On the abandoned outpost of Acarsaid Dorch Doctor Daniel Jackson makes a startling discovery - a discovery that leads SG-1 to a world on the brink of destruction.
The Elect rule Ierna, ensuring their people live in peace and plenty, protected from the planet's merciless sun by a biosphere that surrounds their city. But all is not as it seems and when Daniel is taken captive by the renegade Seachrni, Colonel Jack O'Neill and his team discover another side to Ierna - a people driven to desperation by rising seas, burning beneath a blistering sun.
Inhabiting the building tops of a long-drowned cityscape, the Seachrni and their reluctant leader, Faelan Garrett, reveal the truth about the planet's catastrophic past - and about how Daniel's discovery on Acarsaid Dorch could save them all...
"Colonel O'Neill," Teal'c said, half turned back the way they'd come. "Men are approaching. If we wish to meet with Rhionna Channon we must evade them. I do not believe Pastor Channon would permit us to talk with his daughter."
"He's right," Sam said. "I got the distinct impression that she's persona non grata among the Elect - especially with that guy, Camus."
"Which is probably a good sign," Daniel chimed in, hands still deep in his pockets. "Maybe she really does have some useful information."
"I think it's worth a shot," Sam agreed. She glanced over at O'Neill. "Sir?"
He was studying the map, memorizing it, then scrunched up the paper in his fist. "Okay, we meet with her and see what she has to say. But that's all. We are not - repeat, not - gonna get dragged into another mercy mission."