(Battlestar Galactica 2004, Caprica and Blood & Chrome)
The Quorum of Twelve delegates post-New Caprica.
The Quorum of Twelve was a federal legislative body representing the United Colonies of Kobol. This body was the upper house, consisting of the President and twelve delegates, each representing one of the twelve principal colonies of Kobol: Aerelon, Aquaria, Canceron, Caprica, Gemenon, Leonis, Libris, Picon, Sagittaron, Scorpia, Tauron and Virgon. Given its name, all twelve colonial delegates were required to be present to legitimise votes, a system known as a "quorum". It is unknown how the other colonies were represented in this system.
History[]
During the Fall of the Twelve Colonies, political systems were almost totally wiped out, forcing new representatives to be made. How they were selected is uncertain, though it appears they were elected by their home colonies. In their initial inauguration, it became a topic of controversy that many representatives were supporters of President Laura Roslin, though allegations of political meddling can no be substantiated by the nomination of Tom Zarek as the Sagittaron representative. The opening session was timed to coincide with the fifty-second Colonial Day, an event celebrating the signing of the Articles of Colonization.[1] During this session, the delegates called for the election of a new Vice President, with Zarek and Caprican delegate Dr. Gaius Baltar being the two contenders. With the vote split down the middle, Roslin broke the deadlock by voting for Dr. Baltar, making him the new Vice President.[1]
Following the disappearance of Lieutenant Kara Thrace on a Presidential mission to Caprica, Roslin was arrested by a Marine party and escorted to Galactica's brig. The Quorum responded to these events by demanding visitation rights, and following an impassioned speech by Roslin chose to unanimously condemn the coup d'état. In response, the Quorum was dissolved by orders of Colonel Saul Tigh, who invoked martial law.[2] The fleet fell into a civil war when loyalists within the military smuggled Roslin out; how many delegates were on board loyalist ships is uncertain, though Zarek took a chief role in these matters. When the military stood down days later, Roslin and the Quorum were reinstated.
In the weeks following a Cylon ambush in a nebula, Leland Adama was appointed by Roslin as the Caprican delegate to replace his deceased predecessor, Cowan.[3] When she disappeared while meeting rebel Cylons on their Baseship, Adama was elected as Acting President to take over responsibilities.[4] When Roslin returned he stepped down and returned to his previous office.
During the Mutiny on Galactica, Vice President Tom Zarek held an emergency meeting with the quorum, despite the absence of Adama. When the quorum refused to support the mutiny, Zarek ordered a force of mutinous Marines to execute the members.[5] Following the Mutiny, the Quorum was officially disbanded and replaced with a council of ship captains.[6]
Powers[]
The Quorum held considerable powers in the federal landscape, likely owing to the manner and recency of their colonies' unification. The Quorum could:
- Propose new items for discussion not presently on the President's timetable, made legitimate if a second delegate supports - "seconds" it.[1]
- Discuss the drafting and voting on legislation, overseen by the President who acted as a chairperson. In the event of a tie, the President had voting powers for breaking the deadlock.[1]
- Appoint a delegate to the office of Acting President in emergency circumstances.[4]
- Appoint a delegate to the office of Vice President in emergency circumstances.[1]
- Override executive rulings by the President.[7]
Delegates[]
| Colony | Delegates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aerelon | Alisander Asiel | Appeared in Colonial Day |
| Aquaria | Miksa Burian | Appeared in Colonial Day |
| Canceron | Robin Wenutu | Appeared in Colonial Day |
| Caprica | Gaius Baltar | Later ran for and was elected President |
| Cowen | Post-New Caprica delegate, died prior to The Ties That Bind | |
| Lee Adama | Succeeded Cowen in The Ties That Bind; later served as Acting President during Laura Roslin's absence in Sine Qua Non | |
| Gemenon | Sarah Porter | Appeared in Colonial Day |
| "Gemenon Delegate" | Post-New Caprica delegate, killed during the Mutiny | |
| Leonis | Safiya Sanne | Appeared in Colonial Day |
| Libris | Oswyn Eriku | Appeared in Colonial Day |
| Picon | Elrad Hunt | Appeared in Colonial Day |
| Sagittaron | Tom Zarek | Appeared in Colonial Day |
| Jacob Cantrell | Post-New Caprica delegate, killed during the Mutiny | |
| Scorpia | Eladio Puasha | Appeared in Colonial Day |
| Tauron | Perah Enyeto | Appeared in Colonial Day |
| Dahlia | Post-New Caprica delegate, killed during the Mutiny | |
| Virgon | Marshall Bagot | Appeared in Colonial Day |
| Unspecified | Aaron | Post-New Caprica delegate, killed during the Mutiny |
| Reza Chronides | Post-New Caprica delegate, killed during the Mutiny |
Sources[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Battlestar Galactica, episode: "Colonial Day".
- ↑ Battlestar Galactica, episode: "Fragged".
- ↑ Battlestar Galactica, episode: "The Ties That Bind".
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Battlestar Galactica, episode: "Sine Qua Non".
- ↑ Battlestar Galactica, episode: "Blood on the Scales".
- ↑ Battlestar Galactica, episode: "No Exit".
- ↑ Battlestar Galactica (2004), episode: "Escape Velocity".