Stargate: The Ark of Truth
Act VII
Act VII
Spoiler:
WORMHOLE TRANSITION
CUT TO: INT - CELESTIS, STARGATE CHAMBER
[A deactivated STARGATE stands in between two torches in a small, ornate chamber deep within CELESTIS. Just outside the open-door room, two ORI SOLDIERS stand guard, staffs at the ready. Then, quite suddenly, the CHEVRONS on the GATE begin to flash, one by one, until all seven are lit. The SOLDIERS enter the room warily, glancing at one another and unsure what to do, then jerk back as the STARGATE activates.
There's a long beat in which they watch the PUDDLE... then TEAL'C, DANIEL, VALA, and TOMIN come through, skidding to a stop on the polished floors.]
DANIEL:
(Waving to SOLDIERS)
Hi there.
[TEAL'C and TOMIN quickly stun the two SOLDIERS, who fall to the ground with a clattering off staffs and armor. VALA winces at the noise, then goes to drag the bodies and their gear out of the way. Mid-pull, she pauses and sizes up DANIEL and TEAL'C.]
VALA:
(to DANIEL and TEAL'C)
I think it'd be best if you gents swapped clothes...
(Beat)
You don't exactly look the part.
[TEAL'C and DANIEL look at one another, then they shrug and begin pulling off their combat vests.]
CUT TO: EXT - SPACE, CELESTIS ORBIT
[High above the HOLY CITY, the ODYSSEY dodges two plasma beams headed towards it and rolls closer to an ORI MOTHERSHIP, opening up with its ASGARD WEAPONS and dealing a serious blow to the enemy shields.]
CUT TO: INT - ODYSSEY, BRIDGE
[The BRIDGE shakes as an ORI MAIN CANNON hits the shields dead-on, and MITCHELL grimaces from his chair. CARTER, at the sensor console, suddenly looks up.]
CARTER:
(to MITCHELL)
I'm picking up a stargate activation. They're here.
MITCHELL:
(Sighing)
About damn time...
(to MARKS)
Get us out of here, now!
CUT TO: EXT - SPACE, CELESTIS ORBIT
[As another beam of plasma slams into its shields, the ODYSSEY ducks under an ORI MOTHERSHIP and opens a hyperspace window, jumping into it and leaving CELESTIS behind.]
CUT TO: INT - ODYSSEY, BRIDGE
[The crew visibly relaxes now that they're out of the danger zone.]
MITCHELL:
(to MARKS)
How'd we do, Marks?
MARKS:
(Checking his display)
Shields are down thirty-nine percent, and we took some minor damage to the sublight engines, but other than that... we're good, Colonel.
(Abruptly)
Um, sirs?
CARTER:
(together with MITCHELL)
What?
MITCHELL:
(together with CARTER)
What's up?
MARKS:
(Slowly)
Someone's activated the Asgard core. According to the logs, it's been running almost since we engaged the Ori fleet.
[CARTER and MITCHELL exchange surprised looks.]
MITCHELL:
(Shocked)
Why didn't you tell us?!
MARKS:
(Confused)
I'm sorry, sir, I didn't see the alert until now... with the battle and everything...
CARTER:
(Quickly, to MARKS)
It's alright, Major. We're all a little high-strung.
(Thinking)
Can you tell who's responsible?
MITCHELL:
(Raising an eyebrow)
You really have to ask?
MARKS:
(to MITCHELL)
If you were guessing Mister Marrick, Colonel, you'd be right. Logs show he used his security override to access the core room as soon as we dropped out of hyperspace over Celestis.
MITCHELL:
(Angrily)
Goddammit!
(to CARTER)
Does he realize that's going to let the Ori track us?
[MITCHELL gets out of his chair and heads toward the HALLWAY, with CARTER alongside him.]
CARTER:
(to MITCHELL)
I think that may be the point, given his position on our mission...
(to MARKS, as she exits)
Major, get a team of marines to the core room stat!
MARKS:
Yes, ma'am.
CUT TO: EXT - CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN, DAY
[Establishing shot of CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN.]
CUT TO: INT - SGC CONTROL ROOM
[LANDRY approaches WALTER HARRIMAN's station. The STARGATE is active, and the defense team stands at the ready.]
HARRIMAN:
(to LANDRY)
It's SG-3, sir. Transmitting from P6X-437.
LANDRY:
That's one of the human worlds that's converted to Origin, right?
(Off HARRIMAN's nod)
Alright, onscreen.
[HARRIMAN taps a button, and COL. REYNOLDS appears on the monitor.]
REYNOLDS:
(over radio)
General, a Prior arrived through the 'gate fifteen minutes ago and immediately made contact.
(Beat)
Not... sure how, but he seemed to know we were here. He says he has no intention of harming us, just that he has a message to deliver to the leaders of our planet.
LANDRY:
(to radio)
What is it?
REYNOLDS:
(over radio)
Wouldn't get into it, sir. Says he'll only deliver it in person.
[LANDRY and HARRIMAN glance at one another, surprised.]
LANDRY:
(to radio)
He wants us to let him through the 'gate?
REYNOLDS:
(over radio, nodding)
Yes, sir.
LANDRY:
(to radio)
And does he know this didn't exactly work out well the last time?
[REYNOLDS smirks and nods.]
REYNOLDS:
(over radio)
More for the Prior in question than us, sir.
LANDRY:
(to radio, smiling)
True.
[REYNOLDS shifts the MALP camera to show the Prior standing nearby. It is the one-eyed PRIOR who was on TOMIN's homeworld of VER ISCA and followed ADRIA during her search of the SANGRAAL.]
REYNOLDS:
(over radio)
He's pretty adamant. Says the message is key to human survival on Earth.
(Beat)
He also says he knows that we have the technology that can temporarily neutralize his powers.
LANDRY:
(to radio)
He does, does he?
REYNOLDS:
(over radio)
Yes, sir. Apparently word that SG-1 actually killed a Prior is getting around.
LANDRY:
(to radio)
Alright. Give us an hour to make the necessary preparations.
REYNOLDS:
(over radio)
Yes, sir. SG-3 out.
[REYNOLDS reaches offscreen and the connection goes dead.]
CUT TO: INT - CORRIDOR OUTSIDE ASGARD CORE ROOM, ODYSSEY
[MITCHELL, CARTER, and group of MARINES are outside the sealed security door that leads to the CORE ROOM. Their key cards will not give them access, so MITCHELL starts to open the control panel. MITCHELL keys the intercom.]
MITCHELL:
(into intercom)
Open the door, Mister Marrick. Do you really think we can't bypass the security lock?
PAN TO: INT - ODYSSEY, ASGARD CORE ROOM
[MARRICK shifts impatiently and checks his watch, rolling his eyes as MITCHELL's voice grows louder.]
MITCHELL:
(over intercom)
Answer me, Marrick! You have put this ship and everyone on board in serious danger. Look, you know that activating the Asgard core will alert any Ori vessels to our presence...
CUT TO: INT - ODYSSEY, CORRIDOR
MITCHELL:
(into intercom)
I assume that's your plan--force me to take action against them.
(keys off intercom)
Carter?
CARTER:
(Nodding)
Almost.
[She continues to bypass the security system, then, finally, nods. The doors open and the MARINES enter, zats at ready. MARRICK backs away from the control panel with his hands raised. CARTER and MITCHELL follow.]
CUT TO: INT - CELESTIS, STARGATE CHAMBER
[A deactivated STARGATE stands in between two torches in a small, ornate chamber deep within CELESTIS. Just outside the open-door room, two ORI SOLDIERS stand guard, staffs at the ready. Then, quite suddenly, the CHEVRONS on the GATE begin to flash, one by one, until all seven are lit. The SOLDIERS enter the room warily, glancing at one another and unsure what to do, then jerk back as the STARGATE activates.
There's a long beat in which they watch the PUDDLE... then TEAL'C, DANIEL, VALA, and TOMIN come through, skidding to a stop on the polished floors.]
DANIEL:
(Waving to SOLDIERS)
Hi there.
[TEAL'C and TOMIN quickly stun the two SOLDIERS, who fall to the ground with a clattering off staffs and armor. VALA winces at the noise, then goes to drag the bodies and their gear out of the way. Mid-pull, she pauses and sizes up DANIEL and TEAL'C.]
VALA:
(to DANIEL and TEAL'C)
I think it'd be best if you gents swapped clothes...
(Beat)
You don't exactly look the part.
[TEAL'C and DANIEL look at one another, then they shrug and begin pulling off their combat vests.]
CUT TO: EXT - SPACE, CELESTIS ORBIT
[High above the HOLY CITY, the ODYSSEY dodges two plasma beams headed towards it and rolls closer to an ORI MOTHERSHIP, opening up with its ASGARD WEAPONS and dealing a serious blow to the enemy shields.]
CUT TO: INT - ODYSSEY, BRIDGE
[The BRIDGE shakes as an ORI MAIN CANNON hits the shields dead-on, and MITCHELL grimaces from his chair. CARTER, at the sensor console, suddenly looks up.]
CARTER:
(to MITCHELL)
I'm picking up a stargate activation. They're here.
MITCHELL:
(Sighing)
About damn time...
(to MARKS)
Get us out of here, now!
CUT TO: EXT - SPACE, CELESTIS ORBIT
[As another beam of plasma slams into its shields, the ODYSSEY ducks under an ORI MOTHERSHIP and opens a hyperspace window, jumping into it and leaving CELESTIS behind.]
CUT TO: INT - ODYSSEY, BRIDGE
[The crew visibly relaxes now that they're out of the danger zone.]
MITCHELL:
(to MARKS)
How'd we do, Marks?
MARKS:
(Checking his display)
Shields are down thirty-nine percent, and we took some minor damage to the sublight engines, but other than that... we're good, Colonel.
(Abruptly)
Um, sirs?
CARTER:
(together with MITCHELL)
What?
MITCHELL:
(together with CARTER)
What's up?
MARKS:
(Slowly)
Someone's activated the Asgard core. According to the logs, it's been running almost since we engaged the Ori fleet.
[CARTER and MITCHELL exchange surprised looks.]
MITCHELL:
(Shocked)
Why didn't you tell us?!
MARKS:
(Confused)
I'm sorry, sir, I didn't see the alert until now... with the battle and everything...
CARTER:
(Quickly, to MARKS)
It's alright, Major. We're all a little high-strung.
(Thinking)
Can you tell who's responsible?
MITCHELL:
(Raising an eyebrow)
You really have to ask?
MARKS:
(to MITCHELL)
If you were guessing Mister Marrick, Colonel, you'd be right. Logs show he used his security override to access the core room as soon as we dropped out of hyperspace over Celestis.
MITCHELL:
(Angrily)
Goddammit!
(to CARTER)
Does he realize that's going to let the Ori track us?
[MITCHELL gets out of his chair and heads toward the HALLWAY, with CARTER alongside him.]
CARTER:
(to MITCHELL)
I think that may be the point, given his position on our mission...
(to MARKS, as she exits)
Major, get a team of marines to the core room stat!
MARKS:
Yes, ma'am.
CUT TO: EXT - CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN, DAY
[Establishing shot of CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN.]
CUT TO: INT - SGC CONTROL ROOM
[LANDRY approaches WALTER HARRIMAN's station. The STARGATE is active, and the defense team stands at the ready.]
HARRIMAN:
(to LANDRY)
It's SG-3, sir. Transmitting from P6X-437.
LANDRY:
That's one of the human worlds that's converted to Origin, right?
(Off HARRIMAN's nod)
Alright, onscreen.
[HARRIMAN taps a button, and COL. REYNOLDS appears on the monitor.]
REYNOLDS:
(over radio)
General, a Prior arrived through the 'gate fifteen minutes ago and immediately made contact.
(Beat)
Not... sure how, but he seemed to know we were here. He says he has no intention of harming us, just that he has a message to deliver to the leaders of our planet.
LANDRY:
(to radio)
What is it?
REYNOLDS:
(over radio)
Wouldn't get into it, sir. Says he'll only deliver it in person.
[LANDRY and HARRIMAN glance at one another, surprised.]
LANDRY:
(to radio)
He wants us to let him through the 'gate?
REYNOLDS:
(over radio, nodding)
Yes, sir.
LANDRY:
(to radio)
And does he know this didn't exactly work out well the last time?
[REYNOLDS smirks and nods.]
REYNOLDS:
(over radio)
More for the Prior in question than us, sir.
LANDRY:
(to radio, smiling)
True.
[REYNOLDS shifts the MALP camera to show the Prior standing nearby. It is the one-eyed PRIOR who was on TOMIN's homeworld of VER ISCA and followed ADRIA during her search of the SANGRAAL.]
REYNOLDS:
(over radio)
He's pretty adamant. Says the message is key to human survival on Earth.
(Beat)
He also says he knows that we have the technology that can temporarily neutralize his powers.
LANDRY:
(to radio)
He does, does he?
REYNOLDS:
(over radio)
Yes, sir. Apparently word that SG-1 actually killed a Prior is getting around.
LANDRY:
(to radio)
Alright. Give us an hour to make the necessary preparations.
REYNOLDS:
(over radio)
Yes, sir. SG-3 out.
[REYNOLDS reaches offscreen and the connection goes dead.]
CUT TO: INT - CORRIDOR OUTSIDE ASGARD CORE ROOM, ODYSSEY
[MITCHELL, CARTER, and group of MARINES are outside the sealed security door that leads to the CORE ROOM. Their key cards will not give them access, so MITCHELL starts to open the control panel. MITCHELL keys the intercom.]
MITCHELL:
(into intercom)
Open the door, Mister Marrick. Do you really think we can't bypass the security lock?
PAN TO: INT - ODYSSEY, ASGARD CORE ROOM
[MARRICK shifts impatiently and checks his watch, rolling his eyes as MITCHELL's voice grows louder.]
MITCHELL:
(over intercom)
Answer me, Marrick! You have put this ship and everyone on board in serious danger. Look, you know that activating the Asgard core will alert any Ori vessels to our presence...
CUT TO: INT - ODYSSEY, CORRIDOR
MITCHELL:
(into intercom)
I assume that's your plan--force me to take action against them.
(keys off intercom)
Carter?
CARTER:
(Nodding)
Almost.
[She continues to bypass the security system, then, finally, nods. The doors open and the MARINES enter, zats at ready. MARRICK backs away from the control panel with his hands raised. CARTER and MITCHELL follow.]
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