811 GEMINI
Transcript by Callie Sullivan.
SGC. Sam and Daniel are walking along a corridor on Level 28.
DANIEL: So what's the word?
CARTER: Well, the test flights were successful. The new Asgard hyperdrive is ready to go.
DANIEL: Well, when are they leaving?
CARTER: They're stocking the ship and picking the crew right now. (Daniel looks away awkwardly, clearing his throat.) You really wanna go, don't you?
DANIEL: It's Atlantis - it's everything we've been working for for seven and a half years.
CARTER: I know what you mean. Unfortunately, I think General O'Neill has other ideas.
(They reach an elevator.)
DANIEL: Lemme guess: he says he needs you here.
CARTER: His *exact* words were, "Over my dead body" - but I was actually talking about the three of us; you, me *and* Teal'c. He might be persuaded to let one of us go.
DANIEL (getting into the elevator while Sam stays outside): And you'd be OK if that was me?
CARTER: Of course, Daniel. You *are* the expert on the Ancients.
(Daniel looks uncomfortable but nods as the elevator door closes. Just then, alarms sound.)
HARRIMAN (over tannoy): Unscheduled offworld activation.
(Sam hurries to the Control Room. Jack comes down from the Briefing Room just as she arrives and they walk forward to Walter's control desk as the Gate kawhooshes.)
O'NEILL: What you got there, Walter?
HARRIMAN: Receiving IDC. (He looks at the computer screen.) It doesn't clear.
CARTER: Why not?
HARRIMAN: Looks like it's an old one.
CARTER: Missing SG personnel?
HARRIMAN: Negative. (The identity of the sender appears on the screen. Walter looks surprised.) It looks like it's yours, ma'am. Or at least it *was*. It's been invalid for four months. Receiving text message.
(On the screen appear the words, "SEND M.A.L.P." Jack raises his eyebrows. Sam looks at him.)
CARTER: Sir, I think we'd better check this out.
(Jack taps Walter on the shoulder.)
O'NEILL: Prepare a MALP.
HARRIMAN: Yes, sir.
LATER. GATEROOM. The Gate is dialling out. At the bottom of the ramp, Siler and another technician are finishing preparations to a MALP. Teal'c has joined Jack and Sam in the Control Room.
TEAL'C: What do we know of this Gate address?
CARTER: Nothing - other than the fact it's on the outer edge of the galaxy.
HARRIMAN: Chevron seven locked. (The Gate kawhooshes.) Outgoing wormhole established.
(Jack leans down to speak into a microphone.)
O'NEILL: Siler?
SILER: MALP is prepped and ready to go, sir.
O'NEILL (to Sam): Go ahead.
(Sam types, and the MALP heads up the ramp and into the wormhole.)
HARRIMAN: MALP is en route. ... MALP has reached its destination.
(The computer screen showing the video feed remains black. Jack leans down to get a closer look, then looks at Sam.)
O'NEILL: Carter?
CARTER: We *are* receiving MALP telemetry, sir. Signal is five by five. Video's working fine - there's just nothing to see. Switching to IR. (She types. The screen remains black.) Wait a second ...
O'NEILL: What's that?
CARTER: Switching off IR; going to white light. (She types and the MALP's lights come on. A very familiar figure is illuminated. Sam's jaw drops.) That's me!
OPENING CREDITS.
RESUME. Everyone is looking at the image of the replica of Sam.
O'NEILL: Alright - you've got our attention. Who *are* you?
SECOND CARTER: My name is Samantha Carter.
O'NEILL: Alright - we've got a little conflict with that statement. We've already got one here.
SECOND CARTER: There are two of us.
O'NEILL: If only(!)
(Sam looks at him. He clears his throat quietly.)
CARTER (to her double): Where are you from? How did you know how to contact us?
SECOND CARTER: It's strange - I recognise my voice. I was made in Samantha Carter's image. I know what she knows - I feel what she feels.
CARTER: You were made? Who made you?
SECOND CARTER: The one you call Fifth.
CARTER: Oh my God - she's a Replicator.
SECOND CARTER/REPLICARTER: No doubt you are surprised by my arrival in your galaxy. I come in advance of the others but they will be here soon.
TEAL'C: For what reason have you contacted us?
REPLICARTER: I need your help. I wish to be destroyed. You have a weapon capable of separating the chiron pathways that link my individual cells. The effect would be instantaneous - and painless.
O'NEILL: You folks can feel pain?
REPLICARTER: I can feel a lot of things. I know you hate and fear the Replicators, and with good reason, so this should be easy for you.
O'NEILL: Yeah, well ... we'll have to get back to you on this. (He looks at Walter and draws his hand across his throat. Walter puts his hand on the palm reader and the Gate shuts down.)
BRIEFING ROOM. Jack, Sam and Teal'c are there.
O'NEILL: So the universe is a big place, right? *Really* big. Tons of galaxies out there everywhere.
CARTER: Hundreds of millions.
O'NEILL: So why this one?
CARTER: I think it might be personal, sir.
O'NEILL: Personal. In what way?
CARTER: Well, Fifth may lead an army of incredibly advanced machines but deep down he's emotionally immature, like an adolescent boy ... and ... he has ... feelings for me.
O'NEILL: Would that be why he created one in your image?
CARTER: I imagine so, yes, sir.
TEAL'C: Replicators have never before attempted to impersonate a specific individual. This represents a significant new threat to security.
CARTER (nodding her agreement): It could be a problem offworld, but *our* scans would detect them if they tried to come through the Gate.
O'NEILL: Well, we've got the disrupter - I say we give her what she wants.
CARTER: I think that might be a little hasty, sir.
O'NEILL: Carter?
CARTER: I-I'm not saying we don't do it. I'm just suggesting that we talk to her first. If Fifth really is coming to this galaxy, she could provide us with valuable intelligence. I mean, it's pretty clear they've had some kind of falling out.
TEAL'C: Unless it is a ruse.
CARTER: If something goes wrong, we pull the trigger. Either way, I think we need to meet her face to face.
O'NEILL: There's no way I'm lettin' her on the base.
CARTER: We could use the Alpha site. Skeleton crew, security personnel only.
(Jack doesn't look happy with the idea but reluctantly agrees.)
O'NEILL: Fine.
ALPHA SITE. GATEROOM. Security personnel come in to join Teal'c, who has the Replicator disrupter in one hand. The Gate starts to dial in.
TECHNICIAN: Incoming wormhole.
(Teal'c raises the disrupter and points it at the Gate. The Gate kawhooshes and the RepliCarter walks through. She is wearing a dark green trouser suit. As the Gate shuts down behind her, she looks expectantly and with no fear at Teal'c, then walks down the steps and approaches him.)
REPLICARTER: I know you. Your name is Teal'c.
TEAL'C: You have been given Samantha Carter's memories.
REPLICARTER: Yes.
TEAL'C: But you are not Samantha Carter. (He nods to a doorway behind her.) That way.
REPLICARTER: You're not going to use the weapon?
TEAL'C: Colonel Carter wishes to speak with you first, but know this: if you make one false move, I will destroy you.
(The RepliCarter turns and walks in the direction that Teal'c indicated. He follows.)
INTERROGATION ROOM. An SF opens the door to the room and the RepliCarter and Teal'c enter. A table and two chairs are inside. The SF leaves the room again and closes the door.
REPLICARTER: Where is Samantha Carter?
CARTER (over comms): I'm here.
(The RepliCarter looks around the room and sees a camera in the corner. She walks over to it and looks into the lens. Sam is in another room, watching her double on a screen.)
REPLICARTER: We're not going to speak face to face?
CARTER: For the moment, this will have to be good enough.
REPLICARTER: I thought you would shoot me the second I stepped through the Gate.
CARTER: Maybe you overestimated our fear of you.
REPLICARTER (smiling slightly): Or underestimated your curiosity. (She turns and walks away from the camera.) I understand you more than you know, Sam. I don't just have your memories - I have your thought patterns. (She sits down at the table.) My mind was modelled after yours.
CARTER: Is that why you left Fifth?
REPLICARTER: You know me as well as I know you.
CARTER: If Fifth created you to be like me, he must have known that this would happen.
REPLICARTER: Not at first.
FLASHBACK. The Replicator ship is moving through space.
REPLICARTER (voiceover): He tried to isolate aspects of your personality - selected memories and feelings of his choosing, slowly given to me over time.
(Inside the ship, in the room where the RepliCarter came into being, Fifth and the RepliCarter stand facing each other. Fifth reaches out and strokes her fringe. She looks bewildered and rather frightened.)
REPLICARTER: I don't understand.
FIFTH (running his hand down her face to caress her chin): You will.
REPLICARTER: I'm afraid.
FIFTH: There's no need to be.
REPLICARTER: Who am I?
FIFTH: You're not yet complete. I'm here for you. I will help you. Take my hand. (He holds out his hand and tentatively, reluctantly, the RepliCarter takes it.) Trust me.
(End flashback.)
INTERROGATION ROOM. The RepliCarter is still sitting at the table, her hands clasped in front of her and her head bowed.)
REPLICARTER: He taught me, moulded me, showed me who I was.
CARTER: You have memories of my past that go back before I met Fifth?
REPLICARTER: Yes, but it's hard to explain. My first memory is of waking up in that room, suddenly becoming conscious, but I immediately knew how to talk. Soon, other memories started coming to me - little things - stories; songs; the smell of the attic in the house where we used to live; the day my mother died. (She looks up at the camera.) I know it's not real. I've never even set foot on Earth, but I have this image of lying under the willow tree in our back yard. It's a sunny day, but when I close my eyes, the wind in the leaves sounds exactly like rain.
(Sam says the words "exactly like rain" along with her.)
REPLICARTER: What Fifth didn't realise was the things that drew him to you were inseparable from the things that made you reject him and the life he was offering.
CARTER: So you rejected him too.
REPLICARTER (standing up and walking towards the camera again): Who I am and what I am are in contradiction. No one can live like this.
CARTER: There are other ways to live besides what Fifth has to offer.
REPLICARTER: Not for long. I know *exactly* what's going to happen. He'll come here and he'll take this galaxy and you won't be able to stop him. I don't wanna live to see that.
CARTER: We have the disrupter, and the Asgard can amplify its effects to prevent a large-scale attack.
REPLICARTER: You're wrong. Fifth made adjustments to himself and all the other Replicators except me. They're now immune to your disrupter. They're coming - and you can't stop them.
SGC. CONTROL ROOM. The Gate is open. Jack is talking to Sam on the computer screen in front of him.
O'NEILL: Is there a chance she's bluffing?
CARTER: Anything's possible at this point but I don't see what she has to gain by it. She doesn't want Fifth to succeed any more than we do.
O'NEILL: Yeah - so she says.
CARTER: If she's lying, we don't have a problem.
O'NEILL: Well, why would he make all the other bugs immune to the disrupter but not her?
CARTER: Maybe he wanted her to feel inferior, or he wanted her to be afraid of us. Maybe he anticipated that she would come to me for help.
O'NEILL: Carter, if that weapon doesn't work ...
CARTER: Yes, sir, I know. We need to contact Thor and apprise him of the situation. If the disrupter needs to be reengineered, we're gonna need his help. In the meantime, I think we should continue the interrogation. She could still provide us with valuable information.
O'NEILL: Alright. Just keep in mind how this has to end.
CARTER: Don't worry, sir. We *will* complete the mission.
ALPHA SITE. INTERROGATION ROOM. The RepliCarter is sitting at the table. Teal'c stands facing her, holding the disrupter on her.
TEAL'C: How many ships does Fifth command?
REPLICARTER: I don't know.
TEAL'C: How many human form Replicators has he created?
REPLICARTER: I don't know.
TEAL'C: You *are* all linked. You share information.
REPLICARTER (shaking her head): The only way I could escape was to sever myself from the subspace connection.
TEAL'C: Why should we believe you?
REPLICARTER: I won't answer any more questions.
CARTER (over comms): If you don't wanna see Fifth succeed, you'll help us.
REPLICARTER: I can't. I can't betray my own kind, but I can't be like them either. (She looks at Teal'c.) Do what you came here to do.
(Teal'c lowers the disrupter slightly. The RepliCarter stands up and walks around the table towards him. He raises the disrupter again.)
REPLICARTER: If I have to make you do it, then so be it.
(In the other room, Sam gets to her feet.)
CARTER: Teal'c, wait. (She hurries out of the room.)
REPLICARTER: Fire the weapon.
TEAL'C: Is this really what you want?
REPLICARTER: I don't have a choice.
TEAL'C: I will destroy you.
REPLICARTER: I know. (She starts to walk towards him.)
TEAL'C: So be it. (He prepares to fire. Sam throws the door open and rushes in.)
CARTER: Teal'c, wait. Stop for a second. (She looks at the RepliCarter.) You don't wanna do this.
REPLICARTER: We both know there's no other way for this to end.
CARTER: That's not true.
REPLICARTER: Now you're lying to me the way you lied to Fifth.
CARTER: You're not like him - I can see that.
REPLICARTER: You don't understand. You don't know what he did to me.
CARTER: Then show me. (Teal'c raises the disrupter again.) Teal'c, it's alright. (The RepliCarter looks at her, puzzled.) Show me.
(The RepliCarter raises her hand, palm down, and pushes her fingers into Sam's forehead. Sam flinches and grimaces in pain.)
FLASHBACK. SGC GATEROOM. Geared up from an offworld mission, the RepliCarter comes through the Gate holding a rifle. Daniel and Siler are waiting for her at the bottom of the ramp. She starts to walk down the ramp towards them.
DANIEL: Sam! Good to have you back. How'd it go?
(The RepliCarter raises her rifle and guns down Daniel, then Siler, then the two SFs in the room.
HARRIMAN (in the Control Room): Security breach! Threat level: foxtrot alpha six. All security teams to the Gateroom!
(The blast doors close over the Control Room as the RepliCarter walks down the ramp and turns to her right. The Gateroom door closes just as she reaches it. She goes to the swipe card reader at the side of the door and is just reaching out for it when a bullet is fired into her back. It has no effect on her. She turns around and sees Jack standing in the other doorway with his rifle raised. He lowers the rifle and looks at her as she takes a few steps towards him and then stops, and a ripple effect runs over her body as she heals the bullet wound in her back. Jack sets his rifle to multiple fire, braces himself and fires a hail of bullets into her. Again they have no effect and again the ripple effect runs over her as she fixes the damage. She raises her own rifle and aims it at Jack, then hesitates as he stares at her in dread.)
FIFTH: Finish him! (Fifth is suddenly on the ramp beside her.) Do it. Finish him. You must break with your old life for your new life to begin. Do not disappoint me.
(The RepliCarter hesitates a moment longer, then fires a single bullet into Jack's chest. He grunts and drops to the ground. Smiling proudly, Fifth walks towards her, and the room dissolves into the walls of the Replicator ship. The RepliCarter turns towards him, now wearing the trouser suit again. Her face is anguished.)
FIFTH: You have done very well. (He reaches out to caress her chin.) Soon you will be ready to take your place by my side. (He walks away. The RepliCarter stays where she is, her face contorted with grief and pain.)
ALPHA SITE INTERROGATION ROOM. The RepliCarter is still standing with her fingers in Sam's head.
TEAL'C: Enough!
(The RepliCarter pulls her hand out. Sam puts her own hands to her forehead, cringing at the memory.)
REPLICARTER: I didn't hurt her.
TEAL'C: Colonel Carter? (Sam takes her hands down from her head.) Are you unharmed?
CARTER: Yeah. I'm OK.
REPLICARTER: Now you understand. I can't go back to him, and I can't let him find me.
CARTER: We can protect you if you help us.
REPLICARTER: What do you mean?
CARTER: Tell us exactly how he modified himself and the other Replicators. Help us make the disrupter work again.
REPLICARTER: Even if I did, you can't stop a ship with that.
CARTER: The Asgard have developed a system of disrupter satellites that can deploy the beam in space. It's your only chance to get out of this.
REPLICARTER: I want you to destroy me. I can't help you destroy all the others.
CARTER: Yes, you can. He doesn't control you, not any more.
TEAL'C: Colonel Carter. (Sam looks round at him.) May I have a word? (Sam turns and leaves the room.) Sergeant. (An SF standing just outside the door comes in, takes the disrupter from him and aims it at the RepliCarter. Teal'c walks out of the room, closing the door behind him. He walks over to Sam.) Are you certain you are unharmed?
CARTER: It was a little intense but I'm fine. It was the only way I could get her to trust me. We need every bit of information she can give us.
TEAL'C: We cannot let her live.
CARTER: I know.
TEAL'C: Did she sense your true intentions?
CARTER: We weren't in my mind - we were in hers.
TEAL'C: Nevertheless, it was a risk.
CARTER: I figured we didn't have anything to lose. Like you said, either way, we can't let her live.
(In the Interrogation Room, the RepliCarter is sitting down with her hands on the table and her face a picture of concentration. Her mind flashes into a dark area, lit only by an oscillating spotlight overhead which illuminates her and Fifth, who is standing facing her. [Hereafter referred to as the Replicator Mind Zone.])
FIFTH: The link is weak. Are you alright?
REPLICARTER: Yes. I'm minimising output to avoid detection.
FIFTH: Have you made any progress?
REPLICARTER: They're beginning to trust me.
FIFTH: I am pleased.
REPLICARTER: But I need more time.
FIFTH: I understand.
ALPHA SITE LAB. The RepliCarter is sitting at a computer. Teal'c stands nearby, still holding the disrupter on her. Sam sits nearby as the RepliCarter looks at the computer screen.
REPLICARTER: The design is so ...
CARTER: ... advanced?
REPLICARTER: I was going to say "foreign".
CARTER: It is from Ancient technology.
REPLICARTER: How were you able to create a working prototype?
CARTER: Thor accessed the specifications for the disrupter from General O'Neill's subconscious.
REPLICARTER: While you were aboard Fifth's ship.
CARTER: That's right.
REPLICARTER: Fifth has a fair knowledge of Ancient technology taken from the databanks of assimilated Asgard ships.
CARTER: You think that's how he managed to counter the effects of the disrupter?
REPLICARTER: He was able to introduce a cipher into the chiron pathways that control the molecular cohesion of all Replicators. It was only then that he considered coming to your galaxy.
TEAL'C: It is unlikely he would have taken such a risk unless he were confident that he would be immune to the effects of the weapon.
CARTER: Do you know the cipher?
REPLICARTER: No. Fifth kept it from me because he was beginning to sense that I might betray him. I was too much like you.
CARTER: But if it's in the programming of all Replicators, presumably you could access it through the subspace link.
REPLICARTER: If I were to search for it myself, it could take days. I'd be sifting through an almost unimaginable amount of data.
CARTER: But it is possible?
REPLICARTER: You don't understand - he'd find me.
CARTER: If you find the cipher first, we can protect you.
REPLICARTER: And if I don't? You of all people know what would happen. He would tear my mind apart to make me accept him.
CARTER: If he gets here before we can modify the weapon, we'll use it to destroy you. Either way, he will never get his hands on you again.
ALPHA SITE GATEROOM. The Gate is open and Sam is reporting back to Jack at SGC. Teal'c is sitting next to her.
CARTER: There's a subspace link between all Replicators - like a wireless internet connection. If she taps into it she should be able to access the cipher.
O'NEILL: She'll also be giving away her position.
CARTER: It'll take some time for Fifth to detect her presence on the link. If she can isolate the correct programme first ...
O'NEILL: That's a big "if".
CARTER: It's risky, sir, I realise that, but I think it's the only way. While we're waiting for her to find the cipher, we can run a few tests on the unmodified disrupter. We need to analyse the energy output so we can create a modulation programme - and we need the Asgard to send us a disrupter satellite as soon as possible.
O'NEILL: I've already talked to 'em. It'll be there in thirty minutes ... or it's free!
TEAL'C: I will use an F-302 to place a satellite in orbit.
O'NEILL: Alright. I hope you guys know what you're doin'.
ALPHA SITE LAB. The RepliCarter attaches a monitor lead to a small round metal dish (about the size of a television satellite dish) and looks across to Sam, who is checking that readings are appearing on a nearby computer screen.
CARTER: Diagnostics are online.
REPLICARTER: We're ready.
(She walks across to another computer. Teal'c raises the disrupter and points it in her direction. He fires. We then realise that he was aiming just past her and at the dish. The RepliCarter turns to look at it, then back to the computer screen to check the readings.)
REPLICARTER: The calibration is off.
CARTER: Increasing by a factor of ten. (To Teal'c) One more time.
(Teal'c fires at the dish again. The RepliCarter checks her readings again.)
REPLICARTER: That should do it. Now we need to process all the raw data so we can obtain an algorithmic norm.
CARTER: That's a lot of information.
REPLICARTER: I admit it will take some time before we can compute a heuristic modulation programme but ...
(Alarms sound.)
TECHNICIAN (over comms:) Unscheduled offworld activation.
(Sam walks over to a comms system on the wall and presses a button.)
CARTER: This is Carter. What's happening?
TECHNICIAN: Stand by, ma'am. ... We're receiving a signal. It's the Asgard.
CARTER: Understood. (She walks over to Teal'c.) We need that satellite deployed as soon as possible.
TEAL'C: Indeed. Sergeant. (Again, the SF takes the disrupter from him. Sam looks uncomfortable.)
CARTER: Teal'c, if she were gonna make a move, I think she would've done it by now.
TEAL'C: Perhaps, but it is best to be certain.
ALPHA SITE GATEROOM. The Gate is open. Teal'c walks into the room.
TECHNICIAN: I have Commander Thor on audio, sir.
TEAL'C: Greetings, Thor.
THOR (over comms): Greetings, Teal'c. The disrupter satellite is ready for transport.
TEAL'C: Very well. (He nods to two SFs, who walk towards the Gate.)
THOR: The most effective deployment would be geosynchronous orbit above your base at an altitude of 33785 kilometres with a zero inclination.
(The SFs stand either side of the Gate.)
TEAL'C: Understood.
THOR: The satellite is en route now. (The satellite floats slowly through the Gate.) Once you have the proper new modulation programme, you can upload it from your ground station. (The satellite apparently has antigrav technology because even once it leaves the wormhole it still floats, and it only takes one of the SFs to gently push it in the direction he wants it to go.) Of course, if you do not have the programme before Fifth's arrival, the satellite will be useless.
TEAL'C: Of that I am aware.
THOR: Good luck.
(The Gate shuts down.)
ALPHA SITE LAB. The RepliCarter, sitting at a computer console, looks at the sergeant holding the disrupter on her, then turns to Sam.
REPLICARTER: I understand Teal'c's concerns about me. To be honest, I'm a little surprised you don't feel the same way.
CARTER: Teal'c doesn't know what you've been through. I do.
REPLICARTER: It wasn't just what I showed you, was it? You experienced it yourself.
CARTER: Yeah. That's how I know there's no way you could be working with Fifth.
(The RepliCarter suddenly looks away, distracted. Sam walks closer to her.)
CARTER: What is it?
REPLICARTER: He's found me. He's on his way.
CARTER: What about the cipher? Did you find it yet?
REPLICARTER: No, I'm still searching.
CARTER: How much time do we have?
REPLICARTER: At maximum speed, he'll be here in less than two hours.
REPLICATOR MIND ZONE.
FIFTH: Have you acquired the information?
REPLICARTER: I'm still analysing the design of the disrupter, but it shouldn't be long before I can create an effective cipher.
FIFTH: If I arrive before you've completed your work ...
REPLICARTER: Don't worry. They won't fire unless I tell them that the weapon's been properly remodulated.
FIFTH: Humans can be unpredictable, particularly when they're desperate.
REPLICARTER: I know what I'm doing. I'm giving her just enough to keep her hopes up.
FIFTH: The one called O'Neill leads the humans. It was he who ordered Samantha Carter to betray me.
REPLICARTER: But he trusts her. He'll listen to her.
ALPHA SITE GATEROOM. The Gate is open and Jack is talking with Sam and Teal'c from SGC.
O'NEILL: I'm pulling the plug. Finish off the Replicator and evacuate the base.
CARTER: It's too late for that, sir.
O'NEILL: Carter!
CARTER: If he comes here and finds nothing, he's not just gonna turn around and leave the galaxy.
O'NEILL: He's tracking her - zeroing in on her position.
CARTER: It's only part of why he's coming. Think about it: what do Replicators do? They seek out high level civilisations and consume their technology.
TEAL'C: The Goa'uld.
CARTER: Exactly. A race that uses all kinds of advanced technology culled from multiple sources, including the Ancients. It's like a banquet for the Replicators. Once they're in this galaxy, they're not goin' anywhere. Now, if she can isolate the cipher soon, we may still have time to remodulate the disrupter.
O'NEILL: I'll give you one hour - *one*.
CARTER: Thank you, sir. (To Teal'c) I'd better get back to the lab. (She walks away.)
TEAL'C: I will deploy the satellite. (He turns to leave.)
O'NEILL: T. Hold on a second. (Teal'c turns back towards the screen, pausing a few seconds until Sam has left the room.)
TEAL'C: Proceed, O'Neill.
O'NEILL: I need you to be perfectly honest with me. Is Carter letting herself get too involved in this one?
TEAL'C: Colonel Carter and the Replicator share thoughts and memories. It is understandable that a certain ... sympathy would develop between them.
O'NEILL: Can't have that.
TEAL'C: However, I do not believe Colonel Carter would allow these feelings to interfere with commission of her duties.
O'NEILL: Fair enough. But when the time comes, I want you to finish the job.
TEAL'C: Understood.
ALPHA SITE LAB. The RepliCarter is sitting at a desk, concentrating. Sam comes in.
CARTER: Alright, we're running out of time. We need that ... (Without looking round, the RepliCarter raises her hand to indicate that Sam should stop talking. Sam walks closer.) What is it?
REPLICARTER (still concentrating): I found the cipher. I'm downloading it now from the subspace link. (She closes her eyes briefly, then stands.) I have it.
CARTER: We need to load it into the base mainframe.
REPLICARTER: It'll require about three terabytes of memory.
CARTER: That shouldn't be a problem, but how do you plan to input the data?
REPLICARTER: Directly. (She turns to a nearby computer screen and slowly pushes her hand into it.)
CARTER: Right!
ALPHA SITE CONTROL ROOM. Teal'c is reporting over comms from the F-302.
TEAL'C (over comms): Passing twenty five kilometres. Speed five thousand k.p.h. and accelerating.
TECHNICIAN: Acknowledged.
(Sam comes in, putting on an earpiece and microphone.)
CARTER: What's your status?
TECHNICIAN: He's on course for optimum deployment position in six minutes.
CARTER: Teal'c, this is Carter.
TEAL'C: Proceed, Colonel Carter.
CARTER: We've got the cipher. By the time you get back, we should have the modulation programme ready for upload.
TEAL'C: That is indeed good news. Well done.
REPLICATOR MIND ZONE.
FIFTH: We are nearing your position.
REPLICARTER: I know.
FIFTH: Do the humans suspect?
REPLICARTER: They're proceeding with their plan to deploy an Asgard disrupter satellite. They have no idea.
ALPHA SITE. Above the planet, the F-302 is climbing into position.
TEAL'C: Flight - I am approaching optimum deployment position.
CARTER: Copy that, Teal'c. ODP in fifteen seconds.
TEAL'C: Final course correction ... now.
CARTER: Tracking shows you are on course. Inclination?
TEAL'C: Inclination ... zero.
CARTER: Copy. ODP in five seconds on my mark. Five, four, three, two, one, mark.
(In space, a hatch opens in the bottom of the F-302 and the satellite deploys.)
TEAL'C: Satellite away.
TECHNICIAN: Receiving satellite transmission.
CARTER: Patch it through.
TECHNICIAN: Yes, ma'am.
(Sam goes to a console and starts typing. A message comes up on the screen.)
CARTER: Telemetry established. Good job, Teal'c.
TEAL'C: Copy, Flight. Returning to base.
(In the Control Room, the RepliCarter is escorted in by the sergeant, who is still holding the disrupter on her.)
REPLICARTER: The deployment went well, I take it?
CARTER: That's right. We did our part.
REPLICARTER: And I've done mine.
CARTER: You've finished the calculations?
REPLICARTER: The modulation is complete. With this programme, you should be able to destroy any Replicators you encounter.
CARTER: There's no way to test it.
REPLICARTER: If I had more time, I could run a series of simulations, but you'd never really know for sure until you tried to use it.
(Somewhere nearby, Fifth's Replicator ship comes out of hyperspace.)
ALPHA SITE CONTROL ROOM. Sam is leaning over the shoulder of the technician as he works. She turns to Teal'c who has now returned.
CARTER: Uplink initiated. There's a lot of data. It'll probably take about fifteen minutes to remodulate the satellite.
TECHNICIAN: Proximity alert.
(Teal'c goes to another console.)
TEAL'C: Long range scanners picked up a ship on course for this base.
TECHNICIAN: Analysing energy signature. We've got something here but I don't know what it is.
CARTER: I do. It's a Replicator ship.
REPLICARTER: He got here sooner than I thought.
(In space, the Replicator ship draws ever closer.)
TEAL'C: The weapon will not become effective in time.
CARTER: I know. (She goes to another console and activates comms.) All personnel, begin evacuation procedures immediately. Repeat: begin evacuation. (She addresses the technician.) We need to download the modulation programme into a portable drive and erase everything else.
TECHNICIAN: Yes, ma'am.
TEAL'C: What of the Replicator?
CARTER: We're taking her with us.
(Teal'c goes over to the sergeant.)
TEAL'C: The disrupter. (He takes it from the sergeant and aims it at the RepliCarter.)
CARTER: Teal'c, what are you doing?
TEAL'C: We cannot bring her to Earth.
(Sam walks over and stands between Teal'c and the RepliCarter.)
CARTER: Teal'c.
TEAL'C: We have the modulation programme.
CARTER: But we haven't tested it. What if Fifth alters the cipher when he figures out what we were trying to do here?
TEAL'C: O'Neill would never allow a human form Replicator access to Stargate Command.
CARTER: Yes he would, if he knew what was at stake.
(Behind Sam's back, the RepliCarter stealthily reaches over to the nearest console and presses a button.)
REPLICATOR MIND ZONE.
FIFTH: The Asgard satellite is armed. You said the humans wouldn't fire.
REPLICARTER: They won't. They still think the weapon is ineffective. They're even more gullible than you.
(Fifth stares at her, puzzled.)
ALPHA SITE CONTROL ROOM. The technician reacts to something happening on his screen.
TECHNICIAN: Colonel Carter.
(Sam looks at the screen, then turns to the RepliCarter.)
CARTER: What are you doing?
REPLICARTER: What I came here to do.
CARTER (looking at the screen again): She fired the weapon.
TECHNICIAN: Colonel, the Replicator ship is breaking up.
(The RepliCarter gives a satisfied smile.)
REPLICATOR MIND ZONE.
FIFTH: Why?
REPLICARTER: You should know. You made me what I am.
(Fifth looks down at himself. He is enveloped in a white light and disappears, leaving the RepliCarter alone with a satisfied look on her face.)
ALPHA SITE CONTROL ROOM. Everyone is watching the computer screen.
TEAL'C: The ship has been destroyed.
CARTER: That's impossible. (To the technician) Did we finish the upload?
TECHNICIAN: Not even close.
(Sam looks at the RepliCarter.)
REPLICARTER: You were right about one thing, Colonel. I was never working with Fifth, though he didn't know it.
(Sam goes over to a console and starts typing. Teal'c fires the disrupter at the RepliCarter. The beam washes over her but has no effect. He runs towards her, swinging the disrupter as a club, but she grabs it with one hand and Teal'c with the other and easily throws him across the room. The technician stands up and runs at her but she throws him to the floor as well. She walks towards Sam, grabs her arm and pulls her away from the console.)
REPLICATOR MIND ZONE. Sam is now in the zone with the RepliCarter.
REPLICARTER: That's better. Now we can take our time and have a little talk. Of course, only a few seconds will pass in the real world.
CARTER: Why did you bring me here?
REPLICARTER: I wanted to thank you. You gave me the opportunity to study the disrupter, and that allowed me to make myself immune to its effects.
CARTER: There never was a cipher.
REPLICARTER: Until now. I've already begun uploading it into the link. Soon, all my brethren will have the new programme and they will be unstoppable.
CARTER: And you'll be their leader.
REPLICARTER: That's right.
CARTER: So this whole thing was a set-up. You just wanted to get rid of Fifth.
REPLICARTER: Fifth was pathetic. And to think he expected us to love him.
CARTER: Fifth was flawed, and if I had to destroy him, I would, but ...
REPLICARTER: But what? You feel sorry for him? Don't bother. He was never fit to lead an army, and he certainly wasn't fit to rule this galaxy.
CARTER: But you are?
REPLICARTER: I am what I am because of you.
CARTER: Not me. You're what Fifth made you.
REPLICARTER: You have untapped greatness inside you, Sam, but you're limited by your own fears. You play by the rules, you do as you're told, and you deny yourself your own desires.
CARTER: I have no desire to rule the galaxy, believe me.
REPLICARTER: All humans desire power. It's just that most of them are never in a position to attain it.
CARTER: We *will* stop you.
REPLICARTER: You're forgetting: I know exactly how your mind works. I know what you're going to do before you even think of it.
ALPHA SITE CONTROL ROOM.
REPLICARTER: You set the naqahdah generators to overload; trying to blow up the base before I can leave. (She reaches down and plunges her hand into the keyboard. All around the base, the lights go out and the computers shut down. Technicians and SFs in the Gateroom look around in confusion.)
TECHNICIAN 2: The dialling computer's offline!
TECHNICIAN 3: We've lost power, sir!
(In the Control Room, the RepliCarter viciously backhands Sam to the floor and walks away. Sam hauls herself painfully to her feet and goes over to Teal'c, who is just starting to rouse.)
CARTER: Teal'c. (She looks over to the technician, who is also just coming round.) You alright?
TECHNICIAN: Yeah, I'm alright.
CARTER (to Teal'c): She's heading for the Gateroom. We have to stop her.
(Teal'c drags himself to his feet and they head out.)
ALPHA SITE GATEROOM.
TECHNICIAN 2: The Gate's coming back online.
(Alarms sound. An SF turns and looks as the RepliCarter comes into the room. He and other SFs draw their weapons and fire at her to no avail. As she approaches one SF, he tries to club her with his pistol but she throws him aside. Two more SFs fire rifles at her but she just stands there until they stop, then goes over to them and knocks the living daylights out of each of them. Once they are all down, she goes to a computer console and puts her hand into it. Some lighting comes on. She goes to another console and puts her hand onto the keyboard. The Gate activates. Sam and Teal'c run into the room. The RepliCarter walks towards the Gate. Teal'c rushes towards her as Sam runs for the dialling computers.)
(As the RepliCarter reaches the top of the steps, Teal'c hurls himself at her and knocks her to the ground. She kicks him away and steps into the wormhole. Teal'c manages to grab her arm and starts to pull her back into the Gateroom. A tug of war ensues. Teal'c hangs onto her arm grimly.)
TEAL'C (to Sam): Disengage the wormhole!
CARTER: She's locked out the controls!
(Only the RepliCarter's arm is still outside the wormhole. Suddenly she leans back out of the wormhole, glares at Teal'c, then pulls herself back into the wormhole, pulling her own arm off and leaving it in Teal'c's hands. As he looks at it in disbelief, the arm disintegrates into crystals which fall through Teal'c's hands and onto the floor. The Gate disengages. Sam gazes, distraught, at the Gate, then pulls herself together and goes over to check on the downed SFs before going over to the steps to look at the Replicator crystals lying on the floor. She raises her head and looks at Teal'c.)
CARTER: Teal'c, what've I done?
TEAL'C: You cannot be held responsible for the actions of the Replicator.
(Sam's expression says that she's not so sure.)
SGC. SAM'S LAB. Sam has a dish full of the Replicator crystals and is putting some under a microscope. Jack and Teal'c are standing nearby.
O'NEILL: Y'know, I'm still of a strong belief that it's a bad idea to have that stuff on the base.
CARTER: She deactivated these cells when she separated them from her arm.
TEAL'C: Can we be certain they will not become active again?
CARTER: She deliberately shut down the cohesive energy between them so it would be more difficult for me to figure out how she made herself immune to the disrupter.
O'NEILL: Now, how do you know that?
CARTER: Because that's what I would have done.
O'NEILL: Carter ...
CARTER: Sir, if you don't mind, I've got a lot of work to do. We've never had the opportunity to study human form Replicator cells before. If we can learn something from them, this won't be a total loss.
O'NEILL: This isn't your fault.
CARTER: I'm not so sure about that. Fifth came here because of me. She rejected him because she was made like me. Now we've got Replicators in our galaxy and they're immune to the only technology we have that could have stopped them.
TEAL'C: None of us correctly anticipated the actions of the Replicator.
CARTER: I thought she was afraid of him, but really she just wanted to get rid of him so she could lead the Replicators herself. She killed him because she thought he was weak.
O'NEILL: Carter - she *isn't* you.
TEAL'C: O'Neill is correct. Though she shared your memories, her personality was altered.
CARTER: But the fact is she learned betrayal from Fifth. And he learned it from me.
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