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We are receiving a signal.
What is it?
MAN: Roger. Understand.
COLONEL TIGH: She’s an orbiting killer capable of destroying every ship we have.
Who picked you for this mission?
I did.
You just don't understand, do you?
Yes, I do understand!
We haven't dared tangle with a base star since we fled the Colonies.
Can we just drop this?
No! We can't just drop it.
What do you think? You have the corner on loneliness?
Launch all vipers.
Come on, let's go! GIGGLING
Hey, would you hurry up?
Apollo, is this your idea of a fun evening?
You got to speak up! I can't hear you!
Come on.
Up you go.
Starbuck.
Where in heaven's name are we?
As high as you can get on the Galactica.
We're directly over the main thrusters.
It's a great spot to get away from everyone, to think.
A cozy little place like this could be used for more than just thinking.
Starbuck.
Are you ready?
For what?
Watch.
This is incredible!
It's frightening.
Don't worry, Cassiopeia, we're perfectly safe.
The bubble's constructed of transparent tylinium.
It's sure a lot different from a viper cockpit.
It's so open.
It's like riding in the hand of God.
At least, that's the way I like to think of it.
You like it, Sheba?
Oh, Apollo, I love it!
CHUCKLES
Well, get up here and try it. Come on.
Apollo, what was this bubble used for?
It's a celestial chamber. The only one left on the Galactica.
When the old girl was launched over 500 yahren ago,
there were a number of these domes.
Back then, the navigators
used to come up here to take star sightings,
to sort of double-check the navigation computer.
I doubt anyone's been here except us in 100 yahren or more.
Well, all these instruments seem to work.
I repaired the ones that didn't.
I like coming up here to shoot the stars the way my ancestors did.
Sometimes, buddy, I get the feeling
you'd have loved living in the past,
knocking around some planetary system
in an old fashioned sub-light rocket.
Well, it may have been slow, but it was more of a challenge.
I think living back then might've been more fun.
Apollo, what's this scanner set for?
Long-range communications. Only you won't get anything on it.
Those gamma frequencies are outdated. We don't use them anymore.
Well, somebody does.
What?
It's very weak, but we are receiving a signal.
STATIC CRACKLING
What is it? I can't tell.
I'm recording and trying to get a directional fix.
We're losing it.
It's gone.
Any idea where it came from?
Well, it looked like a ship, but it wasn't like any one I've ever seen.
I have.
On our history scans.
It looked a little like something the Colonies used to fly
a couple of thousand yahrens ago.
Boomer.
Boomer, wake up.
Mmm-hmm.
MOANS
Apollo.
I just met this beautiful girl and I was just about to make a...
What's going on?
Boomer, we need your help.
I need sleep.
Boomer, you're a whizz at long-range communications.
Dr. Wilker's better.
But Dr. Wilker's on the electronics ship.
Good for him.
Boomer, we picked up a transmission on a gamma frequency.
Good for you.
On a what?
A gamma frequency.
Gamma?
SHUSHING
That frequency's ancient.
Interesting, huh?
Might be.
Did you record it? Right here.
Why didn't you say so?
Um... CLEARS THROAT
Boomer, are you going to go to the lab looking like that?
It's some sort of spacecraft.
Can you enhance the signal?
Maybe Wilker can with the computer.
The best I can do is to try and clear up the audio.
DISTORTED SPEECH
MEN SPEAKING
Go. Eagle...
...ignition, 10%.
. . . on time. Roger.
Go for L0...
Roger.
Afraid that's it.
Do you have any idea where it's coming from?
It could be a harmonic signal,
a doubling and 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,
its origins could be relatively close.
And if it's not?
If that's a primary frequency, it's come along way to be that weak.
It's probably intergalactic.
Intergalactic?
Then we've picked up something
that could've been transmitted 100 yahrens ago.
Or 1,000 or 10,000.
There's no telling just how long
that signal's been traveling through space.
You mean that we could be looking at something from the past?
Quite possibly.
I wonder whose?
Your guess is as good as mine, but let's heck out Boomer's theory
that it's a harmonic signal from something close by.
Did you get a position fix?
As near as we can compute,
it came in on a line through this quadrant, something like this.
Colonel Tigh, concentrated scan, please.
Concentrated scan.
Star quadrant Epsilon 7.
Mark four.
Yes, sir.
I'd forgotten all about that celestial dome topside.
What were you four doing up there?
Just taking in the view, Commander.
Sir, the only area of possible interest in that quadrant
is a solar system on the edge of our scanners, about here.
Right on the line of transmission.
It may be a harmonic signal.
Maybe.
Any life-forms?
Too far for that data, sir. We're barely picking up major planets.
Apollo, take a viper patrol into that quadrant.
See if you can find the source of the signal.
Yes, sir.
Boomer, you keep working on that recording until Dr. Wilker returns.
Yes, sir.
What were you doing in that dome?
Colonel!
I'm picking up five planets, fairly widespread orbits.
I got them.
I'm not scanning any life-forms.
Neither am I, but we're still a long way off.
Let's split up and take a closer look at the first three.
The first planet's a giant.
80% compressed hydrogen, 12% helium, no life-forms.
But it sure is pretty.
So is number two. Beautiful but deadly.
The atmosphere is almost totally comprised of compressed carbon dioxide.
No life-forms.
STARBUCK: Leave it to me to get the ugly one.
No atmosphere, just barren rock.
No life could...
STARBUCK: 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?
Get out of here, it's a Cylon base star!
I thought we'd lost them for good.
We all did, Commander.
You're sure you weren't detected?
I was out of there before they reached orbit.
Sheba and I were blocked out by the other two planets.
I don't think they could have scanned us.
Thank God for that.
Stay on it, Omega.
COLONEL TIGH: 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.
Good, then they can't scan us either.
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.
They're aware of that.
That's why they're sitting where they are.
Apollo,
that transmission you picked up,
they're enticing us in.
You think that signal originated on that base star?
I think that most likely.
It's an elaborate lure.
Precisely what I'd expect from the Cylons.
I'm not so sure.
Whether it is or not, what are we going to do?
I just explained, Lieutenant,
there's nothing we can do but turn back.
STARBUCK: There must be another way.
Yes, there is.
We can attack.
Adama, we haven't dared tangle with a base star since we fled the Colonies.
My father did.
Yes, he did.
And the Pegasus hasn't been heard from since.
Oh, but Commander Cain attacked two base stars.
We'd be taking on only one.
Obviously, they've spread their base stars out
through all the star systems in order to find us.
And 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.
Adama, so am I.
Then let's take her on.
Have we achieved orbit?
Insertion 10 centons ago.
Long-range scan?
Fully operational, nothing definite to report.
Definite?
A momentary blip prior to achieving orbit.
Our scanners were not fully operational.
Nothing since?
Launch a fighter patrol to circumnavigate
the outer edge of this planetary system,
just to be safe.
By your command. Duty patrol to the launch bay.
COLONEL TIGH: She has 300 fighters,
carries two long-range megapulsars, here and here,
and over 100 defensive laser turrets.
She's an orbiting killer capable of destroying every ship we have,
including the Galactica.
That's what I like about the Colonel, his optimism.
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 2—to-1, but you're used to that.
Better odds than we had on Caprica.
We lost at Caprica.
I intend to bring the Galactica in at 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.
Squadron assembly at 1750, launch 1800.
The Officers' Club will be
open to all warriors, regardless of rank,
for one centare and one drink, on the Commander.
Commencing now.
Well, if the Commander's buying, I'm drinking.
If anybody's buying, you're drinking, Jolly.
LAUGHS
Apollo, are you coming?
In a bit.
I should know better than to ask, but what is it?
I was just thinking.
That's what I was afraid of.
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.
Terrific idea. You wanna tell me how?
I don't know.
Right. Let's go get a drink.
But it would have to be from the inside.
Oh, sure.
All you'd have to do is fire vipers through 100 fighters,
land on the base star, find her control center,
blow it up and take off again.
Simple.
You're right.
Of course I'm right. Apollo.
No. No, we could do it
If we used Baltar's Cylon fighter.
But...
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.
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 control center?
Where is the control center?
Starbuck, when Baltar captured you,
you were taken to his base star.
He knows.
Apollo, they didn't exactly give me the grand tour.
I do know the central core leads to all decks,
but I have no idea where control center is.
Make an educated guess.
You know,
I think your plan will work.
It will?
Bridge, Commander Adama.
I want a shuttle launched immediately to the prison barge,
with orders to bring Baltar back to my quarters.
Baltar? Mmm-hmm.
You really think he'll help us, Father?
He just may.
Our patrol has passed the outer planets and found nothing.
Order them to continue into the galaxy as long as fuel permits.
BELLBEEPS
Enter.
Remove his shackles and wait outside.
Toys, Adama?
Would you like a drink?
What do you want, Adama?
Information.
They've found you!
We've found them.
It's the same thing.
We're going to destroy them.
Destroy them? A base star? Not likely.
With your help.
Why would I possibly help you?
To regain your freedom.
You're taunting me.
I'm offering you freedom
in exchange for information.
And how do you define freedom?
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.
Marooned.
It's better than the prison barge.
Communications?
Even a marooned man must have some hope of eventual rescue.
Very well.
But only sufficient for short-range communication.
And when am I to be set free?
After the base star has been destroyed.
What if they destroy you and me along with you?
That's the risk you'll have to take.
Do we have an agreement?
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,
sol rigged this.
What is it?
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.
You sure it'll work? It'll work.
Thanks, Boomer.
Did Dr. Wilker get a chance to enhance that transmission we picked up?
No, not yet.
You still think it didn't come from the base star?
I don't know. I got a funny feeling it didn't.
Starbuck, could I have a word with you? Please?
It's getting a little crowded in here.
I think I'll go and find Wilker.
Yeah, Cass? Alone.
Excuse me for a centon.
It takes three Cylons to fly this fighter.
Uh-uh!
I need you and Boomer to lead the squadrons.
Besides, the third Cylon just sits where you are and gives orders.
Very well, then.
Who picked you for this mission?
I did.
You really want to get yourself killed, don't you?
What's that supposed to mean?
Ever since you lost Serina,
you've taken every high-risk mission on the board.
Serina has nothing to do with it.
She was a very lovely woman, Apollo,
but she's dead.
Can we just drop this?
No! We can't just drop it.
What do you think? You have the corner on loneliness here?
I'm sorry.
SNIFFS
It's all right.
I guess we have kind of been at each other's throats
ever since the moment we met.
Yeah, I guess we have.
Except for lately.
You've kind of included me in your tight little circle of friends,
and I appreciate that, Apollo.
Yeah, well,
I realized I'd been a little hard on you.
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?
I've thought about it quite a bit.
Be careful.
So, why does it always have to be you?
Apollo's going.
I'm not in love with Apollo!
Cass, you know me, I'll make it.
Knowing you, you're probably gonna find some beautiful female prisoner
to rescue on that base star.
Come on, that's crazy.
Starbuck.
Good luck, hotshot.
What? Has everyone gone crazy?
You just don't understand, do you?
Yes, I do understand!
I just don't see the sense of dwelling on what might go wrong.
It's a lousy way to live.
I'll be back. I promise.
SNIFFS
If you're not,
I'm gonna kill you.
Are your timers set?
I have one centon delay.
Whatever you do, don't lose that transmitter.
It's the only way we'll be able to tell you from the Cylons.
If we do, we'll just waggle our wings.
You would.
Hey, I've never seen you fuss so much.
Well, I guess I would feel better if I were going.
We need you to lead the squadron.
It doesn't change the way I feel.
Good luck.
Captain, Lieutenant, I'm at your disposal.
What will happen when we land without clearance?
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.
I know where to enter the central core from the landing bays,
but where's the control center?
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.
How much resistance can we expect in the core area?
That all depends on how many Centurions are passing through it
at the time you enter.
There's only one guard, as I said.
Well, that's it.
Starbuck.
Apollo.
See you soon.
Good luck.
Well, if they don't succeed, I die, too.
You know how to fly this thing?
I thought you did.
LAUGHING
Ready.
Launch.
They're gone.
80 soon.
Why did I ever have to fall in love with a warrior?
I don't know.
They're penetrating the solar system now, sir.
Anything?
I don't know. I'm having trouble with this scanner.
I don't get anything but blips.
Maybe I should get myself a Cylon co-pilot.
Starbuck!
Holy frack! Apollo!
They're all around us.
You think they're on to us?
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.
Apollo.
Well, we'll soon know if they're on to us or not.
The patrol has landed. No activity in the system.
1750, Commander.
Now.
Pilots to launch bay.
TOLAN: Pilots, man your vipers!
Let's go!
Commander, all squadrons ready to launch.
Launch all vipers.
TOLAN: Red and Blue Squadrons, you are cleared to launch.
Commander, all squadrons launched.
Bring her around to mark Delta 5.
Full scan.
Mark Delta 5.
Executing.
That's the last of them.
Wait.
Okay. Let's go.
That's the hatch to the central core.
Let's go.
If he looks up... Yeah.
Starbuck!
Set the charges, I’ll cover ya
No, there's nothing but planets so far.
The base star was behind the third planet when Starbuck spotted her.
That's right. We hold this heading.
We want to pull those Cylon fighters to us.
Vipers bearing Omega 7.
Vipers?
Confirmed. Two squadrons.
Launch all fighters to intercept. Scan for the Galactica.
By your command.
ALARM PULSING
They must've spotted our vipers.
Just one more!
Let's go!
The transmitter!
Let it go!
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!
The Galactica should be attacking any micron.
Then what are we waiting for?
Here they come!
Break!
Commander, long-range scan indicates our squadrons are engaged.
Give it to me here. Yes, sir.
They're heavily outnumbered.
They can hold their own.
All we need now is to... There! There she is, Tigh!
The base star? Yes!
Now let's pray that Apollo and Starbuck have knocked out her scanners.
Battle stations! Yes, sir.
Battle stations! Seal all compartments!
I don't think she's scanned us, sir.
They might just have done it, Tigh.
Stand by to fire.
Fire!
What happened?
Aft laser turrets report an attacking battlestar.
Fire aft mega lasers.
Bring us around, Delta 1-5.
Fire port lasers as she comes to bear.
Coming around, sir.
BOOMER: There's no red dot.
Forward lasers lock on.
Locked. Fuel
You did it, Adama!
We all did it, Tigh, we all did it!
Damage report.
It's extensive, Commander, but all fires are controllable
and the landing bays are intact.
Thank God for that. Recall all vipers.
I'm getting a recall signal from the Galactica.
Break off! Break off! We're going home.
They're not following.
I think they've had it.
Has anyone picked up Apollo and Starbuck on their tank scanner?
Boomer, do you think...
Sheba, they're probably already back
having a cool one in the Officers' Club.
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.
What if they never even got off that base star?
Commander, another Cylon fighter approaching.
Transfer to my console.
Here comes another one.
Maybe that's them.
Switch to attack computer frequency.
No flashing red dot. Activate laser guns.
No, sir, don't fire, it's them.
How do you know?
They're waggling!
Waggling?
Just keep waggling, buddy.
Yeah.
Told you we didn't need any of that electronic felgercarb.
LAUGHING
A-ha!
I thought I'd find you up here.
Hey, Starbuck.
Everyone's looking for you at the victory celebration.
I think they're going to give us a medal.
I'll be there.
You still don't think that transmission was a Cylon lure, do you?
No. Only now, we'll never know.
Wilker's lab was destroyed in the battle and the recording with it.
So you're waiting here for another transmission.
Yeah.
Boomer rigged a gamma frequency signal booster.
If anything's out there, I should pick it up.
You think it came from Earth, don't you?
I hope it did.
Our first contact with Earth should be her transmission,
something similar to what we saw.
Just looked like an old spacecraft on a routine run to me.
What would you expect, a momentous message?
No, we'll just pick up routine radio or video scans,
nothing extraordinary. To them, anyway.
Now, come on, buddy. Let's join the celebration.
If Earth's out there, we'll find it without you holding vigil.
Yeah, I guess you're right.
STATIC CRACKLING
They're really gonna give us a medal?
Did I say "us"? I think they're just decorating me!
LAUGHING
BUZZ ALDRIN: 300 feet, down three-and—a-half.
47 forward.
50 down and two-and-a-half.
19 forward.
100 feet, three-and-a-half down. Nine forward.
40 feet, down two-and-a-half.
Kicking up some dust. Faint shadow.
CAPCOM: We copy you down, Eagle.
NEIL ARMSTRONG: Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.
ADAMA: Fleeing from the Cylon tyranny,
the last battlestar, Galactica,
leads a ragtag fugitive fleet on a lonely quest,
a shining planet known as Earth.