STARGATE SG1
Episode 502
"THRESHOLD"
By
Brad Wright
INT BRIEFING ROOM, SGC
HAMMOND
Master BRA’TAC, before we proceed...
BRA’TAC
We waste time.
HAMMOND
Please explain to me what it is you
hope to achieve by depriving TEAL’C
of his symbiote.
BRA’TAC
I hope to save him.
DANIEL
By killing him.
BRA’TAC
If necessary.
O’NEILL
See, I think we disagree on the meaning
of the word ‘save’.
BRA’TAC
You would have him remain this way,
loving a false god, spitting and cursing?
O’NEILL
No.
CARTER
There may be other methods we haven’t
considered.
BRA’TAC
I have seen your methods. You underestimate
the hold APOPHIS has on TEAL’C’S heart.
In time, you will have little choice
but to lock him away, for he is far
too dangerous an enemy to have in your
midst. The Rite of Malsuraan is the
only way.
DANIEL
Last Rite.
BRA’TAC
To save TEAL’C’S soul, first we must
take him to the very threshold of death.
On Chulak, it is said that when a warrior
is dying, the events that forged him
wash over his mind like a great wave.
DANIEL
His whole life passes before his eyes,
we have a similar...uh, where does that
get us?
BRA’TAC
Through his fever and hallucination,
he will relive his true path, buried
beneath this lie.
O’NEILL
You’ve done this before?
BRA’TAC
Twice, in my 137 years.
CARTER
So you know it works.
BRA’TAC
Neither Jaffa had the strength to turn
back from the precipice. But I am content
they died free. TEAL’C would ask for
nothing more. I owe him that. Do you?
INT INFIRMARY, SGC
TEAL’C’S symbiote is being held in a clear container, floating
in a fluid, while many lit candles line the room.
FRASIER crosses to where TEAL’C is strapped to a bed as the others
enter.
FRASIER
He’s in and out of consciousness. His
temperature is rising, his BP is falling,
TEAL’C’S immune system is failing.
If we don’t return his symbiote within
the next few hours...
BRA’TAC
Do nothing.
FRASIER
I can’t do that.
O’NEILL
BRA’TAC made his case. HAMMOND gave
the go ahead.
FRASIER
I see. Then I will take this up with
him.
She starts to leave but is confronted by BRA’TAC.
BRA’TAC
Do you count yourself among TEAL’C’S
friends?
FRASIER
Of course.
BRA’TAC
Then stay. When the time comes he may
need your help to fight his way back
to us.
FRASIER hesitates, then nods, and they both return to TEAL’C’S
side.
BRA’TAC
Can you hear me old friend?
TEAL’C’S eyes snap open.
TEAL’C
Kel’kek mar sholva.
BRA’TAC
But where is your god now, TEAL’C?
TEAL’C
He will come.
O’NEILL
I don’t think so buddy. I know we’ve
been over this a few times, but in case
you weren’t listening, I am one hundred
percent s-sure...
He stutters to a stop and glances at DANIEL and CARTER.
O’NEILL
Ninety nine percent sure APOPHIS is
dead.
TEAL’C
He has deceived you O’NEILL. As I have
deceived you all these years in coming
to be in the service to the Tauri.
O’NEILL
Right.
TEAL’C
I have never left the service of my
Lord APOPHIS and I never will.
O’NEILL
So all that time you were helping us
out, saving the world, killing Goa’ulds...
TEAL’C
Subterfuge.
O’NEILL
Savvy.
TEAL’C
You can take my life but you can never
take away my loyalty to my god. I die
in his name. I die for you, My Lord!
BRA’TAC grabs him.
BRA’TAC
Enough! Do you know me TEAL’C?
TEAL’C
You are the sholva BRA’TAC.
BRA’TAC
There was a time I was once the First
Prime and loyal servant to your lord
APOPHIS. You were my apprentice.
TEAL’C
Kel’kak sholva!
BRA’TAC
Remember. Remember TEAL’C!
TEAL’C has a flashback, of BRA’TAC leading him and another two
other Jaffa down a corridor.
TEAL’C
It was glorious.
BRA’TAC
For years we fought side by side in
battle, in his name.
TEAL’C
My Lord APOPHIS.
In the flashback, BRA’TAC, TEAL’C and the accompanying Jaffa
go to their knees before APOPHIS’ throne.
BRA’TAC
My Lord APOPHIS. Your enemy is defeated.
You have won the day.
APOPHIS
Shal’met BRA’TAC. Rise.
BRA’TAC and the others obey. APOPHIS steps down from his throne
to place a hand on BRA’TAC’S shoulder.
APOPHIS
You have done well and will know my
gratitude.
BRA’TAC
You do me honour.
They both turn to TEAL’C and the other Jaffa.
BRA’TAC
In displaying great skill and cunning,
these three most honoured your name
in battle.
APOPHIS approaches TEAL’C, who keeps his eyes on the floor.
APOPHIS
Tell me of this one.
BRA’TAC
His name is TEAL’C, Mr Lord. My apprentice
and with your blessing, my successor.
APOPHIS
Who was your father?
BRA’TAC
He is the son of...
APOPHIS
Let him speak. If he is to take your
place as my First Prime I must know
he has a tongue.
TEAL’C
My father was RO’NAK, First Prime of
KRONOS, who was murdered for failing
to win an unwinable battle. My family
was exiled to Chulak.
APOPHIS
He failed his god.
TEAL’C
He did not.
BRA’TAC
Si’kree TEAL’C!
TEAL’C
My lord, I speak only the truth. The
battle could not have been won.
APOPHIS
Your father should have died trying.
He was a coward.
TEAL’C looks up at that.
TEAL’C
My lord, my father was not.
APOPHIS raises his ribbon device and uses it on TEAL’C, who falls
to his knees, crying out in pain.
INT INFIRMARY, SGC
TEAL’C is screaming in pain, before falling unconscious.
DANIEL
Uh, what was that?
BRA’TAC
A conjured memory. The first of many.
FRASIER
He’s obviously in a lot of pain. At
least let me give him...
BRA’TAC
Pain is what we seek. TEAL’C’S path
was laid down with suffering. It is
the path he must take to return to us.
FRASIER
At the moment, he’s unconscious.
BRA’TAC
All the better.
O’NEILL
All the better?
BRA’TAC
It is his unconscious mind we must reach.
I know my ways are foreign to you,
but I have known TEAL’C longer than
any of you have lived. I have walked
his path. You cannot hope to understand
the darkness in his heart as I do.
(He looks around at the others) Trust
in me. All of you.
CARTER
We do.
DANIEL
What ever you need.
BRA’TAC
For the moment, I must meditate in Kel’no’reem.
This rite will take most of the night
and I am tired from my long journey
here. In the meantime stay with him,
speak to him.
FRASIER
He won’t be able to hear us unless...
BRA’TAC
Perhaps not in his mind. But in his
heart. Even in silence he will know
of your presence, but your words will
force him to remember. Challenge him
when he does, question his beliefs.
Without his symbiote he will not resist
reason so readily.
O’NEILL
CARTER? Maybe you could show BRA’TAC
to the VIP room?
CARTER
Yes Sir.
She escorts BRA’TAC from the room.
INT CORRIDOR, SGC
CARTER is leading BRA’TAC down the corridor.
CARTER
I hope you understand how difficult
it is for us to just stand by while
TEAL’C is in such obvious agony. Especially
Dr FRASIER.
BRA’TAC
Humans concern themselves too much with
pain.
CARTER
Yeah, we also don’t approve of torture.
BRA’TAC
The greater torture would be to leave
him as he is. TEAL’C is strong, stronger
than I.
CARTER
Oh I don’t, you’re the fittest hundred
and thirty year old I know.
BRA’TAC
Perhaps, but I am nearing the end of
my time. Kel’no’reem is more and more
difficult. The symbiote I carry within,
will mature within two years. It will
be my last.
CARTER
Why?
BRA’TAC
Even if I could procure another, the
new symbiote would reject me. It is
how old warriors die.
CARTER
Well maybe we can find someway to help
you.
BRA’TAC
Life for the sake of life means nothing.
Neither for me nor for TEAL’C. Do
you understand?
CARTER
I think I do.
BRA’TAC
Either he will return to us as we know
him, or he will not return.
INT INFIRMARY, SGC
O’NEILL and DANIEL are staring down at an unconscious TEAL’C.
O’NEILL
You wanna go first?
DANIEL
Sure.
After a moment, DANIEL grabs a stool and places besides TEAL’C’S
bed. He sits down and for a long, awkward moment doesn’t speak.
O’NEILL
I’ll go.
DANIEL
Yep.
They exchange places.
O’NEILL
So, explain this to me one more time.
You honestly believe that from the
moment you broke us out of that prison
on Chulak, that you’ve been serving
APOPHIS? Because, I gotta tell you,
as your best friend at least in this
whole live world, that makes absolutely
no sense at all. I mean, that would
make you the most ineffective double
agent in the history of double agenting.
TEAL’C makes a sound.
O’NEILL
What?
TEAL’C repeats the name as he has another flashback.
INT BARRACKS, CHULAK
TEAL’C is laying on a bunk, surrounded by sleeping Jaffa, as
his friend VA’LAR approaches.
VA’LAR
TEAL’C? Are you alright?
TEAL’C
I met him. I spoke to him.
VA’LAR
With APOPHIS himself? You were granted
an audience?
TEAL’C
As a reward for my deeds in battle.
VA’LAR
I don’t understand, how did he reward
you? When they brought you here, you
were so weak.
TEAL’C
He punished me.
VA’LAR
Then you must have failed him in some
way.
TEAL’C
This day I struck down one hundred of
APOPHIS’ enemies.
VA’LAR
You fought well TEAL’C, none would deny
that. But he is a god and if you fail
him, by sparing even one enemy’s life
that was yours for the taking, he will
know.
TEAL’C
This was not for the battle. What god
would punish a son for loving his father?
VA’LAR
Your god.
TEAL’C
Yes but...
VA’LAR
Never question that again!
JAFFA
Quiet!
VA’LAR
Today you served APOPHIS well in battle.
Serve him well again tomorrow and you
may live to see another day.
He leaves and TEAL’C appears to be considering his advice.
INT INFIRMARY, SGC
O’NEILL
VA’LAR. Is that what he said?
DANIEL
I thought he said velour.
O’NEILL
Velour?
DANIEL
Velour.
O’NEILL
The fabric?
DANIEL
That’s what I heard him say.
O’NEILL
Why would he say that?
DANIEL
I don’t know, why would he say VA’LAR?
O’NEILL
I don’t know.
TEAL’C
VA’LAR was my friend.
DANIEL
What?
O’NEILL
TEAL’C.
TEAL’C attempts to rise but is prevented by the straps.
TEAL’C
O’NEILL. What is happening? Why am
I restrained?
O’NEILL
Well, you were sort of...trying to kill
everyone these past few weeks.
TEAL’C
I could never have harmed you. The
Rite of Malsuraan has been successfully.
Please release me.
O’NEILL
Nice try, but...no.
TEAL’C
I am not your enemy. We are brothers.
DANIEL Jackson...
DANIEL
Tell us about VA’LAR.
TEAL’C
I have not heard that name in years.
I trained with him under BRA’TAC.
We served in the personal guard of APOPHIS.
If you do not return my symbiote to
me, I will die.
DANIEL
What happened to him?
There is a pause.
TEAL’C
He failed his god.
O’NEILL
His god? You mean that scum-sucking,
over-dressed, boom-box voiced snake
in the head? Latest on our long list
of dead, bad guys?
FRASIER
Colonel, his heart rate just doubled.
TEAL’C lunges against the restraints, no longer weak.
TEAL’C
Ka’shak!
O’NEILL
That I understand.
TEAL’C
You think I don’t know what you’re doing
to me.
DANIEL
We hope you do.
TEAL’C
No Jaffa can survive the Rite of Malsuraan.
You are allowing BRA’TAC to kill me!
Where is he?! Sholva! Where are you?!
FRASIER
BP is crashing, let’s start an IV.
TEAL’C
Where are you sholva?! Are you afraid
to face me?!
EXT SNOWY CLEARING, CHULAK (DAY)
TEAL’C is blindfolded and shirtless, twirling a staff weapon
in the centre of a snow-covered clearing.
TEAL’C
Where are you? Where are you? Kel’pak!
The tip of a staff weapon touches his back, shocking him and
causing him to fall to one knee in pain.
BRA’TAC
Were I truly your enemy, you would be
dead.
TEAL’C turns towards the sound of his voice.
TEAL’C
This is pointless, I am not blind.
TEAL’C
Once again.
BRA’TAC
You have died enough for one day. You
begin again in the morning.
TEAL’C removes the blindfold.
TEAL’C
Without this.
BRA’TAC
Do you believe you can defeat the First
Prime of APOPHIS in a joust?
TEAL’C
I am the stronger.
BRA’TAC returns his staff weapon and they face each other in
preparation to do battle.
As they bow to each other, BRA’TAC hits TEAL’C over the head
with his staff weapon. TEAL’C stumbles back and BRA’TAC swings
his staff. TEAL’C blocks the blows, but BRA’TAC kicks him in
the stomach and sweeps his legs out from under him with his staff
weapon.
BRA’TAC points his staff at the fallen TEAL’C.
BRA’TAC
Shall I fire and stop this waste of
time? Or will you learn?
TEAL’C
I was not prepared.
BRA’TAC
There are no second chances in battle.
You have ears to hear and eyes to see,
but you will not learn! Shall I put
us both out of our misery?
He activates the staff weapon pointed at TEAL’C’S face.
BRA’TAC
The choice is mine. Who can stop me?
APOPHIS?
TEAL’C
Yes.
BRA’TAC
So you believe our Lord APOPHIS is all
seeing? All powerful?
TEAL’C
He is a god.
BRA’TAC
Is he? In battle TEAL’C, faith will
not save you. Blind faith least of
all. (He kneels down and pulls TEAL’C
upright) Rely on your own strength,
your own wits, or you are of no use
to me.
He rises and walks away.
INT INFIRMARY, SGC
DANIEL has now taken his place at TEAL’C’S bedside.
DANIEL
I think the point that Jack was trying
to make is that you’re generally a very,
extremely logical person and therefore
your assertion that you never left the
service of APOPHIS is so completely
illogical, almost to the point of making
absolutely no sense whatsoever...
TEAL’C
Do you not know the meaning of faith,
DANIEL Jackson?
DANIEL
I think I do.
TEAL’C
Then you should know that my faith in
APOPHIS is beyond question.
DANIEL
Still, if you remember me and you remember
Jack, you must remember at some point
questioning your faith.
TEAL’C
Never! APOPHIS is a god.
DANIEL
False god. Dead, false god.
TEAL’C
Your words cannot change the truth.
DANIEL
They’re not my words, TEAL’C, they’re
yours. Of course, you were wrong at
the time because he wasn’t...actually
dead. But that’s neither here not there...
TEAL’C
Lies!
DANIEL
The point is, there was a time in your
life when you realised the Goa’uld can’t
all be gods. Every symbiote a Jaffa
carries will take a human host given
the chance and become a Goa’uld. How
can they all be gods?
TEAL’C
Do not test my temper woman!
He has another flashback.
INT HOUSE, CHULAK (NIGHT)
TEAL’C is sitting at a table as his wife, DREY’AUC speaks.
DREY’AUC
I know you honour BRA’TAC.
TEAL’C
I said do not test my temper!
He bangs his fist on the table in anger.
DREY’AUC
But you have no choice but to tell APOPHIS
of his betrayal.
TEAL’C
BRA’TAC is my master.
DREY’AUC
APOPHIS is your god.
TEAL’C
If I am ever to be First Prime of APOPHIS,
I must first honour BRA’TAC.
DREY’AUC
You have seen the power of APOPHIS.
You have seen his chariots rise from
the ground, walk through the wall of
water within the Chapp’ai.
TEAL’C
As I have done.
DREY’AUC
Explain how a ball of light can leave
his palm and throw a warrior across
the square if he is not a god.
TEAL’C
I cannot! (He rises) Yet neither have
I seen a warrior greater than BRA’TAC.
DREY’AUC
Then you are the servant of two masters.
TEAL’C
What am I to do, DREY’AUC?
She strokes his face.
DREY’AUC
Come to bed.
They kiss.
INT INFIRMARY, SGC
DANIEL
Woman? Did he just call me a woman?
O’NEILL
Yes, I believe he did.
CARTER enters.
CARTER
Still unconscious.
DANIEL
In and out, obviously delirious.
CARTER crosses to FRASIER.
CARTER
How’s Junior doing?
FRASIER
The symbiote is fine for now, although
I don’t know what we’re gonna do with
it if we let TEAL’C die. But, it won’t
be my problem. I’ll have already resigned
if we let this go that far.
CARTER
Janet, I know how you feel...
FRASIER
No. I’m a doctor, Sam. This goes against
every part of me to just stand by and
do nothing.
CARTER
I don’t think that we’re doing nothing.
FRASIER
Yeah.
CARTER returns to TEAL’C’S bedside.
CARTER
So, is it working? Has he said anything?
O’NEILL
Talked about fabric, briefly.
DANIEL
He just called me a woman.
O’NEILL
So I think it’s working.
DANIEL
Well, something’s happening.
CARTER
Well, it looks like we’re in for the
whole night. We should probably take
turns sitting with him.
O’NEILL
Yeah, alright. I’ll come back in a
couple of hours. DANIEL, you go after
me. Then I think we’ll all wanna be
here.
He rises and leaves, followed by DANIEL, leaving CARTER to sit
with TEAL’C.
CARTER
Hey TEAL’C. Look, I don’t know how
good I’m gonna be at this, but um...I
guess the important thing is just to
be there for you.
TEAL’C suddenly opens his eyes.
TEAL’C
Major CARTER. How can you allow them
to do this to me?
CARTER
TEAL’C...
TEAL’C
I have no wish to die, Major CARTER.
You and Dr FRASIER could yet save me.
CARTER
You’re not gonna die.
TEAL’C
I am being murdered as we speak.
CARTER
We’re helping you.
TEAL’C
Help me escape. Please.
CARTER
Oh God. TEAL’C, we want you to remember.
TEAL’C
Do you believe in a god, Major CARTER?
CARTER
This isn’t about me.
TEAL’C
How would it be if you were punished
for loving your god as I love mine?
CARTER
It’s not the same.
TEAL’C
I can’t but help what I believe.
CARTER
You believe in freedom, TEAL’C. You
believe in justice, in protecting people
from false gods. You despise everything
APOPHIS was.
TEAL’C
He failed his god...he...failed...his
god...
CARTER
TEAL’C?
He doesn’t answer.
INT CORRIDOR, PYRAMID SHIP
The Jaffa, VA’LAR, hurries up to TEAL’C.
VA’LAR
TEAL’C!
TEAL’C
Why have you returned from the planet?
VA’LAR
I need to speak with you.
TEAL’C
Speak now, APOPHIS has summoned me.
VA’LAR
Alone. Please.
They step into an alcove, away from the other Jaffa.
VA’LAR
The battle did not go well. RA'S warriors
were in far greater numbers than we
believed.
TEAL’C
You were given a battalion.
VA’LAR
RA sent his gliders down upon us. We
were flanked and bombarded from the
sky, there was no choice but to retreat.
TEAL’C
Shan’krev’lar.
VA’LAR
It was the only way to save my men.
TEAL’C
And yourself.
VA’LAR
No! I intend to return and with greater
numbers I will drive RA'S warriors from
their foothold. Please, tell him I
am no coward and if given the chance
I will yet prevail. I swear it.
TEAL’C
Go to our sleeping quarters. Wait for
me there.
VA’LAR
TEAL’C. There were no profit to merely
fight and die.
TEAL’C
You may yet wish you had.
He walks off.
INT BRIDGE, PYRAMID SHIP
BRA’TAC enters the bridge. APOPHIS is looking down at the planet
below.
BRA’TAC
My Lord, we are at your service.
APOPHIS
Who did you entrust with this campaign?
BRA’TAC
VA’LAR of Chulak. A promising warrior.
APOPHIS
Yet he returned in disgrace.
TEAL’C
Perhaps not in disgrace, my Lord. But
as part of a cunning strategy. To withdraw,
only to return in greater numbers to
crush an overconfident enemy. VA’LAR
himself would like to lead the second
wave.
APOPHIS
Does he?
BRA’TAC
My Lord, allow me to...
APOPHIS holds up his hand, silencing him.
APOPHIS
You would have done the same in his
place, would you TEAL’C?
TEAL’C
No my Lord.
APOPHIS
You would have held your ground in the
name of your god?
TEAL’C
Yes, my Lord.
APOPHIS
Then return with him to his place of
shame, and kill him.
TEAL’C
Yes, my Lord.
He rises and leaves.
INT BARRACKS, PYRAMID SHIP
VA’LAR is contemplating his fate as TEAL’C enters the room to
carry out APOPHIS’ orders.
INT CORRIDOR, PYRAMID SHIP
A bound and unarmed VA’LAR precedes TEAL’C down the corridor.
They enter a ring room, surrounded by a dozen Jaffa.
TEAL’C
Jaffa! Kek’shal kree, sholva.
The other Jaffa bow their heads.
TEAL’C shoves VA’LAR into the ring area and steps in beside him.
They are transported down to the planet.
VA’LAR
You may take solace for what you are
about to do, TEAL’C. I should have
died on this battlefield.
He goes to his knees before TEAL’C.
VA’LAR
Please tell APOPHIS I died well, honouring
his name.
TEAL’C points his staff weapon at VA’LAR’S throat.
TEAL’C
Rise.
VA’LAR exhales heavily, then does so.
TEAL’C produces a small knife used for the removal of symbiotes.
He uses it to cut VA’LAR’S bonds.
TEAL’C
There is a small village, two or three
days walk south of the city. You may
find shelter. Do not allow yourself
to be captured by either side.
VA’LAR
TEAL’C, you cannot do this. Even for
me, he will know.
TEAL’C
We shall see.
VA’LAR
I am more willing to face my punishment
than to live knowing what APOPHIS would
do to you. For your sake, you must.
TEAL’C
Go now and never show your face again.
VA’LAR
He is a god, TEAL’C, he will know that
you have spared me.
TEAL’C
We shall see. Go.
VA’LAR finally leaves, running away.
TEAL’C watches him leave, then sees a dead Jaffa lying on the
ground. He goes to the body and starts to pull off the Jaffa’s
uniform.
INT RING ROOM, PYRAMID SHIP
TEAL’C transports back to the ship. APOPHIS and two serpent
guards are awaiting him. He falls to his knees.
TEAL’C
It is done.
He holds up a weakly squirming symbiote, the one he took from
the dead Jaffa.
APOPHIS
You have promise TEAL’C.
He turns and leaves with his guards.
INT INFIRMARY, SGC
CARTER dabs at TEAL’C’S face with a cloth.
HAMMOND watches from the observation room above.
O’NEILL enters and takes a seat beside the General.
HAMMOND
You didn’t stay away long.
O’NEILL
You should talk. You can go in there
you know.
HAMMOND
I know.
O’NEILL
General, if TEAL’C were here, he’d say
you made the right decision.
HAMMOND
If he were here.
O’NEILL
He’ll be back.
HAMMOND
If not, TEAL’C will be sent to a high
security facility and placed in solitary
confinement. When his symbiote matures
in four or fives years...(He pauses)
I won’t do that to him Jack.
O’NEILL
No Sir. Of course not.
INT HOUSE, CHULAK (NIGHT)
TEAL’C wakes from a nightmare with a gasp and gets out of bed.
He splashes water over his face.
DREY’AUC
What is wrong, TEAL’C?
TEAL’C
Three days ago I led a battalion, to
retake a planet that had been occupied
by RA'S army. APOPHIS ordered me to
burn a village of RA'S followers to
the ground.
DREY’AUC
You did this?
TEAL’C
Yes.
DREY’AUC
Then sleep well in the knowledge you
have served APOPHIS.
TEAL’C
I cannot close my eyes without seeing
the innocent faces of the women and
children who lived there. A Jaffa lived
there also, a warrior named VA’LAR.
DREY’AUC
No.
TEAL’C
I banished him to that village to save
his life, only to take it away for fear
that APOPHIS would learn my secret.
I put my own life before that of an
entire village and that of a dear friend.
DREY’AUC
No, you had no choice.
TEAL’C
I did have a choice.
DREY’AUC gets out of bed.
DREY’AUC
A son...will soon be born to us TEAL’C.
You must ensure that he has a father.
Our son will be born into a real home,
a gift from APOPHIS himself. It is
the best life we can hope for.
TEAL’C
Then why am I so ashamed?
DREY’AUC comforts him.
EXT SNOWY CLEARING, CHULAK (DAY)
BRA’TAC is standing in the centre of the clearing, practising
his skills with a staff weapon.
TEAL’C runs up to him, clearly excited.
TEAL’C
Te’ma’tey! Master BRA’TAC. Te’ma tey.
BRA’TAC
APOPHIS has made you his First Prime.
TEAL’C
You are not pleased.
BRA’TAC
No.
TEAL’C
There is no greater honour among Jaffa
than to become First Prime to one’s
god...
BRA’TAC
Ahh! You know as well as I what the
Goa’uld truly are. We pretend, men
like you and I, so we may advance in
rank and privilege, but do not pretend
to me now. You know the truth. Can
you look me in the face and say otherwise?
TEAL’C
My entire life you have prepared me
for this day. Why?
BRA’TAC
I saw the spark of doubt in you and
the wisdom to keep that doubt unto yourself.
I saw you play the game with those
who would play god.
TEAL’C
If I do not believe in him, how can
I serve?
BRA’TAC
Because there is no other choice but
to serve. The Goa’uld are powerful.
They’ve seen to it that we cannot live
without them and so it may be for all
time. But neither can they live without
the Jaffa. We are they’re true power.
TEAL’C
I do not understand.
BRA’TAC
As First Prime that power will be yours.
When APOPHIS throws his armies into
the fire you will be there to temper
his sword. And in so doing, you may
save countless lives as I have done
in my time.
TEAL’C
And you have done all these things against
his will?
BRA’TAC
His will can be made to bend, but not
always. I have done deeds for which
I cannot forgive even myself. As will
you. Men such as you and I have only
the comfort of those time we make a
difference. (He places his hand over
TEAL’C’S heart) Make a difference.
He walks away, leaving TEAL’C standing alone in the clearing.
INT PRISON, CHULAK (DAY)
TEAL’C and BRA’TAC are observing a group of prisoners through
the bars.
TEAL’C points out SG1, who are among the huddled people.
TEAL’C
There.
BRA’TAC
Those are the humans who came through
the Chapp’ai. They do not appear to
be as formidable as I have imagined.
TEAL’C
Their weapons are not of Goa’uld design.
BRA’TAC
That may be so, TEAL’C, but they are
only three.
TEAL’C
There is something more. A strength.
They know the taste of freedom.
BRA’TAC
Your dreams of freedom will be your
undoing, TEAL’C.
TEAL’C
Perhaps so.
BRA’TAC
Pray they are not chosen as hosts.
That is the best fate you can wish for
them.
He walks away, but TEAL’C remains.
INT INFIRMARY, SGC
TEAL’C is still strapped to the bed, eyes closed.
TEAL’C
What have I done?
The monitor starts to beep erratically, the lines indicating
TEAL’C’S heart rate going red.
FRASIER
He’s in de-fib, get the cart.
CARTER
This is it.
O’NEILL grabs a phone on the wall.
O’NEILL
Get BRA’TAC down here.
INT CORRIDOR, SGC
BRA’TAC runs down the corridor.
INT - INFIRMARY, SGC
A nurse wheels the jar containing the symbiote over to TEAL’C’S
bed.
FRASIER
I’m returning the symbiote.
BRA’TAC
Stand aside.
FRASIER
If I don’t return it immediately...
BRA’TAC
Stand aside, or his suffering will be
for nothing. This is the moment when
he must choose.
HAMMOND
Stand aside, Dr FRASIER.
FRASIER reluctantly obeys.
BRA’TAC approaches the bed.
BRA’TAC
Choose now, TEAL’C. Return to those
who love freedom, or die in the name
of a false god. Choose!
INT PRISON, CHULAK
APOPHIS’ serpent guards form a line before the prisoners, including
SG1. TEAL’C stands in the centre of the Jaffa.
TEAL’C
Kree ho’mel, Goa’uld!
The Goa’uld enter the prison in order to select hosts.
INT INFIRMARY, SGC
BRA’TAC
Choose to be the warrior we know! Renounce
APOPHIS and return to us!
FRASIER
It’s now or never.
BRA’TAC
Choose!
TEAL’C fails to respond and BRA’TAC appears shocked.
BRA’TAC
Very well.
He releases TEAL’C.
FRASIER
Let’s move.
INT PRISON, CHULAK
APOPHIS
Kill the rest.
The remaining prisoners who have not been chosen start to scream
and run towards the back of the prison.
The serpent guards advance on them as O’NEILL stands his ground.
INT INFIRMARY, SGC
FRASIER
Symbiote’s in.
She throws off her gloves.
NURSE
No change.
FRASIER
We waited too long. Charge to two hundred.
NURSE
Charging.
The nurse hands FRASIER the paddles of the defibrillator.
FRASIER
Clear.
She presses the paddles to TEAL’C’S chest, causing him to arch.
INT PRISON, CHULAK
The prisoners are still screaming in fear.
TEAL’C walks towards the advancing Serpent Guards as they charge
their staff weapons.
INT INFIRMARY, SGC
NURSE
No pulse.
FRASIER
Make it three sixty. Give me five of
eppy. Charging. Clear.
She uses the paddles once more.
INT PRISON, CHULAK
O’NEILL
I can save these people!
TEAL’C turns and aims his staff weapon at O’NEILL.
O’NEILL
Help me. (More quietly) Help me.
TEAL’C
Many have said that.
He turns and fires on the Serpent Guards, then tosses his weapon
to O’NEILL.
TEAL’C
But you are the first I believe could
do it.
INT INFIRMARY, SGC
TEAL’C experiences a multitude of flashbacks, the sum of all
the things he has done since he joined SG1.
His eyes snap open
TEAL’C
I choose freedom.
He looks to the others, who all seem shocked.
BRA’TAC bends over him and stares into his eyes for a long moment,
before smiling.
BRA’TAC
The right has succeeded. He has returned
to us.
O’NEILL
Uh, just out of curiosity...how do you
feel about...?
TEAL’C
APOPHIS is a false god. A dead, false
god.
The others all smile.
O’NEILL
It’s good enough for me. Get him out
of those restraints.
As FRASIER starts to undo the straps, HAMMOND enters the room.
HAMMOND
Thank you doctor, well done.
FRASIER
Yes Sir. I’m glad it worked out too.
CARTER
Hey TEAL’C.
TEAL’C
Major CARTER, DANIEL Jackson. (He clasps
BRA’TAC’S forearm) Te’ma’tey.
BRA’TAC
My friend.
TEAL’C
General HAMMOND, I once again pledge
my allegiance to you and the people
of this world. And I request permission
to return to SG1.
HAMMOND
Permission granted.
FADE OUT
THE END
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