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Episode Guide

 * 8.05 "Icon" Episode Guide

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INT&mdash;A BEDROOM

[The room is decorated in antique-style furniture with a large colored rug and old-fashioned wallpaper. Curtains are billowing in two windows. There is a woman sitting on the edge of a bed with her back to the camera.]

LEDA It's time.

[Leda is sitting next to a man whose eyes and head are wrapped in bandages; it is Daniel. She has one hand behind his head and is starting to unravel the bandages with the other. Daniel touches her hand to stop her.]

DANIEL Wait.

LEDA It's okay. Just relax.

[She begins to unravel the bandages. Daniel's vision is blurry then becomes clearer. He has many small wounds on his face and around his neck, a sling on his left arm, and is shirtless. His glasses are gone.]

LEDA Give your vision a moment to adjust. You haven't used it for a while. How's that?

[Daniel struggles to open his eyes and keep them open.]

DANIEL Better.

LEDA Your eyes. It's nice to finally see them.

DANIEL Leda.

LEDA Welcome back.

DANIEL Where am I?

LEDA Many miles from the city. This house belonged to my uncle. We're safe here.

DANIEL The city. I remember being there. Something terrible happened. (remembering) Many people died.

LEDA There's food if you feel strong enough to eat.

DANIEL It's our fault, isn't it? None of this would have happened if we hadn't come here.

LEDA You're alive, and considering what you've been through, that alone is a miracle.

[Daniel looks confused and horrified.]

END TEASER

OPENING CREDITS

EXT&mdash;LANDSCAPE OF AN INDUSTRIAL CITY

INT&mdash;A MUSEUM

[The screen shows the caption THREE MONTHS AGO. A guide is speaking to a group of tourists.]

GUIDE First discovered in the Curillian wastelands over one hundred and fifty years ago, and the highlight of our antiquities collection&hellip;the Great Ring of Avidan.

[The camera moves up to a window, through which we see a Stargate in the courtyard outside. The guide leads the tourist outside.]

GUIDE Researchers estimate the ring to be at least several thousand years old. And, while its origin remains a subject of debate, many believe it was created by ancient worshippers to honor their gods. It's thought that the peculiar symbols on the Ring itself represent the names of the gods, however no one has been able to decipher&mdash;

[He is cut off by the Stargate beginning to activate, the inner ring turning.]

GUIDE &mdash;exactly what they mean.

[As the chevrons engage the people back away, gasping and murmuring. After the wormhole appears, one is hear to mutter, 'Is that part of the exhibit?' A MALP comes through the wormhole. A military man points a rifle at it.]

[The scene blends forward in time to show an official delegation waiting. Carter, Daniel, and Teal'c appear from the event horizon.]

CARTER Commander Gareth.

GARETH In the name of the people of the Rand Protectorate, I welcome you. You're Colonel Carter?

CARTER (nodding) This is Teal'c, and Doctor Daniel Jackson.

GARETH It is a pleasure to finally meet you all face to face. But please come; we have many questions, as I'm sure you do as well.

[They begin to walk.]

CARTER Sorry about scaring the tourists. We've made first contact with a lot of planets, but this is the first time we've found ourselves coming out of a museum piece.

GARETH One of our artifacts suddenly coming to life was a little surprising, but that pales in comparison to its purpose. It is almost beyond imagining.

KANE As is the fact that you're human.

GARETH My chief aide: Jared Kane.

DANIEL Well, believe it or not, there's actually a good reason for us being human.

CARTER Which we'll get to in due time.

GARETH Colonel, I hope that once we gain each other's trust, you'll be able to shed some light on the technology that powers the Great Ring. It is unlike anything we have seen before.

CARTER We call it the Stargate, and our people share the same hope, Commander.

GARETH Of course. In due time.

DANIEL (gesturing toward the people wearing necklaces with ring-shaped pendants) I take it the Great Ring is a recurring motif in your culture.

GARETH It is simply a reminder of certain traditions that pre-date our age of enlightenment. Most people wear them more for the sake of fashion than for religious belief.

KANE Our history tells of an age when all powerful Gods ruled our world. The Great Ring was supposedly the source of their power.

GARETH Of course, we know these are merely legends from our ancient past. However the activation of the Ring may well cause a stir amongst those few who still follow the old ways.

INT&mdash;BEDROOM IN LEDA'S HOUSE, PRESENT TIME

[Leda squeezes the water from a cloth and begins to wipe Daniel's brow, waking him.]

LEDA Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you.

DANIEL (weakly) It's all right.

[She opens a small medicine bottle and holds it to his lips.]

LEDA For the pain.

[He drinks.]

LEDA I wish I could give you more, but our medicine is in short supply.

DANIEL Thank you.

LEDA I'll leave you alone.

DANIEL (touching her arm) No. No, please &mdash; stay.

INT&mdash;SGC BRIEFING ROOM

[The screen shows the caption TWO MONTHS AGO. Daniel is at a graphic showing the nations of the planet as O'Neill, Carter, and Teal'c enter and sit down at the end of the briefing room table.]

O'NEILL How'd it go with the uh&hellip;

DANIEL Caledonians? Not so well, actually. My time with their representatives was severely limited by the Rand security forces. Apparently Gareth had nation security concerns. Mainly that we'd tell the Caledonians too much about the Stargate.

O'NEILL Let me venture a wild guess. They don't get along so good.

DANIEL The Rand Protectorate and the Caledonian Federation have been locked in a state of cold war for decades. Each nation has enough weapons to wipe each other off the face of the planet.

CARTER Sounds depressingly familiar.

DANIEL There's actually a third element which has me a little more concerned. Uh, a group of religious fundamentalists led by a man named Soren. Now these people think that all life on the planet was created by ancient gods, and that these gods will someday return and reward them for their faith.

CARTER And, by coming through the Stargate, we confirmed their beliefs.

DANIEL Because the 'Gate was activated in a public place, the Rand government has been unable to prevent the rumors from spreading. Now before we made contact with them, these people were considered zealots who took the ancient texts too literally. The 'Gate being activated has given them all the need to prove that they were right all along. Their numbers will grow.

O'NEILL (flippantly) That's terrible. And yet, not our problem.

INT&mdash;SGC CORRIDOR

[Daniel catches up to O'Neill as he walks down the corridor and they walk together.]

DANIEL Jack, you have to let me go back.

O'NEILL If what you say is true, things are going to get a little out of hand over there.

DANIEL Yes, because of us. If we hadn't chosen to pay them a little visit&mdash;

O'NEILL They'd be far better off, I know. Daniel, we're always stickin' our collective noses where they don't belong. It's what we do.

DANIEL I could help them understand what they're facing, make them see it's not the end of the world. If we leave now, who knows what could happen?

[O'Neill stops walking and they stand facing each other.]

DANIEL We have to help them. You know that.

O'NEILL Regular contact, no exceptions. The second things start gettin' a little squirrelly&mdash;

[Daniel nods and starts to walk away.]

DANIEL Thank you.

O'NEILL Daniel! (wags a finger in warning) Squirrelly.

DANIEL (nodding in understanding) Squirrelly.

EXT&mdash;LEDA'S HOUSE, AND A POND IN FRONT OF IT

INT&mdash;BEDROOM IN LEDA'S HOUSE

[Leda enters carrying a tray of food and drink to find Daniel standing at the window; he's wearing a grey tee-shirt under the sling.]

LEDA You shouldn't be standing.

DANIEL Oh, don't let appearances fool you. I still feel terrible.

[He leans on the dresser with his good arm as she sets the tray by the bed.]

DANIEL Leda, everything you've done for me, I w&mdash;

LEDA Has been for my own sake as well as yours. So much has happened. Caring for you has helped me continue on.

DANIEL Yeah, what has happened exactly? I mean, uh, I remember being in the bunker with Commander Gareth and then we were attacked, and the rest is a fog.

LEDA Jared is away searching for survivors. He should be back in a few days' time. I think it would be best if he answered your questions.

DANIEL Jared Kane. Yeah, I remember him. He was in the bunker as well.

LEDA My husband was chief aide to Commander Gareth.

DANIEL Husband. Was.

LEDA He insisted I move here when the fighting reached the capital. He felt you would be safest in my care.

DANIEL Yeah. Look, no offense, but I've really got to get back to my own world, or at least contact them and let them know that I'm okay, so uh&hellip;

LEDA Trying to reach the Great Ring will be impossible. Rebel patrols have been sighted in the area. Even to leave the estate grounds would be dangerous. Not to mention the fact that you are far from healed. You must rest, Daniel.

DANIEL Leda, what happened to Commander Gareth?

INT&mdash;SGC GATE ROOM

[Carter and Teal'c arrive through the 'Gate to find O'Neill waiting at the base of the ramp.]

O'NEILL Give me good news, Colonel.

CARTER I wish I could, sir. We met with Soren, leader of the rebels, but it was less constructive than we'd hoped.

O'NEILL How much less?

CARTER We were only allowed to see him for 15 minutes.

TEAL'C After keeping us waiting for several hours.

O'NEILL Well, important matters of state, no doubt.

CARTER He's managed to unite all the fundamentalist factions in the Rand Protectorate, which effectively puts him in control.

TEAL'C He was most unwilling to allow us a search for Daniel Jackson.

CARTER Before he insisted we leave, he did promise he would look into the matter on our behalf. Whatever that means.

O'NEILL Right. What about a UAV?

CARTER He won't give us access to the surface. Plus, he claims it would interfere with their own radio communication systems. I'm sorry sir, but at this point, we have no way of knowing if Daniel's still alive.

EXT&mdash;RAND CITY, DAY

INT&mdash;A BUNKER COMPLEX

[The screen shows the caption SIX WEEKS AGO. Daniel and Kane pass through a metal door.]

DANIEL And what does blue mean?

KANE It's the second to highest level of military alert status. There's been civil unrest in several urban centers across the country. Over a dozen municipalities have fallen into the hands of Soren's troops. Our forces are in the process of pacifying those areas as we speak.

DANIEL Pacifying?

KANE Reclaiming our cities from the hands of religious madmen.

DANIEL So civil unrest means you go to 'blue'.

KANE Under normal circumstances, no. Unfortunately the situation has caused other problems.

[They go through a two-part door into a command and control center, fully staffed and busy. The technology appears to be like Earth in the 1940's, though some of it is more modern.]

DANIEL What's going on?

KANE We were forced to heighten our alert status to match that of the Caledonians.

GARETH (into a communications system) And I promise you, we will share this technology with you once we fully understand it.

TREYDAN (over a comm system) You mean once you've assessed its advantages to your national security. You've refused to allow our scientists access to the Great Ring. You've limited our access to the offworlders. We do not feel as much a part of this great discovery as you do.

GARETH And had the Ring been activated on Caledonian soil, you would have done no differently. Minister Treydan, I am simply asking your Government for patience. Stand down your high alert. We will do the same.

TREYDAN Typically, you trust your people too much Commander. Caledonia has been under strict martial law since news of the offworlders arrival began to spread. Our domestic security remains intact.

GARETH The citizens of this world are not children. They just need time to come to terms with this information.

TREYDAN Soren and his followers have already seized control of more than a dozen of your cities. Your people are panicked, and your country is on the verge of collapse. I urge you to deal with the situation in a swift and decisive manner. Should control of the Rand Protectorate fall into Soren's hands, we'll consider it an act of war.

EXT&mdash;LEDA'S ESTATE GROUNDS

INT&mdash;A STORAGE ROOM

[Daniel is speaking into an old-fashioned looking two-way radio and headphones. He's wearing a leather bomber-type jacket. His facial wounds have healed, and he's not wearing the sling, indicating more time has passed.]

DANIEL (working the radio dials) This is Daniel Jackson calling Stargate Command, come in please. This is Daniel Jackson calling Stargate Command, please respond. This is Daniel Jackson calling Stargate Command, come in please. This is Daniel Jackson calling Stargate Command, please respond.

[There is unintelligible chatter coming from the radio. Leda opens the door and enters.]

LEDA Any luck?

DANIEL No, nothing yet.

LEDA You've been trying for days.

DANIEL Something seems to be jamming all the signals I'm picking up. I mean, there's people out there, but nothing clear enough for me to respond to.

LEDA But you think your friends will be able to hear you?

DANIEL Uh, yeah, that's kind of a timing thing. You see, if the Stargate's open they'll be able to pick up my signal. If your 'Gate isn't buried in the rubble, or worse.

LEDA Well, while you're waiting to be rescued, you could use some fresh air. If you think you're up to it.

[He takes off his headphones and gets up to leave with her.]

EXT&mdash;A PATH IN THE WOODS

[Daniel and Leda are walking along a wide, tree-lined dirt path.]

LEDA How can you be sure that Soren and his followers aren't right? How can you know for certain that the Gods they worship aren't&hellip;

DANIEL Benevolent? Because I've met more than a few of them. Trust me, they're the opposite. They're definitely not Gods.

LEDA Then what are they?

DANIEL Short form? They're a parasitical alien race that steals advanced technology and rules via fear and intimidation. Has a penchant for melodrama. Trust me, if Soren ever actually met one, he'd be singing a different tune.

LEDA But you said you've fought them, and won?

DANIEL Yeah, we got lucky a few times, that's all.

LEDA There's hope, isn't there? You think what happened was your fault, don't you. From what you've told me, it was better that your people activated the Great Ring than the Goa'uld.

DANIEL You think so? 'Cause right now, I'm not so sure.

LEDA You couldn't have known what was going to happen. When the fighting began, you could have gone back to your planet, but you chose to stay.

DANIEL Yeah.

LEDA To try and help us.

DANIEL For all the good it did.

[They arrive at the buildings and stop walking; she touches his arm.]

LEDA Daniel&hellip;there has been distrust between our country and Caledonia for generations. It was only a matter of time before something set it off. We did this to ourselves. And since you've come here, I've begun to think we may have a chance to undo it. To rebuild.

INT&mdash;SGC CONTROL ROOM

[Carter and Technician Sgt. Harriman are sitting in the control room; the 'Gate is open.]

SGT HARRIMAN (into microphone) This is Stargate Command calling Doctor Jackson: do you read me?

[Unintelligible voices are heard.]

CARTER Can you boost the signal?

SGT HARRIMAN We're at maximum gain, Colonel. This is Stargate Command calling Daniel Jackson: do you copy?

[O'Neill enters to stand behind them.]

O'NEILL Anything?

CARTER Not yet, sir. We're picking up a lot of transmissions from the planet, but none of them are clear enough to tell if they're from Daniel. We think both sides may have employed radio jamming measures just prior to the attack. Meaning, any signals coming from outside the command bunker are a mess. We're working on it.

O'NEILL Anything from SG-9 yet?

CARTER Yeah, they just reported in. Sounds like the negotiations are going nowhere, Sir. Soren is still refusing to allow us to send any teams to look for Daniel. He said our presence on the planet would only cause more panic and fear.

O'NEILL Well, okay. Sounds like I should meet these people myself.

EXT&mdash;LEDA'S ESTATE, DAY

[Daniel comes outside through a door. A soldier comes up behind him, grabs him, and pushes him against a wall while holding a pistol on him. Kane and other soldiers come out of the woods. After a moment Daniel recognizes them (he doesn't have his glasses).]

DANIEL Kane.

KANE Doctor Jackson.

INT&mdash;DINING ROOM OF LEDA'S HOUSE

[Kane, his soldiers, and Daniel are sitting at a wooden table eating soup and bread. Leda is serving them. The soldiers are now clean and in civilian clothes.]

KANE We got as close to what was left of the capital as we could. Soren has troops conducting full sweeps of the region, searching for survivors. Any suspected of remaining loyal to the old government are executed on the spot.

LEDA Haven't enough people died?

DANIEL I don't think that matters to him. It's about continuing the chaos, not peace.

KANE You're right. The people are too afraid to fight back. Most of them have already given up hope. It's just a matter of time before they pledge their loyalty to Soren.

DANIEL Kane, what the hell happened that night? I remember being in the bunker and then waking up here.

KANE It was the end.

INT&mdash;BUNKER COMMAND AND CONTROL ROOM

[Flashback. Daniel enters through the revolving metal door and is immediately stopped by soldiers who grab his arms. Kane walks over to him.]

KANE I'm sorry Doctor Jackson, you really can't be in here right now.

DANIEL Kane, what's going on? I heard something about the Stargate being moved.

KANE Rebels have seized control of all of Rand's major cities, including sections of the capital itself. We had the Stargate moved into the bunker complex for security purposes.

DANIEL What are the Caledonians doing?

KANE Their missile systems are now fully deployed and primed. As a result, we've done the same. It might be best if you return to your planet now.

[Daniel watches; there is a lot of radio traffic indicating chaos in the situation.]

RADIO MAN Commander? Minister Treydan for you on a coded frequency.

GARETH Put him through.

TREYDAN (via the comm system) Commander Gareth, we've been monitoring the situation in your country. We are most concerned.

GARETH I understand, Minister. However, rest assured we are close to reclaiming vital areas&mdash;

TREYDAN Now is not the time for rhetoric, Commander. Our reports indicate large elements of your military are on the brink of mutiny. Your civil unrest has become a civil war. Should any of your weapons systems fall into the wrong hands, no one in my country would be safe.

GARETH That will not happen, I can promise you.

TREYDAN Just as you promised our scientists full access to the Stargate. First you hide information about the alien device, and now you deny your country has slipped into chaos.

GARETH We respected the guidelines of our treaty to the letter. Our report to you on the Stargate outlined everything we know&mdash;

[The Radio Man hands Kane a piece of paper as Treydan interrupts Gareth.]

TREYDAN Except what you deemed advantageous to your national security.

GARETH One moment, Minister.

[The Radio Man puts the radio into a nontransmit mode.]

KANE Rebel forces just detonated a large explosive device near one of our missile deployment facilities. As of this moment, we understand the facility to be compromised.

[Gareth gestures to the Radio Man to turn the radio back on, and he does.]

GARETH Minister, forgive me; I must cut our conversation short.

TREYDAN Commander, my intelligence advisors have just informed me of a massive explosion near one of your missile facilities. Is this true?

GARETH We are still gathering information. We will contain the situation&mdash;

TREYDAN The time for containment is long past, Commander. We cannot allow your missile facilities to fall into Soren's hands.

GARETH Treydan, give us time. This need not escalate.

TREYDAN We are targeting your missile sites only. If you do not wish a full-scale war, you will not retaliate.

GARETH Treydan!

RADIO MAN Commander, we've detected multiple launch signals from Caledonian positions.

[An animated color map on the wall shows inbound missiles from Caledonia headed for missile installations in Rand. End flashback.]

EXT&mdash;LEDA'S HOUSE, DAY

[Daniel and Kane are walking in front of the house.]

KANE It's possible the destruction could have been contained if Soren's forces hadn't gained control of one of our missile sites and launched a counter-attack on Caledonia. After that it devolved into a full-scale war. Within a matter of days, all our cities were levelled. From what we can tell, only a fraction of our population has survived, existing mainly in outlying areas. As for the Caledonians, I've heard rumors they're trying to rebuild what they can. It won't be much. They may have struck first, but our missile systems were much more accurate than theirs.

DANIEL And Soren?

KANE He used the chaos to make his move on the bunker.

DANIEL Then how did you save me?

KANE Actually, from what I understand, it was you who saved me.

INT&mdash;COMMAND AND CONTROL BUNKER

[Flashback. The wall map is showing a full-scale missile exchange. The bunker itself is being affected by the explosions, shaking and with plaster coming loose.]

DANIEL This is insane.

KANE Soren's forces are moving in on this facility. I can get you to the Stargate, but we have to go now.

[Daniel and Kane exit the control room through the double metal door. A military escort joins them. As they start to approach another door, it is blasted open from the other side. They take cover behind stacks of sandbags and pull out their pistols. Rebel forces start to stream in, and Kane and Daniel begin exchanging fire with them. The firing is fierce, and Kane gets shot in the leg. Daniel covers him with his firing and pulls him up and out of the way.]

KANE This way!

[They run away down a side corridor.]

KANE Here, through that door.

[Daniel opens a metal door and they go through it and into some dark, dampened tunnels. Daniel is aiding Kane, who is barely able to walk. They finally make it outside into the chaos of the city. Kane realizes a bomb is incoming.]

KANE Get down!

[Daniel throws Kane to the ground next to the building then turns to hit the deck himself. The blast comes and dust and debris hit Daniel in the face, then obscure both of them. End flashback.]

EXT&mdash;PATH NEAR LEDA'S ESTATE, DAY

[Kane and Daniel are still walking.]

KANE Loyalist soldiers found us first and got us out of the city. Your wounds were much worse than mine. Bringing you here was the only option.

DANIEL What happened to Commander Gareth?

KANE He was executed shortly after the bunker fell. Since he took power, Soren has set up a provisional government. Not that there's much of Rand left to govern. However, we do know he does control whatever's left of the bunker complex. Including the Stargate. I'm sorry, Doctor Jackson.

INT&mdash;SGC GATE ROOM

[Soren and two associates come through the open wormhole. O'Neill, Carter, and Teal'c are waiting.]

O'NEILL Howdy fellas. (looks pointedly at his watch) Welcome to Earth.

SOREN General O'Neill, it is an honor. I greet you in the name of our great nation, Avidan.

CARTER You changed the name?

SOREN Avidan speaks more to our people's beliefs.

TEAL'C It is from an ancient Goa'uld dialect. It mean's 'the Gods are just'.

[Soren puts his hand over his heart and bows to Teal'c.]

O'NEILL Good choice.

EXT&mdash;LEDA'S HOUSE, DAY

INT&mdash;PARLOUR IN LEDA'S HOUSE

[Daniel and Kane are there.]

DANIEL So you're saying that Soren is still using the bunker as a command center.

KANE Damage in the city would be too severe.

DANIEL Then he still hasn't totally consolidated his power yet, has he. I'm saying that if we could somehow retake the bunker, we would effectively overthrow Soren.

KANE The bunker's heavily fortified, and I have only a dozen men under my command. It would be suicide.

DANIEL No, not if we had help. See, if I could reach my friends on Earth, we could regain control of the Gate.

KANE If you could reach them. I know that you've been trying to make radio contact with your planet since you regained consciousness. Without success. I understand your wish to return to your world, but it simply isn't possible.

DANIEL (a bit angry) This isn't about that&mdash;my people can help you.

KANE Like you helped us before? I admire your passion Doctor Jackson, but too much has happened to fix with one heroic action. We have to accept the fact that Soren has won. Rand belongs to him now.

EXT&mdash;CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN, DAY

INT&mdash;SGC BRIEFING ROOM

SOREN It is obvious you revere the Great Ring as much as we do, General O'Neill.

O'NEILL Oh yeah, we love the old gal. Quite possibly for different reasons than you.

SOREN We both seek to defend our people's way of life, do we not, General? To protect their very existence?

TEAL'C You do not represent the people of your world. You merely kill those who believe differently and would stand against you.

SOREN You speak what is on your mind. I admire that.

O'NEILL Actually, in your case? He's holding back. Carter?

CARTER Commander Soren, we're prepared to offer you aid in exchange for help in locating Daniel Jackson. Food and medical supplies, plus support personnel to help you stabilize the situation on your planet.

SOREN (incredulous) You cannot truly believe that your friend is still alive?

O'NEILL Oh, he's a resourceful fella.

SOREN Your offer is most generous, but I'm afraid we must decline. We are however, particularly interested in your weapons technology.

TEAL'C Your people are facing starvation and disease.

SOREN What has happened to our world is most unfortunate and yet, vital. Those who refuse to believe needed to be purged from existence so that we could begin anew.

O'NEILL You know, in these parts, we like to call that, 'crimes against humanity'.

CARTER If all you care about is spiritual salvation, what do you need the weapons for?

SOREN The revolution is not yet complete.

CARTER You mean you wanna take over Caledonia too.

SOREN As I said, the revolution is not yet complete.

EXT&mdash;OUTSIDE LEDA'S ESTATE, DAY

[Leda is hanging sheets on a laundry line to dry. Daniel walks up to her.]

DANIEL Leda, you have to talk to your husband.

LEDA What am I supposed to say to him?

DANIEL Uh, that it's not to late. To regain control, to rebuild your country. Everything you told me before.

LEDA Daniel, I can't.

DANIEL Why?

LEDA Because I'd be lying. Jared is right. Those of us who were unlucky enough to live through what's happened will die soon enough, either through disease or one of Soren's purges. There is no future.

DANIEL Leda, you were right. There is hope. Don't, don't doubt that, please.

LEDA You believe your people can help us?

DANIEL Yes.

LEDA And what if you do overthrow Soren, what then? You simply leave? (pauses as Daniel realizes what she is saying) When Jared became part of Commander Gareth's inner circle, he changed: became remote, distant. I'd forgotten what it was like just to talk to someone. To feel.

DANIEL Leda&mdash;

[He reaches up to touch her face but she shies away, and he pulls his hand back.]

LEDA I'll speak to him, Daniel. But he won't hear me.

[She walks away with the empty laundry basket.]

INT&mdash;SGC, GENERAL O'NEILL'S OFFICE

[O'Neill enters followed by Carter and Teal'c.]

O'NEILL Waste of time. Waste.

CARTER Sir, I think the fact that he hasn't left yet could mean that he's still willing to deal.

[Teal'c sits down opposite O'Neill's chair, then O'Neill gestures that he should sit.]

TEAL'C He has no need for humanitarian aid. The chaos in his country has only served to strengthen his position.

CARTER Well, we can't just give up.

O'NEILL (aggravated) Yes, I know that.

CARTER We're continuing to monitor countless radio signals coming from the planet. One of them could be from Daniel. If we can find a way to contact him&mdash;

[O'Neill puts his face in his hands, then looks up suddenly.]

O'NEILL (angrily, with a raised voice) Find it!

CARTER (subdued) Yes, Sir.

[Carter and Teal'c leave as O'Neill sighs, frustrated.]

INT&mdash;LEDA'S HOUSE, EVENING

KANE I'm telling you Leda, it's madness. All it will accomplish is to wipe out any chance we have to mount a unified resistance in the future.

LEDA But what if he's right? What if this is our best opportunity to defeat Soren?

KANE (upset) You would have me throw away my life, and the lives of my men, so that Daniel can return to his world?

LEDA It's not about that. It's about rebuilding our world. His friends can help us do that. Jared, our people need this.

KANE You mean, he needs this. I'm not blind Leda. I know that you and Daniel have grown close during his convalescence.

LEDA Jared, it's not what you think.

KANE Let me speak. If I could live the last few years differently, Leda, I would. I would make the time. But we no longer have the luxury for regrets. I need to know, do you love him? Leda.

LEDA I trust him.

INT&mdash;SGC BRIEFING ROOM

[Soren is standing while O'Neill and Teal'c listen from their seats.]

SOREN Once order has been established, the people of Avidan will differently than before. Simply, humbly. Waiting for our Gods' inevitable return.

O'NEILL You know, we've met these gods upon whom you're so hot, and trust me when I tell you, they're not what you think they are.

TEAL'C They will reward your worship with enslavement.

SOREN You are not the first to try to sway our beliefs. But I can assure you, our faith is unshakable.

TEAL'C This is not about faith. This is about a means to power.

INT&mdash;SGC GATE ROOM

[The wormhole is open. Soren enters with his followers, escorted by SF's. O'Neill and Teal'c are waiting at the base of the ramp. Soren and his followers go through the 'Gate without a word. The wormhole stays open.]

O'NEILL (to Teal'c, sarcastically) That went well.

CARTER (from the control room) Sir, you better get up here.

[O'Neill and Teal'c go up the stairs to join Carter.]

O'NEILL What?

CARTER Well, by implementing new spread-spectrum frequency hopping into our communications software&mdash;

O'NEILL (waving his hands) Carter, Carter, Carter!

DANIEL (via the radio) Hellooo. Guys?

CARTER (smiling) We found him.

O'NEILL Sweet. (into microphone) Daniel?

DANIEL Jack? Nice to hear your voice.

O'NEILL Likewise. You comin' home, or what?

DANIEL Trying to. As soon as I find my kel'tesh.

O'NEILL What?

DANIEL Uuhhh, looks a lot like my rin'kal'noc. You know I like it between the, for the gel'kral'kree'nor day.

O'NEILL (confused, to Carter and Teal'c) He's changed.

CARTER Sir, he's speaking Goa'uld.

TEAL'C Rin'kal'noc means strategy. Kel'tesh speaks of a well-known Jaffa battle tactic. A flanking attack from two sides.

O'NEILL (into microphone) Yes, Daniel, I remember exactly where I put it. Any other thoughts? DANIEL No, just that I hope someone's been feeding my lo'a'sac while I've been away.

INT&mdash;SGC BRIEFING ROOM

[Carter gives O'Neill a briefing in a folder marked Top Secret; Teal'c is there.]

CARTER We've pieced together all the Goa'uld words Daniel gave us. If Teal'c's translations are correct, he's suggesting a strategy to retake the bunker.

TEAL'C He is proposing a coordinated attack against Soren.

CARTER We come through the 'Gate at the same time as Daniel and Kane's men enter from the surface. I'm thinking we take SG's 3, 6, and 12 as back-up. We go in hot, secure the 'Gate, then extract Daniel.

TEAL'C He has supplied an estimate of the strength of Soren's forces as well as a possible date and time for the assault.

CARTER Our next communication is in five hours. All we need to do is confirm everything, and of course get a 'go' from you, Sir.

O'NEILL All right, well, not to nitpick or anything here, T, but are you sure you got it right?

TEAL'C I am certain, O'Neill.

O'NEILL Okay. Go.

INT&mdash;PARLOUR IN LEDA'S HOUSE, DAY

[Kane and Daniel are talking.]

KANE Fifteen men? That's hardly enough.

DANIEL Look, these are some of the best people on my planet. And they're trained for missions exactly like this. It'll be enough&mdash;trust me. But if we're going to do this, we have to set it up now. They're waiting for your response.

[Leda comes rushing in from outside, upset.]

LEDA Jared, a rebel patrol is approaching. Hide in the cellar.

[Men are running past the windows.]

KANE (reluctant) Leda&mdash;

LEDA I know what to do.

[They grab their jackets and along with Jared's other men, rush down the stairs to a cellar. From the kitchen, Leda pushes some shelving over the door in the floor.]

REBEL SOLDIER (from outside) In the name of Soren, open the door!

[The rebel soldiers enter through the kitchen door, armed, and begin spreading through the house.]

REBEL SOLDIER Inspection. Stand aside.

LEDA Please, just tell me what you're looking for.

REBEL SOLDIER Who owns this house?

LEDA I do.

REBEL SOLDIER And who else lives here?

LEDA No one!

[The soldier grabs her wrist and forces her to her knees. She gasps in pain and is on the verge of crying.]

LEDA You're hurting me!

[Below, Daniel hears her cry and moves to go up the stairs. Jared stops him. They stop to listen to what is being said.]

REBEL SOLDIER We know loyalist soldiers are in the area. Collaboration is punishable by death. (to his soldiers) Search the house!

[Some time passes.]

SOLDIER There's no one else here, but we found some mens' clothes and boots.

REBEL SOLDIER Now who else lives here?

LEDA (crying as the soldier is still holding her arm) My husband did. He died last month from wounds suffered during the bombings. Please, I only wish to lead a simple life as it is written in the ancient texts.

[The soldier releases her roughly.]

REBEL SOLDIER There's nothing here. Let's move.

[The rebel soldiers leave.]

EXT&mdash;YARD OF LEDA'S ESTATE, DAY

[The loyalist soldiers are in their uniforms again. Jared is standing in front of them.]

KANE Once we're close enough, we'll use the city's tunnel systems to get us near one of the bunker's access points. After we're inside, we'll wait for Doctor Jackson's people to make their move, then we make ours. Understood?

[He walks over to where Daniel is waiting.]

KANE Let's hope your friends keep their end of the bargain.

[He walks up to his wife. She is crying quietly. He smiles briefly and takes her hand for a moment, then walks away. Daniel walks up to her.]

DANIEL If this works&hellip;

LEDA You'll be going home.

DANIEL Leda, I&mdash;

LEDA No. Go.

[Daniel smiles, nods, and leaves; she watches after him and the other men.]

EXT&mdash;CAPITAL CITY, NOW MOSTLY IN RUINS, DAY

INT&mdash;CITY TUNNEL SYSTEM

[Daniel and the others are running through the tunnels, rifles in hand.]

INT&mdash;SGC GATE ROOM

[The SG teams run up the ramp, ready to go through the 'Gate.]

INT&mdash;ENTRANCE TO BUNKER SYSTEM

[Jared leads the men into the bunker complex from the tunnels.]

INT&mdash;SGC GATE ROOM

[Teal'c and Carter pull pins from tear gas grenades and throw them through the wormhole.]

INT&mdash;BUNKER CONTROL CENTER

[Soren and his people occupy the center.]

REBEL AIDE (to Soren) Commander, several posts are no longer reporting in. Loyalist troops have entered from the surface and have managed to take several key sections.

SOREN Then take them back.

REBEL AIDE We cannot. They have coordinated their attack with help from the offworlders. We are losing control of the facility.

SOREN If you're suggesting that we evacuate, think again.

INT&mdash;BUNKER COMPLEX INTERSECTION

[The loyalist soldiers are exchanging fire with the rebel soldiers. Carter and Teal'c toss grenades, and the SGC soldiers fire as well. Daniel shoots several rebels. The rebels fall one after another.]

KANE Cease fire!

CARTER (shouting) Daniel, you guys okay?

DANIEL Yeah, we're fine!

[Carter and SGC soldiers come out from behind cover, meeting Kane and his men. It is now quiet.]

INT&mdash;BUNKER CONTROL CENTER

REBEL AIDE All stations are dark. The loyalists have us surrounded. They are calling for our surrender.

SOREN Engage them.

INT&mdash;BUNKER SECTION OUTSIDE COMMAND CENTER

[Carter is leading the SGC teams. Daniel is with them now. She gives hand signals for the SG teams to move out and they do. She does the same for the loyalist soldiers. They take up positions around the main metal door that is the entrance to the command center.]

CARTER (to Kane) Any chance he'll just surrender?

[Kane just looks at her.]

INT&mdash;BUNKER CONTROL CENTER

REBEL AIDE Commander, we are hopelessly outnumbered.

[Soren pulls out a pistol and shoots her. The other rebel followers are shocked and begin to gather behind him; they are all armed.]

SOREN We are all here for one purpose. To honor the will of our Gods. In their names, we rose up. In their names, we purged the nonbelievers. And in their names, we will die if necessary. We will not dishonor them with cowardice. Now engage them.

[The followers look uncertain and don't move.]

SOREN Engage them! You question your faith? I will show you faith.

[He grabs a rifle from one of the rebels and goes out through the metal door to meet the SGC and loyalist team alone.]

INT&mdash;BUNKER SECTION OUTSIDE COMMAND CENTER

CARTER (pointing her P-90 at Soren) Drop your weapon.

[Soren raises his arms from his sides but doesn't drop the rifle.]

CARTER I said drop your weapon, now!

[Kane steps forward and shoots Soren dead. He walks up to the body and is joined by Daniel.]

KANE It's over.

DANIEL I hope so. You may have just made a martyr.

KANE I had no choice. You can return to your world now.

DANIEL Kane&mdash;

KANE What happened to us was not your fault.

DANIEL I know. We made a promise, and we intend to keep it. We'll be back to help you rebuild.

[Kane nods and leaves with his men, presumably to take the control room. Carter walks over to Daniel.]

CARTER (gently) Daniel, are you ready to go home?

DANIEL (subdued) Yeah.

[They join Teal'c and walk slowly away.]

FADE OUT

END CREDITS

Transcribed by Michelle for Stargate-SG1-Solutions, 21 Aug 04

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