Editing CIC

{{disline|This article discusses the CIC of battlestar ''Galactica'' of the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Re-imagined Series]]. The CIC of the battlestar ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' contained similar stations.}}

[[File:CIC Overview 1.jpg|300px|thumb|The Combat Information Center of ''Galactica''.]]
Colonial [[Battlestar|battlestars]] are centrally operated from the '''Combat Information Center''', or '''CIC''', which is the battlestar's nerve center. It performs the functions of both a bridge and a CIC in naval parlance, as the ships are also steered from the CIC. In internal communications, it is called "Combat," so Crewman Jones contacting the room would say "Combat, Jones" and an officer calling Jones from there would say "Jones, Combat."  From outside the ship, it is assumed that all communications are routed through the CIC, so there is no need to identify the station, only the speaker ("''Galactica'', Jones.....").

== Production Design and Philosophy ==

The CIC design was one of production designer [[Richard Hudolin]]'s most important and innovative creations for ''Battlestar Galactica''. Working from executive producers [[Ronald D. Moore]] and [[David Eick]]'s vision for a realistic, submarine-like environment that they described as "''[[w:Das_Boot|Das Boot]]'' in space," Hudolin created the CIC as ''Battlestar Galactica''{{'|s}} answer to ''[[Star Trek]]''{{'|s}} bridge set.<ref group="production" name="official_companion_hudolin_cic_star_trek_bridge">{{cite_book|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|author=David Bassom|publisher=Titan Books|page=136|year=2005|note=Richard Hudolin describes creating the CIC as Battlestar Galactica's answer to Star Trek's bridge set}}</ref>

The fundamental design philosophy broke away from traditional science fiction conventions. "When we started talking about doing something that was completely different, we all knew we wanted to stay away from using a main viewing screen and a captain's chair," Hudolin explained. "So I started thinking about making the control room a bit like a hospital operating theater, with [[William Adama|Adama]] at the center of the room and all of his crew around him. That was a way of allowing us to work in multiple directions and on multiple levels, rather than having everyone standing together looking in one direction at the screen all the time."<ref group="production" name="official_companion_hudolin_hospital_operating_theater_design">{{cite_book|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|author=David Bassom|publisher=Titan Books|page=137|year=2005|note=Richard Hudolin's hospital operating theater design philosophy for the CIC}}</ref>

The innovative [[DRADIS console|DRADIS console system]] became a defining feature of the design. "I then came up with the idea of placing a moveable array of screens that come down from above at the center of the room. The screens function a bit like a periscope on a ship. A lot of people weren't sure that idea would work when I initially suggested it, but the periscope concept just worked like a charm. Once people saw it, they loved it. And it's given us a lot to play with."<ref group="production" name="official_companion_hudolin_periscope_dradis_concept">{{cite_book|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|author=David Bassom|publisher=Titan Books|page=137|year=2005|note=Richard Hudolin on the periscope-inspired DRADIS console concept}}</ref>

The set construction was a remarkable feat of engineering that allowed for impressive continuous shots. The miniseries utilized a soundstage approximately 200 feet long by 100 feet wide at Vancouver's [[w:Lions_Gate_Studios|Lions Gate Studios]], with Hudolin designing "the massive CIC set and the ''Galactica''<nowiki/>'s hallways to all fit on one soundstage, which enabled the [[miniseries]]' introductory tour of life on the ship. The corridors were basically designed in a figure eight to intersect at a hub, and you literally could go from the CIC through the hallways and back again."<ref group="production" name="official_companion_hudolin_cic_hallway_figure_eight">{{cite_book|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|author=David Bassom|publisher=Titan Books|page=142|year=2005|note=Richard Hudolin's design allowing continuous shots from CIC through hallways}}</ref>

When the show moved to [[Vancouver Film Studios]] for the series, space constraints required modifications. The new stage was 110 feet square, requiring the main set to be split and slightly redesigned, though Hudolin noted that "viewers would notice any differences. The only real difference it makes to the production is that we couldn't do a continuous tour of the CIC and the hallways like we did in the miniseries."<ref group="production" name="official_companion_hudolin_vancouver_film_studios_constraints">{{cite_book|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|author=David Bassom|publisher=Titan Books|page=143|year=2005|note=Production changes when moving to Vancouver Film Studios}}</ref>

== ''Galactica'' ==

=== First Cylon War ===
[[File:Blood and Chrome - CIC.jpg|thumb|CIC side view in the 10th year of the [[First Cylon War]] {{TRS|Blood and Chrome}}.]]
''Galactica''<nowiki/>'s CIC had two distinct configurations: during the 10th year of the [[First Cylon War]] [c. {{BCH|42}}], the CIC is more expansive with two different levels, accessible by multiple hatches, including a waiting area on the upper, second level. It is laid out in a similar style of [[W:NASA|NASA]]'s [[W:Mission control center|mission control center]] (MCC), with the commander's plotting table at its fore {{TRS|Blood and Chrome}}.

=== Stations ===
[[File:Blood and Chrome - CIC Workstations.jpg|thumb|CIC console and workstation layout in the 10th year of the [[First Cylon War]] {{TRS|Blood and Chrome}}.]]
During the final years of the [[First Cylon War]], ''Galactica''<nowiki/>'s CIC is divided into multiple stations.<ref>This comes from Doug Drexler's Facebook page. - [https://www.facebook.com/doug.drexler.7/posts/10151131312251104]</ref>

'''AIR - AIR DEPARTMENT'''
* '''ATC - AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL DIVISION<ref name=":0">While "ATC" and "BATC" are both referred to as "Air Traffic Control Division" by [[Doug Drexler]], this compartmentalization may reflect scope of work for two divergent types of air traffic. For example, one may deal with smaller crafts ([[Viper (TRS)|Vipers]], [[Raptor|Raptors]], [[Colonial shuttle|shuttles]]) while another may deal with mid-range and larger crafts ([[Battlestar (TRS)|battlestars]], frigates, et al.).</ref>'''
* '''BATC - AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL DIVISION'''<ref name=":0" />
* '''CSD - COMBAT SYSTEMS DIVISION'''
* '''DECK - DECK DIVISION'''
* '''DRADIS\AEW - AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING'''
* '''ENG - ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT'''
* '''FLETOPS - FLEET OPERATIONS DIVISION'''
* '''FTL - JUMP OFFICER'''
* '''JIC - JOINT INTELLIGENCE'''
* '''LSO - LANDING SIGNAL OFFICER'''
* '''NAV - NAVIGATION DEPARTMENT'''
* '''OPSO - OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT'''
* '''TEW - TACTICAL ELECTRONIC WARFARE'''
* '''UNREP - UNDERWAY FUELING AND REPLENISHMENT'''

{{clear}}

=== Museum Configuration ===
[[File:CIC Overview 2.jpg|300px|thumb|''Galactica''<nowiki/>'s Combat Information Center circa [[1 ACH]].]]Towards the end of its planned life, ''Galactica''<nowiki/>'s CIC became condensed in a roughly circular room located deep in the interior of the "alligator head" of the battlestar, where the main hull meets the amidships section. From the CIC, the battlestar's navigational and tactical operations are monitored and directed. The CIC's final design is a large, two-level complex with three bulkhead exits, which are closed during [[Action Stations|action stations]] alerts.{{clear}}
[[File:Bsg-cic-2.jpg|thumb|The Command and Control Station.]]
[[File:Dradisconsole.jpg|thumb|right|Close-up of the [[DRADIS console|DRADIS Console]].]]

==== Command and Control Station ====
The '''Command and Control Station''' is the primary station within the CIC used by the [[Commander|commanding officer]] and [[executive officer]] aboard a Colonial battlestar. Here, the battlestar's commanding and executive officers are on station, observing and plotting battle tactics, viewing transparent charts, and giving commands to others in the CIC. From the Command and Control Station, the commander has a 360-degree view of the CIC. There are no chairs; the command staff are always standing.

The station comprises the [[Command and Control console]] ('''''"C-3"'''''), a large, roughly hexagonal, communication and information management and backlit plotting table; and, suspended above it, the [[DRADIS console|DRADIS Console]], a cluster of LCD monitors which descends from a cylindrical recess in the ceiling when required.

The DRADIS Console contains DRADIS displays but also includes other navigation and tactical information available to the commander at a glance. The displays are capable of showing a wide range on information including:
*Countdowns ("[[33]]," "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]").
*[[DRADIS]] sensor readings relayed from the DRADIS console.
* Battlestar management information, such as the vessel's spatial orientation (pitch, roll and yaw).
*Battle management information.

A [[Cylon transponder]] was once mounted on the base of the DRADIS Console {{TRS|Miniseries}}, supposedly planted there by [[Aaron Doral]].

{{clear}}
[[File:Cic_commstation.jpg|right|thumb|The Communications Station.]]

==== Communications Station ====
Adjacent to the Command and Control Station on the port side of the CIC is the '''Communications Station'''. Here, all communications to and from fighters and other ships are monitored, directed or relayed. In coordination with the Tactical Station, the Communications Officer can also verify [[IFF|transponders]] that register as friendly, and alerts the Tactical Officer or commander of any signals without transponders or recognized enemy transponders. The [[Communications Officer]] has a link to the [[Computers#Mainframe computer|mainframe computer]], where a library of Colonial recognition information resides.

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==== Damage Control Station ====
[[File:Dmgcontrolconsole.jpg|thumb|[[Galen Tyrol]] at the DC Panel after a nuclear strike on the port [[flight pod]] {{TRS|Miniseries}}.]]

Situated in the far port side of the CIC is the '''Damage Control Station'''''.'' This station, usually unmanned, contains the damage-control computers, which connect to many sensors throughout the exterior and interior of the ship. A large display against the wall of the station shows damage through a series of lights that represent the [[Frame|frames]], or compartments of the battlestar that form the many segments of the ship.

[[File:Cicdmgcontrol.jpg|left|thumb|The Damage Control Station.]]
A commander can order a Damage Control Officer (DCO) to perform many actions to repair or mitigate the effects of an enemy attack through the controls here, including the venting of compartments, coordination of damage control teams, and the like. Alternative damage control stations outside of the CIC, such as the [[Aft Damage Control]] room contain similar controls to assist or coordinate in the event that the CIC's damage control is knocked offline or the CIC staff are incapacitated.
{{clear}}
[[File:Cichelmcontrol.jpg|thumb|Helm Control.]]

==== Helm Control ====
Battlestars move through space much as a submarine navigates in an ocean. There are neither viewscreens nor windows to see into space for helm control. While external cameras may be available, they are seldom used in the navigation of a battlestar. Ship navigation is managed by spatial coordinates based on [[DRADIS]] and other sensor information. The helm crewmembers pilot the battlestar through space using a series of controls and based on commands from the executive officer or commanding officer.

{{clear}}

==== Tactical Station ====
[[File:Cictacticalstation1.jpg|thumb|The tactical station with the tactical plot and table.]]Seated at the '''Tactical Station''', the Officer Of the Watch (OOW)/[[Tactical Officer]] is arguably the busiest officer in ''Galactica''<nowiki/>'s CIC. Tasked with the monitoring of [[DRADIS]] and coordinating various command and control functionality, including [[Computers|computer control]], the Tactical Officer must relay changes in status and keep the commander updated continuously during the fluid events of battle. The Tactical Officer is typically the first to know that an attack is imminent and will address the entire battlestar via the Public Address (PA) system to go to battle stations through [[Action Stations|Condition One or Two alerts]].[[File:Tact plot.jpg|thumb|right|Close-up of the tactical plot.]]

As ''Galactica''<nowiki/>'s computers aren't networked, the Tactical Officer must manually print or offload data from the various central computers he monitors (fire control, navigation, FTL, and mainframe computers) and relay this information to the other officers and staff in the room. Fortunately, many stations see the same information on displays similar to those at the Tactical Station, but it is the Tactical Officer who is charged with notifying the commander of the changes and interpreting the results. ''Galactica''<nowiki/>'s Tactical Officer also is the administrator for all central computers onboard and provides maintenance as required.

While the helm crewmembers pilot the ship, it is the Tactical Officer who plots [[FTL|FTL jumps]], the apparently instantaneous leap from one location in space to another location millions of kilometers away. The Tactical Officer of ''Galactica'' not only has to provide jump coordinates to the battlestar's helm staion, but is also responsible for relaying both scheduled sets and sets of [[emergency jump coordinates]] to over 70 other FTL-capable civilian ships that make up [[The Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] to ensure that all ships always stay close to ''Galactica'''s protective sphere.

Adjacent to the Tactical Station is a tactical board (a large, green–edge-lit transparent tactical plot) and tactical console (a long, backlit tactical plotting table consisting of three sections) where the commander can meet with several officers at once for advanced battle or strategy conferences. The Tactical Station is frequently manned by other specialists and officers that assist the Watch Officer on duty.

{{clear}}

==== Weapons Control Room ====
[[File:Cicweaponscontrol1.jpg|thumb|left|The Weapons Control Room, left of the tactical station.]]
[[File:Cicweaponscontrol2.jpg|thumb|right|Weapons Control Room.]]
Hidden away next to the Tactical Station is the '''Weapons Control Room'''. Obscured from direct view during most episodes, the Weapons Control Room is ostensibly manned during [[Action Stations]] alerts. The battlestar's [[Battery|gun batteries]] and other defensive systems are managed here.

In the event that the Weapons Control Room (or the entire CIC) is knocked offline or its crew incapacitated, control of the ship's batteries can be managed at [[Auxiliary Fire Control]].<gallery mode="slideshow">
File:TRS - Maxim Shoot - Tricia Helfer and James Callis.jpg|''Maxim'' photo shoot from the September 2006 issue, with [[Tricia Helfer]] and [[James Callis]] in ''[[Galactica (TRS)|Galactica]]''<nowiki/>'s weapons control room, where the translite notes "Galactica class battlestar."
File:TRS - Rapture - Keyboard on Weapons Console.jpg|Admiral [[William Adama]] at a keypad in the center console of the room during the [[Battle of the Algae Planet]] {{TRS|Rapture}}.
</gallery>{{clear}}

==== The Core ====
[[File:CIC Core 1.jpg|thumb|right|[[Laura Roslin]] and [[William Adama]] talking {{TRS|Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down}}.]]
The second deck of the CIC, known only as "'''The Core'''," offers a bird's-eye view of the busy command deck below. Two sets of stairs lead up to the Core; one is next to the starboard hatch, and the other is just behind the Communications Station. They can be easily spotted by the blue lights behind them.[[File:CIC Core 2.jpg|thumb|[[Laura Roslin]] walking along the stations in the Core {{TRS|Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down}}.]]
This narrow passageway, lined with a limited set of computers and consoles facing CIC's center, extends in a semi-circle from just above the port hatch around the rear of the CIC, over the Damage Control Station, the Communications Station and Helm Control, to just above the starboard hatch. There is also a small room with computers behind the consoles. 
[[File:TRS - Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down - Alcove Room of the CIC's Core.jpg|thumb|A small room, or alcove, behind [[William Adama]] leading out of [[CIC]]'s upper level, a.k.a. "The Core" {{TRS|Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down}}.]]
The Core often proves to be a conveniently private area of the CIC for [[William Adama]] to meet with his associates to discuss delicate affairs while on duty.  In "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]" he meets here with [[Laura Roslin]] to discuss the creation of [[Gaius Baltar]]'s [[Cylon detector]], and again in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]" with [[Saul Tigh]] to discuss {{callsign|Starbuck}}'s desertion to retrieve the [[Arrow of Apollo]].
[[File:TRS - Daybreak - Final Five in CIC Core.jpg|thumb|Ambulatory members of the [[Final Five]] surround [[Samuel Anders]]' [[hybrid tub]] in ''{{RDM|Galactica}}''{{'|s}} retrofitted [[CIC]] Core {{TRS|Daybreak}}.]]
At the end of ''Galactica''<nowiki/>'s life, the Core is heavily renovated to hold [[Samuel Anders]]' hybrid tub due to CIC's nature as the nexus for connectivity to all of battlestar's systems {{TRS|Daybreak}}.

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==== FTL Station ====
The '''FTL Station''' is in the area behind the Tactical Station. It is not routinely manned, but can be manned by up to two crewmembers. All functions of the FTL drive and computer can be controlled from this station. While the engineering portions of the FTL drive are usually controlled and monitored by the engineering staff, this station is sometimes staffed when more complex jumps must be made. This station is where the Tactical Officer plots and executes the jump. Sometimes the Tactical Officer inputs the jump coordinates himself, while at other times the station is manned by two seated crewmembers. However, the jump is always executed by the Tactical Officer himself. The FTL drive is engaged by inserting [[FTL key|a blue "key"]] into a receptacle at the center of the console and turning it. This console folds down into a table when it is not being used.

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==References==
{{reflist}}

=== Production References ===
{{reflist|group=production}}

==''Pegasus'' ==

''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]''<nowiki/>'s CIC is far smaller than ''Galactica''<nowiki/>'s, reflecting the [[Mercury class battlestar|advanced battlestar]]'s increased automation and reliance on computer networks. According to Admiral [[Helena Cain|Cain]], the ship is twice as large as ''Galactica'', but requires only half the crew ([[Pegasus (Extended Version)|Pegasus]]), as evidenced by the reduced size and staffing of its CIC.

In contrast to that of ''Galactica'', ''Pegasus''<nowiki/>'s CIC is not located inside its alligator head, but in the forward area of the narrower amidships section, as can be seen when [[Gina Inviere]] shows [[Kendra Shaw]] the way to the CIC in [[Razor]].

The CIC has overall far fewer stations than ''Galactica''<nowiki/>'s and occupies only one level, but the general layout is similar. The command table withits overhead computer display screens is located in the center, around which the main stations such as communications, helm and tactical are grouped, allowing the commanding officer to quickly address all officers.

There are two larger consoles with seats and no fewer than five free-standing stations; additionally, there are two free-standing orange-backlit transparent tactical plotting boards on opposing ends of the CIC.  

While ''Galactica''<nowiki/>'s CIC doors are solid bulkheads, ''Pegasus''<nowiki/>'s CIC lies adjacent to a large hallway and can be accessed through a series of glass doors that pivot ninety degrees. A door is also located along the opposite wall to the extreme left.

<gallery mode="slideshow">
File:PegasusInterior CIC1.jpg|''Pegasus'' CIC {{TRS|The Captain's Hand}}.
File:PegasusInterior CIC2.jpg|''Pegasus'' CIC (The Captain's Hand).
File:PegasusInterior CIC3.jpg|''Pegasus'' CIC (The Captain's Hand).
File:PegasusInterior CICHallway.jpg|Hallway and entrance to the CIC (The Captain's Hand).
File:Pegasus CIC view 1.jpg|A view of ''Pegasus'''s CIC.
</gallery>

==''Valkyrie'' ==

''[[Valkyrie]]''{{'|s}} CIC is the same size as that of the ''Mercury-''class with the same general aesthetic and console configurations, although there are minor positional changes. Noteworthy differences include bulkhead coloring and the lack of the glass doors. Unlike other battlestars, there is only one main entrance to CIC that is located in the center of the wall parallel to the command table, behind where Commander [[William Adama|Adama]] stands {{TRS|Hero}}. 

<gallery mode="slideshow">
File:Valkyrie bridge.jpg|''Valkyrie'''s CIC.
File:Valkyrie CIC.jpg|Full view of ''Valkyrie'''s CIC.
</gallery>

==Notes== 

*The destruction of other battlestars during the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|Cylon attack]] hinged on the Colonials' dependence on complex networking within most CICs. It is likely that the battlestars that were destroyed required fewer crewmembers to operate it since they used networked computer systems that moved data around faster than the crew that literally ran between stations in ''Galactica''{{'|s}} CIC with pen and paper or data cartridges to transfer messages and data.
*A [[Cylon agent]], probably the first copy of [[Aaron Doral]] encountered, installed a [[Cylon transponder]] at the base of the DRADIS console shortly before the Cylon attack {{TRS|Miniseries}}. Dr. Baltar is aided by his virtual [[Number Six]] in identifying it to the CIC command staff. It is likely that the transponder is placed there to track ''Galactica'' should it escape the initial Cylon attack.
*According to [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]], in a deleted scene from "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]," ''Galactica''<nowiki/>'s CIC is staffed by roughly 50 people.
*The battlestar ''[[Valkyrie]]'' contains the third example of a CIC seen in the series. Being of an intermediate design between ''Galactica'' and ''Pegasus'', its CIC is similar to the latter vessel. Cinematically, the set is a redress of the ''Pegasus'' CIC set.

==Cinematic Information==

*Cinematic realism on the CIC set is enhanced with the use of actual submarine hardware, such as thick phones with cords.
*Unlike the command centers of many science-fiction space vessels, ''Galactica'''s CIC does not have a central viewing screen out into space. There isn't a single window looking out, in fact. Navigation is performed from sensor and spatial data not unlike a submarine.
*The CIC set used for ''Pegasus'' are the modified remains of set hardware intended for use on a revival of the ''Lost in Space'' television series by [[w:John_Woo|John Woo]]. When the series project was cancelled after filming a pilot that was never formally broadcast, the show's sets were refitted to form the CIC for this advanced battlestar.  This is also the behind the scenes reason why the ''Pegasus'' CIC is not as large as the two-level ''Galactica'' CIC; the production team simply <nowiki/>could not afford to make another set on the scale of ''Galactica''<nowiki/>'s CIC, and were able to build the ''Pegasus'' CIC by purchasing the unused "''Lost in Space''" sets for "next to nothing." The set was also reused as ''[[Valkyrie]]''<nowiki/>'s CIC for "[[Hero]]."
* The Sci-Fi Channel official web site incorrectly names the CIC as the "'''Command''' Information Center." The correct name is verifiable from the center's name that is etched in the glass of the doors of the set.
*The Weapons Control Section is a rarely seen (in terms of episodic use) and secluded part of CIC. The area was shown manned and in action during the closing moments of the [[Battle of Ragnar Anchorage]] {{TRS|Miniseries}}, just before [[Anastasia Dualla]] reports that Starbuck and Apollo have not yet returned to ''Galactica''. Its only other appearance was in a [[Season 3 (2006-07)|Season Three]] episode. The area was likely built with the set budget before later restrictions would make building one impossible. The angle and enclosed area suggests that the area is used in production to allow film crew to hide off-camera without being off-set during filming.

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