episodes | fan fiction | multimedia | fun stuff | research | shop | links | updates

email us | site map | home

stargatefan.com : episodes > season 2 > next episode : gamekeeper

SG1 has been conducting a survey of P3X 775, a heavily wooded rainforest type environment. Colonel O'Neill is ready to return to SGC as scheduled since they have not turned up any signs of civilization as a result of their explorations.

O'Neill: "Alright, Kids, we're due back. Unless you can tell me you've discovered something earth shattering I'm ready to bag this one."
Daniel: "We practically just got here. We have no idea what this planet has to offer."
O'Neill: "Trees and moss."

Daniel, of course, argues that they really need to explore further, but as O'Neill points out they have picked up no radio activity and have not detected any chemicals in the air to indicate civilization. To keep Daniel from arguing further, O'Neill reluctantly agrees to suggest an aerial survey of the planet.

"Much as I love a good rainforest," O'Neill starts to say, but is interrupted as a man stumbles out of the woods begging for help.

The man keeps asking for help and warning against the Taldor. "If they find me, they find you," he says. "We're surrounded now."

O'Neill reluctantly allows the man to come with them, though he won't tell them what the Taldor is or why it should be feared. Before they reach the Stargate they hear an unnatural, metallic whine, coming from an undetermined source, but apparently all around them.

"What the hell is that, " asks O'Neill.

"Taldor," says the stranger. "It comes for us."

They are caught in a blinding light and reappear in a large, featureless, dark room lit only by the same beam of light that apparently transported them here.

"You are prisoners," announces a disembodied female voice.

"Justice," blurts Daniel. "Taldor means justice." O'Neill looks at him and he adds sheepishly, "It just came to me."

O'Neill tries to explain that they are explorers, that they come in piece and mean no harm.

"It does not matter," says the female voice "you helped Roshure."

Because they did they are now considered accessories to his crime, and as guilty as he. The crime happens to be murder. They stand accused of trespassing on ancient ground, aiding a murderer, and carrying weapons on ancient ground. They are sentenced to be sent through the Stargate to the prison Hadante for the remainder of their lives. There will be no appeal.

SG-1 tumble through the Stargate and find themselves in an underground cavern, dark, damp and dirty.

Jack: "Well, this sucks."

Roshure runs away. From the darkness they hear the other prisoners whistling a single sustained note. Near the gate are a pair of smoking shoes, the stumps of legs in them neatly cauterized. Evidently someone was standing directly in front of the gate when it opened. "Why?" Daniel wonders.

A man runs out from behind the gate and grabs the shoes, disappearing into the darkness. Carter tries to stop him, wanting to talk to him, but instead she is grabbed by a huge mountain of a man, Vishnoor. She fights back, splitting his lip with a head butt. He drops her, but before the fight can continue an older woman emerges from the caves. She is Linea. She says that Carter is under her protection and that she is not to be taken by any man. "Is that clear, Vishnoor." Vishnoor eventually withdraws, but he is sullen and angry.

Linea says a simple welcome to SG-1 then leaves.

"This is our situation, what do we need?" O'Neill asks his team.

"A dial home device would be nice," Daniel answers.

They won't find that here, but if they can find a source of energy to power the gate, they can dial home manually.

They begin to explore Hadante, which Daniel likens to Botany Bay, the original prison colony on Australia.

Daniel: "It's like we're in Botany Bay."
O'Neill: "What?"
Daniel: "Oh, the original name for Sydney Harbor. When the British first colonized Australia they turned it into a continental prison. It was half a world away. Of course, this is probably...more... than that..." (feebly waves hands around to indicate size unsuccessfully)
O'Neill: "It's ok, Daniel. It's ok."

The prisoners eye them warily. There are screams and yelling far off in the distant caves. They soon come upon the same little man who stole the smoking boots from in front of the Stargate. He is dragging a dead man, but swears he did not kill the man himself. From the dead man's body he removes a necklace and offers it to Carter as a token to the "protected one." He also wonders if Teal'c might challenge Vishnoor. Teal'c doesn't sound excited about the prospect.

O'Neill tells Teal'c and Daniel to continue exploring "Botany Bay" while he and Carter talk to Linea who seems to be in charge. Before they go separate ways, O'Neill stops Daniel and carefully removes his glasses. "Daniel, you have to trust me on this. Signs of weakness are not a good thing in prison."

Carter reminds O'Neill that even if they do open the gate they have no remote transmitter. But O'Neill is confident that Hammond will send another SG team to search for them as soon they realize SG1 is overdue. As they talk a man rushes out of the darkness and into O'Neill, who angrily pushes him away. The prisoner is being pursued by others. Carter is concerned about the man's fate but O'Neill says "It's not our problem, Captain."

****

Back at SGC, the wormhole activates and SG3's remote signal is received. "Let's hope they found SG-1" Hammond says, but the team leader does not look optimistic.

****

Linea has her back to O'Neill and Carter as they enter her quarters. "Sooner or later all new arrivals come here," she says. "You are not from any of the island states under the Taldor."

O'Neill explains that they come from earth which is very far away.

Linea admits it is a place she is not familiar with. She asks if they have come to challenge her position and authority.

O'Neill says that all they are interested in is getting out of this place.

Linea laughs and tells them they are deep underground. It is her understanding that the great circle (Stargate) transported them to another world that is thousands of years old. It once teamed with life, but now this, she indicates the caves, is all that is left. The Taldor could find no other use for the place except as a prison. The great circle is the only way in and there is no way out. Many prisoners, she tells them, believe that when the Stargate is activated they can get caught in the great wave and be transported back to the other side. That is why they stand in the great wave.

"Actually," O'Neill says, "they die."

Carter briefly explains the physics of the energy wave that precedes the opening of the gate.

Linea listens then says there are two ways to control a society, through fear or through hope. In this world fear is a constant, but the belief in escape whether founded or not, allows hope. If they believe it is escape, who am I to say otherwise.

"We have a better way," O'Neill offers.

"What would you ask of me."

"We need power," Carter says.

"There are many forms of power, some more subtle than others," Linea says.

For the moment we just need the electrical kind, O'Neill tells her.

Then we both have something the other wants, Linea observes.

****

SG3 reports that the Taldor simply returned SG1's weapons and remote transmitter and offered no further explanation. The were told that SG1 was sent through the Stargate to prison, but did not say for what crime. SG3 returned to base, which was the right thing to do, Hammond assures them. This has become a diplomatic problem.

****

Linea believes that the best way to get knowledge is to give it. She demonstrates the activators she uses on the local plant life, a tare root, that causes it to create energy. It is more than simply a chemical reaction. It is reaction on a subatomic level. Organically based cold fusion is Carter's explanation, but Linea doesn't understand her terminology. Carter explains. Some part of the root reacts with the chemicals in Linea's activator and causes the molecules of the activator to fuse, hence a cold fusion energy source. Carter is excited about the potential uses on earth as a non-polluting form of clean energy, but O'Neill shuts down her enthusiasm with a simple question, "Captain, back to basics, will it power the Stargate?" "It might," is Carter's best answer. Linea allows that the possible number of combinations of symbols on the Stargate are incalculable, and they wouldn't be able to come up with a working combination. "Well, actually she figured it out" says O'Neill indicating Carter. Linea wants to know how. O'Neill says the deal is simple if she provides the power to open the gate they will take her with them. "Only then will you share the knowledge," Linea says, understanding their motives and their caution.

****

Teal'c has a man pinned to the wall by his throat.

Daniel: "Teal'c, I think he's had enough."
Teal'c: "If you once again try to physically harm myself or my companions, my patience with you will expire." (lets go of man)
O'Neill (as man runs away): "Well, Teal'c, making friends, are you?"

Carter and O'Neill arrive . Daniel reports that they have found little information of value, except that this gate terminal appears to be at least 15,000 years old which predates human civilization. O'Neill and Carter report that they have found a power source and Linea says she will help them if they take her with them.

Can we do that, Daniel wonders, we don't even know what she's in here for. "What are we in here for?" Carter counters. Teal'c observes that she has done something to win the respect of the prisoners. Daniel argues that when she warned Vishnoor off Sam, he saw Fear in Vishnoor's eyes, not respect. O'Neill says he's going to just assume that Daniel has never been in prison before. "Oh, and you have?" Daniel asks. O'Neill says, "Oh, yeah." Then explains that places like this have their own set of rules and Linea obviously has done whatever she needed to do to survive.

All that not withstanding, Carter is iffy about whether Linea's power source will open the Stargate, and even if it does, they don't have their remote transmitters. O'Neill asks Daniel to start thinking of alternate locations to gate too. Just then they are interrupted by the sound of the Stargate activating.

The prisoners all gather around the gate with a trough. From the gate comes a liquid gray sludge that is dinner, though it looks more like cement. Vishnoor directs the distribution of the 'food' and Linea is served first, by Vishnoor. He says that SG1 eats last. After Vishnoor takes his share it is every man for himself. The little man who stole the shoes, offers O'Neill his bowl, still trying to win their favor. O'Neill tries the stuff and passes it to Carter.

****

Back on earth the diplomatic team has returned from P3X 775. They report that although in the US, unwittingly aiding a fugitive does not merit severe punishment, the Taldor believe in zero tolerance for this type of transgression.

The commander of SG3 argues for "going in" after SG1, but the negotiator, Major Kovachek, says it would be a bad idea. The aliens are far more advanced technologically and we would only succeed in making an enemy of them. They are open to relations with us. Hammond tells the commander of SG3 that he is due on standard recon mission the next day and is to be ready to depart on that mission. Major Kovachek is to return to P3X775 and tell the Taldor that "we mean business. Better yet, I'll tell them myself," Hammond says.

****

Carter goes to visit Linea. She is treating her food before eating it and offers it to Carter to sample. Carter has come to ask Linea about her crime. Linea says there was an experiment with tragic consequences. Many thousands of people died. It started as a plague among the people who sent her to prison. Time was short and she offered her knowledge. Instead of inhibiting the disease her medicine accelerated the effects. "Do not think that I am innocent," Linea says. She takes responsibility for her actions. She has also decided to accept SG1's offer, since they have already altered the balance of power and she feels she has no choice. Carter doesn't; understand. "It is only a matter of time before Vishnoor and his followers challenge your friends," Linea says. Carter says she will warn them. Linea cautions, warn them that if they fail they will not live to try again.

****

Major Kovachek urges Hammond to hurry since the Taldor value punctuality as part of civilized behavior. They will be transported almost immediately to their Tal'al or speaking place. But Kovachek warns that the probably won't show their faces because they are xenophobic. They are also arrogant, narrow-minded, self-centered. But they do want to maintain diplomatic contact.

Hammond and Kovachek approach the open Stargate. Kovachek advises, that since this is Hammond's first trip through the gate, that he exhale before entering the event horizon, since ones first instinct on exiting is to inhale. "I think I'll figure it out on the way," Hammond says. Then he asks "You're sure they dialed the correct address?" "The things I do for these people"

****

Daniel is trying to figure out a good location to gate to from the location codes he actually knows. . Cimmeria is out and so is Chulak. P3A707 might work, but there's no telling how long they might be there before another SG team came through. Just then the gate activates. As they watch several prisoners line up in front of the gate. Daniel asks what they are doing, and is told they think it is a way to escape. Daniel immediately rushes forward trying to get the attention of those standing on the approach to the gate. He tries to warn them away, to tell them they will die. The men throw him aside, right into the arms of Vishnoor.

"How dare you interfere." he warns. A new prisoner arrives through the gate as

Daniel explains that he was just trying to warn the men that they weren't going to escape and now they are dead. Linea tries to call Vishnoor off.

"He challenges me," Vishnoor says, "I accept." Daniel says he doesn't understand why Linea could let Roshure throw his life away. "It was his life," Linea says. "The rules are the rules even I must obey them." Vishnoor grabs Daniel from behind in a bear hug. Several others grab O'Neill so he cannot interfere. Carter asks Linea for help, but she says "I told you this would happen." Carter runs to find Teal'c, as Vishnoor chokes Daniel. Daniel is almost unconscious when Linea raises her hand. She has a device in her palm that drops Vishnoor. Teal'c helps free O'Neill. Daniel is just barely alive, but Vishnoor is dead.

****

General Hammond arrives to speak with the Taldor. He says he is responsible for the actions of SG1. That he would gladly take their place. "Did you order them to aid a murderer." the Taldor ask. "No," he responds. "Then you are not guilty." He tells them that peaceful relations between their two worlds will end if SG1 is not released. The Taldor say that release is impossible because there are no returns from Hadante.

****

Linea attempts to revive Daniel.

Carter doesn't understand what just happened in front of the Stargate.

"Your friend prevailed," Linea says.

The new prisoner, Simian, who just arrived through the gate is also with them. When asked about his crime, he says he took food because he was starving. He is also blind. Linea realizes that his blindness can be cured and she treats his eyes. He can see, and the first site he sees is Linea. He seems very frightened and runs away. Carter and the rest are confused. "His eyes now see," Linea says. Meanwhile, Daniel wakes up and asked what happened.

Daniel: "What happened?"
O'Neill (in Irish brogue): "Well, you actually won a fight, Danny Boy."
Daniel: "I don't particularly remember getting the upper hand."
Carter: "Neither do I but you must have."
Daniel: "P2A 509."
O'Neill (Looks over to Carter, then at Daniel): "Little brain damage along the way?"
Daniel: "No, uh, SG-3 was scheduled to go on a mission to P2A 509. General Hammond said so in our last planning briefing. We rendezvous with SG-3 and we use their remote transmitters to get home."
O'Neill: "And this just...came to you?"
Daniel: "No, this came to me while I was suffocating."

They decide the best time to power the gate was immediately after food was delivered and the other prisoners were off eating. The next time food arrives the prisoners defer to Daniel and wait for him to distribute the food since he defeated Vishnoor. Daniel does so, serving Linea first, then SG1.

As the prisoners disappear SG1 places the roots around the gate and string runners around the frame. Linea adds her activator. The do not know that they are being watched by Simian. They succeed in manually powering up the gate, and enter it with Linea. The other prisoners, hear the gate activate, and realize that an escape is in progress, but only the Simian manages to pass through. The others are left standing on the threshold as the wormhole dissolves.

****

SG1 appears in the embarkation room at SGC to face a surprised General Hammond. O'Neill announces that they just broke out of prison. Hammond says that he and SG9 spent the last two days trying to negotiate their release. He wants to know where they came from and Daniel explains they met SG3 on P2A 509 and borrowed an SG3 remote transmitter.

They introduce Linea and Hammond welcomes her. She says the embarkation room looks so alien. Teal'c assures her that his first reaction was the same, but over time it has become....home. Carter asks if Linea can be given quarters on the base. She says she has brought back samples of Linea's root. Hammond says he will take it into consideration.

****

Carter shows Linea the base computers and shows her how to represent atomic structure on the screen. Linea says she will give her the basic formula of her activator and asks if Carter can create a model of its structure.

****

In the meantime O'Neill, Daniel, and Teal'c are in debriefing with General Hammond.

Jack: "Of course, that was about the time Daniel picked a fight with this strong...smelly guy. He actually won."

There is a knock at the door. SG3 comes in with Simian, the former blind man, whom they found lurking near their base camp. "First thing I see...the destroyer of worlds. She created a sickness...the one you call Linea, she, the destroyer," are his first words to Hammond. She told Carter they was a plague and that she'd offered to help. "Not help," the former blind man says. "She started it."

****

In the lab Carter and Linea are constructing the activator molecule model. Carter tells Linea of the Stargate network and shows her the information about the address codes on the computer. "I'm in your debt Samantha," Linea says, "this shall not be forgotten." With those words she raises her hand, holding the same device that killed Vishnoor, and uses it to render Carter unconscious.

****

Simian tells Hammond their island states were at war. Linea created a terrible sickness she would not get herself. Half the people died. She came promising to save the rest, but by then it had spread and destroyed half the population of the world.

****

While they are talking Linea is studying the information the computer holds concerning the Stargate system.

****

The gate activates. The room is sealed, and they cannot override the system. None of their systems will respond. Carter has come to, but Linea was gone. The blast door opens revealing Linea on the threshold. The self destruct countdown is running. They can't do a thing because Linea got into the computer and altered its command structure. Linea looks over her shoulder once, then passes through the gate and as the self destruct countdown stops. Before they can re-dial the coordinates Linea gated to the entire system crashes. On the screen are two sentences. "Thank you for your kindness. All debts have now been paid."

Carter: "We let her out,"
Daniel: "The destroyer of worlds."

< back to index
< last episode
next episode : gamekeeper >