The loud resounding thump echoed through the brig, waking both of its occupants. Kara jumped to her feet as she heard the door to her cell slide open. Still half-asleep, she did her best to take in the situation.
A Marine Kara had never seen before was standing over the fallen body of one of his fellow Marines, the one who had been on shift to guard the prisoners. Obviously, this man had already pushed the button to release Kara from her confinement.
"What's going on?"
Cally's groggy voice threw Kara into action. Cally had been the only person to treat her exactly the same as before she left for Caprica. It gave Kara a urge to be protective of the young deckhand. Bracing herself for what would probably turn into a physical confrontation, she took the first step out of her cell. "Who the frak are you?"
"I'm Corporal Venner. President Roslin has asked me to do her a favor."
Kara's mind recalled the note Lee had sent her. "The President wanted you to get me off of Galactica?"
"No. She asked me to, but the young Captain said that all I had to do was open the door to your cell and you could do the rest on your own."
Kara shook her head. Of course Lee would have that much faith in her. "Did that Marine see you before you knocked him out?"
Corporal Venner shook his head. "I don't think so."
"Good. Give me a few minutes, and then pretend like you heard a disturbance. When you came to check it out, you found an empty cell and an unconscious Marine. Make sure you say you have no idea how I did it on my own and that I must have had outside help. If it's your suggestion that someone helped me, it will take some of the suspicion off of you." Kara turned to look at Cally. "You won't say anything, will you?"
Cally smiled. "I'll just tell them I slept right through whatever happened. I woke up when I heard the Corporal open the hatchway to investigate the noise he heard. I didn't even know you were gone until he pointed it out."
"That's a good girl," Kara said with a smile. She walked over to the fallen Marine and drew his gun out of the holster. "Hope I don't have to use this on anyone."
"Good hunting, Starbuck," Cally whispered as the hatchway slid shut behind her. She turned to look at the man standing outside her cell. "So, Corporal Venner, you buy into this whole dying leader/prophet thing?"