Battlestar Galactica Transcripts - 01

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (a/k/a “Saga of a Star World”)

(broadcast version with additional material from theatrical version)

Written by Glen A. Larson

Transcribed by Clay Arden for ByYourCommand.net

NARRATOR

There are those who believe that life here began out there, far across the universe, with tribes of humans who may have been the forefathers of the Egyptians, or the Toltecs, or the Mayans; that they may have been the architects of the Great Pyramids, or the lost civilizations of Lemuria or Atlantis. Some believe that there may yet be brothers of man who even now fight to survive, somewhere beyond the heavens.

(In the council chamber aboard the battlestar Atlantia, President Adar presides over the Quorum of the Twelve.)

ADAR

Noble delegates, I realize you are all anxious to get back to your ships before our rendezvous with the Cylons, but I think it appropriate to toast the most significant event in the history of mankind. I would like to raise my chalice to you, not merely as the Quorum of Twelve, representing the twelve Colonies of man, but as my friends, the greatest leaders ever assembled. As we approach the seventh millennium of time, the human race at last will find peace, thanks to you.

DELEGATES

Peace.

To peace.

(Blue Squadron barracks aboard the battlestar Galactica)

ZAC

Starbuck, he’s comin’. What are you gonna say?

STARBUCK

Zac, now, just calm down. Why’re you so nervous?

ZAC

(sighs)

He still thinks of me as his little brother.

(laughs)

STARBUCK

Yeah, well, you’re acting like one. Now, listen, it’s just a routine patrol. Why is it so important to you?

ZAC

’Cause it is.

STARBUCK

Huh.

ZAC

Look, I’m a warrior. I earned that. I wanna prove that to him.

STARBUCK

I know, Zac, but this may not be the best time.

ZAC

Wha— It’s a peace envoy! What possible trouble could there be?

STARBUCK

Yeah, well, now, that’s not the point, see—

ZAC

Starbuck, you promised.

STARBUCK

I know.

APOLLO

(entering to find Starbuck only half-dressed)

Hey, Starbuck, what are you doin’? We’re goin’ on patrol.

STARBUCK

Uhhhh, weh—uhh, well—

ZAC

He – can’t make it. Starbuck’s not feeling well.

APOLLO

Oh?

STARBUCK

Yeah, uh, well, it’s, uh, I don’t…

APOLLO

Well, that’s, uh, kinda short notice. Um, I mean, with everybody, uh, not wanting to go on this patrol. Everybody wants to celebrate the armistice. Uh, I wonder who I’m gonna be able to find.

ZAC

Uh—

(clears throat)

APOLLO

Yes, uh, Zac, you have a suggestion?

ZAC

Aw, come on! I mean, I’ve studied the coordinates from here to the Cylon capital. M-my ship’s ready to go!

APOLLO

Well, that’s lucky, isn’t it, Starbuck?

STARBUCK

Yeah, that’s a real stroke of luck.

APOLLO

Well, I guess you’re just gonna have to pull Starbuck’s patrol with me.

ZAC

Woooooooooooooow! Hah hah hah!

(exits)

APOLLO

Were we ever like that?

(laughs)

STARBUCK

I don’t know. I can’t remember that far back. Listen, uh, maybe I ought to go along.

APOLLO

No, he’s gonna be just fine. I mean, it’s not as if we’re at war, right?

STARBUCK

Right.

APOLLO
I’ll see ya later.

STARBUCK

Okay.

APOLLO

And — (sighs) – take care of the stomach.

STARBUCK

Yeah. I will.

(Galactica bridge)

RIGEL

Section twelve, launch bay Alpha, stand by to launch fighter probe.

(launch bay)

ZAC

Acknowledge input. Recorded and functioning.

RIGEL (over headsets)

Vector coordinates coded and transferred. Acknowledge.

APOLLO

Acknowledge. Ready to launch.

(Galactica bridge)

RIGEL

Core systems transferring control to probe craft. Launch when ready.

(Apollo and Zac launch.)

ZAC

You forget how different it is out here.

APOLLO

This is nothin’. When the war is officially over, we may be able to get back to deep star exploration. That’s the challenge, Zac. Let’s roll over and take a look at Lianus Vector.

(Atlantia council chamber)

ADAR

Baltar, my friend.

DELEGATES IN BACKGROUND

It was good to see you.
Oh, thank you very much.

ADAR

This armistice conference would not have been possible without your tireless work.

BALTAR

(whispers)

Oh.

ADAR

You have secured for yourself a place in the history books.

BALTAR

That the Cylons chose me as their liaison to the Quorum of the Twelve was an act of providence, not skill.

(Adar sighs gratefully and shakes Baltar’s hand; Baltar chuckles and exits.)

ADAR

(to Adama)

I see the party is not a huge success with all my children.

ADAMA

What awaits us out there is what troubles me.

ADAR

Oh, surely you don’t cling to your suspicions about the Cylons? They asked for this armistice. They want peace.

ADAMA

Forgive me, Mr. President, but they hate us with every fiber of their existence. We love freedom, we love independence, to feel, to question, to resist oppression, but – to them, it’s an alien way of existing they will never accept.

ADAR

But they have, through Baltar! They have sued for peace.

ADAMA

Yes. Of course you’re right.

ADAR

(smiles and nods)

(Vipers in space)

ZAC

Apollo, two targets on my scanner, just above the old moon, Cimtar.

APOLLO

Could be a storm. The fleet will be coming right through it. Look, you hold positions and cover me while I take a look. Let me get my turbos.

(flies closer and spots a ship)

Well, look at that.

ZAC

What is it?

APOLLO

Tell you in a flash.

(checks computer)

Warbook says a Cylon tanker. Scanner reads it’s empty.

ZAC

Apollo, I have a funny feeling about this.

APOLLO

Well, we came to look.

(goes around the tanker)

There’s the other ship tucked in nice and neat. And I wonder what she’s doin’.

(checks computer but gets only interference; sighs)

I can’t read anything inside. She’s jamming us.

ZAC

Warbook says she’s a freighter.

APOLLO

My foot. If she’s jamming us, she’s hiding something. I’m going ’round her.

(passes around and under the freighter)

Nothing but a harmless mist. Not heavy at all. I don’t see why they’d send up all that electronic jamming.

(spots Cylon Raiders in large numbers)

Let’s get outta here.

ZAC

Why?

APOLLO

I’ll explain later.

CENTURION

Colonial Viper in quadrant. Intercepting.

(Raiders begin firing at Vipers.)

ZAC

(sighs)

I see what you mean.

APOLLO

It’s an ambush. And they’ve got enough firepower to destroy the entire fleet. They’re jamming our transmission. We’re not gonna make it giving them our backs. How many of ’em can you make out?

ZAC

Four.

APOLLO

When I hit three, you hit your reverse thrusters and maximum braking flaps. We’ll give ’em a little surprise. One, two, three.

(Vipers reverse until they are behind the Cylons)

Turbos full forward thrust, now.

(targets a Raider)

Right here, you creeps.

(destroys a Raider; Zac does the same)

Hey, not bad, little brother. Okay, you go after the guys on the right.

(destroys a third Raider)

Yahoo!

ZAC

Apollo, I’ll get this one.

(misses and the Raider goes behind him)

APOLLO

Zac, look out behind you!

(The Raider damages Zac’s Viper.)

ZAC

I can’t lose him! He’s right on my tail!

APOLLO

Hang on, I’m coming. Steady...

ZAC

Hurry, Apollo!

APOLLO

Steady…

(destroys Raider)

ZAC

Nice shooting, but they hit my high engine.

APOLLO

That’s okay, little brother. We got all of ’em. The day those guys can outfight us without a ten-to-one margin—

ZAC

Apollo, better look at your scanner.

(Scanner shows massive number of Cylon Raiders in pursuit.)

APOLLO

No, but a thousand to one, that’s not fair.

ZAC

What’s it mean?

APOLLO

It means there isn’t going to be any peace. There may not be much of anything if we don’t warn the fleet.

ZAC

Do it. I’m short an engine. You know I won’t be able to keep up with ya.

APOLLO

Zac, I’m not gonna leave you.

ZAC

You have to! I’m puttin’ my foot in that turbo. I’ll make it back ahead of ’em. Now, go on! You gotta warn the fleet! I’ll be all right.

APOLLO

(sighs)

You can fly with me any time, little brother. Good luck.

(Adama’s shuttle)

ADAMA

Galactica Control, this is Commander Adama returning from Atlantia. Request permission to land.

RIGEL (over communicator)

Permission granted.

ATHENA

(listening to headset)

Something’s wrong.

ADAMA

What is it?

ATHENA

I don’t know. They just put the ship on alert.

(Galactica bridge)

RIGEL

Atlantia, this is Galactica Core Control. Request assistance in communicating with our patrol. Scanners are disabled.

ADAMA

Colonel, what’s been happening?

TIGH

Our patrol ran into trouble. We picked up some signals, but they’re being jammed. Could be smugglers, or pirates, or…

ATLANTIA VOICE

Standby One, Galactica.

RIGEL

Standing by.

ADAMA

Get me the President, please.

(On the Atlantia bridge, Adar stands with Baltar as he communicates with Adama.)

ADAMA

Mr. President, our patrol is under attack. We don’t know by whom. As a precautionary measure, I would like to launch intercept fighters.

BALTAR

Oh, I should think that’s highly inadvisable, in view of the delicacy of our situation.

ADAR

Uh, quite right, Baltar. Commander, as a precautionary measure, I insist upon restraint.

ATLANTIA VOICE (in background)

Galactica Core Control, this is Atlantia. Unable to raise your patrol craft. Scanning on all frequencies, Galactica. There is no response.

ADAR

If this turns out to be an encounter with some outlaw traffic, we could jeopardize the whole cause of peace by displaying fighters when we are so close to our rendezvous.

ADAMA

Mr. President—

ATHENA (in background)

Thank you, Atlantia...

ADAMA

— two of my star fighters are under armed attack.

ADAR

By forces unknown. You are not to launch until the situation is more clear.

ADAMA

Sir, may I at least urge you to bring the fleet to a state of alert?

ADAR

I will consider that. Thank you, Commander.

(ends transmission)

TIGH

He’ll consider it? He’ll consider it?

ADAMA

It’s all right, Colonel, it’s all right.

TIGH

I’m sorry, Commander, but it’s just that – well—

ADAMA

Well, what?

TIGH

The patrol is under the command of Captain Apollo.

ADAMA

Well, if I can’t have confidence in my firstborn son, whom can I depend upon?

TIGH

Commander, Zac is with him. It’s his first patrol.

ADAMA

Thank you.

(Zac’s crippled Viper limps toward the fleet.)

ZAC

Come on, baby, gimme all you got.

(Galactica bridge)

TIGH

Still no word from our fighters, sir. Their transmission is being deliberately jammed. If we don’t launch—

ADAMA

We cannot launch. It’s been expressly forbidden. However, this might be a very good time for battle stations drill. Sound the alert, Colonel.

TIGH

Yes, sir.

(In the Blue Squadron barracks, Starbuck plays Pyramid with some of the other pilots.)

STARBUCK

You may never see another one, fellas.

(lays cards on table to reactions of awe)

A perfect pyramid. Unless there’s a better hand, the pot’s mine.

PILOT IN BACKGROUND

Who was winning?

(The alert klaxon sounds, triggering shouting and chaos. Pilots start grabbing cubits out of the pot.)

PILOTS

Come on!

Unfortunately, we’ll have to finish later.

Another time!

STARBUCK

(trying to protect his winnings)

No, wait! Wait! Wait! Wait! Hey, wait a minute! Hey, wait! Hey, come back!

PILOTS

Duty calls!

Let’s go! Let’s go!

Aw, come on! Come on! Come on!

(Starbuck sweeps winnings into his trousers and heads for the launch bay with his fellow pilots.)

(Galactica bridge)

OMEGA

Sir, our long-range scanner shows a large number of ships headed this way at high speed.

ATHENA

Single patrol craft is approaching, Commander.

ADAMA

Get that pilot up here as soon as he lands. Get me the President.

OMEGA

Yes, sir.

ADAMA

(indicating)

On that box.

(In the launch bay, Starbuck runs toward his Viper.)

CREWMAN

What’s goin’ on?

STARBUCK

Eh, it’s nothing to worry about. Probably some kind of aerial salute for the President while he signs the armistice. It sure ruined a good card game.

(Galactica bridge)

ADAR (on screen)

Commander?

ADAMA

Mr. President, a wall of unidentified craft is closing in on the fleet.

BALTAR

Possibly a Cylon welcoming committee.

ADAMA

Sir, may I suggest we launch a welcoming committee of our own?

BALTAR

Mr. President, there remain many hostile feelings amongst our warriors. The likelihood of an unfortunate incident, with all those pilots in the sky at once?

(walks off)

ADAR

Commander?

ADAMA

Sir, did Count Baltar suggest that our forces sit here totally defenseless?

ADAR

My friend, we are on a peace mission – the first peace man has known in a thousand years.

(Zac’s Viper continues to labor as he flees the Cylons and tries to reach the fleet.)

CENTURION

Stand by to attack.

ZAC

Ah, come on, baby, not much farther. Blue Flight Two, in trouble! Request emergency approach.

(Galactica bridge)

ADAMA

Mr. President—

TIGH

Commander, one of our patrol ships is under attack from the main force approaching the fleet.

ADAMA

Mr. President, your “welcoming committee” is firing at our patrol!

ADAR

Baltar? Baltar?

(In his wounded Viper, Zac sights the fleet.)

ZAC

(sighs)

Made it!

(comes under heavy fire)

Patrol to fleet! Patrol to fleet! I need help!

(his Viper is destroyed)

(Galactica bridge)

ADAR (on screen)

What was that?

ADAMA

That was my son, Mr. President.

ATHENA

(sobbing)

No! Oh, my God, no!

(Cylon Raiders attack the fleet of battlestars.)

ADAMA

Positive shield, now! Launch fighters. All batteries commence fire.

BACKGROUND VOICE

All fire control stations manned and operational.

RIGEL

Launch all remaining Vipers.

OMEGA

Sir, they’re off.

TIGH

Fighters launched, sir.

BACKGROUND VOICE

All battlestars, unable to launch fighters.

ADAMA

Were the other ships able to launch their fighters?

TIGH

Negative, sir.

ADAMA

Lord help us.

(sighs)

BACKGROUND VOICE

Engineering reports laser hits on starboard eight eighty-seven. Power reduction requested…

APOLLO

Cylons, an ambush. I had to leave Zac. He’s disabled. I’d like to go back and lead him in.

ADAMA

That won’t be possible.

APOLLO

Father, I didn’t know what else to do! If I don’t go back, he doesn’t stand a chance.

(Adama looks at him sadly)

BACKGROUND VOICE

Atlantia to all battlestars. We are under attack. Repeat, under attack.

APOLLO

Zac?

TIGH

His ship was destroyed just short of the fleet.

BACKGROUND VOICES

Transferring target scanners to decks seven and eight.

Battlestar Atlantia and Atropolis losing speed.

Must reduce speed three points to maintain position with Atlantia.

(Vipers in battle)

MONK

Hey, heads up, Boomer, there’s a pair on your tail.

JOLLY

Pull up, Boomer, we’ll try to get him off.

(Raider is destroyed.)

BOOMER

Nice shootin’!

(Galactica bridge)

TIGH

Captain, we have to know how many base ships we’re dealing with.

APOLLO

No base ships.

TIGH

You must be mistaken, Captain. Fighters couldn’t function this far from Cylon without base ships. They don’t carry enough fuel.

APOLLO

No base ships. Just fighters, maybe a thousand.

ADAMA

How do you account for that, Apollo?

APOLLO

I don’t know. The—

(sighs)

We picked up an empty tanker on our scanner. It’s my guess the Cylons used it to refuel for the attack after flying to that point from wherever their base ships are.

TIGH

Why operate this far from Cylon without base ships when it isn’t necessary? They would have been well out of our range at the old moon.

ADAMA

Unless it was necessary – for them to be somewhere else! Get me the President!

(Vipers continue to battle Raiders.)

MONK

Hey, Starbuck, it’s dangerous around here!

(his ship is destroyed)

(Galactica bridge)

ADAMA

Mr. President, I request permission to leave the fleet. I have reason to suspect our home planets may face imminent attack.

(the Atlantia is struck, causing interference with Adar’s transmission)

Maintain contact.

BACKGROUND VOICE

Atlantia to all battlestars. We are taking hits. Fires out of control. Request Vipers.

ADAR (on screen)

How could I have been so completely wrong? I have led the entire human race to ruin.

ADAMA

Mr. President—

(The Atlantia bridge is struck, sending a man on fire screaming over a railing.)

(Raiders over Atlantia)

CENTURION

Group Three, vectors one seven and two eight. Arm and attack Atlantia.

(Another hit on the Atlantia bridge sends another screaming man over a railing.)

(fighters over Atlantia)

PILOT VOICE

He’s going after the Atlantia.

BOOMER
I got him on the left.

STARBUCK

I got him on the right. The main attack is on the President’s ship.

CENTURION

Atlantia death squadron, attack.

(Cylons stage a suicide attack on the Atlantia’s landing bay.)

(Atlantia bridge)

BACKGROUND VOICE

Fires on decks twenty and eleven.

(Galactica bridge)

ADAMA

Negative shield, now.

BACKGROUND VOICE

Control center, emergency laser power to guns eight through twelve.

(The Atlantia explodes, causing exclamations from the Galactica bridge crew.)

BACKGROUND VOICES

My God, the ship—

Get back to your posts now.

ADAMA

Oh, my God.

TIGH

Commander, our long-range scanners have picked up Cylon base ships, at grid zero three five, one two six, and two five eight. That puts them well within striking range of the planets Virgon, Sagittara, and—

ADAMA

Yes, and Caprica.

BACKGROUND VOICES

Request status report on battlestars Triton and Pacifica.

No response from Triton and Pacifica.

(Aboard the Imperious Leader’s base star, two Centurions enter the throne room.)

CENTURION

By your command.

IMPERIOUS LEADER

Speak, Centurion.

CENTURION

All base ships are now in range to attack the Colonies.

IMPERIOUS LEADER

The final annihilation of the life form known as man. Let the attack begin.

(Galactica bridge)

ADAMA

Helm, bring us around. We’re withdrawing. Flank speed for home!

BACKGROUND VOICE

This is the Triton. We're on fire. Must abandon ship. Request shuttles to…

OMEGA

Commander, the long-range scanner picks up wave after wave of small ships headed towards all inner planets.

ADAMA

(nods)

(Vipers in space see the Galactica leave the fleet.)

STARBUCK

Hey, Boomer.

BOOMER

I see it.

STARBUCK

Yeah, where’s she goin’?

BOOMER

Don’t ask me; the Commander’s callin’ the shots.

GREENBEAN

Hey, you guys, what’s goin’ on? The Galactica’s pullin’ out.

STARBUCK

(sighs)

Well, there’s gotta be a good reason.

(Galactica bridge)

OMEGA

The electronic jamming has stopped.

APOLLO

They’re clearin’ the air for their electronic guidance systems.

TIGH

That means the attack is underway.

OMEGA

No, sir. We’re picking up long-range video satellite signals. Everything looks perfectly normal at home. We have a civil broadcast transmission coming up here shortly.

TIGH

Perhaps we’re in time, Commander.

(On the surface of Caprica, Serina conducts a remote news broadcast, monitored by the Galactica.)

SERINA

Preparations continue through the night here at the Caprica Praesidium. We can see at the moment it is somewhat deserted, but with the new dawn, it’ll be full of Capricans, coming here eagerly and joyfully to usher in a new era, the era of peace. So far, details of the armistice meeting, going on at this very moment on the Star Kobol, are not coming in as we had hoped for. It seems that this is due to unusual electrical interferences which are – are blocking out all interstellar communications. However, as soon as they are available, we will be showing you the first pictures of something that has been described as the most significant event in history.

(Cylon Raiders descend on the city and start strafing; people run screaming)

Oh, my God, it – it’s a tremendous explosion! Are – are we getting this on the camera? People are running everywhere, they – running all different directions.

(she sighs)

Well, ladies and gentlemen, this is terrible. They – they’re bombing the city!

(Boxey runs down a flight of stairs, unseen by Serina.)

MALE VOICE

Come on, let’s get outta here!

FEMALE VOICE

Mimi! David!

SERINA

Boxey!

(she sees Boxey and drops microphone as an explosion occurs nearby)

Look out! Boxey!

(they try to shelter themselves at the base of an obelisk)

Everything’s gonna be fine. Everything’s gonna be fine, Boxey.

MAN

(grabs them and runs with them)

Please, miss, the building’s gonna topple! Everybody!

SERINA

Run, Boxey!

MAN

Run for cover! Run! Run! Hurry, find cover! Get out of here! Stay down here! Down! Down!

(he runs off to help someone else and is killed by an explosion)

BOXEY

My daggit! My daggit! Where is he?

SERINA

He’s fine, he’s fine!

(sees the obelisk topple and fall on Muffit)

It’s gonna be all right.

(On the Galactica bridge, the crew members helplessly monitor various communications from the Colonies.)

VOICES (from scanners)

...reaching on a broad front from the lakes to the southern peninsula.

This is a total loss!

Thirty-one cities are known to be under heavy attack. … starting forest fires, which are unchecked …

I’m dying here! People running, on fire. I can’t tell you what it’s like. I’m all alone here. I can’t reach anyone.

Comm-Tel from second continent reports devastation throughout the mainland. Call XB thirty-one ninety-one. Three one nine one.

Co-op, this is the most terrible thing I’ve ever witnessed.

Red One Three Niner. We’re on fire. Emergency! Fire in Red One Three.

There are hundreds of fires. A sea of fire. The water supply is cut off. There is no water!

Paramedic down across the intersection. There’s a couple of thousand people under there!

I’m told the death toll is in the hundreds.

No, sir, I cannot. My orders are to cover the relay. No, sir, I cannot!

The central area is under attack. A second wave is coming in! We have no defenses! No shelter from this!

Is anyone on this channel? Is this channel operative? Do any of these channels work?

ATHENA

(crying, to Adama)

Oh – oh, Zac, and all the others! They trusted us to protect them, and we – oh—

APOLLO

(to Adama)

There really wasn’t any choice.

OMEGA

Commander, Cylon base ships on long-range scanner, launching to all outer planets.

TIGH

No hope, Commander.

ADAMA

What about Sagittara?

OMEGA

The planet’s in flames, Commander.

ADAMA

Have my shuttlecraft prepared, please.

TIGH

Shuttlecraft?

ADAMA

I’m going down on the surface of Caprica.

TIGH

Commander, that is out of the question. If the Cylon scanners should pick you up—

ADAMA

You will continue to rendezvous with the survivors of the fleet.

APOLLO

I’ll take you in my fighter. You’re the last surviving member of the Council, father. If we should run into a Cylon attack ship, at least you’ll have a chance.

TIGH

I insist on that, Commander.

BACKGROUND VOICE (from a scanner)

We’re hit! We’re hit!

ADAMA

Very well.

RIGEL

Core systems transferring control to probe craft. Launch when ready.

OMEGA

Ships are coming in on both decks, sir.

TIGH

What’s the count?

RIGEL

Sixty-seven fighters in all, sir. Twenty-five of our own.

TIGH

How many battlestars?

OMEGA

None.

TIGH

What?

OMEGA

We’re the only surviving battlestar.

TIGH

My God.

(Starbuck’s Viper flies toward the Galactica.)

STARBUCK

This is Red Leader One, in trouble. Repeat, in trouble.

(Galactica bridge)

ATHENA

We read you, Red Leader. How can we assist you?

STARBUCK

I’m battle-damaged. Power control circuits shot away on my landing gear.

ATHENA

Am on the line, Starbuck. What’s your condition?

STARBUCK

(sighs)

This is no time for trainees, Athena. I’m in trouble. I mean, I’m in real trouble.

ATHENA

You will be if you keep talking like that. How’s your fuel?

STARBUCK

Dry.

ATHENA

All right. Run the check with me.

BACKGROUND VOICE

Check.

ATHENA

Alpha circuit. Close and alternate to left servo circuit.

STARBUCK

Alpha circuit closed, alternating to left servo circuit. No response. My throttles are still full open.

ATHENA

Omega-C circuit. Close and alternate to servo support circuit.

STARBUCK

Alternating to servo support circuit. Does not respond.

TIGH

Bring him in full throttle with shutdown at the outer marker. There’s no choice.

STARBUCK

I heard him. Eh, get everyone out of the way. I’m comin’ in hot.

(Athena leaves her post for the landing bay.)

OMEGA

You’re cleared to land.

STARBUCK

Roger. I hope you guys aren’t countin’ off for neatness.

OMEGA

He’ll be coming in like a missile.

(Athena starts to run into the landing bay but is caught by a crewman.)

CREWMAN

Stay back! He could lose it!

(she breaks free as Starbuck’s Viper enters the bay)

I told you to stay back!

ATHENA

Starbuck!

FIREMAN

Get out fast! The ship might blow any minute!

ATHENA

Are you all right?

STARBUCK

Fine, fine, no thanks to your father.

(hands his helmet to a crewman)

Here. Give it a good wash, fellas.

FIREMAN

Now, get under that wing and blow that out! Get that fire there!

(Athena follows Starbuck down a corridor.)

ATHENA

What are you saying about my father? Do you realize what we’ve just been through?

STARBUCK

Oh, yeah? You should have seen how we spent our day. We managed to singlehandedly keep the Cylons off your neck while you took off on a little cruise!

ATHENA

Starbuck, don’t you realize what’s happened?

STARBUCK

Oh, yeah, sure, I realize what happened. You should see this baby from the air when it takes off across the sky. It’s a beautiful sight, beautiful! Unless it happens to be your base ship!

ATHENA

Starbuck, listen to me! The Colonies are gone. All of them.

STARBUCK

What are you talking about, “gone”?

(walks off, gesturing that he’s done with the conversation)

(Apollo, with Adama, lands his Viper on the devastated surface of Caprica, where they visit the ruins of their home. Adama opens a strongbox and removes some family pictures.)

ADAMA

(to a picture of his wife)

I’m sorry, Ila. I was never there when it mattered. Never.

(A murmuring crowd approaches the landing site with torches.)

CROWD

Ship!

Yeah.

Women.

Let’s stay together.

This way!

There must be food somewhere…

I’m hungry.

Bottom of the hill.

I want a few answers.

APOLLO

Father? There are crowds coming. They probably saw our ship land.

ADAMA

(fighting back tears)

I was just (sniffs) ga-gathering a few things here. This likeness of you and Zac.

APOLLO

Father, we can’t stay.

ADAMA

(breaks down and cries)

APOLLO

Maybe mother wasn’t here.

ADAMA

No. No, she was here. She was here.

(The angry crowd arrives at the Viper and Apollo goes out to meet them.)

MAN

Anybody down there with him?

SANDELL

(to Apollo)

Where were they?

CROWD

Hah!

Hey!

SANDELL

Where were they? Where were the rest of you fancy fliers?

LOBE

Where were ya, when they killed the rest of us? What were ya doin’, boy?

(grabs Apollo and prepares to rough him up)

SERINA

Wait! Wait, let him talk! I want to know where you were as well. All of you. We waited, we watched and prayed, and you never came.

APOLLO

Most of us are dead. The fleet is all but destroyed.

SERINA

But you’re here.

APOLLO

From the battlestar Galactica.

SERINA

It survives?

BACKGROUND VOICE

We’re all dead.

APOLLO

(to Serina)

Yes.

SERINA

What of the President, and the Council of Twelve, and – and all the other Colonies?

ADAMA

All destroyed.

(The crowd turns at the sound of Adama’s voice.)

SERINA

Commander Adama.

ADAMA

Yes, Serina.

SERINA

It’s true, then. We’re defeated, doomed.

BOXEY

(runs up to Apollo)

Can I ride in your ship, sir?

APOLLO

Fighter planes are no place for little boys.

SERINA

They’re going to have to be, if our people are going to survive. We must fight back!

ADAMA

Yes, we are going to fight back. But not here, not now, not in the Colonies, not even in this star system. Let the word go forth to every man, woman, and child who survived this holocaust. Tell them to set sail at once in every assorted vehicle that will carry them.

(narrating)

And the word went forth to every outpost of human existence. And they came, the Aeries, the Gemons, the Virgos, the Scorpios, the Pisceans, and the Sagittarians – in all, two hundred and twenty ships, representing every colony, color, and creed in the star system. The human race might have one more chance, but first it would have to survive the Alliance, the elements, and the unknown dark and sinister threats that would lie ahead.

(As the twin suns rise over the surface of Caprica, Baltar gloats over the devastation.)

BALTAR

Their destruction is complete.

CENTURION

Our forces have taken prisoners near the spacedrome. They tell of survivors who escaped in ships.

BALTAR

What ships?

(laughs grimly)

How far can they go? If a handful of survivors did indeed escape, they would have neither fuel nor food for a prolonged voyage.

CENTURION

The information is not complete. It is offered in exchange for life.

BALTAR

And what is the standing order for humans from your Imperious Leader?

CENTURION

Extermination.

BALTAR

Then carry out your orders. If they exist, they’re doomed.

(In the council chamber aboard the Galactica, Adama addresses an assembly of survivors.)

ADAMA

We gather here as representatives of each ship in our fleet to answer that single question: “Where will we go?” Our recorded history tells us that we descended from a mother civilization, a race that went out into space to establish colonies. Those of us here assembled now represent the only known surviving colonies, save one – a sister world, far out in the universe, remembered to us only through ancient writings. It is my intention to seek out that remaining colony, that last outpost of humanity in the whole universe.

SERINA

Commander Adama, this thirteenth colony, this other world – where is it and what is it called?

ADAMA

I wish I could tell you that I know precisely where it is, but I can’t. However, I do know that it lies beyond our star system, in a galaxy very much like our own, on a planet called – Earth.

CROWD

Earth?

(At Athena’s locker, she changes out of her uniform and is beginning to remove her pressure suit as Starbuck enters.)

STARBUCK

Anybody here?

ATHENA

(embarrassed, ducks behind her locker door)

Hm, Starbuck.

STARBUCK

Oh. I – I, uh, I’ve been looking for you. I came to, um, apologize for how I treated you. It’s just – I’d seen so many of the guys from my squadron (sighs) burned up. I—I—I—I guess I was looking to take it out on somebody. I – I wish it hadn’t been you.

ATHENA

It wasn’t important, Starbuck.

(sighs)

I don’t know what is.

STARBUCK

Look, I’m sorry about – Zac, and your mother.

ATHENA

Starbuck, you don’t have to say anything.

STARBUCK

Zac pulled my patrol.

ATHENA

He wanted to go.

STARBUCK

Yeah. Look, Athena, this is a time for sticking together. Maybe we – maybe we could, uh, talk about, uh – things…

ATHENA

Us, you mean?

STARBUCK

Well, yeah, I – guess it is a little overdue.

ATHENA

(tsks, laughs dejectedly)

Starbuck, I don’t know.

(sighs)

I don’t think any of us have any kind of future anymore.

STARBUCK

Hey. Hey, don’t say that. Thing – things are gonna be all right. Look, if – if we can handle what we’ve just been through, we can handle anything.

ATHENA

(exasperated)

Uhh. S— Later, maybe, my— when things aren’t so fresh in my mind.

STARBUCK

Athena, I – I said I was sorry.

ATHENA

Starbuck, I don’t want to care about anybody. But especially you.

(sighs)

Zac couldn’t wait to get out there, get all shot up. And you – you’re worse than Zac.

STARBUCK

Nn-nn — I – I – I think of it as an obligation.

ATHENA

(laughs)

No, you don’t. Oh, you like to pretend that they’re out there dragging you by your bootstraps, but, uh, (sighs) you really can’t wait to get up there in that machine of yours.

STARBUCK

Well, I – I guess we see things differently.

ATHENA

I guess we do.

STARBUCK

(starts to say something, then thinks better of it)

I s-said what I came to say.

(exits)

(A shuttle approaches the Gemini freighter.)

STARBUCK

This is Alpha shuttle approaching freighter Gemini for fleet damage and supply survey. Please prepare to receive.

(aboard the freighter)

STARBUCK

I’d look at it this way, Boomer. It isn’t the worst duty in the fleet, asking a lot of questions. I hear they’re sending some poor guys from Beta section crawling around on the outside of an old skybus looking for a solium leak.

BOOMER

Hmm, wonder how they missed us for that detail.

STARBUCK

(sees Apollo on top of some pipes and equipment)

Excuse me, but—

APOLLO

Shh.

STARBUCK

Would you mind telling us what you’re looking for?

APOLLO

Solium leaks.

STARBUCK

(exchanges glance with Boomer)

Bye.

APOLLO

Halt!

(climbs down)

STARBUCK

Apollo – Captain, that stuff is dangerous. I mean, uh, these old ships shouldn’t even be flying.

APOLLO

There really wasn’t much choice, was there? How many people did we leave behind for lack of ships? Now, unless you’re willing to volunteer permanent assignment on this tub, you’ll help survey each and every ship in this fleet for damage, or I just might be tempted to loan you guys out to Beta company.

BOOMER

Just keep it up, old buddy. You’re gonna get us into real trouble.

STARBUCK

Ten thousand light years from nowhere, our planet shot to pieces, people starving, and I’m gonna get us in trouble?

BOOMER

Look, all I’m sayin’ is that—

STARBUCK

What is the matter with you? I tell ya— Well, may as well live for today. We might not have many left.

(The three warriors descend through a hatchway into a lower level, where groaning and coughing survivors are living in pathetic conditions.)

MALE VOICE

Food! Food!

FEMALE VOICE

What’s – what’s going on?

MALE VOICE

We need some food.

FEMALE VOICE

I hope there’s somethin’ happening.

STARBUCK

Apollo.

APOLLO

Yeah. I see it.

WOMAN

Where’s the food?

APOLLO

Everything’s gonna be taken care of. Just be patient and your needs will—

WOMAN

But where’s the water? We haven’t had water in two days.

APOLLO

We will have food and water to you as soon as possible. Just—

WOMAN

But what’s happening? But you promised us water! Just give us a little water. Can’t you bring a little water down here, a little bit? We just need a little bit of water to last a couple more days, and food!

MAN 1

You! Where’s the food? Why haven’t we seen or heard from anyone in two days?

MAN 2

Please, please, tell us what’s going on. Have – have we been left behind?

APOLLO

No, you haven’t been left behind. Just be patient.

CHILD’S VOICE

Water! Water!

APOLLO

Your needs will be attended to. Be patient. Just be glad you’re alive.

(An old Gemonese woman approaches with her husband.)

OLD WOMAN

Ginke minke! Nogu komu! Ogu nemu! Boku regoko? Tombi chambi. Gelbi kakaro. Obi komi.

APOLLO

What did she say?

STARBUCK

It’s Gemonese. Boomer can translate.

APOLLO

Boomer’s tied up. Anyone here who can help? Does anyone here understand Gemonese?

CASSIOPEIA

The woman said her husband is feverish.

APOLLO

What’s wrong with your arm?

CASSIOPEIA

There are others in greater need than I.

OTORI WOMAN

Get her out of here. She should be jettisoned with the dead. No place for refuse here. Feed her to the daggits! Dirty socialator.

MAN 3

It’s a sin to starve us while the – the bureauticians luxuriate in their private sanctuaries.

APOLLO

No one is in luxury; I can promise you that.

MAN 4

No! No, you’re lying. I saw it with my own eyes, aboard the Rising Star, before I was cast out and – and put here among the borays of humanity.

BOOMER

(to Apollo)

Come here.

(draws him aside)

Core Control is aware of the problem.

APOLLO

Then I can tell them food and water’s on the way?

BOOMER

They’re “aware of the problem.”

MAN 4

What? What are you saying? There’s something you’re not telling us.

APOLLO

Relief is on the way. You have my word as a warrior.

WOMAN

Your word as a warrior?

(bursts out in mocking laughter)

(The shuttle leaves the Gemini freighter.)

APOLLO

You know, I can’t fault them for resenting us. They lost everything; they have to blame someone. Core Command, this is Alpha shuttle requesting clarification on food dispersal.

(Galactica bridge)

RIGEL

Core Command. No information available at this time.

APOLLO (from shuttle)

What are you talking about, “no information is available”? I just left a ship filled with starving people. What’s going on?

(Tigh taps Rigel on the shoulder.)

RIGEL

I’m sorry, Shuttle Alpha. Core Command has no information available at this time.

TIGH

(punches number on handheld communicator)

Commander, this is Colonel Tigh. It’s starting.

(Alpha shuttle)

APOLLO

Something’s wrong. What’d they tell you when you called in the food shortage?

BOOMER

Same thing they told you. Vague acknowledgment of the problem.

APOLLO

(sighs)

Boomer, I’m getting an awful uneasy feeling.

(In the back of the shuttle, Starbuck collects information on the sick and wounded passengers.)

STARBUCK

Why don’t you just give me your name? Okay?

CASSIOPEIA

Uh—

STARBUCK

It’s all right.

CASSIOPEIA

My name is Cassiopeia.

STARBUCK

Cassiopeia. It’s beautiful. It means “fairy queen,” doesn’t it?

CASSIOPEIA

Mm-hmm. I think so.

STARBUCK

And designation?

CASSIOPEIA

I—

(sighs)

I’m designated a socialator. It’s an honorable profession, practiced with the blessings of the elders for over four thousand years.

STARBUCK

Yeah – see, I didn’t say anything. I was just curious about what all that excitement was about back on the barge.

CASSIOPEIA

That woman – that woman is a member of the Otori sect amongst the Gemonese.

STARBUCK

Mm-hmm.

CASSIOPEIA

They don’t believe in physical contact between genders except when sanctified by the priests during High Worship of the Sunstorm, which comes once only every seven years!

STARBUCK

No wonder those little buggers are such good card players.

CASSIOPEIA

(slight laugh)

APOLLO

Core Command, this is Alpha shuttle. Changing course to rendezvous starliner Rising Star. Shuttle will proceed on to Galactica with patients for life station.

STARBUCK

Hey, what are you up to? — i-if you don’t mind my asking. Sir.

APOLLO

I want to see what’s at the bottom of this conspiracy of silence.

(The shuttle arrives at the Rising Star.)

APOLLO

Passenger liner Rising Star, this is Sigma shuttle on fleet damage and supply survey. Prepare to receive.

(in the lower level of the Rising Star)

APOLLO

Contaminated? Weren’t the provisions checked before they were boarded?

JOLLY

For radiation, yes. There wasn’t time to check for pluton poisoning.

BOOMER

Pluton breaks down the structure of food. All of this is worthless?

APOLLO

We don’t know that yet. Jolly, have your crews go through every container. Chances are some of it was shielded enough from the bombs to be saved.

JOLLY

We – we – we went through three ships since last night. It isn’t looking good.

APOLLO

Salvage anything you can. Even small scraps will help.

JOLLY

And what do we do with the rest of it?

APOLLO

Jettison it. Keep a lid on the problem. People find out we haven’t any food, we’re gonna have a mutiny on our hands. We’re goin’ up to the second level.

(Imperious Leader’s throne room)

SERPENTINE

Flight Leader Serpentine, by your command.

IMPERIOUS LEADER

Report, Centurion, on the final assault.

SERPENTINE
On each of the twelve planets a similar story is told of a handful of ships who escaped destruction to rendezvous with a warship.

IMPERIOUS LEADER

What kind of warship?

SERPENTINE

A battlestar called Galactica.

IMPERIOUS LEADER

Then go and seek out Baltar. Tell him I am displeased. Tell him I offer a choice – deliver the battlestar Galactica or deliver his head.

(On the second level of the Rising Star, Apollo and Boomer are approached by Serina.)

SERINA

Captain!

APOLLO

Yes?

SERINA

I heard that you’d come aboard. I, uh, I wonder if I might borrow you for a moment.

APOLLO

I’m afraid we’re on an important survey for the Commander right now.

SERINA

It won’t take very long, I…

APOLLO

(sighs)

Boomer, why don’t you go up to Elite class and see if there’s anything going on we should be concerned about?

BOOMER

Mm.

SERINA

You won’t like what you find.

APOLLO

(to Boomer)

I’ll be along presently.

(gestures to Serina to lead the way)

SERINA

(leading him into a compartment filled with more groaning, suffering passengers)

It’s my son. He hasn’t moved in two days.

(sighs)

He lost a little daggit which meant everything to him, and I thought you might be able to help.

APOLLO

If he won’t eat for you, I don’t know what I can do.

SERINA

Well, he seemed to spark a little when you picked him up on Caprica. I got the feeling that you were good with children.

APOLLO

I grew up with a kid brother. Where is he?

SERINA

He’s there.

APOLLO

Oh.

(goes over to Boxey)

Excuse me. I’m in charge of finding young men to try out as future fighter pilots. Your name is?

SERINA

Boxey.

APOLLO

Boxey. Okay.

(punches buttons on his handheld computer)

Just what I thought. You’re right at the top of my list. You know I’ve been lookin’ all over for you? You should’ve made contact with the Commander. We’re very short on fighter pilots.

BOXEY

I’m too little to be a pilot.

APOLLO

Oh, sure, right now, but how long do you think it takes to become a full Colonial warrior, huh?

BOXEY

I don’t know.

APOLLO

Well, you have to start when you’re very small, or you won’t get these until you have gray hair.

(shows Boxey his collar insignia)

You like them?

BOXEY

I want Muffit.

APOLLO

Well, I don’t know. There’s not much room for a daggit in a fighter plane.

BOXEY

He’s gone. He ran away.

APOLLO

Oh. Well, um – well, maybe we can find one of Muffit’s friends.

BOXEY

I asked. There are no daggits.

APOLLO

(sighs)

Well, I’ll tell you what.

(removes his insignia and gives it to Boxey)

As a Colonial warrior first level, you are entitled to the first daggit that comes along, okay? But only on the condition that you get your rest, close your eyes, eat all your primaries – shhh – and stop chasin’ girls.

(Boxey falls asleep.)

(Serina and Apollo walk along the corridor.)

SERINA

Thank you. I was right. You are good with kids. You and your brother must be very close.

APOLLO

We were.

SERINA

Oh, I’m sorry, I – Look, if you’d rather not be involved, I—

APOLLO

Hey, don’t be silly. What’s a warrior to do after he’s lost the big one? Win a few of the little ones.

SERINA

That’s not a little one in there, Captain.

APOLLO

No.

(Elite class, outside Sire Uri’s suite)

BOOMER

…you just once to step aside right—

GUARD

Lieutenant, this is a private accommodation secured by Sire Uri and his party. Now, I’m being paid by Trans-Stellar’s—

BOOMER

(draws his laser on the guard)

—now.

APOLLO

(arriving)

Hey, what’s goin’ on, Boomer?

BOOMER

Oh, oh, nothin’, nothin’. Just, uh, the fella here didn’t, uh, seem to want to let us into the club area.

APOLLO

(opens door and goes in)

Thank you.

BOOMER

Thank you.

(Inside the club area, Sire Uri sits surrounded by young women and other well-dressed people who are enjoying a luxurious party.)

URI

I trust you have an explanation for this intrusion?

APOLLO

Would you like to make a statement before I arrest you, Sire Uri?

URI

(chuckles)

I’m glad you know my name. At least you’ll know from where the blade fell.

APOLLO

I’m gonna give you about a micron to join me on my shuttle. After that, I’ll just turn the six levels of starving passengers beneath you loose and let you take your chances with them.

URI

Captain, why don’t you join us in our prayer of gratitude for deliverance?

APOLLO

In case it eluded you, Councilor, some hundred people have died since our deliverance from the Cylons. And while hunger hasn’t yet taken a life, it’s only a matter of time now. Boomer, notify Core Command that we have located some stores, which we will distribute as far as they go.

URI

No, it’s mine. It belongs to me and my guests.

APOLLO

Does your wife share your feelings about denying your food to others?

URI

My wife?

APOLLO

Siress Uri; I don’t see her.

URI

Unfortunately, she was not in time to make the voyage.

APOLLO

My sympathies. I share your bereavement. Siress Uri was an outstanding woman.

URI

Yes.

APOLLO

I’m sure she’d be moved by your period of mourning. Boomer, have Jolly come up here with a crew and distribute this food throughout the ship.

BOOMER

(nods)

(Rising Star, lower level)

BOOMER

Without being critical, Captain, wouldn’t you say you overplayed our hand just a tad, considering Sire Uri is a member of the newly-elected Council of the Twelve?

APOLLO

How do you overplay starvation?

(In the life station, Dr. Paye uses a laser to mend Cassiopeia’s broken arm.)

PAYE

How’s it feel?

CASSIOPEIA

Feels like it’s never even been broken.

PAYE

The bone’s been fused whole. It’s stronger than before.

CASSIOPEIA

It’s wonderful.

(Cassiopeia shows her arm to people waiting in the corridor outside the life station.)

CASSIOPEIA

Ooh! Look, look!

(laughs, then sees Starbuck)

Look! Look at my arm!

(hugs Starbuck and laughs)

You’re waiting to take me back, aren’t you?

STARBUCK

Well, it isn’t easy to find a ride around here.

CASSIOPEIA

Oh, I dread returning to that ship.

STARBUCK

Well, look, uh, maybe I can check around and, uh, see if there’s anyplace else you can go. There are better ships.

CASSIOPEIA

Would you be doing this if I weren’t a socialator?

STARBUCK

Hey, listen, uh, can we forget my little jokes back on the shuttle, huh? Look, I – I just want to help you. Really. It’s, uh, there’s nothing personal.

CASSIOPEIA

Nothing personal?

STARBUCK

No. Absolutely nothing.

CASSIOPEIA

Really?

STARBUCK

I swear.

CASSIOPEIA

(laughs and hugs him)

Okay. Okay. But I think you’re making a terrible deal.

(laughs again)

(Galactica bridge)

RIGEL

The long-range patrol’s reporting in.

(Vipers in space)

GREENBEAN

Alta Tech scanners show no sign of Cylon pursuit. All vectors lookin’ good.

(Galactica bridge)

TIGH

Commander.

ADAMA

Yes, I heard. That’s, uh, good news. Apparently we’ve made good our escape.

TIGH

Finding us now would be almost impossible, assuming we don’t make any mistakes.

(The Council of the Twelve meets in the council chamber while Apollo, Starbuck, and Boomer observe from nearby.)

URI

Carillon is too far away. We will never make it because of the food disaster.

ADAMA
There is no other destination.

URI

Ah, but there is. We can stop here, on Borallus.

(indicating on map)

COUNCIL MEMBERS

Borallus.

Right.

URI

We know that everything we need is there – food, fuel, and water.

ADAMA

And, undoubtedly, a Cylon task force.

URI

It is the most logical place for us to stop.

ADAMA

Precisely why I believe it'll be fatal to do so.

(Apollo walks toward the Council table.)

STARBUCK

(to Apollo)

Ah, ah, eh, eh, hey, where’re you going?

URI

Possibly fatal. Is it not surely fatal to continue towards Carillon?

APOLLO

There is another way! If I may have a few moments of the Council’s time? I support Commander Adama’s rejection of Borallus.

URI

Surprising.

APOLLO

It is a deathtrap as lethal as the one we left behind, and we haven’t the armament to fight our way in and out. However, there is another approach to Carillon.

(indicating on map)

Instead of using the intended route, which takes us centons out of our way, I suggest we take the direct path, here, through the Nova of Madagon, not patrolled and a savings of centons in reaching Carillon.

ANTON

Captain, I may not be a military expert, but I do know that the Cylons don’t have to patrol that particular area because they mine it. They lay mines to make passage impossible.

ADAMA

It would be impossible for a fleet of cumbersome ships like ours to even attempt to go through that narrow passage.

APOLLO

I agree. The fleet could not traverse the channel, unless it had been cleared first.

ANTON

And how would you propose doing that?

APOLLO

Well, I suggest I find one or two volunteers to join me in flying ahead of the fleet in fighter craft to blow the minefield apart with laser torpedoes.

COUNCIL MEMBER

Good idea.

STARBUCK

(to Boomer)

Two, eh, “volunteers.”

ADAMA

Out of the question! Out of the question!

URI

Brilliant, brilliant. If we must go straight ahead as you insist, Adama, then this is the way. I say we support the Captain.

ANTON

Good for you, good for you. My boy, as grave a plan as it is, it appears to be our only hope. You have the support and the blessing of the Council of the Twelve.

(Council members applaud)

APOLLO

Thank you.

(exits)

STARBUCK

You wanna guess who he’s got in mind to volunteer for that—

(Boomer heads for another exit)

Hey! Hey! Wait, wait!

BOOMER

I’m gettin’ outta here.

APOLLO

(meets them in the doorway)

Well.

STARBUCK

Hi.

APOLLO

Just the two fellas I wanted to see.

STARBUCK

Hm?

APOLLO

Follow me, gentlemen.

STARBUCK

See? I told you.

(Boomer motions him through the doorway)

All right.

(Adama’s quarters)

ADAMA

And just what do you think you were doing volunteering for a mission like that? Sire Uri must be laughing up his sleeve!

APOLLO

What’s worrying you more – the mission, or your being made to look foolish by Uri?

(Adama turns toward him angrily)

I’m sorry, I know better than that, but there was no choice. You didn’t seem to have a viable plan. It was his way or mine!

ADAMA

Now, you see? He’s got us doing it, turning one against the other! If Uri weren’t such a prima donna, I’d say to let him lead. But we must not allow ourselves to be fractioned off. There’re too few of us left. A single voice is imperative!

APOLLO

But not his! He’s only interested in himself! I don’t understand how he ever got elected to the Council of the Twelve, and you voted for him!

ADAMA

Well – you should have known him back in the renaissance days of Caprica. He was one of the best, a builder, an architect of dreams, a— And now he just sits and decays himself with drink and remembrance and— It’s no wonder our world fell apart.

APOLLO

Looking back is contagious. Decay and corruption go hand-in-hand with defeatism and lack of action! Uri moved in because you failed to act, to have alternatives to his plans!

ADAMA

I believe it is sometimes prudent to steer away from the flames once you’ve been badly burnt.

APOLLO

And I’d say you’d better look around more carefully. You’re nursing wounds while we’re still in the fire.

(Rising Star, second level)

SERINA

He still won’t eat.

APOLLO

I think we may have found something that’s going to interest him.

SERINA

Tonight? Shouldn’t you be getting some rest?

APOLLO

I’ll sleep better after we solve Boxey’s problem.

SERINA

(sighs)

That’s a tall order.

APOLLO

I’m a big boy.

(picks up Boxey)

Okay, Boxey. You’re gonna love this, Boxey.

(Dr. Wilker’s laboratory)

WILKER

As you know, we will soon be landing on various alien planets. It’s important that we be safe. Ordinarily, we’d use trained daggits to stand watch at night while our warriors slept in their encampments, but we didn’t have any daggits. So we just had to see what we could come up with. We’ll call the first one Muffit Two.

(Muffit comes out, barking electronically; Apollo and Serina laugh)

Naturally, the first one will have to be very carefully looked after.

BOXEY

That’s not Muffit. It’s not even a real daggit.

WILKER

No, but he can learn to be like a real one. He’s very smart. And if you would help us, it’ll be even smarter.

BOXEY

(to Muffit, who is rotating his ears)

Stop that.

WILKER

We used the image of Boxey you gave us to train the drone to respond to him.

APOLLO

I owe you one, Doc.

WILKER

Any time.

BOXEY

(laughs as he plays with Muffit)

SERINA

That’s one I owe you.

APOLLO

Call it even.

(Athena enters Adama’s quarters, where he sits morosely holding a drink.)

ATHENA

Father? Father, are you all right?

ADAMA

(sighs)

If anyone amongst us can say that he’s all right after what has happened, I recommend them for catharsis treatment.

ATHENA

That’s not the warrior I’m used to. What ever happened to the – the joy of living to fight another day?

ADAMA

(laughs)

Ah, yes. The joy of living. You were aboard the Galactica. You didn’t see them down there, their faces, the old, the young – desperate, begging, screaming for a chance to come aboard, a chance to live. And there I was like God, passing out priorities as if they were tickets to a lottery. There was one – one woman with a child in her arms, and she tore at my arm as I was boarding the launch to come back.

ATHENA

Father, don’t.

ADAMA

A guard came up—

ATHENA

Father.

ADAMA

I saw him out of the corner of my eye, I tried to stop him, and – he shoved her away, pushed her. He didn’t see the child. I don’t know what happened to that woman. But, God, I don’t want it anymore. Let someone else do it.

ATHENA

Father?

ADAMA

Take this burden from me.

ATHENA

(sighs)

(In the launch bay, Starbuck shows Cassiopeia his Viper.)

CASSIOPEIA

It’s somehow beautiful! It’s a perfect machine.

(they laugh)

Born to dance amongst the stars.

STARBUCK

Yeah, it’s bumping into them that has me worried.

CASSIOPEIA

Why did you volunteer, Starbuck?

STARBUCK

Well, somebody had to do it.

CASSIOPEIA

Did Apollo make you?

STARBUCK

Yes, uh, you certainly have a way of cutting through the felgercarb.

CASSIOPEIA

Do you ever take that smoldering weed out of your mouth?

(removes his cigar)

STARBUCK

W—

(Cassiopeia kisses him; he laughs)

And I had this, uh, wonderful speech all prepared.

CASSIOPEIA

Oh, about this being your last night here. About possibly not seeing another night as beautiful as this one, or another girl as beautiful as I am, ever again.

STARBUCK

Um, well, that speech is a little better than the one I had. Hey, would you mind if I borrowed it on some future occasion?

(she kisses him again)

Ah, listen, mm (laughs), do you mind if we don’t spend too much more time in the launching bay?

CASSIOPEIA

Well, can you think of anyplace more private?

STARBUCK

(sighs)

Come to think of it, I can’t think of anyplace private in the whole damn fleet.

CASSIOPEIA

Oh.

(looks toward launch tube)

What’s in there?

STARBUCK

Oh, uh, uh, that’s the launching tube. You don’t want to go in there. It’s dark, and, uh, cold, and it’s, uh—

(she replaces the cigar in his mouth and heads for the launch tube; Starbuck sighs)

Oh, Lord, I’ll do anything you ask tomorrow; just, uh, don’t call an alert tonight.

(Galactica bridge)

ATHENA

Colonel, have you seen Lt. Starbuck, by any chance?

TIGH

No, I don’t think I – Wait, I did see him on one of the monitors earlier, uh, before we shut down the flight deck. I think he was checking out his ship.

ATHENA

Hm. That would seem to make sense.

TIGH

I’m sure he’s long gone by now, getting a good night’s sleep for the mission. Why don’t you do the same? You are going to be working.

ATHENA

(nods, goes to check the monitors, discovers Starbuck kissing Cassiopeia in the launch tube)

That little snake.

(activates steam purge in the tube)

STARBUCK

(screams repeatedly as he is scalded by jets of steam)

(In the Blue Squadron barracks, Apollo briefs Starbuck and Boomer on the mission.)

APOLLO

The Nova of Madagon is not a nova at all, but a starfield so bright our cockpits will be sealed to prevent blindness. We’ll navigate by scanner and sweep everything out of our path with turbolasers.

STARBUCK

Yeah, well—

(clears throat, looks uncomfortable)

APOLLO

You feeling all right, uh, Starbuck? You’re fidgeting around like a daggit on a sunspot.

STARBUCK

Yeah, well, it’s, it’s my bio-pulse line, sir. You see, it’s a bad time for me to be cooped up in a cockpit.

BOOMER

Starbuck’s being polite. Seems he got a steam burn.

APOLLO

I don’t think I want to ask you how you got it, because I need you on this mission. I didn’t choose you to help lead us through without a great deal of anguish. If it’ll do any good, let me assure you that should we fail, no one will survive. The rest of our friends must sit in anticipation of our skill.

STARBUCK

Or lack thereof.

(In the launch bay, the sealed Viper canopies are lowered.)

APOLLO

Ready?

BOOMER

Ready.

APOLLO

Starbuck?

STARBUCK

Uhh, I’m not ready, but let’s get it over with.

(Galactica bridge)

TIGH

Nova starfield ahead.

VOICE

… on three, two, one. We’ve got it on…

ADAMA

Radiation shield positive. Launch fighters – now.

(The three Vipers launch.)

VOICE

Skin temperature readout one zero zero and rising.

APOLLO

We may not be able to see anything, but it’s sure getting hot. Anybody picking up the field on the scanner?

STARBUCK

Negative. My scanner’s burning up.

(Galactica bridge)

BOOMER (over communicator)

Mine’s gone.

APOLLO (over communicator)

I was afraid of that. It’s too bright for the scanner.

RIGEL

Core systems transferring control from probe craft to Galactica. We will guide you through using scanners.

BOOMER

What if we miss a mine?

APOLLO

One of us will be the first to know. Let’s go.

RIGEL

We’ll talk you through.

VOICE

Countdown to fire. Five, four, three.

(Vipers begin to fire at mines)

Three degrees right.

(Viper destroys mine)

Target destroyed. One target coming up. Countdown to fire.

STARBUCK

It’s burning through my canopy!

APOLLO

Just keep firing!

VOICES

Four, three, two, one. Fire. And fire.

Heartbeat Lieutenant Boomer readout one zero zero. Other functions normal.

TIGH

It’s working, Commander. They’re clearing a path a hundred maxims wide.

VOICE

Skin temperature readout one one zero and rising.

ATHENA

Now, that is precision flying.

(laughs)

STARBUCK

I can’t see a blessed thing. Are we hitting anything?

APOLLO

Be hanged if I know.

VOICES

Two, one. Fire.

Heartbeat Captain Apollo readout nine nine.

Skin temperature one two zero and still rising.

Heartbeat Lt. Starbuck readout one zero three.

Skin temperature one three zero and rising.

Five, four, three, two, one, fire.

STARBUCK

It’s getting hot!

VOICES

Fire. Fire.

Heartbeat Captain Apollo readout nine nine.

Skin temperature one three five and slowly leveling off.

Heartbeat Lt. Boomer readout one zero two.

APOLLO

It’s cooling off.

VOICE

Heartbeat Captain Apollo readout…

ADAMA

Let’s take a look at where we are.

TIGH

Negative shield, now.

ADAMA

There it is. Carillon.

APOLLO

I think we’re gonna make it.

BOOMER

Weeeeeeehaaaaaa!

(The bridge crew cheers.)

WOMAN’S VOICE

We did it! Yes!

(Adama and Tigh shake hands.)

ADAMA

Recall the flight crews.

(In his quarters, Adama speaks into a microphone.)

ADAMA

The planet Carillon. Landing operations will begin at once. Prepare to land the mineral ships and the landram parties. Our mineral scanners have located what we believe is the approximate site of the old mining expedition. Blue Squadron will vector in the ground search teams.

(Aboard the Imperious Leader’s base star, Baltar is led into the throne room by two Centurions.)

IMPERIOUS LEADER

Welcome, Baltar. I have grave news. A handful of Colonials prevail, but we will soon find them.

BALTAR

What of our bargain? My colony was to be spared!

IMPERIOUS LEADER

I now alter the bargain.

BALTAR

How can you change one side of a bargain?

IMPERIOUS LEADER

When there is no other side. You have missed the entire point of the war.

BALTAR

But I – I – I have n-no ambitions against you.

IMPERIOUS LEADER

Could you think me so foolish as to trust a man who would see his own race destroyed?

BALTAR

Not destroyed. Subjugated, under me!

IMPERIOUS LEADER

There can be no survivors. So long as one human remains alive, the Alliance is threatened.

BALTAR

(laughs nervously)

Sh-sh-sh-surely you – y-you don’t mean me.

IMPERIOUS LEADER

We thank you for your help, Baltar. Your time is at an end.

(A Centurion starts to draw his sword.)

BALTAR

No! You can’t!

IMPERIOUS LEADER

No. Not now, Centurion. Remove him for public execution.

(Vipers fly over the surface of Carillon.)

PILOT

Victor Six Three Oh Three Eight to Ground Expedition Two. My scanners read life forms beyond these coordinates. Er, either it’s some high energy-yielding substance or they left some kind of caretaker operation behind when they abandoned this place.

(Boomer answers from a landram on the surface.)

BOOMER

We’ve got it, Zero Three Eight. Thanks a lot.

STARBUCK

I wonder what this looks like in the daytime.

BOOMER

(laughs ironically)

Hey, this is the daytime.

STARBUCK

Oh. Lovely.

(In another landram, Apollo contacts the same pilot.)

APOLLO

Landram One to Skywatch Zero Three Eight. Can you assist in locating tylium mine?

PILOT

You got it, Captain. My scanner indicates that you are vectored to intersect the mine area in twenty-four millicentons.

APOLLO

Affirmative, Zero Three Eight. We have it.

JOLLY

Everyone synch chronometers. Captain’d like a check-in every four millicentons, on the emergency frequency. Understood?

STARBUCK

Affirmative, Jolly.

PILOT

You are in time synch – now. Oh Three Eight returning to base. See you guys in a while. Good luck.

STARBUCK

Boomer.

BOOMER

Yeah, yeah, what is it now?

STARBUCK

You’re not gonna believe this.

(They pull up in front of a brightly-lit entrance to an underground complex.)

BOOMER

I don’t believe it!

(They exit the landram with drawn weapons.)

BOOMER

What is it?

STARBUCK

I don’t know.

BOOMER

(nodding that he is venturing out from behind the landram)

Huh?

STARBUCK

(also rounding the corner of the landram)

Okay, come on.

(they approach the entrance)

Boy, sure is pretty.

BOOMER

Yeah.

STARBUCK

Yeah, and it sounds friendly.

BOOMER

Yeah.

(A Tauran woman runs out of the entrance, stopping short with a scream when she sees the two armed warriors.)

TAURAN

Ahh! Don’t shoot me! What do you want?

STARBUCK

W-wait, wait. Wait, y-uhh, don’t be afraid. Listen, uh – hey! You’re from Taura.

TAURAN

I’m a Taurus. How do you know that?

STARBUCK

Uh, the, uh, dialect. Listen, uh, oh, w-what is this place? Uh, w-what are you doing here?

TAURAN

What am I doing here?

STARBUCK

Huh?

TAURAN

What are you doing here? Colonial warriors sneaking around a resort like this, with your weapons drawn!

STARBUCK

Oh, uh, sorry.

TAURAN

This is legal! Isn’t it?

STARBUCK

Well, the – How did you get here?

TAURAN

Oh-ho, oh, I came in a skybus.

(walks away)

STARBUCK

Bus?

BOOMER

She must have been smokin’ plant vapor.

STARBUCK

Yeah.

(they run to catch up with her)

Hey, hey, hey, wait, wait! Wait, listen, did you, uh – could you, uh, tell us something about this bus?

TAURAN

Oh, my travelator, he took care of all of it. Isn’t it fabulous here? All this for so little money! Oh! and I just won a thousand – over a thousand cubits! Isn’t it amazing?

(with a slight laugh)

STARBUCK

Hmm? You won those cubits – here?

TAURAN

Oh, in here. Everybody’s doing it! It’s incredible!

STARBUCK

Heh.

TAURAN

Uh – you know, if it’s illegal, you’re gonna have to fight the whole star system. I have to go!

(laughs)

I have a moonlight cruise. Two moons. Oh, how can you go wrong?

(Starbuck and Boomer enter the casino.)

BOOMER

I don’t get it. How cut-off can these people be? She didn’t act like she’d even heard about the destruction of the Colonies.

STARBUCK

Ehh, there’s something even more peculiar. Why haven’t we heard about this place?

BOOMER

Look, I suppose you know every gambling chancery in this star system, huh?

STARBUCK

(looks pointedly at Boomer)

BOOMER

Oh, uh, that’s right, that’s right. If there’s a game goin’ on, you’d know about it.

(The two warriors make their way through the casino as patrons cheer and whoop over their winnings.)

STARBUCK

The odds must be incredible here, Boomer. People are winnin’ a fortune!

BOOMER

Yes, and they’re obviously well fed. Look, why don’t we find out about who’s in charge of this place and see about gettin’ some food back up to the fleet?

STARBUCK

Ah, ah, hold it, Boomer. The last thing these people may want to find is a battlestar sitting on their front door.

BOOMER

I haven’t found a gambling den yet that didn’t depend on military pay vouchers to keep its doors open.

STARBUCK

Now, Boomer, until we find out who these, uh, people are, just remember, it’ll only take one informer, we’ll have the whole Cylon war machine on its way. I want to look around, sit in on a game or two, see if I can find out what’s behind this place.

(Apollo’s landram)

APOLLO

Now, your mission, Boxey, is to keep your eye on that readout. When the counter gets up to ten, it means we’re right on top of a rich tylium deposit.

BOXEY

Yes, sir.

APOLLO

(laughs)

We can’t afford to stay in any one place for too long.

BOXEY

Why? Why’d those people want to hurt us? What’d we do to them?

APOLLO

It’s not what we did to them. It’s what they fear we could do.

(sighs)

You see, they’re not like us. They’re machines, created by living creatures a long, long time ago.

BOXEY

If they’re machines, why don’t we just turn ’em off?

APOLLO

(laughs)

Boy, I wish we could. But these machines aren’t all that simple. You see, some machines are so advanced that they can function better than a lot of living creatures.

BOXEY

They’re not smarter.

APOLLO

In some ways they are. They’re programmed to think a lot faster than we do. On the other hand, they’re not as individual. We can do a little more of the unexpected.

(laughs)

It’s about the only advantage we have.

BOXEY

Why did we make them?

APOLLO

We didn’t. Another race did, a race of reptiles called Cylons. After a while, the Cylons discovered humans were the most practical form of creature in this system, so they copied our bodies. But they built them bigger and stronger than we are. And they can exchange parts so they can live for ever.

BOXEY

Maybe the Cylons who created these machines could turn ’em off.

APOLLO

There are no more real Cylons. They died off thousands of yahrens ago, leaving behind a race of supermachines. But we still call 'em Cylons.

BOXEY

Will that happen to us too? Will our drones and machines take over?

APOLLO

We are very careful not to make our drones quite that intelligent or independent.

(Muffit barks; Apollo laughs)

Present company excepted, Muffit.

BOXEY

Hmm.

(laughs)

APOLLO

(laughs)

As a matter of fact, I think we’d better have this drone checked. He’s been listening awfully closely.

(both laugh)

(In the casino, Boomer approaches Starbuck.)

BOOMER

We’d better talk.

STARBUCK

All right.

(They go into the next room, where a Tucana vocal trio is performing.)

TUCANAS

(singing)

It won’t matter where you go

It won’t matter what you do

’Cause something’s always after you

It’s love, love, love, love

It’s love, love, love, love, love

You’ll find you can’t get away

If you go or if you stay

’Cause love is here, love is there,

Love is almost everywhere, everywhere, everywhere, everywhere

BOOMER

They can’t try to read our lips in here.

STARBUCK

Who?

BOOMER

Whoever might be up to somethin’ in this place.

STARBUCK

Well, Boomer, one thing this place isn’t is crooked.

(dumps cubits on table)

BOOMER

All right, where’d you get all those cubits?

STARBUCK

Gambling. I’m tellin’ ya, Boomer, you can’t lose.

BOOMER

That’s what I’m talkin’ about. You ever been in a gambling chancery where you couldn’t lose your money?

STARBUCK

No, but then I’ve never been here before either.

(watches Tucana group)

TUCANAS

(singing)

It won’t matter where you go

It won’t matter what you do

’Cause something’s always after you

STARBUCK

Hey, Boomer, I got an idea. We could make a fortune if we put those girls on the star circuit. You know, I mean big money, Boomer, big money.

BOOMER

Big money, huh?

STARBUCK

Mmmm.

BOOMER

Every creature in the universe is out to exterminate us, and you want to hire a vocal group.

STARBUCK

Mm-hmm.

BOOMER

Starbuck, I’m telling you, there’s something just not right about this place.

STARBUCK

(not listening)

Yeah.

(watches group)

TUCANAS

(singing)

It’s love, love, love, love

It’s love, love, love, love, love, love

(one Tucana sings “love” on a bass note that shatters nearby glassware)

STARBUCK

Yeah, uh, I – I gotta talk to those girls.

(Concealed Ovions watch Apollo’s landram pass by. Inside, Muffit starts barking.)

BOXEY

Quiet, Muffit. I see it. Tylium.

APOLLO

Nice goin’, Boxey.

JOLLY

That’s a pretty hot readin’, Skipper.

(laughing)

We may be right on top of that old mine. I better check it out.

APOLLO

Okay, Jolly, keep your eyes open.

(As Jolly opens the door, Muffit jumps out, barking.)

BOXEY

I’ll bring him back.

APOLLO

Hey, Boxey!

JOLLY

Boxey? Wait right here. I’m – I’m gonna get him back.

BOXEY

(running after Muffit)

Muffey? Muffey?

SERINA

Thank you.

APOLLO

(laughs)

For what?

SERINA

For saving my son’s life.

APOLLO

You’re getting things a little out of proportion. Anyway, maybe I should be thanking you.

SERINA

Oh, you don’t know anything about me, or what happened to Boxey’s father, or—

APOLLO

When you’re ready, you’ll tell me. In the meantime, nothing that’s gone on before really counts for much. As far as the human race is concerned, we’re all starting over.

(Outside, Boxey continues to search for Muffit.)

BOXEY

Muffey? Muffey? Muffey?

(hears barking and runs toward it)

Muffey? Muffey! Darn you, daggit! Where are you? Muffey! Muffey? Muffey? Muffey?

(an Ovion grabs his shoulder; he turns around with a gasp)

Ah—

(the Ovion puts a hand over Boxey’s mouth)

(Apollo and Jolly return to the landram after searching for Boxey.)

SERINA

Any sign of Boxey?

APOLLO

Afraid not.

(sighs)

SERINA

(sighs)

What is it? What’s happening on this planet?

APOLLO

I don’t know.

(Suddenly they find themselves surrounded by Ovions, who transport them underground.)

APOLLO

This may be the largest tylium mine in the star system.

SERINA

I don’t care about that. I just want to know what’s happened to Boxey.

(They are brought into the chamber of Queen Lotay, whose speech is translated by Apollo’s Languatron device.)

LOTAY

Welcome to Carillon. You are impressed?

APOLLO

Confused would be more like it. Listen, we’ve lost a little boy.

LOTAY

He is safe. We found him and brought him here. Would you care to join him?

APOLLO

Yes, we would.

(A door opens onto the lounge area, where Boomer and Starbuck are relaxing with Boxey.)

BOXEY

Mommy!

STARBUCK

Ah!

(stands up with effort)

Captain! Uh, good fortune smiles on us.

BOOMER

Yeah, it’s like, uh, nothing we ever dreamed of, Captain. They’ve got everything we need here, plenty of it, and they’re happy to share.

SERINA

Sounds like paradise!

APOLLO

Yeah, it does.

(Galactica bridge)

RIGEL

Colonel, a message from Sire Uri.

TIGH

(reading)

“The Ovion people have extended to the survivors of the Colonies every measure of goodness and support we might have hoped for.”

(Adama’s quarters)

ADAMA

(reading the same message)

“It is now possible to foresee the entire fleet able to resume our voyage within a centon.” Well, Colonel, a most optimistic note.

TIGH

Too optimistic. Uri has everyone in the fleet breaking in the bulkheads to get down to the surface.

ADAMA

Well, perhaps in small numbers, in orderly rotation.

TIGH

It isn’t going to be that way. Already he’s authorized visitors’ permits to half our population.

ADAMA

Half the population?

(Over a montage of Carillon scenes, Adama makes a log entry in his quarters.)

ADAMA

We’ve come so far so quickly, there’s been little time for reason. What is the curious secret behind the existence of this outpost on the outer rim of our star system? There are many such oases for intergalactic travelers, but none so far off the known arteries of trade, and none so curiously close to a tylium mine. Fuel has begun to arrive from the Ovion mines, but in curiously small quantities, and now I feel the growing need for extraordinary measures of precaution. The ships continue to hover over the planet, supported by small maintenance crews whose spirits are as depleted as their numbers. Everyone seems to have forgotten our flight from the Cylons. The beauty and wiles of Carillon hold our people spellbound.

(In the casino, Starbuck is occupied at a gambling table when Cassiopeia arrives.)

STARBUCK

Let ’em ride.

CASSIOPEIA

Hello, Starbuck.

STARBUCK

(laughs)

This is my lucky night.

CASSIOPEIA

It just might be.

STARBUCK

Hmm, well—

(both laugh)

Money isn’t everything.

CASSIOPEIA

No?

STARBUCK

Mm.
(they kiss)

Uh, listen, um—

(Cassiopeia laughs)

Have you, uh, checked out the accommodations yet?

CASSIOPEIA

(shakes head)

STARBUCK

Most of my unit is staying down on Carillon tonight.

CASSIOPEIA

Oh.

STARBUCK

Uh.

CASSIOPEIA

I’ll see what I can arrange, then.

STARBUCK

Okay.

(Cassiopeia blows in his ear and walks away)

Yeah.

(clears throat)

DEALER

Are you going to play, sir?

STARBUCK

Oh, I hope so. Hmm? Oh, uh, yeah, sure. Let ’em ride again. This is my lucky night.

(he wins again as Athena approaches behind him)

Can’t lose!

ATHENA

Is this seat taken?

STARBUCK

(startled)

Oh, uh, uh, well, it’s, um, um, um—

ATHENA

Starbuck?

STARBUCK

(to dealer)

Yeah.

ATHENA

I came because I think I owe you an apology.

STARBUCK

You do?

ATHENA

Come on. This paradise, it’s the perfect opportunity for us to be open and—

STARBUCK

Ohh.

ATHENA

—and honest with one another.

STARBUCK

Yeah.

ATHENA

I hurt you. Admit it.

STARBUCK

Well, i-it – well, it’s—

ATHENA

Didn’t you once tell me that I was the only woman you’d ever had any real and deep feelings toward?

STARBUCK

(sees Cassiopeia approaching)

Yeah, I, uh, may have said that.

ATHENA

You “may have said that”?

STARBUCK

Huh? No, uh, see—

(she starts to walk off in exasperation)

No, uh, uh, Athena, wait! Wait. What I – what I – what I meant to say is, see, that I’ve had to shut all those feelings out of my mind to avoid any more pain than I’ve already suffered.

(kisses her hand)

ATHENA

(laughs and hugs him)

Starbuck.

STARBUCK

(as Cassiopeia draws closer)

Oh, no.

CASSIOPEIA

(to Starbuck)

Hello.

STARBUCK

Oh.

CASSIOPEIA

(laughs, then to Athena)

Excuse me, I believe you’re occupying my space.

(laughs again)

ATHENA

Your space?

CASSIOPEIA

Yes, I have good news.

STARBUCK

Hmm?

CASSIOPEIA

I got us the key to the royal suite.

(laughs)

ATHENA

(takes key)

Why, thank you! We do appreciate it!

STARBUCK

Uh, say—

CASSIOPEIA

Oh.

STARBUCK

Uh, listen, girls, I’ve, uh, got this, uh, hot streak going here. I’d sort of like, uh—

ATHENA

Oh!

(laughs)

I see!

CASSIOPEIA

Yes, I do too. Well, have a good time, you two. And next time, it’s at office rates, Lieutenant.

(Elsewhere in the resort, two women head toward an elevator, which they enter along with a warrior.)

WOMAN

Never eaten so much in my entire life.

(laughs)

I’m gonna be as fat as a pig.

(to the warrior)

Push level three for us, please.

(to her friend)

I feel like a total glutton, Answaw. Nothing fits me anymore, and we’ve only been down on the surface for three— Um, I asked you to push the third level. There, y-you’ve missed our lodging.

WARRIOR
I did press it. Something seems to be wrong.

WOMAN

Well, there are no lodgings this far down. Look there. Seems to be taking us all the way to the bottom.

(The lights flicker.)

WARRIOR

Something seems to be happening.

WOMAN

Let me at that control.

(pushes level three)

There. We’ve stopped.

(laughs nervously)

Thank goodness. I wonder what’s down here.

(as they exit, all stop short in horror and she screams)

(Colonel Tigh enters Adama’s quarters.)

TIGH

You wanted to see me?

ADAMA

I’ve been sitting here for yahrens, it seems, examining our military intelligence on this Carillon outpost.

TIGH

I didn’t think we had any, beyond the exploration for fighter fuel.

ADAMA

Well, that’s the disquieting part. It was Baltar’s people who engineered that expedition and declared the tylium too minimal for mining. And our military intelligence is based on that report.

TIGH

And now we find one of the largest tylium mining operations in the star system.

ADAMA

Exactly. So the mystery is, who’s behind such a huge remote mining operation? And there’s no local food source to feed their laborers. They must be bringing it in from who knows how far.

TIGH

They have plenty of food to share. Some of our people are getting downright obese.

ADAMA

Yes. And there’s another mystery. There seems to be no connection between the Ovion workers underground and the resort on the surface. And yet there must be some connection.

TIGH

Do you suspect a tie-in with the Cylon Empire?

ADAMA

(sighs)

Where Baltar’s involved, I suppose I suspect everything. You’ve had no reports of anything odd, out of the ordinary?

TIGH

No, sir. The people are having the time of their lives.

(Apollo and Serina enter another area of the resort.)

SERINA

Oh, it’s a circus, a wonderland.

APOLLO

It sure is. Why don’t we go win a fortune?

SERINA

Why don’t we, my beautiful Captain?

(They pass by a table where Sire Uri sits with Sire Anton and others.)

URI

We have here the foods and necessities to feed our people. We have the support of a culture quite content to be subservient to our needs. We are far away from the Cylons so as not to pose a threat to them. At least we ought not to pose a threat – and would not if we destroyed our war machines.

APOLLO

What’s this?

URI

Ah, our young warrior. Or should I say savior? I was just pointing out that the Cylons destroyed our cities because we were a threat to their order. Here, isolated from them, we pose no threat – or would not, if we disposed of our ships and weapons. Now, what do you think of my proposal?

APOLLO

Hope it’s the grog.

URI

Well, tonight it might very well be the grog. But there’s always tomorrow.

(On the Galactica, Adama enters the council chamber, where the Council of the Twelve is already in session.)

ADAMA

What is the purpose of this special Council?

ANTON

Adama, I’m afraid I must ask you to respect the order of business until called upon by this Chair. I think Councilor Uri has a measure to propose. Thank you.

URI

My brothers, a hasty attempt to outrun the Cylons, spawned in the midnight of desperation, seems foolhardy in the light of day. I propose instead we now attempt to appeal for justice and mercy.

ADAMA

Justice? Justice from the Cylons? Is that what you actually said? Gentlemen, they’ve told us that they would not stop until every human had been exterminated. Now, why should they believe we are now willing to accept that which we have always found to be unacceptable – to live under Cylon rule?

URI

Because we would destroy our arms, to prove we are willing to live in peace.

ADAMA

Destroy our only means of defense?

URI

Or attack. May I remind my brothers that we did not have conflict with the Cylons until we intervened in their relations with other nations?

ADAMA

Yes. Yes, you’re right. We did not come into conflict with the Cylons until we helped our neighbors, whom the Cylons wished to enslave, and until we helped the Hasaris get back their nation, taken by force by the Cylons.

URI

Correct. But if we mind our own business, there’s every reason to believe that the Cylons will leave us alone.

ADAMA

(sighs)

If you’ve all come to this Council to turn your backs on the principles of our fathers and the Lords of Kobol, from whom all Colonies evolved, you do so with my utter contempt.

(leaves the room)

URI

Warriors are always the last to recognize the inevitability of change. We have a choice – life or death.

COUNCIL MEMBER

I submit that an issue this grave should be decided by our people.

ANTON

Maybe you’re right, but I’ll tell you something – the military won’t be easy to convince. How, may I ask, do you propose to present such a delicate matter, eh?

URI

At a celebration to decorate those three brave young men who led us to safety through the perilous straits of Madagon – one of them Adama’s son, I do believe.

ANTON

Just the tonic our people need at this moment – some old-fashioned, down-to-goodness heroes.

(laughs)

(On Carillon, Cassiopeia heads toward an elevator.)

WARRIOR

After you.

CASSIOPEIA

Thank you.

(In the elevator, the warrior punches a level and sighs.)

WARRIOR

Party’s just gettin’ started.

(Cassiopeia smiles politely)

Do you want a little, uh, company?

CASSIOPEIA

Uhh. I’m kinda companied out, thank you.

WARRIOR

Well, you’re gonna miss the tribute for the three warriors.

CASSIOPEIA

I’ve given them all the tribute they’re gonna get. Oh, it missed my level.

WARRIOR

Mine too. Hm, something seems to be wrong. We’re going all the way down.

CASSIOPEIA

Well, I didn’t think that was allowed. Wonder what’s down there.

(the doors open and she screams)

(In another part of the lower chambers, the woman who was previously in the elevator screams as the Ovions put her and Answaw in wall chambers and restrain her warrior companion.)

ANSWAW

Help me!

WOMAN

What are they doing with us?

(Above, Starbuck negotiates with one of the Tucana singers.)

STARBUCK

Okay, thirty-seventy. You guys split seventy percent, and, uh, I’ll even pick up the transportation.

TUCANA

I just don’t think it’ll work out.

STARBUCK

W-why not?

TUCANA

(warily eyes an Ovion passing nearby)

Look, I can’t talk now.

STARBUCK

W-w-w-what do you mean?

TUCANA

We’ll just have to talk about it later, if you’re still around.

STARBUCK

Hey, hey, hey, wait! Where’re you goin’? Wait – y-you’re my meal ticket out of the military!

BOOMER
Starbuck!

STARBUCK

(sighs)

BOOMER

What are you doin’? The Captain’s been lookin’ all over for you.

STARBUCK

You know, Boomer, I’m beginnin’ to agree with you. Somethin’s goin’ on around here. I’m – ah—

BOOMER

Well, whatever it is, it’s gonna have to wait. We’ve gotta get back to the Galactica.

STARBUCK

Huh – uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-uh, what for?

BOOMER

Dress uniforms.

STARBUCK

Dress uniforms? Wait, now, I’m not gettin’ into any fancy—

BOOMER

Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah. One does not accept our people’s highest military honor, the Gold Cluster, in a battle suit.

STARBUCK

The Gold Cluster? Ah, you’re kidding.

BOOMER

(clicks tongue)

We got it.

(In a deserted launch bay, Tigh comes down the lift alone.)

TIGH

Commander?

(Adama opens the cockpit of a Viper where he has been sitting)

Commander.

ADAMA

Just like old times, isn’t it, Tigh?

TIGH

Well, our ships weren’t quite so fancy, but we gave them a good run.

ADAMA

Yes. You didn’t tell anyone we were meeting?

TIGH

No.

ADAMA

Good.

TIGH

Is there some reason why you and I aren’t supposed to be talking?

ADAMA

Pick up that, uh, ground crew communicator and climb into the next ship, please.

TIGH

Climb into the next ship?

ADAMA

Quickly.

(closes his cockpit)

You’re patched into my internal com system. We are completely isolated. No one can hear us.

TIGH

(climbing into next Viper)

Yes, I understand, but why would anyone want to?

ADAMA

It grieves me to think that we have to take such precautions on our own battlestar. Sire Uri’s men are expecting me to make some kind of move over his disarmament plan. I find that even my private quarters are being monitored. Now, what I’m about to propose is somewhat risky. Ah, you don’t have to go along if you don’t want to.

TIGH

Commander, if you say we should do it, naturally I say we should do it. What is it we’re about to do?

ADAMA

Tigh, when would be the most devastating time for a Cylon strike?

TIGH

(sighs)

Almost any time, with half of our warriors down on— During the celebration, when all of our warriors are down on Carillon!

ADAMA

If we were attacked without being able to recall our warriors, we wouldn’t have a chance. A few well-placed Cylon bombs in the heart of this launching bay, and we wouldn’t be able to get a single fighter into the air.

TIGH

Then you do think there’s more to Carillon than generosity.

ADAMA

It smells like a trap. It feels like a trap. I believe it is a trap. It is imperative that we get our pilots closer to our ships. Or perhaps the other way around – get our ships closer to our pilots.

TIGH

(sighs)

How do we get our fighter ships down to Carillon without getting Council clearance?

ADAMA

Well, we launch a couple at a time, as if they were part of our regular patrol.

TIGH

The Council has ordered all of our warriors to be at the party.

ADAMA

They will be there – in a manner of speaking. Now, Uri doesn’t know all of our warriors on sight. He’ll be counting uniforms, not men.

TIGH

He’ll be counting uniforms?

ADAMA

Yes. And I want you to collect all the warrior uniforms you can possibly lay your hands on and fill them with whomever you can find – mechanics, kitchen personnel, anyone – and get them down to that party.

TIGH

Well, what do I tell them?

ADAMA

Tell them anything. Tell them they’re on a secret mission, which is the truth.

TIGH

(sighs)

I’ll do my best.

ADAMA

I’m depending upon you, Tigh. And if I’m right, Uri won’t be the only one who’ll be counting uniforms at that party tonight.

TIGH

I understand. And I hope you are wrong.

ADAMA

Well, we’ll see.

(Tigh is sneaking around the Blue Squadron barracks, collecting uniforms from bunks and lockers, when Starbuck and Boomer walk in.)

STARBUCK

What’re you doin’, Colonel?

TIGH

(whirls around)

Ooh! Oh! Felger—!

STARBUCK

I, uh, didn’t mean to startle you. Can we, uh, give you a hand with—?

TIGH

If you ever do that again, you’re on report, Starbuck! And you can tell the rest of your playboy pilots this is not the last flash inspection that I’m gonna make. If I ever find uniforms in this condition, you’re in trouble! When Commander Adama sees these, he’s gonna go crazy!

(leaves)

BOOMER

(sighs)

It’s gotta be the pressure. You know, it’s unfair. A lot of those bridge officers never get a chance to go down to the surface, while everybody else gets to go and have a good time.

STARBUCK

Bridge officers don’t get their tails shot off flyin’ around in skinny little fighters.

BOOMER

Eh, but still, I wouldn’t mind tradin’ with ’em.

STARBUCK

I believe you, Boomer. I’ll, uh, mention it to the Colonel.

BOOMER

Hey, now, wait a minute, I can’t take over for him. I’m not a Colonel.

STARBUCK

Ah, neither am I.

BOOMER

So much for guilt. Let’s go to the party.

STARBUCK

Right.

(Apollo arrives on the Galactica bridge.)

APOLLO

Hello, father.

ADAMA

Apollo.

(Apollo gives a subdued laugh)

Well! Uh, Colonel Tigh wants to be at the celebration, so I, uh, I offered to relieve him for the night. Mm, simply as a favor.

APOLLO

I might have thought you’d like to see your son getting a Star Cluster.

ADAMA

It’s well deserved, Apollo. Well deserved. Precisely why I cannot accept it as anything but another one of Councilor Uri’s ploys.

APOLLO

How can saluting his greatest rival’s son be a ploy?

ADAMA

I just have the feeling that he’ll propose destroying our arms at the celebration, hoping that the cascade of emotion will do all the damage before anyone realizes what they’ve done.

APOLLO

But you can stop him.

ADAMA

(laughs)

Not anymore. Haven’t you heard the talk? I got us into this predicament.

APOLLO

No one believes that. And even if some do, you have to speak out. How can I say to you that you’ve been more than a father to me? You’ve been someone I could look up to with trust and respect. My ideals rise and fall on your standards, and this isn’t you. What’s happening to you? Help me to understand.

ADAMA

You’ll understand, my son. In time, you’ll understand.

(Apollo leaves the bridge; Adama sighs)

TIGH

I know that wasn’t easy for you, not telling him. Perhaps you should have.

ADAMA

No. No, if I’d told him, I wouldn’t have been able to keep him from my side. This is my gamble. If I win, we all win.

TIGH

But if you’re wrong, Uri will destroy you.

ADAMA

I’m not wrong. The Cylons lured me into their deception once. Never again.

(Aboard a shuttle to Carillon, Apollo notices a man in a clearly oversized warrior uniform discussing the casino with a woman.)

WOMAN

It’s a guarantee?

MAN

Easy.

WOMAN

Terrific, terrific.

MAN

You can’t lose. I mean…

APOLLO

That’s very strange.

SERINA

What is?

APOLLO

That man’s insignia is Blue Squadron. I thought I knew everybody in it, and look at the fit of that uniform.

SERINA

Apollo, tonight is a night of thanksgiving, and everyone’s dressing up and making do with whatever they have.

(laughs gently)

He probably hasn’t worn that in years. Besides, the guest of honor looks absolutely delicious.

(kisses his nose)

(On Carillon, Starbuck and Boomer enter the resort, passing an attractive dancer.)

STARBUCK

(to the dancer)

Hmm. Hi.

BOOMER

(to Starbuck)

Well, how lovely you look in your uniform.

STARBUCK

Huh? Oh.

BOOMER

(laughs)

(Apollo and Serina enter with Boxey.)

APOLLO

Hey, isn’t this something, Boxey? Our hosts have been very generous.

BOXEY

I don’t like them.

APOLLO

What?

SERINA

(laughs)

I told him the Ovions wouldn’t approve of him bringing Muffit to the celebrations.

APOLLO

Well, we put one over on them, didn’t we, huh?

URI

(to Starbuck)

Except for your Captain, I deduce from the uniforms that most of your warriors are here.

STARBUCK

Yes, well, uh, I’m always a big draw.

URI

(laughs as they ascend the dais)

(Muffit runs off.)

BOXEY

Muffit, Muffit, come back here! You daggit! Come back here!

BOOMER

Starbuck.

STARBUCK

Yes? What is it? I’m talkin’ to the great and near-great.

BOOMER

Well, when you come down, tell me who that is. Those three guys right behind the dancer.

STARBUCK

Darned if I know. They sure have lousy tailors.

BOOMER

Look, Starbuck, you should know them.

STARBUCK

Yeah, why should I know them?

BOOMER

Because they’re wearin’ the insignia from our squadron.

STARBUCK

Ehh, don’t start without me.

(goes to follow them)

URI

Where is the Lieutenant going?

BOOMER

Umm, to find the Captain, sir.

URI

Excellent.

(Starbuck chases the three impostors toward an elevator.)

APOLLO

Hey, what’s goin’ on?

STARBUCK

Captain, stop those guys!

APOLLO

Hey, what are you—

STARBUCK

Stop them!

(fails to reach the elevator before it closes, then sighs)

APOLLO

What are you doin’, Starbuck?

STARBUCK

Listen, somethin’s goin’ on around here. Those three impostors, I just— Uh, listen, could we talk?

APOLLO

Yeah.

(to Serina)

Will you excuse us? The Lieutenant needs attention.

SERINA

I’ll take Boxey and get something to eat.

APOLLO

Okay.

SERINA

Where is Boxey?

STARBUCK

Uh, he’s probably in watching the acrobats. They’re pretty good.

SERINA

(sighs with relief)

Well, don’t be long. You two don’t want to miss your own coronation.

STARBUCK

Okay.

SERINA

(walking off)

Boxey!

APOLLO
What’s this about impostors?

STARBUCK

I don’t know, I don’t know. I’ve been running into guys all night who aren’t from our unit, but they’re wearing our unit’s clothes.

APOLLO

That officer in the shuttle.

STARBUCK

What, you spotted one of them?

APOLLO
Yeah, maybe. I think we’d better check this out.

(They enter the elevator.)

URI

I suggest that you find your two friends and tell them that we’re going to begin, with or without them.

BOOMER

Yes, sir.

(gets up)

(Apollo and Starbuck exit the elevator on another level.)

STARBUCK

Looks deserted.

APOLLO

Everyone’s at the party.

STARBUCK

Not everyone. There’re three impostors down here, someplace.

(In a lower level, the Ovion Seetol reports to a Cylon Centurion.)

SEETOL

The humans are in full attendance.

CENTURION

How many warriors?

SEETOL

We have counted over two hundred.

CENTURION

Nearly their full complement of warriors. See that the humans remain entertained until the end. Then they will be yours in the lower chambers.

(Above, Uri begins the award ceremony.)

URI

This night, we celebrate a most special event in the annals of human experience.

(Apollo and Starbuck meet up again on a lodging level.)

APOLLO

Starbuck, what’d you find?

STARBUCK

Well, they’re not here. They must be at another level.

APOLLO

The other levels aren’t accessible to humans.

STARBUCK

Yeah, I’ve been wondering about that.

APOLLO

Yeah, so have I.

(they enter the elevator)

I know how to fix that. Stand back.

(blasts the controls with his laser, exposing the wiring)

STARBUCK

Hehh.

APOLLO

You’re the gambler. Pick a level.

STARBUCK

Ehh, what say we have a look at what’s furthest from the guest rooms?

(Apollo wires the elevator for the lowest level, where they exit.)

STARBUCK

Mmm, nice.

APOLLO

Shh!

(motions Starbuck to go down the corridor)

STARBUCK

Mm-mm, you’re the leader.

(Apollo leads the way, while Uri continues his speech above.)

URI

… against any living brother, whether a former friend or foe. I tell you that this night will be remembered in the eons as the fou—

BOXEY

(sees Muffit go down in an elevator)

Muffit!

(follows in the next car)

(Below, Apollo and Starbuck see an Ovion pass by with two Centurions while a woman’s voice whimpers in the distance.)

STARBUCK

Hmmm, me and my big mouth.

APOLLO

Well, at least we know the secret of Carillon. Let’s get outta here.

STARBUCK

Wait! You go.

APOLLO

What are you talkin’ about?

STARBUCK

We still don’t know the connection between the casino and this mining operation. For all we know, they could be supplying half the fuel for the Cylon Empire. We just can’t leave it fully operational.

APOLLO

We’ve got our entire population up on top. That includes women and children.

STARBUCK

Well, you get up there and warn them. I won’t do anything until you’ve had a chance to get away.

APOLLO

What can you do by yourself?

STARBUCK

Look, this whole planet is loaded with tylium. If I can ignite it with my laser, it’ll blow the entire planet apart.

APOLLO

Starbuck, I can’t leave you down here. You’ll never get out alive.

STARBUCK

You don’t have a choice.

APOLLO

Starbuck, I had to leave Zac behind. I can’t leave you too. You go up; I’ll set fire to the tylium.

STARBUCK

Come on, Apollo, by the time we get through arguing about this, it’ll—

APOLLO

(hears the elevator)

Shh! Somebody’s coming.

(Boxey runs out of the elevator.)

BOXEY

Muffit!

(A Centurion draws his sword and prepares to strike Boxey.)

APOLLO

Run, Boxey, run!

(Apollo and Starbuck destroy the Cylon in a firefight, which ignites some of the tylium in the walls. As they run, they have another shootout with another Cylon.)

STARBUCK

I guess it’s a little late to try and talk to these fellas?

APOLLO

I think so.

(They run into a chamber where the Ovions are storing humans as a food source for their young. The trapped humans groan in agony.)

STARBUCK

Oh, my God!

APOLLO

Some of them are probably from our ships.

STARBUCK

No wonder no one’s ever left here to tell about this resort. The Ovions are living off of them, and probably selling the tylium they mine to the Cylons.

BOXEY

(hears a bark)

That’s Muffit!

(runs after him)

APOLLO

Hey! Boxey, come back here!

(In another chamber, Ovions are forcing Cassiopeia into a storage compartment.)

CASSIOPEIA

No! G— uhh!

(struggles)

BOXEY

Muffit! Muffit!

CASSIOPEIA

Starbuck!

(Apollo scares off the Ovions with a laser shot and Starbuck rescues the sobbing Cassiopeia.)

APOLLO

(as more Cylons arrive)

Let’s go! Follow me!

(Imperious Leader’s throne room)

IMPERIOUS LEADER

Report, Centurion.

CENTURION

It is done, Imperious Leader.

IMPERIOUS LEADER

Let the attack begin.

CENTURION

By your command, Imperious Leader.

(Beneath the surface of Carillon, the party continues its escape.)

STARBUCK

We’re doin’ fine!

(a Cylon appears)

Whoops!

(he destroys the Cylon and more appear)

There’re just too many of ’em!

APOLLO

Go for the ceiling! Set fire to the tylium!

STARBUCK

That must be why you’re a Captain.

CENTURION

Call out the entire garrison.

(Galactica bridge)

ATHENA

Scanners picking up a large body of objects closing rapidly.

ADAMA

Scan for alien forms.

(upper level of Carillon resort)

URI

… a wiping-clean of the slate of animosities and prejudice.

(Beneath the surface, the party encounters Boomer on the far side of a bridge.)

STARBUCK

This way! This way!

APOLLO

Run, Boxey!

BOOMER

Captain, where’ve you guys been? We’ve been lookin’ all over for you!

CASSIOPEIA

Oh!

(trips and gasps just as Cylons appear and start a laser battle with the warriors)

APOLLO

Come on!

BOOMER

Move!

APOLLO

When these fires reach hypercombustion, the whole planet’s gonna blow. Let’s get outta here!

STARBUCK

(fires at a Cylon and misses as they retreat into the elevator)

Oh, frak!

(Galactica bridge)

ATHENA

Form scan positive. Multiple three-passenger vehicles.

ADAMA

Cylon attack craft. So they spring their trap.

RIGEL

Enemy approaching, ninety microns.

(Raiders in space)

CENTURION

Arm weapons.

(upper level of Carillon resort)

URI

… an opportunity to throw down our arms and prove once and for all that peace begets peace and love begets love. And so I—

APOLLO

(exits elevator and fires laser in the air)

Attention!

BACKGROUND VOICE

What is it?

APOLLO

Everybody listen to me! I want everybody to move quickly and orderly towards the exits! That is an order!

URI

Stay where you are! I’m in charge here!

(Cylons emerge from the elevator; the crowd screams)

Do what the man says! He’s in charge!

BOXEY

Here, Muffit! I’m gonna save you.

(The screaming crowd runs out of the casino entrance as a full-scale laser battle ensues between the warriors and the Cylons.)

SCREAMING VOICE

Get out of the way!

(Galactica bridge)

RIGEL

Enemy closing, seventy microns. Enemy approaching, fifty-five microns.

(outside the casino entrance)

SCREAMING VOICE

Don’t leave without me! Not without me!

APOLLO

Serina, take Boxey. I’ll be back.

(Boxey runs away from the entrance.)

SERINA

Boxey!

APOLLO

Let’s go! Move it out! Take it easy!

SERINA

Boxey, where are you?

(Serina and Boxey climb into a landram with other refugees.)

BOXEY

Muffit! Wait, we can’t leave without Muffit! We can’t leave without Muffit!

APOLLO

(closing the landram door)

Let ’er go!

(A woman tries to drag a warrior’s inert body across the ground.)

WOMAN

Help me! Help!

STARBUCK

(scoops up Muffit into a landram)

Here you go.

(to Apollo)

Do you have any idea where these landrams are coming from?

APOLLO

I don’t know.

JOLLY

Landrams courtesy of Commander Adama.

(Galactica bridge)

RIGEL

Thirty-five microns and closing.

VOICE

Locking…

(on the surface of Carillon)

APOLLO

Jolly, what are you doin’ in combat dress?

JOLLY
The rest of Blue Squadron didn’t get to go to the party, sir. I guess they had to let you go, though, or they’d have been wise they didn’t have all the military personnel there.

STARBUCK

Well, if you didn’t go to the party, who were those guys?

JOLLY

Anybody the Commander could find in the fleet to fill the uniforms.

(laughs)

You should’ve seen the one that got mine.

(Galactica bridge)

RIGEL

Enemy closing, thirty microns.

ADAMA

Recall all warriors from surface.

OMEGA

Yes, sir.

(Raiders in space)

CENTURION

Stand by to attack.

(Galactica bridge)

RIGEL

Twenty-five microns and closing.

(Landram arrives at the Vipers on the surface of Carillon.)

JOLLY

I want you ladies in that shuttlecraft.

APOLLO

Jolly, what’s goin’ on?

JOLLY

The whole squadron’s waitin’ for orders from the Galactica.

STARBUCK and APOLLO

Yyyyyyyyahoo!

(Galactica bridge)

RIGEL

Fifteen microns.

ATHENA

Cylon attack force now closing to killer range.

(on the surface of Carillon)

APOLLO

(sighs; to Serina)

They’ll take you in the shuttle.

STARBUCK

(after kissing Cassiopeia)

Let’s have—

BOOMER

(yanking Starbuck away)

Let’s go!

STARBUCK

Bye.

APOLLO

(to Boxey)

Take care of your mom.

(runs off to join the squadron)

BOXEY

I wish he could be my daddy.

(Galactica bridge)

RIGEL

Enemy closing in, ten microns.

(Raiders approach the Galactica.)

CENTURION

They are not sending out interceptors. We have taken them completely by surprise.

(Galactica bridge)

RIGEL

Closing in, five microns. Four, three, two, one.

BACKGROUND VOICE

Transfer all internal…

(Raiders start firing on the fleet.)

ADAMA

Positive shield, now.

(On Carillon, the Vipers prepare to launch.)

APOLLO

Starbuck?

STARBUCK

Revved and ready for takeoff.

(On the Galactica bridge, Tigh observes an approaching Raider.)

TIGH

He’s coming right at us, sir.

(the Raider crashes in a landing bay)

Fire in the bay!

ADAMA

Damage control.

(Vipers on surface)

APOLLO
Your wing ready, Jolly?

JOLLY

Ready, sir.

APOLLO

Boomer?

BOOMER

Ready, Captain.

APOLLO

Let’s go.

(Vipers take off.)

(Galactica bridge)

ATHENA

There’s nothing to stop them!

OMEGA

Sir, incoming surface squadron doesn’t seem to match any known Cylon war machines.

(Adama smiles to himself.)

(Vipers in space approach the Raiders.)

STARBUCK

Are they gonna be surprised! Eh, we don’t stop ’em, we’re gonna have to go back and live on that rock.

CENTURION

On target.

STARBUCK

(destroys a Raider)

That one’s for the Atlantia!

APOLLO

And here’s one for Zac.

(destroys another)

(Galactica bridge)

ATHENA

Father, they’re ours, all of them! But how?

TIGH

Looks to me like a lot of our boys violated orders and skipped the party.

ADAMA

Yes, make a note, Colonel, to discuss discipline in the ranks.

TIGH

Yes, sir.

(Vipers in combat)

APOLLO

Starbuck?

STARBUCK

Yo.

APOLLO

On your tail!

STARBUCK

Eh, nothin’ to worry about.

(Raider shoots at him)

Oh, felgergarb.

APOLLO

Boomer, you give him a hand.

BOOMER

I’m on my way.

STARBUCK

Don’t take too long, Boomer.

(Boomer destroys Raider)

Thanks for the assist.

APOLLO

Blue Squadron, Vector Alpha. I’m onto three.

(destroys one Raider)

Ah, make that two.

(the other two are destroyed)

Let’s go!

BOOMER

Press it home. Press it home.

APOLLO

I think we got ’em on the run. Now let’s see if we can find that Cylon base ship.

STARBUCK

Ahh, nothing on my scanner.

APOLLO

It’s hidden someplace behind Carillon. That’s the only way it could have approached us without being picked up. We’re not gonna let that base ship go. They can follow us at a safe distance and plot our every move until their reinforcements arrive. Let’s go, down on the deck beneath their scanners.

(Galactica bridge)

ATHENA

Warriors requesting permission to locate and pursue Cylon base ship.

ADAMA

No. Colonel, we must conserve our resources if we’re to find a home for our people. Bring the fleet home.

TIGH

(nods)

(Apollo and Starbuck fly just above the surface of Carillon.)

APOLLO

Get on a Cylon frequency.

STARBUCK

What for?

APOLLO

They can’t see us, but they’ll be able to hear us.

STARBUCK

Doing what – praying?

APOLLO

No, you’re gonna be Red and Blue Squadrons and I’m gonna be Green and Yellow.

STARBUCK

I’ll be Red and Blue Squ— Oh, I get it. No, I don’t.

(Galactica bridge)

TIGH

Sir, two of our warriors are overdue and unaccounted for.

ADAMA

Who?

TIGH

It’s Captain Apollo, sir.

ADAMA

(sighs)

Who else?

TIGH

And Starbuck.

ADAMA

I see.

(Vipers above Carillon)

APOLLO

Switching frequencies now.

(Aboard the Imperious Leader’s base star, Centurions monitor Apollo and Starbuck’s transmissions.)

APOLLO

This is Green Leader to Red. All ships in formation and ready for attack. Come in.

STARBUCK

Um, yeah. Uh, yeah, we’re all ready. Every one of us.

(Imperious Leader’s throne room)

IMPERIOUS LEADER

Speak, Centurion.

CENTURION

By your command. Colonial Viper squadrons approaching in large numbers.

IMPERIOUS LEADER

Surely our Raiders are close enough to defend us.

CENTURION

Our Raiders are still engaged against the Galactica.

IMPERIOUS LEADER

Retreat base ship behind the protection of Carillon. Their scanners will not be able to find us.

(Vipers above Carillon, monitored by Centurions)

APOLLO

This is Yellow Leader. We have your squadron in visual contact.

STARBUCK

Uh, right. Uh, Green Leader, I’ve got two more squadrons requesting permission to join us – uh, Purple and Orange Squadrons. They’re just dyin’ for a good fight; been on reconnaissance for centons.

APOLLO

Purple and Orange? Ah, negative, Blue Leader. Let’s not get carried away. We’ve got all the manpower we need to knock out one base ship.

(Galactica bridge)

ATHENA

Commander, we’re picking up some attack signals between Purple and Orange Squadrons. We don’t have Purple and Orange Squadrons.

ADAMA

Purple and Orange?

TIGH

Starbuck and Apollo?

ADAMA

Lord help ’em both.

(Imperious Leader’s throne room)

CENTURION

The warriors continue to advance, at least six squadrons.

IMPERIOUS LEADER

Recall all Raiders to defend base ship.

CENTURION

Our Raiders are all destroyed.

IMPERIOUS LEADER

All destroyed? How? We took them by surprise.

CENTURION

Apparently it was not as big a surprise as we had hoped for.

IMPERIOUS LEADER

Retreat closer to Carillon, below their scanners.

CENTURION

There are reports of fires.

IMPERIOUS LEADER

I said lower! Or they will destroy us.

CENTURION

By your command.

(The Vipers come within visual range of the base ship.)

APOLLO

Just ahead. There she is.

STARBUCK

Lovely. What’ll we do – ram her?

(aboard the base ship)

CENTURION 1

We are now picking up attacking warriors on the scanner.

CENTURION 2

We are too close to the surface.

(Galactica bridge)

TIGH

Sir, telemetry reports surface of Carillon reaching vapor point.

(aboard the base ship)

CENTURION 1

There are only two ships. It is a deception. Open fire and retreat from the planet.

(Apollo and Starbuck see incoming fire from the base ship.)

STARBUCK

Ah, Apollo.

APOLLO

Okay, Starbuck, let’s get outta here, before that tylium we set on fire blows the planet apart!

(Galactica bridge)

ADAMA

Negative shield, now.

(shield opens to reveal Carillon)

She’s going to explode!

(Carillon explodes as Apollo and Starbuck escape.)

APOLLO

(clicks tongue)

Let’s go home.

STARBUCK

Some home – a piece of metal in the middle of nowhere.

APOLLO

Beats just plain nowhere. At least until we find Earth.

STARBUCK

Think we’ll ever really find it?

APOLLO

Yeah, we’ll find it, someday. Let’s go in.

(they land on the Galactica)

ADAMA

(narrating)

Fleeing from the Cylon tyranny, the last battlestar, Galactica, leads a ragtag fugitive fleet on a lonely quest – a shining planet known as Earth.

EPILOGUE

(Aboard a base star, a disheveled Baltar is taken before the new Imperious Leader.)

IMPERIOUS LEADER

You are Baltar?

BALTAR

(laughs)

As if you don’t remember, hmm?

IMPERIOUS LEADER

My predecessor has left me with a difficult choice.

BALTAR

Your predecessor—?

IMPERIOUS LEADER

Was destroyed by your peers. A foolish miscalculation of the will of your people.

BALTAR

Well, I—I—I—I—I—I—I tried to warn him. I – I could have helped. I could have prevented his— his—

IMPERIOUS LEADER

Yes. I have examined your epistle suggesting you would be able to locate the humans.

BALTAR

Oh, I can! Oh, yes. I – I think a-a-as they do. I–I–I–I–I, I, I know where they will go, what they must do, uh—

IMPERIOUS LEADER

I find your reasoning logical.

BALTAR

Then, I am to be—?

IMPERIOUS LEADER

Spared.

BALTAR

To serve the Empire!

IMPERIOUS LEADER

No. To serve your people. To help us extend the hand of truce.

BALTAR

Truce?

IMPERIOUS LEADER

My predecessor was programmed at a time when our Empire was less capable of tolerance. Now that we are omnipotent, we can afford to be more charitable. You will explain my policy of goodwill. I have spared you, I will spare them.

BALTAR

They are not likely to be receptive.

IMPERIOUS LEADER

I will send with you a base star, entirely under your command. Lucifer?

(Lucifer approaches along the corridor.)

-END TRANSCRIPT-

NOTES

In the theatrical version, the opening narration ends “… who even now fight to survive, far, far away amongst the stars.”

In an outtake of Starbuck’s first scene, his answer to Apollo’s inquiry about his health is “Uh-huh, it’s m—my stomach, it’s, uh, too many cigars.” The omission of this line in the master shot renders somewhat cryptic Apollo’s remark at the end of the scene, “Take care of the stomach.”

The battlestar whose name is transcribed here as “Atropolis” is listed as “Acropolis” by Battlestar Wiki. If Atropolis is the correct spelling, the name could be somehow connected to the Greek mythological figure Atropos, who chose the means by which human lives would end.

In the theatrical film, the scene with Flight Leader Serpentine occurs directly after Adama reveals the name of the planet Earth. This transcript follows the sequence in the broadcast version. The text, however, tracks the film version, in which Serpentine refers to “A battlestar called Galactica” rather than “The battlestar Galactica.”

The word “drone” in Wilker’s line is a rather obvious overdub to eliminate the word “droid,” which had been a source of controversy with Twentieth Century Fox.

Dialogue in the film which is directly inconsistent with the broadcast version is not included in the transcript. In the theatrical version, the Imperious Leader does not stop the Centurion from killing Baltar, whose complete final line is “No! You can’t! You still need me!” followed by a scream.

When Skywatch 038 communicates with Ground Expedition Two, the “Two” is evidently overdubbed for “One.”

In the line “I’m gonna be as fat as a pig,” the word “pig” is muted in all versions.

The lines of the Ovion Seetol are subtitled in the theatrical version, but remain untranslated in the broadcast version.

An inconsistent version of Starbuck and Apollo’s dialogue in the lower level of Carillon, used in the theatrical version, is as follows:

APOLLO

Well, at least we know the secret of Carillon.

STARBUCK

Do we? What’s the connection between the casino and all this?

APOLLO

Let’s get outta here, then figure that one out.

BOXEY

Muffit!

APOLLO

Run, Boxey, run!

STARBUCK

Apollo, are you thinking what I’m thinking?

APOLLO

With all this tylium, we’re setting fire to the biggest bomb in the universe.

STARBUCK

Yeah.

APOLLO

Yeah.

STARBUCK

I guess it’s a little late to try and talk to these fellas?

APOLLO

I think so.

In the original broadcast, the caption “STAY TUNED FOR SCENES OF NEXT WEEKS’ SHOW” was superimposed over the final freeze-frame of Lucifer. (There followed, after the commercial break, a preview of parts 1 and 2 of “Lost Planet of the Gods.”)

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