STARGATE SG1
Episode 614
"SMOKE & MIRRORS"
By
Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie
SGC - JONAS' LAB
Jonas, Sam and Teal'c are watching a TV. Sam has the remote.
REPORTER
"The assassination of Senator Kinsey
has sent shock waves through Washington.
With his parties' national convention
just weeks away, the Senator was considered
by many to be their most likely choice
for second spot on the presidential
ticket. Political maneuvering..."
Jack walks in wearing civvies (a cream colored button down shirt
with sunglasses hung around his neck).
JACK
"Hey!" (All look at him, Sam hits the
mute button.) "I'm back. What'd I miss?"
SAM
"Sir, Senator Kinsey is dead. He was
shot."
JACK
"What?"
JONAS
"Yeah, it's been all over the news for
three days."
JACK
"I've been on vacation."
SAM
"It looks like it was a professional
hit. The shooter took him out from a
hotel room across the street and then
just disappeared."
JACK
"Any suspects?"
SAM
"Police aren't saying anything."
TEAL'C
"It is reasonable to assume that a man
in Senator Kinsey's position would have
a great many enemies."
Jack cocks his brow in a "well, you got a point there" kind of
look just as General Hammond enters the lab with a couple of
Sfs.
HAMMOND
"Colonel?"
JACK
"General..."
HAMMOND
"I'm sorry to have to this but these
men are here to escort you to Peterson.
From there you'll be flown to Andrews
and then turned over to the civilian
authorities in Washington."
SAM
"Sir, what is this?"
HAMMOND
"Colonel O'Neill is under arrest for
the murder of Senator Kinsey."
JACK
"What?"
SF1
"You'll have to come with us, sir."
JACK
"I don't think so."
HAMMOND
"Colonel..."
JACK
"General, I've been on vacation."
HAMMOND
"I believe you, Jack, but for the moment,
we're going to have to cooperate."
SGC - STAIRWAY TO THE BRIEFING ROOM
Sam and Hammond are walking up the stairs, followed by Teal'c
and Jonas.
SAM
"There's no way Colonel O'Neill could
have done this."
HAMMOND
"I'm aware of that, Major, but my hands
are tied."
JONAS
"How could they possibly think that
he's responsible? He wasn't even in
Washington."
DAVIS
"Actually...it looks like he was."
HAMMOND
"Major Davis is acting as liaison between
the Pentagon and the District Attorney.
He has a report for us. Major?"
They all take seats at the table and Davis fires up the presentation
screen.
DAVIS
"Thank you, sir. This was taken from
a security camera in a hotel across
the street from where the shooting occurred,
just a couple of minutes after it happened."
(He pauses the video on a shot of Jack
in the khaki pants and black shirt.)
"Now, the trajectory of the bullet indicates
that the shot did, in fact, come from
this hotel."
JONAS
"That doesn't prove anything."
DAVIS
"No, but based on this evidence, the
FBI attained search warrants to search
both the Colonel's house and his cabin.
They didn't find anything but one of
the neighbors told them that they saw
Colonel O'Neill dumping something down
by the lake. They sent down a diver
who...came up with this." (He opens
a folder and shows them photos of rifle.)
"Ballistics match it with the bullet
that killed Senator Kinsey. Well, I
don't know what else to say, sir. It's
certainly no secret that there was bad
blood between them."
SAM
"Oh, come on...they had a few run-ins.
That's hardly a motive for murder."
JONAS
"Okay, I've read the file on Kinsey,
but it is a little vague."
HAMMOND
"The Senator was involved with a group
of individuals who were unhappy with
the way Stargate Command was being run."
SAM
"They tried to blackmail General Hammond
into resigning. Colonel O'Neill found
evidence connecting Kinsey to their
illegal activities and threatened to
go public with it unless he got them
to back off."
JONAS
"So, technically, Kinsey was protecting
the SGC."
SAM
"True, but I don't think he was very
happy about it."
JONAS
"Still, that's not a motive to kill
the guy, that's a motive to keep him
alive."
TEAL'C
"Unfortunately, we can divulge none
of this information to the civilian
authorities."
HAMMOND
"Senator Kinsey was shot in broad daylight
on a public street in front of a dozen
civilian witnesses. If we tried to shift
this it a military court, it would be
a political disaster for the current
administration."
SAM
"With all due respect, sir, the current
administration owes a lot to the Colonel."
HAMMOND
"I'm aware of that, Major, as is the
President. Unfortunately, there's nothing
he can do for Colonel O'Neill at this
time. On the other hand, I'm not a politician.
Which is why I'm suspending SG-1's off-world
duties and assigning the three of you
to get to the bottom of this. You have
the full resources of this command at
your disposal."
SAM
"Thank you, sir."
HAMMOND
"Dismissed."
Hammond and SG-1 leave the briefing room. Davis remains at the
table, looking at the image of Jack on the presentation screen.
MILITARY INCARCERATION FACILITY
Jonas and Teal'c are in visitation room awaiting Jack's arrival.
Jack is brought in, hands chained together and chained to his
feet. He is wearing a grey prison uniform. He take as seat at
a table opposite Jonas and Teal'c.
JONAS
"Colonel...how are you...doing?"
JACK
"I'm accused of a murder I didn't commit.
How do you think I'm doing?"
JONAS
"When are you supposed to get transferred
to Washington?"
JACK
"Couple of days."
TEAL'C
"General Hammond has suspended our off-world
duties in order that we may investigate
this situation further."
JONAS
"Unfortunately, it's not going very
well."
TEAL'C
"There is evidence that places you at
the scene of the shooting."
JACK
"I was fishing. Look...Kinsey wasn't
exactly my best buddy, and on occasion,
I felt like beating the crap out of
him, but I didn't kill him."
JONAS
"They...somehow...have a video that
clearly places you in Washington D.
C. three days ago."
JACK
"I don't believe this."
JONAS
"We know you've been on secret missions
before. We're not always privy to the
details..."
JACK
"I wasn't on a mission, Jonas. I was
in Minnesota, on vacation."
TEAL'C
"Did you encounter anyone that can verify
your story?"
JACK
"I was twenty miles away from the closest
town. Alone. That was the point."
TEAL'C
"Perhaps this is all part of an elaborate
plan...and those responsible chose to
act at a time when they knew you would
have no alibi."
SGC - BRIEFING ROOM
SG-1 is talking with Hammond.
SAM
"I checked the video tape to see if
it had been doctored, but it appears
to be genuine."
JONAS
"So, either that is Colonel O'Neill
or someone who happens to look exactly
like him."
TEAL'C
"We have encountered duplicating technology
before."
SAM
"I was thinking the exact same thing,
but those mimic devices are under heavy
guard."
JONAS
"Mimic devices? Someone want to fill
me in?"
Sam looks at Hammond, who pauses and sighs before answering.
HAMMOND
"Three years ago we had a foothold situation
here at the SGC. Aliens gained control
by using mimic devices to impersonate
and replace base personnel, including
myself."
JONAS
"Why haven't I heard about this before?"
HAMMOND
"Because of the seriousness of the security
breach, a decision was made to erase
all mention of the incident from official
records."
JONAS
"Well, where are these devices now?"
SAM
"Area 51."
AREA 51
Sam (in dress blues) and an Area 51 scientist are entering a
secure holding facility. We see a wall of drawers with laser
beams providing a grid of protection in front of the wall.
SAM
"How many do you have?"
SCIENTIST
"We recovered 12 from the SGC." (She
places her hand on a palm reading device
and the lasers shut down.) "They're
all stored here."
SAM
"Has anyone been studying them recently?"
SCIENTIST
"We've all be focusing on the X-303."
(She moves to a drawer, punches in a
key code and then presses her thumb
on a print reader. The drawer opens
up to reveal 12 mimic devices). "There
we go. All present and accounted for."
Sam reaches in to pick up one of the devices and look it over.
MILITARY INCARCERATION FACILITY
Sam (still in dress blues) places one of the mimic devices on
the table in front of Jack. This time Sam and Jonas are visiting
Jack.
SAM
"It's a fake. All the mimic devices
were switched."
JACK
"Someone duplicated the duplicators?"
SAM
"The last reported test of those devices
was six months ago. It could have been
taken any time after that."
JONAS
"There has got to be some way that we
can use this to clear you."
JACK
"I don't think the alien technology
defense is gonna fly."
JONAS
"If I'm understanding this correctly,
there is someone walking around out
there that can make himself look exactly
like you at the push of a button. That's
gotta be relevant."
SAM
"It's classified information, Jonas."
(Jonas shakes his head in disbelief
and frustration.) "But, we can use it
to find the real assassin...maybe."
Commercial Break
SGC - JONAS' LAB
Sam (still in dress blues), Teal'c and Jonas are talking.
JONAS
"So, how do these things work?"
SAM
"Well, it's a two part process. First
you take somebody and pass them through
a large scanning device which then uploads
their exact image into a holographic
sequencer."
JONAS
"Which...looks like this."
SAM
"Exactly. Then you place that sequencer
somewhere on your body and activate
it, and you instantly take on the appearance
of the person you scanned."
TEAL'C
"Was the scanning device taken?"
SAM
"No. It's still at Area 51. We checked
it out."
JONAS
"So, whoever did this can only impersonate
a limited number of people?"
SAM
"12 to be precise, including Colonel
O'Neill, Dr. Fraiser and Daniel."
JONAS
"What about General Hammond?"
SAM
"The alien impersonating him was trapped
in the 'gate room along with several
others. They activated some kind of
self-destruct and blew themselves up.
In case you're wondering, Teal'c and
I were never scanned."
JONAS
"That's good to know."
SAM
"I've requested all the personnel files
on everyone who had access to these
devices. I'd like the two of you to
check them out. "
JONAS
"What about you?"
SAM
"I'm going to Washington. I need to
look up an old acquaintance."
WASHINGTON D. C.
Sam (still in dress blues) walks into an office building and
approaches a secretary.
SAM
"Major Carter...I'm here to see Agent
Barrett."
The secretary gets up and shows Sam through a door into Barrett's
office. Barrett is seated behind his desk.
BARRETT
"Major Carter, I was wondering how long
it would be before you came by. Welcome
to NID Headquarters."
SGC - JONAS' LAB
Teal'c is pacing around while Jonas looks at a computer screen.
JONAS
"In three years, only 8 people at Area
51 have had authorized access to the
mimic devices."
TEAL'C
"We must speak to them all."
JONAS
"Most of them have been transferred
to the X-303 project, so they're still
living in Nevada. Wait a minute...there's
something..." (We see a picture and
information on the computers screen.)
"Dr. Brent Langham."
TEAL'C
"Deceased."
JONAS
"Killed in an automobile accident three
weeks ago."
TEAL'C
"Given the circumstance, that would
appear to be a highly unlikely coincidence."
NID HEADQUARTERS - BARRETT'S OFFICE
Sam is now sitting in a chair opposite on the other side of Barrett's
desk.
BARRETT
"What exactly are you implying here,
Major? That the NID had a hand in the
assassination of a U. S. Senator?"
SAM
"Very few organizations have the resources
to pull off something like this."
BARRETT
"And the man accused of the crime happens
to belong to one of them."
SAM
"The SGC is not behind this."
BARRETT
"Senator Kinsey was no friend of the
Stargate Command. In fact, he tried
to take you down more than once."
SAM
"We don't engage in criminal activity,
Agent Barrett. Which is more than I
can say for the NID."
BARRETT
"If you're referring to the Prometheus
incident, that was orchestrated by a
handful of rogue agents."
SAM
"What about Steveston, Oregon? You sat
by and watched while the Goa'uld took
over an entire town of innocent civilians."
BARRETT
"That was an officially sanctioned operation,
that would have succeeded if it wasn't
for your interference."
SAM
"Are you kidding me? You're agents were
compromised and your organization was
about to be infiltrated."
BARRETT
"Look Major," (Barrett picks up a piece
of paper and begins writing on it.)
"the video tape of Colonel O'Neill clearly
places him at the scene of the crime.
And the murder weapon was found near
his cabin. So..." (He pushes the note
across the desk for Sam to read.) "If
you'll excuse me..." (Sam reads the
note which says "Stanton Park 3 p.m.".)
"I've got work to do."
She nods and gets up to leave.
STANTON PARK
Agent Barrett is seated on a bench reading a newspaper. Sam approaches
wearing a lt. blue skirt and sweater with a white t-shirt.
BARRETT
"You know, it says here that by 2075
the Earth's oceans will be to warm to
sustain most coral reefs. And once they're
gone, the entire ecosystem of the planet
will collapse."
SAM
"That's a cheerful thought."
BARRETT
"We spend all of our time trying to
protect the world from the Goa'uld,
maybe we should worry a little more
about protecting it from ourselves."
SAM
"What are we doing out here, Agent Barrett?"
BARRETT
"My office is bugged. It's standard
procedure to record all conversations
that take place at NID Headquarters.
What I'm about to tell you, Major, nobody
else can know, especially my superiors."
SAM
"What're you talking about?
BARRETT
"There's a cancer at the NID, a shadow
organization that operates outside the
law. It's time they were exposed for
who they really are."
SAM
"I agree."
BARRETT
"The Prometheus incident - that was
the last straw. After that, I was called
to the White House for an assignment."
SAM
"What does this have to do with Colonel
O'Neill?"
BARRETT
"Senator Kinsey was working for me.
He was about to give me enough evidence
to bring down the entire leadership
of the shadow group."
SAM
"How did you convince him to do that?"
BARRETT
"Let's just say I know about a few of
the skeletons in the Senator's closet.
And, it is an election year."
SAM
"You blackmailed him."
BARRETT
"I'll do whatever it takes to bring
these people down, Major."
TIME JUMP FORWARD
Sam and Barrett are walking in the park.
SAM
"So, who else knows about this?"
BARRETT
"As of this moment, the President, a
few members of his staff and you."
SAM
"You're working alone?"
BARRETT
"The smaller the operation, the less
chance of it being compromised. You
have no idea how far the corruption
goes, Major. Not even the SGC is immune."
SAM
"Then you're taking a big risk talking
to me."
BARRETT
"I need your help. Besides, I think
there's more that you're not telling
me. You've seen the evidence against
Colonel O'Neill, what makes you so sure
that he's innocent?"
SAM
"When you work with someone that long,
you just know."
BARRETT
"No, there's something more than that.
There's something you're not telling
me."
SAM
"You're job requires you to be suspicious
of everybody, even your co-workers.
Where I come from, we trust each other
with our lives every day. Maybe that's
something you can't understand."
BARRETT
"Well, I guess it's never to late to
learn."
SGC - BRIEFING ROOM
Jonas, Teal'c, Dr. Fraiser and General Hammond are present.
JONAS
"When the mimic devices were first brought
to Area 51 a team of eight scientists
was assigned to study them. The Pentagon
was hoping to be able to adapt the devices
for use in the field. However, while
the original holographic images that
were created by the aliens seemed to
last indefinitely, those that were created
by the scientist in the lab were only
sustainable for three to four minutes
at a time due to problems with electromagnetic
interference. So, the project was scaled
back and five of the original team members
were reassigned. The remaining three
were Dr. Singh, Dr. Healey, and this
fellow..." (He uses the remote to change
the picture on the screen to display
the record for Dr. Langham.) "...Dr.
Brent Langham. They continued working
on the devices for another six months
with no new breakthroughs. Finally,
the entire project was shut down and,
uh, Dr. Healey and Dr. Singh were transferred
to the X-303 project."
HAMMOND
"And Dr. Langham?"
JONAS
"He was supposedly killed in car crash
two days before the transfer was due
to take effect."
JANET
"The body was burned beyond recognition.
He was identified through dental records,
but the coroner missed something. The
toxicology report came back clean, no
signs of any drugs or alcohol in the
victim's blood."
HAMMOND
"Why is that unusual?"
JANET
"Well, Dr. Langham was epileptic. His
condition required him to take regular
dosed of anti-convulsant drugs. There
should have been traces of those drugs
in his blood."
TEAL'C
"The dental records were falsified.
The body recovered at the crash site
was someone else."
HAMMOND
"So, you're saying this Dr. Langham
took the mimic device and engineered
his own disappearance?"
JONAS
"Or someone engineered it for him."
JANET
"Okay, are we suggesting then that this
scientist shot Kinsey?"
JONAS
"I doubt it. He didn't have any paramilitary
training."
TEAL'C
"Perhaps Dr. Langham merely provided
the mimic devices for a fee."
JANET
"But he can lead us to whoever was responsible."
HAMMOND
"I don't care what it takes, I want
you to find this Dr. Langham."
JONAS
"Yes, sir."
Commercial Break
WASHINGTON D.C.
A rental car pulls up outside a warehouse. Sam is driving and
Barrett is in the passenger seat.
SAM
"Okay...what is this?"
BARRETT
"The rifle used to kill Senator Kinsey
was not the kind of thing you could
pick up at your local sporting goods
store. This is a one-stop shop for unregistered
weapons. High-end merchandise, professional
clientele. There's a good chance our
shooter was here."
SAM
"If you know they're selling illegal
guns, why don't you shut them down?"
BARRETT
"I allow them to operate in exchange
for information. Sometimes you've got
to cross the line, Major. You've just
got to know when to step back." (He
waves at a security camera as they approach
the building. A large man opens the
door for them, Barrett steps through.)
"Hey, Leo."
SAM
"Leo..."
They continue into the warehouse. It is a large concrete room
filled with weapons and gear. They walk to a desk and sit in
chairs facing the desk. There is a man dressed in designer duds
behind the desk, also sitting. There are also several body guard
present.
MAN
"Agent Barrett...when're you going to
get yourself a new suit?"
BARRETT
"Black is good for any occasion."
MAN
"Yeah, it's also thinning. Who's your
friend?"
SAM
"Major Samantha Carter, United States
Air Force."
BARRETT
"We can talk in front of her."
MAN
"What can I do for you?"
BARRETT
"We want to know about a 700 with a
customized breakdown stock."
MAN
"Yeah? I moved one last week."
SAM
"Well, in all likelihood, the weapon
you sold was used to assassinate a United
States Senator."
MAN
"What's your point?"
BARRETT
"Was the buyer a regular customer?"
MAN
"No, I'd never seen him before."
BARRETT
"Is that the guy?"
MAN
"That's the guy."
Sam closes her eyes at the unwelcome news. Barrett looks over
at her. She begins looking around as a thought occurs to her.
SAM
"Did he look at any other weapons besides
the 700?"
MAN
"Yeah, as a matter of fact, he did."
(He gestures with his head and Leo picks
up a rifle.) "A sound-suppressed revolver
rifle."
SAM
"Did he handle it?"
MAN
"Sure."
SAM
"Was he wearing gloves?"
MAN
"No."
BARRETT
"Has anybody handled it since?"
MAN
"No, just Leo here."
SAM
"How much?"
WASHINGTON D. C. - SAM'S HOTEL ROOM.
Sam is looking at fingerprints on a computer screen.
SAM
"There's one full set of prints and
one partial on the second rifle, but
neither of them match Colonel O'Neill."
BARRETT
"It's a little strange."
SAM
"Well, assuming that full set matches
our friend Leo, that would mean that
the partial belongs to the shooter."
BARRETT
"Maybe."
SAM
"It's the best lead we have."
BARRETT
"The shooter probably won't have a criminal
record. In fact, there's a good chance
he may not exist on any database at
all."
SAM
"Except maybe NID personnel files. You
said it yourself, Agent Barrett. There's
a cancer in your organization. Kinsey
was going to bring them down, so they
had him killed. So, did they hire an
outside contractor...or use one of their
own?"
BARRETT
"Give me the disk." (Sam takes the disk
out of the computer and hands it to
him.) "I'll check the files and call
you in a couple of hours." (She nods
and he heads for the door. He opens
it and turns back.) "Good call checking
for a second weapon."
SAM
"Thanks."
BARRETT
"You're welcome."
He closes the door behind him.
SGC - JONAS' LAB
Janet is at the computer. Teal'c is standing next to her. Jonas
is futher in the foreground.
JONAS
"So, where do we start?"
TEAL'C
"It is probable that Dr. Langham has
assumed a new identity."
Jonas walks over to stand behind Janet.
JONAS
"Yeah, new name, new address, new social
security number..."
JANET
"He can't change his medical condition."
TEAL'C
"Do not many thousands of people in
this country suffer from this affliction?"
JANET
"Yes, but there's a wide range of treatments
that vary from case to case. See, Dr.
Langham was on a very specific combination
of drugs, including primidone and carbamazepine.
So, we can access the national pharmaceutical
database and focus on new prescriptions
written in the past three weeks. We
then cross reference that with age and
gender and we should be able to narrow
down the field." (Teal'c nods his head
in understanding.)
WASHINGTON D. C.
Sam is sitting in the rental car, parked on the street and talking
on the phone to Hammond.
SAM
"Have Teal'c and Jonas found anything
yet?"
HAMMOND
"They have a lead on a missing scientist
from Area 51. They think he may have
been the one who took the mimic devices."
SAM
"Well, if it turns the shooter was NID,
we should be able to track him using
the fingerprints we found on the second
rifle."
HAMMOND
"What about this Agent Barrett? Are
you sure you can trust him?"
SAM
"I don't know. I think so."
HAMMOND
"You know you're not authorized to tell
him about the foothold incident. Technically,
I shouldn't have even told Jonas."
SAM
"I know, sir. I'm hoping it won't come
to that. I'll keep you posted, sir."
(She hangs up the phone just as Barrett gets in the car.) "So?"
BARRETT
"You were right. The prints match an
NID agent named Mark Devlin."
(He opens a folder and shows her a file. Sam starts up the car
and drives away.)
SOME NEIGHBORHOOD.
Teal'c and Jonas pull up to a curb in front of a house in a silver
car. Teal'c is driving. They get out and walk to the house. Both
are wearing civilian clothes and Teal'c is wearing a bucket hat.
JONAS
"How'd you learn to drive?"
TEAL'C
"It was Daniel Jackson that instructed
me."
JONAS
"When was that?"
TEAL'C
"I believe the year was 1969."
Teal'c knocks on the door to the house. A few seconds later a
man answer the door.
ZWYDEL
"Can I help you?
JONAS
"Yeah, we're looking for a mister..."
(Jonas looks down at the file he is
carrying. The man at the door looks
nothing like Dr. Langham.) "David Zwydel."
ZWYDEL
"Yeah, that's me. What's this about?"
TEAL'C
"Our apologies. You are not the man
we are looking for."
JONAS
"Sorry, I must have made a mistake...uh,
have a good day." (The man gives a little
wave and closes the door. Teal'c and
Jonas start to leave.) "That guy look
familiar to you?"
TEAL'C
"He did not."
JONAS
"Really? God, he looked familiar to
me." (Then stopping himself and Teal'c)
"No...wait, wait, wait. I know that
guy. When I first came to Stargate Command,
he was one of the Airmen in the 'gate
room. I'm positive." (Both Teal'c and
Jonas return quickly to the front door.
They knock on the door again.) "Mr.
Zwydel..." (Teal'c doesn't wait for
an answer and tries to open the door.)
"Mr. Zwydel!" (The duo looks at each
other.) "Around back."
Jonas goes around the house. Teal'c goes off in another direction.
We see Zwydel run out of the back of his house and over his back
fence as Jonas begins pursuit. Zwydel runs down the alley behind
his house, turning to watch Jonas following. Zwydel runs past
a van and just as he reaches the back end of the van, Teal'c
steps out and clotheslines Zwydel with his arm. Zwydel falls
to the ground unconscious.
JONAS
"Nice shot."
Teal'c bends down and tears Zwydel's shirt open to reveal a mimic
device on his chest. Teal'c removes the device and the hologram
of Zwydel dissolves to reveal Dr. Langham.
JONAS
"Dr. Langham, I presume."
TEAL'C
"Indeed."
Commercial Break
SGC - BRIEFING ROOM
Jonas and Teal'c are reporting to Hammond.
HAMMOND
"You found Dr. Langham?"
JONAS
"He's in a holding cell on level 16."
HAMMOND
"Well done. Has he said anything?"
JONAS
"No, sir. We're letting him sweat, but
he did ask for a lawyer."
HAMMOND
"That could be a problem. We're not
exactly following proper procedure here."
JONAS
"Sir, this guy stole top-secret material
and is an accessory to murder."
TEAL'C
"Dr. Langham is also the only one that
can verify Colonel O'Neill's innocence."
HAMMOND
"Not necessarily. Major Carter and Agent
Barrett are pursuing a lead that may
take them to the real assassin."
JONAS
"And if it doesn't?"
HAMMOND
"I know how you feel. No one wants Colonel
O'Neill back more than I do, but this
is a delicate situation. I understand
this man had some injuries when you
brought him in?"
TEAL'C
"Dr. Langham was reluctant to accompany
us back to the SGC. He required some
convincing."
HAMMOND
"All I'm saying is we have to be careful.
We're operating way outside our jurisdiction
and like it or not, this man has rights."
TEAL'C
"He will volunteer the information.
Of that, I am certain."
General Hammond and Teal'c exchange a look.
SGC - HOLDING CELL ON LEVEL 16.
Dr. Langham is seated at a table. There are guards in the room.
He hears the beep of the lock on the door being activated. Teal'c
opens the door and lingers in the doorway momentarily, for effect.
Dr. Langham is visibly nervous. Teal'c walks over and slowly
sits down at the table, opposite Langham. Teal'c's eyes never
leave Langham's and they do not blink. Teal'c folds his hands
on the table in front of him and continues to stare down Langham.
LANGHAM
"Look, this is a waste of time. I got
nothin' to say."
Teal'c continues to stare at Langham. Langham's eyes repeatedly
darting away and then back to see if Teal'c is still staring.
LANGHAM
"Okay, yes, I took the mimic devices.
I switched them with the fakes, but
I didn't know what they were planning
to do with them." (Teal'c continues
to stare.) "What? You think I'm part
of some kind of murder conspiracy? Well,
you're wrong." (Teal'c continues to
stare, leaning forward slightly.) "All
right, I'll tell you what I know, but
you have to promise me protection."
(Teal'c's staredown continues.)
WASHINGTON D. C.
Sam and Barrett pull up to the curb in front of a house. From
inside the house we see Devlin looking out the window and seeing
them. Sam pulls out a gun as she approaches the door. She knocks
a couple of times and when there is no answer, she puts her gun
back and pulls out her lock picking tools.
SAM
"I'll get us in."
Barrett gets impatient and decides to kick the door in. Sam gives
him a dirty look and follows him in. Both have guns drawn. They
get into the kitchen and notice several cans of gasoline wired
to a digital timer. There are 7 seconds left on the countdown.
Both turn and run out of the house. They make it to the bottom
of the stairs before the house explodes and both are thrown forward.
Sam lands on her back and Barrett lands on top of her.
SAM
"What are you doing?"
BARRETT
"Covering you."
SAM
"Thank you...get up."
BARRETT
"Right."
They both stare at the burning house.
"SGC - HOLDING CELL ON LEVEL 16
Jonas and Hammond have joined Teal'c.
JONAS
"When you first switched the devices
with the fakes, where'd you take them?"
LANGHAM
"Washington. They wanted me to take
them myself because they thought using
a middleman would be too risky."
TEAL'C
"To whom are you referring?"
LANGHAM
"They call themselves the Committee.
They run the whole show."
HAMMOND
"We're going to need names. You're looking
at conspiracy to commit murder."
LANGHAM
"I didn't know they were going to use
the devices to kill anybody. They told
me that they were going to analyze the
technology for possible commercial applications."
JONAS
"Why would you believe that?"
LANGHAM
"You don't think money has anything
to do with this? In the last six months
there have been at least 10 new patents
that could be traced back directly to
Area 51. I'm talking industrial chemicals,
metallurgy, computers...you name it."
JONAS
"So, they're selling alien technology?"
LANGHAM
"No, they're buying it. The members
of the Committee aren't spies or secret
agents. They're businessmen. The rogue
NID agents work for them. They've got
hundreds of millions invested and they
expect to make billions in return by
incorporating alien advancements into
their product lines."
JONAS
"I thought this was about protecting
the planet."
LANGHAM
"Well, nobody said it had to be a non-profit
business."
HAMMOND
"Give us the names and we'll ensure
your safety."
LANGHAM
"Oh, well, I'm gonna need a few more
details. You work for the Air Force.
You don't have a witness protection
program."
JONAS
"But we do have the Stargate."
LANGHAM
"What do you mean?"
HAMMOND
"Well, if these people are as powerful
as you say they are, there's probably
no where on Earth you'd be safe. Fortunately,
we have other options."
WASHINGTON D. C. - SAM'S HOTEL ROOM
Sam and Barrett enter.
BARRETT
"All right, we need to talk. Who else
knows about this operation at Stargate
Command?"
SAM
"Why?"
BARRETT
"Because we've got a leak, Major."
Sam takes off her coat, lays it on the bed, then lays her gun
down on top of it and walks into the bathroom.
SAM
"Oh, wait a minute..."
She emerges from the bathroom with a washcloth.
BARRETT
"Agent Devlin was waiting for us. That
means somebody obviously tipped him
off."
SAM
"Not necessarily. Think about it...you
used a computer to access those personnel
files, right? Maybe somebody tracked
you."
A cell phone rings.
BARRETT
"Don't...don't answer that."
SAM
"It's General Hammond."
BARRETT
"If they think we're dead, it may be
our only advantage."
SAM
"You trust me, you trust my team." (Sitting
on the bed, she answers the phone.)
"Sir, what's happening? Did he talk?
No, that's great news. Yes, sir...understood."
She hangs up. Meanwhile Devlin is rummaging through the mini-fridge
in the room. He pulls out a couple of bottles of water.
BARRETT
"What is it?"
SAM
"We've got the names of those responsible
for the assassination."
BARRETT
"What's that supposed to mean?"
SAM
"We have an inside source."
BARRETT
"Who?"
SAM
"I can't."
BARRETT
"This assignment came from the White
House, Major. If you don't tell me what
I need to know, I'm gonna have to make
a phone call. You're the one who's always
talking about trust."
He hands her a water bottle.
SAM
"The man who shot Kinsey was using a
piece of alien technology, a device
capable of creating a flawless holographic
disguise...in this case, a duplicate
image of Colonel O'Neill. It was a perfect
plan to get rid of Kinsey and the Colonel
at the same time."
BARRETT
"Wait a minute, why have I never heard
about this technology before?"
SAM
"We encountered the devices three years
ago during a foothold situation. It
was a close one. Kinsey was trying to
shut down the Stargate program for being
too risky, so the whole thing was covered
up by Presidential order."
BARRETT
"Who's your source?"
SAM
"A scientist at Area 51. He's the one
who smuggled the devices out."
BARRETT
"That's not enough."
SAM
"There on to us, Agent Barrett. If we
don't move fast, they're going to disappear."
BARRETT
"We need more than the testimony of
one scientist who made a deal for immunity."
SAM
"That's all we have." (Barrett smiles
kind of funny.) "What?"
BARRETT
"Senator Kinsey's not dead. He's in
a coma. We've got him under 24 hour
guard."
SAM
"Why the hell didn't you tell me?"
BARRETT
"Because we needed to keep his condition
a secret for his protection. If and
when he regains consciousness, he'll
be able to provide us with the information
we need to bring these people down."
SAM
"So we were both keeping secrets."
BARRETT
"That's the way the game's played."
SAM
"You've got a..."
She motions to her cheek to indicate he has something on his
face and then hands him the washcloth she had used to wipe her
own face. He wipes his face with it.
BARRETT
"Anyway, the, uh, Pentagon's been informed.
They're sending a man over to the hospital.
Did I...?" He motions to his face, asking
if the mark is gone.
SAM
" Close enough...who are they sending?"
BARRETT
"A liaison officer."
SAM
"Major Davis?"
BARRETT
"Major Davis." (Sam gets up and begins
putting her gun and jacket back on.)
"What?"
SAM
"There are 12 alien devices capable
of mimicking specific individuals. Major
Davis was one of them."
WASHINGTON D. C. - A HOSPITAL
Devlin is seen walking into an elevator. After the doors close,
he pulls a mimic device out of his pocket and places it on his
chest (oddly enough, on his shirt and not on the skin under the
shirt). He suddenly looks like Major Davis. He walks down the
hall and approaches a room that has to servicemen guarding the
door.
DEVLIN/DAVIS
"Sergeant..."
SERGEANT
"Major Davis."
DEVLIN/DAVIS
"I've come to check on the Senator.
SERGEANT
"Yes, sir."
Devlin/Davis enters the room. He pulls a pistol out and screws
on a silencer. We see Kinsey lying on a bed in the room.
Commercial Break
AN UNDISCLOSED MEETING ROOM
The members of the Committee (I believe five in all) are sitting
at a table.
COMMITTEE SPOKESMAN
"Agent Devlin, how'd it go?"
DEVLIN
"Kinsey's dead."
COMMITTEE MEMBER #2
"Are you sure? He was supposed to be
dead the first time."
DEVLIN
"Well, he wasn't wearing a bullet-proof
vest this time. So, yeah, I'm sure.
There were a few complications though."
(We see Devlin/Davis in the hospital
room in flashback. He cocks the pistol
and just then the fire alarms starts
ringing so he has to stow the pistol
in the back waistband of his pants.
The doors open and the guards come in,
followed by doctors and nurses who begin
moving the Senator.
DEVLIN/DAVIS
"What's going on?"
SERGEANT
"Fire alarm. We need to move him." (They
move Kinsey out of the room and the
Sergeant and his partner move to stop
Devlin/Davis from following.) "We're
gonna have to ask you to wait here,
sir."
DEVLIN/DAVIS
"And why is that, Sergeant?"
Devlin/Davis suddenly takes out both guards and heads down the
hall after Kinsey.
COMMITTEE SPOKESMAN
"Secondary casualties are not our concern.
Major Davis can answer for those as
well."
COMMITTEE MEMBER #3
"We still have a loose end. They have
Dr. Langham in custody."
COMMITTEE SPOKESMAN
"That's not important. His accusations
will be little more than a minor inconvenience
for us. Instead of worrying about him,
I suggest we use the mimic devices to
eliminate another thorn in our side."
DEVLIN
"Someone at the SGC?"
COMMITTEE SPOKESMAN
"General Hammond. Once he's out of the
way we can replace him with someone
more...sympathetic to our concerns."
DEVLIN
"If they know about the devices, they'll
be prepared for something like this."
COMMITTEE MEMBER #2
"Devlin's right. Besides, now that Kinsey's
dead, we have other options."
COMMITTEE MEMBER #3
"I think it's time we send someone to
talk to Hammond. Get him to reconsider
those retirement plans."
COMMITTEE SPOKESMAN
"He doesn't seem like the type to bow
to outside pressure."
COMMITTEE MEMBER #2
"Well, then, we are going to have to
be very convincing."
Devlin/Davis busts into a locker room brandishing his pistol.
He walks around a corner and is zatted by Major Carter. Barrett
is right behind her. She walks over and pulls the mimic device
off Devlin. The Davis hologram dissolves.
COMMITTEE MEMBER #2
"Agent Devlin, I would like you to pay
General Hammond a visit. Impress upon
him our concerns for the safety and
well-being of his family."
DEVLIN
"If he still refuses to play ball?"
COMMITTEE SPOKESMAN
"Then kill him."
Just then Agent Devlin's image begins to shift and blink and
we see a hint of Sam showing through.
COMMITTEE MEMBER #3
"What is this?"
The hologram of Devlin dissolves completely to reveal Sam standing
at the end of the table instead. She smiles.
SAM
"General Hammond sends his regards."
Doors open and NID agents enter, led by Barrett.
BARRETT
"All right, get your hands up. Come
on, get 'em up!"
SAM
"Well, the hologram lasted six and a
half minutes. That's a new record for
us."
BARRETT
"You took a big risk."
SAM
"I knew you were listening."
BARRETT
"What makes you think I was gonna come
in here before you got them to incriminate
themselves?"
SAM
"When you work with someone, you just
know."
WASHINGTON D. C. - SENATOR KINSEY'S HOSPITAL ROOM.
The Senator is tying his tie while looking at the mirror when
the door opens. He turns to see Jack (in dress blues) being let
into the room.
KINSEY
"Ah...Colonel O'Neill, glad you could
make it."
JACK
"What do you want, Kinsey?"
KINSEY
"I just thought we should have a little
chat before we meet the press."
JACK
"Did you need to gloat a little?"
KINSEY
"Oh, don't be that way, Jack. You need
this as much as I do. The only way you're
going to get public vindication is if
the two of us appear on the 6:00 news,
shaking hands."
JACK
"Yeah...I'm not sure it's worth it."
KINSEY
"The American people don't want their
Air Force officers to be assassins,
Jack. They want them to be heroes."
(He give Jack's arm a little punch.)
"I'm gonna make you a hero." (He walks
past Jack who stands in contemplation,
grimacing slightly, before following.)
"Shall we?"
Jack reluctantly follows.
AN OUTDOOR PODIUM
Kinsey and his entourage emerge from the hospital to greet a
waiting crowd of reporters and onlookers. Jack put his hat on
as he joins Kinsey behind the podium.
KINSEY
"First of all, I want to apologize to
you and to the American people for the
deception surrounding my...untimely
demise. It was an unfortunate, but necessary
final step in my investigation of certain
anti-democratic forces that had taken
root in several key government agencies.
The ringleaders of this conspiracy have
now been taken into custody. Of course,
taking a bullet was not part of my original
plan to bring these men down, but the
success of the operation was well worth...any
personal sacrifice on my part. And I
want the American people to know that,
if elected, I intend to bring that same
determination and zeal for justice with
me to the White House. I would also
like to than Colonel Jack O'Neill of
the United States Air Force for the
vital role he played in my investigation.
I can't go into details for reasons
of national security, but I can assure
you all that any evidence pointing to
the Colonel as my would-be assassin...was
simply part of the operation." (He turns
to Jack, who has been looking rather
uncomfortable the entire time, to shake
his hand.) "Colonel..." (Jack reluctantly
shakes Kinsey's hand as Kinsey turns
and smiles for a photo op while shaking
Jack's hand. When he finally releases
Jack's hand, Kinsey covers the microphone
with his other hand and whispers to
Jack.) "Smile Colonel, you just won
me the election."
Kinsey smiles and waves to the crowd and Jack looks rather disgusted.
THE END
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