Cerberus's Combat Information CenterCerberus CIC is a faintly-circular room located deep in the interior "alligator head" of the Battlestar, where the main hull meets the midship section. From CIC, the Battlestar's tactical and navigational operations are monitored and directed. CIC is a large, two-level complex with three bulkhead exits, which are closed during action stations alerts.
Cerberus's CIC is divided into several stations.
- Command and Control
- Communications
- Damage Control
- Navigation
- Helm
- FTL
- Tactical
- Weapons Control
Command and ControlThe
Command and Control station is the primary station within CIC used by the Commanding and Executive Officers aboard a Colonial Battlestar. The center comprises a large communications and a roughly hexagonal "information management" table, with a retractable information display tower bearing a number of LCD screens suspended above it. There are no chairs; the command staff are always standing. Here, the Battlestar's commander and Executive officer are on station, observing and plotting battle tactics, viewing transparent charts, and giving commands to others in CIC. Above the Command and Control Station are a cluster of monitors known as the DRADIS console. The DRADIS console descends from a cylindrical ceiling recess when required. From the Command and Control Station, the commander has a 360-degree view of the CIC. The DRADIS console contains DRADIS displays but also includes other navigation and tactical information available to the commander at a glance. The displays are capable of showing a wide range on information including:
- Countdowns
- DRADIS sensor readings relayed from the DRADIS console
- Battlestar management information, such as the vessel's spatial orientation (pitch, yaw & roll)
- Battle management information
Communications CenterAdjacent to the Command and Control Center on the port side of CIC is the
Communications Center. Here, all communications to and from fighters and other ships are monitored, directed or relayed. In coordination with the Tactical Station, the Communications officer can also verify transponders that register as friendly, and alerts the Tactical Officer or commander if they pick up signals without transponders or recognized enemy transponders. The Communications Officer has a link to the mainframe computer, where a library of Colonial recognition information resides.
Damage Control StationSituated in the far port side of CIC is
Damage Control. This station, usually unmanned, contains the Damage Control computers, which connect to many sensors throughout the exterior and interior of the ship. A large display against the wall of the station shows damage through a series of lights that represent the frames, or compartments of the Battlestar that form the many segments of the ship. A commander can order a Damage Control officer to perform many actions to repair or mitigate the effects of an enemy attack through the controls here, including the venting of compartments, coordination of damage control teams, and the like. It is also likely that alternative damage control stations outside of CIC, such as the Aft Damage Control room contain similar controls to aid in repairs, control of fires and the like in the event that CIC's damage control is knocked offline or CIC staff are incapacitated.
Helm ControlBattlestars move through space much as a submarine navigates in an ocean. There are no windows, no view screens to see into space for helm control. While external cameras may be available, they are seldom used in navigation of a Battlestar. Navigation is managed by spatial coordinates based on DRADIS and other sensor information. The helm crew members drive the Battlestar through a series of controls and based on commands from the Executive officer or commanding officer.
Tactical StationThe Officer of the Watch/Tactical Officer is arguably the busiest officer in Galactica's CIC. Tasked with the monitoring of DRADIS and coordinating various command and control functionality, including computer control, the Tactical Officer must relay changes in status and keep the commander updated continuously during the fluid events of battle. The Tactical officer is typically the first to know that an attack is imminent and will address the battlestar by the public address system to go to battle stations through Condition One or Two alerts. As Galactica's computers aren't networked, the Tactical officer must manually print or offload data from the various central computers he monitors (Fire control, Navigation, FTL, and mainframe computers) and relay this information to the other officers and staff in the room. Fortunately, many stations see the same information on displays similar to those at the Tactical Station, but it is the Tactical Officer who is charged with notifying the commander of the changes and interpreting the results. Galactica's Tactical officer also is the administrator for all central computers on board and provides maintenance as required. While the Helm officers drive the ship, it is the Tactical officer that plots FTL jumps, the apparently instantaneous leap from one location in space to another location millions of kilometers away. The Tactical officer of Galactica not only has to provide Jump coordinates to the Battlestar's helm, but is also responsible for relaying both scheduled sets and sets of emergency jump coordinates to over 70 other FTL-capable civilian ships that make up the Fleet to ensure that all ships always stay close to Galactica's' protective sphere.
Nearby the Tactical Station is a tactical board and table where the commander can meet with several officers and crew at once for advanced battle or strategy conferences. The Tactical Station is frequently manned by other specialists and officers that assist the Watch Officer.
Weapons Control RoomHidden away, next to the Tactical Station is the Weapons Control Room. Obscured from direct view during most episodes, the Weapons Control Room ostensibly is manned during Action Stations. The Battlestar's gun batteries and other defensive controls are managed here.
In the event that the Weapons Control Room or CIC is knocked offline or its crew incapacitated, control of the ship's batteries can be managed at Auxiliary Fire Control.
FTLDue to Security Reasons No Pictures will be released The FTL station is in the area behind the Tactical Station. It is not routinely manned, but can be manned by up to two crewmembers. All functions of the FTL drive and computer can be controlled from this station. While the engineering portions of the FTL drive are usually controlled and monitored by engineering staff, this station is sometimes staffed when more complex jumps must be made. This station is where the Tactical Officer plots and executes the jump. Sometimes the Tactical Officer inputs the jump coordinates himself, while other times the station is manned by two seated crewmen. However, the jump is always executed by the Tactical Officer himself. The FTL drive is engaged by inserting a blue "key" into a receptacle at the center of the console and turning it. This console folds down into a table when it is not being used.
