What eventually happened was that the Pegasus sent the civilian ships on ahead of them to look for more survivors. Cain ordered that the Battlestar jump back to Caprica once again to look for more information and any survivors. When they arrived in orbit of the capital planet they found nothing but debris. Three Raptors were sent down to the surface for any intel and the small bit they found showed that the human population on the surface was simply gone.
More Raptors were sent out to scout around the rest of the system and the results were the same everywhere. No signs of life. No survivors. No hope.
Cain wearily recalled the Raptors and ordered the Pegasus out of the system to catch up with the civilians. When they found the civvies there were now eight ships as the original small group had found others along the way. Admiral Cain had decided that the Cylons were most likely following the same rendevous signal they were so there would be another chance to catch them and fight once more. She apparently had decided that revenge was going to be her course of action and very few on the ship disagreed with her.
Two days out from Ragnar station Cain ordered two Raptors to jump ahead and report back on enemy presence. Meanwhile the solemn knowledge of so many lives lost was hanging heavily over the ship. Some people mourned silently while others couldn't stop crying. All around the ship people would simply embrace each other to reassure themselves that they were not alone.
When the Raptors returned they reported a massive Cylon fleet floating around the gas cloud that enveloped Ragnar station. Cain decided to jump in on their tails and hit them as hard as they could before they received too much damage then jump back out to safety. Once more the pilots readied themselves for the fight and Lauren found herself sliding into her Viper. When they reverted to real space, the Vipers launched and the battle began.
When they were recalled they landed as quickly as they could so the ship could jump to safety. Lauren sat in her cockpit for a few minutes listening to the rejoicing around her. She couldn't comprehend how they felt that there was a reason to rejoice when so many lives had been lost. Sighing wearily she pulled herself out of the Viper and joined the others, pasting a forced smile on her lips.
At the situation meeting later they learned that they had inflicted serious damages on one of the basestars but that the Colonial ships had jumped to safety as soon as they exited the nebula. Admiral Cain once more stressed the plan of chasing the Cylons and inflicting as much damage to them as they could.
Life settled into a routine on the Pegasus, everyone finding their niche in the workings of the big ship. The flight deck was now running smoothly under Specialist Peterson's care. The man had been conscripted along with the rest of the crew from Scorpion and they seemed to be happy with their jobs. Lauren visited the deck several times to check up on Sarah who was apparently impressing several of the others in the crew with the ease she learned new tasks. They soon became friends and Lauren would often search out the younger woman for company.
She also spent time with Thena from the comm staff. They found themselves being the rock the other needed as they worked through their grief. Lauren also found a friend and a confidant in Cole. They spent long hours talking over anything and nothing, just making each other laugh. Lauren was surprised when Cole recommended to the Admiral that she be promoted and bumped up the chain of command. The Admiral agreed and Lauren soon found herself as Cole's right hand.
Three weeks after they left Ragnar station the Pegasus' Raptor patrols found a Cylon outpost. Admiral Cain naturally began preparing a strike against it and Lauren found herself in on the planning sessions. After the final session the Admiral asked Lauren to stay behind.
"Captain Baker I have a proposition for you."
"Sir?"
"I'm going to divide the Viper squadrons into two shifts so that we have one on duty and one off at all times. Of course we can scramble the second shift if we need it or if we are planning an attack but I think this will assist in the morale in the men. Do you agree?"
"Yes sir, it sounds like a fine idea."
"Good, then I'm putting you in charge of one of the shifts."
"Sir? Me sir?"
"You Captain. You've shown a great deal of initiative since the attack and that reminds me of myself. Captain Taylor speaks very highly of you as do several of the flight crew and other pilots. I think you'll be the idea choice to head the second shift. You'll still be reporting to Captain Taylor but your shift will report to you. I'm also going to open up the starboard flight pod. We've got 48 more Vipers over there in storage and they will be needed pretty soon if my reports are correct. I'm putting you in charge of that operation Captain and that will be your side of the ship once it's up and running. Can you handle all of this?"
"Yes sir I can. Thank you sir."
"Very good Captain, make me proud. Dismissed."
Lauren saluted the Admiral and left the room, pausing to lean against the wall outside to catch her breath and figure out if that had been real or not. She walked in a daze back to her quarters where she fell heavily on the bench in the middle of the room. A few minutes later Cole walked in and wondered what she was staring off into space for.
"Lauren? Are you all right?"
"Huh? Yeah I'm fine. Do you know what just happened?"
"Yeah, I do. You deserve it you know," he said as he sat next to her on the bench. "You're a damn good pilot and a good organizer. I know you're going to do fine. Plus I'll help you out as much as I can okay?"
The enormity of what was happening to her hit Lauren like a tidal wave and she lost control of her emotions once again. Cole pulled her into a warm hug and let her cry. He found his hands stroking her soft hair and he leaned down to see if it smelled as good as it looked. The warmth of her body made him tingle and he wanted desperately to kiss her but he knew she was still grieving for the man she'd lost. He could be patient though and with that in mind he settled in against her.
