Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 15: Fifteen
by Larsen, WardThe chapter opens with Slaton, a meticulous and weary operative, preparing for a critical mission in Vienna. He carefully wraps a weapon in festive gift paper, disguising it as an innocuous package, and departs his gasthaus by taxi to avoid drawing attention. His destination is the Donauturm, a towering landmark near the Danube, where he plans to execute a covert operation. As he navigates the city’s dimly lit parks and bridges, Slaton remains hyperaware of his surroundings, noting the sparse nighttime activity and distant sounds of a concert, which could either complicate or aid his mission.
Upon arriving at the Donauturm, Slaton maintains his disciplined approach, timing his movements precisely. He interacts casually with a ticket counter attendant, using charm to deflect suspicion while subtly confirming his exit strategy. Meanwhile, an Uzbek-led team of assassins lies in wait, positioned to ambush Slaton after his presumed sniper attack. The team monitors his every move via text updates, growing increasingly uneasy as Slaton deviates from their expectations by not ascending the tower. Their confidence wavers as the clock ticks closer to the anticipated moment of action.
Slaton’s calculated deception becomes apparent as he abruptly exits the tower, still carrying the wrapped weapon, and heads toward an alternate route. His diversion catches the Uzbek team off guard, forcing them to reconsider their plan. The tension escalates as the assassins, armed and ready, realize their target may have outmaneuvered them. The chapter underscores Slaton’s expertise in improvisation and the Uzbek team’s growing suspicion that their carefully laid trap is unraveling.
The chapter concludes with a cliffhanger, leaving Slaton’s next move uncertain. The Uzbek team, now anxious and confused, must decide whether to pursue him immediately or wait for further instructions. The interplay of surveillance, misdirection, and timing highlights the high-stakes cat-and-mouse game between Slaton and his adversaries, setting the stage for an inevitable confrontation in the next chapter.
FAQs
1. What preparations did Slaton make before heading to the Donauturm, and what do these actions reveal about his operational style?
Answer:
Slaton meticulously prepared by wrapping the gun store box in refined dark blue gift wrap to disguise its true nature, rearranged furniture to leave no traces, and opted for a taxi instead of walking to avoid drawing attention while carrying the package. These actions demonstrate his methodical, detail-oriented approach—prioritizing operational security, maintaining cover, and minimizing risks. His choice of gift wrap also shows an understanding of psychological perception, using an innocuous appearance to avoid suspicion (e.g., making the package seem “cheerful and big-hearted”).2. Analyze the significance of the Uzbek’s observation that “Something is wrong” when Slaton delayed entering the tower. How does this moment build tension in the chapter?
Answer:
The Uzbek’s realization underscores Slaton’s unpredictability and tactical superiority. While the Uzbek’s team expects Slaton to follow a sniper’s methodical routine (entering the tower to position himself), Slaton’s delay and eventual exit disrupt their ambush plan. This builds tension by contrasting the Uzbek’s rigid expectations with Slaton’s adaptability, hinting at an impending confrontation. The chapter heightens suspense by emphasizing the Uzbek’s growing unease (“7:59… he hadn’t made his kill”) and the team’s confusion, leaving readers questioning Slaton’s true objective.3. How does the author use setting and sensory details to create atmosphere during Slaton’s approach to the Donauturm? Provide specific examples.
Answer:
The author immerses readers in Vienna’s winter night through vivid sensory details: the “churning river” and “weather-hewn graystone stairs” evoke texture and movement, while “patches of light” and “pools of pitch darkness” contrast visibility and concealment—mirroring Slaton’s alertness. Auditory cues like distant concert “bass reverbs” and traffic noises ground the scene in realism, while the Donauturm’s “uplit spire” symbolizes Slaton’s looming mission. These details create a tense, cinematic atmosphere, blending the mundane (tourists at dinner hour) with the ominous (the tower “reaching for the clouds”).4. Evaluate Slaton’s interaction with the ticket counter woman. What tactical purpose does this conversation serve, and how does it align with his broader strategy?
Answer:
Slaton’s friendly, flirtatious banter (e.g., discussing Swedish weather) serves as misdirection, reinforcing his cover as a harmless tourist seeking directions to a party. By engaging her naturally, he avoids arousing suspicion while covertly monitoring the clock (“7:51… time to accelerate”). His abrupt exit—claiming he’s lost—allows him to abort the tower plan without appearing suspicious. This aligns with his adaptive strategy; he prioritizes flexibility over rigid adherence to a plan, as seen when he exits the tower unexpectedly, leaving his pursuers confounded.5. Contrast the Uzbek’s assumptions about Slaton’s sniper tactics with Slaton’s actual behavior. What key lesson about operational planning does this highlight?
Answer:
The Uzbek assumes Slaton will follow conventional sniper protocols: ascending the tower, taking shots, and fleeing—allowing for an ambush. However, Slaton subverts expectations by never entering the tower, exposing the Uzbek’s reliance on predictable patterns. This highlights a critical lesson: over-reliance on assumptions can be fatal in operational planning. Effective operatives must anticipate unpredictability and adapt, as Slaton does by altering his exit strategy (“coming back outside!”) while his adversaries remain fixated on their original scenario.
Quotes
1. “Night always instilled its changes. Channels of light and pools of pitch darkness.”
This quote captures the atmospheric tension and duality of Slaton’s nighttime mission, highlighting how darkness transforms familiar environments into landscapes of both opportunity and danger—a recurring theme in the chapter’s surveillance-heavy narrative.
2. “The uplit spire seemed to reach for the clouds, a solid ceiling that absorbed the city’s lights with the warmth of a blanket.”
This vivid description of the Donauturm tower symbolizes both Slaton’s looming mission and the deceptive calm before action. The contrast between “warmth” and the cold precision of his plan underscores the chapter’s tension.
3. “Assassin or not, the man would not expect an encounter in the first seconds of his getaway. They had the element of surprise on their side, not to mention a three-to-one advantage.”
This reveals the Uzbek team’s fatal miscalculation—their overconfidence in tactical advantages mirrors the chapter’s exploration of how preparation and perception collide unpredictably in high-stakes scenarios.
4. “Every sense had been retuned to the night outside.”
A concise expression of Slaton’s hyper-awareness during his feigned departure, emphasizing the protagonist’s razor-sharp situational focus. This quote distills the chapter’s tension into a single sensory shift as the confrontation looms.