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:''This article is about the basestars as seen in the [[Battlestar Galactica (TRS)|Re-imagined Series]]. For the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]] version, see [[Basestar (TOS)]].'' | |||
A '''basestar''' (known interchangeably as a "baseship") is the most prominent example of the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] military presence. As the capital ship of the Cylons, the basestar appears in four forms in the [[Re-imagined Series]]. | A '''basestar''' (known interchangeably as a "baseship") is the most prominent example of the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] military presence. As the capital ship of the Cylons, the basestar appears in four forms in the [[Re-imagined Series]]. | ||
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}} | }} | ||
The basestars in service during the 12-year Cylon War consisted of two flattened cones connected at the center by a thick pylon, giving them a conical saucer-like appearance | The basestars in service during the 12-year Cylon War consisted of two flattened cones connected at the center by a thick pylon, giving them a conical saucer-like appearance<ref>This basestar design seen in the [[Miniseries]] and later in "[[Razor]]" is an obvious homage to the [[Basestar (TOS)|basestar]] seen in the [[Original Series]]. However, its weaponry (if not also its [[Imperious Leader|command structure]]) is markedly different than its 1978 counterpart per the "realistic" goals of [[Ron Moore]]'s essay on [[Naturalistic science fiction]] in ''Battlestar''.</ref> ([[TRS]]: "[[Razor Flashbacks]]"). | ||
Much like its modern counterpart, this model utilized chemically-propelled missiles (with both nuclear and conventional warheads) as the main form of offensive weaponry. Raiders were deployed from access points (totaling 8 in number) throughout a basestar's hull to provide defense. This design, as with later iterations, was capable of operating within an atmosphere | Much like its modern counterpart, this model utilized chemically-propelled missiles (with both nuclear and conventional warheads) as the main form of offensive weaponry. Raiders were deployed from access points (totaling 8 in number) throughout a basestar's hull to provide defense. This design, as with later iterations, was capable of operating within an atmosphere (''[[Blood and Chrome]]''). | ||
The origins of the initial basestars are unclear. However, as [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons were a creation of man]] in the early days before the war, it is probable that man himself (through the efforts of various [[The Twelve Colonies | The origins of the initial basestars are unclear. However, as [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons were a creation of man]] in the early days before the war, it is probable that man himself (through the efforts of various [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|colonies]]) designed the various ships and weapons used by the Cylons for the use in intra-colonial wars prior to the [[Articles of Colonization]]. | ||
A model of this basestar design is displayed over 40 years later on ''Galactica'', as part of its [[Galactica Museum|planned museum]] | A model of this basestar design is displayed over 40 years later on ''Galactica'', as part of its [[Galactica Museum|planned museum]] ([[TRS]]: "[[Miniseries, Night 1]]"). | ||
=== Gallery === | === Gallery === | ||
<gallery perrow="8"> | <gallery perrow="8"> | ||
Image:Basestar 3.png|A first variant Basestar hovering over Caprica City. | |||
Image:Operation Raptor Talon.jpg|[[Operation Raptor Talon]] at the end of the first Cylon War ([[TRS]]: "[[Razor]]"). | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
<div style="clear:both;"></div> | |||
=== Second Variant === | === Second Variant === | ||
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=== Gallery === | === Gallery === | ||
<gallery perrow="8"> | <gallery perrow="8"> | ||
Image:Basestar 1.png|A second variant Basestar over the ice moon [[Djerba]]. | |||
Image:Basestar 2.png|A second variant Basestar launches Raiders. | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
<div style="clear:both;"></div> | |||
=== Third "Guardian" Variant === | === Third "Guardian" Variant === | ||
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Towards the end of the first Cylon War, the Cylons built a prototype basestar that had roughly the same shape as the modern basestar. The [[First Hybrid|first hybrids]] were developed for use with this model. | Towards the end of the first Cylon War, the Cylons built a prototype basestar that had roughly the same shape as the modern basestar. The [[First Hybrid|first hybrids]] were developed for use with this model. | ||
It is explained by [[Sharon Agathon|Athena]] that a group of Centurions calling themselves [[Guardians]] fractured from the Cylon majority with such a basestar. The belief is that they escaped to the far reaches of space to avoid being shut-down in favor of their modernized, non-sentient [[Cylon Centurion|successors]] | It is explained by [[Sharon Agathon|Athena]] that a group of Centurions calling themselves [[Guardians]] fractured from the Cylon majority with such a basestar. The belief is that they escaped to the far reaches of space to avoid being shut-down in favor of their modernized, non-sentient [[Cylon Centurion|successors]] ([[TRS]]: "[[Razor]]"). The only basestar of this type known to exist was destroyed by Colonial forces shortly after its discovery. | ||
=== Gallery === | === Gallery === | ||
<gallery perrow="8"> | <gallery perrow="8"> | ||
Image:Gardian basestar.jpg|Escaping the [[ice planet]]. | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
<div style="clear:both;"></div> | |||
== Modern basestar == | == Modern basestar == | ||
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| facilities= * Central hangar deck <br /> * 434 Raider storage bays | | facilities= * Central hangar deck <br /> * 434 Raider storage bays | ||
| status= Unknown | | status= Unknown | ||
| width={{Meters2Feet|1030.69}}<ref | | width={{Meters2Feet|1030.69}}<ref>The following was posted by [[Lee Stringer]] on StarshipBuilder.com forums, which are no longer available: "Width: 1030.69m Length: 856.1m (two arm side) + 1039.87m (single arm side) Height: 132.586m (Each Piece), 265.172m Total". Because of its ratio to the stated width, the overall length must have been measured on one of the three-arm pieces, meaning the full ship is slightly longer.</ref> | ||
| height={{Meters2Feet|265.17}} | | height={{Meters2Feet|265.17}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
=== Design === | === Design === | ||
Modern basestars, built sometime before the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]], are the same size as a Colonial battlestar, but are considered by the Cylons to be weaker than battleships in the Colonial Fleet. The shape of the newer basestar reflects its name, with two offset Y-shaped hulls attached at their centers by a single pylon, the warship has a distinctive "star" shape, which can rotate into a tandem-Y configuration for entry into a planetary atmosphere | Modern basestars, built sometime before the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]], are the same size as a Colonial battlestar, but are considered by the Cylons to be weaker than battleships in the Colonial Fleet. The shape of the newer basestar reflects its name, with two offset Y-shaped hulls attached at their centers by a single pylon, the warship has a distinctive "star" shape, which can rotate into a tandem-Y configuration for entry into a planetary atmosphere ([[TRS]]: "[[The Plan]]").<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmAEmuwZY5Q From 1:49 to 2:04]</ref> | ||
[[ | [[Image:Basestar Plans.jpg|thumb|left|General layout of a Cylon basestar.]] | ||
The most unique aspect of a modern baseship is its organic nature. Composed of [[Cylon organic resin|organic resin]], and a large flesh-like interior, the baseship could be considered an individual organism in itself, and just like any other "injured" organism, the basestar is able to heal its wounds (battle damage) over time | The most unique aspect of a modern baseship is its organic nature. Composed of [[Cylon organic resin|organic resin]], and a large flesh-like interior, the baseship could be considered an individual organism in itself, and just like any other "injured" organism, the basestar is able to heal its wounds (battle damage) over time ([[TRS]]: "[[Guess What's Coming to Dinner?]]"). The organics are all connected the the ship's "brain", known as a [[Hybrid]], which can control the ship's functions from firing weapons, down to performing an [[FTL]] jump. | ||
They are equipped with a superior [[FTL|jump system]] and no visible means of [[sublight propulsion]], lacking any engine pods or nacelles, but remain capable of chasing down a battlestar ([[TRS]]: "[[Exodus, Part II]]"). | |||
Baseships possess several conventional rooms and hallways, which are sleek but generally bland. Lighting plays a large role in the aesthetics and some rooms are furnished with clearly human objects, such as beds and couches. Humanoid Cylons [[Projection|project different surroundings]] to navigate ship corridors more easily, and to provide them with an individually pleasing environment (such as a lush forest). Data and other functions (such as analyzing visual information) are handled within a liquid [[Data-font|computer interface]] that resembles a stream of water flowing over a luminous glass surface. Cylons can interact with the main computer by placing their hands in these basins ([[TRS]]: "[[Torn]]"). | |||
===Command and Control=== | ===Command and Control=== | ||
[[ | [[Image:Basestarcontol_306_720p.png|thumb|left|Baseship control room.]] | ||
A basestar is operated by many [[humanoid Cylon]]s. Up to [[Torn|all seven models]] of them issue commands for the basestar from a central command and control center. Consensus amongst models is the typical procedure, as such the process of deliberation and voting on decisions may cause the basestar to react more slowly than a battlestar's command and control in a [[CIC]]. | A basestar is operated by many [[humanoid Cylon]]s. Up to [[Torn|all seven models]] of them issue commands for the basestar from a central command and control center. Consensus amongst models is the typical procedure, as such the process of deliberation and voting on decisions may cause the basestar to react more slowly than a battlestar's command and control in a [[CIC]]. | ||
A basestar has a [[datastream]], or computer network, which interfaces with the Hybrid and all aspects of the basestar's operation. | A basestar has a [[datastream]], or computer network, which interfaces with the Hybrid and all aspects of the basestar's operation. | ||
<br /> | |||
=== Armaments === | === Armaments === | ||
A typical Cylon basestar is moderately armed, and relies on unconventional means for military strength. Generally, a basestar is armed with 220<ref | A typical Cylon basestar is moderately armed, and relies on unconventional means for military strength. Generally, a basestar is armed with 220<ref>[http://www.galacticabbs.com/index.php?autocom=gallery Season 3 (Collaborators) and onward]</ref><ref>[http://darthmojo.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/baseship_wallpaper.jpg]</ref><ref>[http://media.battlestarwiki.org/images/a/a3/Basestar_Weapon_Mod.JPG An image of one y structure. Two make up a basestar.]</ref> missile launchers located on the central spire, and on the arms of the vessel, which are capable of carrying nuclear or conventional tipped ship to ship, or long-range ballistic (with Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle payloads) missiles to their targets. Ballistic missiles are able to strike planetary targets from high orbit ("''[[The Plan]]''"). Ship to ship missiles are easily defended against by Colonial electronic countermeasures, which lends the Cylons to rely more on the basestar's Raider compliment for for both offensive and defensive purposes. | ||
[[Image:Basestar fires missiles, "He That Believeth In Me".jpg|thumb|left|A basestar launching missiles.]] | |||
A basestar can carry up to (and maybe even more<ref | A basestar can carry up to (and maybe even more<ref>Intelligence Debrief: Cylon Basestar, "Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine", June/July 2006, page 56.</ref>) 434 Raiders, launched from storage bays located on each arm of the ship.<ref>[http://www.galacticabbs.com/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=149903 larger section, multiply by 2: 5 rows of 17 slots, and 2 rows of 7 slots]</ref><ref>[http://www.galacticabbs.com/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=131194 smaller section, multiply by 4: 59 total slots]</ref> Upon launch, they set out to swarm the enemy target (almost like insects), while the basestar covers them with an opening salvo of ship to ship missiles. This tactic, suggests a reliance on overwhelming force to destroy a foe, since a basestar does not appear to have point-defense batteries, or heavy armoring.<ref>Intelligence Debrief: Cylon Basestar, "Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine", June/July 2006, page 57.</ref> Cylon basestars appear quite vulnerable to Colonial battlestars in close-range combat when fighter support is not prominent ([[TRS]]: "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]"). From this, it can be theorized that basestars are designed primarily as carriers for the massive fleet of Raiders they carry, rather than as a front-line main battleship. Their reliance on long-distance attacks with missiles and their complement of Raiders, as well as their overall fragility seem to support this ([[TRS]]: "[[Miniseries]]", "[[33]]", "''[[Razor]]''", "''[[The Plan]]''"). | ||
=== Notes === | === Notes === | ||
* Beginning with the episode "[[Collaborators]], | * Beginning with the episode "[[Collaborators]]", a [[:Image:Change.jpg|new exterior design]] is used for the basestars, bearing a sharper, more mechanical look than they previously had. This was apparently an upgrade by the visual effects crew to make the exterior reflect the interior design, which is seen for the first time in that episode. | ||
** This new design reduces the amount of Raider bays from 792 to 434, and also adds identifiable missile launch platforms. | ** This new design reduces the amount of Raider bays from 792 to 434, and also adds identifiable missile launch platforms. | ||
<div style="clear:both;"></div> | |||
=== Gallery === | === Gallery === | ||
<gallery perrow="8"> | <gallery perrow="8"> | ||
Image:Baseship, hornet nest.jpg|[[Cylon Raider|Raiders]] being released ([[TRS]]: "[[Scattered]]"). | |||
Image:Baseships over Caprica.jpg|Trio of basestars over Caprica ([[TRS]]: "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]"). | |||
Image:Dyingbasestar_306_720p.png|A basestar infected by a deadly [[Lymphocytic encephalitis|virus]] ([[TRS]]: "[[Torn]]"). | |||
Image:Basestar Interior 1.jpg|Baltar and a Three in a room on a basestar ([[TRS]]: "Torn"). | |||
Image:Basestar Interior 2.jpg|Baltar and a Three in a corridor ([[TRS]]: "[[The Passage]]"). | |||
Image:Basestar Interior 3.jpg|A basestar's hangar bay ([[TRS]]: "Torn"). | |||
Image:Cylon membrane hatch.jpg|A membrane covers a mechanical-looking hatch of a Cylon docking slip ([[TRS]]: "[[Faith]]"). | |||
Image:Basestars Atmospheric Entry Configuration.png|Tandem "Y" formation assumed for atmospheric entries as seen in "[[The Plan]]". | |||
Image:Basestars Entering Caprica Atmosphere.png|Another view of tandem "Y". | |||
Image:Basestar Missle Launchers The Plan.jpg|Basestar Weaponary. | |||
Image:Closeup Basestar Missle Launcher.png|Closeup of missle launcher with MIRV mounted. | |||
Image:Retconned Basestar Raider Bays.png|Detail of primary raider bays. There are two per ship. | |||
Image:Cylon Basestar Secondary Raider Bay.png|Detail of the secondary raider bays. There are four per ship. | |||
Image:Rebel Basestar Arm Closeup.png|Arm detail. | |||
Image:New Cylon Basestar Zoic Style Shot.png|Angle shot. | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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{{Ships}} | {{Ships}} | ||
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[[Category:Ships]] | [[Category:Ships]] | ||
[[Category:Ships (RDM)]] | [[Category:Ships (RDM)]] | ||
[[Category:TRS]] | |||
{{featured article candidate previous}} | {{featured article candidate previous}} | ||
[[de:Basisschiff (RDM)]] | [[de:Basisschiff (RDM)]] | ||
[[es:Basestar (RDM)]] | |||
[[zh:基地之星 (RDM)]] | |||