Serpent's Song/Transcript

Episode Guide

 * 2.17 "Serpent's Song" Episode Guide

Transcript
TEASER

EXT&mdash;SPACE ABOVE AN UNKNOWN PLANET

[A death glider is trying to evade being fired upon by a Goa'uld mother ship. It is trying to get to escape to a planet below.]

EXT&mdash;SURFACE OF ALIEN PLANET&mdash;STARGATE

[SG-1 in desert cammos are seated on the steps of the Stargate, seemingly lounging around. Teal'c is walking around.]

DANIEL Shouldn't they be here by now?

O'NEILL Yes.

TEAL'C I do not believe the Tok'ra would mislead us.

DANIEL Well, assuming it *was* the Tok'ra who sent us the message to meet them here in the first place. I mean, all we really received was a&hellip;a set of co-ordinates.

CARTER But on our radio frequencies, who else would send us a signal like that?

O'NEILL You know&hellip; (Turning to Carter) I'm not really too crazy about this 'don't call us we'll call you' policy.

[Cut to Teal'c who is walking by the DHD, seemingly sensing something. An explosion is heard and he turns in the direction of the sound. He waits then slowly turns back around and looks up.]

TEAL'C (pointing at the sky) There!

[The others look up. Quickly rising to their feet, they walk down the steps and watch as a death glider comes in under heavy fire. Seeing this, O'Neill acts.]

O'NEILL Drop!!

[They all drop to the ground for cover as the death glider swoops past Teal'c's head, then over the rest of the team and crashes on the other side of a hill not far from the Stargate. SG-1 get to their feet and run to the crash site.]

EXT&mdash;ALIEN PLANET&mdash;GLIDER CRASH SITE

[Smoke and dust rises from the site of the glider's crash. The team make their way over to it. The team approach cautiously, O'Neill's weapon is poised, but the glider's cockpit appears empty. They inspect the area for a moment, then seeing someone on his belly crawling away from the wreck, O'Neill and Teal'c run over there, weapons raised. The unknown person turns over and we see it is none other than Apophis. His eyes glow. He is weakened by injuries.]

O'NEILL (Still aiming his weapon) Holy buckets.

APOPHIS Help me!

[O'Neill continues to point his weapon, warily.]

END TEASER

OPENING CREDITS

EXT&mdash;ALIEN PLANET&mdash;GLIDER CRASH SITE

[Apophis lies on the ground still, breathing heavily. Carter and Daniel run over and join O'Neill and Teal'c who tower above Apophis.]

O'NEILL (Dryly) Weeellll&hellip;

DANIEL Whoa. Whoa. Is that who I think it is?

APOPHIS (pleading) Tau'ri, please.

[Teal'c quickly raises his zat and aims it at Apophis, ready to fire.]

CARTER Teal'c! Apophis is much more valuable to us alive than dead.

[Teal'c considers her words and puts the Zat away. The engine of a spaceship can be heard, and Apophis points up at the sky. Carter looks to where he is pointing.]

CARTER (Raising her weapon) Sir. We've got incoming.

[O'Neill turns his head, his gun still trained on Apophis. He sees a squadron of death gliders headed their way.]

O'NEILL Oy&hellip; (Turning back to Apophis) All right, dial us up. Get us out of here!

EXT&mdash;ALIEN PLANET&mdash;STARGATE

[Gliders swoop in as Carter and O'Neill fire upon them. Daniel is dialing the Gate while Teal'c carries Apophis across his shoulders toward the Gate.]

CARTER What are they doing?

TEAL'C They wish to take Apophis alive.

[O'Neill continues firing as they run for the now activated Stargate. All run for the Gate. The others go through, but O'Neill stops at the event horizon, turns and comes face to face with a glider. He fires on it as he backs into the event horizon.]

EXT&mdash;WORMHOLE TRAVEL

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;EMBARKATION ROOM

[O'Neill backs through the event horizon still firing his weapon, and falls back on the ramp as a blast from the death glider makes it through just before the iris closes. As O'Neill rises to his feet, Teal'c walks past General Hammond with Apophis. Hammond approaches O'Neill.]

HAMMOND (He casts a glance back at Apophis) Colonel?

O'NEILL (Approaching the general) General Hammond. Apophis.

[Apophis has been placed on a gurney, a bit of a bloody mess. Dr. Fraiser and a nurse are tending to him as a half dozen SFs look on.]

O'NEILL Apophis. (smiling smugly) General Hammond.

[Apophis and Hammond look at each other.]

HAMMOND (Scornfully looking at the Goa'uld) We've met.

APOPHIS I demand Kal Mah!

[O'Neill looks at Daniel for a translation.]

DANIEL I'm not really sure, but I think what he's asking for is&hellip;

TEAL'C Sanctuary.

DANIEL Right.

HAMMOND Why?

O'NEILL I think some rival Goa'uld just kicked his ass.

CARTER There were several other death gliders in pursuit when we took him prisoner, sir.

APOPHIS (Loudly) I demand Kal Mah!

HAMMOND You're not in a position to demand anything, sir. Lock him up.

[Several SFs move forward to take him.]

FRAISER Sir, with all due respect, he is badly injured. He is not going to be any good to you at all unless we get him to the O.R. right now.

HAMMOND Do what you need to keep him alive, Doctor. We've got a lot of questions that need answers.

FRAISER Yes, sir. OK, let's move him. I'm going to start him on two IV's and run Ringer's Lactate wide open. Let's go.

[The medical team run out with Apophis. The General turns to a Special Forces soldier.]

HAMMOND I want four SFs posted at all times. If he attempts to escape, you're authorized to do whatever is necessary to stop him.

[The SF nods and signals to the others then leaves the Gate room, his team following him.]

HAMMOND (To SG-1.) We'll debrief at 1100hrs.

[Hammond leaves with a sour look.]

O'NEILL (Looking at his watch) Yes, sir.

[O'Neill appears pleased at their capture of Apophis.]

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;INFIRMARY

[Apophis is surrounded by various monitors and equipment. He is in full five-point restraints as a nurse checks his vitals. Fraiser, Hammond, and SG-1 are watching from the observation area of the infirmary.]

FRAISER Both femurs were smashed, and there was internal bleeding. Surgery and transfusions have stabilized him for now.

TEAL'C The Goa'uld symbiote within him will repair those injuries.

FRAISER Well, I think it's kept him alive so far, Teal'c, but take a look at his monitors.

[She inputs a command and we see a close-up on the monitor of a scan of Apophis' head, neck and upper chest. A reddish blotch indicating the symbiote implanted in his brain can be seen, while the body of the Goa'uld is entwined around the cervical spine.]

FRAISER See, what you're looking at is the actual symbiote attached to the host's brainstem. Now, do you see all these lesions? I mean, there's dozens of them. I can treat the human part, but as for the symbiote itself&hellip;

CARTER There is no treatment.

[Daniel and O'Neill look at Carter.]

CARTER He's been tortured.

[Carter closes her eyes, and we see a very brief flashback to when Carter had been taken over by Jolinar and was attacked by the Ashrak with his weapon. Carter flinches at the memory.]

O'NEILL (Concerned) Sam?

CARTER I-I just had a memory of Jolinar. Pain, when she was killed by the Ashrak. The Ashrak had this device. He used it on us. It was meant to cause incredible pain. Apophis was tortured by the same thing.

[Carter looks back at Apophis.]

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;BRIEFING ROOM]

[A close-up of Apophis' scan is on a monitor in the Briefing Room. Hammond, O'Neill and Fraiser are standing at the window overlooking the Stargate. Daniel, Carter and Teal'c are seated at the table. Hammond turns away from the monitor and looks at Fraiser.]

HAMMOND So he's dying.

FRAISER Yes, sir.

HAMMOND You're sure about that?

FRAISER As sure as I can be, sir. Considering what we know of Goa'uld physiology.

[Hammond nods and moves to sit at the briefing table. O'Neill is playing with a pen.]

O'NEILL Good! (He looks at Fraiser) When?

[Fraiser and O'Neill move to the table. Fraiser takes a seat along with Hammond and the rest of SG-1, minus O'Neill who remains standing.]

FRAISER Without access to a sarcophagus, the Goa'uld body will continue to deteriorate, so we're looking at days, weeks, certainly.

CARTER This kind of torture wasn't designed to extract information, it's a method of execution.

O'NEILL So, what does he really want?

DANIEL You heard him yourself. He wants sanctuary.

O'NEILL I'm not buyin' that.

DANIEL He gambled we would show compassion even to our worst enemy. He was right.

[Daniel looks at O'Neill, whose eyebrows go up.]

O'NEILL You think he orchestrated this?

[Daniel waits for O'Neill to make his point.]

O'NEILL Let me tell ya something. (O'Neill sits down) The only compassion I showed was by not blowin' his head off.

[Daniel looks at O'Neill, unconvinced.]

TEAL'C I have witnessed once powerful Goa'uld enter the service of their conquerors in exchange for life. When Apophis himself was a conqueror, it gave him great pleasure to see his enemies so weakened.

CARTER Yeah, but we're along way from being his conquerors.

TEAL'C (Smiling proudly) But we are greatly responsible for his downfall.

[Carter nods.]

HAMMOND He lost an Army when you destroyed those two ships in orbit.

CARTER Bra'tac did say that that seriously weakened his place amongst the Goa'uld System Lords.

DANIEL So his blood is in the water and all the other sharks are having a feeding frenzy.

TEAL'C (Still smiling) And he has come here seeking refuge.

O'NEILL Well, that's tough. I say we beat whatever information we can out of old snake boy, open that Gate, and toss him back to the sharks.

HAMMOND Not so fast, Colonel. He's essentially a prisoner of war. That gives him certain rights.

O'NEILL Rights, General?

CARTER We also have to consider the host. (To O'Neill.) I'm sorry, sir, but we are dealing with two beings within one body.

[O'Neill rolls his eyes dramatically.]

CARTER The symbiote may be an enemy, but the host is innocent.

O'NEILL (Annoyed) Oh, come on! How much of the host do you think is still around after all this time?

TEAL'C Apophis will have that knowledge.

HAMMOND We also need to consider military intelligence. I have informed my superiors of our situation. My orders are to extract whatever information we can in the short time we may have.

TEAL'C He will tell you nothing of use, General Hammond.

HAMMOND If he believes it's in his own interest, he might.

DANIEL We are the only thing that stands between him and whatever Goa'uld is after him on that planet.

HAMMOND We need answers. (To Fraiser.) Let me know when he's conscious.

FRAISER I'll inform you the moment he's ready for questioning, Sir.

HAMMOND Dismissed.

[O'Neill does not appear happy. As everyone leaves, O'Neill stands, lifts up his stack of papers and slams them back down on the table. Carter sees this.]

CARTER Sir?

[O'Neill picks up his stuff and heads to the exit.]

O'NEILL (snarling as he brushes past her) I should've shot him.

[Carter starts to protest, but stops.]

EXT&mdash;CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ENTRANCE&mdash;NIGHT

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;INFIRMARY

[Pan up from a close-up of Apophis' MRI scan to O'Neill, who is seated in the observation room, glaring at Apophis. Apophis lies on the bed, then suddenly wakes and looks around the room. O'Neill sees him and moves to the microphone.]

O'NEILL (Over the intercom) Dr. Frasier, he's awake.

[Fraiser, who was working at a table near the observation room, turns and goes over to her patient. Apophis is still in five-point restraints, and each of his legs are in stabilization braces. She leans in to hear Apophis whisper something.]

O'NEILL Not so close, Doc.

FRAISER (Looking up) He's not strong enough to do anything to hurt me, Colonel. (O'Neill shrugs) He wants to talk to you.

[He looks at her, then rises from the chair and heads down in to the room. Apophis watches as O'Neill enters the room.]

FRAISER He asked to speak to you by name.

APOPHIS O'Neill, I am dying.

O'NEILL My heart bleeds for you.

[O'Neill puts his hands in his pockets.]

APOPHIS You lie poorly. It is you who have done this. You rejoice.

O'NEILL Not really. What do you want?

APOPHIS To live.

O'NEILL Can't help you there. That's between you and your God.

[Then, as if he's had a great revelation.]

O'NEILL Oh wait a minute. You are your God. (Sarcastically) That's a problem.

APOPHIS I am worth far more to you than you will admit.

O'NEILL You tell me. What are you worth?

APOPHIS Your people, they are still primitive. You will be destroyed.

O'NEILL You don't look like you're up to it.

APOPHIS Not me. There is another.

O'NEILL Yeah. Who?

APOPHIS There is much you would learn from me, Tau'ri. (He wheezes) But for that knowledge, there is a price&hellip;a new host.

O'NEILL (Incredulously) A host?

APOPHIS So that I may live, in exchange for all the knowledge of the Goa'uld. The secrets of star travel, weapons, our power.

O'NEILL (Mocking) All that?

APOPHIS In time, more.

[O'Neill leans in close, then after a moment, he smiles.]

O'NEILL Go to hell.

APOPHIS A single human life is worth so much you would risk a world.

O'NEILL That's right. That's why they call us the good guys.

[Apophis looks away, disturbed. O'Neill continues to stare intently at him while speaking to Fraiser.]

O'NEILL Doc, let me know when he dies.

[O'Neill heads for the door.]

APOPHIS Sokar.

[O'Neill stops at the door.]

O'NEILL What?

APOPHIS An ancient and powerful Goa'uld. You have helped him to become strong. The last of my loyal Jaffa died stealing me from his grasp. He will not rest until I am found. That is why I chose to come here. So that in death, I can be assured that you can die with me.

[O'Neill leaves the room, leaving Fraiser to tend to her patient.]

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;DANIEL JACKSON'S OFFICE

[Daniel is at his computer, while O'Neill, Carter and Teal'c are casually standing around his office.]

TEAL'C Sokar is a Goa'uld of ancient times. He once was ruler of the system lords, but was defeated by an alliance of Goa'uld many centuries ago. Apophis and Ra were among his conquerors.

CARTER Where did he go?

TEAL'C Apophis himself believed him destroyed, but, obviously, he was mistaken.

O'NEILL Well, if he was almost wiped out, how bad could he be now.

[Teal'c looks at O'Neill, who holds up a placating hand.]

O'NEILL It's rhetorical, Teal'c.

[A new image on Daniel's computer displays.]

DANIEL His name's also very old in Earth mythology. He was the most feared deity in ancient Egypt, the original God of Death.

O'NEILL Got anything a little more up-to-date.

DANIEL Well, I don't know what he's been up to lately, but according to the book of the dead, there was a time he ruled all of Earth. His lands around Memphis were covered by darkness and inhabited by&hellip;

[Daniel punches a key on the keyboard and a new image pops up.]

DANIEL &hellip;serpents.

[Teal'c looks at the image, then back to O'Neill.]

TEAL'C Unas. The first hosts of the Goa'uld.

DANIEL Well, that makes sense. I mean, if the Unas were the first ones, then there had to be a time when both forms of Goa'uld hosts co-existed. Kind of like Neanderthal&hellip;

O'NEILL Which is he?

DANIEL I don't know, but his portion of Tuat, or the otherworld, was filled with lakes of fire, where the wicked were thrown into as punishment after torture and mutilation.

O'NEILL (Realization) Hell.

[He looks to Daniel for confirmation.]

DANIEL Yeah. Basically, he was the original Satan.

O'NEILL Well, isn't that special?

[Klaxons being to sound.]

P.A. SYSTEM Incoming Traveler.

O'NEILL Speak of the devil.

[They all get up and leave.]

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;CONTROL ROOM

[A monitor displays "Incoming Traveler" as the Gate spins. Hammond rushes down the steps into the Control Room and races to the main console.]

HAMMOND Lieutenant Simmons!

SIMMONS There are no units currently offworld, Sir.

HAMMOND Close the iris.

SIMMONS Yes, Sir.

[The iris closes.]

INT&mdash;SGC CORRIDOR

[Armed personnel race to the Gate room.]

SOLDIER #1 Go! Go, men!

SOLDIER #2 Go! Go! Go!

[The soldiers run through the corridors.]

SOLDIER #1 1, 2, 3! Move it!

SOLDIER #2 Let's go!

[All rush into the Embarkation Room and get into position.]

SOLDIER #3 On your left! On your left!

[The soldiers take their positions and prepare their weapons for firing. Hammond and Simmons look on from the window. The chevrons lock in just as O'Neill enters the Control Room and moves to stand by Hammond. Daniel, Teal'c and Carter follow. A thud is heard, then a moment later, the wormhole shuts down.]

HAMMOND (Looking at Carter) Is there anyway to determine what that was?

CARTER Yes, sir. We can get a radiation team in there to check the decay signature on the iris.

SIMMONS (To Carter.) I'm on it, Captain. (Then speaking into his headset) Radiation team to Gate room.

O'NEILL (To Hammond.) In the meantime, sir, I'd like to get back to the interrogation, if I might.

HAMMOND Okay.

DANIEL Sir, I'm kind of the resident expert on Sokar around here. I'd kind of like a shot at the interrogation.

[Hammond regards him for a moment, then looks to O'Neill.]

O'NEILL (Pauses) Yeah, go ahead.

[Daniel leaves, and Hammond and O'Neill exchange glances.]

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;INFIRMARY

[A nurse is attending to Apophis as Daniel enters. She walks away to look at a monitor near the door where Daniel is standing and waiting.]

DANIEL (To the nurse.) Is he conscious?

[Apophis opens his eyes.]

APOPHIS Come, Daniel.

[Cautiously, Daniel walks over to his bedside.]

DANIEL You know my name?

APOPHIS Because of what we hold in common. Amaunet, my queen.

[Daniel looks away for a moment, then back at Apophis.]

DANIEL (Quietly) Her name is Sha're. She is my wife.

APOPHIS They are one and the same.

DANIEL Amaunet possesses her. Sha're is a prisoner. But she is somewhere. I want you to tell me where.

APOPHIS Amaunet. (Smugly) I loved her. (He looks at Daniel) You do not believe me.

DANIEL No. No, I&hellip;I don't think that's possible.

APOPHIS How could you? Our minds, our knowledge, our very being is so much greater, so much more.

[Daniel is seething, but remains calm.]

DANIEL (Quietly) I know where your child is.

[Apophis regards Daniel, disturbed by this revelation.]

APOPHIS My son?

DANIEL Yes. I brought him into the world with my own hands on Abydos.

APOPHIS He was taken by Heru'ur.

DANIEL No. (Pointedly) By me.

[Apophis glares at Daniel.]

APOPHIS I have no use for the child now. Amaunet&hellip; (starting to bait Daniel again with a sneer) I knew from the moment I laid eyes on her, she was a vessel for a queen.

DANIEL (Leaning in, in a deadly whisper) If you don't tell me where she is, I'll kill you right here.

APOPHIS You have neither the strength nor the will.

[Carter pops in.]

CARTER Daniel.

[Daniel looks at her, then Apophis takes in a deep breath, arching his back then crying out in pain. Daniel regards Apophis coldly as the Goa'uld writhes in pain, then Daniel slowly turns away and moves into the corridor with Carter. He leans up against the wall, clearly trying to calm himself.]

CARTER We&hellip;we think that thud we heard hitting the iris was a Sagan box. Its radioactive signature matches the one we gave the Tok'ra. They're coming here.

[She leaves. Then after glancing back into Apophis' room, Daniel follows.]

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;CONTROL ROOM

[The Stargate begins to e ngage.Hammond, O'Neill, and Teal'c are joined by Carter, then Daniel.]

SIMMONS Incoming traveler.

O'NEILL Decision time, sir.

HAMMOND Captain Carter, are you 100% certain&hellip;

[Simmons leaves his seat, and Carter takes it.]

CARTER That the signature matches the Tok'ra? Yes, sir. That it came from them? There's no way to be sure.

HAMMOND What if one or more of the Tok'ra have been captured by Sokar and tortured?

CARTER I don't think that they would give us up.

O'NEILL I'm with Carter, General. I say we keep the door open.

HAMMOND Very well.

INT&mdash;SGC GATE ROOM

[The wormhole establishes, and SFs lock and load. Momentarily, three Tok'ra step through the event horizon. Martouf is among them. He heads down the ramp and smiles as he sees Carter enter the Embarkation Room.]

MARTOUF Samantha.

CARTER (She smiles warmly back) Martouf.

HAMMOND (Over intercom) Defense team you may stand down.

[SFs put away their weapons. O'Neill is also a part of the welcoming committee at the bottom of the ramp.]

MARTOUF I offer you greetings from the High Council of the Tok'ra.

[He bows slightly.]

CARTER Why didn't my father come?

MARTOUF He's dealing with more urgent matters. We come only to offer you a word of warning.

O'NEILL Which is?

MARTOUF We know you have Apophis as your prisoner. You must return him to the planet you retrieved him from immediately.

[Carter looks to O'Neill who regards Martouf curiously.]

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;INFIRMARY OBSERVATION AREA.

[Teal'c walks into the observation room and looks on as a nurse checks Apophis' pupils.]

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;BRIEFING ROOM

[Martouf sits between his two Tok'ra companions and address Hammond and SG-1 excluding Teal'c) .]

MARTOUF Since Jacob has joined the Tok'ra, I have come to a&hellip;deeper understanding of your people, your purpose, and your extraordinary gifts.

HAMMOND (Fraiser stands beside him) Thank you.

MARTOUF You've shown great skill and cunning in retrieving Apophis from the hands of Sokar. However&hellip;

O'NEILL You know, as much as I love where you're going with this, we&hellip;didn't exactly do that.

MARTOUF Our operatives aboard Sokar's vessel witnessed you leave the crash site and enter the Stargate.

CARTER We received a signal, a set of coordinates. We had thought it came from you.

MARTOUF We sent no such signal.

O'NEILL We know that now.

MARTOUF Then who?

O'NEILL We're going to assume it was Apophis.

[Ducking his head, Martouf becomes Lantesh.]

LANTESH (Harshly) Why would he take refuge among the Tau'ri? He despises you. More than that, you have nothing of use to him.

O'NEILL He's going down, and he wants to take us with him.

[Lantesh casts a side glance at one of his companions, then sighs.]

LANTESH He has taken advantage of your weakness.

CARTER (Defensive) We don't consider what we did a sign of weakness.

LANTESH Then you are fools. Turn him over to Sokar now, and he may spare you.

HAMMOND I'm afraid we can't do that just yet.

LANTESH If he remains here, you will all die. If not by the hand of Sokar, then by the many Goa'uld who would wish to destroy Apophis themselves. You do not see what you have done. You've entered a battle in which you are ill-equipped to fight&mdash;tipped the balance of power among the Goa'uld, and in so doing, worsened the fortune of your entire race.

HAMMOND We must know what would happen to him if we turned him over.

LANTESH I'm certain he would be executed&hellip;eventually.

HAMMOND I see.

LANTESH Surely, you welcome this. His guilt is clear. He cannot be allowed to escape punishment.

FRAISER He won't. He's dying.

LANTESH You are certain of this.

FRAISER Yes. His body has begun to age at an increasing rate.

LANTESH Without a sarcophagus to rejuvenate him. Of course.

HAMMOND In the short time he has remaining, we may yet learn information that could help us to defend ourselves.

LANTESH The knowledge and technology are too primitive for such information to be of any use. (Forcefully) Why don't you comprehend the danger you are in? We cannot defend you from the Goa'uld. You cannot expect us, too.

O'NEILL (Glares at him, but calmly) We don't.

[Lantesh regards O'Neill.]

LANTESH Overconfidence was their failing, O'Neill. I hope it has not also become yours.

[O'Neill purses his lips, but looks defiant. Lantesh relinquishes control to Martouf.]

MARTOUF (Chuckling lightly and placatingly) Forgive Lantesh. He is sometimes passionate in his opinions. (sighs) We cannot and would not force you to do anything, but since we have not convinced you of the danger you face, may we see him?

[Hammond looks at O'Neill, who then looks at Martouf.]

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;INFIRMARY

[Dr. Fraiser is injecting something into an IV. SG-1 (minus Teal'c), and the Tok'ra enter the room.]

MARTOUF What is that you are injecting into his body?

FRAISER Morphine sulphate.

CARTER To ease the pain.

MARTOUF Yes, you said he had been tortured.

FRAISER (Snapping off her gloves) He's also experiencing withdrawal symptoms from the sarcophagus.

MARTOUF But he is your enemy.

FRAISER (Pointedly) He is my patient.

APOPHIS (Dazedly) Amaunet.

MARTOUF Apophis, hear me.

APOPHIS Amaunet!

MARTOUF I would speak with you.

APOPHIS Amaunet!!! My love!

[Daniel looks upset, O'Neill throws him a supportive glance.]

APOPHIS Where are you? ARRRRRRGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!

[Suddenly, Apophis opens his eyes. He gazes around him and looks fearful. The Goa'uld voice is gone.]

APOPHIS/HOST See-mu-we! See-mu-we!

[Fraiser looks up at the team. O'Neill tilts his head uncomprehending.]

DANIEL That's ancient Egyptian. This must be the host.

HOST She-rawh-tai! She-rawh-tai!

O'NEILL (To Daniel) Well, talk to him.

DANIEL (Waving his hand helplessly) I don't know what to say.

[Apophis/Host looks around again in pain, then passes out.]

DANIEL (Observing compassionately) Thousands of years trapped inside your own body. It's&hellip;it's like a nightmare. It's unimaginable.

FRAISER He won't be conscious again for a while.

MARTOUF (To Carter.) Then we will take our leave of you. I will tell you the coordinates to send us.

CARTER Well, we can question him together. We can share whatever information we can get.

P.A. SYSTEM Incoming Traveler.

[Klaxons begin t osound.]

O'NEILL (To Martouf.) Expecting someone?

[O'Neill heads out the door, followed closely by Carter.]

MARTOUF No.

[Martouf and his companions follow.]

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;EMBARKATION ROOM

[Soldiers get into position, weapons aimed and ready as the Gate is spinning into activity. The iris is closed.]

SIMMONS (Over intercom) Defense teams, stand by.

[SG-1 and Martouf join Hammond beside Simmons at the console.]

HAMMOND Keep that iris closed.

SIMMONS Yes, sir.

[Many thuds are heard hitting the iris.]

MARTOUF Sokar has found you.

O'NEILL How?

MARTOUF His pilots saw your kind flee with Apophis through the Chappa'ai. Symbols for the Tau'ri are well known among the Goa'uld.

[More thuds against the iris.]

O'NEILL That iris will hold.

[O'Neill moves to sit down in the chair Simmons has vacated again.]

CARTER (To Martouf.) It's a Trinium Titanium alloy just a few microns from the event horizon. It won't allow matter to reintegrate.

TEAL'C (Observing the Gate closely) Something is appearing.

[The iris appears to be distorting. It is turning red, appearing to be getting hotspots.]

CARTER How is this possible?

[She sits down at the controls, and begins typ ingintothecomputer.]

MARTOUF The space between your metal barrier and the wormhole may be enough for particles of extremely high energy to reintegrate.

CARTER Subatomic particles?

MARTOUF Yes.

CARTER Are you saying he's firing a particle accelerator at the wormhole?

HAMMOND Captain?

CARTER Sir, we may be witnessing the decay of subatomic particles as there being bombarded against the iris. Small enough to reintegrate but moving at nearly light velocity. If Sokar can modulate the particle stream enough to create an actual image&hellip;

SOKAR (His voice through the wormhole) People of the Tau'ri.

[They look at the wormhole, uneasy. The reddish image seems to be a face, and it's talking.]

SOKAR You have taken what is mine. For this, you will be destroyed.

[Everyone looks on, incredulous, as the wormhole deactivates.]

SIMMONS The iris is beginning to heat up, sir.

HAMMOND How long can they maintain this?

CARTER The longest single Goa'uld attack against the iris was 38 minutes. We think that's the maximum a wormhole can be maintained before it collapses.

DANIEL They're just going to dial us up and do all of this all over again.

HAMMOND This changes things. I better get on the phone with the President.

[Hammond rushes off to his office.]

CARTER (To Martouf.) Can you help us?

MARTOUF I know of no way.

O'NEILL All right. In the meantime, Carter, why don't you see what you can get out of Apophis. His neck's on the line here now, too. CARTER Yes, sir.

TEAL'C I will accompany you.

[Teal'c and Carter leave, as O'Neill continues to watch the Gate.]

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;INFIRMARY

[Close-up of monitor with MRI view of Apophis. Pan down to Apophis who is growing older and weaker. Carter and Teal'c are at the foot of his bed.]

APOPHIS (Lifting up his head defiantly) I will not speak to the Shol'va.

[Carter looks at Teal'c then back.] CARTER Just answer this: Sokar is firing some sort of particle beam at the barrier we've placed within our Stargate. How do we defend against it?

APOPHIS There is no defense.

TEAL'C He lies.

APOPHIS Shol'va, kree!

CARTER How can you be so sure?

APOPHIS Because he used the weapon against me.

[Apophis grunts and writhes.]

APOPHIS The pain returns.

CARTER (To Teal'c.) We're not going to get anything out of him in this state. I'll get Dr. Frasier.

[Teal'c nods, and Carter leaves. Teal'c then smiles and moves closer to Apophis who eyes his movement warily.]

TEAL'C I have waited many years for this moment.

APOPHIS Do you think you have won, Teal'c? You are about to die.

TEAL'C Perhaps that is so. But my people have won freedom.

APOPHIS The Jaffa will never be free.

TEAL'C They are free even now&hellip;as am I. Hear me, Apophis. This day will become a holy day on Chulak. The day of your death.

APOPHIS The larval Goa'uld you carry with in you is your master even now. All of you. When the time comes for those children to take a host, you will die.

TEAL'C Then we will find other symbiotes to survive upon. Then discard them when they mature. We will use your kind as you have used mine.

APOPHIS No!

TEAL'C The people of Chulak no longer worship you. They no longer fear you.

[Apophis hears his words and is in distress.]

TEAL'C The time of Apophis has finally come to an end.

[Teal'c smiles.]

APOPHIS Then kill me now.

TEAL'C Tell us how to defend ourselves against this weapon.

APOPHIS (He regards Teal'c with a sneer) I will die with a smile on my lips. Knowing you will die along with me, shol'va.

[Fraiser walks in, a syringe in her hand, with Carter following her.]

TEAL'C Come no further. Let him suffer.

[Fraiser looks at Teal'c, alarmed, as does Carter.]

TEAL'C And when he can stand the pain no more, he will tell us how to defend ourselves against Sokar's weapon.

[Apophis squirms and grunts in pain.]

FRAISER (Calmly) Teal'c, please move.

[Teal'c glowers at her.]

APOPHIS There was a time when you would die for me, Teal'c.

TEAL'C (Leaning in close and sneering) That time is no more.

[Apophis struggles against his restraints and Teal'c walks away.]

APOPHIS (painfully) AAAAARRRGGGHHHHHH!

FRAISER Easy.

[She injects the contents of the syringe into his IV.]

FRAISER Easy.

[Apophis settles down a bit.]

CARTER All right. These shields of yours, they obviously absorb different forms of energy maybe we could&hellip;

[Apophis raises his head towards Carter. A chain holds him back. He looks her over.]

APOPHIS I sense a presence within you.

CARTER (Nervously) Could your shields help us or not?

[Apophis slowly lies back down.]

APOPHIS You were once possessed by a Goa'uld. I'm sure you would make an excellent host for Sokar's new queen.

[Carter assumes appropriate pissed look.]

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;EMBARKATION ROOM

[A tank of liquid nitrogen is being adjusted as Hammond storms into the room.]

HAMMOND Airman!

[He points severely at the Gate, then joins Sgt Siler on the ramp, who is wearing a heat resistant outfit and dousing the iris with the liquid nitrogen.]

HAMMOND Pour it on, Sergeant! It's getting damn hot in here!

SILER Better than nothing, sir. Not by much.

[The liquid nitrogen turns instantly to steam at it hits the iris. Hammond wipes the sweat from his brow and leaves.]

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;CONTROL ROOM

[O'Neill and Daniel are there. The window looking out upon the Gate room is covered in steam.]

O'NEILL General, Daniel just came up with an idea that might buy us some time.

DANIEL Sir, if we can dial out, we can prevent them from dialing in for as long as we can keep the Gate open.

HAMMOND Good thinking, Doctor. If we can keep our Gate open for the same link of time&hellip;

SIMMONS Coming up to 38 minutes, sir.

O'NEILL Stand by.

O'NEILL Yes, sir.

[The Gate shuts down, the iris glows red from the heat.]

O'NEILL GO ahead, dial it up.

[The monitor shows the first chevron engaged.]

SIMMONS Chevron one encoded.

[The Stargate spins and the monitor displays another chevron engaged.]

SIMMONS Chevron two encoded.

DANIEL The only thing I'm worried about is that&hellip;

[The monitor displays "Caution: Incoming Traveler." The Gate activates.]

SIMMONS Incoming wormhole established.

DANIEL Sokar can dial in faster than we can dial out.

O'NEILL Damn it.

SIMMONS (To O'Neill) Sorry, sir. Next window is 38 minutes away.

DANIEL That may be our last chance to dial out.

[Siler and the other men prepare the nitrogen tanks again.]

O'NEILL (To Hammond) It's going to get hot, Sir.

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;BRIEFING ROOM

[O'Neill and Hammond are standing at the window overlooking the Stargate. The rest of SG-1 and Martouf and the Tok'ra are present. Hammond turns from the steamy window.]

HAMMOND The temperature in the Gate room now reads 130 degrees Fahrenheit, which means the iris must be six or eight times that.

MARTOUF Even if he fails to breech the Gate, he will come by ship.

CARTER Martouf is right. What we really need to be concerned with here is another assault from space. That's exactly what we're inviting by refusing to hand Apophis over.

DANIEL Well, we couldn't right now, even if we wanted to.

O'NEILL Not with Beelzebub banging at the door, no.

HAMMOND I've informed the President of our new situation. Our new orders are to cease all medical intervention.

FRAISER That will effectively end his life, General.

HAMMOND I'm aware of that, Doctor. The President and Joint Chiefs have decided that the risks are too great not to heed the Tok'ra's warning. Our orders are to send Apophis' body back through the Gate to the coordinates where you found him.

TEAL'C Will that be sufficient to make Sokar cease his attack, Martouf?

MARTOUF Sokar is at war with Her'ur. He wants no part of the Tau'ri for the moment, but you may have come to your senses too late. He will soon burn through your iris.

CARTER Well, I've been working on a way to dial out faster. If we can open our Gate in the next window, we should be able to send Apophis through.

O'NEILL When is that?

CARTER (looking at her watch) 17 minutes.

HAMMOND Colonel, make arrangements to send Apophis back through the Stargate.

[Hammond leaves the room, and everyone shifts uncomfortably.]

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;INFIRMARY

[O'Neill walks into the room where Apophis is. Apophis looks even older than before. O'Neill goes to his bedside, a certain amount of glee on his face.]

O'NEILL Apophis.

[The Goa'uld opens his eyes and looks at O'Neill.]

O'NEILL We're sending you back.

APOPHIS/HOST (Grunting in pain, then weakly) See-mu-we. See-mu-we.

[O'Neill looks at the host, then turns to the SF standing there.]

O'NEILL Get Dr. Jackson down here.

[The SF nods and leaves.]

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;CONTROL ROOM

[The computer monitor displays the temperature hovering around 171-173 degrees Farenheit.]

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;GATE ROOM

[Siler continues to hose down the Gate, steam rising all around him. The heat seems to be getting to him. Hammond observes from the control room.]

HAMMOND I can't keep those men in there much longer.

CARTER They've got to stay until the next window, sir.

[They continue to observe the activities on the red hot iris through steamy windows.]

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;INFIRMARY

[Close-up of the vital signs monitor on Apophis. His host is speaking.]

HOST Rech yah gereh. Per nejes ha gereh.

[Daniel is leaning in close to Apophis' host, listening intently.]

HOST She ma tai. She ma tai.

[The host cries in despair.]

DANIEL He says he's been in an unending dream. He hoped to awaken from it to see his wife and his children.

HOST Sesh achet per taa ra sejem ched.

DANIEL He was a scribe in the temple of Amon at Karnak, but that was another lifetime ago, before the&hellip;before the nightmare.

HOST Depet reshwet herew&hellip;herew.

DANIEL &hellip;and now he awakens only to die again.

[Daniel looks at O'Neill, who is looking on, concerned. Then Daniel speaks to the host.]

DANIEL Ar ko-me di-ya tuw qu-ris Yam-yakh-cle. Ip-yak, shur-see-buy, sof-khow, miy-yak, hee-ma-ta she-rahw-tak.

[The host is listening.]

DANIEL Hiy-yak, han-vy-sun heyh-hu. Heyh-hu.

[The host nods weakly. Then to O'Neill and Fraiser.]

DANIEL I said I will speak the words of power and do the rites. He will be returned to Egypt and buried with honour. He will pass through the seven gates and see your wife and children again and rejoice with them forever. I'll be back.

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;CONTROL ROOM

[The computer shows the temperature has risen to over 200 degrees in the Gate room. The iris glows a bright red. Hammond, Carter, Teal'c and Simmons gaze out on the iris.]

SIMMONS Sir we're going to lose the computers. The heat.

HAMMOND Captain?

CARTER We need them, sir. One more minute until the window.

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;INFIRMARY

[Apophis and his host lay dying. His eyes glow briefly from the old and wrinkled host.]

APOPHIS (weakly) Help me.

O'NEILL No.

APOPHIS A host.

O'NEILL No.

APOPHIS (His eyes glow again) I am&hellip;afraid.

[O'Neill says nothing and watches as Apophis' eyes fade out. Then suddenly, Apophis gasps violently.]

FRAISER Colonel.

[She gently pushes him aside, and puts her hand to Apophis' cheek. He gasps over and over, then the heart monitor tones, indicating a flatline.]

FRAISER The Goa'uld is dead, but the host&hellip; (stunned) He's still alive.

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;CONTROL ROOM

[The Gate shuts down.]

CARTER That's it. Initiate the dialing program.

[The Stargate turns into activity and a chevron locks in place on the computer.]

SIMMONS The program is running.

[They look on as the second chevron locks in place.]

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;INFIRMARY

[Daniel holds a small figurine in his hand and puts it on the tray table.]

DANIEL Yet-yau tau-ti ky-puum ni fadet oo-ra-eyu. In yaf ki-yaak a ku-mayi. (To O'Neill and Fraiser.) I told him this funerary statue will take his last breath and carry his soul back to Egypt.

[O'Neill observes solemnly.]

INT&mdash;SCG&mdash;CONTROL ROOM

[The fifth chevron locks in place.]

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;INFIRMARY

[Daniel remains by Apophis' host while O'Neill shifts around on his feet, uncomfortably. Close-up on the host's mouth as he takes his last breath, then pans to a close-up of the funerary statue that is to carry his soul to Egypt.]

INT&mdash;SCG&mdash;CONTROL ROOM

[The sixth chevron locks in place. The Stargate spins once more, and the seventh chevron lights up.]

CARTER Chevron seven locked.

[The Gate activates.]

SIMMONS Wormhole established.

HAMMOND Open the Iris.

[The iris opens, and Hammond turns to Teal'c, who then leaves.]

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;INFIRMARY

[Apophis' cloak is placed over his head. Teal'c hurriedly enters the room.]

TEAL'C Captain Carter has succeeded in creating an outgoing wormhole. Sokar cannot attack during this time.

O'NEILL That's good.

[Teal'c slowly moves into the room and approaches the bed where Apophis' body lays. He moves next to O'Neill, then carefully pulls back the cover to see. O'Neill stands silently next to Teal'c as the former First Prime of Apophis processes the fact that Apophis is truly dead.]

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;GATE ROOM

[The wormhole remains activated and SG-1, the Tok'ra, Hammond and Fraiser watch as Teal'c carries Apophis' body up the ramp. He looks upon the blanket-wrapped body of his former god for a moment, then passes it through the wormhole. Everyone looks on solemnly as the wormhole pulls the body through. Teal'c then turns and heads back down the ramp and leaves the room. The Gate then shuts down. Fraiser follows Teal'c.]

DANIEL (To no one in particular.) What now?

O'NEILL We wait.

CARTER If Sokar wanted him alive, he'll just start up the attack again.

MARTOUF No. I don't believe he will. Sokar has a sarcophagus in his possession. With it, he can revive Apophis even through death and torture him as long as he pleases.

[The Tau'ri exchange sober glances. Martouf looks at them curiously.]

MARTOUF Surely, a fate he justly deserves.

[They shift uncomfortably, but say nothing.]

INT&mdash;SGC&mdash;CONTROL ROOM

[Martouf types something in the keyboard at the Command console. Carter is standing by the console, as are Daniel, O'Neill, and Hammond. Martouf's Tok'ra companions are waiting at the base of the ramp.]

MARTOUF These are the coordinates we would like you send us.

CARTER But not to anywhere we'll be able to find you again.

MARTOUF To contact us, you may use this.

[He hands her a communications device.]

DANIEL That's Tollan. They used it to contact the Nox.

MARTOUF Yes, we are friends of the Tollan, and we are friends of the Tau'ri.

CARTER Thank you.

O'NEILL Well, if we're going to be friends, you're going to need one of these.

[He hands Martouf a GDO.]

O'NEILL It's called a G D O. It sends out a signal that let's us know who you are and if it's ok to open the iris. Otherwise, you could end up splattered against the&hellip;well&hellip;

MARTOUF (smiling) I understand.

CARTER Come on. I'll show you how it works.

[Carter and Martouf go down to the Gate room.]

HAMMOND All right. Let's send them home people.

[The Gate spins into action, and O'Neill looks on from the control room, contemplatively.]

FADE OUT

ROLL END CREDITS

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