SG-1 are off-world exploring a Ziggurat (a Babylonian Pyramid structure). Daniel is trying to open the door but he can't. Sam finds a packet of Russian cigarettes near the door.

In a briefing they discuss the Russian stargate program. The Russians have told them that there may have been some unauthorized use of their gate as the planet, P2X-338, is not on their list of planets visited. The SGC, as do the Russians, expect that a rogue team went to the planet to obtain something. A second Russian team is coming to the SGC to accompanying SG-1 to 338. The Russians arrive, led by Col. Zukoff. Daniel explains the situation to them all and Hammond gives them a go.

On 338 Daniel manages to unlock the door to the Ziggurat and they enter. It isn't long before they find the first body, it is nearly a skeleton, the flesh has been stripped from the bones. Zukoff's team find a sarcophagus but it is booby trapped and the entrance door closes killing one of the Russians. They return to the sarcophagus and open it, inside they find the remains of Marduk, the skeleton has the same teeth marks as the Russian one found earlier. Out in one of the tunnels something hatches from a cocoon.

They split up into groups of 2 and start to explore, trying to find a way out. Zukoff and Teal'c find another body, that of Dr Briski. When Teal'c isn't looking, Zukoff removes an item from one of the rucksacks. Carter is one of the Russians, Lt. Tolineva, they are attacked by the creature and Tolineva is seriously injured. Sam tells Jack that the Goa'uld is still alive and inside the creature. Tolineva is dieing, they will need to get her back to the SGC, Zukoff suggests they use C4 to blow open the door but O'Neill is against it as it could cause a cave in. Daniel shows them Briski's diary, it contains a drawing of the Eye Of Tiernant, it is the artifact Zukoff picked up. They all deny having ever seen it.

They go off exploring again. Daniel is left translating, guarded by Major Vallarin. They hear a noise and Vallarin goes off too look what it was, outside he is watched by the creature. Sometime later Sam and Teal'c find the body of the creature, it is dead and the Goa'uld has gone. Zukoff and O'Neill are looking around when they are radioed about the Goa'uld, they both think it is in the other person and there is a stand-off. Vallarin arrives and reveals himself as the Goa'uld, he asks Zukoff for the Eye, but he denies knowing about it.

Sam and Teal'c return to the main chamber and check that Daniel isn't the Goa'uld. He has translated some more writings and found a ring transported is somewhere in the room, Teal'c manages to find the controls.

Zukoff tells Vallarin he has the Eye but instead hands him a grenade, Zukoff is killed by the explosion but Jack escapes. After he has gone Vallarin's hand pushes from some of the rubble on top of him.

Back in the main chamber O'Neill sets up some explosives, as the prepare to ring out Vallarin arrives, he tells them he will have his revenge. Jack waves to him as they ring out and the room explodes.

Back at the SGC Tolineva is okay and being debriefed by a Russian General. He argues with O'Neill that only one Russian returned while all his team were okay. He says that hopefully this incident will not effect future participation but Jack says there will not be any.