Midway/Transcript

Episode Guide
Midway" Episode Guide

Transcript
PREVIOUSLY ON STARGATE ATLANTIS

[Excerpts from "The Return, Part 1" and  "[Adrift]]" are shown.]

END EXCERPTS

TEASER

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, DAY

INT&mdash;CARTER'S OFFICE

[Sheppard and Teyla sit with Carter in her office.]

CARTER Welcome back, Teyla.

TEYLA Thank you. Believe me, it's good to be back.

SHEPPARD So, what's new on Earth?

TEYLA I&hellip;wouldn't know. I saw nothing beyond the walls of Stargate Command for two days.

CARTER How'd the interview go?

TEYLA Exactly as you said it would. The new member of the IOA, Mister Coolidge? Was somewhat brusque and arrogant. He insisted on doing most of the questioning himself.

CARTER Yeah, I thought he would. These interviews were the first item on his agenda.

SHEPPARD Don't worry, just a new guy marking his territory.

TEYLA Yes, well, he is clearly distrustful of "aliens" participating in any aspect of the Stargate Program, let alone being active team members.

SHEPPARD But you changed his mind, right?

TEYLA I&hellip;hope so. Although he did seem&hellip;distracted by my current condition.

CARTER (surprised) Really? I informed the IOA of your pregnancy.

TEYLA Yes. They knew. And most of the members were actually quite supportive. But Mr. Coolidge&hellip;his demeanor toward women differs from his demeanor toward men. He kept calling me "honey."

[Carter groans softly and bites her lip.]

TEYLA I admit the urge to inflict harm on this man was quite strong, but I managed to refrain from doing so.

SHEPPARD Good call. Bad idea to run around beating the crap out of people with a baby on the way.

TEYLA In the end, I don't think he'll have a problem with me, mainly because I think he believes I will not be returning to active duty after my child is born.

SHEPPARD Well, won't he be surprised?

[Teyla shifts uncomfortably. Sheppard studies her reaction with surprise.]

CARTER (quickly) Well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. In the meantime, it's important that we get through these interviews as smoothly as possible and not create any waves. I'll inform you when the report comes in.

TEYLA Thank you.

[Teyla leaves. Sheppard stands, but sits again when Carter sits next to him.]

SHEPPARD Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

CARTER (sighing) Ronon's up next.

SHEPPARD Big waves. We're talking tsunamis.

CARTER I thought about that. Now, his interview's not for three days, so I've asked somebody to come to Atlantis and&hellip;"coach" him.

SHEPPARD Who?

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS GATE ROOM

[Teal'c, wearing formal Jaffa robes, arrives through the Stargate and looks around Atlantis. Carter walks up to greet him, smiling broadly.]

CARTER Teal'c!

[They clasp hands warmly.]

TEAL'C Colonel Carter.

CARTER Welcome to Atlantis.

[Teal'c bows. Carter laughs.]

END TEASER

OPENING CREDITS

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CORRIDOR

[Carter and Teal'c walk down a corridor. She's studying his latest hairstyle. He still has the silver streak from his aging, but it has grown longer now, and is slicked back.]

CARTER So, Teal'c, the, uh&hellip;hair.

TEAL'C You do not like it?

CARTER No, I love it. It's very&hellip;Earth.

[They grin at each other.]

TEAL'C This city is much larger than I expected.

CARTER Ah, it's a remarkable feat of engineering. The Ancients really knew what they were doing.

TEAL'C Indeed.

[Carter smiles at passers-by and looks at the city. Teal'c studies her and gives a faint smile.]

TEAL'C You look well, Colonel Carter. Command has been good to you.

CARTER Thanks, Teal'c. It takes some getting used to. The military protocol's pretty relaxed, but I like it here.

INT&mdash;WORKOUT ROOM

[Ronon spars with a large Marine in hand to hand combat, Ronon constantly knocking the other down. Other Atlantis personnel are on the sidelines watching. Carter and Teal'c enter. Ronon fells the Marine for the last time, then adjusts some of his dreadlocks out of his face.]

TEAL'C Is that him?

CARTER Yep. That's him. Come on.

[Ronon goes to get something to drink while people help the injured man off the mats. Carter and Teal'c approach Ronon.]

CARTER Ronon Dex, I'd like you to meet Teal'c of the Jaffa. He's the one I was telling you about.

TEAL'C (bowing) It is a pleasure to meet you, Ronon Dex. Colonel Carter has spoken highly of you.

[Ronon is slightly out of breath as he continues to drink his water. He studies Teal'c with a scowl.]

CARTER (nervously) Anyway&hellip;like I said. You two are similar in many ways, so you should have a lot in common.

[Carter and Teal'c watch as Ronon spits out some of his water.]

CARTER (continuing gamely) Teal'c was a member of SG-1 for over ten years, so he knows all about dealing with the IOA. Which is why I thought&hellip;he could pass along a few pointers, help you prep for the big interview.

[Ronon continues to glare at Teal'c, who studies Ronon with an appraising eye.]

TEAL'C (blandly) Colonel Carter?

CARTER (sighing weakly) Yeah?

TEAL'C Perhaps you could leave us to become better acquainted.

[Carter looks between them.]

CARTER (tensely) Sure. Have fun.

[She leaves. They continue to stare each other down.]

TEAL'C Do you not speak, Ronon Dex?

RONON Not when I've got nothin' to say.

[Teal'c blinks, considering this, then bows his head.]

EXT&mdash;M4F-788, DAY

[In a desert canyon. The Wraith who was part of the lab where Todd was held walks towards the DHD. A hive ship is in the distance. He is followed by other Wraith and some soldier Wraith. One carries a large circular device, others carry tendons that are the Wraith version of cables.]

WRAITH This is it. Get to work!

[They start setting up their device and connecting it to the DHD.]

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, DAY

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS MESS HALL

[Ronon sits alone at a table, eating. Teal'c arrives with his own tray full of food.]

TEAL'C May I join you?

[Teal'c sits without waiting for an answer. Ronon appears annoyed.]

TEAL'C Mm. Salisbury steak. We are often served this in the SGC mess hall. I must confess, however, that I am partial to the tater tots.

RONON Look. I don't need a coach teaching me how to act during the interview. I've dealt with the IOA before.

TEAL'C The IOA is comprised of more than just Mr. Woolsey. Their new member, Mr. Coolidge is far less pleasant.

RONON Yeah, well, I can handle him. I'll stay calm, answer all of his questions. I know how to play the game.

TEAL'C I am pleased to hear that. Very well. Let us speak of other things.

RONON Such as?

TEAL'C Tell me of Sateda.

[Ronon stops chewing and glares at Teal'c.]

RONON (aggressively) What do you want to know?

TEAL'C When did the Wraith destroy it?

RONON (calming) Years ago.

TEAL'C Your army was unable to fight?

RONON (bristling) Oh, we fought back. The battle lasted days.

TEAL'C And when you finally surrendered, what did the Wraith do then&mdash;?

RONON (hissing) We didn't surrender! We fought until every last one of us was either dead or captured.

TEAL'C So tell me then&hellip;is it true that negligence on your part is what first alerted the Wraith to your presence? That your reckless actions brought about the deaths of thousands of innocent people&mdash;

[Ronon stands and tosses aside his tray in his fury. He unholsters his gun and powers it up, aiming it at Teal'c's head.]

RONON That's a lie!

[While everyone has gotten up, upset and confused at the scene, Teal'c has remained seated, perfectly calm, and eating a tater tot.]

TEAL'C Indeed it is. Yet, should such a question arise during your interview, I trust you will not respond in a similar manner. You do, after all, "know how to play the game."

[The door opens and Sheppard enters, taking in the scene.]

SHEPPARD Ronon! Put&hellip;the gun&hellip;away!

[Ronon re-holsters his gun, but continues to glare down at Teal'c.]

SHEPPARD What's the problem here?

TEAL'C There is no problem, Colonel Sheppard.

SHEPPARD Well, that's good to hear. Ronon?

[Ronon leans over the table, menacingly. Teal'c stops eating and stares back in challenge. Sheppard shifts, sensing the tension.]

SHEPPARD All right&hellip;why don't you take Teal'c down to the gym? Show him your fighting techniques? I'm sure you guys could give each other a few tips.

INT&mdash;WORK OUT ROOM

[Teal'c and Ronon fight in the center of the room with large staffs. Teal'c has taken off his robes and is in sleeveless top and pants. Atlantis personnel line the edges, cheering the fighters on. Chuck has a PDA and is collecting money in a betting pool. Carter enters and walks over to Sheppard, who's watching calmly.]

SHEPPARD Colonel? Want to place a bet?

CARTER What's going on here?

SHEPPARD Friendly sparring match.

[They watch as Teal'c and Ronon swing their staffs. Neither seem to be holding back, and neither gives any quarter.]

CARTER Well, it looks anything but friendly.

SHEPPARD Nah, it's good for them. They're just blowing off some steam.

[Teal'c and Ronon continue to fight at a furious pace.]

CROWD Go! Go! Go!

CARTER How long have they been at it?

SHEPPARD About an hour or so.

CARTER (incredulous) An hour?!

SHEPPARD They're not even taking any breaks.

CARTER Well, they are now!

SHEPPARD I don't think that's such a&hellip;

[Carter jumps into the fray.]

SHEPPARD &hellip;good idea.

[Ronon kicks and Teal'c's staff breaks in the middle, leaving him with two rods now. Carter steps into the fight circle.]

CARTER Okay! That's enough!

[The cheering stops and Teal'c and Ronon pace around. Teal'c stares at Carter, then drops his two sticks. Ronon sneers and drops his own staff. Sheppard's eyes widen.]

[Ronon starts punching Teal'c. After a few blows, Teal'c fights back, knocking Ronon to one side. Ronon bounces to renew his attack.]

CARTER Ronon! Teal'c! Stop!

[She steps between them and physically holds them apart.]

SHEPPARD (disappointed) Well.

CARTER Let's call it a draw.

[The crowd dissipates. Sheppard takes some Canadian money from Chuck's hand, leaving him a small bill, then walks away himself.]

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, DAY

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CORRIDOR

[Carter and Teal'c, now back in his Jaffa robes, walk down a corridor. Not in hearing distance, Sheppard walks with Ronon. He points to Teal'c.]

RONON (petulantly) Why does he have to go with me?

SHEPPARD He's not actually going with you. He's returning home. He just happens to be traveling at the same time. One less dial-in on the intergalactic bridge.

RONON That's the other thing. Why don't we just dial Earth directly from here?

SHEPPARD Well, we need a ZPM for that, and we don't want to waste the extra power. That was the whole point of the Gate Bridge in the first place.

RONON But there's a twenty-four hour quarantine on the Midway Station.

[Sheppard and Ronon pause at the door to the Gate Room. Teal'c and Carter already stand before the Stargate.]

SHEPPARD Well, you're just going to have to sit around for a bit, all right? Look, the guy's got years of experience. He's like a hundred years old or something, all right? It won't kill you to listen to him. Be a good boy.

[Sheppard walks away.]

RONON I hate you.

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS GATE ROOM

CARTER I'm sorry about breaking up the sparring match earlier. But if I didn't, you two would probably still be fighting.

[Teal'c nods and bows.]

CARTER Listen, I know that Ronon's been resistant, but I really appreciate you coming here and helping us out.

RONON I too wish him to succeed. There is great potential in him.

CARTER I agree.

[Ronon approaches.]

CARTER (to Ronon) All set?

RONON Let's get this over with.

[Carter and Teal'c exchange looks, she with a too-bright smile.]

CARTER (calling to Control Room) Dial the bridge, Chuck.

CHUCK Yes, ma'am.

TEAL'C It gives me great pride to see how the people of this expedition have embraced you as their leader. As I knew they would.

CARTER Thanks, Teal'c.

[They embrace. Ronon rolls his eyes and looks away.]

EXT&mdash;M4F-788, DAY

[The Stargate activates as the Wraith recheck the tendon cables.]

WRAITH AIDE The portal's activating. The patterns are stored in the buffer. The portal should redial momentarily.

[The aide presses controls.]

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[The Midway Station floats between the Pegasus and Milky Way galaxies.

LEE Incoming Pegasus Activation.

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION GATE ROOM

[Teal'c and Ronon step onto the ramp. Two guards stand nearby. The Milky Way Stargate is at the the other side of the room.]

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CONTROL ROOM

[Lee watches Teal'c and Ronon through a window. Kavanaugh and Dempster sit at separate control consoles.]

LEE (to Kavanaugh) Right on schedule. I'm gonna go get them settled in. You can get started on the attitude stabilization diagnostics.

KAVANAUGH I thought Dempster was doing that.

DEMPSTER Why do I have to do that?

LEE You don't. I want you to do it.

[He points at Kavanaugh.]

KAVANAUGH I just finished five hours of power distribution upgrades!

LEE You chose to be here.

KAVANAUGH No, I didn't.

LEE Yes, you did.

KAVANAUGH No, I didn't!

LEE Regardless&hellip;I want you to learn everything there is to know about this station. And the sooner you do that, the sooner I get to hand you reins and go home.

[Lee leaves.]

KAVANAUGH (petulant) You're not the only one who wants to go home.

LEE (calling back) I heard that!

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CORRIDOR

[Lee meets Teal'c and Ronon in the corridor.]

LEE (brightly) Gentlemen! Welcome to the Midway Station, halfway point between the Pegasus and Milky Way galaxies.

RONON Yeah, we know. We've been here before.

LEE (nervously) Right. Of course. So then you also know about the twenty-four hour quarantine before we can let you carry on to Earth? Don't want to pass on any of those pesky Pegasus germs to the folks back home&hellip; (clears throat) Why-why don't I just show you to your quarters? Um, unfortunately, you're gonna have to share. As you know, there's not much room on the station.

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION GUEST QUARTERS

[Lee opens a door. It has a bunk-bed, a small table, a toilet and sink. Teal'c looks around practically in horror at how small it is. Ronon looks annoyed.]

LEE There's a dvd player and a few movies. Oh, we saw Norbit the other day? It's actually&mdash;it's kind of funny. Um, there's some sudoku books&hellip;although I think&mdash;no, they're all solved. Um, yeah, like I said, it-it-it's a bit small, but uh, you're only here for a day, so kick back, relax, have a-have an Earl Grey and get to know each other better&hellip;or not.

[Lee is squeezed between the much larger Teal'c and Ronon. As they look at their cramped quarters, Lee is pressed between them while he speaks. Lee is able to maneuver to the door and makes a hasty retreat. Ronon and Teal'c glare at each other a few moments, then both move to take the bottom bunk. They stand as one and stare each other down again.]

EXT&mdash;M4F-788, DAY

[The Wraith aide finishes typing on his console.]

WRAITH AIDE I have deciphered the program.

WRAITH Prepare the first wave!

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CONTROL ROOM

[Lee rejoins Kavanaugh and Dempster.]

LEE How's it going?

KAVANAUGH (dully) Peachy.

LEE You're bored. I get it. Welcome to Midway.

[The Pegasus Stargate activates.]

KAVANAUGH Are we expecting another dial-in?

LEE No.

[He goes to Dempster's console and keys the intercom.]

LEE Unscheduled Pegasus activation.

[He looks at the computer screen of a camera at the Stargate and watches the two guards wait. Wraith soldiers come through the Stargate and immediately fire at the guards.]

LEE What the heck?

KAVANAUGH Oh, God! Wraith!

LEE That's impossible!

[They all rush to the window to see several Wraith soldiers coming through the Stargate.]

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION GUEST QUARTERS

[Ronon and Teal'c stand stoically and watch the Three Stooges on the tv screen mounted to the wall.]

MOE (on screen) Ah, who you hitting?

[Moe hits Larry between the eyes. Larry runs away.]

CURLY (on screen) Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.

MOE Eh, be quiet.

[Moe smacks Curly up the back of the head.]

[Neither Ronon nor Teal'c react to the onscreen antics. A klaxon begins to blare. Ronon and Teal'c exchange looks. Ronon grabs his gun belt from the top bunk, and Teal'c takes off his robe as they leave.]

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CORRIDORS

[Wraith soldiers patrol the halls, shooting the guards. Ronon and Teal'c encounter two soldiers; Ronon instantly fells them with his pistol.]

RONON What are the Wraith doing here?

[Teal'c picks up their stunner weapons.]

TEAL'C I was about to ask the same question.

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CONTROL ROOM

[The blast shield closes over the window. The door opens and Wraith enter. Lee finishes frantically typing on the console while the other two raise their hands.]

WRAITH Stop!

[Lee stands and raises his hands in surrender, backing away. The aide takes his Lee's place at the console and turns off the klaxon. The Wraith leader watches the last soldiers enter and the Pegasus Stargate shut down.]

WRAITH Dial Earth.

[Lee gulps and he exchanges worried looks with his colleagues.]

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, NIGHT

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

[Sheppard enters. Carter and McKay are both working at computers.]

SHEPPARD What's going on?

MCKAY (unconcerned) The intergalactic bridge is down.

SHEPPARD How'd that happen?

MCKAY I don't know. We were sending the daily status report to the SGC, and we can't connect to Midway.

CARTER Some kind of malfunction, either in one of the gates or the call-forwarding macro.

MCKAY Eh, it's probably just a glitch, a simple software hiccup.

SHEPPARD Hiccup?

CARTER We hope.

SHEPPARD (realizing) Ronon and Teal'c?

MCKAY (dismissively) Nah, the malfunction occurred several minutes after they went through. I'm sure they made it to Midway.

CARTER But we can't be absolutely certain.

[Carter and McKay exchange stubborn looks.]

SHEPPARD Those gates are in space! If they walked through&hellip;

MCKAY No, no, no. Look, the glitch occurred at M4F-788. That is a planetary gate at the edge of the Pegasus Galaxy, which means, worst-case scenario, they step through the puddle and they find themselves stranded on an uninhabited planet.

SHEPPARD Stranded. More time together. Just what they need.

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[The Midway Station floats in space.]

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION ARMORY

[Teal'c and Ronon raid the armory for weapons and ammunition.]

RONON Oh. All right, we need to secure the gate room.

TEAL'C No. We must get to the control room.

RONON More Wraith can get through the Gate.

TEALC They cannot use the Stargate without the Control Room. It is best if we just keep moving&mdash;

[He exits the room and meets more Wraith. He shoots them both with his rifle. Ronon also fires at a pair coming from a different direction.]

TEAL'C This way.

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CONTROL ROOM

[The computer beeps alerts as the aide tries to type commands.]

WRAITH What's wrong?

WRAITH AIDE I cannot activate the portal. A lockout command has been initiated. It is preventing me from accessing the controls.

WRAITH Override it.

WRAITH AIDE I'm trying&hellip;it requires a code.

[The lead Wraith turns to Kavanaugh, Lee, and Dempster.]

WRAITH What is the code?

LEE (casually) We don't know.

[The Wraith stalks towards them.]

LEE Honestly, w-we don't know. There's only a handful of people who know that specific code for obvious security reasons, and uh&hellip;none of them are on the base right now, so&hellip;

WRAITH You initiated the lockout?

[Kavanaugh points to Lee.]

LEE Well, it's not really a matter of who initiated it. It's a standard protocol&mdash;

WRAITH (insistent) Did you?

LEE (stammering) Yeah. But&hellip;I mean, well, yeah, it was me, but&hellip;like I said, initiating it and overriding it are two entirely separate&mdash;

WRAITH Silence!

LEE &hellip;things.

[The Wraith turns to his aide.]

WRAITH (impatient) Keep working. Find a way around it.

WRAITH AIDE It will take time. The interface has several&hellip;

WRAITH The more you speak, the less time you have. (turning to his prisoners) In the meantime, perhaps I can find a way to persuade you to give me that code.

[Lee looks at the Wraith, terrified.]

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, NIGHT

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

[The Stargate activates.]

CARTER We've got a lock.

SHEPPARD Finally.

MCKAY Yeah, it seems someone was dialing out from 788, which was preventing us from dialing in until now.

SHEPPARD Ronon and Teal'c?

MCKAY Oh, I doubt it. Look, even if the malfunction spat them out on the planet, the only logical address they would dial is back to Atlantis, which, as we know, they didn't.

SHEPPARD Well, maybe it's them, and they can't get a lock?

CARTER (into radio) Ronon, Teal'c, are you there? Ronon, Teal'c, this is Colonel Carter, please respond.

MCKAY I'm telling you they made it to the Midway Station before the malfunction; I'm sure of it.

[Carter gives him a tense look.]

SHEPPARD Wait a minute. Didn't you say 788 is uninhabited?

MCKAY It is.

SHEPPARD All right, if it's not Ronon and Teal'c, then who dialed out?

[McKay gives him a blank look.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS GATE ROOM

[A technician steers a MALP through the Stargate.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

[Carter and Sheppard watch the MALP telemetry on the big monitor while McKay sits at a console.]

MCKAY The MALP is through. Receiving telemetry. Visual coming in now.

[The screen shows empty rocks and sand.]

MCKAY See? No Ronon, no Teal'c.

CARTER Pan left.

[McKay does so. The screen shows the Wraith tendrils and equipment by the DHD. Carter gasps.]

MCKAY (worried) That's Wraith tech. It's hooked up to the DHD!

CARTER Pan right.

[McKay does so, then tilts the camera up. The hive ship is now visible at the edge of the canyon.]

SHEPPARD Oh, crap.

[A Wraith soldier appears and shoots the camera with his stunner. The screen blackens with a menu alert saying "no signal."]

MCKAY We lost the feed.

SHEPPARD Not to mention the MALP. Shut down the 'gate!

CARTER Is it possible for them to have hijacked the Intergalactic Bridge?

SHEPPARD This is a helluva lot more than a hiccup!

MCKAY No, no, no. That' s impossible. In mean, first, they'd have to know about the bridge, and even if they did, there's too many security barriers in place. Look, the encryption I used on the call-forwarding macro would've them taken years to try to fig&mdash;

SHEPPARD What if they knew the passwords?

MCKAY How?

SHEPPARD We just had a Wraith on base, Rodney, working with you, side by side, on your computers.

MCKAY You mean Todd? He was our ally! Look, and even if he wanted to, there's no way he could hack into my system&hellip;could he?

SHEPPARD You saw the tech hooked up to the DHD. What else could they be up to?

[McKay looks disturbed.]

CARTER All right, listen, we have to get to Midway. The Daedalus is back on Earth. Is there another way we can get there?

MCKAY Well, connect to the bridge via another 'gate in Pegasus.

CARTER We have to find one that's close to the outer edge.

[McKay starts typing while Carter stares at the schematic.]

MCKAY M6R-125. We could connect the bridge through that, but I'd need to reconfigure the macros.

CARTER Okay. Get on it. Colonel, prepare a strike force.

[She and Sheppard leave.]

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CONTROL ROOM

[The Wraith drops Dempster's husk of corpse onto the floor after he's fed. Lee and Kavanaugh stare at the body of their colleague in horror. The Wraith stalks towards the pair.]

KAVANAUGH H-honestly, if I knew the code, I would have given it to you by now!

WRAITH That depends on the strength of your allegiance.

KAVANAUGH No, no, no, trust me! My allegiance is not that strong.

LEE (agreeing) It really isn't.

KAVANAUGH Please, please! I'm begging you!

[The Wraith raises his feeding hand; Kavanaugh collapses in a dead faint.]

LEE Yeah, um, I think&hellip;he fainted.

WRAITH Then you shall be next.

LEE Okay, wait&hellip;

WRAITH AIDE I've got it. I've successfully gained access to override the lockout.

[The Wraith moves over to his aide.]

WRAITH Good. Dial the portal.

[The aide complies. Lee rubs his face with his hand, worried.]

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CORRIDOR

[Teal'c and Ronon head down a corridor. They hear footsteps and see the shadows of approaching Wraith.]

TEAL'C In here.

[Ronon and Teal'c rush to a side corridor that holds space suits. They watch as the Wraith ascend the ladder.]

RONON They're heading to the Gate Room.

TEAL'C Indeed.

RONON If you want to go to the control room, go ahead. I'm going after them.

[Ronon chases after the Wraith.]

TEAL'C Ronon!

[Teal'c chases after Ronon.]

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CONTROL ROOM

WRAITH (via intercom) Send the device.

LEE (clearing throat nervously) Device? Um, uh, what device?

EXT&mdash;CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN, DAY

INT&mdash;SGC CONTROL ROOM

HARRIMAN Off-world activation. Midway's IDC. Opening the iris.

INT&mdash;SGC CONTROL ROOM

[A large ball with arcing blue light rolls down the ramp. Everyone stares at it curiously in both the Gate room and the control room. It lets off an energy wave burst. Everyone in the gate room, the control room, and the corridors and rooms beyond throughout the facility are knocked out as the wave passes. The ball shuts down.]

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, NIGHT

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

[Sheppard and Carter have returned. Sheppard is in full off-world combat gear. McKay shows them a schematic.]

MCKAY All right, we're redirected. We gate from Atlantis to M6R-125. We insert this crystal with the bridge macros into the DHD, dial the first gate in the void, and we're back on track all the way to Midway.

CARTER (to Sheppard) Is your strike force ready?

SHEPPARD As soon as McKay gears up, we're ready to go.

MCKAY Well, I'm-I'm uh&hellip; (sighing) All right, I-I'm gearing up.

[He leaves. Sheppard and Carter exchange tight smiles.]

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CONTROL ROOM

WRAITH (into intercom) Prepare the next wave.

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION GATE ROOM ANTECHAMBER

[Ronon and Teal'c reach the antechamber and watch through the window as a group of soldiers march through the Milky Way Stargate.]

TEAL'C They have dialed the Milky Way 'gate.

RONON They're headed for Stargate Command.

TEAL'C We must pursue them.

RONON (elbowing him) Now you're talking.

[They try to reach the Gate Room and get into a firefight with Wraith soldiers converging on their positions.]

RONON Let's go before the gate shuts down!

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CONTROL ROOM

[The lead Wraith watches as Teal'c and Ronon back their way up the ramp, firing at the Wraith soldiers.]

WRAITH Shut it down! Now!

[Ronon and Teal'c step through the Stargate just before it shuts down, leaving Wraith soldiers stranded on the ramp.]

WRAITH Two were able to pass through, but they will be dispensed of soon enough. Make ready the next&mdash;

[The Pegasus Stargate activates an incoming wormhole.]

WRAITH TECH The Pegasus portal is activating.

WRAITH (puzzled) The next inbound wave was supposed to wait for my command.

[The tech types on the keyboard. The lead Wraith looks at the monitor. Sheppard's strike force team enters the station through the Stargate.]

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CORRIDOR

[The strike force sweeps through the corridor.]

SHEPPARD Teams Three and Four, take the lower level. Teams One and Two, with me, this way.

[The strike force splits up. McKay goes with Sheppard.]

INT&mdash;SGC GATE ROOM

[Ronon and Teal'c enter the SGC through the Stargate, alert. They see the downed personnel and globe. Ronon checks one airman's vital signs as Teal'c approaches the globe.]

RONON Yeah, they're alive. They're just stunned.

TEAL'C By this device perhaps.

RONON I don't know. I've never seen one of these before.

[Teal'c looks up to the control room and sees no one there conscious.]

TEAL'C It appears other personnel have been disabled as well. The question is how much of this base has been compromised?

RONON Where the hell are the Wraith?

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CORRIDOR

[Sheppard's team moves through the station. They encounter Wraith and engage in a firefight.]

SHEPPARD (into radio, between shooting) Ronon, Teal'c, come in! Ronon, do you copy!

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CONTROL ROOM

[The Wraith watches the firefight as teams spread through the station.]

WRAITH Shut the door!

[The technician presses some controls, and the blast door shuts.]

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CORRIDOR

[The Wraith shooting at Sheppard have either retreated or been killed. Sheppard waves his team ahead.]

SHEPPARD Clear.

[He leads them down the corridor. A monitor on the wall comes to life, and the head Wraith shows up on the screen.]

WRAITH (on video) Colonel Sheppard!

MCKAY Sheppard!

[McKay and Sheppard stare at the screen.]

WRAITH You have no chance of retaking this station. Therefore, it is in your best interest to surrender immediately.

[Sheppard and McKay exchange puzzled looks.]

SHEPPARD Do I know you?

WRAITH Not personally, no. But I know a great deal about you. You as well, Doctor McKay.

MCKAY Who are you?

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CONTROL ROOM

[The conversation switches between the control room and corridor, where McKay and Sheppard appear on the control room's vid screen.]

WRAITH An acquaintance of someone you recently worked with to bring about the demise of those you referred to as "Replicators." It was from him that I was able to procure the necessary data to commandeer this base.

MCKAY (furious, to Sheppard) It was Todd! That bastard hacked my system!

SHEPPARD So much for buddies. (to Wraith) So, what's the plan? Take over Midway, and then what? Earth?

WRAITH My warriors are securing a beachhead in your command center as we speak.

SHEPPARD Hate to break this to you, but the SGC is heavily fortified. You're walking into a world of hurt.

WRAITH Not to worry. We have ways of evening the odds.

INT&mdash;SGC CONTROL ROOM

[Teal'c and Ronon investigate the control room, finding everyone unconscious and the monitors showing a lockdown. Ronon spots Wraith moving on a surveillance monitor.]

RONON Look they're working their to the surface, tryin' to get out.

TEAL'C (confidently) They will be unable to do so. A pulse of energy&mdash;no doubt from that Wraith device&mdash;has triggered the SGC automatic lockdown.

RONON So, no one gets in, and no one gets out?

TEAL'C (smiling) Indeed.

RONON That's just the way I like it.

[They move out.]

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CONTROL ROOM

[The Wraith tech watches as the Pegasus Stargate activates.]

WRAITH TECH We have activation.

WRAITH That will be our reinforcements. (to Sheppard and McKay) Soon, it is you who will be in for "a world of hurt."

MCKAY (sotto voce) Oh, crap.

[Sheppard hits him.]

SHEPPARD (to Wraith) Listen, love to sit around and chat, but&hellip;gotta go.

[He shoots the camera with his pistol.]

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CORRIDOR

SHEPPARD (to Hester) Take positions. Anything comes through the 'gate, kill it..

HESTER Yes, sir.

SHEPPARD (to two strike force members) You two, with me.

[He, McKay and some strike force members run down the corridor.]

MCKAY Where're we going?

SHEPPARD We're going to the control room, to shut down the 'gate!

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CORRIDOR OUTSIDE CONTROL ROOM

[Sheppard's group gets into a firefight with the two Wraith soldiers guarding the door. Both guards are downed, but not before one stuns one of the strike force team. The door opens and other soldiers fire, but are gunned down by Sheppard. Another strike force team member is stunned. The Wraith technician goes for one of the soldier's guns, but is shot by Sheppard before he can reach it.]

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CONTROL ROOM

[Lee peeks out from behind a console as Sheppard sweeps the area. Sheppard immediately points his gun at the movement, and Lee raises his hands.]

LEE Whoa! Oh, thank God!

[Sheppard lowers his gun.]

SHEPPARD Where's the head guy?

LEE He left.

SHEPPARD Well, I can see that. Where'd he go?

LEE Uh, I-I don't know. He just ran out.

SHEPPARD (calling out) McKay, we're in the clear! Get to work!

[McKay comes up from the corridor.]

SHEPPARD Where's Ronon and Teal'c?

LEE They went through the Milky Way Gate on the way to Stargate Command. They were chasing after the Wraith.

SHEPPARD All right, here.

[He hands Lee his pistol. McKay types on the console.]

LEE What am I supposed to&mdash;

[Sheppard points generally to the downed strike force members.]

SHEPPARD Get those two guys inside. Seal the door. Shoot anything that tries to get through.

MCKAY Where are you going?

SHEPPARD Going to help those marines.

[He spots Kavanaugh lying on the floor.]

SHEPPARD Is he dead?

LEE Fainted.

SHEPPARD (sneering) Figures.

MCKAY Well, you better wake him up. We got a problem.

SHEPPARD What?

MCKAY I can't shut down the Stargate.

LEE I think I saw them inputting a lockout protocol just before you guys came in.

MCKAY Damn it!

[The monitor for the Gate room shows another wave of Wraith soldiers entering the station through the Stargate.]

SHEPPARD We got Wraith coming through the 'gate. We're about to get overrun.

[Sheppard runs out while McKay watches the invasion with horror.]

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CORRIDOR

[Sheppard cautiously makes his way down the corridor.]

SHEPPARD (into radio) Hester, come in, what's your twenty?

[The radio speaker is filled with static and gunfire.]

HESTER (over radio) We're still outside of the gate room. We got a ton of Wraith coming through.

SHEPPARD (into radio) Where are the other teams?

HESTER (over radio) I lost contact with them. I don't know how much longer we can hold them off here, sir!

SHEPPARD (into radio) Just hang on. McKay's trying to shut down the 'gate.

[The speaker sounds the hail of gunfire, and Hester's team shouting and screaming.]

SHEPPARD (into radio) Hester? Hester! Come in!

[The reception becomes interrupted. After a final scream, all is silent.]

[Sheppard turns a corner and encounters Wraith. He shoots several of them down before falling back. The remaining Wraith pursue him.]

INT&mdash;SGC CORRIDOR

[Ronon and Teal'c wander the corridors, noticing the unconscious personnel scattered everywhere. They pause by a desiccated corpse. Teal'c bends down to study it.]

RONON He was fed on by the Wraith. It's not a good way to go.

TEAL'C Indeed.

[He takes the airman's zat.]

RONON You say that a lot.

TEAL'C What?

RONON "Indeed."

TEAL'C (concerned) Do I?

RONON Yeah.

TEAL'C (considering) I had not noticed.

[They move to another corridor. As Ronon turns the corner, he sees a Wraith soldier feeding.]

RONON Hey!

[He shoots the Wraith soldier and rushes forward in bloodlust. Teal'c moves back more cautiously.]

TEAL'C Ronon!

[Two more Wraith come after Ronon from another side corridor. One pins Ronon against the wall, while Teal'c zats the other. More Wraith come up behind Teal'c and he fires at them. Another one tries to tackle Teal'c from the side corridor, but he spins and knocks it against the wall.]

[Ronon continues to wrestle the Wraith pinning him, trying to keep his feeding arm away. Teal'c breaks the neck of the Wraith he fights. Ronon is losing his struggle against the Wraith choking him. Teal'c shoots it with Ronon's lost pistol, then studies the weapon in his hand while Ronon coughs and catches his breath. Teal'c offers the pistol back to Ronon, butt first.]

TEAL'C I would very much like to have a weapon such as this.

[Ronon takes the gun.]

RONON Yeah, get in line.

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CORRIDOR

SHEPPARD (whispering into radio) Rodney? Talk to me.

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CONTROL ROOM

[Kavanaugh is now awake and watches Lee and McKay work at the consoles. The door is shut and the unconscious marines are inside with them.]

[The rest of the conversation switches between here and Sheppard's location.]

MCKAY (into radio) Still working.

SHEPPARD (low, over radio) I've lost contact with Hester and the marines. I think they were killed. How long before you get the 'gate shut down?

MCKAY I don't know. This is extremely complicated.

KAVANAUGH Have you tried the critical systems bypass?

MCKAY I have to figure out a safe work-around to avoid any commands that may have been compromised.

[Sheppard runs down a corridor.]

SHEPPARD You better hurry up! We got more Wraith on the way.

MCKAY (irked) I'm working as fast as I can!

KAVANAUGH (to Lee) Why doesn't he just bypass the critical systems?

LEE (dismissive) N-not now. Just watch the door.

[While McKay talks through the radio, Kavanaugh purses his lips and walks determinedly to a wall panel, typing some commands.]

MCKAY Besides, even if I could shut down the 'gate, there's Wraith in every sector of the base. We're completely outnumbered. I mean, it's just a matter of time before they wipe us all&mdash;

[The Stargate shuts down.]

MCKAY The 'gate just shut off.

[McKay and Lee stare at their displays, surprised and worried. McKay turns to Kavanaugh.]

MCKAY What did you do?

KAVANAUGH I shut it off using the critical systems bypass.

[McKay and Lee look at Kavanaugh in horror.]

MCKAY Are you out of your mind?!

KAVANAUGH What? It worked!

[The self-destruct alarm starts to blare.]

LEE (terrified) Oh my God. The self destruct.

KAVANAUGH I didn't mean&mdash;I&hellip;I&mdash;

MCKAY Did you not just hear me say I need to figure out a safe workaround to avoid any commands that may have been compromised? As in booby-trapped? Look, I didn't use the bypass to shut down the 'gate for this very reason!

[Sheppard climbs down a ladder into another corridor.]

SHEPPARD Rodney?

MCKAY We've made a terrible mistake! We never should've revived Kavanaugh!

SHEPPARD (horrified) He triggered the self-destruct?

KAVANAUGH Not on purpose!

MCKAY (tightly) That doesn't really matter now, does it?

LEE (checking his watch, fighting to stay calm) All right, we've got just under ten minutes before this whole station blows up.

SHEPPARD Well, can you turn it off?

MCKAY No. We're completely locked out. The Wraith made sure if they couldn't have this station, then no one could.

LEE (shuddering breath) Oh, things couldn't get any worse.

[They hear blasts just outside.]

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CORRIDOR OUTSIDE CONTROL ROOM

[Wraith soldiers shoot at the door.]

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CONTROL ROOM

KAVANAUGH They're shooting at the door.

INT&mdash;SGC CORRIDOR

[Teal'c and Ronon search the corridor. They hear a noise in one room. They move to it and burst inside.]

INT&mdash;SGC CONFERENCE ROOM

[Ronon and Teal'c find IOA members slumped unconscious in a secondary conference room.]

TEAL'C Wait.

[Teal'c moves over. Coolidge has fallen out of his chair, but the movement has awakened him (or vice versa). He struggles to his feet.]

TEAL'C Are you all right?

[Coolidge blinks at Teal'c.]

TEAL'C Ronon Dex, this is Mr. Coolidge of the IOA.

RONON Oh. Hey.

COOLIDGE What happened?

TEAL'C You were rendered unconscious by a Wraith stun device.

COOLIDGE What? There are Wraith? Here?

TEAL'C They have infiltrated the base. It is best if you remain in this room until Ronon Dex and I have neutralized the situation.

COOLIDGE No, no, no. We need to get to the control room, radio for help.

[Ronon puts his hand out and steps in Coolidge's path.]

RONON We don't need help.

COOLIDGE How many Wraith are here on this base?

TEAL'C We do not know exact numbers, but there are many.

COOLIDGE And who else beside you are going after them?

TEAL'C We are the only two.

COOLIDGE Get me to a radio!

RONON It's better if we&mdash;

COOLIDGE Now!

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CORRIDOR

[Sheppard hides in a room as soldiers storm through the corridor outside.]

SHEPPARD I've got an idea, Rodney.

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CONTROL ROOM

[The conversation switches between the two locations.]

MCKAY Great, because we've got Wraith just about to blast through the door.

SHEPPARD This place has got a puddle jumper docked here, right?

MCKAY Yeah, to be used as an emergency escape pod.

[Sheppard reloads his rifle.]

SHEPPARD Well, I'd say this pretty much qualifies&hellip;as an emergency.

LEE (stammering) No, no, no, no! We'll be stuck out here in the middle of the galactic void!

MCKAY They'll mount a rescue. It might take a couple of weeks, but the jumper is stocked with food and water. We should be all right, unless you want to stay here and get blown to smithereens with the rest of the station. Your call!

KAVANAUGH We've got one other problem. How we going to get there?

[Lee and McKay look stumped&hellip;and worried.]

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CORRIDOR

[Sheppard rounds a corner, timing it right to shoot and kill several Wraith. He runs and finds the strike force, all dead and fed upon.]

SHEPPARD Rodney, we're out of time. Vent the atmosphere.

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CONTROL ROOM

[The conversation switches between here and Sheppard's location.]

MCKAY What?

SHEPPARD Every room but the control room. Vent the air.

MCKAY How close are you?

SHEPPARD Don't wait for me, just do it.

MCKAY Can you make it to the jumper?

SHEPPARD I don't know. I'll try.

[He breaks into a run.]

[In the control room, Lee and McKay look horrified.]

MCKAY John, I'm not sure there's time to&mdash;

SHEPPARD (sharply) We don't have time to argue! Do it!

[The blasting continues to sound outside the door of the control room, becoming even more intense. Lee licks his lips nervously and taps Rodney on the shoulder in encouragement.]

MCKAY Venting the atmosphere.

[He types controls to vent the oxygen.]

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CORRIDORS

[The air is sucked out of the station. The Wraith soldiers struggle, but quickly lose their breath and fall. In one corridor, Sheppard struggles from the wind caused by the air being blown out, trying to reach the jumper. He is tackled by the head Wraith. They struggle; Sheppard is able shoot the Wraith with his pistol. Sheppard moves only a small way across the floor before running out of breath and stopping, face down.]

INT&mdash;SGC CORRIDOR, LEVEL 28

[Ronon and Teal'c shoot several Wraith trying to open the elevator doors to the shaft. Coolidge follows, keeping his head ducked from bullet casings. He ducks for cover as the firefight ensues, finally running away. Finally all the Wraith are downed by Ronon and Teal'c.]

RONON (gesturing two directions from the corridor) I'll go this way, you go that way.

TEAL'C Where is Mr. Coolidge?

RONON (glancing around) I don't know.

[They split up.]

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CONTROL ROOM

[Kavanaugh listens at the door. The self-destruct continues to count down. Lee looks at the surveillance monitors.]

KAVANAUGH It's pretty quiet out there.

LEE (looking at the security camera display) Looks like they're all dead.

MCKAY (into radio) Sheppard, can you hear me?&hellip;John, are you there?

[The two stunned marines finally awaken. Kavanaugh helps them to their feet. McKay keeps listening for Sheppard to respond.]

LEE (quietly) It should be enough time. I think it's safe to re-pressurize&hellip;Doctor McKay?

MCKAY (shakily) Yeah&hellip;re-pressurizing the station.

[He types some controls, his face a mask of grief.]

INT&mdash;SGC CONTROL ROOM

[Ronon runs in. He finds Coolidge standing by a control panel.]

RONON What are you doing?

COOLIDGE I've contacted the military. They're fully aware of the situation, which means, unfortunately, they're preparing to nuke the base.

RONON What?!

[Some of the control room personnel are beginning to awaken; they get up groggily.]

COOLIDGE Stargate Command has been compromised! The only way to fully prevent the Wraith from infiltrating the general population is to destroy it.

RONON (fiercely) Well, tell them to call it off.

COOLIDGE I can't do that. Not as long as there's a single Wraith is still alive on this base!

HARRIMAN Wraith?! What, here?

RONON Listen, we'll deal with the Wraith. Look, you've still got people alive here. Buy us some more time!

COOLIDGE We don't have time. Look, there's an escape hatch to the surface. We need to get to it immediately. Where's Teal'c?

[Ronon glances at the security monitors. Teal'c is trapped in a corridor, Wraith shooting at him from both sides.]

RONON He's surrounded. I need to get back to him.

COOLIDGE No. No time! We have to leave as soon as we can!

RONON Not without Teal'c.

COOLIDGE We can't go back for him! We could get bogged down or killed!

[Ronon leaves. Coolidge follows calling after him.]

COOLIDGE Now, there's a clear path to the escape hatch, and we need to get out of here, now!

RONON (spinning, furious) You want to run away and save yourself? Fine! I'm staying here.

[He takes off.]

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION CORRIDOR

[McKay, Kavanaugh, Lee and the two marines climb down a ladder to the corridor near the jumper.]

MCKAY The jumper bay is&hellip;

LEE Through the EVA prep room. And it's not a real bay though. It's more like an airlock that leads to a hatch that's cut into the top&mdash;

MCKAY (impatient) I don't need the blueprints! Where is it?

[Kavanaugh points. Lee points too, with his pistol.]

LEE It's over there&hellip;

MCKAY Just&hellip;

[McKay lowers Lee's gun arm and cuts ahead, anxious to look for Sheppard.]

INT&mdash;MIDWAY STATION EVA PREP ROOM

[The door to the room opens. McKay motions for Lee to come forward. He moves to a large hatchway door.]

LEE Through here.

[Lee enters the combination to the airlock on the electronic keypad. Kavanaugh pushes Lee aside to be the first one through. Resigned, Lee follows, followed by the two marines. McKay is the last to go, but pauses upon hearing one of the EVA suit's regulators hissing. He approaches and turns on the active suit's helmet light. Sheppard is semi-conscious inside.]

MCKAY (shocked) Sheppard?! How the hell did you&mdash;?

SHEPPARD (weakly) Get me out of here.

MCKAY Yeah.

[McKay starts to unlock his helmet.]

INT&mdash;SGC CORRIDOR

[Teal'c guns down two Wraith, turns and shoots a third, trying to move through. He guns down another Wraith, then pauses, sensing for the next attack. A Wraith comes out of one of the closed doors and tackles him from the side. Ronon shoots two other Wraith trying to ambush Teal'c, but gets distracted by a Wraith behind him.]

[Teal'c and Ronon both deal hand-to-hand with individual Wraith. Teal'c is caught off-guard by his enemy and thrown across the hallway into the section wall. He collapses. Ronon is able to get away from his guard and grabs a section of pipe from the ceiling. Wielding it like a bantos stick, he clubs the Wraith.]

[The Wraith soldier pins Teal'c against the wall and feeds on him for a moment. He screams in pain. The Wraith is impaled by Ronon's broken section of pipe. He falls to the floor dead as Ronon stands behind him. Teal'c catches his breath and wipes his bloody lip.]

TEAL'C (weakly) Excellent timing.

RONON Indeed.

[Teal'c nods in gratitude and slowly moves forward. Ronon claps him on the back.]

RONON Well, I think that's all of them.

[Teal'c looks around.]

TEAL'C (hoarsely) I certainly hope you are correct.

RONON We got to call the military. They're going to blow this place up.

INT&mdash;PUDDLE JUMPER

[Lee looks worriedly at the ceiling airlock.]

LEE What's taking him so long?

KAVANAUGH (checking watch) The self-destruct's about to blow! Twenty seconds!

[McKay drops into the jumper, followed immediately by Sheppard.]

KAVANAUGH Colonel Sheppard! How did you&hellip;?

SHEPPARD (impatient) Later! We're leaving. Sit down!

[Sheppard joins McKay in the cockpit.]

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[The jumper powers up and flies away seconds before the station explodes.]

EXT&mdash;CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN, DAY

INT&mdash;SGC CONFERENCE ROOM

[The IOA committee sit together at one side of the table. Ronon sits facing them.]

COOLIDGE Ronon Dex&hellip;do you feel that you can fulfill the duties of an SG team member with diligence, integrity, and respect for those in authority over you?

[Ronon slowly leans close to the microphone in front of him.]

RONON Yes.

[Ronon leans back. Coolidge looks to his fellow committee members.]

COOLIDGE (smiling) Good enough for me.

[Ronon looks at them, surprised, then turns in his chair.]

INT&mdash;SGC CORRIDOR

[Teal'c waits outside the door for Ronon to exit. Ronon opens the door and walks out, closing the door behind them.]

TEAL'C Well?

RONON I'm exactly the kind of team member they want out there fighting the Wraith. Their words, not mine.

TEAL'C And you did not hold a weapon to their heads?

RONON I did not.

TEAL'C (smiling) I am pleased.

RONON (smiling, shrugging) Yeah, well, I had a good coach.

TEAL'C Indeed. The Daedalus is preparing to leave. Colonel Caldwell will beam you aboard when you are ready.

RONON (concerned) Still nothing from Midway?

TEAL'C No. We have lost all contact with them. The Daedalus will stop on its way back to Atlantis to assess the situation.

[As they walk, Ronon appears worried.]

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[The puddle jumper floats in the void between the Milky Way Galaxy and Pegasus Galaxy.]

INT&mdash;PUDDLE JUMPER

[Kavanaugh and Lee hold playing cards and sit on the floor of the jumper. The marines sit on the benches and McKay sits on the floor&mdash;the trio look bored.]

LEE No way. You actually liked it?

KAVANAUGH It's his finest film.

LEE Pearl Harbor?

[Lee turns to the others for support, looking incredulous.]

KAVANAUGH Yeah, go ahead and mock it, everybody does. But that film will endure. It's got weight.

LEE Yeah, which is why it plummeted at the box office!

KAVANAUGH Two hundred million dollars domestic? That's not plummeting, I beg to differ.

MCKAY (fuming, talking over Kavanaugh) Enough already! We've been stuck here for god knows how long, and you haven't shut up, either of you! You just keep talking and tal-tal-talk-talk-talk-talk!

[McKay natters into silence, his arms expressing his frustration. There is a loud metallic clank outside.]

MCKAY What was that?

LEE Something just hit us.

[The door starts to open and they struggle to their feet.]

KAVANAUGH Oh!

[Ronon stands outside in the Daedalus hangar bay with two Daedalus crew members.]

MCKAY Ronon!

LEE Wha-where are we?

RONON Daedalus, 302 bay. We saw you, scooped you up. We're heading back to Atlantis.

KAVANAUGH Thank God.

[He goes to hug Ronon, but Ronon pushes him against the jumper bulkhead. Lee slaps Ronon on the back. Ronon walks up to McKay as the marines leave.]

MCKAY (sadly) Midway was destroyed.

RONON Yeah, we saw. Where's Sheppard?

[McKay opens the door to the pilot cabin. Sheppard lounges asleep in the pilot chair, facing the rear compartment with headphones over his ears.]

MCKAY Lasted about a day, sealed himself in there.

[McKay rolls his eyes and leaves.]

RONON No wonder he didn't hear the radio call.

[Ronon approaches Sheppard and taps him on the cheek. Sheppard, still asleep, bats Ronon's hand away. Ronon smiles and tweaks Sheppard's nose. Sheppard bats him again. Fighting laughter, Ronon tries again. Sheppard starts awake.]

SHEPPARD Mwhah!

[Ronon laughs.]

SHEPPARD Thank God! (pointing to rear compartment) I almost shot myself with a stunner.

RONON Yeah. I understand.

[Sheppard groans, taking off his headphones and looking out the window.]

SHEPPARD Where are we?

RONON Daedalus 302 bay.

SHEPPARD What's the status of SGC?

RONON Secure. Teal'c and I took care of the Wraith.

SHEPPARD I figured you would.

RONON (beckoning) Come on. Let's get the hell out of here.

SHEPPARD Yeah.

[Ronon starts walking out. Sheppard follows, picking up his vest as he leaves.]

RONON Oh, and I, uh, passed my interview with the IOA.

SHEPPARD Really?

RONON Yeah. They said they liked me.

SHEPPARD Well, what's not to like?

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[Daedalus enters hyperspace, heading to the Pegasus Galaxy.]

FADE OUT

END CREDITS

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