Dalton

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.

Dalton is the daughter of Starbuck and Cassiopeia, born roughly a yahren after the Battle at Galaxy's Edge in 7343.

She has her mother's blonde hair and "twinkling blue eyes," as well as her father's piloting skills, gambling acumen, confident grin, and hot temper. She is one of the many trainees who have been instructed by Majors Boomer and Sheba; they tell Cassiopeia that she was one of their best students and graduated early because she "cleaned out every cubit the other cadets earned or begged from their parents, playing variations on pyramid games that they've never even heard of" (RH: Armageddon).

Career

At age seventeen, Dalton becomes the youngest person ever to graduate from Academy and become a full-fledged Colonial Warrior, breaking Troy's previous record. She is promoted to the rank of Ensign following her graduation (RH: Armageddon, Warhawk).

On her eighteenth novayahren, her parents and extended family throw her a celebration at the aft officer's club aboard Galactica. Following the celebration, she accompanies Apollo to witness his challenge match against Gar'Tokk, having leaked information about the event to the press despite it being intended as a private affair (RH: Warhawk).

Viper Duet training

Dalton is selected for Viper Duet training aboard Pegasus, where she serves as co-pilot with Troy. The two are chosen because Athena and Captain Hecate agree they are "best suited to a vessel in which the co-pilots must work in tandem, and so must be intimately familiar with one another," having known each other throughout Dalton's entire life.

During training, she confronts Major Belarius of Pegasus after he questions her qualifications due to her youth and gender. When Belarius makes unwanted advances, Dalton uses pressure point techniques to defend herself. She later returns and physically assaults Belarius after he insults her father and suggests she only graduated Academy because of Starbuck. Despite the incident, only a notation is made in her permanent record (RH: Warhawk).

Captain Hecate defends Dalton's qualifications, noting that while she is not "the best pilot who has ever come through Academy," her scores are higher than any other current cadet, and that Majors Sheba and Boomer had already determined she would be promoted to Cadet Squad Commander in the next term (RH: Warhawk).

Combat operations

Dalton and Troy fly their Viper Duet in combat for the first time during the battle against the Chitain forces. Despite initial nervousness, the two pilots work together seamlessly, alternating weapons fire and using the Duet's QSE capability to phase in and out of normal space. Dalton scores "first blood" in the engagement, destroying the first Chitain vessel with her opening shot (RH: Warhawk).

During the battle in the Ur cloud against Cylon forces, Dalton's Viper sustains heavy damage from Cylon turbolasers. Her canopy is cracked during the quantum space transition, but she survives and is rescued by a med team from Galactica. She continues flying combat missions during subsequent engagements against the Cylons, including a dangerous pass against a Cylon basestar where Troy weaves the Duet through the vessel's plasma cannon array to destroy a pursuing Stinger (RH: Resurrection).

On Paradis, Dalton participates in atmospheric flight training, demonstrating skill in the different techniques required for planetary flying. She maintains a "steady chatter" to warn other pilots about atmospheric hazards like updrafts and challenges a new cadet named Rhaya to prove her superior piloting skills (RH: Paradis).

Relationships

Dalton has a close relationship with Troy, whom she has known since childhood. Troy tutored her in language skills during her youth and is described as being "fond of her," though their relationship becomes complicated as they grow older (RH: Armageddon).

Despite her parents' tumultuous romantic history, Dalton maintains relationships with both Starbuck and Cassiopeia. Her mother notes that Dalton inherited her father's "sneaky sort of charm and a hot temper," while most of her other qualities come from Cassiopeia (RH: Warhawk).

Personality

Dalton is described as confident, mischievous, and prone to taking risks. She "swaggers with a pride" rarely seen in others and is known for getting away with statements and actions that few others could. Troy notes that long-term exposure to her "volatile personality" might help loosen him up (RH: Armageddon, Warhawk).

Like her father, she is an accomplished gambler and is usually surrounded by other young pilots who worship her father Starbuck as a hero and view her as his worthy successor (RH: Armageddon).