Basestar (TRS)

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
[show/hide spoilers] Spoilers hidden in infobox by default only.
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:	[[File:{{{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. ^{(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

• 
  A first variant Basestar hovering over Caprica City.
• 
  Operation Raptor Talon at the end of the first Cylon War ^{(TRS: "Razor")}.

Second Variant

Basestar, 2nd variant
[show/hide spoilers] Spoilers hidden in infobox by default only.
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:	[[File:{{{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

• 
  A second variant Basestar over the ice moon Djerba.
• 
  A second variant Basestar launches Raiders.

Third "Guardian" Variant

Basestar, 3rd "Guardian" variant
[show/hide spoilers] Spoilers hidden in infobox by default only.
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:	[[File:{{{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

• 
  Escaping the ice planet.

Modern basestar

Modern basestar
[show/hide spoilers] Spoilers hidden in infobox by default only.
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:	[[File:{{{patch}}}|175px|Ship's patch]]
Other Images:	Gallery
Dimensions
Length:	{{{length}}}
Width:	3381.53ft (1030.69m)
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")}.

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")}.

Hybrid Control Systems

The Hybrid serves as the central control system for modern Cylon basestars, functioning as the ship's biological "brain." According to Athena, the Hybrids were originally created by the Cylons as a means to evolve beyond their mechanical origins into biological forms, representing a first attempt at organic development that was later considered a failure by Cylon leadership.

Despite being deemed evolutionary dead ends, enough Hybrids were created to serve as control systems for the basestars before the project was abandoned in favor of the humanoid Cylon models. The Hybrid's immersion in a specialized tank allows it to interface directly with all basestar functions, coordinating everything from navigation to weapons systems through its continuous stream of consciousness dialogue ^{(TRS: "Razor")}.

The physical environment surrounding the Hybrid consists of warm water mixed with Tempera paint to create the characteristic milky appearance, maintained at carefully controlled temperatures by the crew.

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.

Human Prisoners

Cylon basestars are capable of holding human prisoners for extended periods. According to Lieutenant Novacek's account of his six-year captivity, basestars contain detention facilities with individual cells equipped with basic life support systems.

The October 25, 2006 "Full Collated" version of Eick's screenplay reveals that the Cylons use human captives for psychological experimentation and intelligence gathering. Novacek describes being subjected to elaborate psychological torture scenarios, including being forced to interact with Cylon models he initially believed were fellow human prisoners. These "games" were designed to break down the prisoners' psychological defenses and gather intelligence about Colonial military operations and personnel.

When asked directly by Baltar about other human prisoners, a Doral model confirms that humans "have their uses" aboard basestars, though he provides no specific details about their treatment or numbers.

Armaments

A typical Cylon basestar is moderately armed, and relies on unconventional means for military strength. Generally, a basestar is armed with 220 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.

A basestar can carry up to (and maybe even more) 434 Raiders, launched from storage bays located on each arm of the ship. 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. 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, Night 1", "33", "Razor" and "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

• 
  Raiders being released ^{(TRS: "Scattered")}.
• 
  Trio of basestars over Caprica (TRS: "Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II").
• 
  A basestar infected by a deadly virus ^{(TRS: "Torn")}.
• 
  Baltar and a Three in a room on a basestar (TRS: "Torn").
• 
  Baltar and a Three in a corridor ^{(TRS: "The Passage")}.
• 
  A basestar's hangar bay (TRS: "Torn").
• 
  A membrane covers a mechanical-looking hatch of a Cylon docking slip ^{(TRS: "Faith")}.
• 
  Tandem "Y" formation assumed for atmospheric entries as seen in "The Plan".
• 
  Another view of tandem "Y".
• 
  Basestar Weaponary.
• 
  Closeup of missle launcher with MIRV mounted.
• 
  Detail of primary raider bays. There are two per ship.
• 
  Detail of the secondary raider bays. There are four per ship.
• 
  Arm detail.
• 
  Angle shot.

References