THE HAND OF GOD

Written by Donald Bellisario

Transcribed by Clay Arden for ByYourCommand.net

 

 

(Apollo, Starbuck, Cassiopeia, and Sheba pass through a noisy, little-used section of the Galactica, wearing ear protectors and laughing.)

 

APOLLO

Come on, let’s go!

(to Starbuck)

Hey, would – would you hurry up?

 

STARBUCK

Apollo!  Is this your idea of a fun evening?

 

APOLLO

You gotta speak up!  I can’t hear ya! 

(general laughter)

Come on.

 

(They climb a ladder through a hatchway into a domed chamber.)

 

APOLLO

Up you go.  Starbuck.

 

(Apollo and Starbuck lower the hatch cover into place.)

 

STARBUCK

(while lowering)

Ohh. 

 

(The noise now muffled, they remove their ear protectors.)

 

SHEBA

Where in heaven’s name are we?

 

APOLLO

As high as you can get on the Galactica.

(climbs into an elevated chair)

We’re directly over the main thrusters. 

(activates various controls)

It’s a great spot to get away from everyone to think.

 

STARBUCK

Cozy little place like this can be used for more than just thinking.

(starts kissing on Cassiopeia)

 

CASSIOPEIA

(laughing)

Starbuck.

 

STARBUCK

Hm.

 

APOLLO

Are you ready?

 

SHEBA

For what?

 

APOLLO

Watch.

 

(The metal sides of the dome fold away to reveal a transparent bubble surrounding the group.)

 

SHEBA

(gasps in awe)

This is incredible!

 

APOLLO

(laughs)

 

CASSIOPEIA

It’s frightening.

 

APOLLO

Don’t worry, Cassiopeia, we’re perfectly safe.  The bubble’s constructed of transparent tilinium. 

 

STARBUCK

It’s sure a lot different from a Viper cockpit. 

(he and Cassiopeia sigh in amazement)

It’s so open.

 

APOLLO

It’s like riding in the hand of God.  At least that’s the way I like to think of it.

(clicks tongue)

You like it, Sheba?

 

SHEBA

Oh, Apollo—

(laughs)

I love it!

 

APOLLO

(laughs)

Well, get up here and try it!  Come on.

 

SHEBA

Okay. 

(climbs up)

 

APOLLO

(laughs)

 

CASSIOPEIA

Apollo, what was this bubble used for?

 

APOLLO

It’s a celestial chamber, the only one left on the Galactica.  When the old girl was launched over five hundred yahren ago, there were a number of these domes.  Back then the, uh, navigators used to come up here to take star sightings, to sorta double-check the navigation computer.  I doubt anyone’s been here except us in a hundred yahren or more. 

 

SHEBA

Well, all these instruments seem to work.

 

APOLLO

And I repaired the ones that didn’t.  I like coming up here to shoot the stars the way my ancestors did.

 

STARBUCK

Sometimes, buddy, I—I get the feeling you’d have loved living in the past, knocking around some planetary system in an old-fashioned sublight rocket.

 

APOLLO

Well, it may have been slow, but it was more of a challenge.

(sighs)

I think living back then might have been more fun.

 

(Sounds start coming over the scanner.)

 

SHEBA

Apollo, what’s this scanner set for?

 

APOLLO

Ah, long-range communications.  Only, uh, you won’t get anything on it.  Those Gamma frequencies are outdated; we don’t use them anymore.

 

SHEBA

Well, somebody does. 

 

APOLLO

What? 

 

SHEBA

It’s very weak, but we are receiving a signal.

 

(Apollo manipulates some controls.)

 

STARBUCK

What is it?

 

APOLLO

I can’t tell.  I’m recording and trying to get a directional fix. 

 

SHEBA

(sighs)

We’re losing it. 

(tsks)

 

APOLLO

Yeah. 

(signal breaks up)

It’s gone. 

 

STARBUCK

Any idea where it came from?

 

SHEBA

Well, it looked like a ship, but, uh, it wasn’t like any one I’ve ever seen.

 

APOLLO

I have, on our history scans.  It looked a little like something the Colonies used to fly a couple of thousand yahrens ago.

 

(The four walk into Blue Squadron barracks, where Boomer is asleep.)

 

BOOMER

Mmmm.

 

APOLLO

(laughs, lays a hand on Boomer’s arm)

Boomer.

 

BOOMER

(still asleep)

Hmm?

 

APOLLO

Boomer, wake up.

 

BOOMER

Mm-hmm.  Mm-hmm.

(pats Apollo’s hand)

 

(Cassiopeia and Sheba laugh.  Apollo sighs and turns on a lamp, waking Boomer up.)

 

BOOMER

Awww!

(grunts sleepily)

Apollo. 

(sighs)

Ah, I’d just met this beautiful girl, and I was just about to make—

(notices Cassiopeia and Sheba, who laugh)

Ah, what’s goin’ on?

 

APOLLO

Boomer, we need your help.

 

BOOMER

I need sleep.

 

STARBUCK

(sighs)

Boomer, you’re a whiz at long-range communications.

 

BOOMER

(nods)

Dr. Wilker’s better.

 

SHEBA

But Dr. Wilker’s on the electronics ship.

 

BOOMER

Good for him.

 

APOLLO

Boomer, we picked up a transmission on a Gamma frequency.

 

BOOMER

Good for you.

 

CASSIOPEIA

(sighs)

 

BOOMER

(suddenly more awake)

On a what?

 

APOLLO

A Gamma frequency.

 

BOOMER

Gamma?!

 

APOLLO

Shhh!

 

STARBUCK

Hey.

 

PILOT IN BACKGROUND

Shhh!

 

BOOMER

That frequency’s ancient!

 

STARBUCK

Yeah.  Interesting, huh?

 

BOOMER

It might be. 

(climbs out of bed)

Uhh.  Did you record it?

 

APOLLO

Right here.

 

BOOMER
Why didn’t you say so?

 

(Boomer turns around to face Cassiopeia and Sheba, not conscious that he is wearing only shorts.)

 

CASSIOPEIA

Um—

(clears throat)

Boomer, are you gonna go to the lab looking like that?

 

BOOMER

Huh?

(Cassiopeia and Sheba laugh)

No.

(they laugh again)

 

(In the electronics lab, Boomer reviews the recording.)

 

BOOMER

It’s some sort of spacecraft.

 

APOLLO

Can you enhance the signal?

 

BOOMER

Maybe Wilker can with the computer.  Best I can do is to try and clear up the audio.

(inserts the recording into another machine)

 

VOICES ON RECORDING

… go …

… stay with …

… go …  

Eagle …

All right …

(rewinds)

Ignition ten percent. 

Is that all … 

We’re on time. …  

Rog … 

Go for LOR … 

Roger. 

 

BOOMER

(sighs)

Afraid that’s it. 

 

SHEBA

Do you have any idea where it’s coming from?

 

BOOMER

Well, it could be a harmonic signal and— doubling or quadrupling of the original transmitting frequency.  It’s one of the reasons we don’t use those old Gamma frequencies anymore.  If it is a harmonic, well, its origins could be relatively close. 

 

APOLLO

And if it’s not?

 

BOOMER

(sighs)

If that’s a primary frequency, it’s come a long way to be that weak.  It’s probably intergalactic.

 

STARBUCK

Intergalactic?  Then we’ve picked up something that could have been transmitted a hundred yahrens ago.

 

BOOMER

Or a thousand, or ten thousand.  There’s no telling just how long that signal’s been traveling through space.

 

CASSIOPEIA

You mean that we could be looking at something from the past.

 

BOOMER

Quite possibly.

 

APOLLO

I wonder whose.

 

(Galactica bridge)

 

ADAMA

Your guess is as good as mine, but let’s check out Boomer’s theory that it’s a harmonic signal from something close by.  Did you get a position fix?

 

STARBUCK

About as near as we can compute, it came in on a line through this quadrant, something like this.

(indicating on map)

 

ADAMA

(nods)

Mmm.  Colonel Tigh, concentrated scan, please.

 

TIGH

(to Omega)

Concentrated scan.

 

ADAMA

Star quadrant Epsilon Seven, mark four.

 

TIGH

Yes, sir.

 

ADAMA

I’d forgotten all about that, uh, celestial dome topside.  What were you four doing up there?

 

STARBUCK

Just taking in the view, Commander.

 

ADAMA

Oh.

 

TIGH

Sir, the only area of possible interest in that quadrant is a solar system on the edge of our scanners, about here.

(indicating)

 

ADAMA

Right on the line of transmission.  It may be a harmonic signal. 

 

APOLLO

Maybe. 

 

ADAMA

Any life forms?

 

TIGH

Too far for that data, sir.  We’re barely picking up major planets.

 

ADAMA

Hm.  Apollo, take a Viper patrol into that quadrant.  See if you can find the source of the signal.

 

APOLLO

Yes, sir.

(looks at Starbuck)

 

STARBUCK

Yeah.

(he and Sheba go with Apollo)

 

ADAMA

And, Boomer, you keep working on that recording until Dr. Wilker returns.

 

BOOMER

Yes, sir.

 

TIGH

(taps Cassiopeia’s shoulder as she leaves)

What were you doing in that dome?

 

CASSIOPEIA

Colonel!

 

(Vipers in space)

 

APOLLO

Picking up five planets, fairly widespread orbits. 

 

STARBUCK

I got ’em.  I’m not scanning any life forms.

 

SHEBA

Neither am I.  But we’re still a long way off.

 

APOLLO

Let’s split up and take a closer look at the first three. 

(they split up)

First planet’s a giant.  Eighty percent compressed hydrogen, twelve percent helium, no life forms.  But it sure is pretty.

 

SHEBA

So’s number two.  Beautiful, but deadly.  The atmosphere’s almost totally comprised of compressed carbon dioxide.  No life forms.

 

STARBUCK

Ehh, leave it to me to get the ugly one. 

(sighs)

No atmosphere, just barren rock.  No life could possi—

(something appears on his scanner)

Wait. 

 

APOLLO

What is it?

 

STARBUCK

I’m picking up something, just rising on the back side of the planet.  Oh, no!  No!

 

APOLLO

Starbuck?

 

STARBUCK

Get outta here!  It’s a Cylon base star!

 

(Galactica corridor)

 

ADAMA

I thought we’d lost them for good.

 

SHEBA

We all did, Commander.

 

ADAMA

You’re sure you weren’t detected?

 

STARBUCK

I was out of there before they reached orbit.

 

APOLLO

Sheba and I were blocked out by the other two planets.  I don’t think they could’ve scanned us.

 

ADAMA

Thank God for that.

 

(They walk onto the bridge.)

 

TIGH

Stay on it, Omega.  Commander, we’re still too far out to pick up the base star on our scanners, but nothing has left that solar system except our patrol.

 

ADAMA

Eh, good. Then they can’t scan us either.

 

TIGH

They couldn’t have picked a better spot to lay a trap, sir.  That solar system is on the very rim of the galaxy.  We’ll have to backtrack a long way to get a fleet the size of ours around her without being detected.

 

ADAMA

And they’re aware of that.  That’s why they’re sitting where they are. 

(Tigh nods)

Apollo, that transmission you picked up – they’re enticing us in!

 

APOLLO

You think that signal originated on that base star?

 

ADAMA

I think that most likely.  It’s an elaborate lure.  Precisely what I’d expect from the Cylons.

 

APOLLO
I’m not so sure. 

 

STARBUCK

Whether it is or not, er, what are we going to do?

 

TIGH

I just explained, Lieutenant, there’s nothing we can do but turn back.

 

STARBUCK

Oh, there must be another way.

 

ADAMA

Yes.  There is.  We can attack.

 

TIGH

Adama, we haven’t dared tangle with a base star since we fled the Colonies.

 

SHEBA

My father did.

 

ADAMA

Yes, he did. 

 

TIGH

And the Pegasus hasn’t been heard from since.

 

ADAMA

Ah, but Commander Cain attacked two base stars.  We’d be taking on only one.  Obviously they’ve spread their base stars out to all the star systems in order to find us.  Then this base star may be the only one in this galaxy.  Tigh, do you realize this is the first time since we fled the Colonies that we have the advantage?  But even if we didn’t have the advantage, I’m tired of running.

 

TIGH

Adama, so am I.

 

ADAMA

Then let’s take her on.

 

(Aboard the base star, the Command Centurion enters the command chamber.)

 

COMMAND CENTURION

Have we achieved orbit?

 

CENTURION 1

Insertion ten centons ago.

 

COMMAND CENTURION

Long-range scan?

 

CENTURION 2
Fully operational.  Nothing definite to report.

 

COMMAND CENTURION

“Definite”?

 

CENTURION 2

A momentary blip prior to achieving orbit.  Our scanners were not fully operational. 

 

COMMAND CENTURION

Nothing since?

 

CENTURION 2

No.

 

COMMAND CENTURION

Launch a fighter patrol to circumnavigate the outer edge of this planetary system, just to be safe.

 

CENTURION 1

By your command.  Duty patrol to the launch bay.

 

(In the Blue Squadron barracks, Tigh gives a briefing with the use of a pointer and a scale model of a base star.)

 

TIGH

She has three hundred fighters, carries two long-range megapulsars, here and here, and over a hundred defensive laser turrets.  She’s an orbiting killer, capable of destroying every ship we have, including the Galactica. 

 

STARBUCK

(to Boomer)

That’s what I like about the Colonel – his optimism.

 

ADAMA

We do have one advantage:  the element of surprise.  And I intend to make the most of it.  All Viper squadrons will be launched before the Galactica is within their scanning range.  Your job is to draw out their fighters.  You’ll be outnumbered, two to one, but you’re used to that. 

 

STARBUCK

Better odds than we had on Caprica.

 

BOOMER

We lost at Caprica.

 

ADAMA

I intend to bring the Galactica in in an arc, come in past the sun, from the opposite direction.  If we’re lucky, the base star will be so occupied watching you that we’ll be on her before she’s aware of us, and we’ll get in the first strike.  After that, it’s a toe-to-toe slugging match.  Well, that’s it.  Thank you, and good luck.  Colonel?

 

TIGH

Squadron assembly at seventeen fifty, launch eighteen hundred.  The officers’ club will be open to all warriors, regardless of rank, for one centar and one drink, on the Commander, commencing now. 

 

STARBUCK

Hmm.

 

JOLLY

Well, if the Commander’s buyin’, I’m drinkin’.

 

BOOMER

If anybody’s buyin’, you’re drinkin’, Jolly.

 

(Someone laughs.)

 

SHEBA

Apollo, are you coming?

 

APOLLO

In a bit. 

(walks over and examines the base star model)

 

STARBUCK

I, eh—

 

APOLLO

(sighs)

 

STARBUCK

— should know better than to ask, but, eh, what is it?

 

APOLLO

I was just thinking.

 

STARBUCK

Yeah, that’s what I was afraid of.

 

APOLLO

If we could just figure some way to knock out the scanners in her control center, the Galactica would be sure to get in the first strike.

 

STARBUCK

(nods)

Terrific idea.  You wanna tell me how?

 

APOLLO

(sighs)

I don’t know.

 

STARBUCK

Right, eh, let’s go get a drink.

 

APOLLO

But it would have to be from the inside. 

 

STARBUCK

Oh, sure.  Yeah, all you have to do is, eh, fly our Vipers through a hundred fighters, land on the base star, find her control center, blow it up, and, uh, take off again.  Simple.

 

APOLLO

You’re right!

 

STARBUCK

Of course I’m right.  Apollo—

 

APOLLO

No.  No, we could do it, if we used Baltar’s Cylon fighter!

 

STARBUCK

But—

 

(Adama’s quarters)

 

ADAMA

No. 

 

APOLLO

It’s the only way to guarantee the Galactica getting in the first strike.  That’s the key to victory and you know it, father.

 

ADAMA

Of course I do.  But suppose you did get inside.  Then what?  What’s their security like in the landing bay?  How many Centurions are there between you and the, eh, control center?  Where is the control center? 

 

APOLLO

Starbuck, um, when Baltar captured you, you were taken to his base star.

(to Adama)

He knows.

 

STARBUCK

Eh – they – Apollo, they didn’t exactly give me the grand tour.  Um, um, I do know the central core leads to all decks, but, uh, I have no idea where control center is.

 

APOLLO

We’ll make an educated guess.

 

ADAMA

You know, I think your plan will work. 

 

STARBUCK

Yeah, but—eh—  It will?

 

ADAMA

(goes to his desk)

Bridge, Commander Adama.  I want a shuttle launched immediately to the prison barge with orders to bring Baltar back to my quarters.

 

STARBUCK

Baltar?

 

ADAMA

Mm-hmm.

 

APOLLO

You really think he’ll help us, father?

 

ADAMA

He just may.

 

(in the base star command chamber)

 

CENTURION 2

Our patrol has passed the outer planets and found nothing.

 

COMMAND CENTURION

Order them to continue into the galaxy as long as fuel permits.

 

(In his quarters, Adama pensively manipulates the base star model as the door chime sounds.)

 

ADAMA

Enter.

(Baltar enters with a Security guard)

Remove his shackles and wait outside.

 

(The guard complies.)

 

BALTAR

(chuckles at Adama’s preoccupation with the model)

Toys, Adama?

 

ADAMA

Would you like a drink?

 

BALTAR

What do you want, Adama?

 

ADAMA

Information.

 

BALTAR

They’ve found you!

 

ADAMA

We’ve found them. 

 

BALTAR

It’s the same thing.

 

ADAMA

We’re going to destroy them.

 

BALTAR

Destroy them, a base star?  Not likely.

 

ADAMA

With your help.

 

BALTAR

(laughs)

Why would I possibly help you?

 

ADAMA

To regain your freedom.

 

BALTAR

You’re taunting me. 

 

ADAMA

I’m offering you freedom in exchange for information. 

 

BALTAR

And how do you define “freedom”?

 

ADAMA

We’ve been passing a number of habitable planets within shuttling range of the fleet.  I intend to set you on one, with adequate provisions and shelter. 

 

BALTAR

(sighs)

Marooned.

 

ADAMA

It’s better than the prison barge.

 

BALTAR

Communications?

 

ADAMA

No.

 

BALTAR

Even a marooned man must have some hope of eventual rescue.

 

ADAMA

Very well, but only sufficient for short-range communication. 

 

BALTAR

(nods)

And when am I to be set free?

 

ADAMA

After the base star has been destroyed.

 

BALTAR

(laughs)

What if they destroy you, and me along with you?

 

ADAMA

That’s the risk you’ll have to take.  Do we have an agreement?

 

BALTAR

(nods)

 

(They shake hands.)

 

(Starbuck and Apollo sit in the Cylon fighter.)

 

BOOMER

When you two get done romping through that base star and fly out of there, we don’t want to confuse you with the other Cylon fighters, so I rigged this.

(holds up a transmitter)

 

APOLLO

What is it?

 

BOOMER

It’s an identification transmitter, set to our attack frequency.  If one of us comes up on your tail, we get a flashing red dot on our attack scanner.  So even though we may think about it, we won’t blow you out of the sky.

 

STARBUCK

Are you sure it’ll work?

 

BOOMER

It’ll work.

 

APOLLO

Thanks, Boomer. 

 

BOOMER

(nods, with a slight laugh)

 

APOLLO

Did, uh, Dr. Wilker get a chance to enhance that transmission we picked up?

 

BOOMER

Nope, not yet.

 

STARBUCK

You still think it didn’t come from the base star?

 

APOLLO

I don’t know.  I got a funny feeling it didn’t.

 

(Cassiopeia and Sheba board the Raider.)

 

CASSIOPEIA

Starbuck, could I have a word with you?  Please?

 

BOOMER

It’s getting a little crowded in here.  I think I’ll go and find Wilker.

 

STARBUCK

(winks at Boomer as he leaves)

Uh, yeah, Cass, uh, w—

 

CASSIOPEIA

Alone.

 

STARBUCK

(laughs)

Yeah.  Excuse me for a centon, uh—

(leaves the fighter with Cassiopeia)

 

APOLLO

(sighs)

 

SHEBA

It takes three Cylons to fly this fighter.

 

APOLLO

Uh-uh.  I need you and Boomer to lead the squadrons.  Besides, the third Cylon just sits where you are and gives orders.

(with a laugh)

 

SHEBA

Very well, then.  Who picked you for this mission?

 

APOLLO

I did. 

 

SHEBA

You really want to get yourself killed, don’t you?

 

APOLLO

What’s that supposed to mean?

 

SHEBA

Ever since you lost Serina, you’ve taken every high-risk mission on the board. 

 

APOLLO

Serina has nothing to do with it.

 

SHEBA

She was a very lovely woman, Apollo, but she’s dead.

 

APOLLO

Can we just drop this?

 

SHEBA

No, we can’t just drop it!  What do you think, you have the corner on loneliness here? 

 

APOLLO

(sees she is almost in tears)

Hey, I—I’m sorry.

 

SHEBA

(sniffs)

It’s all right.  I guess we have kinda been at each other’s throats ever since the moment we met.

(slight laugh)

 

APOLLO

Yeah, I guess we have. 

 

SHEBA

Except for lately.  You’ve kind of included me in your tight little circle of friends, and I appreciate that, Apollo. 

 

APOLLO

(sighs)

Yeah, well, um, I’d realized I’ve been a little hard on you. 

 

SHEBA

Did you ever think about the fact that maybe two people who snap at each other for no reason are doing it to avoid their real feelings?

 

APOLLO

(shakes head)

 

SHEBA

I’ve thought about it quite a bit.

(kisses him)

Be careful.

(exits fighter)

 

APOLLO

(sighs)

 

(in the launch bay)

 

CASSIOPEIA

So why does it always have to be you?

 

STARBUCK

Apollo’s going.

 

CASSIOPEIA

(sighs)

I’m not in love with Apollo!

 

STARBUCK

(sighs)

Now, Cass, you know me.  I’ll make it.

 

CASSIOPEIA

(laughs)

Oh, y—  And knowing you, you’re probably gonna find some beautiful female prisoner to rescue on that base star! 

 

STARBUCK

Ah—

(laughs)

Come on, that’s crazy, I’d—

 

CASSIOPEIA

(laughs in frustration)

Sshhh—

 

(Sheba walks by.)

 

SHEBA

Starbuck?  Good luck, hotshot.

(laughs sadly and walks on)

 

STARBUCK

What, has everyone gone crazy?

 

CASSIOPEIA

Oh, you just don’t understand, do you?

 

STARBUCK

Yes!  I do understand!  I just don’t see the sense of dwelling on what might go wrong.

 

CASSIOPEIA

(sighs)

 

STARBUCK

Hm.  It’s a lousy way to live. 

(sighs; Cassiopeia hugs him and they kiss)

I’ll be back.  I promise.

 

CASSIOPEIA

(crying)

If you’re not, I’m gonna kill you.

 

STARBUCK

(nods)

 

(In the Blue Squadron barracks, Starbuck stands and sighs.)

 

BOOMER

Are your timers set?

 

STARBUCK

I have one centon delay.

 

BOOMER

Mm-hmm.  Now, whatever you do, don’t lose that transmitter.  It’s the only way we’ll be able to tell you from the Cylons.

 

STARBUCK

Well, if we do, we’ll just waggle our wings.

 

BOOMER

You would.

 

STARBUCK

(sighs)

 

APOLLO

(to Boomer)

Hey.  I’ve never seen you fuss so much.

 

BOOMER

Well, I guess I would feel better if I were goin’. 

 

APOLLO

We need you to lead the squadron.

 

BOOMER

It doesn’t change the way I feel.

 

(The three warriors do a triple handshake and Apollo and Starbuck make their way out past the other warriors, leaving Boomer standing alone.)

 

BOOMER
(sighs)

Good luck.

 

(Baltar enters the launch bay to join Adama, Apollo, and Starbuck.)

 

BALTAR

Captain, Lieutenant, I’m at your disposal. 

 

APOLLO

What will happen when we land without clearance?

 

BALTAR

Probably nothing.  They’ll assume you’ve had a communications breakdown.  Of course, if they don’t have any ships in the air, they’ll send a Centurion to check who you are.

 

STARBUCK

I know where to enter the central core from the landing bays, but, eh, where’s the control center?

 

BALTAR

At the bottom of the core.  There’s always a Centurion on guard at the hatch leading to it.  Once you eliminate him, you’ll be in the computer banks.  You won’t have to go into the control room itself.  Blowing up those computers will blind the base star.

 

APOLLO

How much resistance can we expect in the core area?

 

BALTAR

That all depends on how many Centurions are passing through it at the time you enter.  There’s only one guard, as I said.

 

APOLLO

Well, that’s it. 

 

ADAMA

(sighs and shakes their hands)

Starbuck.  Apollo.  I’ll see you soon.

 

BALTAR

Good luck.

(to Adama)

If they don’t succeed, I die too. 

(chuckles slightly)

 

(Starbuck and Apollo enter the Raider and power it up.)

 

APOLLO

You know how to fly this thing?

 

STARBUCK

No, I thought you did.

(both laugh)

Ready.

 

APOLLO

(sighs)

Launch.

 

(In the celestial chamber, Cassiopeia and Sheba watch the Raider fly off.)

 

CASSIOPEIA

(sighs)

They’re gone.  So soon.

(sighs heavily)

Ohh, why did I ever have to fall in love with a warrior?

 

SHEBA

I don’t know.

(laughs sadly)

 

(Galactica bridge)

 

TIGH

They’re penetrating the solar system now, sir. 

 

ADAMA

(nods)

 

(inside the Raider)

 

APOLLO
Anything?

 

STARBUCK

Ehh, I don’t know.  I’m having trouble with this scanner.  I don’t get anything but blips.

 

APOLLO

Maybe I should get myself a Cylon copilot.

(spots a Raider out the window)

Starbuck!

 

STARBUCK

Holy frak! 

(sees one in the other direction)

Apollo!

 

APOLLO

They’re all around us.

 

STARBUCK

You, uh, think they’re onto us?

 

APOLLO

I don’t think so.  We must have flown into the middle of a patrol.  I hope they think we’re a stray joining back up. 

 

STARBUCK

Apollo.

(indicates the base star ahead)

 

APOLLO

(nods, sighs)

Well, we’ll soon know if they’re onto us or not.

(sighs again)

 

STARBUCK

(whispers)

Yeah.

 

(command chamber)

 

CENTURION 2

The patrol has landed.

 

CENTURION 1

No activity in the system.

 

(Galactica bridge)

 

TIGH

Seventeen fifty, Commander.

 

ADAMA

Now.

 

TIGH

Pilots to launch bay.

 

(Blue Squadron barracks)

 

OMEGA (over communicator)

Pilots, man your Vipers.

 

BOOMER

Let’s go! 

 

(Galactica bridge)

 

OMEGA

Commander, all squadrons ready to launch.

 

ADAMA

(sighs)

Launch all Vipers.

 

OMEGA

Red and Blue Squadrons, you are cleared to launch.

(Vipers launch)

Commander, all squadrons launched. 

 

ADAMA

Bring her around to mark Delta Five.  Full scan. 

 

OMEGA

Mark Delta Five, executing.

 

(In the Raider, Starbuck and Apollo crouch and watch the patrol Centurions exit the base star’s landing bay.)

 

STARBUCK

That’s the last of ’em.  It—

(starts to stand up but Apollo pulls him down as one more Cylon passes)

 

APOLLO

Wait.

(last Cylon vanishes)

Let’s go.

 

STARBUCK

Okay.

 

(They drop into the landing bay and find it deserted.)

 

STARBUCK

That’s the hatch to the central core.

 

APOLLO

(sighs)

Let’s go.

(they go to the hatch and prepare to lift it; he whispers)

Ready?

 

STARBUCK

(whispers)

Yeah.

 

(They open the hatch and see the guard below.)

 

APOLLO

If he looks up—

 

STARBUCK

(sighs)

Yeah.

 

APOLLO

(whispers)

Okay.

(they begin climbing down the ladder, and eventually the guard looks up at them)

Starbuck!

(in an exchange of laser fire, the Cylon is destroyed)

 

(Reaching the bottom, they open the doors to the computer center.)

 

APOLLO

(whispers)

All right, let’s go.

(they enter)

Set the charges.  I’ll cover you.

 

STARBUCK

Okay.

(begins setting charges)

 

(Vipers in space)

 

BOOMER

No, there’s nothing but planets so far.

 

SHEBA

The base star was behind the third planet when Starbuck spotted her.

 

BOOMER

That’s right.  We hold this heading.  We want to pull those Cylon fighters to us.

 

(Cylon command chamber)

 

CENTURION

Vipers bearing Omega Seven.

 

COMMAND CENTURION

Vipers?

 

CENTURION

Confirmed.  Two squadrons.

 

COMMAND CENTURION

Launch all fighters to intercept.  Scan for the Galactica.

 

CENTURION

By your command.

 

(In the computer center, Starbuck is setting charges when an alarm goes off.)

 

APOLLO

They must have spotted our Vipers.

 

STARBUCK

Wait, just one more!

 

(The door opens and the Command Centurion appears.  Apollo fires at him and the door closes.)

 

APOLLO

Let’s go!

 

(Starbuck sets one last charge and they exit the computer center just as the Cylons enter again.  As they hurry up the ladder, Apollo drops the transmitter.)

 

APOLLO

The transmitter!

(Starbuck is unable to catch it)

Let it go! 

(the charges explode)

Without that transmitter, the squadron can’t tell us from the Cylons.

 

STARBUCK

Forget it!  We don’t need that electronic felgercarb.  We’ll think of something.

 

(They exit the top hatch beside the landing bay.)

 

APOLLO

The Galactica should be attacking any micron.

 

STARBUCK

Well, then what are we waiting for?

 

(Cylon Raiders approach the Vipers.)

 

BOOMER

Here they come.  Break!

(battle ensues)

 

(Galactica bridge)

 

OMEGA

Commander, long-range scan indicates our squadrons are engaged.

 

ADAMA

Give it to me here.

 

OMEGA

Yes, sir.

 

TIGH

They’re heavily outnumbered.

 

ADAMA

They can hold their own.  All we need now is to—  There!  There she is, Tigh! 

 

TIGH

The base star.

 

ADAMA

Yes!  Now let’s pray that Apollo and Starbuck have knocked out her scanners.  Battle stations! 

 

TIGH

Yes, sir.  Battle stations!  Seal all compartments!

(the Galactica approaches near to the base star)

I don’t think she’s scanned us, sir.

 

ADAMA

They might just have done it, Tigh.

(to Omega)

Stand by to fire.  Fire!

(the vessels exchange fire)

 

(Cylon command chamber)

 

COMMAND CENTURION

What happened?

 

CENTURION

Aft laser turrets report an attacking battlestar. 

 

COMMAND CENTURION

Fire aft megalasers. 

 

(Galactica bridge)

 

ADAMA

Bring us around, Delta One Five.  Fire port lasers as she comes to bear.

 

OMEGA

Coming around, sir.

 

(In his Viper, Boomer targets a Raider.)

 

BOOMER

There’s no red dot.

(destroys the Raider)

 

(Galactica bridge)

 

ADAMA

Forward lasers, lock on. 

 

TIGH

Locked!

 

ADAMA

Fire!

 

(The base star is destroyed.)

 

TIGH

You did it, Adama! 

 

(General cheering by bridge personnel.)

 

ADAMA

We all did it, Tigh, we all did it!  Damage report.

 

OMEGA

It’s extensive, Commander, but all fires are controllable and the landing bays are intact. 

 

ADAMA

Thank God for that.  Recall all Vipers.

 

(Vipers in space)

 

BOOMER

We’re getting a recall signal from the Galactica.  Break off!  Break off!  We’re going home.

 

SHEBA

They’re not following.

 

BOOMER

I think they’ve had it.  Has anyone picked up Apollo and Starbuck on their attack scanner?

 

SHEBA

Boomer, do you think they—? 

 

BOOMER

Sheba, they’re probably already back having a cool one in the officers’ club. 

 

(Galactica bridge)

 

ADAMA

Nothing.  Not a sign of them.  We’ve had a number of Cylon fighters making suicide runs at us, but none transmitting the identification signal.

 

SHEBA

What if they never even got off that base star?

 

OMEGA

Commander, another Cylon fighter approaching.

 

ADAMA

Transfer to my console.  Here comes another one.

 

CASSIOPEIA

Maybe that’s them.

 

ADAMA

Switch to attack computer frequency. 

(Tigh switches)

No flashing red dot.  Activate laser guns.

 

BOOMER

No, sir, don’t fire!  It’s them.

 

ADAMA

How do you know?

 

BOOMER

They’re waggling!

 

TIGH

Waggling?

 

(inside the Raider)

 

STARBUCK

Just keep waggling, buddy. 

 

APOLLO

Yeah.

 

(They land on the Galactica and sigh with relief.)

 

APOLLO

Ohh!

 

STARBUCK

Told you we didn’t need any of that electronic felgercarb.

(they laugh)

 

(In the celestial chamber, Apollo is taking star readings and checking the scanner when Starbuck enters through the hatch.)

 

STARBUCK

Uh-huh.  I thought I’d find you up here.

 

APOLLO

Hey, Starbuck.

 

STARBUCK

Yeah, everyone’s looking for you at the victory celebration. 

 

APOLLO

(nods)

 

STARBUCK

I, uh, think they’re going to give us a medal.

 

APOLLO

(sighs)

I’ll be there. 

 

STARBUCK

Mmm.  You still don’t think that transmission was a Cylon lure, do you?

 

APOLLO

No.  Only now we’ll never know.  Wilker’s lab was destroyed in the battle, and the recording with it. 

(sighs)

 

STARBUCK

So, uh, you’re waiting here for another transmission.

 

APOLLO

(sighs)

Yeah. 

(tsks)

 

STARBUCK

(sighs)

 

APOLLO

Boomer rigged a Gamma-frequency signal booster.  If anything’s out there, I should pick it up.

 

STARBUCK

You think it came from Earth, don’t you?

 

APOLLO

I hope it did.  First contact with Earth should be her transmission, something similar to what we saw.

 

STARBUCK

Just looked like an old spacecraft on a routine run to me.

 

APOLLO

(with a laugh)

Well, what would you expect – a momentous message?

 

STARBUCK

Well—

 

(They laugh.)

 

APOLLO

No, we’ll just pick up routine radio or video scans, nothing extraordinary.  To them, anyway.

(sighs)

 

STARBUCK

Well, come on, buddy, uh, let’s, eh, join the celebration, hm?  If Earth’s out there, we’ll find it without you holding vigil.

 

APOLLO

Yeah, I guess you’re right. 

 

STARBUCK

(whispers)

Right.

(they shut down the equipment)

 

(As he turns to climb down, Starbuck bumps a button with his holstered laser and unknowingly turns the scanner back on.)

 

APOLLO

They’re really gonna give us a medal?

 

STARBUCK

Uh, did I say us?  I think they’re just decorating me!

 

APOLLO

(laughs)

 

(After they leave the chamber, a signal comes on the scanner.)

 

VOICES ON SCANNER

Three hundred feet, down three and a half, forty-seven forward.  Fifty, down at two and a half, nineteen forward.  Hundred feet, three and a half down, nine forward.  Forty feet, down two and a half.  Pickin’ up some dust.  Faint shadow. 

We copy you down, Eagle.

Tranquility Base here.  The Eagle has landed.

 

 

-END TRANSCRIPT-

 

 

NOTE

 

The voices at the end of the final scene are, in order, astronauts Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, Charles Duke, and Neil Armstrong.