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{{expansion}}


{{separate continuity|universe=TOS}}
: ''This article describes the robotic creations of a reptilian race from the [[TOS|Original Series]].  For the Cylons of the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Re-imagined Series]], see [[Cylons (RDM)]]. For Cylons depicted in the spin-off ''[[Galactica 1980]]'', see [[Cylons (1980)]].''


The '''Cylons''' are entirely composed of robots, originally the creation of a reptilian race that were also known as Cylons.
The '''Cylons''' are entirely composed of robots, originally the creation of a reptilian race that were also known as Cylons.
[[Image:PartyCrashers.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Cylon Centurions crash Sire Uri's party ([[Saga of a Star World]]).]]
Both types of Cylons shared a home, also known as "Cylon", prior to the beginning of the [[Thousand Yahren War]] ([[Saga of a Star World]]) in the [[Cyranus Galaxy]] ([[The Long Patrol]]).


= Dynamite Entertainment comics =
== Reptilian Cylons ==


{{separate continuity|universe=TOS|cont=Dynamite Entertainment|type=line}}
[[Image:Cylon in serpent form.jpg|thumb|A depiction of a reptilian, serpent Cylon from the "[[Experiment in Terra (TV movie)|Experiment in Terra]]" television movie.]]


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}}.
Originally, the reptilian, serpent ([[Experiment in Terra (TV movie)|Experiment in Terra Telemovie]]) Cylons created a race of robots to service their needs ([[Saga of a Star World]]). According to [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]], the Cylons discovered humanity. Having determined humans to be the most practical form of creature in their system and crafted robotic creations that mimicked their form. However their creations were made bigger and stronger than humans with interchangeable parts that allow the robots to live forever ([[Saga of a Star World]]).


== Diaspora ==
The reptilian Cylons allowed themselves to be overcome by their own technology ([[War of the Gods, Part II]]) upon the creation of the [[Imperious Leader]] ([[Experiment in Terra (TV movie)|Experiment in Terra Telemovie]]). The robotic Cylons became an organized war machine bent on exterminating life in the galaxy after the creation of the Imperious Leader, who had a slight error in its programming ([[Experiment in Terra (TV movie)|Experiment in Terra Telemovie]]). <ref>Count [[Iblis]]'s appearance and his subsequent encounter with Lord [[Baltar (TOS)|Baltar]] in the [[Prison Barge]]'s brig suggests (without further substantiation) that the revolt of the robotic Cylons was organized by Iblis over a thousand yahren prior to the Cylon holocaust of the [[Twelve Colonies (TOS)|Twelve Colonies]] ([[War of the Gods, Part II]]). Given that his voice patterns seem to have been imprinted into what Iblis called "machine Leader" ([[War of the Gods, Part II]]) and the apparent onset of the Leader's creation causing the slaughter of both the original Cylons and all human life in the "star system" ([[Experiment in Terra (TV movie)|Experiment in Terra Telemovie]]), this connotation seems to have been further substantiated.</ref> Despite the fact that the reptilian Cylons had long since been wiped out, their robotic creations still bear their name ([[Saga of a Star World]]). The term has come to almost exclusively describe the robotic antagonists of the [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)|Colonials]].


=== Reptilian Cylons ===
== Robotic 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}}).]]
Under the robotic Cylons, they began expanding their sphere of influence, creating what Commander [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]] calls "[[the Alliance]]" ([[Saga of a Star World]]). The Cylons' goal is to strive to achieve "eternal perfection and order" throughout the known galaxy, although they haven't thought much (or at all) beyond that point ([[The Return of Starbuck]]).


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}}).
Centurions appear to be incapable of acting independently, having to refer to "the manual" in order to determine courses of action. Failing that, Centurions often take votes when consensus isn't clear. In addition, they do not appear to have much information on humans, outside of the different genders and general language ([[The Return of Starbuck]]). In comparison, the [[IL-series]] has more human qualities and emotions ("[[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II]]", "[[The Young Lords]]"), although the Centurions are apparently able to emulate emotions and human qualities, such as freedom of choice and loyalty as exemplified by [[Cyrus]] ([[The Return of Starbuck]]).


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.
=== Cylon Society ===


=== Robotic Cylons ===
There are five types of Cylons:


==== Society ====
* [[Imperious Leader]]: controls all Cylon forces and rules the empire. The Imperious Leader is distinguished by taking on an appearance meant to resemble the reptilian Cylon race.
* [[IL-series]] (or the "IL group"): Robots that typically take on the administrative duties of the Cylon Empire.
* [[Command Centurion]]: Robots with gold plated armor that are analogous with commanders in the [[Warrior|Colonial Military]].
* [[Centurion (TOS)|Cylon Centurion]]s:  These robots are the chrome plated foot soldiers, pilots, and labor force for the Cylon Empire. 
* [[Cylon civilian|Cylon "civilians"]]: According to Colonel [[Tigh (TOS)|Tigh]], he picks up civilian transmissions of a Cylon nature on [[Gamoray]] ([[The Living Legend, Part I]]).


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


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.
There are three known Cylon spacecraft:


==== Castes ====
* [[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.
There are numerous types of Cylons:, in order of importance:
* [[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]] ([[Saga of a Star World]]).
 
===== Imperious Leader =====
 
Reigning supreme above all other Cylons is the '''Imperious Leader''', a being who dons the visage of their former creators.


===== IL-series =====
== Cylon history ==


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


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.
: ''Main Article: [[Thousand Yahren War]]''


====== Notable ======
The [[Thousand Yahren War]] between the humans of the [[Twelve Colonies (TOS)|Twelve Colonies]] and the Cylons began when the Colonials liberated the [[Hasari]] from Cylon rule.  The Cylons then viewed humanity as a threat to their Empire and proceeded to attack Colonial installations.


* [[Abbadon]]†
The Cylons and the humans fought for roughly one thousand yahren, with losses on both sides. 
* [[Belial]]†
* [[Lucifer (TOS-DE alternate)|Lucifer]]
* [[Maytorian IL]]†


===== Command Centurion =====
The final end to the war occurred after the Cylons proposed peace through the mediation of Baltar, a member of the [[Quorum of Twelve (TOS)|Quorum of Twelve]]. However, instead of concluding peace, the Cylons destroyed the human Battlestar force in the [[Battle of Cimtar]] and also attacked the Colonies, killing most inhabitants.  Baltar, who had intended to use the Cylons to subjugate his colony under his rule, saw his colony destroyed to and barely escaped execution. ([[Saga of a Star World]])


Centurions with gold plated armor are analogous with commanders in the [[Warrior|Colonial Military]].
=== Cylon pursuit of the Colonial Fleet ===


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}}).
The [[the Fleet (TOS)|"rag-tag, fugitive fleet"]], being led by the last known surviving [[Battlestar (TOS)|battlestar]], ''[[Galactica (TOS)|Galactica]]'', flees their homeworlds, avoiding the Cylon genocidal attacks.


Command variants of a lesser statue may also be in bronze armor, e.g. [[Vulpa]].
Sparing Baltar's life, the newly ascended [[Imperious Leader]] gives Baltar the command of three basestars and a cogitator, [[Lucifer]] ([[Saga of a Star World]], [[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]]).  With Baltar pursuing the Fleet, ''Galactica'' and the 220 ships she leads from their aggressors avoid Cylon death traps, such as those on [[Arcta]] (the "[[Ravashol pulsar]]"), and all out attacks (e.g. [[Battle of Gamoray]] and the events of "[[Fire in Space]]").  


===== Centurions =====
Eventually, a [[Battle at Galaxy's Edge|daring, successful attack on a lone basestar]] leads Adama to believe that they may have outwitted the Cylons -- who have, apparently, spread their resources thin in an attempt to locate the remaining humans ([[The Hand of God (TOS)|The Hand of God]]).


These are the chrome plated foot soldiers, pilots, and labor force for the Cylon Empire.
== Cylons in other media ==


===== Heavy Weapons Unit =====
In the Berkley novelizations for the Original Series, which Battlestar Wiki treats as non-canonical [[Battlestar Wiki: Separate continuity|separate continuity]] sources, the Cylons' status in the Cylon Empire is determined by the number of brains they possess.


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


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}}).
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|authorlinkurl=|year=September 1979|title=[[The Tombs of Kobol|Battlestar Galactica 3: The Tombs of Kobol]]|publisher=Berkley Books|pages=3|location=|id=}}</ref>


===== Civilians =====
=== Cylon customs ===


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}}).
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">''Ibid.'', 4</ref>


Such civilians reside and operate in Cylon cities, such as [[Tessida]] ({{comics|apocalypse|3}}).
[[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 acronym of his secret name.<ref name="tok-4"/>


{{clear}}
=== Cylon constructs ===


== Cylon craft ==
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>''Ibid.'', 6-7.</ref>


There are three known Cylon spacecraft:
=== Cylon History ===


* [[Basestar (TOS)|Basestar]]: Capital ships of the Cylon military force, analogous to the [[Battlestar (TOS)|Colonial battlestar]].
The Realm Press comic series gives a backstory to the Cylons in the [[1999 Tourbook]].
* [[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 =
<gallery caption="Cylon Origin">
Image:Cylon Origin 01.jpg |Cylon Origin 1
Image:02.jpg |2
Image:Cylon Origin 03.jpg |3
Image:Cylon Origin 04.jpg |4
Image:Cylon Origin 05.jpg |5
Image:Cylon Origin 06.jpg |6
Image:Cylon Origin 07.jpg |7
Image:Cylon Origin 08.jpg |8
Image:Cylon Origin 09.jpg |9
Image:Cylon Origin 10.jpg |10
Image:Cylon Origin 11.jpg |11
Image:Cylon Origin 12.jpg |12
Image:Cylon Origin 13.jpg |13
</gallery>


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


A Cylon's status in the Cylon Empire is determined by the number of brains they possess.
* Both the Gold Command Cylon Centurions and the Silver Cylon Centurions were voiced with an EMS Vocoder 2000 [http://google.com/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1400&bih=947&q=ems+vocoder+2000&gbv=2&oq=ems+vo&aq=0&aqi=g1g-S4g-sS1g-S1g-sS1g-S2&aql=&gs_sm=c&gs_upl=5517l8139l0l10975l6l6l0l0l0l0l331l1498l0.1.3.2l6l0] (verified in the book 'How to Wreck a Nice Beach' by Dave Tompkins) by voice-actor Michael Santiago.


Centurions start off with one brain, but can achieve a "second brain" status. The Imperious Leader itself achieves a third brain status.
==References==
 
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>
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 />


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{{indicator|TOS}}[[Category:TOS]]
{{TOS}}
 
[[de:Zylonen (TOS)]]

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