Kelmaa.
SAM
"Please understand, we had no idea who
she was until now."
MALEK
"It is hard to believe."
KELMAA
"Many of our historians speculated that
Ra did not kill Egeria, as was widely
believed, but...we never dared hope
that she would ever be found."
MALEK
"She must be freed immediately, of course.
Every moment that she is kept in this
condition is an affront to the Tok'ra."
SAM
"We're going to talk to the Pangarans,
now. It would help if you had something
to offer."
JACK
"Like, say...an antidote?"
MALEK
"Unfortunately, finding an antidote
to the Tretonin may be more problematic
than we had first hoped."
JACK
"And why is that?"
KELMAA
"There is something unusual about the
genetic structure of the symbiotes beyond
their lack of knowledge."
MALEK
"In fact, the Tretonin should be working
far better than it does and we're not
sure why it doesn't."
KELMAA
"We cannot seem to identify the defective
gene that is causing it's effects to
break down."
JACK
"But we can say you'll solve this eventually,
right?"
MALEK
"At this moment, all I can say is it
is a mystery."
JACK
"What, you're suddenly stumped?"
MALEK
"I understand the implication, Colonel.
This revelation about Egeria is in no
way affecting our analysis of the Tretonin.
As of right now, we cannot help the
Pangarans."
THE PANGARAN NEGOTIATING ROOM.
Dollen and Tegar Tegar are talking with Sam and Jack.
DOLLEN
"We could not have known. Surely the
Tok'ra don't hold us directly responsible."
SAM
"They're demanding the immediate release
of their queen."
TEGAR
"How could we? It would doom thousands
without a remedy."
SAM
"The Tok'ra have suffered great losses
in the last little while. Their number
are severely diminished. Restoring Egeria's
health may be their only hope of survival
as a people."
DOLLEN
"Have they made no progress at all in
reversing the effects of Tretonin?"
THE LAB
Malek, Tegar Tegar, Dollen, Sam and Jack are talking.
TEGAR
"I'm sorry, but you ask the impossible."
MALEK
"She is our queen. Her freedom is not
open for negotiation."
DOLLEN
"We deeply regret who she is, but freeing
her would mean death for many of our
people..."
TEGAR
"...unless, of course, you can offer
and alternative."
SAM
"Malek and Kelmaa are having trouble
locating a particular element in the
symbiotes genetic structure. Obviously,
until they do, the chances of synthesizing
an antidote are slim."
DOLLEN
"Then we have no choice."
MALEK
"You do not understand. Her existence
is a miracle to the Tok'ra. We are also
a dying race. You may lose thousands.
Our kind will become extinct."
EGERIA'S ROOM.
Just outside the door we hear a Zat blast and a grunt. Then the
door opens and Kelmaa walks into the room. Egeria immediately
looks toward her. Kelmaa approaches the tank, reverently and
sadly.
BACK IN THE LAB
TEGAR
"I am sympathetic to the Tok'ra, but
what you are asking of us would amount
to a holocaust."
MALEK
"She is a sentient being! Using her
in this manner is an insult to our very
existence."
Just then a guard approaches the Tegar.
TEGAR
"Someone has breached security in the
manufacturing wing."
All follow him to the manufacturing wing. They enter Egeria's
room to see Kelmaa's host laying on the floor and Kelmaa lying
beside her former host. Egeria's womb is still in the tank.
TEGAR
"What has she done?"
JACK
"Oh, is that...was that...?"
MALEK
"Kelmaa has given her life for our queen.
Her host belongs to Egeria now."
THE LAB\
Jack is looking in a microscope as Sam and Teal'c listen.
JACK
"I'll bet the Pangarans would give the
queen if the Tok'ra would hand over
the antidote."
SAM
"You think they know how to save the
Pangarans and are withholding a cure?"
JACK
"To get what they wanted, yeah, sure."
SAM
"Sir, with all due respect, I disagree."
JACK
"Carter...they're pissed off."
SAM
"Wouldn't you be? They just discovered
that the founder of their race has been
abused for the sake of medical experimentation
for over 50 years."
JACK
"Oh, c'mon Carter, face it. For all
their high morals and fancy preaching
about co-existing with humans, we are
just a...nice place to live."
SAM
"I don't think that they would just
lie outright and doom thousands of innocent
people."
JACK
"The Tok'ra laying on that table in
there just did."
Dollen approaches them.
DOLLEN
"Egeria has awakened."
MALEK
"Egeria, it is an honor."
EGERIA
"Rise, Malek. You are not my servant.
Kelmaa was generous in giving her life
to free me, but I am afraid it is to
late."
MALEK
"Save your strength, my queen. Your
people need you, now more than ever."
EGERIA
"Kelmaa's assessment of my condition
was correct, Malek. My time is almost
done. I shall not live long enough to
see more of my children. My host has
shared her knowledge of the Tok'ra with
me. You are beyond my greatest hopes
and dreams."
Malek looks up at Sam, Jack and Teal'c who are standing in the
doorway.
MALEK
"These are the Tau'ri who ally themselves
with the Tok'ra."
EGERIA
"I know." (Turning her head to address
them.) "Come forward." (Sam approaches
the bed.) "My host tells me you seek
to help the Pangarans despite what they
have done to me."
SAM
"This has all been a terrible mistake,
but not a malicious act."
EGERIA
"Not was mine, Major Carter."
THE PANGARAN RUINS.
Jonas approaches Zenna, who is sitting on a mound of dirt. He
takes a seat beside her.
JONAS
"You know, back on my home planet, my
people discovered a substance that had
an incredible potential to generate
energy. After years of research...and
a serious lack of moral fortitude...they
used it to make a bomb...that being
the reason I left. Well, the point is,
uh, your people had good intentions."
ZENNA
"We thought we had found a cure for
all disease. Now it may kill so many
of us. I am not afraid to die, but I
am afraid that my people will not have
learned from this."
JONAS
"I think they already have."
EGERIA'S ROOM.
EGERIA
"I passed on the flawed gene that gave
the drug it's weakness. You are unable
to construct an antidote because of
the manner in which I sabotaged my young.
I did it in the hope that they would
ultimately prove useless to the Pangarans.
I wanted to force them to abandon their
research once the drug proved untenable.
Instead, they continued to make it in
ever increasing quantities."
SAM
"And now, they can't live without it."
EGERIA
"It is not what I intended."
MALEK
"Their fate is their own doing, not
yours. You merely tried to free yourself
the only way you could."
EGERIA
"They do not deserve this end, not when
it can be prevented."
SAM
"You created the flaw. You can create
the antidote that will save them."
EGERIA
"I will tell you what you need to know."
DOLLEN
"Thank you. On behalf of our people,
please forgive us for what we have done
to you. Had we known..."
EGERIA
"The salvation of the Pangarans shall
be my final act. Such is the spirit
of Tok'ra that I wish to live on."
THE PANGARAN STARGATE
Malek and other Tok'ra carry a covered Egeria on a stretcher
into the Stargate and away from Pangar. SG-1 and several Pangarans
are gathered near the DHD.
SAM
"Malek says he should have a prototype
of the antidote ready soon."
TEGAR
"We are grateful for his efforts, Major,
and yours."
DOLLEN
"It is our hope, we will be able to
repair any mistrust that may have developed
between us so that we can pursue a long-lasting
friendship between our people far into
the future."
JACK
"Well said."
Sam moves to the DHD and begins dialing home.
THE END
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