Cylon Models

Centurion Model 0005

Main article: Cylon Centurion Model 0005

The Centurion Model 0005, glimpsed briefly in two scenes of the Miniseries was apparently the latest Cylon model to have been extensively documented by Colonial authorities after the Cylon War. It is a primitive model, resembling a short, clumsy humanoid with a single red eye - or as some of the Colonials contemptuously referred to them, "chrome toasters". According to Saul Tigh in a deleted scene from the episode "Resistance", they had a distinctive "stink" of machine oil.

These models were apparently the instigators of the Cylon Rebellion, or their immediate descendants. They fought in all the major engagements of the Cylon War, including the boardings of Brenik and Galactica. A painting by Monclair depicts a massive melee between early-model Cylons and joint Aerelon-Caprican ground forces.

They were apparently far from emotionless — in the above-mentioned scene, Tigh recollects their vicious tactics in hand-to-hand combat: "The first one was Duncan Raverty. I found him in the corridor. His guts were stren around on the floor. Y'know, at first I couldn't figure out why the Cylons would bother doing something like that... You had to look into their red eye-slit. They hated us. They hated us so much it wasn't enough just to kill us."

This model was included in the miniseries primarily as an homage to the original series. Within the context of the re-imagined series, it is a 40-year old model and likely obsolete. Although remarks by Number in the miniseries state that "those [walking chrome toaster] models are still around. They have their purpose," it is most likely that she is referring to the later-model Centurions, which seem to have replaced them entirely.

Modern Centurion

Main article: Cylon Centurion

The current mainstay of Cylon ground forces, the modern Centurion is a taller, swifter and more agile unit than the Model 0005. Its "fingers" serve as edged weapons in close-quarters combat, and can retract to make way for projectile weapons built into its forearms.

There are apparently two armor configurations - the Centurions encountered by Lt. Karl Agathon on occupied The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica were susceptible to normal small-arms fire, while the boarding party dispatched to Galactica in the episode "Valley of Darkness" could only be impeded by explosive rounds.

Although the earlier centurion models presumably took a leadership role in their war against the colonials, modern centurions are completely mute and subservient to the human models.

Human Models

Main article: Humano-Cylon

At some point at least two years prior to the miniseries, Cylon forces in exile on their homeworld were able to perfect the creation of organic models, almost completely indistinguishable from human beings. These were used to quietly and effectively infiltrate the colonial defense forces, with civillian agents such as Natasi gaining access to secret military technology, and sleeper agents such as [[Sharon Valerii#Galactica Copy|Sharon Valerii (Galactica Copy) being planted within the Colonial Fleet itself.

Cylon infiltrators can be programmed to believe they are human, and several have been planted within colonial society with false memories and forged backgrounds. Unplanned discovery of their true nature can be extremely disturbing for these units, and their behavior is not always predictable.

In the miniseries, somewhat ambiguous comments by Number Six and a note left for William Adama (presumably by Gaius Baltar) indicated that there were only twelve humanoid models at the time of the Fall of the Twelve Colonies. These were clarified by Ronald D. Moore in an interview on "The Chase Show", hosted on the SF webcast news site [1]. Of the twelve human models, six have been revealed as of the episode "Final Cut".

Number Six

This model has the appearance of a tall, blonde, caucasian woman in her early 30s. Her copies often attempt to sexually manipulate male targets, such as the Armistice Officer, Gaius Baltar, Karl Agathon, and William Adama. On several occasions, she has expressed desire to know what it is to be "alive" (Miniseries), and whistfulness that human emotions are not available to her (Need Citation).

Copies witnessed to date have included:

• Natasi
• Shelly Godfrey
• Gina
• And the enigmatic "Angel of God" within Baltar's mind.

Leoben Conoy

Leoben Conoy was the fourth model witnessed by viewers (although viewers would not know until the end of the Mini-Series that they had already met the third humanoid Cylon, Sharon Valerii). The Conoy model has shown to be religiously oriented, using dogma and intermixing truth with falsehoods. It was first discovered on Ragnar Station, claiming to be a scavenger / arms dealer (Mini-Series).

He can be likened to the serpent of the Genesis tale in the Earth Christian Bible, taunting people with knowledge then watching as the negative consequences come into devastating fruition. Leoben copies have likely been encountered by the Caprica Resistance movement, as Samuel Anders recites in jest some comments made by another Leoben copy captured in the Fleet (Flesh and Bone, The Farm).

Aaron Doral

This model attempts to sow the seeds of discontent or confusion, particularly during crucial life-threatening situations, and endeavors to undermine authority that threatens his objectives. (Mini-Series) Doral models are more covert, assuming an ordinary "everyman" appearance that's blended in what may seem to be insignificant behind-the-scenes issues (such as converting Galactica into a museum). Of all the models thus far, the Aaron Doral models are the most militant, fanatic and consistent in message and objectives to the Cylon objectives, whether he is dispassionately discussing the fate of humanity with his comrades or attempting to kill or maim Colonials in a suicide bomb attack (Litmus). Viewers first meet Doral during a tour of Galactica with other Colonial citizens (possibly the press) as we see the battlestar for the first time at the start of the Mini-Series. The viewers aren't sure of Doral's true identity as the second humano-Cylon they've seen until the end of the Mini-Series, however.

Sharon Valerii

The Valerii model is generally a saboteur designed to infiltrate Colonial military units and is likely programmed to use any Colonial munitions to cause havoc (Water). The Valerii model is the closest witnessed Humano-Cylon model to show its abilities as a soldier. This model has shown naiveté in many matters. She is apparently not as religious as other Cylon models, but has demonstrated that she can love, and is capable of being impregnated by a human (Six Degrees of Separation, Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II). She may be "defective", as the Cylon programming within the sleeper agent known as "Boomer" on Galactica conflicted multiple times with its human personality (Water). Also, the fully aware Sharon Valerii found by Helo on Caprica has fully switched alliances from Cylon to Colonial after falling in love with Helo and is now aiding the Colonials (several episodes, most notably "Flight of the Phoenix"). Valerii is the third humano-Cylon introduced during the Mini-Series but Viewers do not discover her true identity until the very end of the Mini-Series when a second copy appears at Ragnar Anchorage while retrieving the abandoned copy of Aaron Doral.

Simon

The Simon model was encountered by Kara "Starbuck" Thrace Cylon-occupied Caprica. Posing as a doctor, Simon was actually involved with the Cylon hybridization program. Simon resembles a tall, somewhat thin middle-aged black man who speaks in a comforting strong voice (The Farm) Unlike other models, Simon doesn't seem to have many military aspects to his physical or mental configuration, and was easily overcome by a wounded Thrace. Simon may be a model based primarily on human intellectualism.

D'anna Biers

This model was witnessed by viewers posing as a reporter from the Fleet News Service and was revealed to be a Cylon at the end of "Final Cut" when a second copy was shown living on Caprica. Of all the Humano-Cylon models revealed to viewers, the Colonials are not yet aware that D'anna Biers is a Cylon agent as of the mid-season 2 cliffhanger, "Pegasus".

Part of Bier's mission within Galactica's fleet (which fits her work as a journalist) likely involves the relay of important intelligence within the Fleet, such as the status of the pregnant Caprica copy of Sharon Valerii.

• Humano-Cylon - The series has established there are 12 models of Humano-Cylons. There are currently six known models. They appear to be almost entirely human in physiology, with a few exceptions: their vaguely-alluded-to Silica Pathways, which enable their consciousnesses to be downloaded into Cylon computer systems upon their death, their difficulties with sexual reproduction, and their bodies' ability to connect to computer systems by creating a fiber-optic link through a painful insertion of a fiber-optic cable into their forearm (Flight of the Phoenix).

• • Number Six: Numerous copies in Mini-Series and regular series, including Shelly Godfrey and Gina
  • Leoben Conoy: Two copies seen in Mini-Series and one copy in "Flesh and Bone"
  • Aaron Doral: Two copies seen in Mini-Series, one in "Bastille Day", "Litmus", "Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down", and "Final Cut"
  • Sharon "Boomer" Valerii: Numerous copies. Of note, the Galactica-based agent that was unaware of its nature, and the Caprica-originated copy that mated successfully with Helo and is now pregnant
  • Simon: Two copies seen in "The Farm"
  • D'anna Biers: Two copies seen in "Final Cut"