Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 10: Ten
by Larsen, WardThe chapter follows Boutros, an ISIS commander, and his team as they traverse a desolate region near the Sea of Japan, navigating through impoverished villages and military checkpoints. The landscape is bleak, with weary civilians and sparse infrastructure, contrasting sharply with their Middle Eastern origins. The group observes a towering communist monument, sparking a discussion about martyrdom and legacy, revealing their ideological fervor. Despite the harsh environment, the men maintain a tentative camaraderie, though the tension of their clandestine mission lingers beneath the surface.
Boutros’s team includes diverse personalities, such as the youthful and optimistic Sami, who seeks revenge for personal loss, and the grim, explosives-savvy Saleem, driven by religious outrage. Their backgrounds highlight the varied motivations behind their radicalization, yet all share a unwavering commitment to their cause. The chapter delves into their individual histories, illustrating how personal trauma and ideological indoctrination have shaped their paths. Despite their differences, Boutros recognizes their collective readiness for sacrifice, underscoring the group’s unity in purpose.
As the journey progresses, the harsh weather and unfamiliar terrain test their resilience. The men grapple with the cold, their inadequate clothing a stark reminder of their displacement. Boutros attempts to lighten the mood with humor, but the gravity of their mission looms large. The chapter captures the precarious alliance between ISIS and North Korea, two marginalized entities united by their defiance of the global order. Boutros reflects on the irony of their partnership, acknowledging the shared desperation that binds them.
The chapter culminates with their arrival at a military roadblock, where Park, their guide, negotiates passage. Boutros finally reveals details of their mission: they are to receive components for a lethal weapon in a remote fishing village, with timing dependent on weather conditions. Saleem expresses skepticism about finding such resources in the barren landscape, but Boutros insists the location’s isolation makes it ideal. The chapter closes with a reaffirmation of their faith and purpose, as Boutros assures his men there will always be time for prayer, reinforcing their spiritual and ideological resolve.
FAQs
1. How does the physical environment of North Korea contrast with the Middle Eastern homeland of Boutros and his men, and what significance does this hold for their mission?
Answer:
The chapter highlights stark contrasts between North Korea’s “cold and wet and gray” landscape with freezing temperatures (−9°C) and the Middle Eastern environment familiar to Boutros’ team. Boutros specifically notes how the Sea of Japan differs from the Persian Gulf, and the Arctic winds are unlike anything they’ve experienced. This harsh environment is symbolically important—Boutros remarks that this “godforsaken” place is ironically perfect for their mission, as its isolation and desolation provide cover for their clandestine operation. The bleakness mirrors their own status as “outcasts,” forging an unexpected alliance between ISIS and North Korea.2. Analyze the characterization of Sami and Saleem. How do their backgrounds and personalities reflect different pathways to radicalization?
Answer:
Sami and Saleem represent contrasting profiles of jihadists. Sami, a former children’s entertainer, was radicalized after a grenade killed his mother, channeling his grief into indiscriminate vengeance. His cheerful demeanor and youthful idealism (“the smile of a schoolboy”) mask his lethal commitment. Saleem, however, is “innately grim,” radicalized by the deaths of his brothers in an airstrike. His anger is focused and methodical, manifesting in expertise with explosives. The chapter challenges stereotypes by showing radicalization can stem from both trauma (Sami’s sudden loss) and sustained ideological rage (Saleem’s systemic hatred of “godless” powers). Their differences highlight ISIS’s ability to weaponize diverse personal narratives.3. What does the “Monument of Victorious Liberation” reveal about the themes of power and propaganda in the chapter?
Answer:
The monument—a “thirty-foot-tall concrete fist holding a hammer”—symbolizes state power and militaristic propaganda. Park frames it as a tribute to fallen soldiers, but Boutros interprets it as a “monument to subjugation,” emphasizing its “sharp angles and conquest.” This duality reflects the chapter’s exploration of how authoritarian regimes (like North Korea) and extremist groups (like ISIS) both use grandiose symbolism to legitimize their narratives. The monument also sparks Sami’s question about martyrdom, linking North Korea’s state propaganda to ISIS’s ideology of glorified sacrifice, revealing how both systems manipulate memory and violence for political ends.4. Why does Boutros withhold details of the mission from his team until this point, and how does he justify it?
Answer:
Boutros delays sharing specifics to maintain operational security. He explains that if any member had been “captured or interrogated,” knowledge of the plan could have “jeopardized everything.” This reflects real-world militant tactics of compartmentalization. His justification—that this is the “most important mission” in the caliphate’s history—serves to heighten morale and reinforce loyalty. The revelation that they’ll receive a “lethal weapon” by boat also strategically redirects Saleem’s skepticism about North Korea’s resources, framing the location’s barrenness as an asset rather than a limitation.5. How does the chapter portray the uneasy alliance between ISIS and North Korea, and what broader geopolitical commentary might this suggest?
Answer:
The alliance is framed as a pragmatic union of “the world’s outcasts”—North Korea, a “hermit kingdom,” and ISIS, a “decimated army of Allah.” Boutros reflects on their “wildly different circumstances” but shared marginalization. The collaboration critiques how isolated regimes and non-state actors might converge when excluded by the international order. The soldiers’ lack of transportation (only bicycles) contrasts with ISIS’s past resources, underscoring North Korea’s economic struggles. Yet their cooperation on a “lethal weapon” suggests destabilizing possibilities when pariah states and extremists pool expertise, hinting at real-world fears about WMD proliferation.
Quotes
1. “Boutros thought it looked more like a monument to subjugation, hectares of gray concrete brooding over the shoreline, all sharp angles and conquest.”
This quote captures Boutros’ critical perspective on the “Monument of Victorious Liberation,” contrasting Park’s proud description with his own interpretation of it as a symbol of oppression. It reveals the ideological divide between the characters and foreshadows the uneasy alliance between ISIS and North Korea.
2. “The best weapon Allah has ever bestowed upon us, thought Boutros.”
This internal reflection about young Sami shows Boutros’ strategic mindset in valuing fervent belief over physical weapons. It encapsulates the ISIS commander’s understanding of psychological warfare and the power of indoctrination in their operations.
3. “North Korea and ISIS, born of wildly different circumstances, had somehow been cast together. He supposed it was inevitable—a strained brotherhood among the world’s outcasts.”
This moment of realization highlights the unlikely alliance between two extremist groups united by their pariah status. The quote underscores the novel’s central premise while revealing Boutros’ awareness of the precarious nature of their collaboration.
4. “We are pursuing the most important mission our caliphate has ever attempted.”
This declaration to his men establishes the gravity of their operation while maintaining secrecy. It builds tension by hinting at the scale of their planned attack without revealing specifics, showing Boutros’ leadership style of measured disclosure.
5. “For what we are attempting, this is the perfect place. We should be thankful God has forsaken it.”
This chilling statement justifies their choice of location for the mission, revealing Boutros’ twisted logic that sees value in desolation. It encapsulates the group’s worldview that transforms isolation and despair into strategic advantages.