“Take the Celestra” is episode twenty-three of season one of the classic series of Battlestar Galactica.
Adama is saying that morale is rising due to the increasing number of habitable planets and the reintroduction of amenities, including ceremonies.
The ceremony in question is to honour Commander Kronus, who is also being given command over two other ships. A woman in the audience is noticed by Starbuck, who says she’s Aurora. They thought she was dead. Starbuck tries to leave formation when she leaves, but the others stop him at a look from Tigh.
Aurora heads to Interfleet Navigational Operations, asking for navigational data for the Celestra; she’s the personal pilot of Commander Kronus.
Tigh joins Kronus and Adama; Kronus thought Tigh was heading to the bridge. Tigh stammers and says he was just going there. Adama thought Tigh was going to propose a toast. Kronus mentions two rules about enforcing all regulations and making no exceptions. It seems he burnt that into Adama’s brain. Kronus is then told his pilot is ready and his shuttle will leave shortly.
Starbuck is talking to the others when Aurora comes back. He tries to talk to her, saying he thought she was dead. Aurora says she’s been on the Celestra, learning to fly. And she knows Starbuck has been there for maintenance. He wonders why she didn’t try to contact him; she used to wonder the same thing. She was in the personnel computer, if he cared enough to check. Cassiopeia joins them; she has tickets. Starbuck introduces Aurora and Cassiopia to each other; Aurora leaves and Starbuck follows.
On his shuttle, Kronus is telling Shakra that the ships he has aren’t a fleet. And he’s retaining command of the Celestra. Shakra does not seem happy.
Starbuck is trying to convince Tigh that he needs to go to the Celestra when Apollo joins them. Apollo knows why Starbuck wants to go, even if he thinks it’s a bad idea and that Starbuck is afraid he’s getting too close to Cassiopia, but says he will go with.
On the Celestra, Aurora meets someone with the navigational data. They then empty the lasers from a locker and hand them out to others. They’re going to sabotage the ship and steal a shuttle.
Kronus is told they’ve lost thrusters and contacts Adama, saying they will be fixed shortly. Adama isn’t happy to leave them alone, but he’s told Starbuck and Apollo are heading to the Celestra and he informs Kronus.
Starbuck is worrying about Cassiopia, who he just skipped out on a date with to see another woman. On the Celestra, a gunfight breaks out in the launch bay and Apollo and Starbuck fly right into it. The situation on the Celestra seems complicated.