Tangent

Tangent is the twelfth episode of the fourth season of Stargate SG-1.

Plot
Teal'c is test-flying the X-301, an experimental USAF fighter assembled from parts of two of Apophis' death gliders (from "The Serpent's Lair") and human tech. It can achieve with virtually no s for the pilots, and even Carter doesn't fully understand how it works. Lt. General Vidrine is impressed (though not as much by O'Neill's sense of humor.)

The next test is aerial combat, with the SGC serving as. O'Neill joins Teal'c in the X-301, but they overshoot the attack run, heading directly out into space. "We are no longer in control of the vehicle. I repeat, we have lost control and cannot eject. Please advise."

Once they're moving at a million miles an hour through space, propulsion shuts down. Apophis' recorded voice states that he installed booby traps (aka recall devices) in his gliders, so none of his betrayers would be able to use his craft, and they would return to his homeworld...after a very long time.

Affected by the time lag it takes for radio signals to reach the X-301, Carter and Major Davis at the SGC - with O'Neill and Teal'c on the glider - collaborate on a plan to them around Jupiter: The rocket motors of the AIM 120A air-to-air missiles, never fired during the weapons test, are still under their control. Unfortunately, the missiles don't have enough thrust and one hits the glider, forcing O'Neill and Teal'c to reduce life support to freezing and very low oxygen levels.

Daniel contacted allies capable of spaceflight. Anise of the Tok'ra throws him a secret bone by saying she will not risk exposing a covert operative on a Goa'uld-occupied world, even though a scout ship is within a day or so of Earth. Carter pinpoints the world, she and Daniel 'gate there and are picked up by transport rings. Fortunately, it is the Tok'ra operative, Jacob Carter, who quickly reigns in his temper (he was preparing to destroy part of the planet) once he realizes his friends' lives are at stake. The ship will reach the X-301 in roughly 24 hours.

With 12 hours of air remaining, Teal'c decides to go into an extremely deep state of kelno'reem, slowing his heart rate, reducing his oxygen consumption. O'Neill asks who he'll talk to. Teal'c renders O'Neill speechless with his depth of feeling and friendship.

Jacob pushes the cargo ship beyond maximum safe velocity, resulting in the hyperspace engines crashing within spitting distance of two Goa'uld motherships. Daniel stalls them by saying he's the Great and Powerful Oz in Goa'uld. They launch gliders in response, but Jacob and Carter repair the engines and the ship is able to re-enter hyperspace.

Upon arrival, Teal'c and O'Neill are asleep, near death. Jacob nudges the X-301 with the cargo ship, waking O'Neill into an amusing but dangerous daze from. Fortunately, he understands enough to wake Teal'c up by throwing something at him. Obeying Carter's instructions, they saturate their lungs with the remaining oxygen, open the glider's canopy, exhale and push away. Five meters from the glider, Jacob rings them aboard. They're both alive.

Notable Quotes
''Directly after the X-301 had entered space ''Colonel O'Neill: Uh, Teal'c, on our six, is that what I think it is?

Teal'c: If you think it is Earth; Yes.

O'Neill: It's shinking.

Teal'c: It's size remains constant, rather it is we who are moving away at extreme velocity.

O'Neill: Jacob, is that you?

Jacob: Yes it is Jack, now do what we tell you.

O'Neill: Do you know your ship's bigger than ours?