Continuing Stargate

[Crazy Tom]

Maybe he went all Doctor who...

[Elitenova]

Maybe he went all Doctor who...

I am Doctor Janus, will you be my companion.

[Crazy Tom]

I am Doctor Janus, will you be my companion.

*props*

[ussrelativity]

I do like the fictional "casting" employed in your fanfics. It's a nice touch and gives even better visuals in how stories are imagined.

I have toyed with the idea on my own as well.

[s09119]

14x06 "Traitors"
Synopsis: When Tok'ra High Councillor Anise goes missing on Chulak, the Jaffa are suspected of foul play. As SG-1's investigation into the event deepens, more pressue is placed on Teal'c to take action... against Earth.

Spoiler:

(30 Second Recap of "Equilibrium")

On a desert world far removed from galactic affairs, several al'kesh are undergoing ground repairs in a small valley, surrounded by high-tech equiptment. As the camera flies past, over a small ridge, though, this planets' true gem is revealed; the Tok'ra capital city. The settlements is filled with dozens of gleaming gold and silver spires reaching up into the heavens, and many Goa'uld-based vehicles buzz in and out of the buildings. A miniature oasis sprawls throughout the city, as lush greenery and a winding river adorn every open space. Apparently, the Tok'ra have been hard at work, evidenced by two more settlements seeming to be in construction off in the far distance.

In the center of the city, where the stargate resides inside a pyramid, High Councillor Anise approaches, wearing an elegant yet simple gown, and flanked by a group of attendants entering data into datapads. They continually bombard her with questions, and she seems to be tiring quickly of all this beaurocracy, but Anise smiles warmly when she sees another Tok'ra awaiting her before the gate. Delek (last seen in "Death Knell") stands there, looking quite anxious, and begs Anise not to go. Recent intelligence reports suggest that the safety of no world can be verified, not even Chulak. But Anise lays a hand on his shoulder and assures him that she'll be alright. And besides, the continued galactic peace in the face of the Der'kal is more important than any one person's life.

As Delek unwillingly moves aside to let Anise dial the stargate, it is obvious that the woman has changed since SG-1 first encountered her almost a decade before ("Upgrades"). She is no longer a cautious scientist, unsure of her place in the world, and is now a leader capable of taking the Tok'ra to a new place in the universe. She watches the kawoosh form, gives Delek one last smile, then walks through the wormhole. When she arrives on the other side, she finds the the Jaffa warrior Rak'nor waiting for her, who himself was recently given command of Chulak's defensive operations. He explains that he's there to escort Anise to Teal'c and the Jaffa Senate, the building which houses it looming in the distance.

As they make their way a bit from the stargate plaza, Anise comments on the thriving metropolis that Chulak has become, and Rak'nor proudly explains that the population of the planet will surpass three billion in only a few weeks, making it the most densely-populated world in Free Jaffa control, overtaking Delmak (which apparently has just under three billion). Suddenly, the two of them pause, and Rak'nor looks confused. A low whining noise can be heard, and Anise turns to see an al'kesh rapidly approaching the stargate plaza. Rak'nor says that there were no cargo runs scheduled for an hour, and the plaza itself is a no-fly zone...

They watch as the ship roars overhead, and a glinting object falls from its bottom. A nearby Jaffa guard sees it and shouts, "Bomb!" The crowd in the plaza scatters, and Rak'nor shouts for Anise to come with him, but the Tok'ra runs back to the gate and grabs a Jaffa woman that fell and was trampled. As she runs back toward her escort with the woman across her shoulder, she looks back just in time to see the bomb hit, and a massive whites out the screen.

Meanwhile, at Harvard University in Boston, Daniel Jackson is giving a lecture to a group of soon-to-graduate students on the importance of the Stargate Program to human development. Many of the people in the audience are cluthing books written by the doctor before the public revelation of the gate, and a new one, entitled, "I Was Right!" But just as Jackson begins speaking on the implications of the war with the Ori, two Air Force officers appear in the doorway, motioning for him to speak with them. Daniel excuses himself from the crowd, apologizing, and heads outside to the campus lawn with the two soldiers. They gravely inform him that there was some sort of attack on Chulak, and that a Tok'ra dignitary there was killed. When Jackson still doesn't understand the importance, Carter comes up from behind with two mugs off coffee and tells him, "I'm sorry, Daniel... it was Anise. She's dead."

Some time later, the team (suited up in offworld gear) is entering the gate room, but Daniel isn't present. He enters a moment later, wiping at his eyes, then steeling himself for the trip to Chulak. As a technician begins to dial the gate, Dr. Talbot reminds the team that this is a sensitive issue, and to play diplomatically as much as possible. Then, the gate activates and SG-1 heads through. As soon as they step out of the wormhole, though, they all gasp in horror; a massive blast crater extends out from where the plaza once was, and the gate is somewhat lopsided from the blast, as the Jaffa have yet to fully put it back upright. Hundreds of Jaffa soldiers patrol the area, cordoning it off and collecting whatever remains they can find. Rya'c, Teal'c's now-grown son, stands nearby supervising the effort, and smiels sadly when he sees the team.

As they meet, Mitchell asks just what in the world happened, and Rya'c explains; as far as they know, an al'kesh arrived in orbit yesterday from one of the outlying worlds carrying almost 200 refugees. The passengers were ringed down to the surface, and then the ship itself came down on a bombing run over the stargate plaza. Before gliders could move to intercept, it dropped a plasma bomb and self-destructed, raining debris down into more of the city. The death toll is estimated to be upwards of nine-hundred, mostly civilians and soldiers on guard duty for the gate itself. The blast crater oblierated the plaza for about a half-mile in either direction, but luckily it sits on the outskirts of the city anyway. To make matter worse, Rak'nor and a Tok'ra dignitary was killed in the explosion, and the Tok'ra themselves are already hurling accusations at the Free Jaffa.

Rya'c suddenly notices how downcast the team looks, and realizes a moment too late that the "Tok'ra dignitary" was their friend. He apologizes but says he needs to keep supervising the search for survivors... not that there are even many remains left, and excuses himself, saying that Teal'c is waiting at the Senate hall. After pausing in silence one more time, SG-1 heads toward the city center.

In the grand building itself, Teal'c stands alone in the center of the senatorial chambers, looking up at the beautifully-carved stone walls and benches. The entire structure seems reminiscent of the Temple at Dakara, though perhaps that is intentional. He turns slowly, as if sensing SG-1 entering, and welcomes his old friends. Still looking up at the celingwork, he remarks that he once looked upon this building with such pride, as it stood for the Jaffa's commitment to democracy and reason, but now its walls echo only with calls for domination and zealotry. Daniel, confused, points out that the Progressives have the majority, thanks to his and Dr. Talbot's convincing of the critical Mid'cha political party to side with them ("Equilibrium"). Teal'c should be able to push his agenda through with ease. But the Jaffa leader explains that some in his own party have begun to back the Traditionalists' policies, and that gives them enough to deadlock the Senate. He fears that a vote of no-confidence could oust him from office and allow the Traditionalists to take full control.

Mitchell doesn't quite understand why that's so bad, but Carter points out that it's the Progressives that are modernizing the Jaffa; trading for newer technologies, updating their various worlds, fighting against the Der'kal. The Traditionalists want things to revert back to the days of the Goa'uld, with much of the populous ignorant and weak and an entire galaxy bowing before their might. With them in charge, the galaxy may end up having to face the remifications of a Jaffa civil war. Everyone is silent for a long moment as that sinks in.

Moving on, Teal'c embraces Daniel, giving his condolences on the death of Anise. He knew the two had become good friends, and her loss will be a serious strain on the Tok'ra. That said, there is little he can do; the Jaffa don't exactly have the forensic technologies the Tau'ri do, and their investigation into the matter has hit a dead-end, largely do to blocking by the Traditionalists. Vala asks if they could have been involved in the attack, but Teal'c doubts they'd go that far. Either way, he hands Carter a datapad with all the information he has at his disposal, and says that if she needs anything to give him a call.

Some time later, Daniel is attempting to question civilians that may have any idea what happened, but everyone seems to be ignoring him or too busy to talk. After yet another passerby waves Jackson off, he comes back to the team (looking through offworld trinkets at a nearby stall) in defeat. Mitchell guesses they're all afraid to get involved with the investigation for fear of reprisal by its perpetrators, which sounds about right to Carter, too. Thinking, Vala points out that the al'kesh used to attack the plaza exploded over another part of the city. Maybe the down wreckage will hold clues. Daniel agrees and he and Cameron head down the slopes to that area (illuminated by a few small still-smoldering fires). Meanwhile, Carter and Vala continue trying to question civilians.

Walking down the path toward the crash site, Mitchell asks who Anise was, exactly. He only met her once she had become a high-ranking Tok'ra, and doesn't quite understand the relationship SG-1 has with her. Jackson explains the experiments they agreed to perform for her ("Upgrades"), how she met up with them to meet a lost lover of Teal'c's ("Crossroads"), and eventually saved the President's life ("Divide and Conquer"). After that, she went back to her research, and they didn't see her again until the formation of the Alliance on Heliopolis ("Requiem, Part 1"). Daniel admits he had been developing feelings for her over the years, despite his attempts not to fall for a symbiote, but the attraction was there nontheless. Her death hurts, but at least she died after seeing her life's work accomplished. They trudge on in silence for a while, passing through a large gate leading into the damaged section of the city.

On the Tok'ra homeworld, Delek is trying to soothe the mass of Tok'ra that have gathered around the stargate, demanding answers from the Jaffa. He explains that they're doing everything they can, but it will take time. Clearly frustrated, Delek shouts for everyone to simply wait. Of course, given their vast subspace information network, the Tok'ra aren't used to not knowing anything, so being cut off from the truth is seriously troubling for them. Regardless, Delek informs the others that he will get to the bottom of things, but for the time being, as acting High Councillor, he's shutting off all stargate access off the planet. The last thing they need is a fanatically-angry Tok'ra causing mayhem within the Jaffa Nation.

(Continued in next post)

[s09119]

(End of "Traitors," see first post for start)

Spoiler:

On Earth, the Tok'ra dial in from their homeworld with concerns about the remifications of the attack on Chulak. If the Der'kal were responsible, it means they are now capable of launching large-scale terrorist attacks into the most secure region of Alliance space. And if it was perpetrated by rogue Jaffa, it means that the Jaffa may not be able to be trusted with fighting the bulk of the war. Talbot replies that neither Earth nor the Tok'ra have the resources to match them, and the Nox ships, while powerful, are preoccupied with defending helpless human worlds scattered across the galaxy. If the Hebridanians were still around, they might be able to take over the frontlines from the Free Jaffa, but now... now they may be the only hope at holding the aliens at bay for any length of time.

Speaking of the Jaffa, several of the Traditionalist senators arrive in the Senate chambers and confront Teal'c, demanding to know why SG-1 is poking around Chulak, distrubing the citizenry. Surprised, Teal'c asks if anyone has come forward with a complaint, but the senators quickly reply that no one has... but they suspect they will if this keeps up. No one wants Earth interfering in internal Free Jaffa matters, after all. But Teal'c argues that this matter isn't internal at all; a Tok'ra leader was killed in the attack, and the Alliance should be free to investigate as the member-races see fit. Teal'c reminds them that things could be much worse... do they really want the Nox, with all their superhuman abilities, coming to Chulak en masse to investigate the matter? That silences several of the senators, but one of them (apparently the leader of the group) demands that SG-1 be sent back to Stargate Command immediately regardless, lest the Free Jaffa become something less than free. They turn and leave then, leaving Teal'c alone once again with a decision to make.

Farther away, Carter and Vala are finally making some headway; a Jaffa woman noticed several rough-looking humans pass through the day before, looking for something in the area around the stargate plaza. Sam is just talking to another man, about to get a description, when three Jaffa soldiers approach and surround the two women. Vala, already fingering her zat, asks what she can do for the men, but is cut off when they demand they come with them. Carter asks why, as they're here as officials of the Alliance and guests of Teal'c, but the guards don't answer. Instead, they raise their staff weapons, prompting Carter to pull up her P90 and Vala to activate her zat. The trio stand very still for a moment until Teal'c suddenly appears behind them, shouting for everyone to put their weapons down. Sam, grateful, thanks him, but Teal'c shouts for her to gather Mitchell and Daniel and return to Earth immediately. The two SG-1 members stare at their friend, confused and, possibly, scared.

In another part of the city, Daniel is gathering up shards of naquadah from the crashed al'kesh while Mitchell tries to figure out the ship's trajectory before it hit. Suddenly they hear their names, and they both look down the road to see Rya'c running toward them. Before Daniel can give a greeting, Rya'c pulls them both inside a nearby building and tells them he's discovered something incredible; the bomb used to attack the plaza was a prototype of Jaffa origin, from a research lab on Ankgor. Daniel and Mitchell exchange shocked looks, as this almost certainly proves the Der'kal were behind the attack given their recent acquisition of the Jaffa stronghold ("Xenocide"/"Total War"). With this information in hand, they can lift suspicion off the Jaffa and ease the Tok'ra's worries of being backstabbed. But Rya'c says they don't understand; the bomb was taken offworld to Dar Eshkalon just before the alien attack... it never fell into the hands of the Der'kal. Which means the investigation isn't over, but at last they have a solid lead.

The three of them exit the building, excited, and Daniel says he and the team should head to Dar Eshkalon immediately to follow up on this. But that's when a group of guards approach and inform them that the SG-1 team is currently banned from entering Jaffa space, and they are to leave immediately. Mitchell doesn't understand, and steps forward to ask a question, but is almost immediately whacked in the face by a staff weapon, shouting that the "Tau'ri scum" will pay for that one. Rya'c moves to help him, but two guards hold him back, saying that the son of the Chancellor must be protected, and is forced to watch as Mitchell is brutally beat by the other Jaffa.

Later on, Mitchell has been locked in a Jaffa cell on charges of "attempted attack on a soldier," with blood dripping down his neck and chest. Daniel, Carter, and Vala stand outside, their weapons missing, and appeal to Rya'c to help them. But the man says that his hands are tied; he doesn't have the authority to overrule his father, and as soon as Mitchell's charge has been answered, they will be thrown offworld. Carter shouts that it doesn't make any sense; they were here to help the Jaffa, and they get treated like this. Rya'c sadly explains that many Traditionalist-minded Jaffa feel that Earth should mind its own business and stop trying to run the galaxy, and they merely used this as an excuse to take a stand. The beating Mitchell recieved was out of line, but many soldiers are sympathetic to the Traditionalists and won't reprimand them. Apparently, they finally got to Teal'c, which makes this a very dark day indeed.

Mitchell, finally speaking up, asks what his chances are of getting a fair trial. Rya'c guesses that, yesterday, Teal'c could've gotten him out of any trouble with trumped-up charges, but now... now he has no idea. The Progressives will, of course, try and assist, but the Chancellor wields quite a bit of power in Jaffa law, and that may be enough to convict. "Great..." Mitchell mutters despairingly.

Outside, a riot has broken out in the streets. SG-1 watches from a balcony in the prison building as hundreds shout for the Free Jaffa Nation to back out of the Alliance and restore the glory and power of their people. On the steps of the Senate building, Teal'c stands wearily in the background, allowing the Traditionalist senators that confronted him earlier to respond to the applause. Vala doesn't get what's going on, nor why Teal'c suddenly seems to have lsot the will to fight for what's right. Carter guesses that he's trying to avoid what Rya'c was talking about earlier, civil war. He no doubt figures that if he stops aggressively opposing the Traditionalists, they may be able to find a common ground. After all, as Daniel points out, Teal'c values the unity of his people over all else. He may be willing to sacrifice his membership in the Alliance if it holds the Free Jaffa together.

Suddenly, another Jaffa appears onstage; Bra'tac. The old man is being helped by two attendants to stand, but he seems to have murder in his eyes. Ever since he was forced to step down as Chancellor due to health reasons ("Frontlines"), he says, he has watched his people trip down the road to madness. But it ends here; he did not fight against the Goa'uld just to see the Jaffa become them. As long as he lives, there will be no conquering of innocent worlds, no subjugating of humans or others, and no withdrawl from the Alliance. The Der'kal are a threat to every sentient being in the galaxy, and his people will not be responsible for their victory. The crowd quiets, looking between Bra'tac and the senators, until finally the senators back down, muttering that of course the elder Jaffa is correct. They may have political power, but Bra'tac's reputation is simply too much for them to compete against; for now, he is enough to disuade them.

Then, Bra'tac looks to the balcony where SG-1 is standing, and says that they have once more proven themselves far morally superior to the proud Jaffa, and then looks to his own people, challenging them to set aside their thrist for power for a thirst for knowledge. The Alliance can offer them technology and advancement, and that is what the Jaffa need, especially in an age where an enemy far more pwoerful than any before threatens their very existence. With that, he slowly leaves the steps, heading to a nearby building where he's, presumably, staying.

Some time later, SG-1 is at the stargate, preparing to leave for Earth, with Mitchell looking cleaned-up. Teal'c comes up to them as Daniel dials home, apologizing for his earlier inaction. He was so afraid that if he pushed on this issue, it would split the Nation irrepairably, he just didn't know what to do. Vala places a hand on his shoulder, reminding "Muscles" that we all make mistakes. Smiling, Teal'c does at least acknowledge that some good came of this; Rya'c was elected to the Senate by his home province for his actions in the Jaffa's own investigation of the attack, and several other Progressives came back to Teal'c's side to back him against the Traditionalists. For now, at least, things are okay again. But as SG-1 turns to leave, one can almost see the betrayal in their eyes; Teal'c may still be their friend, but they won't be so quick to unquestioningly trust him again. They head through the gate, leaving the Jaffa leader more alone then he's ever been, standing amongst the ruins of the plaza.

At the ISGC, Dr. Talbot meets the team at the bottom of the gate ramp, holding a sheet of paper in her hands. She says they just recieved this message from the Tok'ra, and hands it to Daniel to read. Jackson takes it, sucks in a breath, and reads it for the others; intelligence has confirmed that it was a Jaffa al'kesh that dropped the bomb on Chulak, crewed by Traditionalist Jaffa most likely acting under orders from their superiors. Civil war seems to be looming, but not between the Jaffa political sects... the Tok'ra are mobilizing their forces on the border of Jaffa space, preparing to exact retribution for this madness. SG-1 waits quietly, not quite able to believe this could be happening even in the midst of the greatest war they've ever known.

Somewhere out in the galaxy, in a damp, dark cell, a woman in tattered clothing suddenly wakes up. As she looks around, her face passes into the light; it's Anise! The Tok'ra clutches at her throat and looks over her body, which is covered in scrapes and scars, but the symbiote appears to be doing an excellent job healing the body. She gets to her feet and goes over to the metal bars locking her in, shouting if anyone is there. After a moment, a Der'kal soldier rounds the corner, followed by a te'kal (the regional servants of the Der'kal Exarch) and another warrior. The authoritive alien smiles viciously, then kindly says that yes, he is here. And he plans on getting to know her very, very well.

With fear in her eyes, Anise backs away from the cell, but then muffles a gasp when she sees something horrifying offscreen. The camera rotates to reveal a Tok'ra symbiote extractor, and the te'kal smiles even more viciously, opening the door and stepping inside, saying that they have much to do...

[Lt. Col. Mcoy]

Wow. Very cool! Not sure about Teal'c, but still an awesome (if annoying 'cause of the cliff-hanger) episode.

[s09119]

Wow. Very cool! Not sure about Teal'c, but still an awesome (if annoying 'cause of the cliff-hanger) episode.

Not sure about the situation I have him in or what he's doing? And it's not really a cliff-hanger; this won't lead into the next episode, but it definitely sets up an arc.

[Lt. Col. Mcoy]

That's a cliff-hanger to me.


And what you had him doing. It's plausible, but...unlikely I think. He's been shown to be far more loyal to Earth than the Jaffa. At least the Dakara regime...

[Jeffala]

Sometimes you just have to put the good of your people (and avoiding a civil war is good) over your friendship.

[s09119]

That's a cliff-hanger to me.


And what you had him doing. It's plausible, but...unlikely I think. He's been shown to be far more loyal to Earth than the Jaffa. At least the Dakara regime...

Well now it's technically the Chulak regime; ever since the obliteration of the Temple there, the political capital of the Free Jaffa Nation has been Chulak. Dakara is still a very important world, and serves as a unifying administrative center, but the Senate is located on Chulak and therefore it is the seat of power.

The only major political presence on Dakara is the headquarters of the Mid'cha party ("Equilibrium"), the moderate group that acts as a swing sect in disputes between the Progressives and Traditionalists.

[s09119]

You know, I find it interesting that when I'm not here, there's all this chatter in the thread, but once I come back, it dies haha

[Crazy Tom]

Our thirst has been temporarily quenched.

[Dark lord me]

this forum is like hunger when we dont have it we start talking a lot but when we have food we have nothing to do but eat it ...yes i know strange ....uhh if theres one thing i hate more then cliffies are cliffies that span several episodes

[s09119]

Doo da dee dum...

The team prepares for its "Final Exam"!

When a potential lead on the location of the elusive Pandora's Box leads SG-1 to the Pegasus Galaxy, a run-in with the Wraith strands them offworld. While Carter struggles to come up with a way to return to Atlantis and Earth, Daniel, Mitchell, and Vala begin exploring the nearby jungle... and discover something truly extraordinary; a Lantean lab deep within the foliage.

But as they soon discover, not everything is as it seems, and though they may have stumbled upon one of the Ancients' lost secrets, it is not willing to reveal itself lightly. Cut off from Sam and trapped far out of reach, they'll have to use everything they know to survive and recover the information that stored there... or die deep within the depths of Pegasus, lost forever to the sands of time.

"Final Exam" will guest star Rachell Luttrell as Teyla Emmaggan, Robert Picardo as Richard Woolsey, and ____ _____ as Pandora.