Editing Battle at Galaxy's Edge

{{Battle Data
| name= Battle at Galaxy's Edge
| image= The Hand of God (TOS).jpg
| description= ''Galactica'' exchanges fire with the basestar.
| conflict={{TOS|Escape from the Cylons|Escape from the Cylons}}
| date=
| place=[[Planetary System at the Edge of the Galaxy|Planetary system at the edge of the galaxy]]
| result=Colonial victory
| combatant1={{TOS|The Fleet|The Colonial Fleet}}
| combatant2={{TOS|Cylons}}
| co1={{TOS|Adama|Commander Adama}}
| co2=[[Command Centurion]]
| strength1={{TOS|Battlestar|Battlestar}} [[Galactica (TOS)|''Galactica'']], two squadrons of {{TOS|Viper|Vipers}}
| strength2=One {{TOS|Basestar|basestar}}, ~300 [[Cylon Raider|Cylon Raiders]]
| shiploss1=Unknown number of Vipers
| shiploss2=Basestar and all Raiders
| casualties1=Unknown
| casualties2=Heavy losses
| prev=[[Reclamation of Celestra|Reclamation of ''Celestra'']]
| next=''(End of Series)''       
[[Battle near Planet Starbuck]]
| series=TOS
}}

The '''Battle at Galaxy's Edge''' is an engagement made by the {{TOS|The Fleet|Fleet}} to escape the galaxy without any further {{TOS|Cylons|Cylon}} pursuit.

While scouting for the source of a [[Gamma frequency]] transmission, a patrol of {{TOS|Viper|Vipers}} stumble across a Cylon {{TOS|Basestar|basestar}}. The patrol manages to escape without directly being detected, and reports to [[Galactica (TOS)|''Galactica'']].

Rather than forcing {{TOS|The Fleet|the Fleet}} to make a lengthy detour, and tired of running, {{TOS|Adama|Commander Adama}} orders an attack on the basestar. Adama believes that ''Galactica'' needs the element of surprise in order to succeed, so {{TOS|Apollo}} proposes a plan to blind the basestar's long range scanners by sneaking aboard using [[Baltar (TOS)|Baltar's]] captured {{TOS|Raider|Cylon Raider}}. Adama makes a deal with Baltar in order to obtain more information about the basestar, in exchange for leaving Baltar behind on a habitable planet.

Apollo and {{TOS|Starbuck}} stumble into a returning patrol of Cylon Raiders as they approach the basestar, which helps conceal their landing on the basestar. The basestar detects ''Galactica'''s Viper squadrons while Starbuck and Apollo are still on board, and scramble all Raiders to engage. {{TOS|Boomer}} and [[Sheba]] lead the Viper squadrons as they face two to one odds, tying up the Raiders and drawing them away from the basestar. Apollo and Starbuck succeed in their objective, and the basestar's long range scanners are blinded, unable to detect the Viper squadrons.

''Galactica'' completes its flanking maneuver. Thanks to the basestar's disabled scanners, ''Galactica'' get the first shots in the exchange, severely damaging the basestar. The capital ships exchange fire, but ''Galactica''{{'|s}} early advantage proves decisive and the basestar is destroyed.

''Galactica'' suffers severe damage during the battle, including the loss of [[Wilker|Dr. Wilker's]] lab, but reports seem to indicate that the damage is under control. The remaining Cylon Raiders, lacking enough fuel to reach any assistance, make suicide runs towards ''Galactica'', only to be destroyed by her defensive weapons. Apollo and Starbuck return to ''Galactica'' in Baltar's Raider, narrowly avoiding being destroyed after appearing to be another of the suicidal Cylon stragglers. With the basestar destroyed, ''Galactica'' is able to leave the galaxy without Cylon pursuit {{OS|The Hand of God}}.

== Analysis ==

* In keeping with the series' questionable adherence to science, namely in likening space travel with nautical travel, Adama could have easily avoided the Cylon [[Basestar (TOS)|basestar]] that laid in wait. There is no consideration given that, by even attacking the lone baseship, the Cylons would now have proof of the Fleet's course, allowing them to tighten their net even more exactingly.  
* Adama's fatigue of continuing to run from the Cylons is an indication that his judgment becomes more in line with Cain's during the [[Battle of Gamoray]]. His deal with Baltar is just another indication of this, given that it is likely done without the [[Quorum of Twelve (TOS)|Quorum of Twelve]]'s consent. 

== Related Media ==
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Adama's Decision={{#widget:Video|id=jmxjOceSd}}
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Adama's Attack Plan={{#widget:Video|id=klwbm49Vg}}
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Baltar's Bargain={{#widget:Video|id=mOTRpA5GM}}
</tabber>
== Notes ==

* The term "galaxy" is used incongruently and inconsistently throughout the series' run. Seeing as the Fleet travels at [[Propulsion (TOS)|sublight speeds]], it is less likely than not that "galaxy" is a general term for a sector of space.
* This episode makes use of the basestar filming model miniature as a planning and demonstration tool. 

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Colonial]]
[[Category:Colonial Battles]]
[[Category:Colonial Battles (TOS)]]
{{indicator|TOS}}[[Category:TOS]]