This is not intended to be a complete listing of all the characters that ever appeared in the series.

Commander Adama (Lorne Greene) : Born in Caprican of pure Kobollian blood, Adama lost his wife, Ila, and his youngest son, Zac, in the Cylon attack. His controversial action to call the crew to a battle stations drill saved the ship from destruction at Cimtar. The Galactica gathered all surviving space worthy vessels, and set out on a voyage to find the Thirteenth Colony: Earth.

Captain Apollo (Richard Hatch) : Adama's oldest son is the flight leader of Blue Squadron.. Apollo is a man of peace forced to war. Like his father, he is also a man of faith. He married news reporter Serina who was killed by the Cylons on Kobol. He was left alone to raise Boxey.

Lieutenant Starbuck (Dirk Benedict) : Also a Caprican and Apollo's buddy. A native of the Caprican city of Umbra (near the Thorn Forest), Starbuck was orphaned in a Cylon attack on Umbra in 7322. He is a gambler, a hustler and a Don Juan. He is attracted to both Athena and Cassiopeia but he admitted to both of them that he would find it very difficult to commit himself to one woman.

Lieutenant Boomer (Herbert Jefferson, Jr.) : A Leonid who lived on Caprica in his youth. Early in the series he is a Flight Sergeant.

Ensign Athena (Maren Jensen) : Daughter to Adama and younger sister to Apollo. She is a Galactica bridge officer. She has a love/hate relationship with Starbuck.

Cassiopeia (Laurette Spang) : a former Gemonese sociolator, she sustained a broken arm during the evacuation and was about to be lynched by her fellow Gemonese when Starbuck came to the rescue. She became a medtech and assistant to Doctor Salik in the Life Center. She is also in a love/hate relationship with Starbuck.

Serina (Jane Seymour) : Caprican news reporter. She and her son Boxey survived the Cylon attack She became a Warrior when the male warriors succumbed to a plague. Serina married Apollo just before they reached the planet Kobol, and she died there, killed by a Cylon.

Boxey (Noah Hathaway) : A survivor of the Cylon attack, adopted by Apollo when he married Boxey's mother Serina. His drone daggit is named Muffit II.

Colonel Tigh (Terry Carter):, Tigh is the Galactica's Executive Officer and in charge of the infantry units for ground operations. Tigh and Adama attended the Academy together. Colonel Tigh is usually very reserved and cautious. He is a triad fan and Adama's closest friend.

Lieutenant Jolly (Tony Swartz) : Fourth in command of Blue Squadron, Jolly is an overweight ladies man and a gentleman.

Lieutenant Sheba (Anne Lockhart) : Cain's daughter, leader of Silver Spar Squadron. She was transferred off the Pegasus to the Galactica at Gamoray. She eventually becomes close friends with Apollo and they feel a mutual attraction.

Doctor Salik (George Murdock) : Head of the Life Center.

Lieutenant Zac (Rick Springfield) : The youngest son of Adama. He is killed while trying to get back to the Fleet to warn of the Cylon attack.

Flight Corporal Rigel (Sarah Rush) : Officer who said: "Core systems transferring control to probe craft...launch when ready."

President Adar (Lew Ayres) : President of the Council of Twelve. Killed at the Cylon attack at Cimtar.

Doctor Wilker (John Dullaghan) : Engineer who built daggit droid Muffit II. He also attempted to reconstruct the two Cylon pilots (captured along with Baltar) he took apart. He was disliked by the Warriors and was a Council lackey.

Commander Cain (Lloyd Bridges) : A Gemon and the commander of the Pegasus. It was said that he didn't know the meaning of the word "lose." Adama outranks him because Adama's battlestar command commission was posted first.

Lieutenant Bojay (Jack Stauffer) : Sheba's wingman. Also belonged to Blue Squadron before he was transferred to the Pegasus. During the assault on Gamoray, he was seriously injured and was transferred to the Galactica along with Sheba.

Commander Kronus (Paul Fix) : Commander of the ship Celestra. When he was on active duty, Adama used to be his aide, and he clearly didn't like the current arrangement. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medallion and given executive command of the industry ships. When the Celestra is taken over by mutineers, he died in the attempt to retake the ship.

Imperious Leader (In body: Dick Durock. In voice: Patrick Macnee) : the only three-brain Cylon. Also the only Cylon with an unarmored reptilian/humanoid body. Imperious Leader possesses access to all known Cylon information nets.

Lucifer (In body: Felix Silla; In voice: Jonathan Harris): A top-of-the-line IL-series Cylon. Because of his objective analysis, Lucifer could see the errors of Baltar's plans but Baltar never listened to him. Lucifer also displays a great distrust of earlier IL-series models (and toward Spectre in particular).

Count Baltar (John Colicos) : Baltar was the Council member who was "selected" by the Cylons to "negotiate" a "peace treaty" with the Colonies. In return for a dominion of his own and the saving of his own colony, he betrayed the Colonies. Of course, the Cylons bomb all Twelve Colonies. Baltar was to be executed by Imperious Leader, but was spared because Lucifer convinced the Imperious Leader that it would be best to set a human to catch other humans. Baltar was captured by the Colonials when he met with the Galactica under a universal signal of truce, because he was concerned about some strange lights. He was sentenced to life aboard the Prison Barge. Adama made a deal with Baltar to set him free in exchange for his help in defeating a base star. Adama honored the bargain ; he was put on an uninhabited delta-class planet suitable for human life.

Spectre: An earlier IL-series Cylon who was sneakier than Lucifer. A cybernetics expert, he reconstructs the shells of Cylons who died of disease on Antila, converting them into his own private army. Spectre is also a bureaucratic master at requisitioning fuel, food and weaponry for a garrison that doesn't need them.

Vulpa An executive officer/command gold colored centurion, he was banished to he planet Arcta by Imperious Leader when he suggested that the Cylons abandon pursuit of the Galactica, reasoning that Cylon resources could be used elsewhere to solve the Empire's problems.

AGRO PARTS - Farming things

ALPHA SHUTTLE: Transport ship

AMBROSA - An alcoholic beverage. Very rare and very expensive.

ASTRALONS - Meteor like things that can damage ships.

BAHARRI: Similar to beer

BATTLESTAR -Huge fighter carrier and warship. Capable of a great speed and firepower.

BOOK OF STRATEGY - Colonial Warrior manual

CLAXON - Siren

CLUB ELITE - Private club of Sire Uri

COLONY - Planet

COLONIAL VIPERS - The best starfighter ever made by humans. It has two turbolaser cannons and can surpass the speed of light.

CONSUMABLES - Food as said by Cylons

CRAWLON - Spider

CRYOGENIC SUSPENSION -Medical procedure of freezing a patient until a cure can be found

CUBIT - Colonial currency. Gold coins.

DAGGIT -Dog.

DECONTAMINATION -Process of getting all microbes and alien things out of the pilot's body after a mission

EDICT OF EXTERMINATION -Edict of the Cylons to kill all humans.

FUMARELLO - Cigar

GALACTICA - The last of the battlestars

GEMONI FREIGHT - Passenger vehicle

GOLDEN CLUSTER - Colonial Warrior Highest battle award

GROG: Similar to rum.

HYDRONIC MUSHIES - Food. Tasty and healthy

INTERFLEET BROADCASTING: InterVid channel that had a popular segment "Warrior of the Centare."

INSTRUCTIONAL PERIOD - School

K BISCUIT - Food. Used as a snack

LANDRAM -Ground vehicle

LASER GENERATORS - Self explanatory

LUPUS - Wolf-like animal

MAGNETIC SEA (OR ABYSS) - Endless black void

MINE - Hive-like structures on Carillon. There the Chosen Creatures extract tylium

MINERAL SHIPS - Landram party ships on Carillon

MUSHIES: Junk food.

NUMO - Compressed air gun.

OVINES - Sheep-like animals

PLUTON - Substance made by the fallout of neutron decay.

PRIMARIES -Food. Very basic

PULSAR - (ALSO KNOWN AS ULTIMATE WEAPON, RAVASHOL LASER) - Located on the asteroid, Arcta, invented by Dr. Ravashol. This was originally not a weapon but a device to communicate across the galaxy. The Cylons convertedthis to the most powerful weapon in the star system.

PYRAMID- Game similar to poker whose hands include the half and three-quarter pyramids and the rarest ones is the perfect pyramid.

RAG TAG FLEET -Term used to describe the Fleet escaping the Cylons under the protection of the Galactica

RECON VIPER - Colonial Viper modified for reconnaissance missions. It is much faster than a normal Viper, but it is unarmed. It also has a CORA computer installed.

RISING STAR - The Fleet's luxury liner. Has the Astral Restaurant

SANITATION SHIP - Fleet garbage ship.

SEAL - Marry

SEVEN AND ELEVEN - Game similar to blackjack

SHUTTLE -Vehicles used for short range transport.

SIMULATOR - Control Room aboard the battlestars where pilots train in simulators

SOCIALATOR - A great date, prostitute.

SOLIUM - Liquid fuel

SOLENITE - Powerful explosive

STARLINER - Transport ship

SNOW RAM - Land vehicle.

TALON PLANT: Food.

TOP PRIORITY SCRAMBLED CODE - Method of relaying messages from space vehicles back to a battlestar

TRANS STELLAR SPACE SERVICE - Ship

TRANSVID - Similar to television

TRIAD - Court game similar to basketball. Played by two teams of two on a triangular court. Game lasts for probably one centare. They use a silver-colored ball.. Each goal is one point. Fighting and blocking is illegal and results in ejection from the game. Penalties are strictly enforced. Free shots are awarded for various penalties.

TUARON BUS LINES - Space trams

TULIPIAN BUDS -Food. Used as a side dish.

TURBOWASH: The showers.

TURBOFLUSH: Restroom. Also known as the Cylon Throne Room.

TYLIUM - Mined in Carillon. Very volatile and very valuable.

VALCRON - Fabric. Cotton-like.

VAPOR POINT -When an element vaporizes

WARSHIP OF THE SUNSTORM - Gemonese religious ceremony. It is known for physical contact between genders

WARBOOK - Library of all the characteristics of enemy ships

WEAPONS:

TURBOLASER - Fighter weapon

LASER - handheld weapons

SHORT-SPANS, COMAS, BRAIN CRYSTALS - Chemical weapons. They are encapsulated and produce results suggested by their names

BLUE: Colonial Fleet high-ranking and bridge officers. Rank pins are silver. Dress robes match.

BROWN: Colonial Warrior jackets and dress robes. Rank pins are oregg (like gold).

TAN: Duty dress for Colonial Fleet personnel, including Colonial Warriors (except bridge officers) and medical personnel. Rank pins are gold.

BLACK: Used by Council Security guards. Also called "Blackshirts"

WHITE: Colonial Fleet Life Center staff jackets. Rank pins are gold. Also, whith robes are worn by members of the Council of Twelve.

HUMANS -Originally from Planet Kobol. They colonized Caprica and other planets destroyed by Cylons

HUMANOIDS - Cylon name for humans

CYLONS -Originally a reptilian species. They were replaced by machines who then took their name.. They have been at war with the humans for a millennia

CENTURIONS - Cylon soldiers

COUNCIL OF THE TWELVE - Council made up of representatives of the twelve Colonies.

ALLIANCE -The bad guys. They include the Chosen Creatures, Cylons, etc.

OVIONS - Insect-like inhabitants of Carillon They are a communal species and have no emotions

OVINERS - Farmers from Equellus

OTORIS - A Geminis religious sect. They believe in physical contact between genders only in ceremonies

HASARIS - A race once helped by humans

LORDS OF KOB0L - Leaders of the ancestors of humans

TUCANAS - Feline species. Some sang on Carillon

DRONES - robots

DAGGITS - Dogs

CHOSEN CREATURES - People of Carillon. They employ slaves to do their work

ORIGINAL SINNERS - Ancestors of the people living on the Proteus Prison. Their descendants were still imprisoned and carried, as a name, the sin of their ancestor. They made ambrosa for the war effort but it never left the prison.

AERIES - Planet of Aerians

CAPRICA - One of the Twelve Colonies

CROTAN - Agricultural planet

CARILLON -Planet of Ovions. Full of pleasure.

CYLON - Planet of Cylons

CYRANUS GALAXY -Galaxy where our heroes lived.

EARTH - The lost Thirteenth Colony

EQUELLUS -Planet where Apollo was stranded on. Very similar to the Wild West.

GEMONI - Planet of Gemons

HATARI SYSTEM - Star system. Equellus was a planet of that system.

KALPA - Ice planet

KOBOL -Planet where the Humans came to be. Now uninhabited, only tombs of Lords exist there now

NOVA OF MADAGON -Alternate route to Carillon. It produced a blinding light.

PICON - Planet of Picons

PROTEUS PRISON - Planetoid that served as a prison. The descendants of the original prisoners still live there.

QUOTARA - Magnificent star cluster. The Rising Star sailed there before the war

SAGITARIA - Planet of Sagitarians

SCORPION - Planet of Scorpions

TAURON - Planet of Taurons

VIRGON - Planet of Virgons

TIMES

Centare - equivalent of an hour

Centon - (sentonn) - equivalent of a minute

Micron - a tenth of a centon

Yahren - a year

Millenium - a thousand years

DISTANCES

Metron (mettron) - approximately one meter

Parsec (parseck) - 90 million miles (distance between sun & Earth)

Hectare (hecktarr) - nine million miles

WEIGHTS

Megon - (meggon) - a ton

FRACK: A swear word. It has a similar equivalent in American English. Used in phrases like: "Oh, frack!"

FELDERCARB: Another swear word. Similar to "crap". Used in phrases like: "Aw, felgercarb!" "Cut the felgercarb!" "That's a bunch of felgercarb!"

HADES: Hell

POGEES: Also similar to feldercarb. Used in phrases like: "He scared the pogees out of me!"

FOR SAGAN'S SAKE: Similar to: "For Heaven's sake."

MODAKA: Seems to be a term of endearment used in friendly joking. Used in phrases like: "How is the old modaka?"

Copyright 1994, 1995 by Adam C. Stacey

This story is written for pure pleasure and is not intended to infringe on any preexisting copyrights that may be violated.

Feel free to share with your friends, but not for profit. - Email ID : stacey@

There are those who believe that life here began out there, far across the universe, with tribes of humans who may have been the forefathers of the Egyptians, or the Toltecs, or the Mayans. That they may have been the architects of the great pyramids, or the lost civilizations of Lemuria or Atlantis. Some believe that there may yet be brothers of man who even now fight to survive, somewhere beyond the heavens. . .

* THE FIRST DEFEAT

Avec / starring : Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, Lorne Greene (Adama), Herb Jefferson, Jr., John Colicos, Maren Jensen, Noah Hathaway, Laurette Spang, Tony Swartz, Anne Lockhart, Terry Carter (Colonel Tigh),

* Scénario / Written by Adam C. Stacey - Based on "Battlestar Galactica" created by Glen A. Larson

* From the Adama Journals:

It has been several yahrens since the destruction of our homeworlds that started this trek across the stars. After looking back over the events of our journey, I have now come to realize that our quest shall be neither brief nor easy. There are still unknown perils that lie before us. But like each of the dangers we have already conquered, I am optimistic about our ability to handle whatever waits ahead. It seems that the Lords of Kobol have intended for us to reach our destination. As for the duration of our journey, I am unsure. I don't know how long it will take to reach Earth or who of us will survive to see if this fabled world exists. But of one thing I am absolutely confident. That one day, far off in the future, we will find this haven somewhere in the universe and end this ceaseless running from our enemies, the Cylons.

Captain Apollo maneuvered his Viper towards the Battlestar Galactica. The Viper was the most advanced flying machine known to man. Well the men that he knew at least. There was no telling what the people of Earth had developed after all this time. Without a millennium long war with the Cylons, they may have achieved new heights in human civilization. But then again, they may too be involved in a war for survival like Apollo's people against a genocidal race determined to wipe man off the face of the universe. These were the kinds of questions that Apollo pondered while he endured the routine chore of space travel. After years of flying out in the vastness of space, interstellar flight had lost most of its initial appeal and become an ordinary job. But not all the mystery was gone. The day travelling through the stars became boring to Apollo was the day he would hand in his wings. And at the rate his father was piling responsibilities on him that may come sooner than he might think.

He didn't completely resent it. There were things that had to be done and Apollo was the most qualified and able officer to do them and gladly assumed the role he was needed for. But he missed the deep space probes with his wingmate Starbuck and didn't get a chance to get out here very often anymore. He was thankful for the time he did have and was determined to make the most of it. For time, he painfully had come to understand, was too short as his wife had found out on the bleak sands of a dead world untold light yahrens behind them. He had never quite gotten over her death, especially with the constant reminder of it embedded in the face of his adopted son. It was this unsettled piece of himself that had interfered with his brief relationship with Sheba and was impeding its progress presently. One day he hoped that he would be able to feel the same things for Sheba that he had felt for Serina for that all too brief moment in time.

"Hey, Apollo? Are you awake over there? You got silent all of a sudden," questioned Starbuck empathetically. He speculated what his buddy was thinking about at those times where he shut himself off from the world and couldn't bear too see Apollo silently suffer the way he did. He knew the cause of Apollo's pain but there was nothing he could do about and just wished that Apollo would awaken from his self inflicted coma and stop blaming himself for the cruel hand of fate.

"I'm fine, Starbuck. I was just thinking." - "Oh? About what ?" - "About how many more times we'll be out here together." - "Not long if you don't stay alert over there," chided Lt. Starbuck. "It's been a long time since we've run into any Cylons but I don't expect we've seen the last of them. There's a Cylon patrol out there just waiting for us to intercept and I want my flight leader to be ready for action at a micron's notice."

"Yes sir, Lieutenant," joked Apollo.

"You know what I mean. I'm just worried about those people we left on New Caprica. We've been getting a lot of signals out in front of the fleet and we don't know what's out there or if those people will be safe that we left behind."

"Those signals could be coming from Earth," volunteered the captain.

"Yeah, and they could be coming from a Cylon death trap waiting too be sprung", rebuked Starbuck. "We just don't know."

"Exactly, and that's why my father set up this colony so that in case we don't return then the human race will live on."

"If you think that retirement community back there will propagate then we're in bigger trouble than I thought."

"Aren't you confusing your feelings with a more personal nature," investigated Apollo. "Seeing how Cassiopeia is staying behind to head up the life center."

"Well. . . that's been over for a long time," lied Starbuck, still feeling remorse over the deterioration of his relationship with the beautiful blonde Gemon. "And Cassiopeia can take care of herself. Besides you should be a little concerned too."

That remark stung Apollo as he mumbled his reply. "I still think Athena is the best choice to administer the colony. She has all the fine qualities for command and if there were still a fleet I'd lay odds she'd have the inside track to the next battlestar commission." It had been a hard decision for Adama to separate his family, but he'd had to put his personal feelings aside and make the decision that was best for the fleet. His father had repeatedly sent his children out on dangerous missions and each time it had put the knife in his heart deeper and deeper.

"Galactica dead ahead. Let's show them precision flying like they never seen", said Apollo using his father's favorite expression. The two Vipers streaked across the heavens and set down on the deck of the only home they had known for yahrens.

"Captain Apollo and Lieutenant Starbuck have just landed Commander", reported the black man standing with his usual clipboard in hand. Colonel Tigh was the second in command of the Battlestar Galactica and Commander Adama's most loyal and trusted officer. Even though Tigh often disagreed with the Commander over the holiness of their journey to Earth, he had never doubted his superior's abilities and respected them more than any others. Fierce respect and loyalty had caused him to speak his mouth too many times in front of the brass and had cost him his own battlestar countless times. But those times were over. That life was over and he was glad to be counted among the lucky few that had survived the destruction of their civilization at the Holocaust.

"Good," boomed the voice of Adama. "Then let's get underway. Move the fleet ahead and keep a tight formation."

The monstrous ship slowly moved ahead, leading the convoy of ragtag ships, proceeding at only the best speed of the slowest vessel in its endless entourage.

"Father," announced Apollo as he entered the commander's personal quarters.

"Yes, Apollo, please sit down," motioned Adama as he gazed out his viewport.

"I know you're worried about her," began Apollo, cautiously choosing his words.

"But it was the right decision. Athena is the most qualified person to be in charge of this assignment."

"She's my youngest," Adama replied painfully. Times like these brought up the pain of losing his youngest son, Zac, at the battle that had cost him his and everyone else's home. Was the loss of one child as heavy a toll as the loss of one's entire family as many had experienced.

"I know." Apollo too, had painful memories of that day. He was with Zac on the mission that had discovered the Cylon ambush, for all the good that early warning had done them. The President had refused to launch intercept craft for fear of destroying the peace he had worked to achieve. His mistake had cost them more than a thousand or ten thousand mistakes could have burdened the human race. "But," Apollo continued. "She'll be all right. This disturbance ahead is nothing I'm sure, and once we've determined that then we can return and bring them all up to the Galactica."

"Yes, I suppose you are right", conceded Adama. "Just sometimes I don't know if I can take another loss. I wonder if that's why I sent her there, to keep her out of harm."

"You did that for the same reason you are the most respected man in the fleet!", angrily burst Apollo, tired of seeing his father torturing himself over and over. "You would never ask anyone to do what you wouldn't send your own offspring to do!"

"Who's lecturing who now?" chided Adama. He was immensely proud of his son. For a long time he thought his son would never recover from the twin losses of his younger brother and briefly betrothed. But now he felt that Apollo was beginning to emerge from his perpetual gloom and assert the inner strength he possessed.

"I've got to go," announced Apollo after a brief pause. "I want to check up on Starbuck and Boomer before their patrol."

So that was it, thought Adama. That was the cause of his sudden burst of anger. He is angry over his loss of flight time due to the responsibilities I've added on him. For a moment Adama felt a twinge of guilt. Maybe he was keeping Apollo behind a desk for his own safety, but then again, the fleet needed Apollo in his new capacity and he needed his son's abilities on the bridge as much as Athena's. After another stab of pain, Adama returned his gaze to the viewport, staring ahead at what was awaiting them out there.

"And one more thing," Apollo recited for the tenth time. "If you see any type of trouble, head immediately back to the fleet. We'll need your input more than your heroics this time, Starbuck."

"All right, all right, I understand, Captain. If we see anything suspicious take a quick peak and race back home." Starbuck's cockpit shut at that moment and sealed itself to the Viper.

"Boomer", Apollo said looking over at his friend.

"Don't worry, Apollo. I'll keep an eye on him and we'll be back in time for evening rations. I promise." Boomer's cockpit closed at that instant denying Apollo a chance to reply.

The two Vipers powered up their engines and launched. The fighters raced down their respective tubes and broke free into space, heading on a course that would take them in front of the fleet.

"Hey, Boomer," said Starbuck. "Have you worked at all on that fumarella for me that won't put out as much smoke."

Boomer chuckled at that. Starbuck's fumarellas had achieved widespread fame throughout the fleet. In fact, new cadets idolizing the young war hero had started a new trend by smoking non-nicotine ones. It had become the new fad on the academy ship and had generated a booming business that Starbuck was all to happy to seize on with a little arm twisting of his best friend. So far the Commander had looked the other way but it was only a matter of time before Colonel Tigh caught on and then they would be seeing deep space patrol duty for a quarter of a yahren.

"Don't even start, Starbuck. I can't believe you talked me into this."

"What are you talking about. It's a legitimate deal that can't go wrong."

"Yeah", replied Boomer. "That's what you said about your last gambling system and I'm stilling paying off that debt!"

"Whoa, Boom-boom. Tell me when was the last time I let you down twice in a row", interjected the brash lieutenant.

While Boomer was milling over a good reply to that remark, trying to pin down just one instance out of the many he could think of, the scanners chimed a warning.

"Starbuck, are you getting something on the forward scanners?" questioned Boomer.

"Just a micron", Starbuck said as he flipped on his display. "Yeah, dead ahead. I'll bet you that's our communication source and its not that far away. Let's go take a look."

"I'm with you, but remember what Apollo said," warned Boomer.

"Yeah, yeah, I remember mother's instructions. I'll be careful." With that, Starbuck ignited his thrusters and peeled off in a slow roll to the right. Boomer followed right on his tail.

"I'm getting some crazy readings on my scope. They're coming from a large planet in this solar system. The scanners can't make heads or tails of them. We better report this to the Galactica," concluded the dark lieutenant, as cautious a man as his partner was brash.

"Boomer", echoed Starbuck in that 'I'm going do something crazy and con you to go along with me' voice that Boomer knew all too well. "We're beyond range of direct communication with the fleet and we've come all this way. Let's just zip in, take a quick peep and zip right out. We'll only be gone for a few centons. No problem."

Boomer reluctantly agreed, knowing that Starbuck was going to go with or without him and besides, if he went along he may keep him out of trouble. The two Vipers streaked ahead towards the multi-ringed world.

"I've never seen so many rings on a planet before. And the rocks seem to be composed of some ore that jams our scanners", reported Boomer. "Watch yourself !"

"You bet", Starbuck casually replied, and dove straight through the maze of speeding rocks.

"Starbuck!" shouted Boomer, but he was already out of range and his scanner couldn't pick him up through the interference. Right before he could ignite his turbos and go in after him, Starbuck's Viper came shooting out of the asteroid ring with full turbos blasting.

". . . out of here, Boomer! It's a trap!" erupted Starbuck's voice over the static.

Without hesitating, Boomer rotated his ship around and went off in pursuit of his wingmate. Just as he was turning around he caught a glimpse of something very large out of the corner of his eye. In the next moment, laser fire erupted and struck the asteroids that were near Boomer's fighter a few moments ago.

"Felgercarb", muttered Boomer. "Must be a Cylon trap. Did you get a look at what that was Starbuck? Starbuck?"

"Ah, frack !", cursed Starbuck. "They've jammed our communications ! We can't even send a delayed message to the fleet. I guess it'ss up to us." Boomer sensed the agitation in Starbuck's voice and wondered what he could have seen that would have shaken him up that much.

"Starbuck, talk to me."

"I don't know what it was Boomer, but it was big! It looked like a Cylon basestar but only a lot more deadly. That thing is at least twice as big as their usual capital ships and is armed to the teeth!" Starbuck paused for emphasis. "We've got to get back to the fleet and warn them or they won't know what hit them!" The two warriors continued on their journey with the Cylon colossus in pursuit. The attack was imminent, thought the Imperious Leader, high atop his command pedestal in the first city of the Cylon Empire. The construction of the super basestar had been completed ahead of schedule and he couldn't have found a more competent Cylon to command the most powerful ship in the universe for this mission. Even though he was on the brink of triumph over the last survivors of the Colonies, the Leader could not entirely concentrate on the task at hand.

Recently he had noticed an anomaly in his circuitry that any other being might call an obsession. His relentless dedication to the eradication of all human life in the star system. This one goal had consumed his tenure of leadership over the most powerful empire in the history of the universe. His predecessor had seen to it that the human civilization had been destroyed, but he had not totally eliminated this irritating manifestation.

The Imperious Leader viewed the span of the Cylon Alliance as infinite. That was why he could not allow one human to survive. If the Galactica and her fleet ever found safe refuge from which to rebuild their civilization, they might pose a threat to their order in a handful of millennia. That threat could not be allowed to continue. The Leader had already taken many steps towards the conclusion of this war which his predecessor had all but brought to a close. His predecessor had paid for his incompetence and had been destroyed in the explosion that consumed the planet Carillon and allowed the humans to escape into the cosmos on their uninterrupted journey. This Leader had made certain that the complete annihilation of everything associated with human life be the Empire's top priority. That was why he had ordered the destruction of the planet Kobol after the humans' escape from another Cylon trap. This planet was the origin of all human life in star system and he wanted it to be a symbol of his new dedication to this war.

The Alliance had paid a heavy price for its focus on the last battlestar. The boundaries of the Cylon Empire were growing slower than ever with the removal of precious baseships to search for the elusive fleet. If this war was not won soon, the integrity of the Cylon Empire might be compromised. But if the humans were not eliminated, the Empire might be doomed to destruction in the end. No other lifeform had fought their order more efficiently and successfully than the human race. They must be destroyed or the machine race he presided over would swiftly become the hunted rather than the hunter.

Aboard the Galactica, all was going routinely, but a sense of foreboding doom was swelling up within the crew. There long range patrol was overdue in their report and Adama couldn't help but feel that something was inherently wrong out there. It was times like these that Adama yearned for his lost youth when he and Tigh were hotshot pilots under his father's command, much like Apollo and Starbuck were now. Every time he looked at those two, he saw an image of himself and his old friend and could envision the day when the next generation would inherit the responsibilities of command and take their rightful place as leaders.

"Commander", began Flight Sergeant Rigel. "We have an incoming transmission from New Caprica."

"Commander, they were under strict orders to maintain radio silence. Athena wouldn't have broken that unless it was a good reason", declared Tigh. New Caprica was being protected by a camouflage shield similar to the one that kept the Galactica and its fleet invisible from the Cylons most of the time.

"Put it through up here," ordered Adama from atop his command pedestal which gave an unobstructed view of the majority of the bridge. Most commanders used the strategic location of this position to enforce discipline in the crew as Tigh often did. But Adama used it to coordinate military matters more efficiently as he was sure his executive officer would agree.

"Galactica!", hurriedly addressed Lt. Athena. "Three Cylon baseships have just passed by New Caprica on your heading. Advise immediate action. Baseships approaching at flank speed!"

"Battlestations!" declared Adama as the whooping klaxon sounded in the background, alerting the crew to the urgent change in status. "Assemble Blue and Red squadrons for immediate launch. Alert Captain Bojay to assemble Silver Spar Squadron and standby in the launch bay!"

The bridge crew immediately reacted to the Commander's orders with impressive efficiency. Tremors could be felt through the deck as Colonial warriors all over the Galactica raced to their Vipers. Most officers would react with nervousness in anticipation of the battle, but the crew of the Galactica was remarkably composed. They had been through more life and death situations than most people ever experienced and each time their commander had managed to avoid certain destruction with a calm and cool demeanor. His composure on the bridge served to ease the tensions around him and gave his crew a sense of confidence in the upcoming crisis.

"Blue Squadron ready to launch," announced Captain Apollo. Adama realized that this was probably his last combat mission for he would soon promote him to handle more administrative responsibilities.

"Red Squadron ready to launch", snapped Flight Sergeant Greenbean right after. Without Starbuck or Boomer here, Greenbean was the next senior in rank to command the squadron.

"Launch!", ordered Adama in his booming voice.

"Launch all Vipers", relayed Rigel.

A shudder was felt through the deck as dozens of Vipers streaked down their respective launch tubes and shot out into space. After only a few moments, Apollo assembled Blue and Red squadrons and guided them to their rendezvous with the Cylons.

"Silver Spar Squadron standing by", announced Captain Bojay, formerly of the Battlestar Pegasus.

"Sir", began Tigh. "We have confirmation. Three baseships are entering scanner range. Approximately twenty-five microns to intercept."

Three baseships, thought Adama. It had taken only three baseships to wipe out civilization as they knew it. Three baseships had awaited them at Gomoray and it had taken two battlestars, with the loss of one of them, to defeat the Cylons there. He liked to think that his old friend Cain was still out there somewhere, battling the Cylons in his own war. But the odds of that were becoming dimmer after every secton passed without word from him. He had been silently dreading the moment when the Cylons would amass this strong a force against him and that time had finally come.

"Launch Silver Spar Squadron", decided Adama. That would leave the Galactica and the fleet virtually defenseless but how much more could the Cylons throw at them than three baseships. As the deck shuddered again at the departure of more ships, something was tingling in the back of Adama's mind. Something didn't seem right here and he sensed the Cylons had more cards in their deck than what they were showing, as Starbuck would say.

"Sir", began Rigel. "Long range patrol is entering scanner range."

"Good", announced Adama. "Have them report immediately . ."

"Commander", interrupted Rigel. "At the rate they are coming in they must be on full turbos."

"Patch me through immediately !"

". . .repeat, Galactica you are under imminent attack," spoke Starbuck's voice.

"Cylon warship pursuing us!"

"Sir", began Flight Officer Omega. "We have a large vessel entering scanner range. Warbook can't identify it. The computer places it between a Cylon basestar and a Delphian bulk freighter."

"Sound the alert !", announced Adama. "Bring out the ready reserves and the cadets!" ordered Adama, knowing that most of those pilots had just been sent out to there deaths. Four basehips, thought Adama. That was staggering. Where had the Cylons been able to pull that many ships from? Perhaps the boundaries of Cylon space were more extensive than they had believed. After all these yahrens they might still be within the territorial limits of the Cylon Empire.

"Colonel, have Starbuck and Boomer report to the bridge immediately after they have landed."

"Yes, sir ", replied Tigh, still amazed at the strength of the Cylon force they now confronted and puzzled at the identity of the new warship.

"Blue and Red squadrons, close up formation", ordered Apollo. "Bojay, bring Silver Spar Squadron up the rear and take care of anything that gets through. We've got two hundred and twenty defenseless ships to protect, and we're all that stands between them."

"Roger, Apollo", replied Bojay. "We'll clean up what you miss." A little competition between squadrons never hurt efficiency.

"Here they come !", said Sgt. Greenbean in his uncontrolled high pitched voice.

Successive walls of Cylon fighters bore down on the Colonial fighters in their ceaseless assault on the last remnants of humanity. Several Vipers were destroyed in the first exchange of weapons fire with several more Cylon Raiders exploding into cosmic dust.

"Break off and engage in single combat", ordered Apollo.

Dozens of Vipers peeled off from formation and maneuvered to engage the Cylon Raiders. Raiders travelled in groups of threes and the Vipers were originally overmatched. But with the elimination of the lead Cylon in the trio, the other two were separated and disorganized, giving the humans an advantage. One by one, he Raiders were destroyed in the dogfight that ensued.

"Captain, I've got two on my tail !", hollered Jolly.

"I'm on my way", replied Apollo as he steered his Viper to the rescue of his friend.

With precision flying Apollo maneuvered his ship to within range of the trailing Cylon fighter and destroyed it with a volley of laser fire. He then swung up high and, with pinpoint accuracy, obliterated the second Cylon Raider from up top, preventing the explosion from damaging Jolly's ship.

"Thanks, Apollo", responded Jolly in gratitude.

"You can thank me by saving Giles. He looks like he's about to have some trouble."

"I'm on it," replied Jolly.

Apollo looked around the battle and noticed something peculiar. "Bojay ? Have any Cylons slipped through yet ?"

"No, Captain," answered Bojay. "It looks like they've stopped to engage you. I'm coming up to give you a hand." In the next instant, Silver Spar Squadron activated their turbos and proceeded to engage the Cylons.

"That's not right", muttered Apollo. The Cylons always have tried to break through the lines and inflict as much damage on the fleet as possible, thought the warrior. "Unless their trying to keep us busy for something else." A premonition of doom swept over Apollo as he activated his intercom. "Apollo to Galactica, what's the situation over there."

"Captain, we have an incoming Cylon warship from in front of the fleet. Maintain your position. Additional reinforcements have been alerted. Tigh out."

Reinforcements, thought Apollo. That could only mean that he had sent out the ready reserves to take on a Cylon basestar. A bunch of cadets and aged warriors were no match for a Cylon baseship. But there was nothing he could do since their hands tied right now battling three Cylon baseships by themselves. With that, Apollo reentered the battle only to see another Colonial Viper explode before his eyes.

"Is that thing still behind us ?", questioned Starbuck.

"Yeah, but now we have some more company", replied Boomer.

Starbuck looked behind him and saw a wall of Raiders bearing down on them. Starbuck started to think if maybe the infamous Starbuck's Luck had finally run out when he spotted something in the distance.

"Hallelujah !", exclaimed Starbuck, as he caught the Battlestar Galactica in the distance.

"I'm with you," acknowledged Boomer.

As they approached their home ship, a squadron of Vipers zoomed past them on an intercept course with the enemy.

"Boomer, did you see the markings on those ships ?", said Starbuck in disbelief.

"Those weren't Blue or Red squadrons. They looked more like the cadets and ready reserves."

Just then, the confusion cleared up for the two warriors.

"Boomer, I think we're in big trouble."

Ensign Dietra lead Reserve Squadron against the Cylons. The last time she had been in this type of hopeless situation was when the Galactica's warriors had been incapacitated by an unknown disease and women from all over the fleet had joined up to fill in for the downed warriors. They had then fought and won a major victory over Kobol, with the belated help of their returning comrades. But this time was different. There wouldn't be any reinforcements. It was all up to them.

"All right team", began Dietra. "Let's show the Galactica that we're not a group of past-timers and wannabees."

"Right", yelped Cadet Brie, another female warrior.

"Break and hit them hard!" ordered Dietra.

The Colonial Vipers separated from each other in a not so perfect peel off and roll over maneuver. The last time they were in a dogfight, they had relied on their inexperience and unorthodox battle techniques to achieve victory. Commander Adama had encouraged them to keep that up, but she was afraid that all the practice in trying to be unorthodox had made them predictable. She would soon find out.

Dietra pulled her Viper in a head on collision course with three Cylon Raiders. She released a volley of laser fire while corkscrewing off to her left. The Cylon fighters missed her completely with one exploding in her wake. Well, she thought, that was one down and a hundred more to go.

The rest of the battle was not going as well. After initial victories by all pilots, the age of the older ones was beginning to show. Several pilots had been killed by not being able to react fast enough, or by using battle techniques that were outdated and easily predictable by their Cylon counterparts. Many died heroically though, with one pilot taking out three Cylon Raiders in a suicide run due to an engine failure. Dietra made a mental note to recommend that pilot for a medal, posthumously.

Dietra evaded a Raider who was bearing down on her and was bringing her Viper to bear on another enemy ship when she noticed her fatal mistake. The escape move she had started had put her right in the middle of the deadly Cylon pinwheel attack. It was too late to break up their coordination and in another few moments she would be a collection of scattered atoms. Determined to make the most of her death, she put herself on a collision course with the nearest Cylon, hoping to take one out before they opened fire.

Just then the Cylon in front of her was destroyed enabling to Dietra to break out of the trap. She swung around and vaporized one of the other Raiders with a vengeance as cold as space itself while her companion destroyed a third of the trio.

"Thank you, whoever that was", said Dietra in gratitude.

"No problem, Skipper", replied Brie.

Maybe they had a chance, thought Dietra in amazement until she looked around and noticed why there were no more Cylons around them.

"Brie ! They've broken through ! Reserves, form up and pursue back to the Galactica, full turbos!" We're all that's left between us and the destruction of the fleet, remarked Dietra privately. "I only hope the others are doing better."

The Cylons continued their relentless assault. Overall the Galactica warriors were handling themselves well, but Apollo knew it was only a matter of time before fatigue set in and the sheer numbers of the Cylons would overwhelm the Colonial warriors.

Apollo got an idea and activated his ship-to-ship communicator. "Jolly, take command. I've got an idea."

"Where are you going, Captain ?", asked Jolly as he watched Apollo's Viper peel off from the group.

"Right down the maw of that Cylon basestar !"

"Apollo's that's crazy !"

"You have your orders. I'll be back before you know it." With that, Apollo directed his fighter into a trio of Raiders. He fired his lasers at a point just in front of the lead Cylon ship.

"There", said Apollo, satisfied with his deed. "That ought to get your attention."

The three Cylon fighters turned to pursue Apollo who promptly applied his turbo engines and flew straight at the nearest Cylon basestar. If he could only damage one of them, that might cause the other two to withdraw since their would be inadequate fueling facilities for all of their ships in a continuous battle.

Apollo flew right between two basestars towards the one in the rear. That would be the basestar that contained the brains of the operation, he thought. And as long as I'm in between them, they can't fire for fear of hitting each other. The last time he had gone up against a Cylon basestar was with Starbuck at the Battle of Gomoray. There the legendary Commander Cain had piloted his battlestar, the Pegasus, right between two Cylon basestars in order to get at Baltar's ship. Apollo and Starbuck had knocked out the Cylons' anti-missile defense systems in order to give Cain a clear path through. They had never known if their plan succeeded. The resulting explosion of two Cylon baseships caused so much glare that they never saw if the Pegasus made it or not. She was presumed lost, but Apollo wondered often if the Juggernaut had managed another victory out of the jaws of defeat.

He passed through the two ships and was greeted with a volley of laser fire from the third. "Well this one doesn't worry about hitting the others", mumbled Apollo. "I'd better make this quick."

Apollo flew straight towards the middle of the Cylon ship, the point where it was most vulnerable. He fired his laser torpedoes until their charge was used up and at the last possible second escaped a collision. The Cylon pilots, as he had hoped, were not so quick to act and followed their prey straight into their own baseship. Apollo looked back to see the Cylon baseship suffer explosion after explosion and soon the structural support could not stay together any longer. The top hemisphere of the Cylon warship crashed down upon its lower twin and the deadly Cylon basestar exploded in a glare that whited out space itself.

"Nice job, Skipper," cheered Jolly. "The Cylons are retreating back to their baseships."

"Let's contact the Galactica and see how they're doing," replied Apollo. "Apollo to Galactica." No reply followed. "Captain Apollo to the Galactica."

"Apollo," moaned Jolly in despair.

"Let's not jump to conclusions, Jolly. If the Galactica had been destroyed we would have seen it," assured the captain. "You stay here and I'll go take a look."

"Captain Apollo," a voice broke in over the comlink before Apollo could depart.

"Yes, Ensign Dietra," replied Apollo, recognizing the voice of the dark skinned pilot.

"Captain, Cylon Raiders have boarded the Galactica!" reported the fiery woman. Then more somberly. "I've think she's been captured."

Walls of Cylon fighters bore down on the last battlestar in their relentless assault against the human race. The Cylons operating these war machines didn't bother to engage the Colonial warriors that had been sent out to intercept them. Their mission was clear and they proceeded unimpeded towards the Galactica.

"Commander, Cylon craft have broken through our front lines. Ensign Dietra is regrouping to pursue but the Cylons will be on top of us any micron," reported Colonel Tigh grimly.

"Activate defense systems," ordered Adama, preparing for the fight of his life. "Negative shield."

The great shield doors vertically closed over the main screen, shutting out images of Raiders closing down on the great warship.

The Cylons attacked with machine efficiency, selecting targets and then destroying them. The automatic defense systems came to life and numerous laser cannons began firing at the enemy. Raider after Raider was destroyed as they came within range. Some Cylons got off shots before they were obliterated, destroying a laser cannon or two in the process. But the destruction of the Galactica was not the goal of the Cylons in this battle. This time they had come to capture the battlestar intact and deliver it to their superior.

Cylon ships concentrated their assault on the laser turrets mounted near the landing bay and once neutralized, began their descent into the interior of the ship. This was noticed all to clearly by the Galactica crew on the bridge.

"They're going to try to take us this time, Adama," said Tigh after seeing the pattern emerge on the monitors.

"Alert all warriors to move on the landing bay. We can't allow them to get to the inner parts of the ship. If they reach the solium tanks or the weapons arsenal they might due more than capture us."

Bridge personnel obediently began to relay the Commander's orders. With most of the Galactica's warriors out in space, few were able to answer the call.

"Notify all personnel to lock themselves in their quarters until the situation is secure", ordered Adama.

Tigh swiftly carried out the order as people scattered to shelter in preparation for the imminent attack.

The Cylons fired lasers on stun setting as they entered the landing bay, rendering the ground crew useless to resist. As the Raiders finished their landing, dozens of Cylon warriors exited their craft and proceeded to the bridge. That was the nerve center of the ship and where the human Adama would be. The Cylons moved relentlessly through the passageways of the Galactica. Along the way, Colonial warriors attempted to stop them. The Cylons suffered casualties but within moments the humans had been defeated.

"Are all the civilians out of their way", questioned Adama to his second.

"As far as I know, yes", replied Tigh as he glanced down at a hard copy of a report.

"But with all the confusion there's no way to tell."

"Prepare to flood the passages with cryolic gas."

"Adama, we don't know if that will have any effect", replied Tigh. "And if there are any civilians in the area they will be killed instantly."

"I know, Tigh, but we can't allow them access to the bridge."

Colonel Tigh paused to let that last statement sink in. Trying to clear his conscience of the possible deaths that would ensue, he turned to the deck officer to relay the Commander's orders. "Omega, flood the passages between the Cylons and the bridge."

"Yes, sir", replied Omega softly and began to carry out the order.

Starbuck and Boomer waited behind a group of crates until the last Cylon had passed by.

"Boomer", pleaded Starbuck. "We've got to do something! We can't just sit here and let them take the ship."

"I know, Starbuck", replied Boomer in the tone of voice he reserved for dealing with Starbuck in his present condition. "But there are fifty of them and two of us ! "

"Well we can't just sit here !", exclaimed Starbuck, frustrated by their inaction. Boomer was the cautious one, but Starbuck had always preferred the 'run in with your guns blazing' approach.

"Look", Boomer began calmly, trying to knock some sense into his friend. "We will do something. But for right now we should just sit and wait. We won't do anybody any good if we're dead. Commander Adama can take care of the situation." Boomer realized he wasn't changing Starbuck's mind at all, and tried a different, more personal approach. "We're the capstone on the pyramid, Starbuck. We'll wait here until we get our shot. We don't want to tip our hand to the enemy too early. Alright ?"

Starbuck began to think about that, and acting against every muscle in his body, he listened to his brain and heeded his friend's advice. "Alright, Boomer, we'll play it your way", acquiesced Starbuck. "For now."

Well, a partial victory is better than no victory when it comes to Starbuck, thought Boomer. Now there was nothing to do but wait. The Cylon centurions marched unopposed inside the Galactica. As they progressed to the bridge, an unlocked door slid open off to the side. A centurion turned around to investigate this anomaly and saw a human female clutching a small child. The woman screamed for an instant until a discharge from the Cylon's weapon silenced the woman forever. The centurion turned to rejoin his comrades as they progressed to the bridge.

"I never thought I'd see the day . . ." began Colonel Tigh as he gazed at the monitor showing the Cylons' march to the bridge.

"Neither did I, Tigh," admitted Adama. They had grappled long and hard with this enemy, and never in their long yahrens of struggle had they seen a Cylon warrior freely walking the decks of the Galactica. It was the most unholy intrusion that they could possibly think of, and they both couldn't help but think that the purity of their battleship, and their souls, had been tarnished in some way.

"Everything's ready, Commander", reported Omega.

"Release the gas", replied Adama, silently wishing that no innocent bystanders would be caught by the deadly toxin.

The green vapors began to filter into the passageways in front of the Cylons. Cryolic gas was a dense atmospheric vapor that generated a tremendous electrical charge. It was used to stir clouds to rain on planets they visited, but used in a dense environment like the halls of the Galactica it could produce a tremendous amount of energy. The centurions approached the green cloud barrier before them. Small bursts of lightning could be seen erupting inside the cloud. The bridge crew watched the monitor as the enemy passed into the trap. Microns turned into centons and the Galactica warriors began to breathe a sigh of relief when suddenly Rigel spotted motion on her monitor.

"Look!" said Rigel, quieting everyone down. The Cylon death parade emerged unscathed from the electrical bombardment. Only one centurion had been affected and his systems shorted out just shy of the end as he collapsed forward, only his head emerging from the deadly green mist.

"It didn't even slow them down !", exclaimed Colonel Tigh. Adama took in the images he beheld with his own eyes. After a few moments of silence he made his decision.

"Issue arms to all personnel on the bridge and take up defensive positions", ordered Adama.

Everyone hurried to obey and prepare for the impending battle. No one bothered to notice an unauthorized intrusion on the bridge until a mechanical sounding growl was heard by the senior officer, along with the voice of its master commanding silence.

"Quiet, Muffy", the voice said.

"Boxey! ", said Adama in disbelief as he beheld the image of his grandson before his eyes.

"Sorry, Grandpa. We'll be more quiet from now on," replied the boy, naive to the danger surrounding him.

"The Cylons must be jamming our communications", said Apollo.

"Well what are we waiting for", said Jolly, expecting to join the battle soon.

Apollo thought long and hard. They had just finished an exhausting and time consuming battle. Their fuel was low, and they had no communications with the Galactica. Thinking about his father and his son, Apollo made the most difficult decision in his life.

Apollo switched over to unicom. "Ships of the fleet, this is Captain Apollo. After engaging the Cylons, it is our belief that the Galactica is under hostile attack. We do not believe that she is in any immediate danger. It appears that the Cylons mean to capture her, and I'm sure Commander Adama can deal with the situation. In the meantime, you will execute a 180 degree turn and follow three squadrons of Vipers to a rendezvous point from which we will escort you tosafety. Captain Apollo out."

"Captain", exclaimed Jolly. "Do you know what you're doing ?"

"Apollo, we can't just leave them here", sounded Bojay in support.

"Yes we can", said Apollo sternly. "I'm doing the only thing I can right now, and that's saving lives. With the Galactica repelling boarders, the fleet is in danger. We have to ensure that the human race survives, at any cost. Is that clear."

"Yes, sir", chirped in Jolly and Bojay together along with several murmurs of approval by the other pilots.

"All right, you have your orders," replied Apollo.

As the ships of the fleet prepared to follow the surviving Vipers, Apollo's thoughts drifted towards those on the Galactica, including a little boy and his daggit. Reassuring himself that he was doing the right thing and that his father could handle anything he was in, Apollo ignited his turbos and lead the fleet back to New Caprica.

"Boxey," exclaimed Adama once more in disbelief. This was the last place he wanted his grandson to be with the Cylons preparing to attack at any moment.

"What are you doing here!"

"I wanted to be where the action was," replied the boy, oblivious to the danger he was in.

Trying not to frighten the boy, Adama gently prodded Boxey to safety, placing him in the cubby hole below one of the computer stations.

"I don't want to hide, Grandpa", wined Boxey with daggit in tow. "I'm a junior cadet you know. I want to help !"

"You can Boxey," soothed Adama. "You see this computer station ?" the boy nodded his head. "Well, this station is very important to the functioning of the ship and I want you and Muffy to stand guard here and protect it."

Eager to help in any way, Boxey replied earnestly. "You can count on us, Commander ! Right Muffy ?" The mechanical daggit barked, or attempted to make a sound close to a bark, in agreement.

"Good, I knew I could count on you", Adama confided and took his place at the top of the command podium.

Everyone became silent, privately hoping that if no one could hear them, then the Cylons might pass by. In a few moments their wishful thinking turned to despair as Cylon laser rifles blew out the doors to the bridge and a multitude of shiny, metallic giants marched through.

A furious battle erupted with the Galactica warriors returning fire, fighting for their lives. The Cylons fell one by one, but no sooner than a centurion was disabled, than another took its place. The Cylons were deadly efficient in their aim and several Galacticans met their fates. These warriors weren't the best when it came to combat. They were mostly technicians and warriors who weren't qualified for the glory to be Viper pilots. Their inexperience showed despite their heroic efforts to the contrary. The Cylons were gaining the upper hand, when a daggit erupted from its perch and bounded to the nearest Cylon, attempting to pierce its metal armor with its teeth.

"Muffy, come back!" shouted the pet's master as he dutifully leapt after his friend.

"No, Boxey !", shouted Colonel Tigh, realizing too late that his command had not been heeded.

Before Tigh or Adama could make a move, Omega rushed after Boxey, desperately trying to stop the inevitable. A Cylon warrior took its mark and fired on the Colonial warrior, bringing him to the ground. The shot just glanced off of Omega, but the pain stopped him just as effectively.

Boxey ran up to the Cylon attacking his daggit and began kicking him in the shins. The Cylon warrior turned its efforts away from the mechanical menace and picked Boxey up off the ground with its spare hand.

"I have the boy," droned the Cylon squad leader in its monotone, artificial voice. "Surrender or he will be destroyed."

There were no terms, no sense of bluffing. The Cylon warrior had Boxey and was going to kill him if they didn't do what he wanted. With painful remorse for what he was about to do, Adama stood up and said something he promised himself he would never say.

"Cease fire." He paused for a heartbeat to collect his courage and swallow any pride remaining in his soul. "We surrender."

About now, the Galactica bridge should be secured, thought the Imperious Leader from atop his command pedestal in the First City of the Cylon Empire. Communications technology had advanced at an incredible pace since he had been chosen as the next Supreme Cylon. Thanks to the efforts of the human known as Dr. Ravashol and his invention, he was able to maintain close contact with all of his forces, wherever they may be in the universe.

Dr. Ravashol's device, the Ravashol pulsar-laser communication wave unit, had been turned into a deadly weapon atop Mt. Hekla on the ice planet of Tairac. That device had nearly been the end of Adama, had it not been for the efforts of a particular loathsome duo of humans known as Starbuck and Apollo. Those two humans had cost him victory more times than he was ready to count.

The communications device had not been solely devoted to warfare. Its communications abilities had also been exploited allowing him to maintain contact with almost every corner of the Cylon dominion. Little did Baltar know how closely he was being watched atop his chair, thinking out loud his dreams of empire and conquest. The Imperious Leader knew of Baltar's plot to rest Gomoray from him and make it his personal seat of power, until Commander Cain spoiled those plans. He almost silently thanked Cain for his military victory, for he might not have been able to control Baltar if he would have succeeded in defeating Adama at Gomoray. Because of that fiasco, Baltar's usefulness grew hin after he cost the Imperial Navy two top of the line basestars and their respective crews. But before the Imperious Leader could act, Baltar once again blundered at a convenient time. Strange how that human had been able to make so many disastrous mistakes and still have the opportunity to make more, thought the Leader.

Baltar had finally made a critical error in approaching the same humans he had betrayed and expecting them to take him as an emissary of peace once more. The humans responded to his suggestion of an alliance against the mysterious beings of light by incarcerating him for life. Nevertheless, Baltar had been useful as a scapegoat. It wasn't good for the mind state of a superior race to suffer repeated defeat at the hands of an inferior lifeform without some good excuse. Without Baltar, the Imperious Leader needed another who had the ability to achieve victory and yet could be adequately blamed for possible defeat without injury to Cylon superiority. He had found that commander and the transition had been accomplished with great ease. The possibilities of success were higher than ever. He was confident that Baltar's successor would succeed where the former had failed.

Too much time and effort had been invested in this operation for the Galactica and its fleet to be simply destroyed. For his own personal satisfaction, and the glory of the superiority of Cylon civilization, the Galactica had to be captured and her crew brought back to Cylon to demonstrate their inferiority. Above all, Adama must be brought before him, on his knees. That was the only way to justify the tremendous effort that had been put into this increasingly overextended operation.

A Cylon centurion entered the command chambers of the super basestar. Approaching the command pedestal, he uttered a three word phrase that had been used for millennia in the Cylon ranks to demonstrate a willingness to obey orders.

"By your command", droned the Cylon in his synthesized voice.

"Speak, Centurion", replied the Commander.

"The Galactica bridge has been taken and Adama has been captured alive."

"Excellent ! Is the rest of the operation going as planned ?"

"We are experiencing resistance. The garrison commander requests reinforcements."

"Very well, have the troop carriers return to the baseship to transfer reinforcements. Although I believe the humans will be less resistant when they learn we have their commander. Have Adama and his second brought to me", ordered the Commander.

"By your command", with that simple phrase the centurion departed the command chambers to carry out his orders.

"Hurry up, Boomer," urged Starbuck. "We've got to see what's going on."

"Just a centon," replied Boomer, vigorously working on the lock to the weapons arsenal. "If we're going to conduct an efficient guerilla resistance we're going to need supplies. . . there!" exclaimed Boomer as he got past the electronic lock.

Boomer opened the doors and began systematically looking for some essentials. First he removed an extra pair of sidearms for the two of them and then grabbed a remote charger to re-power their pistols when they ran out of charge. He then ducked into the supply room next door and removed a few ration bars that would keep up their strength for an extended period of time.

"Come on, Boomer," pleaded his friend as he kept a look out, "I think I can hear some of those tin cans now."

"All right, Starbuck, we're ready," as Boomer removed one more item to complete their inventory.

The two of them departed the arsenal room and no sooner did they leave than a column of Cylon warriors marched down the passageway. The only sound in the area was the whine of their electronic red eyes bouncing back and forth endlessly across their faceplates.

The Cylon centurion approached the group of prisoners herded in the war room of the Galactica. With a measured automatic stride he closed in on the senior member of this group of humans and addressed him.

"You are the commander of this ship," said the centurion in a voice betraying no emotion whatsoever or for that matter whether the statement was a question or a fact.

"I am," replied Adama defiantly, still feeling the pain of what circumstances forced him to do.

"You are his second," said the Cylon once more in that same tone to Colonel Tigh.

"Yes," spat the Colonel attempting no effort to hide his disdain for the being before him.

"The Commander has ordered you to be taken to the baseship. Follow me," said the Cylon once more and turned his rifle towards the two prisoners.

Slowly, the two officers moved away from the others and walked behind another Cylon leading the way as their interrogator brought up the rear, the light glinting off his freshly polished weapon.

The rest of the bridge crew looked on in disbelief as Adama and Tigh were taken away. They all knew that if they were taken to the Cylon battleship, then there was no hope of rescuing them and ending this nightmare that was unfolding before their eyes. Rigel looked away, the tears streaming down her cheeks as she attended Omega's wounds.

Omega tried to offer a reassuring smile despite the pain he was feeling from the laser wound. "Hey, don't worry. I'm sure the Commander's got something in mind. I bet he wants to go to that basestar and the Cylons are falling right into his trap."

Before Rigel could reply a Cylon walked up to the two and pointed his rifle right at them. "Silence," it commanded and the two dutifully obeyed. The centurion walked away and Rigel gave Omega an appreciative look, silently thanking him for his words. She resumed her work on his arm and privately hoped that Omega was right.

"New Caprica, straight ahead," whooped Jolly before cursing himself for showing any joy, remembering that the pain of the battle was still in everyone's mind.

"Thank you, Jolly," reassured Apollo, letting Jolly know that his last remark wasn't injurious to him.

"Attention Galactica fleet. This is Captain Apollo. Prepare to assume a tight orbit above the planet. We don't know how far the camouflage shield extends and we want to make sure that we're not detected by the Cylons. Apollo out."

"Bojay," Apollo said switching his communicator to interviper mode. "You're in charge of the orbiting maneuver. When your finished report to me on the surface."

"Roger, Apollo," replied Bojay. "Say high to Athena for me."

"You bet," replied Apollo, wondering about that last comment. Apollo and the other warriors, save Bojay's squadron, piloted their Vipers down to the surface.

The Cylon entourage escorted Adama and Tigh to the landing bay of the Galactica where dozens of Cylon fighters were refueling. Adama was still recovering from the shock of seeing Cylon troops marching unimposed on his ship and refueling from his supplies. Even though Adama felt that he had betrayed his people, almost as worse as Baltar, he knew he had taken the appropriate actions at the right time. With any luck, Apollo had obeyed his orders and had taken the fleet to a safe harbor, probably New Caprica. Adama and Apollo had agreed a long time ago that if the Galactica were to ever be captured or mortally damaged, then the squadron leader would take the fleet to safety, at the expense of the battlestar. The survival of the human race was paramount to any other goal. He only hoped that Apollo would have the courage to sacrifice the lives of his son and his father to make the right decision.

Adama and Tigh were directed towards a Cylon troop carrier, one of two that were currently in the landing bay. More troops were probably on their way right now to begin the process of rounding up all of the crew who were still hiding or fighting on the ship. That was one advantage they had, the sheer size of the Galactica. It would take a considerable amount of time and effort to secure every part of the battlestar at the cost of many Cylons.

That was one reason he had chosen to surrender, despite the obvious fact of saving his grandson's life. He hoped that he had made this decision based on the possibility of repelling their boarders in the future rather than preserving the life of one boy at the cost of thousands. Yes, he was confident that his crew would be able to wage a successful resistance and cost the Cylons time and resources that would hurt them when Apollo returned to retake the ship. The Cylon commander was doing exactly what he wanted. By removing Adama from the ship, the Cylons would no longer be able to blackmail obedience for his life. The Colonial warriors would now have a free hand to repress their enemies and regain their freedom.

Adama and Tigh boarded the craft and were guarded carefully by two Cylon centurions while another three piloted the craft out of the landing bay and towards their mothership. The Cylon craft took a course directly for the massive basestar that lay a only a few thousand metrons away from the Galactica.

Starbuck and Boomer managed to return to the landing bay just in time to see Adama and Tigh board the Cylon ship and lift off towards the super basestar.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking," said Starbuck slyly, already determined to go ahead with his plan with or without Boomer's help. Of course, the latter was only a matter of time. Starbuck had a particular knack for manipulating Boomer to go along with his ideas by forcing his friend to think he was the only vestige of rationality and common sense in the duo and therefore indispensable.

"Sure, why not? We'll just walk up to those Cylons and ask them to give us a lift back to their command ship," replied Boomer incredulously.

"Look, Boomer, there going to need a lot more centurions to take this ship and I'm betting that last troop carrier is getting ready to leave. So I suggest that we sort of get a lift over without actually asking," suggested Starbuck.

Boomer thought about this one for a centon. Starbuck had thought of some pretty crazy schemes before but this topped them all. Then again, they couldn't just leave the Commander and Tigh over on that basestar at the Cylons' mercy. Boomer took a deep breath. For once he had to agree that Starbuck's crazy scheme was the best one.

Boomer nodded his approval and the two crept along the side of the landing bay towards the Cylon ship. While the Cylons were busy preparing the craft, the two warriors snuck on board. Along the back of the ship, they found an empty storage vault and hid inside before the two Cylon pilots could board the transport. The engines roared to life and with a sudden burst of acceleration the two warriors were well on their way to an impossible rescue mission.

Adama walked into the Cylon command chambers with a centurion prodding him forward from behind. The commander of the last battlestar stood defiantly before the tall throne and waited for the Cylon commander to swivel around and face him.

The chair slowly rotated as his opponent made himself known. Adama half expected to see Baltar's disgusting face gloating at him from above, but the sight he beheld was stranger still. He had heard of beings like this one from Lt. Starbuck, but had never faced one personally.

"Commander Adama, I presume", spoke the Cylon.

"That is correct and whom may I say I am addressing," returned Adama crisply.

"My you are a sharp one aren't you? Of course his exaltedness the Imperious Leader warned me of this. You of course have been brought here alive so that he may meet you personally. The Leader has been intrigued by you since the start of your escape and looks forward to meeting you," said the machine with an edge of sarcasm to his voice, a trait rare to most Cylons but not to his model. "You may address me as Lucifer."

Starbuck and Boomer were wedged in the compartment awfully tight to ensure that they were not visible.

"I hope you know what you are doing," whispered Boomer.

"I hope so too," replied Starbuck less than confidently.

The Cylon troop carrier continued on its journey to the super basestar ahead.

Fleeing from the Cylon tyranny, the last battlestar, Galactica, leads a ragtag fugitive fleet on a lonely quest. A shining planet known as Earth.

http://www.kobol.com/archives/BG-FAQ.html#E1 =

What is Battlestar Galactica?

Battlestar Galactica premiered on the ABC television network in September 1978. It was one of the most spectacular shows ever produced for television, and despite its relatively short life, today it has an active fandom, and can still be seen on television stations and video stores around the world.

Battlestar Galactica was the brainchild of Glen A. Larson, and evolved from an earlier project called Adam's Ark. Larson had pitched the show in the late 60's, the same time that the original Star Trek was in its death throes, but the project was put on the backburner. In the intervening years, Larson worked on many popular television programs, including It Takes a Thief, and McCloud. It wasn't until Star Wars hit movie theaters in 1977 that Larson's pet project became something viable.

Larson once remarked in Science Fantasy Film Classics (October 1978) : Adam's Ark was sort of about the origins of mankind in the universe, taking some of the biblical stories and moving them off into space as if by the time we get them to Earth, they're really not about things that happened here, but things that might have happened someplace else in space. It was influenced by Von Däniken's Chariots of the Gods and some of those things... Adam's Ark helped bring a focus into what my concept had been.

Ultimately, Battlestar Galactica is my original idea refined down to where I now have fixed on what my point of view is on how all humans throughout the galaxy probably evolved from some mother colony.

Galactica has often been described as the Star Wars of the small screen. Several Star Wars graduates worked on Galactica, including John Dykstra's special effects, and Ralph McQuarrie and Joe Johnston, who worked on the initial designs. The cast of television's new "Wagon Train to the stars" was led by Lorne Greene, best known as patriarch Pa Cartright of Bonanza. An important component in the series is Supervising Producer Leslie Stevens (The Outer Limits), who also produced Glen Larson's Buck Rogers of the 25th Century for NBC.

Special costumes from Jean-Pierre Dorleac contributed to the unique look and feel of the Battlestar Galactica universe, as did the stirring musical score and theme from Stu Phillips and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The Galactica theme was cowritten with Glen Larson, former member of The Four Preps. Galactica's costumes, names and themes were influenced by classical sources?Egyptian, Phoenician, Hebrew?plus some more modern ones (Von Däniken, Larson's ow n background as a Mormon.)

Initially planned as a series of telemovies consisting of a three-hour premiere and two two-hour movies, ABC executives upgraded the project to a full television series, after viewing the first half hour. The deal was signed several weeks before the Battlestar Galactica pilot appeared as a two-hour theatrical release in Canada, Europe and Japan.

Universal purchased 80 prints of film to run across Canada, and ran in more theaters than big films like Jaws, which had between 50 and 60 prints of film. Opening on July 7, 1978, the theatrical release did very well, a typical run lasting six weeks. Universal's agressive marketing and Galactica's appeal paid off, in this and subsequent theatrical releases, as Leslie Stevens remarked in Starlog #21 (April 1979): From the very beginning, we smelled that Battlestar Galactica could be a fine shot at a corner of the Star Wars market. And we were right. In theatrical release, Galactica beat out Grease and Jaws II in Japan and Canada. And it has been shown theatrically in this country [the United States]in a few test locations?after being shown on TV?and it did very good business.

Impressed by the profits generated by Galactica's theatrical releases, on March 29, 1979, Universal released the Buck Rogers pilot theatrically in the United States. Opening in more theaters than Jaws and The Sting, Buck Rogers grossed over $20 million in the first seven weeks of its release. At this point, on May 18, Universal released the Galactica premiere theatrically in some 400 theaters across the United States. Glen Larson's two television pilots have broken the unwritten rule that television pilots do not translate well to the big screen.

The three-hour pilot episode premiered on ABC on September 17, 1978, and audiences were treated to several scenes not seen in the theatrical releases. For the next eight months, 17 original episodes of the series appeared, consisting of 24 television hours. These include the three-hour television pilot, 4 two-part episodes, 1 two-hour special, and 11 one-hour episodes. Battlestar Galactica was canceled in April 1979, its last episode "The Hand of God" making its appearance on April 29.

Even after canceling the series, ABC continued to air Battlestar Galactica reruns between June and August 5. As early as May, two weeks after canceling the show, the network asked Larson for a two-hour movie where the Galactica discovers Earth, the project that eventually evolved into Galactica 1980.

When did Battlestar Galactica air?

The following is a list of all the episodes of Battlestar Galactica and Galactica 1980, along with their original airdates. This chart also indicates which episodes are on home video or have been novelized [see also G3 and P1].

What are the Battlestar Galactica telemovies?

After Galactica's demise on television, Universal cut the entire first season into twelve "telemovies", to be sold to television stations for syndication. The pilotepisode is an edited variant of the home video versio , and is 2h30 in length with commercials. The remainder of the telemovies are each two hours in length.

The four two-part episodes, Lost Planet of the Gods, Gun on Ice Planet Zero, The Living Legend, and War of the Gods, each feature about five minutes of new scenes, which were originally filmed for the episodes, but never made it in the original broadcast version. The only episode to be originally aired as a two-hour block, Greetings from Earth , notwithstanding slight variations in main title sequence, is virtually identical to the original broadcast version. Although this telemovie has no new scenes, it is an improvement on the syndicated version, which is lacking several minutes of material, due to the splitting of the episode into two parts.

The remainder of the series (13 one-hour episodes), are presented as two-hour blocks. In each of these telemovies, the individual episodes were edited so that the end result was a two-hour narrative, instead of two distinct episodes. Sometimes these episodes were pieced together with the inclusion of over-dubbed dialog, and bridge sequences (from stock footage). "Experiment in Terra" is the only one of these latter telemovies which actually features new footage.

It begins with an astronaut finding Commander Adama's log book in space, and a short pre-Carillon synopsis of the pilot, with narrations by Patrick Macnee and Lorne Greene (reciting from the log book.) This is followed by more stock footage from the pilot episode, and a special edited version of "The Return of Starbuck". This version of the Galactica 1980 episode has had all the scenes and references to Angela and her star child removed, and is made to appear as if Starbuck took the part-Cylon part-Galactican escape craft back to the Battlestar Galactica. This sequence is then followed by a slightly longer version of the episode "Experiment in Terra".

TELEMOVIE : ORIGINAL EPISODES

1. Battlestar Galactica

2-hr version of 3-hr premiere

2. Lost Planet of Gods

"Lost Planet of the Gods" (expanded)

3. Gun on Ice Planet Zero

"Gun on Ice Planet Zero" (expanded)

4. The Phantom in Space

"The Lost Warriors"

"The Hand of God"

5. Space Prison

"The Man with Nine Lives"

"Baltar's Escape"

6. Space Casanova

"Take the Celestra"

"The Long Patrol"

7. Curse of the Cylons

Fire in Space"

"The Magnificent Warriors"

8. The Living Legend

"The Living Legend" (expanded)

9. War of the Gods

"War of the Gods" (expanded)

10. Greetings from Earth

"Greetings from Earth"

11. Murder in Space

"Murder on the Rising Star"

"The Young Lords"

12. Experiment in Terra

"The Return of Starbuck" (edited)

"Experiment in Terra" (expanded)

How much did Battlestar Galactica cost ?

There are conflicting numbers for the initial costs of the show. The Galactica office had announced that the first seven hours (the premiere, "Lost Planet of the Gods", and "Gun on Ice Planet Zero") had a $7 million budget, but some sources put the actual cost at $9 million. Canadian publicity even claimed that the project was $14 million in the making. In its first seven hours, Galactica worked out to $1 million per episode, though, in an interview in Fantastic Films #5 (February 1979), Glen Larson estimated the true cost was closer to $750,000 per episode, the price ABC paid for each hour. No matter what the numbers, Galactica is one of the most expensive shows ever to appear on the small screen.

The Galactica bridge was estimated at $850,000. The computer hardware giant Tektronix donated $3 million worth of high tech computer hardware to dress up the set. Television monitors totaling $35,000 were used. The six-foot long model of the Galactica, which weighed 60 pounds, cost $50,000. In 1990, this model was restored for the purpose of a Battlestar Galactica display at Universal Studios Florida, in Orlando. 35 Cylon Centurion costumes, at $3,400 a piece, were created.

Some of the costs are very visible in the episodes themselves, including "Lost Planet of the Gods", part of which was shot on location with doubles at the Egyptian ruins at Luxor. In many ways, the special effects (especially in the premiere) surpass those of Star Wars.

Why was Battlestar Galactica canceled?

On April 29, 1979, ABC aired "The Hand of God". It would be Galactica's last original episode, for the network had just canceled the series. No longer riding the initial momentum of the premiere, ABC felt Galactica wasn't getting high enough ratings for the investment they put in the show, and believed it could maintain or exceed its ratings in a show with a much lower investment value. ABC's assumptions were wrong, for when it moved Mork and Mindy, into the same time slot (Sunday, 8PM EST), it got even lower ratings than Galactica did. The network realized it made a mistake, but by then it was too late. In a controversial article in Fantastic Films #29, the author claimed that Galactica was actually a ratings success, and that ABC exaggerated its ratings loss to kill a series it viewed as too expensive.

In his book, Confessions of the Kamikaze Cowboy (pg. 139), Dirk ("Starbuck") Benedict relates the thinking behind Galactica's cancelation:

For whatever reasons... Battlestar Galactica failed to live up to its blockbuster beginning. The ratings sagged and finally settled at a level that would have been sufficient for the continuation of any other show. But not for a project that had numero uno written all over it by everyone months before it went on the air. Anything but the top was too near the bottom and not good enough.

Glen Larson elaborated on Galactica's cancelation and its Sunday time slot in Starlog #36:

When you put the most popular show on the network [Mork and Mindy] there and [ABC] has to move it out, it proves the problem... was in the time slot, not us...

The original Galactica, I think, started off just right. It's like an airplane that takes off from an aircraft carrier?it sort of dips before it really gets going. Galactica by its sheer weight and expectations, took a natural dip as it left the carrier deck. Then I think it started to climb. We did better stories and concentrated more on the characters...

[Galactica] had either the good fortune or the bad fortune to be on the most successful schedule in the history of television. In the ABC schedule last year, literally every show was in the 40's. That was just phenomenal. Galactica was canceled with a position of 24th in the top 100 shows, according to Cashbox's annual sweepstakes lineup. We happened to be on a network that misinterpreted how competitive, how tough the eight o'clock time slot was on Sunday night.

What is Galactica 1980 ?

The cancelation of Battlestar Galactica produced a flurry of letters, phone calls, and even a sit-in at a local ABC affiliate by young fans. Two weeks after ABC pulled the plug in April 1979, the network compromised, and ordered the production of a two-hour movie to be filmed in the fall, where the Galactica discovers Earth. This project evolved into the three-part Galactica 1980 premiere of the same name, which aired on ABC between January 27 and February 10, 1980.

One of the earliest names associated with the project was the renowned science fiction writer Isaac Asimov. Just prior to Galactica's cancelation, Asimov had agreed to work as an advisor on a story bible for Galactica's second season (which would never be.) In an interview in Epi-Log Journal #14 (Spring 1994),

Glen Larson explained Asimov's association with Galactica 1980 :

In our talks with Asimov, we discussed a lot of ideas, and none of them had anything to do with discovering Earth. That was just sort of a hype that made it possible for us to get in business with ABC again. It was all to attract that young seven o'clock audience.

Adama reprised the role as commander, and Boomer is now Colonel, taking over the role played by Tigh. The remainder of the cast was entirely new, as most of the original crew were unavailable at the time of its filming. In fact, the roles for Troy and Dillon were originally written for Starbuck and Apollo. Xavier's role was originally written for Baltar (as president of the Council of the Twelve!) Why did the Galactica discover Earth? According to Larson, "we needed an event and certainly, Galactica discovering Earth was an event that would bring people back to the tube for a fresh sampling." (Starlog #36)

Three factors, however, were stacked against Galactica 1980's favor. They were working with a whole new cast, at a vastly reduced budget, and FCC regulations stipulated that the time slot (7 PM Sunday EST) was to be set aside for younger audiences. Kent McCord ("Troy") discussed some of these problems in Starlog #162:

ABC felt it was too good an idea to let go. They really wanted to make it work, but they needed a way to economize, and so, when they came up with the idea for Galactica 1980, they decided to let us find Earth so they wouldn't have to spend much money on sets. Glen's idea was to do something along the lines of The Day the Earth Stood Still, in which Barry Van Dyke and I were these peacemakers who come to Earth with the knowledge and powers to create either a peaceful or warlike situation. I felt a show with that premise was really worth doing.

ABC jumped back into it and started demanding that we put kids in the show so that we could attract a young audience. I told anybody who would listen that we made Adam 12 in a way that kids picked up on it without having to do things to attract a kid audience. But the network wouldn't listen, and I felt, by the time it got to the point where we saw alien kids playing baseball ["Spaceball"], that much of the show's original premise had been stolen from us.

McCord and others believed that the response to the pilot had guaranteed Galactica 1980 as a regular series in the Fall 1980 lineup. However, ABC wanted the series rushed into production just three weeks after the pilot episode aired. One Galactica 1980 writer, who wished to remain anonymous, remarked in Starlog #37 (August, 1980) :

I have the greatest amount of respect for Glen Larson. The fact that Galactica 1980 made it on the air at all is a tribute to that man's dedication and hard work. He was up against incredible odds. The audience reaction to the three-hour Galactica Finds Earth movie was tremendous. And ABC made a wonderful decision ? do a series. But they wanted it in three weeks. There was no time for preproduction, which can mean death for a science fiction show.

The same writer revealed that during the filming of the episodes, one would have seen scripts being written during filming, several episodes being aired at the same time, scenes shot on Friday and Saturday to air on Sunday, with production costs close to the original $1 million per hour. As McCord recalls :

There was one day that was just nuts. We were shooting on a soundstage with about 50 extras, and they came down at noon with eight pages of dialog and told us we had to learn these pages and be on another soundstage at 4 PM to shoot scenes from another episode that had nothing to do with the scenes we had been shooting. It was a mess.

In all, ten television hours of the show were produced?consisting of the three-part pilot, two two-part episodes, and three one-hour episodes. The show's ratings were abysmal, and even a guest appearance by Starbuck in the last episode couldn't save the series from extinction .

Will there be a Battlestar Galactica revival ?

At the Galactica 15 Yahren Reunion on October 13-15, 1993, in Los Angeles, creator Glen Larson announced, "the Fox television network would like to bring Galactica back. There is a good chance we will be doing... something like a four hour movie that will reexamine the whole saga of Galactica and its past, present, future." The surviving cast members seemed more than willing to participate in a Battlestar Galactica revival.

By 1994, however, it was clear that Fox's enthusiasm for the project (if it indeed there was any) had dissipated. Nevertheless, Larson still seems willing to bring it back, for in an interview in Starburst Special #15 (March 1998), he said that the would love to get a chance to redo the series, with Computer Generated Imaging (CGI).

Richard Hatch has also been agitating to revive the series for at least five years, when it was first revealed that he had written a trilogy of Galactica scripts. One script, "The Journey Home", was submitted to The Sci-Fi Channel, which largely ignores Galactica 1980 and continues where the series left off. As Richard Hatch explains in Not Of This Earth Special Edition #1 (November 1993):

It really deals with the journey of how they get to Earth and how they have evolved during this great time span in space. The story also introduces a second or third generation Cylon. The Cylons have evolved as a race into a far more lethal, for more dangerous opponent. As we all know, Commander Adama has passed away and I take it from that point. I really deal with those questions which have never been answered: what happened to Apollo, and what happened to Starbuck when he gets lost on that planet (which was part of Galactica 1980.)

These scripts may have evolved into his three-book deal with Byron Preiss and Pocket Books, of which the first volume, Armageddon (co- written with Christopher Golden) was released in 1997. The second volume, Warhawk is set for release in summer 1998. Richard Hatch has since written an all-new script revival script with Sophie Laporte. For more information on Richard's career, and his revival efforts, view the Richard Hatch web page at : RichardHatch

Richard urges that we write to the following individual at Universal Studios in support of a Galactica revival :

Mr. Dan Filie
Syndication Department
Universal Television
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA, 91608

The Sci-Fi Channel may be considering bringing back Battlestar Galactica as a new syndicated series. This would include the development of new episodes. To support a Galactica revival on the Sci-Fi Channel, contact:

Mr. Barry Shulman
The Sci-Fi Channel
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020-1523

[Barry Shulman is President of Programming at the Sci-Fi Channel]

Any revival of Galactica will be incomplete, however. One of the principal stars, Lorne Greene (Adama), died in 1987. Other deceased stars include Fred Astaire (Chameleon, Starbuck's father in "The Man with Nine Lives"), who also died in 1987. On March 10, 1998, Galactica fans were saddened with the loss of Lloyd Bridges, who played Commander Cain in "The Living Legend".

For more information on the ongoing revival, also view the Revival area at Kobol

Can Battlestar Galactica still be seen on television ?

The Sci-Fi Channel has been airing Battlestar Galactica since it first went on the air in November, 1992. A staple in its weekday programming, the SFC aired Galactica in rotation with Glen Larson's other sci-fi counterpart, Buck Rogers. In October 1994, the SFC added Galactica 1980 to its roster.

The SFC has had a big impact in reviving interest in Battlestar Galactica. If your local cable operators do not carry it, contact them and express your interest in it. Note, the syndicated packages aired by the SFC have been edited to allow for more advertising time.

For information on the air times of Battlestar Galactica in both North America and around the world (including The Sci-Fi Channel), view the Revival area at Kobol

Local networks may also still be airing Galactica episodes in one format or another, either as one hour episodes or telemovies. Check your local listings for availability.

What are the opening and closing narrations for each episode ?

There are two variants of the opening prologue, both narrated by Patrick Macnee (Count Iblis and voice of Imperious Leader.)

From the three-hour premiere:

There are those who believe that life here began out there, far across the universe, with tribes of humans who may have been the forefathers of the Egyptians, or the Toltecs, or the Mayans. That they may have been the architects of the great pyramids, or the lost civilizations of Lemuria or Atlantis. Some believe that there may yet be brothers of man who even now fight to survive far, far away, amongst the stars.

From the regular episodes:

There are those who believe that life here began out there, far across the universe, with tribes of humans who may have been the forefathers of the Egyptians, or the Toltecs, or the Mayans. Some believe that there may yet be brothers of man, who even now, fight to survive, somewhere beyond the heavens.

An all-new narration was used in the home video Mission Galactica : The Cylon Attack:

In the seventh millenium of time, a tribe of humanoids engaged in a terrifying conflict against a race of machines. The humans lost. Now, led by their last surviving warship, the mighty Battlestar Galactica, a handful of survivors moves slowly across the heavens in search of their ancestral brothers, a tribe of humans known through ancient records to be located somewhere on a distant shining planet, a planet called Earth.

The end narration was spoken by Lorne Greene (Adama) :

Fleeing from the Cylon tyranny, the last Battlestar, Galactica, leads a ragtag, fugitive fleet, on a lonely quest, for a shining planet known as Earth.

What are the major personalities of Battlestar Galactica ?

Regular Cast

Adama (Lorne Greene) - Galactica Commander, Council President

Apollo (Richard Hatch) - Captain, Blue Squadron Flight Leader, Adama's son

Starbuck (Dirk Benedict) - Lt., Blue Squadron

Boomer (Herbert Jefferson Jr.) - Lt., Blue Squadron, electronics expert

Tigh (Terry Carter) - Colonel and Galactica Executive officer

Athena (Maren Jensen) - Bridge officer, shuttle pilot. Adama's daughter

Boxey (Noah Hathaway) - Adopted son of Apollo and Serina

Cassiopeia (Laurette Spang) - Med-tech and former socialator

Jolly (Tony Swartz) - Sergeant, Blue Squadron

Sheba (Anne Lockhart) - Lt., Blue Squadron, Cain's daughter

Omega (David Greenan) - Flight officer aboard the Battlestar Galactica

Rigel (Sarah Rush) - Flight corporal and Galactica bridge officer

Salik (George Murdock) - Senior medic and chief Galactica life officer

Wilker (John Dullaghan) - Galactica Engineer/technician

Greenbean (Ed Begley Jr.) - Flight leader, Blue Squadron

Semi-Regular Cast and Special Guest Stars

Serina (Jane Seymour) - Newswoman, Boxey's mother, Apollo's wife (dead)

Adar (Lew Ayres) - President of the Council of the Twelve (dead)

Zac (Rick Springfield) - Younger son of Adama and Ila (dead)

Deitra (Sheila De Windt) - Lt., Shuttle and Viper pilot

Brie (Janet Louise Johnson) - Sergeant, Shuttle and Viper pilot

Giles (Larry Manetti) - Blue Squadron warrior

Komma (Jeff MacKay) - Galactica Computer technician, also firefighter

Carmichael (Olan Soulé) - Chief planter on fleet agroship

Cain (Lloyd Bridges) - Commander of the Battlestar Pegasus

Bojay (Jack Stauffer) - Captain, Silver Spar Squadron leader

Tolen (Ron Haase) - Flight officer aboard the Battlestar Pegasus

Chameleon (Fred Astaire) - Professional con man, Starbuck's father

Zed (Frank Parker) - IFB newscaster, sports commentator

Zara (Patricia Stitch) - IFB newswoman/interviewer

Reese (Ron Kelly) - Council security officer

Kronus (Paul Fix) - Commander of the Celestra (dead)

The Villains

Baltar (John Colicos) - Count, human traitor, Cylon base star commander

Imperious Leader (voice of Patrick Macnee) - Leader of the Cylons

Lucifer (voice of Jonathan Harris) - IL series computer aide to Baltar

Spectre (voice of Jonathan Harris) - IL series Cylon

Iblis (Patrick Macnee) - Count, human incarnation of the Devil

Maga (Lance LeGault) - Borellian Nomen

Bora (Robert Feero) - Borellian Nomen

Taba (Anthony DeLongis) - Borellian Nomen

Leiter (Lloyd Bochner) - Commandant of Terra's Eastern Alliance fleet

What are the names of the twelve homeworlds ?

From The Official Battlestar Galactica Scrapbook (pg. 14) :

The twelve human Colonies in space bore names that are easily recognizable on Earth... Caprica, Gemoni, Canceria, Piscon, Sagitara, Leo, Libra, Aquaria, Virgon, Aeriana, Taura, Scorpio?all are similar to the names that Earth humans have given to the constellations visible in their night sky, the only twelve that the star appears to pass through during the span of a year.

What is the lost thirteenth tribe ? What is Kobol ?

The legend of the "lost thirteenth tribe" (Earth), mirrors Earth's own legend about the lost continent of Atlantis. Its history goes back to the time when the original humans left Kobol to search out an inhabitable system. As Adama once told the survivors before entering on his quest :

Our recorded history tells us we descended from a mother civilization [Kobol], a race that went out into space to establish colonies. Those of us here assembled now represent the only known surviving Colonists, save one. A sister world, far out in the universe, remembered to us only through ancient writings... I wish I could tell you that I know precisely where it is, but I can't. However, I do know that it is beyond our system, in a galaxy very much like our own, on a planet called... Earth.

The Book of the Word described the journey of the tribes of Man away from Kobol.

After their home planet Kobol was known to be doomed, the people set forth across a Great Void, which seemed to be endless until a bright shining star appeared as if from nowhere and guided them to safety.

After passing through the Void?a seemingly endless magnetic sea -- the Galactica, guided by a bright star, rediscovered the lost planet of Kobol. Baltar, perhaps quoting from scripture, described it as "the endless black Void and the magnetic star in the heavens."

Kobol itself was considered lost or a legend until its rediscovery in "Lost Planet of the Gods", its demise attributed to both the variable radiation of its sun or some ecological disaster. As Adama was exploring the remains of the lost city of Eden, he elaborates (in the telemovie version only) :

Serina : Was it their fault their world died?

Adama : According to the log, incredible waste occured. The rivers and oceans were contaminated. The skies culdn't support even the heartiest of creatures. And when they settled the Colonies, they turned on the very technology that could have saved them had they used it properly. They destroyed the ships, the machines, everything. It took them hundreds of yahrens to revive even the most primitive crafts.

The scene continues, as Adama explains why he is exploring the ruins.

Apollo : I can't read any of it.

Adama : I know. It's dificult. But I've been spending so much time at the old records. For example (pointing to symbol on column) that refers to the Ninth Lord of Kobol. That is his seal. He was the last to rule here before the thirteen tribes migrated into the stars.

Serina : Twelve to settle our colonies.

Apollo : That's why you entered the Void! You think you can find some clue to where they went?

Adama : Yes.

Adama used his medallion as the key to enter the temple. Earlier on in the episode, he explained its origins to Tigh :

Adama : Old friend. This simple medallion is a symbol of my power, but it is also a symbol of our faith, handed down by the Lords of Kobol, through the millenia, to each member of the Council of Twelve.

Baltar, who also held the Seal of the Lords (the medallion), and was a member of the Council of Twelve, used it to enter the structure. Later on, inside the tomb of the Ninth Lord, Adama confronts Baltar and explained his mission:

Adama : Our safety... lies somewhere out there, along the path taken by the thirteenth tribe, the tribe that colonized the planet Earth.

Baltar : Earth? You can't be serious. That's nothing but a fable.

Adama : I believe it is as real as the existence of the thirteenth tribe, and the key to that tribe is here in this place locked away somewhere. I am certain of it.

Baltar : Listen to reason, Adama. You could adrift forever in search of what?a planet that may be the myth of half-drunken star voyagers who came back to die here ? We could all die here.

Here is Count Iblis's description of Adama's mission, from "War of the Gods" :

You are searching for a place called Earth. You are of the house of Kobol. Your tribes are scattered. The thirteenth journeyed to Earth several millenia ago. [Its civilization] has known great rises and falls.

In several Galactica episodes, most notably "War of the Gods" and "The Hand ofGod", signs were given that the Thirteenth tribe was more than just a myth, but a real destination.

What are the locations and places of the Galactica universe ?

Most of this information was derived from a similar list in Galactica Stuff (pg. 101).

Aquaria - One of the Twelve Colonies

Arcta - Ice planet, home of Dr. Ravashol's pulsar cannon

Aeriana - One of the Twelve Colonies

Antilla - World where Starbuck and band of children free their father

Borallus - Named as having food, fuel and water in the pilot

Canceria - One of the Twelve Colonies

Caprica - One of the Twelve Colonies, Adama's home world

Carillon - Dim world with large tylium supplies and a gaming chancery

Cimtar - Uninhabited moon where Cylons sprang their sneak attack (pilot) 

Cosmara Archipelago - Location of defeat of Fourth Fleet and the Rycon

Croaden - Place where Robber said he took agro parts in "The Long Patrol"

Cylon - Homeworld of the Cylon Empire

Cyrannus System - On a mission, Starbuck said he was from this system

Earth (Terra) - The mythical planet of the lost Thirteenth Colony

Equellus - Agricultural world in the Hetari system, and home to "Red Eye"

Gomoray - Former capital of the Delphian Empire, now in Cylon control

Gemoni - One of the Twelve Colonies

Hetari System - Quadrant of space containing Equellus

Kalpa - Location of Colonial snow garrison where Croft was once stationed

Kobol - Mother world of the Twelve Colonies

Kryllian Sytem - Quadrant containing Gamoray

Leo - One of the Twelve Colonies

Libra - One of the Twelve Colonies

Lillium Moons - Celestial bodies, location unknown

Lunar One, Lunar Seven - Former Colonies of Nationalist Terra

Molecay - One-satellite world, location of the Pegasus' presumed demise

Nova of Madagon - Bright dense starfield between the Colonies and Carillon

Nubian Sun - Possibly a very bright star, location unknown

Orion - Home world of the Orions, containing Orion moons

Otarsis Quadrant - Quadrant of space between the Colonies and the Void

Paradeen - World settled by Free Nationalists of Terra

Piscon - One of the Twelve Colonies

Pineus - Location of gambling chanceries

Proteus - Prison asteroid

Sagittara - One of the Twelve Colonies

Scorpio - One of the Twelve Colonies

Sectar - Agricultural world and home of the Borays

Starbuck - The world upon which Starbuck was stranded in Galactica 1980

Starlos - World near Arcta, with food water and fuel

Taura - One of the Twelve Colonies

Terra - World divided between Free Nationalists and the Eastern Alliance

Thula - Colonial ice planet outpost, Boomer's first assignment

Tucan - Home of the four-eyed two-mouthed Tucanas

Virgon - One of the Twelve Colonies

Void - Magnetic sea separating the Colonies from Kobol

What are the names of the Battlestars and other Colonial vessels ?

Most of this information, including the format, is based on material in Galactica Stuff (pg. 109).

1. The Battlestars

Atlantia - President Adar's Battlestar, destroyed at Cimtar

Columbia - Destroyed at Cimtar, from Vulpa ("Gun on Ice Planet Zero")

Galactica - Commander Adama's warship

Pegasus - Commander Cain's Battlestar, from "The Living Legend"

Rycon - Commander Kronos' Battlestar, from "Take the Celestra"

This list does not include ship names spoken in the background dialog from the pilot episode, or names taken from novelizations and other publications. Numerous lists of twelve Battlestars have appeared over the years, and are the subject of a separate document, The Battlestar Names and Their Sources.

2. Other known vessels

Aedina - The vessel which nearly became lost in the Void

Agroship Nine - The last surviving agroship

Alpha Shuttle - Military shuttle from the Galactica

Astradon - Freighter

Borella - Freighter

Canaris - Civilian shuttle on inter fleet orbit beta, medical shuttle

Celestra - The Fleet's electronics ship

C.O.R.A. - Specially equipped Viper

Gemini - Freighter, likely of Gemon origin

Pisces - Freighter, likely of Piscon origin

Rising Star - Starliner, entertainment center of the Fleet

Star Kobol - Diplomatic ship used at the Armistice talks (destroyed)

Tauranian - Possibly a ship from Taura

3. Kinds of ships

Agro ship - Vessel devoted to producing food

Battlestar - Largest Colonial fighting spacecraft

Colonial Movers - Moving van converted for habitation ("We move anywhere")

Comptel ship - Base ship for Inter Fleet Broadcasting (IFB)

Electronics ship - Alternate name for the Celestra

Freighter - Cargo vessel, many converted to passenger and storage space

Industry ship - Three known to the fleet: electronics, textile and parts

Livestock ship - Carrying animals, for food and maintenance of the species

Medical shuttle - Outfitted for medical uses

Mining ship - Used for mining and ore processing

Orphan ship - For orphaned children and their caregivers

Parts ship - Used for necessary manufacture

Prison Barge (Grid Barge) - For lawbreakers

Sanitation ship - For sorting, salvaging, and recycling

Shuttle - Includes medical shuttles, and both civilian and military

Skybus - Larger than a shuttle, can carry passengers between star systems

Starliner - Luxury passenger vessel

Tanker - Fuel carrier

Textile ship - Fabrics and clothing

Tip barge - unknown

Viper - Small one-pilot fighter craft

What are the Cylons ?

On Carillon in the premiere, Apollo explained the Cylons to Boxey :

They're not like us. They're machines created by living creatures a long, long time ago... a race of reptiles called Cylons. After a while the Cylons discovered humans were the most practical form of creature in this system. So they copied our bodies, but they built them bigger and stronger than we are. And they can exchange parts so they can live forever... There are no more real Cylons. They died off thousands of yahrens ago, leaving behind a race of super-machines, but we still call them Cylons.

A dialog between Count Iblis and the imprisoned Baltar in "War of the Gods" suggests a more sinister theory behind the original Cylons demise, that the biological Cylons made a pact with Count Iblis (the Devil.)

Baltar: I know you.

Iblis: Do you?

Baltar: I remember that voice, the voice of the Cylon Imperious Leader.

Iblis: The Cylon is a machine.

Baltar: Now. But once they were a race of beings who allowed themselves to be overcome by their own technology.

Iblis: And when did this happen?

Baltar: A thousand yahrens ago, at the onset of the thousand yahren war against the humans.

Iblis: And for my voice to be the voice of Imperious Leader, it would have to be transcribed into machine leader a thousand yahrens ago. I'd have to be a thousand yahrens old.

There are several kinds of Cylons seen in Battlestar Galactica:

1. Imperious Leader

The leader of all the Cylons, Imperious Leader is the only Cylon who physically resembles the original biological Cylons.

2. Cylon Centurions

A humanform Cylon warrior. Most Centurions have silver armor, though senior officers, such as Vulpa from "Gun on Ice Planet Zero", have golden armor.

3. IL-series Cylons

Lucifer and Spectre are IL-series Cylons, and resemble walking light bulbs. These Cylons are more intelligent then Centurions, and have personalities. The current Imperious Leader is also an IL-series Cylon. The phrase is a play on words for John Dykstra's Industrial Light and Magic, which provided special effects for Galactica's initial episodes.

4. Civilian Cylons

The Cylon outpost on Gamoray in "The Living Legend?Part 2", introduces for the first time several new types of Cylons, in addition to the first three.

Who is Count Iblis ? What are the beings inside the Ship of Lights ?

In the episode "War of the Gods", the Colonial fleet picks up a passenger stranded on a red planet, Count Iblis, who alone has survived the crash of a great starship. In the course of the two-part episode, Iblis peforms miraculous feats, and becomes so influential he nearly takes control of the Fleet. All the while, light entities, invisible to Colonial scanners, were manifesting themselves, while several flight patrols had mysteriously disappeared. In the course of the episode, Baltar is delivered unto the Council, Iblis' true nature is revealed, the flight patrols are freed, and Apollo, who was struck down by Iblis and "only dead by primitive measures", is revived by the mysterious beings aboard their Ship of Lights.

In a conversation with Apollo, Commander Adama suggested that Count Iblis and the light entities are members of an advanced civilization. He speculated that they could in some way have been responsible for the original founding of Kobol.

Adama: The ancient ones, the Lords who first settled our Kobol, spoke of visitations from what they in their primitive way referred to as angels.

Apollo: Angels...

Adama: Think of them as custodians of the universe, advanced beings, very highly advanced, whose mandate it is to make certain that their powers are never abused by any one of their own kind.

Apollo: And they're watching him [Iblis], meaning he's one of them.

Adama: Or was.

Answering questions from Starbuck and Sheba aboard the Ship of Lights, they revealed their nature and mission to him :

Sheba: I think maybe we're dead.

Starbuck: Is that right? We're dead and you're angels ?

Entity: Oddly enough, there is some truth to your speculation.

And later on :

Starbuck: Why are you doing all this ?

Entity: Because we fight a common foe, the forces of darkness and evil throughout the stars.

Starbuck: But why are you bothering with us? We come from a simple handful of human survivors.

Entity: Because, as you are now, we once were. As we are now, you may become.  

Starbuck: When ?

Entity: After you've seeded and nurtured new civilications, after you've evolved.

Starbuck: On Earth ?

Entity: Perhaps.

Starbuck: Will you show us the way ?

Entity: Perhaps we can give you a beginning.

Starbuck: And what about Count Iblis, is he one of you?

Entity: He now uses his powers to corrupt and lead others away from the truth.

Sheba: Why can't you stop him ?

Entity: Because we cannot interfere with freedom of choice. His, yours, anyone's.

Even Count Iblis is bound by these laws. In his final confrontation with Apollo on the red planet, Apollo revealed his true identity:

Apollo: You command no one who does not willingly give you dominion. You have no power over me.

Iblis: You know who I am.

Apollo: Yes, I finally know. Sheba, think back to the ancient records. The names Mephistopheles, Diabolis, the Prince of Darkness.

In this same scene, Iblis promised to return :

Iblis: There will come another time, another place we will meet again.

Members of this mysterious race include John ("Experiment in Terra") and Angela (from Galactica 1980's "The Return of Starbuck".)

What are the other alien races ?

Borays - Pig-like race who ride in herds

Borellians - Warrior-like race, not unlike Star Trek's Klingons

Delphians - Centered on Gamoray, once a "society of 50 million beings"

Hasaris - The Cylon-human war began when the humans took the Hasaris' side

Orions - Trading partners of the Colonials

Ovions - Insectivoid six-armed inhabitants of Carillon

Tucanas - Four-eyed, two-lipped hermaphrodite race, the "Space Supremes"

What are the standard Colonial units of measurement ?

The relationships between Colonial units of measurements was never clearly defined in the series. In most cases, only an appropriate table of closest Earth measurements is provided, based on the usage of the terms in the actual episodes.

1. Time units and their closest Earth equivalents

micron(s) - second

centon (sen'-tawn) - minute

centar, centares (sen'-tar, sen-tar'-ays) - hour

secton(s) (sek'-tawn) - week

sectar, sectares (sek'-tar, sek-tar'-ays) - month

yahren (yah'-rain) - year

millenium - 1000 years

Centon, micron and sectar also doubled as units of length, in much the same way as the light year. The light yahren is the Colonial equivalent of the light year. The quatron (week or month) was used in the episode "Magnificent Warriors". Other nonstandard units were almost exclusively used in the pilot, including millisenton (several minutes) and microsenton (second), and the senton (day or week). Note, the senton in the first two episodes is used in a different context than in the rest of the series, hence its different spelling.

For a more thorough discussion of the time units and what they represent, view the separate document Colonial Time Units and Their Earth Equivalents.

2. Other units

metron - unit of distance

maxim - 10 meters

hectar - 100 meters

metric - 1 kilometer

kilon - unit of power (1 kilowatt)

megon - unit of mass (1 megaton)

laxon - unit of dry measurement (1 bushel)

voltons - voltage unit (1 volt)

wavelon - unit of wavelength

radion - unit of radiation

orgon - unit of energy

3. Currency

There are several recognized units of currency, including Colonial cubits, Orion Cheques, quantums and markers.

What are the lyrics to the song the trio sang on Carillon ?

It's Love, Love Love

Sung by: The Tucana singers on Carillon

Written by: John Targalia, Sue Collins, and Glen Larson

Performed by: The Space Angels

CHORUS

It won't matter where you go

It won't matter what you do

'Cause something's always after you

It's love, love, love, love

It's love, love, love, love

It's love, love, love, love, love

You run, you can't get away

If you go or if you're staying

'Cause love is here, love is there

Love is almost everywhere

CHORUS

There will be another beat

One you may not tire of singing

Love surrounds you, love's around you

Love is almost everywhere

CHORUS

What happened to Baltar in the premiere? Didn't he die ?

Prior to its premiere on ABC, the Battlestar Galactica pilot first appeared in theatrical release in Canada and Europe. In the theatrical version of the premiere, after Baltar betrayed humanity, he was beheaded in front of Imperious Leader. The execution never took place in the television premiere, as Baltar was spared for a later public execution (never to take place.)

In an interview in Starlog #138, John Colicos (Baltar), discussed the evolution of the Baltar character between the two versions of the premiere:

Initially, I was only going to be in the pilot. Then, Glen [Larson] decided he liked the character and the work that I was doing, so he decided to keep Baltar as a running character. He redirected the pilot's final scene himself, so that when the sword came down to cut me head off, he stopped it at the last second and I was spared if I would betray the human race.

What happened to Baltar after he was trapped on Kobol ?

In the episode "Lost Planet of the Gods", Baltar was last seen trapped underneath fallen rubble on Kobol. In both the novelization and issue #6 of the Marvel comic, Lucifer rescued Baltar. He fully recovered and there was no permanent damage, though he was sometimes seen with a slight limp in later episodes.

Did Commander Cain survive in "The Living Legend" ?

Commander Cain was last seen taking on two Cylon basestars in "The Living Legend". The ending of this episode was deliberately left open-ended by its writers, in the hope that Cain would later return some time in the second season.

Here is one view of how Cain survived the assault, from Justin Collins (see Battlestar Galactica Digest #7) :

I always thought the Pegasus survived at the end of "The Living Legend". The Pegasus sustained considerable damage at the hands of the Cylon fighters before Baltar ordered them to break off the attack. However, when Starbuck and Apollo asked about the damage, Cain said she (the Pegasus) would be ready to do the job. By the time the Pegasus reached the basestars the fire was put out. Cain had also ordered the ship to proceed at "full speed" to intercept the basestars and for its electronic defense shields to be brought to "maximum power". Judging from the dialog leading up to the final battle, I think the Pegasus was battle worthy by the time it reached the baseships.

Starbuck and Apollo inflicted considerable damage on the weapons systems of the two basestars before they could cause the Pegasus serious harm. Remember when they knocked out the flank missile launchers on both basestars?

I don't recall a chain reaction blowing up the second basestar. My copy of LL shows a close-up of the weapons panel on Pegasus bridge after the first basestar was destroyed, followed by a second volley of missiles being launched at the remaining basestar. I agree with Starbuck, Cain probably jumped to light speed and headed into deep space just like he did before.

What were the three tasks Iblis had to perform to become leader ?

Count Iblis informed the Council of the Twelve in "War of the Gods" :

You have agreed on three tests of my strength. The first is to deliver your enemy [Baltar]. The second is to accurately plot your course to Earth. The third you cannot agree on. Some of you want to know who I am, where I come from. The others are satisfied to accept me because of my works and are willing to follow me blindly providing I guarantee your safety.

What was inside the wrecked ship in "War of the Gods ?

According to the original script and the novelization, the wreckage belonged to Count Iblis' comrades. Here is the scene in the script, as Apollo and Starbuck enter the wreckage.

Apollo : Everything is pretty well vaporized. Whatever hit this thing must have had the power of a sun. Apollo stops dead in his tracks, looks down. He seems to shutter.

Apollo : Starbuck !

Starbuck looks over and sees the sober look on Apollo's face. He moves over and looks down as Apollo begins to put on some tight fitting gloves. A piece of metallic surface, highly scorched but out of which protrudes a foot-like extremity, except that it's tip is clearly in the shape of a cloven hoof. Apollo and Starbuck exchange heavy looks. Apollo bends down and tries to life the metal. As they lift it off, tossing it aside, they grimace in horror. Under the wreckage is the figure of a devil, a demon.

The networks decided to drop the scene with the cloven hoof for two reasons. The scene might be scary to younger audiences, and there were religious implications behind the scene (i.e. "satanic".) For audience members, the absence of the scene wrongly suggested that the warriors had peered inside the wreckage of Commander Cain's Battlestar Pegasus. As Count Iblis told Sheba, "Your father, you will see him again."

What do the transmissions in "The Hand of God" mean ?

In "The Hand of God", the Galactica picks up transmissions from the Apollo moon landing in 1969. They came up with two possible theories on the transmissions. The transmissions could have been a harmonic signal from something close by, such as the local star system, possibly sent by the Cylons. If not, the transmissions would have spent a longer time in space, from a farther system.

The Galactica sent out a Viper patrol to investigate the local system, which passed by the first three planets. Starbuck investigated the third planet, where he passed what looked like Earth's moon to find a dead planet. Hiding behind that planet was a Cylon basestar.

The Viper patrol found five planets in fairly widespread orbits. The first planet was a giant, composed of 80% compressed hydrogen and 12% helium. The second planet was almost entirely composed of compressed carbon dioxide gas. The third planet had no atmosphere, just barren rock. Contrasted to our own solar system, our first four planets are in relatively close orbit, and Mercury, our first planet, is small, with almost no atmosphere.

The transmissions did not come from the local system, but from another, whose time and distance from the Galactica is unknown. In short, it is unknown therefore how near or far the Galactica was from Earth.

[ Incidentally, there is an 11 year gap between the Apollo moon landing and the time frame of Galactica 1980, yet the show itself is based on the assumption that there is a 30 year gap between the discovery of Earth and the destruction of the Colonies. ]

Did the Galactica eventually find Earth ?

In his interview in Epi-Log Journal #14, Glen Larson argued that the events of Galactica 1980, including the discovery of Earth, could be explained away and subsequently forgotten:

If I have my way, Galactica 1980 would certainly be Starbuck's nightmare, and we'd go back to the original concept. I guess if Dallas could turn a whole season into a dream we could make Starbuck wake up in the middle of the night after having had a nightmare about discovering Earth.

More likely, he argued, the series could be explained away as a computer projection of what the discovery of Earth could be like if they're not careful, not unlike the simulated Cylon attack sequence in the Galactica 1980 pilot.

It should nevertheless be taken as given that the Galactica would eventually find its destination. Earth's location was revealed to the Galacticans in "War of the Gods" :

Earth ? quadrant alpha, 19 million sectars by Epsilon vector 22 on a circular reckoning course of 000 point 9 in a star system of nine plants and one sun.

If the transmissions of the Apollo moon landing in the "Hand of God" are to have any meaning, it is that the Galactica was certainly on the right track.

What was the premise of Galactica 1980 ?

Officially, Galactica 1980 was set 30 years after the events of Battlestar Galactica. All the original cast members were either dead, missing or never seen in Galactica 1980, with the exception of Commander Adama and Boomer (now Colonel, replacing Tigh.) Captain Troy (a grown-up Boxey) and Lt. Dillon were second-rate copies of Apollo and Starbuck. Other new characters include the teenage genius Dr. Zee, a renegade Council member (Xavier), and a television reporter (Jamie Hamilton.)

In the three-hour premiere, "Galactica Discovers Earth", the Galactica had at last found Earth (c. 1980). Unfortunate for Adama and company was the discovery that the Cylons had been following them all across the galaxy. The Galactica found Earth's technology was so backward that colonization of Earth would be impossible, until Earth could raise it to a level where it could defend itself against the Cylons.

One plot element involved Galacticans contacting Earth's top scientists to help Earth bring its technology up to the Galactica's standards. An additional time travel element involved Xavier, who traveled back in time to help out Nazi Germany's rocket plan in his attempt to improve Earth technology. These elements were generally ignored in the short-lived series that followed.

The remainder of the episodes were disappointing at best, hindered by both its time slot and lower budget. Themes ranged from pollution ("The Super Scouts") to racism ("Space Croppers"). Another storyline had Cylons crashing in New York on Hallowe'en ("The Night the Cylons Landed"), and even costarredWolfman Jack. One of the ongoing storylines had a group of super-poweredchildren from the Galactica stranded on Earth. Their "powers" were a result ofEarth's lower gravity, and the super-kids used them to their full extent to win abaseball game in "Spaceball".

The only memorable episode in the series was its final one ("The Return ofStarbuck"), which revealed the origin of Dr. Zee and his connection with Starbuck.

Wasn't Starbuck lost on some planet? What happened to him ?

In Galactica 1980's "The Return of Starbuck", the Dr. Zee character has a dream sequence of Starbuck. Starbuck's ship is damaged in battle and crashes on a desolate planet, along with the wreckage of a Cylon raider. A need for company and his own survival instinct prompts Starbuck to revive one of the Cylon centurions ("Cy" or Cyrus.)

The show closely follows the plot of Barry Longyear's novella Enemy Mine, as Starbuck and Cy are forced to help each other for mutual survival. After Starbuck cheats at pyramids, Cy runs off, and later returns with the body of a pregnant woman, Angela. In the course of the show, Angela delivers her child (the future Dr. Zee), and Starbuck and Cy put together parts from both the Raider and Viper to send the mother and child (the future Dr. Zee) off to safety.

At the end of the episode, another Cylon Raider lands on the planet, and its three occupants start attacking Starbuck. Out of loyalty to his new friend, Cyrus confronts and kills two Cylons, and in the process, he himself is destroyed. Starbuck finishes off the third Cylon, and is once again alone.

Does Starbuck escape ? On his own, probably not. In "The Hand of God", it is revealed that Cylon raiders require a minimum of two pilots to ride it. Unless Starbuck revives one of the Cylons (perhaps Cyrus), or jury-rigs the Raider to run with one pilot, Starbuck will remain stranded.

[ One of the unfilmed scripts of Galactica 1980, "Wheels of Fire", revolves around the idea that Starbuck, found "worthy" in this episode, is rescued by Angela andthe Ship of Lights (from "War of the Gods"), and that he becomes an angel himself. ]

Are there parallels between Battlestar Galactica and Mormonism ?

Yes there are. Glen Larson (producer and creator) is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, hereafter referred to as the "Mormon" or Latter-day Saint (LDS) church. Some of the ideas in Galactica are unmistakably Mormon in origin.

1. In Battlestar Galactica, twelve tribes of man founded the Twelve Colonies after departing from Kobol. A lost thirteenth colony colonized Earth. In The Book of Mormon, around 600 BC, the prophet Lehi took a remnant of the tribe of Joseph from Jerusalem to ancient America, during the time of the Babylonian captivity and the scattering of the twelve tribes of Israel.

2. In "Lost Planet of the Gods", it is revealed that the mankind originated on Kobol, the mother world of all humans. Kobol is a rearranging of the word Kolob, which is the star "nearest unto the throne of God" (see The Book of Abraham, Ch. 3, found in The Pearl of Great Price.) The "Star Kobol" was also the ship on which armistice talks between the Colonials and the Cylons were held.

3. The episode "War of the Gods", with starred Count Iblis and the Ship of Lights, introduces viewers to various elements of LDS teachings. The universe is under the law of Free Agency: "We cannot interfere with freedom of choice. His,yours, anyone's." Even Count Iblis (Satan) is bound by these laws, for he hasonly control over those who had "freely given him dominion." Those whoaccepted Iblis' words were willing to follow him blindly provided he guaranteed their safety. According to the Mormon account of creation (The Book of Moses, Ch. 4, found in The Pearl Of Great Price), one of the reasons God cast Satan out of heaven was because he "sought to destroy the agency of man."

4. The beings on the Ship of Lights are highly evolved brothers of man, and may also have founded Kobol. The phrase "As you are now, we once were; as we are now, you may become" is a rewording of a quote from Lorenzo Snow: "As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become." This is an important component of the doctrine of Eternal Progression. According to LDS beliefs, all humans are children of God, who is Himself an exalted man. By following God's laws, a believer can enter the path to godhood.

5. In their sealing ceremony, Adama sealed Apollo and Serina with these words : "A union between this man and this woman not only for now but for all the eternities." In a Latter-day Saint temple marriage, a couple is sealed for "time and all eternity."

6. There is a similarity in the political structures of the Colonies and the Latter-day Saint church. Both bodies have a Council (or Quorum) of the Twelve, and a President.

7. In the Galactica 1980 episode "The Super Scouts", Dillon uses the phrase "The glory of the universe is intelligence," a rewording of a passage in Doctrines and Covenants #93: "The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth." In Experiment in Terra, aboard the Ship of Lights, the "angel" John tellsApollo "I have no physical body, as you know it." Apollo, pointing to John's "body", asks him "What do you call that?" "A reflection of intelligence. My spirit,if you will." Later on in "The Super Scouts", Dillon remarked that he was admiring "this choice land." This is a variation of the Book of Mormon description of the Americas "This land is choice above all other lands" (1 Nephi, Ch. 2. et al.)

Those who have more questions about LDS doctrines or Mormonism in general can consult the newsgroup soc.religion.mormon. Interested parties are also urged to visit the LDS Internet Links page at : ldsworld

Is the expression "Fuck Off" visible in the attack on Caprica ?

From Epi-Log Journal #14 :

The words "Fuck Off" can be clearly seen spelled out in the lights of Caprica about thirty minutes into the [pilot] movie. Watch closely just after Serina's news broadcast is cut off by the sound of laser fire. The next scene shows four Cylon fighters swarming over the city and when the third fighter reaches the center of the TV screen, the offending words can be seen to its immediate right. They are even clearer in the Battlestar Galactica photonovel published by Berkley.

This image with an enlarged and enhanced inset is available on a separate page.

Note, the same scene was also shown as a flashback sequence in "Murder on the Rising Star".

What BSG-related books and periodicals are out there ?

Here is a list of official publications and indispensable fan-produced books for the Galactica collector. A more complete list of all books and periodicals can be found in the related document, The Battlestar Galactica Registry.

1. Official Publications

1. Berkley adaptations

In total, Berkley/Ace released fourteen Battlestar Galactica pocket books. The first ten were adaptations of the episodes, and the last four were all new stories. They are all out of print. If you are lucky, your local used book store may have a some on their shelves.

Glen Larson is credited as coauthor on all fourteen books. The list of authors includes : Robert Thurston1, Michael Resnick2, Nicolas Yermakov3 and Ron

Goulart4.   Here is the Berkley book list and the episodes they adapt:

1st line : BOOK
2d line : ADAPTS
3rd line : YEAR

Battlestar Galactica1
Battlestar Galactica pilot
1978

BG 2: The Cylon Death Machine1
"Gun on Ice Planet Zero"
1979

BG 3: The Tombs of Kobol1
"Lost Planet of the Gods"
1979

BG 4: The Young Warriors1
"The Young Lords"
1980

BG 5: Galactica Discovers Earth2
Galactica 1980 pilot
1980

BG 6: The Living Legend3
"The Living Legend"
1982

BG 7: War of the Gods3
"War of the Gods"
1982

BG 8: Greetings From Earth4
"Greetings from Earth"
1983

BG 9: Experiment in Terra4
"Experiment in Terra" "Baltar's Escape"
1984

BG 10: The Long Patrol4
"The Long Patrol"
1984

BG 11: The Nightmare Machine1
new
1985

BG 12: "Die, Chameleon!"1
(new)
1986

BG 13: Apollo's War1
(new)
1987

BG 14: Surrender the Galactica!1
(new)
1988

2. Battlestar Galactica: The Photostory (Berkley, 1978)

3. The Official Battlestar Galactica Scrapbook (Grosset & Dunlap, 1978), by James Neyland -Released the same time as the series, this book is an invaluable resource on the show and its creators and stars.

4. Encyclopedia Galactica: From the Fleet Library Aboard the Battlestar Galactica (E.P. Dutton, 1979), by Bruce Kraus . A short illustrated encyclopedia of persons, places and things from the Galactica universe. Poorly edited, and with some conflicts with the series (especially the timeline). Pleasant illustrations.

5. The Battlestar Galactica Storybook (G.P. Putnam, 1979) - An illustrated storybook of the premiere. Excerpts of text from the pilot novelization by Robert Thurston.

6. Stan Lee Presents: Battlestar Galactica (Ace, 1978) - Pocket book version of Marvel Super Special #8 comic adaptation.

7. Stan Lee Presents: Battlestar Galactica Vol. II (Ace, 1979) - Pocket book version of issues #4-#6 of Marvel's BSG comic.

8. The Official Battlestar Galactica Blueprints (Today Press) - Ten blueprints of the Battlestar Galactica, Colonial Vipers, Basestars and Cylon Raiders.

9. Battlestar Galactica Soundtrack Album (MCA-3051, 1978) - The official soundtrack of the motion picture/premiere on 12" LP. Also available as an import CD from Germany (see #10).

10. Kampstern Galactica (Battlestar Galactica)" (Edel, TCS 104-2) - This is a German pressing of the original soundtrack. The CD can be ordered from CD Europe at http://www.cdeurope.com.

11. The Saga of Battlestar Galactica (MCA-3078,1979) - 12" LP narrated by Lorne Greene, featuring the original cast, accompanied by music from the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

12. The Stu Phillips Anthology: Battlestar Galactica (SPCD 01/04) - Special 4-CD collection of episode theme music, by Stu Phillips, released in 1996.

2. Fandom

1. Galactica Stuff: A Colonial's Guide to the Galaxy, by Sharon Monroe

Revised second edition from Clean Slate Press is one of the best books yet on Galactica, and includes a detailed episode guide, a glossary detailing every obscur term used in the series, ship and uniform illustrations, book and comic reviews and a general discussion of the Galactica universe. A must-have for Galactica collectors!

2. Galactic Sci-Fi Series Revisited (Cinemaker Press, 1995), by Steven Simak

This is a book whose principle focus is Battlestar Galactica, and includes interviews with the stars and production team, an episode guide, unfilmed episodes, coverage of the novels and the Marvel comic books, and more. Collected from material that originally appeared in the magazines, Not of This Earth, Special

Edition #1, and Epi-Log Journal #14 and #15. Available from Star*Tech.

Who can I contact for Battlestar Galactica fandom ?

The fan material above can be purchased from the following addresses :

1.Clean Slate Press c/o Sharon Monroe
2324 Sumac Circle
Woodbury, MN 55125
USA
E-Mail : LDM

2.Star*Tech
P.O.Box 456
Dunlap TN, 37327
USA
[send $1 US for a catalog, $2 for video catalog]

A more complete list of addresses can be found in the related document, Battlestar Galactica Fandom.

What Battlestar Galactica material is available on the Internet ?

This section covers information and other materials pertaining to Battlestar Galactica through the World Wide Web, E-mail and Usenet news.

1. The Battlestar Galactica Home Page

The most extensive collection of online documents anywhere is the Battlestar Galactica Home Page, maintained by Chris Pappas (Webmaster@ChrisPappas.com), originated by Mark Heiman in May 1994, and moved to its own domain in November 1997. Here you will find a vast amount of archival material, including a copy of this FAQ, episode guides and other useful information. It is home to images and sounds from the series, fan fiction, software (fonts, desktop themes), links to other Galactica sites, and the latest updates in the ongoing Battlestar Galactica revival campaign. To view the Battlestar Galactica home page, point your WWW client at : http://www.Kobol.com

2. The Battlestar Galactica mailinglist

The Battlestar Galactica mailinglist has been on no fewer than six mail servers since its debut in May 1994. Despite these difficulties the list has maintained an almost continuous existence and is likely to be around for some time to come. Complete information on how to subscribe to the current mailinglist can be found in the Internet

Resources section of the separate document, Battlestar Galactica Fandom. Archives of the mailinglist digests from 1994 can also be accessed from http://www.Kobol.com

3. Usenet News

Outside of the mailinglist, most BSG discussion takes place in the Usenet newsgroup, rec.arts.sf.tv. Other relevent newsgroups include several newsgroups in the collecting hierarchy, where Galactica merchandise is often bought and sold.

Who is Glen Larson ?

Glen A. Larson is a television writer and producer, and the creator of Battlestar Galactica. Prior to entering the television business, Larson was a member of the musical group The Four Preps. Larson started out in the television business as a writer for It Takes a Thief, before graduating to the role of story editor and producer for several other television shows. Larson's impressive television credits, as creator, producer or writer, include It Takes a Thief, Alias Smith and Jones, Get Christie Love !, McCleod, Switch, The Six Million Dollar Man, Quincy, The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, Battlestar Galactica, Galactica 1980, Sword of Justice, B.J. and the Bear, The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Magnum P.I., Fitz and Bones, The Fall Guy, Knight Rider, Trauma Center, Manimal, Automan, Masquerade, Cover Up, Half Nelson, The Highwayman, P.S. I Luve U, and One Waikiki West. He is currently executive producer of NightMan and Team Knight Rider.

Who is John Dykstra ?

John Dykstra is best known as special effects producer for Star Wars, and was also special effects producer for Battlestar Galactica. His work can be seen in the premiere, "Lost Planet of the Gods", and "Gun on Ice Planet Zero". He has worked on several big-budget Hollywood films, including The Andromeda Strain, Silent Running, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Lifeforce, Invaders from Mars and Batman Forever. Dykstra is no longer associated with ILM, but he is still active in the business. Working with a computer graphics group, he recently put together a spot for The Sci-Fi Channel, combining computer animation with miniatures and models.

Who are Battlestar Galactica's other creative personnel ?

Leslie Stevens

Senior producer. Leslie Stevens is a science fiction veteran, having worked on The Outer Limits. Stevens also worked with Larson on McCleod and Buck Rogers of the 25th Century and produced other television shows, including Stoney Burke, and Search.

Don Bellisario

Producer. Best known as the creator and producer of Quantum Leap and Jag, Bellisario has written or directed almost half of Galactica's episodes. Bellisario's credits also include Magnum P.I., Airwolf, and Tales of the Golden Monkey.

Jean-Pierre Dorleac

As costume director, Dorleac worked with Larson on several television shows, including Sword of Justice, Battlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers, The Fall Guy, and One Waikiki West, as well as Don Bellisario's Quantum Leap and Tales From The Golden Monkey. Other television credits include The Bastard (for which he received an Emmy nomination), and Mae West. Screen credits include Barbarella (as sketch artist), Somewhere in Time (for which he received an Academy Award nomination), The Blue Lagoon, Hearts and Souls, and Leave It To Beaver.

What other works have Battlestar Galactica stars done ?

For career and biographical information on Battlestar Galactica actors, view the separate document, Battlestar Galactica Actors Other Roles List.

Which Galactica stars have been in Star Trek episodes ?

Many Battlestar Galactica stars have appeared on Star Trek episodes. John Colicos (Baltar) played the Klingon Kor in Star Trek's "Errand of Mercy" and reprised the role on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's "Blood Oath" and "The Sword Of Kahless". Ed Begley, Jr. (Greenbean) appeared as the villain Henry Starling in Star Trek: Voyager's two-part "Future's End". George Murdock (Dr. Salik) appeared as a Starfleet admiral in Star Trek: TNG's "The Best of Both Worlds", and Brock Peters (Chief Opposer Solon, "Murder on the Rising Star"), appeared as Admiral Cartwright in Star Trek IV and Star Trek VI. Paul Fix (Commander Kronus, "Take the Celestra") appeared as Dr. Mark Piper in Star Trek: TNG's "Where No Man Has Gone Before". And even Star Trek: TNG's Q, John DeLancie, played an Eastern alliance guard in "Experiment in Terra".

A more detailed list of Galactica actors who have starred in Star Trek, can be found in the related document, The Battlestar Galactica/Star Trek Crossover List.