By modifying secret writing formulas uncovered from the archives of the East German Ministry of State Security (MfS or Stasi), a novel general chemistry secret writing laboratory was developed. The laboratory combines science and history that highlights several fundamental chemical principles related to the writing. These include catalysis, redox reactions, kinetics, complex formation-precipitation, and acid-base reactions. After a background historical presentation, students don the mantle of counterintelligence to discover the location of a terrorist bomb on campus. In the process of deciphering the secret message, they pull together the chemical concepts to "save the day". (Contains 2 figures.)