Commander Adama
Context
Battlestar Galactica is a 2004+ military sci-fi TV series. It is a reinvention of a 1978 TV series. Nevertheless it’s one of those major, much better TV series of the 2000s with much more complex plots, grittier settings, heavier themes, etc. than in previous decades.
The core plot of the series is the flight of the last survivors of humanity after the cataclysmic attack by the alien Cylons. The titular Battlestar Galactica is the last capital ship left for the ragged human refugees.
Our BSG2004 profiles are short notes for people who watched the series. As such they have S P O I L E R S and are primarily about DC Heroes RPG capsule stats.
Background
- Real Name: William Adama.
- Marital Status: Widowed.
- Known Relatives: Wife (deceased), Lee aka Apollo (son), Zak (son, deceased).
- Group Affiliation: Crew of Battlestar Galactica.
- Base Of Operations: Battlestar Galactica.
- Height: 6’ 2” Weight: 190 lbs.
- Eyes: Brown Hair: Gray
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Powers and Abilities
Cmdr Adama is a highly experienced military commander with a personality that fills any room. Adama runs the military organization of the fleet and the Galactica itself. More importantly he manages to give hope to a people who have just about run out.
Adama has been a Colonial officer and Merchant Marine for decades. He is a competent pilot and a trained fighter,but has slowed down a lot as he has gotten older.
History
William Adama started out his career as a VIPER pilot. In his day, he made a name for himself as a hot-shot pilot.
About 25 years ago, he and many others (including Saul Tigh) were mustered out of the Fleet. This may have been due to an extended period of peace. There was an interim period where he was a merchant marine, but he always wanted to return to the Colonial fleet.
Adama eventually regained this post through the political connections of his wife.
Cmdr Adama insisted that his sons become pilots as well, perhaps too much. His Younger son, Zak, was killed in a flight accident. This resulted in animosity between Starbuck (his flight trainer and girlfriend), Lee (his brother) and William (his father). The three barely spoke for years, and most of this tension wasn’t resolved until after the apocalypse.
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Apocalypse now
Adama was a case of the right man in the right place at the right time when the Cylons struck. The combination of his military skill, competent people, an antiquated Battlestar, and a mistrust for cutting-edge tech kept nearly 50,000 people alive when worlds died in atomic fire and the Fleet was destroyed.
After the fall of mankind, Adama became the hope and hero of those who remained. Although he fought with the civilian government at times he became a symbol of the fact that there was a chance at hope, at a life beyond running.
Description
William Adama is a craggy-faced gray haired man of immense gravity. Even when out of uniform his military bearing is evident.
Adama is adept at making a silence speak volumes.
Personality
William Adama is the soul of the Galactica. His shoulders have always been wide enough, although sometimes barely, to hold the problems of the world. He is a man of quiet wisdom who has at times been moved to rage.
He can order men to their deaths when required, but never with ease. He can beat a man to death with a flashlight if that’s what he needs to do. He is a complex man and a hardened warrior spirit.
Quotes
Laura Roslin: “I don’t know why I have to keep telling you this, but the war is over.”
Adama: “It hasn’t begun yet.”
Adama: “I want you to go down to the landing bay and take charge of the damage control party personally.”
Tigh: “Who ? Me ?”
Adama: “You’re either the XO of this ship, or you’re not.”
“This is the Commander. Moments ago, this ship received word of a Cylon attack against our home worlds is under way. We do not know the size or the disposition or the strength of the enemy forces, but all indications point to a massive assault against Colonial defenses. Admiral Nagala has taken personal command of the Fleet aboard the Battlestar Atlanta following the complete destruction of Picon Fleet Headquarters in the first wave of the attacks. How, why, doesn’t really matter now. What does matter is that as of this moment, we are at war. You’ve trained for this. You’re ready for this. Stand to your duties, trust your fellow shipmates, and we’ll get through this. Further updates as we get them. Thank you.”
DC Universe History
Battlestar Galactica is a self contained story and the characters should only be used together. It could be interesting to have a guns-and-planes character visit the Galactica Universe.
Alternately you could have the Galactica arrive at Earth with the Cylons in pursuit, bringing their war to the DCU’s doorstep. Or worse, maybe the Cylons have arrived ahead of the Galactica and begun infiltrating Earth’s population. The robotic Manhunters were revealed as having done something similar in the Millennium mini-series.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Commander Adama
| Dex: 03 | Str: 02 | Bod: 04 | Motivation: Responsibility of Power. |
| Int: 07 | Wil: 07 | Min: 07 | Occupation: Commander of the Galactica |
| Inf: 08 | Aur: 06 | Spi: 09 | Resources {or Wealth}: 009 |
| Init: 020 | HP: 075 |
Skills:
Charisma*: 08; Martial Artist*: 03; Military Science (Cartography, Danger Recognition, Field Command)*: 07; Vehicles (Land, space and Air)*: 03; Weaponry*: 03
Advantages:
Credentials (Galactica and the fleet), Popularity, Scholar (Fleet Tactics).
Connections:
Starbuck (High); Capt Apollo (Low); President Laura Roslin (Low).
Drawbacks:
Age (old), Dark Secret (harboring a Cylon), Dark secret (Earth is a myth).
Genre:
Near Real.
Helper(s): http://scifi.com/battlestar/characters, Roy Cowan.
Source of Character: Battlestar Galactica 2003/2004.