Letters from Pegasus/Transcript

Episode Guide
Letters From Pegasus" Episode Guide

Previously
PREVIOUSLY ON STARGATE ATLANTIS

[Scenes from 1.16 The Brotherhood are shown.]

TEASER

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, DAY

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS BRIEFING ROOM

WEIR Well, we knew they were coming. At least now we know when.

SHEPPARD That's something.

MCKAY That's something?

SHEPPARD It means there's still time, Rodney. There's no reason to panic&hellip;yet.

TEYLA Where there is time, there's hope.

WEIR Agreed. So, recommendations?

BECKETT Other than panic?

WEIR Other than panic, yes.

FORD I realize this might not be cool, but we should consider M7G-677.

WEIR As a possible evacuation site?

FORD No, ma'am. I'm suggesting we take their ZPM.

WEIR Their only means of protection from the Wraith? A planet populated mostly by children?

MCKAY He raises a valid point. We've already established that the ZPM is nearly depleted, but it could be of some limited use to us.

FORD You asked for suggestions. It's a matter of survival.

WEIR I see. Well, we're not quite there yet, and as long as I'm in charge, we will never be there.

TEYLA I agree, Dr. Weir. If this is to be our end, it is best we face it with both dignity and honor.

MCKAY To that end, I actually have an idea&hellip;in addition to panic.

SHEPPARD Let's hear it.

MCKAY It's really a long shot, but I think it's most likely worth the effort. Of course, it'll mostly be my effort, so&mdash;

SHEPPARD What is it?

MCKAY I think we can send a message back to Earth through the Stargate.

BECKETT Excuse me?

WEIR I thought we didn't have enough power.

MCKAY Not to send a person, no. We'd never be able to maintain the wormhole long enough&hellip; But I think if we were able to tie together all of our power generating capabilities, we might&mdash;and I emphasize might&mdash;be able to establish a wormhole long enough to send a message.

SHEPPARD How much time are we talking about?

MCKAY Well, approximately 1.3 seconds, give or take.

BECKETT That's not much time.

FORD Time enough to say S.O.S.

MCKAY Don't be so analog. 1.3 seconds is more than enough time to send a message if it's in the form of a high compression data burst. Now, I helped refine the encoding for the U.S. Air Force a few years back. Colonel Carter should be able to decipher it on the other side.

SHEPPARD You're suggesting this now?

MCKAY Because it probably won't work, and there's a very good chance it could overload our naquadah generators in the process.

SHEPPARD Well, then we can't take the risk. No power, we won't have a chance in hell.

MCKAY There are three Wraith hive ships on the way, Major. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Besides, I've spent the last few days working out ways of minimizing the risk.

WEIR Assuming it's possible, how much information could we send?

MCKAY Everything. I mean, mission reports from all the senior staff, a ton of stuff on Atlantis, things we've learned in Pegasus&hellip;

FORD All that. One second?

SHEPPARD 1.3.

MCKAY You jest, but if I can finesse the compression ratios, you'll be looking for things to add.

WEIR Do it.

MCKAY Doing it.

[The leave the briefing room.]

INT&mdash;GATE ROOM

[Sheppard stops Weir.]

SHEPPARD Elizabeth, you realize that if Stargate Command was able to send help&mdash;

WEIR I know. They would have. But still, we have a responsibility to report what we've learned here, about Atlantis about the Ancients.

SHEPPARD The Wraith.

WEIR Exactly. We have to warn Earth.

SHEPPARD Even if it's the last thing we do?

WEIR Especially if it's the last thing we do.

END TEASER

OPENING CREDITS

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, DAY

INT&mdash;CONTROL ROOM

[Zelenka briefs the situation at a large screen.]

WEIR They don't seem threatening as dots on a screen, do they?

SHEPPARD Which is why we need to do recon and see what we're up against first hand.

WEIR How?

ZELENKA I've been tracking their progress. The Wraith ships apparently go in and out of hyperspace periodically, either because their hyperspace technology is limited, or&mdash;

SHEPPARD Or they're stopping to feed along the way.

ZELENKA (indicating on screen) The point is, the pattern is predictable. I can guess with some certainty that they'll be making stops here, here, and here.

WEIR Even so, those ships are light years away. How do you expect to reach them by puddle jumper?

SHEPPARD We fly to a Stargate on a route that Zelenka thinks they're going to drop out of hyperspace and we watch them pass by.

WEIR That's good.

SHEPPARD You know, I have my moments. Teyla and I were just deciding which planet to go to.

TEYLA (indicating on screen) I am familiar with the people of this world. Their Stargate is in the open and so accessible by ship.

WEIR And you think you can remain undetected by the Wraith as they go by your position?

SHEPPARD Stealth mode. They won't even know we're there.

WEIR Okay, go, get what intel you can, and get back before Rodney sends his message. I need the both of you here.

SHEPPARD Won't even stop at the duty free.

[Sheppard and Teyla leave.]

INT&mdash;GATE ROOM

[The Stargate opens. The Jumper Bay opens, and a Jumper descends into the Gate room.]

WEIR (into comms) In the off chance you get the idea to take the Wraith ships on yourself, Major, I am hereby ordering you not to.

INT&mdash;PUDDLE JUMPER

SHEPPARD (into comms) Believe me, you don't have to.

WEIR (over comms) Still&hellip;

SHEPPARD (into comms) Don't take on an alien armada singlehandedly. Understood.

INT&mdash;GATE ROOM

[The Jumper goes through the Gate.]

EXT&mdash;FIELD ON ORIN'S PLANET, DAY

[Villagers work in the dirt with wooden tools. A young boy runs up to an older man.]

ORIN'S SON Father, Teyla's here!

[They see Teyla and Sheppard walking toward them accompanied by other villagers.]

ORIN (happily) Teyla!

TEYLA Orin&hellip;it has been many days.

ORIN Too many. Look at you. You're so different.

TEYLA Much has changed since my last visit. This is Major John Sheppard. And Orin.

SHEPPARD Pleased to meet you.

ORIN The harvest is still months away.

TEYLA Yes, I know. We have not come to trade, but to deliver a warning. We have reason to believe the Wraith may be on their way.

[Orin is alarmed.]

SHEPPARD We don't know that for a fact but we're about to go and find out.

ORIN Yes. It seems they're awakening everywhere.

TEYLA You should tell your people to take precautions in case they do come.

ORIN I will, but you know as well as I do, Teyla, that the Wraith will track us down wherever we go. There will be no escape.

SHEPPARD What about through the Stargate?

ORIN The cullings are taking place on many worlds. None are safe. Even we have taken in refugees.

[He puts his arm around the young boy who called him Father.]

TEYLA If they do come, stay far from the Stargate. Take your family to the far tree line there and wait for us.

SHEPPARD Teyla&hellip;

TEYLA One family, Major. That is all I ask.

SHEPPARD I'm sorry, Orin, I can't make that promise.

TEYLA It will be the very least we can do.

SHEPPARD If there's time.

TEYLA Then we must hurry.

[Sheppard and Teyla leave.]

ORIN Children, we must prepare.

INT&mdash;BRIEFING ROOM

WEIR All right, we have our city specs, mission reports, and tactical assessments all ready to go. What else?

MCKAY Well, I've included a ton of data that we've been able to decipher from the Ancient database.

WEIR Really? That is incredible!

MCKAY Well, the algorithm I've devised is extraordinarily efficient&hellip; Yes.

BECKETT Oh, please.

WEIR It must be in order to fit all that data into 1.3 seconds.

MCKAY .3 seconds, actually.

WEIR We have a whole extra second to fill?

MCKAY Mm, a whole extra one, yes.

WEIR Is it enough to include personal messages?

MCKAY Uh&hellip;sure. I mean, several hours of video. Much more if it was strictly audio.

WEIR I think it'd do wonders for morale. Especially now.

FORD I could tell my grandma what I've been up to all this time.

WEIR Well, if your grandmother had security clearance, yes, you could. But for now, you can tell her that you're well and that you miss her.

MCKAY This is all very charming, but I have work to do. Shouldn't I, um&hellip;

WEIR (to Ford) Lieutenant&hellip; Maybe you'd like to handle this. Give everybody a few minutes on camera to send a personal message to their loved ones.

FORD I'd love to, ma'am.

WEIR Off you go.

[Everyone gets up.]

MCKAY (to Weir) As soon as Zelenka and I can get Jumper Four's engines tied into the grid, we should be able to do low power dry run.

WEIR Good. Rodney?

MCKAY Mm?

WEIR You don't want to send a message to anyone?

MCKAY You know what? Maybe with all my spare time, I'll just record a message myself&hellip; Hmm? You?

WEIR Yes.

MCKAY Good, good.

EXT&mdash;SPACE ABOVE ORIN'S PLANET

[The Puddle Jumper flies around the planet and cloaks itself.]

INT&mdash;PUDDLE JUMPER

SHEPPARD This wasn't supposed to be a rescue mission.

TEYLA Orin was a good friend of my father.

SHEPPARD And I agreed to warn him.

TEYLA If someone close to your family, a dear friend, was in danger of being taken by the Wraith, would you have not done the same?

SHEPPARD Not if it jeopardized the mission.

TEYLA So in fighting the Wraith, we are to give up that which makes us different from them?

SHEPPARD I agreed to stop and pick him up if there was time, but only if there was time. I'd like to be saving everyone in the damn galaxy if we could.

TEYLA One man and his children are not every person.

SHEPPARD I agreed to help if there was time. You can only fight the battles you can win.

[In front of the, a hyperspace window opens, and two Wraith hive ships emerge. They fly over the Jumper.]

SHEPPARD Whoa.

EXT&mdash;SPACE ABOVE ORIN'S PLANET

[More cruisers drop out of hyperspace and move slowly toward the planet.]

INT&mdash;PUDDLE JUMPER

SHEPPARD Let me get this thing turned around.

EXT&mdash;SPACE ABOVE ORIN'S PLANET

[Darts leave the cruisers in large numbers.]

INT&mdash;PUDDLE JUMPER

TEYLA (alarmed) They're heading for the planet.

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, DAY

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS MEETING ROOM

[Ford tries to get the video recorder working.]

FORD Okay, recording. Plenty of battery. So why am I not seeing anything? Oh&hellip;stupid.

[He removes the lens cap and sits in front of the camera.]

FORD Okay. Hi, Grandma, Grandpa. It's me, Aiden, obviously. I'm talking to you from a place far, far from home. I'm good, though. You don't have to worry. Life here is pretty routine.

[He flashes back to various violent occurrences he's witnessed.]

FORD I'm hoping that I'll be able to get home sometime soon. But, you know, if I'm stuck here a while, I want you to know that I'm good. I'm doing things, I'm seeing things I never thought I'd see.

[He flashes back to Dart attacks and other events.]

FORD I wish I could tell you all about it. Who knows? One day, maybe I'll be able to, but I want you both to know&hellip; (tapping his heart) that you're right here. Always. All the time.

INT&mdash;PUDDLE JUMPER

[Sheppard is piloting the Jumper down the surface.]

SHEPPARD I'm sorry, Teyla. Even flying full out, we're just ahead of the armada. I can't risk putting down for Orin or his family.

TEYLA I see.

SHEPPARD I'll take us out of stealth mode for the pass through. Dial the gate.

[Teyla starts to dial the DHD for the planet-side Stargate, which is dead ahead. The Stargate activates early.]

SHEPPARD Hang on. Incoming wormhole.

EXT&mdash;FIELD ON ORIN'S PLANET, DAY

[The Puddle Jumper turns away from the Stargate at the last moment, speeding past it.]

INT&mdash;PUDDLE JUMPER

TEYLA I have heard stories of the Wraith dialing in to prevent their victims from using the Stargate as a means of escape.

SHEPPARD So we're stuck here.

TEYLA Once the ship is rendered invisible again, we will be perfectly safe.

SHEPPARD I'm worried about getting the intel about the Wraith fleet back to Atlantis.

TEYLA They will keep dialing in through the night at the very least. But if we wait in the location I told Orin and his family to meet us, then&mdash;

SHEPPARD That's where I'm headed.

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, DAY

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS MEETING ROOM

[Ford prepares to film Beckett.]

BECKETT I must warn you, I'm not very good at this sort of thing.

FORD Well, don't worry. The only people to see it is going to be your family.

BECKETT Aye, and you, and the U.S. military.

FORD Well, give it a shot.

BECKETT What shall I say?

FORD Uh&hellip;"I miss you. I wish you were here."

BECKETT I wish who was here?

FORD I don't know. Who do you wish was here?

BECKETT Nobody. I wish I wasn't bloody here!

FORD Doc, I've got a lot of people I've got to get to.

BECKETT All right, uh&hellip;I suppose I could say hello to my mother.

FORD Good. There you go. All right, you ready?

BECKETT Okay, go. Hello, Mum. I hope this message finds you well. I trust your petunias are in full bloom by now. Oh, and I do hope you're keeping up with the ointment I gave you. If you've adhered to the regime, the fungus should have cleared up by now.

[Ford looks disgusted.]

BECKETT What's wrong?

FORD Dude. Fungus?

BECKETT On her toenails. I thought you said no one would watch this except my family.

FORD Yeah, but&mdash;but fungus?

BECKETT What, then, shall I talk about?

FORD I don't know. It's your mother. Tell her you love her.

BECKETT No, no, I can't do that. I go all emotional.

FORD So?

BECKETT She's very delicate, my mother. As sweet a soul as you'll ever meet. As pure as the driven snow. If I get upset, then she'll get upset, and I can't have that.

FORD It's not like we're live, Doc. I mean, if you don't like what we put on tape the first time, we can always do it again.

BECKETT We can?

FORD Sure.

BECKETT Oh. Well, I suppose I could do that, then.

FORD All right&hellip; Here we go.

BECKETT Um&hellip;Mum? I miss you terribly.

[He starts crying..]

BECKETT I can't do this!

EXT&mdash;ORIN'S PLANET, NIGHT

INT&mdash;PUDDLE JUMPER

[The Jumper sets down in sight of the village. Sheppard looks through his binoculars.]

SHEPPARD (sighing) Come on, Orin, show up.

[Teyla stares at him.]

SHEPPARD What?

TEYLA Not long ago, you would have blithely left him behind.

SHEPPARD Well, the situation has changed.

TEYLA (tearing up) Earlier today, Lieutenant Ford suggested we steal from a community of children.

SHEPPARD It's because they have a ZPM, and we could bring them back.

TEYLA Only to face death in Atlantis?

SHEPPARD Look, Ford and I are military. We've spent a lot of our lives training how to survive.

TEYLA I have spent my life surviving the Wraith.

SHEPPARD Part of that training is knowing who you can save and who you can't.

TEYLA And that decision is yours alone?

SHEPPARD I said that I'd wait for your friend if there was time. Now there's time. What else do you want from me?

TEYLA Too much, I fear.

SHEPPARD It's going to be a long night.

[Looking through his binoculars again, he sees Darts flying over the village, their culling beams active.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS MEETING ROOM

[Zelenka is recording his message.]

ZELENKA (gesturing furiously) Speaks Czech. Failsafe. Speaks Czech.

[As he speaks, he remembers the city rising from beneath the sea when they first arrived. The scene switches between "Rising" and Zelenka explaining it in Czech with great drama. He ends with great joy as the city settles on the surface of the ocean.]

FORD You didn't say anything that would require security clearance, did you?

ZELENKA Security clearance?

EXT&mdash;ORIN'S PLANET, NIGHT

[Many Darts buzz over the village with their culling beams active. There are scattered fires among the buildings.]

INT&mdash;PUDDLE JUMPER

SHEPPARD This is hard to sit and watch.

TEYLA There is nothing we can do.

SHEPPARD (emotional) Oh, we could do a lot. It would just be the last thing we ever do.

TEYLA (moved) We are far outnumbered, and the gate is still inaccessible. But if we save Orin and his family, we will have done something.

SHEPPARD Something.

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS MEETING ROOM

[Bates is speaking to the camera.]

BATES I'm going to miss you, kiddo. I can't wait to get back home and take you to a basketball game and watch Kobe and Shaq take another title home for the Lakers&hellip; That's it.

FORD That's it?

BATES What else am I going to say to the kid?

FORD He's your little brother, Sergeant.

BATES And I'm probably never going to see him again. Why make it worse than it has to be?

FORD That's not what this is about, man.

BATES That's exactly what this is about&hellip; Don't sweat it, Lieutenant. I'm happy I got the chance to say goodbye.

FORD Yeah, but you didn't say it.

BATES Not in so many words.

[Bates gets up and leaves.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CORRIDOR

[Ford walks with his video equipment. McKay sees him.]

MCKAY Lieutenant Ford&hellip;

FORD Ah, you ready to record your message?

MCKAY Already done. Actually, I took the liberty of doing mine in private. Now, it may require some editing.

[He holds up a digital tape cassette.]

FORD Editing?

MCKAY Yeah, I went on a bit. Actually I used the entire tape.

FORD You talked for an hour?

MCKAY See, I found it rather therapeutic, actually. Now, I'm fairly confident I've come up with several valuable insights. In fact, I'm sure of it, but I've only slept six hours in the last few days, so, um&hellip;

[He wiggles his fingers next to his head.]

FORD Who's it for?

MCKAY Humanity in general, my sister. Look, I don't expect you to cut it down to just a few minutes. I mean, there is gold in here. So just make sure mine's last, and that way, if it gets cut off, fine, but if the gate holds the connection a few extra milliseconds, then we won't have wasted the time.

FORD Well, I'll look forward to it.

[McKay gives Ford the tape.]

MCKAY Well&hellip;enjoy.

FORD Gold&hellip;

INT&mdash;MCKAY'S LAB

[Ford watches the footage, which was shot in McKay's lab. McKay fusses with his hair before starting.]

MCKAY (strongly and awkwardly) And in five&hellip;four&hellip;three&hellip; This is Dr. Rodney McKay speaking to you from my base of operations in the lost city of Atlantis, located deep within the Pegasus galaxy. I record this message on the eve of our darkest hour. As I speak, an alien armada of Biblical proportions is on its way, bent&mdash;dare I say hell bent, in keeping with the metaphor&mdash;on our destruction. We will do our best to stave off their attack, but I am afraid that defeat is all but inevitable. I and the other members of my team face the most horrific deaths imaginable as our very lives are-are sucked from our chests in a-in a&hellip;a horrific&hellip;okay, um&hellip; (uncertainly) Okay, starting again, starting again. Um, Ford, just cut that, all right? What about, uh&hellip;

EXT&mdash;ORIN'S PLANET, NIGHT

[A beam hits the ground in front of the village from space.]

INT&mdash;PUDDLE JUMPER

SHEPPARD What is that?

TEYLA I've never seen such a thing.

SHEPPARD I'm going to go check it out.

TEYLA You may be discovered.

SHEPPARD I'll make a point not to.

TEYLA Major&mdash;

SHEPPARD I just want to see what&mdash;whatever that is. Just stay here until Orin and his family show up.

[He grabs a P-90, opens the rear hatch, and steps out.]

EXT&mdash;ORIN'S PLANET, NIGHT

[Sheppard emerges from the cloaked Jumper. He holds up a scanner as he jogs toward the beam.]

INT&mdash;MCKAY'S LAB

[McKay's footage continues.]

MCKAY And in five, four, three&hellip; (smiling and confident) My friends, I'm Dr. Rodney McKay of the Atlantis Expedition, and as the facts of our heroic struggle against the Wraith and our untimely demise are already known to you, in that light, I'd like to pass along some final thoughts. Now, my extensive education, training, and firsthand experience in the field of astrophysics has given me a unique perspective that few on Earth&mdash;or, well, on any other planet, for that matter&mdash;can match. I'd like to take a few moments now to pass along that perspective to you. I'll begin with a few observations on a subject that is both near and dear to my heart. Leadership.

[He holds up a stack of note cards and takes one to begin.]

INT&mdash;WEIR'S OFFICE

[Ford films Weir's message in her office. Her speech is interspersed with scenes of the deaths of the people she is speaking about. The video jumps in a montage style, without showing the complete message.]

WEIR Mr. and Mrs. Markham, my name is Dr. Elizabeth Weir, and your son was a member of my expedition team. It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that he was killed in the line of duty just a few days ago. He died in the defense of others, and his sacrifice may have saved many lives&hellip; &hellip;And her keen curiosity are just some of the qualities that your daughter displayed during her duties as scientist on my team. She and several of her colleagues died suddenly just a few weeks ago. I am not at liberty to reveal the cause of her death, but I can tell you that during her time here, Dr. Dumais was a part of something very profound. She saw and did things she never would have dreamed of before&hellip; You can be proud of your son, knowing that he died bravely, while defending others. I confess, I didn't know him as well as I could have, but I do know he was well liked and very well respected among his peers, and I was told of how often he spoke of his family. I do wish I could tell you more. I'm sure you understand, as a military family.

FORD Are you done, ma'am?

WEIR Just give me a moment, please, Lieutenant.

INT&mdash;MCKAY'S LAB

[Wearing glasses, Miko speaks into the camera.]

MIKO I am keeping busy with my job. I work hard, like everyone else, to ensure the success of this expedition, and also to please the leader of our science team&mdash;

[As she speaks, she flashes back to McKay yelling at two scientists.]

MCKAY No, no, no, no, no. This sequence first, and then the secondary code. Unless you're intentionally trying to blow us up, in which case, excellent work.

[She speaks into the camera.]

MIKO He does not always remember my name, but I have enjoyed working for him very much.

[She remembers McKay taking a bite of a sandwich and spitting it out.]

MCKAY What is this? What is this? Kiwi? Who made this? Did you make this?

MIKO He's a very honorable and brave man.

[She remembers McKay getting a leg cramp and jumping around the lab in pain, as she chases him, trying to help.]

MCKAY Ow! Ow! Okay, cramp, cramp, cramp, cramp, cramp&hellip;

MIKO Until then&hellip;I will continue to serve at his pleasure.

INT&mdash;MCKAY'S LAB

[Ford watches more of McKay's tape.]

MCKAY I once caught mono kissing a girl in Algebra Club. I missed an entire month of school. Still, the kiss was, uh, something, so it was probably worth it. April Bingham. Cute blonde. God, see, I love blondes. Especially with the, uh, the short hair. Mm&hellip;Samantha Carter, if you're watching&hellip;the torch is still burning. Sadly, soon to be extinguished.. But, you know, you should know I think you are just so&hellip;well, you're great, you're really, really great. And I would go so far as saying that you're the hottest scientist I've ever worked with. In fact, there's probably not a night that goes by that I don't find myself, uh&hellip;okay, Ford, let's lose that, and let's get back to, uh&hellip;leadership.

INT&mdash;PUDDLE JUMPER

[Teyla goes to the rear compartment and starts pulling out survival supplies. There is much screaming from outside. She senses something and looks up to see a Wraith drone soldier walking by the open rear hatch. It looks right at her. She look at her P-90 but doesn't move.]

EXT&mdash;ORIN'S PLANET, NIGHT

[The drone sees nothing but an empty field where the Jumper sits. It continues its patrol.]

INT&mdash;PUDDLE JUMPER

[Teyla breathes hard with adrenalin.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS BRIEFING ROOM

[Sitting in front of his laptop, Kavanagh prepares to film his message.]

KAVANAGH Who all will be watching this?

FORD Uh, anyone you're sending it to. Family, friends, loved ones.

KAVANAGH Will anyone from Atlantis be viewing this?

FORD No, messages are private. You can get as mushy as you want.

KAVANAGH (reading from his computer) All right. Uh, this is a message is for General Jack O'Neill of Stargate Command. I feel it is my duty to inform you of what I consider to be serious errors in judgment among the leaders of this expedition, most notably, Dr. Elizabeth Weir. Her actions have repeatedly and recklessly exposed the people of this expedition to extreme danger, leading us directly to the grave situation we currently find ourselves in.

FORD You know what? How about I leave the room, and let you record your whining in private?

KAVANAGH Fine.

[Ford leaves.]

KAVANAGH I've been keeping a record of Dr. Weir's questionable activities, which I would like to detail for you now.

EXT&mdash;ORIN'S PLANET, NIGHT

[Sheppard moves through the woods then stops to look at the beam through his binoculars. He sees a Dart pass overhead and retreats.]

INT&mdash;MCKAY'S LAB

[McKay is now sitting casually against a lab bench.]

MCKAY Never cared for dogs. Too much work, too needy, too unpredictable. I mean, you leave one door open, the tiniest little cracks, and they're gone. You look for them, you put up flyers, it's no use. And since your father refused to pay for a license, the animal shelter has no way of tracking him. You know, God knows what happened to that little guy. Now, cats&hellip;now, that's a whole different story. I mean, cats are self-sufficient, they're dependable, you shake the box, they come running. The cynic would say it's because of the food, but my cat, see, I truly believe he enjoys my company. There's something very comforting about coming home from work at the end of the day and having a familiar face waiting for you, you know? Still, I digress. Where was I? Uh&hellip;right. Leadership.

INT&mdash;PUDDLE JUMPER

[Teyla hears screaming all around. She sees a family of four running toward the Jumper. She pushes the control to un-cloak.]

EXT&mdash;ORIN'S PLANET, night

[The family sees the Jumper appear. Teyla comes out the rear hatch.]

TEYLA Over here! It is all right. I am a friend. Please, hurry. This way. Hurry. This way.

[She ushers them into the Jumper and re-cloaks it.]

INT&mdash;PUDDLE JUMPER

TEYLA How many of you are remaining?

ARJA I don't know. The Wraith are everywhere.

TEYLA (giving a canteen to the child) Here, drink this. It is water. Orin, have you seen him?

[She gives another canteen to the man.]

ARJA Not since before the Wraith arrived. Thank you. We must go now. The Wraith will find us.

TEYLA No, they will not. Our ship has a shield which makes it invisible to them. You are safe here. Just rest. We will leave soon.

[She settles them down onto the bench.]

INT&mdash;WEIR'S OFFICE

[Weir continues her recording.]

WEIR Finally, I would like to say something to the families of every member of this expedition. I wish I could tell you more about what your loved ones are doing, and someday, I hope you find out, because you will be amazed. But I will tell you that I could not be more proud of each and every one of them. Their heroism has amazed me.

[She recalls many moments of heroism, by McKay, Sheppard, and others.]

WEIR Their resourcefulness has staggered me.

[She remembers scenes of last-minute victory.]

WEIR We face a terrible enemy and an uncertain future. But if we are never heard from again, know that your loved ones did not face that uncertainty alone. We are facing our future together.

INT&mdash;PUDDLE JUMPER

[Teyla looks outside through binoculars. People are still screaming outside. She sees Sheppard running toward the Jumper. She meets him at the rear hatch.]

TEYLA Major&hellip;

SHEPPARD It's pretty ugly out there. Is this Orin's family?

TEYLA No. They have not seen Orin since the culling began.

SHEPPARD Well, the village is pretty much wiped out.

[He walks to the cockpit and looks through binoculars.]

SHEPPARD The gate just shut off. We should be able to dial up and get out of here before the Wraith can do anything about it.

TEYLA Please, Major. Give Orin more time.

SHEPPARD If he was able to get here, he would be here by now. We've got to get back.

TEYLA Then go. I will stay and search in the daylight. You can return for me later.

SHEPPARD You can't do that.

TEYLA I consider Orin as family, Major. I am sorry if you do not understand what that means&mdash;

SHEPPARD I understand it, Teyla, but that's not the point I'm trying&mdash;

TEYLA With you or without you, I am staying.

SHEPPARD You won't make it.

TEYLA Then I ask that you stay as well, just a little longer. Allow something good to come of this.

SHEPPARD All right. We'll give it a little more time.

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, NIGHT

INT&mdash;INFIRMARY

[Beckett records his message.]

BECKETT I know you worry about me, Mum. But somehow, we've found a way to rise to each challenge, so I wouldn't fret about my safety. It's the people here, from dozens of countries, all connected by a single bond&mdash;we represent the people of Earth. And if there's one thing I've discovered about we Earthlings, we're a scrappy bunch. I wouldn't be surprised if I bring&mdash;

FORD Doc, you can't say "Earthlings." Your mother doesn't have security clearance.

BECKETT She knows I'm from Earth, son. It's not a bloody secret.

FORD Oh, right.

BECKETT Sorry, Mum. Anyhow&hellip;

INT&mdash;BRIEFING ROOM

[Kavanagh continues his recording.]

KAVANAGH Authorized using a prisoner to test an experimental drug, in clear violation of the Geneva Convention Authorized lowering the Stargate shield when the authenticity of the incoming travelers was clearly in question.

INT&mdash;MCKAY'S LAB

[McKay has taken off his jacket and is slouching, his head now not even completely in the frame.]

MCKAY That's another sight I'll die without having seen. See, to be fair, when you've traveled as much as I've traveled, you'd think that missing Niagara Falls would be no big deal. But you know what, it gnaws at you. There's a lot of movies I wish I'd seen. Won't see now. Never saw Grease, even though I had a thing for Olivia Newton-John when I was a kid. Always wanted to see Gandhi. Only saw the first half of The Sixth Sense. Always wondered how that ended.

[He sits up with renewed attention.]

MCKAY My sister&hellip; Ford, if you cut everything else, just-just, um, keep this part, okay? Jeannie, it's your brother, Rodney. Obviously. I want to say, um&hellip; I want to say something, uh&hellip; Family is important. I've come to realize that, because the people here have become a sort of a-a surrogate family to me. Now, I know what you're thinking. I've never really been the poster child for that kind of sentiment, but when one's contemplating one's own demise, one tends to see things more clearly. I really do wish you the best, you know, and I'm sorry we weren't closer. Perhaps, um&hellip; If by chance, I make it out of this, perhaps one day we can be. And I would like that. Now, if there's time, I'd like to go back to the subject of leadership.

[The screen goes to static.]

INT&mdash;PUDDLE JUMPER

[Sheppard sees a group of people approaching the Jumper.]

SHEPPARD Someone's coming.

[He hands the binoculars to Teyla. She smiles and runs out the rear hatch, as does Sheppard.]

EXT&mdash;ORIN'S PLANET, NIGHT

[Teyla and Sheppard rush toward Orin and seven others.]

TEYLA Orin! Orin&hellip;

SHEPPARD How big is his family?

TEYLA He must have met up with others along the way.

SHEPPARD That's going to be a problem.

ORIN I didn't think you'd still be here.

TEYLA We would not have gone without you.

ORIN We found others on the way, and even more further behind.

SHEPPARD How many more?

ORIN Twelve, perhaps more.

[A large group runs out of the woods towards them.]

ORIN In here!

ARJA This way! Quickly!

SHEPPARD Wait, wait, wait, wait!

[Darts fly toward them with their beams activated.]

SHEPPARD All right, we'll fit as many people as we can!

TEYLA Hurry. Come on.

[They run to the Jumper and start to go in.]

TEYLA Hurry.

ORIN Come on! Run!

TEYLA It's all right. It is all right.

[All but the last three make it inside the Jumper.]

INT&mdash;PUDDLE JUMPER

[Holding a child, Sheppard dodges the beam and falls onto the ramp.]

SHEPPARD Get down!

[The Jumper is full of people, and they listen to the screams and culling beams outside. There is no one left outside the Jumper. Sheppard rushes to the pilot seat and dials the Stargate.]

TEYLA Are you all right?

ORIN Yes. I'm fine.

[Teyla sits beside Sheppard and looks at him, but he doesn't look back.]

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, DAY

INT&mdash;BRIEFING ROOM

[Weir walks in.]

WEIR Are our guests comfortably settled in?

TEYLA Yes.

WEIR Good. So tell me. How bad is it?

SHEPPARD Bad. Each hive ship acts like a carrier group, with cruisers and hundreds of Darts escorting it. Grodin's downloading the sensor readings right now.

TEYLA I have never witnessed a culling that took so many.

SHEPPARD We saved a few. That's worth something.

WEIR Rodney, are we ready to send our message?

MCKAY When you are.

WEIR Okay.

[McKay leaves.]

MCKAY Lieutenant Ford is just finishing recording personal messages from all the team members. If you'd like&mdash;

SHEPPARD I'm good.

WEIR Okay. Well then, along with a short note of my own, I took the liberty of recording messages to the families of the people we've lost.

SHEPPARD That's a good idea.

WEIR But there's one in particular&hellip; I thought maybe you'd like to do yourself.

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS MEETING ROOM

[Sheppard is recording his message.]

FORD Okay, whenever you're ready, Sir, go ahead.

SHEPPARD I'm not sure if Colonel Sumner's parents are still alive. I'm not sure he even has a family back there. Not all of us do, but if he does have family, they should know that he died with honor and courage in the performance of his duty. He carried the burden of a leader, and he carried it well. I didn't get the chance to know him well, but I know this&hellip; Considering the type of man he was and what we're up against, yeah, I wish he was still here.

INT&mdash;WEIR'S OFFICE

[Weir speaks into the camera.]

WEIR Not a day goes by that I don't think of you, Simon. There's so much I want to tell you and share with you, but I can't. I know this is unfair. So much you don't know, and putting your life on hold for me&hellip; So don't. All I ask is you take care of yourself, and know that, wherever you are, my heart is looking after you.

[Members of Atlantis say final words into the camera.]

BECKETT So take care of yourself, lots of sleep, remember your daily walks, and keep up with your prescription. Well, that's about it. I'll say goodbye now, and, Mum? I do love you.

FORD Bye, Grandma, Grandpa. I miss you.

BATES Goodbye, bro.

MIKO Goodbye.

WEIR Goodbye, Simon.

SHEPPARD Goodbye.

EXT&mdash;WORMHOLE

INT&mdash;SGC GATE CONTROL ROOM

[A wormhole is dialing in.]

TECHNICIAN We have unscheduled off-world activation!

[Carter sits down at the next terminal.]

TECHNICIAN Receiving transmission.

[The wormhole shuts down. Carter studies the monitor.]

TECHNICIAN Who's it from?

CARTER (surprised) Atlantis.

FADE OUT

END CREDITS

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