Morgan

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.

Morgan is a former Colonial Warrior who served as captain of Ursus in 7360.

Morgan served as a Warrior instructor at the Colonial Warrior Academy when there were still colonies to defend. He trained numerous cadets during his tenure, including Dalton's father and Troy's father.

Captain of Ursus

By 7360, Morgan had become captain of Ursus, overseeing the most undesirable elements of the Fleet. He operated the ship with his first officer, Portia, and a dedicated crew. Morgan believed that a show of fearless strength was necessary to keep these unwanted people in line, and that allowing the lowest elements to congregate aboard Ursus enabled them to prey mostly on each other, thus isolating predators from the Fleet's larger population.

Despite the ship's notorious reputation, Morgan never reported crimes aboard Ursus to the Quorum of Twelve, handling all problems internally with his crew. While the Quorum looked down upon rumors of violence and mind-altering substance use, they were content to let Morgan manage the situation as long as his problems did not become the Fleet's problems. Commander Adama remained more concerned about the situation aboard Ursus but could never prove wrongdoing, and sending in Warriors would have infringed upon Quorum security duties.

Morgan's leadership style emphasized visible authority. While his crew wore cleanup gear—helms and chestplates resembling Cylon armor—for protection, Morgan himself refused to wear armor, believing he could not show fear when dealing with the denizens of the Pit. He stated this was the first rule in dealing with "lowlife scum," explaining that they lived in fear and by fear, following the law of the wild where one must show their position in the hierarchy.

His crew held unmistakable pride in both Morgan and Ursus, despite the ship's cramped and dingy bridge, outmoded technologies, and stockpiles of blasters and population-control gear.

Murder investigation

When Troy and Dalton arrived aboard Ursus investigating the murder of an agro-worker on Agro-3, Morgan initially resisted their presence, viewing it as disruption to his crew and vessel. However, Dalton's diplomatic approach and revelation that they were investigating a murder under martial law convinced him to cooperate.

Upon learning of Dalton's parentage, Morgan revealed he had trained her father at Academy, describing him as a good man, though "never as professional a Warrior" as Dalton appeared to be. He expressed distaste for Ambassador Puck, stating he would like to "flush that mugjape out an airlock." Morgan provided more than cooperation, offering his aid and accompanying Troy and Dalton into the Pit with four of his crewmen.

The investigation led them to the Cult of the Serpent, led by Tybalt. Morgan acknowledged the cult's power in the Pit, noting that many of its members held jobs throughout the Fleet and that their leader commanded absolute devotion from his followers. Despite their power, Morgan admitted he had always been curious about them, though he had not previously caused them difficulty.

Death

When Troy and Dalton discovered that Terence, their witness, had been murdered and decapitated, Tybalt's followers ambushed the investigation party. Morgan's four crewmen were killed, their throats cut despite their cleanup gear. Morgan, Troy, and Dalton were captured by the cultists.

Tybalt set up a broadcast using a TransVid skyeye, splicing the feed into both the TransVid system and the unicomm to transmit throughout the entire Fleet. During this broadcast, Tybalt introduced Morgan as "captain of Ursus, benevolent warden overseeing this stinking Pit," calling him "old, soft, useless." One of Tybalt's younger followers, a blonde Gemon girl, brought Tybalt a laser pistol. Without ceremony, Tybalt shot Morgan through the head, killing him instantly as Troy and Dalton screamed in protest.

Tybalt then used Morgan's death to threaten the Quorum, demanding they vote Ambassador Puck in as commander within one centon or Dalton would die as gruesomely as "the late Captain Morgan." (RH: Armageddon)

Personality

Morgan was characterized as burly and bearded, with a gruff demeanor that initially suggested resistance to outside interference. Despite this rough exterior, he possessed a nostalgic streak, allowing himself small smiles when reminiscing about training cadets at the Academy.

He was a pragmatic leader who understood the necessity of controlling dangerous populations through strength rather than compassion. Morgan believed that showing fear would undermine his authority, and he maintained strict control over Ursus through a combination of fearless leadership and calculated segregation of the Fleet's criminal elements.

Morgan exhibited curiosity about the Cult of the Serpent, despite the potential danger they represented, and was willing to take risks to uncover the truth. His loyalty to the Fleet and his crew was evident in his willingness to aid Troy and Dalton's investigation, even when it led him into mortal danger.