Grace/Transcript

Episode Guide

 * 7.13 "Grace" Episode Guide

Transcript
TEASER

PREVIOUSLY, ON STARGATE SG-1

EXT&mdash;EARTH

[Scene from "Prometheus" Season 6. The X-303, Prometheus rises above the ground, watched by three guards, who are completely dwarfed by the huge ship. O'Neill watches from a tent in the distance.]

CARTER This is the Prometheus, otherwise known as the X-303.

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[Scene from "Memento" Season 6. The X-303 leaves hyperspace and enters orbit around an alien planet.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS BRIDGE

[Gant and Carter look at the computer screen monitoring the engines.]

GANT Sir, computers are detecting a rapid energy build up in the naquadriah cells.

CARTER The jump must have triggered a power surge that overloaded the reactor control systems.

RONSON Stand by to jettison the reactor module!

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[The reactor module exits from the side of the ship. Prometheus speeds away as the reactor explodes above the planets surface.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS BRIEFING ROOM

[Ronson and SG-1 discuss their options.]

RONSON Even if we were to plot a course for Earth using maximum sub-light thrust, it would take years.

EXT&mdash;P3X-744

[The Prometheus lands on the planet's surface.]

JONAS (Off camera) P3X-744. If we could make it there and gate home, we could get what we need to repair the ship.

FADE OUT

EXT&mdash;HYPERSPACE

[The Prometheus speeds through a hyperspace window.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS

[Elevator doors open to reveal Carter and Ronson in discussion. They leave the elevator and walk down the hallway.]

RONSON So this thing's different from a nebula, how?

CARTER Well, that's what makes it so exciting, Sir, we don't know exactly.

RONSON And it just so happens that this formation is in the vicinity of our next cool down co-ordinates.

CARTER It'll only be a little bit out of our way, Colonel, I promise. All I ask is 2 hours tops.

RONSON If only so I can see the expression on your face first hand, the words kid and candy store come to mind.

[Carter smiles.]

CARTER I'll train to retain my composure, Sir.

RONSON Just keep in mind that our mission is to get this bird home in one piece.

[Carter nods.]

INTERCOM Colonel Ronson, report to the bridge.

RONSON Must be time.

[Carter smiles and nods.]

RONSON After you, Major.

[He gestures for her to go first. They enter the bridge, and Ronson takes his seat in the middle of the bridge. Carter goes to the back of the bridge. Crewmen sit to each side of Ronson, one handling the navigation console, the other weapons. Several other personnel are scattered around the bridge, attending to their own duties.]

GANT Sir, the hyperdrive engines are reaching maximum safe temperature.

RONSON Shut 'em down, Major Gant.

GANT Yes Sir, dropping out of hyperspace.

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[The Prometheus exits a hyperspace window.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS BRIDGE

[Carter is standing in front of a large Perspex screen which displays a star chart. Ronson comes to join her.]

RONSON Major Carter, what's our progress?

CARTER Well, Sir, we covered 49 light years in the last leg. Considering the hyperdrive we're using was lifted from an Al'kesh, I'd say that's pretty good.

[He nods]

CARTER It was originally designed for a ship one tenth this size.

RONSON Only five more of these pit stops and we're home.

[Carter nods and smiles. An alarm starts to sound which catches both their attentions.]

GANT Colonel, a boogie just appeared on our sensors. Dead ahead, three thousand clicks.

RONSON Can you identify it?

GANT Negative, Sir. It's closing in on our position very quickly.

[Ronson re-takes his chair.]

RONSON Sound general quarters.

[The lights dim, and a klaxon starts to sound. Major Gant's radar screen shows the ship closing in on the Prometheus.]

GANT Boogie is now at two thousand clicks.

RONSON Raise shields, arm weapons.

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[A ship, which looks vastly superior in size and technology, approaches the Prometheus.]

END TEASER

OPENING CREDITS

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS BRIDGE

[Lights are dimmed ready for battle. Several staff check their instruments. Ronson sits in his chair, checking his readout, as Carter stands next to him, looking out of the windscreen, looking for the boogie.]

GANT Boogie is now at 900 clicks. It's not slowing down, Sir.

RONSON How long 'til we can jump to hyperspace again?

CARTER The hyperdrive needs at least two hours to cool down before we can attempt another jump. If we try one before that it could overload.

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[A huge, much more advanced looking ship nears the Prometheus.]

WEAPONS OFFICER Colonel, I'm getting some unusual readings coming from the alien vessel.

[Carter hurries to his station to investigate.]

CARTER They're scanning us, Sir.

RONSON Major Gant, set up a wide frequency broadcast, I want to talk to them.

[Gant presses a few buttons.]

GANT Go ahead, Sir.

RONSON This is Colonel William Ronson, commander of the Prometheus. Please, respond.

[Static is heard over the intercom.]

RONSON If you can hear me, I offer you peaceful greetings.

[Static is again heard.]

GANT Boogie is at 400 clicks and is continuing to gain on our position, Sir.

WEAPONS OFFICER Sir, thermographic sensors are showing a rapid build up of energy coming from within the ship.

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[The sides of the alien ship expand and curl round to form a crescent on wither side of the main body. Canons appear from these wings.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS BRIDGE

WEAPONS OFFICER Energy build up is continuing, Sir.

CARTER They're powering up weapons. Colonel, we have to get out of here.

RONSON Major Gant, Initiate evasion manoeuvre delta now.

GANT Yes Sir, executing delta.

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[Prometheus begins to move away to the right, it's port side facing the alien vessel. As it moves away, the alien ship fires at it, hitting the shields at the rear of the Prometheus. It pursues the Prometheus, continuing to fire. Prometheus heads into the gaseous nebula Carter had wanted to look at earlier.]

INT&mdash;PROEMTHEUS BRIDGE

[The bridge shudders from the impact of weapons fire, and a few panels blow. Carter, still standing by the weapons officer's chair, has to hold on to it to steady herself. An alarm sounds in the background.]

RONSON Major Gant, report.

GANT Shields down 69%, weapons are draining our shields.

[Their faces are suddenly illuminated by incoming fire. The bridge shakes again.]

GANT 53 percent.

RONSON Apply auxiliary power to shield generators, weapons officer, prepare to return fire on my command.

WEAPONS OFFICER Aft missile bays 1 through 6 loaded and ready, Sir.

RONSON Fire one through four, now!

[The weapons officer complies.]

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[Four missiles leave the Prometheus, but are almost immediately destroyed by the alien vessel.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS BRIDGE

WEAPONS OFFICER Sir, missiles destroyed before reaching the target.

[Ronson looks a little stunned, and the ship is again rocked by incoming fire. More panels explode in the background.]

GANT Alien vessel is still gaining on us, Sir, shield strength is at&hellip;32%.

RONSON Fire all missiles, at will.

[Carter looks round.]

CARTER Wait. Suggest diverting auxiliary power back to the sub-light engines.

RONSON Major?

CARTER The gas cloud. If we can get inside it, it might make it harder for them to track us.

[Ronson looks at Carter, then out the windscreen, where the gas cloud looms large. They are rocked by another batch of fire.]

GANT Shields below 15 percent.

RONSON Even with sub-light engines on full strength, we'll never make it.

CARTER It might be possible to make a small hyperspace jump into the cloud. Just give me a few minutes to over ride the safeguards.

RONSON You have two.

[She nods, and runs to the engine room. Another blast rocks the ship.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS ENGINE CONTROL ROOM

[Carter runs in, and starts furiously typing at a control panel. There is an explosion in the background, and sparks fly. Carter looks briefly at it, then returns to the job in hand. Again the ship is hit.]

CARTER Come on, one jump.

[Carter grimaces, then runs out of the room. The main computer screen in the engine room reads override request denied.]

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[The Prometheus draws nearer to the gas cloud, be fired upon all the way by the alien vessel, which draws ever nearer.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS BRIDGE

WEAPONS OFFICER Sir, weapons systems are no longer operational.

GANT Shields are below 10 percent. Receiving ship-wide damage reports, Colonel.

[Ronson looks unsure of what to do.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS ENGINE ROOM.

[Carter enters the engine room. She pulls out one of the drawers containing engine crystals. She presses some buttons on the side, when the crystals flash and a surge of energy is released, throwing her sideways onto the opposite wall. She hits her head, and slides to the floor, unconscious.]

FADE OUT

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS ENGINE ROOM

[Carter comes to. She has a small gash on her forehead, near her hairline. She is obviously concussed, and slowly stands up, using the wall for support. She walks out the engine room, groggily, still leaning heavily on the wall for support. She grabs the nearest intercom phone on the wall.]

CARTER This is Major Carter calling the bridge.

[There is no answer]

CARTER Bridge, please respond!

[All remains quiet. Carter turns around, and sees a small girl, dressed in a white sleeveless dress, white ankle socks and white shoes. She has long curly blond hair. She smiles at Carter. Carter blinks and the child disappears. Carter thinks for a moment, then replaces the phone, and goes in the direction of the girl. She is still very wobbly on her feet. Carter walks around the corridors, and into the mess. It is deserted, with half eaten meals still on the table. She pauses for a moment, surveying the scene, then heads off down the corridor again.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS BRIDGE

[Carter enters the bridge to find it deserted, like the rest of the ship she has seen so far. Out of the front windows the nebula can be seen. She goes to the commander's chair, and activates the ship-wide intercom.]

CARTER This is the bridge, calling all decks. (pause) Please respond.

[Carter goes to one of the panels, and activates the internal security cameras. Looking at them, she sees that the ship is totally deserted.]

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[The Prometheus is still inside the nebula.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS BRIDGE

[Carter is surveying the ship's systems, from Major Gant's chair.]

CARTER This is Major Samantha Carter of the United States Air Force vessel Prometheus. As the sole remaining crew member of this ship I feel compelled to keep a log of these events. After being attacked by a hostile alien ship, I sustained an injury and lost consciousness. When I awoke, I found the ship devoid of all crew. An initial systems review indicated the hyper-drive to be operational, but the sub-light engines remain offline, possibly due to damage from the attack. I am hopeful further investigation will provide more answers.

[The screen Carter is looking at flashes the same message, "sub-light engines offline". She tries to restart them, but is greeted with the message "error, restart command not available."]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS

[Carter travels in an elevator to the engine room to try and solve the problem.]

CARTER However, my first priority is to find out what happened to the crew.

[She exits the elevator.]

CARTER Having searched the entire ship and found no one, only one possibility remains to explain their disappearance.

[She walks into the engine control room, and goes to the computer. She checks the status of the escape pods, and finds that there are no escape pods on board, they have all been jettisoned.]

CARTER Based on the fact that all the escape pods have been jettisoned, I can only assume an evacuation order was given after my losing consciousness. In the chaos that must have ensued, I was left behind.

[She sits at the engine controls, and tries to restart the engines. They begin, to fire up, but then a warning sign flashes on the monitors, and they power down.]

CARTER The sub-light engines remain offline. I'm guessing something about the gas loud is inhibiting the restart procedures. Thus far I have been unable to find a way around this problem.

[Error messages come up on her screen.]

CARTER Without sub-light engine power to manoeuvre the ship out of the cloud I'm left with only one other option.

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS BRIDGE

[Carter sits in Major Gant's chair. She presses some buttons, and starts to activate a hyperspace window. It starts to appear outside the ship, but then collapses in on itself. The monitor shows the message "hyperdrive window failure. Overload imminent." Carter hangs her head in disappointment, then shuts down the hyperdrive engine. She sighs.]

CARTER Dammit.

[She leans her head on her hand, but her arm is gripped by another. Turning round, she sees Teal'c.]

TEAL'C Major Carter.

[Carter looks exhausted, and dazed.]

CARTER Teal'c?

TEAL'C Hear me. You must remain conscious at all cost.

CARTER (closing her eyes) I just need to rest for a while.

TEAL'C (forcefully) You cannot!

[She starts awake a little, then starts dropping off again.]

TEAL'C Listen to me! You are injured. If you sleep, you will die. Do you understand?

CARTER (nodding) I know.

[She starts to nod off again, but is startled by Teal'c's voice once more.

TEAL'C (slowly and forcefully) If you sleep, you will die!

[Carter looks at Teal'c, frowning slightly, then closes her eyes.]

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[The Prometheus still lingers in the nebula.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS BRIDGE

[Carter is at Gant's station, head leant over and resting on her arms. She has fallen asleep. A young girl's voice is heard singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." Carter raises her head, she can hear the singing. She turns and looks towards the corridor, the singing seems to be coming from there. Footsteps can be heard as well.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS CORRIDOR

[Carter follows the voice, which is still singing twinkle twinkle. The singing pauses momentarily.]

CARTER Someone there?

[The singing resumes. Carter stops at a corridor junction, and looks down each of the passageways.]

CARTER Hello?

[The singing gets fainter, then stops. Carter closes her eyes briefly, still feeling the effects of her concussion. She begins to walk away.]

CARTER Okay.

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS BRIDGE

[Carter is sitting again in Gant's chair. The screen in front of her shows the status of a distress beacon.]

CARTER I have sent out a distress signal detailing Prometheus' situation and our last known position in space. I know it could be hundreds of years before anyone hears it.

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS BATHROOM

[Carter walks in and takes the first aid box off the wall.]

CARTER That said, Stargate Command was aware of our route home, and will undoubtedly do everything they can to mount a rescue.

[She treats her head wound.]

CARTER And, if any of the crew survived, I can only hope they will eventually send help as well.

INT&mdash; PROMETHEUS SUPLLY ROOM

[Carter is surrounded by boxes. She is taking an inventory of supplies.]

CARTER Therefore, I feel my best course of action is to settle in for the long haul.

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS MESS

[Carter is filling plastic bags with different foods to create complete meals.]

CARTER According to my calculations I have enough food and water to last several months.

[She places the bag in a box, and carries the box over to the other sides of the room, where there are several other boxes, as also packed with food.]

CARTER With further rationing, it might be possible to double that.

[Carter looks as if she feels dizzy again, and bends over, leaning on the table for support. The child stands in the doorway.]

GRACE Play with me.

[Carter looks over at her, but doesn't answer. She looks down, and when she looks back up, the child has disappeared again.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS ENGINE CONTROL ROOM

[Carter is writing something.]

CARTER I've been trying to understand why the ship has been unable to jump into hyperspace. During my last jump attempt the hyperspace window seemed unable to stabilise enough for the ship to enter it.

[She nibbles on a power bar.]

CARTER Thus far sensors have been unable to identify the actual content of the cloud itself. It's more likely made up of a denser group of gases than that of a typical nebula or gas giant. Bottom line is, it's preventing the hyperdrive emitters from transferring power at an even rate. Until that changes, the Prometheus will remain trapped here, indefinitely.

[She takes another bite of the power bar, but nearly chokes on it as she hears a familiar voice.]

DANIEL Yep, I'd say you're stuck alright.

[She looks behind her to see Daniel, leaning back on a chair. He looks at her, and she looks round again, unable to believe her eyes.]

DANIEL Oh come on, Sam, you've been running the same diagnostic program for four hours now, what makes you think the results are suddenly going to change?

[She ignores him, and continues writing. Daniel looks round at her when she doesn't respond.]

DANIEL Sa-am, Hello-o!

[He snaps his fingers at her, trying to get her attention.]

CARTER Were you this annoying when you were ascended?

DANIEL I dunno, depends on who you ask. I thought I had a certain je ne sais qua. Timing was so-so.

[She turns round to face him.]

CARTER No offence, but I really don't have time for this.

[Daniel just stares at her.]

CARTER This is ridiculous, you aren't even real.

[She turns back to her work.]

DANIEL Well, I'm not so much me, as I am&hellip;you, really. Part of your subconscious mind. So, am I real? That's up to you, I guess. Although the Socratic implications are quite fascinating.

CARTER Daniel&hellip;

DANIEL Look, you just need some help, that's all. Can't you just try to go along with this?

[Carter turns back round to him.]

CARTER You're me, talking to me.

DANIEL Yeah, basically.

CARTER (Resigned) Alright, you have a point. I could use some help.

[Daniel claps his hands, and jumps out of his seat.]

DANIEL Thank you.

[He comes and sits down next to her.]

CARTER Okay, what do you&hellip;I want?

DANIEL Well, I think you're going about this all wrong.

CARTER This is helping?

DANIEL Come on, Sam, you've been looking forward to studying this cloud for weeks now. I mean, that's the real reason you volunteered for this job in the first place. Now you're here, finally here, and, and you're wasting your time running endless hyperdrive simulations.

CARTER In case you hadn't noticed, I've got a small problem on my hands, Daniel. Mainly that I'm stranded.

DANIEL Inside the very thing you've been looking at through a telescope for years. (Excited and animated) Come on, it's a chance to see something rare and exciting up close! Seize the moment!

CARTER Seize the moment?

DANIEL I'm just saying it's, it's, it's new, something we've never encountered before&hellip; (calmer, quieter) &hellip;and you're ignoring it. Does that sound like you?

[Carter pauses, unsure of what to say.]

CARTER Daniel, I can't even think straight, let alone stay awake.

[Daniel walks round, and stands behind her chair.]

DANIEL Sam, you have to check this out. Trust me, it's important.

[She considers his words, and continues working. Daniel has gone.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS

[Carter is boxing up more food in the mess. She is disturbed by some strange sounds, like metal being strained to breaking point. She carries a box down the corridor, but stops when she hears the sounds again, and stops, concerned.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS CONTROL ROOM

[A monitor shows that 4 sections of the outer hull have suffered structural damage, and had their integrity compromised.]

CARTER Oh, my God.

[The monitor shows the estimated time for inner hull breach to be 8 hours, 3 minutes and 26 seconds.]

EXT&mdash;CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN

INT&mdash;SGC CORRIDOR.

[O'Neill waits for an elevator. One arrives, and he gets in. As the doors close, Daniel slips in. They stand side by side as the elevator ascends.]

DANIEL You, uh, hear about Sam?

O'NEILL Yeah.

DANIEL Doesn't sound good.

O'NEILL 18 hours past due for contact, yeah I'd say something went wrong.

[There is a moment of uncomfortable silence.]

DANIEL Well, anyway I put together a list of planets with Stargates on in range of the Prometheus' route. General Hammond agreed to send SG teams to all of them, including us.

O'NEILL Why?

DANIEL Well, if something went wrong, then there's a chance they could make it to a planet with a gate.

O'NEILL At which time they would gate home, wouldn't they?

DANIEL Well, when the hyperdrive failed on the Prometheus' maiden voyage you were nearly stranded on P7X-009 because they didn't know where the Stargate was.

O'NEILL Sounds like a long shot.

[Daniel looks a little confused at O'Neill's reaction.]

DANIEL Well, unfortunately the Tok'ra are unable to send a ship at this time. They've promised to retrace the route of the Prometheus as soon as they can, but you know, visiting these planets is&hellip;

O'NEILL What? Is what?

[The elevator stops. Daniel suddenly realises something.]

DANIEL Is something.

[The elevator doors open. O'Neill looks at Daniel for a long moment.]

O'NEILL Yeah.

[He walks out the elevator, frowning. Daniel watches him leave, mulling things over.]

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[The Prometheus remains trapped in the nebula.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS ENGINE CONTROL ROOM

[Carter sits at the engine control desk.]

CARTER Ship's log update. I have discovered that several sections of the hull are being corroded by the gases that make up this cloud. Although I have boosted whatever power I can to our shields, it has had little effect on protecting the ship.

[She watches the monitor, which shows several sections now in critical danger.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS

[Carter is in one of the corridors. She presses a button on one side of a door, which closes and seals that section off.]

CARTER I sealed off those sections affected by the corrosion, but it's only a stop gap measure. All I know for certain is, if I can't find a way to stop it from spreading, the ship's hull will eventually be breached.

[Carter swipes her passcard to open another set of doors. She grabs the wall as another wave of dizziness comes over her. A child's voice grabs her attention.]

GRACE When the blazing sun is gone, when he nothing shines upon.

[The child walks towards her, stops and smiles.]

CARTER Who are you? What do you want?

GRACE Then you show you're little light, twinkle twinkle all the night. Come on, this way.

[She walks down a corridor, and Carter follows.]

CARTER Wait!

[The girl speeds up, round a corner and out of Carter's view. Carter hurries round the corner, but meets Teal'c instead, smiling at her.]

TEAL'C (smiling) Samantha.

CARTER Teal'c, did you see&hellip;course you didn't.

TEAL'C (gently) I'm here to warn you.

CARTER I know, I've got to stay awake.

TEAL'C (still smiling) That's not all. (looking around) Everything may not be as it seems.

CARTER Well, thank you. But the fact that I'm talking to someone who's not really here kinda speaks to that.

TEAL'C On the contrary, I think it's you that's not here.

CARTER What are you talking about?

TEAL'C I believe that you and the other crew members are being held prisoners aboard the alien vessel that attacked you.

CARTER How do you know?

TEAL'C It is possible they are probing your mind. If so, any information obtained may be used to attack Earth.

CARTER Okay, hold on. Even if you're right, and I'm not really here, what am I supposed to do about it?

TEAL'C Nothing.

CARTER Teal'c, give me something here.

TEAL'C Very well, as you attempt to repair the ship's engines, you may inadvertently be divulging to your captors vital information concerning Prometheus technology. I do believe it would be prudent to do nothing.

CARTER I can't do that, Teal'c.

[Teal'c nods and starts to walk away.]

TEAL'C Be careful, Samantha.

CARTER Wait, where are you going? (pause) You're wrong, Teal'c, I'm not on an alien ship, I'm right here.

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS

[Carter lies on the ground, eyes closed. She wakes up, as a door behind her opens.]

CARTER (quietly) This is real.

[She rolls over, and tries to get up. She touches her head, in obvious pain.]

CARTER Ow, this is real.

[She makes her way up off the floor, and heads down the corridor, leaning on the wall heavily for support. The door closes behind her.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS BRIDGE

[Carter sits in the commander's chair.]

CARTER The effects of my head injury are getting worse. I'm not sure how much longer I can last. My only hope of survival is to somehow get the Prometheus free of this gas cloud without using either the sub-light or hyper-drive engines. I think I've come up with a way. It has its risks.

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS

[Alarm claxons sound. Doors close all over the ship. Carter is still sitting in the commander's chair, but she straps herself in.]

CARTER By venting several levels worth of pressurised atmosphere I am hoping to generate enough propulsion to move the ship.

[A monitor shows "Venting sequence initiated. Airlock three open."]

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[Several doors on the side on the Prometheus open, and air streams out.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS

[Air streams through the Prometheus, being sucked into space. On the bridge Carter watches, and listens to the sounds of the hull under great stress due to the venting. She watches the process closely.]

CARTER Come on.

[Carter looks up at one of the internal security cameras, and sees the little girl, holding on to one of the support struts in a corridor that is undergoing venting. Although there is no sound, the child is clearly saying "help me." She is swept away.]

CARTER No!

[She unfastens herself, and closes the shuts down the venting.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS

[Carter runs to rescue the girl. However, her head injury is still affecting her, and she has to steady herself.]

CARTER Hello? Are you here?

[She continues to move through the corridor, steadying herself as she goes.]

DANIEL (from behind her) Hey! Have I ,uh, told you my latest theory yet, it's really cool.

[Carter looks around for a moment, and Daniel looks around too.]

DANIEL Lose something?

CARTER Did you see a&hellip;

DANIEL Little girl?

CARTER Yeah.

DANIEL No.

[Carter sighs, and keeps going, in search on the girl. Daniel follows her.]

DANIEL You know, you don't look so good.

CARTER Yeah.

DANIEL Now, my theory. What if this cloud isn't so much a collection of corrosive gases, so much as it is a sentient being. I'm saying the cloud is alive, Sam.

[She stops and turns around to face him.]

CARTER The cloud is alive?

DANIEL Yeah, it's a sentient being, like, uh, feelings, memories, space born alien entity if you will.

[He smiles, looking very pleased at the last remark.]

CARTER That's crazy.

DANIEL Well, why else would it be corroding the ship?

CARTER Because the gases are corrosive.

DANIEL Or, maybe we somehow offended it when we flew inside of it. The point is, if we talk to it, maybe it will let us go.

[Carter is looking increasingly dazed, as if she is having trouble focusing.]

CARTER You want me to talk to the cloud.

DANIEL Would it kill you to try?

CARTER And how would I do that?

DANIEL Well, you said there was this little girl running round the ship. Maybe that little girl is the physical personification of the cloud.

[Carter leans back against the wall, and almost falls to the ground. She is looking increasingly fragile.]

DANIEL No, no just go with me on this, maybe that's its way of trying to communicate with us.

[Carter is now trying to keep herself from falling unconscious, but is getting nearer and nearer the floor.]

CARTER Daniel, this isn't helping.

[She slumps to the floor, losing consciousness.]

DANIEL Talk to her, Sam.

[Carter lies on the floor, unconscious. The girl can be heard singing twinkle twinkle. her singing and footsteps get louder and louder, coming nearer to Carter. Carter opens her eyes, and sits up, turning towards the girl, who is now standing beside her.]

CARTER My mother used to sing that to me.

GRACE How obscure.

CARTER I'm so tired.

GRACE You can't sleep, not yet.

CARTER Why?

GRACE Because we need to talk.

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[The Prometheus remains trapped.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS MESS.

[Carter sits at the mess table. It has been cleared, except for a serviette dispenser and sugar pourer. She holds her head in one hand. The girl brings over a bowl of fruit and places it before Carter.]

GRACE Eat. You need to keep your strength up.

CARTER Do you have a name?

GRACE (smiling) I'm Grace.

CARTER Who are you?

GRACE You know.

CARTER No, I don't know.

JACOB I'm your father.

[Carter looks up to see Jacob standing at the other end of the table. Grace has disappeared.]

CARTER Dad?

[Jacob walks down the table.]

JACOB I know it sounds corny, but you get to an age&hellip;

[He sits down]

JACOB You get to an age where you think about everything you did wrong as a parent.

[Carter leans her head back on her hands, but still looks at her father.]

JACOB Don't take this the wrong way&hellip;

CARTER I know. I don't look so good.

[Jacob smiles and shakes his head.]

JACOB I wanted so many things for you, Sam. And look what it's brought you instead.

CARTER Sure, but the massive headache really takes the edge off it all.

JACOB Are you happy, Sam?

CARTER What?

JACOB Just answer the question.

CARTER Well, at the moment things are a little rough, but, in general, sure, I'm happy.

JACOB No, you're not. You're content, you're satisfied. You're in control. And that's the problem.

CARTER Okay, I'm really not following here.

JACOB I'm saying, you're missing something vital from your life. And the sad part is you have no idea what I'm talking about.

CARTER Dad, I am happy. I've seen and done things most people couldn't even dream of. I have an incredible life.

JACOB And yet you're alone.

CARTER Well, lately the dating scene been a little stale, but then again I am marooned on a spaceship.

JACOB No. Always. For as long as she was alive, your mother showed me a world beyond just ambition and career. She gave my life meaning, and balance. And it was my honour to love her for the short time she was with me.

[Carter looks increasingly upset.]

JACOB And if I were young again, and I met her for the first time, even knowing her fate, I would do it all over again. That is love.

[There is a pause, as Carter tries to gather herself together.]

JACOB Sam? I know you have denied yourself the experience because you think that it must inevitably end in pain, and loneliness,

[Carter is openly crying now, and cannot answer. She gently shakes her head. Jacob reaches over and takes her hand in his.]

JACOB It's time to let go of the things that prevent you from finding happiness. you deserve to love someone, and be loved in return.

[Carter looks at him, but he disappears, and she is left alone at the table again.]

INT&mdash;SGC GATE ROOM

[Alarms sound indicating an incoming wormhole. SG-1 walk down the ramp, met by Hammond at the bottom.]

HAMMOND Report, Colonel.

O'NEILL This one was a bust too, Sir. In fact, these folks were more in the dark than the first bunch.

TEAL'C They were indeed a primitive society.

O'NEILL Yeah, whatever. They hadn't seen any sign of the ship. we're 0 for 7 Sir.

DANIEL Have you heard from the Tok'ra?

HAMMOND They've completed an initial trace of the Prometheus' route. there's no sign of it at any of the designated cool down co-ordinates.

O'NEILL You're assuming they stayed on course.

HAMMOND They're currently expanding their search, conducting long range scans of several systems adjacent to the route home. Hopefully we'll hear something from them soon.

[O'Neill opens his mouth to say something, then thinks differently and walks out of the gate room.]

INT&mdash;SGC LOCKER ROOM

[O'Neill stands in front of his locker. He slams down his cap, and starts to get changed. Teal'c enters the room.]

O'NEILL I don't wanna hear it.

[Teal'c remains silent.]

O'NEILL (glancing over his shoulder) Good. 'Cause I'm not in the mood.

[Teal'c remains silent. O'Neill turns round to face Teal'c.]

O'NEILL Alright, what?

TEAL'C When Colonel Maybourne and yourself were stranded off world, Major Carter felt a similar sense of frustration. She despaired at the thought of never seeing you again.

[O'Neill takes this in for a moment.]

O'NEILL Not you?

TEAL'C (quietly) Indeed. You are like a brother to me, O'Neill.

O'NEILL You're like, what, 130?

TEAL'C A younger brother, perhaps. But that is not my point.

O'NEILL Look, T, I know what you're trying to do.

[He turns back to face his locker.]

O'NEILL And I appreciate it.

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS

[Bubbles float down from somewhere above. Carter sits on the floor of the bridge, watching Grace blow bubbles. She smiles, resignedly.]

GRACE Wanna try?

[Carter shakes her head.]

GRACE It's fun.

CARTER I remember when I was a little girl I used to wonder how a bubble could exist. You see there's this thing called surface tension, when molecules bind together in a certain way&hellip;

GRACE Boring!

[She walks over to Carter, and holds the bubble wand up for Carter to blow through.]

GRACE Here, just try it.

[Carter takes the wand and blows a stream of bubbles.]

GRACE See. Fun.

CARTER (smiling) Yeah.

O'NEILL Alright Carter, come on, on your feet, let's go.

[O'Neill stand in the doorway, covered in shadow.]

CARTER I was wondering when you were going to show up.

O'NEILL You just gonna sit there?

CARTER Too tired, Sir.

[O'Neill walks into the room, and sits opposite her, on the floor.]

O'NEILL Samantha, I'm a figment of your imagination, you're gonna call me Sir?

CARTER Old habits, sorry.

O'NEILL So, you gonna save yourself, or what?

CARTER I'm tired.

O'NEILL Just given up then?

CARTER I just don't know what to do right now.

O'NEILL You'll think of something.

CARTER Came to give me a pep talk?

O'NEILL It's what friends are for.

CARTER Friends.

O'NEILL Hey, this is you talking here. Might as well be honest.

CARTER What if I quit the air force? Would that change anything or is it just an excuse?

O'NEILL I would never ask you to give up your career.

CARTER Because you don't feel anything for me?

O'NEILL Carter?

CARTER I'd let you go right now if I knew.

O'NEILL That easy?

CARTER I didn't say it would be easy.

O'NEILL Then what's stopping you? If you really want to know.

CARTER I'm trying.

O'NEILL Maybe it's not me that's the problem here. Let's face it, I'm not that complex.

CARTER Me?

O'NEILL Sam, I'm a safe bet.

CARTER As long as I'm thinking about you, setting my sights on what I think is unattainable, there's no chance of being hurt by someone else.

O'NEILL Jacob was right. You deserve more. I will always be there for you, no matter what. Believe me.

CARTER (a little choked up) So what now?

O'NEILL Go save your ass.

CARTER One last thing.

[She imagines them kissing. O'Neill waits for the request.]

CARTER Never mind.

[The ship suddenly shakes, as part of the hull breaches. Carter goes to investigate, leaving O'Neill still sitting there.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS

[Alarms sound as Carter enters the bridge. Gant's monitors shows that an inner hull breach is imminent. Carter looks over and sees Grace, still playing with her bubbles. Sparks start to fly as electrical circuits overload.]

CARTER What do you want?

GRACE What do you mean?

CARTER Whoever you are, I know why everyone else keeps showing up, why are you here? What do you want from me?

GRACE I don't want anything, but you do. Then the traveller in the dark, thanks you for you tiny spark. How could he see where to go, if you did not twinkle so.

[She keeps blowing her bubbles. Carter watches them, and suddenly realises something and runs away.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS ENGINE CONTROL ROOM

[Carter sits at the operations desk, frantically typing something in. Grace watches her closely.]

GRACE What you looking at?

CARTER It's complicated.

GRACE Try me.

CARTER I'm going to try and save myself with a bubble.

GRACE How?

CARTER The hyper-drive won't fully engage because of the cloud, but maybe it doesn't have to. If I can dial down the power flow from the hyper-drive emitter, theoretically I should be able to create a partial shift into hyperspace, essentially taking the ship out of the cloud's space-time. Hopefully just enough to eliminate its effects on the sub-light engines.

GRACE Neat.

CARTER Yeah.

[Carter swivels over to the engine controls, looks back over her shoulder, and finds grace has gone. Carter activates the hyper-drive.]

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[The Prometheus' engine fire up, and a blue bubble surrounds the ship.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS BRIDGE

[Carter takes Gant's chair, and engages the sub-light engines.]

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[The Prometheus' sub-light engines power into life, and Prometheus starts to move forward, toward the alien vessel.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS BRIDGE

[Alarms still blare as Carter sees the alien ship ahead of her. Daniel walks up to her.]

DANIEL Sam, what are you doing?

[Carter ignores him]

TEAL'C I believe she is attempting to rescue her fellow crew members.

[Both he and O'Neill have joined Daniel at Carter's side.]

DANIEL What, what from them, that's crazy. Get back to Earth, and then bring in the cavalry.

CARTER There's no time.

TEAL'C I agree. the alien vessel is too formidable.

O'NEILL Will you guys shut up, just let her work.

[Daniel and Teal'c both shoot looks at O'Neill.]

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[The Prometheus faces the alien vessel, which dwarfs the Prometheus.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS BRIDGE

[Carter now takes the commander's chair. She switches on the communication channels.]

CARTER This is Major Samantha Carter of the US Air Force vessel Prometheus. Can you hear me?

[She waits a few moments for a response. There seems to be nothing but static. She tries again.]

CARTER I'm thinking you've been stuck in here just as long as I have. The only difference is, I've found a way out.

[Again, there is only static on response.]

CARTER Here's the deal, return my crew, everyone, in tact and let us go. And I'll help you get out of here. Do we have a deal?

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[The two ships face each other.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS BRIDGE

[Carter waits anxiously for a response. Suddenly the bridge crew are beamed onto the bridge. Other members of the crew are also beamed back, approximately the same location from where they were taken.]

RONSON What the hell just happened?

[Carter vacates the commander's chair, and gets into Gant's.]

CARTER It's a long story, Sir. Just bear with me. I'm activating a hyperspace bubble to include the alien vessel.

[She presses some buttons. Gant leans over her shoulder, watching.]

CARTER We're going to bring it with us, out of the cloud.

RONSON Major?

CARTER I'll explain everything soon enough, Sir.

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[First Prometheus, then the alien vessel, exit the gas cloud.]

INT&mdash;PROMETHEUS BRIDGE

RONSON Now what?

CARTER We see if they keep their end of the bargain.

EXT&mdash;SPACE

[The alien vessel moves over them, then away. Both Carter and Ronson take a sigh of relief.]

RONSON Well done, Major.

[Carter nods.]

CARTER Sir, with your permission I'd like to relieve myself of duty now.

RONSON Easy. (to crew members) Get her to the infirmary.

[Two crew members help Carter out of the chair and down the corridor. Ronson looks at Carter, then at the window, and shakes his head.]

EXT&mdash;CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN

INT&mdash;SGC INFIRMARY

[Monitors bleep quietly in the background. Carter lies asleep in a bed, with O'Neill looking on. Carter comes to, blinking a lot.]

O'NEILL Hey.

CARTER Jack?

O'NEILL Excuse me?

CARTER (trying to focus) Sorry, Sir.

O'NEILL Yes, well, a massive concussion will tend to&hellip;disorient one.

CARTER How long was I out there?

O'NEILL It's all relative Carter, that whole time-space continuum thing.

CARTER Sir.

O'NEILL Four days.

CARTER Could have sworn it was weeks.

O'NEILL Um, Teal'c and Daniel say hi, uh, they're planning a little bit of a shindig for when you're up and around. There's talk of cake.

CARTER (smiling) A cake?

O'NEILL My idea.

CARTER Can't wait.

O'NEILL Need anything? Magazine, yo-yo?

CARTER (shaking head) I'm fine.

O'NEILL Yes, you are.

[He turns to leave.]

CARTER Thank you, Sir.

O'NEILL For what?

CARTER Nothing.

O'NEILL Think nothing of it. I've got plenty of that.

[They smile at each other, and he leaves. Carter closes her eyes. Grace's voice is heard singing again, and Carter opens her eyes to an empty infirmary. Carter smiles briefly, and closes her eyes again.]

FADE OUT

CLOSING CREDITS

Transcribed for Stargate Solutions by Wallace 18/12/04

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--Helen 10:24, 30 Dec 2004 (PST)