Synopsis[]
"Ape and Essence"[]
The fleet is on the verge of famine because of damage sustained by te Agro-Ship. Adama has sent head biologist Dr. Enoch and Apollo to find new food sources on a vegetation rich planet. As Apollo loads fruit into their shuttle, Enoch finds a human skeleton and recalls a lost expedition mounted years ago by Capricans to an uncharted jungle planet. They are attacked by a large animal that jumps down from a tree. Apollo drops his gun, but the creature is taken out by a large rock thrown by one of several red skinned hominid-like simians that now run towards them. Picking up his gun, Apollo stuns one of the ape-men, causing the others to flee. Enoch decides to take the simian back to the Galactica as well.
In his lab aboard the Galactica, Enoch discovers that the creature's DNA is structurally the same as that of a human being, and finds himself annoyed and distracted by the stench coming from the fruit they took with them from the planet. However, as he gets near the fruit, a terrible hunger comes over him and he is unable to stop himself from eating it. Almost immediately after digesting it, Enoch turns into a red-skinned simian, but retains his memories and part of his rational mind. He is however feeling very enraged, and smashes his computer, destroying all evidence of what has just happened to him. Enoch feels as if he's regained the strength of his youth and that there may be some advantages to his new form.
Enoch is discovered by Boomer, who assumes it is the captive simian who's escaped. Enoch knocks out Boomer and is willing to murder him to keep his secret safe, but then Jolly spots him as well, and he makes a run for it. In the Galactica's conference room, the Council of Twelve is debating whether they should colonize the tropical jungle planet, but Adama insists on continuing their quest for Earth. Tigh interrupts the council with news of the escaped simian, and Adama disbands the session and heads for the bridge.
Meanwhile, Enoch has reached Launch Bay Alpha where he manages to steal a Viper and flies out of the Galactica. Having been an exceptional pilot in his youth, Enoch is thrilled to be flying a Viper once more. In space, Apollo is instructing Athena, Cassiopeia and Saphire in Viper tactics, albeit in unarmed versions of the ship. They find themselves attacked by Enoch's Viper, who quickly shoots down the three female pilots, forcing them to make emergency landings on the jungle planet. Apollo is informed that the Viper that attacked his training squad is being flown by an ape, but he has recognized Enoch's fighting style from seeing an old recording.
Aboard the Galactica, Adama, Boomer and Jolly break into Enoch's lab and find the ape still there. However, the simian breaks free from it's restraints and attacks the Colonial Warriors. Boomer shots it, causing it to slam into the refrigerator and die. Adama orders the lab off-limits, but they do nor realize the fruit has spilled from the refridgerator and begins to spread it's dangerous scent. On the planet below, Athena, Saphire and Cassiopea are reunited, only to find themselves face to face with the simian Enoch, who tells them they are his, now and forever.
This story is continued next issue...
Appearances[]
"Ape and Essence"[]
Individuals[]
- Colonial Warriors
- Commander Adama
- Colonel Tigh
- Captain Apollo
- Lieutenant Athena
- Lieutenant Boomer
- Cassiopeia
- Lieutenant Starbuck (mentioned only)
- Dr. Enoch (First Appearance)
- Flight Sergeant Jolly
- Saphire
- Simians
Locations[]
- Jungleworld
- Caprica (mentioned)
Items[]
- Colonial Blaster
- Rocket sled
Vehicles[]
- Battlestar Galactica
- Agro-Ship (mentioned only)
- Colonial Shuttle
- Viper
Behind the Scenes[]
- Coming Soon
Notes[]
- Plot by Grant and Simonson, script by Grant.
- Jolly has blond hair in this issue instead of his usual brown.
Trivia[]
- Coming Soon
See also[]
- Coming Soon
Links[]
- Battlestar Galactica (Marvel) Issue 17 on Marvel Wiki
- Battlestar Galactica (Marvel) Issue 17 on Comic Vine