The Operation Raptor Talon was a Colonial Fleet operation which took place in the twelfth and final year of the Cylon War, only several hours before the signing of the Cimtar Peace Accord.[1]
Background[]
Seeking to evolve into humanoid beings, the Cylons under the leadeship of Clothos[2] performed research on cybernetic-organic technology. As test subjects, human prisoners were taken to a planet outside the Cyrannus Star System for vivisection. The Cylons were ultimately successful in this research with the creation of the "Hybrid". Colonial military intelligence became aware of Cylon interests in the planet, but believed them to be preparing a next-generation weapons system of such severity that three Battlestars were dispatched to destroy the aleged superweapon.[1]
Battle[]
The Battlestars jumped into orbit above the planet and immediately came in contact with a three defending basestars. During the battle, Columbia took serious damage crippling its air defence abilities. To add an additional layer of protection, Galactica's CAG ordered its own Viper wings to focus on Cylon Raiders attacking Columbia. This order came too late, however, and internal explosions within the Battlestar took place, ripping it in two. During the fight, then Lieutenant William "Husker" Adama was shot down, and was able to land by parachute in the Cylon laboratory as the Hybrid was being evacuated onto a Basestar from the ground. The sudden declaration of armistice allowed the Basestar to leave the planet.[1]