Portia

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Portia is Ursus' first officer in 7360. She is described as being a "tall, powerfully built Sagittarian woman."

Biography

Following the capture of Captain Morgan, Lieutenant Troy and Ensign Dalton by the Cult of the Serpent, Lieutenant Colonel Athena boards Ursus with Captain Hecate of the Fourth Squadron and three other Warriors from that squadron. The crew of Ursus is in turmoil upon Athena's arrival, and though they are not soldiers and do not salute, they feel compelled to make some gesture toward Athena, even though her command is temporary.

When Athena asks who has the bridge, Portia identifies herself as the acting commander until Captain Morgan returns from the Pit. Athena tersely informs her that Morgan will not be returning from the Pit without assistance. Portia says nothing in response, and the other crew members will not meet Athena's gaze.

Athena then delivers a brief speech about the Pit's purpose in the Fleet, acknowledging that Commander Adama believed it served a function by containing controlled anarchy. However, she declares that when the crisis is over, the Pit will be regulated, patrolled, and ordered. She then informs Portia that Morgan, Dalton, Troy, and several other Ursus crew members are in dire need of help, if they are even still alive.

Athena requests ten people armed with lasers to accompany her into the Pit immediately, and asks Portia to join the rescue operation if there is someone else to whom she feels comfortable entrusting the ship. Portia goes into action immediately, and within a few centari, they are descending into the Pit with ten armed crew members and five Colonial Warriors.

As the rescue party prepares to enter the Pit, Athena orders them to move swiftly, fire warning shots if anyone gets too close, and not to hesitate to use their weapons if they come under attack, as there are too many denizens to allow them to gain an advantage. Portia ventures to offer her assessment, stating that she believes the majority of the Pit people are unthreatening. She suggests that Morgan was taking the missing Warriors to see the Cult of the Serpent, and doubts they will run into trouble until they reach the cult's dwellings. Athena expresses hope that Portia is correct. (RH: Armageddon)

Notes

• The name "Portia" is from the Latin term porcus, meaning "pig."
• As with the inclusion of Tybalt (of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet), Portia may be a nod to the heroine of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.