[FierceDraka]

If'n I was in Adama's position, I would have conscripted ALL of the refugees (take THAT Zarek!); informed 'em that food, water and air are not free, esp. in space; and that every last on of 'em is gonna work for their own survival and the survival of the species.

Welcome aboard the Battlestar Pegasus! LOL

But with the survival of the race on the line, I have to say I would have done the same thing.

Tom Zarek would have been quietly spaced along with his followers - out there ammo is more precious than gold.

[Little Ray]

The Pegasus would probably be the unit I'd prefer if Caine was not apparently so cartoony evil (haven't gotten to her yet...). Also, Caine was stupid if he thought he could continue the war against the Cylons.

As for the general populace, there is a morale issue; the "people" MUST have something to do or there will be civil disorder. They have to be part of the solution. If they can't be Viper pilots, they can be maintenance, marines, etc. Heck they could run buffers and chip paint. It all has to be done!

Also, everybody should be under shipboard discipline. The captains of the ships are in charge of crews and passengers, and they report to Adama. Don't need a president or a legislature (outside of Adama's staff) or a judiciary (outside of the UCMJ and the courts martial).

And when your species is down to 50,000 souls, even Zareks can't be wasted. If necessary, you set up a penal corps. They get all the crummy, dangerous jobs until they demonstrate a willingness to accept shipboard discipline and which point they're discharged and trained for other positions. Only really dangerous types are terminated - psychotics, sociopaths, etc. And they're used for parts... no spacing!