“Dr. Erdem, this is Tunca Guler,” Conley said, when all four men were in the courtyard after lunch.
Tunca and Erdem conversed in Turkish and then Morgan said, “We have to leave, and very soon. Once we make the call this is going to happen very quickly.”
“We need to know you are both prepared,” Morgan said. Conley quickly translated for Tunca.
“We had a very low risk scenario but we have had to abandon it. This could get tricky,” Conley said.
Tunca asked a question and Morgan didn’t need to know Turkish to understand it. “The warden and I have history. If he sees me the operation is over; this is our only chance to get you out,” Morgan said.
“The warden and I also have some history,” Erdem said. “He hopes to take credit for convincing me to serve President Shakir. His methods have been…crude. What will happen to him if we are successful?”
“I imagine it won’t be good,” Conley said.
“Well, I find that staying here is risky. And I would like to see my wife and children again. If it hurts the warden that is just a plus,” Erdem said.
“Tunca is with us as well,” Conley said.
“Then let’s make the call,” Morgan said, hitting the button on his ear comm as Conley did the same.
“Cobra here,” Morgan said.
Alex and Shepard came on the line with the two agents.
“What’s your status?” Alex said.
“We’re ready. Dr. Erdem is with us now. And we’re taking a journalist named Tunca Guler.”
“It’s not like one more will upset our careful planning,” Alex said.
“He’s a native speaker, he’ll be a great asset,” Conley said.
“What have you got for us, Alex?” Morgan said.
“Complete access to the prison computers. We can control doors and make sure the heavy weapons stay locked up in any riot scenario,” Shepard said.
“Keep them locked up but, for now, I’d like to focus on causing a riot in our sister prison,” Morgan said.
“What?” Shepard said.
“Can you do it?” Morgan asked.
“Misdirection…” Alex said.
“Exactly. We want a real emergency at Izmir Prison. Can you keep them jumping?”
“I can do more than that,” Shepard said. “My riot plan for your prison will work even better there. Even as it starts to go to hell, we can alter the feeds so that their security cameras show normal.”
“There is one problem, there are also women and children at Izmir prison,” Alex said.
“Can you keep them locked away for the duration?” Morgan asked.
“Yes,” Shepard replied. “And I can make sure all the weapons stay locked up.”
“Protocol will have them send over some of the guards from here to provide support. That will give us fewer to deal with,” Conley added.
“I can make sure those orders go through and see if I can transfer your prison’s riot response team as soon as the party starts,” Shepard said.
“How soon can we get it started?” Morgan asked. “I’d like to get out of here before dinner. It’s slop night again.”
“We don’t have a plan to get you out of the prison. We have no ground transport through the city, and no exfiltration plan to get you out of Turkey. We can get started, but…”
“Start immediately,” Morgan said.
“Even a few days,” Alex began.
“No, now that our original plan has been blown, there’s no value in sticking around any longer than necessary. Erdem or I could get thrown back into solitary. The warden could see me. And that’s just the obvious stuff that could go wrong. If we’re going to do this, the longer we wait, the lower the chance of success. Alex, Shep, don’t try to figure it all out at once. Get it started, we’ll do our part, and we’ll figure out the rest as we go.”
“Wait,” Conley said as he shut off his comm and spoke quickly to Tunca and Erdem in Turkish. “What are you thinking for ground transport once we get out of here?” he said when he came back on.
“Something civilian. We’ll stay away from city buses or any official vehicles in case they can be tracked. I was thinking a tour bus, something that will be ignored.”
“Good idea. It’s a solid protocol but Tunca points out that tourists, particularly Americans, are suspect now. Apparently, if we really want to be ignored we have to pose as Kurds.”
“Kurds?” Shep said.
“They are a…disfavored minority. Routinely ignored when they are not being harassed. In any sort of emergency situation they will not even register.”
“Okay,” Alex said. “I’ll see what we can do with that, though I’m not sure you will pass for Kurds. Wait for our signal. When it starts it’s going to happen fast.”
* * * *
Thirty minutes later, Shepard looked away from his laptops.
Alex heard, “Shepard out,” and then he turned to her and said, “We’re ready. Say the word and I can turn the water off in the northeast section of the city.”
“The water?” she asked.
“It will divert their attention there. Then we’ll start with the fire alarms—and some rolling blackouts,” he said. “While the police and city government are chasing those shadows we can start our operation at Izmir prison.”
“Do it,” Alex said.
Shep barked into his comm and hit something on the computer, then said, “Done.”