Interception of Cylon Tankers: Difference between revisions

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{{Battle Data
{{Battle Data
| name= Interception of Cylon Tankers
| name= Interception of Cylon Tankers
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| date=
| date=
| place= [[Krillian Star System]]
| place= [[Krillian Star System]]
| result=Cain's wanted happens, <br/> Crisis between Galactica and Pegasus Command
| result=Tankers destroyed<br/>Cain relieved of duty
| combatant1=[[Silver Spar Squadron]] <br/> [[Blue Squadron (TOS)|Blue Squadron]]
| combatant1=[[Silver Spar Squadron]] <br/> [[Blue Squadron (TOS)|Blue Squadron]]
| combatant2=[[Cylons (TOS)|Cylons]]
| combatant2=[[Cylons (TOS)|Cylons]]
| co1=[[Cain (TOS)|Commander Cain]]
| co1=[[Cain (TOS)|Commander Cain]]
| co2=unknown
| co2=unknown
| strength1=Two Squadrons of [[Viper (TOS)|Vipers]]
| strength1=Two [[Viper (TOS)|Viper]] Squadrons
| strength2=[[Cylon Raider (RDM)|Cylon Raiders]]
| strength2=[[Cylon Raider (RDM)|Cylon Raiders]]
| shiploss1=none
| shiploss1=none
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}}
}}


This is a small battle between [[Viper (TOS)|Vipers]] and [[Cylon Raider (TOS)|Cylon Raiders]] for two [[Cylon freighter (TOS)|Cylon Tankers]] taking place near [[Gamoray]] shortly after the reunion of the [[Pegasus_(TOS)|battlestar Pegasus]] with the [[Galactica_(TOS)|battlestar Galactica]] and her civilian fleet.
The '''Interception of Cylon Tankers''' is an engagement between {{TOS|Viper}}s and {{TOS|Cylon Raider}}s during a planned interception of two [[Cylon freighter (TOS)|Cylon Tankers]] before they arrive at [[Gamoray]]. This is the first of only two joint operations between ''{{TOS|Galactica}}''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> and ''{{TOS|Pegasus}}''<nowiki>'</nowiki> Viper squadrons.
 


==Planning==
==Planning==


A meeting of the commanders ([[Cain (TOS)|Cain]] and [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]]) is convened and a plan is proposed by Adama to intercept Cylon Tankers to provide desperately needed fuel for the fleet. Cain agrees to the plan only reluctantly as he would prefer to seize fuel by attacking the [[Cylons_(TOS)|Cylon]] [[Gamoray|base on Gamoray]] instead.
A meeting of Commanders [[Cain (TOS)|Cain]] and [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]] convenes on ''Galactica'', during which a plan is proposed by Adama to intercept Cylon Tankers to provide desperately needed fuel for {{TOS|the Fleet}}. Cain agrees to the plan reluctantly, preferring to seize fuel by attacking the {{TOS|Cylons|Cylon}} [[Gamoray|base on Gamoray]] instead.  
Cain is also not too happy about Adama's intention to send vipers of both battlestars; So he emphasises the greater experience of the Pegasus's pilots and boasts that his warriors would be glad to pass along their experience to Galactica's warriors.  


Adama also orders the combination of ''Galactica''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> {{TOS|Blue Squadron}} and ''Pegasus''<nowiki>'</nowiki> [[Silver Spar Squadron]] in order to boost morale and further integrate the two fighting forces. Cain initially objects on the basis of Silver Spar's greater experience in such hit-and-run attacks, but later concedes to Adama's order while boasting that his [[Warrior]]s would be glad to pass along their experience to ''Galactica''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> Warriors.


==Execution of the operation==
==Operation==


The operation is to be carried out by the Silver Spar Squadron of the battlestar Pegasus and the Blue Squadron of the Galactica.
During pre-launch aboard ''Pegasus'', Lieutenant [[Sheba]] discovers that Commander Cain has joined the mission, effectively assuming command of the operation. This also surprises the pilots of ''Galactica''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> Blue Squadron who were also uninformed about Cain's participation.  


During pre-launch and to her surprise and concern [[Sheba]] discovers that Cain has joined the mission. Cain takes command over the operation. This is to the surprise of the pilots of Galactica's Blue Squadron who were also not informed about Cain's participation.  
Prior to detecting the tankers, Cain noted that he could "sense them" before they appear on [[scanner]]s.  


The commander orders the two squadrons to split up in two groups. When closing to the Cylon tankers directly Blue Squadron is intercepted by a Cylon raiders (obviously the tankers' escort) by surprise. Blue Squadron seems at the mercy of the Cylons until Silver Spar Squadron engages. The tide turns and only two raiders get the chance to try an escape. Cain orders Blue Squadron to pursue the fugitives while he goes off to take care of the tankers. Cain destroys the tankers against orders; and tells a disbelieving Apollo (who is returning from the pursuit a bit too early to the place he assumes the tankers) that he was firing at a Cylon fighter. ([[The Living Legend, Part I]])
Cain orders the two squadrons to split up in two groups. When closing to the Cylon tankers directly Blue Squadron is intercepted by Cylon Raiders by surprise. Blue Squadron seems at the mercy of the Cylons until Silver Spar Squadron engages. The tide turns and only two raiders get the chance to try an escape. Cain orders Blue Squadron to pursue the fugitives while he goes off to take care of the tankers.  


Cain destroys the tankers against orders, deliberately hoping to force Adama's hand in attacking Gamoray. Following Apollo's return to the tankers' last location and noting that Cain had been attacking, Cain informs the disbelieving Apollo that he had been firing at a Cylon fighter, claiming it to have been "clear as the [[Nubian sun]]" ([[TOS]]: "[[The Living Legend, Part I]]").


== Aftermath ==
== Aftermath ==
Cain's destruction of the tankers cost him his command over the Pegasus (only indirectly). In combination with Adama's refusal to attack Gamoray the sole survivors of the Colonies might well have ended near the Krillian System without any fuel in a hopeless battle with Baltar's three full-equipped base ships.
The after-action report notes that the tankers were destroyed by "incidental fire," which had been supported by ''Pegasus'' pilots, including Sheba. However, Adama saw through this and Cain's destruction of the tankers briefly cost him command of ''Pegasus'' replacing him with Colonel {{TOS|Tigh}}. Refusing to attack Gamoray, Adama orders the distribution of ''Pegasus'' burgeoning reserves amongst the Fleet.  


With Adama's refusal to attack Gamoray, the sole survivors of the Colonies might well have ended near the [[Krillian Star System]] without any fuel in a hopeless battle with {{TOS|Baltar}}'s three {{TOS|basestar|base ships}}. Fortunately, Adama's caution and Cain's "tactical wizardry" [[Battle of Gamoray|save the day]].


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
* The Pegasus must have done similar operations before (experience, the Pegasus does not suffer from fuel shortages).
* ''Pegasus'' executed similar operations in the past in order to secure fuel and other war materiel to hassle the Cylons.
* Why don't the Cylons blow up their tankers (e.g. with a self destruction system in the tankers)? It would not take much to blow up a ship full of fuel (Particularly near Gamoray the Cylons should be used to attacks against their supply ships).
 
* Why did the last two raiders retreat instead of trying to destroy the tankers?
==Unanswered Questions==
* Why don't the Cylons scuttle their tankers during the engagement? Was an attempt made to do so?
* Why did the last two Raiders retreat instead of trying to destroy the tankers?


[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:A to Z]]
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[[Category:Colonial Battles (TOS)]]
[[Category:Colonial Battles (TOS)]]
[[Category:TOS]]
[[Category:TOS]]
{{TOS}}

Revision as of 03:55, 30 November 2019

Interception of Cylon Tankers
Interception of Cylon Tankers
Interception of Cylon Tankers
Interception of Cylon Tankers
Summary
Conflict: Escape from the Cylons
Date:
Related Episode(s):
Place: Krillian Star System
Result: Tankers destroyed
Cain relieved of duty
Combatants
Silver Spar Squadron
Blue Squadron
Cylons
Commanders
Commander Cain unknown
Strength
Two Viper Squadrons Cylon Raiders
Materiel Losses
none Many Raiders
Two Cylon Tankers
Casualties
none Many Centurions
Battle Chronology
Previous Next
Harassment Fires to Vipers by Vipers Interception of Cylon Tankers Battle of Gamoray


The Interception of Cylon Tankers is an engagement between Vipers and Cylon Raiders during a planned interception of two Cylon Tankers before they arrive at Gamoray. This is the first of only two joint operations between Galactica's and Pegasus' Viper squadrons.

Planning

A meeting of Commanders Cain and Adama convenes on Galactica, during which a plan is proposed by Adama to intercept Cylon Tankers to provide desperately needed fuel for the Fleet. Cain agrees to the plan reluctantly, preferring to seize fuel by attacking the Cylon base on Gamoray instead.

Adama also orders the combination of Galactica's Blue Squadron and Pegasus' Silver Spar Squadron in order to boost morale and further integrate the two fighting forces. Cain initially objects on the basis of Silver Spar's greater experience in such hit-and-run attacks, but later concedes to Adama's order while boasting that his Warriors would be glad to pass along their experience to Galactica's Warriors.

Operation

During pre-launch aboard Pegasus, Lieutenant Sheba discovers that Commander Cain has joined the mission, effectively assuming command of the operation. This also surprises the pilots of Galactica's Blue Squadron who were also uninformed about Cain's participation.

Prior to detecting the tankers, Cain noted that he could "sense them" before they appear on scanners.

Cain orders the two squadrons to split up in two groups. When closing to the Cylon tankers directly Blue Squadron is intercepted by Cylon Raiders by surprise. Blue Squadron seems at the mercy of the Cylons until Silver Spar Squadron engages. The tide turns and only two raiders get the chance to try an escape. Cain orders Blue Squadron to pursue the fugitives while he goes off to take care of the tankers.

Cain destroys the tankers against orders, deliberately hoping to force Adama's hand in attacking Gamoray. Following Apollo's return to the tankers' last location and noting that Cain had been attacking, Cain informs the disbelieving Apollo that he had been firing at a Cylon fighter, claiming it to have been "clear as the Nubian sun" (TOS: "The Living Legend, Part I").

Aftermath

The after-action report notes that the tankers were destroyed by "incidental fire," which had been supported by Pegasus pilots, including Sheba. However, Adama saw through this and Cain's destruction of the tankers briefly cost him command of Pegasus replacing him with Colonel Tigh. Refusing to attack Gamoray, Adama orders the distribution of Pegasus burgeoning reserves amongst the Fleet.

With Adama's refusal to attack Gamoray, the sole survivors of the Colonies might well have ended near the Krillian Star System without any fuel in a hopeless battle with Baltar's three base ships. Fortunately, Adama's caution and Cain's "tactical wizardry" save the day.

Notes

  • Pegasus executed similar operations in the past in order to secure fuel and other war materiel to hassle the Cylons.

Unanswered Questions

  • Why don't the Cylons scuttle their tankers during the engagement? Was an attempt made to do so?
  • Why did the last two Raiders retreat instead of trying to destroy the tankers?