The Kindred, Part 2/Transcript

Episode Guide
SGA 4.19 "The Kindred Part 2" Episode Guide

Transcript
PREVIOUSLY ON STARGATE ATLANTIS

[Excerpts from SGA 4.18 "Kindred Part 1" are shown.]

END EXCERPTS

TEASER

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS ISOLATION OBSERVATION ROOM

[Ronon, Sheppard, and McKay stare down into the room.]

RONON It's just weird.

[They watch as medical staff in hazmat suits check Beckett out.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS ISOLATION ROOM

KELLER (with weak smile) I'm&hellip;sorry about all this, Doctor.

BECKETT That's all right. I realize there's a protocol when dealing with someone who's been a prisoner for a long time. In fact, I wrote it. Although if you take much more blood, I think I might faint.

[He looks at the blood vial being drawn.]

KELLER (with reassuring smile) That's the last batch.

BECKETT You should also check for trace narcotics. Michael was giving me regular injections of some sort of drug cocktail. Mostly sedatives, I think.

[Keller nods nervously.]

KELLER All right.

[Beckett smiles up at the trio watching him.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS ISOLATION OBSERVATION ROOM

SHEPPARD You sure he's not a Replicator?

MCKAY No, scans would've picked it up right away.

SHEPPARD Then who the hell is he?

MCKAY I don't know! Look, I'm as freaked out about this as you are!

SHEPPARD You don't really think it's him, do you?

MCKAY No. Well, I mean&hellip;maybe. Look, so we've ruled out advanced robotics, that still leaves us a-a half a dozen possible other explanations.

RONON Like?

MCKAY Well, like alternate timeline, parallel universe, cloning&hellip;you know, take your pick.

SHEPPARD Just another day in outer space.

MCKAY Yeah.

[Keller enters.]

KELLER Well, we've completed the preliminary exam.

MCKAY And?

KELLER Every test we've run confirms it. That man down there is Doctor Carson Beckett.

END TEASER

OPENING CREDITS

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS ISOLATION ROOM

[Beckett paces the room. McKay enters.]

BECKETT (pleased) Rodney!

MCKAY Carson. So sorry I haven't come by before now, it's been&hellip;pretty hectic here the last few days.

BECKETT That's all right. I understand. Any word on when I can get out of here?

MCKAY That might&hellip;take a little time.

BECKETT (nonplussed) Oh. Really.

[McKay breaks into a smile and puts out his hand.]

MCKAY God, it's good to see you.

[Beckett shakes it.]

BECKETT Think about how I feel. I'm the one that's been a prisoner for almost two years.

[He sits. McKay sits in the chair across from him.]

MCKAY Two years?

BECKTT Aye. Since M8G-352. The planet where we left Michael and the other converted Wraith.

MCKAY (nonplussed) Right. That's where you were captured.

BECKTT Well, yes. You do remember, Rodney?

MCKAY Yes, yeah, I just&mdash;. Well, we need you to fill in some of the details.

BECKETT Oh, well, all right. Well, as you may have already guessed, the treatment was less than a hundred percent effective.

FLASHBACK

[Scenes from SGA 3.02 "Misbegotten" are shown, of the Wraith conversion process.]

BECKETT (voiceover) Despite the daily injections, some of them began to revert, including Michael. I think they may have used their Wraith telepathic abilities to summon a hive ship, but I can't be certain. All I know is, I was being interrogated by Michael, then he must have given me an injection of some kind, because the next thing I remember, I woke up on another planet.

END FLASHBACK

MCKAY Why'd he take you prisoner?

BECKETT He wanted help with his research, combining Wraith and human DNA. Of course, I refused at first. But then, one day, he brought another prisoner into my cell&mdash;a young lady, couldn't have been more than twenty years of age. And he killed her in cold blood right in front of my eyes. He said every day I refused to help, he'd kill another just like her. From that moment on, I cooperated.

[McKay looks heartbroken.]

MCKAY Carson, I'm-I'm so sorry.

BECKETT It wasn't easy. I'll admit, at times I almost gave up hope. But that's when I thought about you, Colonel Sheppard, Teyla, and the rest of the team. I knew you'd be out there somewhere looking for me.

[McKay can no longer look at Beckett.]

MCKAY Yeah&hellip;See, the thing is&hellip;we weren't.

BECKETT Weren't what?

MCKAY We weren't looking for you. We didn't even know you were missing.

BECKETT Excuse me?

MCKAY We went back to M8G-352. We&hellip;rescued you from Michael. I mean, he got away, but we got you back to Atlantis, safe and sound.

BECKETT (affronted) What in the hell are you talking about?

MCKAY Well, obviously not you-you, but another you. Another&hellip;Carson Beckett.

BECKETT Is this a joke?

MCKAY I wish it was.

BECKETT You're telling me there's another Carson Beckett walking around this base.

MCKAY Well, no.

BECKETT (exasperated) Rodney!

MCKAY He came back from the planet. He resumed his duties. Everything went back to normal. Then, about six months later&hellip;he was killed in an explosion. To us, you weren't missing, Carson. You-you were dead.

[Beckett is stunned.]

INT&mdash;CARTER'S OFFICE

[Sheppard and Carter head from the Control Room towards her office.]

CARTER Have you spoken to your Wraith contact?

SHEPPARD He claims he's given us everything he knows about Michael, but uh, I assume he's lying. Until we can come up with something that he can use, he's not much good to us.

CARTER So we need to find our intel somewhere else.

SHEPPARD That's what I wanted to talk to you about.

[Carter sighs.]

CARTER You mean Beckett.

SHEPPARD He has been inside Michael's operation, and he may know something.

CARTER Or he could have been planted there for us to find. Look, for all we know, this whole thing could be a setup.

SHEPPARD Oh sure, anything's possible.

CARTER (sympathetically) John, the Carson Beckett you knew was killed. You were there; you all were. I'm sorry to say it, but you need to remember that.

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS ISOLATION ROOM

MCKAY I know this is a lot for you to take in&hellip;

BECKETT Aye, you're damn right it is! First you tell me I'm not the only Carson Beckett, and then you tell me the other one died in a horrible explosion! Oh my God. My mother! You didn't tell her, did you?

MCKAY Well&hellip;yeah.

BECKETT Good lord!

MCKAY You were dead! I mean, I'm sorry to be blunt, but we buried you. I mean, there was a memorial service at her church. I was there.

BECKETT (half-hysterical) This can't be happening! I have to get back there. I have to talk to her!

[The both stand.]

MCKAY No, you can't! I mean you have any idea what kind of effect that could have?! I mean, besides, what are you going to say to her?

BECKETT I'll say the Air Force made a bloody mistake, that's what I'll say!

MCKAY (placating) Carson&hellip;

BECKETT No, Rodney, this is too much! Get Doctor Weir in here! I need to speak to her right now!

[McKay is speechless.]

BECKETT What?

MCKAY I can't do that.

BECKETT Why not?!

MCKAY (quietly) She's dead, Carson. She was killed by the Replicators. Sacrificed herself to save the rest of us. I'm sorry. I-I don't know what else to say.

[Beckett sits back down.]

BECKETT (brokenly) You know, for the better part of two years, I imagined what it would be like the day I finally got back to Atlantis. This isn't exactly how I pictured it.

EXT&mdash;ABANDONED CITY, DAY

[Michael's ship is parked by the city.]

EXT&mdash;CITY STREETS, DAY

[Michael, Teyla, Kanaan and other guards walk the streets of the city.]

TEYLA What is this place?

MICHAEL Just another dead world. Destroyed by the Wraith. Abandoned by the survivors. Forgotten by both. A perfect place to conduct my work.

INT&mdash;WAREHOUSE

[He leads Teyla to a large door.]

MICHAEL Open it.

[His minions unlock and open the door.]

MICHAEL I'll leave you to get reacquainted.

INT&mdash;WAREHOUSE CELL

[Teyla enters. Several people rise at her approach.]

HALLING Teyla?

[Teyla turns to see Halling coming down a staircase.]

TEYLA Halling?

[They reach out and greet each other in the Athosian manner, foreheads touching.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS INFIRMARY

[Carter approaches Keller.]

CARTER What have you got for me, Doctor?

KELLER I think I've solved the mystery. You know what a telomere is, Colonel?

CARTER It's part of a human chromosome, right?

[Keller leads her to a monitor.]

KELLER Yeah, that's right. Each time a cell divides, the chromosome is torn apart and rebuilt. And in the process, a small amount of the telomere gets used up. As a result, telomeres become&hellip;shorter over time. The more we age, the shorter they get.

CARTER And this is Doctor Beckett's?

KELLER Yeah. According to the scan, his telomeres are thirty percent shorter than they should be for a man of his age. The only explanation is that the original DNA came from an adult cell, one where the telomeres had already started to degrade.

CARTER (wincing) So&hellip;

KELLER You can forget parallel universes. He's a clone.

[Carter sighs.]

INT&mdash;WAREHOUSE CELL

[Teyla sits with Halling and another woman on some crates.]

TEYLA I did not ever think I would ever see you again.

HALLING Nor did we. I just wish it were under happier circumstances.

TEYLA Where are the rest of our people?

WOMAN They were taken.

TEYLA Taken?

WOMAN To be experimented upon. Converted into one of those&hellip;things.

TEYLA How long has this been going on?

HALLING For months. Since the day of our arrival.

WOMAN (gently) Kanaan was one of the first.

TEYLA I know. I saw him on Michael's ship. But I did not realize it had happened to so many. I am so sorry. I should've been at the village the day you were captured.

HALLING There was nothing you could've done. Fifty men armed with stunners infiltrated our village under cover of night. We were taken completely by surprise.

WOMAN These four walls have been our prison ever since.

TEYLA You must not abandon hope. The people of Atlantis know of my disappearance, and they are looking for me. It will not be long before they come to our rescue.

WOMAN That is a very pleasant thought. But until today, we held out the same hope about you.

[Teyla sighs.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS INFIRMARY

[Beckett is shown the results. McKay, Keller, and a marine are nearby.]

KELLER I know you would want to&hellip;see the results for yourself.

BECKETT And you're certain it's from my sample?

KELLER I ran the test myself, twice. There's no mistake. I'm sorry.

MCKAY It doesn't matter.

BECKETT Well, that's easy for you to say, but you're not the one who just found out he was made in a test tube.

MCKAY As far as I'm concerned, one of the best friends I ever had just came back from the dead. I'm not going to quibble over a couple of&hellip;telomeres!

BECKETT Thank you kindly for that, but it still doesn't change the fact that I'm not the "real" Carson Beckett.

MCKAY No, no you're not! Because the real Carson Beckett wouldn't be standing here feeling sorry for himself. He'd be trying to figure out how to try and help us!

BECKETT I'm willing to do whatever I can, Rodney, but I'm not so sure that my help would be wanted.

MCKAY (blankly) Why wouldn't it be?

[Beckett turns and looks at the marine guarding him. Rodney finally understands.]

INT&mdash;CARTER'S OFFICE

[McKay and Sheppard are with Carter.]

CARTER We're talking about someone who was for all intents and purposes, manufactured by one of the most dangerous individuals we've ever come across. Fundamentally, he's not that different from those hybrids, and I doubt very much we'd be arguing about whether we can trust them.

MCKAY But there's no denying the fact that he's no ordinary clone. I mean, somehow, Michael has managed to reproduce his&hellip;memories, his thought processes, I mean, his personality! I've spent some time with him, and I-I'm telling you, he's Carson!

CARTER It doesn't necessarily mean it's safe to act on any information he might give us. Look, he may genuinely believe that he's helping us, and still be playing right into Michael's hand.

SHEPPARD She's got a point, Rodney. What exactly is he offering?

MCKAY He knows the layouts of at least, uh, four facilities that Michael has on different planets. Apparently he likes to move around a lot, stay one step ahead of the Wraith.

SHEPPARD What about 'gate addresses?

MCKAY Well, they blindfolded him every time they moved him, so he couldn't see the DHD. Although, he did catch a glimpse of an address dialed by one of Michael's, uh, mercenaries. That could be a place to start.

[Carter and Sheppard exchange looks.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS GEAR-UP ROOM

[Sheppard's team and another team gear up. Beckett is also there, gearing up anxiously. McKay looks worried.]

BECKETT Go ahead, Rodney. I'll catch up.

[McKay takes his radio and leaves with the other team. Ronon also goes, barely glancing at Beckett as he leaves. Only Sheppard and Beckett are left. Beckett looks as Ronon passes.]

BECKETT (to Sheppard) Is he ever going to say a word to me?

SHEPPARD You gotta give him a break. He's not good dealing with this sort of thing.

BECKETT What sort of thing?

SHEPPARD Oh, you know. Clones. Duplicates. People coming back from the dead. We went through this with Elizabeth.

BECKETT Rodney told me. It must be difficult.

SHEPPARD He'll come around.

BECKETT Aye.

[Beckett struggles to put on his pack. Sheppard helps him.]

BECKETT Thank you. I must be a wee bit rusty.

SHEPPARD You're not rusty, Doc. You were just never very good at this.

BECKETT Fair enough.

[They start to leave. Beckett holds Sheppard back.]

BECKETT John, I just want to say, thank you&hellip;for trusting me. You'll have no regrets.

[He taps him on the chest reassuringly and starts to leave.]

SHEPPARD Doc?

BECKETT Aye?

SHEPPARD You forgot your radio.

[He tosses it to Beckett. Beckett catches it and waves it around.]

BECKETT No regrets.

WORMHOLE EFFECT

EXT&mdash;VILLAGE, NIGHT

INT&mdash;VILLAGE TAVERN

[The Lantian team enter the tavern. Everyone falls silent, watching the newcomers.]

SHEPPARD (under his breath) Just in time for happy hour. (to barkeep) I was hoping maybe you could help us. We're looking for a friend of ours who's been know to stop in now and then?

BARKEEP You've come to the wrong place.

MCKAY We haven't even told you what he looks like.

BARKEEP You misunderstood me. No one here cares what he looks like. You've come to the wrong place if you're looking for information.

[Sheppard leans over the bar.]

SHEPPARD (sotto voce) Look, I know you're trying to keep up appearances here for your friends, but, uh, I think we can make it worth your while.

BARKEEP I think it would be best if you turn around and be on your way.

[Ronon looks keenly at an open doorway on the second story.]

RONON Gun!

[The team scatters, taking cover. The barkeep is riddled with bullets.]

SHEPPARD That's P-90 fire!

[Sheppard and Ronon return fire, Ronon catching the shooter when his clip is empty. The shooter falls over the balcony to the first floor. Beckett immediately rushes over, checking him for injuries.]

MCKAY Is he dead?

BECKETT No, but we need to get him back to Atlantis as soon as possible.

[Sheppard exchanges looks with his teammates.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS GATE ROOM

[Carter waits by an active wormhole. Keller and a medical team arrive with a gurney.]

KELLER What is it?

CARTER Colonel Sheppard's team is coming back. They've got injuries.

[Sheppard's team arrives. The other team carries the injured man on a stretcher.]

CARTER What happened?

SHEPPARD Someone took a shot at us with a P-90. We're okay, but, you know&hellip;he took a little header off the balcony.

CARTER A P-90? Where'd he get it?

SHEPPARD That's the question.

[Beckett takes charge of transferring the injured man to the gurney.]

BECKETT On three, one, two, three, up.

[Keller starts to examine the man.]

BECKETT GSC 6. Respiration 16, Pulse 150. Blood pressure 70 over 30. I applied pressure bandages at the scene.

[Keller nods, peeling away some of the head bandages to look at him more closely. She back up in surprise.]

BECKETT What is it?

KELLER I know this man. His name's Nabel. When Teyla and I went to New Athos, he was there. He tried to kill us!

[Sheppard and Carter exchange looks. Beckett starts to lead the team wheeling Nabel out.]

BECKETT That's all right, love. He's unconscious now. And for the time being, in desperate need of our attention. You can confront him later. Right now, we need to save his life. Let's go, lads.

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS OPERATING ROOM

[Keller and Beckett are among the team prepping for surgery.]

KELLER Blood pressure?

MARIE Fifty over forty.

KELLER It's dropping. We need to stop this bleeding. I need suction! Let's prep for a C-spine x-ray.

BECKETT What can I do?

KELLER Grab some clamps and get busy.

BECKETT Right.

[Beckett heads over to a medical tray. As he bends over, he gets dizzy.]

KELLER I'm guessing some pretty severe lacerations&mdash;

[Beckett faints, knocking over the tray as he falls.]

KELLER Carson?!

[Keller immediately goes to him.]

KELLER Get him to a bed, now!

[Some of the medical team lift him out of the operating room as a worried Keller goes back to treating Nabel.]

INT&mdash;CARTER'S OFFICE

[Carter speaks with Ronon, Sheppard, and McKay.]

CARTER It was Doctor Beckett's idea to go there.

SHEPPARD Well, if we hadn't have gone, we wouldn't have captured one of Michael's operative.

CARTER You also wouldn't have been nearly killed in an ambush!

RONON It wasn't that bad.

[Carter shoots him a skeptical look.]

RONON It was one guy.

CARTER Firing at you with one of our own weapons!

MCKAY He was Michael's spy in the Athosian village! Look, he got the P-90 from the weapons cache we left there.

CARTER It doesn't change the fact that you were led into ambush, intentionally or not.

KELLER (over radio) Colonel Carter, this is Doctor Keller. You'd better come down to the infirmary. There's a problem with Doctor Beckett.

[Carter gives the others a look.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS INFIRMARY

[Carter, Sheppard, McKay, Ronon, and Keller stand over Beckett's infirmary bed. He is unconscious and wearing an oxygen mask.]

KELLER After he collapsed, I did a scan and found evidence of necrosis in several of his internal organs. His cells aren't renewing fast enough to sustain tissue function.

CARTER Any idea why?

KELLER (shaking her head) I can only assume it's a complication due to the fact he's a clone. I've given him a course of&hellip;treatment to try and stimulate cell growth, but&hellip;it's a bit like trying to find a cure for old age.

SHEPPARD What are you saying?

KELLER On the outside, he looks fine, but&hellip;on the inside, well, he's&hellip;he's dying.

[Later, Beckett is conscious. The oxygen mask has been removed and the bed inclined so he's sitting up. McKay and Keller are at his bedside.]

BECKETT My lord. No wonder I've felt like a dog's breakfast ever since I got here.

KELLER I'm sorry, Carson. I wish there was something we could do.

MCKAY Why is this happening now?

KELLER What do you mean?

MCKAY Well, you survived for almost two years with Michael. I mean, shouldn't you have felt some kind of effects from this condition before now?

KELLER Well, that's a good point. Don't take this the wrong way, but at the rate your cells are deteriorating, you should've died a long time ago.

[Beckett thinks back.]

BECKETT (realizing) The weekly injection he gave me. He said it was a sedative meant to keep me from trying to escape. But it must have been some kind of drug&hellip;to keep my cells from deteriorating.

KELLER Well, you obviously don't have any of it with you.

BECKETT No. Michael administered it himself, one dose at a time. But when Colonel Sheppard's team rescued me, it had only been four days since my last injection. Now, assuming it takes a full seven days to break down&hellip;

KELLER We scanned you when you got here.

BECKETT Exactly. And if the scanner was able to pick it up, we might be able to isolate it and create more. We need to get started right away.

[He starts to get out of bed. Keller pushes him back.]

KELLER Whoa, whoa, whoa! Where do you think you're going?

BECKETT We have work to do!

KELLER No, I have work to do. You need to stay in bed. The less you exert yourself, the better.

BECKETT You don't seriously expect me to lie here and be useless when my own life hangs in the balance, do you?

[Keller looks to McKay, who shrugs.]

EXT&mdash;MICHAEL'S SANCTUARY, NIGHT

INT&mdash;WAREHOUSE CELL

[Teyla, sitting near the door, hears footsteps outside. She goes and looks out. Kanaan stands there.]

TEYLA Kanaan, look at me.

[Kanaan reluctantly looks over.]

TEYLA You know who I am. I do not know what Michael has done to you, but I do know that, deep down, part of you is still the man I remember. I need your help.

[Kanaan moves closer. Teyla looks back at the other Athosians.]

TEYLA We&hellip;need your help. If we do not find a way out of here quickly, Michael will force on us what he has forced on you. Our child will be born soon, and when he is, Michael will take him to use for some terrible purpose. You must not let that happen.

[There is a distant clang. Kanaan hurries away.]

TEYLA (emotional) Kanaan, wait!

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS INFIRMARY

[Keller and Beckett work side by side. Beckett looks away from the microscope he's been using.]

BECKETT I'm going cross-eyed.

KELLER It's gotta be in here somewhere. We must be missing something.

BECKETT We've been over everything twice. Maybe the drug breaks down faster than we thought.

[Keller's computer beeps.]

KELLER Wait a minute.

BECKETT What?

KELLER Unidentified polypeptide chain. The scan found it in one of your kidney cells.

BECKETT Try scanning it for traces of Wraith DNA.

[Keller does so. The computer monitor displays an identified match.]

KELLER My god. It must be a Wraith enzyme of some sort.

[The computer starts spitting out screen after screen of data.]

KELLER But it's enormously complex. It's not going to be easy to duplicate.

BECKETT (gulping) Right then.

[He gets back to work.]

INT&mdash;WAREHOUSE CELL

[Teyla and the others are awakened by the door clanging open and some of Michael's worshippers entering. They look around. Teyla looks ready to do battle but Halling holds her back.]

HALLING Do not incite them!

[The lead worshipper's gaze alights on Teyla. He points.]

GUARD Her!

HALLING No! You will take me instead.

[He steps in front of Teyla. One of the guards backhands him, knocking the weakened man to the floor.]

TEYLA Halling!

[She and others go to help him. The worshipper guards pull Teyla back.]

TEYLA No!

[She resists but can't shake their firm grip. Halling struggles to his feet, but is still winded.]

HALLING No! No! No! Ach!

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS INFIRMARY

[Beckett is looking through a microscope. Keller gives some tests to Marie.]

KELLER Just let me know when you have test results on those.

MARIE Okay.

KELLER Thanks.

[Beckett sighs and winces.]

BECKETT Damn it.

KELLER What is it?

BECKETT See for yourself.

[He moves so she can look through the microscope.]

KELLER (disappointed) The primer's not annealing to the DNA template.

BECKETT There's too many contaminants. We're back to square one.

KELLER I'm sorry, Carson, but we've only been at this for a little while. I mean, you knew it wasn't going to be easy.

BECKETT I was hoping for a breakthrough by now.

[He winces and grimaces in pain.]

KELLER Carson?

BECKETT (through pained breaths) It's all right. I'm okay.

KELLER No, you're not. Your condition's getting worse.

[Beckett weakly clambers back onto his stool.]

BECKETT I'll be fine. It was a just a wee bit of a dizzy spell. Now, get me some of those PCR tubes, will you? Please.

KELLER You can't just ignore this.

BECKETT What else can I do?

KELLER We could halt the deterioration of your cells in a stasis pod.

BECKETT Oh, no. You're not putting me in one of those things.

KELLER But it makes sense! I mean, that way, when I figure out how to fix this&mdash;

BECKETT What if you can't? I'll be stuck in that bloody machine for God knows how long.

KELLER Isn't that better than trying in vain to solve this while the clock's ticking away on your own life?

BECKETT (stubbornly) No.

INT&mdash;MICHAEL'S LAB

[Several individuals lie in strange glass stasis pods. In the center of the lab, Teyla lies strapped by her wrists and ankles to a table that is inclined at a forty-five degree angle. She hears a noise behind her.]

TEYLA (nervously) Michael? Is that you?

[Kanaan steps forward into her line of vision.]

TEYLA (pleading) Kanaan. Quickly, you must release me. Michael will be here soon. He will do to me what he has done to you. Please! I can help you escape. All of you.

[Kanaan has been looking around as Teyla speaks. He looks closer at Teyla as if seeing her for the first time.]

KANAAN Teyla?

TEYLA (tearfully) Yes! It's me.

[Kanaan reaches out and touches her stomach, sighing in wonder. He tries to pull off her wrist restraints. Unable to move them, he grasps a knife from nearby to use as a lever.]

TEYLA (encouraging) Yes. That's it.

[Kanaan suddenly stops, standing as if frozen, hiding the knife from view.]

TEYLA Kanaan? What is it?

[Michael storms into the room. He appears surprised to see Kanaan beside Teyla. He studies them both closely. Kanaan meets his gaze.]

MICHAEL (to Kanaan) Leave us.

[Kanaan leaves.]

MICHAEL Now&hellip;let's get started.

[Teyla looks very afraid.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS RECOVERY ROOM

[Nabel is conscious. Keller and Sheppard's team stand over him.]

NABEL I see you've once again opted to save my life.

KELLER (coldly) It wasn't an easy decision, let me tell you.

SHEPPARD The only reason she did is because we need information.

NABEL About Michael. Yes, I know. Too bad you wasted your effort. You should have just let me die.

[McKay and Ronon exchange amused looks.]

MCKAY (caustically) Why is that?

NABEL Because once Michael finds out I was captured, I'm as good as dead anyway.

SHEPPARD Well, maybe, or maybe not if you help us find him.

NABEL He has spies everywhere. There's nowhere in this galaxy he can't find me.

SHEPPARD Who said anything about this galaxy?

[Nabel looks over, intrigued.]

INT&mdash;MICHAEL'S LAB

[Michael starts powering up some Wraith equipment with a sensor.]

MICHAEL I've had to modify this technology for use with humans. It's crude, but it works remarkably well.

TEYLA (fighting to stay calm) Michael&hellip;whatever has happened between us in the past, I beg you&hellip;do not harm my child!

MICHAEL I wouldn't dream of it. Now, just relax. This won't hurt a bit. Listen.

[He runs the sensor over Teyla's abdomen. A steady pulse sounds&mdash;the baby's heartbeat.]

MICHAEL Your child is healthy. Look.

[An image similar to a 3-D ultrasound appears on the screen. Teyla bites back tears.]

TEYLA (quietly) Why are you doing this?

[He shuts off the device and smiles.]

TEYLA On the ship! Kanaan said "our son would serve the cause." What did he mean by that?

MICHAEL You have the gift. So does Kanaan. Have you stopped to think what that might mean for your son? He is genetically unique. And while I've made a lot of progress with my hybrids, there are still some details that need to be worked out. This child will help me do that.

[Teyla looks at Michael in horror. He turns around and reaches for a syringe, filling it with a green liquid.]

MICHAEL You've taken good care of him. You should be very proud. Even so&hellip;you could probably use a little help.

[Teyla shakes her head in denial.]

TEYLA (begging) Michael, what are you doing? Please.

MICHAEL I need this child. I can't afford to let anything happen to him.

[He injects Teyla's abdomen with the syringe. Teyla braces herself but huffs and writhes in pain.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

[Carter meets Sheppard as he heads to her office.]

CARTER How'd it go?

SHEPPARD Nabel gave up the address. We know where she is.

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CONFERENCE ROOM

[Beckett draws a map of Michael's lab complex on a whiteboard as he briefs Carter and Sheppard's team.]

BECKETT It's one of Michael's bigger facilities. The lab is located in the center of the main building, but it's difficult to find. Not to mention the fact that if he is there, he'll be heavily guarded.

SHEPPARD (sarcastic) Great.

CARTER You're sure this is the right place?

BECKETT (confidently) I definitely recognize the description Nabel gave. Trust me, this is the place&hellip;You should bring me with you.

[Everyone exchanges looks.]

BECKETT This is just a small part of the complex. The place is like a maze. And once inside, it's very easy to get turned around.

CARTER (in dismissive tone) All right. Thank you, Doctor.

[Beckett sighs, then caps his pen and leaves.]

CARTER So, what do you think?

RONON Well, if he is leading us into a trap, it's not going to make much difference whether he's there or not.

SHEPPARD But if he isn't, he could be pretty useful.

MCKAY Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a second. If he goes on this mission, it could kill him. We can't ask him to do this.

CARTER We didn't ask him. He volunteered.

MCKAY (caustic) Give me a break.

SHEPPARD Easy, Rodney.

MCKAY I'm sorry, I'm just a little concerned that we're willing to be so cavalier with his life because we think of him as some kind of a-a cheap copy!

SHEPPARD He's doing it for Teyla. Don't stand there and pretend that you wouldn't do the same thing if you were in his place.

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CORRIDOR

[Beckett walks down the corridor with his escort. Suddenly he doubles over in pain, falling to his knees. The guard helps him back to his feet. McKay, in another side corridor, witnesses this and runs over.]

BECKETT (to escort) It's okay. I'm sorry. I'm all right. Thank you. Okay.

MCKAY Carson!

BECKETT (panting) Rodney. I was just heading in to get geared up.

MCKAY (worried) Look at you. You can barely stand. You don't have to do this!

BECKETT You said yourself the real Carson wouldn't sit around worrying about himself when he could do something to help.

MCKAY (frustrated) The real Carson also never listened to my advice. Look, you don't have to prove anything, certainly not to me.

BECKETT I know that. Don't worry. I'll be fine. (to escort) Let's go.

[They head off. McKay looks very worried as he follows.]

WORMHOLE EFFECT

INT&mdash;WAREHOUSE

[Sheppard's team and Beckett warily enter, weapons at ready. McKay has his scanner out.]

MCKAY I'm reading a bunch of life signs up ahead.

RONON Well, maybe it's the Athosians.

MCKAY Yeah? Or maybe it's a herd of those Frankensteins.

SHEPPARD Doctor?

BECKETT It's this way, I think.

[Sheppard pauses.]

MCKAY (admonishing) Carson.

BECKETT No, no. I'm certain. It's this way.

INT&mdash;MICHAEL'S LAB

[Michael enters with two of his followers. Teyla remains strapped to the table]

TEYLA What is happening?

[The two worshippers stand on either side of Teyla. Michael works with his equipment.]

TEYLA There is a connection between us, Michael. And right now, I can sense your fear.

MICHAEL I wouldn't go that far. Let's call it&hellip;concern.

[Michael turns off the power. The stasis pods where all the people lie go dark.]

TEYLA (worried) What did you do?

MICHAEL I shut them down.

TEYLA (sadly) You mean you killed them.

MICHAEL I can't afford to leave any loose ends behind. Anyway, there's always more where they came from.

[He presses a control which releases the restraints holding Teyla down. Before she knows it, she's being held by the two followers.]

MICHAEL Take her to the ship! We're leaving.

[They drag her away as Michael continues shutting down his equipment.]

INT&mdash;WAREHOUSE

[Sheppard's group enters another room of the warehouse. It is dark and filled with machinery. They are hit with a barrage of gunfire. They take cover and return fire.]

INT&mdash;WAREHOUSE CELL

[From further down, the Athosians hear the firefight. Halling rushes to the door to try and see.]

INT&mdash;WAREHOUSE

[Sheppard's and Michael's men continue to exchange fire.]

SHEPPARD I'm starting to get tired of getting shot at with our own guns.

BECKETT I'm generally not fond of it, regardless of the weapon.

[The two followers are hit. Sheppard's team cautiously breaks cover and heads forward.]

INT&mdash;WAREHOUSE CELL

HALLING Hello? Is anyone there?

INT&mdash;WAREHOUSE

HALLING (from a distance) You must help us!

RONON You hear that?

MCKAY Was that Halling?

INT&mdash;WAREHOUSE CELL

[Sheppard's group runs down a corridor.]

SHEPPARD Halling?

HALLING Colonel! Through here!

[The team runs down to the cell door.]

HALLING Colonel Sheppard, it is very good to see you.

SHEPPARD Likewise, my friend.

[Ronon gets the door open.]

BECKETT Are you all right?

HALLING We're fine, those of us that are left. Teyla said you would come.

SHEPPARD Yeah, where is she?

HALLING Michael has taken her. You must go after her.

SHEPPARD Okay. Take your people. We'll meet you in a little while.

[He points the way out. Sheppard's team runs ahead. Halling herds them out.]

HALLING Everyone, it's the time. Come. Gather your strength. Come through. Everyone!

INT&mdash;MICHAEL'S LAB

[Sheppard's group enters the empty lab. Beckett checks one of the people in stasis.]

BECKETT My God. They're dead.

[Ronon studies the used syringe.]

RONON Sheppard?

[Beckett and McKay stare at the equipment in horror.]

MCKAY You think Teyla&hellip;?

SHEPPARD (fiercely) No, I don't think so, and you don't think so!

[Weapons blasts sing out around them and the four take cover again, exchanging fire. McKay pulls out his scanner to study it.]

MCKAY (shouting to his team members around the room) I don't mean to rush this, but I'm picking up an energy reading. Someone's firing up the ship!

[Ronon and Sheppard continue to exchange fire with the enemy, and McKay helps. Beckett backs away from McKay, running through a side door.]

MCKAY Carson! Carson!

[McKay continues to exchange fire.]

INT&mdash;WAREHOUSE CORRIDOR CATWALK

[The two followers escort Teyla down the catwalk. They are both shot from behind by Beckett. Teyla turns around and looks at her rescuer in shock and bewilderment.]

TEYLA Carson?

BECKETT I know. I'm the last person you expected to see. It's all right, I'm here to help you.

[He steps forward and reaches out to her, but she backs away from him.]

TEYLA It's not possible.

BECKETT I'm sorry. I don't have time to explain. Colonel Sheppard and the others are waiting back at the lab. We have to go&hellip;now!

TEYLA I can't!

CARSON Teyla!

TEYLA Kanaan, the father of my son, he is still here. I am not leaving without him.

BECKETT There's no time.

[He tries to pull her away.]

MICHAEL Quite correct.

[Beckett points his Beretta at Michael, putting himself between Michael and Teyla.]

MICHAEL You should have run when you had the chance, but you let your feelings get in the way.

[Michael takes a step forward.]

BECKETT Stay back, I'm warning you.

TEYLA Shoot him, Carson! Shoot him now!

[Michael smiles and continues forward.]

MICHAEL (staring at Beckett) He doesn't want to shoot me. Or, to be more precise, he'd like nothing more, but, like all of my creations, he is open to my influence.

[Beckett's gun arm shakes with tension.]

TEYLA Carson.

[Beckett struggles but cannot pull the trigger. The struggle is visible on his face.]

BECKETT I'm sorry, Teyla.

[Teyla reaches for the gun, but Michael pulls his stunner out and points it at her.]

MICHAEL Don't!

[She freezes, then steps back. Michael takes the pistol out of Beckett's grip.]

MICHAEL You don't look well, Doctor. You should've stayed with me. I'd give you an injection, but I don't have any with me. Anyway&hellip;you've served your purpose.

[Beckett glares. Michael shoots Beckett with the stunner.]

MICHAEL Time to go.

[Michael drags a sullen Teyla with him.]

INT&mdash;MICHAEL'S LAB

[McKay, Sheppard, and Ronon continue to shoot, but they're at a stalemate.]

SHEPPARD Take a look at the east wall. Those look like gas containers?

[Ronon sneaks a look.]

RONON Yep. Worth a shot.

[They fire on the containers. The tanks explode, wounding the enemy. One still tries to shoot, but is shot down. Sheppard looks around.]

SHEPPARD Where's Beckett?

MCKAY This way.

[He points down the side corridor.]

INT&mdash;WAREHOUSE CAT WALK

[The trio run down the corridor, finding the two dead followers and Beckett lying on the floor.]

MCKAY It's Carson.

[Carson is just regaining consciousness as McKay reaches his side.]

BECKETT What happened?

MCKAY (annoyance masking worry) You ran off, that's what happened.

BECKETT Teyla?

SHEPPARD (anxiously) Did you see her?

BECKETT (crestfallen) Oh, no.

[A rumbling sound is heard.]

RONON What the hell is that?

MCKAY It's the ship.

SHEPPARD Help him down.

[He runs to the exit. McKay quickly follows.]

RONON (to Sheppard) Yeah. (to Beckett) Come on.

[Ronon picks Beckett up by the scruff of the neck with one hand and drags him with them.]

EXT&mdash;WAREHOUSE, DAY

[The team reach the exit just in time to see Michael's ship fly away.]

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, DAY

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CORRIDOR

[Sheppard walks with Carter.]

SHEPPARD We searched the place top to bottom. No sign of her.

CARTER Well for now, we'll have to assume that she's still alive and that Michael has her.

SHEPPARD We've got prisoners. They'll talk. We'll find her.

[They enter the infirmary.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS INFIRMARY

[Keller leaves Beckett's bedside to meet them at the door. McKay stays by Beckett.]

SHEPPARD How is he?

KELLER His body's shutting down. There's nothing more I can do for him. We can't wait any longer.

CARTER Zelenka's prepping the stasis pod.

[Over by the bed&hellip;]

BECKETT I had him in my sights. All I needed to do was pull the trigger.

MCKAY It's not your fault. He made you receptive to the mind link. It's how he controls all of them&hellip;the hybrids.

BECKETT Still, it would have been nice to make a difference.

MCKAY You made a difference. We've got Michael on the run! It's just a matter of time before we catch up with him.

BECKETT Rodney&hellip;

MCKAY Look, don't say anything. Okay? It's no big deal. You're gonna go into the stasis pod until we&hellip;figure out how to fix you.

BECKETT I'm a doctor. I know my own prognosis. Once I go into that pod, there's a good chance I won't come out.

[McKay looks away, sad.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS STASIS ROOM

[McKay checks equipment nervously. Carter, Sheppard and Ronon stand nearby.]

MCKAY (agitated) Right. All set.

[Keller wheels Beckett in. She helps him out of the wheelchair.]

KELLER (still embracing him around the shoulder) Listen&hellip;we're gonna keep working until we find a cure for this thing. I've got a whole team on it. Best people we have.

BECKETT Thank you.

SHEPPARD Either way, we're gonna get the cure, soon as we capture Michael.

[Beckett turns to Carter. She looks at him, holding back tears.]

BECKETT Samantha, there's a letter in my quarters addressed to my mother. Don't worry. I was careful not to give everything away. Tell her you found it after you shipped my things. It's just some thoughts, things I should have said a long time ago.

[Carter nods.]

CARTER (voice breaking) I'll make sure she gets it.

BECKETT Thank you.

[He walks over to Sheppard and shakes his hand.]

SHEPPARD Don't you worry, Doc. We're gonna have you out of there in no time.

BECKETT Colonel, you bring her home now, you understand?

SHEPPARD Count on it.

[Beckett turns to Ronon.]

RONON (choked up) This is exactly what I was afraid of.

BECKETT I know, big man. Sorry.

[Ronon hugs Beckett and steps back. Beckett pauses by McKay who turns away nervously for a moment. While McKay quickly speaks, Beckett continues on to the stasis chamber.]

MCKAY (agitated) Right, well you won't feel a thing&mdash;aside from a-a cool burst when the pod first activates. And now your, uh, life-signs will be monitored on this machine here, 24/7.

BECKETT Thank you, Rodney. (to everyone) I want you all to know, that seeing you again, these last few days, it was all worth it. No matter what happens.

MCKAY (nervously) You know, I was-was&hellip;toying with the idea of-of programming dreams into these things. Interested? I could have you fishing in the Highlands, um,&hellip;with a couple of tall, blond massage therapists?

BECKETT (gently) Rodney&hellip;I'll be fine.

MCKAY That's right, you will be. You know, 'cause this is not goodbye, this is, this is, uh&hellip;this is: "see ya later." That's what we agreed.

BECKETT Did we?

MCKAY That's how I remember it.

BECKETT (buoyed by the optimism) All right, then. See you all later.

[Beckett braces himself. McKay frowns, then activates the controls. Beckett freezes in the stasis. Carter sighs. They all exchange sad looks.]

FADE OUT

END CREDITS

Transcribed for Solutions by Aurora Novarum, January 2009.

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--Michelle 04:03, 14 July 2009 (UTC)