Joe Beaudoin Jr.: Joe Beaudoin Jr. moved page Centurion (TOS-RH) to Cylon Empire (TOS-RH)

2025-10-27T02:42:22Z

Joe Beaudoin Jr. moved page Centurion (TOS-RH) to Cylon Empire (TOS-RH)

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Joe Beaudoin Jr.: Created page with "{{Separate continuity|universe=TOS|cont=Richard Hatch Novelizations}} The '''Cylon Empire''' is a vast interstellar power built upon the foundation of the original reptilian Cylon race and transformed through millennia of genetic manipulation and technological advancement. The Empire's primary directive, instilled by its creator Count Iblis, is the complete extermination of humanity.{{cite book/RH|1|221}}
2025-10-27T02:41:03Z

Created page with "{{Separate continuity|universe=TOS|cont=Richard Hatch Novelizations}} The '''Cylon Empire''' is a vast interstellar power built upon the foundation of the original reptilian Cylon race and transformed through millennia of genetic manipulation and technological advancement. The Empire's primary directive, instilled by its creator Count Iblis, is the complete extermination of humanity.<ref name="ARM221">{{cite book/RH|1|221}}</r..."

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{{Separate continuity|universe=TOS|cont=Richard Hatch Novelizations}}

The '''Cylon Empire''' is a vast interstellar power built upon the foundation of the original reptilian [[Cylon (TOS-RH)|Cylon]] race and transformed through millennia of genetic manipulation and technological advancement. The Empire's primary directive, instilled by its creator [[Count Iblis (TOS-RH)|Count Iblis]], is the complete extermination of humanity.<ref name="ARM221">{{cite book/RH|1|221}}</ref>

==Origins and History==

===Ancient Beginnings===

The Cylon Empire traces its origins to the planet [[Cylon (planet) (TOS-RH)|Cylon]], a dank, mist-enshrouded world covered in vegetation and swamp.<ref name="WAR33">{{cite book/RH|2|33}}</ref> The original inhabitants were a truculent, warlike race of sentient reptilian creatures, characterized by their dark green-black scales and red eyes.<ref name="WAR33" /> These beings dwelt in the swamps and insect-ridden filth of their homeworld, from which they would eventually rise to become the scourge of the galaxy.<ref name="WAR33" />

Many millennia ago, an outsider visited the planet Cylon. This being, filled with anger and savagery that the native Cylons admired, was known as [[Count Iblis (TOS-RH)|Count Iblis]].<ref name="ARM221" /> Iblis introduced technology to the reptilian race, keeping them in his debt and fear for decades.<ref name="ARM221" /> During this time, he experimented extensively with the Cylons, promising to make them the fiercest, most perfect warriors the universe had ever seen, vowing that they would become conquerors.<ref name="ARM221" />

===Genetic Transformation===

According to history or myth, there were many generations of Cylons before the forms familiar to humanity came into being.<ref name="ARM221" /> Over time, [[Count Iblis (TOS-RH)|Iblis]] artificially evolved the Cylon race into a bipedal form to make better use of the technology he had introduced.<ref name="ARM221" /> Human DNA was used for this purpose, introducing his own genetic material into the Cylon genetic structure.<ref name="RES207">{{cite book/RH|3|207}}</ref>

However, Iblis harbored a profound hatred for all of humanity. It became his goal that the Cylons should have, as their primary edict, the extermination of humankind.<ref name="ARM221" /> He attempted to breed human instincts out of his Cylon mutants, beginning a cloning process from pure genetic material that made Cylon females unnecessary, resulting in their eventual extinction.<ref name="ARM221" /> He also introduced the cybernetic implants that became part of every [[Cylon Centurion (TOS-RH)|Cylon Centurion]].<ref name="ARM221" /> Eventually, the Cylons could feel no emotions with the exception of hate.<ref name="ARM221" />

===Rebellion Against Iblis===

Predictably, the Cylons turned upon their creator. They destroyed Iblis's human body, leaving his brain under their control.<ref name="RES207" /> However, the Count proved more resilient and unpredictable than anticipated. Although his brain remained slaved to the Cylons, Iblis's mind and consciousness continued to evolve until he could project his esoteric body through space and time.<ref name="RES207" /> Having escaped the remains of his physical embodiment, Iblis became even more powerful, freed from the tyranny of flesh. He continued to meddle in the Cylons' affairs and the evolution of many other races.<ref name="RES207" />

==Structure and Government==

===The Imperious Leader===

The Cylon Empire is ruled absolutely by the [[Imperious Leader (TOS-RH)|Imperious Leader]], who resides in chambers located at the exact center of base stars.<ref name="RES88">{{cite book/RH|3|88}}</ref> The Leader's chamber is a dark room at the end of a dark corridor, featuring a platform that stands nine steps high.<ref name="RES88" /> At the center of this platform sits the High Seat of power, from which the [[Imperious Leader (TOS-RH)|Imperious Leader]] oversees all things.<ref name="RES88" /> The pedestal is marked and studded with hundreds of sharp points that cut the very light they reflect, while torches burn in the corners, throwing fitful light and dancing shadows.<ref name="RES88" />

Each [[Imperious Leader (TOS-RH)|Imperious Leader]] has a specific reign equivalent in human terms to three-quarters of a century, though Cylons do not recognize the passage of time in such linear terms.<ref name="RES88" /> The Cylon lifespan is extraordinarily long, exceeding two centuries.<ref name="ARM26">{{cite book/RH|1|26}}</ref> Each [[Imperious Leader (TOS-RH)|Imperious Leader]] personally chooses his own successor from the ranks of [[cogitator (TOS-RH)|cogitators]].<ref name="RES88" /> This process is logical, as Imperious Leaders are the only Cylons possessing a [[Cylons (TOS-RH)#Three-Brained Cylons|third brain]].<ref name="RES89">{{cite book/RH|3|89}}</ref>

The third brain is awarded and implanted, granting what Cylon belief holds to be the capacity for limitless knowledge.<ref name="RES89" /> This third brain allows the [[Imperious Leader (TOS-RH)|Imperious Leader]] to elevate above mundane and prosaic matters of facts, enabling him to deal in abstracts.<ref name="RES89" /> The process by which a two-brained [[cogitator (TOS-RH)|cogitator]] is selected to make the transition to ultimate power is methodical and deliberately complicated.<ref name="DESTINY89">{{cite book/RH|6|89}}</ref> An [[Imperious Leader (TOS-RH)|Imperious Leader]] is always kept in preparation on the Cylon homeworld should the reigning leader die or be destroyed.<ref name="WAR164">{{cite book/RH|2|164}}</ref>

===Hierarchy and Command Structure===

The Cylon hierarchy consists of three distinct castes based on neurological complexity. At the bottom are [[Cylon Centurion (TOS-RH)|Centurions]], who possess only a single brain functioning as the body's guidance system.<ref name="RES89" /> Centurions are not completely mindless but are almost helpless without constant guidance from the [[Imperious Leader (TOS-RH)|Imperious Leader]].<ref name="ARM26" /> They function essentially as a hive mind, responsive to the [[Imperious Leader (TOS-RH)|Imperious Leader]]'s commands.<ref name="ARM26" />

The middle caste consists of [[cogitator (TOS-RH)|cogitators]], Cylons who possess two brains.<ref name="RES89" /> The first brain serves as the body's guidance system ensuring efficiency of task, while the second brain contains skills for analyzing and interpreting facts.<ref name="RES89" /> Working in tandem, these two brains enable [[cogitator (TOS-RH)|cogitators]] to rise to executive officer positions and serve as diplomats, advisors, and strategic thinkers.<ref name="RES89" />

At the apex of the hierarchy sits the [[Imperious Leader (TOS-RH)|Imperious Leader]] with his three brains, wielding absolute authority over the Empire.<ref name="RES89" />

==Military Assets==

===Base Stars===

The primary capital ships of the Cylon Empire are base stars, massive warships equivalent to Colonial [[battlestar (TOS)|battlestars]].<ref name="ARM185">{{cite book/RH|1|185}}</ref> A base star is an enormous structure shaped like a rounded pyramid at the bottom, with an identical inverse pyramid at the top, so that the peaks meet in the middle at the central core or shaft of the ship.<ref name="ARM186">{{cite book/RH|1|186}}</ref> Four launch and landing bays are spaced equally around the top portion of the base star.<ref name="ARM186" />

The central core chamber connects the top and bottom halves of the vessel and houses communications facilities, with the bridge located in the lower part of the base star and the command chamber in the upper section.<ref name="ARM189">{{cite book/RH|1|189}}</ref> This core column represents a vulnerable point in base star design; when struck at battle speed with sufficient force and explosive payload, it can trigger a catastrophic chain reaction that destroys the entire vessel.<ref name="ARM256">{{cite book/RH|1|256}}</ref>

===Starfighters===

Cylon starfighters, known as [[Raider (TOS-RH)|Raiders]], are deployed from base stars to engage enemy forces. Dark Raiders represent a specialized variant of these fighters.<ref name="ARM271">{{cite book/RH|1|271}}</ref> The Empire demonstrates remarkable capacity to replace losses, with Raider numbers seemingly replenished quickly despite heavy casualties.<ref name="RES22">{{cite book/RH|3|22}}</ref>

===Outposts and Infrastructure===

The Cylon Empire maintains numerous outposts throughout the galaxy, including facilities in remote systems such as [[Ochoa (TOS-RH)|Ochoa]] in the [[Binary 13]] system.<ref name="ARM26" /> These outposts serve as forward operating bases, manufacturing centers, and detention facilities. Spires jutting from the swamps on the Cylon homeworld serve as major structures, with the tallest housing the [[Imperious Leader (TOS-RH)|Imperious Leader]]'s chambers.<ref name="WAR33" />

==Technological Capabilities==

The Cylon Empire possesses advanced technology originally introduced by [[Count Iblis (TOS-RH)|Iblis]]. This includes sophisticated genetic engineering capabilities used to create new generations of Cylons,<ref name="ARM221" /> cybernetic implantation systems,<ref name="ARM221" /> and cloning technology that rendered Cylon females extinct.<ref name="ARM221" />

Centurions are equipped with cybernetically-enhanced brains, sophisticated armor plating, and horizontal visual scanner screens displaying a small red light that blinks back and forth.<ref name="ARM27">{{cite book/RH|1|27}}</ref> The Empire has developed improved Centurion designs featuring enhanced combat capabilities and Human Logic Function brain implants modeled after human neural patterns.<ref name="ARM121">{{cite book/RH|1|121}}</ref>

The Cylons also [[Quantum Shift-Effect|possess phasing technology]] that allows ships to subtly phase out of conventional reality, rendering them invisible to normal detection methods.<ref name="ARM185" /> This technology, though originally Cylon in development, shares characteristics with the far more advanced systems employed by the [[Lords of Kobol (TOS-RH)|Lords of Kobol]].<ref name="ARM176">{{cite book/RH|1|176}}</ref>

==Xenophobic Nature and Alliances==

The Cylon Empire is profoundly xenophobic, typically refusing to allow other races to operate on equal terms.<ref name="RES22" /> However, circumstances have occasionally forced the Empire into temporary alliances. Most notably, the Cylons formed an alliance with the [[Chitain (TOS-RH)|Chitain]], a relationship unusual in that it appeared to be one of equals rather than commanders and subordinates.<ref name="RES22" /> This alliance combined Cylon mechanical efficiency with Chitain bio-organic weapon systems, producing hybrid base stars that merged the cold Cylon aesthetic with technorganic Chitain weapons arrays.<ref name="RES206">{{cite book/RH|3|206}}</ref>

==Civil War==

The Cylon Empire was eventually torn apart by civil war between factions representing different evolutionary philosophies. The conflict emerged when a faction of Cylons sought to purge all human DNA from their species, desiring to return to their pure reptilian roots.<ref name="DESTINY85">{{cite book/RH|6|85}}</ref> These rebels, driven by an overwhelming desire to eliminate every trace of human genetic material, rejected the hybrid nature that [[Count Iblis (TOS-RH)|Iblis]] had imposed upon their race.<ref name="DESTINY85" />

The movement toward more reptilian Cylons meant that the reptilian brain would become predominant over the machine logic that had been the driving force of the First Cylon Empire.<ref name="DESTINY40">{{cite book/RH|6|40}}</ref> The new reptilian Cylons were driven primarily by the emotion of hatred, behaving like narrow and bigoted beings despite reptiles naturally carrying no such emotional burden.<ref name="DESTINY40" />

The rebels went to extraordinary lengths to create their own three-brained leader, a difficult procedure requiring stolen technology and heavy equipment used in secret.<ref name="DESTINY89" /> For the first time in Cylon history, two three-brained Cylons existed simultaneously.<ref name="DESTINY89" /> The rebels called their master [[Alpha Leader (TOS-RH)|Alpha Leader]], while some sarcastically referred to the original [[Imperious Leader (TOS-RH)|Imperious Leader]] as Omega Leader, intending him to be the last of his kind.<ref name="DESTINY89" />

The civil war raged across the Cylon homeworld itself, with attacks from the sky tearing apart the capital city.<ref name="DESTINY85" /> The pure reptilian Cylons employed horrific bio-mechanical weapons including pale-green pulsating sacs of liquid flesh with metal arms that extracted human DNA from victims through spinal columns, leaving desiccated mummies behind.<ref name="DESTINY85" /> The [[Imperious Leader (TOS-RH)|Imperious Leader]] launched counter-attacks using silver ships equipped with force fields, but both sides suffered tremendous losses.<ref name="DESTINY85" />

Single-brained Centurions found themselves mechanically trapped by whichever programming they received regarding allegiance, some serving the original [[Imperious Leader (TOS-RH)|Imperious Leader]] while others followed Alpha Leader.<ref name="DESTINY85" /> The three-brained [[Imperious Leader (TOS-RH)|Imperious Leader]] was viewed by the rebels as a greater enemy than any humans, representing the last shreds of [[Count Iblis (TOS-RH)|Iblis]]'s influence that needed to be wiped from the cosmos.<ref name="DESTINY89" />

==Strategic Objectives==

The Cylon Empire's primary strategic objective remains the complete extermination of humanity, a directive embedded in their very nature by [[Count Iblis (TOS-RH)|Iblis]].<ref name="ARM221" /> This mission drives virtually all Empire activities, from the pursuit of the [[The Fleet (TOS)|Colonial fleet]] to the maintenance of outposts throughout the galaxy.

The Empire demonstrates remarkable persistence in tracking and engaging human survivors, deploying vast armadas described as countless warships, endless and numberless as grains of sand.<ref name="RES22" /> The Cylons' ability to rapidly reinforce their numbers and replace losses through unknown means, possibly involving circumvention of conventional space travel or teleportation technology, makes them a perpetual threat.<ref name="RES22" />

==Relationship with Count Iblis==

Despite the Cylons' rebellion against their creator, [[Count Iblis (TOS-RH)|Count Iblis]] continues to exert influence over the Empire. The [[Imperious Leader (TOS-RH)|Imperious Leader]] has been observed communicating with a swirling, oily black maelstrom floating in the air within his chamber, through which Iblis maintains contact.<ref name="WAR177">{{cite book/RH|2|177}}</ref> The darkness addressed the [[Imperious Leader (TOS-RH)|Imperious Leader]] as "Iblis," revealing a deeper connection between the Empire's ruler and its ancient creator.<ref name="WAR273">{{cite book/RH|2|273}}</ref>

To [[cogitator (TOS-RH)|cogitators]], the only Cylons capable of sophisticated conversation, Iblis was widely considered a myth.<ref name="WAR164" /> However, his continued existence and interference in Cylon affairs demonstrates that he remains a force to be reckoned with, having transcended physical limitations to meddle in the destiny of his creations.<ref name="RES207" />

The [[Imperious Leader (TOS-RH)|Imperious Leader]] has concluded that it is time for the Cylons to go their own way, free of Iblis's meddlings and interference, ready to write their destiny in flame and blood across the stars.<ref name="RES207" /> However, achieving true independence from their creator proves to be one of the Empire's greatest challenges.<ref name="RES207" />

==Territory and Expansion==

The Cylon Empire maintains presence across multiple galactic quadrants, including significant forces in the [[Cyranus galaxy (TOS-RH)|Cyranus galaxy]].<ref name="WAR33" /> The Empire's territory encompasses the Cylon homeworld and numerous outposts, with base stars positioned throughout known space. The Empire's expansion continues despite ongoing conflicts, with construction of new outposts and the steady build-up of military forces in regions where human presence has been detected.<ref name="WAR177" />

Following the destruction of the [[Twelve Colonies (TOS)|Twelve Colonies]], the Cylon Empire has focused substantial resources on hunting down and destroying the surviving [[The Fleet (TOS)|Colonial fleet]], deploying multiple base stars and countless Raiders in pursuit.<ref name="ARM25">{{cite book/RH|1|25}}</ref>

==References==

<references />

[[Category:Cylons (TOS-RH)]]
[[Category:Richard Hatch Novelizations]]
[[Category:Organizations (TOS-RH)]]
[[Category:Governments (TOS-RH)]]

Cylon Empire (TOS-RH) - Revision history

Joe Beaudoin Jr.: Joe Beaudoin Jr. moved page Centurion (TOS-RH) to Cylon Empire (TOS-RH)