TAKE THE CELESTRA

Written by Jim Carlson & Terrence McDonnell

Transcribed by Clay Arden for ByYourCommand.net

 

 

(Adama’s quarters)

 

ADAMA

(recording log)

The morale of the fleet continues to rise, due in part to the increasing number of habitable planets we are encountering and the reintroduction of some of the amenities our people enjoyed before the destruction of the Colonies.  Once again, although on a limited scale, we are able to partake of music and the theatre, and, when the occasion warrants, even indulge ourselves in ceremony.

 

(Vipers approaching the Galactica)

 

APOLLO

(with a slight laugh)

Starbuck, we’ve got fifteen centons to make that award ceremony, or Tigh’s gonna skin us alive.

 

STARBUCK

Yeah.  The last time we showed up late, we flew deep space probes for two sectons.

 

(Later, in the Galactica assembly hall, the ceremony is underway.)

 

TIGH

Formation – salute!  Formation – rest! 

 

ADAMA

We are assembled here today to honor a man of accomplishment, a man who rose from the ranks and became Commander of the battlestar Rycon and the Fourth Colonial Fleet.  Although gravely wounded at the battle of Cosmora Archipelago, he nevertheless rallied his troops and mounted a counterattack—

 

STARBUCK

(having noticed Aurora in the crowd)

Oh, my God!

 

ADAMA

– destroying three of the attacking base ships. 

 

APOLLO

Shh.

 

STARBUCK

It’s Aurora!

 

ADAMA

Commander Kronus was retired only a short time when the Cylon treachery drove us from the Colonies.

 

BOOMER

It’s impossible.

 

STARBUCK

I’m telling you, it’s Aurora!

 

ADAMA

But he volunteered his services and agreed to accept command of the Celestra. 

 

APOLLO

I thought she was dead.

 

STARBUCK

Yeah, well, see for yourself. 

 

ADAMA

Under his command, the Celestra crew has enabled our entire fleet to remain operational.  The Council of Twelve has therefore voted unanimously to award Commander Kronus the Distinguished Service Medallion and appoint him Executive Commander of all three industry ships.

 

STARBUCK

Oh, she’s leaving!

 

(Starbuck starts to follow Aurora but is pulled back into line by Apollo and Boomer.  This spectacle does not go unnoticed by Tigh.)

 

ADAMA

Commander Kronus, would you please step forward. 

 

(While Tigh bestows the award, Aurora makes her way to Interfleet Navigational Operations.)

 

AURORA

Excuse me.

 

DUTY OFFICER

Uh, may I help you?

 

AURORA

I need some navigational data.

 

DUTY OFFICER

For what ship?

 

AURORA

The Celestra.  It’s for Commander Kronus.

 

DUTY OFFICER
Your name?

(Aurora hesitates)

Your name, please?

 

AURORA

Aurora.  I’m Commander Kronus’s pilot. 

 

DUTY OFFICER
All right.  For what sector did you want your information?

 

AURORA

The Beta sector.

 

DUTY OFFICER

Beta sector.

 

(In the assembly hall, a reception for Commander Kronus is in full swing.)

 

ADAMA (OS)

And very well deserved, too.

 

KRONUS (OS)

(chuckles)

 

(Adama and Kronus drink.)

 

ADAMA (OS)

Ahh.

 

TIGH

(approaches and raises his glass to Kronus)

Sir, if I may?

 

KRONUS

I guess I misunderstood you, Colonel. 

 

TIGH

Sir?

 

KRONUS

I thought you said you were due on the bridge shortly.

 

TIGH

Ah – y-yes, sir, I – I mean – I am due on the bridge.  In fact, that’s where I’m going right now, sir.  If you’ll excuse me – sir.

(leaves)

 

ADAMA

I think he was about to propose a toast, Commander.

 

KRONUS

Adama, I always believed the first rule of command was to enforce all regulations, and the second rule is—

 

ADAMA

Is to make sure that there’s no exception to the first rule.  Ah, you burnt that into my brain when I was your aide. 

 

KRONUS

(chuckles; both take another drink)

 

CHARKA

Excuse me, sir.  Your pilot is here.  The shuttle is ready whenever you are.

 

KRONUS

Very well, Charka.  We’ll leave shortly. 

 

BOOMER

I thought Tigh was about to blast out of his boots! 

 

APOLLO

Breaking formation isn’t exactly part of the military code, Boomer.

 

STARBUCK

Well, if you two hadn’t stopped me, I could have caught her. 

(spots Aurora again)

There she is! 

(runs after her)

 

APOLLO

Hey!

 

STARBUCK

Aurora! 

(hugs her)

 

AURORA

It’s been a long time, Starbuck. 

(pushes him away)

 

STARBUCK

Yeah, I – see, I – thought you were dead.  Where have you been all this time?

 

AURORA

On the Celestra, learning to fly.  I’ve just been made shuttle pilot for Commander Kronus. 

 

STARBUCK

The Celestra?  But I’ve been there for maintenance.

 

AURORA

I know.

 

STARBUCK

You knew?  For Sagan’s sake, Aurora, wh—why didn’t you try to contact me?

 

AURORA

I used to wonder the same thing about you. 

 

STARBUCK

Aurora, I – I – I didn’t even know that you were still alive.

 

AURORA

I’m in the personnel computer.  Anyone could have found me, if they cared enough to check. 

 

STARBUCK

I cared, Aurora, more than you’ll ever know. 

 

AURORA

But not enough to find out if I were alive? 

 

CASSIOPEIA

Starbuck!  Starbuck, I got them, the last two seats to tonight’s Spheroid concert! 

 

STARBUCK

Uh, (nervous laugh) great.  Uh, Cassiopeia, this is Aurora.  She’s an old – friend. 

 

CASSIOPEIA

Hi.  Um—  I’m sorry if I interrupted anything, but I just got so excited about these tickets.  You must know how hard these are to get.

 

AURORA

I’m afraid we don’t have concerts on the Celestra.  Or elegant military receptions, for that matter.

(checks the time)

The Commander’s leaving.  I have to go.

 

STARBUCK

Ah-ah-ah— I’ll walk you to the launch bay.

 

AURORA

I wouldn’t think of taking you away from the party.  Nice bumping into you, Starbuck.

 

STARBUCK

W— Aurora!  Would you excuse me, Cassie, I – Aurora!

 

SHEBA

Did you – did you interrupt something?

 

CASSIOPEIA

Yeah.  I guess I did. 

 

(Commander Kronus’ shuttle)

 

AURORA

We’ll be landing in five centons, sir.  Shall I signal the Commander’s compartment?

 

CHARKA

Those were his orders.

(vacates seat as Kronus walks into front compartment of shuttle)

 

KRONUS

I heard you.  I was watching the time. 

 

CHARKA

I’m looking forward to your telling the crew, sir, that you’ve been promoted, that you’ll have your own fleet again.

 

KRONUS

The parts ship, the textile ship, and the Celestra.  When I commanded the Rycon and six hundred fighting ships, that’s when I commanded a fleet!

 

CHARKA

I was thinking in terms of our present situation, sir. 

 

KRONUS

This collection of moving derelicts isn’t a fleet.  It’s a convoy, a convoy held together by mutual dependence.  A fleet is held together by force, and discipline.  A fleet doesn’t just move; it performs.  Although I often wonder if Adama realizes that.

 

CHARKA

Well, thanks to you, at least the Celestra performs.

 

KRONUS

We can do better.

 

CHARKA

And I assure you I will.

 

KRONUS

Charka, I’m retaining command of the Celestra. 

 

CHARKA

With all due respect, sir, what about the other two ships?

 

KRONUS

Oh, their captains need a little shaping up, but, uh, no serious problem.  Charka, you are not ready yet for command.  There’s more to running a fighting ship than running a civilian workforce. 

 

HERMES (over communicator)

Celestra Commander shuttle, your heading is two niner five, your cross-vector is three one, you’re cleared to land in the shuttle bay. 

 

KRONUS

Don’t be impatient, Charka.  You will one day have your own command. 

 

CHARKA

Yes, sir.

 

(Galactica bridge)

 

TIGH

Regulations specifically state that the squadron commander has to approve it first.  Then you notify the senior officer on the bridge.  You know that.

 

STARBUCK

Ah, and you know that Apollo would approve it – sir.  See, I – I just don’t wanna have to look for him, hmm?

 

TIGH

You won’t have to.

 

APOLLO

Starbuck, I just came from the launch bay.  How come they’re preparing your Viper?

 

TIGH

He wants to go to Celestra for an electronics maintenance scan. 

 

STARBUCK

Uh – yeah, well, I, it’s, uh, see, my l-long-range scan’s been acting kinda funny, and the—

 

APOLLO

Starbuck, it’s me, Apollo.  If you wanted to go see Aurora, why didn’t you just ask me? 

 

STARBUCK

I – I – I – I – I guess I thought you’d try and stop me. 

 

APOLLO

Look, you wanna go, go.  I just want to know why. 

 

STARBUCK

(sighs)

I have to straighten something out.  It’s, eh—

 

APOLLO

(sighs)

Why don’t you just leave it alone, Starbuck? 

 

STARBUCK

Because after seeing her, I – I think maybe I still care for her.  It’s a—

 

APOLLO

You know what I think?  I think maybe you and Cassiopeia are getting so close it’s got you scared to death.  I think maybe you’re not running to Aurora, you’re running away from Cassiopeia. 

 

STARBUCK

Look, buddy, Aurora already kicked me pretty good in the teeth today.

 

APOLLO

And what makes you think she won’t do it again? 

 

STARBUCK

Well, Apollo, I, uh – I gotta try.

 

APOLLO

(sighs)

 

STARBUCK

Now, listen, eh, she’s not mad at you.  Maybe you could get her to listen to me.  I t—

 

APOLLO

Oh, no – I’m sorry, Starbuck, you’re not getting me involved in this. 

 

STARBUCK

Apollo, look, I – I – I can’t just leave it like this. 

 

APOLLO

S— 

(sighs)

Colonel, we’re both going to the Celestra for a maintenance scan. 

 

TIGH

What’s wrong with your Viper?

 

APOLLO

(sighs)

Same as Starbuck’s. 

 

STARBUCK

Thanks, buddy.

 

APOLLO

I just hope it works out.

 

STARBUCK

Oh, it will, it will, uh – uh, Aurora’s a very gentle and forgiving person. 

 

(Aboard the Celestra, Aurora meets Damon and embraces him.)

 

DAMON

Did you get them?

 

AURORA

Yes.  Course heading and coordinates.  I said they were for Kronus.  I was so scared.

 

DAMON

Don’t worry.  It’ll all be over soon.

(removes lasers from armament cabinet and hands them to Aurora, who places them in her bag)

 

(Damon and Aurora arrive in another part of the Celestra.)

 

AURORA

Can you make it malfunction?

 

FIRST MUTINEER

Just another few microns. 

 

SECOND MUTINEER

But what if the fleet stops to wait for us?

 

FIRST MUTINEER

Not a chance, with a repair this simple. 

 

DAMON

Now, look.  This is the last chance for anyone to change his mind.  Once we head for the shuttle, we’re committed. 

(all three nod)

Very well.  Let’s go.

 

(In the Galactica launch bay, Sheba sees Starbuck and Apollo in their Vipers.)

 

SHEBA

I was under the impression Boomer and I were on patrol.  But if you and Starbuck really want it, you’re perfectly welcome to it.

(laughs)

 

APOLLO

Well, thank you very much, Sheba, but we’re on our way to the Celestra. 

 

CASSIOPEIA

Not with my concert ducats, you’re not. 

 

STARBUCK

Oh, hi, Cass.  Uh, about the concert tonight, eh, my long-range scan’s acting kind of—

 

CASSIOPEIA

Colonel Tigh told me.  The ducats, Starbuck.

 

STARBUCK

Hmm?  Oh, yeah.  Sure.  Yeah, that’s it.  There.

(hands her one, after which she holds out her hand again)

Both of ’em?

 

CASSIOPEIA

I’m not going alone. 

 

STARBUCK

Mm.

(hands her the other)

Uh, but, uh, I thought Sheba was going on patrol.

 

CASSIOPEIA

Who said anything about Sheba?

 

OMEGA (on loudspeaker)

Vipers Four and Six cleared for the Celestra.  Launch when ready.

 

APOLLO

Acknowledged. 

 

STARBUCK

(sighs)

 

APOLLO

Well, what’s it gonna be, Starbuck?  Are we going or not?

 

STARBUCK

(sighs and puts on helmet)

 

APOLLO

(laughs and does the same) 

 

SHEBA

Cassiopeia, are you just gonna let him go off like that without saying anything?

 

CASSIOPEIA

I can’t stop him, Sheba.

 

SHEBA

But you know he’s going over there to see Aurora.  You haven’t even said anything to him.  Don’t you care?

 

CASSIOPEIA

I didn’t say that.  I just said I can’t stop him. 

 

(Starbuck and Apollo launch.)

 

(Celestra bridge)

 

HERMES

Commander, we’ve lost thrusters, and number four turbodyne has blown a laser sequence.

 

KRONUS

Get an electric tech team on it and get me the Galactica.

 

HERMES

Yes, sir.

 

(Galactica bridge)

 

OMEGA

Commander, Commander Kronus from the Celestra.

 

ADAMA

Oh.  Put him on scan.

 

OMEGA

Yes, sir. 

 

ADAMA

Yes, Commander.

 

KRONUS

Adama, we’ve temporarily lost our thrusters.  Nothing serious.

 

ADAMA

What is your estimated time for repairs? 

 

KRONUS

Two centars.  Probably less, with my people.

 

ADAMA

Well, you’ll be out of communications range within twenty centons.  We’ll stop and wait for you. 

 

KRONUS

Adama, you know what happens if you try to stop a fleet this size.  There’ll be ships scattered all over.

 

ADAMA

I don’t like the idea of you being out there alone. 

 

KRONUS

I think I’ve had enough experience to handle it.

 

TIGH

Commander?

 

ADAMA

One micron, Commander, please.   

 

TIGH

Apollo and Starbuck are on their way there for maintenance. 

 

ADAMA

I’ve just been advised that two Vipers are on their way to you right now for routine maintenance.  They’ll be at your disposal. 

 

KRONUS

We’ll be back so quickly you won’t even know we’ve gone. 

(scanner goes off, Kronus sighs)

I liked our relationship better when he was my aide. 

 

(Vipers in space)

 

APOLLO

Starbuck, you haven’t said a word since we left the Galactica.

 

STARBUCK

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking.

 

APOLLO

About Cassiopeia, or Aurora?

(laughs)

 

STARBUCK

Yeah.  Wonder who she’s going to the concert with. 

 

APOLLO

I don’t believe it.  You’re worried about who Cassiopeia’s with, but you broke a date with her to be with Aurora.  Ha!

 

STARBUCK

Yeah, but that’s different. 

(sighs, turns on scanner)

Hey, something’s wrong with my scanner.  It shows the Celestra stopped. 

 

APOLLO

There’s nothing wrong with it.  Mine shows the same thing.  Celestra bridge, this is Captain Apollo.  What is your situation?

 

HERMES (over communicator)

Minor malfunction.  Our flight operations are normal.  You are cleared to land.

 

(In a corridor outside the Celestra launch bay, the mutineers wait for a crewman to come out the door.)

 

DAMON

Now!

(they knock out the crewman and sneak into the launch bay, where Damon levels his gun at two other crewmen)

All right.  Just follow my orders and nobody gets hurt.  Now, move. 

 

(Another crewman enters and spots the mutineers.)

 

CREWMAN

Hold it! 

(a firefight breaks out and the crewman makes it to a wall communicator)

Bridge!  Armed workers are attacking the launch bay!

 

(Celestra bridge)

 

KRONUS

Attacked?  By whom?

 

HERMES

Six armed workers in the launch bay, sir. 

 

KRONUS

Order the landing bay crew in the launch bay to cut ’em off.

 

HERMES

Yes, sir. 

 

KRONUS

Follow me, Charka.

 

(A crewman in the landing bay responds to the wall communicator.)

 

HERMES (on communicator)

This is the bridge.  Fight in the launch bay.  Deploy your crews.

 

LANDING BAY CREWMAN

Dianopolis, come on!  Trouble in the shuttle bay!

 

(In the launch bay, the firefight continues.)

 

DAMON

We’re gonna have to work our way to the shuttle. 

 

(Kronus and Charka arrive in the launch bay with some men, while the Vipers approach the landing bay.)

 

KRONUS

We’ll have to get over near the side if we’re going to cut them off. 

 

CHARKA

It’s impossible, sir.  The crossfire. 

 

KRONUS

Nothing is impossible. 

(leads the way)

 

AURORA

Ah, Damon.

 

DAMON

Don’t worry.  We’ll make it. 

 

(Starbuck and Apollo arrive in the landing bay.)

 

STARBUCK

(snaps fingers)

I got it.  Cassiopeia went with Bojay. 

 

APOLLO

He’s on deep probe.

 

STARBUCK

Oh. 

 

APOLLO

Where is everybody? 

 

STARBUCK

She wouldn’t be with Greenbean, would she?

 

APOLLO

Starbuck, would you stop worrying about that and try to look your best?

 

STARBUCK

Look my best?  Even at my worst, Aurora always thought I looked pretty good. 

 

APOLLO

She’s obviously blind.  I’m talking about Commander Kronus.  Would you fasten up your jacket?

 

STARBUCK

Yeah.

 

(launch bay)

 

DAMON

(to Aurora)

Go around.

 

(landing bay)

 

STARBUCK

(hearing an explosion)

That sounds like, uh—

 

APOLLO

It is. 

 

(They enter the launch bay with weapons drawn and Starbuck comes face-to-face with a laser-wielding Aurora.)

 

STARBUCK

Aurora! 

(both remain frozen in a standoff)

Aurora.

 

(Damon joins Aurora and Apollo comes up behind them both.)

 

APOLLO

Drop it.  Get your hands up.  All right, move out. 

 

DAMON

Why didn’t you fire?

 

AURORA

I couldn’t. 

 

DAMON

Aurora, you knew – you knew when we started that we might have to kill someone.

 

AURORA

Charka or Kronus, yes, even their officers, —

 

DAMON

But not a Colonial warrior? 

 

AURORA

Not him.  I knew him on Caprica. 

 

DAMON

And for that we’ll all spend thirty yahrens on the prison barge. 

 

APOLLO

That was close, buddy.

 

STARBUCK

(sighs)

I froze.  I couldn’t believe that it was Aurora. 

 

KRONUS

You know her, Lieutenant?

 

STARBUCK

I, uh, thought I did. 

 

KRONUS

Captain, I want you to take the Lieutenant and use my shuttle to transfer the prisoners to the Galactica for charges. 

 

APOLLO

Excuse me, sir, but wouldn’t it make more sense to hold them here until we, uh, catch up with the fleet?

 

KRONUS

Discipline is only effective when immediate, Captain.  I will not have mutineers aboard my ship one centon longer than necessary. 

 

STARBUCK

Yes, but, uh, formal charges for mutiny have to be filed by the senior officer of the ship.

 

KRONUS

I know that, Lieutenant.  That’s why I’m going with you. 

 

(The prisoners are shackled and prepared for transport.)

 

STARBUCK

Aurora, why?

 

AURORA

You know why.  It was the only thing to do.

 

STARBUCK

But—

 

(Galactica corridor)

 

CASSIOPEIA

Hey!  How’d everything go on patrol?

 

BOOMER

Same as usual, Cassie.  Boring. 

 

SHEBA

Did you and Starbuck get everything straightened out?

 

CASSIOPEIA

He’s not back yet.

 

BOOMER

Well, we just got a transmission from the Celestra saying they’d stopped for repairs.  I wonder why he and Apollo didn’t just turn around and come back.

 

CASSIOPEIA

(shakes head)

 

BOOMER

Uhmm – I think I’d better wander on over to the officers’ club. 

 

CASSIOPEIA

Okay.

 

BOOMER

See ya.

 

CASSIOPEIA

(clears throat)

 

SHEBA

They, uh, probably, uh, just got stranded there.

(nervous laugh)

 

CASSIOPEIA

(ironic laugh)

Yeah. 

 

SHEBA

You shouldn’t have let him go over there in the first place.

 

CASSIOPEIA

Sheba, that wouldn’t have accomplished anything. 

 

SHEBA

You don’t know that.

 

CASSIOPEIA

(sighs)

A relationship based on possession isn’t for me.  I – I don’t want to own Starbuck, or anyone else, for that matter.  If what he and I have together is worth anything at all, we’re gonna – we’re gonna survive all this. 

 

SHEBA

And if it doesn’t?

 

CASSIOPEIA

(shrugs)

Hey, um, Boomer had a good idea.  Let’s go to the officers’ club. 

 

(Apollo directs the prisoners onto Kronus’ shuttle.)

 

APOLLO

(sighs)

Over there.

 

STARBUCK

Aurora, you gotta listen to me.  You’re the only reason I came over here.

 

AURORA

I couldn’t care less.

 

STARBUCK

I think you do.  You could have killed me and you didn’t.

 

AURORA

Only because I was foolish enough to care about you once.

 

STARBUCK

And I cared about you.  The night the Cylons raided Caprica, I tried to find you, but your house had taken a direct hit.  There was – there was nothing left of it.  I was positive you were dead.  That’s why I never looked for you.  You gotta believe me. 

 

AURORA

I do.  But it wouldn’t have changed anything. 

 

KRONUS

Keep your eye on ’em, Lieutenant.

 

STARBUCK

Yes, sir. 

 

(Celestra bridge)

 

CHARKA

What’s their heading?

 

HERMES

Coming up now.  I’m correlating it with their weighted load factor and fuel consumption. 

 

CHARKA

Uh, you always seem to be right on top of things, Hermes.  You’ll make a fine exec.

 

HERMES

Thank you, sir.  Commander Kronus, sir – what if he should find out what’s going on?

 

CHARKA

Forget about Kronus.  By the time he finds out, if he finds out, he’ll be too far away to do anything about it. 

 

(Kronus’ shuttle)

 

APOLLO

You ready back there, Starbuck?

 

STARBUCK

All set.

 

APOLLO

Celestra Control, this is the Commander’s shuttle to the Galactica requesting navigation and launch instructions.

 

HERMES (over comline)

Your heading is niner five eight point one, cross-vector three seven two.  Docking time is two point four centars.  You’re cleared to launch when ready.

 

APOLLO

Acknowledged.

(launches shuttle)

 

(Celestra bridge)

 

HERMES

They’re following our vectors. 

 

CHARKA

Right into oblivion.  And once they’re far enough away, we go dark, disappear from their scanner. 

 

HERMES

(tsks)

Kronus will reverse course and come back.

 

CHARKA

Naturally, but he’ll never find us, and his fuel will run out long before he can ever get in communication range with the fleet.

 

HERMES

Congratulations, Commander.

 

CHARKA

Not quite yet.  But soon.  In the meantime, shut down operations.  Order all workers to their quarters.  We don’t want any more internal problems now. 

 

HERMES

Yes, sir.

 

CHARKA

Oh, have all the lasers removed from the armament cabinets.  Bring ’em to the bridge. 

 

HERMES

Consider it done, sir. 

 

(Aboard the shuttle, Starbuck approaches Aurora.)

 

AURORA

Leave me alone.  You’ve already caused me enough trouble. 

 

STARBUCK

Aurora, I’m sorry for the mess you’re in, but you can’t blame me for that.  You got yourself into it. 

 

AURORA

I had no choice.

 

STARBUCK

Everybody has a choice.

 

AURORA

Not the common people.  Not on this fleet.  You know what kind of life we have. 

 

STARBUCK

It’s not like back on Caprica, but it’s rough on everybody. 

 

DAMON

That’s easy for a warrior to say. 

 

STARBUCK

It’s easy for anybody to say, because it’s true. 

 

DAMON

Don’t insult our intelligence.  Your kind has already degraded us.

 

STARBUCK

Degraded?  Uh, how?

 

DAMON

Forcing us to work sixteen centars a shift.

 

AURORA

With our rations cut if we fail to fill a work quota.

 

DAMON

Never being allowed to leave our ship, unless of course we’re part of the ruling military class, or serve them, as Aurora did.

 

STARBUCK

W-w-w-wai-w-wait a centon, you’re trying to tell me those are the conditions on the Celestra?

 

DAMON

(laughs, shakes head in disbelief)

 

STARBUCK

Then why doesn’t anybody know about it?

 

AURORA

Know about it!  They gave Kronus a medal and a promotion for it.

 

DAMON

Because he and Charka are the most efficient slavedrivers in the entire fleet. 

 

(Starbuck goes into the forward compartment and sighs.)

 

APOLLO

What’s wrong?

 

STARBUCK

I just heard something I don’t want to believe, but, eh, somehow it’s hard not to. 

 

APOLLO

Well, spit it out.

 

STARBUCK

I’m not sure the Commander here will like it. 

 

KRONUS

I didn’t hear Captain Apollo ask whether I’d like it or not, but I distinctly heard him to tell you to spit it out, and that sounded like a direct order, Lieutenant.

 

STARBUCK

All right. 

 

(Celestra bridge)

 

CHARKA

Rather than your loyalty being taken for granted, as it was under Kronus, under my command I assure you that it’ll be rewarded handsomely.  My first act when I am appointed official captain of the Celestra will be to see to it that each of you is advanced one grade.  Now, naturally, an increase of payment will follow your promotion.  But more importantly, each of you will find that your new rank brings you something that is far more valuable than cubits – respect. 

 

(An electric tech signals the bridge.)

 

HERMES

Executive Officer.

 

ELECTRIC TECH

The turbodyne is ready to go.

 

HERMES

Acknowledged.  Captain, the repairs are completed. 

 

CHARKA

How far away is the shuttle?

 

HERMES

Not far enough yet, sir. 

 

CHARKA

Then we wait.

 

HERMES

(nods)

 

(aboard the shuttle)

 

STARBUCK

I – I’m not accusing you of anything, Commander, I’m just tellin’ you what they said. 

 

KRONUS

And you believe them?

 

STARBUCK

(sighs)

I don’t know, I—

 

KRONUS

And did you believe them when they implied the whole fleet was slave ships? 

 

STARBUCK

No, uh – but they did.

 

KRONUS

Well, in that case, perhaps you can tell me where they planned to go when they took the shuttle.  To another slave ship? 

 

APOLLO

He has a point, Starbuck.

 

STARBUCK

Maybe. 

 

(Kronus and Starbuck go to the rear of the shuttle.)

 

STARBUCK

Where were you gonna go?

 

DAMON

Tell him nothing. 

 

AURORA

It doesn’t matter now.  To the twenty-first planet in this system.

 

STARBUCK

Why? 

 

AURORA

Because according to the navigational tapes, it was the most habitable.  Good climate, plenty of food, and a good landing field.

 

KRONUS

And what did you intend to do when you got there?

 

AURORA

(sighs)

 

STARBUCK

Please, Aurora.

 

AURORA

Live!  Something we weren’t allowed to do on your ship. 

 

KRONUS

Perhaps, by your standards.  I can understand why some people cannot appreciate a military approach.  But under our present conditions, we must all make certain adjustments in order to survive.

 

DAMON

I have been in the Colonial service, Commander, and life aboard the Celestra bears little resemblance to a military approach.  Not when an animal like Charka can double-shift entire families at a time.

 

KRONUS

Well, I – I know Charka is a taskmaster, but I – I cannot believe he is inhumane.

 

AURORA

Believe, Commander!

 

STARBUCK

Things aren’t like that on the rest of the fleet.  I give you my word. 

 

(Celestra bridge)

 

HERMES

That’s it!  They’ll never reach the fleet now, sir. 

 

CHARKA

Lock in on our course, Hermes.

 

HERMES

Already done.

 

CHARKA

Turbodynes.  Shut down the navigational beacons, scanners and running lights, all the electronic equipment that the shuttle could possibly home in on.  Fire thrusters. 

 

(In the shuttle, Starbuck returns to the cockpit.)

 

APOLLO

Something’s wrong.  We should have picked the fleet up on our scanner two centons ago. 

 

(Scanner is blank.)

 

STARBUCK

Nothing. 

 

APOLLO

Check the Celestra’s position. 

 

(Scanner reads “unable to establish present coordinates.”)

 

STARBUCK

She’s gone!

 

APOLLO

Must be malfunctioning. 

 

STARBUCK

No, the scanner checks out.

 

APOLLO

It’s impossible.  Unless she went dark. 

 

KRONUS

That’s against fleet regulations.  The entire crew knows that.  Especially Charka. 

 

APOLLO

But if Aurora was telling the truth—

 

STARBUCK

He’s trying to kill us.  Our heading must be out to deep space, is – away from the fleet.

 

APOLLO

(under his breath)

Sheez.

(turns the shuttle around)

 

KRONUS

Charka would spend the rest of his life in the prison barge, if he survives my getting my hands on him. 

 

APOLLO

I don’t think he’s too worried about that, Commander.  When they went dark, we lost our last reference to the fleet. 

 

STARBUCK

I’ll lay you five to one he’s underway right now to rejoin them. 

 

APOLLO

Wherever that is. 

(sighs)

 

STARBUCK

Galactica, Celestra shuttle.  Do you read? 

(sighs)

It’s no use.  They’re way beyond our transmitting range. 

 

APOLLO

(sighs)

 

STARBUCK

With the fuel we have left, they’re gonna stay that way. 

 

APOLLO

With a lot of luck, we might just make it back to the Celestra. 

 

KRONUS

Exactly what I was thinking, Captain.  Lock in on their ion trail and come up her exhaust.

 

APOLLO

Commander, your suggestion would work if we had the available fuel, which we don’t. 

 

AURORA

The fleet must be in the opposite direction.  Why don’t we just reverse course and try to catch up with the Celestra? 

 

APOLLO

Charka wouldn’t have sent us exactly one hundred and eighty degrees in the wrong direction, because he knows we could reverse course. 

 

STARBUCK

Charka may be a lot of things, but, uh, dumb isn’t one of them. 

 

APOLLO

We’re gonna have to make an educated guess, plot a point somewhere where we just might intercept the Celestra at an angle.  It’s our only hope. 

 

STARBUCK

(sighs)

Then assuming they’re moving at top speed—

 

KRONUS

Factor four. 

 

STARBUCK

Assuming they’re moving at factor four, w—the computer should tell us where to find them. 

 

AURORA

But it won’t! 

(sighs)

Or rather, it can’t.  This is a civilian shuttle.  The computer has no tracking capabilities.

 

KRONUS

I told the Council to equip these shuttles properly! 

 

DAMON

(to the other mutineers)

I think we could fix this one up, don’t you?

 

FIRST MUTINEER

If we weren’t in shackles.

 

DAMON

And if we could count on a fair hearing once we reach the fleet.

 

KRONUS

You have my word. 

 

DAMON

Oh.  And we’re supposed to accept that?

 

APOLLO

Do you have a choice?

 

DAMON

All right. 

 

APOLLO

Release them.

 

(The prisoners are released and set to work.)

 

APOLLO

It’s a good thing you people are from the electronics ship. 

 

STARBUCK

Well, one thing going for us; since the Celestra went dark, they won’t know we’re coming.

 

APOLLO

If we have the fuel to get there.  And if we can find her.  Nobody says she has to run at top speed. 

 

(Celestra bridge)

 

CHARKA

How long till we reach the fleet?

 

HERMES

Just over a centar, sir, but we’ll be in communications range in eighty-one centons. 

 

CHARKA

Then, uh, reactivate the electro-identification system in eighty centons, and not before.

 

HERMES

Yes, sir.

 

CHARKA

And not after, Hermes.  We wouldn’t want Commander Adama to get suspicious. 

 

(inside the shuttle)

 

DAMON

Commander, we can arm ourselves with lasers from the landing bay. 

 

APOLLO

We have to get there first. 

 

STARBUCK

Those coordinates we got from the computer didn’t come with any, uh, guarantee.

 

AURORA

The Starbuck I used to know was an optimist. 

 

STARBUCK

Yeah, only when the odds were in my favor. 

 

(Damon sees Aurora smiling at Starbuck and retreats to the rear of the shuttle.  She follows him.)

 

AURORA

Damon.  Damon, what is it?

 

DAMON

Does it matter?

 

AURORA

You matter.  You matter a great deal to me. 

 

DAMON

But I’m not the only one. 

 

AURORA

Damon, I don’t love Starbuck. 

 

DAMON

You could have fooled me. 

 

AURORA

Why?  Because I loved him once?  Because it was pleasant and I still remember it?  Damon, those aren’t signs of love.  Those are memories, and that’s all.  I love you. 

 

(We see that Starbuck has overheard at least some of this.)

(Celestra bridge)

 

HERMES

The lasers are here, sir.

 

CHARKA

They all there?

 

CREWMAN

Yes, sir.

 

CHARKA

Put ’em over there.

 

CREWMAN

Yes, sir. 

 

(In the shuttle, Starbuck approaches Damon, who is sitting alone.)

 

STARBUCK

Mind if we, uh, talk?  I’m not in love with Aurora anymore.

 

DAMON

Spare me the speech about memories.  I just heard it. 

 

STARBUCK

Look, Aurora has you now.  Besides, I have someone else too, and, uh, believe me, she’s just about all I can handle. 

 

DAMON

Well, that’s your problem, isn’t it? 

 

STARBUCK

Mm.  So are you.  I don’t want Aurora to lose someone she loves because of me.  That’s why I want you to know exactly where I stand.  I’ll always feel something special for her because of what we once had, but it’s nothing that threatens you, or anyone else. 

 

DAMON

All right.  Now I know where you stand.  Are you through now? 

 

STARBUCK

Yeah, except for one thing.  You drive her away from you and you’re even a bigger fool than you already appear to be. 

 

(Starbuck returns to the front compartment.)

 

AURORA

Thank you. 

(kisses Starbuck on the cheek)

 

SECOND MUTINEER

There’s the Celestra! 

 

OFFSCREEN VOICE

We got her! 

 

(All cheer.)

 

FIRST MUTINEER

Boy, they’ve shut everything down including the landing bay!

 

APOLLO

We’re going in anyway.  We don’t have a choice.  If our fuel holds out. 

 

DAMON

You have to be crazy to attempt a landing in the dark.

 

APOLLO

Everybody buckle in. 

(sighs)

 

STARBUCK

Fuel level twenty-five.  Twenty.  Fifteen.  Ten.  Five.

 

APOLLO

Kill thrusters.  We need the rest of the fuel for deceleration.  Everybody hang on.  Decelerate. 

 

STARBUCK

Decelerating. 

 

(The shuttle makes a rough landing in the bay.)

 

APOLLO

(sighs)

Let’s go. 

 

(Starbuck and Apollo exit the shuttle with weapons drawn.)

 

STARBUCK

Well, no welcoming committee. 

 

APOLLO

So far, so good. 

 

DAMON

(runs to armament cabinet and opens it)

The lasers are gone! 

 

APOLLO

Then Charka isn’t taking any chances.  Where would he take them?

 

KRONUS

The safest place, the bridge. 

 

SECOND MUTINEER

Oh, great, so we just walk in there and get them with only two lasers?

 

KRONUS

Unless you have a better idea. 

 

APOLLO

Let’s go. 

 

(Two guards walk by outside the landing bay.)

 

DAMON

I think we can take them.  We need their lasers.

 

KRONUS

They might help us.  I can’t believe every member of the crew is in on Charka’s plan.

 

APOLLO

We don’t need prisoners to complicate things, and we don’t have time to figure out who’s on whose side. 

 

STARBUCK

Besides, Commander, one shout from them and it’d be all over for the rest of us. 

 

APOLLO

We’ll get the lasers on the bridge.  Let’s go. 

 

(Just outside the bridge, Starbuck sees Hermes working alone and levels his laser at him.)

 

STARBUCK

(clears throat, motions Hermes over and disarms him)

Where are the lasers? 

 

HERMES

On the other side of the door.

 

STARBUCK

All right, let’s go get ’em, nice and easy. 

(they make their way to the door)

Move it!

 

(Hermes brings the crate of lasers out from the bridge and Apollo distributes them.  A passing bridge officer is seized by Apollo and decked by Starbuck.)

 

CHARKA

Hermes, come here.  Hermes? 

 

APOLLO

Commander, the rest of you stay here and guard these men.  Ready?

 

STARBUCK

Okay.

 

(As Charka moves toward the door, it opens and a firefight commences on the bridge.  During the battle, a stray laser bolt hits the control stick and sends the Celestra out of control.)

 

STARBUCK

We’ve gotta get to the steering panel.

 

(Kronus crawls toward the steering panel but is hit by a laser bolt on the way.)

 

APOLLO

Somebody already has.

 

(Kronus gets the Celestra’s flight path straightened out before collapsing to the deck.  Apollo overpowers Charka.)

 

APOLLO

(to Charka)

Let’s go. 

(to one of the erstwhile mutineers)

Take him. 

(goes to Kronus)

Commander? 

 

KRONUS

(with labored breathing)

Captain, did we do it? 

 

APOLLO

We did it, Commander.

 

(Kronus struggles for breath, then dies.)

 

(In the Galactica launch bay, a funeral is held.)

 

ADAMA

And only a short while after we gathered to honor Commander Kronus in duty, so must we now gather again to honor him in death. 

(sighs)

Let us remember him not only as a warrior who died heroically in conflict, but as a man who lived in pursuit of excellence. 

(sighs again)

Now we return this warrior to the cradle of space. 

 

(Kronus’ casket is sent out the airlock and the gathering breaks up.)

 

CASSIOPEIA

So what’s going to happen to Aurora and the others?

 

STARBUCK

The tribunal found them guilty, but, uh, decided there were extenuating circumstances, so they got probation. 

 

APOLLO

Charka and his men are being sent to the prison barge.  As a matter of fact, ah, Sheba and I have the privilege of shuttling them over there, so we’ll see you two later.

 

CASSIOPEIA

Starbuck, I, uh, I’m really happy about Aurora and the others. 

 

STARBUCK

Yeah, me too.  Eh, Cassie, a-about Aurora—

 

CASSIOPEIA

Oh, Starbuck, you don’t have to explain.  We’ve never had a definite commitment between us anyway.

 

STARBUCK

Yeah, that’s it.  See, I – I – I don’t know if I ever can be, uh, committed to you.  See, I— 

 

CASSIOPEIA

Starbuck, it’s okay.  I understand.

 

STARBUCK

Okay.  See, I – I – I – I just want you to know, I’m not in love with her. 

 

CASSIOPEIA

(clicks tongue)

Okay.  Listen, um, I’ve got two ducats to tonight’s concert. 

 

STARBUCK

Yeah, but, eh, I thought the—

 

CASSIOPEIA

Oh, I traded those in for tonight.

 

STARBUCK

Oh.

 

CASSIOPEIA

I kind of figured you’d be back.

 

STARBUCK

Mm.

(they laugh)

What’d I ever do to deserve you?

 

 

-END TRANSCRIPT-

 

 

NOTE

 

In Apollo’s last line, he somehow gives the word “privilege” an extra syllable, which is not transcribed here.