Editing Marcellus

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

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

==Biography==

===Academy Training===

Marcellus attends the [[Colonial Academy]] aboard [[Academia (TOS-RH)|''Academia'']] as a second-year cadet and demonstrates exceptional piloting abilities, earning selection as a Cadet Squad Commander (CSC).<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 Marcellus for temporary promotion to active duty status. He is chosen alongside fellow CSC [[Cato (TOS-RH)|Cato]], another second-year student, and [[Freyja (TOS-RH)|Cadet Freyja]], a first-year student whose exceptional scores warrant her early advancement.<ref name="WAR176" />

Marcellus gathers his belongings and accompanies Jolly and Hecate from ''Academia'' to ''Galactica'' for active duty.<ref name="WAR176" />

===Active Combat Service===

====Early Engagements====

Marcellus receives his promotion to Ensign and is assigned to [[Blue Squadron (TOS-RH)|Blue Squadron]].<ref name="WAR212">{{cite book/RH|2|212}}</ref> During the initial engagement with the Chitain, Marcellus displays considerable confidence—perhaps overconfidence—when reporting to Lieutenant Jolly. Upon being informed that the Chitain are not [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylons]], Marcellus responds with bravado, "Received, sir! But these aren't Cylons, after all!"<ref name="WAR212" />

Jolly immediately rebukes the young pilot, ordering him to "[[trank it]]" or face reassignment to ''Galactica'' with his Viper given to a pilot with the proper attitude. The chastened Marcellus acknowledges the correction, and Jolly tempers his reprimand with fatherly advice, reminding him, "We're all on the same side. But you have to remember, you won't be any less dead if one of these [[Crawlon|crawlons]] gets you."<ref name="WAR213">{{cite book/RH|2|213}}</ref>

====Saving Jolly====

Moments after receiving Jolly's rebuke, Marcellus demonstrates his worth as a Warrior. When Jolly's Viper suffers critical damage from Chitain fire—with his apex pulsar misfiring and a chunk of his starboard wing destroyed—Marcellus alerts him to the approaching threat on his port side.<ref name="WAR213" /> With Jolly nearly defenseless and the attacking Chitain craft about to deliver a killing blow, Marcellus destroys the enemy vessel, saving Jolly's life.<ref name="WAR214">{{cite book/RH|2|214}}</ref>

Jolly thanks the young Ensign over the commlink, to which Marcellus replies with characteristic humor, "Thank you, Lieutenant! Just note it in my first review!" Jolly responds by asking him to stay close until his apex pulsar recycles, "so I'll have the chance."<ref name="WAR214" />

===Death===

Despite his skill and bravery, Marcellus' combat career is tragically brief. After almost dying once during the battle and having to abandon his shattered Viper for an unfamiliar replacement, Jolly witnesses Marcellus being "blasted to oblivion" only [[centari]] after the same young man had saved his life.<ref name="WAR229">{{cite book/RH|2|229}}</ref><ref name="WAR230">{{cite book/RH|2|230}}</ref>

Marcellus' death, along with that of [[Cato (TOS-RH)|Cato]], leaves [[Freyja (TOS-RH)|Ensign Freyja]] as the sole survivor of the three newly promoted cadets.<ref name="WAR262">{{cite book/RH|2|262}}</ref>

==Character==

Marcellus displays the typical confidence and perhaps arrogance of youth that Jolly observes in the newly promoted cadets.<ref name="WAR212" /> However, he also demonstrates courage, skill, and loyalty in combat, saving Jolly's life despite having been rebuked by him moments before. His lighthearted response after the rescue—joking about his first review—shows both his sense of humor and his ability to handle criticism professionally.<ref name="WAR214" />

==References==

<references />

{{Characters (TOS-RH)}}

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