7.18 "Heroes Part 2" Transcript

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7.18 "Heroes Part 2"

Episode Guide

Précis

While the documentary crew continues its efforts, SG-1 and Dr. Fraiser join the rescue of SG-13. As the teams return, it's clear something has gone horribly wrong. The NID begins investigating as the documentary director tries to learn what happened, and what part of it Daniel may have caught on tape. The tragic truth is finally revealed, and the SGC is changed forever.

Guide | Transcript

Transcript

PREVIOUSLY ON STARGATE SG-1

SCENES FROM 7.17 "HEROES PART 1" ARE SHOWN

AND NOW, THE CONCLUSION

TEASER

INT—SGC CORRIDOR, LEVEL 28

[Klaxons blare. Bregman heads towards the Gate Room, then notices his film crew with Rundell. standing in a side corridor. He approaches them confused.]

BREGMAN
What's going on? I thought you guys were scheduled to get shots of the Gate?

WICKENHOUSE
We got bumped again.

JAMES
Something's up.

BREGMAN
What do you mean?

RUNDELL
Something big. You just missed SG-1 headed toward the Gate Room in full gear.

BREGMAN
What, you got it on tape?

[The crew shake their heads.]

JAMES
No…

RUNDELL
It's unauthorized. It's ongoing—

BREGMAN
Ongoing activity. I know. But SG-1?

JAMES
Yes.

BREGMAN
Dr. Jackson said he wasn't due to go offworld for a couple of days. What's changed?

RUNDELL
I don't know, but it happens all the time.

BREGMAN
But you said it was something big?

RUNDELL

(coldly)

Something big happens all the time.

[Another SG-team in full combat gear moves quickly down the hall. Bregman starts to go with them.]

BREGMAN

(to camera crew)

Something's happening right now. What's this? Follow me, let's go. Come on.

[When he reaches the corridor junction he sees Fraiser and a medical team, also dressed in combat gear, hurrying to the Gate room.]

BREGMAN
Doctor Fraiser?

FRAISER
Sorry, I have to go.

BREGMAN

(to film crew)

Come on.

[Fraiser and the medical team hurry into the Gate Room. Bregman tries to follow but two SFs block his path.]

RUNDELL
You're not allowed, Mister Bregman, and you know that.

BREGMAN
I-I just…I…

[Bregman heaves a frustrated sigh.]

END TEASER

OPENING CREDITS

CARTER'S DOCUMENTARY INTERVIEW

[Carter is on video footage responding to Bregman's questions.]

CARTER
There are days when you feel the pressure. I'm trained to handle it.

BREGMAN
With all due respect, Major, how can anyone be trained to handle an alien encounter where the stakes are, if what I'm told is correct, the stakes could be the survival of the planet?

CARTER
I think it's important to remember that it's not just about this planet. Countless humans throughout the galaxy, people that originated right here on Earth, have been enslaved for thousands of years. I mean, we're taking the fight back to the Goa'uld on their behalf.

BREGMAN
So how do you think the American people are going to react, the world is going to react, when they discover that a war—an alien war—has been waged without their knowledge?

CARTER

(pauses, then hesitantly)

I don't think that that's-that's for me to, um…Are you suggesting that we shouldn't be doing this?

BREGMAN
No, I'm not saying we shouldn't defend ourselves. I'm simply asking your opinion, Major.

CARTER
I-I don't think that that's for me to, um…uh…

INT—VIP ROOM

[A VIP room has been converted into a makeshift film editing studio. A variety of monitors, computers, and audio visual equipment is set up at one end of the room. James and Bregman sit side-by-side, studying Carter's interview footage.]

BREGMAN
No. Just stop it right there.

CARTER

(on video)

I don't know…

[James stops the playback.]

BREGMAN
You see, this is um, not her fault. I mean I backed her into a corner, and I do not want to make this whole thing look like it's antagonistic, so—

JAMES
Okay, so lose this?

BREGMAN
Well, I don't know. Just skip ahead to, uh, after the apology.

[James presses a few keys. A different part of the interview is queued up.]

BREGMAN
There, that's it!

BREGMAN

(on video)

Major, one day, the secret will all come out. How do you think the people of the world are going to react?

[Bregman nods at the new footage.]

BREGMAN
Much better way of asking the question.

CARTER

(on video)

I honestly don't know. I hope they can appreciate everything we've been through. What it all means for our continuing existence. In light of that, I hope that they will understand why the people in charge chose to keep it a secret as long as they have.

BREGMAN

(on video)

Is it difficult to keep the secret?

[Bregman expresses his satisfaction with the new footage, and James nods in agreement.]

CARTER
Yeah, of all the things I do around here, in many ways that is the hardest. Sometimes you-you look at what's going on here on Earth, and it-it makes you want to scream. You want to tell people it is all so much bigger than what they think.

INT—SGC VIP ROOM

BREGMAN

And…stop it right there and go right to Doctor Jackson saying…
(looking at his sheet)

"Whether I was right." And you're going to put me into the Carter interview.

JAMES
Yes.

[James queues up Daniel's interview.]

BREGMAN
The second half, especially the line: "Is it difficult to keep the secret?" Okay. Thank you. All right, move on.

DANIEL'S DOCUMENTARY INTERVIEW

DANIEL
Whether I was right or not doesn't matter, especially given the scope of the truth.

BREGMAN
And the truth matters to you?

DANIEL
To everyone, I hope.

BREGMAN
Now, what truth, Doctor Jackson? The truth for the people here on Earth? Or are we talking about another planet?

DANIEL
We're talking about people here. People on other planets are no less human. People who have had their freedom usurped, people who are being forced to worship false gods to mask their enslavement.

BREGMAN
But what about the people here on Earth? Are they entitled to the truth, do you think?

DANIEL

(pointing to camera)

Is that what this is about?

INT—SGC VIP ROOM

BREGMAN

(on video)

This? I'm not in control of when this airs. Do you think that this should get out? If it were up to you…

[Bregman and James nod at the new footage.]

BREGMAN
The way they cut together.

DANIEL'S DOCUMENTARY INTERVIEW

DANIEL
That's a complicated issue.

BREGMAN
No, I'm asking you, Doctor Jackson, do you think that people on Earth should know about this right now?

DANIEL
What do you think would happen?

BREGMAN
I think the people don't care much about what I think.

INT—SGC VIP ROOM

BREGMAN
All right, cut that line. Nobody cares that nobody cares what I think. Lose it.

JAMES

(punching some keys)

Okay, it's gone.

BREGMAN
Moving on.

BREGMAN

(on video)

I haven't done what you've done, Doctor Jackson. I think people care what you think.

DANIEL

(on video)

Well, I think it's a relative question, and it depends on your point of view.

BREMAN

(shaking his head in dismay)

Oh, no. Wait. Stop it. This is-it's terrible.

JAMES

(smiling)

Really? I think it's pretty interesting stuff. You know, you did a good job at getting them to express their true feelings.

BREGMAN

(talking over him)

Yak yak yak yak. A bunch of talking heads is all it is.

JAMES
Personally, I could watch Major Carter's head talk all day.

BREGMAN

(still talking over him)

We need pictures, we need images to tell this story. What these people are doing here, good or bad, makes the lunar landing look like we were testing our toes in the ocean. And what have we got to show for it? Yak yak yak, nothing! Where's the equivalent shot of Shepard playing golf on the moon? We don't have it. This is unbelievably boring!

EXT—P3X-666, DAY

[Al'kesh and death gliders fire missiles down to the ground as SG personnel exchange fire with enemy Jaffa. Carter, Teal'c and O'Neill move forward in an interspersed pattern. O'Neill finally takes cover next to Dixon.]

DIXON
Hi, Jack. Thanks for coming!

O'NEILL
I was told you said there was six Jaffa! Where'd you learn to count?

[The exchange of fire continues. An al'kesh drops another load of bombs.]

DIXON
The ships didn't start coming down until you radioed you were through the Gate.

[Teal'c spots a Jaffa approaching from one side. He hits it with a staff blast. O'Neill downs another Jaffa with armor piercing bullets.]

DIXON
Something tells me they're throwing this party in your honor, Jack. You got those clips?

[O'Neill hands Dixon some clips of ammunition. O'Neill and Dixon reload their weapons.]

AIRMAN

(over radio)

Colonel O'Neill, our position is being compromised! We're not gonna to be able to hold the Gate for long!

O'NEILL

(keying radio)

It doesn't matter. We're not gonna be able to hold this position for that long!

FRAISER

(over radio)

Colonel, I need more time to stabilize this patient. He can't be moved yet!

[The exchange of heavy fire continues. Carter, behind cover at a rock close to O'Neill, turns to him.]

CARTER
Sir, we've gotta fall back!

[An airman shoots a bazooka at a group of Jaffa behind some nearby rocks felling several of them. O'Neill is about to fire his weapon when he spots movement in his peripheral vision. A Jaffa is moving behind some heavy foliage, trying to outflank the SGC personnel. O'Neill glances quickly for oncoming fire, then moves to get into a better firing position to protect their flank. A staff weapon blast strikes O'Neill directly in the chest, and he falls backwards.]

CARTER

(spotting him fall)

SIR!

[Carter moves to assist him. Teal'c turns and is horrified by O'Neill's fall. O'Neill collapses onto the grass, unconscious, smoke curling from his chest.]

[An al'kesh roars overhead, dropping more bombs into the area. The heavy weapons fire continues. Dixon spares a glance back at O'Neill between shots, his face grim. Carter runs to his side and checks his injury.]

INT—SGC GATE ROOM

[The documentary crew films Harriman as he takes them on a tour of the Gate Room. Bregman touches one of the mounted guns stationed there.]

BREGMAN
That's .50 caliber, right?

[Harriman nods.]

BREGMAN
You get really shaken up if you don't know what you're doing.

HARRIMAN
Uh, no. Actually, our guys are trained to handle that kind of torque.

[Harriman and Bregman walk towards the back of the room.]

BREGMAN
I'm just kidding. What is this? Get a shot of this!

[Bregman points to some large computer equipment in the back of the room. The camera pans to it.]

BREGMAN
What is, uh…Can you explain how this operates?

HARRIMAN
Sure, our guys like to play a little "Space Invaders" when there's not much going on.

[Harriman gives a small smile to the camera.]

BREGMAN
Ha ha ha. Very funny.

HARRIMAN

(nervous)

No, obviously, I'm kidding.

BREGMAN
I know.

HARRIMAN
Certainly, it'd be completely inappropriate for any airman to play video games while on active duty.

BREGMAN

(irritated)

Yeah, I got it, okay? Can we move on?

HARRIMAN

(smiling nervously)

Sure.

BREGMAN
What's that on the wall?

[He points to a device on the far wall. They walk over to it.]

HARRIMAN
Right over here is the uh, manual override for the iris.

BREGMAN

(suspicious)

Are you kidding now? Is that a joke?

HARRIMAN
No, I'm serious.

BREGMAN

(touching the device)

How does this…uh?

[The chevrons on the Stargate start to engage.]

HARRIMAN

(yelling to control room)

Incoming Wormhole!

[Harriman races back to his station. Klaxons blare as a red light strobes over Bregman's head.]

BREGMAN
What does that mean?

RUNDELL
We're going to have to leave now.

[Rundell blocks the camera and tries to herd the documentary crew out of the room. He makes a cutting motion across his neck to the camera.]

BREGMAN
No, no, no. Keep shooting!

JAMES
I can't do that!

[James starts to put the camera down. Bregman pulls it out of his hands.]

BREGMAN
I can do it!

[Bregman starts waving the camera around, trying to film.]

HAMMOND

(from control room)

Remove that camera crew! Now!

[Armed guards surround the documentary crew and force them through the doors. Backing away, Bregman makes of show of complying, but carefully maneuvers the camera so that it remains powered on and filming while he starts walking away.]

CARTER

(over radio)

We are under fire and have serious casualties, sir! We're coming in hot!

HARRIMAN
Receiving SG-1's iris code, sir!

HAMMOND
Open the iris.

[The blast doors to the corridor close right after the film crew and SFs exit the room.]

INT—SGC CORRIDOR, LEVEL 28

[The documentary crew are escorted down the hallway. Bregman surreptitiously checks to ensure the camera is recording events transpiring behind him.]

RUNDELL

(to Bregman)

This way, sir.

HAMMOND

(over intercom)

Medical team to the Gate Room.

MEDIC
What do ya got? Whadda ya got?

RUNDELL
We have to clear this area.

MEDIC
Another fracture.

[The blast doors to Gate Room reopen as medical staff with gurneys and equipment enter. The camera catches glimpses of footage, including the nursing staff and medics returning from the room, rushing someone by on a gurney. Rundell glances down and notices the camera on. He powers the device off and glares at Bregman.]

BREGMAN

(unabashed)

Hey, sorry about that. Here, take the damn thing.

[Bregman shoves the camera back at James. A piece of the equipment falls.]

EXT—CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN, NIGHT

INT—SGC CORRIDOR

[The crew stands by an alcove, out of the way. James checks on his camera.]

JAMES

(surly)

In the future, sir, could you leave the camera work to me?

BREGMAN

(muttering)

Yeah, all right, I'll leave it up to you.

[Bregman looks over and sees Carter with some other personnel approaching from the far end of the hallway.]

BREGMAN
All right, I'm gonna leave it to you. Here she comes. Turn it on, let's go.

[Bregman snaps his fingers. James and Wickenhouse look to Rundell.]

BREGMAN
Don't look at him! We're clear to shoot here. Now come on! Just follow me. And bring that…bring the sound!

[Bregman runs down the hall and approaches Carter. Her face is streaked with tears and she is extremely upset.]

BREGMAN
Major, what happened?

CARTER

(waving him off)

Please.

BREGMAN
No, I know that at least one person was injured back there. All I want to say is…

CARTER

(with fury)

Look, leave me alone! And shut that damn thing off!

[Carter storms past the crew and Rundell and around the corner, leaving the documentary crew blinking in shock. They turn off their equipment. Bregman still tries to follow.]

BREGMAN
No, I just wanna say, how-how sorry I am…

[Bregman is blocked by an SF at the corner where two corridors meet. He notices James and Wickenhouse standing where he left them several feet away.]

BREGMAN
Why is that camera off? You don't know what you're doing here. Maybe I know what I'm doing here. These people are risking their lives for us! I want to see what they're going through, even if they don't want us to! And I want other people to see it! What do you think they're doing out there? Protecting and defending secrecy?!? That's the world of Mao, the world of Stalin, the world of-of secret police, secret trials, secret-secret deaths! You force the press into the cold, and all you will get is lies and innuendo! And nothing, nothing is worse for a free society than a press that is-that is in service to the-to the military and the politicians, nothing! You turn that camera off when I tell you to turn it off! You think I give a damn what you think about me? You serve the people? So do I!

[Various SGC personnel have been gathering during Bregman's tirade, since the crew is blocking a main junction of two corridors. Bregman storms off. Personnel move back to their destinations, and James and Wickenhouse quietly follow.]

INT—SGC COMMISSARY

[Bregman sits alone at a table. The only other person in the room is a cleaning person mopping the floor.]

BREGMAN
Hi, how you doing? I don't suppose you know anything about what's going…on here…

[The cleaning man glares at Bregman and moves away. James and Wickenhouse enter and sit at Bregman's table.]

WICKENHOUSE
There are multiple injuries. At least two people were hit with staff blasts—

BREGMAN
How do you know?

WICKENHOUSE
There was a firefight of some kind. Apparently one of the teams got ambushed, so they sent in SG-1, SG-5, Fraiser, and a medical team to extract them.

BREGMAN
Someone from the original team must have been badly hurt, or Fraiser wouldn't have gone in at all.

JAMES
One of the nurses said there was a casualty.

BREGMAN
Casualty! Someone die?

[Rundell enters.]

JAMES

(nodding)

She wouldn't say who.

BREGMAN

Well, Carter's a seasoned officer, she wouldn't be crying unless…
(spots Rundell)

I mean, we hear somebody actually may have died. What have you got?

RUNDELL

(upset)

O'Neill.

[The others look shocked.]

BREGMAN
You sure?

RUNDELL
No, I heard O'Neill's on a gurney. He took a blast. He's not moving.

EXT—CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN, DAY

[Several cars drive into the mountain complex.]

INT—HAMMOND'S OFFICE

[Hammond is seated at his desk. Rundell knocks and enters, Woolsey right behind him. Woolsey hands Hammond a folder.]

RUNDELL
General Hammond, Mister Woolsey.

WOOLSEY
General.

HAMMOND

(not looking at the file)

I already know these orders originated from Senator Kinsey's office. Why don't you tell me the rest?

WOOLSEY
As Chairman of the Intelligence Oversight Committee, Senator Kinsey has asked that I review your command decision regarding the recent attempted rescue of SG-13.

HAMMOND
Attempted?

WOOLSEY
As I understand it, there were several casualties, sir. I'd hardly call it a success.

HAMMOND

(darkly)

My command decisions are reviewed by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and the President of the United States. As of yet, I haven't even filed a preliminary mission report. When I do, you're welcome to read it.

WOOLSEY
I have been authorized to begin a full investigation into the matter, as part of a larger examination of SGC strategic policy that the Committee is preparing for the President. I've enclosed a list of interviews I will be conducting, and materials I will require. We expect your full cooperation.

[Woolsey turns. Rundell opens the door for him. Woolsey exits.]

RUNDELL
General.

[Rundell leaves. Hammond processes this recent event.]

INT—CARTER'S LAB

[Hammond enters. Carter is already there.]

HAMMOND
How are you holding up?

CARTER
I'm okay, sir.

HAMMOND
Did you talk to Agent Barrett?

CARTER

(nodding)

He said as far as he knows, Woolsey is clean. But he did say he's as sharp as they come. He's got an MBA and an LLB from Harvard. He was lead counsel for the Army Corps of Engineers for ten years and later sat on the Defense Policy Board. He was asked to resign last year when it was disclosed that he had financial ties to a large corporation that had been awarded over $800 million in private sector defense contracts by the Pentagon. He's been with the NID since then. Barrett faxed me this internal NID memo Woolsey recently wrote. I think you should read it.

[She hands Hammond a folder, he opens it and starts to glance through it.]

CARTER

(upset)

What do we do, sir?

HAMMOND
Just tell the truth.

CARTER
Yes, sir.

HAMMOND

(pausing)

There's going to be a memorial service on Wednesday. I think it would be appropriate if you said a few words.

CARTER

(gulping, but nodding)

Yes, sir.

[Hammond turns to go.]

CARTER
Sir?

[Hammond turns back.]

CARTER
How are you holding up?

HAMMOND

(visibly trying to control his emotions)

You try to tell yourself that every man and woman under your command means the same to you. Each has to be equally valuable if you're gonna make the kinds of decisions that affect their lives in the way I have to. But you can't help it. You get closer to some people. You never want to lose anyone. Well…

[Carter struggles, but is close to tears by the time Hammond finishes speaking. He looks at her sadly before leaving.]

INT—SGC INTERROGATION ROOM

NOTE: The following sequence intercuts different and separate interrogations by Woolsey with individual members of SG-1. Although the dialogue flows freely between the various conversations, they happened at separate occasions, and only one member of SG-1 was in the room with Woolsey at any given time.

[Woolsey stands in one corner of the room holding a report open in his hands as Carter enters. A tape recorder sits on top of the table, a corded flat microphone set up near the chair closest to the door, where Carter sits. A video camera sits on a tripod in another corner of the room.]

WOOLSEY
Have a seat, Major. Let me explain why I'm here.

[Carter sits in the chair closest to the door.]

CARTER

(irritated)

I know why you're here.

[Woolsey moves to the table and activates the video camera with a remote control.]

WOOLSEY
I believe classified military operations require oversight.

CARTER
This isn't the first time we've been scrutinized by the NID.

WOOLSEY
I know the stakes around here are always high. But there were serious casualties in this instance. Someone of great value to this program is dead.

CARTER
I know that! And don't you dare think anyone is taking it lightly.

WOOLSEY
You're a seasoned combat officer, and this isn't the first time you've lost a close colleague. Nor do I expect it will be the last. I just want to make sure that it wasn't avoidable in this case. Despite what you might think, the only reason I am here is to get the truth.

CARTER

(irritated)

Did you have a question?

[Woolsey turns on the tape recorder. He begins to pace the room. It is now Daniel sitting in the chair.]

WOOLSEY
Oh yes, a few. What made you think it was safe for SG-13 to remain on the planet?

DANIEL

(flatly)

It's not really my call.

WOOLSEY
But you thought it was worth risking the lives of an SG team to get an aerial survey of these ruins?

CARTER
The device was damaged. It took a while to get a proper interface, and the memory crystal contained an enormous amount of information.

WOOLSEY
So you would have me believe that this was an acceptable risk?

DANIEL

(slowly enunciating)

This is what we do.

WOOLSEY
Make bad decisions?

DANIEL
Yeah, it's easier to predict the score when the game's over. And if we had found powerful weapons in those ruins capable of defending the planet against the Goa'uld, we wouldn't be having this conversation, would we?

WOOLSEY

(calmly)

But you didn't, and we are.

[Daniel looks away and sighs.]

WOOLSEY
In fact, if there had been powerful weapons in those ruins, they would now be in the hands of the Goa'uld. The fact is that this mission was botched from the beginning to the end.

CARTER

(upset)

We don't just leave people behind! You can't ask airmen, soldiers, human beings to risk their lives without backup, without knowing that we would be there for them.

WOOLSEY
You yourself have been asked to go into combat where you knew there was no backup. That is always a possibility on any mission through the Stargate, is it not? And please, Major, none of us likes to admit it, but we all know that there are military situations in which the life of one human being has to be considered an acceptable loss.

CARTER
That wasn't the case here.

WOOLSEY
No, in this case, it was just dumb luck that there weren't many more lives lost.

CARTER

(barely keeping her temper)

I would say it was skill, training, and fortitude.

WOOLSEY
Based on your expertise in Goa'uld tactics, was it not reasonable to conclude that this was an ambush?

[Teal'c sits in the interrogation chair and stares impassively forward. He does not respond.]

WOOLSEY
While you are not an official member of our military and not eligible for court martial, I shouldn't have to remind you that you are expected to follow the orders of your superiors.

TEAL'C
As I was doing on the day in question.

WOOLSEY

(leaning forward to intimidate)

If you fail to testify here today, I will have you jailed until such time that you do.

[Daniel sneers and raises the microphone to his mouth.]

DANIEL

(with cold disgust)

You fire me; you can throw me in jail; you do what you want.

[Daniel tosses the microphone back down on the table and storms out of the room.]

INT—DANIEL'S OFFICE

[Daniel angrily types on a computer, fighting to keep his emotions in check. Bregman comes to the open doorway at the far end of the room.]

BREGMAN
Dr. Jackson?

[Daniel continues to stare at his computer screen.]

DANIEL

(voice breaking slightly)

Yeah, it's not a good time right now.

BREGMAN
I-I've just been hearing bits and pieces of what happened, I was just hoping you might be able to confirm some of it.

DANIEL
Sorry.

[Bregman notices Daniel's camcorder sitting on the edge of his work table. The camcorder is stained with blood. Bregman comes into the room and approaches the work table.]

BREGMAN

(pointing at the camera)

Did you…

[Daniel looks up from his computer and over to Bregman. His eyes widen and he looks stricken when he sees Bregman gesturing to the camcorder.]

FLASHBACK

EXT P3X-666, FOREST, DAY

[Wells lies on his stomach in the forest, Bosworth is protecting him. A blood soaked bandage is over Wells's wound on his back.]

BOSWORTH
You're gonna be all right, Simon. Hang in there, all right, buddy? You'll be home before you know it.

[Explosions are heard in the distance. Bosworth looks up to see Daniel and Fraiser approaching.]

BOSWORTH
Over here! Man down over here!

[Daniel and Janet hurry to them.]

BOSWORTH
Right here. There's a lot of blood coming from underneath him. I'll cover you up on this ridge!

[Bosworth moves up to the ridge. Fraiser and Daniel drop their packs.]

FRAISER
Yeah. I'm Doctor Janet Fraiser. Can you hear me?

WELLS

(in pain)

Yeah. It hurts so bad. I can't move-I can't feel my legs. I think it went right through me.

DANIEL
What's your name?

WELLS
I'm Senior Airman Wells. Simon Wells. Am I going to die?

FRAISER

Not if I have anything to do with it.
(to Daniel)
Okay, we need to roll him over and stop the bleeding. Okay?
(to Wells)

Simon, you hanging in there?

[Wells gives a grunt of assent.]

FRAISER
Okay, easy. All right, on three. One. Two. Three.

[Fraiser holds his neck while Daniel turns Wells over. Wells screams in agony. Daniel puts something soft under Wells's head to make him comfortable as Fraiser starts to check the wound. Daniel makes eye contact with Wells and starts speaking to him in a soothing, calm manner.]

DANIEL
I'm Daniel Jackson.

WELLS

(through pain filled gasps)

I know. I know, SG-1.

DANIEL
Okay, you're gonna be fine.

WELLS
That sonavabitch! He came out of nowhere! He shot me in the back.

DANIEL
Just talk about something else right now, Simon. Uh, what's going on at home right now?

WELLS
Uh, my…wife…is pregnant.

DANIEL
Yeah, that your-that your first?

[Wells nods.]

DANIEL
Congratulations.

[Wells winces and lets out an anguished cry. Fraiser is probing his wound.]

FRAISER

(determined)

That's good, at least you felt that.

AIRMAN

(over radio)

Colonel O'Neill, our position is being compromised! We're not going to be able to hold the Gate for long!

O'NEILL

(over radio—the transmission is garbled)

It doesn't matter. We're not gonna be able to hold—is posit— for—long!

FRAISER

(keying radio)

Colonel, I'm gonna need more time to stabilize this patient. He can't be moved yet!

WELLS
Go without me! Leave me!

FRAISER

(calmly)

Nobody is going anywhere.

WELLS
I can't believe I'm not gonna see my son.

DANIEL
Okay. Just stay focused. Stay focused. You-you-you know it's a boy you're gonna have, right?

[Wells nods briefly.]

WELLS

(forcefully, in pain)

Tell me the truth. I'm not gonna make it, right?

[Janet hands Daniel an I.V. bag of saline which he holds upright.]

DANIEL
You're gonna be fine.

WELLS
Doctor Jackson? Please-please-please, just let me just tell my wife—Let me tell my wife that—

[Wells is becoming more agitated. Daniel and Fraiser exchange concerned looks and nod in agreement.]

DANIEL
Okay, okay.

[Daniel hands Fraiser back the iv bag, which she steadies over her shoulder. Wells tries to stifle his agonized cries.]

FRAISER
Got it. Breathe, Simon.

[Daniel fumbles with his pack and pulls out his camcorder.]

END FLASHBACK

INT—DANIEL'S OFFICE

[Daniel gets up from his chair and strides over to his work table quickly, snatching the camcorder from its perch and slamming it behind him onto his computer desk, further away from Bregman.]

DANIEL

(obviously upset)

I said now's not a good time. What part about that didn't you understand?

BREGMAN
You got something on tape, didn't you?

DANIEL

(furious)

Get out.

[Daniel starts walking towards Bregman, his whole posture becoming more menacing.]

DANIEL
Get out.

BREGMAN

(backing away)

Okay. I'm going. All right.

[Daniel turns away, shaking his head and muttering to himself. He has reached his computer again and is fumbling with the camcorder when Bregman turns back around and pauses at the doorway.]

BREGMAN
You know I, uh…I once did a piece on this war photographer. His name was Martin Krystovski.

[Daniel rolls his eyes and shakes his head in incredulity at Bregman's gall, keeping his back turned to Bregman.]

BREGMAN

(continuing)

For about six months, he was with a unit in Vietnam, and…the day before he was scheduled to leave, the day before. He's out with a unit, and it was just a routine patrol. Or so they thought.

[Daniel stiffens. He continues to face away from Bregman, but is obviously listening.]

BREGMAN

(continuing)

But suddenly, the lieutenant pulled him down…and Krystovski…he hadn't intended to take a picture at that moment, but his hands were on the camera, and he hit the ground so hard that it just went off. And the picture captured…the lieutenant getting shot in the head. And Krystovski said to me—he said: "That bullet would have hit me—should've hit me." And he never showed that picture to anyone. Not for twenty-five years. But twenty-five years later, he got up one morning, and he looked at that picture. And he saw something that wasn't horrific. And he decided to tell the story because he realized that he hadn't accidentally taken a picture of a man dying. It was of a man saving his life. The picture I'm making, that I'm trying to make, is about what you people do every single day.

[Daniel turns towards Bregman and studies him silently.]

BREGMAN
Under extreme circumstances that no one can even imagine. And I don't know what happened out there. I'm sorry about what happened, whatever it was. And if you did tape something of it, that's not gonna change what happened. What will change is how you feel about it.

[Bregman gives an encouraging nod and backs away from Daniel, leaving the room. Daniel remains standing in place, lost in thought.]

INT—SGC INTERROGATION ROOM

[Woolsey sits in his chair, reading a report and making notes. Hammond enters with a file.]

WOOLSEY
General?

[Hammond slaps the file down in front of Woolsey.]

HAMMOND
I've prepared a written testimony.

[Woolsey opens the file and glances at it.]

WOOLSEY
This is your mission report.

HAMMOND
I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone.

WOOLSEY

(dryly)

Well, then. I guess I'm done.

HAMMOND
Then you'll be leaving.

WOOLSEY
The President will have my preliminary report by the end of the week.

HAMMOND
I'm sure it will be every bit as interesting as your memo on the economics of the SGC.

[Woolsey looks up, shocked.]

WOOLSEY
I won't bother asking how you got that.

HAMMOND
What was the dollar value you attributed to an SG team member?

WOOLSEY

You know damn well I wasn't pegging the value of a person's life. It is a cold, hard fact that it costs millions of dollars to train these men and women, and that is a fraction of the funds being subverted by the Pentagon for this operation.
(standing)

I think it is reprehensible that the taxpayers of this country are paying enormous sums of money to wage a war they know nothing about, and are getting little, if anything, in return. If the Stargate's existence were public knowledge, and your actions were being judged in the court of public opinion—

HAMMOND
You're the one suggesting that sending a rescue team worth $27 million to save the life of one man is a bad business decision.

WOOLSEY

(annoyed)

You're putting words in my mouth.

HAMMOND
You said it in black and white, and I don't think you would dare do such a thing if this wasn't a classified operation. The President has asked a documentary team to get to the truth of what's going on around here. Why don't we just go down and give them the whole truth as you see it? Right now.

[Woolsey gathers his files. Hammond glares at him with disgust.]

WOOLSEY
That memo is classified. This investigation is classified. If you so much as utter even a hint of either, I'll see you are put away in a cold, dark place for the rest of time.

[Woolsey leaves. Hammond remains, visibly trying to compose himself.]

EXT—CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN, DAY

INT—SGC CORRIDOR, LEVEL 28

[Hammond is moving swiftly down a corridor when Rundell meets him.]

RUNDELL
General!

HAMMOND
What is it, Colonel?

RUNDELL
Security caught Mister Bregman trying to access the infirmary, sir. He claims he was lost, but I've shown him all around this complex…

HAMMOND
Get rid of him.

RUNDELL
Sir? Have our orders changed, sir?

HAMMOND
Toss him out on his ass, Colonel.

INT—VIP ROOM

[James and Wickenhouse pack their equipment while Rundell supervises. Bregman enters the room and looks around in surprise.]

BREGMAN
What's this? What's going on?

RUNDELL
Mister Bregman, sir, General Hammond has ordered you off the base.

BREGMAN
No, no he can't do that.

WICKENHOUSE
He is a general.

BREGMAN
Stop packing.

[Bregman rushes out of the room.]

RUNDELL
Keep packing.

INT—HAMMOND'S OFFICE

[Harriman stands, apparently briefing Hammond, who is seated behind his desk. Bregman opens the door and enters without knocking.]

HAMMOND
You have one hour to get off my base and out of my sight forever.

BREGMAN
Whose authority?

HAMMOND
My superiors.

BREGMAN
You think I stepped over the line. I don't. I just wanna make a phone call.

HAMMOND
Call whoever you want on your way out. There's a payphone at the surface.

BREGMAN

(gesturing)

Actually, I'd like to borrow your red one.

HAMMOND

(coldly)

You have some nerve, Mr. Bregman.

BREGMAN
That's what my mother used to say.

[Bregman moves towards the phone. Hammond slaps his hand down over the receiver and stands, glowering at Bregman. Bregman rocks back on his heels, looking annoyed and frustrated. He leaves, slamming the door shut behind him.]

INT—DANIEL'S OFFICE

[Daniel stands staring distractedly at a computer screen. Hammond enters the office. Daniel glances up at him before turning back to his desk.]

HAMMOND
I've been ordered to turn over the tape.

[Daniel stiffens before moving over to his other computer.]

HAMMOND
Look, I'm not happy about it either. I could fight it. The tape could get lost or accidentally erased, these things happen, but I'm not going to do that. You know, I had that little weasel of a man thrown out of here, but in light of the NID's latest investigation, I'm starting to think maybe there should be a record of what goes on here beyond the classified reports.

DANIEL

(skeptically)

And you trust Bregman to portray that?

HAMMOND
At the moment, I have no other choice.

INT—BRIEFING ROOM

[Daniel slams a camcorder tape labeled P3X-666 down on the table. Bregman and Hammond are standing by the door. Bregman reaches out with his hand and tries to say something, but Daniel ignores the gesture and storms out of the room without saying a word. Bregman goes over to the table and picks up the tape. Hammond watches him stonily as Bregman leaves the room.]

INT—VIP ROOM

[James works on some of the editing equipment. Bregman enters and tosses him the camcorder tape.]

BREGMAN
Hey, hey. I got the tape. Put it on.

[James fumbles to open the cassette sleeve and put the tape into their playback device. Bregman takes the seat next to him and opens his notebook. Rundell opens the door and enters the room. He is carrying a large envelope labeled "TOP SECRET".]

RUNDELL
Preliminary mission file's been declassified…

BREGMAN

(waving him off impatiently)

Just a minute.

[Wickenhouse moves from the sofa to also watch the tape.]

DANIEL'S VIDEOTAPE OF P3X-666

[Wells face takes up the entire screen, he is crying and in obvious anguish.]

DANIEL

(audio only)

Okay, you can tell her yourself.

WELLS

(crying)

I'm so sorry about this. Ah! I love you so much…God, I-I just-I just wanted…

INT—VIP ROOM

[The group shifts uncomfortably at watching Wells's torment. Bregman drops his pen.]

DANIEL'S VIDEOTAPE OF P3X-666

[Wells starts screaming in agony and squirming on the ground. The camera shakes.]

WELLS
Oh God! God! Shut it off! Shut it off! I don't want her to see me die! Please! God!

[The camera shifts again. Fraiser now appears on-screen. She is looking directly at Wells, and brushing the hair away from his face. Daniel's camera angle shifts between Wells's face and Fraiser's.]

FRAISER
Simon. Simon! Look at me! You are not going to die, okay?

INT—VIP ROOM

[Bregman's eyes widen, and he is visibly moved by the footage.]

DANIEL'S VIDEOTAPE OF P3X-666

[Wells has calmed down while Fraiser continues speaking to him.]

FRAISER
I did not come all the way out here for nothing. Now, I've stemmed the bleeding. We're going to get you on a stretcher. We're going to get you home with your family in no time, okay? Now you hang in there, Airman!

WELLS
Yes, ma'am!

[A staff blast flares across the screen and strikes Fraiser. She falls backwards, out of the camera's view.]

WELLS
Oh God, what was that? Is she hit?

INT—VIP ROOM

[Bregman is stunned by what he has just seen. James puts his fist to his face in shock.]

DANIEL'S VIDEOTAPE OF P3X-666

[Audio picks up an automatic weapon's fire. Daniel's camera shifts erratically from Wells to Fraiser. Smoke is curling upwards from her chest. Her eyes are wide open, and she lies on the forest ground, unmoving.]

BOSWORTH
I got him!

DANIEL
Janet?!?

BOSWORTH
You're clear, Doctor Jackson! Sorry, but…

[The camera shifts away quickly showing a blurred forest ground and then turning over to see the sky and tree tops. Daniel has obviously dropped the camera.]

DANIEL

(anguished)

I need a medic! Fraiser's hit! I need a medic!

INT—VIP ROOM

[The group watches in horror as the audio from the tape echoes through the room. Rundell fumbles to open his top secret envelope.]

WELLS

(from videotape)

Is she okay?

DANIEL

(frantically into radio—from videotape)

Sierra Gulf Niner, Doctor Fraiser's been hit. Position….aah! I NEED A MEDIC!

[James turns off the video. Rundell reads the paper that was in the envelope.]

RUNDELL

O'Neill's alive. So is Airman Wells.
(choking up slightly)

Doctor Fraiser didn't make it.

[Rundell quickly leaves the room. Everyone else remains in shocked silence.]

INT—INFIRMARY, PRIVATE ROOM

[The door opens and Carter enters, moving towards O'Neill, who is sitting on a patient bed, pulling a black t-shirt down over his bandaged abdomen.]

CARTER
Sir? I heard you were up and around.

O'NEILL

(with a pained grunt)

Yeah. Still a little tender, but they said I could go home.

CARTER

(nodding)

We're lucky that staff blast hit you where it did. The new vest insert works well.

O'NEILL
Didn't help Fraiser much.

CARTER

(trying to remain composed)

No.

O'NEILL
How's Cassie?

CARTER

(forcing composure)

She's a strong kid. She survives. You know.

O'NEILL

(sighing)

Yep.

[He gets up and pulls a green BDU overshirt on.]

O'NEILL
You speaking at the memorial?

[Carter nods.]

CARTER

(fighting tears)

Sir, I just wanted to say…when you were lying there, I…I'm really glad you're okay.

[Carter can no longer hold in her emotions, and she starts to weep. O'Neill approaches her.]

O'NEILL
Come here.

[Carter and O'Neill hug each other tightly.]

INT—INFIRMARY

[Medical staff work on various patients. Daniel enters and approaches Wells's bed. Wells has his eyes closed. Daniel looks at his vitals, and Wells opens his eyes, noticing Daniel instantly.]

WELLS
Doctor Jackson.

DANIEL

(smiling)

Hey. Please, just, uh, call me Daniel. So, I hear you're going to make a full recovery?

WELLS
That's what they say.

DANIEL
You, uh, you talk to your wife?

WELLS
Yeah.

DANIEL
Everything's okay?

WELLS
Yeah.

DANIEL
I never asked you when she was due.

WELLS
Couple of weeks. They say I should be out of here by then.

DANIEL
That's great.

WELLS
Yeah.

DANIEL
I-I just, uh, I wanted to see how you were doing, so, uh…

[Daniel turns to go.]

WELLS
She's dead because of me.

[Daniel turns back to Wells.]

DANIEL
No. No, she's dead because a Jaffa shot her. She was doing her job. Same way you were doing yours when a Jaffa shot you.

WELLS
I can't make it feel right.

DANIEL

(shaking his head)

It wasn't right. Nothing about it was right. But it also wasn't your fault.

[Wells studies Daniel's expression for a moment, then nods. Daniel returns the nod, then leaves.]

INT—CARTER'S LAB

[Carter, in civilian clothes, sits in front of her laptop, openly crying. Teal'c enters, holding a paper. When he sees Carter's emotional state, he moves to her. Carter notes his approach and tries to compose herself.]

CARTER
Hey, Teal'c.

[Teal'c bows his head in acknowledgment.]

CARTER

(gesturing to laptop)

General Hammond asked me to speak at the memorial service.

TEAL'C

(softly)

I am aware.

CARTER

(voice breaking)

I don't know what to say. Nothing seems good enough.

TEAL'C
I believe you should only speak from your heart.

[Carter jumps off her stool, looking lost and as if needing escape.]

CARTER
I've got to go pick up Cassie.

[Teal'c grabs her arm gently. She stops and looks at him.]

TEAL'C
Major Carter. I have pondered what I would say were I given the chance.

CARTER
Really?

TEAL'C
I believe it would be best if it came from you.

[He hands Carter the paper. She opens it and reads it. She smiles through her tears and nods.]

CARTER
Okay.

[Carter pulls Teal'c into a hug, crying softly. Teal'c returns the embrace.]

INT—INFIRMARY ISOLATION ROOM

[A spotlight shines on the empty bed. The rest of the room is dark. Bregman enters, looking around for a moment as if searching for someone or something, then turns to go.]

DANIEL

(unseen)

Over here.

[Bregman stops at the doorway and looks around again.]

BREGMAN
Oh. I was told that you might be in here, Doctor Jackson.

[Daniel sits crouched in a darkened corner of the room.]

DANIEL
Yep.

BREGMAN
I just, uh, came by to, uh, give this back to you. I'm not gonna use it.

[He lays the tape gently down on the infirmary bed, then starts to leave.]

DANIEL
Wait.

[Bregman turns. Daniel stands up and moves toward the bed.]

DANIEL
I want you to.

[Daniel puts his hands in his pockets, staring at the tape and the bed.]

DANIEL

You know, I died in this room? Ascended. Doctor Fraiser did everything she could. I think she went three days without sleep.
(smiling at the memory)

Even in the end she didn't want to let me go. I owed her…a lot more than I ever gave back.

[Daniel picks up the tape.]

DANIEL
I thought a lot about what you said about Krystovski. I think this shows what Janet Fraiser was all about.

BREGMAN

(surprised)

Me too.

DANIEL

(soberly)

I want other people to know.

[He holds out the tape to Bregman with a steady hand. Bregman approaches and takes the tape. He leaves. Daniel remains standing there, then looks to the ceiling, his eyes filling with tears.]

INT—GATE ROOM

[The United States and SGC flags are set up on the ramp with a podium, wreath and red flag. A bugler stands on the ramp and plays Taps. The room is filled with SGC personnel, military in full dress uniforms, Daniel and Teal'c in all black suits. Everyone is very somber. The documentary crew is also dressed for the occasion, filming the memorial. Once the bugler is finished, Carter approaches the podium.]

CARTER
Janet Fraiser was an extraordinary person. She was kind and funny and talented. Above all, she was courageous. Try as I might, I could not find the words to honor her, to do justice to her life. Thankfully, I got some help.

[Carter looks at Teal'c, who nods in acknowledgment.]

CARTER

(continuing)
While words alone may not be enough, there are some names that might do. We often talk about those that give their lives in the service of their country. And while Janet Fraiser did just that, that's not what her life was about.
(Her voice trembles for a moment, then she rallies.)

The following are the names of the men and women who did not die in service, but who are in fact alive today because of Janet: Major Samantha Carter. Doctor Daniel Jackson. Colonel Jack O'Neill. Teal'c…

INT—HAMMOND'S OFFICE

[A monitor screen shows Carter's image from the memorial fading out as a flying flag fades in. Her voiceover continues as documentary music swells. Hammond and Bregman are watching the video.]

CARTER

(continuing)

…Sergeant Connie Smith. Major Ian Hules. Senior Airman Simon Wells…

NARRATOR

(via voiceover)

Our armed forces have turned the tide of world wars. Young men and women from our great country's four corners have humbled history's worst tyrants. We carve our thanks in stone.

[While the narrator speaks, still photographs of SG teams appear across the screen.]

NARRATOR

(continuing)

We stamp it into medals. We carefully tend to vast fields where the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom now lay. More than ever in our history, we cannot fail to pass these stories of courage to the next generation. We must capture their imaginations while paying tribute to all those willing to die for the preservation of our way of life.

[The video shows an image from the briefing room window of the Stargate dialing before the blast door closes. A trumpet plays in the background.]

HAMMOND

(to Bregman)

It's a shame no one's ever going to see it.

BREGMAN

(stopping the video)

Really? You-uh, you don't think it's a little sentimental?

HAMMOND

(softly)

No. It's good.

BREGMAN
Well, that's a relief…hearing that from you of all people. Especially given how you felt about what I was doing. I mean, I understood how you felt, but still.

[Hammond stands and comes around his desk.]

HAMMOND
I'm a big enough man to admit when I'm wrong. I'm glad you stuck with it.

[Hammond reaches out his hand, and Bregman shakes it in pleased surprise.]

BREGMAN
Um, that means a lot to me, sir.

HAMMOND

(searching for words)

I've written a lot of letters to the next of kin. Nothing ever seems like it's enough. They deserve more….This is something more.

BREGMAN
Thank you, sir.

[Hammond holds back his emotions with a great deal of effort. Bregman pauses for a moment.]

BREGMAN
Um…there is one thing, General, that's still missing that could make a difference…

HAMMOND

(chuckling)

I'll take care of it.

[Bregman gives a satisfied smile, then leaves. Hammond stays lost in thought, partly choked up.]

EXT—THE WELLS' HOME, COLORADO SPRINGS, DAY

[Wells answers a knock on the door. The caller is Daniel, smiling and holding a small teddy bear, with which he waves one paw at Wells.]

WELLS
Hey! Come in, come in.

INT—THE WELLS' HOME

[Daniel follows Wells into the home. Wells walks with difficulty using a cane. His wife sits on the living room sofa, surrounded by pillows, a small infant cradled in her lap.]

WELLS
Daniel, this is my wife Marci.

MARCI

(smiling)

Hi.

DANIEL
Hi.

MARCI
I'd love to give you a hug, but…

[She gestures helplessly at the sleeping child. Daniel crouches down next to the sofa studying the baby. He sets the teddy bear down on the sofa.]

DANIEL
Please, don't get up.

WELLS
This is my daughter.

DANIEL

(with wonder)

Oh, she is beautiful.

MARCI
Thanks.

DANIEL
Guess that ultrasound was wrong, huh?

MARCI

(chuckling)

Yeah.

DANIEL
What's her name?

[Marci and Wells exchange looks.]

WELLS
Janet.

DANIEL

(after a pause)

That's nice.

INT—SGC BRIEFING ROOM

[A video camera films O'Neill sitting in the chair, in his dress uniform. Wickenhouse sets up a microphone on his lapel. O'Neill shifts uncomfortably. James adjusts the video camera. Bregman sits at the other end of the table, his notes at ready. Studio lights are set up behind him, facing O'Neill. Rundell approaches from behind.]

BREGMAN

Okay, um…
(notices Rundell)

Tom?

RUNDELL
Emmett.

BREGMAN

(to James)

You ready?

JAMES
Rolling.

BREGMAN
Sound? Okay. Um…First question.

O'NEILL

(softly)

Okay.

FADE OUT

END CREDITS

Transcribed for Stargate Solutions by Aurora Novarum, March 2006

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--Michelle 20:47, 1 March 2006 (PST)