FAIR GAME

Written by Robert C. Cooper

Transcribed By: Dee

TEASER

FADE IN

INT - SGC GATEROOM

General George HAMMOND is standing before a podium at the top of the Gate ramp, addressing a roomful of SGC personnel.

HAMMOND : …fought with valour, with courage, sacrificed for each other, for this country, for this planet. To honour the men and women of the SGC, I present Arthur SIMMS, the Secretary of Defence for the United States of America.

SIMMS takes the stand.

SIMMS : Since the re-inception 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 SG1 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 re-takes the stand as SIMMS step down.

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

The SGC personnel present stand to attention.

HAMMOND(reading from a piece of paper) : From the Vice Chief of Staff of the Airforce. In recognition of Captain Samantha CARTER’S outstanding work, I hereby authorise her immediate promotion to the rank of Major. Captain, step forward.

As a surprised CARTER steps forward, the room breaks into applause. Both General HAMMOND and O’NEILL start to pin onto her uniform the bars of Major.

HAMMOND(to CARTER) : The United States Airforce has recognised that you have fulfilled tasks and duties well beyond the responsibility of Captain. It is with great pleasure that I bestow upon you the responsibilities, the respect and the rank of Major.

CARTER : 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 stand.

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

He abruptly disappears in a flash of light.

HAMMOND : Code 9!

INT - ASGUARD SHIP

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

He stops as he realises he is no longer in the SGC.

Another flash of light and an Asguard appears in a chair opposite.

ASGUARD : Greetings Jack O’NEILL.

O’NEILL : Greetings. Have we met?

ASGUARD : I am THOR.

END OF TEASER

INT - ASGUARD SHIP

The Asguard ship is in orbit around Earth.

THOR : I apologise 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, telescopes. They can see things like spaceships.

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

O’NEILL : Oh. Alright. 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 : Ok, that could be a problem.

THOR : The Asguard 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 Asguard fleet is currently unavailable.

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

THOR : With your permission, the Asguard 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…

He stops as THOR gives him a curious look.

O’NEILL : We 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, but O’NEILL is left behind.

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

The light surrounds him.

O’NEILL : Thank you!

INT - SGC DEBRIEFING ROOM

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

TEAL’C : The Goa’uld fear the Asguard.

DANIEL : Plus I assume the Asguard 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 Asguard.

CARTER The Tok’ra trust them.

DANIEL : They helped Jack out when he got the Ancient’s 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 Asguard truly have our best interests at heart?

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

He is cut off as a bright light appears in the room and THOR materialises.

HAMMOND : Colonel, do we need security?

O’NEILL : No, I’ll vouch for him, Sir. Major Samantha CARTER, Doctor 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 : (surprised) 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 : Alright, now see, that could be a mistake. You see, Doctor 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.

O’NEILL : Well, there you go.

INT - SGC DEBRIEFING ROOM

DANIEL is lecturing the people present on the three Goa’ulds they are expecting. An ancient Greek image of KRONOS 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 : KRONOS is the most influential of the System Lords. It was he who originally banished SOKAR. KRONOS 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 Asguard 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 Emperor’s. 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 you.

DANIEL gives him an annoyed look.

O’NEILL : Sorry.

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

HAMMOND : And the third Goa’uld, Doctor Jackson?

DANIEL changes the picture once more.

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.

CARTER CASSANDRA’S planet.

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

CARTER So we’re gonna let these Goa’uld just…walk in here?

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

The lights in the debriefing room come back on.

HAMMOND : TEAL’C, I would like you to act as liaison to the Goa’uld. Doctor 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 : Ok Doctor 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 Asguard based on your word, Colonel. This is their rule. As a result, the base is completely sealed off from the surface. The Secretary of Defence 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, preparation instruction as laid out by the Asguard. There’s a lot of work to do people and not much time.

INT - SGC STORAGE ROOM

A technician unlocks a safe and removes the Goa’uld artefacts. CARTER hands the Goa’uld ribbon device to the waiting soldier, who gestures at the remaining Goa’uld healing device.

SOLDIER What about that one, Major?

CARTER removes the healing device to show him.

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

INT - SGC CORRIDOR

O’NEILL catches up with General 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 waiting in the corridor.

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 Asguard 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 slowly relinquishes his staff weapon to the SERGEANT.

INT - SGC GATEROOM

The STARGATE finishes dialling as O’NEILL, CARTER and DANIEL join HAMMOND at the bottom of the gate ramp, ready to greet the Goa’uld.

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

The STARGATE opens and KRONOS appears, followed by NIRRTI and YU.

INT - SGC

DANIEL and KRONOS enter one of the VIP rooms.

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

KRONOS : Your idea of accommodation is pitiful.

DANIEL : Well, it’s the best we…

There is a sudden commotion in the corridor outside and KRONOS leaves the room.

KRONOS : What is this about?

TEAL’C, standing before NIRRTI, turns towards KRONOS.

KRONOS : Sholva!

TEAL’C : Onak okar shaki!

KRONOS : Kree’nak aree Sholva!

DANIEL moves to stand between TEAL’C and KRONOS.

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 a damaged surveillance camera.

DANIEL : (cont’d) …security cameras and they’re for your own safety.

TEAL’C : As I was trying to explain.

KRONOS : I will not be spied on upon!

NIRRTI : Nor will I.

DANIEL : Well no offence 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.

KRONOS nods in assent, and NIRRTI and YU also give their permission.

KRONOS : (to TEAL’C) Do not show your face to me again, sholva.

TEAL’C : Kel’ma tokee.

INT - SGC DEBRIEFING ROOM

TEAL’C and DANIEL are walking down the stairs.

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

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 KRONOS. When I was but a child, KRONOS 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, KRONOS 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 KRONOS.

HAMMOND enters the room.

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 : Actually, Sir, I kind of told them it’d be ok. 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 ok?

TEAL’C : I will.

INT - SGC CONFERENCE ROOM

CARTER walks over to O’NEILL who is buttoning up his uniform.

CARTER Just wanted to wish you luck, Sir.

O’NEILL : Thank you Captain. Major.

CARTER Nervous?

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

CARTER Well the Asguard obviously have confidence in you, Sir, as do the rest of us. I know I couldn’t do it.

O’NEILL : Why?

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

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

DANIEL enters the room, followed by KRONOS, NIRRTI and YU.

O’NEILL : Oops.

CARTER (to O’NEILL) Good luck.

As she leaves, the Goa’uld begin to take their seats at the table.

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

THOR appears in a flash of light.

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

THOR The Asguard 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 Asguard proposal.

NIRRTI : Onak arek kree.

KRONOS : Kore’ka asemo!

YU thumps his fist onto the table.

YU : Ko’na kree! Ke’no Asguard!

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

KRONOS angrily gets to his feet.

KRONOS : (to O’NEILL) Go’nak!

He leaves the room, 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 the room.

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 Asguard. 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 futile 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 Asguard 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.

He 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 Asguard will be required to make great sacrifices, as will you.

He disappears in a flash of light.

INT - SGC DEBRIEFING ROOM

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

SIMMS : I take it you apologised.

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.

CARTER 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 the room.

DANIEL : They’re ready.

INT - SGC CONFERENCE ROOM

O’NEILL takes his seat at the table.

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

THOR In return for Earth’s inclusion in the Protected Planets Treaty, Addendum 10815, the Asguard 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 recognised.

O’NEILL : Thank you. (To the System Lords) Are you saying you’re limiting our development?

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

O’NEILL : Excuse me?

THOR Do the System Lords accept the Asguard proposal?

Both NIRRTI and KRONOS give their assent.

YU : The Goa’uld System Lords…accept the Asguard proposal. We demand one additional concession. We order the immediate and unconditional forfeiture of the Tauri STARGATE. Both of them.

INT - SGC DEBRIFING 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 Asguard and peaceful solutions to this crisis must be considered.

O’NEILL : True but…

CARTER (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.

INT - ASGUARD SHIP

O’NEILL is beamed up onto the Asguard ship.

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. 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 it 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 : Alright. 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…

He is cut off as the light surrounds him and beams him away.

INT - SGC HAMMOND’S OFFICE

SIMMS : (speaking on the phone) Yes, I understand.

He replaces the receiver.

SIMMS : We accept the terms.

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

INT - SGC CORRIDOR

VOICE (over intercom) Security to Level 25. Medical team to Level 25. Emergency.

DANIEL starts running towards the area.

SOLDIER (to DANIEL) In here Sir.

NIRRTI and YU are standing in the corridor as DANIEL rushes by.

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

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

He stops outside KRONOS’ room and sees TEAL’C and KRONOS lying unconscious on the floor.

INT - SGC INFIRMARY

FRASIER is checking at TEAL’C’S condition as he lies unconscious in a bed.

FRASIER His vitals are stable, but he took quite a blow to the head. There’s some inter cranial swelling.

O’NEILL : Junior taking care of it?

FRASIER 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?

FRASIER That’s up to him.

O’NEILL : What about KRONOS?

They head over to where KRONOS is lying in a bed.

FRASIER 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?

FRASIER 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.

CARTER rushes in.

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

INT - SGC INFIRMARY

They watch the events leading up to the attack on KRONOS and TEAL’C, captured on the security cameras. They see TEAL’C enters KRONOS’ room.

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

DANIEL : Well NIRRTI and YU are demanding an explanation.

O’NEILL : Do we tell them?

CARTER 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 KRONOS have some pretty heavy history.

HAMMOND : Such as?

DANIEL : KRONOS 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.

CARTER 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.

FRASIER Yes, and if we lie we could make things worse.

HAMMOND : Doctor?

FRASIER Sir, the point is maybe the Goa’ulds can do something for KRONOS that I can’t.

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

CARTER Yes sir.

INT - SGC INFIRMARY

NIRRTI and YU are brought in to see KRONOS, 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 : Alright, 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.

FRASIER He’s dying.

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

DANIEL : Ok, can you use one these?

He hands NIRRTI a healing device, and she passes the glowing device over KRONOS’ body.

She 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 : Ok, we don’t have one of those.

YU : Then we will prepare to leave. Immediately.

He and NIRRTI leave the room.

INT - ASGUARD SHIP

THOR You must let them take KRONOS.

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 Asguard 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 sympathise 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.

INT - SGC CONFERENCE ROOM

YU : We demand that you release us!

NIRRTI : We must leave now and take KRONOS 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 Asguard will not protect you!

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

Half a dozen SGC Soldiers enter the room, armed with guns.

INT - SGC 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 HAMMOND answers it.

HAMMOND : HAMMOND. Thank you.

He replaces the receiver.

HAMMOND : (to the others) TEAL’C is conscious.

INT - SGC INFIRMARY

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

TEAL’C : KRONOS 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.

CARTER 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?

CARTER 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.

CARTER 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 : Ok, she’s dead. Right? Please tell me she’s dead.

CARTER Yeah.

TEAL’C : I did not attack KRONOS.

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…

CARTER Sir, I’d like to try something.

She hurries out of the room.

O’NEILL : (to the others) I wasn’t finished.

INT - SGC INFIRMARY

CARTER is attempting to use the healing device on KRONOS.

FRASIER Are you sure you know what you’re doing?

CARTER I’ve made it work before just not a living…thing.

She attempts to activate the device but it doesn’t work.

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

CARTER You think I don’t want to cure KRONOS 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.

CARTER tries again and this time manages to activate the device. She passes it over KRONOS’ body.

CARTER It worked.

KRONOS opens his eyes.

KRONOS : 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.

KRONOS : That is not possible now. NIRRTI and YU have undoubtedly blamed the Tauri 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?

KRONOS : What do you ask in return?

INT - SGC CORRIDOR

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

O’NEILL : KRONOS 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 Asguard book on dealing with these…Goa’ulds.

DANIEL : You’re gonna bluff.

HAMMOND : Sounds risky Colonel.

O’NEILL : Yes Sir.

INT - 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 KRONOS with that hand device.

NIRRTI : I tried honestly and failed. I was willing to save KRONOS 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 KRONOS during our meeting with the Asguard?

NIRRTI : It’s not true!

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

NIRRTI : Go’tak!

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

O’NEILL : Look out!

He pushes YU to the floor as NIRRTI opens fire on the room.

NIRRTI runs down the corridor to the elevator, but CARTER corners her. Using the TER, CARTR is able to see NIRRTI’S position.

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

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

INT - SGC CONFERENCE ROOM

CARTER and two guards bring in the captured NIRRTI.

O’NEILL : (to YU) KRONOS 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 wound in his arm, then nods his assent.

INT - SGC GATEROOM

The STARGATE activates. KRONOS and YU, NIRRTI held prisoner between them, head up the gate ramp.

O’NEILL and DANIEL are standing at the bottom of the ramp, witnessing their departure. Before he enters the gate, KRONOS turns back to the Gateroom.

KRONOS : 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 like more…interesting.

The Goa’uld System Lords disappear through the gate.

DANIEL : Boy is she gonna get it.

O’NEILL : My heart bleeds.

EXT - ASGUARD SHIP

THOR’S ship leaves Earth’s orbit.

FADE OUT

THE END