It’s been a crazy Comicon and I have much to update you on. But just got back from a day of meetings, two Stargate events, and a late dinner with Akemi, Jewel Staite, Paul McGillion, and Gary Jones. For now, here is one of the scenes we read at today’s panel – a scene I wrote, not for the Stargate: Extinction movie, but as a What If? we had gotten that sixth season pick-up and certain elements had fallen into place…
INT. DERELICT ASURAN COMPOUND – CORRIDOR
Sheppard leads the team (McKay, Ronon, Teyla, and Beckett) down the darkened corridor, their flashlights offering fitful illumination to their seemingly long-abandoned – though no less eerie – surroundings. McKay consults a handheld device that emits a sustained HUM.
BECKETT: How many of these locations were on that list?
SHEPHERD: This is eight of twelve.
TEYLA: The Asurans may be long gone, buttheir technology still exists. It’s just a matter of locating their assets.
RONON: Who wants to bet we come up empty again?
Suddenly, McKay brightens at the sound of a sustained LOW WHINE emitted from his device.
MCKAY: Sustained energy signature dead ahead.
They press forward, weapons at the ready and –
INT. ASURAN COMPOUND – LAB
Enter a long-abandoned lab: unfamothable equipment, an Asuran data hub, and, tucked away at the opposite side of the room, an upright stasis chamber, its surface opaque and impenetrable.
MCKAY: Well this looks promising…and spooky.
He walks over the the data hub and it comes to life on his approach. As he surveys the data –
SHEPHERD: What’ve you got?
MCKAY: Not sure. Data related to some sort of extended experimentation… (reading)
Original test subject. Neural imprint. Duplicate construct.
SHEPHERD: Just don’t touch anything.
Suddenly, the pod lights up with a HUM.
SHEPHERD: Rodney, what did I just say?
MCKAY: It’s wasn’t me! (beat) Probably.
Sheppard, Teyla and Beckett, closest to the pod, advance as its shielding slides away and the amniotic steam releases.
ON our shocked trio.
TEYLA: How is this possible?
REVERSE TO REVEAL –
Elizabeth Weir lying in stasis.
SHEPPARD: Elizabeth?
Her eyes flicker open. It takes her a few seconds to orient herself, recognize the people standing in front of her.
WEIR: John? Teyla? Carson – how are you alive?
BECKETT: I was going to ask you the same thing.
Off their shocked expressions –
EXT. ATLANTIS – DAY
Establish.
KELLER (O.S.): So I’ve completed a full diagnostic twice over.
INT. ATLANTIS – INFIRMARY – DAY
Keller informs Sheppard, McKay, Teyla, Ronon, Beckett – and an equally astonished Elizabeth lying in an infirmary bed.
KELLER: The tests confirm it. She’s Elizabeth Weir. Flesh and blood and nanite free.
MCKAY: But – Oberoth said she was dead.
SHEPHERD: So a human form replicator who tried to destroy Atlantis – AND a liar.
KELLER (to Elizabeth): Elizabeth, what do you remember?
WEIR: I remember buying you all time to escape, being captured and then…nothing.
(beat) How long have I been gone?
MCKAY: A while.
WEIR: Rodney. How many years?
MCKAY: Well – Supernatural is still airing new episodes.
WEIR: So I couldn’t have been gone THAT long.
The others exchange surreptitious looks. At which point Woolsey enters the room
WOOLSEY: Elizabeth. It’s good to see you.
WEIR: Thank you, Richard. And thank you for taking care of my people.
WOOLSEY: It was an honor. (beat) Now, if there’s anything I can do for you, anything you need –
WEIR: Lunch – and a new wardrobe.
WOOLSEY: Of course.
WEIR: And I’m going to need my office back.
Beat. They all swing their looks his way.
WOOLSEY: Well – this is awkward.
And off an awkward Woolsey…
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