An Alternately Conceptualized Battlestar Galactica Continued

So begins the grand sabotage. Across the colonies, technological and human mischief wreck the defense structure. Some of the more militaristic, xenophobic colony worlds are razed, with a few fleeing survivors. Caprica, most populous and advanced of the colonies, is virtually spared however. There are a few decisive strategic strikes, but the populations are mostly untouched. In fact, the biggest civilian losses turn out to be the Quorum, every member dead, except for two.


Baltar is of course one of them. He takes control of the government and through his incredible “negotiating” skills, convinces the Cylons not to destroy Caprica and the rest of the colonies. The colonies and the Cylons quickly enter into a “cooperative” relationship, one of non-aggression and peaceful co-existence. Why the Cylons even aid the people in areas they bombed and help rebuilt them. In short order, almost like the war was all a dream (thanks to generous media support), life returns to near normal (for everybody on planets not exterminated).

The other Quorum survivor is Adama. He is a war veteran and former battlestar commander. Adama is also dogmatically religious and frequently butted heads with Baltar in the court of public opinion. Ironically, Adama’s hardcore views were also keeping him from being president, but his service and public records were so impeccable that his image could never be permanently damaged by Baltar or the media. Adama was on the Galactica on a tour at the time. He was a special target designated by Baltar, but the Cylon task force sent to eliminate him failed and they escaped.

Where the Galactica ended up was the Void. This is a well-known nebula field that is avoided because of its lack of nearby navigational points. It is where the religious texts say the Lords of Kobold came through to eventually get to the colonies and settle them. The Galactica isn’t alone. Ships from destroyed colonies and other defectors also fled into the Void, some on religious principle, others in blind flight. The Void has one other characteristic, it is inimical to Cylon electronics. They can’t enter.

So the Galactica is able to gather a fleet of survivors. A steady stream of refugees bring news of the colonies surrender and Baltar’s accession. Here it gets fun, as the Cylons are well aware of the Galactica’s presence. While Baltar works on fix for the Cylons, a human force is sent in after the Galactica lead by the Pegasus. This fails and ends in the defection of the ship (though it becomes lost in the Void in the process). A ship of Cylon sympathizers is sent to join the fleet to try and sow discontent and sabotage the ships.

Adama fervently believes that the world of Kobold isn’t a myth and is frantically searching for it, thinking it will give them directions to find the lost colony of earth. They find Kobold, resupply, and gain clues just as the modified Cylons find them. The fleet jumps away to avoid destruction.

From here, the fleet picks up the trail of worlds visited by the lost colonists. Baltar figures out what Adama is doing, but he doesn’t know where earth is either (even mostly doubting its existence). So Adama and the fleet are searching for a home (or allies in a war to retake the colonies). But there are collaborators mixed in the fleet population now. Paranoia is growing.

The Cylons won’t tolerate these free humans. In spite of the news being officially suppressed, the fleet has become something of symbol of resistance. Yes, meanwhile life in the colonies is not a peaceful utopia. Terrorism against the Cylons and the collaborators is hurting. The Cylons are incapable of fighting asymmetrical warfare, but every time they outright bomb somebody, the resistance grows. This leads to more human vs. human warfare, as colonists are forced to choose sides.

Baltar sits uneasily on the throne. The Cylons are starting to rethink their deal and wondering if extermination might be the better option. But they still want the human experience and their imagination so they can continue to enhance themselves. They’re breathing (so to speak) down Baltar’s neck to get control of the humans. In spite of all the positive press, most colonists would also like to get ahold of Baltar’s neck. Very few are thriving under Cylon rule. Unfortunately, those who are are partners with the Cylons and in charge of much of society.

On one hand, Baltars’s been working to ruthlessly suppress any rebellion. He’s even placated the rebellion somewhat by turning on some of the pre-war collaborators and putting them on trial. (While carefully making sure he is never implicated for his role.) On the other hand, he’s experimenting with developing software so that he can control the Cylons himself. He already has several “loyalists” among them. This is just one step. He also is attempting to “upload” human consciousness into Cylon bodies.

Okay, one little change and you get all this. “There are 12 models of Cylon,” crap was just to keep down casting costs by having just a couple of actors playing several roles. This scenario has way more potential tension. Is it really in tune with the original series? Depends on how many space battles there are I guess. Of course it’s easier to modify an original idea than to create something new (as this blog demonstrates daily). That being the case, expect another Battlestar Galactica somewhere in the near future. It will be unlikely to look like this suggestion, but it’s fun to speculate on.

Part 1