Um...
Ow.
- What? - Jack.
I've translated the writing on the colonnade SG-2 discovered on P3X-439.
I'll be there in half an hour.
It talks about a library of knowledge, Jack.
I think the monument contains a repository of the Ancients.
Repository?
That thing that grabbed your head, made you talk crazy.
Sounds like we should stay away, then.
We should be able to find another way to access the information.
Sam's used Tok'ra crystals to find a way to transfer all kinds of different energy.
...we should go there as soon as possible.
- Yeah? - So?
- I'll be there in half an hour. - OK. Bye.
No, no, no, wait. Don't hang up. I need a seven-letter word.
- I told Sam I wouldn't help you. - This'll be one thing she doesn't know.
"Up, down, charmed, blank."
Strange.
Yeah. Well, thanks anyway.
No, the word you're looking for...
I know, I know. I couldn't get her off the phone.
I should be done by noon.
Whatever it is, I'm sure it won't take long to say no.
I'll be at Georgetown at two for my Poli-Sci class,
and I'm speaking at the Women in Washington dinner at seven.
I'll call you back. This guy's gonna steal my cab. I called for a taxi ten minutes ago.
As do I.
I cannot be late. I'm going to the White House.
I have to be there in 15 minutes. I'm meeting with the president.
- Of the United States. Really, I am. - Hey. One of you gonna get in or what?
Wait! Can I offer you a cab fare, wherever you need to go?
- Can you call this man another taxi? - Excuse me, Dr Weir.
- Please get in, ma'am. - Uh...
Mr Vice President.
Dr Weir.
It wasn't necessary for you to pick me up, sir.
I was on my way from the athletic club.
Besides, there are very few people who could properly brief you for this interview.
Uh, interview? I agreed to have just a meeting...
How would you respond if I told you the Air Force is currently conducting
top-secret operations with an alien transportation device called the Stargate?
It was discovered in the early 1900s at Giza, not too far from the Great Pyramids.
Is this a joke?
- What is it? - A note from the president.
And you might wanna read this, too.
Oh, my God.
- How long have you been waiting? - You said half an hour.
General Hammond's waiting.
Excuse me.
The fate of the world is in the balance and you've been finishing this?
I believe it was double or nothing.
OK. 23 across. "The atomic weight of boron." The answer is ten.
- Yes. - You wrote the word "fat".
Your point?
Should be out of here.
Harper. Reynolds.
- Sir. - Jack.
SG-3 spotted a Goa'uld reconnaissance drone where they found the colonnade.
Since that means the Goa'uld were aware of it,
SGs 3 and 5 will be providing backup.
If General Hammond approves the mission.
- What mission? - Good morning, SG-1.
- Nice of you to join us. - Good morning, sir.
I've read Dr Jackson's report on his translation.
After the last time you encountered something like this,
I'm surprised you're so willing to take on this mission.
So am I, sir.
Jack.
Daniel.
Why wouldn't we want to gain access to the greatest repository of knowledge?
Find the Lost City of the Ancients,
and use their technology to save the entire galaxy from the evil of the Goa'uld?
Well, there's that.
From the mission file I've read, this thing whips up from the wall,
grabs your head and rearranges your brain.
- Sort of. - Sort of?
It downloads the entire library of Ancient knowledge into a person's mind.
That massive amount of data then unspools into your brain,
eventually taking over your consciousness.
- But it wasn't meant for primitives like us. - Easy, fella.
The report said you almost died last time, sir.
The Asgard removed the information from O'Neill's mind before he was lost to us.
So, why don't we just shoot Thor a call? Get him standing by as backup.
We tried, sir. He's not responding.
None of our alien allies have been reliable of late. Should something happen again...
No one should interface with the device.
We're suggesting it be brought home for study.
The engineering team that studied the last one of these devices you found
determined nothing after months of research.
We believe that device's power source was depleted when O'Neill activated it.
Recent intel suggests Anubis has become
a serious threat to dominate the rest of the Goa'uld in a very short time.
We have to consider Earth is at risk now more than ever.
If the knowledge contained within this device
can lead us to technologies we can use to defend ourselves, we must pursue it.
- Why didn't you just say that? - Sorry.
You have a go. And be careful, people.
The file you read in the car is just the beginning.
You might want to familiarise yourself with more of this before you take the job.
Take the job? I just found out that science fiction isn't fiction.
I mean, I've known there were secrets, big secrets, but this is...
I don't know what's scarier - the fact that this is all true or that you're telling me.
I can't imagine what kind of job you're offering me, but I don't care any more.
I realise you haven't met the president yet.
Just try and say no.
Chevron seven locked.
SG teams 1, 3 and 5, good luck. God speed.
Thank you, sir. Let's move out.
Reynolds. Set up a defence perimeter as you see fit. Hold the gate till we get back.
- You got it. - Sir.
SG-1, move out.
You know, we've searched this place, up and down.
I know.
We could have Goa'uld on our collective asses any minute now.
I know.
According to the text in this column, it's inside.
Inside, you say?
Well, let me tell you, my friend,
there is no "inside".
There's just a whole lotta outside.
I know.
I'm getting some strange readings from here.
If I'm right...
Look out.
- Reynolds, come in. - Go ahead.
- Yeah, we got something here. Stand by. - All clear for the moment.
Now we just have to figure out how to get this thing out of the wall.
- Damn. - Careful.
All right, one more time. Why are we doing this? Why?
- You hear something, Harper? - We got multiple bogeys, coming in fast.
Dial the gate. Send constant radio signal. We have to keep that door open.
SG-1, we have incoming.
- Let's go. - We can't just leave.
Daniel.
We must not allow this device to fall into the hands of Anubis.
Fine.
- Jack! - He's right. If we destroy it,
we lose our only chance to find the location of the Lost City.
O'Neill.
Ah, crap.
All right, then what?
No, no, no, no, no.
Jack, somebody has to do it. The answer is in there.
If we don't find the Lost City, we're as good as dead.
And who does the translating when you go Ancient?
In fact, you're the one person who can't do it.
Jack!
Sir!
O'Neill.
SG-1, where the hell are you guys? We can't hold out for long.
Colonel Reynolds, we are headed back to the gate.
Hold positions. Greaves, you're with me.
Take cover!
Jack. Jack, you OK?
- What's going on? - Come on. Let's get him up.
- Coming through the gate. - We're behind you. Go!
- What happened? - Didn't quite go according to plan.
- We have to get him to the infirmary. - I did it again.
Dr Weir.
Sorry to have kept you so late.
That's all right. I've been doing a little reading.
Mr President, I mean, this is truly so outrageous,
I feel compelled on behalf of everyone who has no idea that...
Megan. Could you get a car ready for Dr Weir?
Five minutes. Thanks.
Sit down.
- Would you like something? - No, thank you.
Your reaction was very similar to mine when I found out.
I'm sorry. Five minutes, sir?
The negotiation you mediated in North Africa?
Yes? What does that have to do with this?
Just that the Stargate probably makes that seem like child's play.
Well, frankly, sir, I have absolutely no idea what you want from me.
You brokered a dozen of the most sensitive treaties in modern times,
speak God knows how many languages.
Just five.
Five.
I suppose your aversion to the military will be an issue.
What are we talking about, exactly?
You running the Stargate programme.
Oh.
- How in the hell did this happen? - It wasn't an accident.
- He did it deliberately. - To access the Ancients' knowledge.
He, uh... We figured we'd never get another shot at it.
We know that the Ancient knowledge will essentially overwrite his brain.
We're hoping he'll become aware of the information we're looking for.
And then?
Then it will overwhelm his nervous system, and he will...
What? Meet my maker? Pay the piper?
Breach the pearly gates? Start pushing up daisies here and there?
You should be in the infirmary.
Why? We all know exactly what's gonna happen.
In a few days, I start speaking some strange language.
Few days after that, I start doing things beyond my control.
And a few days after that, it's "Good night, my someone, good night."
With your permission, I'd like to take the weekend, get a few things together.
Last time, it took a couple of days before we noticed a change in behaviour.
I'll be back Monday, ready to work.
- Permission granted. - Thank you, sir.
Now, if you'll excuse me, my favourite television show starts in half an hour.
We've already done an initial review,
and we've decided to suspend current operations
until a new government division can be established.
The Stargate is a dangerous thing,
but given what we know is going on out there, it's something we can't ignore.
No, obviously not.
I don't want this to sound terribly self-centred...
- Why you? - Why me?
- What do you think? - Well,
I'm betting other world leaders are pressuring you for control.
- See? I knew you were a quick study. - And I can advise you there.
But I am not qualified to negotiate with aliens.
No one is, Doctor - not you, not me.
But someone has to do it.
The fact is, we can't keep this thing a secret forever.
And you wanna put a friendly face on this thing when it goes public,
someone less threatening than a US general.
People will panic.
It's going to take anything and everything we have
to keep our civilisation from turning upside down.
But, make no mistake, you're not just a figurehead for the sake of publicity.
I chose you for a damn good reason.
- I take it my five minutes are up. - Actually, it was seven.
Don't worry, this is just the beginning.
What if I say no, sir?
Never going to happen.
Bonnie!
Come on in here. Thank you. Good seeing you again.
So, things aren't quite as simple as they seemed.
It never seemed simple, sir.
Be careful who you trust, Doctor.
Does that include you, sir?
He may be the president, but I am the one person you want on your side.
And the one person you don't wanna cross.
Hi, sir.
Carter?
- Did I wake you? - Sorta.
- I couldn't sleep last night. - Should've called.
I didn't want to bother you. I...
Um...
I was just looking at the sky.
Trying to figure out how many stars we'd actually been to.
Actually, only a few of the stars visible from Earth have Stargates on them, so...
I knew that. Hammond send you by to check up on me?
No.
It's funny, really. I, uh...
I was out driving, you know, in my car,
and I, um... I drove here.
- Funny. - Yeah.
There's coffee around here. I think.
Maybe not. How about a beer?
Sure. Why not?
- Want a glass? I can wash one. - No, I'm fine. Thank you, sir.
Sir, do you ever talk to her?
Can we not talk about that?
Sorry.
- How you feeling? - Can we not talk about that, either?
OK.
What do you wanna talk about?
You wanna be alone. This was a bad... I should go.
Finish your beer.
And then you have to wait at least an hour before you drive.
Sir...
What?
- I should have done it. - What? Stick your head in that thing?
Are you nuts?
Carter, you're one of this country's natural resources, if not national treasures.
It couldn't have gone down any other way.
I just... hope it's worth it.
Even if we do find the Lost City,
even if we get there and find what we need to defend the planet...
That would be worth it.
Hello.
In here.
Sorry. Are we interrupting anything?
- No. - What are you doing here?
Uh... It's a funny story, actually.
- We were driving by and saw Sam's car... - Funny.
Teal'c said... He didn't say anything, he looked at me and did that eyebrow thing.
And I said to him "Hey, why don't we stop by..."
Is that doughnuts?
- Indeed. - Excellent.
Rise.
My lord, I believe the humans of the Tauri destroyed the device you sought.
- You failed to stop them. - They anticipated our arrival, my lord.
You are so wrong.
It's the perfect analogy.
Burns as Goa'uld.
They are merely animated characters.
You are so shallow.
Please! Teal'c is one of the deepest people I know.
He's so deep. Go on, tell him how deep you are.
You'll be lucky if you understand this.
- My depth is immaterial to this. - Oh, you see?
No more beer for you.
I'm sorry, sir, but I have to agree. I don't see the connection.
All right, that does it. You know, the entire VHS collection was going to one of you.
It's going to Siler. He gets it.
Thank God. Pizza.
- Well, you're not the usual delivery boy. - Is this a good time?
It's always a good time for you, sir. Come on in.
Let me get you a chair.
General.
At ease, Major, please.
There you go, sir.
I'm glad to find you all here.
You wouldn't happen to have another one of those?
I would. I hope you like Guinness, sir.
I find it a refreshing substitute for...
food.
I've been relieved of command.
What?
The president has effectively shut down the SGC for a three-month review process.
- Three months? - During which time,
a newly-formed government department will take the place of Stargate Command.
But, sir, the colonel - we don't have much time.
How could this happen?
Kinsey.
Does anyone know anyone who voted for those two shrubs?
I've known Hayes for a long time. He's a good man.
Despite his taste in running mates, maybe.
Robert Kinsey brought in a lot of campaign financing,
and, for all we know, he may have used his knowledge of the Stargate as leverage
to get himself a place on the ticket.
- It doesn't matter now. - We're gonna lie down for this?
We've been in this situation before.
No. This time it's different.
Who's replacing you, sir?
- Her name is Dr Elizabeth Weir. - A civilian?
I've heard of her. She's an expert in international politics.
She mediated high-level UN negotiations. I referenced her in our treaty for the Tok'ra.
I've been ordered to Washington to discuss reassignment. I leave tomorrow.
Uh, General, we do have a little unfinished business here.
As far as I know, you're to report to work as scheduled on Monday.
- Something must be done. - I have my orders.
Besides, I have a feeling I may be able to do more from Washington than I can here.
In the meantime?
You'll just have to plead your case to the new administration.
I have every confidence in you people.
Amazing, isn't it?
I don't really care.
OK.
Wait.
There's gonna be a lot of changes. Not everyone's gonna be happy about them.
Yes. I'm about to step into one myself.
OK. Bye.
Sorry. I walk around with this. I look like a crazy person, talking to myself.
- Elizabeth Weir. - Daniel Jackson.
I can't get used to being underground. I keep looking for a window.
I see you found the one with the best view.
When we first tried to get the Stargate to work,
I would come here and just stare at it for hours.
Is that a gentle reminder that you've been a part of this since the beginning?
- Subtle, huh? - Hm.
- So, a little light reading? - Uh...
I've been awake all weekend.
The reality of this is... it's an adrenaline rush.
Hey, at least I know you have a beating heart.
I don't expect a warm welcome from the military.
You're replacing a great man, uniform notwithstanding.
OK.
But I'm hoping you, of all people, won't jump to conclusions.
- Like, why someone like you is here. - Someone like me?
You started out as a political activist, lobbying against spending on the military.
And how I end up working for those I was criticising? I know.
But I've decided that the best way to stop the proliferation of weapons
is to try and end the need for them.
So I'm gonna be the voice of reason to whoever will listen.
And you think that's why the president chose you to take over the SGC?
I don't know why I've been given this job. I really don't.
But I'm gonna do it to the best of my ability as long as I'm here.
- I'll examine the mandate. - Don't underestimate the threat.
I'm not. This country's history of Manifest Destiny cannot continue out to the galaxy.
Especially when this is all behind the back of the planet.
I'm not saying everything here is right.
We have no right to play God, but neither do the Goa'uld.
I know none of this may seem real to you on paper, but, trust me, they're pure evil.
Now, if they had the chance, they would either destroy us or enslave us all.
You can read as many mission reports as you want,
but before you decide what should be done here,
why don't you go through that gate and see what's going on for yourself?
- In good time. - We may not have good time.
O'Neill doesn't.
I want you to know, O'Neill's current condition is of serious concern to me.
You realise Jack did what he did because it was our only way to find the Lost City?
Unscheduled incoming traveller.
All the offworld teams are back already.
We're receiving Master Bra'tac's personal identification code.
- I know what a IDC is. - He's an ally, and if we don't open the...
I understand that. Thank you. Go ahead, please.
Bra'tac.
This is Dr Elizabeth Weir. She's the new leader of this facility.
Hello.
Has Hammond of Texas fallen in battle?
No, sir, he's fine.
We've had some recent changes in our political leaders.
I see.
Bra'tac, what's wrong?
I am afraid I am not the bearer of good news.
We have had word from Jaffa loyal to our cause.
Anubis is gathering the full force of his fleet.
He will be here within three days.
Bob, could we stop complaining and start figuring out what we're going to do?
- Mr President? General Hammond. - Show him in.
We can't ignore a threat of this magnitude. Hear the man out.
Well, whatever he is. And get back to me.
General George Hammond.
Mr President.
It was lieutenant last time we spoke, wasn't it?
For both of us. That was a lot of hair ago, sir.
Sit down.
When I took this job, I thought I had the weight of the world on my shoulders.
But then I found out what you do for a living.
Yes, sir.
This had nothing to do with your record.
If the American people knew what your contribution was...
Thank you, sir. That's kind of you to say. One day, maybe they will.
- Dr Weir, she's as smart as they come. - I hope so.
Poor thing, she has no idea what she's gotten herself into.
But I had no choice, George. I had to do something.
I want you to know that I'm aware of your history with the vice president.
- Yes, sir. - Hell, we both know why I picked Kinsey.
More than the money. He delivered Florida all by himself. If I knew then...
Of course.
So, let's talk about your reassignment.
I was thinking more of retirement, sir.
I don't think so, George. Not just yet. I wanna keep you around Washington.
We're gonna need you and your expertise.
Three days from now is a Thursday. Thursday's not good for us.
Why now?
Anubis believes we know the location of the Lost City.
- We don't. - Not yet.
- But he doesn't know that we don't know. - Well.
Some people just don't know when to leave.
Colonel O'Neill. Major Carter. Teal'c.
These are strange circumstances to be meeting...
And you are...?
I am Dr Elizabeth Weir, Colonel.
You can just call her your one hope of ever stepping through the Stargate again.
Bit of a mouthful.
I know I'm playing catch-up, but I understand time is short.
Actually, it's all relative, ma'am.
Carter could explain it better, if we had more time.
Shall we have a seat, then?
- This is a situation of grave importance. - She's quick.
Which is why I've taken it upon myself to come and hear Mr Bra'tac personally.
Master Bra'tac. Master.
I beg your pardon.
So you believe the Goa'uld Anubis is planning to attack?
You may be certain of it.
I'll say this - the timing is impeccable.
The moment we suspend Stargate operations, you pull this out of your hat.
Mr Vice President, if you're suggesting that we'd make something like this up...
- That's exactly what I'm suggesting. - Well, that is exactly what we do.
We sit around on our fat asses and create scenarios that put the planet at risk.
- That's what we do. - I think you'd do about anything.
Gentlemen.
Let's assume that Master Bra'tac is in earnest and that the threat is real.
Do you know what the threat is? Anubis is half-Goa'uld, half-ascended Ancient,
with the knowledge and technology to wipe us all from the face of the Earth.
- What about negotiating? - For crying out loud, that's derentis.
- What? - You just said "derentis".
- Did not. - Did too.
- "Derentis", what is that? - Latin?
- It's not. - I think what he is trying to say is that,
based on our past experiences, negotiating would be insane. Crazy.
- I got that. - However,
we believe there may be alien technology within our reach that could defeat Anubis.
Now you're pulling a ray gun out of your hat?
Weapons capable of defending this planet.
I can't believe we're listening to this.
Mr Vice President, on his last...
I am aware of the events that have, once again, compromised
Colonel O'Neill's invaluable judgement.
And the fact that on his last official mission,
he has incurred the wrath of humanity's worst enemy on behalf of us all...
Wait a minute. I thought you didn't buy into the whole invasion thing.
The fact is, until we know the location of the Lost City...
I know where it is.
You know where it is now?
I will. It's in there somewhere.
Look, let me make this simple.
I come up with the Lost City, we go find it. Yes or no?
No!
Who are you, really?
And why are you here?
I will consider it.
- Thank you. - You're welcome.
I must return to Chulak.
I, too, will go.
In the hope of procuring ships and warriors to defend this world.
Good luck.
- What the hell was that? - I'm sorry?
You don't know O'Neill like I do.
This is my call. Colonel O'Neill...
- Is the one who got us into this mess. - I don't see...
I want him gone. I want them all gone. You haven't figured that out yet?
- Oh, I've figured out quite a bit. - Well, hallelujah for that.
This is my office. This is my chair.
Until I'm told otherwise, I'm gonna make decisions as I see fit.
- Not as they fit into your agenda. - You have no idea what my agenda is.
Whatever your agenda is.
You don't know anything. If you think you do, you're not as smart as I thought.
So, T... if I don't see you again.
- I will see you soon, O'Neill. - You know something I don't?
In fact, it is you that knows something that I do not.
Hope you're right.
I wish you all well.