Transcript by: Polaris

Tory: Is there really any place left in the universe deserving of such a rare and distinguished item?
Roslin: I was thinking - put it in the bathroom, right over the toilet.
Tory: Excellent choice.
Roslin: (gaps) Oh my Gods! Oh Tory, come look at this. This is the dossier that Billy prepared for me my first day aboard Galactica. I can't believe I was about to throw this out in the trash.
Tory: The Valkyrie, this was Adama's command before Galactica?
Roslin: Mmhmm.
Tory Look at that. This year marks Admiral Adama's forty fifth anniversary in the Colonial Fleet. In fact his commissioning date is only uh, a few days from now.
Roslin: Here. I think I wanna have a ceremony. Let's give the Admiral a medal. For forty five years of devoted service.
Tory: Couldn't have come at a better time.
Roslin: Give the people something to feel good about for a change.

(Galactica - CIC)

Helo (wireless): This is the XO. Set condition one throughout the ship. I repeat set condition one throughout the ship, this is not a drill.
Adama: What's the problem?
Dee: Three raiders, CB DR, bearing one-four-five, carom three-three.
Helo: But this isn't their standard wedge formation.
Adama: Where's the CAP?
Dee: Starbuck and Kat will intercept in ninety-eight seconds, Sir. Looks like a pursuit and there's been weapon exchange between them.
Adama: Pursuit?
Helo: Yes Sir, we've got two raiders chasing a third.
Adama: Have they fired on any of ours yet?
Gaeta: No Sir.
Adama: What the hell are they doing?

(Space)

Kara: All right. Let's see if we can climb up their asses without drawing any fire. These two seem pretty pre-occupied with the other one.
Kat: Got any idea why Cylons would be chasing Cylons?
Kara: Don't know, don't care. But wait till we close the gap. I don't wanna chase these fraking things any longer than I have to.
Kat: Yeah, roger that.

(They take out the two raiders)

Kat: Two down, one to go!
Kara: Kat check six. Damn Kat! Flank right, this guy's heading right for Galactica.
Kat: I'm on it starbuck!

(Galactica - CIC)

Bulldog (wireless): Krypter, krypter, krypter! This is Bulldog. Get me the hell out of here, I'm wounded.
Kara (wireless): What the frak is that?
Kat (wireless): Target in range, closing in.
Bulldog (wireless): Krypter, krypter, krypter! This is bulldog!
Kelly: Audio lock-down enabled.
Adama: Where's that coming from?
Gaeta: It's the raider, Sir.
Bulldog (wireless): Krypter!
Kara (wireless): Take the fraking shot Kat.
Kat (wireless): Give me one sec, I've almost got him lined up.
Bulldog (wireless): Krypter, kryper, krypter! This is Bulldog.
Kara (wireless): Kat, take the fraking shot!
Adama: Order the vipers to hold their fire, immediately. Have them escort the raider in. Prisoner drill. I want the alert guard on the hanger deck in five minutes.
Helo: Yes Sir.

(Hanger Deck)

Galen: All right park that bird, lets grab this raider, let's go people, move with a purpose!

(The raider is brought onto the hanger deck. Bulldog falls from the hatch)

(Bulldog salutes Adama)

Bulldog: Is it really you, Sir?
Adama: Yeah, it's me. Welcome home, Bulldog.

(Flashback - Caprica)

Admiral Corman: We may never have this opportunity again. I'm assuming you appreciate the consequences if you are discovered. Now you understand, commander, that this conversation did not happen. Are you prepared for this?
Adama: Of course Sir. On one condition. I need my men. Especially for the stealth ship. There's only one pilot I trust.
Admiral Corman: Who?

(Galactica - Lab)

Cottle: Well, the conspiracy theorist are going to be disappointed. I've checked your DNA signature against your military records and it's conclusive. You're not a Cylon. Smoke?
Adama (on phone to Roslin): That's right. He's one of mine. Disappeared about three years ago. We think that he was captured.

(Colonial One)

Roslin: I'd like to meet him.
Adama (wireless): Of course, I'll arrange it.

(Galactica - Lab)

Cottle: He checks out fine. Whatever they did to him out there they kept him fed and relatively healthy. Physically anyway.

(Galactica - Adama's quarters)

Adama: I know you've been through a lot, I realize that. But you've gotta talk to me Danny. How the hell did you escape off a Cylon base ship?
Bulldog: Well Sir, it's like this. The enemy had me locked in a cell for three years. The accommodations were lousy, the service was slow, and after a while I felt the institution no longer had anything to offer me. So I left. (he laughs)
Adama: You had me worried there for a moment. I thought maybe the Cylons had beaten the bullshit attitude outta you. How'd you get out?
Bulldog: I thought I was gonna die in there, Bill. But a while ago they all started getting sick. I mean, really sick.
Adama: You mean a virus?
Bulldog: Yeah.
Adama: We've seen that too.
Bulldog: I heard them say it was spreading, getting worse. But eventually I realized, I'm not catching it. I'm immune.
Adama: So what did you do?
Bulldog: I was smart, patient. I waited.

(Bulldog's flashback - Cylon Basestar)

(Bulldog is in a cell while a three walks around it clanking the metal bars)

Three: Well, well, you're looking good! Strong. Me, I've felt better. I don't know why you guys do all that exercise. What, are you trying to stave off getting old? Doesn't seem like such a tragedy to me, given the alternatives. You know what I'm saying? Do I look that bad? You know what I think? I think you're afraid.

(Bulldog punches the three - breaking her face)

(Galactica - Adama's quarters)

Roslin: Let me try and understand what happened here. I'm just gonna go back a little, alright? About a year prior to the Cylon attack on the Colonies you were on a mission with Admiral Adama, is that correct?

(Bulldog looks at Adama, who nods)

Bulldog: It was uh, a black ops mission. You remember the Tauron colonist were such outlaws, always pushing their luck with the Admiralty, every chance they got.
Roslin: Right.
Adama: Tauron's were drilling for Tylium ore on a moon that was too close to the Cylon armistice line. We knew that they had to get out of there. Or risk provoking the Cylons.
Tory: I'm sorry but how did this result in his ship being shot down?
Adama: He was my recon pilot. He was there to gather evidence. Tauron's must have seen him coming because they ambushed him. Lieutenant Novacek was shot down by the Taurons in cold blood.

(Flashback: Valkyrie - CIC)

Bulldog (wireless): Krypter, krypter, krypter! I've got damage to the port engines. Bird is down, repeat bird is down! Request rescue. Krypter, krypter krypter! This is Bulldog, bird is down, repeat, bird is down! Request rescue.

(Galactica - Adama's quarters)

Roslin: So what did you do?
Adama: I made a bad call. His ship was gone. No ejection on DRADIS. No distress call. He was dead. So I left.
Tory: But the Lieutenant did eject, obviously, and somehow survived in his ejection seat long enough for the Cylons to find him, wow.
Roslin: Could you both give us a moment please? Thank you Tory, and thank you very much Lieutenant. I appreciate it.
Bulldog: Madam President.
Tori: Why don't we check the fleet registry and see if any of your family might have survived.
(They leave)
Roslin: So you gonna tell me what really happened?
Adama: You're gonna have to trust me on this one, okay? It's my mess, I'll fix it.


(Galactica - Hallway)

(D'Anna is walking down the hallways of Galactica. She is noticed by marines. She reaches a door that reads: "end of line")

D'Anna: Fire.

(The marines shoot)

(Basestar - Baltar's room)

(D'Anna wakes up from her dream in a bed with Baltar and CapSix. )

(Galactica - Tigh's quarters)

(Tigh is holding a cigarette in front of his good eye and then taking it away)

Tigh: I see it. I see it. I see it.

(Adama walks in)

Tigh: I see it.
Adama: Daniel Novacek just escaped from a P.O.W cell on a Cylon base ship. Stole a raider. Flew it here. I just finished debriefing him.
Tigh: Bulldog's alive?
Adama: Yeah.
Tigh: My Gods, how could he be alive? That tough son of a bitch. He actually made it didn't he?
Adama: Yeah I guess he did.
Tigh: So are you here to talk to your friend or your XO, because last time I checked I was neither.

(Adama doesn't respond)

Tigh: Oh, I get it. Oh yeah, well this is gonna be a little complicated for you, isn't it, Admiral? You gonna tell him what you did?
Adama: I did what I had to do.
Tigh: So tell him.
Adama: That's not gonna make any difference, the past is the past.
Tigh: You're equivocating.
Adama: I don't know why the frak I came here.
Tigh: Tell him, he's gonna find out sooner or later!
(Adama leaves)
Tigh: I see it.

(Galactica - Tigh's quarters)

(Tigh is caressing his dead wife's clothing and remembering her dying. There is a knock on the door)

Tigh: Go away!
(The knock continues)
Tigh: Godsdamn son of a bitch.
(He opens the door)
Bulldog: I can't believe it. It's really you.
Tigh: Danny Novacek. I had heard you made it. Good for you Bulldog.
(They hug)
Bulldog: Saul.
Tigh: A drink?
Bulldog: You have no idea.
Tigh: Oh, yes I do.

(Galactica - Adama's Quarters)

Lee: Dad? Hey, uh, I just, uh got your message.
Adama: Thank you for coming, sit down. It's time for us to talk.

(Galactica - Tigh's Quarters)

Bulldog: Let me ask you something. How often do you get outta here.
Tigh: Ah, all the time. Been a little under the weather, that's all.
Bulldog: How'd you end up on this bucket anyway? What happened to the Valkyrie?
Tigh: Well uh, let's just say that last mission wasn't exactly a boon to the old man's career. Galactica was his graceful retirement.
Bulldog: Heard you and the old man haven't spoken in a while. What's wrong? He won't cover your ass day and night like he used to?
Tigh: Oh no, he still does his share of ass covering. Problem is, it's his main function now. Plus, considering how you wound up being captured in the first place I guess you found that out the hard way yourself, didn't you?
Bulldog: What's that supposed to mean?
Tigh: My Gods, he didn't tell you, did he? Did he?
Bulldog: Tell me what?
Tigh: That son of a bitch.

(Galactica - Adama's Quarters)

Adama: I shot him down.
Lee: Well, uh, if you shot him down you had your reasons, you were following orders. Preventing something worse, right?
Adama: No. I shot him down to avoid detection. Protect the mission. So we wouldn't be discovered by the Cylons. It was a black ops mission. The soul purpose was to ascertain the likelihood of a Cylon strike.
Lee: Cy-Cylon strike? You're saying that - that we knew they were out there? That they could launch an attack on the Colonies?
Adama: We didn't know anything for sure. There were theories in some circles that the reason that the Cylons had stayed dormant for so long was because they were building a war machine. Preparing a strike.
Lee: But I thought, I thought that no one had seen or heard from the Cylons in over forty years?
Adama: That's true, partially. The Admiralty had grown restless with the Adar administration. They thought we were resting on our laurels, unprepared to protect against an attack. My mission was the escort a stealth recon ship, just beyond the armistice line. Stick our nose over, gather evidence. See if there was any suspicious activities.
Lee: And if the Cylons discovered you had crossed the line, breaching the armistice than uh, they would see that as..
Adama: An act of war.

(Flashback: Valkyrie - CIC)

Valkyrie Comm. Officer: Stealth-Star, Valkyrie. We register you on DRADIS, just past the armistice line. You're on full alert. Proceed with caution.

(Space - Stealth Star)
Bulldog: Valkyrie, Bulldog. I'm exactly two clicks past the line, repeat, two clicks and I've got negative DRADIS contact. Sir, there's nothing here Sir. Which is fine by me. Company wants to pay me for a joy ride they came to the right driver. Hell of a moon.

(Valkyrie - CIC)

Valkyrie Comm. Officer: DRADIS contact! Unknown vessel, just jumped in.

(Space - Stealth Star)

Bulldog: Frak! Krypter, krypter, krypter! I've got damage to port engines. Bird is down. Repeat, bird is down. Request rescue.

(Valkyrie - CIC)

Valkyrie Comm. Officer: Vessel just jumped out sir.
Bulldog (wireless): Krypter, krypter, krypter! This is Bulldog. Bird is down, repeat, bird is down. Request rescue
Valkyrie Comm. Officer: Two more DRADIS contacts! Sir please instruct. What are your orders Sir. Sir what are your orders?
Tigh: Don't do this. Think about it, Bill. You don't want to do this.
Adama: Do you want his ship discovered? Do you know where we are? Do you have any idea what this could mean?
Valkyrie Comm. Officer: Bogies on intercept course. Will merge with stealth star in twenty seconds. Sir!
Adama: Weapons. Launch a ship to ship missile. Now.

(Space - Stealth Star)

Bulldog: No!

(he ejects)

(Galactica - Tigh's Quarters)

Bulldog: There is no way.
Tigh: Well it's true, and you know it's true. You've known it every second of every day since it happened. And the sooner you admit it, the sooner you might get that haunted look out of your eyes. Listen to me. Sometimes surviving can be its own death sentence. I know that.
(Bulldog exits)

(Galactica - Adama's Quarters)

Lee: So the attack on Novacek's ship. The one that winged him, and the two DRADIS contacts that were following him. They weren't Taurons. Those were the Cylons!
Adama: All those years I told myself, that I didn't know what they were. I was just lying to myself. Pretending that it couldn't be true. It is true. I started it. Initiated it.
Lee: Wait a minute. You started what. Started what!
Adama: The attacks on the Colonies. By crossing the line, I showed them that we were the warmongers they figured us to be. And I, I left them but one choice. To attack us before we attack them.
Lee: No. No. Because it wasn't just you. They put you there. They put you there. Across the line. You had no choice. That was the Admiralty. The military. You were one mission. You are one man, one man.
Adama: It only takes one.

(Basestar)

CapSix: You alright?
D'Anna: Of course.
CapSix: More nightmares?
D'Anna: Dreams. Something different this time though. I think God's trying to tell me something.
CapSix: It's about Gaius, isn't it?
D'Anna: No, it's not. It's about something much bigger than that.

(Basestar hallway)

D'Anna (to Centurion): After you execute this command, you'll delete the order from your logs, then override the corresponding memory locations. Execute.
(The Centurion puts a bullet in her brain)

(D'Anna's death takes her to the Kobol opera house, there are 5 robed figures she meets with. She then wakes up in the resurrection tank)

(Basestar - resurrection)

Eight: It's ok, it's ok. Relax, try to breathe through it. Breathe.
D'Anna: There's something beautiful. Miraculous between life and death.

(Galactica - Pilot's ready room)

(Starbuck is watching the cam footage of Bulldog's escape)

Kara: Hrm. That's weird. Why the hell do they keep missing? Frak.

(Galactica - Adama's Quarters)

(wireless rings)

Adama: Adama.
Dee: Admiral, you have a call from Lieutenant Novacek.
Adama: Put him through.
Bulldog: Bill.
Adama: Yes?
Bulldog: This is Danny. We need to talk.
Adama: Hold on.
Bulldog: I need to see you right now!
Adama: Hold on, I'll be right there.

(Galactica - Tigh's Quarters)

Kara: The Cylons are saddled up on him. They've got a perfect point blank no deflection shot. They had him dead to rights.
Tigh: I'd say so.
Kara: Look, Novacek was hit and smoking, flying straight and level. Any nugget could have made that kill. The Cylons could have wasted him any number of times, and they didn't. They didn't. They let him escape.
Tigh: Cylons don't do anything by accident.
Kara: Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. Did Novacek say how he was able to overtime the Cylons that were holding him prisoner? They were sick? Had a Virus? I mean how many viruses do the Cylons have Sir?
Tigh: Who knows. Maybe it was the same virus those Cylons we found were suffering from.
Kara: Yeah. Or maybe they just told us a story that we'd buy. Something that was credible. Familiar. Novacek was held on a base ship for three years, escapes, and then conveniently finds our Fleet with no agenda, and no reason to be here.

(Galactica - Officer's Quarters)

Adama: Hey Dan.
(Bulldog hits him with a pipe)
Bulldog: It's funny how all the training comes back. Why did you lie to me, Bill?
(He attempts to strangle him)
Bulldog: All those years, you know what I kept telling myself? What stupid, fraked-up dream I held onto? I kept thinking, just hang in there, Bulldog, Bill Adama's coming. He won't leave you to rot in here, not him. He won't leave a man behind. Just hold on. But you weren't coming. You didn't think I was alive. You weren't even hoping I was alive! (he hits him again) And if I hadn't figured a way to escape, if I didn't make my move when I saw they left that door wide open for me, I'd be as good as dead right now!
Adama: Is that what they did? Did they leave the door standing open? Did they let you escape?
Bulldog: That's not what I meant! I know the truth! I beat them! Do you understand? I beat them at their own game! I frakin killed her, and I escaped. You trying to take that away from me!
Tigh (with gun): Bulldog!
(they fight)
Tigh: Stay down! Are you alright, Bill?
Adama: Yeah, I'm okay.
Tigh: You don't want to believe it do you? I know. The truth hurts Bulldog. But it's better to know the truth than to live a lie. We're all soldiers Danny, we're all expendable. And we did what we had to do to protect the mission. It's ugly, but there it is. The Cylons let you go. The question is why? Ask yourself that Danny. Because up until a minute ago you were doing exactly what they wanted you to do. Come here, and learn the truth, and seek revenge. And that's exactly what you did. You almost gave them what they wanted. (to Adama): Tell you a dirty little secret, the toughest part of getting played is losing your dignity. Feeling like you are not worth the oxygen you are sucking down. You get used to it. You start to believe it. You start to love it. It's like a bottle that never runs dry. You can keep reaching for it over and over again.
Adama: So how do you put that bottle away, Saul?
Tigh: I don't know. One day you just decide to get up and walk out of your room.

(Colonial One)

Roslin: What is this. Your resignation? You've gotta be kidding me.
Adama: I've said before. We can't hide from the things that we've done. I see no other way around this situation. Maybe it's time Laura.
Roslin: Sit down, Bill. I think you're being naïve.
Adama: Naïve?
Roslin: Did it ever occur to you that the Admiralty may have set you up to provoke a war they wanted? It's naïve to think that horrible things that we can't understand have simple explanations. Because simple explanations make us feel like we have control when we don't. We know why the Cylons attacked us and it wasn't any one thing oh my Gods. We did a thousand things, good and bad, everyday for forty years to pave the way for those attacks.
Adama: Something has to be done.
Roslin: You know what that is?
Adama: Medal of Distinction.
Roslin: This is before I heard about this resignation of yours, so. I'd like to propose this. You seem hell bent on paying some sort of penance for whatever it is you think you've done. So instead of resigning why don't you get up and walk out of here, meet me on the port hanger deck tomorrow evening for the ceremony, and let me pin a frakin medal to your chest.
Adama: I can't.
Roslin: It's not for you, it's for them. Stand up there, acknowledge your fleet, and give them what they need. A hero. That will be your penance, even if it kills you.

(Galactica - hanger deck)

Roslin: On behalf of everyone in this room it is my pleasure to present you, Admiral Adama, with the Medal of Distinction for your forty-five years of courageous service to the Colonial Fleet Congratulations.

(Galactica - Hanger Deck)

Cottle: Have Doctor Stoffa call me as soon as you arrive. And Bulldog, you're gonna be fine. Just remember it'll take some time.
Adama: Lieutenant! You forgot something. (hands him his pilot's uniform)
Bulldog: I can't, Bill I..
Adama: Take it. You're not getting off that easy. Once a pilot, always a pilot Bulldog.
Bulldog: Yes Sir.
(They salute as he boards the Raptor)

(Galactica - Adama's Quarters)

(Knock on door)

Adama: Come in
Tigh: I heard you won a medal.
Adama: Yeah. They give um out for anything these days. Good behavior, attendance, playing well with others. I need you back in the CIC, just ain't the same without you in there intimidating the inmates.
Tigh: No, nah. That's not what I came here to talk to you about.
Adama: Okay, so why are you here?
Tigh: I don't know, nothing.
Adama: You wanna tell me what happened to Ellen?
Tigh: I could use a drink.
Adama: Me too.

(Adama pours a drink for Tigh and himself as they sit at the table)