STARGATE SG1
Episode 818
"THREADS"
By
Robert C. Cooper
Transcribed by
Callie Sullivan
BA’AL’S PLANET. Ba’al walks into the throneroom to face Anubis,
who is sitting on the throne.
ANUBIS
You have failed me.
BA’AL
We’ve known for some time that the Jaffa
cannot be trusted any more. The remaining
army of Kull warriors stand an excellent
chance of retaking Dakara but ...
(Anubis holds up a hand to stop him. We see that his face already
has lesions around his mouth.)
ANUBIS
Worse than failure, worse than cowardice,
(he stands) you have betrayed me. Did
you not think I wouldn’t know what you
had done? How can you still underestimate
my powers?
BA’AL
Your methods were ultimately unnecessary
- not when there was another way of
defeating the Replicators.
ANUBIS
I will spare your life for the moment,
only so that you may witness the fruits
of your labours. First, I will retake
Dakara; then, thanks to the modifications
you have made to the Stargate, I will
destroy every living thing in this galaxy
- including you - all at once.
BA’AL
I do not understand. You could have
modified the Stargate yourself.
ANUBIS
You have no way of knowing what is necessary
and what is not in the grand design.
BA’AL
Whose grand design?
ANUBIS
Mine.
SGC. BRIEFING ROOM. Sam comes up the stairs from the Control
Room. She looks into Jack’s office and sees him talking with
a woman in her thirties. Sam waits patiently in the Briefing
Room until Jack and the woman have finished their conversation
and he has shown her out of the door into the corridor. He closes
the door and, as he turns to go back to his desk, he sees Sam
outside and beckons her in. She walks into the office.
CARTER
Sorry, sir. I saw you were with someone
- I didn’t want to interrupt.
O’NEILL
What’s up?
CARTER
Who was that?
O’NEILL
Um, Kerry Johnson, CIA.
CARTER
I’ve heard the name. Oh, yeah, she was
heading up the investigation into, uh,
Goa’uld still at large after the incident
with The Trust.
O’NEILL
Yeah.
CARTER
Sir, I wanted to talk to you about ...
O’NEILL
Carter.
CARTER
We haven’t heard from him in a week.
O’NEILL
Doesn’t mean anything.
CARTER
Sir, we know he was captured by Replicators.
Chances are he was on board a Replicator
ship when it disintegrated.
O’NEILL
All we know for sure is that he’s missing.
CARTER
Sooner or later ...
O’NEILL
Forget it! I’m not fallin’ for it this
time.
CARTER
“Falling for it”?
O’NEILL
Yeah! How many times have you thought
he was gone, and then he shows up -
in one form or another. I’m sorry, but
we’re not having a memorial service
for someone who is not dead. (He turns
his head and calls out to the room.)
You hear that?! I’m not buyin’ it! (He
and Sam look around the room for a few
seconds, then Jack turns to look at
Sam again.) What? He’s just waitin’
for us to say a bunch of nice things
about him. Next thing you know, he’ll
come waltzin’ through that door, (he
gestures to the closed door) like, right
now. (He and Sam look hopefully at the
door for several seconds but nothing
happens.) Waltzing ... now.
We see a pair of legs walking towards a door. The owner of the
legs pushes the door open and a bell attached above the door
dings. We then see that it’s Daniel and that he has walked into
a diner. Various customers are sitting in the booths and at the
counter. Waiters are clearing tables and serving coffee. A sign
near the door says, “Please seat yourself”. Daniel looks around,
puzzled, then walks slowly to one of the empty booths and sits
down. A waitress walks over.
WAITRESS
So - what can I get for you?
(Daniel looks up at her. It’s Oma, dressed in a waitress’ outfit.
Daniel stares.)
DAKARA. In the temple grounds just outside the weapons chamber,
a large group of Jaffa have assembled. Standing facing them are
Teal’c and Bra’tac wearing their Jaffa uniforms. Tolok stands
in front of them, facing them and holding a wooden staff.
TOLOK
Brothers Bra’tac of Chulak, and Teal’c
of the Tau’ri. For your enduring courage
and vision, for the strength of will
that has brought us to freedom from
the Goa’uld, a future we have yet to
even comprehend, but one that will be
determined by our own unfettered will,
I hereby bestow upon you the highest
honour any Jaffa can know. (He touches
his staff onto both of Bra’tac’s shoulders,
then onto Teal’c’s.) From this day forward,
you shall both be known as blood kin
to all Jaffa!
(All the Jaffa cheer, punching their fists into the air. Tolok
holds up his arm for silence, then kneels before Teal’c and Bra’tac
and bows his head. All the other Jaffa follow suit. Bra’tac and
Teal’c look at each other, then Bra’tac steps forward and takes
Tolok’s arm, drawing him to his feet.)
BRA’TAC
Brothers! (He gestures to the other
Jaffa to rise.) From this day forward,
no Jaffa shall bow before anyone - and
never again before a false god.
(Tolok looks at Teal’c, who nods to him. Tolok turns to the Jaffa
and gestures grandly with his staff.)
TOLOK
Hail, brother Bra’tac! (The Jaffa cheer.)
Hail, brother Teal’c! (Teal’c and Bra’tac
give the Jaffa salute (right fist on
heart). A Jaffa sounds a large, ornate
horn. The Jaffa continue to cheer. Teal’c
and Bra’tac, their fists still on their
hearts, turn and begin to walk out of
the temple.)
BRA’TAC
Be proud, Teal’c. Today we are free.
TEAL’C
This day is not yet over, brother.
(As they walk up the steps of the temple, the Jaffa follow, still
cheering and punching the air. Teal’c and Bra’tac reach the top
of the steps and see the vast amphitheatre outside, which is
filled with hundreds, possibly thousands, of cheering Jaffa.)
BRA’TAC
Then I shall be proud for you - and
of you.
(They smile at each other and walk out to greet the cheering
throng. Death gliders fly over the crowd in salute.)
SGC. Sam is waiting nervously in a corridor by an elevator. The
elevator arrives and the doors open. Inside are Pete Shanahan
and an airman.
PETE
Hey!
CARTER
Hi! Thank you, Airman.
(As the Airman walks away, Pete kisses Sam on the cheek.)
PETE
So, this is exciting! What’s the surprise?
CARTER
You’ll see. (They start to walk along
the corridor.)
PETE
Do I get to go through the Stargate?
I mean, what planet are we going to?!
CARTER
You don’t get to go through the Stargate!
PETE
OK - I’m a little disappointed. Still,
full security clearance, an all-access
pass to SGC? This must be big.
CARTER
Oh, it’s big!
(They reach a door to VIP quarters. Sam knocks and then opens
the door. Jacob is sitting inside. He stands as Sam and Pete
walk in.)
CARTER
Pete Shanahan - Jacob Carter. Dad, this
is Pete.
(Pete stares.)
PETE
Dad!
JACOB
Not quite yet. You have to actually
marry my daughter before you can call
me that.
PETE
I was just ... I meant, duh, (he babbles
incoherently for a moment, then laughs,
embarrassed) stammer, stammer! It’s
an honour to meet you, sir, really.
(He steps forward and shakes Jacob’s
hand, then turns to Sam.) Why didn’t
you tell me?
CARTER
I didn’t want you to be nervous.
PETE
D... would I, I wouldn’t, I, (he turns
to Jacob) I’ve been dying to meet you.
JACOB
I think it was Sam that was nervous.
(He smiles at Sam, who grimaces.)
PETE
How did not telling me help?
CARTER
It didn’t.
(There’s a long awkward pause as everyone smiles nervously at
each other. Finally Pete grins.)
PETE
This is great! You’ve really got one
of those things in your head?
(Sam’s smile drops.)
JACOB
If, by “one of those things”, you mean
a two thousand year old Tok’Ra symbiont,
yes.
PETE
Seriously?! Go on! (He laughs.) That
has gotta freak you right out sometimes!
It’s weird!
(Jacob looks at Sam as if to say, “Are you sure you want to marry
this?!” Sam smiles nervously back at him.)
DINER. Oma is still standing at Daniel’s booth with her notepad
ready to take his order. A large man in his sixties is sitting
at the counter. He turns and calls out to Oma.
JIM
Hey! What do I have to do to get some
more coffee around here?
OMA
Find your enlightenment. (She turns
back to Daniel. He stares at her for
a moment, then looks at the table.)
DANIEL
Menus?
OMA
We don’t need them here - just order
what you’d like.
DANIEL
OK, I’ll have the truth, with a side
order of clarity, please.
OMA
The Replicator version of Sam was in
your head trying to access the knowledge
buried in your subconscious, but you
gained control of her instead. She killed
you to stop you. That’s where I stepped
in. How’s that?
DANIEL
Pretty clear.
OMA
Well, we aim to please. The customer
comes first, you know!
DANIEL
So I’m ascended again.
OMA
Not exactly. Sort of a ... stop along
the way. You have to make that choice
for yourself.
DANIEL
Waffles.
OMA
Bacon on the side?
DANIEL
No - I remember this place.
OMA
You should - it came from your mind.
DANIEL
My grandfather brought me here after
my parents’ funeral. I had waffles.
OMA
Waffles it is. (She turns to walk away.)
DANIEL
Wait. (She stops.) How do I know it’s
really you this time? How do I know
this isn’t some trick Replicator Sam’s
playing to stop me from controlling
her?
OMA
How deep is the river if you cannot
see the bottom?
JIM
Deeper than the coffee in my cup, I’ll
tell you that!
OMA
Excuse me. (As she walks away, she calls
out her order to the cook.) Frank, I
need a nose boy in a blanket, two hen
fruit wrecked on a shingle with a mystery
in the alley, a warm mead with a mouldy
lid, and two checkerboards, alright?
(She tears off the order and pins it
over the counter.) Oh yeah, hold the
pig.
DAKARA. Teal’c is in the weapons chamber looking at the Ancient
console. Bra’tac comes in to join him.
BRA’TAC
We have dreamed of this day for so long,
fought so hard for it, and sacrificed
so much. Now that it is here ...
TEAL’C
It is not here, brother.
BRA’TAC
The balance of power has shifted, Teal’c.
Our victory here at Dakara has turned
the tide. Jaffa everywhere are abandoning
the old ways, coming to see the Goa’uld
for the false gods they are.
TEAL’C
We are foolish to rejoice in conquest
over the Goa’uld when they are not all
dead. Anubis’ claim to be a god is false,
but his powers most certainly are not.
BRA’TAC
It is agreed. He must be dealt with.
But for once, there may be greater concerns
than the eradication of all the Goa’uld.
So consumed were we in attaining freedom
that we did not plan nearly enough for
its aftermath. The Jaffa have fought
with each other for so long that uniting
them as one may prove as difficult a
task as convincing them to free themselves
from the Goa’uld. Generations of war
and mistrust will not be healed overnight.
TEAL’C
Indeed. If we do not organise quickly,
freedom will become anarchy.
BRA’TAC
The high priests are proposing a leadership
be assembled.
TEAL’C
That is wise.
BRA’TAC
They wish both of us to sit on the Council.
(Teal’c nods.) You know that will take
you from the Tau’ri. (Teal’c lowers
his head, bothered by this realisation.
Bra’tac puts his hand on Teal’c’s shoulder.)
Your purpose in joining them was to
one day free the Jaffa. Now that day
is upon us. You must not abandon your
people when we need you most.
TEAL’C
Of that I am aware.
(Bra’tac pats his shoulder and starts to walk away, then turns
back again.)
BRA’TAC
The Council will preside from the new
Jaffa homeworld where a great city is
to be erected - a haven for all those
who have chosen freedom ... here, on
the holy ground of Dakara.
DINER. Jim gets up from his seat at the counter, a newspaper
in his hand. He looks at Daniel sitting in the booth and walks
over to him.
JIM
Hey - I know you!
DANIEL
Really?
JIM
Yeah! The guy from the paper! Doctor
Daniel Jackson. (He puts his newspaper
down on Daniel’s table and points at
it. Daniel picks it up. The newspaper
is “The Ascended Times” and the main
headline reads, “JACKSON STILL UNDECIDED.”
A photograph of Daniel is underneath.
Daniel looks up at Jim.)
JIM
It’s OK, keep it - I’m done. (He walks
away.)
DANIEL
Thanks!
JIM
No problem! (He leaves the diner.)
the misspelling is really there!]; “Yoga
not the path to enlightenment”; “Wraith
on way to Atlantis” and, at the bottom
of the page, “Anubis plans to retake
Dakara”. The sub-headlines underneath
that heading read, “Exclusive information
on his quest to destroy all life in
the Milky Way galaxy” and “He’s back
again and he’s badder than ever.”)
SGC. COMMISSARY. Sam and Jacob are eating.
CARTER
So, you gonna visit Mark and the kids
this trip?
JACOB
Tomorrow.
CARTER
Is everything OK?
JACOB
I’m just not very hungry.
CARTER
You’ve been pretty quiet.
JACOB
I’m fine.
CARTER
Dad?
JACOB
What?
CARTER
It’s been two hours since Pete left.
You haven’t said a word.
JACOB
I did so.
CARTER
“He seems nice”?!
JACOB
I believe that’s three words.
CARTER
I’m gonna marry him.
JACOB
I know. I just met him - what do you
want me to say? I know how happy he
makes you - that’s all that matters
to me.
CARTER
OK.
JACOB
Selmak really liked him.
CARTER
Selmak?!
JACOB
Yeah - and he’s a great judge of character.
CARTER
Well, OK!
JACOB
Look, Sam, I’m tired. It’s been a long
day. I think I’m gonna turn in early.
CARTER
Are you sure nothing else is wrong?
JACOB
Yeah. I’ll see you in the morning. (He
gets up to leave.)
CARTER
Goodnight. (She watches him walk away,
then looks concerned.)
JACK’S HOUSE. Jack’s phone can be heard ringing. We switch from
an exterior view to Jack’s bedroom. He’s asleep in bed, but sleepily
reaches down to the floor and scrabbles around for the phone
which is lying on the floor. He finally finds it, picks it up,
switches it on and holds it to his ear.
O’NEILL
What?
CARTER
Sorry to wake you, sir. Teal’c’s back,
and it sounds like we have a problem.
O’NEILL
I knew it. Alright - I’ll be there as
soon as I can. (He switches the phone
off and drops it onto the floor again.)
Crap! (He stares blearily for a moment,
then sits up in bed. Kerry Johnson is
in the other side of the bed and sleepily
hugs him.)
KERRY
What was that?
O’NEILL
Trouble in Jaffaland. (Kerry groans.)
Gotta go. (She nods.) I’m sorry. (He
bends down and kisses her, then gets
out of bed.)
DINER. Daniel is reading the newspaper. Oma brings over a plate
of waffles and puts them on the table. Daniel shows her the paper,
indicating the article about Anubis’ plans to take Dakara.
DANIEL
You know about this?
OMA
Yes.
DANIEL
You’re not gonna do anything about it?
OMA
You know I can’t.
DANIEL
Well I’m certainly not just gonna sit
here and let this happen. (He stands
up, taking the newspaper with him, and
starts to walk away.)
OMA
You can’t leave - you’re not ascended
yet. (Daniel stops and turns around
to face her.) You walk through that
door, you’re choosing the alternative.
DANIEL
You’re saying I’ll be dead.
OMA
Pretty much.
DANIEL
OK - ascend me.
OMA
It doesn’t mean you’ll be able to help
your friends. You know the rules.
DANIEL
Yes, but once I’m ascended I can choose
to take human form again, just like
last time.
OMA
Technically, yes, but you can’t take
that paper with you. You won’t have
any of the knowledge that you’ve gained
here - and good luck ever ascending
again. I’m certainly not going to help
you a third time.
DANIEL
So you’re saying I can know Anubis is
plotting to destroy all life in the
galaxy and all I can do about it is
stay here and contemplate my own enlightenment?
OMA
You can eat your waffles. (She walks
away to the kitchen. Daniel sighs, then
calls after her.)
DANIEL
No syrup?! (After a moment he walks
over to the counter and sits down beside
an old lady who is eating pancakes while
reading a book.) Hi, how’s it going?
I’m, uh, Daniel Jackson. (He shows her
his photo in the newspaper. She doesn’t
even look up from her book.) Sorry to
bother you - I just wanted to know if
I could borrow your syrup. (She turns
over the page of her book and continues
reading.) Although technically I know
it’s not gonna be borrowing, because
I’m not actually gonna be giving back
what I use. (He grins at her, but she
still takes no notice. Daniel sighs.)
Enjoy your meal. (He picks up his newspaper,
leaves the counter and walks over to
one of the tables where three elderly
men are eating their meal. He puts his
paper down on the table and leans down
to them.) Hey, guys! How’s it going?
(They ignore him. He beats a tattoo
on his paper but they still take no
notice. He waves his hand in front of
the eyes of one of the men but still
gets no reaction. Oma walks over with
a jug of syrup.)
OMA
They’re not going to talk to you.
DANIEL
Why not? Who are they?
OMA
Others. You’re not one of them yet.
DANIEL
You mean Ancients.
OMA
A couple of them.
DANIEL
What are they doing here?
OMA
Watching.
DANIEL
Me.
OMA
Me too. I told you before - they’re
always watching. (She hands him the
jug of syrup.) You wanted some motor
oil?
(Daniel takes the jug and she walks away.)
SGC. BRIEFING ROOM. Jack is sitting at the table with Sam, Jacob,
Teal’c and Bra’tac.
O’NEILL
I still wish you guys had blown that
thing up when you had the chance.
CARTER
We had to at least be sure that all
the Replicators really were eliminated.
JACOB
And even though we apparently did get
rid of them all in this galaxy, there
may still be more elsewhere that could
be a threat again.
CARTER
So, we wanted to try to figure out how
the device worked in case we ever needed
something like it again.
O’NEILL
Great(!) Well, now the Jaffa have something
that can blow up the entire universe
with the push of a button.
BRA’TAC
The Jaffa will defend Dakara with their
lives.
O’NEILL
You wanna explain to me why they don’t
wanna wreck it?
BRA’TAC
The ruins at Dakara have become a symbol
of freedom.
TEAL’C
Much more, the Jaffa believe that the
device’s power helped free them by destroying
the Replicators. They also believe that
controlling this power will help ensure
their freedom in the future.
O’NEILL
And get them virtually anything they
want.
BRA’TAC
The Jaffa would never use it to that
end.
JACOB
Jack is right. No-one should have that
kind of power at their disposal.
(Sam’s cellphone rings. She gets it out of her pocket, cringing.)
CARTER
Sorry - thought I’d turned it off. (She
opens it and switches it off, then puts
it away, still cringing with embarrassment.)
O’NEILL
So - we’re all in agreement? One way
or another, it’s gotta go, correct?
TEAL’C
Indeed.
O’NEILL
Thank you.
BRA’TAC
If you are suggesting we destroy this
device against the wishes of the High
Council, I must point out that would
not be a good first step in relations
between the Tau’ri and the newly formed
free Jaffa nation.
(Jack turns to Jacob.)
O’NEILL
Why don’t you do it? They already hate
the Tok’Ra.
JACOB
To be honest, a plan may already be
in the works, but as you know, Selmak
and I aren’t fully in the loop any longer.
(Walter comes into the room and stands at Jack’s side.)
O’NEILL
Mmm. (Walter clears his throat. Jack
looks up at him.) Yes?
HARRIMAN
Sorry to interrupt, sir. (He turns to
Sam.) Colonel, there’s a call for you.
Apparently it’s urgent.
(As he leaves the room, Sam looks round at everyone and mouths,
“Sorry” before getting up and going over to the table at the
far end of the room. She picks up the phone there.)
CARTER
Carter.
(Back at the main table, the conversation continues.)
BRA’TAC
Teal’c and I have arranged another meeting
of the Jaffa Council.
TEAL’C
Our hope is to continue strengthening
the bond between previously warring
Jaffa by focusing on our common enemy.
(Jack looks over to Sam as her phone conversation continues.)
CARTER
Yeah, I know - it’s just that it’s not
a good time right now.
TEAL’C
There are still many Goa’uld who remain
a threat.
CARTER
I know, I’m sorry. ... I don’t know
- it could be an hour, it could be all
day. ... Yeah. ... OK. ... Yeah, me
too. Bye. (She hangs up and walks back
to the main table. Teal’c and Bra’tac
stand respectfully.) Sorry about that,
sir.
O’NEILL
Emergency?
CARTER
No, no. Just a, um, misunderstanding.
(Jacob stands.)
JACOB
Hey, weren’t you supposed to meet Pete
at the florists’ this morning?
(Sam shakes her head.)
CARTER
No, Dad.
JACOB
No, I’m sure that’s what you said -
for the wedding.
CARTER
I know. (She shakes her head minutely
at him.)
O’NEILL
Go ahead, Carter. It’s supposed to be
your day off anyway.
CARTER
It’s OK, sir.
O’NEILL
Well, Teal’c and Bra’tac are meeting
with the Jaffa - there’s nothin’ to
do around here. Go pick flowers.
(As he walks away, Sam sighs and glares at her father. Jacob
shrugs.)
JACOB
What?
DINER. Oma brings a pot of coffee over to Daniel’s booth.
OMA
More coffee?
DANIEL
Sure. (She pours him another mug of
coffee.) Can you sit a minute?
OMA
OK. (She sits down opposite him and
sighs in relief.) Oh - how am I supposed
to put it? Man, are my dogs tired!
DANIEL
That’s good!
OMA
How are your waffles?
DANIEL
Best I ever had. Can you tell me why
you stopped me from killing Anubis the
last time I was ascended?
OMA
Because if I didn’t stop you, the Others
would have, and they wouldn’t have been
as nice about it.
DANIEL
You mean they wouldn’t have erased my
memory and left me naked on a planet?
OMA
That was your choice. (Daniel raises
his eyebrows at her. She smiles.) OK,
maybe not the naked part. But I didn’t
totally erase your memory, even though
I was supposed to.
DANIEL
There - OK, why is it OK to break some
rules and not others?
(The bell over the entry door dings. Daniel looks round to see
Jim strolling in, whistling and carrying a newspaper. As he heads
towards the counter, Daniel turns back to Oma.)
DANIEL
Look, if you knew I had a problem following
the rules the last time, why offer me
ascension again?
(Oma watches Jim as he sits down at the counter, still whistling.
Finally she turns to Daniel again.)
OMA
Because I didn’t wanna see you die without
at least giving you a second chance.
Look, I have trouble following the rules.
I’m not really supposed to help people
ascend. You’re supposed to do it on
your own.
DANIEL
But you do it.
OMA
I walk the line. Believe me - I crossed
it a few times and paid for it dearly.
My point is, you just need to be willing
to put your prior human existence into
the proper context. Sorry - I gotta
get back to work. (She gets up, picks
up the coffee pot and walks back to
the counter.)
JIM
Coffee, please.
(Oma ignores him.)
COLORADO SPRINGS (presumably). Sam and Pete are driving along
in Pete’s car. Sam is gazing out of the window, apparently lost
in thought.
PETE
Chocolate or vanilla?
CARTER
I’m sorry - what?
PETE
Chocolate or vanilla - the cake, just
in case you can’t make the meeting with
the caterer.
CARTER
Oh! I’m sorry. I really do wanna be
a part of this.
PETE
I hope so! It’s your wedding too.
CARTER
I know! (They both smile.)
PETE
I realise this must be weird for you,
worrying about place settings when we
could be destroyed by aliens at any
minute.
CARTER
A little.
PETE
We’re not about to be destroyed by aliens,
are we?! (Sam looks at him and mouths,
“No.”) Cos you seem a bit distracted.
CARTER
I’m sorry.
PETE
So - did your dad like me?
CARTER
Of course! Why wouldn’t he?
PETE
Tough guy to read.
CARTER
You just have to get to know him.
PETE
How ‘bout ... Selmak?
CARTER
Ah! He thought you were very charming.
PETE
For a human.
CARTER
Well, generally speaking, that’s my
type!
(Pete laughs.)
PETE
Good! Did I tell you I also have a surprise
for you?
CARTER
No! What is it?
(Pete almost answers, then looks at her.)
PETE
Tricky! (She grins at him.) You’ll see.
SGC. JACK’S OFFICE. Jack is talking with Teal’c and Bra’tac.
BRA’TAC
The Council remains unwilling to destroy
the weapon for fear it will weaken the
resolve of the Jaffa to stand united
against the remaining Goa’uld.
O’NEILL
You realise we have to consider that
thing a threat to our security?
TEAL’C
Indeed.
BRA’TAC
The Council recognises the danger and
has decided to take action by aggressively
seeking out and killing Anubis. Once
that threat has been eliminated, they
will reassess the decision to destroy
the device.
O’NEILL
Well, we don’t even know if Anubis can
be killed yet, do we?
TEAL’C
We must not suggest to the Jaffa that
he cannot be. At the very least, we
can eliminate the remainder of the forces
of Anubis.
BRA’TAC
I believe this quest will unite the
remainder of the still-fractured armies
by giving them focus on a common goal.
O’NEILL
Got anything to go on?
TEAL’C
Many of the Kull warriors were killed
in battle with the Replicators, but
intelligence gathered indicates that
Anubis may be marshalling the remaining
Kull warriors on Tartarus.
BRA’TAC
A pre-emptive strike is being prepared.
DINER. Daniel, bored, is holding a sugar pourer over his mug
of coffee and pouring loads of sugar into it. He looks round
at the sound of Oma’s voice. She is standing at the counter arguing
with Jim. Daniel can’t hear what they’re saying but she’s obviously
angry. Finally she walks away. Daniel picks up his coffee mug
and walks over to the counter where Jim is leaning back in his
seat staring at the ceiling, looking either tired or angry at
the conversation he has just had with Oma.
DANIEL
Hey.
JIM
Hey! Daniel! How’s it going?
DANIEL
Do we know each other? I feel like I
know you.
JIM
Call me Jim. We ran into each other
last time you were ascended.
DANIEL
Ah. Nice to meet you ... again! (They
shake hands, then Daniel sits down on
the stool next to Jim.)
JIM
Still haven’t made up your mind, huh?
Death - or everlasting enlightenment.
I don’t really see the choice, myself.
DANIEL
Of course I don’t wanna be dead - it’s
just that, uh ... (He sighs.) Listen,
the reason I came over here was to ask
you - why are you talkin’ to me?
(Jim looks puzzled for a moment, then realises what Daniel means
and gestures round the diner.)
JIM
Oh, you mean because these other snobs
won’t even look at you? Well, I’m different,
like Oma.
DANIEL
Really? Cos I kinda had the impression
that you two don’t quite see eye to
eye.
JIM
What, that little ...? (He laughs.)
Oh, that was nothing. (He looks around
the diner again, then leans closer to
Daniel and talks quietly.) We both operate
somewhat outside the normal rules and
regulations. Sometimes we disagree on
how far outside we should go, that’s
all.
DANIEL
Really?
JIM
Yeah. As long as these other guys don’t
strike me down, I figure I’m OK.
DANIEL
See, I guess that’s what I’m tryin’
to figure out. I mean, I feel like if
I agree to ascend, I’m signing a contract
that I don’t even know what it says.
Now, obviously I had a little trouble
with the fine print the last time.
JIM
You sure did!
DANIEL
You know about that?
JIM
Well, it’s all out there. (He gestures
upwards.)
DANIEL
I just don’t see how I can agree to
stand by and let Anubis destroy every
living thing in the entire galaxy.
JIM
I know. That’s a tough one. (He slides
his new newspaper across the counter
to Daniel.) Speaking of which, have
you seen the latest? (Daniel opens the
new copy of The Ascended Times. The
main headline reads: “Secret Plan Revealed.
Anubis’ dastardly plot to regain Ancient
Weapon of Destruction”.) He’s a crafty
one. Really knows the ins and outs of
the rules. I give him three to one odds
to succeed. Wanna know the irony of
it all? That device was originally used
by the Ancients to create life in the
Milky Way ... well, recreate it after
the whole plague thing. No kidding.
Now it all gets undone with the push
of one button, leaving Anubis to recreate
things all over to his own liking. There’s
a waste of a million-odd years of evolution,
huh? (He turns around to the customers
in the diner and calls out to them.)
I say someone should really do something
to stop him! (The customers take no
notice. Jim waves his hand dismissively
at them and turns back to Daniel.) But
no-one will. (He calls out to the kitchen.)
Can I get a coffee?
COLORADO SPRINGS. Pete pulls up outside a house with a “For Sale”
sign in the garden. Sam opens the car door and gets out with
her eyes shut.
CARTER
Can I open them now?
PETE
Almost. (He leads her a few steps forward.)
OK. Now. (Sam opens her eyes and gazes
at the house.) What do you think?
CARTER
Uh ... well ... uh ...
PETE
Speechless, huh?!
CARTER
Yeah!
(Pete laughs in delight.)
PETE
Yeah! Isn’t it great?! (They start to
walk towards the house, Sam gazing at
it in amazement.) Remember our first
night together? You described the house
you always wanted?
CARTER
I can’t believe this.
PETE
The kitchen isn’t yellow, but we can
paint. C’mon - I’ll show you. And you’re
not gonna believe the back yard! The
dog’s gonna love it! (He heads towards
the house.)
CARTER
Dog? (She sighs to herself, not looking
too happy.)
DINER. Daniel is still sitting at the counter with Jim. Daniel
is reading the paper while Jim eats a piece of pie.
DANIEL
This is bad.
JIM
Yeah. And this pie is great, (he holds
up his empty mug) but there’s nothing
to wash it down with.
DANIEL
Is there anything you can do to stop
Anubis? I mean, you did say someone
should do something.
JIM
I did, didn’t I? (He shrugs helplessly.)
Well, as far as what can be done, it’s
kinda complicated.
DANIEL
Yeah, so Oma tells me.
JIM
Yeah, well I don’t think she’s told
you everything.
DANIEL
What does that mean?
JIM
I’m sayin’ ... (He trails off.) I’ve
already said too much.
DANIEL
No, you haven’t - in fact, you’ve hardly
said anything at all.
(Jim looks nervously round at the other customers, then turns
to Daniel.)
JIM
You gave up eternal enlightenment -
all the knowledge and power of the universe.
(He looks round for a moment as Oma
takes some plates of food over to a
table, then turns back to Daniel.) Why
do you think you did that?
DANIEL
To fight for humanity any way I could.
JIM
Yes, very big of you. You rejected everything
Oma offered you, and now she just gives
you another chance, based on the goodness
of her heart?
DANIEL
Well, that is the point, isn’t it? I
mean, she is ascended - she is good.
JIM
Sure, best intentions.
DANIEL
Do you know what happened between me
and Oma? Why did I choose to take human
form again?
JIM
You should ask Oma.
JACK’S HOUSE. Sam is sitting in the driveway in her car, gazing
at the house. She sits there for a while, almost getting out
and then stopping, before finally making a decision and getting
out of the car.
(In the back garden, Jack is burning the heck out of something
on the barbecue. He pours some of his bottle of beer over it
to dispel the smoke. Sam comes around the side of the house.)
CARTER
Hi, sir.
O’NEILL
Carter!
CARTER
Look, I-I’m sorry to bother you at home
like this, but, uh ...
O’NEILL
How’d you know I was here? (He glances
nervously towards the house for a moment.)
CARTER
I saw the smoke.
O’NEILL
Oh, yeah. (He brushes ashes off his
jumper.)
CARTER
Look, is this, is this OK? I mean, I
could have called first, but ...
O’NEILL
No ... yeah ... I mean, it’s fine. So,
um, (he glances towards the house again)
what brings you to this neck of the
woods on such a fine day in my back
yard?
CARTER
Well, actually, I’ve, um, (she clears
her throat) I’ve been sitting in your
driveway for the last ten minutes trying
to work up the nerve to come and talk
to you. (Jack raises his eyebrows at
her.) The truth is, I’ve been trying
to work up the nerve for a lot longer
than that. (She smiles nervously.)
O’NEILL
Oh? (He gestures for her to continue.)
CARTER
Pete put a down payment on a house.
O’NEILL
Well, that’s great!
CARTER
It’s a beautiful house.
O’NEILL
But?
CARTER
The-the truth is, I’m having second
thoughts about the wedding.
O’NEILL
Why?
CARTER
See, the ... the thing is, the closer
it gets, the more I get the feeling
that ... I’m making a big, huge, mistake.
(Jack looks at her for a moment, then glances towards the house
again.)
O’NEILL
Look, Carter, the ... I don’t know what
...
CARTER
Look, I’m sorry to bother you with this,
but, uh ... see, there’s actually a
very good reason that I’m bothering
you with this, and if I don’t tell you
now, I might never ...
(At that moment, Kerry comes out of the house with a salad bowl
in one hand and a dish of something in the other.)
KERRY
Jack, I looked everywhere - I could
not find ... (She stops dead at the
sight of Sam standing there. Sam closes
her eyes in disbelief, then winces before
turning towards Kerry.) Colonel Carter.
(Sam nods to her, then turns towards Jack again.)
O’NEILL
Ms Johnson.
CARTER
Yeah, I didn’t - I didn’t ...
O’NEILL
We were just ... meeting here in my
back yard on this fine day to discuss
the state of affairs.
(Sam nods, not believing a word of it.)
KERRY
Well, this is awkward!
CARTER
Ya think?!
KERRY
Jack didn’t want anyone at the SGC to
know about us.
(Jack goes over to her to take the bowl and dish off her.)
CARTER
No, look, I, uh, uh, I’m sorry, this
is my fault, I really, I shouldn’t have
come by unannounced like this.
KERRY
Well, y’know, now that the cat’s out
of the bag, you’re here, why don’t you
just stay? I’m sure there’s enough charred
meat on the grill for all three of us.
(Jack gestures at her with a piece of the charred meat. Sam laughs.)
CARTER
No - thank you - I, um ... (At that
moment her cellphone rings. She gets
it out and looks at the Caller ID.)
It’s the SGC. (She answers the phone.)
Colonel Carter. (Kerry smiles at Jack
and walks over to him. He offers her
his bottle of beer.) What? When? ...
OK, I’m on my way. (She hangs up.) I-I
gotta go. Uh, it’s my dad. (She hurries
away.)
DINER. Daniel is sitting at the counter reading the newspaper.
Jim has gone. Oma comes out of the kitchen.
OMA
Well, you can’t stay here forever, you
know. Actually, I suppose you could,
I just don’t know why you’d really want
to - except for the great service! (She
gets the coffee pot and pours him another
mug of coffee.)
DANIEL
Look, obviously I don’t wanna just die.
I don’t suppose there’s any other options?
OMA
I can’t get into it. What’s stopping
you from ascending?
DANIEL
I don’t know.
OMA
Must be something holding you back -
making you doubt yourself.
DANIEL
Maybe it’s not me I’m doubting.
OMA
Look, whether you choose to accept living
on a higher plane of existence has nothing
to do with me or anything that I can
or can’t tell you. It’s all up to you.
DANIEL
But there is something you’re not telling
me.
OMA
Is that what Jim said? You shouldn’t
be listening to him.
DANIEL
Why not?
OMA
Because.
DANIEL
Good answer!
OMA
Yes. (She smiles and walks away.)
SGC. ISOLATION ROOM. Sam, still in her casual clothes, comes
in to find Jacob in bed.
CARTER
Dad?
JACOB
I’m sorry, kiddo. We both are.
CARTER
About what? What’s going on?
JACOB
I don’t wanna ruin everything like this.
CARTER
Dad?
JACOB
It’s Selmak - he’s dying.
CARTER
Oh my God. I’m sorry.
JACOB
It’s OK. He’s OK. He led a pretty full
life.
CARTER
I didn’t live with Jolinar that long,
but I think I have some idea what it’s
like.
JACOB
Well, this is a little different, Sam.
As you know, when a Tok’Ra symbiont
dies, they can prevent their host from
dying as Jolinar did with you. The problem
is, that last selfless act requires
a certain amount of energy and a conscious
effort.
CARTER
What are you saying?
JACOB
By all rights, Selmak should have been
dead weeks ago. I wouldn’t let him go.
I thought we needed him - that I needed
him to help you stop the Replicators.
CARTER
Dad?
JACOB
He hung on as long as he could, then
he slipped into a coma just after we
activated the weapon on Dakara.
CARTER
You’ve known all this time since then?
JACOB
I didn’t wanna spoil your wedding. Now,
I thought we could make it.
(Sam stares at him, her eyes filling with tears.)
CARTER
“We”?
JACOB
He’s barely alive. I’m gonna die with
him, Sam.
(Sam starts to cry.)
DINER. Jim returns to his stool beside Daniel.
JIM
Where is she?
DANIEL
I dunno. Off doing whatever it is she
does when she’s not here.
JIM
You ask her?
DANIEL
Yep.
JIM
Wouldn’t tell you?
DANIEL
Nope.
JIM
Had to find out for yourself last time,
too. Man, were you pissed!
DANIEL
About what? Tell me.
(Jim glances around the diner, then leans close to Daniel.)
JIM
What do you know about Anubis?
DANIEL
I know he’s half-ascended, whatever
that means.
JIM
There are many planes of existence between
human existence and ascension. Basically,
the Others use their collective powers
to keep him from affecting anything
on a grand, cosmic level.
DANIEL
But it’s OK for him to destroy an entire
galaxy?
JIM
It’s OK for him to do anything he could
have done back when he was a regular
old Goa’uld.
DANIEL
OK, I see. What does this have to do
with Oma?
JIM
Goa’ulds are bad. Anubis is as bad as
they come.
DANIEL
And?
JIM
And? (He gestures to Daniel to work
it out himself.)
DANIEL
And ascension requires that somebody
be pure of spirit. One must be good
to the very core to achieve enlightenment,
so how did someone like Anubis ascend?
(Jim claps his hands.)
JIM
Now he’s getting it!
DANIEL
Oma helps people ascend, but she’d never
help somebody like Anubis!
JIM
Maybe not on purpose.
DANIEL
What, you’re saying he tricked her somehow?
JIM
Rule Number One! No lone ascended being
shall help a lower ascend. “Lowers”
are what we call humans and such. If
you deserve to be here, you should be
able to get here on your own. If there’s
an exception - for whatever reason -
a majority vote by the collective can
get you in, but Oma thinks she knows
better - and she’s taken her licks for
it. Now I admit, for the most part,
she’s brought good people on board but,
as the old saying goes, nobody’s perfect
- not even us higher beings.
(Daniel stares at him.)
DANIEL
Oma helped Anubis ascend.
(Jim clicks his fingers and points at Daniel. At that moment,
Oma walks over.)
OMA
Get out. (Jim looks at her.) Get out
now.
(Jim looks at his watch.)
JIM
Well, look at the time. Gotta go, kid
- uh, business to attend to. (He pats
Daniel’s leg.) It was nice talking to
you, though. (He gets up and walks away,
whistling. At the door, he stops and
looks back at Oma and Daniel for a moment,
then leaves the diner.)
SGC. ISOLATION ROOM. Sam, now in her black jumper, is sitting
at Jacob’s bedside, holding his hand.
CARTER
A number of the Tok’Ra have responded.
They wanna pay their respects.
JACOB
They can come. (His voice is quiet and
he looks very weak.)
CARTER
I can’t believe there’s nothing they
can do. They can remove a Goa’uld. In
the last few years you’ve almost perfected
the process of saving a host.
JACOB
That process instantly kills the symbiont
before it releases toxins. It’s too
late for that, Sam. I’m sorry. I hate
to do this to you, but I should have
been dead four years ago. Since then,
I’ve been all over the galaxy. I’ve
done things most men never dream of.
CARTER
Where have I heard that before?
JACOB
I just wanna know you’re gonna be happy.
CARTER
I am.
JACOB
Don’t let rules stand in your way.
(Sam looks puzzled.)
CARTER
What are you talking about?
JACOB
You joined the Air Force because of
me.
CARTER
I love my job.
JACOB
Mmm. (He reaches out and strokes her
cheek.) You can still have everything
you want.
CARTER
I do, Dad. (Jacob sighs, frustrated
that she doesn’t understand or refuses
to understand what he’s talking about.
She takes his hand again.) Really.
JACK’S OFFICE. Jack is sitting at his desk, lost in thought.
Kerry comes to the door and knocks.
KERRY
How’s Colonel Carter’s father?
O’NEILL
Doesn’t look good.
KERRY
Sorry to hear that. (She comes into
the office and closes the door.)
O’NEILL
Closing the door.
KERRY
Yeah. Deeply symbolic.
O’NEILL
Really?
(Kerry smiles at him awkwardly.)
KERRY
I really like you. We’re good together.
(Jack stands up.)
O’NEILL
Yes. We are. But?
KERRY
You have issues. It’s OK - we all do.
There’s just one big one in particular
that I don’t think I can love with.
(Jack raises his eyebrows. Kerry flinches
and corrects herself.) Live with. I
need to get out before I get more involved.
We can still work together, can’t we?
I’d hate to have to ask for reassignment.
This is really important to me. We agreed
this would never affect the job.
O’NEILL
We did.
KERRY
Good. (She smiles and walks towards
the door, then turns and puts her hands
on her hips.) You know, there’s just
one thing I don’t understand.
O’NEILL
Just one?
KERRY
Is the Air Force the only thing keeping
you two apart? Rules and regulations?
Cos if it is, you’re making a very big
mistake.
O’NEILL
And you know what I should do?
KERRY
Retire.
O’NEILL
Again.
KERRY
Don’t get me wrong - you are considered
invaluable to the programme by the Pentagon,
but the President has appointed a civilian
to run the SGC before. (Jack nods.)
Just a thought. (She leaves the room,
leaving Jack looking pensive and bothered
by what she’s made him think about.)
SPACE. A large fleet of free Jaffa ships is heading towards Tartarus.
Teal’c and Bra’tac are on the pel’tak of one of the motherships.
BRA’TAC
The time has come for this ancient warrior
to fight one final battle.
TEAL’C
I think not, old man. This victory will
present us with many new challenges
that will require your wisdom and sound
judgement.
BRA’TAC
What our people will require is a youthful,
vital, leadership, and that is something
others are better suited to provide.
TEAL’C
You are only as old as you believe yourself
to be.
BRA’TAC
Talk to me in fifty years!
(Teal’c looks round at him.)
TEAL’C
Indeed I will.
(Bra’tac looks at him. Teal’c nods. Bra’tac looks away and smiles.)
DINER. Daniel and Oma are now sitting facing each other in the
booth.
DANIEL
So it’s true.
OMA
He tricked me.
DANIEL
How? You couldn’t tell?!
OMA
No. He must have found some old Ancient
research on ascension. When he came
to Kheb, he knew what he was doing.
When I realised the horrible mistake
that I had made, I tried to undo it,
but I couldn’t. That’s when the Others
stepped in.
DANIEL
I don’t understand - they only sent
him halfway back. Why not all the way?
OMA
It’s complicated.
DANIEL
Yeah, what isn’t around here?
OMA
They warned him - he wasn’t allowed
to use any knowledge or power unless
he otherwise would have gained it as
a Goa’uld.
DANIEL
I don’t understand. They let him wreak
havoc. They don’t care if he destroys
all life in the galaxy - life they themselves
created?
OMA
They haven’t stopped me from continuing
my work. I’ve tried to make up for it
- help when I can.
DANIEL
It’s your punishment. You’re forced
to watch, powerless to interfere, and
let Anubis do whatever he wants just
to punish you?
OMA
I told you before - the galaxy you’re
from, the plane of existence, is so
small and insignificant compared to
the rest of the universe.
DANIEL
I don’t care. It’s wrong.
OMA
That’s what you said last time.
(Daniel stands up and calls out to the other customers.)
DANIEL
Excuse me? Isn’t it enough already?
I mean, a whole galaxy of innocent people
enslaved and tortured for generations,
now on the verge of being destroyed
for nothing? For what? For one mistake
a good person made trying to do a good
thing. (The customers ignore him.) C’mon,
the least you could do is listen to
me. (shouting) That can’t be against
the grand high-falutin’ cosmic rules!
(He turns to a man sitting in another
booth.) Hey! I’m talkin’ to you! (He
tries to grab him by the throat but
the part of the man he grabs morphs
into white light. Daniel steps back,
surprised, and the man becomes solid
again.) OK. OK. Well, I know you can
hear me. Hasn’t she suffered enough
already? And certainly enough other
people have suffered to punish her.
Don’t you think you’ve made your point?
OMA
That’s the thing, Daniel. They don’t.
I keep breaking the same rule - helping
people ascend. That’s why you’re here.
DANIEL
What if you stopped?
OMA
Wouldn’t undo the problem. That’s why
I keep doing what I do. Anubis can’t
be killed - not by you, not by me.
TARTARUS. Inside Anubis’ base, Jaffa are milling around. Teal’c
and Bra’tac meet up.
BRA’TAC
He is not here. No-one is here! The
defences we fought through were automated.
TEAL’C
We have been deceived.
BRA’TAC
Anubis fled us, to lure us here. Our
forces defending Dakara are depleted.
TEAL’C
We could not have known, brother.
BRA’TAC
You were right, old friend. The device
at Dakara should have been destroyed
at all costs.
SGC. ISOLATION ROOM. Jacob is being visited by a couple of Tok’Ra.
Sam sits in the Observation Room watching them talk. Jack comes
in and sits down next to her. He looks down at Jacob for a while,
then speaks to Sam.
O’NEILL
You OK?
(Sam has obviously been crying a lot but for the moment her face
is dry.)
CARTER
Actually, I’m fine. Good, even, strange
as that sounds. I thought I lost him
four years ago. Since then, we’ve been
closer than we ever were in my whole
life. In a way, Selmak gave me the father
I never thought I’d know.
(Jack looks at her for a moment.)
O’NEILL
C’me here. (He puts his arm around her
shoulder. She reaches up and takes his
hand and snuggles into his shoulder,
rubbing her thumb against his hand.
They sit and look at Jacob for a moment.)
CARTER
Thank you, sir.
O’NEILL
For what?
CARTER
For being here for me.
(Jack looks at her for a moment, then speaks quietly.)
O’NEILL
Always.
(Sam looks at him, then rests her head on his hand as she gazes
at her father.)
(In the Isolation Room, Jacob speaks weakly to the Tok’Ra by
the side of his bed.)
JACOB
I’m ready.
(The Tok’Ra puts his hand on Jacob’s shoulder, then looks up
at Sam. Sam gets up and hurries down into the Isolation Room.
She goes to Jacob’s bedside, takes his hand and kisses him on
the forehead. He opens his eyes one last time and gazes at his
daughter.)
JACOB
I love you. (He closes his eyes and
dies. Sam shuts her eyes in grief. In
the Observation Room, Jack gazes at
them helplessly.)
DINER. Daniel and Oma are sitting in the booth. Jim comes in
again, holding another newspaper, and walks over to the booth
to talk to Oma.
JIM
Can I get a coffee?
OMA
Get it yourself.
JIM
Don’t mind if I do! (He walks behind
the counter, tossing his newspaper down
onto the counter.) Ooh! Hey, Danny boy,
you see the paper?
DANIEL
No, what’s it say?
JIM
The trick worked! (He helps himself
to a mug and a pot of coffee.) Those
stupid Jaffa took half their ships to
hunt down Anubis. Meanwhile, his army
was poised to attack Dakara. The remaining
rebel Jaffa guarding Dakara are being
slaughtered. It’s only a matter of time
before old Anubis gets his hands on
the weapon.
DANIEL
I’m sorry - you sound almost happy about
that.
JIM
Who, me?
DANIEL
Yeah. What do you have against Oma?
OMA
Daniel.
DANIEL
No - I wanna know. (He turns towards
Jim.) I mean, you’re not just watching
- you’re coming in here to rub it in.
Why are you taking such pleasure in
her punishment?
JIM
Me? I don’t have anything against Oma.
I think she’s great, don’t I? (He looks
at Oma. Daniel turns and looks at her
as well.) Hell, she’s the one that helped
me ascend. (Daniel turns and stares
at Jim. Jim smiles evilly, then points
at Daniel.) You got it, huh?
DANIEL
You are Anubis.
(Jim laughs raucously, then lifts his coffee mug and toasts Daniel.)
JIM/ANUBIS
Cheers. (He drinks, then continues laughing.)
COLORADO SPRINGS. Pete and Sam are sitting on a bench in the
front garden of the house he has bought. The “For Sale” sign
now reads “Sold”.
PETE
I knew from the beginning. Guess I just
thought when you said yes that ... (He
sighs and trails off, then looks at
Sam.) You were worth the risk. Don’t
say I deserve better. Can’t get much
better than you.
CARTER
That’s not true.
PETE
I wish I could believe this had something
to do with your father - you needed
some time to just work things out. I
guess all I can say is: I hope you get
what you want.
CARTER
That’s it?
PETE
What do you want? You want me to get
down on my knees and beg?
CARTER
God, no! Of course not! I just ... I
thought you would react differently.
(Pete’s eyes fill with tears.)
PETE
Goodbye, Sam. (He stands and starts
to walk away.)
CARTER
Pete ...
(As he walks across the garden, Pete wipes tears from his eyes.
He stops at the sign to peel off the “Sold” sign so that it reads
“For Sale” again, then walks away.)
SGC. BRIEFING ROOM. Jack and Teal’c are standing near the window
to the Gateroom.
TEAL’C
The rebel fleet guarding Dakara has
fallen to the forces of Anubis. Bra’tac
and the remaining rebel ships will not
arrive in time. (Sam comes in and joins
them.) Anubis now controls the weapon.
O’NEILL
Well then, we find the biggest damned
nuke we can and we shove it right through
the Gate now.
TEAL’C
Anubis will certainly have the Gate
shielded. The nuke will not arrive in
one piece.
(Sam nods in agreement.)
CARTER
If we can dial the Alpha site, we may
be able to prevent the weapon from connecting
the wormhole to either planet. It may
only buy us the thirty-eight minutes
that the Gate can ...
O’NEILL
Go, go, just go.
CONTROL ROOM. Sam comes down the stairs and walks over to Walter,
who is sitting at the control desk.
CARTER
Sergeant, dial the Alpha site now.
(Walter types and the Gate starts to dial. Walter looks at his
screens.)
HARRIMAN
Wait a minute - that’s not me.
CARTER
What?
HARRIMAN
I don’t know. (As Jack and Teal’c come
to join them, the Gate continues to
dial and alarms sound.) Incoming wormhole!
(He closes the iris.)
CARTER
That’s not gonna stop the energy from
the weapon.
O’NEILL
If it is the weapon.
(Behind the iris, the Stargate kawhooshes. Walter checks his
screens.)
HARRIMAN
No iris codes.
(Sam looks at Jack.)
CARTER
We’re too late.
O’NEILL
Self destruct.
CARTER
That’s not gonna destroy the Gate, and
theoretically there’s only a remote
chance it would disengage an active
incoming wormhole.
O’NEILL
Carter! (More quietly) Carter.
(Sam bends to a console and starts to type in her code to activate
the emergency self destruct. Jack does the same at another console.)
DINER. Jim/Anubis is standing at the counter.
ANUBIS
Oh, you make a great cup of coffee.
(He puts the coffee pot and mug down
and walks out into the restaurant.)
Well, gotta go. (He waves sarcastically
to Oma.)
(Daniel looks at Oma and sees that she’s not going to do anything.
He jumps up and runs at Anubis, but runs straight through him.
He stops and turns around to face him again. Anubis chuckles.)
ANUBIS
There’s nothing you can do. You don’t
have the power.
OMA
But I do.
(Anubis turns to face her. As she stands up, she briefly morphs
into white light. As the light fades, she is no longer in her
waitress uniform - she is now in the white trouser suit she wore
during “Meridian”. For the first time, all the other customers
in the diner take notice, turning round to look at her. Anubis
chuckles a little nervously.)
ANUBIS
You can’t kill me either.
OMA
I can fight you.
ANUBIS
Well, you can’t win.
OMA
It won’t matter. You won’t be able to
do anything but fight me back.
ANUBIS
Well, what are you gonna do?
OMA
Something I should have done a long
time ago. (She starts to walk towards
him.)
ANUBIS
Oh, no. No. No! No!
(He raises his hands to try to stop her. She morphs into white
light. As she reaches him, he too morphs into white light. They
merge, and the light rises up and goes through the ceiling of
the diner. Daniel and all the customers stare up at the ceiling.
Daniel walks to the spot that they disappeared from and looks
around at the customers, bewildered.)
HARRIMAN
Wormhole disengaged.
CARTER
What’s going on?
HARRIMAN
I don’t know. Must be some kind of ...
system malfunction.
CARTER
That’s impossible!
O’NEILL
Shut it off.
(Sam reaches down and types.)
CARTER
Aborting self destruct. (She finishes
typing and the self destruct shuts down.
She looks at Jack, who blows out a relieved
breath.)
BRIEFING ROOM. Bra’tac has now arrived and is reporting to Jack,
Sam and Teal’c.
BRA’TAC
The Kull warriors became ... disorganised,
confused, as though they no longer knew
what to do.
TEAL’C
They no longer had a master to serve.
BRA’TAC
After that, they were easily defeated.
TEAL’C
Many Jaffa lost their lives at Dakara.
Those that survived are united as never
before, and we are in agreement - the
weapon must be destroyed.
O’NEILL
Well, that’s good.
BRA’TAC
A new memorial will be erected in its
place so that our triumph over the Goa’uld
will never be forgotten.
CARTER
I still don’t quite understand what
happened. One minute Anubis is about
to push the button that ends all life
in the galaxy, and the next minute he’s
just ... gone.
TEAL’C
Indeed. It is a great mystery.
BRA’TAC
One can only assume he was vanquished
by some beings. If not, why would he
forfeit the weapon and his army?
(Sam looks at Jack.)
CARTER
You think?
O’NEILL
I do.
CARTER
It’s the only thing that would explain
the self destruct not going off.
BRA’TAC
Of what do you speak?
TEAL’C
O’Neill believes that Daniel Jackson
was somehow responsible.
DANIEL
No! It wasn’t me.
(Everyone looks startled.)
O’NEILL
Anybody else hear that?
(Sam nods.)
DANIEL
I’m in here! (Everyone turns towards
Jack’s office.)
O’NEILL
That’s Daniel! (He gets up and walks
to the door of his office.)
DANIEL
No! Don’t come in!
(Jack recoils at what he sees.)
O’NEILL
Ho! Hey there! (He backs out of the
room again.)
DANIEL
Can you get me ... something?
(Jack looks around the Briefing Room and spots the SGC flag on
its pole at the side of his door. He rips it off the pole and
hands it to Daniel. A moment later, Daniel comes out of the office,
wrapping the flag around his waist. He is bare chested. Jack
fiddles awkwardly with the flag pole. Sam’s jaw drops, then she
looks away. Bra’tac gazes at Daniel, grinning widely.)
DANIEL
It’s, uh, a long story.
(Sam glances at him and smiles, embarrassed. Behind Daniel, Jack
has turned to look at him. Daniel glances round at him and Jack
looks away again.)
MINNESOTA. Jack’s cabin. A fishing line arcs out into the water.
The camera lifts up from the water and we see that Jack and Sam
are sitting side by side on the pier, fishing.
CARTER
This is great.
O’NEILL
I told ya!
CARTER
I can’t believe we didn’t do this years
ago.
O’NEILL
Yes, well, let’s not dwell.
CARTER
There are no fish in this pond, are
there?
O’NEILL
No.
(Sam giggles as she looks at him. Behind them, Daniel and Teal’c
arrive, carrying a cooler box between them and each holding a
folding chair in their free hand. Jack launches his line out
into the water again.)
O’NEILL
Nice!
(The camera pulls back as Daniel and Teal’c unfold their chairs.
Teal’c sits down, and Daniel walks onto the pier to join the
other two.)
THE END
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