Sense

Inside the emergency center where the power supply had stabilized.

The monitor displayed the results of standard brain waves and electromyography through electrodes connected to the French minister.

Dowook read the information and told the man in the Red mask.

『The pain after surgery is still severe. Even if I wake him up, I need to continue administering beta blockers to suppress the convulsions.』

『He can’t be half-conscious.』

『You can’t talk to him if he faints from the pain either, right?』

『Hey, Doctor.』

The man in the Red mask openly pointed under the bed.

『If that explodes, then he won’t feel a thing.』

A heart-stopping threat. Dowook knew it wasn’t wise to talk back but he habitually kept talking.

『Will this shoot end in 15 minutes? If it takes more than that, minimal measures should be taken occasionally.』

『You're persistent.』

『I'm just thinking about the best compromise for the patient.』

『Whether it will be 15 minutes or 15 hours depends on the Minister's will. Wake him up.』

Dowook put the anesthetic reversal agent in a syringe and held it in his hand. Then he reflected on his constant actions that were antagonizing the other man.

Rather than being driven by the doctor's sense of mission, it was probably because the two senses that supported his recent skills were largely influencing each other.

Last Choi and Commander Ji never compromised when it came to patient care.

‘I should be more careful. We can't lie down like Jin Daeyoung.’

The reversal agent that went through the infusion line was soon absorbed into the minister's body.

Bern Kushner, who opened his eyes, looked around and made eye contact with Dowook.

How much of the situation did he know? Dowook quickly informed the minister of the current situation.

『You'll feel like someone is crushing your head from the inside. It's because the blood flow has not yet controlled the brain pressure smoothly.』

When he said this in English, the minister also spoke in English.

『This is not the hospital room where I fell asleep. Who are you…?』

Dowook, who shone a penlight into the eyes of the minister and looked at the nerve response, replied.

『I'm Dr. Park Dowook, who performed surgery on the Minister, and this is….』

Before explaining that he was a hostage-taker, the man in the Red mask suddenly pushed his head in.

『Don't you remember? I think you've seen this mask parade in front of the U.N. general assembly last year. You led the high-level meeting in the health sector that day, Minister.』

『You…』

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The Minister's eyes, who noticed that it was the ALF, became fierce at the moment.

『If you understand, please stay alert. The Internet broadcast will start soon.』

『I can’t believe you took over the hospital. Crazy bastards. Do you know what you are doing right now….』

The minister couldn’t finish his words as he grimaced due to the pain.

『Calm down, minister. That doctor has been pretty worried for a while now.』

Dowook placed the beta-blocking analgesics and syringe on the medical cart so he could grab them at any time if the pain got too much.

『Taking me hostage won’t change the international community’s stance.』

『But I can send a warning message to people around the world.』

『A violent message will not be sympathized by anyone.』

『Do you think we are doing this for sympathy? When we’re crazy like you said?』

The man in the Red mask continued with an angry look.

『Minister, the antibiotic resistance joint research agreement you are promoting is not universally beneficial. It only increases the interests of large pharmaceutical companies and certain countries. People don’t know these points. No, they’re turning a blind eye.』

『That’s dangerous sophistry.』

『It’s more vicious to study drug resistance by experimenting on animals. We are the spokespeople for the animal population that would be sacrificed in the process. Minister, who are you speaking for? Humanity? Pharmaceutical companies?』

The man in the red mask lifted a small device and pointed it to the minister, who kept his mouth closed looking as if he would not cooperate.

『This is the switch to the TNT installed under you. It will explode even if you press it lightly. It will also explode if it isn’t reset every hour. We are determined. What about you?』

『What?』

With the man in the red mask’s instructions, an ALF member pulled the time bomb out from under the minister’s bed then put it back.

Sweat began to flow from the minister’s forehead.

『What do you want?』

『Simple. You can support our campaign. First, read this declaration and submit it to the plenary session. From now on, we will be an organization that will participate in the G20 meeting through you. UN, WHO and ALF.』

The man in red mask put a piece of paper in the minister’s hand and shook the trigger.

『Hurry up and decide. I’m not a very patient guy.』

-Dowook. Just listen.

The voice of Inspector Yu from the task force came from the communicator in Dowook’s ear.

-The intelligence agencies of each country are currently trying to track the source of the TNTs but there is no trace of one. The US analyst strongly argued that ALF has never used bombs in their operations and that this is merely a bluff.

‘Fake?’

-You can determine if it’s real or not from the appearance of the device to some extent. If the interior of the installed bomb is exposed, please cough.

Since it was under the bed, he couldn’t check. When he didn’t answer, the inspector continued speaking right away.

-They’re hiding it. From now on, an EOD agent from the UK will give you a detailed explanation about explosives. If you can listen to the explanation and determine whether it’s real or fake, give me a signal. That way, we can respond accordingly.

Subsequently, the voice of a soldier with a full British accent was heard through the communicator.

-Do I just speak into this? Ah, ah. I’m Captain Marting Lang. The timer of a time bomb never consists of something similar to a clock. Amateurs, in particular, use simple chemical corrosive devices such as construction.

From then on, Dowook had to listen to a lecture from an explosive expert from the SAS.

《BBS Special News》

『The G20 conference has been overturned by a radical group of environmental protesters called the Greenpeace. The confrontation happened in front of the International Convention Center in Shanghai, China. Over to Christina Pimenova who is currently at the scene. 』

The anchor spoke to a female reporter who appeared on the large screen next to him.

『How are things over there?』

-The fire caused by dozens of bottles containing gasoline is currently under control. Some of the protesters were caught by the Chinese authorities but some managed to escape in the chaos.

A video of the clash between the security guards and the protesters was played following the reporter’s words.

-The head of the Chinese branch of Greenpeace, who spoke on behalf of the group said that humans are responsible for bird flu and livestock fever in each country, so they are leading violent protests to raise people’s awareness.

The anchor, who was listening to the coverage, hurriedly read the message on the prompt suddenly delivered.

『This is breaking news we just received. French Minister Bern Kushner, who collapsed due to a stroke, is issuing a declaration from the hospital. It’s a partial acceptance of Greenpeace’s argument. Let’s take a look at the live broadcast from the hospital.』

The screen switched and the French minister’s haggard appearance as he lay on the bed was shown.

-I, Bern Kushner, believe that antibiotic research should include benefits to animals and not animal experimentation. Accordingly…

The minister, who was sweating profusely, continued to read the declaration with some difficulty.

『Accordingly, the existing agreement is repealed and a new provision is added to the plenary session. I hope for the support of the participating members.』

The man in the red mask stood in front of the laptop and sent an OK sign then disconnected the broadcast.

『Very good. The first step went well.』

『None of the state members will believe this argument.』

『What’s important is that our cause has been revealed to the outside world. You and I are pioneering new territory that no organization has ever done before.』

『After laying a person on top of a bomb like this?』

『I think some risk should be taken for the cause.』

Dowook continued to listen to the lecture about explosives as the two battled with their words.

-…if the trigger is electronically induced, it must be equipped with a load of gunpowder that responds to sparks.

From the look of the bomb to how the switch worked.

The explanation was so detailed and clear that he thought he would be able to make one if he had the materials.

Considering the bomb he saw a while ago, the structure didn’t fit the expert’s explanation.

‘I’m not sure so I can’t say anything.’

The man in the red mask took the declaration away from the minister.

『We have nothing to lose even after the meeting ends with just some measures being discussed as long as you have recognized our cause. It prevents an unreasonable agreement.』

『The meeting is until tomorrow. Will you be able to endure until then? With only this many people?』

『It’s enough. We’re not the only organization invited here after all.』

Kzzt.

-Protesters are coming in.

Shortly after such a message was heard from the walkie-talkie the man in the red mask had placed beside the laptop, a chant like this was heard from outside the window.

Oppose animal experiments.

『They’re here. Will you welcome them? They’re Greenpeace protesters who are associated with us.』

Outside the window, people with pickets continued to gather in front of the hospital.

-Dowook, it’s Yu Na Yeon again. Their intentions have become clear. To take the minister hostage in order to interfere with the G20 meeting and create controversy. There are more than 100 protesters gathered in front of the hospital. This means they’re going to sit-in until the end.

Dowook roughly understood the situation with Lieutenant Yu’s words.

-It’s much more likely that it’s not a real bomb. If even the Greenpeace members are injured, their argument loses validity. By any chance, can you check the parts that the EOD agent explained about the bomb?

Dowook made up his mind and turned to Jin Daeyoung who was lying on the bed beside him. Special forces might have a better sense for bombs than Interpol detectives or secret service agents.

He reached out his hand to accept his sense.

At first, there was no response but once he focused, the sense he had felt earlier penetrated his fingers.

‘Ok.’

Dowook held the beta-blocker and looked at the man in the red mask.

『Due to the minister’s condition, he needs to be sedated. Is there anything else you need to ask him to do?』

『Exactly 15 minutes, doctor. You’re quite consistent.』

The man in the red mask, who had gotten what he had wanted from the minister, nodded in permission.

Dowook deliberately slipped while peeling the sterile cover from the syringe.

“Oh.”

Pretending to make a mistake, he bent down and looked for the syringe that rolled under the bed. Then, he checked the bomb attached there.

A bundle of colorful wires that seemed to make one think about whether to cut the red or blue wire. And a crude LED timer.

‘He said that if there’s no time limit, it can’t be a time bomb, right?’

The simplicity mentioned by the expert was nowhere to be seen and there was only an exaggerated composition. Earlier, he was scared and couldn’t focus properly but this was just a toy that couldn’t be called a bomb.

『What are you doing?』

At the man in red mask’s question, Dowook immediately stood up.

『I’m trying to save on medical supplies.』

After lifting the syringe, he removed the wrapper.

The minister’s pained expression relaxed slightly when he injected the blocker.

『…thank you.』

『It’s only a temporary improvement. There are a lot of ‘fake’ Chinese medical supplies. If you feel something is wrong, you must tell me.』

『I think I’m ok right now.』

Did the Interpol Lieutenant, who was listening in, catch that he intentionally added the word fake?