BATTLESTAR GALACTICA

First Draft
20.5.05

FADE IN:

A STAR FIELD - Credits roll over the background of space.  The following TITLE appears:

“THE TWELVE COLONIES OF MAN WERE FOUNDED IN THE DISTANT PAST BY SETTLERS OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN; KNOWN FOR ALL TIME AS THE ANCESTORS.  OVER TIME, THEY MULTIPLIED AND CAME TO RULE OVER THE TWELVE HOMEWORLDS OF KOLBOL.  THE CIVILIZATION THEY CREATED WENT UNCHALLENGED UNTIL THE RISE OF THE CYLON EMPIRE.  A RAPACIOUS CIVILIZATION BASED ON WAR AND CONQUEST, THE CYLONS FOUGHT THE TWELVE COLONIES FOR A CENTURY AND MORE UNTIL, AT LAST, THE HOPES OF MANY DREAMERS WERE REALIZED, WITH THE NEGOTIATION OF AN ACCORD OF PEACE BETWEEN THE COLONIES AND THE CYLON EMPIRE.”

We find a fleet of Battlestars, enormous aircraft carrier like starships, traveling serenely through space.  We move in on the lead vessel, the enormous ANDROMEDA, ending on a long, horizontal window, wherein are seated THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS around a circular table, adorned in their black ceremonial robes.  In a slightly raised position is COUNSELOR ARCHON, head of the Council.  Standing before them and addressing the Council is COMMANDER ADAMA, a white-haired but strong looking man in his middle-60s.  He bears himself regally, but with an edge of desperation in his voice.

ADAMA:
I stand before you, my friends, to speak the truth.  I and my family are known to this council.  I am not given to hysteria, to demagoguery, or to violence of rhetoric.  I say to you that what has been wrought this day may well be the dawning of a new era that you believe it to be.  The ceremonies you will enact may bring forth that dream of peace we all carry in our souls.  It may be that those who were once our enemies are now worthy indeed of being our friends.  It may be.  But I do not think so.

COUNSELOR ARCHON:
This council is familiar with your politics, Commander Adama.  Must we sit through another oration?

ADAMA:
I have sat in this council for twenty years.  I have neither abdicated nor seceded from it, despite my long-standing dissent from its policies.  I feel I have earned the right to speak.

COUNSELOR ARCHON:
Chancellor Karak, this is decidedly out of order.

CHANCELLOR KARAK:
Commander Adama, how long are you planning to regale us from the loyal opposition?

ADAMA:
No longer than I require, Chancellor.

PROCONSUL BALTAR:
Commander Adama is correct.  I believe his position foolish and misguided, but he has earned the right to speak.

CHANCELLOR KARAK:
You are magnanimous in victory Proconsul Baltar.  You may continue, Commander.

ADAMA:
Man has dreamed of peace for a millenium.  It is no small dream, it is the very essence of our existence.  Human beings have sought a way out of war since the dawn of our generations, and now is no exception.  But, like all dreams, peace can be intoxicating, blinding, and, ultimately, it can make men weak, foolish, and gullible.  They lie down when they should stand, they retreat when they should attack, they are silent when they should speak.

The Cylon civilization has sought domination over this galaxy for a hundred generations.  Their war upon the freedom of this quadrant is a hundred years old and more.  Their way of life is war, their civilization based upon slavery, their only faith is conquest, their only ambition empire.  I do not believe that this ambition has been, can be, abandoned.  It is the very essence of the Cylon civilization.  Those things we value: space, freedom, the right to coast the stars at our will and not the behest or permission of tyrants; all these things are meaningless to the Cylon.  He believes only in power, and he considers our desire for peace and for freedom to be the foolish whimsy of a weak and cowardly species.

The peace that you seek to sign today is doomed to failure; not because of any machinations of fate, but because of the very nature of our enemy. I hope and I pray that your folly will not prove as costly as I fear it will.

He sits.

CHANCELLOR KARAK:
Proconsul Baltar, as head of the peace delegation, do you wish to reply to Commander Adama's statement?

PROCONSUL BALTAR rises from his seat.  He is a tall, thin man with a hawk’s nose and a shock of thick, black hair 
which comes to an end in a prominent widow’s peak.  He carries with him an air of incipient authority.

BALTAR:
My friends, we are facing a revolutionary moment in human history.  A moment for which so many of our forefathers dreamed, but which all but us were doomed to long for in vain.  We are the privileged men of history, it is to us that fate has handed the honor of receiving that greatest of all gifts: simple peace.  Now I understand, believe me I understand, that there are those who mistrust, who do not believe, who are certain that the age of fear has not yet past, and are determined to pursue this war until it brings about the destruction of the Cylon people...or perhaps ourselves.

I understand them, my friends, because in a war such as ours, which has been fought for so long and with such bitterness and loss on both sides, it could not be otherwise.  I understand them, but I am not among them.  I believe that peace is possible between our two great civilizations.  I believe that men of goodwill do indeed exist on both sides of this tragic conflict.  I believe that the moment of truth...the moment of greatness is upon us.  Let us not shrink from it.

He sits.  The council applauds.

CHANCELLOR KARAK:
Commander Adama, it is the will of this council that you should join us in five hours time at the signing ceremony of the Covenant of Peace between the peoples of the Homeworlds and the Cylon Empire.  Should you refuse, no censure will be mounted against you, but we must hear your answer now.

ADAMA:
I will bow to the will of this council, as always.

KARAK smiles at his old friend.

KARAK:
I, for one, am pleased.  Honorable members, this council is adjourned.  You may return to your ships until the hour of rendezvous with the Cylon emissaries.

The council members rise and make their way out.  KARAK stops ADAMA at the door.

KARAK:
What has become of you, old friend?  You were once an idealist, why have you deserted us now?

ADAMA:
My friend, I have abandoned no one.  It is you who have abandoned me, and, I fear, abandoned our people to slaughter.

KARAK:
Be careful, Adama.  What you are speaking is treason before this council.  I warn you, there are already murmurings for your censure and removal.  I cannot protect you forever.

ADAMA:
I do not ask protection, Karak, and it gives me no pleasure to say such things.  I wish that I thought as you do, but the Cylons are a race of tyrants, and the tyrant never surrenders his power but at the point of a sword.

KARAK:
Then I fear you are lost.

ADAMA:
If what I fear does indeed come to pass, my friend, then we are all lost.

He leaves, KARAK watches him go, his face forlorn with sadness for his old friend.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA SHUTTLE

ADAMA enters the shuttle, where the PILOT and his lieutenant, ZEVI are waiting.

ZEVI:
How did it go, sir?

ADAMA:
I lost Zev.

ZEVI:
I'm sorry, sir.

ADAMA:
So am I.  Take her out.  I want to go home.

CUT TO:

EXT. GALACTICA SHUTTLE

The shuttle detaches itself from the ANDROMEDA flagship and, dwarfed by the enormous vessels of the fleet, makes its way to the GALACTICA, a battlestar-class starship similar in design, though smaller, than the ANDROMEDA.  The shuttle slowly enters the GALACTICA docking bay and lands.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA SHUTTLE BAY

ADAMA disembarks from the shuttle.  The awaiting guard salutes him, but he doesn't notice their presence.

ADAMA:
Zev, how many pilots are scheduled for the ceremonies?

ZEVI:
Fifteen of our best sir.  I've issued leave to the remainder.

ADAMA:
Cancel them all.  I want them on duty until we arrive at rendezvous.

ZEVI:
Do you think that's wise, sir?

ADAMA:
Yes, lieutenant, I do.

ZEVI:
I'll see to it.

ADAMA:
And tell my son to meet me in my quarters.

ZEVI:
Yes sir.

CUT TO:

EXT. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA

We PAN away from the docking bay, passing over the massive vessel as it glides through space.  We stop at a small window near the back of the ship, just ahead of its massive engines.  We CLOSE IN on the window until we find ourselves in:

INT. STARBUCK’S CABIN

Inside, we find three young pilots playing cards.  They are ADAMA’s son, APOLLO, his brother ZAK, and their friend STARBUCK.  APOLLO is dark haired, with bushy eyebrows and a largish nose.  He has his father’s serious, intense expression.  He seems always to be thinking of something.  His brother is smaller and fairer skinned, with ginger hair and an air of childishness about him.  STARBUCK is a born gambler, a blond, broad-smiling hot shot with a cigar stuffed in the side of his mouth and a glass of the notoriously potent Althurian whiskey sitting on the table in front of him.  He has a spark in his eyes, as if knows the odds are running his way.

APOLLO:
I fold.

STARBUCK:
Apollo, even the sons of council members have to live a little.

APOLLO:
Too rich for my blood.

STARBUCK:
Caution is the enemy of all great Bandau players.

APOLLO:
Isn’t that what people usually say before they lose their shirts?

STARBUCK:
Hey, count yourself lucky.  When the Bandauians invented this they used to sacrifice the loser to their gods.

APOLLO:
Well, that certainly puts me in my place, Starbuck.

STARBUCK:
I’m surrounded by cowards.  How about you, Zak?

ZAK:
I’ll call.

STARBUCK lays out his cards and puffs his cigar.

STARBUCK:
Sorry, kid.  You can’t win them all.

ZAK smiles a halfway smile and lays down his cards.  STARBUCK’s face registers his shock. He has lost.  ZAK scoops up his money.

ZAK:
Sorry, old timer, what goes up must come down.

APOLLO starts laughing uproariously.

STARBUCK:
What are you laughing at?

ZAK starts laughing also.

STARBUCK:
Aristocrats.

ZAK:
Another one?

STARBUCK:
Hell, why not?  Double or nothing.

APOLLO:
I’m out.

STARBUCK:
Imagine my surprise.

He starts dealing the cards.  APOLLO leans back with his drink.

STARBUCK:
Careful with that stuff, Apollo, its not for kids.

APOLLO:
I’ll make sure to keep it away from you, Starbuck.

STARBUCK:
Ah, another razor-sharp retort.  Just a matter of time before you’re debating on the Council floor, kid.

APOLLO chuckles.

APOLLO:
Never in a million years.  I’m a pilot…always will be.

ZAK:
Pretty soon we’re all gonna be out of a job.

STARBUCK:
Yeah, I’ll have to start working for my money.

ZAK:
Seriously, guys.  What’s everybody going to do, now that the war’s over?

STARBUCK:
I think I’ll get a house on the Homeworlds, raise Balthorian rabbits.

APOLLO:
The ones with the six-inch fangs?

STARBUCK:
I’ve always loved a challenge.

ZAK:
I think I’ll go into the Explorers Corps.

STARBUCK:
The what?

APOLLO:
It’s the new plan.  Their going to divert the funds they’ve been spending on the military and form an Exploration Corps.  Send them to the outer parsecs, form new colonies.

STARBUCK:
No shit.

ZAK:
Sounds like fun to me.

STARBUCK:
That aint for me.  Flying colony freighters, supply convoys…that aint flying, that’s steering.

APOLLO:
Well, it might not matter, anyways.

STARBUCK:
What does that mean?

APOLLO:
Nothing…nothing…

ZAK:
Apollo doesn’t think the Cylons will sign in the end.

APOLLO:
No, they’ll sign…but sooner or later…I don’t know, peace treaties are easy to break.  Start an incident in one of the outer colonies, border disputes…I don’t know…Cut the military forces by fifty percent, the Viper Corps by seventy percent…I don’t like it.

STARBUCK:
Well, I’ll tell you this, as long as I can get a good cigar, some cards that are going my way, and a decent ship to fly, don’t matter to me if we fight the Cylons or the Hajarin or whoever.

APOLLO:
That’s a very principled stance, Starbuck.

STARBUCK:
What can I tell you, kid?  If you ask me, you aristocrats worry too much about this stuff.  There’ll always be something for you folks to fight over, don’t worry about that.

APOLLO smiles ruefully.  ZAK looks confused.

ZAK:
Well, I think its something.  All these years of fighting and finally…well, I think its something.

APOLLO:
Yeah.  It’s something I guess.

His wrist communicator beeps.

APOLLO:
(Into communicator)
Apollo here.

ZEVI:
(Over communicator)
Apollo, your father requests that you meet him in his quarters.

APOLLO:
I’m on my way.

ZEVI:
Brink Zak and Starbuck with you.

APOLLO:
(Looking suddenly concerned)
Alright, tell him we’re coming.

ZAK and STARBUCK look at him, confused.

APOLLO:
Games over, boys.

CUT TO:

INT. ADAMA’S QUARTERS

COMMANDER ADAMA is sitting at his desk, studying star maps.  His quarters are sparse but elegant.  A painting of an orange nebula stretches across the wall.  Through the window, we can see the stars slowly drifting by.  An antique sword stands in a case in the corner.  Behind him is a shelf filled with old-looking books.  The door buzzer beeps.

ADAMA:
Come in.

The door slides open and APOLLO, STARBUCK and ZAK enter.

ADAMA:
(Smiling)
Hello boys.  Starbuck.

They nod.

ADAMA:
At ease, gentlemen.  Sit, please.

He gets up from behind his desk.  They sit on a synthetic leather sofa.  ADAMA sits in across from them in an antique-looking rocking chair.

ADAMA:
Your mother gave me this chair.  Six months before she died.  At times…it comforts me.

APOLLO:
Is everything alright, father?

ADAMA says nothing for a moment, just rocks back and forth looking pensively at his hands.  Then he stops and looks up, his eyes suddenly intense.

ADAMA:
What I’m going to ask of you is of the most deadly seriousness.  If I’m wrong, it could end your careers and mine.  If I’m right…well, I’m not sure I want to contemplate the possibilities.

The boys look at each other, confused.

APOLLO:
Father, I don’t think we’re following you.

ADAMA leans back in his chair and sighs.

ADAMA:
When you get to be my age, you start to see things clearly for the first time in your life; and you start to wonder at all these men younger than you who think they can see as far and as clearly as you can, and you start to worry about what they’re capable of.

He leans forward, suddenly very intense.

ADAMA:
Gentlemen, I don’t believe the Cylons are going to sign this treaty.  I don’t know what they’re after and I don’t know what they’re planning, but I do know one thing: the Cylon empire will never rest until the human race is wiped off the face of this galaxy.

The boys exchange shocked glances.

ADAMA:
Gentlemen, what I’m saying to you right now is treason.  The Council has voted, the decision is irrevocable.

APOLLO:
Why are you telling us this?

ADAMA:
(Smiling)
You are my sons, and I love you, and I know that you love me.
(To STARBUCK)
Starbuck, you have been a friend to my sons since childhood; your family fought with the House of Adama for a century.  If I cannot trust the three of you, than I can trust no one; and that, I will not accept.

STARBUCK:
My apologies for being forward, sir, but what do you want us to do?

ADAMA:
This.

He presses a button on the table between them and it lights up into a viewscreen.  He presses some more buttons and a star chart appears on the screen.

ADAMA:
This is Sector 14.  We are to meet the Cylon delegation at the border between Sectors 14 and 15.  About nine centons from here.

STARBUCK:
That’s about four hours away.

ADAMA:
Yes, exactly.  Now, roughly halfway there, on our current course, we will be here.

He points to a grid on the map, which quickly magnifies to show a bright red star orbited elliptically by two planets.

STARBUCK:
The Arathon twins.

ADAMA:
Yes.  It’s a binary system of two planets orbiting a red giant.  Due to the nature of the planets’ orbits and its proximity to the Chasik nebula, this system produces massive amounts of Gamma radiation.  This renders all ship to ship communication impossible and external sensors useless.

STARBUCK:
Yeah, we use it for visual-only flight training.

ADAMA:
Exactly.

APOLLO:
What are you driving at, father?

ADAMA:
I want to make it clear that none of you are under any obligation to undertake the task I am about to ask of you.  Your refusal will not be held against you in any way.
(He pauses.)
I want the three of you to take your Vipers into the Arathon system.

APOLLO:
You want us to fly military fighters into a peaceful system, during a ceremonial peace mission?

ADAMA:
Yes.

APOLLO:
You understand, if discovered, the seriousness of such an incident?

ADAMA:
That, my son, is why I put it to you.

APOLLO:
What do expect us to find there?

ADAMA:
I’m not sure.  But, if you find what I think you’re going to find, no one is going to bother with a court martial.

The boys nod, realizing the seriousness of what is about to happen.

ADAMA:
Nothing I will ever ask of you in the future will be as important as what I am asking of you now.  Gentlemen, what is your answer?

CUT TO:

INT. VIPER LAUNCH BAY

The hanger is dark, the sleek looking fighters standing silent vigil over the abandoned launch bay.  We track past the sentinel vessels until we find a young flight commander sleeping in a corner, his sleeping bag pulled up to his chin.  His name is BOOMER.

The doors slide open and APOLLO, ZAK and STARBUCK enter.  APOLLO squats and shakes BOOMER awake.

APOLLO:
Boomer…wake up.

BOOMER:
I’m awake, I’m awake.

He gets groggily to his feet.

STARBUCK:
Catchin’ some shuteye on sentry duty?

BOOMER:
Come on, it’s a peace mission, give me a break.

APOLLO:
Boomer, we need your help.

BOOMER:
What’s up?

APOLLO:
You remember that Cylon attack squadron outside Gantares?

BOOMER:
Yeah, I owe you one for that…(pause) What do you need?

CUT TO:

The four pilots are looking at a small viewscreen on the wall of the launch bay.

APOLLO:
Is there a way to get us off the ship without attracting attention?

BOOMER:
Well, if we wait for the 06:00 garbage dump.  I should be able to detach the docking clamps and just let you drift out there.  You’ll have to run silent until the fleet passes, but I think it’s doable.

STARBUCK:
We’re gonna have to play it tight, make sure we don’t bang each other around out there.

ZAK:
Piece of cake.

APOLLO:
Watch yourself, little brother.

BOOMER:
What’s the margin for error?

APOLLO:
Zero.  We get it right the first time or we’ll all be up on charges.

BOOMER:
After this, you’re gonna owe me big time.

STARBUCK:
You worry too much, Boomer, live a little.

APOLLO:
Can we get the Vipers out without a flight crew?

BOOMER:
I think so, we’ll have to scramble, but we’ll get ‘em out there.

APOLLO:
I knew we could count on you Boom.

BOOMER:
Hell man, I don’t trust these Cylon bastards any more than your old man does.  Aint no secret about that.

APOLLO:
You know what my dad always said: a squadron of Viper pilots could run the Council better than the clowns they got now.

BOOMER:
Your father’s a good man.

APOLLO:
Let’s hope he’s also right.

CUT TO:

INT. BATTLESTAR ANDROMEDA BRIDGE

CHANCELLOR KARAK is standing astride the bridge of the great flagship.  PROCONSUL BALTAR stands beside him.  They are watching a viewscreen showing the great fleet before them.

KARAK:
Extraordinary, isn’t it Proconsul?  For decades a fleet like this would have had only one purpose; and now we see it in all its glory, set forth in the cause of peace.

BALTAR:
A moment of destiny, Chancellor.

KARAK:
And due entirely to you, Proconsul.

BALTAR:
You flatter me, Chancellor.  I am merely a servant of history.

KARAK:
Your modesty becomes you, Baltar.  But it is misplaced.  You alone had the courage to approach the Cylons with the possibility of reconciliation.  Without your original secret negotiations our mutual distrust could never have been overcome.

ENSIGN:
Chancellor, we are approaching the Arathon system.  Standing by for sensor blackout.

CHANCELLOR:
You may proceed, Ensign.

ENSIGN:
All vessels, we are approaching the Arathon system, stand by for sensor blackout.

BALTAR:
If you’ll excuse me, Chancellor, I’d like to take some time for private meditation.

CHANCELLOR:
Of course, Proconsul.  We will inform you when we approach the rendezvous point.

BALTAR:
Then I take my leave of you Chancellor.

He steps off the command platform and exits the bridge.

CUT TO:

INT. VIPER LAUNCH BAY

ZAK, STARBUCK and APOLLO are boarding their fighters.  BOOMER is working the buttons on the launch console.

APOLLO:
Stay sharp out there boys.  This is not a pleasure cruise.

ZAK:
Ready for some real flying, Starbuck?

STARBUCK:
Just watch yourself out there youngster.

BOOMER:
Two minutes to sensor blackout.  Stand by.

The pilots don their flight helmets, and the cockpit tops slowly close.

CUT TO:

INT. ANDROMEDA HALLWAY

BALTAR is striding purposely down the hallway.  Several soldiers stand to attention and salute him.  He returns the salute and smiles.  He steps into the elevator and the doors close.  On the doors are written: ELEVATOR TO SHUTTLE BAY 12.

CUT TO:

INT. VIPER LAUNCH BAY

APOLLO presses a button and his navigation screens light up.

APOLLO:
Communications active, all pilots report in.

STARBUCK:
Starbuck here, captain.

ZAK:
Zak here, brother.

APOLLO:
That’s captain to you little brother.

ZAK:
(smiling)
Yes, sir.

BOOMER:
This is gonna be bumpy, boys, hold on.

The airlock doors close behind the fighters and the launch doors open.  Beyond the doors there is only the vast emptiness of space, marked only by the shining red of the binary stars and beyond it the nebula stretching off into infinity.

APOLLO:
Good luck, gentlemen.  Lets bring ‘em back in one piece.

BOOMER:
Releasing docking clamps.  Be careful out there.

The clamps holding the fighters in place release, and a burst of compressed gas propels them forwards.  They slowly drift off out the airlock.

CUT TO:

EXT. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA

Against the great mass of the starship, we see the three small Vipers drifting away towards the binary stars.

CUT TO:

INT. APOLLO’S COCKPIT

The viewscreen flickers and then turns to static.

APOLLO:
Sensor blackout.  Let’s hit it boys!

He slams on the thrusters.

EXT. SPACE

The engines of the Vipers spring to life and they fly off in formation towards the binary stars.  We see the fleet slowly slipping past them.

CUT TO:

INT. SHUTTLE

BALTAR enters a small, cramped shuttle and starts pressing buttons.  Lights and screens spring to life.

COMPUTER VOICE:
This is an unauthorized launch, please identify.

BALTAR:
Override command Baltar, Proconsul, 39670004.

COMPUTER VOICE:
Override command accepted, Proconsul. You are cleared for takeoff.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ADAMA enters the red-lit bridge.  The crew is relaxed, nonchalantly watching the red nebula through the windows.

ZEVI:
Beautiful, isn’t it, sir?

ADAMA:
How long until we come out of sensor blackout?

ZEVI:
One minute thirty-one seconds, sir.

ADAMA:
Good.

CUT TO:

INT. BALTAR’S SHUTTLE

BALTAR presses the launch button and the hatch doors open, revealing the darkness of space.  He hits the thrusters and the craft takes off.

CUT TO:

EXT. BATTLESTAR ANDROMEDA

The shuttle pulls out of the bay and takes off into space.

CUT TO:

EXT. THE NEBULA

The three Vipers are rounding the perimeter of the nebula, behind them we see the breathtaking sight of a binary system.

STARBUCK:
I’m beginning to think your father’s chasing ghosts out here.

APOLLO:
You could be right.

ZAK:
We should head back before fuel levels get critical.

STARBUCK:
Just keep your head together, cowboy, we’ll get home all right.

APOLLO:
Hold on, I’m rounding the perimeter rim.

APOLLO’s Viper pulls ahead and rounds the rim of the nebula.

POV – APOLLO.  As the red gases dissipate, we see, suddenly, a massive armada of small vessels, flat and curved into a wing shape: a Cylon attack squadron.

APOLLO:
Holy shit.

CUT TO:

INT. CYLON FIGHTER COCKPIT

The cockpit is manned by three BATTLEDROIDS, silvery robots created solely for war.  Two pilots are seated up front; above them on a raised seat is the captain.  The cockpit is dark and silent.  Suddenly, the buttons and readouts light up.  A screen reads “UNIDENTIFIED TARGET SIGHTED”.

CU – BATTLEDROID VISOR.  A single red eye lights up and begins to travel horizontally back and forth.

CUT TO:

INT. APOLLO’S VIPER COCKPIT

APOLLO is still staring, mesmerized, at the fleet.

APOLLO:
I count at least a hundred, maybe more.

STARBUCK:
I don’t think this is a peace delegation.

APOLLO:
Neither do I.

He hits the long range radio button on his helmet.

APOLLO:
Galactica, Galactica, this is Apollo, do you read?

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ZEVI is listening on his headseat, he looks puzzled.

ZEVI:
Commander, we’re receiving an emergency transmission from someone claiming to be Captain Apollo, but we haven’t authorized any flights to…

ADAMA:
Patch it through lieutenant.

ZEVI:
But sir…

ADAMA:
Do it Zev.

ZEVI presses a button and the message comes on over the bridge PA.

APOLLO’S VOICE:
Galactica, Galactica, this is an emergency transmission from Captain Apollo!

CUT TO:

INT. APOLLO’S COCKPIT

APOLLO now looks in earnest, and slightly shaken.

APOLLO:
We have sighted a Cylon battle squadron on the far side of the Chasik nebula!

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ADAMA closes his eyes for a moment, his brow furrowed, his worst fears are realized.

APOLLO’S VOICE:
I repeat, we have sighted a Cylon attack squadron on the far side of the…

CUT TO:

INT. CYLON FIGHTER COCKPIT

We hear APOLLO’s intercepted message playing.  One of the BATTLEDROIDS presses a button.  On the viewscreen, the readout reads “JAMMING TRANSMISSION”.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ADAMA opens his eyes as the transmission suddenly cuts off.  There is only static.

ZEVI:
Come in, Captain Apollo, come in! (He looks up at ADAMA.)  The transmission’s gone, sir.

ADAMA looks out the window at the nebula. He seems lost in a trance.

CUT TO:

THE VIPERS

APOLLO:
Come in, Galactica, do you read?  Galactica, come in!

ZAK:
What’s wrong?

APOLLO:
I’ve lost the Galactica, I can’t raise them.

STARBUCK:
They’re jamming the transmission.

APOLLO:
That means…

STARBUCK:
They know we’re here.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

Three fighters suddenly break off from the squadron and come careening towards the Vipers.

CUT TO:

THE VIPERS

STARBUCK:
I think its time to get the hell out of here.

APOLLO:
I think you’re right.  Lets go!

The three fighters do a long loop and ignite their main thrusters, heading off on a reverse course, with the Cylon fighters close behind.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

The crew looks at a loss to understand what is going on.  ADAMA is still speechless, looking out at the far nebula.

ZEVI:
Sir?  Sir, what are your orders?  Sir, should we should inform the command ship?  Sir?

ADAMA turns slowly to face his second in command.  He speaks in a fearful, low voice, almost a whisper.

ADAMA:
Lieutenant, sound general quarters.  All hands will stand to battle stations.

ZEVI looks at him for a moment, uncomprehending, then he nods.

ZEVI:
Aye, aye, sir.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA CORRIDOR

Red lights flash and a klaxon sounds.

COMPUTER VOICE:
All hands to battle stations!  All hands to battle stations!

Crew members look baffled for a minute, then begin to run towards their appointed posts.

CUT TO:

INT. GUNNERY BAY

The gunnery crews don their suits and begin to load the Galactica’s large side cannons.

CUT TO:

INT. LAUNCH BAY

Flight crews and pilots are running to their positions.

BOOMER wakes up and blinks in the flashing red light.  Suddenly he realized what is going on and smiles.

BOOMER:
About goddam time.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The three Vipers flash past us, pursued by the Cylon’s who are firing their cannons relentlessly after them.

INT. APOLLO’S COCKPIT

We see the tracers flitting by past his cockpit.

APOLLO:
Let get rid of these jokers.  Stand by attack pattern Gamma!  You up for that, Zak!

ZAK:
Ready when you are Captain!

APOLLO:
On my mark.  Three, two, one…mark!

CUT TO:

THE VIPERS

The three fighters suddenly turn and dive in three separate directions.  The Cylons hurtle past them.  APOLLO pulls in behind one of the fighters and opens fire, the tracers catch the vessel on the wing; it spins out of control and explodes.

ZAK pulls a similar maneuver coming in fast, just under the enemy’s wings and taking him out in an explosion of cannon fire.

STARBUCK:
Not bad, kid, now watch a professional.

STARBUCK goes into a steep dive, then pulls up and loops around the last fighter, coming up from directly below and blasting it into pieces from beneath.

STARBUCK:
Goddam I’m good!  Shit!

CUT TO:

INT. ZAK’S COCKPIT

He doesn’t respond; he is looking off to the side, with a look of incomprehension on his face.

ZAK:
I think were in serious trouble.

POV – ZAK.  The entire Cylon attack fleet is coming around the rim of the Nebula, heading for the three pilots.

CUT TO:

INT. STARBUCK’S COCKPIT

STARBUCK:
There’s a time to fight and a time to run like hell, boys.  This is definitely a time to run.

APOLLO:
Back to the Galactica!  Now!

CUT TO:

THE VIPERS

The three fighters turn and blast off at full speed.  The Cylon fleet follows in hot pursuit.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ADAMA is looking intently at the nebula, he still sees nothing.

ZEVI:
Commander, we have an incoming message from the Andromeda.

ADAMA:
Patch it through.

The imagine of KARAK appears in a hologram before ADAMA.

KARAK:
Commander, our instruments read that your crew has stood to battle stations.

ADAMA:
That is correct Chancellor.

KARAK:
That is a direct violation of mission protocol, as you are well aware.

ADAMA:
Chancellor, I have received information of a Cylon attack fleet behind the Chasik nebula, it is our assessment that an attack is imminent.

KARAK:
What information?

ADAMA:
A patrol spotted…

KARAK:
A patrol?  You were not authorized to send any patrols!

ADAMA:
No Chancellor, it was sent on my own initiative.

KARAK:
Commander, you understand the seriousness of that act?

ADAMA:
I do.

KARAK:
This is more than can be tolerated, Adama.  It pains me deeply, but you were warned, my friend.  You are relieved of command.

But ADAMA is not listening, he is looking out the window, where suddenly the Cylon attack fleet can be seen, and the three hapless Vipers on their desperate escape.

ZEVI:
Sir, we have visual contact! Cylon attack fleet approaching fast!

ADAMA:
(to KARAK)
I’m afraid I can’t obey, Chancellor.

KARAK:
Adama, this is treason!

ADAMA:
No my friend, its war.  When it’s over, you can relieve me, if we survive.

KARAK:
Adama!  Adama?

ADAMA closes the transmission, the holograph disappears.

ADAMA:
God help us all.

CUT TO:

INT. ANDROMEDA BRIDGE

CHANCELLOR KARAK stands up, infuriated, and turns to his FIRST OFFICER.

KARAK:
Order a security squad to Galactica, Commander Adama is to be relieved and taken into custody.

But the FIRST OFFICER is not looking at him, he is staring past him out the window.

KARAK:
What is it?

He turns, and his face goes pale.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The Cylon fleet opens fire, a storm of torpedoes hurtle towards the undefended fleet.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ZEVI looks up suddenly from his panel.

ZEVI:
The Cylons are firing, sir!  Concussion torpedoes incoming!

ADAMA:
Open counterfire!  Bring those Vipers in!

ZEVI:
Yes sir!

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The GALACTICA’s guns open fire, the tracers lancing across space, the torpedoes exploding on impact.

The other ships are undefended, and the torpedoes slam home with devastating effect.  A small vessel explodes into fragments.  One of the Battlestars, mortally wounded, begins to drift off course.  Other vessels explode in gouts of metal and flame.

CUT TO:

INT. ANDROMEDA BRIDGE

The entire bridge shakes with the impact of a torpedo.  Through the windows, we can see other ships exploding.

FIRST OFFICER:
Sir, we’ve lost engines and the hull is breached on decks 16-31!

KARAK:
It must be a mistake!  Why are they attacking?!  Open communications channels!

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER:
All channels are jammed sir!

KARAK:
Where is Proconsul Baltar?  Find him!

CUT TO:

THE VIPERS

APOLLO:
Galactica, Galactica!  We request emergency landing, and we’re bringing company with us!

BOOMER:
We read you, Viper squadron!  Landing pattern Theta, ready for you coming in fast!

STARBUCK:
Good to hear your voice, Boom!

BOOMER:
You and me both, you crazy bastards!

APOLLO:
Lets do it!  Zak, stay close!

ZAK:
I’m on it!

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ADAMA clicks open a channel to the launch bay.

ADAMA:
Boomer, bring them in safely.

BOOMER:
We’ll do our best, sir!

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The Vipers come in towards the launch bay at full speed, a group of Cylons are close behind, blasting away.

CUT TO:

INT. STARBUCK’S COCKPIT

STARBUCK:
Good luck, boys, I’m goin’ in!

CUT TO:

INT. LAUNCH BAY

STARBUCK’s Viper comes careening into the launch bay, fires its retro rockets, bounces off the flight deck, spewing sparks in all directions, and then comes to a stop.

BOOMER:
One home, two to go!

STARBUCK’s cockpit opens and he clambers out, pulling off his helmet.

STARBUCK:
How’s that for a full speed landing?

BOOMER:
Don’t get cocky, brother.

CUT TO:

INT. APOLLO’S COCKPIT

APOLLO:
Zak, we go in together! Keep your nose up and hit the brakes as soon as we clear the hatch!

ZAK:
I’m with you brother!

APOLLO:
Let’s go!

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The two fighters, almost on top of each other, hone in on the launch bay.  As they turn for the final approach, a blast from the Cylons hits ZAK’s wing, and he careens into APOLLO’s fighter.

CUT TO:

INT. ZAK’S COCKPIT

ZAK:
I’m hit!  I’m hit!

APOLLO:
Keep it steady, we can make it!

CUT TO:

INT. LAUNCH BAY

The two fighters, locked together and one mortally damaged, come crashing into the launch bay.  APOLLO hits his retro rockets full blast but its too late, the fighters hit the deck nose down and go crashing along the entire length of the flight deck, sending crew members running for cover and smashing planes and equipment into pieces.  The two fighters break away, and APOLLO’s crashes headlong into the side wall, dragging a cascade of sparks until it comes to a stop.  ZAK’s, however, smashes nose first into another fighter and explodes into flame.

CU – STARBUCK AND BOOMER.  The flames light up their horrified faces.

CU - APOLLO pushes open his cockpit and pulls off his helmet.  His nose and forehead are bloody but he appears largely unhurt.  He looks at the exploding carcass of his brother’s plane, as crew members rush to put out the fire, with a look of shock and dismay.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

CU - ADAMA has the same look, as the radio reports of the disaster ring in the background.

ZEVI:
Sir?  Are you all right, sir?

ADAMA:
Zev, hit them with everything we’ve got.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The Galactica opens fire with full batteries.  The Cylon fighters disintegrate under the heavy fire.

CUT TO:

EXT. LAUNCH BAY

Squadrons of Vipers come streaming out of the Galactica, slicing through the Cylon lines in a hail of cannon fire and flame.

CUT TO:

INT. ANDROMEDA BRIDGE

KARAK is staring at the disaster, uncomprehending.  A SECURITY DETAIL enters the bridge, their Sergeant salutes.

SARGEANT:
Sir, proconsul Baltar is not aboard the ship.

KARAK:
What?

SARGEANT:
We believe he left in an unauthorized shuttle several hours ago, using his override code.

KARAK is speechless; he sinks down into his command chair.

FIRST OFFICER:
Sir?  Sir, what are your orders sir?

WE CLOSE IN on KARAK as the full magnitude of what is happening becomes clear to him for the first time.

Through the window, we see the ship next to the Andromeda explode into an orange fireball.  The ship shakes and we see pieces of debris hurtling away into space.

KARAK:
Betrayal…betrayal…may the gods preserve us…

Through the windows, we see a massive torpedo slam into the Andromeda, the entire bridge shakes and the lights go dim.

FIRST OFFICER:
Sir, the reactor is breached!

KARAK does not answer.

FIRST OFFICER:
Chancellor, we must evacuate!

KARAK looks up at him, his eyes glazed.

KARAK:
Yes.  Yes, sound the evacuation.

CUT TO:

INT. ANDROMEDA PASSAGEWAY

A klaxon sounds and lights glow red.

COMPUTER VOICE:
Evacuate!  Evacuate!  All hands to escape pods.

CUT TO:

CREWS abandoning their posts.

CUT TO:

Gunnery crews rushing towards tubes leading out of the gun emplacements.

CUT TO:

People getting into escape pods on the flight deck.  Signs flash reading: “ESCAPE PODS.  DO NOT PANIC”.

CUT TO:

INT. ANDROMEDA BRIDGE

The FIRST OFFICER, carrying his satchel, leans over KARAK.

FIRST OFFICER:
Chancellor, we must go!

KARAK looks up at him, his eyes red with tears.  He says nothing.  The FIRST OFFICER swallows, then dashes for the escape hatch and disappears.  KARAK turns back to the windows, where the battle is erupting before him in flashes of red, gold and steel.

CUT TO:

EXT. ANDROMEDA

The escape pods jettison from the listing vessel.

CUT TO:

INT. ANDROMEDA BRIDGE

KARAK bows his head, as if in benediction, as a great ball of fire consumes him and his ship.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ZEV looks up from his instruments and gestures to ADAMA.

ZEV:
Sir!  The Andromeda!

ADAMA turns just as the great ship before him erupts into a cascade of fire and debris, blasted to smithereens.  The bridge crew gasps in horror and astonishment.

ADAMA:
The fools.  The mad fools.

ZEV:
Sir?

ADAMA:
Zev, order all Battlestars to reconverge in defensive formation.

ZEV:
Sir, we are the only Battlestar.

ADAMA turns to him, his face suddenly registering the full magnitude of the disaster.

ADAMA:
Regroup all ships, prepare for full retreat, recall the fighters!

ZEV:
Aye, aye sir.

ADAMA:
And Zev, call my son to the bridge.  I want to see him alive.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The battle is raging, fighters diving and attacking, the chaos almost indecipherable.  Suddenly we hear a radio message:

RADIO:
All vessels return to Galactica, I repeat, all fighters return to Galactica, prepare for full retreat!

The fighters disengage and turn back towards the great ship.

CUT TO:

INT. LAUNCH BAY

Fighters are landing at full speed, the launch crews rushing to move each fighter out of the way fast enough for the next.  We see BOOMER, his face covered with sweat, in the midst of the carnage.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The Cylon fighters begin to break away as the fleet makes a slow turn away from the battle.

CUT TO:

INT. BRIDGE

The doors open and APOLLO enters with STARBUCK behind them.  ADAMA grabs his son in a bear hug for a moment, then regains his composure.

APOLLO:
Father, Zak is dead.

ADAMA:
I know…(his voice cracks)  Time for mourning later.

ZEVI:
Sir, the Cylon fleet is breaking off the attack.

ADAMA:
What?  They’re not pursuing?

ZEVI:
No sir.

ADAMA:
It doesn’t make sense.  Cylon strategy never involved hit and run attacks.

STARBUCK:
With your permission, sir.

ADAMA:
Of course.

STARBUCK:
The entire attack pattern didn’t make sense.  All short range fighters, no heavy ships involved, no attack stations, it’s as if it were…

ZEV:
A diversionary assault.

WE CLOSE IN on ADAMA, his eyes opening wide.

ADAMA:
My god.

CUT TO:

EXT. PUBLIC SQUARE – DAY

We are on Korboros, the first of the twelve Homeworlds.  A great, bustling, futuristic city.  We are in the midst of a public square, surrounded by enormous, high-rise skyscrapers.  There are hundreds of thousands of people there, watching a pavilion bedecked with a banner which reads: “DAY OF PEACE”.  The crowd is becoming restless, talking amongst themselves.

On the pavilion, an announcer appears and walks to the microphone.  The crowd falls silent.

ANNOUNCER:
Ladies and gentlemen, we are receiving reports of unexplained delays in the arrival of the fleet, possibly due to hostile military action.

There is a murmur of distress among the crowd.

ANNOUNCER:
I want to emphasize that, at the moment, these are only rumors, and any jumping to conclusions will not aid the cause of…

He looks up.  There is a menacing rumbling in the sky.  The crowd raise their heads to see what is going on.

Suddenly, an enormous white beam of light flashes down from the clear blue sky.

CUT TO:

LS – THE CITY.  It explodes in a massive mushroom cloud, the shockwave blasting out in all directions, destroying everything.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

Above the planet, we see the explosion spreading slowly across the surface of the planet, charring and annihilating everything in its wake.  WE PULL BACK and see a Cylon attack station hovering in orbit, two disk-shaped decks joined together at the center and slowly revolving.  As we watch, another white beam emits from its weapons array and another explosion begins to spread across the surface. One by one, we see thousands of small fighters descend downwards towards the surface.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ZEVI is frantically working the communications board, ADAMA leaning over him, his face tense.

ZEVI:
Sir, I can’t establish contact with the Homeworlds.

ADAMA:
Prepare for hyperjump.  All ships to stand by.

APOLLO:
Father.  (ADAMA turns to him.)  If you’re right, and the Cylons are already there, there is no way this ship alone can survive their attack fleet.

ADAMA:
We’ll have to take that chance.

CUT TO:

EXT. CYLON ATTACK STATION

BALTAR’S shuttle flies into view and slowly docks with the massive attack station.  Below we can see the charred mass of what was once Korboros.

CUT TO:

INT. DOCKING BAY

A door slides open and BALTAR steps out of the airlock.  Standing before him are a squadron of Battledroids and a lone figure clad in a black cloak.  He steps forward and we see that under his hood is a humanoid face but with scaled, reptilian skin and glowing red eyes.  He is the CYLON OVERLORD.

OVERLORD:
Welcome to the future, Proconsul.

BALTAR raises his hand in the Cylon salute.

BALTAR:
By your command.

CUT TO:

EXT. THE FLEET

The ships move into position behind the Galactica, readying for a hyperjump.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

The crew are in position, belted into their seats.

ZEVI:
All hands stand by for hyperjump.  Five, four, three, two…

CUT TO:

EXT. THE FLEET

A great, glowing tunnel opens up in front of the fleet, and one by one they blast into the vortex.

CUT TO:

INT. BRIDGE

The crew braces themselves, a thick white light overcomes everything.

FADE TO WHITE

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

Another glowing tunnel appears and the ships hurtle forth from its maw, the Galactica leading the way.

CUT TO:

INT. BRIDGE

The light returns to normal.  ADAMA opens his eyes and his face goes pale.  He unsnaps the belt around his shoulder and stands up, stumbling forward.  The crew is dumbfounded.

REVERSE – through the window, we see the charred remains of Korboros, the light of enormous infernos still visible on the planet’s surface.

ADAMA:
(whispered)
No.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The Galactica pulls into orbit over the scorched planet.

CUT TO:

INT. BRIDGE

ADAMA collects himself and turns to ZEVI.

ADAMA:
Zev, life signs?

ZEVI:
There seem to be some small concentrations of humanoid signatures.  There are survivors.

APOLLO:
I don’t understand, where’s the attack fleet?

ADAMA:
They’ve finished their work here, and there are twelve other worlds to destroy.

There is an ominous silence as the terrible reality sinks in.

ADAMA:
Captain Apollo, I want you to organize a rescue operation.  All available shuttles and ships with landing capability are to descend to the surface and retrieve whoever they can find as fast as they can find them.

APOLLO:
Yes sir.

ADAMA:
Apollo, don’t waste time.  They aren’t far off.

APOLLO:
Yes sir.

He leaves the bridge quickly.

ADAMA:
Starbuck, I want two Viper squadrons to establish a perimeter around the fleet.  I want to know anything and everything that’s coming this way.  You’re in command.

STARBUCK
Yes sir.

ADAMA:
And Starbuck…

STARBUCK:
Yessir?

ADAMA:
Would you…retrieve my son’s body from the flight deck?

STARBUCK:
Yes sir.

ADAMA:
Thank you.

STARBUCK exits as well.  ADAMA turns to ZEVI.
	
ADAMA:
Zev, send out a priority one secured signal to the twelve Homeworlds.  Tell all survivors to converge on this point, if they can.

ZEVI:
Sir, this vessel may not have the capacity to…

ADAMA:
Do it, Zev.  Before there’s nothing left.

ZEVI:
Aye, aye sir.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

We see a legion of shuttles and small vessels beginning to descend towards the planet.  We hear ZEVI’s message.

ZEVI’S VOICE:
All survivors of the Cylon attack, this is Battlestar Galactica.  Rendezvous at coordinates 6 Delta 1789.  I repeat…

We hear a cacophony of responding radio messages playing as ZEVI’s voice continues over them.  They play over the following MONTAGE:

•	Refugees being helped on to a shuttlecraft.

•	Galactica soldiers in battle gear searching through ruined buildings.

•	Shuttles descending into the burning remains of a destroyed city.

•	Flashlights glowing as searchers roam through a collapsed building.

•	Soldiers waving their guns to wave off a panicky crowd of refugees.

•	A crowd of survivors in a charred field running towards a small vessel.

•	Rescue vessels lifting off as others begin to land, people surge towards them.

•	A woman being pulled from the wreckage of a building and hauled onto a shuttle craft

•	Small ships arriving at the Galactica fleet.

•	Refugees being ushered on to the Galactica shuttle deck, which has been turned into a makeshift shelter.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ADAMA, ZEVI, and First Lieutenant LACOLLI, the ship’s navigator are huddled around the bridge’s central star chart.

ADAMA:
What do you think?

LICOLLI:
Well, the fastest route is through the Balmon system, but we have to assume that the Cylon’s figured that out already.

ZEVI:
And that the Cylons will track any jump within five centons.

ADAMA:
No.  You’re right.  There’s only one way out.  The way we came.  A jump to the Chasik nebula, where their instruments can’t track, and then visual only through to the other side.

ZEVI:
Sir, the last time a ship successfully navigated the interior of the Chasik nebula was…

ADAMA:
Can you do it, Lieutenant?

LACOLLI looks at the chart for a moment, then looks back up at his commander.

LACOLLI:
I don’t think we have a choice, do we sir?

ADAMA:
No, Lieutenant.  We don’t.  Plot a course.

LACOLLI:
Aye, sir.

ADAMA:
Zev, I want you to send a message to all vessels, rescue operations will cease in three hours.  Tell them to prepare for hyperjump.  All vessels without jump capacity are to be abandoned and destroyed.

ZEVI:
Yes, sir.

LACOLLI:
Sir?

ADAMA:
Yes?

LACOLLI:
If…when we make it to the far side of the nebula; where are we going?

ADAMA:
Your opinion on that is as good as mine, Lieutenant.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

STARBUCK’s patrol is winging past a small moon and a cloud of asteroids.

STARBUCK:
This is Viper 1, all ships report.

A CHORUS OF VOICES comes over the radio, all reporting normal.

STARBUCK:
All right, let’s make another perimeter run and then call it quits.

A light begins to blink on his scope.

PILOT:
Contact, captain!  Intercept course!

STARBUCK:
I see it!  Verify!

The PILOT stares off into space.

PILOT:
Oh my God.

From around a large moon looms forth an enormous vessel; a Cylon attack station.

PILOT:
Cylon attack ship!  Intercept course!

STARBUCK:
Full retreat!  Now!  Inform Galactica to stand by for hyperjump!

CUT TO:

INT. CYLON BRIDGE

The CYLON OVERLORD looks out the bridge windows at the small squadron of fighters.

BATTLEDROID:
They are retreating, sir.

OVERLORD:
Follow them, Centurion.  Tell the fighter crews to stand by.

BATTLEDROID:
By your command.

The OVERLORD turns to his right, where we see that BALTAR is standing.

OVERLORD:
I believe we have them, Proconsul.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ZEVI turns to ADAMA, a headset in his ear.

ZEVI:
Commander, Starbuck’s wing is reporting in!  They’ve made Cylon contact.  They advise immediate hyperjump.

ADAMA:
Begin the procedure, Zev.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The jump hole begins to open in front of the Galactica.  Starbuck’s wing closes in.

ADAMA:
Starbuck, you have no time to land.  Bring your wing through the jump with us.

STARBUCK:
Hold on, boys; this is gonna be rough!

CUT TO:

INT. CYLON BRIDGE

BATTLEDROID:
They are preparing for hyperjump!

OVERLORD:
They must be stopped!  Open fire!

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The battleship opens up with all batteries, but the Galactica and its ragtag fleet blast through the portal in time.

CUT TO:

INT. CYLON BRIDGE

OVERLORD:
Follow them in!  They must not escape us!

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The great battleship and fighters follow through the jump portal.

CUT TO:

The jump portal opens and the Galactica and its fleet emerge into open space, the Cylon fleet right behind them.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ZEVI:
They’re right on top of us sir!

ADAMA:
Into the nebula!  Flank speed!

CUT TO:

INT. SPACE

The Galactica banks towards the red mass of the Chasik nebula.  The Cylon fleet opens fire in hot pursuit.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

The vessel shakes as the Cylon fire hits home.

ADAMA:
Steady as she goes, Lieutenant.

ZEVI:
Aye sir.

CUT TO:

INT. CYLON BRIDGE

The OVERLORD stares at his disappearing prize.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The Galactica breaches the border of the nebula and disappears, its fleet following behind.

CUT TO:

INT. CYLON BRIDGE

NAVIGATOR:
The Galactica has entered the Nebula.

OVERLORD:
Follow them in!

CENTURION:
Sir, in the nebula…

OVERLORD:
I don’t intend to see my victory sullied.  Not today!

CUT TO:

EXT. NEBULA

The Galactica banks away from the pursuing Cylons as they enter the Nebula.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ADAMA:
All stop, silent running.

ZEVI:
Yes sir.

CUT TO:

EXT. NEBULA

The vessels stop, hanging motionless among the crimson clouds.

Slowly, the Cylon vessels slide past them, unseeing, their instruments useless.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ADAMA and his crew look out into the clouds, waiting.

CUT TO:

EXT. NEBULA

The Cylon vessels disappear into the nebula.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ADAMA turns to ZEVI.

ADAMA:
Zev, recall the fighters.  All vessels to remain in position until further orders.

ZEVI:
Aye sir.

CUT TO:

INT. CYLON BRIDGE

The OVERLORD looks out into the clouds.  His face impassive.

CENTURION:
No sign of them, sir.

OVERLORD:
Bring us out of the nebula; establish a perimeter for seven centons in all directions.  They must not escape.

CENTURION:
By your command.

The OVERLORD turns to BALTAR, whose face suddenly turns pale.

OVERLORD:
I’m afraid, proconsul; that we will have to extend your sojourn with us.

BALTAR:
This was not part of our agreement.

OVERLORD:
It is now.  Take him away.

The BATTLEDROIDS lead BALTAR away.  The OVERLORD turns back to the forward screen.

FADE TO:

EXT. NEBULA

The GALACTICA lies motionless among the swirling clouds.  We CLOSE IN on the conference room window, and into:

INT. GALACTICA CONFERENCE CHAMBER

ADAMA sits at the head of the table, APOLLO seated behind him.  Around them sit the new members of the High Council.

ADAMA:
It is with a heavy heart that I accept the unanimous nomination of this council.  This is no longer merely a council of government.  Our task now is nothing less than the survival of the human race.  The House of Adama has ever stood for the defense of our people in the face of its enemies; we will not fail you now.

COUNSELOR VARAGON rises.

VARAGON:
The first order of business must be the food situation.

A murmer of agreement rises around the table.

ADAMA:
We are aware of the situation.  All our efforts are underway, under control of my son, Apollo.

APOLLO stands up.

APOLLO:
I’m sure you all appreciate the problem of supply; considering that we are now carrying well over a hundred thousand refugees from twelve different worlds…

COUNSELOR HORVAI:
Excuses!  Always excuses!

COUNSELOR VARAGON:
What would you have him do?

HORVAI:
My people are starving!

VARAGON:
We are all starving!

A chorus of shouting goes up around the table.

ADAMA:
Enough!  Order, gentlemen!  Order!

HORVAI:
I tell you now, Commander, without action I will have anarchy on the Sojourner within a week!

VARAGON:
Typical, he can’t even control a woman, let alone a starship!

ADAMA looks puzzled.

ADAMA:
Explain.

HORVAI:
I have a…social problem on my vessel, sir.

ADAMA:
A social problem?

VARAGON snorts with contempt.

VARAGON:
A prophetess.

CUT TO:

EXT. NEBULA

A small shuttle leaves the Galactica and docks with the Sojourner, a bulky, medium size transport vessel.

CUT TO:

INT. SOJOURNER SHUTTLE BAY

The airlock opens and STARBUCK and APOLLO step out.  Refugees close in from everywhere, clamoring for food, supplies, information.  The two pilots are overwhelmed by the crowd.

VOICE:
Enough!  Let them through!

The crowd dissipates away, and the two men are left facing a strikingly beautiful young dark-haired woman, clad in a flowing white dress, dirtied by days of living among refugees.

APOLLO:
We’re from the Galactica.

WOMAN:
I know.  My name is Athena.

APOLLO:
We’re looking for you.

ATHENA:
As you should be.

They walk back to the rear of the hanger, past the hundreds of refugees, who scatter away in deference from ATHENA.  She sits on a makeshift throne and the men stand before her.

ATHENA:
What so you want of me?

APOLLO:
We understand you command a considerable following on this vessel.

REFUGEE:
Athena sees all!  Knows all!  She will save us!

ATHENA:
I merely tell the truth to these people.

APOLLO:
And the truth is what?

ATHENA:
The destruction of the Homeworlds was foretold.  It is merely the first step into our destiny.

STARBUCK:
No shit?

ATHENA:
Your friend is colorful.

APOLLO:
Foretold by who?

ATHENA:
The Twelve Priests of Kobol.  It is written in the Codex of the Twelve that the colonies will be destroyed as a prelude to the great battle with the forces of evil.

APOLLO:
The Twelve Priests are a myth.

ATHENA:
Are they?  Has not everything that they foretold come true?

REFUGEE:
We must follow Athena!  It is she who lights the way through darkness!
	
STARBUCK:
I generally prefer a magnesium torch.

ATHENA:
You give them eyes but they do not see.

STARBUCK:
I think she’s making fun of me.

ATHENA:
(smiling)
Perish the thought captain Starbuck.

STARBUCK:
How did you know my name?

ATHENA:
I know many things.

APOLLO:
Enough parlor tricks.  My father is concerned that you are fomenting unrest on this vessel and swiftly spreading it to others.  Over ten ships have thus far refused to obey orders without your approval.

ATHENA:
The mind of the people is more discerning than that of their leaders.

APOLLO:
Perhaps, but my father…

ATHENA:
Your father considers discipline a prerequisite to survival.

APOLLO:
Yes.

ATHENA:
Your father is a good man, and wise, but he does not believe.

APOLLO:
The House of Adama…

ATHENA:
Has always rendered homage to the memory of the Twelve Priests, yes, but in your own interests, not those of faith.

APOLLO:
Both of us want the same thing.  Survival for our people.  What would it require to make you an ally, and not an enemy?

ATHENA:
I desire an audience with the Council.

APOLLO:
That’s all?

ATHENA:
That’s all.

APOLLO looks over at STARBUCK, who shrugs.

CUT TO:

INT. CYLON INTERROGATION CHAMBER

BALTAR is seated in a chair in a black room, a bright light above him.  The OVERLORD stands in the shadows, flanked by Battledroids.

BALTAR:
This is unacceptable, Overlord!  After the service I have rendered to the Imperium!

OVERLORD:
Your service is as yet incomplete.  The remnant of man survives; the conquest remains to be consummated.

BALTAR:
That was your failure and not mine!  Have you no honor?

OVERLORD:
A traitor would speak to me of honor?

BALTAR:
I have only read the message of history and acted accordingly.

OVERLORD:
You have sold your own race to destruction.

BALTAR:
I have merely sought my place in the new order we are building!

OVERLORD:
Yes, the new order that cannot be built as long as the seed of man survives.  Where are they?

BALTAR:
I don’t know.

OVERLORD:
You are a liar, proconsul.

BALTAR:
After all I have sacrificed for you!

OVERLORD:
Every race has its refuge, its place of escape when all else is lost.  That is where they are going.  Where is it?

BALTAR does not answer.

CUT TO:

INT. COUNCIL CHAMBER

The Council is convened to hear ATHENA speak.  She sits at the head of the table, calmly facing down the assembled leaders.

ATHENA:
I come to you to bring glad tidings; the dawn of mankind’s redemption.

ADAMA:
I’m afraid you are too cryptic for us.

ATHENA:
All will be revealed to you, Commander.  But I must have leave to explain.

ADAMA:
Is there any objection?

Silence.

ADAMA:
Very well.

ATHENA:
The Codex of the Twelve Priests has long remained obscure to many; however, a few of its portents are clear.  The moment of destruction has already occurred, and the battle between the forces of light and the forces of darkness is now upon us.

COUNSELOR VARAGON:
This is an issue of contention even among the Interpreters themselves.

ATHENA:
No longer, Counselor; has it not come to pass?

VARAGON:
Coincidence.

ATHENA:
Perhaps, perhaps not.  Can you entertain the possibility of the latter?

VARAGON does not answer.

ADAMA:
Continue, please.

ATHENA:
The Codex is clear on the path we must now pursue.  We can avoid it for a time, but eventually it must be followed if we are to survive.

ADAMA:
And that is?

ATHENA:
We must journey to Kobol.  There the means of our redemption will be revealed to us.

A chorus of shouts rises from the table.

HORVAI:
Kobol does not exist!  Every schoolboy knows that!

ATHENA:
You are wrong, Counselor.  It does exist.  Where the Codex prophesizes that it shall.

VARAGON:
The location of which you speak is located deep in the Outlands.  There is no life there.

ATHENA:
No life of which we can conceive.

ADAMA:
You are proposing that I take the few straggling remnants of humanity on a journey to the Outlands?  To chase after ghosts?

ATHENA:
Not ghosts, Commander; truth.

ADAMA:
What you ask is impossible.  I will not risk what little we have saved from destruction in the name of such fantasies.

ATHENA:
This is no fantasy, Commander.  And if you will not follow, the people will.

ADAMA:
I’m sorry.  I admire your faith, but I…I must have more than faith to do what you ask.

ATHENA:
If you do not, Commander; humanity’s destruction is assured.

ADAMA looks at her coldly.

ADAMA:
We will take this under advisement.

ATHENA:
Then I will return to the Sojourner, and await your decision.

She gets up and walks out.  ADAMA nods to APOLLO and he walks out after her.

CUT TO:

INT. HALLWAY

APOLLO follows after ATHENA down the hall.

APOLLO:
Are you satisfied?

ATHENA:
Of course.

APOLLO:
The vote will go against you.

ATHENA:
That doesn’t matter now.

APOLLO:
I don’t understand.

ATHENA:
It is as I have long suspected.  Your father believes.

APOLLO:
What?

ATHENA:
He doubts, but he will not doubt forever.

APOLLO:
You have great confidence.

ATHENA:
I have great faith.

She turns and walks away from him.

FADE TO:

INT. CHAPEL

ADAMA is standing before the black metal coffin of his son.  APOLLO enters the room and stands beside him.

ADAMA:
War demands terrible sacrifices of men.  I’ve been at war all my life.  I’ve seen may good men die.  Women, children, wives…sons…  I’ve consoled myself with the knowledge that I fought for what was right and good in this universe.  But now…now what is left that is right and good?  Everything has been destroyed.

APOLLO:
What has been destroyed can be built again.

ADAMA:
Not all things.

He puts his hand on the coffin.

ADAMA:
All my life, I have only tried to stand for what I believed to be right.  I believed…I believed that only by doing right can a man know happiness.  And now…and now my son is dead.

APOLLO:
Father…

ADAMA:
Tell me, my son.  Have I done right?

APOLLO:
You have done what you can.

ADAMA:
Is that enough?

Tears begin to stream from his eyes.

APOLLO:
That is not for us to decide.

ADAMA begins to weep.  APOLLO cradles his father’s head in his arms.

CUT TO:

INT. COUNCIL CHAMBER

The counselors sit aghast, looking at ADAMA, who has just made an extraordinary announcement.

VARAGON:
Are you mad, Adama?  We are to follow this witch to the edge of the universe on some religious quest?

ADAMA:
My friends, we must face a terrible truth.  We are lost.  Homeless.  Adrift.  Exiled.  There is nothing left for us here; only death.

HORVAI:
Has the House of Adama given way to defeatism and despair?

ADAMA:
Never.  But now, our only victory can be survival.  And to survive, we must have hope.  To whatever corner of the galaxy we go, hope will be our only weapon against destruction.  This woman has offered hope to our people; and even if the Twelve Priests are a lie, the hope is not.  The Outlands are no more barren than our own annihilated worlds.  But they hold, at least, the promise of redemption for a people who have lost everything.

HORVAI:
And when we arrive there, and the Priests prove to be a myth; what then?

ADAMA:
Perhaps the quest alone will be enough.

The counselors sit in silence, not knowing what to say.

CUT TO:

INT. BRIDGE

ADAMA stands at a large holographic map in the center of the bridge; with him are ZEVI, LACOLLI, STARBUCK, and APOLLO.

LACOLLI:
A jump to the Outlands isn’t the problem, the problem is the tertiary radiation emitted by the nebula; none of my instruments are working.  If we jump now, god knows where we’ll end up.

ADAMA:
How long will it take you to execute a jump when we exit the nebula?

LACOLLI:
That’s another problem, the computer will have to recalibrate the main sensor grid before we can go anywhere.

ADAMA:
How long?

LACOLLI:
Best case scenario, fifteen minutes.  Could be twenty.

ZEVI:
In the meantime, the whole Cylon fleet will come down on us.

ADAMA:
How long can our defenses hold out?

ZEVI:
Standard Cylon battle tactics involve gravity mines backed by three fighter squadrons.  Now, we can use a scatterblast to take out most of the mines…

STARBUCK:
My boys can deal with the rest.

ZEVI:
But that’s not the real problem.  Right now, we’re the only thing in the universe the Cylon’s care about.  We can count on double the normal deployment of fighters, plus at least one attack station.

ADAMA:
How long can a single ship hold out against an attack station?

ZEVI:
Alone?  No more than ten minutes.

APOLLO:
We could attack the ambush, send a fighter assault.

ADAMA:
No.  It wont hold them.  Starbuck, how long to outfit your wing with ion torpedoes?

STARBUCK:
Excuse me?

ADAMA:
Was my question unclear?

STARBUCK:
Sir, a direct torpedo run hasn’t been attempted since the Battle of Malachon.

ADAMA:
I didn’t ask…

STARBUCK:
And for good reason!

ADAMA:
Do you have any better suggestions?

STARBUCK:
Sir, no fighter wing has returned from a torpedo run with losses below thirty percent!  Without covering fire mine could be north of fifty!

ADAMA:
I need to draw their fire long enough to complete the jump calibrations, or we’ll be facing losses a thousand times more severe.

STARBUCK:
Sir, I will not take my squadron into a suicide mission!

ADAMA:
You will take your squadron where I tell you, or I will replace you with someone capable of obeying my orders!  Is that clear!

STARBUCK:
Yes sir.

ADAMA:
Begin the preparations, Zev.

He walks away, STARBUCK looks daggers after him.

CUT TO:

MONTAGE – THE EVE OF BATTLE

•	Crews placing the torpedoes in the undercarriage of the fighters.
•	Gunnery crews loading their weapons.
•	ADAMA pouring over star charts.
•	STARBUCK, looking morose, smoking a cigar and playing cards with his men.
•	APOLLO putting on his uniform, looking worriedly in the mirror.
•	Women and children being moved into shelters.
•	LACOLLI working furiously at his computer.
•	ZEV giving orders over his headset.
•	Crews fueling the fighters.

FADE TO:

INT. STARBUCK’S BUNK

STARBUCK is lying on his bunk, still smoking his cigar.  The lights are turned low.

The door opens and APOLLO comes in, dressed in his flight suit.

STARBUCK:
You come to kill time before the massacre?

APOLLO:
Its dark in here.

STARBUCK:
You want a drink?

APOLLO:
No.

STARBUCK:
I think I need one.

APOLLO:
Your men are waiting for you.

STARBUCK:
Yeah.  I’m still thinking what I’m gonna tell them.

APOLLO:
He had no choice, you know that.

STARBUCK:
It doesn’t matter.  I’ve been a Viper jockey all my life.  Every flight could be the last one, I’m used to that…But that’s me.  Some of the guys…well, they believe in things, in their kids, in their wives, in the future.  We make peace with who we are, what it could cost us.  But not all of us have.  I’m taking those men into battle.  Choice or no choice, it doesn’t matter.

APOLLO:
We could lose everything if they don’t go.

STARBUCK:
We’ve already lost everything, Apollo.  It doesn’t matter to me, you understand, because I never had anything, but to them…I don’t know.

He takes a bottle from under the bunk and takes a swig.

STARBUCK:
Have a drink.

APOLLO takes the bottle and drinks.

CUT TO:

INT. PILOT’S LOUNGE

STARBUCK and APOLLO enter.  The PILOTS are arguing loudly among themselves.  As STARBUCK stands before them , they grow silent.

STARBUCK:
You all know what we’re going into, I don’t need to tell you that.  Apollo’s wing will take out the mines and run fighter interference for us.  The Galactica will fire one scatterblast to cut a path through the minefield for us to make our run.  It will be approximately three minutes until we reach release point, so stay sharp and run evasive maneuvers all the way in.

PILOT:
We’ll be taking flak in a horizontal plane for three minutes without Battlestar cover?

STARBUCK:
The Galactica needs at least fifteen minutes to make hyperjump.  We need to disable the attack station, or at least draw their fire long enough…

2ND PILOT:
We’re sitting ducks out there sir!

STARBUCK:
I never said it would be easy, we don’t take easy missions.

PILOT:
We don’t take suicide missions either; not even for the glory of the House of Adama.

3RD PILOT:
If you don’t have the guts for it, stay home!

STARBUCK:
That’s enough!

PILOT:
Come over here and say that!

2ND PILOT:
He’s right!  Who cares about sacrifice if we’re all dead!  Where’s the glory in that!

The room erupts into a shouting match.  Suddenly, there is a loud banging sound, and everyone turns to see APOLLO slamming a metal plate against the bulkhead.

APOLLO:
There is no glory in death, that’s true.  But there is glory enough in defiance.  In the glory of the man who stands up.  Even if all of you abandoned this fight; if I were to fly alone into the Cylon horde; I would go.  For I would die as a free man, and not a slave to a rapacious conqueror; and my name would be remembered as one remembers him who dies not in the name of hollow sacrifice, nor the love of death; but from the desire to meet his end on his feet, and not his knees, and to write his epitaph in lightening.  And as my name would be remembered; so would the name of Cylon be cursed forever as the name of treachery, murder, and cruelty.

I say to you, if humanity is to die this day, let it be said that we did not surrender, but that we died as free men, fighting to the last breath to hold on to that life we so treasure; even in the face of death itself.  Let us not shame those whose lives hang in the balance of our courage and our defiance!  Let us not shame the Ancestors who gave us life!  Who flies with me?!

The pilots rise as one, cheering.  STARBUCK smiles ruefully to himself.

STARBUCK:
Combat gear, gentlemen, we fly in half an hour!

The men file out smiling and slapping APOLLO on the shoulder.  STARBUCK saunters over to him, a half smile on his face.

STARBUCK:
Nice speech.  How ya feeling?

APOLLO:
Scared shitless.

STARBUCK:
Well, that makes two of us.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ADAMA stands astride the bridge, busy with preparations.  His hands are clasped behind him, and his brow is furrowed with worry.

ZEVI:
We’re ready sir.

ADAMA:
Tell the fight crews to stand by.

CUT TO:

INT. LAUNCH BAY

Flight crews and  pilots are making last minute preparations.  STARBUCK and APOLLO are donning their flight helmets.  All stop and listen as the loudspeaker sounds.

LOUDSPEAKER:
Flight crews, standby.  We will breach the nebula in five minutes.

CUT TO:

INT. BRIDGE

ADAMA unclasps his hands and turns to ZEVI.

ADAMA:
Patch me through, Zev.

CUT TO:

INT. LAUNCH BAY

ADAMA’s voice now sounds over the PA.

ADAMA:
This is commander Adama.  We are about to step into battle.  The force we face will be surperior, and possibly overwhelming.  If all of you do your duty, as I know you will, we believe we will escape this day alive.  Upon you rests the entire future of humanity.  This ship takes the remnants of destruction to seek a new path, but before the door stands our enemy, and possibly our doom.  Today, you fight not for defense of your people or their civilization, but for your very lives, and the lives of all of us.

Pause.
 
ADAMA:
Good luck.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ADAMA replaces the microphone.

ADAMA:
Zev.

ZEVI:
Yes sir.

ADAMA:
Take us out, flank speed.

ZEVI:
Aye sir.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The Galactica breaks the skin of the nebula.  Beyond it, we see a field of oblong metal objects, the gravity mines; and in the distance, a Cylon attack station.

CUT TO:

INT. BRIDGE

ADAMA:
Fire scatterblast.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

A buckshot-like blast of ordinance erupts from the Galactica’s guns, striking the mines and setting off a chain reaction of explosions.

CUT TO:

INT. CYLON BRIDGE

The CENTURION turns to the COMMANDER as he sees the explosions.

CENTURION:
Sir!

COMMANDER:
Its them, bring us about, launch fighters, prepare to fire!

CUT TO:

INT. CYLON FLIGHT DECK

The Cylon fighters, which hang like bats from the roof on grappling arms, are released, and start blasting out of the launch bay in swarms.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ADAMA:
Launch fighters.

CUT TO:

INT. LAUNCH BAY

One after another, the fighter squadrons blast out of the launch bay.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The fighters flood out of the Galactica and head for the attack station.

As if in response, the attack station disgorges hordes of Cylon fighters, heading on an intercept course.

STARBUCK:
They’re all yours captain!

APOLLO:
Viper wing Delta, intercept and engage!

APOLLO’s wing breaks off after the fighters.  STARBUCK’s banks towards the attack station.

CUT TO:

INT. BRIDGE

ADAMA listens intently to the radio signals coming in.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

APOLLO’s squadron slams head on into the Cylon fighters; the peaceful emptiness of space is suddenly lit up with blasting weapons and exploding ships and mines.

STARBUCK’s squadron, his ship in the lead, bears down on the attack station.

STARBUCK:
Hold your trajectory, all auxiliary power to forward shields!

Flack rains down on the squadron from the attack station, fighters begin to erupt into flame and shatter into pieces.

PILOT:
We’re taking heavy ordinance from vector seven, sir!

STARBUCK:
Hold your position!  Release in seventy-five seconds.

PILOT:
We need…

The PILOT’s ship is hit, careens off course spitting sparks and then explodes in a ball of flame.

2ND PILOT:
Lost Bardoff, sir!  Lost Bardoff!

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ADAMA lowers his head as he hears the casualty reports coming in.

ADAMA:
How much longer, Lieutenant?

LACOLLI:
Almost there sir.

CUT TO:

INT. CYLON BRIDGE

CENTURION:
Eighteen seconds to intercept.

COMMANDER:
I don’t understand, they must have gone mad to attempt a direct fighter attack.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

STARBUCK’s squadron bears down on the station, the air around them alight with flak.

STARBUCK:
Stand by for release.

His wingman explodes.

STARBUCK:
Release! Godammit, release!

The torpedoes drop from the bottom of he remaining fighters, then ignite and stream towards their target.

CUT TO:

INT. CYLON BRIDGE

CENTURION:
Incoming torpedoes!

COMMANDER:
What, from where?

CENTURION:
Brace for impact!

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The torpedoes slam home, with devastating impact.

CUT TO:

INT. CYLON BRIDGE

The bridge explodes into a hail of sparks, the occupants tossed around like rag dolls.

COMMANDER:
Evasive action, counterfire!

CENTURION:
Weapons control offline, sir!

CUT TO

EXT. SPACE

STARBUCK’s squad breaks off and heads for the Galactica.  STARBUCK howls in triumph.  The attack station lists to one side, its guns silent.  The Cylon fighters open up on STARBUCK’s retreating squadron.

APOLLO’s squadron, in the heat of battle, turns tail and heads for the GALACTICA, the Cylon fighters blasting after them.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

LACOLLI looks up from his instruments.

LACOLLI:
Com is jump ready, sir!

ADAMA:
Full retreat, stand by for hyperjump.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA LAUNCH BAY

The fighters come screaming in, the Galactica’s enormous guns blasting away at their Cylon pursuers.

One of the pilots takes off his helmet, and we see it is STARBUCK.  He looks behind him, and sees no one following.

STARBUCK:
All Vipers recalled!

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ADAMA:
Engage hyperjump!

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The Galactica banks and goes into hyperjump, disappearing through a tunnel of white light.

We are left with nothing but the Cylon sentries and the debris of battle.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA LAUNCH BAY

STARBUCK, his helmet under his arm, clambers out of his ship, looking up, he sees APOLLO and BOOMER approaching him.

STARBUCK:
You bastard, you made it!

He embraces APOLLO.

STARBUCK:
Boom, tell my wing to reassemble in the lounge for some serious drinking!

BOOMER looks down at the flight deck, saying nothing.

CUT TO:

INT. BRIDGE

ADAMA sighs deeply and settles back in his command chair.

ADAMA:
Report, Zev.

ZEV:
We are two centons from the Outlands, all systems report normal, no sign of Cylon activity.

ADAMA:
Good.

The doors open and STARBUCK and APOLLO step out.

ADAMA:
Its good to see you both alive.

STARBUCK:
Commander.

ADAMA smiles at APOLLO.

ADAMA:
I prayed for your safety.  I haven’t prayed in thirty years.

APOLLO:
It was answered.

ADAMA:
Yes.  (to STARBUCK) I am recommending your squadron for full honors, captain, assemble your wing at 05:00 for the ceremony.

STARBUCK:
Sir, I am my squadron.

ADAMA doesn’t know what to say.

ADAMA:
It was a great victory, at a terrible price.

STARBUCK:
Yes sir, it was.

ADAMA:
I did what was necessary, captain.

STARBUCK:
I know that, sir.

ADAMA:
I regret that that can be no consolation.

STARBUCK:
No sir, it can’t.  If you’ll excuse me, I have families to inform.

He exits the bridge.

ADAMA:
He blames me.

APOLLO:
He blames no one, and even if he did, it wouldn’t ease his pain.

ADAMA:
War does not make monsters of men, my son; but it does make them old before their time.

CUT TO:

INT. CYLON INTERROGATION ROOM

BALTAR is still seated in the black room, under the bright light.  The doors open and the OVERLORD enters.

OVERLORD:
My patience has ended, proconsul.  The Galactica has escaped my sentry fleet at the Chasik nebula.  I believe you know their destination, where is it?

BALTAR looks up at the OVERLORD.  He has not slept for days, his eyes are haggard and dark.

OVERLORD:
If necessary, proconsul, I can extract this information from you; but I must warn you, the process would leave you severely…damaged.

BALTAR:
You have my soul, you would now take my body?

OVERLORD:
Where are they going?

BALTAR:
To the Outland.  To Kobol.

OVERLORD:
Kobol is a waste planet, nothing exists there.

BALTAR:
They have lost everything.  Everything but their legends. That is what they will follow.

The OVERLORD turns to the guards.

OVERLORD:
Take him to his chamber, and keep him under guard.  He returns to Cylon with me, as my prize.

He goes out the doors, BALTAR’s head drops on to his chest in despair.

CUT TO:

INT. ATHENA’S CABIN

The room is darkened. ATHENA sits on her bunk, meditating.  There is a knock on the door.

ATHENA:
Enter.

The door opens and APOLLO comes in.

ATHENA:
Captain Apollo, you are to be congratulated.  A great victory.

APOLLO:
The cost was high.

ATHENA:
As it ever has been.  As it will be again.

APOLLO:
Do your visions tell you this?

ATHENA:
I do not need visions to know that it will be many generations before mankind will again know peace.

APOLLO sits across from her, his hands clasped in front of him.

APOLLO:
My father asked me to inform you that we will arrive in Kobol space within the hour.  Are there preparations you wish to be made?

ATHENA:
Yes, a shuttle craft and a pilot.  I intend to descend to the planet surface.

APOLLO:
Kobol has no surface, it’s a gas giant.

ATHENA:
All things have solidity to them.

APOLLO:
No one has ever descended to the core of Kobol.  It hasn’t even been mapped.

ATHENA:
No, superstition and fear have rendered it mysterious for many generations.  Are you to be among the first?

APOLLO:
I think my father will insist.

ATHENA:
Of course he will.

Pause.

ATHENA:
You are troubled.

APOLLO:
Yes.

ATHENA:
Why?

APOLLO:
Many men died today, for your dream.  My friend is in great pain.  I hope your dream is worth it.

ATHENA:
Tell me of your home, on Korboros.

APOLLO:
My home?

ATHENA:
The home of your childhood.

APOLLO:
It sat by a lake, amongst mountains and trees.  I would fish in the rivers which ran nearby.  My father taught me, in between the wars, when there was time.

ATHENA:
Is that not, also, a dream.

APOLLO:
It is now, only a dream.

ATHENA:
And is it worth it?  Worth fighting for?

APOLLO:
Yes.

CUT TO:

INT.  BRIDGE

Through the main window, we see the planet of Kobol, a great blue giant, shrouded in a mist of clouds and storms.

ZEVI:
No life signs whatsoever sir.  The atmospheric interference is intense.  Storm activity is extremely violent.  A shuttle descent is highly not recommended.

APOLLO:
I don’t think she’ll stand for argument on this one.

ADAMA:
I don’t think so either.  Just make sure you have a damn good pilot.

CUT TO:

INT. PASSAGEWAY

STARBUCK and APOLLO, in uniform, are walking towards the shuttle bay.

STARBUCK:
I don’t know how you talked me into this.

APOLLO:
I need the best, Starbuck, and that’s you.

STARBUCK:
I should’ve gone into the transport corps.

They come to the end of the passage.

APOLLO:
Into the abyss.

He smiles and hits the button.  The doors open to:

INT. GALACTICA SHUTTLE BAY

The crew and passengers are gathered around the waiting shuttle to send off ATHENA on her quest.  ADAMA and BOOMER are waiting at the shuttle door.

ADAMA:
She‘s late.

APOLLO:
She keeps her own time.

ADAMA:
Women rarely surprise me.  She‘s most certainly an exception.

APOLLO:
I fear she thinks the same of you.

He grins at his father.  Suddenly, a hush falls over the crowd.  The assembled move aside, creating a path through the center of the shuttle bay; down which comes ATHENA, clad in her ethereal white.

ATHENA:
You reproach me for my lateness, Commander.

ADAMA:
I said nothing of the kind.

ATHENA:
It was not necessary.

ADAMA:
I hope you find what you’re looking for, for all our sakes.

ATHENA:
For all our sakes, Commander, I wish the same for you.

APOLLO:
Come on.  We don’t have much time.

ATHENA nods, and boards the shuttle, BOOMER and STARBUCK follow after her.

ADAMA:
You are my only son, Apollo.  I pray I am not sending you into danger for the sake of a woman’s fantasies.

APOLLO:
The House of Adama has not yet seen its greatest days, father.  I’ll return.

ADAMA:
May the Priests of Kobol make it so; if they exist.

APOLLO smiles.  ADAMA holds out his hand.

ADAMA:
Good luck, captain.

APOLLO:
The same to you, sir.

APOLLO turns and boards the shuttle.  The crowd begins to leave.

LOUDSPEAKER:
Clear the launch bay.  I repeat, clear the launch bay.

CUT TO:

INT. SHUTTLE COCKPIT

APOLLO buckles himself into his seat as STARBUCK readies the shuttle.

ATHENA:
Have you no faith, captain?

APOLLO:
It’s not my nature.

ATHENA smiles.

ATHENA:
Do you believe we go to our deaths?

APOLLO:
I don’t know where we’re going.

ATHENA:
And yet you come anyways.  Is that not faith?

APOLLO:
Call it a calculated risk.

She smiles even broader than before.

CUT TO:

EXT. SHUTTLE BAY

The lights go off, and slowly the enormous doors open, revealing below them the blue clouds of the enormous planet.

The shuttle’s engines fire, and the vessel lifts off, gliding slowly out of the bay.

CUT TO:

INT. COCKPIT

STARBUCK slowly brings the ship to bear on the giant planet before them.

ATHENA:
Go straight in, to the core itself.

STARBUCK looks quizzically at APOLLO, who nods.

STARBUCK:
All right, folks, hold on to your hats.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The shuttle banks and heads towards the planet head on.

CUT TO:

INT. COCKPIT

As the shuttle breaches the upper atmosphere, the vessel begins to shake and roll.  All we see is the raw turquoise of the planets clouds.

STARBUCK:
I’m getting a lot of lateral interference; the navigation controls are gone!

ATHENA:
Continue on this course.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ADAMA is listening intently to the garbled radio transmissions.

ADAMA:
Starbuck, what’s your status?

STARBUCK:
It’s getting rough in here, Commander, I…

The transmission dies, we here only static.

ADAMA:
Starbuck!  Come in!

ZEVI:
Interference is too heavy, sir.  We’ve lost them.

ADAMA’s eyes fill with worry.

CUT TO:

INT. COCKPIT

STARBUCK struggles with the controls as the vessel is buffeted about.

STARBUCK:
I’m gonna bust a rudder going like this!

ATHENA:
It will pass.

STARBUCK:
Well that’s reassuring.

APOLLO:
Take it easy, Starbuck.

STARBUCK:
Sure, take it easy, she’s gotten us this far, hasn’t she?

Suddenly, the buffeting stops, and the craft settles into an easy descent.

ATHENA:
I appreciate your confidence, Commander.

APOLLO:
Where are we, Boom?

BOOMER:
Five hundred kilometers in.  I’ve never seen anything like this.

The clouds have now become dark, and lit by occasional flashes of blue and green lightening.

ATHENA:
Yes.  Yes, it’s coming.

STARBUCK:
Does she have to talk like that?

He turns, and his face goes white.

STARBUCK:
Oh my god.

The clouds are parting, and before them is an enormous steel sphere, apparently completely smooth, surrounded by a glowing blue aura of light in the darkness.

STARBUCK:
What the hell is it?

ATHENA:
The planet core.

APOLLO:
That’s impossible.  That can’t be a natural phenomenon.

ATHENA:
It isn’t.  It was built.  By the Ancestors.

APOLLO:
The Ancestors are a myth.

ATHENA:
Do you trust your own eyes, Captain?

CUT TO:

EXT. THE PLANET’S CORE

The shuttle banks and flies over the surface of the sphere.

CUT TO:

INT. COCKPIT

They all look on, amazed, except ATHENA, who seems unsurprised.

ATHENA:
Beautiful, isn’t it?  Exactly as I’ve seen it in my dreams.

APOLLO:
What do we do now?

ATHENA:
We wait.

APOLLO:
For what?

ATHENA:
An invitation.

STARBUCK:
Yeah, that’s just what I was thinking.

CUT TO:

EXT. PLANET CORE

Suddenly, a door opens on the surface of the sphere, and a blinding white light shines out from within.

CUT TO:

INT. COCKPIT

APOLLO taps STARBUCK on the shoulder.

APOLLO:
I think that’s what she’s talking about.

STARBUCK:
You’re not thinking of going in there?

APOLLO:
Well, she’s gotten us this far.

BOOMER:
I think I’ll pass on this one, boys.

APOLLO turns and looks at ATHENA, this time, he smiles.

APOLLO:
Take her in, Starbuck.

STARBUCK:
Aye, aye, sir.  I guess you gotta go sometime.

CUT TO:

EXT. PLANET CORE

The shuttle turns and ends the door front first.

CUT TO:

INT. DOCK

The shuttle is entering an enormous docking chamber, made of the same smooth, black metal as he exterior of the sphere.  At the far end is an airlock.  Slowly, the shuttle maneuvers up to it and stops.

CUT TO:

INT. COCKPIT

STARBUCK takes his hands off the controls.

STARBUCK:
Well?

ATHENA:
If you prefer, I will go alone.

APOLLO:
You think I’m going to miss this?

STARBUCK:
I go where you go, Captain.

BOOMER:
I’ll just…stay behind and guard the ship.

APOLLO:
Cold feet, Boom?

BOOMER:
More like unreasoning terror.

APOLLO:
You’re honest Boom, I always liked that about you.  (He turns to the others.)  Lets go.

He gets up and buckles on his sidearm, throwing another to STARBUCK.

ATHENA:
You will not need those.

APOLLO:
Humor me, prophetess.

STARBUCK:
There’s nothing humorous about this situation.

They make their way to the door of the shuttle.

APOLLO:
Last chance, Starbuck.

STARBUCK:
I was about to say the same to you, Captain.

APOLLO smiles, and hits the button to open the door.

CUT TO:

INT. PASSAGEWAY

The door opens, and they step out into a passageway of black steel that seems to go on endlessly into darkness.

APOLLO:
(to ATHENA)
After you.

She steps forward and leads them into the shadows.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ADAMA paces anxiously back and forth.  Finally he turns to ZEV.

ADAMA:
Anything?

ZEV:
No sir.  Shall I organize a rescue party?

Pause.

ADAMA:
No.  Bring us around, behind the first moon.  Silent running.

ZEV:
Aye, sir.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The Galactica banks away from the planet and takes refuge on the far side of one of its small moons.

CUT TO:

INT. PASSAGEWAY

The three companions make their way cautiously down the passage.  The light of the airlock is now far behind them.  Suddenly, a light appears off in the distance.

STARBUCK:
Looks like we’re getting somewhere after all.

APOLLO:
Always the optimist.

CUT TO:

LATER - they are bathed in blue light; standing before the entrance to an unknown chamber.

ATHENA:
Come.

She steps calmly into the blue light, they cautiously follow her.

CUT TO:

INT. LABYRINTH

They are standing on a landing, from which a flight of stairs leads down to another flight of stairs, which leads to another; a mad labyrinth of stairs leading in all directions seemingly into infinity.

STARBUCK:
What is it?

APOLLO:
The Labyrinth of Kobol.

ATHENA:
I see you are more educated than you appear.

APOLLO:
A thousand fairy tales…and it exists.  My god…

ATHENA:
Yes, just as the Codex of the Twelve promised it would.

STARBUCK:
Where does it lead?

ATHENA:
A thousand of its paths lead nowhere; only one will take us to our destination.

STARBUCK:
Let me guess, you know which one.

ATHENA smiles.

ATHENA:
Follow me.

She sets off down the stairs.  APOLLO follows her.  STARBUCK looks around him, than begins to descend after him.

STARBUCK:
I’m gonna regret this…

APOLLO:
Starbuck, you worry too much, live a little.

FADE TO:

INT. THE LABYRINTH

The trio continue on their journey.

APOLLO:
How was it built?

ATHENA:
I don’t know.

STARBUCK:
There’s something you don’t know?

ATHENA:
The more knowledge one acquires, captain Starbuck, the more the secrets multiply.

STARBUCK:
I knew you were gonna say something like that.

ATHENA stops at a turn.

ATHENA:
It is here.

APOLLO:
What?

ATHENA turns to them.

ATHENA:
If you lack courage, turn back now.

APOLLO and STARBUCK glance at each other.

STARBUCK:
After you.

She turns the corner, and they follow her.  Suddenly, before them stands the end of the labyrinth, a great stone door at the end of the corridor.

ATHENA walks to it, and puts her hand against it.

ATHENA:
It is real.  Just as I doubted and believed it would be.

There is a low, rumbling sound.  ATHENA steps back as the great doors begin to slide open.  A yellow glow pierces the dark labyrinth, and APOLLO and STARBUCK cover their eyes.

The doors shudder to a stop, and they blink as their eyes become used to the brightness.  Then they stand, dumbfounded.

Before them stands a man of seemingly infinite age, a long white beard running down to his waist. He is clad all in white, his cloak giving off an otherworldly glow, promising a furious energy at work within.  He stands in the center of a white stone chamber, whose ceiling vaults upwards seemingly forever.  He is KARATHIN, the High Priest; and around him stand his companions, the PRIESTS OF KOBOL.

KARATHIN:
How long we have waited for you.

ATHENA:
Karathin.

KARATHIN:
I am Karathin.  Guardian of the throne of the High Priest for these seven millennia.  I welcome you, at last, to the end of your quest, and the beginning of your journey.

He beckons them inside, and one by one, they enter.

CUT TO:

INT. CHAMBER OF THE TWELVE

The trio step into the room, APOLLO and STARBUCK looks around in dumbfounded awe.

KARATHIN:
Your companions come armed.

ATHENA:
I could not dissuade them; their faith is not as mine.

KARATHIN:
So has it ever been with humanity.  They trust to their tools, and not their hearts.

APOLLO:
Are you real?

KARATHIN:
Oh yes.  Do I not appear so?

APOLLO:
Appearances can deceive.

KARATHIN:
Indeed they can, Apollo, son of Adama, indeed they can.  Now, what do wish of me?

ATHENA:
Answers.

KARATHIN:
Are you certain of your questions?

ATHENA:
Yes.

KARATHIN:
Then come with me.

He turns and walks towards the far end of the chamber.  The PRIESTS form a line and follow after him, the trio tagging along behind.

The doors slowly open, and they disappear inside.

CUT TO:

INT. VISION CHAMBER

They enter a smaller, completely black room.  At the far end is a white throne, also glowing as KARATHIN’s cloak glows; around it, in a semi-circle, are the seats of the TWELVE PRIESTS. One by one, they take their places.  In the center stands an alter, in which a transparent pool of water sits.  The trio stands before them.

KARATHIN:
Ask.

ATHENA:
Who are you?

KARATHIN:
We are as we have ever been.

ATHENA:
You are immortal then?

KARATHIN:
Oh no.  We exist for as long as we are needed.

ATHENA:
Needed for what?

KARATHIN:
To fulfill our charge.

ATHENA:
Which is?

KARATHIN:
The destiny of the Ancestors and the Descendants.

ATHENA:
Us.

KARATHIN:
You perceive much from little.  That is commendable.

ATHENA:
How long have you been here?

KARATHIN:
Since the beginning.

ATHENA:
Why has this tragedy befallen us?

KARATHIN:
It was inevitable.  It could not be otherwise.

ATHENA:
Why?

KARATHIN:
The colonies had their beginning; therefore they must too have their end.  It is in the nature of all things that begin to one day meet their end.

ATHENA:
And so for you as well.

KARATHIN:
Oh yes, oh yes.

ATHENA:
Will we survive?

KARATHIN:
That is not for us to decide.  Humanity will survive if it chooses to survive.

ATHENA:
And the Cylons?

KARATHIN:
The destiny of the Cylon race is intertwined with humanity.

APOLLO:
How is that possible?

ATHENA:
I apologize, High Priest.

KARATHIN:
It is not necessary.  He speaks much, but knows little; there is a plea in his questions.  (to APOLLO)  You ask how, this is foolish.  The question is why.

APOLLO:
Why?

KARATHIN:
You must seek the mechanism, and not the cause.

APOLLO:
I don’t understand.

KARATHIN:
When the Ancestors came to this galaxy, the universe was yet young, and unfinished, its nature was chaos.  The Ancestors saw that balance was not its nature, but rather upheaval.  When they begot the worlds, even this one, they knew what they were bequeathing to the universe, both chaos and order, both light and darkness; both to themselves, and to their descendants.

APOLLO:
No.

KARATHIN:
As all that begins seeks its end; so does light seek darkness.  And that which seeks, will find.

APOLLO:
Impossible.

KARATHIN:
Only that which you deny is impossible.  I speak the truth beyond truths.  Of both beginning and end.  Of both light and darkness.  The Cylons were once brothers of man.  Children of the same seed.  They too were once light.  But they sought the darkness; and so became what they are.  But they too are Descendants; and you’re destinies remain forever intertwined, to battle to the end, until one destroys the other, and brings eternal darkness or eternal light to the universe.

ATHENA:
And then?  Is our destiny nothing but eternal war?

KARATHIN:
You see much, Athena, but you are not yet wise.  It is in the nature of all things which begin, to one day return from whence they came.

KARATHIN sits back in his seat, his eyes begin to shine with an otherworldly glow.  ATHENA’s eyes, as if in echo, begin to shine as well.  APOLLO is dumbfounded.

ATHENA:
Yes.  Yes, I begin to see things in the shadows.

KARATHIN:
It is indeed as it has been written.

We CLOSE in on ATHENA’s glowing eyes.  Slowly, she closes them.

ATHENA:
Yes.  Yes.

Her eyes fill with tears.

ATHENA:
Its so beautiful.

Suddenly her eyes snap open, glowing even more fiercely than before.

ATHENA:
They are coming.

APOLLO:
Coming?  Who?

ATHENA:
The enemy.

APOLLO:
What?  When?

KARATHIN:
They are already here.

APOLLO’s face turns pale.

KARATHIN:
Darkness too has eyes.

CUT TO:

INT. THE LABYRINTH

OH – We descend down into the bowels of the labyrinth, its infinite stairs crawling past us into infinity, suddenly, crowding the corridors like ants, we see squadron after squadron of CYLON BATTLEDROIDS.

CU – FACE OF A BATTLEDROID.  The red light on its visor suddenly springs to life.

CUT TO:

INT. VISION CHAMBER

KARATHIN is lost in an ecstatic trance.

KARATHIN:
Yes.  In the shadows of the labyrinth; among the dark walls; they have been waiting for you.

APOLLO:
We shouldn’t have come here.

KARATHIN:
You had no choice.  It is written.

APOLLO:
Nothing is written!

ATHENA:
You see, and yet you do not believe.

KARATHIN:
The conquerers approach.

CUT TO:

INT. THE LABYRINTH

CU – The feet of marching BATTLEDROIDS slamming against the black steel floors.

CUT TO:

INT. VISION ROOM

KARATHIN’s eyes slowly return to normal.

KARATHIN:
You must go.

ATHENA:
Wait!  I must know!  Can it be reached?  Is it possible?

KARATHIN:
It is not for you to know the reckoning of things.

ATHENA:
Please!  You must tell me!  Is there hope?

KARATHIN:
Yes.  There is always hope.  Now go!

APOLLO grabs ATHENA’s arm.

APOLLO:
Come on!

They rush out of the vision chamber; STARBUCK hurrying after them.  ATHENA looks back and sees KARATHIN, suddenly looking aged and tired, slumping quietly down into his throne.

CUT TO:

INT. CORRIDOR

The trio burst into the labyrinth.  Coming up the stairs before the are the BATTLEDROIDS.

APOLLO and STARBUCK grab their weapons and open fire; blasting the first wave to pieces, their bodies blocking the stairs.  As the next wave clambers over them, they rush up another flight.

APOLLO:
I hope you know another way out.

ATHENA:
This way!

The walls explode from Cylon fire as they flee up the stairs, the BATTLEDROIDS right behind them.

CUT TO:

INT. CHAMBER OF THE TWELVE

The BATTLEDROIDS flood into the chamber, heading for the vision chamber.

CUT TO:

INT. THE LABYRINTH

STARBUCK and APOLLO fire as they flee, the BATTLEDROIDS falling in heaps, but overwhelmed immediately by the mass behind them.

CUT TO:

INT. VISION CHAMBER

The great doors of the vision chamber close on the approaching BATTLEDROIDS.

CUT TO:

INT. LABYRINTH

They are at a crossroads, two stairs lead off in different directions.  ATHENA stands before them, looking panicked.  STARBUCK and APOLLO blast away at their pursuers.

APOLLO:
Which way!

ATHENA:
I don’t know!

CUT TO:

INT. VISION CHAMBER

CU – KARATHIN.  His eyes begin to glow.

CUT TO:

INT. LABYRINTH

CU – ATHENA.  Her eyes begin to glow in answer.  She turns.

ATHENA:
This way.

They rush after her.

CUT TO:

INT. VISION CHAMBER

The TWELVE PRIESTS turn as the great door to the chamber explodes in a cloud of dust and smoke.

CUT TO:

INT. LABYRINTH ENTRANCE

The trio sees the dark chamber ahead of them, and rush through it; Cylon fire chopping up the walls around them

CUT TO:

INT. VISION CHAMBER

The BATTLEDROIDS open fire, mowing down the PRIESTS one by one, until only KARATHIN, still on his throne, is alive.  A Cylon CENTURION approaches him.

CENTURION:
What have you told them?

CUT TO:

INT. ENTRANCE CORRIDOR

The trio reach the open airlock, BOOMER leans out, looking confused.

BOOMER:
What the hell is going on here?

A blast of Cylon fire answers him, knocking out a chunk of the wall.

APOLLO:
Out of here!  Now!

CUT TO:

INT. VISION CHAMBER

KARATHIN closes his eyes, his head sags.  WE CLOSE on his face until it fills the screen

CENTURION:
(O.S.)
What have you told them!?

CUT TO:

INT. SHUTTLE COCKPIT

They clamber inside.  STARBUCK starts pressing buttons, frantically beginning the launch cycle.

The airlock door closes on the approaching BATTLEDROIDS.

CUT TO:

INT. VISION CHAMBER

The chamber begins to shake slightly, fragments start to fall from the ceiling.

CUT TO:

INT. SHUTTLE

ATHENA’s eyes begin to glow again.  She collapses.  APOLLO grabs her and lays her down on a bunk.

CUT TO:

INT. VISION CHAMBER

KARATHIN is still in his trance as the entire chamber begins to shake furiously; the BATTLEDROIDS look around, confused.

CUT TO:

INT. SHUTTLE

STARBUCK hits the launch controls, the shuttle begins to rise.

CUT TO:

EXT. PLANET CORE

The shuttle blasts out of the sphere, Cylon fire lacing after it.

CUT TO:

INT. VISION CHAMBER

KARATHIN opens his eyes.  They are glowing a beautiful, green-hued white.  He looks up at the CENTURION and smiles.

KARATHIN:
It is good to see you, Centurion.  We have been waiting for you a long, long time.

The CENTURION looks down at him, his piercing red eyes expressing nothing.

KARATHIN:
Goodbye.

The room begins to shake so violently that BATTELDROIDS begin to loose their balance and great slabs of steel fall from the walls.  Suddenly, a massive wall of flame erupts upwards from the floor, consuming the room and its occupants in a massive explosion.

CUT TO:

INT. LABYRINTH

OH - A fireball rushes up from the floor of the labyrinth, consuming all before it.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The shuttle breaks the planet’s atmosphere, hurtling up into space.

STARBUCK:
I don’t see the Galactica!

APOLLO:
That’s impossible.

STARBUCK:
Oh my god…

Suddenly, looming before them, is the massive form of a Cylon attack station, and behind it, the entire Cylon fleet.

APOLLO:
Hail the Galactica!

BOOMER:
Galactica!  Galctica!  This is Pegasus shuttle, we are under attack, I repeat, we are under attack!

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

In the darkened bridge, the message comes through loud and clear.  ZEVI looks at ADAMA.

ADAMA:
Maintain radio silence Lieutenant.

CUT TO:

INT. CYLON BRIDGE

THE CYLON COMMANDER is watching as the shuttle comes on his screen.

BATTLEDROID:
Galactica shuttle in range, Commander.

COMMANDER:
Move to intercept, Centurion.  Ready the tractor beam, I want them taken alive.

BATTLEDROID:
By your command.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ZEVI listens to his headset for a moment, then turns again to ADAMA.

ZEVI:
Commander, a Cylon attack fleet is on our scopes!  They’re approaching the Pegasus.

ADAMA:
Maintain your position lieutenant.

CUT TO:

INT. SHUTTLE

APOLLO, STARBUCK, and BOOMER are staring at the massive vessel looming down on them.

STARBUCK:
They’re powering up their tractor beam.

APOLLO:
They mean to board us.

We TRACK PAST them to the bunk where ATHENA is lying.  Her eyes glow even brighter, and she smiles.

The glow disappears from ATHENA’s eyes.  She gets up slowly and walks to the cockpit.

APOLLO:
Take evasive action!

STARBUCK:
To where?

ATHENA:
No.

They turn to look at her, surprised.

ATHENA:
Your father is coming.

CUT TO:

INT. CYLON BRIDGE

The shuttle looms larger on the viewscreen.

COMMANDER:
Bring them in, Centurion.

CENTURION:
By your command.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ZEVI turns to ADAMA.

ZEVI:
They’ve locked on their tractor beam, sir.

ADAMA pauses for a moment, his features set and intense.  He speaks very calmly, just above a whisper.

ADAMA:
Flank speed ahead, Lieutenant, attack pattern Zeta.

ZEVI smiles.

ZEVI:
Aye, aye, sir.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The Galactica’s massive engines fire to life, and the great vessel moves out from behind the moon.

CUT TO:

INT. CYLON BRIDGE

The CENTURION looks up as the Galactica fills the viewscreen, blocking the tiny shuttle from view.

CENTURION:
Another vessel has emerged from behind the sentry moon!

COMMANDER:
What?

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ADAMA turns to the weapon’s officer.

ADAMA:
Fire all starboard batteries.

WEAPONS OFFICER:
Aye, aye, sir.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

A dozen ion torpedoes loose from the Galactica and snake towards the Cylon attack station.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

WEAPONS OFFICER:
Torpedoes away!

CUT TO:

INT. CYLON BRIDGE

CENTURION:
It’s the Galactica!

The CENTURION turns to the COMMANDER, his face blazing with contempt.

CENTURION:
You fool!  You’ve killed us all!

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The torpedoes strike the attack station.  The impact slices the station in two along its axis in a massive explosion.  The vessel seems to crumple in on itself, than explodes again.  The debris, caught in the gravitational pull of Kolbol, hurtle downwards and burn in the planet’s atmosphere.

CUT TO:

INT. SHUTTLE

The occupants erupt in a cry of relief and victory.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

There is massive celebration.  ADAMA breathes a sigh of relief and sinks into his chair.  ZEVI is looking intently at his scope.

ZEVI:
Sir!  The Cylon fleet is assuming attack formation!

ADAMA:
Bring that shuttle in!  Stand by for hyper jump!

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The massive Galactica docking bay doors open.

CUT TO:

INT. SHUTTLE

STARBUCK bears down on the controls.

STARBUCK:
Hold on!  We’re going in full speed!

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

A horde of fighters head towards the shuttle, their cannons at full blast.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA DOCKING BAY

The shuttle comes in at full throttle, its retro rockets fire and it comes skidding across the deck in a hail of sparks and smoke.

CUT TO:

INT. SHUTTLE

The occupants are hurled around by the impact, STARBUCK’s knuckles white on the controls.

CUT TO:

INT. DOCKING BAY

The shuttle skids to a halt, its right engine torn off and spitting fire.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA BRIDGE

ADAMA looks intensly at ZEVI, who is shouting into his headset.

ZEVI:
Pegasus shuttle, do you read?

STARBUCK:
All in one piece, commander.

The crew cheers again, and ADAMA sighs with relief, braving himself on the control panel.

CUT TO:

EXT.  SPACE

The Cylon fighters are coming head on, blasting away at the Galactica.

CUT TO:

INT. SHUTTLE

ATHENA punches the communications button.

ATHENA:
Commander, we must flee!  Now!

CUT TO:

INT. BRIDGE

ADAMA turns to LACOLLI

ADAMA:
Hyperjump!  Now!

LACOLLI:
To where?

ADAMA:
Anywhere!

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The Galactica banks and heads into a hyperjump, disappearing in a great ball of light.

CUT TO:

INT. CYLON BRIDGE

The COMMANDER leans forward.

COMMANDER:
Follow them!

But the CENTURION is looking out the windows at the planet.

CENTURION:
Sir!

They turn to look just as Kobol explodes in a massive fireball.  They shield their eyes against the blinding light.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE

The explosion blasts out in a massive shockwave, consuming the Cylon fleet in a ferocious fireball.

As the explosion dissipates, we are left with nothing but the stars, and the silence of deep space.

CUT TO:

EXT. GALACTICA

We see the Galactica slowly cruising in open space.  We PAN along its side until we reach the docking bay, where the smoldering hulk of the shuttle is still lying, crewmen putting out the last of the fire.

CUT TO:

INT. SHUTTLE

The occupants are slowly gathering their things; except ATHENA, who is still looking far off in a trancelike stare.

APOLLO:
Are you all right?

She smiles.

ATHENA:
Oh yes.  Oh yes.

He looks at her, bewildered.

CUT TO:

INT. ADAMA’S QUARTERS

ATHENA is seated before ADAMA’s desk.  The old commander is sunk in his chair, his hand on his cheek as he listens.  APOLLO is standing next to him.

ATHENA:
I have been granted a vision, commander.  The high priest showed it to me before he was destroyed.  It is the future of humanity, the only future we have:  Earth.  The home from which we came, the seed of all mankind.

ADAMA:
Earth does not exist.

ATHENA:
You are wrong commander.  I have seen it.

ADAMA:
It’s a legend.  A child’s tale.  Something told to explain our unknowable origins.

ATHENA:
No, commander.  There yet live brothers of man in this galaxy.  Our future is there, with them.  It is to whence we came that we must return, as it is with all things.

ADAMA:
Even if Earth did exist, it would be like trying to find a cipher, a phantom.  This galaxy is too vast to search for a single…

ATHENA:
I know the way.

ADAMA:
You what?

ATHENA:
It lies far on the galaxy’s rim, on the seventh axis of the Home System.  The journey is long, but possible.

ADAMA is speechless.

ATHENA:
Commander, our worlds are destroyed, the Priests of Kolbol are dead.  There is nothing here for humanity but slaughter and extinction.  We have no choice.  It is written.

ADAMA:
Could you leave us for a moment, please?

ATHENA nods and leaves, casting a glance at APOLLO as she goes.  ADAMA is silent for a moment, than turns to his son.

ADAMA:
Do you believe her?

APOLLO:
Yes.

Pause.

ADAMA:
So do I.

CUT TO:

INT. GALACTICA HALLWAY

ATHENA is walking quickly away from ADAMA’s quarters.  APOLLO runs to catch up with her.

APOLLO:
Athena!

She turns to him.

APOLLO:
He’s going to put it to the Council.

ATHENA:
Will they agree?

APOLLO:
I think so.

ATHENA smiles.

ATHENA:
Your father is a man of greater faith than I anticipated.

APOLLO:
He’s a realist.  You were right, what choice do we have?

ATHENA:
Thank you.

APOLLO:
For what?

ATHENA:
Learn to accept Apollo son of Adama.  Thank you.

She kisses him on the cheek.  He takes her face in his hands and they kiss intensely.

CUT TO:

INT. CYLON COMMAND BRIDGE

The CYLON OVERLORD stands alone, looking down on the ruins of the Homeworlds; the Cylon fleet swirls before him, in the process of transforming the destroyed planets into imperial bases.  The doors open and the FIRST CENTURION enters, bringing BALTAR and several BATTLEDROIDS with him.

OVERLORD:
Proconsul Baltar, I fear your stay with us is to be extended.

BALTAR:
Extended?  Why?

OVERLORD:
You are not the last of humanity.  The Galactica still fights.  They destroyed our attack fleet at Kobol and have disappeared.  The Triumvirate considers their extermination to be a matter of the utmost urgency.  Your knowledge has now become of great value to us.

BALTAR:
All of this is in flagrant violation of our agreement.

OVERLORD:
There are no agreements.  There is only power.

BALTAR:
Overlord…

OVERLORD:
Take him away.

The BATTLEDROIDS lead BALTAR away.

CENTURION:
Overlord, this is mistaken.

OVERLORD:
We have nothing to fear from him, and much to gain.

CENTURION:
He is a man without honor; such men are dangerous.

OVERLORD:
He may prove to be of use to us.

CENTURION:
As long as the seed of man survives, the Cylon conquest will remain uncompleted.

OVERLORD:
Have patience, Centurion.  The age of man is over.  The age of the Cylon has begun.

We CLOSE IN on the OVERLORD’S shimmering red eyes until they fill the screen, the deafening rumbling of drums fills our ears and we…

CUT TO BLACK

TO BE CONTINUED…