The rescue attempt begins as Adama executes his plan to save the people on New Caprica. Galactica is the only ship being used in the operation, with Pegasus continuing the search for Earth. The plan sees decoys being employed to distract the Cylons whilst those on the planets jump away from New Caprica in ships enabled through Sharon retriving the launch codes from the Cylon base.

The Cylons have their own problems and attempt to work out what they are to do whilst the rescue is being planned. The initial grip on the human population on New Caprica is crumbling and the Cylons are faced with an increasingly strong and intelligent insurgence. The more vicious Cylons suggest they simply abandon New Caprica blowing it up with the nuclear bomb and putting an end to the who problem. As they are discussing this option news of Galactica jumping into orbit is brought to them. They quickly decide that the nuke is a valid option and move to detonate it.

As pre planned the insurgence on the ground aide the rescue by hitting key Cylon complexes creating the dissarry needed to get people to safety. wefwe heads a special team who break through into the Cylon detention centre and free those held captive inside. They are pinned down by a heavy Cylon guard but Galactica comes to their aide crashing down towards the ground and launching its raptors close to the ground. Galactica jumps away leaving the raptors to attack the entrenched Cylons freeing a path through to the detention centre.

The Cylon's quickly leave the planet. Those who had been discussing the nuclear bomb in colonial one follow suit as the ingergancy attacks begin. Gaius is told that he has a place on a Cylon ship if he wishes to leave with them. Giaus is shaken though and expresses aloud that he wishes he was dead as his presidancy is pulled apart. Felix Gaeta helps him in this desire by pulling a gun on Giaus once the Cylons have left the room. He explains that he believed in Giaus and his administration which was misused by Gaius. Gaius encourages Gaider to kill him as regret takes the president. After several tense moments in which Giaus steps towards the gun and pleads with Gaeta to pull the trigger. He then points out that he is the only one who can prevent the nuclear bomb from going offer. Gaeta steps back and tells Gaius to attempt to make up for his wrongdoing by stopping the bomb.

The freeing of the prisoners from the detention camp goes smoothly. Sam gets a surprise when he breaks into a room and finds Starbuck on the floor. He picks her up and joins his team mates who are guiding the rescued prisoners to saftey. Starbuck comes round and asks for Kasey. She rushes back to the room as Sam looks noplussed as she continues to ask about the child.

Giaus discovers baby Hiro as he searches for the bomb in the human camp on New Caprica. He hears that crying and finds the child in the arms of it's dead adoptive mother. He realises who the child as the number 3 Cylon who was heading off to arm the bomb approaches him. She takes the child from his arms and Giaus lets her leave despite raising his weapon to shoot her. His number 6 tells him to let her going pointing out that the number 3 wont let the bomb go off which she a valuable object in her arms.

Galactica takes heavy damage after the deployment of the raptors due to it crashing through New Caprica's atmosphere. The crew attempt to deal with the damage whilst battle with the two Cylon base stations in orbit around New Caprica. They continue to take heavy damage as two more base stations jump in. The combined assault from the Cylon base stations sees Galactica begin to fracture and crumble. Adama realises that they cannot continue as he is told that the ship is about to break apart. He stands back from the central command console and looks around at his crew telling them that "this is it".

Having worried over the decision to let Galactica attempt the rescue on their own Lee decides to go against his orders and jump to New Caprica to help out. Pegasus arrives to the massive battle between Galactica and the four base stations as Galactica begins to crumble. As the Cylons are moving in to finish off Galactica Pegasus attacks surprising the Cylons and inflicting damages to the base stations. Once they have overcome their initial surprise the Cylons reform and the initial advantage is lost. Pegasus begins to take heavy damage however Lee has thought his attack through. Pegasus is sacrificed to save Galactica. Adama realises this as he is told the FDL drive is ready for use. Galactica jumps away as the crew of Pegasus abandon the ship jumping away in their escape raptors. Pegasus is left to smash into a Cylon base station seriously damaging the Cylons.

Those rescued from the surface as welcomed back on Galatica and a spontaneous celebration erupts with Adama and his plan at the centre of the victory cries. Starbuck gets a nasty surprise as she is about to introduce Kaley to her colleagues. Kasey's real mother spots her in the from the crowd and rushes toward the child. She thanks Starbuck for rescuing her daughter leaving Starbuck speechless as she realises that Kasey isn't her child as claimed by the Cylons.