Operation Exodus

4:5 Ghosts from the Past

Previously, on Battlestar Galactica

Before the Cylon attack

Galactica: Hangar Bay

"The Cylon War is long over, yet we must not forget the reasons why so many sacrificed so much in the cause of freedom. The cost of wearing the uniform can be high, but...

Sometimes it's too high. You know, when we fought the Cylons, we did it to save ourselves from extinction. But we never answered the question: why? Why are we as a people worth saving? We still commit murder, because of greed, spite, jealousy, and we still visit all of our sins upon our children.

We refuse to accept the responsibility for anything that we've done. Like we did with the Cylons. We decided to play god, create life.

When that life turned against us, we comforted ourselves in the knowledge that it really wasn't our fault, not really.

You cannot play god, then wash your hands of the things that you've created. Sooner or later, the day comes when you can't hide from the things that you've done anymore," Commander Adama said, then walked off the podium and sat down to the deafening silence of the crowd for Galactica's decommissioning ceremony.

Several hours later...

Galactica CIC

"Attention all Colonial units. Cylon attack underway. This is no drill," Lieutenant Felix Gaeta said.

Galactica: Commander's Quarters

"I'll be right there," Commander Adama said.

Minutes later, Galactica CIC

"How? Why? Doesn't really matter now. What does matter is that as of this moment, we are at war," Commander Adama said.

Pre-Cylon Attack, Flashback: Admiral Corman's Office

We may never have this opportunity again. I'm assuming you appreciate the consequences if you're discovered. And you understand, Commander, that this conversation did not happen. Are you prepared for this?" Admiral Corman asked.

"Of course, sir. On one condition: I need my men. Especially for the Stealthship. There's only one pilot I trust," Commander Adama said.

"Who?" Admiral Corman asked.

Day 935 Since the Fall

Avalon, Colonial Government HQ, President's Office

President Roslin sat in her cushy chair, taking a momentary break from work and looking over at her aide Tory Foster. Not too long ago, she had been revealed as a Cylon. The President had originally locked her away, sending her back to her people and tried her best to forget she ever existed once she found out the truth about Tory. Over time the President had begun missing her most helpful aide who had taken over after her previous aide who'd been with her during the Cylon attack and she'd looked to as a son until she lost him. Helped along by the utter incompetence, at least in her eyes, of the three other aides who had replaced Tory, the President eventually relented and in other moves to further the burgeoning alliance with the small group of Cylons they'd had until recently she had brought Tory back to work for her. She may never look at her the same way again, or bring her into her confidence like before, but she could not deny she would always feel a fondness for her and appreciated her great work.

Shaking herself out of her reflective reverie, President Roslin turned back to her work, sorting through her old files now that she'd finally gotten a spare moment since taking the her officially elected office as President over the people inhabiting Avalon. Several boxes were from colonial one, which had previously remained untouched for a long time.