Please.
Help me.
Still no incoming signal, sir.
All units are earthside.
Is it my eyes, or does that Iris look kinda—...
It's losing integrity.
Hold fire!
It's schrodinger——the cat I gave the tollan, narim.
Cat.
The tollan possess the technology
to walk th rough solid matter.
Atechnology which, by the way, if you all recall,
they refuse to sharewith us.
General Hammond,
I'm unfamiliar with earth protocol in these matters.
I sent schrodinger so you would know a friend was coming.
It's all right, narim,
the tollan are welcome here.
UN its, Stan d down.
Samantha...
It's good to see you again.
It's good to see you, too.
What can we do for you, narim?
I am here to deliver a message
from our highest governing body.
Colonel O'Neill...
The tollan curia requests the presence of you and your team...
For triad.
I feel like I'm being served.
So, what exactly is this triad?
It's an ancient ceremony of justice.
Quite honorable.
So it's kinda like a trial.
I'm not familiar with trial.
Trial. It's—— it's sort of like atribunal,
a place where, uh, matters of justice and law are decided.
Then yes, atriad is similar to your trial.
So... who's on trial?
Ad.
Tr——triad... I.
The decision the triad must reach
is of great concern to an old friend of yours.
He's an abydonian by the name of skaara.
What? What?
It is hewho requested your presence.
He's alive? He's ok? He's—...
He's well, but he does need your help for triad.
Where's this taking place?
Our destination is the new homeworld——tollana.
But we sentyou to the nox planet.
There wasn't a gate on tollana.
The nox and the tollan were able to
devise away to get us there.
Of course you were.
Way... smarter than we are.
Very nice.
So, you built that...
Carter: Stargate?
Yes.
Waysmarter than we are.
Ours is bigger.
What just happened?
Your weapons have been disabled.
What?
Do not worry.
You may continue to carry them if you wish.
You don'tthink you should've told us about this
before we came?
I didn't find it relevant.
We don't travel to other plan ets
without weapons with which to defend ourselves.
May I ask what you intend to defend yourself against?
The tollan have never threatened you in any way.
That is correct, O'Neill.
I don't feel the need to carry aweapon in this place.
And, sir, judging by whati have seen
in the last 5 minutes,
our weapons wouldn't be much of a match
for their technology anyway.
No harm will come to you.
The tollan will guarantee it.
Is that a mon ey—back...
If—you're—not—completely— Alive guarantee?
This way.
These must be our visitors from earth.
Welcome.
Narim: High chancellor travell,
this is colonel Jack O'Neill.
Hi.
Narim: Dr. Daniel Jackson.
Narim: Major Samantha Carter.
Hello.
Narim: And Teal'c.
We are honored that you have agreed
to participate in triad.
Your seeker will decide which one of you
will be archon.
Seeker? Archon?
Daniel?
Uh, with respect, high chancellor,
narim didn't really explain the triad very well.
Uh, could you please define those terms for us?
In triad, there are
called seekers.
Triadic law requires one archon
who's sympath etic to each cause
and one neutral archon.
The archons argue the dispute
until a decision is reached.
So a seeker is like a defendant,
and the archon is his attorney.
I got it.
So skaara is our—...
Seeker? Seeker.
Narim will take you to him now.
This way.
Skaara?
You!
You will pay for what you did to my father.
It's good to see you, too.
I'm very happy to see you.
All of you. What's the deal?
What just happened?
The tollan designed the device worn about his chest.
It suppresses the Goa'uld's ability
to silence its host.
The Goa'uld and host are free to speak at will.
The device cannot be removed as long as
klorel and skaara are our guests.
The indicator on the front prevents
one from pretending to be the other.
Red indicates it is klorel who speaks,
blue, skaara.
Nice device.
We'll take a dozen.
As you may recall from our last encounter,
it is forbidden for the tollan
to give our technology
to any culture less advanced than our own.
Still got that arrogance bug, I see.
It is I, O'Neill.
Are you not happy to see me?
Yeah.
It's good to see you.
I knew you would come.
Soon, with your help,
I'll be free of this demon.
Every day I fight him.
I listen. I learn.
It is time for skaara to choose his archon.
O'Neill is strong.
Daniel is wise.
May I not choose both?
You may.
They may both argue.
However, they will have but one vote.
Ok. What's——what's this triad about?
What's——what's to be decided?
2 days ago a small Goa'uld vessel
crashed in a remote area.
The occupant was badly injured.
It was skaara.
We were fleeing a battle group dispatched by heru—ur.
My demon knew that the tollans would stop them.
Which we did.
We warned them, but they came anyway.
Our defense grid was forced to destroy them.
So heru—ur is dead?
No, but 2 of his motherships are destroyed.
Wait a minute.
You blew away
we are not a warring people.
But our defensive technology
is far advanced of that of the Goa'uld.
Yeah, well, I know all this, uh, weapons chatter gets my blood pumping.
Can we get back to the triad?
Yes, of course.
When our sentries reached the crashed vessel,
skaara asked us to free him of his Goa'uld.
Butthe Goa'uld refuses.
Therefore, under tollan law, we have no choice
but to hear both arguments before acting.
And klorel's... archon.
Archon is... who?
My lord zipacna...
We are honored that you have agreed
to participate in triad.
Due to your easy dispatch of heru—ur's motherships,
it appears I do not have a choice.
We would speak in private.
As you wish.
So.
When you were trying to get us to come here
and then... disarmed us...
You didn't feel it appropriate
to mention the fact that a freakin' Goa'uld
was gonna be here?
Not to mention his associates?
They are as unarmed as you.
You're sure of that?
Our technology detects
and disables any form of weaponry.
Aha.
You said there was a——a third and neutral archon.
That's... a tollan?
No.
We have asked our friends to send someone
capable of remaining neutral.
I believe you have met.
Lya.
'Tis good to see you once again, friends.
Well, this just became a piece of cake,
a walk in the park, a day at the beach.
An accident waiting for a place to happen.
Mr. N egative.
Yes!
Sir, what makes you so confident?
Because lya is a fair and insightful person
who'll vote our way.
Besides, she likes us.
Lya likes everyone.
That's... the nox way.
The nox are not in conflict with the Goa'uld.
You may recall they saved apophis
when you attempted to eliminate him.
So... what do we have on this fine Goa'uld fella?
Zipacna was one of apophis' most loyal underlords.
Well, I don't believe for a second
he's come to talk klorel out of here.
They're ready for you.
Thank you.
Carter, you andteal'c keep an eye
on zippy's kids.
Yes, sir. See what they're up to.
This dispute involves
who inhabit the same body.
Both have requested sole use of the body.
Therefore we must establish right of priority over the body.
To whom does it belong?
Ostensibly, the one to whom it was born?
Your eminence...
I must request that the human contingent
follow decorum appropriate
to such an auspicious body as this one.
I agree.
The archons will refrain from questions or comments
untiltheir side is acknowledged.
At this time, I recognize
lord zipacna and klorel.
Until 3 years ago, the humans on abydos
lived under Goa'uld law...
Administered by ra.
Now, by that law, they were Goa'uld property.
Lord klorel merely took what was already his.
By force!
Colonel O'Neill, please? Sorry. Sorry.
I understand your desire
to defend your position, colonel,
and iwill give you that opportunity.
I would first like to hear skaara's perspective.
I was born to this body...
Free of the demon klorel.
He stole my body.
On abydos...
I would have married...
Had children...
Grown old...
And died.
The Goa'uld took more than my body.
He stole my life.
Human archons.
Skaara, when you were born,
did your people believe they were slaves?
No.
Just so we can all be clear,
who was ra?
We believed him to be an evil god.
So he enslaved your people
through superstition and fear.
Until you cam e...
Yes.
Zipacna: Tell me...
Did the people of abydos hunt?
Yes.
Did they also use...
Animals as beasts of burden...
For food... for clothing?
Yes.
Do you also eat the flesh of humans?
No! Never!
Then you make judgment that animals
are of lesser value than humans.
We care for our animals.
We worship them.
We thankthem for the gifts they give us.
Yes, but you keep them to do your will.
And you kill them to survive.
When we have the need.
As we do with humans—...
When we have the need.
If a human has the right to take an animal's body
and do with it as he pleases
because he is a superior being...
Then so does a Goa'uld.
And by that argument alone...
The Goa'uld has priority.
And the host belongs to klorel.
Do the human archons wish to respond?
Yes, ma'am. We—...
You betcha. We...
We do, your eminence.
Can I go first?
Your argument is flawed...
In, oh, so many ways.
Humans are self—aware. Animals aren't.
Animals are not...
Because you deem them notto be.
Just as we deem humans notto be.
What my learned colleague means
is that humans have a more advanced intelligence
than lower—caste animals.
Exactly. Just like that.
Is that not a matter of perspective?
Just like a human considers itself
more intelligent than a pig...
Might a pig consider itself more intelligent than a... rat?
Speakin' of rats... What's your point?
My point is that the Goa'uld
consider ourselves more intelligentthan humans.
Our technology is more advanced than yours.
Our mere knowledge of the universe
is more advanced than yours.
You stole that knowledge!
You... took human knowledge
when you took humans as hosts,
just as you took knowledge from other species.
The Stargate isn'tyour technology.
You just... you took that.
And as far as we know...
Nothing you have...
Came from you.So...
Clearly, the evidence is not that you're more intelligent...
Just more parasitic.
The method of gaining the knowledge is not a question.
We were able to obtain it. You were not.
Oh, please.
Gentlemen. We seem to have wandered away
from the central topic.
Which seeker has priority over this body?
If I may, your eminence, I don'tthink
we've ventured away from the central topic at all.
What we're trying to point out
is that the Goa'uld steal what they possess,
as they have, in fact, stolen skaara's body.
Could I——sorry, Daniel. Could I say something?
Skaara...
You once told me you'd rather die...
Than live another day as a Goa'uld.
Why?
Whati suffer each day is worse than death.
For example?
I remember the demon stretching out my hand
to kill Daniel...
The husband of my sister.
There was nothing I could do to stop it.
And I have seen... many more...
Far worse atrocities than this.
I demand that the human stay on topic!
It ison topic!
You just want to avoid talkin' about
all the nasty stuff he's witnessed.
The host witnesses nothing...
Since nothing of the host survives.
Carter: What are they doing?
I am uncertain.
Lord zipacna, I'd like to ask you a question, if I may.
I hope I have the answer.
I'm sure you will.
Is... your host...
In there somewhere?
Nothing of the host survives.
Really.
Then how do you explain skaara?
What you call "skaara" is nothing but a remnant.
He can speak now only because the tollan
use their technology to silence klorel.
But how could he speak at all if he hadn't survived?
Lya: And he spoke well.
His words were not those of a remnant personality.
Carter?
Sir, we may have a problem. Do tell.
We tracked a serpent guard and 2 Jaffa
to just outside the city limits.
We observed them locate at least 6 tollan weapon sites.
We thinkthey were doing something to disable them, sir.
Which, in my opinion, means zipacna
is using the triad to stall for time
so his men can disable the tollan defenses...
Then take the opportunity to—...
Wipe out the tollan.
Samantha.
I hope you've not waited long.
No. Thank you for coming.
It's my pleasure. In fact, I'm pleased
that we can finally be alone together.
Narim, I asked you to meet me
because I need your help.
Samantha, I—...
I have missed you.
A lot's happened to me since I last saw you.
There is another.
No! N—not in the way that you mean.
You see, I——I was blended with a——a tok'ra,
and she died to save my life.
But... I still have her memories and her feelings.
And she is part of you? Yes.
I can't have a relationship with anyone
until I'm absolutely sure whose feelings I'm... feeling.
Do you understand?
Hmm.
You are very wise, Samantha.
Well.
May I ask, then, why you sent for me?
Teal'c and I have been following the Jaffa
that came with the Goa'uld contingent.
Samantha, why would you do such athing?
I was sure your people were more diplomatic than that.
We did it out of concern for your people.
We thinkthe Goa'uld are using the triad
to buy time so that they can prepare
for an attack on tollana.
Why do you think that?
Because we saw them tampering with your weapons.
That would be impossible.
The weapons are made of an impenetrable alloy
and protected by security codes.
Narim... th ey were doing somethingto them.
We asked lord zipacna about your accusation.
He denied it, and he was quite offended.
Well, that's a shocker.
I hope you didn't take his word for it.
Our experts have been unable to find
any form of tampering on any of the can nons.
Carter?
Maybe they were painting them, sir.
I see no paint.
Uh, sorry. It's an earth military expression.
It means, uh, marking them as targets.
Nor do I see any markings.
Well, there are ways that they can target the weapons
without actually leaving a Mark.
If so, the instant one of these can nons is attacked,
the rest will automatically locate the position
of the attacker and destroy it.
Unless they're all taken out simultaneously.
If that were possible, whythen did the Goa'uld heru—ur
not do so when he pursued klorel?
Well, maybe because he didn't have a contingent on the planet's surface
targeting the weapons in advance.
He didn't do it because it is impossible.
It would take but one of these devices
to protect this planet from a Goa'uld mothership
and we have many more than that.
Our technology is superior
in every way to th eirs...
And to yours.
My. Aren't we cocky?
Colonel... if this is an attempt
to influence the outcome of triad,
it is a feeble attempt, indeed.
I assure you, your eminence,
this is not intended as anything other than
an attempt to help your people.
I hope so.
But understand... If you continue
to pursue this matter in any way,
I will disqualify you from triad and replace you.
Skaara will be represented by someone else.
Is that understood?
With protest.
Now... you will return to triad in the morning...
And you will not mention this matter any further.
Just... stay away from zippy and his gaggle of goa'ulds, ok?
I know the Goa'uld, O'Neill.
They will attack.
Buti don't see a choice here.
If we keep pursuing the issue,
skaara's gonna be represented by god knows who.
Then we won't stand a chance in hell.
I'm not gonna letthat happen.
Regrettably, I must disagree with you
in this situation, O'Neill.
I believe we are faced with the loss of skaara—...
One individual...
Versus the death of many tollan.
And possibly ourselves.
That's assuming the tollan can't defendthemselves,
which, personally, ithink is a false assumption.
Yeah, they did bring down a couple of motherships.
I think they'll be ok.
The tollan have not been at war in many generations.
They do notthink strategically.
I believe thatto be a fatal flaw.
Their naivete could be their downfall.
That is correct.
Allow major Carter and myself to continue monitoring
the Goa'uld contingent in case of—...
Excuse my interruption.
The triad resumes.
You've got your orders.
Stand down.
Teal'c.
This is highly inappropriate of you
to come to me during triad.
I assure you that iwould never intend
to influence your decision in any way.
I wish to speakto you concerning another matter.
You must not mention klorel or skaara.
If you do, I will be forced
to report the matter to the tollan.
Understood.
What is it, then?
As you are aware, iwas formerly
in the service of the Goa'uld.
If this is designed to bias me againstthe Goa'uld...
I would never do such athing,
nor do I feel the need.
I am here, in fact, in directviolation
of an order given by colonel O'Neill.
Go on.
I have become convinced that the Goa'uld are planning to destroy
all the tollan weapon installations simultaneously,
thereby preventing them from ever returning fire.
The Goa'uld will then attack this world,
which will be defenseless.
Why do you tell methis?
I believe that you and I are the only ones capable
of preventing this tragedy from occurring.
You and I?
Teal'c, you are a strong warrior.
But I am of the nox.
If you've learned anything of us,
you've learned that we defend ourselves
through illusion and mastery of mind.
Precisely.
I apologize for my tardiness.
We will resume.
Lord zipacna has asked us
to reconvene early
because he wishes to make a challenge.
Tollan law does not provide for a penalty of death.
Is that correct?
Is it.
Then I wish to point out the futility of this triad.
A Goa'uld needs a host to survive.
This is a biological fact
beyond our control.
If you award priority to skaara,
then it is as a death sentence for klorel.
'Course, if you flip that around,
you've got skaara on death row.
Yes. But as you proved earlier in triad,
the host survives.
Yeah?
We concede this point.
Therefore if you award priority to klorel...
Both host and symbiote live.
Yeah. One lives freely,
the other lives as a slave.
We would put forth that life as a slave is not life at all.
And if you want to save both lives,
give us skaara, and you take klorel.
The tok'ra can put him in another host,
for all I care.
Who, colonel?
Perhaps you would volunteer?
Uh... no.
Perhaps you could find someone
who would choose to be a host.
Narim, what is the meaning of this?
You knowtriad is held as a closed session.
Your eminence, please adjustyour viewer
to th e orbital observatory.
A Goa'uld mothership?
Narim: Yes.
It approaches tollana.
Explain.
My vessel comes in anticipation
of our victory in triad.
It is merely coming to take us aboard.
Why don't you just take a Stargate, like the rest of us?
Not that it is of your concern,
butthere is no chapp'ai where we are going.
Well, then gate to where there is one and get picked up
your eminence, if our intentions were hostile,
we would've attacked already.
Even so...
Your ship's arrival is premature and in violation
of tollan space.
I must warn you
that if your ship moves any closer
before the conclusion of triad,
our automated defense system will destroy it.
The Goa'uld rest our case,
and we are prepared to vote.
Therefore, triad is over.
Triad is over...
When all parties agree, lord zipacna.
Do the human archons have any further arguments?
Nope. I think the Goa'uld
made our case for us quite nicely.
No further arguments, your eminence.
We are prepared to vote.
Nox archon?
Yes.
Then bring in the seekers.
Klorel and skaara...
You can both hear the triad's ruling?
Skaara: Yes, your eminence.
Uhh!
Klorel: I can.
Human archons...
They will hear your vote.
We find in favor of skaara.
Goa'uld archon?
In favor of klorel.
Big surprise there.
Nox archon?
After careful consideration,
I believe that both klorel and skaara
have the right to live.
But living as a host with no will of one's own
is not life.
Therefore, only one may remain in the body.
To that end, I award priority
to the original owner of the body...
Skaara. Yes.
Now, getthat mothership outta here.
Travell: We will summon the tok'ra
to come to tollana to assist
in the removal of the Goa'uld klorel.
He will be removed from the host...
And if he survives, will be sent
to the Goa'uld world of his choice.
I have locked the detachment device.
Skaara... you have priority control
until the Goa'uld is removed.
Prepare yourself.
The tok'ra will arrive as soon as possible.
And congratulations.
Thank you!
Lord zipacna.
You are dismissed...
With our thanks.
Re'nuk'tok.
Re'nuk'tok—...
H ey!
Uhh! Uhh!
Nice. Let's go!
Skaara... wait here. Just trust me.
O'Neill: How's that superior technolog y lookin' now?
Security system servin' you pretty good, is it?
The ion cannons.
Got a deadlock on all of 'em.
You know, I hate when people waste mytime like this.
Where's Teal'c?
Colonel!
Cover!
I must inform travell.
Zipacna has escaped through the Stargate.
Well, that's the least of our pr—...
Where've youbeen?
I must inform you, O'Neill, thati have
disregarded your orders concerning the Goa'uld.
Please explain.
So, what's goin' on here?
I have requested lya's assistance.
You hid one of them.
That is correct.
Travell explained it would take but one of these
to destroy a Goa'uld mothership
It should've already fired.
Well, it hasn't.
Let's take cover, huh?
Very nice.
You disregarded my warnings.
Mine, too.
Well done.
If you were my subject,
iwould be forced to discipline you.
However, you are not one of my subjects.
It could not have been done without the assistance of lya.
I thought the nox were pacifists.
Ionly hidthe weapon. I did not fire it.
Pretty fine line you didn't cross.
Yes, it is.
So... we basically
saved your whole planet. Right?
Yes.
Are you therefore indebted to us in any modest way?
I suppose... that is the case.
So how about givin' us the plans
to build one of those ion cannons?
You have been told our policy.
Thathas not changed.
The, uh, tok'ra have completed the procedure.
Yeah?
What will become of klorel?
He will be sent to a Goa'uld world.
To hell with him—— O'Neill!
Much better.