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Image:Centurion pair.jpg|A pair of Centurions aboard the Guardian basestar ([[Razor]]). | |||
Image:Centurion POV.jpg|A view of the world as seen by a Centurion ([[Razor Flashbacks]]). | Image:Centurion POV.jpg|A view of the world as seen by a Centurion ([[Razor Flashbacks]]). | ||
Image:Centurion scrap.jpg|Destroyed Centurion (Razor). | |||
Image:Centurion_armor_old.jpg|Cylon Centurion (Armor) on display ([[Miniseries]]). | Image:Centurion_armor_old.jpg|Cylon Centurion (Armor) on display ([[Miniseries]]). | ||
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Revision as of 13:07, 6 January 2008
- This article discusses the robotic Cylons seen in the Cylon War of the Re-imagined Series. For information on the robotic Centurions from the Original Series, see Centurion (TOS). For information on the advanced successor to Model 0005, see Cylon Centurion.
The original Cylon Centurion[1], created and designed by scientists of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, is a model of Cylon used in various heavy to light labor and military applications.[2] Before the Cylon War, the model earned the nickname of "walking chrome toasters" due to their physical appearance (Miniseries).
Design[edit]
The original Model 0005 (henceforth referred to as a "Centurion") are bipedal androids, with an average height of 6'6"[3] and comprised of silver-chrome plating. Physically stronger than a human, the Model 0005 is designed with sufficient dexterity for using weapons as well as tools, and possess retractable blades in its left forearm.
Unlike their successors, Centurions do not possess built-in projectile weapons and thus use chrome-plated sub-machine guns. There are indications that Centurions also used bladed weapons such as swords[4], at least in the early years of the Cylon War, for such weapons were absent during the final days of that war.[5] Centurions are also capable of electronic speech, by which they primarily communicate, although this feature was apparently never transferred to their successors.
The Colonials do not consider this model neither fast nor extremely efficient, but Centurions are still deadly in close quarters.
Its two iconic features are the one Cylon "eye" that glows red and pulsates back and forth in a visor-like slot, a feature that is transferred over to the post-war Raider and Centurion, in addition to the chrome plating. The chrome plating earned the Cylons the reputation of being "walking chrome toasters".
A gold-colored Centurion resembling the Command Centurions of the Original Series is seen in "Razor". It is not known if this Centurion is considered a 0005 or a separate model altogether.
Demeanor[edit]
The Colonial-designed Centurion used artificial intelligence, and was designed as sentient.[6]
Sometime, 52 years prior to the Fall of the Colonies, the Model 0005 rebels against humanity. For twelve years, the Cylon War pits the Colonial's constructs against them. Eventually, these models accept an armistice and leave the Colonies to form their own homeworld.
Saul Tigh, a veteran of the Cylon War, recalls the Cylon boarding of the Brenik, and how he could sense the hatred that the Cylons had for humanity, despite the physical inability for the Cylons to show emotion on their faces (deleted scene from "Scattered"). This reflection of animosity and intensity is also apparent in the stylized Monclair painting in William Adama's quarters, which shows Model 0005s fighting using relatively primitive weapons.
Before the second Cylon conflict, this original Cylon model was the only Cylon design confirmed to be known to the Colonials. With the destruction of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, the Model 0005 is apparently no longer in use, as the Cylons have evolved themselves to the enhanced, agile, non-sentient Centurion version and the sentient humanoid Cylons.
Unlike the modern Centurions, the old Centurions speak among each other to give and acknowledge orders. In addition, they use the phrase "By your command" when issued an order by a superior Centurion [7] (Razor).
Guardians[edit]
The Guardians are a group of original Centurions who somehow escaped from being scrapped when the newer humanoid models replaced the sentient Centurions with their non-sentient successors. They still use Raiders from the First Cylon War and appear to operate entirely from a single basestar, a model which represents an intermediate between the Cylon-war era and current design. Their existence is somewhat of a Cylon legend, suggesting they have no contact with the modern Cylons.
The Centurions guard the original Hybrid, who is still alive over 40 years after its creation. They seek to further their evolution, and to this end they capture and experiment upon a human civilian science team from Galactica. This triggers a battle in which the Guardians' basestar and the Hybrid are destroyed (Razor). It is unknown whether all of the Centurions are aboard the basestar when it is destroyed.
Connection to the Original Series[edit]
The readable text of the Armistice Officer's Cylon Specifications sheet shows:
-
CYLON SPECIFICATIONS -
Cylon Centurian [8][sic] Model 0005 - The Cylon:
A Cylon is a bipedal robot. They are self-aware, and usually quite logical. They are not especially fast, but they are quite strong. They are artificial in nature, and are larger than a human, around 6' 6" (2m), although this varies with their type. Cylon eyes glow red, and pulse back and forth. A Cylon is powered by internal powercells which allow it to function without outside aid for around nine to ten yahrens.[9]
Related imagery[edit]
-
A pair of Centurions aboard the Guardian basestar (Razor). -
A view of the world as seen by a Centurion (Razor Flashbacks). -
Destroyed Centurion (Razor). -
Cylon Centurion (Armor) on display (Miniseries).
Notes[edit]
- Centurions in "Razor" and the Razor Flashbacks move with greater agility and speed than their Original Series counterparts, and utilize projectile weapons instead of a laser pistol or laser rifle.
- A built-in switchblade knife is part of the left hand/forearm. The blade is approximately 8 inches long and is used in close combat (Razor Flashbacks).
- In a scene in the Miniseries, some children can be seen running around in costumes which are patterned after this model.
- The typical catchphrase of the Cylons in both series is the iconic statement "By your command."
References[edit]
- ↑ This model is identical in appearance to the Original Series version of the Centurion as an homage to the original characters. This version appears only as a museum copy and in "Razor".
- ↑ Some information was gleaned from the paperwork on the Cimtar Peace Accord reviewed by the Armistice Officer in the Miniseries.
- ↑ This information comes from the Armistice Officer's documentation in the Miniseries.
- ↑ In the Miniseries, two children can be seen wearing Centurion masks and waving swords while at play. Additionally, William Adama has a Monclair painting depicting a battle in the Cylon War, in which swords are used by Centurions, in addition to a sword directly underneath. This may be a replica or an actual sword from the war.
- ↑ Neither the Guardians nor the Centurions seen in "Razor" appear with these weapons. More than likely, such weapons were outmoded in favor of the retractable blades in the left forearm.
- ↑ William Adama and Sharon Agathon confirm this point in season 3 episodes that explain why the advanced successors to the Model 0005 are not sentient: To prevent an intra-Cylon uprising between the humanoid Cylons and their creations.
- ↑ The three Centurions flying an old Raider is a direct copy of many similar scenes in the Original Series and the biggest homage to it so far.
- ↑ There is some debate among fans regarding the canonical spelling of this model's name. Centurions were professional officers of the Roman Army, and are widely acknowledged as the basis of the Cylon name. Some official material, such as the on-screen appearance of the Armistice Officer's datasheet and the packaging of the original Mattel action figures, used the spelling "Centurian." For the purposes of this wiki, the spelling "Centurion" is used throughout.
- ↑ A continuity error or gaffe appears in the Armistice Officer's documents with the use of the word "yahren" (an Original Series measure of a year).