Editing Cato

{{Separate continuity|universe=TOS|cont=Richard Hatch Novelizations}}

'''Cato''' is a [[Colonial Warrior]] and [[Viper (TOS)|Viper]] pilot who serves aboard ''[[Galactica (TOS-RH)|Galactica]]''.

==Biography==

===Academy Training===

Cato attends the [[Colonial Academy]] as a second-year cadet and demonstrates exceptional piloting abilities. His performance in the Academy's testing programs places him among the top cadets in his class.<ref name="WAR176">{{cite book/RH|2|176}}</ref>

When a critical shortage of pilots develops during the [[Chitain]] crisis, [[Jolly (TOS-RH)|Lieutenant Jolly]] and [[Hecate (TOS-RH)|Captain Hecate]] select Cato for temporary promotion to active duty status as a Cadet Squad Commander (CSC). He is chosen alongside CSC [[Marcellus (TOS-RH)|Marcellus]], another second-year cadet, and Cadet [[Freyja (TOS-RH)|Freyja]], a first-year student whose exceptional scores warrant her early advancement.<ref name="WAR176" />

===Active Combat Service===

Cato receives his promotion to Ensign and transfers from the ''[[Academia (TOS-RH)|Academia]]'' to ''Galactica'' for active duty.<ref name="WAR176" /> Despite his youth and inexperience, he performs admirably in his first combat missions, demonstrating the courage and skill expected of a Colonial Warrior.

===Battle of Poseidon===

During the climactic battle against the [[Chitain dreadnought]] at [[Poseidon (TOS-RH)|Poseidon]], Cato flies as part of [[Apollo (TOS-RH)|Commander Apollo]]'s squadron in a desperate assault on the massive enemy vessel. The mission requires the Vipers to fly dangerously close to the dreadnought's hull, weaving between its enormous stinger weapons while harrying the enemy craft "like a pack of [[Lupus|lupuses]] bringing down a frightened [[bova]]."<ref name="WAR262">{{cite book/RH|2|262}}</ref>

During the intense engagement, a long stinger tendril whips to one side and shatters Cato's Viper into pieces of debris.<ref name="WAR262" /> [[Freyja (TOS-RH)|Ensign Freyja]], who had flown into battle alongside Cato and Marcellus, screams his name over the commlink as his fighter explodes.<ref name="WAR262" /> An instant later, another Chitain blast destroys Marcellus' Viper as well, leaving Freyja as the sole survivor of the three newly promoted cadets.<ref name="WAR262" />

Apollo witnesses Cato's death and is determined that Freyja's life will not join the others, feeling the burden of responsibility for the young Warriors who perished under his command.<ref name="WAR263">{{cite book/RH|2|263}}</ref>

==Notes==

* Cato's death represents the tragic cost of deploying inexperienced Academy cadets in desperate combat situations.
* His sacrifice, along with those of countless other Warriors, contributes to the eventual Colonial victory against the [[Chitain dreadnought]].

==References==

<references />

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Characters (TOS)]]
[[Category:Colonial Warriors]]
[[Category:Pilots]]
[[Category:Deceased characters]]
[[Category:TOS]]
[[Category:TOS-RH]]
[[Category:Richard Hatch Novelizations]]