STARGATE SG1
Episode 405
"DIVIDE AND CONQUER"
By
Tor Alexander Valenza
VORASH, THE TOK'RA HEADQUARTERS PLANET
Exterior shot--a Stargate in a desolate landscape. Sandy, with
oddly- shaped obelisk-like rocks.
Interior, Tok'ra tunnels. Tok'ra council chamber. O'Neill, Jackson,
Martouf, Anise/Freya, Major Graham and Captain Blasdale are sitting
around the table.
O'NEILL
Tuesday doesn't work for the President.
MARTOUF
The High Council of the Tok'ra is making
his first journey to Earth to sign an
official treaty that outlines our new
alliance in the fight against the Goa'uld.
What could possibly be more important
than that?
GRAHAM
Keeping that treaty a secret from the
general population of our planet.
O'NEILL
It's a tricky proposition where we're
from.
JACKSON
The President means no disrespect, but
he has to appear before Congress on
Tuesday, and there's no way to make
up an excuse to get out of that.
O'NEILL
(sighing) Wednesday? How's Wednesday?
PER'SUS (OFF SCREEN)
Wednesday will be fine.
Martouf stands when he hears Per'sus's voice. Two guards and
High Councilor Per'sus enter the chamber. Everyone else stands,
and Martouf walks toward Per'sus.
MARTOUF
Colonel O'Neill, Doctor Jackson, Major
Graham, Captain Blasdale...
As Martouf introduces the Tau'ri to the High Councilor, we see
Graham with a tiny Goa'uld energy weapon, disguised as a ring,
in the palm of his hand. He pushes something and it opens up.
He turns his hand so no one else can see it. Then back to Martouf
bowing to Per'sus.
MARTOUF
...may I present Supreme High Councilor
Per'sus.
PER'SUS
Please, forgive me for being late.
Daniel walks forward and bows to Per'sus.
JACKSON
It's an honor to meet you.
Behind Daniel, Major Graham aims the Goa'uld weapon at Per'sus.
O'NEILL
LOOK OUT!
O'Neill ducks. Graham shoots a blast from the ring weapon. It
goes straight through a Tok'ra bodyguard and hits Per'sus in
the chest, knocking him down. Captain Blasdale tries to get the
weapon from Graham, and Graham blows a hole through the captain.
The second Tok'ra bodyguard tries to hit Graham with a zat gun,
and gets shot as well. Then, Graham turns toward Freya, who is
hiding behind the table. O'Neill sees this, jumps over the table
and knocks Freya to the floor. The blast barely misses them.
Daniel, crouching against a wall, looks flabbergasted. Graham's
eyes are wide as he points the weapon at O'Neill.
O'NEILL
Graham!
Graham is shaking with the effort of trying to overcome the compulsion
on him, but his left hand reaches for the weapon.
GRAHAM
(Crying) Stop . . . stop . . . stop
me!
Graham presses something on the ring, and a yellow light envelops
his body. O'Neill, Martouf, and Daniel hide their heads in their
hands as there's an explosion and bits of the cave walls shower
over them. Martouf and Daniel raise their heads with unbelieving
looks on their faces. O'Neill comes out from under the table,
also looking stunned.
OPENING CREDITS
SCENE
VORASH COUNCIL CHAMBER
O'Neill and Daniel watch as Tok'ra take the bloody dead bodies
away on a stretcher. Martouf walks in.
MARTOUF
Fortunately, High Councilor Per'sus
is going to recover.
Carter walks in.
CARTER
What happened?
O'NEILL
I'd like to know that.
JACKSON
Well, the High Councilor came in, Martouf
introduced us, and Graham went nuts.
CARTER
And he pulled a weapon?
MARTOUF
It seemed to be of Goa'uld origin.
O'NEILL
Look, Martouf--
MARTOUF
Obviously, I do not believe you were
complicit with Major Graham's actions.
O'Neill nods.
JACKSON
Well we weren't, but just out of curiosity,
how can you be sure we weren't?
MARTOUF
(Thinks a second) I cannot.
Freya walks up to them.
FREYA
I can. Major Graham was a zatarc.
O'NEILL
(Raises eyebrows) A what?
FREYA
The victim of Goa'uld mind-control technology.
JACKSON
(also raises eyebrows): A what?
FREYA
I believe a mission is programmed into
the victim's subconsious. That programming
is covered with a false memory.
O'NEILL
You knew this threat was out there?
MARTOUF
Freya has presented her theory to the
High Council, but it is only conjecture.
The existence of this technology is
thus far unconfirmed.
O'NEILL
Now, you see, this is just the kind
of irresponsible, uncooperative--
FREYA
(cutting him off): I agree, Colonel.
Unfortunately, the High Council did
not. Despite the fact that I documented
three incidents within the last two
months. Otherwise healthy Tok'ra operatives
suffered sudden extreme behavioral episodes,
each ending in suicide.
O'NEILL
And no red flags went up for anyone?
MARTOUF
A weapon like this has not been used
before.
CARTER
So the person in question doesn't know
what's gonna happen?
FREYA
No, they are apparently unaware their
minds had been tampered with. The instruction
seems to be triggered by a visual or
auditory signal.
JACKSON
Obviously, the High Councilor was the
target.
FREYA
Apparently, when Major Graham was introduced
to Per'sus, the programming took over.
He would have been unable to control
his actions after that.
CARTER
But this is theoretical.
FREYA
It is difficult to prove because of
the lack of evidence. I believe the
violent self-destructive behavior is
an integral part of the programming
meant to ensure that result.
JACKSON
How exactly does one get turned into
a-a zatarc?
FREYA
The programming only seems to require
moments of access with the victims.
O'NEILL
All right, had we known any of this
we might have been able to take a few
more precautions.
MARTOUF
We could not have taken any more precautions
than we did, Colonel.
JACKSON
But we could have more of these pre-programmed
time bombs out there waiting to go off.
MARTOUF
It is likely that if the Goa'uld knew
Major Graham was going to be here to
meet the High Councilor...
CARTER
...then they know about the treaty summit.
MARTOUF
Their goal was undoubtedly to sabotage
our alliance.
JACKSON
Then the President could also be a target.
MARTOUF
It is the High Councilor's wish to continue
with the treaty summit.
O'NEILL
Oh, I don't think so.
MARTOUF
In 2000 years, the Tok'ra have never
bowed to Goa'uld terrorism. We will
not start now.
FREYA
Either way, it is true that any of your
personnel who may have encountered the
Goa'uld in the last two months may have
fallen victim.
MARTOUF
The problem is, zatarc programming is
virtually impossible to detect.
FREYA
That is not true.
MARTOUF
Your method is unproven.
FREYA
It worked on one previous occasion.
MARTOUF
Even that is in question.
FREYA
It is all we have right now.
O'Neill watches this back-and-forth argument with growing frustration.
SCENE
WORMHOLE
Martouf and Freya walk through into the SGC embarkation room
carrying the zatarc detector. General Hammond and SG-1 are waiting
at the bottom of the ramp.
HAMMOND
(to O'Neill) Colonel. (Turning to the
Tok'ra) Martouf, Anise, on behalf of
the SGC, I want to offer my sincerest
apologies and condolences for the lives
of the lost Tok'ra.
The Tok'ra bow their heads.
MARTOUF
High Councilor Per'sus also send regrets
for the men of the SGC that were lost.
We consider Major Graham as much a victim
as anyone.
HAMMOND
All outstanding SG teams are being recalled
for screening and placed on a 24-hour
watch.
FREYA
I would like to begin with the remaining
members of Major Graham's team. There
was obviously opportunity to program
him on a recent mission.
HAMMOND
(Pointing) This way. Major Carter?
Carter nods and follows them, as does Daniel. O'Neill and Teal'c
watch them go. O'Neill shakes his head.
O'NEILL
They're at it again.
SCENE
CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN EXTERIOR
SGC Interior--General Hammond and Dr. Fraiser are walking down
a corridor.
FRAISER
(to Hammond) I completed my autopsy
on Major Graham. There was an unidentifiable
residue from the explosion, but no indication
he was under any kind of chemical influence.
To be honest, sir, if the Goa'uld were
trying to cover up their work, they
did a good job.
HAMMOND
What about the infomation about the
zatarcs provided by the Tok'ra?
FRAISER
Pretty limited to speculation, sir.
I did a full examination of Major Graham
before he went to Vorash, and he seemed
to be in perfect health. His bloodwork
was clean, last psych evaluation was
normal. If his brain was altered in
any way, It was done by a technology
far beyond my understanding.
HAMMOND
Will this zatarc detector actually work?
FRAISER
It's alien technology. I have no way
of knowing.
HAMMOND
Then we're completely in the hands of
the Tok'ra on this one.
FRAISER
Colonel must be happy about that.
HAMMOND
I'm not thrilled about it myself, doctor.
Hammond heads up the stairs, while Fraiser continues on down
the corridor.
SCENE
ISOLATION ROOM
Freya has set up the zatarc detector, a large blue-and-gray alien-
looking machine. Lieutenant Astor walks in, accompanied by an
SF. Behind Freya, SG-1 and Martouf can be seen in through the
glass of the observation room.
FREYA
Hello, Lieutenant . . . Astor. Please
have a seat.
Freya and the SF strap Astor to the chair in front of the zatarc
detector. A strap is placed over Astor's forehead, and Freya
attaches a memory device to Astor's right temple. Astor looks
uncomfortable.
FREYA
Try to stay calm. Direct your vision
here.
At the top of the zatarc detector is a lens with a red light,
which Freya indicates. As Astor looks that direction, a light
rather like a laser pointer flashes into Astor's right eye. It
scans around her eye, then disappears. Astor blinks.
FREYA
I will ask you some questions to lead
your thoughts. Please answer as completely
and truthfully as possible.
Freya adjusts a dial on the machine, then presses an indicator.
A display appears, with a rotating blue circle in the center,
and wha look like audio waves below.
FREYA
Describe for me your recent mission
to P6Y-325.
ASTOR
Well it . . . it seemed to be a routine
meet-and-greet. At least at first. The
Losarians were a fairly primitive people.
Freya is watching the blue circle rotate as Astor talks. Astor
goes on talking in the background as the camera moves to SG-1
and Martouf, watching from the observation room.
O'NEILL
So it's a lie detector.
MARTOUF
It's even more. It can detect whether
a person is being truthful even if they
are not aware they are lying.
JACKSON
So it reads the subconscious?
MARTOUF
And compares it to the conscious memory.
It was originally created to verify
information retrieved from the torture
of captured Goa'uld.
CARTER
That thing on her forehead looks like
a Tok'ra memory recall device.
MARTOUF
Yes, a modified version. It is able
to decipher whether the memory being
recalled by the subject is true or false.
JACKSON
So it indicates a zatarc because the
Goa'uld use false memories to cover
the program?
MARTOUF
That is Anise's theory, yes.
TEAL'C
Can you identify the zatarc's mission?
MARTOUF
Unfortunately, no. It will only tell
us if a person is a zatarc, not what
he's programmed to do.
JACKSON
Hello.
The blue rotating light on the zatarc detector is going pink
around the edges.
ASTOR
. . .Graham and I got separated from
Captain Blasdale and Sergeant Lewis.
I thought we were lost. We heard the
firefight. . . .
Astor goes on talking in the background.
MARTOUF
It could mean the lieutenant just reiterated
something out of order.
FREYA
Lieutenant, please repeat the last sequence,
and remember to be specific about every
detail and your feelings at the time.
ASTOR
Okay. I really don't know exactly what
happened. There wasn't much time to
stand around hypothesizing. Just after
the sun went down . . . the gliders
attacked the village. We booked for
the Stargate, but the clearing was filled
with Jaffa.
Flashback to the scene. SGC personnel with guns running through
trees at night.
ASTOR (CONT'D)
SG-15 was already under fire.
More flashback. Staff blasts and explosions. One of the SGC personnel
is hit and falls, then another.
ASTOR (CONT'D)
It felt like they were comin' at us
from all sides.
More flashback. Staff blasts. Astor and Graham run up; Astor
drops to her knees to shoot.
ASTOR
Captain Blasdale radioed from behind.
He and Sergeant Lewis were pinned down.
A Horus guard comes out of the trees and fires a staff blast.
FREYA
How did you feel?
ASTOR
Are you kidding? I was scared out of
my mind.
Flashback. Astor fires at the Horus Guard and he falls.
FREYA
Are you certain you shot the Jaffa?
More flashback. Again, Astor fires a the Horus Guard. He collapses
to the ground.
ASTOR
Positive.
The display shows red all around the blue circle. Freya turns
to look at SG-1, Martouf, and General Hammond behind the glass.
They all look concerned. Astor is struggling to deal with the
emotions of the recall.
SCENE
GENERAL HAMMOND'S OFFICE
The display on the computer monitor shows the blue circle completely
surrounded by red. O'Neill is looking at it.
FREYA
She is a zatarc. Lieutenant Astor's
mind has been altered.
O'NEILL
Ya think so?
HAMMOND
What do we do?
Martouf looks at Freya.
FREYA
There is a procedure we could try.
HAMMOND
Is it safe?
FREYA
It is experimental at best.
O'NEILL
General, need I remind you what happened
the last time we trusted this ... woman?
FREYA
You are referring to my symbiote Anise,
Colonel, and I would not suggest this
if I thought there was a better alternative.
HAMMOND
What's the worst-case scenario?
MARTOUF
The procedure actually damages the portion
of the brain that has been affected
by the zatarc technology.
FREYA
Lt. Astor could lose more than just
her false memory.
O'NEILL
How much more?
FREYA
It won't be clear until after the procedure.
HAMMOND
I hate the idea of sitting here deciding
the fate of one of our officers, but
what choice do we have?
O'NEILL
General--
HAMMOND
The security of this base and this planet
cannot be compromised.
FREYA
Furthermore, when her programming is
triggered, she will inevitably become
self destructive.
O'Neill and Hammond share a look.
HAMMOND
Let's give Lt. Astor the choice.
O'NEILL
Some choice.
O'Neill looks at Freya
SCENE
ISOLATION ROOM
Astor is being strapped to the chair by two SFs. One of them
slips the band around her forehead, then they both take up positions
by the door.
ASTOR
I have to admit, I'm a little scared.
Freya looks up from what she's doing with the zatarc detector.
FREYA
I understand. Please try to stay calm.
ASTOR
I swear I shot that Jaffa! Major Graham
returned with Captain Blasdale and Sergeant
Lewis.
FREYA
You said you were surrounded. Jaffa
were everywhere. Six other SGC team
members died that night, yet you and
your team managed to get through the
Stargate unharmed.
ASTOR
I thought we were just that good.
O'Neill, looking down through the observation window, smiles
briefly at that.
FREYA
I am going to begin.
A much bigger, brighter light comes out of the lens at the top
of the zatarc detector. It dances around Astor's head, then focuses
on her eyes and forehead. Astor looks more and more uncomfortable.
ASTOR
It hurts!
In the observation room, Dr. Fraiser looks concerned. The light
shines up and down Astor's face, and she spasms.
ASTOR
STOP! PLEASE! ... STOP!
When Freya stops the procedure, Astor rips herself out of the
restraints, grunting. The two SFs go to pull their pistols, and
one of them shoots her as she jumps them. She grabs the other's
gun and shoots at the observation window, shattering it. O'Neill
races out of the observation room.
O'NEILL
(At door of isolation room) Astor!
Astor turns the pistol toward his voice. He ducks behind the
doorframe. In the observation room, Hammond, Martouf, and Fraiser
stand up and turn to look.
FREYA
NO!
Obviously fighting the compulsion, Astor turns the gun toward
herself. A shot rings out, and O'Neill looks appalled.
SCENE
GENERAL HAMMOND'S OFFICE
HAMMOND
(Into red phone) Thank you, doctor.
Both SFs suffered serious injuries,
but they're going to be okay.
FREYA
The Goa'uld programming must have an
imbedded failsafe that prevents it from
being tampered with. I am sorry you
have lost another member of your team.
I hold myself accountable.
O'Neill nods.
HAMMOND
The Goa'uld are ultimately accountable.
FREYA
Unfortunately, we can not analyze the
affected area of the victim's brain
post-mortem due to the self-inflicted
damage.
O'NEILL
Would that really make a difference?
FREYA
I believe it would, yes.
HAMMOND
There will be no summit unless I can
be sure there's no threat to the President.
FREYA
We can complete the zatarc testing in
time.
O'NEILL
And if we find more?
HAMMOND
Greater things than the summit would
be in jeopardy, Colonel. Proceed. Dismissed.
O'Neill and Freya stand up and turn to leave the office.
O'NEILL
Well, this is fun. Who's next?
FREYA
SG-1.
O'NEILL
Do'h!
SCENE
OBSERVATION/ISOLATION ROOMS
Fraiser and Martouf are looking up at the zatarc detector monitors
in the observation room. The circle shows completely blue. The
interviews cycle through the members of SG-1.
FREYA
Good, Colonel. Now let's move to your
mission on PX9-757.
O'Neill is in the seat in front of the zatarc detector.
O'NEILL
Drawin' a blank.
FREYA
Your mission was to destroy a new ship
being built by Apophis.
O'NEILL
You know all about that.
FREYA
But the device only works if you recapture
your exact memory of the events.
Move on to Daniel in the hot seat.
JACKSON
At that point we realized they wouldn't
come off.
FREYA
You can jump ahead to the part where
you went through the Gate.
Now Carter's in the detector's chair.
CARTER
We were so strong and fast, the Jaffa
on the other side didn't stand a chance.
Flashback [from "Upgrades"] of O'Neill, Carter and Daniel going
through the Gate at super speed, knocking down all the Jaffa
guarding the Gate.
Teal'c is now recounting his memories of the mission.
TEAL'C
General Hammond ordered me to follow.
I went through the Gate and proceeded
to the facility.
FREYA
So you were alone for some time before
you met up with the rest of SG-1?
TEAL'C
Yes.
The detector shows all blue. Martouf and Fraiser, in the observations
room, are looking less nervous.
JACKSON
Um ... I went after the naquadah.
Flashback of Daniel knocking down the two Jaffa carrying the
weapons- grade naquadah. He comes back and puts it into his backpack.
Another Jaffa comes up behind him and aims a staff weapon.
JAFFA (IN FLASHBACK)
Don't move!
Daniel turns, and, under-handed, throws a block of naquadah at
the Jaffa, knocking him down.
FREYA
After that?
JACKSON
I headed back to meet Jack and Sam.
The detector shows blue.
O'NEILL
When I realized Carter wasn't with me,
I stopped.
Flashback of O'Neill running through the force shield. Carter
hits the shield and falls down. O'Neill turns.
O'NEILL
I went back for her.
FREYA
What happened next?
O'NEILL
That's when your genius armband stopped
workin'.
Slow motion scene of O'Neill running. He sees Carter, but hits
the force shield.
FREYA
You couldn't get through the shield
again?
O'NEILL
No.
General Hammond has joined Fraiser and Martouf in the observation
room. They look at each other.
CARTER
When I woke up, I saw Colonel O'Neill
unconscious on the other side of the
force shield. I called his name, and
he woke up.
FREYA
Then what?
CARTER
I realized that there was no way I was
gonna get through that force shield.
I told the Colonel to try and get out
without me.
FREYA
To leave you behind?
CARTER
Yes. The timer on the C-4 was counting
down. I knew that without the advantage
of the armbands, it was gonna be tight
getting back to the Stargate before
the ship's power core exploded.
FREYA
What did Colonel O'Neill do?
Flashback of O'Neill pounding on the control panel.
O'Neill and Carter look down the hall at the advancing Jaffa.
O'NEILL
Couple of Jaffa came around the corner.
FREYA
And then...?
CARTER
We got lucky.
FREYA
That's it?
CARTER
Yeah. The C-4 explosion must have taken
out the shield generator.
Flashback of the explosion. The Jaffa and O'Neill and Carter
fall down with the repercussion. The force shield goes down.
CARTER (CONT'D)
The force shield disappeared, and .
. . we ran.
FREYA
Sounds easy.
CARTER
Well . . . I wouldn't say that.
FREYA
Are you sure you're telling me everything?
Carter nods.
CARTER
(a few seconds later) Oh! . . . uh .
. . I tried to go for the naquadah.
O'Neill and Carter get up, and Carter tries to pick up the naquadah.
CARTER
But Colonel O'Neill ordered me to leave
it.
FREYA
That's everything?
CARTER
(After seconds of thinking) Yeah.
Freya looks down at the zatarc detector and says nothing. Carter
stares at her and takes a deep breath.
CARTER
You aren't serious?
The blue circle in the detector is surrounded in red. Camera
pans up and O'Neill's in the chair, not Carter. He looks stunned.
In the observation room, Martouf and Hammond look at each other,
and Fraiser shakes her head. O'Neill still looks stunned.
O'NEILL
What?
SCENE
GENERAL HAMMOND'S OFFICE
HAMMOND
(On the red phone) We still don't know
anything about the targets involved.
In the event that we do proceed, I'm
forwarding a new plan for your arrival.
Yes, sir . . . both Colonel O'Neill
and Major Carter. I'll pass that along.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Hammond hangs up the phone with a VERY worried look on his face.
SCENE
SECURITY QUARTERS
We see O'Neill through the mesh in the door window. An SF opens
the door.
O'NEILL
(to SF) Give us a second, huh?
The SF nods and O'Neill closes the door. Carter is sitting on
the bed. She raises her hands in a shrugging motion.
CARTER
Sir, this has to be a mistake.
O'NEILL
Tell me about it.
CARTER
Can you talk to General Hammond about
getting me re-tested, I mean there must
be--
O'NEILL
(interrupting) Us. (Smiles)
CARTER
What?
O'NEILL
Us retested. Apparently, I'm one of
those . . . zarc-things too. I'm across
the hall.
He points out of the room.
CARTER
That can't be.
O'NEILL
I know.
CARTER
Although we were both unconsious at
the same time.
O'NEILL
Apparently.
CARTER
Sir, are you worried that it's at least
possible?
O'NEILL
A little.
They look at each other, both trying not to show the worry.
SCENE
SGC BRIEFING ROOM
Hammond, Teal'c Daniel, Fraiser, Martouf and Freya are at the
table.
TEAL'C
I do not believe that Colonel O'Neill
and Major Carter are zatarcs.
JACKSON
We can't prove they aren't.
MARTOUF
We must continue to keep them isolated
in order to prevent them from being
exposed to their programming triggers.
HAMMOND
We don't know for sure it's the President.
FREYA
No.
HAMMOND
Then we're talking about keeping them
confined indefinitely.
FRAISER
At least until we can come up with another
course of action.
FREYA
The good news is that we have found
no more zatarcs among SGC personnel.
The High Councilor and his advisors
have also been tested back on Vorash.
There should be no danger to the summit
meeting.
HAMMOND
I want good news regarding Col. O'Neill
and Maj. Carter.
Hammond rises from his seat, and the rest (except Daniel and
Teal'c) do as well.
FRAISER
We'll keep working on it, sir.
MARTOUF
What shall I tell the High Councilor
regarding the meeting with the President?
HAMMOND
It's on.
Hammond walks out. Fraiser looks at Martouf, who nods. Teal'c
and Daniel look disturbed.
SCENE
SECURITY QUARTERS
O'Neill's sitting with his feet on the desk, playing with a yo-yo.
He's not very good. There's a knock on the door.
O'NEILL
Yeah?
Freya walks in.
O'NEILL
Oh. You.
FREYA
You are probably not happy to see me.
O'NEILL
Well, if you're not here to tell me
it's all a big mistake, I might be a
little glum.
FREYA
I have come to apologize. It is sort
of our fault you are a zatarc ... maybe
a little more Anise than me.
O'NEILL
I knew that. I just don't know why yet.
FREYA
The experiment with the armbands was
the reason you went on the mission to
destroy Apophis's new ship.
O'Neill raises his eyebrows and smiles. Then he leans back and
puts his hands behind his head.
O'NEILL
Hey, listen. What if you're wrong, and
Carter and I aren't really, uh--
FREYA
Zatarcs?
O'NEILL
Zatarcs.
Freya crosses the room and sits down on the bed, near O'Neill.
FREYA
I do not believe that is possible.
O'NEILL
Swell.
She looks at him--stares, even. He looks back at her like 'what?'.
O'NEILL
Is there somethin' else?
FREYA
I have not thanked you for saving my
life on Vorash--when you saved me for
a second time during the situation with
Lieutenant Astor.
O'NEILL
No offense, but I'd have done it for
anyone.
She leans forward and kisses him. He drops his feet off the desk.
His hands are on his lap, then he picks them up, to push her
away.
O'NEILL
Uh ... what ya doin'?
FREYA
I originally came from a planet where
the people were not afraid to show their
affection for someone. When we wanted
to lo'machen--
O'NEILL
Excuse me?
FREYA
I believe you call it...
O'NEILL
...something else.
FREYA
Anise, my symbiote, is far more interested
in Doctor Jackson on an intellectual
level, but she would have to suffer.
O'NEILL
Look, there's so many reasons why this
is wrong . . . and . . . weird . . .
and . . . wrong. . . . Did I mention
wrong?
FREYA
Is it because I share my body with Anise?
O'NEILL
For starters.
FREYA
Do you not find me attractive?
He makes a face.
O'NEILL
Oh . . . you've. . . .
She kisses him again. She gets no response again.
O'NEILL
Hey ... I could blow here any minute.
FREYA
If I were the target, your zatarc programming
would have triggered long ago.
O'NEILL
Good point.
FREYA
Is there someone else to whom you are
loyal?
O'NEILL
(Doing some major league stuttering!)
Th-th-th-that's not really the point
here, is it?
FREYA
I sense you have been made uncomfortable
by my offer.
O'NEILL
No! No ... it's just ... Well, yeah!
FREYA
I had heard that the humans of Earth
had many inhibitions and stigmas surrounding
intimacy.
O'NEILL
Yes . . . yes, I've heard that too.
There's also the matter of timing.
FREYA
I am still quite hopeful we will find
a way to help both you and Major Carter.
O'NEILL
Then maybe you should be out doing that,
whadda ya think?
He stands up to escort her out.
FREYA
Once again I find myself feeling the
need to apologize.
O'NEILL
Oh! No need! {He raps on the window.)
We're adults.
He pounds on the window to get the SF's attention.
FREYA
I will make an effort to learn more
about your customs so I will not make
you so uncomfortable again.
The door opens, and O'Neill herds her out.
O'NEILL
Yes, very good idea. Thank you. Bye.
Freya leaves. O'Neill meets the SF's eyes, then closes the door.
O'Neill looks through the window, then turns away.
SCENE
SGC BRIEFING ROOM
Through the window, we can see the Stargate being spiffed up.
Pulls back to show Daniel and Hammond standing by the window.
JACKSON
The President is still uncomfortable
with the phrase 'for the common interest
of the Tok'ra and the humans of Earth.'
I-I'm recommending 'in pursuit of freedom
for all individuals.'
Daniel sits down next to Martouf.
MARTOUF
The High Councilor does not like to
generalize.
Frey walks in, escorted by an SF.
FREYA
Excuse me. I have been reviewing my
notes on prior incidents with zatarcs
and I'm concerned that we are endangering
Major Carter and Colonel O'Neill by
keeping them confined.
JACKSON
Why?
FREYA
In at least one case I think the zatarc
lost control when it became evident
that they could no longer achieve their
objective.
JACKSON
So by keeping them confined--
MARTOUF
--they won't be able to fulfil their
programming and they will become self
destructive.
HAMMOND
Why hasn't that happened yet?
FREYA
The triggering event hasn't occurred
yet. However, if that passes--
JACKSON
You mean between the High Councilor
and the President--
HAMMOND
What if we postpone it?
FREYA
That could have the same effect if the
programmed part of their minds believes
they are no longer able to fulfil the
goal.
Hammond and Martouf look concerned. Daniel raises his hands.
JACKSON
So . . . what do we do?
Freya just looks at him.
SCENE
CARTER'S SECURITY QUARTERS
Carter is sitting at the desk staring at the screen of her laptop.
The door opens.
CARTER
Martouf.
MARTOUF
How are you?
CARTER
I was just writing a letter to my dad.
MARTOUF
I have sent word to him. I'm sure he'll
come as soon as he can.
CARTER
Thank you.
MARTOUF
I have come to present an option to
you.
Carter shakes her head.
CARTER
Not what Freya tried on Lieutenant Astor.
MARTOUF
She thinks that the procedure failed
because she stopped before it was finished.
CARTER
Because Astor went crazy.
MARTOUF
Freya thinks that the failsafe protecting
the zatarc programming can be overcome
if the procedure is given a fair chance
to work.
CARTER
What's the rush?
MARTOUF
Freya has seen prior evidence to suggest
that if a zatarc is prevented from achieving
their objective--
CARTER
--and--
MARTOUF
--if your objective is to target the
President--
CARTER
You're saying I would try and kill myself.
Martouf nods.
MARTOUF (WHISPERS)
Yes.
CARTER
Two days, right? (Another nod from Martouf.)
I guess we wait and see.
MARTOUF
Or . . . you could go through with the
procedure.
CARTER
Which could cause me to lose my mind
anyway, just like Astor did.
MARTOUR
Yes.
CARTER
Or, the procedure could work and I could
still end up with serious brain damage.
MARTOUF
Yes, I know. And not only do I not want
to risk losing what you still carry
of Jolinar, but . . . I've grown quite
fond of you as well, Sam.
Martouf smiles at Carter. She smiles back. Then she closes her
eyes and shakes her head.
CARTER
It's all based on assumptions, right?
I mean we don't know that the President
is the target; we don't even know if
I'll lose my mind because the summit's
going on and I'm stuck in here.
MARTOUF
And we don't know for sure that you
will suffer any ill effects from the
procedure.
Carter makes an exasperated little noise. She looks up at Martouf.
CARTER
Some choice.
They look at each other, then Carter looks away.
SCENE
O'NEILL'S SECURITY QUARTERS
O'Neill is lying on his bed with his yo-yo over his eyes.
O'NEILL
Come again?
Daniel is pacing around the room.
JACKSON
Bottom line is there's a chance you
could come out completely intact.
O'Neill sits up.
JACKSON (QUIETLY)
Or not.
O'NEILL
What's Carter say?
JACKSON
I don't know, Martouf is explaining
it to her now.
O'NEILL
What would you do?
JACKSON
I honestly don't know.
They don't look at each other.
O'NEILL
She made a pass at me.
JACKSON
Sam?
O'NEILL
Anise, Freya, one of them.
JACKSON
Really?
O'NEILL
The host half.
JACKSON
Uh . . . (he raises his eyebrows) that's
odd.
O'NEILL
You're telling me. Odd timing too, don't
ya think?
JACKSON
(Raised eyebrows again) Yes.
O'NEILL
Apparently, the snake likes you.
He plays with the yo-yo, then looks up to see how Daniel takes
that one.
JACKSON
Really? (O'Neill unwinds the yo-yo string.)
Yup, I think these are the Jack O'Neill
moments I would probably miss the most.
They look at each other.
O'NEILL
What?
JACKSON
What?
SCENE
SGC BRIEFING ROOM
Hammond, Daniel, Freya, Martouf, Fraiser, and Teal'c are at the
table again. Rather more SFs than usual line the periphery of
the room.
FREYA
I understand why they wouldn't trust
me.
JACKSON
Oh, I think it's more that they would
rather risk dying than lose who they
are.
HAMMOND
We can be sure they won't threaten the
President, but how do we keep them from
harming themselves during the summit?
FRAISER
We plan to sedate them and put them
in restraints.
JACKSON
Until when?
SCENE
O'NEILL'S SECURITY QUARTERS
Fraiser and a nurse are wheeling an IV cart and monitor into
O'Neill's room. Daniel, in a suit and tie, is sitting by the
bed.
FRAISER
It's the only way we can be absolutely
sure you won't try and hurt yourself.
O'Neill is sitting on the bed, looking askance at the medical
equipment.
O'NEILL
No choice?
The door closes behind Freya.
FRAISER
No. You won't feel anything, it'll be
like falling asleep.
O'NEILL
For how long?
FRAISER
As long as it takes to find a treatment
with better odds than the one we have
available.
Freya looks rather put out at that statement.
JACKSON
The President is due to arrive in less
than an hour.
Teal'c walks in.
O'NEILL
Come to say your goodbyes?
TEAL'C
If there's anything that you require,
O'Neill--
O'NEILL
Another option.
FREYA
There is still time to try the procedure.
O'Neill is looking down, not meeting anyone's eyes.
O'NEILL
You said if you could have done a proper
autopsy on Astor, you might have been
able to solve this thing.
FREYA
It would have provided much more information.
O'NEILL
Do it.
JACKSON
What?
O'NEILL
Hey, I've done the drugged-out, strapped-to-the-bed
thing.
He raises his eyebrows.
JACKSON
And if what happened to Astor happens
to you?
O'Neill thinks for a moment, then tips his head like 'oh well'.
O'NEILL
Maybe it'll help Carter. Her brain's
worth a lot more than mine.
He tries to smile, but it looks pretty sickly. Freya takes a
deep breath and Teal'c looks at her.
SCENE
CARTER'S SECURITY QUARTERS
Carter is talking to Daniel and Fraiser.
CARTER
What? He can't!
JACKSON
He's on his way down now.
CARTER
Why is he doing this?
JACKSON
He said he'd rather take the risk instead
of being put to sleep indefinitely.
CARTER
But Astor--
FRAISER
If it happens he thinks Anise can use
what she would learn to save you.
Carter pushes between them and runs to the door.
JACKSON
Sam. . . .
The SFs stop her.
CARTER
Colonel!
O'Neill is going by out in the corridor, with two SFs, Freya,
and Teal'c. he looks back at her, but doesn't stop. They stare
at each other, then he turns back. Carter runs back into the
room.
CARTER
You have to stop him!
JACKSON
It's his choice.
FRAISER
Sam, please. I have to do this.
Carter closes her eyes, then passes them both to go sit on the
bed, her head in her hands. Fraiser goes to her.
SCENE
SGC CONTROL ROOM
Martouf and another Tok'ra are watching the Stargate through
the glass, standing behind the technical sergeant who's acting
as Gate technician. General Hammond strides in.
TECHNICIAN
Incoming traveler.
Martouf and the other Tok'ra follow Hammond down to the embarkation
room, where several other Tok'ra and a bunch of Air Force officers
are already assembled. The Stargate activates. Daniel enters
the embarkation room, showing his ID to the armed guards. He
joins Martouf and Hammond.
JACKSON
Jack's going through with the procedure
and they're sedating Sam now.
HAMMOND
Open the iris.
The Tok'ra High Councilor Per'sus, surrounded by four guards,
comes through the Gate. Hammond, Martouf, and Daniel greet them.
HAMMOND (BOWING)
Welcome to Earth.
Daniel bows as well.
PER'SUS
It's an important occasion for us all.
HAMMOND
Indeed it is.
SCENE
CARTER'S SECURITY QUARTERS
Fraiser and a nurse are preparing to sedate Carter. Carter is
lying on the bed looking up at them.
CARTER
Janet?
Carter closes her eyes again. Fraiser looks down at her compassionately.
SCENE
ISOLATION ROOM
O'Neill is being strapped securely to the chair of the zatarc
detector. He takes a deep breath and lets it out. Teal'c stands
beside him, opens his zat gun, and points it at O'Neill. O'Neill
looks sidelong at it and kinda grins.
O'NEILL
Right.
SCENE
SGC EMBARKATION ROOM
PER'SUS
I was most impressed by the revisions
you made to the treaty.
MARTOUF
The credit goes to Dr. Jackson.
TOK'RA
It's an inspiring document. I only hope
both parties can live up to it.
Daniel's mind is elsewhere; he's worrying about Jack and Sam.
Hammond tries to get his attention.
HAMMOND
Doctor Jackson. . . .
Daniel looks up.
He nods at Per'sus.
TECHNICIAN
Sir, Air Force One has just landed.
HAMMOND (TO PER'SUS)
It will take fifteen minutes for the
President's motorcade to arrive. If
you'll excuse me, I'll meet him at the
surface and then be back soon.
Per'sus nods and turns to Martouf. Daniel looks back down, lost
in thought again.
SCENE
CARTER'S SECURITY QUARTERS
Carter is starting to go under the sedation.
CARTER
Colonel. . . .
In memory, Carter sees O'Neill walking down the SGC corridor
again, looking back at her. She rouses for a moment, then in
memory she sees him beating the control panel on Apophis's ship.
CARTER (IN MEMORY)
Sir, there's no time!
Carter rouses again.
FRAISER (TO NURSE)
We may have to increase the dose.
CARTER (MUMBLING)
The C-4's gonna blow, you have to get
out of here.
O'NEILL (IN MEMORY)
No! (He faces her)
Carter wakes up.
CARTER
The machine is wrong!
Fraiser looks down at her.
CARTER
You don't understand. We lied. We didn't
even know we were lying. Please.
Carter is struggling to stay awake. Fraiser looks at her in concern.
SCENE
ISOLATION ROOM
FREYA
If you are ready, we will begin.
O'Neill looks stoic. Both Teal'c and a nearby SF have their weapons
out, trained on O'Neill.
FRAISER
(Knocking on window of observation room,
through mike) Stop!
Teal'c and O'Neill look up at her. Moments later Carter comes
into the room, still looking pretty woozy, led by Fraiser. She
approaches O'Neill.
O'NEILL
Carter, what's up?
CARTER
Could we have a moment alone please?
(She catches Teal'c and Freya's eyes.
They, and Fraiser and the SFs, leave.)
Thanks.
O'NEILL
Carter, undo this. What's goin' on?
CARTER
We're not zatarcs.
O'NEILL
How do you know?
CARTER
The machine thinks that we have false
memories, but we don't. We were lying.
O'NEILL
I wasn't lying.
CARTER
Okay. You left something out.
O'NEILL
No, I didn't.
CARTER
Sir, when you wouldn't leave me, are
you sure there wasn't something else
that you're not admitting?
O'NEILL
What are you talkin' about?
CARTER
Something neither one of us can admit,
given our working relationship, our
military ranks....
O'NEILL
Oh! (Pause) Oh, that.
CARTER
Sir, we weren't telling the whole truth,
and that's why the machine thinks the
memories are false.
O'NEILL
Really?
The look at each other. Carter stands up and turns back to the
machine.
CARTER
Re-test him.
SCENE
SGC CORRIDORS
The Presidential entourage arrives. Hammond greets them in an
SGC corridor.
HAMMOND
Mister President.
PRESIDENT
General, nice to see you.
HAMMOND
Good to see you, sir.
SCENE
ISOLATION ROOM
O'Neill is still in the hot seat. Carter and Freya are behind
the zatarc detector.
FREYA
Major Carter was trapped behind the
force shield.
O'NEILL
That's right.
Flashback to O'Neill hitting the control panel, then pulling
the cover off.
In the flashback, O'Neill gets up and looks behind Carter. They
hear Jaffa marching toward them and turn to look at each other.
O'NEILL
There were sounds.
FREYA
You did everything you could.
O'NEILL
Yes.
FREYA
You couldn't save her.
O'NEILL
No.
FREYA
But you still could have saved yourself.
O'NEILL
I guess.
Flackback to O'Neill beating the force shield.
FREYA
What happened next?
Flashback to O'Neill beating the control panel.
O'Neill stares into Carter's eyes. She has a pleading look in
her eyes. Back to him staring in her eyes. She cocks her head
to the side with the pleading look, almost in tears. He now has
a confused look on his face. Sound of Jaffa marching up, getting
louder. The Jaffa appear.
FREYA
What were you feeling?
O'NEILL
Like . . . someone who was about to
die.
Detector shows signs of lying--pink appears around the blue.
CARTER
Sir. . . .
Flashback to the face to face with the force shield between them.
They're just looking into each other's eyes. She has the pleading
look.
O'NEILL
I didn't leave . . . because I'd have
rather died myself . . . than lose Carter.
Carter looks him in the eyes.
FREYA
Why?
O'NEILL
Because I care about her . . . a lot
more than I'm supposed to.
He and Carter are sharing looks all during this exchange. The
red around the blue in the zatarc detector's screen disappears.
FREYA
You are not a zatarc.
Up in the observation room, Fraiser turns to Teal'c. He actually
looks a little teary eyed. Carter and O'Neill look at each other
again.
CARTER
Now, re-test me.
Carter's in the chair now. The detector is solid blue.
FREYA
You are also not a zatarc.
Carter, in the chair, opens her eyes.
CARTER
Thank you.
O'Neill goes to unfasten Carter.
O'NEILL
Carter. . . .
CARTER
Sir. . . .
She stands up and faces him.
CARTER
None of this has to leave this room.
The door is opening behind O'Neill.
CARTER
Yes, sir.
He looks her up and down and nods. One more shared look, then
they turn away. Fraiser walks into the isolation room.
FRAISER
All right, so if they're not zatarcs
then they're no threat to the President.
O'NEILL
Oh, I have some questions for him.
FREYA
Every SGC personnel has been tested.
Even the High Councilor and his personal
guard were tested on Vorash before they
came.
O'NEILL
Hey, what about you? You ever been tested
on that thing?
FREYA
I have not been in any situations where
I would vulnerable to the Goa'uld zatarc
technology.
CARTER
What about Martouf?
Freya takes a deep breath like she's about to say something.
SCENE
SGC, EMBARKATION ROOM
The Gate technician is showing his ID to the guard at the door.
He approaches Jackson and Per'sus, who are talking, and whispers
something to Daniel, then leaves. Daniel looks stunned. Martouf,
across the room, has a Goa'uld ring energy weapon. He turns it
on and looks up, looking sinister.
JACKSON (TO PER'SUS)
Excuse me.
Per'sus looks concerned as Daniel walks across the room toward
Martouf. Daniel approaches Martouf and talks to him quietly.
JACKSON
Martouf, can I talk to you outside for
a second?
Hammond and the President's entourage pick that moment to enter
the embarkation room.
HAMMOND
Supreme High Councilor Per'sus of the
Tok'ra, may I introduce the President
of the United States of America.
The President steps forward, past his secret service men, and
faces Per'sus. Martouf acts. He backhands Daniel and knocks him
down, then raises the ring weapon.
JACKSON
Look out!
The President ducks, someone dives for Per'sus and pulls him
away. Martouf shoots, and his shot hits the wall by the door
as the Secret Service men pull the President away. Martouf turns
his weapon on the Tok'ra. When they duck, he turns it elsewhere.
O'Neill leans around the door frame and shoots Martouf once.
It doesn't faze him. Martouf turns toward O'Neill and shoots.
This shot also hits the wall, and Daniel ducks as concrete shrapnel
flies. The two secret service men still behind the ramp start
shooting at Martouf. He's hit several times but comes right back.
They dive for cover as he fires and hits the ramp they're hiding
behind.
Teal'c and two SFs run through the doorway. Teal'c zats Martouf
even as Martouf shoots at him. Martouf's last shot misses Teal'c
and the SFs and hits somewhere behind them in the corridor. Martouf
finally falls to his knees.
Carter runs into the embarkation room behind Teal'c. She's also
got a zat.
O'Neill, the secret service men, the Tok'ra--everyone who hid--stand
and train their weapons on Martouf. He's obviously struggling
to regain control of his own body. The sinister look leaves his
face, and he turns toward Carter. She looks at him with real
concern and steps forward.
MARTOUF
Samantha. . . .
He's struggling not to activate the ring device, but despite
his best efforts his left hand moves closer to the controls.
Rather than let him kill himself, Carter zats him a second time.
Second shot kills. He collapses, and she runs to grab him, letting
him down so he's lying with his head in her lap. She pulls the
ring device off his hand and holds it up.
O'NEILL
Drop them.
The secret service men slowly back down. Hammond and Freya hurry
into the embarkation room.
HAMMOND
Is everyone okay? Per'sus?
PER'SUS
Yes. Is the President all right?
HAMMOND
He's okay. And I'm afraid this man isn't
the President. The real President is
still waiting for our signal in Air
Force One. We had to be absolutely sure.
PER'SUS
I see. (He doesn't look pleased.) May
that be the last time such a deception
is required by either of us.
He looks over at where Carter is cradling Martouf's head.
FREYA
I promise you, his death will ultimately
prove be a noble sacrifice.
Carter, closer to tears than ever, nods. She looks back down
at Martouf. Daniel, Teal'c and O'Neill close in around them.
THE END
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