Canon Timeline 4: Cheating at Life Means Long Posts
Movies
Continuum: "While SG-1 attends the execution of Ba'al, the last of the Goa'uld System Lords, Teal'c and Vala inexplicably disappear into thin air. Carter, Daniel and Mitchell race back to a world where history has been changed: the Stargate program has been erased from the timeline. As they try to convince the authorities what's happened, a fleet of Goa'uld motherships arrives in orbit, led by Ba'al, his queen, Qetesh (Vala), and his first prime, Teal'c. SG-1 must find the Stargate and set things right before the world is enslaved by the Goa'uld." Ba'al continues to be an epic troll. Until he's dead, anyway. :|
TEAL'C
Such precautions are unnecessary. Half of the free Jaffa fleet stands guard over the Tok'ra homeworld to ensure that the execution of Ba'al takes place as planned.
[Vala strides in. She is dressed in the desert BDUs but carries a huge energy gun.]
VALA
You know better than anyone, muscles, this is an extraction, not an execution.
--
[In the spacious chamber, a large group of hooded Tok'ra stand chanting in their language. Others, wearing weapons, stand still and silent. At the end of the room is Ba'al, frozen in stasis. He's wearing simple clothing. Along one side of the room is SG-1 and General O'Neill. They all appear tired or bored, as if they've been standing for a long time. Beside Carter, O'Neill yawns expansively.]
O'NEILL
Never in the history of boredom has anyone been more bored than I am right now.
CARTER
Come on, sir, it's only been…
(looking at watch)
Whoa.
DANIEL
It's almost over.
[They look at him, questioning.]
DANIEL
The crimes they're listing are starting to sound familiar.
O'NEILL
Crimes? That's what they've been crooning about for the last three hours?
MITCHELL
Quite the ditty, ain't it?
VALA
It's not at all fair to the host, anyway.
DANIEL
Vala, you don't really think there's any hope for the… I mean, you were host to Qetesh for a relatively short period of time. Ba'al's been inhabiting this guy for over two thousand years!
TOK'RA ELDER
(lowering hood)
Revive the prisoner.
[The stasis field around Ba'al fades away. He takes a deep breath then looks around the room.]
VALA
(to Daniel)
Watch him try and make a run for it.
DANIEL
(looking around)
Well, with all this security, I really don't think he's going to get very far.
[Daniel looks back to where Vala was standing and sees she is no longer there.]
DANIEL
Vala?
[Teal'c and Mitchell look around for her too, but don't appear too concerned.]
TOK'RA ELDER
The prisoner will step forward.
[Ba'al begins to step out of the stasis chamber. Four Tok'ra guards activate their zats and point them at him.]
TOK'RA ELDER
Ba'al, last of the Goa'uld System Lords, murderer of untold millions, these will be your last words. Speak.
BA'AL
I have nothing to say to the Tok'ra.
[He walks down the short flight of steps and over to SG-1 and O'Neill.]
BA'AL
(a bit surprised)
SG-1 and General Jack O'Neill. Well, well.
O'NEILL
How's tricks, B?
BA'AL
I've been better, I'm afraid. And you?
O'NEILL
(jovially)
Not so bad, actually. Quite good.
BA'AL
(menacing)
How nice for you.
O'NEILL
How about those last words?
BA'AL
As you wish. Teal'c… I will always regret that you never became my First Prime.
(looking around)
And uh, where is my dear Qetesh?
DANIEL
Well, Vala was here.
BA'AL
(smiling)
Huh. Interesting.
O'NEILL
Oh, she's probably gone to the bathroom, for heaven's sake. I'm next in line, by the way. Can we get on with this?
BA'AL
There is one more thing. You've all made a terrible mistake.
DANIEL
Yes, that is what they all say.
TEAL'C
There can be no doubt of your crimes.
BA'AL
What I mean to say is, I'm not the last of the Goa'uld System Lords, though I do admit I may be last of the clones. There were so many of us, it is difficult to be certain.
O'NEILL
Mitchell?
O'NEILL
We tracked them all, sir. This one is the last one.
O'NEILL
You sure? That is, after all, why we've come, why we had to endure all that singing. Get rid of the last bad guy, and then there's cake.
MITCHELL
Carter?
CARTER
Well, as you know, in order to track his clones, Ba'al gave each of them a tracking device detectable from anywhere in the galaxy. Now he also placed one in himself, so we wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a clone and the original.
BA'AL
And because he was the original, he was the only one of us who possessed a tracking device that could be removed. So you see, the last of the Goa'uld System Lords, the last of my dear brothers, is still out there, and since, as of this moment he knows he's the last, he has very special plans for you.
O'NEILL
"Plans," you say.
BA'AL
A recently completed failsafe device should an unfortunate circumstance such as my imminent death, arise. It was you who gave us the idea, actually. I suspect it has already been put into action.
[Teal'c steps forward and stands just in front of Ba'al.]
TEAL'C
He lies.
[O'Neill joins Teal'c.]
O'NEILL
He does that, you know.
[Teal'c grunts.]
BA'AL
We shall see.
TOK'RA ELDER
It is time.
[The Tok'ra guards grab Ba'al and strap him to a vertical platform that holds him still.]
MITCHELL
This is gonna be cool.
--
[The Stargate is active. A long, wide plank comes through it and falls such that it forms a walkway over the stack of crates in front of the gate and to the metal mesh walkway of the ship. Two armed Jaffa come through the gate and take up positions beside the walkway. After a moment, Ba'al comes through, trailed by two more Jaffa. One is holding a large, spherical bomb.]
BA'AL
Secure the ship. Make ready the Chappa'ai. Take your time, Jaffa. We have all the time in the world.
[Ba'al stands near the large hole in the side of the ship as the Jaffa follow his orders.]
--
[Teal'c fades and disappears. The team react with alarm and raise their weapons. O'Neill waves the air where Teal'c was.]
O'NEILL
Carter?
CARTER
I don't know, sir. He wasn't beamed out.
[Ba'al chuckles at them.]
MITCHELL
It's like he was there on second, and-
DANIEL
The next second he was gone, just like Vala. I think we'd better get the hell out of here.
[Suddenly Tok'ra begin disappearing, and those remaining react with shock.]
TOK'RA ELDER
Everyone, remain calm!
[The elder disappears, followed by other Tok'ra. The extractor moves slowly toward Ba'al, who is still smiling. O'Neill suddenly rushes at him.]
O'NEILL
(furious)
What have you done with my people?!
[Ba'al breaks loose from his restraints, grabs the large needle from the extractor device, and stabs O'Neill in the upper left chest with it.]
CARTER
Sir!
[O'Neill falls to the floor. Mitchell fires on Ba'al with his P-90, hitting him many times. Daniel goes to O'Neill's side, as does Carter.]
--
[O'Neill appears to die. Shocked, Carter looks over at Ba'al. He falls unconscious and disappears. Mitchell grabs Daniel by the jacket and yanks him up.]
--
[Ba'al arms the bomb.]
BA'AL
Dial the Chappa'ai.
[The Jaffa places a small portable DHD onto the side of the Stargate and activates it. The Stargate begins to dial. The Captain makes his way to the entrance to the hold and cocks his revolver. The gate activates. In the hold, Ba'al disconnects the mobile DHD and steps through the gate, leaving the bomb behind. The captain makes his way in, bleeding heavily from his wound. He sees the bomb, picks it up, and throws it through the hole into the ocean. A few seconds later it explodes, doing no damage to the ship or gate. The Captain collapses.]
--
CARTER
Well, obviously that Ba'al had gone back in time and stopped the ship that was carrying the Stargate from ever reaching the United States.
MITCHELL
By sending it to the North Pole.
CARTER
Yeah, apparently.
MITCHELL
Carter, that is a terrible plan.
CARTER
Yeah, but you have no problem with the fact that we went back in time?
MITCHELL
All I'm saying is, why not just sink the damn boat?
CARTER
I think the bigger point here is that Ba'al has rewritten history. Teal'c and Vala just disappeared because they never joined SG-1. The Stargate program never happened.
--
[Qetesh (in Vala's body) and Ba'al approach their throne chairs and sit.]
BA'AL
Bring in the prisoner.
INT-CORRIDOR, BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[Teal'c walks, following two Jaffa. He is not carrying a staff weapon.]
INT-COMMAND ROOM, BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[The Jaffa and Teal'c enter. There are other Jaffa behind Teal'c. Teal'c wears Ba'al's symbol on his forehead and on his armor. Ba'al stands and approaches.]
BA'AL
Well done, Teal'c.
TEAL'C
It is my honor to serve Lord Ba'al.
[Teal'c steps out of the way to reveal Apophis, on his knees.]
BA'AL
Yes, it is. But generations from now, they will speak of Master Teal'c of Chulak, First Prime of Ba'al, first leader of the free Jaffa nation.
[Teal'c nods in acknowledgement.]
APOPHIS
(to Teal'c)
Shol'va.
BA'AL
Apophis. Last of the System Lords to stand against me. What have you to say to your new sovereign?
APOPHIS
May your reign last days, and your death, years.
BA'AL
(smiling)
That's actually rather good, isn't it?
[Teal'c nods. Ba'al unsheathes a long knife.]
BA'AL
Did you plan to say that when you walked in?
[Apophis glares at Ba'al, and his eyes glow. Ba'al slashes the knife across the top of Apophis's head, removing the top of his skull. The symbiote slithers out and goes still.]
BA'AL
Or was it just off the top of your head?
[Ba'al re-sheathes his knife. Teal'c gets a silent message from a Jaffa.]
TEAL'C
My lord, Cronus hails us.
BA'AL
Clean this up.
[He approaches a communications screen while washing his hands in a cistern held by a slave.]
CRONUS
(via comm)
Lord Ba'al, the squadron of al'kesh that you ordered to the Tau'ri have reported. It is as you promised. They number in the billions, and they are defenseless.
BA'AL
Excellent. You may reveal the coordinates to the rest of the fleet. We shall leave on my order.
CRONUS
As you wish.
[He signs off. Ba'al looks at his hands and holds them up.]
BA'AL
There is a god standing here with wet hands!
[A female slave brings him a towel. He wipes his hands and throws it at her.]
BA'AL
Teal'c, you may tell your warriors that their dream of freedom is one step closer.
TEAL'C
I shall, my lord.
[Teal'c leaves. Ba'al walks over to Qetesh.]
BA'AL
Well?
QETESH
I am in awe of your accomplishment. You have predicted every move of your enemies and fulfilled every promise to your allies. Ra, Nirrti, Cronus, Zipacna, all once-powerful System Lords, and now, they all serve you.
BA'AL
They serve us, my queen.
QETESH
I am truly privileged.
BA'AL
I know… I can't help myself.
--
[Ba'al addresses all of his System Lords: Ra, Camulus, Yu, Cronus, Nirrti, as Qetesh looks on from her throne chair. Teal'c stands near Ba'al.]
BA'AL
There it is, my friends. This little world in the middle of nowhere, lost and forgotten until now.
QETESH
Thanks to our Lord Ba'al, it is ours to enslave and pillage as we please.
NIIRTI
It is an abomination they have been allowed to breed to such numbers.
BA'AL
Their Stargate has been buried for centuries, and was subsequently involved in an… unfortunate boating accident. Hence, they have been completely cut off from us. They know nothing of the Goa'uld.
CAMULUS
Nevertheless, they are far too many to control.
QETESH
We'll just blast them to the brink of extinction.
BA'AL
That will not be necessary.
QETESH
But it would be enjoyable.
NIIRTI
I agree.
BA'AL
(smiling, chiding)
You are all so stuck in your ways. If we were to wipe them out by the billions, the survivors would despise us for all eternity. I know something of these people. I have studied them for some time. If we give them cause to fight, they will fight to the bitter end, but if we promise them a grand future, if we offer them our loving kindness, then I assure you, my friends, they'll fall for it completely.
CAMULUS
As you have done with your Jaffa?
BA'AL
If by that you mean the Jaffa who, with the promise of freedom, managed to defeat the combined armies of the System Lords, yes.
[He looks pointedly at Teal'c.]
BA'AL
And that promise will be fulfilled.
CAMULUS
(drily)
I'm sure it will.
BA'AL
Hmm. In fact… Teal'c.
TEAL'C
Yes, my lord.
[Ba'al walks over and sits in his throne chair.]
BA'AL
Camulus has kindly offered one half of his domain, Australia, to the free Jaffa nation.
CAMULUS
(angry)
I have said no such-
BA'AL
Your generosity brings a god to tears…
(lecturing)
Now let us be clear, my friends. The lands of the Tau'ri that you receive and the many millions of humans that inhabit them are a gift. Be grateful, or be silent.
[The System Lords stand silent, cowed.]
BA'AL
(waving them away)
Return to your ships. I shall contact the Tau'ri myself.
SYSTEM LORDS
Yes, my lord.
[The System Lords turn and leave.]
BA'AL
Teal'c.
TEAL'C
Yes, my lord.
[Ba'al walks over to him.]
BA'AL
There is something I want you to search for.
--
Ba'al and Qetesh are seated in their chairs. A Jaffa brings a box to Ba'al, who opens it and takes out an Earth-based satellite phone. Ba'al activates the phone.]
QETESH
What is that?
BA'AL
Something I've kept in stasis a very long time, so that one day I could place this call.
[He stands and dials while Qetesh looks displeased.]
INT-PRESIDENTIAL UNDERGROUND COMMAND CENTER
[Alex holds his hand over a phone while speaking to the President.]
HAYES
What do you mean, he's on the phone?
ALEX
It came directly through the White House switchboard.
HAYES
From the spaceship? Ba'al?
ALEX
Lord Ba'al. His words, not mine.
HAYES
Yeah, right. Thank you, Alex.
[He takes the phone.]
HAYES
(into phone)
Hello?
INT-COMMAND ROOM, BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
BA'AL
(into phone)
Mister President. I was beginning to think I wasn't going to get through your gauntlet of minions.
[The conversation switches between Ba'al's location and Hayes's.]
HAYES
Who is this? Who am I speaking to?
BA'AL
I am Ba'al. I assume by now you've detected the presence of my fleet in orbit over your planet?
HAYES
As a matter of fact, we have our eye on you.
BA'AL
(laughing)
Please forgive this primitive means of communication, but if I were to land my ship in your Rose Garden, or appear as a hologram in your office, what kind of race of beings would you think we are? I wanted to give you my personal assurance that we come in peace, seeking nothing more than friendship.
[As Ba'al speaks, Qetesh looks ever more uncomfortable and suspicious.]
HAYES
Well, we're glad to hear that down here.
BA'AL
Then let me further assuage your concerns by meeting you in person in your Oval Office.
HAYES
I'm sure something can be arranged soon.
BA'AL
I was thinking this afternoon.
HAYES
It is the kind of thing I can clear my schedule for.
BA'AL
Excellent. Then perhaps we can get-
[His speech is cut off because Qetesh has stabbed him from behind. The blade she used is very long, and its tip protrudes at least 12 inches from his chest. Ba'al remains standing.]
QETESH
(whispering)
Put that down.
BA'AL
(roughly)
Mister President, I'm afraid I'll have to get back to you later.
[In pain, he drops the phone.]
INT-PRESIDENTIAL UNDERGROUND COMMAND CENTER
[Hayes looks at his dead phone.]
HAYES
(to Alex)
He hung up on me.
INT-COMMAND ROOM, BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[Qetesh holds the knife hilt at Ba'al's back. Earth is visible out of the viewscreens.]
QETESH
The edges of the Shikra blade have been honed to the thickness of a single atom. I must keep my hand very still, for fear that one slip will cut you in half.
[Ba'al blinks in distress and tries to control his breathing.]
QETESH
Now, tell me, how can you possibly know so much about this world?
BA'AL
I told you, my sweet.
QETESH
You've been studying in secret… When? You haven't allowed me to leave your side in fifty years!
[She presses the blade, causing him to gasp in pain.]
QETESH
Every time you have defeated your enemies, you've been one step ahead, and now you're as familiar with their world as if you have lived among them, and you even have one of their communication devices. How?
BA'AL
(struggling to speak)
For a short time, I confess, I did live among them.
QETESH
When?
BA'AL
Another life, another time. This world offers many pleasures, Qetesh. Pleasures I intend to share with you.
QETESH
Ohh.
[She takes his face in her hand, which is adorned by a ribbon device.]
QETESH
Not good enough.
INT-CORRIDOR ON BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[Teal'c approaches the command room and walks in.]
INT-COMMAND ROOM, BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[Teal'c enters, but Qetesh is standing such that Teal'c can't see the blade or Ba'al's distress.]
TEAL'C
My lord, forgive the intrusion.
BA'AL
Think nothing of it, Teal'c.
TEAL'C
I have the results of our search of the southernmost continent. There is a Chappa'ai, as you predicted.
BA'AL
Thank you, Teal'c. You may leave us now.
TEAL'C
However, my lord, it is not lodged within a crevasse. The humans have moved it to a small settlement and taken it inside. It does not appear to be yet functional.
[Blood now appears on Ba'al's lip.]
BA'AL
(angry)
What?!
TEAL'C
They have also drilled a shaft deep inside the ice elsewhere on the continent.
BA'AL
Impossible! How could they have known?
QETESH
Instruct the fleet to bombard both locations from space immediately.
TEAL'C
Is that your wish, my lord?
BA'AL
Do it, and report back to me when it's done.
[Qetesh moves the blade again, forcing Ba'al to quiet. Teal'c leaves.]
QETESH
Now, tell me, my sweet, if your plan going as well as you expected?
[While Ba'al tries to keep breathing, she activates her ribbon device and points it at him.]
--
[Teal'c walks to the doorway and finds Qetesh using the hand device on Ba'al. This time he sees something is wrong.]
TEAL'C
My lord.
[Qetesh turns them both to face Teal'c. She aims her hand device at Teal'c.]
QETESH
Stay back, Teal'c.
TEAL'C
My lord, should I enact your final instructions?
BA'AL
No, you idiot, save me!
QETESH
Try it, and I will kill him.
TEAL'C
You intend to kill him regardless.
BA'AL
(panicking)
No! There must be some arrangement.
QETESH
Actually, my love, he's right.
[She pulls the blade from Ba'al and he slumps to the floor. She moves to fire her hand device at Teal'c, but he dives out of the doorway. She rushes to the doorway to chase Teal'c down the corridor.]
--
[The bosun looks at the active gate. As before, a ramp falls through to rest on top of the crates. Mitchell aims his rifle. Two Jaffa come through the gate. Mitchell and the bosun take them out. Ba'al comes through the gate, smiling until he sees Mitchell, then stopping in shock. Mitchell shoots him in the forehead and he falls. A Jaffa comes through the gate, holding the bomb. The bosun takes him out. The gate shuts down. By now the Captain has arrived in the hold. The bosun stares between between the Captain and Mitchell.]
--
[The extraction needle moves down its track toward Ba'al's head. The needle enters his head. He screams. Vala looks on in horrified sympathy. The symbiote is transported into the container behind the needle. The device moves away from Ba'al's host, who slumps unconscious. The Tok'ra elder removes the tank and holds it up to the audience.]
TOK'RA ELDER
Behold! The last of the System Lords!
[He throws the tank to the floor, where it breaks. The symbiote slithers out of it, moves and screeches a bit, then dies. SG-1 and O'Neill look on with interest.]
MITCHELL
I guess that was worth seeing.
DANIEL
What? That's all you have to say?
MITCHELL
Well, you guys made it out like it was this big deal. I expected something more spectacular.
O'NEILL
Nope. That's pretty much the extraction ceremony, right there. Yup. So, lunch, anyone?
[No one responds.]
O'NEILL
I'm buying.
MITCHELL
I'm in.
CARTER
Actually, sir, I was hoping that we could go over the plans for the new moon base.
O'NEILL
What moon base?
[They start to walk away, but Vala hesitates, looking at Ba'al's host, who is being released from the restraints. He is again conscious.]
VALA
You know, I think I might stay awhile and, um… help him through this.
DANIEL
Yeah, I thought you might. Have fun.
VALA
Thanks.
[Daniel and Teal'c resume walking.]
DANIEL
He's in for an interesting afternoon.
TEAL'C
Indeed.
Continuum: "While SG-1 attends the execution of Ba'al, the last of the Goa'uld System Lords, Teal'c and Vala inexplicably disappear into thin air. Carter, Daniel and Mitchell race back to a world where history has been changed: the Stargate program has been erased from the timeline. As they try to convince the authorities what's happened, a fleet of Goa'uld motherships arrives in orbit, led by Ba'al, his queen, Qetesh (Vala), and his first prime, Teal'c. SG-1 must find the Stargate and set things right before the world is enslaved by the Goa'uld." Ba'al continues to be an epic troll. Until he's dead, anyway. :|
TEAL'C
Such precautions are unnecessary. Half of the free Jaffa fleet stands guard over the Tok'ra homeworld to ensure that the execution of Ba'al takes place as planned.
[Vala strides in. She is dressed in the desert BDUs but carries a huge energy gun.]
VALA
You know better than anyone, muscles, this is an extraction, not an execution.
--
[In the spacious chamber, a large group of hooded Tok'ra stand chanting in their language. Others, wearing weapons, stand still and silent. At the end of the room is Ba'al, frozen in stasis. He's wearing simple clothing. Along one side of the room is SG-1 and General O'Neill. They all appear tired or bored, as if they've been standing for a long time. Beside Carter, O'Neill yawns expansively.]
O'NEILL
Never in the history of boredom has anyone been more bored than I am right now.
CARTER
Come on, sir, it's only been…
(looking at watch)
Whoa.
DANIEL
It's almost over.
[They look at him, questioning.]
DANIEL
The crimes they're listing are starting to sound familiar.
O'NEILL
Crimes? That's what they've been crooning about for the last three hours?
MITCHELL
Quite the ditty, ain't it?
VALA
It's not at all fair to the host, anyway.
DANIEL
Vala, you don't really think there's any hope for the… I mean, you were host to Qetesh for a relatively short period of time. Ba'al's been inhabiting this guy for over two thousand years!
TOK'RA ELDER
(lowering hood)
Revive the prisoner.
[The stasis field around Ba'al fades away. He takes a deep breath then looks around the room.]
VALA
(to Daniel)
Watch him try and make a run for it.
DANIEL
(looking around)
Well, with all this security, I really don't think he's going to get very far.
[Daniel looks back to where Vala was standing and sees she is no longer there.]
DANIEL
Vala?
[Teal'c and Mitchell look around for her too, but don't appear too concerned.]
TOK'RA ELDER
The prisoner will step forward.
[Ba'al begins to step out of the stasis chamber. Four Tok'ra guards activate their zats and point them at him.]
TOK'RA ELDER
Ba'al, last of the Goa'uld System Lords, murderer of untold millions, these will be your last words. Speak.
BA'AL
I have nothing to say to the Tok'ra.
[He walks down the short flight of steps and over to SG-1 and O'Neill.]
BA'AL
(a bit surprised)
SG-1 and General Jack O'Neill. Well, well.
O'NEILL
How's tricks, B?
BA'AL
I've been better, I'm afraid. And you?
O'NEILL
(jovially)
Not so bad, actually. Quite good.
BA'AL
(menacing)
How nice for you.
O'NEILL
How about those last words?
BA'AL
As you wish. Teal'c… I will always regret that you never became my First Prime.
(looking around)
And uh, where is my dear Qetesh?
DANIEL
Well, Vala was here.
BA'AL
(smiling)
Huh. Interesting.
O'NEILL
Oh, she's probably gone to the bathroom, for heaven's sake. I'm next in line, by the way. Can we get on with this?
BA'AL
There is one more thing. You've all made a terrible mistake.
DANIEL
Yes, that is what they all say.
TEAL'C
There can be no doubt of your crimes.
BA'AL
What I mean to say is, I'm not the last of the Goa'uld System Lords, though I do admit I may be last of the clones. There were so many of us, it is difficult to be certain.
O'NEILL
Mitchell?
O'NEILL
We tracked them all, sir. This one is the last one.
O'NEILL
You sure? That is, after all, why we've come, why we had to endure all that singing. Get rid of the last bad guy, and then there's cake.
MITCHELL
Carter?
CARTER
Well, as you know, in order to track his clones, Ba'al gave each of them a tracking device detectable from anywhere in the galaxy. Now he also placed one in himself, so we wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a clone and the original.
BA'AL
And because he was the original, he was the only one of us who possessed a tracking device that could be removed. So you see, the last of the Goa'uld System Lords, the last of my dear brothers, is still out there, and since, as of this moment he knows he's the last, he has very special plans for you.
O'NEILL
"Plans," you say.
BA'AL
A recently completed failsafe device should an unfortunate circumstance such as my imminent death, arise. It was you who gave us the idea, actually. I suspect it has already been put into action.
[Teal'c steps forward and stands just in front of Ba'al.]
TEAL'C
He lies.
[O'Neill joins Teal'c.]
O'NEILL
He does that, you know.
[Teal'c grunts.]
BA'AL
We shall see.
TOK'RA ELDER
It is time.
[The Tok'ra guards grab Ba'al and strap him to a vertical platform that holds him still.]
MITCHELL
This is gonna be cool.
--
[The Stargate is active. A long, wide plank comes through it and falls such that it forms a walkway over the stack of crates in front of the gate and to the metal mesh walkway of the ship. Two armed Jaffa come through the gate and take up positions beside the walkway. After a moment, Ba'al comes through, trailed by two more Jaffa. One is holding a large, spherical bomb.]
BA'AL
Secure the ship. Make ready the Chappa'ai. Take your time, Jaffa. We have all the time in the world.
[Ba'al stands near the large hole in the side of the ship as the Jaffa follow his orders.]
--
[Teal'c fades and disappears. The team react with alarm and raise their weapons. O'Neill waves the air where Teal'c was.]
O'NEILL
Carter?
CARTER
I don't know, sir. He wasn't beamed out.
[Ba'al chuckles at them.]
MITCHELL
It's like he was there on second, and-
DANIEL
The next second he was gone, just like Vala. I think we'd better get the hell out of here.
[Suddenly Tok'ra begin disappearing, and those remaining react with shock.]
TOK'RA ELDER
Everyone, remain calm!
[The elder disappears, followed by other Tok'ra. The extractor moves slowly toward Ba'al, who is still smiling. O'Neill suddenly rushes at him.]
O'NEILL
(furious)
What have you done with my people?!
[Ba'al breaks loose from his restraints, grabs the large needle from the extractor device, and stabs O'Neill in the upper left chest with it.]
CARTER
Sir!
[O'Neill falls to the floor. Mitchell fires on Ba'al with his P-90, hitting him many times. Daniel goes to O'Neill's side, as does Carter.]
--
[O'Neill appears to die. Shocked, Carter looks over at Ba'al. He falls unconscious and disappears. Mitchell grabs Daniel by the jacket and yanks him up.]
--
[Ba'al arms the bomb.]
BA'AL
Dial the Chappa'ai.
[The Jaffa places a small portable DHD onto the side of the Stargate and activates it. The Stargate begins to dial. The Captain makes his way to the entrance to the hold and cocks his revolver. The gate activates. In the hold, Ba'al disconnects the mobile DHD and steps through the gate, leaving the bomb behind. The captain makes his way in, bleeding heavily from his wound. He sees the bomb, picks it up, and throws it through the hole into the ocean. A few seconds later it explodes, doing no damage to the ship or gate. The Captain collapses.]
--
CARTER
Well, obviously that Ba'al had gone back in time and stopped the ship that was carrying the Stargate from ever reaching the United States.
MITCHELL
By sending it to the North Pole.
CARTER
Yeah, apparently.
MITCHELL
Carter, that is a terrible plan.
CARTER
Yeah, but you have no problem with the fact that we went back in time?
MITCHELL
All I'm saying is, why not just sink the damn boat?
CARTER
I think the bigger point here is that Ba'al has rewritten history. Teal'c and Vala just disappeared because they never joined SG-1. The Stargate program never happened.
--
[Qetesh (in Vala's body) and Ba'al approach their throne chairs and sit.]
BA'AL
Bring in the prisoner.
INT-CORRIDOR, BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[Teal'c walks, following two Jaffa. He is not carrying a staff weapon.]
INT-COMMAND ROOM, BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[The Jaffa and Teal'c enter. There are other Jaffa behind Teal'c. Teal'c wears Ba'al's symbol on his forehead and on his armor. Ba'al stands and approaches.]
BA'AL
Well done, Teal'c.
TEAL'C
It is my honor to serve Lord Ba'al.
[Teal'c steps out of the way to reveal Apophis, on his knees.]
BA'AL
Yes, it is. But generations from now, they will speak of Master Teal'c of Chulak, First Prime of Ba'al, first leader of the free Jaffa nation.
[Teal'c nods in acknowledgement.]
APOPHIS
(to Teal'c)
Shol'va.
BA'AL
Apophis. Last of the System Lords to stand against me. What have you to say to your new sovereign?
APOPHIS
May your reign last days, and your death, years.
BA'AL
(smiling)
That's actually rather good, isn't it?
[Teal'c nods. Ba'al unsheathes a long knife.]
BA'AL
Did you plan to say that when you walked in?
[Apophis glares at Ba'al, and his eyes glow. Ba'al slashes the knife across the top of Apophis's head, removing the top of his skull. The symbiote slithers out and goes still.]
BA'AL
Or was it just off the top of your head?
[Ba'al re-sheathes his knife. Teal'c gets a silent message from a Jaffa.]
TEAL'C
My lord, Cronus hails us.
BA'AL
Clean this up.
[He approaches a communications screen while washing his hands in a cistern held by a slave.]
CRONUS
(via comm)
Lord Ba'al, the squadron of al'kesh that you ordered to the Tau'ri have reported. It is as you promised. They number in the billions, and they are defenseless.
BA'AL
Excellent. You may reveal the coordinates to the rest of the fleet. We shall leave on my order.
CRONUS
As you wish.
[He signs off. Ba'al looks at his hands and holds them up.]
BA'AL
There is a god standing here with wet hands!
[A female slave brings him a towel. He wipes his hands and throws it at her.]
BA'AL
Teal'c, you may tell your warriors that their dream of freedom is one step closer.
TEAL'C
I shall, my lord.
[Teal'c leaves. Ba'al walks over to Qetesh.]
BA'AL
Well?
QETESH
I am in awe of your accomplishment. You have predicted every move of your enemies and fulfilled every promise to your allies. Ra, Nirrti, Cronus, Zipacna, all once-powerful System Lords, and now, they all serve you.
BA'AL
They serve us, my queen.
QETESH
I am truly privileged.
BA'AL
I know… I can't help myself.
--
[Ba'al addresses all of his System Lords: Ra, Camulus, Yu, Cronus, Nirrti, as Qetesh looks on from her throne chair. Teal'c stands near Ba'al.]
BA'AL
There it is, my friends. This little world in the middle of nowhere, lost and forgotten until now.
QETESH
Thanks to our Lord Ba'al, it is ours to enslave and pillage as we please.
NIIRTI
It is an abomination they have been allowed to breed to such numbers.
BA'AL
Their Stargate has been buried for centuries, and was subsequently involved in an… unfortunate boating accident. Hence, they have been completely cut off from us. They know nothing of the Goa'uld.
CAMULUS
Nevertheless, they are far too many to control.
QETESH
We'll just blast them to the brink of extinction.
BA'AL
That will not be necessary.
QETESH
But it would be enjoyable.
NIIRTI
I agree.
BA'AL
(smiling, chiding)
You are all so stuck in your ways. If we were to wipe them out by the billions, the survivors would despise us for all eternity. I know something of these people. I have studied them for some time. If we give them cause to fight, they will fight to the bitter end, but if we promise them a grand future, if we offer them our loving kindness, then I assure you, my friends, they'll fall for it completely.
CAMULUS
As you have done with your Jaffa?
BA'AL
If by that you mean the Jaffa who, with the promise of freedom, managed to defeat the combined armies of the System Lords, yes.
[He looks pointedly at Teal'c.]
BA'AL
And that promise will be fulfilled.
CAMULUS
(drily)
I'm sure it will.
BA'AL
Hmm. In fact… Teal'c.
TEAL'C
Yes, my lord.
[Ba'al walks over and sits in his throne chair.]
BA'AL
Camulus has kindly offered one half of his domain, Australia, to the free Jaffa nation.
CAMULUS
(angry)
I have said no such-
BA'AL
Your generosity brings a god to tears…
(lecturing)
Now let us be clear, my friends. The lands of the Tau'ri that you receive and the many millions of humans that inhabit them are a gift. Be grateful, or be silent.
[The System Lords stand silent, cowed.]
BA'AL
(waving them away)
Return to your ships. I shall contact the Tau'ri myself.
SYSTEM LORDS
Yes, my lord.
[The System Lords turn and leave.]
BA'AL
Teal'c.
TEAL'C
Yes, my lord.
[Ba'al walks over to him.]
BA'AL
There is something I want you to search for.
--
Ba'al and Qetesh are seated in their chairs. A Jaffa brings a box to Ba'al, who opens it and takes out an Earth-based satellite phone. Ba'al activates the phone.]
QETESH
What is that?
BA'AL
Something I've kept in stasis a very long time, so that one day I could place this call.
[He stands and dials while Qetesh looks displeased.]
INT-PRESIDENTIAL UNDERGROUND COMMAND CENTER
[Alex holds his hand over a phone while speaking to the President.]
HAYES
What do you mean, he's on the phone?
ALEX
It came directly through the White House switchboard.
HAYES
From the spaceship? Ba'al?
ALEX
Lord Ba'al. His words, not mine.
HAYES
Yeah, right. Thank you, Alex.
[He takes the phone.]
HAYES
(into phone)
Hello?
INT-COMMAND ROOM, BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
BA'AL
(into phone)
Mister President. I was beginning to think I wasn't going to get through your gauntlet of minions.
[The conversation switches between Ba'al's location and Hayes's.]
HAYES
Who is this? Who am I speaking to?
BA'AL
I am Ba'al. I assume by now you've detected the presence of my fleet in orbit over your planet?
HAYES
As a matter of fact, we have our eye on you.
BA'AL
(laughing)
Please forgive this primitive means of communication, but if I were to land my ship in your Rose Garden, or appear as a hologram in your office, what kind of race of beings would you think we are? I wanted to give you my personal assurance that we come in peace, seeking nothing more than friendship.
[As Ba'al speaks, Qetesh looks ever more uncomfortable and suspicious.]
HAYES
Well, we're glad to hear that down here.
BA'AL
Then let me further assuage your concerns by meeting you in person in your Oval Office.
HAYES
I'm sure something can be arranged soon.
BA'AL
I was thinking this afternoon.
HAYES
It is the kind of thing I can clear my schedule for.
BA'AL
Excellent. Then perhaps we can get-
[His speech is cut off because Qetesh has stabbed him from behind. The blade she used is very long, and its tip protrudes at least 12 inches from his chest. Ba'al remains standing.]
QETESH
(whispering)
Put that down.
BA'AL
(roughly)
Mister President, I'm afraid I'll have to get back to you later.
[In pain, he drops the phone.]
INT-PRESIDENTIAL UNDERGROUND COMMAND CENTER
[Hayes looks at his dead phone.]
HAYES
(to Alex)
He hung up on me.
INT-COMMAND ROOM, BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[Qetesh holds the knife hilt at Ba'al's back. Earth is visible out of the viewscreens.]
QETESH
The edges of the Shikra blade have been honed to the thickness of a single atom. I must keep my hand very still, for fear that one slip will cut you in half.
[Ba'al blinks in distress and tries to control his breathing.]
QETESH
Now, tell me, how can you possibly know so much about this world?
BA'AL
I told you, my sweet.
QETESH
You've been studying in secret… When? You haven't allowed me to leave your side in fifty years!
[She presses the blade, causing him to gasp in pain.]
QETESH
Every time you have defeated your enemies, you've been one step ahead, and now you're as familiar with their world as if you have lived among them, and you even have one of their communication devices. How?
BA'AL
(struggling to speak)
For a short time, I confess, I did live among them.
QETESH
When?
BA'AL
Another life, another time. This world offers many pleasures, Qetesh. Pleasures I intend to share with you.
QETESH
Ohh.
[She takes his face in her hand, which is adorned by a ribbon device.]
QETESH
Not good enough.
INT-CORRIDOR ON BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[Teal'c approaches the command room and walks in.]
INT-COMMAND ROOM, BA'AL'S MOTHERSHIP
[Teal'c enters, but Qetesh is standing such that Teal'c can't see the blade or Ba'al's distress.]
TEAL'C
My lord, forgive the intrusion.
BA'AL
Think nothing of it, Teal'c.
TEAL'C
I have the results of our search of the southernmost continent. There is a Chappa'ai, as you predicted.
BA'AL
Thank you, Teal'c. You may leave us now.
TEAL'C
However, my lord, it is not lodged within a crevasse. The humans have moved it to a small settlement and taken it inside. It does not appear to be yet functional.
[Blood now appears on Ba'al's lip.]
BA'AL
(angry)
What?!
TEAL'C
They have also drilled a shaft deep inside the ice elsewhere on the continent.
BA'AL
Impossible! How could they have known?
QETESH
Instruct the fleet to bombard both locations from space immediately.
TEAL'C
Is that your wish, my lord?
BA'AL
Do it, and report back to me when it's done.
[Qetesh moves the blade again, forcing Ba'al to quiet. Teal'c leaves.]
QETESH
Now, tell me, my sweet, if your plan going as well as you expected?
[While Ba'al tries to keep breathing, she activates her ribbon device and points it at him.]
--
[Teal'c walks to the doorway and finds Qetesh using the hand device on Ba'al. This time he sees something is wrong.]
TEAL'C
My lord.
[Qetesh turns them both to face Teal'c. She aims her hand device at Teal'c.]
QETESH
Stay back, Teal'c.
TEAL'C
My lord, should I enact your final instructions?
BA'AL
No, you idiot, save me!
QETESH
Try it, and I will kill him.
TEAL'C
You intend to kill him regardless.
BA'AL
(panicking)
No! There must be some arrangement.
QETESH
Actually, my love, he's right.
[She pulls the blade from Ba'al and he slumps to the floor. She moves to fire her hand device at Teal'c, but he dives out of the doorway. She rushes to the doorway to chase Teal'c down the corridor.]
--
[The bosun looks at the active gate. As before, a ramp falls through to rest on top of the crates. Mitchell aims his rifle. Two Jaffa come through the gate. Mitchell and the bosun take them out. Ba'al comes through the gate, smiling until he sees Mitchell, then stopping in shock. Mitchell shoots him in the forehead and he falls. A Jaffa comes through the gate, holding the bomb. The bosun takes him out. The gate shuts down. By now the Captain has arrived in the hold. The bosun stares between between the Captain and Mitchell.]
--
[The extraction needle moves down its track toward Ba'al's head. The needle enters his head. He screams. Vala looks on in horrified sympathy. The symbiote is transported into the container behind the needle. The device moves away from Ba'al's host, who slumps unconscious. The Tok'ra elder removes the tank and holds it up to the audience.]
TOK'RA ELDER
Behold! The last of the System Lords!
[He throws the tank to the floor, where it breaks. The symbiote slithers out of it, moves and screeches a bit, then dies. SG-1 and O'Neill look on with interest.]
MITCHELL
I guess that was worth seeing.
DANIEL
What? That's all you have to say?
MITCHELL
Well, you guys made it out like it was this big deal. I expected something more spectacular.
O'NEILL
Nope. That's pretty much the extraction ceremony, right there. Yup. So, lunch, anyone?
[No one responds.]
O'NEILL
I'm buying.
MITCHELL
I'm in.
CARTER
Actually, sir, I was hoping that we could go over the plans for the new moon base.
O'NEILL
What moon base?
[They start to walk away, but Vala hesitates, looking at Ba'al's host, who is being released from the restraints. He is again conscious.]
VALA
You know, I think I might stay awhile and, um… help him through this.
DANIEL
Yeah, I thought you might. Have fun.
VALA
Thanks.
[Daniel and Teal'c resume walking.]
DANIEL
He's in for an interesting afternoon.
TEAL'C
Indeed.