<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

New Caprica is a fictional planet on the series Battlestar Galactica. The planet was discovered when during a rescue mission to Caprica, Lt. Margaret "Racetrack" Edmonson accidentally jumped to the wrong coordinates. The planet is located within a dense Nebula which makes DRADIS tracking essentially useless. This fact made the planet appealing to the fleet as it meant it would be difficult for the Cylons to find. Surveys of the planet revealed that it was less than ideal for colonization due to its cold, harsh climate and narrow temperate zone.

Despite the clear difficulties they would face, the travel and battle-weary colonists voted Gaius Baltar in as president based on his promise of settlement on the planet. His opponent and sitting president, Laura Roslin, opposed the colonization believing the Cylons would eventually discover them and that the planet was unsuitable. Shortly after Baltar's inauguration, a nuclear warhead was detonated on board Cloud 9 destroying it and several nearby vessels. This incident would eventually lead to the planet's discovery by the Cylons a year later.

Colonization

The planet's climate made life difficult and progress was limited. The Galactica and several other ships remained in orbit but many more landed and settled. A year later, conditions were still difficult, most of the population lived in tents and medical supplies and other necessities were hard to come by. The blame for the poor conditions were laid at the feet of Baltar who offered no leadership and made little effort to do his duty to the people.

A little more than a year after colonization, the Cylons found the planet after detecting the radiation signature of the nuclear explosion on the Cloud 9. Outnumbered and unprepared for a fight, Galactica, Pegasus, and the remnants of the fleet jumped away hoping to return later to rescue the colonists.

Cylon forces landed on the planet and an occupation, initially led by Caprica Six Boomer and Number Five, began. Baltar immediately surrendered to the Cylons and found himself a puppet controlled by them. A resistance soon formed in opposition to the Cylon occupation and many people were killed in the crossfire. Vice President Tom Zarek and Colonel Saul Tigh were imprisoned and tortured. The Cylons formed a New Caprica Police Force made up of volunteer humans. The police force was disdained by other Colonists and wore masks to hide their identities. They were attacked during the New Caprica Police graduation and many were killed.

The attack led to the decision to take a harder line against the colonists. Caprica Six and Boomer opposed the plan but were outvoted. Dozens of colonist believed to be members of the resistance were rounded up to be killed including Laura Roslin, Tom Zarek, and Cally Tyrol. They were saved by the resistance and a short while later, Galactica sent Sharon Agathon to coordinate a rescue. The rescue was successful and most of the colonists were rescued. The Battlestar Pegasus was destroyed by the Cylons and approximately 2,000 people were killed during the occupation and rescue operation.

External Links

• New Caprica at Battlestar Wiki