Divide and Conquer
Season 4 Number 5
Vanessa Angel - Anise / Freya Teryl Rothery - Dr. Janet Fraiser J.R. Bourne - Martouf Kirsten Robek - Lieutenant Astor Andrew Jackson - Supreme High Councilor Per'sus Phillip Mitchell - Major Graham Bill Nikolai - Technician Roger Allford - The President
Writer: Tor Alexander Valenza Director: Martin Wood
SCENE: VORASH, THE TOK'RA HEADQUARTERS PLANET
Exterior shot--a Stargate in a desolate landscape. Sandy, with oddly- shaped obelisk-like rocks.
Interior, Tok'ra tunnels. Tok'ra council chamber. O'Neill, Jackson, Martouf, Anise/Freya, Major Graham and Captain Blasdale are sitting around the table.
O'NEILL: Tuesday doesn't work for the President.
MARTOUF: The High Council of the Tok'ra is making his first journey to Earth to sign an official treaty that outlines our new alliance in the fight against the Goa'uld. What could possibly be more important than that?
GRAHAM: Keeping that treaty a secret from the general population of our planet.
O'NEILL: It's a tricky proposition where we're from.
JACKSON: The President means no disrespect, but he has to appear before Congress on Tuesday, and there's no way to make up an excuse to get out of that.
O'NEILL:(sighing) Wednesday? How's Wednesday?
PER'SUS (off screen): Wednesday will be fine.
Martouf stands when he hears Per'sus's voice. Two guards and High Councilor Per'sus enter the chamber. Everyone else stands, and Martouf walks toward Per'sus.
MARTOUF: Colonel O'Neill, Doctor Jackson, Major Graham, Captain Blasdale...
As Martouf introduces the Tau'ri to the High Councilor, we see Graham with a tiny Goa'uld energy weapon, disguised as a ring, in the palm of his hand. He pushes something and it opens up. He turns his hand so no one else can see it. Then back to Martouf bowing to Per'sus.
MARTOUF: ...may I present Supreme High Councilor Per'sus.
PER'SUS: Please, forgive me for being late.
Daniel walks forward and bows to Per'sus.
JACKSON: It's an honor to meet you.
Behind Daniel, Major Graham aims the Goa'uld weapon at Per'sus.
O'NEILL: LOOK OUT!
O'Neill ducks. Graham shoots a blast from the ring weapon. It goes straight through a Tok'ra bodyguard and hits Per'sus in the chest, knocking him down. Captain Blasdale tries to get the weapon from Graham, and Graham blows a hole through the captain. The second Tok'ra bodyguard tries to hit Graham with a zat gun, and gets shot as well. Then, Graham turns toward Freya, who is hiding behind the table. O'Neill sees this, jumps over the table and knocks Freya to the floor. The blast barely misses them. Daniel, crouching against a wall, looks flabbergasted. Graham's eyes are wide as he points the weapon at O'Neill.
O'NEILL: Graham!
Graham is shaking with the effort of trying to overcome the compulsion on him, but his left hand reaches for the weapon.
GRAHAM: (Crying) Stop . . . stop . . . stop me!
Graham presses something on the ring, and a yellow light envelops his body. O'Neill, Martouf, and Daniel hide their heads in their hands as there's an explosion and bits of the cave walls shower over them. Martouf and Daniel raise their heads with unbelieving looks on their faces. O'Neill comes out from under the table, also looking stunned.
OPENING CREDITS
SCENE: VORASH COUNCIL CHAMBER
O'Neill and Daniel watch as Tok'ra take the bloody dead bodies away on a stretcher. Martouf walks in.
MARTOUF: Fortunately, High Councilor Per'sus is going to recover.
Carter walks in.
CARTER: What happened?
O'NEILL: I'd like to know that.
JACKSON: Well, the High Councilor came in, Martouf introduced us, and Graham went nuts.
CARTER: And he pulled a weapon?
MARTOUF: It seemed to be of Goa'uld origin.
O'NEILL: Look, Martouf--
MARTOUF: Obviously, I do not believe you were complicit with Major Graham's actions.
O'Neill nods.
JACKSON: Well we weren't, but just out of curiosity, how can you be sure we weren't?
MARTOUF: (Thinks a second) I cannot.
Freya walks up to them.
FREYA: I can. Major Graham was a zatarc.
O'NEILL: (Raises eyebrows) A what?
FREYA: The victim of Goa'uld mind-control technology.
JACKSON: (also raises eyebrows): A what?
FREYA: I believe a mission is programmed into the victim's subconsious. That programming is covered with a false memory.
O'NEILL: You knew this threat was out there?
MARTOUF: Freya has presented her theory to the High Council, but it is only conjecture. The existence of this technology is thus far unconfirmed.
O'NEILL: Now, you see, this is just the kind of irresponsible, uncooperative--
FREYA: (cutting him off): I agree, Colonel. Unfortunately, the High Council did not. Despite the fact that I documented three incidents within the last two months. Otherwise healthy Tok'ra operatives suffered sudden extreme behavioral episodes, each ending in suicide.
O'NEILL: And no red flags went up for anyone?
MARTOUF: A weapon like this has not been used before.
CARTER: So the person in question doesn't know what's gonna happen?
FREYA: No, they are apparently unaware their minds had been tampered with. The instruction seems to be triggered by a visual or auditory signal.
JACKSON: Obviously, the High Councilor was the target.
FREYA: Apparently, when Major Graham was introduced to Per'sus, the programming took over. He would have been unable to control his actions after that.
CARTER: But this is theoretical.
FREYA: It is difficult to prove because of the lack of evidence. I believe the violent self-destructive behavior is an integral part of the programming meant to ensure that result.
JACKSON: How exactly does one get turned into a-a zatarc?
FREYA: The programming only seems to require moments of access with the victims.
O'NEILL: All right, had we known any of this we might have been able to take a few more precautions.
MARTOUF: We could not have taken any more precautions than we did, Colonel.
JACKSON: But we could have more of these pre-programmed time bombs out there waiting to go off.
MARTOUF: It is likely that if the Goa'uld knew Major Graham was going to be here to meet the High Councilor...
CARTER: ...then they know about the treaty summit.
MARTOUF: Their goal was undoubtedly to sabotage our alliance.
JACKSON: Then the President could also be a target.
MARTOUF: It is the High Councilor's wish to continue with the treaty summit.
O'NEILL: Oh, I don't think so.
MARTOUF: In 2000 years, the Tok'ra have never bowed to Goa'uld terrorism. We will not start now.
FREYA: Either way, it is true that any of your personnel who may have encountered the Goa'uld in the last two months may have fallen victim.
MARTOUF: The problem is, zatarc programming is virtually impossible to detect.
FREYA: That is not true.
MARTOUF: Your method is unproven.
FREYA: It worked on one previous occasion.
MARTOUF: Even that is in question.
FREYA: It is all we have right now.
O'Neill watches this back-and-forth argument with growing frustration.
O'NEILL (interrupting): Excuse me. [long pause] Do we or do we not have a zanax detector?
SCENE: WORMHOLE
Martouf and Freya walk through into the SGC embarkation room carrying the zatarc detector. General Hammond and SG-1 are waiting at the bottom of the ramp.
HAMMOND: (to O'Neill) Colonel. (Turning to the Tok'ra) Martouf, Anise, on behalf of the SGC, I want to offer my sincerest apologies and condolences for the lives of the lost Tok'ra.
The Tok'ra bow their heads.
MARTOUF: High Councilor Per'sus also send regrets for the men of the SGC that were lost. We consider Major Graham as much a victim as anyone.
HAMMOND: All outstanding SG teams are being recalled for screening and placed on a 24-hour watch.
FREYA: I would like to begin with the remaining members of Major Graham's team. There was obviously opportunity to program him on a recent mission.
HAMMOND: (Pointing) This way. Major Carter?
Carter nods and follows them, as does Daniel. O'Neill and Teal'c watch them go. O'Neill shakes his head.
O'NEILL: They're at it again.
SCENE: CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN EXTERIOR
SGC Interior--General Hammond and Dr. Fraiser are walking down a corridor.
FRAISER: (to Hammond) I completed my autopsy on Major Graham. There was an unidentifiable residue from the explosion, but no indication he was under any kind of chemical influence. To be honest, sir, if the Goa'uld were trying to cover up their work, they did a good job.
HAMMOND: What about the infomation about the zatarcs provided by the Tok'ra?
FRAISER: Pretty limited to speculation, sir. I did a full examination of Major Graham before he went to Vorash, and he seemed to be in perfect health. His bloodwork was clean, last psych evaluation was normal. If his brain was altered in any way, It was done by a technology far beyond my understanding.
HAMMOND: Will this zatarc detector actually work?
FRAISER: It's alien technology. I have no way of knowing.
HAMMOND: Then we're completely in the hands of the Tok'ra on this one.
FRAISER: Colonel must be happy about that.
HAMMOND: I'm not thrilled about it myself, doctor.
Hammond heads up the stairs, while Fraiser continues on down the corridor.
SCENE: ISOLATION ROOM
Freya has set up the zatarc detector, a large blue-and-gray alien- looking machine. Lieutenant Astor walks in, accompanied by an SF. Behind Freya, SG-1 and Martouf can be seen in through the glass of the observation room.
FREYA: Hello, Lieutenant . . . Astor. Please have a seat.
Freya and the SF strap Astor to the chair in front of the zatarc detector. A strap is placed over Astor's forehead, and Freya attaches a memory device to Astor's right temple. Astor looks uncomfortable.
FREYA: Try to stay calm. Direct your vision here.
At the top of the zatarc detector is a lens with a red light, which Freya indicates. As Astor looks that direction, a light rather like a laser pointer flashes into Astor's right eye. It scans around her eye, then disappears. Astor blinks.
FREYA: I will ask you some questions to lead your thoughts. Please answer as completely and truthfully as possible.
Freya adjusts a dial on the machine, then presses an indicator. A display appears, with a rotating blue circle in the center, and wha look like audio waves below.
FREYA: Describe for me your recent mission to P6Y-325.
ASTOR: Well it . . . it seemed to be a routine meet-and-greet. At least at first. The Losarians were a fairly primitive people.
Freya is watching the blue circle rotate as Astor talks. Astor goes on talking in the background as the camera moves to SG-1 and Martouf, watching from the observation room.
O'NEILL: So it's a lie detector.
MARTOUF: It's even more. It can detect whether a person is being truthful even if they are not aware they are lying.
JACKSON: So it reads the subconscious?
MARTOUF: And compares it to the conscious memory. It was originally created to verify information retrieved from the torture of captured Goa'uld.
CARTER: That thing on her forehead looks like a Tok'ra memory recall device.
MARTOUF: Yes, a modified version. It is able to decipher whether the memory being recalled by the subject is true or false.
JACKSON: So it indicates a zatarc because the Goa'uld use false memories to cover the program?
MARTOUF: That is Anise's theory, yes.
TEAL'C: Can you identify the zatarc's mission?
MARTOUF: Unfortunately, no. It will only tell us if a person is a zatarc, not what he's programmed to do.
JACKSON: Hello.
The blue rotating light on the zatarc detector is going pink around the edges.
ASTOR: . . .Graham and I got separated from Captain Blasdale and Sergeant Lewis. I thought we were lost. We heard the firefight. . . .
Astor goes on talking in the background.
MARTOUF: It could mean the lieutenant just reiterated something out of order.
FREYA: Lieutenant, please repeat the last sequence, and remember to be specific about every detail and your feelings at the time.
ASTOR: Okay. I really don't know exactly what happened. There wasn't much time to stand around hypothesizing. Just after the sun went down . . . the gliders attacked the village. We booked for the Stargate, but the clearing was filled with Jaffa.
Flashback to the scene. SGC personnel with guns running through trees at night.
ASTOR (cont'd): SG-15 was already under fire.
More flashback. Staff blasts and explosions. One of the SGC personnel is hit and falls, then another.
ASTOR (cont'd): It felt like they were comin' at us from all sides.
More flashback. Staff blasts. Astor and Graham run up; Astor drops to her knees to shoot.
GRAHAM (in flashback): Don't stop. Keep movin'.
ASTOR: Captain Blasdale radioed from behind. He and Sergeant Lewis were pinned down.
GRAHAM (in flashback): Get back to the Gate.
ASTOR (In the flashback): Sir! Major!
A Horus guard comes out of the trees and fires a staff blast.
FREYA: How did you feel?
ASTOR: Are you kidding? I was scared out of my mind.
Flashback. Astor fires at the Horus Guard and he falls.
FREYA: Are you certain you shot the Jaffa?
More flashback. Again, Astor fires a the Horus Guard. He collapses to the ground.
ASTOR: Positive.
The display shows red all around the blue circle. Freya turns to look at SG-1, Martouf, and General Hammond behind the glass. They all look concerned. Astor is struggling to deal with the emotions of the recall.
SCENE: GENERAL HAMMOND'S OFFICE
The display on the computer monitor shows the blue circle completely surrounded by red. O'Neill is looking at it.
FREYA: She is a zatarc. Lieutenant Astor's mind has been altered.
O'NEILL: Ya think so?
HAMMOND: What do we do?
Martouf looks at Freya.
FREYA: There is a procedure we could try.
HAMMOND: Is it safe?
FREYA: It is experimental at best.
O'NEILL: General, need I remind you what happened the last time we trusted this ... woman?
FREYA: You are referring to my symbiote Anise, Colonel, and I would not suggest this if I thought there was a better alternative.
HAMMOND: What's the worst-case scenario?
MARTOUF: The procedure actually damages the portion of the brain that has been affected by the zatarc technology.
FREYA: Lt. Astor could lose more than just her false memory.
O'NEILL: How much more?
FREYA: It won't be clear until after the procedure.
HAMMOND: I hate the idea of sitting here deciding the fate of one of our officers, but what choice do we have?
O'NEILL: General--
HAMMOND: The security of this base and this planet cannot be compromised.
FREYA: Furthermore, when her programming is triggered, she will inevitably become self destructive.
O'Neill and Hammond share a look.
HAMMOND: Let's give Lt. Astor the choice.
O'NEILL: Some choice.
O'Neill looks at Freya
SCENE: ISOLATION ROOM
Astor is being strapped to the chair by two SFs. One of them slips the band around her forehead, then they both take up positions by the door.
ASTOR: I have to admit, I'm a little scared.
Freya looks up from what she's doing with the zatarc detector.
ASTOR (with shaking voice): Actually that's not true . . . I'm terrified!
FREYA: I understand. Please try to stay calm.
ASTOR: I swear I shot that Jaffa! Major Graham returned with Captain Blasdale and Sergeant Lewis.
FREYA: You said you were surrounded. Jaffa were everywhere. Six other SGC team members died that night, yet you and your team managed to get through the Stargate unharmed.
ASTOR: I thought we were just that good.
O'Neill, looking down through the observation window, smiles briefly at that.
FREYA: I am going to begin.
A much bigger, brighter light comes out of the lens at the top of the zatarc detector. It dances around Astor's head, then focuses on her eyes and forehead. Astor looks more and more uncomfortable.
ASTOR: It hurts!
In the observation room, Dr. Fraiser looks concerned. The light shines up and down Astor's face, and she spasms.
ASTOR: STOP! PLEASE! ... STOP!
MARTOUF (through microphone in observation room): Stop the procedure!
When Freya stops the procedure, Astor rips herself out of the restraints, grunting. The two SFs go to pull their pistols, and one of them shoots her as she jumps them. She grabs the other's gun and shoots at the observation window, shattering it. O'Neill races out of the observation room.
O'NEILL: (At door of isolation room) Astor!
Astor turns the pistol toward his voice. He ducks behind the doorframe. In the observation room, Hammond, Martouf, and Fraiser stand up and turn to look.
FREYA: NO!
Obviously fighting the compulsion, Astor turns the gun toward herself. A shot rings out, and O'Neill looks appalled.
SCENE: GENERAL HAMMOND'S OFFICE
HAMMOND: (Into red phone) Thank you, doctor. [To Freya and O'Neill] Both SFs suffered serious injuries, but they're going to be okay.
FREYA: The Goa'uld programming must have an imbedded failsafe that prevents it from being tampered with. I am sorry you have lost another member of your team. I hold myself accountable.
O'Neill nods.
HAMMOND: The Goa'uld are ultimately accountable.
FREYA: Unfortunately, we can not analyze the affected area of the victim's brain post-mortem due to the self-inflicted damage.
O'NEILL: Would that really make a difference?
FREYA: I believe it would, yes.
HAMMOND: There will be no summit unless I can be sure there's no threat to the President.
FREYA: We can complete the zatarc testing in time.
O'NEILL: And if we find more?
HAMMOND: Greater things than the summit would be in jeopardy, Colonel. Proceed. Dismissed.
O'Neill and Freya stand up and turn to leave the office.
O'NEILL: Well, this is fun. Who's next?
FREYA: SG-1.
O'NEILL: Do'h!
SCENE: OBSERVATION/ISOLATION ROOMS
Fraiser and Martouf are looking up at the zatarc detector monitors in the observation room. The circle shows completely blue. The interviews cycle through the members of SG-1.
FREYA: Good, Colonel. Now let's move to your mission on PX9-757.
O'Neill is in the seat in front of the zatarc detector.
O'NEILL: Drawin' a blank.
FREYA: Your mission was to destroy a new ship being built by Apophis.
O'NEILL: You know all about that.
FREYA: But the device only works if you recapture your exact memory of the events.
Move on to Daniel in the hot seat.
JACKSON: At that point we realized they wouldn't come off.
FREYA: You can jump ahead to the part where you went through the Gate.
Now Carter's in the detector's chair.
CARTER: We were so strong and fast, the Jaffa on the other side didn't stand a chance.
Flashback [from "Upgrades"] of O'Neill, Carter and Daniel going through the Gate at super speed, knocking down all the Jaffa guarding the Gate.
Teal'c is now recounting his memories of the mission.
TEAL'C: General Hammond ordered me to follow. I went through the Gate and proceeded to the facility.
FREYA: So you were alone for some time before you met up with the rest of SG-1?
TEAL'C: Yes.
The detector shows all blue. Martouf and Fraiser, in the observations room, are looking less nervous.
JACKSON: Um ... I went after the naquadah.
Flashback of Daniel knocking down the two Jaffa carrying the weapons- grade naquadah. He comes back and puts it into his backpack. Another Jaffa comes up behind him and aims a staff weapon.
JAFFA (in flashback): Don't move!
Daniel turns, and, under-handed, throws a block of naquadah at the Jaffa, knocking him down.
FREYA: After that?
JACKSON: I headed back to meet Jack and Sam.
The detector shows blue.
O'NEILL: When I realized Carter wasn't with me, I stopped.
Flashback of O'Neill running through the force shield. Carter hits the shield and falls down. O'Neill turns.
O'NEILL: I went back for her.
FREYA: What happened next?
O'NEILL: That's when your genius armband stopped workin'.
Slow motion scene of O'Neill running. He sees Carter, but hits the force shield.
FREYA: You couldn't get through the shield again?
O'NEILL: No.
General Hammond has joined Fraiser and Martouf in the observation room. They look at each other.
CARTER: When I woke up, I saw Colonel O'Neill unconscious on the other side of the force shield. I called his name, and he woke up.
FREYA: Then what?
CARTER: I realized that there was no way I was gonna get through that force shield. I told the Colonel to try and get out without me.
FREYA: To leave you behind?
CARTER: Yes. The timer on the C-4 was counting down. I knew that without the advantage of the armbands, it was gonna be tight getting back to the Stargate before the ship's power core exploded.
FREYA: What did Colonel O'Neill do?
Flashback of O'Neill pounding on the control panel.
CARTER (in flashback): Sir, there's no time.
O'Neill and Carter look down the hall at the advancing Jaffa.
O'NEILL: Couple of Jaffa came around the corner.
FREYA: And then...?
CARTER: We got lucky.
FREYA: That's it?
CARTER: Yeah. The C-4 explosion must have taken out the shield generator.
Flashback of the explosion. The Jaffa and O'Neill and Carter fall down with the repercussion. The force shield goes down.
CARTER (in flashback): Did you see that?
CARTER (cont'd): The force shield disappeared, and . . . we ran.
FREYA: Sounds easy.
CARTER: Well . . . I wouldn't say that.
FREYA: Are you sure you're telling me everything?
Carter nods.
CARTER: (a few seconds later) Oh! . . . uh . . . I tried to go for the naquadah.
O'Neill and Carter get up, and Carter tries to pick up the naquadah.
O'NEILL (in flashback): Carter, forget that. Leave it!
CARTER: But Colonel O'Neill ordered me to leave it.
FREYA: That's everything?
CARTER: (After seconds of thinking) Yeah.
Freya looks down at the zatarc detector and says nothing. Carter stares at her and takes a deep breath.
CARTER: You aren't serious?
The blue circle in the detector is surrounded in red. Camera pans up and O'Neill's in the chair, not Carter. He looks stunned. In the observation room, Martouf and Hammond look at each other, and Fraiser shakes her head. O'Neill still looks stunned.
O'NEILL: What?
SCENE: GENERAL HAMMOND'S OFFICE
HAMMOND: (On the red phone) We still don't know anything about the targets involved. In the event that we do proceed, I'm forwarding a new plan for your arrival. [Pause] Yes, sir . . . both Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter. [Pause] I'll pass that along. Thank you, Mr. President.
Hammond hangs up the phone with a VERY worried look on his face.
SCENE: SECURITY QUARTERS
We see O'Neill through the mesh in the door window. An SF opens the door.
O'NEILL: (to SF) Give us a second, huh?
The SF nods and O'Neill closes the door. Carter is sitting on the bed. She raises her hands in a shrugging motion.
CARTER: Sir, this has to be a mistake.
O'NEILL: Tell me about it.
CARTER: Can you talk to General Hammond about getting me re-tested, I mean there must be--
O'NEILL: (interrupting) Us. (Smiles)
CARTER: What?
O'NEILL: Us retested. [Carter closes her eyes.] Apparently, I'm one of those . . . zarc-things too. I'm across the hall.
He points out of the room.
CARTER: That can't be.
O'NEILL: I know.
CARTER: Although we were both unconsious at the same time.
O'NEILL: Apparently.
CARTER: Sir, are you worried that it's at least possible?
O'NEILL: A little.
They look at each other, both trying not to show the worry.
SCENE: SGC BRIEFING ROOM
Hammond, Teal'c Daniel, Fraiser, Martouf and Freya are at the table.
TEAL'C: I do not believe that Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter are zatarcs.
JACKSON: We can't prove they aren't.
MARTOUF: We must continue to keep them isolated in order to prevent them from being exposed to their programming triggers.
HAMMOND: We don't know for sure it's the President.
FREYA: No.
HAMMOND: Then we're talking about keeping them confined indefinitely.
FRAISER: At least until we can come up with another course of action.
FREYA: The good news is that we have found no more zatarcs among SGC personnel. The High Councilor and his advisors have also been tested back on Vorash. There should be no danger to the summit meeting.
HAMMOND: I want good news regarding Col. O'Neill and Maj. Carter.
Hammond rises from his seat, and the rest (except Daniel and Teal'c) do as well.
FRAISER: We'll keep working on it, sir.
MARTOUF: What shall I tell the High Councilor regarding the meeting with the President?
HAMMOND: It's on.
Hammond walks out. Fraiser looks at Martouf, who nods. Teal'c and Daniel look disturbed.
SCENE: SECURITY QUARTERS
O'Neill's sitting with his feet on the desk, playing with a yo-yo. He's not very good. There's a knock on the door.
O'NEILL: Yeah?
Freya walks in.
O'NEILL: Oh. You.
FREYA: You are probably not happy to see me.
O'NEILL: Well, if you're not here to tell me it's all a big mistake, I might be a little glum.
FREYA: I have come to apologize. It is sort of our fault you are a zatarc ... maybe a little more Anise than me.
O'NEILL: I knew that. I just don't know why yet.
FREYA: The experiment with the armbands was the reason you went on the mission to destroy Apophis's new ship.
O'Neill raises his eyebrows and smiles. Then he leans back and puts his hands behind his head.
O'NEILL: Hey, listen. What if you're wrong, and Carter and I aren't really, uh--
FREYA: Zatarcs?
O'NEILL: Zatarcs.
Freya crosses the room and sits down on the bed, near O'Neill.
FREYA: I do not believe that is possible.
O'NEILL: Swell.
She looks at him--stares, even. He looks back at her like 'what?'.
O'NEILL: Is there somethin' else?
FREYA: I have not thanked you for saving my life on Vorash--when you saved me for a second time during the situation with Lieutenant Astor.
O'NEILL: No offense, but I'd have done it for anyone.
She leans forward and kisses him. He drops his feet off the desk. His hands are on his lap, then he picks them up, to push her away.
O'NEILL: Uh ... what ya doin'?
FREYA: I originally came from a planet where the people were not afraid to show their affection for someone. When we wanted to lo'machen--
O'NEILL: Excuse me?
FREYA: I believe you call it...
O'NEILL: ...something else.
FREYA: Anise, my symbiote, is far more interested in Doctor Jackson on an intellectual level, but she would have to suffer.
O'NEILL: Look, there's so many reasons why this is wrong . . . and . . . weird . . . and . . . wrong. . . . Did I mention wrong?
FREYA: Is it because I share my body with Anise?
O'NEILL: For starters.
FREYA: Do you not find me attractive?
He makes a face.
O'NEILL: Oh . . . you've. . . .
She kisses him again. She gets no response again.
O'NEILL: Hey ... I could blow here any minute.
FREYA: If I were the target, your zatarc programming would have triggered long ago.
O'NEILL: Good point.
FREYA: Is there someone else to whom you are loyal?
O'NEILL: (Doing some major league stuttering!) Th-th-th-that's not really the point here, is it?
FREYA: I sense you have been made uncomfortable by my offer.
O'NEILL: No! No ... it's just ... [Thinks] Well, yeah!
FREYA: I had heard that the humans of Earth had many inhibitions and stigmas surrounding intimacy.
O'NEILL: Yes . . . yes, I've heard that too. There's also the matter of timing.
FREYA: I am still quite hopeful we will find a way to help both you and Major Carter.
O'NEILL: Then maybe you should be out doing that, whadda ya think?
He stands up to escort her out.
FREYA: Once again I find myself feeling the need to apologize.
O'NEILL: Oh! No need! {He raps on the window.) We're adults.
He pounds on the window to get the SF's attention.
FREYA: I will make an effort to learn more about your customs so I will not make you so uncomfortable again.
The door opens, and O'Neill herds her out.
O'NEILL: Yes, very good idea. Thank you. Bye.
Freya leaves. O'Neill meets the SF's eyes, then closes the door. O'Neill looks through the window, then turns away.
SCENE: SGC BRIEFING ROOM
Through the window, we can see the Stargate being spiffed up. Pulls back to show Daniel and Hammond standing by the window.
JACKSON: The President is still uncomfortable with the phrase 'for the common interest of the Tok'ra and the humans of Earth.' I-I'm recommending 'in pursuit of freedom for all individuals.'
Daniel sits down next to Martouf.
MARTOUF: The High Councilor does not like to generalize.
Frey walks in, escorted by an SF.
FREYA: Excuse me. I have been reviewing my notes on prior incidents with zatarcs and I'm concerned that we are endangering Major Carter and Colonel O'Neill by keeping them confined.
JACKSON: Why?
FREYA: In at least one case I think the zatarc lost control when it became evident that they could no longer achieve their objective.
JACKSON: So by keeping them confined--
MARTOUF: --they won't be able to fulfil their programming and they will become self destructive.
HAMMOND: Why hasn't that happened yet?
FREYA: The triggering event hasn't occurred yet. However, if that passes--
JACKSON: You mean between the High Councilor and the President--
HAMMOND: What if we postpone it?
FREYA: That could have the same effect if the programmed part of their minds believes they are no longer able to fulfil the goal.
Hammond and Martouf look concerned. Daniel raises his hands.
JACKSON: So . . . what do we do?
Freya just looks at him.
SCENE: CARTER'S SECURITY QUARTERS
Carter is sitting at the desk staring at the screen of her laptop. The door opens.
CARTER: Martouf.
MARTOUF: How are you?
CARTER: I was just writing a letter to my dad.
MARTOUF: I have sent word to him. I'm sure he'll come as soon as he can.
CARTER: Thank you.
MARTOUF: I have come to present an option to you.
Carter shakes her head.
CARTER: Not what Freya tried on Lieutenant Astor.
MARTOUF: She thinks that the procedure failed because she stopped before it was finished.
CARTER: Because Astor went crazy.
MARTOUF: Freya thinks that the failsafe protecting the zatarc programming can be overcome if the procedure is given a fair chance to work.
CARTER: What's the rush?
MARTOUF: Freya has seen prior evidence to suggest that if a zatarc is prevented from achieving their objective--
CARTER: --and--
MARTOUF: --if your objective is to target the President--
CARTER: You're saying I would try and kill myself.
Martouf nods.
MARTOUF (whispers): Yes.
CARTER: Two days, right? (Another nod from Martouf.) I guess we wait and see.
MARTOUF: Or . . . you could go through with the procedure.
CARTER: Which could cause me to lose my mind anyway, just like Astor did.
MARTOUR: Yes.
CARTER: Or, the procedure could work and I could still end up with serious brain damage.
MARTOUF: Yes, I know. And not only do I not want to risk losing what you still carry of Jolinar, but . . . I've grown quite fond of you as well, Sam.
Martouf smiles at Carter. She smiles back. Then she closes her eyes and shakes her head.
CARTER: It's all based on assumptions, right? I mean we don't know that the President is the target; we don't even know if I'll lose my mind because the summit's going on and I'm stuck in here.
MARTOUF: And we don't know for sure that you will suffer any ill effects from the procedure.
Carter makes an exasperated little noise. She looks up at Martouf.
CARTER: Some choice.
They look at each other, then Carter looks away.
SCENE: O'NEILL'S SECURITY QUARTERS
O'Neill is lying on his bed with his yo-yo over his eyes.
O'NEILL: Come again?
Daniel is pacing around the room.
JACKSON: Bottom line is there's a chance you could come out completely intact.
O'Neill sits up.
O'NEILL (sarcastically): Or not.
JACKSON (quietly): Or not.
O'NEILL: What's Carter say?
JACKSON: I don't know, Martouf is explaining it to her now.
O'NEILL: What would you do?
JACKSON: I honestly don't know.
They don't look at each other.
O'NEILL: She made a pass at me.
JACKSON: Sam?
O'NEILL: Anise, Freya, one of them.
JACKSON: Really?
O'NEILL: The host half.
JACKSON: Uh . . . (he raises his eyebrows) that's odd.
O'NEILL: You're telling me. Odd timing too, don't ya think?
JACKSON: (Raised eyebrows again) Yes.
O'NEILL: Apparently, the snake likes you.
He plays with the yo-yo, then looks up to see how Daniel takes that one.
JACKSON: Really? (O'Neill unwinds the yo-yo string.) Yup, I think these are the Jack O'Neill moments I would probably miss the most.
They look at each other.
O'NEILL: What?
JACKSON: What?
SCENE: SGC BRIEFING ROOM
Hammond, Daniel, Freya, Martouf, Fraiser, and Teal'c are at the table again. Rather more SFs than usual line the periphery of the room.
FREYA: I understand why they wouldn't trust me.
JACKSON: Oh, I think it's more that they would rather risk dying than lose who they are.
HAMMOND: We can be sure they won't threaten the President, but how do we keep them from harming themselves during the summit?
FRAISER: We plan to sedate them and put them in restraints.
JACKSON: Until when?
SCENE: O'NEILL'S SECURITY QUARTERS
Fraiser and a nurse are wheeling an IV cart and monitor into O'Neill's room. Daniel, in a suit and tie, is sitting by the bed.
FRAISER: It's the only way we can be absolutely sure you won't try and hurt yourself.
O'Neill is sitting on the bed, looking askance at the medical equipment.
O'NEILL: No choice?
The door closes behind Freya.
FRAISER: No. You won't feel anything, it'll be like falling asleep.
O'NEILL: For how long?
FRAISER: As long as it takes to find a treatment with better odds than the one we have available.
Freya looks rather put out at that statement.
JACKSON: The President is due to arrive in less than an hour.
Teal'c walks in.
O'NEILL: Come to say your goodbyes?
TEAL'C: If there's anything that you require, O'Neill--
O'NEILL: Another option.
FREYA: There is still time to try the procedure.
O'Neill is looking down, not meeting anyone's eyes.
O'NEILL: You said if you could have done a proper autopsy on Astor, you might have been able to solve this thing.
FREYA: It would have provided much more information.
O'NEILL: Do it.
JACKSON: What?
O'NEILL: Hey, I've done the drugged-out, strapped-to-the-bed thing.
He raises his eyebrows.
JACKSON: And if what happened to Astor happens to you?
O'Neill thinks for a moment, then tips his head like 'oh well'.
O'NEILL: Maybe it'll help Carter. Her brain's worth a lot more than mine.
He tries to smile, but it looks pretty sickly. Freya takes a deep breath and Teal'c looks at her.
SCENE: CARTER'S SECURITY QUARTERS
Carter is talking to Daniel and Fraiser.
CARTER: What? He can't!
JACKSON: He's on his way down now.
CARTER: Why is he doing this?
JACKSON: He said he'd rather take the risk instead of being put to sleep indefinitely.
CARTER: But Astor--
FRAISER: If it happens he thinks Anise can use what she would learn to save you.
Carter pushes between them and runs to the door.
JACKSON: Sam. . . .
The SFs stop her.
CARTER: Colonel!
O'Neill is going by out in the corridor, with two SFs, Freya, and Teal'c. he looks back at her, but doesn't stop. They stare at each other, then he turns back. Carter runs back into the room.
CARTER: You have to stop him!
JACKSON: It's his choice.
FRAISER: Sam, please. I have to do this.
Carter closes her eyes, then passes them both to go sit on the bed, her head in her hands. Fraiser goes to her.
SCENE: SGC CONTROL ROOM
Martouf and another Tok'ra are watching the Stargate through the glass, standing behind the technical sergeant who's acting as Gate technician. General Hammond strides in.
TECHNICIAN: Incoming traveler.
Martouf and the other Tok'ra follow Hammond down to the embarkation room, where several other Tok'ra and a bunch of Air Force officers are already assembled. The Stargate activates. Daniel enters the embarkation room, showing his ID to the armed guards. He joins Martouf and Hammond.
JACKSON: Jack's going through with the procedure and they're sedating Sam now.
TECHNICIAN (over intercom): Receiving Tok'ra IDC.
HAMMOND: Open the iris.
The Tok'ra High Councilor Per'sus, surrounded by four guards, comes through the Gate. Hammond, Martouf, and Daniel greet them.
HAMMOND (bowing): Welcome to Earth.
Daniel bows as well.
PER'SUS: It's an important occasion for us all.
HAMMOND: Indeed it is.
SCENE: CARTER'S SECURITY QUARTERS
Fraiser and a nurse are preparing to sedate Carter. Carter is lying on the bed looking up at them.
CARTER: Janet?
Carter closes her eyes again. Fraiser looks down at her compassionately.
SCENE: ISOLATION ROOM
O'Neill is being strapped securely to the chair of the zatarc detector. He takes a deep breath and lets it out. Teal'c stands beside him, opens his zat gun, and points it at O'Neill. O'Neill looks sidelong at it and kinda grins.
O'NEILL: Right.
SCENE: SGC EMBARKATION ROOM
PER'SUS: I was most impressed by the revisions you made to the treaty.
MARTOUF: The credit goes to Dr. Jackson.
TOK'RA: It's an inspiring document. I only hope both parties can live up to it.
Daniel's mind is elsewhere; he's worrying about Jack and Sam. Hammond tries to get his attention.
HAMMOND: Doctor Jackson. . . .
Daniel looks up.
JACKSON (who obviously hasn't heard a word): Yes, yes of course.
He nods at Per'sus.
TECHNICIAN: Sir, Air Force One has just landed.
HAMMOND (to Per'sus): It will take fifteen minutes for the President's motorcade to arrive. If you'll excuse me, I'll meet him at the surface and then be back soon.
Per'sus nods and turns to Martouf. Daniel looks back down, lost in thought again.
SCENE: CARTER'S SECURITY QUARTERS
Carter is starting to go under the sedation.
CARTER: Colonel. . . .
In memory, Carter sees O'Neill walking down the SGC corridor again, looking back at her. She rouses for a moment, then in memory she sees him beating the control panel on Apophis's ship.
CARTER (in memory): Sir, there's no time!
Carter rouses again.
FRAISER (to nurse): We may have to increase the dose.
CARTER (mumbling): The C-4's gonna blow, you have to get out of here.
O'NEILL (in memory): No! (He faces her)
Carter wakes up.
CARTER: The machine is wrong!
Fraiser looks down at her.
CARTER: You don't understand. We lied. We didn't even know we were lying. Please.
Carter is struggling to stay awake. Fraiser looks at her in concern.
SCENE: ISOLATION ROOM
FREYA: If you are ready, we will begin.
O'Neill looks stoic. Both Teal'c and a nearby SF have their weapons out, trained on O'Neill.
FRAISER: (Knocking on window of observation room, through mike) Stop!
Teal'c and O'Neill look up at her. Moments later Carter comes into the room, still looking pretty woozy, led by Fraiser. She approaches O'Neill.
O'NEILL: Carter, what's up?
CARTER: Could we have a moment alone please? (She catches Teal'c and Freya's eyes. They, and Fraiser and the SFs, leave.) Thanks.
O'NEILL: Carter, undo this. What's goin' on?
CARTER: We're not zatarcs.
O'NEILL: How do you know?
CARTER: The machine thinks that we have false memories, but we don't. We were lying.
O'NEILL: I wasn't lying.
CARTER: Okay. You left something out.
O'NEILL: No, I didn't.
CARTER: Sir, when you wouldn't leave me, are you sure there wasn't something else that you're not admitting?
O'NEILL: What are you talkin' about?
CARTER: Something neither one of us can admit, given our working relationship, our military ranks....
O'NEILL: Oh! (Pause) Oh, that.
CARTER: Sir, we weren't telling the whole truth, and that's why the machine thinks the memories are false.
O'NEILL: Really?
The look at each other. Carter stands up and turns back to the machine.
CARTER: Re-test him.
SCENE: SGC CORRIDORS
The Presidential entourage arrives. Hammond greets them in an SGC corridor.
HAMMOND: Mister President.
PRESIDENT: General, nice to see you.
HAMMOND: Good to see you, sir.
SCENE: ISOLATION ROOM
O'Neill is still in the hot seat. Carter and Freya are behind the zatarc detector.
FREYA: Major Carter was trapped behind the force shield.
O'NEILL: That's right.
Flashback to O'Neill hitting the control panel, then pulling the cover off.
CARTER (in flashback): Sir, there's no time!
In the flashback, O'Neill gets up and looks behind Carter. They hear Jaffa marching toward them and turn to look at each other.
O'NEILL: There were sounds.
FREYA: You did everything you could.
O'NEILL: Yes.
FREYA: You couldn't save her.
O'NEILL: No.
FREYA: But you still could have saved yourself.
O'NEILL: I guess.
Flackback to O'Neill beating the force shield.
CARTER (in flashback): Sir. . . .
O'NEILL (in flashback): I know! I know!
FREYA: What happened next?
Flashback to O'Neill beating the control panel.
CARTER (in flashback): Sir! Just go!
O'NEILL (in flashback): (Standing up) NO!
O'Neill stares into Carter's eyes. She has a pleading look in her eyes. Back to him staring in her eyes. She cocks her head to the side with the pleading look, almost in tears. He now has a confused look on his face. Sound of Jaffa marching up, getting louder. The Jaffa appear.
FREYA: What were you feeling?
O'NEILL: Like . . . someone who was about to die.
Detector shows signs of lying--pink appears around the blue.
CARTER: Sir. . . . [She looks him in the eyes.]
Flashback to the face to face with the force shield between them. They're just looking into each other's eyes. She has the pleading look.
O'NEILL: I didn't leave . . . because I'd have rather died myself . . . than lose Carter.
Carter looks him in the eyes.
FREYA: Why?
O'NEILL: Because I care about her . . . a lot more than I'm supposed to.
He and Carter are sharing looks all during this exchange. The red around the blue in the zatarc detector's screen disappears.
FREYA: You are not a zatarc.
Up in the observation room, Fraiser turns to Teal'c. He actually looks a little teary eyed. Carter and O'Neill look at each other again.
CARTER: Now, re-test me.
Carter's in the chair now. The detector is solid blue.
FREYA: You are also not a zatarc.
Carter, in the chair, opens her eyes.
CARTER: Thank you.
O'Neill goes to unfasten Carter.
O'NEILL: Carter. . . .
CARTER: Sir. . . .
She stands up and faces him.
CARTER: None of this has to leave this room.
The door is opening behind O'Neill.
O'NEILL (Confused and rather disappointed look): We're okay with that?
CARTER: Yes, sir.
He looks her up and down and nods. One more shared look, then they turn away. Fraiser walks into the isolation room.
FRAISER: All right, so if they're not zatarcs then they're no threat to the President.
O'NEILL: Oh, I have some questions for him.
FREYA: Every SGC personnel has been tested. Even the High Councilor and his personal guard were tested on Vorash before they came.
O'NEILL: Hey, what about you? You ever been tested on that thing?
FREYA: I have not been in any situations where I would vulnerable to the Goa'uld zatarc technology.
CARTER: What about Martouf?
Freya takes a deep breath like she's about to say something.
SCENE: SGC, EMBARKATION ROOM
The Gate technician is showing his ID to the guard at the door. He approaches Jackson and Per'sus, who are talking, and whispers something to Daniel, then leaves. Daniel looks stunned. Martouf, across the room, has a Goa'uld ring energy weapon. He turns it on and looks up, looking sinister.
JACKSON (to Per'sus): Excuse me.
Per'sus looks concerned as Daniel walks across the room toward Martouf. Daniel approaches Martouf and talks to him quietly.
JACKSON: Martouf, can I talk to you outside for a second?
Hammond and the President's entourage pick that moment to enter the embarkation room.
HAMMOND: Supreme High Councilor Per'sus of the Tok'ra, may I introduce the President of the United States of America.
The President steps forward, past his secret service men, and faces Per'sus. Martouf acts. He backhands Daniel and knocks him down, then raises the ring weapon.
JACKSON: Look out!
The President ducks, someone dives for Per'sus and pulls him away. Martouf shoots, and his shot hits the wall by the door as the Secret Service men pull the President away. Martouf turns his weapon on the Tok'ra. When they duck, he turns it elsewhere. O'Neill leans around the door frame and shoots Martouf once. It doesn't faze him. Martouf turns toward O'Neill and shoots. This shot also hits the wall, and Daniel ducks as concrete shrapnel flies. The two secret service men still behind the ramp start shooting at Martouf. He's hit several times but comes right back. They dive for cover as he fires and hits the ramp they're hiding behind.
Teal'c and two SFs run through the doorway. Teal'c zats Martouf even as Martouf shoots at him. Martouf's last shot misses Teal'c and the SFs and hits somewhere behind them in the corridor. Martouf finally falls to his knees.
Carter runs into the embarkation room behind Teal'c. She's also got a zat.
CARTER (to Teal'c, the SFs, and the secret service men): Hold your fire!
O'Neill, the secret service men, the Tok'ra--everyone who hid--stand and train their weapons on Martouf. He's obviously struggling to regain control of his own body. The sinister look leaves his face, and he turns toward Carter. She looks at him with real concern and steps forward.
MARTOUF: Samantha. . . .
He's struggling not to activate the ring device, but despite his best efforts his left hand moves closer to the controls. Rather than let him kill himself, Carter zats him a second time. Second shot kills. He collapses, and she runs to grab him, letting him down so he's lying with his head in her lap. She pulls the ring device off his hand and holds it up.
O'NEILL: Drop them.
The secret service men slowly back down. Hammond and Freya hurry into the embarkation room.
HAMMOND: Is everyone okay? Per'sus?
PER'SUS: Yes. Is the President all right?
HAMMOND: He's okay. And I'm afraid this man isn't the President. The real President is still waiting for our signal in Air Force One. We had to be absolutely sure.
PER'SUS: I see. (He doesn't look pleased.) May that be the last time such a deception is required by either of us.
He looks over at where Carter is cradling Martouf's head.
FREYA: I promise you, his death will ultimately prove be a noble sacrifice.
Carter, closer to tears than ever, nods. She looks back down at Martouf. Daniel, Teal'c and O'Neill close in around them.