Part 2: Battlestar Galactica, Dawn: Collision

Chapter 14

XIV

"Hoshi! We're done! Crews will be off in five minutes! Repeat five minutes!" Galen was running full tilt to CIC, with, of all things, the paperwork that needed Hoshi's signature, making Victory operational.

"Roger that, Admiral. XO, prepare to go around the horn! As soon as all workers are five miles from the ship, we go!" Hoshi felt the rush of adrenaline that would help him deal with at least the next few hours. He was going from being a "virgin" directly into battle.

One by one, Athena went around to the different stations throughout the ship, to see if everyone was good to go. Five minutes later, she turned to her Admiral. "Sir, all stations report green. We are good to go!"

Just then Galen came flying into CIC and stumbled over a piece of drywall, which made everyone, despite the tension, laugh briefly. Admiral Hoshi took the paper from Admiral Tyrol.

"Can't upset the bureaucrats, can we, Galen?" Hoshi grinned. "I suppose you're coming along for the ride?"

"Damn right sir, I am! Wherever you want me, put me." He pocketed his Admiral's bars.

Hoshi got on the horn. "Lieutenant Stylers, which pod are you manning?" He called to his Chief.

"Port Side, Admiral. Why?"

"Mr. Tyrol will be assigned to assist Starboard, is that clear?"

"Aye, sir!"

"XO, set Condition One throughout the ship."

"Attention All Hands, this is the XO, Set Condition One throughout the ship. Prepare for battle!"

"Admiral!", Helo looked at the teletype that communications had just handed him. "Victory is ready to clear moorings!" There was a loud cheer in CIC.

Lee closed his eyes briefly. "Thank Gods". He took a sharp breath. "Thank the Gods!"

"Admiral!" Tigh shouted above the insanity as explosions thundered on Galactica. "Victory is ready to clear her mooring!"

The same shout washed over the CIC of the Old Girl.

"Understood, XO. As you were people, we have work to do!"

"Shipyard, Victory Actual, request permission to clear all moorings."

"Victory Actual, Shipyard control, permission granted. Thrusters to Angels Ten, then cleared to jump, course 168 mark 255, you will be pulling into Galactica's port. She has a Baseship in front of her, and is taking heavy damage!"

"Shipyard, aye Angels Ten with thrusters, course 168 mark 255, jump approved. Will come alongside to Galactica's port. Victory Actual, out."

"Godspeed to you and your crew, Admiral Hoshi!"

Pegasus was going toe-to-toe with two Baseships and was holding her own. The Beast was some machine, Lee Adama thought. Had this baby's been around during the attack on the Colonies...

His Communications Officer turned toward him. "Admiral, Victory is ascending, she'll be pulling in next to Galactica on her Port side in a few moments."

"Thank you, Lieutenant." He said more calmly than he felt.

Kelly turned to Adama. "Admiral, Victory just sent us her jump coordinates, she'll be coming into our Port, we need to clear the fighters out of that area!"

Tigh didn't even let Adama speak. "All wings, this is the XO, clear sectors 11, 12 and 13 immediately. Say again, clear 11, 12 and 13. We're getting company to our Port!"

Cavil looked at his two brothers and his one sister. "Launch a spread of five nukes to Galactica's Starboard, fore, and aft."

"Admiral!" Tigh literally screamed. "Five nukes coming in hot Starboard, the length of the ship!"

"All hands, brace for impact!!" Adama closed his eyes in a quick prayer.

"Admiral, we're at 9500 MSL, the board is green!" Athena was watching the clock like it was going to break any second.

"All Hands, this is Admiral Hoshi, we're going to war. Prepare to jump."

The missiles slammed into Galactica and it seemed she would roll over with the force of five hits on her Port. The noise was like nothing any of them had ever heard. Explosions ripped the ship from bow to stern. On every deck, in every compartment, people went flying. Including in CIC.

"Angels Ten, Admiral Hoshi!"

"JUMP!"