Galactica 1999

Cylon Baseship---

Lucifer: By your command.

Baltar: I hope you bring me good news for a change.

Lucifer: We have not yet found the Battlestar Galactica. But we have found a rogue moon.

Baltar: A rogue moon?! What care I for the flotsam and jetsam of outer space?

Lucifer: This moon has a human outpost on it. According to the communications we've picked up this outpost is called "Moonbase Alpha."

Baltar: Moonbase Alpha? The Colonies never had an outpost by that name.

Lucifer: Which leaves two possibilities. This is another breed of human like the ones we exterminated on Terra. Or these humans come from Earth.

Baltar: Earth? Adama's fairey tale? Don't be ridiculous.

Lucifer: And do not be too quick to dismiss the possibility. Legends often have a basis in truth.

Baltar: Bah! Just follow procedure and destroy this Moonbase Alpha. Then we can focus on more important matters. Namely finding and destroying the Galactica.

Lucifer: Aren't you the least bit curious as to where this moon base came from?

Baltar: Lucifer. My only concern is finally eradicating Adama's accursed fleet. This chase has lasted yarens longer than it should have and I am weary of it. I'll concern myself with other matters ONLY after I'm finished with the last Battlestar. Now carry out your orders.

Lucifer: By your command.




Moonbase Alpha---



Paul Morrow: Commander. We have multiple contacts. 30 in all. They're spacecraft heading straight for us.

John Koenig: Get me a visual.

(Morrow presses a button and on the viewscreen a swarm of Cylon Raiders appear.)

Victor Bergman: I bet my last hidden cigar those are warships.

Koenig: That's a bet I won't take, Victor. (Activates comm link) Attention all sections, Alpha!
Red Alert! I repeat, Red Alert! There's 30 spacecraft on intercept course with us and they
don't look friendly. All armed Eagles launch. All ground forces assume battle posture.
This is not a drill.

Morrow: Commander. At the speed those ships can travel our Eagles will be standing still by comparison.

Koenig: I know, Paul. But what other option is there? Sandra. Open all channels.

Sandra: All channels open, Commander.

Koenig: Attention approaching spacecraft. This is John Koenig, Commander of Moonbase Alpha. We come in peace. We mean no harm. But we will defend ourselves if necessary.

Sandra: No response, Commander.

Morrow: ETA one minute, 13 seconds, mark. Eagles haven't even left the pad yet.

Koenig: Moonbase Alpha to approaching spacecraft. What are your intentions?

Kano: Commander. According to computer there are no biological lifeforms on board those ships. Either it's a different form of life or those are all drones.

Morrow: Commander. 10 more ships on approach. Different configuration.

Koenig: Let me see.

(Morrow presses a button and on the viewscreen they see the Colonial Vipers.)

Kano: Commander. Computer states there are biologics on board. They're...human.

Apollo: Moonbase Alpha, this is Strike Commander Apollo of the Battlestar Galactica. Have your ships maintain a defensive barricade around you. We'll deal with the Cylons. We've had more experience.

(Koenig relays the instructions to the Eagles. 22 seconds from lunar orbit the Vipers and the Raiders engage while the helpless Alphans can only watch.)

Morrow: It's like watching a dogfight at night. They way those ships move...

Bergman: They're more like airplanes than spaceships.

Koenig: What impresses me is that Apollo's facing three to one odds and is moping the floor with them.

Alan Carter: Eagle One to base. One of the first group got through. It's heading straight for Alpha! DAMMIT! It just blew up Eagle 11!

Koenig: What the hell are you waiting for, Carter? Blast that thing out of the sky!

(Three eagles open fire. Two miss but one hits the Cylon. Not enough to destroy it but enough to cause damage.)

Carter: Nicked the bastard. It's gonna crash on the lunar surface.

(The raider hits the surface and explodes.)

Carter: Eagle One to base. The invader's destroyed. But it looked like someone ejected before impact. I'm going in for a closer look.

Morrow: Wow. Apollo's crew wiped out all the rest with no casualties. Commander. Eight of Apollo's ships are leaving. Two on approach to Alpha.

Apollo: Moonbase Alpha this is Apollo. One of the Cylons managed to slip past us. Were you able to stop it?

Koenig: One of our Eagles managed to shoot it down. But it looks like the pilot ejected. The Eagle's investigating it right now.

Carter: Eagle One to Alpha. I see three survivors each armed with a rifle. And...wearing the shiniest spacesuits you ever saw. They're heading on foot to your location.

Apollo: Alpha! Those are NOT spacesuits! Cylons are robots with only one program. The genocide of the human race. You must destroy them now while you have the chance.

Carter: Alpha! The invaders are opening fire on me.

Koenig: Alan! Shoot back! They're just robots!

(The three Cylons fired their rifles at Eagle One. Before the energy bolts can reach the ship Alan fires and then rolls his Eagle out of harms way. The three rifle bolts shoot harmlessly out into open space. The Eagle's bolt strikes the ground between the three Cylons and the blast sends them hurtling and tumbling across the lunar landscape.)

Carter: Got 'em. Damn! They're tough little buggers.

Koenig: They're still active?

Carter: No. They're laying prone like discarded toys. But their bodies are still in one piece, so to speak. Blast should have ripped them apart.

Koenig: Maintain position, Alan. Keep an eye on them. I'm sending an Eagle with a recovery team.

Carter: Right.

Koenig: (To Morrow) Recall the Eagles. Cancel Red Alert. Arrange for a recovery team. (To Victor) Victor.

Bergman: On my way.

Apollo: Moonbase Alpha. Request permission to land.

Koenig: Granted. Our launch and landing pads are marked by a red cross. They should be easy to spot.

(The Colonial Vipers land and shortly, after a ride through the transit tube, Apollo and Starbuck meet Koenig and a curious Helena Russell.)

Koenig: Welcome. I'm John Koenig, commander of Moonbase Alpha. This is Dr. Helena Russell.

Russell: Pleased to meet you.

Apollo: I'm Captain Apollo and this is Lt. Starbuck.

Starbuck: Pleasure.

Koenig: I want to thank you for your help. Those Cylons clearly had us outnumbered and outmatched.

Starbuck: Well, it's lucky for you we just happen to come along.

Apollo: (To Starbuck) Starbuck. (Then to Koenig) Commander Koenig. I'm curious as to why you have a base on a rogue moon.

Koenig: Well it wasn't a rogue moon originally. We were blasted out of orbit by a nuclear-based magnetic explosion. We were hurled too far from Earth to get back via our Eagles. And before Earth could mount a...

Apollo: Excuse me, Commander. Did you say Earth?

Koenig: Yes. You've heard of it?

Starbuck: Heard of it? For the past couple of yarens it's been the only reason we even wake up in the morning.

Apollo: What Starbuck is trying to say in his own unique way is we've been searching for Earth since the destruction of our homes by the Cylons.

Helena: Why is Earth so special?

Apollo: It's our one chance to defeat the Cylons once and for all.

Koenig: Perhaps we should discuss this in my office. I've a feeling this is going to be a long story.

(In Koenig's office Apollo tells of Kobol and the 13 tribes. How the 13th Tribe, [the last to leave Kobal], took a different route. The last known communication stating they were going to a planet called Earth. The other 12 Tribes found 12 planets, which they settled, and thus formed the 12 Colonies Of Man...

He then tells of the 500 yaren war with the Cylons. Count Baltar's betrayal that led to the destruction of the 12 Colonies. Adama's gathering of survivors and the quest to find Earth.)

Koenig: Captain Apollo. What makes you think Earth can help you defeat these Cylons?

Apollo: According to my father, who's a student of the ancient writings, the 13th Tribe was the most advanced one on Kobol. Physically, mentally and technologically. It was because of the 13th Tribe the other twelve were able to leave the planet.

Starbuck: According to Commander Adama the 13th Tribe had super powers to a degree. They could move things with their minds, read other peoples thoughts and so forth. They could even predict the future.

Koenig: I see. So if this 13th Tribe was so advanced back then they'd be considerably more advanced by now. They'd give you the upper edge against your enemy.

Apollo: Exactly.

Koenig: Captain I hate to disappoint you but Earth is not your 13th Colony. We've never heard of any planet called Kobol. And just by looking at your ships I can tell you that you are far more advanced than we are. And as far as mental abilities are concerned. Telekinetics, telepathy and pre-cognition are known to us but it's rare for our people to have such abilities. I'm afraid Earth is what we call a wild goose chase.

Apollo: This is going to devastate my father...

Starbuck: Not to mention the rest of the Fleet. The felgercarb is gonna hit the exaust port when they find out.

Helena: It is possible your 13th Tribe did come to Earth centuries ago. Tell me Apollo. Are names like Zeus, Hera, Aries, Athena, Aphrodite and Hermes used in your society?

Apollo: Those are pretty common amongst my people. In fact I've a sister named Athena and my blood name is Zeus.

Koenig: Blood name?

Apollo: The name of our first ancestor. My full name is Zeus Apollo.

Koenig: I see where you are going with this, Helena. The 13th Tribe came to Earth. And because of their advanced technology the primitive people of that era thought of them as gods. The 13th Tribe became the basis of our Greek mythologies. And it would lend credence to the Ancient Astronaut Theory.

Helena: Which leaves two possibilities. The 13th Tribe fell victim to a disaster. Possibly the sinking of Atlantis. Or they returned to space in order to find another home.

Apollo: Which means we still have to go to Earth to find out. We need to know what happened.

Starbuck: Well that should be no problem. We'll backtrack the moon's trajectory and finally find...

Koenig: I'm afraid it's not that simple, Starbuck. The magnetic explosion that hurled us away from Earth had an unpredictable side effect. We called them warp-jumps. One moment we are in our solar system the next we're light years from home. We had eighteen jumps in total. All at irregular intervals. And after the last one we had no clue as to where we were.

Helena: And we've since encountered natural space warps and even a black sun. Whatever planet we've come in contact with has always altered our trajectory. For the past year we've been zig-zagging across the universe like a pin-ball.

Starbuck: So we're right back where we started. No clue as to where Earth is. And Earth isn't even our ultimate goal anymore. It's either another stepping stone or a dead end.

Apollo: It's a gap we'll cross when we get to it. We have to report this to father. But right now I'm concerned about Moonbase Alpha.

Koenig: What about Alpha?

Apollo: Your moon, Commander, is headed into Cylon occupied territory.




Cylon Baseship---


Lucifer: By your command.

Baltar: (Sigh) Yes, Lucifer?

Lucifer: We failed to destroy Moonbase Alpha. The whole squadron was wiped out. By Colonial Vipers.

Baltar: Vipers? You've found the Galactica?

Lucifer: No. But two of the Vipers landed on the moon. They departed before we could send a scout to follow.

Balter: Damn.

Lucifer: But it is possible the Colonials will return. From what we picked up via their communications there is concern about the moon drifting into our space. If the Colonials return as expected we can then follow them back to the Galactica.

Baltar: And finally this will be over.

Lucifer: Might I recommend calling in two other Baseships to assist us? We have lost an entire squadron.

Baltar: And share the glory? Are your circuits faulty?

Lucifer: Baltar. "Glory" is a human ambition. But if it makes you feel better then consider...Your Baseship found the Galactica. You arranged for its ultimate destruction. The "glory" will still be yours to savor. Three Baseships will have a far better chance of success than one which is a squadron short.

Baltar: (Sigh.) Very well. Call them. But they make no move against the Galactica until I decree it.

Lucifer: Never fear. Lucifer's here.

Balter: What?

Lucifer: By your command.




Moonbase Alpha (Bergman's lab)---


Bergman: What's wrong, John?

(Koenig points to the two blast-damaged Cylons laying on the floor and the disected one on the table.)

Koenig: There's a empire of those things and they all want one thing. To wipe every human being out of existence. And Alpha's heading straight for them.

Bergman: Oh I wouldn't worry about the Cylons, John. They're no threat.

Koenig: Victor. They wiped out who knows how many planets with advanced technology light years ahead of our own. Their ships can travel faster than the speed of light. They attack in swarms like army ants. How can you say they are no threat?

Bergman: Because I know their weakness, John. A weakness we can easily exploit.

Koenig: Which is?

Bergman: Well John as with any great discovery I found it quite by accident. I was trying to learn about our friend over there and came to the conclusion that whatever these things are made of uses a technology that operates from a different set of physics than we do. I couldn't make heads or tails out of the software. Computer could not identify the energy the Cylons use. We flip a light switch and electricity turns on the light. They flip a switch and...something else turns on their light.

Koenig: I'm with you so far. It's like AC and DC current.

Bergman: Except theirs is a third type of current. Anyway my coffee got cold. (Heads for microwave oven) So I put it in the microwave and...


(He turns on the microwave and the three Cylons start jerking about. The spasms stop when the microwave turns off.)


Bergman: Cylon technology is imcompatable with our microwaves. Different form of energy. Composition of the materials that these things are made of. Maybe a combination of the two I don't know. But I do know that I can transmit a beam strong enough to disrupt their motor functions before they can get within miles of Alpha. Maybe even short circuit them completely. Which will make them easy pickin's for our Eagles.

Koenig: What do we need to do?

Bergman: Oh that's easy. A little jury rigging here and there and our Eagles and communication towers will make us Cylon-proof. I just need your approval to get started.

Koenig: You've got it. That's your top priority now.

(Bergman picks up his comm link.)

Bergman: Paul? We're good to go.



Battlestar Galactica---


Apollo: They say they are from Earth, father. But they state they never heard of Kobol. As far as they know their species originated there and not out here.

Tigh: And their technology?

Starbuck: From what we saw, Colonel, their tech is more...stylish...than ours. But, and they admit it themselves, ours is the more advanced.

Apollo: When we arrived their ships was just leaving the launch pads. And they moved ponderously slow.

Adama: This is disastrous. Our hopes all hinged on Earth being more advanced than we are. When the Fleet finds out...

Apollo: Father. The Earth people don't discount the possibility the 13th Tribe did come to Earth and became the basis of a legend called Greek Mythology. Which means Earth could provide us with a clue as to what happened to them. Dr. Russell believes they either sank with Atlantis or returned to space.

Tigh: Atlantis?

Apollo: A legendary continent that supposedly sank into the sea. The Earth people never found it so it's not certain it actually existed. Atlantis was believed to a highly advanced civilization at that time. Much like the 13th Tribe was on Kobol. So if they did settle on Earth then this Atlantis would be where they went.

Adama: I need to know more. Tigh. Have a shuttle ready with Sheba as the pilot. I can trust her to keep quiet. Apollo, Starbuck. Refuel your Vipers and be ready to launch. You're going to escort me to Moonbase Alpha.




Cylon Baseship---



Lucifer: By your command.

Baltar: Progress?

Lucifer: A Galactica shuttle and two Vipers have landed on the moon base. Our scout ships are in position to follow them back. One is already backtracking the Colonials' trajectory in the hope of finding the fleet beforehand.

Baltar: Excellent. The two baseships?

Lucifer: They will arrive in two microns.

Baltar: Good. GOOD! Ready my ship. When the time comes I'll lead the attack myself.

Lucifer: By your command.



Moonbase Alpha---


(Shortly after Adama and Koenig meet and have a meeting the Cylon scout finds the Galactica and Baltar orders the attack.)

Koenig: Adama. I do want to help you but I have concerns. If I give you a copy of our star charts and you do manage to find Earth, with the Cylons still on your tail, you'll put our homeworld at risk.

Adama: I understand, John. I can only give you my word that...

Morrow (PA system): Attention all sections, Alpha. Red Alert! Red Alert! Cylons are attacking again. Commander Koenig please report to Command Centre.

(Koenig, Adama, Apollo and Starbuck race into the Command Centre and see another squadron of 30 Cylon Raiders on approach.)

Apollo: Well, old buddy. Feel up to 15 to 1 odds?

Starbuck: One way to find out I guess.

Koenig: Relax. We've got it. Paul?

(Morrow activates the modified communications towers which send out waves of highly concentrated microwaves out into space toward the invaders. The Galacticans gasp in awe as they see their mechanical enemies' ships suddenly go out of control due to disrupted motor functions. The Raiders waver and wobble. Some crash into each other causing them to explode and, in turn, causing others to explode due to close proximity. The rest of the out of control vehicles are then blasted out of the sky by the Eagles.)

Adama: My god. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.

Starbuck: And we were worried about THEM?

Apollo: How?

Koenig: My Chief Scientist, Professor Bergman, discovered that our technology uses a different form of power than the Cylons. We can transmit a form of energy that's imcompatable with the Cylons' power source. We call them microwaves.

Sandra: Commander Koenig. The Galactica shuttle pilot wishes to speak to Commander Adama.

Koenig: Transfer to my comm link. (Koenig then hands the comm link to Adama.)

Adama: Yes, Sheba?

Sheba: Commander. Col. Tigh reports the fleet's under attack. At least three Baseships are in the area.

Apollo: We could sure use those "microwaves" of yours, Commander.

Koenig: Unfortunately our Eagles don't have faster than light capability. We could never reach your fleet in time.

Adama: If I could bring a ship that could transport your Eagles would you help us?

Koenig: Gladly. Your people saved Alpha. I'd like to return the favor.

Adama (To Sheba on the comm link): Sheba. Have Col. Tigh send a ship with an empty landing bay to Alpha. And have him hurry.

Sheba: Yes sir.

Koenig (After getting his comm link back he calls Bergman): Victor. How many eagles were you able to modify?

Bergman: Only six so far. Eagles 1,3,4,7,9 and 12.

Koenig: Thanks, Victor.

Adama: Will six be enough?

Koenig: The transmitters can cover miles.

Morrow: Commander. For what it's worth the Nanotech Division just rebuilt Eagle 11 with Prof. Bergman's preprogrammed modifications already in place. So you actually have seven Eagles.

Koenig: Excellent. Have Eagle 11 prepped for launch. I'll be taking it. (Clicks comm link) Command Alpha to all Eagles. Return to base. Eagles 1,3,4,7,9 and 12 do not land. We have another mission. I'll be joining you in Eagle 11 and brief you when I arrive.



(The Rising Star arrives. Adama's shuttle and the seven Eagles board the ship. With Apollo and Starbuck flying escort the Rising star returns to the fleet.

The 'Star arrives just outside the battlezone where Raiders and outnumbered Vipers swarm about the fleet of giant spacecraft like insects. The seven Eagles launch and spread out to cover the length of the fleet, activating their microwave transmitters once they clear their transport.

The comm and scan systems of the fleet, Vipers and Cylon Raiders are instantly scrambled. But while the humans, protected by their ships, are not affected by the microwaves the Cylons most certainly are. Their motor functions go haywire and they lose control of their ships before the microwaves fry their inner workings permanently. The Raiders tumble out of control.

The Eagles start firing on the now easy targets. Blue Squadron, using their eyes, likewise aim and blast their enemy.

In Baltar's ship the human, having shoved with effort his dead pilot aside, tries to regain control. But a Viper swoops in and blasts the traitor to oblivion.

Shortly...)

Carter: I think we got them all, Commander.

Koenig: Okay, let's shut down the transmitters and head back to the Rising Star.

Adama: Adama to Eagle 11. John. You did it. Your Eagles saved the fleet.

Koenig: Glad to help. We're returning to the Rising...

Adama: It's not over yet though. There's still the three Baseships. If we can destroy then before they can react.

Koenig: Adama, these Baseships are counterparts to your Battlestar, correct?

Adama: Correct.

Koenig: Is your technology compatable with the Cylons?

Adama: In a way. What are you getting at?

Koenig: Why destroy them when you can claim them for your fleet? The fuel. The weapons. The spare equipment not to mention the intel they can provide. Plus think of the elbow room they can give your people. Get our Eagles close enough and we can neutralize the Cylons. You arrange for boarding parties to make sure the Cylons are no longer a threat.

Adama: During the war there were several attempts to capture a Baseship. They all failed. But now. I think we can actually do it. I'm heading back to the Galactica now. Do you have a fix on my shuttle?

Koenig: Yes.


Adama: Then follow me in. I'll have Col. Tigh get things started.

Apollo: Father, I've been listening in. To save time we can split Blue Squadron into three groups and act as the boarding parties.

Adama: Agreed. Select your groups and stand by.

Koenig: Eagle 11 to all Eagles. Lock onto Commander Adama's shuttle. We're going to the Battlestar Galactica.




Cylon Baseship (Lucifer sits in Balter's chair)---



Centurion: By your command.

Lucifer: Speak, Centurion.

Centurion: Our task force has been destroyed. There are no survivors.

Lucifer: No survivors? Including Baltar?

Centurion: Including Baltar.

Lucifer: What a...shame. Oh well. But I am curious as to how a single Battlestar was able to wipe out nearly three Baseships' worth of Raiders.

Centurion: All that is known was one of the human ships left the battle and then returned. It was then all contact was lost due to unknown interference. When the interference cleared we learn our ships had been destroyed.

Lucifer: The same thing happened during our second attack of Moonbase Alpha. Now, after one of the Colonial ships leaves and then returns, the Galactica has wiped out the rest of us. What does that tell you?

Centurion: Moonbase Alpha has a secret weapon that they are using to protect the Galactica.

Lucifer: Very good. I was thinking the same thing.

Centurion: You are now in command of this operation. What are your instructions?

Lucifer: First we destroy the Galactica using long range weapons. Then the fleet. And finally Moonbase Alpha. Get the Baseships into the proper position for a long range strike.

Centurion: By your command.


(Tigh is given his orders and once Adama and the seven Eagles are on board the Galactica abruptly leaves the fleet and heads for the nearest baseship at FTL velocity. It slows down just long enough to launch three Eagles and then continues to the next Baseship. Fortunately the maneuver was so fast that the Cylon's weapons never reach their target.

As the great warship passes by the enemy target the three Eagles' microwave transmitters are turned on and the Baseship is neutralized. One Eagle circles the top portion of the Baseship while another eagle circles the bottom. Eagle 11 and Apollo's group, which followed the Galactica, then board the ship and find the Cylons all laying on the deck with fried circuitry. Koenig orders the circling Eagles to turn off the transmitter. Apollo contacts the Galactica and reports the first ship has
been taken.




Cylon Baseship 2---



Centurion: By your command.

Gold Centurion: Speak, Centurion.

Centurion: The Galactica has left the fleet and has neutralized one of our Baseships. The Battlestar is now on intercept course with us.

Gold Centurion: How long before SCRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

(The 2nd Cylon Baseship is taken out by the passing Galactica and two Eagles repeating the circling maneuver. Starbuck's group boards the ship and takes over without incident.)

Starbuck: Anybody know how to fly this thing?



Lucifer's Baseship---



Centurion: By your command.

Lucifer: Speak, Centurion.

Centurion: The Galactica has left the fleet and has neutralized two of our Baseships. The Battlestar is now on intercept course with us.

Lucifer: I can see why Baltar was never happy to see me. The Galactica is obviously using the Alpha weapon. Order a retreat. We are clearly outmatched.



Battlestar Galactica---


Tigh: 3rd target's moving to lightspeed. Looks like they figured us out.

Adama: We've got the momentum. We can still catch up. Increase speed. Athena. Tell Boomer to put the pedal to the metal.

Athena: The what to the what?

Adama: I'm sorry. It's an expression I overheard from one of the Eagle pilots. Tell Boomer to increase speed and keep up with us as best he can.

Athena: Pedal to the metal. Aye sir.



(The Baseship accelerates to lightspeed and beyond but the Galactica is able to catch up.)


Tigh: Baseship's opening fire.

Adama: Possitive shield. Launch the Eagles.


(The Baseship gets in two minor hits before the Eagles take it out. Lucifer, along with every Cylon on board, loses motor function and jerks about. Smoke and sparks shoot out as Lucifer's circuits are fried beyond repair. The robed Cylon falls off its throne-like chair and hits the deck with an echoing "clang." Boomer and his group catches up and takes over.)


Boomer: Anybody know how to fly this thing?



Tigh: We did it, Commander. We did it.

Adama: Yes we did, old friend. All thanks to our....(Adama pauses as he comes to a starling realization)

Tigh: Adama?

Adama: Tigh. The people from Moonbase Alpha. The people from Earth. They WERE our salvation from the Cylons. This day we did something I would have considered impossible yesterday. We captured THREE Cylon Baseships.

Tigh: So much for their "primitive" technology.

Adama: Different technology, Tigh. Different. Different enough to make a difference. If we could duplicate their microwave device we won't need to find Earth. We'll go back and reclaim our homes. Take back the 12 Colonies and maybe end the the Cylon menace once and for all.



(The Galactica gathered the Eagles and returned to the fleet. In the Landing Bay when Koenig stepped out of Eagle 11 he was met by Adama.)



Adama: John. You did it. You helped us capture three Cylon Baseships. With NO casualties.

Koenig: I have to admit this was the easiest battle I've ever been in.

Adama: Is it possible that we can duplicate or trade for your microwave technology?

Koenig: Duplicate? I'm not sure it can be done. According to Victor you use a different type of energy and different kinds of materials than we do. The results may look the same but there is a significant difference in the process. I'm not saying it's impossible to duplicate the microwaves. But...

Adama: But it won't be easy. So perhaps a trade?

Koenig: Such as?

Adama: Your own Baseship.

Koenig: Baseship?

Adama: Think of it, John. A ship you can CONTROL. Large enough to house nearly all of Moonbase Alpha. You will no longer be bound by your moon. You'll be free to make your own course.

Koenig: We could join your fleet in the search for Earth?

Adama: With your microwaves we will no longer need Earth. We can reclaim the 12 Colonies. Go to the Cylon homeworld and end their threat once and for all. You're invited to join us. Or you can search for Earth. Try to find your way back home.



(At this point, while Adama and Koenig talked, Alphan luck started to run true to form. From a nearby nebula, one in which static discharges from within blocked the moon base's scanners, an asteroid came tumbling out at near-light velocity.




Moonbase Alpha---



Kano: It's on a collision course all right. Computer predicts impact in less than 29 minutes.

Morrow: Damned thing's half the size of our moon. Eagles don't stand a snowball's chance against it. Professor. You don't have a miracle in your pocket, do you?

Bergman: Paul. I don't even have a pocket. But maybe the Galactica has one. Give 'em a call. The worst they can say is "Sorry, you're screwed."

(Morrow nods to Sandra who makes the call.)

Sandra: Moonbase Alpha calling Battlestar Galactica. Emergency. Moonbase Alpha calling Battlestar Galactica. Emergency.

Bergman: I don't suppose we have a procedure for this sort of thing.

Morrow: We do. But we don't have enough time, Eagles or back-up from Earth.


Battlestar Galactica---



Koenig: After the purge the first thing Apollo said was "Anyone know how to fly this thing?" Adama if you can't pilot a Baseship what makes you think we can?

Adama: We will learn, John. We learned to fly a captured Cylon Raider and we'll learn to fly a baseship. And when we do we'll teach you. But first you must learn the basics of faster-than-light travel.

Koenig: I admit this is a very tempting offer. And I want to say yes. But I must first discuss it with my people. This is something I can't just decide on my own. But I'm certain everyone will...

Tigh (Over PA): Bridge to Commander Adama.

Adama: Excuse me, John. Adama here.

Tigh: Request permission to leave the fleet and respond to Moonbase Alpha. They report an asteroid half the size of their moon is going to collide in "less than half an hour." If we get there in time we may be able to blast it apart enough to miss the moon.

Adama: Permission granted, Colonel. Best possible speed.

Koenig: Commander?

Adama: We'll do what we can, John. But I can't guarantee your moon won't be hit.

Koenig: (grabbing his comm link): Koenig to all Eagle pilots. If you haven't already, return to your ships and stand by to launch.

Tigh (Over PA): Attention Blue Squadron. Emergency launch. You'll protect the fleet until our return.



(In a graceful maneuver the mile-long ship peels away and goes FTL. Blue Squadron launches and heads back to the fleet. At Moonbase Alpha the Alphans see the Galactica appear and head for the asteroid. They see the seven Eagles exit and head back to their moon.)



Koenig: Paul, status?

Morrow: Everyone but me as been sent underground for shelter. At this point, Commander, there's nothing else I can do. Standard emergency evac procedures just don't apply.


Koenig: Understood. Paul, I want every Eagle airborne. We'll set up a defensive line between the Galactica and Alpha. What the Battlestar misses hopefully we can take out. Once you do that head for the shelter.



Battlestar Galactica---


Tigh: All batteries locked on, Commander.

Adama: Fire:


(14 minutes before impact every pointed gun on the Galactica lets loose with a non-stop volley against the fast approaching rock.)

(11 minutes before impact every available Eagle lifts off and heads for their assigned area in the defensive line.)

(Nine minutes before impact the Eagles are in place and ready. 6 minutes before impact the relentless pounding of the Galactica's guns crack the asteroid.)

Tigh: It's finally breaking up, Commander.

Adama: Stand by to fire missiles. Hopefully the shockwaves will be strong enough to spread out the rubble.

(5 minutes before impact the asteroid suddenly explodes in a blinding flash. The lighted shockewave expands outward in all directions.)

Athena: Shockwave will hit in three microns.

Adama: Helm, get us the hell out of here.


(2 seconds before the wave can hit Galactica the Battlestar turns and lightspeeds out.)



Eagle 11---



Koenig: All Eagles turn about and head for the other side of the Moon. We'll land there and ride out the wave.


(83 seconds before the glowing shockwave hits, the Eagles go full throttle to the other side of the moon.)

(7 seconds before impact, the fleet of Eagles touch down.)

(The glowing shockwave of the former asteroid hits the Moon with a jarring impact. Much like that fateful day in September of 1999 the Alphans are thrown to the floor and pinned down by the g-force of sudden acceleration. Then, just like that, it's over. The glowing shockwave is gone and the g-force returns to normal.)

Koenig: Everyone okay?

Carter: Fine and dandy, Commander.

(All other Eagles report they are okay.)

Koenig: (Accessing Morrow's comm link): Paul? Status?

Morrow: We're okay down here, Commander. No casualties.

Koenig: Excellent. Stay put. We'll fly recon and check on the base.

(The Eagles lift off and head for Alpha. Once pointed in the right direction they then spot the binary sun that wasn't there before.)

Carter: Dammit to hell, Not again.

Koenig (sighs): I'm afraid so, Alan. We just had another warp-jump.


(Alpha suffered no damage and shortly afterwards.)



Moonbase Alpha---


Sandra: No luck contacting the Galactica, Commander. The space warp from that explosion sent us too far away.

Koenig: Thank you, Sandra.


Koenig's Office---


Koenig: Damn it. We were so close, Helena. So damned close.

Helena: Close?

Koenig: They were going to give us a Baseship In exchange for microwave transmitters which the Nanotech Division could easily build, we would get a ship big enough to transplant Alpha. Think of it, Helena. No longer trapped on this piece of cosmic driftwood. No longer easy targets for whatever disaster fate throws at us. And poor Adama.

Helena: Adama?

Koenig: He was going to use the transmitters to reclaim the 12 Colonies. He was going to get his home back. Now he's back where he started.

Helena: Not quite. He now knows the 13th Tribe isn't on Earth. And he now knows there is something out there that can stop the Cylons. He's now ahead of the game.

Koenig: I wish we could be.

Helena: Well, John, who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Koenig: Or the rest of today.



(And so Moonbase Alpha contines on its uncertain journey across the cosmos on a quest to find a new home while, fleeing from the Cylon tyranny, the last Battlestar, Galactica, continues to lead a rag-tag fugitive fleet on a quest for a shining planet known as earth.)