Editing Tallos

{{Character Data|cylon=y|seenref={{comics|gods|1}}|lastseenref={{comics|gods|5}}|death=[[Battle Near the Unnamed Planetoid]]}}

'''Tallos''' is an Cylon Centurion amalgamated and reprogrammed by Dr. [[Gaius Baltar (alternate)|Gaius Baltar]] and [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy alternate)|Sharon Valerii]] from the remnants of Centurions destroyed [[Battle of Kobol (TRS)|during the boarding of ''Galactica'']]. Named after the automaton protector created by [[Zeus]] in [[Mythological references|Colonial mythology]], Tallos was intended to be a Cylon loyal to the Colonial Fleet, capable of assisting humanity against other Cylons.<ref name="GM1_22">{{comics|gods|1}}, page 22</ref>

== Development and Creation ==
Dr. [[Gaius Baltar (alternate)|Gaius Baltar]] conceived the idea of rebuilding a Cylon Centurion after studying the remains of Centurions that had boarded the ''Galactica''. He believed that a fully functional model could provide invaluable intelligence on Cylon physiology and tactics.<ref name="GM1_9">{{comics|gods|1}}, page 9</ref> Despite initial skepticism and strong opposition from others, including Colonel [[Saul Tigh (alternate)|Saul Tigh]] and even his [[Messenger Six (alternate)|internal manifestation of Six]], Baltar proceeded with the project.<ref name="GM1_9"/><ref name="GM1_18">{{comics|gods|1}}, page 18</ref>

Baltar constructed Tallos "from scratch" using an "ever-increasing number of helpers" and parts from "a dozen different Centurions."<ref name="GM1_7">{{comics|gods|1}}, page 7</ref><ref name="GM4_6">{{comics|gods|4}}, page 6</ref> With work done by [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy alternate)|Sharon Valerii]], Tallos's programming was cleaned, removing any sub-routines or hidden commands that might make it turn against the Colonials.<ref name="GM1_20">{{comics|gods|1}}, page 20</ref> However, the unique nature of its construction from disparate parts led to speculation that Tallos might not have a clear path to resurrection, making it as mortal as a human, which Baltar believed would make it want to live and thus be loyal to those who kept it alive.<ref name="GM4_6">{{comics|gods|4}}, page 6</ref>

Tallos was activated eleven days after Baltar began its construction.<ref name="GM1_22">{{comics|gods|1}}, page 22</ref> Upon activation, Baltar asked Tallos to whom it owed its existence, to which Tallos responded, "By. Your. Command." upon kneeling before Sharon Valerii<ref name="GM1_26">{{comics|gods|1}}, page 26</ref>

== Abilities and Characteristics ==
Tallos possesses several notable abilities and characteristics:
*   '''Physical Prowess:''' As a Centurion, Tallos is built for battle, possessing enhanced strength and durability.<ref name="GM5_5">{{comics|gods|5}}, page 5</ref> It is capable of taking significant damage and continuing to function.<ref name="GM4_19">{{comics|gods|4}}, page 19</ref>
*   '''High-Speed Computer Mind:''' Tallos has a "high-speed computer mind," allowing it to process information rapidly.<ref name="GM2_7">{{comics|gods|2}}, page 7</ref><ref name="GM3_23">{{comics|gods|3}}, page 23</ref>
*   '''Radiation Resistance:''' Unlike more advanced Cylon models, Centurions are highly resistant to radiation, a trait that proved crucial in a mission involving a radioactive Colonial Heavy Cruiser.<ref name="GM2_15">{{comics|gods|2}}, page 15</ref>
*   '''Mobility Enhancements:''' Tallos is equipped with a "jet-pack" powered by compressed air that allows for controlled EVA, and "magnetized boots" for traversing metallic surfaces.<ref name="GM2_16">{{comics|gods|2}}, page 16</ref><ref name="GM2_18">{{comics|gods|2}}, page 18</ref>
*   '''Cylon Detection:''' Tallos's original programming allows it to recognize other Cylons, a feature that caused immediate concern among the Cylon infiltrators in the Fleet.<ref name="GM2_4">{{comics|gods|2}}, page 4</ref>
*   '''Limited Speech:''' Baltar programmed Tallos with "limited speech" capabilities, something he noted the Cylons themselves hadn't done.<ref name="GM1_19">{{comics|gods|1}}, page 19</ref>
*   '''Kill Switch:''' Baltar installed a "kill switch" that can shut down Tallos's mobility, allowing its mind to remain alert to process and reflect on events. Baltar refers to this as a "time out" and a way to "slap its wrist" for misbehavior.<ref name="GM2_7">{{comics|gods|2}}, page 7</ref><ref name="GM3_23">{{comics|gods|3}}, page 23</ref>

== Role and Actions ==
Tallos's primary role was to serve [[The Fleet (TRS alternate)|the Fleet]], particularly in dangerous operations where human life would be at risk.

=== Initial Missions ===
Tallos's first major mission involved placing a detonator on a highly radioactive Colonial Heavy Cruiser ''[[Cyclops]]'', which was on a collision course with a [[Unnamed planetoid|minerally rich planetoid]]. Due to its radiation resistance, Tallos was uniquely suited for this task. It successfully timed the [[Jump|FTL jump]] of the cruiser to the same instant as the detonation, dispersing the blast harmlessly throughout hyperspace and decontaminating itself easily.<ref name="GM2_14">{{comics|gods|2}}, page 14</ref><ref name="GM2_15">{{comics|gods|2}}, page 15</ref><ref name="GM2_21">{{comics|gods|2}}, page 21</ref> This act earned it some trust from Commander [[William Adama (alternate)|William Adama]], who suggested a public profile to get the fleet used to the idea of a Centurion helping them.<ref name="GM2_21">{{comics|gods|2}}, page 21</ref>

=== Mining Operation and Cylon Infiltration ===
Tallos was subsequently deployed to assist with soil harvesting on an unstable planetoid. Baltar downloaded the "proper skill set" to Tallos, allowing it to handle the excavation rig "like a pro."<ref name="GM3_9">{{comics|gods|3}}, page 9</ref><ref name="GM3_15">{{comics|gods|3}}, page 15</ref> During this operation, Tallos unexpectedly detonated a charge to loosen compromised terrain, which also caused the Raptor carrying Helo and Apollo to crash.<ref name="GM3_16">{{comics|gods|3}}, page 16</ref><ref name="GM3_18">{{comics|gods|3}}, page 18</ref> Baltar argued this was a miner's action, not an attack, and Tallos later saved Helo and Apollo from falling into a chasm by extending a cargo cable.<ref name="GM3_18">{{comics|gods|3}}, page 18</ref><ref name="GM3_21">{{comics|gods|3}}, page 21</ref>

Another [[Number Eight (alternate)|Eight]], posing as [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy alternate)|Sharon Valerii]], plants a false message into Tallos's sub-routines, instructing it to help her escape with the first human-Cylon child.<ref name="GM3_12">{{comics|gods|3}}, page 12</ref><ref name="GM3_22">{{comics|gods|3}}, page 22</ref> This was part of a larger Cylon plan to discredit Tallos and protect the presence of Cylons within the fleet.<ref name="GM4_4">{{comics|gods|4}}, page 4</ref> This fails when Tallos determines that the Eight was not Caprica-Valerii, based on unique and nearly imperceptible differences between the two that Tallos was able to identify.

During a Cylon attack on the planetoid, Tallos commandeered the [[Raptor 317|last evacuation Raptor]], seemingly abandoning the humans.<ref name="GM5_5">{{comics|gods|5}}, page 5</ref> However, it was later revealed that Tallos led attacking Centurions on the ''Galactica'' to the FTL drive, where the Colonials could use a reverse-polarity pulse to defeat them.<ref name="GM5_20">{{comics|gods|5}}, page 20</ref><ref name="GM5_22">{{comics|gods|5}}, page 22</ref>

== Fate ==
After the Cylon attack, Tallos was severely damaged. Only a portion of its body remained, which Commander Adama brought back to the ''Galactica''.<ref name="GM5_22">{{comics|gods|5}}, page 22</ref> Dr. Baltar decided not to rebuild Tallos, stating that he no longer had the proper parts and materials, and more importantly, that they had "learned all we could from him."<ref name="GM5_24">{{comics|gods|5}}, page 24</ref> Baltar concluded that Tallos was emblematic of the problem of looking to the past, and that a "new way to deal with the Cylons" was needed, a way that "has yet to be born."<ref name="GM5_24">{{comics|gods|5}}, page 24</ref>

== Notes ==

* In {{Comics|twilight}}, a Cylon Centurion known as [[Deacon]] is also reprogrammed to serve humans of the Fleet, notably during the occupation of [[New Caprica]].

== References ==
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