STARGATE SG1
Episode 305
"LEARNING CURVE"
By
Heather E. Ash
Building with a Stargate. Children appear to be excavating. We
close in and see Daniel is also there.
DANIEL
Thank you. That's perfect Zaren. Just
like that.
The chevrons start to unlock. The Gate is a browny pink colour.
DANIEL
It's okay. It's just my friends returning.
The Gate opens and Jack and Teal'c step through.
O'NEILL
Hello children.
Daniel comes down a stepladder.
O'NEILL
Daniel? No child labour laws here on
Orban?
DANIEL
No, these are Urrone. They're like apprentices
to the adults. They're everywhere. It's
just how they do things. Look at this.
He passes something to Jack.
DANIEL
Chalchiutlicue. The Aztec goddess of
water. They don't even know what they've
got here. Who knows what we're gonna
uncover. That is if General Hammond
said yes. He did say..
O'NEILL
He said yes.
KALAN
Colonel O'Neill. You are most punctual.
Both Merrin and I are eager to participate
in this exchange between our worlds.
O'NEILL
Major Carter is eager as well. She's
really looking forward to it. So's Teal'c.
TEAL'C
I will share my knowledge of the Goa'uld
freely.
O'NEILL
Teal'c's eager on the inside.
KALAN
Then if you are ready to leave..
O'NEILL
Kalan, I was under the impression we
were bringing back one of your naqahdah
reactors.
KALAN
This is the device.
O'NEILL
That little thing? Okay. Daniel, have
fun. I know you will. Teal'c, make friends.
As always.
Teal'c goes to the DHD and starts dialling. The Gate engages.
O'NEILL
Folks. To Earth.
SGC corridor. Hammond and Carter are walking to the Gateroom.
CARTER
They're one of the most impressive societies
we've come across Sir. They've managed
to accomplish in a few decades what
it took humans over a century to achieve.
HAMMOND
Sounds like these people might make
good allies.
CARTER
I think so. They're not quite up to
the Goa'uld level of technology yet,
but given a few years..
Jack, Merrin and Kalan step through the Gate and come down the
ramp. Jack continues to stand by Sam while the Orbanians make
a greeting.
KALAN
Thank you for this exchange General
Hammond. I am sure it will be fruitful
for both of our worlds. Major Carter;
please allow Merrin to present you with
this Naqahdah reactor. You may study
it for the duration of our exchange.
CARTER
Thank you.
HAMMOND
If you will allow, I would like to offer
a tour.
KALAN
The exchange has been made. We will
return to Orban now.
O'NEILL
You just got here.
CARTER
You can't leave. Someone needs to teach
me how to use this thing.
KALAN
Please explain what you mean by this.
CARTER
Teaching? Uh, explaining how the reactor
functions- its components, its construction.
KALAN
I do not have this knowledge.
MERRIN
I will. teach you.
Jack and Sam look surprised.
OPENING CREDITS
Elevator. Sam, Jack and Hammond are in the elevator with Merrin.
HAMMOND
Major Carter will show you the lab.
But before you get started, I'd like
you to visit our infirmary.
CARTER
It's standard procedure, nothing to
be afraid of.
MERRIN
You must screen newcomers for potential
pathogens. Of course.
O'NEILL
So Merrin, I understand you're a reactor
expert?
MERRIN
Yes.
O'NEILL
How old are you?
MERRIN
I'm eleven. How old are you?
O'NEILL
So Merrin, I understand you're a reactor
expert.
Orban Gateroom
Daniel is uncovering a mosaic around the DHD that has been covered
by stone.
KALAN
This is my son Tomin. He is also Urrone.
Teal'c, you will please tell him of
the Goa'uld.
TOMIN
You are most generous to offer your
knowledge, Teal'c.
DANIEL
Kalan, there was an apprentice here
earlier- Zaren. Do you know where she
went?
KALAN
Zaren is not here. It was past her time
to experience her Averium.
DANIEL
Averium. Is that like a graduation?
KALAN
That is an approximate definition. Dr
Jackson, you expressed an interest in
viewing the city. It is advantageous
to see the Pyramid of Suns in daylight.
DANIEL
Yes. Absolutely.
KALAN
Teal'c, you will please remain here
with Tomin.
Kalan and Daniel walk off. Teal'c turns to find Tomin looking
up at him.
TEAL'C
What is your purpose?
TOMIN
I am making an observation of your physical
characteristics. Dr Jackson tells us
you were once a warrior in the service
of the Goa'uld.
TEAL'C
That is correct.
TOMIN
I think I understand now why the Goa'uld
are so feared.
Infirmary
Janet is taking some of Merrin's blood.
FRAISER
Hurts a little bit, huh? You are being
very brave.
Jack walks in and stands by Sam.
O'NEILL
How's are little rocket scientist doing?
FRAISER
We are almost done, Colonel.
MERRIN
I am not a rocket scientist.
CARTER
I think what Colonel O'Neill means is
that you're very smart.
MERRIN
You find my intelligence level unusual?
O'NEILL
No. There are lots of intelligent people
around here. Just not as young as you.
CARTER
You mean you were not always as smart
as you are now?
FRAISER
No. We spent a long time in school to
get to this point.
MERRIN
Please explain what school is.
CARTER
Uh. school is a place where you go to
learn. A teacher gives you information
and you take different classes to learn
different subjects.
MERRIN
So this is how you and Dr Fraiser became
scientists?
CARTER
Mm-hm.
MERRIN
You aren't a scientist?
O'NEILL
Oh no.
MERRIN
Then you are not as smart as Major Carter
and Dr Fraiser?
O'NEILL
Well it depends on what you mean by.
Okay, no. I'm not. But while they were
stuck in school, I was out doing other
things, like, having fun. You do know
what fun is, don't you?
Merrin shakes her head.
O'NEILL
Okay, fun is.what you do to make yourself
happy. Like music, games. It's whatever
you do when you're not learning to be
a rocket scientist.
MERRIN
I'm here to teach Major Carter about
the reactor.
CARTER
Sounds like fun to me!
O'NEILL
Whatever. Go ahead, knock yourself out
CARTER
Come on, Merrin. I'll show you the lab.
Orban Gateroom
Teal'c and Tomin are sitting on the steps to the Gate.
TOMIN
But you have found hosts for other Goa'uld
in the past as First Prime to the Goa'uld
leader.
TEAL'C
I have vowed to battle the Goa'uld and
to free my people. If I allow the symbiote
that I carry to be implanted, I would
be perpetuating all that I oppose.
TOMIN
What happens if you do not find a host
for this Goa'uld?
TEAL'C
It will die.
TOMIN
If the Goa'uld dies, then you will die
as well?
Teal'c nods.
TEAL'C
That would be unfortunate.
Outside the Orban gateroom
DANIEL
I should have known by the murals but
the construction of your pyramid confirms
it.
KALAN
Dr Jackson, I do not understand.
DANIEL
Teotihuacan. It was a city in pre-Columbian
South America, even bigger than ancient
Rome. Which wouldn't mean anything to
you, but it is significant.
KALAN
But you said we were Aztec.
DANIEL
No, these people predated the Aztecs.
Daniel and Kalan come into the Gateroom.
DANIEL
Okay, look. These pictures form a narrative.
Whatever's under this platform may tell
us exactly how your people came to be
on Orban.
KALAN
You will explain this to Tomin.
DANIEL
Okay. Teotihuacan flourished for centuries
as a religious and economic mecca before
suffering a great upheaval in 750 AD,
I think that your people could be the
descendants of that civilisation.
TOMIN
Do you believe the arrival of the Goa'uld
caused Teotihuacan's downfall?
DANIEL
Yes!
Carter's lab
Sam is holding some handheld gizmo.
CARTER
Okay, that's the converter, right?
MERRIN
The heating element.
CARTER
What? W.. When did we talk about the
heating element?
MERRIN
In the very beginning when I described
the fodinaire.
CARTER
Oh man. It can't be this hard.
MERRIN
I will begin again.
CARTER
No, wait. Let's try this a different
way. How about we break everything down
into its most basic components? Let's
start with the reactor casing. What's
it made of?
MERRIN
The fodinaire attaches..
CARTER
No. I'm sorry Merrin. We'll get to that
in a minute. Right now, I just need
to know what materials make up the reactor
casing. It'll have to block radiation
so we'll make it lead lined. See? This
is easy. And the casing material would
have to measure..
Janet walks in.
FRAISER
Major? If you don't mind, I'd like to
see Merrin in the infirmary again. Just
a couple of follow up tests.
CARTER
Okay.
FRAISER
Okey-doke.
They leave.
Briefing room
Sam, Jack, Hammond and Janet are standing around a monitor.
FRAISER
Merrin's bloodwork shows trace levels
of silicon, trinium and some other element
I have never seen before. Now I think
it's a mineral but it definitely not
found on Earth.
O'NEILL
Okay, even I know that's bad.
FRAISER
Well I found out what's responsible.
She clicks a button and a picture comes up on the screen.
O'NEILL
What?
CARTER
A nanite.
HAMMOND
She's got nanites in her blood?
FRAISER
Yes. However, it still didn't explain
Merrin's abnormally high neuropeptide
levels. So I did a computer enhanced
MRI. You ready for this one?
She clicks again.
FRAISER
There's millions of them. They've infested
that little girl's brain.
Infirmary
HAMMOND
I put the base on a threat com bravo.
Doctor, get blood samples from everyone.
I want to know how far those nanites
have spread.
MERRIN
My nanoprocessors are harmless to you.
O'NEILL
Merrin, we've run into these little
beggars before and they're anything
but harmless.
CARTER
We encountered a civilisation in which
the Goa'uld used a similar method, nanocytes,
to accelerate the age of a population.
Colonel O'Neill was adversely affected.
O'NEILL
Oy!
MERRIN
These nanites were created by Orbanians
in an Orbanian laboratory 49 years ago.
All of my people have them. It is the
way we acquire knowledge.
FRAISER
Wait a minute. So you're saying, Merrin,
that all Orbanians brains look like
this?
MERRIN
Each citizen receives a nanite after
every averium. Urrone children are given
millions more nanites at birth because
we are required to learn vast amounts
of information very quickly. This must
be done in infancy before neural pathways
are established.
CARTER
So. these nanites act as additional
synapses?
MERRIN
Yes. But that is all they do. They do
not age us and cannot leave the brain.
FRAISER
But, Merrin, we found one of these nanites
in your blood.
MERRIN
Well if a nanite malfunctions, it is
programmed to disconnect from the brain
and be absorbed into the blood stream.
Those are inactive and incapable of
harming others. I am sorry if I have
alarmed you and I understand if you
wish me to return to Orban.
CARTER
Oh, I don't think that would be necessary.
Do you, General?
HAMMOND
If you think that's it's safe, Major
Carter, then you can continue to work.
But I still want those blood samples,
Doctor.
FRAISER
Yes Sir.
Merrin leaves with Sam.
Orban Gateroom
Daniel has uncovered what looks like a snake on the mosaic surrounding
the DHD. Kalan is looking at it. Tomin walks in.
TOMIN
Father? I wish to undergo the Averium
immediately.
KALAN
Tomin, it is six months until you turn
12.
TOMIN
I am concerned by what Teal'c has told
me of these Goa'uld. If they learn of
our existence, they will destroy us.
The studies I have made to learn about
defence technologies must now be put
to use, so that Orban can begin preparations.
KALAN
I will notify the elders. You have learned
well, my son. I am proud.
Carter's lab
Merrin is looking at a plant.
MERRIN
You study botany as well, Major?
CARTER
Oh no. Those are just decoration.
MERRIN
That does not look like a Naqahdah reactor
core.
CARTER
Yeah, well. I had to improvise, seeing
as we're only using a microscopic amount
of Naqahdah. How about you sketch it
for me?
MERRIN
What?
CARTER
Draw me your reactor core. Give me an
idea of what it looks like.
MERRIN
I don't draw.
CARTER
You don't draw? Everyone draws.
MERRIN
No. It is not something I am required
to do. I've never had to draw before.
CARTER
Oh. Well, it's, uh. it's pretty easy.
Here. See?
MERRIN
What is that?
CARTER
It's a picture of me.
Merrin looks down. It's a stick figure with a bit of hair.
CARTER
Well, I know it doesn't exactly look
like me, but it's just a basic representation.
See, that's all I need from you- just
a basic representation of the reactor's
core.
MERRIN
All right. But this paper is not large
enough.
CARTER
Okay. How's this?
MERRIN
That will do.
Merrin starts to draw.
Orban Gateroom
Teal'c walks in to Daniel who is chipping away at some stone.
TEAL'C
Kel mel Daniel Jackson.
DANIEL
Look at this. This proves the Goa'uld
were here some time in the last few
hundred years. Now we just need to figure
out why they left.
Daniel shows Teal'c the underside of the slab showing a jaffa
head piece.
KALAN
Dr Jackson, I brought the tools you
asked. Teal'c, you will please tell
Solen methods to fight the Goa'uld:
which weapons and strategies have been
effective in their defeat, also anything
in your experience as First Prime to
Apophis that would be of assistance.
SOLEN
It is an honour to accept your knowledge
Teal'c.
TEAL'C
Perhaps it would be better for Tomin
to return.
KALAN
He is unavailable. Solen will learn
now.
TEAL'C
Tomin is already familiar with the subject.
KALAN
He has given us his knowledge. Please,
you will talk to Solen.
DANIEL
Well Teal'c has a point, if they've
already established a rapport.
KALAN
I have told you it is impossible for
Tomin to be here. He has gone through
the Averium. Please, Teal'c. Begin.
TEAL'C
I would like to see Tomin immediately.
Carter's lab.
Jack walks in.
O'NEILL
Merrin. What are you doing?! Get down.
MERRIN
Colonel O'Neill, I need 15 sheets of
paper at least 48cm by 23cm.
O'NEILL
Well that's fine. Why don't you just
ask.. Excuse me.
Sam is asleep on the desk.
O'NEILL
Major.. CARTER!
CARTER
Oh. Oh, uh.. Merrin, I am so sorry.
Wow! These are amazing.
MERRIN
I cannot represent the reactor core
on a three-dimensional plane, so I depicted
several layers of the reactor's interior.
With additional supplies, I can finish
the remaining layers.
CARTER
Cross sections. Of course! If I scan
these into the computer I can come up
with a three dimensional representation
of the reactor's interior.
O'NEILL
All right! Will you two give it a rest?
Both of you. You've been at this for
24 hours. You need rest.
MERRIN
I do not need to. Urrone children require
little sleep.
CARTER
Okay, now I am jealous.
O'NEILL
All right, Carter, you sleep. Young
lady, if not sleep. Fun.
MERRIN
No, I need 15 sheets of paper at least
43cm by 28cm.
O'NEILL
15?
MERRIN
Colonel O'Neill? I require some of these
pencils as well.
Orban building
Daniel and Teal'c are in a room with Tomin who is sitting on
a bed.
TEAL'C
Do you not recognise me? It is Teal'c.
Kalan!
Kalan walks in.
TEAL'C
Explain this Averium.
KALAN
It is the ceremony in which an Urrone's
nanites are removed and then distributed.
Each adult and each non-Urrone child
then receives an injection containing
one nanite, which becomes part of his
or her synaptic network, adding to those
nanites received from previous Averiums.
DANIEL
So when you say he gave you his knowledge,
you meant it literally?
KALAN
It was a beautiful ceremony. Now you
have seen. We must resume our work Dr
Jackson.
TEAL'C
What will become of Tomin?
KALAN
He stays here with the other past Urrone.
DANIEL
That's it, you. you. Don't you play
with him?
KALAN
What is play?
DANIEL
Interacting with him, teaching him new
things.
KALAN
These children cannot be taught.
DANIEL
Have you ever tried?
KALAN
Oh yes, but past Urrone children cannot
receive new nanites. The brain rejects
them.
DANIEL
Well, have you ever tried teaching them
without nanites?
KALAN
What do you mean?
Daniel and Teal'c look at each other.
KALAN
There is no need for concern. These
children are well cared for.
DANIEL
Kalan, this is your son.
KALAN
My son is here now.
He points at his head.
Briefing room, SGC
Janet, Teal'c, Jack, Sam and Hammond are there.
TEAL'C
Kalan says that Tomin is not brain damaged,
but clearly he was not himself.
FRAISER
Well if the nanites have taken over
the learning process and prevented the
brain from developing a normal amount
of synapses, then there's a good chance
their removal would make these children
infant like.
O'NEILL
What's the difference if they keep 'em
locked up in a room?
HAMMOND
So once Merrin returns to Orban, she
will undergo this Averium and her nanites
will be removed?
FRAISER
Yes.
O'NEILL
Then maybe she won't return to Orban.
HAMMOND
Colonel..
O'NEILL
General, she's going back to get her
brain sucked out! And I dare anybody
to phrase it more delicately.
CARTER
Sir, I agree with you. But we can't
just keep Merrin here can we.
O'NEILL
Why not? We'd be saving her life.
FRAISER
Okay, why don't we simply just try asking
Kalan not to harvest Merrin's nanites?
TEAL'C
I do not believe the Orbanians will
understand the reason for your request.
They do not see this as wrong.
O'NEILL
Well then we need to make them understand.
HAMMOND
Teal'c, return to Orban. Colonel, before
we risk an interplanetary incident,
I'd like to try the diplomatic route
first.
Jack looks disgusted.
Orban
KALAN
how can you make this demand?
DANIEL
Kalan, no one is demanding anything.
TEAL'C
We do not believe the Averium is in
Merrin's best interests.
KALAN
It is most certainly in her best interests-
for her and for her people.
DANIEL
Okay. You see, in our culture, we don't
believe in doing anything that results
in harming a child.
KALAN
We do not harm our children, Dr Jackson.
You have seen Tomin, you have seen how
well he is cared for!
DANIEL
Okay, I think we can work this out.
We just need to sit down and discuss
some alternatives.
KALAN
There are no alternatives! Merrin must
undergo the Averium. You will return
her immediately!
Sam's lab
MERRIN
The Averium is a great honour.
O'NEILL
Merrin, I know that's what the adults
have told you. But when they take out
these.. nanite things. they also take
out everything that makes you - you.
MERRIN
But my people will have my knowledge.
O'NEILL
But you won't.
MERRIN
I do not understand why you are so concerned.
CARTER
Merrin, we just don't think you realise
what you'll be giving up by going through
the Averium.
MERRIN
It is a great honour to be chosen.
O'NEILL
Will you please stop saying that?
Hammond and Teal'c approach the door.
HAMMOND
Colonel? A word please?
Jack walks over to them.
O'NEILL
Teal'c.
TEAL'C
Kalan refused our request. Daniel Jackson
remained behind to try and alter his
position.
O'NEILL
Good. That'll give us a chance to make
Merrin understand.
HAMMOND
She's already refused amnesty, Colonel.
O'NEILL
General, it's obvious the little girl
has been brainwashed. We can't send
her back without at least trying.
HAMMOND
Teal'c, do you forsee any danger to
Dr Jackson if her stays on Orban.
TEAL'C
I do not believe Daniel Jackson will
be harmed.
HAMMOND
I'll give it 48 hours.
Hammond and Teal'c walk off. Jack goes back into the lab.
O'NEILL
So Merrin, looks like you'll be spending
a little more time with us.
MERRIN
Please return me to Orban.
O'NEILL
You do understand we're trying to help,
right?
MERRIN
I don't need your help.
Orban Gateroom
Kalan is trying to dial out.
DANIEL
Kalan, you can't do this.
KALAN
If you will not return Merrin to us,
I will retrieve her myself.
DANIEL
If you don't transmit a special code
they will close the iris and you won't
get through. You will die.
SOLEN
Please explain this iris.
DANIEL
I will explain it, but only to you.
(meaning Kalan)
KALAN
If you will not explain it, then transmit
the code.
DANIEL
I'm sorry.
KALAN
You claim to love knowledge, yet when
you find something you don't like, you
demand that we change to please you!
DANIEL
No, it is not to please me! You are
an incredibly advanced society, why
can't you find a better way to educate
your people?
KALAN
There is no better way than the Averium!
DANIEL
Even if that means giving up your son?
KALAN
It was the happiest day of my life when
Tomin was selected to be Urrone. I knew
even before he was born that he would
make an incredible contribution to our
society.
DANIEL
And you never once thought otherwise?
KALAN
Not once. And neither did Tomin.
DANIEL
And what if Merrin does?
KALAN
Merrin is one of only a few Urrone children
and the only one to have spent ten years
learning the Naqahdah technology. Without
her Averium, the people who have been
awaiting her knowledge to continue their
research, they will have to wait 12
years for another Urrone to learn.
DANIEL
Well, I didn't know that.
KALAN
Merrin does. She does not question her
duty. It is you, Dr Jackson, who are
misguided to think you can convince
her otherwise.
Sam's lab
CARTER
Come on! Why, why, why aren't you working?
Merrin comes in accompanied by an SF.
SF
She insisted on seeing you Major.
CARTER
It's all right, thanks. Hey.
MERRIN
Major Carter? I need you assistance.
You must tell General Hammond to let
me return to Orban.
Sam looks away.
MERRIN
I thought as a scientist, you would
understand.
CARTER
Merrin, you're only eleven. Half the
interesting things in my life didn't
happen till I turned 15.
MERRIN
What kind of interesting things?
CARTER
Oh..just, uh.. stuff.
MERRIN
If it were possible, I would give you
one of my nanites, and then you would
know it's all right.
CARTER
Thank you, but I don't think that would
make a difference.
MERRIN
You are finished?
CARTER
Almost. Once I ran a computer simulation
based on your sketches, I thought I
could adapt the design to my materials.
But the current is being diverted before
it reaches the core. I think the shielding
might be diverting power.
MERRIN
Major Carter..
CARTER
Unless.. Hey, hey, hey! The trinium
is absorbing the current.
MERRIN
Correct. All.
CARTER
Wait! Sorry, let me. Okay, by reversing
the polarity..
She flicks a switch and it lights up.
CARTER
That's it! We're in business!
MERRIN
Why wouldn't you let me give you the
solution?
CARTER
What would have been the fun in that?
MERRIN
Fun?
CARTER
Well yeah. Figuring something out on
my own, especially if it's been eluding
me a while. It's far more satisfying
than having the answer given to me.
MERRIN
But not as efficient.
Hammond's Office.
Knock at the door.
HAMMOND
Come in.
Jack walks in.
O'NEILL
You.
Daniel and Kalan are sat in front of Hammond's desk.
O'NEILL
You wanted to see me Sir?
HAMMOND
Kalan has come to escort Merrin back
to Orban. Before you say anything, know
that I have already granted his request.
DANIEL
I don't like it either Jack, you don't
know the effect this is having on the
Orbanians.
O'NEILL
What about the effect it's having on
Merrin?
KALAN
Your Dr Jackson has come to realise
Merrin's importance to her people.
O'NEILL
Her importance as a vegetable?
HAMMOND
Colonel!
KALAN
If you would try to understand.
O'NEILL
No! I won't. The way you treat your
children is absurd. You don't deserve
them.
HAMMOND
Colonel O'Neill!
O'NEILL
Request permission to be excused, Sir!
He's out of the door before Hammond can reply.
Carter's lab.
CARTER
Okay, clear.
Merrin and Sam put protective glasses on.
A wave radiates outwards from the reactor and Sam and Merrin
step back. Alarms go off.
CARTER
We did it! Let me record these readings.
Jack walks in.
O'NEILL
What the heck was that?
MERRIN
The reactor worked.
The phone rings. Sam goes to answer it.
CARTER
Carter.
Jack makes signals that he and Merrin are going. Sam nods.
CARTER
Yes, sir. We're fine. Yeah, it was just
the reactor. No sir, just an initial
energy pulse. There's no threat to the
base.
SGC corridor.
Jack and Merrin are walking followed by the SF.
O'NEILL
It's all right Airman, I've got it.
The SF walks off as Jack and Merrin reach the elevator. The alarms
also stop.
Jack swipes his card and they get into the elevator. Jack presses
the number 1.
MERRIN
You are taking me to the surface?
O'NEILL
Yes. Look, you came here to learn, right?
There's something I have to show you,
but I have to take you off the base
for it.
MERRIN
You do not have permission. Do you?
O'NEILL
No. I don't.
Hammond's Office.
He's on the phone.
HAMMOND
In the future, Major, before you activate
any device that includes, the word reactor
in it, I would appreciate it if you'd
notify me.
CARTER
Of course Sir, it won't happen again.
HAMMOND
Good. Now I'd like you to bring Merrin
to my office.
CARTER
Oh, Colonel O'Neill just left with her.
HAMMOND
Thank you Major.
He cuts the call off and begins a new one.
HAMMOND
This is Hammond. If Colonel O'Neill
attempts to leave, you're ordered to..
How long ago? I see.
He puts the phone down.
School
Jack and Merrin walk up to the school.
MERRIN
This is a school?
O'NEILL
It's part of it. We call this the playground.
MERRIN
What is it for?
The bell rings.
O'NEILL
Well just watch.
The kids come running out.
O'NEILL
Bambinas! Pizzeria! Mamma Mia!
BOY
Colonel Jack, what are you doing here?
O'NEILL
Playing hooky. Kids, I want you to meet
my friend. Her name's Merrin. Think
you can show her around while I talk
to Mrs Struble?
MRS STRUBLE
Colonel O'Neill! The kids have been
asking when you're coming back to see
us. How's Cassandra enjoying junior
high?
O'NEILL
She's doing fine. She loves it. Listen,
do you have room for another student
this afternoon?
They look across at Merrin who is playing catch, or not catching.
O'NEILL
She's.. visiting. from out of town.
MRS STRUBLE
We have art scheduled after recess.
O'NEILL
That's perfect.
Classroom
Merrin is looking at the paint.
MRS STRUBLE
Your assignment is to paint something
you love. Now, it could be a person
or.. an object. Just use your imaginations.
Merrin gets some blue paint and looks at the girl's next to her.
SOME TIME LATER
Jack walks round and sees a girl has painted him.
O'NEILL
I look fat.
The girl giggles.
MERRIN
Colonel O'Neill?
Merrin has painted a Naqahdah reactor.
MERRIN
This brush is too wide to accurately
render the wires.
O'NEILL
Okay, let's try this again.
He rips the paper off the easel.
O'NEILL
Something you love. Something that's
not a machine, okay? Remember those
flowers in Major Carter's lab? The ones
on the desk? Paint one of those. Go
ahead.
Merrin starts to paint in the bottom corner of the sheet. Jack
pokes his head back around.
O'NEILL
Bigger! Big.
SOME TIME LATER
MERRIN
There is no purple.
O'NEILL
Use red.
MERRIN
If I could have another cup.. I could
mix the blue with the red.
O'NEILL
Make the flower red.
MERRIN
But those flowers were purple! You ask
me to draw a flower but you do not give
me the means to do this accurately.
O'NEILL
Merrin.. listen to me. It doesn't have
to be exact. Paint me a flower. I don't
care what it look like. Here, use this.
And don't stop with one. Paint the whole
garden!
MERRIN
But..
O'NEILL
Ah! Paint.
SOME TIME LATER
The classroom is empty but for Merrin and Jack. Merrin has finished.
She picks up her pad and sits on the window ledge next to Jack.
O'NEILL
Nice. Who's that?
He points to a stick figure.
MERRIN
It's a representation of Major Carter.
Jack smiles.
O'NEILL
Of course it is.
MERRIN
Is it right?
O'NEILL
Oh yeah. It's way more than right.
MERRIN
Thank you Colonel O'Neill, for teaching
this to me.
O'NEILL
You're welcome. Merrin. All you have
to do is ask. I'll find a way to make
it happen.
MERRIN
I have a duty to my people. My knowledge
is important to them. You did promise.
SGC- corridor outside Control Room
CARTER
Unfortunately the test used up the last
of our naqahdah, but we'll find more.
HAMMOND
At least we've got a working prototype.
Colonel?
Jack is waiting in the Control room.
O'NEILL
I'm not here to cause trouble, Sir.
MERRIN
Colonel O'Neill?
O'NEILL
I have something for you.
He hands her a Big Box of crayola crayons.
MERRIN
They're beautiful. Thank you. You are
mad at me for not staying.
O'NEILL
No. No, I'm not.
MERRIN
Then you understand.
Jack doesn't say anything.
HAMMOND
Major Carter, please take Merrin down
to the Gate room. I'll be there momentarily.
CARTER
Yes, Sir.
They leave.
HAMMOND
You've already given me more than enough
reason for a court martial.
O'NEILL
General, for a few hours today, I got
to show that little girl how to be a
kid. If you want to punish me, go ahead.
Hammond leaves.
Gateroom
Daniel, Sam and Teal'c are there.
MERRIN
On behalf of the citizens of Orban,
I'd like to thank you for the experience
you have given me and to my people.
I have learned much in my time here.
CARTER
So have we.
Kalan and Merrin turn to walk through the Gate while Jack watched
from the Control Room.
Control Room
Daniel, Sam, Jack and Teal'c enter.
HAMMOND
We've just received a transmission from
Orban. Kalan asked for all of you to
go there right away.
DANIEL
Is something wrong?
HAMMOND
You'll find out when you get there.
Orban Gateroom
SG-1 come through the Gate to be met by Kalan.
KALAN
Thank you for coming!
DANIEL
What's wrong?
KALAN
Oh, nothing is wrong! I will show you!
Orban Former Urrone Area.
The children are playing hopscotch, throwing a ball, juggling
etc.
KALAN
Come! Look! Isn't it wonderful?
Tomin is skipping.
KALAN
Solen.. Solen. Colonel O'Neill, this
is my son, Tomin. I am teaching him.
All of the past Urrone children will
now learn in the 'old fashioned way'
as you might say. He will know all that
you have done for Orban. Oh, I.. I drew
this for you. To express my gratitude.
Jack opens the paper and it's the same stick figure Sam and Merrin
drew.
CARTER
Isn't that..
KALAN
Me!
DANIEL
Kalan, when did all this start?
KALAN
Last night, after Merrin's Averium.
CARTER
She must have known this would happen
once her nanites were transferred.
O'NEILL
This is what she learned.
Sam looks round.
CARTER
Colonel.
He follows her gaze to see Merrin colouring on the wall with
the crayons he gave her. He goes over. Teal'c goes to Tomin who
reaches out to touch his tattoo.
O'NEILL
Hi Merrin.
She just looks at him.
O'NEILL
Okay. I guess we'll just have to get
to know one another all over again.
He picks up a crayon and starts to draw. Merrin scribbles over
it.
O'NEILL
You're right. What was I thinking? Have
you ever seen a dog? Dogs are my favourite
people. Some have tails, some don't.
Not a lot of purple dogs.
CLOSING CREDITS
THE END
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