Editing Ambush by the Super Basestar

{{separate continuity|universe=TOS|cont=Dynamite Comics}}{{Inuse}}{{Battle Data
| name= Ambush by the Super Basestar
| image=BSG - Death of Apollo - Ambush by the Super Basestar.png 
| description=The remaining humans engage in a fierce defensive battle for their very survival, following their interdiction by the newest {{Alt|Cylons|TOS-DE|Cylon}} war machine, the [[super basestar]] ({{comics|doa|6}}). 
| conflict=
| date={{alt|7358}}, 3 sectons after [[Rescue of Apollo]]
| place=Unnamed solar system
| result=Destruction of the only known [[super basestar]], along with the death of Major {{alt|Apollo|TOS-DE}}
| combatant1={{alt|The Fleet|TOS}}
| combatant2={{alt|Cylon Empire}}
| co1=Major {{alt|Apollo|TOS-DE}} and Captain {{alt|Athena|TOS-DE}}
| co2=Unknown Cylon Commander
| strength1=''{{alt|Galactica|TOS-DE}}'' and her {{alt|Viper|TOS-DE}}s
| strength2=One [[super basestar]] and its full force of {{alt|Raider|TOS-DE}}s.
| shiploss1=''[[Centara]]'', numerous Vipers
| shiploss2=Numeorus {{alt|Raider|TOS-DE}}s and their [[super basestar]]
| casualties1=Numerous civilians and Warriors, including Major {{alt|Apollo|TOS-DE}}
| casualties2=Entire contingent of Cylons aboard the [[super basestar]]
| prev=[[Rescue of Apollo]]
| next=
| series=TOS alternate
}}

Following [[Rescue of Apollo|the unsanctioned rescue]] of Captain [[Apollo (TOS-DE alternate)|Apollo]] three [[Secton|sectons]] prior, the [[Cylons (TOS-DE alternate)|Cylons']] [[super basestar]] is able to track the absconding Colonials back to [[The Fleet (TOS-DE alternate)|their Fleet]], leading to a fierce and fateful conflict between the two forces after only [[7356 (alternate)|two yahrens]] of respite.

== Background ==
With the Cylons having failed to ensnare [[The Fleet (TOS-DE alternate)|the Fleet]], they recover and rehabilitate Apollo after his [[Encounter of the Super Basestar|flight probe's encounter with the super basestar]] ({{comics|doa|1}}-{{comics|doa|2|short=Y}}). 

A daring rescue lead by Captains [[Athena (TOS-DE alternate)|Athena]] and [[Starbuck (TOS-DE alternate)|Starbuck]], along with [[Countess]] [[Sephoni]], recover Apollo from the bowels of the basestar, bringing him home to the Fleet. However, Apollo's injuries relegate him to duty behind-the-scenes, instead of the front lines ({{comics|doa|5}}).
== Action ==
The super basestar jumps into range of the Fleet, destroying ''[[Centara]]'' in the opening salvo before the [[Viper (TOS-DE alternate)|Viper]] screens are deployed ({{comics|doa|5}}).

Following deployment of the Viper screens, ''[[Taurus Axillon]]'' is destroyed while Raiders push down the center of the Fleet. [[Hybrid missile carrier|Hybrid missile carriers]] focus their attack on the Fleet's fuel ships. 

In [[Core command (TOS-DE alternate)|core command]], Commander [[Adama (TOS-DE alternate)|Adama]] and Colonel [[Tigh (TOS-DE alternate)|Tigh]] review the analysis of the super basestar, determining that any offensive action against the ship would be futile (despite the protests of Captains Starbuck and, later, Athena) as the craft is virtually invulnrable.

Tigh, then Adama, join the Viper defense, using two of the sixteen reserve Vipers remaining. (All active pilots are engaged.) Apollo is reminded that he is unfit for pilot duty, and is told to "win this war" by coordinating Fleet defense with Athena.  

Cylons engage in communication jamming following Adama and Tigh's deployment, leaving the defense of the Fleet uncoordinated. ''Galactica''<nowiki/>'s crew begins their fretful attempt to circumvent this.  

[[Countess]] [[Sephoni]] [[Psionic|divines]] a singular weakness in the super basestar: a slight overlap in the basestar's shielding would allow a skilled pilot with a [[fusion missile]] to strike a fatal weak point. Unable to communicate this to the active Vipers, Apollo makes the logical decision of taking a Viper with the proper ordnance, despite his inactive flight status. Apollo makes his way through the fray, destroying many Raiders in his push towards the basestar.  

''Galactica''<nowiki/>'s crew are able to thwart the jamming. Athena tells the Viper screens to cover Apollo, much to the consternation of Commander Adama.   

Starbuck is able to break free of the fighting to cover Apollo. Starbuck fails in his attempt to take the mission from Apollo, seeing as Starbuck's missile racks are expended.  

== After-Action ==
Apollo's death leaves the Fleet without one of its leaders, and Adama with only surviving child, Athena.

The Cylons' super basestar is destroyed, leaving the question open as to the existence of others of its type, as well as any future threats-in-waiting ({{comics|doa|6}}).

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