STARGATE SG1
Episode 613
"SIGHT UNSEEN"
By
Damian Kindler
CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN
The Gate activates.
DAVIS
Receiving SG-1’s IDC, Sir. Request permission
to open the iris.
HAMMOND
Do it.
The iris opens and the MALP comes through followed by SG1.
HAMMOND
Welcome home, SG1. How did it go?
O’NEILL
Ah, General, you know how I love those
sandy planets.
TEAL’C
The wind was most pleasant.
O’NEILL
Jaffa sarcasm at it’s finest, General.
JONAS
There wasn’t much left to study.
CARTER
Most of what used to be there has been
eaten away by sandstorms, but we did
find evidence suggesting that it was
some sort of science outpost or observatory
built by the Ancients.
HAMMOND
I take it that’s the artefact you mentioned?
What is it?
CARTER
Actually we’re not sure.
O’NEILL
I’d say it’s some kind of bug zapper,
General.
CARTER
All I know is that it’s emitting energy.
JONAS
It was hidden in an underground chamber
just below the main section of the ruins.
When I tried picking it up, the crystals
started glowing.
CARTER
Touching it must have somehow activated
it.
HAMMOND
You’re certain it isn’t dangerous?
CARTER
Well as certain as I can be without
knowing what it is exactly. As I said
when we reported in, my initial scans
indicated the energy that it’s emitting
is harmless. That in itself makes it
worthy of study as a potential power
source, sir.
Jonas sees a strange insect flying in the Gateroom.
JONAS
Colonel!
O’NEILL
What!
Jonas draws his handgun.
JONAS
There! You don’t see that!
O’NEILL
No. What? What?
JONAS
It just disappeared into the wall.
CARTER
What did?
JONAS
I don’t know. Something. It was an alien
creature of some kind. You didn’t see
it? It was right there. It was right
there, General.
Hammond walks to the phone.
HAMMOND
This is Hammond. I want a class one
security lockdown of the base. As of
now. This is not a drill. Repeat, this
is not a drill.
Credits
BRIEFING ROOM
Hammond walks in.
HAMMOND
As you were. In the past six hours,
security teams have swept the base three
times. They found no trace whatsoever
of the creature you described.
CARTER
You’re certain what you saw disappeared
into the wall?
JONAS
Yeah. Isn’t it possible something followed
us back through the Gate?
CARTER
Something with the ability to penetrate
solid matter?
JONAS
Is that not heard of?
O’NEILL
Nothing showed up on the video.
HAMMOND
Mister Quinn, you understand I’m not
questioning your judgement, but without
any further evidence I have no choice
but to return the base to normal operating
status.
JONAS
Yes Sir. I understand.
HAMMOND
SG1’s had a particularly busy mission
schedule lately. I believe you’re all
due for some down time. I suggest you
take it starting from now. Dismissed.
Hammond leaves.
CARTER
You only saw a flash of this creature.
Are you sure it wasn’t some kind of
hallucination?
JONAS
You’re suggesting I’m delusional?
O’NEILL
No! No, it’s just possible you were
seeing something that wasn’t entirely....
Yes that’s what we’re suggesting.
JONAS
You think I’m having symptoms related
to my prior exposure to naquadria? Like
the others on my planet? Doctor Fraiser
gave me a clean bill of health.
O’NEILL
Over three months ago.
CARTER
Jonas, we’re just concerned about you.
JONAS
Colonel, there was something alive down
there. It was real.
HALLWAY
Jack is in civies walking with Sam.
O’NEILL
I could stay.
CARTER
We’ve all been cleared, Sir. The base
is clean. Jonas is probably suffering
from stress. This is all still pretty
new to him.
O’NEILL
You could come with.
CARTER
Sir?
O’NEILL
Fishing Carter. I’m going fishing.
CARTER
You know I’m planning on studying the
artefact.
O’NEILL
Yes. It’s always something, isn’t it?
CARTER
Oh come on, Sir, we both know the only
reason you asked is because you knew
I had something else to do.
O’NEILL
No, really I think you should come,
fish. Fish some more.
CARTER’S LAB
Jonas walks in.
JONAS
So this is what you do with your downtime,
huh?
CARTER
Colonel O’Neill asked me to go fishing
with him, but to be honest, I find this
more relaxing. How you doing?
JONAS
Ah, well, the possibility of being insane
has been interfering with my ability
to relax. I figured I’d take a crack
at these glyphs.
CARTER
Fine with me. But the truth is, I still
have no idea what we’re dealing with.
I’ve scanned it with x-rays, ultra violet,
mild EM pulses. Nothing has had even
the slightest effect on the particles
it’s emitting.
JONAS
Particles?
CARTER
Well, for lack of a better word. I mean,
really they’re just energy patterns.
So far, I haven’t been able to identify
them or determine their purpose. Actually,
I was hoping that the writings on the
device itself would tell us more.
JONAS
Let’s see what it says. The symbols
are definitely a form of the language
used by the Ancients although the Ancients
have been around so long, the language
has evolved. We do have a base reference....
Arrggghhh!
Jonas sees another creature.
CARTER
What?
JONAS
You’re telling me that you don’t see
that?
CARTER
What?
JONAS
It’s right there in front of you.
Sam just looks at him.
JONAS
Okay. There’s definitely something wrong
with me.
JANET’S OFFICE
Hammond and Jonas are there with Janet.
FRAISER
No evidence of brain damage from exposure
to naquadria radiation. No indication
of any viruses or toxins in your system.
CAT scans, MRI, bloodwork all came back
clean. He’s in perfect health.
JONAS
Physically.
FRAISER
That’s all I can say definitively. But
you haven’t shown any signs of stress
or fatigue that usually accompany these
kinds of hallucinations.
JONAS
Then why am I the only one seeing these
things?
FRAISER
I wish I had an answer for you.
HAMMOND
Unfortunately until we find out exactly
what’s going on, I have no choice but
to remove you from active duty effective
immediately.
JONAS
General Hammond. Sir, these visions
only started when we returned with the
device.
HAMMOND
What are you suggesting?
JONAS
I know that I can’t go on any more missions,
that’s fine. But at least give me permission
to continue researching the device with
Major Carter. I mean, there has to be
a connection here.
HAMMOND
Major Carter has already submitted her
report on the device. Nothing in it
suggests the device has anything to
do with your condition. Until someone
presents hard evidence, we have to assume
it’s a coincidence.
JONAS
I haven’t even started translating the
writing.
HAMMOND
You’ll have to do that from video reference.
The device is being shipped to Area
51.
CORRIDOR
Teal’c and Jonas are walking along.
JONAS
I can’t believe they’re gonna ship it
out of here for further study? We barely
got a crack at figuring out what it
is.
TEAL’C
Perhaps the scientists at our Nevada
facility will be able to determine the
device’s true purpose.
JONAS
Meanwhile, I’m stuck here cooling my
heels.
TEAL’C
You are welcome to join me as I kel’no’reem.
JONAS
No offence, Teal’c, but it doesn’t have
quite the same effect on me. No other
plans?
TEAL’C
Colonel O’Neill requested that I accompany
him on a fishing excursion.
JONAS
Ahh, I guess I’m the only one he didn’t
invite.
TEAL’C
You are not permitted to leave the base.
JONAS
Still.
TEAL’C
Be extremely happy that he did not ask.
JONAS
Why, you don’t like fishing?
TEAL’C
No.
JONAS
Hmm. Well seeing as how I’ve read every
book in the base library twice, I guess
I’ll get back to work on my....
Teal’c has stopped and Jonas turns round. They both see a strange
insect.
JONAS
You saw that?
TEAL’C
Indeed.
JACK’S CAR
He pulls into a gas station and gets out of the car. The attendant
walks over
VERNON
Hey there. You just caught me fixing
the carburettor, I didn’t even hear
you pull in.
O’NEILL
It’s not a problem.
VERNON
You sure? It’s a full service station,
you know the price includes yours truly.
O’NEILL
I got it, thanks.
VERNON
All right. At least, I can wash your
windows for you.
He starts to wash the windows.
VERNON
What do you get, like four or five miles
to the gallon in this thing?
O’NEILL
Yeah, it’s a pig.
VERNON
Yeah, I’m more of an el Camino fan myself.
Those things are like catnip to the
ladies.
O’NEILL
Don’t I know it.
Jack suddenly sees a red insect buzzing around the sign and fly
through it.
VERNON
What?
Jack reaches into his truck and gets his gun out.
VERNON
Oh jeez. The money’s inside in a locked
box under the counter.
O’NEILL
I’m not gonna rob you, just get down.
VERNON
Getting down.
Jack shoots at the sign and the insect flies off.
VERNON
Don’t kill me please, I’m a vet.
O’NEILL
I’m not gonna kill you, get up. Colonel
Jack O’Neill, US Air Force. Did you
see anything?
VERNON
Ahh, just my life flashing before my
eyes. What the hell were you shooting
at?
O’NEILL
It’s classified.
VERNON
Well, you could tell me. I gotta work
here, you know. If there’s something
going on I should know about it.
Jack gets out his cell phone.
O’NEILL
O’Neill for Hammond.
VERNON
I served in the Gulf.
O’NEILL
What division?
VERNON
Motor pool. Aw man, my sign.
CONTROL ROOM
DAVIS
Patching through a call from Colonel
O’Neill, Sir.
HAMMOND
Colonel, where are you?
O’NEILL
About 30 clicks north, Sir. I just saw
something fairly interesting.
HAMMOND
That means they’ve breached base containment.
O’NEILL
Sir?
HAMMOND
We’re seeing them here, they’re everywhere.
SAM’S LAB
CARTER
Anything?
JONAS
Says something about experiment but
I’m hung up on a few of these glyphs
here. They were studying beings of the
something something. According to this
it should be inner layer. The beings
of the inner layer but that doesn’t
make much sense.
CARTER
Not really.
JONAS
Maybe, uh, other level.
CARTER
What about another dimension?
JONAS
That could work.
CARTER
It would make sense if the creatures
are inhabiting another dimension close
to ours.
JONAS
Yeah absolutely. Yeah, thanks.
CARTER
Is that it?
JONAS
Sorry, I’m working as fast as I can
believe me.
CARTER
General Hammond wants a full report
as soon as possible.
Sam starts to walk off.
CARTER
Look, I’m the one who’s sorry. We should
never have doubted you about what you
saw in the first place.
JONAS
It’s perfectly understandable. With
the whole naquadria poisoning thing.
Besides I am still kinda the new guy.
CARTER
You’re part of the team now and you
deserve our respect. You’ve earned it.
Jonas, you’re doing a great job.
JONAS
Thanks.
CARTER
Now, figure out what else this thing
says.
JONAS
Right.
BRIEFING ROOM
Hammond. Sam, Jonas, Teal’c and Janet are there.
HAMMOND
Colonel O’Neill is going to remain in
Colorado Springs and co ordinate the
quarantine. The National Guard is standing
by. The President is prepared to declare
a state of emergency. Hopefully these
things, whatever they are, haven’t got
too far.
CARTER
Sir, we’re not sure we’re going to be
able to contain them.
HAMMOND
You had the transfer of the device halted.
CARTER
Yes, sir. And we learned more.
JONAS
I think I’ve translated enough of the
writings to figure out its purpose.
CARTER
It’s broadcasting a wave of energy particles.
Now while we’re not exactly sure what
these particles are made of, we think
they’re somehow triggering an ability
to see these creatures. Hopefully only
those exposed to these particles will
develop this second sight.
JONAS
None of the ciphers we have fit perfectly
but near as I can understand the device
is meant to allow us to observe beings
that exist in a dimension parallel to
ours.
CARTER
We think the energy particles the device
is emitting create a kind of bleed through
effect. Giving anyone who’s been exposed
to them an ability to see into this
parallel dimension.
HAMMOND
So we can’t contain them because they
aren’t actually here?
CARTER
In a manner of speaking. They do exist,
just not in any way that allows us to
actually interact with them.
JONAS
And, if I’m right, they didn’t follow
us through the Gate.
HAMMOND
Where did they come from?
CARTER
The ones we’re seeing are from Earth.
Theoretically, these creatures could
exist anywhere. We’ve just been previously
unaware of them.
HAMMOND
What is your threat assessment Major?
CARTER
Well, I can’t say for sure, Sir, but
with regards to the creatures, none.
If they only exist in their dimension,
they can’t really do anything to us.
FRAISER
As far as I can tell, there’s no physiological
interaction beyond our ability to see
them.
HAMMOND
However, while the personnel at this
facility might be able to deal with
seeing interdimensional beings...
CARTER
If the effect of this spreads to the
general public we could have a massive
disaster on our hands. People just aren’t
used to seeing unusual things the way
we are and we can’t control when or
where a sighting might occur.
FRAISER
I mean, imagine on a small scale, a
surgeon doing delicate surgery and he’s
distracted.
CARTER
Or an air traffic controller.
FRAISER
Even something as simple as driving
a car. I mean, people might eventually
be able to deal with it but not before
it turns the world upside down.
JONAS
And not to mention the potential exposure
of the Stargate program in trying to
explain the situation.
HAMMOND
Shut off that device.
CARTER
We’ve tried, Sir.
HAMMOND
Find a way.
CARTER’S LAB
HAMMOND
Colonel O’Neill says there haven’t been
any further reports of sightings outside
the base as of yet.
CARTER
We’ve triangulated the most of the sightings
to a five hundred metre radius around
the device. It seems to attract the
creatures to it, most likely part of
its design.
JONAS
So the closer that we get to the machine,
the more frequently we’ll be seeing
our new friends.
CARTER
We’ve been unable to find any types
of controls or switches. The last resort
is separating the main crystal core
from the unit itself. Hopefully that
will cut the power supply and stop the
device from functioning.
HAMMOND
What are you waiting for?
CARTER
Well, sir, this is a very advanced piece
of alien technology. I have no idea
what effect pulling the plug will have.
HAMMOND
Major, if this effect continues to spread....
CARTER
Attempting to remove crystal core.
She does so.
CARTER
My scans are no longer detecting any
particle emissions coming from the device.
JONAS
Anyone see anything?
They all look round.
COMMISSARY
Sam picks up some food and goes to sit with Jonas and Teal’c.
TEAL’C
Major Carter.
CARTER
Any sightings?
JONAS
Not me.
TEAL’C
My kel’no’reem was undisturbed.
CARTER
I think we may have just solved the
problem.
JONAS
Teal’c thinks we should take the device
back.
CARTER
Take it back? We’ve barely scratched
the surface of what it can do.
JONAS
That’s what I was saying. I mean, now
that it’s shut off, it’s perfectly safe
to study.
TEAL’C
To what end?
CARTER
The effect that device had was groundbreaking
Teal’c. Once we figure out exactly how
to use it...
JONAS
Eventually.
CARTER
These interdimensional creatures are
well worth study.
JONAS
The Ancients certainly thought so.
CARTER
They’re obviously aware of matter in
our dimension on some level or they
wouldn’t come to rest on objects we
perceive as solid.
JONAS
Plus they have the ability to pass through
solid matter at will.
CARTER
Also the ones we’ve encountered seem
to lack a behaviour that demonstrates
a higher intelligence. But that doesn’t
mean we can’t...
WOMAN
Argghhhh!
They all turn round.
CONTROL ROOM
Hammond and Davis are watching the screen.
HAMMOND
Sergeant?
DAVIS
Mission time was 24 minutes 3 seconds.
MALP AV link to P9X 391 is up and running.
HAMMOND
SG1 this is Hammond. What’s your status?
CARTER
Sir, we’re in the ruins. We’re about
to enter the ante chamber where we found
the device. Are you picking up anything
coming through the wormhole?
DAVIS
Negative. No unidentified energy patterns
are being detected from your position.
HAMMOND
Does that mean we’re free and clear?
CARTER
Even if we were able to shut the device
off it’s possible there was residual
particle radiation that my instruments
just couldn’t detect. Hopefully this
will take care of that.
JONAS
It’s back where we found it. There doesn’t
seem to be anything else here that would
explain what happened with the device.
CARTER
Once the Gate has shut down it should
cut off any energy patterns being broadcast
back to Earth.
HAMMOND
Affirmative. We’ll re establish contact
in one hour. Shut it down.
DAVIS
Yes, Sir. Deactivating wormhole.
HAMMOND
I’m in my office.
DAVIS
Ah Sir?
Big centipede like creatures come through the keyboard.
BRIEFING ROOM
HAMMOND
Are you certain bringing the device
back here was the right decision?
CARTER
It’s the only way we’re gonna solve
this Sir. Returning the device to P9X
391 should have worked. There’s no way
it could have been projecting an effect
from offworld without the Stargate being
active.
TEAL’C
Then why do we all still possess the
ability to see these creatures?
CARTER
Whatever effect the particles have on
us must be persistent. Hopefully, it’s
not permanent.
HAMMOND
The problem is several new sightings
have been reported on base by personnel
not previously affected. The situation
is getting worse despite your efforts.
CARTER
It doesn’t make any sense. Without exposure
to the particles...
JONAS
What if this has nothing to do with
the particles?
CARTER
How can that be?
JONAS
We know that one of the functions of
the device was to attract the creatures.
Now when we shut that down, or as least
thought we shut it down, they seemed
to go away.
CARTER
I get it. What if the particles being
emitted were only what was attracting
the creatures?
JONAS
Sure, like food. Now shutting down that
part of the device just made the creatures
leave the area. Whatever’s giving us
the ability to see these things is something
completely different.
HAMMOND
Something unrelated to the device?
CARTER
No Sir, that seems unlikely. But it
could be something we’ve missed.
JONAS
Okay, I was the first one to see the
creatures, right? I was also the first
one to touch the device. Teal’c was
next.
CARTER
Touching the device could have imparted
some kind of charge that would alter
our body’s electrical field enough to
cause the interdimensional bleedthrough
effect.
HAMMOND
But that doesn’t explain the people
who had no direct contact with the device.
CARTER
Unless the charge can be passed on person
to person.
JONAS
Like a contagion.
HAMMOND
I’m ordering the immediate containment
of Colorado Springs and the surrounding
area.
CARTER
We’ll also need to isolate anyone who
could have come into physical contact
with any SGC personnel.
VERNON’S GAS STATION
He’s taping up the sign and then walks into the store. He puts
some money in the cash register and goes to pick up a sandwich.
He then sees an insect come out of it.
ROAD
Military vehicles drive into town. Soldiers then set up road
blocks.
HAMMOND’S OFFICE
He’s on the phone as Sam knocks on the door. Hammond waves her
in.
HAMMOND
Thank you. Yes. Keep me apprised.
He puts the phone down.
HAMMOND
We’re getting sporadic reports of sightings.
Thankfully no one’s been hurt so far
but a local news station has already
picked up the story. Colonel O’Neill
is retracing his steps trying to round
up anyone he may have come into contact
with. Quarantine’s otherwise in place.
CARTER
What’s our cover story?
HAMMOND
An accidental spill of an experimental
chemical that can have an hallucinogenic
effect. So far people are buying it.
CARTER
But that won’t work for long.
HAMMOND
This may be our only chance to contain
this problem, if we can’t....
CARTER
Mass hysteria.
HAMMOND
This is our mistake Major and we need
to fix it.
CARTER
Yes Sir.
CARTER’S LAB
Jonas is taking a crystal out of the device.
CARTER
Careful.
JONAS
Interesting.
CARTER
What?
JONAS
Do you think that the configuration
has anything to do with the nature of
the charge the device emits?
CARTER
So we re order the crystals, we change
what the device does.
JONAS
Why else would they be arranged this
way?
CARTER
Well, there are a number of configurations
to choose from. How do we know which
one will elicit the right effect?
JONAS
This could take a while.
GLENWOOD MARKET
The soldiers are looking for Vernon.
SOLDIER
There’s no one here, Sir.
O’NEILL
All right, leave someone here in case
he comes back.
SOLDIER
Yes Sir.
Jack goes to get back in his truck and then sees Vernon a little
way away hiding.
O’NEILL
Vernon!
ROAD
A car is been driven erratically. What the driver sees can only
be described as a giant slug with a great sucking mouth. The
car then drives into and demolishes Vernon’s sign. The driver
gets out and goes to the nearest soldier.
MAN
There was a huge bug on my car. No,
I swear, did anyone see that? Huge bug.
Jack goes to where he saw Vernon.
O’NEILL
Vernon?
He’s gone.
CARTER’S LAB
HAMMOND
You’re certain you’ve reprogrammed the
device properly?
CARTER
To be honest Sir, we’re not sure. But
this is one of the last few configurations
to try.
Sam puts the crystals back in and the lights come on.
CARTER
We’re hoping this means it’s now programmed
to emit a charge that will essentially
reverse the effect on us.
JONAS
Okay, here goes.
He puts his hand on the device.
CARTER
You feel anything?
JONAS
Not really.
HAMMOND
Do you see anything?
JONAS
No. Do you?
CARTER
No.
JONAS
When you want to see one...
A creature flies past Hammond.
HAMMOND
There!
JONAS
Where?
CARTER
Right there on the device.
JONAS
If there’s a creature right there, then
I’m not seeing it.
Sam holds out her hand to Jonas.
CARTER
Jonas?
They hold hands and Sam can’t see the creatures.
CARTER
I think it worked, Sir. I’m not seeing
it anymore.
Sam holds out her hand to the General and the creature disappears.
HAMMOND
Well done, Major.
FOREST
Vernon is walking along and sees soldiers on the road. He ducks
out of sight.
HAMMOND’S OFFICE
FRAISER
Well, Sir, from what I can gather, the
antidote seems to be working. There
have been no new sightings and everyone
previously affected is no longer seeing
the creatures.
HAMMOND
Good, now all we need to do is spread
the cure to Colonel O’Neill and the
containment teams so they can spread
it through the exposed area.
FRAISER
I recommend using a placebo pill to
sell it to the public and providing
the containment holds we should eventually
be able to undo the damage.
The phone rings.
HAMMOND
Hammond.
O’NEILL
Sir, I have reason to believe an individual
I came in contact with has breached
the quarantine.
HAMMOND
Is there anything we can do?
O’NEILL
Well get Carter and Jonas on this. The
man’s name is Vernon Sharpe. He’s a
non-com. Served in the motor pool in
the Gulf. See what they come up with.
HAMMOND
Right away.
He puts the phone down.
HAMMOND
We have an exposed man on the run.
ROAD
Vernon is hitchhiking. A car stops.
MAN
How far are you headed?
VERNON
As far as you can take me.
MAN
Well I’m picking up a cousin in Hawthorne
County. How’s that?
VERNON
That’s fine.
MAN
Hop in.
RADIO
We have a situation in Colorado. As
you may have already heard the National
Guard continues to maintain its quarantine
on the city of Colorado Springs after
a dangerous chemical spill may have
had an adverse effect on some residents
in the area.
MAN
You hear about that? People are saying
they’re seeing monsters.
VERNON
Yeah, I know. Crazy.
CARTER’S LAB
Sam and Jonas are looking at the computer.
CARTER
According to his bank records, Vernon
Sharpe drained all the money from his
account several hours ago.
JONAS
You can get this kind of information
on someone this easily?
CARTER
Well we only use the privilege in certain
circumstances.
JONAS
So he could be anywhere by now?
CARTER
We’ve frozen his credit cards but since
he’s using cash it’ll be harder to trace
his movements.
JONAS
So he’s just gonna vanish. That makes
no sense.
CARTER
What do you mean?
JONAS
Well he’s ex-military, can’t simply
be fear of these creatures he’s seeing.
What’s he running for.
CARTER
He doesn’t buy the cover story.
JONAS
The only way we’re gonna figure out
where he’s going is by learning more
about more about him. Can we find out
if he has any friends or family in the
area?
Sam nods.
MRS SHARPE’S HOUSE
Mrs Sharpe walks in with a tray.
MRS SHARPE
What’s he gone and done now?
CARTER
Oh he hasn’t done anything, Mrs Sharpe.
We’re actually just very worried about
Vernon.
MRS SHARPE
Cookie?
CARTER
Thank you.
MRS SHARPE
I know how you feel dear; I’ve been
worried about Vernon since he was a
boy. I was the one who raised him after
his mother ran of, you know.
CARTER
I’m sure you did a fine job.
MRS SHARPE
She was a real floozy, that one. My
Roger never had much taste in women.
JONAS
Mrs Sharpe, we’re afraid that your grandson
may suspect the Government is after
him for the wrong reasons.
MRS SHARPE
Why are you after him?
CARTER
Vernon may have been accidentally exposed
to a chemical that could be causing
him to see things that aren’t really
there.
MRS SHARPE
Like when he was in the war.
JONAS
What do you mean?
MRS SHARPE
The military! They did all kinds of
things to those boys while they were
over there. Experiments with chemical
weapons and such. Messed with their
heads good. My Vernon’s never been the
same.
CARTER
We don’t really know anything about
that.
MRS SHARPE
I’m sure you don’t, honey.
JONAS
It’s very, very important that we find
your grandson. He could be putting other
people’s lives in danger, ma’am.
MRS SHARPE
Vernon wouldn’t hurt a fly!
JONAS
Unintentionally, of course.
CARTER
The truth is, Vernon’s exposure to this
chemical wasn’t an accident. In fact,
it wasn’t even a chemical. It was a
highly contagious experimental germ
developed by the military.
MRS SHARPE
Really?
CARTER
But the thing is, it was created to
try and undo what happened to your grandson
while he was in the Gulf.
MRS SHARPE
I find that hard to believe.
CARTER
I swear, I wouldn’t lie to you. Unfortunately
there were some unexpected side effects
to this antidote.
MRS SHARPE
Those doctors will be the death of us
all. See all those pills I’m supposed
to take? I never take any of them.
CARTER
We really want to make this right, Mrs
Sharpe. And it’s not just your grandson’s
life that’s at stake. There could be
a lot of other people in danger. I promise,
nothing bad will happen to Vernon.
MRS SHARPE
Well, you seem like a nice enough couple.
JONAS
Oh we’re not...
Sam stops him by putting her hand on his.
CARTER
Please, we really want to help.
Jonas puts his other hand on Sam’s to keep up the act.
MRS SHARPE
Well, Lord knows Vernon needs help;
he’s not right in the head, that boy.
CARTER
We’ll do our best.
JONAS
Do you have any idea where he might
be?
MRS SHARPE
Well if he’s off anywhere, it’s to see
that Chuck fellow.
CARTER
Chuck?
MRS SHARPE
He’s trouble. Always has been, always
will. I told Vernon straight away that
Chuck will lead you to no good.
JONAS
Does Chuck have a last name?
MR SHARPE
I’m sure he does.... I just don’t know
it.
CARTER
Do you know where he lives?
AIRPORT
Vernon gets out of the truck and shakes hands with the man.
VERNON
Thanks for the lift.
MAN
Good luck Vernon.
INSIDE THE AIRPORT
Vernon goes up to the desk.
VERNON
Hi. I need a one way ticket to Las Vegas
MRS SHARPE’S HOUSE
Sam and Jonas walk out.
CARTER
Just what we need, a conspiracy theorist.
JONAS
But who happens to be right about there
being a conspiracy.
TEAL’C
There has been another sighting.
CARTER
Where?
TEAL’C
A place called Hawthorne County.
CARTER
Any word on Vernon?
TEAL’C
The infected person in question says
he picked up a hitchhiker matching the
description of Vernon Sharpe.
Teal’c hands Sam the phone. She speed dials a number.
O’NEILL
O’Neill.
CARTER
It’s me Sir. We have reason to believe
Vernon may be at Piedmont Hawthorne
Airfield on his way to Las Vegas.
O’NEILL
All right, have Hammond ground all flights
out. Containment team is en route. ETA’s
about 40 minutes.
CARTER
Have you been cleared, Sir?
O’NEILL
Yeah, they got somebody down from the
SGC to shake our hands.
CARTER
Sir, you should know that Vernon could
be extremely paranoid. Given his military
background, I’d use extreme caution
in apprehending him.
O’NEILL
I’ll keep that I mind. Good job Carter.
CARTER
Thank you Sir.
AIRPORT
Vernon walks towards the metal detectors and passes through.
The person behind him is stopped and all flights are announced
cancelled.
Vernon walks towards the plane.
AIRPORT
MAN
They cancelled my flight, can you believe
it? What did they think of the script?
What? The second act was totally clear..
The man then sees a creature.
Jack walks past with armed soldiers behind.
People start screaming.
OUTSIDE THE AIRPORT
STEWARDESS
I’m sorry ladies and gentlemen; we’ve
just been told the flight is cancelled.
Please return to the terminal where
more information will be provided.
Vernon sees military trucks drive up and walks back to the terminal.
He then sees Jack coming the other way.
O’NEILL
Vernon!
Vernon runs off into a warehouse/hangar.
O’NEILL
You guys cover the exits.
Jack goes in after him.
O’NEILL
Vernon? You can’t get away. Hey Vernon,
Jack O’Neill. Colonel O’Neill. The Air
Force? Look, I know this is a massive
cliché, but the place is surrounded.
VERNON
Yeah, you’re telling me, those monsters
are everywhere.
O’NEILL
Hey, I know you’re seeing things. It’s
got to be a little confusing.
VERNON
You’re going to kill me for what I know,
aren’t you?
O’NEILL
Nobody’s gonna kill you.
VERNON
It’s the Gulf all over again. Only this
time it’s innocent civilians too. You’re
doing scientific research on us against
our will. You know, you’re never gonna
get away with it. The truth will get
out.
O’NEILL
You know, you’re right. Our cover story
is bogus.
VERNON
It is?
O’NEILL
Yeah. But the truth isn’t what you think.
Those creatures you’re seeing? They’re
aliens.
VERNON
Come on.
O’NEILL
Hey, you wanted the truth. That’s it.
I work for a top secret branch of the
military that deals with extra-terrestrials.
That’s what you were seeing.
VERNON
You’re serious?
O’NEILL
Yes. Very serious. But the thing is,
those things, they’re no threat to us.
In fact if you couldn’t see them, you
wouldn’t even know they were there.
VERNON
No, but I am seeing them. In fact I’m
seeing one right now.
O’NEILL
Well we can make it so you don’t.
VERNON
Then what?
O’NEILL
Look, Vernon, this can’t get out, not
yet. The world is not ready to know
VERNON
You just want me to keep it quiet?
O’NEILL
Well, think about it. Who’s gonna believe
you? I mean, Government experiments
are one thing but we’re talking alien
here.
VERNON
Yeah, but other people have seen them.
O’NEILL
Not for long, besides they’re all buying
our cover story. Vernon your country
needs you. I’m asking you, one soldier
to another, play ball on this.
VERNON
Okay, but I’m not taking any pills or
needles or anything.
O’NEILL
You won’t have to.
O’NEILL
We’re all clear (into radio)
Jack puts his hand on Vernon’s shoulder.
O’NEILL
We good?
VERNON
Yes, Sir.
Jack and Vernon start to walk off.
VERNON
So what planet are they from?
O’NEILL
Who?
VERNON
The aliens.
O’NEILL
Oh, a place called Melmac.
VERNON
Isn’t that where ALF was from?
O’NEILL
Who?
VERNON
ALF, you know, on TV, the puppet?
O’NEILL
Never saw it.
VERNON
No kidding.
THE END
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