< Back to Transcript main listing
THE LIVING LEGEND (telemovie with additional material from “Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack”)
Written by Glen A. Larson
Transcribed by Clay Arden for ByYourCommand.net
NARRATOR
In the seventh millennium of time, a tribe of humanoids engaged in a terrifying conflict against a race of machines. The humans lost. Now, led by their last surviving warship, the mighty battlestar Galactica, a handful of survivors move slowly across the heavens in search of their ancestral brothers, a tribe of humans known through ancient records to be located somewhere on a distant shining planet, a planet called Earth.
(As Starbuck and Apollo are on patrol, Apollo spots two fighters on his scanner.)
APOLLO
Starbuck?
STARBUCK
I don’t have a thing. There’s nothing in front of us at all.
APOLLO
I’m on rear scan. They’re behind us.
STARBUCK
Behind us? Oh, swell. How close?
(a Viper fires from behind them)
That close? Apollo—
APOLLO
It doesn’t look good. I’m goin’ right.
STARBUCK
And I’ll take left. Eh, good luck, old buddy.
APOLLO
Dispatching automatic distress to the fleet. Be seeing ya.
SHEBA
I’ll pick him up on the right.
BOJAY
He’s dead on the left. Be back in half a flash.
STARBUCK
I can’t lose him, Apollo! I can’t shake him!
SHEBA
Cease fire!
(scanner indicates Viper shape and “LIFEFORMS: HUMAN”)
Cease fire; that’s an order!
BOJAY
Are you crazy? Cain’ll have us for dinner if we let these guys get away.
SHEBA
They’re human!
BOJAY
What?
SHEBA
I said, “They’re human!”
BOJAY
That’s impossible! We’re the only ones left alive in the entire star system.
SHEBA
I’m switching to Unicom.
(activates)
Attention. Attention, this is Silver Spar Group Leader, commanding Viper pilots dead ahead to slow to surrender. We are locked on kill.
STARBUCK
Apollo?
APOLLO
It has to be a trick. This is Captain Apollo, Strike Commander of the battlestar Galactica. Who are you?
SHEBA
Bojay?
BOJAY
I heard him. It’s a trick of some kind. They’re all dead.
STARBUCK
Boja—? Did he say “Bojay”? Bojay, is that you?
BOJAY
Starbuck?
STARBUCK
Apollo, it is! It’s Bojay! You remember, he was in our squadron until—
APOLLO
That’s right, until he was transferred to th— the Fifth Fleet.
STARBUCK
They perished in the Battle of Molecay.
APOLLO
Two yahrens ago.
STARBUCK
Apollo, either they’re not dead or—
APOLLO
We are.
STARBUCK
Bojay, if that’s really you, tell us what happened. How did you survive?
SHEBA
You will maintain silence until we land aboard the battlestar Pegasus.
APOLLO
Pegasus! That's just not possible.
STARBUCK
Apollo, do you know whose ship that was?
APOLLO
Cain, the greatest military commander that ever lived. He was my idol.
SHEBA
Your idol will order you blasted out of the sky if you don’t shut off your transmitters. In case you clowns don’t know it, we are right in the middle of a quadrant controlled by Cylons.
APOLLO
(sees the Pegasus)
Oh, my Lord. It isn’t a dream, and we’re certainly not dead. It is the Pegasus.
SHEBA
They won’t shut up! They act as if they’ve seen an apparition.
APOLLO
I’m still not sure I haven’t.
(Pegasus bridge)
TOLAN
Alert Commander Cain.
(On the Galactica bridge, Adama receives a report from Jolly.)
JOLLY (on screen)
We’re down to the last of it, Commander. I’ve checked every ship in the fleet. They’re all down to life support now, unless we come to dead stop.
ADAMA
Thank you for your report, Jolly.
BACKGROUND VOICE
Frequency intercept scrambled. Running a check on code ID system. Course one eight six control on manual speed reduction by…
ADAMA
(sighs)
Well, that’s just fine, just fine. We come all this way and simply run out of fuel.
TIGH
That’s not the worst of it.
ADAMA
What does that mean?
TIGH
We’re picking up some Cylon transmissions.
ADAMA
Good Lord! A Cylon base star?
TIGH
It’s not military. What we’re hearing is civilian.
ADAMA
Civilian?
BACKGROUND VOICE
Galactica to fleet. Flight order five zero Tango X-ray. Maintain minimum distance.
ADAMA
I just don’t understand it. We’re a full star system away from any Cylon—
TIGH
Commander, I can’t explain it, but somewhere out there not too far away is a city, a Cylon city!
OMEGA
That could be why our recon patrol is so long overdue.
ADAMA
Captain Apollo, Lieutenant Starbuck?
OMEGA
Yes.
ADAMA
How long before they would have exhausted their fuel supply?
TIGH
If they’ve been using their thrusters, they’d be powered down right now. Sir, if we launch a shuttle probe…
ADAMA
No, we must conserve every drop of fuel to support our life systems. Bring the fleet to a dead stop, please.
OMEGA
Yes, Commander.
BACKGROUND VOICE
Roger.
(corridor aboard the Pegasus)
APOLLO
It’s just so unbelievable seeing all you guys again.
BOJAY
How do you think we feel? We sailed more than two yahrens ago to save Molecay and her satellites. Since then we haven’t seen a human soul.
APOLLO
And the rest of the Fifth Fleet?
BOJAY
Was destroyed. And if Cain hadn’t pulled the most brilliant decoy I have ever seen, we’d be gone too.
STARBUCK
But, eh, you must’ve headed away from the Colonies to be this far out.
BOJAY
That was another one of Cain’s touches. Now, he knew that they’d be lined up all the way from Molecay to the Colonies waiting for us, so he turned us out to deep space and we kept on goin’. We’ve been fighting ever since.
APOLLO
Fighting? You mean running.
BOJAY
(laughs)
TOLAN
(laughs)
BOJAY
You forget who our skipper is. I mean, he doesn’t know the meaning of the word “run.” We’re on strikes ’round the clock.
STARBUCK
Uh, with what? Uh, where do you get your fuel and, uh, your ammunition?
TOLAN
From the Cylons, of course. Now, if, uh, you officers will excuse our guests, Commander Cain would like to see ’em in his quarters.
(Bojay nods)
Uh, this way.
APOLLO
(sighs)
(Tolan escorts Starbuck and Apollo into Cain’s quarters.)
CAIN
Get them something to drink, Tolan. They look pale.
(Tolan exits.)
APOLLO
It’s a very great honor, sir.
STARBUCK
A – very great honor.
CAIN
Yes, I should imagine it is. That’s just a little attempt at humor. Well, I had quite resigned myself that I would never see another human, other than my own people on the Pegasus, yet there you are.
APOLLO
From the Galactica, sir, under the flag of Commander Adama, my father.
CAIN
Adama?
APOLLO
Yes, sir.
CAIN
Yes, yes. Yes, I see it. Well! Well, how is he? How is that old modocker?
APOLLO
Well, considering the load he’s carried since the destruction of our nation.
CAIN
Yes, yes, I should imagine. And the rest of the fleet?
APOLLO
Only the Galactica survived, sir, along with some two hundred and twenty odd ships carrying what’s left of our people.
CAIN
My God. And I’ve thought we had it bad. Only two hundred and twenty ships left
from all the Colonies?
APOLLO
Yes, sir.
CAIN
(sighs)
Well, my friends, our troubles are over.
APOLLO
How do you mean, sir?
CAIN
Tomorrow we go on the offensive. We’ll show those golmonging Cylons how to fight now! Yes, by the Lords of Kobol! The Cylon Empire is about to fall!
(Galactica bridge)
ATHENA
We’re picking up something here very odd.
TIGH
What is it?
ATHENA
I don’t know. It’s some sort of a visual echo. I mean, the Galactica’s image must be bouncing off some ion field.
TIGH
Feed it up to the bridge.
(they view the image)
Omega, have this scan turret checked immediately.
OMEGA
Yes, Colonel.
TIGH
Have control switch to high band. There’s obviously something wrong with this.
ADAMA
If that’s a visual echo, it’s the cleanest transmission I’ve ever seen.
TIGH
Nevertheless—
OMEGA
Commander, there’s a signal coming over fleet comline Alpha.
ADAMA
Now, that’s impossible. The fleet comline is an automatic scramble communicator between warships, and since we’re the only surviving battlestar, there’s just no possibility of any signal like that existing.
CAIN (on screen)
Greetings, Adama, you old war daggit. Might have known I’d find you and your fleet sitting dead on your astrums.
ADAMA
Cain! Of all that’s holy!
CAIN
Ah, there's nothing holy about me, Adama. Except maybe what I’m doing to those golmonging Cylons.
ADAMA
It’s a miracle, Cain, a blessed miracle!
CAIN
I make my own miracles. But have it your way.
ADAMA
Wh— Yes, yes! Yes, of course!
CAIN
I’ll be aboard in a few centons.
ADAMA
I’ll have some vintage ambrosa for you.
CAIN
I should think so.
(ends transmission)
(The bridge crew cheers.)
TIGH
Commander—
ADAMA
Huh?
TIGH
It’s impossible. Cain perished along with the Fifth Fleet two yahrens ago.
ADAMA
Yes, Colonel, but that’s the fabric of miracles – the impossible.
(Cain’s shuttle approaches the Galactica.)
CAIN
Commander Cain from the Pegasus requesting permission to board the Galactica.
(Cain arrives in the landing bay and is greeted by the cheers of warriors as he exits the shuttle.)
ADAMA
The Lords of Kobol bless you.
(they embrace)
You have no idea how I feel at this moment.
CAIN
Me too, Adama, me too. I have a present for you.
(walks back to shuttle)
Where are those space loiterers we picked up? Front and center!
(Apollo and Starbuck emerge from the shuttle to cries of astonishment and applause.)
BACKGROUND VOICE
Apollo!
ADAMA
(hugging Apollo)
My son, my son.
APOLLO
Father.
ADAMA
(shakes Starbuck’s hand)
I thought I’d seen the last of you.
CAIN
You would have, too, if my daughter hadn’t cut them off. They were heading straight into Gomoray.
ADAMA
The Delphian Empire.
CAIN
It was, before the Cylons turned it into their outer capital. It’s now a model of machine efficiency.
ADAMA
That was a society of fifty million living beings.
CAIN
Not anymore.
(Adama’s quarters)
CAIN
Ah, when it was clear that the Fifth Fleet was destroyed, I took every survivor I could aboard the Pegasus and headed straight for Gomoray, their most remote supply base. We’ve been living off them ever since.
ADAMA
That’s incredible. If they control Gomoray, they wield power across half the universe.
CAIN
The only thing I’ve been able to do is to keep knocking that base down, so they can’t get a good full strike at me. What I’ve never understood was why they didn’t send out a force of base ships to finish us off. It’s quite clear now why they didn’t.
(slight laugh)
ADAMA
Yes, the Galactica.
CAIN
Hmm. They were having trouble with some kind of rebel fleet, but I couldn’t break the code.
(clicks tongue)
I had no idea that there were any other survivors.
ADAMA
Oh, (laughs) nor did we. You’ve given a tremendous lift to all our people.
CAIN
And a death blow to the Cylons. We’re going to take them now, Adama. This is the turning point.
ADAMA
Oh, no, my old friend. The most we can hope to get from the Cylons is some fuel. A military victory’s out of the question.
CAIN
What are you talking about? I’ve had them on their knees in this quadrant with just one battlestar. With two, hah! I’ll finish them, at least on Gomoray!
ADAMA
And then what?
CAIN
Well, then we’ll have all the fuel we need, and a base from which to attack.
ADAMA
We can’t secure that planet! And those base ships, which hadn’t been bothering you, were after me en masse. No, our only hope is to just keep moving.
CAIN
You mean run?
ADAMA
I mean escape.
CAIN
But why? We can outfly them, we can outfight them, we—
ADAMA
In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m protecting two hundred and twenty civilian ships which crawl along in space at a pace which is perfect for target practice.
CAIN
(sighs)
There must be some way.
ADAMA
I wish there were, but your—
CAIN
(sighs)
ADAMA
Your knowledge of the Cylon supply lines will be invaluable. If we could intercept several Cylon tankers—
CAIN
Why bother with tankers? Go straight for that fuel base at Gomoray!
ADAMA
I’m dead in space. I can’t leave those ships unprotected while we go off to take some planet.
CAIN
(sighs)
Hades’ hole, Adama! Just give me a couple of your – y-your best squadrons, and I’ll take that fuel base myself. Ah, you’ll have enough fuel to take you anyplace in the stars.
ADAMA
I’ll be satisfied with enough fuel just to get us out of this quadrant. You prepare the battle plans for capturing those Cylon tankers and I’ll approve them. Meanwhile, I want you to enjoy a few centons of hospitality aboard the Galactica. You deserve it.
CAIN
Well, if that’s the way you want it.
(Cain’s quarters aboard the Pegasus)
CAIN
Uhh, there’s a certain young lady that I’m most anxious to find. It’s quite unlikely, I suppose, that out of all those people from the Colonies she’d be one of the few survivors, but, eh, well, she always did seem to know how to take care of herself.
STARBUCK
W— uh, what was her name?
CAIN
(activates a hologram)
Her name is Cassiopeia.
CASSIOPEIA (hologram)
I’ll never forget you, you old war daggit. Hurry back.
(Starbuck and Apollo look at each other in astonishment.)
CAIN
Well, I can see she has the same effect on you that she’s always had on me. Well, apparently you’ve never seen her before. Uh, speaking of lovely ladies, you met my daughter.
(Starbuck shakes his head and Cain activates another hologram.)
SHEBA (hologram)
Happy birthday, father. I love you.
APOLLO
I’m sorry, if I’d met that young lady, I’d know it.
CAIN
You met her. She was the pilot that almost flew you right out of your britches. Like father, like daughter.
(Galactica corridor)
APOLLO
What’re you gonna do?
STARBUCK
Find a way to let him down easy. You don’t just, uh, jump on a hero.
APOLLO
You’re assuming, of course, Cassiopeia isn’t gonna be as excited as everybody else in the fleet that he’s back.
(clears throat)
STARBUCK
Eh-h-h-h – Apollo—
APOLLO
Oh, sorry, I forgot.
(laughing)
I mean, once they experience the aura of Starbuck—
STARBUCK
I never said that. It’s true, but, uh, I never said it. Let’s face it, Apollo; he is an older man.
APOLLO
You’re on your own.
STARBUCK
(sighs, having arrived at Cassiopeia’s door)
Cassiopeia.
(in Cassiopeia’s quarters)
CASSIOPEIA
Come in.
(laughs as Starbuck enters)
STARBUCK
Hi.
CASSIOPEIA
Hi.
BOXEY
Hiya, Starbuck! Is my father back?
STARBUCK
Uhh, yeah, yeah, kid, he is, um—
BOXEY
What’s the matter? He’s not hurt?!
STARBUCK
Oh, no. No, no, no. Uh, it’s—it’s nothing like that.
BOXEY
Come on, Muffey! We’re gonna find my dad!
(exits with Muffit)
STARBUCK
(laughs nervously)
CASSIOPEIA
(laughs)
Starbuck.
(kisses him)
STARBUCK
Uh—um—
CASSIOPEIA
What is it?
STARBUCK
(sighs)
CASSIOPEIA
Something is wrong, isn’t there?
STARBUCK
I’ve, um, I’ve got some news for you. It’s, uh, it’s about an old friend of yours, someone you may have been involved with, or just – liked. I—I—I—I don’t know which, but—
CASSIOPEIA
(sighs)
STARBUCK
He’s been found. Alive.
CASSIOPEIA
Who?
STARBUCK
Oh, look, I—I—I know it’s over between you, but, eh, he’s such a legend, we’ll have to let him down easy. Eh, if you want to do it, mm, fine, but I’ll be glad to handle it for you if it’s going to be too, ehh, awkward, uh—
CASSIOPEIA
Starbuck, who are we talking about?
STARBUCK
Um – Commander Cain.
(Cassiopeia leaves without a word)
Uh—eh—Cassiopeia!
(In his quarters on the Galactica, Cain pours himself a drink. The door chime sounds.)
CAIN
Enter!
(the door opens to reveal Cassiopeia)
Cassie!
(embraces her and sighs)
I’d almost given up hope.
(begins kissing her)
CASSIOPEIA
Oh. Oh, I’ve missed you so. But I had to stop thinking about you too much.
(sighs)
CAIN
I wouldn’t expect you to, especially with all those young warriors around. They’re all in love with you, I’m sure.
CASSIOPEIA
No.
(laughs)
Only one – and he doesn’t love easily.
CAIN
Hmm, then don’t waste time on him.
CASSIOPEIA
He’s not a waste of time. He’s just afraid of caring too much.
CAIN
Hmm.
CASSIOPEIA
He had a pretty rough infancy.
CAIN
No worse than yours.
CASSIOPEIA
We all handle loneliness in our own ways. My way was to reach out to everyone. Starbuck’s was to shut everyone out.
CAIN
Starbuck? You’re talking about Starbuck?
CASSIOPEIA
He’s a great warrior.
CAIN
Oh, he is, huh?
CASSIOPEIA
(kisses his cheek)
I wasn’t comparing you. But you’re going to have to give me time to think.
CAIN
(clicks tongue)
We may not have much time.
CASSIOPEIA
I know.
(Starbuck enters Apollo’s quarters.)
APOLLO
Well! How’d she take the news?
STARBUCK
Worse than I thought. She, uh – uh, she, uh, wanted to be alone, so, I, uh—
APOLLO
Starbuck, are you in a little pain?
STARBUCK
No, w—what are you talking about?
APOLLO
Hey. Hey, it’s me, Apollo, remember? We talk about things?
STARBUCK
(sighs)
Yeah. Well, I, uh— I—I—I guess I never did like to admit that I form, uh, t— eh, attachments.
APOLLO
You don’t even like to admit it to yourself. You know, I’ve never understood that about you.
STARBUCK
I – You were always part of a very big family. Mm, I never had that. And so I just grew up keeping, eh, the number of people around me as, uh, large as I could.
APOLLO
So you couldn’t be hurt by any particular one?
STARBUCK
Look, I don’t care if Cassiopeia, uhh, feels something for this Cain. I just don’t understand the, eh, combination, you know. I mean, he’s, eh, he’s, eh—
APOLLO
Too old?
STARBUCK
Yeah.
APOLLO
Starbuck, I think you’d better read up on your Book of the Word. Some of the Elders of Kobol were married to some very young wives.
STARBUCK
Wives? Eh, the—aren’t we gettin’ a little ahead of ourselves here? I mean, um— she wouldn’t marry him! Anyway, who cares? Not me!
(exits)
BOXEY
Poor Starbuck. Oh, well, he still has Athena. And Miriam, and Noday, and—
APOLLO
Would you stop? And who told you to listen, anyway?
BOXEY
(laughs silently)
APOLLO
(sighs)
(Cain’s quarters on the Galactica)
CASSIOPEIA
What about Sheba?
CAIN
She’s developed into one of the best warriors in the fleet.
CASSIOPEIA
She’s gonna be very unhappy that I’ve returned from the dead.
CAIN
Children don’t understand the needs that a man can have at different times in his life. You came into my life j— right after her mother died. It may have been difficult for Sheba, but – well, if it weren’t for you, I, uh—
CASSIOPEIA
Did you ever stop to think that maybe Sheba wanted to fill that role?
CAIN
Well, she’s my daughter.
CASSIOPEIA
I could be your daughter as well.
CAIN
You could be, but you aren’t.
(Galactica officers’ club)
SHEBA
Our basic strategy has just been to keep knocking down their base on Gomoray. Every time they send one of their scrambled-headed leaders in to rededicate that base, we go right in and turn it into scrap metal.
(Warriors laugh.)
BOJAY
Ohh! Hey, what about you guys? I mean, you’ve got to be raising all kinds of feldergarb with those tinheads.
APOLLO
We do our best. As a matter of fact, we just shot down a Cylon patrol ship. Mind if I join you?
BOJAY
No, by all means.
APOLLO
Apollo, Strike Captain Apollo.
(to Sheba)
I believe you’ve spent a lot of time on my tail. You are Sheba?
SHEBA
Yes, to both questions.
BOJAY
You can’t be serious. You mean you’ve shot down one Cylon patrol ship in a secton?
APOLLO
Very serious. When you’re responsible for the lives of hundreds of civilians
crammed aboard slow-moving barges, you have to learn to keep a low profile.
SHEBA
It sounds like we’re going to be incompatible.
APOLLO
We all have to learn to adjust. Even the legendary Commander Cain may have to alter his combat techniques.
SHEBA
And who’s going to tell him that?
APOLLO
Being somewhat a student of your father’s battle tactics, I think he’ll come to it on his own. If not—
OFFSCREEN VOICE
Ten-hut!
(Cain enters with Cassiopeia.)
CAIN
Sit, sit. Relax, everybody, relax. We’re off prime! Ah, this is good. Good what you’re doing, getting acquainted like this. Since we’re all going to be fighting together, side by side, I’m buying the first round.
(all cheer)
Ambrosa for everyone! For all my warriors! Come, my sweet Cassiopeia.
(sighs as he goes to the bar)
SHEBA
(sighs, then to Apollo)
If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ve had enough combat for now.
(exits)
CASSIOPEIA
(sighs)
Nothing changes.
CAIN
Everything changes.
CASSIOPEIA
Not people.
(In the corridor, Apollo catches up to Sheba.)
APOLLO
Sheba? Can we talk?
SHEBA
Not now. I’m really not up to it.
APOLLO
We’re gonna have to work together, if we want to survive.
SHEBA
Working with you won’t be the problem.
(Apollo follows Sheba to the launch bay.)
APOLLO
Sheba, there’s not a person aboard the Galactica I wouldn’t lay down my life for, and do every day.
SHEBA
Well, I’m sure you can’t know everyone as well as you should.
APOLLO
I know the lady you’re upset about.
SHEBA
(laughs)
Do you?
APOLLO
I know who she is now. Who or what she may have been before doesn’t count for anything. We’ve all been through a cleansing fire. It’s stripped every one of us of those things that brought down our world. Only the strong have survived.
SHEBA
Not necessarily. I know a little something about survival.
APOLLO
It’s a lot easier in a cockpit, with thrusters and lasers to defend yourself, than it is for people back aboard the fleet who must sit and wait – people like Cassiopeia, who work around the clock piecing together the wounded who aren’t lucky enough to get out of the way.
SHEBA
Cassiopeia works in the life station?
APOLLO
Everyone’s had to learn to contribute. She’s one of our best medics.
SHEBA
All right, Apollo. Consider me briefed.
APOLLO
What about “convinced”?
SHEBA
I don’t convince easily. Human weakness is a given. It may lower its profile, as you put it, but it’s still there.
APOLLO
What about you? Any weaknesses?
SHEBA
None that’ll ever come between us, Captain.
(In the briefing room, Cain maps out battle strategy.)
CAIN
This is the route where the Cylons run their fuel ships. Now, their convoy has already left Gomoray, but if we use turbos all the way, we can still catch them before they leave this quadrant.
ADAMA
Turbos all the way. You’d barely have enough fuel to get there and back.
CAIN
We wouldn’t need any more than that.
ADAMA
Well, surely they’d provide fighter escort for the fuel tankers? In case of prolonged battle, you’d run out of reserves.
CAIN
I don’t fight prolonged battles with Cylons. They’re not that good, and we are.
ADAMA
Then we’ll send a single squadron from each battlestar.
CAIN
Ahh, no offense, but, eh – but I’d prefer to use just my own wings on this maneuver.
ADAMA
Commander, I think for the purpose of morale it might be best if we started to integrate our squadrons, give them a strong sense of teamwork.
CAIN
Oh, whatever you say, Commander. I’m sure my warriors would be glad to pass on their experience. Well, let’s get to it.
(Adama gestures toward the exit and Cain leaves with his retinue.)
APOLLO
Is there anything he doesn’t do better than everyone else?
ADAMA
Oh, that’s just his way of talking, Apollo. He – he’s one of the best.
TIGH
I’ve never seen anyone so treated like a – a god in my life.
ADAMA
(sighs)
Tigh, we must remember that (sighs) he’s kept his people alive in the heart of this Cylon territory for close to two yahrens. His men would do anything for him.
TIGH
Rightfully so.
(exits)
APOLLO
(sighs)
I hope you know that this adulation, this absolute awe everybody feels for him, in no way detracts from how the men feel about you.
ADAMA
Oh, Apollo, we’re not in a contest of popularity. We’re in the midst of a life-and-death struggle for survival. We need heroes, men and women that our people can look up to, gather strength from. Now, we need people like him.
APOLLO
They feel that way about you.
ADAMA
And I hope I never disappoint them. Now, come on, now, you’ve got to get going too. I don’t want the Blue Squadron reaching those tankers after Commander Cain has flown the Colonial flag. There’s a matter of pride involved here.
APOLLO
Yes, sir.
ADAMA
Son, good luck.
(In the Pegasus launch bay, Cain prepares to launch in a Viper.)
SHEBA
Father? What are you doing? They told me you're going on the mission.
CAIN
Uh, it’s just a routine strike. Nothing to it.
SHEBA
Then why go? We can’t afford risking you.
CAIN
We can’t afford not to. I’ll explain later.
(Pegasus bridge)
PEGASUS LAUNCH OFFICER
Transferring control to Silver Spar Squadron. Launch when ready.
(Galactica bridge)
OMEGA
Strike wing, standing by to launch.
ATHENA
Blue Squadron launched and ready to rendezvous with Silver Spar Squadron.
TIGH
It’s kind of like the old days. I mean the luxury of being able to divide the fighting load between two battlestars.
ADAMA
Ah, actually more than a luxury. A blessing, a real blessing. So was finding Commander Cain and his knowledge of this quadrant. Lord knows what would have happened if we’d moved ahead into the Cylon war zone.
TIGH
In a way, it’s almost providential we ran out of fuel.
ADAMA
Yes, Colonel. You see, things do have a way of occurring providentially, in a manner baffling to the mortal mind.
TIGH
(laughs and nods)
(Vipers in space)
CAIN
Four centons to target.
BOOMER
Captain, doesn’t that sound like Cain?
CAIN
Commander Cain, and don’t speak unless spoken to, Lieutenant – uh, Boomer, isn’t it?
BOOMER
Uh, yes, but—
CAIN
I make it a point to know everyone’s name in my command. Three centons to target.
APOLLO
Commander, I’m not picking up anything on my scanner. If we’re only three centons to target—
CAIN
You won’t find them on your scanner, Captain.
APOLLO
Then how are we—
CAIN
I can feel them, Captain, I can feel them. Just ahead you’re picking up an
ionized cloud level. That’s where our target convoy will be hiding. This is
where we split up.
APOLLO
I thought we were going in as a single strike force.
CAIN
Right now there’re at least a dozen escort fighters ready to jump us. We’ll do this my way, Captain. Blue Squadron, head straight in. Silver Spar, follow me.
BOOMER
He’s flying evasive tactics and I haven’t even seen—
APOLLO
I get the feeling he knows what he’s doing. Anyway, we’ll know in a micron. Stand by to penetrate cloud layer.
(flies through cloud cover)
There she is, a Cylon tanker. Make that two Cylon tankers. But I don’t see any sign of—
(Raiders appear)
Okay, here we go, Blue Squadron. Go to work! For Lord’s sake, don’t hit any of those tankers.
JOLLY
There’s an awful lot of ’em, Skipper.
BOOMER
Look out, Jolly! You got one on your tail!
APOLLO
Roll, Jolly! He’s on you!
JOLLY
I can’t seem to lose him!
CAIN
Let’s go get ’em.
(destroys Raider)
JOLLY
Thank you, whoever that was!
CAIN
My pleasure. Captain, on your left wing!
SHEBA
I’ve got him, Apollo.
(destroys Raider)
BOOMER
There’s two of ’em runnin’.
CAIN
Blue Squadron, pursue!
(Cain flies over to the tankers and destroys one while Blue Squadron is occupied with the Raiders.)
APOLLO
Well, that’s all of ’em. Let’s go back and escort those tankers in.
(Cain destroys the other tanker)
Commander?
CAIN
Yes. What is it, Captain?
APOLLO
Were you aiming at a fighter? I didn’t see him.
CAIN
Oh, you didn’t, Captain? He was as clear as the Nubian sun to me.
APOLLO
Where are the two tankers?
CAIN
I don’t know, Captain. Looks like we’ve come up empty. Let’s regroup with Blue Squadron and head for home.
(Galactica bridge)
TIGH
Fighter squadron returning, sir, but no tankers.
ADAMA
What?
TIGH
It seems like they were unable to locate the convoy.
ADAMA
That’s odd. Cain seemed so certain he’d find it.
TIGH
What is certain is that we can’t stay here. And we can’t move without fuel. It looks like we’ll have to attack their main base.
ADAMA
I want Commander Cain and his strike captains in my quarters as soon as they land.
TIGH
Yes, sir.
(Adama’s quarters)
CAIN
Ah, I’m sorry, Adama, but with all of those ships in the air, fighting for their lives in and around those tankers – I guess maybe, eh, we should have sent just my squadrons, huh? I mean, we do have a little more experience in hit-and-run tactics.
ADAMA
Yes, I suppose it was a mistake, mixing forces that had never fought together.
APOLLO
Commander, with all due respect, Blue Squadron was nowhere in the vicinity when those tankers blew up!
CAIN
Nothing personal, Apollo. You and your squadron handled yourselves as well as any warriors I’ve ever seen. It was an honor to have you along, and I wouldn't dream of attacking that Cylon base without you.
APOLLO
We’re going against the whole base?
CAIN
I don’t think we have any choice now.
(to Adama)
Do we?
ADAMA
Events seem to have left us very few alternatives. I’ll give you my decision in the morning.
CAIN
We can’t wait for a decision in the morning. We have to work on my battle plan right now.
ADAMA
In the morning.
CAIN
Adama, with all due—
ADAMA
Dismissed.
CAIN
I’ll be in the officers’ club, when you make up your mind. Sheba.
(Cain and Sheba exit.)
APOLLO
(pointing after Cain)
Father, he— Nothing.
(In a corridor, Apollo catches up to Sheba on her way to the officers’ club.)
APOLLO
Sheba? I’d like to talk to you.
SHEBA
I was just about to join my father at the club.
CAIN
Oh, that’s all right. Cassiopeia and I’ll save you a place.
(proceeds down corridor)
SHEBA
Look, I really don’t feel that well. I think that I—
APOLLO
What happened out there, to those tankers?
SHEBA
You heard the report. They were hit by incidental fire.
APOLLO
You’re telling me that someone as good as you are, as good as Silver Spar Squadron is, blew the whole purpose of this mission out of the stars by accident?
SHEBA
Yes, that’s what I’m saying.
APOLLO
Well, then, we have found a weakness or two, haven’t we, Lieutenant?
(officers’ club)
CAIN
A toast! A toast to our victory over the Cylons!
WARRIORS
Hail! Hail! Hail!
BACKGROUND WARRIOR
Victory! Victory! Victory!
(Galactica conference room)
ADAMA
Now, the data from the scanners aboard the Pegasus make it clear that an attack would result in the forfeiture of countless lives. Those are losses unacceptable to me, even if we were successful in boarding fuel from the Cylon depot.
CAIN
Adama, we have no choice. Your fleet is standing dead in the sky. It’s only a matter of time before their base ships attack.
ADAMA
There is a choice. According to my data, the Pegasus is carrying a maximum fuel load. I intend to divide part of that load amongst the fleet.
CAIN
What?
ADAMA
Only a sufficient amount to get our people out of this quadrant without loss of life. With any luck, our scanners will be able to locate a secondary fuel source before we run out of it again.
CAIN
Commander, with all due respect, we cannot risk the lives of our people on – on luck. All the fuel we need is right there at that base, Gomoray, and we have two full battlestars to hit them with.
ADAMA
And what do you think would happen if we left our fleet of civilian ships unguarded while we went off to conquer a planet?
CAIN
We can be in and out before they know what’s hit them.
ADAMA
Commander, we have been dogged by Cylon base ships ever since we left our star system. They strike without warning. They could be massing for a strike even as we talk at this moment.
CAIN
Oh, anything is possible, but I prefer to deal with the probable, and the probabilities are, because of our combined strength now, that we can achieve our first clean victory since we lost the war.
ADAMA
I’m not interested in victories. I’m interested in saving lives, what few of them are left. I’m sorry. Colonel, carry out the task of distributing the Pegasus’ fuel throughout the fleet.
CAIN
Commander, I will not allow that.
ADAMA
You have no choice.
CAIN
Oh, I think I do. I think two yahrens of surviving the Cylons in this quadrant without any help from you or the Colonies has earned my people, my crew, the right to decide their own destiny.
ADAMA
In the same way you decided the destiny of two Cylon tankers?
CAIN
I did what I thought I had to do to assure the survival of our people. How long do you suppose that fuel supply from those two tankers would last, huh? We need enough fuel to sustain this fleet indefinitely! We must take that base! We must take Gomoray!
ADAMA
That is one opinion, Commander. It does not happen to be mine. So I’m going to relieve you of any further responsibility of making decisions contrary to orders. You’re relieved of your command. Colonel Tigh, you will assume the bridge of the Pegasus.
(Tigh nods)
(In the officers’ club, Cain is joined by Sheba and Bojay.)
SHEBA
Father? I want you to know that the men and I will follow you in whatever you decide to do.
CAIN
Thank you, Sheba, but you heard the man. I don’t decide in anything anymore.
BOJAY
Sir, what we meant was—
CAIN
I know what you meant. But what I did this morning was a matter of tactical misjudgment. What you’re thinking of is mutiny. Now, I may be the most stubborn, egocentric warrior in the history of the Colonies, but I’m also the best damn warrior in the history of the Colonies, and I don’t intend to be remembered as the one who pulled out and left a lot of defenseless civilians at the mercy of those tinheaded, golmonging Cylons.
(Cylon Raiders land aboard Baltar’s base star.)
CENTURION
Rearm and refuel immediately.
(Two Centurions pass through a corridor of the base star.)
CENTURION 1
I understand the scouts came back with exciting news.
CENTURION 2
I hope they have found the humans.
(Lucifer enters Baltar’s command chamber.)
LUCIFER
By your command.
BALTAR
Speak.
LUCIFER
Our scouts have located the trailing vessels of the Colonial fleet.
BALTAR
They turned back before discovery, I presume?
LUCIFER
By your order.
BALTAR
Very well done. This is the final moment. At long last I’ve overtaken Adama with sufficient strength to blow him out of the sky!
LUCIFER
It should be quite a good battle.
BALTAR
It will be no battle at all. A single battlestar is no match for three base ships. Oh, no. What we have here, my dear Lucifer, is what is known as a rout, a humiliation, a massacre.
LUCIFER
Then you do not wish support fighters from Gomoray, our outer capital?
BALTAR
The only thing I want from Gomoray is a welcoming parade, a victory celebration, a tribute from the people of Gomoray for the greatest military leader Cylon has ever known.
(chuckles)
I’ve decided that the city of Gomoray will be my seat of power. From it, I will decide how and where I will extend my dominion throughout the star system.
LUCIFER
Begging your pardon, Baltar, but don’t you think we should first go through the formality of conquering the humans before ordering our victory celebration?
BALTAR
That had the note of sarcasm, Lucifer. Watch yourself. You’re not the only IL-series Cylon who dreams of standing beside the greatest conqueror in all the universe.
LUCIFER
Forgive my impudence.
BALTAR
Mmmm.
LUCIFER
About that launch order—
BALTAR
Yes, yes, let’s get on with it. Ah— Wait. Wait, I have an even better idea. I will accompany the strike force!
LUCIFER
You, go into—?
BALTAR
Yes, yes. Think of the impression on the city of Gomoray when they learn that I personally led the final assault on the humans! Prepare a ship with two of your best pilots.
LUCIFER
By your command.
BALTAR
(chuckles)
(A shuttle approaches the Pegasus’ landing bay.)
APOLLO
Captain Apollo from the Galactica’s shuttle requesting permission to board the Pegasus.
(Pegasus bridge)
TOLAN
Colonel, the fueling shuttles are starting to come aboard.
TIGH
Proceed with distribution of the fuel to all ships in the fleet.
(Tolan reacts)
Yes.
TOLAN
Colonel, there’s bad feeling festering aboard this ship. I wonder if we shouldn’t delay this order until things settle down a little.
TIGH
Commander Adama wants the fleet able to get underway within a centare’s notice. We can’t do that without fuel. Now, carry out the order.
(In the landing bay, Apollo, Boomer, and Jolly exit the shuttle to find themselves confronted by Sheba, Bojay, and seven other warriors.)
SHEBA
Can we be of some help, Apollo?
APOLLO
Not unless you want to assist in the transfer of fuel.
BOJAY
What transfer’s that?
APOLLO
We have a job to do. Stand aside.
(Sheba and Bojay step forward)
What do you think you’re doing?
BOJAY
Fighting for our Commander, and our lives.
APOLLO
Your Commander has accepted the order. Now, why don’t you show the same good sense?
SHEBA
Look, Captain, maybe you don’t understand the situation. Adama humiliated the greatest man that ever lived, a man that can think and fight circles around your father.
BOJAY
She’s right, Apollo. He’s saved every one of us from certain death. Now it’s our turn to help him.
APOLLO
Look, no one wants to see Cain hurt or disgraced.
SHEBA
(with a sarcastic laugh)
Isn’t it a bit late to say that?
APOLLO
Don’t you understand? Commander Adama had no choice. For better or worse, there can only be one leader!
BOJAY
That’s right, and we’ve got the wrong one! That’s why you’re not taking our fuel.
(puts his hand on his laser)
APOLLO
I’m only going to say this one more time: Adama is the fleet commander, and he’s determined that we don’t dare send our defenses off to some Cylon capital while our fleet sits here helpless! Now, I happen to support that thinking, so you stand aside!
(Apollo and Boomer draw their lasers.)
BOOMER
Well, now, what’s it, uh, gonna be?
(Alert klaxon sounds.)
APOLLO
Just what Adama was afraid of. We’re under attack! Let’s get back to the ship.
(Pegasus bridge)
TOLAN
Large Cylon task force coming in.
BRIDGE VOICE
Fifty microns and closing.
TIGH
Get me the Galactica.
(Galactica bridge)
OMEGA
Sir, forty-five microns and closing.
ADAMA
That’s their largest task force I’ve seen since the destruction of Caprica.
CAIN
What is it? What have they got?
ADAMA
We’re not certain, but from the size of that phalanx of attack bombers, they have three base ships moving in on us.
CAIN
Well, you were right. I was wrong. The fleet would have been defenseless now if we had attacked their base.
ADAMA
Well, right now I need you and your tactical wizardry. They didn’t use more than three base ships when they wiped out our entire fleet at Caprica.
CAIN
Yes, but surprise was on their side at Caprica. This time, it might be on our side.
ADAMA
Pull out the Pegasus.
CAIN
Exactly. It’s on the far side of our fleet, so I doubt if it’s on their scanners yet. I’ll bring it around and squeeze them in between us.
ADAMA
Don’t take too long to be in position.
CAIN
Well, if you don’t mind my, uh, burning up half my fuel, I’ll see if I can bring it up to light speed.
ADAMA
Do I have a choice?
CAIN
No.
ADAMA
Be there when we need you.
CAIN
I’ll be there!
OMEGA
Commander, twenty-five microns and closing.
(Baltar and his two Cylon pilots go into battle along with the other Raiders.)
CENTURION
Arm weapons. Stand by to attack.
BALTAR
This is going to be a classic defeat, spoken of throughout the star system for a thousand yahrens.
(Galactica bridge)
ADAMA
Launch fighters.
(Pegasus bridge)
TOLAN
Incoming communication from Commander Cain, sir.
TIGH
Put it on the line.
CAIN
(from his Viper)
Colonel, I’m resuming command of the Pegasus.
TIGH
So I’ve been informed by Commander Adama.
CAIN
Good. Now, get that ship out of there. Swing her around on a one eighty and head out on a course of one one oh. I’ll rendezvous with you.
TIGH
What about the attack force coming in?
CAIN
You let me worry about that. Bring all fighters to launch ready. I’ll be aboard in ten microns.
(The Pegasus bridge crew cheers heartily.)
TOLAN
(laughs apologetically)
It’s – it’s nothing personal, sir. It’s just that—
TIGH
I quite understand. Who can fight a living legend?
(Vipers engage the Raiders.)
BALTAR
Good-bye, Galactica. Good-bye, Adama. You’re finished!
(Galactica bridge)
ADAMA
Positive shield, now! All batteries commence fire.
(battle in space)
JOLLY
Let’s go get ’em.
BALTAR
This time the Galactica hasn’t a chance. Concentrate our fighters on the Galactica’s landing bays. Her warriors won’t be able to refuel, reload, or land.
(A Raider crashes into one of the landing bays.)
(Galactica bridge)
OMEGA
Fire in the bay.
ADAMA
Damage report.
OMEGA
It’s out of control. Alpha bay is completely cut off.
(battle in space)
BALTAR
Continue leading her warriors away from the main fleet. They can’t stay aloft using full battle thrusters for very long.
CENTURION
A word of caution: we too are expending great amounts of fuel in a sustained attack.
BALTAR
Yes, but we have a place to land. They do not, or will not before long.
(laughs)
(On the Galactica bridge, crewmen dash about, moving equipment and fighting fires.)
ADAMA
You men, move to the communication center!
(Pegasus bridge)
TOLAN
We are now running parallel to the attacking Cylons on their rear flank. But the Galactica is reporting heavy damage to her landing bays.
CAIN
Bring her around sixty degrees. We’re going in.
(battle in space)
BALTAR
Burn, Galactica! You’re finished, Adama!
(A Centurion turns and spots the Pegasus approaching.)
CENTURION
Sir, if I may—
BALTAR
Not now. I don’t want to miss a moment of the last battlestar’s destruction.
CENTURION
I really think you should take a look at the other battlestar.
BALTAR
What are you babbling about, a—?
(sees the Pegasus)
It’s impossible!
CENTURION
No, it is a battlestar.
BALTAR
Turn, you fool, turn! He’s coming right for us!
(Pegasus bridge)
PEGASUS LAUNCH OFFICER
Launch when ready.
(battle in space)
BALTAR
(as Vipers approach from the Pegasus)
Sound the retreat! Return to our base ships!
CENTURION
But we have not finished off the Galactica.
BALTAR
We’re half out of fuel and those Vipers are coming in fresh! Now, do as I say before they blast us out of the stars!
CENTURION
Retreat. Squadron, retreat.
BOOMER
They’re retreating! Hee-haah!
CENTURION
Retreat.
(Galactica bridge)
ATHENA
Commander Cain on the line, father.
ADAMA
Thanks for the assist, Cain. It didn’t look any too good there for a while.
CAIN (on screen)
Well, it doesn’t look any too good now. Whatta you got cooking on that bridge?
ADAMA
Everything’s under control at the moment, but I’d like to land my fighters on the Pegasus. It’ll take some time to repair our landing bays.
CAIN
My pleasure. Commander, may I suggest we call a council of war as quickly as possible? Those mongraking Cylons are in a state of shock right now, but that won’t last long.
ADAMA
Agreed. We’ll meet in twenty centons in my quarters.
CAIN
I’ll be there.
(Galactica conference room)
APOLLO
The Cylons have three base ships confirmed plus four squadrons from Gomoray.
TIGH
We can’t let them launch that united assault. We’d never survive.
CAIN
So, now is the time to knock out that base on Gomoray!
ADAMA
Go on the offensive, when we’re so badly outgunned?
CAIN
Yes. It would take them by surprise.
APOLLO
He is right about that, father. I don’t see them expecting us to go against their outer capital with three base ships stalking us.
ADAMA
Losing lives in exchange for that base goes against everything I believe in.
CAIN
But we wouldn’t lose any lives. Two battlestars would completely overwhelm Gomoray!
ADAMA
Their anti-assault batteries are practically foolproof.
CAIN
Yes, but as you know, Cylons have no independent initiative. Their control circuits are always centralized. So, if we send in a small team to neutralize their anti-assault batteries, our squadrons can sweep over the city and shut down the whole place. Then we go in and keep on fighting until Gomoray is ours!
ADAMA
I must say this again: we can’t even think of trying to capture that base. All we could hope to gain from Gomoray is the fuel we need to elude those base ships.
APOLLO
As soon as they discover what we’ve done, they’ll send those base ships at us with everything they have. Our fuel landing teams would be vulnerable targets sitting on the ground.
ADAMA
No question about it.
CAIN
Once we secure the fuel base, I propose that we withdraw one battlestar to delay those incoming base ships.
ADAMA
A single battlestar, to fight off three Cylon base ships?
CAIN
Not fight off. Delay. I’ll give the impression that we’re leaving Gomoray, that we’re moving off. I’ll lead them away.
ADAMA
You seem to have decided it’s to be the Pegasus that withdraws and tackles those base ships.
CAIN
The Galactica is still under repair.
ADAMA
I’d like you to meet me in my quarters, Commander.
(Adama’s quarters)
CAIN
What are you worried about? A repetition of the tanker incident?
ADAMA
That’s precisely what I’m worried about.
(sighs)
Cain, I am a great admirer of your strategic genius, but it’s a history of individual initiative, not teamwork.
CAIN
Well, I can’t lie to you; nothing would please me more than taking Gomoray and running up our flag.
ADAMA
Do you fully comprehend the liability of a military confrontation while protecting two hundred and twenty unarmed civilian ships?
CAIN
Well, that’s why I propose to use the Pegasus to divert those base ships away from you.
ADAMA
(sighs)
I just don’t want any more surprises.
CAIN
Then the mission is a go?
ADAMA
I don’t have a choice, do I?
CAIN
No.
(As Cain goes down a corridor on the Galactica, Cassiopeia pursues.)
CASSIOPEIA
Cain! Cain. What is it? What’s happening? I just heard you were returning to the Pegasus.
CAIN
That’s right.
CASSIOPEIA
I was hoping we would talk.
CAIN
Hm. And I’d been hoping you’d say that, but now is just not the time, Cassie.
CASSIOPEIA
Maybe I could ride over to the Pegasus in your shuttle.
CAIN
No, Cassie. It’d be safer for you here.
CASSIOPEIA
Safer? Why? What are you going to do?
CAIN
It’s a mission. Don’t worry. I’ll be all right. I always come back. I love you.
CASSIOPEIA
(sighs)
(Blue Squadron barracks)
BOOMER
Apollo, what are our chances of comin’ out of this thing? I mean, we’re walkin’ right into a Cylon city?
APOLLO
You really want to know?
BOOMER
(laughs)
That’s what I thought.
APOLLO
(laughs)
Of course, any time you want to back out, Boomer…
BOOMER
Huh-uh. We’re all in this together, my friend.
(Starbuck enters carrying some lasers)
Now, what’s this?
STARBUCK
Well, I, uh, checked out a little extra firepower. I’m afraid we may need it.
(Sheba and Bojay enter.)
BOJAY
Is this where we check in?
APOLLO
For what?
BOJAY
We’ve been assigned to the Galactica ground force.
APOLLO
By whose orders?
SHEBA
My father’s. We are, after all, the only people in this room who are familiar with the target.
APOLLO
You’ve been there on the ground?
SHEBA
No, but we’ve been over it many times, and since we’ll be making free-flight jumps, it might be nice for you to know where you’re going.
APOLLO
Ah, no reflection on your ability, but I’m just a little puzzled at your father risking you on such a, uh—
SHEBA
One-way mission?
STARBUCK
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah – No offense, lady, but, eh, this kid doesn’t go on one-way missions. And I don’t take kindly to people who start out planning on not coming back.
SHEBA
I’m sorry; I was just being a realist.
STARBUCK
Realist? If we were realists, we’d all be dead back on Caprica. Now, where’s the med tech? I’d like to get started.
SHEBA
We’re not taking one.
STARBUCK
What?
SHEBA
We’re not gonna have any time to stop for the wounded. We’ve got millicentons to get in and out of there as it is.
STARBUCK
Okay. It’s my kinda mission. Short.
SHEBA
I do see what you mean. You’re an optimist.
STARBUCK
Mm-hmm. Look, uh, would you like to make a little side bet that we come back?
SHEBA
What’s the side bet?
STARBUCK
Well, uh, why don’t we make it something real, um, personal?
SHEBA
Bad idea, Lieutenant. You wouldn’t want me throwing the mission just to avoid the bet.
(In the launch bay, the ground team heads toward the shuttle.)
CASSIOPEIA
Starbuck.
STARBUCK
Cassiopeia.
CASSIOPEIA
I have to talk to you.
(pulls him aside)
STARBUCK
(sighs)
Yeah, well, uh, you picked a great time. We’re getting ready to launch.
CASSIOPEIA
Well, that’s what I want to talk to you about. I know about the jump. Where’re they sending Cain?
STARBUCK
I’m getting ready to jump into an inferno and you want to talk to me about Cain?
CASSIOPEIA
He isn’t planning on coming back.
APOLLO
Starbuck, let’s move.
STARBUCK
Yeah, yeah. Look, Cassiopeia, I don’t know what you heard about Cain, but, uh, he’s a survivor; he’ll be back. If that’s what’s worrying you.
CASSIOPEIA
Starbuck, if Cain was expecting to survive, he would have taken me aboard the Pegasus.
SHEBA
What are you talking about?
APOLLO
Nothing. We’re all in the same fix. The odds are against us, but we’ll get through. Now, let’s go!
SHEBA
No. She’s right. If he left her off of the ship, he’s gotta be planning something crazy. I have to get back to the Pegasus.
APOLLO
Sorry, you’re with us. Father’s orders, remember?
SHEBA
He doesn’t even know anything about this. The whole thing was my idea.
CASSIOPEIA
I’ll take her place.
APOLLO
You can’t point out the Cylon command base on Gomoray. She can.
CASSIOPEIA
Where’s your med tech? I don’t see one.
APOLLO
We don’t have one.
CASSIOPEIA
Well, you do now.
BOOMER
Apollo, we’re microns from launch.
STARBUCK
Cassiopeia, where do you think you’re going?
CASSIOPEIA
On the mission.
STARBUCK
Dressed like that? This is a jump.
CASSIOPEIA
I’ve got everything I need in this carryall.
(boards shuttle)
STARBUCK
(sighs)
SHEBA
I am not going on the same shuttle with her.
APOLLO
It’s not up to you. She’s one of us.
(he and Sheba board the shuttle)
BOOMER
Well, now, this is a very nice, tight-knit team we have here.
STARBUCK
Mm-hmm. Yeah. With support troops like this, who needs Cylons?
(Galactica bridge)
TIGH
Shuttle standing by to launch to Gomoray.
ADAMA
Launch.
(shuttle launches)
And may the Lord be with you.
(aboard the shuttle)
APOLLO
Let’s recap the mission. First, create a state of confusion. Then destroy the control center, which will neutralize the anti-assault batteries. Last, secure the fuel depot.
(Baltar’s command chamber)
BALTAR
What is the latest intelligence?
LUCIFER
It is the consensus of the commanders of the two supporting base ships that, uh, we should ask for help from the planet Gomoray at once.
BALTAR
Somehow I find the idea of some base commander on Gomoray taking credit for destroying the Galactica slightly annoying.
LUCIFER
We did not do quite so well in battle this day.
BALTAR
We were taken by surprise, thanks to your so-called “intelligence reports”! How many squadrons are based on Gomoray?
LUCIFER
Four complete squadrons, the equivalent of a base ship.
BALTAR
In other words, we have the firepower of four base ships at our disposal?
LUCIFER
That is correct.
BALTAR
Prepare for a new attack.
(Galactica bridge)
ADAMA
Tigh, notify all ship captains the Galactica and Pegasus are moving out, leaving them temporarily unguarded.
TIGH
Do we tell them any more than that?
ADAMA
No. Helm, make ready to move. Flank speed, and fuel be damned. We’ve got to make that jump on Gomoray before they can launch.
TIGH
Pegasus is underway, right behind us. They should be nearing their drop zone.
ADAMA
A drop right into the heart of a Cylon capital. How did we ever become so desperate?
(The shuttle flies over the city.)
SCANNER VOICE
Head for Gomoray fuel depot, maximum speed.
(A signal light goes on inside the shuttle.)
APOLLO
That’s it, let’s go. Sheba, Bojay, we’ll home in on you, since you have the best chance of spotting the Cylon base.
BOJAY
Anybody ever told me I’d deliberately jump out of a ship into the middle of the Cylon Empire…
APOLLO
Remember the three steps: create confusion, destroy the control center to neutralize the anti-assault batteries, secure the fuel depot.
(Sheba and Bojay parachute out of the shuttle.)
(throne room of Imperious Leader’s base ship)
CENTURION
Imperious Leader, we are approaching the Gomoray airdome.
IMPERIOUS LEADER
Excellent, excellent.
(audience chamber on Gomoray)
IL CYLON
It is indeed an auspicious occasion. How often does the Imperious Leader himself journey all the way from Cylon?
COMMAND CENTURION
Attention. Attention. His Eminence the Imperious Leader will be with us shortly. His ship has landed at the airdome.
(Starbuck, Cassiopeia, and Apollo parachute into the city along with Sheba and Bojay, destroying two Centurions who notice their descent.)
APOLLO
These munition bunkers could be a nice diversion until we penetrate the headquarters.
BOOMER
Shouldn’t take too much to blow ’em sky high.
STARBUCK
Go!
APOLLO
Yeah!
(Gomoray audience chamber)
CENTURION
Presenting His Eminence, our Imperious Leader.
(Outside, Starbuck sets charges.)
STARBUCK
Where are the others?
SHEBA
They’re over this way.
STARBUCK
Okay, let’s go.
(They rejoin Apollo and Cassiopeia.)
APOLLO
Where’s Bojay?
SHEBA
We thought he was with you.
(Elsewhere, Bojay continues setting charges.)
CENTURION
Halt!
(In an exchange of fire, Bojay destroys the Centurion but falls wounded.)
SHEBA
Bojay!
(runs toward him)
APOLLO
Sheba!
(he and Cassiopeia follow)
SHEBA
Bojay!
BOJAY
Get outta here!
STARBUCK
(to Boomer)
This whole place is gonna blow up.
SHEBA
(arriving at Bojay’s side)
No!
STARBUCK
We’ve got to knock out those anti-assault batteries now. Let’s go.
BOOMER
Can we do it, just the two of us?
STARBUCK
Mm, we’re gonna have to. Okay, let’s go.
(they enter the headquarters)
(Bojay gasps and groans in pain.)
CASSIOPEIA
All right, now, hold him still. This is gonna hurt, but it’ll stop the bleeding.
SHEBA
Can’t you give him anything for the pain?
CASSIOPEIA
If I do, he won’t be able to walk. Okay, come on.
APOLLO
Come on, Bojay.
BOJAY
Ahh, jeez!
APOLLO
It’s your only chance. Come on.
(They help Bojay to his feet.)
BOJAY
Ahh! Ahh!
APOLLO
That’s it.
(Gomoray audience chamber)
IMPERIOUS LEADER
My fellow Cylons, it is indeed a great honor to dedicate this southern center
of Cylon culture to the advance of, and perfection of, the Cylon race.
(Starbuck and Boomer make their way through a corridor.)
STARBUCK
Where is everybody?
(Gomoray audience chamber)
IMPERIOUS LEADER
With this secure outpost deep in the heart of the Cryllion star system, our supremacy is all but assured.
(Explosions begin outside.)
IL CYLON
Uh-oh.
IMPERIOUS LEADER
What, pray tell, was that?
(in the corridor)
BOOMER
There go the bunkers.
(he and Starbuck conceal themselves)
(Gomoray audience chamber)
IMPERIOUS LEADER
Find out, before I have you scavenged for spare parts.
(Outside, Apollo and Sheba help Bojay move away from the explosions.)
BOJAY
Put me down! I can’t go any more! Ahh! Gee! Mmm!
CASSIOPEIA
He’s gotta stop all this running. The pressure on the sealed artery is enormous.
BOJAY
Uhh! Ahh! Oh!
SHEBA
I’ll stay with him.
CASSIOPEIA
No, you’re needed with Apollo. I’ll watch Bojay.
(Bojay continues grunting in pain.)
APOLLO
She’s right. We haven’t much time. Here.
(hands Cassiopeia a laser)
I hope you won’t have to use this.
CASSIOPEIA
Just worry about the Galactica. And the Pegasus.
APOLLO
Let’s go.
(Sheba pauses to look at Cassiopeia, who nods in reassurance)
Sheba! Let’s go!
(Galactica bridge)
ATHENA
Picking up sonic disturbances from the surface of Gomoray.
TIGH
We’re closing to launch range.
ADAMA
And well within their anti-assault range.
TIGH
Do we launch?
ADAMA
We wait until we’re sure they’ve destroyed the anti-assault batteries.
(In the Cylon headquarters, Starbuck and Boomer look through an interior window.)
STARBUCK
There’s the control center. Should we take it from here?
BOOMER
No.
(they climb a ladder to the upper level)
(Galactica bridge)
TIGH
Negative shield, now.
(Gomoray control center)
IL CYLON
Long-range scanners are picking up an intrusion in our quadrant.
COMMAND CENTURION
Scan for identification. Alert ground-to-air stations and intercept aircraft.
(Starbuck and Boomer enter the upper level of the control center. They are spotted and a firefight begins.)
STARBUCK
Let’s get outta here, Boomer. There’s too many of them.
BOOMER
What about the control center?
(Starbuck activates a charge and throws it over the railing. They take the ladder down to the corridor, where they are met by Apollo and Sheba.)
APOLLO
Did you find the control center?
BOOMER
We found it, all right.
SHEBA
Where?
STARBUCK
(pointing)
There!
(An explosion blows the doors off the control center.)
(Galactica bridge)
TIGH
We are now within their scanner range. They’ll be coming up after us, with or without ground missile support.
ADAMA
Launch. Notify the Pegasus.
(Pegasus bridge)
TOLAN
The Galactica is launching.
CAIN
At last. Good, good!
(Over Gomoray in his Viper, Jolly strafes the Cylon city.)
JOLLY
It’s almost too easy!
GREENBEAN
(nods)
(Baltar’s command chamber)
BALTAR
Are our ships ready to launch the final assault against the Galactica and Pegasus?
LUCIFER
There is a problem.
BALTAR
I don’t want to hear about any problems. We have them where we want them. Now, launch.
LUCIFER
But they aren’t where we want them.
BALTAR
What do you mean, “they aren’t where we want them”?
LUCIFER
They are at this moment over Gomoray.
BALTAR
What?
LUCIFER
Blowing the pogees out of it, if reports coming in are accurate.
BALTAR
The fact that Gomoray is being attacked is perfect! It means the Colonial fleet is completely unprotected. Launch a killer force at once!
(Lucifer says nothing)
Did you hear me? I said destroy the fleet!
LUCIFER
There’s a special envoy on Gomoray. It is headed by our Imperious Leader, there to dedicate the new base.
BALTAR
Imperious Leader is on Gomoray?
LUCIFER
I wonder what he’ll think when he finds that the base on which he is standing is being destroyed by two ships you had within your grasp only this morning.
BALTAR
Oh, this is unbelievable.
LUCIFER
We must rush to our Leader’s defense.
BALTAR
Yes, send everything we have to destroy those two battlestars, and let not a single ship return until that’s accomplished!
(Outside the headquarters building on Gomoray, Cassiopeia tracks three figures with her laser as they descend the steps.)
APOLLO
Don’t shoot!
CASSIOPEIA
(sighs in relief)
APOLLO
How’s Bojay?
CASSIOPEIA
We’ve gotta get him up to the life station as soon as possible.
APOLLO
We’ve already got two shuttles on the way down. Boomer’s at the landing area. Let’s go.
(As Bojay grunts in pain, they proceed to the landing area.)
(Galactica bridge)
TIGH
Commander, Captain Apollo reports that the fuel depot is secured.
ADAMA
Oh, good!
TIGH
We can send in the tankers and recall our fighters.
ADAMA
Have the fighters rearmed immediately. Those Cylon base ships will be throwing everything they have at us.
(landing area on Gomoray)
APOLLO
Sheba, take him!
(hands off Bojay to Sheba)
Starbuck, we’ll see you in a couple of centons.
STARBUCK
Whoa, now, wait, wait! You think I’m gonna stay down here and miss all the fun? You’re crazy!
(heads for shuttle)
APOLLO
Hey—!
(Aboard the shuttle, Sheba and Cassiopeia watch over Bojay.)
APOLLO
Wait a centon. That’s not the Galactica we’re heading for. That’s the Pegasus.
PILOT
Orders.
APOLLO
From whom?
CASSIOPEIA
From me. It’s a medical emergency, Captain, and the Pegasus is the nearest ship.
PILOT
We’re cleared to land. Shall I go in?
APOLLO
Go in.
CASSIOPEIA
Starbuck, I just want you to know that, um, it is Bojay I’m thinking of.
STARBUCK
I know.
CASSIOPEIA
That doesn’t mean that – uh – that I’ve decided.
STARBUCK
Hey – hey, I know that too. Everyone’s entitled to a little confusion in their lives. I practically thrive on it.
(they kiss)
(The shuttle approaches the landing bay.)
CONTROL VOICE
Report to life center. Repeat, report to life center.
(Pegasus bridge)
TOLAN
Sir, long-range scanners pick up an unbelievable number of enemy craft on their way.
CAIN
Prepare coordinates to intercept.
TOLAN
You mean to lead them off, hit and run?
CAIN
I mean intercept. I mean go through them.
TOLAN
Through them?
CAIN
Yes. Straight through their task force, to Baltar’s base ship.
TOLAN
Yes, sir.
BACKGROUND VOICES
Stand by, Galactica.
Roger.
APOLLO
And when Baltar figures out that you’re after his hind, he’ll recall all of his forces attacking Gomoray. It’s a good plan, sir, if it works.
CAIN
My plans always work. What are you doing aboard the Pegasus, Captain?
APOLLO
Well, yours was the closest battlestar I could, uh, return to with the wounded, sir.
CAIN
How bad was it down there?
APOLLO
Well, Bojay took a hit, but your daughter and Cassiopeia are both fine.
CAIN
My daughter and Cassiopeia? They went with you on that mission?
APOLLO
Like father, like daughter, sir.
CAIN
Well, anyway, congratulations. Your mission was a big success. They weren’t able to get one ship off the ground and we didn’t lose anybody. How is Bojay?
APOLLO
Well, that depends upon this plan of yours, sir. I thought the idea was to divert Baltar’s forces, not attack them head-on!
CAIN
Strategy, Captain, strategy. And as for Bojay, he’ll be shuttled off to the fleet just as soon as we get past Baltar’s task force.
APOLLO
Don’t you mean “if we get by his task force”? We’re gonna be outgunned three to one.
TOLAN
We’ve gotta move out if we’re to intercept Baltar’s ships away from Gomoray.
CAIN
If you’re leaving for the Galactica, this is your last chance.
APOLLO
With the Galactica’s Alpha landing deck incapacitated, most of my squadron’s ships are aboard the Pegasus. I just hope you realize how many brave young warriors might not survive a head-on clash with the Cylons.
CAIN
I’m willing to put it to them on a voluntary basis.
APOLLO
My men are no different from yours. They think of you as some kinda legend.
CAIN
Well, I do know how to win a battle.
APOLLO
Yes, but what about your warriors? Are you thinking of them when you take on three base ships all by yourself, or are ya thinking of history, the legend of Commander Cain?
CAIN
You’re out of line, Captain. Full speed ahead, Colonel.
APOLLO
I just wanted to remind you that your own daughter will be out there with us.
(Pegasus launch bay)
STARBUCK
Tell me it isn’t true. Three base ships head-on?
APOLLO
It’s true.
BOOMER
Is he crazy?
APOLLO
A little. That’s what gives him his advantage. Who’d think of anything like this but Cain?
(Pegasus life station)
BOJAY
Thanks for getting me back alive. You’re quite a lady.
CASSIOPEIA
(laughs, then to Sheba)
He can talk, but not too long.
SHEBA
(laughs sadly to Bojay)
BOJAY
(to Sheba)
I hear we closed ’em down good.
SHEBA
(laughs)
Yeah, we really spoiled their party. I got another one to go to, so I’ll see you as soon as I get back.
BOJAY
Wish I could go with ya.
SHEBA
I promise I’ll tell you all about it.
(laughs sadly)
Cassiopeia—
(Cain enters.)
CAIN
Sheba—
(Sheba exits)
Sheba?
(Cain follows Sheba down a corridor.)
CAIN
Sheba, wait. Sheba, wait.
SHEBA
I can’t. We’re launching. We have three-to-one odds, but then, you know that.
CAIN
I want you to take Bojay and shuttle him back to the fleet.
SHEBA
I’m sorry, father. What you planned for my squadron, you planned for me.
(alert klaxon sounds)
Look, there’s one more thing. About that lady, the one that seems to mean so much to you – I watched her save a life today, and she risked her own to do it. So what do I know about people?
(laughs sadly)
CAIN
(hugs Sheba and sighs)
I love you, baby. And I want to see you again, so you be careful.
SHEBA
(nods)
And you too, Commander.
(with a laugh)
(Multiple shuttles launch.)
CONTROL VOICE
Secure all wounded. Secure all wounded.
(Pegasus bridge)
TOLAN
Cylon force closing, twenty microns.
CAIN
Launch defense force.
TOLAN
Fighters launched and taking up a spearhead in front of the Pegasus.
(Vipers intercept Raiders.)
CENTURION
They are heading directly for us.
APOLLO
Commence firing.
(battle ensues)
Starbuck?
STARBUCK
Yo.
APOLLO
So many of ’em you can’t miss.
STARBUCK
Yeah, but I just lost Bunker and Taggs. Laser fire’s so thick you could walk on it.
(Pegasus bridge)
TOLAN
Our fighters blew a nice clean corridor down the middle of their forces, but they’re coming in on us from all sides.
CAIN
Straight ahead, full speed!
(Baltar’s command chamber)
LUCIFER
A report from our task force: a single battlestar has been sent out to intercept them.
BALTAR
Destroy it. Then continue on. It should take no time at all.
LUCIFER
By your command.
(Raider in space)
CENTURION 1
The battlestar Pegasus is not stopping to engage us.
CENTURION 2
Impossible. That is why she is here. Pursue and destroy.
(Baltar’s command chamber)
LUCIFER
Another report.
BALTAR
The lone battlestar is destroyed and our forces are on their way to Gomoray.
LUCIFER
Not exactly.
BALTAR
What’s happened?
LUCIFER
The Pegasus and her warriors did not stop to engage our fighters.
BALTAR
Did not engage? But that’s— Ah, of course. They’re a decoy. They intend to lead our fighters off, make them pursue and burn off fuel, while Gomoray remains under attack.
LUCIFER
A very clever plan.
BALTAR
But I see right through it. Break off the attack. Continue our fighters on towards Gomoray. We’ll finish off the Galactica and then return for the Pegasus, after we’ve saved our Imperious Leader.
(Battle continues around the Pegasus.)
APOLLO
She’s on fire. We can’t keep going; we’ve gotta go back and help her out.
STARBUCK
But Cain’s orders were to punch a hole through these Cylons for the Pegasus.
APOLLO
There isn’t going to be a Pegasus.
STARBUCK
You’re right. Let’s go.
(Sheba fires at a Raider and misses; her Viper is damaged by laser fire. Apollo destroys the Raider.)
APOLLO
Sheba, are you all right?
SHEBA
Eh—I don’t think so. I’m pretty badly shot up.
APOLLO
Okay, I’m gonna move in front of you now. Just follow me in. We’re boarding the Pegasus.
SHEBA
Thanks, Apollo.
STARBUCK
I just hope the Pegasus is still around when you get there.
CENTURION
We can destroy the Pegasus.
LUCIFER (over communicator)
By order of the Imperious Leader through his commander Baltar, you are to disengage at once and move with all dispatch to Gomoray to save our Imperious Leader.
CENTURION
Disengage Pegasus and proceed to Gomoray.
(The Raiders move off.)
STARBUCK
Boomer!
BOOMER
I see it, but I don’t understand it.
STARBUCK
He was right, by all the Lords, he was right again.
BOOMER
Say again?
STARBUCK
Later. Let’s get aboard the Pegasus and see how bad off she is.
(Galactica bridge)
TIGH
Ground crews report that fuel loading is almost complete. They should be able to get off the surface within thirty centons.
ATHENA
Sir, a large body of incoming ships from Delta sector, unmistakably Cylon.
ADAMA
(sighs)
Cain’s plan didn’t work.
TIGH
We can’t leave those fuel ships on the surface, and fully loaded they aren’t gonna be able to move very quickly, even once we get them launched.
ADAMA
Notify ground teams to close down and prepare to launch.
(In the Pegasus life station, Cain checks on Bojay. Many badly-wounded warriors can be seen.)
CAIN
How is he?
CASSIOPEIA
He’ll live. I’m not so sure about all the others. Tell me, are you winning?
CAIN
You make it sound like my own personal war.
(Sheba is brought in on a gurney.)
CASSIOPEIA
Sheba!
CAIN
Baby.
SHEBA
I’m sorry, father. I missed one.
(laughs)
CASSIOPEIA
Into chamber four.
CAIN
What happened? How was she hurt?
APOLLO
Like she said, she missed one. The Cylon didn’t.
STARBUCK
Uh, how about the Pegasus? Is the fire under control?
CAIN
She’ll be ready to do the job.
STARBUCK
Uh, what job?
CAIN
Whatever she has to do.
(exits)
STARBUCK
Is he thinking of doing what I think he is?
APOLLO
Yeah. And you know what bothers me? We’re both starting to think just like him.
CASSIOPEIA
What’s going on here?
APOLLO
I suggest you get every one of your wounded ready to be transferred into shuttles, and fast.
(Galactica bridge)
TIGH
Telemetry coming through is confusing, sir. According to our tracking information, the Pegasus is on a direct course towards the Cylon base ships. He must have resumed a course towards them when he was unsuccessful in leading their fighters away.
ADAMA
If he ever attempted to lead them away.
TIGH
But that was the plan.
ADAMA
No. No, that was our plan. It was never his. Priority communication, high-scan scrambler. Get me Commander Cain, please.
OMEGA
Pegasus coming in on communicator, sir.
CAIN (on screen)
Yes, Adama.
ADAMA
Cain, what is your present course?
CAIN
You wouldn’t be asking me that if you didn’t already know.
ADAMA
Yes, I do know, and I want you to reverse course immediately. You’re steering directly into the Cylon base ships. You’ll kill every man and woman aboard the Pegasus.
CAIN
It’s all been arranged, Commander. All nonessential personnel, plus the wounded, are being transferred to the fleet. They should arrive there about the same time that you get back from Gomoray.
ADAMA
That won’t help you or your crew.
CAIN
Well, if my plan works, those Cylon fighters approaching you will soon turn back, and hopefully, by the time they get here, there won’t be a base ship left for them to land on.
ADAMA
Cain, listen to me. You can achieve the same thing if you veer away from those base ships at the very last centon. Don’t attempt to take them on!
CAIN
No. Then those fighters’ll be able to refuel and go back after you and your fleet. No. No, I’ll get rid of those base ships somehow.
ADAMA
You realize I can relieve you of your command.
CAIN
Adama, please. Don’t make my last battle an act of mutiny. Send me in with your blessing.
ADAMA
My prayers go with you and all who serve you.
CAIN
Thank you, Adama. Thank you.
(Baltar’s command chamber)
BALTAR
If the Pegasus did not head back towards the Galactica and she did not head off across the stars, then where is she heading?!
LUCIFER
Directly towards us, Your Eminence.
BALTAR
Towards us? But that’s absurd! He’s allowing us to destroy the Galactica and the fleet!
(with a nervous laugh)
Who in his right mind would do such a thing?
LUCIFER
May I suggest the legendary Commander Cain?
BALTAR
Cain. Ohhh, yes! Cain, of course! Cain! What does he care about the fleet or the Galactica? He wants— Ohhh! uhh—he wants— He wants me! Lucifer, recall our fighters at once!
(Galactica bridge)
TIGH
Sir, the incoming Cylon fleet has suddenly turned around and is headed back the other way. Cain is attacking all three base ships on his own.
ADAMA
That’s exactly what he said he’d do.
(Pegasus launch bay)
CAIN
Apollo, Starbuck – good luck. You’re both fine warriors.
APOLLO
Between both our squadrons, sir, we’ll get your people to safety.
CAIN
I know you will. That’s why I’m trusting you with them.
STARBUCK
Uh, Commander – uh, there are those of us that don’t have a lot of, eh, attachments – uh, at least I don’t, and, eh – I’d like to see this one through with you, to the end.
CAIN
Well, I appreciate your offer, Starbuck, but if I’m right, Baltar’s fighters are on their way back, and if they run into our shuttles, Apollo’s going to have to have all the help he can get.
STARBUCK
But, eh, what about you? Without fighters—
CAIN
Well, their base ships don’t have any fighters right now either.
APOLLO
But they do have weaponry.
CAIN
So does the Pegasus.
APOLLO
(sighs)
Good luck, sir.
(Cain salutes and walks off.)
STARBUCK
(sighs)
Apollo, why do I have the feeling we won’t ever see him again?
APOLLO
I don’t know, Starbuck, ’cause I don’t have that feeling. And I can’t explain why, because there’s no military way he can survive.
(sighs)
But then, that’s been the story of his whole career.
(Cassiopeia and two other med techs wheel Sheba into the launch bay.)
SHEBA
Father, please, don’t make me go. I don’t want to leave you.
CAIN
You must go, sweetheart. You must, baby, you must.
SHEBA
But, no, please – I know I’ll be okay. I’ll be fine, I know.
CAIN
Take her, Cassie. All the shuttles are loaded and ready to go.
(The med techs wheel Sheba to the shuttle.)
SHEBA
No! I’ll see you soon.
CASSIOPEIA
(on the verge of tears)
You’re a very special man, Cain. I’ll never forget you.
(they kiss)
TOLAN (over speaker)
Final countdown to launch.
(Pegasus bridge)
TOLAN
Launch shuttles and fighter protection.
(Shuttles launch with fighter escort.)
(Pegasus bridge)
TOLAN
All ships launched.
CAIN
Range to base ships?
TOLAN
One hundred ten centons, moving down to eleven centons at full speed.
CAIN
All right, Tolan, let’s get there. We’ve got a very important appointment with a man named Baltar.
(Baltar’s command chamber)
BALTAR
How long before our fighters can return to defend us?
LUCIFER
I’m afraid the Pegasus will reach us first.
BALTAR
Then drop back. Let the other two base ships intercept the Pegasus.
LUCIFER
I’m not sure the other base commanders will appreciate that.
BALTAR
It isn’t a request; it’s an order.
(Pegasus bridge)
TOLAN
We are approaching one of Baltar’s minefields. Closing on blank range.
CAIN
All right, Tolan, let’s get there.
(The Pegasus blasts a path through the mines.)
TOLAN
Two base stars coming up on range, sir. The third has fallen back behind them.
CAIN
That will be Baltar’s ship. Plot a course between those two forward ships.
TOLAN
It’s going to get a little sticky in there, sir.
CAIN
Arm all air-to-air missiles and bring electronic defense shields to maximum power.
(Vipers in space)
STARBUCK
Apollo, according to my scanner, our vector to the fleet will take these shuttles well out of the path of those returning Cylon fighters.
APOLLO
That’s the whole idea. We don’t want to lead them back to the fleet of
civilian ships.
STARBUCK
Yes, but that means they don’t really need our protection. I mean, what’s one more Viper? Or two more, if you get my meaning?
APOLLO
I get your meaning. But what you’re talkin’ about is violating orders.
STARBUCK
Whose?
APOLLO
Cain’s.
STARBUCK
How can we be accused of violating the orders of a man who isn’t following orders himself?
APOLLO
Somehow that makes sense to me.
STARBUCK
Good. Are you with me?
APOLLO
Boomer?
BOOMER
Yo.
APOLLO
You’re in command. Starbuck and I wanna check out our rear flank.
BOOMER
How far to our rear?
APOLLO
Don’t ask too many questions.
BOOMER
That’s what I thought. Good luck.
(Apollo nods; he and Starbuck return toward the Pegasus.)
(Pegasus bridge)
TOLAN
Commander, two Vipers are approaching us from behind at just sublight speed.
CAIN
Well, who is it? What are they up to? Identify.
BRIDGE OFFICER
Pegasus closing to target range. Two base ships directly ahead.
(Base ships begin firing.)
CAIN
Positive shield!
(The Vipers arrive at the scene.)
APOLLO
There they are. Looks like he intends to go between them.
STARBUCK
(sighs)
Let’s see if we can knock out their flank missile launchers.
APOLLO
I’ll take the ship on the right.
STARBUCK
I got the other one.
(base star command chamber)
CENTURION
Vipers bearing Omega Seven.
COMMAND CENTURION
Vipers?
CENTURION
Confirmed.
COMMAND CENTURION
Scan for the Pegasus.
CENTURION
By your command.
(Pegasus bridge)
TOLAN
Vipers are attempting strafing runs on base ships directly ahead.
CAIN
Vipers against base ships?
TOLAN
They seem to be aiming for the flank-side missile launchers on both ships.
CAIN
Yeah, they’re clearing a path for us to get between the two ships.
(Vipers between base ships)
APOLLO
It’s nice in here. They can’t fire at us without hitting each other.
STARBUCK
Trouble is, we can’t stay in here. We’d better make it count.
(They fire at the missile launchers.)
(Pegasus bridge)
TOLAN
Scanner reports heavy damage to base ships.
CAIN
Good, good. All right, all right. Let’s go right between them and finish them off. Stand by all missiles for point-blank launch! Even their shields won’t be able to help them.
(base star command chamber)
CENTURION
Aft laser turrets report an attacking battlestar.
COMMAND CENTURION
Fire aft megalasers.
(Pegasus bridge)
TOLAN
Closing on blank range. Ten, nine…
(Pegasus approaches base stars)
Six, five…
(Pegasus approaches nearer)
Two, one!
CAIN
Fire missiles!
(Vipers in space)
APOLLO
Starbuck, let’s get outta here. The Pegasus is launching her missiles.
(The two base stars are destroyed.)
STARBUCK
Did you see that?
APOLLO
I can’t see anything but spots. I’ve never seen a flash like that.
STARBUCK
Can you see the Pegasus?
APOLLO
No. There’s too much smoke and debris.
STARBUCK
(sighs)
Well, what do we do now?
APOLLO
(looks at scanner)
Here comes their entire attack force. We have no choice. We go home, as fast as we can.
(Adama enters the Galactica life station with Apollo and Starbuck to check on Sheba.)
CASSIOPEIA
Not too long. She needs to build back her strength.
SHEBA
Any word?
ADAMA
No. But that’s nothing to be concerned about. Your father wouldn’t break communication silence and reveal his position.
SHEBA
Thank you for trying.
(laughs weakly)
But what are the odds he survived? All those fighters, and a base ship?
APOLLO
What were the odds when we all thought you were lost two yahrens ago?
STARBUCK
As far as I’m concerned, he just headed out into deep space the way he did the last time. Those Cylon fighters couldn’t have followed very far with empty fuel cells. They’d flown a long way already.
ADAMA
He’s right, you know. In the meantime, until your father does communicate with us, I want you to consider yourself part of our family.
SHEBA
I already do.
(takes Adama’s hand)
-END TRANSCRIPT-
NOTES
In addition to incorporating some material from “Fire in Space,” which is not reproduced here, the theatrical release Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack includes some additional dialogue for “The Living Legend” not contained in the telemovie, which is transcribed here in red text where not inconsistent. Material unique to the telemovie is in blue text.
An early sequence in Mission Galactica, in which Sheba and Bojay are shown launching before they intercept Starbuck and Apollo, is not included here because the only dialogue is a reuse of the Pegasus Launch Officer’s line: “Transferring control to Silver Spar Squadron. Launch when ready.”
Several scenes in Mission Galactica appear in a variant order; this transcript follows the sequence in the telemovie as far as possible. Of particular interest, the hologram scene in Cain’s quarters on the Pegasus is used in Mission Galactica as originally filmed, being a part of the same scene in which Apollo and Starbuck first meet Cain. The exchange occurs just before the line “Well, my friends, our troubles are over.”
When Cain first enters the officers’ club in Mission Galactica, part of his line is overdubbed, with the result being: “Good what you’re doing, getting acquainted like this, since we’re all going to be fighting together, side by side, and I’m buying the first round.”
The first time Lucifer mentions Gomoray in the broadcast versions, he mispronounces the name. This is corrected in Mission Galactica.
Baltar’s reply to his Cylon pilot, “Not now,” is muted in most versions of the scene, but is audible in the two-part version at the beginning of Part 2, during the recap of Part 1.
Boomer’s “Hee-haah!” appears in Part 2 and the telemovie, but is muted except in Mission Galactica.
In Mission Galactica, Sheba’s line in the Blue Squadron barracks is slightly different: “We’re not gonna have any time to stop for the wounded. We’ll have millicentons to get in and out of there as it is.”
As Starbuck and Boomer enter the Cylon headquarters in Mission Galactica, their conversation is replaced by Starbuck saying, “The control center should be near here.”
Cassiopeia’s line “This is gonna hurt, but it’ll stop the bleeding” is partially muted.
In Mission Galactica, Apollo’s line on Gomoray is slightly different: “The shuttle has already landed. Boomer’s at the landing area. Let’s go.”
When Apollo arrives at the shuttle landing area in Mission Galactica, instead of addressing Sheba, he says to the shuttle crew: “Load all the fuel cylinders into the shuttle. Hurry!”
The Mission Galactica scene in which shuttles launch with the voiceover “Secure all wounded” might make more sense if placed later, when the shuttles and fighter escort are evacuating the wounded, but it is transcribed here where it appears in the film.
The following variant dialogue appears while the Vipers battle the Raiders in Mission Galactica:
TOLAN
Our fighters blew a nice clean corridor down the middle of their forces. Attention all pilots: disengage with the Cylons and return to your home battlestar. Attention, attention. Return to your home battlestar.
STARBUCK
Apollo, let’s follow Cain, okay?
APOLLO
I get your meaning, but what you’re talkin’ about is violating orders.
Lucifer’s line to the Cylon Raiders in Mission Galactica is as follows: “By order of the Imperious Leader through his commander Baltar, you are to disengage attacking the Pegasus. Squadron One, proceed to Gomoray. Squadron Two, proceed to Galactica.” This sets up the attack from the opening of “Fire in Space.”
In Mission Galactica, after Baltar tells Lucifer to “recall our fighters at once,” Lucifer replies: “I’m having difficulties communicating with the fighters.” This line is inserted to allow “Squadron Two” to attack the Galactica, setting up the “Fire in Space” scenes.
Two of the three sentences in the “minefield” sequence added for Mission Galactica are obvious reuses from nearby scenes: “Closing to blank range” and “All right, Tolan, let’s get there.”
The scenes in the Cylon command chamber (which are lifted, virtually unchanged, from “The Hand of God”) are unique to Mission Galactica in terms of this story. Due to the placement and content of these scenes, the base ships in Mission Galactica do not start firing their weapons until the Command Centurion’s order to “fire aft megalasers.” For this reason, Cain’s line “Positive shield!” is moved to that point in the film. In all versions, the word “positive” in Cain’s line is mostly muted due to a script error that had Cain saying “negative shield.”
Mission Galactica concludes with a scene in the life station, where Adama is shown recuperating from his heart operation in “Fire in Space.” The dialogue is as follows:
ADAMA: Any news of Cain?
STARBUCK: He just headed out into deep space, the way he did the last time.
ADAMA: Wherever he is, I’m damn sure he’s where he wants to be.