Resurrection

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Re-imagined SeriesSeparate Continuity

Resurrection (RDM)Resurrection ShipResurrection HubResurrection Ship, Part 2

For information on a book based on the Original Series universe, see Resurrection (book).

Number Three reborn.

Resurrection is the term that refers to the process wherein the consciousnesses and memories of a Cylon whose body had been destroyed are captured and recovered.

Humanoid Cylon Resurrection

When a humanoid Cylon's body ceases to function, their consciousness can be transmitted (or "downloaded") into a duplicate humanoid Cylon body, one which is empty of consciousness before the download ^{(TRS: "Miniseries")}.

For resurrection to occur, the dying Cylon must be close to a resurrection ship or hub, otherwise his or her consciousness risks being permanently lost. The transmission method of a Cylon's consciousness has not been explained, but a form of wireless is probable. Resurrection points identified include the Cylon homeworld, the central Resurrection Hub, Resurrection Ships, and planet-based facilities. A rebirthing facility may have existed on occupied Caprica. Within each resurrection point is at least one rebirthing tank, where a duplicate body is immersed in a thick opaque substance to await download ^{(TRS: "Downloaded")}.

Resurrection affords the Cylons a great tactical advantage in war, as it enables them to carry out suicidal attacks without fear, learn from their deaths to improve their strategy, and fall back to their home base by dying in order to escape capture, nullify a debilitating injury or transmit information. The Cylons are able to sustain themselves as a society indefinitely so long as Resurrection is intact, without having to fear death by natural causes. This fact is especially important in light of the Cylons' difficulties in achieving sexual reproduction.

While humanoid Cylons appear to be able to be resurrected indefinitely, two problems can occur. Repeated downloads can cause pain and other unexplained symptoms. A Cavil reports severe headaches after one resurrection, and a sensation that felt like "a white hot poker in my skull" in a following instance ^{(TRS: "Exodus, Part I")}. Far more threatening is if a humanoid Cylon's memories have become compromised, corrupted, or otherwise tainted (from the perspective of other Cylons). If that occurs, the consciousness might be "boxed" immediately after download while the reborn Cylon is in the tank and unable to resist, a drastic measure equivalent in Cylon society to capital punishment. Conversations suggest that this practice is very rare, and Number Three is the only case of an entire model line being boxed (Downloaded, Rapture).

It is also apparent that the resurrection process is involuntary in that humanoid Cylons cannot choose to die permanently, nor can other Cylons in control of a Resurrection Ship choose to prevent someone from being downloaded. The only way to prevent a dead Cylon from downloading is to move the Resurrection Ship out of range ^{(TRS: "Torn")}. An example of this is when Sharon Agathon downloads to a Resurrection Ship to rescue her child. Despite being a traitor, the Cylons do not stop her from resurrecting and she is able to rescue her child as a result ^{(TRS: "Rapture")}. Furthermore, Gina Inviere, a Cylon prisoner aboard Pegasus who was tortured so badly she wants to die for good, is unable to control her resurrection. To ensure her permanent death, she supplies the Colonials with information on the Resurrection Ship, so that it can be destroyed ^{(TRS: "Resurrection Ship, Part I")}.

When a humanoid Cylon is downloaded, his or her memories are added to a collective database and can be accessed by another Cylon of the same model. This is not automatic; the Cylon receiving his or her counterpart's memories must choose to do so ^{(TRS: "The Hub")}.

One apparent side effect of resurrection is the restoration of blocked memories: when Ellen Tigh is killed by her husband and downloaded, the memories that Cavil had blocked following her previous download and insertion into Colonial society come back to her shortly after resurrection ^{(TRS: "No Exit")}.

The process of Resurrection

Very little is known about the mechanics of downloading, other than what can be inferred and comments made from official crew members. Not all Cylons of the same model line share the same knowledge, and thus knowledge is variable between Cylons of the same model line. However, memories are stored upon download and "can be accessed by a curious Cylon who knows how". Hence, the memories of Sharon Agathon were stored when she downloaded to rescue her daughter, and another Number Eight was later able to access them ^{(TRS: "The Hub")}.

A download usually occurs a short amount of time after death; however, if a great number of Cylons are killed at once, it can take much longer to resurrect them all. After Caprica-Six killed D'Anna Biers, she said that due to the amount of Cylons killed by a bombing, it would take at least 36 hours to even get to Biers. This also indicates that Cylons are resurrected in the order that they are killed, in that it was implied that she was going to be the last to be resurrected.

Downloading also apparently has something to do with the datastream, as when Ellen Tigh is killed and downloaded into a new body, her memories are shown flowing in a datastream ^{(TRS: "No Exit")}.

Raider Resurrection

The semi-sentient personalities of Raiders also can be retrieved. This allows the Raiders to return to fight with greater tactical awareness ^{(TRS: "Scar")}.

The Raider known as "Scar" may have been one such Raider to learn master fighting tactics. The Scar personality scores many Colonial kills before its permanent destruction.

Raider resurrection also requires a Resurrection Ship in order to take place.

The Development of Resurrection Technology

Resurrection was originally invented on Kobol for humanoid Cylons some three thousand years ago ^{(TRS: "No Exit")}.

After the departure from Kobol of these humanoid Cylons, the Cylons of Kobol, later known as the Thirteenth Tribe, eventually settled on Earth. During the next thousand years on Earth the humanoid Cylons gained the ability to procreate in the same manner as humans, complete with childhood.

As a result, resurrection technology was no longer necessary to preserve their species, and the knowledge of it was lost to time. Approximately 2,000 years ago, five Earth Cylons - Saul Tigh, Tory Foster, Samuel Anders, Galen Tyrol and Ellen Tigh - who (like all Cylons by that time) were born naturally, attempted to reinvent resurrection technology, formally known as "organic memory transfer".

A Messenger appeared to each the five, warning them of an impending holocaust on Earth. The humanoid Cylons had oppressed their version of Centurions and destruction was probable. Before the holocaust, the five, all researchers in the same research facility, worked around the clock to recreate the technology that was lost. According to Sam Anders' recount, the work of Galen Tyrol and Ellen Tigh was exceptional, with Mrs. Tigh making the "intuitive leap" to get the system back online. When the war came all five were killed, but they were resurrected on a ship they had prearranged near Earth.

Seeing the utter destruction of Earth and knowing the cause they were determined for it not to happen again. They knew that the humans would keep trying to create "artificial life" as well so they headed in their ship for the twelve human Colonies that were settled 1,000 years before to warn them not to make the same mistake they did and to be kind to their creations. However, they only had a ship without FTL--on Earth, the technology was not yet invented. As a result, travel to the Twelve Colonies was relativistic: on board the ship, travel time was only a few years, but the voyage was actually 2,000 years.

Near the end of their journey, they somehow made contact with the avatar of the late Zoe Graystone who, with her parents Drs. Daniel and Amanda Graystone, was developing the technology to give Zoe a new human body. The Final Five's assistance sped the Graystones's work, and Zoe-A was resurrected in a tank in her father's home basement laboratory on Caprica.

After what the Final Five would have perceived as nearly an instant—but what the colonies perceived as a few years of peace, the rebellion of the Cylon slave population, and more than twelve years of human-Cylon war—the Five finally arrived too late to deliver their prophesy and avert the carnage.

The Colonial version of Cylon Centurions had been trying to develop flesh and blood humanoid Cylons just like the Final Five but couldn't get past the Hybrid stage. The Final Five proposed a deal to end the war: If the Centurions stopped their war against humans they will help them perfect humanoid Cylons, complete with resurrection. The Centurions agreed to the deal and ceased the war with the signing of an armistice. They then with the Final Five sequestered themselves in a gigantic space complex they called The Colony and developed humanoid Cylons and recreated resurrection technology.

Cavil's deception of the Final Five and the destruction of Resurrection

The Five downloaded at least once more after their initial download during the nuclear holocaust on Earth 2,000 years before. The Final Five and the Centurions were successful in recreating humanoid Cylons and resurrection. The first was John Cavil, and he helped the Final Five create the other seven new Cylon models. However, Cavil held a deep grudge against humanity for enslaving his Centurion ancestors. To demonstrate the many faults of mankind, Cavil murdered the Final Five, boxed them, and ultimately unboxed them but downloaded them with their real memories blocked and false memories in their places. Cavil then proceeded to instigate the attack on the Colonies. He apparently expected them to die in the attack. Previously it was revealed that before the Resurrection Hub was destroyed, a Cylon could download as long as they were within range. This also applied to the Final Five. Cavil kept at least one fresh body for each of them, as was proven when Saul Tigh killed Ellen Tigh and she downloaded into a new body. Apparently Cavil planned for them to rejoin the Cylons when they were killed in the attack on the Colonies he apparently instigated and hoped that they'd admit that they made a mistake in supporting humanity and see, in Cavil's view, the bestial nature of mankind and join him in their destruction.

Shortly after the start of the Cylon Civil War, Resurrection for all Cylons again ended with the destruction of the Resurrection Hub. A joint attack on the Cylons' Resurrection Hub, which controls all Resurrection Ships, by Cylon rebels (The Leobens, Sixes and Sharons) and Colonial forces results in the Hub's destruction. As a result, the Cylons lose their ability to download, making them truly mortal for the first time in their history ^{(TRS: "The Hub")}. The original equipment that the Final Five used to replicate Resurrection Technology was still on The Colony perhaps as a precaution against Ellen Tigh revealing the location of The Colony Cavil, five months prior to the events of Islanded in a Stream of Stars and just before the start of the civil war Cavil moved it to the present location. It is essentially a planetoid sized space station constructed along the same principles the Baseships are with biological elements. This is where Boomer delivered Hera to Cavil in that episode.

Post Destruction of Resurrection and its Possible Recreation

When the Resurrection Hub was destroyed, and they lost of the ability to resurrect, the Cavil-allied Cylons (Cavils, Dorals and Simons) didn't know how to rebuild it as it was technology from the Final Five. Cavil tried to get Ellen Tigh to help rebuild it, but she claimed that she couldn't do it without Anders, Tyrol, Tory Foster, and her husband, as she only knew part of the system herself. Cavil scoffed at this and decided to mine Ellen's brain in an attempt to find the information, but Boomer helped her escape, apparently cutting off the Cylons' only chance at rebuilding the technology. However this "escape" proved to be another deception by John Cavil as he let Ellen Tigh go in an ersatz escape in order for Boomer to find the fleet and capture Hera Agathon, the human-Cylon mixed child which Boomer has successfully has brought back to Cavil in the present Cylon Homeworld. The specific plans he has for Hera and what she has to do with resurrection-if anything-is not known as of Islanded in a Stream of Stars. Options include Cavil, having forgone Resurrection, has taken Hera to determine how she was conceived by Cylon-human natural procreation as a key to Cylon-Cylon breeding and has abandoned Resurrection all together.

Resurrection as a possible end to the Cylon-Human War and its final end

During the Battle of The Colony, Saul Tigh offers to give back Resurrection if Cavil lets Hera (who he's holding hostage in CIC) go and stops persuing humanity. Cavil agrees and calls off his forces. The Five combine together to recreate the plans for Resurrection and transmit them to The Colony as each holds a piece of the puzzle. With the Five giving back Resurrection and the deal made with Cavil, it looks like resurrection's return will finally end the war with peace between the sides, but Tyrol breaks the download to kill Tory after learning of her killing his wife. The download was incomplete and hostilities resume as the Cylons think they've been betrayed and the battle ends with the destruction of The Colony and all of Cavil's forces. With Tory's death at the hands of Tyrol, and Anders' death when he pilots Galactica and the rest of the Fleet into the Sun, destroying the ships, it is likely that the Ones, Fours and Fives succumbed to old age before they were able to recover the technology if any survived the destruction of The Colony by Galactica.

References

Resurrection Ship
[show/hide spoilers] Spoilers hidden in infobox by default only.
Race:	Cylon
Type:	Military
FTL:	Yes
Propulsion:
Crew:	* Humanoid Cylons * Cylon Centurions
Capacity:
CO:	{{{co}}}
XO:	{{{xo}}}
Role:	Storage Resurrection
Weapons:	{{{weapons}}}
Armaments:	None
Defenses:	None (relies on basestar/raider screen)
Aircraft:	Unknown
Aviation facilities:	{{{facilities}}}
Fate:	Unknown
Emblem:	[[File:{{{patch}}}|175px|Ship's patch]]
Other Images:	Gallery
Dimensions
Length:	{{{length}}}
Width:	{{{width}}}
Height:	{{{height}}}
Weight:	{{{weight}}}
Wingspan:	{{{wingspan}}}
Other:	{{{otherdi}}}
Game Information
Cost:	{{{construction}}}
Construction Time:	{{{construction}}}
Hull Size:	{{{hull size}}}
Hull:	{{{hull}}}
Mobility
FTL Cooldown:	{{{ftl cooldown}}} turns
Speed:	{{{speed}}} m/s
Turn Rate:	{{{turn rate}}}°/turn
Armor Sum
Armor Total:	{{{armor total}}}
Armor Left:	{{{armor left}}}
Armor Right:	{{{armor right}}}
Armor Front:	{{{armor front}}}
Armor Rear:	{{{armor rear}}}
Armor Top:	{{{armor top}}}
Armor Bottom:	{{{armor bottom}}}
Armament
DRADIS Range:	{{{dradis range}}} m
Processing Power:	{{{processing power}}}
Munition Slots:	{{{munitions}}}
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Additional Information

A Resurrection Ship is a large, slim vessel specifically dedicated to the "resurrection" of humanoid Cylons who are killed or lost to the Cylon fleet ^{(TRS: "Resurrection Ship, Part I")}.

Design

Extra Cylon copies are seen behind the large glass facades.

The Resurrection Ship is a long, slim vessel composed of a large glass facade underneath a large metal superstructure sectioned off into individual frames. Underneath the glass, are stored the extra Cylon bodies the ship carries, maintained by artificial means until its ready for a new "host" consciousness. The aft end of the ship contains a large antenna, the FTL and sublight engines.

The interior matches with the Cylon basestar: Spartan metallic rooms with square, dim, light fixtures placed on the walls and ceilings. The rooms are occupied by rebirthing tanks, in which a spare body is placed, thus beginning the downloading and resurrection process ^{(TRS: "Rapture")}.

The ship carries no offensive or defensive armaments of any kind, and must rely on the bulk of the Cylon fleet for defense. If left alone, Resurrections Ships are completely vulnerable to even the smallest of attacks to the point that Vipers firing through its windows can destroy it ^{(TRS: "Resurrection Ship, Part I")}.

While Resurrection Ships perform resurrection duties, its the Resurrection Hub that actually controls resurrection. Destroy that and the Resurrection Ships become useless (TRS: "Guess What's Coming to Dinner," "The Hub").

History

A Resurrection Ship in the vicinity of the Algae planet.

The ship's existence is first discovered by surviving colonials by a Raptor scout detached from the battlestar Pegasus (BS 62) two to three months following the Fall of the Twelve Colonies, after it began tracking a large Cylon fleet jumping to systems with natural resources. Upon further examination, this Cylon fleet was found to be tracking a large Colonial fleet, led by the battlestar Galactica (BS 75). Following a series of internal struggles, the Colonials utilize both battlestars, and attack the Cylon fleet, destroying both basestar escorts and the Resurrection Ship ^{(TRS: "Resurrection Ship, Part II")}. Despite the Colonial victory, the celebration is short lived - this Resurrection Ship was just one among many, and while the destruction of the ship put the Cylons on notice, it wasn't long before another was moved up in its place ^{(TRS: "Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II")}. Since the Colonial attack, the Cylons allot more basestars to its defense ^{(TRS: "Torn")}.

Following the outbreak of the Cylon Civil War, all constructed Resurrection Ships fall under the control of John Cavil's loyalist forces. They are hidden out of downloading range when he moves to attack the rebel fleet ^{(TRS: "The Ties That Bind")}. One basestar survives, and as retribution, seeks to destroy the main Resurrection Hub - the central control facility that mediates all Resurrection Ships. Without the Hub operational, Resurrection Ships would cease to function. The attack is successful, and Cylon resurrection is destroyed along with the Hub ^{(TRS: "The Hub")}. Following the battle, the Resurrection Ships disappear from view, and are presumed to have been staged in a safe location, while the remaining Cylon loyalists attempt to rebuild resurrection technology following the kidnapping of the child Hera Agathon from Galactica's fleet ^{(TRS: "Someone To Watch Over Me")}. However, the Colonials strike back at the Cylons, attacking the Colony where Cavil took the child. Galactica is successful in rescuing the child, thus preventing the rebuilding of resurrection technology. By complete chance, the Colony is destroyed shortly after, taking along with it the Cylon's only chances of regaining resurrection abilities. What becomes of the Resurrection Ships after this point, is unknown (TRS: "Daybreak, Part II).

Notes

• The Resurrection Ship bears a strong resemblance to the United States Air Force Academy chapel.
• Given that without a Resurrection Ship the Cylons face permanent death even before the Hub's destruction ^{(TRS: "The Hub")}, it seems that the Resurrection ships work as a kind of 'booster' for the range of the Resurrection Hub, suggesting that the Hub's effective download range is limited without its accompanying ships. Given that the Hub contains birthing tanks, it acts as a kind of Resurrection Ship itself also.
• Before Baltar briefs Adama and Cain on its true function, Cain speculates that it might be a command ship, while Adama states that it might be a Raider factory. While it is not stated how Raider personalities are resurrected, the caution that the Cylons exhibit after the destruction of the Resurrection Ship suggests that they support the Raiders in some fashion.

Resurrection Hub
[show/hide spoilers] Spoilers hidden in infobox by default only.
Race:	Cylon
Type:
FTL:	Yes
Propulsion:
Crew:
Capacity:
CO:	{{{co}}}
XO:	{{{xo}}}
Role:	Cylon resurrection command & control
Weapons:	None
Armaments:	{{{arm}}}
Defenses:	{{{def}}}
Aircraft:	{{{aircraft}}}
Aviation facilities:	{{{facilities}}}
Fate:	Destroyed, Battle of the Resurrection Hub, Approx. 3 ACH
Emblem:	[[File:{{{patch}}}|175px|Ship's patch]]
Other Images:	Gallery
Dimensions
Length:	{{{length}}}
Width:	{{{width}}}
Height:	{{{height}}}
Weight:	{{{weight}}}
Wingspan:	{{{wingspan}}}
Other:	{{{otherdi}}}
Game Information
Cost:	{{{construction}}}
Construction Time:	{{{construction}}}
Hull Size:	{{{hull size}}}
Hull:	{{{hull}}}
Mobility
FTL Cooldown:	{{{ftl cooldown}}} turns
Speed:	{{{speed}}} m/s
Turn Rate:	{{{turn rate}}}°/turn
Armor Sum
Armor Total:	{{{armor total}}}
Armor Left:	{{{armor left}}}
Armor Right:	{{{armor right}}}
Armor Front:	{{{armor front}}}
Armor Rear:	{{{armor rear}}}
Armor Top:	{{{armor top}}}
Armor Bottom:	{{{armor bottom}}}
Armament
DRADIS Range:	{{{dradis range}}} m
Processing Power:	{{{processing power}}}
Munition Slots:	{{{munitions}}}
Munition Cooldown Period:	{{{munition cooldown}}} turns
Squadron Slots:	{{{squadrons}}}
Squadron Size:	{{{squadron size}}}
Special Abilities:	{{{special abilities}}}
Additional Information

The Cylon Resurrection Hub is a space-borne facility that coordinates the resurrection process among all of the Cylon resurrection ships and downloading facilities, with what appears to be a substantial operational range between itself and the rest of the Cylon fleet. It was designed by the Final Five ^{(TRS: "No Exit")}.

Additionally, the Hub itself functions as a resurrection facility, containing resurrection tanks and a large number of spare bodies. As the control center of all resurrections, it is vital to Cylon society. As a safeguard, the Hub periodically jumps to new locations and relays its position to the baseships' Hybrids once completed. The Resurrection Hub is also where boxed Cylon consciousnesses are stored.

The fact that several Cylons such as Gina Inviere face permanent death in the absence of a Resurrection Ship before the Hub's destruction, suggests that the Resurrection Ships act as a kind of "booster" for the Hub's downloading effect, and the Hub's range and ability to download Cylons' consciousnesses on its own is limited; otherwise, no Cylon would have died permanently before this point. Indeed, after obtaining information from Inviere, Gaius Baltar stated that the Resurrection Ships were created for the purpose of extending the range of the normal downloading process ^{(TRS: "Resurrection Ship, Part I")}.

At the start of the Cylon Civil War, the Cylon Natalie Faust plans to unbox D'Anna Biers in the hopes of learning the identities of the Final Five ^{(TRS: "The Ties That Bind")}. However, the Cavil faction retains possession of the Hub. When Demetrius returns to the Fleet with the renegade baseship, Faust offers Admiral Adama and President Roslin the chance to destroy the Hub in return for their help unboxing D'Anna. Before the plan is carried out, Natalie is shot by Sharon "Athena" Agathon and the basestar jumps after Roslin, determined to get some answers about her visions, has the Hybrid reconnected ^{(TRS: "Guess What's Coming to Dinner?")}.

The Hybrid follows the Hub, jumping ever closer to it, and eventually catches up. In the ensuing Battle of the Resurrection Hub, an uneasy alliance of Cylons and Colonials attack the Hub, with rebel humanoid Cylon pilots towing powered-down Colonial Vipers behind Heavy Raiders in order to conceal them. Once untethered, the Vipers attack the Hub's FTL drives, stranding it. As the rebel baseship and Heavy Raiders engage the two defending baseships, Karl Agathon and a Number Eight board the Hub to retrieve the restored D'Anna Biers. Once their Raptor clears the Hub, the Vipers fire nuclear missiles, destroying the Hub and at least one of the nearby basestars ^{(TRS: "The Hub")}.

With the Hub's destruction, the Cylons can no longer resurrect and will know permanent death. Only the Final Five know how the Hub and resurrection work, and with the subsequent deaths of two of the Five, resurrection is lost forever ^{(TRS: "No Exit", "Daybreak, Part I" and "Daybreak, Part II")}.

Related imagery

• 
  Hiding out in a nebula.
• 
  Up close.
• 
  FTL drive.
• 
  The Hub is hit by Viper-launched nukes...
• 
  ...and takes out a basestar as it blows.
• 
  Cavil and Boomer resurrect D'Anna.
• 
  Karl "Helo" Agathon and a Number Eight observe the main resurrection chamber.
• 
  A hallway.

References

"Resurrection Ship, Part II" An episode of the Re-imagined Series
Episode No.	Season 2, Episode 12
Writer(s)	Ronald D. Moore Michael Rymer
Story by
Director	Michael Rymer
Assistant Director
Special guest(s)	Michelle Forbes as Admiral Cain
Production No.	212
Nielsen Rating	1.9
US airdate	2006-01-13
CAN airdate	2006-04-01
UK airdate	2006-03-21
DVD release	19 September 2006 US 28 August 2006 UK
Population	49,604 survivors ()
Additional Info
Episode Chronology
Previous		Next
Resurrection Ship, Part I	Resurrection Ship, Part II	Epiphanies
Related Information
Official Summary
R&D Skit – View
Podcast Transcript – View
Deleted Scenes
[[IMDB:tt{{{imdb}}}|IMDb entry]]
Listing of props for this episode
Related Media
			@ BW Media
Promotional Materials
Online Purchasing
Amazon: Standard Definition | High Definition

Galactica and Pegasus engage in an all-out battle to destroy the Cylon Resurrection Ship.

Summary

Teaser

• Lee "Apollo" Adama is floating in a planetary body of water. He sees something approaching him—it is a Cylon Raider with a Viper in hot pursuit, and we return to reality to see Adama floating in space in his ejection seat.
• 48 hours earlier, Kara Thrace asks Lee Adama for backup on her mission to assassinate Admiral Cain. Adama accepts, and reassures Thrace of the importance of trust as he embraces her.

Act 1

• Karl "Helo" Agathon and Galen Tyrol are bound and beaten in the brig by upset Pegasus officers, aided again by their Marines, until executive officer Jack Fisk arrives to break it up.
• Helena Cain and Kara Thrace have a drink together, and Cain asks Thrace to promise not to flinch when she has to commit a "terrible sin."
• Lieutenant Lee Adama makes a courier run to Galactica, taking the opportunity to ask his father about Thrace's special mission. Commander Adama is uninterested in discussing the issue, but young Adama is surprised to know that President Roslin is involved in the assassination plot.
• Thrace and Pegasus XO Jack Fisk both prepare for their assassination missions, as well as the attack on the Resurrection Ship.

Act 2

Cylon basestar under attack.

• Before Commander Adama proceeds with his assassination plan on Cain, he solicits advice from the cooperative Cylon captive, Sharon "Athena" Agathon, asking her why the Cylons hate humanity as they do. She reminds him of a portion of his decommissioning speech ^{(TRS: "Miniseries")}, asking whether humanity has asked itself if it is deserving to survive despite its failings.
• The Battle of the Resurrection Ship takes place with Galactica and Pegasus circling one basestar which is apparently nearly defenseless without its Raiders and bombarding it with their gun batteries, destroying it before turning their attention to the second.
• During the battle, Lee "Apollo" Adama successfully uses the Blackbird stealth fighter to disable the Resurrection Ship's FTL drive with a missile, but collides with a downed Raptor while distracted. The collision destroys the Blackbird and forces Adama to eject.
• Floating in space, Adama finds that his flight suit has sprung a leak. Communications officer Dualla tries frantically to contact him, but Apollo does not respond by choice.
• As Adama watches, all the Vipers of both battlestars assault the Resurrection Ship, firing their guns through the windows and destroying it.
• On Galactica, Lieutenant Gaeta reports that the surviving Cylons are jumping away, meaning victory for the Colonials.
• Eventually, apparently giving up, Adama releases the last of the air in his flight suit and says, "I'm sorry, Kara," losing consciousness just as a SAR Raptor appears in the nick of time to save him. Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson manages to revive Adama and reports the good news to Galactica.
• Gaius Baltar's feelings for Number Six transfer to the copy once known as Gina Inviere, who is tangible and more human than his internal Number Six. He repeats to Inviere a story told to him by Six about going to watch pyramid games, finally taking her hands in his as Baltar's internal Six disappears in sadness. As Inviere senses the destruction of the Resurrection Ship, she takes a sidearm from a Marine she kills, with Baltar's help, and asks Baltar to kill her, noting that suicide is a sin. Baltar refuses, gives her the sidearm, and tells her she needs justice, ostensibly referring to Admiral Cain and her tyranny.

Act 3

• Commander Adama and Admiral Cain both speak over wireless to conspirators Jack Fisk and Kara Thrace, respectively, but neither commander gives the order to assassinate the other.
• After the battle, Inviere encounters Cain in the her quarters, where Cain is taking off her uniform, and shoots her in the head (this time, with little reluctance). Cain is challenging to the last, unrepentant for the treatment that Inviere has received. Inviere soon disappears from Pegasus, with Baltar's help.

Act 4

• At Cain's funeral, Kara Thrace speaks admiringly of her, saying the Fleet would have been safer with her than it is without her. This statement raises a stare from Commander Adama.
• As Lee Adama confides to Thrace that he didn't want to survive the mission, Anastasia Dualla stands outside Adama's quarters eavesdropping, visibly worried about young Adama.
• Commander Adama reports to President Roslin about the failed assassination and their relief over his failure to go through with it. He also reports that Gina has gotten away clean. To his surprise and gratitude, Roslin uses her presidential power to promote him to Rear Admiral, citing that someone with the rank of Admiral commands more than one battlestar and joking about her lack of knowledge of military protocol. Now-Admiral Adama thanks her, admitting he'd long given up on being an Admiral though he never lost hope. Before Billy takes Roslin to bed, he gives her a sweet kiss that leaves both smiling.
• Roslin is now visibly weakened by her fight with cancer, and her composure and strength are failing. Her end appears near.

Notes

• Vireem and Gage's beating of Tyrol and Agathon with bars of soap stuffed inside towels used as slings is an homage to the Stanley Kubrick film Full Metal Jacket, in which a similar thing happens to "Pvt. Pyle" in the Marine barracks at night. RDM points this out himself in the podcast. This is known as a "blanket party," where all the members of the squad take part so that the person who is "disciplined" cannot single any one out as the attacker.
• Lee Adama was demoted to lieutenant by Cain when she revoked his flight status. At the beginning of Part I, he is referred to as "Captain," but after Cain mentions that she revoked his flight status, Adama addresses his son as "Lieutenant". The official Scifi.com website was updated the week after this episode aired showing the new ranks of characters--Captain Kara Thrace, Admiral William Adama--but it also was changed to list Lee Adama as a lieutenant.
• Adama's experience of ejecting in the middle of the battle and watching it unfold around him is, according to the podcast, based on the real life experience of Ensign George Gay, sole survivor of his torpedo bomber squadron, during the Battle of Midway. Ens. Gay's plane was shot down and he witnessed the entire battle while floating in the ocean.
• The battle in this episode shares many similarities with the Battle of the Resurrection Hub in "The Hub:" both targets are the main sources of resurrection known at the time, both have two basestars being engaged by the main capital ship the episode takes place on (in that case the Rebel basestar), both have a trick being used on the Cylons, both have the FTL drive of the enemy being targeted and both have the Vipers deliver the final blow, in that case with nuclear missiles presumably supplied by the Cylons and both have at least one enemy basestar destroyed for sure with the other one possibly being destroyed but having an unclear fate. Both also deprive the Cylons of resurrection technology.

Analysis

• The beating of Agathon and the Tyrol was edited so that in the teaser, all that is seen is the "Sunshine Boys" entering the cell with their Marines, about to tie the two up while making threatening comments. Given that they were involved in the gang rape of Gina, many viewers left the teaser fearing that far worse was going to happen to Agathon and Tyrol than simply being beaten with soap wrapped in towels.
• The basestar/battlestar battle is epic, although viewers do not see a great deal of it from a play-by-play standpoint. The pairing of an advanced battlestar such as Pegasus with the oldest battlestar, Galactica, likely illustrates why the Cylons used sabotage instead of all-out war to defeat the Twelve Colonies. With proper planning, battlestars working in tandem will obliterate a basestar in a close-range attack, which uses missiles and fighters, but appears to have no gun batteries itself.
• Lee Adama's collision with the downed Raptor occurs partly because Adama is looking behind him, examining the damage he dealt to the Resurrection Ship. This may be symbolic of one of young Adama's character flaws: he is always looking backward, always examining what he has done instead of keeping his attention on the here and now. For example in "Water," where he agonizes over firing on the Olympic Carrier while his father warns him specifically about not second-guessing himself. This theme also parallels Cain's words - which Starbuck echoes at her funeral - about not flinching or second-guessing when terrible things have to be done.
• Obviously, the writers felt that the battle is less important than the events planned immediately after - the mutual attempts by Cain and Adama to kill each other. Viewers enter the battle scene at the stage where the battlestars tackle the destruction of the basestars, although there was a ruse earlier involving the entire Fleet. This quick segue was also likely done in light of the cost for the visual effects, since the shots of the battlestar attacks would be new VFX and therefore expensive.
• The pregnant Sharon Valerii again shows that she has the memories of the 'original' Boomer, which was previously shown in the season opener when she started to tell Starbuck of the time they met. She also displays this in "Home, Part II" where she tells Tyrol she has some of Boomer's memories of him and in "Scar" where she displays some of Boomer's memories of Starbuck to the other's obvious discomfort.
• A new love triangle is formed as Gaius Baltar seems more fixated on the notion of Gina and her pain rather than the feelings of his virtual Number Six, who unsuccessfully pleads him not to aid Gina in killing herself. As he takes Gina's hand, the virtual Six disappears from view in the scene. Perhaps Baltar needed to touch a "real" Six copy, and is also swayed by her "humanity"--her vulnerability and weakness, as well as her differing interpretation on how she thinks God will forgive the Colonials for the destruction of the Cylon fleet.
• In another example of Baltar's ability to multi-task, he relates to Gina as his own the anecdote that Six told him (about purchasing two tickets when she went to see Pyramid games, as the extra ticket permitted her to imagine Gaius watched the game with her). The anecdote serves two conversations at once. The anecdote reinforces his bond with Gina and indicates to Six that flesh-and-blood Gina is of far greater importance to him than (presumably non-corporeal) Six, or the tens of thousands of Cylons who are about to die, permanently, with the destruction of the resurrection ship. Baltar's relationship with Six in the future will likely be a strained one.
• Admiral Adama's affectionate kiss with Laura Roslin, although not necessarily romantic in nature, opens up all kinds of new story possibilities and complications for the characters and the Fleet. It might have been considered by some viewers to be the most surprising part of the whole episode since no information on this scene was noted in advance of the show's airing. As noted by Ron Moore in the podcast commentary, the kiss was improvised by Olmos. Seasons 3 and 4 advance their mutual fondness, as shown in "Unfinished Business" and "The Hub," (where Roslin admits she loves Adama) leading up to a romantic relationship between the two that lasts until Roslin's death when she succumbs to her returned cancer.
• Lee Adama's motivation to die isn't fully explained. One reason could be that he learns that both his father and President Roslin, two of the persons closest to him, sanction the assassination of Cain, thus shattering his world view. But there are probably other factors involved too.
• Although its not clear, Cain's conversation with Thrace about not hesitating when forced to make a terrible choice and her calmness when Thrace was clearly nervous after the battle indicate that Cain may have anticipated Adama's plans and offered advice to Thrace in case she did go through with it as a subtle way of telling her she knew or encouragement of some sort.
• Thrace must have known that her mission to kill Cain would result in her death, as she would be in the middle of Pegasus' CIC, surrounded by armed Marines who would undoubtedly shoot her the instant Cain fell. This suggests that like Lee, she too had briefly lost the will to live.
• Despite her lack of knowledge of military protocol, which she even jokes about, Laura Roslin knows enough that Adama must be an Admiral to command two battlestars and promotes him to that rank. This also shows that in Colonial society, the President possesses the power to promote military officers, at least in lieu of higher ranking officers able to do so. It may also have been done so that the Pegasus crew would acknowledge Adama's authority over them. As Roslin seemed confused by the fact that Admiral Cain was now senior officer in "Pegasus," the fact that Adama now needed to be an Admiral may have been something she learned because of Cain's presence in the fleet and not prior knowledge.
• Adama tells President Roslin that he had long given up on becoming an Admiral despite never losing hope of attaining that rank. Given his long and distinguished history in the Colonial fleet, this may have been due to politics, especially given the incident with Bulldog and the Valkyrie which was damaging to his career as shown in "Hero."

Questions

Answered

• Subsequent to Inviere's killing of Cain, Gina disappears from Pegasus and Colonial military imprisonment (as promised by Baltar). Where is she being hidden? (Answer)
• Is Lee Adama becoming depressed and unable to command his pilots? (Answer)
• How will Adama deal with the mob-level brutality that appears throughout Pegasus? (Answer)
• How will Kara Thrace's comments at Cain's funeral affect her relationship with now-Admiral Adama? (Answer)
• Will another Blackbird be constructed? (Answer)
• Will these agents be more careful in what they do, knowing that resurrection is no longer possible? (Answer)
• Will Adama stay aboard Galactica now that he's been promoted? (Answer)
• Are there going to be any other promotions? (Answer)
• Who will become the CAG of Galactica as Kara "Starbuck" Thrace and Apollo were assigned to Pegasus at the time Admiral Cain was assassinated? (Answer)
• What changes in the Cylon strategy will we see, now that the Resurrection Ship has been destroyed? (Answer #1, Answer #2)
• In "Resistance," Baltar forces Boomer into revealing that eight Cylons are still in the Fleet. However, this obviously does not take into account the introduction of Pegasus. Thus, are there any more Cylon agents aboard Pegasus? If so, what do they number? (Answer)

Unanswered

• Why doesn't Cain issue the order for Adama's execution? Is it a change of heart or does she suspect that her life was in jeopardy by Thrace?
• Baltar hands Gina a weapon in the ante-room of the Pegasus brig. Wouldn't a high-security area be equipped with surveillance cameras? Has Baltar disappeared as well?
• Viewers only see one basestar destroyed. Is the other destroyed as well, or is it able to jump away with the surviving Raiders and support ships?
• How many new Viper squadrons and pilots have been added to the Fleet?
• How closely have the Cylons studied the memories of Boomer aboard Galactica, and the other spies in the Fleet?

Official Statements

Noteworthy Dialogue

• After the rescue of Helo and Tyrol by Fisk.

Jack Fisk: I don't want your thanks. I owe Lieutenant Thorne my life, as do many people on this ship.

Helo: He was trying to rape a prisoner!

Fisk: You can't "rape" a machine, Lieutenant.

• Sharon responds to Adama's question on survival.

Sharon Agathon: It's what you said at the ceremony before the attack, when Galactica was being decommissioned. You gave a speech, it sounded like it wasn't the one you prepared. You said that humanity was a flawed creation, and that people still kill one another for petty jealousy and greed. You said that humanity never asked itself why it deserved to survive. Maybe you don't.

• Helena Cain talking to Kara Thrace

Helena Cain: I know you're very close with Adama.

Kara Thrace: Yes, sir.

Cain: And I know he's a good man. And I know he's had to make some very hard choices over the last few months. Lord knows I have.

Thrace: Well, then maybe you can understand why he did what he thought he had to do when you said you were going to execute Helo and Tyrol.

Cain: Let me tell you something. I've had to watch a lot of kids be put into body bags. They're covered with flags and they float out that airlock. You think I don't understand his feelings towards his men? Sometimes terrible things have to be done. Inevitably, each and every one of us will have to face a moment where we have to commit that horrible sin. And if we flinch in that moment, if we hesitate for one second, if we let our conscience get in the way, you know what happens? There are more kids in those body bags. More kids floating out that airlock. I don't know why, but I have a lot of faith in you. And I want you to promise me that when that moment comes you won't flinch. Do not flinch.

• Speaking to Starbuck over wireless.

William Adama: I've been thinking about what we talked about before. It's not enough to survive. One has to be worthy of surviving. That's all.

• Before Gina's escape.

Gina: Suicide is a sin. But I need to die!

Baltar: What you need is justice. I know a place where you can stay, where you can be safe, where I can look after you.

Gina: Why—Why would you do that?

Baltar: Because I love you.

• In Cain's quarters after Gina's escape.

Gina (confronting Cain with a gun): Tell me, Admiral. Can you roll over? Beg?

Helena Cain: Frak you.

Gina (right before shooting): You're not my type.

• Kara's eulogy at Admiral Cain's funeral.

Kara Thrace: I, um, only knew Admiral Cain for a short time, so what I have to say about her will be short. She faced things. She looked them right in the eye and she didn't flinch. That's something that we do a lot around here. We second-guess. We worry. When I think about what she went through after the attack—all alone, one ship, no help, no hope—she didn't give up. She didn't worry. She didn't second-guess. She acted. She did what she thought needed to be done, and the Pegasus survived. Might be hard to admit, or hard to hear, but I think that we were safer with her...than we are without.

• Kara talks to Lee after his rescue.

Kara Thrace: Lee. Lee, you okay? Are you okay?

Lee Adama: No, not really. Um...I broke my word to you.

Thrace: What are you talking about?

Adama: I let you down. I wasn't there when you needed me.

Thrace: Look, a close call like that? That'd mess with anybody's head. Alright? You know, it turns out I didn't need you anyway, so... Let's just be glad that we both came back alive, alright?

Adama: That's just it, Kara. I didn't want to make it back alive.

• Laura discusses Adama's new job after Cain's funeral.

Laura Roslin: Rumor has it that I know very little about military protocol, but I do believe that someone who commands more than one ship is called an admiral. Congratulations, Admiral Adama.

William Adama: Thank you, Madame President. Thank you, Billy. I um, never gave up hope, I just stopped trying to get these a long time ago.

Roslin: Just goes to show you, Bill. Never give up hope.

Adama: Same goes for you, Laura.

Cast

• Michael Hogan as Colonel Saul Tigh
• Aaron Douglas as Chief Galen Tyrol
• Tahmoh Penikett as Lt. Karl "Helo" Agathon
• Paul Campbell as Billy Keikeya
• Alessandro Juliani as Lt. Felix Gaeta
• Kandyse McClure as Petty Officer Anastasia Dualla
• Graham Beckel as Colonel Jack Fisk
• Luciana Carro as Lt. Louanne "Kat" Katraine
• Vincent Gale as Chief Peter Laird
• Peter-John Prinsloo as Lt. Mei "Freaker" Firelli
• Brad Dryborough as Louis Hoshi
• Mike Dopud as Specialist Gage (uncredited)
• Derek Delost as Specialist Vireem (uncredited)
• Nels Lennarson as Pegasus Brig Marine (uncredited)

Resurrection (book)

This article has a separate continuity. This article is in the Richard Hatch continuation separate continuity, which is related to the Original Series. Be sure that your contributions to this article reflect the characters and events specific to this continuity only.

For information on the process of Humanoid Cylon reintegration in the Re-imagined Series, see Resurrection (RDM).

Resurrection A book of the Richard Hatch line
Book No.	3
Author(s)	Richard Hatch and Stan Timmons
Adaptation of
No. of Pages	{{{pages}}}
Published	July 1, 2001
ISBN	0743413261
Chronology
Previous		Next
Warhawk	Resurrection	Rebellion
Paperback Version
Available at Amazon.com – Purchase
Available at Amazon.co.uk – Purchase
Audiobook Version
Available at iTunes – [{{{itunes}}} Purchase]

Resurrection is the third novel in Richard Hatch's continuation of the Original Series, published in July 2001. The novel continues the Fleet's story following the devastating battle at Kirasolia and their return to Kobol.

Plot

Chapter One

The Fleet presses on through the endless darkness, diminished and exhausted after the devastating battle with the Chitain and Cylons. Many families have been shattered by yahren of warfare, leaving orphaned children who grow up hard and fast without respect for authority. Some of these wayward youths are conscripted into the Warriors as an alternative to imprisonment.

The Fleet journeys toward Kirasolia, a distant rumor of a world that might have been visited by the Thirteenth Tribe. Aboard Galactica, Commander Apollo visits the comatose Captain Starbuck, who lies motionless and lifeless following his injuries. Apollo awakens from a nightmare, startling his bodyguard Gar'Tokk.

Chapter Two

Doctor Salik shares with Apollo his research on the QSE technology discovered in the previous novel. The technology could theoretically allow ships to "punch a tunnel" through space, traveling thousands of parsecs instantaneously. Salik's notes explore how time moves in discrete "jumps" rather than smoothly, suggesting it might be possible to push someone forward one "tick" in time, making them temporally out of phase with normal existence.

Chapter Three

Apollo and Gar'Tokk race through the corridors when they receive word from Cassiopeia: Starbuck is awake. Apollo repeats the words over and over, afraid to believe them. He joins Athena, Sheba, President Tigh, and Boomer in the med-unit.

Doctor Wilker warns the group that Starbuck has suffered brain hemorrhaging and may not recognize them. When Apollo approaches Starbuck's med-berth, his friend's eyes are glassy and unfixed, seeing through rather than at him. Apollo wonders if this cruel miracle is truly a blessing. But then Starbuck manages a smile, recognizing Apollo.

Starbuck learns he has been in a coma for over three weeks. Athena remains with Starbuck while Wilker escorts the others from the room, warning Apollo that Starbuck's condition remains very unstable. Athena privately confesses to Starbuck that she almost lost him.

Chapter Four

Dalton sits alone in the med unit waiting hall, struggling with complex feelings about her father. She loves Starbuck but also feels abandoned by him, wondering if she has inherited his difficulty with giving and accepting love. Apollo offers her words of comfort, telling her not to give up.

Chapter Five

After weeks of traveling filled with bickering and dissension, Kirasolia finally looms into view. Athena and Tigh stand on Galactica's bridge as the planet fills the forward viewscreen, with storm systems battering its surface. Apollo joins them, offering a prayer of thanks to the Lords of Kobol and his father's spirit. He orders a scout team to scan for minerals, life forms, and confirm a breathable atmosphere.

Chapter Six

Apollo explores the ancient pyramid temple on Kobol, where he and his father Adama had visited nearly twenty yahren earlier. He follows his feet to the familiar site, clearing his mind to sequence the sigil-runes that open the secret door. Inside, Apollo ignites the four braziers and sits on the marble slab to commune with Adama's spirit and the Lords of Kobol.

He questions whether his role as leader is over and if Commander Cain was always meant to shepherd the Fleet. Apollo teaches Athena about "inner vision," explaining how she must learn to see beyond individual stones to understand the whole pyramid, integrating both logic and intuition.

Chapter Seven

While Starbuck slowly slips away, deteriorating piece by piece, Dalton maintains her vigil at his bedside. Lieutenant Troy watches from the doorway, struggling to comfort Dalton when she insists she doesn't need him there.

Apollo visits the med-unit, where Wilker delivers the grim prognosis that Starbuck's brain has hemorrhaged critically. Apollo stands beside Dalton, feeling as if an era is ending. He studies Starbuck's face, knowing his friend will not see the new world they seek or offer counsel ever again.

Apollo promises Starbuck silently that he will look after Dalton. Meanwhile, Athena returns to the Galactica with Uriah from the archives ship Cerberus, who confirms that the ancient texts prophesying the Fleet's return to Kobol are genuine. This validation strengthens Cain's position in favor of permanent settlement.

Chapter Eight

Troy enters the ODOC bar, hoping to spend time with Dalton during a rare moment of free time. He finds her at a table with a group of young cadets and Warriors gathered around Trays, a blonde, handsome pilot with piercing blue eyes. Dalton seems radiant and happy, but her attention is focused on Trays rather than Troy.

Troy feels a drowning sensation as he realizes Dalton has been spending time with Trays. When Troy confronts her, Dalton angrily tells him that he doesn't own her and demands he stay away. She storms off, leaving Troy wondering when his life slipped so far out of control.

Cassiopeia and Athena share a quiet moment in the med unit waiting hall, drinking beverages and discussing their complicated history with Starbuck. Their caustic, adversarial relationship begins to soften as they support each other through the crisis. Athena jokes that if Cassie calls her "snooty" again, she'll "kick your frackin' ass"—but it's said with humor rather than malice.

Chapter Nine

Following the catastrophic events at Kirasolia, Apollo leads an exploratory team including Athena, Cain, President Tigh, and Gar'Tokk through an ancient pyramid on Kobol. Their guide Talen leads them down a stone staircase that spirals deep beneath the surface.

The stairs descend into an enormous underground cavern containing a mirror city—an exact replica of ancient Kobol preserved for over a thousand yahren. Talen explains that the old city plans were followed precisely. Apollo questions how this is possible when no one survived the Cylon destruction of Kobol. Talen coyly asks, "Are we ghosts?"

Segis, the leader of the caretakers, welcomes the colonials and tells them the city is theirs as children of Kobol. Cain grows increasingly animated about the possibility of reclaiming their homeland. Segis references ancient writings prophesying the Fleet's return.

Athena finds herself siding more with Cain's position than with her brother's, unable to look Apollo in the eye as she realizes her shift in allegiance. Despite the validation of the ancient texts by Uriah, Apollo remains suspicious, noting that the incomplete texts may be as revealing in what they don't say as in what they do.

Chapter Ten

Starbuck continues to slip away as his vital signs fail. Apollo, Athena, Boomer, Sheba, and Tigh gather for a deathwatch. They speak softly, recalling their favorite stories about Starbuck, each memory a variation on the same theme: he was my friend, and I loved him.

The medical monitoring equipment shifts from its calm pinging to a low, strident wail. Cassiopeia efficiently shuts down the equipment as Dalton christens her father's face with bitter tears. Apollo turns and leaves, retreating to his chambers where he drinks from a bottle of ambrosa he and Starbuck had shared on special occasions.

Chapter Eleven

Mourners gather for Starbuck's funeral in the temple inside the ancient pyramid. Apollo chose this location based on intuition, the same place where he had sat praying for guidance the day before. The ceremony is small and intimate, attended only by those who truly knew Starbuck.

President Tigh officiates, speaking from the heart about how Starbuck was a man who loved many and was loved by many more. Dalton sits near the funeral bier with Trays, while Troy maintains his distance. Cassiopeia and Athena comfort each other, crying together.

The Fleet prepares to colonize Kobol. A celebration begins in the underground mirror city, with mead, ambrosa, grog, and ale flowing freely. The first toast is drunk to Adama's memory and to Cain's vision, though Apollo privately notes this isn't how events actually transpired. Young Warriors toast Starbuck's memory, even those who never knew him.

Dalton sits with Trays and his group, drinking heavily as she processes her grief. Trays and his friends recount the battle at Kirasolia, positioning himself as the hero while Starbuck becomes merely a footnote. Troy overhears this revisionist history and walks past, while young Warriors foolishly wish for more action and battle, not understanding that peace is the true goal.

Chapter Twelve

Cassiopeia awakens to find a hooded figure with glowing red eyes standing at the foot of her bed where she sleeps next to Apollo. Before she can scream or wake Apollo, she feels her will being deadened. The evil presence bores into her brain and soul, taking control of her. Cassiopeia stands and embraces this nocturnal visitor as it calls her "Darling."

Meanwhile, Starbuck's funeral ship continues its lonely journey through space, now far from Kobol. Odd pulses of light fill the cockpit. Far ahead, a beacon of light appears, its ray shining through the cold gulf to illuminate the Viper. The funeral ship grows translucent, becoming light itself as it approaches the source of the radiant beam.

The light reveals itself to be a Kobollian Light Ship. The Viper rides the ribbon of light up into the Light Ship, and then both vanish.

In a vision or dream, Apollo finds himself standing in the center of a Cylon attack on Kobol. Raiders fill the sky while Vipers scramble to meet them. Plasma cannons from massive basestars tear through buildings. Apollo doesn't understand why he isn't scrambling for his Viper, why he's letting everyone else face death in his place.

The ground beneath Apollo vanishes and he drops into the caverns below the city. He finds himself standing unharmed in a cavern with the roof miraculously healed above him. Circles of light appear on a path before him, and he follows them deeper into the heart of Kobol.

Chapter Thirteen

Apollo awakens next to Cassiopeia, confused to find himself in an unfamiliar room. Talen stands beside the sleeping module, smiling down at him. She tells him his communications device must be defective—the Quorum and citizens are gathered in the great hall to debate and vote on who will be the new supreme commander of the Fleet.

Apollo protests that the celebration just ended, but Talen explains this is happening now. She leads Apollo and Gar'Tokk through the ancient city. Apollo feels drawn to explore the wreckage of the ancient buildings on the surface rather than the preserved underground city. Talen warns him they don't have much time.

Apollo's meditation in the pyramid is interrupted by a summons from an ancient crystalline city deep beneath Kobol. A glass platform appears at the edge of an abyss. Apollo steps onto it, and the platform glides through the underground sky, weaving between crystalline buildings in a spectacular descent.

The buildings are a techno-organic hybrid, possibly one massive computer system. The platform sets Apollo down in the central area, where he enters the primary control structure. Lights wink at him, and holographic images appear.

A familiar voice addresses him: "Hello, Son." Apollo turns to see a holographic image of his father Adama. The hologram explains that Apollo's brain is being rewired by the ancient technology so he can understand Kobollian texts.

Adama reveals that the colonials' return to Kobol was foretold and by design. What transpires now will determine if the Fleet will be allowed to venture across many universes to find Earth and beyond. Adama confirms that Earth exists.

The hologram warns that the decisions and choices the colonials make on Kobol will seal their futures forever. Apollo's eyes widen as the entire journey of the Thirteenth Tribe lays out before him—stars, nebulae, constellations, all appearing and falling away to be replaced by another universe in rapid succession. He sees numerous planets the Thirteenth Tribe colonized and also sees the Twelve Colonies as they are today: stripped and plundered by Cylons, turned into husks never fit for re-colonization.

Apollo understands viscerally that Cain is wrong if he thinks their purpose is to retake these worlds. They are lost forever, part of the Cylon empire now. The vision expands until Apollo must shut it down before his mind widens too far. He falls into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Chapter Fourteen

While the Fleet sleeps, events continue without Apollo. In the great hall, President Tigh searches everywhere for Apollo, sending cadets to look for him. Cassiopeia confirms Apollo left her compartment almost a centon earlier. Tigh mutters apologies to Apollo wherever he may be and introduces Commander Cain to the assemblage. The applause is thunderous.

Chapter Fifteen

Two hooded acolytes attack Apollo and Gar'Tokk. The Noman fights ferociously, but the cyber-priests are incredibly strong. One grabs Apollo in a crushing embrace. Apollo struggles to reach his sidearm as his ribs threaten to shatter. His hooded companion—revealed to be Starbuck—fires his laser, destroying the acolyte's head.

Apollo blasts the acolyte attacking Gar'Tokk. Starbuck whips off his cowl, grinning at Apollo. Athena, Cassiopeia, and Dalton stare in open-mouthed bewilderment at Starbuck, unable to accept what their eyes show them.

Starbuck kisses Athena dramatically, reminding her "just in case there was any doubt." He explains to Apollo that they were told all colonials are Kobollians, with varying degrees of pure bloodline. All humans have the potential to evolve and "accelerate," though direct descendants of certain houses had more of a head start.

Apollo confronts Segis at the edge of the platform, his laser trained on her. As he watches, her features seem to shift and run—first a woman, then a man, then genderless. Apollo realizes the truth about Segis that his expanded awareness allows him to perceive.

Chapter Sixteen

The Cylon Raider attacks intensify as a flaming asteroid—the destroyed Tylium mine—tumbles toward Kobol's surface. The asteroid's Tylium veins explode, sending massive flaming divots spinning away. Apollo watches in horror, knowing that Athena, Troy, Dalton, and thousands of others died aboard the Fleet when the asteroid exploded.

Starbuck tells Apollo his sister and their children have just died, but Apollo cannot allow himself to mourn—not when they're fighting for survival. He orders the group to keep moving toward the kiosk that leads to the crystal city.

The ancient city's defenses activate. An automated mechanism transports the entire Colonial Fleet underground before the Tylium ignites, saving everyone. Athena and the others wait at the underground shipping port to greet Apollo's team. Apollo embraces his sister, hardly believing she's alive.

Athena explains that the technology preserved beneath Kobol is even more advanced than they imagined—the ancients traversed the universe long before the Twelve Colonies reached deep space. Two Borellian Nomen carry the mortally wounded Gar'Tokk through the crystalline wall. Apollo shouts for them to get him to the med-unit.

Talen warns Apollo that Kobol is preparing to self-destruct in mere microns. Apollo needs to join the Fleet quickly. He starts toward the shuttle but spots Talen standing at the platform's railing with a sad, bittersweet smile.

Chapter Seventeen

Talen tells Apollo that the Fleet's QSE technology has been modified. When Apollo insists he has too many questions, Talen says there is no time—he must join his fleet quickly. The ancient technology has transported everyone to safety, representing the Kobollians' ability to traverse space in ways the colonials cannot comprehend.

Chapter Eighteen

Starbuck feels a cold chill as his squadron approaches the Cylon basestar, which looks disturbingly similar to the Chitain warship he destroyed at the cost of his life. He wonders if the Light Ship above is there not just to view the battle but to collect the souls of Warriors who will die this day. Is his resurrection merely a reprieve rather than a full pardon?

Starbuck tells himself it doesn't matter—whether pardon or reprieve, he was brought back for a purpose. The squadron engages the Cylon Raiders. Starbuck pilots his Viper perilously close between two Raiders, whose lasers destroy each other. However, the maneuver costs him—a Raider's wing slices through his canopy. Plastiglas flies around the cockpit like angry insects, tearing into Starbuck's back, arms, and hands.

Starbuck discovers his head is still attached despite narrowly avoiding decapitation.

Chapter Nineteen

As the Fleet prepares to evacuate Kobol, Apollo races to Galactica's bridge to input the coordinates he received from Adama's hologram. However, the sequence is incomplete—an unfinished symphony. The musical language he heard in his head left him with only partial information.

Athena contacts Apollo telepathically from her own communion with the ancient city. She received coordinates in the same musical language. Apollo hears her memory of the notes in his mind and realizes they fit together perfectly with his own coordinates.

Apollo shouts for the navigators to program the completed coordinates immediately.

Count Iblis watches from the Cylon basestar as Kobol's surface begins to shudder and collapse. The buildings scream and twist as their bedrock vanishes. Huge volcanoes thrust up while tectonic plates convulse. A fissure swallows the ancient city. The pyramids fling themselves apart layer by layer before being consumed.

Iblis prepares to savor the moment of the Fleet's destruction. He orders a Centurion to fire the plasma cannons. His laugh turns into a shriek of thwarted rage as Galactica suddenly shifts to hyperspace, escaping at the last possible micron. Iblis curses Apollo as "Adama-son."

Athena watches death bullet toward her, then suddenly finds herself staring at the shifting view of hyperspace. She laughs with relief at their narrow escape.

Aftermath

The Fleet celebrates their survival and Starbuck's miraculous resurrection with a great feast. Mead, ambrosa, grog, and ale flow in golden rivers. The caretakers have prepared an elaborate meal with fresh game, roasted avion, tender bova, coneth stew, tulupian buds, oglivs, and fine kirasolis.

Children run and play before falling asleep at their parents' feet, representing life's resilience. Later in the evening, Dalton kisses Troy fiercely in front of the assembled Warriors, who pound their approval on the tabletop. Troy pulls her onto his lap and returns the kiss. Trays watches from his table in silence, accepting his defeat.

Cassiopeia informs Apollo that Gar'Tokk will survive his injuries. Apollo kisses the back of her hand in gratitude, surprising her. Cassiopeia responds by kissing Apollo deeply.

Apollo sits with his closest companions—Starbuck, Tigh, Athena, Sheba, Boomer, Phaedra, Bojay, and Cassiopeia. They note with amusement how relaxed he seems. Apollo stands and proposes a toast to Commander Cain's memory and selfless sacrifice.

Using telepathy, Apollo privately tells Athena he's proud of her and that she did a fine job. The celebration continues late into the night with talking, laughing, drinking to absent friends, and sometimes weeping—because endings overlap beginnings.

Epilogue

Alone in his quarters, Baltar sits in darkness, once again cast as the traitor despite honestly trying to do the right thing. Every choice he makes seems destined to turn into betrayal. He will never be trusted again. In the story of his own life, Baltar is the hero—no one ever sees himself as the villain.

As shadows close in around him, Baltar hears a weak, injured, faraway voice from the past that could easily be ignored.

In the Xeric star system, word reaches the Chitain homeworld of the Cylon and Chitain defeat at Kobol. Lord Schikik has apparently been killed in the same fiery armageddon that claimed Lucifer and the alliance armada.

The Chitain plan to lick their wounds while accelerating the rebuilding of their fleet. They plot revenge against the humans but also look with great hunger at the map of the weakened Cylon empire.

The novel concludes with the iconic tagline: "Fleeing from the Cylon tyranny, the last battlestar, Galactica, leads a ragtag, fugitive fleet, on a lonely quest—for a shining planet known as Earth…"

Characters

Returning Characters

• Commander Apollo – Supreme Commander of the Colonial Fleet
• Colonel Athena – Apollo's sister and second-in-command
• Captain Starbuck – Apollo's closest friend, who dies and is resurrected
• Commander Cain – Legendary battlestar commander
• President Tigh – President of the Quorum of Twelve
• Captain Sheba – Cain's daughter and skilled pilot
• Colonel Boomer – Veteran Warrior and training officer
• Cassiopeia – Medical technician and Starbuck's former love
• Lieutenant Dalton – Starbuck and Cassiopeia's daughter
• Lieutenant Troy – Apollo's son
• Gar'Tokk – Borellian Noman warrior sworn to Apollo
• Doctor Wilker – Chief medical officer
• Baltar – Former traitor attempting redemption
• Count Iblis – Malevolent entity seeking revenge
• Phaedra – Boomer's wife
• Bojay – Veteran Warrior
• Lucifer – Cylon IL-series command centurion

New Characters

• Talen – Mysterious guide who leads the colonials into Kobol's underground city
• Segis – Leader of the Kobollian caretakers
• Trays – Brash young pilot who competes with Troy for Dalton's affection
• Uriah – Scholar from the archives ship Cerberus who translates ancient texts

Ships

• Galactica – Last surviving battlestar, commanded by Apollo
• Pegasus – Cain's battlestar, destroyed sacrificially at Kobol
• Daedalus – Battlestar in Apollo's fleet
• Cerberus – Archives ship carrying the Fleet's historical records

Locations

• Kobol – Ancient homeworld of humanity, featuring both surface ruins and an underground mirror city
• Kirasolia – Storm-wracked planet, site of recent battle
• Xeric star system – Location of the Chitain homeworld

Themes

Death and Resurrection

The central theme of the novel is literally embodied in its title. Starbuck's death and resurrection serves as both a literal event and a metaphor for the Fleet's own journey. Just as Starbuck is brought back through ancient Kobollian technology, the Fleet experiences its own form of resurrection through the discovery of Kobol's preserved underground city.

The novel explores various characters' responses to death and loss. Dalton struggles with unresolved feelings about her father, regretting that she never expressed her love before his apparent death. Apollo confronts his inability to save his closest friend, drinking alone in his quarters. Cassiopeia and Athena find common ground through shared grief.

Starbuck's resurrection challenges the characters' understanding of death's finality. His transformation suggests that the ancient Kobollians possessed technology capable of healing and evolving the human body in ways the colonials cannot comprehend.

Destiny and Free Will

The novel wrestles with questions of predestination versus free will. Segis claims that the Fleet's return to Kobol was prophesied and that she manipulated events to bring them there. Apollo's communion with Adama's hologram reinforces that their presence on Kobol is "by design" rather than chance.

However, the hologram also warns that "the decisions and choices you and your people make now will seal your futures forever," suggesting that while certain events may be destined, the colonials retain agency in determining their ultimate fate. The novel presents a nuanced view where prophecy and free will coexist—certain paths may be laid out, but how the characters walk those paths remains their choice.

Baltar's isolation at the novel's end reinforces this theme. Despite trying to do the right thing, he finds himself once again cast as the traitor. His internal monologue reveals that everyone is the hero of their own story, unable to see themselves as the villain. This suggests that character and choice, rather than destiny alone, determine one's path.

Leadership and Loyalty

The political conflict between Apollo and Cain examines different leadership philosophies. Cain represents a pragmatic approach focused on immediate security and the appeal of reclaiming their ancient homeland. Apollo embodies a visionary leadership focused on the longer journey to Earth, even when the path is uncertain.

The novel explores how leadership requires not just making correct decisions, but maintaining support for those decisions. Apollo finds himself increasingly isolated as even his sister Athena sides with Cain's position. President Tigh, caught between loyalty to Apollo and the practical appeal of Cain's proposal, represents the difficulty of supporting unpopular decisions even when they may be correct.

Tigh's comment that "prudence is more valuable than courage" during the crisis reflects the novel's examination of what makes effective leadership. Sometimes leadership means restraining impulses toward heroic action in favor of strategic patience.

Family and Legacy

The novel deeply explores familial relationships and the legacies passed from one generation to the next. Apollo's communion with Adama's holographic image provides comfort and guidance, suggesting that parents continue to influence their children even after death.

Dalton's relationship with Starbuck forms an emotional core of the narrative. Her conflicted feelings—love mixed with resentment over perceived abandonment—reflect the complex reality of imperfect parent-child relationships. Her fear that she may be incapable of loving because of Starbuck's influence demonstrates how parental behavior shapes children's emotional development.

The younger generation, represented by Troy and Dalton, must find their own paths while grappling with the enormous shadows cast by their legendary parents. Troy struggles with living up to Apollo's example, while Dalton fights against always being defined as "Starbuck's daughter."

Evolution and Acceleration

The novel introduces the concept of "acceleration," suggesting that all humans have the potential to evolve beyond their current limitations. Starbuck's resurrection and transformation demonstrate this evolutionary potential, with his body somehow healed and enhanced by ancient Kobollian technology.

Apollo's experience in the crystalline city, where his brain is "rewired" to understand ancient texts, represents another form of acceleration. This suggests that the divide between the ancients and the colonials may not be as great as presumed—the technology exists to unlock latent human potential.

The concept ties into the larger themes of destiny and evolution. The colonials are not just searching for Earth; they are on a journey of transformation, becoming something more than they were when they fled the Twelve Colonies.

Redemption and Betrayal

Baltar's isolation at the novel's conclusion reinforces the difficulty of redemption. Despite his attempts to do the right thing, he finds himself once again cast as the traitor. His internal observation that "every choice he made seemed to be foredoomed, destined to turn into betrayal" suggests that past actions can create a gravitational pull that makes change difficult.

The novel examines how communities decide who can be redeemed and who remains forever marked by their past. Apollo's suspicion of anything connected to Baltar, regardless of apparent divine providence, shows how difficult it is to trust someone who has betrayed that trust before.

Count Iblis's continued pursuit of revenge provides a dark mirror to Baltar's situation. While Baltar seeks redemption, Iblis embraces malevolence, suggesting that the choice between redemption and continued betrayal remains a personal one.

Continuity Notes

• The novel reveals that Starbuck's daughter Dalton is the youngest Warrior and youngest pilot in the history of the Colonial Fleet, breaking Troy's previous record. This information is not presented in Resurrection but is mentioned in the preceding novel Armageddon.

• The relationship between Cassiopeia and Athena, historically adversarial due to their competition for Starbuck's affections, begins to heal in this novel as they support each other through his death.

• Gar'Tokk, the Borellian Noman introduced in Warhawk, suffers critical injuries during the events on Kobol but survives.

• The crystalline underground city beneath Kobol represents technology far more advanced than anything the colonials possess, including the recently acquired QSE technology from Warhawk.

• Apollo's telepathic abilities continue to develop, allowing him to communicate directly with Athena's mind. This builds on abilities first introduced in Armageddon.

• The novel confirms that Earth exists and is not merely a myth, with Adama's hologram stating it is part of the colonials' destined path.

• Commander Cain's death occurs off-page, with only the aftermath shown. The novel indicates he died in a "fiery armageddon" along with Pegasus during the battle at Kobol.

• Count Iblis's continued survival and pursuit of the Fleet sets up future conflicts. His ability to terrify even emotionless Cylons suggests powers beyond normal understanding.

• The Chitain, introduced as allies of the Cylons in previous novels, now view the weakened Cylon Empire with opportunistic interest following their mutual defeat at Kobol.

• Lucifer's apparent death in the battle is mentioned but not confirmed, leaving open the possibility of his survival.

Development

Like the previous novels in the series, Resurrection continues Richard Hatch's vision of what might have followed the original Battlestar Galactica series. The novel deepens the mythology established in Armageddon and Warhawk, particularly regarding the Lords of Kobol and ancient Kobollian civilization.

The title "Resurrection" operates on multiple levels—literally referring to Starbuck's return from death, metaphorically describing the Fleet's discovery of preserved Kobollian culture, and thematically representing the possibility of redemption and renewal even after devastating loss.

The novel's exploration of Apollo and Athena's developing telepathic connection builds on concepts introduced earlier in the series, suggesting that the Kobollian heritage provides more than just technological knowledge—it unlocks latent abilities within the colonials themselves.

References

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• Resurrection (RDM)
• Resurrection Ship
• Resurrection Hub
• Resurrection Ship, Part 2
• Resurrection (book)