Our government has asked us to return to Tollana...
...to arrange formal diplomatic relations with your people.
Consider it done. You are, after all, the people who saved us from the Goa'uld.
Thank you. Yes. Well, in that spirit, we'd like to arrange for a trade.
- What would you like to trade? - Technology.
I'm sorry. You know that is the one thing we cannot give you.
Tollan law strictly forbids it.
OK, we understand that. However, in our culture, laws can be changed...
...when the reasons for those laws are no longer relevant.
The reasons for these laws are still relevant.
OK. Please. If, uh... If you'd just allow me to make our case.
- I assume you want weapons technology. - Yes.
One of those ion cannons would be nice.
I see.
And for what will you use such a cannon?
To defend ourselves against the Goa'uld.
Forgive me, Colonel, but our research shows that you are far more likely...
...to use our "technology" against enemies on your own planet.
What if I gave you my word that would never happen?
Are you the commander of your entire nation?
- No. - Then, in truth, you cannot guarantee it.
- You know what? Forget it. - Jack...
We knew you wouldn't give us anything. We're wasting time here.
- Jack... - No, Daniel. Let's go!
Uh, wh-what are you doin'?
We never should have saved their technologically superior butts!
- That's what disabled our weapons. - As well as the Goa'uld technology.
- Don't even think about it. - Isn't this against regulations?
I suppose it is, Carter.
Let's go.
- Kind of crossed the line there... - Shut up, Daniel!
As you were. Sorry to keep you waiting.
So, what is this device you've brought back?
It's what the Tollan used to disable our weapons when we were there.
- And it really works? - Worked on us. And the Goa'ulds.
- That should come in handy. Good job. - Thank you, sir.
So, what did you have to promise them in return, Dr. Jackson?
Actually, General, we didn't have to promise to give them anything.
They just gave you the device as a reward for saving them from the Goa'uld?
Actually, the Tollan refused to give us any technology.
Offered us a nice fruit basket, though.
Well, I'm confused. How did you get the device?
Major Carter?
- Uh... - I took it, sir.
- Took it? - Yes.
You stole it?!
I like to think of it as "borrowed", sir.
- Major Carter'll copy it and we'll return it. - I can't believe what I'm hearing!
You and your team stole an alien device from an extremely advanced alien culture.
They won't retaliate, if that's what you're worried about.
Not their way. Right, Daniel?
This command has already been accused...
...of stealing from several other alien cultures, Colonel.
Until now, we've denied it. Perhaps that was a bit premature.
Dare I ask how many other items you've stolen?
None. This is the first.
Colonel, you don't seem to understand how serious this is.
You and your team have committed a court-martiallable offence.
To be fair, General...
...I did it.
Carter and Daniel protested.
And Teal'c...
He said nothing, but I could tell he was opposed to my actions...
...by the way he cocked his head and raised his eyebrow.
Enough, Colonel!
Dr. Jackson, Major Carter and Teal'c...
...you will return this device immediately to the Tollan...
...and, hopefully, smooth over what must be some very ruffled feathers.
- Yes, sir. - Why?
Our core mission is to find technologies we can use...
...to repel Goa'uld incursion. Am I right?
You are bordering on insubordination. We do not rob friendlies.
- With no due respect, that's plain stupid! - Colonel...
Since the Pentagon won't approve our programme, we have no choice...
- Colonel, do not go there! - ...but to take steps to get what we need!
As long as I am in command of the SGC...
...we will hold ourself to the highest ethical standards.
And when the Goa'uld wipe us out because we cannot defend ourselves...
...I'm sure we'll all feel great about our high moral standards.
Colonel O'Neill, you are out of line. Now, stand down!
Colonel O'Neill, I am hereby relieving you of your command.
You are to report to the infirmary and stay there until I send for you.
No holding cell, sir?
That could very well be your next stop, if you say another word.
- Incoming traveller. - Now, go to the infirmary...
...and submit yourself for a complete examination.
Teal'c, escort him.
And, Teal'c...
...you are no longer under Colonel O'Neill's command. Is that understood?
Understood.
Unauthorised incoming traveller. Closing the iris.
Great Now what?
Hold your fire!
Your Eminence, welcome to Earth.
High Chancellor Travell, this is General Hammond, commander of this facility.
It's an honour to meet you.
I only wish it were under more pleasant circumstances.
We have come to retrieve our stolen property...
...and to tell you all diplomatic relations with your people will be terminated.
Of course, we will return your property to you immediately.
But, please, if you will just sit down with us and at least talk about it.
Then you admit you have stolen from us.
Your Eminence, you're wise enough not to hold the actions of one man...
- ...against an entire planet. - You were there, Dr. Jackson.
As were you, Major. And Teal'c.
Who exactly are you saying is responsible?
Thanks, Doc. As always, a pleasure.
I don't see anything wrong with you.
Your blood pressure, DRE and EEGL seem normal.
It'll be a while before I get your hormone levels and CAT scans back.
Great. Let me know what kind of wacky alien stuff you find in there.
Excuse me.
I am to keep you here until General Hammond is ready for you.
Get out of my way, Teal'c. That's an order.
- I do not understand your behaviour. - Get out of my way!
Fraiser.
Yes, sir.
Colonel, General Hammond wants to see you in his office.
Carter.
Sir?
What?
- Is there anything I can do? - About?
Well, sir, with respect, you aren't exactly acting like yourself.
No, Carter.
I haven't been acting like myself since I met you.
Now I'm acting like myself.
Well, look who's here.
Come to retrieve your vastly superior stuff?
It'd be a lot more superior if it wasn't so easy to steal.
Colonel O'Neill!
Get in here and take a seat! Close the door!
My God, Jack, you've really crossed the line here.
In terms of my insubordination to you, you're absolutely right, General.
And for that I'm truly sorry. But I still think what I did was right.
I just met with two members of the Tollan High Council who disagree.
The Tollan are dictating our policies now?
The victims of a crime are demanding the perpetrator be dealt with appropriately.
- I'm a criminal? - What you've done is court-martiallable.
I have to press charges.
Well, by all means, General, do what you have to do.
I do have one other option I can offer you, Jack.
- What's that? - Early retirement.
Now, see, I tried that once before and you pulled me out of it.
The offer is only on the table while you're in this room.
All this for one little indiscretion?
Five counts of direct insubordination to superior officers and a US senator.
Two counts of refusal to obey orders. Kidnapping an alien child.
- Should I go on? - The proverbial straw, sir?
You got it. I'd accept the offer, if I were you, Jack.
Beats the hell out of the prison time you'd get otherwise.
Then I guess I'm retiring.
Hi.
- What do you want? - I'm not sure, to tell you the truth.
- I'm here to talk, I guess. - So talk.
- You got another one of those? - Yeah.
Feel like sharing?
Beer? Sure.
So...
- How are you feelin' about all this? - Yes to the beer.
No to the feelings.
That's too bad, because I don't really like beer.
Stop your worryin'. I'm fine.
Really? That's... that's funny...
...because I didn't figure you for the early-retirement type any more.
- There's another reason you're angry. - Oh, here we go. Pop psych 101, right?
No. When we were in the briefing...
...you said something about the Pentagon not giving us the backup we requested.
What, uh... what were you talking about?
Hammond and I were planning a secondary SGC base off-world.
It was gonna serve as a backup if ours was attacked. I was gonna command.
Then the Pentagon pulled the plug?
So you're acting up because you're hurt... because you didn't get a command.
Give me a break, Daniel.
Denial of the programme shows they're not serious about attaining our goals.
- Which you think is attaining weapons? - Protecting ourselves.
But isn't our mission also about establishing relations with other cultures?
What for, if we gain nothing to help our other interests?
There's a lot we can learn from the Tollan that has nothing to do with weapons.
Stuff that interests people like you, Daniel. Not people like me.
I want to see tangible gains from our efforts.
And if people like the Tollan don't want to share, we should just take.
- You believe that? - Being nice...
...won't stop any Goa'uld mother ships, if they come back.
I'd rather be a thief and alive than honest and dead. It's a cliché, but there it is.
If you really believe that, I guess, uh...
- ...I guess I never really knew you at all. - Come on. You're a bright guy.
You had to sense some of this.
Then no. I...
I guess you couldn't relate to me any more than I could to you.
So this friendship we've been working on the last few years...
Apparently, not much of a foundation there, huh?
Colonel O'Neill.
What the hell is this? A joke, Maybourne? What are you doin' here?
Well, in a way, you invited me.
Come to gloat about my retirement, have you?
- May I come in? - No.
I'm in no way obligated to put up with your crap any more.
I think you're gonna wanna hear what I have to offer you.
Offer?
- May I sit down? - No. You won't be here that long.
What's this about?
I heard about your little altercation with General Hammond.
Sweet little grapevine we got.
Let's just say I see a lot of paper that goes through the mountain.
I was interested in your passionate argument...
...that we shouldn't be quite so diplomatic about acquiring the things we need.
Get to the point.
What if I said I could offer you a way to achieve your goals?
- My goals? - Yes.
What if I said I could arrange for you to lead a team through the gate...
...to acquire whatever you want, whenever you want? For the good of this country.
If I believed you could do that, I'd have to figure whatever you're doing is illegal.
What you did yesterday was illegal, Colonel.
Get out.
Not interested.
Page me when you miss the action too much.
- For what purpose were we summoned? - My guess is we're getting our fourth.
Who do you think it'll be?
Probably someone like Ferretti. You'll get command.
I don't know about that. They'll probably go with someone higher than major.
As you were.
Since SG-1 is considered the flagship unit...
...it falls on me to assure that you have the strongest leadership.
Therefore I'm reassigning our most senior officer as your new commanding officer.
Colonel Makepeace will be joining SG-1. I hope you'll make him feel welcome.
Um, sir? Uh... I don't wanna seem out of line here...
...but since I'm a civilian here, I'm probably the only one who can say this...
Spit it out, Doctor.
Well, no offence, but doesn't Major Carter deserve to take charge of SG-1?
Major Carter has an exemplary record on the team...
...as recognised by her recent promotion to major.
- But major is a far cry from colonel. - I understand, General.
I'm sorry, I don't. What difference does it make what title she has? The point is...
It's all right, Daniel. Really.
Dismissed.
I'm proud to join you folks.
I hope you'll learn to trust my command as much as you did Colonel O'Neill's.
- I'm sure we will, sir. - I never trusted Jack's command, but...
- ...I'm open. - That's good.
Then I'll see you at our first briefing.
What took you so long?
I didn't think you'd get bored so fast, or I would have stayed in town.
Not quite the student of human behaviour you thought you were?
Are you ready to go?
- I have some questions. - Can't tell you much.
You expect me to jump into this operation blind?
Are you interested in my offer or not?
I'm interested.
Good.
I want to be sure you understand one thing, O'Neill.
What I'm about to show you is not so much "classified" as it is "secret".
"Dangerous" would be another word I would use.
Keep talkin'.
Understand that, once you see what I'm about to show you...
...there is no turning back.
You will have the choice to go along with it... or disappear.
Disappear?
This is your last chance to back out.
Well, if you promise to cut back on the melodrama...
...I'll consider crossin' the line.
- So, where are we going? - Nowhere in particular.
I find being 30,000 feet up greatly reduces the chances of any effective surveillance.
Do you know what this is?
I assume it's one of those Goa'uld communication balls.
We didn't have to negotiate for it either.
- Who's "we"? - My organisation.
- NID? - Mmm... More of an offshoot.
Ah. That sort of says it all, doesn't it?
I want you to command a unit.
- There are units? - Oh, yes.
Would you like to meet the temporary commander of the unit I want you to run?
I guess.
Took us a while to figure out how to use this without a Goa'uld at the controls.
But good old human ingenuity eventually won out.
- Colonel Maybourne. - Newman.
I'd like you to meet Colonel Jack O'Neill. Retired.
It is a pleasure, sir. Read just about all the SG-1 mission briefings...
...and, uh... Well, let's just say your file is very impressive.
It'd be an honour to serve under your command, Colonel.
Hello, Newman.
- You look familiar. - Yes, sir. We have met briefly.
In a hangar at a Utah landing strip.
You're who we chased through the other Stargate.
That would be me. I apologise about having to return fire, sir.
Hm.
- Where are you? - He's on another planet.
Your mission, Newman?
Use any means necessary to acquire technology to help Earth...
...in the battle against the Goa'ulds or other unforeseen aggressors.
You've seen my file, Newman. It's only fair I know more about you.
Need-to-know, Colonel.
I need to know if I'm to command this unit.
You agree to go and take command, I'll give you files on each one of your people.
How about it? You ready for a command where you can finally achieve...
...what you and I both agree needs to be achieved to defend this planet?
I never thought I'd agree with you about anything, Maybourne.
But yeah.
I'm ready.
Major Carter has accepted my command with no problem, sir.
But I'm afraid Dr. Jackson and the Jaffa have not.
Well, maybe if you didn't think of him as "the Jaffa", it would be a good start.
Come in.
Jack, come in.
- You know Colonel Makepeace. - Yeah.
- How's the retirement going? - Uh... great.
I retire, I wake up, I retire.
It's... it's a living.
I'm bored out of my skull, sir.
I'm sorry to hear that.
- Something I can help you with? - Actually, there is, General.
Would you like me to leave, Jack?
I don't care.
- We're not finished, Colonel Makepeace. - I'll make it fast, General.
I'm hoping you could grant me one last favour.
I'm listening.
I want to retire off-world.
Jack, I don't know...
You remember that woman I told you about on Edora? Laira was her name.
- Yes. - I promised her I'd come back some day.
I'm asking you to help me keep that promise.
Please.
If I agree to do this, you know I can't give you a GDO.
That means you can never return to Earth through the gate.
I understand that, sir.
Colonel...
Colonel O'Neill. It is an honour, sir.
Newman.
We may look a little ragtag, but we're very good at what we do.
Which is... stealing stuff.
Well, acquiring what we need to defend our planet.
And you measure how good you are by the fact that you've never been caught?
Well, and by the spoils of our missions.
Would you care to take a gander at one of our latest acquisitions?
Sure. I'll take a gander.
This way, sir.
- What do you think? - Just brought it back.
- It's an anti-gravitation device. - Really?
- Lieutenant Clare Tobias, sir. - Tobias. Jack O'Neill.
If it's all right, sir, I'll leave you in the lieutenant's very capable hands.
So... tell me about this thing.
It uses superconducted gyroscopic action to generate an anti-gravitational field...
Stop.
- Scientist? - Engineer. Why?
You remind me of someone in my old command.
- Major Carter. - How do you know her?
She beat me out of a position in the SGC.
Oh.
So, what do you do around here?
My job is to examine some of the larger items we acquire.
The ones too big to be transported back to Earth.
See if we can backwards-engineer them and send the plans home to Maybourne.
Sir, Colonel Maybourne would like to talk to you.
Yeah?
Tobias.
Jack! I see you made it in one piece.
- What do you think of our little operation? - It's swell, Harry.
We do what we can to make it comfortable. I have your first mission.
- Planet PX3-595. - About time we got one of those things.
SG-9 was unable to negotiate to get the device.
- What device are we talkin' about? - Newman can fill you in on all the details.
Good luck, Colonel.
- Thanks. - And, Colonel, just a reminder.
This isn't the SGC. So if someone gets in your way, do what you have to do.
OK, the mouth of the cave we're gonna hit is 50 metres at two o'clock from the gate.
The primitive locals are called Tiernods. They use 'em to hide from predators.
If a predator goes into the cave, Tiernods use the device we're after to vanish.
Very nice.
- Clear. - Bingo.
You're gonna love this.
- Pretty cool, huh? - What the...?
- That thing looks Asgard. - It is.
This is an Asgard-protected planet.
Can you imagine the ways we could use this for black ops on Earth?
Yep.
But it's not on Earth. You gonna be able to backwards-engineer this thing?
Don't have to. Items this small we just send back to Earth.
- How? - Got a man on the inside, on an SG team.
Maybourne tells us where the mole's team will go.
We get there first, make the drop and come back.
The mole comes in later, retrieves the item and packs it back in his gear.
It's about time he got back to us.
Hello, team. You get the device?
- Yep. - Good.
I have the time and coordinates for the drop. Just drop and go.
- No contact. - OK.
I'm sending the coordinates and time info. Record them.
Alex?
- Want me to go, sir? - No. I'll go.
- Really? - Yeah.
Best way to understand a command is to do every job yourself at least once.
That's your prerogative, Colonel.
All right, let's make this quick. Carter, Dr. Jackson, run your tests.
Let's see if the intel was right about naqahdah deposits here.
How'd it go, sir?
Maybourne had the coordinates right, but his timing sucked!
I just about ran into the SG team on my way back.
What's goin' on?!
Sir... Sir, we do not open the gate without direct orders from Colonel Maybourne!
Colonel, what are you doin'?!
Opening up some options!
There's an Asgard ship descending over the base!
What are they doing?
Taking back what's rightfully theirs, I guess.
Listen up, all of you. You've got two choices here.
Once they stop takin' stuff, they're gonna start takin' people.
Now, you can go with the Asgard.
Or you can follow me. It's your choice.
I'll be holdin' the door open so you can't go anywhere else.
Hands together. Got you now, Newman.
Good job, kids. Give me one of those things.
Here.
What the hell...? What are you doing?!
That would be my job.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that you are all under arrest...
...for high crimes against the United States and its allies.
- You really blew it, O'Neill. - Oh, I think it came off quite nicely.
- Don't you, General? - Yes, I do.
You have no idea how high up this goes. You've pissed off the wrong people.
Like the Tollan, Tok'ra, Asgard, Nox... Those folks?
They refuse to give us what we need to defend ourselves against the Goa'uld.
We don't need their stuff, Makepeace.
We do need them.
Get them out of here.
So, just to, uh... clarify.
This whole past week, beginning with the appeal we made on Tollana...
...in which I did a lot of hard work by the way, I take it that was all a scam?
Within the last two weeks, the Asgard and the Tollan approached us...
...with evidence that we were stealing technology from them.
- We? The SGC? - Yes.
The Asgard, the Tollan and the Nox were going to sever all ties with us.
We convinced them the theft must be the action of a rogue group outside the SGC.
We insisted that you apprehend them yourselves.
You have now regained our trust.
So you set that whole thing up on Tollana...
...in the hopes that the mole would approach you?
And you didn't think you could trust us to help?
We wanted to assure your reaction to the Colonel's behaviour was as it should be.
And the Asgard insisted that Colonel O'Neill be the only one involved.
They like me.
And now, will you come with me, Your Eminence?
I'm back.
It's good to have you back, sir.
- Indeed. - Thank you.
Um... Daniel?
Mm.
- That stuff I talked about at my house... - Um...
- It was bugged. I had to keep up the act. - It's... I understand.
Obviously, the whole friendship thing, the foundation is solid.
Uh, obviously. You don't... You don't have to...
No, I feel kind of...
I do appreciate that you came to see if I was OK.
That... That means something.
Uh... actually, no, it doesn't.
- Huh? - Um...
We, uh, we drew straws.
I lost.