Editing Steampunk Battlestar Galactica 1880 3

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

{{Comic Data
| image= BSG188003CovSyaf.jpg
| title=Steampunk Battlestar Galactica 1880 3
| series=Dynamite
| issueno=3
| episode=
| writer= [[Tony Lee]]
| penciller=[[Aneke]]
| inker=
| colorist= [[Alex Starling]]
| letterer= [[Marshall Dillon]]
| editor=
| cover= [[Ardian Syaf]] (Cover A) <br/> [[Sergio Fernandez Davila]] (Cover B)
| published=October 8, 2014
| collects=
| collected=
| reprints=
| reprinted=
| isbn= 725130219275
| prev=[[Steampunk Battlestar Galactica 1880 2]]
| next=[[Steampunk Battlestar Galactica 1880 4]]
}}

==Summary==

:''As {{1880|Starbuck}} and {{1880|Athena}} face a {{1880|Ovions|terrifying enemy}} under [[Carillion]], and {{1880|Apollo}}, {{1880|Boomer}} and {{1880|Jolly}} face {{1880|Baltar}}'s [[Cylonic Giants]], the [[Aethership]] {{1880|Galactica}} heads to {{1880|Gemini}} to stop an invasion! But will it be their greatest battle - or their LAST? Come with us on this Steampunk re-imagining of ''Battlestar Galactica'' by #1 New York Times bestselling author [[Tony Lee]]!''<ref>{{cite_web|url=https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C72513021927503011|title=
Steampunk Battlestar Galactica: 1880 #3|date=|accessdate=30 June 2019|last=|first=|format=|language=}}</ref>

==Plot==

=== Battle at Gemini ===

* Professor {{1880|Baltar}} gloats over the "short, brutal and one-sided" victory against "[[aethership]]s piloted by ''dreamers''"&mdash;those dreamers being ''{{1880|Galactica}}'' and its small flotilla. In sum, that small fleet and {{1880|Gemini}} have been destroyed.
* As Baltar issues his demand to the remaining [[Twelve Colonial Empires|ten Colonies]], [[Lu-c-fer]] cuts the transmission to update Baltar on their status. The battle against ''Galactica'' cost them dearly with over 50% of their forces destroyed and another 20% ineffective. Were they to attack {{1880|Sagitaria}} at their current strength, they would only have a 10.4% chance of success.
* After a reluctant Baltar agrees to Lu-c-fer's course of action&mdash;to return to {{1880|Gamoray}} for reinforcements while the humans consider Baltar's demands&mdash;Baltar completes his gloating transmission.

=== Helia ===

* The despondent [[Crown Prince]] {{1880|Adama}} views {{1880|Baltar}}'s transmission, fearing {{1880|Adama|his father}} has died. {{1880|Boomer}} assures Apollo that Adama is simply too stubborn for such a fate, and shares with Apollo a discovery {{1880|Jolly}} uncovered. 
* Baltar's plans for the next evolution of [[Cylonics]] were to integrate a human mind into the [[Cylonic Centurion]], as it would take only one human mind to control them as opposed to five [[punchcard]] Cylonic brains.
* Buoyed by this, Jolly began testing his hypothesis against a Cylonic Centurion's head (separated from a body in the construction facility). 
* Jolly discovers a connection that fits into a port in his prosthesis, and makes a connection. He is overwhelmed and hears the summons from [[Lu-c-fer]] to return to {{1880|Gamoray}}. Boomer manages to unplug Jolly from the device. Jolly informs both Apollo and Boomer of his findings, convincing them to strike Gamoray instead of rushing to defend {{1880|Sagitaria}}.
* {{1880|Iblis}} reports to Apollo that he's completed repairs on four freighters, which will be enough to allow the escape of the entire prison population. Iblis also voices his support to Jolly's choice of target.

=== The Remains of Carillion ===

* The {{1880|Ovions}} bring their captives from ''{{1880|Starchaser}}'' into the caverns under the remains of [[Carillion]].
* {{1880|Starbuck}} tells {{1880|Athena}} that it is entirely possible that they're being lead to their slaughter, as rumors of Ovions using {{1880|Warrior}}s and others as food sources during the [[Ovion Wars]] were abundant. 
* They find themselves in Queen {{1880|Lotay}}'s chamber, with Lotay herself still alive and well. Her subject presents the prisoners to Lotay, claiming they disrespect her by returning to the very planet the humans destroyed. 
* Starbuck turns to speak, but {{1880|Boxey}} informs Starbuck that the Ovions are matriarchal. As such, Starbuck tells Athena that she should speak to them, and offers advice: "Be strong."
* Athena takes this to heart, becoming a force to contend with much to Starbuck's astonishment. Athena explains why they landed on Carillion, and upon Lotay's questioning why they hadn't simply returned to their home planet, she informs Lotay that {{1880|Baltar}} and his [[Cylonics]] laid waste to {{1880|Caprica}}. 
* Lotay insultingly questions what they intend to do about that, half-expecting for the humans to "roll over and beg as the dogs you are." Athena replies they intend to strike back and ask for the Ovions help, noting that Baltar went beyond his orders when launching [[Battle of Carillion|his destructive attack upon Carillion]]. 
* Lotay calls Athena out, publicly declaring that they are aware of Athena's complicit nature in the creation of the Cylonics they now fight, and her role in the Ovion Wars. Athena offers herself up for a war crimes tribunal and acceptance of any ruling against her, including her own execution, in return for the Ovions' assistance against Baltar.

=== The Aether ===

* On course to {{1880|Gemini}}, the four transports from [[Helia]] attempt to reach ''{{1880|Galactica}}''. {{1880|Jolly}} reports that he has sent a [[punchcard]] [[aether message]], hoping that ''Galactica'' may pick up on that.
* A freshly clean shaven {{1880|Iblis}} arrives as the freighter's scanner detects a small cluster of ships: [[Cylonic Raiders]]. As the Raiders engage, Jolly reveals that the freighters are unarmed; Iblis commands the other vessels to protect their [[Crown Prince]] by all means available. 
* Apollo vehemently disagrees with this and begs maneuvering their craft thus forcing the Cylons to ram each other. However, two Raiders lock on to them and come in for the kill. A freighter thwarts this by ramming into the two Raiders in a suicide dive. Apollo still insists on doing things his way, despite Iblis objection that if {{1880|Adama}} were truly dead, then Apollo becomes their [[Archduke]] and must be protected at all costs.
* Down to only two freighters, they attempt to out run the Raiders vainly. However, {{1880|Starbuck}}'s ''{{1880|Starchaser}}'' arrives to dispatch all but one of the remaining Raiders, much to Apollo's astonishment. 
* Following the battle, Starbuck announces that he wishes to dock as he has someone who wishes to greet him: {{1880|Athena}}.
* Apollo tasks Boomer with finding him a working weapon, so that he may kill Starbuck after he hugs his sister. 

=== ''Galactica'' ===

* {{1880|Adama}} orders {{1880|Tigh}} to bring up auxiliary power, hoping to have eluded their [[Cylonic]] aggressors. They find that the Cylonics have retreated towards {{1880|Gamoray}}. 
* Adama orders Tigh to set course for Gamoray, deducing that the Cylonics are hurting and that the time to strike is before the Cylonics regroup.

=== The Aether === 

* {{1880|Starbuck}} assures {{1880|Muffit}} that he may have to only would {{1880|Apollo}}. 
* {{1880|Apollo}} hugs {{1880|Athena}}, and then quarrels with Starbuck over deserting during the war.
* Starbuck explains his side of the story, while Muffit and {{1880|Boxey}} take bets on the outcome of this encounter. 
* Apollo buys the fact that Starbuck couldn't "trust the people I flew with," and states that he "may have over-reacted!"
* Boxey wins the bet, while Athena and Starbuck are introduced to {{1880|Boomer}} and {{1880|Jolly}}.
* {{1880|Iblis}} reveals himself much to Athena's shock, resulting in Athena striking Iblis to the ground. Athena seethes with anger at what they've done to the {{1880|Ovions}} by creating the Cylonics. Apollo manages to talk her down, relating that Iblis was indeed a prisoner of {{1880|Baltar}} on the planet [[Helia]]. Boomer backs up this assertion, noting that Iblis had been imprisoned with him and the other prisoners for months. 
* With that settled, Starbuck asks where they will go, and Apollo explains that they must go to {{1880|Gamoray}} and strike the Cylonics. Before he can explain, Boxey arrives and announces that a large ship has exited [[aetherspace]] and is atop them. They rush to the command deck of the ship, and Apollo demands identification of the new craft. 
* {{1880|Adama}} chides Apollo over taking that tone with his father, and updates them on their plans to attack Gamoray: Jolly and Boomer will commandeer the two [[Cylonic Centurions]], while Iblis will disable [[Lu-c-fer]] and allow the forces of the {{1880|Ovions}} and the {{1880|Rising Star}}'s pirates to assault a diminished Gamoray. 
* The force of ''{{1880|Galactica}}'', ''{{1880|Starchaser}}'', and two transports set their courses to Gamoray.

==Notes==

* {{1880|Starbuck}}'s comment regarding the rumor of {{1880|Ovions}} using captured soldiers as food is a nod to their [[Original Series]]' counterparts.
* {{1880|Boomer}} notes that {{1880|Iblis}} had been imprisoned with them for months. This may suggest that only a short time had passed since the end of the [[Ovion War]] and the beginning of this tale, although it is not firmly confirmed.
* The use of the word "months" can be forgiven as the [[Original Series]] also mixed up nomenclatures, using "Earth" and "Colonial" timekeeping terminology interchangeably. 

=== Character Comparisons ===

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! ''1880'' Character !! ''TOS'' Counterpart !! Notes
|-
| Queen {{1880|Lotay}} || Queen [[Lotay]] || The ''1880'' counterpart is drawn with a more feminine appearance and clothing, whereas the [[Original Series]] counterpart doesn't share that appearance. As for the Lotay in ''1880'', she is far more outwardly aggressive than her TOS counterpart. 
|}

=== Non-Character Counterparts ===

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! ''1880'' Nod !! ''TOS'' Counterpart !! Notes
|-
| [[Cylonic Raiders]] || {{TOS|Raider|Raiders}} || The ''1880'' Raiders take after the {{RDM|Raider}}s from the [[Re-imagined Series]], in both configuration and the visible "eye slit" at the head.
|-
| {{1880|Gamoray}} || [[Gamoray]] || Gamoray is the {{TOS|Cylons}}' "outer capital" depicted in "[[The Living Legend, Part II]]," while its ''1880'' counterpart is the "[[Cylonic]] warehouse" that the Cylonics retreat to in order to regroup.
|}

==Analysis==

* {{1880|Iblis}} continues to be protective of {{1880|Apollo}}, likely for his own aims that have yet to reveal themselves in this issue. There are indications that Iblis wants to seek retribution against {{1880|Baltar}}, given some of his snide comments regarding his former captor. 
* {{1880|Athena}} continues to feel remorse for her role in the creation of the [[Cylonics]], manifesting in her willingness to subject herself to capital punishment by the {{1880|Ovions}}. Her instant reaction against Iblis manifests this anger, as her first desire was to attack him. 
* {{1880|Starbuck}} reveals to {{1880|Apollo}} that he overreacted when abandoning the Colonial war effort near its end, which is in keeping with the behaviors of his {{TOS|Starbuck|Original Series counterpart}}. Such behaviors from the Original Series counterpart included his evasive nature manifesting itself in wanting to muster out of the military to "[[Tucanas|hire a vocal group]]" in "[[Saga of a Star World]]," to avoiding a tribunal on a murder charge by breaking out of a brig and assaulting officers in "[[Murder on the Rising Star]]."
* The {{1880|Ovions}} disparagingly view humanity as "dogs," and may show some insight into why they began the [[Ovion Wars|conflict with the humans]]. The exact tipping points that ignited the conflict remain unstated.

==Questions==

* Why did the {{1880|Ovions}} attack the humans?
* How have the Ovions survived?
* Do the rumors of Ovions' use of humans as a food source have any truth to them?   
* Are there other outposts for the [[Cylonics]] beyond {{1880|Gamoray}}?

==Noteworthy Dialogue==

* ''{{1880|Athena}} parlays with Queen {{1880|Lotay}}:''
: '''Lotay:''' You ''fight'' {{1880|Baltar|him}}? Or you roll over and beg like the dogs you are? 
: '''Athena''': We fight him. We intend to ''beat'' him--but he is strong. With his [[Cylonics]] he is perhaps ''too'' strong. It's true that [[Ovion Wars|we were at war]], Queen Lotay--but the enemy of my enemy is an ''ally.'' Baltar did this to you. He went beyond is orders. Join us and gain your revenge. 
: '''Lotay''': And what of ''you'', daughter of [[Archduke|Arch-Duke]] {{1880|Adama}}? Did you not think that we wouldn't recognize you? Did you hope we would not know of ''your'' involvement in the Cylonics creation? What do ''you'' offer us?
: '''Athena''': Help us defeat Professor Baltar, and I'll submit to your ''war crimes tribunal.'' I'll accept any punishment you decide--including my ''execution''.

* ''{{1880|Apollo}} reacts to {{1880|Iblis}}' freshly shaven appearance:''
: '''Apollo''': You took the time to ''shave''?
: '''Iblis''': If I'm going to die at Baltar's hands, I'm gong to make sure I ''look better'' than he does.

* ''Apollo and {{1880|Starbuck}} face off:''
: '''Apollo''': ''You piece of [[felgercarb]]! You ran from the fight! You deserted us!''
: '''Starbuck''': ''I deserted you? I had to make a strategic retreat after you left me to die!''
: '''Apollo''': Wait--are you telling me that you ''didn't'' desert us? Then why did you ''quit the fleet''?
: '''Starbuck''': Because I didn't ''trust the people I flew with! I may have overreacted!''

==Related Imagery==

===Covers===

: ''Even though the covers are not identified with letter designations on the cover identification sheet inside of the issue, they are used below for consistency and order purposes.''

<gallery mode="slideshow">
BSG188003CovSyaf.jpg|'''Cover A''' Main colorized cover.<br/>''Art:'' Ardian Syaf<br/>''Inks:'' Guillermo Ortega<br/>''Colors:'' Kyle Ritter
BSG188003CovIncenAdama.jpg|'''Cover B:''' [[Adama (1880)|Adama]] Concept Art Incentive Cover.<br/>''Art:'' Sergio Fernandez Davila<br/>
BSG188003CovIncenMuffit.jpg|'''Cover C:''' [[Muffit (1880)|Muffit]] Concept Art Incentive Cover.<br/>''Art:'' Sergio Fernandez Davila
</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">
SteamBSG031.jpg|Page 1
SteamBSG032.jpg|Page 2
SteamBSG033.jpg|Page 3
SteamBSG034.jpg|Page 4
SteamBSG035.jpg|Page 5
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{comic list|series=1880}}

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