A/N: Thanks again for your kind rewiews and wonderful help. This story has now become alive, I hope you'll continue the journey with me.
Chapter 3
Upon arriving at Konya after a calm trip from Silifke on a very bumpy road, the team leader didn't lose his time. Before entering into Turkey he was able to read the information gathered by Eric and Nell about all the companies that rented hot air balloons in the area. He studied the files carefully and, once in the field, he did the same with the persons from a certain distance. Soon he chose his "victim" and he went directly to speak to him.
Erdal Yaris was the proprietary of a small company with only three employees that was fighting to survive the economic crisis and the competition of bigger companies with better equipment. In no time Callen managed, thanks to his fluid Turkish and the adequate amount of money, to convince the man of renting him the local and the balloons for two days with the excuse of the shooting of a TV commercial. If the man was suspicious he let his scruples aside and gave Callen the keys of the hangar.
G felt a hint of pride. He wished Kensi witnessed his performance, she was maybe quicker in convincing men, but his scenarios were usually more challenging.
He posted a picture with the location on a false Facebook profile, trusting his people in ops to do their job, and got rid of his phone.
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- - "Deeks, we have the location!" – said Kensi consulting the Facebook profile that Eric had created for the occasion.
Deeks and her had arrived early in the morning to the city and they spent the day gathering information and some of the supplies that Callen and the marines could need. Now, both tired, they were resting in the tacky room of a cheap hotel.
-"Good. Time to say goodbye to the phone" –said Deeks from the bathroom- "Do you want to join me in the shower, Kensilina?"
-"Deeeeeeeeeeeeks!"
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Callen was installing himself at the warehouse when his burned phone rang. He started to chronometer the call, the moment he picked up. No more than thirty seconds, that was the rule.
- "Hi honey! I was about to phone you."-He said not knowing if the line was totally safe.
- "Hi yourself!" – answered Nell on the other side, feeling small with Hetty and Sam sandwiching her. - "Have you already sent the kids to bed?"
- "Nearly, they are getting ready now, but so far so good. In fact they have been such good boys that I would like to surprise them. Any idea of what kind of toys they like?" - asked G.
Sam smiled, glad he could provide the information his friend needed. He recognized when Callen was all business.
- "You know, the boys love Olympics and it would be nice if you could get a flag or something, but come back soon with them, remember that my world is upside down without you, guys." –she said crossing her fingers.
- "Got it" – reckon Callen. - "It's getting late hon, see you soon and tell the little one at your side that I want him to rest without lifting a finger." - teased G knowing that Sam would be listening.
- "Take care".
- "Always" -said Callen cutting the communication.
He had five hours to find and get ready for the next day a good balloon and paint the Olympics' rings face down. Weird, but he trusted Sam on it. Next step: to get the blue, black, red, yellow and green paint to decorate the balloon, not an easy task, but the only chance to communicate with the marines. He hoped that Washington will recognize the key.
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At 4 a.m. Kensi entered the warehouse followed by a sleepy Deeks. They both were carrying all the supplies among their tourist's bag packs.
- "Günaydin" – said Kensi.
- "Good morning to you"- answered Callen from the back yard of the local where a white balloon with a no so bad hand painted logo was almost ready to be towed – "did you get all we need?"
- "Yes, yes, yes: first-aid-kit with everything, protein bars, water, compass, maps, lanterns, a transistor in case the marines are bored…" - said Deeks.
- "We have even a surprise for you, Callen"- interrupted Kensi offering him a Styrofoam box, that Callen opened it with a hint of curiosity.
-"Scramble eggs and bacon!" – exclaimed G licking his lips in anticipation –"I love you guys, I'm starving."
-"The only thing I couldn't find is sunscreen lotion, can you believe it?"- said dramatically Deeks – "My delicate skin is going to get sunburned".
-"Just ignore him, Callen" – said Kensi who was checking the parachutes – "it works for me".
-"Hey Callen, are you sure this thing is going to fly?"- asked Deeks, staring suspiciously at the balloon.
Smiling, but without bothering to answer, Callen finished his meal and change his clothes to a kaki military uniform without badges that covered with a brown tunic.
Two hours later they were flying the balloon on a pink, blue and orange sky where a timid sun started to challenge the cold, over the beautiful Cappadocia.
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- "Callen, I don't like it. There are shooters on that hill"- said Deeks as Callen put the helmet on. Some minutes ago they identified a small flat on the otherwise abrupt terrain perfect for a helicopter to land. When Deeks was taking the coordinates, Kensi saw a light shining intermittently between the brushes.
-"Hey guys! Right there." – Said Kensi signaling – "It's a Morse signal made with the reflex of a mirror."
With the aid of the binoculars Callen read:
-" F.A.M.I.L.Y. says the message. Only Washington could have made it" he said to the couple – "Good job, Sam" he added to himself.
- "Callen, the terrain is very irregular to trying a jump near the marines."- pointed out Kensi.
- "Don't worry. Try to gain some height and turn 45º to the East, please Kens. I'll reach them by foot."
– "If we go with you we can cover all the area in no time." - Argued a worried Deeks-"Besides I don't want to be in this thing with Kensi driving or flying or piloting or navigating or whatever you do with a damn balloon.
- "Listen, Deeks, - said Callen trying to be patient, but demanding at the same time- you're the smokescreen here. I jump and you distract the bad guys. Believe me, I have the easiest part. Kensi, once I go down, use the radio to contact as many authorities as possible. Make sure Eric can trace it and send them the coordinates for the helicopter as soon as possible. Rescue time as preview. Keep your cover even with the American Embassy. Hetty's documents are better than the authentic ones. If the communication by radio with ops fails, use the BBC's music programs as during the World War II."
- "What?" – He added seeing the weird looks of Kensi and Deeks.- "Hetty didn't tell you that story?"- Said that, Callen tested the parachute once more time and got on the banister.
- "See you soon, guys!"- He smiled, and without a second thinking he jumped and pulled the ring out.
