Stargate Atlantis

Series 1: Episode 3 - "Hide and Seek"

Writer: Brad Wright, Robert C. Cooper

Director: David Warry-Smith

Opens on a shot of the city on the Water. McKay is looking in on mice

MCKAY: You got your eye on anyone?

BECKETT: err. Not really.

MCKAY: Actually I was talking to the mouse. *turns to Beckett* but. uh. now you mention it some of those athosian women are pretty hot. And we did just save them for the wraith so we got to trade on that while we can you know? Before they discover that we're not actually that cool.

BECKETT: *pat bed* sit down I'm ready.

McKay jumps up on to bed, rolls up the sleeve of his left arm. Beckett rolls up the sleeve on McKay's right arm.

BECKETT: I'm surprised you're so eager to volunteer for this Rodney.

MCKAY: Well you know me always eager to help.*cringes*

BECKETT: right. so do you have any questions about the process? I mean you are a scientist.

MCKAY: ah. yeah. I'm sorry. Medicine’s as much as a science as a. I don't know. voodoo. *Beckett smacks his arm* All I need to know is that that will enable me to use ancient technology like Major Sheppard, or yourself.

BECKETT: Yes hopefully.*wipes McKay's arm* you are the first human trial.

MCKAY: Well why now? I mean if it's possible. You knew we needed as many people with the gene as we could get.

BECKETT: Well actually with out proper FDA approval, virtually impossible on earth to.*looks at McKay's face* let's just say it's uh legal here in the Pegasus galaxy

MCKAY: .and perfectly safe?

BECKETT: as far as experimental Gene therapy goes. I am manipulating your DNA. *Holds needle to his arm* Here we go..

MCKAY: *pulls arm away* wa.wai. Maybe you should tell me more

BECKETT: *sighs* We believe ATA or Ancient technology activation is caused by a single gene that's always on. Instructing various cells in the body to produce a series of proteins and enzymes*McKay is staring at needle* that interact with the skin, the nerves system and the brain. In this case we're using a mouse retrovirus to deliver the missing gene to your cells.

MCKAY: *looking worried* a mouse retrovirus?

BECKETT: It's been deactivated.*moves needle back to McKay arm*

MCKAY: well, are there any side effects?

PETER: Dry mouth, headache, the irresistible urge to run in a small wheel

MCKAY: ahhh. that's very amusing. *in a bit of pain* so. how long til it starts working?

BECKETT: err. it could take some time. what is that? *looking at McKay's other hand, he's holding something that looks like a rock*

MCKAY: oh errr. something I found in one of the research labs. Something the ancients were experimenting with.

BECKETT: *pulls out needle* do you know what it is?

MCKAY: err. pretty sure.

SCENE: Corridor, People moving stuff

PETER: .desalinizing the sea water and storing them into tanks big enough to supply the whole city.

WEIR: good. so fresh water won't be a problem.

PETER: It seems some ancient technology requires the use of the active gene. other things merely require initialization. once activated, I can control it *they head upstairs, kids running past*.anyone who pushes the buttons to make it work.

JINTO: Good morning Dr Weir.

WEIR: Good morning. and careful.*to peter* I think we need to dedicate some recreational areas.

PETER: Yes.

WEIR: We certainly need to clear the hallway, get everything put away as soon as possible. and can we lose the 10,000 year old dead pants

PETER: Of course. We're still in the process of making sure that everyone's been assigned living quarters. Major Sheppard seems to be taking his time Okaying enough space.

WEIR: Well, the safety and security of this expedition are his.

MCKAY: Ok ready

We get a shot of Sheppard pushing McKay of the balcony of the control room into he gateroom. <long drop>

SHEPPARD: Woah did you see that?

WEIR: Yes what the.

MCKAY: I'm fine *shaking himself of, he has something on his chest glowing green.*

Sheppard grins and heads for stairs all three run down to meet McKay.

MCKAY: Look Beckett's gene therapy worked. I was able to activate this. It's a personal shield acts like a protective skin and it must have inertial dampening features too, because I didn't feel a thing. Watch this.*turns to Peter* Hit me.

PETER: *seems to happy to do it, steps back and punch, hits a greenish shield* AHHowww God *Sounds of laughing, Peter cradles his hand*

MCKAY: Didn't have to swing so hard *Sheppard smirks* and notice he didn't even hesitate.

WEIR: I'm still trying to understand, how you thought it was a good idea to test this device by having someone throw you off a balcony

MCKAY: Oh, believe me that's not the first thing we tried.

SHEPPARD: *Huge grin, nodding, to weir* I shot him. *weir looking in shock* In the leg.*shrugs*

MCKAY: *Grinning* I'm invulnerable.

WEIR: Aren't you the one who's always sprouting off about how proper and careful scientific procedure must be a peered to.

MCKAY: Invulnerable.

WEIR: alright take it off. let’s go have this meeting

MCKAY: Just jealous

WEIR: Oh yes green with envy.

McKay: *Moves hand to chest, but can't get hand through shield* oh, this could be a problem. *keeps trying* I can't get at it.

SHEPPARD: *Looks at him, tries himself* just checking.

CREDITS! These

SCENE: Infirmary

PETER: *Getting his hand looked at* I'm thinking Mr. invincible.

BECKETT: Captain untouchable

PETER: Oooh, that's good. *Both laugh*

MCKAY: You guy's done?

BECKETT: I've been working on this gene therapy for months forgive me for wanting to celebrate that it worked on the first human trial.

MCKAY: oooh let's all have a toast.

other two still chuckling, then both stop and look at McKay.

PETER: Just a thought here but have you tried eating or drinking anything since you put that on

McKay quickly pours himself a drink, drinks. Shield glows and water runs off on to floor.

MCKAY: *throws it on himself it rolls off.* that's great.

BECKETT: This may be more serious than I suspected.

MCKAY: Well, thank you. I’m hungry already, what am I going to do? If I don't get this stupid thing off I'll be dead by the end of the day.

BECKETT: Relax you can live three of four days without water.

MCKAY: I'm talking about food.

BECKETT: Well you found some ancient text with the device. what did it say about taking it off?

MCKAY: Oh yeah, there were explicit instructions, that I chose completely to ignore.

PETER: Well, some ancient technology uses a metal component for operations.

MCKAY: *Closes eyes* Shut up I'm thinking *few minutes nothing happens*

PETER: Is there any chance the gene therapy isn't permanent?

BECKETT: It's possible

MCKAY: *Eyes still shut* I'm a dead man.

SCENE: Briefing room.

SHEPPARD: We can probably maintain security in this area with the limited number of personnel we have

TEYLA: My people can help.

WEIR: Thank you, teyla. For the time being we'll find other ways the athosians can contribute.

TEYLA: You do not trust us?

SHEPPARD: *interrupts before weir can answer* It's not that. It's just that we, uh, we need to train your people in our weapons and tactics.

TEYLA: You invited me to be a member of your team.

SHEPPARD: and we value your knowledge and expertise

WEIR: As we value all the athosians. *McKay walks in* for now there should be more than enough living space for everyone within the designated area.

TEYLA: We have always lived in the shadow of the wraith but my people have never been in a place such as this. They are afraid. Some believe the ghosts of the ancestors remain.

WEIR: I don't think that's the case but, still we're going to need a bit more time in order to explore the entire city.

SHEPPARD: we're very cautious intergalactic explorers

WEIR: And we don't want anyone else getting hurt, the way hallien did. Everyone needs to understand that they are not to touch anything unfamiliar unless it's been cleared first.

MCKAY: That's very important <look who's talking> you never know, even a tiny little innocuous thing can…can kill you. *raises hand* dead man talking.

SCENE: Infirmary.

WEIR: *enters* Carson.

BECKETT: Dr Weir.

WEIR: So Grodens got a team going through the ancient research material that accompanied the shield device but McKay's been through it and he didn't find anything helpful. And he is the smartest guy here.

BECKETT: So he likes to tell us. Listen I feel terrible. It's possible; this was a result of artificially imposing the gene.

WEIR: Well I have another theory; we know that there is a mental component to using ancient technology.

BECKETT: You don't have to remind me; I experienced it first hand with that drone weapon back on Earth.

WEIR: Exactly so don't you think, it stands to reason that McKay should be able to shut this thing off with his mind.

BECKETT: Are you suggesting he doesn't want to shut it off?

WEIR: We may be settling in here but this place is still pretty intimidating. I mean a giant abandoned city full of things way beyond our level of understanding, impending threat of attack from the wraith.

BECKETT: No question it gets bloody creepy here at night.

WEIR: So I'm not saying it's conscious but perhaps subconsciously.

BECKETT: I don't think he wants to die of dehydration.

WEIR: No neither do I, but he's not there yet.

BECKETT: You think when it comes down to it the shield will just shut itself down.

WEIR: The ancients were smart enough to build fail safes with their other technology. I mean this entire city it rose from the deep of the ocean when danger was imminent. Why would they design a personnel shield that could kill you?

BECKETT: I certainly hope your right. For Rodney's sake. *walks away*

SCENE: Control room

Peters at computer, others round him.

PETER: The self destruct system requires two separate codes. Now each code is unique. And everyone here will be required to memorize their code.

MCKAY: well don't bother giving me one. Sorry.

WEIR: As far as we know, this gate is the only Stargate in the Pegasus galaxy that is capable of dialing earth, which would make it the last line of defense against the wraith. If they're going to attack which we must consider a very real threat. We simply cannot let them gain control of this complex.

PETER: If both codes are properly entered the naquada generator will overload. It will take 30 seconds.

FORD: You sure it will do enough damage.

MCKAY: Ever seen a 20 kiloton nuclear explosion?

SHEPPARD: I have. *all look at him* Not up close. Look I think we should tell Teyla what's going on here.

At this moment we still don't know if it was one of the athosians who tipped off your arrival to their planet

I trust Teyla

So do I. But teyla trusts her people. If we tell her; she'll want to tell them. And I need more time to get to know them

SCENE:

Sheppard's sitting on the bed, talking to the kids. Teyla and HALLING are there too. HALLING's on crutches

SHEPPARD: Well, they thought he was finally dead, but when they turned their backs to go. *turns of lamp* his cold dead eyes opened beneath his hockey mask and he rose up *stands* with his bloody knife.

JINTO: What's a hockey mask?

SHEPPARD: Hockey is a game. The guys skate round try to get a puck into the net. *all stare at him* The Goalies wear masks it's really scary.

JINTO: Tell us more of this game.

KID2: Can we play it.

SHEPPARD: Actually *sits* I don't really see any attraction, now football.*chuckles* football is a real man's sport. but we'll save that for another time.

HALLING: Yes it's time for bed.

KIDS: awwww

SHEPPARD: and remember tomorrow night kids, another tale called 'Nightmare on Elm street'

TEYLA: Alright children let's go.

All get up and leave.

HALLING: Thank you Major.

SHEPPARD: Hope I didn't scare 'em to much.

HALLING: I don't think so.

SHEPPARD: Good.

SCENE: outside, parents collect kids.

TEYLA: Good night *waves*

SHEPPARD: Listen Teyla. Don't tell McKay what I said about Hockey not being a real man's sport because. It's a Canadian thing. a little touchy about it.

TEYLA: I'm interested in hearing more about this football you say you love so much.

SHEPPARD: I can do one better. *walks off, she following*

SCENE: HALLING and Jintos room

JINTO: Father. Do you think we are safe here from the wraith?

HALLING: I think there is nothing certain in life. Except my love for you. *both smile*

JINTO: Do you miss the wind?

HALLING: Yes but if you're very quiet you can hear the ocean.

JINTO: Do you think the ghosts of the ancestors still live here

HALLING: Jinto. Go to sleep.

SCENE: Ford, McKay, Sheppard and Teyla are watching a football match.

Sheppard passes popcorn to McKay.

MCKAY: Not me.

SHEPPARD: Oh here it comes. Watch this.

COMMENTATOR: 4 seconds, 3 seconds 2.1......throws, Oh this game is over. Hail Mary and it's caught

SHEPPARD: Oh that is beautiful. can you believe that?

TEYLA: Should I not?

SHEPPARD: Well the defense didn't cover the receiver because he didn't think the Quarter back could throw that far.

TEYLA: They seem very happy

SHEPPARD: *eats* well they just won one of the best games of all time against all odds.

FORD:

MCKAY: And then went to play in Canada

TEYLA: He played Hockey too?

Ford laughs weir walks in.

WEIR: Hey what are you guys doing?

SHEPPARD: I'm teaching Teyla how football's the corner stone of western civilization.

WEIR: and you didn't invite me

SHEPPARD: You like football?

WEIR: No not really.

SHEPPARD: Oh come on. It’s real, it's unpredictable, it's full of passion and. beer *Weir steals some popcorn off Ford* hotdogs

MCKAY: Cheerleaders.

WEIR: I just can't understand. you're allowed one personal Item and you chose this.

SHEPPARD: It's a metaphor. Don’t you see this entire expedition is the biggest hail mary in human history?

TEYLA: What is a Hail Mary?

SHEPPARD: It's a play. you just saw it. It's named after a prayer, see.there was this woman and her name was Mary and she…Did I tell you how much I like ferris wheels?

SCENE: Jinto opens Bedroom door, looks out.

Heads off to kid2s room.

JINTO: ppssst

KID2: Ur turn to be the wraith.

JINTO: You can be the wraith. I get to be Major Sheppard.

KID2: awww

JINTO: *Closes eye* 1.2.3.4. *Kid2 runs off.* 5.6.

SCENE: Jinto looking for kid2 hears beeping

JINTO: Wex? *opens a door, hears something*

SCENE: Wex hiding behind some cargo

WEX: Jinto?? *pulls up mask*

SCENE: Sheppard's room

Knock on door

HALLING: Major! Major! *Door opens* Jinto's missing I can't find him. I told him to be careful. Anything he touches can be dangerous

WEX: What if there are monsters here.

SHEPPARD: Don't worry we'll find him.

SCENE: FORDS ROOM

SHEPPARD: Jinto's missing Teams of two. Floor to floor sweep. Now. Start with the jumpers. Full gear *walks off*

FORD: Yes sir.

TEYLA: He's not in any of the other living quarters

HALLING: I'm coming with you.

SHEPPARD: You going to be okay with that leg?

HALLING: He's my son.

*Sheppard nods, they go*

SCENE: Control room

WEIR: Can we use the sensors to locate him

MCKAY: We don't have nearly enough power to activate the whole city at one time.

PETER: Even if we could the sensors don't distinguish.*Lights flicker.* Individuals.

MCKAY: For all we know there could be shielded areas or a non functioning sensors. We’re getting a pretty strange energy reading in one of the unexplored areas across the city.

WEIR: Activate the communications system.

MCKAY: Done.

WEIR: Jinto. This is Dr. Weir. If you can hear me please respond. Jinto. If you're lost. If you can't.*everything shuts down.*

PETER: We've lost power

MCKAY: We've still got lights.

PETER: *turns stuff back on* Don't know why that happened.

Gate's shield activates.

PETER: *raises hands* That wasn't me!

Gate's shield deactivates. McKay raises his hands too. Symbols on the Gate Dialing interface activate of their own. Gate dials up.

WEIR: Shut it down now.

McKay shuts it down

WEIR: What the hells going on?

MCKAY: I don't know

PETER: Nothing like this has ever happened before.

MCKAY: We've only been here for a couple of days. This stuff is pretty old. It's that. Or there really are Ghosts.

SCENE: Some room,

Sheppard and HALLING walk forward. Crashing sound. Lights go out.

SHEPPARD: Control room this is Sheppard. Lights just went out.

WEIR: Major we're experiencing some technical malfunctions.

Get a shot of what looks like a image through some alien eyes.

SCENE: Control room

MCKAY: It could have something to do with the interfaces between our naquada generators and the city. Or that or the way we isolated some of the certain systems could be causing erroneous operations in the ancient programming.

PETER: I'll run a diagnostic on the power flow.

WEIR: Who wouldn't have thought you didn't believe in ghosts.

MCKAY: I never use to. But then I heard about things called Wraiths, that could suck the life out of you with their hands. What the hell is that?

Teyla walks up.

TEYLA: Dr Weir.

WEIR: Teyla. I'll be right there. *To Mckay* do what you can.

MCKAY: Right

SCENE: Downstairs, young girl waiting for them.

TEYLA: Dr Weir this is marta.

WEIR: Pleased to meet you

TEYLA: It's alright tell her what you saw.

MARTA: A shadow.

TEYLA: The wraith project them make you see things that aren't there.

WEIR: Are you sure? *girl nods*

TEYLA: And yet I sense no Wraith here.

WEIR: Teyla, have you ever been wrong about that? *On radio* Major Sheppard this is Weir. One of the athosians is claiming to have seen, what she's calling a shadow.

MARTA: She does not believe me?

Weir walks over to a side

WEIR: Teyla, says that she sense's no wraith here, but I'm still concerned.

SCENE: A room

SHEPPARD: Right all teams fall back to the Gateroom. Wait for further instructions.

HALLING: We can't stop searching

SHEPPARD: If there is a threat here we need to establish a proper perimeter. *they go*

Something is watching them.

SCENE: Control room

SHEPPARD: I've secured access to control tower and living quarters.

WEIR: Two more athosians reported seeing shadows.

SHEPPARD: Now see I don't get that. That means the wraith would be here.

WEIR: You don't think so?

SHEPPARD: I don't think they want to scare us. But when they decide to come, they're going to start blowing the crap out of this place with their ships.

WEIR: So what the athosians are seeing things?

SHEPPARD: Well, like Teyla said. It’s a scary place for them

MCKAY: Not just for them.

TEYLA: *Walks over* HALLING wishes to speak with Jinto.

WEIR: Please.

McKay turns on communications

HALLING: Jinto. If you can hear me. I'm not angry. I just want to know that you are safe. So if you are lost or hurt. Stay where you are. Make some noise if you can. We will find you. *puts down crutches* Delay nu mae a tempo ah tei.

SHEPPARD: *To weir* Is that Latin?

WEIR: It's ancient. Fathers of light of the ever lasting temple.

TEYLA: It is a prayer to the Ancestors.

HALLING: If you are angry that we have unrightfully inhabited your great city. We humbly apologize. We mean no harm. We will leave if it is your wish. But I will not go without my son.

Lights go out and McKay collapses. Everyone stares

SCENE: Infirmary.

BECKETT: He fainted.

MCKAY: oh there's got to be a better word.

BECKETT: Faint is the proper medical term.

MCKAY: I passed out from. Manly Hunger.

SHEPPARD: Well Hang in there. (on radio) Dr Weir this is Sheppard. McKay’s okay.he.uh.he fainted. *leaves*

Beckett grins

McKay: Oh yeah that's very sympathetic. Let's all mock the dieing man. Thank you.

SCENE: Leaving infirmary.

Lights go out. Sheppard pulls up P-90, Walks slowly. Theres a loud buzz. See things through aliens eyes. Sheppard aims. Steps. Shadow seen moves past him he follows. Lights come back on as it moves away. It passes peter. Both stare into dark room.

SCENE: CONTROL ROOM

SHEPPARD: Not the phantoms the Wraith make you see but I can see how the athosians would be confused.

WEIR: What did it look like?

SHEPPARD: It looked like a...*moves hands*

PETER: Darkness. It surrounded the Naquada Generator and started to grow. Like it was feeding of the energy.

SHEPPARD: When you shut it down the whole, whatever it was, just went away.

MCKAY: If this thing feeds on energy we could be in big trouble and *holding protein bar* when I say we. I mean you.because I won't be around for much longer.

WEIR: So we need to figure out exactly what it is and what to do about it.

PETER: We know it's attracted to energy.

WEIR: How about shutting down the Generators

MCKAY: Well, people also give off heat energy. But no. granted it's negligible compared to that of the Naquada Generator but…You take away this things only other obvious source of food and.

WEIR: You're saying it could come after us.

MCKAY: Well I only know one thing for sure and that is that flying darkness that needs energy can only be very very bad.

WEIR: Ok. We keep the power on. Groden figure out a way to detect it and in the mean time Major. Establish a constant surveillance at all the generators. If one of them is targeted we'll shut it down remotely. And hopefully we can keep this. thing busy until we can figure out a way to get rid of it. *Hits communicator* Attention Everyone this is Weir for the time being we need you all to remain in your quarters until otherwise instructed. If you see anything out of the ord-.

JINTO: (On communicator) Hello? Can you hear me? Can anyone hear me?

SHEPPARD: Jinto?

JINTO: (On communicator) Major Sheppard!

WEIR: Are you ok?

JINTO: (On communicator) I'm scared

SHEPPARD: Where are you?

JINTO: (On communicator) I don't know.

WEIR: Jinto start from the beginning. Tell us how you got to where you are.

JINTO: (On communicator) I was in the hall outside my quarters *all walk off*

SCENE: Outside Jintos quarters

All walking down corridor

SHEPPARD: .where did you go next?

JINTO: (On communicator) I can't remember.

TEYLA: He's used to the forest. Being able to see the stars at night.

JINTO: (On communicator) I found a small room filled with boxes from Earth.

They walk forward to some doors, Sheppard opens it.

SHEPPARD: No boxes.

JINTO: (On communicator) They are here with me.

MCKAY: so what we're looking at is a nice closet.

Sheppard and McKay step in, before them a type of wall opens showing a map of city.

SHEPPARD: This is definitely not a closet. Did the Panel start to glow when you stepped inside.

JINTO: (On communicator) Yes

SHEPPARD: Did you touch it?

JINTO: (On communicator) Yes

SHEPPARD: What exactly?

JINTO: (On communicator) I don't remember

MCKAY: Before he disappeared we got an unusual energy reading *points* from this area *Sheppard touches screen* wait wait wait. no no no nooo

Doors shut

SCENE: Some room

Doors open. Sheppard and McKay step out

MCKAY: It must be a transporter.

SHEPPARD: We can name it later.

Scene: Back with the other. Weir opens door again. There are boxes.

SCENE: Jinto pops out

JINTO: Major Sheppard!

SHEPPARD: Jinto you ok?

JINTO: Yes

SHEPPARD: *On radio* We've got Jinto. He's ok.

McKay walks over to a panel, turns it on

SHEPPARD: You have any idea what this place is.

MCKAY: Some sort of research lab. We've come across a few of them. These consoles generally access the central computer systems so Jinto could have caused what we thought were malfunctions. *to Jinto* Look, I need to know everything you touched.

SCENE: Control room, Peters on a computer, Weir walks up. We see a map.

PETER: As far as I can tell there is only one entity, Now the bright blue spots are the active naquada Generators *points at a pink icon* This blob is our entity. It was just a matter of calibrating the sensors. Your idea is working. So far I've been able to anticipate It's approach to the active generators and shut them off remotely. Here watch. *turns off generator blob headed for* Got it running in circles

WEIR: Good job.

PETER: Thanks

WEIR: I hope we're not making this thing mad.

PETER: (On radio) Ltd. This is Dr Groden. I'm tracking the entity heading your way. You might want to get out of the hall you're standing in.

Shot flicks to Ford and a marine

FORD: Roger that. *both move off*

Doors they head for shut before they can get out. Back to control room

FORD: this is ford a bulkhead just blocked our way. There's no panel on the wall to open it, that we can see.

PETER: Roger that.

WEIR: McKay?

Shot moves to Sheppard and McKay.

MCKAY: We didn't touch anything. It could be the entity causing random malfunctions. The proximity to that large an energy disturbance could cause the ancient technology to. to go haywire.

Back to control room

WEIR: Lt. double back and try the door on the east side of the hall.

Ford moves down corridor, tries panel.

FORD: This door won't open either.

MARINE: Here it comes.

MCKAY: (radio) *we see the shadow moving towards them* Pull open the console in the wall.

MARINE: Hurry

FORD: What next?

MCKAY: *camera back on them* I'm not sure what do you see?

FORD: Three crystals.

McKay: Take out the middle one put the tops one down.

We see ford do it.

FORD: *To marine* This door opens. Go. I'll be right behind you. *waits* Not working

MCKAY: Ok use the middle one to bridge the other two.

FORD: you sure about this?

MCKAY: Not exactly.

FORD: *Does it, door opens* Go

Marine goes through, Shadow heads straight for Ford. Camera moves back to control room we hear a scream. Weir closes eyes. Everyone shocked.

Back with Marine, he moves out. Ford lies on the ground unconscious. Smoke moving from his chest

MARINE: Man down. I need a medical team.

SCENE: Infirmary

BECKETT: Right hang in there.

Sheppard and weir walk in.

BECKETT: Are we in any danger here?

WEIR: I wish I could tell you.

SHEPPARD: How's ford?

BECKETT: Looks like he was hit by lightening.

WEIR: He's going to be okay?

BECKETT: He's a tough kid.

Sheppard and Weir walk over to Ford

MARINE: Sir.

SHEPPARD: *Nods, Ford opens eyes* Hey.

FORD: *Points at Marine* Would you tell this guy there was nothing they could do.

SHEPPARD: There is nothing you could of done.

MARINE: I could have tried to pull him out sir.

FORD: Yeah then we'd both look like this.

WEIR: Oh you don't look so bad.

SHEPPARD: Dr Beckett says your going to be back to pretty boy in no time.

SCENE: Weir and Sheppard step through guarded doors.

SHEPPARD: Apparently it's also an elevator

MCKAY: Really?

WEIR: We can stop taking the stairs everywhere.

MCKAY: Oh how nice for you all.

SHEPPARD: So. what have you got?

MCKAY: well believe it or not. Jinto didn't touch anything of any consequence. Other than that *points gets up*

They walk over.

MCKAY: *Turns it on* Has it's own power source like the jumpers.

WEIR: What is it?

MCKAY: Well it's some sort of containment vessel for the Energy Creature.

SHEPPARD: and Jinto released it.

MCKAY: Well it seems that way. As I suggested. the entity's what's been causing most of our technical problems. Now it was captured for observation. The Ancients were researching a sentient.

WEIR: Really?

SHEPPARD: What exactly is a sentient?

MCKAY: Well at some point in their evolution the ancients reached a...advanced state of being where they were able to rid themselves of their physical bodies and rise to a higher plane of existence. One in which they. they live as pure energy. I know it sounds ridiculous, but. but this is the first indication that their may have been evolutionary intervention to get there.

SHEPPARD: A little gene therapy of their own huh?

MCKAY: Well I haven't read all the notes but what I do know is that the entity is energy. It feeds on energy forces. Lucky, I mean the more it feeds the bigger it gets, the bigger it gets, the more charged it becomes and the more deadly it will be.

WEIR: Is it intelligent?

MCKAY: Well according to the research it is sentient but if. if you're thinking about trying to talk to it. You'd have more luck with a great white shark. This thing is going to suck the power out of our generators and then it will kill us all.

WEIR: Alright what do we do about it?

MCKAY: The energy's been trapped in here since before the ancients abandoned the city.

SHEPPARD: I know I'd be pissed

MCKAY: and hungry. But the point is. this device was design to attract it, capture it and hold it for observation. There's still a chance we may be able to get it back inside. I'm just going to need a little more time to figure out how.

SCENE: Infirmary.

Teyla and Jinto walk over to see ford.

FORD: Hey.

TEYLA: Jinto has something he wishes to say.

JINTO: I'm sorry. What happened to you was my fault.

FORD: *shakes head* where I come from we've got a little saying 'Stuff happens'. It's a little different. But you didn't mean for this to happen did you? *jinto shakes head* You're a good kid. You weren't doing anything wrong which means this isn't your fault ok? Same as when we came to your planet. We didn't mean for the wraith to show up they just did. That's why you're here. You're home was destroyed. You almost lost your dad. I don't remember you getting mad at me over that.

JINTO: Stuff happens.

SCENE: Peter's still watching blob, notices it's different.

SCENE: In new found room

WEIR: It's not falling for the same tricks anymore.

SHEPPARD: How smart is this thing?

WEIR: Rodney?

MCKAY: I don't know, but this is much simpler than I thought. It's kind of like a mouse trap. *they walk over* This button here causes the device to emit an energy signature that attracts the creature. This one shuts it in. The only downside is someone's actually gonna have to be here to press the buttons.

Sheppard and weir look at each other.

SHEPPARD: I'll do it.

MCKAY: Ok.*goes to walk off*

WEIR: Wait a minute, Rodney. *McKay turns round* You're still wearing the shield. Is there a chance that if something went wrong that would protect you.

The thing of McKay’s chest stops glowing and falls off. All look. McKay takes out protein bar and eats.

WEIR: I had a feeling. *turns back to sheppard*

MCKAY: What do you mean? Had a feeling about what? *walks over* You think I wanted it to come off just now? You think I'm scared? I'm not scared I'll stay, I'll do this.

SHEPPARD: No that's okay you might faint again.

MCKAY: Well it's just not working any more. *pushes it at Sheppard.* See it doesn't work on you either.

WEIR: I just meant that it wasn’t going to let you die.

MCKAY: Well it is just a coincidence that it happened to stop working now. I need a drink.

SHEPPARD: Go.

SCENE: HALLING is tucking Jinto in.

JINTO: You always told me I shouldn't be afraid of the dark.

HALLING: I was wrong

JINTO: I can't sleep now. what if the darkness comes?

TEYLA: It won't.

JINTO: How do you know?

TEYLA: Because.*lights a candle* it's afraid of fire

JINTO: The darkness is afraid?

TEYLA: Everything is afraid of something.

We see the darkness moving through a corridor.

All the Athosians are sitting by candle light.

SCENE: Control room

PETER: So the shield device just came off bu itself?

WEIR: Yeah, just stopped working. He even tried it on Sheppard. *moves*

PETER: It wouldn't work on Sheppard. *Weir turns back*

WEIR: Why not?

PETER: McKay didn't tell you. the text we were studying says the shield imprints on the wearer, If we're right it wouldn't work on anyone else.

McKay comes in eating, Peter sits down.

MCKAY: We ready?

PETER: You do realize that when we shut everything down, we're going to lose the sensors. We're not going to be able to track it.

WEIR: We have security personnel posted round the living quarters. At least we have some warning. *light candle* Teyla told the athosian children, that lighting a candle would help protect them.

MCKAY: And you're doing it because.

WEIR: It's going to get dark in here.

MCKAY: hmmm *turns on flash light, makes humming noise.*

WEIR: Okay major go ahead.

Back in room Sheppard turn on device.

WEIR: Now.

PETER: Shutting down power.

Everything goes off. Device stays on. We see the shadow rush through the corridor to the room

SHEPPARD: It's coming

All wait anxiously, McKay eating. See things through alien eyes.

SHEPPARD: Think we're going to need a bigger vessel.

MCKAY: Size doesn't matter

SHEPPARD: That's a myth.

MCKAY: It will fit. The device traps the creature in Subspace. You just need to wait til its all around the containment vessel.

SHEPPARD: Keep coming.

See things through its eyes, looks at vessel, Sheppard then back to vessel. Moves away. Leaves

SHEPPARD: Son of a bitch.

WEIR: What happened?

SHEPPARD: Damn thing took one look at it and went away. It's a lot smarter than we thought.

SCENE: Control room. Day time Teyla looking out to Gate

WEIR: We need to know right now where it is.

PETER: We need to turn the power on to use the sensors.

MCKAY: You can't do that.

WEIR: Do it, just the operations tower

SHEPPARD: *Walks in as they put on power* What now?

WEIR: It's headed this way.

MCKAY: Because you turned the power back on

WEIR: We can't go on like this.

TEYLA: Do you think it wants to be here?

SHEPPARD: What do you mean?

TEYLA: It's been trapped here for Thousands of years. Alone.

WEIR: It's not alone anymore

MCKAY: It doesn't think on that level. It thinks about eating that's it.

SHEPPARD: Well you would know.

TEYLA: If we stay it will kill us.

SHEPPARD: Not unless we kill it first.

MCKAY: Well I don't see how.

TEYLA: Then either we must go or it must. Maybe it wants to go. If we open the Stargate.

SCENE: Gateroom.

They open a box.

MCKAY: This is a bad idea

WEIR: You said that already.

MCKAY: Well it's worth saying again

Sheppard takes out Naquada generator. We see the map, blob moving closer, Peter points. Teyla runs to balcony.

TEYLA: It's coming

MCKAY: An open Stargate is a huge power source this thing is smart. *turning on generator* It knew enough not to get trapped in the ancient containment vessel again. How much do you think it's going to follow a naquada generator through a wormhole.

SHEPPARD: You got a better Idea?

MCKAY: *Shuts box* Good luck. *runs off*

WEIR: you okay? *Sheppard nods*

PETER: It's almost here.

WEIR: Do you have an address?

Peter: m4x 337. Barren wasteland.

WEIR: Dial it.

McKay starts dialing

WEIR: that was good thinking. *teyla nods*

Gate opens. Shadow comes into gate room. Naquada generator is on, on a MALP. Sheppard turns MALP on, and runs up steps. Shadown covers MALP as it move towards gate.

MCKAY: It's not going anywhere.

WEIR: Can't see if the malp got through.

PETER: The entity could have drained the battery

MCKAY: It could be feeding of the generator, of the Stargate. This is disaster.

WEIR: Shut it down.

McKay hits a button nothing happens. Keeps pushing.

MCKAY: I can't

PETER: The consoles are dead

WEIR: There must be something we can do

PETER: We don't know if the malp is still down there *McKay reaches into his Jacket, pulls out shield device* Its possible the entity will still go through the gate once it's depleted the energy in the Naquada generator on the Malp.

WEIR: Or it could just continue to feed of the Gates energy.

McKay steps back looking at device, puts it on. It works. He walks off, to stairs. Sheppard spots him. Runs.

SHEPPARD: Mckay?

McKay walks down into the shadows. His shield glowing.

WEIR: Rodney!

He disappears under. The shadow has filled the gateroom, the gate just visible.

We see McKay underneath. It's all bright around him. He moves to malp. Grabbing generator throws it through the gate. The shadow starts to follow it. All watch as shadow disappears. Gate shuts down. McKay is lying on the ground.

All rush down next to him

WEIR: McKay? *Shield device is off*

PETER: It must have been drained by the entity.

SHEPPARD: Medical team to the gateroom.

WEIR: He's not burnt. he’s breathing. McKay? Mckay?

MCKAY: *wakes* What happened?

WEIR: you did it.

MCKAY: I did?

WEIR: It went through the gate.

SHEPPARD: You must have passed out.

MCKAY: Oh thanks for not saying the other thing.

SHEPPARD: *Stands to Teyla* That was a hail mary.

All grin. Medical team runs in.

MCKAY: Thank you, take your time. Man down.