Galactica Discovers Earth (Book)

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Galactica Discovers Earth A book of the Berkley Books line
Book No.	5
Author(s)	Mike Resnick
Adaptation of	Galactica Discovers Earth
No. of Pages	187 (2nd edition)
Published	December 1980 (1st edition) September 1981 (2nd edition) December 1982 (3rd edition)
ISBN	0425061256
Chronology
Previous		Next
The Young Warriors	Galactica Discovers Earth	The Living Legend
Paperback Version
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Galactica Discovers Earth was a novelization of the original three hours of Galactica 1980 that was published after the series was canceled. The storyline covers the events of what would be the first three episodes in the syndicated version of the series: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part 1" Part 2 and Part 3.

Plot

Much of the novel is composed of entries from Adama's journals, Dr. Zee's diary tapes, "reconstructed" transcripts and even newspaper clippings 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 Donald Mortinson (named Alfred 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 US Civil War. After he is intercepted—but eludes them—each time, Troy concludes that Xavier has given up time travel in favor of influencing present day Earth, since the Warriors will undoubtedly be able to stop Xaviar from making any changes to the timeline before they take hold permanently. 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 Mike Resnick who went on to become a Hugo Award winning science fiction author.

Summary of Differences

• Zee's creation of a projected Cylon attack on Earth is much more global, including attacks on Europe and other countries.
• The motivation of the Hell's Angels attack on Troy and Dillon is explained. Further, the altercation doesn't end with the Warriors flying away on their turbocycle; instead, the Warriors manage to deal with all 20+ Hell's Angels in an altercation in a schoolyard, mostly stunning them.
• Instead of walking through the front door of the Pacific Institute of Technology and stunning the guard, Troy and Dillon enter the nearby sewer system and burn their way through the basement of the building. After burning their way to the first floor, they then decide to take the stairs after stunning two of the guards.
• The entire sub-plot dealing with Willy Griffin and his father discovering the Vipers is gone. The Vipers, however, are detected by military personnel. However, before they are taken away to a military base, Dillon and Troy are able to retake their craft non-violently and leave. Also, the plot of Troy, Dillon, and Hamilton sneaking into Van Nyus Air Force Base to recover the ships—including Xaviar's—is not present here.
• After the Gestapo search Number Three Mororanstrasse, Troy allows himself to be captured. Troy begins to undergo torture at the hands of Branham, but is later freed by Dillon.
• Jamie Hamilton leaves her new job at the UBC, after Dana Anderson orders a trace on an incoming call made by Dillon—a "terrorist"—and having earlier voiced his belief that she was becoming sympathetic with these so-called "terrorists".
• After pursuing Xaviar throughout time, and managing to thwart him the first few times, Troy surmises that Xaviar has given up altering the past, because each time he does so, the Warriors would be able to intercept him, as so long as they have the technology and the means to do so.
• Troy completes the equation he had left Alfred Mortinson earlier.

Characters

A list of characters and their analogues to the aired episode, if applicable.

Galacticans

Character	Biography
Commander Adama	Commander of the Galactican fleet.
Lieutenant Dillon	Colonial Warrior and friend of Troy's.
Kip	Colonial Warrior assigned to contact sympathetic scientists in the United Soviet Socialist Republics.
Captain Troy	Colonial Warrior, son of Serena, and the Fleet's leading Warrior.
Xaviar	Former Colonial warrior and scientist who is incensed with Adama and Dr. Zee's method of accelerating Earth's technology. He believes the Galacticans fools and tries to use the time warp synthesizer to change Earth's past, but is continually thwarted by Dillon and Troy. His goal eventually turns from helping the Galacticans to power-lust, wanting to secure himself a place in history and live luxuriously.
Doctor Zee	Child prodigy. A cerebral mutation born in space. His origins are unexplained in the book (as opposed to the episode "The Return of Starbuck"), however his age as of this tale is 14. He is responsible for many of the Galacticans' scientific advancements, including the time warp synthesizer, a language educator, the invisibility fields, and other technological advancements.

1944 C.E.

Allied Forces and Others

Character	Analogue	Biography
Ramona Brandhorst	German resistance leader	Old lady part of the German underground. She owns Number Three Moranstrasse and stabs Troy in the gut, fearing him to be an SS officer out to kill her.
Charles de Gaulle	None	Leader of France's military who does not earn the respect of Col. Guidry. In his journal, Guidry notes that de Gaulle's obstructive actions almost prevent him from even leaving a French-held airfield to begin his mission of sabotage.
Col. John H. Guidry	Maj. Stockwell	American saboteur who is assigned to take out the V2 rocket in Obersalzberg. The Galacticans manage to enlist Guidry's help, despite his severe mistrust of them.
Unnamed Jewish girl	"Unnamed Jewish girl"	This young girl manages to escape the concentration camp-bound boxcar at the train station, making a beeline to the Galactican's hidden position in Obersalzberg, and saved by the Galacticans.

Nazis

Character	Analogue	Biography
Oberleutnant Branham	None	German officer who finds the stunned Nazis who are summarily sent to the Russian front by General Yodel. Later, Branham brutally interrogates Troy after the Warrior is captured at Number Three Morganstrasse; Dillon subsequently stuns him and frees Troy.
Sgt. Josef Lammers	None	Nazi soldier who stops Troy out in the street, asking for Troy's papers. Troy manages to incapacitate him and deprive him of his clothing, which he uses to successfully arrive at Number Three Moranstrasse. Ironically, Troy's appearance as a soldier results in his being stabbed by Ramona Brandhorst.
Schlutter	None	Nazi soldier who is ordered to pursue Troy.
Col. Conrad Werner	Unnamed German Colonel	Responsible for the V2 project in Obersalzberg and is responsible for involving Xaviar on the project.
Gen. Wilhelm Yodel	Gen. Yodel	High ranking Nazi officer who arrives to oversee a demonstration of the V2 rocket in Obersalzberg.

In a report from General Yodel, the following Nazi soldiers who are dispatched by Troy and Dillon were transferred to the Russian front: J. Huber, W. Blumenstritt, L. Steinhardt, W. Kappstadt, J. Streck, T. Straunning, L. Blaumann, and P. Plaga. Their commanding officer, J. Gansz, was recommended for immediate court martial.

1980 C.E.

Character	Analogue	Biography
Dana Anderson	Mr. Brooks	Jamie Hamilton's boss, and West Coast News Director of United Broadcasting Corporation, who tries to make a story out of Dr. Mortinson and his escapades with the Colonial Warriors.
Billjac the Crusher	Biker	A bearded Hell's Angel who is quickly dispatched by Troy and Dillon.
Stuart Brownstein	None	Professor at the UCLA Department of Astronomy, who points out in a news article that the UFOs (the Vipers) sighted could not be explained in any rationalized way, given their distinct flying patterns.
James William Cavin	Moran	The delusional lush that Troy and Dillon are locked in with; they use their invisibility fields and manage to fool the sergeant into opening the cell to investigate. Using this window of opportunity, the Warriors escape.
Ms. Davenport	Anne	Dana Anderson's uptight, abrasive secretary.
Col. Henry Becksworth Davies	Davies	General Wilson's aide, who denies reports of UFOs (Dillon and Troy's Vipers) to the press.
Donzo Gates	Donzo	Hell's Angel biker who tries to take Troy and Dillon's turbocycles.
Jamie Hamilton	Self	An up-and-coming reporter who encounters Troy and Dillon, only to be embroiled in their plans for Earth, and an asset to the Galacticans.
Professor Khalinov	None	Soviet scientist, possibly recruited by Kip, to help the Galacticans develop Earth's technology.
Sgt. Michael Lalor	Cop at Police Station	Police sergeant that discredits Jimmy the Lush's stories; he later discovers that the two Warriors have disappeared from police custody while still inside a locked cell.</ref>
Lizard Charlie	Biker	A Hell's Angel. Donzo Gates' "old lady" has been making eyes at him, hence Gates' decision to challenge Troy and Dillon.
Scott Miles	Jack Archer	Security guard at the Pacific Institute of Technology who tells Carlyle Tabakow about the intruders (Troy and Dillon) who are looking for Mortinson.
Chief Modzelewski	Police chief	Dana Anderson asks his secretary to get him in touch with this police officer.
Dr. Alfred Mortinson, Ph.D.	Dr. Donald Mortinson, Ph.D.	Nobel prize laureate and scientist looking for a safe way to deal with nuclear power. Recruited by Troy and Dillon to help the Galacticans accelerate Earth's technology.
Carlyle Tabakow	Dorothy Carlyle	Mortinson's secretary. Her journal entry notes her concern over Mortinson's sanity, as well as her own future job security.
Professor Rashid Tarid	None	Pakistani scientist recruited to help the Galacticans develop Earth's technology.
Gen. Tucker Wilson	General Cushing	Head of Strategic Air Command.

Analysis

• As with the episode, Mortinson apparently doesn't back up his computer files, since any work that Troy and Dillon would've done could be reverted with such a computerized data backup.

Notes

• Troy and Dillon are equipped with climbing equipment in the form of suction devices for their hands and feet, and consider using it to gain access to the fourth floor (where Alfred Mortinson's office is), but determine that they may be easily found and gunned down before they knew what struck them.

Alternate covers

• 
  Front cover.
• 
  Back cover.