"Who the frak is in charge up there?" Lauren yelled into the comm headset.
"That would be Admiral Cain," the voice came back in a disgusted manner.
"Well does Admiral Cain realize we're still locked in the docking clamps? If we don't shake loose before we jump we're gonna take half of Scorpion Yard with us. Believe me, you do not want that to happen!"
"Can you unlock them from down there?" the voice was now tinged with panic.
"We'll do the best we can. You need to get on the horn and get the people on the station to release the clamps. We can't now that we're sealed in."
A sudden metal against metal groaning screeched through the deck as the ship lurched forward. Some how Lauren didn't think getting a hold of the station was a priority in the bridge. "Get those ships sealed down! Get into the middle of the room people! Move!" She raced around trying to assist in any way she could. Her specialty was more in electrical work, not the running of the deck but any help that could be given was just what they needed right now.
The metal stress noises kept screeching through the belly of the ship as the Admiral barreled her way out of the braces. The Pegasus was a big solid ship and she could break free eventually but it would cause a lot of damage on the outside of the docking pods. However if they could shake loose and get away from the destruction that was raining down on the station it could be repaired soon enough.
One of the deck hands scrambled past her and shouted something about the attack coming from the Cylons. The Cylons? Had she heard that correctly? No one had heard from the Cylons in forty years. That couldn't be possible. Lauren suddenly felt that her presence would be better served on the bridge. She bolted for the main hatch and staggered up the hall as the ship rocked back and forth trying to break free.
When she reached the small door behind the CIC she looked into the tiny window at the top of the door and was relieved to see Thena sitting at the comm board, headset on, looking a touch green as the floor rolled beneath her. Lauren knew her clearance wouldn't allow her into the CIC itself so she ducked into the comm room and made he way through the bustling crew to Thena's side.
"What in Gods name is happening Thena?"
"We're under attack. It's the Cylons. They are fragging everything at the station."
"Is that why the Admiral is trying to shake us out?"
Thena nodded and shouted something across the room to one of the other techs. Lauren could tell the other woman was busy so she motioned that she was going to head out and Thena nodded. Lauren was mostly happy that her friend was safe but also the was terrified over what was happening. She weaved her way back to the deck and tried to pick up some loose pipes rolling across the floor, clanging loudly against the Viper's skids as they slid. She had picked up the last of the pipes when the ship gave a great heave like a dog shaking water off itself and suddenly they were free of the docking clamps.
The deck fell into an eerie quiet as they waited for further information to come from the bridge. "Docking clamps free. All personnel prepare for FTL jump." Lauren glanced around as she made her way to a safe spot to sit. The crew who already looked sick from the thrashing of the deck suddenly blanched at the thought of a jump. Many of these crew were ground personnel from the station and they'd never been in a jump before but they'd heard about the feeling of being turned inside out it often gave you.
"All right people, sit down and close your eyes and think about happy things. It's not that bad if you don't think about it. It'll be over before you know it." Finally someone that sounded like they were in charge! She looked over at the tall blonde man who had yelled the words of encouragement and he nodded at her. Lauren made her way over to a young woman who looked as If she were terrified and she sat down beside her.
"First jump huh?" the other woman nodded and swallowed loudly. "Not a big deal you know. Just hang on to my hands and close your eyes. Now think about something nice. Been to a beach lately?" The other woman nodded again. "I thought so, you look tan. You look to me like a surf jumper. You know one of those people that loves to run back and forth in the surf, jumping over the waves as they roll in and just having the time of their lives." The other woman smiled and hesitantly nodded a bit of color returning to her face. Lauren closed her eyes as she felt the ship begin the jump and she squeezed the other woman's hands.
Suddenly they were somewhere else and their ears popped as the ship reverted into normal space. Lauren's eyes flew open and she smiled at the other woman who was looking around trying to figure out what had just happened to her. "See? Not that bad. Now you're a pro."
"Thanks, I didn't think I could handle that with out yarking. I'm Sarah by the way."
"Lauren. I know how hard it was for me the first time and I didn't have anyone to hold on to, Puked my guts out after." Her smile was warm and the other woman laughed at her joke. "So you're from Scorpion right? Not a Fleet girl?"
"Nope, I was brought in because of the strike."
"Me too. We'll be all right. This is one of the best ships in the fleet."
The women rose and continued to pick up the debris that had collected on the deck. "What is happening out there?"
"Well I have a friend up in comm and she said we were under attack." Lauren watched as the younger woman's jaw dropped. "Don't worry, we'll be alright. Admiral Cain is still in charge up there and there is no better fighter in the whole Fleet that Cain."
"So you're fleet?" Sarah asked.
"Yup. Mainly I'm electrical but I'm also a pilot. I got transferred back to Scorpion because of the strikes. I worked here a while back and Admiral Gataki and I are on pretty good terms."
"Wow, that's really amazing. I'm just a fill in deckhand. I wasn't supposed to be here but I was one of the few left that didn't walk out. I need the money too bad to strike. I guess that doesn't really matter now does it?"
"No, I guess it doesn't." Lauren's mind wandered over all of the possible implications of a Cylon attack and she was horrified at the ends she reached. Best not to worry over it too much until there were hard facts. She and Sarah were finishing up clearing a large section of the deck when a loud voice boomed across the room.
