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Basestar (TRS): Difference between revisions

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:''This article is about the basestars as seen in the [[Battlestar Galactica (TRS)|Re-imagined Series]]. For the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]] version, see [[Basestar (TOS)]].''
{{disline|This article is about the basestars as seen in the [[Battlestar Galactica (TRS)|Re-imagined Series]]. For the {{TOS|Battlestar Galactica|Original Series}} version, see [[Basestar (TOS)]].}}




A '''basestar''' (known interchangeably as a "baseship") is the most prominent example of the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] military presence. As the capital ship of the Cylons, the basestar appears in three forms in the [[Re-imagined Series]].


== Modern basestar ==
A '''basestar''' (known interchangeably as a "baseship") is the most prominent example of the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] military presence. As the capital ship of the Cylons, the basestar appears in four forms in the [[Re-imagined Series]].
 
== Cylon War-era basestars ==
The Cylons had deployed three different variants of Basestars during the First [[Cylon War]].
 
=== First Variant ===
{{Ship Data
{{Ship Data
| image= Basestar.jpg
| image=Tauron.png
| title= Modern basestar
| title= Basestar, 1st variant
| race= [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]]
| race= [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]]
| type= Military
| type= Military
| ftl= Yes
| ftl= Yes
| crew= [[Humanoid Cylon]]s, [[Cylon Centurion]]s, the [[Hybrid]]
| propol= Unknown
| role= Carrier / battleship hybrid
| crew= * [[Cylon War-era Centurion|Cylon Centurion]]s
| weapons= Nuclear and conventional missiles, Raiders, [[Heavy Raider]]s
| role= * Command and control <br /> * Carrier / battleship
| width={{Meters2Feet|1030.69}}<ref>The following was posted by [[Lee Stringer]] on StarshipBuilder.com forums, which are no longer available: "Width: 1030.69m Length: 856.1m (two arm side) + 1039.87m (single arm side) Height: 132.586m (Each Piece), 265.172m Total". Because of its ratio to the stated width, the overall length must have been measured on one of the three-arm pieces, meaning the full ship is slightly longer.</ref>
| arm= * Nuclear and conventional missile tubes <br />
| height={{Meters2Feet|265.17}}
| def= * Raider screen
| img= Y}}
| aircraft= * 100+ Raider compliment
The modern basestars, seen some 40 years after the end of the [[Cylon War]], are approximately the same size as a Colonial battlestar but appear to be more technologically advanced <ref>The official SciFi.com website indicates that basestars "dwarf" a battlestar. However, aired information in season 3, which shows ''Galactica'' and ''Pegasus'' in close proximity to a basestar, contradict SciFi.com's information.</ref>. The shape of the newer basestar reflects its name, with two Y-shaped hulls attached at their centers by a single pylon, the warship has a distinctive "star" shape.
| facilities= * Central hangar deck
| status= Presumed retired
| img= Y
}}


They are equipped with a superior [[FTL|jump system]] and no visible means of [[sublight propulsion]], lacking any engine pods or nacelles, but remain capable of chasing down a battlestar ([[TRS]]: "[[Exodus, Part II]]").  They can rotate their upper and lower halves into a tandem-Y configuration for entry into a planetary atmosphere ([[TRS]]: "[[The Plan]]").<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmAEmuwZY5Q From 1:49 to 2:04]</ref>
The basestars in service during the 12-year Cylon War consisted of two flattened cones connected at the center by a thick pylon, giving them a conical saucer-like appearance<ref>This basestar design seen in the [[Miniseries]] and later in "[[Razor]]" is an obvious homage to the {{TOS|Basestar|basestar}} seen in the [[Original Series]]. However, its weaponry (if not also its [[Imperious Leader|command structure]]) is markedly different than its 1978 counterpart per the "realistic" goals of [[Ron Moore]]'s essay on [[Naturalistic science fiction]] in ''Battlestar''.</ref> {{TRS|Razor Flashbacks}}.


Basestars operate a fleet of small fighters, known as [[Cylon Raider (RDM)|Raiders]], and are capable of deploying hundreds of these ships simultaneously (see [[#Related Imagery|Related Imagery]]). The enormous number of Raiders serves as a basestar's primary defense system.
Much like its modern counterpart, this model utilized chemically-propelled missiles (with both nuclear and conventional warheads) as the main form of offensive weaponry. Raiders were deployed from access points (totaling 8 in number) throughout a basestar's hull to provide defense. This design, as with later iterations, was capable of operating within an atmosphere {{TRS|Blood and Chrome}}.


Like the Raiders, the basestars are partially [[Cylon organic resin|organic]], which is particularly evident in their landing bays ([[TRS]]: "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]"). When severely damaged, they can sustain large, fleshy [[:image:Basestar Wound Closeup.png|"wounds"]] ([[TRS]]: "[[Faith]]"). Moreover, [[Natalie]] mentions that their damaged baseship can heal itself ([[TRS]]: "[[Guess What's Coming to Dinner?]]").  
The origins of the initial basestars are unclear. However, as [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons were a creation of man]] in the early days before the war, it is probable that man himself (through the efforts of various [[The Twelve Colonies of Kobol|colonies]]) designed the various ships and weapons used by the Cylons for the use in intra-colonial wars prior to the [[Articles of Colonization]].


The baseships possess several conventional rooms and hallways, which are sleek but generally bland. Lighting plays a large role in the aesthetics and some rooms are furnished with clearly human objects, such as beds and couches. Humanoid Cylons [[Projection|project different surroundings]] to navigate ship corridors more easily, and to provide them with an individually pleasing environment (such as a lush forest). Data and other functions (such as analyzing visual information) are handled within a liquid computer interface that resembles a stream of water flowing over a luminous glass surface. Cylons can [[Data-font|interact with the main computer by placing their hands in these basins]] ([[TRS]]: "[[Torn]]").
A model of this basestar design is displayed over 40 years later on ''Galactica'', as part of its [[Galactica Museum|planned museum]] {{TRS|Miniseries, Night 1}}.


===Command and Control===
=== Gallery ===
[[Image:Basestarcontol_306_720p.png|thumb|left|Baseship control room ([[TRS]]: "[[Torn]]").]]
<gallery perrow="8">
A basestar is operated by many [[humanoid Cylon]]s. Up to [[Torn|all seven models]] of them issue commands for the basestar from a central command and control center. Consensus amongst models is the typical procedure, as such the process of deliberation and voting on decisions may cause the basestar to react more slowly than a battlestar's command and control in a [[CIC]].
File:Basestar 3.png|A first variant Basestar hovering over Caprica City.
File:Operation Raptor Talon.jpg|[[Operation Raptor Talon]] at the end of the first Cylon War {{TRS|Razor}}.
</gallery>


A basestar's functions are managed by a partially [[Hybrid|humanoid Cylon]] incorporated into the ship, known as a [[Hybrid]]. The Hybrid, for all respects of identity and control, ''is'' the basestar.  The ship is an extension of her body and she is the ship's mind. The Hybrid, despite its humanoid appearance, is not a considered a fellow humanoid Cylon and lacks voting power as other agents have in Cylon affairs.
{{clear}}
 
A basestar has a [[datastream]], or computer network, which interfaces with the Hybrid and all aspects of the basestar's operation.
 
===Armaments===
[[Image:Basestar fires missiles, "He That Believeth In Me".jpg|thumb|left|Basestar launching missiles ([[TRS]]: "[[He That Believeth In Me]]").]]
A basestar is capable of launching conventional or nuclear missiles from 220 turret launchers mounted throughout the arms and central axis <ref>[http://www.galacticabbs.com/index.php?autocom=gallery Season 3 (Collaborators) and onward]</ref><ref>[http://darthmojo.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/baseship_wallpaper.jpg]</ref><ref>[http://media.battlestarwiki.org/images/a/a3/Basestar_Weapon_Mod.JPG An image of one y structure. Two make up a basestar.]</ref> that pivot to allow the basestar to fire in any direction<ref>Intelligence Debrief: Cylon Basestar, "Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine", June/July 2006, page 56.</ref>. Basestar-launched nuclear strikes against Colonial ships are usually carried out before Raider deployment. One example of a Cylon nuclear attack involved three Cylon basestars that [[Battle of the Binary Star System|ambush]] the battlestar ''[[Pegasus (TRS)|Pegasus]]''. They open their attack firing several nuclear missiles before deploying Raiders and switching to a non-nuclear salvo ([[TRS]]: "[[The Captain's Hand]]").
 
A basestar's complement of Raiders is estimated as high as 792 fighters<ref>Intelligence Debrief: Cylon Basestar, "Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine", June/July 2006, page 56.</ref>, not counting fighters in repair or otherwise off-line. It should be noted that there are a total of 864 Raider launch slots on the arms of a pre-retconned Basestar. <ref>[http://www.modelermagic.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/kg_cg_ns_basestar-067.jpg multiply total by two]</ref> In comparison, the retconned Basestar has only 434 Raider launch slots, a dramatic decrease from the previous version.<ref>[http://www.galacticabbs.com/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=149903 larger section, multiply by 2: 5 rows of 17 slots, and 2 rows of 7 slots]</ref><ref>[http://www.galacticabbs.com/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=131194 smaller section, multiply by 4: 59 total slots]</ref>
 
This tactic, along with the massive numbers of Raiders that a basestar can unleash, suggest a reliance on overwhelming force to destroy a foe. It is probable that basestars use nuclear weapons to destroy the bulk of the [[Colonial Fleet (TRS)|Colonial Fleet]] (using their [[CNP]] back-doors to compromise their defenses first) in the opening wave of their [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|destruction of the Colonies]].
 
After the Colonial commanders draw away their Raider wings, [[Battle of the Resurrection Ship|two basestars are torn apart]] by the kinetic guns of the battlestars ''Pegasus'' and ''Galactica'' in a joint mission to destroy a Cylon [[Resurrection Ship]]. It would seem that that basestars rely heavily on their Raiders for close-range gun defense. Since a basestar does not appear to have point-defense batteries, or heavy armoring<ref>Intelligence Debrief: Cylon Basestar, "Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine", June/July 2006, page 57.</ref>, it seems quite vulnerable to battlestars in close-range combat when fighter support is not prominent ([[TRS]]: "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]"). From this, it can be theorized that basestars are designed primarily as carriers for the massive fleet of Raiders they carry, rather than as a front-line main battleship. Their reliance on long-distance attacks with missiles and their complement of Raiders, as well as their overall fragility seem to support this.
 
It would also appear that basestars possess an automated self-destruct system that triggers in the event that no living Cylons remain aboard ([[TRS]]: "[[Torn]]").
 
=== Notes ===
*Beginning with the episode "[[Collaborators]]", a [[:Image:Change.jpg|new exterior design]] is used for the basestars, bearing a sharper, more mechanical look than they previously had. This was apparently an upgrade by the visual effects crew to make the exterior reflect the interior design, which is seen for the first time in that episode.
<div style="clear: both;"></div>
 
== Cylon War-era basestar ==


=== Second Variant ===
{{Ship Data
{{Ship Data
| image=Tauron.png
| image=Blood and Chrome Basestar.png
| title= Cylon War-era basestar
| title= Basestar, 2nd variant
| race= [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]]
| race= [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]]
| type= Military
| type= Military
| ftl= Unknown
| ftl= Yes
| crew= [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|Centurions]]
| propol= Unknown
| role= Carrier / battleship hybrid
| crew= * [[Cylon War-era Centurion|Cylon Centurion]]s
| weapons= Nuclear and conventional missiles, [[Cylon Raider (RDM)|Raiders]]
| role= * Command and control <br /> * Carrier / battleship
| arm= * Nuclear and conventional missile tubes <br />
| def= * Raider screen
| aircraft= * 100+ Raider compliment
| facilities= * Central hangar deck
| status= Presumed retired
| img= Y
| img= Y
}}
}}
The basestars in service during the 12-year Cylon War consisted of two flattened cones connected at the center by a thick pylon, giving them a conical saucer-like appearance<ref>This basestar design seen in the [[Miniseries]] and later in "[[Razor]]" is an obvious homage to the [[Basestar (TOS)|basestar]] seen in the [[Original Series]]. However, its weaponry (if not also its [[Imperious Leader|command structure]]) is markedly different than its 1978 counterpart per the "realistic" goals of [[Ron Moore]]'s essay on [[Naturalistic science fiction]] in ''Battlestar''.</ref> ([[TRS]]: "[[Razor Flashbacks]]").


[[Image:Basestarinmuseum.jpg|thumb|left|A model of a Cylon War-era basestar on display in the defunct museum.]]
A second variant Basestar was deployed by Cylon forces sometime before the 10th year of the War. This class represents a small evolutionary step from the 1st variant to the Guardian Basestar, suggesting it wasn't a one-off design. This line of Basestars can then be linked to the modern design seen after the fall of the Colonies.
Much like its modern counterpart, this model utilized chemically-propelled missiles (with both nuclear and conventional warheads) as the main form of offensive weaponry. Raiders were deployed from access points (totaling 8 in number) throughout a basestar's hull to provide defense. This design, as with later iterations, was capable of operating within an atmosphere (''[[Blood and Chrome]]'').


During [[Operation Raptor Talon]], the battlestar ''[[Columbia (TRS)|Columbia]]'' was destroyed by basestar missiles and Raider attacks as ''[[Galactica (TRS)|Galactica]]'' and another unnamed battlestar pressed their assaults.
This configuration features two y-shaped hulls in tandem alignment, with a 1st variant-like top and bottom hull. Missile launchers are located in between the arms of the ship, along the central axis ("[[Blood and Chrome]]").  


The origins of the initial basestars are unclear. However, as [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons were a creation of man]] in the early days before the war, it is probable that man himself (through the efforts of various [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|colonies]]) designed the various ships and weapons used by the Cylons for the use in intra-colonial wars prior to the [[Articles of Colonization]].
=== Gallery ===
<gallery perrow="8">
File:Basestar 1.png|A second variant Basestar over the ice moon [[Djerba]].  
File:Basestar 2.png|A second variant Basestar launches Raiders.
</gallery> 


A model of this basestar design is displayed over 40 years later on ''Galactica'', as part of its [[Galactica Museum|planned museum]] ([[TRS]]: "[[Miniseries, Night 1]]").
{{clear}}


An additional class of basestar was deployed by the Cylons during the war which, like the similar yet distinct Guardian basestar, featured two y-shaped hulls that also incorporated the saucer elements from its predecessor. These hull sections were oriented symmetrically, unlike the modern basestar, which appears only to have adopted this configuration when entering a planet's atmosphere.
=== Third "Guardian" Variant ===
[[Image:Blood and Chrome Basestar.png|thumb|left|The Cylon Basestar that is in use in [[Blood and Chrome]].]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
 
== Guardian basestar ==
{{Ship Data
{{Ship Data
| image= guardian_basestar.jpg
| image= guardian_basestar.jpg
| title= Guardian basestar
| title= Basestar, 3rd "Guardian" variant
| race= [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]]
| race= [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]]
| type= Military
| type= Military
| ftl= Yes
| ftl= Yes
| crew= [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|Cylon Centurions]], the [[first Hybrid]]
| propol= Unknown
| role= Carrier / battleship hybrid
| crew= * [[Cylon War-era Centurion|Cylon Centurion]]s <br /> * [[First Hybrid]]
| weapons= 36 twin missile tube mountings <ref>[http://www.galacticabbs.com/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=sc&cat=187&sort_key=caption&order_key=ASC&prune_key=*&st=4384 Images are in the middle of the page and clearly show missle launchers.]</ref>, First Cylon War-era Raiders
| role= * Hybrid research <br /> * Carrier / battleship
| status= Destroyed
| arm= * 36 twin nuclear and conventional missile tubes <br />
| def= * Raider screen
| aircraft= * 100+ Raider compliment
| facilities= * Central hangar deck
| status= Destroyed, [[Battle of the Guardian Basestar]], circa YR2 (2 ACH)
}} {{mainarticle|Guardian basestar}}
}} {{mainarticle|Guardian basestar}}
Towards the end of the first Cylon War, the Cylons built a prototype basestar that had roughly the same shape as the modern basestar. The [[First Hybrid|first hybrids]] were developed for use with this model.
Towards the end of the first Cylon War, the Cylons built a prototype basestar that had roughly the same shape as the modern basestar. The [[First Hybrid|first hybrids]] were developed for use with this model.


[[Image:Gardian basestar.jpg|thumb|left|The Guardian basestar taking off from an [[ice planet]] ([[TRS]]: "[[Razor Flashbacks]]").]]
It is explained by [[Sharon Agathon|Athena]] that a group of Centurions calling themselves [[Guardians]] fractured from the Cylon majority with such a basestar. The belief is that they escaped to the far reaches of space to avoid being shut-down in favor of their modernized, non-sentient [[Cylon Centurion|successors]] {{TRS|Razor}}. The only basestar of this type known to exist was destroyed by Colonial forces shortly after its discovery.
It is explained by [[Sharon Agathon|Athena]] that a group of Centurions calling themselves [[Guardians]] fractured from the Cylon majority with such a basestar. The belief is that they escaped to the far reaches of space to avoid being shut-down in favor of their modernized, non-sentient [[Cylon Centurion|successors]] ([[TRS]]: "[[Razor]]"). The only basestar of this type known to exist was destroyed by Colonial forces shortly after its discovery.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>


== Rebel basestar ==
=== Gallery ===
<gallery perrow="8">
File:Gardian basestar.jpg|Escaping the [[ice planet]].
</gallery>
 
{{clear}}
 
== Modern basestar ==
{{Ship Data
{{Ship Data
| image= Rebellen Basisstern.jpg
| image= Modern Basestar.jpg
| title= Rebel basestar
| title= Modern basestar
| race= [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]]
| race= [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]]
| type= Military
| type= Military
| ftl= Yes
| ftl= Yes
| crew= [[Humanoid Cylon]]s, [[Cylon Centurion]]s, the [[Hybrid]]
| propol= Unknown
| role= Carrier / battleship hybrid
| crew= * [[Humanoid Cylon|Humanoid Cylons]] <br /> * [[Cylon Centurion]]s <br /> * The [[Hybrid]]
| weapons= Nuclear and conventional missiles, [[Heavy Raider]]s, at least 3 Raiders
| role= * Command and control <br /> * Carrier / battleship
| status= Somewhere in space under the command of freed Centurions
| arm= * 220 nuclear, conventional, and ballistic missile tubes <br />
| img=  
| def= * Raider screen
}} {{mainarticle|Rebel basestar}}
| aircraft= * ~434 Raiders <br /> * Heavy Raider compliment
| facilities= * Central hangar deck <br /> * 434 Raider storage bays
| status= Unknown
| width={{Meters2Feet|1030.69}}<ref>The following was posted by [[Lee Stringer]] on StarshipBuilder.com forums, which are no longer available: "Width: 1030.69m Length: 856.1m (two arm side) + 1039.87m (single arm side) Height: 132.586m (Each Piece), 265.172m Total". Because of its ratio to the stated width, the overall length must have been measured on one of the three-arm pieces, meaning the full ship is slightly longer.</ref>
| height={{Meters2Feet|265.17}}
}}


This basestar belonged to the rebel Cylon faction comprising of all [[Number Two|Two]], [[Number Six|Six]] and [[Number Eight|Eight]] models apart from [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]], as well as the last remaining [[Number Three|Three]] copy later on. The basestar recieved serious damaged after the other three models attempted to wipe out and destroyed all but this basestar ([[TRS]]: "[[The Ties That Bind]]").
=== Design ===
Modern basestars, built sometime before the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]], are the same size as a Colonial battlestar, but are considered by the Cylons to be weaker than battleships in the Colonial Fleet. The shape of the newer basestar reflects its name, with two offset Y-shaped hulls attached at their centers by a single pylon, the warship has a distinctive "star" shape, which can rotate into a tandem-Y configuration for entry into a planetary atmosphere {{TRS|The Plan}}.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmAEmuwZY5Q From 1:49 to 2:04]</ref>
[[File:Basestar Plans.jpg|thumb|left|General layout of a Cylon basestar.]]
The most unique aspect of a modern baseship is its organic nature. Composed of [[Cylon organic resin|organic resin]], and a large flesh-like interior, the baseship could be considered an individual organism in itself, and just like any other "injured" organism, the basestar is able to heal its wounds (battle damage) over time ([[TRS]]: "[[Guess What's Coming to Dinner?]]"). The organics are all connected the the ship's "brain," known as a [[Hybrid]], which can control the ship's functions from firing weapons, down to performing an [[FTL]] jump.  


The basestar was later found by the ''[[Demetrius]]'' and its crew, who had been searching for [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]. They return to [[The Fleet (TRS)|the fleet]] with the basestar, where the Colonials and the Rebel Cylons form an unsteady alliance to destroy the [[Resurrection Hub]], and hence destroy the Cylons' ability to [[resurrection|resurrect]]. However, the basestar becomes the only ship to make it there, after the [[Hybrid]] jumps without ''Galactica''. Against all odds, the baseship manages to destroy the Hub with the help of the humans in the ship, as well as retreive the last Three copy ([[TRS]]: "[[Guess What's Coming to Dinner?]]", "[[The Hub]]").
They are equipped with a superior [[FTL|jump system]] and no visible means of [[sublight propulsion]], lacking any engine pods or nacelles, but remain capable of chasing down a battlestar {{TRS|Exodus, Part II}}.


After a brief standoff, the Cylons join the fleet in the final jump to Earth, only to find it in ruins. The basestar is later invited to join the fleet to find a new home afterwards ([[TRS]]: "[[Sometimes a Great Notion]]").
Baseships possess several conventional rooms and hallways, which are sleek but generally bland. Lighting plays a large role in the aesthetics and some rooms are furnished with clearly human objects, such as beds and couches. Humanoid Cylons [[Projection|project different surroundings]] to navigate ship corridors more easily, and to provide them with an individually pleasing environment (such as a lush forest). Data and other functions (such as analyzing visual information) are handled within a liquid [[Data-font|computer interface]] that resembles a stream of water flowing over a luminous glass surface. Cylons can interact with the main computer by placing their hands in these basins {{TRS|Torn}}.


Over time, the ship is integrated into the fleet, getting its own representation in the new Quorum of Ship's Captains and flying joint fighter CAPs with ''Galactica''. Upon Admiral Adama's decision to abandon the battlestar, it is decided that the  baseship would become the new flagship under Adama's command, since it is the only other warship remaining in the fleet.
===Command and Control===
[[File:Basestarcontol_306_720p.png|thumb|left|Baseship control room.]]
A basestar is operated by many [[humanoid Cylon]]s. Up to [[Torn|all seven models]] of them issue commands for the basestar from a central command and control center. Consensus amongst models is the typical procedure, as such the process of deliberation and voting on decisions may cause the basestar to react more slowly than a battlestar's command and control in a [[CIC]].


When ''Galactica'' heads off to the Colony to rescue Hera, the baseship is left under the command of Admiral Hoshi to await ''Galactica'''s return. It later jumps to New Earth along with the rest of the fleet, where the Cylons turn control of the ship to the Centurions, allowing them to seek their own destiny as the human models settle on Earth with the rest of humanity.
A basestar has a [[datastream]], or computer network, which interfaces with the Hybrid and all aspects of the basestar's operation.
 
<br />
 
=== Armaments ===
A typical Cylon basestar is moderately armed, and relies on unconventional means for military strength. Generally, a basestar is armed with 220<ref>[http://www.galacticabbs.com/index.php?autocom=gallery Season 3 (Collaborators) and onward]</ref><ref>[http://darthmojo.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/baseship_wallpaper.jpg]</ref><ref>[http://media.battlestarwiki.org/images/a/a3/Basestar_Weapon_Mod.JPG An image of one y structure. Two make up a basestar.]</ref> missile launchers located on the central spire, and on the arms of the vessel, which are capable of carrying nuclear or conventional tipped ship to ship, or long-range ballistic (with Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle payloads) missiles to their targets. Ballistic missiles are able to strike planetary targets from high orbit {{TRS|The Plan}}. Ship to ship missiles are easily defended against by Colonial electronic countermeasures, which lends the Cylons to rely more on the basestar's Raider compliment for for both offensive and defensive purposes.
[[File:Basestar fires missiles, "He That Believeth in Me".jpg|thumb|left|A basestar launching missiles.]]
A basestar can carry up to (and maybe even more<ref>Intelligence Debrief: Cylon Basestar, "Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine," June/July 2006, page 56.</ref>) 434 Raiders, launched from storage bays located on each arm of the ship.<ref>[http://www.galacticabbs.com/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=149903 larger section, multiply by 2: 5 rows of 17 slots, and 2 rows of 7 slots]</ref><ref>[http://www.galacticabbs.com/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=131194 smaller section, multiply by 4: 59 total slots]</ref> Upon launch, they set out to swarm the enemy target (almost like insects), while the basestar covers them with an opening salvo of ship to ship missiles. This tactic, suggests a reliance on overwhelming force to destroy a foe, since a basestar does not appear to have point-defense batteries, or heavy armoring.<ref>Intelligence Debrief: Cylon Basestar, "Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine," June/July 2006, page 57.</ref> Cylon basestars appear quite vulnerable to Colonial battlestars in close-range combat when fighter support is not prominent {{TRS|Resurrection Ship, Part II}}. From this, it can be theorized that basestars are designed primarily as carriers for the massive fleet of Raiders they carry, rather than as a front-line main battleship. Their reliance on long-distance attacks with missiles and their complement of Raiders, as well as their overall fragility seem to support this ([[TRS]]: [[Miniseries]], "[[33]]," "''[[Razor]]''," "''[[The Plan]]''").
 
=== Notes ===
* Beginning with the episode "[[Collaborators]]," a [[:File:Change.jpg|new exterior design]] is used for the basestars, bearing a sharper, more mechanical look than they previously had. This was apparently an upgrade by the visual effects crew to make the exterior reflect the interior design, which is seen for the first time in that episode.
** This new design reduces the amount of Raider bays from 792 to 434, and also adds identifiable missile launch platforms.


{{clear}}
{{clear}}


== Related Imagery ==
=== Gallery ===
 
<gallery perrow="8">
<gallery>Image:Baseship, hornet nest.jpg|[[Cylon Raider|Raiders]] being released ([[TRS]]: "[[Scattered]]").
File:Baseship, hornet nest.jpg|[[Cylon Raider|Raiders]] being released {{TRS|Scattered}}.
Image:Baseships over Caprica.jpg|Trio of basestars over Caprica ([[TRS]]: "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]").
File:Baseships over Caprica.jpg|Trio of basestars over Caprica ([[TRS]]: "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]").
Image:Dyingbasestar_306_720p.png|A basestar infected by a deadly [[Lymphocytic encephalitis|virus]] ([[TRS]]: "[[Torn]]").
File:Dyingbasestar_306_720p.png|A basestar infected by a deadly [[Lymphocytic encephalitis|virus]] {{TRS|Torn}}.
Image:Operation Raptor Talon.jpg|[[Operation Raptor Talon]] at the end of the first Cylon War ([[TRS]]: "[[Razor]]").
File:Basestar Interior 1.jpg|Baltar and a Three in a room on a basestar ([[TRS]]: "Torn").
Image:Basestar Interior 1.jpg|Baltar and a Three in a room on a basestar ([[TRS]]: "Torn").
File:Basestar Interior 2.jpg|Baltar and a Three in a corridor {{TRS|The Passage}}.
Image:Basestar Interior 2.jpg|Baltar and a Three in a corridor ([[TRS]]: "[[The Passage]]").
File:Basestar Interior 3.jpg|A basestar's hangar bay ([[TRS]]: "Torn").
Image:Basestar Interior 3.jpg|A basestar's hangar bay ([[TRS]]: "Torn").
File:Cylon membrane hatch.jpg|A membrane covers a mechanical-looking hatch of a Cylon docking slip {{TRS|Faith}}.
Image:Cylon membrane hatch.jpg|A membrane covers a mechanical-looking hatch of a Cylon docking slip ([[TRS]]: "[[Faith]]").
File:Basestars Atmospheric Entry Configuration.png|Tandem "Y" formation assumed for atmospheric entries as seen in "[[The Plan]]".
Image:Basestars Atmospheric Entry Configuration.png|Tandem "Y" formation assumed for atmospheric entries as seen in "[[The Plan]]".
File:Basestars Entering Caprica Atmosphere.png|Another view of tandem "Y".
Image:Basestars Entering Caprica Atmosphere.png|Another view of tandem "Y".
File:Basestar Missle Launchers The Plan.jpg|Basestar Weaponary.
Image:Basestar Missle Launchers The Plan.jpg|Basestar Weaponary.
File:Closeup Basestar Missle Launcher.png|Closeup of missle launcher with MIRV mounted.
Image:Closeup Basestar Missle Launcher.png|Closeup of missle launcher with MIRV mounted.
File:Retconned Basestar Raider Bays.png|Detail of primary raider bays. There are two per ship.
Image:Retconned Basestar Raider Bays.png|Detail of primary raider bays. There are two per ship.
File:Cylon Basestar Secondary Raider Bay.png|Detail of the secondary raider bays. There are four per ship.
Image:Cylon Basestar Secondary Raider Bay.png|Detail of the secondary raider bays. There are four per ship.
File:Rebel Basestar Arm Closeup.png|Arm detail.
Image:Rebel Basestar Arm Closeup.png|Arm detail.
File:New Cylon Basestar Zoic Style Shot.png|Angle shot.
Image:New Cylon Basestar Zoic Style Shot.png|Angle shot.
</gallery>
</gallery>


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


{{Ships}}
{{Ships}}
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[[es:Basestar (RDM)]]
[[zh:基地之星 (RDM)]]

Latest revision as of 22:17, 20 February 2024



A basestar (known interchangeably as a "baseship") is the most prominent example of the Cylon military presence. As the capital ship of the Cylons, the basestar appears in four forms in the Re-imagined Series.

Cylon War-era basestars

The Cylons had deployed three different variants of Basestars during the First Cylon War.

First Variant

Basestar, 1st variant
Basestar, 1st variant
Race: Cylon
Type: Military
FTL: Yes
Propulsion: Unknown
Crew: * Cylon Centurions
Capacity:
CO: {{{co}}}
XO: {{{xo}}}
Role: * Command and control
* Carrier / battleship
Weapons: {{{weapons}}}
Armaments: * Nuclear and conventional missile tubes
Defenses: * Raider screen
Aircraft: * 100+ Raider compliment
Aviation facilities: * Central hangar deck
Fate: Presumed retired
Emblem: [[Image:{{{patch}}}|175px|Ship's patch]]
Other Images: Gallery
Dimensions
Length: {{{length}}}
Width: {{{width}}}
Height: {{{height}}}
Weight: {{{weight}}}
Wingspan: {{{wingspan}}}
Other: {{{otherdi}}}
Game Information
Cost: {{{construction}}}
Construction Time: {{{construction}}}
Hull Size: {{{hull size}}}
Hull: {{{hull}}}
Mobility
FTL Cooldown: {{{ftl cooldown}}} turns
Speed: {{{speed}}} m/s
Turn Rate: {{{turn rate}}}°/turn
Armor Sum
Armor Total: {{{armor total}}}
Armor Left: {{{armor left}}}
Armor Right: {{{armor right}}}
Armor Front: {{{armor front}}}
Armor Rear: {{{armor rear}}}
Armor Top: {{{armor top}}}
Armor Bottom: {{{armor bottom}}}
Armament
DRADIS Range: {{{dradis range}}} m
Processing Power: {{{processing power}}}
Munition Slots: {{{munitions}}}
Munition Cooldown Period: {{{munition cooldown}}} turns
Squadron Slots: {{{squadrons}}}
Squadron Size: {{{squadron size}}}
Special Abilities: {{{special abilities}}}
Additional Information


The basestars in service during the 12-year Cylon War consisted of two flattened cones connected at the center by a thick pylon, giving them a conical saucer-like appearance[1] (TRS: "Razor Flashbacks").

Much like its modern counterpart, this model utilized chemically-propelled missiles (with both nuclear and conventional warheads) as the main form of offensive weaponry. Raiders were deployed from access points (totaling 8 in number) throughout a basestar's hull to provide defense. This design, as with later iterations, was capable of operating within an atmosphere (TRS: "Blood and Chrome").

The origins of the initial basestars are unclear. However, as Cylons were a creation of man in the early days before the war, it is probable that man himself (through the efforts of various colonies) designed the various ships and weapons used by the Cylons for the use in intra-colonial wars prior to the Articles of Colonization.

A model of this basestar design is displayed over 40 years later on Galactica, as part of its planned museum (TRS: "Miniseries, Night 1").

Gallery


Second Variant

Basestar, 2nd variant
Basestar, 2nd variant
Race: Cylon
Type: Military
FTL: Yes
Propulsion: Unknown
Crew: * Cylon Centurions
Capacity:
CO: {{{co}}}
XO: {{{xo}}}
Role: * Command and control
* Carrier / battleship
Weapons: {{{weapons}}}
Armaments: * Nuclear and conventional missile tubes
Defenses: * Raider screen
Aircraft: * 100+ Raider compliment
Aviation facilities: * Central hangar deck
Fate: Presumed retired
Emblem: [[Image:{{{patch}}}|175px|Ship's patch]]
Other Images: Gallery
Dimensions
Length: {{{length}}}
Width: {{{width}}}
Height: {{{height}}}
Weight: {{{weight}}}
Wingspan: {{{wingspan}}}
Other: {{{otherdi}}}
Game Information
Cost: {{{construction}}}
Construction Time: {{{construction}}}
Hull Size: {{{hull size}}}
Hull: {{{hull}}}
Mobility
FTL Cooldown: {{{ftl cooldown}}} turns
Speed: {{{speed}}} m/s
Turn Rate: {{{turn rate}}}°/turn
Armor Sum
Armor Total: {{{armor total}}}
Armor Left: {{{armor left}}}
Armor Right: {{{armor right}}}
Armor Front: {{{armor front}}}
Armor Rear: {{{armor rear}}}
Armor Top: {{{armor top}}}
Armor Bottom: {{{armor bottom}}}
Armament
DRADIS Range: {{{dradis range}}} m
Processing Power: {{{processing power}}}
Munition Slots: {{{munitions}}}
Munition Cooldown Period: {{{munition cooldown}}} turns
Squadron Slots: {{{squadrons}}}
Squadron Size: {{{squadron size}}}
Special Abilities: {{{special abilities}}}
Additional Information


A second variant Basestar was deployed by Cylon forces sometime before the 10th year of the War. This class represents a small evolutionary step from the 1st variant to the Guardian Basestar, suggesting it wasn't a one-off design. This line of Basestars can then be linked to the modern design seen after the fall of the Colonies.

This configuration features two y-shaped hulls in tandem alignment, with a 1st variant-like top and bottom hull. Missile launchers are located in between the arms of the ship, along the central axis ("Blood and Chrome").

Gallery


Third "Guardian" Variant

Basestar, 3rd "Guardian" variant
Basestar, 3rd "Guardian" variant
Race: Cylon
Type: Military
FTL: Yes
Propulsion: Unknown
Crew: * Cylon Centurions
* First Hybrid
Capacity:
CO: {{{co}}}
XO: {{{xo}}}
Role: * Hybrid research
* Carrier / battleship
Weapons: {{{weapons}}}
Armaments: * 36 twin nuclear and conventional missile tubes
Defenses: * Raider screen
Aircraft: * 100+ Raider compliment
Aviation facilities: * Central hangar deck
Fate: Destroyed, Battle of the Guardian Basestar, circa YR2 (2 ACH)
Emblem: [[Image:{{{patch}}}|175px|Ship's patch]]
Other Images: Gallery
Dimensions
Length: {{{length}}}
Width: {{{width}}}
Height: {{{height}}}
Weight: {{{weight}}}
Wingspan: {{{wingspan}}}
Other: {{{otherdi}}}
Game Information
Cost: {{{construction}}}
Construction Time: {{{construction}}}
Hull Size: {{{hull size}}}
Hull: {{{hull}}}
Mobility
FTL Cooldown: {{{ftl cooldown}}} turns
Speed: {{{speed}}} m/s
Turn Rate: {{{turn rate}}}°/turn
Armor Sum
Armor Total: {{{armor total}}}
Armor Left: {{{armor left}}}
Armor Right: {{{armor right}}}
Armor Front: {{{armor front}}}
Armor Rear: {{{armor rear}}}
Armor Top: {{{armor top}}}
Armor Bottom: {{{armor bottom}}}
Armament
DRADIS Range: {{{dradis range}}} m
Processing Power: {{{processing power}}}
Munition Slots: {{{munitions}}}
Munition Cooldown Period: {{{munition cooldown}}} turns
Squadron Slots: {{{squadrons}}}
Squadron Size: {{{squadron size}}}
Special Abilities: {{{special abilities}}}
Additional Information
Main article: Guardian basestar

Towards the end of the first Cylon War, the Cylons built a prototype basestar that had roughly the same shape as the modern basestar. The first hybrids were developed for use with this model.

It is explained by Athena that a group of Centurions calling themselves Guardians fractured from the Cylon majority with such a basestar. The belief is that they escaped to the far reaches of space to avoid being shut-down in favor of their modernized, non-sentient successors (TRS: "Razor"). The only basestar of this type known to exist was destroyed by Colonial forces shortly after its discovery.

Gallery


Modern basestar

Modern basestar
Modern basestar
Race: Cylon
Type: Military
FTL: Yes
Propulsion: Unknown
Crew: * Humanoid Cylons
* Cylon Centurions
* The Hybrid
Capacity:
CO: {{{co}}}
XO: {{{xo}}}
Role: * Command and control
* Carrier / battleship
Weapons: {{{weapons}}}
Armaments: * 220 nuclear, conventional, and ballistic missile tubes
Defenses: * Raider screen
Aircraft: * ~434 Raiders
* Heavy Raider compliment
Aviation facilities: * Central hangar deck
* 434 Raider storage bays
Fate: Unknown
Emblem: [[Image:{{{patch}}}|175px|Ship's patch]]
Other Images: Gallery
Dimensions
Length: {{{length}}}
Width: 3381.53ft (1030.69m)[2]
Height: 869.98ft (265.17m)
Weight: {{{weight}}}
Wingspan: {{{wingspan}}}
Other: {{{otherdi}}}
Game Information
Cost: {{{construction}}}
Construction Time: {{{construction}}}
Hull Size: {{{hull size}}}
Hull: {{{hull}}}
Mobility
FTL Cooldown: {{{ftl cooldown}}} turns
Speed: {{{speed}}} m/s
Turn Rate: {{{turn rate}}}°/turn
Armor Sum
Armor Total: {{{armor total}}}
Armor Left: {{{armor left}}}
Armor Right: {{{armor right}}}
Armor Front: {{{armor front}}}
Armor Rear: {{{armor rear}}}
Armor Top: {{{armor top}}}
Armor Bottom: {{{armor bottom}}}
Armament
DRADIS Range: {{{dradis range}}} m
Processing Power: {{{processing power}}}
Munition Slots: {{{munitions}}}
Munition Cooldown Period: {{{munition cooldown}}} turns
Squadron Slots: {{{squadrons}}}
Squadron Size: {{{squadron size}}}
Special Abilities: {{{special abilities}}}
Additional Information


Design

Modern basestars, built sometime before the Fall of the Twelve Colonies, are the same size as a Colonial battlestar, but are considered by the Cylons to be weaker than battleships in the Colonial Fleet. The shape of the newer basestar reflects its name, with two offset Y-shaped hulls attached at their centers by a single pylon, the warship has a distinctive "star" shape, which can rotate into a tandem-Y configuration for entry into a planetary atmosphere (TRS: "The Plan").[3]

General layout of a Cylon basestar.

The most unique aspect of a modern baseship is its organic nature. Composed of organic resin, and a large flesh-like interior, the baseship could be considered an individual organism in itself, and just like any other "injured" organism, the basestar is able to heal its wounds (battle damage) over time (TRS: "Guess What's Coming to Dinner?"). The organics are all connected the the ship's "brain," known as a Hybrid, which can control the ship's functions from firing weapons, down to performing an FTL jump.

They are equipped with a superior jump system and no visible means of sublight propulsion, lacking any engine pods or nacelles, but remain capable of chasing down a battlestar (TRS: "Exodus, Part II").

Baseships possess several conventional rooms and hallways, which are sleek but generally bland. Lighting plays a large role in the aesthetics and some rooms are furnished with clearly human objects, such as beds and couches. Humanoid Cylons project different surroundings to navigate ship corridors more easily, and to provide them with an individually pleasing environment (such as a lush forest). Data and other functions (such as analyzing visual information) are handled within a liquid computer interface that resembles a stream of water flowing over a luminous glass surface. Cylons can interact with the main computer by placing their hands in these basins (TRS: "Torn").

Command and Control

Baseship control room.

A basestar is operated by many humanoid Cylons. Up to all seven models of them issue commands for the basestar from a central command and control center. Consensus amongst models is the typical procedure, as such the process of deliberation and voting on decisions may cause the basestar to react more slowly than a battlestar's command and control in a CIC.

A basestar has a datastream, or computer network, which interfaces with the Hybrid and all aspects of the basestar's operation.


Armaments

A typical Cylon basestar is moderately armed, and relies on unconventional means for military strength. Generally, a basestar is armed with 220[4][5][6] missile launchers located on the central spire, and on the arms of the vessel, which are capable of carrying nuclear or conventional tipped ship to ship, or long-range ballistic (with Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle payloads) missiles to their targets. Ballistic missiles are able to strike planetary targets from high orbit (TRS: "The Plan"). Ship to ship missiles are easily defended against by Colonial electronic countermeasures, which lends the Cylons to rely more on the basestar's Raider compliment for for both offensive and defensive purposes.

File:Basestar fires missiles, "He That Believeth in Me".jpg
A basestar launching missiles.

A basestar can carry up to (and maybe even more[7]) 434 Raiders, launched from storage bays located on each arm of the ship.[8][9] Upon launch, they set out to swarm the enemy target (almost like insects), while the basestar covers them with an opening salvo of ship to ship missiles. This tactic, suggests a reliance on overwhelming force to destroy a foe, since a basestar does not appear to have point-defense batteries, or heavy armoring.[10] Cylon basestars appear quite vulnerable to Colonial battlestars in close-range combat when fighter support is not prominent (TRS: "Resurrection Ship, Part II"). From this, it can be theorized that basestars are designed primarily as carriers for the massive fleet of Raiders they carry, rather than as a front-line main battleship. Their reliance on long-distance attacks with missiles and their complement of Raiders, as well as their overall fragility seem to support this (TRS: Miniseries, "33," "Razor," "The Plan").

Notes

  • Beginning with the episode "Collaborators," a new exterior design is used for the basestars, bearing a sharper, more mechanical look than they previously had. This was apparently an upgrade by the visual effects crew to make the exterior reflect the interior design, which is seen for the first time in that episode.
    • This new design reduces the amount of Raider bays from 792 to 434, and also adds identifiable missile launch platforms.


Gallery

References

  1. This basestar design seen in the Miniseries and later in "Razor" is an obvious homage to the basestar seen in the Original Series. However, its weaponry (if not also its command structure) is markedly different than its 1978 counterpart per the "realistic" goals of Ron Moore's essay on Naturalistic science fiction in Battlestar.
  2. The following was posted by Lee Stringer on StarshipBuilder.com forums, which are no longer available: "Width: 1030.69m Length: 856.1m (two arm side) + 1039.87m (single arm side) Height: 132.586m (Each Piece), 265.172m Total". Because of its ratio to the stated width, the overall length must have been measured on one of the three-arm pieces, meaning the full ship is slightly longer.
  3. From 1:49 to 2:04
  4. Season 3 (Collaborators) and onward
  5. [1]
  6. An image of one y structure. Two make up a basestar.
  7. Intelligence Debrief: Cylon Basestar, "Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine," June/July 2006, page 56.
  8. larger section, multiply by 2: 5 rows of 17 slots, and 2 rows of 7 slots
  9. smaller section, multiply by 4: 59 total slots
  10. Intelligence Debrief: Cylon Basestar, "Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine," June/July 2006, page 57.