Battlestar Wiki - User contributions [en]

User talk:Ericshirey03

2007-01-08T19:00:56Z

Ericshirey03: /* Final warning: cease copy and pasting copyrighted information */

== Welcome to Battlestar Wiki! ==
Welcome to the Wiki, Ericshirey03. Feel free to tell us about yourself on [[User:Ericshirey03|your user page]]. Before you get started on other edits, please read the [[Battlestar Wiki:Standards and Conventions|Standards and Conventions]], which details the policies we use in editing pages (this differs from many other wikis in its particular use of verb tense, abbreviations, formatting, and the like). If you need help in learning how to use the MediaWiki tools supported here, you can check out the [[BW:TUT|tutorial]] and the [[BW:MARK|wiki markup code]] pages for assistance.

Please read the articles [[Battlestar Wiki:What is Battlestar Wiki|"What is Battlestar Wiki"]] and [[Battlestar Wiki:What Battlestar Wiki is not|"What Battlestar Wiki is Not."]] This important information details what contributions are acceptable in this encyclopedia.

We encourage you to participate in any [[Battlestar Wiki:Project List|projects]] on Battlestar Wiki, which work to enhance a particular subject or extension of the wiki. These include the [[Battlestar Wiki:Original Series Article Development Project|Original Series Article Development Project]] and several [[Battlestar Wiki:Translation Project|language translations of Battlestar Wiki]]. If you have a new idea for a new project, visit the [[BW:TANK|Think Tank]], where we hash out large-scale ideas before implementing them.

Also, if you have any questions or suggestions you wish to offer, please feel free to do so either on an article's talk page that's relevant to the subject, the [[Battlestar Wiki:Wikipedian Quorum|Wikipedian Quorum]] or [[Battlestar Wiki:Administrators' noticeboard|the Administrators' noticeboard]]. Remember to sign your posts on any talk pages using four tildes (~~~~)!

We look forward to your contributions to the community!
--[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 09:51, 3 January 2007 (CST)

== Copyrighted Content? ==
Your recent book reviews contributions appear identical to copyrighted works such as [http://www.blast.net/hart/SagaReview.htm this one]. Are you the author of those works, or do you otherwise have permission of the author to report their work here? Thanks. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 09:51, 3 January 2007 (CST)
:Hey, if you could stop contributing for a moment, we'd appreciate it if you could address the copyright concerns. The content of this site falls under the creative commons license, and the content added needs to be your own (or be fair use, or have permission from the author). If you continue adding the copyrighted reviews we may have to block you from contributing until the copyright concerns have been addressed. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 10:16, 3 January 2007 (CST)
 I believe that since I have given proper credit to the site that this was taken from, it would be covered under fair use. i also emailed the author just to make sure he was alright with it.
:A few cited quotes might fall under fair use, but the wholesale copy almost surely wouldn't. (Though Peter Farago is our copyright expert around here.) Thanks for contacting the author. We could definitely post a link to his site (external links), but unless he gives permission for us to use his content we probably should remove the actual text. If we do get permission to copy his work wholesale (which would be very generous), we might want to consider revising the prose to be more encyclopedic (just the fact, ma'am) rather than having bias. Any good review is going to have bias, but we're looking more for the facts (like the plot points, etc.) Thanks for responding, and for taking the initiative in contacting the author. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 13:46, 3 January 2007 (CST)

 yeah - i'll stopu posting his entire articles and just put part of it with a link to the whole review, etc. sorry about that. if i hear back from him, i'll let you know.

== Feedback on Rewrite ==
Outstanding job on the review rewrite. Much more neutral and covers the material. Make sure to use your own wording wherever possible, but it looks good. You might want to go ahead and wipe out the plot points section (that's pretty extensive), but you can mention that a review that covers the plot points in detail can be found at that link in an "External Links" section below the book summary. If you need a hand doing that, let me know. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 14:40, 3 January 2007 (CST)

And if the plot points are kept, or at least in part, the dashes should be replaced with stars to create bullet points. But POV-wise it looks pretty good now :) --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 14:49, 3 January 2007 (CST)
:One of the positives of this discussion was I learned a great deal more about [[w:Fair use|Fair use]]. The relevant sentence of the wikipedia article is that, "In general, the less that is used in relation to the whole, e.g., a few sentences of a text for a book review, the more likely that the sample will be considered fair use." So I worry that if we keep the plot points, which comprise a substantial portion of the work, we'd be at risk. However, if we can summarize the reviews in an encycopedic manner, I think we'd be in better shape. The more we can use our own words to summarize (lacking permission to copy it outright), the better. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 14:58, 3 January 2007 (CST)

== Copyright Issues ==
Your latest [http://en.battlestarwiki.org/w/index.php?title=Resurrection_%28book%29&curid=6806&diff=100333&oldid=85974&rcid=99913 contribution] to [[Resurrection (book)]] appears to have copied the text from [http://www.battlestargalactica.com/rhbooks/rhbooks0001.htm here]. As the copyright note at the bottom of the edit box indicates, "DO NOT SUBMIT COPYRIGHTED WORK WITHOUT PERMISSION UNLESS APPROPRIATELY CREDITED; IT MUST BE FAIR USE MATERIAL!" Fair use is a tricky thing, but at the most it is a small excerpt from a work and not a work in its entirety, uncredited. You've been blocked (from editing) for a day. I this helps you realize the gravity of the situation, as the Wiki must be protected from the liability of copyright infringements. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 11:26, 5 January 2007 (CST)

== Final warning: cease copy and pasting copyrighted information ==

In regards to the reviews and plot synopses you've posted on BSG books: Desist copy and pasting copyrighted information to the wiki or '''you will be banned indefinitely'''. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to communicate them here. Thank you. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 10:06, 8 January 2007 (CST)

 I haven't posted anything else from a published work and I've actually edited everything I've put up since Friday.

Rebellion

2007-01-08T14:30:19Z

Ericshirey03:

{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Rebellion.jpg
| title= Rebellion
| series= Richard Hatch
| bookno= 4
| episode=
| author=[[Richard Hatch]] and Alan Rodgers
| published= July 1, 2002
| isbn=0743445031
| prev= [[Resurrection (book)|Resurrection]]
| next= [[Paradis]]
}}
'''''Rebellion''''' is a [[Wikipedia:book|book]] by [[Richard Hatch]] and [[Wikipedia:Alan Rodgers|Alan Rodgers]].

While scouts venture forth in search of a habitable planet, the civilian population of the fleet rebels. Fights over the dwindling supplies break out among civilian factions, and the military is called upon to restore order, which only serves to heighten the tensions. And, once again, accusing fingers are pointed squarely at the man whose responsibility it is to assure the safety and well-being of all: Apollo. Even members of the Galactica's bridge crew turn against him.

Adding to the growing tensions is the fact that Troy, Dalton, Trays, and Boomer (the planetary search parties) are missing. But the real stunner is the revelation that Casseopia is pregnant, and that she has acknowledged Apollo as the father!

Apollo and Athena are relieved of their commands and thrown into the brig. Civilians take over and chaos reigns just in time for the Cylons to arrive. And soon after the Cylons, the even more deadly alien Chitain show up. Apollo must somehow regain command of the fleet, organize a fight against the Cylons and Chitain, find a way to resupply the fleet and devise an escape route from the pocket of null-space in which they are stuck, before it implodes and destroys everything and everyone caught in it.

After the battle of Kobol, the Fleet has made a hyperlight jump using the co-ordinates that both Apollo and Athena received by telepathic communication from an as yet unknown source. However, instead of finding a safe haven for the people, the Fleet becomes trapped in an Ur Cloud, a place where the engines will not function and power is slowly drained away.
With the Fleet facing imminent danger, ships powering down, supplies low combined with the disappearance of their supply vessels, the Quorum stir up a rebellion against the military and try to stage a coup.

Some elements of the story are a little confusing and the physics of certain things is a little rusty but the highlight of this book (very much like the new series) is Baltar. The dialogue between Baltar and Apollo lays the ground for some rather disturbing plotlines yet to come about the Cylons. The ending of the book jumps ahead to the middle of the next novel Paradis as a taste of what's to come and the true nature of Cassiopia's baby is revealed.

{{mstub}}

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Books]]
[[Category:Merchandise]]
[[Category:TOS]]

Resurrection (book)

2007-01-05T16:54:03Z

Ericshirey03:

:''For information on the process of [[Cylon agent]] reintegration in the [[Re-imagined Series]], see [[Resurrection (RDM)]].

{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Resurrection.jpg
| title= Resurrection
| series= Richard Hatch
| bookno= 3
| episode=
| author=[[Richard Hatch]] and Stan Timmons
| published= July 1, 2001
| isbn=0743413261
| prev= [[Warhawk]]
| next= [[Rebellion]]
}}

[[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]] star [[Richard Hatch]] is the author of the book, "Battlestar Galactica: Resurrection."

The battlestar Galactica and the colonial fleet are in serious trouble. Their last encounter with the Cylons and the fierce alien race called the Chitain have left them crippled and exhausted and depleted of food and fuel. And they are still in Cylon space.

But Commander Apollo's next confrontation is with one of his own, as grizzled war veteran Commander Cain challenges him for leadership. Apollo wants to take the remnants of the fleet to a planet indicated on the mysterious holocube that was discovered on an abandoned Cylon outpost--a holocube that purportedly shows the path of expansion and exploration through the galaxy by the vanished Thirteenth Tribe. Cain prefers to make his stand right here, but is overruled by the late Commander Adama's son.

Apollo may win this fight, but he may not win the battle. For the next planet indicated on the holocube is also known to the Cylons, and they are waiting for the Galacticans in full force. It's only through the intervention of their newly installed quantum-shift technology that the fleet manages to escape the trap, as they are warped halfway across the galaxy to find themselves once again at their starting point: the planet Kobol--the birthplace of the Kobollian race that was destroyed by the Cylons twenty yahren ago.

Why have they been brought back to Kobol, and who is responsible for it? Have the Lords of Light granted them a new beginning? Or is this another plot by the Lord of Evil, Count Iblis, to finally exact his revenge against Adama's family and the entire Galactican fleet?

Battle with the alien Chitain fleet has cost the colonial fleet a terrible price. As Commander Apollo decides to take his remaining people and ships to coordinates provided by a newly discovered holocube that maps the expansion across the galaxy of the now-vanished Thirteenth Tribe of Kobol, Commander Cain ("The Living Legend") challenges both his leadership and his decision. With food, fuel, and other resources running perilously low, Cain believes the fleet must make its stand instead of risking this journey into the unknown.

Apollo prevails for the moment, and the fleet soon finds itself at the Thirteenth Tribe's starting point. Kobol, home planet to their race. It's now deserted and barren, blasted by the ancient Cylons just as viciously as the Twelve Colonies were by modern Cylons at the start of the fleet's own 20-yahren journey. Before this adventure is over, Apollo's closest and lifelong friend Starbuck will lie dead. His long romance with Cain's daughter, his comrade-in-arms Sheba, will end because he can't let go of his dead wife Serina. His sister and colleague Athena will join with another once-staunch ally, Council President Tighe, in supporting Cain's renewed challenge for control of the fleet; and the allied Cylon and Chitain fleets will find the Colonials again, at Kobol.

{{mstub}}

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Books]]
[[Category:Merchandise]]
[[Category:TOS]]

Warhawk

2007-01-05T16:03:06Z

Ericshirey03:

{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Warhawk.jpg
| title= Warhawk
| series= Richard Hatch
| bookno= 2
| episode=
| author=[[Richard Hatch]] and Christopher Golden
| published= September 1, 1998
| isbn=0671011901
| prev= [[Armageddon]]
| next= [[Resurrection (book)|Resurrection]]
}}

{{mstub}}
[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Books]]
[[Category:Merchandise]]
[[Category:TOS]]

 "Warhawk" is a Colonial term refering to a military overlord. The term is indeed a reference to Commander Cain who was a character who appeared in "The Living Legend" episode of the TV series, and subsequently was believed to be killed in a battle with Cylons at the end of the episode. However in the story of Warhawk, Apollo leads the Galactica to the planet Poseidon, believing it to be one of the outposts of the fabled 13th tribe. Instead, Poseidon is a planetary fortress of Cain who had surived the confrontation with the Cylons, and since then had joined up with a small lost fleet of ships that had fled the Colonies at the time of the massacre before establishing a base with them on Poseidon. Apollo and his followers are overjoyed at finding Cain but the celebration soon becomes sobered once Cain's ambitions, which are contrary to the Galactican mission of finding the Earth, are finally revealed.

Apollo learns that Cain has turned Poseidon into a vast armaments facility which is in production of a war fleet. There is something of a power clash between Cain and Apollo, as Cain wishes to go on the offensive against the Cylons. Apollo opposes the notion and is shocked to find that Poseidon is under martial law. There are other shocking developments, as it is revealed that Cain is trying to make allies with a mysterious warlike race known as the Chitain, who appear to have an agenda of their own. These developments result in Apollo leading Starbuck and Boomer on a diplomatic mission to the Chitain homeworld, leaving the galactica under the command of Athena.

But unknown to the Colonials, the Imperious Leader is hot on their heels due to receiving their coordinates from the mysterious Count Iblis. All this results in a climactic space battle as the Galactica goes on the offensive.

There are also new additions to the BSG saga such as new weapons like the viper-duet - a type of viper bomber developed by Cain's military. Also there are new aliens such as the Chitain who are an insectoid/reptillian race, that are equipped with scorpion-like stingers, and who seem to "glide" on snake-like trunks.

Cain appears to be a very militaristic and brave anti-hero among the Colonials. In the novel Cain requests advice from Colonial prisoner Baltar about the reptillian Cylons and their genetic make-up. Cain exudes delight upon hearing from Baltar that the Cylons, despite their cybernetic implants, can indeed feel pain and suffering, and he swears to Baltar and present company that he will make the Cylon race suffer for it's crimes against humanity.

With regards to Baltar, Hatch uses a touch of revisionism when it is explained how Baltar managed to be in control of a Cylon baseship in the "Armageddon" novel. Hatch ignores the final TV episode "Hand of God" where Balter was released by Adama in return for providing him the information about a Cylon baseship that was threatening the Galactica. In Warhawk, Hatch rewrites Galactica history by explaining that Balter merely escaped from the Colonials by bribing a prison warden before stealing a viper and flying back to the Cylons.

In Armageddon, Hatch explains that the Cylons are organic (which corresponds with the original concept of the Cylons before the studio-execs interfered and had them re-written as fully mechanical robots for the TV series). But in Warhawk Hatch backtracks a little and pays some lip service to this studio concept of the Cylons by providing some exposition explaining that the organic Cylons did create some fully mechanical drones to augment their military near the end of their thousand year war with the Colonials.

In the Warhawk novel it is revealed that Count Iblis is the Cylon Imperious leader. This contradicts the previous novel where Iblis himself explains to Apollo that he had only helped the Cylons in their evolution to being reptillian cyborgs but that he did not interfere in their affairs. It also contradicts the TV series where Iblis did not have any control over the Cylons and their empire.

Warhawk

2007-01-05T15:49:12Z

Ericshirey03:

Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming

2007-01-04T16:52:03Z

Ericshirey03:

{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
[[Image:The Second Coming Promo.jpg|thumb|right|Image from the "making of" the Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming trailer]]
The '''''Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming''''' project was a proof-of-concept professionally-created mock movie-trailer created, produced, directed, and starred by Original Series star and ''Galactica'' spin-off author [[Richard Hatch]]. Under his production company, Su-Shann, Hatch leveraged the talent of many TOS stars, including the late [[John Colicos]], in an effort to convince [[Wikipedia:NBC Universal|Universal Studios]], the owners to the rights of the Battlestar Galactica franchise, to greenlight a new series or motion picture.

The highly-elaborate trailer features new concepts, impressive acting, and very exciting special effects. Hatch visited many science-fiction conventions to show the trailer and it proved to be a hit among fans that viewed it.

However, Hatch never succeeded in getting Universal's attention. The BSG project revival would be [[Battlestar Galactica (SDS)|first given]] to [[Tom DeSanto]] and ''X-Men'' director [[Bryan Singer]] in coordination with Fox Studios and USA Television in 2001. After that project dissolved primarily due to the withdrawal of Fox Studios as well as Singer's commitment to a second ''X-Men'' movie, USA Networks chose [[Ronald D. Moore]] and [[David Eick]] to create a [[Miniseries|new project]], which would be a near-complete rewrite of the series, with familiar names, characters, and places, but with none of the original actors as their original characters, and with a much darker overtone.

Despite initial doubts about the series, Richard Hatch was happy to join the new ''Battlestar Galactica'' TV series cast as the recurring character of terrorist-turned-politician [[Tom Zarek]].

==Summary==

The three minute trailer begins with a shot of outer space, and a voiceover by Hatch: "It is the seventh millenium of time. Twenty yahrens have passed since the destruction. I must prepare my people for the second coming." (That's not exactly right, but it was something along those lines). We see the foot of a Cylon step onto the screen, and then a group of Cylons. They all looked great, very similar to the originals. The one in the center says, "It is done, Imperious Leader." Then we see the face of Baltar wearing a hood (which made him look cool). He says, "Hello." Moments later, he continues. "There has been a Cylon civil war and a new breed of Cylon has emerged. And only I can lead you to safety." We see shots of Colonial warriors battling Cylons, and an Imperious Leader with a new look. We then see Dr. Salik (played by George Murdock, the original actor) treating Apollo in the life station. Salik says something to the effect of, "Surely the Cylons have forgotten us by now," and Apollo answers, "No. They have evolved."

There are shots of Colonial Warriors training, doing one-arm pushups. Colonial vipers hang above them. Bojay says to Apollo, "Your son, Troy, will make a fine warrior." And, of course, we see a close-up shot of Troy, who is not played by Noah Hathaway. The name of Troy was borrowed from Galactica 1980. Athena is played by someone new, and she looks similar to Maren Jensen. She tells Apollo he's leading everyone the wrong way. There is a shot of an entire planet exploding. There is a brief shot of Apollo standing next to Tigh, but no words are said. We see a Colonial city on a planet, so apparently the Colonials have settled.

There are space battle scenes with Colonial vipers and Cylon raiders. There is a Super Cylon basestar (it's about six times larger than the regular Cylon basestar). The vipers and raiders look very close to the originals. We do see a few upgraded vipers.

We see a hologram of Adama speaking to Apollo. He says, "We're in a life and death struggle for survival. We need heroes." (This was from The Living Legend episode) There is a shot of Colonial vipers shooting out of the Galactica's launch tubes. The Gemini freighter is destroyed (which also happened in Galactica 1980), and there is a space battle between vipers and raiders among ships of the fleet that we recognize.

Near the end, Baltar appears again and says, "I don't see Starbuck. Surely he must be dead by now." Apollo challenges Count Iblis who is played by Richard Lynch (the same actor who played Wolfe in Gun On Ice Planet Zero and the time-traveling villain Xavier in Galactica Discovers Earth). Apollo says, "You care about no one but yourself in your lust for power!" Moments later in antoher segment, Apollo tells Athena he believes Starbuck is alive, and she says that if he leaves, she will take command from him. There is a new version of the Ship of Lights. We see Colonial vipers launching toward a large phalanx of upgraded Cylon raiders. One of the pilots says that they're going to save Starbuck. We see the Galactica destroy a Cylon basestar. It all ends with close-up shots of the main characters, and then the words, "Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming."

==External Links==
*[http://www.richardhatch.com/battlestar_galactica/bsgtsc.html About the ''Second Coming'' project, from Richard Hatch's official website]
*[http://www.battlestargalactica.com/index.htm A Battlestar Galactica News site, also managed by Mr. Hatch]

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: Revival Efforts]]
[[Category: TSC]]

List of Comics

2007-01-04T16:15:37Z

Ericshirey03: /* Overview */

== Overview ==
The Marvel Comics Battlestar Galactica comic book series lasted 23 issues from 1979 to 1981. The first 3 issues cover the pilot episode Saga Of A Star World and issues 4 and 5 cover the second episode Lost Planet Of The Gods. Starting with #6, the series ignores the rest of the events of the television series and begins completely original stories (Marvel's contract with Universal specifically did not allow them to use anything from the television series that followed Lost Planet Of The Gods). Ironically, #6 came out around the time that the series was canceled, so the timing was there to pick up where the television series had left off.

The following are the listings of all known comics of ''[[Battlestar Galactica]]''. Click on one to see (and possibly edit) the summary for that book.

== Marvel Comics ==
<ol><li style="list-style:square">[[Marvel Super Special 8: Battlestar Galactica]]</li>
# [[Battlestar Galactica (1979 Comic)|Battlestar Galactica]]
# [[Exodus!]]
# [[Deathtrap!]]</ol>
<ol start="4"><li>[[Into the Void]]</li>
<li>[[A Death in the Family]]</li>
<li>[[The Memory Machine]]</li>
<li>[[All Things Past and Present]]</li>
<li>[[Shuttle Diplomacy!]]</li>
<li>[[Space-Mimic!]]</li>
<li>[[This Planet Hungers]]</li>
<li>[[Scavenge World]]</li>
<li>[[The Trap!]]</li>
<li>[[Collision Course!]]</li>
<li>[[Trial and Error]]</li>
<li>[[Derelict!]]</li>
<li>[[Berzerker]]</li>
<li>[[Ape and Essence]]</li>
<li>[[Forbidden Fruit!]]</li>
<li>[[The Daring Escape of the Space Cowboy]]</li>
<li>[[Hell Hath No Fury!]]</li>
<li>[[A World for the Killing!]]</li>
<li>[[Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair]]</li>
<li>[[The Last Hiding Place]]</li></ol>

===Trade Paperbacks===
* [[Saga of a Star World (Trade Paperback)|Saga of a Star World]] by Roger McKenzie, Ernie Colon and Walt Simonson
* [[The Memory Machine (Trade Paperback)|The Memory Machine]] by Roger McKenzie, Klaus Janson, Walt Simonson and Tom DeFalco

==Maximum Press==
Beginning in July 1995, Maximum Press (a [[Wikipedia:Rob Liefeld|Rob Liefeld]] imprint) issued several Battlestar Galactica miniseries. These were:

*War of Eden
*# [[War of Eden 1|War of Eden #1]]
*# [[War of Eden 2|War of Eden #2]]
*# [[War of Eden 3|War of Eden #3]]
*# [[War of Eden 4|War of Eden #4]]
*The Enemy Within
*# [[The Enemy Within 1|The Enemy Within #1]]
*# [[The Enemy Within 2|The Enemy Within #2]]
*# [[The Enemy Within 3|The Enemy Within #3]]
*Starbuck
*# [[Starbuck 1|Starbuck #1]]
*# [[Starbuck 2|Starbuck #2]]
*# [[Starbuck 3|Starbuck #3]]
*Apollo's Journey
*# [[Apollo's Journey 1|Apollo's Journey #1]]
*#[[Apollo's Journey 2|Apollo's Journey #2]]
*#[[Apollo's Journey 3|Apollo's Journey #3]]
*Journey's End
*# [[Journey's End 1|Journey’s End #1]]
*# [[Journey's End 2|Journey’s End #2]]
*# [[Journey's End 3|Journey’s End #3]]
*# [[Journey's End 4|Journey’s End #4]]

==Dynamite==
Starting in May 2006 Dynamite began releasing a comic series based on the [[Re-Imagined Series]]. The comics are set within the framework of the show and, at least at first, are set between the episodes of ''[[Home, Part II]]'' and ''[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]''. Beginning in late September 2006 Dynamite will also be releasing a comic series based on the [[TOS|original series]]. In October 2006, a miniseries focusing on the character [[Tom Zarek]] from the re-imagined series will be released, focusing on Zarek's past. [http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=82025]

*Re-imagined Series
*#[[Battlestar Galactica 0]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica 1]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica 2]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica 3]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica 4]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica 5]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica 6]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica 7]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica 8]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica 9]]

*Original series
*#[[Classic Battlestar Galactica 1]]
*#[[Classic Battlestar Galactica 2]]
*#[[Classic Battlestar Galactica 3]]
*#[[Classic Battlestar Galactica 4]]
*#[[Classic Battlestar Galactica 5]]

*Battlestar Galactica: Zarek
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: Zarek 1]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: Zarek 2]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: Zarek 3]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: Zarek 4]]

*Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse 1]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse 2]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse 3]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse 4]]

*Battlestar Galactica: The Cylon Wars
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: The Cylon Wars 1]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: The Cylon Wars 2]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: The Cylon Wars 3]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: The Cylon Wars 4]]

[[Category:Comics|{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Lists|Comics]]

List of Comics

2007-01-04T16:15:16Z

Ericshirey03: /* Overview */

== Overview ==
The following are the listings of all known comics of ''[[Battlestar Galactica]]''. Click on one to see (and possibly edit) the summary for that book.

The Marvel Comics Battlestar Galactica comic book series lasted 23 issues from 1979 to 1981. The first 3 issues cover the pilot episode Saga Of A Star World and issues 4 and 5 cover the second episode Lost Planet Of The Gods. Starting with #6, the series ignores the rest of the events of the television series and begins completely original stories (Marvel's contract with Universal specifically did not allow them to use anything from the television series that followed Lost Planet Of The Gods). Ironically, #6 came out around the time that the series was canceled, so the timing was there to pick up where the television series had left off.

The following are the listings of all known comics of ''[[Battlestar Galactica]]''. Click on one to see (and possibly edit) the summary for that book.

== Marvel Comics ==
<ol><li style="list-style:square">[[Marvel Super Special 8: Battlestar Galactica]]</li>
# [[Battlestar Galactica (1979 Comic)|Battlestar Galactica]]
# [[Exodus!]]
# [[Deathtrap!]]</ol>
<ol start="4"><li>[[Into the Void]]</li>
<li>[[A Death in the Family]]</li>
<li>[[The Memory Machine]]</li>
<li>[[All Things Past and Present]]</li>
<li>[[Shuttle Diplomacy!]]</li>
<li>[[Space-Mimic!]]</li>
<li>[[This Planet Hungers]]</li>
<li>[[Scavenge World]]</li>
<li>[[The Trap!]]</li>
<li>[[Collision Course!]]</li>
<li>[[Trial and Error]]</li>
<li>[[Derelict!]]</li>
<li>[[Berzerker]]</li>
<li>[[Ape and Essence]]</li>
<li>[[Forbidden Fruit!]]</li>
<li>[[The Daring Escape of the Space Cowboy]]</li>
<li>[[Hell Hath No Fury!]]</li>
<li>[[A World for the Killing!]]</li>
<li>[[Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair]]</li>
<li>[[The Last Hiding Place]]</li></ol>

===Trade Paperbacks===
* [[Saga of a Star World (Trade Paperback)|Saga of a Star World]] by Roger McKenzie, Ernie Colon and Walt Simonson
* [[The Memory Machine (Trade Paperback)|The Memory Machine]] by Roger McKenzie, Klaus Janson, Walt Simonson and Tom DeFalco

==Maximum Press==
Beginning in July 1995, Maximum Press (a [[Wikipedia:Rob Liefeld|Rob Liefeld]] imprint) issued several Battlestar Galactica miniseries. These were:

*War of Eden
*# [[War of Eden 1|War of Eden #1]]
*# [[War of Eden 2|War of Eden #2]]
*# [[War of Eden 3|War of Eden #3]]
*# [[War of Eden 4|War of Eden #4]]
*The Enemy Within
*# [[The Enemy Within 1|The Enemy Within #1]]
*# [[The Enemy Within 2|The Enemy Within #2]]
*# [[The Enemy Within 3|The Enemy Within #3]]
*Starbuck
*# [[Starbuck 1|Starbuck #1]]
*# [[Starbuck 2|Starbuck #2]]
*# [[Starbuck 3|Starbuck #3]]
*Apollo's Journey
*# [[Apollo's Journey 1|Apollo's Journey #1]]
*#[[Apollo's Journey 2|Apollo's Journey #2]]
*#[[Apollo's Journey 3|Apollo's Journey #3]]
*Journey's End
*# [[Journey's End 1|Journey’s End #1]]
*# [[Journey's End 2|Journey’s End #2]]
*# [[Journey's End 3|Journey’s End #3]]
*# [[Journey's End 4|Journey’s End #4]]

==Dynamite==
Starting in May 2006 Dynamite began releasing a comic series based on the [[Re-Imagined Series]]. The comics are set within the framework of the show and, at least at first, are set between the episodes of ''[[Home, Part II]]'' and ''[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]''. Beginning in late September 2006 Dynamite will also be releasing a comic series based on the [[TOS|original series]]. In October 2006, a miniseries focusing on the character [[Tom Zarek]] from the re-imagined series will be released, focusing on Zarek's past. [http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=82025]

*Re-imagined Series
*#[[Battlestar Galactica 0]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica 1]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica 2]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica 3]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica 4]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica 5]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica 6]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica 7]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica 8]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica 9]]

*Original series
*#[[Classic Battlestar Galactica 1]]
*#[[Classic Battlestar Galactica 2]]
*#[[Classic Battlestar Galactica 3]]
*#[[Classic Battlestar Galactica 4]]
*#[[Classic Battlestar Galactica 5]]

*Battlestar Galactica: Zarek
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: Zarek 1]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: Zarek 2]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: Zarek 3]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: Zarek 4]]

*Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse 1]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse 2]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse 3]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse 4]]

*Battlestar Galactica: The Cylon Wars
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: The Cylon Wars 1]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: The Cylon Wars 2]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: The Cylon Wars 3]]
*#[[Battlestar Galactica: The Cylon Wars 4]]

[[Category:Comics|{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Lists|Comics]]

Surrender the Galactica!

2007-01-04T15:50:48Z

Ericshirey03:

{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg14.jpg
| title= Surrender the Galactica!
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 14
| episode =
| author= [[Wikipedia:Robert Thurston|Robert Thurston]]
| published= January 1987
| isbn= 0425094766
| prev= [[Apollo's War]]
| next= ''None''
}}

The was the last book published in Berkley Books' line of Galactica paperbacks.

{{mstub}}

[[Category:Books]]

 Imperious Leader has removed Baltar in command and placed Spectre in his place. Baltar has volunteered to serve under Spectre. Lucifer is brought back to life, but Spectre has his memory completely erased. The Galactica is located, and Baltar volunteers to undergo cosmetic surgery so he can sneak aboard the battlestar and plant a bomb. Lucifer is disguised as a Borellian Nomena and accompanies Baltar to help him carry out his mission. The two wind up joining a theatrical troupe that is touring the fleet and will be performing on the Galactica. Dwybolt, the head of the company, is one of Cassiopea's old favored clients; he still dreams about her, making his current woman very jealous, but he doesn't know she is alive and on the Galactica.

Starbuck is still being chased by the Vailean cadet named Hera, but he turns her down because he prefers to be the one who makes the approach. Hera gets angry and is determined to get back at him. She gets together with Cassiopea and Athena, and they decide to write a play for the upcoming theatrical performance. The play is designed specifically to make fun of Starbuck.

Boxey, the old man, and a little girl named Peri are caught up in a war going on in the Devil's Pit. The children are prisoners for awhile, but manage to join up with the theatrical troupe. The old man is rescued by Apollo and others. Befriended by Hera, he agrees to help her write the play. Cassiopea easily convinces Dwybolt to have her play performed as a sideline of his show. Dwybolt recognizes the old man as a great actor who disappeared a long time ago, but the old man insists he is an engineer and refuses to return to the stage.

Apollo sees Boxey during the performance of the play, and he runs up on stage where they are reunited. The crowd applauds them. Cassiopea's play is about a womanizer who eventually shouts "Buck the star! Buck the star!" Starbuck angrily storms out of the theater, followed by Hera. Lucifer leaves the play, enters Adama's cabin, and attempts to murder him. Starbuck and Hera stumble upon them, and they attempt to pry Lucifer's stranglehold off of Adama. Starbuck pounds on Lucifer, and his memory is suddenly restored by the jarring. Lucifer stops his attack because he remembers Starbuck and that he liked him.

Baltar sets explosives and attempts to escape the Galactica. Tigh confronts him in the landing bay having recognized his voice during his performance in the play. The explosion goes off, and Baltar knocks Tigh out in the confusion. Baltar escapes in a ship before the Cylons attack.

The Galactica is unable to launch vipers due to the damage, and Cylons attack ferociously. Spectre demands that Adama surrender, but Adama's response is "Felgercarb!" Starbuck and Apollo use the SuperViper to turn the tide against the Cylons. Spectre is baffled that he lost. Baltar is smug, happy that he will look good in Imperious Leader's eyes because he was successful in carrying out his part of the mission. Starbuck and Hera remain friends. Boxey stays with Apollo. Lucifer decides to stay with the Colonials, and Starbuck persuades him to be his gambling partner.

Summary

* We learn that Imperious Leader has removed Baltar and placed Spectre in his place to hunt for the Galactica. Baltar serves as Spectre's second-in-command.

* Boxey is given a huge role in the story.

* Baltar has his face changed. Lucifer has his memory erased.

* Lucifer gets his memory restored at the end and winds up with the Colonial fleet.

* It is mentioned that the Cylon fleet is conquering other areas of the galaxy.

* Socialators were trained to serve others, to be an adjunct to society but not quite a part of it. They had to follow strict regimens. Cassiopea had found it to be a comfortable and fulfilling life, but not a free one. She had more freedom now on the Galactica than she did on the planet Gemon. Her parents had sold her into the socialator "cult". Socialators were not allowed to have children.

* Baltar had been an occasional theatre performer during his youth. He had been convinced he could make a grand career with his talents. Others had predicted a grand career for him in the arts, but he was lured away by the temptation of money and power. Once, at the academy, he had even done a skit with Adama.

Notes

*Excerpts taken from Sheba's Galaxy. For the full review go to http://www.blast.net/hart/Surrender.htm

Surrender the Galactica!

2007-01-04T15:45:21Z

Ericshirey03:

Apollo's War

2007-01-04T15:19:49Z

Ericshirey03:

{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg13.jpg
| title= Apollo's War
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 13
| episode =
| author= [[Wikipedia:Robert Thurston|Robert Thurston]]
| published= January 1987
| isbn= 0425094766
| prev= [[Die, Chameleon!]]
| next= [[Surrender the Galactica!]]
}}

{{mstub}}

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Books]]
[[Category:TOS]]

 This story takes place almost immediately following the events of the last book. Apollo, Sheba, and Croft land on the planet Yevra where they are kidnapped to become unwitting soldier-slaves in a war that is waged like an intergalactic chess game. They and a young woman named Xiomara, who is "cursed" with a horrible facial disfigurement, are trained by a reptilian creature named Sarge to fight for the Army of the Rightful Destiny. Their minds are controlled by unremovable belts and sweatbands, which transmit terrible pain, forcing the wearers to obey.

Molded into an elite fighting squad, Sarge leads them through several battles. Then Apollo is caught in a trap and captured by the other side, the Pelters. They are eager to make use of him. His belt and sweatband are removed but then he is drugged with special food and drink.

Without Apollo, the elite squad loses its edge. Croft is determined to get himself killed and Sheba is totally withdrawn. Apollo, drugged into a walking zombie and now wearing a Pelter control device, is ordered to seek out and kill the leaders of the Army of the Rightful Destiny. He and Croft meet in battle; somehow the two men recognize each other but can't completely overcome their conditioning. They fight half-heartedly until Sarge intervenes. Apollo shoots Sarge, and then Croft rips off Apollo's controller in the melee.

After the battle, a now clear-minded Apollo finds Sarge and gets him to agree to help him rescue his friends and try to end the war, fought by kidnapped peoples from other worlds.

Meanwhile, on the Galactica, Starbuck is depressed because Apollo is gone. Adama eventually agrees to let him renew the search for Apollo, but Adama is going to fly a viper with him. They fly to the planet.

Apollo and Sarge free their friends including Xiomara, for whom Apollo has begun to care for. They retrieve their vipers, and Apollo and Sheba launch, soon making contact with Adama and Starbuck. The four of them provide air cover as Sarge, Croft, and the others attack from the ground. They take over the installation, and then the vipers destroy the Pelters' installation, ending the war.

Xiomara is severely wounded when Apollo finds her. She momentarily dies, and the mask of ugliness on her face disappears, revealing a ravishing beauty. Then she comes to, and the ugliness returns. Xiomara tells Apollo she doesn't love him, and that he doesn't love her; she decides to stay behind and search for her husband who disappeared early in the war but may still be alive.

It is made clear that Sheba still loves Apollo, but there is never any follow-up. We do learn that in the past Apollo and Sheba had a brief fling, but no more detail than that.

Summary

* It is stated that there are hundreds of thousands of people in the fleet.

* A prophecy has spread across the fleet saying that the Galactica would find Earth, but most of the people currently in the fleet would not. It goes on to say that perhaps none of them would live to see Earth, only future generations. Perhaps Thurston is trying to do some foreshadowing for Galactica 1980.

* There is a Caprican legend about a young woman who was in love but unable to reveal her feelings to the man she loved. Frustrated, she wandered into an unknown land, drawn there by strange music. In the meantime, the man she loved noticed that she'd gone, and he went after her, questioning everyone he met, tracing her path to the strange land. He found that she went to a strange place called "the city without cares". What neither he nor she knew about the city was that, once inside its borders, each would be perfected by a strange perfume that emanted from a well in the city's center. The perfume brought on forgetfulness and eventually amnesia. By the time the two young lovers met each other again, they had forgotten one another. Seeing something familiar in each other's face, they both smiled, and then passed each other by, each going on to a different destiny than either had planned.

* There is a fleet legend that Commander Cain will return in a magical iridescent ship and lead the Colonials to Earth.

* Apollo often refers to the Council of Twelve as the Dozen Deadbeats. Interesting, since Adama is one of them.

* Croft is from Scorpia.

* Cassiopea is from Gemon. The peoples of other planets considered socialators to be just one step up from prostitutes. They did not comprehend the intricate ceremonial distinctions, the strong moral rules that upheld the socialator tribe.

* Cassiopea has broken up with Starbuck because of his wandering eyes. But now she is thinking of trying to get back with him.

* Apollo actually comes on to Xiomara (Thurston strongly implies he wants to have sex with her), but she refuses when he can't bring himself to look at or touch her face.

* Among the crew of the Galactica, it is said that Commander Adama's voice could please a demon or agitate an angel, and he didn't have to change an iota of pitch, tone or emphasis to do either.

* There is a ship's legend that says you should never bother to listen for Commander Adama's approach. If he doesn't want you to hear him, you'll never hear him even when you know he's coming. The crew likes to believe that Adama has supernatural powers.

* It is strongly implied that Apollo and Xiomara have sex the night before they storm the command center.

Notes

*Excerpts taken from Sheba's Galaxy. For the full review go to http://www.blast.net/hart/ApollosWar.htm

Apollo's War

2007-01-04T15:18:46Z

Ericshirey03:

Apollo's War

2007-01-04T15:17:34Z

Ericshirey03:

{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg13.jpg
| title= Apollo's War
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 13
| episode =
| author= [[Wikipedia:Robert Thurston|Robert Thurston]]
| published= January 1987
| isbn= 0425094766
| prev= [[Die, Chameleon!]]
| next= [[Surrender the Galactica!]]
}}

{{mstub}}

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Books]]
[[Category:TOS]]

 This story takes place almost immediately following the events of the last book. Apollo, Sheba, and Croft land on the planet Yevra where they are kidnapped to become unwitting soldier-slaves in a war that is waged like an intergalactic chess game. They and a young woman named Xiomara, who is "cursed" with a horrible facial disfigurement, are trained by a reptilian creature named Sarge to fight for the Army of the Rightful Destiny. Their minds are controlled by unremovable belts and sweatbands, which transmit terrible pain, forcing the wearers to obey.

Molded into an elite fighting squad, Sarge leads them through several battles. Then Apollo is caught in a trap and captured by the other side, the Pelters. They are eager to make use of him. His belt and sweatband are removed but then he is drugged with special food and drink.

Without Apollo, the elite squad loses its edge. Croft is determined to get himself killed and Sheba is totally withdrawn. Apollo, drugged into a walking zombie and now wearing a Pelter control device, is ordered to seek out and kill the leaders of the Army of the Rightful Destiny. He and Croft meet in battle; somehow the two men recognize each other but can't completely overcome their conditioning. They fight half-heartedly until Sarge intervenes. Apollo shoots Sarge, and then Croft rips off Apollo's controller in the melee.

After the battle, a now clear-minded Apollo finds Sarge and gets him to agree to help him rescue his friends and try to end the war, fought by kidnapped peoples from other worlds.

Meanwhile, on the Galactica, Starbuck is depressed because Apollo is gone. Adama eventually agrees to let him renew the search for Apollo, but Adama is going to fly a viper with him. They fly to the planet.

Apollo and Sarge free their friends including Xiomara, for whom Apollo has begun to care for. They retrieve their vipers, and Apollo and Sheba launch, soon making contact with Adama and Starbuck. The four of them provide air cover as Sarge, Croft, and the others attack from the ground. They take over the installation, and then the vipers destroy the Pelters' installation, ending the war.

Xiomara is severely wounded when Apollo finds her. She momentarily dies, and the mask of ugliness on her face disappears, revealing a ravishing beauty. Then she comes to, and the ugliness returns. Xiomara tells Apollo she doesn't love him, and that he doesn't love her; she decides to stay behind and search for her husband who disappeared early in the war but may still be alive.

It is made clear that Sheba still loves Apollo, but there is never any follow-up. We do learn that in the past Apollo and Sheba had a brief fling, but no more detail than that.

* It is stated that there are hundreds of thousands of people in the fleet.

* A prophecy has spread across the fleet saying that the Galactica would find Earth, but most of the people currently in the fleet would not. It goes on to say that perhaps none of them would live to see Earth, only future generations. Perhaps Thurston is trying to do some foreshadowing for Galactica 1980.

* There is a Caprican legend about a young woman who was in love but unable to reveal her feelings to the man she loved. Frustrated, she wandered into an unknown land, drawn there by strange music. In the meantime, the man she loved noticed that she'd gone, and he went after her, questioning everyone he met, tracing her path to the strange land. He found that she went to a strange place called "the city without cares". What neither he nor she knew about the city was that, once inside its borders, each would be perfected by a strange perfume that emanted from a well in the city's center. The perfume brought on forgetfulness and eventually amnesia. By the time the two young lovers met each other again, they had forgotten one another. Seeing something familiar in each other's face, they both smiled, and then passed each other by, each going on to a different destiny than either had planned.

* There is a fleet legend that Commander Cain will return in a magical iridescent ship and lead the Colonials to Earth.

* Apollo often refers to the Council of Twelve as the Dozen Deadbeats. Interesting, since Adama is one of them.

* Croft is from Scorpia.

* Cassiopea is from Gemon. The peoples of other planets considered socialators to be just one step up from prostitutes. They did not comprehend the intricate ceremonial distinctions, the strong moral rules that upheld the socialator tribe.

* Cassiopea has broken up with Starbuck because of his wandering eyes. But now she is thinking of trying to get back with him.

* Apollo actually comes on to Xiomara (Thurston strongly implies he wants to have sex with her), but she refuses when he can't bring himself to look at or touch her face.

* Among the crew of the Galactica, it is said that Commander Adama's voice could please a demon or agitate an angel, and he didn't have to change an iota of pitch, tone or emphasis to do either.

* There is a ship's legend that says you should never bother to listen for Commander Adama's approach. If he doesn't want you to hear him, you'll never hear him even when you know he's coming. The crew likes to believe that Adama has supernatural powers.

* It is strongly implied that Apollo and Xiomara have sex the night before they storm the command center.

The Nightmare Machine

2007-01-04T14:48:56Z

Ericshirey03:

{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg11.jpg
| title= The Nightmare Machine
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 11
| episode =
| author= [[Wikipedia:Robert Thurston|Robert Thurston]]
| published= December 1985
| isbn= 0425086186
| prev= [[The Long Patrol (Book)|The Long Patrol]]
| next= [[Die, Chameleon!]]
}}

{{mstub}}
[[Category:Books|Nightmare Machine]]

 Greenbean is captured by the Cylons in battle. After being tortured, he reveals the Galactica's location. Baltar is having nightmares, feeling guilt about his betrayal of the Colonies. Lucifer wakes him up one night and reveals he was testing a machine called LEADER that can inflict intense emotions on people. Baltar has Greenbean's memories of being captured erased and has the LEADER machine wired into the buttons of his clothing. Greenbean is set free and returns to the Galactica. Everyone is overjoyed that he has returned from the dead, but soon the LEADER machine is turned on and almost everyone aboard the ship (except Boomer, Athena, and Sire Uri) become depressed and feel guilt about their pasts. Starbuck and Adama are affected worse than most. Uri wants to be allowed to settle on the habitable planet of Vaile, and when Adama is taken ill, decides to try to stage a mutiny. Adama eventually falls into a coma, and he begins to relive memories of the past such as the destruction of the Colonies.

Spectre makes an inspection visit on Baltar's basestar. Spectre flatters Baltar with feint praise, making Lucifer unhappy. It is announced that Imperious Leader will be making a visit soon. When Imperious Leader finally arrives, Baltar takes credit for inventing the machine. Imperious Leader asks Baltar to show a demonstration of LEADER. Starbuck is on the verge of going mad. His craziness drives him to go after Greenbean, whom he somehow realizes must have something to do with what is happening. Greenbean runs away and winds up in a place in the lower regions of the Galactica called the Devil's Pit. Starbuck, with Apollo, Boomer, and Cassiopea right behind him, follows and tries to kill Greenbean, but an old man living in this unused area interferes and buys enough time for Apollo to disarm him. The mindwipe begins wearing off, and Greenbean starts to remember that he was captured and that the clothes he was wearing are causing this. The clothes are then incinerated, and everyone suddenly recovers (including Adama, who comes out of his coma). Sire Uri's rebellion, which had stormed the bridge, suddenly dissipitates.

The spirits of everyone are now high, and, after debriefing Greenbean, the Colonials are able to estimate where the Cylons must be waiting, and they decide to launch an attack to take them by surprise. Lucifer uses LEADER to inflict guilt on human prisoners. Baltar orders him to increase the power to dangerous levels, and the machine goes out of control. Imperious Leader is affected and begins to feel waves of unbearable guilt for destroying the Colonies. He jumps off his pedestal and attacks Cylons within his reach, eventually smashing and destroying the LEADER machine. His guilt disappears and he quickly leaves. Spectre goes with him. At that moment, the basestar picks up the approaching vipers, and Baltar launches his raiders. The vipers devastate the defending raiders and swarm the basestar, scoring several telling hits. Baltar decides to cut his losses and orders the basestar to warp away. There is a celebration afterwards onboard the Galactica.

This is an entirely original story.

Adama journies into the past through his dreams. This allows us to see, in effect, "Untold Tales From Saga Of A Star World" such as the death of Adama's wife, Ila.

It is unclear if the story occurs after the events of the original series or before War of the Gods (when Baltar is captured by the Colonials). The next novel reveals that it definitely occurs after the events of the original series, but then how did Baltar get back with the Cylons again? Did they rescue him after the Colonials dropped him off on some planet?

Summary

* Baltar is getting frustrated over his inability to defeat the Galactica. His body is extremely thin and gaunt because he hardly eats anymore.

* It is revealed that Greenbean secretly loved Serina.

* Adama is very reluctant to let any of the Colonials leave the fleet to settle on any of the habitable planets they pass because the fleet is badly understaffed as it is.

* A Cylon squadron is often called a wall because of the tight way its raiders fly together, looking at times like a solid wall.

Notes

Excerpts taken from Sheba's Galaxy. For the full review go to http://www.blast.net/hart/NightmareMachineReview.htm

Die, Chameleon!

2007-01-04T14:48:17Z

Ericshirey03:

{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg12.jpg
| title= Die, Chameleon!
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 12
| episode =
| author= [[Wikipedia:Robert Thurston|Robert Thurston]]
| published= May 1986
| isbn= 0425090957
| prev= [[The Nightmare Machine]]
| next= [[Apollo's War]]
}}

{{mstub}}
[[Category:Books]]

 Starbuck is running away from a tall, gorgeous cadet named Hera from the planet Vaille. She wants to initiate a romance with Starbuck, but he is upset that she is making the first move instead of him, so he is determined to avoid her. A mutiny on the Colonial vessel Eureka results in Apollo, Sheba, and Croft being taken prisoner after they make the mistake of trusting the mutineers. The Eureka leaves the fleet and Starbuck, Boomer, Bojay, and several other viper pilots pursue it. The Borellian Nomen are aboard the Eureka as well as Chameleon, and the Nomen still want to fulfill their blood hunt.

Lucifer arranges to have himself temporarily transferred from Baltar's basestar to work on a Cylon prison ship. He discovers Spectre to also be on the ship, and not long after they are taken prisoner after their ship is attacked by the Image Lords who are from a planet called the Joyful Land. The Image Lords use mind control to run the lives of all the human citizens of the city. The humans have been kidnapped and programmed to believe that they are a part of this world. One of the video entertainments is the adventures of The Starbuck, a blonde, handsome warrior who was created based on the legends of the Starbuck of the Galactica. Apollo, Sheba, Starbuck, and Chameleon almost manage to escape from the Eureka but then the ship is captured by the Image Lords. They, along with the mutineers (and the Nomen) are taken to the Joyful Land.

Starbuck and the other pilots follow the ship to the Joyful Land, and Cassiopea tells Starbuck before he leaves that Chameleon really is his father. After landing far from the city, Starbuck and Boomer set out to try and find Apollo and the others. To his shocked surprise, Starbuck discovers that he is a celebrity in the Joyful Land (because of The Starbuck character from the video entertainments) and a mob comes after him. He is led to safety by a group of children who idolize him. Starbuck and Boomer manage to free Apollo and the others (except Chameleon), but Starbuck gets captured during the escape. Lucifer is delighted to see Starbuck again and would like to play Pyramid with him because Lucifer is confident he has developed a system that will insure victory.

Apollo and Croft inspire the citizens of the Joyful to create a plan to revolt. The Image Lords approach Starbuck about playing Pyramid with Lucifer (because they enjoy games). Starbuck gets them to agree that if he wins, everyone in the Joyful Land will be set free. Lucifer feels the need to have something at stake so he declares that Starbuck must deactivate him if he loses.

Chameleon deals the cards during the game, but is caught slipping a good card to Starbuck. The Image Lords are going to punish him severely, and Starbuck, in desperation, gets them to agree that he and Lucifer will play one more hand once the first game is over. If Starbuck wins, Chameleon is spared. If Starbuck loses, then he will receive Chameleon's punishment (which will mean his death).

In the final hand of the first game, Lucifer reveals a perfect pyramid! Starbuck is shocked that he lost, and Lucifer is disappointed that he did not feel the thrill he had imagined winning would bring. The second game begins to decide Chameleon's fate. In the final hand, Starbuck reveals an almost completed pyramid. Lucifer throws his cards face-down and declares Starbuck the winner. At that point, Apollo and the other citizens burst into the room, and one of the Image Lords takes Chameleon hostage. Starbuck follows him to the ship on the landing bay, and then the Nomen appear (having been freed). Starbuck and Apollo hold the Nomen back, but Chameleon is taken away by the Image Lord.

The city is finally free, but Starbuck is saddened to lose his father. Lucifer insists that Starbuck deactivate him, but the lieutenant refuses. Lucifer then deactivates himself and has mechanisms installed that will not allow him to be turned back on. The Colonials head back to the Galactica.

Spectre takes the body of Lucifer on a shuttle and heads for Cylon territory. He stares at the cards Lucifer threw face-down and is baffled. Lucifer had a perfect pyramid! Could Lucifer have cheated? Spectre is determined to find a way to revive his rival and, most of all, to solve the mystery of Lucifer. On the Image Lord's ship, Chameleon escapes and steals a shuttle. He does not know where the fleet is, so he rolls some dice and uses that to determine which heading to take.

Summary

* Starbuck tells Cassiopea that Chameleon is his father.

* Lucifer and Starbuck finally meet again and actually get to play cards.

* Lucifer sacrifices the game to save Starbuck and it shows that Lucifer has evolved greatly despite that he is a machine.

*Spectre also returns.

*The Borellian Nomen return and go after Chameleon again.

*This book has the introduction of Hera. She is a very strong-willed character.

*Sheba has feelings for Apollo.

*At the end, Sheba almost decides to have a fling with Croft.

* Robert Thurston wanted the title of the book to be Deal, Chameleon!, but the publisher felt the title was not interesting enough. The novel is Thurston's favorite out of all the original Berkley stories he has written.

* Chameleon tells Starbuck about a dream he had where Starbuck is stranded and alone on a desolate planet. This has to be foreshadowing for the classic Galactica 1980 episode The Return of Starbuck.

Notes

* Excerpts taken from Sheba's Galaxy. For the full review go to http://www.blast.net/hart/Die.htm

Die, Chameleon!

2007-01-04T14:44:54Z

Ericshirey03:

Die, Chameleon!

2007-01-04T14:42:18Z

Ericshirey03:

{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg12.jpg
| title= Die, Chameleon!
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 12
| episode =
| author= [[Wikipedia:Robert Thurston|Robert Thurston]]
| published= May 1986
| isbn= 0425090957
| prev= [[The Nightmare Machine]]
| next= [[Apollo's War]]
}}

{{mstub}}
[[Category:Books]]

 Starbuck is running away from a tall, gorgeous cadet named Hera from the planet Vaille. She wants to initiate a romance with Starbuck, but he is upset that she is making the first move instead of him, so he is determined to avoid her. A mutiny on the Colonial vessel Eureka results in Apollo, Sheba, and Croft being taken prisoner after they make the mistake of trusting the mutineers. The Eureka leaves the fleet and Starbuck, Boomer, Bojay, and several other viper pilots pursue it. The Borellian Nomen are aboard the Eureka as well as Chameleon, and the Nomen still want to fulfill their blood hunt.

Lucifer arranges to have himself temporarily transferred from Baltar's basestar to work on a Cylon prison ship. He discovers Spectre to also be on the ship, and not long after they are taken prisoner after their ship is attacked by the Image Lords who are from a planet called the Joyful Land. The Image Lords use mind control to run the lives of all the human citizens of the city. The humans have been kidnapped and programmed to believe that they are a part of this world. One of the video entertainments is the adventures of The Starbuck, a blonde, handsome warrior who was created based on the legends of the Starbuck of the Galactica. Apollo, Sheba, Starbuck, and Chameleon almost manage to escape from the Eureka but then the ship is captured by the Image Lords. They, along with the mutineers (and the Nomen) are taken to the Joyful Land.

Starbuck and the other pilots follow the ship to the Joyful Land, and Cassiopea tells Starbuck before he leaves that Chameleon really is his father. After landing far from the city, Starbuck and Boomer set out to try and find Apollo and the others. To his shocked surprise, Starbuck discovers that he is a celebrity in the Joyful Land (because of The Starbuck character from the video entertainments) and a mob comes after him. He is led to safety by a group of children who idolize him. Starbuck and Boomer manage to free Apollo and the others (except Chameleon), but Starbuck gets captured during the escape. Lucifer is delighted to see Starbuck again and would like to play Pyramid with him because Lucifer is confident he has developed a system that will insure victory.

Apollo and Croft inspire the citizens of the Joyful to create a plan to revolt. The Image Lords approach Starbuck about playing Pyramid with Lucifer (because they enjoy games). Starbuck gets them to agree that if he wins, everyone in the Joyful Land will be set free. Lucifer feels the need to have something at stake so he declares that Starbuck must deactivate him if he loses.

Chameleon deals the cards during the game, but is caught slipping a good card to Starbuck. The Image Lords are going to punish him severely, and Starbuck, in desperation, gets them to agree that he and Lucifer will play one more hand once the first game is over. If Starbuck wins, Chameleon is spared. If Starbuck loses, then he will receive Chameleon's punishment (which will mean his death).

In the final hand of the first game, Lucifer reveals a perfect pyramid! Starbuck is shocked that he lost, and Lucifer is disappointed that he did not feel the thrill he had imagined winning would bring. The second game begins to decide Chameleon's fate. In the final hand, Starbuck reveals an almost completed pyramid. Lucifer throws his cards face-down and declares Starbuck the winner. At that point, Apollo and the other citizens burst into the room, and one of the Image Lords takes Chameleon hostage. Starbuck follows him to the ship on the landing bay, and then the Nomen appear (having been freed). Starbuck and Apollo hold the Nomen back, but Chameleon is taken away by the Image Lord.

The city is finally free, but Starbuck is saddened to lose his father. Lucifer insists that Starbuck deactivate him, but the lieutenant refuses. Lucifer then deactivates himself and has mechanisms installed that will not allow him to be turned back on. The Colonials head back to the Galactica.

Spectre takes the body of Lucifer on a shuttle and heads for Cylon territory. He stares at the cards Lucifer threw face-down and is baffled. Lucifer had a perfect pyramid! Could Lucifer have cheated? Spectre is determined to find a way to revive his rival and, most of all, to solve the mystery of Lucifer. On the Image Lord's ship, Chameleon escapes and steals a shuttle. He does not know where the fleet is, so he rolls some dice and uses that to determine which heading to take.

Summary

* Starbuck tells Cassiopea that Chameleon is his father.

* Lucifer and Starbuck finally meet again and actually get to play cards.

* Lucifer sacrifices the game to save Starbuck and it shows that Lucifer has evolved greatly despite that he is a machine.

*Spectre also returns.

*The Borellian Nomen return and go after Chameleon again.

*This book has the introduction of Hera. She is a very strong-willed character.

*Sheba has feelings for Apollo.

*At the end, Sheba almost decides to have a fling with Croft.

* Robert Thurston wanted the title of the book to be Deal, Chameleon!, but the publisher felt the title was not interesting enough. The novel is Thurston's favorite out of all the original Berkley stories he has written.

* Chameleon tells Starbuck about a dream he had where Starbuck is stranded and alone on a desolate planet. This has to be foreshadowing for the classic Galactica 1980 episode The Return of Starbuck.

The Nightmare Machine

2007-01-04T14:18:33Z

Ericshirey03:

{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg11.jpg
| title= The Nightmare Machine
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 11
| episode =
| author= [[Wikipedia:Robert Thurston|Robert Thurston]]
| published= December 1985
| isbn= 0425086186
| prev= [[The Long Patrol (Book)|The Long Patrol]]
| next= [[Die, Chameleon!]]
}}

{{mstub}}
[[Category:Books|Nightmare Machine]]

 Greenbean is captured by the Cylons in battle. After being tortured, he reveals the Galactica's location. Baltar is having nightmares, feeling guilt about his betrayal of the Colonies. Lucifer wakes him up one night and reveals he was testing a machine called LEADER that can inflict intense emotions on people. Baltar has Greenbean's memories of being captured erased and has the LEADER machine wired into the buttons of his clothing. Greenbean is set free and returns to the Galactica. Everyone is overjoyed that he has returned from the dead, but soon the LEADER machine is turned on and almost everyone aboard the ship (except Boomer, Athena, and Sire Uri) become depressed and feel guilt about their pasts. Starbuck and Adama are affected worse than most. Uri wants to be allowed to settle on the habitable planet of Vaile, and when Adama is taken ill, decides to try to stage a mutiny. Adama eventually falls into a coma, and he begins to relive memories of the past such as the destruction of the Colonies.

Spectre makes an inspection visit on Baltar's basestar. Spectre flatters Baltar with feint praise, making Lucifer unhappy. It is announced that Imperious Leader will be making a visit soon. When Imperious Leader finally arrives, Baltar takes credit for inventing the machine. Imperious Leader asks Baltar to show a demonstration of LEADER. Starbuck is on the verge of going mad. His craziness drives him to go after Greenbean, whom he somehow realizes must have something to do with what is happening. Greenbean runs away and winds up in a place in the lower regions of the Galactica called the Devil's Pit. Starbuck, with Apollo, Boomer, and Cassiopea right behind him, follows and tries to kill Greenbean, but an old man living in this unused area interferes and buys enough time for Apollo to disarm him. The mindwipe begins wearing off, and Greenbean starts to remember that he was captured and that the clothes he was wearing are causing this. The clothes are then incinerated, and everyone suddenly recovers (including Adama, who comes out of his coma). Sire Uri's rebellion, which had stormed the bridge, suddenly dissipitates.

The spirits of everyone are now high, and, after debriefing Greenbean, the Colonials are able to estimate where the Cylons must be waiting, and they decide to launch an attack to take them by surprise. Lucifer uses LEADER to inflict guilt on human prisoners. Baltar orders him to increase the power to dangerous levels, and the machine goes out of control. Imperious Leader is affected and begins to feel waves of unbearable guilt for destroying the Colonies. He jumps off his pedestal and attacks Cylons within his reach, eventually smashing and destroying the LEADER machine. His guilt disappears and he quickly leaves. Spectre goes with him. At that moment, the basestar picks up the approaching vipers, and Baltar launches his raiders. The vipers devastate the defending raiders and swarm the basestar, scoring several telling hits. Baltar decides to cut his losses and orders the basestar to warp away. There is a celebration afterwards onboard the Galactica.

This is an entirely original story.

Adama journies into the past through his dreams. This allows us to see, in effect, "Untold Tales From Saga Of A Star World" such as the death of Adama's wife, Ila.

It is unclear if the story occurs after the events of the original series or before War of the Gods (when Baltar is captured by the Colonials). The next novel reveals that it definitely occurs after the events of the original series, but then how did Baltar get back with the Cylons again? Did they rescue him after the Colonials dropped him off on some planet?

Summary

* Baltar is getting frustrated over his inability to defeat the Galactica. His body is extremely thin and gaunt because he hardly eats anymore.

* It is revealed that Greenbean secretly loved Serina.

* Adama is very reluctant to let any of the Colonials leave the fleet to settle on any of the habitable planets they pass because the fleet is badly understaffed as it is.

* A Cylon squadron is often called a wall because of the tight way its raiders fly together, looking at times like a solid wall.

Notes

Excerpts taken from Sheba's Galaxy. For the full review go http://www.blast.net/hart/NightmareMachineReview.htm

The Nightmare Machine

2007-01-04T14:12:46Z

Ericshirey03:

War of the Gods (Book)

2007-01-04T13:59:58Z

Ericshirey03: /* Overview */

{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg07.jpg
| title= War of the Gods
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 7
| episode= [[War of the Gods, Part I]] [[War of the Gods, Part II]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Simon Hawke|Nicholas Yermakov]]
| published= December 1982
| isbn= 0425056600
| prev= [[The Living Legend (Book)|The Living Legend]]
| next= [[Greetings from Earth (Book)|Greetings from Earth]]
}}

== Overview ==

'''War of the Gods''' was written by [[Wikipedia:Simon Hawke|Nicholas Yermakov]].

The extra scenes are simply taken from the original script. Considering that these extra scenes were likely filmed, it is nice that he thought to include them.

There is a radical change at the end in which the beings from the Ship of Lights return Baltar to his basestar. It conflicts with the continuity of both the series and the following Berkley novels.

== Summary ==

* The rules of Triad are explained in detail.

* Starbuck, Apollo, Sheba, and Boomer all draw lots to see who will search for the missing pilots, because no more than three vipers are allowed to be sent out when the probability of the missing being dead is high. This rule was done to help conserve the Fleet's limited strength. Boomer loses the draw.

* The red planet has a decaying smell to it.

* Brie is called Bris.

* Adama is certain that Iblis is not from the planet Earth. He is also not convinced that Iblis was responsible for Baltar's surrender.

* Colonial law does not allow Baltar to be executed. The worst punishment the Council can give him is life imprisonment.

* Boomer is literally possessed by Count Iblis during the triad game, and he plays very rough, injuring Starbuck and Apollo.

* Starbuck tries unsuccessfully to get Count Iblis drunk aboard the Rising Star. This explains why Starbuck was in such bad shape the next morning.

* Boomer can't remember much about the game or that he did anything out of the ordinary.

* The crashed ship on the red planet is much bigger than in the episode. The ship is so enormous it makes the Galactica appear to be the size of a viper in comparison.

* Evidence is provided that the crashed ship is not the Pegasus as we are told exactly what Starbuck and Apollo see inside: tall, cloven-hoofed horned beings with tails.

* In the Adama Journals, we learn that Adama as a child dreamed of being a hero as a Viper pilot. It all ended after his first battle as he felt incredible fear whenever he went into combat. A friend of his named Apollo saved his life from a pinwheel attack and died because of it. Adama named his first son Apollo as a way to honor him.

* The eyes of the beings on the Ship of Lights are all blue, no whites, no pupils.

* That evening, after the dinner in which the coordinates to Earth are revealed, the white lights swarm the Galactica and the fleet once more. When they disappear, Baltar disappears with them. Baltar wakes up inside his Cylon basestar with Lucifer in front of him. He was found drifting in his Cylon raider and can't remember surrendering to the Galactica. All he can remember is a strange white light.

== Notes ==

* Excerpts taken from Sheba's Galaxy. For the full review go [http://www.blast.net/hart/WarBookReview.htm here].

[[Category:Books]]

The Long Patrol (Book)

2007-01-04T02:45:12Z

Ericshirey03:

{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg10.jpg
| title= The Long Patrol
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 10
| episode= [[The Long Patrol]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Ron Goulart|Ron Goulart]]
| published= November 1984
| isbn= 0425071057
| prev= [[Experiment in Terra (Book)|Experiment in Terra]]
| next= [[The Nightmare Machine]]
}}

{{mstub}}
[[Category:Books|Long Patrol]]

 Robber is now a gorgeous black-haired woman instead of a man. What is strange is that Starbuck drops his anger at Robber for stealing his ship pretty quickly. He believes her to be in danger even though he never is given a good reason, and so he goes off to rescue her. There is a rather large plot hole in the fact that C.O.R.A. just happens to force Robber to land on a planet in the exact area where she has enemies. A couple of other new characters are introduced.

Kamikaze Cylon raiders attack the Galactica at the end and people are trapped inside a lounge. Three Cylon fighters ram the Galactica, but the damage they do is pretty minimal compared to what happened in the episode when only one Cylon raider rams the ship in "Fire In Space".

We are given more space battles with the Cylons in the book than we did in the actual episode.

There is a mistake on the cover art, as Starbuck is in a colonial uniform and Apollo is wearing a disguise. Of course, it should be vice-versa.

Summary

* When Athena walks in on Starbuck, she sees a second glass on the table. Starbuck tells her he took out a second glass because he had a feeling that someone would soon be joining him.

* In the midst of switching rooms, Starbuck trips on the carpet while looking around to see if Cassiopea is coming.

* When Adama says to keep tracking Starbuck because he may be on to something, Athena says to herself, "Probably a blonde."

* Croad lands his fighter next to the shuttle. Starbuck drops a crate on Croad's foot and then knocks him out and steals his fighter. He tracks down C.O.R.A., and the viper is empty. C.O.R.A forced Robber to land on a planet in the middle of territory where she has enemies. Starbuck goes after her and falls into a large pit. A woman named Candy approaches and pulls a gun on him. Then a man with a metal arm named Scrapper zaps her, knocking her into the pit with Starbuck. He helps Starbuck out and agrees to help him find Robber. They soon rescue Robber from a gang of thugs and then head back. Apollo and Boomer land and learn from C.O.R.A. what is going on. They head off to look for Starbuck. Not long after, Starbuck returns alone to scout the place out and Croad arrests him and takes him to Proteus.

* The Galactica does not alter its course.

* Imperious Leader, not Baltar, launches three Cylon raiders to investigate the signal.

* In the battle above Proteus, none of the Cylon raiders crash into the ambrosia, although Starbuck does black out.

* Two dozen people stay behind on Proteus.

* Imperious Leader launches three more Cylon raiders who attack the vipers and the shuttle on their way back to the Galactica. The Cylons are easily destroyed, although Starbuck pushes his luck and almost rams into one.

* Athena and Cassiopea declare a truce and hang out with each other, wondering who Starbuck has hooked up with.

* Robber changes her name to Roberta.

* Starbuck, Roberta, and the other people from Croad go to the Galactica's rec lounge when fifty Cylon raiders attack.

* Three Cylons raiders ram the Galactica. The rec lounge loses air. Roberta passes out, but she managed to help several people and is declared a hero.

* Starbuck takes Roberta out to the Rising Star and meets the same waiter again. Athena and Cassiopea are in a booth next to where their reserved table is, so Starbuck has the waiter take them to another area.

Excerpts taken from Sheba's Galaxy. For the full review go to http://www.blast.net/hart/LongPatrolBookReview.htm

The Long Patrol (Book)

2007-01-04T02:44:13Z

Ericshirey03:

Experiment in Terra (Book)

2007-01-04T02:36:31Z

Ericshirey03:

{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg09.jpg
| title= Experiment in Terra
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 9
| episode= [[Baltar's Escape]] [[Experiment in Terra]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Ron Goulart|Ron Goulart]]
| published= February 1984
| isbn= 0425064182
| prev= [[Greetings from Earth (Book)|Greetings from Earth]]
| next= [[The Long Patrol (Book)|The Long Patrol]]
}}

{{mstub}}
[[Category:Books]]

 This one adapts two different episodes (Baltar's Escape and Experiment In Terra). It is a fairly standard retelling of each episode.

Starbuck actually has a hatred for John and the other beings on the Ship of Lights! Starbuck even meets yet another woman with psi-powers! (as he did in Greetings From Earth).

The cover of the book is misleading. It gives the impression that a laser battle occurs in the landing bay during the "Baltar's Escape" story, but that never actually happens.

Summary

* The Cylons are reprogrammed and physically take the detonator from Baltar.

* Tinia warns Adama that the Council gave him back command because they were scared, but that will soon wear off and they may try to take his power away again.

* Brenda's last name is Farris.

* Only two men try to take Starbuck (instead of a dozen or so) on Lunar Seven, and he stuns them.

* Starbuck meets a redneck talking robot named Will/F (Willy) and a woman named Longsight Sue who has psi-powers.

Excerpts taken from Sheba's Galaxy. For the full review go to http://www.blast.net/hart/ExperimentBookReview.htm

Experiment in Terra (Book)

2007-01-04T02:34:48Z

Ericshirey03:

{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg09.jpg
| title= Experiment in Terra
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 9
| episode= [[Baltar's Escape]] [[Experiment in Terra]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Ron Goulart|Ron Goulart]]
| published= February 1984
| isbn= 0425064182
| prev= [[Greetings from Earth (Book)|Greetings from Earth]]
| next= [[The Long Patrol (Book)|The Long Patrol]]
}}

{{mstub}}
[[Category:Books]]

This one adapts two different episodes (Baltar's Escape and Experiment In Terra). It is a fairly standard retelling of each episode.

Starbuck actually has a hatred for John and the other beings on the Ship of Lights! Starbuck even meets yet another woman with psi-powers! (as he did in Greetings From Earth).

The cover of the book is misleading. It gives the impression that a laser battle occurs in the landing bay during the "Baltar's Escape" story, but that never actually happens.

Summary

* The Cylons are reprogrammed and physically take the detonator from Baltar.

* Tinia warns Adama that the Council gave him back command because they were scared, but that will soon wear off and they may try to take his power away again.

* Brenda's last name is Farris.

* Only two men try to take Starbuck (instead of a dozen or so) on Lunar Seven, and he stuns them.

* Starbuck meets a redneck talking robot named Will/F (Willy) and a woman named Longsight Sue who has psi-powers.

Greetings from Earth (Book)

2007-01-04T02:29:08Z

Ericshirey03:

{{copyvio|url=http://www.blast.net/hart/GREETINGSFROMEARTH.htm}}
{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg08.jpg
| title= Greetings from Earth
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 8
| episode= [[Greetings from Earth]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Ron Goulart|Ron Goulart]]
| published= June 1983
| isbn= 0425060470
| prev= [[War of the Gods (Book)|War of the Gods]]
| next= [[Experiment in Terra (Book)|Experiment in Terra]]
}}
{{mstub}}
[[Category:Books]]

 Adds several new scenes and even a few new characters to the story.

Some plot points of the novel:

* There is a subplot involving Jolly hooking up with a woman named Zixi.

* The class that Athena conducts is called Applied Science.

* Boxey says in class that Dr. Wilker might make a mistake and cause the people to die. Athena later admonishes Apollo for talking negatively about Wilker in front of Boxey.

* Adama explains to Boxey in his quarters why Starbuck and Apollo took the shuttle away.

* Apollo sends a communication to the Galactica soon after arriving on Paradeen.

* Sarah sets out at night down the road (to saboutage the ships). Hector confronts her, but she insists on continuing.

* Councilman Geller meets with Adama about the ships on Paradeen. They both become concerned when they can no longer communicate with them.

* The next morning, Apollo does some exploring in the woods. He is approached by a gaunt old man named Kertiz the Hermit who has low-level telekinetic powers. Kertiz tells Apollo that leaving the planet won't be as easy as he thinks, and then walks off.

* Apollo is headed towards the vipers to check them out when a man named Sut Meadows tells him they've been smashed. The shuttle is also badly damaged.

* Hector's hovercraft is able to fly high in the air. At the city, Starbuck threatens to jump out if Hector won't lower the ship to the ground.

* Apollo confronts the Morelands on their property, but they deny they had anything to do with wrecking the ships.

* In the city, Starbuck is captured by a gang. He tells them he can get them guns. One of the women, a red-head named Queenie, takes him to find the weaponry. She tells him she saw a blonde woman wrecking the ships, and Starbuck realizes it must be Sarah. Queenie has psi-powers and knows that Starbuck was lying about the guns, but she wants to help him. They both go to a library looking for records. A rival gang appears called the Commandoes. They are about to be killed when Apollo arrives.

* Kurtiz the Hermit saves one of the children, Cindy, from an Enforcer.

* Starbuck and Apollo disguise themselves as Enforcers when they capture Leiter and his men.

* Sarah apologizes to Apollo for wrecking the ships.

* Queenie joins the fleet

* Excerpts taken from Sheba's Galaxy. For the full review go to http://www.blast.net/hart/WarBookReview.htm

Greetings from Earth (Book)

2007-01-04T02:27:31Z

Ericshirey03:

War of the Gods (Book)

2007-01-04T02:21:19Z

Ericshirey03:

{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg07.jpg
| title= War of the Gods
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 7
| episode= [[War of the Gods, Part I]] [[War of the Gods, Part II]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Simon Hawke|Nicholas Yermakov]]
| published= December 1982
| isbn= 0425056600
| prev= [[The Living Legend (Book)|The Living Legend]]
| next= [[Greetings from Earth (Book)|Greetings from Earth]]
}}

'''War of the Gods''' is a [[Wikipedia:book|book]] by [[Wikipedia:Simon Hawke|Nicholas Yermakov]].

{{mstub}}

[[Category:Books]]

 The extra scenes are simply taken from the original script. Considering that these extra scenes were likely filmed, it is nice that he thought to include them.

There is a radical change at the end in which the beings from the Ship of Lights return Baltar to his basestar. It conflicts with the continuity of both the series and the following Berkley novels, but I thought it was a nice twist.

Summary

* The rules of Triad are explained in detail.

* Starbuck, Apollo, Sheba, and Boomer all draw lots to see who will search for the missing pilots, because no more than three vipers are allowed to be sent out when the probability of the missing being dead is high. This rule was done to help conserve the fleet's limited strength. Boomer loses the draw.

* The red planet has a decaying smell to it.

* Brie is called Bris.

* Adama is certain that Iblis is not from the planet Earth. He is also not convinced that Iblis was responsible for Baltar's surrender.

* Colonial law does not allow Baltar to be executed. The worst punishment the Council can give him is life imprisonment.

* Boomer is literally possessed by Count Iblis during the triad game, and he plays very rough, injuring Starbuck and Apollo.

* Starbuck tries unsuccessfully to get Count Iblis drunk aboard the Rising Star. This explains why Starbuck was in such bad shape the next morning.

* Boomer can't remember much about the game or that he did anything out of the ordinary.

* The crashed ship on the red planet is much bigger than in the episode. The ship is so enormous it makes the Galactica appear to be the size of a viper in comparison.

* Evidence is provided that the crashed ship is not the Pegasus as we are told exactly what Starbuck and Apollo see inside: tall, cloven-hoofed horned beings with tails.

* In the Adama Journals, we learn that Adama as a child dreamed of being a hero as a viper pilot. It all ended after his first battle as he felt incredible fear whenever he went into combat. A friend of his named Apollo saved his life from a pinwheel attack and died because of it. Adama named his first son Apollo as a way to honor him.

* The eyes of the beings on the Ship of Lights are all blue, no whites, no pupils.

* That evening, after the dinner in which the coordinates to Earth are revealed, the white lights swarm the Galactica and the fleet once more. When they disappear, Baltar disappears with them. Baltar wakes up inside his Cylon basestar with Lucifer in front of him. He was found drifting in his Cylon raider and can't remember surrendering to the Galactica. All he can remember is a strange white light.

* Excerpts taken from Sheba's Galaxy. For the full review go to http://www.blast.net/hart/WarBookReview.htm

War of the Gods (Book)

2007-01-04T02:19:47Z

Ericshirey03:

{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg07.jpg
| title= War of the Gods
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 7
| episode= [[War of the Gods, Part I]] [[War of the Gods, Part II]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Simon Hawke|Nicholas Yermakov]]
| published= December 1982
| isbn= 0425056600
| prev= [[The Living Legend (Book)|The Living Legend]]
| next= [[Greetings from Earth (Book)|Greetings from Earth]]
}}

'''War of the Gods''' is a [[Wikipedia:book|book]] by [[Wikipedia:Simon Hawke|Nicholas Yermakov]].

{{mstub}}

[[Category:Books]]

 The extra scenes are simply taken from the original script. Considering that these extra scenes were likely filmed, it is nice that he thought to include them.

There is a radical change at the end in which the beings from the Ship of Lights return Baltar to his basestar. It conflicts with the continuity of both the series and the following Berkley novels, but I thought it was a nice twist.

Summary

* The rules of Triad are explained in detail.

* Starbuck, Apollo, Sheba, and Boomer all draw lots to see who will search for the missing pilots, because no more than three vipers are allowed to be sent out when the probability of the missing being dead is high. This rule was done to help conserve the fleet's limited strength. Boomer loses the draw.

* The red planet has a decaying smell to it.

* Brie is called Bris.

* Adama is certain that Iblis is not from the planet Earth. He is also not convinced that Iblis was responsible for Baltar's surrender.

* Colonial law does not allow Baltar to be executed. The worst punishment the Council can give him is life imprisonment.

* Boomer is literally possessed by Count Iblis during the triad game, and he plays very rough, injuring Starbuck and Apollo.

* Starbuck tries unsuccessfully to get Count Iblis drunk aboard the Rising Star. This explains why Starbuck was in such bad shape the next morning.

* Boomer can't remember much about the game or that he did anything out of the ordinary.

* The crashed ship on the red planet is much bigger than in the episode. The ship is so enormous it makes the Galactica appear to be the size of a viper in comparison.

* Evidence is provided that the crashed ship is not the Pegasus as we are told exactly what Starbuck and Apollo see inside: tall, cloven-hoofed horned beings with tails.

* In the Adama Journals, we learn that Adama as a child dreamed of being a hero as a viper pilot. It all ended after his first battle as he felt incredible fear whenever he went into combat. A friend of his named Apollo saved his life from a pinwheel attack and died because of it. Adama named his first son Apollo as a way to honor him.

* The eyes of the beings on the Ship of Lights are all blue, no whites, no pupils.

* That evening, after the dinner in which the coordinates to Earth are revealed, the white lights swarm the Galactica and the fleet once more. When they disappear, Baltar disappears with them. Baltar wakes up inside his Cylon basestar with Lucifer in front of him. He was found drifting in his Cylon raider and can't remember surrendering to the Galactica. All he can remember is a strange white light.

The Living Legend (Book)

2007-01-04T02:10:55Z

Ericshirey03: /* Commander Troy */

{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg06.jpg
| title= The Living Legend
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 6
| episode= [[The Living Legend, Part I]] [[The Living Legend, Part II]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Simon Hawke|Nicholas Yermakov]]
| published= April 1982
| isbn= 0425052494
| prev= [[Galactica Discovers Earth (Book)|Galactica Discovers Earth]]
| next= [[War of the Gods (Book)|War of the Gods]]
}}

==Commander Troy==

In the Battlestar Galactica novelization of The Living Legend, Part I and The Living Legend, Part II, the introductory segment is written from the point of view of [[Troy (1980)|Troy]], now a Commander, who was thrust into this role after the death of Adama.

{{mstub}}
[[Category:Books|Living Legend]]

 The book begins with an epilogue to Galactica 1980 as we learn that Adama is dead and Troy is now commander. He sits in Adama's old quarters and listens to a message from Adama bidding him a final farewell. We are not told if the Cylons have been defeated, but we definitely are given the impression that the Colonials have won or at least are winning. It is revealed that Apollo died while on a mission, but no more detail is given than that.

* The Pegasus is slightly older than the Galactica, having been commissioned several yahrens earlier.

* The Pegasus has many noticable scars from battles, enough to have sent any battlestar back to the Colonies for refitting.

* The cabin on the Galactica given to Cain had been vacated because there were no empty cabins left on the battlestar.

* Included is a scene that was shot but left out of the final cut: After Sheba tells Apollo, "Working with you won't be the problem", Apollo tells her about Cassiopea and all the good things she has done as a med-tech.

* Baltar had joined the Cylons AFTER they initially sued for peace because he realized what the Cylons were up to and did not want to be doomed with the rest of the Colonies. He volunteered to act as a go-between for the Cylon Empire to lull the Council into a false sense of security.

* Baltar hates Lucifer despite the fact that Lucifer had saved his life.

* Cain is nicknamed the Juggernaut.

* Colonel Tigh always dreamed of commanding a battlestar, but he was not happy commanding the Pegasus because Cain's crew clearly resented him.

* Starbuck smiled as he launched during the first attack by the Cylons. He lived for battle, and terror gave him a high.

* Baltar refused to take an extra four squadrons of Cylon raiders from Gamorray because he wanted to impress the Imperious Leader when destroying the Galactica (since he wants to be allowed to rule on Gamorray). He felt that a completely overwhelming victory would be less valued, but it turned out to be a huge mistake with the Pegasus involved. If Baltar had taken the extra four squadrons (equivalent to a Cylon base star) with him, the Galactica would not have been able to win even with the aid of the Pegasus.

* Starbuck and Apollo have previously taken out a command installation on Naytor, so they are confident they can take out the ground installation on Gammoray.

* Before he leaves for the Pegasus, Cain tells Cassiopea to spend time with Sheba. This helps explain why Cassiopea insists on joining the mission.

* Cassiopea met Cain in a tavern on Caprica shortly after his wife died. He was in a great deal of pain, and they were just friends for awhile. Eventually, they became lovers, and Sheba resented that Cain would turn to a socialator. Cain had trouble confiding in Sheba because she looked so much like her mother.

* Cassiopea had been attracted to Starbuck partly because he reminded her of Cain.

* Starbuck comes on to Sheba in the pilots' quarters, subtley proposing they make a side-bet that they have sex if the mission succeeds. Sheba smilingly refuses because she wouldn't want to blow the mission to avoid living up to the terms of the bet.

* The Delphians had been of no concern to the Cylons until they had developed space travel. Then they were seen as a threat.

* Imperious Leader has decided that Baltar will be executed either immediately after destroying the humans or when he is viewed to no longer be capable of defeating them.

* Almost every ship in the Colonial fleet had been drained of fuel in order to carry out the attack on Gammorray.

* Imperious Leader is injured in the battle of Gamoray. His own Cylon basestar manages to rescue him, but instead of going after the Galactica, it retreats to get him to safety.

* When Starbuck had been captured by the Cylons, he had explained to Lucifer about luck and the complexities of being devious. This inspires Lucifer to not tell Baltar when Imperious Leader is finally rescued. Lucifer reasons that Baltar would then direct the Cylon fleet to attack the Galactica directly rather save Gammorray, and Gammorray is too important to the Cylon Empire to allow it to be destroyed or even severely damaged.

* As Starbuck's viper shoots downt the launching tube to meet the approaching Cylons, he yells "Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!"

* Tolen is injured during the battle by a power surge coming out of the monitor after one of the external scanner turrets takes a direct hit. He is thrown clear across the bridge. Despite his injury, he decides to stay aboard the Pegasus for the fight against the Cylon baseships.

* Athena is always on the bridge rather than in a viper because she is the most qualified person to do the job. She realizes Apollo is Adama's favorite, but it doesn't bother her. She would like to fly a viper, but she realizes that Adama needs her by his side because it is hard enough for him with Apollo constantly at risk.

* After the final scene from the episode occurs (the conversation with Sheba in the life station), Cassiopea kisses Starbuck and tells him she would be happy to meet with him later. Adama and Apollo hug each other, but pull apart when several crewmembers approach. They walk off, not noticing that they keep in step.

*Excerpts taken from Sheba's Galaxy. For the full review go to http://www.blast.net/hart/LivingLegendBookReview.htm

The Living Legend (Book)

2007-01-04T02:08:28Z

Ericshirey03: /* Commander Troy */

The Living Legend (Book)

2007-01-04T02:07:57Z

Ericshirey03:

{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg06.jpg
| title= The Living Legend
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 6
| episode= [[The Living Legend, Part I]] [[The Living Legend, Part II]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Simon Hawke|Nicholas Yermakov]]
| published= April 1982
| isbn= 0425052494
| prev= [[Galactica Discovers Earth (Book)|Galactica Discovers Earth]]
| next= [[War of the Gods (Book)|War of the Gods]]
}}

==Commander Troy==

In the Battlestar Galactica novelization of The Living Legend, Part I and The Living Legend, Part II, the introductory segment is written from the point of view of [[Troy (1980)|Troy]], now a Commander, who was thrust into this role after the death of Adama.

{{mstub}}
[[Category:Books|Living Legend]]

The book begins with an epilogue to Galactica 1980 as we learn that Adama is dead and Troy is now commander. He sits in Adama's old quarters and listens to a message from Adama bidding him a final farewell. We are not told if the Cylons have been defeated, but we definitely are given the impression that the Colonials have won or at least are winning. It is revealed that Apollo died while on a mission, but no more detail is given than that.

* The Pegasus is slightly older than the Galactica, having been commissioned several yahrens earlier.

* The Pegasus has many noticable scars from battles, enough to have sent any battlestar back to the Colonies for refitting.

* The cabin on the Galactica given to Cain had been vacated because there were no empty cabins left on the battlestar.

* Included is a scene that was shot but left out of the final cut: After Sheba tells Apollo, "Working with you won't be the problem", Apollo tells her about Cassiopea and all the good things she has done as a med-tech.

* Baltar had joined the Cylons AFTER they initially sued for peace because he realized what the Cylons were up to and did not want to be doomed with the rest of the Colonies. He volunteered to act as a go-between for the Cylon Empire to lull the Council into a false sense of security.

* Baltar hates Lucifer despite the fact that Lucifer had saved his life.

* Cain is nicknamed the Juggernaut.

* Colonel Tigh always dreamed of commanding a battlestar, but he was not happy commanding the Pegasus because Cain's crew clearly resented him.

* Starbuck smiled as he launched during the first attack by the Cylons. He lived for battle, and terror gave him a high.

* Baltar refused to take an extra four squadrons of Cylon raiders from Gamorray because he wanted to impress the Imperious Leader when destroying the Galactica (since he wants to be allowed to rule on Gamorray). He felt that a completely overwhelming victory would be less valued, but it turned out to be a huge mistake with the Pegasus involved. If Baltar had taken the extra four squadrons (equivalent to a Cylon base star) with him, the Galactica would not have been able to win even with the aid of the Pegasus.

* Starbuck and Apollo have previously taken out a command installation on Naytor, so they are confident they can take out the ground installation on Gammoray.

* Before he leaves for the Pegasus, Cain tells Cassiopea to spend time with Sheba. This helps explain why Cassiopea insists on joining the mission.

* Cassiopea met Cain in a tavern on Caprica shortly after his wife died. He was in a great deal of pain, and they were just friends for awhile. Eventually, they became lovers, and Sheba resented that Cain would turn to a socialator. Cain had trouble confiding in Sheba because she looked so much like her mother.

* Cassiopea had been attracted to Starbuck partly because he reminded her of Cain.

* Starbuck comes on to Sheba in the pilots' quarters, subtley proposing they make a side-bet that they have sex if the mission succeeds. Sheba smilingly refuses because she wouldn't want to blow the mission to avoid living up to the terms of the bet.

* The Delphians had been of no concern to the Cylons until they had developed space travel. Then they were seen as a threat.

* Imperious Leader has decided that Baltar will be executed either immediately after destroying the humans or when he is viewed to no longer be capable of defeating them.

* Almost every ship in the Colonial fleet had been drained of fuel in order to carry out the attack on Gammorray.

* Imperious Leader is injured in the battle of Gamoray. His own Cylon basestar manages to rescue him, but instead of going after the Galactica, it retreats to get him to safety.

* When Starbuck had been captured by the Cylons, he had explained to Lucifer about luck and the complexities of being devious. This inspires Lucifer to not tell Baltar when Imperious Leader is finally rescued. Lucifer reasons that Baltar would then direct the Cylon fleet to attack the Galactica directly rather save Gammorray, and Gammorray is too important to the Cylon Empire to allow it to be destroyed or even severely damaged.

* As Starbuck's viper shoots downt the launching tube to meet the approaching Cylons, he yells "Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!"

* Tolen is injured during the battle by a power surge coming out of the monitor after one of the external scanner turrets takes a direct hit. He is thrown clear across the bridge. Despite his injury, he decides to stay aboard the Pegasus for the fight against the Cylon baseships.

* Athena is always on the bridge rather than in a viper because she is the most qualified person to do the job. She realizes Apollo is Adama's favorite, but it doesn't bother her. She would like to fly a viper, but she realizes that Adama needs her by his side because it is hard enough for him with Apollo constantly at risk.

* After the final scene from the episode occurs (the conversation with Sheba in the life station), Cassiopea kisses Starbuck and tells him she would be happy to meet with him later. Adama and Apollo hug each other, but pull apart when several crewmembers approach. They walk off, not noticing that they keep in step.

Galactica Discovers Earth (Book)

2007-01-03T22:19:36Z

Ericshirey03: /* Overview */

{{Book Data
| image = Bg05.jpg
| title= Galactica Discovers Earth
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 5
| episode= [[Galactica Discovers Earth]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Mike Resnick|Mike Resnick]]
| published= December 1982
| isbn= 0425061256
| prev= [[The Young Warriors]]
| next= [[The Living Legend (Book)|The Living Legend]]
}}
{{separate continuity|tos=y}}

== Overview ==

'''Galactica Discovers Earth''' is the novelization of the original three hours of [[Galactica 1980]] that was published over two years after the series was cancelled. The storyline covers the events of what would be the first three episodes in the syndicated version of the series: "[[Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I|Galactica Discovers Earth, Part 1]]", "[[Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II|Part 2]]" and "[[Galactica Discovers Earth, Part III|Part 3]]".

The novel is written as a series of dispatches, reports and transcripts. Much of the novel is composed of entries from Adama's journals, reconstructed transcripts and even (fictitious) newspaper clippings. This is done to lend a contemporary and urgent air to the text.

The novel strays far from the television scripts, indicating perhaps that it was based on a different story treatment. There is much additional dialogue in the book, while whole sections from the television programs are missing. The basic plotline involving the search for Doctor Mortinson, and the time travel sequence to 1944, and Xavier finding Mortinson are all present. Chapters 35 through 39 deviate the most from the storyline and also deal with additional events that occur between "[[Galactica Discovers Earth, Part III]]" and "[[The Super Scouts, Part I]]".

In these last chapters, we learn that Xavier has headed off into the past to several different time frames. Troy and Dillon follow him to Ancient Greece, to Europe during the Crusades, and to the time of the American Civil War. After he eludes them each time, they conclude that Xavier has given up time travel in favor of influencing present day Earth. Finally, Troy and Dillon again meet with Doctor Mortinson to make sure he is able to continue work using the formula they gave him, and Adama reflects on the promise the alliance between the Colonials and the people of Earth holds.

This novelization is an early example of writing by [[Wikipedia:Mike Resnick|Mike Resnick]], who went on to become a Hugo Award winning science fiction author.

It begins with an Adama Journals entry as we learn of Adama's high hopes as the Colonial fleet nears Earth. We see Adama's bafflement as he watches images of Earth television such as a football game and a cartoon and experiences a major dose of culture shock, seeing the images as barbaric. We also learn that Apollo was killed by the Cylons (but we don't learn how). Unfortunately, we never learn about the fates of any of the other original characters.

Troy, Dillon, and Jamie travel to several different eras of the past besides Nazi Germany in their search for Xaviar. The Colonials realize at the end that Xaviar ultimately cannot change history because all they have to do is simply keep traveling back to any era he meddles with as many times as it takes until they finally defeat him.

Summary:

* Robert Thurston was the author originally contracted to write Galactica Discovers Earth but since his wife was suffering from cancer, Resnick, a close friend of Thurston's, stepped in and wrote it in his place.

* As the Galactica approaches Earth, many people in the fleet make bets as to how Earth will turn out. Earth is radioctive, Earth is primitive, Earth is too advanced to be bothered with them, Earth is planning to declare war on them. Dillon bets that the people of Earth already detected the Cylons and evacuated the planet in preparation for war.

* Dr. Zee is able to detect the Cylons because he notices there is an excessive amount of neutrino activity in the vicinity of Barnard's Star. He concludes that the increased neutrino activity is being caused by the power output of the Cylon fleet.

* Dr. Mortinson's hand is cut by the glass from the shattered window.

* Adama mentions to Xaviar that Troy saved the Galactica from destruction during the last Cylon attack.

* It is established that the Colonials speak a different language than English. Troy and Dillon are able to use their advanced technology to quickly learn English, French, Italian, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, and a number of lesser dialects.

* Jamie passes out during the time-warp to Nazi Germany because she has not gone through the conditioning procedures that Troy and Dillon have.

* The German soldiers who are temporarily stunned by the Colonials' lasers wind up being transfered to the Russian front where they presumably will be killed.

* Troy gets a knife in his stomach from a woman of the Resistance who suspects him to be a member of the S.S. Dillon then goes back to the vipers to get their advanced medicine. Unfortunately, his invisibility field runs out of energy before he can make it back, and he is forced to wait for hours before he can sneak back into the building. Troy is soon healed from the medicine.

* The Germans eventually discover them. Only one invisibility shield is working, and there is not enough room for all of them to hide so Troy voluntarily surrenders to the Nazis. He is tortured by the S.S. until Dillon arrives to free him.

* Troy and Dillon are able to go for a week without eating because of a catalyst synthesized by Dr. Zee.

* After Mr. Anderson confronts Jamie about her relationship with Troy and Dillon, Jamie quits her job.

* Troy, Dillon, and Jamie travel back to 1275 B.C. because they believe Xaviar may have gone to seek out Moses. They find an old man with a cane walking along, but Troy decides it doesn't matter if this is Moses or not because Xaviar wouldn't bother to come back this far.

* Next, they travel to Athens in 457 B.C. They find Xaviar's viper parked nearby. They then go back in time to the point where Xaviar first arrives. He spots them and quickly warps away again.

* They then travel to 1199 and stop Xaviar from preventing the assasination of Richard the Lion-Hearted (Cour de Lion). Xaviar planned to save him so he would be rewarded with political power. After being thwarted, Xaviar manages to escape again.

* The final stop is the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. They watch the battle in horror, but Xaviar never appears. They then head back to their own time.

* Xaviar is still at large at the end of the story, although he has given up on trying to change Earth's past. Xaviar wants to create an empire for himself. He plans to hide somewhere in the present day and use his knowledge and superior technology to gain power. Xaviar wants the humans to live, but he is willing to bargain with the Cylons if that is necessary to achieve his aims. Troy and Dillon find Dr. Mortinson and finally give him the formula for nuclear power.

* The book ends with an Adama Journals entry. Adama is hopeful for the future and believes they can successfully upgrade Earth's technology while leading the Cylons away from Earth. His final words are "We have begun!"

== Notes ==

* Excerpts taken from Sheba's Galaxy. For the full review go [http://www.blast.net/hart/GalacticaDiscoversReview.htm here].

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Books]]

Galactica Discovers Earth (Book)

2007-01-03T22:16:40Z

Ericshirey03: /* Overview */

{{Book Data
| image = Bg05.jpg
| title= Galactica Discovers Earth
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 5
| episode= [[Galactica Discovers Earth]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Mike Resnick|Mike Resnick]]
| published= December 1982
| isbn= 0425061256
| prev= [[The Young Warriors]]
| next= [[The Living Legend (Book)|The Living Legend]]
}}
{{separate continuity|tos=y}}

== Overview ==

'''Galactica Discovers Earth''' is the novelization of the original three hours of [[Galactica 1980]] that was published over two years after the series was cancelled. The storyline covers the events of what would be the first three episodes in the syndicated version of the series: "[[Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I|Galactica Discovers Earth, Part 1]]", "[[Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II|Part 2]]" and "[[Galactica Discovers Earth, Part III|Part 3]]".

The novel is written as a series of dispatches, reports and transcripts. Much of the novel is composed of entries from Adama's journals, reconstructed transcripts and even (fictitious) newspaper clippings. This is done to lend a contemporary and urgent air to the text.

The novel strays far from the television scripts, indicating perhaps that it was based on a different story treatment. There is much additional dialogue in the book, while whole sections from the television programs are missing. The basic plotline involving the search for Doctor Mortinson, and the time travel sequence to 1944, and Xavier finding Mortinson are all present. Chapters 35 through 39 deviate the most from the storyline and also deal with additional events that occur between "[[Galactica Discovers Earth, Part III]]" and "[[The Super Scouts, Part I]]".

In these last chapters, we learn that Xavier has headed off into the past to several different time frames. Troy and Dillon follow him to Ancient Greece, to Europe during the Crusades, and to the time of the American Civil War. After he eludes them each time, they conclude that Xavier has given up time travel in favor of influencing present day Earth. Finally, Troy and Dillon again meet with Doctor Mortinson to make sure he is able to continue work using the formula they gave him, and Adama reflects on the promise the alliance between the Colonials and the people of Earth holds.

This novelization is an early example of writing by [[Wikipedia:Mike Resnick|Mike Resnick]], who went on to become a Hugo Award winning science fiction author.

It begins with an Adama Journals entry as we learn of Adama's high hopes as the Colonial fleet nears Earth. We see Adama's bafflement as he watches images of Earth television such as a football game and a cartoon and experiences a major dose of culture shock, seeing the images as barbaric. We also learn that Apollo was killed by the Cylons (but we don't learn how). Unfortunately, we never learn about the fates of any of the other original characters.

Troy, Dillon, and Jamie travel to several different eras of the past besides Nazi Germany in their search for Xaviar. The Colonials realize at the end that Xaviar ultimately cannot change history because all they have to do is simply keep traveling back to any era he meddles with as many times as it takes until they finally defeat him.

* Robert Thurston was the author originally contracted to write Galactica Discovers Earth but since his wife was suffering from cancer, Resnick, a close friend of Thurston's, stepped in and wrote it in his place.

* As the Galactica approaches Earth, many people in the fleet make bets as to how Earth will turn out. Earth is radioctive, Earth is primitive, Earth is too advanced to be bothered with them, Earth is planning to declare war on them. Dillon bets that the people of Earth already detected the Cylons and evacuated the planet in preparation for war.

* Dr. Zee is able to detect the Cylons because he notices there is an excessive amount of neutrino activity in the vicinity of Barnard's Star. He concludes that the increased neutrino activity is being caused by the power output of the Cylon fleet.

* Dr. Mortinson's hand is cut by the glass from the shattered window.

* Adama mentions to Xaviar that Troy saved the Galactica from destruction during the last Cylon attack.

* It is established that the Colonials speak a different language than English. Troy and Dillon are able to use their advanced technology to quickly learn English, French, Italian, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, and a number of lesser dialects.

* Jamie passes out during the time-warp to Nazi Germany because she has not gone through the conditioning procedures that Troy and Dillon have.

* The German soldiers who are temporarily stunned by the Colonials' lasers wind up being transfered to the Russian front where they presumably will be killed.

* Troy gets a knife in his stomach from a woman of the Resistance who suspects him to be a member of the S.S. Dillon then goes back to the vipers to get their advanced medicine. Unfortunately, his invisibility field runs out of energy before he can make it back, and he is forced to wait for hours before he can sneak back into the building. Troy is soon healed from the medicine.

* The Germans eventually discover them. Only one invisibility shield is working, and there is not enough room for all of them to hide so Troy voluntarily surrenders to the Nazis. He is tortured by the S.S. until Dillon arrives to free him.

* Troy and Dillon are able to go for a week without eating because of a catalyst synthesized by Dr. Zee.

* After Mr. Anderson confronts Jamie about her relationship with Troy and Dillon, Jamie quits her job.

* Troy, Dillon, and Jamie travel back to 1275 B.C. because they believe Xaviar may have gone to seek out Moses. They find an old man with a cane walking along, but Troy decides it doesn't matter if this is Moses or not because Xaviar wouldn't bother to come back this far.

* Next, they travel to Athens in 457 B.C. They find Xaviar's viper parked nearby. They then go back in time to the point where Xaviar first arrives. He spots them and quickly warps away again.

* They then travel to 1199 and stop Xaviar from preventing the assasination of Richard the Lion-Hearted (Cour de Lion). Xaviar planned to save him so he would be rewarded with political power. After being thwarted, Xaviar manages to escape again.

* The final stop is the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. They watch the battle in horror, but Xaviar never appears. They then head back to their own time.

* Xaviar is still at large at the end of the story, although he has given up on trying to change Earth's past. Xaviar wants to create an empire for himself. He plans to hide somewhere in the present day and use his knowledge and superior technology to gain power. Xaviar wants the humans to live, but he is willing to bargain with the Cylons if that is necessary to achieve his aims. Troy and Dillon find Dr. Mortinson and finally give him the formula for nuclear power.

* The book ends with an Adama Journals entry. Adama is hopeful for the future and believes they can successfully upgrade Earth's technology while leading the Cylons away from Earth. His final words are "We have begun!"

== Notes ==

* Excerpts taken from Sheba's Galaxy. For the full review go [http://www.blast.net/hart/GalacticaDiscoversReview.htm here].

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Books]]

Galactica Discovers Earth (Book)

2007-01-03T22:10:56Z

Ericshirey03: /* Overview */

{{Book Data
| image = Bg05.jpg
| title= Galactica Discovers Earth
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 5
| episode= [[Galactica Discovers Earth]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Mike Resnick|Mike Resnick]]
| published= December 1982
| isbn= 0425061256
| prev= [[The Young Warriors]]
| next= [[The Living Legend (Book)|The Living Legend]]
}}
{{separate continuity|tos=y}}

== Overview ==

'''Galactica Discovers Earth''' is the novelization of the original three hours of [[Galactica 1980]] that was published over two years after the series was cancelled. The storyline covers the events of what would be the first three episodes in the syndicated version of the series: "[[Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I|Galactica Discovers Earth, Part 1]]", "[[Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II|Part 2]]" and "[[Galactica Discovers Earth, Part III|Part 3]]".

The novel is written as a series of dispatches, reports and transcripts. Much of the novel is composed of entries from Adama's journals, reconstructed transcripts and even (fictitious) newspaper clippings. This is done to lend a contemporary and urgent air to the text.

The novel strays far from the television scripts, indicating perhaps that it was based on a different story treatment. There is much additional dialogue in the book, while whole sections from the television programs are missing. The basic plotline involving the search for Doctor Mortinson, and the time travel sequence to 1944, and Xavier finding Mortinson are all present. Chapters 35 through 39 deviate the most from the storyline and also deal with additional events that occur between "[[Galactica Discovers Earth, Part III]]" and "[[The Super Scouts, Part I]]".

In these last chapters, we learn that Xavier has headed off into the past to several different time frames. Troy and Dillon follow him to Ancient Greece, to Europe during the Crusades, and to the time of the American Civil War. After he eludes them each time, they conclude that Xavier has given up time travel in favor of influencing present day Earth. Finally, Troy and Dillon again meet with Doctor Mortinson to make sure he is able to continue work using the formula they gave him, and Adama reflects on the promise the alliance between the Colonials and the people of Earth holds.

This novelization is an early example of writing by [[Wikipedia:Mike Resnick|Mike Resnick]], who went on to become a Hugo Award winning science fiction author.

If there is any way to partially redeem Galactica 1980 (aside from the outstanding Return of Starbuck episode), Michael Resnick manages to do it with this book. He is able to write a strong adaptation of a fairly silly episode and make the characters seem more real and the events more interesting overall. Troy, Dillon, Jamie, and even Dr. Zee are done far more justice in this 150+ page book than the ten episodes of the TV series ever did them.

The beginning is especially good with an Adama Journals entry as we learn of Adama's high hopes as the Colonial fleet nears Earth. It is a lot of fun to see Adama's bafflement as he watches images of Earth television such as a football game and a cartoon (Road Runner?) and experiences a major dose of culture shock, seeing the images as barbaric. We also learn that Apollo was killed by the Cylons (but we don't learn how). Unfortunately, we never learn about the fates of any of the other original characters.

Anyway, the time travel elements of the story are much more interesting as Troy, Dillon, and Jamie travel to several different eras of the past besides Nazi Germany in their search for Xaviar, although the resolution of the time travel premise turns out to be a bit lame. The Colonials realize at the end that Xaviar ultimately cannot change history because all they have to do is simply keep traveling back to any era he meddles with as many times as it takes until they finally defeat him. This sounds logical (Or does it? Time travel stories never make much sense to begin with), but it undercuts the entire story because this means that Earth's history was never really threatened.

As good as this book is, you can't deny that a major reason it comes off so well is that Galactca 1980 was so horribly bad. Considering how bad Galactica 1980 was, it it little surprise that the book seems good. Most fans' expectations going in are so low that even bare competence would have sufficed. If Galactica 1980 had never been done and this had been an original story by Resnick, it would have been viewed as horrible (Of course, there are probably a good many fans who still consider it to be horrible).

Unfortunately, this makes things a little hard for the reviewer. Do you praise Resnick for taking a poor story and making it a little better or criticize him for not going the extra mile, throwing out the time travel premise completely and staying with the more important premise of upgrading Earth's technology? In fairness to Resnick, he may not have had the creative freedom to make such changes, but it would have been nice. I am one of the few who believe that Galactica 1980 did have potential if only it had been done right (although there is still no way it could ever have lived up to the original series). Still, the novelization of Galactica Discovers Earth ultimately succeeds in making the best of a show that many fans consider to be the worst science fiction series of all time.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Robert Thurston was the author originally contracted to write Galactica Discovers Earth but since his wife was suffering from cancer, Resnick, a close friend of Thurston's, stepped in and wrote it in his place.

As the Galactica approaches Earth, many people in the fleet make bets as to how Earth will turn out. Earth is radioctive, Earth is primitive, Earth is too advanced to be bothered with them, Earth is planning to declare war on them. Dillon bets that the people of Earth already detected the Cylons and evacuated the planet in preparation for war.

Dr. Zee is able to detect the Cylons because he notices there is an excessive amount of neutrino activity in the vicinity of Barnard's Star. He concludes that the increased neutrino activity is being caused by the power output of the Cylon fleet.

Dr. Mortinson's hand is cut by the glass from the shattered window.

Adama mentions to Xaviar that Troy saved the Galactica from destruction during the last Cylon attack.

It is established that the Colonials speak a different language than English. Troy and Dillon are able to use their advanced technology to quickly learn English, French, Italian, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, and a number of lesser dialects.

Jamie passes out during the time-warp to Nazi Germany because she has not gone through the conditioning procedures that Troy and Dillon have.

The German soldiers who are temporarily stunned by the Colonials' lasers wind up being transfered to the Russian front where they presumably will be killed.

Troy gets a knife in his stomach from a woman of the Resistance who suspects him to be a member of the S.S. Dillon then goes back to the vipers to get their advanced medicine. Unfortunately, his invisibility field runs out of energy before he can make it back, and he is forced to wait for hours before he can sneak back into the building. Troy is soon healed from the medicine.

The Germans eventually discover them. Only one invisibility shield is working, and there is not enough room for all of them to hide so Troy voluntarily surrenders to the Nazis. He is tortured by the S.S. until Dillon arrives to free him.

Troy and Dillon are able to go for a week without eating because of a catalyst synthesized by Dr. Zee.

After Mr. Anderson confronts Jamie about her relationship with Troy and Dillon, Jamie quits her job.

Troy, Dillon, and Jamie travel back to 1275 B.C. because they believe Xaviar may have gone to seek out Moses. They find an old man with a cane walking along, but Troy decides it doesn't matter if this is Moses or not because Xaviar wouldn't bother to come back this far.

Next, they travel to Athens in 457 B.C. They find Xaviar's viper parked nearby. They then go back in time to the point where Xaviar first arrives. He spots them and quickly warps away again.

They then travel to 1199 and stop Xaviar from preventing the assasination of Richard the Lion-Hearted (Cour de Lion). Xaviar planned to save him so he would be rewarded with political power. After being thwarted, Xaviar manages to escape again.

The final stop is the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. They watch the battle in horror, but Xaviar never appears. They then head back to their own time.

Xaviar is still at large at the end of the story, although he has given up on trying to change Earth's past. Xaviar wants to create an empire for himself. He plans to hide somewhere in the present day and use his knowledge and superior technology to gain power. Xaviar wants the humans to live, but he is willing to bargain with the Cylons if that is necessary to achieve his aims. Troy and Dillon find Dr. Mortinson and finally give him the formula for nuclear power.

The book ends with an Adama Journals entry. Adama is hopeful for the future and believes they can successfully upgrade Earth's technology while leading the Cylons away from Earth. His final words are "We have begun!" (This is one of the most cliched, overused phrases with which to end a story - with the words "The beginning", "It begins", or "We have begun" - but it still works well here)

== Notes ==

* Excerpts taken from Sheba's Galaxy. For the full review go [http://www.blast.net/hart/GalacticaDiscoversReview.htm here].

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Books]]

Galactica Discovers Earth (Book)

2007-01-03T21:31:12Z

Ericshirey03:

The Young Warriors

2007-01-03T21:13:00Z

Ericshirey03:

{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg04.jpg
| title= The Young Warriors
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 4
| episode= [[The Young Lords]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Robert Thurston|Robert Thurston]]
| published= August 1980
| isbn= 0425046559
| prev= [[The Tombs of Kobol]]
| next= [[Galactica Discovers Earth (Book)|Galactica Discovers Earth]]
}}
{{stub}}
[[Category:Books|Young Warriors]]

 We are given a much more detailed backstory about the planet that Starbuck crashes on, and there are many more children than Miri's immediate family. We learn more details about Spectre's operations and that he built mechanical Cylons after the organic ones died (Yes, the Cylons are still organic in Thurston's version of the Galactica universe).

The unicorns the children ride on have magical powers. There are several chapters written from Miri's point of view (we see entries from her journal). Also, the defeat of the Cylons by the children is done in a much more believable way in the novel than in the actual episode.

On the cover, Apollo is mistakenly placed in the picture instead of Starbuck.

Some plot points of the book:

* Starbuck's foster parents were disabled veterans. Their names were Gawr and Doreen. His whole life was consumed by war. Most kids only saw their parents once in a while because most of them were involved in the war with the Cylons.

* Starbuck knew that his real father had achieved notoriety as a gambler and has heard rumors that he has roamed several worlds getting into numerous scrapes. Starbuck doubts his father is alive, however.

* Before he gets shot down, Starbuck ventures to a therapy room in a seldom-traveled area of the Galactica. The therapy machine talks to him about his problems. Starbuck says he can't connect with people, that he uses Cassiopea and Athena like mechanical toys, constantly playing them against each other.

* Adama has Sagitarian flu. Apollo is still mourning the loss of Serina.

* Both Cassiopea and Athena give Starbuck the cold shoulder before he goes off on patrol.

* Right before the Cylons attack, Starbuck swears to Boomer he is going to give up gambling and socializing.

* Many of Spectre's Cylons are collapsing due to Attila's hostile climate. His chief aide is named Hilltop, presumably because Spectre was looking at a hilltop when he built him. Other Cylon names are Mudhole and Treebark.

* Lucifer does not like it when Baltar refers to him as a machine. He deeply regrets saving Baltar's life and could care less if they ever find the humans again.

* Miri hears the sound of Starbuck's viper crashing. She watches him climb out of the wreckage from a distance.

* Starbuck manages to find a dead Cylon and is surprised to discover it is a complete machine. He collapses and has a dream about Cassiopea and Athena. He wakes up and sees Miri and Kyle before him. They are quickly surrounded by Cylons, but then the rest of the hidden children attack and the Cylons are defeated.

* Some of the names of the children are Laughing Jake, Chubby Marta, Ratzi, Herbert the Singer, Melysa, Jergin, and the Genie. There are 27 children in all.

* Miri has a unicorn named Rogue. She can communicate with it telepathically. Kyle has a unicorn named Demon.

* Many of the children get around by swinging on vines from tree to tree.

* Miri's mother, Megan, is held captive by the Cylons (as opposed to the father in the actual episode). She is an artist who was able to use her telepathic abilities to influence the oils used in painting to create magnificent art.

* The unicorns are not owned by the children. They aid the children by their own choice.

* The people who settled on Attila were from the planet Scorpia. They were exiled for protesting against the militaristic attitudes of the Scorpian government. It was a very warlike society and its elections had become little more than ceremonies because all political opposition was squelched.

* Magician is a unicorn that had never allowed anyone to ride him until Starbuck arrived. The two form a bond.

* Miri sneaks into the Cylon castle through a secret passage and carefully runs across the courtyard when no Cylons are looking in order to see Megan. There are a number of other prisoners besides her.

* Kyle doesn't like the Colonial military. Magician tries to help Starbuck when Kyle pulls a gun on him, but the unicorn is forced to run away.

* Lucifer believes he has created a system that will allow him to defeat Starbuck at the card game called pyramid should they ever have a chance to play again. Lucifer once suggested to Baltar that they play a hand, but Baltar merely scoffed at him.

* Starbuck actually gets captured by the Cylons during the trade-off. Magician is able to rescue him. Starbuck jumps off a moving wagon and onto the unicorn's back.

* Starbuck and Magician are attacked by a lion in the forest. The lion is wounded and scurries away, but Magician slumps down and dies. Starbuck howls in grief.

* Miri argues with Starbuck about his plan to defeat the Cylons. She continually has doubts about it. Starbuck says he'll surrender to the Cylons if the plan doesn't work.

* Starbuck rides a unicorn to the castle wall, and waves to the Cylons. A garrison is sent after him, and he leads them towards a swamp. When the Cylons walk up to the swamp, the children come from behind and push them in.

* Spectre tells Baltar that Starbuck is the pilot who "died". This only endears him to Baltar even more. Lucifer is deeply disappointed; he was hoping to meet Starbuck again one day.

* When Spectre decides to leave, Hilltop refuses. Spectre then deactivates Hilltop so there is no chance that anyone will learn of the devious tactics Spectre used while running the outpost. Once Spectre leaves, Hilltop is able to turn himself back on because he had made an adjustment in his circuits earlier. He then commands the garrison to surrender to the humans.

* After Starbuck leaves, Miri realizes that he was not for her. But she didn't want him to forget her, and so she sneaked a painting of a woman on a unicorn inside his shuttle after he refused to take it.

(Excerpts from Sheba's Galaxy - For the complete review, go to http://www.blast.net/hart/YoungWarriorsBookReview.htm)

The Young Warriors

2007-01-03T21:11:14Z

Ericshirey03:

The Tombs of Kobol

2007-01-03T20:45:03Z

Ericshirey03:

{{copyvio|url=http://www.blast.net/hart/TombsReview.htm}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg03.jpg
| title= The Tombs of Kobol
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 3
| episode= Lost Planet of the Gods, Parts [[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I|I]] and [[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II|II]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Robert Thurston|Robert Thurston]]
| published= September 1980
| isbn= 0425049922
| prev= [[The Cylon Death Machine]]
| next= [[The Young Warriors]]
}}
{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{mstub}}
[[Category:Books|Tombs of Kobol]]

 This book answers a question that the TV series never did. How did Baltar survive when Imperious Leader had ordered him to be executed? (And those who only saw the theatrical version had to be even more confused - Baltar was sliced open with a sword!) We learn that Lucifer intervened and saved Baltar's life. We also get to see several scenes where a grieving Apollo is listening to some recordings that Serina made before she died.

Some plot points of the book:

- Lucifer saves Baltar from being executed. Lucifer is not considered to be a Cylon because he is a machine, and the Cylons in the novel are organic underneath their armor. Lucifer houses a soul inside his left shoulder which he created. He is constantly able to reprogram and improve himself. Lucifer hides Baltar away for awhile and forces him to exercise and get into shape. Baltar finds the regimen to be torture. When Imperious Leader gives Baltar a base star to command, he orders Lucifer to be programmed to obey Baltar no matter what. Lucifer is upset about this and quickly regrets saving Baltar's life.

- All Cylons, including Lucifer, have a secret name that they never reveal.

- When humans are executed, the Cylons place their heads in the chopping block face-up, not face-down.

- Apollo proposes to Serina at the dinner after being pushed by the others. In the episode, Apollo and Serina had already made the decision to wed.

- Boomer and Jolly never bother to wear gloves on the asteroid, and the result is that their hands get wet. As it turns out, even with the gloves they still would have caught the disease.

- It is revealed that the Sentries (Council security guards) did not exist before the Holocaust; the new council created them. The Sentries consist of men who don't qualify to be Colonial warriors, and the jealousy they feel helps explain why they always cause so much trouble for the warriors.

- Serina reveals that she traveled throughout the Colonies as a journalist and was offered numerous awards. She turned them all down, apparently so she would not feel obligated to be biased towards the people who awarded her.

- Serina has many bad dreams about being killed by a Cylon ever since starting her cadet training, but she never tells Apollo.

- Adama also tries to talk Serina out of being a cadet, but she refuses.

- Cassiopea's career as a socialiator ended because the fleet outlawed most luxury occupations because there were so many other jobs needed to survive in a rag-tag fleet. It is revealed that some of the songs a socialator sang were composed to deal with specific emotional problems. At one point, Cassiopea sings to Starbuck a song called "The Death That Is No Death, The Life That Is No Life" shortly after the pilots fall ill.

- One of the female cadets named Gemi has a huge crush on Starbuck. She does everything she can to get his attention, but he never really notices her. Gemi is killed in the space battle above Kobol.

- During the viper simulation training, instead of Athena shooting down Starbuck, Brie shoots Dietra.

- The cadets have a slight advantage over the Cylons at first because they do not fly in typical flight patterns which throws the Cylons off.

- Kobol was a world of peace. According to the Book of the Word, power struggles over land and wealth were conducted without treachery or combat.

- Lucifer enjoys Starbuck's company on the Cylon basestar, preferring him greatly over Baltar. Starbuck teaches Lucifer how to play pyramid and beats him. Lucifer is baffled by the concept of "luck" as Starbuck describes it.

- Starbuck tells Lucifer that he can't act on calculation, that most of his heroic feats were performed on impulse. Later, this inspires Lucifer to act on impulse and launch the Cylon attack despite Baltar's orders.

- Serina carries a recorder with her into the tomb which breaks right after Baltar reveals himself.

- Athena saves Starbuck from a pinwheel attack in the battle above Kobol.

- The laser battle in which Serina is killed involves a lot more than two Cylons. Lucifer had arrived on the surface and brought a number of Cylons with him.

- Lucifer rescues Baltar from the tomb. He has incredible strength as he is able to single-handedly lift the pillar off of Baltar. He conducts a quick "med-scan" which reveals Baltar has a couple of broken bones. Lucifer assures Baltar he can mend them very quickly back on the basestar.

(Excerpts are taken from Sheba's Galaxy - For the whole review, go to http://www.blast.net/hart/TombsReview.htm)

The Cylon Death Machine

2007-01-03T20:40:31Z

Ericshirey03:

{{copyvio|url=http://www.blast.net/hart/CylonDeathMachineReview.htm}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg02.jpg
| title= The Cylon Death Machine
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 2
| episode= [[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part I]] [[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Robert Thurston|Robert Thurston]]
| published= January 1979
| isbn= 0-42504-080-1
| prev= [[Saga of a Star World (Book)|Battlestar Galactica]]
| next= [[The Tombs of Kobol]]
}}
{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{mstub}}
[[Category:Books|Cylon Death Machine]]

 This novel is mostly a straight retelling of the episode except for a couple variations.

Croft is fleshed out considerably here (in fact, several chapters are written from his point of view). Apparently, Robert Thurston really liked Croft because he becomes a major character in three of the four later original Berkley novels.

It introduces the character of Vulpa, the Cylon Commander in charge of the Pulsar weapon. We learn much about Vulpa's past and his rebellious nature which goes a long way towards giving the Cylons more dimension and moving them away from being a bunch of bad guys that look cool but have absolutely no personality. Imperious Leader also continues to be an intriguing character, and it is fun to watch him talk with the human hologram of Starbuck to try and anticipate the humans' moves.

Some plot points of the novel:

- The front and back cover of this book has an art portrait that was used as an early promotional tool for the TV series. It was not made to be used for this book.

- The ice planet is named Tairac, and it is referred to as an asteroid several times throughout the novel.

- Leda has short red hair instead of long, black hair.

- Vulpa has clear ambitions to one day become Imperious Leader. He was a suicidally aggressive fighter pilot before being promoted to commander. Vulpa was banished to the ice planet after openly suggesting to Imperious Leader that the Cylons let the remaining humans go. He simply did not believe the humans were a viable threat any longer. Vulpa has extra motivation to succeed at his mission because he wants to redeem himself to Imperious Leader.

- Imperious Leader, not Baltar, directs the operation pushing the Colonial fleet towards the ice planet. He listens to computer simulations of Adama and Apollo, and then finally settles on talking with Starbuck because the Cylons have more information on him. Starbuck has already achieved a legendary status as many human prisoners talk about him. The Starbuck hologram constantly insults Imperious Leader.

- The research ship Infinity serves as a make-shift Academy for training new Colonial warriors. Adama gives a lecture to the greenest group of cadets he has ever seen and cannot believe how young they all are.

- The novel does a better job than the TV series ever did portraying the harsh struggle for survival in the rag-tag fleet: "Every person on every ship was putting in double time to improve the efficiency and speed of the overall fleet. Half a dozen freighters had been converted to flying foundries, which in turn converted scrap metals and other materials into vipers for the Galactica's crew of fighter pilots. Everyone in the fleet had become a scavenger, searching for metal and electronic supplies within their ships and on the few planets they encountered with obtainable material. Considering the sources for their construction, the vipers leaving the foundry were remarkably well-manufactured vehicles. It was true, of course, that they were more often subject to technical and mechanical failures than those vipers from the original squadrons."

- The camouflage force-field is mentioned again, and Athena suggests they drop it and save the energy because the Cylons always seem to find them anyway.

- A number of Colonial vessels have make-shift armament. The Colonial Movers ship once turned back a squadron of Cylon fighters single-handedly, and its achievement was already being transformed into song and legend among all the ships in the fleet.

- While plotting a course for the Galactica, Adama says they must avoid the planet Cassarion because it is a Cylon outpost. They must also avoid the Sellian asteroid belt, composed of millions of fragments of a world the Cylons destroyed.

- On the Galactica bridge, during the review of the data that Starbuck brought back about the gun, Starbuck and Apollo almost come to blows over their frustration.

- Athena strongly urges Adama to send her on the mission, but he refuses.

- Imperious Leader tells the Starbuck hologram that Cylons write poetry, but it must be preserved orally and not permanently written down. Poets are considered one of the less desirable elements of Cylon society such as criminals.

- In the Adama journals, Adama mentions there are many myths and legends about Starbuck during his Academy days. It was said that during off-duty hours he would unlock the war-game room and turn it into an arcade for entertainment, but he was never caught no matter how hard the officials tried. Another legend says that Starbuck created a cheating ring and gave test answers to a group of students. In the last page of their test booklets, those students found a note telling them that all the answers they were given were wrong. The examiner who told Adama the story swore that it could not be true, but Adama believes it.

- Apollo is upset to learn that he has not been selected for the mission. After complaining to Adama, he is included with the team.

- Athena is angry when she finds out that Apollo is on the mission. Starbuck pretends to act happy that he isn't on the list (even though he knows the computer will select him), and Athena says to him, "Hang around the debriefing room as long as you can. Maybe a little bravery will rub off." He walks off, and Athena curses herself for pushing him away when she had been trying so hard to get close to him again.

- Starbuck programs into the computer that he and Boomer spent time at the Aeriana Ice Station even though neither of them had. Apollo realizes what Starbuck has done, but he doesn't say anything because he is glad to have them both on the mission.

- The Muffit in the novel looks exactly like a real daggit.

- The Cylons fighters that attack the shuttle are remote-controlled. When Killian's viper is severely damaged and about to explode, he purposely crashes it into one of the Cylon fighters and they both are destroyed.

- Vulpa worries greatly about the humans on the shuttle because his garrison is understaffed.

- In the Adama journals, Adama reflects on how much of their culture they have lost due to the Destruction. He had asked for a book only to learn that there was no copy.

- After one of the Cylon attacks, Athena asks to fly a viper, but Adama says no.

- One of the planners betrays the Colonials to the Cylons, initiating a Cylon search of the village.

- In the village, Thane tries to rape Leda. She grips his throat, forcing him off. He then runs away and gets captured by the Cylons.

- Vulpa is frightened when Thane's bomb goes off. He is amazed at what the humans are capable of.

- Near the end, Boxey hides aboard a Cylon raider. After the mountain explodes, Vulpa (who was not caught in the blast) takes the remote-controlled Cylon fighters and launches a suicide attack on the Colonials. Boxey is trapped, but Croft rescues him. Hanging by a rope out of the side of one Raider, he blows a hole in the side of the other, swings inside to grab Boxey, and then swings out again.

- As a reward, Adama reinstates Croft as a full commander.

- Imperious Leader asks the Starbuck hologram how the humans managed to win again, and Starbuck mocks him. Imperious Leader angrily smashes the equipment, and the Starbuck hologram disappears.

- Vulpa survives at the end but there is nothing he can do but wait for his eventual demise.

(Excerpts taken from Sheba's Galaxy - for the whole review, go to http://www.blast.net/hart/CylonDeathMachineReview.htm)

Saga of a Star World (Book)

2007-01-03T20:31:45Z

Ericshirey03:

{{copyvio|url=http://www.blast.net/hart/SagaReview.htm}}
{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg01.jpg
| title= Battlestar Galactica
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 1
| episode= [[Saga of a Star World]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Robert Thurston|Robert Thurston]]
| published= September 1978
| isbn= 0425039587
| prev= None
| next= [[The Cylon Death Machine]]
}}

[[image:Bg-thefilm.jpg]]

{{mstub}}
[[Category:Books]]

 The book is based on an early script of the pilot and, although changes were made before it came to print to make it more like the version that aired, there are a number of alternate scenes in the book. The Galactica universe is also different in several aspects, such as the Cylons are living aliens underneath their armor instead of total machines. Also, there are missing scenes left out of the final cut of the movie that survived intact in the book (Starbuck's confrontation with Tigh on the bridge after the Colonies are destroyed; Starbuck's extended conversation with Cassie on the shuttle; Adama's resigning from the Council).

Certain events are more fleshed out in the novelization than in the movie such as the surprise Cylon attack. The novelization helps to fill a number of gaping plot holes and unanswered questions that the movie was saddled with. Many chapters begin with an entry from the Adama journals, and the reader is able to learn a lot of information and insight from the Galactica's commander.

The novels portray the BG universe in a slightly different way and that they are not exact retellings of the episodes because. Some of the characters such as Athena are fleshed out better in the novels.

Some plot points of the novel:

- Although Glen Larson is given co-author credit, he actually was not involved in the writing of the book at all. In fact, he did not contribute anything to any of the 14 Berkley books. Presumably, Larson's name was put on the books to make them more marketable.

- Robert Thurston has said the novel originally had more sex in it, but the publisher edited most of it out. There were some copies of the original unedited version released, but they are difficult to find (and the differences are fairly minor). For example, there was a special version of the novelization printed with a plain blue cover for the 1978 ABA convention. It is also possible (though not certain) that the Canadian edition of the novel may be unedited.

- In the Adama Journals, Adama states that the Cylons attacked the humans first without provocation more than a thousand years ago (There is never any mention in the novel of Colonial units of time such as yahrens, centons, microns, etc). This was contradicted in the movie and even later in the novelization when we hear Adama say during a meeting of the Council that the Cylons did not attack the Colonies until the Colonials aided a race that the Cylons had enslaved.

- Zac, instead of volunteering to go on patrol, was forced to go on patrol by Colonel Tigh as punishment for "that little rest and recuperation escape with Pay's chief nurse in sick bay."

- Apollo was famous among all the battlestars in the fleet for his war achievements.

- Adama is a much more stern, strict man than he appeared to be in the TV series. "The members of Adama's crew feared Adama as much as they loved him."

- Baltar was a self-proclaimed count; a rich trader, a dealer in rare items.

- Adama severely disliked Baltar from the beginning and didn't trust him.

- Adama and Adar went to the space academy together and were assigned to the same battlestar.

- The Colonial warfleet has five battlestars, not twelve. The fleet apparently had many other kinds of warships besides battlestars.

- A unique description of the Galactica is given: "(Adama) took great pride in the unanimous acknowledgment of the Galactica as the greatest fighting ship in the Colonial Fleet and the most efficiently run of all the Fleet's five battlestars. Commissioned at least two centuries before its present commander's birth, and commanded by Adama's father before him, the Galactica had survived thousands of rough encounters with the enemy, no mean achievement when one considered the notorious Cylon deviousness. With the destruction of the Atlantia's sister ship, the Pacifica, Adama's craft had become the largest fighting battlestar in the Fleet. And since he had taken over command its record had become as impressive as its size. The most heroic exploits, the most suicidal missions, the highest number of Cylon kills were now part of the Galactica's gallant history. If this peace lasted any time at all, the battlestar would surely be declared a monument to human achievement.

While it appeared to drift placidly, the Galactica was actually idling at near light-speed. Its slowness was due to the fact that it had, as guardian of the Atlantia during the peace conference, to keep its pace down to the Command Battlestar's speed. No wonder. Where the Atlantia was a hive of bulkily designed sections, the Galactica was a slim-lined, multi-level vehicle whose functional components allowed for the rarely achieved combination of size with speed. In regular space it could traverse distances nearly as fast as the fighting craft launched from it. Its fuel system provided the most power possible from the mixture of Tylium with lesser fuel sources. Its launching decks could be activated within minutes, emerging as long extensions from the cylindrical core of the vehicle, and its guidance systems had been refined - at Adama's orders - so that his pilots could land on an InterFleet Memo without smudging a single letter." It sounds like the Adama and Galactica of the novel would put Cain and the Pegasus to shame.

- The Galactica seems to have been a much larger ship in the novel than in the TV series. "Adama recalled his father saying that the Galactica was the size of a small planet, that a traveler could use up most of a lifetime walking its corridors without having to retrace a single step. He had learned later that the old man's description was somewhat overexaggerated, one of the outrageous tall tales he had so savored in the telling. Still, the Galactica would be a mighty challenge for the dedicated hiker."

- Adama and his wife Ila had not seen each other in over two years. In their married life, they had spent more time apart than they had spent together, but Ila always argued that their love was intensified as a result.

- Starbuck's gambling is so famous that his name is part of fighter-pilot slang. To be starbucked meant that you had maneuvered yourself into a position where defeat was inevitable. It was applied toward both battle and gambling.

- Boomer, Jolly, and Greenbean are with Starbuck in the card game. Starbuck loses a big hand to some Gemons, but then he comes back and wins just as the alert is sounded.

- When the Cylons attack the Colonial warfleet, two fleet battlecruisers explode almost immediately (evidently, there were many other ships besides the 5 battlestars). The Galactica is the only battlestar that manages to launch all its vipers. By the time the other battlestars launch their vipers, the Cylons are able to pick off most of them as soon as they clear the launch tubes. Thus, the Galactica warriors are left to lead the defense of the fleet.

- The Solaria is the last battlestar left in the fleet. It is destroyed, and then the Cylons leave the remaining vipers. Starbuck, Boomer, Jolly and the others are able to find refueling stations that were shielded from Cylon scanners.

- Starbuck, Boomer, and other pilots angrily confront Colonel Tigh on the bridge about the Galactica's withdrawal from the battle. Tigh replays the footage of the Destruction for them.

- The Cylons are organic underneath their armor, unlike in the TV series. The way the Cylons look is not really described, but they must look very different than in the TV series because one of the Cylons on Carillon actually laughs. The Cylons in the TV series were incapable of laughter or displaying such emotion.

- Imperious Leader has many eyes. He has three brains. Typical Cylons have one brain, and secondary officers have two brains. Imperious Leader uses part of his brain to access the human form of thinking as a way to anticipate what his enemies will do. He dislikes using that portion of his brain, but it is invaluable in battle. Leader sees the humans' notions of good and evil as ridiculous. As far as he is concerned, such things simply do not exist. The Leader wears a helmet that allows him to personally direct the battle.

- Every Imperious Leader holds power for roughly three-quarters of a century, and then steps down after naming a successor.

- Serina has auburn hair and green eyes. She does not know Boxey when she helps him during the Cylon attack (unlike in the TV series where she is his mother).

- The rag-tag fleet is composed of 22,000 ships (not 220).

- Apollo creates a force field that hides the fleet from the Cylons. This makes their escape from the Colonies more believable, and it shows that the early character of Apollo was much more scientifically skilled than the Apollo of the TV series.

- Athena is a blonde and Cassiopea is a brunette.

- The original script has extra dialogue between Cassiopea and Starbuck during their first meeting on the shuttle. It survived intact in the novel, but you can also read it in the Missing Scenes section

- The novel makes it clear that a socialator is far more than a common prostitute. It takes years of preparation as one has to take endless courses concerning social behavior and human knowledge before a license is granted. A socialator has the ability to cure mild illnesses with intricate massage techniques.

- In the launch bay, Cassiopea blatantly asks Starbuck for sex. "I want to make love to you. That's all it is. Not as a socialator, not as a refugee, just as me. Okay?"

- When Athena sees Starbuck and Casseopia in the launch tube, they are making love (not simply kissing as they were in the movie).

- In the Adama Journals, Adama talks about how a number of people even to this day still consider him to be a coward for leaving the Colonial warfleet during the surprise attack.

- Adama once had a talk with Zac who said that he loved Apollo but he had to surpass his achievements. This reveals the rivalry between the two brothers that was never defined in the movie.

- Imperious Leader considers Baltar to be the vilest of all humans because he is a traitor. When he orders Baltar to be executed, Baltar tries to bargain his life by offering information. Leader promises to spare him, and Baltar then tells him that he heard the Galactica survives. The Leader then breaks his promise and Baltar is taken out of the chamber to be executed. We never see Baltar get executed, so the continuity of the story is not disrupted when later novels reveal that Baltar survived.

- The novel hints that many people did not want to be part of Adama's quest to find Earth. Apollo wants to fight the Cylons. Serina simply objects to the idea of looking for Earth. Adama simply tells her she will do what he says. In the Adama Journals, Adama talks about how a leader, no matter how benevolently he regards himself, has to be something of a tyrant.

- Solium is a fuel, a derivative of the fuel source called Tylium.

- The Sire Uri of the novel is described as "handsome."

- Adama resigns as President of the Council due to the burdens of leading the fleet despite protests from most of the Council members. This is why Adama is unable to simply overrule the Council when they later propose destroying their weapons.

- There is not enough fuel for the entire fleet to make it to Carillon. One third of the fleet makes the journey and will return once the fuel is found. Uri votes for the plan only after he is guaranteed that his ship, the Rising Star, is one of the ships that is selected for the trip.

- Droids were banned on Caprica because Capricans didn't believe in using mechanical substitutes for human effort. That helps explain the lack of robots among the Colonials.

- The Muffit of the novel looks exactly like a real daggit. He actually pants and has a tongue.

- In the Adama Journals, Adama tells a story of how he once tried to catch Starbuck and reprimand him. He followed Starbuck down several hallways one time and walked in on a card game between him and several others. When Adama asks him what he was betting on, Starbuck tells Adama that they are betting on what will be the day that Adama dies! Adama becomes enraged, and Starbuck says the game was fixed; he knows the answer. Adama then asks what will be the day he dies, and Starbuck shows him the sheet of paper he wrote the answer on. It reads, "Never." Everyone, including Adama, bursts into laughter, and that was the last time Adama ever tried to catch Starbuck.

- The Colonials are unaware of the mine field blocking Carillon. Adama picks Apollo, Starbuck, and Boomer to clear the minefield at the last moment. Athena protests this to Adama, mostly because of her feelings for Starbuck. The hopelessness of their situation makes her want him even more.

- There are three different mines. The first are regular mines. The second are jamming mines that make the vipers controls go haywire if it gets too close. And the third are mines that send out a blinding light when they explode. This is why the viper cockpits are sealed. At one point, Tigh suggests to Adama that the mission be aborted when it appears the trio won't be able to destroy the mines.

- The Ovions are selling all of their tylium to the Cylons, but they are forced to because the Cylons rule over them. The Ovions actually despise the Cylons.

- Monogomy is prevalent on some Cylon worlds, and the Imperious Leader considers this to be a bad thing.

- The boss of the casino gives Starbuck and Boomer free food and drink when they first arrive. The short simian waiters are "mildly telepathic", enabling them to serve Starbuck his favorite drink, Sagitarian straight-arrow, and his favorite dessert, Aquarian ambrosia cake, without him having to ask for them.

- Jolly is the first to be captured by the Ovions. Muffit is also captured along with Boxey.

- The Imperious Leader recalls a conversation he had with a captured human scientist. After several days of communication, the man became lethargic. When the Leader asked why, the man explained the concept of boredom. The Leader found the concept so loathsome that he refused to accept it and became incensed with rage. The man also became angry and argued that no one liked to be bored, but it was unavoidable. The Leader commented that the man now seemed much less bored, therefore talking about boredom must not be boring. The man screamed that he was now more bored than ever, that the Imperious Leader and all the rest of the Cylons were such smug hypocrites with little personality that any sensible human could not help but be bored after a few days in their company. Although Imperious Leader did not believe boredom to be a genuine state, he resented the man's claim of boredom in Cylon company, and he banished the man from his presence forever. He probably had the man put to death, but that was a piece of information he would not have bothered to preserve in any of his brains. Ironically, Imperious Leader was now feeling bored while waiting for the Carillon trap to be sprung on the humans. When he hears news of the Galactica's arrival at Carillon, he orders the Cylon task force at Borallus to be ready to travel to Carillon.

- Adama goes with the Council to Carillon, but he refuses to eat any of the Ovions' food. The food is drugged, and that explains why the rest of the Council so stupidly wanted to destroy their weapons.

- Athena asks Adama for permission to go to Carillon, and he says yes. She dreams of one day having her own battlestar to command.

- The three singers on stage are from the planet Tucan. They have two mouths each instead of three.

- Serina uses her reporter skills to try to talk to one of the Ovions named Seetol, but her attempt is mostly unsuccessful.

- We never hear Adama discuss his secret plan with Colonel Tigh. Tigh actually does go down to the surface for the party so he can report what is happening to the Galactica.

- Sire Uri comes on to both Cassiopea and Serina. Of course, they reject him.

- Apollo and Serina spend a night together on Carillon. It is strongly implied that they have sex.

- When Cassiopea storms away from Starbuck, Athena angrily hands him the room key and leaves as well. Later, Athena regrets not having stayed with Starbuck.

- When Cassiopea is captured by the Ovions, she is wrapped in leaves inside a pod that at first make her feel peaceful and happy. Soon it wears off and the leaves grow painfully tight, and she begins to scream.

- The captured humans' bodies are slowly absorbed into the leaves of the pod. They are diluted into a liquid used to feed Ovion babies when they hatch.

- The Cylon attack force is referred to as the Cylon Supreme Star Force.

- The Cylons discover the portion of the fleet left behind when a glitch occurs in the force field, but the Cylons decide to wait to attack because they don't want to alert the Galactica.

- Seetol and the Ovion queen, Lotay, are killed during Starbuck and Apollo's escape from the mines.

- During the mass exodus from the surface of Caprica, Starbuck and Cassiopea pilot a shuttle filled with highly volatile Tylium. They barely evade the attacking Cylons and return to the Galactica.

- The planet Carillon does not explode.

- Once the Cylons at Carillon are routed, the Galactica warps back to the rest of the fleet which is also being attacked by Cylons. The Colonials win the battle. Imperious Leader is shocked at the turn of events. He realizes in his anger and hatred he has become like the humans, and that makes him more determined than ever to destroy them all.

- Muffit is shot by a Cylon on the surface of Carillon. Boxey is very sad because of this, and the book ends with Doctor Wilker revealing that Muffit has now been repaired. Boxey is happy again, and Serina makes a toast to Adama: "To Earth," she said. (From Sheba's Galaxy - John Hart)

User talk:Ericshirey03

2007-01-03T20:07:57Z

Ericshirey03: /* Copyrighted Content? */

Saga of a Star World (Book)

2007-01-03T19:53:30Z

Ericshirey03:

{{copyvio|url=http://www.blast.net/hart/SagaReview.htm}}
{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg01.jpg
| title= Battlestar Galactica
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 1
| episode= [[Saga of a Star World]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Robert Thurston|Robert Thurston]]
| published= September 1978
| isbn= 0425039587
| prev= None
| next= [[The Cylon Death Machine]]
}}

[[image:Bg-thefilm.jpg]]

{{mstub}}
[[Category:Books]]

 "Flagship of the 12 Worlds fleet, she was as large as a planet, yet as swift as the Starhound fighters she launched from her bays. For generations the vast ship led the thousand-year war against the Cylons for control of the known Galaxy. Now that war was in its final phase, and Galactica had one final mission, win or lose: blast through the deadly grid of the Cylon Starfleet and dash for deep space in a desperate attempt to find the legendary "Stonehenge" of the universe - the lost planet the ancient microfilms call 'Earth.'"

This is the opening paragraph to the Berkley novelization of the Battlestar Galactica pilot "Saga Of A Star World". This is easily one of the most fascinating Galactica books ever written, and there are a number of things that make it so interesting. First, the book is based on an early script of the pilot and, although changes were made before it came to print to make it more like the version that aired, there are a number of alternate scenes in the book. The Galactica universe is also different in several aspects, such as the Cylons are living aliens underneath their armor instead of total machines. Also, there are missing scenes left out of the final cut of the movie that survived intact in the book (Starbuck's confrontation with Tigh on the bridge after the Colonies are destroyed; Starbuck's extended conversation with Cassie on the shuttle; Adama's resigning from the Council).

Perhaps best of all, certain events are more fleshed out in the novelization than in the movie such as the surprise Cylon attack. The novelization helps to fill a number of gaping plot holes and unanswered questions that the movie was saddled with. Many chapters begin with an entry from the Adama journals, and the reader is able to learn a lot of information and insight from the Galactica's commander.

I realize that many fans are unhappy with the Berkley books, feeling that they don't remain true to the series. I disagree. First of all, as I've already said, the novelizations often have extra detail and explanations that help cover up plot holes that existed in the episodes. Second, I like the fact that the novels portray the BG universe in a slightly different way and that they are not exact retellings of the episodes because the books would be pretty boring otherwise. Third, some of the characters such as Athena are fleshed out better in the novels. Make no mistake, this is the best of all the Berkley novelizations and is a must-read for any Galactica fan.

Some plot points of the novel:

- Although Glen Larson is given co-author credit, he actually was not involved in the writing of the book at all. In fact, he did not contribute anything to any of the 14 Berkley books. Presumably, Larson's name was put on the books to make them more marketable.

- Robert Thurston has said the novel originally had more sex in it, but the publisher edited most of it out. There were some copies of the original unedited version released, but they are difficult to find (and the differences are fairly minor). For example, there was a special version of the novelization printed with a plain blue cover for the 1978 ABA convention. It is also possible (though not certain) that the Canadian edition of the novel may be unedited.

- In the Adama Journals, Adama states that the Cylons attacked the humans first without provocation more than a thousand years ago (There is never any mention in the novel of Colonial units of time such as yahrens, centons, microns, etc). This was contradicted in the movie and even later in the novelization when we hear Adama say during a meeting of the Council that the Cylons did not attack the Colonies until the Colonials aided a race that the Cylons had enslaved.

- Zac, instead of volunteering to go on patrol, was forced to go on patrol by Colonel Tigh as punishment for "that little rest and recuperation escape with Pay's chief nurse in sick bay."

- Apollo was famous among all the battlestars in the fleet for his war achievements.

- Adama is a much more stern, strict man than he appeared to be in the TV series. "The members of Adama's crew feared Adama as much as they loved him."

- Baltar was a self-proclaimed count; a rich trader, a dealer in rare items.

- Adama severely disliked Baltar from the beginning and didn't trust him.

- Adama and Adar went to the space academy together and were assigned to the same battlestar.

- The Colonial warfleet has five battlestars, not twelve. The fleet apparently had many other kinds of warships besides battlestars.

- A unique description of the Galactica is given: "(Adama) took great pride in the unanimous acknowledgment of the Galactica as the greatest fighting ship in the Colonial Fleet and the most efficiently run of all the Fleet's five battlestars. Commissioned at least two centuries before its present commander's birth, and commanded by Adama's father before him, the Galactica had survived thousands of rough encounters with the enemy, no mean achievement when one considered the notorious Cylon deviousness. With the destruction of the Atlantia's sister ship, the Pacifica, Adama's craft had become the largest fighting battlestar in the Fleet. And since he had taken over command its record had become as impressive as its size. The most heroic exploits, the most suicidal missions, the highest number of Cylon kills were now part of the Galactica's gallant history. If this peace lasted any time at all, the battlestar would surely be declared a monument to human achievement.

While it appeared to drift placidly, the Galactica was actually idling at near light-speed. Its slowness was due to the fact that it had, as guardian of the Atlantia during the peace conference, to keep its pace down to the Command Battlestar's speed. No wonder. Where the Atlantia was a hive of bulkily designed sections, the Galactica was a slim-lined, multi-level vehicle whose functional components allowed for the rarely achieved combination of size with speed. In regular space it could traverse distances nearly as fast as the fighting craft launched from it. Its fuel system provided the most power possible from the mixture of Tylium with lesser fuel sources. Its launching decks could be activated within minutes, emerging as long extensions from the cylindrical core of the vehicle, and its guidance systems had been refined - at Adama's orders - so that his pilots could land on an InterFleet Memo without smudging a single letter." It sounds like the Adama and Galactica of the novel would put Cain and the Pegasus to shame.

- The Galactica seems to have been a much larger ship in the novel than in the TV series. "Adama recalled his father saying that the Galactica was the size of a small planet, that a traveler could use up most of a lifetime walking its corridors without having to retrace a single step. He had learned later that the old man's description was somewhat overexaggerated, one of the outrageous tall tales he had so savored in the telling. Still, the Galactica would be a mighty challenge for the dedicated hiker."

- Adama and his wife Ila had not seen each other in over two years. In their married life, they had spent more time apart than they had spent together, but Ila always argued that their love was intensified as a result.

- Starbuck's gambling is so famous that his name is part of fighter-pilot slang. To be starbucked meant that you had maneuvered yourself into a position where defeat was inevitable. It was applied toward both battle and gambling.

- Boomer, Jolly, and Greenbean are with Starbuck in the card game. Starbuck loses a big hand to some Gemons, but then he comes back and wins just as the alert is sounded.

- When the Cylons attack the Colonial warfleet, two fleet battlecruisers explode almost immediately (evidently, there were many other ships besides the 5 battlestars). The Galactica is the only battlestar that manages to launch all its vipers. By the time the other battlestars launch their vipers, the Cylons are able to pick off most of them as soon as they clear the launch tubes. Thus, the Galactica warriors are left to lead the defense of the fleet.

- The Solaria is the last battlestar left in the fleet. It is destroyed, and then the Cylons leave the remaining vipers. Starbuck, Boomer, Jolly and the others are able to find refueling stations that were shielded from Cylon scanners.

- Starbuck, Boomer, and other pilots angrily confront Colonel Tigh on the bridge about the Galactica's withdrawal from the battle. Tigh replays the footage of the Destruction for them. This scene can be found in the Missing Scenes section.

- The Cylons are organic underneath their armor, unlike in the TV series. The way the Cylons look is not really described, but they must look very different than in the TV series because one of the Cylons on Carillon actually laughs. The Cylons in the TV series were incapable of laughter or displaying such emotion.

- Imperious Leader has many eyes. He has three brains. Typical Cylons have one brain, and secondary officers have two brains. Imperious Leader uses part of his brain to access the human form of thinking as a way to anticipate what his enemies will do. He dislikes using that portion of his brain, but it is invaluable in battle. Leader sees the humans' notions of good and evil as ridiculous. As far as he is concerned, such things simply do not exist. The Leader wears a helmet that allows him to personally direct the battle.

- Every Imperious Leader holds power for roughly three-quarters of a century, and then steps down after naming a successor.

- Serina has auburn hair and green eyes. She does not know Boxey when she helps him during the Cylon attack (unlike in the TV series where she is his mother).

- The rag-tag fleet is composed of 22,000 ships (not 220).

- Apollo creates a force field that hides the fleet from the Cylons. This makes their escape from the Colonies more believable, and it shows that the early character of Apollo was much more scientifically skilled than the Apollo of the TV series.

- Athena is a blonde and Cassiopea is a brunette.

- The original script has extra dialogue between Cassiopea and Starbuck during their first meeting on the shuttle. It survived intact in the novel, but you can also read it in the Missing Scenes section

- The novel makes it clear that a socialator is far more than a common prostitute. It takes years of preparation as one has to take endless courses concerning social behavior and human knowledge before a license is granted. A socialator has the ability to cure mild illnesses with intricate massage techniques.

- In the launch bay, Cassiopea blatantly asks Starbuck for sex. "I want to make love to you. That's all it is. Not as a socialator, not as a refugee, just as me. Okay?"

- When Athena sees Starbuck and Casseopia in the launch tube, they are making love (not simply kissing as they were in the movie).

- In the Adama Journals, Adama talks about how a number of people even to this day still consider him to be a coward for leaving the Colonial warfleet during the surprise attack.

- Adama once had a talk with Zac who said that he loved Apollo but he had to surpass his achievements. This reveals the rivalry between the two brothers that was never defined in the movie.

- Imperious Leader considers Baltar to be the vilest of all humans because he is a traitor. When he orders Baltar to be executed, Baltar tries to bargain his life by offering information. Leader promises to spare him, and Baltar then tells him that he heard the Galactica survives. The Leader then breaks his promise and Baltar is taken out of the chamber to be executed. We never see Baltar get executed, so the continuity of the story is not disrupted when later novels reveal that Baltar survived.

- The novel hints that many people did not want to be part of Adama's quest to find Earth. Apollo wants to fight the Cylons. Serina simply objects to the idea of looking for Earth. Adama simply tells her she will do what he says. In the Adama Journals, Adama talks about how a leader, no matter how benevolently he regards himself, has to be something of a tyrant.

- Solium is a fuel, a derivative of the fuel source called Tylium.

- The Sire Uri of the novel is described as "handsome."

- Adama resigns as President of the Council due to the burdens of leading the fleet despite protests from most of the Council members. This is why Adama is unable to simply overrule the Council when they later propose destroying their weapons.

- There is not enough fuel for the entire fleet to make it to Carillon. One third of the fleet makes the journey and will return once the fuel is found. Uri votes for the plan only after he is guaranteed that his ship, the Rising Star, is one of the ships that is selected for the trip.

- Droids were banned on Caprica because Capricans didn't believe in using mechanical substitutes for human effort. That helps explain the lack of robots among the Colonials.

- The Muffit of the novel looks exactly like a real daggit. He actually pants and has a tongue.

- In the Adama Journals, Adama tells a story of how he once tried to catch Starbuck and reprimand him. He followed Starbuck down several hallways one time and walked in on a card game between him and several others. When Adama asks him what he was betting on, Starbuck tells Adama that they are betting on what will be the day that Adama dies! Adama becomes enraged, and Starbuck says the game was fixed; he knows the answer. Adama then asks what will be the day he dies, and Starbuck shows him the sheet of paper he wrote the answer on. It reads, "Never." Everyone, including Adama, bursts into laughter, and that was the last time Adama ever tried to catch Starbuck.

- The Colonials are unaware of the mine field blocking Carillon. Adama picks Apollo, Starbuck, and Boomer to clear the minefield at the last moment. Athena protests this to Adama, mostly because of her feelings for Starbuck. The hopelessness of their situation makes her want him even more.

- There are three different mines. The first are regular mines. The second are jamming mines that make the vipers controls go haywire if it gets too close. And the third are mines that send out a blinding light when they explode. This is why the viper cockpits are sealed. At one point, Tigh suggests to Adama that the mission be aborted when it appears the trio won't be able to destroy the mines.

- The Ovions are selling all of their tylium to the Cylons, but they are forced to because the Cylons rule over them. The Ovions actually despise the Cylons.

- Monogomy is prevalent on some Cylon worlds, and the Imperious Leader considers this to be a bad thing.

- The boss of the casino gives Starbuck and Boomer free food and drink when they first arrive. The short simian waiters are "mildly telepathic", enabling them to serve Starbuck his favorite drink, Sagitarian straight-arrow, and his favorite dessert, Aquarian ambrosia cake, without him having to ask for them.

- Jolly is the first to be captured by the Ovions. Muffit is also captured along with Boxey.

- The Imperious Leader recalls a conversation he had with a captured human scientist. After several days of communication, the man became lethargic. When the Leader asked why, the man explained the concept of boredom. The Leader found the concept so loathsome that he refused to accept it and became incensed with rage. The man also became angry and argued that no one liked to be bored, but it was unavoidable. The Leader commented that the man now seemed much less bored, therefore talking about boredom must not be boring. The man screamed that he was now more bored than ever, that the Imperious Leader and all the rest of the Cylons were such smug hypocrites with little personality that any sensible human could not help but be bored after a few days in their company. Although Imperious Leader did not believe boredom to be a genuine state, he resented the man's claim of boredom in Cylon company, and he banished the man from his presence forever. He probably had the man put to death, but that was a piece of information he would not have bothered to preserve in any of his brains. Ironically, Imperious Leader was now feeling bored while waiting for the Carillon trap to be sprung on the humans. When he hears news of the Galactica's arrival at Carillon, he orders the Cylon task force at Borallus to be ready to travel to Carillon.

- Adama goes with the Council to Carillon, but he refuses to eat any of the Ovions' food. The food is drugged, and that explains why the rest of the Council so stupidly wanted to destroy their weapons.

- Athena asks Adama for permission to go to Carillon, and he says yes. She dreams of one day having her own battlestar to command.

- The three singers on stage are from the planet Tucan. They have two mouths each instead of three.

- Serina uses her reporter skills to try to talk to one of the Ovions named Seetol, but her attempt is mostly unsuccessful.

- We never hear Adama discuss his secret plan with Colonel Tigh. Tigh actually does go down to the surface for the party so he can report what is happening to the Galactica.

- Sire Uri comes on to both Cassiopea and Serina. Of course, they reject him.

- Apollo and Serina spend a night together on Carillon. It is strongly implied that they have sex.

- When Cassiopea storms away from Starbuck, Athena angrily hands him the room key and leaves as well. Later, Athena regrets not having stayed with Starbuck.

- When Cassiopea is captured by the Ovions, she is wrapped in leaves inside a pod that at first make her feel peaceful and happy. Soon it wears off and the leaves grow painfully tight, and she begins to scream.

- The captured humans' bodies are slowly absorbed into the leaves of the pod. They are diluted into a liquid used to feed Ovion babies when they hatch.

- The Cylon attack force is referred to as the Cylon Supreme Star Force.

- The Cylons discover the portion of the fleet left behind when a glitch occurs in the force field, but the Cylons decide to wait to attack because they don't want to alert the Galactica.

- Seetol and the Ovion queen, Lotay, are killed during Starbuck and Apollo's escape from the mines.

- During the mass exodus from the surface of Caprica, Starbuck and Cassiopea pilot a shuttle filled with highly volatile Tylium. They barely evade the attacking Cylons and return to the Galactica.

- The planet Carillon does not explode.

- Once the Cylons at Carillon are routed, the Galactica warps back to the rest of the fleet which is also being attacked by Cylons. The Colonials win the battle. Imperious Leader is shocked at the turn of events. He realizes in his anger and hatred he has become like the humans, and that makes him more determined than ever to destroy them all.

- Muffit is shot by a Cylon on the surface of Carillon. Boxey is very sad because of this, and the book ends with Doctor Wilker revealing that Muffit has now been repaired. Boxey is happy again, and Serina makes a toast to Adama: "To Earth," she said. (From Sheba's Galaxy - John Hart)

Saga of a Star World (Book)

2007-01-03T19:46:40Z

Ericshirey03:

{{copyvio|url=http://www.blast.net/hart/SagaReview.htm}}
{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg01.jpg
| title= Battlestar Galactica
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 1
| episode= [[Saga of a Star World]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Robert Thurston|Robert Thurston]]
| published= September 1978
| isbn= 0425039587
| prev= None
| next= [[The Cylon Death Machine]]
}}

[[image:Bg-thefilm.jpg]]

{{mstub}}
[[Category:Books]]

 "Flagship of the 12 Worlds fleet, she was as large as a planet, yet as swift as the Starhound fighters she launched from her bays. For generations the vast ship led the thousand-year war against the Cylons for control of the known Galaxy. Now that war was in its final phase, and Galactica had one final mission, win or lose: blast through the deadly grid of the Cylon Starfleet and dash for deep space in a desperate attempt to find the legendary "Stonehenge" of the universe - the lost planet the ancient microfilms call 'Earth.'"

This is the opening paragraph to the Berkley novelization of the Battlestar Galactica pilot "Saga Of A Star World". This is easily one of the most fascinating Galactica books ever written, and there are a number of things that make it so interesting. First, the book is based on an early script of the pilot and, although changes were made before it came to print to make it more like the version that aired, there are a number of alternate scenes in the book. The Galactica universe is also different in several aspects, such as the Cylons are living aliens underneath their armor instead of total machines. Also, there are missing scenes left out of the final cut of the movie that survived intact in the book (Starbuck's confrontation with Tigh on the bridge after the Colonies are destroyed; Starbuck's extended conversation with Cassie on the shuttle; Adama's resigning from the Council).

Perhaps best of all, certain events are more fleshed out in the novelization than in the movie such as the surprise Cylon attack. The novelization helps to fill a number of gaping plot holes and unanswered questions that the movie was saddled with. Many chapters begin with an entry from the Adama journals, and the reader is able to learn a lot of information and insight from the Galactica's commander.

I realize that many fans are unhappy with the Berkley books, feeling that they don't remain true to the series. I disagree. First of all, as I've already said, the novelizations often have extra detail and explanations that help cover up plot holes that existed in the episodes. Second, I like the fact that the novels portray the BG universe in a slightly different way and that they are not exact retellings of the episodes because the books would be pretty boring otherwise. Third, some of the characters such as Athena are fleshed out better in the novels. Make no mistake, this is the best of all the Berkley novelizations and is a must-read for any Galactica fan.

Some plot points of the novel:

- Although Glen Larson is given co-author credit, he actually was not involved in the writing of the book at all. In fact, he did not contribute anything to any of the 14 Berkley books. Presumably, Larson's name was put on the books to make them more marketable.

- Robert Thurston has said the novel originally had more sex in it, but the publisher edited most of it out. There were some copies of the original unedited version released, but they are difficult to find (and the differences are fairly minor). For example, there was a special version of the novelization printed with a plain blue cover for the 1978 ABA convention. It is also possible (though not certain) that the Canadian edition of the novel may be unedited.

- In the Adama Journals, Adama states that the Cylons attacked the humans first without provocation more than a thousand years ago (There is never any mention in the novel of Colonial units of time such as yahrens, centons, microns, etc). This was contradicted in the movie and even later in the novelization when we hear Adama say during a meeting of the Council that the Cylons did not attack the Colonies until the Colonials aided a race that the Cylons had enslaved.

- Zac, instead of volunteering to go on patrol, was forced to go on patrol by Colonel Tigh as punishment for "that little rest and recuperation escape with Pay's chief nurse in sick bay."

- Apollo was famous among all the battlestars in the fleet for his war achievements.

- Adama is a much more stern, strict man than he appeared to be in the TV series. "The members of Adama's crew feared Adama as much as they loved him."

- Baltar was a self-proclaimed count; a rich trader, a dealer in rare items.

- Adama severely disliked Baltar from the beginning and didn't trust him.

- Adama and Adar went to the space academy together and were assigned to the same battlestar.

- The Colonial warfleet has five battlestars, not twelve. The fleet apparently had many other kinds of warships besides battlestars.

- A unique description of the Galactica is given: "(Adama) took great pride in the unanimous acknowledgment of the Galactica as the greatest fighting ship in the Colonial Fleet and the most efficiently run of all the Fleet's five battlestars. Commissioned at least two centuries before its present commander's birth, and commanded by Adama's father before him, the Galactica had survived thousands of rough encounters with the enemy, no mean achievement when one considered the notorious Cylon deviousness. With the destruction of the Atlantia's sister ship, the Pacifica, Adama's craft had become the largest fighting battlestar in the Fleet. And since he had taken over command its record had become as impressive as its size. The most heroic exploits, the most suicidal missions, the highest number of Cylon kills were now part of the Galactica's gallant history. If this peace lasted any time at all, the battlestar would surely be declared a monument to human achievement.

While it appeared to drift placidly, the Galactica was actually idling at near light-speed. Its slowness was due to the fact that it had, as guardian of the Atlantia during the peace conference, to keep its pace down to the Command Battlestar's speed. No wonder. Where the Atlantia was a hive of bulkily designed sections, the Galactica was a slim-lined, multi-level vehicle whose functional components allowed for the rarely achieved combination of size with speed. In regular space it could traverse distances nearly as fast as the fighting craft launched from it. Its fuel system provided the most power possible from the mixture of Tylium with lesser fuel sources. Its launching decks could be activated within minutes, emerging as long extensions from the cylindrical core of the vehicle, and its guidance systems had been refined - at Adama's orders - so that his pilots could land on an InterFleet Memo without smudging a single letter." It sounds like the Adama and Galactica of the novel would put Cain and the Pegasus to shame.

- The Galactica seems to have been a much larger ship in the novel than in the TV series. "Adama recalled his father saying that the Galactica was the size of a small planet, that a traveler could use up most of a lifetime walking its corridors without having to retrace a single step. He had learned later that the old man's description was somewhat overexaggerated, one of the outrageous tall tales he had so savored in the telling. Still, the Galactica would be a mighty challenge for the dedicated hiker."

- Adama and his wife Ila had not seen each other in over two years. In their married life, they had spent more time apart than they had spent together, but Ila always argued that their love was intensified as a result.

- Starbuck's gambling is so famous that his name is part of fighter-pilot slang. To be starbucked meant that you had maneuvered yourself into a position where defeat was inevitable. It was applied toward both battle and gambling.

- Boomer, Jolly, and Greenbean are with Starbuck in the card game. Starbuck loses a big hand to some Gemons, but then he comes back and wins just as the alert is sounded.

- When the Cylons attack the Colonial warfleet, two fleet battlecruisers explode almost immediately (evidently, there were many other ships besides the 5 battlestars). The Galactica is the only battlestar that manages to launch all its vipers. By the time the other battlestars launch their vipers, the Cylons are able to pick off most of them as soon as they clear the launch tubes. Thus, the Galactica warriors are left to lead the defense of the fleet.

- The Solaria is the last battlestar left in the fleet. It is destroyed, and then the Cylons leave the remaining vipers. Starbuck, Boomer, Jolly and the others are able to find refueling stations that were shielded from Cylon scanners.

- Starbuck, Boomer, and other pilots angrily confront Colonel Tigh on the bridge about the Galactica's withdrawal from the battle. Tigh replays the footage of the Destruction for them. This scene can be found in the Missing Scenes section.

- The Cylons are organic underneath their armor, unlike in the TV series. The way the Cylons look is not really described, but they must look very different than in the TV series because one of the Cylons on Carillon actually laughs. The Cylons in the TV series were incapable of laughter or displaying such emotion.

- Imperious Leader has many eyes. He has three brains. Typical Cylons have one brain, and secondary officers have two brains. Imperious Leader uses part of his brain to access the human form of thinking as a way to anticipate what his enemies will do. He dislikes using that portion of his brain, but it is invaluable in battle. Leader sees the humans' notions of good and evil as ridiculous. As far as he is concerned, such things simply do not exist. The Leader wears a helmet that allows him to personally direct the battle.

- Every Imperious Leader holds power for roughly three-quarters of a century, and then steps down after naming a successor.

- Serina has auburn hair and green eyes. She does not know Boxey when she helps him during the Cylon attack (unlike in the TV series where she is his mother).

- The rag-tag fleet is composed of 22,000 ships (not 220).

- Apollo creates a force field that hides the fleet from the Cylons. This makes their escape from the Colonies more believable, and it shows that the early character of Apollo was much more scientifically skilled than the Apollo of the TV series.

- Athena is a blonde and Cassiopea is a brunette.

- The original script has extra dialogue between Cassiopea and Starbuck during their first meeting on the shuttle. It survived intact in the novel, but you can also read it in the Missing Scenes section

- The novel makes it clear that a socialator is far more than a common prostitute. It takes years of preparation as one has to take endless courses concerning social behavior and human knowledge before a license is granted. A socialator has the ability to cure mild illnesses with intricate massage techniques.

- In the launch bay, Cassiopea blatantly asks Starbuck for sex. "I want to make love to you. That's all it is. Not as a socialator, not as a refugee, just as me. Okay?"

- When Athena sees Starbuck and Casseopia in the launch tube, they are making love (not simply kissing as they were in the movie).

- In the Adama Journals, Adama talks about how a number of people even to this day still consider him to be a coward for leaving the Colonial warfleet during the surprise attack.

- Adama once had a talk with Zac who said that he loved Apollo but he had to surpass his achievements. This reveals the rivalry between the two brothers that was never defined in the movie.

- Imperious Leader considers Baltar to be the vilest of all humans because he is a traitor. When he orders Baltar to be executed, Baltar tries to bargain his life by offering information. Leader promises to spare him, and Baltar then tells him that he heard the Galactica survives. The Leader then breaks his promise and Baltar is taken out of the chamber to be executed. We never see Baltar get executed, so the continuity of the story is not disrupted when later novels reveal that Baltar survived.

- The novel hints that many people did not want to be part of Adama's quest to find Earth. Apollo wants to fight the Cylons. Serina simply objects to the idea of looking for Earth. Adama simply tells her she will do what he says. In the Adama Journals, Adama talks about how a leader, no matter how benevolently he regards himself, has to be something of a tyrant.

- Solium is a fuel, a derivative of the fuel source called Tylium.

- The Sire Uri of the novel is described as "handsome."

- Adama resigns as President of the Council due to the burdens of leading the fleet despite protests from most of the Council members. This is why Adama is unable to simply overrule the Council when they later propose destroying their weapons.

- There is not enough fuel for the entire fleet to make it to Carillon. One third of the fleet makes the journey and will return once the fuel is found. Uri votes for the plan only after he is guaranteed that his ship, the Rising Star, is one of the ships that is selected for the trip.

- Droids were banned on Caprica because Capricans didn't believe in using mechanical substitutes for human effort. That helps explain the lack of robots among the Colonials.

- The Muffit of the novel looks exactly like a real daggit. He actually pants and has a tongue.

- In the Adama Journals, Adama tells a story of how he once tried to catch Starbuck and reprimand him. He followed Starbuck down several hallways one time and walked in on a card game between him and several others. When Adama asks him what he was betting on, Starbuck tells Adama that they are betting on what will be the day that Adama dies! Adama becomes enraged, and Starbuck says the game was fixed; he knows the answer. Adama then asks what will be the day he dies, and Starbuck shows him the sheet of paper he wrote the answer on. It reads, "Never." Everyone, including Adama, bursts into laughter, and that was the last time Adama ever tried to catch Starbuck.

- The Colonials are unaware of the mine field blocking Carillon. Adama picks Apollo, Starbuck, and Boomer to clear the minefield at the last moment. Athena protests this to Adama, mostly because of her feelings for Starbuck. The hopelessness of their situation makes her want him even more.

- There are three different mines. The first are regular mines. The second are jamming mines that make the vipers controls go haywire if it gets too close. And the third are mines that send out a blinding light when they explode. This is why the viper cockpits are sealed. At one point, Tigh suggests to Adama that the mission be aborted when it appears the trio won't be able to destroy the mines.

- The Ovions are selling all of their tylium to the Cylons, but they are forced to because the Cylons rule over them. The Ovions actually despise the Cylons.

- Monogomy is prevalent on some Cylon worlds, and the Imperious Leader considers this to be a bad thing.

- The boss of the casino gives Starbuck and Boomer free food and drink when they first arrive. The short simian waiters are "mildly telepathic", enabling them to serve Starbuck his favorite drink, Sagitarian straight-arrow, and his favorite dessert, Aquarian ambrosia cake, without him having to ask for them.

- Jolly is the first to be captured by the Ovions. Muffit is also captured along with Boxey.

- The Imperious Leader recalls a conversation he had with a captured human scientist. After several days of communication, the man became lethargic. When the Leader asked why, the man explained the concept of boredom. The Leader found the concept so loathsome that he refused to accept it and became incensed with rage. The man also became angry and argued that no one liked to be bored, but it was unavoidable. The Leader commented that the man now seemed much less bored, therefore talking about boredom must not be boring. The man screamed that he was now more bored than ever, that the Imperious Leader and all the rest of the Cylons were such smug hypocrites with little personality that any sensible human could not help but be bored after a few days in their company. Although Imperious Leader did not believe boredom to be a genuine state, he resented the man's claim of boredom in Cylon company, and he banished the man from his presence forever. He probably had the man put to death, but that was a piece of information he would not have bothered to preserve in any of his brains. Ironically, Imperious Leader was now feeling bored while waiting for the Carillon trap to be sprung on the humans. When he hears news of the Galactica's arrival at Carillon, he orders the Cylon task force at Borallus to be ready to travel to Carillon.

- Adama goes with the Council to Carillon, but he refuses to eat any of the Ovions' food. The food is drugged, and that explains why the rest of the Council so stupidly wanted to destroy their weapons.

- Athena asks Adama for permission to go to Carillon, and he says yes. She dreams of one day having her own battlestar to command.

- The three singers on stage are from the planet Tucan. They have two mouths each instead of three.

- Serina uses her reporter skills to try to talk to one of the Ovions named Seetol, but her attempt is mostly unsuccessful.

- We never hear Adama discuss his secret plan with Colonel Tigh. Tigh actually does go down to the surface for the party so he can report what is happening to the Galactica.

- Sire Uri comes on to both Cassiopea and Serina. Of course, they reject him.

- Apollo and Serina spend a night together on Carillon. It is strongly implied that they have sex.

- When Cassiopea storms away from Starbuck, Athena angrily hands him the room key and leaves as well. Later, Athena regrets not having stayed with Starbuck.

- When Cassiopea is captured by the Ovions, she is wrapped in leaves inside a pod that at first make her feel peaceful and happy. Soon it wears off and the leaves grow painfully tight, and she begins to scream.

- The captured humans' bodies are slowly absorbed into the leaves of the pod. They are diluted into a liquid used to feed Ovion babies when they hatch.

- The Cylon attack force is referred to as the Cylon Supreme Star Force.

- The Cylons discover the portion of the fleet left behind when a glitch occurs in the force field, but the Cylons decide to wait to attack because they don't want to alert the Galactica.

- Seetol and the Ovion queen, Lotay, are killed during Starbuck and Apollo's escape from the mines.

- During the mass exodus from the surface of Caprica, Starbuck and Cassiopea pilot a shuttle filled with highly volatile Tylium. They barely evade the attacking Cylons and return to the Galactica.

- The planet Carillon does not explode.

- Once the Cylons at Carillon are routed, the Galactica warps back to the rest of the fleet which is also being attacked by Cylons. The Colonials win the battle. Imperious Leader is shocked at the turn of events. He realizes in his anger and hatred he has become like the humans, and that makes him more determined than ever to destroy them all.

- Muffit is shot by a Cylon on the surface of Carillon. Boxey is very sad because of this, and the book ends with Doctor Wilker revealing that Muffit has now been repaired. Boxey is happy again, and Serina makes a toast to Adama: "To Earth," she said. (From Sheba's Galaxy -John Hart)

User talk:Ericshirey03

2007-01-03T19:10:29Z

Ericshirey03: /* Copyrighted Content? */

Saga of a Star World (Book)

2007-01-03T16:15:23Z

Ericshirey03:

{{copyvio|url=http://www.blast.net/hart/SagaReview.htm}}
{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg01.jpg
| title= Battlestar Galactica
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 1
| episode= [[Saga of a Star World]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Robert Thurston|Robert Thurston]]
| published= September 1978
| isbn= 0425039587
| prev= None
| next= [[The Cylon Death Machine]]
}}

[[image:Bg-thefilm.jpg]]

{{mstub}}
[[Category:Books]]

 "Flagship of the 12 Worlds fleet, she was as large as a planet, yet as swift as the Starhound fighters she launched from her bays. For generations the vast ship led the thousand-year war against the Cylons for control of the known Galaxy. Now that war was in its final phase, and Galactica had one final mission, win or lose: blast through the deadly grid of the Cylon Starfleet and dash for deep space in a desperate attempt to find the legendary "Stonehenge" of the universe - the lost planet the ancient microfilms call 'Earth.'"

This is the opening paragraph to the Berkley novelization of the Battlestar Galactica pilot "Saga Of A Star World". This is easily one of the most fascinating Galactica books ever written, and there are a number of things that make it so interesting. First, the book is based on an early script of the pilot and, although changes were made before it came to print to make it more like the version that aired, there are a number of alternate scenes in the book. The Galactica universe is also different in several aspects, such as the Cylons are living aliens underneath their armor instead of total machines. Also, there are missing scenes left out of the final cut of the movie that survived intact in the book (Starbuck's confrontation with Tigh on the bridge after the Colonies are destroyed; Starbuck's extended conversation with Cassie on the shuttle; Adama's resigning from the Council).

Perhaps best of all, certain events are more fleshed out in the novelization than in the movie such as the surprise Cylon attack. The novelization helps to fill a number of gaping plot holes and unanswered questions that the movie was saddled with. Many chapters begin with an entry from the Adama journals, and the reader is able to learn a lot of information and insight from the Galactica's commander.

I realize that many fans are unhappy with the Berkley books, feeling that they don't remain true to the series. I disagree. First of all, as I've already said, the novelizations often have extra detail and explanations that help cover up plot holes that existed in the episodes. Second, I like the fact that the novels portray the BG universe in a slightly different way and that they are not exact retellings of the episodes because the books would be pretty boring otherwise. Third, some of the characters such as Athena are fleshed out better in the novels. Make no mistake, this is the best of all the Berkley novelizations and is a must-read for any Galactica fan.

Some plot points of the novel:

- Although Glen Larson is given co-author credit, he actually was not involved in the writing of the book at all. In fact, he did not contribute anything to any of the 14 Berkley books. Presumably, Larson's name was put on the books to make them more marketable.

- Robert Thurston has said the novel originally had more sex in it, but the publisher edited most of it out. There were some copies of the original unedited version released, but they are difficult to find (and the differences are fairly minor). For example, there was a special version of the novelization printed with a plain blue cover for the 1978 ABA convention. It is also possible (though not certain) that the Canadian edition of the novel may be unedited.

- In the Adama Journals, Adama states that the Cylons attacked the humans first without provocation more than a thousand years ago (There is never any mention in the novel of Colonial units of time such as yahrens, centons, microns, etc). This was contradicted in the movie and even later in the novelization when we hear Adama say during a meeting of the Council that the Cylons did not attack the Colonies until the Colonials aided a race that the Cylons had enslaved.

- Zac, instead of volunteering to go on patrol, was forced to go on patrol by Colonel Tigh as punishment for "that little rest and recuperation escape with Pay's chief nurse in sick bay."

- Apollo was famous among all the battlestars in the fleet for his war achievements.

- Adama is a much more stern, strict man than he appeared to be in the TV series. "The members of Adama's crew feared Adama as much as they loved him."

- Baltar was a self-proclaimed count; a rich trader, a dealer in rare items.

- Adama severely disliked Baltar from the beginning and didn't trust him.

- Adama and Adar went to the space academy together and were assigned to the same battlestar.

- The Colonial warfleet has five battlestars, not twelve. The fleet apparently had many other kinds of warships besides battlestars.

- A unique description of the Galactica is given: "(Adama) took great pride in the unanimous acknowledgment of the Galactica as the greatest fighting ship in the Colonial Fleet and the most efficiently run of all the Fleet's five battlestars. Commissioned at least two centuries before its present commander's birth, and commanded by Adama's father before him, the Galactica had survived thousands of rough encounters with the enemy, no mean achievement when one considered the notorious Cylon deviousness. With the destruction of the Atlantia's sister ship, the Pacifica, Adama's craft had become the largest fighting battlestar in the Fleet. And since he had taken over command its record had become as impressive as its size. The most heroic exploits, the most suicidal missions, the highest number of Cylon kills were now part of the Galactica's gallant history. If this peace lasted any time at all, the battlestar would surely be declared a monument to human achievement.

While it appeared to drift placidly, the Galactica was actually idling at near light-speed. Its slowness was due to the fact that it had, as guardian of the Atlantia during the peace conference, to keep its pace down to the Command Battlestar's speed. No wonder. Where the Atlantia was a hive of bulkily designed sections, the Galactica was a slim-lined, multi-level vehicle whose functional components allowed for the rarely achieved combination of size with speed. In regular space it could traverse distances nearly as fast as the fighting craft launched from it. Its fuel system provided the most power possible from the mixture of Tylium with lesser fuel sources. Its launching decks could be activated within minutes, emerging as long extensions from the cylindrical core of the vehicle, and its guidance systems had been refined - at Adama's orders - so that his pilots could land on an InterFleet Memo without smudging a single letter." It sounds like the Adama and Galactica of the novel would put Cain and the Pegasus to shame.

- The Galactica seems to have been a much larger ship in the novel than in the TV series. "Adama recalled his father saying that the Galactica was the size of a small planet, that a traveler could use up most of a lifetime walking its corridors without having to retrace a single step. He had learned later that the old man's description was somewhat overexaggerated, one of the outrageous tall tales he had so savored in the telling. Still, the Galactica would be a mighty challenge for the dedicated hiker."

- Adama and his wife Ila had not seen each other in over two years. In their married life, they had spent more time apart than they had spent together, but Ila always argued that their love was intensified as a result.

- Starbuck's gambling is so famous that his name is part of fighter-pilot slang. To be starbucked meant that you had maneuvered yourself into a position where defeat was inevitable. It was applied toward both battle and gambling.

- Boomer, Jolly, and Greenbean are with Starbuck in the card game. Starbuck loses a big hand to some Gemons, but then he comes back and wins just as the alert is sounded.

- When the Cylons attack the Colonial warfleet, two fleet battlecruisers explode almost immediately (evidently, there were many other ships besides the 5 battlestars). The Galactica is the only battlestar that manages to launch all its vipers. By the time the other battlestars launch their vipers, the Cylons are able to pick off most of them as soon as they clear the launch tubes. Thus, the Galactica warriors are left to lead the defense of the fleet.

- The Solaria is the last battlestar left in the fleet. It is destroyed, and then the Cylons leave the remaining vipers. Starbuck, Boomer, Jolly and the others are able to find refueling stations that were shielded from Cylon scanners.

- Starbuck, Boomer, and other pilots angrily confront Colonel Tigh on the bridge about the Galactica's withdrawal from the battle. Tigh replays the footage of the Destruction for them. This scene can be found in the Missing Scenes section.

- The Cylons are organic underneath their armor, unlike in the TV series. The way the Cylons look is not really described, but they must look very different than in the TV series because one of the Cylons on Carillon actually laughs. The Cylons in the TV series were incapable of laughter or displaying such emotion.

- Imperious Leader has many eyes. He has three brains. Typical Cylons have one brain, and secondary officers have two brains. Imperious Leader uses part of his brain to access the human form of thinking as a way to anticipate what his enemies will do. He dislikes using that portion of his brain, but it is invaluable in battle. Leader sees the humans' notions of good and evil as ridiculous. As far as he is concerned, such things simply do not exist. The Leader wears a helmet that allows him to personally direct the battle.

- Every Imperious Leader holds power for roughly three-quarters of a century, and then steps down after naming a successor.

- Serina has auburn hair and green eyes. She does not know Boxey when she helps him during the Cylon attack (unlike in the TV series where she is his mother).

- The rag-tag fleet is composed of 22,000 ships (not 220).

- Apollo creates a force field that hides the fleet from the Cylons. This makes their escape from the Colonies more believable, and it shows that the early character of Apollo was much more scientifically skilled than the Apollo of the TV series.

- Athena is a blonde and Cassiopea is a brunette.

- The original script has extra dialogue between Cassiopea and Starbuck during their first meeting on the shuttle. It survived intact in the novel, but you can also read it in the Missing Scenes section

- The novel makes it clear that a socialator is far more than a common prostitute. It takes years of preparation as one has to take endless courses concerning social behavior and human knowledge before a license is granted. A socialator has the ability to cure mild illnesses with intricate massage techniques.

- In the launch bay, Cassiopea blatantly asks Starbuck for sex. "I want to make love to you. That's all it is. Not as a socialator, not as a refugee, just as me. Okay?"

- When Athena sees Starbuck and Casseopia in the launch tube, they are making love (not simply kissing as they were in the movie).

- In the Adama Journals, Adama talks about how a number of people even to this day still consider him to be a coward for leaving the Colonial warfleet during the surprise attack.

- Adama once had a talk with Zac who said that he loved Apollo but he had to surpass his achievements. This reveals the rivalry between the two brothers that was never defined in the movie.

- Imperious Leader considers Baltar to be the vilest of all humans because he is a traitor. When he orders Baltar to be executed, Baltar tries to bargain his life by offering information. Leader promises to spare him, and Baltar then tells him that he heard the Galactica survives. The Leader then breaks his promise and Baltar is taken out of the chamber to be executed. We never see Baltar get executed, so the continuity of the story is not disrupted when later novels reveal that Baltar survived.

- The novel hints that many people did not want to be part of Adama's quest to find Earth. Apollo wants to fight the Cylons. Serina simply objects to the idea of looking for Earth. Adama simply tells her she will do what he says. In the Adama Journals, Adama talks about how a leader, no matter how benevolently he regards himself, has to be something of a tyrant.

- Solium is a fuel, a derivative of the fuel source called Tylium.

- The Sire Uri of the novel is described as "handsome."

- Adama resigns as President of the Council due to the burdens of leading the fleet despite protests from most of the Council members. This is why Adama is unable to simply overrule the Council when they later propose destroying their weapons.

- There is not enough fuel for the entire fleet to make it to Carillon. One third of the fleet makes the journey and will return once the fuel is found. Uri votes for the plan only after he is guaranteed that his ship, the Rising Star, is one of the ships that is selected for the trip.

- Droids were banned on Caprica because Capricans didn't believe in using mechanical substitutes for human effort. That helps explain the lack of robots among the Colonials.

- The Muffit of the novel looks exactly like a real daggit. He actually pants and has a tongue.

- In the Adama Journals, Adama tells a story of how he once tried to catch Starbuck and reprimand him. He followed Starbuck down several hallways one time and walked in on a card game between him and several others. When Adama asks him what he was betting on, Starbuck tells Adama that they are betting on what will be the day that Adama dies! Adama becomes enraged, and Starbuck says the game was fixed; he knows the answer. Adama then asks what will be the day he dies, and Starbuck shows him the sheet of paper he wrote the answer on. It reads, "Never." Everyone, including Adama, bursts into laughter, and that was the last time Adama ever tried to catch Starbuck.

- The Colonials are unaware of the mine field blocking Carillon. Adama picks Apollo, Starbuck, and Boomer to clear the minefield at the last moment. Athena protests this to Adama, mostly because of her feelings for Starbuck. The hopelessness of their situation makes her want him even more.

- There are three different mines. The first are regular mines. The second are jamming mines that make the vipers controls go haywire if it gets too close. And the third are mines that send out a blinding light when they explode. This is why the viper cockpits are sealed. At one point, Tigh suggests to Adama that the mission be aborted when it appears the trio won't be able to destroy the mines.

- The Ovions are selling all of their tylium to the Cylons, but they are forced to because the Cylons rule over them. The Ovions actually despise the Cylons.

- Monogomy is prevalent on some Cylon worlds, and the Imperious Leader considers this to be a bad thing.

- The boss of the casino gives Starbuck and Boomer free food and drink when they first arrive. The short simian waiters are "mildly telepathic", enabling them to serve Starbuck his favorite drink, Sagitarian straight-arrow, and his favorite dessert, Aquarian ambrosia cake, without him having to ask for them.

- Jolly is the first to be captured by the Ovions. Muffit is also captured along with Boxey.

- The Imperious Leader recalls a conversation he had with a captured human scientist. After several days of communication, the man became lethargic. When the Leader asked why, the man explained the concept of boredom. The Leader found the concept so loathsome that he refused to accept it and became incensed with rage. The man also became angry and argued that no one liked to be bored, but it was unavoidable. The Leader commented that the man now seemed much less bored, therefore talking about boredom must not be boring. The man screamed that he was now more bored than ever, that the Imperious Leader and all the rest of the Cylons were such smug hypocrites with little personality that any sensible human could not help but be bored after a few days in their company. Although Imperious Leader did not believe boredom to be a genuine state, he resented the man's claim of boredom in Cylon company, and he banished the man from his presence forever. He probably had the man put to death, but that was a piece of information he would not have bothered to preserve in any of his brains. Ironically, Imperious Leader was now feeling bored while waiting for the Carillon trap to be sprung on the humans. When he hears news of the Galactica's arrival at Carillon, he orders the Cylon task force at Borallus to be ready to travel to Carillon.

- Adama goes with the Council to Carillon, but he refuses to eat any of the Ovions' food. The food is drugged, and that explains why the rest of the Council so stupidly wanted to destroy their weapons.

- Athena asks Adama for permission to go to Carillon, and he says yes. She dreams of one day having her own battlestar to command.

- The three singers on stage are from the planet Tucan. They have two mouths each instead of three.

- Serina uses her reporter skills to try to talk to one of the Ovions named Seetol, but her attempt is mostly unsuccessful.

- We never hear Adama discuss his secret plan with Colonel Tigh. Tigh actually does go down to the surface for the party so he can report what is happening to the Galactica.

- Sire Uri comes on to both Cassiopea and Serina. Of course, they reject him.

- Apollo and Serina spend a night together on Carillon. It is strongly implied that they have sex.

- When Cassiopea storms away from Starbuck, Athena angrily hands him the room key and leaves as well. Later, Athena regrets not having stayed with Starbuck.

- When Cassiopea is captured by the Ovions, she is wrapped in leaves inside a pod that at first make her feel peaceful and happy. Soon it wears off and the leaves grow painfully tight, and she begins to scream.

- The captured humans' bodies are slowly absorbed into the leaves of the pod. They are diluted into a liquid used to feed Ovion babies when they hatch.

- The Cylon attack force is referred to as the Cylon Supreme Star Force.

- The Cylons discover the portion of the fleet left behind when a glitch occurs in the force field, but the Cylons decide to wait to attack because they don't want to alert the Galactica.

- Seetol and the Ovion queen, Lotay, are killed during Starbuck and Apollo's escape from the mines.

- During the mass exodus from the surface of Caprica, Starbuck and Cassiopea pilot a shuttle filled with highly volatile Tylium. They barely evade the attacking Cylons and return to the Galactica.

- The planet Carillon does not explode.

- Once the Cylons at Carillon are routed, the Galactica warps back to the rest of the fleet which is also being attacked by Cylons. The Colonials win the battle. Imperious Leader is shocked at the turn of events. He realizes in his anger and hatred he has become like the humans, and that makes him more determined than ever to destroy them all.

- Muffit is shot by a Cylon on the surface of Carillon. Boxey is very sad because of this, and the book ends with Doctor Wilker revealing that Muffit has now been repaired. Boxey is happy again, and Serina makes a toast to Adama: "To Earth," she said. (From Sheba's Galaxy -http://www.blast.net/hart/SagaReview.htm)

The Tombs of Kobol

2007-01-03T16:12:44Z

Ericshirey03:

{{Book Data
| image = Bg03.jpg
| title= The Tombs of Kobol
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 3
| episode= Lost Planet of the Gods, Parts [[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I|I]] and [[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II|II]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Robert Thurston|Robert Thurston]]
| published= September 1980
| isbn= 0425049922
| prev= [[The Cylon Death Machine]]
| next= [[The Young Warriors]]
}}
{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{mstub}}
[[Category:Books|Tombs of Kobol]]

 The Tombs Of Kobol has to rank up there as one of the best BG novelizations. Robert Thurston shows he has more than a grasp on the Galactica universe. What is truly amazing is his incredible portrayal of Lucifer. He manages to take what was a minor, one-dimensional character and turn him into an interesting, complex being. Lucifer shines in almost every Berkely novel he appears in. In many ways Lucifer becomes the most interesting character in the BG universe (well, at least in the Berkley version). For me, Lucifer's scenes are the most enjoyable parts of any of the Berkley novels.

This book answers a question that the TV series never did. How did Baltar survive when Imperious Leader had ordered him to be executed? (And those who only saw the theatrical version had to be even more confused - Baltar was sliced open with a sword!) We learn that Lucifer intervened and saved Baltar's life. We also get to see several scenes where a grieving Apollo is listening to some recordings that Serina made before she died. Overall, this is a very enjoyable novel and one definitely worth reading.

Some plot points of the book:

- Lucifer saves Baltar from being executed. Lucifer is not considered to be a Cylon because he is a machine, and the Cylons in the novel are organic underneath their armor. Lucifer houses a soul inside his left shoulder which he created. He is constantly able to reprogram and improve himself. Lucifer hides Baltar away for awhile and forces him to exercise and get into shape. Baltar finds the regimen to be torture. When Imperious Leader gives Baltar a base star to command, he orders Lucifer to be programmed to obey Baltar no matter what. Lucifer is upset about this and quickly regrets saving Baltar's life.

- All Cylons, including Lucifer, have a secret name that they never reveal.

- When humans are executed, the Cylons place their heads in the chopping block face-up, not face-down.

- Apollo proposes to Serina at the dinner after being pushed by the others. In the episode, Apollo and Serina had already made the decision to wed.

- Boomer and Jolly never bother to wear gloves on the asteroid, and the result is that their hands get wet. As it turns out, even with the gloves they still would have caught the disease.

- It is revealed that the Sentries (Council security guards) did not exist before the Holocaust; the new council created them. The Sentries consist of men who don't qualify to be Colonial warriors, and the jealousy they feel helps explain why they always cause so much trouble for the warriors.

- Serina reveals that she traveled throughout the Colonies as a journalist and was offered numerous awards. She turned them all down, apparently so she would not feel obligated to be biased towards the people who awarded her.

- Serina has many bad dreams about being killed by a Cylon ever since starting her cadet training, but she never tells Apollo.

- Adama also tries to talk Serina out of being a cadet, but she refuses.

- Cassiopea's career as a socialiator ended because the fleet outlawed most luxury occupations because there were so many other jobs needed to survive in a rag-tag fleet. It is revealed that some of the songs a socialator sang were composed to deal with specific emotional problems. At one point, Cassiopea sings to Starbuck a song called "The Death That Is No Death, The Life That Is No Life" shortly after the pilots fall ill.

- One of the female cadets named Gemi has a huge crush on Starbuck. She does everything she can to get his attention, but he never really notices her. Gemi is killed in the space battle above Kobol.

- During the viper simulation training, instead of Athena shooting down Starbuck, Brie shoots Dietra.

- The cadets have a slight advantage over the Cylons at first because they do not fly in typical flight patterns which throws the Cylons off.

- Kobol was a world of peace. According to the Book of the Word, power struggles over land and wealth were conducted without treachery or combat.

- Lucifer enjoys Starbuck's company on the Cylon basestar, preferring him greatly over Baltar. Starbuck teaches Lucifer how to play pyramid and beats him. Lucifer is baffled by the concept of "luck" as Starbuck describes it.

- Starbuck tells Lucifer that he can't act on calculation, that most of his heroic feats were performed on impulse. Later, this inspires Lucifer to act on impulse and launch the Cylon attack despite Baltar's orders.

- Serina carries a recorder with her into the tomb which breaks right after Baltar reveals himself.

- Athena saves Starbuck from a pinwheel attack in the battle above Kobol.

- The laser battle in which Serina is killed involves a lot more than two Cylons. Lucifer had arrived on the surface and brought a number of Cylons with him.

- Lucifer rescues Baltar from the tomb. He has incredible strength as he is able to single-handedly lift the pillar off of Baltar. He conducts a quick "med-scan" which reveals Baltar has a couple of broken bones. Lucifer assures Baltar he can mend them very quickly back on the basestar.

(From Sheba's Galaxy - http://www.blast.net/hart/TombsReview.htm)

The Tombs of Kobol

2007-01-03T16:12:11Z

Ericshirey03:

{{Book Data
| image = Bg03.jpg
| title= The Tombs of Kobol
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 3
| episode= Lost Planet of the Gods, Parts [[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I|I]] and [[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II|II]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Robert Thurston|Robert Thurston]]
| published= September 1980
| isbn= 0425049922
| prev= [[The Cylon Death Machine]]
| next= [[The Young Warriors]]
}}
{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{mstub}}
[[Category:Books|Tombs of Kobol]]

 The Tombs Of Kobol has to rank up there as one of the best BG novelizations. Robert Thurston shows he has more than a grasp on the Galactica universe. What is truly amazing is his incredible portrayal of Lucifer. He manages to take what was a minor, one-dimensional character and turn him into an interesting, complex being. Lucifer shines in almost every Berkely novel he appears in. In many ways Lucifer becomes the most interesting character in the BG universe (well, at least in the Berkley version). For me, Lucifer's scenes are the most enjoyable parts of any of the Berkley novels.

This book answers a question that the TV series never did. How did Baltar survive when Imperious Leader had ordered him to be executed? (And those who only saw the theatrical version had to be even more confused - Baltar was sliced open with a sword!) We learn that Lucifer intervened and saved Baltar's life. We also get to see several scenes where a grieving Apollo is listening to some recordings that Serina made before she died. Overall, this is a very enjoyable novel and one definitely worth reading.

Some plot points of the book:

- Lucifer saves Baltar from being executed. Lucifer is not considered to be a Cylon because he is a machine, and the Cylons in the novel are organic underneath their armor. Lucifer houses a soul inside his left shoulder which he created. He is constantly able to reprogram and improve himself. Lucifer hides Baltar away for awhile and forces him to exercise and get into shape. Baltar finds the regimen to be torture. When Imperious Leader gives Baltar a base star to command, he orders Lucifer to be programmed to obey Baltar no matter what. Lucifer is upset about this and quickly regrets saving Baltar's life.

- All Cylons, including Lucifer, have a secret name that they never reveal.

- When humans are executed, the Cylons place their heads in the chopping block face-up, not face-down.

- Apollo proposes to Serina at the dinner after being pushed by the others. In the episode, Apollo and Serina had already made the decision to wed.

- Boomer and Jolly never bother to wear gloves on the asteroid, and the result is that their hands get wet. As it turns out, even with the gloves they still would have caught the disease.

- It is revealed that the Sentries (Council security guards) did not exist before the Holocaust; the new council created them. The Sentries consist of men who don't qualify to be Colonial warriors, and the jealousy they feel helps explain why they always cause so much trouble for the warriors.

- Serina reveals that she traveled throughout the Colonies as a journalist and was offered numerous awards. She turned them all down, apparently so she would not feel obligated to be biased towards the people who awarded her.

- Serina has many bad dreams about being killed by a Cylon ever since starting her cadet training, but she never tells Apollo.

Adama also tries to talk Serina out of being a cadet, but she refuses.

Cassiopea's career as a socialiator ended because the fleet outlawed most luxury occupations because there were so many other jobs needed to survive in a rag-tag fleet. It is revealed that some of the songs a socialator sang were composed to deal with specific emotional problems. At one point, Cassiopea sings to Starbuck a song called "The Death That Is No Death, The Life That Is No Life" shortly after the pilots fall ill.

- One of the female cadets named Gemi has a huge crush on Starbuck. She does everything she can to get his attention, but he never really notices her. Gemi is killed in the space battle above Kobol.

- During the viper simulation training, instead of Athena shooting down Starbuck, Brie shoots Dietra.

- The cadets have a slight advantage over the Cylons at first because they do not fly in typical flight patterns which throws the Cylons off.

- Kobol was a world of peace. According to the Book of the Word, power struggles over land and wealth were conducted without treachery or combat.

- Lucifer enjoys Starbuck's company on the Cylon basestar, preferring him greatly over Baltar. Starbuck teaches Lucifer how to play pyramid and beats him. Lucifer is baffled by the concept of "luck" as Starbuck describes it.

- Starbuck tells Lucifer that he can't act on calculation, that most of his heroic feats were performed on impulse. Later, this inspires Lucifer to act on impulse and launch the Cylon attack despite Baltar's orders.

- Serina carries a recorder with her into the tomb which breaks right after Baltar reveals himself.

- Athena saves Starbuck from a pinwheel attack in the battle above Kobol.

- The laser battle in which Serina is killed involves a lot more than two Cylons. Lucifer had arrived on the surface and brought a number of Cylons with him.

- Lucifer rescues Baltar from the tomb. He has incredible strength as he is able to single-handedly lift the pillar off of Baltar. He conducts a quick "med-scan" which reveals Baltar has a couple of broken bones. Lucifer assures Baltar he can mend them very quickly back on the basestar.

(From Sheba's Galaxy - http://www.blast.net/hart/TombsReview.htm)

The Cylon Death Machine

2007-01-03T16:03:12Z

Ericshirey03:

{{Book Data
| image = Bg02.jpg
| title= The Cylon Death Machine
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 2
| episode= [[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part I]] [[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Robert Thurston|Robert Thurston]]
| published= January 1979
| isbn= 0-42504-080-1
| prev= [[Saga of a Star World (Book)|Battlestar Galactica]]
| next= [[The Tombs of Kobol]]
}}
{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{mstub}}
[[Category:Books|Cylon Death Machine]]

 It is interesting that this novelization of The Gun On Ice Planet Zero is the second Galactica novel. Ironically, Gun was the second episode produced. To be honest, I've never cared much for this particular novel. It is mostly a straight retelling episode except for a couple variations.

Croft is fleshed out considerably here (in fact, several chapters are written from his point of view). Apparently, Robert Thurston really liked Croft because he becomes a major character in three of the four later original Berkley novels. Unfortunately, the problem with giving Croft so much focus here (and in the other books) is that the character is dull. Except for his loyalty to the Colonials, there isn't much that separates Croft from the other criminals (although he does rescue Boxey at the end).

Much more interesting is the character of Vulpa, the Cylon Commander in charge of the Pulsar weapon. We learn much about Vulpa's past and his rebellious nature which goes a long way towards giving the Cylons more dimension and moving them away from being a bunch of bad guys that look cool but have absolutely no personality. Imperious Leader also continues to be an intriguing character, and it is fun to watch him talk with the human hologram of Starbuck to try and anticipate the humans' moves.

Still, unfortunately, The Cylon Death Machine is one of those novels where the whole does not equal the sum of its parts.

Some plot points of the novel:

- The front and back cover of this book has an art portrait that was used as an early promotional tool for the TV series. It was not made to be used for this book.

- The ice planet is named Tairac, and it is referred to as an asteroid several times throughout the novel.

- Leda has short red hair instead of long, black hair.

- Vulpa has clear ambitions to one day become Imperious Leader. He was a suicidally aggressive fighter pilot before being promoted to commander. Vulpa was banished to the ice planet after openly suggesting to Imperious Leader that the Cylons let the remaining humans go. He simply did not believe the humans were a viable threat any longer. Vulpa has extra motivation to succeed at his mission because he wants to redeem himself to Imperious Leader.

- Imperious Leader, not Baltar, directs the operation pushing the Colonial fleet towards the ice planet. He listens to computer simulations of Adama and Apollo, and then finally settles on talking with Starbuck because the Cylons have more information on him. Starbuck has already achieved a legendary status as many human prisoners talk about him. The Starbuck hologram constantly insults Imperious Leader.

- The research ship Infinity serves as a make-shift Academy for training new Colonial warriors. Adama gives a lecture to the greenest group of cadets he has ever seen and cannot believe how young they all are.

- The novel does a better job than the TV series ever did portraying the harsh struggle for survival in the rag-tag fleet: "Every person on every ship was putting in double time to improve the efficiency and speed of the overall fleet. Half a dozen freighters had been converted to flying foundries, which in turn converted scrap metals and other materials into vipers for the Galactica's crew of fighter pilots. Everyone in the fleet had become a scavenger, searching for metal and electronic supplies within their ships and on the few planets they encountered with obtainable material. Considering the sources for their construction, the vipers leaving the foundry were remarkably well-manufactured vehicles. It was true, of course, that they were more often subject to technical and mechanical failures than those vipers from the original squadrons."

- The camouflage force-field is mentioned again, and Athena suggests they drop it and save the energy because the Cylons always seem to find them anyway.

- A number of Colonial vessels have make-shift armament. The Colonial Movers ship once turned back a squadron of Cylon fighters single-handedly, and its achievement was already being transformed into song and legend among all the ships in the fleet.

- While plotting a course for the Galactica, Adama says they must avoid the planet Cassarion because it is a Cylon outpost. They must also avoid the Sellian asteroid belt, composed of millions of fragments of a world the Cylons destroyed. (Did the Cylons have their own Death Star?)

- On the Galactica bridge, during the review of the data that Starbuck brought back about the gun, Starbuck and Apollo almost come to blows over their frustration.

- Athena strongly urges Adama to send her on the mission, but he refuses.

- Imperious Leader tells the Starbuck hologram that Cylons write poetry, but it must be preserved orally and not permanently written down. Poets are considered one of the less desirable elements of Cylon society such as criminals.

- In the Adama journals, Adama mentions there are many myths and legends about Starbuck during his Academy days. It was said that during off-duty hours he would unlock the war-game room and turn it into an arcade for entertainment, but he was never caught no matter how hard the officials tried. Another legend says that Starbuck created a cheating ring and gave test answers to a group of students. In the last page of their test booklets, those students found a note telling them that all the answers they were given were wrong. The examiner who told Adama the story swore that it could not be true, but Adama believes it.

- Apollo is upset to learn that he has not been selected for the mission. After complaining to Adama, he is included with the team.

- Athena is angry when she finds out that Apollo is on the mission. Starbuck pretends to act happy that he isn't on the list (even though he knows the computer will select him), and Athena says to him, "Hang around the debriefing room as long as you can. Maybe a little bravery will rub off." He walks off, and Athena curses herself for pushing him away when she had been trying so hard to get close to him again.

- Starbuck programs into the computer that he and Boomer spent time at the Aeriana Ice Station even though neither of them had. Apollo realizes what Starbuck has done, but he doesn't say anything because he is glad to have them both on the mission.

- The Muffit in the novel looks exactly like a real daggit.

- The Cylons fighters that attack the shuttle are remote-controlled. When Killian's viper is severely damaged and about to explode, he purposely crashes it into one of the Cylon fighters and they both are destroyed.

- Vulpa worries greatly about the humans on the shuttle because his garrison is understaffed.

- In the Adama journals, Adama reflects on how much of their culture they have lost due to the Destruction. He had asked for a book only to learn that there was no copy.

- After one of the Cylon attacks, Athena asks to fly a viper, but Adama says no.

- One of the planners betrays the Colonials to the Cylons, initiating a Cylon search of the village.

- In the village, Thane tries to rape Leda. She grips his throat, forcing him off. He then runs away and gets captured by the Cylons.

- Vulpa is frightened when Thane's bomb goes off. He is amazed at what the humans are capable of.

- Near the end, Boxey hides aboard a Cylon raider. After the mountain explodes, Vulpa (who was not caught in the blast) takes the remote-controlled Cylon fighters and launches a suicide attack on the Colonials. Boxey is trapped, but Croft rescues him. Hanging by a rope out of the side of one Raider, he blows a hole in the side of the other, swings inside to grab Boxey, and then swings out again (It's all a little hard to believe, of course).

- As a reward, Adama reinstates Croft as a full commander.

- Imperious Leader asks the Starbuck hologram how the humans managed to win again, and Starbuck mocks him. Imperious Leader angrily smashes the equipment, and the Starbuck hologram disappears.

- Vulpa survives at the end but there is nothing he can do but wait for his eventual demise.

(Taken from Sheba's Galaxy - http://www.blast.net/hart/CylonDeathMachineReview.htm)

The Cylon Death Machine

2007-01-03T15:58:37Z

Ericshirey03:

Saga of a Star World (Book)

2007-01-03T15:46:58Z

Ericshirey03:

{{separate continuity|tos=y}}
{{Book Data
| image = Bg01.jpg
| title= Battlestar Galactica
| series= Berkley Books
| bookno= 1
| episode= [[Saga of a Star World]]
| author= [[Wikipedia:Robert Thurston|Robert Thurston]]
| published= September 1978
| isbn= 0425039587
| prev= None
| next= [[The Cylon Death Machine]]
}}

[[image:Bg-thefilm.jpg]]

{{mstub}}
[[Category:Books]]

 "Flagship of the 12 Worlds fleet, she was as large as a planet, yet as swift as the Starhound fighters she launched from her bays. For generations the vast ship led the thousand-year war against the Cylons for control of the known Galaxy. Now that war was in its final phase, and Galactica had one final mission, win or lose: blast through the deadly grid of the Cylon Starfleet and dash for deep space in a desperate attempt to find the legendary "Stonehenge" of the universe - the lost planet the ancient microfilms call 'Earth.'"

This is the opening paragraph to the Berkley novelization of the Battlestar Galactica pilot "Saga Of A Star World". This is easily one of the most fascinating Galactica books ever written, and there are a number of things that make it so interesting. First, the book is based on an early script of the pilot and, although changes were made before it came to print to make it more like the version that aired, there are a number of alternate scenes in the book. The Galactica universe is also different in several aspects, such as the Cylons are living aliens underneath their armor instead of total machines. Also, there are missing scenes left out of the final cut of the movie that survived intact in the book (Starbuck's confrontation with Tigh on the bridge after the Colonies are destroyed; Starbuck's extended conversation with Cassie on the shuttle; Adama's resigning from the Council).

Perhaps best of all, certain events are more fleshed out in the novelization than in the movie such as the surprise Cylon attack. The novelization helps to fill a number of gaping plot holes and unanswered questions that the movie was saddled with. Many chapters begin with an entry from the Adama journals, and the reader is able to learn a lot of information and insight from the Galactica's commander.

I realize that many fans are unhappy with the Berkley books, feeling that they don't remain true to the series. I disagree. First of all, as I've already said, the novelizations often have extra detail and explanations that help cover up plot holes that existed in the episodes. Second, I like the fact that the novels portray the BG universe in a slightly different way and that they are not exact retellings of the episodes because the books would be pretty boring otherwise. Third, some of the characters such as Athena are fleshed out better in the novels. Make no mistake, this is the best of all the Berkley novelizations and is a must-read for any Galactica fan.

Some plot points of the novel:

- Although Glen Larson is given co-author credit, he actually was not involved in the writing of the book at all. In fact, he did not contribute anything to any of the 14 Berkley books. Presumably, Larson's name was put on the books to make them more marketable.

- Robert Thurston has said the novel originally had more sex in it, but the publisher edited most of it out. There were some copies of the original unedited version released, but they are difficult to find (and the differences are fairly minor). For example, there was a special version of the novelization printed with a plain blue cover for the 1978 ABA convention. It is also possible (though not certain) that the Canadian edition of the novel may be unedited.

- In the Adama Journals, Adama states that the Cylons attacked the humans first without provocation more than a thousand years ago (There is never any mention in the novel of Colonial units of time such as yahrens, centons, microns, etc). This was contradicted in the movie and even later in the novelization when we hear Adama say during a meeting of the Council that the Cylons did not attack the Colonies until the Colonials aided a race that the Cylons had enslaved.

- Zac, instead of volunteering to go on patrol, was forced to go on patrol by Colonel Tigh as punishment for "that little rest and recuperation escape with Pay's chief nurse in sick bay."

- Apollo was famous among all the battlestars in the fleet for his war achievements.

- Adama is a much more stern, strict man than he appeared to be in the TV series. "The members of Adama's crew feared Adama as much as they loved him."

- Baltar was a self-proclaimed count; a rich trader, a dealer in rare items.

- Adama severely disliked Baltar from the beginning and didn't trust him.

- Adama and Adar went to the space academy together and were assigned to the same battlestar.

- The Colonial warfleet has five battlestars, not twelve. The fleet apparently had many other kinds of warships besides battlestars.

- A unique description of the Galactica is given: "(Adama) took great pride in the unanimous acknowledgment of the Galactica as the greatest fighting ship in the Colonial Fleet and the most efficiently run of all the Fleet's five battlestars. Commissioned at least two centuries before its present commander's birth, and commanded by Adama's father before him, the Galactica had survived thousands of rough encounters with the enemy, no mean achievement when one considered the notorious Cylon deviousness. With the destruction of the Atlantia's sister ship, the Pacifica, Adama's craft had become the largest fighting battlestar in the Fleet. And since he had taken over command its record had become as impressive as its size. The most heroic exploits, the most suicidal missions, the highest number of Cylon kills were now part of the Galactica's gallant history. If this peace lasted any time at all, the battlestar would surely be declared a monument to human achievement.

While it appeared to drift placidly, the Galactica was actually idling at near light-speed. Its slowness was due to the fact that it had, as guardian of the Atlantia during the peace conference, to keep its pace down to the Command Battlestar's speed. No wonder. Where the Atlantia was a hive of bulkily designed sections, the Galactica was a slim-lined, multi-level vehicle whose functional components allowed for the rarely achieved combination of size with speed. In regular space it could traverse distances nearly as fast as the fighting craft launched from it. Its fuel system provided the most power possible from the mixture of Tylium with lesser fuel sources. Its launching decks could be activated within minutes, emerging as long extensions from the cylindrical core of the vehicle, and its guidance systems had been refined - at Adama's orders - so that his pilots could land on an InterFleet Memo without smudging a single letter." It sounds like the Adama and Galactica of the novel would put Cain and the Pegasus to shame.

- The Galactica seems to have been a much larger ship in the novel than in the TV series. "Adama recalled his father saying that the Galactica was the size of a small planet, that a traveler could use up most of a lifetime walking its corridors without having to retrace a single step. He had learned later that the old man's description was somewhat overexaggerated, one of the outrageous tall tales he had so savored in the telling. Still, the Galactica would be a mighty challenge for the dedicated hiker."

- Adama and his wife Ila had not seen each other in over two years. In their married life, they had spent more time apart than they had spent together, but Ila always argued that their love was intensified as a result.

- Starbuck's gambling is so famous that his name is part of fighter-pilot slang. To be starbucked meant that you had maneuvered yourself into a position where defeat was inevitable. It was applied toward both battle and gambling.

- Boomer, Jolly, and Greenbean are with Starbuck in the card game. Starbuck loses a big hand to some Gemons, but then he comes back and wins just as the alert is sounded.

- When the Cylons attack the Colonial warfleet, two fleet battlecruisers explode almost immediately (evidently, there were many other ships besides the 5 battlestars). The Galactica is the only battlestar that manages to launch all its vipers. By the time the other battlestars launch their vipers, the Cylons are able to pick off most of them as soon as they clear the launch tubes. Thus, the Galactica warriors are left to lead the defense of the fleet.

- The Solaria is the last battlestar left in the fleet. It is destroyed, and then the Cylons leave the remaining vipers. Starbuck, Boomer, Jolly and the others are able to find refueling stations that were shielded from Cylon scanners.

- Starbuck, Boomer, and other pilots angrily confront Colonel Tigh on the bridge about the Galactica's withdrawal from the battle. Tigh replays the footage of the Destruction for them. This scene can be found in the Missing Scenes section.

- The Cylons are organic underneath their armor, unlike in the TV series. The way the Cylons look is not really described, but they must look very different than in the TV series because one of the Cylons on Carillon actually laughs. The Cylons in the TV series were incapable of laughter or displaying such emotion.

- Imperious Leader has many eyes. He has three brains. Typical Cylons have one brain, and secondary officers have two brains. Imperious Leader uses part of his brain to access the human form of thinking as a way to anticipate what his enemies will do. He dislikes using that portion of his brain, but it is invaluable in battle. Leader sees the humans' notions of good and evil as ridiculous. As far as he is concerned, such things simply do not exist. The Leader wears a helmet that allows him to personally direct the battle.

- Every Imperious Leader holds power for roughly three-quarters of a century, and then steps down after naming a successor.

- Serina has auburn hair and green eyes. She does not know Boxey when she helps him during the Cylon attack (unlike in the TV series where she is his mother).

- The rag-tag fleet is composed of 22,000 ships (not 220).

- Apollo creates a force field that hides the fleet from the Cylons. This makes their escape from the Colonies more believable, and it shows that the early character of Apollo was much more scientifically skilled than the Apollo of the TV series.

- Athena is a blonde and Cassiopea is a brunette.

- The original script has extra dialogue between Cassiopea and Starbuck during their first meeting on the shuttle. It survived intact in the novel, but you can also read it in the Missing Scenes section

- The novel makes it clear that a socialator is far more than a common prostitute. It takes years of preparation as one has to take endless courses concerning social behavior and human knowledge before a license is granted. A socialator has the ability to cure mild illnesses with intricate massage techniques.

- In the launch bay, Cassiopea blatantly asks Starbuck for sex. "I want to make love to you. That's all it is. Not as a socialator, not as a refugee, just as me. Okay?"

- When Athena sees Starbuck and Casseopia in the launch tube, they are making love (not simply kissing as they were in the movie).

- In the Adama Journals, Adama talks about how a number of people even to this day still consider him to be a coward for leaving the Colonial warfleet during the surprise attack.

- Adama once had a talk with Zac who said that he loved Apollo but he had to surpass his achievements. This reveals the rivalry between the two brothers that was never defined in the movie.

- Imperious Leader considers Baltar to be the vilest of all humans because he is a traitor. When he orders Baltar to be executed, Baltar tries to bargain his life by offering information. Leader promises to spare him, and Baltar then tells him that he heard the Galactica survives. The Leader then breaks his promise and Baltar is taken out of the chamber to be executed. We never see Baltar get executed, so the continuity of the story is not disrupted when later novels reveal that Baltar survived.

- The novel hints that many people did not want to be part of Adama's quest to find Earth. Apollo wants to fight the Cylons. Serina simply objects to the idea of looking for Earth. Adama simply tells her she will do what he says. In the Adama Journals, Adama talks about how a leader, no matter how benevolently he regards himself, has to be something of a tyrant.

- Solium is a fuel, a derivative of the fuel source called Tylium.

- The Sire Uri of the novel is described as "handsome."

- Adama resigns as President of the Council due to the burdens of leading the fleet despite protests from most of the Council members. This is why Adama is unable to simply overrule the Council when they later propose destroying their weapons.

- There is not enough fuel for the entire fleet to make it to Carillon. One third of the fleet makes the journey and will return once the fuel is found. Uri votes for the plan only after he is guaranteed that his ship, the Rising Star, is one of the ships that is selected for the trip.

- Droids were banned on Caprica because Capricans didn't believe in using mechanical substitutes for human effort. That helps explain the lack of robots among the Colonials.

- The Muffit of the novel looks exactly like a real daggit. He actually pants and has a tongue.

- In the Adama Journals, Adama tells a story of how he once tried to catch Starbuck and reprimand him. He followed Starbuck down several hallways one time and walked in on a card game between him and several others. When Adama asks him what he was betting on, Starbuck tells Adama that they are betting on what will be the day that Adama dies! Adama becomes enraged, and Starbuck says the game was fixed; he knows the answer. Adama then asks what will be the day he dies, and Starbuck shows him the sheet of paper he wrote the answer on. It reads, "Never." Everyone, including Adama, bursts into laughter, and that was the last time Adama ever tried to catch Starbuck.

- The Colonials are unaware of the mine field blocking Carillon. Adama picks Apollo, Starbuck, and Boomer to clear the minefield at the last moment. Athena protests this to Adama, mostly because of her feelings for Starbuck. The hopelessness of their situation makes her want him even more.

- There are three different mines. The first are regular mines. The second are jamming mines that make the vipers controls go haywire if it gets too close. And the third are mines that send out a blinding light when they explode. This is why the viper cockpits are sealed. At one point, Tigh suggests to Adama that the mission be aborted when it appears the trio won't be able to destroy the mines.

- The Ovions are selling all of their tylium to the Cylons, but they are forced to because the Cylons rule over them. The Ovions actually despise the Cylons.

- Monogomy is prevalent on some Cylon worlds, and the Imperious Leader considers this to be a bad thing.

- The boss of the casino gives Starbuck and Boomer free food and drink when they first arrive. The short simian waiters are "mildly telepathic", enabling them to serve Starbuck his favorite drink, Sagitarian straight-arrow, and his favorite dessert, Aquarian ambrosia cake, without him having to ask for them.

- Jolly is the first to be captured by the Ovions. Muffit is also captured along with Boxey.

- The Imperious Leader recalls a conversation he had with a captured human scientist. After several days of communication, the man became lethargic. When the Leader asked why, the man explained the concept of boredom. The Leader found the concept so loathsome that he refused to accept it and became incensed with rage. The man also became angry and argued that no one liked to be bored, but it was unavoidable. The Leader commented that the man now seemed much less bored, therefore talking about boredom must not be boring. The man screamed that he was now more bored than ever, that the Imperious Leader and all the rest of the Cylons were such smug hypocrites with little personality that any sensible human could not help but be bored after a few days in their company. Although Imperious Leader did not believe boredom to be a genuine state, he resented the man's claim of boredom in Cylon company, and he banished the man from his presence forever. He probably had the man put to death, but that was a piece of information he would not have bothered to preserve in any of his brains. Ironically, Imperious Leader was now feeling bored while waiting for the Carillon trap to be sprung on the humans. When he hears news of the Galactica's arrival at Carillon, he orders the Cylon task force at Borallus to be ready to travel to Carillon.

- Adama goes with the Council to Carillon, but he refuses to eat any of the Ovions' food. The food is drugged, and that explains why the rest of the Council so stupidly wanted to destroy their weapons.

- Athena asks Adama for permission to go to Carillon, and he says yes. She dreams of one day having her own battlestar to command.

- The three singers on stage are from the planet Tucan. They have two mouths each instead of three.

- Serina uses her reporter skills to try to talk to one of the Ovions named Seetol, but her attempt is mostly unsuccessful.

- We never hear Adama discuss his secret plan with Colonel Tigh. Tigh actually does go down to the surface for the party so he can report what is happening to the Galactica.

- Sire Uri comes on to both Cassiopea and Serina. Of course, they reject him.

- Apollo and Serina spend a night together on Carillon. It is strongly implied that they have sex.

- When Cassiopea storms away from Starbuck, Athena angrily hands him the room key and leaves as well. Later, Athena regrets not having stayed with Starbuck.

- When Cassiopea is captured by the Ovions, she is wrapped in leaves inside a pod that at first make her feel peaceful and happy. Soon it wears off and the leaves grow painfully tight, and she begins to scream.

- The captured humans' bodies are slowly absorbed into the leaves of the pod. They are diluted into a liquid used to feed Ovion babies when they hatch.

- The Cylon attack force is referred to as the Cylon Supreme Star Force.

- The Cylons discover the portion of the fleet left behind when a glitch occurs in the force field, but the Cylons decide to wait to attack because they don't want to alert the Galactica.

- Seetol and the Ovion queen, Lotay, are killed during Starbuck and Apollo's escape from the mines.

- During the mass exodus from the surface of Caprica, Starbuck and Cassiopea pilot a shuttle filled with highly volatile Tylium. They barely evade the attacking Cylons and return to the Galactica.

- The planet Carillon does not explode.

- Once the Cylons at Carillon are routed, the Galactica warps back to the rest of the fleet which is also being attacked by Cylons. The Colonials win the battle. Imperious Leader is shocked at the turn of events. He realizes in his anger and hatred he has become like the humans, and that makes him more determined than ever to destroy them all.

- Muffit is shot by a Cylon on the surface of Carillon. Boxey is very sad because of this, and the book ends with Doctor Wilker revealing that Muffit has now been repaired. Boxey is happy again, and Serina makes a toast to Adama: "To Earth," she said. (From Sheba's World -http://www.blast.net/hart/SagaReview.htm)