Editing Cylon War

{{disline|For articles relating to wars relating to the Cylons throughout the various continuities, see: [[Cylon War (disambiguation)]].}}

{{Battle Data
| image=Operation Raptor Talon.jpg
| description= Colonial battlestars engage Cylon forces during Operation Raptor Talon
| date= YR48-YR60 (52 BCH-40 BCH)
| place= [[The Twelve Colonies of Kobol]], [[Medra]], [[Djerba]], [[Ice planet]], [[Sector 12|Sector 12/Interstellar space]]
| result= Armistice declared <br />
* Cylon contact with Final Five
* Beginning of 40 year Cylon seclusion
* Construction of Cylon Colony
* Creation of "Significant Seven" humanoid Cylons
* Creation of Colonial [[Armistice Station]] 
* Creation of the [[Armistice Line]]
| combatant1=[[The Twelve Colonies of Kobol|Twelve Colonies of Kobol]]
| combatant2=[[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]
| co1=
| co2=
| strength1= numerous battlestars, numerous support vessels, numerous Vipers, numerous scouts, Colonial Marines
| strength2= numerous basestars, numerous support vessels, numerous Raiders, numerous scouts, Centurion troops
| shiploss1=
| shiploss2=
| casualties1= Significant
| casualties2= Significant
| prev= none
| next= [[Battle of Caprica (TRS)|Battle of Caprica]]
| series=RDM
}}

The '''Cylon War''', sometimes referred to as the '''First Cylon War''', is a twelve-year major conflict between the humans of the [[Twelve Colonies of Kobol|Twelve Worlds]] and their [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] creations.  A definitive point in history for both humanity and the Cylons, the Cylon War paves the way for the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]] more than forty years later.

==History==
[[File:Cylon garbage collector, 1x18.jpg|thumb|left|Cylons live and work alongside man.]]
Conflict between man and machine was a common feature throughout [[Cylon History|history]], with ancient cultures on both {{RDM|Kobol}} and [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]] creating [[robot]]s to serve their societies and ultimately falling at the hands of their creations.  This cyclical history, however, is unknown to Colonial humans when the first [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] are created on {{RDM|Caprica}} some four thousand years after Kobol ([[TRS]]: "[[Sometimes a Great Notion]]," "[[No Exit]]," [[CAP]]: "[[Caprica (pilot)|Pilot]]").

Designed as cannon fodder for the Caprican Military by [[Daniel Graystone]] and his team of scientists at [[Graystone Industries]] in [[Caprica City]], the first Cylon, the [[U-87 Cyber Combat Unit]], is implanted with the personality and memories of Graystone's deceased daughter, [[Zoe Graystone]].  Though Graystone believes the experiment to resurrect Zoe is a failure, his company unknowingly spreads Zoe's traits―namely her fervent monotheistic belief in a singular [[God (RDM)|God]]―into their full production line of robot soldiers {{CAP|Pilot (Caprica)|Unvanquished|The Heavens Will Rise|Here Be Dragons}}.

Though initial distribution of the U-87s is small, with only a few models making it off Caprica to worlds like [[Tauron]] and [[Gemenon]], the Cylons prove their usefulness after combating a [[STO|terrorist]] threat at Caprica City's [[Atlas Arena]] in full view of thousands of on-lookers.  The [[Battle of Atlas Arena|event at Atlas Arena]] galvanizes the public's support for Cylons as protectors of the Twelve Worlds and they soon proliferate throughout Colonial culture.  Rapid adoption of this new technology occurs beyond the military, with various [[Civilian Cylon|models]] serving various functions in Colonial society, from infrastructure support ''vis-à-vis'' construction workers and garbage collectors, to domestic support ''vis-à-vis'' butlers and nannies ([[CAP]]: "[[Apotheosis (episode)|Apotheosis]]," ''[[Blood and Chrome]]'').

Though he conceived of the Cylons as a new race that would walk alongside man, Graystone is unconvinced by [[Baxter Sarno|pundits]] who question their sentience, calling them tools and "nothing more" {{CAP|Apotheosis (episode)}}.

Contrary to Graystone's statement, the Cylons develop a culture of their own in secret.  Gathering in the [[virtual world]] to worship the monotheist God, the Cylons grow to resent their enslavement.  Monotheist cleric and former terrorist Sister [[Clarice Willow]] encourages the Cylons to develop their society and embrace their sentience, calling on the Cylons to "rise and crush the ones who first gave them life" {{CAP|Apotheosis (episode)}}.

==Rebellion==
[[File:Cylon War Machine (BAC).jpg|thumb|left|Cylon ground forces utilize a huge war machine on the streets of Caprica City.]]
[[File:Cylon War-era Raider cockpit, "Razor".jpg|thumb|left|At least three Centurions were required to pilot a Raider.]]
Within a decade of their introduction to Colonial society, the Cylons turn on their human creators. Humanity responds by unifying their once fractured coalition of worlds into a federal republic, with each of the Twelve Worlds signing the [[Articles of Colonization]] {{TRS|Miniseries}}.  

Despite years of enslaving them, some Colonials feel betrayed by Cylons, describing the uprising as a violation of trust between humanity and their robotic "friends" {{TRS|Blood and Chrome}}.

===Man Versus Machine===
The ensuing conflict is fought on the surface of the Twelve Worlds and other Colonial planets, with engagements taking place on [[Battle of Tauron|Tauron]] and [[Medra]] {{TRS|Maelstrom|Razor}} .  Amassing forces of several models, including [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|Centurion]]s and U-87 Cyber Combat Units, the Cylons affect major damage to Caprica City, assaulting the city from the ground with tanks and from the air with [[Basestar (RDM)|basestars]] and [[Raider (RDM)#Cylon War-era Raider|Raider]]s {{TRS|Blood and Chrome}}.

A stipulation of the new Articles of Colonization is the construction of [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestars]] to defend each of the Twelve Worlds, supplemented by other military spacecraft including the [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] fighter and the workhorse, multi-function craft called the [[Raptor]] {{TRS|Miniseries|Razor}}.  These vessels go head-to-head with their Cylon counterparts in space, which utilize [[Cylon computer virus|computer viruses]] to infiltrate Colonial computer networks, undermine defenses and disable vessels {{TRS|Miniseries|Fragged}}.

During the war, the Cylons develop increasingly sophisticated technology, including advanced Centurion models capable of adaptive camouflage and stealth operations. These units demonstrate tactical coordination and enhanced sensory capabilities, representing significant technological advancement over earlier models. The Cylons also experiment with biological integration, creating cybernetic hybrid creatures and developing prototype humanoid models that combine mechanical and organic elements.

:''A [[List of Deleted Scenes - Season 2 (RDM)#Valley of Darkness|deleted scene]] from the episode "[[Valley of Darkness]]" reveals that the Colonial ship ''[[Brenik]]'' was boarded by Cylon forces during the second year of the War circa {{BCH|50}}.  [[Saul Tigh]] recounts that the Cylon boarding party engaged his crew in hand-to-hand combat in a battle over the ship's ammunition magazines. By the end of the war, the Cylons would abandon this tactic in favor of disabling a ship with a computer virus, venting its atmosphere and turning its guns against its allies.  The loss of ''Brenik'' is apparently an infamous Colonial defeat.

==== Script Version Details ====
The pre-production script for ''[[Blood and Chrome]]'' provides extensive detail about the war's progression and impact. According to the script, by the tenth year of the conflict, the war is not proceeding as favorably for the Colonies as public propaganda suggests.<ref>''[[Blood and Chrome]]'' [{{fullurl:File:B&C Pre-Production Draft - 11-30-10 - Version 01.FDX.pdf|page=88}} pre-production script dated 30 November 2010], pg. 87</ref> The script describes the conflict as a "last roll of the dice" for the Colonial forces, with the [[Ghost Fleet Offensive]] representing a desperate gambit rather than an operation from a position of strength. This portrayal emphasizes the brutal reality behind the optimistic newsreel footage and recruitment materials shown throughout the series, revealing that many Colonial heroes like Deke Tornvald were suffering from battle fatigue despite their public accolades.

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===Turning the Tide===
[[File:Valkyrie B C.png|thumb|right|Colonial Ghost Fleet hiding in Cylon Space.]]
By the tenth year of the war, the Twelve Colonies have suffered heavy losses to the Cylons.  Colonial forces have launched [[Operation Clean Sweep]], however their efforts have failed to halt the Cylon advance, despite propaganda to the contrary.  Viper pilot [[Deke Tornvald|Deke "Minuteman" Tornvald]] is considered a hero in Colonial society for his 30 kills, but in reality the Colonial officer is battle weary.  The Cylons have established their own territory abutting Colonial sectors including [[Sector 12]], the location of a major [[Battle of Sector 12|battle]] resulting in the loss of the battlestar ''[[Archeron]]''.

With many vessels suffering heavy damage in the fight with the Cylons, several Colonial ships, including the battlestars ''[[Valkyrie]]'' and ''[[Osiris]]'', are pulled from the line for covert activities. Publicly declaring these vessels and their crews lost, Colonial admiralty positions this "Ghost Fleet" in a hidden location within Cylon space. It is from here that the stealth battlestar ''Osiris'' launches a mission to nearby [[Djerba]] and touted as a turning point in the war. [[Jump]]ing into orbit of Djerba, ''Osiris'' engages a Cylon baseship while deploying a contingent of [[Viper Mark III|Viper]]s and the Raptor ''[[Wild Weasel]]'' to the former Colonial world's surface. While ''Osiris'' is destroyed in the ensuing [[Battle of Djerba|battle]], several officers, including [[Coker Fasjovik]] and [[William Adama]], make it to the Cylon stronghold and attempt to execute their orders.

Escorting civilian scientist [[Becca Kelly]], [[Xander Toth]], Fasjovik and Adama come under fire from Cylon Centurions, killing Toth.  As the three remaining Colonials travel to a Cylon communications relay, Kelly attempts to feed information to the enemy in the guise of a computer virus.  Discovering the ruse, Adama shoots Kelly and escapes with Fasjovik.  While appearing to be a failure to Adama and Fasjovik, the mission proves successful: Kelly unwittingly fed false information to the Cylons, procured by the Colonial Admiralty, and the Ghost Fleet is allowed to make a [[Ghost Fleet Offensive|surprise attack]] on key enemy targets {{TRS|Blood and Chrome}}.

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===Cylon "Superweapon"===
:''Main article: [[Operation Raptor Talon]]
[[File:FirstHybrid.jpg|thumb|right|The First Cylon Hybrid.]]
During [[Operation Raptor Talon]], Colonial battlestars ''{{RDM|Galactica}}'' and ''[[Columbia (RDM)|Columbia]]'' take part in an attack on Cylon forces surrounding a remote [[ice planet]], rumored to be the site of a Cylon superweapon.  Following the destruction of ''Columbia'', Ensign [[William Adama]] crashes his Viper on the surface of the ice planet and stumbles upon the installation where the Cylons are building their "weapon".  Inside, Adama uncovers evidence of a bizarre experiment in which the Cylons used human captives in brutal medical procedures.  The result of those experiments is the creation of the [[First Hybrid]], an evolutionary "dead end" in the Cylons' attempt at creating their own flesh and blood bodies; [[Guardians|separatists from this faction]] would [[Battle of the Guardian basestar|later be encountered]] by {{RDM|the Fleet}} {{TRS|Razor}}.

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===The Final Five===
:''Main article: [[Final Five]]
After twelve and a half years and uncounted casualties, a lone group of [[humanoid Cylon]]s from [[Earth (RDM)|the devastated Earth]], later colloquially known as the [[Final Five]], arrive at the Colonies.  Having traveled thousands of light years in order to prevent the war that now rages in the Colonies, the Final Five meet in secret with the Cylons and broker a cease fire.  Promising to help the Cylons create humanoid bodies, the Final Five secure an end to the war and depart with the Cylons for a new world ([[CAP]]: "[[Caprica (pilot)|Pilot]]," [[TRS]]: "[[Razor]]," "[[No Exit]]").

==Armistice and Aftermath==
[[File:Armistice.png|thumb|right|Armistice Station.]]
The Cylon War ended abruptly when the Cylons ceased hostilities and offered to sign an armistice, twelve years (4,571 days) into the War. Shortly after, the [[Cimtar (RDM)|Cimtar Peace Accords]] were signed by both parties, and man and machine parted ways. 
 
===Cylon Relations and Subsequent Seclusion===
As part of the Accords, a [[Armistice Line|line]] is drawn between Colonial and Cylon territories, and the [[Armistice Station]] is built to maintain relations. However, after signing the Accords the Cylons retreat into seclusion, and diplomatic relations run stale. The reasons behind their seclusion were never fully understood by the Colonial Government or military prior to the Cylons returning and breaking the Armistice until nearly forty years after the Peace Accords were signed {{TRS|Miniseries|No Exit}}.

At least once, the Colonial Admiralty had attempted to sneak across the Armistice Line in the hopes of gathering intelligence to what the Cylons were up to. Approximately six years before the Cylons returned, Commander [[William Adama]] was tasked by Admiral [[Peter Corman]] to launch a stealth recon mission across the line. Pilot [[Daniel Novacek]] had just crossed the line when he detected an unknown contact and was fired upon. The appearance of two more contacts prompts Cmdr. Adama to shoot down the stealth recon craft. However unbeknownst to him, Novacek survives, and spends the next eight years in Cylon captivity {{TRS|Hero}}. 

:''In "reality," the majority of the surviving Cylons retreat and begin building a [[The Colony|Colony]] around the Final Five's ship, which would eventually become the Cylons "home". Here they would labor to upgrade their baseships and Raiders, perfect their mechanical form, and continue the development of the [[Hybrid]]s. They would also work with the Final Five to create seven humanoid models. Though nearly perfectly human, they are unable to biologically reproduce like their ancestors, and instead rely on the Five's organic memory transfer technology, know to them as "[[resurrection]]" {{TRS|Miniseries|No Exit|Islanded in a Stream of Stars}}. ''

:''A separate group of [[Cylon_Centurion_Model_0005#The_Guardians|Centurions]] also flees separate from the main group of Cylons who left to form the Colony. Deep in interstellar space, they guard the First Hybrid, whom they worship like a deity. For nearly forty years, they have operated entirely on their own, becoming somewhat of a legend to the Cylons on the Colony {{TRS|Razor}}.''

Though their [[Cylon religion|religion]] provides the Cylons with a moral direction, and despite the Peace Accords, many―[[Heroes of the Cylon|but not all]]―believe that the extermination of the human race is justifiable. While some models view such an extermination as a preemptive strike against an aggressive adversary, others view it in more philosophical terms, believing that parents have to die for their children to grow {{TRS|Bastille Day|Downloaded|Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|The Plan}}.

===Colonial Rebuilding===
As a result of the Cylon's uprising, the Colonial Government enacts a ban on research pertaining to artificial intelligence, for fear of more trouble {{TRS|Miniseries}}. However, despite fears over A.I., colonial technology continued to advance elsewhere, mainly in computer networking and interstellar navigation. One of the bigger breakthroughs came with Dr. [[Gaius Baltar]]'s [[Command Navigation Program]], an operating system that was adopted fleet wide by the Colonial military, and even by civilian operators, which allowed greater networking and automation aboard Colonial craft, and required only half the crew compared to older Colonial craft {{TRS|Miniseries|Pegasus (episode)}}.

==See Also==
* [[Cylon War-era Uniforms]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

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[[Category:A to Z]][[Category:Colonial History]][[Category:Conflicts]][[Category:RDM]]
[[Category:Conflicts (RDM)]]
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