Editing The Fleet (TOS alternate)

{{separate continuity|universe=TOS|cont=Dynamite Comics}}{{disambiguation|The Fleet (TOS)|the canonical depiction of this subject}}[[File:ragtagfleet.jpg|thumb|A shot of the "rag-tag fugitive fleet".|link=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/File:Ragtagfleet.jpg]]

After the destruction of the {{alt|The Twelve Colonies|TOS|Twelve Colonies}} in a devastating genocidal attack on the Colonial worlds, Commander {{alt|Adama|TOS}} orders all survivors to find what operational ships that remain on their shattered worlds and fly them towards {{alt|battlestar|TOS}} ''{{alt|Galactica|TOS}}'', the sole surviving battlestar after her sister warships are also {{alt|Battle of Cimtar||destroyed}} in the two-prong {{alt|Cylon|TOS}} attack. With nowhere else to call home, Adama decrees that the remnants of humanity will search for the {{alt|Thirteenth Tribe|TOS}} on a planet called {{alt|Earth|TOS}}.

Under the guardianship of ''Galactica'', the Fleet comprises of 220 civilian ships.  With the exception of ''Galactica'', the ships are not capable of [[lightspeed]] flight.  The Fleet's overall speed is limited to that of the slowest ship within the group. As all ships in the Fleet were filled to (or over) capacity, removing the slower ships from the caravan is not an option.

== In the separate continuity ==

{{separate continuity|type=line|universe=TOS}}

=== Berkley Novelizations ===

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

The '''Fleet''' in the Berkley Novelizations continuity is described as a "ragtag fleet"<ref name="STG117">{{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=117}}</ref> of civilian vessels that follow ''[[Galactica (TOS-BN)|Galactica]]''{{'|s}} lead across the galaxies. The Fleet operates under a complex command structure with both military and civilian authorities, though tensions exist between civilian captains and military command.

==== Composition and Organization ====

The Fleet consists of various types of civilian vessels, including supply ships, cargo vessels, and passenger transports. Many of these ships were converted from their original purposes following the destruction of the [[Twelve Colonies of Man (TOS-BN)|Twelve Colonies]], such as ships that were once intergalactic shuttles before the Cylon attack.<ref name="STG22">{{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=22}}</ref>

The Fleet includes both support level ships and military vessels, all of which can be placed on alert status during times of crisis. Commander [[Adama (TOS-BN)|Adama]] maintains authority over all vessels within the Fleet, though he acknowledges the concerns of all ships "under his command."<ref name="STG120">{{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=120}}</ref>

==== Security Operations ====

The Fleet operates under a comprehensive security system that includes guard patrols around the fleet perimeter. During times of elevated threat, these patrols are increased and all ships, both civilian and military, are placed on heightened alert status.<ref name="STG116">{{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=116}}</ref> Combat operations are typically conducted "just outside the fleet's border," providing protection for the civilian vessels while allowing military squadrons to engage threats.<ref name="STG115">{{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=115}}</ref>

==== Known Vessels ====

* Battlestar ''[[Galactica (TOS-BN)|Galactica]]'' - Command ship and military protector of the Fleet
* ''[[Broadside (TOS-BN)|Broadside]]'' - Supply ship and cargo vessel<ref name="STG117" />
* ''[[Rising Star (TOS-BN)|Rising Star]]'' - Civilian vessel with casino facilities<ref name="STG121">{{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=121}}</ref>
* [[Foundry ship]] - Civilian vessel producing replacement Vipers for the Fleet, notably the unique "[[Twisters]]"

==== Cultural Life ====

Despite the hardships of their exodus, the Fleet maintains cultural activities including theater troupes that travel between ships to provide entertainment. These performing groups play various venues throughout the Fleet, with the ''Galactica'' considered "the big time" as it represents "a command performance" aboard the command ship.<ref name="STG27">{{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=27}}</ref> The Fleet's size means that it would take "multicentons to play every single ship."<ref name="STG27" />

==== Civilian-Military Relations ====

The relationship between civilian ship captains and military command is often strained. Some civilian vessel commanders express resentment at being "under [Adama's] thumb" rather than simply under his command.<ref name="STG120" /> The Fleet includes ships that serve as refuges for various types of individuals seeking to avoid attention from fleet authorities, including former prisoners and those escaping debts or other complications from civilian life.<ref name="STG121" />

== Comics ==

=== Look-In Magazine ===
'''The Fleet''' is a "rag-tag, fugitive" convoy of starships carrying the last remnants of humanity after the destruction of the [[Twelve Colonies (TOS-LM)|Twelve Colonies]] by the Cylons. Led by the battlestar ''[[Galactica (TOS-LM)|Galactica]]'', the Fleet's sole purpose is to survive the relentless Cylon pursuit and find a new home, with the mythical planet [[Earth (TOS-LM)|Earth]] as their ultimate destination.

==== Composition ====
The Fleet is a diverse collection of ships, many of which are not designed for military purposes. Commander [[Adama (TOS-LM)|Adama]] describes it as a "circus outfit" composed of "space taxis, freighters, [and] pleasure craft."<ref>''Look-In'' #4 (1980), Storyline 2, Strip 1</ref> This mix of civilian and military vessels often leads to logistical challenges, such as ships breaking down, and political friction between the civilian captains and the military command.

===== Known Vessels =====

* Battlestar ''[[Galactica (TOS-LM)|Galactica]]''
* ''[[Freighter Eighteen (TOS-LM)|Freighter Eighteen]]''
* Freighter ''[[Laurentic (TOS-LM)|Laurentic]]''
* Transport ''[[Orestes (TOS-LM)|Orestes]]''
* Hospital Ferry
* [[Scarab (TOS-LM)|Scarab]]-type shuttles
* [[Viper (TOS-LM)|Vipers]]

==== History ====
The Fleet's journey is marked by constant peril and hardship.

* They narrowly thwart a Cylon plot to destroy ''Galactica'' from within using a mind-controlled freighter captain, [[Heffren (TOS-LM)|Heffren]]. The plot is only uncovered thanks to [[Boxey (TOS-LM)|Boxey]], and the Fleet manages to turn the Cylons' own technology against them ({{Comics|Look-In Magazine: Storyline 1}}).

* In their search for a home, they discover the planet [[Thar (TOS-LM)|Thar]], which appears to be a paradise. However, they are met by the advanced and pacifist [[Tharians (TOS-LM)|Tharians]], who test the Fleet's character. Due to a misunderstanding that leads to an act of aggression, the Fleet is deemed too violent and is asked to leave, dashing their hopes for a new home ({{Comics|Look-In Magazine: Storyline 2}}).

* The Fleet endures a dual crisis when a deadly plague breaks out among the children on the transport ''[[Orestes (TOS-LM)|Orestes]]'' at the same time as a massive Cylon attack. The ''Orestes'' is crippled and presumed lost, only to be saved by the cunning of [[Apollo (TOS-LM)|Apollo]] and the bravery of Boxey and a squad of children ({{Comics|Look-In Magazine: Storyline 3}}).

* An exploratory mission to the planet [[Zaroak (TOS-LM)|Zaroak]] reveals it to be a world enslaved by a dictator allied with the Cylons. The Colonial presence acts as a catalyst for a slave revolt that frees the planet, but the newly liberated Zaroakians desire isolation, once again forcing the Fleet to continue its journey ({{Comics|Look-In Magazine: Storyline 4}}).

=== Dynamite Entertainment ===
{{Mainarticle|The Fleet (TOS-DE alternate)}}
The depictions of the rag-tag, fugitive fleet span during the events of the series ({{Comics|annual2014}}, {{Comics|vol1}}, {{Comics|apocalypse}}) in the [[yahren]] {{Alt|7348}}, and onward ({{Comics|vol2}}, {{Comics|vol3}}). The last appearance of the Fleet is into {{Alt|7358}} ({{Comics|annual2014}}).

A different variation of the Fleet is depicted in {{Comics|1980}}, where the survivors under Commander [[Troykus Adama]] make their disastrous and fraught encounter with [[Earth (1980 alternate)|Earth]]. Due to inherent disparitie [[Earth (1980 alternate)|in this series]]<nowiki/>s, this depiction is distinctly separate from the depiction in other Dynamite installments.

==References==

{{reflist}}

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