STARGATE SG1
Episode 805
"ICON"
By
Damian Kindler
Transcribed by
Callie Sullivan
In the bedroom of a house somewhere, Daniel is lying in bed with
his eyes covered with bandages and his left arm in a sling. A
woman sits on the bed and reaches for the bandages around his
eyes.
LEDA
It’s time.
DANIEL
Wait.
LEDA
It’s OK. Just relax. (She gently removes
the bandages. Daniel’s face is covered
with cuts. He squints against the light.)
Give your vision a moment to adjust
- you haven’t used it for a while. How’s
that?
DANIEL
Better.
LEDA
Your eyes - it’s nice to finally see
them.
DANIEL
Leda.
LEDA
Welcome back.
DANIEL
Where am I?
LEDA
Many miles from the city. This house
belonged to my uncle. We’re safe here.
DANIEL
The city - I remember being there. Something
terrible happened. (He remembers then.)
Many people died.
LEDA
There’s food, if you feel strong enough
to eat.
DANIEL
It’s our fault, isn’t it? None of this
would have happened if we hadn’t come
here.
LEDA
You’re alive. And considering what you’ve
been through, that alone is a miracle.
THREE MONTHS AGO.
On the same planet, in the city that Daniel just referred to,
a guide is taking a group around a museum. They are on a staircase,
and he leads them to a window.
GUIDE
First discovered in the Corillian wastelands
over one hundred and fifty years ago
and the highlight of our antiquities
collection - the Great Ring of Avidan.
(They look out of the window. In the courtyard outside is a Stargate.)
SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. The group has gone downstairs and walks out
into the courtyard.
GUIDE
Researchers estimate the Ring to be
at least several thousand years old,
and while its origin remains a subject
of debate, many believe it was created
by ancient worshippers to honour their
gods. It’s thought that the peculiar
symbols on the Ring itself represent
the names of the gods. However, no-one
has been able to decipher ... (At that
moment, the Gate begins to dial in.)
... exactly what they mean ...
(He trails off and everyone stares in amazement, backing away
nervously - which is a good thing because when the Gate whooshes,
the burst only just misses them. There’s a long pause while everyone
gazes at the event horizon.)
TOURIST
Is that part of the exhibit?
(A MALP bursts through, beeping and whirring, and bounces down
the steps towards the group. They flatten themselves against
the wall as it approaches.)
SOME TIME LATER (probably several days). The Gate is active again.
A new group of people is waiting. Sam, Teal’c and Daniel come
through and walk down the steps. Sam approaches the leader of
the group.
CARTER
Commander Gareth.
GARETH
In the name of the people of the Rand
Protectorate, I welcome you. You’re
Colonel Carter?
CARTER
This is Teal’c, and Doctor Daniel Jackson.
GARETH
It is a pleasure to finally meet you
all face to face. But please, come.
We have many questions, as I’m sure
you do as well.
(They start to walk.)
CARTER
Sorry about scaring the tourists. We’ve
made first contact with a lot of planets
but this is the first time we’ve found
ourselves coming out of a museum piece.
GARETH
One of our artefacts suddenly coming
to life was a little surprising, but
that pales in comparison to its purpose.
It is almost beyond imagining.
KANE
As is the fact that you’re human.
GARETH
My chief aide - Jared Kane.
DANIEL
Well, believe it or not there’s actually
a good reason for us being human.
CARTER
Which we’ll get to in due time.
GARETH
Colonel, I hope that once we gain each
other’s trust you’ll be able to shed
some light on the technology that powers
the Great Ring. It is unlike anything
we have seen before.
CARTER
We call it the Stargate, and our people
share the same hope, Commander.
GARETH
Of course, in due time.
(Daniel has noticed that several members of Gareth’s staff are
wearing a chain around their neck with a silver circle hanging
from it.)
DANIEL
I take it the Great Ring is a recurring
motif in your culture.
GARETH
It is simply a reminder of certain traditions
that pre-date our age of enlightenment.
Most people wear them more for the sake
of fashion than for religious belief.
KANE
Our history tells of an age when all-powerful
gods ruled our world. The Great Ring
was supposedly the source of their power.
GARETH
Of course, we know these are merely
legends from our ancient past. However,
the activation of the Ring may well
cause a stir amongst those few who still
follow the old ways.
THE PRESENT. Daniel is lying asleep in bed. Leda wets a cloth
and gently wipes his forehead. He wakes up.
LEDA
Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.
DANIEL
It’s alright.
(Leda picks up a small bottle and holds it to Daniel’s mouth.)
LEDA
For the pain. (She puts her hand behind
his head and lifts it so that he can
drink.) I wish I could give you more
but our medicine is in short supply.
DANIEL
Thank you.
LEDA
I’ll leave you alone.
DANIEL
No - please stay.
TWO MONTHS AGO.
SGC. BRIEFING ROOM. Jack, Sam and Teal’c come in. Daniel is already
there.
O’NEILL
How did it go with the, uh ...?
DANIEL
Caledonians? Not so well, actually.
My time with the representatives was
severely limited by Rand security forces.
Apparently Gareth had national security
concerns - mainly that we’d tell the
Caledonians too much about the Stargate.
O’NEILL
Let me venture a wild guess: they don’t
get along so good.
DANIEL
The Rand Protectorate and the Caledonian
Federation have been locked in a state
of cold war for decades. Each nation
has enough weapons to wipe each other
off the face of the planet.
CARTER
Sounds depressingly familiar.
DANIEL
There’s actually a third element which
has me a little more concerned - a group
of religious fundamentalists led by
a man named Soren. Now, these people
think that all life on the planet was
created by ancient gods and that these
gods will some day return and reward
them for their faith.
CARTER
And by coming through the Stargate,
we confirmed their beliefs.
DANIEL
Because the Gate was activated in a
public place, the Rand government has
been unable to prevent the rumours from
spreading. Now, before we made contact
with them, these people were considered
zealots who took the ancient texts too
literally. The Gate being activated
has given them all they need to prove
that they were right all along. Their
numbers will grow.
O’NEILL
That’s terrible(!) And yet - not our
problem.
LATER. Jack is walking along a corridor. Daniel hurries to catch
him up.
DANIEL
Jack, you have to let me go back.
O’NEILL
If what you say is true, things are
gonna get a little out of hand over
there.
DANIEL
Yes, because of us. If we hadn’t chosen
to pay them a little visit ...
O’NEILL
... they’d be far better off, I know.
Daniel, we’re always sticking our collective
noses where they don’t belong. It’s
what we do.
DANIEL
I could help them understand what they’re
facing - make them see it’s not the
end of the world. If we leave now, who
knows what could happen? We have to
help them. You know that.
O’NEILL
Regular contact, no exceptions. The
second things start getting a little
squirly ...
DANIEL
Thank you. (He turns and walks away.
Jack calls out to him.)
O’NEILL
Daniel! (Daniel turns around again.
Jack holds up a finger.) Squirly.
DANIEL
Squirly.
THE PRESENT. Leda comes into the bedroom and finds Daniel standing
at the window.
LEDA
You shouldn’t be standing.
DANIEL
Oh, don’t let appearances fool you,
I still feel terrible. Leda, everything
you’ve done for me ...
LEDA
... has been for my own sake as well
as yours. So much has happened. Caring
for you has helped me continue on.
DANIEL
Yeah - what has happened exactly? I
mean, uh, I remember being in the bunker
with Commander Gareth, and we were attacked,
and the rest is a fog.
LEDA
Jared is away searching for survivors.
He should be back in a few days’ time.
I think it would be best if he answered
your questions.
DANIEL
Jared Kane. Yeah, I remember him - he
was in the bunker as well.
LEDA
My husband was chief aide to Commander
Gareth.
DANIEL
‘Husband’. ‘Was’.
LEDA
He insisted I move here when the fighting
reached the capital. He felt you would
be safest in my care.
DANIEL
Yeah. Look, no offence, but I’ve really
gotta get back to my own world, or at
least contact them and let them know
I’m OK, so ...
LEDA
Trying to reach the Great Ring will
be impossible. Rebel patrols have been
sighted in the area. Even to leave the
estate grounds would be dangerous. Not
to mention the fact that you are far
from healed. You must rest, Daniel.
DANIEL
Leda, what happened to Commander Gareth?
(Leda’s expression tells him that it’s not good news.)
SGC. GATEROOM. Sam and Teal’c come through the Gate. Jack is
waiting at the bottom of the ramp.
O’NEILL
Give me good news, Colonel.
CARTER
I wish I could, sir. We met with Soren,
leader of the rebels, but it was less
constructive than we’d hoped.
O’NEILL
How much less?
CARTER
We were only allowed to see him for
fifteen minutes.
TEAL’C
After keeping us waiting for several
hours.
O’NEILL
Well, important matters of state, no
doubt(!)
CARTER
He’s managed to unite all the fundamentalist
factions in the Rand Protectorate, which
effectively puts him in control.
TEAL’C
He was most unwilling to allow us to
search for Daniel Jackson.
CARTER
Before he insisted we leave, he did
promise he would look into the matter
on our behalf. Whatever that means.
O’NEILL
Right. What about a UAV?
CARTER
He won’t give us access to the surface,
plus he claims it would interfere with
their own radio communication systems.
I’m sorry, sir, but at this point we
have no way of knowing if Daniel is
still alive.
SIX WEEKS AGO.
Daniel and Kane are walking through an underground bunker. There’s
a blue light on the wall.
DANIEL
And what does blue mean?
KANE
It’s our second-highest level of military
alert status. There’s been civil unrest
in several urban centres across the
country. Over a dozen municipalities
have fallen into the hands of Soren’s
troops. Our forces are in the process
of pacifying those areas as we speak.
DANIEL
‘Pacifying’?
KANE
Reclaiming our cities from the hands
of religious madmen.
DANIEL
So civil unrest means you go to blue.
KANE
Under normal circumstances, no. Unfortunately,
the situation has caused other problems.
(They reach a guarded door. The door revolves and Daniel and
Kane go into the Control Room. There’s a lot of activity inside
- it’s basically a war room.)
DANIEL
What’s going on?
KANE
We were forced to heighten our alert
status to match that of the Caledonians.
(Commander Gareth is talking to Minister Treydan, leader of the
Caledonians, over radio comms.)
GARETH
... and I promise you, we will share
this technology with you once we fully
understand it.
TREYDAN
You mean once you’ve assessed its advantages
to your national security. You have
refused to allow our scientists access
to the Great Ring. You have limited
our access to the offworlders. We do
not feel as much a part of this great
discovery as you do.
GARETH
And had the Ring been activated on Caledonian
soil, you would have done no differently.
Minister Treydan, I am simply asking
your government for patience. Stand
down your high alert. We will do the
same.
TREYDAN
Typically you trust your people too
much, Commander. Caledonia has been
under strict martial law since news
of the offworlders’ arrival began to
spread. Our domestic security remains
intact.
GARETH
The citizens of this world are not children.
They just need time to come to terms
with this information.
TREYDAN
Soren and his followers have already
seized control of more than a dozen
of your cities. Your people are panicked,
and your country is on the verge of
collapse. I urge you to deal with the
situation in a swift and decisive manner.
Should control of the Rand Protectorate
fall into Soren’s hands, we’ll consider
it an act of war.
THE PRESENT. On the Kane estate, Daniel is in a shed or a workshop.
His facial wounds have healed quite a lot. He is speaking into
what looks like a transistor radio set.
DANIEL
This is Daniel Jackson calling Stargate
Command, come in, please. ... This is
Daniel Jackson calling Stargate Command,
please respond. ... This is Daniel Jackson
calling Stargate Command, come in, please.
... This is Daniel Jackson calling Stargate
Command, please respond.
(Leda comes in.)
LEDA
Any luck?
DANIEL
No, nothing yet.
LEDA
You’ve been trying for days.
DANIEL
Something seems to be jamming all the
signals I’m picking up. I mean, there’s
people out there but nothing clear enough
for me to respond to.
LEDA
But you think your friends will be able
to hear you.
DANIEL
Yeah ... that’s kind of a timing thing.
You see, if the Stargate’s open they’ll
be able to pick up my signal - if your
Gate isn’t buried in rubble, or worse.
LEDA
Well, while you’re waiting to be rescued,
you could use some fresh air. Do you
think you’re up to it?
(Daniel leaves the radio, and the two of them go for a walk.)
LEDA
How can you be sure Soren and his followers
aren’t right? How can you know for certain
that the gods they worship aren’t ...
DANIEL
Benevolent? Because I’ve met more than
a few of them. Trust me, they’re the
opposite. They’re definitely not gods.
LEDA
Then what are they?
DANIEL
Short form? They’re a parasitical race
that steals advanced technology and
rules via fear and intimidation. Has
a penchant for melodrama. Trust me,
if Soren ever actually met one, he’d
be singing a different tune.
LEDA
But you said you fought them and won.
DANIEL
Yeah. We got lucky a few times, that’s
all.
LEDA
There’s hope, isn’t there? (Daniel looks
away and doesn’t reply.) You think what
happened was your fault, don’t you?
From what you’ve told me, it was better
that your people activated the Great
Ring than the Goa’uld.
DANIEL
You think so? Cos right now, I’m not
so sure.
LEDA
You couldn’t have known what was going
to happen. When the fighting began,
you could have gone back to your planet
but you chose to stay.
DANIEL
Yeah.
LEDA
To try and help us.
DANIEL
For all the good it did.
LEDA
Daniel, there has been distrust between
our country and Caledonia for generations.
It was only a matter of time before
something set it off. We did this to
ourselves. And since you’ve come here,
I’ve begun to think we may have a chance
to undo it, to rebuild.
SGC. CONTROL ROOM. Sam and Walter are sitting at the desk. The
Gate is open.
DAVIS
This is Stargate Command calling Doctor
Jackson. Do you read me?
(No response.)
CARTER
Can you boost the signal?
DAVIS
We’re at maximum gain, Colonel. (Into
radio) This is Stargate Command calling
Daniel Jackson. Do you copy?
(Jack comes in.)
O’NEILL
Anything?
CARTER
Not yet, sir. We’re picking up a lot
of transmissions from the planet but
none of them are clear enough to tell
if they’re from Daniel. We think both
sides may have employed radio-jamming
measures just prior to the attack, meaning
any signals coming from outside the
command bunker are a mess. We’re working
on it.
O’NEILL
Anything from SG-9 yet?
CARTER
Yeah, they just reported in. Sounds
like the negotiations are going nowhere,
sir. Soren is still refusing to allow
us to send any teams to look for Daniel.
He said our presence on the planet would
only cause more panic and fear.
O’NEILL
Well, OK. Sounds like I should meet
these people myself.
(He walks away. Sam looks worried.)
KANE ESTATE. Daniel comes outside and is grabbed by a soldier
with a gun and pinned against the wall. Jared Kane and some other
soldiers approach. When it’s clear that Daniel is meant to be
there, the soldier lets him go.
DANIEL
Kane.
KANE
Doctor Jackson.
KITCHEN. Leda is bringing food for the men.
KANE
We got as close to what was left of
the capital as we could. Soren and his
troops are conducting full sweeps of
the region, searching for survivors.
Any suspected of remaining loyal to
the old government are executed on the
spot.
LEDA
Haven’t enough people died?
DANIEL
I don’t think that matters to him. It’s
about continuing the chaos, not peace.
KANE
You’re right. People are too afraid
to fight back. Most of them have already
given up hope. It’s just a matter of
time before they pledge their loyalty
to Soren.
DANIEL
Kane, what the hell happened that night?
I remember being in the bunker and then
waking up here.
KANE
It was the end.
FLASHBACK. BUNKER. Daniel walks into the Control Room. Two soldiers
seize him by the arms.
KANE
I’m sorry, Doctor Jackson, you really
can’t be in here right now. (He gestures
to the soldiers to let Daniel go.)
DANIEL
Kane, what’s going on? I heard something
about the Stargate being moved.
KANE
Rebels have seized control of all of
Rand’s major cities, including sections
of the capital itself. We had the Stargate
moved into the bunker complex for security
purposes.
DANIEL
What are the Caledonians doing?
KANE
Their missile systems are now fully
deployed and primed. As a result, we’ve
done the same. It might be best if you
return to your planet now.
(A comms officer turns to Commander Gareth.)
OFFICER
Commander. Minister Treydan for you
on a coded frequency.
GARETH
Put him through.
TREYDAN
Commander Gareth, we’ve been monitoring
the situation in your country, and we
are most concerned.
GARETH
I understand, Minister. However, rest
assured, we are close to reclaiming
vital areas ...
TREYDAN
Now is not the time for rhetoric, Commander.
Our reports indicate large elements
of your military are on the brink of
mutiny. Your civil unrest has become
a civil war. Should any of your weapons
systems fall into the wrong hands, no-one
in my country would be safe.
GARETH
That will not happen, I can promise
you.
TREYDAN
Just as you promised our scientists
full access to the Stargate. First you
hide information about the alien device,
and now you deny your country has slipped
into chaos.
GARETH
We respected the guidelines of our treaty
to the letter. (The Comms Officer hands
a note to Kane.) Our report to you on
the Stargate outlined everything we
know ...
TREYDAN
Except what you deemed advantageous
to your national security.
(Gareth realises that the note is important.)
GARETH
One moment, Minister. (He makes a gesture,
and the Comms Officer cuts off the link
to Minister Treydan.)
KANE
Rebel forces just detonated a large
explosive device near one of our missile
deployment facilities. As of this moment,
we understand the facility to be compromised.
(Gareth pinches the bridge of his nose, then looks around at
his people. After a moment he nods to the Comms Officer, who
reinitiates the link with Treydan.)
GARETH
Minister, forgive me. I must cut our
conversation short.
TREYDAN
Commander, my intelligence advisors
have just informed me of a massive explosion
near one of your missile facilities.
Is this true?
GARETH
We are still gathering information.
We will contain the situation ...
TREYDAN
The time for containment is long past,
Commander. We cannot allow your missile
facilities to fall into Soren’s hands.
GARETH
Treydan, give us time. This need not
escalate.
TREYDAN
We are targeting your missile sites
only. If you do not wish a full-scale
war, you will not retaliate.
GARETH
Treydan!
OFFICER
Commander, we’ve detected multiple launch
signals from Caledonian positions.
(The map on the wall shows the launches and their projected impact
sites.)
THE PRESENT. KANE ESTATE. Daniel and Kane are walking in the
grounds.
KANE
It’s possible the destruction could
have been contained if Soren’s forces
hadn’t gained control of one of our
missile sites and launched a counter-attack
on Caledonia. After that, it evolved
into a full-scale war. Within a matter
of days, all our cities were levelled.
From what we can tell, only a fraction
of our population has survived, existing
mainly in outlying areas. As for the
Caledonians, I’ve heard rumours they’re
trying to rebuild what they can. It
won’t be much. They may have struck
first, but our missile systems were
much more accurate than theirs.
DANIEL
And Soren?
KANE
He used the chaos to make his move on
the bunker.
DANIEL
Then how did you save me?
KANE
Actually, from what I understand, it
was you who saved me.
FLASHBACK. BUNKER. The map on the screen shows the first missiles
arriving at their targets. The bunker shakes from distant explosions.
GARETH
Kane ... (He gestures towards Daniel.
Kane, clearly reluctant to leave his
post, walks towards Daniel.)
DANIEL
This is insane.
KANE
Soren’s forces are moving in on this
facility. I can get you to the Stargate,
but we have to go now.
(The two of them leave the Control Room. As they approach some
doors, the doors are blown up from the outside. Daniel, Kane
and other security men duck behind some sandbags. Soren’s troops
enter - Kane starts shooting at them and a firefight ensues.
Kane is shot in the leg. Daniel helps him up.)
KANE
This way!
(They head deeper into the complex as the firefight continues
behind them. They reach a door in a wall.)
KANE
Here. Through that door.
(Daniel opens the door and they go in, Daniel closing the door
behind them. They’re inside service tunnels. They make their
way through the tunnels, the complex shaking as explosions hit
it, and reach an exit to the outside. Just as they have come
out, there’s a massive explosion nearby.)
DANIEL
Get down! (He pushes Kane down, then
dives to the ground himself just as
debris starts falling all around them.
THE PRESENT. KANE ESTATE GROUNDS.
KANE
Loyalist soldiers found us first and
got us out of the city. Your wounds
were much worse than mine. Bringing
you here was the only option.
DANIEL
What happened to Commander Gareth?
KANE
He was executed shortly after the bunker
fell. Since he took power, Soren has
set up a provisional government - not
that there’s much of Rand left to govern.
However, we do know he does control
whatever’s left of the bunker complex,
including the Stargate. I’m sorry, Doctor
Jackson.
SGC. GATEROOM. The Gate is open, and Soren and two aides come
through. Jack, Sam and Teal’c are waiting for them.
O’NEILL
Howdy, fellas. Welcome to Earth.
SOREN
General O’Neill. It is an honour. I
greet you in the name of our great nation,
Avidan.
CARTER
You changed the name?!
SOREN
Avidan speaks more to our people’s beliefs.
TEAL’C
It is from an ancient Goa’uld dialect.
It means ‘the gods are just’.
(Soren and his aides each put a hand on their chest and bow.)
O’NEILL
Good choice(!)
KANE ESTATE. Daniel and Kane are in the kitchen.
DANIEL
So you’re saying that Soren is still
using the bunker as a command centre.
KANE
Damage in the city would be too severe.
DANIEL
Then he hasn’t totally consolidated
his power yet, has he? I’m saying that
if we could somehow re-take the bunker,
we would effectively overthrow Soren.
KANE
The bunker’s heavily fortified and I
have only a dozen men under my command.
It would be suicide.
DANIEL
No, not if we had help. See, if I could
reach my friends on Earth, we could
regain control of the Gate.
KANE
If you could reach them. I know that
you’ve been trying to make radio contact
with your planet since you regained
consciousness - without success. I understand
your wish to return to your world but
it simply isn’t possible.
DANIEL
This isn’t about that. My people can
help you.
KANE
Like you helped us before? I admire
your passion, Doctor Jackson, but too
much has happened to fix with one heroic
action. We have to accept the fact that
Soren has won. Rand belongs to him now.
SGC. BRIEFING ROOM. Soren stands at the window looking down at
the Stargate. He turns and walks to the table.
SOREN
It is obvious you revere the Great Ring
as much as we do, General O’Neill.
O’NEILL
Oh yeah! We love the old gal. Quite
possibly for different reasons than
you.
SOREN
We both seek to defend our people’s
way of life, do we not, General? To
protect their very existence?
TEAL’C
You do not represent the people of your
world - you merely kill those who believe
differently and would stand against
you.
SOREN
You speak what is on your mind. I admire
that.
O’NEILL
Actually, in your case, he’s holdin’
back. Carter?
CARTER
Commander Soren, we’re prepared to offer
you aid in exchange for help in locating
Daniel Jackson: food and medical supplies,
plus support personnel to help you stabilise
the situation on your planet.
SOREN
You cannot truly believe that your friend
is still alive.
O’NEILL
Oh, he’s a resourceful fella.
SOREN
Your offer is most generous, but I’m
afraid we must decline. We are, however,
particularly interested in your weapons
technology.
TEAL’C
Your people are facing starvation and
disease.
SOREN
What has happened to our world is most
unfortunate, and yet vital. Those who
refused to believe needed to be purged
from existence so that we could begin
anew.
O’NEILL
Y’know, in these parts, we like to call
that crimes against humanity.
CARTER
If all you care about is spiritual salvation,
what do you need the weapons for?
SOREN
The revolution is not yet complete.
CARTER
You mean you wanna take over Caledonia
too.
SOREN
As I said, the revolution is not yet
complete.
KANE ESTATE. Leda is hanging out washing as Daniel comes over
to her.
DANIEL
Leda, you have to talk to your husband.
LEDA
And what am I supposed to say to him?
DANIEL
That it’s not too late to regain control,
to rebuild your country, everything
you told me before.
LEDA
Daniel, I can’t.
DANIEL
Why?
LEDA
Because I’d be lying. Jared is right
- those of us who were unlucky enough
to live through what has happened will
die soon enough, either through disease
or one of Soren’s purges. There is no
future.
DANIEL
Leda, you were right - there is hope.
Don’t - don’t doubt that, please.
LEDA
You believe your people can help us.
DANIEL
Yes.
LEDA
And what if you do overthrow Soren,
what then? You simply leave? (Daniel
looks embarrassed, realising Leda’s
feelings for him.) When Jared became
part of Commander Gareth’s inner circle,
he changed, became remote, distant.
I’d forgotten what it was like just
to talk to someone. To feel.
DANIEL
Leda ... (He reaches out to touch her
face but she pulls away, realising that
he doesn’t feel the same way as she
does.)
LEDA
I’ll speak to him, Daniel, but he won’t
hear me.
SGC. JACK’S OFFICE. Jack, Sam and Teal’c walk in from the Briefing
Room.
O’NEILL
Waste of time. Waste.
(Teal’c goes to the seat opposite Jack’s desk and sits down.
Jack looks at him, making an ‘oh, please, do sit down!’ type
gesture.)
CARTER
Sir, I think the fact that he hasn’t
left yet could mean he’s still willing
to deal.
TEAL’C
He has no need for humanitarian aid.
The chaos in his country has only served
to strengthen his position.
CARTER
Well, we can’t just give up.
O’NEILL
Yes, I know that.
CARTER
We’re continuing to monitor countless
radio signals coming from the planet.
One of them could be from Daniel. If
we can find a way to contact him ...
O’NEILL
Find it!
CARTER
Yes, sir.
KANE ESTATE. Leda and Kane are talking.
KANE
I’m telling you, Leda, it’s madness.
All it will accomplish is to wipe out
any chance we have to mount a unified
resistance in the future.
LEDA
But what if he’s right? What if this
is our best opportunity to defeat Soren?
KANE
You would have me throw away my life
and the lives of my men so that Daniel
can return to his world?
LEDA
It’s not about that - it’s about rebuilding
our world. His friends can help us do
that. Jared, our people need this.
KANE
You mean he needs this. I’m not blind,
Leda - I know that you and Daniel have
grown close during his convalescence.
LEDA
Jared, it’s not what you think.
KANE
Let me speak. If I could live the last
few years differently, Leda, I would;
I would make the time. But we no longer
have the luxury for regrets. I need
to know: do you love him? (Leda doesn’t
answer.) Leda.
LEDA
I trust him.
SGC. BRIEFING ROOM. The meeting between Soren, Jack and SG-1
is continuing.
SOREN
Once order has been established, the
people of Avidan will live differently
than before - simply, humbly, waiting
for our gods’ inevitable return.
O’NEILL
Y’know, we’ve met these gods upon whom
you’re so hot, and trust me when I tell
you - they’re not what you think they
are.
TEAL’C
They will reward your worship with enslavement.
SOREN
You are not the first to try to sway
our beliefs, but I can assure you our
faith is unshakeable.
TEAL’C
This is not about faith - this is about
a means to power.
GATEROOM. Soren and his aides are escorted in. The Gate is active
and Jack and Teal’c are standing at the bottom of the ramp. Without
a word, Soren and his men go up the ramp and through the Gate.
O’NEILL
That went well(!)
CARTER
Sir, you’d better get up here.
(Jack and Teal’c go up to the Control Room. The Gate is still
open.)
O’NEILL
What?
CARTER
By implementing new spread-spectrum
frequency, hopping into our communications
...
O’NEILL
Carter, Carter, Carter!
(Daniel’s voice comes over the radio.)
DANIEL
Helloo? Guys?
CARTER
We found him.
O’NEILL
Sweet! (Into microphone) Daniel?
DANIEL
Jack? Nice to hear your voice.
O’NEILL
Likewise. You coming home or what?
DANIEL
Trying to. As soon as I find my kaltesh.
O’NEILL
What?
DANIEL
Err, looks a lot like my rin’kalnok.
You know, I lent it to the ... uh ...
for grel’ka greenor day.
O’NEILL
He’s changed.
CARTER
Sir, he’s speaking Goa’uld.
TEAL’C
Rin’kalnok means ‘strategy’. Kaltesh
speaks of a well-known Jaffa battle
tactic - a flanking attack from two
sides.
(Jack pauses for a moment, then clears his throat.)
O’NEILL
Yes, Daniel, I remember exactly where
I put it. Any other ... thoughts?
DANIEL
No - just that I hope someone’s been
feeding my lorsak while I’ve been away.
BRIEFING ROOM.
CARTER
We’ve pieced together all the Goa’uld
words Daniel gave us. If Teal’c’s translations
are correct, he’s suggesting a strategy
to retake the bunker.
TEAL’C
He is proposing a co-ordinated attack
against Soren.
CARTER
We come through the Gate at the same
time as Daniel and Kane’s men enter
from the surface. I’m thinking we take
SGs-3, -6 and -12 as back-up. We go
in hot, secure the Gate, then extract
Daniel.
TEAL’C
He has supplied an estimate of the strength
of Soren’s forces as well as a possible
date and time for the assault.
CARTER
Our next communication is in five hours.
All we need to do is confirm everything
and, of course, get a go from you, sir.
O’NEILL
Alright. Well, not to nitpick or anything
here, T, but are you sure you got it
right?
TEAL’C
I am certain, O’Neill.
O’NEILL
OK. Go.
KANE ESTATE. In the house, Jack and Kane are talking.
KANE
Fifteen men? That’s hardly enough.
DANIEL
Look, they’re some of the best people
on my planet, and they’re trained for
missions exactly like this. It’ll be
enough, trust me. If we’re gonna do
this, we have to set it up now. They’re
waiting for your response.
(Leda hurries in.)
LEDA
Jared! A rebel patrol is approaching.
Hide in the cellar.
KANE
Leda ...
LEDA
I know what to do.
(Daniel, Kane and his men hide down in the cellar below the kitchen.
Up in the kitchen, Leda pushes a cupboard back into place over
the cellar entrance as a loud banging is heard on the door.)
SOLDIER
In the name of Soren, open the door!
(Leda hesitates, too afraid to go to the door. Eventually, the
soldiers open the door themselves and come in.)
SOLDIER
Inspection. Stand aside.
LEDA
Please, just tell me what you’re looking
for.
SOLDIER
Who owns this house?
LEDA
I do.
SOLDIER
And who else lives here?
LEDA
No-one. (The soldier grabs her arm roughly,
driving her to her knees. She cries
out in pain.) You’re hurting me!
(In the cellar, Daniel makes a move towards the steps but Kane
holds him back.)
SOLDIER
We know loyalist soldiers are in the
area. Collaboration is punishable by
death. (To his men) Search the house!
LATER.
SOLDIER2
There’s no-one else here, but we found
some men’s clothes and boots.
SOLDIER
Now, who else lives here?
LEDA
My husband did. He died last month from
wounds suffered during the bombings.
Please - I only wish to lead a simple
life, as it is written in the ancient
texts.
(The soldier finally lets go of her arm.)
SOLDIER
There’s nothing here. Let’s move. (The
soldiers leave.)
LATER. Out in the courtyard, Kane is briefing his men.
KANE
Once we’re close enough, we’ll use the
city’s tunnel systems to get us near
one of the bunker’s access points. After
we’re inside, we’ll wait for Doctor
Jackson’s people to make their move,
then we make ours. Understood? (He walks
over to Daniel.) Let’s hope your friends
keep their end of the bargain.
(Nearby, Leda is standing and watching. Kane walks over to her
and they share a long look full of regrets and, maybe, promises.
He holds her hand briefly, then walks away. Leda whimpers, trying
to hold back her tears. Daniel goes over to her.)
DANIEL
If this works ...
LEDA
You’ll be going home.
DANIEL
Leda, I w...
LEDA
No. Go.
(Daniel nods and walks away.)
TUNNELS UNDER THE BUNKER. Daniel, Kane and his men are making
their way through the tunnels.
SGC. GATEROOM. The Gate is open. The SG teams are geared up and
ready to go. They run up the ramp and wait at the top for the
appointed moment.
RAND. Daniel, Kane and his men come out into the bunker complex
through the door that Daniel and Kane used to escape.
SGC. GATEROOM. Sam and Teal’c take the pins out of smoke grenades
and toss them through the Gate.
RAND. BUNKER CONTROL ROOM. Soren and his people are there. A
woman reports to Soren.
AIDE
Commander, several posts are no longer
reporting in. Loyalist troops have entered
from the surface and have managed to
take several key sections.
SOREN
Then take them back.
AIDE
We cannot. They’ve co-ordinated an attack
with help from the offworlders. We are
losing control of the facility.
SOREN
If you’re suggesting that we evacuate,
think again!
BUNKER. Kane’s men are engaged in a fierce firefight against
Soren’s men. From around the corner, Sam and Teal’c toss more
smoke grenades. The firefight continues until all the bad guys
are taken down.
KANE
Cease fire!
CARTER
Daniel, you guys OK?
DANIEL
Yeah, we’re fine.
(The two teams walk towards each other, looking at the large
number of dead bodies that have resulted from the firefight.)
BUNKER CONTROL ROOM.
AIDE
All stations are dark. The loyalists
have us surrounded. They are calling
for our surrender.
SOREN
Engage them.
CORRIDORS. The loyalists and SG teams approach the entrance to
the Control Room. Sam and Kane deploy their troops.
CARTER
Any chance he’ll just surrender?
(Kane’s look suggests not.)
BUNKER CONTROL ROOM.
AIDE
Commander. We are hopelessly outnumbered.
(Soren takes out a pistol and shoots her dead. That gets his
staff’s attention.)
SOREN
We’re all here for one purpose - to
honour the will of our gods. In their
names we rose up. In their names we
purged the non-believers. And in their
names we will die if necessary. We will
not dishonour them with cowardice. Now
engage them. (His people hesitate, unsure
whether to obey him or not.) Engage
them! (Still nobody moves.) You question
your faith? I will show you faith.
(He takes a rifle and heads for the door of the Control Room.
It opens and he walks through. Outside are the loyalists and
SG teams, all pointing guns at him.)
CARTER
Drop your weapon. (Soren walks forward,
holding his arms and the rifle out to
the sides.) I said drop your weapon,
now!
(Soren doesn’t move. Kane comes around from behind Sam and shoots
him. He walks over to him and kicks his rifle away. The troops
move into the Control Room, giving commands to the rebels to
drop their weapons.)
KANE
It’s over.
DANIEL
I hope so. You may have just made a
martyr.
KANE
I had no choice. You can return to your
world now.
DANIEL
Kane ...
KANE
What happened to us was not your fault.
DANIEL
I know. We made a promise and we intend
to keep it. We’ll be back to help you
rebuild.
(Kane nods and moves off to secure the Control Room.)
CARTER
Daniel, are you ready to go home?
DANIEL
Yeah.
(The SG teams move away, heading for the Stargate.)
THE END
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