Because SGA is now ahead of SG-1, I decided to skip this week's SGA scene in lieu of doing another scene of SG-1. In addition, I'll be releasing another new SG-1 scene on Tuesday to fully catch up. Also, from now on, I'll include some review responses here at the top if I have something I feel I need to say!
By the way, another note is that James Parker will not be the "protagonist" of each and every episode of this series, though he is likely to appear in just about everyone. I would just like to clarify that he shares the role of "Major Character" with the rest of SG-1, and will have episodes that focus on him, and those where he's just there just like everyone else. Of course, most of the early episodes do focus quite heavily on him, but I assure you the focus will transition more away from him and towards the rest of the team as we move on.
In fact, another character takes the spotlight for this extended double scene…
ALSO, PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE MEANT TO READ BOTH STARGATE ATLANTIS AND STARGATE SG-1! DOING ANYTHING DIFFERENT WILL DEPRIVE YOU OF THE ENJOYMENT OF THE FULL STORY, THOUGH YOU WILL NEVER ABSOLUTELY NEED CONTEXT FROM THE OTHER SERIES TO UNDERSTAND AN EPISODE, IT WILL BE HELPFUL AT SEVERAL POINTS!
REVIEW RESPONSES
Response to Guest: Even if that was a viable solution, the Time Jumper no longer exists. Please read Stargate Atlantis: Journeys for Pegasus for a fuller explanation.
Response to ad694: James isn't an anarchist. He's not exposing the government because he wants to cause chaos or disunity, he's exposing the government because they're doing the wrong thing and he can't tolerate that. He doesn't hate government in and of itself, he hates corrupt government which casually lies to it's citizens and uses its power to hurt innocent people. He's using his skills because he wants to make the world better, something he very clearly states in the first episode.
He also shares his regret at the end of the episode when he sends his message, guilt that someone might get hurt, which is a strong suggestion that he doesn't usually share all of his information with the public. Because some information can and would get good people hurt. His hacker friends are also just as selective, as are most "hacktivist" collectives. Though Redmond's ethics are of course questionable, he has to follow the hacker collectives rules on the sharing of information to be a part of it.
STARGATE SG-1: UPRISING
Written by Niko DelValle
Some ideas were borrowed from Joseph Mallozzi
S11E02: Ideals – Part II
Scene II: The Threat
Year 2012
Brigadier General Samantha Carter sighed as her hands lay flat on the keyboard. The webcam and audio continued to run, but she had been blocked from interacting with him unless she routed the signal from elsewhere.
"Like that would accomplish anything…" She grumbled to herself under her breath. She stood up and left her office to head to the locker rooms. Once there, she put on some plainclothes, and then contacted Mitchell. "I'm going to be going off the line for a little while Mitchell. Is your team ready?"
"Yep, we're set up at the White House and ready to go." Mitchell responded. "But… do you really think he's going to make it this far?"
"I have no doubt he will. We may know his position, but his friends know ours. I don't think Parker would've so casually broadcasted his position if he thought they weren't capable of getting him through."
"Why did he do that anyways? Doesn't it seem kind of like jumping the gun? I understand needing help, but why start on basically the other side of the country with the wild goose chase?"
"It was probably more of a political move." Sam said as she walked through the corridors of the SGC. "He needed to make sure his friends believed in him. To accomplish that, he needed to take fast and decisive action, even if it meant more risk."
"I see, and what about you? If you're going off the reservation than I'd reckon you're making a move of your own."
"In a way. I'm going to see how much of his past I can figure out. I found his parents, so I'm going to go and talk to them…"
"Is that all you're going to do?" Mitchell wondered darkly.
"Yes, that's all. I don't care what's at risk I'm not going to sink that low and no one is going to make me."
"But you're not the only one that knows now…"
Sam pursed her lips silently.
"Anyways, I'm going to see what I can find out. I'm hoping that maybe I can get something that'll help you talk him down."
"That's what zats are for."
"You can't handle this situation like that Mitchell. Considering what Parker's friends already know, stopping him without dealing with the root of the problem will just make things worse."
"That sure makes this difficult you know."
"I'm sure you can handle it. I'm going to get you what you need. If we can just deal with Parker, there's still hope we can contain this even if those hackers release the information."
"Alright. I'll play this like you say."
"If you said no I'd just make it an order."
"Ha, yes mamn. Mitchell out."
Sam handed the radio over to the guard by the door.
"I'm going out." She said. "If anything happens while I'm gone, just call me up and I'll get to a place where I can beam up to the Odyssey."
"Yes mamn." The young woman said as she took the radio. Sam entered the elevator with a pensive look on her face, and left the elevator much the same. It didn't take her long to board her car and begin her trip down into town. She'd lived in Colorado Springs for the better part of two decades at that point and knew her way around, so it didn't take her long to locate the appropriate address. It was the home of a reasonably wealthy suburban family, though for some reason it bore a dark atmosphere. Sam wasn't sure what it was until she reached the white picket fence surrounding the lawn and saw the sign plastered to the mailbox.
Have you seen this boy? He's our son and he's been missing since September of 2009, but we haven't given up hope. If you see him, please contact us at…
The words were followed by a phone number, but that wasn't what she was concerned about. Instead she was concerned with the picture in full color that was below it. It was a photograph of a most definitely younger and more well taken care of James Parker. She leaned in for a closer inspection as if unsure, but stood up and nodded before proceeding to the door.
On the way there, the silence was interrupted as her cellphone rang. Taking it from her pocket revealed the number was unknown. It actually didn't even offer digits. She seemed unsure of whether or not to answer it for a second, before depressing the answer button and raising the phone to her ear. The voice that emerged from the other end was made by a computer, not a human being.
"General Samantha Carter. I am a friend of James Parker. You may recognize my name from what happened earlier, Redmond."
"What do you want?" She wondered.
"I am watching you." She swept her gaze around. It didn't take her long to spot the security camera hanging from the garage, looking right towards her. "Leave where you are right now."
"Or else what?"
"I want to make it very clear that what I'm doing right now is threatening you. I always follow through on my threats. If you do not leave the Parker's alone, I will follow through on my threat."
"What's the threat?"
"Right here I am watching on highway speed camera's as a woman you're very familiar with drives down the road. Her name is Cassandra Fraiser."
"You son of a…!"
"If you do not comply and leave the Parker's in peace, I can arrange for any number of things to happen. Let's see… the car in front of her is pretty expensive. You know those luxury cars? They operate on a computer system. Just maybe the breaks would engage all of a sudden. Could you imagine what kind of accident that could cause? I'm sure your imagination stretches far enough, General."
"Leave her alone!"
"I will when you do what I tell you. Get back in your car and drive away. Now. I will not let you or your cronies hurt those people."
"I'm not here to hurt them, I'm just here to talk to them! Leave Cassandra alone!"
"Does that require the pistol under your shoulder?"
"I'll put the weapon in my car and step away. And I'll leave the car there. I won't get back in. Would you be satisfied then?"
It took a moment for Redmond to response.
"Yes. But I swear, if I take a peek inside and you're hurting them, I will take action. Do you understand?"
"I do." Sam said, gritting her teeth angrily as she removed her firearm from her shoulder holster and placed it in the car. She closed the door and engaged the locks with the button on her key. Once that was done, she stepped away.
"Thank you General Carter. Goodbye." Redmond said. There was a click as the other end of the line disconnected. Immediately, she tried to place a call to Cassandra, but she got only a busy signal.
"Damn it. Of course he wouldn't get rid of his bargaining chip…!"
Sam tried to dial repeatedly, but it was in vain. Clearly Redmond was blocking her phone. As she angrily struggled to override whatever the hacker was doing, the door behind her suddenly opened. Not wanting to scare the man or otherwise intimidate him, she took a deep breath as he called out to her.
"Hey… do you need something?"
She composed the look on her face before turning around. A man stood in the open doorway, looking at her through a pair of clean and rounded glasses. The man was clean shaved and looked professional, despite his homey attire of a robe and slippers, but there was clearly something… off about the man. His eyes weren't red with tears but grief was still written all over them.
"Hello… what is it?" The man asked as she stood there silent. She approached and extended her hand for a shake, which the man accepted with a raised eyebrow as she started to speak.
"Hello sir, I'm General Samantha Carter with the United States Air Force. Are you Frank Parker?" She introduced herself brusquely in an official manner, using her free hand to show off her ID. After releasing her hand, he pushed up his glasses and addressed her with a curious glance. She replaced her ID in her pocket as he continued.
"Yes, that's me… but… I'm sorry, but what would the Air Force want with me? Is this about that girl from the Air Force that my wife is friends with, maybe?"
"No, but is Mrs. Parker home at the moment?"
"Yes. She's in the living room if you would like to come in."
"I would. Thank you."
He nodded and gestured for her to enter.
SCENE III: Sam's Visit
"I'm sorry General, but you'll need to take off your shoes." He said as she entered into the small entrance area of the house. Sam observed by sweeping her gaze that it branched off into several other rooms. Once done with her quick glance, she kicked her shoes off as requested, placing them neatly with the collection of other footwear right next to the door. "I'm very curious to hear what the Air Force wants with us, especially if it warrants sending a General to our home."
"I just prefer to do this kind of thing personally." Sam said.
"So you were the one who wanted to talk with us. I see."
"You're observant."
"I'm a Lawyer. That's part of my job. This way…" He started walking as Sam followed. "Speaking of me being observant, what were you just doing?"
"Oh, something's wrong with my cellphone. I can't make any calls."
"Really? My phone's out too. And our landline. Strange."
"Yes… it is…"
"Anyways, what is it you wanted to talk about, General?"
"Um… that's something I would prefer to speak to both of you together about."
She couldn't see his face, but his gaze narrowed all the same.
"Is this about…?"
"As I said, it's something I want to speak with both of you about."
He remained silent as he opened a door and gestured her to enter. Inside was the living room, where a reasonably depressed looking woman lie on the couch, watching the television. It took her a moment to glance up at the people who entered. Her eyes were tinged with the same grief that had been in Frank Parker's eyes, but she was similarly clean and alert. She sat up while simultaneously pressing the mute button on the remote.
"Who…?" She began to ask before being interrupted by her husband.
"This woman is from the Air Force. She wants to talk to us about something. Both of us."
The woman's eyes suddenly lit up. It seemed that unlike James's father, hope still lived inside her heart. Sam's eyes were drawn to a nearby laptop that was sitting on a counter. The webcam's active light suddenly turned on, but she quickly looked back to the woman in front of her. As she had with the male Parker, she extended a hand to offer a shake, which the female Parker accepted.
"Hello Mrs. Parker. I'm General Samantha Carter." She introduced herself.
"Please, call me Annie." The woman said with a small smile. She offered the armchair opposing the couch with an outstretched hand. "Would you like to sit?"
"It's alright. I'll stand…"
"Do you plan to be here very long?" Frank Parker asked as he sat down next to his wife.
"I… suppose so. I guess it depends on how much you're willing to tell me."
"Then I insist." He said also gesturing toward the chair. She smiled lightly and did as she was asked. "Let's not waste any time. Are you here about James?"
"…yes."
"The FBI looked. There haven't been any leads on his case in years. Even if something did turn up, why is the Air Force involved? Did the military start taking missing persons' cases when I wasn't looking?" Frank Parker started with an opening salvo that left Sam speechless for a moment.
"Frank, don't be rude…" His wife said hitting him lightly on the shoulder with an angry glance. Frank did not break his suddenly intense stare at Sam.
"You… must be a really good lawyer." Sam decided to say.
"I am. But, why don't we dispense with pleasantries and stay on topic? Usually I would be in the mood, but when it comes to my son…"
"No. I understand. I'm sorry. I am here about James, and I am investigating his disappearance." She answered his question as honestly as she could. "As for why the Air Force taking care of this, that's… classified."
"You considered lying to me and yet you didn't. I appreciate that." He said. "What do you want to know?"
"Well, I have to admit, I didn't have a chance to look as deeply over the case files as I wanted…" Sam replied. "I know what the FBI seems to think happened. What do you think?"
"We agree with the FBI's assessment. I'm not a criminal lawyer but I did manage to get access to all of the files I wanted. We think he was kidnapped by the group of men who murdered Doctor Laskin when James was studying at his house. Doctor Laskin was his mentor. I don't know how much you know about our son, but he was…"
"Is!" Annie Parker said desperately.
"Is… very smart."
Sam cast her gaze to the ground suddenly, pensive again. Frank Parker immediately picked up on what that meant.
"Doctor Laskin worked for the Air Force, didn't he…?"
"Yes. He did. That's… one reason we're involved in this case. Doctor Laskin worked on an extremely secret government project, so we're also determined to finally solve his murder."
"But it's not the primary reason."
"You are correct. Right now, the priority is finding your son."
"But you can't tell me why."
"No. I'm sorry, I can't. There is one thing I can confirm that I think might make you feel at ease." Sam looked up and locked her gaze with his. "He is alive, and I'm also fairly sure he's also well. We know that for sure."
That news shocked the man out from his usual composure as a grin spread across his face. His wife grasped him around the shoulders and with a wide grin.
"I… have to say…" Frank Parker tried to speak as tears started to roll down both of the couple's faces. "That's the best news we've heard in years."
"I'm sure it is."
The man wiped the tears from his eyes and looked at her with an extremely determined gaze.
"What else do you want to know? We'll tell you anything. No questions asked. Especially if you can get our son back alive and well."
"I am hoping we can do that. So, you've looked into the case more deeply than I have. I heard you say Doctor Laskin was James's mentor. What do you mean by that?"
"James is very special." Annie spoke up with a smile. "I'm not just saying that because I'm his mother. He's a serious flippin genius."
"He's more than just smart." Frank added adjusting his glasses. "He has the ability to take pictures with his mind. He can look at something and store every form of sensory input as perfect memory that he can access at will. At least… that's how he described it."
"The internet says that it's a version of Eidetic Memory." His wife contributed.
"Hm… I see."
"Anyways, as you can probably guess, school bored him. Even the subjects he said he was bad at he could almost ace every time. He always told me the multiple choice questions were easy because he just memorized the whole textbook and consulted it whenever he needed the answers. The essays were something he was always bad at, because he didn't actually comprehend the content."
"So Doctor Laskin took James under his tutelage?" Sam asked leaning forward.
"Yes. James said that the man was very smart and taught him anything he wanted to learn. He was always obsessed with computers. So he learned everything he could about them." Annie said. "He was doing so well in school we bought him a computer worth more than our car."
"This explains a lot…" Sam said quietly to herself. "Say, Mr. Parker, I don't want you to take this the wrong way… but I have a personal question to ask you."
"I said I'd answer anything with no questions. You have my word that I don't even care if you ask me for my social security number, I'll tell you if you really think it will help."
"He's exaggerating." Annie said with a roll of her eyes. Sam smiled, but her expression quickly darkened as she sat up.
"Mr. Parker… do you… disapprove of the government?"
"As it is right now, of course I do. I understand you work for them but this is clearly a corrupt system. Me and my son talked about it a lot. We have the same concept of justice, and right and wrong… I'm guessing that explains a lot too…" Frank said, suddenly looking down. "You've spoken with him."
"I… can't answer that."
"It wasn't a question. Don't worry. I could tell if your intentions were bad. But… you look conflicted. I'm guessing your stuck between that corrupt government I mentioned and your own sense of right and wrong. Can't say I know you very well, mamn, but I think you'll do the right thing."
Sam stood up.
"Leaving already?" Annie wondered.
"I have the feeling I've found out just about everything you know about what happened."
"You're right. This case has been cold since it started. There was no evidence, even the bullet was gone… they dug it right from his skull…" Frank said. "But I don't think you came to find out about that, did you? You came to find out about James. I can put two and two together. I… think I understand what's going on now."
Sam remained silent. Frank continued to stare at her.
"What is it honey?" Annie asked.
"James wasn't kidnapped, was he? He ran away after what happened." The man said quietly.
"I can honestly say I don't know who it was from."
"I can give you a likely answer. After all, the right hand doesn't always know what the left is doing."
"It wasn't us." Sam said looking up at him.
"They murdered Doctor Laskin for some reason associated with whatever confidential project you said he was working on. James somehow survived the attack. He was afraid that we'd be dragged into it, so…"
"He ran away to protect us?" Annie asked her husband. "Is that… true?"
"I'm not saying that it was the government that did that. I don't think that's the case." Sam said. "The rest of that… I think that might be true."
"I know I said I wouldn't ask any questions. I'm going to have to go back on that vow." Frank said. "You aren't going after our son to rescue him from them, are you?"
Sam stood and answered incredibly stoically.
"I'm sorry sir, I can neither confirm nor deny that."
"So you can hide the truth when you need too." He said with a small smile. "Well, I still believe in you. I know who you are by now."
"I…" Sam started to say. Suddenly, she was interrupted. Her earpiece suddenly turned on.
"General Carter. There are twelve men approaching in three black sedans. They seem to be armed with assault rifles."
"It wasn't me!" She shouted into her earpiece, looking to the side. The couple before her on the couch jumped back a little in shock.
"They're windows are opening…"
Sam didn't need to hear the rest of the sentence. She understood perfectly what was about to happen.
"Get down!" She yelled, jumping forward and pulling them to the ground as the sound of gunfire ripped through the air. At the same time, bullets ripped through the walls and windows. Fabric, cotton, and wood exploded from the couches as the gunfire tore them apart. The windows shattered. The walls exploded with splinters from each shot that passed through them. All the while, Sam kept the couple on the ground, covering them to protect them.
A bullet struck her in the back. Two bullets… three.
Her consciousness began to waver as pain tore through her back. The computerized voice in her ear dimmed as her vision blurred. Still, she fought to remain conscious as the gunfire stopped…
STARGATE SG-1: UPRISING
A Fan-Written Conclusion to Stargate: SG-1
Stargate initially conceived by…
Roland Emmerich
Dean Devlin
Television Show originally created by…
Brad Wright
Johnathan Glassner
Writing ideas gleaned from…
Joseph Mallozzi
Written by…
Niko DelValle
All copyrights belong to their respective owners.
NEW SCENES EVERY TUESDAY AT 8PM EST. NEW EPISODES COMPLETED ONCE EVERY ~ FOUR WEEKS. ADDITIONAL SCENES MIGHT BE POSTED ON OFF DAYS, BUT AT NO POINT WILL EITHER SERIES GET UNINTENTIONALLY AHEAD OF THE OTHER (IE: SG-1 EPISODES WILL NEVER EXCEED THE NUMBER OF ATLANTIS EPISODES).