FACE TO FACE
ORBIT AROUND DAKARA. Several Jaffa Motherships are shooting energy weapons off in various directions.
ONBOARD A JAFFA MOTHERSHIP. Jaffa warriors on the bridge are celebrating, clasping hands with each other and cheering. Then, from the side Teal’c and Bra’tac arrive. They are met by several Jaffa and smile at the celebrations.
BRA’TAC: I wish I had been there to see the Ori forces flee before us.
TEAL’C: Were it not for the Tau’ri fleet we would have been grossly outmanned.
BRA’TAC: It seems that the tables have turned once more. Now it is the forces of this galaxy that hold the upper hand in the war. With the new Asgard technologies, even the Ori ships will fall. I might even begin to hope for the freedom of this galaxy from all false gods.
TEAL’C: Indeed. Which leads me to wonder if the Jaffa are ready for freedom at all.
BRA’TAC: You speak of the Jaffa Council?
TEAL’C: I do.
BRA’TAC: The Council is full of politics and self-interested individuals; however they all were once slaves to the Goa’uld. They remember the days of slavery and would be the last ones to prevent our fight for freedom from the Ori.
JAFFA: Brothers! (stands on top of a chair) Brothers, hear me! Today we fought against a more formidable enemy than the Goa’uld, and we defeated them!
(Cheers go up among the Jaffa. Teal’c nods in admiration.)
JAFFA: It was the courage of our people and the determination to stay free that brought us victory. Remember that, my brothers! Freedom, at any cost, is a Jaffa’s dream!
(More cheers as the Jaffa continue to congratulate each other.)
TEAL’C: (to Bra’tac, over the cheers) I do not question the Council’s allegiance to the cause. I question their ability to lead our people in battle. You were not there when I asked the Council for the ships to defend the Tok’ra homeworld. They hesitated and asked too many questions. It makes me wonder if they would support such actions against the Ori if the Tau’ri were attacked.
BRA’TAC: Yes, it would seem that the well-being of our people comes first even though the Tau’ri are the ones that are able to fight off the Ori. What would you suggest in substitution of the Council?
TEAL’C: They may be good for domestic issues and during times of peace, but now is not that time. We must keep a loyal following of captains that will come to our aid with or without the permission of the Council.
(Bra’tac nods.)
BRA’TAC: Leave this to me. I know several headstrong captains that would fight for free peoples anywhere.
TEAL’C: (nods) I must return to the Tau’ri. Notify me once you have identified your group. We may need them soon.
(The two clasp arms.)
ONBOARD JAFFA MOTHERSHIP. The warriors on the bridge are passed out from hours of celebration. Everyone is asleep. Bra’tac is asleep in his quarters. Teal’c has returned to Earth.
ORBIT AROUND DAKARA. A hyperspace window appeared and an Asgard ship arrives in orbit facing the dozen Jaffa motherships.
ONBOARD JAFFA MOTHERSHIP. A Jaffa warrior arrives at Bra’tac’s quarters and awakens him.
JAFFA: Master Bra’tac, your presence is required on the bridge.
(Bra’tac and the Jaffa run to the bridge. They reach the bridge.)
BRA’TAC: What is it?
JAFFA: An Asgard ship has arrived in our perimeter.
BRA’TAC: (turning to the Jaffa) Asgard?
JAFFA: Yes, sir. It is keeping its distance.
BRA’TAC: The Asgard are no more. They committed mass suicide when the Ori came to attack them.
JAFFA: Well, perhaps this ship avoided the explosion.
BRA’TAC: Perhaps. Open a channel.
(The Jaffa types in some things on his controls then nods to Bra’tac.)
BRA’TAC: Asgard vessel, you have entered Free Jaffa space. Please identify yourself and your purpose for being here.
(Bra’tac pauses for a moment and there is no answer.)
BRA’TAC: Do you require assistance of some kind?
(Suddenly, the Jaffa mothership rocked from a blast.)
JAFFA: The Asgard vessel has opened fire on all of us!
BRA’TAC: Then it is not the Asgard. Raise the shields and return fire!
JAFFA: Our shields have been disabled!
BRA’TAC: Impossible. Not even the Ori can disable shields in one shot.
ORBIT AROUND DAKARA. The single Asgard ship has opened fire on all of the dozen Jaffa motherships at the same time, one erupting into flames. The Jaffa ships return fire but they have no effect on the Asgard’s shields. Another Jaffa mothership is hit and begins to burn.
ONBOARD JAFFA MOTHERSHIP. The bridge rocks with another blast.
JAFFA: We have lost life support on levels four through ten.
BRA’TAC: We must abandon the battle.
JAFFA: The Jaffa do not flee in the face of their enemies!
BRA’TAC: We do not even know who the enemy is! We must warn our brethren of this new threat.
(An alarm sounds.)
JAFFA: We have been boarded. Enemy life signs detected on level four.
BRA’TAC: I thought you said life support was lost on level four.
JAFFA: It is. They must have portable life support.
BRA’TAC: (grabs his staff weapon) Send every warrior you have to me. We will fight off the invaders.
(Suddenly, the power on the bridge goes out and the bridge goes dark.)
BRA’TAC: What has happened?
JAFFA: We have lost all power to the ship.
BRA’TAC: We must retake the ship. Follow me.
(The group of Jaffa followed Bra’tac off the bridge and down a corridor.)
ALPHA SITE, P47-Z85. A camp site has been set up, full of tents and temporary buildings with personnel moving to and fro. On the horizon is the smoldering Neptune, still damaged from the battle with the Ori. Mitchell and Jackson are sitting at a table, Jackson reading his notebook and Mitchell sitting with his legs up on the table, eyes closed under sunglasses.
MITCHELL: Where’s Carter?
JACKSON: (not looking up from his book) At the Neptune trying to repair the communications system.
MITCHELL: Ah, yes. That’s some ship the boys at Area 51 built.
JACKSON: Well, it should be. Asgard beam technology, time dilation field, Asgard shields, Asgard subspace relays, Asgard weaponry. Pretty much Asgard-everything. Everything they gave us has been successfully replicated and handed out among the new Triton-class ships.
MITCHELL: Triton. Neptune. Who comes up with these ship names?
JACKSON: Probably some guy at the Pentagon.
MITCHELL: Uh-huh. A job solely for naming interstellar spaceships. Must be an interesting job.
JACKSON: Probably doesn’t get boring.
(Mitchell lets out a laugh and Jackson looks up from his book towards Mitchell. Mitchell stopped laughing and peered at Jackson.)
MITCHELL: You weren’t joking?
(Jackson sighed and started to read his book again. Mitchell flipped down his sunglasses and looked at the book.)
MITCHELL: What are you reading anyways?
JACKSON: My notes on the Forgotten Brotherhood.
MITCHELL: Those Ori followers?
JACKSON: Yes. I managed to write down most of the symbols at the ruins before (looked at Mitchell) you refused to let me stay there.
MITCHELL: Hey, the Tok’ra were in jeopardy and Vala – (cut himself off) I’m sorry.
JACKSON: It’s alright. I’m sure she’s ok.
MITCHELL: So you think the Ori took her with them?
JACKSON: (shook his head) I don’t know why, but I feel like they didn’t.
MITCHELL: (slowly) Then how do you know she’s alright?
JACKSON: I don’t. I just (put his hands out into the air in front of him) feel it.
MITCHELL: (eyeing Jackson’s outstretched hands) What are we doing here anyways? Shouldn’t we be off on some mission, preferably one that involves searching for Vala or finding more out about this Clavus Theressa Infiniatis? I’m sure you’d like another crack at the place we found out about the Forgotten Brotherhood.
JACKSON: General Landry ordered us to oversee the repairs of the Neptune.
MITCHELL: I understand why they need Carter, but why us?
(Jackson shrugged.)
(Above them, a Jaffa cargo ship arrived and descended over the crest of a hill near the campsite.)
TEAL’C: (over radio) Colonel Mitchell, I am landing at the Alpha Site.
MITCHELL: (over radio) Copy that, Teal’c. We see you. (to Jackson) Finally, some action. I’m going to go see what Teal’c brought from Earth.
JACKSON: You go on ahead. I’m going to keep trying to interpret these symbols.
OUTSIDE TEAL’C’S CARGO SHIP. Colonel Mitchell greeted Teal’c and several SG personnel moving large cargo containers.
TEAL’C: My apologies for being late, Colonel Mitchell. General Landry gives his greetings.
MITCHELL: What’s in the boxes?
TEAL’C: Supplies for the camp.
MITCHELL: So no good news about the stargate then?
TEAL’C: I’m afraid not. The stargate is still unresponsive to any attempts to dial out. Any word on Vala?
MITCHELL: No. Daniel is still hopeful, but if she wasn’t on the planet then she must be with the Ori or worse. And being with them can’t be that exciting.
TEAL’C: Perhaps we should form a rescue party to find her?
MITCHELL: And search where? The entire Ori galaxy?
TEAL’C: We must do something.
MITCHELL: Hey, I agree. Doing something is better than doing nothing here. (Suddenly excited) Did you bring me the stuff?
TEAL’C: Indeed I did, Colonel Mitchell. (handed Mitchell a package.)
MITCHELL: Excellent.
TEAL’C: (as Mitchell opened the package) I still do not understand the significance of this… thing?
MITCHELL: (revealing the package to Teal’c.) It’s a Playstation, Teal’c. You use it during these idle times of necessary downtime. Come on, I’ll show you how it works.
CAMP SITE. Mitchell, carrying a Playstation, and Teal’c, appear at the table where Jackson is reading.
TEAL’C: Greetings, Daniel Jackson. What are you reading?
JACKSON: Just some notes on the Forgotten Brotherhood. (looked at the Playstation) What is that?
MITCHELL: A playstation, Daniel. (looked at him strangely) Didn’t you have one as a kid?
JACKSON: No, I know what it is, I meant what are you doing with it? Here?
MITCHELL: Passing the time.
JACKSON: Uh-huh. And what games do you guys have for it?
MITCHELL: (looked to Teal’c) Tell him, Teal’c.
TEAL’C: What do you mean, Colonel Mitchell?
MITCHELL: Games, Teal’c, games! What games did you bring?
TEAL’C: I provided the playstation as requested. You did not say anything about games.
(Jackson smiled as Mitchell looked at Teal’c.)
MITCHELL: Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me. You can’t do anything with this thing by itself, Teal’c! You put games into this and it plays the games! Without them, this is just a worthless machine!
TEAL’C: (raised eyebrow) Perhaps we can create our own game.
MITCHELL: No, that – (sighing).
JACKSON: Want to read my notes? Help pass the time?
MITCHELL: Shut up, Jackson.
(Colonel Mitchell walked away.)
TEAL’C: Have you found anything of interest regarding the Forgotten Brotherhood or the chasm where the Clavus is?
JACKSON: Unfortunately, no. All I can find is that they placed the Clavus in a place only where an Ascended being could get to it. How was the trip to the Jaffa?
TEAL’C: Very good. The Jaffa are celebrating their victory against the Ori.
ORBIT AROUND THE ALPHA SITE. A Jaffa mothership arrived in orbit.
CAMP SITE. Jackson and Teal’c are talking when Jackson’s radio goes off.
BRA’TAC: (over radio) This is Bra’tac of the Free Jaffa. My ship has been attacked and is in critical condition. Requesting permission for an emergency landing.
(Without waiting for a response, the mothership flies into the atmosphere and crash landed a mile from the camp site, pushing up dirt and debris into the sky. Jackson and Teal’c start to run towards the crash. Mitchell, who was walking away, also starts to run towards it, along with several other SG personnel.)
CRASH SITE OF MOTHERSHIP ON ALPHA SITE. Bra’tac staggered away from the wreckage, holding his side and limping. Teal’c reached him first.
TEAL’C: Are you alright, old friend?
BRA’TAC: I am fine. This is nothing that I have not experienced before. (pulled himself up) My days of fighting the Goa’uld have taught me pain.
TEAL’C: Nevertheless, you are not as young as you once were. Was anyone else on board?
(Jackson reached them.)
BRA’TAC: No. My crew was lost in the attack.
JACKSON: Attack? You were attacked?
BRA’TAC: Yes. We were celebrating our victory over the Ori at Olivos. Since that victory, several Jaffa who had bowed down to the Ori have risen up in newly found rebellion. Our victory spreaded hope across the Free Jaffa Nation, and once more the Ori have something to fear from the Jaffa. However, before the next day, we were attacked by an Asgard ship.
JACKSON: Asgard? But they’re all dead. Are you sure?
TEAL’C: You know as well as we do that the Asgard committed mass suicide when the Ori reached their home planet.
BRA’TAC: I said we were attacked by an Asgard ship. I never said we were attacked by the Asgard.
(Jackson and Teal’c looked at each other. Mitchell caught up to them.)
MITCHELL: Bra’tac! Are you alright?
BRA’TAC: I am fine. Mere scratches will not do me in.
JACKSON: Bra’tac claims that an Asgard ship attacked the Jaffa.
BRA’TAC: It is not a claim. It is the truth.
MITCHELL: Asgard? The Asgard attacked you?
BRA’TAC: No. I fear, my friends, that an old foe has returned to us. One that was able to challenge the Asgard in their own galaxy. The Replicators have returned to the Milky Way.
CAMP SITE. Bra’tac is being checked by a medical team, while continuing to tell his story.
BRA’TAC: It was a single ship of Asgard design. None of our weapons could penetrate it. Before long, half of the Jaffa fleet was destroyed. I tried to order an evacuation through hyperspace, but the ship had been boarded and the controls were unresponsive.
TEAL’C: How did you survive this?
BRA’TAC: You forget about the bravery and courage of Jaffa warriors, Teal’c. I was not alone when the battle started, although I am now. Twenty of us fought the Replicator creatures and we retook the ship. I managed to open a hyperspace window before the Replicators could send reinforcements. That is why I am here. You know how to defeat them.
MITCHELL: Hey, we beat them before. How bad can they be?
JACKSON: Oh, just that there are about a million of them and that any disruption weapon we have only works the first time we use it. After that, they adapt and the weapon is useless.
MITCHELL: Didn’t Carter figure out a way to use all of the stargates to kill them all?
TEAL’C: Unfortunately, the stargates are inoperable at this time. Any attempt to destroy the Replicators will be futile, for there will never be a way to destroy them all.
JACKSON: And even if we destroy this second wave, there may still be more in the Ida galaxy.
BRA’TAC: Surely you are not giving up so easily, Daniel Jackson?
JACKSON: No, of course not. It’s just that this time the odds are not in our favor. We don’t have an Ancient super weapon at our disposal or the stargate.
BRA’TAC: Where is Colonel Carter? I am sure that she will assist in this matter. Is she not here?
JACKSON: She’s working on the Neptune, it’s one of our Triton-class ships, the ones with all of the Asgard technology on them. (pausing) Oh my.
MITCHELL: What?
JACKSON: When the Asgard gave us all of their technology and destroyed themselves, it was only a matter of time before the Replicators took over the Ida galaxy completely. The Replicators go after the most advanced technology in a galaxy. Aside from the Ori, our ships are probably the most advanced. They’re going to come after us just for the ships.
MITCHELL: Wait a minute. You’re saying that because the Asgard gave us all of their technology, the Replicators are back in the Milky Way?
JACKSON: Yes.
TEAL’C: Perhaps we are thinking of this in the wrong way. Won’t the Replicators attack the Ori ships as well and destroy them?
JACKSON: Yes, but we’d just be taking one bad guy over the other. Sooner or later we’d have to deal with the Replicators by ourselves. And there’s nothing stopping them from reaching Earth.
BRA’TAC: Or other Jaffa worlds. You realize the urgency then, Doctor Jackson?
JACKSON: Yes. I’ll get Sam on the radio.
(Before Daniel can do anything, there are shouts over the radio.)
SOLDIER: (over radio) Bogey, inbound on our position! Long range scanners have detected an Ori ship in hyperspace! It’ll be here in ten minutes. SG-1 to the Command Center.
MITCHELL: Looks like the Replicators are going to have to wait, Bra’tac!
ALPHA SITE, COMMAND CENTER. SG-1 and Bra’tac have arrived. General Douglas, commander of Alpha Site, is there as well.
CARTER: What’s the situation, sir?
DOUGLAS: Ori ship, single battlecruiser. It’ll be here before we can bring in any of our birds from Earth. How’s the Neptune? Can she fight?
CARTER: Far from it, sir. The subspace engines are completely fried and the hull is still pretty badly damaged. I don’t think she can make it out of the atmosphere.
DOUGLAS: She’ll be a sitting duck on the surface when that Ori ship gets here.
JACKSON: Can we evacuate the people here?
DOUGLAS: Without a spaceship and the stargate being as it is, I’m afraid not. We’re going to have to move all non-essential personnel into the forests for the time being. All military units are to prepare to fend off an assault.
MITCHELL: Not a lot of good that will do against an Ori battleship.
DOUGLAS: Be that as it may, we’re going to put up a fight anyways.
ALPHA SITE, COMMAND CENTER. SG-1 is armed, along with Bra’tac, and taking cover behind a building.
CARTER: (over radio) All non-essential personnel have been escorted to the woods, sir.
DOUGLAS: (over radio) Copy. The Ori ship is coming out of hyperspace now.
ORBIT AROUND ALPHA SITE. A hyperspace window appears and an Ori ship arrives. It started to shoot at the surface. Bright fires erupted on the surface around the camp.
ALPHA SITE, COMMAND CENTER.
DOUGLAS: (over radio) Incoming fire! Take cover!
(Blasts erupt around SG-1, and a building explodes. SG-1 cover themselves as best as possible.)
SOLDIER: (over radio) Sir, another ship is coming out of hyperspace!
MITCHELL: (over radio) One is enough!
SOLDIER: (over radio) This one isn’t Ori. Don’t know what it is, sir, but our long range scanners didn’t pick it up until now.
ORBIT AROUND ALPHA SITE. A second hyperspace window appeared and an Asgard ship arrived behind the Ori ship. The Asgard ship fired on the Ori ship, destroying it in three hits before the Ori ship could react. The Ori ship exploded, leaving debris floating through space. The Asgard ship abruptly turned around and, through a hyperspace window, exited the planet’s orbit.)
ALPHA SITE, COMMAND CENTER. SG-1 is looking up into the sky, where a bright flash of light showed the destruction of the Ori ship as it impacted the planet’s atmospeher, creating meteors crashing far away.
BRA’TAC: Replicators. I told you. They are chasing the Ori technology.
TEAL’C: It appears that the Ori have a more formidable foe.
BRA’TAC: Indeed.
CARTER: Why would the Replicators just abandon the planet after destroying one Ori ship?
MITCHELL: What do you mean?
CARTER: Well, if they are chasing advanced technology, then why not go after the Neptune? It’s full of every gadget the Asgard gave us.
MITCHELL: Maybe they don’t want one in critical condition?
CARTER: (shook her head) They could fix it up easily and overrun us just as easily. It’d be like taking candy from a baby.
BRA’TAC: I think you are missing the point, Colonel Carter. We have just seen our enemy the Ori trampled by the Replicators. Surely there is cause to be excited and not wrought with questions.
TEAL’C: Now that the Ori must fight a war on two fronts, it will give us time to create a weapon to destroy the Replicators.
BRA’TAC: Indeed. Colonel Carter, can you begin a design on another disruptor wave?
CARTER: I could, but the Neptune is still badly damaged. They need me there and I’m afraid that repairing that ship is a first priority.
BRA’TAC: (becoming angry) Have you not heard me? The Replicators pose a more serious threat to this galaxy. We do not have the time for other matters!
MITCHELL: Easy there, fella. Carter’ll get it done.
BRA’TAC: (regaining his composure) Of course. I am sorry, Colonel Carter, I do not mean to question you. I just wonder how long the Jaffa can live in the freedom they worked so hard for between the Ori and the Replicators. Every minute matters.
CARTER: I understand, Bra’tac, and I promise you I will get to it as soon as possible.
BRA’TAC: Thank you, Colonel. I fear I have a headache coming on. I must retire.
(Bra’tac and Teal’c leave.)
JACKSON: That was a little unusual of Bra’tac.
CARTER: He’s just worried about his people. The Jaffa have been through a lot. Now when it seemed that they had finally won their freedom and independence suddenly they have other enemies to deal with.
MITCHELL: He did just barely survive an attack by the Replicators. We all know how dangerous they can be. Can you really rebuild the disruptor wave, Sam?
CARTER: (sighed) Truth is, even if I did we have no way of hitting all of the Replicators at once. It would be nearly impossible to destroy them all, especially when they continue to replicate at every opportunity. Their numbers will grow exponentially.
ALPHA SITE, COMMAND CENTER. Bra’tac has been talking to Colonel Mitchell when Carter and Jackson arrive.
MITCHELL: How go the repairs?
CARTER: The ship’s outer hull is back to normal again but it will take a couple more days to fix the vital systems in the ship.
JACKSON: What were you two talking about?
BRA’TAC: I was inquiring about the Ancient device on Earth in Antarctica and whether it could be of any use against the Replicators.
CARTER: I’m afraid not. We used up almost all of the drones in the battle with Anubis. Any drones left would only be good enough to keep the Replicators at bay for a while.
MITCHELL: See? Like I told you.
BRA’TAC: Forgive me for questioning you, Colonel Mitchell. I just assumed that the Tau’ri would have some sort of defensive measures in place in case of a Replicator attack on Earth. Is this not so?
CARTER: Well, we didn’t expect to see them return to this galaxy. Truth be told, they’re here a lot quicker than I thought they’d ever be.
BRA’TAC: Then Earth is defenseless and at risk from the Replicators just like the Jaffa worlds.
CARTER: I’m afraid –
JACKSON: Of course Earth has defenses against the Replicators. Secret weapons that have been in the works at Area 51 for years. It’s just that we can’t afford to utilize them away from Earth. We knew that the Replicators weren’t gone for good, it would be silly to think that. The Replicators would definitely think twice before attacking Earth if they knew what we had in store for them. Who knows, maybe they’ll even fall for a trap or two.
BRA’TAC: I see. (pausing) Forgive me, but I am tired. I am afraid that those pills given to me to cure the pain from my wounds has made me drowsy once more.
(Bra’tac left and Teal’c entered.)
MITCHELL: (to Jackson) Secret Area 51 weapons?
CARTER: Daniel, what was that all about?
JACKSON: Don’t you find it a bit odd that Bra’tac was asking questions about Earth’s defenses against the Replicators?
MITCHELL: He just wanted some assurances that the Replicators could be beaten.
JACKSON: And the fact that he, and he alone, survived the battle with the Replicators. And when he crash landed on this planet, he walks away with little more than scratches. And, when an Ori ship approaches us and we tell Bra’tac we can’t think about the Replicators now because we have to fight the Ori, a Replicator ship appears and destroys the Ori threat, then abruptly leaves.
CARTER: What are you getting at, Daniel?
JACKSON: Bra’tac is not himself.
MITCHELL: Come on, that old guy? He’s the same Jaffa we’ve known, right Teal’c?
TEAL’C: Master Bra’tac is definitely showing some strange signs. What Daniel Jackson says may be true. I am reminded of the fact that a Replicator took the form of Colonel Carter once.
CARTER: Replicarter. You think a Replicator took the form of Bra’tac?
JACKSON: It’s possible.
MITCHELL: You think Bra’tac has been replaced by a Replicator. Like a Replibra’tac?
JACKSON: Maybe not call it that, but yes.
CARTER: Then what happened to the real Bra’tac?
JACKSON: Well, he said his ship was attacked. Maybe he was taken prisoner by the Replicators. Or worse.
MITCHELL: You mean he’s dead?
JACKSON: It’s possible. Replicarter killed me.
MITCHELL: Yes, and yet here you stand! Come on. You guys are crazy. I see no difference in Bra’tac’s behavior. You, Sam?
CARTER: It’s definitely possible, but I’m not about to state it for sure. He could just be worried about the threat.
MITCHELL: There, you see. It’s all in your heads.
TEAL’C: Perhaps.
COMMAND CENTER, ALPHA SITE. Carter has just walked in, wiping her hands on a rag. SG-1 and General Douglas are sitting at a table.
CARTER: Sir, the Neptune’s repairs are complete. The next step is to get her back into orbit with a small crew and do some tests to make sure she’s capable.
DOUGLAS: Of course, Colonel. Take SG-1 and do your tests.
CARTER: Thank you, sir.
(Bra’tac hurried in.)
BRA’TAC: Forgive my intrusion, but I have just received word from Jaffa on Termynor. The Ori have attacked their fleet and they are requesting as much help as possible.
DOUGLAS: What is Termynor?
BRA’TAC: It is a planet of the Free Jaffa Nation, home to several hundred Jaffa. That is all you need to know. (The general and Carter hesitated.) My people require help and you do not act? Is not the Neptune ready to fly?
CARTER: It is ready to fly. How did you know that?
BRA’TAC: Only a fool could not hear its engines roaring. We are wasting valuable time. Many Jaffa are being killed! (turned to Teal’c) Teal’c, you must see the seriousness of the situation.
TEAL’C: If what you say is true –
BRA’TAC: It is.
TEAL’C: (to Carter) Then we must mobilize to help our fellow Jaffa.
DOUGLAS: Is the Neptune ready to fly, Colonel?
CARTER: Like I said, sir, it can fly but it can’t do much more than that. We won’t be of much use against a Ori ship.
TEAL’C: If we can evacuate the Jaffa off the planet we may be able to perform some service.
BRA’TAC: It will be enough. Once the Ori notice our arrival our Jaffa forces can rally against them. We need only to give them time.
DOUGLAS: Alright, if our allies are under attack, then I’ll issue the order. I’ll command the ship myself.
ONBOARD THE NEPTUNE IN HYPERSPACE. SG-1, General Douglas, and Bra’tac are on the bridge.
BRA’TAC: We must move quickly once we arrive. I am told that the Ori have the upper hand already.
JACKSON: Bra’tac, how did you know there was an attack on Termynor? There wasn’t any way to communicate between the Alpha Site and the planet.
BRA’TAC: Do not concern yourself with trifles. I have my own means of subspace communication. Besides, the point is irrelevant. We are almost there.
SCIENCE OFFICER: Coming out of hyperspace, sir.
DOUGLAS: Shields to 100%
ORBIT AROUND TERMYNOR. A hyperspace window appeared and the Neptune arrived. There are no other ships in the vicinity.
ONBOARD THE NEPTUNE.
CARTER: I’m not detecting any other ships in the area, sir.
DOUGLAS: Maybe the Ori have landed?
CARTER: (shaking her head) No ships on the ground either.
JACKSON: Bra’tac, what –
BRA’TAC: Patience. They will be here soon.
MITCHELL: Who will be here soon? The Ori?
BRA’TAC: I’m afraid not.
DOUGLAS: Master Bra’tac, what the hell is going on?
SCIENCE OFFICER: Sir, three more ships just jumped into orbit. They’re Asgard ships.
ORBIT AROUND TERMYNOR. Three Asgard ships arrive and surround the Neptune.
ONBOARD THE NEPTUNE.
DOUGLAS: What the –
CARTER: Replicator ships.
DOUGLAS: All batteries open fire!
BRA’TAC: I would not do that if I were you, General Douglas.
DOUGLAS: Why not?
BRA’TAC: We are more powerful than you.
JACKSON: We?
BRA’TAC: Yes, I’m sure at least you, Doctor Jackson, have figured out what I am.
JACKSON: You’re not Bra’tac. You’re a Replicator.
MITCHELL: I knew it. Replibra’tac.
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: Quite correct.
MITCHELL: Actually, you are an unarmed Replicator.
(Mitchell pulled out his sidearm and fired three shots at Replicator Bra’tac, all of them suck into his body and do no damage.)
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: I will allow that only once. I advise you, Colonel Mitchell, to not do it again.
(Mitchell looked at his gun as if wondering if it were real.)
CARTER: What do you want?
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: There are several things I want, but first, I would like SG-1 to accompany me to the planet’s surface.
(Nobody moved.)
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: That was not an offer, SG-1. If you do not comply, I will have to use force.
MITCHELL: You can’t take all of us.
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: There is no weapon onboard that can harm me. Please, we will beam down to the planet while my brethren watch your ship. Any attempt at escape, General Douglas, will result in your destruction.
DOUGLAS: I’m not going to leave my people behind.
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: Very good. Shall we proceed?
(SG-1 and the Replicator Bra’tac are beamed off of the ship.)
TERMYNOR. The room is quite large, and SG-1 and Bra’tac beam into a cell. Bra’tac looked at them, then walked out of the cell, his body morphing with the bars to allow him access through.
JACKSON: Replicator blocks.
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: Indeed, Doctor Jackson. Everything you see is made of my brethren. Albeit the more simple of my brethren.
CARTER: What do you want from us?
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: I know of the Replicator invasion into this galaxy that took place a few years ago. I also know that it failed. Through information I was able to gather by probing the minds of some organic life forms in this galaxy, I came to the conclusion that the Jaffa on Dakara were responsible for the failure. I deemed them the biggest threat. However, they were destroyed quite easily. I was left baffled. Surely, they could not be the threat I had searched for. More information led to more clues, and finally I found out about the Ancient super weapon on Dakara and the fact that SG-1 had played a vital role in activating it. I sought you out.
JACKSON: By impersonating Bra’tac.
TEAL’C: Where is Master Bra’tac?
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: Surely you already know the answer to that.
JACKSON: You killed him?
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: Make no mistake, Doctor Jackson, we are not friends or allies. I am a Replicator, and my brethren must grow and breed. To do so, organic life forms such as yourselves must be allowed to die.
TEAL’C: (stepping towards Replicator Bra’tac) I will be the one who kills you for what you have done.
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: Amusing.
MITCHELL: You came all the way to this galaxy with an invasion force just for some revenge? That doesn’t sound like a Replicator.
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: No, it is not about revenge. With the destruction of the Asgard race in the Ida Galaxy, our domination there was assured. However, we sensed that there was still Asgard technology out in the Universe. We followed it here, where you have ingeniously placed it on your ships. Soon, your ships will belong to us. No more questions. Now, I will probe your minds. Separately.
(A beam of light appeared in the cell, then disappeared, and Jackson disappeared. Replicator Bra’tac walked out of the room.)
DAKARA, OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE. Jackson is alone on the desert, peering at the Temple on Dakara that was recently destroyed by Adria.
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: You, Doctor Jackson, are the most peculiar of the bunch. I can feel where RepliCarter has touched your mind and penetrated your secrets. Your mind is – overwhelming.
JACKSON: Yes, RepliCarter thought so to. What do you want from me?
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: You ascended.
JACKSON: Yes, twice, and I returned both times.
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: Tell me about it.
JACKSON: Ascension? Enlightenment? Is that what this is all about? You’re trying to Ascend?
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: Please, Doctor Jackson, my brethren and I have no need to ascend. If I wished to Ascend, I would find the means to do it without your help.
JACKSON: But Ascension requires more than just knowledge and information. It requires certain humanity along with it.
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: That may be one of several paths.
JACKSON: Or it may be the only path.
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: It does not matter. I have not come here to learn how to Ascend.
JACKSON: Then why ask about Ascension?
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: I need information concerning the Ori. Their powers seem stronger than any that we have encountered before, yet I am sure that they have weaknesses just like anyone else.
JACKSON: They do, but you’re too late. We destroyed the Ori.
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: (smiling) You ignorant fool. You have no idea that your own mind disbelieves your words.
JACKSON: What do you mean?
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: Somewhere, somewhere deep within your sub consciousness, you know the truth: The Ori are still alive.
TERMYNOR, PRISON CELL. Jackson reappeared in the cell, holding his head. SG-1 moved towards him.
TEAL’C: Daniel Jackson, are you alright?
JACKSON: I’m fine, just a little bit of a headache. The whole hand in your head thing never gets old.
CARTER: What did he want?
JACKSON: Information on the Ori. He seems to think that the Ori aren’t destroyed after all.
MITCHELL: Why does he believe that?
JACKSON: Because, apparently, that’s what I believe. Or at least my sub conscious mind.
MITCHELL: You believe the Ori are still alive?
JACKSON: No, that’s not what I said.
CARTER: The Replicator found some disagreement between your mind and your sub conscious.
JACKSON: Yeah. Now that he mentions it, I’ve always felt that the Ori were never truly destroyed.
TEAL’C: I have felt the same way as well.
CARTER: What did he find out?
JACKSON: I told him that the Ori have an Armada in the galaxy now and that they are just as advanced as the Asgard ships.
MITCHELL: This could work out well. The Replicators may attack and destroy the Ori fleet.
JACKSON: And then we’d just be stuck with the Replicators instead of the Ori.
MITCHELL: Let’s go one bad guy at a time.
JACKSON: Anyways, it doesn’t matter. He didn’t seem interested in the Ori ships. It’s the Asgard-type ships that we have that he wants.
CARTER: Then why ask about the Ori?
JACKSON: He wasn’t asking about their ships. He was asking about Ascension.
MITCHELL: You think he wants to Ascend?
JACKSON: Who knows?
CARTER: Well, he can’t. He’s a machine.
(Replicator Bra’tac arrived.)
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: Colonel Carter, it is your turn.
(Carter stood up, and the two of them disappeared.)
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LAB, AREA 51. Carter is staring at a table full of instruments in a lab.
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: I find the story of why RepliCarter was created to be humorous. Do you agree?
CARTER: No. Fifth had feelings for me.
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: Feelings are not befitting for a machine.
CARTER: Well he had them. Affection, friendship –
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: Hate.
CARTER: Yes, that one too.
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: And hate led to his inevitable fall from power. You will find, Colonel Carter, that I am not as… human as Fifth.
CARTER: I’ve noticed. But you are still in humanoid form.
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: A necessary requirement to infiltrate your team, nothing more. Pick up that weapon.
(Replicator Bra’tac pointed to the middle weapon and Colonel Carter piceds it up and studied it.)
CARTER: The disruptor wave.
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: You’ve used it on my brethren many times.
CARTER: Yes.
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: But there were always too many to handle. And we modified quickly.
CARTER: True.
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: To destroy all of us, you needed the stargate system. And that is now inoperable.
CARTER: If you already know all this, then what do you want with me?
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: How could you use this to destroy us?
(Carter paused, then said nothing.)
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: Good. I just needed you to open your mind to the possibility. You could not have resisted the question.
CARTER: We don’t need the stargate system or disruptor wave to destroy you.
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: (laughed) Colonel Carter, you are talking about the Ancient chair in Antarctica? Well, I assure you that the Ancients themselves could not destroy us. We are strong, we are dominant, and we are limitless.
(There is a crash, and Replicator Bra’tac looked around.)
CARTER: What was that?
TERMYNOR, PRISON CELL. Carter appeared within SG-1.
MITCHELL: What happened?
CARTER: I don’t know. He just left.
ORBIT AROUND TERMYNOR. The Neptune is surrounded by three Replicator-controlled Asgard ships. A hyperspace window appeared and a dozen Goa’uld Hatak ships arrived. They opened fire on the three Replicator ships, who return fire. The Jaffa motherships evade their shots and the battle continued.
NEPTUNE, BRIDGE.
DOUGLAS: What’s going on?
SCIENCE OFFICER: Jaffa ships have attacked the Replicators.
DOUGLAS: Red alert. Fire on the Replicators. Beam SG-1 aboard now.
(White lights appear and SG-1 is on the bridge.)
SCIENCE OFFICER: We are receiving a message from one of the Jaffa ships.
DOUGLAS: On screen.
(The Neptune rocked from a hit by a Replicator ship. In front, Master Bra’tac showed himself on the hologram.)
TEAL’C: Bra’tac!
JACKSON: You’re alive!
BRA’TAC: Indeed, my friends. I was able to evade the Replicators. Now, quickly, flee the battle. My forces will cover your escape.
DOUGLAS: Thank you, Master Bra’tac. Do not be careless with your lives.
ORBIT AROUND TERMYNOR. A hyperspace window appeared, and the Neptune flew through it. In the distance, a Jaffa ship is destroyed by a blast from one of the Replicator ships. Several other hyperspace windows appeared, and the Jaffa fleet fled the battle, leaving the three Replicator ships sitting in orbit.
STARGATE COMMAND, BRIEFING ROOM. SG-1 and Bra’tac are meeting with General Landry.
MITCHELL: I’m afraid the Alpha Site is compromised, sir.
LANDRY: If what you say is true and this Replicator read your minds, then no place is safe for us. He knows all of our sites, and the location of Earth.
CARTER: Sir, the Replicators chase advanced technology. Earth would be considered primitive to them, except for the Asgard-class ships. We should separate them and have them placed in random parts of the galaxy.
LANDRY: Won’t the Replicators be able to track them?
CARTER: Maybe, but we can keep them on the move. That should buy us some time and keep Earth safe.
ONBOARD REPLICATOR-CONTROLLED ASGRAD VESSEL. Several humanoid Replicators are surrounding Replicator Bra’tac on the bridge.
REPLICATOR: You allowed them to escape.
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: No matter. There is nowhere that they cannot go in this galaxy where we can’t find them. I made it clear to them that our intention was to capture their Asgard ships. They are none the wiser.
REPLICATOR: We have never before allowed anyone to leave alive.
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: I said it does not matter. I found the information I was looking for.
REPLICATOR: And what information is that?
REPLICATOR BRA’TAC: That their planet possesses no means of stopping us. In time, they will all die, and we shall rule another galaxy.
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