Common Ground/Transcript

Episode Guide
Common Ground" Episode Guide

Prologue
EXT&mdash;PLANET, DAY

[Sheppard's team is on the run and under fire.]

TEYLA We must go faster, Rodney!

MCKAY (panicked) This is pretty much my top gear!

[Sheppard and Ronon pause at cover and return fire while Teyla and McKay get to the DHD.]

RONON If we make a stand here, we can take 'em!

SHEPPARD Negative. We don't know how many we're up against! (he shoots again and turns to the others) Rodney, dial the damn gate! Don't wait for us!

[McKay is already dialing while Teyla provides cover fire.]

MCKAY (frantic) As if the bullets whizzing past my head weren't encouragement enough!

[The firefight continues.]

MCKAY (pushing glyphs) Okay, six, seven.

[The wormhole activates.]

MCKAY (into radio) This is McKay to Atlantis! We're coming in hot!

[McKay and Teyla run through the Stargate. Ronon and Sheppard follow. Someone fires a twin harpoon at Sheppard, piercing his vest and pulling him backward to the ground at the last second. Ronon makes it through and the wormhole shuts down.]

[Sheppard finds himself surrounded by several armed Genii. The harpoon shooter is Kolya, who lowers his weapon and approaches. He smiles and crouches closer to the ground to be more on Sheppard's level.]

KOLYA It's good to see you again, Colonel.

SHEPPARD Kolya.

Episode
OPENING CREDITS

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, DAY

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS GATE ROOM

[Several heavily armed teams walk through the Stargate from an incoming wormhole. Weir stands waiting for them. Teyla, McKay, and Ronon are the last to arrive.]

WEIR Anything?

TEYLA There was no sign of Colonel Sheppard or our attackers.

RONON And they covered their tracks well.

MCKAY There's a good chance he was transported off-world, so I've gathered the last fifty or so gate addresses that were dialed.

WEIR That should be helpful, but since the transmission which summoned us to the planet was sent using a code we gave to the Genii, that will be our starting point.

MCKAY (sarcastically) What are you gonna do, like ask the Genii if one of them took Sheppard?

WEIR (calmly) Yes, I am.

[The Stargate chevrons light up.]

MCKAY So&hellip;this&hellip;?

WEIR Yes, it is.

[Ronon and McKay move out of the path of the kawhoosh as the Stargate activates.]

CHUCK Incoming wormhole! We're receiving the new identification code.

WEIR Security teams stand by.

[Ladon and three Genii soldiers enter from the wormhole.]

WEIR Welcome, Ladon.

LADON I came as soon as I&mdash;

[Ronon approaches Ladon and towers over him.]

RONON (furious) What've you done with Sheppard?

WEIR (firmly) Ronon, he is here as our guest.

[Ronon has a snarl on his face, but steps back.]

LADON How can I help?

INT&mdash;GENII CELLS

[Sheppard is in a cell. It has three stone walls and the front is encased with metal bars. Another cell is next to his.]

SHEPPARD Kolya? I didn't kill you last time, remember?

[Sheppard kicks the doors.]

SHEPPARD Gah! (sotto voce) You promised me points for that. (yelling) Kolya! (to himself) Dammit. Should've killed him.

PRISONER (from the next cell) You're wasting your breath.

SHEPPARD Didn't know I had company down here.

[Sheppard steps to the wall between the cells. There is a small barred window between the cells.]

PRISONER There is no escape.

SHEPPARD Prisons are like that. Never stopped me before. How long have you been down here?

[Sheppard peers through the bars, trying to get a look at his neighbor. All he can see is a shadowed figure shifting his legs.]

PRISONER Many years.

SHEPPARD How many is "many"? Five? Ten?

PRISONER It no longer matters.

SHEPPARD Oh, that many, huh? What did you do to get here?

PRISONER I merely allowed myself to be captured alive.

SHEPPARD Same here. Look, I got people looking for me, and when they find me, maybe we can both uh&mdash;

[An outer door to the area opens, and three armed Genii soldiers arrive and unlock Sheppard's cell.]

GUARD Move.

SHEPPARD Where we movin' to?

[The guard cocks a large alien shotgun type weapon.]

SHEPPARD I kinda like it here.

[The guard fires a blast past Sheppard's soldier, blowing a large hole through the wall behind him. Sheppard flinches from the blast and gets struck by debris.]

SHEPPARD Ow!

GUARD Commander Kolya insists.

SHEPPARD Oh, he insists? Well, why didn't you just say so?

[Sheppard steps out of the cell. After he passes the guard with the shotgun, he spins back and delivers a roundhouse punch, trying to pull the shotgun out of the guard's grasp. Another guard strikes him with a small whip that emits some kind of electric charge. Sheppard shouts in pain and collapses unconscious.]

GUARD Pick him up.

[The other guards drag Sheppard away.]

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, DAY

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS GATE ROOM

[Atlantis SFs disarm the Genii guards. They lead away all but Lodan and his aide.]Ladon

WEIR I'm sorry this is necessary, but under the circumstances, I'm sure you understand.

LADON I came here as a friend, Doctor Weir; I hope to leave as one.

WEIR And we appreciate your concern for Colonel Sheppard.

MCKAY Despite the fact that it was your incompetence that led to his capture.

WEIR (admonishing) Rodney!

MCKAY I'm sorry, but there is no disputing the fact that it was a code we provided the Genii that was used to lure us to that planet where we were ambushed!

LADON Doctor McKay is quite correct. You entrusted us with codes, and I allowed them to be stolen from us. How and by whom is an ongoing investigation, but I must assume it was someone close to me.

TEYLA Or this is part of your plans.

LADON Excuse me?

TEYLA (with humorless smile) It would not be the first time.

LADON I say this rhetorically, since I should think it is obvious. But if I were involved in this in any way, or if my intentions were anything less than honorable, would I have come to Atlantis?

RONON With you, who knows? All I know is my friend has been kidnapped, and you had something to do with it.

LADON Which is why I have walked away from significant responsibilities as leader of my people to come here and offer our help. Now, you can either let me do that, or you can continue to berate me for my mistake. The choice is yours.

RONON Oh, we have more choices than that!

[He looms over Ladon again.]

WEIR Ronon!

LADON I see no reason to stay here if this is how I am to be treated.

RONON Trust me, you're not goin' anywhere.

WEIR Ronon, I understand how you feel. Believe me, I do. But we're gonna deal with this my way. (to Ladon) Let's continue this in my office&hellip;privately.

[She and Ladon head up the stairs, leaving the others standing there.]

INT&mdash;CAMERA ROOM

[Sheppard is tied to chair in the room. The three guards are there, as well as Kolya. A device similar to a 1950s era television studio camera is wheeled nearby.]

KOLYA It's been some time.

SHEPPARD You must have really missed me to go through all this trouble. Nice harpoon, by the way.

[Kolya smirks.]

KOLYA To capture an extraordinary soldier takes extraordinary measures.

SHEPPARD I'll take that as a compliment.

KOLYA As you should. Just as you should understand this is not personal. As soon as my goal is achieved, you'll be returned to Atlantis.

SHEPPARD That simple, huh? What do you want?

KOLYA It's not a question of what I want. It's a question of who.

INT&mdash;WEIR'S OFFICE

LADON Now, I entrusted the IDC codes you provided to two men in my government&mdash;my second minister in the event of my death, and my personal assistant, Cassel Massan. I trust both of these men implicitly&hellip;or rather I did.

WEIR Are both men now accounted for?

LADON Yes. In fact, they're in custody. They're being questioned as we speak.

WEIR (skeptically) Really?

LADON Don't underestimate the importance of this alliance between our two peoples to the Genii, Doctor Weir. In fact, when I heard the news, my first concern was&mdash;

[Klaxons blare.]

CHUCK (over comm) We have an unscheduled off-world activation.

[Weir and Ladon leave the room.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

WEIR Identification code?

[McKay is at a console beside Chuck.]

MCKAY None, but we're receiving an analog video signal.

WEIR Bring it up.

[A fuzzy image of Kolya appears on screen.]

KOLYA (over video) Doctor Weir, if you're receiving this, please respond.

[Everyone stares at the image in shock.]

RONON Who the hell is he?

TEYLA Aucustus Kolya. A Genii military leader who once tried to seize Atlantis. Ladon was a member of his strike team.

[Ronon turns and glares at Ladon, processing this information.]

KOLYA (over video) I do know you're there, Doctor. The existence of Atlantis is no secret among the Genii. It would be&hellip;pointless not to answer.

WEIR (to Chuck) Open a channel.

[Chuck signals the line is active.]

WEIR This is Doctor Weir.

KOLYA (over video) Oh good. I wanted to be certain you were there to see this.

[Kolya steps to the side to reveal a bound and gagged Sheppard sitting behind him.]

MCKAY What have you done to him?

KOLYA (over video) Nothing whatsoever, Doctor McKay.

MCKAY Okay, let me rephrase that. What are you planning to do?

KOLYA (over video) Oh, it's quite simple. I'd like to make a trade.

WEIR Before we continue this conversation another second, I want to speak with Sheppard.

KOLYA (over video) Be my guest.

MCKAY We'll rephrase that, too. We would like him to be able to speak to us.

[Kolya chuckles.]

KOLYA (over video) Very well.

[He nods and a guard removes Sheppard's gag.]

SHEPPARD (shouting desperately through video) On my command authority, whatever he asks, don't do it! Even if&mdash;

[The guard quickly replaces the gag, and Kolya laughs.]

KOLYA (over video) Well, as you can see, he's his usual charming self.

WEIR Explain your terms, Kolya.

KOLYA (over video) I have heard the familiar voices of yourself and Doctor McKay. But there is one person I know is there who has yet to speak. Ladon Redim is with you, is he not?

[Ladon and Weir exchange looks.]

WEIR (cautiously) Why would Ladon be here?

KOLYA (over video) Well, to preserve his precious alliance with you, Doctor, so that the Genii might remain in the favor of Atlantis. My sources have already confirmed this, so there's no point in denying the fact. Turn him over to me, and Colonel Sheppard will be released immediately.

[Ladon looks nervous. Weir exchanges looks with McKay.]

WEIR (coldly) I'll need time to consider your offer.

KOLYA (over video) Allow me to help expedite your decision.

[The camera pans to the door of the room. Guards lead in a fettered and weakened Wraith.]

WEIR Oh my god.

INT&mdash;CAMERA ROOM

[Sheppard gives increasingly panicked breaths through his gag as the Wraith is led near him.]

MCKAY (desperately, through radio) Sheppard could have left you to rot down in that hole when we last met, Kolya. He does not deserve this!

KOLYA Let's be clear, Doctor McKay. No one does.

[The Wraith is unchained from his manacles and physically held back from Sheppard.]

WEIR (over radio) Don't do this. Don't do it!

KOLYA The choice is yours, Doctor Weir. Do we have an arrangement?

[No one speaks.]

KOLYA Very well.

[Kolya nods to his men. The Wraith stares at Sheppard, then slams his feeding hand onto Sheppard's chest. Sheppard is in agony.]

WEIR (over radio) Stop! Stop!

KOLYA Enough.

[The guard use the electric whip to break the Wraith away from Sheppard and pull him back. Sheppard is weakened and in shock. His sideburns are streaked with grey and there are lines around his eyes. Kolya appears moved by Sheppard's state, but schools his face to be impassive as Sheppard glares at him.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

WEIR (determined) You've just crossed a line, Kolya.

KOLYA (over video) We've found that a minimum of three hours between feeding sessions is crucial to ensure the body has sufficient time to recover from the trauma. That's the time you have to decide. Three hours.

[Kolya's face has filled the screen, and the image shuts off. Everyone exchanges troubled looks.]

INT&mdash;GENII CELLS

[Sheppard lies half propped against a wall of his cell. His neighbor can be heard in the next cell.]

PRISONER They called you Sheppard.

SHEPPARD (weakly) Yeah. That's my name. Pleased to meet you.

PRISONER You are in pain.

SHEPPARD Well, I just got fed on by a Wraith. What do you think?

PRISONER I would not know.

SHEPPARD Hopefully, you'll never have to find out.

[He shifts to sit up and groans in pain at the effort.]

SHEPPARD I didn't think anything could hurt that much.

PRISONER You're still alive.

SHEPPARD Yeah, well&hellip;I don't know how many years the darn thing took off my life. But I'll tell you this: if Kolya's men hadn't'a pulled that damn thing off, I'd be dust in a flak jacket.

PRISONER Do you blame the Wraith, or the master?

SHEPPARD I'm gonna go with both.

PRISONER There is a difference. The Wraith must feed in order to live. For a Wraith, hunger burns like a fire. Tell me, Sheppard, if you found yourself burning alive, would you settle for just one drop of water, or would you take more?

[Sheppard furrows his eyebrows. While the prisoner speaks, he struggles to his feet to try and look at his neighbor through the window.]

SHEPPARD (suspiciously) When'd you hear them call me "Sheppard"?

[The prisoner steps forward into the light. His fellow prisoner is the Wraith.]

WRAITH PRISONER Just before I started to feed.

[Sheppard gulps in shock.]

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, DAY

INT&mdash;CONFERENCE ROOM

[Ladon, Weir, and the remainder of Sheppard's team are in the room. All but Ronon are sitting. Ronon leans against the wall directly behind Ladon's chair.]

LADON Of course, you would see him only as the monster who tried to take your city from you.

WEIR Kolya also killed several of our people.

TEYLA He would have killed Doctor Weir as well.

LADON I won't make excuses for his actions or mine during the failed Atlantis mission. We were soldiers under Cowan's orders. But that failure shattered Kolya's stature among the Genii. It forced him from Cowan's inner circle.

WEIR You managed to stay.

LADON Cowan had no choice but to keep me. I was his chief scientist.

MCKAY And you just left Kolya out in the cold.

LADON That was his choice, not mine. I will admit, in what little contact we had before Kolya went underground, he spoke of overthrowing Cowan's corrupt regime, and I was admittedly torn.

WEIR (skeptically) Out of loyalty to Cowan?

LADON Out of the belief that neither man had what it took to lead the Genii into the future.

MCKAY So, instead you&mdash;having what it took&mdash;overthrew Cowan yourself.

LADON Kolya believes that I have taken his rightful place as leader of our people.

RONON No wonder he's pissed.

WEIR Well, obviously he has men loyal to him in your inner circle. Hence the codes.

LADON Well, those traitors will be found.

RONON Sounds like you're the traitor to me.

LADON Must he be here?

WEIR The more I hear, the more I'm glad he is.

LADON (uncomfortably) I could have told you anything. I chose to tell you the truth. If you trade my life for Sheppard's, you will not only be yielding to blackmail, but you will be planting the seeds of civil war.

RONON So what? I say we turn him over and let 'em fight it out.

MCKAY We can't do that.

RONON Oh why not?

MCKAY Because&hellip; (rethinking) Well&hellip;can we?

TEYLA Colonel Sheppard has already ordered us not to.

WEIR (nodding) At this point, it's not his decision. There's still time for us to find him and launch a rescue operation. Has there been any progress?

MCKAY We have a list of planets where recent Genii activity's been documented, but we'd have a much higher margin of success if Ladon would be willing to point out firm locations of Genii safe houses and shelters, maybe even hidden Wraith-infested torture chambers.

[They all turn to Ladon. Ronon moves closer. Ladon nods nervously.]

INT&mdash;GENII CELLS

[Sheppard paces in his cell, breathing heavily.]

WRAITH Your anger will only weaken you.

SHEPPARD I don't think so.

WRAITH You realize he is torturing both of us?

SHEPPARD Oh yeah? What'd he do to you?

WRAITH He stopped me.

SHEPPARD Really? And how is that torture?

WRAITH Have you ever known starvation, Sheppard? The few years I took from you are barely enough to keep me alive. The strength I gained from you is already fading.

SHEPPARD I don't really give a damn.

WRAITH You pace in your cell, cursing that I took years from you&hellip;I stand here cursing that I was not allowed them all! Each, in our own way, we suffer!

[Sheppard approaches the window and glares at the Wraith.]

SHEPPARD This might come as a surprise to you, but I'm not really in the mood for conversation. So why don't you just do me a favor, and shut the hell up!

[The Wraith reaches out with his feeding hand, but there is enough space between the windows of their shared cells that he can't quite reach. Sheppard flinches slightly in startled fear.]

WRAITH These are your last hours, Sheppard. If you wish to spend them in silence, then so be it.

SHEPPARD No. I'm getting outta here. I've got a life to go back to, and I'm damn well going back to it.

[Sheppard starts pacing again. The Wraith watches him, intrigued.]

WRAITH You're sure of that?

[Sheppard sits back against the far wall, groaning with the effort.]

SHEPPARD Yeah. I've got friends. And they're gonna come for me.

WRAITH I hope you continue to believe that&hellip;the next time I feed.

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, NIGHT

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

[Beckett is beside Weir.]

BECKETT Elizabeth, I'm just saying if you decide in favor of trading for Colonel Sheppard, it'd be best if you did so before the next feeding. I honestly don't know how many sessions a man can take, even someone as strong as Colonel Sheppard.

WEIR Is it possible he can recover from this?

BECKETT We still know so little about the feeding process. All I can tell you is that each time he's fed upon, his chances of survival diminish severely.

[Weir nods. McKay and Ladon climb the stairs to the control room.]

MCKAY (yelling from stairs as he approaches) Doctor Weir! We've got a match! We went through database. Between our list and Ladon's, there's only one potential location that makes any sense.

WEIR Go.

MCKAY Right.

[McKay leaves. Weir and Ladon exchange looks.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS GATE ROOM

[Several personnel check their rifles. The Stargate is already active. McKay paces behind with his own rifle as Teyla, Ronon, and Beckett watch bemused.]

MCKAY (emphatically) All right, people. Let's do this one by the numbers. We get in, we get our man, we get out. Stay sharp, and stay alive.

BECKETT What are you on about?

MCKAY (abashed) Oh, just things that Sheppard would say, so I just thought I would&mdash;

TEYLA (diplomatically) Well said, Rodney.

RONON Just stay behind me.

BECKETT Aye.

[Everyone starts heading through the Stargate, including Beckett.]

MCKAY Right.

[McKay looks up at the balcony. Weir is there.]

WEIR Just bring him back.

[McKay gives a thumbs up sign and follows the others.]

INT&mdash;CAMERA ROOM

[Sheppard is again tied to the chair. Kolya and his men are nearby.]

SHEPPARD I thought you said this wasn't personal.

KOLYA The truth is, I would've settled for Doctor McKay. But I don't imagine I would enjoy his constant wailing.

SHEPPARD They're never gonna make the trade, Kolya. Why don't you just finish this?

KOLYA I think you underestimate the sympathetic nature of Doctor Weir.

SHEPPARD Well then, you underestimate Elizabeth.

KOLYA You prefer I storm Atlantis and take Ladon by force?

[Sheppard chuckles.]

SHEPPARD What've you got? Half a dozen men and a starving Wraith? Yeah, you go right ahead.

KOLYA One way or the other, Ladon is mine. Protecting him is a waste of my time and your life.

SHEPPARD What'd he do to you?

KOLYA I was the one planning to overthrow Cowan. Ladon disclosed those plans, forcing me underground, then staged a coup of his own. He took what was rightfully mine. (to guards) Bring in the Wraith.

[Sheppard looks nervous.]

EXT&mdash;OUTSIDE WAREHOUSE

[The Atlantis teams are pressed against the building. Ronon throws a smoke grenade through the window to the door, breaking the glass. Waiting a few moments, he primes his gun and slams open the door. The others follow.]

INT&mdash;WAREHOUSE

MARINE Go go. We're on it. Clear it out.

[Ronon and Teyla lead the others, who spread through the building with military precision. Ronon stuns a Genii guard running down a corridor. He, Teyla, and some others approach cautiously. The man is unconscious.]

RONON Just the caretaker.

[McKay is alone checking out another section of the warehouse. He hears a small rattle high above him and instantly starts firing his P-90.]

MARINE Shots fired! Go go go!

[The others hear and instantly run towards him. McKay looks sheepish as guards approach weapons raised.]

MCKAY Oh&hellip;uh&hellip;

[He gives a thumbs up. Beckett, Teyla, and Ronon arrive.]

BECKETT Rodney?

MCKAY Uh&hellip;I thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye&hellip;I just-uh-you know&hellip;I reacted.

TEYLA What is it?

MCKAY Um&hellip;a mouse. A really big one though. Uh, more of a rat really, possibly rabid.

BECKETT This isn't the place, is it?

TEYLA I do not believe so.

RONON No. Sheppard wasn't here.

[McKay checks his watch.]

MCKAY And we've just wasted two and a half hours.

RONON Let's move out.

MCKAY &hellip;and a mouse.

[Everyone leaves.]

INT&mdash;WEIR'S OFFICE

[Weir and Ladon stand in the office, Atlantis SFs right outside.]

WEIR Your intel was wrong!

LADON Well, then, the only way for me to help is to return to my homeworld and mobilize the resources of my military.

WEIR You can contact them from here.

LADON Do you think I don't know the real reason you're keeping me here?

WEIR You are a head of state. It was John Sheppard's last order that we do not submit to Kolya's demands. It is my own country's policy to never yield to terrorists. Those are the reasons you're still here Mister Radim. Because believe me, if it was simply my choice&hellip;

LADON (interrupting) I understand. How&mdash;

WEIR (interrupting) Good. Now we don't have much time. I want you to look over our list of planets again. See if there's anything you could&mdash;

CHUCK (over comm) Unscheduled off-world activation!

INT&mdash;CONTROL ROOM

[Weir and Ladon enter.]

CHUCK Looks to be another video feed.

WEIR Patch it through and open a channel.

[Kolya appears on a video monitor.]

KOLYA (over video) Doctor Weir? As promised.

WEIR Where's Sheppard?

KOLYA (over video) I'm pleased to see you're wasting no time. So neither will I.

[He paces, the camera following his movements. Sheppard, now gagged as well appears through the monitor.]

INT&mdash;CAMERA ROOM

[Kolya nods to the guard who holds the Wraith by Sheppard. The guard releases the Wraith's feeding arm from its manacle, the leather cover free.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

KOLYA (over video) Will you turn Ladon Radim over to me in exchange for Colonel Sheppard? Doctor Weir?

[In the background, Sheppard subtly shakes his head 'no'.]

WEIR No.

KOLYA (over video) I can only conclude you doubt my sincerity.

INT&mdash;CAMERA ROOM

[Kolya nods to the Wraith and guard. The Wraith pauses, staring at Sheppard, who looks back. Finally he feeds for several seconds. When finished, Sheppard's hair has turned grey and he has more pronouced wrinkles. He is intense pain, but still glares defiantly at Kolya.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

KOLYA (over video, to Weir) Three hours.

INT&mdash;GENII CELLS

[The guards drop Sheppard into his cell; he stays on his hands and knees, and crawls over to lean against the wall closest to the window. The Wraith is already in his own cell.]

WRAITH Where are your friends?

SHEPPARD They'll be here.

WRAITH You still believe that?

SHEPPARD Yeah, I do. They just need more time.

WRAITH (shaking his head) No one has ever left this place alive.

SHEPPARD Yeah, well I'm going to.

WRAITH Kolya will kill you before your friends have a chance to reach the cells.

SHEPPARD (considering) How well you know the layout of this place?

WRAITH Well enough to know what they would be up against.

[Sheppard struggles up the wall to stand and face the Wraith.]

SHEPPARD What about us? Do you know enough about this place to get us out?

WRAITH You and me&hellip;?

SHEPPARD What? Are they gonna let you go after I'm dead?

WRAITH No.

SHEPPARD Well then what've you got to lose?

WRAITH My life.

SHEPPARD Oh yeah, you got a great one down here.

[The Wraith snarls.]

SHEPPARD Hey, listen! It makes sense. We have a common goal.

WRAITH (disturbed) As I said before&hellip;there is no escape.

LATER

[Guards come and open the door to Sheppard's cell. One guard gets his electrical crop ready.]

GUARD Move.

[Sheppard slowly walks out. He looks towards the Wraith cell. The Wraith is already fettered and being led out by other guards. Sheppard and the Wraith exchange looks. One of the guards, annoyed at the delay, punches Sheppard in the face. The prisoners are led out.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

[The video link between Kolya and Atlantis is active. Ladon, Weir, Beckett, and Sheppard's team watch.]

KOLYA (over video) He still has years ahead of him, Doctor Weir. My offer stands.

WEIR So does my answer.

KOLYA (considering) Then you're effectively ending his life.

WEIR I'm not gonna go there.

KOLYA (over video) Is Ladon there?

LADON I am.

KOLYA (over video) I can't help but wonder what you've told them so they'd choose you over one of their own.

LADON That I betrayed you. That I took for myself what you believed to be rightfully yours.

KOLYA (over video) The truth. I must say, I'm surprised.

LADON If you release him, you may return to our people with my promise of amnesty.

KOLYA (over video) Please, Ladon. I've trained you better than that. There are things that cannot be undone.

WEIR That's not true! You can end this!

KOLYA (over video) Strange, Doctor. I was just about to say the same thing.

[Behind Kolya, the Wraith can be seen being moved into position.]

INT&mdash;GENII CAMERA ROOM

KOLYA (to Wraith) Take your fill.

[The Wraith feeds.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

[Everyone watches in horror. Ronon cries out and walks away, unable to watch.]

INT&mdash;GENII CAMERA ROOM

[The Wraith suddenly stops feeding and pulls his hand away.]

KOLYA Who told you to stop?

WRAITH He is near death. Shall I finish him?

[Kolya stares at Sheppard, who is even more visibly aged. He looks away.]

KOLYA (to guards) Get it out of here.

[The guards drag the Wraith away.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

KOLYA (over video) Now it's two hours.

[The video feed and the Stargate shuts off.]

BECKETT If he's fed upon again, he's as good as dead.

MCKAY We don't know that.

BECKETT Aye, Rodney, we do. He may already be past the point of no return. We know that a large percentage of those that survive a partial feeding die anyway&hellip;due to complications as a result of strain on the system. What appears as physical aging is actually a byproduct of a complex process we barely understand. I can't imagine him surviving another session&mdash;whether it's two hours or ten hours from now.

RONON (to Ladon) If you were half the man Sheppard is, you'd volunteer to make the trade yourself.

LADON Truth is, I'm not sure whether or not I would've made the trade if our roles were reversed. (to Weir) So I ask you, allow what you have done for me to be worth something. There's nothing more I can do here, but I can get you the information you need to find Sheppard if you allow me to return and interrogate the men who stole the codes from me.

[Weir exchanges looks with the others.]

INT&mdash;GENII CELLS

[Sheppard wakes up in his cell. He moves with difficulty. He looks up to see the Wraith observing him from its own cell.]

SHEPPARD You know, I could've sworn I was gonna wake up dead today.

WRAITH You are strong. Stronger than any human I have ever fed upon.

SHEPPARD You stopped yourself.

WRAITH Yes.

SHEPPARD Why?

WRAITH Because, the longer I feed, the weaker you become&hellip;and we will need what strength you have left&hellip;to escape.

SHEPPARD Now he wants to escape. Hmm.

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS GATE ROOM

[The Stargate is active. The Genii guards get back their weapons. Weir and Sheppard's team escort Ladon down the stairs.]

LADON I lack the words to thank you, Doctor Weir.

WEIR I didn't do this for you.

LADON Well, nevertheless, I'll be in touch the moment I have the information that you need.

WEIR Thank you.

[Ladon and his men leave.]

MCKAY You know, I have the sinking feeling we've just made a terrible mistake.

RONON Because we have.

TEYLA I'm not so sure, Ronon.

INT&mdash;GENII CELLS

[The guards approach to get Sheppard and the Wraith. They pull Sheppard to his feet and drag him out. Other guards pull the Wraith out and begin to attach the restraints. The feeding arm is sheathed. Sheppard pretends to collapse, catching the men offguard, and slamming them both into the bars. The Wraith backhands one of his guards and uses the chain restraining him to choke the other, slamming the feeding arm lock against the wall until it releases. He starts feeding on the guard he chokes.]

[Sheppard gains the upper hand on his two stunned guards. Meanwhile the other guard with the Wraith pulls his sidearm and shoots several rounds into the Wraith. The feeding Wraith screams in pain. Sheppard notices and grabs the knife on the belt of the guard he's fighting and throws it at the shooter, hitting him in the chest. The Wraith continues to feed on the guard. Sheppard knocks his guard out and rummages at the guy's belt. The Wraith approaches and notices Sheppard now has a sidearm. Sheppard glances at the Wraith, then throws him the keys. The Wraith frees his other hand. Sheppard grabs the other guard's sidearm and warily hands it over to the Wraith.]

SHEPPARD Which way?

WRAITH This way.

INT&mdash;GENII CORRIDORS

[Sheppard and a Wraith stand sheltered at a corner near guarded areas. The Wraith studies the Genii sidearm, distractedly holding it near Sheppard's face. When Sheppard notices, he knocks the weapon aside so it's not aimed so near him. He holds a Genii radio in his hand with a meaningful expression and activates it.]

[The Genii guard lifts his radio when he hears squelch coming from the receiver. Sheppard immediately grabs him from behind, knife at ready. The other guard moves to help, but the Wraith grabs him and breaks his neck. Another guard arrives and shoots the Wraith. He starts to shoot at Sheppard, but the guard Sheppard holds acts as a shield. The rounds kill that guard. Sheppard is able to fire his own sidearm and kill the guard. Sheppard glances at the rounds in the Wraith's side questioningly.]

WRAITH It will heal. This way.

[He indicates the staircase leading up. Sheppard replaces his empty gun for a new one and follows the limping Wraith.]

[Later, Kolya and other guards find the bodies.]

KOLYA They did this together.

GUARD They've taken weapons.

KOLYA I want ten armed men at the Stargate. The rest of you, hunt them down.

EXT&mdash;FOREST, NIGHT

[A round vertical access tunnel is in the forest. The hatch opens, and Sheppard and the Wraith climb out. Both move with difficulty.]

SHEPPARD How far is the Stargate?

WRAITH It will be guarded.

SHEPPARD We've got guns.

WRAITH (irritated) They will be waiting for us!

SHEPPARD Don't be so negative.

[The Wraith groans and half-collapses into a sitting position on the edge of the hatch.]

SHEPPARD Think you're gonna make it?

WRAITH (nods) If I feed.

SHEPPARD Well, don't look at me.

[The Wraith tries to stand, reaching out with his feeding hand. Sheppard steps back and raises his pistol. The Wraith finally stands and sees Sheppard, thus raising his own gun.]

SHEPPARD When we make it to the Stargate, we both go our separate ways. Until then, we're gonna need each other. Deal?

[The Wraith nods. He then stumbles into the forest, Sheppard following.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

[Weir stands at the balcony. Chuck the technician approaches.]

CHUCK Doctor Weir?

WEIR How long has it been?

[Chuck checks his watch.]

CHUCK It's coming up on two hours. We should receive the next transmission any minute now.

WEIR Yes, I'll be there in a moment.

[Chuck nods and leaves her alone.]

EXT&mdash;FOREST, NIGHT

[The Wraith and Sheppard continue to stumble through the woods.]

SHEPPARD I was blindfolded all the way to the bunker. It wasn't this far.

WRAITH If I could just move faster!

[The Wraith falls to the ground.]

SHEPPARD We'll rest here a few minutes.

WRAITH You should go on without me.

SHEPPARD No! The 'Gate's guarded. We'll have a better chance of taking out the guards in a crossfire. I still need you.

WRAITH Very well.

[He struggles to rise.]

SHEPPARD That is, even if we're going in the right direction&hellip;. You have no idea where the Stargate is, do you?

[The Wraith sits back down, defeated.]

WRAITH It was many years ago.

SHEPPARD Way to go, John! Listen to a Wraith.

WRAITH It was not my intention to deceive you, Sheppard.

[The radio in Sheppard's hand squawks.]

GUARD (over radio) Our reinforcements have arrived at the Stargate, Commander.

KOLYA (over radio) Kill the Wraith on sight, but I want Sheppard alive.

SHEPPARD Well, we learned two things. One, he likes me better than you.

[The Wraith laughs.]

SHEPPARD Two, we probably would've never made it to the Stargate anyway.

WRAITH Then it is over.

SHEPPARD No. Our people don't leave each other behind. That's three things you've learned.

WRAITH You still believe that.

SHEPPARD Kolya doesn't know where we are. He's wasting manpower that could be used searching for us guarding the 'Gate. The odds of my people finding us are going up and up.

WRAITH You are more like Wraith than you know.

SHEPPARD I'm not sure I like the sound of that.

WRAITH There is much about Wraith that you do not know, Sheppard.

[Sheppard studies the Wraith.]

INT&mdash;WEIR'S OFFICE

[The rest of Sheppard's team, Beckett, and Weir wait in her office.]

MCKAY Kolya's late.

TELYA That is not like him.

MCKAY We haven't heard anything from Ladon, either.

WEIR We will.

TEYLA Is it possible they were in on this from the beginning?

WEIR No, I don't think so. Eh&hellip;why would Ladon come here in the first place?

RONON Throw us off the scent.

MCKAY What kind of a plan would that be?

RONON Genii.

MCKAY True.

TEYLA Either way, there must be a reason why Kolya has not contacted us.

BECKETT Perhaps he knew it would take Colonel Sheppard more time to recover.

MCKAY None of us are saying what we're all thinking here.

WEIR (warningly) No, Rodney, we're not.

INT&mdash;FOREST, NIGHT

[The Wraith lies face up on the ground. Sheppard is crouched, listening to the radio.]

GUARD (over radio) Tell Kolya there's nobody around the 'Gate.

SHEPPARD Sounds like they're concentrating their search around the 'Gate. They must think we knew where we were going.

[The Wraith laughs, then sighs as he looks at the three moons in the sky.]

WRAITH Oh, it was worth it&hellip;if only to see the sky again.

SHEPPARD I've got slightly higher expectations.

WRAITH My wound is deep. If I do not feed soon&hellip;I will die.

[He partially sits up and looks at Sheppard.]

SHEPPARD Buck up. We got a deal, remember. We both go home&hellip;alive.

WRAITH And if we were to meet again in the future&hellip;what then?

SHEPPARD (after a pause) All bets are off.

WRAITH (chuckling) Then let us hope we do not meet again.

SHEPPARD Try to get some sleep. I'll take the first watch.

[The Wraith lies down again. With a groan, Sheppard gets to his feet.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

[The team, Beckett, and Weir enter the room. The Stargate is active.]

CHUCK I'm receiving the new Genii IDC along with a video feed.

TEYLA Ladon.

WEIR Put it on the screen!

[Ladon's face appears on the monitor.]

LADON (over video) Are you receiving me?

WEIR We were starting to get worried.

LADON (over video) Yes, I'm sure you had doubts. But the truth is, the interrogation took longer than I hoped. We've secured the location of Kolya's base. I'm forwarding you the dialing coordinates right now.

WEIR Are you certain?

LADON (over video) Certain enough to send a full brigade through the Gate. It will take us an hour to marshall our forces. I thought you might want that time.

WEIR What will we be up against?

LADON (over video) Nothing one of your cloaked jumpers and my good friend Ronon couldn't handle. I ask only that you leave Kolya for my own forces to find.

WEIR No promises.

LADON (over video) I understand.

[The video feed ends.]

WEIR (to team) All right, get a cloaked jumper and a team of marines.

[McKay takes off. Beckett raises his hand.]

BECKETT I'd like to reserve one of those seats for a member of my medical team.

WEIR Done. (looking at Ronon) And if you do find Kolya&hellip;?

RONON (amused) No promises.

WEIR Exactly.

EXT&mdash;FOREST, DAY

[Sheppard and the Wraith both sleep. Genii soldiers approach their position. The Wraith awakens, hearing the guards. He gets up, clutching his side, and goes over to Sheppard, Sheppard awakens, but is groggy.]

WRAITH (in low voice) They're coming.

[The Wraith feeds on Sheppard. Sheppard becomes almost skeletal, and very aged. The guards arrive, finding Sheppard's fed upon body, but bypassing it. The Wraith jumps down from the tree above. He is strong, knocking guards away and taking fire at point blank range. He knocks down the remaining two shooters, then feeds on one while holding down the other.]

EXT&mdash;GATE AREA, PLANET, DAY

[The Stargate activates. Several Genii soldiers watch as a puddle jumper comes through and instantly cloaks as they fire on it.]

INT&mdash;PUDDLE JUMPER

[McKay flies the jumper, Teyla in the copilot seat. Beckett, Ronon, and marines are also in the jumper. The HUD display is in front of them.]

TEYLA The facility is straight ahead.

[Dots appear on the screen. Some disappearing as they talk.]

MCKAY We're detecting life signs on the surface, miles from the bunker.

RONON How many?

MCKAY When it first came up, it was eight, then four&hellip;I don't get it. Now, it's just the two.

BECKETT What's going on down there?

MCKAY Well, one of them's definitely Sheppard. His subcutaneous transmitter's still broadcasting.

TEYLA Could the other one be Kolya?

RONON Let's hope so. (to McKay) Land a hundred meters to the south of their position.

MCKAY What?

[He does so, confused.]

EXT&mdash;FOREST, DAY

[The soldiers are all dead. The Wraith stands over Sheppard. He is barely alive. The Wraith bends down.]

SHEPPARD (defiant) Finish it!

WRAITH As I told you, John Sheppard, there are many things about Wraith that you do not know.

[He reaches out with his feeding hand.]

[In another area of the forest, Sheppard's team and the marines approach. Ronon leads, signaling to hold. They hear Sheppard cry out in agony. Everyone races forward. Ronon pulls the Wraith off of Sheppard and raises his gun.]

SHEPPARD Wait!

[The Wraith stands. Sheppard gets up. He looks fine, as he did before the first feeding. Everyone surrounds the Wraith, weapons raised.]

SHEPPARD Leave him. That's an order!

[Ronon grudgingly complies and lowers his weapon.]

BECKETT I don't understand. We all saw what he did to you.

[They stare at Sheppard in shock. Sheppard also looks confused as he approaches the Wraith.]

SHEPPARD He just undid it. Lower your weapons.

[The marines comply.]

TEYLA How is this possible?!

SHEPPARD Don't ask me.

WRAITH The gift of life is reserved only for our most devout worshipers&hellip;and our brothers.

SHEPPARD Well, I guess there's a lot about the Wraith we don't know.

WRAITH Sheppard gave me back my life. I merely repaid the debt.

MCKAY (incredulous) What debt?! Are you kidding? I mean, he looks younger than he did before!

RONON What about Kolya?

SHEPPARD Oh, god.

[Sheppard feels his pockets for the radio. He finds it on the ground where he'd been lying.]

SHEPPARD (into radio) Kolya?

EXT&mdash;STARGATE, DAY

[Kolya stands beside an active wormhole. He picks up his radio.]

SHEPPARD (over radio) This is Sheppard. Kolya? I figured you'd run! Next time, I kill you on sight, do you hear me?!

[Kolya looks dismayed, and doesn't respond. He walks through the event horizon.]

EXT&mdash;FOREST, DAY

[Sheppard paces angrily.]

SHEPPARD Let's get off this rock.

RONON (nodding to Wraith) What about him?

[The Wraith watches nervously.]

SHEPPARD We had a deal, right?

WRAITH I did not truly expect you to honor it.

[He chuckles. Ronon hands Sheppard his stunner. Sheppard looks at the gun, grabs it and shoots the Wraith. Ronon snatches the gun back and checks the setting.]

RONON (disappointed) You didn't kill him?

SHEPPARD No, I didn't. (to marines) Get him in the jumper. We're gonna drop him off somewhere.

[The marines start dragging the unconscious Wraith. Sheppard follows.]

SHEPPARD (to McKay as he passes) Thanks for showing up.

MCKAY Yeah, but&hellip;

EXT&mdash;FOREST CLEARING BY STARGATE, NIGHT

[The Wraith awakens with a start. He sees Sheppard, geared up and holding a P-90 aimed toward him. The Stargate is active in the distance. The Wraith feels his chest for injury.]

WRAITH Ah, Sheppard. I thought you&hellip;

SHEPPARD There's a lot you don't know about humans.

[The Wraith looks around, realizing he is on a different planet.]

WRAITH (nodding) Ah, I see. Next time we meet?

SHEPPARD All bets are off.

[They stare at each other. A Wraith dart is heard flying overhead. While the Wraith looks at it, Sheppard backs into the cargo hold of the cloaked jumper, disappearing when the Wraith looks around. He feels a breeze.]

FADE OUT

END CREDITS

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