Segis (TOS-RH)

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Segis is the apparent leader of the caretakers of Kobol's underground mirror city, later revealed to be a disguise for Count Iblis.

Biography

Initial contact

Segis first makes contact with Apollo and the Fleet remotely, appearing aboard Galactica as a robed woman. She is infuriatingly calm and evasive, vowing that "All will be revealed in its time." When Apollo requests some token of faith or gesture of trust, Segis cryptically responds, "To pick something up, Commander, you must first place something down." She repeatedly states "All things in due time," refusing to provide direct answers to Apollo's concerns.

Segis laughs softly in a way that Apollo recognizes from somewhere, somehow—a laugh that sets off tripwires and alarms in his mind. She explains that coordinates for meeting her have already been forwarded to Galactica's computers. When Apollo asks if she is alone, Segis responds coyly, "Did you think I was alone?" She gestures with her robed arms spreading like wings, reminding Apollo of either angel wings or the wings of a noble hunting avion.

Meeting on Kobol

When the Colonial delegation arrives on Kobol's surface, they are led by Talen through the ruins to meet Segis in the presidium of the underground mirror city. Segis stands with one hand behind her back, the other lightly holding the stem of a blossoming flower, inhaling its fragrance. She appears not to notice the group's approach until they are mere feet away, then turns to greet them with a slight and dignified bow.

Segis greets them with "Welcome home, children of Kobol," speaking in mellifluous and purring tones. She studies the travelers with dark, penetrating eyes, stopping momentarily on Apollo before settling on Commander Cain. She explains that their return has been prophesied in ancient writings in the temple above them, and that the way has been prepared. She reveals that once the Fleet determined to take the journey through quantum space, the caretakers were able to remotely input coordinates that brought them to Kobol rather than their originally intended destination, which was overrun by Cylons.

Caretaker claims

Segis spreads her robed arms expansively and explains that she and her servants are "the caretakers of this city," having lived there for succeeding generations since the last humans left for the stars many millennia ago. She claims knowledge of the Cylons but states that they have no way of detecting the caretakers' presence due to a unique protective shield. When Apollo questions how their ships could remain undetected, Segis explains they are screened by the same protective energy.

Segis walks with the group through the mirror city, with Talen following two paces behind her as if Talen is not of equal station but rather her servant. When asked who built the city, Segis explains that the Colonials' ancestors—the ancient Kobollians—built it to house the last generation of its people and preserve their sacred records, stating that all the information and wisdom of the ancients can be found there. She claims it is not the caretakers' place to examine these ancient texts, as they are merely the caretakers.

When Tigh asks if she is Kobollian, Segis responds that all humanoid races come from Kobollian blood, as the Kobollians long ago seeded the stars. She describes herself and the caretakers as "a distant branch" of the human race.

Apollo's suspicions

Apollo attempts to use his telepathic abilities to probe Segis's mind, opening his consciousness like flower petals unfolding. His consciousness brushes against hers, and for a moment he thinks he might make contact, but then it feels as if a massive gate slams closed, shutting Apollo out before he can fully enter. Whether this is due to Apollo's own nascent psychic abilities faltering or because Segis sensed his intrusion and erected mental safeguards, Apollo cannot determine. There is something oddly familiar about the brief contact, but the feeling quickly fades.

Public address

During the assembly to vote on supreme commander, President Tigh introduces Segis as their benefactor. As Segis approaches the rostrum, her smile grows wider with every step. Standing at the rostrum with hands resting lightly upon it, she seems to radiate peace and contentment. Even tense guards feel anxiety drain from themselves during the few moments she speaks. Her voice is described as "like a balm."

Segis welcomes the Colonials and thanks them for honoring the caretakers with their heroic presence. She assures them they are completely safe, protected by the advanced technology of the Kobollian defense system that has kept the city and its caretakers safe and undetected for many millennia. She states they will continue to provide safe haven for as long as the Colonials choose to make Kobol their new home, until they are strong enough to take the fight to the Cylons and reclaim the colonies. She declares that she and her servants are eager to welcome them and will always be at their faithful service.

Cylon attack response

When the Cylons attack the underground city despite the supposed protective shields, Segis hurries to the rostrum during the chaos. She appears pale with wide, unblinking eyes, apologizing and claiming they could not have known the Cylons would find them. She suggests the Cylons must be using advanced technology that circumvents their protective shields.

Rather than offering comfort, Segis states that the Cylons have arrived in such massive numbers that "the only sane and rational course of action is to surrender," arguing this might give them a chance to survive and fight another day. Cain furiously grabs Segis's shoulder and spins her around, shouting that she wants him to tell people to give up and allow the Cylons to capture them. Segis pulls out of Cain's grip and asks, "Do you see another choice, Commander?"

True identity revealed

Apollo later confronts Segis, stating, "You were behind it all... not Baltar. You masterminded our return to Kobol." Segis denies this reasonably, maintaining her smile while claiming her people have always been subservient to the will of the Colonials and would never harm anyone, as it would violate their most sacred laws. When Apollo asks whose laws those would be, he fires his laser at her.

The ruby light strikes the unarmed caretaker as people scream in horror. Cain curses and draws his own weapon, but Starbuck warns him not to interfere. Segis's body crumples bonelessly to the floor like a sack of flesh, but it is not really a body at all—just the robes she wore. Standing where Segis had stood, with the robes pooled at her feet, is a shadowy creature that swallows light and radiates darkness, its body rippling with nightmare images. To look upon this monster—this shape cut out of negative space—would be to know true despair and result in gibbering, irretrievable madness. It is the Void given shape: Count Iblis.

Iblis welcomes them home with deep, rising laughter described as sounding like decay or the death of love and hope—a voice that crawls inside one's brain in the dark hours and whispers sick, crazy things. It is the voice of madness, though Iblis is nonetheless dangerous despite his insanity. (RH: Resurrection)

Notes

• Segis's name and true nature as Count Iblis in disguise makes her one of the primary antagonists of *Resurrection*.
• Apollo's instinctive recognition of Segis's laugh and his inability to fully probe her mind are early hints at her true nature.
• The spreading of her robed arms like wings may be a subtle reference to Iblis's fallen angel nature in Kobollian mythology.