Morpheus/Transcript

Episode Guide

 * 10.02 "Morpheus" Episode Guide

Transcript
PREVIOUSLY ON STARGATE SG-1

EXCERPT FROM 9.20 "CAMELOT PART 2"

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[Ori warships pass through the Supergate.]

EXCERPT FROM 10.01 "FLESH AND BLOOD PART 3"

INT&mdash;VALA AND TOMIN'S CHAMBER, ORI WARSHIP

[The midwife begins to leave with the infant.]

VALA Wait, where-where are you going? I want to see.

TOMIN She is Orici.

PRIOR With the wisdom of the ages, she will lead us to glorious victory.

EXCERPT FROM 9.18 "ARTHUR'S MANTLE"

INT&mdash;BILL LEE'S LAB

[Daniel translates a holographic two dimensional display of Ancient writing.]

DANIEL Merlin was conducting research on some kind of new invention&mdash;a weapon capable of destroying ascended beings.

[Carter looks at the display in shock.]

EXCERPT FROM 9.20 "CAMELOT PART 2"'

INT&mdash;SECRET CHAMBER, MERLIN'S LIBRARY, CAMELOT

MEURIK (voiceover) Arthur and his knights left to quest for the Sangreal long ago.

[Daniel overrides Merlin's safeguards, allowing treasure to appear in the room.]

[Meurik speaks to Daniel and Mitchell.]

MEURIK It is said that they journeyed to three distant lands mentioned in Merlin's prophecy: Castiana, Sahal, and Vagonbrei.

END EXCERPTS

TEASER

INT&mdash;SGC GATE ROOM

[Vala and Carter join Mitchell at the base of the ramp. The wormhole is active. Teal'c steps through the incoming wormhole. He is dressed in high council Jaffa robes.]

TEAL'C (somber) Six more worlds have fallen to the Ori. Two are Jaffa strongholds. They attempted to resist, but were overwhelmed within a matter of hours. (moving to Vala) According to those who witnessed the battle, the enemy is led by a young woman of extraordinary powers.

[Vala looks shaken.]

INT&mdash;SGC CORRIDOR, LEVEL 28

[Teal'c, Carter, Mitchell and Vala walk out of the gate room and down the hall.]

MITCHELL Six planets in eight days, and they don't even have their full team in the field yet.

CARTER Why haven't they made a move against Earth?

TEAL'C In all probability, the Ancient device in Antarctica is giving them pause.

MITCHELL At least until the rest of their battle fleet gets here.

DANIEL (yelling from another corridor) I got it!

[Daniel runs around the corner, carrying a book.]

DANIEL (breathless) I got it! I made the connection! Sir Gawain to Gwalchmei. Culwhch and Olwen. Verus Gen Bree.

[Daniel looks at his teammates, excited. The others exchange confused looks.]

CARTER (to Mitchell) And you say I'm hard to understand.

DANIEL (realizing) Oh-oh! It's&mdash;it's Vagonbrei. One of the planets Arthur and his knights went to in their quest for the Holy Grail. I got the gate address.

[Everyone looks very interested.]

END TEASER

OPENING CREDITS

INT&mdash;SGC BRIEFING ROOM

[Landry, Mitchell, Teal'c, Carter, and Vala sit around the table. Daniel walks around the table carrying a file before taking his seat between Mitchell and Vala.]

DANIEL While on PX1-767, we got the names of three planets: Castiana, Sahal, and Vagonbrei. Three possible destinations for Arthur and his knights in their quest for the Holy Grail, what we know to be Merlin's weapon. Unfortunately, what we didn't get were any corresponding gate addresses, and the process of going through that library page by page looking for clues could have potentially taken years. So, I knew we were going to have to narrow the search parameters a little. That's when it hit me: Sir Gawain.

[Vala opens a book to marked page and hands it to Daniel with a smile. He takes it and holds it to show the others an illustration.]

MITCHELL Wasn't he one of the Knights who says "Ni"?

DANIEL He was a Knight of the Round Table. In one of his earliest incarnations, an old Welsh tale, he went on a quest to help rescue a lost love. The legend says that Sir Gawain, AKA Gwalchmei, visited several lands over the course of his adventure, including a place called Gwlad Gan Brenhinol Gwir, which is Welsh for "Land of Royal Truth". Translate that into Ancient, and you get "Verus Gen Bree"&mdash;Vagonbrei.

CARTER So, how does that get us a gate address?

[While Daniel begins to speak, Vala opens another old book to a marked page and passes it over to him.]

DANIEL Uh, it doesn't. But it did give me something very specific to look for in Merlin's library, namely references to Gawain. Now, based on this information, I started scanning through the titles, and I found this. Now, the entire volume is dedicated to Gawain's adventures and includes several very interesting illustrations, including a depiction of a sword he once carried. Note the symbols engraved on the blade.

[Daniel passes the book over to Landry, who traces his finger down the illustration of the blade.]

LANDRY (excited) A gate address.

MITCHELL (muttering) Vagonbrei.

DANIEL (pleased) Well, we won't know until we check it out.

LANDRY Well done, Doctor. Colonel Carter, what's the status of the Ori Supergate?

CARTER Any attempts we've made to dial out to the Ori galaxy have failed. It looks like they're blocking us from their end.

TEAL'C There is a mothership in the area that will alert us to the arrival of any other ships.

LANDRY (standing) More ships? We can hardly deal with the ones that are already here! You have a go. Find that weapon.

[Mitchell and Carter stand when Landry does.]

CARTER Yes, sir.

VALA (smiling) Will do.

[She starts gathering up the books.]

LANDRY (coldly) I was talking to SG-1. You're not going anywhere.

[Landry exits to his office. Vala looks hurt.]

INT&mdash;LANDRY'S OFFICE

[Landry stands in his darkened office, flipping through a file. There is a knock on the door, and Daniel enters without waiting for approval. Landry looks to see who is there, then turns back to his file. Daniel shuts the door behind him.]

DANIEL (hesitantly) General, I'm hoping you might reconsider your decision and allow Vala to come with us.

[Landry raises his eyebrows and moves over to his desk to sit with the file.]

LANDRY Given everything she's put you through, you're the last person I would've expected to ask me that!

DANIEL Yes, sir. And I'm hoping that impresses on you just how strongly I feel about this.

[Landry sighs.]

DANIEL (with a loud sigh) Look, I know she's no angel. She's-she's lied, she's stolen, she's cheated, she's misrepresented herself, she's&hellip;lied. But she also risked her life to warn us that the Ori were on their way, and almost sacrificed herself to shut down the very first Ori Supergate.

LANDRY I understand the contributions she's made. The truth is, the Pentagon isn't willing to roll the dice on her.

DANIEL (with persuasive tone) But you could convince them otherwise.

[Landry stops reading his report and gives Daniel a measured look.]

DANIEL You-you see, ten years ago, General Hammond sat in that very chair, and he was faced with a&hellip;similar decision. As former First Prime to Apophis, Teal'c had committed some terrible crimes.

[Landry appears unmoved and resumes flipping through his report.],

LANDRY (sighing) As the former First Prime to Apophis, Teal'c provided valuable insight to the enemy's resources and tactics.

DANIEL And as the mother to the leader of the Ori army, Vala may hold the key to stopping them.

LANDRY If I push this issue, and the Pentagon agrees to let her join you on offworld missions, then I'd be the one ultimately held accountable for her actions.

DANIEL (wincing) Yes, sir. I understand, sir.

[Daniel sighs and starts to leave. Landry continues to flip through his report.]

LANDRY So, I'd be counting on you&hellip;to keep her in line.

[Daniel pauses at the door, surprised.]

DANIEL Yes, sir.

[Daniel exits. After he's gone, Landry looks up and gives a musing smile.]

INT&mdash;SGC CORRIDOR

[Daniel is geared up to go offworld as he exits a room. Vala bounces just outside, wearing a green BDU jumpsuit.]

VALA So&hellip;can I go on the mission?

DANIEL No. You're not cleared for offworld travel yet. You still have to go through a psych evaluation.

[They both walk through the corridor.]

VALA What's that?

DANIEL Uh, sort of an interview given to all prospective SGC personnel, designed to assess a person's psychological state, uh, get a sense of their mental well-being.

VALA Oooh, to find out if I'm&hellip; (Vala splutters and waves her hands around) Wonko.

DANIEL (hesitantly) Right. So, they're going to sit you down in a little room, get you talking about yourself, and ask you a few questions.

VALA So, it's a test?

DANIEL Sort of.

VALA And all I have to do is pass? How hard can that be?

[Daniel and Vala pause right outside the Gate room, Daniel grimaces.]

VALA I'm going to have to do some research, so I'm gonna use your computer while you're away on this mission.

[Vala starts to go back the way they came.]

DANIEL (calling after her with increasing loudness) You know what? I'd prefer if you didn't. There's a lot of sensitive material in there, and I&hellip;

[Mitchell is heading down the hall, also dressed to go offworld. and notes Vala passing him.]

VALA (calling back) Great! Uh&hellip;be careful!

MITCHELL (to Daniel while passing) Time to go.

[Mitchell continues walking into the Gate room, taking a P-90 from an airman.]

DANIEL (sputtering) Eh, I said no! And you can't access it without my password!

VALA Already got it! Thanks!

[Vala skips around the corner.]

DANIEL I&hellip;the&hellip;but&hellip;!

[While Daniel stutters, Mitchell grabs the back of his vest and drags him into the Gate room. Daniel continues to look forlornly back and absently takes his P-90 from the airman as the Gate room door closes.]

WORMHOLE EFFECT

EXT&mdash;VAGONBREI, DAY

[Leafless trees surround a darkened path and few structures. The atmosphere is overcast and very foggy. SG-1 cautiously explores.]

MITCHELL This place is deader than a Texas salad bar.

DANIEL Hello? Hello!

[Teal'c moves a dry rotted wooden back to a park bench.]

TEAL'C It is obvious this village has long since been abandoned.

INT&mdash;DANIEL'S OFFICE

[Vala sits at the counter, using Daniel's computer and taking notes on a pad of paper. Landry pauses by the door frame and knocks on door jamb. Vala looks over and straightens.]

VALA (surprised) General! What brings you by?

[Landry enters.]

LANDRY Just thought I'd see how you were getting along.

VALA Huh.

LANDRY What are you doing?

VALA Just a little research for my upcoming mental appraisal.

LANDRY (chuckling) You can't cram for a psychiatric evaluation.

VALA (muttering while taking notes) That's what they want you to think. (louder) It's a battle of wits. My mind against theirs. They'll try and confuse me with their trick questions, but I already have the correct answers.

LANDRY There are no correct answers.

VALA (ignoring him) For instance, when they ask me, "what do you consider your biggest flaw&hellip;"

LANDRY (shaking his head) No, they won't ask that question.

VALA (continuing) My answer will be that I feel I am too much of a perfectionist. (turns and grins) You see, I&hellip;I, uh, put a positive spin on a negative.

LANDRY (dryly) Yes, that was very transparent.

VALA Question two: "You are in the desert. You see a tortoise lying on his back in the hot sun."

[Landry rolls his eyes and leaves. Vala is oblivious to his departure.]

VALA (continuing) "You recognize his plight but do nothing to help. Why?" Hmm. Why?

[She pauses for a few moments, then gasps in inspiration and begins to write.]

VALA (writing) Because&hellip;you&hellip;are&hellip;also&hellip;a tortoise.

INT&mdash;PARLOR OF HOME, VAGONBREI

[SG-1 enter a home. A small parlor table is in the center. A few chairs of simple design and tattered curtains decorate the room. Cobwebs are everywhere. Daniel opens a door and moves into the next room. He soon steps back out.]

DANIEL Guys, you should, uh, take a look at this.

INT&mdash;BEDROOM, HOME IN VAGONBREI

[Daniel and Carter stand at the foot of the bed while Teal'c and Mitchell look in from the doorway. Lying on the bed are the skeletal remains of two people.]

MITCHELL Whoa! I thought I liked to sleep in.

EXT&mdash;VAGONBREI, DAY

[Carter and Mitchell greet the Red team, a medical SGC team.]

CARTER Dr. Reimer.

REIMER (cheerfully) Colonel Carter, Colonel Mitchell. I understand you've got a bit of a medical mystery on your hands.

MITCHELL What we have here is a village full of skeletons.

CARTER We've found a few lying on the ground, but most seem to have died in their beds. I think we can rule out violence.

REIMER Anything left besides bones?

MITCHELL Sorry, doc. Whatever happened here happened a long time ago.

REIMER Let's go take a look.

INT&mdash;VAGONBREI ARCHIVES

[Daniel sits at a table taking notes from some books and parchment. Teal'c walks over and takes a seat next to him]

TEAL'C Did the village records give an indication as to what befell these people?

DANIEL No, but it does make mention to some of the ancient lore tied to the area. See, according to legend, a cave overlooking the village was once home to Morgan Le Fay.

[Daniel looks over at Teal'c in expectation, but Teal'c returns the look with a blank expression. Daniel shakes his head, realizing Teal'c doesn't understand.]

DANIEL Ah, in Arthurian myth, Morgan was a powerful sorceress, King Arthur's half-sister and an adversary of Merlin.

TEAL'C That would suggest she may have had a hand in the disappearance of the weapon we seek.

DANIEL (thinking out loud) Now Morgan, like Merlin, was a purported magic user, so it makes sense that again, like Merlin, she was once ascended.

TEAL'C One who foresaw the dangers presented to her and her kind by a weapon capable of destroying ascended beings.

DANIEL So she took the weapon from Merlin and went into hiding&hellip;

TEAL'C &hellip;on three possible worlds. This being one.

DANIEL (gravely) We've got to find that cave.

EXT&mdash;VAGONBREI FOREST, DAY

[SG-1 and Ackerman walk through the forest, looking around carefully.]

ACKERMAN (grumpily) Why did I have to tag along on this little hike?

MITCHELL You got somewhere else you need to be?

ACKERMAN Yeah, at home in bed. I got pulled off inoculation duty on 865 to come here and pull a double shift. I've been up eighteen hours straight!

[Teal'c stops moving and looks around, concerned. Everyone else stops and becomes more alert in reaction to Teal'c.]

DANIEL What is it?

TEAL'C Birds.

CARTER What birds?

TEAL'C My point exactly. I first noticed in the village and now here in the forest as well&mdash;an unusual stillness. There are no birds, or any other animal life for that matter.

MITCHELL All right. So what happened to them?

[Mitchell leads the way, and they continue to cautiously move through the forest.]

INT&mdash;SGC ISOLATION LAB

[Dr. Hutchison takes a drink of coffee. The door opens, and Vala enters, coming sloppily to attention and saluting with a smile on her face.]

HUTCHISON Mmm. Vala. I'm Dr. Hutchison. Oh!

[Hutchison is surprised as Vala shakes his hand. She is very deliberate in how she moves, grasping his hand and then slapping him on the shoulder.]

HUTCHISON Have a seat.

[They both sit at opposite ends of a small, metal table.]

HUTCHISON So, how are you feeling?

VALA Very well! Very well&hellip;well, you know, all things considered. Heh. I mean, you'd assume I'd be a prime candidate for acculturation difficulty, enduring feelings of&hellip;displacement and alienation. Perhaps even a little paranoid ideation. Hmm?

[Hutchison sits back, nodding during her monologue.]

VALA (conspiratorially leaning forward) But the truth is, I was able to adopt an abstract attitude which allowed me to&hellip;release some of my repressed feelings, ultimately providing me with a cathartic actualization. How are you feeling?

HUTCHISON (mildly) I'm fine.

INT&mdash;VAGONBREI CAVERN

[SG-1 explore a cavern. Ackerman naps on the ground.]

MITCHELL There's nothing here.

DANIEL Maybe it's the wrong cavern. We should continue searching the area.

CARTER Uh, it's getting dark out there. We should head back to the village.

MITCHELL Ackerman. Yo! Ackerman, wake up.

[Mitchell shines his flashlight in Ackerman's face and nudges him with his boot.]

ACKERMAN (groggily) What happened?

MITCHELL We're done. Sorry, Jackson.

[Ackerman slowly rises to his feet as SG-1 moves out. Daniel takes one last look around the cave before leaving in frustration.]

INT&mdash;SGC ISOLATION LAB

HUTCHISON Are you familiar with ink blot tests?

[Vala shakes her head innocently.]

HUTCHISON Okay, I'm going to show you a series of images, and I just want you to say the first thing that comes to your mind.

[Vala nods in excitement. Hutchison lifts the first inkblot. Vala studies it a moment.]

VALA Courage.

[Hutchison glances at the ink blot, then sets it down and makes a note. He lifts another one.]

VALA Respect.

HUTCHISON (skeptically) You look at this inkblot, and the first thing that pops into your head is respect?

VALA Yes, respect.

[Hutchison puts down the ink blot and folds his hands in front of him.]

HUTCHISON Okay, Vala, this is called a projective test. It's designed to allow me a little insight into your emotional state. I just want to get to know you better, not pass judgment on you. I want to help, but to do that, I'm going to need you to be completely honest and spontaneous with your answers. Do you understand?

VALA Of course! I'm sorry.

[She flashes a contrite smile, which he acknowledges.]

HUTCHISON Oh.

[He lifts another ink blot.]

VALA (promptly) Kindness.

[Hutchison huffs in frustration and puts all the ink blots into his briefcase. He takes a drink from his mug and glares at Vala, who gives him a weak smile.]

EXT&mdash;VAGONBREI VILLAGE, NIGHT

INT&mdash;VAGONBREI ARCHIVES

[Daniel pours over papers at a table in the archive. Mitchell approaches him.]

MITCHELL Red team's wrapping it up. I figured we'd do the same.

DANIEL (frustrated) This can't be a dead end. There has to be something here.

[Daniel takes off his glasses and rubs his eyes.]

MITCHELL Take it up with Landry. You can come back tomorrow, knock yourself out, strain your eyes all you want.

DANIEL (sighing) You're right. I could probably get a fresh start in the morning.

[He gathers his notes and follows Mitchell out.]

EXT&mdash;VAGONBREI VILLAGE, NIGHT

[Mitchell, Daniel following, meet the rest of the group outside.]

MITCHELL All right, let's go home.

GRIMSBY Hang on a minute. Where's Ackerman?

REIMER Ackerman, come on! Bernie!

[Mitchell starts to search.]

INT&mdash;VAGONBREI HOME PARLOR

[Ackerman sits slumped in a chair, his arms crossed over his chest, still holding his flashlight, apparently asleep.]

MITCHELL Ackerman, let's go.

[Mitchell starts to leave, then notices Ackerman didn't react. He returns and approaches Ackerman, tapping him on the far shoulder.]

MITCHELL Yo, Ackerman! C'mon, wake up.

[Ackerman slides off the chair onto the floor, his body limp.]

INT&mdash;VAGONBREI HOME BEDROOM

[Teal'c patrols outside as the rest of the group hovers over the unconscious Ackerman, now lying in a small bed.]

MITCHELL "He's asleep." What the hell kind of a diagnosis is that?

CARTER Dr. Reimer says he won't know more until he's completed all the bloodwork.

MITCHELL There's got to be something more to it&hellip;like a coma.

REIMER No, I'm afraid not. Coma patients don't respond to outside stimuli: pain, sound, touch. Ackerman responds to all three. He even flinches, reacts in his sleep state.

DANIEL (concerned) Why can't we wake him up?

REIMER I don't know. I need to do more tests before I can say anything for sure. And we have to contact Stargate Command and have them send out the necessary equipment.

MITCHELL I'm sorry, is that not something you'd be better off doing back at the base?

REIMER Ideally, yes. But, unfortunately, and just like Ackerman here, all of our bloodwork shows an elevated white cell count and a marked increase in seratonin levels. Whatever it is, we've all been infected.

CARTER You think this is the same thing that killed the villagers?

REIMER Let's just say that, for the time being, I recommend we all try and stay awake for as long as possible. If we fall asleep, we may never wake up.

[SG-1 exchange worried looks.]

INT&mdash;SGC CONTROL ROOM

[Landry speaks to Mitchell via radio through the active wormhole.]

LANDRY We're sending the medical supplies through now, Colonel.

MITCHELL (over radio) Roger that, sir.

LANDRY Sure you don't want a little more help? I can send another team in hazmat.

MITCHELL (over radio) Until we know what we're dealing with, sir, that would just be risking more lives. We can handle it.

LANDRY Understood.

INT&mdash;VAGONBREI HOME PARLOR

[Carter, Grimsby and Reimer sit around a table at their respective laptops. Grimsby closes his eyes briefly. Teal'c who is pacing the room, immediately notices and smacks him upside the head.]

GRIMSBY (blinking) I'm awake!

[Mitchell enters with a crate full of supplies. Carter and Teal'c approach.]

MITCHELL Compliments of Doctor Lam. We have&hellip;dextroampheta-something, moto-whatchamacallit, uh, caffeine pills, and good old fashioned coffee.

[Grimsby hurries over and grabs the caffeine pills, frantically taking a large dosage of them.]

MITCHELL Go easy there, Grimsby!

GRIMSBY How long you been awake for?

MITCHELL (yawning) I dunno. What, twenty-four hours?

GRIMSBY (irritated) Yeah, talk to me when you get to forty.

[Grimsby walks away.]

CARTER You've pulled all-nighters before, right?

MITCHELL Yeah, loads of them.

CARTER This feels worse, doesn't it?

MITCHELL Yeah, I thought it was only me.

TEAL'C I, too, am more fatigued than I would have expected.

CARTER It has to be the infection. It doesn't just keep you from waking up, it makes you want to sleep in the first place.

MITCHELL Well, in that case&hellip;Teal'c?

[Mitchell hands Teal'c a dose of pills.]

TEAL'C I prefer to rely on my tretonin.

[Mitchell hands the pills to Carter instead who takes them. Mitchell also takes a dosage.]

MITCHELL Cheers.

[Both dry swallow the pills. Mitchell takes Carter's seat at the table across from Reimer.]

MITCHELL Reimer. Whatcha got?

[Reimer blinks to alertness.]

REIMER Since we started monitoring him, Ackerman has been in stage-four level of what they call delta sleep or slow wave sleep.

CARTER We also noted his brain is producing a surprising amount of melatonin. It's a hormone synthesized from seratonin, a sleep-inducing agent. That's what's keeping him asleep.

MITCHELL So, all you've gotta do is figure out why his brain is producing melatonin.

CARTER We're working on it.

[Daniel enters, carrying a folio.]

MITCHELL Jackson, what'd you find in the town records?

DANIEL Uh, a handwritten entry from the village doctor in which he mentions a sleeping sickness that affected the town. Now he doesn't go into any great detail, but he does make mention of a possible source for what was happening&mdash;Morgan Le Fay. See, it seems the, uh, villagers believed she cursed them for revealing her whereabouts when King Arthur and his knights came looking for her.

MITCHELL So, did Arthur find her here?

DANIEL Probably not. If the villagers believed she cursed them, then it's more than likely she escaped. In any case, we have to go back to that cave.

INT&mdash;LANDRY'S OFFICE

[Landry sits at his desk doing paperwork. Vala opens the door to the office without knocking and pokes her head in, swaying the door back and forth impatiently.]

VALA General, just wondering if they've reached a decision on my mental well-being yet.

LANDRY Dr. Hutchison isn't finished with you yet. You're gonna meet with him again later today.

[Vala steps inside and closes the door behind her. She approaches and sits on the edge of Landry's desk.]

VALA Ayi. If I may speak candidly, General. I have a feeling that Dr. Hutchison is somewhat troubled. In fact, I think he may be suffering from Klinefelter's Syndrome, but you didn't hear it from me.

LANDRY The only thing Dr. Hutchison is suffering from is the headache you gave him.

[Vala scoffs.]

LANDRY I suggest you stop playing games and start taking this evaluation very seriously.

VALA I thought I was.

LANDRY Let's call that delusional memory.

[Vala huffs in exasperation, slaps her knees and gets up, leaving the room. Landry shakes his head and slowly exhales, raising his hand to a stiff neck.]

INT&mdash;VAGONBREI CAVERN, DAY

[Mitchell, Carter, and Teal'c enter the cave.]

MITCHELL You know, it was Jackson's idea to come back here and check this cave out again. I can't help noticing he's the only one who didn't make the trip.

TEAL'C Daniel Jackson made it clear that his time would be better spent continuing his research in the town records.

[Carter hands Mitchell a case.]

CARTER Here. Dr. Reimer wanted us to take some soil samples.

MITCHELL Why?

CARTER Just in case this is where Ackerman picked up the infection.

[Carter pulls out a scanner from her vest and investigates the cavern. Mitchell places the case on the ground and opens it. It contains a large group of test tubes encased in foam.]

INT&mdash;SGC VIP ROOM

[Vala stands in front of a mirror, putting on perfume and brushing her hair. There is a knock at the door.]

VALA Hello.

[Woolsey opens the door.]

WOOLSEY Hello. May I have a moment of your time?

VALA Oh, I'm sorry, I'm just on my way out. I've got a meeting.

WOOLSEY With Dr. Hutchison, I know. That's why I'm here. I promise to be quick.

[Vala turns around, intrigued. Woolsey enters and closes the door behind him. She distractedly continues brushing her hair as she listens to Woolsey.]

WOOLSEY My name is Richard Woolsey. I work for the International Oversight Advisory, a civilian-run organization made up of representatives from the various nations involved in the Stargate program.

VALA And what can I do for you, Mr. Woolsey?

[Woolsey casually takes a seat at the small table and folds his hands.]

WOOLSEY Why don't I tell you what we can do for you? We can see to it that you pass your psychiatric evaluation with flying colors, effectively putting any doubts Stargate Command may have about you to rest.

VALA (suspiciously) And what would you want in return?

WOOLSEY Just a little&hellip;insight into the weekly goings on here at Stargate Command. You see, despite the fact that all signatories to the Gate Alliance Treaty are de facto partners in the Stargate program, my employers are often left&hellip;out of the loop when it comes to the more sensitive developments here on the base. We'd just like you to keep us&hellip;updated, is all.

VALA (sitting) So, you want me&hellip;to be a spy.

WOOLSEY (chuckling and standing) I've read your file, Ms. Mal Doran. I don't think what we're asking is that unusual, for someone with such a colorful history.

[Woolsey leaves, closing the door behind him. Vala looks pensive.]

INT&mdash;VAGONBREI CAVERN

[Carter runs her scanner over a section of the wall. It beeps.]

CARTER Cam? Teal'c? I think I found something!

[Teal'c and Mitchell approach.]

MITCHELL Whatcha got?

CARTER Well, it's a faint energy spike. I almost went past without noticing it.

[Carter moves her hand along the wall near the readings. Suddenly, the area she's touching depresses. Next to it a section of the wall, big enough for a person to pass through, disappears in a flash of blue light.]

MITCHELL (in amazement) Shazam.

[He moves to investigate. The opening leads to a long passageway.]

CARTER I guess Daniel was right after all.

MITCHELL Yes, he was. We should check this out.

TEAL'C Would it not be prudent for one of us to return these samples to Dr. Reimer as quickly as possible?

MITCHELL No, he's right. We're on the clock, and we have no idea how deep this hole is.

CARTER All right. I'll go back. Stay in radio contact&hellip;at least as long as you can.

[Carter heads back out of the cave as Teal'c and Mitchell begin to explore the corridor.]

INT&mdash;SGC LAB

[A technician attaches leads to Vala for a polygraph machine. Hutchison sits across the table from Vala, making notes on a paper.]

VALA (disdainful) Do you really think these will hold me?

HUTCHISON Oh, those aren't restraints. We're hooking you up to a polygraph. It's also known as a lie detector. It measures certain variables, like blood pressure and heart rate, to determine whether you're being truthful or not.

VALA (with a wide false smile) Oh, I see.

[The smile quickly disappears.]

HUTCHISON Let's get started then, shall we?

[Hutchison nods to the technician and pulls out a group of papers.]

HUTCHISON And, what's your name?

VALA (hesitantly) Vala Mal Doran.

[She watches the polygraph equipment out of the corner of her eye with concern.]

HUTCHISON Where did you spend the last week on Earth?

VALA (biting her lip) Here, at Stargate Command.

HUTCHISON Have you ever stolen anything?

VALA (with a convincing smile) No.

[The needle of the polygraph scratches furiously, audible to everyone.]

VALA That depends on how you define&hellip;"stolen".

HUTCHISON These are control questions, designed to gauge your reaction by eliciting both truthful and deceptive answers from you. You're doing fine. Just, try and relax.

[Vala takes a deep breath. Hutchison glances at the technician, then leans closer.]

HUTCHISON You're looking very nice today.

[He indicates her hair.]

VALA (giggling) Oh, thank you. You're looking rather dashing yourself.

HUTCHISON Oh, thanks.

[He starts to straighten his jacket, and notices the furious scratching of the polygraph needle, indicating deception.]

VALA (stammering) I mean, nice&hellip;

[Hutchison shrugs, but notices the needle still scratches.]

VALA I-I-I mean, not objectionable.

[Hutchison's face falls as the needle continues to scratch furiously. Vala's mouth gapes open in shock and she makes furious faces at the equipment.]

INT&mdash;VAGONBREI HOME PARLOR

[Carter takes some pills. Reimer is looking at his laptop at a magnification display of a slide under the microscope attached to the machine.]

REIMER Colonel, come take a look at this.

[Carter approaches.]

REIMER This was in that soil sample you brought back from the cave.

CARTER (swallowing pills) What is it?

REIMER I believe it's a parasite.

[Carter looks closer.]

CARTER Is it dead?

REIMER No, it's dormant. Ackerman may have somehow awakened one?

CARTER Well, how? It doesn't seem to react to movement.

REIMER Excuse me. Let's see what happens when they come in contact with live tissue.

[Reimer takes a needle and pricks his skin. He places the drop of blood on the slide. Within moments, the parasite begins to move.]

CARTER Whoa!

REIMER I'll lay odds, that's your culprit right there.

CARTER These people would have had no understanding of microbiology. They-they probably came up with the story of Morgan's curse because they couldn't comprehend what was happening to them.

[The door opens and Daniel staggers in, wearily carrying a pile of books.]

CARTER Hey. (looks behind him) Where's Grimsby?

DANIEL (groggily) He said he was on his way back. He isn't here?

[Carter shakes her head, looking worried.]

DANIEL Oh no.

[Carter and Daniel leave to search. Reimer looks concerned.]

INT&mdash;CAVERN, VAGONBREI

[Mitchell and Teal'c continue down the cavern, each holding two lights. Mitchell falls back, exhausted. He pauses and peels off his gloves. Teal'c notices his condition.]

TEAL'C Perhaps we should rest.

[Mitchell nods and begins to crouch and relax his muscles, but immediately changes his mind.]

MITCHELL No. That's a bad idea. And I am starting to regret staying up late to watch Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo last night&hellip;Check that, I regretted it almost immediately.

[Both hear a scuttling movement further down the cavern and tense, alert.]

MITCHELL Am I imagining things, or&hellip;

TEAL'C I heard it as well.

[They shine their lights down the corridor, but see nothing. They move cautiously forward.]

EXT&mdash;VAGONBREI VILLAGE AND FOREST, NIGHT

[Daniel walks through the forest, shining a flashlight.]

DANIEL (calling) Grimsby!

[He notices something and moves forward.]

DANIEL (calling) Sam?

[Carter runs over from another area. Daniel is standing over Grimsby, who has fallen asleep in a haystack.]

INT&mdash;VAGONBREI HOME, BEDROOM

[Reimer stands at the foot of Ackerman's bed, staring at his colleague. Daniel and Carter are heard entering the other room.]

DANIEL Well, we found Grimsby. He's asleep, and we can't wake him.

[Daniel and Carter enter the bedroom. They notice Reimer doesn't react to them.]

CARTER Dr. Reimer? What's wrong? Has his condition changed?

REIMER (sadly) You could say that. He's dead.

INT&mdash;VAGONBREI HOME BEDROOM

[The bedroom has been turned into a makeshift autopsy room with some portable lights and basic medical equipment. Ackerman is laid out on a long table. Reimer performs an autopsy with Carter assisting, both wear surgical scrubs.]

REIMER I see evidence of a ruptured aneurysm near the pineal gland.

CARTER There's something else in here.

[Carter picks out something with forceps, and Reimer rinses it off. The item looks to be a larger version of the parasite.]

REIMER What the hell?

CARTER Morphology is identical to the parasite we found in the soil sample.

REIMER Only it's grown a thousand times bigger.

[Carter looks over, concerned, blinking to stay awake.]

INT&mdash;SGC VIP QUARTERS

[Vala storms into the room and throws herself face down on the bed, looking angry. She is unaware that Woolsey is already waiting in the room by the bookshelves, perusing a volume.]

WOOLSEY (putting book back) I'm assuming things didn't go well.

[Vala jumps up, startled. Before turning around to face him, she pauses and processes his presence in her room. When she turns to face him, her expression changes from shock to looking more vulnerable and hurt, though she tries to maintain her composure.]

VALA (voice breaking) I fail to see the point of that ridiculous exercise, unless its purpose was to thoroughly humiliate me. Those questions weren't intended to shed light on my character, or delve deeply into my subconscious. They were merely little reminders as to exactly why&hellip;I don't belong here.

[Woolsey has been listening to her carefully. After she finishes, he gives a calculating smile.]

WOOLSEY Then I take it you've carefully considered our offer, and come to a decision.

VALA (solemnly) I have.

INT&mdash;VAGONBREI CAVERN

[Mitchell and Teal'c walk down a steep grade in the corridor. Along one wall, Mitchell's flashlight picks out a four-legged reptilian creature crawling on the wall before disappearing through a small hole.]

MITCHELL Whoa!

[The two men move towards the hole. Mitchell drops to his knees to rest, groaning in exhaustion. Teal'c bends over, also very fatigued.]

MITCHELL Okay. Question. If what took out the village is what killed all the wildlife around here, how come that little sucker's alive and kickin'?

TEAL'C It may possess a natural immunity to this mysterious affliction.

MITCHELL Yeah, that's exactly my point, so all we've gotta do is catch Joe Bob there, take him back up to Carter and Reemer&mdash;Reimer&mdash;whatever. They reverse-engineer an antidote, and Bob's your uncle, we sleep 'til Tuesday.

TEAL'C Indeed.

MITCHELL (sighing) Yeah. (keys radio) Carter, it's Mitchell.

[Only static can be heard through the radio.]

TEAL'C We have progressed too far within the cave system.

MITCHELL Yes, we have. All right, well&hellip;we'll nab Junior first, then we'll call Carter when we get back up to the surface.

[Mitchell slowly stands and starts moving further into the cave.]

INT&mdash;VAGONBREI HOME PARLOR

[Reimer sits in front of his laptop, his eyes continually closing. Carter sits next to him, also struggling to stay awake in front of her computer. The door opens and Daniel enters. He staggers over to the table and leans on a straight-backed chair.]

DANIEL (wearily) Progress?

CARTER (hoarsely) We've been, [cough] theorizing that when the parasite enters the bloodstream, it triggers the body's immune response and the production of seratonin, then it makes its way to the patient's brain where it lodges and feeds.

[While she speaks, Reimer takes several pills and downs them with a swig of water from a bottle.]

DANIEL Feeds?

[He moves his chair next to Carter and collapses into it.]

DANIEL On what?

REIMER (tiredly) Melatonin. Our analysis showed the parasite we removed from Ackerman gorged itself on the stuff.

CARTER It stimulates the production of melatonin which floods the body; that's why the urge to sleep is so powerful. Once you give in, the parasite just keeps on feeding until&hellip;

[Carter glances over to Daniel. Daniel is obviously trying to follow the conversation with difficulty. He indicates she should continue.]

CARTER The engorged parasite affects the surrounding cranial tissue, eventually provoking a lethal aneurysm.

[Daniel slumps in his chair further. Carter clears her throat again.]

CARTER (continuing) But, we're thinking that it may be possible to starve out the parasite. So, to that end, we have isolated a specimen that we awakened from a dormant state.

[While Carter speaks, Reimer clutches his upper left arm. He cries out in shock and pain.]

CARTER Dr. Reimer?

[Reimer tries to stand, unable to talk. He collapses face first onto the table, then his body slumps to floor, landing sprawled on his back. Carter hurries over.]

CARTER Dr. Reimer!

[Carter checks his vital signs.]

CARTER (to Daniel) It's his heart!

[Daniel races to the medical supplies, tossing items aside to reach the portable defibrillator. He brings it over to Carter. Carter bares Reimer's chest. While she charges the equipment, Daniel feels for a pulse. Carter prepares the paddles and shocks Reimer. Nothing happens. Daniel checks for a pulse. She resets the machine and does it again. Daniel again checks for a pulse while she tries to build up another charge.]

DANIEL Sam&hellip;

[Carter shocks Reimer a third time.]

DANIEL He's dead.

[Carter looks over at Daniel before they both look down, defeated, at Reimer.]

EXT&mdash;CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN, NIGHT

INT&mdash;SGC CORRIDOR, LEVEL 25

[Several people are around the corridors. Vala bumps into one.]

VALA Oh, I'm sorry.

[Hutchison comes out of a door, spotting Vala passing by.]

HUTCHISON Ah, Vala.

VALA Oh, not you again.

[She continues to walk, Hutchison trailing next to her.]

HUTCHISON Ah, you know, you have another scheduled appointment.

VALA What would be the point of that? You people have already made up your minds about me.

HUTCHISON Is that what you think?

VALA Well, it's not like I haven't encountered this sort of thing before. You know, I saw it every day in the eyes of the people who couldn't separate me from the Goa'uld who enslaved them. So, you know, instead of becoming a victim of their arrogance and stupidity, I chose to take advantage of it. So, I lied, I cheated, and I stole. I'm not going to apologize for it. And, to be perfectly honest with you, I can't guarantee that I won't do it again, all right?

[Vala moves to the elevator and pushes the button.]

VALA Of course, I have recently found myself risking my life for something other than my own personal benefit. Maybe it's just a phase&mdash;

[The elevator door opens. A technician steps out. An airman remains in the car.]

VALA (to airman in elevator) Hold it, please. (to Hutchison) Or maybe, it's because, for the first time, I've actually met someone who, in some small way, actually believes in me. But I'm sure you're right, I'm sure it will pass.

[While Vala has been speaking she steps into the elevator and holds the door open herself to continue her speech. When she is finished, she allows the doors to close. Turning to the airman, she notes he's overheard her tirade.]

VALA What?

[Hutchison continues looking at the now closed elevator doors and sighs.]

INT&mdash;VAGONBREI HOME PARLOR, NIGHT

[Daniel leans over a book, his elbow resting on the table, propping his head in his hand. His eyes are closed. Carter steps by.]

CARTER Daniel! You can't fall asleep. Do you hear me?

[Daniel, startled from dozing, blinks and sighs.]

DANIEL (groaning) Yeah.

[Daniel reaches for the pill bottle, but Carter stays his hand and puts the pill bottle back.]

CARTER Uh, we can't take any more of these either. With our seratonin and melatonin levels spiking, it's too dangerous. We're going to have to rely on each other, all right?

DANIEL (with a tired sigh) Okay.

[Carter squeezes his shoulder and sits back down by her laptop.]

INT&mdash;VAGONBREI CAVES

[The reptile jumps from rock to rock. It notices Mitchell approaching and turns, curious.]

MITCHELL Easy there&hellip;easy.

[Mitchell eases closer to the creature.]

MITCHELL Don't worry. I'm not going to hurt you.

[Mitchell suddenly pounces at the creature. He falls on his face in the dirt, the reptile slipping through his grasp. It scurries away, right into Teal'c's jacket, which he has laid there as a trap. Teal'c immediately grabs the jacket and reptile and hugs it to his chest.]

TEAL'C I've got it, Colonel Mitchell!

[Mitchell gives a thumbs up sign and groans, not moving more from his position on the ground. Teal'c approaches. Mitchell makes a weak attempt to rise, then collapses back into the dirt.]

TEAL'C On your feet, Colonel Mitchell. There is much ground to cover if we are to reach the surface.

MITCHELL (face down in the dirt) No, you-you go ahead without me. I'm just gonna-I'm just gonna stay here. I'm cooked.

TEAL'C (stubbornly) Then I will carry you if I must.

[Teal'c reaches for Mitchell, but Mitchell weakly pushes his hand away, rolling over onto his back.]

MITCHELL (catching his breath) Forget it. No! No, tretonin or not, it's going to catch up with you at some point. The important thing for you to do is to take Curly back to Carter and&hellip;whatshisname, and get them started on the cure.

TEAL'C Indeed. I will return for you, Colonel Mitchell.

[Teal'c leaves, still cradling the reptile. Mitchell rolls back over onto his stomach.]

MITCHELL And I'll be&hellip;right here. Waiting on you.

INT&mdash;VAGONBREI HOME PARLOR

[Daniel takes notes at the table. Carter walks around it to the other table, staggering. Behind Daniel she collapses to her knees.]

DANIEL Sam! Sam&hellip;

[Daniel grabs her and helps her and props her to sit against the table, crouching in front of her.]

CARTER (weakly) I can't do it anymore.

DANIEL (sympathetically) You have to. You gotta hang in there just a little while longer.

[Carter closes her eyes. Daniel can no longer hold himself up, and he leans back, landing in a sitting position and leaning against the other table. He closes his eyes.]

[The door opens and a medical technician in full hazmat gear enters.]

MED TECH In here! Doctor Jackson, Colonel Carter, where's the rest of your team?

DANIEL (limply gesturing behind him) Reimer and Ackerman are dead. Teal'c and Mitchell went to the caves.

MED TECH What caves?

[Carter's head bobs loosely; she can't keep her eyes open. Daniel collapses onto his side on the floor. More technicians enter.]

MED TECH Get them in the isolation pods!

[Two technicians reach for Carter. Their handling of her causes Carter to stir.]

CARTER (weakly) No. Wait. Wait!

[They lift her bodily and place in her in an isolation pod. Two more technicians move Daniel into another pod.]

CARTER No, wait. We can't go to sleep.

MED TECH (soothing) It's okay. We'll take care of you.

CARTER No, you don't understand. The parasite. It feeds on&hellip;

[Carter continues to speak, but the cover is sealed on top of her, blocking out the sound of her voice. Carter sees the technicians through the glass window of the pod, but cannot hear what they are saying. She blacks out.]

INT&mdash;VAGONBREI CAVERN

[Teal'c stumbles through the cave, holding a flashlight and the reptile.]

EXT&mdash;FOREST, VAGONBREI, PREDAWN

[A team in full medical hazmat gear carry two isolation pods through the forest.]

INT&mdash;VAGONBREI CAVERN

[Teal'c makes his way out of the hidden passageway into the main chamber. He collapses on the ground of the cavern, still clutching the jacket. He turns and notices some daylight streaming in from the entrance to the cave. Teal'c struggles to his feet and moves towards the light.]

EXT&mdash;FOREST, VAGONBREI, DAWN

[Teal'c stumbles outside the cave. After taking several steps, he collapses again, unable to go further. The hazmat team is nearby and sees him, hurrying to his side.]

MED TECH Take it easy, Teal'c. We've got you. Take it easy.

[Teal'c mumbles unintelligibly, appearing to call Mitchell's name. The medical technician notices the reptile.]

MED TECH (to team) We've got some sort of animal here!

MED TECH TWO We need to take it to the lab.

EXT&mdash;CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN, DAY

INT&mdash;CARTER'S LAB

[SG-1 stand around a counter in Carter' s lab. Mitchell pours a cup of coffee.]

MITCHELL &hellip;Yeah, I was getting worked up, cussing at Teal'c, telling him to: "Go on. Leave me." Must have been&hellip;twenty minutes before I realized he had gone, and I was sitting there talking to myself.

[Teal'c smiles and nods.]

DANIEL (to Carter) What about you? Any hallucinations?

CARTER Yeah, when they put me in the pod, I imagined I was being put in a coffin. I thought I was being buried alive.

[Landry enters.]

LANDRY Well, rise and shine. How are you feeling?

MITCHELL Rested and ready to go, sir.

LANDRY I assume Dr. Lam got you up to speed?

CARTER Yes, sir. Between the sample they collected from Teal'c, and the research Dr. Reimer and I conducted, they were able to produce a serum that effectively isolated the parasite and starved it out.

MITCHELL I just hate that that cave was a dead end. We went through all that for nothing.

[Landry nods in sympathy.]

DANIEL I wouldn't say that, exactly. I did find one reference in that library that might prove to be useful&mdash;Atlantis.

CARTER You think the location of Merlin's weapon is hidden in their database?

DANIEL I think it's worth checking out.

[The phone rings. Carter goes to answer it.]

CARTER (into phone) Carter&hellip;I see. We'll be right there.

[She hangs up the phone.]

CARTER (to Landry) There seems to be a problem in the Gate room, sir.

[Landry and SG-1 leave the office.]

INT&mdash;SGC GATE ROOM

[Vala stands on some cases at the bottom of the ramp. She is screaming at technicians up in the control room. An SF keeps trying to pull her down by her arm, but she absently twists her arm out of his grasp.]

VALA I never liked you, and I know you can hear me! Dial the gate, now! Dial the gate! Don't make me come in there! (to the SF who keeps trying to pull her down) You stop it!

[Vala shoves the SF in the chest. Landry and SG-1 enter the Gate room and witness this.]

LANDRY What's going on?

[Vala hops off the cases.]

VALA (upset) I'm leaving. I'm not staying somewhere where I'm not welcome, and don't even think about making me stay against my will.

LANDRY (innocently) Wouldn't dream of it. But I figured you'd want to stay after going through all the trouble of passing the psychiatric evaluation.

VALA (puzzled) I passed?

[SG-1 smiles on benignly.]

LANDRY Dr. Hutchison seems to think that you have a lot of potential.

VALA He does?

LANDRY He feels you can make a significant contribution here at Stargate Command. And I agree.

DANIEL (pointedly) Congratulations.

[Vala bites her lip, trying to maintain her composure. She drops the shoulder bag she's been carrying.]

VALA I-I'm a little&hellip;overwhelmed. Heh. But, as my first&mdash;official act, I'd like to report a rather disagreeable little man.

[Woolsey enters the Gate room behind Vala.]

WOOLSEY That would be me.

[Vala turns and glares at Woolsey. Woolsey responds with a confident half-smile.]

LANDRY Mr. Woolsey's offer was part of the test. We wanted to make sure we could trust you.

[Vala turns back to Landry, straightening and crossing her arms over the chest.]

VALA I knew that. But were his sexual advances part of the test?

[Woolsey looks horrified. Landry looks from Vala to Woolsey sternly. SG-1 exchange knowing looks.]

WOOLSEY (stammering) What!?! That's..ah&hellip;General, I-I can assure you&hellip;

VALA Well, I would've even considered playing along, but some of his requests were&hellip;well, a little&hellip;unusual, even for me.

[Vala smirks as Woolsey moves past her, approaching the General, who turns on his heel and exits the Gate room. SG-1 poorly hides their amusement.]

WOOLSEY (following) General, I would never&hellip;General.

[Vala steps closer to SG-1.]

VALA So, when do I get one of these SG-1 badges?

MITCHELL You don't. You're not a member of SG-1. You're a probationary member of Stargate Command, who'll be subject to some very intensive scrutiny for the next few months.

[While Mitchell speaks, he moves closer to Vala in a threatening manner.]

VALA (meekly) Oh.

MITCHELL Don't screw up.

[Vala shakes her head emphatically. Mitchell turns away. Daniel prompts Mitchell with a pointed look and nod.]

MITCHELL And welcome aboard.

[Vala grins and chuckles.]

VALA See, I still think it's cause for celebration. So I say we go out, have lunch, and I'll pay.

MITCHELL Pay with what, exactly?

VALA (matter-of-factly) Well, Daniel will cover me until I get my share of the loot.

[Daniel sighs and drops his head to his chest.]

DANIEL Loot?

[SG-1 and Vala walk out of the Gate room and down the corridor.]

VALA Yeah, from all the treasures we're going to bring back from our off-world travels. What, I have to wait until I'm off probation before I start collecting?

FADE OUT

END CREDITS

Transcribed for Solutions by Aurora Novarum, July 2006

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