This is a work of total fiction non-fiction. This information was never mentioned in the show. The purpose of this, and the many more to come, is to help writers with those little technical things. I tried to make this general enough so that it stays cannon with most fanfic stories. Also, this is so I can get my feet wet in the world of sci- fi tech writing (yes, I'd like to be the future author of the ST and SW Encyclopedias). Enjoy... COLONIAL BATTLESTAR _ATLANTIA_ by Brian Markowski July 28, 1998 After Sagitara Ship Yards lost their Quorum contract for a new class of ship, the battlestar, Caprica Fleet Yards was given the task. Unlike SSY's contract, though, CFY had parameters to follow due to the production results of the battlestar _Pacifica_--Sagitara's prototype. The new battlestar had to be small, strong, and extremely fast. Too busy producing the one-man fighter later to be called the "Viper II," CFY put its freshmen design team on the job. These inexperienced designers didn't know where to start, so they went to the greenprints for the _Pacifica_. Finding the basics of them sound, the team began size and power decreases to accommodate the smaller ship request. And very quickly--in an even shorter amount of time than the _Pacifica_--plans were written out for CFY's battlestar prototype, the _Atlantia_. Resource estimates were favorable, but production was still extremely slow once again due to CFY's attention towards the Viper II fighter. Finally, though, nearly two yahrens after construction began, the _Atlantia_ left orbitdock and made its maiden voyage around the Twelve Colonies. While not overly impressed, the Quorum of Twelve recognized the new battlestar to be far superior to the gunstars. Two more were ordered into production, the _Pegasus_ and the _Prometheus_, with many others to be built soon after, some looking quite different than the _Atlantia_. All in all, CFY's prototype was the mainstay design. At 533 metrons long, spanning thirteen decks, the _Atlantia_ was a monstrosity in its early yahrens, standing second only to the _Pacifica_--its assigned sister ship. Once battlestars started increasing in size, the _Atlantia_ flew as the smallest heavy cruiser in service. Still, its two adjacent landing bays held an entire wing of Vipers altogether, including three shuttles. The ship lacked the launch field which the _Pacifica_ had, nor would any of its successors. Only two launch tubes allowed fighters to exit, remedied in later designs with six tubes. Unfotunately, when it came down to weaponry, the _Atlantia_ had much to be desired. Only three turrets were placed around the hull, and its two forward batteries were severely underpowered because of the massive amount of energy needed for the propulsion systems. Missile tubes were just as bad, only two installed. But what the _Atlantia_ faltered in launch time and guns, it compensated with blinding speed. As was required in the contract, the new prototype would have to be very fast and agile. Followed well by the designers in this area, the _Atlantia_ could quickly and easily get to ultralight speeds, as well as reach higher into those speeds than the _Pacifica_ and many other battlestars later to be made. This would also be a great asset considering it had only three layers of fordrac incorporating its body. Given the rank of "flagship," the _Atlantia_ was truly an extravagant ship on the inside. Crew quarters were even larger than on the _Pacifica_, but with that came the crew of only 248--all members of the Presidential Protectorate. The bridge was small, but like the rest of the ship, artful. The Quorum Chamber, where the Quorum of the Twelve would meet, was accented by a large viewing screen and artwork from all the Colonies. All of this was later removed with upgrades or destroyed in battle. The _Atlantia_ was, like its sister ship the _Pacifica_, overly unique. Not even the next two battlestars to be built were as small or as fast, or as gorgeous. Fortunately its battle record was more impressive than the ship itself. The battlestar would be upgraded and scarred to no end, making its shell very ugly, but actually it is just proof that it stood the test of time, leading the Colonial Warfleet through the darkest centars. HISTORICAL NOTE: The _Atlantia_, later in its career would not be considered by most the flagship of the Warfleet, nor would its sister ship, the _Pacifica_. The _Galactica_ would be given that honor, and certainly a comparison of the two battlestars' records would prove why. Interestingly though, the _Atlantia_ was the first ship to be destroyed at the Armistice. In fact, the Cylons set aside an entire squadron of Raiders called the "_Atlantia_ Death Squadron" to quickly destroy the _Atlantia_. One would think their logic behind this was that if you kill the leader, the others do not know what to do. However, the _Galactica_, _Columbia_, and _Solaria_ are proof that such is not the case. A more logical choice would have been to destroy the _Galactica_ first, then surely the others would fall. But why didn't they? (_Atlantia_ destruction information taken from battlestar _Galactica_ logs.) PERSONAL NOTE: The "Historical Note" is something interesting to ponder. What were the reasons for destroying the _Atlantia_ when it was not the flagship in everything but title? A nice story to be made. As for the _Atlantia_ herself, most feel that the lead ship should be the most powerful and etc. But in the "Battlestar Galactica" novel, this is not the case with its description. The _Atlantia_ is described as the smallest, outer-ugliest, oldest battlestar in existence. Thus you have my description being similar.