Prodigy/Transcript

Episode Guide

 * 4.19 "Prodigy" Episode Guide

Transcript
TEASER

INT&mdash;SGC, GENERAL HAMMOND'S OFFICE

[O'Neill walks up and knocks on the door.]

HAMMOND Come in.

O'NEILL General, I'd like to talk to you about this mission upon which we are about to embark. Seems a bit&hellip;ridiculous doesn't it?

HAMMOND Have you met General Ryan?

RYAN Hello, Colonel.

O'NEILL The General Ryan? Chief of Staff?

RYAN That's right.

[O'Neill looks stunned.]

O'NEILL (low, to Hammond) Shouldn't there have been a memo or something?

HAMMOND You were off world.

O'NEILL Ahh yeah. So what brings you to our little secret base, sir?

RYAN That would be the ridiculous mission you just mentioned.

O'NEILL Of course.

HAMMOND I'm proposing that M4C-862 become a permanent research station. I'd like you to make an assessment.

O'NEILL The General Ryan?

RYAN I've read a lot about you, Colonel, from General Hammond's reports.

O'NEILL Yes, sir?

RYAN Thus far we like your work.

O'NEILL Thank you, sir. I like yours. Your Air Force. The Air Force. I love the Air Force.

HAMMOND Anything else Colonel?

O'NEILL No, sir. Well, actually I'd like to know how Daniel and Carter got out of this&hellip;very important mission?

HAMMOND Dr. Jackson is offworld with SG-11. Major Carter is giving a lecture at the Air Force Academy in theoretical astrophysics. If you'd care to take her place...?

O'NEILL No.

HAMMOND Then you're dismissed.

O'NEILL Thank you, sir. Sirs. Si&hellip;Both of you.

[O'Neill leaves.]

RYAN Got your hands full with that one, eh, George?

INT&mdash;AIR FORCE ACADEMY

[In front of a whiteboard covered in mathematical equations. Carter is giving a lecture.]

CARTER &hellip;so as a result of these modular functions, the unwanted variables are always expressed as multiples of N minus 10. Therefore if we assume the existence of 10 dimensions in space-time, the variables are cancelled out, and the calculations suddenly begin to make sense.

CADET Excuse me, ma'am. Did you say ten dimensions?

CARTER Yes, I did. Look, I realise these concepts are a little bizarre, and that many of you cadets would rather be somewhere else right now, jump school, flight training. Believe me I know. I used to sit in those chairs and listen to the same boring lectures. No offence, Professor.

[The students laugh.]

CARTER But on the other hand, the aerodynamics that are one day going to allow you to fly an F-22, started out as squiggles on a board just like this one. These calculations are the key to opening up the entire universe. Wormholes and hyperspace may seem like science fiction, but take my word for it, the future is a lot closer than you might think.

[The students clap. Students start to leave the lecture hall. One student, Hailey, walks around to look at the whiteboard as Carter is packing her things, talking to Professor Monroe.]

CARTER I guess that wasn't so bad.

MONROE No, no you actually made the topological configurations of multiple dimensions seem interesting.

HAILEY This is wrong.

MONROE What's that, Cadet?

HAILEY I'm sorry, sir, but the calculations are incorrect.

MONROE I appreciate your enthusiasm, Cadet, but perhaps you should wait until you graduate before you start criticising the work of a leader in the field of astrophysics.

HAILEY Yes, sir, of course. My apologies, Ma'am.

[Carter looks at the calculation Hailey was studying.]

CARTER Who was that?

MONROE Jennifer Hailey. Very intelligent, but er, difficult personality.

CARTER Well, she's right.

MONROE Really?

CARTER These variables should be reversed.

MONROE I didn't even notice.

CARTER Neither did I.

END TEASER

OPENING CREDITS

EXT&mdash;M4C-862, DAY

[A temporary camp and laboratory is set up in the sandy foreground. Trees and woodland visible beyond. A purple gas giant takes up half the sky, and there are two moons although it is day. O'Neill and Teal'c approach a small group of soldiers.]

GRIFF Colonel.

O'NEILL Major. Report.

GRIFF Well, we've had a pretty thrilling week. Two days ago Dr Thompson lost his glasses. And just this morning the electron microscope broke down.

O'NEILL Wow.

GRIFF Yeah. Nonstop excitement.

O'NEILL Well, we'll take it from here. You're relieved.

GRIFF Sir.

HAMILTON Major Griff?

GRIFF Dr. Hamilton.

HAMILTON Do you realise that we still haven't received those replacement parts for the back-up generator?

GRIFF I put the requisition in three days ago.

HAMILTON Well, that's just not good enough. We obviously need to have a serious talk about our supply procedure.

GRIFF Well, unfortunately Doctor, I've just been relieved. But&hellip;I'm sure Colonel O'Neill would love to discuss it with ya.

[Griff turns his back on Hamilton and grins at O'Neill, clapping him on the shoulder as his team leaves.]

O'NEILL Love is the word.

HAMILTON Colonel O'Neill, is it? I don't know if this is a military thing generally, or just Major Griff's incompetence, but I can't seem to get anything I ask for.

[O'Neill and Hamilton walk off.]

EXT&mdash;AIR FORCE ACADEMY, DAY

[Cadets jog in formation across the campus]

AIRMAN Your left. Your left. Your left, right, left.

INT&mdash;GENERAL KERRIGAN'S OFFICE

[Carter knocks on the door. Kerrigan is reading a report.]

KERRIGAN Come. (He looks up from his report.) Samantha, Sam. Good to see you again. Come in, sit down, sit down.

CARTER It's good to see you too, sir. Thank you.

KERRIGAN Well, well, well. So, how was the lecture?

CARTER Well, uh, no one fell asleep.

KERRIGAN Very impressive.

CARTER Thank you, sir. I did have an interesting encounter with one of your cadets. Jennifer Hailey.

KERRIGAN Caught your eye did she? I thought she might.

CARTER She pointed out a mistake in a complex equation that changed the result completely. I couldn't believe it.

[Kerrigan hands Carter a report entitled 'Towards a New Cosmology of Multiple Realities.' by Jennifer Hailey. A red D is marked in the spot for the paper's grade.]

KERRIGAN Here, give this a read. Once you brush the chip off her shoulder, she reminds me of another bright young cadet who came through here a few years back.

CARTER I've no idea who you're talking about, sir.

KERRIGAN Cadet Hailey is a very smart young woman, her SATs were through the roof, even higher than yours. Unfortunately she's sometimes too smart for her own damn good.

CARTER Professor Monroe said she has discipline problems.

KERRIGAN The kid's bored. Came here for a challenge but it's not enough for her.

CARTER Not enough? This is just the beginning of her career. How could she possibly know what's ahead for her?

KERRIGAN I know, but she doesn't see it, Sam. Don't get me wrong, I mean, I see her potential, her physical skills are terrific despite her size. She's an expert marksman, superb glider pilot, but that's not all there is to becoming an Air Force officer. If she keeps insisting on doing things her own way, then..

CARTER I'd like to talk to her, if that's okay?

KERRIGAN I was hoping you'd say that.

EXT&mdash;M4C-862, DAY

[Scientists Hamilton and Lee are talking outside the lab next to a MALP.]

HAMILTON Who said that?

LEE He did.

HAMILTON Oh for&hellip;

[Hamilton walks over to O'Neill who is sitting on some crates looking through binoculars.]

HAMILTON Colonel O'Neill, Dr. Lee tells me you've denied our request to conduct a survey of the cave network?

O'NEILL No. I just asked him to wait until I could have a chance to check it out.

HAMILTON With no regard for our timetable.

O'NEILL None whatsoever.

HAMILTON Colonel, what exactly do you expect to find in there?

O'NEILL Look, Doctor, this is another planet.

HAMILTON Actually, it's a moon. We're orbiting that gas giant.

O'NEILL (sarcastically) Oh well, if it's a moon, go ahead, do whatever you want. What could happen?

HAMILTON Colonel, this outpost has been up and running for six weeks now without the slightest hint of anything remotely dangerous.

O'NEILL You can explore the caves once they've been checked out. Any more pressing matters?

HAMILTON None whatsoever.

[Hamilton walks away muttering.]

HAMILTON (to himself, but audible to O'Neill) It's hopeless.

O'NEILL (to himself) Oh yeah?

INT&mdash;AIR FORCE ACADEMY LAB

[Hailey is working on a neon laser beam. Carter walks in, unnoticed.]

CARTER It's beautiful, isn't it?

HAILEY Major Carter.

CARTER At ease, Cadet. Getting in a little extra lab time?

HAILEY Yes, ma'am.

CARTER I wanted to talk to you about the term paper you did for Professor Monroe: 'Towards a New Cosmology of Multiple Realities.' It's an interesting topic.

HAILEY Professor Monroe gave me a D.

CARTER Because it wasn't the assignment.

HAILEY Permission to speak freely, ma'am?

CARTER (nodding) Mm-hmm.

HAILEY The assignment was lame.

CARTER Maybe it was, but it was the assignment.

HAILEY You read it anyway?

CARTER Matter of fact I did. It's intriguing.

HAILEY The same word Professor Monroe used.

CARTER Maybe because that's what it is. An intriguing idea. But it's based on way too many unfounded assumptions to make a valid theory. For example, you assume that matter can travel both ways through an open wormhole.

HAILEY So?

CARTER So, how do you know?

HAILEY Well, until somebody shows me a real wormhole that can only go one way&hellip;

CARTER That's not the point. You made an assumption.

HAILEY (irritated) What about your assumption, Major? That you're the one that's right and I'm wrong?

CARTER Cadet, that paper is way, way beyond anything you're likely to be taught at the Academy. And if you want points for it, hey, we're all impressed. It doesn't mean you don't do the assignment.

HAILEY I'm late for a class, ma'am. Am I dismissed?

CARTER Yes.

[Hailey leaves the room.]

EXT&mdash;WOODLAND ON M4C-862, DAY

[O'Neill and Teal'c are walking through the woods. O'Neill contacts Hamilton on the radio.]

O'NEILL Hamilton?

INT&mdash;RESEARCH LAB

HAMILTON Colonel O'Neill. How are the caves?

EXT&mdash;WOODLAND ON M4C-862, DAY

O'NEILL Dark.

HAMILTON (sarcastically) No subterranean monsters, I assume?

O'NEILL (irked) Not this time. Go ahead and do your survey.

HAMILTON Thank you.

[O'Neill ends the radio conversation.]

TEAL'C You seem disappointed we found nothing, O'Neill.

O'NEILL No it's just you know I wanted him to be wrong just so he'd be wrong. And if he was wrong, then we'd have something to do.

TEAL'C I see.

[There is a noise. Teal'c and O'Neill stop walking and listen.]

O'NEILL You hear something?

TEAL'C Indeed.

[They look around and spot a tiny gold glowing light which flies out of the woodland and circles around them before zipping off through a tree.]

TEAL'C I have never before encountered anything like it.

O'NEILL Cool.

INT&mdash;AIR FORCE ACADEMY LECTURE HALL

[Professor Monroe works at a table at the front. Carter walks into the hall and down towards him.]

MONROE I didn't realise you were still here.

CARTER I wanted to talk to you about Cadet Hailey's paper.

MONROE Sam&hellip;

CARTER Look, at first I agreed with you. It just didn't add up. But there was something about it that kept nagging at me. I finally figured out what it was. The equations don't make sense unless you allow for variations in the speed of light.

MONROE Which is a universal constant.

CARTER Not if you expand the frame of reference to include multiple universes. That's where this paper comes in. I think without even realising it, Cadet Hailey intuitively arrived at a whole new way of looking at cosmology.

[Carter starts to write on the whiteboard.]

CARTER Under certain special circumstances, what we would see as an effect preceding a cause would in fact be an effect following a cause in a parallel reality.

MONROE That's assuming that parallel realities occasionally overlap.

CARTER I'm fairly confident that that's the case.

MONROE Really, why? I know she's got to you, but I think you're trying hard to see something that isn't there.

CARTER All right. Even if this theory ultimately proves to be incorrect, you have to admit that it's a brilliant insight.

MONROE Jennifer Hailey is no longer our problem.

CARTER What do you mean?

MONROE She got into a fight this morning with another cadet. As fond as General Kerrigan is of her, he'll have to expel her.

EXT&mdash;M4C-862 ENCAMPMENT

[The scientists are walking out from the temporary lab.]

LEE Are you sure this is such a good idea?

HAMILTON Hey I didn't come half way across the galaxy to wait for permission to do my job.

LEE I know, but Colonel O'Neill...

HAMILTON Colonel O'Neill doesn't have a clue what we're trying to accomplish here, he's too busy polishing his M-16.

[The scientists unknowingly walk past O'Neill and Teal'c are sitting, who are sitting against some crates.]

O'NEILL Actually, it's a P-90.

[The scientists turn, caught. O'Neill smiles and indicates his weapon.]

O'NEILL You boys going somewhere?

HAMILTON Ahh, yes, we-we were going to go see if we could find that creature you encountered.

O'NEILL Well, apparently you didn't hear me the first time I told you, clearly, and in no uncertain terms, not the heck yet.

LEE You-you know, if your description is correct, we're talking about something that can pass right through solid matter.

O'NEILL Yes, and therefore, logically, we have no defence against it.

HAMILTON This is typical military thinking. You encounter something you don't understand, and you immediately assume it's a threat.

O'NEILL (standing and moving towards Hamilton) Well, until we determine there is no threat, I will assume there is one. Do we have a problem here?

HAMILTON Colonel, with all due respect. Really. When I agreed to this assignment I was under the impression that I was going to be in charge.

O'NEILL You are in charge. Of the other scientists.

HAMILTON That you even think you are even qualified to decide what we can and can't do around here is&hellip;

TEAL'C Colonel O'Neill is indeed qualified, Dr Hamilton, having encountered many alien species, as have I, long before you were born. I strongly suggest you do what Colonel O'Neill says.

O'NEILL Thank you, Rocco. Boys, we'll be in touch.

[O'Neill walks past the scientists towards the woodland. Teal'c follows.]

EXT&mdash;AIR FORCE ACADEMY, KERRIGAN'S OFFICE

[Kerrigan faces the window, then turns to Carter as he speaks.]

KERRIGAN Cadet Hailey was helping to train an underclassman named Chloe Brown who is having problems with her physical fitness tests. Apparently one of the cadre made a derogatory comment about the young lady. Cadet Hailey told him to knock it off.

CARTER And when he didn't?

KERRIGAN She broke his nose.

CARTER She what?

KERRIGAN I can't let that go. I don't give a damn how smart she is.

CARTER She was defending a fellow classmate.

KERRIGAN I know.

CARTER I'm not asking for her to go unpunished, sir. But if she's even half as brilliant as I think she is, we don't wanna lose her.

KERRIGAN We're not here to make advancements in theoretical physics, we're here to defend this country.

CARTER I understand that, sir, but they're not mutually exclusive goals.

KERRIGAN Can I assume you're referring to your research project up at Cheyenne Mountain?

CARTER You can.

KERRIGAN Deep space radar analysis, is it?

CARTER Something like that, sir, yes.

KERRIGAN Umm. Well, I don't know what it really is you're working on inside that mountain, but I do know if you've got something to do with it, then it's high priority.

CARTER Well, thank you, sir, it is. And believe me when I tell you Cadet Hailey is exactly the kind of person we need.

KERRIGAN She'll have to be punished.

CARTER As she should be, sir. But I don't think she's about to go on a rampage beating up upperclassmen.

KERRIGAN (into intercom) Send her in.

[Hailey enters and salutes.]

HAILEY Sir, Cadet Hailey reports as ordered.

KERRIGAN At ease. Major Carter?

CARTER Cadet, I'd like to ask you a few questions. Answer honestly.

HAILEY Yes, ma'am.

CARTER Who the hell do you think you are?

HAILEY Ma'am?

CARTER Do you think you're better than we are? Do you think you're too good for the Air Force?

HAILEY No, ma'am.

CARTER Oh, come on, all those little rules and regulations, they don't really apply to you right? I mean let's face it, what's the point of a chain of command if none of your superiors are as smart as you are?

HAILEY I don't feel that way, ma'am.

CARTER Oh, I think you do. And I think deep down, you want to leave. Let me do you a favour. The door's open. Why don't you just quit and go home?

HAILEY No, ma'am. I won't quit.

CARTER I'm just giving you the chance to walk out before General Kerrigan throws you out.

HAILEY I won't quit.

[There is a slight pause.]

CARTER Good.

[Carter turns to Kerrigan.]

KERRIGAN Cadet Hailey, as far as I'm concerned you've demonstrated a remarkable inability to be a functioning member of the United States Air Force. But Major Carter has a future in mind for you, and I respect Major Carter's opinion. Although the rest of your punishment stands, I'm not recommending dismissal.

HAILEY Thank you, sir.

KERRIGAN You may go.

[Hailey salutes then leaves.]

KERRIGAN Good luck.

[Carter makes a face and groans.]

EXT&mdash;AIR FORCE ACADEMY CAMPUS, DAY

INT&mdash;ACADEMY CORRIDOR

[Carter walks along with Hailey. They stop and face each other.]

CARTER What were you thinking, breaking the nose of an upperclassman like that?

HAILEY Aim high?

CARTER That's not funny.

HAILEY No, ma'am, you wouldn't think so, would you?

CARTER What's this got to do with me?

HAILEY Everything. The great Samantha Carter. You think a day goes by in this place when I don't hear your name? You've gotten the highest mark in every class I've ever been in; you've won every award I've ever been up for. They've been comparing me to you since the day I walked through the door, and I never quite seem to measure up.

CARTER That's it? What, so for the first time in your life you come to a place where you are not automatically the smartest and best at everything you do? Get over it. There are important things at stake.

HAILEY You've got my future all planned out for me as long as I stay here?

CARTER If you're good enough.

HAILEY Like what? Flying a transport plane if I'm one of the lucky ones? I don't see this exciting future you're talking about, Major.

CARTER Something more incredible than anything even YOU could imagine.

HAILEY (near tears) Yes, ma'am.

[Hailey walks off. Carter calls to her.]

CARTER Cadet. Believe me.

[Hailey turns back and looks at Carter with a skeptical but hopeful expression.]

EXT&mdash;M4C-862 ENCAMPMENT, DAY

INT&mdash;INSIDE RESEARCH LAB

[Hamilton and Lee are examining test tubes.]

HAMILTON Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority. Now how can we do that when the greatest scientific discovery in human history is in the hands of the United States Air Force?

[The buzzing of the alien life form is heard. Lee looks up in shock.]

LEE Oh my God.

[A tiny glowing light is hovering near the ceiling. Hamilton sees it. It flies between them.]

HAMILTON The camera. The camera, get the camera, get the camera.

[The light flies around Hamilton then flies through the metal wall and outside. Lee and Hamilton race after it.]

EXT&mdash;M4C-862 ENCAMPMENT, DAY

[Thompson is working next to the MALP. He spots the light just as Lee and Thompson burst through the doors. They all stop and watch the being as it flies around, then vanishes.]

HAMILTON Come on.

[The scientists run after it into the woodland.]

LEE (into radio) Colonel O'Neill.

EXT&mdash;M4C-862 WOODLAND, DAY

[O'Neill and Teal'c are walking through the woodland.]

O'NEILL (into radio) Go ahead.

LEE (over radio) We just encountered another one of the creatures. We're following it into the forest north of the camp.

O'NEILL (to Teal'c) Let's go.

[O'Neill and Teal'c run towards the scientists' position.]

EXT&mdash;M4C-862 WOODLAND NORTH OF CAMP, DAY

[In a clearing, the scientists are standing watching several of the light 'bugs'. Lee holds a video camera and is taping the entitites.]

HAMILTON Incredible.

[Hamilton walks towards the swarm as O'Neill and Teal'c run into the clearing.]

O'NEILL Hamilton, what are you doing?

[Hamilton is standing among the alien light bugs.]

HAMILTON (smiling) You see, Colonel, they're harmless.

[Hamilton laughs as several of the bugs circle his open palm. O'Neill watches with concern.]

EXT&mdash;CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN, DAY

INT&mdash;SGC BRIEFING ROOM

[Hailey stands in the briefing room looking around with open curiousity. A guard stands near her by the briefing room window. The blast door is shut so she cannot see into the gate room. She notices Hammond watching her through his office window and stiffens.]

INT&mdash;GENERAL HAMMOND'S OFFICE

[Hammond watches Hailey through the star chart etched window gravely. Carter is with him.]

HAMMOND Major, this is a high security area.

CARTER I know that, sir, but she's already checked out security and signed the non-disclosure form.

HAMMOND What did you tell her she was going to see?

CARTER Deep space radar telemetry.

HAMMOND Are you absolutely sure about this, Major?

CARTER General, she is a perfect candidate for the SGC.

HAMMOND (skeptically) Her file says otherwise.

CARTER I've met her, sir. She is brilliant.

HAMMOND Not everyone is cut out to be an Air Force officer, Major.

CARTER Sir, if she can just get one glimpse of her possible future, she will graduate at the top of her class and become an officer worthy of serving under your command. I am absolutely sure about this, sir.

INT&mdash;SGC CORRIDOR, LEVEL 28

[Carter and Hailey are walking through the corridor, geared up for offworld travel. Sound of Gate klaxons sound in the background.]

HAILEY I don't understand. We're underground. Where could we possibly be going?

CARTER You'll see. What you're about to see is probably the best kept secret in the world.

HAILEY You're making me nervous.

CARTER Good. Because from this point on everything you thought you knew about the universe is about to be turned upside down.

[They stop outside Gate room door.]

CARTER You ready?

[An SF opens the door.]

INT-SGC GATE ROOM

[Carter and Hailey walk into the Gate room. The Stargate is dialling.]

HAILEY What is it?

CARTER It's your future. It's called a Stargate.

HARRIMAN Chevron Seven locked.

[The wormhole appears into the room and Hailey jumps.]

CARTER You're looking at the event horizon of a wormhole connecting this Stargate to another identical one on another world forty-two thousand light years from Earth.

HAILEY That's where we're going?

CARTER That's right.

HAILEY How?

CARTER That's the easy part. Come on.

[They step through the Gate.]

EXT&mdash;M4C-862 STARGATE, DAY

[Carter and Hailey exit the Stargate.]

HAILEY What was that? What just happened?

CARTER Your body was particalised in the matter stream and then reintegrated.

HAILEY So this is another planet?

CARTER It's a moon, actually.

HAILEY Doesn't look that different from home.

CARTER Well, where there's oxygen, there's usually plant life, trees, water. There are a couple of differences.

[She gestures upwards with her chin. Hailey looks up and sees two moons. Also seen is a hazy view of a gas giant taking up half the sky. Carter smiles as Hailey looks at the sky in shock. O'Neill walks up to them.]

O'NEILL Hey, Carter. Thought I'd come be your welcoming committee.

CARTER Thank you, sir. How are you?

O'NEILL Ah, the back's acting up a little actually. The knees, you know, always&hellip;

CARTER Sir, I'd like you to meet Cadet Hailey.

[Hailey stands at attention and salutes O'Neill, who casually returns the gesture.]

O'NEILL Cadet. Welcome to 862. How was your trip?

HAILEY It was a&hellip;a trip, sir.

O'NEILL (smiling) It always is. (To Carter) I got something you should see.

[Carter, O'Neill and Hailey approach the lab.]

INT&mdash;RESEARCH LAB

[Carter and Hailey look at a light bug trapped in a container. O'Neill and Teal'c sit behind them. Hamilton stands on the other side of the container.]

CARTER What is it?

HAMILTON We're not sure, but we think it's some kind of energy based life form.

HAILEY That's impossible.

HAMILTON Yeah, that's what we thought but one of them led us directly to the others, which suggests organisation, some kind of intelligence. They also appear to be able to phase through solid matter.

O'NEILL Yeah, Teal'c and I saw one zip right on through a tree. Didn't even slow it down.

HAILEY That's so cool.

O'NEILL That's exactly what I said. I said that.

CARTER If that's the case, what's keeping it inside this cylinder?

HAMILTON That was Dr. Lee's idea. The top and bottom plates are electrified. The field seems to be holding it in.

HAILEY You're not hurting it are you?

HAMILTON Heh. The creature has no physical body, I don't think it's capable of feeling pain.

CARTER But if it's intelligent, it might not appreciate being held in a cage.

O'NEILL Might be time to let this one go, Doc.

HAMILTON Colonel, no, please, we need to study it.

O'NEILL Find another way.

[Hamilton releases the light bug. It vanishes through the ceiling.]

EXT&mdash;M4C-862 CLEARING, DAY

[Thompson uses some monitoring equipment to scan the area of a woodland clearing.]

LEE (over radio) Hey Bill, come in. Any sign of the swarm?

THOMPSON (keying radio) Nothing yet. Looks like they just disappeared.

EXT&mdash;M4C-862 FOREST, DAY

[Lee wanders around the forest path, looking around for more of the creatures.]

LEE (over radio) Listen, they've got to be around here somewhere. Try checking for high frequency spikes.

EXT&mdash;M4C-862 CLEARING, DAY

THOMPSON (keying radio) You got it.

EXT&mdash;M4C-862 FOREST, DAY

[Lee continues to explore the area along the path.]

EXT&mdash;M4C-862 CLEARING, DAY

[A light bug approaches Thompson. He looks up from his equipment, startled to find the creature so close to him.]

THOMPSON Oh, hey there. We're your friends.

[The light bug buzzes near him in an aggressive manner. Thompson stops pointing the scanning equipment at it and raises his hand, palm outward.]

THOMPSON Whoa, whoa, easy, I'm not going to hurt you.

EXT&mdash;M4C-862 FOREST, DAY

LEE (into radio) Bill, you getting anything on the high frequency?

EXT&mdash;M4C-862 CLEARING, DAY

[The light bug goes through Thompson's hand. He drops the scanner. It goes through the center of his body and he grunts and doubles over in pain. More light bugs appear and swarm around. Thompson watches them with increased alarm.]

EXT&mdash;M4C-862 FOREST, DAY

LEE Bill, come in.

THOMPSON (in the distance) Arrrghhhh.

[Lee immediately moves towards the cries.]

EXT&mdash;M4C-862 CLEARING, DAY

[Thompson lies on the ground, attacked by light bugs flying around and through him. He is covered in red marks where the beings have passed through his body. Lee runs into the clearing.]

LEE Oh, God.

[Lee keys his radio.]

LEE Colonel...

[One of the creatures zips through his hand, causing him to drop the radio and cry out in pain. He looks back at Thompson, who is desperately trying to reach towards him from the ground. The creatures continue to zip through Thompson's body. Lee looks around panicked for a moment before running away.]

EXT&mdash;M4C-862 ENCAMPMENT, DAY

[Scientists work on various equipment. Hailey passes them curiously and approaches Teal'c.]

HAILEY Teal'c. Do you mind if I call you Teal'c?

TEAL'C I have no other name.

HAILEY So, I'm guessing you're not&hellip;

TEAL'C Human? Then your guess is correct.

HAILEY Then is this your planet? I mean, moon.

TEAL'C It is not. My home world is called Chulak.

HAILEY Your world? Wait a second, how many places does the Stargate go?

TEAL'C The Stargate network is composed of a great many worlds.

HAILEY Are you serious?

[Lee runs up, clutching his injured arm.]

LEE Colonel O'Neill! Colonel O'Neill! Colonel O'Neill! Help! Colonel O'Neill!

[O'Neill and Carter run out from the lab. Hamilton and others follow.]

O'NEILL What?

LEE (panting) It's Dr. Thompson. Those things are attacking Dr. Thompson.

O'NEILL Where?

LEE Back in the clearing where we first encountered them.

O'NEILL Carter, get them inside. Teal'c with me.

CARTER Go, go, go.

EXT&mdash;M4C-862, DAY

[O'Neill and Teal'c run into the woodland. They find Dr Thompson. He's obviously dead.]

'''INT&mdash;RESEARCH LAB.

[Carter dresses Lee's wound from where the light bug attacked him. Hailey and Hamilton watch. O'Neill bursts inside, Teal'c follows.]

O'NEILL Hey! Just what about my radio transmission did you not understand? Let's go!

CARTER Just finishing up, sir.

HAMILTON What happened to Dr. Thompson?

O'NEILL He's dead. Let's move.

EXT&mdash;M4C-862, ENCAMPMENT, DAY

[They all run outside the lab.]

HAMILTON Colonel. Colonel, we don't know what happened out there, this might be an isolated incident; the creatures may have been provoked.

O'NEILL Maybe. Let me ask you this, why take a chance?

TEAL'C O'Neill.

[Teal'c indicates a massive swarm of the light creatures approaching.]

O'NEILL All right, back inside.

[They all run inside.]

INT&mdash;RESEARCH LAB

TEAL'C These walls will not protect us O'Neill.

O'NEILL Carter, we've got about 15 seconds.

CARTER I don't know, sir, zats maybe?

O'NEILL Maybe?

CARTER Well, I just got here. Zats deliver an electrical charge; they're the only weapon I can think of that we have that might have an effect.

O'NEILL All right, everybody get down.

[Carter, Teal'c and O'Neill activate their zats. Light bugs enter the lab. Carter fires at a group. Another group attacks Hamilton. Teal'c shoots Hamilton, and the bugs disperse. O'Neill fires at another group near the ceiling. The light bugs retreat.]

[Later...]

[Everyone closes the metal slats at the windows. Carter checks various jumper cable connections attached to the aluminium walls. Teal'c watches the door.]

CARTER We've wired up the aluminium walls of this building, when we switch on the current it might create enough of an electrical field to keep them out the same way Dr. Lee's containment vessel kept them in.

EXT&mdash;M4C-862, DAY

[The light bugs swarm outside the research lab. Teal'c spots them and closes the door.]

INT&mdash;RESEARCH LAB

TEAL'C They are returning.

O'NEILL Light it up.

CARTER Stand clear of the walls.

[Carter switches on the circuit breaker, and the metal building is electrified. Occasional zaps are heard as light creatures are repelled outside.]

HAILEY It's working.

CARTER As long as we've got power we're safe.

LEE How long do you think the generator will keep running?

HAMILTON I'm not...I'm not sure.

O'NEILL You're not sure? Who refuelled it last?

HAMILTON Dr. Thompson. I'm sure he filled it sometime this morning.

LEE No, we don't know that.

HAMILTON That would give us another eight or so hours.

TEAL'C But you cannot be certain.

LEE No.

O'NEILL All right, where is it?

HAMILTON It's on the other side of the compound. Down by the creek.

LEE Basically, it could run out at any time.

[Carter, O'Neill and Teal'c study an aerial view map of the area.]

O'NEILL Carter?

CARTER I think I may have a way out of here, sir. The creatures are being held back by the electrical field around the building. What we need to do is create a field big enough to repel them from the entire area.

O'NEILL Yeah?

CARTER The Stargate, sir. It's a giant superconductor. Once activated, the field it generates would be more than enough.

O'NEILL So somebody's got to go down there and dial out.

TEAL'C Anyone attempting to reach the Stargate would most certainly be killed.

CARTER Not necessarily. Now, the human body has an electrical field of its own. Do you remember what happened when Dr. Hamilton was hit by Teal'c's zat fire? The creatures must have left his body because his body's electrical field was temporarily altered.

O'NEILL How long would it last?

CARTER I don't know, sir.

HAILEY Shoot him again.

TEAL'C A second shot from a zat'nik'tel kills.

CARTER It's just a guess, sir. I'm not even sure you would make it to the Gate before you were vulnerable again.

O'NEILL Hey, why'd they attack in the first place?

CARTER I suppose it's possible they were reacting to the capture of one of their own.

HAILEY That's not it.

O'NEILL What?

HAILEY I've been going over Dr. Thompson's astronomical observations. Did you know this moon wasn't even formed from the original accretion disk of the planet?

O'NEILL No. But I suspected.

HAILEY (indicating on a blackboard) Dr. Thompson thinks it was a rogue that got pulled into a highly eccentric polar orbit. A planet's magnetic field emanates from the poles, it's where it's the most intense. According to Dr. Thompson's observations, we entered into the polar phase of the orbit a couple of days ago, about the same time the creatures were first encountered. And they became violent right at the moment we were directly over the pole.

CARTER It's possible, sir.

O'NEILL Go on.

HAILEY Well, we're beyond the point of peak intensity. If we wait, the creatures will go back to the way that they were before.

O'NEILL How long would that take?

HAILEY A couple of hours, no more than that.

TEAL'C The generator will most likely not last that long.

HAILEY We'll hold them off with those phaser things.

O'NEILL (to Carter) What do you think?

CARTER Well, sir, if I'm right and their behaviour is retaliatory, waiting will just make things worse.

HAILEY You're not right. I am.

CARTER You don't know that, Cadet.

HAILEY We know the creatures are affected by electric fields. You think it's just a coincidence that they happened to go berserk just as we're passing over the pole?

CARTER Do you think it's a coincidence that they attacked us en masse immediately after one of their own was captured? Sir, we can't both be right, the theories are mutually exclusive. Now there's certainly evidence to support both but not enough to reach a conclusion.

HAILEY Colonel, please don't just dismiss what I'm saying because you expect her to be right.

O'NEILL It doesn't matter who's right, Cadet.

HAILEY Colonel, you're risking your life for nothing.

O'NEILL Decision's made.

[O'Neill walks off.]

HAILEY How can it not matter who's right?

CARTER If he makes a run for the Gate, he's risking his own life. If he waits, he risks everyone's life.

He can't do that.

[O'Neill prepares to leave.]

O'NEILL As soon as I get the Gate open, head straight for it. Don't bring anything with you.

HAMILTON Oh, no. We can't leave behind weeks of research.

O'NEILL Carter, if he so much as brings a file folder, shoot him.

CARTER Yes, sir.

TEAL'C Are you ready, O'Neill?

O'NEILL No. Give me a warning.

[Teal'c activates a zat and aims at O'Neill]

TEAL'C I am going to shoot you.

O'NEILL I was thinking more along the lines of "on three". One...

[Teal'c shoots O'Neill with the zat. O'Neill collapses to the floor. Lee waves an ammonia capsule by his nose.]

O'NEILL (in a great deal of pain) Two...God, I said on three. God.

[Teal'c and Lee help O'Neill to his feet. He is still disoriented and in pain from the zat blast. Teal'c hands O'Neill a zat.]

TEAL'C Good luck, O'Neill.

O'NEILL Wish me luck.

CARTER Good luck, sir.

O'NEILL Thank you. (indicates the power switch) Go.

[Carter cuts the power to the electrical field. O'Neill opens the door and starts running out of the lab, towards the Gate. Carter switches the power back on in the lab.]

EXT&mdash;M4C-862, DAY

[O'Neill runs through the undergrowth chased by a swarm of the light bugs. He pauses as the light bugs reach him and crouches in defense. Light bugs swarm around him but don't attack. O'Neill arrives at the Stargate and approaches the DHD.]

O'NEILL (into radio) I'm at the Gate. I'm going to start dialling.

INT&mdash;RESEARCH LAB

[Carter and Teal'c exchange concerned looks.]

EXT&mdash;M4C-862,BY STARGATE, DAY

[O'Neill starts to dial the chevrons in. As he dials Chevron Four, the light bugs start to attack him. He drops his zat and dials two more chevrons before falling to the ground.]

CARTER (over radio) Colonel! Colonel!

[A zat blast near the DHD scatters the light bugs. Teal'c stands nearby holding a zat.]

TEAL'C Quickly, O'Neill.

[O'Neill finishes the dialling sequence. The Gate activates. The light bugs vanish into the woodland.]

O'NEILL I'll never complain about mosquitoes again.

[A short time later, the entire expedition arrives at the active Stargate.]

LEE We owe you our thanks, Colonel.

O'NEILL I s'pose.

HAMILTON And I owe you...an apology.

O'NEILL I suppose you do.

[The scientists, O'Neill and Teal'c go through the Gate. Carter and Hailey stop in front of the event horizon.]

HAILEY Is it always like this?

CARTER No, sometimes it gets really exciting.

HAILEY Will I ever find out which one of us is right?

CARTER If you stick around long enough, maybe. Besides there'll always be other planets.

HAILEY It's a moon.

CARTER Okay, you're right about that.

FADE OUT

END CREDITS

Transcript by Kira Rothery, revised by Elfin for Solutions, 07 Mar 03

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--Kylie Lee 05:00, 7 Jul 2004 (PDT)