Cassiopeia (TOS-RH)

This article has a separate continuity. This article is in the Richard Hatch continuation separate continuity, which is related to the Original Series. Be sure that your contributions to this article reflect the characters and events specific to this continuity only.

For the canonical depiction of this character, see: Cassiopeia.

Cassiopeia is a former socialator who becomes a highly skilled med-tech and bio-research specialist serving aboard Galactica. She is the mother of Dalton and a central figure in the surviving Colonial fleet.

Biography

Background

Cassiopeia is Gemonese, hailing from the colony of Gemini. She was originally trained as a socialator, an ancient occupation with a tradition of great respect, described as "women of exemplary manners, diplomacy and education" who serve as "perfect companions". Though there was glamour to that life, it was also a lonely one (RH: Warhawk).

Medical career

Cassiopeia works diligently to leave her past behind and become a medical professional. She becomes "the finest med-tech in the fleet" and the primary bio-research tech on Galactica, though she remains self-conscious about not being a full doctor (RH: Warhawk).

Her medical expertise makes her invaluable to the fleet. She maintains both a medical station and an adjoining research laboratory. Even as she advances in her career, she occasionally still sees patients, particularly those who feel more comfortable coming to her (RH: Warhawk).

Cassiopeia works closely with Doctor Salik and Wilker on various research projects, including dissecting the remains of destroyed Cylons that have been in storage for yahren (RH: Resurrection).

Personal relationships

Starbuck

Cassiopeia has a long and complicated relationship with Starbuck. They were in love "off and on for eighteen yahren", and she bore him a daughter, Dalton, approximately a yahren after the Battle at Galaxy's Edge in 7343 (RH: Armageddon).

Though they love each other, they cannot live together. Cassiopeia needs "a mate who would be home when she wanted him there. Not out playing pyramid at some chancery all through light cycle, spending cubits on bad wagers or expensive bottles of ambrosa shared with women half his age". Half a yahren before Dalton's eighteenth novayahren, they briefly entertain the idea of reuniting, but "that dalliance had ended badly" (RH: Warhawk).

Cassiopeia acknowledges that while Starbuck cared for her, "the real Starbuck, the man he was at his core, the courageous and giving person beneath the facade, that man always belonged to" Athena (RH: Armageddon).

After taking the Seal with another man, Cassiopeia later divorces him. When Starbuck returns to Athena, Cassiopeia finds herself attracted to Plutarch, a young scientist twenty-two yahren old. Though she has a "schoolgirl crush" on him, she recognizes it as completely harmless and knows she would never act upon it (RH: Warhawk, Armageddon).

When Starbuck is critically injured and dying, Cassiopeia serves as his attending med-tech. Apollo notes that Starbuck "loved you as much as he ever loved anyone," to which Cassiopeia responds "As much, or as often?" before her eyes prick with tears. She weeps openly and bitterly at his funeral, held by Athena (RH: Resurrection).

Following Starbuck's resurrection, their relationship remains complex. On Paradis, Starbuck visits her in the med-lab and kisses her "with all the passion in him." Apollo walks in on them, leading to a confrontation. Cassiopeia stops the argument by reminding them of a previous fight between Apollo and Starbuck over Athena (RH: Paradis).

Apollo

Cassiopeia develops deep feelings for Apollo. When Starbuck is critically wounded, she finds comfort in Apollo's embrace. He kisses her softly on the top of her head and tells her "I'm here for you." Apollo recognizes that Starbuck fell for Cassiopeia because "she had a rare quality that one didn't find often in this hardscrabble life—it was kindness" (RH: Resurrection).

Their relationship becomes romantic, and Cassiopeia becomes pregnant with what she believes is Apollo's child. When she tells him, Apollo's reaction is one of shock rather than joy, leaving her hoping for "a different expression on the face of the man she loved". Apollo tells her he needs time to think, then retreats from the conversation, leaving Cassiopeia to wait (RH: Rebellion, Paradis).

Cassiopeia reflects that she is "hopelessly in love" with both Apollo and Starbuck, though they inspire very different emotions in her. With Apollo, she feels "a pressure in her, a command to rise to the occasion," while with her "jaunty colonel" Starbuck, she is "more relaxed, ready to laugh." However, Starbuck can also make her angry "in ways no other man could" (RH: Paradis).

Athena

Cassiopeia initially has a caustic, adversarial relationship with Athena, beginning when they competed for Starbuck's attentions. Athena admits she once thought Cassiopeia was "cheap" because of her background as a socialator, but comes to admire her hard work and accomplishments (RH: Resurrection).

When Starbuck is dying, the two women make peace. Cassiopeia tells Athena that while Starbuck cared for her, "the real Starbuck" always belonged to Athena. She proposes they end their rivalry, noting "Starbuck is dead, Athena. I don't know if we'll ever really be friends, but I do know we've both lost something" (RH: Armageddon).

After Starbuck returns to Athena, Cassiopeia and Athena become closer. Cassiopeia notes "Athena and I are getting closer than we've ever been," acknowledging that the situation is awkward given her continued involvement with Starbuck. On Paradis, Athena is concerned for Cassiopeia and doesn't want to hurt her friend with her relationship with Starbuck (RH: Warhawk, Paradis).

Cain

Cassiopeia has a history with Commander Cain. When he visits her laboratory, they embrace warmly, and Cain says "an entire phalanx of Cylon Raiders couldn't have kept me away. I'm just happy you remember an old man who once doted on you." Cassiopeia responds that he was "more than that" to her (RH: Warhawk).

Cain offers Cassiopeia a position on Poseidon, acknowledging her skills and telling her "as long as I live, wherever I am, there's a place for you." Cassiopeia thanks him, noting "You always looked out for me" (RH: Warhawk).

Political involvement

Cassiopeia becomes involved with the Gemon Matriarchs, a group that believes women are more capable than men and pursues that philosophy within the fleet. She approaches Athena on behalf of this group, informing her that the Gemon Matriarchs are prepared to back Athena's bid as a candidate for commander, and that Cassiopeia plans to nominate her (RH: Armageddon).

Motherhood

Dalton

Cassiopeia is the mother of Dalton, whom she had with Starbuck. When Starbuck is critically injured, Dalton keeps vigil at her father's deathbed. After Starbuck's death, Dalton embraces him and baptizes his face with bitter tears (RH: Resurrection).

Cassiopeia is protective of her daughter. When Nita visits for treatment, she asks Cassiopeia to say hello to Dalton, noting "I know where Dalton got her drive." Cassiopeia laughs and responds "Well, it wasn't from her father" (RH: Warhawk).

Second child

On Paradis, Cassiopeia becomes pregnant again. She accepts the services of a Gamon midwife named K'Ris despite this being unexpected (RH: Paradis).

When Cassiopeia gives birth, the midwife helps with the delivery, but during the birth Cassiopeia blacks out. When she wakes, both the midwife and the baby are gone (RH: Rebellion).

Cassiopeia breaks down completely and calls for Apollo. Colonial Warriors and civilian security staff search for the child. The midwife is eventually found with the baby and arrested. The baby is a boy, though Cassiopeia and Apollo have not yet named him (RH: Paradis).

The midwife took the baby to perform a special cleansing and healing ritual, claiming she "recognized an evil presence within the child, and felt compelled to perform a tribal exorcism upon it." Gar'Tokk admits he had the same feeling about the child. Baltar later reveals to Apollo that the child is not born of man, but is Count Iblis's child (RH: Paradis, Rebellion).

Service during the Rebellion

During the rebellion and food crisis aboard Galactica, Cassiopeia works in sickbay under dire conditions. The facility is overwhelmed with sick and injured people huddled on the floor, every bed filled, and limited medicine. When Starbuck brings an injured elderly woman to sickbay, he finds Cassiopeia nowhere to be seen, and the staff barely able to cope with the crisis (RH: Rebellion).

Personality

Cassiopeia is described as beautiful, with her attractiveness enduring over the yahren. Starbuck notes she is "even more beautiful than she had been two decades ago when they'd first met," appreciating "her wit, her intellect, and the kindness of her heart" (RH: Warhawk).

She is dedicated to her work and passionate about her research, though she acknowledges needing breaks from her laboratory. Despite her professional accomplishments, she remains somewhat self-conscious about her past as a socialator and not being a full doctor (RH: Warhawk).

Cassiopeia demonstrates considerable emotional strength, serving as attending med-tech while watching someone she loves die. However, she also experiences moments of vulnerability, particularly regarding her complex romantic relationships and concerns about her children (RH: Resurrection).

As a Gemonese, Cassiopeia values loyalty above all else. She struggles with loving deeply while not having that love fully returned (RH: Paradis).