Over a year ago, I posted the rough draft of my Stargate II script. At this time, I'm close to finishing Act I of the first draft. Almost nothing from the rough draft carried over to this version, which'll be a loose adaptation of Bill McCay's Stargate: Rebellion, including a few elements from his other novels Retaliation and Retribution, once it's complete.
* * *
FADE IN
On catacomb walls.
Upon the walls, bathed in torchlight, are painted murals. Though similar in style to those created by the ancient Egyptians, these are cruder and less colourful. The scenes they depict are of Atum's underlords expanding the Imperium beyond Earth and Abdju, establishing colonies on multiple worlds, each with their own stargates.
TITLE: STARGATE II
FADE TO
A funeral.
EXT. CEMETERY — DAY
It is a rainy day. A wooden casket rests upon the ground above where it's to be buried, surrounded by bouquets of flowers. Thirty-odd mourners are present, shielding themselves beneath black umbrellas. Among them is MASTER SERGEANT ADAM KAWALSKY. In his blue dress uniform, he stands out from the rest.
Standing at the head of the casket, across from the mourners, a Lutheran pastor delivers a eulogy.
PASTOR
(cont'd) Karin Langford was more than just kind and generous. She had a gift … of an endless, open minded, childlike curiosity. She saw the world not for what it was, but for what it could be. And she saw potential in people that others failed to recognize. Like her father before her, her contributions to Egyptology have changed the world more than most people know….
Time passes.
The mourners are dispersing, leaving Kawalsky standing near the casket. A 25-YEAR-OLD WOMAN with long, wavy red hair and blue eyes approaches the sergeant from behind.
SABRINA
Uh, Sergeant Kawalsky?
Kawalsky turns to face her.
SABRINA
Hi. I'm Sabrina Gosling. Karin's grandniece?
KAWALSKY
Oh, hi.
Kawalsky shakes Sabrina's hand, returning her smile.
SABRINA
Thank you for coming.
KAWALSKY
I'm sorry Daniel couldn't be here. He really wishes he could've made it. He had nothing but the utmost respect for Ms. Langford.
SABRINA
He's tied up in a government project. I understand. Thank you for coming on his behalf. I know she would've really appreciated it.
Sabrina opens her purse. Reaching in, she brings out a familiar trinket: Karin's Eye of Atum pendant.
SABRINA
She wanted Dr. Jackson to have this.
Sabrina hands the pendant to Kawalsky. He accepts it.
EXT. CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN — SUNSET
Guards patrol the entrance to the Cheyenne Mountain Complex.
INT. CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN/LEVEL 15/DANIEL'S QUARTERS
Inside the medium-sized quarters we find DANIEL JACKSON. Clad in a tank top and boxers, he performs a set of push-ups while opera music plays from the stereo atop his table. Through the one-month growth of hair on his head, a number of small, fresh biopsy scars mark his cranium.
Hearing the lock on his door disengage, Daniel sits up. The door opens, admitting Kawalsky. The sergeant is garbed in a hazmat suit.
DANIEL
Adam. How went the funeral?
KAWALSKY
About as well as those things can go.
Approaching Daniel, the sergeant brings out the pendant.
KAWALSKY
She had this for you.
Daniel takes the pendant, staring at it.
DANIEL
She was her family. She should've kept this.
KAWALSKY
Karin thought of you like a son.
Daniel sets the pendant aside.
DANIEL
How's Sha'ure?
KAWALSKY
Good. Her English's coming along nicely.
DANIEL
(tapping head) If she had my little pals, she'd have a better grasp of the language than either of us, instantly. (beat) Of course, if she did, she'd be locked in this cell here with me.
Daniel begins a set of sit-ups.
INT. CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN/LEVEL 28/EMBARKATION ROOM
The embarkation room's been heavily fortified since the survivors of the Abdju Mission returned. Three Browning .50 calibre machine guns have been set up facing the stargate. Along the ramp have been planted claymore mines. A metal plug's been inserted through the stargate itself, obstructing the crystal torus. Canisters of nerve gas have even been installed in case the other deterrents fail.
Near the left exit, THREE AIRMEN are seated around a card table playing poker.
AIRMAN #1
Oh, man, this hand's as lousy as this detail. (beat) Alright, everybody, ante up. (dealing cards) Seven to the deuce, nothin' there. Boss and the eight, nothin' happenin'. And the jack gets a box.
FEMALE AIRMAN
(antsy) Aren't you guys afraid of somethin' coming through?
AIRMAN #2
It's been idle since the plug was put in. Trust me, nobody's coming through.
AIRMAN #1
(scoffing) All this fortification, and all it did was cost money. They've been shippin' personnel outta here for months.
EXT. PENTAGON — NIGHT
An aerial view of the Pentagon.
INT. PENTAGON/GEN. WEST'S OFFICE
GENERAL W. O. WEST is at his desk going over paperwork. A knock is heard at the door.
GEN. WEST
Come.
CAPTAIN SAMANTHA CARTER enters. Closing the door, she approaches the general's desk, bringing her hand up in salute. Though blonde, blue-eyed, and very beautiful, Carter is no stereotypical Hollywood ditz. Everything about the captain's manner — her disciplined stance, her keen, attentive gaze — indicates she is quite the intelligent, resourceful woman.
GEN. WEST
(saluting) Capt. Carter.
CARTER
(saluting) Sir.
GEN. WEST
Not much for small talk, are you, Captain? (beat) I'm rejecting your request to release Daniel Jackson from quarantine.
CARTER
Sir, Project Giza can't continue without his assistance.
GEN. WEST
He can assist you quite well from where he is.
CARTER
I may need him in the field.
GEN. WEST
Lest you forget, Jackson's carrying technology from a hostile and very formidable enemy inside his body.
CARTER
Lingual nanites, sir.
GEN. WEST
Are you 100% positive that's all they are?
CARTER
Research on the nanites is preliminary. However —
GEN. WEST
Dr. Jackson will remain in quarantine until our people are assured he poses no risk to the general population.
CARTER
With all due respect, General —
GEN. WEST
Dismissed, Captain.
Carter stiffens. Nodding her obeisance, she leaves.
INT. CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN/LEVEL 15/DANIEL'S QUARTERS
Daniel and SHA'URE cling to one another in his bed, their breath coming in tight gasps as their bodies writh in passion. Sha'ure's pale skin seems to glow in the darkness, her flesh soft but sturdy … and very, very active. There's a frantic quality to their coupling, as if they fear interruption at any moment. No time for encouragement, endearments, or words at all.
Blood pounds as they race towards climax. Then the moment comes. Sha'ure gives a great, wounded cry —
Daniel awakes with a convulsive shudder, sitting bolt upright on his cot. He glances down at the crotch of his underwear; he's disgraced himself.
DANIEL
Fuck….
There's another couple knocks at the door. Daniel repositions himself, taking care to hide the wet spot on his boxers.
CARTER
(O.S.) Dr. Jackson?
DANIEL
(irate) I'm up.
Carter enters, clad in a hazmat suit like the one Kawalsky wore earlier.
DANIEL
We met before?
She steps forward, offering her hand.
CARTER
(grinning) We haven't, no. I'm Capt. Samantha Carter, director of Project Giza.
DANIEL
(shaking her hand) Karin Langford was director.
CARTER
I succeeded her after the project was fully militarized.
DANIEL
I can't imagine the last four months have given you much to show for it.
CARTER
That's why I've come to you.
DANIEL
Please sit down, Capt. Carter.
The captain takes Daniel's chair, turning it to face him before taking a seat. She sits there, eyes twinkling like those of a star-struck teen. Daniel shifts uncomfortably under her gaze.
CARTER
I'm sorry. It's just … you're the rarest of all seekers after truth — the crackpot who's proven correct. I predict your name will feature heavily in scientific literature of the future. You'll be another Galileo or Semmelweis, reviled by the so-called experts of their day, but shown to be right.
DANIEL
I hope I'm still alive and sane to enjoy the fame. (beat) Thanks for your good wishes, Captain. But if we could move along…?
CARTER
After the Abdju Mission, my team was asked to research alternative applications for the gate. We didn't get anywhere before word came from the Pentagon to shutter the gate competely. But it came to me: If the ancient astronauts theory is, at least in some points, correct, if they were here for two thousand years, they must've left behind more than just the stargate. I made my proposal to West; I've been granted approval to begin the search.
DANIEL
That's where I come in.
CARTER
You're a brilliant archaeologist. You're fluent in twenty-three languages — twelve of which no one else alive on Earth understands. You're an invaluable asset.
DANIEL
I also probably killed a planet.
CARTER
Dr. Jackson — Daniel — what if I get you out of quarantine? Reunite you with Sha'ure?
DANIEL
(skeptical) West'll never let me out.
CARTER
(grinning) West isn't highest on the totem pole; I have my connections. Just give the word, and you'll be out of this room yesterday.
INT. CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN/LEVEL 18/CORRIDOR
Capt. Carter leads Daniel along the corridor. He's exchanged his tank top/boxers combo for an olive green jumpsuit.
CARTER
You can go pretty much wherever you want. The gym, locker room, and mess halls are all open to you. But Level 28 is completely off-limits, and you can't leave the base without written permission and a military escort. I'm sorry; I couldn't bypass the general on that one.
Carter brings Daniel to a door. Taking out her keycard, she swipes it through the lock, disengaging it.
INT. CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN/LEVEL 18/DANIEL'S LAB
Opening the door, Carter holds it open for Daniel. He steps inside his new laboratory. It's equipped with a desk, several packed bookshelves, and a state-of-the-art computer setup complete with 3D printer. Daniel's mouth falls agape.
CARTER
It's alright?
DANIEL
Just feeling a bit agoraphobic.
Daniel steps deeper into the lab, thumbing through the books on the shelves, examining the 3D printer.
SHA'URE
(O.S.) Daniel.
Daniel spins 'round. Kawalsky's arrived with Sha'ure. Like a deer caught in headlights, Daniel freezes, just staring at his lover. Four months have elapsed since she arrived on Earth; aside from the blue jumpsuit she now wears, she hasn't changed in the interim.
DANIEL
Sha'ure….
Embracing, they hold each other close, tears forming in their eyes. After several moments, they finally work up the courage to let go. Eyes of richest brown meeting eyes of intense blue, they come together again, kissing deeply, passionately.
Kawalsky smiles warmly.
INT. CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN/LEVEL 15/SHA'URE'S QUARTERS
The lights've been turned low. Daniel and Sha'ure lie together naked atop her sheets, spooning. Sha'ure kisses his hand. He, in turn, kisses her shoulder.
SHA'URE
In the days before, my people had only rumours — vague traditions of other worlds beyond the stargate. When you arrived, you made those traditions real.
DANIEL
Are you afraid Imperium troops will come through the stargate? That's what Carter and the soldiers are guarding against.
SHA'URE
We have brothers out there, Daniel. They're still slaves to the vultures who served Atum. But I hope to change that.
DANIEL
Change? How?
SHA'URE
You're the one who knows the stargate best. I know you could find the keys to other worlds. Then we could take the struggle to those living enslaved, and bring them freedom!
DANIEL
(sighing) Sha'ure, you were there when we found the cartouche holding the glyphs for Earth. From our troubles then you must know how hard it is to find the routes between stargates.
SHA'URE
But, Daniel, your wisdom —
DANIEL
(interrupting) I'm merely a scholar; I'm not Atum. And I'll tell you honestly, even if West unsealed the ring, I could spend all the rest of my life trying to find stargate addresses for somewhere — anywhere — and not find the key to another world. (beat) Besides, it may be in everyone's best interest if we keep to our corner of the universe. We don't need another Abdju.
Bitter disappointment shows on Sha'ure's face.
INT. CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN/LEVEL 27/CARTER'S OFFICE
Carter is at her desk.
SUPERIMPOSE: "TWO WEEKS LATER"
There comes a knock at the door.
CARTER
Come in.
Daniel enters, a file folder in his hand.
CARTER
You've found something.
DANIEL
The Imperium uses a cursive script unrelated to Egyptian hieroglyphs. I didn't recognize any similiarites to scripts I was familiar with, but my speciality's the Afro-Asiatic languages. I sent samples of the script to universities and institutes around the world to learn whether or not it matched any non-Erythraean writing systems.
Daniel places the folder on the desk. Opening it, Carter begins looking through the print-outs. There're photos of a shattered stele, descriptions, and a sketched map.
DANIEL
(cont'd) There was one find, a stele, which carried some of the script. According to this, the find was made by a German expedition that went to the eastern delta of the Nile back in the '60s. The location seemed to be the ruins of a temple, but they were unable to place the dynasty. And, after discovering the dubious signs in the inscription, there was some suspicion of fraud.
CARTER
What does it say?
DANIEL
The hieroglyphic portion contains an invocation to Sutekh.
Carter raises an eyebrow.
DANIEL
Otherwise known as Setesh, Set, Seteh, Seth. As Egyptian culture went through the millennia, Sutekh went from a brave warrior deity defending the sun god Ra to the personification of evil, fighting Ra.
Carter looks at a photo of the stele afforing a clear shot of a representation of Sutekh. The god has erect, flat-topped ears and a long, curved muzzle.
CARTER
What kind of head is that?
DANIEL
Nobody's been able to identify it from the pictures. Some scholars have identified it a gazelle's head. Others think it's the pig — unclean flesh, and all that.
CARTER
That's a pretty wide range there.
DANIEL
Still others think Sutekh was represented by an animal that's either mythical or now extinct. Most likely the former rather than the latter, since paleontologists haven't discovered any fossils to point to a species like this ever existing. That's why a lot of people in the field just call it the Typhonic beast. (beat) Anyway, the rest of the hieroglyphs make a reference to the god's centre of power to the east, where his strength was measured. The portion in Imperial script seems to be about "godpowers".
CARTER
Godpowers?
DANIEL
Power ratings and constants.
CARTER
You mean derived units? For technology? Weapon yields?
DANIEL
(shrugging) I wish those Germans had recovered the whole stele. (beat) The delta was one of the strongest areas of Sutekh-worship. And, because it's low-lying, often flooded, and still the seat of Egypt's agricultural production, proportionally less has been found there in terms of archaeological sites.
The captain's interest's definitely been aroused.
CARTER
We'll have to re-excavate where they dug.
