I thought you were dead. Why didn't you contact me?
Because I was foolish enough to care about you once.
After seeing her, I think maybe I still care for her.
I knew him on Caprica.
For that we'll all spend 30 yahrens on the prison barge.
A fleet is held together by force.
He and Charka are the best slave-drivers in the fleet.
Armed workers are attacking the launch bay!
I will not have mutineers aboard my ship.
Aurora?
'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.'
Morale continues to rise,
due in part to the number of habitable planets we encounter
and the reintroduction of amenities we enjoyed
before the destruction of the Colonies.
Once again, although on a limited scale,
we are able to partake of music and the theatre
and when the occasion warrants, even indulge in ceremony.
'We've got 15 centons to make that ceremony or Tigh will kill us.'
Yeah.
'The last time we were late, we flew deep space probes for two sectons.'
Formation, salute!
Formation, rest!
We are assembled here today
to honour a man of accomplishment,
a man who rose from the ranks
and became Commander of the Battlestar Rycon
and the fourth Colonial fleet.
Although gravely wounded at the battle of Cosmora Archipelago,
he nevertheless rallied his troops and mounted a counterattack...
- Oh, my God. -..destroying three enemy ships.
It's Aurora!
Commander Kronus was retired only a short time...
- That's impossible. - I'm telling you, it's Aurora.
..but he volunteered his services
and agreed to accept command of the Celestra...
- I thought she was dead. - See for yourself.
..her entire fleet to remain operational.
- The Council of 12 has voted to award... - She's leaving!
..the distinguished service medallion
and appoint him executive commander of all three industry ships.
Commander Kronus, would you please step forward?
- Excuse me. - May I help you?
- I need some navigational data. - For what ship?
The Celestra. It's for Commander Kronus.
Your name?
Your name, please?
Aurora. I'm Commander Kronus' pilot.
All right, for what sector did you want your information?
- The Beta sector. - Beta sector.
And very well deserved too.
Sir, if I may?
- I guess I misunderstood you, Colonel. - Sir?
I thought you said you were due on the bridge shortly.
Er...yes, sir, I...
I mean, I am due on the bridge.
In fact, that's where I'm going right now, sir.
If you'll excuse me...sir.
I think he was about to propose a toast, Commander.
Adama, I always believed the first rule of command
was to enforce all regulations, and the second rule...
Make sure there's no exception to the first rule.
You burnt that into my brain when I was your aide.
Excuse me, sir, your pilot is here.
The shuttle is ready whenever you are.
Very well, Charka, we'll leave shortly.
I thought Tigh was about to blast out of his boots.
Breaking formation isn't exactly part of the military code.
If you two hadn't stopped me, I could've caught her.
There she is.
Hey!
Aurora!
It's been a long time, Starbuck.
I thought you were dead.
Where've you been all this time?
On the Celestra, learning to fly.
I'm now pilot for Commander Kronus.
But I've been there for maintenance.
- I know. - You knew?
For Sagan's sake, why didn't you try to contact me?
I used to wonder the same thing about you.
Aurora, I didn't even know you were still alive.
I'm in the personnel computer. Anyone could've found me
if they'd cared enough to check.
I cared, Aurora, more than you'll ever know.
But not enough to find out if I were alive?
Starbuck, I got them! The last two seats to the Spheroid concert.
Great. Cassiopeia, this is Aurora.
- She's an old...friend. - Hi.
Sorry if I interrupted anything but I got so excited about these tickets.
You must know how hard these are to get.
I'm afraid we don't have concerts on the Celestra,
or elegant military receptions, for that matter.
- The Commander's leaving. I have to go. - I-I...
I'll walk you to the launch bay.
I wouldn't think of taking you away from the party.
- Nice bumping into you. - Aurora. Excuse me, Cassie. Aurora!
Did you... Did you interrupt something?
Yeah, I guess I did.
We'll be landing in five centons, sir.
Shall I signal the Commander's compartment?
Those were his orders.
I heard you. I was watching the time.
I'm looking forward to your telling the crew you'll have your own fleet again.
The parts ship, the textile ship and the Celestra.
When I commanded the Rycon and 600 fighting ships,
that's when I commanded a fleet.
I was thinking of our present situation, sir.
This collection of moving derelicts isn't a fleet, it's a convoy.
A convoy held together by mutual dependence.
A fleet is held together by force and discipline.
A fleet doesn't just move, it performs.
Although I often wonder if Adama realises that.
Well, thanks to you, at least the Celestra performs.
- We can do better. - I assure you I will.
Charka, I'm retaining command of the Celestra.
With all due respect, sir, what about the other two ships?
Oh, their captains need a little shaping up but no serious problem.
Charka, you are not ready yet for command.
There's more to running a fighting ship than a civilian work force.
'Celestra command to shuttle, your heading is 295.
'Your cross vector is 31.
'You're cleared to land in the shuttle bay.'
Don't be impatient, Charka. You will one day have your own command.
Yes, sir.
Regulations state that the commander has to approve it first.
Then you notify the senior officer.
- You know that. - And you know Apollo would approve it.
Sir, I just don't want to have to look for him.
- You won't have to. - Starbuck...
How come they're preparing your viper?
He wants to go to the Celestra for an electronics maintenance scan.
Er...yeah.
See, my long-range scan's been acting kind of funny.
It's me. If you wanted to go see Aurora, why didn't you just ask me?
I guess I thought you'd try and stop me.
You want to go, go. I just want to know why.
I have to straighten something out.
Why don't you just leave it alone?
Because after seeing her,
I think maybe I still care for her.
I think you and Cassiopeia are getting so close it's got you scared.
Maybe you're running away from Cassiopeia.
Aurora already kicked me in the teeth today.
- And she probably will again. - Apollo, I gotta try.
Listen, she's not mad at you. Maybe you could get her to...
Sorry, you're not getting me involved.
Apollo, look, I can't just leave it like this.
Colonel, we're both going to the Celestra for a...maintenance scan.
- What's wrong with your viper? - Same as Starbuck's.
- Thanks, buddy. - I just hope it works out.
It will. Aurora's a very gentle and forgiving person.
- Did you get them? - Yes.
Course heading and coordinates.
I said they were for Kronus. I was so scared.
Don't worry. It'll all be over soon.
Can you make it malfunction? Just another few microns!
- What if the fleet stops to wait for us? - Not a chance with a repair this simple.
This is the last chance for anyone to change his mind.
Once we head for the shuttle, we're committed.
Very well. Let's go.
I thought Boomer and I were on patrol.
But if you want it, you're perfectly welcome to it.
Thank you, Sheba, but we're on our way to the Celestra.
Not with my concert ducats you're not.
Hi, Cass. About the concert, my long-range scan's acting...
Colonel Tigh told me.
- The ducats, Starbuck. - Hm?
Oh, yeah. Sure.
That's it.
- Both of 'em? - I'm not going alone.
But I thought Sheba was going on patrol.
Who said anything about Sheba?
'Vipers 4 and 6 cleared for the Celestra.
- 'Launch when ready.' - Acknowledged.
What's it gonna be, Starbuck? Are we going or not?
Cassiopeia, are you going to let him go without saying anything?
- I can't stop him. - He's going over there to see Aurora.
Don't you care?
I didn't say that. I just said I can't stop him.
We've lost thrusters, and a turbodyne has blown a laser sequence.
Get an electra-tech team on it and get me the Galactica.
Commander, Commander Kronus from the Celestra.
- Put him on scanner. - Yes, sir.
- Yes, Commander? - We've temporarily lost our thrusters.
- Nothing serious. - 'What is your estimated time for repairs?'
Two centares. Probably less with my people.
'You'll be out of communications range within 20 centons.
'We'll stop and wait for you.'
You know what happens if you try to stop a fleet this size.
There'll be ships scattered all over.
I don't like the idea of you being out there alone.
'I think I've had enough experience to handle it.'
- Commander? - One micron, please.
Apollo and Starbuck are on their way there for maintenance.
'I've been advised that two vipers are on their way to you for maintenance.
- 'They'll be at your disposal.' - We'll be back so quickly,
you won't even know we've gone.
I liked our relationship better when he was my aide.
Starbuck, you haven't said a word since we left.
- I've been doing a lot of thinking. - About Cassiopeia or Aurora?
Yeah. Wonder who she's going to the concert with?
You're worried about who Cassiopeia's with
but you broke a date with her to be with Aurora?
Yeah, but that's different.
Something's wrong with my scanner - it shows the Celestra's stopped.
No, mine shows the same.
Celestra bridge, what is your situation?
'Minor malfunction.
'Our flight operations are normal. You are cleared to land.'
All right, just follow my orders and nobody gets hurt.
Now, move.
Hold it!
Armed workers are attacking the launch bay!
Attacked? By whom?
Six armed workers in the launch bay.
Order the landing bay crew to cut them off.
- Yes, sir. - Follow me, Charka.
'Fight in the launch bay. Deploy your crews.'
Dianopolis, come on! Trouble in the shuttle bay!
We're going to have to work our way to the shuttle.
We have to get to the other side.
- It's impossible, sir. The crossfire. - Nothing is impossible.
Damon.
Don't worry, we'll make it.
I got it! Cassiopeia went with Bojay.
He's on deep probe.
- Where is everybody? - She wouldn't be with Greenbean?
Stop worrying and try to look your best.
My best? Even at my worst, Aurora thought I looked pretty good.
She's obviously blind.
I'm talking about Commander Kronus. Fasten your jacket.
Go around.
- That sounds like... - It is.
Aurora?
Aurora.
Drop it!
Get your hands up.
All right, move out.
- Why didn't you fire? - I couldn't.
Aurora, you knew...
You knew that we might have to kill someone.
Charka or Kronus, even their officers...
But not a Colonial warrior?
Not him. I knew him on Caprica.
And for that we'll all spend 30 yahrens on the prison barge.
That was close, buddy.
I froze. I couldn't believe that it was Aurora.
You know her, Lieutenant?
I thought I did.
Captain, I want you to take the Lieutenant
and use my shuttle to transfer the prisoners to the Galactica for charges.
Wouldn't it be better to hold them here until we catch up with the fleet?
Discipline is only effective when immediate, Captain.
I will not have mutineers aboard my ship any longer than necessary.
Yes, but charges for mutiny have to be filed by the senior officer of the ship.
I know that, Lieutenant. That's why I'm going with you.
Aurora. Why?
You know why. It was the only thing to do.
But...
How'd everything go on patrol?
Same as usual, Cassie - boring.
Did you and Starbuck straighten everything out?
- He's not back yet. - The Celestra stopped for repairs.
Why didn't he and Apollo just come back?
Erm...
I better go on over to the Officers' Club.
- OK. - See ya.
- They probably just got stranded there. - Yeah.
You shouldn't have let him go there.
- That wouldn't have accomplished anything. - You don't know that.
A relationship based on possession isn't for me.
I don't want to own Starbuck, or anyone else.
If what he and I have is worth anything at all, we're gonna survive all this.
And if it doesn't?
Hey, um, Boomer had a good idea. Let's go to the Officers' Club.
Over there.
Aurora, listen to me.
- You're the only reason I came. - I couldn't care less.
I think you do.
You could've killed me and you didn't.
Because I was foolish enough to care about you once.
And I cared about you.
The night the Cylons raided Caprica, I tried to find you,
but your house had taken a direct hit, there was nothing left of it.
I thought you were dead so I never looked for you.
You gotta believe me.
I do.
But it wouldn't have changed anything.
- Keep your eye on them, Lieutenant. - Yes, sir.
- What's their heading? - Coming up now.
I'm correlating it with load factor and fuel consumption.
You're always on top of things, Hermes.
- You'll make a fine exec. - Thank you, sir.
What if Commander Kronus finds out what's going on?
Forget about Kronus.
By the time he finds out - if he finds out...
he'll be too far away to do anything.
- Ready back there, Starbuck? - All set.
Celestra control, this is the Galactica shuttle
requesting navigation instructions.
'Your heading is 958.1.
'Cross vector 372.
'Docking time is 2.4 centares.
- 'You're clear to launch when ready.' - Acknowledged.
They're following our vectors.
Right into oblivion.
Once they're far enough away, we go dark, disappear from their scanner.
- Kronus will come back. - Naturally. But he'll never find us.
And his fuel will run out long before he can get in communication range.
Congratulations, Commander.
Not quite yet, but soon.
Shut down operations. Order all workers to their quarters.
- We don't want any more problems. - Yes, sir.
Oh, have all the lasers removed from the armament cabinets.
- Bring them to the bridge. - Consider it done, sir.
Leave me alone. You've already caused me enough trouble.
I'm sorry for the mess you're in but you can't blame me.
- You got yourself into it. - I had no choice.
- Everybody has a choice. - Not the common people.
Not on this fleet. You know what kind of life we have.
It's not like on Caprica but it's rough on everybody.
That's easy for a warrior to say.
It's easy to say because it's true.
Don't insult our intelligence. Your kind has already degraded us.
Degraded? How?
Forcing us to work 16 centares a shift.
With our rations cut if we fail to fill a work quota.
Never allowed to leave our ship,
unless we're part of the military class, or serve them as Aurora did.
Wait, you're trying to tell me those are the conditions on the Celestra?
Why doesn't anybody know about it?
Know about it? They gave Kronus a medal and a promotion for it.
He and Charka are the best slave-drivers in the fleet.
What's wrong?
I just heard something I don't want to believe but somehow it's hard not to.
Well, spit it out.
I'm not sure the Commander here will like it.
I didn't hear Captain Apollo ask whether I'd like it or not
but I heard him tell you to spit it out.
And that sounded like a direct order, Lieutenant.
All right.
Rather than your loyalty being taken for granted as it was under Kronus,
under my command, I assure you it'll be rewarded handsomely.
My first act, when I am appointed official captain of the Celestra,
will be to see to it that each of you is advanced one grade.
Naturally, an increase of payment will follow your promotion.
More importantly, each of you will find
your new rank brings you something far more valuable than cubits.
Respect.
- Executive officer. - The turbodyne is ready to go.
Acknowledged. Captain, the repairs are completed.
- How far away is the shuttle? - Not far enough yet, sir.
Then we wait.
I'm not accusing you, Commander, just telling you what they said.
- And you believe them? - I don't know.
Did you believe that the whole fleet was slave ships?
No. But they did.
Then perhaps you can tell me where they planned to go in the shuttle.
To another slave ship?
- He has a point, Starbuck. - Maybe.
Where were you gonna go?
- Tell him nothing. - It doesn't matter now.
- To the 21st planet in this system. - Why?
According to the navigational tapes it was the most habitable.
Good climate, plenty of food and a good landing field.
What did you intend to do when you got there?
- Please, Aurora. - Live!
Something we weren't allowed to do on your ship.
Perhaps, by your standards.
I can understand why some people cannot appreciate a military approach.
But under our present conditions we must all make adjustments to survive.
I have been in the Colonial service
and life on the Celestra bears little resemblance to the military.
Not when an animal like Charka double-shifts entire families.
I know Charka is a taskmaster...
but I cannot believe he is inhumane.
Believe, Commander!
Things aren't like that on the rest of the fleet. I give you my word.
That's it. They'll never reach the fleet now, sir.
- Lock in on our course, Hermes. - Already done.
Turbodynes.
Shut down the navigational beacons, scanners and running lights...
all the electronics that the shuttle could home in on.
Fire thrusters.
Something's wrong.
We should've picked the fleet up on our scanner two centons ago.
- Nothing. - Check the Celestra's position.
- She's gone. - It must be malfunctioning.
- No, the scanner checks out. - That's impossible.
- Unless she went dark. - That's against regulations.
The crew knows that. Especially Charka.
- But if Aurora was telling the truth... - He's trying to kill us.
Our heading must be out to deep space, away from the fleet.
Charka will spend the rest of his life in the prison barge if I don't get him first.
I don't think he's too worried about that.
When they went dark we lost our last reference to the fleet.
Five to one he's underway right now to rejoin them.
Wherever that is.
'Galactica, Celestra shuttle, do you read?'
It's no use. They're way beyond our transmitting range.
With the fuel we have, they'll stay that way.
With luck, we might make it to the Celestra.
Exactly what I was thinking. Lock in on her ion trail. Come up her exhaust.
Your suggestion would work if we had the fuel, which we don't.
They must be in the opposite direction.
Why don't we reverse course and catch up with the Celestra?
Charka wouldn't have sent us 180 degrees in the wrong direction
because he knows we could reverse course.
Charka may be a lot of things but he isn't dumb.
We'll make a guess.
Plot a point where we might intercept the Celestra at an angle.
Assuming they're moving at top speed...
Factor four.
Assuming they're at factor four, the computer should tell us where they are.
But it won't!
Or rather, it can't. This is a civilian shuttle.
The computer has no tracking capabilities.
I told the Council to equip these shuttles properly.
- We could fix this one up. - If we weren't in shackles.
And if we could count on a fair hearing once we reach the fleet.
- You have my word. - We're supposed to accept that?
Do you have a choice?
All right.
Release them.
It's a good thing you people are from the electronics ship.
If the Celestra went dark, at least they won't know we're coming.
If we have enough fuel. And if we can find her.
Nobody says she has to run at top speed.
How long till we reach the fleet?
Just over a centare but we'll be in communications range in 81 centons.
We'll reactivate electro-identification in 80 centons and not before.
- Yes, sir. - And not after, Hermes.
We wouldn't want Commander Adama to get suspicious.
Commander, we can arm ourselves with lasers from the landing bay.
We have to get there first.
The computer coordinates didn't come with any guarantee.
The Starbuck I used to know was an optimist.
Only when the odds were in my favour.
Damon.
- Damon, what is it? - Does it matter?
You matter. You matter a great deal to me.
But I'm not the only one.
Damon, I don't love Starbuck.
You could've fooled me.
Why? Because I loved him once?
Because it was pleasant and I still remember it?
Damon, those aren't signs of love.
Those are memories and that's all.
I love you.
The lasers are here, sir.
- Are they all there? - Yes, sir.
- Put them over there. - Yes, sir.
Mind if we, er, talk?
I'm not in love with Aurora any more.
Spare me the speech about memories. I just heard it.
Look, Aurora has you now.
Besides, I have someone else too.
And she's just about all I can handle.
- Well, that's your problem, isn't it? - So are you.
I don't want Aurora to lose someone she loves.
That's why I want you to know where I stand.
I'll always feel something special for her
because of what we once had.
But it's nothing that threatens you or anyone else.
All right, now I know where you stand.
- Are you through now? - Yeah, except for one thing.
You drive her away and you're a bigger fool than you appear to be.
Thank you.
- There's the Celestra! - We got her!
- It's all shut down. - Including the landing bay!
We're going in anyway - if our fuel holds out.
You must be crazy to land in the dark.
Everybody buckle in.
Fuel level 25.
Twenty.
Fifteen...ten.
- Five! - Kill thrusters.
We need fuel for deceleration. Everybody hang on.
- Decelerate! - Decelerating.
Let's go.
- No welcoming committee. - So far, so good.
- The lasers are gone! - Charka isn't taking any chances.
- Where would he take them? - The safest place - the bridge.
So we walk in and get them with only two lasers?
Unless you have a better idea.
Let's go.
We can take them. We need their lasers.
They might help us. Not all the crew will be in on Charka's plan.
Prisoners won't help and we can't know who's on our side.
One shout from them and it'd be all over.
We'll get the lasers on the bridge.
Let's go.
- Where are the lasers? - Other side of the door.
Let's go get 'em. Nice and easy.
Move it.
Hermes, come here.
Hermes?
Commander, stay here and guard these men.
- Ready? - OK.
We've got to get to the steering panel.
Somebody already has.
Let's go.
Take him.
Commander?
Captain, did we...do it?
We did it, Commander.
And only a short while after we gathered
to honour Commander Kronus in duty,
so must we now gather again to honour him in death.
Let us remember him not only as a warrior
who died heroically in conflict
but as a man who lived in pursuit of excellence.
Now we return this warrior to the cradle of space.
What'll happen to Aurora and the others?
The tribunal found them guilty but with extenuating circumstances,
so they got probation.
Charka and his men are off to the prison barge.
As a matter of fact, Sheba and I are shuttling them over there,
so we'll see you two later.
Starbuck, I'm really happy about Aurora and the others.
Me too. Cassie, about Aurora...
You don't have to explain.
We've never had a definite commitment anyway.
Yeah, that's it. I don't know if I ever can be committed.
Starbuck, it's OK. I understand.
OK. See, I just want you to know, I'm not in love with her.
Listen, I've got two ducats to tonight's concert.
- But I thought... - I traded those in for tonight.
I kind of figured you'd be back.
What did I ever do to deserve you?
'Fleeing from the Cylon tyranny,
'the last battlestar, Galactica,
'leads a ragtag fugitive fleet
'on a lonely quest...
'a shining planet
'known as Earth.'