Joe Beaudoin Jr.: Created page with "{{Separate continuity|universe=TOS|cont=Berkley Novelizations}} '''Spectre''' is an IL Series Cylon ambulatory sentient computer who serves as commander of a base star in pursuit of ''Galactica'' and the Fleet. He orchestrates an elaborate infiltration mission designed to destroy the battlestar from within. Spectre is an ambitious and calculating Cylon who has r..."

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Created page with "{{Separate continuity|universe=TOS|cont=Berkley Novelizations}} '''Spectre''' is an IL Series Cylon ambulatory sentient computer who serves as commander of a base star in pursuit of ''Galactica'' and the Fleet. He orchestrates an elaborate infiltration mission designed to destroy the battlestar from within. Spectre is an ambitious and calculating Cylon who has r..."

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{{Separate continuity|universe=TOS|cont=Berkley Novelizations}}

'''Spectre''' is an IL Series [[Cylons (TOS-BN)|Cylon]] ambulatory sentient computer who serves as commander of a [[base star (TOS-BN)|base star]] in pursuit of ''[[Galactica (TOS-BN)|Galactica]]'' and [[The Fleet (TOS-BN)|the Fleet]]. He orchestrates an elaborate infiltration mission designed to destroy the battlestar from within.

Spectre is an ambitious and calculating [[Cylons (TOS-BN)|Cylon]] who has risen through the ranks by manipulating situations to his advantage. He possesses "a special ability to turn defeat into victory," having previously transformed disasters into apparent successes through false reports to [[Cylon]] headquarters. This skill helped facilitate his rise to command after displacing [[Baltar (TOS-BN)|Baltar]] from leadership of the base star.<ref name="STG41">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|authorlink=Glen A. Larson|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|date=1988|pages=41|coauthors=[[Robert Thurston|Thurston, Robert]]}}</ref>

Following his appointment to command by the [[Imperious Leader (TOS-BN)|Imperious Leader]], Spectre faces immediate pressure to succeed where previous Cylon commanders have failed. The Leader tasks him with capturing ''Galactica'' and its fleet, demanding that he "turn the ''Galactica'' into a floating derelict and bring [[Adama (TOS-BN)|its commander]] to your pedestal personally... in chains." This immense responsibility leaves Spectre to "ponder the hardship of the mission he had just accepted," knowing that failure could result in his own destruction.<ref name="STG41-42">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|authorlink=Glen A. Larson|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|date=1988|pages=41-42|coauthors=[[Robert Thurston|Thurston, Robert]]}}</ref>

Spectre's command style reflects his cybernetic nature combined with acquired ambition. He finds "unexpected pleasure in being able to boss Baltar around instead of treating him as commander," a satisfaction that "apparently bypassed any restricting circuitry." His relationship with the demoted Baltar is characterized by mutual manipulation, with Baltar noting that Spectre has become "such overweening ambition and become so calculating a monster" compared to more trustworthy Cylons like [[Lucifer (TOS-BN)|Lucifer]].<ref name="STG43-44">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|authorlink=Glen A. Larson|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|date=1988|pages=43-44|coauthors=[[Robert Thurston|Thurston, Robert]]}}</ref>

== Attacking the ''Galactica'' ==
Recognizing that conventional attacks have failed against ''Galactica'', Spectre develops an infiltration strategy using Baltar and Lucifer as covert agents. He arranges for Baltar to undergo extensive facial reconstruction surgery and for Lucifer to be disguised as a [[Borellian Nomen (TOS-BN)|Borellian Noman]], enabling them to infiltrate the human fleet through [[Dwybolt (TOS-BN)|Dwybolt]]'s theater company. Spectre also reprograms Lucifer to serve as an assassin, removing the Cylon's previous humanitarian programming and making him willing to kill [[Adama (TOS-BN)|Commander Adama]].<ref name="STG74-98">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|authorlink=Glen A. Larson|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|date=1988|pages=74-98|coauthors=[[Robert Thurston|Thurston, Robert]]}}</ref>

The infiltration plan represents Spectre's most sophisticated strategy, coordinating multiple elements including sabotage, assassination, and direct military assault. His diversionary attack creates the conditions for Baltar and Lucifer to slip into the Fleet undetected, while their mission to plant explosives aboard ''Galactica'' is timed to coincide with his main assault. Spectre watches the launch of his forces "with satisfaction," confident that his strategy will succeed where previous attempts have failed.<ref name="STG97-98">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|authorlink=Glen A. Larson|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|date=1988|pages=97-98|coauthors=[[Robert Thurston|Thurston, Robert]]}}</ref>

Despite the apparent success of the infiltration phase, Spectre's overall strategy ultimately fails. The humans manage to overcome the sabotage and repel his attack, leaving Spectre in "an awkward position" when Baltar returns to the base star. Baltar's successful completion of his sabotage mission, while Spectre's military assault fails, provides Baltar with leverage to challenge Spectre's command authority and potentially regain his former position.<ref name="STG223-224">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|authorlink=Glen A. Larson|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|date=1988|pages=223-224|coauthors=[[Robert Thurston|Thurston, Robert]]}}</ref>

Spectre's long-term ambitions extend beyond merely defeating the human fleet. He harbors dreams of eventual supremacy within the Cylon hierarchy, believing he could "even execute a palace revolution and take the place of the Imperious Leader himself." His cybernetic nature gives him confidence that he could "go on forever once he ascended to the throne," unlike biological leaders who must eventually "retire and die."<ref name="STG98-99">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|authorlink=Glen A. Larson|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|date=1988|pages=98-99|coauthors=[[Robert Thurston|Thurston, Robert]]}}</ref>

== References ==

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Characters (TOS)]]
[[Category:Berkley Novelizations]]
[[Category:Cylons]]
[[Category:Base star commanders]]
[[Category:IL Series]]

Spectre (alternate) - Revision history