It's time.
Wait.
It's okay.
Just relax.
Give your vision a moment to adjust.
You haven't used it for awhile.
How's that?
Better.
Your eyes...
It's nice to finally see them.
Leda...
Welcome back.
Where am I?
Many miles from the city.
This house belonged to my uncle.
We're safe here.
The city?
I remember being there.
Something terrible happened.
Many people died.
There's food, if you feel strong enough to eat.
It's our fault, isn't it?
None of this would've happened if we hadn't come here.
You're alive...
And considering what you've been through,
that alone is a miracle.
First discovered in the kirellian wastelands
over 150 years ago,
and the highlight of our antiquities collection—...
The great ring of avidan.
Researchers estimate the ring
to be at least several thousand years old,
and while its origin remains a subject of debate,
many believe it was created by ancient worshipers
to honor their gods.
It's thought that the peculiar symbols on the ring itself
representthe names of the gods.
However, no one has been able to decipher—...
(Stargate whirring )
Exactly what th ey m Ean.
Commander gareth?
In the name of the people of the rand protectorate,
I welcome you.
You're colonel Carter?
This is Teal'c and Dr. Daniel Jackson.
It is a pleasure to finally meetyou all face to face.
But, please, come.
We have many questions,
as I'm sure you do as well.
Sorry about scaring the tourists.
We've made first contact with a lot of plan ets,
butthis is the firsttime
we found ourselves coming out of a museum piece.
One of our artifacts suddenly coming to life
was a little surprising,
but that pales in comparison to its purpose.
It is almost beyond imagining.
As is the fact that you're human.
My chief aide, Jared Kane.
Well, believe it or not, there's actually a good reason
for us being human.
Which we'll getto in due time.
Colonel, I hope that once we gain each others' trust,
you'll be able to shed some light
on the technology that powers the great ring.
It is unlike anything we have seen before.
We call it the Stargate,
and our people share the same hope, commander.
Of course. In due time.
I take it "the great ring" is a recurring motif
in your culture?
It is simply a reminder of certain traditions
that predate our age of enlightenment.
Most people wear them more for the sake of fashion
than for religious belief.
Our history tells of an age
when all—powerful gods ruled ourworld.
The great ring was supposedly the source of their power.
Of course, we know these are merely legends from our ancient past.
However, the activation of the ring may well cause a stir amongst
those few who still follow the old ways.
Sorry.
I didn't mean to wake you.
It's all right.
For the pain.
I wish I could give you more,
but our medicine is in short supply.
Thank you.
I'll leave you alone. No.
No, please. Stay.
How'd it go with the... Caledonians?
Not so well, actually.
My time with their representatives
was severely limited by rand security forces.
Apparently gareth had national security concerns.
Mainly that we'd tell the caledonians too much about the Stargate.
Let me venture a wild guess.
They don't get along so good?
The rand protectorate and the caledonian federation
have been locked in a state of cold war for decades.
Each nation has enough weapons to wipe each other
off the face of the planet.
Sounds depressingly familiar.
There's actually athird element
which has me a little more concerned.
A group of religious fundamentalists
led by a man named Soren.
Now, these people think that all life on the planet was created by ancient gods,
and thatthese gods will someday return
and reward them for their faith.
And by coming through the Stargate,
we confirmed their beliefs.
And because the gate was activated in a public place,
the rand government has been unable
to preventthe rumors from spreading.
Now, before we made contact with them,
these people were considered zealots
who took the ancient texts too literally.
The gate being activated has given them all they need
to prove they were right all along.
Their numbers will grow.
That's terrible...
And yet, not our problem.
Jack, you have to let me go back.
If what you say is true,
things are going to get a little out of hand over there.
Yes, because of us.
If we hadn't chosen to pay them a visit—...
They'd be far better off, I know.
Daniel, we're always sticking our collective noses
where they don't belong. It's what we do.
I can help them understand whatthey're facing,
make them see it's not the end of the world.
If we leave now, who knows what could happen.
We have to help them. You know that.
Regular contact. No exceptions.
The second things start getting a little squirrelly—...
Thank you. Daniel...
Squirrelly.
You shouldn't be standing.
Oh, don't let appearances fool you.
I still feel terrible.
Leda, everything you've done for me—...
Has been for my own sake as well as yours.
So much has happened.
Caring for you has helped me... continue on.
Yeah, what has happened, exactly?
I mean... I remember being in the bunker
with commander gareth, and we were attacked,
and the rest is a fog.
Jared is away searching for survivors.
He should be back in a few days' time.
I think itwould be best if he answered your questions.
Jared Kane.
Yeah, I remember him. He was in the bunker as well.
My husband was chief aide to commander gareth.
"H usband." "Was."
He insisted I move here when the fighting reached the capital.
He feltyou would be safest in my care.
Yeah, look, no offense, but I've really got to get back to my own world,
or at least contact them and let them know that I'm okay, so...
Trying to reach the great ring will be impossible.
Rebel patrols have been sighted in the area.
Even to leave the estate grounds would be dangerous...
Not to mention the fact that you are far from healed.
You must rest, Daniel.
Leda, what happened to commander gareth?
(O'Neill): Give me good news, colonel.
I wish I could, sir.
We met with Soren, leader of the rebels,
but it was less constructive than we hoped.
How much less?
We were only allowed to see him for 15 minutes.
After keeping us waiting for several hours.
Well, important matters of state, no doubt.
He's managed to unite
all the fundamentalist factions in the rand protectorate,
which effectively puts him in control.
He was most unwilling to allow us to search for Daniel Jackson.
Before he insisted we leave,
he did promise he would look into the matter on our behalf.
Whatever that means.
Right.
What about a u.A.V.?
He won't give us access to the surface.
Plus, he claims it would interfere
with their own radio communication systems.
I'm sorry, sir, but atthis point,
we have no way of knowing if Daniel's still alive.
(Latch opening)
And what does blue mean?
It's our second—to—highest level of military alert status.
There has been civil unrest
in several urban centers across the country.
Over a dozen municipalities
have fallen into the hands of Soren's troops.
Our forces are in the process
of pacifying those areas as we speak.
Pacifying? Reclaiming our cities
from the hands of religious madmen.
So civil unrest means you go to blue?
Under normal circumstances, no.
Unfortunately, the situation has caused other problems.
What's going on?
We were forced to heighten our alert status
to match that of the caledonians.
And I promise you, we will share this technology with you
once we fully understand it.
(Caledonian minister): You mean once you have
assessed its advantages to your national security.
You have refused to allow our scientists access
to the great ring.
You have limited our access to the offworlders.
We do not feel as much a part
of this great discovery as you do.
And had the ring been activated on caledonian soil,
you would have done no different.
Minister treydan, I am simply asking your government for Patience.
Stand down your high alert,
and we will do the same.
Typically, you trust your people too much, commander.
Caledonia has been under strict martial law
since news of the offworlders' arrival began to spread.
Our domestic security remains intact.
The citizens of this world are not children.
They just need time to come to terms with this information.
Soren and his followers
have already seized control
of more than a dozen of your cities.
Your people are panicked, and your country
is on the verge of collapse.
I urge you to deal with this situation
in a swift and decisive manner.
Should control of the rand protectorate
fall into Soren's hands,
we'll consider it an act of war.
This is Daniel Jackson calling Stargate command. Come in, please.
This is Daniel Jackson calling Stargate command. Please respond.
(Radio noise)
This is Daniel Jackson calling Stargate command. Come in, please.
(Radio noise)
This is Daniel Jackson calling Stargate command.
Please respond.
Any luck?
No. Nothing yet.
You've been trying for days.
Something seems to be jamming all the signals I'm picking up.
I mean, there's people out there,
but nothing clear enough for me to respond to.
But you think your friends will be able to hear you?
Uh, yeah, it's kind of atiming thing.
You see, if the Stargate's open,
they'll be able to pick up my signal...
If your gate isn't buried in rubble or worse.
Well, while you're waiting to be rescued,
you could use some fresh air...
If you think you're up to it.
How can you be sure Soren and his followers aren't right?
How can you know for certain
thatthe gods they worship aren't... benevolent?
Because I've met more than a few of them.
Trust me, they're the opposite,
and they're definitely not gods.
Then what are they?
The short form?
They're a parasitical alien race
that steals advanced technology,
and rules via fear and intimidation,
and has a penchant for melodrama.
Trust me, if Soren ever actually met one,
he'd be singing a differenttune.
But you said you've fought them and won?
Yeah, well, we got lucky a few times, that's all.
Butthere's hope, isn't there?
You thinkwhat happened was your fault, don't you?
From what you've told me, it was better
that your people activated the great ring than the Goa'uld.
You think so? 'Cause right now, I'm not so sure.
You couldn't have known what was going to happen.
When the fighting began,
you could have gone back to your planet, but you chose to stay...
To try and help us.
For all the good it did. Daniel...
There has been distrust between our country and caledonia
for generations.
It was only a matter of time before something set it off.
We did this to ourselves.
And since you've come here,
I've begun to think we may have a chance to undo it.
To rebuild.
This is Stargate command calling Dr. Jackson.
Do you read me?
(Radio noise)
Can you boost the signal?
We're at maximum gain, colonel.
This is Stargate command calling Daniel Jackson.
Do you copy?
Anything?
Not yet, sir.
We're picking up a lot of transmissions from the planet,
but none of them are clear enough
to tell if they're from Daniel.
We think both sides may have employed radio jamming measures
just prior to the attack,
meaning any signals from outside the command bunker
are a mess.
We're working on it.
Anything from sg—9 yet?
Yeah, they just reported in.
Sounds like the negotiations are going nowhere, sir.
Soren is still refusing to allow us
to send any teams to look for Daniel.
He said our presence on the planet
would only cause more panic and fear.
Well, okay.
It sounds like I should meetthese people myself.
Kane.
Dr. Jackson.
(Kane ): We got as close to what was left of the capital as we could.
Soren has troops conducting full sweeps of the region,
searching for survivors.
Any suspected of remaining loyal to the old government
are executed on the spot.
Haven't enough people died?
I don'tthink that matters to him.
This is about continuing the chaos, not peace.
You're right.
People are too afraid to fight back.
Most of them have already given up hope. It's just a matter of time
before they pledge their loyalty to Soren.
Kane, what in the hell happened that night?
I——I remember being in the bunker, andthen waking up here.
It was the end.
I'm sorry, Dr. Jackson. You really can't be in here right now.
Kane, what's going on? I heard something about the Stargate being moved.
Rebels have seized control of all of rand's major cities,
including sections of the capital itself.
We had the Stargate moved into the bunker complex
for security purposes.
What are the caledonians doing?
Their missile systems are now fully deployed and primed.
As a result, we've done the same.
It might be best if you returned to your planet now.
Commander.
Minister treydan for you on a coded frequency.
Put him through.
Commander gareth.
We have been monitoring the situation in your country,
and we are most concerned.
I understand, minister, however, rest assured
we are close to reclaiming vital areas—...
Now is notthe time for rh etoric, commander.
Our reports indicate
large elements of your military
are on the brink of mutiny.
Your civil unrest has become a civil war.
Should any of your weapons systems
fall into the wrong hands,
no one in my country would be safe.
That will not happen, I can promise you.
Just as you promised our scientists
full access to the Stargate?
First, you hide information
about the alien device,
and now you deny your country has slipped into chaos?
We respected the guidelines of our treaty to the letter.
Our reportto you on the Stargate
outlined everything we know—...
Except what you deemed advantageous to your national security—...
One moment, minister.
Rebel forces just detonated
a large explosive device
near one of our missile deployment facilities.
As of this moment, we understand the facility to be compromised.
Minister, forgive me. I must cut our conversation short.
Commander, my intelligence advisors
have just informed me of a massive explosion
near one of your missile facilities.
Is this true?
We are still gathering information.
We will contain the situation—...
The time for containment
is long past, commander.
We cannot allow your missile facilities
to fall into Soren's hands.
Treydan, give us time.
This need not escalate.
We are targeting your missile sites only.
If you do not wish a full—scale war,
you will not retaliate.
Treydan...
Commander, we've detected multiple launch signals
from caledonia positions.
(Klaxon sounding)
It's possible the destruction could have been contained
if Soren's forces had not gained control of one of our missile sites
and launched a counter—attack on caledonia.
After that, it devolved into a full—scale war.
Within a matter of days, all our cities were leveled.
From what we can tell, only a fraction of our population has survived,
existing mainly in outlying areas.
As for the caledonians, I've heard rumors
they're trying to rebuild whatthey can.
It won't be much. They may have struck first,
but our missile systems were much more accurate than theirs.
And Soren?
Used the chaos to make his move on the bunker.
Then how did you save me?
Actually, from what I understand,
it was you who saved me.
(Voices on radio all speaking at once)
Kane.
This is insane. Soren's forces are moving in
on this facility. I can get you to the Stargate,
but we have to go now.
This way!
Here, through that door.
Get down!
Loyalist soldiers found us first
and got us out of the city.
Your wounds were much worse than mine.
Bringing you here was the only option.
What happened to commander gareth?
He was executed shortly after the bunker fell.
Since he took power, Soren has set up a provisional government,
notthatthere's much of rand left to govern.
However, we do know he does control
whatever's left of the bunker complex...
Including the Stargate.
I'm sorry, Dr. Jackson.
Howdy, fellas.
Welcome to earth.
General O'Neill, it is an honor.
I greetyou in the name of our great nation, avidan.
You changed the name?
"Avidan" speaks more to our peoples' beliefs.
It is from an ancient Goa'uld dialect.
It means "the gods are just."
Good choice.
So you're saying that Soren is still using the bunker
as a command center.
Damage in the city would be too severe.
Then he hasn'ttotally consolidated his power yet, has he?
I'm saying that if we could somehow retake the bunker,
we would effectively overth row Soren.
The bunker's heavily fortified,
and I have only a dozen men under my command. It would be suicide.
No. Not if we had help.
You see, if I could reach my friends on earth,
we could regain control of the gate. If you could reach them.
I know that you've been trying to make radio contact
with your planet since you regained consciousness,
without success.
I understand your wish to return to your world,
but it simply isn't possible.
This isn't about that. My people can help you.
Like you helped us before?
I admire your passion, Dr. Jackson,
buttoo much has happened to fix with one heroic action.
We have to accept the fact that Soren has won.
Rand belongs to him now.
It is obvious you revere the great ring
as much as we do, general O'Neill.
Oh, yeah.
We love the old gal.
Quite possibly for different reasons than you.
We both seekto defend our people's way of life, do we not, general?
To protect their very existence—...
You do not represent the people of your world.
You merely kill those who believe differently and would stand against you.
You speak what is on your mind.
I admire that.
Actually, in your case, he's holding back.
Carter?
Commander Soren, we're prepared to offer you aid
in exchange for help in locating Daniel Jackson.
Food and medical supplies,
plus support personnel
to help you stabilize the situation on your planet.
You cannot truly believe thatyour friend is still alive?
Oh, he's a resourceful fella.
Your offer is most generous,
but I'm afraid we must decline.
We are, however, particularly interested in your weapons technology.
Your people are facing starvation and disease.
What has happened to our world is most unfortunate,
an d yet vital.
Those who refused to believe
needed to be purged from existence
so that we could begin anew.
You know, in these parts,
we like to call that "crimes against humanity."
If all you care about is spiritual salvation,
what do you need the weapons for?
The revolution is not yet complete.
You mean you want to take over caledonia too.
As I said,
the revolution is not yet complete.
Leda, you have to talk to your husband.
And what am I supposed to sayto him?
That it's not too late to regain control,
to rebuild your country.
Everything you told me before. Daniel, I can't.
Why? Because I'd be lying.
Jared is right.
Those of us who were unlucky enough
to live th rough what's happened
will die soon enough,
eitherthrough disease or one of Soren's purges.
There is no future.
Leda, you were right.
There is hope. Don't——don't doubt that, please.
You believe your people can help us?
Yes.
What if you do overthrow Soren? Whatthen?
You simply leave?
When Jared became part of commander gareth's inner circle,
he... changed.
He became remote
and distant.
I'd forgotten what it was like just...
To talk to someone.
To feel...
Leda...
I'll speakto him, Daniel...
But he won't hear me.
A waste of time.
Waste.
Sir, ithinkthe fact that he hasn't left yet
could mean he's still willing to deal.
He has no need for humanitarian aid.
The chaos in his country has only served to strengthen his position.
Well, we can't just give up.
Yes. I know that.
We're continuing to monitor countless radio signals coming from the planet.
One of them could be from Daniel.
If we can find away to contact him—— find him!
Yes, sir.
I'm telling you, leda, it's madness.
All it will accomplish is to wipe out any chance we have
to mount a unified resistance in the future.
But what if he's right?
What if this is our best opportunity
to defeat Soren?
You would have me throw away my life
and the lives of my men
so that Daniel can return to his world?
It's not about that.
It's about rebuilding our world.
His friends can help us do that.
Jared, our people need this.
You mean he needs this.
I'm not blind, leda.
You and Daniel have grown close during his convalescence.
Jared, it's not what you think.
Let me speak.
If I could live the last few years differently,
leda, I would. I would make the time.
But we no longer have the luxury for regrets.
I need to know. Do you love him?
Leda?
Itrust him.
Once order has been established,
the people of avidan will live differently than before...
Simply. Humbly.
Waiting for our gods' inevitable return.
You know, we've met these gods upon whom you're so hot,
and trust me when itell you
they are not what you thinkthey are.
They will reward your worship with enslavement.
You are notthe first to try to sway our beliefs,
but I can assure you, our faith is unshakable.
This is not about faith.
This is about a means to power.
That went well.
Sir, you better get up here.
What?
By implementing new spread—spectrum frequency hopping
into our communications software—...
Carter, Carter, Carter...
(Daniel): Hello?
Guys?
We found him.
Sweet.
Daniel?
Jack, nice to hear your voice.
Likewise.
You coming home or what?
Trying to.
As soon as I find mykeltesh.
What?
Uh... it looks a lot like myring kol nok.
You know, I lent it to you...
Forgrel—kar akree—nor day?
He's changed.
Sir, he's speaking Goa'uld.
"Ring kol nok" means strategy.
"Keltesh" speaks of a well—known Jaffa battle tactic—...
A flanking attack from two sides.
Yes, Daniel.
I remember exactly where I put it.
Any other... thoughts?
No, justthati hope someone's been feeding mylo assak
while I've been away.
We've pieced together all the Goa'uld words Daniel gave us.
If Teal'c's translations are correct,
he's suggesting a strategy to retake the bunker.
He is proposing a coordinated attack against Soren.
We come through the gate at the same time
as Daniel and Kane's men enter from the surface.
I'm thinking we take sgs—3, —6, and —12 as back—up
we go in hot, secure the gate,
then extract Daniel.
He has supplied an estimate
of the strength of Soren's forces
as well as a possible date and time for the assault.
Our next communication is in five hours.
All we need to do is confirm everything,
and, of course, get a go from you, sir.
All right. Well, notto nitpick or anything, here, t,
but are you sure you got it right?
I am certain, O'Neill.
Okay.
15 men? That's hardly enough.
Look, these are some of the best people on my planet,
and they're trained for missions exactly like this.
It'll be enough. Trust me.
If we're going to do this, we have to set it up now.
They're waiting for your response.
Jared, a rebel patrol is approaching.
Hide in the cellar.
Leda... I know what to do.
(Man ): In the name of Soren, open the door!
(Pounding on door)
Inspection.
Stand aside.
Please, justtell me what you're looking for.
Who owns this house?
I do. And who else lives here?
No one. (Gasps)
You're hurting me.
(Soldier ): We know loyalist soldiers are in the area.
Collaboration is punishable by death.
Search the house.
(Soldier): There's no one else here,
but we found some men's clothes and boots.
(Soldier ): Now, who else lives here? (Leda ): My husband did.
He died last month from wounds suffered during the bombings.
Please.
I only wish to lead a simple life
as it is written in the ancient texts.
(Soldier): There's nothing here.
Let's move.
Once we're close enough, we'll use the city's tunnel systems
to get us near one of the bunker's access points.
After we're inside, we'll wait for Dr. Jackson's people to make their move,
then we make ours.
Understood?
Let's hope your friends keep their end of the bargain.
If this works... You'll be going home.
Leda, I... no.
Commander, several posts are no longer reporting in.
Loyalist troops have entered from the surface
and have managed to take several key sections.
Then take them back.
We cannot.
They have coordinated their attack with help from the offworlders.
We are losing control of the facility.
If you're suggesting that we evacuate,
think again.
Cease fire!
Daniel, you guys okay?
Yeah, we're fine!
All stations are dark.
The loyalists have us surrounded.
They are calling for our surrender.
Engage them.
Any chance he'lljust surrender?
Commander, we are hopelessly outnumbered.
We are all here for one purpose—...
To honor the will of our gods.
In their names, we Rose up.
In their names, we purged the non—believers,
and in their names, we will die, if necessary.
We will not dishonor them with cowardice.
Now, engage them.
Engage them.
You question your faith?
I will show you faith.
Drop your weapon.
I said drop your weapon now!
It's over. I hope so.
You may have just made him a martyr.
I had no choice.
You can return to your world now.
Kan e—— what happened to us
was not your fault.
I know...
But we made a promise, and we intendto keep it.
We'll be back to help you rebuild.
Daniel, are you ready to go home?
Yeah.