1.15 "Singularity" Transcript

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1.15 "Singularity"

Episode Guide

Précis

Sam Carter returns with the sole survivor of a planetary plague—a little girl, Cassandra. As they become attached, Carter, Dr. Fraiser and Daniel discover the girl's terrible secret—a time-bomb implanted by the Goa'uld Nirrti to destroy the Stargate on Earth. Can Carter save Cassandra or will she share her fate?

Guide | Transcript

Transcript

TEASER

INT—SGC GATE ROOM

[SG-1 enters, wearing mission gear.]

DANIEL
So, what exactly are we going to see after this eclipse begins? I mean, it is black, and it is a hole…

O'NEILL
Well, it might be a black hole.

DANIEL

(Hesitates)

Okay. Let me put that a different way

CARTER

(Interrupts, laughing)

No Daniel, you're right. You can't exactly see it, not the singularity itself. It's so massive, not even light can escape it. But, during the totality phase of the eclipse, you should be able to see matter spiraling towards it.

O'NEILL
Actually, it's called the accretion disk.

DANIEL

Well, I guess it's easy enough to understand why the local population would be afraid of something like thi…
(does a double take and looks at O'Neill)

What did you just say?

O'NEILL

(Offhand)

It's just an astronomical term.

CARTER
You didn't think the Colonel had a telescope on his roof just to look at the neighbors, did you?

O'NEILL

(draws in a breath and looks thoughtful)

Not initially.

[SG-1 goes through Stargate.]

EXT—HARKA

[We see green fields with windmills in the background. A dirt road leads to a sign reading:

Welcome to Harka
Project 169
Douglas McLean
Memorial Observatory
SG7
Planet PX8 987
John Smith
Commanding

SG-1 walk down the dirt road.]

TEAL'C
Someone from SG-7 should have been here to greet us.

O'NEILL
They should be prepping the telescope for the big show.

[As they walk, the team members spot a basket, then a body lying face-down at the side of the road. They rush to the body. O'NEILL turns it over, revealing an obviously dead man with sores on his exposed skin. They all draw back in reaction.]

O'NEILL
Oh, God. All right, MOPP 4.

[SG-1's human members pull on hoods with air filters. O'NEILL breaks a sealed packet and scrubs his hands with an orange disinfectant towel.]

O'NEILL

Daniel, you and Teal'c check the village. See why no one's missed this guy. Where everyone else is. We've got the observatory.

All right, move out!

[O'NEILL and CARTER head down the road to the observatory, DANIEL and TEAL'C cut through the fields to village.]

INT—OBSERVATORY ON HARKA

[A large telescope fills the first room of the temporary structure. Machinery and computers line the walls. O'NEILL and CARTER walk in, O'NEILL using a flashlight to see.]

CARTER
Where is everyone?

[O'NEILL and CARTER walk through a doorway into the barracks. The bodies of SG-7 are lying in various positions in the bunks and on the floor. The exposed skin of all of the men is covered with sores.]

O'NEILL
Found 'em.

CARTER
My God.

DANIEL

(distant, yelling)

Jack! JACK!

[DANIEL runs into the room, with TEAL'C at his heels.]

DANIEL
They're all dead. Everyone.

END TEASER—OPENING CREDITS

INT—BARRACKS ON HARKA

[A glass decontamination chamber has been set up between the outside and the inside. SG-1 stand inside the chamber. A blast of steam or chemical solution washes over them. Inside, DR. FRAISER and two aides wait for SG-1 to finish their decontamination and enter.]

FRAISER
This complex has been totally decontaminated. How many dead?

CARTER
We estimate about a thousand.

FRAISER
Why didn't they send a message, some warning this was happening?

O'NEILL
We don't know.

DANIEL
Looks like all this happened very quickly.

CARTER
Now, there may still be survivors out there. Shouldn't we be looking for them?

FRAISER
No. Not until I examine you. We'll use the barracks room. Colonel, you said that you touched one of the victims before putting on gloves?

O'NEILL
Yeah, but I washed my hands right away.

FRAISER
No. You're first.

[DANIEL sneezes. Everyone stops, and turns to look at him.]

O'NEILL

Allergies, right?
(to Fraiser)

Right?

FRAISER
Right.

EXT—HARKA

[SG-1 walk down a dirt road, O'NEILL, DANIEL and CARTER clad in yellow biohazard suits and TEAL'C in his regular uniform.]

CARTER
We're supposed to tag the bodies we find with these.

[CARTER and O'NEILL hand out tags.]

DANIEL
They knew this would happen.

CARTER
The indigenous people?

DANIEL
They told me when we came here three months ago that with the darkness would come the apocalypse. It was part of their mythology. But what do we tell them? That it's just an eclipse, and there's nothing to worry about.

[Several bodies lay on the edge of a field and in the road. O'NEILL, DANIEL and TEAL'C start to tag the bodies. CARTER clips one tag on the body of a teenage boy. From the thick underbrush, a small hand reaches out and pulls off the tag, then runs away. The small figure can barely be seen moving through the brush, but CARTER spots it.]

CARTER

Hello? Hello, it's okay. You can come out. Look, I know I must look pretty scary in the mask, but I'm not going to hurt you. It's okay.
(She turns to O'Neill)

Colonel, there's someone in the bushes and they won't come out.

O'NEILL

(to Teal'c)
Show 'em your face.
(He makes a face at Teal's frown.)

Try to look friendly.

[TEAL'C walks into the field. He spots CASSANDRA hiding in the trees.]

TEAL'C

We will not hurt you. Please come out.
(He holds out his hand)

Take my hand.

[CASSANDRA hesitantly reaches out and takes his hand. TEAL'C smiles, a nice, gentle smile.]

TEAL'C
It is okay.

[TEAL'C leads CASSANDRA back to the other members of SG-1. They share concerned glances.]

INT—HARKA—OBSERVATORY BARRACKS

[CASSANDRA sits on an examination table, her face blank. DR FRAISER and CARTER are examining her. Both wear cloth masks over their mouths and noses.]

CARTER

It's okay. Don't worry, everything's going to be fine. Can you hear me?
You're very brave.
(to Janet)

Can I take this mask off?

FRAISER

(nods)

I think that'll be okay. Looks like we're dealing with a bacteria infection. Just don't get too close.

CARTER

(Pulls off mask and smiles)
There, that's better, huh? You feel like telling me your name now?
(She gets a blank star from Cassandra, who then deliberately looks away.)

That's okay. You remember my name? Samantha Carter. But you can call me Sam.

[CASSANDRA hooks the tag she took off the dead boy on her hospital gown.]

CARTER
Oh no, no honey. You're not going to die. Why don't you just lay down and rest for awhile, okay? Okay.

[CASSANDRA obediently lies down, tightly clutching the tag. CARTER reaches out and tries to pull it out of her hand. CASSANDRA pulls back, refusing to let it go. CARTER sighs and gives up, patting the girl on the head.]

FRAISER

(from across the room)

This can't be.

CARTER

(walking over to her)

She's infected, isn't she?

FRAISER
No, she's not.

CARTER
Well, what's wrong with her?

FRAISER
Three are traces of the element the Stargate is made of in her blood.

CARTER
Naquada?

FRAISER

Yes. Now, it's possible that's the reason she was able to resist the infection.
(to technician, who gives her a folder)
Thank you. Here, take a look.

(Hands folder to Carter)

[CARTER and FRAISER walk down the hall to the larger room. DANIEL, O'NEILL and TEAL'C are waiting.]

FRAISER
Well, I have some bad news. The samples my team collected show the entire area to be contaminated. It's in the water and the ground. Now, the bacteria doesn't seem to be airborne, but it has the unique ability to survive in a variety of environments.

DANIEL
Listen, um…I hate to sound self-centered here, but…

FRAISER
Your tests are fine.

TEAL'C
What of the girl?

FRAISER
No sign of infection, and as a precaution I did an ultrasound to make sure she wasn't parasitically infested with a Goa'uld.

O'NEILL
So, she goes back with us.

CARTER
Doctor, would it be safe for someone to stay a little while longer? I mean, we're safe right now, right?

O'NEILL
Captain?

CARTER
Sir, the eclipse happens in less than one day. This is our only opportunity to use this window of darkness to photograph the black hole with this telescope. It could change the course of human history. I don't want to belittle what's happened here, but if we just pack up and leave, SG-7 and all these people will have died for nothing.

[CASSANDRA walks in and grabs CARTER'S arm, hiding behind her to peek out at the male members of SG-1.]

O'NEILL
Well, you won't be staying.

TEAL'C
I will remain. I am not at risk.

O'NEILL
Yeah, I'll stay too.

EXT—HARKA STARGATE

[Several technicians lead the way through the open wormhole. CARTER and DANIEL approach, with CASSANDRA between them, holding their hands. All are wearing biohazard suits.]

CARTER

(Bends down to look Cassandra in the eye.)
Hey, you okay? Don't be afraid, I'll be holding your hand the whole way, all right? I know it looks kinda scary, but it's really a lot of fun.
(She stands back up.)

On three. One, two, three.

[CARTER, CASSANDRA and DANIEL jump into the wormhole.]

INT—SGC GATE ROOM

[A small decontamination unit stands at the Gate, across the room a glassed chamber is between the Gate room and the rest of the Stargate complex.]

TECHNICIAN

(over intercom)

Level one decontamination complete. Proceed with level two.

CARTER

(Removing Cassandra's helmet)

Hey, it's okay, okay. It wasn't so bad, was it?

INT—SGC—

[Small, bare room. Concrete walls, one bed with gray cover, empty bookcase, gray chair. Depressing. CARTER and CASSANDRA enter.]

CARTER
Well, here we are. This is where you're going to stay for a little while, okay? I know it's nothing fancy, but we'll fix it up.

[CASSANDRA looks around room, her expression dismayed. CARTER leads her to the bed. CASSANDRA sits down on the edge, CARTER crouches in front of her.]

CARTER
I have to go somewhere for a little while. But I promise you I won't be gone long, okay?

[CASSANDRA grabs CARTER'S shirt and clenches it tightly in her hand.]

CARTER
No, I…I have to go. But I'll be able to see you the whole time through that camera up there, see?

[CARTER points to the camera, then to her eyes. CASSANDRA just looks at her, refusing to relinquish her hold. CARTER gives up.]

CARTER
All right. I'll stay for a little while.

[CARTER sits on the bed beside CASSANDRA. CASSANDRA clutches CARTER'S leg and skootches closer. CARTER looks uncomfortable, then puts one arm around the girl's shoulder.]

INT—SGC BRIEFING ROOM

[A monitor shows CARTER with CASSANDRA in her little cell. The room is now decorated with posters and pictures tacked to the wall. A small table and chairs have been added, with flowers on the table. An easel stands in the corner, and the bed is covered with a pink comforter decorated with bears. CASSANDRA is seated at the table, drawing.]

HAMMOND

(looks up from monitor)

She seems to have bonded with Captain Carter

DANIEL
I can't blame her for being terrified. Believe me, it was not pretty over there.

HAMMOND
What happened?

FRAISER
We counted 1,432 dead. I believe we may be indirectly responsible.

HAMMOND
How?

FRAISER
It's possible someone from Earth brought a normally harmless bacteria to that planet. It learned some new traits from a local organism and mutated into the most deadly infectious strain I've ever encountered.

HAMMOND
Are you absolutely positive you haven't brought any of this disease back here with you?

FRAISER
Yes, sir. In fact, I think we may have brought back the cure.

HAMMOND
Doctor?

FRAISER
Sir, somehow this little girl survived against all odds on a completely contaminated planet. Now, I'm hoping she has some sort of natural immunity that we might use in fighting other serious infections already here on Earth.

HAMMOND
Why didn't the telescope team report that this outbreak was going on?

DANIEL
We don't know.

DANIEL, HAMMOND and FRAISER all look at monitor, which fades to…

INT—SGC—CASSANDRA'S ROOM

CARTER

Don't you want this?
(Gestures to a plate of hot dogs in buns.)
See, we usually put some stuff on it, like this.
(She puts on mustard and takes a big bite.)

See? Mmmm.

[CASSANDRA looks away, taking a furtive bite from a small plain hot dog hidden in her hand. She returns to her drawing. It's a picture of figures lying on the ground. A smaller figure with a dress and dark hair stands over them, tears dripping down her face. CARTER looks at the drawing, then picks up a paintbrush and draws a larger stick figure beside the solitary standing girl.]

CARTER
It's me, okay? You're not alone anymore

[CASSANDRA looks up at her solemnly.]

INT—HARKA OBSERVATORY

[O'NEILL is sitting on the telescope ladder, TEAL'C is in an office chair. Both appear bored.]

O'NEILL

This is fun.
(He looks at his watch)

Only eight hours to go. Sweet

TEAL'C
I still do not understand this black hole

O'NEILL
Well, a black hole is..is really big, thing. It's uh…But basically it's a massive hole. Out there.

TEAL'C
I see.

O'NEILL
Ah, and…what happens is, everything gets sucked into it, even light. That's why we can't see it. It just gets…sucked in.

TEAL'C
Thank you.

O'NEILL
Sure.

INT—SGC CASSANDRA'S ROOM

[CARTER is sitting on the bed, CASSANDRA lying asleep, across her lap. She is stroking the girl's hair. DANIEL walks in. He looks at CARTER and mimes a phone call. She nods, and looks down at CASSANDRA as she wakens.]

CARTER

Hey. How you feeling?
(Cassandra blinks sleepily.)
Listen, I have to go somewhere for a little while. But you're not going to be alone.
(She looks towards Daniel.)

Daniel's going to be here the whole time. Remember Daniel?

[DANIEL smiles. CASSANDRA looks sad.]

CARTER
You're very brave, remember. I'll be back before you know it.

CASSANDRA
Please don't go.

[CARTER and DANIEL both look surprised as they look down at CASSANDRA.]

CARTER
You feel like telling me your name?

CASSANDRA
Cassandra.

CARTER

(Smiles)

Hi, Cassandra.

CASSANDRA

(Looking exhausted)

I hurt.

CARTER

(Anxiously)

Where?

[CASSANDRA taps her chest.]

INT—SGC INFIRMARY

[CASSANDRA is on examination table.]

FRAISER
Sounds good. No fluid in her lungs.

CARTER
She described it more like a sharp, stabbing pain.

FRAISER

(Walks across the room to computer, Carter following.)

I have no idea of what to say or do. Her latest blood work shows a marked potassium deficiency. I have no idea what is causing it or how it got so low, so quickly, but one of the effects can be arrhythmia.

CARTER
You're sure she doesn't have the disease?

FRAISER
Uh-hm. Positive. These are not the symptoms of a bacterial infection.

[CASSANDRA looks over at them.]

CARTER

Okay, thank you.
(She crosses back over to Cassandra and lifts her off the table.)

All right, let's go back to our room

CASSANDRA

(to Fraiser)

Thank you.

FRAISER
You are welcome.

[As they cross the room, CASSANDRA stops short, a look of pain crossing her face. She crosses her arms over her chest.]

CARTER
What? What? What is it?

[CASSANDRA'S eyes go wide, then she collapses backwards. CARTER scoops her up.]

FRAISER
Get her on the table!

[CARTER puts her on the table. FRAISER feels her neck for a pulse.]

CARTER
Oh my God. What is it? What's happening?

FRAISER

She's got an irregular heartbeat. She's in arrest.
(Runs to intercom and yells.)

Code Blue to lab. Code blue!

CARTER
What? What do I do?

[FRAISER starts CPR. A team of medical personnel run in and starts working.]

FRAISER
We've got a cardiac arrest, potassium deficiency. Get me a number seven-cuff intubation tracheal tube now.

[The technicians do their medical stuff. CARTER pulls back to give them room. The monitor registers no heartbeat as they insert a tube and continue with chest compressions.]

FRAISER
Defib. Stop CPR. Defib. Sixty joules. Come on, come on. Clear!

[The nurse tries the paddles to get CASSANDRA'S heart going. Her heartbeat starts.]

FRAISER
Let me in, let me in.

TECHNICIAN
Check the monitor.

FRAISER
I want you to notify the ICU. I want her potassium level rechecked, stat.

TECHNICIAN
Get on it. Get down to the lab.

FRAISER
Wait. Wait…wait….wait…wait. Oh my God.

CARTER
What is it?

FRAISER
Get me a chest x-ray, stat.

FRAISER
I don't know. Listen.

[FRAISER hands her stethoscope to CARTER. CARTER puts it on and listens. Underneath the sound of CASSANDRA'S heartbeat, there's a shushing sort of mechanical sound. CARTER and FRAISER exchange worried glances.]

INT—SGC INFIRMARY

[FRAISER puts up and X-ray of CASSANDRA'S chest. There's some kind of small round object embedded in her heart, with tendrils branching out. HAMMOND, DANIEL, CARTER and FRAISER all stand there, looking at it.]

CARTER
Oh my God.

HAMMOND
What is it?

FRAISER
I don't know, but it wasn't there ten hours ago.

INT—SGC INFIRMARY OPERATING ROOM

[CASSANDRA is on the table, surrounded by medical personnel. They are obviously about to attempt to remove the object.]

WARNER
I'm inserting the scope. Image up.

[An image of CASSANDRA'S heart is projected on the monitor.]

FRAISER
Pulse normal.

WARNER
I'd advancing the scope.

FRAISER
Pulse is rising.

WARNER
Adjusting view.

[The monitor shows a round object in CASSANDRA'S heart.]

FRAISER
Well, parts of it are definitely organic.

WARNER
I'm going to move in closer and try to get a biopsy.

[CASSANDRA'S heartbeat speeds up.]

FRAISER
Pulse is now 140.

WARNER
I'm scraping the heart surface for samples.

FRAISER
We have to stop.

WARNER
Just a little more.

[CASSANDRA'S heartbeat speeds up more, then flatlines.]

WARNER

(pulling back with alarm)
Removing scope. Prepare the paddles!

Charging. Clear!

[The medical staff charge the paddles, but just as they are about to use them, CASSANDRA'S heartbeat returns to normal.]

FRAISER
Wait, wait. Pulse is normal

INT—SGC

[HAMMOND and FRAISER move through corridors.]

FRAISER
Whatever this object is, it has the ability to stop her heart in an instant.

HAMMOND
Can you remove it?

FRAISER
No. It doesn't look like it. Not without killing her. Now, Dr. Warner managed to get us some samples. I'm hoping the results of the analysis will tell us more about what this object is.

HAMMOND
Thank you Doctor.

INT—SGC CASSANDRA'S ROOM

[CASSANDRA is in bed, sleeping. CARTER is sitting beside her.]

CASSANDRA

(waking up)

Mom?

CARTER
Hey. You okay?

CASSANDRA
I was dreaming about my mom.

CARTER
You miss your mom very much?

CASSANDRA

(looks away.)

I'm tired.

CARTER
Well, you should get some rest. Don't worry, everything's going to be just fine. And when you get better, I promise you I am going to show you all kinds of really wonderful things about this planet.

CASSANDRA
Promise?

CARTER
You bet.

[CASSANDRA reaches up and hugs her. CARTER looks sad.]

INT—SGC HALLWAY OUTSIDE CASSANDRA'S ROOM

[DANIEL is sitting in a chair, obviously waiting, as CARTER exits the room.]

DANIEL
How is she?

CARTER
She's fine. Sleeping.

DANIEL
Um. Um, if you want…I can sit with her tomorrow. For a few hours.

CARTER
No, I'm okay.

DANIEL
Okay.

CARTER
I just…I want to do this.

DANIEL
Okay. But I guess what I'm saying is that you don't have to do this alone.

CARTER

Thanks.

(She rubs Daniel's arm before walking away.)

INT—OBSERVATORY ON HARKA

[The singularity is starting.]

O'NEILL

It's showtime!

(Jack climbs to telescope.)

TEAL'C
The systems are online. The eclipse has reached its totality.

O'NEILL

(Awed)

Whoa.

INT—SGC INFIRMARY LAB

[CARTER and DANIEL are looking at new X-ray.]

CARTER
The layer of fatty tissue between the two sides of the object is decaying. Very slowly, mind you, but still…

DANIEL
What's the significance?

CARTER
I'm about to do an experiment to find out. One side of the object is made up of a combination of iron and potassium; the other side is made up of the element that makes up the Stargate.

DANIEL
What?

FRAISER
Uh-hm. I'm assuming it's the Naquada that was in her blood. Somehow the object is collecting it.

CARTER
Now, potassium can be one of the most volatile alkaline metals on Earth. Combined with even a small concentration of Naquada, and…

DANIEL
That doesn't sound very good.

[The monitor shows two robot arms in small room.]

CARTER
The room you're looking at is in the sub-basement floor of the complex. It's lead sealed. Let's see what happens when we put the two objects together.

[CARTER types some commands into computer.]

DANIEL
Where are the samples?

CARTER
I'm only using a microscopic particle of each.

[The two robot arms move closer together and…**BOOM** The monitor screen shows grey snow.]

FRAISER
The reading's off the scale. Gamma and particle radiation.

DANIEL
Are we safe?

CARTER
Yeah, but we have a big problem.

DANIEL
Well, if two microscopic particles can cause that…

CARTER
Then the object inside Cassandra could cause a nuclear reaction a million times bigger.

[All three look worried.]

INT—OBSERVATORY ON HARKA

[O'NEILL is looking through the telescope when he notices a pulsing light approaching.]

O'NEILL
What is that?

TEAL'C
A star, perhaps.

O'NEILL
Hit the zoom.

[The screen becomes a blur.]

O'NEILL
No, it's way too close to be a star. Pull back.

[The object is revealed to be some kind of spaceship.]

O'NEILL
What the hell is that?

TEAL'C
It is a Goa'uld attack vessel.

[O'NEILL looks quickly at TEAL'C.]

INT—SGC BRIEFING ROOM

[HAMMOND, DANIEL, CARTER, FRAISER and four officers in dress uniforms sit around the briefing table.]

DANIEL
It's a setup. It has to be. The Goa'ulds wiped out every last living person on that planet except Cassandra, and then they made us think that it was our fault; because they knew that we wouldn't leave her there. They knew that we would bring her back here. And they used their technology to put that thing inside of her.

CARTER
It's like they designed a way for us to help them create the device after she came through the Stargate. So we wouldn't detect it until it was too late.

FRAISER
We gave her iron supplements. We may even have turned the device on with a jolt of electricity when we resuscitated her.

HAMMOND
You're saying it's meant to destroy us.

CARTER
At least this complex; a threat to the Goa'uld. The Stargate.

DANIEL
They used that little girl like a Trojan Horse.

HAMMOND
How long do we have?

FRAISER
One hour and fifty-two minutes.

HAMMOND
You can predict it that accurately?

FRAISER
The cellular decay of the tissue Dr. Warner sampled appears to be happening like clockwork.

[Everyone turns to look at HAMMOND, who looks grim.]

INT—SGC CASSANDRA'S ROOM

[CASSANDRA tosses and turns in bed. CARTER is watching at the door. DANIEL enters behind her. CASSANDRA coughs in her sleep. Both adults watch her.]

CARTER
How could they do this?

DANIEL
Well, to the Goa'uld, she's not as we see her. She's a tool. Her death is a very cheap way to get rid of us.

CARTER

(with tears in her eyes.)

I know I'm supposed to be detached.

DANIEL

(Looks at her with concern.)

Who said that?

CARTER
Sometimes I forget you're not military.

INT—OBSERVATORY ON HARKA

[The monitor shows the approaching ship.]

TEAL'C
It is the ship of the Goa'uld Nirti. An enemy of Apophis.

[An object leaves the ship.]

O'NEILL
Now, what the hell is that?

TEAL'C

(Looks grim)

We must go.

INT—SGC GENERAL HAMMOND'S OFFICE

[HAMMOND hangs up the red phone.]

CARTER
Look, Sir, I know this decision isn't easy for you.

HAMMOND
In fact, the decision is quite easy. The consequences are what's difficult.

CARTER
There has to be another way.

HAMMOND
I've been assured there is absolutely no way to remove the object from the girl without killing her. Therefore, we have no choice. According to Dr. Fraiser's measurements, the rate of atomic decay, we have one hour and twenty minutes left. The girl should be prepared to go back through the Stargate.

CARTER
I'll take her, Sir.

HAMMOND
Along with SG-4. I want O'Neill and Teal'c to return with you.

EXT—HARKA

[O'NEILL in biohazard suit and TEAL'C are running down road. Overhead, a pair of Death Gliders shoot at them. Blasts come close; they throw themselves to the side of the road.]

TEAL'C
We must get to the Stargate!

O'NEILL
No argument from me!

TEAL'C
This Goa'uld Nirti, he once sent an emissary of peace to negotiate a treaty concerning a Stargate Apophis had taken control of. The negotiation was a ploy. The Stargate was destroyed.

O'NEILL
How?

TEAL'C
As soon as he entered the Stargate, there was a massive explosion.

O'NEILL
The girl?

Teal'c nods.

INT—GATE ROOM

[SG-4 and CARTER are dressed in biohazard suits. CARTER is holding CASSANDRA (also in suit) by the hand.]

EXT—HARKA

[Death Gliders are firing at O'NEILL and TEAL'C. They run towards Stargate.]

INT—SGC GATE ROOM

TECHNICIAN
Chevron three, encoded. Chevron four, encoded.

[CASSANDRA looks up at CARTER; her eyes roll back, and she collapses.]

CARTER
Cassandra?

[FRAISER runs to Gate room.]

EXT—HARKA—TEAL'C works on dialing the DHD

O'NEILL
Take your time, don't hurry.

INT—SGC GATE ROOM

[FRAISER runs in, and drops down at CASSANDRA'S side.]

TECHNICIAN
Chevron five, encoded.

CARTER
What is it?

FRAISER
She's slipped into a coma.

CARTER
What?

TECHNICIAN

Chevron six, en…

(he stops and looks down at the computer. The wormhole engages.)

HAMMOND
Close the iris.

TECHNICIAN
No need, sir. I'm getting an SG-1 remote signal.

EXT—HARKA

[TEAL'C and O'NEILL jump through Stargate and into the wormhole.]

INT—SGC GATE ROOM

[TEAL'C and O'NEILL come through the Gate, debris following them.]

O'NEILL
Get the girl away from the Gate!

INT—SGC BRIEFING ROOM

O'NEILL
So the Goa'ulds kept SG-7 from coming back through to warn us. All part of the plan.

DANIEL
So what are we going to do now?

HAMMOND
Teal'c; Dr. Fraiser says the device inside the girl is on some sort of timer. You're sure it will go off if we send the girl through the Stargate?

TEAL'C
We should not attempt it. The Earth Gate is what the Goa'uld wish to destroy.

CARTER
Cassandra's condition deteriorated once she got near the Stargate.

HAMMOND
Well, I can't risk the security of this mountain. We'll have to take her somewhere else.

O'NEILL
What about the abandoned nuclear facility in…

HAMMOND

(interrupting)
Right. It's just twenty minutes away.
(Picks up phone)

This is Major General Hammond. Get me the Secretary of Defense immediately. Tell him it's a matter of life and death.

EXT—ROAD TO ABANDONED NUCLEAR FACILITY

[SG-1 is in back of a military transport, CASSANDRA being held on CARTER'S lap. They reach the facility, and various military personnel lead SG-1 into the building. CARTER is carrying a comatose CASSANDRA. The group walks through several corridors before reaching an elevator.]

O'NEILL
I can take her from here now, Captain.

CARTER
No Sir, that's okay.

[The elevator door opens.]

O'NEILL
This elevator goes down thirty floors through solid rock. Takes about three minutes to get to the bottom. That gives you four minutes to start back up.

[CARTER nods and enters the elevator, still carrying CASSANDRA.]

INT—FACILITY ELEVATOR

[CASSANDRA stirs, then her eyes open. She looks around the elevator, then at CARTER.]

CASSANDRA
Where are we going?

CARTER

(looking horrified.)

Please, go back to sleep.

CASSANDRA
I'm not tired anymore.

[CARTER puts her down; CASSANDRA looks up at her.]

CASSANDRA
Are you crying?

[CARTER has tears in her eyes.]

INT—UPPER LEVEL OF FACILITY

[DANIEL, O'NEILL and TEAL'C watch the numbers on the elevator panel.]

INT—FACILITY ELEVATOR

[Elevator reaches bottom. CARTER leads CASSANDRA out into corridor. CARTER opens a heavy door, and leads CASSANDRA into bare, concrete room. The walls are crumbling. Nothing is inside. There's a slab of concrete jutting out of the wall. CARTER sits CASSANDRA on it.]

CARTER
Sit down here and rest for awhile, okay? I have to go.

CASSANDRA
You promised you'd never leave me alone.

CARTER

I'll be back, okay? I'll be back.
(Brushes back Cassandra's hair.)

You're very brave, remember?

CASSANDRA
I'm very brave.

[CARTER is crying.]

CARTER
I have to close the door.

[CASSANDRA nods. CARTER walks out of the room.]

CASSANDRA

(As the door swings shut, she stands)

Sam?

[CARTER shuts the door.]

CASSANDRA

(muffled, through door)

SAM?

[CARTER leans against door, crying, then runs into elevator and presses the button to go up. She hits the walls, kicks them, then slides to the ground, sobbing. She suddenly stops, pulls herself up, and changes the direction of the elevator.]

INT—UPPER LEVEL FACILITY

[DANIEL is the only one still watching the elevator panel, so he is the only one to see the numbers change.]

DANIEL
Jack, she's going back down.

O'NEILL
The hell she is. Captain Carter? Captain Carter.

INT—LOWER LEVEL FACILITY

[CARTER opens the door and joins CASSANDRA in the room.]

O'NEILL

(Over speaker)

Sam, do you read me?

CARTER
Colonel, I'm staying.

INT—UPPER LEVEL FACILITY

O'NEILL
Negative.

CARTER

(on speaker)

Colonel, she's awake.

DANIEL
Oh, God.

INT—LOWER LEVEL

[CARTER pulls the door shut and turns the lock.]

O'NEILL
Captain Carter, I am ordering you to get back up here, right now. Right now.

[CARTER hugs CASSANDRA.]

CASSANDRA
Are we going to die?

CARTER
No, we are not going to die.

INT—UPPER LEVEL FACILITY

O'NEILL
All right, why don't you guys clear out.

[DANIEL and TEAL'C exchange a look, then turn back to O'NEILL.]

O'NEILL

(nods)

Right.

INT—LOWER LEVEL FACILITY

[CARTER and CASSANDRA are holding onto each other very tightly.]

CASSANDRA

We're both very brave. I love you.

CARTER

I love you too.

INT—UPPER LEVEL FACILITY

[O'NEILL is watching the seconds count down on his watch.]

O'NEILL
All right, here we go. Three…two…one…

[O'NEILL'S watch reaches zero. Nothing seems to happen.]

DANIEL
I don't feel anything.

O'NEILL
We could have been wrong about the time.

DANIEL
We could have been wrong about what would happen.

O'NEILL

(Presses intercom)
Captain Carter? Can you hear me?
(pauses)

Sam, can you hear me?

INT—LOWER LEVEL OF FACILITY

CARTER

(into intercom)

We're okay. Nothing happened. Cassandra's fine, I'm fine. It didn't happen. I just…I couldn't leave her Sir.

O'NEILL
How did you know, Captain?

CARTER
It occurred to me that she first slipped into the coma when we brought her closer to the Stargate. As soon as we got her far enough away from the Stargate, she woke up. And I…knew.

O'NEILL
You knew.

INT—UPPER LEVEL FACILITY

[DANIEL punches TEAL'C in the arm. TEAL'C looks at him like he's nuts.]

INT—LOWER LEVEL FACILITY

[CARTER crosses room to CASSANDRA, who jumps up and wraps her legs around CARTER'S waist. They hug again.]

EXT—PARK

[DANIEL and CARTER are swinging CASSANDRA between them. TEAL'C is following. All are dressed in civilian clothing.]

DANIEL
You're getting a little heavy for this.

O'NEILL

(Calls from across park, where he's carrying a dog.)

Cassandra!

CARTER
Hey, there he is.

CASSANDRA

(Running across to O'Neill)

What's that?

O'NEILL
We have a rule here on Earth. Every kid has got to have a dog. This is a dog. And he's yours.

[O'NEILL hands the dog to CASSANDRA. CARTER, DANIEL and TEAL'C are sitting on a picnic table, watching O'NEILL and CASSANDRA interact.]

DANIEL
So, how sure were you really?

CARTER
I can't explain it, Daniel; I just knew.

TEAL'C
Mother's instinct, perhaps.

CARTER

(Grins.)
Subtle, but no.

Dr. Fraiser is going to take her until we can find qualified parents.

DANIEL
By qualified, you mean ones with the right security clearance.

CARTER
I wouldn't be surprised if Dr. Fraiser wants to keep her for herself. As long as Cassandra's happy.

TEAL'C
She appears to be.

CARTER

And I wasn't completely at ease until I learned the object was shrinking and being reabsorbed into her system.
(Cassandra comes over, carrying the dog.)

Hey!

CASSANDRA
Hey Samantha. See my new dog?

CARTER
Wow. Your new dog?

CASSANDRA
It's an Earth rule. Every kid has to have one. But I don't mind.

[CARTER raises her eyebrows and looks at O'NEILL.]

O'NEILL

Why don't I take the dog for a little walk.
(He takes the dog out of Cassandra's arms.)

C'mere. Teal'c? You know anything about dogs?

TEAL'C
Nothing.

[O'NEILL gestures, and TEAL'C and DANIEL follow him.]

CASSANDRA
When you find me a new home, will you come and visit me?

CARTER
You betcha. All the time.

CASSANDRA
That is, when you're on Earth.

CARTER
Right. Now, about that Cassandra…

CASSANDRA
I know. The Stargate is a secret; and I was born in a place called…Toronto?

CARTER
Right.

[CARTER and CASSANDRA share a smile of complete understanding.]

CASSANDRA

(Looks across park at swing set.)

What are those?

CARTER
Ah. Those are swings.

CASSANDRA
I never had any of those…in Toronto. They look like fun.

CARTER
They are. Come on.

[Hand in hand, CASSANDRA and CARTER head for the swings.]

ROLL CREDITS

Transcript by Kelly for Stargate SG-1 Solutions, 31 Dec 02

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--Kylie Lee 04:15, 6 Oct 2004 (PDT)