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    Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel

    by Larsen, Ward
    “Assassin’s Revenge—A David Slaton Novel” by Ward Larsen follows former assassin David Slaton as he is drawn back into a world of danger when a shadowy adversary targets his family. Forced to confront his past, Slaton employs his lethal skills to unravel a conspiracy that spans international borders. The novel explores themes of vengeance, loyalty, and the moral complexities of retribution, blending high-stakes action with intricate plotting. Larsen’s taut prose and relentless pacing make this a standout thriller, appealing to fans of espionage and suspense. The book underscores the enduring consequences of violence and the personal cost of redemption.
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    Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel

    Chapter 20: Twenty

    by Larsen, Ward

    The chap­ter opens with a reflec­tion on the diver­si­ty of har­bors world­wide, from the opu­lent megay­achts of Mona­co to the rudi­men­ta­ry fish­ing coves of Africa and Indochi­na. Kasim Boutros observes a mod­est, weath­er-beat­en har­bor in a remote vil­lage, where the fish­ing fleet appears worn but func­tion­al. The docks and sheds exude a sense of endur­ing util­i­ty, infused with the salty aro­ma of the sea. Boutros, accom­pa­nied by Park, Choe, and a tech­ni­cian, sur­veys the scene, not­ing the vil­lagers’ sub­dued demeanor—a stark con­trast to the bustling activ­i­ty typ­i­cal of most ports.

    The focus shifts to the *Alba­tross*, a dis­tinct boat moored at the end of the pier, its name crude­ly paint­ed in unfa­mil­iar char­ac­ters. Park explains it was brought from Thai­land to avoid sus­pi­cion, empha­siz­ing its non-North Kore­an ori­gin. Boutros ques­tions the choice but accepts the need for dis­cre­tion. The vil­lagers’ avoid­ance of eye con­tact under­scores the oppres­sive atmos­phere, hint­ing at a com­mu­ni­ty cowed by gen­er­a­tions of author­i­tar­i­an rule. Boutros draws par­al­lels to his expe­ri­ences in Iraq and Syr­ia, rec­og­niz­ing a deep­er, sys­temic sub­ju­ga­tion here.

    As the group approach­es the *Alba­tross*, Boutros assess­es its con­di­tion, find­ing it supe­ri­or to the oth­er ves­sels in the har­bor. His men express opti­mism, but Boutros remains wary of the chal­lenges ahead, par­tic­u­lar­ly his crew’s lack of nau­ti­cal expe­ri­ence. Park reas­sures him about the boat’s readi­ness, men­tion­ing added fuel tanks and avi­a­tion fuel for a tech­ni­cal stop. The boat’s fish­ing gear, how­ev­er, appears unused, a detail that strikes Boutros as incon­gru­ous for a work­ing ves­sel.

    The chap­ter con­cludes with Boutros prepar­ing to inspect the boat’s hid­den car­go, hint­ed at by Park’s cryp­tic remark about what lies below deck. Rafiq’s nod sig­nals their readi­ness, leav­ing the read­er with a sense of impend­ing rev­e­la­tion. The scene under­scores the ten­sion between the boat’s out­ward appear­ance and its clan­des­tine pur­pose, set­ting the stage for the next phase of Boutros’s mis­sion.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does the author describe the harbor and its surroundings, and what mood does this description create?

      Answer:
      The harbor is depicted as a functional yet worn space with a “state of functional disrepair.” The wooden racks for drying fish are empty and tipped in snow, the docks are gray from the elements, and the air carries the scent of low tide and old fish. This description creates a somber, desolate mood, emphasizing the harshness of the winter environment and the hardscrabble existence of the local populace. The imagery of the scarred fishing trawlers “resting like long-tenured employees” further reinforces the sense of weariness and endurance.

      2. What does Boutros observe about the behavior of the villagers, and what does this suggest about life under the North Korean regime?

      Answer:
      Boutros notices that the villagers deliberately avoid eye contact or acknowledgment of the foreign group, behaving as if they are invisible. This behavior suggests a deep-seated fear and subjugation under the North Korean regime. Unlike the targeted repression he witnessed in Iraq and Syria, Boutros perceives this as a more pervasive, generational oppression—”a populace not bent but broken” by systemic brutality and starvation. The villagers’ averted eyes reflect a survival mechanism under totalitarian control.

      3. Why is the Albatross significant, and what details suggest it is different from the other boats in the harbor?

      Answer:
      The Albatross stands out as the boat chosen for Boutros’s mission. Unlike the worn, scarred fishing trawlers, it is in better condition, with less frayed rigging, a decent electronics suite, and a name scribed in unfamiliar characters (possibly Thai). Its isolation at the end of the pier and its readiness for long-range travel (with added fuel tanks) mark it as purposefully selected. The dry, unused fishing net, however, hints at its recent repurposing, which Boutros—a former naval officer—finds suspicious.

      4. What challenges does Boutros anticipate in leading his team on this voyage, and how does he plan to address them?

      Answer:
      Boutros worries about his team’s lack of nautical experience. He has given them basic safety training (e.g., life jackets, avoiding falls), but open-ocean navigation and watch-keeping will fall entirely on him. He hopes to teach simple navigation and assign shifts for lookout duty, but acknowledges that “anything beyond that is fantasy.” His reliance on the Albatross’s condition and the North Koreans’ assurances (“our technicians have gone over everything”) reveals his cautious optimism amid uncertainty.

      5. How does Park justify the choice of a Thai boat for the mission, and what does this reveal about the operation’s secrecy?

      Answer:
      Park dismisses Boutros’s question about the Thai origin of the Albatross with a curt “Why not?” and emphasizes that the critical point is it’s “not a North Korean boat.” This suggests the mission requires deniability—a foreign vessel is less likely to draw suspicion. Park’s instruction to repaint the name at sea further underscores the need for anonymity. The choice reflects the North Koreans’ meticulous planning to avoid traceability, even in a seemingly insignificant fishing village.

    Quotes

    • 1. “This was nothing short of subjugation, a populace not bent but broken, molded by generations of brutality and starvation.”

      This quote powerfully captures the oppressive atmosphere of the North Korean village, revealing the psychological and physical toll of the regime’s rule. It stands out as a stark observation about the human cost of authoritarianism.

      2. “The nautical challenge before him would be like nothing he’d experienced. To begin, he would be tackling open ocean without a single experienced hand.”

      This quote highlights Boutros’ daunting responsibility and isolation as the only skilled sailor on a mission with high stakes. It underscores the theme of leadership under pressure and the vulnerability of the operation.

      3. “She was rigged for purse seining, evidenced by the boom poised high over a brine-blanched working deck. The net was folded and stowed against the transom, yet it appeared dry and calcified, as if it hadn’t been used in months.”

      This detailed observation about the Albatross subtly hints at the boat’s suspicious nature—a fishing vessel that doesn’t seem to fish. It builds tension by suggesting the boat may not be what it appears.

      4. “‘That,’ said Park, ‘is below deck.’”

      This terse exchange marks a pivotal moment where the true purpose of the mission is hinted at but left ominously unexplained. The brevity and placement at the chapter’s end create suspense about what’s hidden aboard.

    Quotes

    1. “This was nothing short of subjugation, a populace not bent but broken, molded by generations of brutality and starvation.”

    This quote powerfully captures the oppressive atmosphere of the North Korean village, revealing the psychological and physical toll of the regime’s rule. It stands out as a stark observation about the human cost of authoritarianism.

    2. “The nautical challenge before him would be like nothing he’d experienced. To begin, he would be tackling open ocean without a single experienced hand.”

    This quote highlights Boutros’ daunting responsibility and isolation as the only skilled sailor on a mission with high stakes. It underscores the theme of leadership under pressure and the vulnerability of the operation.

    3. “She was rigged for purse seining, evidenced by the boom poised high over a brine-blanched working deck. The net was folded and stowed against the transom, yet it appeared dry and calcified, as if it hadn’t been used in months.”

    This detailed observation about the Albatross subtly hints at the boat’s suspicious nature—a fishing vessel that doesn’t seem to fish. It builds tension by suggesting the boat may not be what it appears.

    4. “‘That,’ said Park, ‘is below deck.’”

    This terse exchange marks a pivotal moment where the true purpose of the mission is hinted at but left ominously unexplained. The brevity and placement at the chapter’s end create suspense about what’s hidden aboard.

    FAQs

    1. How does the author describe the harbor and its surroundings, and what mood does this description create?

    Answer:
    The harbor is depicted as a functional yet worn space with a “state of functional disrepair.” The wooden racks for drying fish are empty and tipped in snow, the docks are gray from the elements, and the air carries the scent of low tide and old fish. This description creates a somber, desolate mood, emphasizing the harshness of the winter environment and the hardscrabble existence of the local populace. The imagery of the scarred fishing trawlers “resting like long-tenured employees” further reinforces the sense of weariness and endurance.

    2. What does Boutros observe about the behavior of the villagers, and what does this suggest about life under the North Korean regime?

    Answer:
    Boutros notices that the villagers deliberately avoid eye contact or acknowledgment of the foreign group, behaving as if they are invisible. This behavior suggests a deep-seated fear and subjugation under the North Korean regime. Unlike the targeted repression he witnessed in Iraq and Syria, Boutros perceives this as a more pervasive, generational oppression—”a populace not bent but broken” by systemic brutality and starvation. The villagers’ averted eyes reflect a survival mechanism under totalitarian control.

    3. Why is the Albatross significant, and what details suggest it is different from the other boats in the harbor?

    Answer:
    The Albatross stands out as the boat chosen for Boutros’s mission. Unlike the worn, scarred fishing trawlers, it is in better condition, with less frayed rigging, a decent electronics suite, and a name scribed in unfamiliar characters (possibly Thai). Its isolation at the end of the pier and its readiness for long-range travel (with added fuel tanks) mark it as purposefully selected. The dry, unused fishing net, however, hints at its recent repurposing, which Boutros—a former naval officer—finds suspicious.

    4. What challenges does Boutros anticipate in leading his team on this voyage, and how does he plan to address them?

    Answer:
    Boutros worries about his team’s lack of nautical experience. He has given them basic safety training (e.g., life jackets, avoiding falls), but open-ocean navigation and watch-keeping will fall entirely on him. He hopes to teach simple navigation and assign shifts for lookout duty, but acknowledges that “anything beyond that is fantasy.” His reliance on the Albatross’s condition and the North Koreans’ assurances (“our technicians have gone over everything”) reveals his cautious optimism amid uncertainty.

    5. How does Park justify the choice of a Thai boat for the mission, and what does this reveal about the operation’s secrecy?

    Answer:
    Park dismisses Boutros’s question about the Thai origin of the Albatross with a curt “Why not?” and emphasizes that the critical point is it’s “not a North Korean boat.” This suggests the mission requires deniability—a foreign vessel is less likely to draw suspicion. Park’s instruction to repaint the name at sea further underscores the need for anonymity. The choice reflects the North Koreans’ meticulous planning to avoid traceability, even in a seemingly insignificant fishing village.

    Note