Editing Trays

{{separate continuity|universe=TOS|lcont=:Category:Books|cont=Richard Hatch continuation}}

'''Trays''' is a young [[Colonial Warrior]] and [[Viper (TOS-RH)|Viper]] pilot serving aboard ''[[Galactica (TOS-RH)|Galactica]]''. He is characterized by his arrogance, cocky attitude, and disrespect toward older, more experienced Warriors—traits that frequently bring him into conflict with his superiors and fellow pilots.<ref name="RES62">{{cite book/RH|3|62}}</ref>

==Background==

Trays is part of the younger generation of Warriors who lost their parents at a young age and grew up without proper discipline or upbringing. This background contributes to his difficult personality and his tendency to be hard to control.<ref name="RES62" /> He is handsome and bears a striking resemblance to [[Starbuck (TOS-RH)|Starbuck]] in both appearance and personality, leading some to speculate about deeper connections.<ref name="RES57">{{cite book/RH|3|57}}</ref>

Despite his youth and attitude problems, Trays demonstrates genuine piloting skill. He is confident in his abilities—perhaps overconfident—and believes that younger pilots like himself are superior to the older generation, dismissing veterans as past their prime.<ref name="RES62" />

==Personality and Attitude==

Trays exemplifies the arrogance and sense of entitlement common among the youngest Warriors in the Fleet. He openly mocks older pilots and questions the abilities of legendary Warriors like [[Apollo (TOS-RH)|Commander Apollo]], [[Boomer (TOS-RH)|Boomer]], and [[Sheba (TOS-RH)|Sheba]]. He sneers that "the older pilots can't fly worth beans any more" and insists that with the loss of so many Warriors, younger pilots will finally get their chance to show how good they are, declaring "It's our time."<ref name="RES62" />

His arrogance extends to disrespecting those he views as beneath him. When elderly pilot [[Bojay (TOS-RH)|Bojay]]—working as a technician after memory loss—repairs Trays' Viper, Trays commands him imperiously: "Hurry it up, old timer. I have to fly patrol, and I can't do it with you on my wing." This casual cruelty toward a veteran Warrior who has forgotten his own identity reveals Trays' fundamental lack of respect for those who have sacrificed for the Fleet.<ref name="RES61">{{cite book/RH|3|61}}</ref>

Apollo confronts Trays about this behavior, physically grabbing him and warning that Bojay "could make you eat his vapor trail." Apollo delivers a stern lecture to Trays and his friends about respect, noting that they "don't hold a candle" to pilots like Bojay who have given everything for the Fleet.<ref name="RES62" />

Trays also displays a mocking, sarcastic sense of humor. He makes inappropriate jokes even in serious situations, such as when exploring ancient ruins on [[Paradis]], quipping "Don't you mean in pieces?" when discussing ruins left in peace.<ref name="PAR160">{{cite book/RH|5|160}}</ref>

==Relationship with Dalton==

Trays becomes romantically involved with [[Dalton (TOS-RH)|Dalton]], daughter of Starbuck and [[Cassiopeia (TOS-RH)|Cassiopeia]]. This relationship creates tension with [[Troy (TOS-RH)|Lieutenant Troy]], who has loved Dalton since childhood. Troy observes that Trays is "much like Starbuck—this new, arrogant pilot"—and wonders if Dalton is trying to work through ambivalent feelings about her father by dating a younger version of him.<ref name="RES57" />

Dalton frequently touches Trays' handsome face and laughs with him during training sessions, behavior that makes Troy miserable. However, the relationship appears superficial, with Dalton using Trays partly to make Troy jealous or to prove something to herself about being unworthy of love.<ref name="RES58">{{cite book/RH|3|58}}</ref>

Starbuck is aware of Trays' interest in his daughter and disapproves strongly. During preparations for battle, Starbuck publicly humiliates Trays by replacing him with Bojay, then privately threatens him: "If you ever lay another hand on my daughter, I'll personally rip your pogees off and fire them into the nearest sun… got me?" Starbuck applies painful pressure to Trays' shoulder nerve cluster to emphasize his point, demonstrating that despite his age, he still has plenty of fight left.<ref name="RES204">{{cite book/RH|3|204}}</ref>

==Service Record==

===Training and Early Missions===

Trays serves under [[Boomer (TOS-RH)|Major Boomer]] and [[Sheba (TOS-RH)|Major Sheba]] during a period when the Fleet desperately needs pilots. The last clash with the [[Cylon (TOS-RH)|Cylons]] and [[Chitain]] has diminished Warrior ranks greatly, forcing Boomer to accept cadets who are either too old and past their prime or little more than children. Trays falls into the latter category, though he possesses sufficient natural talent to graduate.<ref name="RES57" />

During training, Trays watches Starbuck practice on flight simulators with the other cadets. Despite Starbuck being a legend—second only to Apollo among pilots—Trays maintains his dismissive attitude toward the older generation.<ref name="RES57" />

===Battle Against Cylons and Chitain===

When Apollo organizes a desperate Viper attack against a Cylon basestar, Trays is working on a Viper in the launch bay. Apollo approaches and asks if the fighter can fly. When Trays confirms it can, Apollo orders him to join the mission immediately. Trays lets out "a cry of joy" and bounds onto the wing, swinging into the cockpit with enthusiasm.<ref name="RES221">{{cite book/RH|3|221}}</ref>

Apollo commands the small squadron to keep in tight formation and specifically orders Sheba to "keep an eye on Trays," warning the young pilot: "If you say one word, I'll order you back to ''Galactica''… am I clear?" Trays responds with uncharacteristic brevity: "Clear."<ref name="RES221" />

Starbuck later gives Trays a field promotion during the battle, demonstrating that despite his attitude problems, Trays possesses genuine combat ability when properly supervised.<ref name="RES209">{{cite book/RH|3|209}}</ref>

===Trapped in the Ur Cloud===

Trays participates in a desperate long-range patrol into the [[Ur cloud]] alongside Troy and Dalton. The mission becomes critical when the Fleet becomes trapped in the bizarre region of space-time where normal physics do not apply. Starbuck "borrows" fuel from civilian ships to give the three young pilots enough range to penetrate deep into the cloud searching for an exit.<ref name="REB24">{{cite book/RH|4|24}}</ref>

During the mission, the three pilots run critically low on fuel and air. In these desperate circumstances, Dalton suddenly confesses her love for Troy over the comm system. Trays, hurt by this revelation, cuts off communication in anger. His voice carries clear pain despite his attempts to maintain a deadpan delivery.<ref name="REB200">{{cite book/RH|4|200}}</ref>

Troy pleads with Dalton to try getting Trays back on comm, noting "He'd walk on Borellian glass for you, Dalton." When Trays finally responds, he tries to cover his hurt with sarcastic humor, joking about how ugly Troy and Dalton's future children will be. When Dalton protests that she used her remaining fuel to reestablish contact with him, Trays calls her "incorrigible" before pausing and admitting: "I just really wanted to say… you're a lucky guy, Troy."<ref name="REB202">{{cite book/RH|4|202}}</ref>

This moment reveals a more vulnerable side of Trays beneath his cocky exterior—he is capable of genuine feeling and, when circumstances demand it, of putting others before himself.

The three pilots are eventually rescued by [[Valor of the Sky]], who tows them to the wreckage of ''[[Pegasus (TOS-RH)|Pegasus]]'' floating in the Ur cloud.<ref name="REB206">{{cite book/RH|4|206}}</ref>

===Discovery of Pegasus===

When Trays and Dalton explore the destroyed ''Pegasus'', they find fuel cells and food supplies that will help sustain the Fleet. However, the experience profoundly affects even Trays' cocky attitude. Confronted with floating bodies of Warriors killed in battle—many of them friends—Trays becomes subdued. When he tries to dismiss them as "just dead guys," even he realizes how shallow he sounds.<ref name="REB207">{{cite book/RH|4|207}}</ref>

The young pilots discover the body of [[Cain (TOS-RH)|Commander Cain]] himself, caught by his blue cloak on a jagged shard of metal. Trays identifies the legendary commander, and for once speaks with respect rather than mockery.<ref name="REB208">{{cite book/RH|4|208}}</ref>

===Later Service===

Trays continues serving as a Viper pilot during the Fleet's missions to various planets. He flies numerous supply runs during the reconstruction efforts on Paradis, ferrying goods and materiel from the planet to orbit and to the Fleet's foundry ship.<ref name="PAR239">{{cite book/RH|5|239}}</ref>

When exploring underground ruins on Paradis with Sheba, Troy, and Dalton, Trays maintains his sarcastic attitude even when confronted with evidence of the [[Thirteenth Tribe]]'s ancient civilization.<ref name="PAR160" />

==References==
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[[Category:Colonial Warriors (TOS-RH)]]
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