Editing Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 6

{{expansion}}

{{separate continuity|universe=TOS|cont=Dynamite Comics}}

{{Comic Data
| image=BSG06CovLangley.jpg
| title={{comics|vol2|6|nolink=y}} (a.k.a. "Red Shift")
| series=Dynamite
| issueno=6
| episode=
| writer= [[Dan Abnett]]
| illustrator=[[Dietrich O. Smith]]
| penciller=
| colorist= 
| letterer= 
| editor=
| cover= [[Clint Langley]] (Main Cover)<br/>[[Chris Eliopoulos]] (Subscription Cover)
| published=October 16, 2013
| collects=
| collected=
| reprints=
| reprinted=
| pages=32
| isbn= 725130204622
| prev={{comics|vol2|5}}
| next={{comics|vol2|7}}
}}

:''What is it like to be a member of the Battlestar's valiant crew? Find out in this issue as we follow the highs and lows of one duty shift aboard the ''{{alt|Galactica|TOS}}''... just a day like any other in the fight to keep Mankind alive!''<ref>{{cite_web|url=https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C72513020462200611|title=Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #6|date=|accessdate=8 April 2020|last=|first=|format=|language=}}</ref>

==Plot==

* Sergeant {{alt|Omega}} records his log for the last [[centar]] of [[blue shift]], before the half-cycle handover to {{alt|Athena|TOS}} who will take over as [[officer of the Watch]] during [[red shift]].
* Athena asks for an update on the overnight from Omega: he reports that they have two ways to proceed, a charted quadrant or a [[storm zone]]. Omega reports that Colonel {{alt|Tigh|TOS}}'s leading his repair crew of ''[[Ariadna]]'', whose drive is shot and may result in the craft beings scuttled.
* Omega leaves following his report, and Athena asks for fleet inventories while mulling over the next course of action. She notes that while the charted quadrant seems like a "no-brainer," it is highly probable that the {{alt|Cylons|TOS}} lie in wait. 
* Athena assigns {{alt|Apollo|TOS}} to [[red flight]] and {{alt|Starbuck|TOS-DE}} to [[blue flight]]. Red flight is tasked with a [[recon]] patrol of the charted quadrant, while blue flight will scout the storm zone.
* Athena contacts Tigh aboard ''Ariadna'', with Tigh informing her that the ship was not meant for long bouts of travel and this has resulted in her drive burning out. Tigh has notified her that he intends to abandon the ship should her engines not be repaired by the end of red shift.
* Athena begins work on running a feasibility study on which ships can onboard more passengers and coordinates all available shuttles for the task. 
* Apollo leads {{alt|Boomer|TOS}}, {{alt|Sheba}} and {{alt|Jolly|TOS}} as they launch from ''{{alt|Galactica|TOS}}'' and proceed in a [[diamond spread]] formation towards the unnamed charted quadrant.
* In the [[launch bay]], Starbuck hits on [[Breena]] on his way to his craft, much to her consternation. 
* As he enters his Viper, he speaks with his deckhand, [[Xam]]. Xam reports that he's tuned his Viper's impellers, and notes that Athena is asking for his status. 
* Starbuck cracks that blue flight is ready "to rocket," which does not surprise Athena as blue flight consists of {{alt|Greenbean}}, [[Hightail]] and the aforementioned Breena.
* Blue flight heads into the [[storm zone]] in a [[trailing line]]. As Athena awaits both flight's reports, Tigh asks Athena to begin evac of ''Ariadna'' as the situation there is dire. 
* Blue flight exits the zone and heads back to ''Galactica'', reporting that there's nothing too lethal in the storm zone as it contains [[energon]]s and "a lot of fizz," but it's safe for {{alt|The Fleet|TOS}} to fly through if needed.
* Starbuck exits his Viper after landing, but Xam detects that the returning Vipers are charged with high-static energon fields, which begin to electrify the surrounding area of the launch bay. Xam is struck by a bolt of lightning, and the whole deck goes dark. 
* Starbuck sparks his lighter in the dark, lighting his fumarello as he determines that the situation is not a good one, but pleased to know that Xam is all right.
* In [[core command]], a furious Athena receives a report regarding the energon discharge: both launch bays are inoperative, along with communications.
* Starbuck calls up to core command as Xam investigates the extent of the damage from their launch bay. Starbuck cannot get through.
* Athena is still furious, and even more so when blue flight is pursued by a phalanx of {{alt|Raider|TOS}}s, and requests additional squadrons for support.
* On ''Ariadna'', Tigh receives word that Cylons are inbound and that evac is now "go priority," and Apollo is given word as to why assistance cannot be rendered&mdash;much to his consternation.
* In the launch bay, Xam is able to restore power and, after a brief celebration, Starbuck notifies Athena of the good fortune. He is told to immediately launch.
* ''Galactica'' is able to raise its full fighter screen while Tigh and his crew are able restore ''Ariadna''{{'|s}} engines through sheer determination. They enter the storm zone, leaving the Cylons behind as their enemy does not press their pursuit.
* At the end of her shift, Athena briefs {{alt|Adama|TOS}} on their current situation, and he is in agreement with her decisions to date. Adama relieves her from officer of the watch, and assumes operational command of the watch during [[blue shift]]. Before Athena leaves, Adama compliments her on a fine job.

==Notes==

=== Publication Releases ===

* A version of this issue, the ''Battlestar Galactica #6 Exclusive Subscription Variant'', released in October 2013. Per the publisher:
*: ''A super-special, exclusive [[Chris Eliopoulos]] Cute cover, only available to comic shop subscribers and limited to initial orders!''<ref>{{cite_web|url=https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C72513020462200621|title=Battlestar Galactica #6 Exclusive Subscription Variant|date=|accessdate=8 April 2020|last=|first=|format=|language=}}</ref>

=== Timeline ===

* This story takes place after the events of {{comics|vol2|5}}, even though those events are not directly mentioned. The only physical hold-over from the earlier installments is {{alt|Adama|TOS}}'s goatee and mustache combo.

=== Nods ===

* The "fork in the road" between the [[storm zone]] and an area of space infested with Cylons is reminiscent to the events of "[[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]]," where {{TOS|the Fleet}} finds itself choosing the more precarious and unknown of routes (the [[magnetic void]]) instead of the "logical" route of the [[Otarsis Quadrant]].
* The physicality of the ship, ''[[Ariadna]]'', is a nod to ''[[Gemenon Traveler]]'' of the [[Re-imagined Series]], but with the addition of two "engines" thus totaling five.

=== Miscellany ===

* ''{{alt|Galactica|TOS}}'' has two 12 [[centar]] shifts, [[Blue Shift]] and [[Red Shift]], and thus operates on a 24 centar schedule. 
* [[Xam]] is the flight engineer of ''Galactica'', responsible for fixing {{alt|Starbuck|TOS}}'s {{alt|Viper|TOS}}. This will be the first time a deckhand has been named, or has a major role in the story known overall as the "[[The Adama Gambit]]."
* As with other [[Original Series]] releases by Dynamite, the Vipers shown are those of the [[Re-imagined Series]] [[Viper Mark II]]s and launch bays, and not the classic {{TOS|Viper}} or [[launch bay]].
* The language and terminology in use throughout the issue is hewn from the Re-imagined Series and its use of "real world" terminology, including "[[sit-rep]]" and related affectations. 

==Analysis==

* ''Ariadna''{{'|s}} fate is part of the overarching story, introduced in this issue and concluded in a later issue in "[[The Adama Gambit]]" series. As ''Ariadna'' is considered an old craft, these inter-fleet issues are touched upon, and highlight the Achille's heel of {{alt|the Fleet|TOS}}: they are only as speedy as the slowest ship in their company.
* {{alt|Athena|TOS}} receives character development in this issue, which is no exception when noting that Athena often receives more development in novelizations and comics (starting from [[Maximum Press]] and, later, [[Realm Press]] runs of the 1990s) than the character ever received in the series. 
* The introduction of [[Xam]], the chief of the deck, is the first instance of an important "blue collar" character introduced in the comics. Xam's storyline will continue throughout this last half of Volume 2.
* The Fleet finds itself taking refuge in various storms—in this case the "[[storm zone]]" that [[blue flight]] reconnoiters—and other stellar phenomenon, a recurring motif in both the [[Original Series|Original]] and [[Re-imagined Series]] narratives. (See: [[Magnetic void]] and [[Nebula]], respectively.)

==Questions==

=== Answered ===

* What's in the [[storm zone]]? ([[Artifact|Answer]])
* Will there be any after effects from the [[void lightning]] that struck [[Xam]]? ({{comics|vol2|10|Answer}})
* Will ''[[Ariadna]]''{{'|s}} issues recur? ({{comics|vol2|10|Answer}})

=== Unanswered ===

* How many other ships will inevitably fail like ''[[Ariadna]]'' during the voyage?
* If they are outside of {{TOS|Cyrannus}}, how are the quadrants "well-charted"? Has the Fleet received charts from outside sources?

==Noteworthy Dialogue==

* ''Athena discusses the [[Officer of the Watch]] position:''

: It's good to sit in the ''top tier.'' It's good to take a share of the ''responsibility''. Officer of the Watch is my ''favorite'' duty. For twelve hours, I ''run'' the show. I run the ''{{alt|battlestar|TOS}}''. There's no ''greater'' responsibility than that. ''This'' is what it feels like to be {{alt|Adama|TOS|my father}}.

* ''After the [[void lightning]] knocks out the relays aboard ''{{alt|Galactica|TOS}}'':''

: '''[[Xam]]''': Oh, this is ''not'' pretty. The main relay's ''burned out''.
: '''{{alt|Starbuck|TOS-DE}}''': Can you ''fix'' it, Xam?
: '''Xam''': Sure. ''Sure'' I can. ''If'' I had a drydock, eighty power-shielded techs ''and'' an [[exo-lifter]].
: '''Starbuck''': You've got a ''g-wrench''. It's going to have to do.

* ''{{alt|Adama|TOS}} assumes his duty shift from {{alt|Athena|TOS}}:''

: '''Athena''': It's been an ''eventful'' day.
: '''Adama''': No, it's just been ''another'' day. In the struggle to survive, ''all'' days are like this.
: '''Athena''': Yes, sir.
: '''Adama''': But as days go, you made a ''fine'' job of it.

==Related Imagery==

===Covers===

<gallery mode="slideshow">
BSG06CovLangley.jpg|'''Main Cover'''<br/>''Art:'' [[Clint Langley]]
BSG06CovSubscription.jpg|'''Subscription Cover''' "Cute Exclusive"<br/>''Art:'' [[Chris Eliopoulos]]
</gallery>

===Preview Pages===

: ''Please Note: These are used for promotional purposes by the publisher, and are provided here in the same vein.''

<gallery mode="slideshow">
File:BSGv2061.jpg|Page 1
File:BSGv2062.jpg|Page 2
File:BSGv2063.jpg|Page 3
File:BSGv2064.jpg|Page 4
File:BSGv2065.jpg|Page 5
</gallery>

==External links==

* {{archivelink|url=https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C72513020462200611|title=Dynamite.com: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA #6}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{comic list|series=TOS}}

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