We've been over this, Mr. Ambassador.
Your submarine, yes, yes.
The missile sub rostov
was less than 75 kilometers from the impact of the meteor.
Why do you insist on maintaining this story?
The shock wave caused severe damage,
and she sankto the bottom.
And in the spirit of international cooperation,
a deep submergence rescue vehicle was sent from Pearl harbor.
Yes. Unfortunately,
the rostov'sreactor went critical
before she arrived on the scene.
I have heard your government repeat this story
time and time again,
yet, according to our naval intelligence,
on the day in question,
the submarine in question
was in fact still taking on supplies
in the harbor at vladivostok.
What can I say, ambassador?
Your intelligence is wrong
and not for the firsttime, I might add.
The Americans are hiding something
and have been for years now.
That Russia seems to have no objection
is all the more confusing.
In the spirit of cooperation—...
Please.
What you call a new spirit of cooperation
between your two countries, colonel,
makes the people's republic of China
uncomfortable.
Gentlemen, we couldn't help but overhear.
As I was trying to explain—...
My dear colonel, if we can agree on anything,
it's that your lost submarine is merely the latest
in a long list of extremely unlikely events
the Americans have attempted to foist upon us
as th e truth.
Yes. the Americans are up to something.
They did summon us here for some reason.
To hear more stories of falling meteors
and exploding hot air balloons.
Mr. Ambassador,
I am sure we can provide you with the necessary evidence—...
That won't be necessary, colonel.
General?
Gentlemen, please be seated.
Thank you.
First and foremost, gentlemen, welcome to the Pentagon.
Please forgive any security measures
you've had to undergo in order to get here.
In america, we try never to underestimate
the competence nor curiosity of our media.
We've asked you here
to inform you of a top—secret operation that the United States air force
has been operating
out of Cheyenne mountain in Colorado.
It's called the Stargate program.
Gentlemen, the Stargate.
The device itself was discovered in Egypt in 1928
where it had laid buried for several thousand years.
In 1945, ateam of scientists
hoping to find a military application
for the device
successfully established a stable wormhole
by a process of random dialing.
It was for all intents and purposes
a lucky accident,
which they were unable to repeat.
The gate remained inactive until eight years ago,
when this man, Dr. Daniel Jackson,
joined the program.
Dr. Jackson successfully deciphered the symbols on the gate,
allowing us to begin routine exploration
of alien worlds.
Since thattime, Mr. Ambassadors,
we have visited literally hundreds of planets.
Thousands more remain to be explored.
What?
This is absurd.
I know it's a lot to process, gentlemen.
The firsttime I saw the gate activated,
I could hardly believe my eyes.
It is true.
You know about this?
The Russian government
has been aware of the Stargate program
for ouite some time.
Are you quite serious?
Did your president
not recently call Great Britain
america's closest ally?
One of our own people
illegally sold the Russians information
which allowed them to temporarily operate
their own program.
You had one of these Stargates?
For a short time.
How many of these bloody things are there?
There was another Stargate.
It was recovered from the bottom of the ocean
two years ago.
I don't understand.
Davis: Sg—I was trapped aboard an asgard vessel.
They beamed aboard our Stargate as their means of escape.
So the gate the Russians recovered
from the pacific
was the gate first discovered in Egypt.
We replaced that gate
with the gate we discovered in Antarctica five years ago.
That Stargate has since been destroyed.
The original gate is back in Cheyenne mountain
under lease from the Russian government.
The explosion of your nuclear submarine
was the cover story for these events?
Actually, the rostovexplosion
was to cover up the explosion of a crashed Goa'uld ship.
Wh ereas th e Stargate
was aboard an asgard...
Ship.
The asgard...
Obviously, this is very confusing
at first glance.
Oh, no, no, no.
What could be more clear?
There were two different sorts of alien ships.
I follow completely.
You know, this is all much more believable
than the accidental loss of a Russian submarine,
although I am a bit dubious
that not one,
but two reported meteors in the last few years
were in fact alien ships.
Actually, there were three.
Gentlemen.
I'm sorry I'm late, buti had a meeting on the hill.
It couldn't be postpon ed.
Senator.
General.
What've I missed?
Your officers have been telling us
several tall tales, as you might say.
You're telling me you've been atthis
god knows how long
andthey don't even believe you?
If that doesn't take the cake.
Well, I don't know what th ey've told you,
but it's true.
The Stargate exists
and they go through the damn thing
on a daily basis.
Does everyone in your government know about this?
As chairman of the appropriations committee,
senator Kinsey was given a full briefing.
The truth is I demanded to know where all the money was going,
and believe you me,
we're talking about a lot of money.
I'm sure
that what you're finding hard to believe
is why we would come forward with any of this.
Granted, the Chinese government has threatened to go public
with information
that contradicts one of our cover stories,
butthat isn't the only reason.
The fact is
due in no small part to the actions
of the Stargate program's flagship team,
sg—I
our planet is facing imminent danger.
So assuming this is not some sort of elaborate hoax,
and there are no television cameras
ready to pop out at any moment,
these aliens
who th reaten to destroy earth
even as we speak—— the Goa'uld.
Mm—hmm.
They built the Stargate?
No, sir.
The gate system was built by a much older race of aliens
that have long since disappeared,
and while the Goa'uld regularly use the gates,
they subjugate these transplanted human races with powerful ships
that are capable of interstellar travel.
Such as the one that crashed in the pacific ocean?
And the Goa'uld have dozens,
if not hundreds, of these vessels.
Davis: This is a single ha'tak—class vessel.
Each Goa'uld system lord operates entire fleets of these.
Typically, a Goa'uld flagship is several times this size.
They also have midrange bombers called alkesh
and small fighters known as death gliders.
Pull up, Teal'c.
Teal'c, pull up!
The Goa'uld are more advanced than us
in every way,
and there can be no doubt
that th ey have hostile intentions.
Can we negotiate with them?
The Goa'uld are a predatory species, sir.
They will enslave a planet,
or in the face of resistance, simply wipe out its inhabitants.
They don't n egotiate.
Now, we have witnessed Goa'uld attacks
on several worlds.
Their standard procedure is to begin
with a long—range assault launched from orbit,
designed to take out planetary defenses
and instill fear in the population.
I am svarog.
From this day forth, you will serve me.
Once they've completed their orbital assault,
they'll then be free to move in for tactical strikes
against any remaining ground positions.
After that,
they'll puttheir troops on the ground.
Each mothership
is capable of carrying hundreds, if not thousands, of warriors.
They appear to be amassing
a few troops.
Itwas high time you were all briefed
on what we're up against.
If what you are saying is true,
then the United States government
has unilaterally taken actions
which have placed the whole world in jeopardy.
Believe me, Mr. Ambassador, I know how you feel.
When this was first brought to my attention,
I insisted thatthe gate was too dangerous
to remain in operation.
Unfortunately, I was overruled.
With due respect, senator,
the president took your recommendation
and it nearly resulted in disaster.
It was only because of the efforts of sg—I,
who violated your order to shut down the gate,
that we managed to survive.
Oh, and they've done a great job since
under your tenure, haven'tthey, general?
You managed to defeat the Goa'uld
known as apophis,
onlyto see him replaced by another, more dangerous one.
Isn'tthat a fair assessment?
You are the one they call Thor.
I am Anubis.
As I have told your lieutenant,
iwill reveal nothing to you.
This device...
Will be implanted into your brain.
It will form a link
between your mind and the ship's computer.
Your knowledge will simply be downloaded
into our memory banks.
You will no doubt resist...
And you will no doubt fail.
The Goa'uld possess no such technology.
Ithinkyou'll find many things have changed
since my return.
Admittedly, Anubis appears to have technology
that is far superior to that of any other Goa'uld,
but we could not have possibly foreseen his return to power
among the other Goa'uld system lords.
The point is
he's already tried to destroy the earth
on two occasions.
I'm sure you were getting to that.
Yes, sir.
About a year ago,
we discovered an asteroid
on a collision course with earth.
When you say asteroid, I assume you mean spaceship?
No, sir, not this time.
We were fortunate to detect it at all.
If it had have struck the planet,
there would have been no need for a cover story.
It would have wiped out all life as we know it.
We discovered that the asteroid
had been deliberately set on a collision course with earth
by Anubis.
Fortunately, we managed to divert it in time.
Carter, I can see my house.
Engaging hyperdrive...
Now.
I should point out once again, gentlemen,
that it was sg—I who saved us.
Are we expecting another attack?
Anubis is currently
consolidating his position amongst the other system lords,
but it's only a matter of time
before he turns his attention back to earth.
The nations represented in this room
make up the bulk of this planet's military capacity.
Our chances for successful resistance
would be greatly improved
if we would just work together.
This would require an unprecedented level
of military cooperation,
as well as a commitment from all of you
to maintain absolute secrecy.
I'm afraid that may be impossible.
If we are facing invasion,
then we must warn our people so that they can prepare.
With all due respect, Mr. Ambassador,
we feel that coming forward now
would only result in widespread panic.
As opposed to the panic that will result
when alien troops begin marching through our streets?
The government of China does not believe
in keeping secrets from its people.
We may have no choice but to release this information.
We're talking about a full—scale attack from space.
I'm afraid people are going to notice.
We're hoping it won't come to that.
As you now know,
Stargate command has managed to deal with several threats
to the security of this planet
without divulging any information to the general public.
You've been lucky, and you know it.
We also have damn good people.
We've given as good as we've got.
On one occasion, we managed to wipe out
an entire fleet of motherships.
This sg—I, I assume?
That's right.
Engaging forcefield.
Something wrong?
No.
I've just never blown up a star before.
Well, they say the first one's always the hardest.
Th ey say that.
Opening cargo bay doors.
Releasing the clamps.
And the gate is away.
A significant achievement, general,
but it sounds as though the circumstances
would be difficult to duplicate.
For all their advanced technology,
the Goa'uld have a fatal flaw—...
Arrogance.
We've been able to take advantage of the fact
that they don't perceive us to be a serious threat.
Clearly, that's no longer the case.
The point is they're not invincible.
Now, our technology may be inferior,
but it is effective.
Carter: Target Sierra one has been acquired.
Missile away.
Sierra one has been destroyed.
Very impressive,
but nothing on earth
could go up against one of these motherships.
Mr. Ambassador,
our primary mission has been to obtain technology
capable of defending this planet.
And we've made significant progress towards that end.
We've made progress.
The jury's still out on significant.
During the six years
that the Stargate has been in operation,
we've acquired a working knowledge
of certain alien technologies
and we tried to adapt those technologies to our own uses.
Towards that en d,
two years ago, we developed
a hybrid fighter—interceptor known as the x—3oi.
It was a combination of human technology
and parts from two salvaged death gliders.
Unfortunately,
the prototype failed to live up to expectation.
Beginning attack run now.
I am no longer in control, O'Neill.
Excuse me?
The craft is no longer accepting input
from the controls.
The drive is at full power.
Flight, I'm declaring an emergency.
The ejection system has malfunctioned.
We are no longer in control of the vehicle.
I repeat, we have lost control and cannot eject.
After the failure of the x—3oi,
we began to concentrate on creating
an entirely man—made craft with similar abilities.
The result was the x—302.
Navigation?
Check.
Oxygen, pressure, temperature control?
All check.
Inertial dampeners?
Cool...
And check.
Engines?
All check.
Phasers?
Sorry, sir.
All systems operational.
Mission command,
all systems go from abados one.
Do you mean to tell me that the United States air force
is currently flying a fighter—interceptor
that is capable of both aerial combat
and space flight?
That's correct.
This is unacceptable.
Mr. Ambassador, I understand how you feel.
With all due respect, general,
I don't think you do.
Your government has been operating this Stargate
for six years,
supposedly for the benefit of all mankind,
yet now we find out
that you've been taking advantage
of the situation
to create military hardware
that radically alters the balance of power
on this planet.
The x—302was designed to defend againstthe Goa'uld.
We have no intention of using it against our neighbors.
And for that, we have only your word.
The United States
has had such capabilities for some time,
but have not used them on other nations.
Are there any other newtechnologies
that we need to know about?
Might as well tell them, general.
They'll find out sooner or later.
Ever since we encountered a Goa'uld mothership,
we have been working to find a viable countermeasure.
Prometheuswas designed to carry a complement
of eight x—302fighters,
and is one of several planned.
I must contact my government immediately.
Mr. Ambassador...
We volunteered this information in a spirit of cooperation.
We're trying to create a coalition
to defend the entire world.
Under your leadership
we have the experience.
I'm sorry, general,
but it may be impossible to achieve an agreement
as long as the Stargate
and any resultant technologies
remain solely under the control
of the United States military.
What do you suggest?
We could move the gate
to a neutral location
and create a permanent staff drawn from all five nations.
I'm afraid we can't agree to that.
Well, that choice may finally not be up to you.
Once the rest of the world learns of the Stargate,
they may well demand it.
We support the United States.
And what are you getting in exchange for this support?
Gentlemen, please.
Perhaps I can offer a compromise.
Please?
I sympathize with the ambassador's position.
A device as powerful as the Stargate
in the hands of a military organization...
It's a recipe for abuse,
despite everyone's best intentions.
What are you suggesting?
We have a civilian agency know as the nid.
Now, its man date
has been to keep an eye
on top—secret projects like the Stargate program,
and has done so from the beginning.
I propose that we give this organization
direct control of the gate,
effective immediately.
You can't be serious.
I'm completely serious, general.
The nid is the only organization besides the air force
that has the knowledge, experience, and skill
to run the Stargate.
They tried to kill you, senator.
Come now, major.
Those were rogue agents working for outside interests.
Underthe nid,
I'm sure that we can determine
a suitable level of participation
for all the great nations represented here atthis table.
Senator, could we speak in private?
I find your reluctance
to relinquish military control of the gate
disturbing, general.
You'd do a lot better
to trust the United States air force
than the nid, Mr. Ambassador.
The general has an understandable
personal prejudice against the organization.
Personal prejudice?
Senator, their record speaks for itself.
I've never met anyone
who liked doing what they do more than you,
and you were good at it, great.
You'll never convince me you just got fed up.
I'll never buy that.
You don't understand.
And iwon't unless you explain itto me.
Two weeks ago I was contacted by a representative of the nid.
He suggested I should become more aggressive
in my policies.
They have no jurisdiction over you.
They wanted me to help them gain access
to off—world technology, which they're unable to do
since we shut down their little side operation.
You told them to go to hell.
Of course,
then he told me
if I didn't cooperate, there would be consequences.
The n ext day,
two men in plain clothes
driving a black unmarked car
picked up my granddaughters at school.
I don't believe it.
They took them for a little ride,
then brought them home.
The girls were fine, but I got the message.
We're talking about a borderline criminal organization
whose true mandate
has always been to acquire alien technology
at any cost.
If the threat posed
bythis Anubis
is as serious as you say,
acquiring alien technology should be our first priority.
Tell that to the people of madrona, sir.
The nid stole a weather—control device from that planet,
causing a complete destabilization of their atmosphere.
They would've died
if sg—I hadn't have tracked down the culprits
and retrieved the device.
Stand to, gentlemen.
Keep those hands visible.
Who the hell are you?
No one's damned business. Step away from the crate.
Stop!
Don't do it!
Ah!
What?
I missed the address.
At least we have this.
Even after we managed to shut down their operation
here on earth,
they continued to steal from an off—world base,
but they stole from the wrong aliens.
What are they doing?
Taking back what's rightfully theirs, I guess.
Listen up, all of you.
You've got two choices here.
As soon as they stop taking stuff,
they're going to start taking people.
Now, you can go with the asgard...
Or you can follow me.
Your choice.
I'll be holding the door open so you can't go anywhere else.
Granted, the nid has employed
some questionable methods in the past,
butwe're all agreed the status quo won't do,
and iwould hesitate
to point fingers, general Hammond.
That you and Jack O'Neill
are still in charge of the Stargate program—...
If you're questioning our record—...
I'm questioning your competence...
But if you want to look at your records
in the company of these fine gentlemen,
that's just fine.
Each of these reports
details an incident
in which the operation of the Stargate program
has broughtthis planet to the brink of destruction.
For example,
four years ago,
despite indications of extreme danger,
you opened a wormhole to a planet
that was in the process of being destroyed
by a black hole.
That was unforeseeable.
Gravitational and time distortions
had been translated back through the gate,
which you had been unable to disengage,
and the earth came
within a hair's breadth of being torn apart.
We did manage
to shut down the gate
by directing an explosive device through the wormhole,
and I believe it was Jack O'Neill
who risked his life to pull it off.
Teal'c, pull him up.
What else do we have here?
Ah, yes.
Isn't ittrue that while under your command,
the Stargate facility has been completely overrun
by alien life forms?
Get out of there!
Sir, we've set the self—destruct.
You have less than five minutes to tell us to override.
Do you copy?
Rog er th at!
Now.
Close that Iris.
I can't, sir. It's overridden.
I'm shutting down the gate.
The situation was successfully contained.
The situation should never have arisen,
not if you had been doing your job...
Andthese incidents are justthe tip of the iceberg.
Face it, general,
under your command, the Stargate program has lurched
from one crisis to the next,
never averting disaster
by anything more than the skin of its teeth.
We can't afford
to let you roll the dice any longer.
Would you excuse us, please?
I made a few phone calls, sir.
Itturns out senator Kinsey is moving
from appropriations to intelligence oversight.
Which would put him in a position
of direct power over the nid.
He's manipulated this whole situation
to gain control of the Stargate.
I may have my own ace up my sleeve.
I understand your feelings, Mr. Ambassador, believe me.
For two years now, we've been junior partners
in the Stargate program,
following the lead of the Americans.
The Chinese government
will not accept a secondary position so graciously.
There are advantages.
The program costs them over $7 billion a year
to operate.
Well, they reap the benefits.
The x—303?
Research and development of the hyperdrive alone
has costthem over two billion,
and it still doesn't function properly.
They will spend a lot more money
and riskthe lives of their people
perfecting the design,
then we'll get the blueprints and build our own ship
in a fraction of the time for half the cost.
Once again, I apologize, gentlemen.
It seems a politician's work is never done.
You could have the same deal.
Now...
Where were we?
Gentlemen, I realize we're in no position
to make demands here.
We're trying to reach a consensus,
but before you go back to your leaders
and make your recommendations,
I want you to consider something.
Whoever is run ning th e Stargate
will be acting
as representatives of this planet
throughoutthe galaxy.
They will be our ambassadors,
meeting other races,
establishing ties with other worlds.
It is true
that in the six years we've been running the Stargate,
we've made enemies...
But we've also made friends.
I believe we've acquitted ourselves
with honor.
On that score, I stand by the record.
This is the asgard planet othala
in the galaxy of ida.
Why did I come here?
The ancients moved on
from our region of space long ago,
but your subconscious mind used their knowledge
to find us here
where you could get help.
Very impressive.
Well, you know.
We did notthink your brains had advanced
even that far.
How is it you know so much about our brains?
We have studied your race closely.
What did you learn?
That your species has great potential.
Great potential...
That's good.
You make an interesting case, general.
However,
I am afraid I musttake this matter
back to my government
and recommend full disclosure to our people.
I must do the same,
though, I will admit,
senator Kinsey's proposal is interesting.
Thank you, Mr. Ambassador.
Hello?
Hello.
I am Thor,
supreme commander of the asgard fleet.
Thank you for coming, Thor.
It is my pleasure, general Hammond.
The asgard are in your debt.
Your debt?
Sg—I, under the command of general Hammond,
has saved my people and yours, on many occasions.
We are not only allies againstthe Goa'uld,
we are true friends.
Commander Thor, my name is—...
Senator Kinsey.
O'Neill suggested I send you to a distant planet
for your actions here,
but I am reasonably certain his statement was in jest.
I'm sure it was, commander.
Supreme commander.
It is the opinion of the asgard high council
that Stargate command should be left
in the very capable hands of general Hammond and his team,
and while our continued friendship
with earth
is not contingent on that,
it is preferred.
You came all this way just to tell us that?
Andto install asgard—designed shields and weapons
on prometheus.
A small token of thanks
for sg—1's recent efforts
in securing our galaxy and yours from certain destruction.
I see.
I hope I have been successful
in convincing you.
Good day, general Hammond.
Always a pleasure, Thor.
Please drop in anytime.
Well...
That settles it, then.
You have our support, general.
Thank you, ambassador.
Ours as well.
And the continued support of Russia.
It's much appreciated, sir.
While I still have my reservations,
I believe my government will agree
that for the time being,
the Stargate is in the right hands.
Senator?
I'll say this, general...
Well played.