5.04 "The Fifth Man" Transcript

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5.04 "The Fifth Man"

Episode Guide

Précis

O'Neill stays behind on an alien world to tend to the wounded Lt. Tyler, the latest member of SG-1. But when the rest of the team returns to the command center, they discover that Lt. Tyler doesn't exist! Will this latest case of alien mind games close SGC down for good?

Guide | Transcript

Transcript

TEASER

FADE IN

EXT—PLANET, STARGATE CLEARING—DAY

[Carter, Teal'c and Daniel are running towards the Stargate as they come under staff weapons fire. They quickly take cover.]

CARTER

(into radio)

We're going to make it to the Gate but we're under fire. Teal'c has taken a hit.

[She pauses to return fire and some of the attacking Jaffa go down.]

CARTER

(into radio)

What's your situation?

EXT—PLANET, CLEARING—DAY

[Two Jaffa run into the clearing and are shot by O'Neill. Lying next to him is another man who has been shot in the leg.]

O'NEILL

(into radio)

Tyler's hit too and we're cut off so get the hell out of here.

CARTER

(over radio)

We can hold the Gate.

O'NEILL

(into radio)

Negative.

CARTER

(over radio)

We're not leaving without you!

O'NEILL

(into radio)

Carter don't argue with me. Get reinforcements.

EXT—PLANET, STARGATE CLEARING—DAY

[More Jaffa are heading towards the Stargate as Carter, Teal'c and Daniel attempt to hold them off.]

INT—CONTROL ROOM, SGC

[A klaxon begins to sound as a wormhole opens.]

SERGEANT
Sir, receiving IDC, it's SG1.

HAMMOND
Open the iris.

[The iris opens and Carter, Teal'c and Daniel slowly back into the Gate room.]

CARTER
Close the iris!

[Hammond makes his way into the Gate room.]

HAMMOND
Report Major.

CARTER
We were attacked by several Jaffa. Lieutenant Tyler went down covering our six. Colonel O'Neill went back for him.

TEAL'C
Let us assemble a rescue team and return to the planet immediately General Hammond.

HAMMOND
Hold on. Who's Lieutenant Tyler?

DANIEL
What do you mean, who's Lieutenant Tyler? He's a member of SG1.

HAMMOND
What?

DANIEL
You assigned him yourself last month Sir.

CARTER
Tyler, Sir, we've been training him for weeks. This was his third mission.

HAMMOND
Major, I have no idea what you're talking about.

END OF TEASER

EXT—PLANET—DAY

[Three Jaffa are patrolling through the woods. O'Neill and Tyler watch them pass.]

O'NEILL
We got to move, Lieutenant. Can you walk?

TYLER
I can try.

O'NEILL
Let's go.

[He helps Tyler to his feet and they head away.]

INT—GATE ROOM, SGC

TEAL'C
General Hammond, we must return to the planet immediately.

HAMMOND
No one's going anywhere until I find out exactly what happened.

CARTER
Colonel O'Neill and Lieutenant Tyler were cut off from the Gate. I already told you Sir.

HAMMOND
And I'm telling you I've never heard of this Lieutenant Tyler.

DANIEL
How can you say that?

HAMMOND
I think you should report to the Infirmary.

CARTER
Sir, there's nothing wrong with us.

HAMMOND
We'll leave that up to Dr Fraiser.

DANIEL
General, Jack is trapped on that planet.

HAMMOND
Sergeant.

[An Airman walks up.]

HAMMOND
Escort them to the Infirmary.

CARTER
With or without reinforcements, we are going back Sir.

HAMMOND
The hell you are. Relinquish your weapons.

[Neither Carter, Teal'c or Daniel make any move to do so.]

HAMMOND
Airmen!

[The airmen in the Gate room quickly surround Carter, Teal'c and Daniel.]

HAMMOND
Major Carter I will authorised the use of force unless you relinquish those weapons immediately.

[Carter hesitates, then reluctantly unclips her gun and allows it to be confiscated. Teal'c and Daniel also surrender their weapons.]

EXT—PLANET—DAY

[O'Neill is carrying Tyler over one shoulder. They enter the ruins of a building and O'Neill sets Tyler down.]

O'NEILL
You're heavier than you look.

TYLER
Sorry Sir.

O'NEILL
It's no problem.

[Tyler shifts and is in obvious pain.]

O'NEILL
How's the leg?

TYLER
It's no problem.

[There is a bleeding gash across his leg.]

O'NEILL
Yeah, right.

[He gazes around the surrounding area.]

TYLER
What is this place?

O'NEILL
Well, I wouldn't buy a timeshare but it's, ah, defendable.

TYLER
Until Major Carter returns?

O'NEILL
Yeah, Major Carter and a whole lot of her friends.

TYLER
Colonel, you could have made it to the Gate. You came back for me.

O'NEILL
What's your point?

TYLER
I guess I'm grateful.

O'NEILL
Well I wasn't going to let you die Lieutenant. It's like…a ton of paperwork.

TYLER

(confused)

Paperwork.

O'NEILL
It's a joke. My way of deflecting attention from my own obvious heroism. You'll get used to it.

TYLER

(nodding)

Oh right. I understand.

O'NEILL
Right.

INT—BRIEFING ROOM, SGC

[Hammond is looking out at the Stargate. Fraiser enters.]

FRAISER
General Hammond. Teal'c is going to be fine. It's a bad burn but his symbiote should take care of it. Any word from Colonel O'Neill?

HAMMOND
We've been trying to raise him using the MALP as a relay but apparently it's been disabled.

FRAISER
Well I've completed my preliminary exams of Major Carter, Teal'c and Daniel and so far I've found nothing wrong with them. I mean they're obviously agitated, but that's understandable given the circumstances.

HAMMOND
Doctor, three of my people have just come back from a mission talking about a Lieutenant who doesn't exist. You can't tell me there's nothing wrong with them.

FRAISER
I can't explain it sir.

HAMMOND
Some kind of hallucination?

FRAISER
Hallucinations aren't normally shared.

HAMMOND
There's never been a Tyler in this Command.

FRAISER
Yes Sir and we're still waiting for test results.

HAMMOND
In the meantime I want them quarantined in the Infirmary.

FRAISER
Already done that Sir as a precaution. But they did insist I ask what you're going to do about Colonel O'Neill.

HAMMOND
If SG1 has fallen under some kind of an alien influence, anyone I send back to the planet would be compromised as well. Until we know exactly what is going on, P7S 441 is off limits.

FRAISER
Yes Sir.

[She walks away and Hammond returns to stare at the Gate.]

INT—INFIRMARY, SGC

[Carter, Teal'c and Daniel are in the SGC's Infirmary.]

CARTER

(angrily)

This is ridiculous, we should never have left the damned planet.

TEAL'C
You were ordered to do so by Colonel O'Neill.

CARTER
He could be dead by now for all we know.

DANIEL
It's not like there's anything we can do about. There are several, heavily armed men just outside that door.

CARTER
Well we have to do something.

DANIEL
Ok. Let's think this through. Why would General Hammond say he doesn't remember Lieutenant Tyler?

CARTER
I don't think he's just saying, I think he really doesn't remember.

DANIEL
How can that be? Yesterday we were all in the briefing room for two hours going over the mission.

TEAL'C
I do not believe General Hammond would lie to us.

DANIEL
So what, he's suffering from some kind of amnesia, or…?

CARTER
Well if that's the case, they're all suffering from it. I mean, Dr Fraiser didn't seem to remember him either.

TEAL'C
Perhaps General Hammond is correct. Perhaps there is something wrong with us.

DANIEL
Ok, when I went through the Quantum Mirror on P3R 233 I came back to a base that looked just like this one. Everything was exactly the same except for no one knew who I was.

CARTER
Because the Daniel Jackson in that reality never joined the SGC.

DANIEL
Right. So what if this is a reality where Tyler never joined? Or…maybe he was killed in an earlier mission. Maybe he was never even born.

CARTER
I don't know Daniel. There was nothing on 441 that even remotely resembled a quantum mirror.

TEAL'C
Perhaps the Stargate malfunctioned.

CARTER
Well we've never had any evidence to suggest the Gate can access a parallel universe.

TEAL'C
If Lieutenant Tyler does exist in this reality there would be a record of him in the Base computer.

CARTER
Yes. His personnel file.

[She crosses to the computer and starts to type. The monitor displays an access denied message.]

CARTER
My access code isn't working. They must have decided we're a security risk and locked us out.

DANIEL
So you can't get in.

CARTER
I didn't say that.

[She continues typing.]

EXT—PLANET—DAY

[O'Neill is taking an inventory of everything they have.]

O'NEILL
Where's your weapon Lieutenant.

TYLER
I'm sorry Sir, I dropped it when I got hit.

O'NEILL
Alright, we still got four mags, two clips, a little C4, some grenades and a launcher.

TYLER
Is that enough?

O'NEILL
It's a start.

INT—INFIRMARY, SGC

[Carter is still working at the computer terminal.]

CARTER
There is no record of a Lieutenant Tyler on active duty at the SGC.

DANIEL
That's impossible.

CARTER
Even day pass visitors are logged in. There is no way he could have been on the Base and not in the computer. I configured a search for the name Tyler anywhere in the database. Nothing.

DANIEL
Well obviously someone is wrong here. Could it be us?

CARTER
I think we have to admit the possibility.

TEAL'C
In either case, O'Neill remains in danger.

CARTER
Wait a minute, this is weird. Somebody else configured an identical search less than an hour ago. Somebody outside the Base.

DANIEL
Someone outside the Base? How do you know that?

CARTER

Because it's not a Base ID, it's just a user number. 4574.
(She brings up a list of data)

Wow, he's been busy. Over the past two weeks he's accessed a number of secure files. Mission logs, briefings, personnel files.

DANIEL
Uh, whose personnel files?

CARTER
Ours.

EXT—PLANET—DAY

O'NEILL
Listen up. We've got a couple of MREs left but we're running low on water. I'm going to check the area. Keep the P-90.

[He hands the gun to Tyler.]

TYLER
Wouldn't it be safer just to wait? Major Carter and the others should be coming soon.

O'NEILL
Well, the truth is they should have been here by now. Something must have happened.

TYLER
Are you saying they're not coming for us?

O'NEILL
Nope. I'm just saying it might take a little longer than we thought.

TYLER
What if they never made it back?

O'NEILL
Then General Hammond will send someone else.

TYLER
How do you know?

O'NEILL
Because, Lieutenant, we don't leave our people behind. You should know that.

TYLER
Yes Sir.

O'NEILL

Good. Stay off the radio.
(He tosses it to Tyler)

Keep the channel open. I'll give you three clicks when I'm on my way back, so don't shoot me.

TYLER
I won't.

[O'Neill heads off and Tyler sets the gun and radio to one side.]

INT—CONTROL ROOM, SGC

[A group of technicians are working in the Gate room.]

HAMMOND
Sergeant?

SERGEANT
I'm sorry Sir. The second MALP was struck by zat fire shortly after reaching the planet.

HAMMOND
Launch the UAV.

SERGEANT
Yes Sir.

[There is an alarm and a warning, before the UAV is launched through the open Stargate.]

SERGEANT
UAV is airborne and beginning search pattern.

EXT—PLANET—DAY

[O'Neill is heading through the woods.]

INT—CONTROL ROOM, SGC

HAMMOND
Try to raise Colonel O'Neill.

SERGEANT
SG niner, this is Stargate Command, please respond.

EXT—PLANET—DAY

SERGEANT

(over radio)

SG niner, this is Stargate Command, please respond.

O'NEILL

(into his radio)

We're still here, over.

[He sees the UAV fly over head.]

HAMMOND

(over radio)

This is General Hammond. What's your situation?

INT—CONTROL ROOM, SGC

O'NEILL

(over radio)

We could use some backup Sir. Tyler's immobile and there's Jaffa all over the damn place…

[He is cut off and they lose the UAV's signal.]

SERGEANT
Sir, we lost the signal.

HAMMOND
We sit tight. Obviously he'd been affected by the same hallucination as the rest of SG1. It rules out sending a retrieval team until we know more.

SERGEANT
Well Sir if you like, we could try sending a second UAV.

[Colonel Simmons enters the Control Room.]

SIMMONS
I don't know if that's a good idea General. Those things aren't cheap.

[He hands Hammond a file.]

HAMMOND
Colonel Simmons.

SIMMONS

(nodding at the file)

I think you might want to take a look at that.

HAMMOND
My office.

[They walk off.]

INT—HAMMOND'S OFFICE, SGC

[Hammond and Simmons head into the office. Hammond drops the file onto his desk.]

HAMMOND
Colonel I understand you've been ordered to investigate a security problem.

SIMMONS
Well Sir, when three members of your best team voices concerns about their imaginary friend, it does tend to raise some eyebrows. Your own report suggests that there might be some sort of mind control.

HAMMOND
I have people working on it.

SIMMONS
I'm sure you do, but we think an independent investigation is called for. I'm sure we'll have your full co-operation.

[Hammond glances at the red phone on his desk.]

SIMMONS
You can use the red phone if you'd like Sir, but one day you're going to play that card once too often.

HAMMOND
Colonel I have an officer trapped offworld and there's nothing I can do for him until I get to the bottom of this.

SIMMONS
Well then Sir you should welcome my help.

[Hammond looks frustrated.]

INT—BRIEFING ROOM, SGC

[Simmons is leafing through a file. Daniel enters the room.]

SIMMONS
Oh Doctor Jackson. Sit down.

DANIEL
Why?

SIMMONS
Well, I thought I'd give you an opportunity to explain what happened on that planet.

DANIEL
I…filed a report.

SIMMONS
Yes, you did. And a very interesting read it is. Full of amazing events and fictional characters. Sit down.

[Daniel slowly takes his seat as Simmons turns on a tape recorder.]

INT—INFIRMARY, SGC

[An orderly is bagging the uniforms of the returned members of SG1.]

FRAISER
Wait a minute. Let me see that.

[She takes the bag and rubs her hand over the plastic, noting a strange stain. A nurse enters the Infirmary.]

NURSE
Dr Fraiser? We got the blood work and DNA results. No anomalies detected.

FRAISER
Thank you. I found this residue on Teal'c's jacket. I want to have this analysed.

[She gives the Nurse the bag.]

NURSE
Yes doctor.

[The Nurse leaves. Fraiser suddenly experiences a flash of Lieutenant Tyler, smiling at her as he passes down a corridor. Fraiser appears shocked.]

INT—BRIEFING ROOM, SGC

[Simmons is showing Daniel a video. On it are SG1, Dr Fraiser and General Hammond sitting in the Briefing Room.]

SIMMONS
This is a videotape of your briefing before the mission to P7S 441. I see four members of the SG1 team, I see Dr Fraiser, I see General Hammond, but I don't see any Lieutenants.

DANIEL
This could be any briefing.

SIMMONS
Take a look at the time code.

[Daniel does so.]

DANIEL
This is a waste of time.

[Simmons shuts off the video and tosses the remote onto the desk.]

SIMMONS
This is not a waste of time. This is an official investigation.

DANIEL
Oh no, I mean I get it. We obviously have Lieutenant Tyler issues. I say he exists. You say he doesn't.

SIMMONS
This is not just about Lieutenant Tyler.

DANIEL
Someone else doesn't exist?

[Simmons holds up a picture of Sarah Gardener.]

SIMMONS
I'd like you to explain your relationship with, uh, Dr Sarah Gardener.

[Daniel takes the picture and frowns.]

DANIEL
What does that have to do with this?

SIMMONS
Dr Jackson, I'm here to investigate potential alien influences over Stargate Command. The fact that a Goa'uld has taken your ex-girlfriend as a host has everything to do with this.

DANIEL

(confused)

What?

SIMMONS
You were very close at one time.

DANIEL
That's none of your business.

SIMMONS
Your entire life is our business.

DANIEL
Do I need to call an attorney or…?

SIMMONS
Serious questions have been raised concerning your viability with this command. I am giving you an opportunity to respond.

DANIEL
Ok, respond. Fine. I lost someone I care about. And not for the first time, I might add. You think that makes me sympathetic towards the Goa'uld?

SIMMONS
I think that makes you someone whose judgement can be easily clouded. And for a man in your position that's…unacceptable.

DANIEL
What's your position again?

[Simmons smiles.]

INT—CORRIDOR, SGC

[Fraiser hurries down the corridor to the room where Carter is being held.]

FRAISER

(to the guard)
I need to speak to Major Carter.
(He opens the door)

Thank you.

[Fraiser enters the room and closes the door. Carter is sitting at a desk, writing.]

CARTER
What's going on Janet?

FRAISER
I need to ask you something. This Lieutenant Tyler you keep talking about. What does he look like?

CARTER
African American, mid twenties.

FRAISER
About five ten, five eleven? I'm not sure, but I think I remember him.

CARTER
Two hours ago you said you'd never heard of him.

FRAISER
I know, I can't explain it, but I can remember his face.

CARTER
Does anyone else remember?

FRAISER
I don't know.

CARTER
Ok. Maybe something did happen to us, but you were never even on the planet.

FRAISER
I have to report this to General Hammond.

[She starts to leave.]

CARTER
Janet wait. If you come forward now, they'll start suspecting you as well. You need to find evidence.

FRAISER

(shaking her head)

Sam…

CARTER
As long as we're locked up in here, we can't do anything to help Colonel O'Neill. It's up to you.

[Fraiser appears uncertain.]

INT—HAMMOND'S OFFICE, SGC

[Hammond is standing in his office, looking out at the Stargate. He turns and picks up the red phone to make a series of calls.]

HAMMOND

(into phone)

I would like to speak to General Peaceman…

HAMMOND

(into phone)

I would like to know who this man is working for. I appreciated that Sir. I need to know…

HAMMOND

(into phone)

I wouldn't be making this call if I didn't consider the matter of the utmost importance. Yes I know he's in a meeting with the Joint Chiefs. Do you have any idea of when he might become available? I see. Alright. Thank you.

[He finally hangs up.]

EXT—PLANET—NIGHT

[O'Neill and Tyler are still hiding in the ruins. O'Neill is keeping watch.]

O'NEILL
Where you from Tyler? Texas?

TYLER
Mostly. We moved around a lot. You?

O'NEILL
Born in Chicago, raised in Minnesota.

TYLER
Is it nice there?

O'NEILL
Is it nice there? You know what Goa'uld really want from us? Minnesota that's what. For the fishing mostly. I'll take you sometime.

TYLER
Fishing?

O'NEILL
Oh yeah. Ask Teal'c, he can't get enough.

[He takes a swig of water from his bottle.]

TYLER
When do you think we'll get out of here Sir?

O'NEILL
Well if not tomorrow, we'll head up into the hills and wait until the Jaffa lose interest.

TYLER
They'll never stop hunting us.

O'NEILL
What makes you say that?

TYLER
Is it…not the way they are?

O'NEILL
That may be the way they are. But we're the way we are so…there you are. Get some sleep.

[He returns to his position to keep watch.]

INT—BRIEFING ROOM, SGC

[Teal'c is sitting at the table while Simmons questions him.]

SIMMONS
Tell me Teal'c. How does it feel knowing you betrayed your friends?

TEAL'C
I betrayed no one.

SIMMONS
You led Apophis into the mothership which was occupied by SG1 and the Tok'Ra Selmac. You could have gotten them all killed.

TEAL'C
At the time, I was made to believe that my time with the Tauri was a subterfuge.

SIMMONS
And now?

TEAL'C
I am loyal to the Tauri.

SIMMONS
Why should I believe you?

TEAL'C
If I were still loyal to the Goa'uld you would know it.

SIMMONS
Really?

TEAL'C
It would be immediately apparent, as I would not hesitate to kill you where you sit.

[He gives Simmons a satisfied smile. Simmons doesn't reply and appears taken aback.]

EXT—PLANET—DAY

[Tyler is asleep while O'Neill remains awake. O'Neill looks up as he hears an engine noise. A Goa'uld glider flies over head, slows down, turns and starts to come back towards the ruins.]

O'NEILL
Ah crap.

TYLER
What is it?

O'NEILL
Glider. Stay here.

[He grabs the grenade launcher and runs out of the ruins, taking aim at the glider. The glider heads towards him, firing but misses and O'Neill fires the launcher. The grenade hits the underside of the glider and it passes overhead and crashes into the mountains beyond. O'Neill runs back to the ruins.]

TYLER
Nice shot.

O'NEILL
Where in the hell did that come from?

TYLER
It might be the glider we saw leaving the area when we where checking out the crashed ship transport.

[O'Neill appears confused by this.]

O'NEILL
Right. Anyway, it's made our position. Can you move?

TYLER
Not yet.

O'NEILL
Not yet. Alright, time to dig in.

[He starts sorting out their equipment.]

INT—BRIEFING ROOM, SGC

[It is Carter's turn to be interrogated by Simmons.]

SIMMONS
You have a problem here Major. You say this was your third op with Lieutenant Tyler, but based on your own report of SG1's last mission, you makes absolutely no mention of his name.

CARTER
Daniel's name doesn't appear on all of my reports. Doesn't mean he wasn't there.

SIMMONS
And don't you think it's odd that not a single person on this Base can corroborate your story?

CARTER
Yes I do. But what difference does it make? Colonel O'Neill is still out there.

SIMMONS
And you want us to send out a rescue team based on your word alone that he hasn't been compromised.

CARTER
We'll go ourselves.

SIMMONS
I'm afraid I can't trust you to do that. You see, Dr Jackson's motives for being here are coloured by his emotions and they always have been. Teal'c changes sides more often than I change the oil in my car.

CARTER
What about me?

SIMMONS

Well let's see.
(He opens a file)

You were briefly taken over as a host by a Goa'uld. Once you fell under the control of an artificial intelligence of alien origin. The last time we met, you harboured an alien in your own home. Now I'm beginning to wonder whether all this might have some sort of residual effect, because just yesterday for example you violated Base security by trying to get into one of the mainframes. I could nail you on that alone.

CARTER

(smiling)

You're user number 4574, the one who's been accessing our personnel files. You don't care about Tyler, you've just been waiting for something to use against us. Who are you getting your orders from Colonel?

[Simmons closes the file.]

SIMMONS
This interview is over.

[He turns off the tape recorder.]

EXT—PLANET—DAY

[O'Neill is planting various explosives, mines and tripwires in the ground beyond the ruins. He runs back to the shelter.]

O'NEILL

Alright, trips are set. Take the 9 mil.
(He hands Tyler the weapon)

If we get into it, make every shot count.

[Tyler shakes his head, looking at the gun.]

TYLER
I cannot let you do this Colonel.

O'NEILL
Do what?

TYLER
I cannot let you die protecting me.

[In the distance they hear a horn sound.]

INT—INFIRMARY, SGC

[Hammond and Simmons enter the Infirmary.]

HAMMOND
What have you got for us Doctor?

FRAISER
Sir, I think I may have figured out what's been happening to SG1. I found traces of a foreign chemical on Teal'c's uniform and I've completed my analysis.

[She calls up an image on the computer.]

HAMMOND
What is it?

FRAISER

Well, I'm not a hundred percent sure, but its chemical structure closely resembles cortical acetacolene, which is a neural transmitter that helps to regulate and process human memory. I believe that Lieutenant Tyler, or the idea of Lieutenant Tyler is nothing more than a chemical implant. Here, take a look.
(Another image of a CAT scan appears)

You see, the effect is greatest here, in the temporal lobe associated with face recognition. I think it's possible SG1 encountered someone on the planet who exposed them to this compound in order to convince them that he, she or it was somehow familiar.

HAMMOND
We're not talking about a vague sense of recognition. We're talking about detailed memories that go back weeks before they ever set foot on that planet.

FRAISER
Yes Sir. And obviously their own minds provided the details necessary to complete that illusion.

SIMMONS
Didn't your first report say that their MRI's were clean?

FRAISER
They were. The chemical dissipates fairly quickly.

SIMMONS
So what's that?

FRAISER
That…that's me. I was exposed. The chemical passed through a layer of plastic, which is probably why I experienced only a diminished effect. But this is how I figured it out.

SIMMONS
You were exposed to an alien chemical and now you claim to have figured it out?

FRAISER

(to Hammond)

Sir, knowing that the contamination requires close proximity, I am confident that SG1 could return to the planet and avoid further contamination.

SIMMONS
You can't trust her.

[He walks away.]

FRAISER
General please. This could be Colonel O'Neill's last hope.

EXT—PLANET—DAY

[O'Neill comes running back to the shelter.]

O'NEILL
I counted fifteen. Could get interesting.

TYLER
Colonel, I am not what you think I am. I am not a member of your team, I never was. I am not even human. My race is called the Ree'all.

O'NEILL
Take you position.

TYLER
I exposed you to a chemical that made you think I was one your own.

O'NEILL
Whatever, get back there.

TYLER
You don't believe me. Look at my leg. It's almost healed. Would this be possible if I were human?

[He stands up.]

O'NEILL
Will you get down?

[He grabs him and pulls him down.]

TYLER
I'll show you.

[He touches O'Neill's temple and O'Neill suddenly sees an alien instead of Tyler.]

O'NEILL
Jeez. What the hell is that?

[Tyler changes back.]

TYLER
A glimpse of my true nature.

O'NEILL
You mean what you really look like?

TYLER
It's a natural defence mechanism, a chemical we produce in our bodies. That's why I was a prisoner of the Jaffa. They were taking me to be dissected and studied. I managed to break free of my cell and damage the guidance system of the transport ship. We crashed on this planet. That's when you found me. I didn't know if you could be trusted.

O'NEILL
You've picked a hell of a time to tell me.

TYLER
Please, understand Colonel.

[A staff weapon blast hits close by and O'Neill ducks. A group of Jaffa are moving in on their position. One hits a tripwire and is blown up. Others trigger the wires as they run towards the ruins.]

O'NEILL
Hit the C4.

[Tyler does so and there are more explosions, killing the Jaffa.]

O'NEILL
Again!

[Tyler blows the C4, killing more Jaffa. O'Neill returns fire, shooting any Jaffa who get close.]

TYLER
Behind you!

[O'Neill turns in time to shoot a Jaffa that has jumped over the wall. Another runs round a corner and O'Neill shoots him too. As a third enters the ruins, O'Neill runs out of bullets and the Jaffa hits him. O'Neill strikes him across the face with his gun and the Jaffa draws a knife. Another Jaffa runs up, pointing his staff weapon at O'Neill, who is still struggling with the first Jaffa. Tyler shoots the Jaffa with the knife, but is struck by from behind by another Jaffa and goes down. O'Neill quickly raises his hands in surrender. However, one of the Jaffa charges his staff weapon and prepares to execute O'Neill. Before he can fire, he is struck by a staff weapon blast. The surrounding Jaffa are quickly shot with automatic fire. Carter, Daniel and Teal'c come running over.]

CARTER
I think we're all clear. Are you alright Sir?

O'NEILL

(jumping out from cover)

Fine.

[Teal'c sees Tyler get to his feet and points his staff weapon at him.]

O'NEILL
Teal'c!

TEAL'C
Lieutenant Tyler is not who he appears to be.

O'NEILL

I know. He told me. Stand down.
(They lower their weapons)

Let's go.

[They head back towards the Stargate.]

EXT—PLANET—DAY

[Teal'c has taken point and is leading SG1 and Tyler along a trail.]

O'NEILL
Why didn't you just ask for help?

TYLER
I'm sorry, but I couldn't take the chance. For generations the Ree'all have met nothing but fear and mistrust.

O'NEILL
Well sure if you go around tricking people.

TYLER
My kind do not embrace technology. We have never been good fighters. Our ability to disguise ourselves is our only advantage. Now, the Goa'uld are trying to learn our secrets. We are being hunted to extinction.

O'NEILL
You got someplace to go?

TYLER
A group of us have started a new colony on a planet in an isolated part of the galaxy. After I return, we will bury the Gate and no one will ever hear of us again.

EXT—PLANET—DAY

[Teal'c signals to the others and they all stop. Keeping low, he moves to the edge of the cliff and gestures for O'Neill to come forward.]

O'NEILL
What have we got?

TEAL'C
We are not alone.

[O'Neill looks through his binoculars and sees dozens of Jaffa guarding the Gate.]

O'NEILL
It looks like they're going to be there a while.

TEAL'C
We must act before further reinforcements arrive.

O'NEILL
I don't think so Teal'c, there's too many of them.

TYLER
I'll surrender. Once they have me, they'll leave. I'm the one they're after.

O'NEILL
That's…very brave of you and all, but the last thing we need is for the Goa'uld to figure out how you do that…thing you do.

TYLER
Then I won't surrender. I'll just lead them away from the Gate. That will give you a chance to get through.

O'NEILL
You said yourself they'd never stop hunting you. Now we've trusted each other this far. We could use a little more firepower however. Daniel, stay with…what is your name anyway?

TYLER
Yayayeii.

O'NEILL
Ok Daniel, you stay with…Tyler. Carter give him your zat. Keep an eye out for patrols, stay out of trouble.

[Carter hands Tyler her zat. Daniel and Tyler remain behind as the others move off.]

EXT—PLANET—DAY

[Carter is examining the wreckage of the glider O'Neill shot down.]

TEAL'C
The glider's cannon might still be operational.

O'NEILL
Like the attitude Teal'c.

EXT—PLANET—DAY

[Daniel is looking through his binoculars at the Jaffa around the Gate.]

TYLER
This is all my fault. If I had revealed myself to you from the beginning, this could have been avoided.

DANIEL
Well, we understand. No one's blaming you.

TYLER
Please tell Colonel O'Neill, I appreciate everything he's done for me.

DANIEL
What are you talking about?

[Tyler zats him and walks away.]

INT—BRIEFING ROOM, SGC

[Hammond emerges from his office to find Simmons waiting for him.]

HAMMOND
I take it you're waiting to see me Colonel.

SIMMONS
Yes Sir. For the better part of an hour in fact.

HAMMOND
What about?

SIMMONS
I've come to believe that you allow your personal feelings to influence your command decisions.

HAMMOND
How I run my command is none of your damned business.

SIMMONS
Security of this country Sir.

HAMMOND
This investigation has nothing to do with the security of this country and you know it.

SIMMONS
Offworld teams have been compromised. Existing safeguards are ineffective. SGC is an accident waiting to happen.

HAMMOND
I don't know who issued your orders Simmons, but I've got a pretty good idea.

SIMMONS
General, with all due respect , it doesn't matter who issued my orders. What matters is that in carrying out my orders I have found things to be very, very wrong here.

HAMMOND
You're being used Colonel. I let this investigation go on long enough to make a few phone calls. I learned enough to know your orders are politically motivated.

SIMMONS
Sir, I think you're missing my point. I don't care.

HAMMOND
If it's a fight you're looking for, Colonel, my Washington connections go a lot higher than yours.

SIMMONS
Administrations change, Sir.

HAMMOND
So do orders. Now do I need to have you escorted off my Base?

SIMMONS
That won't be necessary General. I know how to leave gracefully. I only hope you do.

[He leaves the room.]

EXT—PLANET—DAY

[Daniel is lying on the ground. Carter grabs him and helps him to sit upright.]

CARTER
Daniel.

DANIEL

(dazed)

Ah.

O'NEILL
Hey, where's Tyler?

DANIEL
You know I would have asked him but I was too busy being unconscious after he shot me with that zat you gave him, so…

[O'Neill looks through his binoculars and sees Tyler zatting the Jaffa at the Gate. The Jaffa shoot at Tyler and he runs, drawing the guards away from the Gate.]

O'NEILL
Oh for crying out. He's trying to be a hero.

CARTER
There's only a few Jaffa left. We could take them out.

TEAL'C
This may be our best chance of escape O'Neill.

EXT—PLANET—DAY

[Tyler is still running from the Jaffa, this time in his natural form. He hesitates briefly and a Jaffa jumps him from behind.]

EXT—PLANET—DAY

[A troop of Jaffa are leading a captured Tyler down a path towards the Gate. They come under fire from Teal'c, who is carrying the downed glider's cannon. The rest of SG1 emerge from the bushes and shoot the remaining Jaffa. O'Neill approaches Tyler and helps him to his feet.]

O'NEILL
You're lucky you're not really a lieutenant under my command. I'd have your ass for this.

TYLER
You could have escaped.

O'NEILL
We don't leave our people behind.

TYLER
But…I am not one of your people.

O'NEILL
Could have fooled me. Actually, you did fool me. Come on, let's go

TYLER
What about the Jaffa at the Gate?

O'NEILL
They weren't a problem.

EXT—STARGATE CLEARING, PLANET—DAY

[Tyler is dialling up the Gate and it opens.]

O'NEILL
You know, before your people go and bury your Gate or anything like that, you should know that not everyone you meet is going to try and hunt you down. We could be allies you know.

TYLER
It is not my decision to make, but I will tell the other what happened here. It might just convince them we don't have to hide forever.

[He walks up the steps and looks back smiling.]

TYLER
Maybe then you can take me fishing.

[He disappears into the Stargate.]

FADE OUT

THE END

Transcribed by Dee for Stargatefan

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--Kylie Lee 04:51, 7 Jul 2004 (PDT)