Apollo (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: Apollo (TOS).

Apollo is one of the remaining skilled Colonial Warriors surviving the Battle of Cimtar, and ace Viper pilot serving aboard the last known battlestar, Galactica.

Following the death of his brother, Zac, Apollo becomes the only surviving son of Commander Adama and Ila, as well as the lead Warrior aboard Galactica. He is the older brother of Athena and the adoptive father of Troy (formerly "Boxey"), whom he raises after the death of Troy's mother, Serina.

Background

Apollo is a pure-blooded Kobollian, directly descended from the Lords of Kobol themselves. This heritage grants him access to latent mental abilities including telepathy and clairvoyance, though mastering these talents requires decades of meditation and training. His father Adama begins training Apollo in these abilities after his thirtieth novayahren celebration, conducting meditation sessions in a secret sanctuary aboard Galactica for more than ten yahren.

During his time at Academy, Apollo is appointed cadet captain and maintains a stern, disciplined demeanor that keeps him distant from most other cadets. His friendship with Starbuck—a popular maverick—surprises many, as does his eventual friendship with Boomer. Apollo's tendency to divorce himself from intimacy stems from his understanding of command's burden: the knowledge that commanders must send Warriors to face probable death.

It is Adama who finally helps Apollo see the tragedy of this logic, teaching him that "love and compassion are not liabilities, but strengths upon which to draw. A Warrior has nothing to fight for if he does not allow himself to love, and be loved in return."

The Lull Between

In the 18 yahren following the Battle at Galaxy's Edge, Apollo sees his adopted son Troy grow into a Colonial Warrior who becomes the youngest person ever to graduate from Academy—a record that remains unbroken until Dalton surpasses it years later. Despite his relationship with Sheba, Apollo does not marry her during this extended period, instead focusing on his own development and obligations as a defender of the human remnants.

During this time, the Cylons have not been encountered for six yahren, leading some in the Fleet to believe the threat has passed.

Reconnaissance to Binary 13

Apollo conducts a reconnaissance mission to Binary 13 with Captain Starbuck just prior to Adama's natural death. Flying a newly issued Scarlet-class Viper, Apollo scouts the system's only habitable planet, Ochoa, which possesses rich resources including nearly pure tylium. During the mission, Apollo senses danger through his developing mental abilities, warning Starbuck that whoever is on the planet knows them. His intuition proves correct when they are attacked by Cylon forces.

The mission becomes catastrophic when Ochoa begins to tear itself apart due to gravitational forces from the dual stars. Apollo and Starbuck barely escape as the planet convulses with increasingly severe seismic activity. During their time on Ochoa's surface, they discover that Baltar's base star is nearby and that Baltar possesses a holo-cube star map potentially containing the location of Earth.

Starbuck is subsequently lost during this mission, believed killed in action. Apollo is devastated by the loss of his closest friend.

Adama's Death and Revelation

Following Starbuck's presumed death, Adama suffers a cardiac seizure. In his final moments of clarity, Adama asks to be moved to his quarters and speaks to his family one last time. He tells his grandson Troy—whom only Adama can still call "Boxey"—that he may yet command the Fleet one day.

After Adama falls into a profound coma and dies, Apollo discovers the sanctuary hidden in Adama's quarters. There, he activates a holo-recording of his father that reveals the truth about their Kobollian heritage, the House of Kobol, and the mental abilities Apollo has been developing through years of meditation.

Adama's recording explains that the Lords of Kobol were originally priests from the planet Parnassus who developed superior mental abilities through concentration, meditation, and inner vision. They eventually left Kobol, becoming the lost Thirteenth Tribe. The sanctuary aboard Galactica was built five hundred yahren earlier as a place of power and focus for commanders of Kobollian blood.

Apollo learns that he must become commander because Adama believes the ship cannot survive without a leader of pure Kobollian blood. The recording also reveals that Athena, as Adama's daughter and a pure-blooded Kobollian, has equal right to this knowledge—though Kobollian tradition dictates such secrets pass only to the eldest child.

Ascension to Command

After Adama's passing, Apollo's future becomes uncertain. President Tigh uses his presidential powers to appoint Apollo as interim commander of Galactica, responsible for all military operations within the Fleet until the Quorum votes otherwise.

However, Apollo faces significant political opposition. Ambassador Puck attempts to undermine his appointment, questioning whether Apollo possesses Adama's natural leadership and wisdom. Puck suggests that while Apollo has charisma, he will never be the leader his father was. The Gemon Matriarchs also advocate for Athena's ascension as future commander.

Apollo himself is conflicted about command. He has watched his father his entire life and knows the toll it takes. Yet he understands why Adama wanted him to lead, and resolves to fulfill his father's wishes—not merely for Adama, but for the Fleet itself.

Recognizing that Athena has equal right to the Kobollian knowledge their father possessed, Apollo brings her to the sanctuary and shares everything Adama revealed, including the existence of the Lords of Kobol and the threat posed by Count Iblis. Athena is moved to tears upon learning that their brother Zac still exists somewhere in a higher plane of existence.

Mission to Rescue Starbuck

When Apollo later returns to Binary 13 from a different vector, he encounters an unknown alien vessel whose pilot reaches out to him telepathically in great distress. Despite being on a vital mission, Apollo cannot ignore the direct plea for assistance. The encounter leads him to Valor of the Sky, a member of the Sky race.

Through his connection with Valor and intelligence gathered on Ochoa, Apollo learns that Starbuck is alive—held prisoner by the Cylons. Against Starbuck's protests, Apollo convinces his friend to accompany him on an infiltration mission to Baltar's base star to steal the holo-cube star map.

The mission succeeds, and Apollo returns to the Fleet with both Starbuck and the precious holo-cube. In the launch bay, Apollo is reunited with Sheba. In an uncharacteristic public display of affection, he kisses her passionately and tells her it's time they got married—a sentiment echoed by Troy.

Relationships

Family

Apollo deeply loves his family and is devastated by the losses he suffers. His father Adama is his greatest inspiration, and even after death, Apollo remains in awe of him. He shares a close bond with his sister Athena, and their relationship strengthens further after their father's death when Apollo shares the sanctuary's secrets with her.

Apollo's relationship with his adopted son Troy is profound. Though they are not related by blood, father and son have never looked more alike in spirit. Apollo shaped the man Troy became, and Troy idolizes his father while also struggling to define his own identity apart from being "the pampered prince."

Sheba

Apollo's relationship with Sheba is founded on mutual admiration as Warriors first, and affection second. They have been together for years without taking the Seal of marriage, with Apollo focusing on his duties and development. After his return from rescuing Starbuck, Apollo finally commits to marriage, recognizing that he has avoided intimacy for too long.

Despite his love for Sheba, Apollo struggles with prioritizing his responsibilities to the Fleet over his personal life. He sometimes feels guilty for not dwelling on her concerns as much as he should, wondering how she will deal with always being secondary to his duty.

Starbuck

Starbuck is Apollo's closest friend and counterbalance. Their friendship mystifies others at Academy, as Starbuck is a popular maverick while Apollo is a stern, disciplined cadet captain. Apollo credits Starbuck with helping him form other friendships, particularly with Boomer.

When Starbuck is lost at Binary 13, Apollo is heartbroken. His determination to rescue his friend—even risking everything to infiltrate a Cylon base star—demonstrates the depth of their bond. Apollo later admits he functions best when the stakes are highest, but having Starbuck with him provides a sense of brotherhood that is exhilarating.

Their relationship is occasionally strained by Starbuck's romantic complications, particularly his involvement with both Cassiopeia and Athena. Apollo confronts Starbuck angrily about his treatment of women, unable to tolerate seeing his sister hurt.

Skills and Abilities

Piloting

Apollo is acknowledged as one of the best pilots in the Fleet. His skill and confidence in the cockpit are unmatched, though some—including Starbuck himself—consider Starbuck the superior pilot in one-on-one individual battle. Apollo treats his Viper as an extension of himself, settling into an easy rhythm with each fighter. He needs to be at the navi-hilt of a Viper as much as he needs to be on the bridge of Galactica, unable to be wholly satisfied or fulfilled if devoted to only one or the other.

His piloting skills earn him respect from even the youngest cadets, with Dalton noting that Apollo remains "one of the best pilots in the fleet, along with Starbuck, Sheba and Boomer."

Mental Abilities

As a pure-blooded Kobollian, Apollo possesses latent telepathic and clairvoyant abilities that he has been developing through meditation for over ten yahren. These abilities manifest in various ways:

• Telepathy: Apollo can communicate mind-to-mind across distances and sense the presence and emotions of others. He uses this ability to communicate silently with Athena in the sanctuary.
• Clairvoyance: Apollo experiences visions and portentous feelings that guide his decisions. He senses danger and familiarity at Ochoa before any evidence appears, and later experiences a telepathic connection with Valor of the Sky across vast distances.
• Enhanced Perception: Apollo's mental training allows him to expand his consciousness and perceive threats that his instruments cannot detect. He describes it as exercising the mind to expand its power and acuity—purely scientific rather than mystical.

While these abilities are still developing, Apollo suspects that Starbuck—whose parents were both Caprican—might also have Kobollian blood and potentially similar abilities.

Leadership

Apollo's natural leadership abilities are evident from his time as cadet captain at Academy. However, he long resisted the burden of command, knowing it means sending Warriors to face probable death. His father's wisdom eventually helps him understand that avoiding intimacy creates its own tragedies, and that love and compassion are strengths, not liabilities.

As commander, Apollo earns respect through leading by example. He personally flies dangerous missions, confronts hostile situations directly, and makes difficult decisions under pressure. His mind functions best when stakes are highest, maintaining calm in the face of adversity.

Apollo also serves as a mentor and father figure to younger Warriors, though some of the newest generation find him overly serious. When cadets disrespect the older pilot Bojay, Apollo delivers a stern lecture about respect and honor, noting that the best pilots have given their lives so the cadets might be there.

Final Command Decision

After the successful defense against the Cylons and the resolution of various crises, the Quorum convenes to make its final decision on permanent Fleet command. By this time, Ambassador Puck has died and the Council numbers only eleven members. Apollo stands anxiously with Sheba, Troy, and Dalton as they await the announcement.

Despite his own candidacy, Apollo supports Athena's bid for the position, recognizing that after her performance during his absence and during the Cylon attack, she has more than enough support. He eagerly anticipates the end of the uncertainty that has plagued them all since Adama's death.

President Tigh announces that Athena has been selected as the new Fleet commander. The announcement ends the long period of turmoil, allowing the Fleet to move forward united under new leadership.

Later Service

Following Athena's ascension to Fleet command, Apollo continues to serve as her second-in-command with the rank of colonel. He shares command of Galactica equally with his sister, and their relationship grows even closer as they work together in the sanctuary, learning from ancient Kobollian records and their father's teachings.

Apollo eventually takes the Seal with Sheba, looking forward to sharing his life with her and possibly conceiving a child together—though they never fully discuss this possibility.

When the Fleet encounters Commander Cain and the discovery of Poseidon creates division about whether to continue the search for Earth or settle, Apollo must navigate complex political and personal challenges. The situation strains his relationship with Sheba, as Cain's return and his controversial methods create tension between them.