The Captain's Hand

S2, E17: Two Vipers field a distress signal from an unknown source, then they suddenly vanish from the fleet's radar screens. A rescue mission is coordinated by Battlestar Pegasus, now commanded by former engine room chief Barry Garner (John Heard). Feuding with his training supervisor, Lt. Kara Thrace (Katee Sackhoff), he ignores her theory that the emergency call is a Cylon trap. Lee Adama (Jamie Bamber) is Garner's temporary XO, but when Garner bucks a direct order from Admiral William Adama (Edward James Olmos) and sends the Pegasus in pursuit of his missing Vipers, Lee is forced to act against him. Back on Galactica, a pregnant teenage stowaway has become a focal point in the presidential election campaign. Rya Kibby (Amber Rothwell) wants to exercise her legal right to an abortion. The fleet's pro-life Gemenon faction objects, threatening to pull its support for President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell). Recognizing that every potential life counts in a shrinking human population, Roslin considers a move that could provide the wedge issue Gaius Baltar (James Callis) needs to launch his own surprise bid for the presidency.