FROM RADION LEVELS TO RYCON
RADION LEVELS Radiation levels. Count Iblis made the radion levels around his crashed ship appear dangerously high in order to discourage investigation (WG).
RAIDER The standard Cylon fighter craft, a large, disc-shaped vehicle with two engines and two laser cannons; evidently they could also carry bombs (LG). The usual crew is three Cylons. The Monogram model kit of the raider was so accurate (far more so than the viper, note—I see altogether too many CGI vipers these days based on the inaccurate Monogram model) that the SFX team actually used several Monogram raiders in the series itself, most notably in their Cylon base ship hangar miniature featured in “Hand of God.”
RAVASHOL, DOCTOR (Dan O’Herlihy) Dr. Ravashol is the aging genius whose “energy lens system” was expropriated by the Cylons on Arkta and turned into a weapon, while his clones were subverted into slave laborers. Although he eventually showed Apollo how to destroy the gun and talked his clones into helping Starbuck and Boomer attack the Cylon garrison, generally he seemed a lover of the status quo; he typifies the stereotypical TV/movie evil scientist who could care less how his creations are used so long as he’s allowed to go on creating them. Ravashol claimed that he had ways of defending his clones from the inevitable Cylon reprisals to be expected after the destruction of the laser cannon (GI). Interestingly, in the script he’s actually got a first name; in the cast list he’s listed as “Dr. Benel Ravashol.”
RECON PROBE THREE Apollo identified himself thus in “Lost Warrior.” His actual function was not as a recon probe, but as a decoy to lead the Cylons away from the fleet.
RECON VIPER A specially modified viper intended for use on deep probe missions ahead of the fleet, its weaponry has been removed in favor of more powerful engines. It is also fitted with the CORA advanced flight computer. Starbuck took the Recon Viper on its first mission (LP).
RECRUIT QUARTERS Area of the Galactica where newly recruited warriors live during their period of basic training. Until their security clearances come through, they are restricted to Recruit Quarters (MN).
RED EYE (Rex Cutter) The sole Cylon survivor of a crash landing in the mountains on Equellus, the damaged Red Eye believed that Lacerta, first on the scene of the crash, was its commander. It helped Lacerta terrorize the region, replacing the far less impressive Marco as Lacerta’s chief enforcer. According to Bootes, nine men were killed trying to kill Red Eye; Bootes became the tenth. Apollo finally killed Red Eye in a showdown gunfight (LW). Rex Cutter later would have the duty of portraying Cy in the “Return of Starbuck” episode of Galactica 1980.
RED SQUADRON A squadron aboard the Galactica. It is possible that Starbuck was assigned to Red Squadron at the time of the holocaust, since he identifies himself as “Red Leader” when requesting landing instructions after having been shot up during the ambush (P). It is also possible that, since he did identify himself as “Red Leader,” Starbuck was the acting squadron commander at the time.
REES (Ron Kelly) Rees is a member of Council Security who is at odds with the warriors almost continuously thanks to his sarcastic, domineering manner. He thought that the encapsulated escapees from Lunar Seven should be forcibly removed and questioned. Later, while guarding the Lunar Seven shuttle, he was stunned by Michael, who perceived him to be a threat (GE). Later Rees was evidently assigned to the Prison Barge (BE).
REJUVENATION CENTER A rec room aboard the Galactica where warriors can relax with their friends, play games, etc. Many crewmen, including Athena, Boomer, and Boxey, were trapped in the Rejuvenation Center when Cylon kamikazes attacked and set fire to the Galactica (FS).
RESPIRATORY PROBE Apollo was amazed that Dr. Salik couldn’t get something as simple as a respiratory probe from Count Iblis, but as Salik pointed out, it wasn’t the equipment that was the problem, it was something else (WG).
RESTONS An unknown type of measurement of human physical condition. The Light Beings decide that Starbuck’s restons are normal (WG).
RIB BLOCKING A blocking move in Triad; legal when the ball is in play but illegal after a shot. Evidently a favored move of the late Flight Sergeant Ortega (MR).
RIFKIS Rifkis was Chief Administrator of Solius before the holocaust. He missed his evacuation ship and bribed Ortega to let him on the Rising Star, after which he assumed the identity of Chella (MR).
RIGEL (Sarah Rush) One of the Galactica’s bridge officers, Rigel is first seen when she launches Apollo and Zac in the premiere, and many of her subsequent appearances in the series were lifted out of the first episode gratuitously, with the result that she would often be seen to change hairstyles in the middle of an episode. However, she also appeared in new scenes in several episodes.
RISING STAR A sleek Colonial passenger liner,
formerly owned and operated by Trans Stellar Spacelines, she now serves as an R and R area
for warriors and civilians alike. An extremely handsome, streamlined ship clearly intended
for operation in atmosphere as well as in space, as its design and large air intakes on
its hull indicate. During the escape from the Colonies she rescued children and nursery
attendants from Caprica; who seem to have been instantly offloaded afterwards by Sire Uri
and his parasitic friends who turned the ship into their private luxury yacht before
Apollo intervened and ended their party.
ROBBER
(James Whitmore Jr.) Robber escaped with his wife and daughter from the penal colony on Proteus. He returned to steal ambrosa and was found by
Starbuck under pursuit by Croad, chief enforcer of Proteus. After Starbuck saved him,
Robber returned the favor by knocking Starbuck out and stealing the Recon
Viper. He made transmissions to Aeries with the Recon
Viper’s powerful communications system, apparently hoping to find a market for his
bootleg ambrosa. His transmissions enabled Apollo and Boomer to track him down. Robber,
basically a good person in spite of his larcenous tendencies, and his family joined the
fleet, apparently with the other Proteans, prisoners and enforcers alike. On Proteus,
Robber had been acquainted with a mysterious prisoner called ‘the
Silent One,’ who painted Earth’s planetary system on the walls of his cell
(LP). James Whitmore Jr. was yet another veteran of Baa Baa Black Sheep who
appeared on BG.
ROBUS (Jonathan B. Woodward) One of Megan’s younger sons on Attila (YL).
ROSTER OF THE NOMEN According to Maga, Taba’s name would be stricken from the Roster of the Nomen for his impulsive acts during the hunt for Chameleon (MN). Presumably a sacred listing of recognized nomen.
ROYAL DANCERS The Royal Dancers performed in the Royal Theater on Terra—mysteriously, as neither the Nationalists nor the Eastern Alliance appear to be a monarchy. Sarah’s father taught Hector and Vector a song and dance routine done by the Royal Dancers that they insist upon inflicting upon Michael, Sarah, the children, the Colonials, and the horrified TV audience (GE).
ROYAL SUITE On Carillon, Cassiopiea managed to obtain the Royal Suite but her planned evening of largely unprintable fun with Starbuck went down the turboflush when the jealous Athena appeared on the scene (P).
RYCON The battlestar commanded by Commander Kronus before the holocaust; at one time Adama served aboard the Rycon as Kronus’ aide (TC). An interesting battlestar name in that it, unlike the others, has no apparent mythological or Earth-connected meaning whatsoever.
�1987, 1999 by Susan J. Paxton
A, B, C, D, E & F, G & H, I, J & K, L, M & N, O, P & Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z