Transcript for Episode #303:  “Fair Game”

TEASER

SGC GATE ROOM
General HAMMOND is standing at a podium at the top of the Stargate ramp, addressing a roomful of SGC personnel.

HAMMOND:
You have fought with valor, with courage, sacrificed for each other, for this country, for this planet.  To honor the men and women of the SGC, I present Arthur SIMMS, the Secretary of Defense for the United States of America.

SIMMS walks to the podium.

SIMMS:
Since the reinception of this program, I have eagerly awaited every word of every mission report stemming from this base like a wide-eyed child waiting for his next bedtime story.  Not actually being here, or seeing your faces, or this Stargate here behind me, it is sometimes easy to forget that it’s all really happening.  The President regrets not being able to be here, but I’m glad because it gives me the opportunity to congratulate you on your recent effort in defeating a formidable enemy and rescuing SG-1 captured in the line of duty.  You risk your lives every day in a way more dangerous and fantastic than any of us could have ever dreamed.  Understand that I represent every person of this great nation when I salute your ongoing heroic spirit.  You should be proud.

HAMMOND retakes the podium as SIMMS step down.

HAMMOND:
Before we finish today, I have one other small bit of business.  Please come to attention.

The SGC personnel come to attention.

HAMMOND (reading from a paper) :
From the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force.  In recognition of Captain Samantha Carter’s outstanding work, I hereby authorize her immediate promotion to the rank of Major.  Captain, step forward.

A surprised SAM steps forward and the room breaks into applause.  Both General HAMMOND and Colonel O’NEILL pin the bars of major onto her uniform.

HAMMOND (to SAM) :
The United States Air Force has recognized that you have fulfilled tasks and duties well beyond the responsibility of a captain.  It is with great pleasure that I bestow upon you the responsibilities, the respect, and the rank of major.

SAM:
Thank you, sir.

O’NEILL:
Well done…Major.

HAMMOND:
In closing, Major Carter’s supervisor, Colonel Jack O’NEILL, would like to say a few words.

O’NEILL takes the podium.

O’NEILL:
Normally, I’m a man of very few words…

O’NEILL abruptly disappears in a flash of Asgard transporter light.

HAMMOND:
Code 9!

ASGARD SHIP

O’NEILL:
And in conclusion I’d like to say…

O’NEILL stops when realizes he isn’t at the SGC.  Another flash of light produces an ASGARD in a chair.

ASGARD:
Greetings, Jack O’NEILL.

O’NEILL:
Greetings.  Have we met?

ASGARD:
I am THOR.

END TEASER – OPENING CREDITS

THOR’S SHIP (IN ORBIT)

THOR:
I apologize for taking you by surprise, but I have come on a matter of great importance.

O’NEILL:
We’re in orbit around Earth, right?

THOR:
Yes.

O’NEILL:
You know, we have satellites and telescopes that can see things like spaceships.

THOR:
Our ships have never been detected in orbit around Earth before.

O’NEILL:
Oh.  All right.  Sorry; you were saying something?  A matter of great importance…?

THOR:
We received word of what transpired with your people and the Goa’uld named HATHOR.

O’NEILL:
She had it coming.

THOR:
As a result, the Goa’uld System Lords have turned their attention towards you.

O’NEILL:
What, for killing HATHOR?  They should be thanking us!  She was planning to overthrow them, you know.

THOR:
Her intentions are irrelevant.  Earth has once again proven it can be a formidable threat to the Goa’uld.

O’NEILL:
Oh, now we’re a threat to them?

THOR:
They have decided it is a concern to be dealt with.  The System Lords are capable of launching an assault one hundred times more powerful than that which you previously withstood at the hands of APOPHIS.

O’NEILL:
Okay, that could be a problem.

THOR:
The Asgard agree.  I have come to offer our assistance.

O’NEILL:
Now, see, that would be appreciated.  I’ve seen your work – it’s great.

THOR:
The vast majority of the Asgard fleet is currently unavailable.

O’NEILL:
Oh.  So, what do you have in mind?

THOR:
With your permission, the Asgard will attempt to negotiate with the Goa’uld System Lords to include Earth in the Protected Planets Treaty.

O’NEILL:
That’s a good thing, right?

THOR:
It would prevent this attack.

O’NEILL:
Good.  Um, to be honest with you, I’d rather have a fleet of your ships here.  A few of these babies and we could just…

O’NEILL stops talking when THOR gives him a curious look.

O’NEILL:
We sh-could try the negotiating thing.

THOR:
I will contact the System Lords.  You may return to your planet now.

THOR disappears in a flash of light while O’NEILL just stands there.

O’NEILL:
Excuse me!  I assume someone’s going to show me the way back.

O’NEILL is beamed away.

O’NEILL:
Thank you!

SGC BRIEFING ROOM

HAMMOND:
Why would the Goa’uld agree to this negotiation?

TEAL’C:
The Goa’uld fear the Asgard.

DANIEL:
Plus, I assume the Asgard would offer the Goa’uld something in return.  I mean, that’s generally the way negotiations work.

HAMMOND:
Well, what if the summit fails?

O’NEILL:
THOR said that was pretty much the only option he could offer.  If it fails…total annihilation.

HAMMOND:
The president is wondering how confident we are in trusting the Asgard.

SAM:
The Tok’ra trust them.

DANIEL:
They helped Jack out when he got the Ancients’ language downloaded into his brain.

O’NEILL:
You gotta love them for that.

HAMMOND:
But we know very little about the politics out there.  How do we know the Asgard truly have our best interests at heart?

O’NEILL:
Well, I suppose we don’t.  But if they have any other agenda in mind…

O’NEILL stops as a bright light appears in the room and THOR materializes.

HAMMOND:
Colonel, do we need security?

O’NEILL:
No, I’ll vouch for him, sir.  Major Samantha Carter, Dr. DANIEL Jackson, you remember THOR?  Uh, THOR, this is TEAL’C and Major General George HAMMOND.  He’s the leader of our facility here.

THOR:
The System Lords have agreed to negotiate.

O’NEILL:
That’s good news.

THOR:
They will arrive in four days.

O’NEILL:
Here?

THOR:
It is customary for such negotiations to take place on the planet in question.  Three representatives from the System Lords will arrive by Stargate.  You must be prepared to speak on behalf of all the inhabitants of Earth.

O’NEILL:
Uh, well, maybe not me personally…

THOR:
We have chosen you, O’NEILL, to represent your planet at the proceedings.

O’NEILL:
All right, now, see, that could be a mistake.  Um, um, you see, Dr. Jackson here is an extremely educated and articulated man, very well-versed in all the languages…

THOR:
You have led your people into the galaxy through the Stargate.  You are our choice, O’NEILL.  Further instructions to aid you in preparation will follow.

THOR disappears in a flash of light.

O’NEILL:
Well, there you go.

SGC BRIEFING ROOM
DANIEL is lecturing a group of personnel on the three Goa’ulds they are expecting.  An ancient Greek image of CRONUS is highlighted on the projector screen.

DANIEL:
He was God of Fate and eventually became father to Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, and Hades.  Now, this last relationship may indicate a connection to the Goa’uld SOKAR.

TEAL’C:
CRONUS is the most influential of the System Lords.  It was he who originally banished SOKAR.  CRONUS was also a mortal enemy of APOPHIS.

DANIEL:
Which may indicate why the System Lords didn’t join in APOPHIS’ attack on Earth.

TEAL’C:
The System Lords reluctantly banded together to defend Goa’uld territory against outside threats such as the Asgard and the Reetou.  However, they still battle amongst themselves for control of their individual domains.

DANIEL selects another image.

DANIEL:
Uh, the second Goa’uld representative we’re expecting is YU.

O’NEILL:
Me?

DANIEL:
YU is the name of the Goa’uld.

O’NEILL:
Sorry.

DANIEL:
Also known as YU the Great, he did not assume the role of a god per se, but may have been one of China’s earliest emperors.  Legend says he possessed great mythic powers and sprang into the world from a dragon’s body.  Ancient scrolls say he founded the first recorded dynasty whose advances came about under harsh rule.  However, it should be noted that YU did account for a number of notable, positive influences.

O’NEILL (quietly) :
Thank YU.

DANIEL gives him an annoyed look.

O’NEILL:
Sorry.

DANIEL:
According to THOR’s message, YU is the most likely to favor this treaty, as his interests no longer reside in this area of the galaxy.

HAMMOND:
And the third Goa’uld, Dr. Jackson?

DANIEL changes the picture again.

DANIEL:
Another one we haven’t met, but have a certain…familiarity with.  For those in the room who don’t know, NIRRTI is the Goa’uld who wiped out all but one survivor of P8X-987, along with four members of the SGC, in an attempt to destroy Earth’s Stargate.

SAM:
CASSANDRA’s planet.

DANIEL:
Little is known about NIRRTI from Earth’s perspective.  In early Hindu reference, she was a destructive goddess of darkness.

SAM (angrily) :
So, we’re gonna let these Goa’uld just…walk in here?

HAMMOND (to SAM) :
There are a number of aspects of this situation I’m not comfortable with, Major.  (to DANIEL)  Thank you, Dr. Jackson.

The briefing room lights are turned back on.

HAMMOND:
TEAL’C, I would like you to act as liaison to the Goa’uld.  Dr. Jackson…

TEAL’C (interrupting) :
General HAMMOND.

HAMMOND:
Is there a problem?

TEAL’C:
I mean no disrespect.  But I have given my allegiance to you, to the SGC, and to the people of this world freely.  I will, however, not see to the petty needs of these Goa’ulds.

DANIEL (to HAMMOND) :
I’ll…see to the petty needs of the Goa’uld, sir.

HAMMOND:
Okay, Dr. Jackson.  TEAL’C, you will assist Major CASTLEMAN with base security.  According to THOR, Treaty Laws will not permit weapons of any kind in this facility during negotiations…

O’NEILL:
Whoa!  Sir, that doesn’t sound wise.

HAMMOND:
We’re largely trusting the Asgard based on your word, Colonel.  This is their rule.  As a result, the base is completely sealed off from the surface.  The Secretary of Defense will be staying to represent the president.  Storage Room 12A on level 17 will be converted to a meeting room for security reasons.  You’ve all received folders that include your individual assignments and preparation instruction as laid out by the Asgard.  There’s a lot of work to do, people and not much time.

SGC STORAGE ROOM
A technician unlocks a safe and removes the Goa’uld artifacts.  SAM hands the Goa’uld ribbon device to a SOLDIER, who gestures at the remaining Goa’uld healing device.

SOLDIER:
What about that one, Major?

SAM removes the healing device to show him.

SAM:
This is a Goa’uld healing device.  Those two are the weapons.

SGC CORRIDOR
O’NEILL catches up with HAMMOND.

O’NEILL:
General.

HAMMOND:
Colonel.  How are your briefings going?

O’NEILL:
I had no idea how exciting diplomacy could be, sir.  What’s this about?

HAMMOND:
I’m not sure; it’s TEAL’C.

TEAL’c and a SERGEANT are standing in the hallway O’NEILL and HAMMOND enter.

HAMMOND:
TEAL’C, SERGEANT, what’s the problem?

SERGEANT:
He won’t relinquish his weapon, sir.

O’NEILL:
TEAL’C?

TEAL’C:
Like you, I do not believe we should remove all weapons from this base.

HAMMOND:
The Asgards were explicit.  If they detect weapons, there will be no summit.

O’NEILL:
No summit, no treaty.

TEAL’C:
The Goa’uld that you are allowing through your Stargate are among the most deceptive and treacherous that I have ever known.

HAMMOND:
THOR’s assured us the Goa’ulds are also forbidden from bringing weapons.

O’NEILL:
If this treaty doesn’t happen, they’re gonna send a hundred of those motherships here.  You know as well as I do what that means.

HAMMOND:
TEAL’C, I’m ordering you to turn your weapon over.

TEAL’C reluctanty relinquishes his staff weapon to the SERGEANT.

SGC GATE ROOM
The Stargate finishes dialing as O’NEILL, SAM, and DANIEL join HAMMOND waiting at the bottom of the ramp to greet the Goa’ulds.

TECHNICIAN:
Chevron seven’s locked.  Off world activation.

The Stargate opens and CRONUS, NIRRTI, and YU exit.

SGC
DANIEL and CRONUS enter a VIP room.

DANIEL:
Here we are…the VIP room.  That’s an acronym – it means very important.  I hope this is okay.

CRONUS:
Your idea of accommodation is pitiful.

DANIEL:
Well, it’s the best we…

There is a sudden commotion in the corridor and CRONUS exits the room.

CRONUS:
What’s going on?

TEAL’C, standing in front of NIRRTI, turns towards CRONUS.

CRONUS:
Shol’va!

TEAL’C:
Onak okar shaki!

CRONUS:
Kree’nak aree, shol’va!

DANIEL moves between TEAL’C and CRONUS.

DANIEL (to TEAL’C) :
What’s going on?

NIRRTI:
Your crude surveillance devices were poorly hidden in our quarters.

DANIEL:
Well, that’s because they weren’t hidden.  They’re…

YU hands him the surveillance camera from his room, obviously having ripped it out of the wall.

DANIEL:
…security cameras, and they’re for your own safety.

TEAL’C:
As I was trying to explain.

CRONUS:
I will not be spied on upon!

NIRRTI:
Nor will I.

DANIEL:
Well, no offense was meant by it; it’s merely a security precaution.  I’ll ask if we can remove the cameras from the rooms, but we’d definitely like to leave them in the halls.

CRONUS nods, and NIRRTI and YU also nod in turn.

CRONUS (to TEAL’C) :
Do not show your face to me again, shol’va.

TEAL’C:
Kel’ma tokee.

SGC BRIEFING ROOM
TEAL’C and DANIEL are walking down the stairs into the room.

TEAL’C:
As First Prime of APOPHIS I often did battle with the Jaffa of CRONUS.

DANIEL:
Well, you must have battled lots of rival Goa’ulds.  I’m sorry, TEAL’C, that looked a little more personal to me.

TEAL’C:
My father was once First Prime of CRONUS.  When I was but a child, CRONUS commanded my father to attack a Goa’uld who was more powerful at the time.  It was an impossible battle to win.  When all was inevitably lost, CRONUS killed my father as punishment and exiled my mother and I.  We fled to Chulak.  I vowed I would become the strongest Jaffa I could, so one day I could be named First Prime of APOPHIS, sworn enemy of CRONUS.

HAMMOND enters.

HAMMOND:
I trust our guests are settled.

TEAL’C:
The Goa’uld demanded the security cameras be removed from their quarters.

HAMMOND:
I assume you told them no.

DANIEL:
Uh, actually, sir, I kind of told them it’d be okay.  I told them we’d have to leave them in the halls, sort of a…compromise.

HAMMOND:
If you think it’s absolutely necessary.

DANIEL:
Yes.

HAMMOND returns to his office.

DANIEL (to TEAL’C) :
Are you going to be okay?

TEAL’C:
I will.

SGC CONFERENCE ROOM
SAM approaches O’NEILL, who is buttoning his uniform.

SAM:
Just wanted to wish you luck, sir.

O’NEILL:
Thank you, Captain.  Major.

SAM:
Nervous?

O’NEILL:
I wouldn’t call it nervous…confused.  I have no idea why I’m here.

SAM:
Well, the Asgard obviously have confidence in you, sir, as do the rest of us.  I know I couldn’t do it.

O’NEILL:
Why?

SAM:
Well, I didn’t want to say anything because I wasn’t sure until I saw his face, but I think CRONUS is the one who sent the ASHRAK to kill JOLINAR.  I just hate having them here.

O’NEILL:
Major, I hate having ’em anywhere.

DANIEL enters the room, followed by the Goa’ulds.

O’NEILL:
Oops.

SAM (to O’NEILL) :
Good luck.

SAM leaves and the Goa’ulds take their seats around the table.

O’NEILL (to the Goa’ulds) :
Hello, come on in.  Have a seat.  Thank you, Dr. Jackson.  Hello…YU.  Well, I guess we’re just, uh…

THOR and his chair appear in a flash of light.

O’NEILL:
And here he is.  Gang’s all here.  You all know each other.  Guess we can get started.

THOR:
The Asgard High Council wishes you all greetings and thanks for this opportunity to negotiate for peace.

YU:
The Goa’uld System Lords are prepared to hear the Asgard proposal.

NIRRTI:
Onak arek kree.

CRONUS:
Kore’ka asemo!

YU thumps his fist onto the table.

YU:
Ko’na kree!  Ke’no ari Asgard!

O’NEILL (to THOR) :
I thought we were all gonna speak the same language here.

CRONUS rises to his feet angrily.

CRONUS (to O’NEILL) :
Go’nak!

CRONUS exits, closely followed by NIRRTI and YU.

O’NEILL:
What?  What did I say?

THOR:
You insulted them.

O’NEILL:
I insulted them?

THOR:
By speaking out of turn.  This was to be expected.

O’NEILL:
What are you talking about?  They were yelling at each other before I said a word!

THOR:
The System Lords have a fragile relationship with one another, as do we with them.

O’NEILL:
You mean they’re always like that?

DANIEL enters.

DANIEL:
Excuse me, sorry for interrupting.  What just happened?

O’NEILL:
Apparently, we said hello, insulted each other, and broke for recess.  (to THOR)  Can I ask you something?  Why did you let the Goa’uld get that much power in the first place?  I mean, if you’ve got the technology…

THOR:
We are not proud of the fact that we have been forced to ignore the situation as long as we have.  But you must understand:  there are other concerns for the Asgard.  We have an enemy in our home galaxy that is far worse than the Goa’uld.

DANIEL:
Worse?

THOR:
I cannot explain further.  For now, we use what limited resources we can spare to enforce these treaties with the Goa’uld.

DANIEL:
What happens if a rogue Goa’uld like SOKAR, who’s been banished by the System Lords, decides to come after us?

THOR:
In order to maintain the treaty, the System Lords would attempt to prevent it.  Our greatest advantage has been the feudal nature of the Goa’uld.  Our greatest concern has been a single Goa’uld rising to dominant power.  If SOKAR were to overtake the System Lord collective, the Asgard may not have sufficient power to stop him.

O’NEILL:
So, basically, you guys are…bluffing the Goa’uld.  Big time.  So far, they’ve been so busy badgering each other, they’ve bought it.

THOR:
I must return to my ship now.  It will take time before the System Lords will be willing to reconvene.  You may contact me with this.

THOR hands O’NEILL a glowing, stone-like object.

THOR:
It will work as long as my ship is in orbit.

O’NEILL:
How?

THOR:
Hold it in your hand and speak.

O’NEILL:
Thanks.

DANIEL (to THOR) :
We appreciate what you’re doing.

THOR:
These negotiations will not be easy.  The Asgard will be required to make great sacrifices, as will you.

THOR disappears in a flash of light.

SGC BRIEFING ROOM

O’NEILL:
Fate of the world in my hands, and I screw it up!

SIMMS:
I take it you apologized.

O’NEILL:
Oh, I tried.  They wouldn’t see me.

HAMMOND:
What now?

O’NEILL:
Well, DANIEL typed up a formal letter, in Goa’uld, and I signed it.  That boy can really grovel if he has to.

SIMMS:
It’s probably part of their negotiation strategy.

O’NEILL:
I hope so, ’cause THOR made it pretty clear that we might have to give up something…big.

SAM:
What if it’s hosts?

O’NEILL:
Well, now, that would be unacceptable, wouldn’t it?

TEAL’C:
As you have said, O’NEILL, the alternative could be far worse.

DANIEL enters.

DANIEL:
They’re ready.

SGC CONFERENCE ROOM
O’NEILL sits down at the table.

YU:
We accept the apology of the human representative and agree to hear the Asgard proposal.

THOR:
In return for Earth’s inclusion in the Protected Planets Treaty, Addendum 10815, the Asgard will allow Goa’uld access to the passage of Nylor.

YU:
According to Treaty Law Section 326, no human planet will be allowed to advanced technologically to a point where they may become a threat to the Goa’uld.

THOR:
You are correct.

NIRRTI:
Definition of such threat shall rest solely in the hands of the System Lords.

O’NEILL:
What?!  (to THOR)  Sorry; may I ask a question?

THOR:
The human representative is recognized.

O’NEILL:
Thank you.  (to the Goa’ulds)  Are you saying you’re limiting our development?

CRONUS:
The treaty recognizes that the human species exists for the purpose of serving the Goa’uld as hosts and slaves.

O’NEILL (exaggerating his speech) :
Excuse me?

THOR:
Do the System Lords accept the Asgard proposal?

NIRRTI and CRONUS give their assent.

YU:
The Goa’uld System Lords…accept the Asgard proposal.  We demand one additional concession.  We order the immediate and unconditional forfeiture of the Tau’ri Stargate.  Both of them.

SGC BRIEFING ROOM

DANIEL:
Are we seriously going to give up ’gate travel?

HAMMOND:
Considering the alternative…

SIMMS:
I believe that ring out there is the single most important thing on this planet, and I understand what losing the ’gate would mean.  But it is on your word that we trust these Asgard, and peaceful solutions to this crisis must be considered.

O’NEILL:
True, but…

SAM (to SIMMS) :
The point is, sir, with all due respect, it’s not nearly as simple as you put it.

TEAL’C (to SIMMS) :
There are other threats to this world this treaty will not protect you from.

O’NEILL:
From what my buddy THOR tells me, an enemy far worse than the Goa’uld.

SIMMS:
If any of you can tell me absolutely why we should not accept this proposal, I will forward your opinion to the president, and I assure you it will be given serious weight.

No one speaks.

ASGARD SHIP
O’NEILL is beamed on board.

THOR:
Have your people reached a decision?

O’NEILL:
Um…not yet.  It’s kind of why I’m here.  I was wondering what you think we should do.

THOR:
It is your decision.

O’NEILL:
I see.  (Pause…)  Or do I?  Do you guys…do you ever say one thing and mean another, kind of speak between the lines, if you know what I mean?

THOR:
I do not.

O’NEILL:
Do not what?  Speak between the lines, or understand?

THOR:
What do you, O’NEILL, think your people should do?

O’NEILL:
See, I don’t know. It’s a bit much for one guy to make that call for an entire planet.  On the other hand, it’s pretty obvious…give up the Stargate or be destroyed.

THOR:
So it would seem.

O’NEILL:
But, you see, the Goa’uld could call your bluff, attack us anyway, and we’d have given up our only means of finding a way of defending ourselves.

THOR:
That is true.

O’NEILL:
Oh, come on, give me something!  Anything!  I won’t hold you to it.  A little head nod, if there’s another way around this.

THOR:
It is your planet at stake.  I believe you have it within you to make the right decision.

O’NEILL:
All right.  Send me back.

THOR bows his head.

O’NEILL:
Wait!  Right there!  Is that a head nod?  A nod is usually down and back up, but that just went down…

O’NEILL is cut off as THOR beams him back to the SGC.

HAMMOND’S OFFICE

SIMMS (into the phone) :
Yes, I understand.

SIMMS hangs up.

SIMMS:
We accept the terms.

O’NEILL:
DANIEL, you wanna tell them we’re ready?

SGC CORRIDOR

INTERCOM VOICE:
Security to Level 25.  Medical team to Level 25.  Emergency.

DANIEL starts running towards the VIP rooms.

SOLDIER (to DANIEL) :
In here, sir.

DANIEL rushes by NIRRTI and YU in the corridor.

NIRRTI:
I demand to know the meaning of these sounds…

DANIEL:
Please just stay in your rooms for a moment.

DANIEL stops outside CRONUS’ room to find TEAL’C and CRONUS lying unconscious on the floor.

SGC INFIRMARY
Dr. FRAISER is checking TEAL’C’s condition as he lies unconscious in a bed.

FRAISER:
His vitals are stable, but he took quite a blow to the head.  There’s some intercranial swelling.

O’NEILL:
Junior taking care of it?

FRAISER:
Yes, his larval Goa’uld is assisting in the healing process.  Hopefully, there isn’t any permanent brain damage, but we won’t know that until he wakes up.

HAMMOND:
How long?

FRAISER:
That’s up to him.

O’NEILL:
What about CRONUS?

O’NEILL, HAMMOND, and FRAISER walk over to CRONUS’ bed.

FRAISER:
Oh, he should only be so lucky.  Severe internal injuries and…his host is dying.

O’NEILL:
Shouldn’t his snake be taking care of him?

FRAISER:
Based on what I’ve learned of Goa’uld physiology, the symbiote cannot heal injuries this severe on its own.  We’re doing everything we can, but I don’t think he’s going to make it.  Could be hours, could be minutes.

SAM rushes into the infirmary.

SAM:
I have the security videotape.  You may want to see this.

On the tape, they see TEAL’C entering CRONUS’ room.

SAM:
The SFs assigned to guard the hallway sounded the alarm.  They say TEAL’C passed them and told them he was going to see CRONUS.

DANIEL:
Well, NIRRTI and YU are demanding an explanation.

O’NEILL:
Do we tell them?

SAM:
Well, based on the video tape evidence, it looks like TEAL’C is involved – not that I believe he’s responsible for this.

DANIEL:
Well, I don’t believe for a minute that TEAL’C would sacrifice our interest for a personal vendetta.

O’NEILL:
What…personal vendetta?

DANIEL:
Well, apparently, TEAL’C and CRONUS have some pretty heavy history.

HAMMOND:
Such as…?

DANIEL:
CRONUS killed TEAL’C’s father.

O’NEILL:
Oh, for crying out loud!  Why doesn’t he tell us these things?  Why didn’t you tell us?

DANIEL:
He confided in me.

SAM:
I still don’t think TEAL’C would do this.

O’NEILL:
Well, neither do I, but the case against him just got a little more interesting, don’t you think?

DANIEL:
Well, we have to tell the other Goa’uld something.

FRAISER:
Yes, and if we lie, we could make things worse.

HAMMOND:
Doctor?

FRAISER:
Sir, the point is maybe the Goa’ulds can do something for CRONUS that I can’t.

HAMMOND:
Let’s tell the Goa’uld what we know.  Major, find out what really happened.

SAM:
Yes, sir.

SGC Infirmary
NIRRTI and YU are brought in to see CRONUS, who is still unconscious.

NIRRTI:
You will pay for this!

O’NEILL:
We know it looks bad.

HAMMOND:
But we’re not sure what actually transpired.

YU:
Whoever is responsible for this atrocity must be brought before us.

DANIEL:
We’re trying to figure out exactly what happened right now.

NIRRTI:
All the people of your planet will suffer greatly as punishment for this crime.

O’NEILL:
All right, just hang on a second before you go dooming everybody…

DANIEL:
We brought you here because we want to know if there’s anything either of you can do for him.

FRAISER:
He’s dying.

YU:
We can do nothing here in your primitive facilities.

DANIEL:
Okay; can you use one these?

DANIEL hands NIRRTI a healing device, and she passes the glowing device over CRONUS.  NIRRTI then takes the device off and hands it back to DANIEL.

NIRRTI:
His injuries are too severe.  The only way to save him is with a sarcophagus.

O’NEILL:
Okay, we don’t have one of those.

YU:
Then we will prepare to leave.  Immediately.

YU and NIRRTI exit.

ASGARD SHIP

THOR:
You must let them take CRONUS.

O’NEILL:
They’ll attack us.

THOR:
If you hold them against their will, the rest of the System Lords will attack regardless.

O’NEILL:
Look, TEAL’C didn’t do this.

THOR:
I have been instructed by the Asgard High Council to leave Earth’s orbit.

O’NEILL:
And that’s what, in line with your policy of limited benevolence?

THOR:
I have explained our position.  To borrow from a human euphemism, it is not a perfect galaxy.

O’NEILL:
Yeah, well I’m sorry, I get a little testy when faced with the total annihilation of our little corner of it.

THOR:
We sympathize with your situation.

O’NEILL:
Right.  And yet you’ll still just sit by and watch them destroy us.

THOR:
We cannot interfere without beginning a much larger war that cannot be won at this time.

SGC CONFERENCE ROOM

YU:
We demand that you release us!

NIRRTI:
We must leave now and take CRONUS before his death is on your heads.

HAMMOND:
I’m sorry; I can’t let you go.

NIRRTI:
If we do not report back, your planet will suffer the full force of the System Lords’ wrath.

HAMMOND:
That’s going to happen whether we let you go or not.

YU:
You have violated every code mandate for these negotiations.  The Asgard will not protect you!

O’NEILL:
Actually, you’re wrong about something.  There’s one rule we have broken yet.

SFs enter the room, armed with guns.

HAMMOND’S OFFICE

SIMMS:
Do we have any idea of what sort of time frame surrounds this impending attack?

HAMMOND shakes his head.

SIMMS:
The president is readying a statement to the United Nations.  From what you’re telling me, Earth should begin preparing for this onslaught immediately.

O’NEILL:
Boy, did this get out of hand.

The phone rings and General HAMMOND answers it.

HAMMOND:
HAMMOND.  (Pause.)  Thank you.

General HAMMOND puts down the phone.

HAMMOND:
TEAL’C is conscious.

SGC Infirmary
TEAL’C is lying awake in a bed.  His face is bruised and bloody and one side of his head is heavily bandaged.

TEAL’C:
CRONUS requested my presence.

O’NEILL:
So you went alone.

TEAL’C:
It is what he requested.  When I arrived, he denied making the request.  Before I could leave we were attacked.

SAM:
By whom?

TEAL’C:
An invisible force.

O’NEILL:
Invisible force.

DANIEL:
A Reetou?

HAMMOND:
Could one have come through the ’gate with the Goa’ulds?

SAM:
Sir, we could break out the Transphase Eradication Rods and do a sweep of the base.

TEAL’C:
I did not sense the presence of a Reetou.

O’NEILL:
I almost wish you had.

SAM:
TEAL’C, are you aware of any of the Goa’uld having some sort of stealth technology?

TEAL’C:
I am not.

DANIEL:
HATHOR had the ability to appear and disappear.

O’NEILL:
Okay, she’s dead.  Right?  Please tell me she’s dead.

SAM:
Yeah.

TEAL’C:
I did not attack CRONUS.

DANIEL:
Well, we believe you, TEAL’C, but I just don’t think anyone else is going to.

O’NEILL:
Certainly not those lying, scheming, no good for nothing, slimy, over-dressed style mongers…

SAM:
Sir, I’d like to try something.

SAM exits quickly.

O’NEILL:
I wasn’t finished.

SGC INFIRMARY
SAM is trying to use the healing device to heal CRONUS.

FRAISER:
Are you sure you know what you’re doing?

SAM:
I’ve made it work before, just not a living…thing.

SAM tries to turn it on, but it doesn’t seem to work.

O’NEILL:
I hate to go all…Freudian on you here.  The part of you that knows how to run these things…

SAM:
You think I don’t want to cure CRONUS because he ordered JOLINAR’s death.  I just have the memories of JOLINAR; she doesn’t control me.  I’m well aware of the stakes here.

O’NEILL:
I’m just saying.

SAM tries again and turns it on.  She passes it over CRONUS’ body, stopping after a time.

SAM:
It worked.

CRONUS opens his eyes.

CRONUS:
You have healed me…human.  I am sure you spared my life only to prevent your own destruction.

O’NEILL:
Hey!  We didn’t do this to you.  And we saved your snaky little butt because we want the treaty to happen.

CRONUS:
That is not possible now.  NIRRTI and YU have undoubtedly blamed the Tau’ri for this attack on me.

O’NEILL:
Good catch.  Look, it’s obvious to everybody that one of them did this to you.  What if I can prove which one – what’s that worth to you?

CRONUS:
What do you ask in return?

SGC CORRIDOR

SAM (to HAMMOND) :
We can’t prove anything, sir.  All we know for sure is that NIRRTI lied.

O’NEILL:
CRONUS doesn’t know that, and NIRRTI doesn’t know what else we know.

DANIEL:
Which is nothing.

O’NEILL:
Right.  But she doesn’t know we know nothing.

HAMMOND:
What are you suggesting?

O’NEILL:
I’m just saying maybe it’s time we take a page out of the Asgard book on dealing with these…Goa’ulds.

DANIEL:
You’re gonna bluff.

HAMMOND:
Sounds risky, Colonel.

O’NEILL:
Yes, sir.

SGC CONFERENCE ROOM
NIRRTI and YU are sitting at the table under armed guard.

O’NEILL (to NIRRTI) :
You lied to us about being able to heal CRONUS with that hand device.

NIRRTI:
I tried honestly and failed.  I was willing to save CRONUS by taking him to a sarcophagus.

O’NEILL:
Maybe you were, maybe you weren’t.  But the fact is you are the only Goa’uld here who has the technology to become invisible.

NIRRTI (jumping to her feet) :
That is a lie!

O’NEILL:
Who’s lying?  We called the Tok’ra.

DANIEL:
They say you’ve been experimenting with phase shifting in order to battle the Reetou.

YU (to NIRRTI) :
You did not share this technology with the System Lords?

NIRRTI:
They are lying!

YU:
You dare attack CRONUS during our meeting with the Asgard?

NIRRTI:
It’s not true!

YU:
You are the one who opposed this treaty.  You have long coveted CRONUS’ territory.

NIRRTI:
Go’tak!

YU grabs NIRRTI, but she suddenly disappears.  The guards at the door are knocked down and one of their guns is taken.

O’NEILL:
Look out!

O’NEILL pushes YU to the floor as NIRRTI opens fire on the room.  NIRRTI runs down the corridor to the elevator, but SAM corners her.  Using a TER, SAM is able to see NIRRTI.

SAM:
Drop the weapon.  You ever seen one of these things work?  ’Cause there’s nothing more I would like to do than demonstrate.

NIRRTI puts the gun on the floor and raises her hands in surrender.

SGC CONFERENCE ROOM
SAM and two guards bring in the captured NIRRTI.

O’NEILL (to YU) :
CRONUS said he’d support the Treaty and we wouldn’t have to give up our Stargate.  I was kinda hoping we could count on your vote.

YU fingers a bullet hole in the sleeve of his shirt and nods his agreement.

SGC GATE ROOM
The Stargate activates.  CRONUS and YU are holding NIRRTI prisoner between them.  The three of them head up the Stargate ramp.  O’NEILL and DANIEL are watching them leave from the bottom of the ramp.  Before he enters the gate, CRONUS turns back to them.

CRONUS:
We will not attack your world.  But…if you continue to use your Stargate, be warned:  anyone who is caught by one of the System Lords will be shown no mercy.  They will suffer greatly.

O’NEILL:
Well, that certainly makes life more interesting.

The Goa’ulds enter the wormhole.

DANIEL:
Boy, is she gonna get it.

O’NEILL:
My heart bleeds.

EARTH’S ORBIT
THOR’s ship is seen leaving Earth’s orbit.

END CREDITS

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