Harmony (episode)/Transcript

Episode Guide
SGA 4.14 "Harmony" Episode Guide

Transcript
TEASER

EXT&mdash;CASTLE, DAY

EXT&mdash;CASTLE DINING ROOM

[Flora and Mardola toast wine with Sheppard and McKay.]

FLORA And to another fine year of trading.

MCKAY Hear, hear.

FLORA Truly, the medical supplies you have given to us over the past several years have made an immeasurable difference to our people.

MARDOLA Not to mention your warning last harvest that the Wraith were nearby. You saved many lives.

SHEPPARD (modestly) Well, uh, you know.

MCKAY My favorite missions are when we come here to do our trading. And I've said that&mdash;I can prove it. I'm not just&hellip;saying that.

SHEPPARD You don't need to prove it. Uh, you know, actually, we've got to get going.

MARDOLA So soon?

MCKAY Yeah, so soon?

FLORA We were hoping that&hellip;you could stay&hellip;

[McKay's eyes widen.]

SHEPPARD Well, I-I guess we could stay a little longer.

FLORA I hate to&hellip;no, never mind.

MCKAY What is it?

FLORA Well, I wouldn't dream of imposing. You've been so generous to our people already.

SHEPPARD What's the problem?

FLORA Our sister. She's in great need of your help.

MCKAY I didn't even know you gals had a sister.

FLORA We do, indeed.

MCKAY And I imagine she's as, uh, beautiful as you two?

[McKay and Sheppard look intrigued.]

FLORA Even more so&hellip;and she is in great need of guidance.

MCKAY Guidance. That I can do.

FLORA (sighing in relief) You are most generous. Excuse us, for one moment. I'll get her.

[Flora and Mardola leave the room.]

MCKAY Dibs.

SHEPPARD What?

MCKAY I'm calling dibs on the third sister.

SHEPPARD You can't call dibs!

MCKAY Look, we both know that Flora and Mardola have been suckered in by the whole "cliche-heroic" thing you've got going, but, uh, maybe this other sister, maybe her taste in will run more to the, uh&hellip;

SHEPPARD Geeky?

MCKAY I was going to say "cerebral", but who knows? Maybe we'll hit it off.

SHEPPARD I don't need your love life screwing up our trade relations.

MCKAY (smug) I'll try not to break her heart, but, uh, no promises.

[Footsteps approach. Flora arrives.]

FLORA These are the men I was telling you about. Gentlemen, this is our sister, Harmony.

[Mardola and Harmony enter the room. Harmony is very beautiful&emdash;and around thirteen years old.]

MCKAY (disappointed) Super.

END TEASER

OPENING CREDITS

EXT&mdash;CASTLE, DAY

INT&mdash;CASTLE DINING ROOM

FLORA As you know, our mother and queen passed at the beginning of this lunar cycle. A secret, sacred ceremony was held to determine which of her three daughters would succeed her. It was determined that Harmony shall be the new queen.

SHEPPARD Really? Wow. Well, congrats.

FLORA Before she is crowned, all future queens must perform a time-honored rite of passage.

MARDOLA (petulantly) A rite of passage normally performed alone.

FLORA (firmly) It is not written one way or another. And Harmony is so young, it concerns me greatly.

HARMONY I can do it.

FLORA You are very brave, but the trail is difficult. It would bring me great comfort to know that you had someone looking out for you.

SHEPPARD What kind of rite of passage are we talking about, here?

FLORA Deep in the forest lies the ruins of the Great Temple of Laros. Every queen must take a pilgrimage before the end of the first lunar cycle of their selection. Once there, she must meditate on the journey that lies ahead of her, and pray to be endowed with the knowledge and power to govern her people.

SHEPPARD How deep in the forest?

FLORA No more than a day's trek.

MCKAY I see. Yes. No, we, uh, we are very honored, but um, why don't you just have a couple of your own guards escort her?

FLORA (reluctantly) Although it is not written so, our people will expect their new queen to have completed the journey on her own.

SHEPPARD So&hellip;you don't want her to be alone, but you don't want anyone to know that she's getting help.

FLORA Precisely.

SHEPPARD Right. We'd love to lend a hand, but&mdash;

FLORA (flirtatiously) John, our peoples have enjoyed such a fruitful alliance.

SHEPPARD Yeah&hellip;

FLORA One that has greatly benefitted both parties.

SHEPPARD Right&hellip;

FLORA I'd hate to think that one of us would put that in jeopardy over a simple day's walk in the forest.

[Sheppard doesn't know how to respond. She smiles at him.]

SHEPPARD When do we leave?

[McKay sighs with a knowing smirk. Harmony smiles.]

EXT&mdash;PLANET, DAY

[Sheppard, McKay, and Harmony walk through a field.]

HARMONY (excitedly) I must confess, I'm quite looking forward to this. I rarely get to leave the confines of the castle, although I've had much training in forest survival.

SHEPPARD Oh, you have, have you?

HARMONY (confidently) Oh, yes. I have completed three sessions with Nolar Lumsbred. He is one of the greatest hunters amongst my people.

SHEPPARD Three whole sessions, huh?

MCKAY With the Nolar Lumsbred.

HARMONY They were all I needed. I am a quick learner.

SHEPPARD I'll bet you are.

HARMONY Tell me, which one of you is the superior officer?

MCKAY You mean who outranks here?

HARMONY Yes.

MCKAY I'm a civilian. I don't have a rank. But, basically, we're equals.

SHEPPARD Technically, I'm in charge.

HARMONY I thought so. You have all the makings of an excellent leader, John.

SHEPPARD Well, thank you.

EXT&mdash;FOREST, DAY

[Sheppard takes lead as they enter the forest. McKay is finishing a power bar.]

MCKAY You going to eat your PowerBar?

SHEPPARD Yes, Rodney. I told you, you shouldn't have eaten yours so early in the day.

MCKAY I'm starving! Usually Flora feeds us some sort of food when we visit. Come on! You hardly ever eat yours!

SHEPPARD No, Rodney!

MCKAY Well, will you give it to me later when you decide not to eat it?

HARMONY You allow him to question you so incessantly?

SHEPPARD I guess I'm just used to it by now.

HARMONY Would it not be easier to beat him?

MCKAY We don't beat people where we come from.

HARMONY Why not?

SHEPPARD Well, we find it's not very effective in the long run&hellip;unfortunately.

HARMONY Really? You are a truly gentle leader, John. I admire that.

SHEPPARD Thank you, Harmony.

[They have reached a ravine. There is pillars at either side, but no way across the ravine. Sheppard checks a piece of parchment.]

SHEPPARD Isn't there supposed to be a rope bridge here?

MCKAY Well, maybe you're reading the map wrong.

SHEPPARD No, I think it's pretty straightforward. How old is this map?

HARMONY It has been passed down from too many generations to know for sure.

SHEPPARD Okay, I guess that bridge doesn't exist.

[He packs the map parchment into his vest and unclips his pack, leaving it on the trail.]

SHEPPARD You two stay put, I'm going to try to find a safe way across the river.

MCKAY Well, no, wait, wha&mdash;

SHEPPARD Don't worry. I'll be right back.

[Sheppard leaves. McKay and Harmony exchange glances, then McKay walks away to find someplace to sit. Harmony starts rummaging through Sheppard's pack. With a sigh, McKay sits on a mossy tree trunk. Harmony soon joins him; she munches on a PowerBar.]

MCKAY Where'd you find that?

HARMONY John's bag.

MCKAY It-it's not yours.

HARMONY I'm hungry.

MCKAY Well, you can't just take it like that!

HARMONY When I'm hungry, I eat.

MCKAY What's going to happen when Sheppard finds out?

HARMONY Well, he's not going to now, is he?

MCKAY Well, yes he is, 'cause I'm going to tell him.

HARMONY (in dangerous tone) I wouldn't do that if I were you.

MCKAY Yeah, or what?

HARMONY I'm the queen.

MCKAY Not yet, you're not, little sister.

HARMONY Trust me, you don't want to be on my bad side.

MCKAY Right? And what are you going to do? You gonna have me beaten?

[He looks nonplussed at her cold glare. Rallying, he stands.]

MCKAY All right, princess, just&hellip;hand it over!

[She gobbles the rest of the bar and hands him the wrapper.]

MCKAY Oh&hellip;see, now you're in trouble. You just wait 'till Sheppard gets back here, 'cause he's gonna&mdash;

[Sheppard returns from behind McKay.]

SHEPPARD All right, I think I found a place for us to, uh&hellip;

[He spots McKay holding the empty wrapper.]

SHEPPARD Is that my PowerBar?

MCKAY (defensively) She stole it!

HARMONY (affronted) I did not!

MCKAY Oh, what?! You so did! Tell him!

HARMONY I would never do such a thing!

MCKAY The second you were gone, she went into your bag!

HARMONY You are a liar! You are a lying liar!

MCKAY Oh, please, who are you going to believe?

SHEPPARD Well, if she stole it, Rodney&hellip;how come you've got the wrapper?

MCKAY (stammering) Well, bu&mdash;I&hellip;I was trying to take it back from her, and then she wolfs it down and hands me the wrapper!

SHEPPARD (skeptical) Really?

MCKAY (fiercely to Harmony) Okay, you'd better come clean, brat!

[Harmony bursts into sobs and holds out her arms to Sheppard, who grudgingly steps forward to receive her embrace.]

SHEPPARD It's okay, sweetie. Sometimes, he makes me cry, too.

[Her face hidden from Sheppard in this position, Harmony turns, dry-eyed, to McKay and makes a throat-slitting gesture. McKay blinks. Harmony continues her sobbing act.]

SHEPPARD All right, we need to get going here. All right? I found a path.

[He extricates himself from Harmony and leads the way.]

HARMONY (whining) Can I navigate from the map?

[McKay rolls his eyes.]

SHEPPARD Sure, as soon as we get back on the path.

[Harmony schools her expression back to calmness, and shoots McKay a bright, smug smile before passing him. McKay watches, flabbergasted, before setting his jaw and following.]

[Later, Harmony leads the way, studying the map. They reach a fork in the trail.]

HARMONY (uncertain) Now&hellip;we go&hellip;

SHEPPARD Right.

HARMONY (confidently) Correct.

[As they move, amongst the birds calling is the sound of a deep growl. McKay and Sheppard instantly raise their weapons.]

MCKAY What was that?

HARMONY (blithely) That's probably the beast.

MCKAY Sorry, the what now?

HARMONY The beast&mdash;the protector of the Ruins of Laros. Did Flora not tell you of it?

MCKAY (fuming) I guess she forgot to mention it.

[Harmony takes out a multi-use tool and pulls out a blade.]

HARMONY Don't worry.

SHEPPARD When you say "beast", I'm assuming that's a figure of speech, right?

HARMONY Oh, no. It's a beast, all right. Though no one is quite certain what it looks like. Those who have cast their eyes upon it have quickly perished.

MCKAY (sarcastic) But your little knife will protect us.

HARMONY I'm the queen. It will not harm me.

SHEPPARD Well, we may not get the chance to tell the beast that.

HARMONY It will know.

[She closes her knife blade and starts down the trail. McKay hurries to catch up.]

MCKAY Listen, why don't we just tell your sisters we made it as far as the ruins? We don't actually have to make it there. I mean, they'd never have to know the difference.

HARMONY I would know.

MCKAY Yeah, but you're going to be queen, so who cares? Right?

HARMONY (upset) I care! My people care!

MCKAY Listen&hellip;

HARMONY Perhaps it would be best if you stopped speaking. Your voice hurts my ears!

MCKAY Yeah, well, that beast could hurt my whole body, okay? So I'm sorry, but this is not what we signed up for! Sheppard, back me up here.

[He turns to Sheppard for support, only to realize Sheppard is not with them. He looks around in alarm. Harmony takes out her knife again.]

MCKAY Sheppard? John!

HARMONY According to legend, the beast attacks silently.

MCKAY I thought you said the beast would know you were the queen.

HARMONY Well, it didn't attack me.

MCKAY (into radio) John? John, are you there?

HARMONY It is strange, though&hellip;the beast is supposed to only attack enemies of the throne. If it was going to kill anyone, it should have killed you.

MCKAY I'm not an enemy of the throne! I'm not! I'm here to protect you!

GENII SOLDIER 1 Don't move!

[Guns can be heard cocking behind them as men in Genii uniforms appear out of the foliage. McKay raises his hands in surrender.]

HARMONY So far, I'm not impressed.

GENII SOLDIER 1 Drop your weapon.

[McKay unhooks the P-90 from his vest and lays it on the ground.]

GENII SOLDIER 1 (into radio) We have her. Map Grid Eleven in the small clearing.

TERAN THE GENII FIELD CAPTAIN (over radio) We're on our way.

GENII SOLDIER 1 (to McKay) Hand her over.

MCKAY You're Genii!

GENII SOLDIER 1 Step aside, and hand her over.

[McKay puts himself between Harmony and the soldiers.]

MCKAY (holding his hands up defensively) This is obviously some sort of huge misunderstanding, all right? I am-I'm Doctor Rodney McKay. I'm-I'm a close, personal friend of, uh, Ladon Radim. You know, your leader?

[They don't lower their weapons. McKay continues to stand between them and Harmony, who hides behind McKay.]

MCKAY I-I'm-I'm your greatest ally! I&mdash;you don't know who I am? Look, I'm the genius scientist! The friend of John Sheppard? I gave you the bomb? No? Nothing? What do they teach you in Genii school?

GENII SOLDIER 1 Hand her over, right now.

MCKAY Okay, let's just talk about this.

[The soldier takes a couple steps forward.]

GENII SOLDIER 1 I'm growing impatient. Our quarrel is not with you. Once you hand her over, you're free to go.

MCKAY (perking) Really?

GENII SOLDIER 1 Yes.

MCKAY Hmm.

[He appears to consider this option. Harmony looks scandalized.]

HARMONY You wouldn't! You took a sacred oath to protect me.

MCKAY Nah, I don't remember doing that.

GENII SOLDIER 1 I'm going to count to three. One&hellip;

[Three shots fire in rapid succession, felling the soldier who spoke and the two other Genii soldiers. Sheppard steps out from the foliage, his P-90 still trained on them.]

MCKAY Where have you been?

SHEPPARD Well, my Spidey senses felt an ambush comin' on.

MCKAY What, and you couldn't mention it?!

SHEPPARD Well, not without tipping them off, no!

[Harmony has stepped around McKay and now stares at the Genii soldier's corpse in shock.]

MCKAY Well, what took you so long? We were just about to get&mdash;

SHEPPARD I had to take up a position, so I could shoot all three at once.

[Sheppard notices Harmony's expression.]

SHEPPARD You okay?

HARMONY (shakily, but regaining her haughtiness) No&hellip;no, I most certainly am not. This one was going to hand me over to those men.

MCKAY No, I wasn't.

HARMONY I saw it in your eyes. You were considering it! To save your own worthless, cowardly hide.

MCKAY I was keeping them talking. You know? I was buying us time? A little thing called "strategy"? Obviously, you're too young to know anything about it.

HARMONY Oh, I understand strategy. In fact, I'm forming one right now! The second we return to the castle, I will instruct my guards to&mdash;

SHEPPARD (interrupting) All right. Plenty of time to come up with punishments along the way.

HARMONY (whining) But, John&mdash;

SHEPPARD Thumb screws, you like them?

HARMONY (content) Yes. Thumb screws are good.

SHEPPARD (lower, to McKay) We better find some cover. That backup-he called is going to be here any minute.

[McKay gestures Harmony to get in front of him as he watches the rear.]

[Some time later, Sheppard finds a sheltered area of fallen trees within the larger forest.]

SHEPPARD All right, this will work.

MCKAY Those were Genii!

SHEPPARD Yeah, I picked up on that, Rodney. Thanks.

[They crouch amongst the fallen trunks.]

MCKAY So what are the Genii doing here? And why do they want to kill her? I mean, aside from the obvious reasons.

SHEPPARD Harmony?

HARMONY I don't know. I don't like the Genii.

MCKAY But you know who they are. Are you trading partners?

HARMONY Not anymore.

MCKAY (glowering) But you were.

HARMONY Yes. But they cheated my mother on many trades. She banished them from our land.

MCKAY What about you, huh? When you're queen, are you going to start trade back up?

HARMONY No! Absolutely not!

SHEPPARD So maybe somebody in the royal court's a little more willing to play ball, you know, once the path is cleared.

HARMONY If I were to die, my sister would succeed me. But if the Genii think that she would be more willing to trade than me, they are sadly mistaken.

MCKAY (to Sheppard) You really believe that Ladon would give the marching orders to kill a little girl? Even this one?

SHEPPARD I don't know how these people work. Maybe he told someone to "fix the problem" and this is what they came up with.

MCKAY Well, it's creative.

SHEPPARD Knowing why they're here really doesn't help us out. All right, I need to get a take on how many are out there. You stay with her, okay?

MCKAY (with resigned sigh) Sure.

SHEPPARD (to Harmony) All right, stay here, and stay quiet.

HARMONY (sweetly) Of course, John. Thank you for taking care of this. I'm not sure what I would do if you weren't here.

[Sheppard swallows an uncomfortable groan and heads out. McKay takes up his guard position.]

HARMONY Tell me something, "Doctor." The place where you sleep at night&hellip;is it guarded?

MCKAY I know what you're trying to do, and it's not going to work, okay? I'm not scared of you. You're just a kid&mdash;a bratty little kid. I couldn't care less that you're going to be queen. In fact, nothing could impress me less, so why don't you just cool it with the "bad seed" act and just go back to ignoring me.

HARMONY Surely they can't guard you all the time?

[McKay looks back at her with a disturbed expression. She shoots him an innocent smile.]

INT&mdash;FOREST, DAY

[Genii patrol the trail.]

TERAN (over radio) Squad Three, take up position on the ridge. Squad Four, move to Map Grid Nine.

GENII SOLDIER (into radio) Acknowledged.

[Sheppard remains hidden, but has heard the radio conversation.]

SHEPPARD (sotto voce) Wonderful.

INT&mdash;FALLEN TRUNKS, FOREST, DAY

[Harmony continuously glares at McKay.]

MCKAY Stop it. What are you doing?

HARMONY I'm burning your face into my memory.

MCKAY You're&mdash;

HARMONY This way I can give the bounty hunters an extremely accurate description of you.

MCKAY All right, your highness, I have had just about enough out of you with this whole&mdash;

[Sheppard returns.]

SHEPPARD (whispering fiercely) I thought I said keep talking to the minimum!

MCKAY I was&hellip;she was&hellip;

[McKay gives up and moves back to his former position.]

HARMONY How many Genii are out there, John?

SHEPPARD If I had to guess, I'd say all of them.

MCKAY (worried) What, so, a lot of them?

SHEPPARD (impatient) Yes, Rodney. A lot.

HARMONY This will make the pilgrimage most difficult.

SHEPPARD That's funny. I was thinking the same thing.

HARMONY I find we have much in common, John.

SHEPPARD (noncommittally) Mmm. Yeah. Anyway, I figure we wait for nightfall, and then head back to the settlement.

HARMONY Back to the settlement?

SHEPPARD Yep. Road trip's over.

HARMONY But that would make this journey a failure!

SHEPPARD You win some, you lose some. If you want to be queen, you've got to learn how to cut your losses.

HARMONY But the lunar cycle is nearing its end. If I do not make it to the ruins by tomorrow's sundown, I will forfeit the throne!

SHEPPARD I'm sure they'll make an exception.

HARMONY No, they cannot. It is our way.

SHEPPARD (with frustrated sigh) It's too dangerous to move forward.

HARMONY For you, perhaps.

[Sheppard makes a face and turns to face her.]

SHEPPARD (emphatically) If it's too dangerous for me, it's definitely too dangerous for you. We're gonna wait for nightfall, and then we're gonna head back to the village. End of discussion!

MCKAY (drily) Fat chance of that.

HARMONY It's not your decision to make. I'm the queen.

SHEPPARD (fiercely) No, not yet! And until you are, you're just a regular kid. I call the shots!

HARMONY (standing) Many would consider disobeying the queen a treasonous act.

SHEPPARD Well, I'm sure they wouldn't look too fondly on letting the queen get killed. We're heading back.

EXT&mdash;CASTLE, NIGHT

INT&mdash;MARDOLA'S BEDCHAMBER

[There is a soft knock at the door. Mardola goes to answer it. Teran is there, wearing a hooded cloak. She lets him in.]

MARDOLA You should not be here.

TERAN I was careful. No one saw me, don't worry. We use this from now on to stay in contact.

[He lays a Genii radio on the table.]

MARDOLA Does that mean it's not over yet?

TERAN No. Her two guardians have complicated things greatly. They killed three of my men.

MARDOLA Yes, well, they were an unforeseen complication. My apologies.

TERAN Your apologies do me little good.

MARDOLA We will increase your pay. Don't worry. Threefold.

TERAN (intrigued) Threefold?

MARDOLA Triple the work, triple the pay.

TERAN You want us to kill them all?

MARDOLA If they survive, they'll come back and tell my sister that the Genii were involved. Now we can't have that, can we?

[Teran hisses, then bows and takes his leave.]

EXT&mdash;FALLEN TRUNKS, FOREST, DAY

[Harmony sleeps under a blanket at their makeshift shelter. McKay steps around her to join Sheppard out at the "entrance".]

MCKAY (low) Listen&hellip;I've been doing a little thinking.

SHEPPARD Oh, you have, have you?

MCKAY I've got a Wraith stunner in my backpack. She can't weigh more than ninety pounds. I say we stun her and just carry her back.

SHEPPARD (considering) Hmm&hellip;Nah, we can't stun a thirteen year old girl.

MCKAY It's kind of dangerous out there. I mean, the forest is crawling with Genii. Who knows when she could throw one of her fits.

SHEPPARD She'll be fine. She understands how dangerous this situation is. I talked to her.

MCKAY I'm sure you did, but she is thirteen, she's unreasonable, among many other awful attributes.

SHEPPARD You know, they say you dislike the things in others that you, in fact, dislike about yourself.

MCKAY So, what?

SHEPPARD I'm just saying&hellip;

MCKAY We are nothing alike!

SHEPPARD Okay.

MCKAY She is a stuck-up, know-it-all brat&hellip;

[He stares at Sheppard who pointedly flinches but says nothing.]

MCKAY Oh, ha ha ha.

SHEPPARD All right, it's about as dark as it's going to get. Let's wake her up and get moving.

[They turn around to find Harmony is gone.]

SHEPPARD Oh, no.

MCKAY Oh, that sneaky little&hellip;I told you we should've stunned her!

EXT&mdash;FOREST, NIGHT

[Sheppard and McKay move cautiously through the woods, searching for Harmony. They keep their voices low.]

MCKAY I'm going to kill her.

SHEPPARD You really need to work on your child skills.

MCKAY We have been searching for her for over an hour. You know, we have had not one, but-but two close encounters with the Genii. All so some&hellip;useless, spoiled brat can make her meditation appointment?

SHEPPARD More searching, less complaining.

MCKAY Sorry, I'm hungry. And when I'm hungry, I get cranky.

SHEPPARD And when you get cranky, you get hit.

MCKAY Okay, okay.

SHEPPARD I wish Ronon was here.

MCKAY You know&hellip;you said that out loud, right? I mean, I-I'm right here.

SHEPPARD Well, it's nothing personal. It's just he's a better tracker than both of us combined.

MCKAY Hmm, that's true.

[They continue through the forest.]

MCKAY Okay, I'm starting to hallucinate.

SHEPPARD Why? What do you see?

MCKAY Not see, smell. I smell food. Delicious, fresh-cooked food. Roast beef, hamburgers, hot dogs, pork on a spit.

[Sheppard pauses.]

SHEPPARD Chicken.

MCKAY Yeah, sure, the more, the merrier.

SHEPPARD No, I smell&hellip;chicken.

[McKay taps his nose and starts moving forward.]

MCKAY The nose that knows. Follow me.

EXT&mdash;CAVE, NIGHT

[McKay and Sheppard arrive at a cave entrance.]

MCKAY Ah. Found it. It's coming from down there. Told you. You don't need Ronon while I'm here.

SHEPPARD Uh-huh.

MCKAY What do you think? Genii camp?

SHEPPARD Give me the stunner.

[McKay pulls it out of his pack and hands it over.]

SHEPPARD All right, stay behind me.

[He moves forward, McKay right behind.]

INT&mdash;CAVE

[They enter the cave to find Harmony roasting a bird over a spit. Sheppard rushes over to her and smothers the fire by kicking dirt over it.]

HARMONY (surprised) John! How did you find me!

SHEPPARD We could smell your fire a mile away.

HARMONY That's okay. I was finished cooking anyway.

MCKAY You ran away from us.

HARMONY You didn't give me any choice!

SHEPPARD We've been out there searching for over an hour. We almost were caught twice.

HARMONY Yes, it's very dangerous out there right now. That's why I decided to seek refuge in this cave and make camp.

MCKAY You&hellip;made all this?

HARMONY Yes. And caught a Loden bird. They're quite delicious.

MCKAY How?

[She sets her jaw and holds up her pocket knife.]

MCKAY (incredulous) You made all this with that?

HARMONY I told you, I completed three sessions with Nolar Lumsbred.

MCKAY What, and they covered all this in three sessions?

HARMONY (annoyed) I am a quick learner! Do you not listen?

[McKay and Sheppard exchange exasperated sighs. Harmony looks to Sheppard and notices his expression.]

HARMONY (hurt, to Sheppard) You're mad at me.

SHEPPARD (sternly) Mm-hmm.

HARMONY (half to herself) Our first fight. I knew it would happen eventually. We'll laugh about this one day.

[Sheppard and McKay exchange disturbed looks.]

SHEPPARD (diplomatically) I'm sure we will, but we got to get moving.

MCKAY Right after we've eaten the Loden bird.

[Sheppard glares at him.]

MCKAY &hellip;or not.

[A loud growl can be heard outside the cave.]

MCKAY That sounded very, very close. Are we sure this isn't the beast's cave?

HARMONY You're so ignorant! The beast doesn't live in caves. We should stay here until the coast is clear.

SHEPPARD All right. Half-hour, tops.

HARMONY (grinning) Good. I'm hungry.

[She takes the bird off the spit. McKay crouches anxiously beside her.]

MCKAY Okay.

EXT&mdash;CAVE ENTRANCE, NIGHT

[Harmony walks out to where Sheppard guards the cave entrance.]

HARMONY I brought you the bird's heart. My people believes it you great luck once consumed.

[She holds out a small organ in her palm. Sheppard tries unsuccessfully to hide his disgust.]

SHEPPARD Thanks, but no thanks.

HARMONY (puzzled) You're sure?

SHEPPARD Pretty sure, yeah.

HARMONY (shrugging) Very well.

[She pops the heart into her own mouth and chews.]

HARMONY Are you still mad at me?

SHEPPARD No, I'm over it.

HARMONY That's good. I don't like it when you're mad at me.

SHEPPARD Well, don't give me reason to be mad.

HARMONY Very well.

SHEPPARD So, you're thirteen, huh?

HARMONY I will be fourteen in five lunar cycles.

SHEPPARD Right. Nervous about being queen?

HARMONY No. Why would I be?

SHEPPARD Well, it's a lot of responsibility.

HARMONY (softer) I know that.

SHEPPARD You've got to put the needs of your people before anything else&mdash;including your own.

HARMONY (considering) Some of the time, yes.

SHEPPARD No, pretty much all of the time.

HARMONY I'm sure I will strike a proper balance.

SHEPPARD Just remember, you're not queen because of divine right; you're queen because they allow you to be queen. If you're mean to the people, they may change their minds. Just remember that.

HARMONY (musing) You know much about leadership, John.

SHEPPARD Well, hard-earned lessons along the way.

HARMONY And&hellip;I know much about my people.

SHEPPARD I hope so.

HARMONY I think we would make a good team.

SHEPPARD (off-guard) Hmm?

HARMONY As queen&hellip;I will one day need&hellip;a king&hellip;

[Sheppard licks his lips nervously.]

SHEPPARD (uncomfortable) Um&hellip;listen&hellip;Harmony&hellip;

HARMONY There's no need to answer now. I know such an offer must be overwhelming. You shouldn't make your decision rashly.

SHEPPARD Well, I-I'm pretty sure I know which way I'm leaning. Uh, you're a great little lady, it's just that&mdash;

[The strange beast noise sounds again. In the distance, men scream and fire their weapons. Sheppard stands. McKay comes running from inside the cave.]

MCKAY (whispering) What the hell was that?!

SHEPPARD The Genii just had a little run-in with the beast. (to Harmony) All right, be a brave girl and stay here with McKay.

MCKAY Hey, hey, hey, how come I always get stuck being the babysitter.

SHEPPARD You want to check out the beast?

MCKAY No. No, I'm good here.

SHEPPARD Thought so. Stay here.

[Sheppard moves off. McKay crouches next to Harmony.]

INT&mdash;MARDOLA'S QUARTERS

MARDOLA (into radio) This is Mardola. I want an update. What's taking so long?

EXT&mdash;FOREST, NIGHT

[The conversation switches between Mardola's room and Teran's location.]

[Teran leads a squad of Genii through the forest.]

TERAN I have men all along the path to the ruins. They've gone another way.

MARDOLA (scornful) Well, obviously. They're not idiots! You should be looking everywhere but the path to the ruins!

TERAN I am, but it's night, and this forest is vast and dense. My men are spread thin.

MARDOLA What if they make it back to the village? There's no way that I could save relations between our two peoples then.

TERAN We've just lost contact with some of my men. We're heading to their last known coordinates. Maybe we'll get lucky. Teran out.

[Mardola sighs and slams down her radio.]

EXT&mdash;CAVE ENTRANCE, NIGHT

[Harmony and McKay exchange looks as they remain at the cave entrance.]

HARMONY You're a doctor, right?

MCKAY Yes. Yes, I-I mean, I'm not a medical doctor&mdash;

HARMONY So you're a liar.

MCKAY (insulted) No, I'm a&mdash; (takes a deep breath and calms down) What do you want?

HARMONY What does love feel like?

MCKAY (rolling his eyes) Oh, boy&hellip;

HARMONY Because I think I'm in love with John.

MCKAY Yeah, well it wouldn't be the first time, and I'm sure it won't be the last.

HARMONY What does that mean?

MCKAY It means that a lot of people, particularly alien women, tend to fall for John Sheppard's good looks and charm.

HARMONY Not like me they don't.

MCKAY He's a bit old for you, don't you think?

HARMONY I hadn't considered it.

MCKAY Yeah, well he will, so don't get your hopes up.

HARMONY You're not going to try and influence him, are you?

MCKAY I won't need to, trust me.

HARMONY You don't like me very much, do you?

MCKAY (squirming) No, that's not true. I&hellip;I don't not like you.

HARMONY What does that mean?

MCKAY It means that you have a very annoying attitude, but I'm willing to cut you some slack because you're still just a child.

HARMONY Whereas, if I were grown up, my annoying attitude would be less excusable?

MCKAY That's right. An adult would, uh&hellip;

[McKay suddenly realizes Harmony's leading comment and looks down to see her giving him an expectant look.]

MCKAY Hey! I don't have an attitude problem!

HARMONY And I don't not like you.

[McKay opens his mouth to retort, then processes what Harmony just says.]

MCKAY Well, that's sweet of you to say.

HARMONY So, you promise not to get between John and me?

MCKAY I promise. And I'll give you this, you're a lot more mature than the women he usually falls for.

HARMONY Thank you, Doctor.

[She gets up and goes back into the cave.]

EXT&mdash; FOREST, NIGHT

[Sheppard comes across the bodies of two Genii soldiers. He rushes forward.]

SHEPPARD (into radio) McKay?

MCKAY (over radio) What do you got?

SHEPPARD (into radio) Two dead Genii. It's not pretty. Multiple puncture wounds.

EXT&mdash;CAVE ENTRANCE, NIGHT

MCKAY (worried, into radio) You mean like teeth marks?

EXT&mdash;FOREST, NIGHT

[The rest of conversation switches between McKay's and Sheppard's locations.]

SHEPPARD I don't think so.

MCKAY So&hellip;so&hellip;what? Claws? Talons? A very sharp beak?

SHEPPARD I don't know. It's not like anything I've ever seen before.

[He hears rustling in the distance and quickly hides. Teran and his squad arrive.]

GENII SOLDIER 2 Over here.

[He crouches by the bodies.]

GENII SOLDIER 2 What kind of creature could do this?

TERAN It doesn't matter. We don't leave this forest until all three of them are dead.

[Sheppard, in hiding, has heard all this.]

INT&mdash;CAVE

[Sheppard arrives. McKay follows him into the cave.]

MCKAY What took you so long? I thought for sure we'D lost you!

SHEPPARD I ran into Genii. I had to lie low until it was safe to move.

MCKAY So what happened?

SHEPPARD I don't know, but whatever that beast thing is, it's lethal.

HARMONY I could've told you that.

SHEPPARD Yeah&hellip;also, the Genii have shoot-to-kill orders for all of us.

MCKAY (rolling his eyes) Oh. Super.

[Sheppard grabs Harmony by the arm and drags her with him.]

SHEPPARD All right, Princess, let's move.

[McKay picks up their camp lantern and follows.]

EXT&mdash;CAVE ENTRANCE, NIGHT

[Sheppard starts heading down a path. Harmony stops short.]

HARMONY Wait!

SHEPPARD What?

HARMONY Where are you going?

SHEPPARD Where does it look like? We're going back to the settlement.

HARMONY (whining) But&hellip;we're so close to the ruins. And it's almost daybreak.

SHEPPARD Look the fact that it's almost daybreak is a bad thing; we need the cover of night.

HARMONY I can't come this far and just turn back. I refuse!

[She crosses her arms stubbornly. McKay gives Sheppard a pointed look and points to the pack on his back.]

MCKAY You know, I still have the "unner-stay".

SHEPPARD Harmony, the best thing you could do is go that way.

[Sheppard points to the direction he wants to head. The beast growls nearby, close to that position.]

SHEPPARD (nervously) That sounded a little weird.

MCKAY Hating to agree with the child, but, uh&hellip;

[McKay points towards the ruins. Sheppard reaches back and snatches the map from Harmony.]

SHEPPARD Give me that.

[He studies the map.]

HARMONY (confidently) The beast will avoid the ruins. We'll be safe there.

MCKAY (to Sheppard) How far are they?

SHEPPARD A half-hour or so.

MCKAY So whaddya say?

SHEPPARD Well, it's better than running into the beast.

[He starts heading towards the ruins. McKay herds a delighted Harmony after him.]

EXT&mdash;PLANET, DAWN

EXT&mdash;TEMPLE OF LAROS RUINS, DAY

[Sheppard, McKay and Harmony arrive at a slight incline overlooking the ruins.]

SHEPPARD (fierce whisper) Hey!

[Sheppard signals for them to get down; they take cover behind a large log and look below. A Genii is visible below at the site. McKay starts rummaging in his back for the stunner.]

SHEPPARD I was afraid of this.

HARMONY (outraged) That's sacred ground. How dare he!

[She starts to rise and confront the soldier, but Sheppard pulls her back down.]

SHEPPARD Hey, hey! Whoa-whoa-whoa! We'll handle this, all right?

[McKay has found the scanner and squints to try and steady his aim.]

MCKAY Um&hellip;

SHEPPARD I'll do that.

MCKAY I got it. It's okay.

SHEPPARD No really, j-just&hellip;

SHEPPARD &hellip;Steady&hellip;Come to papa&hellip;Let's go&hellip;

[In one fell swoop, Sheppard snatches the gun from McKay and shoots the guard. He falls. Harmony gets up to approach, but Sheppard pulls her back down.]

SHEPPARD Hey, hey!

HARMONY What?!

[Harmony, staring at Sheppard, does not notice the second Genii soldier coming into view, looking confusedly down at his comrade.]

HARMONY You have subdued him.

[Sheppard stuns the second guard before he can defend himself.]

SHEPPARD Now we can go.

[Sheppard and McKay hurry down. Harmony stands and smiles, then follows.]

[At the ruins, McKay stares at the pillar of the "Temple" in wonder. Sheppard goes to disarm the guards.]

MCKAY Fascinating!

SHEPPARD Ancient?

[McKay pulls out his scanner to check the pillar. A crystal panel is open; the first stunned Genii had been working on the device.]

MCKAY Yeah, obviously. It's weird. This place seems strangely familiar.

HARMONY It's even more beautiful than I imagined.

[Harmony goes to a small pedestal in front of the pillar and pulls out a pendant. Clutching the stone, she places her hand on the pedestal. After a moment, she stares at her necklace worriedly.]

HARMONY Something's wrong.

SHEPPARD What?

HARMONY It's not working!

SHEPPARD Shouldn't you be&hellip;like&hellip;silently meditating or something?

HARMONY (disappointed) My pendant. It's supposed to glow.

[Sheppard and McKay exchange looks.]

MCKAY Well, I'll be damned.

[He hurries over to Harmony with his scanner.]

SHEPPARD Let me guess&hellip;

MCKAY Oh, yeah. It's Ancient.

HARMONY It's the Pendant of Laros. The queen, and only the true queen, must return it to the ruins. Once here, it is to glow and imbue me with great power!

SHEPPARD Your sisters kind of failed to mention that.

HARMONY It is one of our greatest secrets.

MCKAY (inspired) It's the testing ground!

SHEPPARD What?

MCKAY (excited) I know what this place is! I've been reading about it. Hell, we've been looking for it for the last two years! I-I've seen the schematics.

SHEPPARD Share with the class..?

MCKAY Well, believe it or not, this place actually does control the beast&mdash;if the beast is what I think it is.

SHEPPARD Which is?

MCKAY Mini-drones if I'm right; and you know, you can usually take that to the bank. I mean, this planet must have been where the Ancients first developed drone technology. It was their main testing ground!

SHEPPARD That would explain why the Genii looked like Swiss cheese. The mini-drones went right through 'em!

MCKAY And that noise the beast was making? It was more like an electric swarm than a&mdash;than a growl.

SHEPPARD So the pendant is, uh&hellip;

MCKAY Probably some sort of pass-key. I mean, the Ancient's weren't above protecting their research, even from each other. Look, you need more than just the gene in order to activate or control the drones, otherwise&hellip;

[To Harmony's alarm, McKay shoves her hand off the pedestal. He studies the pedestal.]

MCKAY &hellip;Yes, yes, yes, yes. Of course! It's in auto-protect mode. They're trolling the forest, taking out anybody without the gene. That's why they&hellip;stayed clear of us and went straight for the Genii. Look, the&hellip;royal pain here must have it as well.

[Harmony stares bemusedly at McKay.]

SHEPPARD Then why isn't it working?

MCKAY (indicating the downed Genii) Well, maybe because genius over there was messing with the crystal tray?

SHEPPARD All right. So?

MCKAY Well, so, give me a second to figure out how much damage he's done.

[McKay starts adjusting the crystals and working his scanner. Harmony closes her eyes and furrows her face in intense concentration while she holds the pedestal. Sheppard approaches her.]

SHEPPARD The machine is&hellip;broken; that's why your pendant isn't glowing.

HARMONY (upset) It's got nothing to do with machines. If I am worthy of being queen, the gods will bestow the power of pure light and make my pendant glow!

[Sheppard looks to McKay.]

MCKAY Well, who knows what kind of wacky rules they've imposed on it. I mean, I suppose it's possible that once a generation, the key needs to be reactivated here. Maybe it's the one thing that, uh, allows them to use the Ancient tech they have back at the castle.

SHEPPARD It-it's complicated, but it-it will light up. We just need to make some&hellip;repairs.

HARMONY You don't understand. I've failed. Maybe I'm not supposed to be queen. Maybe&hellip;maybe we've come all this way for nothing.

SHEPPARD Trust me, it-it'll glow.

[Harmony turns away and sits on the Temple floor, clutching her pendant and moping. Sheppard heads over to the Genii soldiers, who are starting to stir. Sheppard nudges one with his boot, holding his gun on them.]

SHEPPARD Wake up. What'd you do to this thing?

[McKay joins them.]

GENII SCIENTIST (scared) I'm not sure. I just rearranged the crystals.

HURON Don't tell them a thing. They're going to kill us one way or the other.

[Sheppard and McKay exchange looks.]

SHEPPARD Can you get it to work?

MCKAY Not quickly. I mean, I can come back with a jumper and a small team and get it working.

[While McKay guards the men, Sheppard rejoins to Harmony.]

SHEPPARD Listen&hellip;we're going to head back&mdash;

HARMONY No! If I return with a darkened pendant, I won't be allowed to&mdash;

SHEPPARD (interrupting) Yes, you will be queen, I promise you! It's just busted.

HARMONY This isn't the type of thing where you get a second chance, John. Please. I can do it. I just-I just need to focus more.

[She goes back to the pedestal and desperately attempts to activate it again.]

TERAN (distantly over radio) Huron&hellip;

[Huron reaches for his radio, but Sheppard is instantly there, pointing the stunner.]

SHEPPARD Whoa! Easy does it.

[Huron slowly passes the radio over to Sheppard.]

TERAN (over radio) Huron come in&hellip;Huron, come in.

MCKAY If we don't respond, they're going to come and investigate.

SHEPPARD (with deeper voice, into Genii radio) Huron here.

TERAN (over radio) What's your status.

SHEPPARD (with deep voice, into radio) Good.

TERAN (over radio) Elaborate.

SHEPPARD (with deep voice, into radio) Real good.

HURON (crying out) Help us!

GENII SCIENTIST Help us!

[Sheppard stuns them both.]

TERAN (over radio) Huron!

SHEPPARD (regular voice, into radio, quickly) Kinda busy, gotta go.

[He turns off the radio.]

SHEPPARD Well it was worth a shot. You gotta get that thing working, fast!

MCKAY Why can't we just run for it?

SHEPPARD We're boxed in from all directions! We've gotta get those mini drones working, or&hellip;

MCKAY (scared) Or we die.

[Harmony desperately tries to get her pendant to work.]

EXT&mdash;FOREST, DAY

[The Genii run towards the ruins.]

EXT&mdash;TEMPLE OF LAROS RUINS, DAY

[McKay works on the crystal control panel.]

MCKAY (calling to Sheppard) You know, you're not exactly inspiring confidence.

[Sheppard looks up from the fallen stone pillar where he's taken a protected position with his weapon.]

SHEPPARD Yeah? How so?

MCKAY You're hiding behind a foot of solid rock. How am I supposed to feel out here with only a cool breeze between me and the Genii?

SHEPPARD You're more than welcome to come and get cover for yourself&hellip;as soon as you're done with those repairs.

[Harmony is settled beside Sheppard, well protected.]

MCKAY (irked) Do you have any idea how many crystal placement combinations there are?!

SHEPPARD More than seven?

MCKAY Try seven thousand!

SHEPPARD Well, that's less than infinite.

[McKay's scanner beeps, and he sighs in frustration.]

SHEPPARD (to Harmony) All right, look. It's going to get very, very noisy when the Genii get here.

HARMONY Screaming?

SHEPPARD (taps his rifle) No, these guns. They make a lot of noise. It's very important that you stay put and keep your ears covered, okay?

HARMONY Shouldn't you give me a gun instead?

SHEPPARD (sternly) You're going to stay put, cover your ears, and you're not gonna move, okay?

[McKay's scanner beeps and the Ancient pillar gives off a steady hum.]

MCKAY (triumphant) Son of a bitch! I think I got it!

[Harmony rushes out to the pedestal.]

SHEPPARD Harm&mdash;Harmony! What did I just say?

[He starts to go after her just as gunfire strafes the area. McKay ducks as bullets strike the pillar near his head. Sheppard pauses and returns fire. McKay dives for cover, knocking Harmony to the ground under him.]

[The Genii take positions around the temple. McKay looks up to see Harmony's frightened face staring at him.]

MCKAY Go! Go, go, go go!

[He shoves Harmony back towards the protection of the fallen pillar while he provides cover fire, then follows her. Sheppard and the Genii continue to exchange fire as McKay takes a position behind the rock. The gunfire stops.]

TERAN (calling to them) You're surrounded! You have limited ammunition, and I have unlimited men.

SHEPPARD We'll take our chances.

TERAN If you make this hard, I will make your death as slow and as painful as possible.

SHEPPARD Okay&hellip;what's option number two?

TERAN Give us the girl, and we'll let you go free.

HARMONY Never! They would rather die than deal with the likes of you savages! When my sisters hear of this, the Genii will be finished! Finished, do you hear!

[Sheppard and McKay roll their eyes.]

TERAN How do you think we knew how to find you little one?

HARMONY You lie! Come at us with all you have! I shall silence you once and for all!

SHEPPARD (hissing to Harmony) Whoa! Whoa, whoa! Let us handle this, okay?

[Teran pauses, but hears nothing more.]

TERAN You have one minute!

[Sheppard, McKay, and Harmony congregate, all speaking low.]

HARMONY It can't be true!

SHEPPARD It doesn't matter right now, to be honest.

HARMONY How can you say that?

SHEPPARD (to McKay) Did you get that thing working?

MCKAY Well yeah, before they started shooting at it.

SHEPPARD So it's broken again?

MCKAY Well, it was powered up. Fifty-fifty chance it's still operational.

HARMONY Provide me with cover. I'll make it to the pedestal, summon the beast, and smite them.

SHEPPARD (annoyed) There will be no "smiting" today, little lady. You've never even used that thing before.

HARMONY I am the queen, and the beast is my protector!

SHEPPARD It's a little more complicated than that.

[He pauses, struck by a thought.]

SHEPPARD (to McKay, shrewdly) You say anyone with the Ancient gene can activate it?

MCKAY Yeah, as long as they're wearing the&hellip;pendant.

[He looks from Sheppard to Harmony, following Sheppard's thought. Harmony remains oblivious.]

HARMONY Exactly.

SHEPPARD Fifty-fifty, huh?

MCKAY One hundred percent chance they'll kill us if we talk about it for much longer.

SHEPPARD (sighing) You got a full mag there?

[McKay checks his weapon.]

MCKAY Locked and loaded.

SHEPPARD On three?

MCKAY (nervously) Okay.

HARMONY Yes. Excellent.

SHEPPARD One&hellip;two&hellip;three.

[He snatches the pendant off Harmony's neck as he says three and runs for the pedestal. McKay provides cover fire. Harmony gasps in shock. Sheppard activates the pedestal, the pendant in his hand. Mini-drones swarm the area. The Genii cease fire as they warily stare at the humming drones flying everywhere. Teran stares at the drones, but sees Sheppard standing in the open.]

TERAN What are you waiting for? Shoot him!

[His men are too distracted by the drones. Teran raises his pistol, and Sheppard sees him; he directs the mini-drones to attack. The drones knock Teran down, killing him. The other Genii flee. Sheppard powers down the pedestal. McKay and Harmony run over.]

MCKAY You all right?

SHEPPARD Yeah, I'm good. You?

MCKAY Sure, sure.

HARMONY (in awe) That was the bravest thing I've ever seen.

SHEPPARD (cocky) You're young. I'm sure you'll meet even braver men than me as you get older.

[Harmony snatches back her pendant.]

HARMONY (furious) Not you, usurper! You're lucky I like you, or you would be hung for treason! (to McKay) But you&hellip;you saved my life.

[Sheppard and McKay both look stunned at this change in Harmony.]

MCKAY (nonplussed) I did?

HARMONY When the Genii started firing at me, you threw yourself on me, using your own body as a shield.

[Sheppard makes a face and walks away.]

MCKAY (stammering) Oh, no. No, no, no, no. I just-I tripped and&hellip;fell on top of you. It was an accident.

HARMONY And then&hellip;you pulled me to safety.

[McKay opens his mouth, and closes it, eyes still wide as he fidgets uncomfortably.]

HARMONY You don't&hellip;don't not like me. You like me!

MCKAY (worried) No. No, no, no. I'm&hellip;

[He turns to Sheppard for help, who just shrugs.]

HARMONY Yes! You saved my life and restored the ruins. You are a hero, Doctor McKay, both to me and my people.

MCKAY (preening with false modesty) Well, I don't know about "hero"&hellip;I mean, exceptionally courageous, perhaps.

HARMONY And modest, too.

SHEPPARD (piqued) It's time to go, before the Genii come back.

HARMONY I doubt it. They are a simple people, and I'm sure they were most impressed by your actions. I, however, was not.

[Sheppard and McKay exchange looks. Harmony places her hand on the pedestal. It activates.]

HARMONY (pleased) The pendant still glows. The gods have deemed me worthy. Now, we can go.

[She stalks off, McKay and Sheppard roll their eyes and follow.]

EXT&mdash;CASTLE, DAY

INT&mdash;MARDOLA'S QUARTERS

[Mardola reads at her table. The door slams open and guards, followed by Harmony and Flora enter. Mardola stands, smiling.]

MARDOLA (to Harmony) You've returned!

[The door shuts, and the guards start to search the room. Mardola looks at them worriedly.]

MARDOLA (to guards) What are you doing? These are my private quarters!

FLORA It's all right, Mardola. They've already searched my room. You should allow it.

MARDOLA (angry) Why?!

HARMONY The Genii attacked us.

MARDOLA Oh&hellip;well, it was a good thing Colonel Sheppard was there to protect you.

FLORA They knew the location of the ruins, Mardola. How?

MARDOLA You ask as if I would know.

[A guard places the Genii radio he found in Mardola's dresser on the table in front of them. Mardola's eyes widen in fear, and she looks back at Harmony, who's staring at her, hurt and betrayed.]

MARDOLA You're too young to be queen, Harmony!

HARMONY (coldly) Perhaps&hellip;but when you're released from prison, you'll be too old to remember.

INT&mdash;THRONE ROOM

[The court is full of people. McKay and Sheppard stand at a red carpet in front of Harmony's throne. Harmony is dressed in a fancy gown with a crown on her head. Flora stands on the lowest tier, to the right of the throne.]

HARMONY Doctor Rodney McKay and Colonel John Sheppard. Your contribution to my people may never be repaid.

SHEPPARD Well, we didn't do it for compensation, Your Highness-ness.

MCKAY (under his breath) Kiss-ass.

HARMONY I personally owe you a debt of gratitude for your help defeating the regicidal Genii. I've had one of the court's finest artisans feature you in a rendering of our glorious victory.

[Sheppard and McKay exchange pleased looks. Harmony steps towards a curtain behind the throne and nods. Servants pull off the curtain. The court applaud as a large painting is revealed. It pictures McKay in the foreground firing his weapon; Harmony stands in the center, her hand on the temple pedestal, a halo from the beast glowing around her; Sheppard cowers in fright behind Harmony.]

MCKAY Yeah, pretty much how I remember it.

[McKay starts to clap as well as Sheppard looks stunned. Harmony grins.]

FADE OUT

END CREDITS

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