Battle for the Tylium Asteroid: Difference between revisions

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|image=Cylonminegoboom_110_1080i.jpg
|image=Cylonminegoboom_110_1080i.jpg
|description=[[Lee Adama|Apollo]] flying away from the Cylon tylium mine as it begins to explode  
|description=[[Lee Adama|Apollo]] flying away from the Cylon tylium mine as it begins to explode  
|conflict=[[Cylon Attack|Second Cylon war]]
|conflict=[[Cylon Attack|Second Cylon War]]
|date=[[Re-Imagined Series Timeline|Day 36]]
|date=[[Re-Imagined Series Timeline|Day 36]]
|place=Asteroid field in interstellar space, specific location unknown
|place=[[Sector_Delta_9#Sector_J23R7|Sector J23R7 ]]
|result=Colonial victoryResupply of [[Tylium]] ore for fuel reserves.
|result=Colonial victory
|combatant1=Remnants of the [[Colonial Fleet]]
* Resupply of [[tylium]] ore for fuel reserves.
|combatant1=Remnants of the [[Colonial Fleet (RDM)|Colonial Fleet]]
|combatant2=[[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]
|combatant2=[[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]
|co1=Commander [[William Adama]]
|co1=Commander [[William Adama]]
Lieutenant [[Kara Thrace]]
Captain [[Lee Adama]]
|co2=Unknown †
|co2=Unknown †
|strength1=[[Galactica type battlestar|Battlestar]] ''[[Galactica]]''<br>
|strength1= 1 battlestar  
2 [[Raptor|Raptors]], pilots [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Boomer]], [[Stubbs]]<br>
* ''[[Galactica]]''
Strike Force One: At least 7 [[Viper (RDM)|Vipers]], incl. [[Fireball]], [[Deadbolt]], [[Spinner]], [[Buzzer]], [[Brendan Constanza|Hot Dog]]<br>
** ~19 [[Viper (RDM)|Vipers]]  
Strike Force Two: [[Viper 2220]], [[Viper 7961]], 10 other [[Viper Mark II|Viper Mk IIs]]
** 2 [[Raptor|Raptors]]
|strength2=140 [[Raider|Raiders]]<br>Fixed anti-aircraft emplacements
3 civilian transports
|shiploss1=4 Vipers, incl. [[Viper 7961]] and those piloted by [[Fireball]] and [[Stepchild]]
|strength2=140 [[Raider|Raiders]] <br /> Fixed anti-aircraft emplacements
|shiploss1=At least 4 Vipers
|shiploss2=Complete destruction of Cylon forces
|shiploss2=Complete destruction of Cylon forces
|casualties1=[[Fireball]], [[Stepchild]] and 4 other pilots
|casualties1= ~6 pilots dead
* [[Fireball]]
* [[Stepchild]]
* Sgt. [[Donald Perry]]
* 3 other pilots
|casualties2=Unknown, high
|casualties2=Unknown, high
|prev=[[Skirmish over the Red Moon]]
|prev=[[Skirmish over the Red Moon]]
|next=[[Battle of Kobol (RDM)|Battle of Kobol]]
|next=[[Battle of Kobol (RDM)|Battle of Kobol]]
|rdm=y
|series=RDM
}}
}}
The '''Battle for the Tylium Asteroid''' takes place when ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' attacks a Cylon [[Cylon Refinery|tylium ore refinery]]. It marks the first time that ''Galactica'' makes an offensive strike against Cylon forces in nearly forty years.


The '''Battle of the Tylium Asteroid''' occurs as [[Galactica type battlestar|Battlestar]] ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' and her fleet liberate a [[tylium]] ore refinery from the Cylons, marking the first time that ''Galactica''  makes an offensive strike against Cylon forces ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]).
==Background==
After exhausting much of its fuel reserves fleeing from Cylon forces, ''Galactica'' sends [[Raptor]]s to outlying star systems in search of [[tylium]], a fuel source used by all ships in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]]. They locate an asteroid saturated with the mineral, but also occupied by Cylons and fortified with [[Cylon Raider (RDM)|Raider]] squadrons. Commander [[William Adama|Adama]] decides to take the asteroid with a daring plan, utilizing the unconventional thinking of Lieutenant [[Kara Thrace]] to draft the attack strategy and Captain [[Lee Adama]] to implement it. ([[TRS]]: "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]")


After exhausting much of its fuel reserves from its initial fleeing from the Cylon forces ([[33]]) and after a difficult rescue of [[Kara Thrace]] ([[You Can't Go Home Again]]), ''Galactica'' sends [[Raptor]]s to outlying star systems in search of the mineral [[tylium]], used as a fuel for all ships in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]].
==Battle==
''Galactica'' pulls a double-feint; using a cargo freighter to lure away patrolling Raiders, the battlestar deploys a Viper squadron to approach the unprotected asteroid. The Cylons deduce the freighter to be a diversion and turn their fighters on the approaching Viper squadron. Additionally, they release all of their base's reserve Raiders to make a run at ''Galactica''. With all Cylon craft engaging either the Vipers or ''Galactica'', a second squadron of Vipers emerges from inside the cargo freighter and heads for the now unguarded Cylon base.


They locate an asteroid rich with tylium, but also occupied by Cylons and fortified with [[Cylon Raider (RDM)|Raider]] squadrons defending it. Commander [[William Adama|Adama]] decides to take the asteroid with a daring plan, utilizing the unconventional thinking of the recovering Kara Thrace to lead the attack plan and pilot [[Lee Adama]] to lead the Viper crews.
As the squadron reaches the surface of the asteroid, guided anti-aircraft missiles are launched and [[Fireball]] is killed in his Viper - while [[Kat]] and [[Stepchild]] launch their guided missiles, a powerful jamming signal appears and causes the Colonial missiles to lose guidance and veer away from the refinery


''Galactica'' pulls a double-feint; it first uses a cargo freighter to lure away the  Raiders, which soon see a squad of Vipers that approach the asteroid from the opposite location. The Cylons believe the freighter to be a diversion and turn the Raiders away from the freighter to descend on ''Galactica'', as well as releasing all of their base's reserve Raiders to attack ''Galactica'' as well.
Captain Adama determines that any attacks they attempt will have to be completed manually. For that to be possible they must be able to approach the base at a close range - something which the anti-aircraft artillery makes unattainable.  


Shortly after they broke off their approach to the freighter and turn to engage the first wave of Vipers, a second squad of Vipers emerge from hiding from inside the freighters to attack the base. As the fighters reach the surface and begin their approach, the Vipers encounter heavy anti-aircraft fire that destroy three Vipers. Captain [[Lee Adama|Lee "Apollo" Adama]] commands the other fighters to hold back as he successfully flies through the refinery processing area to destroy an unstable tylium-precursor container on the refinery's surface.
As the remaining four Vipers approach the refinery, they encounter heavy anti-aircraft fire that destroys two more Vipers, including [[Chuckles]] in [[Viper 4267]] and [[Stepchild]] in her assigned [[Viper]]


The destruction of the tylium-precursor container ignites the refinery's stores and destroys the entire Cylon base with an explosion equivalent to a three kiloton nuclear warhead in magnitude. The base's destruction heavily disorients the Cylon Raiders, and also leaves them unable to re-arm or refuel.  ''Galactica'' and her Vipers destroy the remaining Raiders before they could alert reinforcements.
Captain Adama orders the other fighters to pull back as he searches for an alternative way of approaching the refinery. He finds a conveyor duct that runs from an un-defended canyon adjacent to the base, and ends below a tank storing highly unstable tylium precursor. After successfully maneuvering [[Viper 2220]] through the duct, Adama detonates a pair of explosive charges underneath the tank, then makes his escape.  


Subsequently, ships from the civilian fleet mine a large amount of tylium from the asteroid (gathered by the mobile [[Mining Ship]] and processed on a [[Refinery Ship]]).  The mining yields enough tylium fuel reserve to last the Fleet for several years. 
The ignition of the tylium-precursor results in a chain-reaction that destroys the refinery with a force equivalent to that of a three kiloton nuclear warhead yet leaves the underlying tylium unaffected. Moreover, the force of the explosion heavily disorients the overflying Raiders, leaving them unable to re-arm or refuel. With no means by which to escape the space surrounding the asteroid, the scattered fighters are destroyed by ''Galactica'' and its Vipers. ([[TRS]]: "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]


The battle was prophesied in the [[Sacred Scrolls]], which mention a victory "led by serpents numbering two and ten" (the twelve Vipers). The scrolls warn, however, that "though the outcome favored the few, it led to [[Battle of Kobol (RDM)|a confrontation]] at [[Kobol|the home of the gods]]."
==Aftermath==
Shortly after ''Galactica's'' victory over the enemy, ships from the civilian fleet mine a large quantity of tylium from the asteroid (gathered by the mobile [[mining ship]]s and processed on a [[refinery ship]]).  The mining yields enough tylium reserve to last the Fleet for several years. 
Extraordinarily, this battle was prophesied in the [[Sacred Scrolls]], which mention a victory "led by serpents numbering two and ten" (the twelve Vipers). The scrolls warn, however, that "though the outcome favored the few, it would lead to a [[Battle of Kobol (RDM)|confrontation]] at [[Kobol (RDM)|the home of the gods]]" ([[TRS]]: "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]").


==Notes==
==Impact==
 
* As the entire first season of ''Battlestar Galactica'' takes place in [[Re-Imagined Series Timeline|less than two months]], and subsequent space travel between this episode an the colonization of [[New Caprica]] lasts less than 8 months, this means that that Fleet might not run into another fuel shortage for the rest of the series' run, barring some form of accident or an acceleration of the passed time.


Without the replenishment of the tylium, it is highly probable that the Cylons would have caught up with the Fleet and destroyed it. Nearly three years later, tylium ore was still in supply ([[TRS]]: "[[Dirty Hands]]"), suggesting that success in this battle may have removed what would have been a major concern for the Fleet for several years.


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{{Battles (RDM)}}
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[[Category:Colonial]]
[[Category:Colonial]]
[[Category:Colonial Battles]]
[[Category:Colonial Battles]]
[[Category:Colonial Battles (RDM)]]
[[Category:Colonial Battles (TRS)]]
[[Category:RDM]]
[[Category:TRS]]


[[de:Kampf um den Tylium-Asteroiden]]
[[de:Kampf um den Tylium-Asteroiden]]

Revision as of 15:36, 18 August 2014

Battle for the Tylium Asteroid
Apollo flying away from the Cylon tylium mine as it begins to explode
Apollo flying away from the Cylon tylium mine as it begins to explode
Apollo flying away from the Cylon tylium mine as it begins to explode
Summary
Conflict: Second Cylon War
Date: Day 36
Related Episode(s):
Place: Sector J23R7
Result: Colonial victory
  • Resupply of tylium ore for fuel reserves.
Lieutenant Kara Thrace Captain Lee AdamaUnknown †" 3 civilian transports140 Raiders
Fixed anti-aircraft emplacements"
Combatants
Remnants of the Colonial Fleet Cylons
Commanders
Commander William Adama

Lieutenant Kara Thrace Captain Lee Adama

Unknown †
Strength
1 battlestar

3 civilian transports

140 Raiders
Fixed anti-aircraft emplacements
Materiel Losses
At least 4 Vipers Complete destruction of Cylon forces
Casualties
~6 pilots dead Unknown, high
Battle Chronology
Previous Next
Skirmish over the Red Moon Battle for the Tylium Asteroid Battle of Kobol


The Battle for the Tylium Asteroid takes place when Galactica attacks a Cylon tylium ore refinery. It marks the first time that Galactica makes an offensive strike against Cylon forces in nearly forty years.

Background[edit]

After exhausting much of its fuel reserves fleeing from Cylon forces, Galactica sends Raptors to outlying star systems in search of tylium, a fuel source used by all ships in the Fleet. They locate an asteroid saturated with the mineral, but also occupied by Cylons and fortified with Raider squadrons. Commander Adama decides to take the asteroid with a daring plan, utilizing the unconventional thinking of Lieutenant Kara Thrace to draft the attack strategy and Captain Lee Adama to implement it. (TRS: "The Hand of God")

Battle[edit]

Galactica pulls a double-feint; using a cargo freighter to lure away patrolling Raiders, the battlestar deploys a Viper squadron to approach the unprotected asteroid. The Cylons deduce the freighter to be a diversion and turn their fighters on the approaching Viper squadron. Additionally, they release all of their base's reserve Raiders to make a run at Galactica. With all Cylon craft engaging either the Vipers or Galactica, a second squadron of Vipers emerges from inside the cargo freighter and heads for the now unguarded Cylon base.

As the squadron reaches the surface of the asteroid, guided anti-aircraft missiles are launched and Fireball is killed in his Viper - while Kat and Stepchild launch their guided missiles, a powerful jamming signal appears and causes the Colonial missiles to lose guidance and veer away from the refinery

Captain Adama determines that any attacks they attempt will have to be completed manually. For that to be possible they must be able to approach the base at a close range - something which the anti-aircraft artillery makes unattainable.

As the remaining four Vipers approach the refinery, they encounter heavy anti-aircraft fire that destroys two more Vipers, including Chuckles in Viper 4267 and Stepchild in her assigned Viper

Captain Adama orders the other fighters to pull back as he searches for an alternative way of approaching the refinery. He finds a conveyor duct that runs from an un-defended canyon adjacent to the base, and ends below a tank storing highly unstable tylium precursor. After successfully maneuvering Viper 2220 through the duct, Adama detonates a pair of explosive charges underneath the tank, then makes his escape.

The ignition of the tylium-precursor results in a chain-reaction that destroys the refinery with a force equivalent to that of a three kiloton nuclear warhead yet leaves the underlying tylium unaffected. Moreover, the force of the explosion heavily disorients the overflying Raiders, leaving them unable to re-arm or refuel. With no means by which to escape the space surrounding the asteroid, the scattered fighters are destroyed by Galactica and its Vipers. (TRS: "The Hand of God

Aftermath[edit]

Shortly after Galactica's victory over the enemy, ships from the civilian fleet mine a large quantity of tylium from the asteroid (gathered by the mobile mining ships and processed on a refinery ship). The mining yields enough tylium reserve to last the Fleet for several years.

Extraordinarily, this battle was prophesied in the Sacred Scrolls, which mention a victory "led by serpents numbering two and ten" (the twelve Vipers). The scrolls warn, however, that "though the outcome favored the few, it would lead to a confrontation at the home of the gods" (TRS: "The Hand of God").

Impact[edit]

Without the replenishment of the tylium, it is highly probable that the Cylons would have caught up with the Fleet and destroyed it. Nearly three years later, tylium ore was still in supply (TRS: "Dirty Hands"), suggesting that success in this battle may have removed what would have been a major concern for the Fleet for several years.