[WIP] Grace Augustine.

[Fighter-of-Wars]

Grace took stock of what was in the hold. The white coats and soldiers were seated opposite them on the other side of the hold while the group was all on this side along with Quaritch. In the middle was what Grace suspected the last of the cargo. Everything was in square metal crates all about the same size. Many with names of food companies, tool companies branded on the sides. But one crate, a little larger than the others caught her eye. The name on the side of the crate didn't match any food or tool company that she knew of. Her curiosity was soon pushed aside as a sudden burst of acceleration shifted her sideways in her seat. The roar of the engines became almost unbearable as they soon lifted off. The usual smoothness she expected from other flights didn't seem to come as they were still bounced around in their seats. The cargo in front of her shifted more than she would have liked and she was beginning to wonder if she picked the right seat. The turbulence became almost unbearable then a sudden smoothness was felt.

Grace thought she could feel the whole shuttle let out a deep breath, maybe it was as they were probably entering space, or it was just the anxiety of the rough ride had the team a little scared. Either way they could begin to feel gravity leaving them and a few people could be seen reaching either for they gut or a bag but everyone kept it down as a voice came over the loudspeaker.

"This is the Captain speaking, I apologize for the rough ride out, we will soon begin docking procedures with the Prometheus and if everyone will stay buckled in until we dock we will get this done as soon as possible."

After the Captain was finished Selfridge's voice could be heard through a different loudspeaker, "Welcome to Earth orbit everyone, once we dock you will first unbuckle yourself then retrieve your bag from below your seat and make your way forward to the hatch. There you will be lead from the shuttle to decon where you will be decontaminated and given clothes to wear for when you are in cryo sleep. You will each have your own sealed cryo-chamber and an ISV crew member will help you get ready, I'll see you all on the other side."

As the loudspeaker crackled out many of the men and women of team began talking amongst themselves but Grace kept her eyes fixed on the crate in front of her.

A little while later the shuttle began to slow down and within an hour they found themselves un-latching their belts and grabbing their bags and for the first time in their life experiencing true zero gravity. A few goofed around for a little bit, Migg pushed it a little to far by launching his bag across the hold which was caught by the Colonel who shouted a few sharp words in his direction.

As they made their way to the hatch by pulling and pushing off of the cargo and nets along the walls Rick could be heard talking to Harrison on how zero-gravity effects they way string instruments perform, and Chris was explaining exactly what is going on in the stomach when there is no gravity to a very green Nick. As they crossed through the hatch with the soldiers and white coats once again in front followed by the group and again with Quaritch in the rear.

What they first saw when the entered the ISV was a corridor in the shape of a circle with doors all around it which also matched the shape of the corridor. It was a very odd sight to see. The ISV crew members could be seen about and as the first part of the team members approached they began giving them instructions.

As the group moved farther in a couple of the crew members approached, "Welcome to the ISV Prometheus, each of you will enter one of these doors and de-robe and decontamination will begin, soon after you will put on the clothes provided and exit. We will then lead you to your cryo-chamber and you will stow your bag in a locker next to you chamber. Wait there and one of us will help you get strapped in and the cryo gear attached.

Grace did as she was told and things went very smoothly, decontamination was a breeze with a bright UV light and an audible buzzing sound almost static sound and she could feel her hair, and her skin tingle ever so slightly till it was done. She donned the pale blue shirt and pants that felt surprisingly smooth and grabbed her bag and exited the room. A team member soon waved toward her and she pushed off the wall toward her and as she approached she waved her to follow. As they moved farther into the ship cargo holds were abundant around the ship in perfect symmetry and soon the approached an area labeled 'Cryo-Chamber Pod'.

The lady led Grace to a 2'x2' square panel where she twisted the handle and pulled. As the bed pulled out of the wall she said, "Your locker is there, just pull the handle and open the door. You can put your bag and old clothes in there. In case you were wondering the clothes you are wearing now are specially designed to not damage the skin. Being as we are in zero-gravity your body will not be non-moving all the time, especially during acceleration and deceleration and over the duration of the flight damage could occur."

Grace put her bag and old clothes in the locker and closed it, "I wasn't really wondering. I'm sure it had a purpose. But thanks for letting me know."

The lady smiled, "No problem, some of the others were curious about them." With that she waved to the bed.

Grace pulled herself over and positioned herself on the bed.

The lady began strapping her in, first over her ankles, mid thigh, stomach, and chest. The chest strap was a little more complicated than the others with what looked like little thimbles with wires coming out of them on the left side.

As if on cue the lady explained, "Those are monitors, they keep track of heart and lung function."

As she finished with the last strap Grace was now 'strapped in' but none of the straps were to tight, there was still a good bit of wiggle room, she figured they were there to keep her from bouncing around inside of the chamber more than anything.

The lady opened a small compartment at the head of her bed and pulled out what looked like an IV tube, "This is where the magic comes from; I will insert this into your left arm and push this button here." She motioned to a button on the bulkhead just above the square hole of the chamber and you will go to sleep, I will then lock you into the cryo-chamber and you will not come out for 5 years and 9 months unless circumstances arise that deem early release such as physical instability, but before I do so I need a positive confirmation from you that you are ready."

A few seconds passed, and million things went through Graces head in that instant and she whispered, "I'm ready."