Battlestar Galactica: The Lost Mission

One surprise during the production of the Battlestar Galactica game was the involvement of actors Richard Hatch and Dirk Benedict (Apollo and Starbuck from the original television series), who came in to provide voices for some of the Colonial pilots.

In addition, they laid down an alternate language track that could be unlocked where Hatch and Benedict took on the roles of game characters Paulus and Cain, and another bonus setting to let players fly with Apollo and Starbuck as their wingmen.

Naturally, having the original Galactica flyboys to hand was something we wanted to make the most of, and so I was asked to come up with scripts for a mission concept where Apollo and Starbuck would time-warp in from the "future" Battlestar Galactica era in order to help the young Adama.

Two versions of this idea were written; one adding a brief extra scene to Mission 12: "Test of Fire", and a second more detailed mission that was entirely original. Sadly, because of time and design constraints, this special unlockable bonus mission never made it to the final version of the game.

So, for your reading pleasure, I'm proud to present the dialogue script for the previously unseen bonus mission "Past Imperfect"...

(Mission Briefing)

KASSIA: You're on your own for this mission, Ensign Adama. You've been assigned to make your first long-range solo patrol - just you, your Viper and the Hades Nebula... Try not to get lost in there! We've had sporadic readings of Cylon ships in the area, so be careful. If you encounter any remnants from Erebus's fleet, engage them only as a last resort. We want you back in one piece.

(Adama's viper launches and enters the nebula)

ADAMA: Galactica, this is Patrol Flight Alpha. I'm starting my pattern now.

KASSIA: Copy that, Adama. Once you enter the nebula, your long-range communications will go off-line, so be prepared...[FADES OUT]

ADAMA: Colonel, do you read?

[BEAT]

Nothing. I just hope the rest of the mission is as quiet as this...

(Without warning, a Cylon battle force emerges from the gas clouds)

CYLON VOICE: [CYLON FILTER #1] The human Adama has been detected. Contain and eliminate.

ADAMA: [PANICKED] Where are all these tin cans coming from? They're not going to let me out of here alive!

CYLON VOICE: [CYLON FILTER #1] Execute Erebus directive. Adama must die. Adama must die.

ADAMA: [GRIM] Looks like this is personal!

(A time-warp effect opens a wormhole nearby and two Vipers emerge, piloted by Apollo & Starbuck)

APOLLO: [SHOCKED] Whoa. I can't believe it… We made it! Starbuck, are you all right?

STARBUCK: [SHAKEN] Barely, Apollo, barely. So that's what time-travel feels like, huh? Remind me never to do that again.

APOLLO: The Hades Nebula… It's incredible… It's just like the history tapes said…

STARBUCK: Yeah, but history is off track - somebody's been tampering with the time-lines.

APOLLO: [DETERMINED] And we're here to stop it. Let's go!

(Apollo & Starbuck join the fight)

APOLLO: This is Captain Apollo; thought you could use a little help… Adama…

ADAMA: Your timing is perfect, Captain!

STARBUCK We were just passing by and, uh, we thought we'd lend a hand…

(The battle is joined)

STARBUCK: Wow! I knew the Commander was an ace when he was younger, but I never thought I get to see it in person…

APOLLO: Starbuck! Watch your chatter, you're on an open channel!

(More Cylons arrive)

APOLLO: We're not done yet. We've got to make sure this battle goes the way it was supposed to!

STARBUCK: I get the feeling I won't like the alternative…

APOLLO: A divergent future, like a world ruled the by Cylons…

ADAMA: I'm not going to let that happen!

(The Cylons are destroyed)

STARBUCK: That's it, we've got them on the defensive! Good shooting, Commander, uh, I mean, Ensign!

APOLLO: We got them all! We've repaired the time-line. The future is safe.

ADAMA: The future? I don't understand, what do you mean?

APOLLO: [REGRETFUL] I... I can't explain. I'm sorry.

ADAMA: Who are you? Your voice seems so familiar to me. Have we met before?

APOLLO: It's not important who we are. You were meant to survive today, and we made sure that happened. That's what matters.

ADAMA: Then I guess I owe you my thanks.

STARBUCK: No need. You've saved our lives a hundred times over.

APOLLO: We have to leave. It was an honor to fly with you, Adama. I know you'll make a fine Commander one day.

ADAMA: Will we cross paths again?

STARBUCK: [WRY] Not for a while.

APOLLO: Just remember this, Adama. Where there is life, there is hope.

ADAMA: Wise words. Who told you that?

APOLLO: My father.

(Apollo and Starbuck head home)

STARBUCK: You know, while we're here in the past, we could stop off and grab a couple of vintage bottles of Ambrosa...

APOLLO: Or we could warn them about the Cylon betrayal? No, we came back in time to preserve the past, not to alter it. Let's go home, Starbuck.

(Apollo and Starbuck's Vipers vanish through the time-warp)

ADAMA: Galactica, this is Adama. I'm coming home.

(Adama's Viper heads back toward the Galactica)

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