SGA 1.14 "Sanctuary" Transcript

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1.14 "Sanctuary"

Episode Guide

SGA 1.14 "Sanctuary" Episode Guide

Précis

The Atlantis team visits a pre-technological paradise and requests that they be allowed to bring refugees of Wraith attacks there for sanctuary. The locals refuse, believing that the goddess Athar has restricted their planet from colonization by outsiders. But when Sheppard invites Athar's priestess back to Atlantis, is he inviting trouble into their midst?

Guide | Transcript

Transcript

TEASER

EXT—SPACE ABOVE PROCULIS

[A Puddle Jumper speeds around the planet. Wraith darts pursue the craft.]

INT—PUDDLE JUMPER

[Sheppard flies the Jumper, the rest of the team with him.]

SHEPPARD
I count two. How about you?

FORD
Yes, sir. I recommend shooting back any time now.

SHEPPARD
I'm trying. That hit must've caused some damage. McKay?

MCKAY
I'm on it.

[McKay gets up to work on the panels in the aft of the Jumper.]

TEYLA
Where did they come from?

MCKAY
She's right. The darts are short-range fighters. There's probably a hive ship around here somewhere.

TEYLA
Then we need to get out of here.

SHEPPARD
Yes, we do.

FORD
The Stargate is the other way, sir, on the other side of the planet.

SHEPPARD
Yeah, we're taking the scenic route. McKay!

[The Jumper fires weapons forward.]

MCKAY
I'm almost there!

FORD
There's one on our tail!

SHEPPARD
Thank you, I know all about that one. Keep your eye on the other one.

MCKAY
Okay, you should have weapons now.

SHEPPARD
Negative.

MCKAY
Are you sure?

SHEPPARD
Positive!

MCKAY
I'm pretty sure I fixed it.

[A dart flies past the Jumper.]

SHEPPARD
Well, obviously you didn't!

[The Jumper is hit by a dart weapon.]

TEYLA
Perhaps we can lose them in the atmosphere of the planet.

FORD
Two more darts on our two o'clock.

SHEPPARD
I see them. McKay!

MCKAY
It's not like I'm holding back on you.

EXT—SPACE ABOVE PROCULIS

[A huge ball of light energy emits from the planet and envelops and destroys the darts behind the Jumper. It begins to follow the Jumper.]

INT—PUDDLE JUMPER

SHEPPARD
Hang on!

[The energy passes over the Jumper, jolting but not damaging it.]

EXT—SPACE ABOVE PROCULIS

[The energy ball moves away.]

TEYLA
The Wraith darts have been destroyed.

SHEPPARD
Well, that's a good thing.

MCKAY

(walking forward, breathless)

I thought for sure we were dead. Didn't you think we were dead?

FORD
What the hell was that?

MCKAY
Some sort of uh, energy weapon?

SHEPPARD
What do you say we find out?

MCKAY
Yeah.

END TEASER

OPENING CREDITS

EXT—SPACE ABOVE PROCULIS

[The Jumper de-orbits toward the planet.]

INT—PUDDLE JUMPER

MCKAY
So just to confirm, we're all still…definitely not dead.

TEYLA
I feel very much alive.

MCKAY
Good. Same here.

SHEPPARD
I wish I knew what that was.

FORD
Looked like lightning.

SHEPPARD
Space lightning?

MCKAY
I already said, it's some sort of an energy weapon, one that apparently destroys Wraith darts.

FORD
Nice, but why them and not us?

MCKAY
Well assuming that we're still alive, and there doesn't appear to be any damage as a result of the pulse, I think we can safely conclude that, uh… um… um… I got nothing. I mean, I got nothing to conclude. I'm just talking for the sake of talking.

SHEPPARD
You sure you're okay?

MCKAY
You know how much I hate certain death?

SHEPPARD
You're alive.

TEYLA
Could something like that be naturally occurring?

SHEPPARD
My money's on non-naturally occurring.

FORD
Like a weapon the Ancients left behind?

SHEPPARD
Any weapon that impressive would have to be powered by—

MCKAY
A Zero-Point Module.

SHEPPARD
That's right.

MCKAY
All right, we need to get down there.

SHEPPARD
I've got to put down and check for damage anyways, before we head back to Atlantis.

EXT—PROCULIS

[The Jumper skims along above trees and a creek.]

EXT—OUTSIDE VILLAGE ON PROCULIS, DAY

[Ford looks at a primitive village through binoculars. The huts are made of wood and straw, with no sign of technology. Several children are visible.]

FORD
If there is a weapon somewhere down here, sir, these folks didn't build it.

SHEPPARD
Not these kids. You picking up anything?

MCKAY
I'm picking up everything, just nothing worth mentioning.

SHEPPARD
These folks look familiar to you, Teyla?

TEYLA
The Stargate is in orbit, Major. My people could never have ventured here.

SHEPPARD
Right. What say we venture?

INT—VILLAGE ON PROCULIS, DAY

[The villagers are young and fit, dressed in tropical, tribal clothing, with bone necklaces and tattoos. Sheppard and the team approach cautiously, and people turn to look at them.]

SHEPPARD
Hi.

[One villager, dressed in a red robe, runs toward a structure. Sheppard speaks to the others.]

SHEPPARD
It's okay. We're friendly. Hi.

TEYLA
It is likely they have never seen anyone from outside their village.

[As the walk to the center, the villagers follow them, curious. An older man in a red robe comes out of the structure where the first man had gone.]

ZARAH
Welcome. I am Zarah, one of the Abbots of Proculis.

SHEPPARD
I'm John. John Sheppard. This is Teyla, Lieutenant Ford, and Dr. McKay.

ZARAH
Please, come.

[He ushers them to a thatched hut. The kneel around a low table.]

ZARAH
This is the first time—at least in my own lifetime—that people from another land have come to us.

SHEPPARD
Well, we came by ship. A flying…thing that allows us to move from one world to another.

ZARAH

(shocked)

Another world?

TEYLA
From among the stars you see in the night sky. We are peaceful explorers.

ZARAH
Then glory to Athar for bringing you here safely.

FORD
Athar?

ZARAH
The provider…and protector of all. Surely you know.

TEYLA
Athar is known by many names among the stars.

MCKAY
Is, um…Athar around? We'd love to talk to him. We're, uh, friends.

ZARAH
Athar is friend to all, and with us always. Even now.

[He closes his eyes and presses his hands together.]

MCKAY
Of course. Hi, Athar.

[Zarah looks at McKay in confusion.]

TEYLA
What Dr. McKay means is that we wish to offer our thanks. We were attacked by the Wraith and would have been killed, were it not for Athar's intervention.

ZARAH
"Wraith"?

SHEPPARD
Pale skin, sunken eyes, suck the life out of you with their hands?

ZARAH
We have never encountered such beings.

FORD
Never?

TEYLA
And there is no mention of them in your history?

ZARAH
None. I can assure you that for many thousands of years, we have lived here in peace.

SHEPPARD
Could you excuse us for a moment?

[Sheppard starts to get up, but Zarah interrupts.]

ZARAH
Of course. Please, I must tell the other abbots of your arrival before we go to meet with Chaya.

SHEPPARD
Chaya is…

ZARAH
The high priestess of Athar. This is a great day for our people.

[Zarah leaves. Many villagers look into the hut.]

SHEPPARD

Ours too.
(to the team)

I'm not kidding. This could really work.

TEYLA
I agree, Major. Every inhabited world I have encountered in this galaxy has been ravaged by the Wraith.

MCKAY
Well, this planet is protected by an Ancient weapon. This just confirms it.

FORD
Does it?

MCKAY
Well, there's no other explanation. I mean, the power requirements of something like that must be astronomical. Only a ZPM could generate that.

TEYLA
And yet, they do not appear to be technologically advanced.

FORD
Unless that guy was lying. But he doesn't seem like the lying type.

SHEPPARD
So, automated defenses?

TEYLA
Imagine a world where displaced refugees from dozens of planets could come and live in peace without fear of being culled by the Wraith.

FORD
Maybe we can negotiate some kind of treaty.

MCKAY
We just need access to that weapon—better still, the ZPM—not that we'd steal it or anything.

SHEPPARD
Let's just try to stay on our best behavior.

MCKAY
I'm always on my best behavior.

EXT—PROCULIS, DAY

[The team walk across an open field, escorted by three abbots.]

MCKAY
How much farther?

ZARAH
Not very.

MCKAY
Oh, good. See, we could have taken the jumper.

FORD
The exercise is good for you.

SHEPPARD
Chaya does live pretty far from your people.

TEYLA
It is not uncommon, Major, for clerics to live apart from the community.

EXT—CHAYA'S TEMPLE

[A beautiful woman, Chaya tends plants in her courtyard. The abbots and Sheppard's team arrive. Chaya approaches them.]

ZARAH
Glory to Athar.

CHAYA
Welcome, and rest.

ZARAH
Thank you, sister.

[Sheppard is open-mouthed in shock at seeing Chaya.]

CHAYA
You are new to Proculis.

SHEPPARD
Yes. We're, uh…we're brand new, in fact. Major John Sheppard.

[He shakes her hand. McKay gives Ford a look.]

CHAYA
I am called Chaya Sar. And you are…Teyla, Lieutenant Ford and Dr. McKay.

FORD
How did she know that?

MCKAY
Oh, please. One of the abbots ran ahead.

SHEPPARD
It's a pleasure to meet you, Chaya.

CHAYA
You must be tired after your long journey. Shall I prepare some tea for us?

SHEPPARD
Well, I was hoping you were going to say just that.

[Later, they all share tea, seated around a table in the courtyard.]

CHAYA
And where do they come from, these Wraith?

SHEPPARD
They seem to be everywhere in this galaxy, and they appear to have been on top of the food chain for a long time.

CHAYA
It's terrifying. Truly terrifying. My heart goes out to your people, Teyla.

TEYLA
It is not only my people who suffer, Chaya. The Wraith have awakened from a long sleep, and this entire world is safe from the culling that has already begun. Even Atlantis with all its wonder, may not survive the onslaught. It is our hope that Athar could grant sanctuary here on Proculis.

CHAYA
Sanctuary? For so many?

SHEPPARD
Well, we're not talking about everybody in the galaxy showing up at your doorstep.

FORD
This planet is pretty big, ma'am.

TEYLA
And it is largely uninhabited.

MCKAY
More importantly, it is protected by that weapon of yours.

CHAYA
Weapon? I am aware of no such thing on Proculis.

SHEPPARD
Are you sure about that?

CHAYA
Yes.

MCKAY
Oh, please.

SHEPPARD
Rodney, best behavior.

MCKAY
This is as good as it gets, Major. Chaya, the only reason we're alive is because of a powerful energy weapon that emanated from somewhere on the surface of this planet. It destroyed the ships that were shooting at us. That weapon is what's keeping the Wraith away.

CHAYA
No, Dr. McKay. It was Athar who protected you.

MCKAY
Athar?

CHAYA
Yes. Athar saw you were in need.

SHEPPARD
Chaya, there are a lot of people just like…you and me, who are in need because of the Wraith. What you have here—what Athar has provided you—is a very rare thing… But we have a lot to offer, too. That's what friends do—they share. I think we could help each other.

CHAYA
I understand. I shall consult with her now.

[She stands, as do the others.]

CHAYA
Please stay here. I don't know how long this will take.

SHEPPARD
Thank you.

[She leaves, followed by the abbots.]

MCKAY
"What Athar provides for you?" What, are you buying into this?

SHEPPARD
Rodney…what religious people don't take their religion seriously?

MCKAY
We didn't imagine that weapon, Major. We saw it with our own eyes, and we saw what it was capable of.

SHEPPARD
Yes, we did.

TEYLA
Perhaps Chaya is simply unaware of the weapon's existence.

FORD
Or she knows, and she wants to keep it a secret from us.

SHEPPARD
She doesn't strike me as the lying type, either.

[McKay huffs derisively.]

SHEPPARD
All right, let's just see what Athar has to stay.

MCKAY
So, "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain," hmm?

SHEPPARD
Exactly.

[Sheppard lies down on a bench.]

[Sometime later, Chaya returns with the abbots.]

CHAYA
Major. We have conveyed your request to our Divine Mother, and although she does not doubt the righteousness of your mission, I'm afraid she cannot countenance any other people but hers settling here.

MCKAY
And you really had to chant all that time to come up with that?

SHEPPARD
McKay.

TEYLA
Is there any way we can ask Athar to reconsider?

CHAYA
Athar understands and sympathizes—these Wraith are a scourge among our stars—but she has to place the lives of her people first.

MCKAY
Well, I think we both knew what you were going to say long before you even went in there.

CHAYA
We prayed for Athar's guidance.

MCKAY
And what did Athar say? You're hiding behind your religion to justify your complete and utter selfishness.

SHEPPARD

(sternly)

Rodney…

MCKAY
If Athar existed, she would be ashamed of herself.

ZARAH
We ask only to be left alone and in peace.

MCKAY
So untold thousands, possibly millions of people will die out there when they could have been saved, all in the name of Athar. How very, very peaceful of you.

CHAYA
You should be grateful to Athar.

MCKAY
This is a waste of time.

CHAYA
Athar regrets that she cannot help you.

MCKAY
And I'm sure those were her exact words.

SHEPPARD
That's enough! Head back to the jumper. I'll be there in a minute.

MCKAY
Why?

SHEPPARD
Because you're not helping.

FORD
Yes, sir.

[Ford, Teyla and McKay leave.]

SHEPPARD
I apologize.

CHAYA
He acts only in accordance to his beliefs, as do we.

SHEPPARD
But Rodney is right about one thing. This really is about lives—human lives. Sooner or later the Wraith are going to show up at Atlantis, and when they do—

CHAYA
You're a warrior.

SHEPPARD
Well, I don't know about "warrior."

CHAYA
It is your vocation, Major. You will fight.

SHEPPARD
I'll try, but knowing what we're up against, and the odds… Look, I'd appreciate it if you would ask Athar to consider that we are her people. Even though we come from very far away, we're the same. We're human, which means we're not strangers. We're family.

[A strong breeze blows through the courtyard.]

SHEPPARD
Whoa.

CHAYA
Evening breeze.

SHEPPARD
I was kind of hoping it was a sign from Athar.

CHAYA
Your words are most compelling, Major Sheppard.

SHEPPARD
Thank you. I was going for compelling.

CHAYA
Do you truly believe we are family?

SHEPPARD
We are. I can prove it to you.

CHAYA
How?

SHEPPARD
Come back to Atlantis. See who we really are. Once Athar learns more about us—

CHAYA
This is acceptable.

SHEPPARD
It is?

ZARAH

(alarmed)

Chaya, please, you cannot leave.

CHAYA
Athar is with us always, no matter where we are, Zarah.

[The breeze comes up again; she places her hand on Zarah's chest. He calms down.]

ZARAH
I understand.

CHAYA
I am ready.

EXT—ATLANTIS, DAY

INT—ATLANTIS GATE ROOM

[Chaya has arrived. Weir greets her. Teyla and Rodney look on, Rodney appearing very skeptical.]

WEIR
Welcome to Atlantis.

CHAYA
Thank you.

WEIR
I hope you don't mind, but our doctors do require a medical exam of all off-planet team members and our visitors. But after that, perhaps you'd like a full tour.

CHAYA
I would love that.

TEYLA
Major Sheppard has already promised to do so.

WEIR

(brightly)

Of course he has.

SHEPPARD
Of course I have.

WEIR
Please, if you'll follow me to the infirmary…

MCKAY
Maybe I should tag along, in case you have any questions—

SHEPPARD
I think I've got it handled, Rodney.

MCKAY
There are a lot of systems you know absolutely—

SHEPPARD
Got it covered.

[Sheppard, Weir, and Chaya walk away.]

MCKAY
Fine.

INT—ATLANTIS INFIRMARY

[Chaya gets scanned by the Ancient scanner; Beckett watches the results on a laptop.]

BECKETT
Hold still. Just a minute more. Well, my dear, it seems you're just as lovely on the inside as you are on the out, if health is synonymous with beauty. You can get up now.

[She sits up.]

CHAYA
How does this device do what you say it does?

BECKETT
It creates images of the tissues inside your body, and they are picture-perfect.

CHAYA
Did you bring these machines back from your world?

BECKETT
Some. Others are Atlantean technology that we've figured out how to use, and a few…well, I haven't the vaguest idea of what they do. Hopefully one day I'll have a chance to meet one. I'll ask them myself.

CHAYA
Do you know what happened to them?

BECKETT
Well, some returned to Earth after the war with the Wraith. That much we know, but we also know that some of them ascended.

CHAYA
Ascended?

BECKETT
To a higher plane, where they exist only as energy. Are all the people of your world as healthy as you?

CHAYA
Yes.

BECKETT
No disease, ailments? No one ever breaks a leg?

CHAYA
Such things are rare, but my people heal quite rapidly.

BECKETT
Really?

[Sheppard enters.]

SHEPPARD
Are we done?

CHAYA
Are we?

BECKETT
Healthiest patient I've ever had. Off you go, love.

[She pats Beckett on the shoulder as she passes, then takes Sheppard arm, and they leave.]

INT—ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

[Weir and McKay walk from her office down to the gate room.]

WEIR
Where are we at?

MCKAY
Well, either she knows where the weapon is and she's playing us, or else she has no idea, in which case, we are wasting our time.

WEIR
So what do you suggest?

MCKAY
Take another team back in the jumper, scan the planet for energy signatures. Chaya's people won't have a clue what we're doing from orbit, unless they're a technically advanced race that are pretending not to be…which has happened before.

WEIR
Did you find anything abnormal? I mean, something that would suggest they are more advanced than they claim to be?

MCKAY
No. They're either pathetically pre-technological or brilliantly post-technological.

WEIR
And there's no way this could be a natural phenomenon?

MCKAY
A perfectly timed, directional energy burst that only affected the Wraith ships?

WEIR
That's a no?

MCKAY
That's a no.

BECKETT

(over radio)

Dr. Weir, I have those results.

WEIR

(into radio)

Thank you, Carson. We're on our way.

INT—ATLANTIS CORRIDOR

[Sheppard and Chaya walk the corridors.]

CHAYA
How many of you are there?

SHEPPARD
Counting all the Athosians on the mainland, you might get a couple of hundred, which leaves a very large, empty city. Right now, we're living in one section, because we don't have the power to spread out more than that. What do you think so far?

CHAYA
I think it's wondrous…but ultimately, the decision is up to Athar.

[Sheppard slumps in disappointment.]

CHAYA
You're not a believer, are you?

SHEPPARD
Look, Chaya…I respect that you believe. Look, I can't talk to Athar; I can only talk to you, so let me ask you this: what if the shoe was on the other foot? What if your people were in trouble and we could help you? Would you just take no for an answer?

CHAYA
It must have been very hard to live your entire life under the shadow of the Wraith.

SHEPPARD
Don't misunderstand me. Teyla and her people have known the Wraith forever, but when I say we're new, I mean we just got here. We're from another galaxy. A planet called Earth.

CHAYA
Earth?

SHEPPARD
It's very far away. You know those clusters of stars you see in the night sky? Some of them are called galaxies, and they're even further away from you than the stars. Earth is in one of those galaxies.

CHAYA
You came through the Stargate.

SHEPPARD
That's right.

CHAYA
And can you not simply return?

SHEPPARD
Well, not simply. We knew going into it that it was probably going to be a one-way trip, but we thought what we would find here would be worth the risk.

CHAYA
And is it?

SHEPPARD
So far. Ask me again when the Wraith show up.

[The have arrived back the gate room, and start to climb the stairs.]

INT—ATLANTIS INFIRMARY

BECKETT
Blood work shows no viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections. MRI reveals no tumors or cancers; no heart defects of any kind. Blood pressure 130 over 70; total cholesterol 107. She's in perfect health.

WEIR
I'm happy for her. Why did we need to see this?

BECKETT
Because, Doctor, she's too healthy.

MCKAY
What does that mean?

BECKETT
There's no trace of any diseases or congenital conditions that you typically find in pre-technological societies. No rickets no fungi, STDs…

WEIR
Perfect health?

BECKETT
Aye, and from what she told me, this may be the norm among her people.

MCKAY
But she is human?

BECKETT
Oh, without a doubt.

WEIR
So how is that possible?

BECKETT
I can't say that for certain without visiting the planet myself, but if this data is accurate, then people on Proculis live in optimal health for a very, very long time.

MCKAY
You make it sound like some sort of a—

BECKETT
Paradise? Aye, because it is.

WEIR
And that's a problem because?

BECKETT
Because human life, quite simply, Dr. Weir, is more fragile than that. I don't care what galaxy we're in. It's unnatural.

EXT—ATLANTIS BALCONY, DAY

[Sheppard and Chaya step outside.]

CHAYA
The ocean air is so invigorating.

SHEPPARD
Plenty of that here. Most of the planet's ocean.

CHAYA
Well, surely there's enough land to resettle the refugees.

SHEPPARD
Well, there is. We just can't guarantee their safety.

CHAYA
Even though you control all of this?

SHEPPARD
I'd be lying if I said we controlled it all. This place is so far beyond us in so many ways. For example, Atlantis does have a shield that can withstand anything the Wraith could throw at us, but we have no way of powering it up. We can't risk taking in any more refugees than we already have. Come with me.

INT—ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

[The walk toward the control room from the balcony.]

CHAYA
Major Sheppard—

SHEPPARD
I'd prefer you call me John.

CHAYA
John…how did you make enemies of the Wraith?

SHEPPARD
That was my fault.

CHAYA
Yours?

SHEPPARD
I basically woke them up trying to rescue some people they'd captured. They didn't take too kindly to that.

CHAYA
But you saved your people?

SHEPPARD
Most of them.

CHAYA
And that is how you know for sure they're coming back?

SHEPPARD

(pointing to various consoles)

Yeah, we just don't know when. Main control console, environmental support systems, communications, and this…this is, uh…

[He mouths "what is this?" to Grodin.]

GRODIN
Sorry, Major. We haven't the faintest idea what it—

[Chaya touches the console, and it comes to life.]

GRODIN
This is a new piece of equipment we found in another section of the city. It hadn't yet been initialized.

SHEPPARD
So you're saying she has…

GRODIN
She has the gene!

CHAYA
Did I do this? What does the machine do?

GRODIN
We don't know. Not yet, anyway.

SHEPPARD
The Atlantians were good at lots of things, but writing instruction manuals wasn't one of them. We should probably wrap this tour up. I know Dr. Weir is anxious to talk to you.

CHAYA
Will I see you afterwards?

SHEPPARD
And during.

INT—ATLANTIS BRIEFING ROOM

[Weir, Teyla, Sheppard and Chaya are there.]

WEIR
What we are proposing is a kind of land lease, in which refugees rendered homeless by the Wraith could resettle on Proculis. In return, we can offer you services and knowledge which would be of benefit to your people.

CHAYA
Such as?

WEIR
Well, you've seen the sort of technology we possess here. We could help you down a path to a more industrialized society, but at a pace that will maintain your planet's ecological balance.

CHAYA
Your scientific knowledge is impressive, Dr. Weir, but we have no need of it. Athar provides us with everything we require.

SHEPPARD
Well, food just doesn't show up on the dinner table.

TEYLA
You do plant all your own crops?

CHAYA
Of course we do.

WEIR
We can show you ways to increase your crop yields.

CHAYA
We grow all the food we need to live. Anything else would be gluttony.

WEIR
Building materials, then.

CHAYA
We have abundant timber and iron ore to forge what little metal we need. Athar is kind.

WEIR
There must be something.

CHAYA
What my people value most is spiritual knowledge. What can your culture provide in that regard?

WEIR
Earth's people don't share a single spiritual belief. We embrace a number of different religions and philosophies— Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam…

SHEPPARD
Hinduism. Kwanzaa…

CHAYA
Interesting. Tell me about them.

WEIR
All of them?

CHAYA
Yes. They sound fascinating.

WEIR
Well, I am hardly competent to discuss all of Earth's religions, but I can offer you some resources. With very little training, you could have complete access to our historical database.

CHAYA
That would be wonderful.

INT—ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

[McKay rushes in to see Grodin at the console Chaya had initialized.]

MCKAY
You got it working?

GRODIN
Yeah.

MCKAY
Well, do we know what it does?

GRODIN
It would appear to be an internal-external biometric sensor array.

MCKAY
See, now, sadly, I understood that. Where did all those Saturday nights go?

GRODIN
These seem to be the biosignatures of everyone in Atlantis.

MCKAY
How can you tell? I can't make heads or tails out of that mess.

GRODIN
I've been working on deciphering the Ancient logarithms. I suspect this was designed primarily as an early warning system to signal any alien presence in the city, like the Wraith.

MCKAY
And you're saying that it activated when our visitor touched it?

GRODIN
Which must mean she has the Ancient gene.

MCKAY
Or it was initialized already and only activated because it was detecting her. I mean, she could be some kind of an alien, and this thing knows more about her than we've been able to decipher. Look, someone should be keeping an eye on her.

GRODIN
Major Sheppard is.

MCKAY
Oh, I'm sure he is.

GRODIN
Not entirely for the reasons you think. Dr. Weir asked him to.

MCKAY
I'm sure she did.

EXT—ATLANTIS, NIGHT

INT—ATLANTIS CORRIDOR

[Teyla walks beside Sheppard, who is carrying a picnic basket.]

SHEPPARD
Dr. Weir wanted me to make sure Chaya saw everything.

TEYLA
Everything?

SHEPPARD
Well, not everything, everything. Chaya mentioned she wanted to see the best view of the city at night, which I think is atop the southwest pier, and since it's such a long walk, I thought I'd bring along a few provisions.

TEYLA
Continuing our efforts to secure a treaty.

SHEPPARD
Exactly.

TEYLA
As our ambassador.

SHEPPARD

(brightly)

I am an ambassador, and she is a…diplomat.

TEYLA

(skeptical)

On a late-night…picnic?

SHEPPARD
Yes.

TEYLA
I know that as ranking military officer here in Atlantis that you feel a heavy burden of responsibility but you…are allowed to have feelings for others.

SHEPPARD
Oh. No, this is a…this is an ambassadorial, diplomatic picnic outing…thing.

TEYLA
Without having to justify them to anyone. Good night, Major.

SHEPPARD
Good night, Teyla.

INT—ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

WEIR
You want to send her back?

MCKAY
All I know is she's not who she's pretending to be.

WEIR
And you know this because…?

MCKAY
What, I'm not allowed to have intuition?

WEIR
You? No.

MCKAY
Oh.

WEIR
I asked Major Sheppard to keep an eye on her.

MCKAY
Which is like asking the fox to guard the henhouse.

WEIR
What?

MCKAY
Well, look, the biometric differential is not insignificant, Elizabeth. What I'm saying is…the woman set off an alien alarm.

WEIR
Come on, you don't know that for certain. Now, Grodin says you are nowhere close to understanding what the nature of that device is.

MCKAY
There are too many unknown variables. There's the energy weapon, the fact that they claim never to have seen the Wraith… What about the fact that she's essentially a textbook case of healthy?

WEIR
All very mysterious, yes, but what does it prove?

MCKAY
That we should give her a one-way ticket back home.

WEIR
There is obviously something very…different about her, yes, but that doesn't necessarily make her a threat.

MCKAY
It doesn't rule it out, either.

WEIR
Then, for the moment, I think what we could gain by securing a treaty is worth the risk of her being here.

MCKAY

(frustrated)

Fine.

INT—ATLANTIS BALCONY

[Sheppard and Chaya sit on a blanket on the balcony, eating.]

CHAYA

(drinking from a cup)

Mmm. This is delicious.

SHEPPARD
Well, enjoy it while you can, 'cause it's the last of what we have.

CHAYA
Then I am honored.

SHEPPARD
When McKay finds out, he's going to kill me.

CHAYA
Athar will save you.

SHEPPARD
Oh, good.

[They smile and chuckle.]

CHAYA
Such wondrous things. I can't imagine wanting to do anything but eat all the time, with such a variety of foods.

SHEPPARD
Well, we manage to pull ourselves away somehow.

CHAYA
I've been learning much about Earth. Dr. Weir has gotten me on your information machines.

SHEPPARD
Elizabeth's got you on a computer already, huh?

CHAYA
I'm fascinated by your many religions. So many beliefs. So many philosophies.

SHEPPARD
Yeah, we've got a few of those.

CHAYA
So many contradictory faiths.

SHEPPARD
Yeah, it's a bit of a mess. More?

CHAYA
Yes, please.

[He pours her more of the drink.]

SHEPPARD
We traded for grapes. The Athosians, Teyla's people, they make this on the mainland.

CHAYA
I wasn't completely truthful with you about something. On Proculis, when I told you I did not feel lonely… Coming here, and being with you…it reminded me what it was like not to be alone.

[Sheppard smiles and stands up.]

CHAYA
What?

SHEPPARD
Well, I mean, nothing. It's just that…this is the first time I've been in a romantic situation with a woman from another planet, and it just strikes me as really, um…

CHAYA
Wrong?

SHEPPARD
No. God, no. Just…just…funny. I'm sorry. I just thought that I would, uh…

CHAYA
You said it yourself—we're both human.

SHEPPARD
Yes. We are. And I'm really glad you didn't say "family," otherwise I'd have to leave.

CHAYA
Don't.

[He sits down beside her.]

SHEPPARD
I'm not going anywhere.

[They begin kissing.]

INT—ATLANTIS CORRIDOR

[Sheppard walks alone, then McKay catches up to him.]

MCKAY
Major.

SHEPPARD

(surprised)

Rodney. What are you doing up so late?

MCKAY
I was just, uh…I couldn't sleep, so I was going back up to the control room to do a little research. What about you?

SHEPPARD
Oh, no thanks.

MCKAY
No, I mean, what were you doing up so late?

SHEPPARD
I'm always up late, Rodney.

MCKAY
A word of caution—the whole Captain Kirk routine is problematic, to say the least, let alone morally dubious.

SHEPPARD
What routine?

MCKAY
The romancing the alien priestess. It's very 1967 of you. Actually, I'm surprised—

SHEPPARD
If and when anything I do becomes your business…

MCKAY
It becomes my business, Major, when an alien woman who is clearly not who she claims to be has the ranking military officer wrapped around her little finger.

SHEPPARD
Don't go there, McKay.

MCKAY
I'm sorry. I know I'm not normally Mr. Sensitive, but you've got to believe me when I say there is something about her. I know it's intangible, but I can feel it—

SHEPPARD

(stepping toward McKay, angry)

I said don't go there!

MCKAY
It's just a matter of time before I prove it, Major. I'm just recommending that in the meantime, you keep your…

[Chaya has entered from a door behind McKay. She crosses her arms as if annoyed by what she has heard. She turns and leaves. McKay gives Sheppard a defiant look; Sheppard looks at him sternly then leaves.]

EXT—ATLANTIS, DAWN

INT—ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

[McKay shows Weir to a laptop with graphics on it.]

WEIR
Did you sleep last night?

MCKAY
No. This is the data from the biometric sensors. I can't tell you exactly what all of these signatures mean, but, uh, look at this. These are ours, and this, this is hers. There's a distinct difference.

WEIR
She was born on another planet in another galaxy.

MCKAY

(annoyed)

They're different from Teyla's, too.

WEIR
That doesn't mean—

MCKAY
Elizabeth, she's not what she seems to be.

WEIR
I sense nothing but a very honest and spiritual person.

MCKAY
All right. There may be a way to find out. You're opening negotiations with her this morning, right? Okay, well, let me sit in. I'll pretend to be taking notes on the laptop when really I'll be scanning her for anomalies. Radiation, E.M. scans, energy signatures… That way if I am crazy, you and I are the only ones who need to know. Now, what's the harm?

WEIR
All right…but be discreet.

MCKAY
I'm Mr. Discreet.

INT—ATLANTIS BRIEFING ROOM

[McKay has sensors attached the underside of the table, aimed at Chaya. He works at a laptop on top of the table.]

CHAYA
I admit to being impressed by most of what I've read of Earth religions. The Torah, the Koran, the Talmud, the Bible… Most of them reveal a diverse and deep desire to grasp the divine.

WEIR
So we do have something we can offer you.

CHAYA
But I've also been reading about your history. Even now, somewhere on your planet, you are at war.

SHEPPARD
Well, yeah, that's true.

WEIR
I made no attempt to hide that fact from you. Chaya, we are definitely not perfect.

CHAYA
There's a lot about you as a people that I find disturbing.

TEYLA
Can that not be said of any people?

CHAYA
No. Every soul in Proculis is free from the hatred and the anger the people from Earth seem to feel for each other.

SHEPPARD
Come on. We're not all that bad. You know that.

[The touches his arm with a smile.]

CHAYA
I do.

WEIR
We're not talking about the people on Earth. I'm talking about every member of my expedition team here in Atlantis, and I'm talking about the friends we've met since coming here, like Teyla's people.

CHAYA
There are some among you—yourself included, Dr. Weir—that I know Athar would welcome with open arms… But there are others.

[She looks at McKay, who continues to work on his laptop.]

WEIR
I hand-picked every member of this expedition, and I know Teyla feels as confident about her own people.

CHAYA
I'm sure.

WEIR
At the end of the day, this is a matter of trust.

CHAYA
Yes. It is, Dr. Weir. Have your scans found anything yet, Dr. McKay?

MCKAY
Uh… Uh, actually…no.

[He closes his laptop.]

SHEPPARD
What the hell is this?

WEIR
I'm sorry, Major. There was cause for legitimate concern as to—

CHAYA
Whether I was or not who I claimed to be.

WEIR
I'm sorry, Chaya. I honestly felt it would do no harm.

MCKAY

(standing)

Stop apologizing, Elizabeth. How did she know?

SHEPPARD
McKay!

MCKAY
She's an Ancient, Major.

SHEPPARD
She's what?

MCKAY
I'm right, aren't I? The perfect health, the energy weapon the fact that she has the gene… It's the only logical explanation.

SHEPPARD
What the hell are you talking about?

MCKAY
I just don't understand the act. I mean, you must know we'd give just about anything to talk to you, to learn from you. I mean, what is it? What, are you… checking us out?

CHAYA
I see that in my desire to come to Atlantis, I have revealed too much of myself.

WEIR
He's right?

MCKAY
I'm right?

CHAYA
I am what you call an "Ancient"… And it is also true that I can never offer your people sanctuary… But you are wrong as to why I came here.

SHEPPARD
Why did you come here?

CHAYA
You, John.

SHEPPARD
Me?

CHAYA
I have lived in solitude for so long that when you asked me to come to Atlantis, I…

MCKAY

(sitting)

Oh, my God, he is Kirk.

SHEPPARD
So this was never about uh… Could we just have a moment to ourselves here?

MCKAY, TEYLA, AND WEIR

(in unison)

No.

CHAYA

(standing)

That's all right. I've stayed here long enough.

[She leaves. Sheppard gives Weir a stern look then follows.]

INT—ATLANTIS CORRIDOR OUTSIDE BRIEFING ROOM

SHEPPARD
Come on, Chaya. You and your people were the reason we came here in the first place.

CHAYA
I can't… I can't…

[She faints into Sheppard's arms.]

EXT—SPACE ABOVE PROCULIS

[Many Wraith darts come through the active Stargate; cruisers are already in orbit.]

INT—ATLANTIS CORRIDOR OUTSIDE BRIEFING ROOM

[Chaya steps away from Sheppard.]

CHAYA
No.

SHEPPARD
What the hell was that?

CHAYA
They're coming for them. I should have never left them.

SHEPPARD
What's going on?

CHAYA
I'm sorry, John.

[She transforms into an ascended being of white energy while everyone looks on in amazement. The Stargate activates, and she goes through. The 'gate shuts down.]

SHEPPARD
I'm taking a jumper back to Proculis.

WEIR
What just happened?

SHEPPARD
There's only one way to find out.

WEIR
Go.

INT—ATLANTIS GATE ROOM

[The Stargate activates. A Puddle Jumper descends to the room. Sheppard is inside alone.]

WEIR
Major, are you sure you know what you're flying into?

INT—PUDDLE JUMPER

SHEPPARD
I have a pretty good idea the Wraith are attacking Chaya's people.

WEIR
You can't hope to defend them with one ship!

SHEPPARD
I don't think I'll have to.

[Sheppard flies the Jumper through the Stargate.]

EXT—SPACE ABOVE PROCULIS

[Dozens of Wraith ships swarm around the planet.]

INT—PUDDLE JUMPER

[Sheppard steers around the threats.]

EXT—SPACE ABOVE PROCULIS

[The Jumper fires two drones and takes out two Wraith darts. Then the Jumper turns among the many ships.]

INT—PUDDLE JUMPER

[Chaya takes her human form beside Sheppard.]

CHAYA
What are you doing here?

SHEPPARD
I'm here to help you.

CHAYA
Help me?

SHEPPARD
To defend your people.

CHAYA
Leave. I will take care of this.

[She resumes her ascended form.]

EXT—SPACE ABOVE PROCULIS

[Sheppard moves away from the Wraith ships. The energy "weapon" appears again and starts destroying the Wraith. Sheppard sees what's going on and turns the Jumper toward the planet.]

EXT—CHAYA'S TEMPLE

[Sheppard rushes up the stairs and back down. Chaya appears across the courtyard.]

SHEPPARD
Is it "Chaya" or "Athar"? I'm just curious.

CHAYA
When I was a mortal, I lived here. This was my home. When those of us who you call the Ancients ascended, we were supposed to leave behind us all human ties. Some of us found that difficult.

SHEPPARD
So you couldn't stand by and watch your people getting wiped out by the Wraith.

CHAYA
When their terrible fleet approached, I lashed out with my mind, and with a single thought, destroyed them all. The others of my kind did not approve of such interference with corporeal matters and so I was exiled. My punishment was the unending protection of this world.

SHEPPARD

(walking toward her)

Why pretend to be human at all?

CHAYA
So that, time to time, I may walk among the people, know them as the good and kind souls they are. For thousands of years, I have come and gone to the villages, never staying too long to get attached to anyone…until I met you. I have never regretted the choice I made all of these years…until now. I am permitted to safeguard my people, but my people only. This is my punishment. This is what makes it punishment. If your people came here for my protection, the others would stop me. Do you understand? I can never help your people.

SHEPPARD
I'm not sure I'm willing to walk away that easily. And I'm not just talking personally here, although that's definitely part of it… There is so much more we can learn from you.

CHAYA
I can't, John. The others won't allow it.

SHEPPARD
That's just—

CHAYA
It is their highest law to never interfere. I am bound by those laws, however much I wish to help you.

SHEPPARD
So, uh, we can never…

CHAYA
I can never leave.

SHEPPARD
Well, I could come and visit. And now I'm flirting with somebody from another species.

CHAYA
We're not as different as you think.

SHEPPARD
I think we're more different than you think.

CHAYA
I can show you.

SHEPPARD
Show me?

CHAYA
By sharing each other. We will know each other as well as anyone ever can.

SHEPPARD
Okay. I've got to get the car back by midnight, though.

CHAYA
This will only take a few moments. Just close your eyes.

[She takes his arms in hers, then partially transforms into energy, wrapping her energy around him.]

SHEPPARD
This is cool…

FADE OUT

END CREDITS

Transcribed for Solutions by Michelle, January, 2011.

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--Michelle 05:02, 27 January 2011 (UTC)