Setting the timer on the device, Seong-min positioned it inside the ventilation shaft. Sliding a filter tray back in, there was just enough clearance. Taking the timer out again, he set it aside. Next, he carefully removed a small, unlabeled glass bottle from the plastic tub. He looked at the fluid inside the dark container, thinking of the phone conversation he had while planning the job.
“Is one bottle going to be enough?” he asked Jun-yeong. It was hard enough just getting that much, and Seong-min didn’t want to go back for more. Their handler had been smart, obviously not Korean, but something in his voice made Seong-min trust him. Comrades were like that, though. Dedicated to the cause, regardless of race.
“Just a little goes a long way,” the younger man said. “For the cubic area you’ve told me about, it should be plenty. As soon as this bottle cracks open, the fluid will dump out and turn to a gaseous vapor. That gas will get pushed up into the ventilation system of the convention center, killing everyone moments later. But just make sure it is located beyond the blowers so it can get dispersed.”
“There’s not much in there.”
“Like I said, just a little sarin goes a long way. What we’ve got is enough to be deadly for everyone inside the building, let alone in the second floor.”
“You better be right. There’s no going home otherwise.”
“We pull this off, home will never be the same again.”
Seong-min checked his watch. In a hurry, he pulled off a few strips of gray duct tape and wrapped a small plastic tab to the glass bottle. It was the smallest explosive detonator he could find. He didn’t need to blow up the ventilation system; just break the glass bottle to spill the liquid contents, and the atomizer would do the rest. Concentrating, he looked again at the timer, checking the details were correct. He activated the electronic countdown and set the device at the base of the filtration compartment, heaving a sigh of relief.
Using his shirt sleeve, he wiped sweat from his face. “I need to get this done before that idiot gets back. He’ll be expecting us out of here soon.”
Jun-yeong laughed. “That guy? He doesn’t know his ass from his elbow. He’s so wrapped up in getting ready for the conference, we could be down here all night and he wouldn’t notice.”
“I’m not taking any chances.” Seong-min slipped the filter trays back in and secured the metal panel in place. Next, he located the electrical service panel and threw the switch to restart the system. There was a rumbling sound, and the generators dropped down to idle, waiting for something to do. A few seconds later, the big diesels revved and the ventilation systems shunted back to life.
“That should do it,” Seong-min said. “Primed and ready.”
“One down, one to go.”
The older man nodded. “Let’s make it quick.”
***
Twenty minutes later, Seong-min and Jun-yeong hoisted their heavy rucksacks over their shoulders and headed back up the concrete steps to ground level. They passed Rick’s office on the way out, the office manager barking at someone down the phone. They nodded as he looked up at them. Rick forced a smile then returned to his heated conversation.
“Chuakhan ingan ssuraegi,” Jun-yeong muttered as they walked past. “Here’s hoping that guy’s first in line when the device goes off.”
Seong-min sighed. “Keep it to yourself, choding. There’s only one target. Nobody else matters.”
“Then why we taking out a building full of people?”
“Only way to make sure we succeed. We can pray for their souls, if they have any, and ours when this is done. Until then, we do what needs to be done.” He pushed open the double doors leading out to the parking lot. “For the Democratic People’s Republic and the Supreme Leader.”
“Choego jidoja,” Jun-yeong said, following through.
Climbing into the van, a rusting Volkswagen with peeling white paint, Seong-min started the clattery engine and lit a cigarette, rolling down the window. “One more stop and our job is done,” he said, shifting into gear and coaxing the van out of the courtyard. He waved to the security guard as the barrier lifted.
The younger man lit up as they hit the main road. “Seattle Center Park Should be a little more crowded tomorrow. You think this is going to work?”
“We’ve got our orders.”
“Keep the emergency services busy. Yeah, I know. Still, sounds a little dumb to me.”
“We don’t question, we just get it done.”
Jun-yeong rolled his own window down and flicked his cigarette butt out while they sat in traffic, waiting for the lights to change. The driver next to them honked his horn, middle finger raised. Jun-yeong whole-heartedly gestured back.