Starring: Richard Dean Anderson as Col. Jack O'Neill Michael Shanks as Dr. Daniel Jackson Amanda Tapping as Capt. Samantha Carter Christopher Judge as Teal'c Don S. Davis as Gen. George Hammond Guest Stars: Tony Amendola, Suanne Braun, Tom Butler, Colin Cunningham, Samantha Ferris, Gary Jones, Steve Makaj Written by: Brad Wright Directed by: Martin Wood Transcribed by: Amanda Ohlin Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story, nor do I own any rights whatsoever to the TV show "Stargate SG-1." That show and all related indicia are copyright MGM/UA and Showtime Inc. This is not a novelization or a script. It's a straight and mostly dry transcript of the third season episode "Into the Fire." It also includes descriptions of action scenes, camera angles, and blocking that I felt were necessary. The format of this transcript is not original; it was blatantly ripped off of AleXander Thompson's excellent transcripts of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." But I did get permission to use it. As for the arrangement of acts - since there are no commercial interruptions, I guessed. :) I did try to transcribe the dialogue from this episode accurately. If you see any errors or corrections, feel free to e-mail me and I'll update as time and Real Life permits. rev 1.25.00 This episode was originally broadcast on June 25, 1999. Copyright (c) 1999 Amanda Ohlin. * * * Open on a tunnel of light and high-pitched sound, the special-effects shots of Gate travel from the POV of the traveler. As the traveler exits the Gate, we find ourselves looking down at the SGC Gate embarkation room from the top of the ramp. Colonel Makepeace rushes into the shot, hurrying past the camera and down the ramp. The soldiers in the room relax. Soldier: Hold your fire! Intercom: Welcome back, Colonel Makepeace. The briefing is scheduled in 1430 hours. Ignoring them, Makepeace dashes out into the adjoining corridor, not stopping to discard any of his gear. The camera follows, our view over his shoulder as he runs. He turns right and runs up the stairs to the control room, shoving his way through the crowd. Makepeace: Major Hull! Sergeant! (He catches Sergeant Harriman's arm.) I need to find General Hammond! Harriman: (bewildered) He's in his office. (as Makepeace hurries away) Colonel! Makepeace is already running up the stairwell to Hammond's office. Cut to a shot of the star chart in General Hammond's office. The camera pulls back to follow Hammond across the room. Major Davis is standing there, looking pensive. Hammond: What we need is support for three new teams. It's a big galaxy out there. Before Davis can reply, Makepeace bursts through the door. Makepeace: Sir! Hammond: Colonel Makepeace, I believe you remember Major Davis. Makepeace: Yes, sir, I apologize. (He undoes the chin strap on his helmet.) When scouting 254, sir, we came across several members of the Tok'ra. They told us the location of SG-1. Hammond: Where are they, Colonel? Makepeace: They've been taken prisoner, sir. By Hathor. Close-up on Hammond's face as he realizes the implications. Opening credits roll. Main theme plays. * * * Fade in on a detailed floor plan of Hathor's compound. The blueprint takes up the entire frame. Hammond: Colonel, why do I get the feeling I'm looking at a blueprint of my own base? Cut to shot of Hammond's office Davis and Hammond are seated, with the blueprint spread out on the table between them. Makepeace remains standing, pointing out details. Makepeace: Well, in a way, you are, sir. An entire section of the facility is a mock-up of the SGC. Hammond: It's damn peculiar. Makepeace: Unlike Cheyenne Mountain, the Tok'ra say the exterior of the base (he indicates the entrances on the map) is unguarded. We shouldn't face any resistance until we're inside the facility, and even then it's pretty light. Davis: Can we trust them? The... Tok'ra? Makepeace: Their operative on the inside took a big risk just to get us this information, sir. I think so. Davis: If they have someone on the inside, why can't they do something? Hammond: They did do something, Major. (He stands.) You have the coordinates? Makepeace: Yes, sir. My team is ready to go. Hammond: And you will, but not alone. (He turns to Harriman as Davis gets up.) Sergeant! I'd like you to get me the President on the phone. Cut to Harriman's desk. He stands up. Harriman: Yes, sir. (He leaves.) Hammond: (to Makepeace) I want every available SG team ready to deploy in the Gate room within two hours. Makepeace: Yes, sir. Davis: Sir, do you intend to commit the resources of this entire command? Hammond: Only wish we could. Nearly half of our teams are offworld right now on other missions. Davis: That's not my point. SG-1 is a valuable asset... but they're still just one team. Hammond: Major, you've got a lot to learn about how we do things around here. Harriman leans in from the other room. Harriman: I have the President for you, sir. Hammond: Let's get the job done. He nods to Makepeace, who returns the nod and turns to leave, glaring at Davis. Davis doesn't look happy. * * * Cut to the Gate room. The final chevron locks, and the wormhole activates, shooting forth a plume of blue-white energy. At the bottom of the ramp, Hammond is standing with a large group of soldiers, who are busy checking their equipment and donning their gear. Intercom: ...telemetry. Tactical is go. Environmental is go. Hammond turns and starts to walk up the ramp, addressing the entire group assembled. Hammond: You've all been briefed on the mission by Colonel Makepeace. You know the enemy. You know the risks. He stops and turns to face them. Hammond: What I'm trying to say is... I would rather not order you to do this. So I would like all of those willing to attempt the rescue of SG-1 to take one step-- At that, all of the SG teams assembled take one step forward in unison. Hammond: Very well. SG units 3, 5, 6, and 11, bring them home. Makepeace steps up to meet Hammond. Hammond: (saluting) Good luck, Colonel. Makepeace: (returning salute) Yes, sir. (to the SG teams, shouting) All right, let's go! Move out! He turns and charges past Hammond into the wormhole, followed by the rest of the soldiers in single file. Hammond stands aside and watches the rescue teams run past until the last one disappears through the Gate. The wormhole dissipates and the Gate shuts off. Hammond steps up, and the camera follows his viewpoint to focus on the back wall of the Gate room through the now-dormant Stargate. * * * The view dissolves to the exact same wall... but with a different light. Camera pans across the false SGC Gate room over to Hathor, who is still holding the symbiote. Its faint squeaking is audible in the background. Hathor: We ask you once more. She turns, and the camera follows her to where O'Neill, Carter, and Daniel are standing on the ramp. Hathor: Which one of you shall be host? As she strides down the ramp past them, still holding the symbiote, O'Neill makes a face. O'Neill: It has her eyes. Hathor: Silence! Turning, she makes her way over to Daniel. Hathor: Should it be... (stroking his cheek) our beloved? We could spend an eternity together. Do you not remember the joys we shared in one another's arms? Daniel: I really try not to. Hathor turns to Carter. Hathor: Should it be the female, then? She who would challenge us? The symbiote squirms and lunges, opening its mouthparts inches from Carter's chin. Carter flinches slightly. Hathor: You have since been possessed by a Goa'uld, we sense. Perhaps once more. Carter: I'm not afraid. Hathor: You should be, my dear. For the pain that a symbiote can inflict in its host is unimaginable. In her hand, the symbiote writhes, leaning away from Carter. Instead, it lunges toward O'Neill. Hathor: It seems that our friend has chosen. O'Neill: (regarding it uncomfortably) What, the gray doesn't bother you? Hathor smiles, obviously set in her decision. O'Neill sighs. O'Neill: All right, fine. Let's do it. Just, please, I beg of you. Not in the back of the neck; I have a real problem with-- Mid-sentence, he lashes out, grabbing the symbiote from Hathor's hand in a last-ditch attempt to do some damage. At that moment, however, there is the sound of a zatnicatel discharge, and O'Neill is enveloped in tendrils of blue energy. He cries out and collapses, losing his grip on the symbiote. It slips from his hand and slithers away across the floor. Hathor: Fool! She whirls in the direction of the blast, revealing that "Dr. Raleigh" was the one who fired. Raleigh calmly closes the weapon. Raleigh: He would have hurt the symbiote. Hathor: Which you have done in his place. Return it to the safety of the Jaffa! Hathor turns to where O'Neill is lying, with Carter leaning over him. Hathor: Take him someplace where he can be properly restrained. She storms off past Daniel, who exchanges worried looks with Carter. O'Neill is still out for the count. * * * Exterior shot of Hathor's compound, day. Camera pans down the hill across a line of soldiers, each down on one knee with weapons ready. Makepeace turns to shout behind him. Makepeace: All right! Hold the fort! Soldier: Yes, sir! Cut to the Stargate on that planet, where the rescue party has just come through. The SG teams break formation, and start towards the compound. As they run, a lieutenant comes up beside Makepeace. Makepeace: What have you got? Lieutenant: Picking up EM approximately one foot away, sir. Probably power generation. No sign of SG-1's ISF or radio chatter. Makepeace: Roger that, Lieutenant! They dash out of the frame. * * * Chulak, exterior of city, night. Teal'c, still dressed in his traditional robes, walks down a torchlit passageway, staff in hand. He stops before a dwelling, its ornate wooden doors lying partially open. He pushes the doors open, to reveal a dim and empty dwelling. Moving slowly, he reaches into the folds of his robe and brings out a zatnicatel. As he crosses the room, a hand shoots out from the shadows and grabs him by the ankle, pulling him to the floor. Teal'c lands on his back, and a battered figure in Serpent Guard dress rolls from the shadows, knife in hand. Seeing who it is, he stops, relieved. Teal'c: Bra'tac. Bra'tac: Teal'c. Teal'c pushes himself up on his elbow as Bra'tac pulls the knife away. Bra'tac: You've granted... a dying old man's wish. Teal'c: You must not speak of such things. He gets to his feet, pushing fallen objects out of the way in search of something. Bra'tac cries out, scooting himself backwards in a sort of crab walk, gasping. He manages to prop his back against a ledge. Teal'c kneels beside him, lifting a waterskin for Bra'tac to drink from. Bra'tac takes a few swallows before sagging against the wall, gasping for air. Teal'c: Who has done this? Bra'tac: The last of Apophis' personal guard. Teal'c: For what reason? Bra'tac: When I heard the news of Apophis, my heart soared, Teal'c. I hoped there would be celebration among our people. Instead, they fear that with the death of Apophis, Klorel will return. To claim his inheritance. Teal'c: They are cowards. Bra'tac: In too great a number for an old man of a hundred and thirty-five. What of your human friends? Teal'c: Prisoners of a Goa'uld. I have come to raise an army with which to free them. Bra'tac: That will not be so easy, Teal'c. Teal'c: Perhaps. But I must try. Until then, you are in need of food and rest. And I am in need of armor. * * * Cut to the medical bay of the false SGC. A helmeted Serpent Guard marches past Carter and Daniel, who are standing against the wall. Shooting a smug glance at them, Hathor rounds the medical bed to stand beside it. Hathor: We are not pleased. Pan down to see O'Neill, who is lying on the bed in restraints. O'Neill: Neither are we. Smiling, Hathor takes his chin in her hand that bears the ribbon device, gently turning his chin towards her. With her free hand, she grips the memory device attached to his forehead, digging her nails in. Without hesitation, she rips it from his temple. O'Neill yells in pain. Carter winces. Hathor: Once host to a Goa'uld, you will take the lives of your friends. O'Neill: We don't think so. Hathor: You will have no say in the matter. You will witness their deaths through your own eyes. Helplessly. With one hand, she grabs the collar of O'Neill's shirt, tearing the front away. Hathor glances up at Raleigh, who actually looks concerned. Hathor: It will take some time for the Goa'uld to take control. But we will greatly enjoy experiencing your eventual defeat. She turns to the Jaffa standing nearby, plunging a hand into his pouch. Cut to reaction shots of Carter and Daniel as the symbiote is withdrawn, squeaking. Cut back to Hathor, who lifts the symbiote into the frame before setting it down on O'Neill's chest. O'Neill: (disgusted) Oh, God. (as it slithers across his chest) No. Hathor: After you awaken from the joining, you will leave and pledge your loyalty to us. The symbiote has slithered off of O'Neill's shoulder. Hathor grabs his head and turns it towards her, baring the back of his neck. O'Neill screams as the Goa'uld penetrates. Carter looks away. Once the symbiote is entirely inside, Hathor releases O'Neill. He falls back, gasping, staring blankly at the ceiling. Close up on Raleigh, who looks at Hathor expectantly. Suddenly, an explosion is heard down the corridor. Hathor turns as the sound of gunfire and the discharge of energy weapons can be heard. Hathor: Jaffa! Cree min ah! Trofsky nods, turning and leaving. A Serpent Guard follows. The one guarding Carter and Daniel shoves Daniel, escorting the two of them out. Close-up on O'Neill, who twitches as he lies there, fighting against the symbiote inside. * * * Cut to the outside hallway between the false SGC areas. Sparks fly off of the Serpent Guard's armor as he steps into the corridor, only to run into a hail of gunfire. The barrage is too much for him, and he stumbles back, falling before he can fire his staff weapon. An SGC soldier and Makepeace dash around the corner, guns ready. Soldier (in background): Over there! Over there! Makepeace: Secure the forward area! Some of the soldiers have taken up position behind the columns. Makepeace runs off screen, with several soldiers following. Cut to the medical bay. Raleigh is standing over O'Neill with a zatnicatel in hand. Hathor: Jaffa! Nok sha tel'ma ca cree! Raleigh turns to the console at the head of the bed as Hathor turns and strides off. The remaining guard leaves by another exit as Raleigh watches them both go. Once she is alone in the room with O'Neill, she hurries up the ramp to the main console, stopping before the same monitor she was using to bring him out of cryo-stasis. She taps a couple of keys, moving her fingers along the same controls she did in the beginning of "Out of Mind." Entering the commands, she rushes to O'Neill's side. Raleigh: O'Neill, you must fight it. She turns his head to face her. Raleigh: I am Tok'ra. The cryogenic process will prevent the melding. The Goa'uld within will die, but until then, you must fight it. He looks at her, bewildered, as the tank closes over him. * * * The undisguised sector of Hathor's compound, looking down an empty corridor. The camera pans to the left to reveal a soldier standing behind one of the columns that line the outer wall. He checks around one of the columns as the sound of metallic footsteps can be heard in the distance. Leaning back, he motions to the other SG teams concealed behind the columns as four armored Jaffa guards march around the corner. He leans forward again just as one of the Jaffa fires his staff weapon, fortunately missing his mark. Rearing back, the soldier returns fire, using the column as cover. The other SG teams follow suit, firing on the guards. The soldier leaves the cover of the column to take out one of the guards with a barrage of shots. As the guard falls, the one beside him aims and fires his staff weapon. The blast apparently catches the soldier in the left arm, and he falls, stunned but seemingly not suffering serious injury. Another soldier opens fire on that guard, and the Jaffa falls under the barrage. At this point, Trofsky comes around the corner, flanked by a Serpent and a Horus Guard. He opens and fires the zatnicatel he's carrying. The energy discharge strikes the column beside Makepeace, who immediately turns in the direction of the attack. Makepeace: Three o'clock! Three o'clock! He returns fire, his shots glancing off the Horus Guard's armor. The other soldiers follow suit as Trofsky and the Jaffa briefly return fire themselves, but they are outnumbered. Trofsky: Jaffa! Chalis! He turns and walks the other way under cover of the Jaffa firepower. Once he is out of range, the remaining Jaffa retreat as well, moving backwards and firing their staff weapons to cover their retreat. Once they are out of sight, the corridor is quiet again. The SG teams immediately get to their feet and take off in pursuit. Cut to the corridors of the false SGC. The rescue team enters from the right, moving in the direction of the Gate room. Cut to the entrance of the Gate embarkation room. The door slides open to admit the teams, and the soldiers immediately spread out to cover every corner. Makepeace walks into the middle of the room, looking around. Makepeace: (to himself) Yeah, there's no place like home. (louder) All right! Area secure! Let's move out! He leaves via the exit on the other side of the Gate room, the soldiers following. Cut to the central corridors as Carter and Daniel step off of the "elevator." Behind them is a single Horus Guard, armed only with a zatnicatel. As the doors close behind them, Carter glances furtively at their captor. When they step out into the corridor, there are a group of SGC soldiers waiting for them, weapons drawn. Makepeace: Surrender your prisoners and drop your weapon! Now! Carter strikes the Jaffa then, grabbing and yanking the Jaffa's gun arm down before he can fire. At the same time, Daniel grabs the Jaffa's other arm, giving Carter the chance to wrest the zatnicatel out of his grip. They dive for cover in opposite directions as the rescue team opens fire on the Jaffa. Unable to defend himself, the Jaffa drops to the floor. The soldiers cease fire as Carter and Daniel stumble to their feet. Carter is the first one up as Makepeace approaches. Carter: Colonel Makepeace. Makepeace: Where's Colonel O'Neill? Carter: He's been taken as a host. Makepeace: (disbelieving) What?!? * * * Another set of undisguised corridors. Trofsky marches down the corridor with two Horus Guards and two Serpent Guards behind him. Cut to the medical bay. The cryogenic tank lowers into the frame as Raleigh, in the background, works the controls. She leaves the console and walks down the ramp to stand beside the railing, watching the tank descend into the freezing vat, stopping once it is completely submerged. Hathor: Jaffa! Raleigh turns to see Hathor standing there. Hathor: Cree! Raleigh: (defiantly) Yal'nok cree Jaffa! I am of the Tok'ra. If the Tau'ri do not destroy you, know this: We will. For answer, Hathor lifts a hand, the ribbon device lighting up. The resulting shockwave sends Raleigh flying across the room and into the far wall. She slumps to the floor, unconscious. * * * Cut to the real Stargate, where the remainder of the SG teams are still guarding the Gate. One of the soldiers is speaking into a transmitter. Soldier: All secure here, sir. Whenever you're ready. Cut to the compound, as Makepeace and the rest of the SG teams are walking down the corridor. Makepeace speaks into his transmitter. Makepeace: We're pulling out! ETA in five minutes! Cut back to the Stargate. A golden glow suddenly appears from the ground beside the soldier on the other end. Soldier: Sir, there's something happening back here! In front of him, teleportation rings start to rise up. Cut to the compound. Makepeace: Razor! Come in, Razor! SG-3, we have lost contact, please respond! Static is the only response. Carter and Daniel come up beside him. Carter: What's the situation? Makepeace: My team was covering the Stargate. (He turns and strides the other way.) Lieutenant! Pass the word! We're moving out! Concerned, Carter and Daniel follow, Daniel still pulling on his jacket. Daniel: Wait - wait - wait! What about Jack? Makepeace: (off camera) He's a casualty! Carter: Sir, if we can get him back to Earth-- Makepeace spins to face them as they catch up to him. Makepeace: Captain, if my team has lost control of the Stargate, we're not going anywhere. (He turns and continues down the corridor.) Now let's go, people! We're moving out! Carter and Daniel stand there, exchanging helpless looks before reluctantly following. * * * Chulak, night. Over-the-shoulder shot of Teal'c, dressed in battle armor, entering an open courtyard. A female Jaffa carrying a bundle of firewood passes him with a fearful look before turning and hurrying up a flight of steps. Teal'c spares her a passing glance before approaching the center of the courtyard, where a pair of Jaffa women are talking. One of them looks up and sees him. Woman: (accusing) I know you! Her friend turns hastily as Teal'c approaches. Two armored Jaffa turn from their posts as the woman continues. Woman: Shol'va! You dare return to Chulak? Teal'c: The people of this world are my brothers and sisters. I have betrayed no one. Woman: Except your god. The two guards step forward, flanking her on each side, their expressions vaguely hostile. Teal'c: False god. *Dead* false god. Woman: So you say. But his son lives. Teal'c: With you or without, he will be defeated. As was his father. Our people will taste freedom. Woman: Bra'tac paid a heavy price for those words. The threat is implied, but still obvious. Teal'c makes as if to lunge for her. One of the guards attacks him, only to be struck and thrown aside. The other fares no better as Teal'c sidesteps his lunge, punching him in the gut and striking him in the back before throwing the Jaffa to the ground. With both men down, he takes a step towards the woman, angry. Teal'c: You may tell your kinsmen that Teal'c has returned to Chulak! You will go to every home of every warrior in this city. You will tell them that I will speak in the house of Bra'tac at dawn. He grabs her shoulder and shoves her roughly towards the nearest entranceway. Teal'c: Summon them! She spares him a withering glance before turning and hurrying away. Teal'c turns, surveying the empty courtyard, before leaving in the opposite direction. * * * Night, outside Hathor's compound. Carter, Makepeace, Daniel and another soldier hurry through the trees, stopping to crouch behind a rise overlooking the Stargate. Makepeace pulls out his binoculars to get a closer look. Through the binoculars, the Gate is intact, but no one is near it. Makepeace lowers the binoculars. Makepeace: No sign of my men. He hands the binoculars to Carter, who takes a look as the rest of the rescue team comes up behind them. Carter: (handing them back) Or the enemy. Still crouched behind the rise, Makepeace waves his arm, signaling to the men assembled. At his command, the SG teams start for the Stargate, with Carter, Daniel, and Makepeace bringing up the rear. They charge towards the Gate with no resistance - until they get within thirty feet of the Stargate. The soldiers run smack into an energy barrier, stumbling back. Makepeace and the other soldiers behind them drop to defensive positions. Makepeace: Cover your flank! In front of the Gate, five teleportation rings rise up, and light flares inside them. As the glare of teleportation fades, the rings drop down again to reveal Trofsky, flanked by Jaffa. Makepeace: Fire! The six soldiers open fire, with Daniel and Carter crouched a few feet behind them, covering their ears against the gunfire. The shots bounce harmlessly off the shield. After a few moments, the soldiers cease fire. Makepeace: What the hell is it? Carter: It's an energy barrier! We won't penetrate it! Trofsky: Jaffa! (smiles slowly) Attack. Makepeace: Fall back! Fall back! The men turn and retreat. But before they can make it three steps, two towers rise out of the ground on either side of them. In the top of each tower is a Jaffa guard, with an inset staff weapon and a targeting scope. The scope targets Carter, Daniel, and Makepeace as Makepeace shouts orders. Makepeace: Into the trees! The rescue team makes a break for it, some of the soldiers firing at the towers as they dodge energy blasts. The ground suddenly erupts a foot behind Daniel as the energy blast grazes his leg. He loses his footing and crashes to the ground, lying on his stomach. Carter stops to help him up. Carter: Daniel! As he looks up, it's apparent his glasses have been lost in the fall. With this on top of the lucky shot, he's more than a little dazed as Carter grabs his arm. Carter: Daniel, let's go! She gets him to his feet, and they continue running, dodging the blasts from the snipers. Makepeace fires another round of shots before running for the nearest sniper tower, hiding right beside its base. When the tower fires towards the Gate, he takes his chance and makes a break for the woods. The sniper follows him with the targeting sensor, but Makepeace dives into a hollow just in time to avoid being hit. He pushes himself up on his elbows to see a hole beside him, blue light rising from its depths. It's the entrance to an underground tunnel. Makepeace: (waving to his men) This way! This way, to me! Two of the soldiers get through the gunfire, and one ushers the others into the tunnel as the firing continues. Cut to the tunnel itself, below the entrance. Two soldiers drop through the hole, roll, and get to their feet. Makepeace: Secure that flank! Secure that flank! The soldiers inspect the tunnel with flashlights for any traps or further intruders as another team member drops into the tunnel. Carter moves on screen, rifle in hand, inspecting the tunnel formation. The walls of the tunnel are constructed of a bright blue stone, which dimly illuminates their surroundings. Makepeace: (to soldier) Was anybody behind you? Soldier: No! Taking in the surroundings, Carter turns back to Makepeace. Carter: These are Tok'ra tunnels! Makepeace: They had an operative on the inside. Carter: Who is it? Makepeace: Don't know! Don't expect to find out anytime soon, either. As they start down the tunnels, Makepeace turns his flashlight on Daniel, who is limping along behind them. Makepeace: How's the leg? Can you walk? Daniel: It's just a deep bleeding gash, but it'll be fine. Makepeace: (into radio) Jericho Six, Jericho Six, this is three-niner! Come in! Carter: They could have made it to the treeline. Makepeace: Yeah, maybe. Carter: If we can't penetrate this barrier of theirs, maybe we can go under it. She continues down the tunnel out of the shot, with Makepeace and Daniel following. Makepeace: It's worth a try. * * * Close up on a Goa'uld communications device. The sphere rests in the palm of Trofsky's hand as Hathor's image lights up from within its depths. Trofsky: They have fled into tunnels of Tok'ra construction. There must be a spy amongst us. Hathor: The Tok'ra spy has been taken care of. Take as many of the humans as you can alive. They will make an excellent addition to our new army of Jaffa. Her image fades out. * * * The Tok'ra tunnels. The SG teams hurry around a bend, with Makepeace in the lead. As he runs down a straight corridor, he runs smack into an energy barrier exactly like the one encountered before. The team behind him slows their approach as he stumbles back a step. Carter approaches the barrier, reaching up to touch it. She runs her hand along the unseen surface, causing crystalline energy ripples to form in its wake. Daniel: Well, I guess we can't go under it, either. Carter: This is unlike any Goa'uld shield we've ever come across. It's like a solid wall. The power output for something like this must be enormous. Makepeace: That's fascinating, Captain, but... now what do we do? * * * Cheyenne Mountain Complex. Cut to the control room. Hammond folds his arms as Harriman comes up behind him. Hammond: How long are they overdue? Harriman: Five hours, sir. Hammond: The plan called for SG-3 to check in by now if they lost contact. We'll open the Gate and send a message through. The MALP's relay antenna might be able to get a signal to our teams. Harriman: (loudly, to the technicians) Stand by to engage! Cut to the Stargate outside Hathor's complex, mid-morning. Four Jaffa are guarding the Gate as Trofsky walks down the steps away from the dormant Stargate. He whirls at the sound of the chevrons locking, and opens the zatnicatel in his hand. Trofsky and the guards take up defensive positions as the chevrons continue to lock. Cut to the SGC as the final chevron locks and the wormhole activates. In the control room, Harriman is working at the computer while Hammond watches. Harriman: Wormhole established, sir. Cut to the planet. Camera pans across the Jaffa guards and Trofsky, who looks somewhat confused to see what's come through. They don't know what to make of the MALP probe that is now sitting in front of the Gate, immobile. Cut to the Tok'ra tunnels. The SG teams are still trying to find a way out, with Makepeace in the lead. Hammond: (over radio) SG-3, this is General Hammond. Makepeace: (stops short) Hold up! Hold up! Cut to the SGC control room. Hammond: This is Hammond, over. Cut back to the tunnels. The team has stopped, and Makepeace is staring at his radio transmitter in surprise. Carter: The energy barrier must be amplifying the signal. Makepeace turns, walking back to the barrier as he speaks into the radio. Makepeace: General, this is three-niner! We hear you, sir! Cut to the control room. Hammond: What's your status? Makepeace: (over radio) We have two surviving Sierra Gulf team-1 members, sir, but we have been cut off from the Stargate. Cut to the tunnels. Makepeace idly jabs a penknife into the barrier as he continues. Makepeace: We've found cover in tunnels we presume were made by the Tok'ra, but we cannot reach the Stargate without reinforcements. Cut to the control room. Hammond: (to Harriman) See if you can direct the MALP's camera to get a picture of the Stargate itself. (into the microphone) That will take some time, Colonel. We'll try to send reinforcements through the Stargate in (checks watch) exactly six hours from now. Coordinate your offensive accordingly. Cut to the tunnels. Makepeace: Roger that, sir. Cut back to the control room as Hammond and Harriman watch the MALP video feed on the computer monitor. The video pans across a Serpent Guard, then a Horus Guard, both with staff weapons at the ready. Cut to the planet. Trofsky notices the camera on top of the probe as it turns towards him. Cut back to the video feed as it pans to face Trofsky, who lifts the zatnicatel and fires. Blue light erupts across the screen, followed by static and the error message: "TRANSMISSION INTERRUPT." Hammond leans into the microphone again. Hammond: Colonel Makepeace, come in. Colonel Makepeace! (No answer.) Damn. The wormhole shuts off. * * * Cheyenne Mountain Complex, mid-day. Cut to Hammond's office. Hammond is pacing as he talks. Major Davis is seated, listening. Hammond: One armored platoon should be able to take the Stargate. Davis: Sir, I'm sorry. It's not up to me. Even if it was, I don't agree with you. Hammond: I don't really give a damn if you agree with me, Major. Davis: (standing up) With all due respect, sir, you took a shot on intelligence you believed to be trustworthy, but obviously-- Hammond: I promised reinforcements. Davis: The President and Joint Chiefs are simply unwilling to risk further loss of life, sir. Those are their orders. I'm sorry. I'm afraid if your people are going to make it back, they're going to have to do it on their own. Hammond: (nodding) I see. Thank you, Major. Davis: Thank you, sir. (He leaves the office.) * * * The Tok'ra tunnels. Daniel limps over to flop down beside Carter, Makepeace, and a few other soldiers who are resting at a junction of several tunnels. All are tired, dirty, and short of breath. A few soldiers are standing watch. Carter takes a drink from a canteen before passing it back. Carter: Sir, I've been thinking. The energy barrier extends for miles around the facility. So it must be powered from the inside. Some sort of field generator. Now the Tok'ra use these tunnels to access the facility-- Makepeace: They must lead to it somehow. Carter: Right. Request permission to go back and try to shut it down. Daniel: I'll go with you. Carter: No, Daniel, you're hurt. Makepeace: I'll send an SG team along to back you up. Carter: Even if I can knock out the generator, you're going to need everyone you've got to take on those towers. Makepeace: All right. (He passes Daniel a handgun.) If you can, blow the generator just before our reinforcements come through. We'll try to take on the towers at the same time. That might give us the tactical advantage we need. Several heavy thudding sounds, like huge footsteps, are suddenly heard, and the ground shakes slightly. Makepeace: We'll try to hold the door open. Carter: Good luck. They get to their feet, preparing to move out. Makepeace: All right, people, let's go! Move out! Carter turns down the left tunnel, while the rest of the team takes the right fork. Daniel is still limping. Cut to another section of the tunnels. Two Horus Guards march down a corridor. As they pass a narrow passageway in the wall, they don't notice Carter slip through, checking for other guards before turning down the tunnel in the opposite direction. * * * Chulak, morning. Cut to the courtyard near Bra'tac's house, where a number of Jaffa, some cloaked and hooded, are milling about. From the upper balcony entrance, Bra'tac steps out, slowly descending the stairs. The people turn to face him, surprised. Bra'tac: Teal'c has returned from the Tau'ri. (He continues to descend as he speaks.) If you care for this world, and for our people, you will listen to what he has to say. Teal'c steps out onto the balcony, dressed in battle armor. The Jaffa gathered exchange glances. He descends halfway down the steps before speaking. Teal'c: The Goa'uld are not gods. More surprised glances. A woman shouts from the crowd. Woman: Shol'va! Teal'c: It is a lie we live each day! Only when he takes a host does a Goa'uld become strong. Even then, only as strong as the Jaffa who serve him. Without us, the Goa'uld are nothing. Woman: Lies. Teal'c: We are their strength. We are their power... until we choose to serve them no more. I was witness to the final breath of Apophis. I saw him tremble with fear at what lay beyond. I believed that day would be honored for all time on Chulak. But instead, I see Jaffa taking up arms against one another. I see cowardice, and I am shamed. This is our time. It will not come again. But first we must grow stronger, as the people of the Tau'ri have done. I call for warriors to join me through the chapa'i, to gather weapons, to forge alliances with other Jaffa who seek freedom. To show the Goa'uld that we will do battle with them wherever they may be. Who will join me? The crowd is hesitant. Many look away, or at the ground. After a few moments, most of the Jaffa disperse as Teal'c and Bra'tac watch in disappointment. Bra'tac puts a hand on Teal'c's shoulder. One armored Jaffa and three men, cloaked and hooded, remain. Smiling, Teal'c nods and approaches them. He gives the armored guard the Jaffa salute - making a fist with his right hand and laying it across his left breast, a gesture the guard returns. As Teal'c turns to the next volunteer, the man lowers his hood, revealing himself to be Hammond. Teal'c: (plainly surprised) General. Hammond: Not what I'd call an army, but it's a start. Bra'tac comes up to join them. Bra'tac: Hammond. (doing best imitation of a salute) Of Texas. Hammond: (shaking hands) Master Bra'tac. Gentlemen, I need your help. * * * Cut to the false SGC, in the corridors outside the medical bay. Carter climbs up to the entrance, ducking into the medical bay with her MP-5 raised. No one is present save for Raleigh, who is slumped against the wall, her nose bleeding. Lowering her weapon, Carter kneels by the Tok'ra's side. Raleigh: Forgive me. There was no other way. Carter: You're the Tok'ra. Raleigh nods. Raleigh: (pointing) Those controls... are set. Activate them. Carter stands and goes over to the console, activating the indicated controls. As she does so, the tank is lifted from the freezing pool. Carter turns back to Raleigh, who has pushed herself up to a seated position. Raleigh: The Goa'uld within is gone. The cryogenic process destroyed it before it had a chance to meld with the host. He will revive automatically. Raleigh closes her eyes again and says no more. Carter gets up and activates a control on the side of the tank. The top half slides open. O'Neill is lying there, damp and still unconscious. Carter turns his chin, examining him. Carter: Colonel? I don't feel its presence. (undoing his restraints) You're going to be all right. She finishes with the restraints and starts around the tank, only to run into Hathor. The Goa'uld queen opens her hand, activating the ribbon device. * * * The Tok'ra tunnels. Makepeace, Daniel and the SG team are heading down a straight corridor towards the camera, when they are blasted from behind. The soldiers turn and open fire as the Jaffa that Carter dodged earlier come around the corner, staff weapons blasting. A third staff blast misses Daniel by inches, and he drops to his hands and knees as the Jaffa continue to fire. Makepeace grabs Daniel's shoulder, dragging him alongas they retreat around the corner. Cut to the medical bay. Carter is struggling, writhing in obvious pain as a stream of golden light issues from the ribbon device into her forehead. She tries to fight back, but she is forced into a sitting position against the railing. Hathor: We had hopes for you. The torture is abruptly cut off as an arm wraps around Hathor's neck, breaking her concentration. As the ribbon device shuts off, Carter drops to the floor. O'Neill has awakened and has Hathor in a headlock. Hathor: We will destroy you for this! O'Neill: We would just like you to go away! On the last word, he releases her from the headlock, shoving her forward as he does so. Hathor can't check her momentum, and pitches over the railing. She disappears into the cryogenic freezing pool with a scream of rage. O'Neill leans against the railing, almost waiting for her to surface. Hathor does not reappear. He turns away and kneels beside Carter, grabbing her by the shoulders and pulling her up to a sitting position. Carter: Sir! What happened? O'Neill: Oh, God. (Relieved, he pulls her into a hug.) Hathor's... gone. Carter: What about you? O'Neill: Cold. A little chilly. But... I'm me. I'm me. Carter: Colonel Makepeace came through with half a dozen SG teams to rescue us. But Trofsky's got us cut off from the Stargate. He's using an energy barrier. It originates from somewhere in this facility. The plan is to blow it before General Hammond sends reinforcements. O'Neill and Carter finally pull back to look at each other. Raleigh is lying in the background. O'Neill: And how do we plan to do that? Raleigh: What you seek is hidden within the mockup of your Stargate facility. Carter: What about you? Raleigh: My symbiote may yet heal me. You must hurry. Go. O'Neill and Carter exchange glances before getting to their feet and hurrying off, leaving Raleigh alone in the medical bay. * * * Chulak, somewhere in the forest. Bra'tac leads Hammond and Teal'c through the trees. Hammond: What exactly are we looking for? We don't have much time. Teal'c: As you said, the Gate is carefully guarded. Bra'tac: The Stargate is most defensible. To be assured of victory, we will require an advantage. One hidden away, forgotten, when I was still First Prime of Apophis. Hammond: Why? Bra'tac: Few pilots could master it. Hammond: And how long ago was it? Bra'tac: Some... hundred years. (He stops beside a clump of tangled evergreen.) The forest has changed much since that time. He begins to hack through the branches before him, using the blade like a machete. Teal'c and Hammond stand back and watch. Teal'c: There is an old Jaffa saying, General Hammond: 'They do not build them as they once did.' Bra'tac: Here! Bra'tac finally clears away enough of the brush to reveal the metal nose of a small, aged Goa'uld aircraft, hidden in a tangle of evergreen. Hammond: You intend to fly that thing? Bra'tac: Not I. Threading the needle (patting Teal'c on the shoulder) is a skill for the young. * * * Hathor's compound. Cut to the false SGC corridors, as the doors slide open to admit Carter and O'Neill. Carter, the only one armed, is in the lead. Carter: The energy barrier extends around this facility for miles. The generators must be massive. Cut to the exit of the Gate room. It slides open for Carter and O'Neill to enter. Carter lowers her weapon and pulls out a tracking device. Carter: We're getting close. The energy readings are off the scale. (stops, checks it) She was right, sir. The generator's somewhere in here. O'Neill is turning around, looking for something out of the ordinary, when something on the wall to the left of the Gate catches his eye. He walks over to investigate, stopping beside a panel with a fairly large lever. O'Neill: (pointing to the lever) What do you think? Carter: Try it. He pulls the lever down, and the red light on the panel turns green. The sound of heavy gears grinding against one another can be heard as the wall behind the fake Stargate begins to slide away. Satisfied, O'Neill turns back to Carter. O'Neill: Found 'em. The wall slides away. Behind it lies a massive generator, shaped like a huge spoked wheel with the power cells in the very center. The Stargate ramp extends through the Gate into a catwalk leading to the heart of the generator. Carter retrieves some plastic explosive from her vest, handing some to O'Neill. O'Neill: Set to detonate by remote? Carter: Yeah. Cut to the tunnels. The SG team is running down the corridor, with the men in back handling cover fire. But as soon as they reach the next intersection, they stop short to see four armed guards waiting for them. Having no other option, the men drop their weapons and put their hands on their heads. Daniel is the last one to reach the intersection, stopping when he sees the situation. He half-heartedly turns to go, only to face yet another armed guard. * * * Outside the compound, several meters from the Gate. Carter and O'Neill emerge from the treeline, crouching down behind the rise. As Carter looks up over their temporary barricade, she hesitates. It looks like several figures are lined up before the Gate. O'Neill sticks his head up as Carter retrieves her binoculars for a closer look. O'Neill: Was this part of your plan, Captain? Through the binoculars, Carter can see the entire rescue team on their knees, hands on their heads, with Trofsky pacing back and forth past his prisoners. Several Serpent Guards are also there. Carter lowers the binoculars. Carter: Sir. (She hands him the binoculars.) Trofsky: (from distance, off camera) I know that you are still up there, Captain Carter. Cut to close-up of Trofsky. Trofsky: I grow tired of this! Surrender now or your friends will be killed (aims the zatnicatel at Daniel) one by one! Daniel: Don't listen to him, Sam! Trofsky: Silence! (shouting to Carter) I will give you one minute! He lowers the zatnicatel and walks a few paces away. Cut back to the rise. Carter: The reinforcements should come through in a couple of minutes. We could detonate the C4. O'Neill: Trofsky's going to start shooting any minute. We gotta buy some time. (pause) He thinks I'm a Goa'uld, right? Carter: Right. O'Neill: All right. (tucks his handgun away) Blow that C4 the minute the cavalry comes through that Gate. Carter: What if they don't? O'Neill: (incredulous) What if they *don't*? Carter: They will. He gives her a look before climbing over the rise, tucking the gun away as he walks towards the Stargate. Trofsky turns to see O'Neill casually approaching. He hesitates, unsure, as O'Neill passes the towers. O'Neill: (awkwardly) Jaffa! Cree! Trofsky: Tel'mak Goa'uld, cree tak? O'Neill: You heard me! I said 'Cree!' Daniel: Jack? O'Neill: Hey, guys! (sarcastically) Makepeace! (He makes an "OK" sign with one hand.) Nice rescue! Good job! Makepeace shakes his head. O'Neill is still walking. Trofsky: Silence! O'Neill: All right, listen up! There's something you should know before you start shooting and killing and ruining what could be a beautiful friendship! Trofsky is absolutely dumbstruck by this behavior. O'Neill stops. O'Neill: Our beloved Hathor... is dead. Trofsky: Ha! What you say is impossible. Hathor is a queen. More than that, she is a goddess. O'Neill: Yeah, okay, ex-goddess, maybe. I killed her myself! Trust me on this. She's gone. She is no more. She's... well, let's face it, she's a former queen! So why don't we put an end to this right now-- Trofsky: We will end this with your surrender! The Stargate suddenly charges up, beginning to spin. Trofsky starts in surprise as the chevrons begin to lock. Trofsky: Jaffa, cree! Chapa'i! Cut to the cockpit of the ancient Goa'uld ship. Teal'c is in the pilot's seat. Hammond is in the gunner's seat behind him. Teal'c: Firing weapons will be your responsibility, General Hammond. Hammond: Well, that's good. Cut back to the other side of the Gate. The wormhole has activated, and Trofsky and the Jaffa turn, weapons ready for another group. O'Neill: (under his breath) Now. Cut to Carter, behind the rise. She pulls out the remote, pressing the detonator button. Cut to the generators as the C4 explodes, taking the generators out in a huge fireball that engulfs the entire generator system, shooting forth flames through the Stargate like the plume of an activating wormhole. Cut to exterior shot of Hathor's compound. The explosion can be plainly seen in a ball of flame at the base of the pyramid structure. Pan down to the Gate as the energy barrier suddenly forms a visible, solid wall of crystalline energy, then fades out. Cut back to the cockpit again. Hammond: What exactly did he mean by 'threading the needle'? Teal'c: Observe. He slams a hand on the console, starting up the thrusters. Hammond is thrown back against the seat by the force of the launch. Cut to the traveler's-eye view of transit through the Stargate wormhole. The special-effects tunnel ends with a flash of light. Cut to the Stargate on Hathor's planet again. There is a two-second pause before the ancient ship comes through the Gate, giving the audience a glimpse of what the craft looks like. The two-man cockpit is small and rounded, with a short thruster extending from the left and right of the cockpit. Connecting the ends of the two thrusters is a single fin, shaped like an arc over the cockpit. It extends past the thrusters almost in a complete circle around the cockpit, making the ship an exact fit for the Stargate wormhole. Trofsky and the Jaffa guards duck as the ship dips low, then gains altitude as it soars over the towers. As it passes one of the sniper towers, Hammond fires, scoring a direct hit on the left tower. The tower blows up in a terrific explosion. Desperate, Trofsky raises his zatnicatel to fire. Seeing this, O'Neill pulls out the small handgun he's carrying, aiming at Trofsky. O'Neill: Get down! The captive SG teams obey, dropping to the ground immediately. O'Neill opens fire on Trofsky, shooting once, twice, thrice, four times. Before Trofsky can get off a single shot at the ship, the fourth bullet is enough to knock him down. The remaining sniper tower, meanwhile, turns its sights as the Jaffa manning it centers O'Neill on his targeting screen. Carter, however, has come over the rise and is running between the towers. Carter: Colonel! She opens fire on the sniper tower, and O'Neill whirls to see he's about to be fried by the staff weapon aimed at him. He immediately dives to the side just in time to avoid the blast fired at him. Meanwhile, Trofsky is getting to his feet, dazed but none the worse for wear. As he approaches the still-open Stargate, Bra'tac steps from the wormhole, staff weapon in hand. Trofsky doesn't get a chance to fire as Bra'tac shoots him in the chest, sending him flying backwards. As he falls, it's clear that there are four Jaffa flanking Bra'tac, all firing staff weapons at Hathor's cronies. Cut to the remaining sniper tower. As the Jaffa manning it scans the field for a new target, the ancient ship is turning to make a second pass. Cut to the cockpit. Teal'c: Fire! Pan up to Hammond, who punches the trigger. The ship is above and behind the tower, and its operator does not see the twin bolts of energy that fire from the ship, heading straight for the tower. As Teal'c pulls the ship up and away, the blasts hit their mark, and the tower explodes in flames. Cut back to the cockpit. Hammond: Yeeee-HAAAAA!!! Teal'c blinks, mildly surprised. Cut back to the ground. Carter runs over to O'Neill, who is pulling himself up. They stare at the remains of the tower, watching the ship complete its pass. Seeing Bra'tac, O'Neill gets to his feet. Confronting the remaining guards, Bra'tac lifts his staff. Bra'tac: Jaffa! Kel'met! The remaining Serpent Guards hesitate. Behind them, the SG teams are getting to their feet. Bra'tac: (louder) Kel'met! In the background, the sound of the ancient ship's engines slowing can be heard. Defeated, the Serpent Guards drop their weapons. Bra'tac lowers his staff. O'Neill and Carter cross the battlefield to meet Daniel and Bra'tac halfway. O'Neill shakes hands with Bra'tac. O'Neill: Bra'tac. Bra'tac: Human. The ancient ship has landed several meters away, and Teal'c and Hammond approach the group. Daniel looks slightly surprised and touched, Carter smiles, and O'Neill just smirks with an "I-should've-known" expression on his face. The six stand there for a moment, not saying anything, but clearly grateful and glad to be together again. Teal'c turns and heads towards the Stargate, with Bra'tac right behind him. O'Neill pats Daniel on the shoulder before they follow, with Carter and Hammond next. The camera pulls back to show the entire group milling around the Stargate, happy to be alive.
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