Battlestar Galactica (1978) s01e12 Episode Script
The Living Legend (1)
Maintain silence until we land aboard the Battlestar Pegasus.
The Pegasus? But that's just not possible.
- You're talking about Starbuck? - I wasn't comparing you.
But you'll have to give me time to think.
Think of the impression on Gamoray when they learn that I personally led the final assault on the humans.
- I'm not getting anything on my scanner.
- You won't.
- Then how are we - I can feel them, Captain.
We must take that base.
We must take Gamoray! That is one opinion, Commander.
It does not happen to be mine.
- Starbuck? - I don't have a thing.
- There's nothing in front of us.
- They're behind us.
Behind us? Oh, swell.
How close? That close? Apollo? - It doesn't look good.
I'm going right.
- I'll take left.
Good luck, buddy.
Dispatching automatic distress to the fleet.
Be seeing ya.
- I'll pick him up on the right.
- He's dead on the left.
Be back in half a flash.
I can't lose him, Apollo.
I can't shake him.
Cease fire.
- Cease fire.
That's an order! - Are you crazy? Cain'll have us for dinner if they get away.
- They're human.
- What? I said they're human.
Impossible.
We're the only ones left alive in the entire star system.
I'm switching to unicom.
Attention.
Attention.
This is Silver Spar Group Leader, commanding viper pilots to surrender.
We are locked on kill.
Apollo It has to be a trick.
This is Apollo, Strike Commander of the Battlestar Galactica.
Who are you? - Bojay? - I heard him.
It's a trick.
They're all dead.
Bojay? Did he say Bojay? - Bojay, is that you? - Starbuck? Apollo, it is.
It's Bojay! You remember, he was in our squadron until That's right, until he was transferred tothe Fifth Fleet.
Died in the Battle of Molecay.
Two yahrens ago.
Apollo - either they're not dead or - We are.
Bojay, if that's really you, tell us what happened.
How did you survive? Maintain silence until we land aboard the Battlestar Pegasus.
Pegasus? But that's just not possible.
Apollo, do you know whose ship that was? Cain, the greatest military commander ever.
He was my idol.
Your idol will order you blasted away if you don't shut off your transmitters.
In case you clowns don't know, we are in a quadrant controlled by Cylons.
Oh, my Lord.
It isn't a dream.
And we're certainly not dead.
It is the Pegasus.
They won't shut up.
They act as if they've seen an apparition.
I'm still not sure I haven't.
Alert Commander Cain.
'We're down to the last of it, Commander.
I've checked every ship.
'They're down to life support now, unless we stop.
' Thank you for your report, Jolly.
Frequency intercept scrambled.
Running a check on both ID systems Well, that's just fine.
Just fine.
We come all this way and simply run out of fuel.
- There's worse.
- What does that mean? - We're picking up Cylon transmissions.
- Good Lord, a Cylon base star? It's not military.
What we're hearing is civilian.
Civilian? I just don't understand it.
- We're a star system away from any - I can't explain it.
But somewhere out there, not far away, is a city - a Cylon city.
That could be why our recon patrol is overdue.
Apollo, Starbuck? How long before they exhaust their fuel supply? If they've been using their thrusters, they'd be powered down right now.
Sir, if we launch a shuttle probe We must conserve every drop of fuel to support our life systems.
- Bring the fleet to a dead stop, please.
- Yes, Commander.
- It's unbelievable, seeing you guys.
- How do you think we feel? We sailed over two yahrens ago to save Molecay.
- We haven't seen a human since.
- The rest of the Fifth Fleet? Destroyed.
If Cain hadn't pulled a brilliant decoy, we'd be gone, too.
You must have headed away from the Colonies to be this far out.
That was another of Cain's touches.
He knew that they'd be waiting for us from Molecay to the Colonies, so he put us into deep space and we kept going.
- We've been fighting ever since.
- Running.
Our skipper doesn't know the meaning of the word run.
- We strike round the clock.
- With what? - Where do you get your fuel and arms? - From the Cylons, of course.
If you officers will excuse our guests, Commander Cain would like to see them in his quarters.
Get them a drink, Tolen.
They look pale.
It's a very great honour, sir.
A very great honour.
Yes, I should imagine it is.
That's just a little attempt at humour.
I'd quite resigned myself that I would never see another human, other than my own people on the Pegasus, - yet there you are.
- The Galactica, sir.
Under the flag of Commander Adama, my father.
- Adama? - Yes, sir.
Yes, yes.
Yes, I see it.
Well, how is he? How is that old modocker? Considering the load he's carried since the destruction of our nation Yes, I should imagine.
And the rest of the fleet? Only the Galactica survived, sir, along with some 220 ships carrying what's left of our people.
My God.
And I thought we had it bad.
- Only 220 ships from all the Colonies? - Yes, sir.
Well, my friends, our troubles are over.
- How do you mean, sir? - 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! We're picking up something very odd.
- What is it? - It's some sort of visual echo.
I mean, the Galactica's image must be bouncing off some ion field.
Feed it up to the bridge.
Omega, have this scan turret checked immediately.
Yes, Colonel.
Switch to high band.
There's something wrong.
It's a visual echo.
It's the cleanest transmission I've ever seen.
Nevertheless - There's a signal on fleet comline Alpha.
- That's impossible.
Fleet comline is a scramble communicator between warships and since we're the only battlestar, there's no possibility of a signal like that existing.
'Greetings, Adama, you old wardaggit.
'Might've known I'd find you and your fleet sitting on your astrums.
' Cain?! Of all that's holy.
'There's nothing holy about me, Adama.
'Except maybe what I'm doing to those golmonging Cylons.
' It's a miracle, Cain.
A blessed miracle.
'I make my own miracles.
'But have it your way.
I'll be aboard in a few centons.
' I'll have some vintage Ambrosa for you.
'I should think so.
' Commander It's impossible.
Cain perished along with the Fifth Fleet two yahrens ago.
Yes, Colonel, but that's the fabric of miracles the impossible.
'Commander Cain requesting permission to board the Galactica.
' The Lords of Kobol bless you.
You have no idea how I feel at this moment.
Me too, Adama, me too.
I have a present for you.
Where are those space loiterers we picked up? Front and centre! Son.
I thought I'd seen the last of you.
You would have, if my daughter hadn't cut them off.
- They were heading into Gamoray.
- The Delphian Empire? It was.
Before the Cylons turned it into their outer capital.
It's now a model of machine efficiency.
- That was a society of 50 million beings.
- Not any more.
When it was clear that the Fifth Fleet was destroyed, I took every survivor I could aboard the Pegasus.
I headed straight for Gamoray, their most remote supply base.
We've been living off them ever since.
It's incredible.
If they control Gamoray, they control half the universe.
The only thing I've been able to do is keep knocking that base down so they can't get a full strike at me.
What I've never understood is why they didn't send out base ships to finish us off.
- It's clear now why they didn't.
- Yes, the Galactica.
They were having trouble with a rebel fleet but I couldn't break the code.
I had no idea that there were any other survivors.
Oh, nor did we.
You've given a tremendous lift to all our people.
And a death blow to the Cylons.
We're going to take them now, Adama.
This is the turning point.
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.
- What are you talking about? I've had them on their knees in this quadrant - with just one battlestar.
With two - ha! - I'll finish them! - At least on Gamoray.
- And then what? Well, then we'll have all the fuel we need and a base from which to attack.
We can't secure that planet.
And those base ships not bothering you were after me, en masse.
No, our only hope is to just keep moving.
- You mean run? - I mean escape.
But why? We can outfly them, we can outfight them, we In case you haven't noticed, I'm protecting 220 civilian ships which crawl along in space at a pace which is perfect for target practice.
- There must be some way.
- I wish there were.
But your knowledge of the Cylon supply lines will be invaluable.
- If we could intercept Cylon tankers - Why bother with tankers? Go straight for that fuel base at Gamoray.
I can't leave those ships unprotected while we go off to take some planet.
Hades' hole, Adama! Give me a couple of your best squadrons and I'll take that fuel base myself.
You'll have enough fuel to go anyplace in the stars.
I'll be satisfied with enough to get us out of this quadrant.
Prepare battle plans for capturing those tankers and I'll approve them.
Meanwhile, enjoy a few centons of well-deserved hospitality on the Galactica.
Well, if that's the way you want it.
There's a certain young lady that I'm most anxious to find.
It's quite unlikely that out of all those people from the Colonies she'd be one of the few survivors, but she always knew how to take care of herself.
Wellwhat was her name? Her name is Cassiopeia.
'I'll never forget you, you old wardaggit.
'Hurry back.
' I can see she has the same effect on you she's always had on me.
And apparently you've never seen her before.
Speaking of lovely ladies, you met my daughter.
'Happy birthday, Father.
I love you.
' If I'd met that young lady, I'd know it.
You met her.
She almost flew you right out of your britches.
Like father, like daughter.
- What are you going to do? - Find a way to let him down easy.
You don't just jump on a hero.
You're assuming Cassiopeia won't be as excited as everybody else he's back.
Apollo Oh, I forgot.
Once they experience the aura of Starbuck I never said that.
It's true, but I never said it.
Let's face it, he is an older man.
You're on your own.
Cassiopeia? Come in.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Hiya, Starbuck.
Is my father back? Er, yeah, yeah, kid.
He is.
What's the matter? He's not hurt? Oh, no.
It's nothing like that.
Come on, Muffy.
We're gonna find my dad.
Starbuck What is it? Something is wrong, isn't there? I'veI've got some news for you.
It'sabout an old friend of yours.
Someone you may have been involved with or justliked.
I don't know which but he's been found - alive.
- Who? - Look, I know it's over between you but he's a legend, we'll have to let him down easy.
If you wanna do it, fine.
But I'll be glad to handle it for you if it's going to be too awkward.
- Starbuck, who are we talking about? - Er, Commander Cain.
Cassiopeia! Enter.
Cassie.
I'd almost given up hope.
Oh, I missed you so.
But I had to stop thinking about you too much.
I wouldn't expect you to, especially with all those young warriors around.
They're all in love with you, I'm sure.
No.
Only one.
- Starbuck.
- Starbuck? He's a great warrior.
Oh, he is, huh? I wasn't comparing you.
But you'll have to give me time to think.
We may not have much time.
I know.
Well, how'd she take the news? Worse than I thought.
She She wanted to be alone, so Starbuck, are you in a little pain? No.
What are you talking about? Hey, it's me, Apollo, remember? We talk about things.
Yeah, well, I, er I guess I never did like to admit that I form - attachments.
- You don't even admit it to yourself.
I've never understood that about you.
You were always part of a very big family.
I never had that.
So I just grew up keeping the number of people around me as large as I could.
So you couldn't be hurt by any particular one? Look, I don't care if Cassiopeia feels something for this Cain.
I just don't understand the combination.
I mean he's, erhe's - Too old? - Yeah.
Read up on your Book Of The Word.
Some of the Elders of Kobol were married to some very young wives.
Wives? Aren't we getting a little ahead of ourselves here? She wouldn't marry him.
Anyway who cares? Not me! Poor Starbuck.
Oh, well.
He still has Athena and Miriam and Noday and Would you stop? And who told you to listen, anyway? What about Sheba? She's developed into one of our best warriors.
She'll be very unhappy that I've returned.
Children don't understand a man's needs at different times in his life.
You came into my life right after her mother died.
It may have been difficult for Sheba but if it weren't for you, I Did you ever think maybe Sheba wanted to fill that role? She's my daughter.
I could be your daughter as well.
You could bebut you aren't.
Our basic strategy has just been to keep knocking down their base on Gamoray.
Every time they send one of their leaders in to rededicate that base, we go in and turn it into scrap metal.
Oh.
Hey, what about you guys? You've got to be raising feldercarb with those tinheads.
We do our best.
We just shot down a Cylon patrol ship.
- Mind if I join you? - No, by all means.
Apollo, Strike Captain Apollo.
I believe you've spent a lot of time on my tail? You are Sheba? Yes, to both questions.
You can't be serious.
You shot down one Cylon patrol ship in a secton? Very serious.
When you're responsible for the lives of civilians crammed onto slow barges, you have to keep a low profile.
Sounds like we're incompatible.
We all have to learn to adjust.
Even the legendary Commander Cain may have to alter his combat techniques.
And who's going to tell him that? As a student of your father's tactics, I think he'll realise on his own.
If not Ten-hup! Sit, sit.
Relax everybody, relax.
We're off prime! This is good.
Good, what you're doing - getting acquainted.
Since we're all going to be fighting together, side by side, I'm buying the first round.
Ambrosa for everyone.
For all my warriors! Come, my sweet Cassiopeia.
If you'll excuse me, I think I've had enough combat for now.
- Nothing changes.
- Everything changes.
Not people.
Sheba? Can we talk? Not now.
I'm really not up to it.
We're gonna have to work together if we want to survive.
Working with you won't be the problem.
This is the route where the Cylons run their fuel ships.
Their convoy has already left Gamoray.
But if we use turbos all the way, we can catch them before they leave this quadrant.
Turbos all the way.
We've barely enough fuel to get there and back.
- We wouldn't need any more than that.
- Surely the tankers have a fighter escort.
In a prolonged battle you'd run out of reserves.
I don't fight prolonged battles with Cylons.
They're not that good.
We'll send one squadron from each battlestar.
No offence but I'd prefer to use just my own wings on this manoeuvre.
I think for the purpose of morale, it might be best if we started to integrate our squadrons, give them a sense of teamwork.
Whatever you say.
My warriors will pass on their experience.
Let's get to it.
Is there anything he doesn't do better than the rest? It's his way of talking.
He's one of the best.
I've never seen anyone so treated like aa god in my life.
We must remember that he's kept his people alive in this Cylon territory for two yahrens.
His men would do anything for him.
Rightfully so.
I hope you know that this adulation, this awe everybody feels for him, - doesn't alter our feelings about you.
- Oh, Apollo.
We're not in a popularity contest, we're in a struggle for survival.
We need heroes that our people can look up to, gather strength from.
We need him.
- They feel that way about you.
- I hope I never disappoint them.
Get going.
I don't want the Blue Squadron reaching those tankers after Cain has flown the Colonial flag.
There's a matter of pride involved here.
- Yes, sir.
- Son good luck.
Father? They told me you're going on the mission.
It's just a routine strike.
We can't afford risking you.
We can't afford not to.
I'll explain later.
Transferring control to Silver Spar Squadron.
Launch when ready.
Strike wing standing by.
Blue Squadron ready to rendezvous with Silver Spar Squadron.
- Four centons to target.
- Doesn't that sound like Cain? - Commander Cain.
Boomer, isn't it? - Yes, but I know everyone in my command.
Three centons to target.
I'm not getting anything on my scanner.
- If we're only - They won't be on your scanner.
- Then how - I can feel them, Captain.
Just ahead is an ionised cloud level.
Our target will be hiding there.
Split up.
I thought we were a single strike force.
A dozen escort fighters are ready to jump us.
We do this my way.
Blue Squadron, head in.
Silver Spar, follow me.
He's flying evasive tactics and I don't see I think he knows what he's doing.
We'll know in a micron.
Stand by to penetrate cloud layer.
There she is, a Cylon tanker.
Two Cylon tankers.
I don't see any sign of OK, Blue Squadron, go to work.
Don't hit any of those tankers.
There's an awful lot of them.
Jolly, you got one on your tail! Roll, Jolly.
He's on you! I can't seem to lose him! Let's go get 'em.
- Thank you, whoever that was.
- My pleasure.
Captain, on your left wing.
I've got him, Apollo.
- Two of 'em running.
- Blue Squadron.
Pursue.
That's all of them.
Let's escort those tankers in.
- Commander? - Yes, what is it, Captain? Were you aiming at a fighter? I didn't see him.
You didn't? He was as clear as the Nubian sun to me.
- Where are the two tankers? - I don't know.
We've come up empty.
Let's regroup and head for home.
I'm sorry, Adama, but with all those ships in the air fighting for their lives in and around those tankers, I guess maybe we should've sent just my squadrons.
We do have a little more experience in hit-and-run tactics.
Yes, I suppose it was a mistake mixing forces that never fought together.
Commander, with respect, Blue Squadron was nowhere near when the tankers blew up! Nothing personal, Apollo.
You and your squadron handled yourselves as well as I've ever seen.
It was an honour to have you along and I wouldn't dream of attacking that Cylon base without you.
We're going against the whole base? I don't think we have any choice now.
Do we? Events seem to have left us very few alternatives.
I'll give you my decision in the morning.
We can't wait until morning.
We have to work on my battle plan right now.
In the morning.
- Adama, with all due - Dismissed.
I'll be in the Officers' Club when you make up your mind.
Sheba.
Father, he Nothing.
Sheba! I'd like to talk to you.
- I was about to join my father - That's OK.
Cassiopeia and I will save you a place.
Look, I really don't feel well.
- What happened to those tankers? - They were hit by incidental fire.
You're telling me that someone as good as you are blew the whole purpose of this mission by accident? - Yes, that's what I'm saying.
- Then we have found witnesses.
A toast to our victory over the Cylons! Hail! Hail! Hail! 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 could board fuel from the Cylon depot.
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.
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.
- What? - 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.
Commander, with all due respect, we cannot risk the lives of our people on luck.
All the fuel we need is right there at that base - Gamoray.
And we have two full battlestars to hit them with.
What would happen if we left our fleet of civilian ships unguarded - while we conquered a planet? - We'd be in and out before they know.
We have been dogged by Cylon ships since we left our star system.
They strike without warning.
They could be massing now.
Anything is possible.
But I prefer to deal with the probable.
The probabilities are with our combined strength we can achieve our first clean victory since we lost the war.
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.
Commander.
I will not allow that.
You have no choice.
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.
In the same way you decided the destiny of two Cylon tankers? I did what I thought I had to do to assure the survival of our people.
How long do you suppose the fuel from those two tankers would last? We need enough fuel to sustain this fleet indefinitely.
We must take that base.
We must take Gamoray! 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 are relieved of your command.
Colonel Tigh, you will assume the bridge of the Pegasus.
Father? I want you to know that we will follow you in whatever you decide to do.
Thank you, but you heard the man, I don't decide anything any more.
- Sir, what we meant - I know what you meant.
But what I did this morning was tactical misjudgement.
What you're thinking of is mutiny.
Oh, I may be the most stubborn, egocentric warrior ever in the Colonies but I'm also the best and I won't be remembered as the one who pulled out and left defenceless civilians at the mercy of those tinheaded golmonging Cylons.
By your command.
- Speak.
- We've found the Colonial trailing ships.
They turned back before discovery, I presume.
By your order.
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.
- It should be quite a good battle.
- 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.
Then you do not wish support fighters from Gamoray, our outer capital? The only thing I want from Gamoray is a welcoming parade, a victory celebration, a tribute from the people of Gamoray for the greatest military leader Cylon has ever known.
I've decided that the city of Gamoray will be my seat of power.
From it, I will decide how and where I will extend my dominion throughout the star system.
Begging your pardon, Baltar, but shouldn't we first go through the formality of conquering the humans before ordering our victory celebration? 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 the universe.
- Forgive my impudence.
- Hm.
- About that launch order - Yes, yes, let's get on with it.
Wait.
Wait, I have an even better idea.
I will accompany the strike force.
- You, go into - Yes, yes.
Think of the impression on Gamoray when they learn that I personally led the final assault on the humans.
Prepare a ship with two of your best pilots.
By your command.
'Captain Apollo requesting permission to board the Pegasus.
' Colonel, fuelling shuttles are starting to come aboard.
Proceed with fuel distribution to all ships in the fleet.
Yes.
There's bad feeling festering aboard this ship.
Shouldn't we delay this order until things settle down? Commander Adama wants the fleet able to get underway quickly.
We can't do that without fuel.
Now, carry out the order.
- Can we be of some help? - Only in the transfer of fuel.
- What transfer is that? - We have a job to do.
Stand aside.
- What are you doing? - Fighting for our commander.
- And our lives.
- He accepted the order.
Why don't you show the same good sense? Look, Captain, maybe you don't understand the situation.
Adama humiliated the greatest man that ever lived, who can think and fight circles around your father.
She's right, Apollo.
He saved us from certain death.
Now it's our turn to help him.
No one wants to see Cain hurt or disgraced.
- Isn't it a bit late to say that? - Commander Adama had no choice.
There can only be one leader.
And we've got the wrong one.
That's why you're not taking our fuel.
I'm only going to say this one more time.
Adama is the fleet commander, he's determined that we don't send our defences off to a Cylon capital while our fleet sits here helpless! I support that thinking, so stand aside! Well, now, what's it gonna be? Just what Adama was afraid of.
We're under attack.
Back to the ship.
Large Cylon task force coming in.
- 50 microns and closing.
- Get me the Galactica.
Sir, 45 microns and closing.
That's the largest force I've seen since the destruction of Caprica.
- What is it? What have they got? - We're not certain.
But from the number of bombers, they have three base ships moving in.
You were right, I was wrong.
The fleet would've been defenceless if we had attacked.
Right now I need you and your tactical wizardry.
They used only three ships to wipe out our fleet at Caprica.
Surprise was on their side then.
This time, it might be on our side.
Pull out the Pegasus.
Exactly.
It's on the far side of our fleet.
I doubt if it's on their scanners yet.
I'll bring it around and squeeze them in-between us.
Don't take too long to be in position.
If it's OK to burn up half my fuel, I'll bring it up to light speed.
- Do I have a choice? - No.
- Be there when we need you.
- I'll be there.
Commander, 25 microns and closing.
Arm weapons.
Stand by to attack.
This is going to be a classic defeat, spoken of throughout the star system for 1,000 yahrens.
Launch fighters.
Incoming communication from Commander Cain, sir.
Put it on the line.
I'm resuming command of the Pegasus.
So I've been informed by Commander Adama.
Good.
Get that ship out of there.
Swing on a 180 and follow course 1-1-0.
I'll rendezvous with you.
- What about the attack force? - Let me worry about that.
Have pilots launch-ready.
I'll be aboard soon.
It's nothing personal, sir.
It's just that I quite understand.
Who can fight a living legend? Goodbye, Galactica.
Goodbye, Adama.
You're finished.
Positive shield, now.
Commence fire.
Let's go get 'em.
This time, the Galactica hasn't a chance.
Concentrate our fighters on the landing bays.
Her warriors won't be able to refuel, reload or land.
- Fire in the bay.
- Damage report.
It's out of control.
Alpha Bay is completely cut off.
Keep leading her warriors away from the main fleet.
They can't stay aloft using full battle thrusters for long.
A word of caution.
We too, are expending great amounts of fuel in a sustained attack.
Yes, but we have a place to land.
They do not.
Or will not before long.
We are running parallel to the Cylons on their rear flank.
The Galactica is reporting heavy damage to her landing bays.
Bring her around 60 degrees.
We're going in.
Burn, Galactica.
You're finished, Adama! Sir, if I may I don't want to miss a moment of the last battlestar's destruction.
I really think you should look at the other battlestar.
What are you babbling about? - It's impossible.
- No, it is a battlestar.
Turn, you fool! Turn! He's coming right for us! ST US By Tchen.
.
Sync & error correction: Ki3r
The Pegasus? But that's just not possible.
- You're talking about Starbuck? - I wasn't comparing you.
But you'll have to give me time to think.
Think of the impression on Gamoray when they learn that I personally led the final assault on the humans.
- I'm not getting anything on my scanner.
- You won't.
- Then how are we - I can feel them, Captain.
We must take that base.
We must take Gamoray! That is one opinion, Commander.
It does not happen to be mine.
- Starbuck? - I don't have a thing.
- There's nothing in front of us.
- They're behind us.
Behind us? Oh, swell.
How close? That close? Apollo? - It doesn't look good.
I'm going right.
- I'll take left.
Good luck, buddy.
Dispatching automatic distress to the fleet.
Be seeing ya.
- I'll pick him up on the right.
- He's dead on the left.
Be back in half a flash.
I can't lose him, Apollo.
I can't shake him.
Cease fire.
- Cease fire.
That's an order! - Are you crazy? Cain'll have us for dinner if they get away.
- They're human.
- What? I said they're human.
Impossible.
We're the only ones left alive in the entire star system.
I'm switching to unicom.
Attention.
Attention.
This is Silver Spar Group Leader, commanding viper pilots to surrender.
We are locked on kill.
Apollo It has to be a trick.
This is Apollo, Strike Commander of the Battlestar Galactica.
Who are you? - Bojay? - I heard him.
It's a trick.
They're all dead.
Bojay? Did he say Bojay? - Bojay, is that you? - Starbuck? Apollo, it is.
It's Bojay! You remember, he was in our squadron until That's right, until he was transferred tothe Fifth Fleet.
Died in the Battle of Molecay.
Two yahrens ago.
Apollo - either they're not dead or - We are.
Bojay, if that's really you, tell us what happened.
How did you survive? Maintain silence until we land aboard the Battlestar Pegasus.
Pegasus? But that's just not possible.
Apollo, do you know whose ship that was? Cain, the greatest military commander ever.
He was my idol.
Your idol will order you blasted away if you don't shut off your transmitters.
In case you clowns don't know, we are in a quadrant controlled by Cylons.
Oh, my Lord.
It isn't a dream.
And we're certainly not dead.
It is the Pegasus.
They won't shut up.
They act as if they've seen an apparition.
I'm still not sure I haven't.
Alert Commander Cain.
'We're down to the last of it, Commander.
I've checked every ship.
'They're down to life support now, unless we stop.
' Thank you for your report, Jolly.
Frequency intercept scrambled.
Running a check on both ID systems Well, that's just fine.
Just fine.
We come all this way and simply run out of fuel.
- There's worse.
- What does that mean? - We're picking up Cylon transmissions.
- Good Lord, a Cylon base star? It's not military.
What we're hearing is civilian.
Civilian? I just don't understand it.
- We're a star system away from any - I can't explain it.
But somewhere out there, not far away, is a city - a Cylon city.
That could be why our recon patrol is overdue.
Apollo, Starbuck? How long before they exhaust their fuel supply? If they've been using their thrusters, they'd be powered down right now.
Sir, if we launch a shuttle probe We must conserve every drop of fuel to support our life systems.
- Bring the fleet to a dead stop, please.
- Yes, Commander.
- It's unbelievable, seeing you guys.
- How do you think we feel? We sailed over two yahrens ago to save Molecay.
- We haven't seen a human since.
- The rest of the Fifth Fleet? Destroyed.
If Cain hadn't pulled a brilliant decoy, we'd be gone, too.
You must have headed away from the Colonies to be this far out.
That was another of Cain's touches.
He knew that they'd be waiting for us from Molecay to the Colonies, so he put us into deep space and we kept going.
- We've been fighting ever since.
- Running.
Our skipper doesn't know the meaning of the word run.
- We strike round the clock.
- With what? - Where do you get your fuel and arms? - From the Cylons, of course.
If you officers will excuse our guests, Commander Cain would like to see them in his quarters.
Get them a drink, Tolen.
They look pale.
It's a very great honour, sir.
A very great honour.
Yes, I should imagine it is.
That's just a little attempt at humour.
I'd quite resigned myself that I would never see another human, other than my own people on the Pegasus, - yet there you are.
- The Galactica, sir.
Under the flag of Commander Adama, my father.
- Adama? - Yes, sir.
Yes, yes.
Yes, I see it.
Well, how is he? How is that old modocker? Considering the load he's carried since the destruction of our nation Yes, I should imagine.
And the rest of the fleet? Only the Galactica survived, sir, along with some 220 ships carrying what's left of our people.
My God.
And I thought we had it bad.
- Only 220 ships from all the Colonies? - Yes, sir.
Well, my friends, our troubles are over.
- How do you mean, sir? - 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! We're picking up something very odd.
- What is it? - It's some sort of visual echo.
I mean, the Galactica's image must be bouncing off some ion field.
Feed it up to the bridge.
Omega, have this scan turret checked immediately.
Yes, Colonel.
Switch to high band.
There's something wrong.
It's a visual echo.
It's the cleanest transmission I've ever seen.
Nevertheless - There's a signal on fleet comline Alpha.
- That's impossible.
Fleet comline is a scramble communicator between warships and since we're the only battlestar, there's no possibility of a signal like that existing.
'Greetings, Adama, you old wardaggit.
'Might've known I'd find you and your fleet sitting on your astrums.
' Cain?! Of all that's holy.
'There's nothing holy about me, Adama.
'Except maybe what I'm doing to those golmonging Cylons.
' It's a miracle, Cain.
A blessed miracle.
'I make my own miracles.
'But have it your way.
I'll be aboard in a few centons.
' I'll have some vintage Ambrosa for you.
'I should think so.
' Commander It's impossible.
Cain perished along with the Fifth Fleet two yahrens ago.
Yes, Colonel, but that's the fabric of miracles the impossible.
'Commander Cain requesting permission to board the Galactica.
' The Lords of Kobol bless you.
You have no idea how I feel at this moment.
Me too, Adama, me too.
I have a present for you.
Where are those space loiterers we picked up? Front and centre! Son.
I thought I'd seen the last of you.
You would have, if my daughter hadn't cut them off.
- They were heading into Gamoray.
- The Delphian Empire? It was.
Before the Cylons turned it into their outer capital.
It's now a model of machine efficiency.
- That was a society of 50 million beings.
- Not any more.
When it was clear that the Fifth Fleet was destroyed, I took every survivor I could aboard the Pegasus.
I headed straight for Gamoray, their most remote supply base.
We've been living off them ever since.
It's incredible.
If they control Gamoray, they control half the universe.
The only thing I've been able to do is keep knocking that base down so they can't get a full strike at me.
What I've never understood is why they didn't send out base ships to finish us off.
- It's clear now why they didn't.
- Yes, the Galactica.
They were having trouble with a rebel fleet but I couldn't break the code.
I had no idea that there were any other survivors.
Oh, nor did we.
You've given a tremendous lift to all our people.
And a death blow to the Cylons.
We're going to take them now, Adama.
This is the turning point.
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.
- What are you talking about? I've had them on their knees in this quadrant - with just one battlestar.
With two - ha! - I'll finish them! - At least on Gamoray.
- And then what? Well, then we'll have all the fuel we need and a base from which to attack.
We can't secure that planet.
And those base ships not bothering you were after me, en masse.
No, our only hope is to just keep moving.
- You mean run? - I mean escape.
But why? We can outfly them, we can outfight them, we In case you haven't noticed, I'm protecting 220 civilian ships which crawl along in space at a pace which is perfect for target practice.
- There must be some way.
- I wish there were.
But your knowledge of the Cylon supply lines will be invaluable.
- If we could intercept Cylon tankers - Why bother with tankers? Go straight for that fuel base at Gamoray.
I can't leave those ships unprotected while we go off to take some planet.
Hades' hole, Adama! Give me a couple of your best squadrons and I'll take that fuel base myself.
You'll have enough fuel to go anyplace in the stars.
I'll be satisfied with enough to get us out of this quadrant.
Prepare battle plans for capturing those tankers and I'll approve them.
Meanwhile, enjoy a few centons of well-deserved hospitality on the Galactica.
Well, if that's the way you want it.
There's a certain young lady that I'm most anxious to find.
It's quite unlikely that out of all those people from the Colonies she'd be one of the few survivors, but she always knew how to take care of herself.
Wellwhat was her name? Her name is Cassiopeia.
'I'll never forget you, you old wardaggit.
'Hurry back.
' I can see she has the same effect on you she's always had on me.
And apparently you've never seen her before.
Speaking of lovely ladies, you met my daughter.
'Happy birthday, Father.
I love you.
' If I'd met that young lady, I'd know it.
You met her.
She almost flew you right out of your britches.
Like father, like daughter.
- What are you going to do? - Find a way to let him down easy.
You don't just jump on a hero.
You're assuming Cassiopeia won't be as excited as everybody else he's back.
Apollo Oh, I forgot.
Once they experience the aura of Starbuck I never said that.
It's true, but I never said it.
Let's face it, he is an older man.
You're on your own.
Cassiopeia? Come in.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Hiya, Starbuck.
Is my father back? Er, yeah, yeah, kid.
He is.
What's the matter? He's not hurt? Oh, no.
It's nothing like that.
Come on, Muffy.
We're gonna find my dad.
Starbuck What is it? Something is wrong, isn't there? I'veI've got some news for you.
It'sabout an old friend of yours.
Someone you may have been involved with or justliked.
I don't know which but he's been found - alive.
- Who? - Look, I know it's over between you but he's a legend, we'll have to let him down easy.
If you wanna do it, fine.
But I'll be glad to handle it for you if it's going to be too awkward.
- Starbuck, who are we talking about? - Er, Commander Cain.
Cassiopeia! Enter.
Cassie.
I'd almost given up hope.
Oh, I missed you so.
But I had to stop thinking about you too much.
I wouldn't expect you to, especially with all those young warriors around.
They're all in love with you, I'm sure.
No.
Only one.
- Starbuck.
- Starbuck? He's a great warrior.
Oh, he is, huh? I wasn't comparing you.
But you'll have to give me time to think.
We may not have much time.
I know.
Well, how'd she take the news? Worse than I thought.
She She wanted to be alone, so Starbuck, are you in a little pain? No.
What are you talking about? Hey, it's me, Apollo, remember? We talk about things.
Yeah, well, I, er I guess I never did like to admit that I form - attachments.
- You don't even admit it to yourself.
I've never understood that about you.
You were always part of a very big family.
I never had that.
So I just grew up keeping the number of people around me as large as I could.
So you couldn't be hurt by any particular one? Look, I don't care if Cassiopeia feels something for this Cain.
I just don't understand the combination.
I mean he's, erhe's - Too old? - Yeah.
Read up on your Book Of The Word.
Some of the Elders of Kobol were married to some very young wives.
Wives? Aren't we getting a little ahead of ourselves here? She wouldn't marry him.
Anyway who cares? Not me! Poor Starbuck.
Oh, well.
He still has Athena and Miriam and Noday and Would you stop? And who told you to listen, anyway? What about Sheba? She's developed into one of our best warriors.
She'll be very unhappy that I've returned.
Children don't understand a man's needs at different times in his life.
You came into my life right after her mother died.
It may have been difficult for Sheba but if it weren't for you, I Did you ever think maybe Sheba wanted to fill that role? She's my daughter.
I could be your daughter as well.
You could bebut you aren't.
Our basic strategy has just been to keep knocking down their base on Gamoray.
Every time they send one of their leaders in to rededicate that base, we go in and turn it into scrap metal.
Oh.
Hey, what about you guys? You've got to be raising feldercarb with those tinheads.
We do our best.
We just shot down a Cylon patrol ship.
- Mind if I join you? - No, by all means.
Apollo, Strike Captain Apollo.
I believe you've spent a lot of time on my tail? You are Sheba? Yes, to both questions.
You can't be serious.
You shot down one Cylon patrol ship in a secton? Very serious.
When you're responsible for the lives of civilians crammed onto slow barges, you have to keep a low profile.
Sounds like we're incompatible.
We all have to learn to adjust.
Even the legendary Commander Cain may have to alter his combat techniques.
And who's going to tell him that? As a student of your father's tactics, I think he'll realise on his own.
If not Ten-hup! Sit, sit.
Relax everybody, relax.
We're off prime! This is good.
Good, what you're doing - getting acquainted.
Since we're all going to be fighting together, side by side, I'm buying the first round.
Ambrosa for everyone.
For all my warriors! Come, my sweet Cassiopeia.
If you'll excuse me, I think I've had enough combat for now.
- Nothing changes.
- Everything changes.
Not people.
Sheba? Can we talk? Not now.
I'm really not up to it.
We're gonna have to work together if we want to survive.
Working with you won't be the problem.
This is the route where the Cylons run their fuel ships.
Their convoy has already left Gamoray.
But if we use turbos all the way, we can catch them before they leave this quadrant.
Turbos all the way.
We've barely enough fuel to get there and back.
- We wouldn't need any more than that.
- Surely the tankers have a fighter escort.
In a prolonged battle you'd run out of reserves.
I don't fight prolonged battles with Cylons.
They're not that good.
We'll send one squadron from each battlestar.
No offence but I'd prefer to use just my own wings on this manoeuvre.
I think for the purpose of morale, it might be best if we started to integrate our squadrons, give them a sense of teamwork.
Whatever you say.
My warriors will pass on their experience.
Let's get to it.
Is there anything he doesn't do better than the rest? It's his way of talking.
He's one of the best.
I've never seen anyone so treated like aa god in my life.
We must remember that he's kept his people alive in this Cylon territory for two yahrens.
His men would do anything for him.
Rightfully so.
I hope you know that this adulation, this awe everybody feels for him, - doesn't alter our feelings about you.
- Oh, Apollo.
We're not in a popularity contest, we're in a struggle for survival.
We need heroes that our people can look up to, gather strength from.
We need him.
- They feel that way about you.
- I hope I never disappoint them.
Get going.
I don't want the Blue Squadron reaching those tankers after Cain has flown the Colonial flag.
There's a matter of pride involved here.
- Yes, sir.
- Son good luck.
Father? They told me you're going on the mission.
It's just a routine strike.
We can't afford risking you.
We can't afford not to.
I'll explain later.
Transferring control to Silver Spar Squadron.
Launch when ready.
Strike wing standing by.
Blue Squadron ready to rendezvous with Silver Spar Squadron.
- Four centons to target.
- Doesn't that sound like Cain? - Commander Cain.
Boomer, isn't it? - Yes, but I know everyone in my command.
Three centons to target.
I'm not getting anything on my scanner.
- If we're only - They won't be on your scanner.
- Then how - I can feel them, Captain.
Just ahead is an ionised cloud level.
Our target will be hiding there.
Split up.
I thought we were a single strike force.
A dozen escort fighters are ready to jump us.
We do this my way.
Blue Squadron, head in.
Silver Spar, follow me.
He's flying evasive tactics and I don't see I think he knows what he's doing.
We'll know in a micron.
Stand by to penetrate cloud layer.
There she is, a Cylon tanker.
Two Cylon tankers.
I don't see any sign of OK, Blue Squadron, go to work.
Don't hit any of those tankers.
There's an awful lot of them.
Jolly, you got one on your tail! Roll, Jolly.
He's on you! I can't seem to lose him! Let's go get 'em.
- Thank you, whoever that was.
- My pleasure.
Captain, on your left wing.
I've got him, Apollo.
- Two of 'em running.
- Blue Squadron.
Pursue.
That's all of them.
Let's escort those tankers in.
- Commander? - Yes, what is it, Captain? Were you aiming at a fighter? I didn't see him.
You didn't? He was as clear as the Nubian sun to me.
- Where are the two tankers? - I don't know.
We've come up empty.
Let's regroup and head for home.
I'm sorry, Adama, but with all those ships in the air fighting for their lives in and around those tankers, I guess maybe we should've sent just my squadrons.
We do have a little more experience in hit-and-run tactics.
Yes, I suppose it was a mistake mixing forces that never fought together.
Commander, with respect, Blue Squadron was nowhere near when the tankers blew up! Nothing personal, Apollo.
You and your squadron handled yourselves as well as I've ever seen.
It was an honour to have you along and I wouldn't dream of attacking that Cylon base without you.
We're going against the whole base? I don't think we have any choice now.
Do we? Events seem to have left us very few alternatives.
I'll give you my decision in the morning.
We can't wait until morning.
We have to work on my battle plan right now.
In the morning.
- Adama, with all due - Dismissed.
I'll be in the Officers' Club when you make up your mind.
Sheba.
Father, he Nothing.
Sheba! I'd like to talk to you.
- I was about to join my father - That's OK.
Cassiopeia and I will save you a place.
Look, I really don't feel well.
- What happened to those tankers? - They were hit by incidental fire.
You're telling me that someone as good as you are blew the whole purpose of this mission by accident? - Yes, that's what I'm saying.
- Then we have found witnesses.
A toast to our victory over the Cylons! Hail! Hail! Hail! 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 could board fuel from the Cylon depot.
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.
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.
- What? - 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.
Commander, with all due respect, we cannot risk the lives of our people on luck.
All the fuel we need is right there at that base - Gamoray.
And we have two full battlestars to hit them with.
What would happen if we left our fleet of civilian ships unguarded - while we conquered a planet? - We'd be in and out before they know.
We have been dogged by Cylon ships since we left our star system.
They strike without warning.
They could be massing now.
Anything is possible.
But I prefer to deal with the probable.
The probabilities are with our combined strength we can achieve our first clean victory since we lost the war.
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.
Commander.
I will not allow that.
You have no choice.
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.
In the same way you decided the destiny of two Cylon tankers? I did what I thought I had to do to assure the survival of our people.
How long do you suppose the fuel from those two tankers would last? We need enough fuel to sustain this fleet indefinitely.
We must take that base.
We must take Gamoray! 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 are relieved of your command.
Colonel Tigh, you will assume the bridge of the Pegasus.
Father? I want you to know that we will follow you in whatever you decide to do.
Thank you, but you heard the man, I don't decide anything any more.
- Sir, what we meant - I know what you meant.
But what I did this morning was tactical misjudgement.
What you're thinking of is mutiny.
Oh, I may be the most stubborn, egocentric warrior ever in the Colonies but I'm also the best and I won't be remembered as the one who pulled out and left defenceless civilians at the mercy of those tinheaded golmonging Cylons.
By your command.
- Speak.
- We've found the Colonial trailing ships.
They turned back before discovery, I presume.
By your order.
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.
- It should be quite a good battle.
- 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.
Then you do not wish support fighters from Gamoray, our outer capital? The only thing I want from Gamoray is a welcoming parade, a victory celebration, a tribute from the people of Gamoray for the greatest military leader Cylon has ever known.
I've decided that the city of Gamoray will be my seat of power.
From it, I will decide how and where I will extend my dominion throughout the star system.
Begging your pardon, Baltar, but shouldn't we first go through the formality of conquering the humans before ordering our victory celebration? 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 the universe.
- Forgive my impudence.
- Hm.
- About that launch order - Yes, yes, let's get on with it.
Wait.
Wait, I have an even better idea.
I will accompany the strike force.
- You, go into - Yes, yes.
Think of the impression on Gamoray when they learn that I personally led the final assault on the humans.
Prepare a ship with two of your best pilots.
By your command.
'Captain Apollo requesting permission to board the Pegasus.
' Colonel, fuelling shuttles are starting to come aboard.
Proceed with fuel distribution to all ships in the fleet.
Yes.
There's bad feeling festering aboard this ship.
Shouldn't we delay this order until things settle down? Commander Adama wants the fleet able to get underway quickly.
We can't do that without fuel.
Now, carry out the order.
- Can we be of some help? - Only in the transfer of fuel.
- What transfer is that? - We have a job to do.
Stand aside.
- What are you doing? - Fighting for our commander.
- And our lives.
- He accepted the order.
Why don't you show the same good sense? Look, Captain, maybe you don't understand the situation.
Adama humiliated the greatest man that ever lived, who can think and fight circles around your father.
She's right, Apollo.
He saved us from certain death.
Now it's our turn to help him.
No one wants to see Cain hurt or disgraced.
- Isn't it a bit late to say that? - Commander Adama had no choice.
There can only be one leader.
And we've got the wrong one.
That's why you're not taking our fuel.
I'm only going to say this one more time.
Adama is the fleet commander, he's determined that we don't send our defences off to a Cylon capital while our fleet sits here helpless! I support that thinking, so stand aside! Well, now, what's it gonna be? Just what Adama was afraid of.
We're under attack.
Back to the ship.
Large Cylon task force coming in.
- 50 microns and closing.
- Get me the Galactica.
Sir, 45 microns and closing.
That's the largest force I've seen since the destruction of Caprica.
- What is it? What have they got? - We're not certain.
But from the number of bombers, they have three base ships moving in.
You were right, I was wrong.
The fleet would've been defenceless if we had attacked.
Right now I need you and your tactical wizardry.
They used only three ships to wipe out our fleet at Caprica.
Surprise was on their side then.
This time, it might be on our side.
Pull out the Pegasus.
Exactly.
It's on the far side of our fleet.
I doubt if it's on their scanners yet.
I'll bring it around and squeeze them in-between us.
Don't take too long to be in position.
If it's OK to burn up half my fuel, I'll bring it up to light speed.
- Do I have a choice? - No.
- Be there when we need you.
- I'll be there.
Commander, 25 microns and closing.
Arm weapons.
Stand by to attack.
This is going to be a classic defeat, spoken of throughout the star system for 1,000 yahrens.
Launch fighters.
Incoming communication from Commander Cain, sir.
Put it on the line.
I'm resuming command of the Pegasus.
So I've been informed by Commander Adama.
Good.
Get that ship out of there.
Swing on a 180 and follow course 1-1-0.
I'll rendezvous with you.
- What about the attack force? - Let me worry about that.
Have pilots launch-ready.
I'll be aboard soon.
It's nothing personal, sir.
It's just that I quite understand.
Who can fight a living legend? Goodbye, Galactica.
Goodbye, Adama.
You're finished.
Positive shield, now.
Commence fire.
Let's go get 'em.
This time, the Galactica hasn't a chance.
Concentrate our fighters on the landing bays.
Her warriors won't be able to refuel, reload or land.
- Fire in the bay.
- Damage report.
It's out of control.
Alpha Bay is completely cut off.
Keep leading her warriors away from the main fleet.
They can't stay aloft using full battle thrusters for long.
A word of caution.
We too, are expending great amounts of fuel in a sustained attack.
Yes, but we have a place to land.
They do not.
Or will not before long.
We are running parallel to the Cylons on their rear flank.
The Galactica is reporting heavy damage to her landing bays.
Bring her around 60 degrees.
We're going in.
Burn, Galactica.
You're finished, Adama! Sir, if I may I don't want to miss a moment of the last battlestar's destruction.
I really think you should look at the other battlestar.
What are you babbling about? - It's impossible.
- No, it is a battlestar.
Turn, you fool! Turn! He's coming right for us! ST US By Tchen.
.
Sync & error correction: Ki3r