Threshold/Transcript

Episode Guide

 * 5.02 "Threshold" Episode Guide

Transcript
TEASER

FADE IN

INT&mdash;SECURE ROOM, SGC

[Teal'c is meditating when O'Neill, Hammond and Dr McKenzie enter. He smiles at O'Neill.]

TEAL'C It is good to see you, O'Neill.

O'NEILL You too.

TEAL'C You appear to be well.

O'NEILL Well, forget appearances. The back's gone, the knee's shot, forget the curling. You?

TEAL'C I am well again.

O'NEILL So I hear. Welcome back.

TEAL'C I once again pledge to you my allegiance and ask your forgiveness for succumbing to the will of Apophis.

O'NEILL Well he did sort of have you over a barrel, you being dead and all.

TEAL'C It was through the power of the sarcophagus that I was forced to again believe that Apophis was my god.

O'NEILL Sarcophagi will do that.

TEAL'C Dr McKenzie has convinced me otherwise.

McKENZIE You convinced yourself Teal'c. All I did was shine a light on something you already knew.

O'NEILL You know, just for fun&hellip;I'd love to hear you say it out loud.

TEAL'C That Apophis is a false god, that the Goa'uld are nothing more than parasites.

O'NEILL Yeah, that stuff.

TEAL'C I hope one day to restore your trust in me O'Neill. And to return to your service, General Hammond.

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

[McKenzie shrugs, leaving it to O'Neill's decision.]

O'NEILL (to Teal'c) After you.

[They leave the room.]

INT&mdash;CORRIDOR, SGC

[Bra'tac waits for them as they head down the corridor.]

BRA'TAC (to Teal'c) Hello, old friend.

[He clasps Teal'c's forearm in greeting.]

TEAL'C Master Bra'tac, it hasbeen too long.

BRA'TAC So it has. Your friends of Earth took great pains in bringing me here.

[He continues to smile as he stares at Teal'c, then prevents him from walking away.]

BRA'TAC (to the others) He is deceiving you.

[Teal'c stops smiling, then breaks away, running down the corridor. Two airmen try to stop him, but he shoves them aside. He rounds the corner, only to come face to face with Carter, Daniel and two other, armed airmen. Carter is armed with a zat, which she points at him.]

CARTER Teal'c.

[Teal'c attempts to run back but is stopped by Bra'tac and the others.]

TEAL'C (to Bra'tac) Sholva!

[Bra'tac zats him and Teal'c collapses. Bra'tac kneels beside him and pulls up his T-shirt to reveal his stomach and his pouch. There is a squishing sound as Bra'tac thrusts his hand into the pouch.]

O'NEILL (in disgust) Whoa! What are you doing?

BRA'TAC If Teal'c won't hear the truth in words, he must learn of it another way.

[Bra'tac withdraws Teal'c's symbiote, which squeals and writhes in his hand.]

BRA'TAC The only way left to us.

END OF TEASER

INT&mdash;BRIEFING ROOM, SGC

HAMMOND Master Bra'tac, before we proceed&hellip;

BRA'TAC We waste time.

HAMMOND Please explain to me what it is you hope to achieve by depriving Teal'c of his symbiote.

BRA'TAC I hope to save him.

DANIEL By killing him.

BRA'TAC If necessary.

O'NEILL See, I think we disagree on the meaning of the word 'save'.

BRA'TAC You would have him remain this way, loving a false god, spitting and cursing?

O'NEILL No.

CARTER There may be other methods we haven't considered.

BRA'TAC I have seen your methods. You underestimate the hold Apophis has on Teal'c's heart. In time, you will have little choice but to lock him away, for he is far too dangerous an enemy to have in your midst. The Rite of Malsuraan is the only way.

DANIEL (translating) Last Rite.

BRA'TAC To save Teal'c's soul, first we must take him to the very threshold of death. On Chulak, it is said that when a warrior is dying, the events that forged him wash over his mind like a great wave.

DANIEL His whole life passes before his eyes, we have a similar&hellip;uh, where does that get us?

BRA'TAC Through his fever and hallucination, he will relive his true path, buried beneath this lie.

O'NEILL You've done this before?

BRA'TAC Twice, in my 137 years.

CARTER So you know it works.

BRA'TAC Neither Jaffa had the strength to turn back from the precipice. But I am content they died free. Teal'c would ask for nothing more. I owe him that. Do you?

INT&mdash;INFIRMARY, SGC

[Teal'c's symbiote is being held in a clear container, floating in a fluid, while many lit candles line the room. Fraiser crosses to where Teal'c is strapped to a bed as the others enter.]

FRAISER He's in and out of consciousness. His temperature is rising, his BP is falling, Teal'c's immune system is failing. If we don't return his symbiote within the next few hours&hellip;

BRA'TAC Do nothing.

FRAISER I can't do that.

O'NEILL Bra'tac made his case. Hammond gave the go ahead.

FRAISER I see. Then I will take this up with him.

[She starts to leave but is confronted by Bra'tac.]

BRA'TAC Do you count yourself among Teal'c's friends?

FRAISER Of course.

BRA'TAC Then stay. When the time comes he may need your help to fight his way back to us.

[Fraiser hesitates, then nods, and they both return to Teal'c's side.]

BRA'TAC (to Teal'c) Can you hear me old friend?

[Teal'c's eyes snap open.]

TEAL'C Kel'kek mar sholva.

BRA'TAC But where is your god now, Teal'c?

TEAL'C He will come.

O'NEILL I don't think so buddy. I know we've been over this a few times, but in case you weren't listening, I am one hundred percent s-sure&hellip;

[He stutters to a stop and glances at Daniel and Carter.]

O'NEILL Ninety nine percent sure Apophis is dead.

TEAL'C He has deceived you O'Neill. As I have deceived you all these years in coming to be in the service to the Tauri.

O'NEILL Right.

TEAL'C I have never left the service of my Lord Apophis and I never will.

O'NEILL So all that time you were helping us out, saving the world, killing Goa'ulds&hellip;

TEAL'C Subterfuge.

O'NEILL Savvy.

TEAL'C You can take my life but you can never take away my loyalty to my god. I die in his name. (Shouting) I die for you, My Lord!

[Bra'tac grabs him.]

BRA'TAC Enough! Do you know me Teal'c?

TEAL'C You are the sholva Bra'tac.

BRA'TAC There was a time I was once the First Prime and loyal servant to your lord Apophis. You were my apprentice.

TEAL'C Kel'kak sholva!

BRA'TAC (angrily) Remember. Remember Teal'c!

[Teal'c has a flashback, of Bra'tac leading him and another two other Jaffa down a corridor.]

TEAL'C (quietly) It was glorious.

BRA'TAC For years we fought side by side in battle, in his name.

TEAL'C My Lord Apophis.

[In the flashback, Bra'tac, Teal'c and the accompanying Jaffa go to their knees before Apophis' throne.]

BRA'TAC My Lord Apophis. Your enemy is defeated. You have won the day.

APOPHIS Shal'met Bra'tac. Rise.

[Bra'tac and the others obey. Apophis steps down from his throne to place a hand on Bra'tac's shoulder.]

APOPHIS You have done well and will know my gratitude.

BRA'TAC You do me honour.

[They both turn to Teal'c and the other Jaffa.]

BRA'TAC In displaying great skill and cunning, these three most honoured your name in battle.

[Apophis approaches Teal'c, who keeps his eyes on the floor.]

APOPHIS Tell me of this one.

BRA'TAC His name is Teal'c, Mr Lord. My apprentice and with your blessing, my successor.

APOPHIS (to Teal'c) Who was your father?

BRA'TAC He is the son of&hellip;

APOPHIS Let him speak. If he is to take your place as my First Prime I must know he has a tongue.

TEAL'C My father was Ro'Nak, First Prime of Kronos, who was murdered for failing to win an unwinable battle. My family was exiled to Chulak.

APOPHIS He failed his god.

TEAL'C He did not.

BRA'TAC Si'kree Teal'c!

TEAL'C My lord, I speak only the truth. The battle could not have been won.

APOPHIS Your father should have died trying. He was a coward.

[Teal'c looks up at that.]

TEAL'C My lord, my father was not.

[Apophis raises his ribbon device and uses it on Teal'c, who falls to his knees, crying out in pain.]

INT&mdash;INFIRMARY, SGC

[Teal'c is screaming in pain, before falling unconscious.]

DANIEL Uh, what was that?

BRA'TAC A conjured memory. The first of many.

FRAISER He's obviously in a lot of pain. At least let me give him&hellip;

BRA'TAC Pain is what we seek. Teal'c's path was laid down with suffering. It is the path he must take to return to us.

FRAISER At the moment, he's unconscious.

BRA'TAC All the better.

O'NEILL All the better?

BRA'TAC It is his unconscious mind we must reach. I know my ways are foreign to you, but I have known Teal'c longer than any of you have lived. I have walked his path. You cannot hope to understand the darkness in his heart as I do. (He looks around at the others) Trust in me. All of you.

CARTER We do.

DANIEL What ever you need.

BRA'TAC For the moment, I must meditate in Kel'no'reem. This rite will take most of the night and I am tired from my long journey here. In the meantime stay with him, speak to him.

FRAISER He won't be able to hear us unless&hellip;

BRA'TAC Perhaps not in his mind. But in his heart. Even in silence he will know of your presence, but your words will force him to remember. Challenge him when he does, question his beliefs. Without his symbiote he will not resist reason so readily.

O'NEILL Carter? Maybe you could show Bra'tac to the VIP room?

CARTER Yes Sir.

[She escorts Bra'tac from the room.]

INT&mdash;CORRIDOR, SGC

[Carter is leading Bra'tac down the corridor.]

CARTER I hope you understand how difficult it is for us to just stand by while Teal'c is in such obvious agony. Especially Dr Fraiser.

BRA'TAC Humans concern themselves too much with pain.

CARTER Yeah, we also don't approve of torture.

BRA'TAC The greater torture would be to leave him as he is. Teal'c is strong, stronger than I.

CARTER Oh, I don't, you're the fittest hundred-and-thirty-year-old I know.

BRA'TAC Perhaps, but I am nearing the end of my time. Kel'no'reem is more and more difficult. The symbiote I carry within will mature within two years. It will be my last.

CARTER Why?

BRA'TAC Even if I could procure another, the new symbiote would reject me. It is how old warriors die.

CARTER Well, maybe we can find some way to help you.

BRA'TAC Life for the sake of life means nothing. Neither for me nor for Teal'c. Do you understand?

CARTER I think I do.

BRA'TAC Either he will return to us as we know him, or he will not return.

INT&mdash;INFIRMARY, SGC

[O'Neill and Daniel are staring down at an unconscious Teal'c.]

O'NEILL You wanna go first?

DANIEL Sure.

[After a moment, Daniel grabs a stool and places it beside Teal'c's bed. He sits down and for a long, awkward moment doesn't speak.]

O'NEILL I'll go.

DANIEL Yep.

[They exchange places.]

O'NEILL (to Teal'c) So, explain this to me one more time. You honestly believe that from the moment you broke us out of that prison on Chulak, that you've been serving Apophis? Because, I got to tell you, as your best friend at least in this whole live world, that makes absolutely no sense at all. I mean, that would make you the most ineffective double agent in the history of double agenting.

[Teal'c makes a sound.]

O'NEILL What?

[Teal'c repeats the name as he has another flashback.]

INT&mdash;BARRACKS, CHULAK

[Teal'c is laying on a bunk, surrounded by sleeping Jaffa, as his friend Va'lar approaches.]

VA'LAR Teal'c? Are you all right?

TEAL'C I met him. I spoke to him.

VA'LAR With Apophis himself? You were granted an audience?

TEAL'C As a reward for my deeds in battle.

VA'LAR I don't understand, how did he reward you? When they brought you here, you were so weak.

TEAL'C He punished me.

VA'LAR Then you must have failed him in some way.

TEAL'C This day I struck down one hundred of Apophis' enemies.

VA'LAR You fought well Teal'c, none would deny that. But he is a god and if you fail him, by sparing even one enemy's life that was yours for the taking, he will know.

TEAL'C This was not for the battle. What god would punish a son for loving his father?

VA'LAR Your god.

TEAL'C Yes but&hellip;

VA'LAR Never question that again!

JAFFA Quiet!

VA'LAR (more quietly) Today you served Apophis well in battle. Serve him well again tomorrow and you may live to see another day.

[He leaves and Teal'c appears to be considering his advice.]

INT&mdash;INFIRMARY, SGC

O'NEILL Va'lar. Is that what he said?

DANIEL I thought he said velour.

O'NEILL Velour?

DANIEL Velour.

O'NEILL The fabric?

DANIEL That's what I heard him say.

O'NEILL Why would he say that?

DANIEL I don't know, why would he say Va'lar?

O'NEILL I don't know.

TEAL'C (hoarsely) Va'lar was my friend.

DANIEL What?

O'NEILL Teal'c.

[Teal'c attempts to rise but is prevented by the straps.]

TEAL'C O'Neill. What is happening? Why am I restrained?

O'NEILL Well, you were sort of&hellip;trying to kill everyone these past few weeks.

TEAL'C I could never have harmed you. The Rite of Malsuraan has been successful. Please release me.

O'NEILL Nice try, but&hellip;no.

TEAL'C I am not your enemy. We are brothers. Daniel Jackson&hellip;

DANIEL Tell us about Va'lar.

TEAL'C I have not heard that name in years. I trained with him under Bra'tac. We served in the personal guard of Apophis. If you do not return my symbiote to me, I will die.

DANIEL What happened to him?

[There is a pause.]

TEAL'C (in a stronger voice) He failed his god.

O'NEILL His god? You mean that scum-sucking, over-dressed, boom-box voiced snake in the head? Latest on our long list of dead, bad guys?

FRAISER (seeing the monitor) Colonel, his heart rate just doubled.

[Teal'c lunges against the restraints, no longer weak.]

TEAL'C (shouting) Ka'shak!

O'NEILL That I understand.

TEAL'C You think I don't know what you're doing to me.

DANIEL We hope you do.

TEAL'C No Jaffa can survive the Rite of Malsuraan. You are allowing Bra'tac to kill me! Where is he? Sholva! Where are you?

FRAISER (looking at the monitor) BP is crashing, let's start an IV.

TEAL'C Where are you sholva?! Are you afraid to face me?!

EXT&mdash;SNOWY CLEARING, CHULAK&mdash;DAY

[Teal'c is blindfolded and shirtless, twirling a staff weapon in the centre of a snow-covered clearing.]

TEAL'C Where are you? Where are you? Kel'pak!

[The tip of a staff weapon touches his back, shocking him and causing him to fall to one knee in pain.]

BRA'TAC Were I truly your enemy, you would be dead.

[Teal'c turns towards the sound of his voice.]

TEAL'C This is pointless, I am not blind.

BRA'TAC (from behind him) In battle, you must use all your senses.

TEAL'C Once again.

BRA'TAC (taking his staff weapon) You have died enough for one day. You begin again in the morning.

[Teal'c removes the blindfold.]

TEAL'C Without this.

BRA'TAC Do you believe you can defeat the First Prime of Apophis in a joust?

TEAL'C (confident) I am the stronger.

[Bra'tac returns his staff weapon and they face each other in preparation to do battle. As they bow to each other, Bra'tac hits Teal'c over the head with his staff weapon. Teal'c stumbles back and Bra'tac swings his staff. Teal'c blocks the blows, but Bra'tac kicks him in the stomach and sweeps his legs out from under him with his staff weapon. Bra'tac points his staff at the fallen Teal'c.]

BRA'TAC Shall I fire and stop this waste of time? Or will you learn?

TEAL'C I was not prepared.

BRA'TAC There are no second chances in battle. You have ears to hear and eyes to see, but you will not learn! Shall I put us both out of our misery?

[He activates the staff weapon pointed at Teal'c's face.]

Bra'tac The choice is mine. Who can stop me? Apophis?

TEAL'C Yes.

BRA'TAC So you believe our Lord Apophis is all seeing? All powerful?

TEAL'C He is a god.

BRA'TAC Is he? In battle Teal'c, faith will not save you. Blind faith least of all. (He kneels down and pulls Teal'c upright) Rely on your own strength, your own wits, or you are of no use to me.

[He rises and walks away.]

INT&mdash;INFIRMARY, SGC

[Daniel has now taken his place at Teal'c's bedside.]

DANIEL I think the point that Jack was trying to make is that you're generally a very, extremely logical person and therefore your assertion that you never left the service of Apophis is so completely illogical, almost to the point of making absolutely no sense whatsoever&hellip;

TEAL'C Do you not know the meaning of faith, Daniel Jackson?

DANIEL I think I do.

TEAL'C Then you should know that my faith in Apophis is beyond question.

DANIEL Still, if you remember me and you remember, Jack, you must remember at some point questioning your faith.

TEAL'C Never! Apophis is a god.

DANIEL False god. Dead, false god.

TEAL'C Your words cannot change the truth.

DANIEL They're not my words, Teal'c, they're yours. Of course, you were wrong at the time because he wasn't&hellip;actually dead. But that's neither here not there&hellip;

TEAL'C Lies!

DANIEL The point is, there was a time in your life when you realised the Goa'uld can't all be gods. Every symbiote a Jaffa carries will take a human host given the chance and become a Goa'uld. How can they all be gods?

TEAL'C Do not test my temper woman!

[He has another flashback.]

INT&mdash;HOUSE, CHULAK&mdash;NIGHT

[Teal'c is sitting at a table as his wife, Drey'auc speaks.]

DREY'AUC I know you honour Bra'tac.

TEAL'C I said do not test my temper!

[He bangs his fist on the table in anger.]

DREY'AUC But you have no choice but to tell Apophis of his betrayal.

TEAL'C Bra'tac is my master.

DREY'AUC Apophis is your god.

TEAL'C If I am ever to be First Prime of Apophis, I must first honour Bra'tac.

DREY'AUC You have seen the power of Apophis. You have seen his chariots rise from the ground, walk through the wall of water within the Chapp'ai.

TEAL'C As I have done.

DREY'AUC Explain how a ball of light can leave his palm and throw a warrior across the square if he is not a god.

TEAL'C (frustrated) I cannot! (He rises) Yet neither have I seen a warrior greater than Bra'tac.

DREY'AUC Then you are the servant of two masters.

TEAL'C What am I to do, Drey'auc?

[She strokes his face.]

DREY'AUC Come to bed.

[They kiss.]

INT&mdash;INFIRMARY, SGC

DANIEL Woman? Did he just call me a woman?

O'NEILL Yes, I believe he did.

[Carter enters.]

CARTER Still unconscious.

DANIEL In and out, obviously delirious.

[Carter crosses to Fraiser.]

CARTER How's Junior doing?

FRAISER The symbiote is fine for now, although I don't know what we're going to do with it if we let Teal'c die. But, it won't be my problem. I'll have already resigned if we let this go that far.

CARTER Janet, I know how you feel&hellip;

FRAISER No. I'm a doctor, Sam. This goes against every part of me to just stand by and do nothing.

CARTER I don't think that we're doing nothing.

FRAISER (unconvinced) Yeah.

[Carter returns to Teal'c's bedside.]

CARTER So, is it working? Has he said anything?

O'NEILL Talked about fabric, briefly.

DANIEL He just called me a woman.

O'NEILL So I think it's working.

DANIEL Well, something's happening.

CARTER Well, it looks like we're in for the whole night. We should probably take turns sitting with him.

O'NEILL Yeah, all right. I'll come back in a couple of hours. Daniel, you go after me. Then I think we'll all wanna be here.

[He rises and leaves, followed by Daniel, leaving Carter to sit with Teal'c.]

CARTER Hey Teal'c. Look, I don't know how good I'm going to be at this, but um&hellip;I guess the important thing is just to be there for you.

[Teal'c suddenly opens his eyes.]

TEAL'C Major Carter. How can you allow them to do this to me?

CARTER Teal'c&hellip;

TEAL'C I have no wish to die, Major Carter. You and Dr Fraiser could yet save me.

CARTER You're not going to die.

TEAL'C I am being murdered as we speak.

CARTER We're helping you.

TEAL'C Help me escape. Please.

CARTER Oh God. Teal'c, we want you to remember.

TEAL'C Do you believe in a god, Major Carter?

CARTER This isn't about me.

TEAL'C How would it be if you were punished for loving your god as I love mine?

CARTER It's not the same.

TEAL'C I can't but help what I believe.

CARTER You believe in freedom, Teal'c. You believe in justice, in protecting people from false gods. You despise everything Apophis was.

TEAL'C (growing weaker) He failed his god&hellip;he&hellip;failed&hellip;his god&hellip;

CARTER Teal'c?

[He doesn't answer.]

INT&mdash;CORRIDOR, PYRAMID SHIP

[The Jaffa, Va'lar, hurries up to Teal'c.]

VA'LAR Teal'c!

TEAL'C Why have you returned from the planet?

VA'LAR I need to speak with you.

TEAL'C Speak now, Apophis has summoned me.

VA'LAR Alone. Please.

[They step into an alcove, away from the other Jaffa.]

VA'LAR The battle did not go well. Ra's warriors were in far greater numbers than we believed.

TEAL'C You were given a battalion.

VA'LAR Ra sent his gliders down upon us. We were flanked and bombarded from the sky, there was no choice but to retreat.

TEAL'C Shan'krev'lar.

VA'LAR It was the only way to save my men.

TEAL'C And yourself.

VA'LAR No! I intend to return and with greater numbers I will drive Ra's warriors from their foothold. Please, tell him I am no coward and if given the chance I will yet prevail. I swear it.

TEAL'C Go to our sleeping quarters. Wait for me there.

VA'LAR Teal'c. There were no profit to merely fight and die.

TEAL'C You may yet wish you had.

[He walks off.]

INT&mdash;BRIDGE, PYRAMID SHIP

[Bra'tac enters the bridge. Apophis is looking down at the planet below.]

BRA'TAC (going to one knee) My Lord, we are at your service.

APOPHIS Who did you entrust with this campaign?

BRA'TAC Va'lar of Chulak. A promising warrior.

APOPHIS Yet he returned in disgrace.

TEAL'C Perhaps not in disgrace, my Lord. But as part of a cunning strategy. To withdraw, only to return in greater numbers to crush an overconfident enemy. Va'lar himself would like to lead the second wave.

APOPHIS Does he?

BRA'TAC My Lord, allow me to&hellip;

[Apophis holds up his hand, silencing him.]

APOPHIS You would have done the same in his place, would you Teal'c?

TEAL'C No my Lord.

APOPHIS You would have held your ground in the name of your god?

TEAL'C Yes, my Lord.

APOPHIS Then return with him to his place of shame, and kill him.

TEAL'C Yes, my Lord.

[He rises and leaves.]

INT&mdash;BARRACKS, PYRAMID SHIP

[Va'lar is contemplating his fate as Teal'c enters the room to carry out Apophis' orders.]

INT&mdash;CORRIDOR, PYRAMID SHIP

[A bound and unarmed Va'lar precedes Teal'c down the corridor. They enter a ring room, surrounded by a dozen Jaffa.]

TEAL'C Jaffa! Kek'shal kree, sholva.

[The other Jaffa bow their heads. Teal'c shoves Va'lar into the ring area and steps in beside him. They are transported down to the planet.]

VA'LAR You may take solace for what you are about to do, Teal'c. I should have died on this battlefield.

[He goes to his knees before Teal'c.]

VA'LAR Please tell Apophis I died well, honouring his name.

[Teal'c points his staff weapon at Va'lar's throat.]

TEAL'C Rise.

[Va'lar exhales heavily, then does so. Teal'c produces a small knife used for the removal of symbiotes. He uses it to cut Va'lar's bonds.]

TEAL'C There is a small village, two or three days walk south of the city. You may find shelter. Do not allow yourself to be captured by either side.

VA'LAR Teal'c, you cannot do this. Even for me, he will know.

TEAL'C We shall see.

VA'LAR I am more willing to face my punishment than to live knowing what Apophis would do to you. For your sake, you must.

TEAL'C Go now and never show your face again.

VA'LAR (whispering) He is a god, Teal'c, he will know that you have spared me.

TEAL'C We shall see. Go.

[Va'lar finally leaves, running away. Teal'c watches him leave, then sees a dead Jaffa lying on the ground. He goes to the body and starts to pull off the Jaffa's uniform.]

INT&mdash;RING ROOM, PYRAMID SHIP

[Teal'c transports back to the ship. Apophis and two serpent guards are awaiting him. He falls to his knees.]

TEAL'C It is done.

[He holds up a weakly squirming symbiote, the one he took from the dead Jaffa.]

APOPHIS You have promise Teal'c.

[He turns and leaves with his guards.]

INT&mdash;INFIRMARY, SGC

[Carter dabs at Teal'c's face with a cloth. Hammond watches from the observation room above. O'Neill enters and takes a seat beside the General.]

HAMMOND You didn't stay away long.

O'NEILL You should talk. You can go in there you know.

HAMMOND I know.

O'NEILL General, if Teal'c were here, he'd say you made the right decision.

HAMMOND If he were here.

O'NEILL He'll be back.

HAMMOND If not, Teal'c will be sent to a high security facility and placed in solitary confinement. When his symbiote matures in four or fives years&hellip; (He pauses) I won't do that to him, Jack.

O'NEILL No Sir. Of course not.

INT&mdash;HOUSE, CHULAK&mdash;NIGHT

[Teal'c wakes from a nightmare with a gasp and gets out of bed. He splashes water over his face.]

DREY'AUC What is wrong, Teal'c?

TEAL'C Three days ago I led a battalion, to retake a planet that had been occupied by Ra's army. Apophis ordered me to burn a village of Ra's followers to the ground.

DREY'AUC You did this?

TEAL'C Yes.

DREY'AUC Then sleep well in the knowledge you have served Apophis.

TEAL'C I cannot close my eyes without seeing the innocent faces of the women and children who lived there. A Jaffa lived there also, a warrior named Va'lar.

DREY'AUC (shaking her head) No.

TEAL'C I banished him to that village to save his life, only to take it away for fear that Apophis would learn my secret. I put my own life before that of an entire village and that of a dear friend.

DREY'AUC No, you had no choice.

TEAL'C I did have a choice.

[Drey'auc gets out of bed.]

DREY'AUC A son&hellip;will soon be born to us Teal'c. You must ensure that he has a father. Our son will be born into a real home, a gift from Apophis himself. It is the best life we can hope for.

TEAL'C Then why am I so ashamed?

[Drey'auc comforts him.]

EXT&mdash;SNOWY CLEARING, CHULAK&mdash;DAY

[Bra'tac is standing in the centre of the clearing, practising his skills with a staff weapon. Teal'c runs up to him, clearly excited.]

TEAL'C (grinning) Te'ma'tey! Master Bra'tac. Te'ma tey.

BRA'TAC Apophis has made you his First Prime.

TEAL'C (smile fading) You are not pleased.

BRA'TAC (sharply) No.

TEAL'C There is no greater honour among Jaffa than to become First Prime to one's god&hellip;

BRA'TAC Ahh! You know as well as I what the Goa'uld truly are. We pretend, men like you and I, so we may advance in rank and privilege, but do not pretend to me now. You know the truth. Can you look me in the face and say otherwise?

TEAL'C My entire life you have prepared me for this day. Why?

BRA'TAC I saw the spark of doubt in you and the wisdom to keep that doubt unto yourself. I saw you play the game with those who would play god.

TEAL'C If I do not believe in him, how can I serve?

BRA'TAC Because there is no other choice but to serve. The Goa'uld are powerful. They've seen to it that we cannot live without them and so it may be for all time. But neither can they live without the Jaffa. We are they're true power.

TEAL'C I do not understand.

BRA'TAC As First Prime that power will be yours. When Apophis throws his armies into the fire you will be there to temper his sword. And in so doing, you may save countless lives as I have done in my time.

TEAL'C And you have done all these things against his will?

BRA'TAC His will can be made to bend, but not always. I have done deeds for which I cannot forgive even myself. As will you. Men such as you and I have only the comfort of those time we make a difference. (He places his hand over Teal'c's heart) Make a difference.

[He walks away, leaving Teal'c standing alone in the clearing.]

INT&mdash;PRISON, CHULAK

[Teal'c and Bra'tac are observing a group of prisoners through the bars. Teal'c points out SG-1, who are among the huddled people.]

TEAL'C There.

BRA'TAC Those are the humans who came through the Chapp'ai. They do not appear to be as formidable as I have imagined.

TEAL'C Their weapons are not of Goa'uld design.

BRA'TAC That may be so, Teal'c, but they are only three.

TEAL'C There is something more. A strength. They know the taste of freedom.

BRA'TAC Your dreams of freedom will be your undoing, Teal'c.

TEAL'C Perhaps so.

BRA'TAC Pray they are not chosen as hosts. That is the best fate you can wish for them.

[He walks away, but Teal'c remains.]

INT&mdash;INFIRMARY, SGC

[Teal'c is still strapped to the bed, eyes closed.]

TEAL'C (whispering) What have I done?

[The monitor starts to beep erratically, the lines indicating Teal'c's heart rate going red.]

FRAISER He's in de-fib, get the cart.

CARTER This is it.

[O'Neill grabs a phone on the wall.]

O'NEILL (into phone) Get Bra'tac down here.

INT&mdash;CORRIDOR, SGC

[Bra'tac runs down the corridor.]

INT&mdash;INFIRMARY, SGC

[A nurse wheels the jar containing the symbiote over to Teal'c's bed.]

FRAISER I'm returning the symbiote.

BRA'TAC Stand aside.

FRAISER If I don't return it immediately&hellip;

BRA'TAC Stand aside, or his suffering will be for nothing. This is the moment when he must choose.

HAMMOND (from the observation room) Stand aside, Dr Fraiser.

[Fraiser reluctantly obeys. Bra'tac approaches the bed.] BRA'TAC Choose now, Teal'c. Return to those who love freedom, or die in the name of a false god. Choose!

INT&mdash;PRISON, CHULAK

[Apophis' serpent guards form a line before the prisoners, including SG-1. Teal'c stands in the centre of the Jaffa.]

TEAL'C Kree ho'mel, Goa'uld!

[The Goa'uld enter the prison in order to select hosts.]

INT&mdash;INFIRMARY, SGC

BRA'TAC (shouting) Choose to be the warrior we know! Renounce Apophis and return to us!

FRAISER It's now or never.

BRA'TAC Choose!

[Teal'c fails to respond and Bra'tac appears shocked.]

BRA'TAC Very well.

[He releases Teal'c.]

FRAISER Let's move.

INT&mdash;PRISON, CHULAK

APOPHIS Kill the rest.

[The remaining prisoners who have not been chosen start to scream and run towards the back of the prison. The serpent guards advance on them as O'Neill stands his ground.]

INT&mdash;INFIRMARY, SGC

FRAISER Symbiote's in.

[She throws off her gloves.]

NURSE No change.

FRAISER We waited too long. Charge to two hundred.

NURSE Charging.

[The nurse hands Fraiser the paddles of the defibrillator.]

FRAISER Clear.

[She presses the paddles to Teal'c's chest, causing him to arch.]

INT&mdash;PRISON, CHULAK

[The prisoners are still screaming in fear. Teal'c walks towards the advancing Serpent Guards as they charge their staff weapons.]INT&mdash;INFIRMARY, SGC

NURSE No pulse.

FRAISER Make it three sixty. Give me five of eppy. Charging. Clear.

[She uses the paddles once more.]

INT&mdash;PRISON, CHULAK

O'NEILL (to Teal'c) I can save these people!

[Teal'c turns and aims his staff weapon at O'Neill.]

O'NEILL Help me. (More quietly) Help me.

TEAL'C Many have said that.

[He turns and fires on the Serpent Guards, then tosses his weapon to O'Neill.]

TEAL'C But you are the first I believe could do it.

INT&mdash;INFIRMARY, SGC

[Teal'c experiences a multitude of flashbacks, the sum of all the things he has done since he joined SG-1. His eyes snap open]

TEAL'C I choose freedom.

[He looks to the others, who all seem shocked. Bra'tac bends over him and stares into his eyes for a long moment, before smiling.]

BRA'TAC The right has succeeded. He has returned to us.

O'NEILL Uh, just out of curiosity&hellip;how do you feel about&hellip;?

TEAL'C Apophis is a false god. A dead, false god.

[The others all smile.]

O'NEILL It's good enough for me. Get him out of those restraints.

[As Fraiser starts to undo the straps, Hammond enters the room.]

HAMMOND (to Fraiser) Thank you doctor, well done.

FRAISER Yes Sir. I'm glad it worked out too.

CARTER Hey Teal'c.

TEAL'C Major Carter, Daniel Jackson. (He clasps Bra'tac's forearm) Te'ma'tey.

BRA'TAC My friend.

TEAL'C General Hammond, I once again pledge my allegiance to you and the people of this world. And I request permission to return to SG-1.

HAMMOND Permission granted.

FADE OUT

THE END

Transcribed By Dee for Stargatefan

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