List of terms (TOS alternate)

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Part of the series on Battlestar Galactica Terminology

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Like the show, the comics or novels based on the Original Series, and its spinoff, Galactica 1980, use different terminology in order to make the universe visceral to the reader. This array of terminology, used by both the Colonials and Cylons, consists of military jargon, colloquialisms, sayings, and technical terms.

This page does not serve to regurgitate or repeat terminologies used in both series, but terms that only appear in both the comics and novels. Each section is separated by publisher (Berkley, Marvel, Realm Press, et al.), in order to make the continuities clear.

Berkley novelizations

• germicide: part of a Warrior's medkit. Given the use of the suffix "-cide", this substance kills germs.
• viruscide: part of a Warrior's medkit. Given the use of the suffix "-cide", this substance kills viruses.

Dynamite Entertainment comics

Cultural

• Boray fracker: a derogatory term specifically disparaging a targeted party as "Boray shit"; Starbuck uses this when engaging on his bombing run on Tessida (Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse #3).
• countess: honorific for a Colonial female aristocrat, c.f. Sephoni (Battlestar Galactica: Death of Apollo #1).
• daggit dribble: a kinder version of "felgercarb"; Cassiopeia uses this when Starbuck lies his way out of the real reason he wants to talk to Cassiopeia before a mission to attack the Cylon mainframe at Tessida (Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse #1).
• daggit fracker: a variation of "dog shit"; Starbuck tells the Cylons to "eat this, daggit frackers!" as he and Apollo take on the Centurion stealth team that boarded Galactica (Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse #1).
• felger-hole: "shit hole"; Boomer calls Tessida this when making his landing run to recover Starbuck (Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse #4).
• for Sagan's sake: a statement issued in exasperation; Starbuck exclaims this after a red alert alarm goes off in response to Galactica's boarding by a Cylon stealth team (Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse #1).
• flark: an alternative of the word frack in an alternate reality, hewing more toward the vulgarism "fuck" than "shit" (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #3).
• Larson's Apogee in C-Minor: a Colonial piano piece played by Baltar (Galactica 1980 #2).
• Mother of Hermes: variation of the phrase "Mother of God"; Tassos uses this exclamation when Starbuck wrings Tassos by his tunic (Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse #3).
• nutszoidal: crazy, in a state of immense frustration (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #9).
• perdition's name: a form of "devil's name"; Adama uses this in an exasperated inquiry regarding a Cylon stealth team boarding Galactica (Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse #1).
• soil-grown mushies: a Colonial foodstuff believed by some to be a higher-quality counterpart to the more commonplace hydronic mushies; Starbuck won three cases of these in order to barter for a ring featuring Geminese sapphires for Cassiopeia (Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse #1-#3).
• Spirit of Caprica: a saying often used in exaltation of an unbelievable miracle; Adama utters this—"Spirit of Caprica preserve us."—when believing they have found Earth within a storm zone (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #8).

Cylons

• alphad: equivalent to the Colonial "alpha," such a letter is used in the code confirming the legitimacy of the super basestar's critical reactor failure (Battlestar Galactica: Death of Apollo #4).
• betan: equivalent to the Colonial "beta," such a letter is used in the code confirming the legitimacy of the super basestar's critical reactor failure (Battlestar Galactica: Death of Apollo #4).
• cautionary myth: early Cylon conditional programming that was unsuccessful, and "remembered" only by IL-series units, e.g. Lucifer (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 3 #4).
• clankies: Colonial slang for Cylons; used by Boxey during Adama's Fleet-wide speech (Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse #1).
• Meclons: a rogue cast of Cylons from Cylon cautionary myths, and later applied to Iblis Cylon forces (Battlestar Galactica: Folly of the Gods).
• tin horn: Colonial slang for Cylons; used by the black market merchant aboard Rising Star from whom Starbuck acquires an engagement ring for Cassiopeia (Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse #1).

Material

• chromium: a material used in the threading of Colonial uniform braiding (Battlestar Galactica: Starbuck #4).
• Geminese sapphire: a red precious gemstone used in jewelry; Starbuck acquires a ring made with these sapphires in order to propose marriage to Cassiopeia (Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse #3).

Military

General

• blue shift: duty cycle 12 centars in length, beginning in the evening and ending in the early morning (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #6).
• cerebral law: law enacted by Doctor Gaius Zee when assuming total command of the Fleet after Adama's death at the hands of the Thirteenth Tribe (Galactica 1980 #2).
• command blues: slang for the uniform worn by officers, like Tigh and Athena (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #9).
• Command Core: alternate name for Core Command (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #7).
• contact alarm: klaxon denoting potential enemy contact (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #8).
• D-com Warrior: "Decompression Colonial Warrior," equipped to handle decompression situations; a force of D-com Warriors is dispatched to repel a Cylon boarding party that attempts to recover the nano-cybrid from Galactica's science deck (Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse #2).
• defense net: a network of automated defenses around each of the Colonies (Battlestar Galactica: Starbuck #1).
• habitation chamber or hab-pod: crew quarters, such as those aboard Galactica (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #9).
• half-cycle handover: the transition period between military shifts (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #6).
• Officer of the Watch: commanding officer in effective command during a duty cycle (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #6).
• Q-Cache: a military storage depot, many are placed throughout known space for Colonial forces to resupply (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #2).
• red shift: duty cycle 12 centars in length, beginning in the morning and ending in the early evening (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #6).
• time cycle: a military work shift (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #6).
• top tier: the top most tier of Core Command, where the Commander's Station is located (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #6).

Squadrons and Forces

• Blue Flight/Blue Squadron: interchangeable designation for a fighter squadron
  • During the events of leading up to Adama's Gambit, Blue Flight was lead by Apollo, consisting of Boomer, Jolly, and Sheba (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #6).
• Blue Leader: leader of Blue Flight (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #6).
• blue patrol: identifier for a patrol dispatched from Galactica (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #8).
• Bronze Star Squadron: Galactica squadron (Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse #3).
• Red Flight/Red Squadron: interchangeable designation for a fighter squadron
  • During the events of leading up to Adama's Gambit, Red Flight was lead by Starbuck, consisting of Breena, Greenbean, and Hightail (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #6).
• Red Leader: leader of Blue Flight (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #6).
• Silver Spar Squadron: Pegasus squadron, reassigned to Galactica following the Battle of Gamoray, later lead (at times) by Lieutenant Sheba (Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse #3).

Strategies

• Attack Pattern Omega: a defensive posture employed by Lucifer's Raiders against the Meclons (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 3 #2).
• Beton Beton Five: a defense strategy employed during Adama's Gambit, ordered by Athena (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #11).
• Diamond Spread: flight pattern employed by Vipers (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #6).
• trailing line: flight pattern employed by Vipers (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #6).

Technology

• datanet: an information network, e.g. internet; each colony has its own, such as the Aerian datanet for Aeries (Battlestar Galactica: Starbuck #2).
• deep-pulse: form of long-range scanning technology employed by the Colonials (Battlestar Galactica: Death of Apollo #1).
• emergency tracker: device outfitted on Colonial Vipers, used to track (or allow tracking of) other Vipers in need of assistance (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #4).
• environment mask: basic breathing apparatus meant for short-term emergency use; Dr. Wilker keeps such in his lab, and they are later put to use during the Cylon boarding of Galactica (Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse #2).
• exo-lifter: a mechanical apparatus, likely an exoskeleton (ergo, "exo") capable of heavy-duty tasks (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #6).
• fusion missile: ranged offensive ordnance of battlestars (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #11).
• gamma frequency field: energy dampening field; in order to prevent communications to other Cylons, Boomer engages such a field around a Centurion prisoner while it is restrained in Galactica's detention chamber (Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse #2).
• gravitic warhead: ordnance capable of collapsing a wormhole; Adama deploys it upon the Canopus wormhole in order to prevent further Cylon pursuit of the Fleet (Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse #4).
• holo-cube: a hand-held digital device in the shape of a cube, capable of projecting a holographic image (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #1).
• planetary expeditionary vehicle carrier: also known as a "PEV" craft; Gemini is such a craft and is capable of launching smaller craft (such as turbines) on a planet's surface (Galactica 1980 #4).
• pocket grenade: explosive anti-personnel device carried by Colonial Warriors; Starbuck uses a device to cause a hull breach in Dr. Wilker's science lab when the Cylons attempt to recover the nano-cybrid (Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse #2).
• radiation charge: device capable of emitting radiation, enough to render tylium worthless (Battlestar Galactica Annual 2014).
• radiotelegraph probe: form of long-range scanning technology employed by the Colonials (Battlestar Galactica: Death of Apollo #1).
• stealth probe: clandestine Colonial reconnaissance device (Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse #1).
• tractor field: technology used to ensnare spacecraft; in an alternate reality, a Raider ensnares Starbuck's Temporal Viper in one (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #2).

Temporal Mechanics

• temporal storm: a convergence of tachyon and other energies capable of bridging two disparate realities (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #2 & #5).
• temporal drive / t-drive: engine powering the temporal warper (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #5).
• temporal weapon: defensive/offensive technology capable of warping space-time for military purposes that, due to its inherently unpredictable and far-reaching nature, the Colonials have outlawed (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #1).
• time mirage: a form of temporal displacement where, to a viewer, an object is frozen in space-time, but interaction with it is impossible (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #2).
• time-warp or temporal warp: a means of conveyance of an object in both space and time, either controlled or uncontrolled (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #2).

Units of Measure

• light-yahren: Colonial term for lightyear (Galactica 1980 #1).

Miscellany

• aldarium belt: asteroid belt; Starbuck promises Serina that he would bring Apollo back from his mission, even if it meant dragging him a hundred hectars through this belt (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 1 #1).
• decompression sickness: a physically and mentally exhausting event occurring after experiencing atmospheric decompression; Starbuck blames this sickness after awakening in life sciences and mis-identifying Cassiopeia as Aurora (Battlestar Galactica: Cylon Apocalypse #1).
• delta-class telepath: individual possessing high psionic potential, capable of being detected by hand scanners (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #9).
• first contact: a Colonial protocol dealing with communications to a new civilization (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #9).
• full retro: engine on full burn, Starbuck compares Doctor Madusa beauty to being "hotter than a thruster on full retro" (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #7).
• handshake signal: the opening transmission commencing first contact protocols (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #9).
• Hovian: a sector containing a planet known for its unique magnetic field, capable of attracting derelict ships much like Iblis' planet (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 3 #1).
• hyper-fast: euphemism for extreme speed (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #6).
• mega-static discharge: created by high energons that can accumulate around craft before they eventually discharge (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #6).
• positive array lock: a sensor lock (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #9).
• power-dead: electrical blackout (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #6).
• protein bar: foodstuff (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 1 #1).
• telepathic overload: a mental condition, the result of using psionic potential beyond the human mind's ability to cope (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #9).
• ticophine: chemical in fumarello products causing withdrawal symptoms, akin to nicotine (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 1 #1).
• ventle steak: a type of meat, known to be served cooked (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 1 #1).
• void lightning: electrical discharges within a quantum storm zone (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #6).

Marvel Comics

• armistice: a term referring to the falsely believed-in peace between the Colonials and Cylons (Annihilation!).
• liesuron: a furlough; Apollo tells Zac that he expects that all the Warriors will be given this after the armistice (Annihilation!).
  • Note: This is an alternate spelling of the canonical term "leisuron," also used by Apollo when discussing his participation in the recon patrol prior to the Battle of Cimtar (TOS: "Saga of a Star World").
• quadron: a unit of astral distance; the Imperious Leader's basestar is "several hundred quadrons" away from Carillon (Deathtrap!).
• supreme star force: Cylon attack force; Imperious Leader dispatches the star force stationed at Borallus to attack the Fleet at Carillon (Deathtrap!).

Maximum Press comics

• ion storm: a spacial disturbance, one that creates a malfunction in Cylon 8765 (The Rebirth of Cy, Part 1).

Unproduced Scripts

• barrier wave: a wave of turbulence, such a wave strikes Galactica and the Fleet during their proximity to the Beta Triangle (TOS: "The Beta Pirates").
• Fix-it: robotic machines that serve to repair ships, and are part of the salvage tug sent to repair the Gemini freighter. During Boomer and Starbuck's review of the salvage tug's checklist, they check the readiness of the "Heavy-duty Fix-it" and the "Electronics Fix-it" (TOS: "The Beta Pirates").
• forcewave: another term for barrier wave (TOS: "The Beta Pirates").
• quarter-milliton: a time unit (TOS: "The Beta Pirates").
• gyroball: a spherical toy larger than a marble (TOS: "I Have Seen Earth").
• sentinel buoy: a spheroid spy satellite with lens-systems and sensors that is used by the Cylons. One such satellite detects Galactica as she and her Fleet skirt the outer boundary of the Beta Triangle (TOS: "The Beta Pirates").

Original Series definition: a domesticated canine, e.g. dog (see: daggit)

Original Series definition: a food (see: mushies)

Original Series definition: an all-purpose term for Colonial soldier and Viper pilot (see: Warrior)

Original Series definition: unit of time akin to a "day"

Re-imagined Series definition: initial skills training; can refer to basic military indoctrination, and arms and ground training (TRS: "Fragged"); and basic flight training (TRS: "Miniseries")

Re-imagined Series definition: equivalent of "square," a socially awkward person (CAP: "The Imperfections of Memory")

Original Series definition: unit of time akin to a "year" (see: Yahren)

Original Series definition: region of space or planet, see also Quadrant. Usually named after a Greek letter (space sectors), or a geographic formation on the surface of a planet (geographic sector, e.g. Sector Hekla on the planet Arcta")

Original Series definition: another type of food

Re-imagined Series definition: used to signify a civilian transport vessel over a certain gross weight/mass, i.e. Colonial Heavy 798