Editing Cylons (TOS alternate)

{{expansion}}

{{separate continuity|universe=TOS}}

The '''Cylons''' are entirely composed of robots, originally the creation of a reptilian race that were also known as Cylons.

= Dynamite Entertainment comics =

{{separate continuity|universe=TOS|cont=Dynamite Entertainment|type=line}}

The Cylons known to the Colonials during the {{alt|Thousand-Yahren War}} are robotic creatures, whose origins are mired in a deeper mythological morass than is suspect. While it is known that the robots usurped the mantle of their biological creators, whose natures are reptilian bipeds, the internal machinations that lead to this usurpation are unknown to the wider galactic history, involving external influences. Notably that of the infamous {{alt|Iblis|TOS-DE}}.

== Diaspora ==

=== Reptilian Cylons ===

[[File:BSGvsBSG - Kali.png|thumb|[[Kali]], a female Cylon and creator of the machine race that assumed their race identity throughout the galaxy ({{comics|vs|1}}&mdash;{{comics|vs|5|short=y}}).]]

Originally, the reptilian Cylons created a race of robots to service their needs. While [[Kali]], the inventor of the machines, believed the robots to be the means of Cylon domination throughout the galaxy, other Cylons abhorred this approach&mdash;including [[Kali's mate|her mate]] ({{comics|vs|5}}).

With Kali removed either by force or choice from the proceedings, the machines engaged in a conflict with their makers, all but wiping them from the universe and supplanting them as a force to be reckoned with.

=== Robotic Cylons ===

==== Society ====

Cylon society is bent on perfection, leading to either subjugation in the form of the "[[Alliance]]" or extermination of races who do not submit.

As of the seventh millennium of time, the Cylon Empire is expansive and sprawling insofar as the Colonials know, and thus the Cylons are a continual threat to ''{{alt|Galactica|TOS-DE}}'' and her {{alt|the Fleet|TOS-DE|rag-tag, futigive fleet}} during their ongoing exodus.

==== Castes ====

There are numerous types of Cylons:, in order of importance:

===== Imperious Leader =====

Reigning supreme above all other Cylons is the '''Imperious Leader''', a being who dons the visage of their former creators.

===== IL-series =====

The '''IL-series''' (or the "IL group") are machines that typically take on the administrative duties of the Cylon Empire.

Each IL-series has its own unique personality, leading to conflicts within their own order as each vies to carve their own niche within the Cylon Empire.

====== Notable ======

* [[Abbadon]]†
* [[Belial]]†
* [[Lucifer (TOS-DE alternate)|Lucifer]]
* [[Maytorian IL]]†

===== Command Centurion =====

Centurions with gold plated armor are analogous with commanders in the [[Warrior|Colonial Military]].

Such Centurions may also be used in special offensive operations, and were instrumental in the seeming victorious [[Capture of Galactica|capture of ''Galactica'']] ({{comics|vol2|4}}—{{comics|vol2|5|short=y}}).

Command variants of a lesser statue may also be in bronze armor, e.g. [[Vulpa]].

===== Centurions =====

These are the chrome plated foot soldiers, pilots, and labor force for the Cylon Empire.

===== Heavy Weapons Unit =====

[[File:BSGv2 - Cylon Heavy Weapons Unit.png|thumb|A Cylon Heavy Weapons Unit as remembered to {{alt|Adama|TOS}} in his nightmares focused on the attack on {{alt|Caprica|TOS}} ({{comics|vol2|1}}).]]

The '''Cylon Heavy Weapons Unit''' is a machine featuring an upper body and head shaped similarly to the "face" of the machine Cylons, the Centurion, appropriately portioned and installed upon a tank chassis. These units are employed for ground assaults, and Colonial Warriors associate them by their ozone smell and heat vents ({{comics|vol2|1}}).

===== Civilians =====

Cylon "civilians" conceivably fill out the other non-military and non-leadership roles. Civilians appear in a humanoid form, often robed and featuring a face laden with circuitry ({{comics|apocalypse|2}}).

Such civilians reside and operate in Cylon cities, such as [[Tessida]] ({{comics|apocalypse|3}}).

{{clear}}

== Cylon craft ==

There are three known Cylon spacecraft:

* [[Basestar (TOS)|Basestar]]: Capital ships of the Cylon military force, analogous to the [[Battlestar (TOS)|Colonial battlestar]].
* [[Raider (TOS)|Raider]]: The primary fighter of the Cylon forces, manned by two pilots and a ship commander.
* [[Cylon freighter (TOS)|Freighter]]: Ships used throughout the Cylon sphere of influence to provide fuel. May be used to support an offensive operation, as demonstrated at the [[Battle of Cimtar]] {{OS|Saga of a Star World}}.

= Berkley Novelizations =

{{separate continuity|universe=TOS|cont=Berkley Novelizations|type=line}}

A Cylon's status in the Cylon Empire is determined by the number of brains they possess.

Centurions start off with one brain, but can achieve a "second brain" status. The Imperious Leader itself achieves a third brain status.

Achieving a second or third brain status resorts in the Cylon becoming a "reptilian sort of beast" mentally.<ref>{{cite book|last=Thurston|first=Robert|authorlink=Robert Thurston|year=September 1979|title=[[The Tombs of Kobol|Battlestar Galactica 3: The Tombs of Kobol]]|publisher=Berkley Books|pages=3}}</ref>

== Notable Cylons ==

=== Spectre ===

[[Spectre (TOS-BN)|Spectre]] is an IL-series Cylon who commands a basestar during an assault on ''[[Galactica (TOS-BN)|Galactica]]'' and her fleet. Originally assigned to a remote planet where he managed to rise through the Cylon hierarchy through false reports that portrayed himself as a hero, Spectre possesses "a special ability to turn defeat into victory."<ref name="STG42">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|coauthors=[[Robert Thurston|Thurston, Robert]]|authorlink=Glen A. Larson|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|month=January|year=1988|pages=42}}</ref>

Spectre develops fierce ambition and considers [[Lucifer (TOS-BN)|Lucifer]] an obstacle to his progress up the Cylon hierarchy. After discovering Lucifer's damaged condition, Spectre repairs him but tampers with his personality programming, turning his former nemesis into a docile assassin under his complete control.<ref name="STG73">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|coauthors=[[Robert Thurston|Thurston, Robert]]|authorlink=Glen A. Larson|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|month=January|year=1988|pages=73-74}}</ref>

=== Lucifer ===

[[Lucifer (TOS-BN)|Lucifer]] is described as an ambulatory sentient computer who has experienced significant memory loss. Spectre revives him from a damaged state and alters his personality programming to make him obedient and murderous toward humans, whom he now views as "vermin which must be exterminated from the universe."<ref name="STG73" />

Lucifer is disguised as a [[Borellian Nomen (TOS-BN)|Borellian Noman]] and sent aboard ''Galactica'' with [[Baltar (TOS-BN)|Baltar]] on an assassination mission to kill [[Commander]] [[Adama (TOS-BN)|Adama]]. However, when confronting [[Starbuck (TOS-BN)|Starbuck]] in Adama's quarters, Lucifer experiences vivid memories of their past friendship, including playing cards and discussing the differences between humans and Cylons. Unable to kill Starbuck despite his programming, Lucifer realizes that Spectre has transformed him "from one of the finest cybernetic creations in the Cylon universe to a mere hired killer, a machine of evil."<ref name="STG195">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|coauthors=[[Robert Thurston|Thurston, Robert]]|authorlink=Glen A. Larson|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|month=January|year=1988|pages=194-195}}</ref>

After the mission's failure, Lucifer's disguise is removed by ''Galactica''{{'|s}} scientists and his original personality is restored. He assists in restructuring his own personality while removing Spectre's overlay programming. Starbuck later invites Lucifer to "try their side" and work for the Colonials, to which Lucifer responds positively, admitting "I think I like you, Starbuck."<ref name="STG226">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|coauthors=[[Robert Thurston|Thurston, Robert]]|authorlink=Glen A. Larson|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|month=January|year=1988|pages=226}}</ref>

== Cylon customs ==

Cylons have various customs in their society. One such custom is having both an official name and a secret name. Official names are used when communicating to non-Cylons and it is considered humiliating if a Cylon's secret name is learned by outsiders. Further, the secret name is part of the secret sector of Cylon language.<ref name="tok-4">{{cite book|last=Thurston|first=Robert|authorlink=Robert Thurston|year=September 1979|title=[[The Tombs of Kobol|Battlestar Galactica 3: The Tombs of Kobol]]|publisher=Berkley Books|pages=4}}</ref>

[[Lucifer (alternate)|Lucifer]], despite not being an actual Cylon in the novelizations but rather a robotic construct, is permitted to adopt this custom. In his conversation with [[Baltar (TOS alternate)|Baltar]], Lucifer informs him that "Lucifer" is actually an initialism of his secret name.<ref name="tok-4"/>

== Cylon constructs ==

In the novelizations, Lucifer is a Cylon construct. He is considered an "ambulatory cybernetic sentience" and is the result of Cylons' developments into different technologies during the Thousand Yahren War. Further, Lucifer claims that he can manufacture machines and that he has a soul, as he was able to create his own personality.<ref>{{cite book|last=Thurston|first=Robert|authorlink=Robert Thurston|year=September 1979|title=[[The Tombs of Kobol|Battlestar Galactica 3: The Tombs of Kobol]]|publisher=Berkley Books|pages=6-7}}</ref>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Cylons]]
[[Category:Cylons (TOS)]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Berkley Novelizations]]
{{indicator|TOS}}[[Category:TOS]]