Editing Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 9

{{expansion}}

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

{{Comic Data
| image=BSG09CovRamondelli.jpg
| title={{comics|vol2|9|nolink=y}} a.k.a. "Dreams of the Thirteenth, Part Three"
| series=Dynamite
| issueno=9
| episode=
| writer= [[Dan Abnett]]
| illustrator=[[Cezar Razek]]
| penciller=
| colorist= 
| letterer= 
| editor=
| cover= [[Livio Ramondelli]] (Main Cover)<br/>[[Chris Eliopoulos]] (Subscription Cover)
| published=January 22, 2014
| collects=
| collected=
| reprints=
| reprinted=
| pages=32
| isbn= 725130204622
| prev={{comics|vol2|8}} a.k.a. "Dreams of the Thirteenth, Part Two"
| next={{comics|vol2|10}}
}}

:''The terrifying story arc concludes. The ''{{alt|Galactica|TOS}}'' has led the fleet into an uncharted storm zone to escape the {{alt|Cylons|TOS}}, and encountered a vast and mysterious artifact. What is its purpose, and what part will it play in the fate of the human race? And what happens if the Cylons get to it first? The final secrets are revealed in the last part of "Dreams of the Thirteenth"!''<ref>{{cite_web|url=https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C72513020462200911|title=Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #9|date=|accessdate=8 April 2020|last=|first=|format=|language=}}</ref>

==Plot==

* In [[core command]], {{alt|Athena|TOS}} tells both {{alt|Apollo|TOS}} and {{alt|Starbuck|TOS-DE}} that the results from the deep-probe are originating from ''{{alt|Galactica|TOS}}'' herself. As they discuss the confusing ramifications of this, with Athena becoming more heated during the exchange, {{alt|Adama|TOS}}'s interest in piqued. Apollo runs interference, suggesting to his father that he work on a [[handshake signal]] to open up [[first contact]] procedures. Adama is convinced that the message should come from him, and Apollo ropes in Dr. [[Madusa]] to assist Adama for her psychological insight into first contact protocol.
* As Adama heads to his quarters, Madusa perseverates on her hesitancy on relieving Adama of his command. Apollo assures her that he hopes it won't come to that, noting that the artifact isn't what it seems to be.
* Apollo returns to Starbuck and Athena, and a testy Athena reports that the source is in [[habitation chamber]] 13. 
* Apollo and Starbuck head there with hand scanners, realizing that the pod is assigned to [[Xam]]. Xam opens the door to greet them, and the Warriors begin to do a survey of the messy quarters. As Xam pontificates about having the "dreams of the Thirteenth," Starbuck's scanner uncovers Xam's abilities as a [[delta-class telepath]].
* Adama heads to the [[Life Station|Life Science Wards]], where Dr. {{alt|Salik}} informs Adama of Xam's condition, recapping that he had latent [[psionic]] abilities whose powers have activated after being struck by high [[energon]] [[void lightning]]. These powers have since grown, allowing Xam to unknowingly and unwittingly impress his thoughts, dreams and hopes upon others.
* Adama turns incredulous, disbelieving Salik's declaration that the dreams of the 13th is an "involuntary telepathic lie." Apollo and Adama begin arguing, with Apollo noting that they have not found Earth, and the longer they linger in the [[storm zone]] the more likely they'll be annihilated by the closing {{alt|Cylon|TOS}} task force. 
* [[Contact alarm]]s begin blaring, with Colonel {{alt|Tigh|TOS}} calling the crew to their battle stations as the Cylon {{alt|basestar|TOS}} bears down upon the Fleet and begins its assault. Tigh orders {{alt|the Fleet|TOS}} into full drive in an attempt to flee.
* From the ward, Adama demands that Tigh countermand the order. Apollo attempts to convince his father that their discovery of "Earth" isn't real. Adama turns violent, shoving Apollo aside while declaring that Earth is real.  
* Apollo restrains Adama while imploring Xam to tell the truth: Xam admits he doesn't know what reality is. 
* Starbuck attempts to talk to his tear-stricken friend, reminiscing about all the old times that Starbuck brought his busted-up {{alt|Viper|TOS}}s back for Xam to repair. Xam becomes more grounded in those memories, and Starbuck implores upon their friendship to fix the issue the Fleet finds itself in.
* Xam is able to come to grip with reality, that the discovery of Earth was a dream he projected upon others, and that "''no one'' needs lies. It's just stuff I ''wanted'' to see. Stuff my ''head'' made up."
* Athena reports that the artifact has vanished, while the Cylons press their attack. Tigh ruefully realizes that even if they ran now, they wouldn't stand a chance of survival.
* Xam somehow hears Tigh and projects a new lie for the Cylons—projecting multiple ''Galactica''s for the Cylons to attack while the real ''Galactica'' and her rag-tag fugitive fleet continue on their lonely quest.
* The Cylons retreat and Tigh takes advantage of the confusion. The Fleet flees at full speed. 
* In the ward, Adama comes to his senses and realizes that Xam fooled the Cylons with his powers. He apologies to his son for his behavior, and his son also apologies.
* Salik reports that Xam's brain has shorted out by what he believes to be telepathic overload. Xam's body remains alive, but his mind is no more. Starbuck mourns his friend's passing, before jokingly wondering "who's gonna fix my stuff ''now'', huh?"

==Notes==

=== Publication Releases ===

* A version of this issue, the ''Battlestar Galactica #9 Exclusive Subscription Variant'', released in January 2014. 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=C72513020462200921|title=Battlestar Galactica #9 Exclusive Subscription Variant|date=|accessdate=8 April 2020|last=|first=|format=|language=}}</ref>

=== Errata ===

* The [[artifact]] is referred by the English British spelling of "artefact," contrary to {{comics|vol2|8|the earlier issue}}.
* {{alt|Starbuck|TOS-DE}} uses the term [[frack]] more as the word "fuck" versus "shit," particularly when exclaiming "What the frack are you ''talking'' about?" following Athena's declaration that the data is coming from within ''{{alt|Galactica|TOS}}''.

=== Miscellany ===

* {{alt|Starbuck|TOS-DE}}'s crack about {{alt|Athena|TOS}} going "[[nutszoidal]]" is derived from the slang term "nutzoid," its first noted appearance dating back to 1986 CE's ''[[w:Fat Guy Goes Nutzoid|Fat Guy Goes Nutzoid]]''. It has since entered the lexicon as a lesser recurring slang term to [[wiktionary:nutzoid|describe someone who is deemed "insane" or "crazy."]]

==Analysis==

* {{alt|Athena|TOS}} is demonstratively "testy" in this installment, particularly in her interactions with {{alt|Starbuck|TOS-DE}} while she performs the sensor probe to pin-point the source of the information ''{{alt|Galactica|TOS}}'' receives. For example:
*: '''{{alt|Apollo|TOS}}''': ''(returning from his discussion with {{alt|Adama|TOS}} and [[Madusa]])'' Anything?
*: '''Starbuck''': She's [Athena's] working on it.
*: '''Athena''': Who's ''"she?"'' The [[daggit]]'s '''''maternal unit'''''?

:In this instance, Athena refers to herself in the third-person as a "bitch," a term for a female dog [[m-w:bitch|also doubling as a disparaging vulgarism for a woman]].

==Questions==

=== Answered ===

=== Unanswered ===

* How could telepathic powers affect machinery and electronics?

==Noteworthy Dialogue==

* ''After Dr. {{alt|Salik}} tells {{alt|Adama|TOS}} that the dream of {{alt|Earth|TOS}} is a telepathic lie:''

: '''{{alt|Starbuck|TOS-DE}}''': Meaning, Commander, the [[artifact|artefact]] [sic] is a ''lie''. A ''dream''. All the dreams, they're just ''dreams''! 
: '''{{alt|Apollo|TOS}}''': It's ''all'' coming from ''[[Xam]]''. It's what he ''wants'' us to see.
: '''Adama''': I have dreamed those dreams ''myself!''
: '''Salik''': It feels real because Xam ''longs'' for it to be real. Like all of us, he ''dreams'' of finding Earth. What he has ''done'' is not ''malicious'', neither is it wilful [sic].
: '''Adama''': No, I ''refuse'' to believe--
: '''Salik''': Believe what you ''must''. But what poor Xam is showing you is an ''involuntary telepathic lie.'' And it's been gradually ''infecting'' the minds of everyone in {{alt|the Fleet|TOS}}.
: '''Adama''': This is ''nonsense!''

* ''Xam gives the Fleet another chance, allowing Adama and Apollo reconcile:''
: '''Adama''': He ''fooled'' them. He fooled the {{alt|Cylons|TOS}} with his ''mind''.
: '''Apollo''': What did he show them? 
: '''Adama''': Who ''knows?'' Something as credible as the things he showed ''me''. (to Apollo) I'm sorry.
: '''Apollo''': So am I. You have ''no'' idea.

==Related Imagery==

===Covers===

<gallery mode="slideshow">
BSG09CovRamondelli.jpg|'''Main Cover'''<br/>''Art:'' [[Livio Ramondelli]]
BSG09CovSubscription.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:BSG091.jpg|Page 1
File:BSG092.jpg|Page 2
File:BSG093.jpg|Page 3
File:BSG094.jpg|Page 4
File:BSG095.jpg|Page 5
</gallery>

==External links==

* {{archivelink|url=https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C72513020462200811|title=Dynamite.com: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA #8}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{comic list|series=TOS}}

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