Editing Athena (TOS alternate)

{{separate continuity|universe=TOS}}

{{Character Data
| series=TOS
| title=Athena
| series=TOS
| photo=Athena from Armageddon.jpg
| caption=Athena from the cover of [[Richard Hatch]]'s ''[[Armageddon]]''.
| photo 2=Athena - Maximum Press.jpg
| caption 2=Athena's depiction in the [[Maximum Press]] comic book series.
| seenref=
| parents={{alt|Adama|TOS}} (father)<br/>{{alt|Ila}} (mother)
| siblings={{alt|Apollo|TOS}} (brother)<br>{{alt|Zac}}† (brother)
| role=Warrior, ''{{alt|Galactica|TOS}}''
| primecon=y
}}

This article covers the various depictions of {{TOS|Athena}} from the tie-in novelizations, comic books, and other media.

== Books ==

=== Berkley Novelizations ===
*In the novelization of "[[Saga of a Star World (book)|Saga of a Star World]]," Athena is a blonde while Cassiopeia is a brunette.

*In the casino, when Cassiopeia storms away from Starbuck, Athena angrily hands him the room key and leaves as well. Later, Athena regrets not having stayed with Starbuck. She believes she could have made him forget about Cassiopeia.

*In one of the subsequent books, it is said that Athena realizes that her brother Apollo is her father's favorite, and she is okay with it. She also accepts her role on the bridge partly because it's enough of a burden for her father to have to deal with Apollo's life being constantly in danger.

* In ''[[The Nightmare Machine]]'', Adama lets her join a {{alt|Viper|TOS}} squadron to help fight off the Cylons.
In ''[[Surrender the Galactica!]]'', Athena has evolved into a multifaceted officer serving on ''[[Galactica (TOS-BN)|Galactica]]''. She has come a long way from the uncertain young woman who had been embarrassed by her responsibilities as a bridge officer, now commanding respect and acquiring a fine record as a fighter pilot.<ref name="STG32">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|last2=Thurston|first2=Robert|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|year=1988|page=32}}</ref>

=====Teaching and Academic Responsibilities=====
Athena serves as a teacher for children aboard ''[[Galactica (TOS-BN)|Galactica]]'', conducting classes every fifth duty-period. Her classroom activities include hosting guest lectures, such as when [[Cassiopeia (TOS-BN)|Cassiopeia]] presents a talk on basic hygiene.<ref name="STG90">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|last2=Thurston|first2=Robert|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|year=1988|page=90}}</ref> She also lectures on tactics at Cadet Academy, writes manuals, and maintains her own studies while continuing her bridge duties.<ref name="STG91">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|last2=Thurston|first2=Robert|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|year=1988|page=91}}</ref>

During her teaching, Athena demonstrates care for her students, particularly [[Boxey (TOS-BN)|Boxey]], whose absence from class due to his disappearance deeply concerns her. She becomes visibly emotional when discussing his situation, with her eyes misting over when expressing hope that he remains safe.<ref name="STG91" />

=====Bridge Officer and Fighter Pilot=====
Athena serves as a bridge officer under her father, [[Adama (TOS-BN)|Commander Adama]], and has established herself as a capable fighter pilot. She participates in search and rescue operations, including the mission to locate the missing [[Apollo (TOS-BN)|Apollo]] and [[Boxey (TOS-BN)|Boxey]] in the lower tunnels of ''[[Galactica (TOS-BN)|Galactica]]''.<ref name="STG109">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|last2=Thurston|first2=Robert|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|year=1988|page=109}}</ref>

When alerts are called, Athena demonstrates her commitment to duty, understanding the conflict between personal and official obligations. She helps guide her fellow warriors to their duty stations during emergency situations.<ref name="STG110">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|last2=Thurston|first2=Robert|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|year=1988|page=110}}</ref>

=====Relationships and Personal Life=====
Athena maintains a complicated history with [[Starbuck (TOS-BN)|Starbuck]], describing herself as "one of the throwaway pages from his little black book." When questioned about this by [[Hera (TOS-BN)|Hera]], Athena displays a pragmatic attitude about Starbuck's womanizing ways, advising that it's "best to ignore it, ignore him" while acknowledging that "he's a good guy, really."<ref name="STG93">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|last2=Thurston|first2=Robert|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|year=1988|page=93}}</ref><ref name="STG94">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|last2=Thurston|first2=Robert|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|year=1988|page=94}}</ref>

When [[Hera (TOS-BN)|Hera]] and [[Cassiopeia (TOS-BN)|Cassiopeia]] plan a theatrical revenge against Starbuck, Athena declines to participate, stating it's "not my style" and explaining that as the commander's daughter, "some dignity was required of her." She wonders if this makes her pompous but ultimately chooses to support her friends rather than join their scheme.<ref name="STG96">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|last2=Thurston|first2=Robert|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|year=1988|page=96}}</ref><ref name="STG97">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|last2=Thurston|first2=Robert|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|year=1988|page=97}}</ref>

Athena also shows a close relationship with [[Boxey (TOS-BN)|Boxey]], who affectionately calls her "Auntie Athena," though she prefers "Aunt Athena" as the former makes her feel old. Their conversations reveal her ongoing single status, with Boxey noting that she hasn't "had a date since [[Muffit (alternate)|Muffy]] was a pup," and their discussion touches on her past relationship with Starbuck.<ref name="STG17">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|last2=Thurston|first2=Robert|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|year=1988|page=17}}</ref>

=====Physical Description=====
Athena is described as having black hair, soft blue eyes, and pale complexion. Her appearance is enhanced by the unreal bright light of the bridge. She is notably shorter than [[Hera (TOS-BN)|Hera]], feeling "like a shrimp" next to the tall [[Vailean (TOS-BN)|Vailean]] woman.<ref name="STG32" /><ref name="STG93" />

== Comics ==

=== Dynamite Entertainment ===
There are at least three variations of '''Athena''' from the [[Dynamite Entertainment]] comics, including:

* {{alt|Athena|TOS-DE}}, the standard depiction;
* {{alt-r|Athena}}, {{alt-r|Adama}}'s daughter who had been murdered by the {{alt-r|Cylons}} during the {{alt-r|Battle of Cimtar}} in an [[alternate reality]];
* {{1880|Athena}}, a member of the Caprican royalty in {{comics|1880}}.

=== Marvel Comics ===
[[File:Marvel - Athena.png|thumb|left|Athena reports on a transmission ''{{alt|Galactica|TOS}}'' receives from {{alt|Caprica|TOS}} during the {{alt|Battle of Cimtar}} {{comics|marvel|1}}.]]

'''Athena''' is {{alt|Adama|TOS}}'s aide-de-camp during the final assembly of President {{alt|Adar|TOS}}'s {{alt|Quorum of Twelve|TOS}}, piloting the shuttle between ''{{alt|Atlantia|TOS}}'' and ''{{alt|Galactica|TOS}}'' en route to {{alt|Cimtar}}.

As ''Galactica'' approaches {{alt|Caprica|TOS}}, she receives {{alt|Serina}}'s newscast transmission just prior to the {{alt|Cylon|TOS}} attack on {{alt|Caprica City}} {{comics|marvel|1}}.

Athena shares her concerns with her father regarding the {{alt|Nova of Madagon||treacherous, alternative route}} to {{alt|Carillon}}, supporting [[Sire]] {{alt|Uri}}'s contention that {{alt|Borallus}} would have been a better alternative {{comics|marvel|2}}. She is pleased to have been proven wrong, as she is impressed that her brother and his two wingmen, {{alt|Boomer|TOS}} and {{alt|Starbuck|TOS}}, are able to clear a path a 100 [[maxim]]s wide despite their sole reliance on ''Galactica''{{'|s}} scanners for targeting the {{alt|Cylon mine}}s {{comics|marvel|3}}.

While in combat with Cylon {{alt|Raider|TOS}}s, Athena's {{alt|Viper|TOS}} vanishes. She is magically transported to a [[Res' planet|strange world]] inhabited by [[Res]], a [[shapeshifter]] in search of love. {{alt|Apollo|TOS}} and {{alt|Starbuck|TOS}} arrive to rescue Athena. Res reveals that he also brought Athena to the planet to help him transcend his mortal form. Athena fires a laser at Res at his request, and Res ascends to the next plane — his voice resonates from the grave as the Colonials leave and the planet explodes, assuring her that what Athena did was right. It should be noted that the Cylons they encountered were part of the illusion as well ({{comics|marvel|21}}).

{{clear}}

=== Look-In Magazine ===
{{separate continuity|universe=TOS|cont=Look-In Magazine|type=line}}{{Character Data
| series=TOS|name=Athena|seen=Look-In Magazine: Storyline 1|pseen=Storyline #1 (Look-In Magazine)|lastseen=Look-In Magazine: Storyline 4|plastseen=Storyline #4 (Look-In Magazine)|parents=[[Adama (TOS-LM)|Adama]] (father)|siblings=[[Apollo (TOS-LM)|Apollo]] (brother)|role=Bridge Officer, battlestar ''[[Galactica (TOS-LM)|Galactica]]''|sortkey=Athena|spoilers=n}}'''Athena''' is a bridge officer serving aboard the battlestar ''[[Galactica (TOS-LM)|Galactica]]'' under the command of her father, Commander [[Adama (TOS-LM)|Adama]].

She is the first to report the distress call from ''[[Freighter Eighteen (TOS-LM)|Freighter Eighteen]]''. Later, while monitoring a routine situation report, she hears [[Boxey (TOS-LM)|Boxey]]'s scream from the fuel room, alerting the bridge to the danger {{Comics|Look-In Magazine: Storyline 1}}.<ref>''Look-In'' #43 (1979) & #49 (1979), Storyline 1, Strips 1 & 7</ref>

During the encounter with the planet [[Thar (TOS-LM)|Thar]], it is Athena's strong intuition that her brother [[Apollo (TOS-LM)|Apollo]] is still alive in another dimension that convinces her father to call off a planned attack on a mysterious alien vessel {{Comics|Look-In Magazine: Storyline 2}}.<ref>''Look-In'' #19 (1980), Storyline 2, Strip 16</ref>

She is part of the initial exploratory mission to the planet [[Zaroak (TOS-LM)|Zaroak]], where she is captured alongside Apollo and [[Starbuck (TOS-LM)|Starbuck]]. She fights with them to escape the Cylon-run mines {{Comics|Look-In Magazine: Storyline 4}}.<ref>''Look-In'' #30 (1980) & #36 (1980), Storyline 4, Strips 1 & 7</ref>

{{Clear}}

=== Maximum Press ===
Twenty [[yahren]]s after the events of the [[Original Series]], Athena achieves the rank of colonel and has moved on from {{alt|Starbuck|TOS}}, even after her former rival, {{alt|Cassiopeia}}, died yahrens prior.

A Cylon humanoid named [[Ares (Cylon)|Ares]] joins the Colonial fleet with the intention of sabotage. Before doing so, he romances Athena and beds her ({{comics|enemy|1}}&mdash;{{comics|enemy|3|short=y}}).

=== Realm Press ===
'''Athena''' is a Lieutenant in the Colonial Fleet, serving as a bridge officer and Viper pilot aboard the battlestar ''Galactica''. She is the daughter of Commander [[Adama (TOS-RP)|Adama]] and the sister of Captain [[Apollo (TOS-RP)|Apollo]] and Lieutenant [[Zac (TOS-RP)|Zac]].

==== History ====
Athena is a prominent member of the ''Galactica'''s crew, often on the bridge during critical operations. However, she eschews her bridge duties to join the search party to find her missing brother, [[Apollo (TOS-RP)|Apollo]], demonstrating her skills as a pilot and her unwavering loyalty to her family ({{Comics|Search for Sanctuary, Part 1}}).<ref>''Battlestar Galactica: Search for Sanctuary'' #1, p. 5</ref>

In "No Place Like Home," Athena is shown to have a romantic relationship with Starbuck. The two have a dinner date, where their flirtatious dynamic is on full display ({{Comics|No Place Like Home}}).<ref>''Battlestar Galactica: Season III'' #1, pp. 24-25</ref> However, this relationship causes friction with [[Cassiopeia (TOS-RP)|Cassiopeia]], who confronts Athena on the bridge. The confrontation escalates to a physical altercation before [[Sheba]] intervenes ({{Comics|Hades Hath No Fury}}).<ref>''Battlestar Galactica: Season III'' #2, pp. 12-13</ref>

She is seen in a vision by her younger brother, [[Zac (TOS-RP)|Zac]], by the [[Beings of Light (TOS-RP)|Beings of Light]] who inform him of his special destiny. In the vision, Zac sees a future where Athena is a warrior, flying alongside her brother and father ({{Comics|Eve of Destruction}}).<ref>''Battlestar Galactica: Eve of Destruction'' #0, pp. 16-17</ref> 

== References ==
{{Reflist}}{{Characters (Comics)|series=TOS}}

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: Berkley Novelizations]]
[[Category: Characters]]
[[Category: Characters (TOS)]]
[[Category: Comics]]
[[Category: Dynamite Comics]]
[[Category: Realm Press Comics]]
[[Category: TOS]]