[the below was written before the end movies came out. It is meant as a continuation from the television series. Since the show was cancelled after 10 Seasons, it is written as fan fiction and not to be construed as an official episode.]
Old Friends, New Enemies Part 1
SPACE ORBIT AROUND NOXIALLAN. View on a planet from space. A hyperspace wormhole opens and five Ori ships appear in orbit. Zoom into the commanding area of the lead Ori ship. Inside, a prior is surrounded by a dozen soldiers. In front of him, a screen shows the space around the planet. The Prior is sitting in his chair, tilting his head one way and then the other as if feeling his way with his mind. After a few seconds, he stands up and walks to the screen. He taps his cane on the floor three times and then proclaims:
PRIOR: Beings of this world, I demand that you show yourselves! The Ori, the true Gods, have given their loyal servants the power of the all-seeing eye. Even now I see you shrouded under your cloaks of invisibility, hiding like cowards. The eyes of the Ori pierce all light, metal, and space. Fear not, new strangers, for the Ori bring light unto darkness, and turn all into just and right servants. Let the Prior of the Ori see you as you were meant to be seen, and he shall show you the Path. Hallowed are the Ori!
(After a few seconds, a dozen ships in front of the Ori ships uncloak. They are of no ship design seen before. They are the same size as the Ori ships, however they are in a horseshoe design with long outstretching wings and the command area is in the middle of the horseshoe bend. The pointed edges of the horseshoe are facing the Ori ships. On screen in the Ori ship, a Nox appears. He has the same wild hair and dress that is accustomed to in previous encounters.)
NOX COMMANDER: Greetings, Prior of the Ori. The people of this world wish no intrusion by foreign races, whether they be Gods or not. While your offer is considerate, the Nox do not like the undertones in your voice. We are not a war-faring people, but we must warn you that our weapons are enough to protect us against any attack that you may try. We demand that you vacate the area immediately.
(The Prior smiles at the screen. His cane seems to light up the surrounding area.)
PRIOR: You will accept Origin voluntarily or it will be accepted unto your people.
(A stern look crosses over the Nox Commander’s face.)
NOX COMMANDER: I hope that was not a threat, new friend, for this is not how friendships are started.
(The Prior lifts up his cane.)
PRIOR: And the strong and prideful will fall to their knees in witness of the power of the true Gods. And those that will not kneel will be subjected to the fires of eternal suffering.
(In space, the Ori ships open fire. All five of them hit the middle, horseshoe, Nox ship. The combined firepower erodes the Nox ship’s shield and the ship is struck and splinters into numerous pieces. The other Nox ships open fire with bright green beams of light in a machine-gun like effect. However, they have no impact on the Ori shields. They bounce off, ineffective. The Prior is standing on the bridge of the Ori ship.)
PRIOR: Hallowed is the Orici.
STARGATE COMMAND. The inside of Stargate Command in Cheyenne Mountain. At the briefing room are General Landry, Samantha Carter, Cameron Mitchell, Daniel Jackson, Vala, and Teal’c.
LANDRY: So what do we know about the Ori Army in the Milky Way Galaxy?
JACKSON: Well, we know that we’ve effectively destroyed the Ori themselves, and the ascension of Adria leaves the Ori Armies leaderless.
CARTER: However, there’s still the problem of the Priors. As long as the Ori followers believe that the Ori are alive and that the Priors are the messengers of the Ori, then they are still a very grave threat.
LANDRY: What do we do about them, then?
MITCHELL: Take them out, sir. One at a time.
(Landry gives a small, sarcastic chuckle.)
LANDRY: Unfortunately, we may not have that much time. Without the Ori keeping them back, the Priors might try to attack Earth itself.
CARTER: Even if they knew the location of Earth, I doubt they would try an attack. I think the Priors understand that we have an Anti-Prior weapon that effectively nullifies their power. And if the Priors do, in fact, know about the demise of the Ori at our hands, then they will be hesitant to attack us.
LANDRY: Either way, the question still remains. How many worlds have fallen to the Ori?
JACKSON: By last count: Twenty-seven. Fourteen of them human worlds, ten Free Jaffa settlements, and three Goa’uld remnants.
LANDRY: How is the reverse engineering of the Asgard technology coming, Colonel Carter?
(Carter grimaces.)
CARTER: Not good, sir. The technology is way more advanced than anything we’ve ever encountered before. It’s going to take some time before I can figure out how to duplicate all of their pieces of technology. However, I was able to copy their power systems. The systems are being placed into the Heron as we speak.
LANDRY: Well, hopefully this next mission will give us another advantage over the Ori. It’s clear we need something if we’re going to have any chance at surviving a direct attack.
MITCHELL: What mission?
LANDRY: It’s a standard recon mission on P4C-712. We’ve never been there before but it turns out that the MALP shows signs that it is habitable. Hopefully, whoever is there can tell us if we’re on the right track to find the (Landry looks down at his notes)… Clavvus Thermus… Doctor Jackson, what is it called again?
JACKSON: It’s called the Clavus Therresa Infiniatis, supposedly a storage of unimaginable wealth and treasure.
CARTER: Why are we looking for this Clavus Therresa… thing? I mean, what do we need with a large storehouse of gold and silver?
VALA: To live like kings and queens, of course! (The rest of SG-1 looks at her. Vala throws her hands up in the air with a smirk on her face) Joking!
JACKSON: Well, supposedly (still giving Vala a sideways glance) the Ancient treasure is like that of Merlin’s. And one of the things we found in Merlin’s treasure chest was –
MITCHELL: A weapon.
JACKSON: Exactly. Now, according to the Goa’uld Athena, the Clavus was very old. Older than most of the Ancients themselves.
VALA: Older than Merlin?
JACKSON: Yes, apparently. However, because it’s so old there are only a few records of its whereabouts and even those are just speculation by the Goa’uld who came much later compared to the Ancients themselves.
LANDRY: How old are we talking about here?
JACKSON: Well, it seems to be at least a few million years old. It’s interesting to note that none of the Ancients we’ve encountered has even said anything about the Clavus or mentioned it in any of their records.
VALA: Well if no one knows anything about this Claytus Infernus thingy majig then why are we going to P4C-712?
JACKSON: Because that’s where Ba’al is going.
MITCHELL: (leans over and whispers to Teal’c sitting next to him) I hate that guy. (Teal’c raises an eyebrow)
TEAL’C: How does Ba’al know about the Clavus Theressa Infiniatis?
(Daniel Jackson double takes at Teal’c for getting the name right.)
JACKSON: Well, apparently when Ba’al took Adria hostage and made her his host, he sent out all he had learned to a nearby moon. And on that moon were two Ba’al clones.
MITCHELL: Wait a minute, I thought Ba’al destroyed all of his clones.
JACKSON: Apparently not. He must have kept some to do his dirty work, and he sent the message to them so that they would go look for the Clavus. A Tok’ra spy on Ba’al’s mother ship sent us the information, and they’re heading for P4C-712.
(Just then, General O’Neill walks in with Woolsey behind him.)
LANDRY: Jack! To what do we owe the honor?
(SG-1 stands to greet O’Neill and Woolsey.)
O’NEILL: General, Teal’c, Carter, Daniel, Mitchell, Vala. It seems that the President and the IOA (O’Neill nods towards Woolsey) have requested SG-1 for a special trip.
LANDRY: Well, I’ve just placed SG-1 on a recon mission. Can it wait?
O’NEILL: I’m afraid it can’t.
WOOLSEY: The serious nature of this mission makes it a priority for the IOA and it must be taken immediately.
(General Landry and SG-1 look towards O’Neill skeptically.)
O’NEILL: President’s orders. (He shrugs)
LANDRY: Very well. What’s this pressing matter?
WOOLSEY: The President has deemed it necessary to recover the anti-Ori weapon that was sent through the Super Gate into the Ori Galaxy and bring it back to Stargate Command.
(SG-1 looks around at each other.)
CARTER: But, the weapon destroyed the Ori, just as it was intended to do. There’s no reason to bring it back here.
WOOLSEY: On the contrary, SG-1 allowed an Ori to ascend in this galaxy, and that makes it a threat to us.
O’NEILL: Adria.
(Sam Carter shakes her head, trying to understand this.)
CARTER: But, that means you want us to use the weapon here to take her out.
WOOLSEY: Precisely.
JACKSON: But that would mean destroying every Ascended being in the Milky Way Galaxy. Not only Adria but all of the ascended Ancients.
WOOLSEY: The risk is great enough to merit the action. Besides, the Ancients haven’t stepped up to help us out against the Ori. As far as I’m concerned, they don’t exist. Even if they do, they’re not our allies. Adria is a big enough threat that she needs to be stopped.
JACKSON: Well, you don’t know that the Ancients aren’t our allies! They could have helped us along the way without us knowing it! I mean, they let us create the weapon after all and send it through the Super Gate!
O’NEILL: Daniel.
JACKSON: Jack, you can’t be serious about this! I mean destroying all of the Ancients!
O’NEILL: I hate to say it… (looks at Woolsey) but the IOA has something right for a change. Adria is a threat and needs to be taken out.
JACKSON: Jack –
O’NEILL: Daniel and Vala will take the Heron, the new Daedalus-class ship that’s been installed with the Asgard technology. It should be enough to take down any Ori ship that may track you. You’re to go into the Ori Galaxy and recover the weapon.
JACKSON: Jack –
O’NEILL: The rest of SG-1 will remain behind and carry out General Landry’s orders here.
JACKSON: Jack –
O’NEILL: Daniel. There’s nothing more to discuss. (Checks his watch) You leave in thirty minutes.
(O’Neill and Woolsey leave SG1 looking confused.)
GATE COMMAND ROOM. Inside Stargate Command at the Gate Control room. Sergeant Walter and General Landry watch as SG-1 minus Daniel and Vala move towards the Gate.
LANDRY: (over the comm.) SG-1 you have a go for recon mission on P4C-712. Godspeed. (turns to Walter) Sergeant, dial the gate.
WALTER: Yes, sir.
(Before he can enter the coordinates, the gate activates. Alarms sound and red lights go off.)
WALTER: Unauthorized gate activation!
LANDRY: Close the iris! (over the comm) SG-1, get out of there!
(The wormhole appears under the iris. For a few seconds, nothing happens. Everyone waits apprehensively. Then, the computer screen in front of Walter starts to click and change. SG-1 enters the gate control room.)
CARTER: What is it? Incoming wormhole?
WALTER: What the hell is going on?
(He tries to stop the screen from changing by clicking keys.)
LANDRY: Shut it down.
WALTER: Yes, sir… Wait!
(The gate deactivates. They look at the screen. There are gate coordinates on the screen. Underneath is the phrase: “Help”. SG-1 looks at each other.)
THE HERON. Daniel Jackson and Vala are aboard the Heron, the newest Earth ship. It has the same figure as the Daedalus. It is seen traveling through hyperspace on the way to the Super Gate. Daniel Jackson and Vala are on the bridge with the Captain of the Heron, Colonel Jessica Ramirez.
VALA: So how are we going to go through the Super Gate anyways? I mean, the Ori have it opened so that they can come through here, but it doesn’t work both ways.
RAMIREZ: A cloaked Jaffa scout has been watching the Super Gate for some time now. They’ve managed to find a pattern with the Ori ships. Every twenty-four hours an Ori ship will shut the gate down and dial back to the Ori Galaxy. It comes back through twelve hours later.
JACKSON: Why do you think they go back every day?
RAMIREZ: Probably to re-supply or to gather more troops to replace the ones they lose. Conquering a galaxy takes a lot of man power.
VALA: So we wait at the Super Gate until the Ori ship appears and then we ask it to open the Super Gate up for us and then we fly on through… How are we going to manage that again?
RAMIREZ: The Ori ship will be at the Gate in exactly four minutes. We’ll be there in exactly four minutes and thirty seconds. That should give the Ori plenty of time to dial the Super Gate and start their approach while still giving us time enough to follow.
JACKSON: You do realize that the Ori will probably notice us arriving after them on the other side.
RAMIREZ: That is why this ship was built for combat, Doctor Jackson. Don’t worry, the Asgard technology was melded with our own on this ship. It has all of the firepower we’ll need to take down one Ori ship.
JACKSON: And, you’ve tested these weapons before, I’m sure…
RAMIREZ: Computer simulations say the ship can do it. I’m certain it can.
JACKSON: Ah.
(Daniel gives Vala a worried look.)
FIRST OFFICER: Colonel, ship is nearing the Super Gate.
RAMIREZ: Take us out of hyperspace.
FIRST OFFICER: Yes, sir.
(The ship slows down and re-enters normal space. In front of them is the Super Gate, active and glistening like blue water. In front of the gate is the Ori ship. It has already moved towards the gate. In a few seconds, the front of the ship begins to cross the event horizon.)
RAMIREZ: Move us into the Super Gate.
(The Heron boosts its engines and follows right after the Ori ship. The two ships go through the Super Gate and the Gate shuts down behind them. The Heron travels through the wormhole, the familiar sound and coldness sweep through the crew. After a few seconds, the ship reappears through another Super Gate.)
RAMIREZ: Welcome to the Ori Galaxy, Doctor Jackson.
(Before Jackson can reply, the ship is hit. Sparks fly on the bridge and alarms start to sound. The crew is rocked by the blast.)
RAMIREZ: Status!
FIRST OFFICER: The Ori ship that we followed was waiting for us when we came through. It’s powering up again!
RAMIREZ: Target the Ori ship and fire the Asgard weapon!
(Outside in space, the Heron shoots a white beam towards the Ori ship. It hits the Ori shields.)
FIRST OFFICER: Ori shields down to fifty percent.
(The bridge rocks again as the Ori ship blasts the Heron.)
FIRST OFFICER: Shields down to twenty percent, Colonel! Shall we use evasive maneuvers?
RAMIREZ: Negative, maintain course and fire again.
SCIENCE OFFICER: Sir, I’m getting reports of computer malfunctions in the hangar bay! System wide shut down!
RAMIREZ: Noted. Fire the Asgard Beam.
(Outside, the Ori ship gets struck again by the Heron beam. This time it penetrates the shields and cuts the Ori ship in two. Cheers go up on the bridge of the Heron. However, they are short lived when the bridge goes dark.)
RAMIREZ: Status?
FIRST OFFICER: We’ve lost most of our systems, sir. They’re not responding.
RAMIREZ: Life support?
FIRST OFFICER: It’s operational, sir. However, we’ve lost sublight engines and weapons control. (Turns to Ramirez) We’re sitting ducks, sir, in front of the Ori Super Gate.
UNKNOWN PLANET. Meanwhile, SG-1 are on a remote planet near the stargate. It shuts off and the team searches the area. There are steps coming down from the stargate and a DHD device. The surroundings show nothing but trees and vegetation.
MITCHELL: What did the MALP show again?
CARTER: Well, it showed no signs of civilization, but a single life sign was seen over in that direction.
(She points to the forest in front of them.)
MITCHELL: Then that’s where we go.
(SG-1 walks for a while, entering deeper into a forest that is eerily quiet. After walking some ways, Teal’c stops. Mitchell turns to him.)
MITCHELL: What is it, Teal’c?
(Teal’c looks around slowly.)
TEAL’C: We are not alone.
(SG-1 prepares their guns and searches the perimeter around them. Suddenly, a Nox appears in the middle of them all. SG-1 takes a step back startled. The Nox, with its wild hair and naturistic-like gown, puts its hands up as if to calm the team.)
NOX: Do not be afraid. I am Lona, of the Nox.
(Teal’c lowers his staff weapon and the others lower their guns.)
MITCHELL: Nox? The Nox? As in, the Nox that protected the animals of their planet from the Goa’uld hunters and Apophis?
(He turns to Sam, waiting for some kind of confirmation. Carter is just as stunned to see a Nox.)
CARTER: Uh, yeah. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen any of your people.
(Lona nods.)
LONA: And it would have been even longer if it weren’t under such dire circumstances. I come asking for your help and the help of your people. Two days ago, a fleet of alien vessels appeared in orbit around our planet. Naturally, we knew of their arrival immediately and cloaked all of our ships and buildings, however the beings knew of our existence and sought us out. After we realized that we could not hide from them, we showed ourselves in strength, hoping that they would leave. The leader of the alien fleet quoted scriptures from his religion and in a matter of minutes, our fleet was decimated. Their technology rivals that of the Ancients themselves. The Nox have not seen anything like it in a long, long time.
MITCHELL: Ah. That would be the Ori.
LONA: The Ori?
CARTER: The Ori are from another galaxy and are brothers to the Ancients. It was the Ori that forced the Ancients to move to the Milky Way Galaxy in the first place. Over time, the Ori ascended just like the Ancients. But, a few years ago, we inadvertently told the Ori of the existence of life in this galaxy. Since then they’ve been trying to conquer all known life to worship them.
MITCHELL: They’re the new big bad guys on the block.
TEAL’C: I believed the Nox to have incredibly advanced technology like that of the Ancients. It surprises me that the Nox would be so easily defeated.
(Lona smiles.)
LONA: While we pride ourselves in our technology, it is mostly of a stealth basis. We do not wish to be seen, and our technology takes care of that. However, our shields and weaponry cannot match the might of the Ancients or even the Asgard. I tried contacting the Asgard numerous times to appeal for help, seeing as they are the remaining race of the Alliance, however the Stargate will not dial their address anymore and I have no ship to take me to their homeworld.
(SG-1 looks at each other.)
CARTER: I hate to tell you this, but the Asgard committed mass suicide when it was apparent that the Ori were on their way.
(Lona looks at Carter in disbelief. She looks down at the ground.)
LONA: Then we are doomed.
CARTER: We can help you.
MITCHELL: We can? (He gives Carter a curious look.)
LONA: You can? How?
CARTER: (with a sidelong glance at Mitchell before moving over to stand next to Lona) Well, before the Asgard were destroyed, they gave us all of their technology. We can bring the Odyssey to help your people.
MITCHELL: (walks between Carter and Lona) Sam, as much as I want to help these people, one ship won’t do any good against a fleet of Ori ships.
CARTER: (to Mitchell) We have to do something to help them. The Nox saved our lives a long time ago. We owe them one. (faces Lona) Lona, can you place me in one of the Nox ships? Maybe I can figure out how to implement the Asgard technology and combine it with Nox technology.
(Lona thinks for a moment.)
LONA: The Asgard considered the Tau’ri the Fifth Race. I must believe and trust that they were correct in that assessment. The remaining Nox fleet fled from the battle after it was evident that we could not achieve victory. They are hiding around this planet. When your ship arrives, together we will begin our assault to retake our homeworld.
(Mitchell pulls Carter and Teal’c away to huddle together)
TEAL’C: If Colonel Carter is successful in merging the Nox technology with the Asgard technology then they may be able to defeat the Ori.
CARTER: I’ll stay behind with Lona to try and figure out some of the Nox technology.
MITCHELL: And we’ll bring the cavalry.
THE HERON. The crew of the Heron are struggling to get power back to the ship. Daniel Jackson, Vala, and Colonel Ramirez are on the bridge.
JACKSON: I thought you said you had tested the weapon?
RAMIREZ: We did. The Ori beam must have damaged some of our systems. When we fired back, the strain was too much for the ship to handle. (To another officer, pointing to an open panel) Replug that system into auxiliary mode.
JACKSON: What systems do we still have operational?
FIRST OFFICER: It looks like all we have left are shields, long range scanners, and the hyperdrive.
RAMIREZ: Can we get a message back to Earth?
FIRST OFFICER: Not without subspace telecommunications. It would take weeks for the message to reach Stargate Command.
RAMIREZ: Then we’re out here by ourselves. Doctor Jackson, can you help with the subspace engine?
JACKSON: Me? I’m afraid I’m no good with the workings of a ship. That’s more Sam’s area of expertise.
RAMIREZ: Well, then can you find out where our missing Ori ship and the weapon are.
JACKSON: Actually, that’s also more of Sam’s expertise. (Ramirez gives Daniel a stare.) (replies slowly) But I’ll see what I can do.
RAMIREZ: Thank you, Doctor Jackson.
JACKSON: (to Vala) I’m starting to think we should’ve gone on the mission and Sam should’ve come here.
VALA: You think that’s bad. I wasn’t even asked what I could do to help.
JACKSON: Can you do anything to help fix the ship?
VALA: Not a bit.
(Daniel and Vala leave the bridge and head down a hallway. People are rushing past them in a hurry.)
VALA: So do you know how to find the ship?
JACKSON: No idea.
VALA: You know, Daniel, you’re not very good in tight situations.
(Daniel looks at her.)
VALA: Now, don’t get me wrong, you sure know your way around stuff like books and symbols, but when it comes to a life threatening obstacle, you’re practically useless.
JACKSON: Thanks for the support.
VALA: I mean, Samantha knows all about astrophysics, Mitchell knows how to fly one of those F-302s, Teal’c can take on ten enemies at once. And me, well, we all know about my abilities. But you?
JACKSON: You know, if this was meant to cheer me up and help me figure out how to find the weapon, it isn’t helping.
VALA: Why were we even sent on this mission? I mean, I know General O’Neill and Woolsey find me incredibly attractive and I would be the last one to refuse their flattery, but you?
(Daniel glares at Vala.)
JACKSON: Well, my guess is that since I know most about the weapon and how to use it then I should be the one to find it. And you… You’re here because they want you someplace where you can’t do any damage.
VALA: Damage to their hearts.
(Vala smiles at Daniel. Daniel grimaces. They walk into a room and sit down.)
JACKSON: Alright, now here is what we know. The Super Gate is here, facing this way. (Daniel draws the super gate and an arrow pointing away from it.) The Ori ship would have entered going sub-light speed and after the time from it entering to now… (Daniel sighs.) I wish Sam were here.
VALA: Oh, come on Daniel, all you have to do is find out what speed the ship would be going at sub-light and then take into account the time difference. Simple.
(Daniel looks at her.)
JACKSON: How did you… Never mind.
THE HERON. Back on the bridge, Colonel Ramirez and her crew have restored auxiliary power. Daniel and Vala enter.
RAMIREZ: How’s the engine coming?
FIRST OFFICER: Still nothing, sir.
JACKSON: Any progress, Colonel?
RAMIREZ: Not much, unfortunately. However, we still have hours until any Ori ship is expected to show up. Have you found out where our missing Ori ship is?
JACKSON: Uh, yes, actually. It was quite easy after we figured out –
VALA: (excitedly, raises hand and jumps slightly) I! I figured out, Daniel.
JACKSON: Yes, of course. As I was saying, it was quite easy after Vala figured out the velocity and time the Ori ship would have gone. Then, we needed to figure out the angle and line that the ship was going. After that –
RAMIREZ: Doctor, yes or no would suffice.
JACKSON: Right, of course, well then, yes. (Daniel lays down a rough map on the bridge console. He points to a spot.) Here is where we need to go.
(Ramirez looks at the map.)
RAMIREZ: Unfortunately, we don’t have any way of getting there except the hyperdrive, and I don’t want to use that unless it’s absolutely necessary.
JACKSON: I understand that, sir, but –
(Alarms start to go off.)
RAMIREZ: What is it?
FIRST OFFICER: Sensors have picked up an incoming Ori ship. They’ll be here in five minutes.
JACKSON: They’re early.
RAMIREZ: Maybe they knew we were here. Do we have any defensive capabilities back online?
FIRST OFFICER: Minimal. We could probably withstand one attack, but we have no way to fire back.
RAMIREZ: (thinks for a few seconds) Crew, prepare to be engaged. (to Daniel) Looks like that hyperdrive is becoming necessary. (to Crew) Prepare to jump.
SPACE AROUND THE HERON. The Ori ship appears out of hyperspace. It opens fire and misses the Heron as it immediately jumps into hyperspace.
STARGATE COMMAND. Mitchell and Teal’c have just walked through the gate. They are greeted by General Landry.
LANDRY: Where’s Colonel Carter?
MITCHELL: Well, sir, she is with the Nox.
LANDRY: The Nox?
MITCHELL: Yes, sir. They’re an alien race with advanced technology who shy away from contact with other species. Apparently, they’ve been attacked by the Ori and Sam went to see if she could find a way to help improve their weapons.
LANDRY: I see. And she didn’t think of notifying Stargate Command of her actions?
MITCHELL: We are her errand boys, sir. Consider yourself notified of her actions.
TEAL’C: I do not consider myself to be an errand boy.
MITCHELL: Well, whatever you want to call it –
TEAL’C: Messenger Man.
(Mitchell looks at Teal’c who has a slight smile.)
MITCHELL: Fine, Messenger Man.
LANDRY: So where is she now?
MITCHELL: On board one of the Nox ships at the planet we just came from. Sir, we need the Odyssey to rendezvous with the Nox vessels to prepare for a counter-attack on their planet.
LANDRY: Colonel, I’m not sending the Odyssey into a mission I know nothing about. The little information that I can gather from you is that the Ori have attacked another planet. That doesn’t warrant any unnecessary actions from us.
TEAL’C: The Nox were part of the Alliance of the Four Races. They have advanced technology and were close friends of the Asgard. I am sure that they will be grateful for the help and would gladly share with us their technology if we help them defeat the Ori and retake their homeworld.
LANDRY: Now that’s what you need to tell me next time, Mitchell! Prep the Odyssey for immediate launch.
(Landry leaves.)
MITCHELL: Show off.
(Teal’c bows his head slightly.)
ABOARD THE NOX SHIP VESSALIUS. Colonel Samantha Carter and Lona are aboard one of the Nox PeaceKeepers. Around them, all is green-tinted. There are plants and vines all around, mixed with computer terminals and holographic projections. They are walking down a hallway.
LONA: You are on the PeaceKeeper Vessalius.
CARTER: What purpose do the plants provide?
LONA: It serves to remind the Nox that pilot this vessel of what they are protecting.
CARTER: Couldn’t you have just put pictures of other Nox and your cities on the walls?
LONA: (smiling) Cities can be rebuilt. People can be healed. Nature is the mother of us all, and the Nox are her protectors. Even now, these plants serve to give cause to battle. Without us, nature on our Noxiallan is in jeopardy.
CARTER: So the Nox are connected to the nature of the planet and it is connected to you, forming some kind of symbiotic relationship.
LONA: Yes, without the nourishment of our planet, we as a people will die. That is why we take pieces of nature with us on our voyages. However, we never stray from our homeworld for long periods of time.
CARTER: I understand. On our world we have the same relationship. Nature provides us with sustenance and we in turn protect it.
LONA: Do you also feel the psychological connection between yourself and nature?
CARTER: I don’t understand what you mean.
LONA: When we are gone from our planet, we feel its strain on us. It calls us back to it, because it needs us and we need it.
CARTER: No, I can’t say that about our planet.
(As the two walk, they pass by a terminal where a Nox is talking into a device. Lona notes the curiosity on Carter’s face.)
LONA: You must have many questions regarding our technology.
CARTER: I’ll admit that new gadgets are one of my more intriguing hobbies.
(The two walk onto the bridge of the ship where a few Nox are working on computer terminals while a solitary figure stands near the window looking out into space.)
LONA: Vesallius.
(The figure turns around and approaches them.)
CARTER: You must be the Captain of the ship. I just assumed that the ship’s name was meaningless like ours. I never considered that the ship would be named for its Captain.
LONA: Colonel Carter, Vesallius is the ship. This is just the ship in human form.
(Vesallius smiles at Carter.)
VESALLIUS: Greetings, Colonel Carter. I have been monitoring you ever since you came aboard. I am pleased to note your eagerness at learning my functions.
CARTER: (to Lona, shocked) It can sense that?
LONA: I understand this may seem a bit surprising, but the ship and Vesallius have been fused together. They are as one.
VESALLIUS: And please do not refer to me as ‘It’. I have been alive five times as long as you have been.
LONA: Vesallius, that’s enough. Colonel Carter meant nothing by her statement.
CARTER: I was just shocked. I’ve never encountered anything like this before.
VESALLIUS: Your apology is accepted. (He nods his head) Come, you must tell me all you know about the Asgard technology.
ABOARD THE HERON. The Heron is traveling through hyperspace. On the bridge, Daniel, Vala, and Ramirez are awaiting the signal to leave hyperspace and hit the coordinates that Daniel Jackson has come up with.
RAMIREZ: How much longer, Doctor Jackson?
JACKSON: (checks watch) Thirty-three seconds.
VALA: Are we sure you did the calculations correct, Daniel? Like, really sure?
JACKSON: What do you mean?
VALA: Well, we all know that you aren’t the math whiz of the gang. And while simple algebra may be easy enough for you, figuring out coordinates is hardly –
JACKSON: (annoyed) Alright, we’re there.
RAMIREZ: Take us out of hyperspace.
(The ship enters normal space again. However, there is nothing but space around them. No Ori ship.)
RAMIREZ: Scan the area for the Ori ship.
FIRST OFFICER: Yes, sir.
JACKSON: It has to be here.
(After a minute, nothing is seen on the scanners.)
FIRST OFFICER: Nothing is registering on the scanners, sir.
RAMIREZ: Doctor Jackson?
JACKSON: I don’t understand. I did all of the correct steps, I had all the right numbers…
(Daniel walks away back down the hall, staring at his rough map. Vala follows him.)
VALA: I told you, Daniel. You were never good with numbers.
(Ramirez and the crew continue to work on things while Daniel and Vala leave. Daniel is muttering to himself.)
VALA: I hope you’ve learned your lesson.
JACKSON: The ship was going this speed, and by this time it should roughly be here. But it isn’t. Why not? (stops to think. Vala almost runs into the back of him.) Well, the line the ship took may be off by a fraction, but you can only come through the gate on one line so that’s not it. Maybe it didn’t reach this far? It’s engines could have given out, but since they were powered by the Ori they would have near unlimited capability. Or…
VALA: Daniel, what are you mumbling about?
(Daniel ignores her and runs back to the bridge.)
JACKSON: Do the long range scanners still work?
RAMIREZ: Yes, why?
JACKSON: Can we scan the area from here back to the Super Gate?
RAMIREZ: We could, but we wouldn’t find anything as small as a ship.
JACKSON: We’re not looking for a ship.
RAMIREZ: What are we looking for then?
VALA: (catching up from behind) Yeah, what are we looking for?
JACKSON: We’re looking for a planet.
VALA: Why are we looking for a planet, Daniel?
JACKSON: Because if the ship isn’t here then it must have hit something along the way. And anything big enough to take an Ori ship off course would have to be a planet.
RAMIREZ: (nods and then turns to the First Officer) Anything on the long range scanners?
FIRST OFFICER: There seems to be three planets along this line, sir.
RAMIREZ: Which one is it, Doctor?
(Daniel thinks for a moment.)
JACKSON: Can the computer take the planets’ orbits and then subtract the distance they would have traveled over the last six months?
FIRST OFFICER: One second. (He types and clicks into his terminal.) The computer is processing it now.
(On the screen, the three planets move until only one appears still on the line between the Heron and the Super Gate. The computer highlights it and zooms in on it.)
JACKSON: That’s our planet.
RAMIREZ: Let’s go then. Set a course for the planet. Good work, Jackson.
VALA: I always knew Daniel had it in him.
JACKSON: Vala, as always your support has been the reason I keep going.
(Vala leans over to Ramirez.)
VALA: He’s always had a crush on me. Just between girls, you know. (Daniel looks at them, turns, and walks away.) (whispering) He’s a little shy. All those symbols and mummies and stuff. Not the best of social practice buddies.
JACKSON: (from the other room) Vala!
VALA: (smiling) Coming!
ABOARD THE VESALLIUS. Carter is working on the interface of the ship’s main terminal. Vesallius is with her in human form.
VESALLIUS: And these weapons were effective against the Ori ships?
CARTER: Oh yes, very effective. We were able to destroy one Ori ship with two shots.
VESALLIUS: Well, I am afraid that I do not have the energy requirements for such a beam device. Most of my energy is reserved for the light-refraction illusion to maintain our invisibility.
CARTER: I was afraid of that. We may have to reroute power from some of your auxiliary power sources and maybe drain the shields a bit.
VESALLIUS: Without the shields, we will not last long against the Ori.
CARTER: All you have to do is sustain the shields enough to take one, or at most two, shots from an Ori Cruiser.
VESALLIUS: That is a rash plan, Colonel Carter. Many Nox may perish if the shields fail. And in the previous encounter with the Ori, they did fail. And they failed quickly.
(Carter hesitates, as if thinking of something.)
CARTER: Don’t the Nox have powers that they could use against the Ori?
VESALLIUS: We only use our powers for healing purposes. Never for punishment, no matter how dire the consequences. It is one of our oldest laws.
CARTER: You don’t think this counts as an exception to the law?
VESALLIUS: Without the law, we become that which we are not.
(Suddenly, Carter’s radio beeps to life. It’s Mitchell.)
MITCHELL: Sam, how we doing?
CARTER: (replying over radio) I’m almost done giving the Nox ship a boost of firepower, but I haven’t gotten to the other ships. Where are you? How are you able to reach me on this frequency?
(In space, the Odyssey appears from a hyperspace window.)
MITCHELL: We just arrived with the cavalry. How long until you get all of the Nox ships to full power?
CARTER: At least another hour.
MITCHELL: Copy that.
ABOARD THE ODYSSEY. Colonel Mitchell and Teal’c are on the bridge with Colonel Gary Jacobson, the new captain of the Odyssey.
MITCHELL: (over radio) Sam, we decided to scout out the area around the Nox homeworld to see how many Ori we’re up against.
CARTER: (over radio) The Nox say that there were five ships remaining when they first attacked.
MITCHELL: (over radio) It’s very likely that they’ve brought in more reinforcements when they realized that some of the Nox ships were still out there.
CARTER: (over radio) Acknowledged. Be careful.
(Radio transmission ends)
MITCHELL: Alright, boys and girls, let’s see what we’re up against.
JACOBSON: Engage the hyperdrive.
FIRST OFFICER: Yes, sir.
(The Odyssey propels into hyperspace. Within a few moments, it appears over Noxiallan. In front of them is nothing but empty space.)
JACOBSON: Maybe they left? Out chasing the remnants of the Nox fleet?
TEAL’C: More likely it is a trap to lure the Nox fleet back to them.
FIRST OFFICER: (console beeping) Sir, I’m picking up multiple ships on the planet’s surface.
MITCHELL: Or they’ve all landed and are getting ready for a ground invasion. Either way, they’re sitting targets for us.
(Jacobson nods in agreement.)
JACOBSON: Get us in range.
FIRST OFFICER: Yes, sir…. Sir, multiple targets inbound.
JACOBSON: Ori ships?
FIRST OFFICER: No, sir. They’re too small. Ori Fighters, sir.
(Out in space, a dozen Ori Fighters are coming towards the Odyssey.)
JACOBSON: Open fire.
(The Odyssey begins firing its rail guns, the machine-gun tracers lighting up space. The Ori Fighters dodge the blasts and then open fire on the Odyssey. The shields are hit as the Fighters zoom around the ship.)
JACOBSON: Try to lock on with missiles.
(The officer types into his computer and then shakes his head.)
FIRST OFFICER: It’s no good, sir, they’re too fast. The computer can’t get a lock.
(The ship takes another hit and the crew is rocked inside. Sparks fly. Mitchell looks at Teal’c who nods in agreement at the silent suggestion.)
MITCHELL: (to Jacobson) Get the 302 squads up in the air.
JACOBSON: We don’t know if they’ll have any effect on those Fighters. They could have the same impenetrable shields as the bigger ships!
MITCHELL: Well, we’re sitting ducks out here now. Come on, Teal’c.
(Teal’c and Mitchell rush off the bridge towards the hangar bay. In a few moments, outside the ship, the 302s embark and engage the Ori Fighters.)
MITCHELL’S 302. He swerves to avoid enemy fire from one of the Ori Fighters. Then, he swings in behind the Ori that was attacking him.
MITCHELL: This is Mitchell, I’ve got one in my sights.
TEAL’C: (over radio) Understood, Colonel Mitchell. I will cover you.
MITCHELL: (to himself) Let’s see if you’ve got those shields on you. (aloud) Firing missile! Fox One!
(The missile shoots out and hits the Ori Fighter. However, it does no damage to the Ori fighter, impacting on a shield that lights up around the Fighter for a moment.)
MITCHELL: Damn. It looks like they have the same kind of shield as the bigger ships, Odyssey.
JACOBSON: (over radio) Confirmed, Colonel.
302 PILOT: (over radio) I’ve got one on my six!
MITCHELL: Hang on, I see him!
302 PILOT: (over radio) Hurry up, Mitchell, this guy’s gunning for me!
MITCHELL: If I can’t blow you up, then I can at least knock you off course.
(Before Mitchell can fire, the Ori Fighter hits the 302. The 302 breaks up and is destroyed in a fireball.)
MITCHELL: Dammit! Jacobson get those Nox ships in here now! We’re getting our asses kicked!
ABOARD THE ODYSSEY. Colonel Jacobson and his crew are in a fire fight and taking damage. They are rocked in their chairs as the ship is hit.
JACOBSON: Colonel Carter, if you’re going to do anything then now is the time.
CARTER: (over radio) We’re on our way.
SPACE OUTSIDE THE ODYSSEY. A hyperspace window opens up and six massive Nox PeaceKeepers appear on the flanks around the Odyssey. They immediately start firing at the Ori Fighters. The machine-gun like energy weapons of the Nox, combined with the Asgard firing power, manage to take out several Ori Fighters. The remainder flee the battle towards the planet.
MITCHELL: Good shooting, Sam! Remaining Oris are bugging out!
THE PLANET NOXIALLAN. A Prior, with a detachment of Ori troops, stands at the head of a group of Nox inside one of their main cities.
PRIOR: And Origin will bring you to the Path of Righteousness where you shall worship the true Gods, the Ori, and they, in turn, shall bring you peace and prosperity.
NOX MAN: And if we refuse?
PRIOR: Then you shall perish.
(The Prior then turns away and heads back onto his ship as the soldiers herd the Nox together. As the Prior walks down a hallway inside the ship, a familiar form appears before him. Adria, Ascended Orici, shows herself to the Prior. The Prior, after seeing her, kneels down and bows his head.)
PRIOR: Orici.
ADRIA: Prior, you must move quickly. The remaining Nox fleet has appeared in orbit above the planet along with the Tau’ri vessel. Destroy them.
PRIOR: By your will, Orici.
(Adria disappears in a flash of white light and the Prior gets back to his feet.)
ABOARD THE VESALLIUS.
VESALLIUS: The Ori ships on the surface have begun to take-off. I am sure they know of our arrival.
CARTER: (nods to Vesallius and then clicks her radio.) (over the radio) Colonel Jacobson, we’re about to have company.
JACOBSON: (over radio) Understood, Colonel.
CARTER: Vesallius, prepare the Nox ships to engage the Ori as soon as they are in range.
VESALLIUS: A firing solution has already been prepared.
(Out in space, the five Ori ships approach the six PeaceKeepers and the Odyssey. They do not stop. Instead they run straight for the PeaceKeepers, opening fire.)
CARTER: Incoming fire! Evasive maneuvers!
VESALLIUS: This ship was not built for maneuverability, Colonel.
(The ship rocks as it is hit by an Ori beam.)
ABOARD THE ODYSSEY.
JACOBSON: Evasive maneuvers! Fire all batteries!
(The Odyssey fires its Asgard beam at the nearest Ori ship. It breaches the shields and the Ori ship is cut in two. A cheer goes up on the bridge.)
JACOBSON: Calm down, men! There’s still four left.
ABOARD MITCHELL’S 302.
MITCHELL: Sam, those Ori ships are coming right for the Nox line!
(Mitchell watches as the Ori ships shoot a coordinated beam at the nearest PeaceKeeper. Its shields are penetrated and the PeaceKeeper explodes in a green fireball. The other Nox PeaceKeepers continue to fire on the Ori ships, but the Ori shields are holding. The Ori have scattered the Nox ranks and now the Ori ships are turning around for another pass. As they come together, the Ori fire together on another PeaceKeeper, too slow to keep up with the moving Ori ships. It is quickly destroyed.)
MITCHELL: (panicked) Sam, are you alright?
ABOARD THE VESALLIUS.
CARTER: We’re fine for now, but we’ve taken damage to our shields. I don’t know how much longer we can keep up the fight.
ABOARD THE ODYSSEY.
JACOBSON: Take us near those Nox ships and grab the attention of the Ori. Open fire on the nearest target!
(The Odyssey moves in closer to the four remaining Ori ships. It shoots out its beam and hits the Ori ship, but its shield holds.)
JACOBSON: Sam, get the Nox ships to fire at the Ori ship we just hit. We weakened its shields for you.
CARTER: (over the radio) Copy that.
(The Nox coordinate their fire on the Ori ship and soon the green machine-gun blasts penetrate the Ori shield. The Ori ship is pelted with energy blasts until its critical systems are hit and it explodes. Suddenly, the Odyssey is hit again. This time smoke and sparks ignite fires on the bridge.)
JACOBSON: Carter, we’ve sustained massive damage to our life systems. We need to get out of this battle ASAP!
CARTER: (over the radio) Understood, Colonel. Get out of there.
JACOBSON: I’m sorry.
(The Odyssey opens a hyperspace window and flees the battle.)
ABOARD THE HERON.
RAMIREZ: Doctor Jackson, we are nearing the coordinates now.
(Daniel and Vala enter the bridge just as the Heron emerges from hyperspace. In front of it is the planet.)
RAMIREZ: Scan the surface.
FIRST OFFICER: Scanning now.
VALA: Are you sure your ship will be here, Daniel?
JACKSON: Well, I hope it is. Because if it isn’t then I have no idea how to find it.
FIRST OFFICER: The computer has detected… That can’t be right.
RAMIREZ: What?
FIRST OFFICER: There are three Ori ships on the surface. One badly damaged and two others in perfect condition.
VALA: Well that makes things problematic, doesn’t it?
FIRST OFFICER: The two Ori ships have detected our arrival. They are powering their engines.
RAMIREZ: All hands to battle stations.
ABOARD MITCHELL’S 302. From his vantage point, Mitchell watches helplessly as the remaining Nox ships are destroyed one by one by the Ori.
MITCHELL: Sam, get out of there, your ship is the only one left!
CARTER: (over the radio) We’re going to try to make a jump into hyperspace.
MITCHELL: Well, hurry it up!
(Suddenly, another Ori beam hits the Vesallius and fires erupt on its surface.)
MITCHELL: Sam? … Sam!
(The Vesallius careens out of control, burning, towards the planet as the Ori ships stand victorious. Teal’c and Mitchell can only watch.)
TO BE CONTINUED…
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