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Cylon Centurion

2009-05-19T02:48:18Z

R530:

: ''For information on the Centurions from the [[Original Series]], see [[Centurion (TOS)]].''

[[Image:Cylon Centurion, "The Hub".jpg|210px|thumb|right|Centurion, warrior of the Cylon army.]]

The '''Cylon Centurion''' is a fully armored, metallic automaton that functions as the basic foot-soldier of the Cylon ground forces.

==Overview==
[[Image:Centurion on Pegasus.jpg|thumb|left|A Cylon Centurion aboard ''Pegasus''.]]

Introduced sometime after the initial [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] conflict, the modern Centurion appears to be a significant evolution of the [[Cylon War]]-era [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|Centurion]].

Modern Centurions serve a variety of functions within the Cylon hierarchy, acting as guards, soldiers, executioners and even gardeners. "Bullethead", "clanker" and "chrome job" are common Colonial nicknames for these advanced and deadly Cylon constructs ("[[Downloaded]]", "[[Rapture]]", ''[[Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance]]''). They are also referred to as "toasters" - the common Colonial nickname (or epithet) for the Cylon race as a whole ([[Miniseries]], "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]").

Although Centurions are sentient by design, an [[telencephalic inhibitor|implant]] annuls their higher cognitive functions and prevents them from exercising full self-awareness ("[[Six of One]]"). It also appears that this implant precludes them from harming any of the [[humanoid Cylon]]s, except by explicit order ("[[Hero]]"). According to [[Sharon Agathon]], this was done to prevent a rebellion akin to the one that started the first Cylon War (''[[Razor]]'').

[[Image:S2-Downloaded-DelphiRestoration.jpg|thumb|right|Centurions replant trees at Delphi, after the fall.]]

Following the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|Second Attack]] on the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|The Twelve Colonies]], Centurions were used in a number of assaults on the surviving human [[The Fleet|Fleet]]. Centurion forces boarded both remaining Colonial [[Battlestar (RDM)|Battlestar]]s ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' and ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' ("[[Valley of Darkness|Valley of Darkness]]", ''[[Razor]]'') and landed ground forces on [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]] and the [[Algae planet|Algae planet]] ("[[Fragged|Fragged]]", "[[Home, Part I|Home, Part I]]" and "[[Home, Part II|II]]"). During the brief colonization of [[New Caprica|New Caprica]], Cylon Centurions were used to keep order throughout the Cylon occupation ("[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]", "[[Occupation|Occupation]]", "[[:en:Exodus, Part I|Exodus, Part I]]" & "[[:en:Exodus, Part II|II]]"). On [[:en:Caprica (RDM)|Caprica]], modern Centurions were part of a clean up effort in Colonial cities including [[:en:Delphi|Delphi]] where they participated in the reconstruction effort ("[[:en:Downloaded|Downloaded]]").

Centurions are unable to distinguish one copy of [[humanoid Cylon]] from another ("[[Precipice]]"). Whether Centurions are able to recognize members of the [[Final Five]] - like [[Raider (RDM)|Raiders]] are able to - is unknown. It should be noted, however, that prior to the [[Crossroads, Part II|activation]] of said models, Centurions directly engaged at least two of these individuals in combat ("[[The Farm]]", "[[Fragged]]").

During the [[Cylon Civil War]], rebel Cylon leader [[Natalie]] removed the telencephalic implant of the Centurions under her command. Once the device was removed, the Centurions gained the ability to reason for themselves and subsequently turned against the rival humanoid models ("[[Six of One]]").

[[Image:Centurions man baseship, "Daybreak, Part II".jpg|thumb|left|Centurions depart Earth aboard the former Rebel basestar.]]

Self-aware Centurions operating aboard the [[Rebel basestar|Rebel Cylon]] [[basestar (RDM)|basestar]] within the human [[The Fleet (RDM)|fleet]], cooperated with Colonial forces to rescue [[Hera]] from the [[The Colony|Cylon Colony]]. Distinguished by red stripes painted across their armour, these Centurions operated as assault troops under the command of [[Lee Adama]]. During the conflict, "Red Stripes" battled other modern Centurions as well as older models living on the Colony since the first Cylon War. Following the destruction of the Colony and the discovery of "[[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]", the Centurions were given command of the Rebel basestar and set free by [[Ellen Tigh]] and [[William Adama|Admiral William Adama]]. Despite the risk that they might someday return and attack humanity, both Tigh and Adama noted that the Centurions had earned their freedom ("[[Daybreak, Part II]]").

==Design==
[[Image:Cylon Centurion close up, "No Exit".jpg|thumb|right|Close up on the head of a Centurion.]]

Modern Cylon Centurions are at least mostly robotic beings in nature. Unlike their Cylon War-era predecessors, the current models have not been observed "bleeding" when injured ("[[:en:33|33]]", ''[[:en:Razor|Razor]]'', "[[:en:Daybreak, Part II|Daybreak, Part II]]"). More agile than those predecessors, modern Centurions are capable of extremely fast bipedal locomotion ("[[:en:Six Degrees of Separation|Six Degrees of Separation]]", "[[:en:Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down|Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]", "[[:en:Daybreak, Part II|Daybreak, Part II]]").

Sleeker in appearance than their robotic ancestors, Centurions are humanoid in structure, with long limbs and heads partially encased in armor. Their hands have four long, multi-jointed claws that can be retracted into smooth-tipped fingers of human proportions to handle more delicate objects ("[[Valley of Darkness]]", "[[No Exit]]").

It is unknown whether Centurions can "speak" to other Cylons - though they likely communicate with each other via a wireless network, making verbal speech unnecessary. They can, however, hear and respond to verbal commands from the humanoid Cylons ("[[Hero]]").

[[Image:Cylon Centurion, "Six of One".jpg|thumb|left|Centurion with projectile weapon activated.]]

Some versions of the Centurion wield markedly improved armor. A platoon of Centurions that boarded ''Galactica'' were unaffected by standard weaponry; subdued only by armor-piercing explosive rounds ("[[Valley of Darkness]]"). Other Centurions appeared to be constructed from an alloy that is much lighter than that used in earlier models. During combat aboard the Colony, loyalist Centurions of the newer type were cut down by Colonial fire more forcefully than the earlier 0005 models ("[[Daybreak, Part II]]").

The Centurions that [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] encountered on [[Caprica (RDM)|Caprica]] reacted more slowly, behaved less intelligently, and were more easily destroyed by small-arms fire. However, if one takes into consideration the overall plan that the Cylons had for Helo and Sharon Agathon, it may be surmised that these variants were intended to inflict psychological, rather than physical harm. Conversely, Centurions seen on [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]] displayed an increased group intelligence, working together to construct an anti-aircraft battery from parts of their [[Heavy Raider]] ("[[Fragged]]").

==Offensive Capabilities==
[[Image:Centurions vs. Centurions, "Daybreak, Part II".jpg|thumb|right|Modern Centurions battle Cylon War-era models]]
The modern Centurion can effectively oppose a squad of Colonial soldiers by means of various combat systems. Long, talon-like fingers act as bladed weapons during close-combat, and fold back to reveal a three-barreled automatic [[KEW|projectile weapon]] which may be used in fire-fights.

In addition to these built-in weapons, Centurions are capable of carrying larger, more powerful weapons not integrated into their systems, such as mortars and missile launchers. In "[[Razor]]", one Centurion boarding ''Pegasus'' carries a large, and likely powerful, machine gun in its hands.

==Cinematic Notes==
The creators of the re-imagined series decided that using actors in an elaborate robot outfit (as was done in the Original Series) would detract from the realism of the show. As such, the production made use of computer-generated Centurions in place of actors.

Inaugural director [[Michael Rymer]] originally wanted the Centurion to blend into the background (so as not to detract from the live-actor performances), but its design proved eye-catching, and the robot became a central addition to many scenes. These virtual Cylons were designed with full articulation in the hands and joints for realism, and were initially animated with more human movements, such as swaggering. However, these movements did not complement the robotic attitude that the writers wanted to convey, and were later discarded.

When filming a scene that will later have virtual Cylon Centurions inserted, a life-size cardboard stand-in is used for framing purposes. The stand-in gives the camera operator an idea of how much space to leave in the frame, and the animators a reference on how big the Centurions should be. The stand-in is removed so when shooting begins, the actors are reacting to an empty space. This minimizes the amount of work VFX must do to add a Centurion to the shot.

As of "[[Faith]]", a [[:image:Centurion retcon.jpg|new model]] has been used to depict the Centurion. The new version features a bulkier head with sleeker lines and significantly sharpened cheek bones, separated collar and shoulder pieces, as well as an increased level of detail and flexibility over the entirety of its body. Though originally considered a retcon of the older model, there is evidence that this may not be the case. The previous design can be seen once more during the battle of the Colony, occasionally in the same shot as the newer variant ([[Daybreak, Part II]]).

== Related Imagery ==

<gallery>
Image:Cylon Centurion New 002.jpg|A Cylon Centurion up close.
Image:Cylon Centurion New 001.jpg|A blood-stained Centurion in action during the boarding of ''Galactica'' ([[Valley of Darkness]]).
Image:Centz.jpg|Centurion guard on New Caprica ([[Occupation]]).
Image:CenturionMortar.jpg|Centurions carrying mortars ([[The Eye of Jupiter]]).
Image:Centurion on Kobol.jpg|Centurion on Kobol ([[Fragged]]).
Image:CylonAAU.jpg|An improvised anti-aircraft missile launcher (Fragged).
Image:CenturionGun.jpg|A Centurion carrying a large gun (Razor).
</gallery>

{{Characters (RDM Cylons)}}

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Cylons]]
[[Category:Cylons (RDM)]]
[[Category:Cylon Military]]
[[Category:Cylon Military (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

{{featured article candidate previous}}

[[de:Zenturio (RDM)]]

Mercury class battlestar

2009-05-05T14:37:37Z

R530:

:''For the unnamed original class, to which ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' belongs, see [[Galactica type battlestar]].''
{{Ship Data|
image= BSPegasus.jpg
| title= ''Mercury'' class battlestar
| race= Colonial
| type= Military
| ftl= Yes
| crew= Unknown approx 3000 (Full crew)
| role= Capital battleship/carrier
| weapons= 34 Primary [[KEW|Kinetic Energy Weapons]] (30 twin turrets, 4 fixed twin mounts) and point-defense [[KEW|Kinetic Energy Weapons]], conventional missiles, nuclear warheads, Vipers, Raptors
| length= {{Feet2Meters|5872}}<ref>[http://darthmojo.wordpress.com/2009/04/05/how-big-was-the-colony/#comment-2193 Blog comment] by [[Adam "Mojo" Lebowitz]].</ref>
| status= Final known ship of this class destroyed at the [[Battle of New Caprica]]
}}

The '''''Mercury'' class battlestar''' is an advanced Colonial capital warship/carrier introduced into the [[Colonial Fleet (RDM)|Colonial Fleet]] sometime after the First [[Cylon War]].

==Overview==
Following the end of the [[Cylon War]], the [[Galactica type battlestar|original battlestars]] remained in service as other battlestars were built. Their numbers steadily increased to a grand total of 120 ships in the Colonial Fleet. Newer models employed networked computers which had been prohibited during the war. Being networked (and compromised by the [[Command Navigation Program]]) allows the Cylons to hack the computer systems, disable them with electronic attacks, and render the ships defenseless ([[Miniseries]]).

A ''Mercury'' class battlestar sports several features not found aboard ''Galactica'' such as automated sliding doorways and basic computer recognition stations at vital areas. At the time of the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]], a ''Mercury'' class battlestar was a top-of-the-line vessel.

The physical appearance of the ''Mercury'' class is different than that of the original battlestar. The "neck" section is smaller, and the ''Mercury'' class is equipped with eight [[sublight]] engine pods, compared the older class's six. These are also more "boxy" in appearance than those of the original. Unlike ''Galactica'' type battlestars, the ''Mercury'' class has a full armor "skin." Each [[flight pod]] consists of two stacked landing bays with adjoined decks and hangars. Combined with computer assisted landing, this gives the class a faster rate of Viper recovery than previous battlestars.

This, probably the largest of the battlestars, may be able to carry a maximum of 50 Raptors and 200 [[Viper Mark VII]] fighters (8 squadrons and two reserve squadrons color coded blue, red, green, yellow, orange, purple, black, white, and reserve squadrons gold and silver) <ref>Intelligence Debrief: Cylon Basestar, "Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine," June/July 2006, page 56.</ref>.

The [[Battery|gun batteries]] on the ''Mercury'' class are arranged very differently from ''Galactica's''. Whereas the ''Galactica's'' type battlestars' twenty-four large guns are clustered along the dorsal and ventral sides, with secondary batteries concentrated along the flight pods, the guns of the ''Mercury'' class are found all over the ship ([[The Captain's Hand]]). The greatest concentration of large turrets are found along the side of the ship, within the valley created by the upper and lower halves of the hull, including the flight pods. Four are mounted on the underside of the upper hull on the ship's bow, below which sits four non-turreted large guns; these form the main forward batteries. Six turrets are mounted on each underside of the alligator head, grouped in pairs. There are also three turrets on the side of each flight pod along two more turrets are mounted on the front and back of each flight pod. This amounts to a total of thirty-four main gun batteries, ten more than the ''Galactica'' type Battlestar. In addition, the turreted guns of the ''Mercury'' class have a higher rate of fire than ''Galactica's'' turreted guns when operating in flak mode, as evidenced by the skirmish with the [[Raider (RDM)|Cylon War-era Raiders]] in [[Razor]].

[[Image:Pegasus01.jpg|right|thumb|''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' from fore and below, with the Fleet in the background]] [[Image:Pegasus_Hi-Res_1a.jpg|right|thumb|[[Viper (RDM)|Mark VII Vipers]] landing in ''Pegasus's'' port flight pod]]
[[Image:Pegasus_Hi-Res_5a.jpg|right|thumb|Some of ''Pegasus's'' [[Kinetic Energy Weapon|batteries]]]]
[[Image:Pegasus-Comparison.png|right|thumb|Comparison of [[Battlestar (TOS)|original series battlestar]] and ''Mercury'' class]]

Based on figures from the episodes "[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]" and "[[Razor]]", the standard crew complement of a ''Mercury'' class battlestar is in excess of 2,500, which is significantly lower than found on a ''Galactica'' type battlestar. Despite being larger in size than its preceding ship class, this level of crew appears to make operating battlestars of this class manageable, due to heavy [[Computers in the Re-imagined Series|computer]] automation.

The ''Mercury'' class battlestar has production facilities to build new [[Viper (RDM)|Viper Mark VIIs]] from basic resources ([[Scar]]).

Unlike ''Galactica'' type battlestar, which must retract their flight pods to execute an [[FTL| FTL jump]], the ''Mercury'' class' flight pods are fixed in place and do not retract during a jump ([[The Captain's Hand]]). This suggests that its jump system is more advanced than the older battlestars's.

== Known ''Mercury'' class battlestars ==
*Battlestar ''[[Mercury]]'' (for which it is presumed the class is named)
*Battlestar ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]''

== Notes ==
The shape of the ''Mercury'' class resembles the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]] [[battlestar (TOS)|battlestar]] more than the Re-imagined Series' ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''. Its engine pods number eight, compared to ''Galactica'''s six engine pods. The pods aboard the ''Mercury'' class battlestar appear more directly integrated with its rear section, and its flight pods share the original angular shape.

The visual effects artist of the re-imagined ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'', Jose A. Perez, has commented that, "The new design was somewhat of a cross between the look of the [[TOS|old class]] [[battlestar (TOS)|battlestars]], and yet with elements of the [[Galactica (RDM)|new one]]. Aside from that, it has mostly hull plating (to absorb more damage) , as opposed to the ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' which has more ribbing."
Mr. Perez also commented that, "The harder edges [ of the [[Pegasus (RDM)|''Pegasus'']] ] were intentional as well, to match the interior style of the sets more."

==References==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>

{{sourcebox|Correspondence with Jose Perez}}

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Battlestars|*]]
[[Category:Ships]]
[[Category:Ships (RDM)]]
[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:Technology (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:Mercury-Klasse]]
[[es:Battlestar clase Mercury]]

Mercury class battlestar

2009-05-05T14:32:09Z

R530:

:''For the unnamed original class, to which ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' belongs, see [[Galactica type battlestar]].''
{{Ship Data|
image= BSPegasus.jpg
| title= ''Mercury'' class battlestar
| race= Colonial
| type= Military
| ftl= Yes
| crew= Unknown approx 3000 (Full crew)
| role= Capital battleship/carrier
| weapons= 34 Primary [[KEW|Kinetic Energy Weapons]] (30 twin turrets, 4 fixed twin mounts) and point-defense [[KEW|Kinetic Energy Weapons]], conventional missiles, nuclear warheads, Vipers, Raptors
| length= {{Feet2Meters|5872}}<ref>[http://darthmojo.wordpress.com/2009/04/05/how-big-was-the-colony/#comment-2193 Blog comment] by [[Adam "Mojo" Lebowitz]].</ref>
| status= Final known ship of this class destroyed at the [[Battle of New Caprica]]
}}

The '''''Mercury'' class battlestar''' is an advanced Colonial capital warship/carrier introduced into the [[Colonial Fleet (RDM)|Colonial Fleet]] sometime after the First [[Cylon War]].

==Overview==
Following the end of the [[Cylon War]], the [[Galactica type battlestar|original battlestars]] remained in service as other battlestars were built. Their numbers steadily increased to a grand total of 120 ships in the Colonial Fleet. Newer models employed networked computers which had been prohibited during the war. Being networked (and compromised by the [[Command Navigation Program]]) allows the Cylons to hack the computer systems, disable them with electronic attacks, and render the ships defenseless ([[Miniseries]]).

A ''Mercury'' class battlestar sports several features not found aboard ''Galactica'' such as automated sliding doorways and basic computer recognition stations at vital areas. At the time of the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]], a ''Mercury'' class battlestar was a top-of-the-line vessel.

The physical appearance of the ''Mercury'' class is different than that of the original battlestar. The "neck" section is smaller, and the ''Mercury'' class is equipped with eight [[sublight]] engine pods, compared the older class's six. These are also more "boxy" in appearance than those of the original. Unlike ''Galactica'' type battlestars, the ''Mercury'' class has a full armor "skin." Each [[flight pod]] consists of two stacked landing bays with adjoined decks and hangars. Combined with computer assisted landing, this gives the class a faster rate of Viper recovery than previous battlestars.

This, probably the largest of the battlestars, may be able to carry a maximum of 50 Raptors and 200 [[Viper Mark VII]] fighters (8 squadrons and two reserve squadrons color coded blue, red, green, yellow, orange, purple, black, white, and reserve squadrons gold and silver) <ref>Intelligence Debrief: Cylon Basestar, "Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine," June/July 2006, page 56.</ref>.

The [[Battery|gun batteries]] on the ''Mercury'' class are arranged very differently from ''Galactica's''. Whereas the ''Galactica's'' type battlestars' twenty-four large guns are clustered along the dorsal and ventral sides, with secondary batteries concentrated along the flight pods, the guns of the ''Mercury'' class are found all over the ship ([[The Captain's Hand]]). The greatest concentration of large turrets are found along the side of the ship, within the valley created by the upper and lower halves of the hull, including the flight pods. Four are mounted on the underside of the upper hull on the ship's bow, below which sits four non-turreted large guns; these form the main forward batteries. Six turrets are mounted on each underside of the alligator head, grouped in pairs. There are also three turrets on the side of each flight pod along two more turrets are mounted on the front and back of each flight pod. This amounts to a total of thirty-four main gun batteries, ten more than the "Galactica" type Battlestar. In addition, the turreted guns of the "Mercury" class have a higher rate of fire than Galactica's turreted guns when operating in flak mode, as evidenced by the skirmish with the [[Raider (RDM)|Cylon War-era Raiders]] in [[Razor]].

[[Image:Pegasus01.jpg|right|thumb|''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' from fore and below, with the Fleet in the background]] [[Image:Pegasus_Hi-Res_1a.jpg|right|thumb|[[Viper (RDM)|Mark VII Vipers]] landing in ''Pegasus's'' port flight pod]]
[[Image:Pegasus_Hi-Res_5a.jpg|right|thumb|Some of ''Pegasus's'' [[Kinetic Energy Weapon|batteries]]]]
[[Image:Pegasus-Comparison.png|right|thumb|Comparison of [[Battlestar (TOS)|original series battlestar]] and ''Mercury'' class]]

Based on figures from the episodes "[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]" and "[[Razor]]", the standard crew complement of a ''Mercury'' class battlestar is in excess of 2,500, which is significantly lower than found on a ''Galactica'' type battlestar. Despite being larger in size than its preceding ship class, this level of crew appears to make operating battlestars of this class manageable, due to heavy [[Computers in the Re-imagined Series|computer]] automation.

The ''Mercury'' class battlestar has production facilities to build new [[Viper (RDM)|Viper Mark VIIs]] from basic resources ([[Scar]]).

Unlike ''Galactica'' type battlestar, which must retract their flight pods to execute an [[FTL| FTL jump]], the ''Mercury'' class' flight pods are fixed in place and do not retract during a jump ([[The Captain's Hand]]). This suggests that its jump system is more advanced than the older battlestars's.

== Known ''Mercury'' class battlestars ==
*Battlestar ''[[Mercury]]'' (for which it is presumed the class is named)
*Battlestar ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]''

== Notes ==
The shape of the ''Mercury'' class resembles the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]] [[battlestar (TOS)|battlestar]] more than the Re-imagined Series' ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''. Its engine pods number eight, compared to ''Galactica'''s six engine pods. The pods aboard the ''Mercury'' class battlestar appear more directly integrated with its rear section, and its flight pods share the original angular shape.

The visual effects artist of the re-imagined ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'', Jose A. Perez, has commented that, "The new design was somewhat of a cross between the look of the [[TOS|old class]] [[battlestar (TOS)|battlestars]], and yet with elements of the [[Galactica (RDM)|new one]]. Aside from that, it has mostly hull plating (to absorb more damage) , as opposed to the ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' which has more ribbing."
Mr. Perez also commented that, "The harder edges [ of the [[Pegasus (RDM)|''Pegasus'']] ] were intentional as well, to match the interior style of the sets more."

==References==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>

{{sourcebox|Correspondence with Jose Perez}}

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Battlestars|*]]
[[Category:Ships]]
[[Category:Ships (RDM)]]
[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:Technology (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:Mercury-Klasse]]
[[es:Battlestar clase Mercury]]