Starbuck (TOS-RH)

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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: Starbuck (TOS).

Starbuck is one of the remaining skilled Colonial Warriors surviving the Battle of Cimtar, and ace Viper pilot serving aboard the last known battlestar, Galactica in 7342. He holds the rank of Captain (RH: Warhawk).

Biography

Personal life

Starbuck is the father of Dalton, whom he had with Cassiopeia approximately a yahren after the Battle at Galaxy's Edge in 7343. Dalton inherits her father's piloting skills, gambling acumen, confident grin, and hot temper (RH: Armageddon, Warhawk).

His relationship with Cassiopeia is complicated and tumultuous. Though they love each other, they cannot live together, as Cassiopeia needs "a mate who would be home when she wanted him there. Not out playing pyramid at some chancery all through light cycle, spending cubits on bad wagers or expensive bottles of ambrosa shared with women half his age". Half a yahren before Dalton's eighteenth novayahren, they briefly entertain the idea of reuniting, but "that dalliance had ended badly" (RH: Warhawk).

Following the end of his relationship with Cassiopeia, Starbuck returns to Athena. Their arrangement is such that she "didn't mind whom he bought ambrosa for, as long as he slept in his own bed. Or hers". Cassiopeia notes that Starbuck is "finally growing up," acknowledging that he has matured enough to consider how his actions affect the women in his life (RH: Warhawk).

Despite their romantic complications, Cassiopeia acknowledges that "the real Starbuck, the man he was at his core, the courageous and giving person beneath the facade, that man always belonged to" Athena (RH: Armageddon).

Military service

Starbuck is considered a legendary pilot, second only to Apollo. He serves in Blue Squadron under Apollo's command. Young pilots idolize him and want to be "mavericks just like him," and they worship his daughter Dalton in part because of her connection to him (RH: Armageddon).

His piloting style is characterized by "easy grace at the navi-hilt, his coolness under fire," treating his Viper "as an extension of himself". He is known for being a "man who had nearly died and come back, good as ever" (RH: Resurrection).

Starbuck advises a young Troy that "the only Viper pilots who never get the jitters are the crazy ones. And crazy Viper pilots become dead Viper pilots pretty frackin' fast" (RH: Warhawk).

Combat operations

During the battle against the Chitain forces, Starbuck demonstrates his exceptional piloting skills. When Chitain craft pursue him, he maneuvers his Viper so that two pursuing Chitain vessels destroy each other with their own weapons fire. He whoops loudly and roars "Rack 'em up and knock 'em down!" while Dalton listens on the comm (RH: Warhawk).

When Dalton's damaged Viper is pursued by Cylon Raiders during the battle at Kirasolia, Starbuck "confiscates" a Viper against orders and launches with Boomer to protect his daughter. His unauthorized launch prompts Apollo to note that "there was no way Starbuck was going to sit this dance out, no matter what his specific orders might have been, if Dalton's safety was involved" (RH: Resurrection).

During another engagement in the Ur cloud, Starbuck becomes separated from his squadron while following Boomer's ion trail. Lost in "blind whiteness," his directional display malfunctions wildly, and his fuel runs low (RH: Rebellion).

Personality

Starbuck is known as "the lover, the jester, the gambler, the boon companion," though when in combat, these aspects of his personality disappear and "only the Warrior remained" (RH: Warhawk).

He is a habitual fumarello smoker, though he has quit "several times already". The smell of fumarello smoke reminds others of him (RH: Armageddon, Warhawk).

He is protective of his daughter Dalton, hissing at other pilots to "watch out for my daughter" as he passes them in the launch bay, even while acknowledging that "Dalton was as capable as any of the fleet's younger pilots, more so than most of them, in fact" (RH: Armageddon).

Relationship with Apollo

Starbuck shares a deep friendship with Apollo, characterized by unwavering loyalty. When Apollo needs to be rescued from a suicidal mission aboard Hephaestus, Sheba reflects that "for yahren, a secret part of her had envied the closeness between Starbuck and Apollo. There was no danger so great that either man would not risk it for the other" (RH: Armageddon).

Troy views Starbuck as "for all intents and purposes, his nephew," describing him as "a good kid, passionate and intelligent" (RH: Warhawk).