Galactica (TOS-RH)

This article has a separate continuity. This article is in the Richard Hatch continuation separate continuity, which is related to the Original Series. Be sure that your contributions to this article reflect the characters and events specific to this continuity only.

Galactica is the last known surviving battlestar, which leads the "Rag-Tag Fugitive Fleet" on a lonely quest to find Earth.

Built about 6842, Galactica differs from other battlestars of her ilk with the addition of a sanctuary, built and hidden in secret as directed by members of the House of Kobol (RH: Armageddon). More than five centuries old by 7360, the battlestar was constructed with this sanctuary integrated into its design, done without the knowledge of the other Colonies (RH: Armageddon).

Despite the brief reunion with Commander Cain's Pegasus ^{(TOS: "The Living Legend")}, survivors of the human race believed Galactica to be the last battlestar to survive the Cylons' assault against the Colonies, until a later reunion with this battleship and Cain's new fleet after 7360 (RH: Warhawk).

Layout

Quarters

Galactica's crew quarters are compartmentalized: ship's crew and infantry are housed on a single deck, distinctly separate and distant from the pilots' berths. The pilots' quarters are situated in close proximity to the launch bays to facilitate rapid deployment.

The officers' wing of the crew and infantry deck features warm green walls, adorned with lamps set every few metrons for aesthetics rather than practical illumination. The corridor floors echo footsteps, particularly noticeable during light cycle when the wing is largely deserted.

At the time of Adama's passing in 7360, the commander's quarters, while located on this singular deck, featured no signage identifying said quarters as his—a tradition that Apollo agreed with. The commander of the battlestar is expected to take up residence in these quarters, likely due to its proximity to a secret and well-hidden sanctuary that can only be accessed through the commander's quarters (RH: Armageddon).

Sanctuary

Accessible only through the commander's quarters via a door that, in any other compartment, would have been mistaken for a closet, is a Kobollian sanctuary. This private sanctuary is a storehouse of surviving Kobollian knowledge, doubling as a place for meditation and the practice of Kobollian mental arts for metamorphosing into a higher state of consciousness.

Entry to the sanctuary requires voice identification. Upon approaching the door, one must announce: "Apollo, son of Adama and the House of Kobol" (or appropriate identification). The sanctuary's secured computer system then performs a unique voice comparison before granting access (RH: Armageddon).

Within the oval room stands a tall antique wooden chair—one of the few such pieces left in all the Fleet—the only item in the sanctuary that gives off warmth, particularly in stark contrast to the smooth, cold surroundings that both gleam and shimmer. A second seat of plasteen provides additional seating.

The walls of the sanctuary are adorned with star maps drawn from legend, featuring not only the Twelve Colonies of Man, but also Kobol and the solar system of Earth. These star maps are etched with galaxies that unwind like clocksprings.

Kobollian Computer

The centerpiece of the sanctuary is an ancient Kobollian computer that outpaces Colonial technology of the seventh millennium. Despite being more than five centuries old, it remains light years ahead of other computers aboard Galactica or any ship in the Fleet.

The computer's design is almost organic in nature, with sides curving up and around "as if to embrace the user," featuring a glittering gold and silver shell. A single red eye light serves as an awareness indicator, oddly disquieting yet familiar and comforting. Unlike other computers in the Fleet that have both holographic and flatscreen modes, this ancient machine projects only holographic images.

The system possesses advanced capabilities including:

• Three-dimensional holographic recording and playback
• Voice-activated systems
• Secure voice comparison authentication
• Storage of historical records and Kobollian teachings

Commander Adama used this computer to record his final message for Apollo, which played automatically when Apollo first entered the sanctuary after his father's death (RH: Armageddon).

Kobollian Traditions

According to the Books of the Lords of Kobol, the sanctuary and its secrets are passed down to the eldest child only. Unless there is no second-generation heir by the time the eldest reaches fifty yahren, no one else is allowed within the sanctuary. This tradition meant that Athena was initially excluded from the sanctuary's knowledge, though Apollo later chose to include her following their father's death (RH: Warhawk).

The sanctuary serves as a place of power, spirituality, and focus for the commander, built with the intent that the commander would always be someone of Kobollian blood, descended from the Lords of Kobol themselves (RH: Warhawk).

Celestial Viewing Chamber

Located in the uppermost reaches of Galactica, immediately above the topside engineering area, is a celestial viewing chamber. This chamber, one of the areas that has fallen into disuse over the yahren, was possibly designed for navigation by the stars or perhaps divination in ancient times.

The chamber constantly hums with the noise of the battlestar's engines due to its proximity to engineering. Few people know of its existence, and it serves as another private meditation space, though unlike the sanctuary, it does not place the occupant completely out of contact—even another telepath can reach someone there (RH: Warhawk).

Technical Specifications

Fighter Complement

Galactica is adorned with two long fighter bays, one on either side of the battlestar. Each bay is split in half, with the fore section acting as launch bay and the aft section reserved for landing. Galactica carries a complement of seventy-five Vipers, with the capacity to launch twenty—ten from each bay—almost simultaneously.

Hostilities against the Cylons and other enemies dealt a devastating blow to the battlestar's Viper contingent over time. At the lowest point, fighter numbers dropped to fewer than forty operational Vipers. Following the discovery of a mineral-rich planetoid in 7352, the Fleet was able to rebuild its fighter strength through construction of Azure-class Vipers and later Scarlet-class Vipers (RH: Armageddon).

Bridge and Command Systems

Galactica's bridge serves as the nerve center of both the battlestar and the Fleet. The command deck features a central position for the commanding officer, with various stations arrayed around it for navigation, weapons, communications, and tactical operations.

Throughout the 18 yahren since the Battle at Galaxy's Edge, Galactica has been upgraded with new technologies. All computer systems are automated, with each console featuring both flatscreen and holographic functions. The systems are controlled by voice commands, a feature first introduced during the events of "Murder on the Rising Star".

On the bridge, voice response programs are keyed to individual officers' voices to avoid conflicting voice commands from multiple personnel within earshot. As of 7360, these features are still being tested but are functional enough for military use (RH: Armageddon).

Communications

Galactica features advanced communications systems including:

• S-cube: Simulcast sight-and-sound units similar to videocameras, providing three-dimensional visual commlink displays
• Unicomm: Fleet-wide broadcast capability for addressing all ships simultaneously
• Narrow-beam transmissions: Coded deep-space signals for secure communications
• Inter-ship commlinks: Communication between Galactica and other battlestars or Fleet vessels

Damage Control and Life Support

The battlestar features comprehensive damage control systems with automated diagnostic capabilities. When damaged, system alarms sound and damage reports are compiled automatically. The ship's infrastructure includes multiple redundant systems to maintain life support even during combat damage.

Klaxons and alarm systems alert the crew to battle stations and emergency conditions throughout the vessel (RH: Resurrection).

Enhancements and Modifications

Throughout the 18 yahren since the Battle at Galaxy's Edge in "The Hand of God," Galactica has undergone numerous upgrades:

• Voice-controlled computer systems and instrumentation
• Automated console operations with dual flatscreen and holographic displays
• Voice-keyed response programs for individual officers
• Enhanced scanner and sensor technology
• Quantum Shift Effect (QSE) capability, stolen from Cylon technology and integrated into the battlestar's systems

As of 7360, voice control features remain under testing but are operational for military purposes (RH: Armageddon).

Operational History

Construction and Secret Purpose

Galactica was constructed approximately 6842, making it roughly 500 yahren old by the time of the Fleet's exodus. Unlike other battlestars, Galactica was built with a hidden Kobollian sanctuary integrated into its design, constructed in secret without the knowledge of the other Colonies. This was done with the intent that the battlestar would always be commanded by someone of pure Kobollian blood, a descendant of the Lords of Kobol (RH: Armageddon, Warhawk).

Post-Exodus Service

Following the Cylon attack on the Twelve Colonies of Man in 7342, Galactica became the last known surviving battlestar and protector of the refugee Fleet. Under Commander Adama's leadership, the battlestar led the "rag-tag fugitive fleet" on its journey to find Earth.

After Adama's death in 7360, command passed to his son, Commander Apollo, and later shared responsibilities with Colonel Athena (RH: Armageddon).

Throughout its service, Galactica engaged in numerous battles against Cylon forces, the Chitain, and other threats encountered during the exodus (RH: Armageddon) (RH: Warhawk) (RH: Resurrection).