Battlestar Galactica: Transcripts: S01E03: Bastille Day

Galactica – Tigh’s Quarters
Gaeta on P.A.: Reveille, reveille, morning stations aboard Battlestar Galactica, all hands report to your stations.
Tight gets up, gets his booze and takes a couple of drinks.

Galactica – Briefing Room
Tigh: So, what do we have?
Tyrol: Good news, Colonel. We scouted the ice moon, found an entire subsurface ocean. I’ve got reports and video for you, sir.
Tigh: Mmm, not exactly Caprica beach down there, huh, chief?
Tigh is clearly more than a little buzzed… and everybody notices it.
Tyrol: No, sir. We’ve registered temperatures 180 and below… mmm… Venting of methane and CO2. It’s gonna be a bitch to work down there, sir.
Tigh: Cheer up, you know how lucky we are we found this ugly rock? Water riots breakin’ out all over the fleet. Civilians, whiny, civi’ crybabies, can’t stand less than a hot shower every day.
Tyrol: Yes, sir.
Tigh: Even Galactica’s down to 10,000 jps of water. Ever see a man die of dehydration, chief?
Tyrol: No, sir.
Tigh: Well, let’s hope you never do, it isn’t pretty. So… where were we?
Cally: We drilled 23 core samples…
Tigh: (reading the results) 13% sodium chloride, what the hell? We can’t drink salt water!
Tyrol: No, sir, that’s why I had Cally test the ice.
Tigh: (keeps on reading) Oh, ho, well, there you go, pure water. A couple of lemons, we could make lemonade. Oh-hoo-hoo-hoo.
Cally struggles not to crack up.
Tyrol: Uh, yes, sir. We will have to melt the ice before we transport it up to the ship.
Tigh: What’s that gonna take?
Socinus: High capacity heater expansion tanks, D-25 plasma torches, myrex hoses, centrifugal pumps…
Tigh: Sounds like a lot of manpower.
Tyrol: Ideally, a thousand men, sir.
Tigh: A thousand men. And where are they gonna come from?

Colonial one – Roslin’s Quarters
Roslin: Slave labor.
Adama: They are criminals and they’ve been sentenced to hard labor, and this is very hard labor, not to mention physically dangerous. This is not for civilians, but…
Apollo: Their ship wasn’t designed for long-term incarceration. These men have been stuck in cramped cells for weeks, now. They might even prefer to get out, do something, even if it is dangerous.
Roslin: If they volunteer; but these men are not slaves, and I will not have them treated as such.
Apollo: No… we could offer incentives. Points towards earning freedom.
Adama: Excuse me? You wanna start releasing hardened criminals into the fleet?
Apollo: Sir, these men were on their way to Caprica for parole hearings, which at least implies they may be ready for release.
Roslin: Make it happen, Captain.
Apollo: Yes, sir.
Roslin: Billy, to address Commander Adama’s concerns, I’d like you to go along and set up some sort of screening procedure to weed out the hardened criminals.
Billy: Yes, ma’am.
Adama: I would like to have a representative from Galactica, who will report directly to me about security issues.
Billy: (quickly) How ’bout “D”? Uh, second class petty officer Dualla–
Adama: I know who she is.
Billy: I’m sure she’s conversant with the technical details–
Adama: She’ll be fine. But I think we should send someone from ground crew. I’ll make sure that all the men that are chosen know how to handle the equipment.
Roslin: Agreed.
Adama: If that’s all, I have to get to the C.I.C. Excuse me.
Billy: Uh, madam President… the doctor.
Roslin: Excuse me?
Billy: The doctor?
Roslin: Oh… Commander? Do you have a ship’s doctor aboard Galactica?
Adama: Major Connell. Is there something wrong?
Roslin: No, nothing urgent. Allergies.
Adama: Yes, well, he’s out on the fleet, checking medical conditions. I’ll tell him that you want to see him.
Roslin: Thanks.
Adama and Apollo leave.
Roslin: “Petty officer Dualla, conversant in technical details.”
Billy: Thinking entirely of the mission.
Roslin: (yeah, right) Uh-huh.

Galactica – Hallway
Adama and Apollo walk along in silence.
Adama: Something on your mind, Captain?
Apollo: I just thought maybe you had something you wanted to say.
Adama: I have nothing to say to the personal representative of the President.
Apollo: I’m still Galactica’s lead pilot.
Adama: Well, I have nothing to say to him either. Every man has to decide for themselves which side they’re on.
Apollo: I didn’t know we were pickin’ sides.
Adama: That’s why you haven’t picked one yet.

Astral Queen – Overpass overlooking the Cells
Wilkins: I’m a bus driver, not a warden.
Apollo: How many total?
Wilkins: 1,500. They don’t give me their files or their names. Hell, they’re just numbers.
Apollo: Thanks, Wilkins.
Wilkins: Mmm. All right… they’re all yours.
Apollo: (to the prisioners below, in their cells) I’m Captain Lee Adama, personal representative of the President. We’re in a crisis. Thousands of us are on the verge of dying from dehydration. Now, the good news is we have found water. The bad news is it’s located on a moon with harsh environmental conditions. We need 1,000 able-bodied men to help us get that water. President Roslin feels that you represent our best chance. She also recognizes that you are not slaves. Any man who volunteers to help us during this emergency will earn freedom points, which can be applied toward earning his release. We’re offering you a chance for a new beginning. Whoever’s interested, please, just step out of your cell.
Apollo gives a signal and all the cells are opened… but nobody steps out of theirs. Finally, one prisioner does.
Zarek: Thank you for your offer. We respectfully decline.
Man: Zarek!
Billy: Oh, my gods, that’s… that’s Tom Zarek.
Dualla: The terrorist?
Man: Zarek!
Men: (chanting in unison) Zarek, Zarek! Zarek, Zarek! Zarek, Zarek! Zarek, Zarek! Zarek, Zarek! Zarek, Zarek! Zarek, Zarek! Zarek, Zarek! Zarek, Zarek! Zarek, Zarek! Zarek, Zarek! Zarek, Zarek! Zarek, Zarek!
Zarek just stares back at Apollo & co.

Astral Queen – Command
Wilkins: So who the hell is Tom Zarek?
Billy: He’s a freedom fighter. He’s a– he’s a prisoner of conscience.
Dualla: He’s a butcher.
Billy: His colony was exploited by the other 11 for centuries. His people were marginalized, brutalized…
Dualla: I’m from Sagittaron, and that man does not speak for all of us. He blew up a government building, and there is no excuse for that.
Cally: Captain, I’ve been watching the clock, and if we’re not gonna get any help, we should move on.
Apollo: Zarek’s got the prisoners united. Let’s go through Zarek.

Cylon-occupied Caprica – Ghost City
Helo: (calling out) Hello?! Anybody out there?! Anybody wanna help two stranded pilots? That’s what I hate about big cities: no one will help you.
Caprica Boomer: No more shouting, you’re making me nervous.
Helo: Feel like I’m in a movie.
Caprica Boomer: At least it stopped raining.
Helo: For now.
Caprica Boomer: Where is everyone?
Helo: Somewhere dead… in their beds, at their desks… the ones who weren’t killed already probably ran into the hills. Won’t do any good. I guess I’m getting a little…
Caprica Boomer: Depressing? Morbid?
Helo: Sorry. Been here longer than you. Wish I could say it gets easier.
Caprica Boomer: There’s more.
Helo: Boomer, you might not wanna… (sees a human corpse being eaten by rats and shots at them) Frakkin’ rats… let’s go. (but Caprica Boomer is having a breakdown, so he holds her) Hey… hey, come on. Let’s just find a hospital, score some anti-radiation meds. Okay? We’ve only got two days’ worth left. Sharon? We’ve made it this far, we’re gonna make it all the way.
Caprica Boomer: Right.
Helo: Damn straight, all the way. We’re doin’ good, real good. (they walk on) Okay, someone must be watching out for us.
Caprica Doral: (overlooking at them from a balcony) She’s good.
Caprica #6: So far.
Caprica Doral: Jealous?
Caprica #6: It’s what makes me so sad.
Caprica Doral: They would have destroyed themselves, anyway. They deserve what they got.
Caprica #6: We’re the children of humanity; that makes them our parents, in a sense.
Caprica Doral: True. But parents have to die. It’s the only way children come into their own.

Astral Queen – Cells
Apollo and a guard approach Zarek’s cell. Zarek stands and faces the other way with his hands crossed behind his head.
Apollo: No, that’s not necessary. I’d like to talk to you.
Zarek: (turns around) Guard… Prisoner 893893 requests permission to speak with this visitor.
Guard: Granted.
Zarek: I’m not allowed to speak unless asked a direct question. You didn’t ask me a direct question. You’ve never been in a prison before, have you, Captain?
Apollo: No.
Zarek: You’re fortunate. May I sit down?
Apollo: Yes, of course. (Apollo enters the cell and the guard closes it and leaves) We need these men of yours to help us.
Zarek: They’re not my men, they belong to you. I belong to you, you own us. You’re the master, we’re the slaves.
Apollo: You’re clearly a man of principle. I respect that.
Zarek: Really?
Apollo: The things you’ve stood for over the years, the book you wrote…
Zarek: The book that had to be smuggled out of labor camp because stumps aren’t allowed freedom of expression?
Apollo: I read it, in college. Thought it was radical, challenging. It made me question some things I’d accepted before without thinking.
Zarek: Nice to hear I’m a big hit on campus.
Apollo: You aren’t, the book was banned. I read it, anyway. The point is: I understand where you’re coming from, but I don’t think you understand how critical the situation is out there. People are gonna start dying.

Astral Queen – Cells’ Hallway
The guard walks through. As he passes, the prisoners tap out something, and the message is spread through the ship in similar taps. The guard walks on to the…

Astral Queen – Cells’ Control Center
Man: Hey, Stark. It’s time for your break.
But the guard knocks out the other man, and releases all the prisoners.

Astral Queen – Command
Billy: How can you say that?
Dualla: Because it’s the truth. Zarek and the S.F.M., they don’t care about justice…
Billy: These people… your people have been exploited!
Dualla: You cannot tell me about my people.
Billy: I’m not telling you about your people…!
Man: Excuse me. (goes to check the monitors, that have gone off-line)

Astral Queen – Cells
Apollo: All I want, the President wants, is to offer you a chance to earn your freedom.
Zarek: Now, you’ve said the truth: freedom is earned. (the prisioners riot out of their cells) Stay where you are, Captain. It’ll all be over soon.
But Apollo doesn’t. He leaves the cells and fights some prisioners bravely, but he is badly outnumbered and soon taken down.

Astral Queen – Command
Guard: We’ve got the guards and the crew in separate cells in block seven. Mason is looking after the hostages.
Zarek: Nice job.
Man: Everything’s under control. The men are organizing exactly as planned.
Zarek: I knew I could count on you.

Astral Queen – Cells
Billy, Dualla and Cally are all in separate cells.
Dualla: Stay frosty, there, Billy. Everything’s gonna be all right.
Billy: I don’t know about that.
Cally: They don’t wanna hurt us. That won’t get them what they want.
Billy: Which is what?

Galactica – Hallway
Baltar: Frak… frak… (crossing paths with Starbuck and Boxey) Lieutenant Thrace, good to see you.
Starbuck: Um, good to see you too!
Baltar: Really?
Starbuck: No! (laughs and hi-fives with Boxey as they keep walking the other way)
#6: Oh…
Baltar: (staring after Starbuck) I wonder if she’s a real blonde.
#6: (clearly jealous) I doubt it.

Galactica – Ready Room
Starbuck, the acting CAG in Apollo’s absence, holds the briefing in a very relaxed and cocky manner. She’s smoking a cigar and wearing aviator sunglasses while giving out flight assignments, with Boxey right at her side.
Starbuck: (to the pilots) Now, one of you has been coming in a little hot lately, a little too hot. A little, um, oh, I don’t know, “he’s burning up the deck with his skids because he just can’t pull back on the throttle” hot. (to Boxey) Now, who is this speed demon, my prince?
Boxy: Flattop, sir.
Starbuck: “Flattop”. You got a need for speed, do ya? Just can’t wait to get back to the big “G” in the lovin’ embrace of your fellow pilots?
(US version only)
Starbuck: Or maybe you have a hot date with your right hand.
Flattop: Hey, it never gets a headache.
Starbuck: Tell you what, Flattop: you come in too hot today, you may have to start using your left.
(End US added lines)
Starbuck: All right, you’ve been fun. You’ve been a great audience. Dismissed.
The pilots leave and Tigh approaches Starbuck.
Tigh: There’s no smoking in the Ready Room.
Starbuck: My room, my rules, sir.
Tigh: Where’s your mommy?
Boxy: Dead, where’s yours?
Tigh: I’m lookin’ for Boomer.
Boxy: It’s 14:00, Boomer ‘s in the Tool Room.
Tigh: A pilot blows his landings and you make a joke out of it?!
Starbuck: Screaming at people doesn’t always get the best results, sir. I learned that at officer candidate school.
Tigh: You are right on the edge, Thrace. Careful you don’t fall off.
Starbuck: Speaking of falling off… glad to see you found a way to quench your thirst.
Tigh leaves. He doesn’t look so happy.

Astral Queen – Command
Apollo: They won’t negotiate while you’re holding hostages.
Zarek: I don’t wanna negotiate.
Apollo: Then, what do you want?
Zarek: To be treated like men, not animals. Finally have somethin’ to bargain with.
Apollo: So what happens now?
Zarek: We’re gonna talk.
Apollo: What about?
Zarek: Your father.

Galactica – Adama’s Quarters
Baltar: (re: a picture on the wall) Is this a Montclair original?
Adama: Yes.
Baltar: Fantastic.
Adama: Would you like some water?
Baltar: Uh, yes, thank you. (Adama pours himself a glass and hands Baltar another) Yeah, I’m not a collector, myself, but I… I am familiar with his work. And, may I say, you really do have an excellent eye for art.
Adama: Thank you. Where’s my Cylon detector, doctor?
Baltar: Oh, that. Yes, it’s taking longer than expected. Unfortunately.
Adama: What’s the hangup?
#6: It’s not working this time, Gaius. He can see right through you.
Baltar: Well, there are a number of obstacles, none of them insurmountable, of course, but they do tend to slow us down. For a start, the, uh– well, the lack of proper facilities. The water shortage, of course, the water shortage, not to mention…
Adama: Cut the BS. You said you had a way of detecting human from Cylon. Do you or don’t you?
Baltar: I don’t.
#6: (freaking) What?
Baltar: I don’t think that I’m the man for this job. I’m not cut out for this kind of work.
#6: You have to do this.
Baltar: Why do I keep putting it off? It’s my subconscious. It’s my subconscious telling me– telling me that I’m not the man for this job, please.
#6: (in crescendo) Listen to me. If you don’t tell him what he wants to hear, he’s going to find you out, and when he does, (now yelling at the top of her lugs) they’re going to tear your head off and throw your body out of an airlock!
Baltar: (spooked, drops his glass and it shatters to pieces) Woo! (Adama looks like he’s about to eat him raw) Pardon me. I, uh– I haven’t had much sleep recently, so…
Adama: Unfortunately, doctor, for both of us, you’re the last man we have. So what’s the game plan, Doc?
#6: This is what you say: “Commander, the truth is, there is one way.” Say it!
Baltar: Commander, the truth is… there is one way.
#6: “I didn’t want to have to ask you for this…”
Baltar: I didn’t want to have to ask you for this…
#6: “But what I really need…”
Baltar: But what I really need to complete the project…
#6: “Is a nuclear warhead.”
Baltar: Is a nuclear… (looks to #6) warhead. (swallows)

Astral Queen – Command
Zarek: That’s how you got to be the personal representative of the President? Because of your father?
Apollo: Hardly.
Zarek: So they don’t get along, Adama and Roslin.
Apollo: They have their differences, but not when it comes to dealing with terrorists.
Zarek: I thought you said you respected me, read my book.
Apollo: That was before you resorted to violence and hostage-taking.
Zarek: It’s always better when the oppressed don’t fight back, isn’t it?

Galactica – Adama’s Quarters
Adama: A warhead.
#6: “Technically, I need the plutonium inside.”
Baltar: Technically, I need the plutonium inside.
#6: Figure out the rest for yourself.
Baltar: As you may know, the Cylons are susceptible to certain kinds of radiation. And by taking the plutonium and… (figuring it out) embedding it in the carbon nanotube matrix… and it really is that simple… I can construct a filter that will preferentially ionize synthetic molecules and, thus, deliver to you your Cylons.
Adama: We have five warheads left aboard this ship. We may need them.
Baltar: Well, yes, of course. If you, uh, if you really think that this project has a low priority, then, you know, you’re totally within your bounds to…
Adama: You’ll get your warhead.
#6: Good boy.
Baltar: Thank you… Commander.

Galactica – Tool Room
Tyrol: Look, the Master-at-Arms has been over every inch of that locker. She’s come up with nothing.
Boomer: So they’ve got no idea who took those six g-4 charges or who put that detonator in…
Tyrol: Hey, hey, hey… don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it, okay?
They embrace and just then Tigh enters the room and they quickly disentangle.
Tigh: Mmm… I need to speak with the lieutenant, alone. (Tyrol leaves) You don’t honestly think you’ve been fooling everyone, do you? I know, the old man knows, hell, the whole ship knows about you and the Chief. It stops, now.
Boomer: Sir, the chief and I are just friends…
Tigh: Back when the ship was being decommissioned, we let you two get away with it. Hell, we let everyone get away with murder. But that was then and this is now. We’re at war, this is a combat unit and you’re his superior officer. Put a stop to it, that’s an order.
Boomer: Yes, sir.
Gaeta on P.A : Attention, pass the word: Colonel Tigh, Colonel Tigh, please report to C.I.C.

Galactica – Command
Zarek: (on comms) The crew are my prisoners. They will not be harmed.
Adama: Are you recording this?
Gaeta: Yes, sir.
Tigh: (arriving) What’s this?
Adama: Trouble.

Astral Queen – Command
Zarek: (talking on comms) But I have two conditions before I release my captives. First, the government which controls our fate is illegal and illegitimate, and it must submit to the will of the people. I demand the immediate resignation of Laura Roslin and her ministers. Second, I demand free and open elections to choose a new leadership and a new government that represents all of the people. These demands are made not for me or for the former slaves held on this ship, but for you, the people, the survivors of the holocaust and the children of humanity’s future. I am Tom Zarek, and this is the first day of the new era.

Galactica / Colonial one – Over Comms
Adama: We’ve jammed his transmissions.
Roslin: A little bit late for that, every ship in the fleet heard that broadcast.
Adama: It doesn’t matter.
Roslin: It does matter. He’s trying to bring down the government.
Adama: No one’s going to take it seriously.
Roslin: You have something to learn when it comes to public opinion, Commander. Tom Zarek is a name with weight, a very sympathetic figure, a legend, almost. 20 years in prison, over a matter of principle.
Adama: He’s a criminal and a terrorist, people aren’t gonna give him credence.
Roslin: Don’t be so sure, Commander. Rebellions are contagious. People are already rioting over the water crisis. We can’t afford to destabilize this government right now.
Adama: I agree.
Roslin: When are you going in?
Adama: I assumed you were gonna talk to him first.
Roslin: We don’t negotiate with terrorists.
Adama: I said “talk”.
Roslin: There’s nothing to talk about. What he wants, I can’t give him.
Adama: We’re not ready yet. Talking to Zarek give us a little more time.
Roslin: That’s what he wants, he wants legitimacy. He wants to be recognized. He wants his crimes validated. I watched President Adar offer him a full pardon if he’d apologize and give up violence as a means of political change. He refused. No commitments, no deals.
Adama: I’ll let you know what happens.

Galactica – Briefing Room
Adama, Tigh and Starbuck go over a blueprint of the Astral Queen.
Starbuck: Three assault teams, Alpha, Bravo, Constellation. We jam their dradis, the Raptors cut through the hull here, here and here, without being seen. once we’re inside, Alpha takes–
Tigh: What’s this “we” crap?
Starbuck: I’m going, sir.
Tigh: Like hell.
Adama: We have a few marines left on Galactica, let them handle it, Starbuck.
Starbuck: They don’t have a sniper. And, with all due respect, sir, I am the best shot in or out of the cockpit.
Tigh: She’s right… for once.
Adama: (re: Tigh’s agreement with Starbuck) Wonders never cease. All right, you’re goin’ in. You get a clear shot at Zarek, you take it. And I want to control that ship immediately. And I want all the hostages alive.
Starbuck: Yes, sir.

Astral Queen – Cells
Dualla: I don’t even know how I drew this detail.
Billy: President thought you’d be valuable.
Dualla: The President doesn’t know who I am.
Billy: I told her. Sorry.
Dualla: on the other hand, it’s nice to get out of the C.I.C. Break up the day… meet new people.
Mason: (spying on Cally from outside her cell) You’re not asleep.
Cally: (acting tough) Not any more.
Mason: Is that your way of telling us you’re not scared?
Cally: No, it’s my way of telling you I’m tired.
Mason: You don’t know what tired is.
Cally: Right.
Mason: Don’t! Don’t mock me, little girl!
Cally: I’m not mocking you.
Mason: Tom and I, we go way back, long time. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll be nice to me.

Galactica – Hangars
The assault teams are ready to take off.
Tigh: Frequent wireless contact. Keep us informed all the way.
Starbuck: Yes, sir.
Tigh: Good hunting. (leaves)

Astral Queen – Command
Zarek: Who voted for Laura Roslin? You? Did you vote for her?
Apollo: She was sworn in under the law…
Zarek: The answer is: no one voted for her. No one! And yet she’s making decisions for all of us, deciding who lives and who dies. Is that– is that democracy? Is that a free society?
Apollo: What is it you want from me? You want me to say she shouldn’t be President? We need a government. We need rules. We need a leader.
Zarek: We need to be free men and women. If we’re not free, then we’re no different than Cylons! They call you “Apollo”.
Apollo: It’s my call sign.
Zarek: Apollo ‘s one of the gods, a lord of Kobol. You must be a very special man to be called a god.
Apollo: It’s just a stupid nickname.
Zarek: Son of Zeus. Good with a bow, god of the hunt… and also a god of healing. Now, a god can reconcile those two opposing forces. But a mortal has to pick one side or the other. Have you picked a side, Apollo?
Gaeta: (on comms) Astral Queen, Astral Queen, this is the Battlestar Galactica. Commander Adama wishes to speak to Mr. Zarek. Please, respond.
Zarek: Zeus is calling. (on comms) Commander Adama, Tom Zarek. How can I help you?
Adama: First, I wanna make sure that my people are unharmed.
Zarek hands the “telephone” to Apollo.
Apollo: Uh, this is Apollo. I’m fine, so are the others. They’re located on the lower…
Zarek: (taking the “phone” back from him) That’s enough, thank you.
Adama: I’m glad to hear that no one’s been hurt. That would have tragic consequences.
Zarek: How long until you storm the ship?
Adama: I’m hoping that won’t be necessary. I think that you and I can come up with some kind of an understanding. This is not the only crisis that I’m dealing with. The water shortage affects the entire fleet.
Zarek: Your men are on their way, even as we speak.
Adama: There’s still time to work this out.
Zarek: Have the President step down and call for elections.
Adama: That’s not gonna happen.
Zarek: Then I look forward to meeting your men. (ends the communication)

Astral Queen – Cells
Mason enters Cally’s cell where she pretends she’s sleeping, and she instantly straightens up.
Mason: I knew you were faking.
Cally: (acting tough) I’m a light sleeper.
Mason: I don’t think I have your respect.
Cally: I respect you.
Mason: (pulls out a gun) Get up.
She does and he takes her out of the cell.
Billy: Hey, what’s goin’ on? Hey!
Dualla: What are you doing?!
Mason: (to Cally) Move.
As he takes her away, Dualla and Billy grow desperate.
Dualla: Where are you taking her?! Cally, it’s okay, Cally. Cally, you’re gonna be okay, they know where we are, Cally.
Billy: Captain Adama!
Dualla: Cally!
Billy: Captain Adama! Hey! Captain Adama!
But Apollo’s out of earshot, and nobody comes to the rescue…

Astral Queen – Command
Apollo: They’re willing to talk.
Zarek: Sounded that way.
Apollo: (realizing) You want them to storm the ship.

Raptor – Just outside the Astral Queen
Marine: Soft seal pressurized.
Starbuck: Eyes.

Astral Queen – Command
Apollo: That’s it, isn’t it? You don’t want elections, you don’t want your freedom. You want a bloodbath.
Zarek: You don’t understand.
Apollo: Tom Zarek’s been out of the headlines, out of the news, forgotten for 20 years as he rots in a cell. And now he’s got a chance to go out in a blaze of glory. And he’s gonna take it.

Astral Queen – Non-descript Room
Starbuck: Alpha one, we’re in.

Astral Queen – Command
Zarek: once Roslin uses Adama ‘s soldiers to massacre the people on this ship, prisoners and hostages alike, people in the fleet will never, never forgive them. The entire government will collapse.

Astral Queen – Cells
Dualla: She can take care of herself.
Billy: Are you sure?
Dualla: She’s been trained. We’ve all been trained in captured–
They hear Cally scream.

Astral Queen – Command
Apollo: You’ve been saying how everything you’re doing is for freedom, but the truth is, it’s all about Tom Zarek and his personal death wish.
Man: (entering) Tom, something’s up.
Zarek: That’s Mason, what the hell…?
They rush down to the cells.

Astral Queen – Cells
Mason has “relocated” Cally in a new cell, where he proceeds to try and jump her bones. But Cally fights back and bites part of Mason’s ear off. She scores one as he screams in pain, but in the fray, she also gets shot.

Astral Queen – Hallway by the Cells
The Alfa Team hears the screams and the gunshot.
Starbuck: They’re killing the hostages, let’s go.

Astral Queen – Elsewhere
A marine takes out a prisioner sentry.
Marine: Constellation team, set.

Astral Queen – Cells
Zarek and Apollo arrive outside the cell where Mason holds Cally. She’s lying there, shot on her side.
Zarek: Mason! Mason! Mason, what are you doing?
Mason: She bit my ear off!
Cally: Frak you!
Apollo: Open the door, she’s been shot!
Zarek: Mason, put down the gun.
Apollo: You said that you weren’t animals, what do you call this?
Mason: 20 years– 20 years, I’ve been waitin’!
Zarek: Mason, no.
Apollo: He’s gonna kill ‘er, do something.
Zarek: You did this, you put him in a cage! You made him a monster!

Astral Queen – Elsewhere
Another marine takes out another prisioner sentry.
Marine: Bravo, set.

Astral Queen – Cells
Manson: You filthy bitch! You all deserve to die! (to Cally) You, first.

Astral Queen – Overpass overlooking the Cells
Starbuck climbs up to a sniper’s position.
Starbuck: All teams, sniper in position.

Astral Queen – Overpass / Cells
Starbuck’s line of fire is blocked by Apollo, so she can’t shoot.
Apollo: He’s gonna do it!
Zarek: You reap what you sow.
Mason: (to Cally, pointing his gun at her) You look at me, you see me! Look at me!
That’s it for Apollo. With a swift he desarms and knocks down a prisoner by his side, and puts the gun to Zarek’s head.

Astral Queen – Overpass
Starbuck: Come on, Lee, take out the son of a bitch.

Astral Queen – Cells
Apollo: How ’bout it, Tom? You still have a death wish? You ready to leave this world, right here, right now?
Zarek: Yes.
Apollo: Too bad. ‘Cause this is what you’re gonna do: you’re gonna tell your men to help us get that water off the moon. They’re gonna work for their points, and they’re gonna earn their freedom, and then… then… you’re gonna get your elections.
Zarek: (astonished) What?
Apollo: ‘Cause you’re right, Tom. You were right about democracy and consent of the people. I believe in those things and we’re gonna have ’em. And you can have ’em too. Or you can have this bullet. Your call.

Astral Queen – Overpass
Apollo’s still her line of fire.
Starbuck: (really frustrated) What are you doing, Lee? What are you doing? Come on.

Astral Queen – Cells
Zarek: How do I know your father and the President will honor your word?
Apollo: You don’t.You let the rest of the hostages go, we’ll leave this ship in your hands. They try and come after you, you can still have your last stand. It’s your choice. You reap what you sow.
Zarek: All right, all right. (to the prisoners aiming at Apollo) Lower your weapons. Lower your weapons!
Apollo: (to the prisoners surrounding him) Back off. (to Cally in the cell) Okay, Cally, you’re gonna be okay. You just hang in there, you hear?

Astral Queen – Overpass
Starbuck: (finally getting her clean shot) Gotcha.

Astral Queen – Cells
Apollo sees the laser sight on Zarek and pushes him out of the way just as Starbuck fires.
Apollo: (calls out) Cease fire! Cease fire!

Astral Queen – Overpass
Starbuck: All teams, hold positions. Frak.

Astral Queen – Cells
Zarek: Thanks.
Apollo: (checking Cally out) I need a medic here.

Colonial one – Roslin’s Quarters
Roslin: God… I don’t believe this.
Adama: It’s unacceptable.
Apollo: It’s done. Prisoners have full control of the Astral Queen. We evac’ed all the guards and support personnel. It’s their ship.
Adama: They’re a threat to the entire fleet.
Apollo: They’ve been disarmed. The ship itself has no weapons.
Adama: The ship itself is a weapon!
Apollo: They’re totally dependent on us for food, fuel, and they’ve agreed to organize the workforce for the water detail on the moon.
Roslin: You’ve committed me to holding elections within the year.
Apollo: Madam President, with respect, you’re serving out the remainder of President Adar’s term. When that term is up in seven months, the law says there’s an election. I only committed you to obeying the law. Roslin: You are not authorized to make any deal…
Adama: You sound like some kind of a lawyer…
Apollo: I swore an oath… to defend the articles. The articles say there’s an election in seven months. Now, if you’re telling me we’re throwing out the law, then I’m not a Captain, you’re not a Commander and you are not the President. And I don’t owe either of you a damned explanation for anything.
Roslin: He’s your son.
Adama: He’s your adviser.
Roslin: An election…
Adama: (to Apollo) I guess you finally picked your side. (to Roslin) Madam President. (leaves)

Galactica – Tigh’s Quarters
Starbuck comes in with a flask and pours a cup for Tigh and another one for herself.
Tigh: (sniffs his “drink”, then tastes it) What the hell is this, water?
Starbuck: Bet your ass. There’s plenty more where that came from. Um, I have my flaws too.
Tigh: The difference is my flaws are personal, yours are professional. Thank you, Lieutenant, that’ll be all.
And Starbucks has to take her water flask elsewhere.

Galactica – Infirmary
Tyrol: Specialist lazy, how ya feeling? Must be nice, lying around, doing nothing as usual.
Cally: (lying in bed) Sorry, chief, I didn’t think you’d find me here.
Tyrol: Oh, well, you see, I am so on to you.
Socinus: So, Cally, is it true? You really bite that guy’s ear off?
Cally: He’s lucky that’s all I bit off.
Tyrol: That’s my girl.

Colonial one – Roslin’s Quarters
Roslin opens her door in a robe.
Apollo: I’m sorry, I can come back.
Roslin: No, it’s all right, uh, come on in.
Apollo: I just wanted to say goodbye before I head back to Galactica. And to tell you, I hope you understand I wasn’t being disloyal, madam President.
Roslin: I understand, you’re upholding the law. I admire it.
Apollo: I believe in you… and what you’re doing. And, for what it’s worth, seven months from now, you’ll have my vote.
Roslin: Could you sit? There’s something I need to tell you. (they both sit) The truth is, I might not be here in seven months.
Apollo: (smiles) Are you planning a vacation?
Roslin: I wish. I told your father that I… had allergies, but I have cancer. I found out the morning of the attack.
Apollo: I’m so sorry, madam President. I– I don’t know what to say.
Roslin: I understand. I’m going to fight this, but there is a great need for secrecy.
Apollo: Of course.
Roslin: Whether or not I survive this illness, it is of great importance to me that there’s a future for the people. And I fear that knowledge of my illness will erode hope, so this has to stay between you and me.
Apollo: You can count on me.
Roslin: I know I can… you’re Captain Apollo.
And she smiles warmly at him.

Transcript taken by Ryan Bechtel (2005)

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